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Showing posts from November 15, 2018


Reason For Keeping Peacock Feather At Home in Hinduism

There is a belief among in many Hindus that keeping peacock feather in home will help in keeping away Snakes. It is also believed that it helps in keeping away lizards. This belief stems from the fact that peacocks are natural enemies of snakes. In Hinduism, Bhagavan Sri Krishna used to wear peacock feather on his head as an adornment. Krishna defeating Kaliya Snake is also associated with this belief. Another reason is that Lord Muruga (Kartik or Skanda) has peacock has his vehicle and it is shown trampling on a snake. Thus peacock feather is divine and this is the main reason why it is used to scare away snakes and lizards. As peacock feather is associated with Sri Krishna, it is considered highly auspicious and is kept in Hindu homes to usher in positive energy. 

Bhagirathi and Ganga - Why Ganga River is known as Bhagirathi?

In the Himalayas , Holy River Ganga is known as Bhagirathi. The reason why Holy River Ganga is known as Bhagirathi because it was King Bhagiratha's desire to free the souls of his ancestors that brought Holy River Ganga from heaven to earth. He performed intense austerities (Tapas) first to Ganga to come down to earth. When Ganga agreed, there was a problem as her fall from the sky to earth will destroy Mother Earth. To overcome this problem the king performed Tapas for several years to Shiva. Only Mahadev could capture the might fall of Ganga to earth. Shiva agreed. In memory of the intense austerities performed by King Bhagirathi to bring Holy Ganga down to earth, the river is known as Bhagirathi in the Himalayas and is an important distributary in Bengal . Bhagirathi River in Bengal After traveling for about 2,075 kilometers in hills and plains in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, the Ganga River divides into two distributar

Why Tulsi Is Not Offered To Ganesha? - Story - Reason For Tulsi Leaves Not Used in Ganapati Puja

In majority of the regions, Tulsi leaves are not offered to Ganesha. But in some regions Tulsi is offered during Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. There is a story which narrates why Tulsi is not offered to Ganapati. This story happened before Tulsi became a holy plant on earth. Legend has it Tulsi was a beautiful maiden and she was once visiting various Teerths (sacred places) chanting the name of Narayana. Once she happened to see young Ganesh meditating on the banks of Ganga . She was attracted by him. Devi Tulsi tried various means to get the attention of Ganesha. Ganesha who was disturbed by Devi Tulsi tried to find out the reason for her behavior. He also tried to make understand that it is not good to disturb a person who is meditating. Devi Tulsi then requested him to marry her. But Ganesha told he was not interested in marriage. She tried several times giving various reasons. Ganeshji was not impressed and continued to ignore her. Finally, He advised her to marry

Durga Mandir at Jichho at Bhagalpur in Bihar – Bhagalpur Goddess Durga Temple

Durga Mandir at Jichho at Bhagalpur is of not great antiquity but is famous because the murti of Goddess Durga worshipped is highly powerful and is also a wish fulfilling deity. The temple is located at Jichho in Bhagalpur, Bihar. It is believed that the presence of Goddess Durga at Jichho help in overcome a huge storm that hit the region. The most important festival observed here is the Durga Puja. It is spread over ten days. Special jagran rituals are observed during the period. Tuesday and Friday attract maximum crowd to the temple. It is believed that prayers offered at the feet of Goddess will be answered. She is thus considered as a deity who is kshipraprasadini - one who blesses immediately. People arrive in the shrine to find to relief from serious illness. She fulfills the desires of devotees like new job and early marriage. She is also propitiated for defeating enemies. Animal sacrifices were held here before but now people make other offerings like red

Abjayoni – Importance of This Name of Brahma

Abjayoni is one among the numerous names of Brahma, the creator. Abjayoni means ‘one who is born of a lotus.’ Legend has it that Brahma appeared from a lotus emerging from the navel of Bhagvan Vishnu. In Hinduism a cycle of creation comes to an end with the great deluge. On the waters of the great deluge, Bhagvan Vishnu alone floats atop a banyan leaf. Then Jagdamba (Goddess Shakti) appears before the Vatapatrashayi Vishnu and reminds him that it is time for the next cycle of creation. Then from the navel of Vishnu appears a lotus with Brahma atop it - Abjayoni. Brahma then pays his respect to Jagadamba and Vishnu and begins the next cycle of creation. Brahma then creates the Saptarishis and Prajapatis. All living beings are then created.