HCF Search Results

Holi on Monday, March 25, 2024 Holika Dahan on Sunday, March 24, 2024 Purnima Tithi Begins - 12:24 AM on Mar 24, 2024 Purnima Tithi Ends - 02:59 AM on Mar 25, 2024 About Holi: The Holi festival in India holds deep Hindu spiritual significance and imparts valuable life lessons. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm during the spring season as a festival of colors and love, symbolizing the emotions of the mind. Like other festivals in India, Holi emphasizes the triumph of good over evil and ignorance. As winter ends, Holi ushers in the fragrance of flowers, creating an atmosphere of warmth and joy. Holi's celebration fosters a delightful mood among people of all ages. Smearing each other with vibrant colors and enjoying delicious Gujiyas, this festival spreads cheer and happiness. For centuries, Holi has been a unifying force, bringing together people of all backgrounds, ages, and generations. While Holi has its origins in Hinduism dating back thousands of years, its joyful spirit goes beyond religious boundaries. Holi is more than just a riot of colors; it's a chance to embrace a spirit of renewal. Forgiveness: The Foundation Holi encourages an essential life practice: forgiveness. It's about letting go of grudges and fostering peace and harmony, not just during the festival but throughout the year. Every joyous gathering during Holi reinforces this positive energy, creating a natural cleansing for the mind. People apply tilak, a mark of acceptance, to each other's foreheads, bridging divides of age and gender. A Celebration of Life and Gratitude Holi is a time to cherish moments with loved ones and express gratitude. The vibrant colors symbolize spreading joy and giving thanks for a good harvest. This festive spirit creates a wave of positive energy that uplifts everyone. Open to All While Holi has its origins in Hinduism dating back thousands of years, its joyful spirit goes beyond religious boundaries. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to join in the celebrations. The festival is widely embraced by open-minded individuals (except a few communities with orthodox mindsets) of various religions, and its popularity is growing outside India, including in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. The Festivities Begin Holi celebrations kick off with Holika Dahan, a bonfire lit the night before. This fire symbolizes the burning away of inner negativity. According to Hindu scriptures, Holika, a demon queen, was consumed by flames. The fire represents destroying the evil within us, even the parts we might not be aware of. A Day of Color and Revelry The next morning, the streets erupt in a vibrant explosion of color. People playfully smear colored powder on each other, throw colorful water balloons, and use water guns to create a joyous, messy celebration. It's a day filled with laughter, music, and the carefree spirit of Holi. Essence of Holi : The essence of Holi lies in the unity of humanity, conveying a message of oneness. The colors symbolize the spectrum of emotions we experience: red for anger, green for envy, yellow for joy, white for peace, and pink for love. Just as Holi throws a dazzling array of colors, our inner world is a kaleidoscope of ever-changing feelings. The true spirit of Holi lies in embracing all these emotions with clarity. By understanding and acknowledging our feelings, we can achieve inner harmony, just like the peaceful coexistence of colors during the festival. Life, like Holi, should be vibrant and colorful, but with each color distinct. When we can manage our emotions with wisdom, they become a source of richness, not conflict. Holi reminds us that we all play multiple roles in life – parent, child, sibling, friend. When these roles blur, misunderstandings can arise. Yet, Holi's joyous energy emphasizes the importance of embracing each role fully. By approaching life's situations with knowledge and emotional awareness, we can create a life filled with peace and harmony, mirroring the spirit of Holi. Legends of Holi: Hiranyakashyap was the king of demonic Asuras who, according to the Bhagavata Purana, received a boon from Lord Shiva that rendered him indestructible by neither man nor beast. With this newfound power, he unleashed his demonic nature, demanding worship as the supreme deity and punishing those who disagreed. Prahlada, his son, remained steadfast in his devotion to Bhagwan Vishnu, defying his father's commands. Enraged, Hiranyakashyap attempted various ways to kill Prahlada, all of which failed. He then enlisted his demon sister Holika's help, who possessed a divine cloak that was supposed to protect her from fire. In a twist of fate, the cloak flew off her body and protected Prahlada instead, leading to Holika's demise. Ultimately, Bhagwan Vishnu's avatar Narasimha, a half-man, half-lion, emerged from a pillar to slay Hiranyakashyap, marking the beginning of Holi with Holika Dahan symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Holi, the festival commemorates the timeless love between Bhagwan Krishn and Radha. Their playful gestures inspired the tradition of applying colors to one another during Holi, symbolizing love and fondness. Holi is celebrated by applying colors to the deities of Radha and Krishna. The festival coincides with the last full moon of the year, followed by the Hindu New Year. It is customary to burn old items at home before the last full moon and then play Holi with colors. Holi is about bringing people of all ages together in celebration and unity. Video explaining Holi Festival, must watch. Wishing you all a very Happy Holi, Shubh Holi from Hindu Canadian Foundation.

Vasant Panchami on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Vasant Panchami Muhurat - 07:20 AM to 12:32 PM Duration - 05 Hours 12 Mins Vasant Panchami Madhyahna Moment - 12:32 PM Panchami Tithi Begins - 04:11 AM on Feb 13, 2024 Panchami Tithi Ends - 01:39 AM on Feb 14, 2024 Vasant Panchami day is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami day. Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami. People worship Goddess Saraswati to get enlighten with knowledge and to get rid of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance. This ritual of initiating education to children is known as Akshar-Abhyasam or Vidya-Arambham/Praasana which is one of the famous rituals of Vasant Panchami. Schools and colleges arrange pujas in the morning to seek blessing of the Goddess. Purvahna Kala, which is the time between the sunrise and the midday, is considered to decide Vasant Panchami day. Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the day when Panchami Tithi prevails during Purvahna Kala. Due to which Vasant Panchami might also fall on Chaturthi Tithi. Vasant Panchami Deity: Goddess Saraswati Vasant Panchami Date and Time: As per Hindu Calendar Vasant Panchami is observed during Shukla Paksha Panchami of Magha lunar month, Feb 13, 2024 (Tuesday) Vasant Panchami Observance: Following are the main rituals and activities which are followed on the day of Vasant Panchami - Saraswati Puja at home with kids and family Wearing white and yellow dresses Offering mustard and marigold flowers to Goddess Saraswati Vidya Arambha for kids Saraswati Puja at schools and colleges starting new ventures especially inaugurate educational institutes and colleges Pitri Tarpan for deceased family members Saraswati Puja is performed to seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. She is believed to be the consort of Lord Brahma, who created the Universe with her knowledge. She sits on a swan and has a peacock on her side. She holds a Veena in her hands. Below mentioned are the ritual that should be followed while doing Saraswati Puja. Place an idol or a photo of Goddess Saraswati in your Puja room. The idol should be placed facing west so that when you pray, you face towards east. Place some of your important books along with the holy books Ramayan and Geeta by her side. Light a Diya in front of the idol or photo of Goddess Saraswati. Offer turmeric, Kumkum, fruits, sweets, rice grains, beetle leaves, flowers along with new cloth and sandalwood paste in front of the Goddess. Mantras of Goddess Saraswati are recited before the idol or photo of Goddess and Arati is performed with dedication and devotion. Students usually pray for success in exams and ultimately in life while professionals seek excellence and progress in life. Food prepared during this day includes kheer (rice cooked in milk and sugar), curd rice, sugar cane, sugar candy and gingelly balls along with parched rice and paddy are offered to Goddess and then eaten by all the members of the family as Prasad. Maa Saraswati Mantra या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता।या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना॥या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता।सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥१॥ शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं।वीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्॥हस्ते स्फटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्।वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्॥२॥ Source for Muhurat: Drik Panchang Tags: blog, goddess, happiness, hindu, knowyourself, life, meditation, panchami, peace, Pooja, sanatan, saraswati, saraswatisaraswatipuja, vasant, vasantpanchami

Supporting the patient care at Joseph Brant Hospital

A dazzling celebration unfolded in Oakville as the Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF) orchestrated the HCF Deepawali Mahotsav 2023, a spectacular event attended by around 1400 individuals. The gathering, held in Oakville, Canada, created lasting memories and embodied the festive spirit of Deepawali. Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford graced the event with his presence, extending warm Deepawali wishes to the community. Joining him were esteemed community leaders, including Shri Adwaitanad Giri ji Maharaj, Naresh Chawda from the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce, Vaidehi Bhagat (Chair of Panorama India), Nilesh Patel from Waterdown Indian Association, and Ravi Huda, Pathik Shukla, Nik Thakkar, and Sumita Sinha from BAJCA and many more. A culinary delight awaited attendees as renowned food vendors like Khana Khazana, Dawat Restaurant, Charminaar Burlington, and Street Meals served up delicious fare. The shopping experience was equally enticing, with numerous vendors offering a diverse array of products to cater to every guest's tastes. The highlight of the evening was the spellbinding Ramleela Manchan, where a comprehensive Ramleela act unfolded, narrating all seven Kaands of the Ramayan. The 90-minute performance captivated attendees of all ages, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere marked by a profound silence during the Ramleela. Cultural performances further enriched the celebration, showcasing the community's diversity and artistic expressions. From traditional dances to contemporary acts, the cultural program added to the festive ambiance. Children were treated to an array of complimentary activities, including games, balloon twisting, face painting, and tattoos, ensuring their active participation throughout the celebration. Rafale games with enticing prizes added an extra layer of excitement for participants of all ages. To immortalize the joyful moments, a 360-degree photo booth and a Magic Photo Booth were set up, allowing attendees to capture and preserve the essence of the Deepawali celebrations. The HCF Deepawali Mahotsav 2023 stands as a testament to the unity and cultural richness of the community. As the lights of Deepawali continue to shine, the HCF eagerly anticipates creating more moments of joy and togetherness in the future. Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF), an organization founded by Arunesh Giri in 2019 with a vision to unite the Hindu community for celebrations and infuse cultural and religious significance into our collective experiences. HCF operates across various domains, working tirelessly to promote Hindu Dharma in Canada. Our multifaceted approach encompasses cultural celebrations interwoven with Dharmic elements, blood donation drives, community outreach programs, online contests for festivals such as Deepawali, organizing the Kawad Yatra, Hindu New Year celebrations, and advocacy for Hindu rights. Mission and Vision: At the core of HCF's mission is the desire to foster a sense of community and connection among Hindus in Canada. We aim to provide platforms for cultural celebrations that not only showcase the richness of our traditions but also integrate elements of Dharma to deepen the spiritual experience. Key Initiatives: Cultural Celebrations with Dharmic Elements: HCF organizes cultural events that not only celebrate our heritage but also incorporate the spiritual essence of Hindu Dharma. Blood Donation: We actively engage in initiatives to contribute to the well-being of the broader Canadian community, including organizing blood donation drives to address critical healthcare needs. Community Work: HCF is committed to community service, participating in projects that enhance the quality of life for individuals and families within our community. Deepawali Online Contest: As part of our efforts to embrace the digital age, we organize online contests during festivals like Deepawali, fostering engagement and celebration within the community. Kawad Yatra: HCF supports and organizes the Kawad Yatra, a pilgrimage where devotees carry the holy water of the Ganges to their local temples, symbolizing their devotion and commitment. Hindu New Year Celebration: We come together to celebrate the Hindu New Year, fostering a sense of renewal and unity within the community. Advocacy for Hindu Rights: HCF is dedicated to advocating for the rights of Hindus, ensuring that our community's perspectives are represented and respected in various forums. Get Involved: We invite you to join us in our endeavors to strengthen the fabric of the Hindu community in Canada. Your participation and support are invaluable as we continue to celebrate, serve, and advocate for our rich cultural heritage. For more information or to get involved, please visit our website https://www.hinducanadian.org