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Showing posts from September 10, 2018


Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram Text in Malayalam in pdf – Download for free

This Malayalam text of Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram is provided by Sree Rama Dasa Mission. It is in pdf format and you can download it if you have pdf reader installed. Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram is dedicated to the Mother Goddess and extols her glory in 1000 names. The Lalitha Tripura Sundari form of Mother Goddess is worshipped through the Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram prayer. Link -  Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram in Malayalam

Importance of Chanting of Mantras and Prayers in Hinduism

Chanting of a simple mantra or prayer is considered one of the easiest ways to worship God in Hinduism. The prayer can be Om or Om Namah Shivaya or Om Namo Narayanaya or any of the numerous other simple Hindu prayers. It is said in the Puranas that chanting of mantras is the best way to approach God in Kali Yuga and attain Moksha. It is believed that self realization, tapas, Dhyanam etc., are tough to practice for human beings living in Kali Yuga (the present age). In the Satya Yuga, Dhyanam was the easiest way to approach God. The human mind was not polluted in Satya Yuga and therefore he/she was able to climb the ladder of self realization easily. In the Treta Yuga, Yajna and Yagams were seen as the methods of worship. In the Dwapara Yuga, pujas and rituals were seen as the best modes or worship. In the Kali Yuga, chanting of mantras and prayers is considered to be the ideal method to attain self realization. This is because the age of Kali is an ag

Navratri in Kerala - Navarathri Celebrations in Kerala In 2024

The nine-day Navaratri in Kerala is mainly dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswathi. Vijaya Dashami the 10th day after Navratri is observed as Vidyarambham. Navratri 2024 is from October 3 to October 12. Vidyarambham is on October 12. Navratri in Kerala is noted for musical concerts. Musical nights at the Navarathri Mandapam in Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ) and Navarathri musical concerts and dance nights held in other major towns and cities in Kerala attract thousands of people. In some place in Kerala during Navratri, first three days is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati; Lakshmi during the next three days and Durga on the last three days. Some communities in Kerala especially Tamil Malayalis in Trivandrum , Palakkad and Ernakulam keep Navratri dolls or Bommai golu dolls during Navratri. Some devout Hindus abstain from non-vegetarian food during the nine-days of Navratri. But for Malayalis Navratri is mostly noted for Ayudha Puja and Vidyaramb

Symbolism of Dandiyas – The sticks used during Navratri Dandiya Ras in Gujarat

Dandiyas are the sticks used during Navratri Dandiya Raas dance in Gujarat . Since the dance involves the rhythmical striking of the Dandiyas, it also referred as stick dance. Dandiyas are referred as dancing sticks. Dandiya Raas dance take place every night during the nine nights of Navratri.  Each dancer participating in Dandiya Raas carries small decorated wooden sticks which are struck in rhythm. The rhythmical striking of the Dandiyas has a symbolic meaning derived from Gujarati culture and Hindu legends. The Dandiya Raas dancers waving the decorated sticks represent harvesters using their sickles on paddy field. This interpretation is based on the belief that Navratri was once a harvest celebration. Another interpretation is that the Dandiya Raas dancers swirling round in circles with their sticks colliding in mid-air represents the warriors in the battle between Lord Ram and the Ravana in the Ramayana.

Shiva Dancing on Nandi

Shiva dancing on Nandi, the bull, is a popular image in North and Eastern parts of India . But this concept is not followed in South India . It is believed that Shiva first gave the lessons of dancing to his most favorite disciple, Nandi. There are also images of Shiva dancing ecstatically with Nandi. Shiva is practically lost in his dance and Nandi beats the drum. Tandu is a name associated with Nandi as he has the fortune to dance with Shiva. When Shiva dances in the Nataraja form, Nandi is a mere spectator and this is the most popular concept followed. Shiva dancing and Nandi beating the drum is mentioned in the Bengali translation of the Malatimadhava. It must be noted here that in Odisha there are temples panels depicting Shiva dancing on Nandi.

Jyotirlinga Temple near Pune in Maharashtra - Famous Shiva Temple Near Pune

The Jyotirlinga Temple near Pune is the famous Bhimashankar Temple. It is the sixth among the twelve or  Dwadash Jyothirlingas . Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located on the banks of the Bhima River and is about 125 km from Pune in Maharashtra. Shiva appeared here in the form of a Jyoti (small flame). The murti of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga is in an underground chamber and is visible through the light of a lamp. Marigolds and Bilva leaves are offered here. Bhimashankar Temple daily opens at 04:30 AM. Aarti is performed thrice a day-04:30 AM, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The Sanctum Sanctorum is closed after 3:00 PM for a short period on Mondays and during special tithis (days) like Pradosh etc. Mahapuja is performed at 12:30 PM. The temple closes at 9:30 PM. A devotee can enter the Sanctum Sanctorum and perform pujas and abhishek. Related A Complete Guide to Bhimashankar Temple

Kalindi River and Shiva – The Story of How The Waters of Kalindi Became Black?

Legend has is that the waters of the Kalindi River mentioned in the Puranas is black. The river turned black after an incident related to Shiva. After the death of Sati , Shiva sat inactive. He performed intense meditation. There was imbalance in the universe. There was no creation. No birth. Devas assigned Kamdev to instill lust in Shiva . Kamdev sent arrows on Shiva and Mahadev woke up from the meditation. He opened his third eye and burned Kamdev into ashes. But the arrows did the trick and Shiva started calling out loudly the name of Sati. He remembered her. Finding Sati nowhere and unable to bear the passions created by the arrows, Shiva jumped into the Kalindi River . The waters of Kalindi became black from that day onwards.

Ramdev Temple Bhadrapada Mela in Rajasthan – Ramdevra Ramdev Mandir

Ramdev Temple at Ramdevra in Jaisalmer District in Rajasthan is dedicated to Shri Ramdevji a 15 th century saint, who is believed to be a manifestation of Hindu God Vishnu. Ramdev Temple Bhadrapad Mela 2024 date is September 5. The popular belief is that Shri Ramdeo appeared on the second day during the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month – Bhadro Dooj – as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Rajasthan. The fair ends on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ekadasi and in 2024 this is on September 14. Ramdev Temple at Ramdevra has the tomb of Shri Ramdevji. The temple is associated with the Tanwar Rajput community. The Bhadrapad Mela attracts nearly a million people from Rajasthan and different parts of India . Ramdevra is around 125 km from Jaisalmer.

HWL Poonja Quotes - Poonjaji Thoughts and Sayings

H.W.L. Poonja (1910 to 1997) -  Poonjaji is affectionately referred as ‘papaji’ and was a disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Here is a collection of Quotes and Thoughts of Poonjaji. If someone tells you something, don't accept it because no teaching has so far touched the Truth. This much I will tell you. No one ever spoke the Truth. No word has ever been coined to present it. You have to wake up Yourself; you have to see for Yourself. The senses are not needed, nor are the eyes. The eyes cannot see it; the mind cannot understand it; the intellect cannot grasp it. None of these will accompany you. You have to be alone without these things. You have to proceed alone. None of the five elements will accompany you. You will go alone to meet this situation, but what it is, no one knows. Look within, there is no difference between yourself, Self and Guru. You are always Free. There is no teacher, there is no student, there is no teaching. What Poonjaji means is that Tru