--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from July 27, 2015


Hindu God Khatu Shyam or Barbareek – The Grandson of Pandava Bhima

Khatu Shyam, also known as Barbareek, is the grandson of Pandava Bhima. He willingly gave his head in charity to Lord Krishna before the Mahabharata war. It is said that the head of Khatu Shyam was placed atop a hill near the Kurukshetra and it watched the entire Mahabharata war from there. In his previous birth Khatu Shyam was a Yaksha. Once when Adharma (evil) grew out of control on earth, Vishnu agreed to the prayers of Devas and humans and agreed to take an avatar to bring back Dharma. A Yaksha named Suryavarcha said that not Vishnu but he alone could relieve earth’s burden. For this arrogance he was cursed by Brahma to be born on earth and said that whenever there is an opportunity to relieve earth’s burden he would die at the hands of Krishna . Later Khatu Shyam was born as the son of Ghatotkachch and Kamkantakata. Ghatotkachch was the son of Bhima, the second of Pandava brothers. The word about Mahabharata battle spread around the world and Barbareek too

Thirupullani Temple Timings – Opening and Closing and Darshan Time at Thirupullani Temple near Rameswaram

Thirupullani Temple, also known as Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Thirupullani Temple timings in detail is given below. Please note that the opening and closing time in the temple will be extended during temple festival and important rituals. There will be no darshan and the temple will remain closed during graham or eclipse. Thirupullani Temple Timings Morning Darshan Timing – 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM Evening Darshan Timing – 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Jimutaketu – Story – How Shiva got the name Jimutaketu?

Jimutaketu is one among the numerous names of Hindu God Shiva. Jimutom means dark rain clouds. How Shiva got the name Jimutaketu is mentioned in the Vamana Purana. Once Goddess Parvati was fed up with the gypsy lifestyle of Shiva and asked him to build a house to stay during summer seasons. Shiva said to Goddess Parvati that he was one without a house and to escape from scorching summer heat he took her to forests with huge trees. They walked through the shade of the forest to escape from the heat. Then the rainy season came and Goddess Parvati again request Shiva to build a house. Shiva said that he has no money to build a house and said that during rainy season they will stay atop the rain clouds to avoid rain. Shiva then started residing atop the dark rain clouds during the rainy season. When Shiva and Parvati stood atop the dark rain clouds they appeared like a flag pole from long distance. Thus Shiva got the name Jimutaketu.

Jambunatha Form Of Shiva – About Hindu God Jambunatha

Jambunatha form of Shiva is worshipped mainly South India, especially in Karnataka. This form is associated with Jambu tree. Legend has it that Shiva gave darshan to an ardent devotee of His under the Jambu Tree. A sage was once performing Tapas under a Jambu Tree. He got a fruit from the tree. He offered it to Shiva and later consumed it as Prasad. The fruit germinated in the stomach of the Sage and grew up into a tree.  Shiva appeared on the tree and gave darshan to the sage by appearing on the tree. As Shiva appeared under a Jambu tree, he came to be known as Jambunatha. The most famous temple dedicated to Jambunatha is located at Thiruvanaikovil in Tamil Nadu and is known as Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Temple. In Karnataka, too there are numerous shrines dedicated to Jambunatha form of Shiva.

Nana Maharaj Taranekar Jayanti – Birth Anniversary of Nana Maharaj Taranekar

Nana Maharaj Taranekar is observed in Shravan month. It is the birth anniversary celebrations of Nana Maharaj Taranekar. The day is of great importance at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Nana Maharaj Taranekar Jayanti 2024 date is August 9. Nana Maharaj Taranekar (13 Aug 1896 – 16 Apr 1993) was a disciple of Sri Dattatreya. He spread the teaching of love, humanity and dharma. His teachings are relevant today than ever before. The disciples of Nana Maharaj Taranekar organize various spiritual activities on the day. Prayer meetings, satsangs and charitable activities are held on the day. Nana Maharaj Taranekar birth anniversary coincides with Nag Panchami. Nana Maharaj Taranekar Jayanti is annually held on Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchami or the fifth day during the waxing phase of moon in Shravan month.

Chowdeshwari Devi – About Hindu Goddess Chowdeshwari Devi – Choundeshwari Story

Chowdeshwari Devi is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. She is worshipped mainly in Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. She is the family deity of many families and communities in the region. Choundeshwari Devi story is given below. Chowdeshwari Devi is four armed. She holds sword and trishul with a snake in the right hands. In the left hands she holds sweet bowl and a snake with Damaru or hourglass-shaped drum.  She wears red color sari and has a look that gives an assurance of motherly affection. Legend has it that Shiva asked Goddess Parvati to take the manifestation of Goddess Chowdeshwari to defeat a demon had a boon that every drop of their blood which touched the ground would create a thousand warriors. Chowdeshwari spread her tongue on earth and covered it. She drank all the blood before it fell on the ground and the demon was defeated. Chowdeshwari Devi is also associated with Nagas or Serpent worship.

Story of Shiva and Mahaganesh Hill or Mahagunas Parvat on the way to Amarnath Cave

Mahaganesh Hill or Mahagunas Parvat is located in Anantnag District in Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is an important holy spot on the way to Amarnath Cave. The story of origin of Mahaganesh Hill or Mahagunas Parvat is associated with Shiva. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wanted to know the secret of immortality of Shiva. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. On his way to the cave with Goddess Parvati, Shiva left is son Ganesha here. The place where Shiva left his son later came to be known as Mahaganesh Hill or Mahagunas Parvat. Ganesha being left at Mahaganesh Hill or Mahagunas Parvat symbolically represents dropping of attachment. On this way to the cave, Shiva had first abandoned Nandi,  then his matted locks and Chandra and thirdly his Nagas.

Symbolism King Bali Offering His Head To Vishnu As Third Step

Symbolism in King Bali (Mahabali) Offering His Head to Vishnu to Place the Third Step. This divine incident happened during the Vamana Avatar of Vishnu. Deprived of their kingdom, the unhappy Devas (celestial beings) appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. The only way the kingdom could be restored to the celestials would be if Mahabali (King Bali) was killed.  But Mahabali, although he had taken away the kingdom of the celestials from them, was not wicked.  So Lord Vishnu did not want to kill Mahabali, said Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal, in a discourse.  Thus when the Lord took the Vamana Avatara, He assumed a small stature, and asked Mahabali for as much land as His three steps could measure.  Three steps measured by a person of that height didn’t seem much to Mahabali, and he gladly agreed to grant the visitor the gift He asked for.  But when it actually came to measuring the land, the Lord assumed a huge form, and measured the worlds, and when it came to the third step, Ma

Story of Sheshnag Lake on the way to Amarnath Cave and Shiva

Sheshnag Lake is located in Anantnag District in Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is an important holy spot on the way to Amarnath Cave. The story of origin of Sheshnag Lake is associated with Shiva. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wanted to know the secret of immortality of Shiva. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. On his way to the cave with Goddess Parvati, Shiva released the snakes that are his ornaments here. The place where Shiva released his snakes later came to be known as Sheshnag Lake. The snakes on Shiva symbolizes ego. Shiva abandoned it third on his way to Amarnath cave. Shiva had first abandoned Nandi and then his matted locks and crescent moon.

Story of Chandanwari on the way to Amarnath Cave and Shiva

Chandanwari, on the way to Amarnath Cave, is located in Anantnag District in Jammu and Kashmir in India. The story of the origin of this beautiful place, located on the banks of Sheshnag River, is associated with Shiva. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wanted to know the secret of the immortality of Shiva. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. On his way to the cave with Goddess Parvati, Shiva left behind his Chandra (moon) and jata (dreadlock). The place where Shiva abandoned moon and jata came to be known as Chandanwari. Chandra (Moon) and jata (dreadlock) symbolize the intellect of discrimination. Shiva abandoned it second on his way to Amarnath cave. Shiva had first abandoned Nandi on his way to the cave .

Story of Pahalgam and Shiva

Pahalgam is located in Anantnag District in Jammu and Kashmir in India. The story of the origin of this beautiful place, located at the confluence of Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River, is associated with Shiva. The place is also known as the valley of shepherds. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wanted to know the secret of the immortality of Shiva. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. On his way to the cave with Goddess Parvati, Shiva left behind his vahana or vehicle Nandi. The place where Shiva abandoned Nandi came to be known as Bailgaon. In due course of time, Bailgaon came to be known as Pahalgam. Nandi here symbolizes the desire of mind. Shiva abandoned it first on his way to Amarnath.