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Showing posts from December 22, 2014


Gandhamadana Mountain - The Abode Of Kubera

Gandhamadana Mountain is frequently mentioned in the Hindu scriptures, especially the Puranas. It is the abode of Kubera and Yakshas. The mountain gets its name from the fragrant and healing herbs that grow on it. In the Mahabharata it is mentioned that on the slopes of Gandhamadana lives saints, siddhas and semi divine beings like Gandharvas, Apsaras, Kinnaras and Kim Purushas. One legend has is that Hanuman brought a piece of the mountain to Rameswaram. The palace of Kubera is located atop the mountain. A beautiful description of the mountain is found in the Mahabharata. Some scriptures give the suggestion that the mountain is located near Mount Kailash . Some scriptures especially the Puranas indicate the location to be in the present day Garhwal Himalayas. Some scriptures suggest that River Mandakini and Alaknanda flow on its slopes. The mountain is also found in the literary works of Kalidasa and Bana. In Kalidasa’s Vikramorvasiyam it is ment

Back To Traditional Roots – Marriage in Hindu Temples is on the Rise in Tamil Nadu

Marriages were earlier held in Hindu Temples but there was a break in tradition when people opted for wedding halls or huge marriage halls. But once again many young couples are opting for marriages in ancient Hindu temples. The Hindu reports “This generation thinks differently,” says Jothi Mahalingam, manager at the Pallava-period Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple, Triplicane. “People these days like to go back to their traditional roots.” Mahalingam, who has been with the temple for 32 years, adds that, people believe that married life will be prosperous if it begins in a temple, and in the last eight years he has seen a steady increase in the number of weddings conducted here. “To have a wedding at the temple, there are several rules and regulations,” says the man at the ticket counter at Sri Kapaleeshwar temple. “You will need to submit birth certificates, address proof, age proof, a tahsildar-attested document stating that it is the first marriage for both bride and groom, an