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Showing posts from July 28, 2015


Story of Hanuman Dancing on Ravana’s Head

Hanuman dancing on Ravana’s head happened on the first day of the battle between Ram and Ravana in the Ramayana. When the first day of battle was about to end, Ravana appeared on the highest tower in Lanka. Ravan was disappointed to find his troops retreating defeated at the hands of monkeys and bears. Hanuman, who happened to see Ravana standing on the tower, took a giant leap and landed on the demon king’s head. Hanuman then began dancing on the ten heads of Ravana. He began kicking down the crowns of Ravan. The entire Rakshasa army was in a state shock seeing this dishonorable act. Rakshasas (demons) put down their head in shame. The vanaras (monkeys) and balukas (bears) were amused by this act and started roaring in approval. Hanuman dancing on Ravana’s head is not part of Valmiki Ramayan but is mentioned as Hanuman’s heroics in many texts. Dancing on Ravana’s head was an attempt by Hanuman to put psychological pressure on the powerful demons. It did w

Kaleshwaram Temple – Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple

Kaleshwaram Temple is located at Kaleshwaram Town in Karimnagar District in Telangana. The shrine is popularly known as Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Swamy Temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shrine is located on the banks of Godavari River.  The popular belief is that Kaleshwaram is the Triveni Sangamam or the meeting point of Pranahita River, Godavari River and the Saraswati River.  The unique aspect of the Kaleshwaram Temple is that there are two Shivlings on a single pedestal or panavattam. Ammavaru his consort is worshiped separately.  Shiva is worshipped here as Mukteshwara and Kaleshwara. Kaleshwar Shivling symbolically represents Lord Yama. Kaleshwaram, Draksharamam and Srisailam are together known as Trilinga Desham. There is also a unique sculpture of fish in the temple, which is noteworthy. There are also murtis of Ganesha, Mother Goddess, Hanuman and Dattatreya in the temple. Mondays and Pradoshas in a month are highly auspicious. Special

Why is Shravan Month Auspicious?

Shravan Mahina (July – August) is one of the holiest months in a traditional Hindu calendar. The month is dedicated to Lord Shiva and millions of Shiva devotees visit various shrines and offer water, milk and belpatra (Bilva leaves). Mondays in Shrawan month is considered highly auspicious to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.  The month is known as Shravan because it is governed by the star ‘Shravan.’ Story Legend has it that during the famous Samudra Manthan episode (Churning of Ocean) mentioned in the Puranas, 14 types of precious things came out as a result of the churning of the ocean. Asuras (Demons) and Devas (Demi Gods) shared thirteen of them. The last precious thing that appeared was the called ‘halahal’. It had the power to destroy the universe. To save the universe, Lord Shiva consumed the ‘halahal’ and stored it in his throat. When Lord Shiva started consuming the poison, all the Gods and holy saints appeared on the sky and started offering the holy Ganga

Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy Temple Timings – Opening and Closing and Darshan Time at Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy

Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy Temple is located near Yerrupalem town in Khammam District of Telangana. Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy temple timings in detail is given below. Please note that the opening and closing time in the temple will be extended during temple festival and other important rituals. There will be no darshan and the temple will remain closed during grahan or eclipse. Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy Temple Timings Morning Darshan Timing – 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM (Darshan will not be allowed during certain important rituals which might of 15 to 30 minutes duration). Evening Darshan Timing – 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM Specia pujas are performed on Ekadasi days. The extended time is mostly on Vaikunta Ekadasi and during annual temple festival (brahmostsavam).

Story Of The Birth Of Jambavan – The Bear – In The Ramayana

Jambavan is the Chiranjeevi (one without death) Bear in the Ramayana. His age or date of birth cannot be ascertained. The story of the Birth of Jambavan begins when there was no earth or living being. As per Hindu belief, one day time of Brahma ended and night had started. Then suddenly demons Madhu and Kaitabha was born from the ear-wax of Lord Vishnu. They began to create trouble in the waters. Then they saw Brahma, God of creation, sitting on a lotus which appeared from the navel of Vishnu. They challenged him to fight. Four-faced Brahma was afraid of the demons and his middle face began to sweat. The sweat flowed from the cheeks to loins. Jambavan appeared from that sweat. As he was the first person who entered the region of Jambudwipa he came to be known as Jambavan. As he was born when there was no universe or time his age or date of birth could not be ascertained. At the time of Ramayana it is believed that Jambavan was six Manvantaras ol

Uthirakosamangai Temple Timings – Opening and Closing and Darshan Time at Uthirakosamangai Temple near Rameswaram

Uthirakosamangai Temple, also known as Sri Mangalanathar-Mangaleswari temple , is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Uthirakosamangai Temple timings in detail is given below. Please note that the opening and closing time in the temple will be extended during temple festival and important rituals. There will be no darshan and the temple will remain closed during grahanam or eclipse. Uthirakosamanga Temple Timings Morning Darshan Timing – 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM Evening Darshan Timing – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Specia pujas are performed on Pradosham days. The extended time is mostly on Shivratri, Aani Thirumanjam and Arudhara Darshan dates.

Goddess Baglamukhi – Information about Baglamukhi Mata

Goddess Baglamukhi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti and is one of the Mahavidhyas. There are several legends associated with Baglamukhi Mata. She is the eighth Mahavidhya among the 10 Mahavidhyas. The goddess is worshipped in the form a powerful yantra. Baglamukhi means one whose face has the power to capture or control. She thus represents the power of the Goddess to control her devotees. Goddess Baglamukhi is depicted as sitting on a golden throne surrounded by an ocean of nectar with lotus flower in it. She has golden complexion and a crescent moon adorns her head. She wears yellow color dress. She is depicted as either having two hands or four hands. When she is two-armed, she is benign and kind mother. When she is four armed she is fierce destroyer of Adharma. She hits a demon with a club in her right hand, while pulling his tongue out with her left hand. Devotees worship her for attaining victory over enemies. It is widely believed that Goddess Baglamukhi bless

Symbolism in Mace or Gada of God Vishnu

The name of the mace, or gada, of Hindu God Vishnu is known as Kaumodaki. It symbolically represents the power in the Lord with which He knocks down the men who run after sense gratifications and are overpowered by ego. It is a symbol of ‘Danda’ or punishment. The mild knocks from the mace in the form of disappointments, dissatisfactions and loss takes a man to the correct path – the path that leads to the Supreme Truth. The mace is also said to represent the occasional knocks that the mind generates – the knocks that pressures us to think who we are, the source, is there bliss etc. These questions put one in a spiritual path. Another symbolism suggests that the mace represents the strength – the strength required to satisfy hunger. Alan Danielou writes: The power of knoweldge dazzles and intoxicates the mind hence the mace is called the stupefire of the mind - Kaumodaki. The power of knowledge is the essence of life from which all physical and mental powers are deriv

Thirupullani Temple - Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple at Thirupullani near Rameswaram

Thirupullani Temple is known as Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple and is located at Thirupullani near Rameswaram. The shrine is located around 8 km east of Ramanathapuram. Legend has it that King Dasharatha of Ramayana offered prayers to Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal (Lord Vishnu) for having children here. Due to the prayer offered here Sri Ram, Bharata, Shatrughna and Lakshman were born to him. Legend has it that Bhagavan Sri Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman, Jambhavan and the vanara sena camped here when they were in search of Mata Sita. It is here Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, took refuge at the feet of Lord Ram. Thus, the temple is also known as Saranagathi Kshethram. Another belief is that Srihari Vishnu gave darshan to Pulla Rishi here. Another legend has it that before setting out for Lanka, Sri Ram offered prayers here. Vishnu gave Ram a bow which was used to annihilate Ravana. Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple is also one of the Divya Desam. It is the 42 Divya Desam, a

Postal Stamp on Nabakalebara festival at Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha Released

Department of Posts of Government of India has brought out a commemorative postage stamp on Nabakalebara – 2015. It was released on July 17, 2015. The denomination is of 5 rupees and 600,000 stamps have been printed. One can avail it at the philatelic bureau attached to important post offices across India. Related Stamps on Hindu Temples by India Post