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Showing posts from August 6, 2014


Bhogasanamurti Form of Bhagwan Vishnu

Bhogasanamurti is a unique murti of Bhagvan Vishnu. In this form Vishnu is depicted on a Simhasana or throne with consorts Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhumidevi. Bhogasanamurti is dark in color with four arms. One right hand holds the chakra and the other right hand is in Varada or Abhaya posture. One left hand holds the Shankha. The other one rests on the hip or is on the lap or is kept in Simhakaran pose. Goddess Lakshmi is seated to the right of Vishnu with her left leg fold and resting on the throne. The right leg has to be in hanging posture. She is two-armed and holds a lotus flower. One hand rests on the throne or on her lap or is in Kataka posture. Goddess Bhumidevi is seated to the left of Vishnu with her right leg fold and resting on the throne. The left leg has to be in hanging posture. She is two-armed and holds a nilotpala flower in the right hand. One hand rests on the throne or on her lap or is in Kataka posture.

Book – Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don’t Tell You

Book titled “Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don’t Tell You” by Devdutt Pattanaik is a compilation of 30 stories and incidents from Hindu scriptures and folk tales which border on the queer. These are stories that have homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, cross dressing… undertones. Many of us must be aware of the story of Shikhandi from the Mahabharata… who is regarded as eunuch or hijra… and who was responsible for the death of Bhishma. But there are numerous other characters in Hindu scriptures whose actions can be termed as queer. Not all stories in the collection can be termed as dealing with queerness. Some of them get a homosexual overtone when we are forced to look at it in that way. For example the story of Chudala, Indra loosing his manhood due to curse… Again not all cross dressing is performed to satisfy sexual desires. Cross dressing has been widely used as a method to overcome enemies. Some of the cross dressing instances from Hindu stories which was purely us

Kaitha Shiv Mandir – Shiva Temple at Ramgarh in Jharkhand

Kaitha Shiv Mandir is located around 3 km from Ramgarh in Jharkhand. This Shiva Temple is currently in a dilapidated situation but the architecture is unique as it is a combination of Bengal , Rajput and Mughal style of architecture. The east facing temple was constructed during the 17 th century and a part of the temple was used for military purpose. The main Shivling worshipped in the temple is placed at a height of more than 12 feet and is accessed by stairs. The main Shivling has a five-hooded naga canopy. There are tridents and murti of Hanuman in the temple complex. There is also a cave in the complex which leads to a nearby pond.