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Showing posts from December, 2011


Aditya Hridaya Stotra in Sanskrit

Aditya Hridaya Stotra is a hymn dedicated to Surya (Sun God) in Valmiki Ramayana. Aditya Hridaya consists of 31 verses and is found in the 107th chapter of Yuddha Kanda of Ramayan. This is a pdf version of the text  of Aditya Hridaya Stotra in Sanskrit. It was narrated to Lord Rama by Sage Agastya to energize him in the battle against Ravana. Link – Aditya Hridaya Stotra Related Aditya Hridaya Stotra English translation with meaning

Swami Ramananda Jayanti

Swami Ramananda Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Sant Ramananda, a Vaishnava Saint and reviver of the Ramanandi sect. Swami Ramananda Jayanti 2025 date is January 21. It is observed annually on the Magh Krishna Paksha Saptami day – seventh day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month in Hindu calendar followed in North India . Swami Ramananda (1400–1476) was the Guru of Sant Kabir and also of Guru Ravidas. Swamiji was also a social reformer and pioneer of Bhakti movement in North India . He spread the teaching of Sri Ram and taught people the futility of caste system by pointing out that Sri Ram did not differentiate between people and welcomed all people. 

Swami Satyasangananda Thoughts

Today we are afraid to discuss matters pertaining to sex. We think sexuality pertains to a part of our personality which is dirty and despicable, and that it is best to suppress or ignore it, and thereby it will disappear. But this is not the answer… you do not free yourself of this powerful drive simply by crushing and trampling it; rather its roots itself deeper and deeper in your consciousness. This attitude towards sex is responsible for innumerable inner conflicts. The pleasure of passion and lust, which man is unable to control, comprehend or express, has led to countless, severe cases of neuroses, mental instability, fear, anxiety, stress, psychosis, sexual disorders, lack of confidence and insecurity. The fault lies not in the individual, but in religious and moral beliefs, which have preached the infamy of sex. Man has been brainwashed for hundreds of years into believing that sex is certainly sinful, evil and also anti-spiritual. Swami Satyasangananda Related Anandmurti

Bhagavad Gita Ban in Russia Dismissed – Russian Hindus Wins the Battle of Dharma

Russian Hindus Won the Battle of Dharma when a Judge at the Tomsk court in Siberia  in Russia dismissed the plea to brand Holy Bhagavad Gita an extremist literature and ban it. The prosecutors had asked for a ban on the Russian translation of ‘Bhagavad Gita As It Is’ written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).  "Yato Dharma Tato Jaya" – Where there is righteousness, there is victory. Times of India reports "The court has dismissed the state prosecutors' case during the hearing today," Sadhu Priya Das, a leader of the Russian unit of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), told IANS on the phone from Moscow .  The case has been going on in the Tomsk city court since June. Bhagavad Gita is a book for all. It is a holy book that is universal. It is dedicated to the welfare of all living beings. ‘Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human r

Shukastala – Shuka Muni Narrated Srimad Bhagavad Purana to Parikshit Here

Shukastala, also known as Shukratal, is a holy place located on the banks of Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that Shuka Muni narrated the Srimad Bhagavad Purana here to the Parikshit Maharaj. There is a very old Vata Vriksha here and it is believed that Shuka Maharishi sat under this tree and narrated the Bhagavad Purana. Legend has it that Parikshit Maharaj was cursed that he will be bitten by Takshak Snake and killed. To escape from it and to attain Moksha, Shuka Muni narrated the Srimad Bhagavad Purana. It is believed that reading or listening to Srimad Bhagavata Purana helps in redemption of sin and attaining Moksha. There is a temple dedicated to Shuka Muni here. Shakuntala is around 24 km from Muzaffarnagar. It is around 120 km from Haridwar and 100 km from New Delhi .

Aryaman – Vedic God in Hindu Tradition

Aryaman is a Vedic God mentioned in the Vedas. He is rarely worshipped today in Hinduism. Today, He is only invoked during rare vedic yajna performed in Hindu religion and also during Shradh. He is one among the Adityas and is associated with chivalry, honor, nobility and rules of society. The name Aryaman means a ‘devoted friend’ or ‘Gentleman.’  There are several verses dedicated to Aryaman in the Rig Veda. He is the son of Aditi. Aryaman maintains the code of conduct in the society. He protects the honor of men and women in the society. He has the last word in marriages and in the maintenance of tradition, custom and religion in the Vedic society. All rituals, relationships created and maintained in society are governed by Aryaman. As all social relationships were governed by Aryaman, he was considered as the great ancestor. He was the king of ancestors. Offerings are made to him as part Shradh rituals. A part of offerings made to ancestors reach Aryaman.

Shadaram Birth Anniversary at Shadani Darbar in Ghotki in Sindh in Pakistan

Shadaram birth anniversary is annually held in Paush month (December – January) at the famous Shadani Darbar in Ghotki in Sindh in Pakistan . Shadaram is believed to be a manifestation of Hindu God Shiva. It is the 317th birth anniversary of Holy saint Shadaram in 2025. Legend has it that According to the legend, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, the ruler of Sindh, intimidated Hindus in 1700. Perturbed by his actions, Hindus prayed to Shiva at Mathelo. One night the Sarpanch of the area saw Shiva in his dream. Shiva told him that he had taken birth in the form of Shadaram in Lahore and would come to Mathelo for their salvation. Shri Shadaram came to Mathelo in 1768 and called forth Dhuni Saheb there. When Kalhoro insulted a Hindu widow, Shri Shadaram cursed the ruler, saying that Kalhoro would lose the kingdom. Shri Shadaram’s words came true and Kalhoro lost his kingdom and died in misery. After that Shadaram shifted to Hayat Pitafi and laid the foundation of the Shadani Darbar.

Origin Point of Saraswati River - Shri Saraswati Udgam Sthal in Yamunanagar in Haryana

Located in the Shivalik Mountains , origin Point of Saraswati River is near the Adi Badrinath Temple in Yamunanagar District in Haryana. There is a kund or pond here which is believed to be the starting point of Saraswati River . Shri Saraswati Udgam Sthal is located around 15 km from the famous Kapal Mochan Tirth in Bilaspur. The temple of Adi Badri is of great significance. It is believed that River Saraswati flowed from here during the Satya, Treta and Dwapar yuga. The River disappeared in the Kali Yuga. According to Mahabharata, Saraswati River dried up on account of a curse by the Sage Utathya. Apart from the  Adi   Badri   Temple  the place also has a temple dedicated to Shiva – a naturally formed Shivling believed to be Adi Kedarnath. There is also a  temple  of  Goddess Mantra Devi .

Bhagavan Sri Ram Teachings in Ramayana - Lord Rama Teachings

As long as you identify your self with this body, you will feel miserable. Atman is not the body, sense, or ego. It is due to ignorance that you are affected by these worldly sorrows. When you dream of something it seems real as long as the dream lasts. Similarly, to a man who always thinks of the senses and the pleasures derived there from, this world seems real. If good deeds are done with a sense of ego, they only bind you to this world. So to gain knowledge you should work without the least trace of pride. Pure knowledge is that which kills all desires and attachments. Any work with a particular motive behind it should be given up, it only binds you to the cycle of birth and death. It is harmful for your attaining real knowledge. Prompted by anger man kills his own mother, father, brother, friends and relations. He will often have occasion to repent of actions done under the impulse of anger. It is anger that binds him to Samsara. Anger it is that destroys one’s vir

Lagna Vidhi, Vishwas ane Virasat – Book on Gujarati Marriage Ceremony

The book tilted ‘Lagna Vidhi, Vishwas ane Virasat’ – Marriage ceremony, faith and tradition – is written by Ashok Patel, lecturer at SUG, a B Ed college in Ahmedabad. He has documented 72 rituals associated with Gujarati Marriage ceremony. The book explains the reason behind various customs and rituals held during the marriage. Times of India reports Patel studied four Vedas, vedic literature and Manusmruti to document this book on wedding titled Lagna Vidhi, Vishwas ane Virasat ( Marriage ceremony, faith and tradition). "This book explains the logic behind the rituals. And understanding the link between the two enables the youth to respect our customs, rituals and tradition," said Patel.  "I planned to write the book to explain the process of marriage to my future daughter-in-law and son who live in Australia ," he added. An NRG has ordered 1,500 copies of the book as it ably captures the Hindu wedding ceremony with its 72 rituals and many of the expatriat

Commemorative Stamp on Shri Devnarayan

Shri Devnarayan believed to be an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu is worshipped in Rajasthan and northwestern Madhya Pradesh. He is worshipped by the Gujjar community and He is appeared to protect the community. Legend has it that Vishnu appeared as Devnarayan to fulfill the promise that he gave Saadu Maata Gurjari. 

Bhagavad Gita Ban in Russia – Nothing but Religious Intolerance

The attempt to get Bhagavad Gita banned in Russia is nothing but an example of religious intolerance and insecurity among certain elements in societies around the world who are unable to digest individual freedom, free thinking and diverse thoughts. Gita extols the individual to think and act in a manner that befits his/her Dharma. Gita does not ask anyone to follow a particular pattern of life neither does it support any group formation or religion. It’s a dialogue between Supreme Truth (represented by Sri Krishna) and man (represented by Arjuna). This dialogue has been taking place from time immemorial and will continue for ever. No ban can stop it. The arguments put forwarded by Russian prosecutors to ban Gita are – it creates social discord; extremist in nature and hatred for other religious belief. One can only laugh at the above arguments. Some reason challenging to human intelligence would have at least given some food for thought. These arguments sound childish - sor

Kuchanur Saneeswaran Temple Sani Peyarchi Festival

Kuchanur Saneeswaran Temple at Kuchanur in Theni in Tamilnadu is a famous Shani Temple . The Sani Peyarchi Festival at this famous Navagraha Shani Temple is held for Shani Dosha Parihara. To get information devotees can contact in this telephone number – 04546-321108. This transit is observed as Sani Peyarchi Festival at Shani Temples in Tamilnadu. Kuchanur, near Chinnamanur in Theni district is one of the famous temples in south Tamil Nadu, which has a shrine exclusively for Lord Saneeswaran.   The murti is seen in the form of a linga and the shrine is based on the banks of the river Surabhi.   Devotees can obtain information about the special poojas by contacting the following number- 04546-321108.

Nithya Shanti Thoughts

Change is a wave… surf it. The basis of life is absolute freedom. The purpose of life is absolute joy. The essence of wisdom is to be aware of love. To be in awe of love. The most important aspect of all in every Genius, is the complete alignment of their whole being with their life mission. A Genius focus exclusively on thoughts that strengthen that mission. They mentally cancel all other ideas immediately, and persistently. Nithya Shanti is an inspirational speaker, writer Related Teachings from Subhashitas

Kamal Nabhi at Kurukshetra

Located at Kurukshetra in Haryana, Kamal Nabhi Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu and Brahma. The sacred spot is associated with creation in Hindu tradition - Brahma atop lotus from navel of Vishnu. It is located near Thanesar town and is around 3 km from Kurukshetra Railway Station. As per Hindu tradition, after the great deluge, Srihari Vishnu alone floats atop a banyan leaf. Jagadamba (Goddess Shakti) appears before the Vatapatrasayi  Vishnu and reminds him that it is time for the next cycle of creation. Then from the navel of Vishnu appears a lotus with Brahma atop it . Kamal Nabhi Temple at Kurukshetra is based on this divine event. The temple has numerous images of Brahma and Vishnu. A sacred tank is located near the temple. 

Sannihit Sarovar in Kurukshetra

Sannihit Sarovar is an important sacred pond in Kurukshetra in Haryana. The belief is that it is formed by the merging of all the rivers in the world and some legend has it that seven Saraswati rivers merge here. Bathing in the Sannihit Tirth on Amavasya, or no moon day, in Hindu lunar calendar is considered highly auspicious. Legend has it that all the rivers of the world complained to Vishnu that they were polluted due to humans washing their sins in them. Vishnu as a solution asked them to collect in the Sannihit Sarovar on Amavasya day and get all the sins removed. Thus Sannihit Sarovar became a holy spot for those looking for redemption of sins. There are numerous temples located near the Sarovar – the most famous among them is that of Laxminarayan Temple . Other temples are of Hanuman, Durga, Dhruv and Vishnu. There is also a Birla Mandir nearby. Sannihit Sarovar is located near the Kurukshetra Railway Station.

Bhishma Narkatari Temple at Kurukshetra

Narkatari Temple at Kurukshetra in Haryana is believed to the spot where Bhishma lied down on a bed of arrows after he was defeated by Arjuna in the battle of the Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata. There is a holy tank or Kund known as Bhishma kund and a small temple here. It is around 2 km from Thanesar on the Kurukshetra-Pehowa road. Bhishma Narkatari Temple and pond is of great significance as Arjuna brought Ganga as a spring from the ground here using his arrows to quench the thirst of Bhishma. It is at the same spot, Bhishma gave numerous advices to Yudhishtira and the other Pandavas regarding worldly conduct and how to rule to a kingdom. It is at the same spot, Bhishma finally died as he had got the boon that he will only die when he wished to die.  

Holy Ice Shivling Formed at Manali Anjani Mahadev in Himachal Pradesh

The Anjani Mahadev Temple near Solang Ski Slopes in Manali Himachal Pradesh is witnessing huge number of devotees due to the formation of a holy ice Shivling. The Shiva Lingam starts forming in the first week of November and grows by four to six inches every day and would grow up to 30 feet during the winter season. The temple is around 13 km from Manali. Times of India reports The place was discovered by Baba Prakash Puri two decades ago. A temple has now been built and several hermits live here. Manali Anjani Mahadev The Anjani Mahadev temple at Kullu is also known as  Amarnath of Kullu or Chota Amarnath. The Shivling is here formed just like the Ice Shivling formed in the famous Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir . The temple is named after Anjana mother of Lord Hanuman. The belief is that Anjani meditated here and did penance to please Shiva. She performed penance here to get Hanuman as her son. The water that flows through the mountain here turns into

Sadhguru Thoughts on Life After Death

Most people don't know how to handle their life here. Why are they pursuing life after death? What is the point? Anything that is not in your experience, there is no way to understand and analyze. This needs to be extremely clear to every individual. People are always trying to understand life after death. You cannot understand anything which is in a different dimension than you are right now. The whole effort is to move to a different dimension. If that needs to happen, first you must stop understanding. You have to see that you cannot understand, and that there is no need to understand. It is the experience which takes you out of this dimension. You cannot understand the other dimension. See, people are always talking about how God is, how heaven is. This will not lead you anywhere except to hallucinations. The only thing that you need to understand is how you are bound to your limitations. If you understand this and free yourself from those bondages, where you have to go you w

Sant Asaram Bapuji Teachings

God brings favourable circumstances in life to encourage us. He brings adversities to caution against becoming haughty; illness to teach us not to be unrestrained in diet; health to serve mankind and to know Him. Make efforts to please the Lord dwelling within you. You can never please all people having different opinions. When God within you is pleased, people will automatically be pleased with you. People, who become sad in unfavorable circumstances and happy in favorable ones, are comparable to iron. Those, who remain happy in adverse circumstances, are comparable to gold. Those, who remain in perfect equanimity in favorable or unfavorable circumstances, are like precious gems. But the rare ones, who are beyond the reach of happiness and sorrow, are the true emperors. Sant Asaram Bapuji

Brahma Sarovar at Kurukshetra in Haryana

A sacred lake, Brahma Sarovar at Kurukshetra in Haryana is believed to be spot from where Brahma created living beings on earth. It is also and important bathing spot during Surya Grahan, or Solar Eclipse. Brahma Sarovar is around 1 km from Kurukshetra Railway Station. There are two islands in Brahma Sarovar. There are numerous temples on the islands and there is holy tirth known as Chitrakupam on one of the islands. Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple , Birla Gita Mandir and Baba Sharwannath’s Temple are located here. Thousands of people take holy dip in the sarovar on the Amavasya day – no moon day – in Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that bathing on Amavasya day will help in redemption of sins. Brahma Sarovar also attracts thousands of devotees during Gita Jayanti day. Special aarti and satsangs are held during the period. Related Holy Bath in Brahma Sarover in Kurukshetra during Surya Grahan

Lakshminarayan Temple in Kurukshetra in Haryana

Lakshminarayan Temple in Kurukshetra is located on the banks of the Sannihit Sarover. The temple is located near the Sri Krishna Museum . The Laxmi Narain is a small temple but it is noted for its elegant architecture. The Temple is surrounded by temples of Dhruv Narain, Vishnu, Hanuman and Goddess Durga. The temple attracts maximum visitors during the Amavasya day. Thousands of people arrive to take bath at the Sannihit pond and worship in the temples on the banks of it.

Dasamahavidya Pictures on Ganjifa Cards

Dasamahavidya is the ten forms of Goddess Shakti worshipped in Hindu Tradition. The game of Ganjifa Cards was very popular in ancient India . The cards contain hand painted images of Dasamahavidyas and also image of Shiva. You can view and download Dasamahavidyas Pictures on GanjifaCards here at ignca website.

Jyotisaras – Place where Bhagavad Gita was narrated in the Kurukshetra

Jyotisaras is a holy place located near Kurukshetra in Haryana and it is believed that the Bhagavad Gita was narrated by Sri Krishna to Arjuna here. A Vat Vriksha, a banyan tree, believed to be more than 8000 years is worshipped here. Jyotisaras is located on the Pehowa – Kurukshetra Road and is around 5 km from Kurukshetra. It was at Jyotisaras, Krishna showed the Virat Roopa. The Banayan Tree standing here is witness to the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata. It was also lucky to listen to the Gita and also witness the Virat Roopa. Today one can see a marble chariot depicting Arjuna and Krishna . There is also a mango shaped pond. Another highlight is an old Shiva Temple .

Swami Chidananda Website with His Teachings in Writings, Audio and Videos

Swami Chidananda Saraswati (1916 – 2008) was the president of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh – associated with the Swami Sivananda Ashram. The Divine life society has created an official website of Swami Chidananda with his teachings in writing, audio and video formats. The website also includes some rare pictures of Swami Chidanandaji. If you are new to the teachings of Swami Chidananda Saraswati. This is it in nutshell… Divine consciousness is ever present, ever free, ever full and ever complete. This is what you are! Live in the light of his awareness with every breath and every step, with joy and with enthusiasm. No matter how thick is the covering of the clouds, the Sun shines brilliantly always. – Swami Chidananda Saraswati. You can visit the official website here – Chidananda

Kalbadevi Yatra and Festival in Mumbai

Kalbadevi Yatra and Festival is held annually to the Kalbadevi temple in Mumbai. It is annually held on Margashirsha Amavasya day as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Maharashtra . Kalbadevi Yatra 2024 date is December 30. Goddess Kalbadevi is also known as Mumbadevi and is believed that she was the presiding deity of the Mumbai region and was worshipped by Kolis. The annual yatra and festival attracts thousands of people the Kalbadevi Temple . Kalbadevi Temple is the oldest Temple in Mumbai and was relocated twice to accommodate the needs of the growing Mumbai metropolis. Currently it is located at the Zaveri Bazaar in South Mumbai .

Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple at Kurukshetra in Haryana

An ancient temple, Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is located at Thaneshwar in Kurukshetra in Haryana. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. The temple is small but unique and it is believed that Pandavas before the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata took the blessings of Shiva here. Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is around 2km from the Kurukshetra Railway Station. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Shivling and the place is famous as Pandavas visited the shrine. A water tank is located near the temple and the water in it is believed to have medicinal properties. Legend has it that many people including King Bana had got cured from leprosy after sprinkling the water from the tank. Many believe that a visit to Kurukshetra is incomplete without having the darshan of Sthaneshwar Mahadev. You do the puja of Shivling directly – a Nandi sits facing the Shivling. 

Pehowa Tirth near Kurukshetra in Haryana – Saraswati River is Visible Here

Pehowa is a holy place located near Kurukshetra in Haryana. It is around 27 km from Kurukshetra. The small pond here is believed to be River Saraswati which has gone underground. Shradh for those people who were killed or died in accidents are performed here. The pond is surrounded by numerous temples. The Tirth is also known as Prithudhak Teerth. It is believed that taking a holy dip in this Tirth will help in attaining Moksha. Shradh, Tarpan and other rituals are performed here for those who met with unnatural death. It is believed that souls of such people get peace due to the rituals performed here. Legend has it that King Prithu performed the last rites of his father here on the banks of Saraswati River . Thus children come here to perform the Shradh of their father. This is also a rare place with a temple dedicated to River Saraswati.

Kurukshetra Temples and Sacred Spots - Haryana

Kurukshetra is the place where Sri Krishna advised Arjuna in the Mahabharata and this unparalleled conversation came to be known as Bhagavad Gita. Kurukshetra is also the place where the Mahabharata war took place.  Kurukshetra is a large place and there are numerous temples, tirths and sacred spots most of them associated with the Mahabharata. These sacred places are today found in Kurukshetra, Karnal and Kaithal District. Some of the important temples and sacred spots any visitor should visit are: Brahma Sarovar – The Lake – Brahma Sarovar – here is famous for taking holy dip during Surya Grahan, the solar eclipse. There are two islands in the lake with temples and sacred spots. Sannihit Sarovar – The pond here is formed by the merging of seven rivers. Worshipping and taking a holy dip on Amavasya is considered sacred. Lakshmi Narayana Temple – Located on the banks of the Sannihitha Pond. It is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Vishnu. Thaneswar – Popular

Chandra Kavacha in Hindi in pdf format

Chandra Kavacha is a popular prayer dedicated to Chandra, the moon god in Hinduism. This particular Chandra Kavach Stotra is in Hindi and is in pdf format. You can download it for free. The prayer is chanted for peace and to get relief from skin diseases. Those having Chandra Dasha period in their horoscope chant this Kavacham for protection Link  -  Chandra Kavach Stotra in Hindi in pdf