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Showing posts from December, 2012


Pushya Abhishek 2025 at Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha

Pushya Abhishek is an important annual ritual performed at the world famous Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha in Paush month. Pushya Abhishek 2025 date is January 15. It is observed on the Pushya Nakshatra day in Paush month – it coincides with Paush Purnima or the full moon day in the month. Abhishek means ‘to shower’. The day is the ceremonial crowning of Lord Jagannath. He is the made the king on the day. The belief is that Trimurtis, Gods, Devas and Saints arrive to witness the Pushya Abhishek. There is a belief that the Trimurtis, Gods, Devas and Saints assembled near the sea at Puri. Therefore the sea is also worshipped on the day. It is also believed that it is a rare opportunity in a calendar year to pray to all the gods at a single holy spot. On the day special pujas are observed for peace and prosperity of all the living beings on the earth. The highlight of the day is the Samudra Aarti – or prayer to the sea. It is attended by thousands of devotees.

Food Eaten During Margazhi Month in Tamil Culture

Margazhi (mid December – to mid January) is a holy month in Tamil Culture and is dedicated to worship and music. Food is also an important part of Margazhi culture. Special delicacies are prepared during the month. The Hindu has created a video on the traditional food prepared during the period. You can watch the video here on youtube.

T. Shankar – A Ramayana Research Scholar

No one exactly knows there are how many versions of Ramayana in the world. T. Shankar is an independent research scholar and an avid student of the Ramayana, who explores the stories in various different versions of Ramayan. Puspha Chari talks to T Shankar about the various versions of Ramayana in the The Hindu. There is only one, yet many Ramayanas have been composed through the millennia. What do you think is the reason? Valmiki’s Ramayana and the subsequent versions were written in Sanskrit. I think poets felt the need to focus on the local language to take the great epic to the people. The subsequent Ramayanas were trans-creations and, therefore, reflect changes over time. Could you tell us some of the similarities as well as the differences of the many Ramayanas? The broad story is the same. Though Valmiki is acknowledged as aadhikavi, every writer of the original Ramayana is a poet and philosopher. And every Ramayana is a master piece. As for differences, in Valmiki

Book on foods offered to Gods in Hindu Temples in India

Food offered to deities in Hindu Temples in India varies from region to region and it is impossible to write about the subject in a single book as the subject matter is encyclopedic. Book titled ‘Bhog: Temple Food of India ’ attempts to explore the various types of food offered to deities in some of the important temples in India . The book is written and published by by Geeta and Arun Budhiraja. One of the highlights of the book is the images of the various divine food and the recipe. The book is priced at Rupees 3900/-. You can find more about the book and how to order it online here at the official website.

Akanda Deepa Vrata

Akanda Deepa Vrata is performed for prosperity by devotees. The main ritual involves keeping a diya (deepa or traditional lamp) lit for an entire Hindu lunar month. The Vrat begins on the first day of a Hindu lunar month – the day after Purnima in calendars followed in North India . In other regions, it is the day after Amavasya. The Akhanda Deepa is lighted on the first day. The lamp is either made of bronze or brass. The medium used to burn the lamp is cow ghee. A single diya is lit. Once lit the devotee keeps the lamp burning till the end of month (first day after Purnima to Purnima or first day after Amavas to Amavas). Each day pujas and offerings are made to the lamp. The puja involves meditation, offering simple flowers and a single fruit. On the last day of the puja, lamps are lit around the house. A puja involving family members, relatives, friends and neighbors are held. Any sweet dish is prepared and distributed as Prasad after offering to the diya. It i

New Big Hanuman Murti (Idol) at Mysore - Karya Siddhi Hanuman in Mysore

Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashrama in Mysore is preparing to consecrate a big murti of Hanuman – Karya Siddhi Hanuman idol – in Mysore . The Hanuman murti is 42 feet tall and is place on a 30 feet pedestal. The pedestal stands on Karyasiddhi Hanuman Sannidhi ( Temple ). The murti is chiseled out from a 200-tonne Grey Granite Rock. The reason for making the Hanuman Murti: Sri Ganapathy Sashichidananda Swami, the ashram chief, said - People who have faith in Hindu scriptures believe that their wishes will be fulfilled with the darshan of Hanuman. This urge of devotees made me do this. Some details about the Murti: It took 10 months for 18 sculptors to carve the murti. Subramanya Achar from Kurnool , Andhra Pradesh, headed the work. The murti is installed on a 30-feet high pedestal. The pedestal itself is on an octagonal temple. A 5-feet tall saffron Hanuman murti has also been erected to facilitate puja.

Spiritual Values to Be Developed – Bhagavad Gita

Humility, unpretentiousness, non-injury, forbearance, uprightness, service to the teacher, purity, steadiness, self-control. (Chapter 13, verse 7) The renunciation of sense objects, and also absence of egoism; reflection on the evils of birth, death, old age, sickness, and pain. (Chapter 13, verse 8) Non-attachment, non-identification of self with son, wife, home, and the rest, and constant even-mindedness in the occurrence of the desirable and the undesirable. (Chapter 13, verse 9) Unswerving devotion to Me by the Yoga of non-separation, resorting to sequestered places, distaste for the society of men. (Chapter 13, verse 10) Constant application to spiritual knowledge, understanding of the end of true knowledge: this is declared to be knowledge, and what is opposed to it is ignorance. (Chapter 13, verse 11)

Book – Sri Muruga – Legend, Short Stories and Worship

Book titled Sri Muruga – Legend, Short Stories and Worship by Rahul Kabade is an attempt to provide a simple and good understanding of Muruga – Son of Shiva. One of the most popular deities worshiped in Hindu pantheon in South India . Muruga is Kumaraguru – the child guru who explained the greatness of ‘OM.’ Muruga is known as Kartik in North India and western parts of India . He is popularly known as Murugan, Skanda, Sharavana and Subrahmanya in South India . The book gives a proper understanding regarding the incarnation of Muruga. Importance and meaning of the various names of Muruga like Shanmukha, Subrahmanya, Karthikeya, Guha Velayudha, Swaminatha and their meaning are explored. Stories associated with Muruga. His war against Tarakasura and Surapadma are detail. Important saints of Murugan tradition are introduced to readers. Temples of Muruga including the   Aaru-padai Veedu, six abodes of Muruga are detailed. Festivals, rituals, worship and importance

Chandeshwar – Shiva as Chandeshwara

Chandeshwar is one of the manifestations of God Shiva. Chandeshwara is a kind and benevolent aspect of Shiva. Chandeshwar is also one among the Shivlings mentioned in the Kashi Khand. The term is also used to refer to an attendant of Shiva who is believed to have been a cowherd. It is stated that one who worships Chandeshwar Shivling will not have rebirth and will escape from all dangers and worries. Chandeshwar in human form is depicted as sitting on a lotus-throne. He holds arrow, axe, bow, club, hatchet, noose, rosary, trident and water jar. Snakes are also associated with Chandeshwar form. Chandeshwar Shivling Temple in Varanasi is located near the Bhishma Chandi Devi Temple on the Cariappa Marg in Sadar Bazar locality. Chandeshwar temples are also located in Karnataka and Goa .

English Book – Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Solution of Life Problems – Download for Free

Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Solution of Life Problems is a commentary on Bhagavad Gita credited to Bengali Baba and was published in 1944. The book is currently available for free download in pdf format at the website of the Central Archaeology Library in  New Delhi . The book is a commentary of the Bhagavad Gita in English with emphasis given on how the teaching in the Gita helps in solving problems in life. Link – You can download the book here from ASI website -  Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Solution of Life Problems  (please note that in the link click on the pdf view to download the book) The pdf file size is 58.2 MB. You will need a pdf reader installed to read the book.

Bhagavad Gita in Bengali in mp3 audio for free download

This Bhagavad Gita mp3 audio in Bengali is provided by the Yatharth Geeta website. Each 18 chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is divided into different mp3 files. The translation and explanation in Bengali is provided by Shri Paramahansji Maharaj. The size of the files vary from 20 MB to 44 MB. You will have to download several files to get the complete Bhagavad Gita with commentary in Bengali. Each chapter is divided into two separate files. All eighteen chapters are available for download. You can download Bhagavad Gita MP3 in Bengali here at yatharth geeta .

Kakatiya Festival – Warangal Ramappa Temple 800th Anniversary Celebration

The 800th anniversary celebration of the Warangal Ramappa Temple known as the Kakatiya Festival will be held from December 21, 2012. Also known as Ramalingeshwara Temple , the temple is dedicated to Shiva and is a classic example of Kakatiya Dynasty architecture. The year long celebrations will mark 800 th anniversary of construction of Ramappa temple. The Hindu reports Inaugural functions of the celebrations will be organised for three days from December 21 at archaeological sites of Kakatiyas at Warangal --Thousand-Pillar temple and Warangal Fort besides, Ramappa temple. The celebrations will also be held at other important places, which form part of Kakatiya Empire.

Benefits of Wearing Pearl Ring – Moti Stone

Pearl , or Moti, in Hindu astrology is associated with moon or Chandra. One of main benefits of wearing pearl ring as per astrologers is that it helps in attaining peace of mind and it also helps in controlling the anger. Moti stone is usually etched into gold or silver ring. There is also widespread belief that pearl helps in curing heart and stomach diseases. Other benefits include: Increases the concentration power Respectable position in the society Increase of wealth Helps in improving the function of heart. Helps in curing stomach related ailments. Helps in improving relation between husband and wife. Shudh Moti or Pure Pearl helps in attaining wealth and blessing of Goddess Lakshmi. Yellow colored pearl is also worn for attaining wealth Red color pearl is worn to improve intelligence and attain more wisdom. White colored moti is worn to improve social status Blue colored pearl is worn to fulfill desires related to senses.

Upanishad Ganga Serial on DVD – Buy Online

The path-breaking Upanishad Ganga Serial currently aired on Doordarshan is available in DVD format at Shemaroo stores. You can also buy the DVD online at Shemaroo. The first volume of DVD released has the first 17 episodes of the serial. Upanishad Ganga is a 52-episode television series produced by Chinmaya Mission and directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. Upanishads are the source of all the teachings of Sanatana Dharma. Features of the DVD Volume 1, Episodes 1-17 includes: Option for English subtitles Synopses  Compilation of Sanskrit verses with transliteration & translation in English from each episode Compilation of resources including books and DVDs for further reflection on the concepts from each episode Easy access to powerful scenes, songs and chants Where is it available? From all leading Shemaroo outlets throughout India . You can also buy the DVD online at Shemaroo. The DVD is priced at Rupees 999/- More information on the DVD and about the Ser

Malayalam Calendar 2001 Online – Download Kerala Calendar 2001 in jpeg format

Malayalam Calendar 2001 followed in Kerala is provided by the Deepika Newspaper. The 2001 Malayalam calendar contains important festivals in Kerala and uses Malayalam language to mention Nakshatram and festival details. This Kerala calendar of 2001 of Deepika is not in pdf format but in jpeg format. But you can save the webpage or image format and use it. You can visit the newspaper website and download it here -  Deepika Malayalam Calendar 2001. You can try this link or use the main calendar link.

Nambi Rayar Perumal Temple at Tirukurungudi in Tamil Nadu – Treasure Trove of Wooden and Stone Sculptures

Chitra Gopuram and the Main Gopuram at Nambi Rayar Perumal Temple in Tirukurungudi are famous for its wooden and stone sculptures. The temple is located at around 47 km from Palayankottai in Tamil Nadu. The temple has sculptures from stories in Bhagavad Purana. Sculptures associated with Shiva are also found on the gopurams.  Pradeep Chakravarthy writes in The Hindu   Composing forms out of other forms is a favourite theme for expert sculptors. Such sculptures are rare since it involved both imagination and flawless execution. This temple has several of them, and what is remarkable in these are the sizes, both the horse and elephant are composed of several ladies and the entire image is just one and a half feet! This is even more remarkable when we are reminded that the stone used is granite – one of the hardest stones!  Vibheeshana seeking refuge before Rama leaves for Lanka is a masterful part of the epic when Valmiki teaches us the various forms of persuasion.  Vibhe

About Hindu God Alagar

Alagar is a manifestation of Hindu God Vishnu mainly worshiped in Tamil Nadu in India . It is believed that Vishnu appeared in this form as the brother of Goddess Meenakshi (Parvathi). Legend has it that Vishnu descended from Vaikunta and appeared in the present day Alagar Koil region. He then gave his sister Meenakshi in marriage to Sundareshvara (Shiva) – the divine couple resides at Madurai Meenakshi Temple . The most famous temple dedicated to the Alagar form of Vishnu is located at around 21 km north-east of Madurai . The temple known as Alagar Koil is located on the foot of Alagar hills. Scholars are also of the view that the legend was intended to unite Shiva and Vishnu devotees. Alagar is worshiped as Kallalagar in Alagar Koil, as Kattalagar in Srivilliputtur Temple and as Koodalagar in Madurai . The murti of Algar is flanked by Bhu Devi and Shridevi. Alagar riding a horse and entering the Vaigai River is an important ritual that takes place during th

Story of Belli Saheb Who Made the Silver Chariot at Udupi Krishna Math

Late Ameer Hamza, who is fondly remembered as Belli Saheb, is the one who built the silver chariot at Udupi Sri Krishna Math. Belli Saheb has also made murtis in many temples in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. A practicing Muslim, the story of Belli Saheb is highly fascinating. Deepa Ganesh writes about the life of Belli Saheb in The Hindu They are not sure when it all started in their family, but Makbool, the older son of Ameer Hamza says his grandfather Sheikh Peeru saheb was a renowned silver craftsman. “My father’s initial lessons were from him.” But Peeru saheb mostly made huge silver utensils used in the temple. The little Hamza was in sixth standard when he had a tiff with his father. He was so upset that he ran away from home. It was sheer serendipity that he landed in Mysore . After working here and there to be able to fend for his food, he chanced upon the workshop of Subbanna Achar, who headed the team of silver and gold craftsmen in the pa

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park – Zoo at Tirupati

Koorma Nivas, Karthikeya Vanam, Mareecha Vanam, Gokulam, Chitrakooda Vanam…these are not names of places in Puranas but spots inside the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park . The Zoo at Tirupati has numerous sections that are named after Gods, places and important incidents in epics and Puranas. Thus in Koorma Nivas named after the Kurma Avatar of Vishnu you can see Turtles and Tortoises. In Karthikeya Vanam named after Muruga you can see Peacocks; in Mareecha Vanam named after demon in Ramayana you can see deers. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park has got an official website with all important details including a virtual tour, contact information, details or flora, fauna and animals etc. You can visit the official website of Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park here.

Shiva Temples in Punjab in India Practice Water Conservation

One of the important offerings in Shiva Temple is water. Devotees offer water to bathe the Shivling. With ground water levels in Punjab in India fast depleting some Shiva temples have resorted to diverting the water offered to Shivling to underground. Times of Indiareports  If in two cases head priests of temples have prepared water recharging wells to return water being offered on Shivlings to the underground water table, another priest has made a slight shift in the ritual to save water.  Interestingly, a politician played a vital role in prevailing upon religious personalities to make these environment- friendly changes at shrines and in rituals also. "Every devotee offers water on the Shivling and once BJP Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna suggested that this water should not go waste and should be recharged. We then made a water harvesting system connected to the Shivling so that after filtration water flows back into the earth," said Swami Bhagwan Dass, w

Quotes on Attachment from Hindu Scriptures and Teachers

The surest sign of a man of the highest wisdom is that he is not attracted by the pleasures of the world, for in him even the subtle tendencies have ceased. When these tendencies are strong, there is bondage; when they have ceased, there is liberation. (Yoga Vasishta) External attachment is attachment to sense objects. Internal attachment is self-identification with the ego and the modifications of the mind. The dispassionate man, absorbingly devoted to Brahman, is alone able to renounce both…He who has know the reality of Brahman cannot continue to feel attachment to this world. He who feels attachment has not known Brahman. He remains deluded and sense bound. (Adi Shankaracharya) Pitiful are those who, acting, are attached to their action’s fruits. The wise man lets go of all results, whether good or bad, and is focused on the action alone. (Bhagavad Gita) Do not cultivate too much attachment to things of the world, which appeal to carnal desires and sensual thirsts. A

Importance of Hanuman Bahuk

Hanuman Bahuk is an important prayer dedicated to Hanuman and was written by Goswami Tulsidas. It is believed that Tulsidasji wrote to prayer to cure  his shoulder pain. Once, Tulsidas had an excruciating pain in one of his shoulders. He then composed a poem extolling the glory and greatness of Hanuman. He also asked Hanumanji to cure his body ailments. Miraculously Tulsidas had relief from the pain. It is believed that chanting Hanuman Bahuk helps in curing various body pains, diseases, psychological problems, fear of ghosts etc. It is also chanted by those people who believe that their enemies are doing black magic against them. A person can chant Hanuman Bahuk daily as part of his normal prayers. Another method of chanting Hanuman Bahuk is by doing certain austerities for 40 days. On all forty days, Hanuman Bahuk is chanted in the morning. The person only eats vegetarian food. No smoking and drinking during the period. No gossips and no unnecessary talks. Chanti

Pandavas as Examples in Management Study

What if management lessons are applied to the Characters of Pandavas and Sri Krishna in the Mahabharata – Krishna as the CEO; Yudhishtir who binds together values; Bhima (outcomes); Arjun (learning); Karna (legitimacy); Nakul (process) and Shadev (purpose). An old article in Times of India compares Pandavas with modern executives:  The great Indian epic can be used to compare each of the Pandavas to managers of today with their roles, strengths, weaknesses and consequences.  The popular elective course — Spirituality for Global Managers — has management students looking at Krishna as the CEO; Yudhishtir who binds together values; Bhima (outcomes); Arjun (learning); Karna (legitimacy); Nakul (process) and Shadev (purpose). Says Ramnath Narayanaswamy, professor at IIM-B: "The Ramayana and Mahabharata are outstanding texts for all times and can be contemporised to any age. The Pandavas, Karna included, are each a great hero with a fatal flaw."  What is interesting i

Ameda Temple in Kerala That Accepts Snake Murtis (idols) from Sacred Groves

Snake worship, or Nagaradhana is very popular in Kerala. Earlier important houses in an area had a special grove dedicated to serpents which contain plants, shrubs and trees with medicinal properties. But majority of people do not want a sacred grove in their property as this reduces the value of the property in real estate market. So people are removing the Snake Murtis worshipped in the property. One temple which is currently hosting such removed murtis is the Ameda Temple in Ernakulam in Kerala. The Hindu reports  What happens when there is no one to look after them and the sacred groves (Sarpakavu) are left in the lurch? Just like there are old age homes to take care of the elderly, Ameda Temple is one of the temples that “accepts” the snake spirits of the sacred groves from places that the land owners are unable to maintain. It has the shrines dedicated to the Nagaraja and Nagayakshi along with the main deity known as Saptamathrukkal  “We try to talk to the land owners

Story Of Sage Kandu - How Passion Undid Years Of Penance In A Day?

Sage Kandu performed intense austerities to attain the ultimate goal – self realization. He built an ashram at secluded spot on the banks of Gomati River . He did Tapas by standing between five fires in summer and in winter he performed Tapas by staying in cold water. The story of Sage Kandu is found in the Brahma Purana. Indra, the King of Devas, was afraid of Sage Kandu’s asceticism as he worried that the sage would unseat him in the heaven. Indra deputed Pramolcha, an Apsara (damsel), to disturb the austerities of Sage Kandu. With the help of Kama (god of love), Vayu (wind god) and spring, Pramolcha created a perfect setting in the Ashram. Her songs disturbed the meditation of the Sage. Passion aroused in him and He took her inside the ashram. Sage Kandu used his powers to turn into a 16-year-old youth and made love to Pramolcha. Hundreds of years passed. In between Pramlocha asked permission to leave but the sage asked her stay. This continued for several

About Cherial Paintings – Nakashi Patam in Telengana and its lone practitioner

Cherial Paintings – Nakashi Patam were used by story tellers in Telengana region of India to narrate stories from the Mahabharata, Shiva Purana and Adi Purana. The stories from local legends and myths were also narrated by the storytellers with the help of Cherial paintings. The Hindu writes about this painting and its lone practitioner  Vaikuntam Nakash is today the lone practitioner of the 500-year-old Cherial painting tradition, just like his father was. His father chose to train his sons Vaikuntam and his brother. The genesis of the art form lay in wall paintings in temples and on ‘vahanas’ and gradually became part of the region’s oral narrative theatre. “We make our paintings on the instruction of the story teller and the narrative sequence. Then the story teller leaves to return after a year during which time the ‘chitrakars’ would have completed the scroll. In the olden days, the chitrakar or nakash would receive articles such as rice and dried coconut, as a fee on the