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Showing posts from November 2, 2016


Importance of Vel – Symbolism in Vel or Spear of Muruga

Vel or Spear is the weapon associated with Muruga who is also known by the names of Subramanya, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Swaminathan and Skanda. The Vel was given to Muruga by his mother Goddess Parvati and he annihilated the demon Soorapadman with it. One of the most popular chants associated with Muruga is Vel Vel Shakti Vel - devotees chant this while offering prayers at Muruga Temples. It is believed that the peerless Vel is Shakti Incarnate - It contains all the powers of Mother Goddess Shakti. Muruga’s spear is treated with reverence, and in many temples the spear is worshipped with as much fervor as the Murti of Subrahmanya. The popular belief is that daily worship of the spear will help in redemption of sins. It will also help in conquering the fear of death. Worship of it will help in killing away unwanted desires. Some scholars suggest that symbolically the Vel represents knowledge or learning. The long shaft of the Vel represents many years of learning. The broad

Yadagirigutta Temple – Yadagiri Narasimha Temple

Yadagiri Narasimha Temple, also known as Yadadri Temple, is located at Yadagirigutta in Nalgonda District in Telangana. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The shrine is situated atop a hill which is 300 feet in height and hence the name Yadagirigutta. Yadadri Temple is around 60 km from Hyderabad. Yadagiri Mahatmya quotes from Skanda Purana and states that Sage Vyasa worshipped Lord Narasimha here. The place is also associated with Lord Brahma, Prahlada and Rishyashringa. Legend has it that Lord Narasimha appeared in three forms at the Yadagirigutta Temple. These are – Lakshmi Narasimha, Gandaberunda Narasimha and Jwala Narasimha. In the main cave temple Lord is depicted as Lakshmi Narasimha – he is shown with Goddess Lakshmi in calm and peaceful form with his usual attributes. Gandaberunda Narasimha murti is worshipped in a below cave which is small. Jwala Narasimha is depicted as carving on a rock. The murti is associated with a serpent that looks like a f