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Showing posts from August 13, 2013


Ooty Mariamman Temple

Ooty Mariamman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, Goddess Kali and Goddess Katteri. Ooty Mariamman Temple festival is a major car festival in the region. Goddess is taken out in procession in various forms - Durga, Kamakshi, Parvathi, Meenkshi, Rajarajeswari, Heddhai Amman and Bhagavathi. Ooty Mariamman Temple Goddess Durga represents three powers – Itcha Shakti, Gnana Shakti and Kriya Shakti.  Mari, Kali and Katteri represent the three Shaktis in the temple. It is very rare that all the three Shaktis are present in a single temple. Goddess Kali is not her furious form in the temple. She is calm and benign. The temple is unique as the Navgrahas in the temple are present with their consorts. Devotees offer black sari, cradles and lamps in the temple. Annadanam is another important offering made in the temple. Mother blesses devotees with good health. Prayers offered to childless couples. Mudikayiru, a special thread, prepared with Mantras in the Ka

On Mind – Teachings form Hindu Scriptures and Teachers

Teachings form Hindu Scriptures and Teachers on Mind The mind alone is the cause of bondage and freedom. When associated with sense objects it leads to bondage; when dissociated from them it leads to liberation. (Amritabindu Upanishad) The turbulent senses violently carry away the mind of even a wise man striving for perfection. (Bhagavad Gita, 2.60) We should put our minds on things; they should not draw our minds to them. We are usually forced to concentrate. Our minds are forced to become fixed upon different things by an attraction in them which we cannot resist. To control the mind, to place it just where we want it, requires special training. It cannot be done in any other way. (The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 6.39) The natural tendency of the mind is to run this way or that. Through japa it is directed to God. (Holy Mother Sarada Devi) Bondage is of the mind; freedom too is of the mind. If you say, ‘I am a free soul. I am a son of God! Who can