South African Hindu Maha Sabha- Gauteng Youth

31/03/2022

Join the Maha Sabha in celebrating Ramayan Week (2-9 April 2022) as we share episodes from the internationally acclaimed Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan series with English sub-titles, which brought India to a halt when it was first telecast in the late 1980s with a world record viewership.

17/01/2022

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Thai Poosam Kavady - 18 January 2022

Significance of the festival to Hinduism
The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel “spear” so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

English meaning of the festival
Thai refers to the tenth month in the Tamil calendar and Poosam refers to the Pushya star. Thai Poosam is a combination of the name of the month and the name of a star. Kavady is a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried on either end of the poles.

How the date is decided annually
Thai Poosam Kavady occurs annually in the month of Thai (Maagha in North India), during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) on Purnima (full moon) when Poosam Nakshatra (star) is prevailing.

How to observe/practice
Thaipusam is a day of prayers and penance. Dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan the deity of youth, power and virtue. This festival is a time for repentance for devotees with celebrations carried out mainly at the Temple. Devotees carry water and milk to Temples to bathe the murti of Lord Murugan. Generally ten days before Thai Poosam Kavady, a flag is hoisted at Temples. This flag hoisting is a way of giving notice of the coming event.

Read more on our website: https://sahms.org.za/2020/01/09/thai-poosam-kavady/

06/01/2022

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Thai Poosam Flag Hoisting - 09 January 2022

Significance of the festival to Hinduism
The flag hoisting marks the commencement of the week-long Thai Poosam festival.

English meaning of the festival
Thai refers to the tenth month in the Tamil calendar, and Poosam refers to the Pushya star. Thai Poosam is a combination of the name of the month and the name of a star. Kavady is a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried on either end of the poles.

How the date is decided annually
Thai Poosam Flag hoisting usually occurs about ten days before the main Kavady festival, which occurs annually in the month of Thai, during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) on Purnima (full moon) when Poosam Nakshatra (star) is prevailing.

How to observe/practice
Thai Poosam flag hoisting is a day of prayers and penance. It is dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan, the deity of youth, power, and virtue. The flag has a rooster symbol representing the dawn of knowledge that will destroy ignorance during and after the festival. The rooster symbolises the approach of the dawn of knowledge. It is the rooster that proclaims the coming of the sun in the east. The sun is the heavenly body that dispels darkness. The rooster on the banner announces the approach of knowledge which will destroy all ignorance. The ten-day fast or sadhana is the clearance of one’s mind, body, and soul. By fasting and going to the temple and praying for ten days, devotees become spiritually charged and uplifted to carry their Kavady. This flag hoisting is a way of giving notice of the coming event.

Read more on our website: https://sahms.org.za/2021/12/20/thai-poosam-flag-hoisting/

19/11/2021

01/11/2021

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Deepavali / Luxmi Pooja (North & South) - 04 November 2021

Significance of the festival to Hinduism
Historically, it is evident that thousands of years ago, Deepavali was observed as a harvest festival in the land called Bharath (modern-day India) when the civilisation was agricultural: Crops were harvested; there was abundant food in the home; good crops of cotton assured that there was clothing for the family for the full year. Life was bright and happy. Luxmi Mata had honoured the home with her presence. Moreover, the entire family celebrated the festival as a thanksgiving, performing Pooja with elaborate offerings and special rituals. The harvest was regarded as Prasad, the grace, compassion, and favour of the Divine Mother.

English meaning of the festival
Deepavali means a row of lights. Since Deepavali is dedicated to the God of wealth, it is also referred to as Maha Luxmi Pooja.

How the date is decided annually
Deepavali is celebrated on the Amavasya (no moon) or fifteenth day in the dark phase of Karthik.

How to observe/practice
On Diwali or Deepavali day, one should begin by offering Surya Jal (water to the sun – generally on a tulsi tree). Thereafter offer prayer to Ganesh-Gauri (offer perfume/sandal paste dot, agarbati, aarthi, sweet dish/fruit, and water) and Shri Luxmi Narayan (offer perfume/sandal paste dot, agarbati, aarthi, sweet dish/fruit, and water). One may then perform Luxmi Pooja (offer perfume/sandal paste dot, agarbati, aarthi, sweet dish/fruit, and water). In many homes, this Luxmi Pooja is done in the evening. The prayer is followed by hawan. In the evening, one may perform Luxmi Pooja (if not done in the morning) and hawan. A diya (lamp) is lit in every room of the house. Diyas (lamps) are also lit outside the house.

Read more on our website: https://sahms.org.za/2021/01/06/deepavali-luxmi-pooja-north-south/

09/10/2021

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14/09/2021

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