One of the striking features of Ganesha is his big ears. The ears of Ganapati are very prominent but do the large ears contain a hidden meaning or symbolism. The big ears of Ganesh represent his immense capacity of listening. Symbolically the big ears show us the importance of careful and active listening. Ganapati is capable of listening to the most faint and most complicated sounds. He can listen to all the sounds which are uttered in any speed and any volume. He will not miss a single syllable. Due to this quality and capacity of Ganapati, Sage Vyasa the author of the Mahabharata selected Ganesha to be his scribe. Whatever Sage Vyasa dictated was written down in a simple language by Ganesha so that human beings can understand. For devotees, the big ears means Ganesha carefully listens to their prayers with love and kindness.  Additional Information Big Ears of Ganesha: Symbolism, Stories, and Modern Relevance Symbolism of Ganesha’s Big Ears Ganesha, one of...

One of the largest temples dedicated to Duryodhan in the Mahabharata is found at Oslo in Uttarkashi District in Uttarakhand. Duryodhana is the main villain in the Mahabharata and one who practiced Adharma. So why is there a temple dedicated to Duryodhan in Oslo ? The popular belief is that the soldiers and people who supported Duryodhana escaped from the Kurukshetra and took refuge in this area of Uttarkashi. They built temples in memory of Duryodhana and Karna here. Today they are the protecting deities of the region. A couple of temples dedicated to Duryodhan can be found in the region at Saur, Sarnaul, Gangar and Datmir. Oslo village is on the way to Har Ki Doon, a popular location with trekkers. From Mussoorie one has to travel through Yamuna Bridge , Naugaon, Purola, Saur and Sankri to reach Osla. Related Duryodhana Temple in Kerala Ravana Temples in India

Hartalika Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and it is believed that those unmarried women who observe this fast will be blessed with good husbands and those married will have a happy married life. A strict fast by women (nirjala vrata) is the order of the day. On the Hartalika Vrat day, the idol of Goddess Parvati is decorated with fresh clothes and a pandal (small puja house) is made from banana bark and leaves. Today, most people prefer to observe the vrat in their usual pooja rooms and do not bother to create a pandal. A Shivling made from clay is placed along with Goddess Parvati. Listening or reading stories of Goddess Parvati and Shiva is considered auspicious. In the evening, special Aarti is performed on the idols. After the Aarti, relatives and friends join in traditional singing and dancing. Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered to Goddess Parvati. Some people make special delicacies from coconut. Women dress up beautifully on the day by applyi...

Gowri Habba or Swarna Gowri Vratha or Gouri Ganesha is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Gauri. The ‘Vrat’ is mainly observed by married and unmarried women and is mainly performed in Karnataka and other places in South India . An answer to How to do the Gowri Habba or Swarna Gauri Vratam is bit complex as there are numerous regional and community variations in performing the ritual. The festival is also known as Ganesh Gowri or Ganesh Habba as Ganesh Chaturthi is on the next day. Performing Gowri Habba On the Swarna Gowri Vratam day, the house is cleaned thoroughly. After bathing married women and young girls in the family dress up neatly. Some people perform the puja at home; others at the houses of relatives or friends and some opt for the nearby temples. A small temporary shrine is erected using banana leaves and banana stem. This is decorated with mango leaves, turmeric, tulsi and sandalwood paste. Those who already have a puja cabinet p...

Incense has been integral to Hindu rituals and spiritual practices for centuries. It plays a significant role in enhancing focus, creating a serene environment, and invoking divine blessings. Here is an in-depth look at the spiritual benefits, day-to-day uses, and lesser-known aspects of incense in Hinduism. 1. Purification of Space and Mind Incense is often used to purify the environment and eliminate negative energy. The sacred smoke is believed to cleanse spaces and prepare them for meditation or prayer, helping devotees connect with the divine. Practical Solution: Burn incense before starting any spiritual practice or meditation session to create a positive and purified atmosphere. Mantra: Recite “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti” while burning incense to invoke peace in your environment. 2. Enhancing Concentration and Focus The fragrances released from incense can improve concentration, making it easier to focus on prayers, mantras, or study. Practical Solution: Burn sandalwood or frank...

Balachandra is a unique form of Ganesha in which He wears the moon on His forehead. Balachandra means the boy with the moon. Bala means ‘child’ and Chandra means ‘moon’. The story of Ganesha as Bhalchandra is found in the Brahmanda Purana. Legend has it that Chandra, the moon god, was cursed by Darbhi to lose his brightness. It is believed that this Darbhi was a great saint who used to bring the four oceans to Kurukshetra to take bath. Chandra was in a great dilemma and did not know how to escape from the curse. Seeing Chandra losing his luster, Ganesha took pity on him and took him up and wore him on his forehead as a tilak. This saved Chandra and he got back his luster. The form of Ganapati in which he has the moon on the forehead is known as Balachandra. A popular temple with murti of Balachandra is found on the banks of Godavari River in Maharashtra. The temple of Bhalchandra is around 40 km from Parbhani. Additional Information: Balachandra Ganesha , a...

Bahiram is closely associated with Hindu God Shiva and is widely worshipped in the Amravati region in Maharashtra . One belief is that Bahiram is a corrupt form of Bhairav. The deity is also believed to be the guardian deity of the betel leaf gardens. Bahiram is also associated with the Khandoba worship in Maharashtra. The most popular temple dedicated to Bahiram is located near Karanja-Bahiram around 20 km from Achalpur. The temple is located atop a hill, locally known as, Bahiram hill, and is around 3 km from Karanja-Bahiram. The murti (idol) worshipped in the temple is Swayambhu, appeared on its own. The murti is 6 feet high and 8 feet to 10 feet in width. Bahiram is the kuladevata, or family deity, of many families in Maharashtra . Barias of Maharashtra annually go on pilgrimage to temples dedicated to Bahiram. The main offerings to the deity include sindhoor, butter, coconut, lowers, red lead and parched rice. Prayers are offered to Bahiram by couples for...

Adishesha is the king of Nagas or serpents and his story is found in the Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana and Devi Bhagavatam. Adishesha was the son of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru. He was not happy with his mother attempting to deceive Vinata, another wife of Sage Kashyapa. So he left his mother and brothers and performed intense austerities in Pushkara, Gandhamadana Mountain and Badari for several years. At the end of the austerities, Lord Brahma appeared before him and asked him to move to netherworld and support the earth on his hoods. Thus Adishesha dwells in the netherworld wearing the whole earth as a crown.

Gokarna, a place of Hindu pilgrimage, is mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavad Purana and the Padma Purana. The place is of great importance in Hinduism due to the sanctity of the place and the presence of Mahabaleshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Gokarna, means ear’s of cow, and the place is named after a pious saint with ears of a cow who performed intense penance here to get his wicked brother attain moksha. (You can read the story here) There is a popular belief that Lord Shiva emerged here from the ear of a cow here. The place is located at the ear-shaped confluence of two small rivers, Gangavali and Aghanashini. Another popular legend is that of demon king Ravana who was deceived by Lord Ganesha into giving him the Atmalinga. It is now worshipped in the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The area was under the rule of Kadambas, Sodhe and Vijayanagara empires. The area gave refuge to Hindus who fled from Gomantak (present day Goa) to escape forcible conversions by the Portug...

Many people in Hindu religion conclude that born during Rahu Kalam is bad. But reality is that birth during no time is bad. So the answer to the question – Is birth during Rahu Kalam Bad is No. If one goes through the Hindu scriptures it is clearly stated that all living and nonliving beings are nothing but the Supreme Truth (called by names like Vishnu, Devi, Shiva, Ganesha etc). So as per Hinduism there is neither birth nor death. One form transforms into another form. What is time? Time is nothing but a human creation. So anything that is based on it is not true. Birth of a being takes place long before it comes out of the womb. So it is near impossible to find the so called birth time of a baby. Now a question arises why do we see Rahu Kalam in calendar? This has been part of some cultures for a long time. So it is being followed by some people. It must be noted here that there are millions of Hindus who do not look into Rahu Kalam. Again in some regions Rahukala...

Pratyumgira Devi Temple located at Trivandrum in Kerala is unique as it is one the rare temples in India where Goddess Lakshmi and Pratyangira Devi are the presiding deities. Another unique aspect of the temple is that Mahalakshmi and Ganapati are worshipped in the same sanctum sanctorum. Darshan of Mahalakshmi and Ganapati together is considered highly meritorious. Devotees offer prayers here for prosperity, marriage, healthy children, education, employment and good health. Pratyumgira Devi is a fierce manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti and she protects her children from all negative forces. Special prayers are offered to Goddess Pratyumgira Devi on Tuesdays and Amavasya days. The main offering to the Goddess is Prathyumgira Homam. It is believed to eradicate bad luck, evil eyes and other nefarious activities of enemies. The main festival in the shrine is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month. Subsidiary deities worshipped in the temple include Budhi-Siddhi Ga...

The "Infinity Walk," also known as the figure-8 walk or "Figure of Eight Walk," is a movement practice associated with spiritual, physical, and mental well-being in various Indian and Hindu traditions. This walking pattern involves walking in a figure-eight or infinity symbol path, often combining mindfulness, focused breathing, and sometimes chanting. Practiced daily, it is believed to provide a range of benefits and is linked to balancing energies, grounding the mind, and even enhancing personality. Here is an expanded look at the spiritual benefits, practical applications, and deeper insights into the Infinity Walk. Spiritual Benefits and Importance of the Infinity Walk in Hinduism Balances the Energy Channels (Nadis) : In Hinduism, the body is said to contain energy channels called nadis, especially the Ida (moon, left) and Pingala (sun, right). Walking in an infinity shape helps balance these nadis, promoting harmony between the mind and body. Enhances Groundin...

Panchagni tapasya is a type of meditation in Hinduism. The meditation is performed with five fires – four fires from wood fuel on all sides with the fire of the sun above being the fifth one. A devotee who attempts this kind of meditation has to tolerate an extreme degree of physical pain to attain deep and pure state of concentration. Devi Bhagavatam talks about this kind of tapasya. The person who performs this kind of tapasya tolerates high level of temperature. Such a person disconnects himself/herself with the body. Some saints perform such tapasya as part of Samadhi. More information on the topic: Panchagni Tapasya is an ancient and rigorous form of ascetic meditation in Hinduism, symbolizing extreme austerity and spiritual discipline. The term "Panchagni" is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Pancha," meaning five, and "Agni," meaning fire. In this practice, a meditator is surrounded by five fires—four physical fires on each side and ...

Balaram, the elder brother of Bhagvan Sri Krishna, did no participate in the Mahabharata war. But why did not Balarama participate in a war that saw the greatest warriors on earth assemble in the Kurukshetra. He did not side with Pandavas or Kauravas in the war. Duryodhana, the elder brother of the Kauravas, was sure that Balaram would side with him. As Balaram was his Guru. But Balarama did not side with the Kauravas as he did not want to fight against his brother Krishna who was on the side of the Pandavas. He also did not side with the Pandavas as he did not want to fight against Duryodhana, who was his student. So when the Mahabharat war was taking place, Balaram went on a pilgrimage. Related Why Rukmi Did Not Participate in the Mahabharata War?

Dasanami, or the Dashnami, is the ten orders of Shaivite ascetics, founded by Adi Shankaracharya. Dashanami Shiva sects exist even today and they are strict followers of the worship of Shiva. Each of the ten orders in Dasnami is attached to one of the four mutts founded by Adi Shankaracharya – the four mutts are Badrinath, Puri, Dwaraka and Sringeri. The ten orders are: Aranya, Ashrama, Bharati Giri Parvata Puri Saraswati Sagara Tirtha and Vana. Mutt heads, Gurus, Swamis or other saints of the orders incorporate the name of the order in their names. Thus we come across Swamijis like Paramanand Giri, Veda Narayana Tirtha etc. Dashnami Saints wear saffron colored dress and they wear three horizontal lines made with ash – tilak – on forehead and other parts of the body. They also wear rosary consisting of 108 rudraksha beads. Majority of the Dashanami saints grow their beards and wear their hair loose or tie in a topknot. Naga sadhus are also part of the Das...

Chakra puja is a tantric ritual performed by men and women together. In the puja, men are called Bhairava and the women are called Bhairavis. The group of individuals participating in the puja forms a circle or Chakra. While performing the Chakra puja, men and women sit in a circle with each man having a woman sitting on his left. The leader of the puja known as Chakreshwara sits with his Bhairavi in the center of the circle. The offerings include flowers, grains, fish, meat, wine and sexual union. The pujas and rituals were performed for obtaining wealth, luck, victory over enemies and for emancipation. Some of the different types of Chakras mentioned in the Rudrayamala are Rajachakra, Mahachakra, Devachakra, Virachakra and Chudachakra. 

Lord Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjuna Swamy at the famous Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh. But ever wondered why Lord Shiva is known as Mallikarjuna Swamy? The reason why Shiva got the name Mallikarjuna Swamy is associated with beautiful princess Chandravathi. Shiva never shy away from fulfilling the wishes of his ardent devotees. Legend has it that Chandravathi, beautiful princess, ran away to the distant Nallamala hill range, to escape from her father who was making her life hell through his amorous advances. Chandravathi worshipped Shiva here with jasmine or malle flowers. So powerful was her devotion that Shiva could not ignore her prayers. Shiva appeared before her and granted her wish that He adorn with jasmine flowers at all times. Shiva agreed to this innocent wish of his devotee. From that day onwards Shiva came to be known as Mallikarjuna Swamy. Did You Know? Hailed as Dakshina Kashi, Srisailam is the only temple complex that comprises of a Jyotir...

The nine forms of Bhakti or devotion as told by Bhakta Prahlada, the ardent devotee of Vishnu who made Narasimha Avatar possible are: Sravanam – Listening to Holy Scriptures and stories Kirtanam – Singing of Bhakti songs Smaranam – Remembering of the names of Gods Vandanam – Offer prayers Padasevanam – Do all the works dedicated to gods Archanam – offering of flowers Dasyam – servitude Sakhyam – friendship Atma Nivedhanam – merging of mind in the thought of god. The nine forms of Bhakti, as taught by Prahlada, one of the most devoted and beloved figures in Hindu mythology, are central to the practice of devotion in Hinduism. Prahlada, the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, is known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu, despite the severe opposition from his father. His teachings on Bhakti are timeless and emphasize different paths of devotion that are accessible to all, regardless of caste, creed, or gender. Let’s delve into each form of Bhakti, explore its signi...

Ancient teachers of Hindu tradition have mentioned about Dinacharya in various scriptures associated with Hinduism. Many of the teaching are today part of Ayurveda. Dinacharya means daily routine and it talks about the daily good practices that are essential for a good living. Nisha Manikantan writes about daily routine in Hindu tradition in an article titled ‘the perfect Dinacharya’ in express buzz Positive step - Step out of the bed and touch the ground with the leg on that side of the body wherein the flow of breath is dominant (check nostrils). Clean up - Rinse with cold water. Water is an electrical conductor and can never irritate sensitive tissues. Wash hands, face, mouth and eyes with cool water. Clean nose, teeth and tongue.  Meditate and exercise  - Relax - do pranayama until the breath flows evenly through both nostrils. Meditate while centering your energy in the heart chakra or at the third eye. Take a short, slow walk in the fres...

There are four yugas in Hindu tradition and the present is the Kali Yuga – the last of the four yugas. All imaginable and unimaginable Adharmic activities will take place during the Kali Yuga as per Hinduism teachings. But as per Hindu tradition Kali Yuga also provides an easy way to moksha for those who follow Dharma. Chanting of mantra or the names of the lord will help in attaining Moksha in the present age. Legend has it that Sage Narada was saddened by the Adharma (evil) in Kali Yuga. He asked Brahma what is the ideal way for people to attain moksha in Kali Yuga? Brahma suggested that chanting of mantra is the best option. Mantras and name of the lord can be chanted by anyone at anytime and anywhere. The reason for this was that Gurus and Saints who should be doing pujas, yajnas and guiding people will become corrupt in Kali Yuga. Devotees will be fooled by these people. Therefore, people just need to chant the name of God in Kali Yuga to attain Moksha. Chan...

Hyderabad Khairatabad Ganesh Idol 2022 is having 5 faces and and it is called Sri Panchamukha Lakshmi Ganapati. The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee is celebrating 68th year of formation. The height of murti in 2022 will be nearly 50 feet. Ganesha Vigraha or Murti made during Ganesh Chaturthi festival at Khairatabad near Hyderabad are famous for its huge size. The Vinayak murti in 2022 is flanked by Sri Shanmukha Subramanya Swamy idol and Sri Trishakti Maha Gayatri Devi. On the immersion day, all the trio murtis will be carried on a specially designed trolley up to Hussain Sagar (known also Vinayaka Sagar) through a procession and put them on a platform. Then, water will be sprinkled to melt the clay idols, instead of immersing them. The clay will be distributed to the devotees either to use for gardening purposes or to make small Ganesh idols to keep at their worship place in their homes, Some facts about Hyderabad Khairatabad Ganesh Every year the construction of the ...

Story of origin of Bhutamata is found in the Bhavishya Purana. Sri Krishna narrates the story. Legend has it that one day Goddess Parvati was in conversation with Shiva. She was so involved in the conversation that living beings on earth began to suffer as there was no one to nourish them. Then suddenly a Goddess appeared from the body of Goddess Parvati and this was Bhutamata. She is today worshipped under numerous names. You can find murtis of her in villages and towns under an old tree. People regularly offer water, flowers, diya, and prasad. It is believed that she blesses her devotees with children, food, cattle, good health and protects children against diseases. 

Lord Shiva is usually depicted as sitting or meditating on a tiger skin. Lord Shiva is usually portrayed as wearing a tiger skin as garment. Tiger symbolically represents power. Shiva sitting on tiger skin and wearing it symbolically means that He is beyond all power and dominates over all the powers. There is an interesting story in the Shiva Purana which narrates about how Lord Shiva got the tiger skin. Once Lord Shiva was roaming around the world like an Avadhuta. He was completely naked and was so merged in this meditation that he was unaware of any other existence.  During His roaming, once He reached a forest inhabited by a group of saints. The saints lived along with their family and the arrival of a naked mendicant created flutter in their small and confined society. The women in the community were attracted by Shiva and there was disturbance in the daily routines of the Ashram. The saints became furious after they realized that it is the new me...

Dhumraketu, also referred as Dhumravarna, is the incarnation of Hindu God Ganesha that will appear at the end of the Kali Yuga. The Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana mentions about this avatar of Ganesh which has striking similarities with the Kalki Avatar of Vishnu. This final avatar of Ganesh is yet to take place. Ganesha Purana states that he will appear to annihilate the demon named Abhimanasura. Symbolically the demon represents the pride and attachment in the human beings. This is believed to be a fierce form of Ganesha and he will ride on a blue horse. In this form he will bring an end the Kali Yuga and will clean up the universe for the next cycle of creation. Additional information: Dhumraketu, also referred to as Dhumravarna, is a significant yet lesser-known incarnation of the Hindu god Ganesha. This avatar is mentioned in the Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana , and it is prophesied to manifest at the end of the current Kali Yuga. The concept of Dhumrake...