Contents
Foreword
Fasts and Festivals 1-78 Ahoi Ashthmi, Akha Teej (fast) ki Katha, Anant Chaturdashi Vrat, Anvala Sinchini Ekadshi Vrat, Baisakhi, Bhagvad Gita, Bhaiyadooj. Bhisham Panchak Vrat, Budhvaar (Wednesday) ki Katha 1 -9 Chaitra Gauri, Chitra Purnima, Dattatreya Jayanti, Devachi Chatunhui, DhanTeras ki Katha, Diwali, Durga Puja, Dussehra 10-18 Eclipse (Suiya Grahan), Ekaadshi ki Katha, Ganesh Chasturthi. Ganga Snaan, Gangaur (Goddess Gauri) ki Katha, Gayatri Mantra Jap Day, Gita Jayanti, Govardhan ki Katha, Gudhipadwa, Guru Purnima, Hanuman Jayanti, Hartitalika Teej, Holi 19-31 Itu worship, Jagan Nath, Janamashtami, Jitashthami, Kal-ashthami, Kartik ki Katha, Kartik Purnuima, Karva Chauth, Khas (Ghas=Gras) Shashth Vrat, Kshetra Vrat, Kumbh Mela, Lohri, Lotan Shasthi 31—i 2 Vi / HINDU FASTS, FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES Maha Shiv Ratri, Mahalya Amavasya, Makar Sakrant, Mangalvaar (Tuesday) ki Katha, Naag Panchami, Navratra 42-49 Maha Parshuram Jayanti, Pole ceremonies, Pradosha Vrat, Rakhi, Ramnaumi, RathaSaptami, Ravivaar ki Katha, Sakranti, Samvatsardi, Sankath Chautli Vrat, Satya Narayan Vrat 49-62 Shanivar ki Katha, Shankar Jayanti, Sharad Purnima Vrat, Sheetala Devi, Shivratri, Shravani Purnima, Shukarvaar ki Katha, Skanda Sashti, Somvaar (Lord Shiva) ki Katha, Teej and Gangaur, Telugu New Year, Tijri festival, Tulsi, Vasant Panchami, Vat Savitri, Virvaar ki Katha 62-78 2. Ceremonies, rituals or sacraments 79-88 Pre-natal sacraments (Garbhdan or 84-88 conception), Pumsavana or Ritual for the birth of a male child, Hair-parting, Duties of a pregnant women, Duties of a husband, Birth of a child: intelligence, Gayatri Mantra, Long life and strength 3. Namkaran (name-giving) 89-98 Nishkramana (first outing), Annaprashana 92 (firstfeeding), Karnavedha (boring of 93 ears), Mundan ceremony, Vidyarambha) 93-94 learning of the alphabet), Upanyana 94-97 (initiation), Samavartana of snana 97-98 (end of studenship) 4. Marriage Ceremonies 99-153 Importance of marriage, Origin of marriage, Pre-marital Scene, Limitations of marriage. Age of marriage, Widow re-marriage, Inter-caste marriage 99-106 CONTENTS / Vll Qualifications of the Bride, Qualifications of the Bridegroom, Betrothal 106-110 Music in marriage ceremonies (Giddha, Bhangra, Raslila, Chappeli, Thali, Rouf, Dandiya, Garbha dance) 109-113 Aims of marriage (Dharma, Praja, Artha and Kama), Marriage ceremonies in various parts of India 113-117 Vivah (marriage) - definition, Forms of marriage in ancient India (Brahma, Daiva, Prajapati, Arsha, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, Paishacha), Some other forms of marriage, Popular forms of marriage, Auspicious Marriage, Marriage hymns and ceremonies, Significance of ceremonies 117-122 Ornaments and Jewellery for married women, Ankur panam (barley seed soed sowing), Ancestral blessings and other rites 122-126 Milni (meeting and receiving the bridegroom and party), Arti, Jaimala, Mandap and Wedding Day ceremonies (Worship of deities, Madhuparka, Kanyadan, Mangala Ashtaka (verses of blessings), Akshataropana (wish fulfilling), Sutra veshtana 126-133 Vivah Homa (marriage and vows before the sacred-fire), Saptapadi (seven steps ceremony), Homa-Yajna, AgniPrarthana, Local customs in some parts of India, Mangal Ashtak, Mangal Sutra, Sindurdanam, Ashirwad (Blessings), Doli, Feeding ceremony 134-142 Tribal, provincial, caste and local customs in various parts of India other than those Viii / HINDU FAS'fS, FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES mentioned above, Marriage by capture and purchase, Exogamy and endogamy, Polyandry 142-145 Colours — Significance in Marriage (Red, White, Yellow, Green, Black) 145-147 Turmeric in marriage, Flowers and trees importance (Fresh flowers, Lotus), Tilak, Bindi-importance, Sihra-bandi 147-149 Wedding rings in India and in the Western World, Western, Superstitions (Bride and Bridegroom), Wedding anniversaries, Changing your surname, Aims towards a successful and happy marriage 149-153 5. The Funeral Ceremonies (Antyesti Samskaras) in Hinduism 154-158 6. The Place of Guru (Spiritual Preceptor) in Hinduism 159 191 Temple or Mandir, Hindu temple ceremonies 160-168 Idol Worship 168-170 Agni, Dyaus, Earth, Moon,Vayu,Varuna 170-174 Salutation and greeting etiquettes 174-176 Worship of animals 176-182 Worship of Inanimate objects 182-187 Ornaments worn by Hindus 187-191 7. Pilgrimage 192-193 8. Mantra 194-L96 9. The Astrology, Palmistry and Horoscope 197-198 10. Symbolism 199-200 Bibliography 201-202 Index 203-206