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Showing posts from March 16, 2015


Story: Taking Ganga Snan or Holy Bath in Ganga River Alone is Not Enough To Get Moksha

Taking a holy dip or bath in River Ganga is one of the most important rituals in Hinduism. Millions of Hindus perform the holy Ganga Snan during auspicious days and during Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela. The ritual is performed to achieve moksha or liberation and for redemption of sins. There is an interesting story which explains that mere Ganga Snan won’t wash away the sins or help in achieving Moksha. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was traveling on earth. Goddess Parvati saw thousands of people heading towards River Ganga to take holy bath as it was an auspicious day. Goddess Parvati wondered whether all these people will attain Moksha or liberation by bathing in River Ganga. So she asked Lord Shiva – do you think all these people heading towards Ganga will attain Moksha? Lord Shiva laughed and said that only a dozen or so among them will get Moksha. Only that person who has come with devotion and pious mind will get Moksha. Only those persons who will not comm

Sita Samahit Sthal at Sitamarhi

Sita Samahit Sthal, located at Sitamarhi in Uttar Pradesh, is believed to be the spot where Mata Sita was left by Lakshman during exile and it is also believed to be place where Sage Valmiki composed the Ramayana. Sita Samahit Sthal was discovered by Swami Jitendra Nath Tirth in 1992. The place has a mound in the middle with 30 feet high four hillocks located around. Water coming from the west takes a full round of the mound and then moves towards east. The temple is located in the middle of a pond and is surrounded by trees. The temple is made out of marble and is nearly 80 feet high. A 10 feet murti of Mata Sita is found in the shrine. Inner walls of the hall of the temple depict important events from the Ramayana. Murti of Mata Sita descending into the lap of Mother Earth in the lower storey. Important engravings in the temple include the battle between Luv and Kush against the army of Ayodhya. Hanuman tied to a tree too is engraved in the shrine. Other hi

Custom of Breaking Fasting with Salt less Food in Hinduism – Alavana Vrata

‘A lavana’ means without salt. There are many devotees who break a fasting in Hinduism without adding salt to the food. There is a specific Alavana Vrata which is performed on the third day during the waxing phase of moon in Vaishaka month (April – May); Bhadrapad (August – September) and Magh (January – February). A devotee undertaking the vrat observe complete fasting on the previous day and break the fast on the next day by consuming food with no salt. As the no salt food is consumed on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya or the third day during the waxing phase of moon, the vrat is also known as Alavana Tritiya. Goddess Gauri is worshipped on the Alavana Vrata day. The vrat is performed for attaining peace and prosperity. It is must be noted here that in many regions it is compulsory that a person undertaking fasting should not take salt. This rule is applicable to most fasting associated with Hinduism.

Revati Nakshatra Tree – Which is the tree associated with Revathi birth star Born People?

There are trees associated with each 27 nakshatrams or birth stars. Revathi Nakshatra also has a particular tree dedicated to it. People born on each nakshatra should worship the particular tree. The tree associated and worshipped by Revati Nakshatra Born People is Indian butter tree. Hindi name of the Revathi Nakshatra Tree is Mahua Telugu name is Ippa Malayalam name is Ilippa Tamil Name is Iluppai Kannada name is ippe In Marathi it is known as   Bengali name is  Maul Revati Nakshatra born people should plant the Indian butter tree. Water it. They should also protect the tree.

Rukuna Rath Yatra at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar in Odisha

One of the most important festivals at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar in Odisha is the Rukuna Rath Yatra. It is the chariot procession of Hindu God Shiva. Rukuna Rath Yatra 2024 date is April 16. The annual festival is observed in Chaitra month. It is believed that Lord Brahma is the charioteer of Lingaraj (Shiva) on Rukuna Rath Yatra day. The chariot used in Rukuna Rath Yatra at Lingaraj Temple is 35-feet high and has four wheels. The chariot carries bronze murtis of Chandrashekhar, Rukmini and Basudev. Rukuna Rath is also called ‘analeuta’ chariot – this is because the chariot does not take any turn during the entire journey. During the return journey too the chariot is not turned. The direction of altars of the gods is changed and the chariot is pulled from the backside. Thousands of people visit the temple during the period. The journey is from the Lingaraj Temple to Ratha Maha Khala. The return journey is known as Swarnadri Bije yatra. The chariot fe