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Showing posts from March 8, 2017


Hinduism History

One word that defines Hinduism history is time immemorial. It must be noted that the term ‘Hindu’ and ‘Hinduism’ is not found in any of the important ancient religious texts associated with Hinduism . The word ‘Hindu’ came into being with the arrival of Muslims invaders. They called the people who lived along the Sindhu River as ‘Hindu’ and the place ‘Hindustan.’ The term Hindu and Hinduism was first widely used by the British. Most historians shy away from fixing a particular period mainly because their claims will be easily challenged by other scholars. Every theory regarding the origin of Hinduism has been challenged and it is an ongoing controversy. The earliest evidence of Hinduism is found in the Indus Valley civilization (3300–1700 BC). Several figurines unearthed from here are 3-faced indicating them to be the forerunner of Hindu trinity and some quite similar to Lingas – the worshipping form of Lord Shiva. But it must be understood here that the cultural level a

Kigga Temple at Sringeri in Chikkamagalur District – Rishyashringeshwara Swamy Temple in Karnataka

Kigga Temple, also known as Rishyashringeshwara Swamy Temple, is a unique shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sage Rishyashringa. The temple is located at Kigga in Sringeri in Chikkamagalur District, Karnataka. The story of the temple is associated with the legend of Sage Rishyashringa. Legend has it that Sage Rishyashringa and his wife performed intense austerities and meditation to please Shiva at Kigga. Shiva appeared in the form of Chandramouleshewara before the Sage and his wife. When Shiva appeared before Sage Rishyashringa he was so excited that as boon he asked Shiva to join with him. The sage really wanted to ask for moksha, or he wanted to merge with Shiva. The main murti worshipped in the temple is a combined form of Shiva and Sage Rishyashringa. Subsidiary deities include Mother Goddess, Goddess Durga, Ganesha, Subrahmanya and nagas.