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Temples in Rishikesh - Ashrams in Rishikesh

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Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, India, is popular for the Ashrams and Bathing Ghats on the banks of GangaRiver. There are also several temples in Rishikesh and the most famous one is the Bharat Mandir – this is the oldest temple in Rishikesh and is named after Bharat – the brother of Sri Ram.

Rishikesh is called the yoga capital of the world.

Rishikesh, the 'place of the sages' is an important holy town in Hinduism and it is locted on the banks of the holy Ganga River.  
It is believed that when Raibhya Rishi undertook rigorous penance, God appeared in the form of “Hrishikesh” and henceforth this area came to be known as Rishikesh.
It is the starting point for the Hindu Char Dham pilgrimage, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The most important landmarks in Rishikesh are the iron suspension bridges over Ganga River. Lakshman Jhula A famous landmark in Rishikesh, Lakshman Jhula is an iron suspension bridge over the holy Ganges. This 450 feet long bridge con…
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Upcoming Hindu Festivals in October 2018 – Hindu Vrat – Fasting – Rituals in October 2018

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Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in October 2018 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). Hindu Vrat – Fasting - Festivals October 2018 October 2 - Jivitputrika Vrat October 2 - 16-day Mahalakshmi Vrat ends in North india October 2 - Kalashtami - Ashokashtami October 3 – Avidhava Navami October 5 – Ekadasi Fasting October 6 – Pradosh Vrat October 7 – Monthly Shiv Chaturdasi fasting October 8 – Mahalaya – Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh October 9 – Amavasya

October 10 – Navratri begins – Ghatasthapana October 10 – Maharaj Agrasen Jayanti October 10 – Ashwin month begins in calendars followed in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana October 13 – Lalitha Panchami October 14 – Sashti Fasting – Durga Puja begins October 15 – Mahasaptami October 17 – Durga Ashtami October 17 – Mahanavami October 18 – Dasara, Vijaya Dasami Octo…
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Forms of Shiva – Story of 16 Rare and Powerful Forms of Shiva

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Thousands of forms of Shiva are worshipped in India and around the world. Here is a collection of stories of some rare and powerful forms of Shiva. The story are mostly from Puranas especially the Kashi Kanda of the Skanda Purana. Jayageeshyeshwar Shiva – Story of Jayageeshyeshwar Shivling Story of Jayageeshyeshwar Shiva is associated with a sage named Jayageesh. 
Jayageeshyeshwar Shivling is located in Varanasi, India. Legend has it that once Shiva left Kashi and did not appear for very long period. Jayageesh Rishi performed intense austerities to bring back Shiva to Kashi.
Pleased with the devotion and austerities of Jayageesh Rishi, Shiva returned to Kashi. On returning to Kashi, Shiva asked Nandi to carry a lotus flower to the Rishi. Saint Jayageesh had become very thin due to the intense austerities. He could not even walk properly.
As soon as Nandi touched the Sage with lotus flower, he became very active. He found new vigor and walked along with Nandi to the abode of Shiva and…
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Osho Thoughts - A Collection of 108 Thoughts of Osho - Acharya Rajneesh

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Osho (December 11, 1931 – January 19, 1990), also known as Acharya Rajneesh or Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was one of the greatest spiritual leader and teacher of the 20th century. Osho thoughts are mostly from books, magazines, newspapers and videos. These collections of 108 thoughts are based on Osho’s views and teachings and have been collected over a period of 12 years.
Laughter relaxes. And relaxation is spiritual. Laughter brings you to the earth, brings you down from your stupid ideas of being holier-than-thou. Laughter brings you to reality as it is. The world is a play of God, a cosmic joke. And unless you understand it as a cosmic joke you will never be able to understand the ultimate mystery. I am all for jokes, I am all for laughter.

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars...and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become …
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Hindu Calendar – September 24, 2018

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Tithi in Hindu Calendar on Monday, September 24, 2018 – Shukla Paksha Chaturdasi Tithi or the fourteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon inHindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It isShukla Paksha Chaturdasi Tithi or the fourteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 6:32 AM on September 24. Then onward it isPurnima Tithi or the full moon day till 7:41 AM on September 25. All time based on India Standard Time.
Good – Auspicious time on September 24, 2018, as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.
Nakshatra – Purvabhadra or Pooruruttathi Nakshatra Purvabhadra or Pooruruttathi Nakshatra on the entire day on September 24 and till 12:10 AM on September 25.
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and south Rajasthan), Purvabhadra or Pooruruttathi Nakshatra till 11:40 PM on September 24. Then onward it is Uttarabhadra or Uthrittathi Nakshatra on the entire day on September 25 and till 1:02 AM on September 26…
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Meru Mountain in Hindu Tradition - Mahameru in Hinduism

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Meru, or Mahameru, is a divine mountain mentioned in the Puranas and epics and is witness to several incidents in Hindu tradition. When a cycle of creation ends, all living beings followed Dharma get shelter on the Meru. As per Puranas, heaven is located on the peaks of the meru, netherworld is at the base and earth is located in the middle portion. Hindu Puranas mention that the height and breadth of Meru is 84,000 yojanas. One yojana is equal to 8 miles. It is also believed that the Mountain holds the Earth – this is because 16000 yojana of the mountain is beneath the earth.
The peaks of meru are covered with gold and Kailash, on which Shiva is seated, is one of the peaks. All gods and goddesses reside on the Mahameru. Sun and moon goes round the mountain and the Saptarishi Nakshatras rise and set on it.


The base of the mountain is filled with life saving herbs. The mountain is guarded by Nagas and therefore sinners cannot enter the mountain. Meru is filled with sweet songs of bird…
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Why Is Curd Offered In Hindu Pujas? - Why Is Curd Holy in Hinduism?

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Curd is considered holy in Hinduism. The main reason why curd is offered to Hindu Gods during pujas is that it is derived from milk. Anything that is received from cow is holy in Hinduism. Cow is believed to be pratysha Brahman or visible God. There is concept in Hindu religion that all gods reside in the cow. This makes curd holy and worthy of offering it to various deities.
Another reason why milk products are considered holy because Sri Krishna used to consume them lavishly. Anything associated with Krishna is holy.


Curd is especially consumed by those people who are offering prayers to Chandra or moon god. Fasting dedicated to Chandra is broken by consuming white colored food.
Those observing Friday fasting, or Shukravar Vrat, offer curd to Shukra or Venus. The fast is broken by eating curd or other white colored food.
Curd is consumed before any auspicious beginning as it helps a person to stay focused and it also give positive results.
There are also many temples where curd is…
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Why Pandavas Could not Save Abhimanyu in the Mahabharata War?

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Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, was killed on the 13th day of the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata. Subhadra repeatedly asks Krishna and Pandavas - “How can Abhimanyu be killed when Pandavas and Krishna are present in the same battlefield?” Why Pandavas could not save Abhimanyu?
On the 13th day of the battle, Drona, the commander of Kauravas, constructed Chakra Vyuha – a circular type of battle combination. Only Krishna, Arjuna and Abhimanyu knew how to break the Vyuha.

Kauravas had made a detailed plan. They knew that Chakra Vyuha would be easily broken by Arjuna. So they asked Samshaptakas to keep Arjuna busy.
Samshaptakas (Trigartas) are warriors who had taken an oath to die or kill Arjuna. Arjuna and Krishna was busy fighting them the whole day and was on another part of the Kurukshetra.
Now only Abhimanyu knew how to break the Chakra Vyuha. Yudhishitra asked Abhimanyu to penetrate the Vyuha so that other warriors in the Pandava side can follow him.
But the four Pand…
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Why Do We Draw Kolam? – The Story in Hindu Puranas

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The story which explains why do we draw kolam is found in the Hindu Puranas. The story is associated with the churning of the ocean (samudra manthan) by Devas and Asuras. Numerous items appeared during the churning of the ocean. When Goddess Lakshmi appeared from the churning, she requested Bhagvan Vishnu for a house to reside.
Vishnu suggested her to reside in a house in which the entrance is sprinkled with cow dung (entrance is pasted with cow dung) and decorated with kolams.


From that day onwards people began to draw kolams to invite Goddess Lakshmi into their homes.
Some Puranas also state that Moodevi or goddess of misfortune appeared during the churning of ocean and she also demanded a house. Bhagvan Vishnu asked her to reside in those houses that are dirty and where they do not draw kolam in front of the entrances.

Drawing of rice kolams in front of house are a means of sharing food with all small creatures on earth like ants. They play a crucial part in the ecosystem and it i…
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Kalash Pot Symbolism in Hinduism

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The Kalash pot is an important item in most Hindu pujas and rituals. It is also placed permanently in home and shops. There is deep symbolism associated with the Kalash pot in Hinduism. The pot is a symbol of growth, fertility and abundance. At home and in business place it is symbol of fullness, plenty and prosperity.
Vedas describe Kalash pot as a golden pitcher overflowing with honey.


The space within the Kalash is considered to be the womb and thus it represents growth and fertility.
The water in the pot is a symbol of the sacred rivers.
As per some scriptures, the mouth of the kalash represents Vishnu, the neck represents Shiva and the middle part represents Brahma.
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