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Showing posts from December 14, 2017


Story of Kappe Chennigaraya Temple – How the Temple Got Associated With Frog?

Chennigaraya Temple, located to the south of the world famous Chennakeshava Temple at Belur in Hassan District, Karnataka, is associated with Kappe - frog. Here is the story as to how the temple got associated with frog. Jakkanacharya, a famous sculpture who lived during the 14th century AD, was given the work of the Chennigaraya temple. He completed the main murti of Chennigaraya and it was about to be consecrated and installed in the temple. However, Dankana, Jakkanacharya’s son, came in search of his father and objected to the consecration of the murti as he considered it unfit for worship. Jakkanacharya challenged his son and took an oath to cut off his right hand if the sculpture was defective. Soon sandal paste was applied all over the murti of Chennigaraya and the portion near the belly did not dry up at all. When a flake was taken out of that portion, a frog jumped out. Accepting defeat, Jakkanacharya is said to have cut off his right hand. This te

Sheetala Devi Temple at Agam Kuan – Goddess Shitala Mandir at Agam Kuan near Patna, Bihar

Sheetala Devi Temple at Agam Kuan is dedicated to Goddess Shitala Mata. The mandir is located near the famous archeological site of Agam Kuan near Patna, Bihar. The shrine is located around 8 km from Patna Junction Railway Station. The murti of Mother Sheetala worshipped in the temple is carved out of black granite stone. The vehicle of mata is an ass and the murti rides on it. Mother holds broom in one hand and khappar in another. Goddess Goriya, sevika of the deity is on her right side of the main murti, while on the left is the marble murti of Angar Mata, sister of Sheetla Mata. Unique offering – Devotees release pigeons for fulfillment of desires. Women assist in performing Solah Shringar on the murti of Sheetala Devi worshipped in the temple. Childless couples offer prayers and seek the blessings of Mother. Newlywed couples perform Chauthari Puja by offering cold and stale food. The temple attracts maximum devotees in the month of Ashada (June – July). Tu

Hindu Concept of Moksha Has Nothing To Do With Death

Moksha (liberation, salvation or Mukti) is an important concept in Hinduism. But many people associate it with death and afterlife. This is a wrong notion. Moksha has nothing to do with death and afterlife. It has to happen when you are living on earth. Moksha is realizing the oneness of all living beings. It is understanding that all animate and inanimate is part of that Supreme Truth – that there is no second here. Dropping all forms of fear, incompleteness, anxiety, anger, sorrow…and all other negative energy and replacing them with positive energy like joy, contentment, love, and goodwill… is the path to moksha. We chase worldly happiness and we enjoy them, but soon the same happiness becomes the reason for sorrow. Moksha is achieving that happiness on earth, which is eternal. This happiness does not convert into unhappiness in future. The term Mukti in this context means achieving freedom from ignorance that is enveloping us. We do not search for moksha outside. It i