--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from April 25, 2015


Why do some Hindu men keep choti – a braid of long hair on top of the head?

Many Hindu men especially priests, or pujaris, keep a braid of long hair and this is known as choti or Shikha. Some men belonging to certain Hindu communities also keep a small amount of hair on the head after shaving the complete hair for performing the Shradh ceremony. The priests and some male members of the certain Hindu community tie a simple knot at the end of the long hair. Some Hindu holy scriptures like the Katyayan smriti suggest that rituals, charity, penance and fast performed without choti has no value. Symbolically choti is a restraint that one places upon oneself and intended to remind the person and those approaching him about the ideals and principles in life. Some people also believe that the choti helps in controlling thoughts, feelings and emotions.

What is Yantra in Hinduism?

In Hindu religion, Yantra is a geometric composition used as a tool in meditation. It belongs to the Hindu Tantric tradition especially to the Shakti cult. Yantra is also the visual representation of the deity – Shiva Shakti. The Sanskrit word Yantra is derived from two words – the root ‘yam’ and ‘trana.’ ‘Yan’ means representing ‘the essence of a concept’ and ‘tra’ means ‘liberation from bondage.’ Once the geometric form is composed, it becomes the symbolic representation of Devi or Shakti. The most important part in a Yantra is the Bindu, the point in the center of a Yantra, which represents the supreme consciousness.  When the word Bindu or point is used in the Yantra, it has a very wide meaning and application. The Bindu is the first and foremost step in the physical visualization of Brahman, the formless.  Everything else is the extension of the Bindu or the point. There are several different types of Yantra and the most famous one is the Sri Yantra. Y

Parnerkar Maharaj Varishkotsav at Parner in Ahmednagar

Parnerkar Maharaj Varshikotsav is observed in Vaishakh month. This is annual celebration associated with Parnerkar Maharaj. The main rituals and spiritual programs are organized at Parner in Ahmednagar district. Parnerkar Maharaj Varshikotsav 2024 date is June 2. The Varshikotsav attracts hundreds of people. Satsang, bhajans, free food delivery etc are part of the annual festival. Parnerkar Maharaj Varshikotsav is observed on Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Ekadasi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Samudra Manthan and Goddess Lakshmi – The Reason for Undertaking Churning of Ocean in Hinduism

Samudra Manthan is the churning of the ocean performed by Asuras (demons) and Devas (gods) to obtain Amrita or elixir of life and this is an important incident in Hinduism. But there is an interesting episode mentioned in the Vishnu Purana which suggests that the need to perform Samudra Manthan arose after Goddess Lakshmi disappeared from the world due to a curse. Sage Durvasa once received a flower garland which had a unique fragrance. While roaming through the forest with the garland, Durvasa came across Lord Indra (king of demigods) who was sitting atop his white elephant Airavat. The Sage gifted the garland to Lord Indra and he placed it on the head of Airavat. Airavat wanted to know the reason for the unique fragrance and using his trunk he tried to get the garland. But unfortunately the garland fell down and the elephant stamped on it. Durvasa happened to see this and he thought it was done purposefully to insult him. He thought that Indra has gone

Rahu Ketu Puja at Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh

Rahu Ketu Puja at Srikalahasti Temple is performed to ward off inauspiciousness in life, which arises due to the bad positioning of Navgrahas Rahu and Ketu in one’s horoscope. The popular belief is that performing the puja at Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh in highly meritorious. The ritual is mainly performed on Sunday and Monday. Another auspicious day chosen to perform the puja is Amavasya or No moon day. The puja is performed during Rahu Kalam – the most inauspicious time in a day as per Hindu astrology. The New Indian Express writes about the puja  Kalahasthi is popular for its ‘Rahu-Ketu’ puja, which draws not just Indians, but also NRIs and foreigners from all over the world, especially Russia .  It may not be unsurprising, therefore, that the revenue earned through the puja exceeds the donations gained through the hundi by almost five times. While collection through hundi stood at Rs 7.25 crore during 2011-12, the revenue generated through ‘Rahu-Ketu

Dagdusheth Ganpati Timings – Opening and Closing and Darshan Timings at Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple in Pune

Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple is Pune is one of the most important Ganesha Shrines in Maharashtra . Detail Dagdusheth Ganpati Timings are given below. Please note that the temple has extended timings during important festivals and rituals. There is also extended timing during Sankashti days. Opening and Closing and Darshan Timings might vary during grahan and during important rituals. Dagdusheth Ganpati Timings Daily Temple Timing s – 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM  Darshan for General Public: 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM 8:15 AM to 1:30 AM 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM 3:15 PM to 8:00 PM 8:15 PM to 10:30 PM 10:45 PM to 11:00 PM Important Puja Timings Sakalchi Aarti – 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM Naivedyam and Noon Aarti – 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM Madhyana Aarti – 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM Mukhya Aarti – 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Shejarti – 10:30 PM TO 10:45 PM

Sant Muktai Punyatithi at Muktainagar in Maharashtra – Muktabai Punyatithi

Sant Muktai Punyatithi is annually observed in Vaishakh month. It is the death anniversary of Muktai or Muktabai - younger sister of Sant Dnyaneshwar. The day is of great importance at Muktainagar in Maharashtra . Sant Muktai Punyatithi 2024 date is June 1. Sant Muktai attained Samādhi on the banks of  Tapti   River  at a place called Mehun which is 15 km from Muktainagar. The main pujas and other rituals are observed at the  Muktai   Temple located here. Sant Muktai Punyatithi is observed on Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Matching Stars for Rohini Nakshatram Born Boy – Matching Star for Rohini Nakshatra Male

Matching stars for Rohini Nakshatram born boy as per Kerala/Malayalam jyothisham is given below. It must be noted that the matching star is for male born in Rohini Nakshatram only. It is not for female born in the star. Matching Star for Rohini Nakshatra Male are: Ashwathy, Makayiram, Tiruvathira, Punirtham, Pooyam, Ayiliyam, Makam, Pooram, Uthram, Atham, Chithira, Anizham, Pooruruttahi first ¾ - born girls are good for Rohini Nakshatra male. Related Matching Stars for Rohini Born Female

Pushtipati Vinayak Jayanti

Pushtipati Vinayak Jayanti is annually observed in Vaishakh month. The day is of great importance in many Ganesha temples in Maharashtra . Pushtipati Vinayak Jayanti 2024 date is May 27. Important temples dedicated to Pushtipati Vinayak at Odhav Nagar and near Baramati observe special prayers and pujas on the day. Pushtipati Vinayak Jayanti is observed on Vaishakh Purnima Tithi or the full moon day in Vaishakh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

If birthday falls on Tuesday – what are the effects as per Hindu Astrology?

If birthday falls on Tuesday, as per Hindu astrology the person will face serious health issues. He/she will fight numerous diseases for a year. Please note that such things are mostly based on astrological thought followed in a region. It has nothing to do with Hindu scriptures or religious teachings. If the birthday falls on Tuesday, it is good to offer prayers to Ganesha or Hanuman or any form of Goddess Durga. Chanting prayers dedicated to Ganesh, Hanuman and Goddess Durga are highly meritorious. 

Matching Stars for Makayiram Nakshatram Born Boy – Matching Star for Makayiram Nakshatra Male

Matching stars for Makayiram Nakshatram born boy as per Kerala/Malayalam jyothisham is given below. It must be noted that the matching star is for male born in Makayiram Nakshatram only. It is not for female born in the star. The Makayiram star first two quarter are based on Edavakurru and the next two quarter are based on Mithuna Kurru. Matching Star for Makayiram Nakshatra Male are: Matching Star for Makayiram Nakshatra Male first two quarter: Rohini, Tiruvathira, Punirtham, Ayiliyam, Makam, Uthram, Atham, Chothi, Vishakam, Pooruruttathi ¾, and Revathi. Matching Star for Makayiram Nakshatra Male last two quarter: Tiruvathira, Punirtham, Ayilyam, Makam, Uthram, Atham, Chothi, Vishakam, Uthradam, Tiruonam, Pooruruttathi 1/4, and Revathi.