--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from November 30, 2015


Renuka Yatra at Mhaswad in Satara District in Maharashtra

Renuka Yatra at Mhaswad is observed in Margashirsh month. This is the annual fair and festival at the Renuka temple at Mhaswad in Satara District in Maharashtra. In 2024, it will be observed on December 26. Goddess Renuka is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga and is popular in rural culture as Mother Goddess. This annual jatra attracts thousands of devotees. Special rituals are observed on the occasion. Mhaswad Renuka Yatra is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Ekadasi tithi or the eleventh day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Bhairava – Understanding the Kal Bhairav form of Hindu God Shiva

Bhairava or Kal Bhairava, is one of the most terrible and angry form of Shiva – an attempt by human mind to give form to the anger of the Supreme Being. The popular legend associated with the Bhairava form of Shiva is that of Him cutting off the fifth head of Brahma. He did this to punish Brahma for his unethical and uncontrolled lust. Bhairava is often depicted with scowl, angry eyes and flaming hair. He is naked and wears a garland of skulls and a coiled snake about his neck. In his four hands he carries a noose, trident, drum, and skull. A black dog always accompanies Bhairava. Some Hindu scriptures talks about different manifestations of Bhairava . Such text detail about eight manifestations, which includes Kala (black), Asitanga (with black limbs), Sanhara (destruction), Ruru (hound), Krodha (anger), Kapala (Skull), Rudra (storm) and Unmatta (raging). Ashtami or eighth day after full moon (Krishna Paksha or waxing phase of moon) is dedicated to Bhairava

Importance of tying red, yellow, black threads on hand in Hinduism

Tying red threads on the wrist of right hand is considered highly meritorious and auspicious by many Hindus. The red thread or rakshasutra or charadu or Mauli has the blessing of the deity in a temple. The thread is tied after blessings of the deity and special pujas in a temple or sacred place. Different colors of thread are used like red, yellow, black and orange. In North India, it is believed that the red thread brings fame, power and saves from evil. When a person ties the red thread – Brahma blesses the person with fame, Vishnu bless the person with power and Shiva saves him from all evil. In South India, people tie yellow, red, orange and black color threads. Black color is believed to protect a person from all evil. It is also tied to overcome fear. Threads is South India are mostly associated with Goddess Shakti temples especially Mariamman, Devi and Bhadrakali.