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Showing posts from May 22, 2013


About Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple , part of the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand, is one among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Shiva in India . The temple is more than thousand years old and was consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya. Legend has it Pandavas wanted to seek redemption for sins committed during the Kurukshetra battle in Mahabharata. But Shiva was not ready to give darshan to Pandavas. He hid from them and the Pandavas kept following Shiva. It is said that at Kedarnath Shiva took the form of a bull and disappeared underground leaving only the hump on the top. Shiva is worshipped in the form of Shivling in Kedarnath Temple . The hump of the bull is that is worshipped in the temple. It is in the form of a canonical rock. Kedar is one among the numerous names of Shiva. Holy Places in Kedarnath Temple A large murti of Nandi bull stands as guard outside the temple door. Water used to worship the murti at Kedarnath temple gets collected at the Udak Kund and this water is

Keechaka Vadham – Story of Kichaka in the Mahabharata

Keechaka Vadham, or the killing of Kichaka, in the Mahabharata happened during the life incognito in exile period of the Pandavas. Pandavas had taken refuge in the kingdom of Virata . Matsya, the king of Virata, had married Sudeshna, sister of Kichaka. A powerful warrior, Kichaka and 105 brothers known as Upakichakas too lived in Virata. Kichaka was the chief commander of the army of Virata. He and his brothers were a manifestation of Bana, the eldest of the Kalakeyas (a group of demons). His earthly parents were Kekaya and Malavi. Pandavas led the life incognito in the palace of Virata assuming various roles. Panchali (Draupadi) assumed the role of chaperon. She looked after queen Sudeshna and her daughter Uttara. Kichaka was enamored by the beauty of Panchali and wanted to possess her. All advances of Kichaka were rejected by Panchali. She had spread a lie that she was married to a Gandharva. Kichaka, who was smitten by lust, took the help of Sudeshna. Ordered by

Vishnu Meaning – Hindu God Vishnu Word Meaning

Vishnu word meaning is found in the Vishnu Sahasranama – the thousand names of Vishnu. Vishnu meaning – the all pervading. He is the one who has entered into everything; the inner cause and power by which things exist. Vishnu is one of the three principal gods of Hinduism. He is the protector and sustainer of the universe. This particular teaching is only applicable until a devotee thinks that God is different from him. When there is self realization and ignorance is removed a devotee sees only Vishnu. Only He exists. He is eternal. There is no second. All are his forms. Thus Vishnu is all pervading. The root meaning of the word Vishnu is all-pervasive (vyapta) or omnipresent. The word Vishnu is made up of four components. These are vi, sh, n, u. Vi - convesy uniqueness s - means He regulates n - denotes strength u - is the combination of all that constitutes his nature.

Shri Swaminarayan Charitra – Animation Movies on the Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Life and Work

Animation Movies on the Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Life and Work is presented by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha ( BAPS). The series is titled Shri Swaminarayan Charitra and aims to help children and elders understand the teaching and life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan who transformed lives of millions of people through teachings rooted in the Vedas. “Ghanshyam and the Storm of Evil” is the first part in the series. The second part is titled “Ghanshyam and the Miracles of Life.” Presented on a DVD, it contains the option of English or Hindi dialogs, with a total running time of an hour.