--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from January 25, 2015


Why do Hindus Break Coconut in Ganesh Temples and Before Auspicious Events?

Breaking a coconut in Hindu temples – especially in temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha - and before auspicious events and new beginning is considered highly beneficial in Hinduism. The offering of a coconut is a common offering to a deity in Hindu religion and it is distributed later as ‘prasad.’ The most important reason for offering coconut is that is the purest thing that a human being can offer to a deity. The water and the white kernel inside the coconut are the only unadulterated offering that a devotee makes to the Lord. It is not polluted as it remains covered by the hard outer shell until it is offered to the God. Lord Ganesh is the deity invoked before any auspicious event or new beginning. Coconut is one of the most favorite foods of Ganesha. This is one reason why coconut is broken during housewarming, after the purchase of new vehicle etc. Next, the breaking of coconut symbolizes the breaking of the ego. The coconut represents the human body and befo

Hindu God Vishnu with a Horse Head – Hayagriva

Hayagriva is an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu with a horse head. The main purpose of this incarnation of Vishnu was to recover the Vedas, which were stolen by Asuras or Demons. In this incarnation, Vishnu is worshipped in a human body with a horse head. An important temple where the Hayagriva murti is worshipped is the Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo in Assam . In Hindu scriptures there are two important legends relating to the incarnation of Hayagriva. The origin of Hayagriva Avatar is dealt in the ‘Shantiparva’ of Mahabharata and the Puranas. In one legend, Kashyapa Prajapati had a son named Hayagriva which means ‘one with a horse’s head.’ Through intense austerities he pleased Goddess Durga and attained the boon that he will only be killed by another Hayagriva. With this new found strength, Hayagriva started creating mayhem in the world. Devas approached Vishnu to rescue the world and he readily agreed. A terrific battle ensued between Vishnu and the de

Prabhakar Maharaj Punyatithi at Solapur

Sadguru Prabhakar Maharaj Punyatithi is annually observed in Magh month. It is the Punyatithi or death anniversary of Prabhakar Maharaj. The day is of great importance at Solapur in Maharashtra . Prabhakar Maharaj Punyatithi 2025 date is February 13. The main rituals and festivals are held at the Prabhakar Maharaj Mandir. He was one of the great saints in the Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra . Hundreds of people participate in the various prayer meetings and other programs organized on the day. Prabhakar Maharaj Punyatithi is annually observed on Magh Krishna Paksha Pratipada Tithi or the first day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .