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Showing posts from March 15, 2016


Concept and Symbolic Meaning of Narayana in Hinduism

Today in Hinduism, Narayana might be one of the popular names of Vishnu. The term Narayana can be traced back to the Vedas. There is a deep symbolic meaning attached to the term. Nara means the first being; nara also means water. As per Satapatha Brahmana, the supreme soul, the self-existent Lord who is referred as Prajapati created waters and deposited in them a seed which became the golden egg – Hiranyagarbha or Brahmanda.  Prajapati was himself born as Brahma, the progenitor of all the worlds. As water was his first abode(ayana), he was called Narayana or ‘One who rests in water’. In nutshell, life began in water. And he that is water is Narayana.

Raghavendra Swamy Jayanti 2024 – Vardhanti of Sri Rayaru - Birth Anniversary of Guru Raghavendra in 2024

Shri Raghavendra Swamy , the 16th century saint and Guru, advocated Vaishnavism and popularized the Dvaita philosophy of Madhvacharya. Guru Raghavendra Swamy Jayanti (birthday or Vardhanti) 2024 date is March 16. Sri Rayaru has massive following in South India , especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The birth anniversary is observed around the world by the followers of the Guru. The main celebrations known as Sri Raghavendra Guru Vaibhavotsava celebrations is held at Mantralaya. On the occasion of Sri Raghavendra Swamigalavara Vardhanti Utsava, TTD officials bring Srivari Vastram from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Sri Mutt officials welcome Srivari Vastram as per tradition. This Vastram is offered to Sri Rayaru.  Vardhanti of Sri Rayaru is observed on the seventh day during the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna Masa as per traditional calendar followed in Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Chanting of the mantra associated with Sri Raghavendra

Kannarpady Temple near Udupi – Jaya Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kannarpady in Karnataka

Kannarpady Temple, located near Udupi in Karnataka, is a rare temple because it is dedicated to the Jaya Durga form of Mother Goddess Shakti. This is one of the four important Goddess Durga temples in Udupi and it is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Jaya Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kannarpady is situated near the National Highway 66 and is around 5 km south west of Udupi. Legend has it that a Sage Kanwa discovered the murti worshiped in the temple after Mother Goddess came in his dream and asked him to worship her. It is also believed that once there was fight among the administrators of the temple and one group took away a Bali murti and installed it at Kannara Kuduru and another Bali murti was taken to Badanidiyoor. The murti of Goddess Jaya Durga is two-armed and she is in a benign form. Her hands are in blessing posture. Her Vahana, lion, can be seen in front of the murti. The sacred pond in the temple premises is known as Kanva Pushkarani. The shrine is believed t