Important events that can be started on a particular day

One of the beliefs in Hindu religion is choosing an auspicious day and time for starting certain activities with a belief that such an approach yields auspicious outcome. 

There are differences of opinion among regions about calculating the days. For example, people from southern region of India follow calendar based on movement of Sun (solar calendar), whereas people of northern region of India follow calendar based on movement of Moon (lunar calendar).

However, in general, beliefs in table below, about activities to be started on a particular day are found to be common beliefs. This information is sourced from a Tamil magazine.

Day	Activities to be started/performed
Sunday	Good day for starting business and construction
Monday	For observing fast (vrat)
Tuesday	For starting war (battle)
Wednesday	For feeding guests
Thursday	For starting education and studies i.e. anything connected with learning and gaining knowledge
Friday	For performing worship and vrat
Saturday	For worship of Saturn

Saints recommend that though these beliefs are good, one should not really be stuck to this. In fact in one his discourses Bhagwan Shri Satya Sai Baba has said that all days are good and all days are bad depending on your thought process and mindset.

Importance of right handed conch shells

All along the sea coast we come across innumerable conch shells (shankha) of various shapes and colors. Some of them are used in daily worship and for performing abhishek. One in one lakh of conch shells may be a right handed (helix) conch shell. These are called Dakshinavarti Shankha.

Dakshinavarti Shankha is considered as the most auspicious and it is believed that the house in which it is kept, Goddess Mahalakshmi resides and blesses. It is stated that persons living in this house will attain prosperity and fame.

Opposite of this i.e. left handed conch shells are called Vamavarti Shankha. These conch shells are considered to be useful for the worship, for example, blowing the conch shell during worship. Since the left handed ones are available in plenty they are used in abhishek also.

Importance of lighting lamp

In Hindu religion it is customary to light a lamp for any auspicious function or during daily worship. This is a unique feature of our religion which is done according to what is written in our scriptures. We also perform the worship of the lamp known as Deep Pooja. There are certain rules/principles involved in the worship as well as in lighting the lamp. 

The Samayi (Deep) is considered as Trimurti Swaroop. The base is considered as representing Bramha, the middle portion Lord Vishnu the top portion where the ghee or oil is kept represents Lord Shiva. The position above the top portion represents Maheswar. Finally the shikhar (topmost portion) represents Sadashiv. The heat emitted by the lamp is Shakti, the flame represents Saraswati, the light represents Lord Vishnu and glow represents the sound. The following guidelines are stated with respect to lamp (Samayi), the oil, wick, the mukh of lamp and the direction.

1. Lamp – It is customary to use lamps (Samayi) made of Silver or Panchadhatu. But earthen lamp (Panati) is considered as sacred of all. If it is a samayi, it should have capacity to hold minimum 5 wicks (panchamukhi samayi).
   
2. Oil for lamp – In one of our articles, we have enumerated the benefits based on the oil used for the lamp. It is recommended that using ghee is the most sacred. In case it is not available, Til (sesame) oil can be used for the worship of any God. Moreover it is best for Narayana. For Goddess Mahalaxmi, ghee is best. For Lord Ganesha, coconut oil is recommended. By lighting the lamp with ghee, the householder gets all types of prosperity. Til (sesame) oil removes all disturbances and evils. Castor oil gives the fame, improves relation between the couples, establishes good relation between family members. Ground nut oil removes fears, poverty and distress due to loan etc.
   
3. Wick – A wick made of cotton is considered to be best (sacred). If we use fiber of Lotus stem, it is believed that it will remove, the sins due to earlier birth. A wick made of fibers of plant and tree is considered to remove evil effects caused by others and to overcome any fault of ours in the worship. Wick made from bark of Mandaar tree, brings wealth and prosperity. Red color silk cloth removes, obstacles in marriage and fertility. Yellow color silk cloth, gives grace from Ambika.
   
4. Mukh –
1. Single mukhi lamp bestows medium grace.
2. Two mukhi brings family cohesion
3. Three mukhi brings grace of Devi i.e. Ambika
4. Four mukhi (chaturmukhi) brings prosperity in cattle, land and prosperity
5. Five mukhi (panchamukhi) brings wealth and prosperity|
   
   It is recommended to light a panchamukhi samayi for all times.
   
5. Direction – Lighting a lamp in North direction brings in wealth, removes obstacles in marriage and increases intelligence. East direction removes worry, West direction removes worries due to loans, resolves enmity, solves Graha dosha. South direction is considered inauspicious as it brings calamity, distress and worries.

Naivedya for Ambika

When worshiping Ambika (Devi), there is specific naivedya to be offered to her on each weekday. (Source: Tamil religious magazine)


They are as follows

1. Sunday – Sweet khichadi (sweet rice and jaggery khichadi)
2. Monday – Rice with milk and sugar
3. Tuesday – Rice khichadi (rice with salt and black pepper)
4. Wednesday – Mixed rice (mixed with vegetables etc)
5. Thursday – Lemon rice
6. Friday – Kheer with milk, rice and sugar (Rice Pudding)
7. Saturday – Tamarind rice or Coconut rice