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Showing posts from November 16, 2018


Pradakshina Patha – Importance in Hindu Temple

Pradakshina Patha is an important architectural feature of a Hindu Temple. It is the term used to refer to the passage around the garbha griha or the sanctum sanctorum in a Hindu temple. The passage is essentially provided for performing pradakshina (going around the deity). While walking on the Pradakshina Patha the devotee establishes divine communion with the deity seated or standing in the sanctum sanctorum. The various forms for the deity and other aspects carved on the outer walls of the sanctum and in some instances even on the Pradakshina Patha acts as points of concentration which helps in guiding the devotee towards the main murti enshrined in the garbhagriha. Pradakshina Patha is an enclosed passage or sometimes in the open courtyard surrounding the temple. Sometimes it is on a platform (jagati). Scriptures dedicated to temple architecture have divided temples based on Pradakshina Patha. Those with a path are known as Sandhara and those without is known

Dakshina Raya – About God Daksina Raya in Bengal

Dakshina Raya is a deity worshipped in parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh . Daksina Raya protects devotees from the attacks of tigers. The deity is worshipped mainly in the forests of Sunderban and 24 Parganas district in Southern West Bengal. Dakshina Raya is a handsome warrior. He carries a bow and arrow and a quiver and shield on his back. Later images of Dakshina Raya have him holding a gun. He is depicted as riding a horse or tiger. He wears a crown and other ornaments. Dakshinaraya is not mentioned in Vedas or Puranas but He has been worshipped by Hindus from the medieval period. Important rituals and pujas dedicated to Daksina Raya are held in the Magh month (January – February). The human form of the deity is rarely worshipped. Instead Daksina Raya is represented by Badha – a metal pot symbolizing the deity. The metal pot is hung from trees in forest. Those who venture into the forest offer prayers at any time of the day for protection and safe return.

About Murti of Hindu God Brahma – Important Aspects in Crafting Idol of Brahma

Information regarding how the murti (idol) of Brahma should be crafted is mentioned in the Rupamandana. Brahma has four peaceful looking faces. The four heads faces the four quarters. The murti of Brahma should have four arms and a beard. The main murti of Brahma can be standing, sitting in padmasana posture or sitting on a Swan (Hamsa). Swan is the vehicle or Vahana of Brahma. Sometimes Brahma is depicted as a chariot drawn by seven swans with consorts Saraswati and Savitri. Text like Silparatna states that murti of Brahma should be seated on a mat made of long grass. When the murti is in standing posture, it should be in padma pitha. The color of the murti should be chrome yellow and the color of the eyes is orange. The crown should be adorned with ornaments. There is also a white thread on his chest – the yajnopavita. Earrings are made of gold or ruby. The hair color can be red, white or crimson. The four hands should hold akshamala and handful of kusha g

Bhagavad Gita On Food - Gita On What Food We Should Eat

Gita touches upon several different aspects of human life. Bhagavad Gita narrates about the importance of the food we take daily. The food we daily take has its effect on our psychology and character. It may be satvik, good and strengthening to the spirit; or destructive of serenity, passion-producing, rajasik; or wholly bad causing deterioration of mind and intellect and increasing inertia, tamasik. The foods that promote long life and vitality, bodily vigor, health, joy and amiability, which are pleasant to the taste, soft, substantial and satisfying are liked by the satvik natures. Chapter XVII – 8 The passionate desire foods that are bitter, sour, saline, over-hot, pungent, dry and burning are rajasik in nature. These produce sickness, pain and grief. Chapter XVII – 9 Food that is not freshly made, food that has lost its flavor, stale food, and food that has gone putrid, left-over food and food which is filthy, appeal to men of tamasik nature. Chapter XVII