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Showing posts from September 19, 2013


Khadga and Khetaka – Sword and Shield in the Hands of Hindu Gods

Khadga, Sword, and Khetaka, Shield, are found in the hands of several Hindu Gods especially Goddess Durga. Sword is found in the hands of Vishnu and other deities. Khetaka is limited to few deities. Khadga is either long or short and is either single-edged or double-edged. It has a handle. Khetaka is either circular or quadrangular and has a handle at the back to hold it. Sometimes symbols are engraved on the face of the shield. The sword of Vishnu is known as Nandaka. Khetaka is always found in the images of Durga when Durga is depicted as having eight or more arms.

Siddhidatri Mantra – Goddess Siddhidatri Mantra in Hindi

Siddhidatri Mantra is chanted on the ninth day of Navratri (September – October). There are four Goddess Siddhidatri Mantra and they are in Hindi. The four mantras are Mool, Dhyan, Stotra and Kavach. The popular belief is that chanting this mantra will help in attaining wealth and peace. The prayer is also chanted for good health and wish fulfillment. A devotee can chant any of the mantras. He can also put them into any combination and chant. Like some people chant Mool and Dhyan or Mool and Kavach. Most devotees only chant the Mool Mantra.             Mool Mantra Dhyan Mantra Stotra Kavach Mantra

No Stones but Fruits and Flowers – Barahi Devi Temple Stone Throwing Ritual

It is an ancient ritual – the stone throwing ritual at the Barahi Devi Temple in Uttarakhand. The ritual is known as Bagwal and is annually held on the Raksha Bandhan day. Barahi Devi Temple is located in Devidhura Towan in Champawat District in Uttarakhand. Goddess Barahi Devi is a manifestation of Goddess Durga. Devotees decided to stop throwing stones as it caused serious injuries. Instead of stones they used locally available fruits and flowers. Times of India reports The devotees replaced stones with flowers and fruits. They hurled fruits like locally grown round shaped pears, apples and flowers at each other in the battle fought among different local devotee groups within temple premises.  Old-timers of the ritual who had witnessed the serious injuries caused by the stone pelting welcomed the move and called it historic. "The way all the participants used fruits and flowers instead of stones during 10-minute battle has really come a big pleasant change and it will