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Showing posts from September, 2008


Tomb of Raja Ram Mohan Roy Restored in Bristol England

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is one of the great reformers of India who challenged unethical practices Hindu society and culture and fought for women's rights and for an end to the practice of ‘sati.’ He died in 1833 while visiting Bristol in Britain . A tomb was raised here his memory. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s tomb at Arnos Vale in Bristol had fallen into disrepair. The tomb, an architectural gem, was recently restored and opened to public. The restoration of the tomb was made possible by a donation last year of more than £50,000 from Aditya Poddar, a Kolkata Businessman. In 1997, a statue of Raja Ram Mohan Roy was placed on College Green in Bristol .

Dancing Ganesha Idol from Lladro

Lladro , a Spanish firm noted for high quality porcelain figurines, has issued a limited edition porcelain figurine of Lord Ganesha in a dancing form. The porcelain figurine of Ganesh is part of Lladro 2008 fall issue. The figurine is presently available in many online stores and retails for $920. Dancing Ganesh idol has all the usual attributes from Ganesha’s iconography and includes the gada (or mace), the paasha (noose or rope), and the broken tusk. Dancing Ganesha is third in a series comprising four pieces inspired in the traditional iconography of Ganesha – earlier Lladro had released Veena Ganesha and Bansuri Ganesha .

Navaratri Dolls

The display of dolls during Navratri is a major event in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and for some communities in Karnataka and Kerala. This display of dolls is known as Navratri Kolu or Golu. In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Bommala Koluvu. The dolls symbolically represent the army or assembly (durbar) of Goddess Durga. It is also believed that the assembly is held just before the famous battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, which ultimately ends in the victory of good over evil. In 2024, the display of Navaratri Dolls begins on  October 3 and ends on October 12. Navaratri Kolu dolls are a proud possession for many families and to find 50 or 100-year-old Navratri dolls is not rarity in a traditional Hindu family in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The most important Navaratri dolls are the Marapachi figures – a pair of male and female. Majority of the dolls displayed are of Hindu gods and goddesses. Also on display are figures of prominent personalities, historical

Kumbha Rashi Navratri Mantra

Chanting of the Kumbha Rashi Navratri Mantra helps, Kumbh Rashi born person to attain wealth, prosperity, property, job and desire fulfillments. The mantra should be chanted after taking bath in the morning. You should sit in your pooja room or in a quiet place and chant the mantra. The mantra is ऊॅं प्रभा नमः The mantra should be chanted 21 times. Chanting of the mantra also helps in overcoming your enemies.

Inspirational Thoughts from Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal

This inspirational dialogue happened when Dr. S.I.Tulaev, Russian Indologist, had an interview with Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, popularly known as Kanchi Paramacharya. Dr. S.I.Tulaev: A man has no temple or church and does not heed to any dogmas. But he always thinks good and does good throughout his life? Could you kindly tell me, Sir, whether such a man has any salvation at the end of his life? Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal – Yes…. Don’t think that I am giving you this answer after seeing the modern standards of life. No. This is said in our ancient scriptures themselves. There are many aspirants. The Agnostics, those who enquire into the nature of God and by using their own brain come to the conclusion that there is no God. Secondly, Buddhists, or the Sunyavadins, who believe in non-existence. Thirdly, Jains, who believe in suffering by putting their body to various austerities, vratas. Fourthly, Sai

Change of Tamil New Year from the First Day of Chithirai to First of Thai legal, says Tamil Nadu High Court

The present Tamil Nadu State Government had changed the Tamil New Year from the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai (mid-April) to first of Thai (mid-January) through legislation in the beginning of year 2008. This was challenged in the court and now the High Court has given its verdict that there is no unconstitutionality or illegality in changing the Tamil New Year to Thai first day, which is also the Pongal day . The decision to change the New Year date by the state government is based on a decision made in 1922 when over 500 scholars, led by Maraimalai Adigal, founder of the Thani Tamil Iyakkam (Pure Tamil Movement) met at Pachaiyappa’s college in Chennai and decided that Tamils needed a separate calendar in the name of Tamil savant Tiruvalluvar. They also determined that the birth year of Tiruvalluvar was 31 BC. This was accepted in 1971 by the then Tamil Nadu Government headed by M Karunanidhi. Giving its approval to the change of Tamil New Year day the court made

Navratri Fasting – How to do Navratri Upvas?

There are many Hindus who observe Navratri Vrat or fasting during the nine days of Navratri. Most people observe a partial fast during Navratri and abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol etc.  In 2024, Navratri begins on October 3 and ends on October 12. The fasting is generally dedicated to Goddess Durga. In South India , especially in Kerala, Navratri Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi. Puranas indicated that the importance of Navratri fast was narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her devotees. There are no strict rules for any fasting in Hindu religion and usually, the devotees decide how they want to do the fasting during the period. Navratri Fasting in South India In South India , the nine days of Navratri is divided into three parts – three days each for Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. In North India , there is no division but is dedicated to Mother Goddess or Shakti. People take bath in the morning and evening during Navratri pe

Dr B L Atreya on Philosophy in India

In India , philosophy has never been only an intellectual pursuit of knowledge of the Ultimate Reality. The task of a philosopher here is not over with his having constructed a metaphysical system, which satisfies the intellect. The intellect is not the whole man. He has other aspects, equally or probably more alive in him, which seek for satisfaction. Man aspires to seek for Power and Joy as much as for knowledge. It is really doubtful whether man would have philosophized at all, if he were absolutely happy and if all his wants were satisfied. The chief concern of man therefore is not to know what God is but to know how he can become God. If the self-satisfied and perfect absolute God is ever free from want and is Blissful in itself, what is that to us? It will be like an enormous treasure of wealth existing somewhere, which we cannot use. That everything is dear to us for own sake is an eternal truth discovered by Yajnavalkya long, long ago. An important part of the t

Hermann Hesse’s Novel Siddhartha Translated in Sanskrit

Siddhartha, based on the early life of Gautama Buddha, is one of the most famous novels of Hermann Hesse, who received Nobel for Literature in 1946. The translation into Sanskrit, which was originally written in German, is done by L. Sulochana Devi, who is a Reader at Government Sanskrit College , Trivandrum . Sanskrit Version of Siddhartha is published by the Kerala Chapter of the Hermann Hesse Society of India. Siddharta has been one of Hesse 's most widely read works. Its English translation in the 1950s became a spiritual guide to a number of people around the world.

Threat of Submersion Looms Over Mamallapuram Temples as Sea Water Level is on the Rise

The Mamallapuram Temples, earlier known as Mahabalipuram, located along the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu faces the threat of submersion due to sea level rise. Mamallapuram monuments and temples were founded by the Pallava kings in the 7th and 8th centuries and are carved on rocks. They are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The famous Shore Temple is also under threat from sea level rise. V Gangadharan Writes in ExpressBuzz about the threat  Addressing a joint expert workshop on conservation organized by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Janssen Phasrmaceutica, Belgium here, Director of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu, R Annamalai, said the issue of climate change poses a real threat to the conservation of the timeless monuments. The sea level has constantly risen in Mamallapuram too like elsewhere.  “If the trend continued, the monuments which are rich reminders of our hoary cultural heritage may go under the sea by the end of this ce

Why is Vishwakarma Puja celebrated on a fixed date – September 17?

Vishwakarma Puja, or Biswakarma Jayanti, is celebrated annually on September 17 or September 18 in Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand , Assam , Tripura and other parts of Eastern India . Majority of the Hindu festivals are not celebrated on a constant date because most auspicious days and festivals depend on the lunar calendar and on tithi – lunar day, which changes annually. But majority of times Vishwakarma puja falls on September 17 (very rarely it might vary by a day). This is because Vishwakarma Puja day is calculated based on the transit of the sun. The two major schools of almanacs followed in Bengali are the he Suryasiddhanta and Bisuddhasiddhanta. Both subscribe to the same view. Vishwakarma Puja is dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma the divine architect of the universe in Hinduism. Sudeshna Banerjee writes about this interesting aspect in The Telegraph, Calcutta . “Vishwakarma puja is scheduled on the last day of the Bengali month of Bhadra, more specifically

Quotes – Indira Gandhi on Nataraja Idol

One cannot but marvel at the deep insight and sweep of imagination of our ancients to visualized cosmic energy in the form of Nataraja. The dance of the Nataraja symbolizes truth and beauty; realization and dissolution; force and rhythm; movement and change; time flowing and time still. The Nataraja is a representation of the divine as creator and artist. Indira Gandhi – Former Prime Minister of India (Source: In her foreword to C. Sivaramurti's monograph of 1974 on Nataraja)

Challenge Christian Conversion Methods in India with Non-Violence and Self Introspection

Violence is not the answer to any problem. Violence only breeds hatred, resentment and more violence and the vicious cycle continues. The conversion method adopted by Christians in India was condemned by Hindus in private and many Hindus showed a callous attitude towards the Christian conversion issue. But dramatic developments around the world in the past three decades saw secular Hindus becoming insecure and threatened and this was cleverly exploited by fundamentalists. A very minority section in Hindu society started adopting tit for tat method and the majority of secular Hindus kept silent. Christian aggression in the form of conversion was met with violence by Hindus. Churches were attacked or burned, poor people were killed and thousands were rendered homeless. What did Hindu society gain from this meaningless violence? Nothing! In a democratic society there are several non-violent methods to show protest. Printed literatures and methods employed by Christian missionar

Ramayana The Epic – New 3D Animated Feature Film on Ramayan

Epic Ramayana is a favorite subject for Indian animation industry. There have been numerous animation projects based on Ramayana and the latest to join the list is ‘Ramayana The Epic’, directed by Chetan Desai and produced by Maya Entertainment Pvt Ltd. The 100-mintue 3D Animated Feature Film will feature Hindi actors Manoj Bajpai, Juhi Chawla, and Ashutosh Rana in the voices of Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Ravan. The Hindi language version of ‘Ramayana The Epic’ is expected to release in early 2009. Later, the movie will be dubbed into regional languages and English. (Image belongs to Maya Entertainment Ltd.)

Chola Period Shiva Nataraja Bronze Auction To Fetch More Than A Million Dollars

Christie’s, one of world’s leading art business and a fine arts auction house, is auctioning a Chola Period Shiva Nataraja Bronze idol in New York on September 16, 2008 and the estimated auction price is more than one million dollars. The Nataraja statue from Tamil Nadu in South India belongs to the Chola Period – 975 AD. In the idol, Lord Shiva as Nataraja is dancing over the dwarf Apasmara with his left leg raised, his principal right hand in abhaya mudra and his principal left hand pointed towards his raised foot, holding a damaru and flaming oil lamp in his other hands, the snake coiled about his waist and the goddess Ganga reclining on his flying tresses, surrounded by an aureole of flames. The height of the idol is 73.7 cm. Estimated price is $1,000,000 - $1,500,00. This idol is an early example where the flaming halo forms an arch as opposed to a circle in middle to late Chola. Only very few such idols are in private or public collections. Apa

Mankameshwar Temple in Lucknow Gets First Woman Chief Priest

The famous Mankameshwar Temple in Lucknow gets first woman chief priest or Mahant. Arunima Singh (25) took over as the first woman Mahant of Mankameshwar Temple on Tuesday. A Mahant in Hinduism is a chief priest of a temple or the head of an Ashram. Arunima Singh, whose new name is Devaigya Puri, holds a diploma in pathology from Indian Institute of Paramedics in Delhi . She succeeds her Guru Mahant Keshav Giri. Virendra Nath Bhatt reports in Indian Express Did she face any opposition on grounds of gender? “Tough opposition was expected at the election of a woman as mahant of the Mankameshwar Temple but it turned out to be a smooth affair. I had the blessings of my guruji and support of people,” said a beaming mahant Devagiya Puri, facing a rush of disciples eager to touch her feet and seek her blessings. “A divine soul has no gender. Guru parampara is an ancient tradition and anybody can be a mahant, “said mahant Meera Puri, who represents the Shree Panch Dasnaam Juna

Reformation in Hindu Society is the need of the hour

It is high time that Hindus thought about reformation in Hindu society and religion. There is widespread inequality and there is a lack of concern for impoverished Hindus and this is damaging Hinduism. A section of Hindu society has progressed economically in the last couple of decades, primarily due to their hard work and willingness to adapt to the modern needs. But majority of Hindus are still fighting in the name of caste and they are being exploited by politicians, fundamentalists and Christian missionaries. Untouchability and caste discrimination – Indian constitution has done all that is possible to stop this heinous practice. But sadly Untouchability and caste discrimination still persists in Hindu society. Laws are not going to change the situation; change should happen in the mindset of the people. Know that all this, whatever moves in this moving world, is enveloped by Brahman. Therefore find your enjoyment in renunciation; do not covet what belongs to others – th

Management Course to Study Hindu Temple Administration

The unique Management course to study Hindu Temple Administration is offered by Somnath Sanskrit University and is aptly named – Mandir Vyavasthapan. Some people might want to immediately retort saying that Hindu Temples are not business centers. But the amount of donation that several temples are receiving is so huge that most of them are groping in the dark and need professional advice. Professional management is also need to manage crowds during festivals and auspicious days, also in preservation of the temple architecture and above all in matters of security in temples. The one-year diploma course, Mandir Vyavasthapan, was introduced last year by Somnath Sanskrit University in Gujarat and the response was overwhelming. The course is not merely limited to accounts; there are other subjects like temple architecture, rituals, event management, crowd management, Sanskrit, English, and law. First batch of 500 students are awaiting the results. Candidates have to pass c

Dr Annie Besant on the Bhagavad Gita

Moderation is therefore the keynote of the Bhagavad Gita and the harmonizing of all the constituents of man, till they vibrate in perfect attunement with the One, the Supreme Self. Have no personal interest in the event; carry out the duty imposed by the position in life, realize that Ishvara, at once Lord and Law, is the doer, working out the mighty evolution that ends in Bliss and Peace; be identified with Him by devotion, and then perform duty as duty, fighting without passion or desire, without anger or hatred; thus activity forges no bonds, Yoga is accomplished, and the soul is free. Dr Annie Besant

Hindu Blog Turns 2

The first post on hindu-blog.com happened two years ago. It was a spurt of the moment decision to begin Hindu Blog. With no good guide to follow, I groped in the dark during the first few months. There were no visitors, no friends, no ideas exchanged but I was learning a lot about Hinduism. So the thought of quitting never came to my mind. And by the time the core teachings of Sanatana Dharma had done its magic – it taught me that all I had to do was realize the Brahman in me and what was stopping me from self realization was the ego and ignorance that had accumulated from various sources. So to cleanse myself of ego and ignorance, I started learning and it continues…While learning, I came across several interesting ideas, thoughts and facts and I started sharing it through the blog. Then slowly people started visiting the blog, ideas were exchanged and ideas for a particular post started evolving from these exchanges. So Hindu Blog is primarily the result of what Hindus wan