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Showing posts from February 13, 2007


Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple

Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur in Thrissur District, Kerala, is renowned in the Hindu world for the unique idol of Lord Krishna. Krishna is known here as Unnikrishna or Balakrishna. It is believed that idol here was given by Lord Vishnu to Brahma who passed it to a couple without children. Since, Lord Vishnu had worshipped the idol, the Guruvayur Temple is considered as ‘Bhooloka Vaikunta’ or heaven on earth. The daily puja routine here was laid down by Adi Sankaracharya. There are numerous myths associated with Guruvayur Temple . The temple is famous for the Thulabharam ritual. For devotes, the Lord is the all pervading Guruvayoorappan. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Shirt, T-shirt, pyjama, chapels, and other modern dresses are not allowed inside the temple. Men should be in ‘mundu’ and should not cover their top. Women should be in sarees and children should wear ‘pavadi.’ Churidhar allowed inside after a dress code change in July 2007 . Mobile

Book - The Power of Dharma: An introduction to Hinduism and Vedic Culture by Stephen Knapp

The book ‘The Power of Dharma: An introduction to Hinduism and Vedic culture’ is a good introduction to those who are eager to know about Hinduism. It provides an overview of the basic concepts in Hindu religion. The book is written by Stephen Knapp. He has been associated with Hinduism for more than four decades and his studies in Vedas are highly appreciated. The book touches the important aspects of Hindu religion like customs, traditions, worship, festivals, yoga and Ayurveda. Simple an easy to read, excellent presentation of Vedic truths, the book is faithful to Vedic philosophy A concise overview of Hinduism, tradition, major principles and teachings All important and common questions about Hindu customs and teachings are answered. The book is good for a novice as well as a for a practitioner of Hindu religion.  Few excerpts from the book: Vedic culture, more popularly known as Hinduism today, has spread everywhere and is followed by over one billion people ar

About Tantric Literature - Dialogue Between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati

Usually, Tantric Literature is a dialogue between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva adorns the role a teacher and Parvati that of a student. Tantric Literature begins with the creation of the world and ends with the end of the world or the next beginning. The Tantric texts usually contain different forms of worship, magic and related things, spiritual exercises, ways to worship a particular deity, thoughts on nature etc. Tantric Literature falls under the category of ‘Agamas.’ Vedas are ‘Nigamas.’ Agamas concentrate on a particular aspect of God and in it practice of enjoyment is necessary for salvation. One of the striking aspects is that women were allowed to partake in all rituals. In the initial phase, the literature was passed down mainly through oral rendering. Lord Shiva is Bhairava and Parvati is Bhairavi. Cremation grounds and burning of the corpses are part of rituals. Yoni puja and stree puja are mentioned in the literature. Some of the im