Indian Festivals
Exploring Makar Sankranti Dishes like Khichdi to Undhiyu in the USA
The Makar Sankranti dishes and special food items mentioned here are not just a reminder of cultural roots but also a viaduct amid the old and the new; it connects generations through conventional festivities and the joy of shared meals.
Makar Sankranti is a noteworthy festival that is observed with several social festivities such as vibrant decorations, kite flying, bonfires, and feasts. There are a few special makar sankranti dishes such as Tilgul Ladoo, Undhiyu, Khichdi, & Puran Poli which are extremely popular among the Indians residing in the United States. These makar sankranti special food items result in an aromatic symphony of the festival, where the flavors and cultural richness intersect.
Introduction
The eve of Makar Sankranti is a time for vibrant celebrations along with a culinary juncture that tantalizes the taste buds with a menu of myriad dishes. With the popularity of this festival in the United States, people make sure to relish makar sankranti special food items, either preparing them at home or ordering them online from a nearby Indian restaurant in the USA. Let us delve into the traditional Makar Sankranti dishes and food menu which create a delectable fusion of tradition and modernity.
Exploring Makar Sankranti Dishes Loved in the United States
1. Tilgul Ladoo
In any country, the celebration of Makar Sankranti is incomplete without Tilgul Ladoo. It is a round-shaped sweet that is made from sesame seeds and jaggery in bite-size pieces. This food item encapsulates the essence of the eve and echoes the warmth of Makar Sankranti in all parts of the United States.
2. Undhiyu
This is a special Makar Sankranti dish which originated in Gujarat. It is a perfect symphony of flavors and is made using a melange of seasonal vegetables, fenugreek dumplings, and assorted fragrant spices. Undhiyu is a wholesome dish that has become a reminder of cultural diversity in the United States.
3. Khichdi
The makar sankranti food menu is considered complete only with this particular dish – Khichdi. It is a well-known simple yet soul-satisfying cuisine that is made using rice, lentils, ghee, sesame oil, and a myriad of spices. This food item is a symbol of purity of the festival and hence is found in the kitchens of all Indians residing in the United States.
4. Puran Poli
Made using a potpour of lentils, cardamom, and jaggery, Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread. This dish is considered a symbol of happiness and hence it is a common food item on the dining tables of all the Indian communities in the United States. It can be said that this food connects many generations with timeless flavors as well as the traditions of the festival of Makar Sankranti.
5. Gajak and Rewri
Makar Sankranti is one of the North Indian festivals that is synonymous with the crispy goodness of Gajak and Rewri. These are made using sesame seeds, jaggery, and groundnuts which are a testimony of the richness of the winter harvest.
Epilogue
With the festivities of Makar Sankranti unfolding in the United States, its culinary landscape converts into a notable combination of tradition and innovation. The Makar Sankranti dishes and special food items mentioned here are not just a reminder of cultural roots but also a viaduct amid the old and the new; it connects generations through conventional festivities and the joy of shared meals.
Indian Festivals
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Celebrating in the USA – Date, Time, Significance
Explore Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 in the USA: From its date and time to its deep significance. Delve into the vibrant celebrations nationwide.
The Hindu religion is expansive and acceptable by all the communities in the USA. The grand celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 planned in various states of the United States of America are exemplary of it. Signified as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, Vinayaka Chavithi will fall on 7th September 2024. On this date, the auspicious time for doing pooja ends at 05:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). This festival is enthusiastically celebrated in various states in the United States of America such as Philadelphia, Bay Area, Illinois, and others.
Date, Time, and Muhurat for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024
Ganesh Chaturthi is an important Hindu festival that is popular throughout the world, especially in India, the USA, and the UK. It celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha who is also called Gajanana, Ekdanta, Vakrtunda, Siddhi Vinayaka etc. Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 6th September 2024. Also known as Vinayaka Chavithi 2024, it is part of a 10-day Ganesh Utsav festival that will conclude on 17 September 2024.
- The Hindu festival Vinayak Chaturdashi 2024 will be celebrated in the USA from 7th September 2024 at 11:03 AM till 17th September 2024 at 08:16 PM (Eastern Daylight Time).
- Anant Chaturdashi or Ganesha Visarjan will be done on 17th September 2024, Tuesday.
- It is important to note that on 6th September 2024, the devotees should avoid Moon sighting for 5 hours and 15 minutes i.e., from 03:09 AM to 10:40 AM.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Pooja Time in the USA
If you are wondering what time to do Ganesh puja at home in the USA, then read the answer here. During the festival of Vinayaka Chavithi 2024, the pooja should be done during the muhurat. The Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Time will start at 11:03 AM and end at 01:34 PM in the USA. The muhurat duration will be 2 hours and 31 minutes.
The Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh, who is also called the first god (Pratham Pujya) in the Hindu religion. According to the ancient Hindu texts, Lord Gajanan was born during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Hence, the festival either falls in August or September. In the year 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 19th September.
There is a huge significance of this festival among Hindus residing in India, the USA, and other countries. The USA-based devotees can worship the lord at their home or nearby temple to get rid of obstacles in their lives. Only with true devotion will you be able to send your wishes to Siddhi Vinayaka and receive his blessings in the form of happiness and prosperity.
As mentioned earlier, Lord Ganpati is also the Pratham Pujya God. It means that before worshiping any god, he must be worshiped first. Without his blessing, no pooja or havan is considered complete. On the eve of Vinayaka Chavithi 2024, if any devotee prays to Lord Ganesha for a child, then the lord grants this wish.
Do Americans Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
Yes, there is a grand celebration of Vinayaka Chavithi in different big cities in the USA. A large number of Hindu festivals are organized in different USA-based temples that are managed by the Hindu Swamsevak Sangh. The largest celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi is seen at the Philadelphia Ganesh Festival. Assorted cultural programs, singing of devotional bhajans/songs, and colorful decorations are just a few celebration events.
The aura of Ganesh Chaturthi is also seen in the Bay area of the USA. Here, the celebrations are carried out at the Fremont Hindu Temple for 10 days. On the last day, the idol of Lord Ganesh is immersed in the Pacific Ocean near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The largest Ganesh Chaturthi event in the United States is held at Sai Samstan, an Illinois-based Hindu organization. Aside from locals, hundreds of people travel to Illinois from other places to participate in this wonderful celebration.
Other US states, including Florida, California, and New York, also observe the holiday, but on a much smaller scope.
Indian Festivals
Akshaya Tritiya 2024 USA: Date, Time, Significance, and Celebrations Explained
Akshaya Tritiya, or Akha Teej, holds incredible significance in Hindu culture, signifying perpetual prosperity and splendid fortune.
As the Indian diaspora within the United States gears to rejoice in Akshaya Tritiya on Friday, May 10, 2024, the spirit of prosperity and auspiciousness fills the air. Akshaya Tritiya, or Akha Teej, holds incredible significance in Hindu culture, signifying perpetual prosperity and splendid fortune. The puja muhurat is from 08:34 PM on May 9 to 02:49 AM on May 10, 2024.
Image Source: indianastrology
Introduction
Indians in the USA believe in honoring their traditions and rituals. Hence, the eve of Akshaya Tritiya is considered by all as the auspicious day. The auspicious Puja Muhurat for Akshaya Tritiya for those residing in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone of the USA is from 08:34 PM on May 9 to 02:49 AM on May 10, 2024. It means that you have 6 hours and 15 minutes to perform puja, complete your shopping spree, and/or lay the foundation of your new business venture. With these activities done on this special day, you will get the blessings of God in your life.
Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
When the Indians residing in the United States will celebrate Akshaya Tritiya, they will not just celebrate the eve but they will also pass down the cultural knowledge to their younger family members. On this day, the most common celebration is the purchase of gold. With the popularity of digitalization, gold can be purchased in the form of jewelry, coins, bars, ETFs, and gold bonds. Hence, not only do people invest in gold, but they also ensure persistent growth and prosperity in their life, since the value of gold increases with every passing year.
Akshaya Tritiya in the USA
In the United States of America, Indian communities associate various customs and festivities with the day of Akshaya Tritiya. There are special prayers organized in the Hindu temples, where the devotees also seek divine blessings for persistent happiness and prosperity. In the USA, cultural events, and musical performances are carried out on this occasion that add to the festive fervor. For Indian families residing in the USA, this event is special since it reminds them of their cultural roots & values.
Highlights of Akshaya Tritiya 2024
- Auspicious Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
- Puja Muhurat: 08:34 PM on May 9 to 02:49 AM on May 10, 2024
- Tritiya Tithi: From 06:47 PM on May 9 to 05:20 PM on May 10 in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone
- Significance of Gold: It is a tradition to purchase gold on the eve of Akshaya Tritiya since gold is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Investments in gold are also made on this day.
- Charity: Various Indians residing in the USA conduct charitable activities on this day to help those in need and take their blessings.
Epilogue
For the celebration of Akshaya Tritiya 2024, the Indians in the USA come together and gloat in the feeling of tranquility and growth. On this eve, we wish that it brings infinite blessings to all the readers, filling their lives with joy and harmony.
Indian Festivals
Griha Pravesh USA 2024: Auspicious Occasions, Days, Dates, and Muhurat for Your New Beginning
This muhurat is based on the Vedic traditions. Here, you will find favorable days, times, and months for Griha Pravesh in the year 2024.
In one’s life, moving into a new home is a significant and memorable moment. At this time, the dream of owning a valuable asset comes to fruition with diligent efforts and endless endeavors. Indians, even those residing in the USA, prefer to find a Griha Pravesh Muhurat, also called a housewarming ceremony. This muhurat is based on the Vedic traditions. Here, you will find favorable days, times, and months for Griha Pravesh in the year 2024.
Image Source: thepackersmovers
When you purchase a new home for your family, it is a tradition to conduct a housewarming ceremony. According to Indian traditions, it is called Griha Pravesh. It needs to be done during an auspicious time, which is calculated based on the favorable alignment of planetary positions, called “Shubh Muhurat”. With such an alignment, it is believed that your home will welcome happiness, peace, and prosperity. Talking about calculations of the auspicious timing requires assessing constellations, ascendants, days, and dates. Vedic traditions state that housewarming ceremonies can be done in the months of Magha, Phalguna, Vaishakha, and Jyeshtha. However, the months of Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, and Ashwin are considered inauspicious for griha pravesh. It is because during these four months, all the deities, including Lord Vishnu, are believed to be resting.
Grih Pravesh Muhurat USA 2024
In the year 2024, there are several auspicious times for Grih Pravesh or housewarming. The entry of a family or individual into a new house for the first time is called a housewarming. This is such an auspicious occasion which every person waits for. A Griha Pravesh ceremony is organized when one enters a purchased old house or a newly constructed house for the first time. In the Griha Pravesh Puja, havan and puja recitation, etc. are performed so that happiness, prosperity, and peace always reside in the home and family. For those who are planning a housewarming ceremony in 2024, here is a table of dates, days, and start time/end time of the Griha Pravesh Muhurat.
List of Auspicious Days, Dates, and Muhurat for Griha Pravesh in the USA 2024:
Date | Day | Start Time (EST) | End Time (EST) |
January 3, 2024 | Wednesday | 20:44 | 04:16 |
February 26, 2024 | Monday | 20:19 | 08:01 |
March 2, 2024 | Saturday | 09:12 | 09:14 |
March 6, 2024 | Wednesday | 09:23 | 07:56 |
March 11, 2024 | Monday | 20:04 | 10:04 |
March 16, 2024 | Saturday | 19:59 | 11:10 |
March 27, 2024 | Wednesday | 19:46 | 09:46 |
March 29, 2024 | Friday | 11:06 | 09:44 |
March 30, 2024 | Saturday | 19:43 | 10:46 |
November 8, 2024 | Friday | 20:08 | 02:33 |
November 13, 2024 | Wednesday | 02:33 | 16:41 |
November 16, 2024 | Saturday | 18:58 | 10:14 |
November 18, 2024 | Monday | 20:16 | 06:19 |
November 25, 2024 | Monday | 20:22 | 07:54 |
December 5, 2024 | Thursday | 02:21 | 07:57 |
December 11, 2024 | Wednesday | 20:33 | 02:18 |
December 25, 2024 | Wednesday | 20:41 | 06:52 |
December 28, 2024 | Saturday | 20:42 | 11:43 |
Epilogue
As per the Indian tradition, purchasing a new home is complete with a Griha Pravesh, or housewarming ceremony, which is carried out during an auspicious “Shubh Muhurat”. It is calculated considering the alignment of the planetary positions which helps yield happiness and prosperity. In 2024, many auspicious Griha Pravesh timings are available, which signifies entry into a new home and is celebrated with pujas as well as rituals.
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