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Showing posts from January 27, 2016


Kiriti – Why Arjuna in the Mahabharat is also known as Kiriti?

Kiriti is one among the ten names of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. Arjuna narrates the meaning of his names to Uttara, son of Virata. Kaurava army had stolen the cows of Virata. To get them back, the son of Virata went to battlefield with Arjuna, who was disguised as Brihannala, as his charioteer. On seeing the Kuru army, the prince is frightened and attempts to escape from the battleground. Brihannada stops him and reveals that he is Arjuna and he will fight against the Kauravas. But the prince is not ready to believe Brihannada. He then wants to know the various names of Arjuna. To convince the frightened prince, Arjuna narrates all his ten names and how he got them. Arjuna in the Mahabharata is known as Kiriti because he fiercely fought and defeated the Danavas. Impressed with his valor, Indra gave him a diadem, as radiant as the sun. He is known as Kiriti because he wears the ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty. This incident is mentioned in the Go –

About Mangal in Hinduism – Mangal or Mars

Mangal, or Mars, is the third among the nine plants in Hindu astrology and is depicted as having a red-complexioned body and four arms. Hindus believe that Mangal helps in solving financial problems and removes poverty. He is also believed to help in curing disease related to skin and eyes.  He is also believed to help a devotee from the bad activities of enemies. In Vedic astrology, Mangal is known as Angaraka or fire. Thus Mangal is adorned with red color clothes and is offered red flowers. Tuesday or Mangalwar is chosen to propitiate Mangal. The vehicle or Vahana of Mangal is Bhed or Sheep. Of his four hands, two hands are in Abhaya Mudra and Var Mudra. Other two hands hold trishul (trident) and gada (Mace). In a person’s horoscope, Mangal stays for seven years. He is also the lord of Mesha Rashi (Aries) and Vrischika Rashi (Scorpio).

Kapileshwar Jiu Temple at Kokpara in Jharkhand

Kapileshwar Jiu Temple, believed to be more than 2400 years old, is located on National Highway 33 at Kokpara in Jharkhand. The temple is of great importance from historical and religious point of view. The present temple structure built in 1955 is a simple one. The original temple, which is located below the present shrine, was of 20feet width and was destroyed by Kala Pahad. Legend has it that cows used to shed all their milk at a particular spot in the region. When the place was dug up the Shivling was revealed. The Shivling that is worshipped in the temple is 3 feet by 3.5 feet. A nandi faces the Shivling. There is a six feet high murti of Goddess Durga in the shrine. Hanuman, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati are visible on the side panels of the huge murti. Shivratri is the most important festival here and Shravan month attracts thousands of devotees who arrive to offer water to the Shivling. Mondays and Poda Ashtami are important dates here. Hundred

Kangazha Mahadeva Temple - Festival - History

Kangazha Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is located on Kottayam - Manimala route and is around 20 km from Changanassery in Kottayam District in Kerala. The annual festival or utsavam is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month. The 8-day annual festival begins on Moolam Nakshatram. Shivratri is another important festival in the temple. The deity worshipped in the temple is swayambhu. It is believed that the Shivling was discovered when tribals in the area where sharpening their sword. The stone used for sharpening started bleeding. The Shivling was then installed by Kanva Maharshi. The main deity faces west. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Sastha, Durga, Ganapathy, Nagam and Rakshas. The Pradosham falling just before Mahashivratri is of great importance in the temple ( കങ്ങഴ പ്രദോഷം) . The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. Melam, traditional Kerala temple music with five inst