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- Looking Up the Desi Dictionary: Always Ready for Life’s Special Events With the Panchang
Looking Up the Desi Dictionary: Always Ready for Life’s Special Events With the Panchang
A panchang is a codified book of rituals and ceremonies not unlike a frame of reference, a book of lists and an ephemeris rolled into one. An almanac, as it is also known as, is a structural guide to the Hindu religion. It contains a diurnal directory to tithis, auspicious dates, good and bad timings, dates for major festivals as well as other important dates to remember. In a land where pujas and ceremonies are a weekly if not a daily occurrence, a panchang serves as a ready reckoner for Hindu diktats. It caters to all sections of the populace and for those who are religiously inclined.
Refer to this dictionary on India’s many auspicious ceremonies, extracted from Arijit Roy Chowdhury‘s Panchang:
Shubhakarma (Auspicious ceremonies)
Ann: Annaprasan (ceremony of eating rice for the first time, soon after birth)
Arog: Arogyasnan (bath after recovery from illness)
Bhkr: Bhumikraya (purchase of land or property)
Bij: Bijbapan (sowing of seeds)
Brkr: Brikshadiropan (planting of trees or plants)
Dhnk: Dhanyanishkraman (extraction of paddy)
Dik: Diksha (ceremonial initiation into a particular sect or cult)
Dnbd: Dhanyabriddhidan (donation expecting increased paddy harvest)
Dncd: Dhanyachhedan (harvesting paddy)
Dnro: Dhanyaropan (sowing of paddy seeds)
Dnst: Dhanyasthapan (ceremonial storage of paddy)
Dvg: Devatagathan (preparation of idols or deities for puja)
Gh: Gatroharidra (smearing of haldi paste before marriage)
Grmb: Griharambha (commencement of building of a house)
Grpv: Grihapravesh (ritual celebrating first entry into a new house)
Grp: Grahapuja (puja of any particular planet)
Gvkv: Govadikraybikray (purchase or sale of cattles)
Krkh: Karkhanarambh (commencement of factory)
Krv: Krayvanijya (business of purchase)
Nk: Naamkaran (naming ceremony of a child)
Nt: Natyarambh (inaugural dramatic performance)
Pun: Punyaha (auspicious day for performing puja)
Rnd: Rindaan (giving loans or credit)
Rng: Ringrahan (accepting loans or credit)
Sadh: Sadhbhakshan (ceremony for pregnant women to have a meal of their wish; similar to a baby shower)
Shlp: Shilparambh (commencement of industry)
Skrt: Sankharatnadharan (ritual of putting on bangles made of conch shell and coral by married women)
Snts: Santiswastyayana (Satyanarayana puja)
Upyn: Upanayan (sacred thread ceremony)
Vkrv: Bikrayvanijya (business of sale)
Vpn: Vipanyarambh (commencement of trade)
We’re pretty sure you didn’t know some of these ceremonies even existed! Learn more about auspicious dates and timings throughout the year for important life events, religious festivals and ceremonies, and special occasions – order your copy of Panchang today!
About the Book - Panchang
Buying a house? Hosting an annaprasan or a grihapravesh ceremony? Or perhaps you need your child's horoscope for their wedding? The Panchang offers a codified daily guide to auspicious dates and timings throughout the year for important life events,…
About the Author - Arijit Roy Chowdhury
Arijit Roychowdhury is the managing director of Gupta Press Panjika, a 150-year-old legacy with which he has been associated for the last three decades. This almanac, one of the first advertising platforms in Bengal provides all Hindu festival dates, and…
To read more, order your copy of Panchang, by Arijit Roy Chowdhury today!
₹ 299.0000
- Or buy from your local bookseller.
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