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Showing posts from November 30, 2018


Story of Mula Ganga in Kanyakumari Temple – Mula Ganga Well With Fresh Water in Kanyakumari

Mula Ganga is a water reservoir (well) located in the Kanyakumari Temple in Tamil Nadu. When Devi Kanyakumari annihilated the demon Banasura, Devas came to the seashore, the site of the battle, to felicitate Goddess on her victory. But Devas could not find fresh water to pour over the Devi. There was no fresh water in the vicinity and they could not use the salt sea water. Goddess Kanyakumari then threw down her spear which split the earth a great fountain of water gushed out from the seven Patalas and covered the earth. The flood alarmed the gods and human beings. They asked Goddess to save them. She then made a huge hole on the spot and contained the water in it and the water never overflowed. This well was named the Mulgaganga. The Mula Ganga is located in the second Prakaram (inner courtyard) of the temple. Water from it is used during the abhishekam ritual for deities worshipped in the temple. 

Rules To Draw Lord Vishnu Image – Gopala Tapani Upanishad

Gopala Tapani Upanishad details as to how one should portray Lord Vishnu in image form. Some scriptures have minor differences regarding the rule. His feet bear the auspicious signs of a celestial standard, a royal parasol. His chest is adorned by srivatsa locks of hair, the brilliantly shining kaustubha gem and rows of forest-flower garlands (vanamala). His four hands hold shankha (conch), chakra (discus), gada (mace) and padma (lotus). He is adorned with armlets, garlands, jewels, diadem and earrings shaped like makara the sea monster (makara-kundala). His form is enchanting and auspicious (divya mangala vigraha). He is radiant like the full moon. His eyes glow like blue lotus blossoming amidst the pool of clear water. His eyebrows are like a well-strung bow. His nose  slender and shapely like the petals of champak flower. The serene, cool, gentle smile, pure like cow’s milk, dancing on his full and well shaped red lips  lights up the whole w

Story of Amarnath Yatra and Origin of Amarnath Cave

Amarnath Yatra is annually observed to have darshan of the naturally formed ice Shivling in the Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The story of Amarnath Yatra and origin of Amarnath cave is associated with Goddess Parvati wanting to know about eternal life (Amar or Amaratv). Once there happened a conversation between Shiva and Goddess Parvati on eternal life. Goddess Parvati wanted to know why Shiva was the only one who was immortal and all other beings were mortal. Shiva then told her that only He knows about the secret of creation and immortality. Goddess Parvati insisted that she also want to know the secret of immortality. Shiva avoided her for several years. But Goddess Parvati was adamant and finally, Shiva agreed to divulge the secret of creation and immortality. Shiva now wanted a place on earth where he could secretly teach Goddess Parvati. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. It is believed that he created the cave. On his way to the ca

Hindu Folk Rituals of Bengal and the Role of Hindu Women

Hindu rituals in Bengal depict two types of cyclic event, and the onus of performing and popularizing them rests primarily on the womenfolk. The Hindu women are the major contributor to, and in fact, the upholder of Hindu religion that gives tremendous importance to rituals. The two types of cyclic event are either the life cycle events like birth, marriage and death or the seasonal time cycles of peninsular India. Most of the symbols are derived from the natural world, and the other from a rich tapestry of Hindu stories, legends and poetry, inherited from a centuries old civilization. When the classic puja was generally forbidden to women, she was allowed the entire field of fasts, festivals, get-togethers wherein she could uphold tradition with an entire gamut of vrats (vows or fasting). These involved the worship of particular deities, undertaken for a specific period and for a specific purpose and with specific methods, which were passed on orally. Few of the

Prashasta Yog in Hindu Astrology - Rare Combination of Nakshatra and Day For Luck

Prashasta Yog is an auspicious period in Hindu astrology. The yog renders success is all areas and ventures. The following combination of days and nakshatras create prashasta yog. Sunday and Revati Monday and Hasta or Atham or Hastam. Tuesday and Pushya or Poosam or Pooyam Wednesday and Rohini Thursday and Swati or Chothi Friday and Uttara Phalguni or Uthiram Saturday and Mool or Moolam Work done during the rare combination of days and birth stars will be successful. The combination is ideal for hospital visit and to perform surgeries. Prashasta Yog is also god for starting new work and to begin shops etc. The time is also ideal for first visit regarding marriage.

Kabir Panth – A Sect Practicing Thoughts and Ideas of Sant Kabir Das

Kabir Panth is a sect practicing thoughts and ideas of Sant Kabir. The members of Kabir Panth consist of lay devotees, sadhus, other holy men and sufis. The sect claims to have been founded by spiritual descendants of Sant Kabirdas during the 16th century. The principle religious heritage of the sect is based on songs and verses of the poet-saint. The followers are known as Kabir Panthis. What do Kabir Panthis Worship? The nirakara, or formless God, addressed as Rama is worshipped by the community. Inner devotion is given importance. Caste system, rituals and customs practiced by various religions are criticized by the sect. Interestingly, the Kabir Panthis have their own set of ritual manuals for morning and evening prayers, religious initiation and for the monthly Chauka ceremony. Majority of the branches of Kabir Panth states that their spiritual lineage can be traced back to one or more of the immediate disciples of Sant Kabir. Where do they reside? Majority of

Lakshmana Sharma Quotes - Ardent Follower Of Sri Ramana Maharshi

We need to realize in all its implications the fact that the ego itself is the source of all the evil that besets life. But to most inquirers the ego is dear as life itself, because they think it is themselves, and do not want to lose it. They would rather suffer all the ills of life than be happy without it. He that will not surrender himself to God’s grace has to suffer worries without end, while the devotee that cultivates the attitude of surrender is free from cares, and therefore happy, even now... People don’t want simplicity, they want something complicated. Mind is only thoughts. The more easily you can be without thoughts, the nearer you are to a direct experience of Self. To make the mind die you must deprive it of thoughts. Humble righteousness is nine-tenths of the Egoless State. The religious man always thinks that his zeal for making converts is a virtue. It is not a virtue at all, but a vice because this zeal is due to his egoism. The amount of grace w