Nirmaalyam Shirodhaaryam

Greatness of Nirmaalyam
Things which have been used in Bhagavat-puuja are known as Nirmaalyam (that which is never impure). Pushpas (flowers), Akshatas, Patras (leaves), Toyam (water) and Naivedyam which have been offered to God are various forms of  Nirmaalyam. Shastras and Puranas say that if one consumes Nirmaalyam with bhakti he will be freed of all [...]

Celebrating birthday in the Indian way

Birthday (janmadinotsavam) is usually celebrated every year on the day of janma-tithi or janma-nakshatram. For babies upto the age of 1 year janmadinotsavams are celebrated every month. The following are the important things to do on janmadinotsavam:

Abhyangana-snaanam
Nuutana-vastra-dhaarana
Rakshaa-tilaka-dhaarana
Haarati-grahana (These 4 are done to remove arishtams)
Smarana of Kuladevata, MahaaGanapati, Suurya Bhagavaan, Sapta-Chiranjeevis, Shashthi Devi
Following shlokams must be [...]