HSS Utsav
We celebrate these utsavas in shakha every year
Makar Sankrant, Hindu Sangathan Diwas, Raksha Bandhan, Varsha Pratipada, Vijayadashami, Guru Dakshina
What is a sankrant? How many sankrant are there in a year?
Sankrant is a day on which Sun moves from one zodiac sign to another. There are 12 sankrant in a year.
What is the meaning of Sanatan?
Meaning of the word sanatan is - The one that is eternal, one that existed forever and will exist forever.
What is Varsha Pratipada?
Varsha Pratipada is first day of Hindu calendar year.
As per hindu puranas it is believed that Bhagwan Brahma started creation of the universe on this day. Raja Vikramaditya defeated shakah invaders and started Vikram Samvat(year) from this day. Current year as per Vikram Samvat in 2081.
This is also the day of our Adya Sarsanghchalak Dr Keshav Hedgewar ji's Birthday.
[True/False] Makar Sankrant is a major harvest festival?
False. The day of Makar Sankranti continuously drifts away. In year 1600, Makar Sankranti fell on January 9 and in year 2600, it will fall on January 23. In year 7015, it will fall on March 23, much later the winter season in India. However, in current time it happens to be the harvest season at the time of Makar Sankranti, at least in some parts of india.
How many children king Dasharath had and what were their names?
Ram, Laxman, Bharat, Shatrughna and daughter Shanta(as per Valmiki Ramayana Bal kanda).
What is Guru Pournima and Raksha Bandhan?
In Sanatan Dharma, Guru is considered even above GOD. This day we celebrate our gratitude towards our Guru "Bhagawa Dhwaj" by doing Samarpan and offering our prayers through pooja.
On Raksha bandhan, we tie a thread called Raksha on each others wrists symolizing their commitment to protect each other and stand by each other no matter what the circumstances are.
What is Ayana? What are 2 Ayanas mentioned related to Sun? What happens during those?
There are 2 ayanas related to sun - Dakshinayana & Uttarayana.
Dakshinayana is when earth's axis tilts in such a way that it appears as if sun is moving in south direction whereas Uttarayana is when earths axis start tilting in a such way that it appears as if sun is moving in north direction.
Currently Kumbha mela is going on. How many types of Kumbha melas are there and can you name them?
There are 3 main types of kumbha melas -
1. Ardha kumbha melas - every six years
2. Poorna Kumbha mela - every 12 years
3. Maha kumbha mela - every 144 years.
Current one is Maha kumbha mela, once in a lifetime opportunity and hence about 400 million people are expected to attend it.
What is Vijayadashami day? Tell 3 important events associated with this day in history.
Day to celebrate victory of good over evil.
1. Sangh was found on the day of Vijayadashami (27th September 1925)
2. Pandavas ended their 14 year exile on this day and did shastrapoojan to achieve victory in upcoming war.
3. Rama killed Ravana
4. Goddess Durga achived victory over Mahishasura.
What is Sankranti called in
1. Tamilnadu
2. Gujarat
3. Andra Pradesh
4. Assam
5. Punjab
1. Tamilnadu - Pongal
2. Gujarat - Uttarayana
3. Andra pradesh - Pedda Panduga
4. Assam - Magh Bihu
5. Punjab - Lohri.
How many days Mahabharata war went on and which day Bhishma pitamaha fell on bed of arrows?
Mahabharata war went on for 18 days and Bhishma pitamaha fell on bed of arrows on 10th day.
What is Hindu Sangathan Diwas?
This festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Maratha warrior and king Chhatrapati Shivaji. He was crowned on May 19,1674.
What is the difference between Makar sankranti and Uttarayana?
Makar sankranti is transit of Sun into Makar(capricorn) Rashi whereas Uttarayana is beginning of moving of Sun into Northern hemisphere.
How many Vedas are there and what are their names? Who received vedas from brahma and who segregated them?
There are 4 vedas - Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda and Samveda.
It is considered that vedas were received by Sage Bharadwaj from Brahma and Vyas maharshi segregated them into 4 vedas.
He taught them to his 4 disciples:
1. Pail - Rigweda
2. Vaishampayan - Yajurveda
3. Jaimini - Samveda
4. Sumantu - Atharvaveda.