We should never discriminate. We need to be fair and inclusive. When we respect another person’s individual freedom, likes and dislikes, we should also learn to protect our freedom. Be all-inclusive but also learn to say a firm no when your freedom is under threat. Do not tolerate a person to be in the good books. Let the person be whatever the person wants to be. You should not discriminate a person for his/her likes. But at the same time when the person is entering into your personal space discourage it. We cannot always like the food and drink and other habits of a person. We should not single out the person because he/she eats something that we do not eat. When you draw walls and categorize people, know that you are attempting to divide the undividable. All people and all living beings are part of the Supreme Truth. Our ignorance is causing the division. Today if a person does not have wealth, station in life, caste and power then people ignore the person. Many a time

Kainkaryam is serving Lord Vishnu (Perumal) with utter humility. It is an important ritual and puja in Vaishnava school of teaching and is performed with no motive. Kainkaryam is constantly performed at Vaikunta by those souls that attained self-realization and reached the feet of Vishnu. The only aim of a devout of Vishnu doing Kainkaryam is to be of some service to the Lord. Service to the Lord is considered an easy way to attain liberation and reach the feet of Srihari Vishnu. Service to the Lord is a service to all animate and inanimate. A person performing service without any expectation is always near to the Lord. The service can be of any form. It is for the devotee to decide in what way he/she wants to serve him. 

One who considers oneself to be beyond the body and the mind and believes that one’s true personality is a spiritual personality, the Atman – How would that person respond to external stimuli? Such a person’s response would be that of indifference, not of the kind displayed by an ignoramus, but the indifference of a wise mind. This indifference is based on the belief that one is beyond the body and the mind and is unaffected by the external circumstances. It is with this poise and aplomb that the wise person chooses not to react to any external stimuli, either of attraction or of repulsion, either of love or of hatred, either of good or of evil. With this equanimity, the wise person chooses to continue to focus on one’s true nature that is beyond name and form and ignores wrong perceptions of experiences based on ignorance. There is no reaction, lamentation, or brooding over anything with this person. This makes this wise person wiser by the day and takes that person closer

Pandu, the father of Pandavas, was weak, pale and ashen. He was the son of Sage Vyasa and Ambalika, the widow of Vichtravirya. Here is the reason as to why Pandu was born weak and pale. Without fathering a child, Vichitravirya, the son of Queen Satyavati died. The Kuru lineage was in danger of going extinct. Queen Satyavati asked Bhishma to break is vow and save the Kuru dynasty. But he was not ready to break the vow. Desperate to save the Kuru dynasty, Satyavati thought of her first son, Krishna Dwaipayana (Sage Vyasa). He was immediately summoned. As per law of niyoga, any children that are born of a woman will belong to the husband. Thus if the widows of Vichtravirya, Ambika and Ambalika, were to have children they would belong to the lineage of Vichtravirya. Based on this law Queen Satyavati asked Sage Vyasa to have children in Ambika and Ambalika. Vyasa was an ascetic not used to the ways of the society. His hair was dry and matted. His skin was coarse and

Eating in restaurant and fast food joints is very common among youngsters, children and family.  Eating food from outside increase levels of phthalates in the body. Phthalates have been linked to asthma, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, pregnancy complications and fertility issues in the past few years The Guardian Reports Phthalates are binding agents frequently used in food packaging as well as a number of other products including flooring, adhesives soaps and shampoos, and some forms of the chemical have been banned from children’s products in the US.  Certain foods, including burgers and sandwiches, were linked to higher phthalate levels in the study, but only if purchased at a fast-food outlet, restaurant or cafe.  The association was especially strong for teenagers, researchers found. Adolescents who frequently ate at fast-food outlets while out with their friends had 55% higher levels of the chemicals than young people eating at home.  Lead author Dr Julia Vars

In Kali Yuga, Hanuman is Sankat Mochan as he has control over all the Navgrahas. He can turn even the ugliest situation into a favorable one. He can change bad luck to good luck. This Sankathari Mantra of Hanuman contains six names of Hanuman and chanting them will help in solving any problems in life. Sankathari Mantra – Six Names of Hanuman ॐ तेजसे नम : (Om Tejase Namah) ॐ प्रसन्नात्मने नम : (Om Prasanathmane Namah) ॐ शूराय नम : (Om Shooraya Namah) ॐ शान्ताय नम : (Om Shantaya Namah) ॐ मारुतात्मजाय नमः  (Om Marutatmajaya Namah) ऊं हं हनुमते नम : (Om Ham Hanumanthe Namah) How to Chant the Mantra? The mantra should be chanted in a Hanuman Temple for nine consecutive Tuesdays after 5 PM in the evening. Wear red or kesar color dress. The names should be chanted 108 times. Keep count on a Rudraksha Mala. Offer nine Bundi Laddu or nine banana as Prasad to Hanuman. Write your problem in a peepal leaf using red or orange natural color. Keep it a

During the days of Sri Ramanujacharya in Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple, there was a poor hungry man. Like Kuchela he had many children. This simple man used to go out for alms. Sometimes he would get plenty for all the family to eat and on some occasions he would get very little and the children only will be fed. The parents would remain without eating. He had very great faith in Srirangam Ranganatha and would worship him daily, and used to visit Sri Ramanujacharya’s mutt to have his darshan and remain contented. It is however difficult to expect his many children to have the same attitude. They remained a crowd of hungry children. The children used to visit the temple during puja time and whatever prasadam (temple food) was given, they used to grab them. When these children came, it was a problem for the man distributing the prasadam. The children used to trouble him much. It was so annoying that the temple servants, one day reported the matter to Ramanujacharya.

Annual Mata Hinglaj Yatra in Pakistan is taken to the mountain cave Hinglaj on the Makran coast in the Lyari district of Balochistan. The annual Mata Hinglaj Yatra and Mela in Pakistan will be observed on the first fortnight of April. Goddess Hinglaj Ma is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. A mela or fair is organized on the occasion. The popular belief is that when Lord Vishnu cut the body of Goddess Sati – to stop Shiva’s lament after Sati’s death – part of her head fell at Hinglaj or Hingula. Thus this is one among the 51 Shaktipeeths. The annual Hinglaj Mata yatra and mela is conducted by the Hinglaj Seva Mandali (HSM). In India, Hinglaj Mata is widely worshipped in Gujarat, Rajasthan and parts of Maharashtra.

The five holy lakes in Hinduism are spread across India and one is outside India. The five holy lakes are: Pushkar in Rajasthan Kailsah Mansarovar in Tibet Narayan Sarovar in Gujarat Pampa Sarovar in Hampi Bindu Sarovar in Sidhpur, Gujarat Pushkar in Rajasthan The Pushkar Lake is associated with Brahma. Brahma, the creator, in Hinduism performed an yajna here. The lake was formed when a lotus flower fell from the hands of Brahma. The greatness of it is mentioned in the Padma Purana. The lake is mentioned in the Ramayana. Sage Vishwamitra performed austerities here. Bhagavan Sri Ram is believed to have performed the Shradh of his father Dasharata here. An important temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is located here. It is also one among the Pancha Teerth in Hinduism. Taking holy dip here washes away sins of this and previous births. There are 52 ghats and numerous temples around Pushkar Lake. The annual fair here is held from Kartik Shukla Paksha Ekadasi to Purni

This Bhagavad Gita Quiz is based on the first and second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. The aim of the quiz is to understand few important teachings in the first two chapters and also to get a general idea of Gita. Certain questions might be very easy and some might be bit tough. You can also take up the Bhagavad Gita to find answers. As this will help you in understanding Gita more.

Hita Harivamsa Goswami, a 16 th Century Vaisnava Saint, was the founder of the Radhavallabha Vaishnava sect. It is believed by the sect that Hita Harivamsa Goswamiji was the incarnation of flute (vamsi) of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. He was born in 1502 AD at Baad Village near Mathura. From a very young age, Harivamsa Goswami Ji was attracted to the leelas of Sri Krishna. Such was his intense devotion that he composed a devotional song title ‘Sri Radhasudha Nidhi’ in his childhood. Numerous miracles are associated with the saint and he is believed to have had many visions of Radha and Krishna from early childhood. There is a belief that Radha Rani herself imparted the Guru mantra to Harivamsa Goswami Ji. As per the belief of Radhavallabha Vaishnava sect, Radha is the main deity. A devotee can obtain the blessing of Bhagavan Sri Krishna only when Radha is pleased. Divine – Miracle Story of Hita Harivamsa Goswami Once, while playing, Harivamsa Goswami Ji fell into a

If you are facing problems in the marriage, then an ideal solution in Hinduism is to perform Tulsi and Vishnu puja. Here are few tips to solve marriage problems using Tulsi plant. Keep a Tulsi plant in your house. On the eas side of house. Offer lamp lit using cow ghee daily in the evening. Offer some Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu. Later keep the leaves hidden in the bedroom. Offer Sabudana kheer to Tulsi and later share it as Prasad with family members and neighbors.  Chant this Tulsi mantra देवी   त्वं   निर्मिता   पूर्वमर्चि - तासि   मुनीश्वरैः   नमो   नमस्ते   तुलसी   पापं   हर   हरिप्रिये॥ Worship Tulsi and Shaligram or picture of Vishnu daily.  Perform the annual Tulsi Puja on Kartik Shukla Paksha Dwadasi (after Diwali). Read the Bhagavad Gita daily - make it a point to read and understand a few stanzas. Only pour water under the plant. As fertilizer only use cow dung and leaves. Do not use fertilizer brought from outside as it contains unnatural mater

We want to be happy but our sorrows do not let us be so. We want to love people but our love is constantly clouded by unremitting hatred. We want to go ahead on our path to achieve greatness but the pulls of our body and mind do not let us do things in peace. We are constantly tossed and turned by the pulls of dualities. These twin-troubles come from our body, mind, and the environment. At their root lies our inherent nature to see things in pairs of opposites – dual nature. The only solution to overcome this is to constantly reminding oneself of the ultimate reality or negating the apparent permanence of the evanescent experiences of dual nature. Detachment is the key to negating the illusory events of the universe. This detachment has to be at the levels of the body, mind, and body-mind interactions with the environment. Why is it so important to transcend dualities? Whatever we may attain in the life of sense-experience, there would always be something better yet

There are eight types of marriage mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Five of them are sanctioned by the Holy Scriptures and Dharmasutras in Hinduism. Three types of sexual union between a man and woman are considered Adharma (unrighteous). The way of the Prajapati – when a woman and man come together for having a family. The way of Brahma – when a marriage takes place for social reasons like wealth, for peaceful settlement of issues etc. The way of the Devas – When a marriage takes place to settle fees for services rendered mostly by a sage. The way of the Rishi – the marriage takes place because of religious reason or ritual. The way of the Gandharvas – when a woman chooses a partner freely. The way of the Asuras – When a man or woman is bought with wealth. The way of the Rakshasas – When man or woman is abducted and forcibly married. The way of the Pisachas – When a woman is raped. The sexual union of Asuras, Rakshasas and Pisachas are considered Adharmic or unrighte

Sleeplessness is a big problem today. Bad dreams, anxiety and the unexplainable steals a good night’s sleep. Here are few things that a person can do to get a good night sleep as per Hinduism. Follow Dharma – Do not do things to others that you will not do to yourself. Be content and happy with what you have. Offer prayers to Ganesha and Hanuman daily. They can remove the biggest of obstacles in life. Apply tilak on the right foot of Hanuman and then take some and apply on your forehead. This will keep all negative forces out. Take some mustard oil and sindhoor, mix them to form a paste. Apply on the front door of the house and in the room in which you sleep. This will keep all negative energy out of the house. If possible, chant Hanuman Chalisa daily before going to bed. If not possible to chant the entire Hanuman Chalisa then chant this line. Teaching children this line is highly benefitial. “ भूत - पिशाच निकट नहीं आवे। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावे। ”  Read a scriptu

When it becomes impossible to resolve conflicts in life, the mind will try to convince us through certain methods that psychologists call mental mechanisms: Day dreaming and fantasy are among them. Fantasy is a common phenomenon. Especially when we are in anxiety or sorrow, we wander into an imaginary world, sliding away from reality. If there is an intense desire for name and fame that remains unfulfilled, we get some amount of satisfaction by vividly imagining that we are being honoured in a function or some such thing. We imagine of defeating in an argument, a person, who we cannot face in real life. In this manner we indulge in all sorts of imaginations and like to remain in a beggar’s dreamy world. The discontent mind gets some consolation through such day-dreaming. Those who are suffering from severe mental maladies may not find any difference between fantasies and reality. These day-dreaming episodes indicate different kinds of desire hiding within us, and they

Allama Prabhu is a popular 12 th century saint and poet associated with the Lingayat Sect in Karnataka. Allama Prabhu Jayanti is the birth anniversary of the great saint and is observed annually on Ugadi day. In 2025, Allama Prabhu Jayanti is on March 30. Allama Prabhu is counted among the trinity of Lingayatism along with Basavanna and Akka Mahadevi. Through his poems known as Vachana, Allama Prabhu criticized the social evils and reformed the society. He was against unwanted rituals and practice of caste system. Allama Prabhu was a contemporary of Basavanna and Akka Mahadevi. Saint Animisayya was his guru and he enlightened him. Allama Prabhu was against all forms of rituals and evil practices. His poems extolled the important of direct realization. A poem of Allama Prabhu: Look here, the legs are two wheels; the body is a wagon full of things Five men drive the wagon and one man is not like another. Unless you ride it in full knowledge of its ways the

This is a simple quiz based on Ramayan. Most of the quiz questions are on the life of Lord Ram. You can take the quiz - HB Quiz on Rama Please note that the quiz is an embedded file and is hosted on another website. If there are any corrections please post it on the comment section or send it on our email address. Related Quiz on Popular Hindu Festivals

Depression is the result of never ending desires, competitiveness, loneliness and indifference. When we are not responsive, responsible, caring and compassionate, we are opening the doors of depression. Only you can fight and defeat depression. For this, you need to have a proper understanding of life. A major reason for depression is high level of expectations. We perform our duty with expectations. We want people to recognize and appreciate us. We want them to be indebted to us. We want people to be loyal and thankful. We also want the best result in all matters. We do not want to lose. We want the highest remuneration. When this does not happen, we are disappointed, angry and disillusioned. Soon depression sets in. We live in a materialistic society where everything depends on wealth. Relationships are based on financial status. We work hard to be part of such a society without realizing that people have no value in it. Value is only for wealth. We get depressed when we are not

Number three is a recurring theme in the philosophy and stories associated with Shiva. The most famous among them is the three eyes. Shiva has three eyes. Three horizontal ash lines on the forehead of the Shiva devotees. Bilva, the favorite plant, of Shiva is noted for its joined three leaves. The trident of Shiva has three blades. Apart from this Shiva is believed to have destroyed Tripuri – the three impregnable forts of Demons. Three represents the beyond – the world which we should aim for and reach – Sat Chit Ananda. Shiva opens the third eye to destroy ignorance which is stopping us from attaining Moksha.

If you are troubled by a serious disease, then there is a powerful Hanuman mantra to overcome the severe illness. You can also share this mantra with people suffering from serious disease. Hanuman Mantra to Overcome Serious Disease ॐ लक्ष्मणप्राणदात्रे नमः Om Lakshmanapranadatraye Namah Why This Mantra is Powerful? The mantra invokes that form of Hanuman in which he rescued Lakshman in the Ramayana from near death situation. Hanuman carried the mountain containing Sanjeevani Booti to save Lakshman. How to Chant the Mantra? Wake up during sunrise. Offer prayers to Ganesha in the mind. Keep a murti, painting or picture, of Hanuman on a red color cloth in the east side of the house. Light lamp using cow ghee with one wick. Offer sindhoor to Hanuman. Mix some sindhoor in oil and apply it on the Hanuman picture. Offer red color flowers. Offer a banana. Sit in meditation. Breath in and out properly. Chant the mantra 108 times. Keep the count on a tuls

The expression of our inner goodness is natural to us. There is a tendency in everyone to be good, and no one wants to be bad. Even the wicked person thinks that whatever one is doing in a given situation is not wrong. Many people indulge in immoral activities pressurized by circumstances and in course of time, that becomes their habit. Strong desires and temptations compel some to adopt dubious means of fulfilling them. According to Swami Vivekananda, the main causes of wanton and unethical behavior are weakness and fear. Telling the truth, not to injure others, not to take away the things of others — all these are our natural state. A compulsion alone will prompt us to behave otherwise. Goodness is being simple and natural. While climbing the summit of a mountain, there may be some resting places from where we can get a panoramic view of the vast horizon. However, when we reach the top of the mountain, the entire vista around the mountain opens up before us. When a

Bhaktraja Bheekhajana was a very popular saint of the 16th century especially in Rajasthan and northwestern parts of India . A popular legend of Sant Bhaktaraj Bheekhajana is associated with the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Jaipur. Laxmi Narayan is a form of Hindu God Vishnu. It is said that the Saint was once denied entry into the Lakshmi Narayan Temple . Bhaktraja Bheekhajana went to the back side of the temple and started fasting and he also told those gathered that Bhagwan Lakshmi Narayan will appear before him. The fast continued for several days. Bhaktraja Bheekhajana sat meditating on Bhagwan Lakshmi Narayan. Then one day the walls of the temple fell down and the murti of Bhagavan Lakshmi Narayan Temple moved to where Bhaktraja Bheekhajana was sitting and gave him darshan. Reference about this incident can be still found on the walls of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Jaipur. The popular Bhakti song of Bheekhabhawani in Rajasthan is credited to Bhaktra

Coconut covered in red cloth is offered to Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu in some regions in India. Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Vishnu. Special puja and worship is offered to this incarnation on Phalgun Shukla Paksha Dwadashi (12 th day during the waxing phase of phalgun month (February – March) and on Narasimha Jayanti (also known as Narasimha Chaturdashi in Vaishakh month). Coconut covered in red cloth is offered to find relief to all kinds of problems in life. A good coconut is taken and it is covered with red color cloth. Some small amount of sindhoor and chandan is smeared on it. It is then offered in a Narasimha Temple. The same offering is made to overcome fear of darkness and ghosts. Those people who have sleep issue due to dreadful dreams also make the offering.

Ashoka Sashti is observed in the Chaitra Month especially in Bengal and eastern parts of India . Ashoka Sashti 2025 date is April 3. Shasti or Shashti is the sixty day of a fortnight in a Hindu lunar calendar. Ashoka Sashti is observed on the sixth day during the waxing phase of moon or Shukla Paksha. The flower buds of the Ashoka tree are consumed on the day by people. Ashoka tree is seen as a symbol of love and is also associated with the Kamdev, the Hindu God of love. On the same day, Skanda Sashti is observed in Gaya and Surya Sashti is observed in North India. The name Ashoka means that which removes grief from heart. The tree is a symbol of love. It is also a symbol of chastity because Mata Sita survived in a garden of Ashoka Tree in Lanka as Ravana's prisoner.

Touching the feet of elders and Gurus (teachers) is of great importance in Hinduism. It is known as Charan Sparsh. Symbolically, the act of touching the feet shows respect. However, there are many other reasons. It is part of Hindu culture. An individual performs it without fear or coercion. Like all tradition in Sanatana Dharma, this one is also not forced by any rule. The origin of the tradition of touching the feet of family members, elders and important people in Hindu society is lost in time. No one knows when this tradition started. When we touch the feet of elders and Gurus, we connect with the positive energy in them. This energy is passed on to the person touching the feet. There is an exchange of positive energy. It is also a way of suggesting that we all are connected to each through the invisible power of the Supreme Truth. As per Hinduism, all animate and inanimate rises, floats and transforms in Supreme Truth (God). There is nothing outside. It is our ego (

A story on how to escape from depression and suicide by making others happy. A young man was suffering from severe depression without finding any meaning in life. The only way open to him was to end his life, and he was going towards a river with that intention. When he approached the bank of the river, he found some fish wriggling in despair, being swept to the ground by the current of water. Seeing their plight, he picked up one fish and put it back in water. Seeing the fish gleefully swim, it struck him that he could find meaning in life by making others happy. Then he gave up the idea of committing suicide and returned home. Depression and suicide tendencies in people are mainly because they limit their world. The world is so vast, even bigger is nature and its miracles and even bigger is the glory of the Supreme Truth. Open up and change your mindset. Story Source -  The Psychological Aspects of Spiritual Life by Swami Nityasthananda  – March 2016 issue of Prabuddha B

Saptanagas is the collective name given to seven holy and divine serpents in Hindu religion. The seven snakes or nagas are: Ananta,  Takshaka,  Karka,  Padma,  Mahapadma,  Sanmkhaka and  Gulika. These seven serpents appear in Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana and other holy scriptures associated with Hinduism. The Sapta Naga concept is mentioned in the Agni Purana. The Agni Purana states that these serpents should adorn the walls of the temples. Some of them are depicted as having multiple heads. Hindu God Vishnu sleeps on Ananta in the milky ocean. Ananta means that which has no beginning or end. Symbolically this being exists throughout the known and unknown universe. You may also like to read Saptamatrikas

Hindu Calendar 2019 with Tithi in pdf for free download is in English and Hindi and is based on Calendars followed in North India – Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand. A month in this Hindu calendar begins after Purnima and ends on Purnima. All important festivals and fasting 2019 dates are marked in the calendar. Link –  Download Hindu Calendar 2019 with Tithi in pdf  (English) Link - Download Hindu Calendar 2019 with Tithi in Hindi in pdf (हिंदी) - contains important festivals and vrat. The font is in Hindi. The calendar is based on Purnimat system. A traditional Hindu month begins after Purnima or full moon day.

Tamas River is the largest tributary of the Yamuna and flows through Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, touching Himachal Pradesh. Today, the river is popularly known as Tons. A popular story in the Garhwal region indicates that the origin of the Tamas River is associated with Barbareek, grandson Pandav Bhim and son of Ghatotkachch. Legend has it that the word about Mahabharata battle spread around the world and Barbareek too came to hear about it. He wanted to participate in the battle but he will only take the side of the loser. Barbareek then set out to reach Kurukshetra on his way he met Arjuna and Krishna who were disguise – in the form of Saints. They were on the look out for great warriors. When Barbareek displayed his talent in archery, Krishna knew that he was capable of overrunning any opposition. But Barbareek said he would only join the side that will be losing the great battle. Krishna knew that Kauravas were destined to be defeated and Barbareek joining them was

Hladini Shakti is the bliss giving potency associated with Lord Krishna. It is essentially a Vaishnava concept. According to some school of thought, Radha is the personification of Hladini Shakti. Hladini is Ananda or bliss. Hladini stands for that power of Bhagavan which renders possible all experiences of bliss, from the lowest to the highest. All such phenomenal situations of bliss, as well as the infinite and unconditional transcendent bliss of Bhagavata himself, become possible because of the Hladini power alone. Because of the Hladini Shakti of Brahman, the universe is full of joy and pleasure. This shakti is used by the Supreme Truth to carry out blissfulness in the world. Whatever resources are required to preserve the universe is expressed through Hladini Shakti. Hladini is considered the highest Shakti of Bhagavan as it subsumes within itself both the sandhini and samvit powers of God. It is so because the occurrence of any blissful cognition logically implies

The article, How to wear the Pavitram? - Regulations For Wearing And Discarding The Pavitram, originally written and contributed by Sarma Sastrigal. It is found in the book titled ‘The Great  Hindu Tradition’ written by Sarma Sastrigal. The darbhai is to be worn on the ring finger of the right hand, in a circular formation, prior to starting any religious rite like homa, dana, yaga-yagna - in fact any deva or pitru karma. This ubiquitous adornment on the finger of the karta of any ritual is called a pavitram, and it is necessarily made of darbhai. There is an opinion that one can permanently have the "pavitram" on. Perhaps an extension of this thinking is the idea ascribed to sages like Katyayana and Harita that a pavitram could be made of gold and worn all the time. Please note that a pavitram made of gold cannot substitute a darbhai. When a karma starts one has to necessarily have a darbhai pavitram on, even if one is already wearing a swarna pavitram. Any reference

In many regions, Wednesday, Budhwar, is dedicated to Ganesha. Puja, worship and rituals performed on the day to Ganesh helps in overcoming Budh Navgraha dosha in the janam kundali (horoscope). Ganpati is the Lord of Budh Navgraha. Here are few tips to get the blessings of Ganesha by offering pujas and prayers on Wednesday. Offer food made using ghee and jaggery as Prasad or bhog to Ganesha on Wednesday. A part of the bhog should be given to a cow. Doing this is seen as remedy for financial problems. If the house is haunted by black magic, enemy activities or by other negative elements, then keep a white colored Ganpati murti in the puja area on Wednesday and offer prayers to it. Offering green gram at ganesh temples will help in overcoming Budh graha related problems in the horoscope. Visit a Ganesh temple on Wednesday and offer 11 or 21 blades of Durva grass. This will help in removing all forms of obstacles related to marriage, business, job, and other aspects of li

Vishvamitra Rishi and Sage Vasishtha once had an argument. Vishvamitra Rishi said to Sage Vasishtha that tapas, or intense meditation on the Supreme Truth is greater than anything else in this world. Vasishta did not agree and said that that Satsanga – the company of truth (in the company of those who have realized truth) – was superior to Tapas. The argument continued for a while and finally they decided to approach to Brahma to decide which was great Tapas or Satsang. Brahma directed them to Shiva as he was not able to give them a proper answer. Shiva directed them to Vishnu as he was not interested in this argument. Vishnu too found no interest in the argument and directed them to Adi Sesha. Adi Sesha, the thousand-headed snake on whom Srihari Vishnu reclines, was ready to settle the argument. As per Hindu tradition it is believed that Adi Sesha holds the weight of the earth on his thousand heads. So before settling the dispute, He asked Vishvamitra Rishi and Sage Vasish

The worship of Goddess Vimala in the Puri Jagannath Temple complex is a significant aspect of the temple's spiritual and cultural heritage. Goddess Vimala, regarded as a manifestation of Dakshina Kalika, holds a vital place in the Tantric traditions associated with the temple. Here is a detailed expansion on the subject: Tantric Worship and the Role of Goddess Vimala Tantric Association: Goddess Vimala's worship is deeply rooted in Tantric practices, which emphasize the feminine divine and incorporate rituals aimed at achieving spiritual transformation. In the context of the Puri Jagannath Temple, these practices align with the temple's larger ritualistic and spiritual framework. Bhairavi and Bhairava: In Tantric cosmology, Lord Jagannatha is considered a form of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with destruction and regeneration. Correspondingly, Goddess Vimala is seen as Bhairavi, the consort of Bhairava. This relationship signifies a complementar

Many people want to know the story of the birth or origin of Goddess Durga in Hindu scriptures. It must be noted that Goddess Durga is the one without birth or death. Only She exists – all animate and inanimate beings are like bubbles in ocean. Goddess Durga appeared in a form (which is wrongly called as birth or origin) to help his devotees. Story of Origin of Goddess Durga Mahishasura acquired innumerable power through boons and defeated the gods and the demons. He attacked the heaven and captured it and made ‘devas’ his slaves. He proclaimed that he is now Indra – the lord of the gods. The gods led by Brahma approached Vishnu and Shiva and appraised them of the situation. The actions of Mahishasura caused intense anger in the Trimurtis. The anger emerging out of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined to the take the shape of a terrible form and this was Durga. The Human Form of Goddess Durga It is said that the flames of fire that gushed out of the eyes of the Trimur

Ulta Hanuman Mandir located at Sanwer, around 30 km south of Ujjain, is famous for a Hanuman murti (idol) which is upside down. The devotees who visit the temple are full of stories of desire fulfillment, relief to health issues and family problems. Picture of Ulte Hanuman It is a swamyambhu murti - that which appeared due to divine providence. Story of Ulta Hanuman Mandir The story of Ulta Hanuman Mandir is associated with Ahiravana. The popular belief is that Hanuman went to the netherworld ( Patal loka) from the spot where the Ulta Hanuman murti is located. Ahiravana had kidnapped Bhagvan Sri Ram and Lakshman and taken them to the Patal Lok. Hanuman went to the underworld and rescued the brothers by annihilating the demon. The Temple People visit the temple for three or five Tuesdays continuously for peace and prosperity in life. The belief is that even the most difficult problems in life will be solved after having darshan of Hanuman here for five Tuesdays. Th

Who may be called a paramahamsa? He who, like a swan, can take the milk from a mixture of milk and water, leaving aside the water. He who, like an ant, can take the sugar from a mixture of sugar and sand, leaving aside the sand. Again, the world is a mixture of milk and water, the bliss of God-Consciousness and the pleasure of sense-enjoyment. Be a swan and drink the milk, leaving the water aside. If you put a mixture of milk and water before the swan, it will leave the water and drink only the milk. Haven’t you noticed the gait of a swan? It goes straight ahead in one direction. So it is with genuine devotees: they go toward God alone. They seek nothing else; they enjoy nothing else. A Paramahamsa is always conscious that God alone is real and all else illusory. Only the swan has the power to separate milk from a mixture of milk and water. The swan’s tongue secretes an acid that separates the milk from the mixture. The Paramahamsa also possesses such a juice; it is his ec

There is a strong belief among many Hindu communities that worshipping and offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi on Friday will attract her blessings and wealth. The puja is simple and it does not involve any complicated rituals. After waking up, one should offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and then to Goddess Lakshmi. After taking bath, one should wear white color clothes and then pray before the picture of Goddess Lakshmi. Then a devotee should chant Sri Sooktam Mantra. Lotus flower should then be offered to the Goddess. It is believed that performing the above said ritual will attract the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi. Along with this feeding children with kheer or misri (rock candy) for 21 Fridays is considered highly meritorious.