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Showing posts from March 3, 2019


Offerings to Lord Shiva On Monday - Pradosh - Shivratri - Shiva Chaturdashi

The most important offering to Lord Shiva is bilva or bel leaves (Belpatra) and clean water. Other offerings include white color flowers especially Datura flower. The offerings should be made on Monday or Pradosh or Shivratri or Shiva Chaturdashi. Some other offerings to Shiva and their benefits are: Offering uncooked rice to Shiva helps in material gains – money and wealth. Til or Sesame helps in sin redemption. Wheat helps in healthy children. Jowar helps in attaining happiness and comfort. Offering water helps in alleviating various diseases. Offering milk helps in improvement of mental health and intelligence. Sugarcane juice for enjoying various pleasures in life. Water from Ganga River to attain moksha. Honey is offered for early cure of diseases. Ghee to overcome bad health and to have good immunity. Jasmine flower helps in getting vehicles and beautiful or handsome partner. It is believed that those who offer jasmine lower will never hav

Mayana Kollai – Worship of Goddess Angala Parameswari after Shivratri in Tamil Nadu

Mayana Kollai is dedicated to Goddess Angala Parameswari and it is observed the day after Mahashivratri in Tamil Nadu. This unique ritual and festival after Shivratri is actually the raid of the dead or ransacking of cemeteries. Today the festival involves a procession from the temple of the Goddess to a nearby cemetery. The festival legend also explains why Goddess Angala Parameswari appeared on earth. Legend has it that Lord Shiva ordered Goddess Angala Parameswari to destroy a demon who had made his home in a burial ground. The Goddess, accompanied by her guard Pavadairayan, entered the burial and feasted on the corpses till she identified the demon and killed him. Mayana Kollai is based on this legend. In ancient times it is said that people used to actually chew on bones and flesh. Today, the procession is just symbolic. Pavadairayan, the guard of the goddess, is offered prayers only on this day. Related Angalamman – Hindu Goddess Angala Amman

Shivratri Prayers and Mantras

Apart from fasting and keeping vigil at night, Hindu devotees also chant sacred prayers and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri night. In fact these mantras can be chanted on a daily basis. Some of the Holy Shiva mantras recommended for Maha Sivaratri are Shiva Panchakshari Mantra - Om Namah Shivaya Shiva Shakti Panchakshari Mantra - Om Hrim Namah Shivaya Mrityunjaya Mantra – Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhan Mrutyor Mukshiya Maamritat Shiva Gayatri Mantra – Om tatpuru ṣ haya vidmahe Mahadevaya dhimahi Tanno rudrah prachodayat Twenty Four Sacred Names of Shiva Apart from this one can chant the 108 names or 1008 names of Lord Shiva or the 24 Sacred Names of Lord Siva. 1. Om maheswaraya namah 2. Om mahadevaya namah 3. Om sarveshwaraya namah 4. Om shivaya namah 5. Om Shankaraya namah 6. Om Saswataya namaha 7. Om prajapataye namah 8. Om umapataye n

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Shivratri and How to Observe or Celebrate Mahashivratri

This is a brief introduction by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Shivratri and how to observe or celebrate Mahashivratri? Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tattva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to awaken one’s self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri. For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable – sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana, followed by chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan. Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a d

Ashtavakra Quotes And Teachings

A collection of quotes and teachings of Sage Ashtavakra If you detach yourself from the identification with the ego as an individual doer, and remain relaxed in and as Impersonal Consciousness, you will, this very moment, be happy, at peace and free from bondage. I am immaculate and pure consciousness. With this conviction, like the fire that burns away the forest of ignorance, remain griefless and be happy. This world of plurality is merely a superimposition on this infinite, blissful Self, like the snake on the rope. That eternal experience of being, Thou Art! Knowing thus, be happy. He who insists to be free and liberated, is indeed liberated. He who insists to be in bondage is bound. This popular belief in the world is true indeed, as we think, so we are! The Self is witness, all-pervading, infinite, the one – ever free, consciousness, without any activity, unattached, desireless, at peace. However, out of delusion, appears to be a miserable one. Here lies your