The story of King Shibi and the two birds is found in the Mahabharata. The story was narrated to the Pandavas by Sage Markandeya. The Pandavas listened to the story during their exile period.

King Shibi belonged to the lunar race and was a royal sage famous for his spirit of sacrifice.



The fame of King Shibi reached the heaven and as usual Indra, the king of Devas, was jealous. Agni, the fire god, and Indra wanted to test the genuineness of his self sacrifice. Agni took the form of a dove and Indra took the form of a hawk.
The dove, chased by the hawk, fell on the lap of King Shibi and the king immediately took it under his care.
The hawk insisted on the dove being passed on to it, as doves were the natural food of hawks.
After much discussion, the hawk agreed to accept Shibi’s flesh, equal in weight to the dove’s.
Shibi cut his body, limb by limb, and placed the pieces on one pan of the scale against the dove, which was placed on the other pan.
But the flesh was not enough as the…

Saryanavat is the name of a lake mentioned in Vedic literature and may be the origin of the name of Haryana State in India. The name is found in several passages of Rig Veda. It is believed that the lake was filled with thickets of soma plant. Soma was an important drink offered to Gods in the Vedic age.

The name ‘Saryanavat seems to be derived from ‘sara’ meaning ‘munja, sarkanda or saccarum sara’ (somasyeva maunjavatasya – Rig Veda 10/34/1). Munjavan is one of the twenty four varieties of soma plant mentioned in the Vedas.
Saryanavat is translated by Rudolf von Roth, German Indologist, founder of the Vedic philology, as ‘covered with a thicket of reeds.’
The lake is called Saryana in the Jaiminiya Brahmana. The location of the lake as per this Brahmana is the lower western part of modern day Kurukshetra.
As per Mahabharata, there was a tirtha by the name of Sasayana on the bank of Saraswati. It was a pond in the shape of a rabbit. Taking a holy dip in the river cures various ailmen…

Tithi in Panchang - Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 19 January 2019 – Shukla Paksha Trayodashi Tithi or the thirteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon inHindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Trayodashi Tithi or the thirteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 3:21 PM on January 19, 2019. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi or the fourteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 1:24 PM on January 20, 2019. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India.)All time based on India Standard Time.
Good – Auspicious time on January 19, 2019, as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 6:35 PM.
Nakshatra – Mrigasira or Mrigasheersham or Makayiram Nakshatra till 8:23 AM on January 19. Then onward it is Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira Nakshatra till 7:11 AM on January 20. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India.)
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka …

There are numerous stories associated with Thaipusam. But the most important story is that of Goddess Parvati presenting ‘Vel’ to muruga to eliminate demon Tarakasura. Here are some of the important stories of Thaipusam festival. Vel behind celebrating Thaipusam Sages were fed up with the troubles created by demon Tarakasur and his lieutenants. They complained to Shiva and he instructed Muruga to help them. Shiva gave him eleven weapons and Mother Parvati presented the most powerful ‘Vel.’ Muruga killed all the demons including Tharakasuran on Pusam star in the month of Thai with the Vel. Thaipusam is celebrated to commemorate this victory of good over evil.



Kavadi and Thaipusam Another legend about Thaipusam is associated with the Kavadi. It involves Muruga testing the determination of Idumban, the student of Sage Agastya. Curse on Muruga and Thaipusam Another story revolves around Lord Muruga eavesdropping into the conversation between Lord Shiva and Parvati. Lord Shiva was render…

Attukal Pongala ritual held at the AttukalBhagavathyTemple in Trivandrum, Kerala, is noted for the largest gathering of women in a single place on a single day in the world. Attukal Pongala 2019 date is February 20, Wednesday. Attukal Bhagavathy is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti and the AttukalTemple is known as the Sabarimala of women. The Pongala festival will commence when the idol of the Devi will be embellished with ‘kappu.’
Attukal Pongala ritual date and timingCommences at 10:30 AM on February 20, 2019. Pongala (ends) will be offered to Goddess at 14:30 hrs. Attukal Pongala is held on the ninth day of the 10-day festival at the AttukalBhagavathyTemple.


Significance of Attukal Pongala Without any persuasion or advertisement, more than a million women assemble in the Indian southern city of Trivandrum in Kerala on the day when Pooram Nakshatram and Poornima coincides in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February - March). Their sole aim is to cook rice with jaggery and coconut for…

Vighna Ganapati is one among the 32 forms of Ganesha. This form of Ganesh is propitiated for removing all troubles and impediments. He removes all the obstacles. Ideal form of Ganesha to be worshipped by those searching for jobs.
Sri Vighna Ganapati Mantra is – Shankheshu Chaapa kusumeshu kuthara
pashachakra swadanta sruni manjarikaa sharaduhai.
Paanishritaih parisameehita bhhoshana shrih
vighneshvaro vijayato tapaneeya gaur
Vighna Ganapati Form This form of Ganesha has eight hands. Vighna Ganapati is depicted as having golden color. He holds a conch, sugarcane, flower, axe, broken tusk, wheel, paddy and durva grass. Benefits of Worshipping Vighna Ganapati Meditating upon Vighna Ganapati and offering prayers helps a person in removing obstacles and bad influences.
It is believed that daily worship of this form of Ganesha brings in prosperity.
This form is worshipped for success in exams and interviews.

Along with devotion one should practice single-minded focus and approach all aspects…

Have you ever wondered why sheep is the sign of Aries Zodiac? It was ancient Hindus and Egyptians who divided a year into spring, summer, autumn and winter and assigned to each season three constellations through which the Sun passed. The reason and origin of Sheep Sign of Aries is amusing but apt.



Aries is also referred as Ram (March 21 – April 20) as per Solar Calendar.
The reason for the name Aries or Ram is because at this time of year the sheep produce their young.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1930-2015), founder of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, teacher of Vedanta.He was a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda. He founded the famous Arsha Vidya Gurukulam. This is a collection of quotes and teachings of the eminent teacher, guide and philosopher. 

Living begins when one contributes something that will bring about more happiness, more wisdom and more freedom. Until then, one merely drags one’s life.


If I were to choose one aspect of Hinduism, it would be the teaching that God is the only reality, which can be invoked through any name or form. All worship offered with a pure heart is valid. There can be million forms of worship, offered to any name or form that you choose. This is the universal outlook of Hinduism. Hinduism is a very profound religion, not based in simple beliefs. God is to be understood, not just believed in.
The Veda says that you are the whole and that you are already free and you have to know that. Your being away from the whole is by wrong t…

Tekdi Ganapati Yatra is observed in the famous TekdiGaneshTemple in Nagpur. Tekdi Ganapati Yatra 2019 date is January 24. It is observed on the Sankashti Chaturthi day in the Paush month as per traditional Marathi lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. Another important festival here is observed during Ganesh Chaturthi in Bhadrapad month.


The murti of Lord Ganesh worshipped here is Swayambhu – one that occurred naturally.

The temple is called Tekdi as the mandir is constructed atop a mountain and in Marathi language Tekdi means hill.

The TekdiGanapatiTemple is located near the Nagpur Railway Station.

The annual Rath Yatra at the famous BanashankariTemple in Badami in Karnataka is observed on the Paush Purnima day as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Karnataka. In 2019, Rath Yatra at BanashankariTemple in Badami is on January 21. BanashankariTemple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and the Rath Yatra attracts thousands of devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Goddess Banashankari is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati and is believed to have appeared to annihilate Demon Durgamasur.
Bana, or Vana, means forest and Shankari means consort of Shiva. The BanashankariTemple in ancient time used to be located near a dense forest.
On the Rath Yatra day, Goddess Banashankari is taken around the streets near the temple. Devotees pull the temple chariot and this pulling is believed to be highly meritorious.
A huge fair of local produce and crafts is also held during the period.