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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Kedara Gauri Vrat is mainly observed in Southern Indian states especially in Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Kedara Vratham. It is observed on the day of Deepavali Amavasya and coincides with Lakshmi Puja day during Diwali.
In some families, Kedara Gauri Vrat is observed for 21 days. The twenty-one days long fasting ends on the day of Deepavali Amavasya. However, most people observe a single day fasting on Kedar Gauri Vrat day. It is an important fasting day for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
Kedara Gauri Vrat is an ancient and distinctive Vrat that is especially famous for the combined worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Kedara Gauri Vrat is also known as Kedara Vrat and Kedareshwara Vrat. References to this Vrat are found in sacred scriptures such as the Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and Linga Purana. In particular, its glory and method are described in detail in the Kedara Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
One special significance of this Vrat is that it is observed not only by women but also by men with deep devotion. A person who observes this Vrat according to the prescribed method attains unbroken good fortune, good health, a pure life, and ultimately Moksha. Young women of marriageable age observe this Vrat to obtain a worthy husband, while married women perform it for the long life of their husbands and the happiness and prosperity of their household life.
According to the Pauranic legend, Goddess Parvati performed extremely severe penance in the Himalayas to attain Lord Shiva. Seven types of Vrats were included in her penance, among which Kedara Vrat was considered highly important. Ultimately, by the influence of this Vrat, Goddess Parvati attained the fortune of becoming the Ardhangini of Lord Shankara. Since both Shiva and Gauri are jointly worshipped in this Vrat, it is known as Kedara Gauri Vrat.
The story related to the manifestation of Lord Shiva's Ardhanarishvara form has been described. This story is recited and listened to on the occasion of Kedara Gauri Vrat. Therefore, it is known as the Kedara Gauri Vrat Katha. Various stories related to Lord Ardhanarishvara are prevalent.
Lord Shiva is one of the three main deities worshipped in Hinduism, namely Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesha, who are collectively known as Trimurti. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the universe and is also known by the names of Bholenath, Lord Shankara, etc.
108 Shiva Names mentioned in Shakta Pramod Grantha are the most popular 108 Names of Lord Shiva. Each name when combined with Om Namah becomes independent Mantra in itself and can be used for chanting as well as to perform Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali Homa.
Arudra Darshan is a Tamil festival dedicated to Lord Shiva which is observed during Margashirsha Amavasya and falls in January or December. On this day, Lord Shiva's Nataraja form is worshipped during Arunodaya. This day is also celebrated as the Birth Anniversary of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva is worshipped on Maha Shivaratri day. It is believed that Lord Shiva was born as Linga at midnight on this day. Lord Shiva is worshipped in all the four Prahar of the night on Maha Shivaratri. Nishita Kaal Puja Time for Maha Shivaratri is given on this page.
Pradosh Vrat, also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu calendar, this fast is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi of both Shukla and Krishna Paksha of the lunar month. Pradosham days for whole year are listed on this page.
Complete list of all important Tamil festivals, Upavasam and Vratham as per Tamil Solar Calendar is available here. This list also includes popular Tamil festivals like Ugadi, Hanumath Jayanthi, Bhogi Pandigai, Thai Pongal, Karadaiyan Nombu, Chitra Pournami, etc.
