Namaskar,

 

Gujarati GCSE Classes online. (Pearson Edexcel GCSE 9-1 - See below for details). 

 

Have Fun ... Stay safe and healthy.

 

Introduction

 

The Hindu festivals, fasts, rituals, holy baths and the observance of sacred days are part and parcel of the great cultural heritage. They are religious and social and a great source of spiritual and moral enrichment. They also lend zest, variety, colour and grandeur to an otherwise insipid, routine and care-worn day-to–day human existence. The Hindu festivals are more than what they appear to be. They are essentially a way of living and thinking in the course of existence, and as such bring their whole right to bear on the individual and the society.

 

Unlike the deities of the Hindu pantheon, the festivals are numerous and frequent, but basically religious, psychological and intimately connected with the changes of seasons, though many of them have lost the history of their origin in the mists of hoary past. With passage of time they have undergone a process of transformation and evolution and many new festivals have been grafted upon the old ones.

 

A Hindu festival is, in fact, something more than a ‘festival’. It is cathartic in nature, and as a means of purification strengthens the spirit within. Their goal is to find enjoyment through renunciation and self-denial. They are more of an exploration of the colourful things of life, without being bound to or obsessed by them.

Why do we require panchang for different cities (Countries)?

Most people buy the Panchang from India and use it everywhere in the world. This is not a good practice and one could lead to people observing festivals on incorrect days and at incorrect times abroad. Each festival has a different set of rules about when to observe them.

Hindu festivals are generally based on the Tithi and/or Nakshatra as per the lunar calendar (& some as per the solar calendar). For example, Ganesh Chaturthi is Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi Madhyahn purvavidha vyapini (4^th tithi prevailing at midday).

Each tithi begins and ends at the same instant all over the world. After correcting for the time zones, the tithi will begin/end at different local times in different parts of the world. The next thing is to decide if the tithi is visible during the specified time. This is done by using local sunrise, local sunset and local moonrise times. Since India has little variation in terms of sunrise/sunset, a panchang computed for one area of the country is generally usable throughout the country. For example - on a given day if Chaturthi end time is 2:30pm in India. Hence, UK will observe the chaturthi end time of 9:00am (GMT). This clearly indicates in the United Kingdom that the Chaturthi tithi is not prevailing during madhyahan kal (noon time) but it does prevail in India. Hence, the UK will celebrate Ganesha chaturthi on the previous day, as the chaturthi prevails during the noon on the previous day (chaturthi start time is 9:30am GMT in the UK.). What is important is to observe the festival at the right time in your location. If you blindly use the Indian calendar published in India, it won’t be any good to you as the festival observance dates might change due to local sunrise, sunset, moonrise, time differences etc.

The panchang available in India only prints end times in Indian standard times (IST). You need to convert them to your local standard time and use local sunrise and sunset to find out when it can be observed. Most common mistakes people make is observing Pradosh and Ekadashi vrat on incorrect days by following the Indian panchang printed in India.

 

This month’s Festival.

 

14-01-2023 Kalashtami, Pongal (South Bharat), Makar Sankranti Punyakal 15:16 to

                     Sunset, Dhanur Month ends (15:16)

18-01-2023 Shattila Ekadashi, 12th Kshaya Tithi-UK

19-01-2023 Pradosh, Meru Trayodashi (Jain)

20-01-2023 Shivratri

21-01-2023 Darsh Amavasya, Mauni Amavasya (Jain), (Moon set 15:32), Abhijit Nakshatra

                    19:48 to 26:23

23-01-2023 Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Jayanti

24-01-2023 Shree Ganesh Jayanti, Vinayak Chaturthi, Tilkund & Varad Chaturthi

25-01-2023 Vasant Panchami, Shree Panchami, Saraswati Pooja

26-01-2023 Bharat Republic Day

30-01-2023 Mahatma Gandhi Nirvan Day

 

01-02-2023 Jaya Ekadashi

02-02-2023 Bhishm Dwadashi, Pradosh

03-02-2023 Vishwakarma Jayanti

05-02-2023 Vrat Purnima, Maghi Purnima, Guru Ravidas Jayanti, (Mu. Hajarat Ali Janmadin)

06-02-2023 Gurupratipada

15-02-2023 Shree Jalaram Punya Tithi

16-02-2023 Vijya Ekadashi

18-02-2023 Maha Shivratri, Shiv Pooja, Nishith Muhurat 23:50 to 24:45 Leicester

                      (Today in UK, USA and Canada)

                      Begining time for Shiv poojan -

                      1st Prahar 17:21, 2nd Prahar 20:49:15

                      3rd Prahar 24:17:30 (Midnight), 4th Prahar 27:45:45

19-02-2023 Darsh Amavas, Dwapar Yugadi, (Moon Set 16:03)

 

The above auspicious times are calculated according to the Leicester, UK co-ordinates Latitude 52N38 and Longitude 1W05.

--------------------------------------------------

(Contact Email: pyg_hounslow@hotmail.com)

_________________________________________ 

 

LIST OF IMPORTANT HINDU FESTIVALS & VRATS FOR U.K.

From 26-10-2022 TO 13-11-2023 - V.S. 2079
(Prepared according to local UK Time).

Important Note:Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Jayanti

The Hindu festivals are generally based on a certain Tithi (roughly translated as the lunar phase) or the Nakshatra (Position of Asterisms with respect to the moon and the earth) in a given month or the transition of other heavenly bodies. When the time and place differ a lot from the place for which the Panchang (Religious Almanac) is computed the occurrence of the festival on a given day could change. To correctly compute the time and date of a festival, one must compute the Tithi, Nakshatra etc. for that place in terms of the local time of that place. The festival celebration times and days/dates listed here are calculated according to local UK times and these may differ from other places in the world (e.g. India, USA).

(Ref: Rushi Panchang - UK)

 

Date	Day	Festival Description
26-10-22	Wed.	New Year’s Day  Vikram Samvat 2079, Jain Samvat 2549, Bhai Beej, Bhaiduj, Chandra (Moon) Darshan
29-10-22	Sat.	Labh Pancham, Jain Gian Panchami
30-10-22	Sun.	Greenwich Mean Time begins
31-10-22	Mon.	Shree Jalaram Jayanti
04-11-22	Fri.	Prabodhini, Devuthi Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah Begins
07-11-22	Mon.	Vrat Purnima, Tripurari Purnima
08-11-22	Tues.	Dev Diwali, Tulsi Vivah Ends, Guru Nanak Jayanti, (Purnima until 11:02 – UK)
19-11-22	Sat.	Utpatti Ekadashi
23-11-22	Wed.	Darsh Amavasya,
03-12-22	Sat.	Mokshada & Jain Mauni Ekadashi, Gita Jayanti
07-12-22	Wed.	Vrat Purnima, Shree Dattatrey Jayanti
19-12-22	Mon.	Safla Ekadashi
22-12-22	Thurs.	Darsh Amavasya
02-01-23	Mon.	Putrada Ekadashi
06-01-23	Fri.	Vrat Purnima, Poshi & Shakambhari Purnima
14-01-23	Sat.	Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Punyakal from 15:16 to Sunset
18-01-23	Wed.	Shattila Ekadashi
21-01-23	Sat.	Darsh Amavas, Mauni Amavas (Jain)
24-01-23	Tues.	Ganesh Jayanti, Vinayak, Tilkund & Varad Choth, (4th Kshaya Tithi – UK)
25-01-23	Wed.	Vasant Panchami, Shree Panchami, Saraswati Pooja
26-01-23	Thurs.	Bharat Republic Day
01-02-23	Wed.	Jaya Ekadashi
03-02-23	Fri.	Vishvakarma Jayanti
05-02-23	Sun.	Vrat Purnima, Maghi Purnima
16-02-23	Thurs.	Vijya Ekadashi
18-02-23	Sat.	Maha Shivratri, Nishith Muhurt 23:50 to 24:45, Leicester
19-02-23	Sun.	Darsh Amavasya, (Amavasya Kshaya Tithi – UK)
26-02-23	Sun.	Holashtak begins 19:29
02-03-23	Thurs.	Amalki Ekadashi
06-03-23	Mon.	Vrat Purnima, Holi
07-03-23	Tues.	Dhuleti, Holashtak ends 12:40
17-03-23	Fri.	Papmochni Ekadashi–Smart, (11 Kshaya Tithi–UK)
18-03-23	Sat.	Papmochni Ekadashi – Vaishnavi, UK
21-03-23	Tues.	Darsh Amavasya
22-03-23	Wed.	Chaitri Navaratri, Gudi Padvo, North India Vikram Samvat 2080 Begins
23-03-23	Thurs.	Matsya Jayanti
26-03-23	Sun.	British Summer Time begins
30-03-23	Thurs.	Shree Ramnavami, Abhijit Muhurt 12:43 to 13:35 Leicester, Shree Swami Narayan Jayanti
01-04-23	Sat.	Kamda Ekadashi, Shree Vallbhacharya Vadhai
03-04-23	Mon.	Shree Mahavir Jayanti, Anang Trayodashi
05-04-23	Wed.	Vrat & Chaitri Purnima, Shree Hanuman Janmotsavm;uh<t;*
16-04-23	Sun.	Varuthini Ekadashi, Shree Vallabhabda - 546
19-04-23	Wed.	Darsh Amavasya, (Amavasya Kshaya Tithi – UK)
22-04-23	Sat.	Akshay-Akhatreej, Parshuram Jayanti
01-05-23	Mon.	Mohini Ekadashi
03-05-23	Wed.	Nrusinh Jayanti
04-05-23	Thurs.	Kurma Jayanti, Vrat Purnima
05-05-23	Fri.	Vaishakhi & Budhdha Purnima
15-05-55	Mon.	Apra Ekadashi, Bhadrakali Ekadashi-Punjab
19-05-23	Fri.	Darsh & Bhavuka Amavasya, Shanaishchar Jayanti
31-05-23	Wed.	Nirjala-Bheem Ekadashi
01-06-23	Thurs.	Vat Savitri Vrat Begins
03-06-23	Sat.	Vrat & Vat Savitri Vrat Purnima, (15th  Kshaya Tithi – UK)
13-06-23	Tues.	Yogini Ekadashi – Smart, (11th Kshaya Tithi) – UK
17-06-23	Sat.	Darsh Amavasya, (Amavasya Vruddhi Tithi – UK)
19-06-23	Mon.	Kachchi, Halari Aashadhhi Samvat 2080 Begins
29-06-23	Thurs.	Devshayni Ekadashi, Saurashtra Molakat Begins
01-07-23	Sat.	Jaya Parvati Vrat & Gujarat Molakat Begins
02-07-23	Sun.	Vrat Purnima
03-07-23	Mon.	Guru Purnima, Saurashtra Molakat Jagran
05-07-23	Wed.	Jaya Parvati Vrat Jagran & Gujarat Molakat Jagran
13-07-23	Thurs.	Kamika Ekadashi
17-07-23	Mon.	Darsh Amavasya, Divaso, Aevrat Jeevrat Jagran, Somvati Amavas until 19:32
18-07-23	Tues.	Adhik Shravan, Purushottam month begins
29-07-23	Sat.	Kamla Ekadashi
01-08-23	Tues.	Vrat Purnima
11-08-23	Fri.	Kamla Ekadashi
15-08-23	Tues.	Darsh Amavasya, Bharat Independence Day
16-08-23	Wed.	Adhik Month ends, Amavasya until 10:38
17-08-23	Thurs.	Shravan Month & Shiv Pooja Begins
21-08-23	Mon.	Naag Pancham
22-08-23	Tues.	Kalki Jayanti, Randhan Chhath
23-08-23	Wed.	Sheetla Satam
25-08-23	Fri.	Noli Nom (South Gujarat)
27-08-23	Sun.	Putrada, Pavitra Ekadashi
30-08-23	Wed.	Vrat, Nariyeli & Shravani Purnima, Balev, Raksha Bandhan from 13:02, (15th Kshaya Tithi – UK)
03-09-23	Sun.	Bor Chauth
04-09-23	Mon.	Naag Pancham, Randhan Chhath
05-09-23	Tues.	Sheetla Satam
06-09-23	Wed.	Shree Krishna Jayanti, Vratotsav, Nishith Muhurt 24:42 to 25:24 Leicester, Kalashtami, Dharo Attham this year ONLY
07-09-23	Thurs.	Janmashtami – Vaishnav Pushtimargiy
10-09-23	Sun.	Aja Ekadashi
14-09-23	Thurs.	Darsh & Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Shravan month ends
17-09-23	Sun.	Varah Jayanti, Hari Talika, Kevda Treej, (Treej Vruddhi Tithi – UK)
18-09-23	Mon.	Shree Ganesh Chaturthi, Vinayak Chaturthi
19-09-23	Tues.	Rushi Panchami, Sama Panchami
22-09-23	Fri.	Durga and Radha Ashtami
25-09-23	Mon.	Parivartini – Jal Zilani Ekadashi
26-09-23	Tues.	Vaman Jayanti
28-09-23	Thurs.	Anant Chaturdashi, Vrat Purnima
29-09-23	Fri.	Shraddh begins
02-10-23	Mon.	Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (date)
10-10-23	Tues.	Indira Ekadashi
14-10-23	Sat.	Sarvapitri Darsh Amavas, Amavas-Purnima Shraddh
15-10-23	Sun.	Shardiy Navaratri Begins
22-10-23	Sun.	Shree Durga and Maha - Havan Ashtami, Maha Navami, Naived Nom
23-10-23	Mon.	Vijya Dashami, Dashahara, Vijay Muhurt 14:30 to 15:10 Leicester, Budhdha Jayanti
25-10-23	Wed.	Pashankusha Ekadashi, (12th Kshaya Tithi) UK
28-10-23	Sat.	Vrat Purnima, Sharad Purnima
29-10-23	Sun.	Greenwich Mean Time begins
31-10-23	Tues.	Karva and Sankat Chauth, Moonrise 19:35 Leicester
08-11-23	Wed.	Rama Ekadashi
09-11-23	Tues.	Govats Dwadashi, Vagh Barash
10-11-23	Fri.	Dhan Terash, Dhan Pooja, (13th Vruddhi Tithi – UK)
11-11-23	Sat.	Kali Chaudas
12-11-23	Sun.	(Narak Chaturdashi, Moon rise 6:14am, Leicester), Diwali, Lakshmi-Sharda-Chopda Pujan, Darsh Amavas
13-11-23	Mon.	Somvati Amavas until 9:27 (UK)
14-11-23	Tues.	New Year’s Day  Vikram Samvat 2080, Jain Samvat 2550, Bhai Beej, Bhaiduj, Chandra (Moon) Darshan

 

The above auspicious times are calculated according to the Leicester, UK co-ordinates Latitude 52N38 and Longitude 1W05.

___________________________________________________

 

2023 Eclipse Details - Leicester – United Kingdom

     

20-04-2023   Annular/Total Solar Eclipse (Not Visible in UK and it is not observed)

Beginning 02:34:18, Greatest 04:55:30, End 07:59:18 (B.S.T.)

(Visible in – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Vietnam)

 

05-05-2023   Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (Not Visible in UK and it is not observed)

Eclipse Details -              Beginning - 16:12:00          Mid - 18:22:48            End - 20:33:42 (B.S.T.)

(Visible in - Australia, Asia, Africa.)

 

14-10-2023   Annular Solar Eclipse (Not Visible in UK and it is not observed)

Beginning 16:03:06, Greatest 18:36:30, End 21:55:12 (B.S.T.)

(Visible in – North America, Canada, South America, Colombia, Brazil)

 

28-10-2023   Partial Lunar Eclipse (Visible in UK and need to observed)

Eclipse Details -              Beginning - 20:34:18          Mid - 21:14:00            End - 21:53:30 (B.S.T.)

(Visible in – UK to Australia)

Eclipse Vedh Observation – Maximum from Saturday, 28^th 2:01pm until the end at 9:53:30pm & minimum from Saturday, 28^th 5:56pm until the end at 9:53:30pm.

 

-----------

Adhik Shravan Maas – Starts Wednesday, July 18th 2023 (Tuesday, July 17^th 2023, 19:32 BST - New Moon) & ends Wednesday, August 16^th 2023, 10:38 BST

According to the sidereal zodiac system this year the Sun enters the zodiac sign Cancer (Kark) on July 17^th, 01:36 B.S.T. (British Summer Time) and stays in this zodiac sign until August 17^th, 09:03 B.S.T. During this period two new moons (Amavasya) occur, the first new moon occur on September 17^th, 19:32 B.S.T. and the second new moon occur on August 16^th, 10:38 B.S.T. and hence the Adhik Maas. The Adhik Maas occurs at the beginning of the lunar month Shravan, hence it’s called as Adhik Shravan, and the following lunar month is regular lunar month Shravan.

 

 

Blue moon - 2023

The term "blue moon" is most often defined as the second full moon occurring within a single month. In 2023 the two full moons (Purnima) occurs in the month of August. The first full moon on 1^st August – 19:31 (BST) and the second full moon on 31^st August – 02:36 (BST).

---------

 

Lunisolar Almanac:

 

Lunisolar months are lunar months and based upon the appearance of the moon. Interestingly there are two kinds of lunisolar months too.

1. Amanta Months: The months start with the new moon and end with the new moon. This almanac is synchronized with the Nirayana year i.e. with the leap year consideration. Amanta months are divided into Sudi (Sukla Paksha) and Vadi (Krishna Paksha). The sudi is the period of new moon to the full moon (i.e. increasing moon shape), it is also called the waxing phase. The vadi is the period of full moon to the next new moon (i.e. decreasing moon phase), it is also called the waning phase. The Amanta months start with the Sudi (Sukla Paksha). The Chaitra Amanta Lunisolar almanac the New Year starts with Chaitra and is followed in the South and South-West Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.The Kartika Amanta Lunisolar almanac the New Year Starts with Kartika and is followed in Gujarat including Sauratra-Kathiawar.The Aashadhh Amanta Lunisolar almanac the New Year Starts with Aashadhh and is followed in Kachhchh region of Gujarat.

2. Purnimanta Months (in Rushi Panchang the Purnimant months are written in brackets): This type of almnac uses the full moon ending months. Thus the months start with the day after the full moon to the next full moon. The Purnimanta months are also divided into vadi and sudi paksha (period) like amanta months. Thus the purimantha months start with the Vadi (Krishna Paksha). The vadi is the period of full moon to the next new moon (i.e. decreasing moon phase), it is also called the waning phase. The sudi is the period of new moon to the full moon (i.e. increasing moon shape), it is also called the waxing phase. The Purnimanta Almanac is followed in most of the North India (Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar). 

  _______________________________________________________