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Showing posts from October 17, 2016


Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur – Information about Shiva Temple in Thrissur

Vadakkumnathan Temple is located in the heart of Thrissur town in Kerala. This popular shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is the witness to the world famous Thrissur Pooram . The main Shivling worshipped in the temple is not visible as it is under a mount of ghee. Shivratri is one of the most important festivals observed here. Shivling at Vadakkumnathan Temple Shiva worshipped here is the Kiratha Murti – one who had a fight with Arjuna before blessing him with divine weapons. It is believed that Kiratha Murti had an injury during the fight with Arjuna. Therefore, abhishekam with ghee was performed for centuries. The main Shivling worshipped here is covered by 5 meter high and 7 meter wide mount of ghee. The miracle here is that the ghee has not melted or gone bad even after several hundred years of Abhisheka. Mother Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the shrine and she faces east. A large sculpture of Nandi is also found in the temple complex. Bhgavan Sri Rama and Shank

Turtle Sculpture between the Shivling and Nandi in Shiva Temples

In Shiva temples, Nandi – the bull – always faces the Shivling in the Sanctum Sanctorum. In most temples, between the Shivling and Nandi a sculpture of Turtle is also found. Some scholars are of the view that this turtle is Akupara – as per Hindu tradition the universe rests on the back of Akupara, the turtle. Another view point is that, the turtle represents the Kurma Avatar of Vishnu . Symbolically, the turtle reminds us for the need to withdraw the senses from the materialistic world to realize the Supreme Truth – the Brahman in the form of Shivling. Related Popular Hindu Symbols

Karketeshwar Mahadev in Ujjain – Story of Karketeshwar Form of Shiva – 22nd Shiva Temple in Ujjain

Karketeshwar Mahadev is worshiped in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshiped in Ujjain. Those offering prayers to Karketeshwar Mahadev will be able to enjoy all sorts of pleasure on earth. The temple dedicated to Karketeshwar Mahadev is located at Khatikwada in Ujjain. This form of Shiva is associated with a king whose previous birth was that of a crab. Karketeshwar Mahadev is counted among the 84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 22nd temple visited during the parikarama of Shivalayas here. Story of Karketeshwar Mahadev form of Shiva in Ujjain Once there lived a famous king named Dharmamurti. He even helped Indra in defeating demons. One day the king wanted to know why he is able to achieve so much fame in this birth. He put the question before Sage Vasishta. Sage Vasishta then narrated the story of his previous births. In his previous birth, King Dharmamurti was a crab. He had to take this birth due to the sins he had committe

Rules of Karva Chauth Fasting

Karva Chauth Fasting is observed from sunrise to sighting of the moon on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik Month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . Here are the important rules regarding Karva Chauth fasting. Unmarried women are not supposed to observe Karva Chauth. Women who are pregnant, working or are under treatment for any sort of medical problems should not observe complete fast. They should opt for partial fast. The fast begins early morning with sunrise. After self purification, one should prepare a thali (large plate) – in it one should keep a small pot filled with water, in a mud pot one should keep few wheat grains, in a small vessel one should keep sugar, and finally a token amount of money. One should then offer prayers to Ganesha with roli, rice and jaggery. Using the roli one should create a swastika symbol on the Karva and one should also keep 13 bindi on the karva. The person observing the fast should als

Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple at Papanasam in Tamil Nadu – Karaiyar Sorimuthu Ayyanar Kovil

Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple is located between Papanasam and Karaiyar Dam in Ambasamudram Taluk in Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu. The main deity worshipped in the shrine is Mahalinga Swamy and Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa). Sorimuthu Ayyanar Kovil nestles on the banks of Thamirabarani River and the presiding deity is the Kuladevata, or family deity, of several families in the region. The temple is associated with Lord Ayyappa. It is believed that Ayyappa came here to learn martial arts as a young lad. Therefore this is one of the first temples dedicated to Ayyappa. Ayyappa devotees offer prayers here before undertaking vratam and journey to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. The murti of Ayyappa has his left leg bent and the right handing down. Sapta Kanyakas (seven maidens) are worshipped in the main sanctum sanctorum along with Dharma Shasta. Ayyanar is worshipped along with his wives Poorna and Pushkala. The other deities worshipped in the shrine are Vinayaka, Nandi, Bhairava