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Showing posts from November 26, 2015


Symbolism of Flying Whisk or Chamara in Hinduism

Flying whisk or Chamara is associated with many Hindu gods and goddesses. It is a symbol of royalty and is associated with Goddess Ganga, Gayatri, Yamuna and Lord Vishnu. Today, mostly Hindu priests and community leaders of some sects use Chamara. Pictures of deities holding Chamara are very rare. They are also today not part of the murti (idol) worshipped.

Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple - Story - Marriage Festival

The Ayyappa Temple at Aryankavu in Kollam District is one among the five most important temples dedicated to Ayyappa in Kerala. The shrine at Aryankavu is known as Aryankavu Sastha Temple and Ayyappa is depicted as a teenager (young boy) here. Ayyappa is known as Tiruaryan here and therefore the place got the name Aryankavu. The temple is famous for the thirukalyanam or marriage festival annually in December. Surrounded by forests, the temple is located on the Trivandrum – Tenkasi National Highway . Just like in Sabarimala, women from the age 10 to 50 are not allowed inside the Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple . The rituals and pujas followed at Aryankavu Sastha Temple is that of Tamil tradition. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has idols of Devi, Shiva and Sastha. A young Ayyappa sits in the middle with Devi on the left side and Shiva on the right side. The festival at the temple is celebrated during the last days of the Sabarimala Mandala Kalam. The mos

42 Days from Makar Sankranti These Villages in Himachal Pradesh Don’t Make Noise As Gods Are In Meditation

Residents of 10 villages located on the outskirts of Manali in Himachal Pradesh do not make any kind of noise for 42 days starting from Makar Sankranti. Goshal Village is home to temples dedicated to Gautam Rishi, Ved Vyas Rishi and Kanchan Nag.  Orissa 360 writes   Residents of 10 hamlets located on the outskirts of this picturesque tourist resort, some 250 km from the state capital, don’t allow anyone to make noise — in this time of the year. They themselves have stopped listening to music, watching television and doing even household chores that make noise. They believe this will disturb the mediating deities.   If that happens, they will face divine wrath.   Every year, any activity that creates noise in Goshal and nine other villages on the outskirts of Manali in Kullu district – with a population not more than 10,000 – comes to a halt for 42 days from Makar Sankranti (Jan 14).   “All the deities have returned to the heaven. They are meditating. Any activity that makes