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Showing posts from August 9, 2014


Why do we Tie Rakhi?

Sisters tying ‘Rakhi’ on brothers is an age-old Hindu tradition associated with the Rakshabandhan. On this day, the sister ties ‘Rakhi’ on her brother and who pledge to protect her from any danger. Tying of Rakhi is not limited to just brothers and sisters, it has wider dimensions in a multicultural society. But why do we tie Rakhi? Several reasons for this custom are found in the Hindu scriptures, history and folklore. According to Hindu Mythology, the Rakhi tying custom was started primarily to help in the smooth functioning of the society and to instill confidence in the people. The rakhi or raksha used to be tied by a priest after conducting the necessary puja in a temple. The rakhi thus tied used to protect the person from all calamities during the year. And this used to take place in the holy month of Shravan (July – August). A myth in the Bhavishya Purana suggests that Indra who was defeated by the demons in a battle lost all his confidence and arrived depressed

Shiva Mandir at Daltonganj – Shiva Temple at Daltonganj in Jharkhand

Shiva Mandir at Daltonganj is located on the banks of Koer River and Shiva is worshipped in the temple in the form of a Swayambhu Shivling. This Shiva Temple is more than 200 years old and was established by Colonel Edward Tunite Dalton, an anthropologist and district magistrate of Chhota Nagpur during the British Rule in India . The main Shivling worshipped in the temple is flanked by two other Shivlings – one black in color and another white in color. Murti of Goddess Parvti is seated facing the Shivlings. Ganesha murti is also found in the sanctum sanctorum. Hanuman, Nandi and Durga as Ashtabhuja Devi is also worshiped in the temple. Animal sacrifice is still practiced in the temple. Shivratri, Ram Navami, and Dasara are the important festivals in the temple. Shravan month and the Jhulan mela during the period attract thousands of devotees.