Tirthas, or Teerthas, are holy rivers, lakes, ponds, water bodies near a temple or in a sacred spot and is famous for the holy and divine nature of the water. These water bodies are known as Tirtha and is of great importance in Hinduism. A water body becomes sacred after being connected to a divine incident or a holy saint bathing in it or due to miracle or finding something in it associated with a Hindu deity. There are also Tirthas that are mentioned in the Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and other epics. Earlier the Tirtha included holy persons and even pious devotees. Thus a person who had studied the Vedas was a Tirtha. Padma Purana refers to the teacher, mother, father husband, wife all as tirthas. In Rig Veda, a tirtha was a shallow area of a river. But later Tirthas became associated with a holy water body. Thus the Skanda Purana says that a place on earth resorted to by the ancient good men for the collection of merit is called tirtha. The Brahma

Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari is a world famous monument today and is visited by thousands of people daily. The beautiful memorial in the middle of the sea would not have been possible if not for the single minded devotion and dedication of Ekanath Ranade, who had to overcome politicians, Christian missionaries and narrow-minded bureaucrats of India . Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore , writes about the struggle undertaken by Eknath Ranade in building the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in the newspaper Star of Mysore (the article was published in 2010 and remove long back) . Most of the people do not know or even cannot imagine the trouble, frustration and disappointment experienced by the persons behind the memorial. Like a Trivikrama and Nakshatrika, Eknath Ranade stood by this memorial and ultimately became successful. This story is not only poignant but also brings to light the m

Everything Hindu ancestors did had a purpose and meaning. Harmony with nature and positive energy was of prime importance to Hindus. Here is a look at the hidden spiritualism in the architecture of old Hindu homes in South India. Some of the old Hindu homes in South India were noted for its unique linear, architecture – especially the steps, small entrance door, walkway etc. Most of the houses had entrance steps referred as ‘Padi’ in local languages. The term ‘padi’ also meant to learn – this symbolically denotes acquiring knowledge – learning of Vedas, Upanishads and other scriptures. Ego sets in when one acquires knowledge. Therefore the four steps usually led to a door which was small in height. Except for children (who are without ego) all the people had to bow down to enter the house. Symbolically, this taught one to be humble and to drop the ego even if one had acquired vast knowledge. The small door led to a long walkway. This symbolically suggests that

Pradosh Vrat, also known as Pradosham, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Pradosh fasting and rituals are observed on the 13th day of lunar fortnight.There is an interesting story mentioned in the Puranas which narrate the origin of the Pradosh Fasting. The Pradosh vrat katha is associated with Samudurmanthana or Churning of ocean and Lord Shiva drinking the poison Halahala. To get Amrita or the elixir of life, Devas and Asuras started the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean on the advice from Lord Vishnu. The churning of the ocean produced the terrible poison Halahala which had the capacity to devour the universe. Lord Shiva came to the rescue of the Devas and Demons and he drank the poison Halahala. The demons and gods continued the churning of the ocean and finally they got the Amrut or elixir on the twelfth day of lunar fortnight. The Devas and Asuras thanked Lord Shiva on the thirteenth day. Pleased with the devotion, Lord Shiva is

This collection of Ramayana Quotes is mainly from books and the holy epic Ramayan. The quotes have been collected over a period of 10 years from talks, books, magazines and newspapers. No man has ever born who could conquer old age. The desire to possess is at the root of all anxieties. The body is like a leaf. In no time, it yellows and drops to the ground. The retreat of a strong man is like the silent drawing back of a fist to strike a blow. Man should devote himself to dharma and only to dharma. One who sets his mind, instead, on acquiring Artha (wealth) becomes an object of the censure of the wise. The third man who is lost in  Kama , the other path, is not worthy of praise. If, however, a man follows the path of dharma set down in the Shastras, Artha, Kama and Moksha will follow as a natural sequel to one’s actions. Some happenings in the life of man cannot be explained away, and the course of some things can never be altered by anyone, however much he

Bhairav is a fierce manifestation of Shiva and is a deity who protects villages, homes and devotees in Hinduism. Here is a powerful Bhairav mantra to achieve success, to get good job, to find sudden wealth at the earliest and to change luck in love related matters. Bhairav Mantra भूतसंघनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम् । नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं . जगत्पतिं काशिकापुराधिनाथ . कालभैरवं भजे।। Bootsanganayak Vishalakitirdayak Kashivasalokpunayapa shokdamka Vibrham Nitimargkovindam puratanam Jagatpatim kashikapuradinatha Kalbharavam bhaje The mantra has to be chanted for 41 days, starting from a Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi – eight day during the waning or dark phase of moon. The mantra should be chanted 7 times. How to Chant Powerful Bhairav Mantra? Wake up early in the morning and take bath. Visit a Kal Bhairav temple and take blessings. The prayer should be chanted at midnight on the day around 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Wear red or blac