Gurus, Tributes, Festivals


This page contains links to the playlists dedicated to traditional groups and virtual kirtans created for a special tribute, theme or festival.

2020 10 17 Fall Navratri - Celebration of the Nine Nights of the Divine Mothers. 

2020 01 29 Vasant Panchami orSaraswati Puja - celebrating Saraswati's Birthday.

2019 08 27 Sita Ram Bhajans  - This playlist is dedicated to my Boise kirtan leader Peter who left this Earthly existence on Sunday, August 25. A fatal car crash took him from us far too soon. I have a very fond memory of one kirtan evening when we were the only two in attendance, and he sang "Sita Ram" in a way far more deep and profound than when other people were present. It Was a mystical experience I'll always be blessed and grateful for. Thank you, Peter.

2019 07 02 - Ashta Lakshmi - Eight Lakshmis - Ashta Lakshmi (Sanskrit: अष्टलक्ष्मी, lit. "Eight Lakshmis") or Ashtalakshmi are a group of eight manifestations of Devi Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. She presides over eight sources of wealth: "Wealth" in the context of Ashta-Lakshmi means prosperity, good health, knowledge, strength, progeny, and power. The Ashta Lakshmi are always depicted and worshipped in a group in temples.

2018 12 10  Vivah Panchami - Marriage Anniversary of Sita and Ram - Vivah Panchami is the day celebrated as the marriage anniversary of Goddess Sita and Lord Rama as it is believed that they got married on this day. Vivah Panchami falls on the fifth day of Hindu month of Margashirsha in the Shukla Paksha.

2018 10 10 Fall Navratri -  The Nine forms of Durga celebrated during Navaratri are; Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Playlist includes the mantra for each day, and The Story of Vijaya Dashami - Dussehra Festival History to close on the 10th day.

2018 09 02 Krisha Janmashtami - observed on the 8th day of the month of Bhadon on the Hindu calendar which falls in the months of July, August and September for the Gregorian calendar. The day celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

2018 07 27 Guru Purnima and Lunar Eclipse - A very special Guru Purnima on this date with a lunar eclipse! Playlist includes both Chandra (moon) and Surya (sun) Gayatri Mantras, an explanation of the Vedic astrology for this double-event date, and a Guru Purnima bhajan playlist.

2018 06 21 Summer Solstice - Dedicated to the Sun God Surya who rides across the skies in his chariot drawn by seven horses. George Harrison fans may be interested to note that this was the inspiration for his Dark Horse logo, a horse with seven heads. 

2018 05 23 Ganga Dasharhara or Dussehra - dedicated to Goddess Ganga, this day is commemorated as the day when Ganga was descended to the Earth to accomplish her mission to purge the cursed souls of Bhagiratha's ancestors.

2016 09 05 Ganesh Chaturthi  Today's playlist starts a little differently....with a recipe for Ganesh's favorite food, and you might like to whip up a batch to enjoy at the end of the celebration!

2016 07 19 Guru Purnima - Sri Ramakrishna. Sri RamaKrishna is a mystic who lived at the Kali temple in Dakshineswar (across the river from Kolkata (Calcutta)) around 1855.

2016 04 08 Spring Navratri Celebrating the Nine Nights of the Divine Mothers with Ashtakams, Bija Mantras, Stotrams, and a couple of dances! 

2015 12 21 Aarti for Solstice A variety of Aarti ceremonies in which light plays an important role in the ritual of workship.
 
2014 08 29 Ganesha Chaturthi - Ganesha's Birthday Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Chaturthi

2014 07 12 Guru Purnima This year for Guru Purnima, I chose songs and satsangs for the three gurus whose ashrams I visited in 2012, Haidakhan Babaji, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Sathya Sai Baba.

2014 06 08 Ganga Dashararata The celebration of the day that Holy Mother Ganga fell from Heaven to Earth.

2014 05 09 Yogis of Tibet - From the intro to the documentary: "The Yogis you will see in this film took unprecedented risks. Once vowed to extreme secrecy to maintain the purity of their practices, they agreed to these unique interviews and rare demonstrations to help preserve for posterity their vanishing culture."

2014 04 05 Vasanta Navratri - Vasanta Navratri is the Spring celebration of  Nine Nights of the Divine Mothers honoring Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali/Durga. Playlist includes a special puja at the Kali Temple in Kalimath, followed by beeja mantras, gayatri mantras, and chalisas for Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali/Durga.

2014 02 27 Mahashivaratri - The Great Night of Shiva in bhajan and puja with many songs by Indian artists, a couple songs by Western artists, and an authentic Puja ceremony.

2013 12 22 Ravi Shankar Tribute (7 April 1920 - 11 December 2012) often referred to by the title Pandit, was an Indian musician and composer who played the sitar. He has been described as the best-known contemporary Indian musician and credited for bringing Indian music to the West. This tribute contains a wide range of videos from the early to the later years.

2013 10 04 Maha Navratri Nine Nights of the Divine Mothers, Kali/Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati in chalisa, bhajan, and aarti. 

2012 06 29 Guru Purnima Festival  On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their Guru (Spiritual Guide). This year, the date is July 3. The Guru Purnima Festival playlist features Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi (silent), Swami Sri Yukteswar (silent), Paramahansa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, HAIDAKHAN BABAJI, Prabhupada, Osho, Sathya Sai Baba, Ammachi, Anthony deMello, and Jiddu Krishnamurti.

2012 05 25 Swami Sri Yukeswar Tribute  Tribute to Swami Sri Yukteswar whose birthdate was May 10, 1855. He was the Guru of Paramhansa Yogananda, and author of The Holy Science. His calculations of the Yugas, or Ages Of Man, is exceptionally fascinating!

2012 04 25  Ramana Maharshi Tribute ABIDE AS THE SELF: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi

2012 03 28  Vasanta Navaratri Festival in song and satsang.

2012 03 20  Vasanta Navaratri The Divine Mother or Devi (as Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati) is worshipped during the nine nights of Vasanta Navaratri.

2012 02 28 Ramesh Balsekar Tribute  The reknowned advaita master and teacher, Ramesh Balsekar in his first ever interview. In English w/ Spanish sub-titles. Conducted by Advaita Fellowship co-founder Rifka Hirsch. Recorded in 1988 in Hermosa Beach, California.

2012 02 13 Mahashivaratri Satsang and Festival   Monday, February 19 is Mahashivaratri, the "Night Of Shiva." Today's playlist contains talks and explanations, excerpts from Mahashivaratri festivals, a meditation interval with a beautiful slideshow of temples, Shiva's nataraja dance, and two Om Namah Shivaya bhajans by artists from India and the West.

2012 01 24 Krishnamurti and Rinpoche Tribute

2011 12 25 Anthony de Mello Tribute part two 

2011 11 29 George Harrison Tribute 

2011 10 26 Anthony de Mello Tribute

2011 09 26 M S Subbulakshmi Tribute

2011 08 29 Hari Om Sharan Tribute

2011 07 25 Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Tribute

2011 06 28 Shirdi Sai Baba Tribute

2011 05 28 Sathya Sai Baba Tribute