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Showing posts from January 17, 2012


1000-year-old Shiva Nataraja Murti (Idol) in Solid Bronze in Amsterdam Museum – Highest Level on Bronze Casting in Ancient World

X-ray of a 1000-year-old Shiva Nataraja Murti (Idol) at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam revealed that it is made of solid bronze – once again proving the expertise that ancient Hindu kingdoms had in the use of metals. The dancing Shiva murti is believed to be highest level achieved on bronze casting in ancient world. It was always believed that Shiva was pure bronze but to the surprise of the researchers the aureole and the demon under Shiva’s feet too were of solid bronze.  Rijksmuseum reports  At 153 cm x 114.5 cm, the Rijksmuseum’s Shiva is the largest known bronze statue from the Chola Dynasty (9th to 12th century) kept in a museological collection outside of India . Given its weight (300 kg), the statue has always been suspected of not being hollow.  The statue was created ca. 1100 in South India . Each temple had its own set of bronze statues which were carried through the city during major temple festivals. This gives the statues their name: utsavamurti, which is Sanskri

Surya Sashti - Magh Surya Shashti 2025 Date

Surya Shashti is dedicated to Surya (the Hindu sun god) and is observed on sixth day of a fortnight in a Hindu lunar month. Vrat, pujas and rituals dedicated to Surya are performed on the day. This is the Surya Shashti in Magh month and it is observed on February 3, 2025.  Surya Shashti is observed when Sashti falls on Sunday or Ravivar. Sunday is dedicated to Sun God in Hindu tradition. Some people fast on the day till sunset others till the pujas are concluded. Gayatri Mantra and other mantras dedicated to Surya are chanted on the day. Vratas dedicated to Surya is observed on the Shasti (Sixth) and Saptami (Seventh) of lunar fortnight in different Hindu months.