According to Garuda Purana, why is cremation not performed after sunset

During the event 'Aajtak Dharma Sansad' held in the city of Ujjain, known as the city of Mahakal, leading saints, scholars, and pujaris of the Mahakal temple openly shared their views on religious faith, temple transparency, and the mythological significance of Ujjain.

The saints expressed deep concern over financial irregularities and theft issues that have surfaced in Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Swami Avdesh Maharaj stated that the construction of Ram Mandir was made possible by five thousand years of history and the sacrifices of many generations. He noted that donations from millions of devotees are undermined by such incidents and emphasized that such events are unacceptable in any temple or Jyotirlinga. He called for the creation of a system in temples to prevent such occurrences and ensure that the culprits receive the harshest punishment.

Pandit Shailendra Vyas added that after a long legal battle, the magnificent temple structure was erected, and those who committed audacity, whether in public or in shadow, will be punished by law and God. He also mentioned that the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, will certainly ensure that the guilty are punished.

Speaking about the organizational aspect, Pandit Raman Trivedi stated that all those responsible for the theft must be punished. He noted that pujaris often become targets in disputes, although their job is exclusively to conduct worship rituals. According to him, the responsibility for temple management and financial maintenance lies with the trustee and administration.

In response to questions about donation management in temples, the pujaris provided information about the transparent system at the Mahakal temple in Ujjain. Funds received in the general donation box of the temple are used for the development, maintenance, and provision of amenities for pilgrims.

According to tradition, 35 percent of the funds collected in a special box before Lord Mahakal are traditionally given to the families of the pujaris. The counting of all donation boxes is done under the direct observation of CCTV cameras with complete transparency. All collected money is officially credited to the bank accounts of the temple committee.

Highlighting the distinction and uniqueness of Ujjain from other Jyotirlingas, Pandit Raman Trivedi explained that the beginning of the calculation of time and era originates precisely from this sacred land, which is why Lord Shiva is called 'Mahakal' here. The place of Mahakala among the 12 Jyotirlingas holds exceptional significance. It is a city of gods where a mere glance can relieve one of the fear of sudden death. During the month of Sawan, millions of pilgrims arrive from different countries to witness the royal procession of Mahakala. The Governor of Madhya Pradesh is personally a devotee of Mahakala, and under his leadership, unprecedented development is taking place in this region.

Pujari Aashish from the Mahakal temple explained the deep meaning of the world-famous Bhasma Aarti. He reported that only in Ujjain, among all 12 Jyotirlingas, Lord Shiva wears ash. This ash is specially made from charcoal ashes and weighs about two and a half kilograms. It carries a profound spiritual message. The average weight of a newborn child is also about two and a half kilograms, and after death, the body leaves approximately the same volume of ash. Bhasma Aarti symbolizes the beginning and end of life. Shiva, wearing ash, conveyed to the world the message that ultimately everything must merge into this cycle of the immaterial and material.

The chief pujari of Kal Bhairav temple, Om Prakash Chaturvedi, spoke about the traditions of the temple. He clarified that offering alcohol to Kal Bhairav is considered a symbol of negativity. Offering alcohol at the feet of Kal Bhairav signifies transferring all internal negative energies, vices, and evil to God, allowing positive energy to circulate in the life of the believer.

If you consider Friday the 13th to be an unlucky day, the year 2026 might seem special to you because this year Friday the 13th occurs not once, but three times. Two of these dates have already passed, and the third is yet to come.

In Western countries, Friday the 13th has long been considered an inauspicious date, and the fear of this date is maintained by films, stories, and superstitions.

In 2026, Friday the 13th occurred twice, and it is expected one more time. The first Friday the 13th was February 13, 2026, followed by March 13, 2026. The last such date will fall on November 13, 2026.

Typically, in any given year, Friday the 13th occurs once or twice, but there are special calendar combinations where it happens three times. This scenario is observed only in two out of fourteen possible calendar patterns.

According to experts, if the first day of the month falls on a Sunday, then the 13th of that month will be a Friday. This is why February and March in 2026 were consecutive months where the 13th was a Friday. A similar coincidence will occur in November.

This is not the first time. There have also been years when Friday the 13th occurred three times: 1984, 1987, 1998, 2009, 2012, and 2015. Many significant and memorable events happened around the world in these years.

In 1984, the Olympic Games were held in Los Angeles, where athletes like Carl Lewis and Mary Lou Retton made history. That same year, former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated, and famous singer Marvin Gaye passed away.

In 1987, US President Ronald Reagan called for the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the same year, famous artist Andy Warhol died.

In 1998, the film 'Titanic' won a record 11 Oscars, and Google began its operations. During this period, the scandal involving American President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky also came into focus.

In 2009, Barack Obama became the first African American president of America. That same year, the successful emergency landing of a plane in the Hudson River was named the 'Miracle on the Hudson.' However, in the same year, famous stars such as Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Patrick Swayze died.

In 2012, the Olympic Games were held in London, but tragic events also occurred that year, including the Sandy Hook school shooting in America and Hurricane Sandy.

In 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch. Same-sex marriage was legalized in America, and the historic Paris Agreement on climate change was signed. Nevertheless, a major terrorist attack took place in Paris at the end of the year.

There is no scientific evidence that Friday the 13th is more unlucky than other days. Experts argue that this is a cultural belief and superstition, which is particularly popular in America and many Western countries.

However, a psychological study showed that people who perform traditional actions to avoid 'bad luck,' such as touching a tree, feel psychologically better, even if they do not fully believe in it themselves.

Interestingly, not all countries fear Friday the 13th. In Italy, Friday the 17th is considered unlucky. In Spain and many Latin American countries, Tuesday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. Thus, the fear of an unlucky date varies in each culture.

Finally, the last Friday the 13th in 2026 will be on November 13. Some people will believe in superstitions, while others will ignore it, considering it an interesting calendar coincidence.