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Showing posts from April 18, 2015


Achamana Ritual before Hindu Pujas – Achamanam Mantra

Achamana is the act of purifying one’s body by thrice sipping water and touching several parts of the body with it. It is performed before Hindu ceremonies and rituals. The mantra that is to be chanted during Achamanam is given in the Taittiriya Brahmana of the Krishna Yajur Veda. Achamana is to be performed with the face towards the east. While performing the Achamana the palm is to be contracted and the thumb placed behind the forefinger and the other fingers kept straight – something like a cow’s ear. A small quantity of water is taken in the particular palm and it is sipped thrice so that the water so drunk may reach the region of the heart. The lips then touch the tip of the Achamana fingers. The nose is to be touched by the thumb and the ears and eyes are touched with the ring finger. The navel is touched with the little finger. Finally the Achamana palm is used to touch the heart. The fingers are then released and they touch the head. The English

Story of King Bhagiratha bringing River Ganga from Heaven to Earth

As per Hindu tradition, it was King Bhagiratha’s austerities and desire to free the souls of his ancestors that brought Holy River Ganga from heaven to earth. One of the most important reasons why many people want to be cremated on the banks of Holy Ganga and want their ashes to be immersed in Ganga is that they will attain Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The story of King Bhagiratha is found in a couple of Puranas, this is the one mentioned in the Narada Purana. Emperor Sagara had two wives – Keshini and Sumati. They were once offered two boons by Sage Aurva – first – an intelligent and pious son who will one day become a great king – second boon – sixty thousand sons. Keshini opted for a single son and Sumati opted for sixty thousand sons. The sixty thousands sons of Sumati created numerous troubles for the emperor. Indra and other devas, saints, and human beings were fed up with the troubles created by the sons. Indra then approached Sage K

Kalash or Kalasham Symbol in Hinduism

Kalash, Kalasha or Kalasham, is a coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot and is an important accompaniment in various rituals in Hindu religion. A kalasha when filled with water, rice or other grains is known as ‘Purnakumbha.’ The pot for the Kalasha can be made of clay, brass or copper. Nowadays a pot made of any metal is used. Mango leaves are arranged in the mouth of the pot. A coconut – outer green covering removed – is placed over the mouth of the pot. The neck of the pot is tied with a white, yellow or red colored thread or cloth. Some people draw a swastika on the side of the pot. Depending on their artistic skill, some draw various designs using natural products. Today, various designer types of pots are used as Kalasha. The Kalasha symbolically represents creation. The vacant pot, symbolizes earth, and the water filled symbolizes the primordial water from which life began on earth. Life began in water and nothing can exist in this world without water.