13th February- Today in Bharat's History
Offering our prayers to Lord Ganesh on Shri Ganesh Jayanti
|| Shree Ganeshaya Namaha ||
Namaskaar,
Today is Magh Shukla Paksha Chaturthi; welcome to the thirteenth of February 2024.
In other words, today is the Chaturthi 4th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright phase of moon) in the month of Magh.
Let us explore today's events!
You can listen to the audio version of this newsletter by clicking below
Festivals and Events
Shri Ganesh Jayanti
Shri Ganesh Jayanti, is celebrated as the birth of Lord Ganesh. This festival is also known as Maghi Ganeshotsav.
It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on this day as per the Hindu calendar. The festival is celebrated with similar rituals and customs as Vinayaka Chaturthi, with people offering prayers, performing pujas, and seeking blessings from Lord Ganesh. It is also a time for family gatherings, feasting on delicious sweets, and exchanging gifts with loved ones.
Today is a Tuesday, and a Chaturthi, and the day is called Angarki Chaturthi.
Shantadurga Rathotsav- Goa
The Shantadurga Rathotsav celebration is part of the 10-day Shishirotsav festivities held annually at the Shantadurga Kalangutkarin Temple in Goa. During this time, the deity is taken out in processions on chariots. The Shantadurga Kalangutkarin Temple is dedicated to the goddess Shantadurga, and it is particularly significant within the Hindu Goud Saraswat Brahin community. You can read my blog post about this festival for more details.
Notable “Days” and Anniversaries
Birth Anniversary of Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu, often referred to as the "Nightingale of India," wasb orn on February 13, 1879. Her birth anniversary is celebrated to honour her contributions to the nation.
World Radio Day
World Radio Day is an annual event celebrated globally on February 13th. It was established by the United Nations agency to raise awareness about the importance of radio as a powerful medium of communication. Learn more about this day on gaathastory.
On that note, I cannot help but post a link to the song by Queen-
Radio Ga Ga. You can also watch this directly on YouTube.
Why am I posting a song by a British Band in a newsletter on Bharat’s History? Many of you may not know- the lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury, was born Freddie Balsara to Parsi parents who hailed from our country.
Past Days and Events
February 12th was celebrated as National Productivity Day, a day that aims to promote and enhance productivity in all sectors of the economy. It serves as a reminder for individuals, organizations, and the government to prioritize efficiency and effectiveness in their work. This Day was established by the National Productivity Council (NPC) of India. Click here to learn more.
Did you know that February 11th was Vishwa Roop Darshan Diwas?
Vishwa Roop Darshan refers to the universal form of Lord Krishna that was revealed in the Bhagavad Gita. This was the moment when Lord Krishna showed his Vishwarup (cosmic form) to Arjun during the Mahabharat war.
What is the Vishwaroop Darshan
The story goes that when Arjun hesitated to fight his own kith and kin on the battlefield, Lord Krishna granted him divine vision to witness His supreme Vishwa Roop. This form encompassed the entire creation, with countless gods, celestial beings, and the cosmos itself manifesting through it.
Arjun was left awestruck and profoundly moved by the Vishwa Roop Darshan. It emphasized to him Lord Krishna’s sarvavyapi (all-pervading) and sarvashaktimaan (all-powerful) nature as the Parameshwar.
The event is memorably described in the 11th chapter of the revered Bhagavad Gita within the Mahabharat epic. It stands as a pivotal moment that revealed Lord Krishna’s true swaroop (form) and reinforced His divine purpose to Arjun.
This wraps up today’s edition of Today in Bharat’s History. Thank you for reading, and have a great week ahead! If you liked this newsletter and the information, please subscribe and share.
Amar Vyas
This project is an initiative of Amar Vyas, cofounder of gaathastory. For any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback, you may kindly write to contact+tbh@amarvyas.com