Kannappan was a Shaivite saint who attained liberation through pure devotion. His story proves that what matters is devotion and not rules, customs and rituals. Kannappan was a hunter who once discovered a Shivling. He did not know the rules and rituals associated with worship. He followed his instincts and performed worship as per his rough lifestyle. He did not follow the orthodox rituals. He offered flesh of the animal that he had hunted. He sometimes offered blood. At other times, impure water. However, he was true in his devotion and never wavered from his devotion what ever happened in his life. A Brahmin also discovered the Shivling and started performing rituals as per tradition. He found the offerings of hunter to be of vile nature. The Brahmin also discovered that the hunter defiled the flowers he offered to Shiva. The Brahmin then complained to Shiva. Shiva then decided to show the Brahmin the depth of Kannappan’s devotion. One day when Kannap

Andhaka was the son of Shiva. He is also the foster son of Demon Hiranyaksha. Legend has it that once Goddess Parvati closed the eyes of Shiva with her hands. Suddenly the entire cosmos plunged into darkness. The intense heat produced by Shiva’s third eye combined with his sweat gave birth to a blind and deformed child - Andhaka. During this period demon Hiranyaksha was performing intense austerities to please Shiva and get a powerful son. Shiva appeared before Hiranyaksha and bestowed him Andhaka. Shiva also gave the warning that if Andhaka performs Adharmic activities he will himself kill him. Andhaka grew up and pleased Brahma with his devotion and austerities. He got is eyesight restored and a boon that he will only be killed if he ever chose his mother in marriage. Several years later Andhaka happened to see Goddess Parvati and wished to marry not knowing that she was his mother. Prahlada, son of Hiranyakashipu, warned Andhaka about his doom but this did not de

Devavtari Sadguru Sant Shri Balumama Punyatithi is annually observed in Shravan month. It is the death anniversary of Balumama Maharaj. The saint has thousands of followers especially among the shepherd community in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The day is of great importance at Adampur in Maharashtra. Balumama Punyatithi 2024 date is August 23. Balumama (1892 to 1966) was a shepherd by profession and he came into contact with the lower strata of society and helped them in attaining true knowledge. He spread the teachings like many Sants in the great Bhakti Tradition in the region. He performed numerous miracles during his lifetime. It is said that the farmer’s field in which the sheep of Balumama used to graze was blessed with peace and prosperity. A temple dedicated to Balumama is located at Adampur. On the punyatithi, prayer meetings, satsangs, and charitable activities are held. Balumama Punyatithi is annually observed on Shravan Kri

Vemulawada Shiva Temple is located at Vemulawada in Telangana. The temple is around 180 km north of Hyderabad. This a very ancient temple and its history can be traced to the Bhavishyothara Purana. The story of the origin of the temple is associated with the holy temple tank known as Dharma Gundam. The unique aspect of the temple is that Lord Shiva is flanked by Goddess Raja Rajeshwari (Goddess Durga) and by Lakshmi Sanhitha Siddhi Vinayaka in the main sanctum. Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Raja Rajeshwara is popularly known as Rajanna of Vemulawada. The shrine is located at the center of the town atop a small hill. The temple has a gateway leading up the hill and a typical south Indian style gopuram marks the entrance to the shrine. Story of Vemulawada Shiva Temple The shrine has got a holy tank named Dharma Gundam, the waters of the tank is believed to have medicinal properties. Legend has it that in ancient times a king bathed in the tank and got cured of his lep

Ashtalakshmi Stotra is a prayer dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Below is the Ashtalakshmi Stotra lyrics in Hindi in pdf format. The prayer is chanted during Lakshmi pujas especially the Varalakshmi Puja and Diwali Laxmi puja. Link – Ashtalakshmi Stotra in pdf in Hindi Benefits Of Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi With Ashtalakshmi Stotra Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi with the Ashtalakshmi Stotra brings forth numerous benefits, encompassing various aspects of life and spirituality: Material Wealth : Invoking Goddess Lakshmi through the Ashtalakshmi Stotra attracts prosperity and abundance in material wealth. This includes financial stability, success in endeavors, and overall prosperity. Spiritual Growth : The Stotra enhances spiritual well-being by fostering a deeper connection with Goddess Lakshmi, who represents spiritual wealth and auspiciousness. It promotes inner peace, harmony, and a sense of divine grace. Protection and Security : Devotees believe that worshiping A

Ashtalakshmi Stotram is a prayer dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Below is the Ashtalakshmi Stotram lyrics in Kannada in pdf format. The prayer is chanted during Lakshmi pujas especially the Varalakshmi Puja and Diwali Laxmi puja. Link – Ashtalakshmi Stotram in pdf in Kannada Importance Of Ashtalakshmi Stotram In Hinduism The Ashtalakshmi Stotram holds significant importance in Hinduism due to its profound invocation and praise of the eight forms of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousness. Here are some key aspects that highlight its importance: Invocation of Divine Blessings : The stotra invokes the blessings of Ashtalakshmi, the eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi, namely Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, and Dhana Lakshmi. Each form is revered for bestowing specific blessings, such as wealth, courage, knowledge, and success. Spiritual Significance : Reciting the

Ashtalakshmi Stotram is a prayer dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Below is the Ashtalakshmi Stotram lyrics in Tamil in pdf format. The prayer is chanted during Lakshmi pujas especially the Varalakshmi Puja and Diwali Laxmi puja. Link – Ashtalakshmi Stotram in pdf in Tamil Benefits Of Friday Worship Of Goddess Lakshmi With Ashtalakshmi Stotram The benefits of Friday worship of Goddess Lakshmi with the Ashtalakshmi Stotram are numerous and significant: Wealth and Prosperity : Regular recitation and worship of Ashtalakshmi Stotram on Fridays are believed to attract wealth and prosperity into one's life. Goddess Lakshmi is the embodiment of wealth and material abundance. Spiritual Growth : Through the worship of Ashtalakshmi, one can attain spiritual growth along with material prosperity. The stotram invokes the blessings of each form of Lakshmi, including spiritual wealth (Adi Lakshmi) and knowledge (Vidya Lakshmi). Family Harmony : Worship of Goddess Lakshmi is b

Ashtalakshmi Stotram is a prayer dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Below is the Ashtalakshmi Stotram lyrics in Telugu in pdf format. The prayer is chanted during Lakshmi pujas especially the Varalakshmi Puja and Diwali Laxmi puja. Link – Telugu Ashtalakshmi Stotram lyrics in pdf Reason For Popularity Of Ashtalakshmi Worship In Telugu Speaking Community Ashtalakshmi worship is particularly popular in the Telugu-speaking community due to several cultural, religious, and spiritual reasons: Traditional Beliefs : The Telugu community holds deep-rooted traditional beliefs in the auspiciousness and significance of the goddess Lakshmi in various forms. Ashtalakshmi represents eight distinct manifestations of Lakshmi, each associated with different aspects of wealth, prosperity, and well-being. Cultural Significance : In Telugu culture, festivals and rituals often involve elaborate worship of deities for blessings of wealth and prosperity. Ashtalakshmi worship during festiv

Shyama Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is located near the campus of Lalit Narayana Mithila University in Darbhanga in Bihar. The temple part of the Madheswar Campus associated with the erstwhile rulers of the region. Goddess Shyama is another name of Mother Goddess Kali. The temple is an important center of Shakti worship in the region. The murti worshipped in the temple is unique – it is of Goddess Shyama standing atop Shiva. Mahadev Shiva is lying in the Sadashiva form – calm form. The murti of Goddess Shyama wears a snake as sacred thread – janeu. The murti is 10-feet high and is adorned with sari and golden crown. The sanctum sanctorum also has Mahakal Shiva standing in Rudra form, Kartik, Ganesha and Shaligram stone (Vishnu). There is a huge bell on the east of the main temple. It is used only during the Aarti period. The bell is made of eight metals – Ashtadhatu. The verandah of the temple is known as Jagmohana and represents the universe. The ceiling of

Swamyambhu Shivling (self appearing) at Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the Jyotirlingas. Ujjain Mahakal Temple is located at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and it was first constructed before 6th century BC. The structure underwent numerous changes during various periods. The temple was also attacked by invaders. The present temple was rebuilt during the 18th century. Legend has it that the demon Tripurasura was defeated by Shiva at Ujjain . Another legend has that Brahma himself started the creation of the temple. As per Skanda Purana once due to Shiva’s anger the ambrosia in Bhogawati, the land of nagas, dried up. The nagas then created the Shivling at Ujjain Mahakal Temple and successfully worshipped It to get back the ambrosia. The most popular belief is that one who has darshan of Mahakal will not have rebirth. The present temple is three-storied. Mahakaleshwar is worshipped in the lowest part. The middle part is dedicated to Omkareshwara and the topmo

Bhu Stuti is a prayer found in the Vedas. It is dedicated to Mother Earch. You can download Bhu Stuti lyrics in Kannada in pdf from the below link. The document is prepared by Sunder Kidambi of Prapatti website. Link – Bhu Stuti Lyrics in Kannada in pdf