Happy New Year 2025

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Republic Day Parade 2025 Date, Time and Live Streaming: When and Where To Watch Gantantra Diwas Parade To Be Held at Kartavya Path

India will celebrate its 76th Republic Day on Sunday, January 26, 2025, with the annual Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, showcasing the nation’s cultural diversity and military strength. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will grace the event as the chief guest, while President Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the national flag. The Republic Day celebrations will commence at 7:30 AM IST, with the parade starting at 10:00 AM IST. You can watch the live stream on YouTube by searching for “Doordarshan Republic Day.” The event will also be telecasted on Hindi and English news channels. You can also watch the Republic Day Parade 2025 live streaming below. Don’t miss this iconic display of India’s heritage and unity. Republic Day Parade 2025 Ticket Price, Parade Timing, How To Book Tickets Online and Offline – Here’s All You Need To Know.

Republic Day Parade 2025: Live Streaming

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January 24, 2025
Mortgage rates fall for first time in over a month

Romer Debbas managing partner Pierre Debbas says the economic consequences from the California wildfires will continue to be an unfortunate story.

Mortgage rates finally broke a six-week streak of increases, but the decline will not provide much relief, as long-term rates dipped just below 7%.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 6.96%, down from last week’s reading of 7.04%. The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.69% a year ago.

Mortgage rates fell back below 7% this week, but remain elevated. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

“After crossing the 7%-mark last week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage saw its first decline in six weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While affordability challenges remain, this is welcome news for potential homebuyers, as reflected in a corresponding uptick in purchase applications.”

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The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.16% from 6.27% last week. One year ago, the rate on the 15-year fixed note averaged 5.96%.

January 23, 2025
When Is Shattila Ekadashi 2025? Know Date, Parana Time, Ekadashi Tithi, Vrat Katha, Rituals and Significance To Mark the Auspicious Day Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
Shattila Ekadashi, also popularly known as Tilda or Sattila Ekadashi, is an auspicious occasion dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. The day of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat falls on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the Magha month in the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, this festival occurs either in the month of January. Shattila Ekadashi Vrat 2025 falls on Saturday, January 25. The Parana time (fast breaking time) of the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat will be on January 26, from 07:15 AM to 09:40 AM. On Parana Day, the Dwadashi end moment will be at 11:24 PM. The Ekadashi Tithi begins at 09:55 PM on January 24 and ends at 11:01 PM on January 25. In this article, let’s know more about Shattila Ekadashi Vrat 2025 date, timings, vrat katha, puja vidhi, rituals and the significance of the auspicious day. January 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Check Dates of Important Events in the First Month of the Year.

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat 2025 Date

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat 2025 falls on Saturday, January 25.

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat 2025 Timings
- The Ekadashi Tithi Begins at 09:55 PM on January 24 and ends at 11:01 PM on January 25.
- Parana time of the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat will be on January 26, from 07:15 AM to 09:40 AM.
- On Parana Day on January 26, the Dwadashi end moment will be at 11:24 PM.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha:

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Rituals, Puja Vidhi
- On the day of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat, devotees observe a fast. They must wake up early morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes.
- On this day, devotees should clean the place of worship and install the statue, idol or the picture of deities Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.
- Offer prayers and worship the deities by performing pujas and reciting the hymns of Lord Krishna and reading Vishnu Sahasranama.
- On this day, prasad, tulsi water, fruits, coconut, and flowers should be offered to the deities. One of the most significant aspects of the day is to take maximum use of sesame seeds (Til).
- Repeat the puja the next morning i.e. on Dwadashi and devotees can conclude their Shattila Ekadashi vrat.
- After the puja, perform aarti and distribute the prasad.
Shattila Ekadashi Significance

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat is an important day for devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the Sattila Ekadasi fast and rituals if done with complete devotion blesses devotees with good health, wealth and prosperity. On this day, people engage in charity and donate clothes, food to the poor and needy on this Ekadasi. Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025 Wishes, Mokshada Ekadashi Greetings, HD Images, Quotes, Messages and Wallpapers To Celebrate the Day Dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

On Sat-tila Ekadasi, ‘Til’ or Sesame seeds, are used for spiritual purification in many different ways on this day, like putting til in bathing water, applying paste of til on the body, eating sesame seeds, drinking water with sesame seeds in it and more. The Sattila Ekadasi fast is said to be very important as its merit of wealth and prosperity flows to the next lives/rebirths of the person.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2025 04:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
January 23, 2025
Comet visible from Earth for first time in 80,000 years: ‘Most anticipated comet of the year’

A comet not seen for more than 80,000 years will be visible from Earth, potentially during two separate time periods over the next month.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also known as Comet A3, is believed to have an orbit around the sun of more than 80,000 years, according to earth.com.

The comet was first visible starting on Sept. 27 and will continue until shortly before sunrise on Oct. 2. It is expected to appear like a fuzzy ball with a tail stretching across the sky.

“C/2023 A3 has an orbital period of approximately 80,000 years, classifying it as a long-period comet. This means its behavior and appearance can be unpredictable, with potential changes in brightness and tail development as it approaches the sun,” Minjae Kim, a space expert in the University of Warwick’s astronomy department, told earth.com.

SPACEX LAUNCHES MISSION TO SPACE STATION THAT WILL BRING BACK STRANDED NASA ASTRONAUTS NEXT YEAR

Comet C2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas is seen over the hills near the village of Aguas Blancas, Lavalleja Department, Uruguay, at dawn on September 28, 2024. (Getty Images)

“If predictions hold, it could be visible to the naked eye, appearing as a fuzzy star with a tail stretching across the sky. Otherwise, binoculars or a small telescope may reveal more detail in the comet’s structure and tail,” Kim added.

Sept. 27th also marked perihelion, or closet point to the sun, after which the comet will begin its trip back to the outer solar system, according to WKMG.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) appears in the sky over Molfetta, Italy, on September 28, 2024. (Getty Images)

Another viewing opportunity, which is expected to have better visibility, will be in the middle of October if the comet survives the trip around the sun, as comets will often break apart as they move closer to the sun.

If the comet survives the trip around the sun, the comet could be visible with the naked eye as it becomes its closest to Earth, with its best visibility expected from Oct. 12 until Oct. 20.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM EXPECTED TO HIT EARTH FOLLOWING AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

Comet C2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas can be observed over the hills near the village of Aguas Blancas, Lavalleja Department, Uruguay, at dawn on September 28, 2024. (Getty Images)

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The comet will move higher in the sky each night until it disappears for the next 80,000 years.

Starwalk, an astronomical app for stargazers, said this comet is the “most anticipated comet of the year.”

January 23, 2025
Freed Israeli hostage speaks out for first time, says she has ‘returned to my life’ following Hamas captivity

One of the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas is speaking out after spending nearly 500 days in captivity, saying that she has “returned to my life.”

In a post on Instagram, Emily Damari, 28, also wrote, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, I’m the happiest in the world just to be.”

Damari is a dual Israeli-British citizen who lost two fingers during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the Associated Press reported, citing authorities. She was said to be in stable condition on Sunday after being freed from the Gaza Strip.

“Yesterday, I was finally able to give Emily the hug that I have been dreaming of,” her mother Mandy Damari also said Monday in a statement released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which has been advocating for the release of the captives.

ISRAEL RELEASES 90 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASE-FIRE DEAL TO FREE HOSTAGES

Emily Damari, right, and her mother Mandy are seen together after Emily was released from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP/Israeli Army)

“I am relieved to report that after her release, Emily is doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated,” her mother continued. “In Emily’s own words, she is the happiest girl in the world; she has her life back.”

Mandy Damari described her daughter’s release as an “incredibly happy moment for our family” but said “we must also remember that 94 other hostages still remain.”

“The ceasefire must continue and every last hostage must be returned to their families,” she added.

ISRAEL, HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL COULD ENABLE REARMING OF GAZA TERRORISTS

Former hostage Emily Damari and her mother Mandy hold a video call with Emily’s brother Tom Damari on Sunday, Jan. 19, after she was released from Hamas captivity.

“As wonderful as it is to see Emily’s resilience, these are still early days. As you will have seen yesterday, Emily lost two of the fingers on her left hand,” Mandy Damari also said. “She now needs time with her loved ones and her doctors as she begins her road to recovery.”

Damari was one of three hostages released by Hamas on Sunday as part of a cease-fire agreement.

In exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank.

Romi Gonen, right, and her mother Merav hold each other near kibbutz Reim in southern Israel after Romi was released from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza. (AP/Israeli Army)

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The other two Israeli hostages that were freed were identified as Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025
10 tech upgrades to save your time, privacy and money this year

At its best, today’s tech makes life easier. The trick is, you need to know the insider secrets. Luckily you have me.

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Here’s one to make your AI results better. With ChatGPT or any other, the more constraints you give, the better your answer. It’s called priming. Examples: “Limit your response to 250 words,” “Give me the list in bullet points” and “Format the results as a table.”

Sweet. Let’s keep going with 10 more tips and tricks.

5-MINUTE CLEANUP FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER

1. Ctrl + Z (undo) isn’t just for Word docs

Did you accidentally delete an email, close a browser tab or move a file? Ctrl + Z on a PC (Cmd + Z on a Mac) is the universal lifesaver. Use it everywhere, from editing spreadsheets to undoing changes in most apps. It’s a superpower.

2. Screenshots for the win

Forget scrambling for a pen and paper — just take a screenshot! Whether it’s a recipe, directions or an annoying error message, capturing your screen can save time and frustration. On your PC, hold down your Windows key + Shift + S. On a Mac, it’s Cmd + Shift + 4.

I have more time-saving keyboard tricks here.

From key shortcuts to easy, on-demand podcasts and magazines, these tech tips will help save you time and money this year. (iStock)

3. Use your voice more

You’ll be surprised by what you can tell your phone to do. For starters, forget fumbling for an app. Just say, “Hey, Siri, open Instagram” or, for Google Assistant, “Open Spotify.” You can also tell your assistant to call someone in your contacts, set a reminder, take a photo, convert milliliters to ounces, turn on the flashlight, flip a coin — the list goes on.

Pro tip for voice texting: To delete the last word you dictated, say, “Delete the last word.” To delete the last sentence, say, “Clear sentence.” If you want to get rid of everything you just said, say, “Clear all.”

DON’T SCAM YOURSELF WITH THE TRICKS HACKERS DON’T WANT ME TO SHARE

4. Because you never have a pen

Snap a pic with your phone’s camera, and you can copy, search or translate the text. On iPhone: Open the image in Photos. Tap and hold the text and select an option. On Android: Open a pic in Google Photos, then tap on the Lens icon. Select the text, then tap the action you want to take.

Phone photos a mess? How to delete duplicates

ChromeOS Flex can help breathe new life into your old laptop. (iStock)

5. Bring your old laptop back to life

Install ChromeOS Flex, a free, cloud-based operating system. With processing done on Google’s servers and a bare-bones interface, you’ll get surprisingly good performance. Your PC needs to meet these minimum specs: x64 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a USB port for installation.

6. Calling back a random number?

Hide yours first. Punch in star, 6 and 7, followed by the number you’re calling, and that’s it. The caller will see “Private” or “Blocked.” If you want your number hidden all the time, change the settings on your smartphone. On an iPhone, tap Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Toggle it Off. On Android, the option is called Hide Number.

7. Instant podcasts about anything

Google’s NotebookLM lets you upload audio files, notes, documents or anything else, then search them, find citations (from your own docs) or produce a snazzy podcast you can listen to. It’s impressive. Reader Bob told me after he heard about it on my show, he used it to create training modules for his employees.

Grandfluencers: Folks trading retirement for internet fame

Apple AirTags can help you keep tabs on your kids and your valuables. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

8. Track the kids

Apple AirTags (iOS) or Tile trackers (Android) let you keep tabs on your little ones. Attach a tracker to their backpack, shoelaces or belt loop. Pro tip: At somewhere very public, like a Disney park, give your child’s tracker a unique name, like “Buzz Lightyear.” That way, if someone gets a “Tracker Nearby” alert, your child’s name won’t pop up.

9. Every mail has its day

It’s a game-changer for staying organized. In Apple Mail on your iPhone or iPad, compose your email as usual, then tap and hold Send. You’ll see options like “Send Later,” where you can select a specific date and time for delivery. In Gmail, after drafting your email, click the small arrow next to the Send button and select Schedule Send.

10. Stop getting lured in at the grocery store

With an Amazon Prime account, you get access to a rotating library of popular magazines for free. Check them out here. Now you can read the latest weird royal rumors without paying for the magazine.

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Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.

January 23, 2025
Lohri 2025 Date and Sankranti Time: Know Rituals, Traditions and Significance To Celebrate the Harvest Festival of Punjab

Lohri is a popular North Indian festival celebrated with great festivities in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as in other parts of India. The auspicious festival of Lohri is celebrated one day before Maghi, also known as Makar Sankranti, and its date is determined as per Hindu Solar calendar. The date of Lohri changes every 70 years. It typically falls on January 13 each year, marking the end of the winter solstice. Lohri 2025 falls on Monday, January 13. It is a harvest festival, deeply rooted in agrarian traditions of India. In this article, let us know more about Lohri 2025 date, Sankranti time, rituals, traditions and significance to celebrate the festival.

Lohri 2025 Date and Sankranti Time

Lohri 2025 is celebrated on Monday, January 13. The Lohri Sankranti Moment is at 09:03 AM on January 14. Lohri 2025 Date and Celebrations: Why Is Popcorn and Other Food Items Thrown Into Bonfire?

Lohri Rituals and Traditions

Lohri, also popularly known as Lohadi or Lal Loi, marks the end of winter, and is a traditional welcome of longer days and the sun’s journey to the Northern Hemisphere. This festival is observed the night before Maghi. The main highlight of the Lohri festival is the lighting of a bonfire, around which people gather in the evening, offer sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, among other thigs to the fire as a way of expressing gratitude to nature and praying for prosperity.

The festival of Lohri is a time for family and friends to come together, marking the end of the winter season and celebrating the harvest. It is celebrated by lighting bonfires, spending time with family and friends, eating festive food, dancing and collecting gifts. In houses that have recently had a marriage or childbirth, Lohri celebrations are at its peak as the festival is marked with great pomp and festivities.

Lohri Significance

Folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda are performed to the beat of the dhol, adding vibrancy to the celebration. The festival of Lohri is incomplete without traditional Punjabi delicacies like makki di roti and sarson da saag, rewri, gajak, and til ladoos. Lohri holds great importance for farmers. In Punjab, Lohri is marked by eating sheaves of roasted corn from the new harvest.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2025 07:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

January 13, 2025
Paush Purnima 2025 Date: What Is the Significance of Paush Purnima Upavasa? Purnima Tithi, Moonrise Time and Fasting Rituals To Observe the Holy Day

Paush Purnima 2025 is on January 13. As the name suggests, the celebration commemorates the full moon day in the month of Magha and is usually the day that Kumbh Mela begins. It is customary for devotees to celebrate this day by observing a stringent fast. Some parts of India celebrate Paush Purnima as Shakambhari Purnima. As we prepare to observe Paush Purnima Upavasa 2025, here is everything you need to know about Paush Purnima and how to celebrate this day. January 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Check Dates of Important Events in the First Month of the Year.

Paush Purnima 2025 Date, Tithi and Moonrise Time

Paush Purnima 2025 is on January 13. Purnima Tithi for Paush Purnima Upavasa begins at 05:03 AM on January 13, 2025, and will go on till 03:56 AM on January 14, 2025. On this day, it is customary for devotees to observe the Paush Purnima Upvasa, which is only broken at moonrise time. Shukla Purnima Moonrise on Purnima Upavasa Day will be at 05:47 PM on January 13.

Paush Purnima Upavasa Rituals and Significance

The observance of Paush Purnima Upvasa is observed to offer one’s prayers to the Sun and Moon gods and devotees often perform special prayers and rituals on this day. People also recite the Paush Purnima Upavasa Katha on this day. People often believe that observing this day can help them to achieve their dream of becoming a parent. The celebration of Paush Purnima Upvas begins by waking up early in the morning, taking a holy dip in the river or pod and observing the stringent day-long fast. The celebration of the festival continues on with the reciting of the story, preparing special delicacies and coming together as a community. People go on to break their fast at moonrise, by doing another important puja. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India.

People also believe that indulging in acts of charity, offering prayers to Lord Vishnu, and offering prayers to the sun and moon gods on this day will help people to achieve their dreams. We hope that Paush Purnima brings with it hope and happiness to you and your family.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2025 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

January 13, 2025
Bhogi 2025 Date: Know Sankranti Time, Rituals and Significance To Celebrate the First Day of Pongal Festival
Bhogi Pandigai is the first day of the four-day Pongal festival that is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in South India. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, Sankranti is celebrated for four days and Bhogi Pongal marks the start of the festival. Bhogi Pongal falls on last day of Agrahayaṇa or Margasirṣa month of Hindu Solar Calendar, which is January 13 as per the Gregorian calendar. It is the day before Makar Sankranti, celebrated widely in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Bhogi Pandigai 2025 falls on Monday, January 13. The Bhogi Sankranti Moment is at 09:03 AM on January 14. Pongal 2025 Dates: Why Is Pongal Celebrated? Bhogi Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Other Traditions, Rituals, Delicious Recipes and More To Know.

On this occasion, people clean their homes, remove clutter, and discard unwanted items in a symbolic act of renewal. In this article, let’s know more about Bhogi 2025 date, rituals, celebrations and the significance of the auspicious occasion.

Bhogi 2025 Date and Sankranti Timing
- Bhogi Pandigai 2025 falls on Monday, January 13, 2025.
- The Bhogi Sankranti Moment is at 09:03 AM on January 14.
Bhogi Celebrations and Rituals
- On the day of Bhogi Pandigai, people discard old and derelict things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation.
- People wake up before dawn and light bonfire, popularly known as Bhogi Mantalu, with wood and other solid fuels. This fire signifies the end of negativity and old things and starting the New Year afresh.
- Derelict wooden items at home are offered to the fire as a Bhogi ritual.
- On this day, homes are cleaned, and entrances are adorned with fresh mango leaves, turmeric plants, and colourful rangoli designs.
- Devotees prepare special dishes using newly harvested crops, such as rice and sugarcane, and offer them to deities.
Bhogi Pandigai Significance

Bhogi Pandigai is a day dedicated to discarding the old and welcoming the new. The day of Bhogi Pongal marks the end of the year’s accounts and the beginning of new accounts on the first day of the harvest on the following day. Lord Indra is worshipped during the Pongal festival for good rains and a bountiful harvest. Kaappu Kattu, a tradition of tying leaves of Azadirachta indica, Senna auriculata, Aerva lanata in the roofs of houses and residential areas is practiced in Kongu Nadu.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2025 06:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
January 13, 2025
Thiruvathira or Arudra Darshan 2025 in Tamil Date, Time and Shubh Muhurat: How To Observe Thiruvathirai Viratham? Follow 7-Step Puja Vidhi To Celebrate of Lord Shiva’s Cosmic Dance
Thiruvathira or Arudra Darshan, a significant Tamil festival, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is observed on the day of Arudra Nakshatram, also known as Thiruvaathirai Nakshatram, during the Maargazhi Masam. This day is considered highly auspicious as it coincides with the Pournami (Full Moon), enhancing its spiritual significance. Thiruvathira 2025 date falls on January 13. For many devotees, Arudra Darshan marks the celebration of Lord Shiva’s divine Nataraja form, and it is believed to be the day of Lord Shiva’s cosmic birth. This is in contrast to the Maha Shivaratri festival, which is considered Lord Shiva’s birthday in other parts of India.

Thiruvathira or Arudra Darshan 2025 Date & Shubh Muhurat

In 2025, Arudra Darshan will fall on Monday, January 13, with Thiruvathirai Nakshathram beginning at 11:24 AM on January 12 and concluding at 10:38 AM on January 13.

Arudra Darshan Significance & Importance

Arudra Darshan holds special importance as it honours Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form, symbolising the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. The festival is a time for devotees to connect with the divine energy of Lord Shiva and reflect on the eternal cycle of the universe. This celebration is particularly special in Tamil culture, where it is believed that Lord Shiva performed the Ananda Tandava, a celestial dance, to reveal the secrets of the universe. The dance signifies the continuous flow of creation, preservation, and destruction in the cosmic order.

Thiruvathira Puja Vidhi

The rituals for Thiruvathira are conducted early in the morning and follow a traditional procedure to honour Lord Shiva. Here’s a detailed guide to the steps involved in the celebration:

Step 1: Morning Preparations

Devotees begin the day with a holy bath before sunrise, which is believed to purify the body and soul. Fasting, whether partial or complete, is also a customary practice on this day to aid in spiritual purification.

Step 2: Setting Up the Altar

In homes and temples, a sacred altar is prepared with an idol or image of Lord Shiva, preferably in the Nataraja form. The altar is decorated with fresh flowers, and oil lamps are lit to honour the deity, creating an atmosphere of devotion and reverence.

Step 3: Abhishekam (Holy Bath)

In temples, priests perform Abhishekam, where the idol of Lord Nataraja is bathed with a variety of sacred substances such as milk, honey, curd, ghee, coconut water, and rose water. Each of these items has its symbolic significance:
- Milk symbolises purity.
- Honey represents sweetness and compassion.
- Curd signifies nourishment.
- Ghee embodies strength and clarity.
- Coconut water symbolises fertility and growth.
- Rose water is a symbol of love and beauty.
Step 4: Chanting Sacred Mantras

Priests and devotees chant mantras, with the Om Namah Shivaya mantra being particularly prominent. This powerful mantra is believed to invoke blessings from Lord Shiva and radiate positive energy.

Step 5: Offering Prayers and Rituals

A common offering during Arudra Darshan is the Bilva leaf, which holds great importance in Hindu rituals. Devotees also present fruits, sweets, and incense sticks as prayers for peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

Step 6: Reciting Shiva Stotras

Devotees recite sacred texts such as the Shiva Tandava Stotra, Shiva Sahasranama, and other Shiva hymns to honour Lord Nataraja. These hymns describe his cosmic dance and the universe’s creation and dissolution. The recitations are considered acts of reverence and meditation.

Step 7: Observing the Fast

Many devotees choose to observe a full-day fast as part of their offering. The fast is typically broken at sunset with sattvic food, symbolising discipline, self-control, and respect toward the divine.

Arudra Darshan is deeply intertwined with several mythological stories that highlight Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance. One of the most celebrated legends tells the story of Lord Shiva performing the Ananda Tandava at the Chidambaram Temple in Tamil Nadu. In this legend, Lord Shiva reveals his cosmic form and performs the dance to show the gods, including Vishnu and Brahma, the rhythms of creation and dissolution. His dance signifies the ceaseless cycle of life and death, creation and destruction, that governs the universe.

Another story revolves around Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s consort, who asked him to reveal his cosmic dance. On the day of Arudra Darshan, Lord Shiva granted her wish, showcasing his divine dance. This tale emphasises devotion, surrender to the divine, and the blessings that come with true faith and humility.

Arudra Darshan is a powerful and spiritually enriching festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, offering devotees an opportunity to connect with the divine energies of the universe. The rituals, prayers, and legends associated with this day serve as reminders of the cosmic balance that governs life and the universe. It is a time for devotees to reflect on their spiritual journey, seek Lord Shiva’s blessings, and honour the eternal rhythm of creation, preservation, and destruction that he embodies through his Nataraja form.

(Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on beliefs and legends only. Before applying any information in real life, consult the concerned expert.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2025 04:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
January 12, 2025