The Naroshankar Temple, in Panchavati area, on the banks of Godavari River is a very good example of Peshwai period architecture – expert artisans used designs suitable and harmonious with the natural surroundings. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Naroshankar Temple History The Naroshankar Temple was constructed in 1747 AD by Chieftain Naroshankar Rajebahaddur alias Dani. The temple then cost 1.8 million rupees.
The temple is of great significance due to the bell and its architecture. 
Naroshankar Temple is completely devoid of any Muslim influence as it was built during the heydays of the Peshwas.

The temple shows an influence of Rajasthani and Gujarati architecture. Carpenters, fresco painters, sculptors, artisans and masons from Gujarat and Rajasthan (Rajputana) came during the period of 17th and 18th-century period and they trained local artisans. They were also instrumental in designing and executing many temples of the period.
Naroshankar Temple Bell The Temple Bell at N…

Changdev Pasashti is a text on Natha tradition. The religious book in Marathi consists of sixty five verses. The subject matter of the text is the advice of the great Marathi saint Jnaneshwar (1271 – 93 AD). The advice was given by Sant Dnyaneshwar to Changadeva, the author of the text. Changdev was a famous hatha yogi.
Subject Matter Of Changdev Pasashti Changdev Pasashti describes the philosophy of the Natha spiritual tradition, called Chidvilasa. The tradition looks upon the world of objects as a manifestation of the basic reality of Lord Shiva called Chit.
The common man, in daily life, sees only the manifest world and not the Chit underlying it.
In actuality, the chit alone exists, but it appears to take various forms.
Just as the weaves on the surface of water are indistinct from the water itself, and ornaments in all their variety are gold itself, similarly the manifest world is in reality the Chit only.
All variety is actually the play, i.e, vilasa of the chit.
When the fact …

Carrying water pot during cremation is a must for many Hindu communities and this has a deep symbolism. The person designated to light the pyre goes around the pyre of the dead person with water pot on his shoulders. A hole is made in the water pot so that the water flows out and falls around the funeral pyre. Finally, the water pot is dropped hardly backwards and it breaks.
This is performed to give the message to the soul of the dead person that it is time to leave the body. The soul needs to end its association with the body.
Pot and water in it is mentioned in all Hindu scriptures and this has numerous meaning. Like the pot, the human body will be broken and destroyed one day. The pot has to finally merge in earth. The person will have to finally reach his destination the Supreme Truth.

The water falling from the pot while going around the funeral pyre symbolically represents the passing of time. The final breaking of pot and water flowing out completely tells the soul that the b…

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 3 May 2019 – Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi or the fourteenth day during the dark or waning phase of moon inHindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Trayodashi Tithi or the thirteenth day during the dark or waning phase of moon till 2:37 AM on May 3. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi or the fourteenth day during the dark or waning phase of moon till 3:33 AM on May 4. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India.)All time based on India Standard Time.

Good – Auspicious time on May 3, 2019, as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.
Nakshatra – Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi Nakshatra till 2:19 PM on May 3. Then onward it is Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra till 3:41 PM on May 4. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India.)
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Revati Nakshatr…

Kaal Bhairav is a very powerful form of Lord Shiva. Although this unimaginably fierce form is associated with nipping the head of Brahma, for those devotees who follow Dharma this form of Shiva is highly beneficial. Here is a look at the important offerings to Kaal Bhairav.
Kaal Bhairav Offerings Lemon – desire fulfillment, overcome fear, overcome various kinds of bhadas like ghosts etc.Black Urad Dal – Success in lifeBlack sesame (Kala til) – To defeat enemiesBlack cloth – To overcome horoscope related problems.Blue flowers – for desire fulfillmentAbir, gulal and rice – for fame and wealthFeeding black dog – helps in avoid all problems in horoscope related to ShaniVisiting Bhairav Temple for 40 days – Helps in achieving materialistic desires.Reading Bhairav Chalisa for 40 days – Success in spiritual path.Lighting mustard oil lamp before Bhairav – to defeat enemiesChanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam for 40 days – Solves relationship issues, helps in getting the desired partner in life.

A collection of quotes and teachings of Swami Veda Bharati (1933 - 2015). He was the founder of Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International (AHYMSIN) and the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in Rishikesh, India.

Learn to give love, instead of asking for it. Stop being self-centered; cry no longer words such as ‘I was rejected’, ‘I am unloved’, ‘I am lonely’. When you do this, you are re-enforcing these thoughts. People see you and move away because they are afraid of what you might demand.

Loving and not expecting something is the secret of being loved. Avoid clinging and resist the temptation of wanting to pour out your own story. Think of selfless ways of loving, without fear of rejection. Even before you begin to feel that you are being loved, you will begin to feel a sense of satisfaction because you have been selfless.

Find the positive concealed in the negative, free the mind of being in conflict. By learning to resolve conflicts, de-condition the mind of its condit…

Torana or festoon of fresh mango leaves is an indispensable part in all South Indian Hindu pujas and festivals. It is also used in many regions during puja and to decorate the Kalash pot. Mango leaves are strung on a thread and hung on the doors and windows. The main reason why mango leaf is preferred is that they last longer than other leaves. They are also thick and sturdy. 

It is believed that the long life of mango leaves helps it to generate oxygen. And this property of the leaf helps it to absorb carbon dioxide and infuse fresh oxygen. Therefore there is a popular belief that mango leaves are specifically used during pujas and festivals to generate oxygen as large crowd gather during these days in a confined place.
Mango leaves are also used to cover the neck of the Kalash pot used during Puja.

Five mango leaves are placed on the mouth of the Kalash pot. In some regions it is 9 or 11 leaves.

It is widely believed Goddess Lakshmi, Govardhan mountain, Gandharva and fertility go…

Pushkara, or Pushkarams, is a popular Hindu ritual and festival which is held along 12 rivers. A Pushkaram along a particular takes place once in 12 years when Jupitar (Brihaspati) enters a particular zodiac. Here are the names of 12 rivers that play host to Pushkaram or Pushkara – the river festival.
Pushkaram Rivers
Ganga RiverNarmada or RevaRiverSaraswatiYamuna or JamnaGodavariKrishnaCauvery or KaveriBhima or BhimarathiRiver (Tambraparni)Pushkara Vahini (Brahmaputra)TungabhadraSindhu or IndusParineeta (Sapranitantasi) (Pranahita) Jupiter enters a particular Zodiac sign and the Pushkaram is held during the period in which Jupiter travels through the Zodiac.
Name of The River              Zodiac sign
Ganges                                 Aries
Narmada                              Taurus
Saraswati                            Gemini
Yamuna                                Cancer
Godavari                               Leo
Krishna                                  Virgo
Kaveri              …

Hindus are not allowed to perform creation after sunset. This is a very important rule in Hinduism. The pyre of dead is not lit at night. There are 16 rituals in the life of a person and death related rituals are the last one.
All dead related rituals should be performed during the daytime. The presence of Surya (sun god) is considered essential for the rituals.


Important cremation and death related rituals in Hindu religions is found in the Garuda Purana. It is clearly mentioned in the Garuda Purana that the body a person should not be kept on pyre after sunset.
If the death happens at night, the rituals are performed after sunrise.
The dead person will undergo numerous suffering if the cremation is performed at night. It is also believed that in the next birth (whatever be the form), the person will not have all the limbs. The person will have several deformities.
It is for the welfare of the dead person (a safe journey to pitru loka and for a good rebirth) that death related ritu…

There is a belief among several Hindu communities that offering puja to Shwetark puja will help in solving marriage related problems. Shwetark also known as Aak or Madar is a holy plant in Hinduism.
How to Perform Shwetark Plant Puja? The puja should be performed on the first Monday in a month during the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha Somvar).The person should perform fast dedicated to Shiva on the day.In the morning or during pradosh period visit a Shwetark Plant.Offer water to the plant.Collect 8 leaves of the plant.Make a mala using 7 leaves. On the eighth leaf, just write ‘om namah shivaya.’Offer the leaves to a peepal tree.Pour water under the peepal tree.This should be repeated till the marriage is held.