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Showing posts from September 10, 2015


Nara Narayana – The Story of Nara-Narayana

Nara Narayana are two ancient Rishis who are considered to be the twin incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It is said in the Bhagavad Purana that they were the sons of Dharma and Ahimsa. The name Nara Narayana is also sometimes applied to Arjuna and Krishna in the Mahabharata. The stories of Nara Narayana are found in the Bhagavad Purana and the Vamana Purana. Symbolically, Nara , human, and Narayana, the Supreme Being, are always in a divine union. Only few lucky souls realize it. Legend has it that Nara and Narayana, the two sages, were undergoing penances and austerities (Tapas) at Badrinath in the Himalayas . Demons (Asuras) and Devas (Demigods) wanted to know what Nara and Narayana were seeking. Asuras according to their innate character thought the two Saints were seeking power. Demons send an army to fight them but the two saints refused to fight. Due to the powerful Tapas conducted by them the grass around the two rishis protected them and those demons that tried to a

Rama and Sita in Hanuman’s Heart, the Story

One of the popular images associated with Hanuman is that of Sri Ram and Sita in Hanuman’s heart. There is a story associated with this particular picture. Legend has it that once Mata Sita gifted Hanuman a necklace of precious pearls. Those people who saw the necklace appreciated it and its value. Hanuman immediately broke the necklace and started inspecting the pearls. People wondered what Hanuman was up to? On enquiry he said that for the pearl to be precious it must have Sri Ram and Mata Sita inside it. People laughed and said that Sri Ram and Mata Sita are at the palace not in pearls. Hanuman retorted that Sri Ram and Mata Sita exist in all things and they even reside in his heart. People started making fun of Hanuman for his foolish belief. But Hanuman did not budge and stood by his statement. One over enthusiastic person in the crowd asked Hanuman to show Sri Ram and Sita in his heart? Hanuman immediately tore open his chest and in his heart the peop

Sun Temple Jhalawar Rajasthan

Maharaja Nagbhatta –II, built the Sun Temple at Jhalrapatan in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, in 814 AD and the architecture of the temple is quite similar to the Konark Sun Temple. The sun temple was renovated during the later part of 19th century. Lord Surya is worshipped here as Shri Padmanathji. The murti of Surya in the temple is four armed and is in standing posture. The murti is carved out of white stone. A unique aspect of the shrine is that the first rays of sun touch the feet of the idol. The architecture of the shrine is chariot style. The temple is crowned with a finely carved shikhara.  The shikhara is built in layers and the size of the pillars decreases as height increases. The temple is intricately carved and there are numerous sculptures on the pillars and on the exterior and interior walls. Some of the note worthy aspects of the architecture are upward blooming eight-petal lotus is extremely beautiful. The height of the pinnacle is 97 feet. T

Who is the Mother of Sri Krishna?

Many people have confusion as to who is the mother of Sri Krishna. This is because his real parents did not look after him during his childhood. Devaki is the mother of Sri Krishna but Kamsa had imprisoned her. The night He was born, his father transported little Krishna to Braj. So Devaki never gets to attend to her lovely little child. Yashoda, wife of Nanda of Braj, looked after baby Sri Krishna. She cared for Sri Krishna as his real parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, were in the prison of Kamsa. Related Story of Devaki

Ayilyam Festival at Poojappura Nagarukavu Temple in Kerala – Nagarukavu Temple Ayilyam Nakshatram Rituals

Ayilyam Nakshatra or birth star in Kanni Masam as per Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala is of great significance at Poojappura Nagaru Kavu Temple, which is famous for Nagaraja worship. On this day, special rituals and pujas dedicated to Snakes including Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are performed. The shrine is located at Poojappura in Trivandrum, Kerala. Poojappura Nagaru Kavu Temple Ayilyam Festival 2024 date is September 28. The festival is a three day affair and begins two days before Ayilyam Nakshatra. The offerings made on the day include Noorum Palum and Kadalipazham. Special nagapooja and sarpabali are offered in the Naga shrine here. It is considered highly auspicious to offer prayers to Nagas or Snakes on the day. It is believed that people get relief from Naga Doshas by performing pujas on the day. Thousands of devotees arrive from various parts of Kerala to offer prayers at the temple.

Ayilyam Festival at Pampady Pampum Kavu Temple in Kerala – Pampady Pampum Kavu Ayilyam Nakshatra Rituals

Ayilyam Nakshatra or birth star in Kanni Masam as per Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala is of great significance at Pampady Pampum Kavu Temple, which is famous for Nagaraja worship. On this day, special rituals and pujas dedicated to Snakes including Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are performed. The shrine is located at Pampady in Thiruvilwamala, Kerala. Pampady Pampum Kavu Temple Ayilyam Festival 2024 date is September 28. The offerings made on the day include Noorum Palum and Kadalipazham. Special nagapooja and sarpabali are offered in the Naga shrine here. It is considered highly auspicious to offer prayers to Nagas or Snakes on the day. It is believed that people get relief from Naga Doshas by performing pujas on the day. Thousands of devotees arrive from various parts of Kerala to offer prayers at the temple.

Ayilyam Festival at Pathira Kunnu Mana in Kerala – Pathira Kunnathu Mana Ayilyam Nakshatram Rituals

Ayilyam Nakshatra or birth star in Kanni Masam as per Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala is of great significance at Pathira Kunnu Mana, which is famous for Nagaraja worship. On this day, special rituals and pujas dedicated to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are performed. The shrine is located at Mundakkottukurussi village in Shoranur, Kerala. Pathira Kunnu Mana Ayilyam Festival 2024 date is September 28. The offerings made on the day include Noorum Palum and Kadalipazham. Special nagapooja and sarpabali are offered in the Naga shrine here. It is considered highly auspicious to offer prayers to Nagas or Snakes on the day. It is believed that people get relief from Naga Doshas by performing pujas on the day. Thousands of devotees arrive from various parts of Kerala to offer prayers at the temple.

Ayilyam Festival at Ameda Temple in Kerala – Udayamperoor Ameda Temple Ayilyam Nakshatram Rituals

Ayilyam Nakshatra or birth star in Kanni Masam as per Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala is of great significance at Ameda Temple, which has a place designated for Nagas or Serpents. On this day, special rituals and pujas dedicated to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are performed. The shrine is located at Udayamperoor near Tripunithura in Kerala. Ameda Temple Ayilyam Festival 2024 date is September 28. The offerings made on the day include Noorum Palum and Kadalipazham. Special nagapooja and sarpabali are offered in the Naga shrine here. It is considered highly auspicious to offer prayers to Nagas or Snakes on the day. It is believed that people get relief from Naga Doshas by performing pujas on the day. Thousands of devotees arrive from various parts of Kerala to offer prayers at the temple.

Chindarkar Maharaj Punyatithi at Dapoli in Ratnagiri

Chindarkar Maharaj punyatithi is observed in Ashwin month. It is the death of Chindarkar Maharaj and is of great importance in Dapoli in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Punyatithi or death anniversary 2024 date is October 7. Chindarkar Maharaj Math is located at Dapoli and various spiritual programs are held here on the day. The punyatithi is annually held on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth day during the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Hindu Academy – Promoting Comprehensive and Rational vision of Hinduism

Hindu Academy based in Britain aims to promote Comprehensive and Rational vision of Hinduism by incorporating ideas of Religious Pluralism, Spiritual Humanism and resonance between Science and Spirituality. Hindu Academy operates with the education establishments by working with schools colleges and universities as well as in the mainstream media. You can find more about Hindu Academy here.

Hindi Mantra for Good Health of Newborn Baby - Mantra in Hindi Language for Healthy Baby

Below is a prayer in Hindi language for good health of newborn baby. It can be chanted by couples and family members for healthy baby. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The person can decide the number of times it is to be chanted. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.

Tamil Mantra for Good Health of Newborn Baby - Mantra in Tamil Language for Healthy Baby

Below is a prayer in Tamil language for good health of newborn baby. It can be chanted by couples and family members for healthy baby. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The number of times it is chanted can be decided by the person. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.

Spirituality is needed when we are in the middle of our life not at the end of it – Prabhuda Bharata

Religion and spirituality are for the old. That is what the young generally think. They think that spirituality is a post-retirement plan; something which has to be enjoyed with the gratuity, provident fund, and pension that you get after retirement. This is not true. It is not only the fault of the youth that they think in this manner. Spirituality is something we need when we are in the middle of our life, not just at the end of it. It is what you need when you are in the heat of the moment, when you are juggling with alternatives, when you are at a loss what to do, when you want to take a road but are still standing perplexed at the crossroads. That is when you need spirituality. That is when you need to get a hold on yourself. Not on your puny self, the construct of your body and mind, but on your true self that is beyond time, space, and causation.  Imagine the endless possibilities that would open up if you were aware of this true personality of yours and when you reali