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Lathmar Holi 2024 Date – Holi Festival In Barsana - Stick Fight by Men And Women

Lathmar Holi takes place well before the actual Holi celebration and is observed in Barsana Village in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Lathmar Holi 2024 date is March 18, March 19 and March 20.  Barsana Lathmar holi is on March 18 and Nandgaon Lathmar holi is on March 19 and Lathmar holi in Janmasthan Mathura is on March 20. The famous stick fight between men from Nandgaon and women of Barsana take place on the day. The aim of the men from Nandgaon is to install a flag on the temple of Radha at Barsana and claim victory. Women of Barsana face them with bamboo sticks. In 2024,  Holi festival is on March 25 . Holika Dahan in North India is on March 24. If you are a tourist or foreigner visiting for Lathmar Holi then be prepared to spend at least three days. Story of Lathmar Holi  The legend behind Lathmar Holi is closely associated with Lord Krishna and Radha. It is said that Krishna, who is dark in color, was jealous of the fair-colored Radha. Krishna used to pester Mother Yashoda


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Story Of Annamacharya Rejecting Narastuti

The illustrious 15th-century composer-saint Annamacharya is famous for his Venkateswara stuti. Here is a story which tells how Annamacharya rejected Narastuti or praising men especially kings. Once Saluva Narasimha Raya, ruler of Tanguturu, invited the Annamacharya to his court. Impressed by the saint’s remarkable songs, the king asked for a song in praise of himself. Annamayya was shocked at his request and refused to engage in “narastuti” (praise of human being). He told the king he would compose songs only for Bhagavan. His ego hurt, the king threw the saint in prison. Legend says that when Annamacharya sang to the praise of Srihari Vishnu with utmost devotion, his shackles miraculously broke free. The king realized his folly and released the saint. Annamacharya returned to his spiritual home, Tirumala , the court of Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara. In the words of scholars Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman, “Annamayya was Venkateshvara’s court poet, and the God rewarded hi

Symbolism And Meaning Of Garbhagriha In Hindu Temples

The Garbha Griha, also known as the sanctum sanctorum, is the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple. It is the holiest and most sacred space within the temple where the principal deity or deities are enshrined. The Garbhagriha holds immense symbolic significance in Hindu temple architecture and religious practices: Symbol of Creation: The term "Garbha Griha" translates to "womb chamber" or "womb house." It symbolizes the cosmic womb or the place of primordial creation. It represents the sacred space from which the universe emerged, mirroring the concept of the womb from which life originates. Abode of the Deity: The Garbhagriha is the dwelling place of the main deity of the temple. Devotees believe that the deity actually resides within this chamber, and it serves as a focal point for worship and devotion. Concentration of Spiritual Energy: It is believed that the Garbhagriha is infused with immense spiritual energy or divine presence. Devotees vis

Acharya Totapuri Teachings On Meditation

Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa disclosed some of the meditations he had learned from his teacher of Vedanta, Totapuri: Nangta [Tota Puri] used to tell me how a jnani meditates : Everywhere there is water; all the regions above and below are filled with water; man, like a fish, is swimming joyously in that water. In real meditation you will actually see all this. Take the case of the infinite ocean. There is no limit to its water. Suppose a pot is immersed in it: there is water both inside and outside the pot. The jnani sees that both inside and outside there is nothing but Paramatman. Then what is this pot? It is ‘I - consciousness’. Because of the pot the water appears to be divided into two parts; because of the pot you seem to perceive an inside and an outside. One feels that way as long as this pot of ‘I’ exists. When the ‘I’ disappears, what is remains. That cannot be described in words. Do you know another way a jnani meditates? Think of infinite akasha and a bird

March 26 2024 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, March 26 2024 – It is Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 1:27 PM on March 26. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 3:06 PM on March 27. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on March 26, 2024 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Hasta or Atham or Hastham nakshatra till 12:24 PM on March 26. Then onward it is Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira nakshatra till 2:36 PM on March 27. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan),

Symbolism And Meaning Of Word Sadhu In Hinduism

In Hinduism, the term "Sadhu" carries rich symbolism and profound meaning, embodying both spiritual attainment and the aspirational journey towards enlightenment. At its core, a Sadhu represents a seeker who has dedicated their life to the pursuit of spiritual realization and liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). Sadhu stands for both the illumined soul, and the seeker on the path. A Sadhu, in the true sense of the term, is one who has gone beyond death, and has reached the shores of immortality. Illumined Soul: A Sadhu is often regarded as an illumined soul , one who has transcended worldly desires and attachments to attain a state of spiritual awakening. Through rigorous spiritual practices such as meditation, self-discipline, and devotion to a higher power, the Sadhu has achieved a deep understanding of the self and the divine. Seeker on the Path: The term Sadhu also encompasses the idea of a spiritual seeker who is actively engaged in the journey

Proverbs Of Local People Of Assam

Oral expression like proverbs, riddles and abusive words are abundant both in Assamese and other local and tribal languages of Assam. The Assamese proverbs are the best specimens of folk wisdom and terse didactic statement. There are proverbs, which may be traced back to Caryapada. For example – Flesh is the enemy of the deer; Does drawn milk enter the dug? There are also proverbs which can be traced back to Sanskrit and other ancient traditions. For example – Silence indicates consent; A sleeping fox is not able to catch ducks. Many proverbs in Assamese are prescriptive, for example, - Do not be the first to step in, when the path is watery; Do not be the son-in-law of a woman, who bears children very often. These proverbs say a lot about truthfulness and the value of hard work; but there are proverbs which reveal the power of money in life. For example - Money is at the bottom of religion; It is poverty that spoils one’s character. Related Importance Of Oral Tradition In Hind

Nidhi Kumbha In Hindu Temple Construction

Nidhi Kumbha, also known as Nidhi Kalasha, holds significant importance in Hindu temple construction. In Sanskrit, "Nidhi" means treasure or wealth, and "Kumbha" refers to a pot or vessel. This sacred vessel symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and the essence of creation within the Hindu cosmology. In the process of building a Hindu temple, the Shadadhara Pratishtha , or the installation of six foundational supports, is a crucial ritual performed within the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). The Nidhi Kumbha is the second of these six supports and is positioned above the adharashila, the base stone. The contents of the Nidhi Kumbha typically include nine precious stones, various metals and minerals, herbs, and soils, each carrying symbolic significance. These elements represent the diversity of creation and are believed to imbue the temple with divine energy, auspiciousness, and blessings of prosperity. The placement of the Nidhi Kumbha during temple construction

Creation Stories Of Local People Of Assam

The tribal groups of Assam have retained their own creation stories. For examples, the Bodo creation myths narrate thus – God Anan Gasai Binan Gosai was lying in a formless state. Then he decided to create the universe and all forms started appearing. The God then felt lonely and created Sirbrai and out of his own form created his consort Siburi. Monsinsin, the first man, was born from him and hence grew mankind. Another creation story of Assam states that at first, there was only water and no earth. At the behest of the God, a clod of earth was brought from the bottom of the water and, thus, the world was created. Another myth talks of the origin of the living beings, trees and spirits from the cosmic egg. According to the Karbi oral tradition of Assam, the mythical bird Wo Planki laid several eggs, out of which were born the progenitors of the Assamese people – the Nagas, the Kacharis, and the Karbis. Lunche Keplang narrates how the Karbis learnt the art of poetry, music and

What Happened To Goddess Nidra After She Left Kumbhakarna?

After Goddess Nidra, the Hindu Goddess of sleep, left Kumbhakarna following his demise at the hands of Bhagavan Sri Rama, she received a boon from Bhagavan Sri Rama himself. According to one of the puranas, this boon allowed her to reside in the hearts of individuals who sought to misuse the power of Ramanama for evil purposes. Additionally, she was advised to settle within those who sought to exploit the teachings of puranas and other scriptures for selfish gains. Moreover, Goddess Nidra was granted the ability to inhabit the bodies of lazy individuals who lacked interest in acquiring true knowledge. In essence, Goddess Nidra's fate after departing from Kumbhakarna was intertwined with her newfound roles as a guardian against misuse of sacred teachings and a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant against sloth and ignorance. In Hindu tradition, Kumbhakarna is a character known for his immense size and appetite. According to the Ramayana , an ancient Indian epic, Kumbhaka

Infinite – Ananta In Hinduism

Ananta means infinite, the opposite of anta (end or last). Ananta in Hinduism stands for that which cannot be limited in terms of extension, dimension, time, number, action, gender, etc. That which has infinite qualities in nature and transcends all these qualities is Ananta. The being that is infinite in nature is without limit. Ananta is that which is not matter and is not limited to worlds by numbers and extensions. Santata (relative existence) is the root cause of suffering caused by bonds or individualized forms like shape, color, etc. What is not relative has no possibility of suffering caused by bonds and hence it is called Ananta. As Brahman, in Advaita, is consciousness pervading all and yet at the same time beyond, i.e. both immanent and transcendent, it is called Ananta. Since there is no division of time and space in consciousness and as consciousness by itself is the cause of all spacio-temporal divisions, it is called Ananta. Taittiriyopanishad defines Brahman as