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Showing posts from February 4, 2009


From Under Heaps of Garbage, Brahma Kund Restored in Vrindavan by Braj Foundation

Brahma Kund, or Brahm Teerth, located near the northern gate of the famous Rangji Temple in Vrindavan is mentioned in the Varaha Purana. Till recently the sacred water tank was lying beneath a heap of garbage and totally neglected. Thanks to the sustained efforts of Braj Rakshak Dal and Braj Foundation, Brahma Kund has been restored to its original glory. Legends associated with Brahma Kund narrate about Lord Shiva’s and Yog Maya’s appearance here. Spiritual personalities like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Meera Bai have visited the spot. After restoring the Brahma Kund, the foundation members installed a nine-foot tall idol Lord Brahma, seated on a lotus flower. From each petal of the lotus emerges a stream of water. Braj Foundation is dedicated to the all round development of Braj - the culturally vibrant region associated with the legend of Sri Radha-Krishna. The Foundation’s efforts, which began with restoration of age old water retention tanks, commonly called ‘kund’

Sudasha Brata In Odisha

Sudasha Brata, or Sudasa Vrata, is a unique ritual observed in Odisha. When there is a rare combination of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon), Thursday and Dashami in Oriya Calendar Sudasha Brata is observed. Sudasa Brata is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.  Sudasha Brata is observed mainly by women for the wellbeing of the family. The main ritual involves the tying of a sacred thread on the hand by women. The thread is only replaced during the next Sudasa Vrata. Special food items like Manda Pithas are offered to Goddess Lakshmi on the day. Another Sudasha Vrat that is part of the culture of Eastern India is observed during the Dasami day in the Shukla Paksha of Bhadra month by some communities.