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Showing posts from July 19, 2015


Uluka – The Owl as Vahana or Vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi

Uluka, the owl, is a lesser known vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi , the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Uluka is mainly associated with the opposite form of Goddess Lakshmi – Alakshmi , the Goddess of inauspiciousness. The owl associated with Laxmi is also known as Pechaka and is worshipped in eastern parts of India , especially in Bengal , during Lakshmi Puja. In some regions, Uluka symbolizes wisdom and intelligence because of its ability to foretell events. But in majority of the regions, owl is a bird of ill omen and symbolically represents darkness, disgrace, inauspiciousness and misfortune. Uluka becomes the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi when the wealth and prosperity provided by Goddess Lakshmi is used by human beings for Adharmic activities. Symbolically, the wealth provided by Lakshmi blinds the person and takes to dishonesty and avarice. Blinded by the wealth they become greedy and destroy themselves. It is also said that a wise person on seeing an owl wi

Shoolini Devi Utsav at Solan in Himachal Pradesh

Shoolini Devi is a manifestation of Goddess Durga. One of the most famous temples dedicated to Goddess Shoolini is located at Solan in Himachal Pradesh. A festival and fair is held annually here during Shukla Paksha Ashada month. In 2024, Shoolini Devi Utsav at Solan is from July 8 to July 11. Legend has it that Goddess Durga appeared as Shoolni at Solan. The popular belief is that Goddess Shoolini helps devotees by protecting them from enemies. Those people suffering from Pitru Dosh also find relief by worshipping Shoolini. Shoolini Devi Utsav is annually held from Ashada Shukla Paksha Tritiya to Panchami as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India.

Goddess Vasudevabhagini – About Hindu Goddess Vasudevabhagini

Goddess Vasudevabhagini means one who is the sister of Vasudeva – Narayana or Vishnu. So who is the sister of Narayana? It is Goddess Durga. Thus Vasudevabhagini is another name of Goddess Durga. It is in Harivamsha that Goddess Durga is called Vasudevabhagini. She is also referred as Narayanapriya in Harivamsha. Vasudeva is one among the numerous names of Vishnu and Bhagini means sister. Secular scholars are of the view that the concept of Vasudevabhagini was part of a failed attempt to get the Shakti cult especially Durga and her worship under the patronage and protection of Vishnu. However, this did not happen and today; Goddess Durga is closer to Shaivite cults.