Pankoddhar Ekadashi is observed in the Shri Lokanath Temple in Puri in Odisha before Shivratri. Pankoddhar Ekadashi 2025 date is February 24. The Shivling in the Shri Lokanath Temple becomes visible only from the Pankoddhar Ekadasi day – this happens three days before the Mahashivratri in Phalgun month. The sanctum sanctorum of Sri Lokanatha Temple including the Shivalinga is filled with water throughout the year. The water is removed only during the Pankoddhar Ekadashi period. Thousands of people come to the temple to worship during the period. The offerings that were made throughout the year remains decomposed in water. People believe that it has curative properties. Therefore it is distributed it as Prasad. Legend has it that Lord Ram during his exile period had meditated here and is believe to have had the darshan of Lord Shiva. The villagers presented Lord Ram with Lau or Lauka (Pumpkin) similar to a Shivling. Lord Rama installed the Lauka at the pla...

Not sleeping on Ekadasi night is part of this most important fasting dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is known as Jagran. The importance of not sleeping on Ekadasi night is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Here are the merits and benefits of Ekadasi Jagran. People who stay awake and read stories of Lord Vishnu wash away sins of all previous births. Apart from sin redemption, the person is also blessed with wisdom, peace, and prosperity. Those people who sing bhajans and dance praising Vishnu on Ekadasi night will get results equal to performing Yajnas like Athirathram. While performing jagran , a devotee should chant Vishnu Sahasranama. Reading Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavata Purana helps in getting the blessings of the Lord. The virtue that one attains by lighting lamp in Vishnu Temple on Ekadasi night is not lost for several births. Offering prayers to Tulsi along with Vishnu at night helps in attaining moksha or liberation. Perfo...

As per a belief popular in North India, Goddess Lakshmi has 18 sons. Chanting the names of 18 sons of Goddess Laxmi helps in overcoming all kinds of financial problems. Those people facing constant money related problems find relief after chanting the names of 18 sons on a Friday. 18 sons of Goddess Laxmi ॐ देवसखाय नम : - Om Devsakaya Nama ॐ चिक्लीताय नम : - Om Chiklitaya Namah ॐ आनंदाय नम : - Om Anandaya Namah ॐ कर्दमाय नम : - Om Kardamaya ॐ श्रीप्रदाय नम : - Om Sri Pradaya Namah ॐ जातवेदाय नम : - Om Jatadevdaya Namah ॐ अनुरागाय नम : - Om Anuragaya Namah ॐ संवादाय नम : - Om Samvadaya Namah ॐ विजयाय नम : - Om Vijayaya Namah ॐ वल्लभाय नम : - Om Vallabhaya Namah ॐ मदाय नम : - Om Madaya Namah ॐ हर्षाय नम : - Om Harshaya Namah ॐ बलाय नम : - Om Sri Vallaya Namah ॐ तेजसे नम : - Om Tejase Namah ॐ दमकाय नम : - Om Damkaya Namah ॐ सलिलाय नम : - Om Salilaya Namah ॐ गुग्गुलाय नम : - Om Guggulaya Namah ॐ कुरूंटकाय नम : - Om Kurutkaya Na...

Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna (the third of the Pandava brothers) and Subhadra (sister of Sri Krishna) in the Mahabharata. He had married Uttara, the daughter of King of Virata. The story of Abhimanyu has continued to inspire generations as he died fighting like a true warrior at a young age of 16. Abhimanyu was treacherously killed by the Kauravas on the 13 th day of the Kurukshetra battle in the Mahabharata. He had fought heroically and breached the Chakravyuha formation created by the Kauravas. But he was trapped inside and killed. Six Maharathas – Drona, Karna, Kripa, Ashwathama, Duryodhana, and Dushasana – and numerous other warriors together had attacked Abhimanyu. Before falling down, Abhimanyu had killed scores of Kauravas including many important warriors like Martikavata of Bhoja, Shatrunjaya, Chandraketu, Mahavega, Suvarcha and Suryabhasa. He also killed younger brothers of Shalya and Karna, Vastiya, Shalya’s son, one hundred princes of various kingdoms, Lakshma...

Story of Dhanapala shows the importance devotion. He was an ardent devotee of Surya, the sun god. His story is found in the Brahma Kanda of Bhavishya Purana. Dhanapala was a trader who lived in the city of Ayodhya. He built a temple dedicated to Surya in the city. He then appointed a scholar to read Puranas aloud in the temple. He also gave the scholar his wages for a year in advance. After six months Dhanapala died. The piety acquired by him through his devotional acts made Lord Surya arrive in his chariot and carry Dhanapala to his palace. Surya placed Dhanapala on his seat and paid respects to him. Later Dhanapala attained Brahmaloka. Symbolically, the story suggests that people who follow Dharma and perform devotional acts without considering its fruits will attain bliss here and in the next world.

A collection of quotes and teachings from Nitya Neeti. One should not have friendship or love with the wicked. When hot, charcoal burns the hand, and when cold, it blackens and dirties the hand. In case of a scorpion, the tail is poisonous. In case of a fly, the poison is in its legs. It case of a snake, the poison is in its fangs. In a wicked person, however, the whole body is poisonous. The road gets trodden little by little. The cloth is woven little by little. The mountain is climbed little by little. Knowledge and money are also gained little by little. All these five are attained little by little. The word uttered casually by the noble person is like the one inscribed on a rock. But the word uttered as an oath by the wicked is like the one inscribed on water! Man should learn arts, which come into use at times of difficulty. Consider Arjuna, who joined Virata’s palace as dance teacher. Pleasure forms poison for a poor man. War is poison for a cowa...

Rahu Ketu Peyarchi is related to Tamil astrology and horoscope and is the transit of Rahu and Ketu – two of the Navagrahas whose planetary movements are important in astrological calculations. Rahu Ketu  transit 2025 date is May 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM as per Krishnamurti Panchangam. As per Vakya Panchangam it is on April 26, 2025.  Rahu will move from Meena Rashi to Kumbha Rashi. Ketu will mover from Kanya Rasi to Simha Rashi for next one-and-half years. Rahu Graha and Ketu Graha when placed in appropriate houses in a person’s horoscope is said to be highly beneficial. Some astrologers are also of the opinion that when they enter the wrong house in a horoscope they can create problems. Those people who believe in astrology perform special pujas and rituals in Navagraha temples on the day to attain benefits and to stay away from troubles.

Somanathapura, on the banks of Kaveri River, is a temple town 40 km from Mysore, Karnataka. Somnathpur is famous for the Chennakesava Temple built in 1268 AD during the reign of the Hoysalas. The other equally elaborate and famous temples built by the dynasty are ones at Belur and Dvarsamudra (present-day Halebid). After the collapse of the Ganga Dynasty, the Hoysalas ruled Karnataka from 1006 AD to 1346 AD until the rise of the Vijayanagara empire. The Hoysalas were a mighty warrior race who built some of the great masterpiece in temple architecture and sculpture. Their rule was noted for its peace and prosperity, and the encouragement of talent in various arts. The kings commissioned the building of temples as an act of thanksgiving after their victories in the battlefield, and their splendor and riches were equally evident in the other two earlier Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid. The earliest of Hoysala monarchs were Jainas. King Vishnuvardhana (1108 – 42 ...

Dharmagupta was a prince in the lunar dynasty and the story of the prince, lion and bear is found in the Skanda Purana. One day during a hunting expedition, the prince lost count of time and it soon became dark. He decided to stay atop a tree during the night. Soon a bear who was chased by a lion took refuge in the tree. The lion rested below the tree and waited for the bear to come down. The bear then told the lion that they both could spend the night on the tree safely if they took turns to keep vigil. The prince accepted the offer, he went to sleep, and the bear kept vigil until midnight. When the prince was asleep, the lion suggested to the bear to push the prince down. Bear replied that he would never cheat a friend and it was a great sin. After midnight, the bear slept and the prince kept vigil. The lion made the same offer he had made to the bear to prince. Thinking that he would be saved if the bear is sacrificed he accept the offer of the lion and pushed the ...

The story of Maya Shiva is found in the Padma Purana and narrates how a demon named Jalandhara approached Goddess Parvati as Shiva. Mayashiva tried to make love with Goddess Parvati to insult and reduce the powers of Shiva. Legend has it that the demon army led by Jalandhara and Devas (demigods) were engaged in a fierce battle. The demon army had the upper hand and Devas were about to be defeated when Shiva entered the battlefield. With the entry of the army led by Shiva, the tables were turned and the demons found it hard to defend the attacks of Shiva and His ganas. Jalandhara knew that defeat was imminent so he decided to cheat Shiva and avenge for the defeat. He asked Asura Sumbha to take his place in the battlefield. Sumbha changed into Maya Jalandhara and went into the battlefield. Jalandhara and another demon named Durvarana went into a cave. Jalandhara took the form of Mayashiva and Durvarna took the form of Nandi. Mayashiva approached Goddess Parvati in Kail...

We come across people striking one’s own head with knuckles while prayer to Ganesha in temples and other sacred places. The story and reason of worshipping Ganesha by striking head with joints of fingers when the fist is closed is associated with the origin of the Kaveri River . Legend has it that Sage Agastya was carrying Holy Ganga River water given to him by Shiva in a Kamandalu. He reached the southern part of India which was under a severe drought. He paused to take rest. He placed his Kamandalu beside him and soon fell asleep. Ganesha in the form of a crow arrived there and knocked the Kamandalu down. The water inside the pitcher started flowing through the drought-stricken land and it became the Kaveri River . The sage on waking up tried to chase the bird away which then transformed into a small boy. Sage Agastya ran after him intending to strike him on his head with his fist. After running for awhile, the body assumed his divine form. Sage Aga...

A collection of quotes from Markandeya Purana. Alark says ‘O lord! With the arising of disenchantment in my heart, I have no miseries now. Only those people feel drowned in the ocean of miseries who are attached to worldly things. A man feels all kinds of sorrows due to his attachments towards the luxuries in which his mind indulges. Now neither sorrow nor joy can affect me.’ Dattatreya says- 'O king! Whatever you said is correct. Attachment is the cause of both sorrow and happiness. It is because of the knowledge I gave to you that the 'mist of attachment' has disappeared from your heart. A small sprout of ego ultimately develops into a huge tree of ignorance. Affection is the trunk of this tree. Home and family are the branches and wife and children are the leaves of this tree. Wealth and cereals are the flowers and happiness and sorrow are the fruits of this tree. Relation that emerges out of affection is the canopy of this tree. This tree grows day by day a...

Space, as a first created principle, is the bases of all creation. Space has a symbolic concept in the ritualistic tradition in Hindu religion. It is the essential prerequisite for the manifestation of name and form. Space is a key concept in ritual performances in Hindu religion, as the offerings are made to all directions for the achievement of wholesome fulfillment. Space could be found in almost all the ritual functions in Hinduism. It is found in the construction of fire altars, the three fires, ahavaniya of square shape, garhapatya of round shape, and dakshinagni of half circle, in the concrete structure of the sala, in the seats/places of sacrificial priests, sacrifice and his wife, in the place of dustbin for sacrificial garbage (utkara), in important pillars like yupa, etc, in the construction of syenaciti and other cities. For the construction of mahavedi and various altars, bricks of different shapes – rectangular (adhyardha), triangular (adhyardhardha) or square ...

No one created Sanskrit as it is Vedavani (language of Veda) and the language of nature. There is also no origin to Sanskrit as it is eternal. But how Sanskrit came to be known to humans is narrated to child Aitareya by his father and is found in the Aitareya Upanishad. Shiva in his Nataraja form performed a great dance in the center of the universe. Shiva was the dancer, the dance and the audience. With bells ringing and flames encircling him, he danced, his braided hair whirling as he spun round and round. In his left hand he held the flame of destruction and in his right hand he held the drum of creation – damaru. He swung the drum from side to side, measuring the rhythm of the dance. From the pulse of that small drum came forth the Sanskrit alphabet and from those sounds came forth all forms. The alphabet was heard by the sage Panini. He recorded the cognition in fourteen short verses, called the Shiva Sutras. Sage Panini placed these sutras in the beginning of his ...

Thechi, Flame of the woods, also known as Chethi, Thetti, Jungle Geranium and Jungle Flame is a flower widely used in Hindu pujas and rituals in South India especially in temples in Kerala. The flower is known as Rugmini in Hindi, Vedchi in Tamil, Thechi in Malayalam and Rangan in Bengali. The scientific name of the flower is Ixora coccinea. Red Thechi flowers are widely used in Hindu Temples. White and light yellow and yellow varieties are also used for pujas. Offering Thechi Garland at the world famous Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur is considered highly meritorious. Flame of the Woods is widely used through out the temples in South India . It is also used as offering in daily pujas in homes. The Poomoodal ritual in Kadampuzha Bhagavthy Temple in Kerala is performed only with Chethi flowers.

Sonarai, also written as Sonaraya or Shonarai, is the worship of the tigers in north Bengal. It is mainly performed by cowherd boys in eastern India on Pausha Sankranti day (December – January). This is a declining ritual, since tigers have ceased to be much of a threat. Earlier, when tigers were a great threat to life of both humans and live stocks, it was considered wise to propitiate the tiger. A couple of days before the Sonarai ritual, cowherds go from door to door, begging for contributions. They also carry drums and sing songs while going around. There are numerous Sonarai songs set to particular rural folk tunes. The householders contribute rice, lentils or money for use in the ritual. A particular spot is chosen for the worship. The cowherds set up sticks adorned with garlands representing   the tiger god. The food is cooked with the alms given by the people and offered to the tiger god. The worship and rituals are usually conducted by teenager...

A collection and quotes and teachings of Amritabindu Upanishad especially on mind. Mind is considered as two-fold: pure and impure. It is impure with the resolve of personal desire. It is pure when devoid of all selfish desires. The mind alone is the cause of man’s bondage and liberation; the mind attached to the objects of senses creates bondage and when it is free from such attachment, man is free. A seeker of liberation should constantly make his mind free of sense objects since liberation is predicted of a mind that does not cling to sense objects. That is then the Supreme state when the mind is held firmly in the inner psyche, having given up all its attachments to sense objects and it (the mind) attains its own true state (the Self). Restrain the mind until it dissolves in the Consciousness. This is wisdom, this is meditation. The rest is all logic and verbal extensions. The sage should study the scriptures in his search for knowledge; but then he sho...

Ganesh Kuber mantra is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover obstacles in life, and Kuber, the treasurer of the wealth of gods in Hinduism. The mantra is to be chanted on Wednesday. Ganesh Kuber Mantra For Wealth ॐ नमो गणपतये कुबेर येकद्रिको फट् स्वाहा। Om Namo Ganpataye Kubera Yeka driko Phat Swaha How To Chant The Mantra? On a Wednesday, wake up early in the morning and after taking bath offer prayers to Ganesha and Kuber. Light lamp, light agarbatti, offer red color flowers, offer durva grass and offer lal chandan (red sandalwood paste). Make Prasad using pure ghee and jaggery. Now chant the mantra 108 times. After puja share Prasad with family members. A portion of the Prasad should be given to a cow. Perform this puja and chanting of mantra for 21 Wednesdays.

Saptha Akshara Sri Krishna mantra is a rare mantra dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The mantra helps in achieving peace and prosperity and helps in desire fulfillment. The mantra is ideal for those spiritual seekers who are on the path of liberation or moksha. This 17 letter mantra is believed to provide buddhi and siddhi. Saptha Akshara Sri Krishna Mantra ऊं श्रीं नमः श्रीकृष्णाय परिपूर्णतमाय स्वाहा   Om Shreem Namah Shri Krishnaya Paripurnatmaya Swaha How to Chant Saptha Akshara Sri Krishna Mantra? The mantra is to be chanted for 21 days starting on a Thursday. Wake up early in the morning , take bath, and wear yellow color dress. Offer prayers to Ganesha in mind. Sit facing east before the picture of Sri Krishna. Offer deep (lamp), dhoop (agarbatti), yellow color banana, yellow flowers and chandan. Chant the mantra 108 times and keep count on a chandan mala. Feed a cow jaggery and roti made using ghee. Continue this for 21 days for desire fulfillment....

Janaka Gita is a composition of songs attributed to King Janaka. It is found in the Upashanti Prakarana of Yoga Vasistha. It presents the stream of thoughts that passed through the mind of philosopher-king Janaka on hearing the Siddha – Gita sung by certain Siddhas outside his palace. The teachings are of great importance as it comes from the mouth of a king who had the power to enjoy all the pleasures on earth. King Janaka appears in many places in Hindu scriptures. He was very interested in philosophy and himself was a Guru. He was in the constant company of Siddhas – souls who had attained perfection or self-realization. Janaka Gita consists of 65 verses. King Janaka points out that the mind is the root cause of all miseries of mortals and that the remedy lies in the annihilation of the mind. Janaka Gita Teachings The text states that every year, every month, every day, and every moment, men experience pleasures – but, in reality, they are in pain. All riches and enj...

Here's a comprehensive guide on worshipping Goddess Umiya, including details on worship items, prayers, benefits, and eco-friendly practices. Who is Goddess Umiya? Goddess Umiya, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, is a revered deity of the Patidar community, particularly worshipped in Gujarat, India. She is considered the universal mother and is believed to bestow blessings for prosperity, strength, unity, and protection from negative influences. Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Umiya Worshipping Goddess Umiya with faith and devotion is believed to bring: Inner Strength: She blesses her devotees with resilience to overcome obstacles. Prosperity and Wealth: Umiya Devi is associated with material and spiritual abundance. Harmony and Unity: Particularly among families and communities. Protection: She guards against negative energies and evil influences. Good Health and Wellness: Regular prayers are thought to protect against ailments. Time, Cleanliness, and Dress Code for Worship ...

There is nothing much known about the family of Hanuman other that he was the son of Mata Anjani and Kesari, the king of monkeys. But as per Brahmanda Purana, Hanuman was the eldest of the six children of Kesari. The family history of Vanaras and especially of Hanuman is found in the Brahmanda Purana. Information about the brothers of Hanuman is found in it. Hanuman had five brothers Matiman Shrutiman Ketuman Gatiman Dhritiman. They all led a family life and had several children. Nothing much is mentioned in the scriptures about their exploits and their relationship with Hanuman. Hanuman spent his time on earth serving Bhagavan Sri Ram. He was a Brahmachari   or celibate. As per Ramayana, he had single-minded focus on worshipping Sri Ram. Nothing else in the world mattered to him. Therefore, we do not get to hear about his brothers and sisters in the Ramayana. Hanuman was not attracted to family life. He never had any desire for it. He was blissful in Ram...

A collection of quotes and teachings of Swami Parthasarathy  of Vedanta Cultural Foundation One person smokes a cigarette and finds pleasure in it. Another person detests it. One lady divorces her husband. Another craves for and marries the same man. Therefore, pleasure and pain are not inherent in objects and beings of the world. It is how you relate to them. The root cause of suffering is that people do not look within. They hardly investigate the truth of life nor exercise their own judgment. They rely on outside forces to do their thinking. And they function predominantly on blind faith and mechanical ritual. This is spiritual suicide. Desire for anything increases with restriction and prohibition. You are the architect of your fortune. You are the architect of your misfortune You believe work tires you? Work can never tire you! What tires you are your worries about the past and anxiety for the future. The undisciplined mind too easily slips into the p...

Ribhu Gita  -  Dialogue between Sage Ribhu and Sage Nidagha - It is believed that Sage Ribhu received the knowledge directly from Shiva. This is a collection of quotes and teachings from Ribhu Gita. Like bubbles arising on the waters of the ocean, gods and men and beasts of the phenomenal world arose, and will arise again and again, on the water of the mass of solid Bliss (Ghana ananda) – (Shiva). There is no worldly misery for those who, through their experience, perceive all this arising out of the waves of delusion clearly as myself. Because of delusion, people do not realize Hara to be known as the cause of every little thing and as the cause of every being and also as the boundless cause of even greater dissolution. Destruction of mundane misery results when the Presence of Shiva shines in the reflecting pool of the recesses of the space of the heart. Those who know do not offer worship by means of an endless parade of symbolism and with a mind set on ritual...

Urakam Temple, also known as Ammathiruvadi Temple, is a famous temple located about 12 km from Thrissur town in Kerala. The deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Shakti and is known by the names of Valayadhishwari and Urakattamma. The temple has come to be known by the name of the village (Urakam) in which it is located. Urakam Temple Timings Morning Darshan hours 3:00 AM to 10:30 AM Evening Darshan hours 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Detailed Morning Puja Time Palliyunarthal : 3 AM Nada thurakkal : 4 AM Abhishekam : 5 AM Abhisheka nivedyam : 5:15 AM Usha Pooja : 5:30 AM Morning Pooja : 6 AM – 6:30 AM Morning Siveli : 6:45 AM Pantheeradi pooja : 7:15 AM – 8 AM Navakam nirakkal : 9 AM Navakam Aadall : 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM Uccha Pooja : 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Uccha Siveli : 10:00 AM Nada closing : 10:30 AM Detailed Evening Puja Time Nada opening : 5:00 PM Deeparadhana : according to Sunset Athazha Pooja : 7:10 PM – 7:30 PM Siveli : 7:45 PM ...

Vastusutra Upanishad is a text on architecture and sculpture in Hinduism. Though named an Upanishad, the text relates to traditional Hindu architecture and iconography. Vastusutra Upanishad is composed in such a way as to bring out the philosophy of sculpture and architecture especially Murti Shastra (iconography). The text is written in Sanskrit and follows the Upanishad style of writing found in the Vedas. The text is dedicated to the its deity named Vishwakarma. It must be noted here that Vishwakarma is associated with all kinds of works in Hindu religion and is the divine architect of the universe. Vastusutra Upanishad contains six prapathakas (chapters) titled Sat-Shilpavicharah, Khilapanjarrajnana Sailabhedanam, Angaprayogah Rupa Bhavana Bodhah Sambandhaprabodhanam The first chapter mentions six categories of the art of Vastu as well as six types of stone from which the color the image is known. The second chapter gives details of the procedural st...

There are two versions of Varaha Avatar, one is in Vishnu Purana (Part I. Chapter 4), and other in Srimad Bhagavata (Part III, Chapter 13). They differ in details. The account in Sri Vishnu Purana was provided by Sage Parashara in reply to a query by his pupil Maitreya. The context in Vishnu Purana is creation at the beginning of the present Sweta Varaha Kalpa. As per the account in Vishnu Purana, Narayana woke up from His deep sleep at the end of the previous Kalpa called Padma Kalpa. He surveyed His surroundings and He found that there was only water, water everywhere, the earth being visible nowhere. The earth was swallowed up by the swirling waters around it. Narayana then saw a lone lotus leaf floating in the water indicating that its support, the earth, was beneath it. To retrieve earth and restore it to its former position, Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu took the form of a boar, which is suitable for diving fearlessly into the slushy and slimy waters of the ocean.

Story of Dhishrindra is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Legend has it that Agni, the fire god in Hinduism, performed severe penance to win Lord Shiva’s favor. Pleased with Agni’s penance, Shiva appeared before him. As boon, Agni requested that Narmada and sixteen of her tributaries should become his wives and bear him children. The boon was granted. The son of Agni and Narmada was known as Dhishrindra. He was brave and handsome. During one of the conflicts between Devas and Asuras, Bhagavan Vishnu asked Dhishrindra to fight on behalf of gods. Dhishrindra fought valiantly and sustained severe wounds but finally he vanquished the Asuras. After the battle, Narmada gathered her wounded son into her waters and restored his health by healing his wounds and rejuvenating him. 

River Cauvery, which is known as the Ganga of the South, is associated with Sage Agastya. The popular story has it that Sage Agastya brought River Ganga from north and it became Kaveri River in South. In Karnataka, there is a story, which suggests that Cauvery was the wife of Sage Agastya. Sri Kavera Maharshi, who had no children, performed intense austerities to get a child. Brahma blessed the Saint with a girl child. The child was Lopamudra, who was a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. Kaveri Rishi named her Cauvery and brought her up with all affection, care and devotion at his Ashram in the Brahmagiri Hills. One day, Sage Agastya, a manifestation of Shiva, reached the ashram of Kavera Maharshi. Here he happened to see the young Cauvery. He was impressed by her beauty and devotion. Sage Agastya sought her hand in marriage. Cauvery agreed to marry the saint only if he promised that he would never leave her alone for a long duration. The Sage agreed to t...