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Showing posts from November 27, 2015


Dasaratha's Curse – Story of the Curse on Dasharatha in the Ramayana

Story of the Curse on Dasharatha is found in the Aranya Kanda of Ramayana. King Dasaratha was a great warrior and he had even helped Indra in the war in against demons. He was one of the greatest archers and could hit an arrow on target by merely listening to the source of the sound. One day the king was on a hunting expedition near a forest in Ayodhya. The king could not find any animal for a long period of time. Then he suddenly heard a sound of some animal drinking water. He shot an arrow in the direction of the sound and suddenly he heard the cry of a man. To his utter dismay, the king found that he had shot a young man. The young man was Shravan Kumar a devoted son. He used to carry his blind parents in baskets by tying the baskets to the two ends of a strong pole. When the unfortunate incident took place, young Shravan Kumar was collecting water for his blind parents. Shravan Kumar pardoned Dasaratha but requested him to take water to his old blind parents.

Calendar in Hindi 2016 – Download Hindi Language Calendar 2016 for free - Hindi Calendar 2016

The Hindi calendar 2016 is provided by the website ashram. It has marked all the important festivals and tithi in the Hindi language. The 2016 Hindi calendar is not in pdf format but in picture format. You can save it each month for your personal use. You can find Hindi language calendar 2016 here at the official website of Ashram.

Anklets In Hindu Religion – Why Hindu Women Wear Anklets?

Anklets are an important ornament of Hindu women. It is a must for many communities in Hinduism. There are Hindu women who never appear in public without wearing anklets. Anklets are usually made of silver or gold and are worn on the ankle which joins it to the toe. Some unmarried women wear a black thread on the right ankle. It is believed that the silver anklets help in retaining positive energy. Some people believe that it helps in providing relief from joint pains. This is not scientifically proved. It is also believed that the sound made by the anklets alert people about the arrival of women – who can then behave appropriately and stop any indecent work they are doing. It is again believed that the sound of anklets drive away negative energy. A black thread worn on right leg is also to keep away bad elements. Anklets are worn on both legs by Hindu women.

Hindu Calendar 2016 with Tithi in pdf – Download Hindu Calendar 2016 in English for free in pdf

Hindu Calendar with Tithi in pdf for free download is in English and is based on Hindu Calendar 2016 followed in North India – Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. A month in this Hindu calendar begins after Purnima and ends on Purnima. All important festivals and fasting 2016 dates are marked in the calendar. Link  –  Download Hindu Calendar 2016 with Tithi in pdf The calendar is based on Purnimat system. In this system a traditional Hindu month begins after Purnima or full moon day.

Story of Matsyendranath

Matsyendranath is one of the foremost teachers of the Nath tradition and he is the Guru of Gorakhnath, the founder of the Natha tradition. Matsyendra was the first human being who brought down the secret of Yoga for the benefit of humanity from Lord Shiva. The story of Matsyendranath has numerous hidden symbolism. Legend has it that Matsyendranath started life as a fish in the ocean. He lived in a small pond in an island. One day Goddess Parvati wanted to know the reason for the existence of the world as experienced through the senses. This was a deep and profound knowledge. Shiva did not want to share it with anyone. But he could not displease Mother Goddess, so to enlighten her she took her to an island. The only inhabitant of the island was a fish who lived in a pond. The fish overheard Shiva revealing the secrets of Yoga to his consort, Goddess Parvati on the uninhabited island. Creation, dissolution, transformation, the illusion all were discussed by Shiva and Shakt

Dev Rameshwar Dahi Kala at Natal near Kariwade in Kolhapur

Dev Rameshwar Dahi Kala is annually observed in Margashirsh month. It is an important ritual at the Dev Rameshwar Temple at Natal near Kariwade, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. This unique annual festival is famous for various rituals and participation of a large number of people. Dev Rameshwar Dahi Kala 2024 date is December 26. Natal Dev Rameshwar Mandir is traditionally decorated with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual ritual. Dev Rameshwar Dahi Kala is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Ekadasi tithi or the eleventh day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Yellammadevi Yatra at Khanderajuri near Miraj in Maharashtra – Yellamma Devi Festival

The annual Yellamma Devi Yatra at Khanderajuri is held in Margashirsh month. The festival dedicated to Goddess Yellamma Devi attracts hundreds of devotees. Yellamma Devi Yatra 2024 date is December 26. Khanderajuri is located around 17 km from Miraj and 24 km from Sangli. The annual yatra is also noted for a fair. The ritual involves journey to the shrine and palki yatra. Khanderajuri Yellamma Devi Temple is magnificently decorated during the period traditionally with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals, which are held only once in a year, happen during the period Khanderajuri Yellamma Devi Yatra is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna paksha Ekadasi tithi or the eleventh day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Vaijayantimala of Hindu God Vishnu – Symbolism of Vaijayanti Mala Associated with Vishnu

Vaijayantimala is the necklace that Hindu God Vishnu wears around his neck. It is known as Pncharupa. Vaijayantimala is made of five kinds of precious gems. Symbolically it is the collective form of Panchatanmatras and Panchabutas. The five gems that are part of it are pearl or moti, manik or ruby, maratagam or emerald, indranilam or blue sapphire and Hira or diamond. The five gems also symbolizes the five elements – water, fire, earth, air and ether. It must be noted here that Vaijayanti Mala is also made using five flowers. The mala made using Vaijayanti seed found in Braj is also known as Vaijayantimala. It is believed that Sri Krishna made necklace out of the beads and presented it to Radha

Somjai Devi Ratha Yatra at Shrivardhan in Raigad, Maharashtra

Somjai Devi Ratha Yatra is annually observed in Margashirsh month. It is the most important fair and festival at the Somjai Devi Temple at Shrivardhan in Raigad, Maharashtra. The Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, is famous for various rituals and participation of a large number of people. Somjai Devi Yatra 2024 date is December 24. Somjai Devi Mandir is magnificently decorated during the period traditionally with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals, which are held only once in a year, happen during the period. Somjai Devi Yatra is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Sevagiri Maharaj Punyatithi Utsav at Pusegaon in Satara

Sevagiri Maharaj Punyatithi Utsav is annually observed in Margashirsh month. It is the death anniversary of Brahmaleen Siddhahast Yogi Param Pujya Sadguru Shree Sevagiri Maharaj. The day is of great significance at Pusegaon near Khatav in Satara, Maharashtra. Sevagiri Maharaj Punyatithi Utsav 2024 date is December 24. Samadhi of Sri Sevagiri Maharaj is located at Pusegaon. Sevagiri Maharaj spread the teachings of Santana Dharma. He strived for social equality through charity, education and love. Thousands of devotees participate in the various activities organized on the day. Philanthropic activities, food donation and satsang are the major highlights of the day. Sevagiri Maharaj Punyatithi is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Temple of Karuppu Swami and Valiya Kadutha at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

There are a couple of small shrines in and around the main Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . The most famous among them is the temple of Malikapurathamma and the sacred space dedicated to Vavar Swamy – the Muslim warrior friend of Ayyappa. Other popular small shrines are that of Karuppu Swami and Valiya Kadutha. The temple of Karuppasamy is located on the right side of the Pathinettam Padi or the eighteen holy steps. The small shrine of Valiya Kadutha is located on the left side of holy steps. The temple of Karuppu Swami also includes the murti of Karuppai Amma. They both were people from forest who helped Lord Ayyappa in his divine mission and are believed to have divine power. Valiya Kadutha is also an attendant of Lord Ayyappa. Please note that there is another shrine of Kochu Kadutha near the Malikappuram Temple and this deity is a warrior who fought along with Ayyappa. Before climbing the Pathinettam Padi or the eighteen holy steps devotees offer a to

Ramvardayani and Navalai Devi Yatra at Khavali in Satara

Ramvardayani and Navalai Devi Yatra is annually held in Margashirsh month. This is the most important annual fair and festival at the Ramvardayani and Navalai Devi Temple at Khavali near Satara in Maharashtra. In 2024, it will be held on December 23. The temple is beautifully decorated during the period traditionally with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals are held during the period. Ramvardayani and Navalai Devi Yatra is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Shivdav Yatra at Kankavali in Maharashtra

Shivdav is a village near Kankavli in Sindhudurg District in Maharashtra. Shivdav Yatra is annually held in Margashirsha Month. Hundreds of people participate in this annual jatra. Shivdav Yatra 2024 date is December 24. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Shivdav Yatra is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Mahabharata Paintings on Ganjifa Cards

The game of Ganjifa Cards was very popular in ancient India. The cards contain hand painted images of aspects of Hindu tradition. The Mahabharata paintings on Ganjifa cards narrate the story of epic Mahabharat. There are a total of 12 cards in this collection. Link  – You can view the story of Mahabharata on Ganjifa cards here at the  Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts website.