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Showing posts from December 10, 2015


Rudra Vrat

Rudra Vrat is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva and is observed in Margashirsh month in traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . Rudra Vrat 2024 date is December 2. It is believed that this Vrat helps in destroying all sins and opens the doors to Shiva lok. Those observing fast only take a single meal on the day. The single meal is prepared using a single type of grain usually wheat. Water can be taken. Prayers are offered at a Shiva Temple morning and evening or at anyone time. Both men and women observe this vrat. The Vrat is observed on Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Pratipada or the first day during the light phase of moon in Margashirsha month. Please note that in some regions this vrat is observed during other months.

Story of Upakichakas and Bhima in the Mahabharata

Story of Upakichakas and Bhima is mentioned in the Virata Parva of the Mahabharata. The story takes place after the death of Kichaka, the commander in chief of Virata. As per the Mahabharata there were 105 Upakichakas. Kichaka who made sexual advances towards Draupadi was killed by Bhima. Next day morning the Upakichakas took the body of Kichaka to the ghat to perform cremation. There they proclaimed that Draupadi was responsible for the death of their brother. They forcibly took her to the ghat and decided to burn her on the same pyre of their brother. Hearing the cries of Draupadi, Bhima rushed to her side and killed all the Upakichakas. Related Story of Bhima Killing Kichaka

Aroor Sree Kumaravilasam Temple Festival

Aroor Sree Kumaravilasam Temple is located at Aroor in Alappuzha District in Kerala. The annual temple festival is observed in Makaram month. The shrine is dedicated to Muruga. The festival concludes with arattu on the Thaipooyam day. Aroor Sree Kumaravilasam Temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The annual festival is noted for various rituals. Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are part of the festival. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during the period. Hundreds of people arrive on the day to witness various rituals and festivities. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day. Caparisoned elephants and melam are part of the ritual.

Shani Dev Utsav at Rakshasbhuvan near Georai – Shani Temple Festival at Rakshasbhuvan in Beed

Shani Dev Utsav at Rakshasbhuvan is observed in Paush month. It is the annual fair and festival at the Shani Bhagavan Temple at Rakshasbhuvan near Georai, Beed District, Maharashtra. Shani Dev Utsav date at Rakshasbhuvan in 2025 is on January 7. The temple is located around 55 km north of Beed. The annual festival is also noted for a fair. Special pujas and rituals are held during the period. Those having trouble in horoscope due to Shani or Sade Sati get relief after offering prayers here. Rakshasbhuvan Shani Dev mandir 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 Shani Dev Utsav at Rakshasbhuvan is annually held on Paush Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of

Yellamma Yatra at Vajrachaunde near Tasgaon in Sangli – Yellamma Devi Fair and Festival at Vajra Chaunde

Yellamma Yatra at Vajrachaunde is held in Paush month. It is observed at the temple dedicated to the village goddess Vajrachaunde near Tasgaon in Sangli, Maharashtra. The festival dedicated to Goddess Yellamma Devi attracts hundreds of devotees. Vajrachaunde Yellamma Yatra 2025 date is January 7. The annual yatra is also noted for a fair. The ritual involves journey to the shrine and other rural rituals. Vajrachaunde Yellamma Devi mandir 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 Vajrachaunde Yellamma Yatra is annually held on Paush Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy Temple

Jamalapuram Venkateswara Swamy Temple is dedicated to the Balaji form of Vishnu. The shrine is located around 80 km south of Khammam Town in Telangana. The murti or idol of Lord Venkateswara worshiped here is Swayambhu or that which manifested on its own. The shrine is also known as Tirupati of Telangana or Khammam Chinna Tirupati. The present day shrine was built during the reign of Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya during the 15th century. Jabali Maharshi did intense penance for several years here and got the blessings of Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara. The spot where he performed penance can be seen even today and it is known as Suchi Gutta. Several steps lead to the shrine, which has South Indian style gopuram at the entrance. A huge water body known as Peddacheruv is nearby and makes the location of the temple scenic. The main murti of Venkateswara here is in standing posture. His consort Padmavati Amamvaru is worshipped in a separate shrine.

Books on Hinduism That You Can Read Free on Google Play

There are couple of old books on Hinduism that you can read free on Google Play. You need to log into the Google Play store and select the category books. You can read Bhagavad Gita and several books associated with Swaminarayan free. All the books written by Sir Monier Williams on Hinduism can be read free. When you keep searching you will come across many other books that can be read free. Read, share, and spread the knowledge. You can find some free books on Google play store here .

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Thoughts on Depression

Thoughts on depression by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Lack of idealism is the main cause of depression among young people today. Life appears to be so meaningless to these children, who are either too scared of the competitive world or bogged down by heavy stimuli. They need inspiration, and spirituality is that inspiration that can keep the spirit up. Depression sets in if there is a lack of zeal to fight. Aggression is the antidote to depression. Depression is lack of energy; anger and aggression are bolts of energy. When Arjuna was depressed, Krishna inspired him to fight and thus reinstated life back to him. If you are depressed, do not take Prozac – just fight for any cause. If aggression crosses a certain limit, it leads you back into depression. That is what happened when King Ashoka won the Kalinga War – he became depressed. He had to take refuge in Buddha. Wise are those who do not fall either into aggression or depression. That is the golden rule of a yogi. Just