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Showing posts from February 16, 2015


Indian Laburnum Tree and Shiva

Indian Laburnum, known as Kirala or Amaltas in Hindi and Konnai in Tamil, is a tree associated with Shiva. Legend has it that Shiva used to wear garlands made of laburnum flower when going into war or other heroic situations. Nayanmars, the Shaivaite Saints, of Tamil Nadu believed the tree to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. From the poems of the saints, it is learned that the flowers were used to adorn the hair of Shiva. The flowers of Laburnum Tree are widely used in the puja of Shiva in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Konnai or Konrai is the favorite flower of Mahadev. The tree is found on the foothills of Tiruvannamalai and therefore is praised as the tree that blossoms at the feet of Shiva. The use of the flower is famous in Kerala during Vishu - the flower is an essential part of Vishukani. Source – Sacred plants of India by Nanditha Krishna and M. Amirthalingam Related Ashvattha Tree in Hinduism – Spiritual and Religious Importance of Ashvattha Tre

Ganesh Puja procedure at home – How to do Simple Ganesha Puja at home?

This is an explanation on how to do a simple Ganesh puja at home. Please note that this puja procedure is only to give an idea and you can be flexible in your Ganesha Puja. After taking bath Take the blessings of Lord Ganesha by touching the feet of murti or portrait. Ask Ganesha to help in make this puja a success. Remove all the puja items you used the previous time. Clean the murti or painting of Ganesha. Take very little water and sprinkle it on the murti and on you for self purification. Keep the lamp ready. Use cotton to make wick. Pour oil or ghee or mustard oil or any other cooking oil in the lamp. Dip the wick. Dip the wick and squeeze to remove the extra oil from one end and project it outside to light the lamp. Keep incense ready. Keep red flowers ready. If you have Durva Grass offer it. Keep a single banana or a fruit or a piece of coconut or a sweet ready. Keep sandalwood paste or red kumkum ready Light the lamp. Offer your prayers. Offer flower

Learn Sanskrit Grammar Online Through Chinmaya International Foundation

Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) is launching a new online Home Study Course on Sanskrit - "Learn Sanskrit Grammar - The Paninian Way". The faculty for the Course is Dr. V. Rajarao Bandaru, a renowned scholar and indologist. The Course will be conducted live via webinar beginning March 28, 2015. The registrations for the course have already begun. You can find more details here at the official website of Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF).