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Showing posts from September 8, 2015


Death of Gandhari in the Mahabharata – How did Queen Gandhari Die in the Mahabharat?

When the Great War ended in the Mahabharata, Gandhari was the most distressed. All her sons were killed, her brother was killed and emerged victorious, she lost many near and dear ones Bhishma and other family members. Death of Gandhari happened soon after. She along with Dhritarashtra and Kunti took Vanaprastha – they went to the forest to perform intense austerities. Gandhari died in forest fire. This is mentioned in the Ashramavasika Parva of Mahabharata Chapter 36 – 37.

Story of Jara and Jarasandha

The story of Jara, a demoness, is mentioned in the Mahabharata and is associated with the king Jarasandha. Jara is believed to be an indigenous medicine woman by some scholars. Although she is considered as a demoness, she is respected and is also mentioned as a goddess in Mahabharata for her curative powers. She is believed to have joined the body of King Jarasandha, who was born as two halves. Brihadratha was the king of Magadha and he had two wives. After few years of marriage, the two wives delivered two halves of a male baby. The king was horrified to see them and he asked the soldiers to throw them away in the forest. Jara, the demoness, picked them up from the forest and she joined them. When the child was joined it gave out a huge cry which shook the entire kingdom. Jara took the child to the king and told what had happened. As the baby was joined by Jara, he was named Jarasandha and he later became the king of Magadha . He had fought numerous battle

How Goddess Parvati Got the Name Gouri or Gowri?

Gowri, or Gouri, is one among the numerous names of Goddess Parvati. There is an interesting incident mentioned in the Matsya Purana which narrates who Goddess Parvati got the name Gauri. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati originally had a dark complexion. Once Shiva addressed Goddess Parvati as ‘Kali.’ The word ‘kali’ also means dark and Parvati thought Shiva was referring to her skin color. (Please note that Goddess Kali is also one of the incarnations of Goddess Shakti). Goddess Parvati felt that addressing her as ‘kali’ was an insult and therefore she decided to meditate on Brahma, the creator, and change her complexion. Parvati continued her austerities for several days and finally, Brahma, granted her the wish and she became fair. After this incident, Goddess Parvati was also known as Goddess Gouri and the word Gowri also means fair. A legend connected to the above incident suggest that when the boon was granted by Lord Brahma to Goddess Parvati, a dark

Ranthambore Ganesh Temple Timings – Darshan and Opening and Closing Time at Ranthambore Ganesh Temple

Ranthambore Ganesh Temple is located inside a fort in the Ranthambore National Park. Below is the detail timings of Ranthambore Ganesh Temple. It must be noted here that the Darshan time will be extended during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. The opening and closing time might be curtailed during Grahan ore eclipse. Even when the Ranthambore National Park is closed people can visit the Ganesha temple. Ranthambore Ganesh Temple Timings The temple is open from sunrise to 8:00 PM First Aarti is during Sunrise Shrinagar Aarti is at 9:00 AM Bhog is at 12:00 PM Sandhaya Aarti is at 6:30 during summer and 5:45 during winter Shayan Aarti is at 8:00 PM

Dhatr Vedic God – About Dhata or Dhatr a Vedic Deity

Dhatr or Dhata is a Vedic God. The deity is mentioned in the Rig Veda as a creator. Dhatr or Dhata literally means creator. In earlier texts, he created earth, sun, moon, heaven and air. He is the lord of the world. As per some post Vedic texts, he is equivalent to prajapati or brahma. But as per Mahabharata and Puranas, Dhatr is one of the Adityas. As per Bhagavad Purana, Goddess Anumati was the wife of Dhatr Aditya. Currently Dhatr is one of the names of Bhagvan Vishnu, Shiva and Surya.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival at Moti Dungri Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Moti Dungri Temple in Jaipur is dedicated to Ganesha and it is one of the most popular Ganesh Temples in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The annual festival attracts nearly 100,000 devotees to the shrine. In 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi Festival at Jaipur Moti Dungri Temple is on September 7. The shrine is located atop a small hill. The huge murti of Ganesha is red in color. The most important offering here during Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is the thousands of modaks (laddus) prepared for Ganesha. Laddus in various sizes are offered here. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival starts early morning with the rituals of holy shower to the murti. This is followed by shringar and aarti.

Pandupol Mandir – Alwar – Hanumanji Mandir at Pandupol in Rajasthan

Pandupol Hanuman Mandir is a very popular shrine dedicated to Hindu God Hanumanji and is located at Pandupol in Alwar, Rajasthan. Pandupol Mandir is around 35 km from Alwar Railway Station. It is believed that Pandupol, a very beautiful place, was visited by Pandavas during their exile period. This Hanuman Mandir was founded by Sant Nirbhaya Das Ji and is believed to be more 5000 years old. A simple Mandir without any major architectural Mandir attracts thousands of devotees. The unique feature of the murti worshipped here is that it is in reclining position. Main Offering at Pandupol Hanuman Mandir – Dal, Bhati and Churma are offered at the Mandir. Pandupol Hanuman Mandir – Darshan Timing – Opening and Closing Time The Mandir is open from 5:00 AM in the morning. Closing time is at 10:00 PM. Important festivals in the Mandir are: Hanuman Jayanti (March/April) Ramnavami (March/April) Third Tuesday in Bhadrapad month (September) Navratri (March/April and Sept

Rane Maharaj Vadhdivas at Varad near Malvan in Maharashtra

Rane Maharaj Vadhdivas is observed in Ashwin Month. It is the birthday of Rane Maharaj. Rane Maharaj Math is located at Varad near Malvan in Maharashtra. Various spiritual programs are organized on the day. Rane Maharaj Vadhdivas 2024 date is October 4. The followers of Rane Maharaj attend the various programs organized at the Math. Rane Maharaj Vadhdivas is annually held on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Brahmanand Maharaj Punyatithi at Burungwadi Near Palus, Maharashtra

Brahmanand Maharaj Punyatithi at Burungwadi is observed in Ashwin month. It is the death anniversary of Brahmanand Maharaj. The day is of great importance at Burung Wadi near Palus in Maharashtra. Various spiritual activities are organized by followers of the Maharaj on the day. Brahmanand Maharaj Punyatithi 2024 date is October 4. Brahmanand Maharaj spread teachings of love and humanity. He was quite similar to the other Bhakti saints in Maharashtra. Brahmanand Maharaj Punyatithi is annually held on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Laleet Festival During Navratri at Deulgaon Raja Balaji Temple

Laleet Festival during Navratri at Deulgaon Raja Balaji Temple is observed in Ashwin Month. It is a unique festival. In Laleet, wooden poles erected as part of Navratri festival falls down and miraculously no one is injured. Laleet Festival 2024 date during Navratri at Deulgaon Balaji Temple is October 14. The entire festival is divided into Ghatasthapana, Mandapostav, Dasara and Laleet. For the festival 42 Pandals are built using 21 wooden poles. The poles have a height of 35 to 40 feet. The building of the Pandals is known as mandapostav. Thousands of devotees participate in this annual ritual which is observed at Deulgaon in Buldhana District. Navratri Festival at Deulgaon Balaji Temple is annually held from Ashwin Shukla Paksha pratipada tithi to Navami tithi or the first to ninth day of waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. Laleet is organized on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwadasi or the 12th day during t

Devotee Will Get One Laddu Weighing 100 gm as Prasadam Free of Cost at Tirupati Temple

All the pilgrims to the shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala will soon be getting one laddu weighing 100 gm as prasadam free when they exit from the temple. Like earlier a devotee has to pay for more laddus. The New Indian Express  Earlier, the free of cost laddu was available only to VVIPs and trekkers to the temple, while ordinary pilgrims had to purchase the laddus. This was one of the key decisions taken by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) recently.  The normal price of a 300 gram laddu is Rs.25. The TTD says that use of quality ingredients makes it costly but it sells laddu at a highly subsidised rate.   The sale of prasad is a major source of income for the temple.  TTD had projected an income of Rs.190 crore from prasad sale.

Hindi Mantra for Safety and Security - Mantra in Hindi Language for Protection

Below is a prayer in Hindi language for safety and security. It can be chanted for protection. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The number of times it is chanted can be decided by the person. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.

Tamil Mantra for Safety and Security - Mantra in Tamil Language for Protection

Below is a prayer in Tamil language for safety and security. It can be chanted for protection. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The number of times it is chanted can be decided by the person. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.