In Hinduism, praying in times of emergency is about invoking divine energies for protection, guidance, and healing. Each deity represents unique energies and qualities, so choosing the right deity, mantra, and prayer can bring immense comfort and support. Here’s an expanded guide to praying during emergencies, including mantras, simple puja steps, appropriate colors, ideal deities, and modern practical steps. 1. Preparation for Emergency Prayer Clothing : Wear clean, preferably cotton clothing to signify purity. Choose colors based on the deity: Red for Durga and Hanuman (for courage and protection). Yellow for Lakshmi (for abundance and peace). White for Shiva (for calm and healing). Space Setup : A quiet corner with minimal distractions is ideal. Place an image or small idol of the deity you are praying to, along with a diya (oil lamp) and some flowers if possible. 2. Ideal Deities and Mantras for Emergencies Deity Purpose Mantra Ganesha Obstacle removal, new beginnings Om Gan...

Goddess Kali standing on Shiva is a popular image in Hindu tradition. The popular story states that after defeating Mahishasura and other demons, Goddess Kali was still outraged at the Adharma on earth. She continued destroying everything before her. All living beings were foreseeing eternal doom. To escape from the wrath of Goddess Kali they approached Shiva. To stop Goddess Kali from destroying the cosmos, Shiva went into the battlefield and lied down motionless among the corpses of demons. Goddess Kali moved across the corpses destroying and cutting them into pieces, suddenly she found herself standing on top of a beautiful male body. For a moment she stood still and then she looked down at the body and saw it was Shiva, her husband. When she realized she was touching her husband with her feet, Goddess Kali stretched out her tongue in shame and the destruction came to an end. Shiva then pacified the Goddess and danced with her. Together they started creation agai...

In Hinduism, prayers for emotional stability, strength, and peace are rooted in the tradition of connecting with various deities who symbolize and embody different aspects of the human psyche. Emotions are often seen as both gifts and challenges, and Hindu prayers offer ways to channel and transform these energies positively. 1. Ideal Deities for Emotional Well-being Different deities in Hinduism are associated with specific energies and attributes, making them ideal for different emotional challenges: Ganesha : Known as the remover of obstacles, Ganesha helps in clearing mental blocks and fostering inner peace. Shiva : Representing both creation and destruction, Shiva helps release negative emotions and promotes transformation. Hanuman : Known for his unshakable faith and strength, Hanuman is ideal for overcoming fear, anxiety, and building courage. Goddess Kali : Kali helps in dealing with deep-seated emotions, especially anger, grief, or fear. She’s revered for transforming destruct...

Education is the kindling of knowledge. It is the journey from the known to the unknown. It encompasses all the spheres of life and all aspects of one’s personality, external and internal. To educate oneself is to equip oneself to face the struggles of life and the vagaries of the world. And so, every attempt at education should have the balance of external expertise and inner poise. The pull of the manifest world should be withstood by the anchor of the inner self. An education that focuses only on the external would invariably lead to a discontented personality and a disturbed society. Without an anchoring in a plane of one’s personality that is unaffected by the mundane realities of the world, the slightest tremor in one’s happy world would shatter one’s very being. While it is undoubtedly necessary to educate oneself in the art of creating, acquiring, and developing, human experience of millennia is testimony to the fact that the wisdom of refrain, relinquishment, and si...

Durga with 10-arms is a very popular form of Goddess Durga. This form is widely seen during Durga Puja and Navratri. Here is a list of 10 weapons held by Durga in her 10 arms. Trident Discus Scimitar (Kharga) Snake Conch Mace Bow/arrow Hook Lotus Thunderbolt The overall image of Goddess Durga annihilating demon Mahishasura does not change. But sometimes instead of a human head, the demon is depicted as having a buffalo head. Majority of times two hands of Goddess Durga will be in blessing posture. Then two weapons are not depicted. It must be noted that there is no rule regarding the number of arms. It depends on the artist who is making the murti. The hands are in even in numbers. Earlier on the same topic Symbolism of the Weapons in the Hands of Goddess Durga

In Hinduism, prayer and worship are considered powerful ways to seek emotional stability, resilience, and inner peace. By connecting with deities who embody courage, wisdom, protection, and strength, devotees can work toward calmness and fortitude in challenging times. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to approach prayer for emotional stability within Hindu tradition, including ideal gods and goddesses, suitable mantras, simple puja rituals, clothing recommendations, and some practical advice for the modern-day seeker. 1. Ideal Gods and Goddesses for Emotional Stability Lord Ganesha : The remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom, Ganesha provides clarity and calmness, helping to overcome emotional blockages. Lord Shiva : Known for his meditative calm and transformative powers, Shiva helps devotees gain inner peace and strength. Lord Hanuman : Symbolizing strength, loyalty, and devotion, Hanuman helps one confront inner fears, anxieties, and self-doubt. Goddess Kali : She represen...

Kangra Devi, also known as Brajeshwari Devi, is a powerful deity worshipped in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The shrine is also referred as Nagarkot Dham – Kot Kangra The shrine is located in the Nagarkot area of Kangra town and therefore the deity is known as Nagarkot ki Rani. The temple is around 1.5 km from Bus Station and around 4 km from Kangra Railway Station. Kangra Devi one of 51 Shakti Peethas Kangra Devi is a Shakti Peeth. It is believed that the left breast of Goddess Sati fell here after Lord Vishnu cut the body of the Goddess into 51 pieces with his Sudarshana Chakra. Shiva was roaming in the universe with the body of Goddess Sati and this led to havoc and imbalance in the universe. The places where body parts of Sati fell came to be known as Shakti Peethas. There are 51 such temples in the world. Butter – Makhan on the Pindi The pindi of Mother Goddess worshipped here is covered in butter. It is believed that Mother Goddess Durga applied Makhan on the wounds on her ...

Numerous mantras help in wish fulfillment. The one from the Ramcharitmanas is considered highly beneficial for wish fulfilling. The mantra should be chanted 108 times. Before chanting the mantra it is highly beneficial to read the Hanuman Chalisa. The mala used for chanting the mantra should be made of Tulsi Beads and it should contain 108 beads. The mantra should be chanted daily. Wish Fulfillment Mantra कवन सो काज कठिन जग माही।   जो नहीं होइ तात तुम पाहीं॥

In Hinduism, prayer for emotional strength is seen as a path to aligning oneself with divine energy, invoking inner resilience, and cultivating a serene mind. Here is a guide that includes simple prayers, mantras, practical steps, and unique practices for seeking emotional strength. Ideal Deities to Worship for Emotional Strength Saraswati - Goddess of wisdom and clarity. Ganesha - Remover of obstacles, symbol of inner peace. Matangi - Embodiment of divine wisdom, healing of speech and emotions. Shiva - Symbol of transcendence, transformation of negative emotions. Dhanvantari - God of Ayurveda, associated with physical and mental healing. Ashwini Kumars - Divine physicians, bringers of vitality. Sharada (Saraswati form) - Bestower of knowledge and emotional stability. Mookambika - Source of universal energy, grants inner strength. Krishna - Symbol of divine love and joy, sustains in difficult times. Color of Clothes White or Yellow : Peace, wisdom, and calmness, ideal for invo...

Goddess Durga can be depicted with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 or 18 arms. Each of her arms holds auspicious things and weapons. Her hands will show a particular mudra. Here are the symbolic meaning of things and weapons held by Goddess Durga. Shankh or Conch – It symbolizes the sound Aum. The first sound that appeared which led to creation.  Bow and Arrow – It represents single-minded focus. Vajra or Lightening – It symbolizes unparalleled energy and strength. Lotus – Success can be only achieved through nonattachment. Sudarshana Chakra – Invokes fear in the mind of those who follow Adharma. Sword – Symbolically represents sharp knowledge, which can cut asunder any form of ignorance. Abhaya Mudra – It gives confidence to a devotee to remove all forms of fear and to move ahead – Mother Durga is always with you. As per some interpretation, lion represents courage red color of the dress of Durga represents passion, abhya mudra represents forgiveness and blessing, gad...

As per Hindu religious belief, Goddess Annapurna, the goddess of food, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, resides together in the kitchen. Remember These Things While Cooking to Get Blessing of Goddess Annapurna and Lakshmi The kitchen should never face the main road or main gate of the house. Milk should not boil over. It is believed that this will result in misunderstanding among family members. Some Hindu communities believe that it will cause mental illness in the family. It is also believed that boiling over of milk and spreading in kitchen results in financial damage and fights with relatives. (Please note that in South India, milk is deliberately allowed to boil over when the first cooking is done in a new home – this is considered auspicious and a sign of bounty.) Chapatti, poori and other similar items should be made only on rolling board (chakala). The best rolling board is one made from stone. If the board has legs then there should be three legs....

A disciplined person, moving among objects with the senses under control and free from attraction and aversion, gains in tranquility. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter II Verse 64) The senses are extrovert by nature. They ramble in fields external. Those objects that are pleasing to them are hugged while those others that are displeasing are shunned. A closer study reveals that these senses are themselves instruments in the hands of the mind. As goaded on by the mind they indulge in attraction and aversion. He is a yogi who has conquered the mind. He makes it revel in Atman. If it ever goes outward, it does so being untainted by attraction and aversion. There is purity as well as innocence in its contacting the external objects, with the result that the tranquility of the mind is not disturbed. On the other hand, calmness and clarity increase. It is a form of Samadhi for the mind to be fixed in purity and calmness while making benign use of the senses. Source - The Bhagavad Gita by Swam...

In Hindu tradition, praying for emotional healing can be a holistic, mindful, and deeply personal process that combines spirituality, ritual, and inner reflection. This process engages with specific deities, mantras, and practices aimed at restoring emotional balance, reducing anxiety, and cultivating inner peace. Here’s a guide on how to approach emotional healing within Hinduism, with practical steps for a modern lifestyle, simple prayers, suitable attire, and a deeper understanding of the spiritual tools available. Key Steps in Praying for Emotional Healing Set Intentions and Choose Deity Begin by setting a clear intention for emotional healing. Certain deities are traditionally invoked for mental peace, clarity, and healing: Saraswati : For clarity, wisdom, and mental peace. Ganesha : For removing obstacles, reducing stress, and promoting emotional resilience. Matangi : Goddess of speech and inner truth, helps clear mental confusion. Shiva : Represents peace, transformation, and me...

Navratri, the nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and her various forms, involves special rituals, prayers, and food offerings known as bhog, prasad, or naivedya. Each day is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, and the fifth day is devoted to Goddess Skanda Mata, the mother of Lord Skanda (also known as Kartikeya or Murugan), the god of war. Significance of Goddess Skanda Mata Goddess Skanda Mata is depicted riding a lion and holding her son Skanda in her lap. She is typically shown with four arms and a radiant complexion. She represents the nurturing aspect of motherhood and is believed to bestow wisdom, power, prosperity, and salvation upon her devotees. Worshiping her is thought to lead to spiritual growth and enlightenment. Fifth Day Bhog: Offering Banana The specific food offering on the fifth day of Navratri is bananas or dishes prepared using bananas. This offering holds significant spiritual meaning: Wisdom and Intelligence : Offerin...

 In Hinduism, prayer for employment or career success is rooted in devotion, respect, and the alignment of one’s karma with divine blessings. Seeking employment is viewed not just as a pursuit of livelihood but as a means of fulfilling one’s duty (dharma) and using one’s skills for the greater good. Here’s a complete guide for praying for employment with simple prayers, puja steps, suggested attire, mantras, and other practical insights. 1. Ideal Deities to Worship for Employment and Success: Goddess Saraswati – Worshipped for knowledge, wisdom, and skills. Goddess Lakshmi – The goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lord Ganesha – Known as the remover of obstacles, for a smooth job search and career success. Lord Vishnu – For stability, protection, and overall well-being. Lord Vishwakarma – The divine architect and patron of artisans and engineers. Lord Shiva – Worshipped for blessings in challenging times and for peace of mind. Goddess Durga – For courage, strength, and overcom...

Food offering, known as bhog, prasad, or naivedya, is an essential part of Navratri vrat and festival. The fourth day Navratri bhog is offered to Goddess Kushmanda . The food that is offered on day four of Navratri is malpua. If malpua is offered, then the person will get relief from diseases and problems in life with the blessing of Maa Kushmanda. Mother also blesses a devotee with strength, fame, and long life. Malpua is a small pancake made with Khoya and all-purpose flour. It is then fried in oil, dunked in sugar syrup, and garnished with dry fruits and offered to Goddess Kushmanda on the fourth day. Related Navratri Day 4 Mantra The fourth day of Navratri Dedicated to Goddess Khushmanda

You must have noticed that murtis (idols) of Shrinathji and Jagannath having big eyes. Several murtis (pindis) of Mother Goddess Shakti also have eyes that are not proportionate to the main idol. So why do idols of certain Hindu Gods have big eyes? Vedas (especially Upanishads) teach us about self-realization through contemplation. A person realizes that he/she is the supreme truth through wisdom, knowledge, and contemplation. But common man was not able to digest this form of worship. He needed a form. Thus Puranas, which were composed several years after the Vedas, gave importance to the concept of murti worship. External worship became more important. Puranas gave murti form to that Supreme Truth. Murtis came into being depending on the way in which devotees wanted to see God. Thus we have big eyes for certain murtis worshipped in Hindu temples. Big eyes symbolically represent the all-seeing Supreme Truth. The God with the big eyes sees everything. Nothing escapes the ...

Jwalaji Temple, located in Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh, is one among the 51 Shaktipeeths. This unique temple is known as Jwalaji as it does not have an idol instead there are nine flames burning continuously from the fissures in the temple. Since the Goddess is worshipped in the form of celestial flame, she is known as Jwalamukhi or Jwalaji. Nobody has been able to recognize the fuel source of the sacred flame. Story of Jwalaji Temple The main belief is that the eternal flame present in the shrine is the one created by Goddess Sati to perform self-immolation at Daksha Yajna. Legend has it that the tongue of Sati (Shakti) fell here when Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Sati into pieces to pacify Lord Shiva. Thus it is one among the 51 Shaktipeeths. Another legend has Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva concentrated at a point on earth and from it appeared a huge flame. A young girl appeared from the flame and she then destroyed the demons that were spreading Adharma. H...

During the third day of the Navratri festival, devotees honor Goddess Chandraghanta with a special food offering, which is an integral part of the Navratri vrat (fast) and celebration. This food offering is known as bhog, prasad, or naivedya. Significance of the Third Day The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga. She is known for her beauty and bravery and is depicted with a half-moon (chandra) on her forehead in the shape of a bell (ghanta). Worshiping her is believed to remove all sins, physical sufferings, and mental tribulations. Bhog for Goddess Chandraghanta The food offered on this day should be prepared using milk, as it holds special significance. Milk-based dishes are considered pure and are believed to please the goddess, bringing blessings of happiness and well-being to the devotee. The preparation of food with milk symbolizes purity and devotion. Typical Offerings Kheer : A traditional Indian dessert made from milk, ...

The tallest Goddess Durga Idol (Sculpture) was made during Durga Puja 2015 by Deshapriya Park Durga Puja Committee in Kolkata in West Bengal. The Durga Idol was 88 feet tall. The sculpture was made using iron and fiber. An attempt was made in 2017 by Guwahati's Bishnupur Durga Puja Committee to break the record by making a 100-feet idol using bamboo. But unfortunately the structure collapsed in a storm. 

Praying for elderly people in Hinduism is considered a noble and dutiful act, reflecting respect, gratitude, and care for the aged. In Hindu culture, prayers and rituals dedicated to the elderly focus on their health, peace, and spiritual well-being, acknowledging their role and sacrifices throughout their lives. Here’s a complete guide to praying for elderly people in the Hindu religion, incorporating simple prayers, puja steps, attire, deities, mantras, and practical approaches for modern times. 1. Preparation and Attire Color of Clothes : Soft colors like white, yellow, green, or light blue are ideal for prayers related to health and longevity. White symbolizes purity and peace, while yellow and green are associated with healing. Clothing Suggestions : Wear clean and comfortable clothes. Traditional Indian attire such as a white dhoti and kurta for men and a white or light-colored sari for women is preferred. If traditional attire isn't available, any modest clothing that convey...

Food offering, known as bhog, prasad, or naivedya, is an essential part of Navratri vrat and festival. The second day Navratri bhog is offered to Goddess Brahmacharini. The food that is offered on day two of Navratri should be prepared using jaggery (गुड़ ) , rock sugar (mishri), sugar or panchamrut. If the food is prepared using jaggery, then person will be blessed with long life by Maa Brahmacharini. Jaggery mixed with wheat or any food containing jaggery or the above said sugar items are considered good.

Who can teach me spirituality? Who can take me to god? The answer is no one. You alone can make you spiritual. You alone can reach god and know god. Gurus, books, guides etc are just signposts. They just give you direction. You need to do the walking. Finally, you need to experience it. A cleansing process is essential before embarking on a spiritual journey. The cleansing process involves keeping the mind and senses in control. You cannot correct the past mistakes but you can stop from repeating the mistakes. Ignorant and evil-minded people are all around. But they should not scare you away from seeing progress and hope. Such people are just difficulties and obstacles that we need to overcome. Wisdom, common sense and street smartness should be used to overcome such people. You are not defenseless. It is that you have been made in such a way by parents, education and society. Fight for Dharma. Dying for what you hold true is better than living a subservient life. Abhilash ...

Bhog, prasad, or naivedya is the food offering to Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism. The first day Navratri bhog is offered to Goddess Shailputri. The food that is offered on day one of Navratri should be prepared using ghee and white in color. A devotee can also offer simple cow ghee or food prepared using ghee which is white in color . If the food is prepared using cow ghee then the person offering the bhog will get relief from illness with the blessing of Maa Shailputri. White colored food like kheer, chaval should be mixed with Ghee and offered to Goddess Shailputri.

Navratri at Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir is huge. Thousands of devotees arrive during nine days and nights to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple to have darshan of the powerful Mother Goddess. The temple and the premises are decorated with fresh flowers, which are brought from various states of India and from foreign countries. The pindi of the Mother Goddess, the entrance of the old cave, and pathway leading the cave are aesthetically decorated. Shath Chandi Mahayajna is performed during the period. Nine forms of Mother Goddess are worshipped during the period. The first day is dedicated to Maa Shialaputri. Special haven, pujas and rituals are held on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami – the seventh, eighth and ninth day of Navratri. On an average more than 50,000 devotees have darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi on the Trikuta Mountain. The number increases on Ashtami and Navami. During the 9-day Navratri period, more than 500,000 devotees have darshan of Mother Goddess here. Related ...

Gudakesha means ‘the conqueror of sleep’. All beings fall victim to sleep when it overtakes them. Such is the power of this factor in life. But this ‘bull among men’ (Arjuna) has disciplined himself in such a way that sleep would come to him only when he made a decision to sleep. When, where are and how long to sleep were all at his will. In addition to the self-mastery of this type, he is always a terror to the foes; he is the subduer of baseness within and without. A man of his caliber is not likely to beat a retreat. The name was used by Sanjay to describe Arjuna in Chapter II verse 9. After addressing the Lord of the senses (Hrishikesha – Bhagavan Sri Krishna) thus, Gudakesha, the terror of the foes, submitted to Govinda, ‘I shall not fight; and held silence. Source - The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda

Many devotees have doubt regarding the direction to do Navratri prayers and pujas. So, which is the ideal direction for Navratri puja? The direction associated with Mother Goddess Durga is south. While offering Navratri prayers and puja our face should face south side. Another favorable direction is east. Our face should face east while offering puja to Mother Goddess Shakti. It is believed that a devotee attains peace and prosperity by offering pujas facing south.

Many people are not able to concentrate while doing pujas at home. Mind wanders here and there and thus many devotees are not satisfied with the puja. There is a vastu tip to keep mind focused while doing puja. Keep a sculpture in the northeast corner of the house. The sculpture should be hollow in the inside. Another option is to keep a pyramid in the northeast corner of the house. The pyramid should also be hollow in the inside. Keeping an indoor plant in the northeast corner is also believed to be beneficial. Related What is Shiva Yoga in Hindu Astrology? – Shiv Yog Meaning  

As per Hindu religion, seeing Shiva temple in dream will bring positive changes in life. The meaning of seeing Shiv temple is that the person will get relief from a major health problem.  In Hinduism there is an ancient scripture known as Swapna Shastra, which gives interpretation and meaning of various dreams. Those who have dream of Shiva Temple should visit a temple and make offering of water to Shiva. Seeing Snake of Shiva is also auspicious as it is a sign of future prosperity. Seeing the dream of Shiva temple and snake together means that, the person has the blessing of Nag Devata. Dreaming of praying in Shiva temple is a sign of good days ahead especially in matters of relationship. It also means good fortune and good relationship. The dream also means marriage. It is also a sign of good relationship with opposite sex. Dreaming of Shiva temple and Nandi means you can make some bold changes in your life and this will be good for your future. It also means a period...