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Showing posts from December 1, 2015


Hanuman and Yama

The encounter with Yama takes place when Hanuman visits Lanka to find out the exact location of Mata Sita. Hanuman lets himself to be captured once his mission of finding Mata Sita is successfully completed. A haughty Ravana ignores the warnings and sets Hanuman’s tail on fire. Hanuman immediately escapes from Ravana’s court and decides to burn Lanka. Ravana’s soldiers fail to capture Hanuman and create havoc by burning Lanka. Ravana then sends Yama, the Hindu god of death to capture Hanuman . Ravana had captured Yama and had imprisoned him with Rudra Mantra. Yama was no match to Hanuman, who was a manifestation of Rudra (Shiva). Hanuman increases his body size and captures Yama and swallows him. Immediately there was chaos in the universe. There was no death. Disorder breaks out. Brahma then approaches Hanuman and requests him to release Yama. Hanuman agrees to release Yama provided, Yama sits on the head of Ravana and brings his death soon. Yama agrees and H

Veera Ganapathi

Veera Ganapathi is one of the 32 forms of Hindu God Ganesh. This is the warrior form of Ganapathy and this form is worshipped for gaining courage in facing physical difficulties. Veera Ganapathi mantra is Vetala Shakti shara karumuka chakra kanga, Khadanga, mudgara gadaakusha nagapasham, shoolam cha kunta parashu, dhvajakudhvahantam, veeram ganeshamarunam, satatam smarami The mantra details about the weapons that is held by Veera Ganapati. In the Veera Ganapathi form, Ganesha is worshipped at the world famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu. In this form, Ganesh has sixteen hands and holds numerous weapons – goblin (vethal), bow, arrow, chakra (wheel), sword, trident, victory flag, club, serpent, noose, ankusha, mace, hammer, shield, spear, and axe. Red is the body color. People who are always scared, fear darkness, fear snakes etc should meditate on the Veera Ganapathi form. Related Taruna Ganapathi – One of the 32 forms of Ganapati

Nerul Ayyappa Temple Timings – Puja and Darshan – Opening and Closing Time

Nerul Ayyappa Temple is a popular Ayyappa temple at Nerul in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Below is the detail temple timings. Please note that the puja and darshan time will be shortened during Grahan or eclipse. There will change in opening and closing time during important rituals and festivals. Special rituals and pujas will be held during Saturday, Sunday and holidays. There will be special pujas from mid November, December and till mid January. Nerul Ayyappa Temple Puja and Darshan Time Morning opening time – 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM Evening closing and opening time – 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Evening Deeparadhana is at around 7:00 PM.

Kaavad Story Telling Tradition in Rajasthan – Narrating Stories with the aid of Kaavad Boxes

Kaavad story telling is a 400-year-old folk art of Rajasthan. Stories from Ramayana, Mahabarata and folk tales are narrated with the aid of Kaavad Boxes. Kaavads are wooden boxes with multiple doors. The box is colored in red and stories are painted on each door of the Kaavad. The story teller is known as Kaavadiya Bhat. He narrates a story by pointing to the images on the Kaavad with a peacock feather. The New Indian Express writes The stories are in a definite rhythm. They are stories from Ramayan and Mahabharat or folk tales or stories from his patrons’ lives. While the Kaavadiyas come from the Marwar region, the artists who make the Kaavads are from the Mewar region. Satyanarayan, an artist sitting near Kojaram, is busy painting the Kaavad. He is the Suthar who makes the Kaavad. Kojaram says, “If we stop Baanchana (story telling), some calamity will befall on us and that will be our end.” Kaavad-makers have adapted to new patrons or jajmans.

Sri Ballal Ganesh Festival at Prabhanvalli near Lanja in Ratnagiri

Sri Ballal Ganesh Festival is annually observed in Margashirsh month. It is an important fair and festival at Ballal Ganesh Temple at at Prabhanvalli near Lanja in Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra. The shrine is located around 50 km from Ratnagiri. Ballal Ganesh Festival 2024 date is December 28. The murti worshipped in the Ballal Ganesh Temple is Swayambhu. The day is also referred as Sri Ballal Ganesh Vadhdivas. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals, which are held only once in a year, happen during the period The temple is artistically decorated with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. Sri Ballal Ganesh Festival is annually observed on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Sevagiri Maharaj Rathotsav at Pusegaon in Satara – Chariot Festival Dedicated to Sevagiri Maharaj

Sevagiri Maharaj Rathotsav, or chariot festival, is annually observed in Margashirsh month. It is dedicated to Brahmaleen Siddhahast Yogi Param Pujya Sadguru Shri Sevagiri Maharaj. The day is of great significance at Pusegaon near Khatav in Satara, Maharashtra. Sevagiri Maharaj Rathotsav 2024 date is December 28. The festival is organized at the Sevagiri Maharaj Samadhi temple at Pusegaon. Followers of Sevagiri Maharaj enthusiastically participate in this annual chariot pulling ritual. Sevagiri Maharaj Rathotsav is held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Yellamma Yatra at Jath in Sangli in Maharashtra – Yellamma Devi Fair and Festival at Jat

Yellamma Yatra at Jath is held in Margashirsh month. It is observed at the temple dedicated to the village goddess at Jath in Sangli. The festival dedicated to Goddess Yellamma Devi attracts hundreds of devotees. Jat Yellamma Yatra 2024 date is December 27. The annual yatra is also noted for a fair. The ritual involves journey to the shrine and other rural rituals. Jath Yellamma Devi Temple is magnificently decorated during the period traditionally with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals, which are held only once in a year, happen during the period Jath Yellamma Yatra is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Dwadasi tithi or the twelfth day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Swami Swarupanand Jayanti at Pawas – Birth Anniversary of Swami Swaroopanand

Swami Swarupanand Jayanti is observed in Margashirsh month. It is the birth anniversary of Swami Swaroopanand and is of great importance at Pawas near Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Swami Swarupanand Jayanti 2024 date is December 27. Swami Swarupanand samadhi mandir is located at Pawas. Annually thousands of devotees visit the place. Swami Swaroopanand was a follower of Varkari tradition. He has written numerous books on the important religious traditions associated with warkari. His teachings are based on Jnaneshwari. Numerous functions are organized on the day to commemorate the birth anniversary o the pious soul. Swami Swarupanand Punyatithi is annually observed on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Dwadasi Tithi or the twelfth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Bhikshu Gita Teachings

Bhikshu Gita teachings are found in the Srimad Bhagavad Purana Oh king! Abandon the feeling that you are going to die – a feeling that befits only animals. For, the real you are not, like the body, a previously non-existent thing now come into being. The real you did not descend like a son from a father, or like a tree from a seed, generated by a being that is itself originated. You are, on the other hand, like the fire, which, though seen in association with wood, is not its product and is entirely different from it. In the dream, one can experience one’s own decapitation. Physical death in the waking state is on par with it. The atman, which is not one with the body, but only its witness, is not affected by death. It is without origin and deathless. When a pot is destroyed, the sky enclosed by it becomes one with the universal. So also, when the body perishes through jnana, the jiva becomes one with the Brahman.