Talk about Onam in Kerala and one of the first images that come to mind is that of the flower bed or floral (designs) arrangements known as Pookalam or Athapookalam. Onam Pookalam year 2006 designs are given below. The traditional Onapookalam usually consists of ten rings indicating the ten day ritual during the ten day celebrations of Onam which begins on Atham and ends on Thiru Onam in the month of Chingam (August – September). Onam 2006 Pookalam Photos Related Onam Pookalam 2005

Panchamrut is a unique offering made for Gods especially by Hindus during important puja, festivals, and rituals like Diwali etc. Here is a brief recipe of Panchamrut prepared by Marathi and Hindi speaking people. The recipe prepared using equal quantity of honey, ghee, sugar, yogurt and milk. The above said five ingredients are mixed properly. It is first offered as Prasad or naivedya to deities worshipped in home. Later it is distributed among family members, friends and neighbors. Please note that the Panchamrut in the famous Palani Temple in Tamil Nadu in South India is made using an entirely different set of ingredients.

The festival of light, Diwali, is one of the biggest festivals of India . Celebrated in the Kartik Month (October – November) every year, it remains that time of the year when everyone irrespective of his or her busy schedule, takes out time to clean the whole house, and decorate it in a manner so that it looks fresh and beautiful. There is no denying the fact that the whole process of giving a facelift to the house is a time consuming task. However, if you are too tied up with your work and don't have the time to renovate the home before the festival, here are some of the tips to quickly make your home look special and sparkling new. One at a Time… Cleaning every corner of the house before Diwali makes one feel good, however it needs lots of effort and time. Taking up one room everyday can lessen this hassle. Just take out little time from your schedule and clean one division of the home everyday. This will reduce the exertion and on the Diwali you can just concentrate ...

Popular Diwali messages and sayings: This Diwali let us give thanks for all we hold dear: Our health, our family, our friends and to the grace of God which never ends. Let us release our grudges, anger and pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us vow to live each day in the most pious, God-conscious way. Let us vow to serve all who are in need, regardless of race, caste, gender or creed. Let us vow to keep Lord in our heart, to chant His name each day at the start. Let us vow to lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth, and from wrong to right. And let us vow to remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none. May this Diwali be filled with prosperity and peace, and love and joy which doesn't cease. May you have success in all you do. And may God's blessings be showered upon you.

Important photographs of Pookalam in 2005. Talk about Onam in Kerala and one of the first images that come to mind is that of the flower bed or floral (designs) arrangements known as Pookalam or Athapookalam. Onam Pookalam 2005 designs are given below. The traditional Onapookalam usually consists of ten rings indicating the ten day ritual during the ten day celebrations of Onam which begins on Atham and ends on Thiru Onam in the month of Chingam (August – September).  Related Onam Pookalam 2004 Onam Pookalam 2006

The Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore is the oldest Hindu temple in the city-state, and its popularity is attributed to several key factors: 1. Historical Significance Oldest Hindu Temple : Established in 1827, the Sri Mariamman Temple holds the distinction of being the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, giving it a deep historical and cultural significance. Cultural Heritage : As a symbol of the Tamil community's cultural heritage, it represents the history and contributions of Indian immigrants in Singapore. 2. Architectural Marvel Dravidian Style : The temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture, characterized by its intricate sculptures and vibrant gopuram (tower), which attract tourists and architecture enthusiasts. Restoration and Preservation : The temple has undergone several restorations, maintaining its grandeur and historical integrity, which continues to draw visitors. 3. Religious Importance Deity Worship : The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, known...

In Hinduism, crafting and creating through activities like crocheting can serve as a spiritual practice, promoting mindfulness, inner peace, and self-realization. The act of crocheting may seem like a simple hobby, but from a spiritual perspective, it aligns with several key principles of Hindu philosophy, such as karma yoga (the path of selfless action), dhyana (meditation), and bhakti (devotion). Here are the spiritual benefits and holistic impacts of crocheting within the context of Hinduism: 12 Spiritual Benefits of Crocheting: Mindfulness and Presence (Dhyana) : Crocheting involves repetitive, rhythmic movements that require focus and concentration, fostering mindfulness. It helps one stay in the present moment, a concept aligned with dhyana or meditation in Hinduism. This process helps in quieting the mind and brings clarity of thought. Karma Yoga (Selfless Action) : In Hinduism, performing actions without attachment to results is emphasized. Crocheting gifts or items for oth...

Markandeya Utsav is annually observed in Margashirsh month. There is not much information about this festival and where it is held as there are two town named Kudal in Maharashtra. Markandeya Utsav 2025 date is December 11. Markandeya Utsav is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waxing phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Yellamma Devi Yatra is organized in Margashirsh month. It is an important fair and festival at Yellamma Devi Temple at Gavhan Village near Tasgaon in Maharashtra. The annual ritual attracts hundreds of devotees. Yellamma Devi Yatra 2025 date is December 11. Yellamma Devi is popular rural deity in certain regions of Maharashtra. She is a village deity and also a family deity. People from nearby villages and towns participate in the jatra. Yellamma Devi is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waxing phase of moon in Margashirsh  month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Important photographs of Pookalam in 2004. Talk about Onam in Kerala and one of the first images that come to mind is that of the flower bed or floral (designs) arrangements known as Pookalam or Athapookalam. Onam Pookalam 2004 designs are given below. The traditional Onapookalam usually consists of ten rings indicating the ten day ritual during the ten day celebrations of Onam which begins on Atham and ends on Thiru Onam in the month of Chingam (August – September).  Onam Pookalam Photos 2004 Below are photos of pookalams made by various cultural organizations.  Click on the images for a larger view . Related Onam Pookalam 2005

Soan is located on the banks of Godavari River in Adilabad District in Telangana. There are numerous Hindu temples and sacred places located at Soan especially near the Godavari River. The banks of Godavari River here is known as 'Pinda Pradanam' center. This is because for centuries 100 Madhva Brahmin families residing here have been practicing the religious rites on the banks of the river. Taking a holy dip and performing shradh, tarpan and pinda daan to ancestors in Godavari River at Soan is considered highly meritorious. Thousands of devotees take dip here during auspicious days. The spot attracts a huge crowd during the Godavari Pushkaram, which is held once in twelve years. The most famous Hindu temple located at Soan is the Lakshmi Venkateshwara Swami Temple – dedicated to Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Dattanand Swami Mutt located at Soan attracts hundreds of devotees daily. Soan is located in Nirmal Mandal and Nirmal town is around 12 km from here. ...

Masanikamma Temple at Periyapatna in Karnataka is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti. She is worshipped here as Goddess Masanikamma. The temple attracts devotees from all regions in Karnataka and from neighboring Kerala and Tamil Nadu states. She is worshiped by devotees to get rid of evil. She is also a fertility deity. Legend has it that a girl who worshiped a particular form of Mother Goddess was harassed by her family. Unable to tolerate the attitude of the family especially of her father, she jumped into a boiling limestone and got melted. The fishermen who saw the incident worshiped her. A voice in the heaven asked them to worship her as she will bring peace and prosperity. After a few days a murti (idol) appeared from the limestone and she was known as Urimasani. She later became Masanikamma. Later on many kings of the region had the fortune of getting help from her in battles. She was thus worshipped before going into battles. The kings who became devotees of her...

Panchamrit Snan is a unique Hindu ritual performed by Hindus. Food Samagri are offered to Gods in the ritual. In Panchamrit Snan, five puja samagri are poured on the small idol or murti of gods. The five items that are used in Panchamrit Snan Milk Yoghurt Honey Ghee and Sugar First milk yoghurt is offered, then honey, then ghee, then sugar and finally milk. Only very small quantity of the above said ritual are used in the Snan.

Lotus Flower is one of the most popular symbols in Hindu religion. It is believed that Lord Brahma emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu sitting on a lotus. Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of learning, is shown sitting on a lotus. Lotus flower is a symbol of eternity, plenty and good fortune and Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, is usually depicted with a lotus flower. The symbolism of Lotus flower is mentioned in the 5th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna: One who does all work as an offering to the Lord, abandoning attachment to the results, is as untouched by sin (or Karmic reaction) as a lotus leaf is untouched by water. (5.10). Thus Lotus is a symbol of purity and enlightenment amid ignorance (the smutty swamps in which it grows). Lotus in spite of being in water never gets wet. It is not bothered about its surrounding but it blooms and performs its job and vanishes. The ultimate aim of living beings is to perform its karma without bother...

Diwali is one of the most special times of the year. There are several Diwali ideas and activities for of kids, school goers, children – preschoolers – kindergarten. The best way to introduce Diwali festival is by making clay diyas or lamps. Get some good clay. Demonstrate to children how to make environment friendly diyas or clay lamps. Talk to them about the importance of lamp in Diwali festival. You can teach them to make simple and small Diwali lanterns. Various small decoration pieces for Diwali using paper. A painting on Diwali. A painting of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman returning to Ayodhya on the Pushpak Vimana, or flying machine, with people lighting lamps. This can be a real fun activity for children as they can imagine flying machine and each can create a different one. Additional Update Information:   1. Diwali Crafts a. Paper Lanterns (Kandils): Materials: Colored paper, glue, scissors, string. Activity: Cut and fold the paper into lantern sh...

Cranberries, though not native to India, can be viewed through a spiritual lens in Hinduism when we explore their energy, symbolism, and potential alignment with Ayurvedic principles. The idea of food influencing one’s spiritual and physical health is deeply ingrained in Hindu beliefs. Many fruits and herbs are valued for their sattvic (pure) nature, enhancing clarity of mind, purity of soul, and physical health. Below are the spiritual benefits, practical applications, and holistic connections that cranberries can have in this context: 1. Promotes Satvik Energy: Spiritual Benefit: In Hinduism, foods that promote a peaceful, clear mind and a balanced state of being are termed "Satvik." Cranberries, being light and refreshing, have the potential to fit into a Sattvic diet. They help maintain balance in the body and cleanse the system of toxins, contributing to sattvic living. Day-to-day Solution: Incorporate cranberry juice or raw cranberries into your diet to purify the bod...

Story of Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama, is from epic Ramayana. The story involving Sage Gautama and Ahalya is found in the Bala Kanda chapter of Ramayan. Bhagavan Sri Ram touches a stone near the Ashram of Sage Gautama and it suddenly turns into a woman. This was Ahalya who was cursed by her husband to become a stone. The unearthly beauty of Ahalya infatuated Indra, the king of demigods. He attempted to seduce her by taking the form of Sage Gautama. Ahalya did not stop the advances of Indra, although Ahalya knew it was not her husband who was approaching her. Sage Gautama, who had gone for his morning bath, suddenly returned and Indra took the form of a cat and escaped from the ashram. Sage Gautama realized through his yogic powers what had happened. He cursed his wife, turning her to stone, and put a curse on Indra as well. It is said that Indra was cursed to roam around with 1000 vaginas on his body. Later Indra did penance and turned the vaginas into eyes. Another Puran...

Deulgaon Raja Balaji Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Balaji or Lord Venkateswara. It is located at Deulgaon Raja near Jalna in Buldhana District. Shri Balaji Devasthan is around 24 km from Jalna. Legend has it that during ancient times it was impossible for the people of the region to visit the Tirupati Balaji Temple. It is said that on the request of devotees Balaji manifested here at Duelgaon Raja. Lord Venkateswara is worshipped here along with Goddess Lakshmi. The murtis are made using five precious metals. The most important festival in the temple is organized during Navratri (October) and it is known as Laleet. Huge poles are erected during the period, which falls down at the end of the festival.

Reclining idols of Ganesha are very rare and is mostly seen in paintings and sculptures. Vinayaka Chaturthi pandals give importance to sleeping form of Ganesha and is installed during the festival. There are some symbolisms associated with Sleeping Idol of Ganesha. The popular belief is that reclining pose of Ganesha symbolizes wealth, luxury, comfort and prosperity.  In such murtis, Ganesha reclines on a pillow. Sleeping murti of baby Ganesha is very popular but it is not worshipped. Reclining and sleeping pose Ganesh is rarely worshipped in homes.

Diwali is not widely celebrated in Kerala. In Kerala, Deepavali is observed to commemorate the killing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. Diwali in Kerala in 2025 is on October 20. This is observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi in Tula Masam as per traditional Malayalam Calendar mostly a day before Diwali in North India. The only ritual that is followed in Kerala during Diwali is ritualistic bathing in the early morning hours by applying oil on head and on the body. Lighting of crackers is another ritual that is enthusiastically done in many regions in Kerala.  

Sage Bhrigu’s curse on Agni narrates how Agni came to devour everything that is there on earth. Sage Bhrigu married Puloma who was  famous for beauty. Beauty of Puloma was also admired by a demon. Puloma knew about the demon’s intention but she did not care about it. Years went by and once the demon happened to see Puloma but he could not recognize her. He enquired to a sage standing nearby as to who the woman was? The sage was Agni in disguise. When the demon understood it was puloma, he wanted to know where he can see and talk to her. The sage replied that she can be seen and talked to only if Sage Bhrigu allows and for this you have to go to the ashram of Sage Bhrigu. The old desire was reignited and the demon decided to kidnap Puloma. Puloma was pregant at this time and when the demon tried to forcefully take her away, the child fell from her womb. The boundless light that appeared from the baby annhilated the demon. Sage Bhrigu who realized that...

Bommghatta Hanuman Temple is popularly known as Hulikunteraya or Hulikunteswamy Temple. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Ram Bhakt Hanuman. The temple is located about 80 km from Bellary, 23 km from Kudligi and 55 km from Hampi. Legend has it that the murti of Hanuman worshipped in temple was discovered by a cowherd, named Bommaiah, in a grass bush. As the murti was found under the bush of grass on the banks of a water tank, the murti has been named as Hulikunteswamy. It is said that the murti was hidden in a grass for long time. Then a divine cow and calf joined among the cows of a cowherd. The cow started giving large quantity of milk. But one day it started giving milk. The cowherd then noticed that the cow was shedding her milk near a bush. When the cow realized that the cowherd had seen her shedding milk it disappeared. The cowherd then checked the area and found the divine murti of Hanuman. There are murtis of Shiva, Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Anjaneya and Garuda ...

Budhi Diwali festival at Nirmand Village in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is observed from Margashirsha Amavasya for three days. In 2025, Budhi Diwali is on November 20. This is the no moon day in the next month after the Diwali. Also known as Dark Diwali, Budhi Diwali is observed because the villagers here believe that the news of Sri Ram returning to Ayodhya reached late in the remote villages in the region. Bonfires are lit on the nights of the festival and people sing and dance on stories in the Mahabharata. Hindustan Times reports  Pritam Dev, a resident of Nirmand village, said in the district, the festival was celebrated to commemorate the killing of the demons, Dano and Asur, who resided there in form of snakes. “Buddhi Diwali festival is our rich cultural heritage, which reminds our epic culture of Ramayana, besides adopting modernity in the festival,” said another resident Joginder Shukla. “According to the ritual, in day time people dance in long chain accord...

Diwali is the most popular festival associated with Hindu religion. Diwali 2025 date in Maharashtra – Mumbai – Pune - Nashik is October 21. Diwali literally means ‘an array of lamps’ and symbolizes the removal of spiritual darkness and the ushering in of knowledge capable of realizing Brahman (That) – the Supreme Being present in all living and nonliving. Diwali Dates In 2025 In Maharashtra Govatsa Dwadashi and Vasubaras on October 17 Dhanteras  or Dhantrayodashi or Yamadeepdaan  is on October 18 Narak Chaturdashi on October 20 Diwali on October 20 Lakshmi Puja on October 21 Abhyang Snan - October 21 Govardhan Puja – October 22 Annakut - October 22 Abhyang Snan - October 22 Diwali Padwa – October 22 Bali Pratipada – October 22 Bhau Beej – October 23 Yama Dwitiya – October 23 Diwali is celebrated by all Hindu communities but the reasons and legends differ from place to place and from community to community. The most important legend associated with...

In Hinduism, the use of natural oils and ingredients, including crude oil, is often connected with holistic health and spiritual well-being. While crude oil (in its raw, industrial form) is not typically used directly on the skin in traditional Hindu practices, the reference to "oil" in Hindu rituals might be associated with natural oils like sesame oil, mustard oil, coconut oil, and castor oil, which have spiritual and healing significance. For this context, we can discuss the spiritual and holistic benefits of using natural oils for skin care in Hindu traditions and how they affect the body, mind, and soul. This expanded approach offers more alignment with spiritual and practical well-being in day-to-day life. 12 Benefits of Using Natural Oils for Skin in Hinduism Cleansing Negative Energies : In Hinduism, oil massages or "Abhyanga" are an integral part of the purification process. Massaging the body with oil helps in removing negative energies accumulated in the ...

Diwali Puja Vidhi in pdf is an edited version of the Hindi Diwali Lakshmi Puja provided by Gurutva Jyothish Kariayalaya. The most important puja performed on Diwali is the Lakshmi Puja dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of prosperity, luck and wealth. Legend has it that Goddess Lakshmi visits each home on the day. People perform Lakshmi Puja on the day for peace, prosperity, material wealth and spiritual wealth. The popular belief is that Goddess Lakshmi visits homes on the day and she is welcomed by keeping the premises clean and neat. Link  –  Diwali Puja Vidhi in pdf Related How to perform Lakshmi Puja on Diwali in English?

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant festivals in India, celebrated with immense joy and fervor across various communities. Its origins are steeped in ancient history and mythology, making it a festival rich in cultural and spiritual meaning. The festival's history is deeply intertwined with various narratives and legends, each adding to the diverse tapestry of its celebration. Diwali in the Treta Yuga According to Hindu mythology, Diwali's origins trace back to the Treta Yuga, an era when Bhagavan Sri Ram is believed to have walked the earth. It is said that Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, during which he vanquished the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The citizens of Ayodhya, in their joy, illuminated the city with oil lamps, thus originating the tradition of lighting diyas (lamps) during Diwali. Regional Variations: North and South India While the story of Lord Rama is predominant...