How Whole Foods Help in Weight Loss

At Sound Medical Weight Loss & Aesthetics we believe that diet quality is the key to weight loss, and recent studies have confirmed this. That’s why our medically supervised weight loss program consists of real whole foods and not prepackaged, processed meals, snacks, and meal replacements.

Learn why a plan based on whole foods is a much more successful approach for keeping weight off in the long run.

Losing weight is a difficult road

More than 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, and it isn’t for lack of trying to maintain a healthy weight. The truth is, many people report trying to lose weight or even succeed at losing weight short term. Unfortunately, only one in six people succeed in losing a meaningful amount of weight and keeping it off.

Those who do manage to lose weight typically regain the weight and then some. The reason for this is complex, and various factors play a role in weight regain and a struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

Going it alone is a struggle

Not only is losing weight difficult, but it’s also even more challenging to go it alone. People who enlist the help of a medically supervised weight loss program consistently lose more weight and keep it off longer than people who go solo.

The team at Sound Medical Weight Loss & Aesthetics offers a medical weight loss program that incorporates the latest research and advancements in weight management. Our comprehensive program can help guide you to permanent weight loss.

What is medical weight loss?

Medical weight loss programs are doctor-directed and supervised weight loss plans that use proven principles to target the root cause of your excess weight. Our program is personalized to tackle individual health issues that may present obstacles to losing weight and keeping it off. A comprehensive body composition analysis and physical exam helps guide your program. Your provider may order blood tests to check your thyroid and other parameters because an imbalance can make it harder to lose weight.

Whole foods boost long-term results

Many diet programs involve purchasing prepackaged foods specially designed to promote weight loss. While you may lose weight initially on these plans, this approach is unsustainable. Many people regain the weight once they return to their regular eating habits.

On a whole-foods based weight loss program you develop healthy eating habits based on real foods. Under the guidance of Dr. James and her team, you learn how to choose healthier, delicious foods that help you trim down and maintain your slimmer figure for the long run.

The whole food advantage

Losing weight is about more than the number on the scale. With food trends and diet fads prevailing, it’s easy to forget that your body functions best and is better able to maintain a healthy weight when you’re giving it the highest quality foods that it can recognize and digest. Prepackaged meals often contain processed ingredients and chemical additives that aren’t healthy for your body.

Minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats help to keep your body in balance. Studies show that people who eat a diet rich in whole foods are better able to maintain a healthy weight.

In addition, a weight loss diet based on whole foods improves various health parameters, including lowering both blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Ditch fad diets

Fad diets don’t work in the long term. Sure, if you cut your calories and purchase prepackaged foods or stick to strict rules you’re likely to lose some weight, but the chances are you won’t keep it off. Lifestyle changes that involve buying and cooking real foods can promote long-term weight management. Mindful eating paired with making nutritious food choices creates a sustainable strategy for keeping weight at bay for good.

Trim down and say hello to a healthier you with our individualized medically supervised weight loss program. To start your weight loss journey, call our office in Kirkland, Washington, or book a consultation online.

Foods for Hair Loss

Are you worried about hair loss? Many people overlook an important factor when it comes to preventing and treating hair loss: diet. Nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss, but eating the right foods can also lead to a fuller, healthier head of hair. 

“Ensuring a healthy and varied diet—which includes sources of antioxidants, iron, vitamin D, and biotin—can promote hair health,” Eric Rudnick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, tells WebMD Connect to Care.

Let’s look at five of the best types of food for hair loss. 

1. Fatty Fish

Some types of fish that have essential fatty acids, including omega-3s, and vitamin D are:

• Tuna 
• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Herring

Fatty fish are also a good source of protein, selenium, and B vitamins, all of which help to promote healthy hair, according to a 2017 article published in Dermatology Practical and Conceptual.

2. Eggs

Eggs are like nature’s multivitamin because they contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some of these that are related to healthy hair include protein, biotin, selenium, and zinc. 

Eggs are a great source of protein, which is important for preventing hair loss. A low-protein diet puts hair growth in a “resting” phase, which can lead to hair loss and less hair growth. 

Eggs also have biotin, a B vitamin that is important for hair, skin, and nail health. Being low on biotin has been linked to hair loss, as well as loss of hair color. A 2016 study in the International Journal of Trichology found that 38% of women who said they had hair loss were deficient in biotin. Eating egg whites only without the yolk may predispose you to biotin deficiency.

3. Leafy Greens

Dark green leafy vegetables are full of nutrients that prevent hair loss. Some good choices are: 

• Kale 
• Spinach
• Collards 

These contain vitamin A, iron, beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C.  

One cup of cooked spinach contains about 6 milligrams of iron, a nutrient that is important for strong, healthy hair. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), low iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. It’s also linked to many different types of hair loss. 

Vitamin A is another important nutrient found in leafy greens that plays a role in hair health. It helps your body make sebum, an oil that protects hair by moisturizing the scalp. 

4. Fruit

Fruits rich in compounds that are important for healthy hair, including vitamin C and antioxidants, include:

• Berries 
• Cherries 
• Apricots
• Grapes
• Oranges

These fruits contain a number of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which can help to protect hair follicles from free radicals. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron and make collagen, which is one of the proteins that builds hair and helps prevent hair loss. 

5. Nuts and Seeds

These nutrient-dense foods have many nutrients that are important for preventing hair loss, including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re worried about hair loss, some of the best choices to reach for are: 

• Walnuts 
• Brazil nuts 
• Almonds 
• Flax seeds 
• Chia seeds

Zinc and selenium are essential trace elements that your body can’t make, so it’s important to get them through foods like nuts and seeds. These trace elements are important for hair growth, and being low on them may lead to hair loss, according to a 2019 review in Dermatology and Therapy.

10 Best foods to Control Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you know how difficult it can be to manage your diet and control your blood sugar levels. Certain foods cause massive spikes while others actually lower blood sugar, but many people go through years of trial and error before they find out what works for them. Luckily, thanks to years of scientific findings, we’ve been able to determine what foods are better than others. In this article, we’ll discuss the 10 best foods to control diabetes and lower blood sugar.

To get the most out of your food, consider diabetic meal planning. Planning and preparing meals ahead of time will reduce the likelihood of snacking or unhealthy eating and will help you save time and energy throughout the week.

1. Non-Starchy VegetablesNon-starchy vegetables are one of the best foods you can eat as a diabetic. Not only will they fill you up, but they’re full of essential vitamins and minerals that help regulate your blood sugar. Since they’re a whole food with trace amounts of sugar and high levels of fiber, you can eat as many non-starchy vegetables as you want without having to worry about high blood sugar spikes. To get the most out of your non-starchy vegetables, choose fresh, canned, or frozen vegetables that have no added salt or sauce.¹ Some examples of non-starchy vegetables include the following:²
   • Artichokes
   • Asparagus
   • Avocados
   • Broccoli
   • Cabbage
   • Cauliflower
   • Celery
   • Cucumbers
   • Green Beans
   • Hearts of Palm
   • Mushrooms
   • Olives
   • Onions
   • Squashes
   • Tomatoes
   • Zucchini
2. Leafy GreensMany of the best leafy greens are considered non-starchy vegetables, but they deserve their own section. Leafy greens are packed full of nutrients and are lower in digestible carbs than other vegetables.³ This means that your blood sugar won’t raise very much regardless of how many you eat. Some of the best leafy greens to incorporate into your daily diet are spinach and kale, as they have very high levels of vitamin C.³ Vitamin C helps to manage diabetes in people with type 2 diabetes and can help promote an overall sense of wellbeing. Leafy greens also contain specific antioxidants that help to protect your eyes from diabetic complications.³
3. Fatty FishRegardless of if you have diabetes or not, fatty fish should be part of your diet. It’s one of the healthiest foods that you can eat and has a myriad of benefits. Fatty fish like salmon and anchovies give you a significant serving of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which can help protect your heart against potential complications from diabetes.³ DHA and EPA both protect your blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and improve the function of your arteries after consumption.³ Since your risk of heart disease and stroke are almost doubled if you have diabetes, incorporating fatty fish into your diet can reduce your chances of serious complications. Plus, fatty fish is an excellent source of protein that will help you feel full and manage your weight with ease.
4. Nuts and EggsOther fatty foods that help control diabetes and lower blood sugar are nuts and eggs. Nuts have high levels of fiber and most are low in digestible carbs, so they won’t raise your blood sugar.³ It is important to differentiate certain types of nuts, however, as some of them have very high levels of digestible carbs. The best types of nuts for diabetics include almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts.³ If you’re watching your weight, make sure to eat nuts in moderation. Even though they’re high in healthy fats, it’s still fat and shouldn’t be over-done.Eggs are also a great source of healthy fats that are beneficial in controlling diabetes. They can actually improve your insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation while simultaneously providing antioxidant benefits that help reduce the amount of free radicals in your body and protect against disease.³ If you incorporate eggs in your diet, make sure that you include the yolk as that’s where most of the nutrients are located.
5. SeedsCertain types of seeds are known to control diabetes. The two best seeds to eat as a diabetic are chia seeds and flax seeds. Chia seeds are packed with fiber, low in digestible carbs, and have been found to actually lower your blood sugar levels. As a diabetic, this is extremely conducive to healthy management.Flaxseeds are also beneficial as they can help improve blood sugar control, decrease your risk of heart disease, and lower the chance of having a stroke. Since flaxseeds can be difficult to absorb, opt for ground seeds or make sure to take the time and grind them up at home before eating them. Ingesting whole flax seeds won’t give you any benefits.
6. Natural FatsExtra-virgin olive oil has always been known to have a myriad of health benefits. It is one of the most effective oils at reducing the risk of heart disease and contains a number of antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation, protect your cells, and decrease blood pressure. Choose pure extra-virgin olive oil to get all of the health benefits and sprinkle it on salads, use it in a marinade, or cook meats and vegetables with it.Other natural fats that are helpful at controlling diabetes include coconut oil, avocado oil, any type of nut oil, lard, tallow, chicken fat, duck fat, coconut milk, and unsweetened coconut cream.
7. Apple Cider VinegarApple cider vinegar is popular amongst health food fanatics for a good reason. The fermented acetic acid helps to improve insulin sensitivity, lower fasting blood sugar levels, and reduce blood sugar response by as much as 20% when paired with meals that are rich in carbs.³ Due to the high acidity of apple cider vinegar, it’s best taken by the tablespoon mixed with water to avoid damaging your teeth and esophagus. Start slowly, with about one teaspoon, and work your way up based on how you feel.
8. Cinnamon and TurmericSpices are powerful tools, especially when it comes to controlling diabetes. Both cinnamon and turmeric should be incorporated into your diet daily to get the best results and doing so is easy with a few simple steps.Cinnamon can be added to almost any food or drink to increase the flavor and add a little kick. Cinnamon has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce hemoglobin A1c levels.³Turmeric also lowers inflammation and blood sugar levels, reduces your risk of developing heart disease, and benefits kidney health.³ Just make sure that you mix your turmeric with black pepper to activate the beneficial ingredient curcumin.
9. Probiotic Packed Diary ProductsIf you add any diary to your diet, make sure that it’s packed with healthy probiotics for the biggest benefits to your health. Greek yogurt is a great option since it’s low in sugar and high in probiotics. In studies done, Greek yogurt was found to improve blood sugar control and even reduce heart disease risks.³ Aim for unflavored Greek yogurt as the flavored versions are much higher in sugar and more processed, therefore may contribute to an increase in blood sugar.
10. Strawberries

If you’re looking for something sweet, try snacking on a cup of strawberries. Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants and have been shown to reduce both cholesterol and insulin levels after a meal.³ If you’re not a fan of strawberries and want to incorporate daily fruit into your diet, opt for raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries, which tend to have lower sugar content than other fruits like apples and bananas.

Conclusion

Diabetes doesn’t mean that you can’t eat your favorite foods, but you do need to monitor your blood glucose levels to stay safe. By incorporating these 10 foods into your daily diet, you’ll give your body the nourishment it needs so you can indulge a little every now and then. If you need any blood glucose meters or continuous glucose monitoring devices, Byram Healthcare has you covered. We’re proud to provide you with the latest technology in diabetes management, including continuous glucose monitoring. We’ll work with your insurance provider and doctor to ensure you’re supported from start to finish, maximizing your coverage while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. For more information and added support on diabetes management, sign up for Byram Healthcare’s Caring Touch At Home™ Program. The Caring Touch At Home™ Program combines convenience, affordability, and choice to deliver extensive service and support to everyone living with diabetes.

For added support, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Byram’s Diabetes Center of Excellence—a one source, total solution for diabetes care. Our Center of Excellence combines high quality products with clinical and educational research to help you better manage your condition, support all of your needs, and live a long, healthy life.

National Language of India

A hospital circular last weekend, later retracted, asked a New Delhi hospital’s nursing staff to not converse in Malayalam, because “maximum patients and colleagues do not know this language.” They were advised to only use English and Hindi while talking to patients. Logical fallacies aside (why will the nurses talk to the patients in a language they don’t understand?), the dispute further fueled the long-held misconception that Hindi is our national language — when, in fact, we don’t have one.

As a nation, we are familiar with false memories. Cricket is not our national sport. The lion is not our national animal. And Hindi, one of India’s regional languages, is not our national language.

The argument and fervor around a national language — apart from being a political one — is also about history, culture, and the elusive idea of unity.

The Constitution is largely silent on the issue of a national language. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution makes note of 22 regional languages, including Hindi. Hindi is limited to particular regions in the country — just like Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, or Kannada. However, the confusion began when, under Article 343 of the Official Languages Act, Hindi in Devanagari script and English were designated as the “official languages” — that is, languages used for official correspondence.

Further, the lack of an explicit notification stating that India has no national language led to confusion and space for falsehoods to thrive.

In 2010, a Gujarat court noted the false belief around India’s national language: “Normally, in India, majority of the people have accepted Hindi as a national language and many people speak Hindi and write in Devanagari script but there is nothing on record to suggest that any provision has been made or order issued declaring Hindi as a national language of the country.”

Adding to this misinformation and confusion, Article 351, a directive order, states that it is the government’s duty to promote the spread of Hindi, so that it serves as a way to express India’s composite culture.

Another legal bias is reflected in Article 348(2) of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, which allow Hindi-speaking states, such as Bihar and Rajasthan, to use Hindi in their respective high courts. Although the Tamil Nadu government urged the Centre to make similar provisions for Tamil, the court rejected the petition, arguing that such a change would impact the transfer and posting of high-court judges across India.

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Experts have noted the elevation of Hindi in official use too. More recently, Hindi’s use as an official language, in government addresses by the Prime Minister, Health Minister, or the Finance Minister — excluding people who speak other regional languages — has given it a further stamp of prominence. Railway tickets are only printed in Hindi and English and government websites rarely go beyond these two languages. In Delhi, examinations and courses are mostly offered in English and Hindi, although Urdu is an official language, too.

Hindi holds a special place in national consciousness because of the belief that it is spoken by “most” people in India, with the 2011 census pegging the number of Hindi speakers at almost 44%. However, G.N. Devy, who headed the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, notes that this apparent majority of Hindi speakers doesn’t necessarily paint an accurate and representative picture.

“That Hindi was given a pride of place [as the official language], not ‘national’ as desired, but still an important one, resulted in many anomalies in the years to come,” wrote Karthik Venkatesh. “The tragic outcome of this decision was the subsuming of the varied north Indian tongues under the bland label of ‘Hindi’.” 

According to Devy, there are approximately 65 such languages. Several other studies and statistics also corroborate the fact that Hindi is not the most widely spoken language in India — so the argument favoring the “many” deserves scrutiny.

Arguably, only five states in India have Hindi as their “native” language. But even in these regions, research shows locals either speak in dialects associated with their communities or converse in a form of Hindi that is drastically different from the mainstream version. For instance, in Bihar, the Bhojpuri dialect or the mother tongue Maithili are more common; in Chattisgarh, people use a dialect known as Chattisgarhi.

Further, as novelist Priyadarshan argues in The Wire, “All Indian writers are viewed as Hindi writers despite writing in various languages as they are translated into Hindi.” From Punjabi author Amrita Preetam to Indira Goswami in Assamese, they are folded into the Hindi literary domain.

There are also some historic issues at play here. Post partition, Hindi’s virtue was that it existed as a sole, distinct companion to English. Moreover, Hindi came to be antithetical to English and the “elitism” associated with it. In northern states, particularly rural areas, English is spoken by a small section of people. This false binary of English and Hindi meant that Hindi became the relatively easier option for those who couldn’t access English.

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Experts have also ascribed the perpetuation of Hindi imposition to political rhetoric linked to a certain idea of nationalism. “And that [Hindi] has become a very dominant, authoritative, symbolic construct during the nationalist movement and to a great extent in the post-independent phase as well, when the state and its official bodies began to expand, Hindi in as many areas as possible, also beyond the Hindi heartland,” Mithilesh Kumar Jha, author of Language Politics and Public Sphere in North India: Making of the Maithili Movement, told Himal Mag.

Today, the Hindi myth continues to be perpetuated because in all practical senses, Hindi acts as the common national language in urban settings. As the working middle-class migrate to cities, they adopt Hindi for convenience and logistical ease, inevitably boosting the language’s hegemony. “Ordinary people … want to learn the standard language to deal with government officials, otherwise, they will not be considered literate and their voice will not be heard,” Sadhana Saxena writes in EPW.

Another factor that stokes this false notion is statements by some public officials in the past, who have given illegitimate status to Hindi or attempted to move towards a unilingual policy. In 2017, India pushed to include Hindi as a language of the United Nations — “which in essence was a backdoor attempt to enshrine it with the ‘national language’ status,” Karthik Venkatesh notes. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu publicly declared in 2018 that Hindi should be the national language.

The tension between a desire to build national unity anchoring Hindi is sharply contrasted by the exclusion of other linguistic groups. It strips down to one idea: whether national integration can take precedence over people’s linguistic and cultural identities. Arguably, language remains key to every political and social discourse, so the question of language is not just about imposition — but about threatening one’s individual’s cultural identity.

“Language is integral to culture and therefore privileging Hindi over all other languages spoken in India takes away from its diversity,” an article in EPW explains.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

This year, the month of September marks one of the most auspicious festivals for Hindus – Ganesh Chaturthi. The celebrations for the 10-day festival will begin from September 10 this year. It will be marked with much pomp and fervour in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Significance and History:

To celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, devotees bring home idols of Lord Ganesh to worship the deity, eat good food, enjoy with friends and family, and in the end, immerse the idols. Additionally, temples offer prayers and distribute sweets such as modaks because it is Lord Ganesh’s favourite. The festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesh, the god of wisdom and prosperity. It falls in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, which falls in August-September.

Lord Ganesh is considered a symbol of wisdom, writing, travel, commerce and good fortune. He is also called Gajanana, Gajadanta, and Vighnaharta. These are few names among his 108 other titles.

Holy Places in India

In Hinduism, the yatra (pilgrimage) to the tirthas (sacred places) has special significance for earning the punya (spiritual merit) needed to attain the moksha (salvation) by performing the darśana (viewing of deity), the parikrama (circumambulation), the yajna (sacrificial fire offering), the Dhyana (spiritual contemplation), the puja (worship), the prarthana (prayer, which could be in the form of mantra – sacred chants, bhajan – prayer singing, or kirtan – collective musical prayer performance), the dakshina (alms and donation for worthy cause), the seva (selfless service towards community, devotees or temple), the bhandara (running volunteer community kitchen for pilgrims), etc. These sacred places are usually located on the banks of sacred water bodies, such as sacred rivers or their tributaries (among the rigvedic rivers of sapta sindhu the trio ganges-yamuna-saraswati are considered most scared), the kundas (pond or lake, among these the Lake Manasarovar is considered most scared), the ghats (water bodies with stairs such as Ghats in Varanasi), or the stepwells (among these the rani ki vav in the form of inverted temple is considered most spectacular), or the temple tanks.

In order of importance, in India there are 7 Sapta Puri holy cities, 4 Dhams (Char Dham) and 12 Jyotirlings devoted to the Lord Shiva, 51 Shakti Pithas devoted to the feminine manifestation of the god, and the important Lord Rama circuit (Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Hampi and Rameswaram) and Lord Krishna circuit (Braj. Kurukshetra and Dwarka).

Holy Places: Himalayan Chota Char Dham – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Dwarka and Rameswaram.

Holy Fairs: The Kumbh Mela (the “pitcher festival”) is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years; the location is rotated among the four cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The Mahamaham in temple town of Kumbakonam is also celebrated once in 12 years. Annual Gita Mahotsav at Kurukshetra, Shravani Mela at Deoghar, and Pitrapaksha Mela at Gaya are also notable holy fairs.

Holy Temples: the Char Dham of Rameswaram, Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath. Katra, home to the Vaishno Devi temple; Puri home to Vaishnava Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra celebration; Tirumala – Tirupati, home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple; Sabarimala home to Swami Ayyappan; the 108 Divya Desams; the Shakti Peethas; the twelve Jyotirlingas; the seven Sapta Puri; the Pancha Bhoota Stalam.

10 Holy Places in India

India can be rightly called the ‘Land of Faith’. Trudge through the mighty mountains and you shall experience divine presence or traverse through the meandering alleys, where spirituality combined with history waits to quench your spiritual thirst.

The existence of a large number of temples, mosques, churches, Gurudwaras and monasteries in India beckons the traveler to visit a country that is tolerant, spiritual and most of all diverse yet united.

Spirituality has propelled many ordinary destinations into significant religious places in India. As a result, along with a large number of pilgrims that visit these religious destinations once a year, many travel enthusiasts have started to throng these hubs. Tourism has grown manifold and so has the fame of India.

India is known throughout the world for its spirituality. People from various religions live here in harmony while following their own religious beliefs. Although, secularism is one of the great features of the country, spirituality, forgiveness, purity of the heart and humanity are given equal importance and people try to live their lives according to these. This is the reason why people from all across the country visit various religious places and pilgrimage tourism is on the rise. There are numerous pilgrimage destinations in India that are visited by thousands of followers every year. Even those who are just interested in admiring the architecture and understanding the culture visit these pilgrimage places, though not from a religious point of view. Some of these popular pilgrimage destinations are discussed below so that it can be easier for you to plan your spiritual tour.

10 Religious Places in India

Thousands of people come to India from all over the world seeking spiritual enlightenment. Incidentally, most of these pilgrimage sites are tucked away in places blessed with unparalleled natural beauty. In the land of temples and pilgrimages, we pick the top 10 pilgrimages to take in India.

Shirdi

The holy town of Shirdi in Maharashtra is synonymous with Sai Baba – the saint who was revered by followers of all religions and who is said to have performed several miracles. Devotees throng his shrine year-round and the main festivals celebrated are Ramnavami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashmi.

Tirupati

The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple near Tirupati is one of the holiest in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Millions of devotees visit the temple every year, especially during the annual nine-day Brahmotsavan festival in October.

Rameswaram

The Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva and is also a part of the Char Dham circuit. Located on Pamban Island and connected to mainland India by a bridge, a trip to Rameswaram is a must-do whether you’re religious-minded or not. Mahashivratri and Navratri are especially popular festivals here.

Somnath  and  Dwarka

The majestic seaside temples of Dwarka and Somnath are truly awe-inspiring. Dwarka is one of the four shrines comprising the Char Dham and home to the Jagat Mandir, also known as Dwarkadheesh Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Somnath temple is one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Vaishno Devi

One of the most important Indian pilgrimages is to the Vaishno Devi shrine, near Katra in Jammu. The temple is at a height of 5,300 feet and can be reached by an arduous climb. It’s dedicated to the goddess Shakti and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Navratri is the biggest festival celebrated here.

Puri

The sacred seaside town of Puri in Odisha is famous for its Jagannath Temple. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the temple’s Rath Yatra (or the chariot festival) sees devotees in large numbers from all over the world, celebrating the dieties’ procession from the temple to the ocean waters. 

Amritsar

A shimmering golden façade reflected in the water, soothing intonations of the Granth Sahib being read out, the calming atmosphere – a trip to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) of Amritsar is a must-do. Do not miss out on the langar where thousands of pilgrims are fed daily. Guru Nanak Jayanti and Baisakhi are some of the festivals that are celebrated with great fervour here.

Ajmer

Dargah Sharif, the Sufi shrine of the saint Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer, is a favourite with Bollywood celebrities who make a beeline for it before every film release! Thousands of devotees come here to offer a chadar on fulfilment of their wishes. The annual Urs Festival commemorates the Sufi saint.

Mathura

Known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura and nearby Vrindavan are home to hundreds of temples dedicated to the playful, dark-skinned god. Keshav Dev Temple and Banke Bihari Temple are amongst the important shrines here. Janmashtami and Holi are major festivals in Dwarka.

Varanasi

The ancient city of Varanasi is considered one of the most holy cities and there are several temples located on the banks of the Ganga river. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple are two of the most visited in the city. The annual Ganga Mahotsav celebrates the rich cultural heritage of India.

Satyanarayana Puja

• As the name suggests, this puja is performed for the appeasement of Lord Vishnu or Narayana, the preserver of this whole creation.  Satyanarayan Puja is an effective and simple ritual for the current age. Satyanarayan is considered to be a calm and benevolent avatar of Lord Vishnu. As per Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu taught Satya Narayana vratam to Maharshi Narada when the latter asked Lord Vishnu how a human being can overcome his or her strives in the terrible age of Kali Yuga. Usually this puja is performed immediately after or on an auspicious occasion like a marriage or moving into a new house. It is also performed to achieve success in life.
  
  Satyanarayan Puja and Katha Paath can be performed on any day. However Poornima (full moon) is considered to be most auspicious day for conducting this Puja. Benefits of Puja includes and are not limited to success in any venture, help seeks Lord Satyanarayana’s blessing for happy and contended life and in making a business profitable.Please see below blogs for more details on the main options  for Griha Pravesh Puja-Satyanarayan Puja (North Indian Style)Satyanarayan Puja (South Indian Style)SmartPuja has a team of Qualified, Knowledgeable and Experienced Pandits who perform Pujas as per your community, language and region specifications. We take care of the entire process, right from booking and assigning the right Pandit, with best Muhurat, Puja Items, Puja Samagri, Flowers etc. All you need to do is to book the service, sit back and relax while we work on ensuring that you get a satisfying and divine Puja experience.You can Book a Pandit for Satyanarayan Puja by paying an advance booking amount using ‘Pay Online’ option. By paying a booking advance you receive a confirmed booking. The remaining amount is to be paid to the Pandit after completion of the Puja. In case you don’t have an online payment mode handy, please choose ‘Pay by Cash’ option. Here booking will be confirmed after checking availability of pandits and communicated to you. The entire Puja amount is to be paid to the Pandit after completion of the Puja.

Rudra Abhishek

What are the benefits of Rudrabhishek Puja?

Here is the list of benefits of performing this pooja:

1. Beliefs are that performing this pooja protects one from all the possible evils.
2. It guards one against health-related and financial dangers surrounding the life of a person.
3. The Rudrabhishek ritual is helpful in gaining prosperity in career and job as well.
4. It helps to dispose of any evil forces or effects of bad deeds.
5. The recitation of Sri Rudram during the ritual identifies the 346 desires of human beings. And one can fulfil them to have a peaceful daily life.
6. Moreover, this pooja serves as the ultimate remedy for many planetary Doshas.

When should I perform Rudrabhishek Puja?

• It is considerably auspicious to perform Rudrabhishek on a Monday as this day of the week is for Lord Shiva.
• Moreover, Shiva Ratri is also virtuous to perform Rudrabhishek as the devotees worship Lord Shiva everywhere during this time.
• However, beliefs say that one can perform Abhishek at any time after considering the auspicious Muhurat in the day.
• Performing Rudrabhishek on important occasions such as Graha Pravesh, Anniversaries or Birthdays is also good.
• Shravan Month is of special importance when considering to perform Rudrabhishek.