Hindu mythology says Paksha is a lunar fortnight. It is the fifteen days of thirty Muhiirttas each. The literal meaning of paksha is "side". It is the period either side of the Full Moon Day. A lunar month in the Hindu calendar comprises of two fortnights, and begins with the New moon. The lunar days are called tithis and each month has 30 tithis. A paksha has 15 tithis which are calculated by a 12 degree motion of the Moon. The first fortnight between New Moon Day and Full Moon Day is called Shukla Paksha and the second fortnight of the month is called Krishna Paksha.
Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha
The terms Shukla and Krishna are Sanskrit words which mean white and dark respectively. Shukla Paksha is the period of the brightening of the moon. It refers to the bright lunar fortnight. Shukla Paksha is a period of 15 days, which begins on the New Moon day and Full Moon day. Shukla Paksha is considered auspicious by people and numerous festivals are organized during this Paksha. The festivals celebrated during this period include Govardhan Puja, Bhaibeej, Teej, Akshaya Tritiya, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti, Nuakhai, Vivaha Panchami, Sitalsasthi, Rama Navami, Vijayadashami, Shayani Ekadashi, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Samvatsari, and Guru Purnima.
Krishna paksha is the period of the fading of the moon. It refers to the dark lunar fortnight. Krishna Paksha is a period of 15 days, which begins on the Full Moon day culminating on New Moon day. Krishna Paksha is considered inauspicious by people. However, there are certain festivals that are celebrated during this period such as Karva Chauth, Krishna Janmashtami, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Dhanteras, Maha Shivaratri, and Naraka Chaturdashi.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com
(Last Updated on : 12-06-2015)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Religion
|
|
|
• | Nadar Caste One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
| | • | Concept of Ultimate Reality Concept of Ultimate Reality in Bhagavad Gita states that Brahman is ground of existence and all realities. As per the Concept of Ultimate Reality, Brahman is all-embracing, uncreated and infinite. Brahman is the reason and objective of all that exists in the world..
| | • | Elements of Vastu Vastu Shastra is traditional Indian systems of architecture originating in India. Elements of Vastu are Earth, Water, Air, Space and Fire.
| | • | Sati Sati is the wife of Lord Shiva and the Hindu goddess of marital felicity and longevity. She is known to have immolated herself unable to tolerate foul words for her husband, spoken by her father Daksha.
| | • | Legends of Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva Legends of Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva mentioned in the Mahapuranas and Upapuranas. Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
| | |
|
|
|
|