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Showing posts from August 11, 2015


Hamsa or Swan – the Vahana or Vehicle of Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi

Hamsa, or White Swan, is the Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi. In Hinduism, Lord Brahma performs the act of creation and Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of art and learning. Hamsa is considered to have the capacity to separate milk from a mixture of milk and water. This particular capacity of making fine distinctions is an essential requisite of creation. Therefore Lord Brahma is shown as riding on a Swan. Goddess Saraswati also has Hamsa as her Vahana. Here again the Swan’s capacity to make fine distinctions is symbolically used – creative power, knowledge, inner realization and outer glorification of the Lord are all products of the discriminative power.  Writing on the subject Swamini Saradapriyananda finds more hidden symbolisms in using Swan as a Vahana: ‘Hamsa’ is an abbreviation of the twin terms “Aha Sah”: (I am He). The creation is a manifestation of the Lord moving in time space continuum. Everything in creation moves incessantly d

Bhadrachalam Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple – Sri Ram Temple in Telangana

Bhadrachalam Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple is located in Khammam District of Telangana and is the most famous Sri Ram Temple in India. The temple is located on the banks of Godavari River. Bhagavan Sri Rama is believed to have visited the place during the exile period in the Ramayana. As per history, the present town of Bhadrachalam was once part of the Dandakaranya forest, which Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana had visited during their exile period. The ashram or Parnasala that Sri Ram built to stay during the exile period is located around 30 km from here. Ravan kidnapped Mata Sita here. Legend has it that Sri Ram appeared as Vykunta Rama here to please his ardent devotee Rishi Bhadra. In Kali Yuga, Sri Ram appeared in the dream of a woman named Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of murtis on Bhadragiri hills. She discovered the murtis and a modest structure was built around it. Bhakta Ramadasa built the present temple by collecting donation f

Why Do Hindus Wear Marks On The Forehead Like Tika Or Tilak?

A devout Hindu draws a mark on the forehead known as Tika or Tilak or Tilakam or Pottu. The wearing of a mark on the forehead is a unique feature associated with Hinduism. There are no strict common rules regarding the drawing of mark on the forehead in Hindu religion. Basically, the wearing of Tika invokes a feeling of sacredness on the wearer and on the people with whom the wearer comes into contact. Tilak, or Tika, is also a religious symbol and they reveal the particular God worshipped by the wearer. Worshippers of Lord Vishnu wear a Chandan (sandalwood paste) Tilak of the shape of “U.” Vertical lines usually represent Vaishnava devotees. Lord Shiva worshippers apply a three horizontal line bhasma or sacred ash. Horizontal lines represent Shiva devotees Worshippers of Devi or the female goddess apply a red dot of kumkum. A red tika is widely applied during pujas on devotees by priests. The tilak worn by Hindu priests have more significance. It represents the

Siddheshwar Yatra at Mangalwedha near Solapur

Siddheshwar Yatra at Mangalwedha is annually observed in Shravan month. It is undertaken to the Siddheshwar Temple located at Mangalwedha near Solapur. Siddheshwar Yatra 2024 date is September 2. Siddheshwar Yatra attracts hundreds of devotees. People also flock to the fair and festival organized during the period. Mangalwedha Siddheshwar Temple is a famous shrine in the region and it attracts thousands of devotees. The shrine is located in the middle of a pond. Siddheshwar Yatra is observed on Mondays in Shravan month and the most important date is the last Monday of Shravan month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. 

Sri Krishna Yatra at Bahireshwar near Karvir in Kolhapur District

Sri Krishna Yatra at Bahireshwar is observed in Shravan month. It is the annual fair and festival at the Sri Krishna Mandir at Bahireshwar near Karvir in Kolhapur District. In 2024, Sri Krishna Yatra at Bahireshwar is on August 28. Hundreds of people participate in the annually fair and festival organized here. Traditional rituals and festivals are observed on the occasion. Sri Krishna Yatra at Bahireshwar is annually observed on Shravan Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Shravan month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

How to make Kavadi for Muruga?

Kavadi is one of the offerings made to Lord Muruga. Here is a brief description on how to make Kavadi a traditional simple Kavadi. Today, there are numerous different types of Kavadi. Some are noted for their unique designs. Kavadi consists of three parts, namely, the horizontal rod, the semi-circular arch and the hanging weights or carriers. The horizontal rod is made of solid bamboo about three inches in diameter. At both ends of the rod the carrier vessels of equal weight are hung. A semi-circular arch made of split bamboo sticks connects these two ends; the upper portion of it is covered by thick red saffron colored cloth. This arch design helps to balance the middle rod on the shoulder. The stick and the arch is decorated artistically using flowers, clothes etc. Vermilion and turmeric are applied on the vessels or basked that is hung on both sides. Smalls bells are also tied to the kavadi stick. It is also decorated with peacock feathers.

Bhaja Govindam in Kannada – Download Bhaja Govindam Lyrics in Kannada pdf

Bhaja Govindam is composed by Adi Shankaracharya and is a popular devotional song in Hinduism. Now you can download the Kannada translation of Bhaja Govindam in pdf format. The Kannada lyrics is the translation from the original Sanskrit version. Each word in Bhaja Govindam is pregnant with meaning and the composition is a sort of short synopsis of the teachings of Santana Dharma. This Kannada translation of Bhaja Govindam is provided by the prapatti website. Link  –  Download Bhaja Govindam Lyrics in Kannada

Live Darshan from Sarangpur Hanuman Temple in Gujarat – Online Darshan of Salangpur Hanumanji

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple is a famous shrine dedicated to Bajrang Bali in Gujarat. Devotees lovingly refer to the lord as Salangpur Hanumanji. The temple is associated with Swaminarayan Sampraday and it is providing live darshan online. The darshan is available when the shrine remains open. You can have live darshan here at the official website .

Bhaja Govindam in Telugu – Download Bhaja Govindam Lyrics in Telugu pdf

Bhaja Govindam is composed by Adi Shankaracharya and is a popular devotional song in Hinduism. Now you can download the Telugu translation of Bhaja Govindam in pdf format. The Telugu lyrics is the translation from the original Sanskrit version. Each word in Bhaja Govindam is pregnant with meaning and the composition is a sort of short synopsis of the teachings of Santana Dharma. This Telugu translation of Bhaja Govindam is provided by the prapatti website. Link  –  Download Bhaja Govindam Lyrics in Telugu

Bhaja Govindam in Malayalam – Download Bhaja Govindam Lyrics in Malayalam pdf

Bhaja Govindam is composed by Adi Shankaracharya and is a popular devotional song in Hinduism. Now you can download the Malayalam translation of Bhaja Govindam in pdf format. The Malayalam lyrics is the translation from the original Sanskrit version. Each word in Bhaja Govindam is pregnant with meaning and the composition is a sort of short synopsis of the teachings of Santana Dharma. This Malayalam translation of Bhaja Govindam is provided by the prapatti website. Link  –  Download Bhaja Govindam Lyrics in Malayalam