--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from July 21, 2014


Eklingji – Shiva as Four-Faced Eklingji Worshipped in Udaipur in Rajasthan

Shiva is worshipped as Eklingji in the famous Eklingji Temple in Udaipur District of Rajasthan. In this form, Shiva is the Parabrahma – one without a second. He is the ruler of the Mewad region and Sisodia Ranas rule the region as his ministers. Shiva as Eklingji is creator, preserver and destroyer. The Mother Goddess Shakti is worshipped here as Mata Ratneshwari. The worship and stories of the deity and the temple are closely associated with the history of the Mewad kingdom. The shivling worshipped as Eklingji is four-faced. Eklingaji's four faces symbolize Lord Brahma in the west, Lord Vishnu in the north, Maheshwara (Shiva) in the South, and Surya in the east. People believe that Mewad can never be conquered as it has the blessing of Eklingji. In 734 AD, Mewad Ruler Bappa Rawal, on the advice of his spiritual guru, Harit Rishi, established and declared Eklingji as the deity to be worshipped by his successors. Acharya Vishwaroop, the contemporary of Adi Shankaracha

Drona of Mahabharata Did Penance in this Cave near Dehradun – Drona Gufa

Drona of the Mahabharata was one of the greatest archers of his era. He was the Guru of both Pandavas and Kauravas. It is believed that Dronacharya did penance for 12 years in a cave near Dehradun in Uttarakhand. The cave is today famous as the Tapkeshwar Temple . It is said that Shiva appeared before Drona in the cave. He was pleased with the supreme skills of Dronacharya in archery and blessed him. Several years later, Ashwathama, son of Dronacharya, did penance in the cave standing on one foot. Shiva is believed to have appeared before him and blessed him with great skills in archery. Today one can see the sculpture of Guru Drona on the entrance of the cave temple.

Augadhnath Mandir – Augarnath Shiva Temple at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh

Dedicated to Shiva, Augadhnath Mandir is located in the Cantonment area on Boundary Road in Meerut . Augarnath temple is of great significance both religiously and historically. It is associated with the independence movement of India . The temple was one of the important places during the revolt of 1857. During the rule of the Marathas in the region, the Peshwas used to seek blessings here before going to war. The temple was also an important meeting point of freedom fighters. The present structure of Augarnath Temple was built in 1969. Shiva in the form of Augadhnath Baba and Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum. A small Shivling is placed in the sanctum. Ganesha and Nandi stand in attendance near the Shivling. Various forms of Shiva can be seen on the temple walls including that of Shambu, Pinaki, Girish, Sadashiva, Nataraja, Neelakantha and Mahakal. There are also murtis of Radha, Krishna , Durga and other deities in the shrine. There i

Shiva Teachings To Sati

Some of the important teachings in Sanatana Dharma were revealed through the dialogue between Shiva and Sati. Here are some of the teachings that Shiva imparted to Goddess Sati. O Goddess Sati, listen carefully for I shall give you that knowledge that shall free all souls in bondage. O goddess, known that the supreme knowledge consists in experiencing the great truth, - I am Brahman – Aham Brahmasmi. In a perfect intellect, nothing else is remembered. This sort of consciousness is very rare in the world. But, O beloved, remember that I myself am the Supreme Brahman, as is Vishnu. Devotion to him or me is the easiest method of attaining salvation. Supreme devotion is the same as supreme knowledge and is easier to practice. One who is engrossed in devotion enjoys perpetual bliss. Devotion has the power to attract me as nothing else can. True devotee believes that whatever I bestow on him is for his good. True devotee dedicates everything to me and keeps n