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Showing posts from November 6, 2018


Gop Maas

Margashirsha month in traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India is observed as Gopmaas in Braj, Vrindavan and by several Krishna sects especially Pushtimarg. Gop Maas 2024 is from November 16 to December 15. The month is considered dear to Sri Krishna. Staunch Krishna devotees offer daily prayers in Krishna Temples. A unique feature of the month is the taking care of domestic animals especially cow and ox. Margashirsh is the ninth month in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India .

Hindu Temple Flags - Symbolism of Flags in Hindu Temples

All Hindu temples have a flag and are hoisted mainly during festivals and auspicious days on a Dwaja Stambha . But in North India , flags are a constant feature of a Hindu temple and it flutters on all days. Symbolically, hoisting the flag suggest setting out to conquer, and a devotee comes to the temple to conquer his ego and gain control over the baser nature with the help of the Supreme Being. The Sanskrit word for the flag is ‘dhvaja’ and it means whatever is raised. In the religious sense, whatever raises man to a higher lever of understanding and activity is a ‘dhvaja.’ The flag also suggests hope and desire to overcome ignorance. Some flags and banners hoisted in temples act as a message board and give an idea about the deity worshipped in the temple. It also suggests which particular incarnation or manifestation of the God is given importance in the temple. Some temple flags are specifically designed for the purpose of temple festivals and are only ho

Importance Of Avatar - Incarnation in Hinduism

Avatar, or Incarnation, is an important aspect of Hinduism. Lord Krishna explains about Avatar in the Bhagavad Gita – When righteousness declines and unrighteousness increases in the world, God takes birth in an avatar or incarnation to save and protect the honest and destroy the sinners. Avatar in Hindu religion is popularly associated with Lord Vishnu and nine Avatars of Lord Vishnu has already appeared and the 10th Kalki will appear in future. Hindu Puranas also mentions about several Avatars of Lord Shiva . There are also several minor incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Symbolically, an avatar happens when a human being (or any living being) realizes that all animate and inanimate is that Supreme Being and performs his/her Dharma. An avatar happens when the veil is removed and the individual starts to see the Supreme Being in everything - there is no two. The ten important incarnations of Lord Vishnu are Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama,

How to Perform Diwali Puja?

Diwali is not all about celebrations, revelry and merry making. It is also a time for contemplation, self introspection and an opportunity to remove spiritual darkness created by ignorance and ego by remembering the victory of good over evil mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. Hindus also conduct important Diwali pujas and rituals like Lakshmi and Ganesh Puja , Kuber Puja, Chopda Puja and Sharda Pujan. The main Diwali Puja date in 2024 is October 31. In Maharashtra it is marked on November 1. New Beginning: Diwali is the time for a fresh and new beginning. People forget and forgive misdeeds and resolve to live in peace, harmony and purity by observing dharma. Personal discord and family conflicts are forgiven and unity and harmony is welcomed. Diwali Pujas : All pujas and rituals on Diwali day begin after praying to Lord Ganesh. Special prayers are also offered to Lord Hanuman on Diwali day. Sindoor and oil are offered to Hanuman. To welcome Godde

Avadhuta Gita Quotes - A Collection Of Teachings From Avadhuta Gita

Do not hold the immature, the credulous, the foolish, the slow, the layman and the fallen to have nothing good in them. They all teach something. Learn from them. Surely we do not give up a game although we have mastered it? Think not lightly of your Guru should he lack letters and learning. Take the Truth he teaches and ignore the rest. Know well that a boat, painted and adorned, will carry you across the river; so also will one that is plain and simple. As softness is not perceived apart from soft objects, as sweetness is not known apart from honey, as bitterness is not known apart from the [very bitter-tasting] Neem tree [leaves], as fluidity and coolness are the nature of water, so the primordial form of matter called mahat ['giant'] is no other than the Self (Atman). As the rays of the sun differ not from the sun, so matter does not differ from God. When the pot is broken, the space within it is absorbed in the infinite space and becomes undifferentiated.