Vadavagni is a form of Agni (fire) that is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. It is believed that it is the escape of this fire from under the ocean which will finally consume the current cycle of creation and prepare the universe for the next cycle of creation. Hindu Puranas states that Vadavagni was born in the lineage of Sage Bhrigu. The sons of Kartavirya Arjuna in order to finish off the lineage of the Sage Bhrigu started killing descendents of Bhrigu including children. A wise woman of the lineage, who was pregnant, in order to save her child moved the unborn child from her womb to her thighs. When the child was born it was called Aurva.  Later when the sons of Kartavirya came to know about the child they came to kill it. When they held it up they became blind due to the rays that emitted from the child’s body. The child’s anger did not subside and it gave rise to a flame which had the power to eat up the whole world. Sages then put the flame under the ocean. This i

Goddess Varahi is one of the seven mother goddesses or Sapta Matrikas. She incarnated to restore Dharma on earth, which was threatened by a demon named Pandasura. Story of Goddess Varahi is found mainly in Puranas and in folklore. Legend has it that Pandasura performed severe penance for several years for Shiva and asked him for the boon of immortality. But Shiva said that all that is born on earth has to undergo transformation. So Pandasura asked the boon that he should be killed only by a woman who was not born of another woman. Shiva granted this boon. With the help of the powerful boon, Pandasura started performing all adharmic activities on earth. Fed up with this, human and devas approached Shiva for a solution. He directed them to Goddess Shakti as only a woman could annihilate Pandasura. Goddess Shakti promised to help them. She then took the form of Goddess Varahi – a unique form with the face of boar and the body of a woman. She then fought Pandasura along

Mansa Devi Temple , Haridwar is located atop the Bilwa Mountain in the Shivalik Hills in Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Mansa Devi cable car or ropeway timings  7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Mansa Devi Temple Timings  The temple is open from 5AM to 9PM. Morning Darshan Timings 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM Afternoon and Evening Darshan Timings 2:00 PM to 9PM Winter Months - (December To March) 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM The temple is located near the famous Chandi Devi Temple . The temple is  around 4 km from Har ki Pauri and is a 3 km arduous trek from Chandi Ghat. Most devotees make us of the ropeway (Mansa Devi Udan Khatola), which starts near the  Gauri   Shankar   Temple . Mansa Devi Temple is counted among the Panch Tirth and is also a Siddh Peeth in Haridwar. It is believed Mansa Devi is a wish fulfilling deity. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has two murtis – one is an eight armed form of Goddess Mansa.

In Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, the cosmic tree is represented as a huge inverted tree also known as inverted tree of life or upside down tree. It is a symbol that the entire universe originates from a single source. The roots of the tree are in the skies. Wisdom and creative energy is dispensed to earth through the branches. The inverted cosmic tree is always represented by the pipal tree. It is an image of the living cosmos and is considered to be the center of the world. The cosmic tree connects the sky, the earth and the netherworld. The inverted cosmic tree also represents the path of spiritual ascent. It is also a symbol of the ultimate spiritual experience. Ignorance is when forget the true source (roots) and cling to leaves and branches – whose existence is depend on the roots. The tree of life has its unseen roots in Brahman. The tree and the branches represent Brahman in Its manifested forms. The tree grows upside down. It has its roots above (in t

Moon or Chandra in Hinduism is associated with emotions. He is also associated with herbs. Chandra resides in the hair of Shiva and thus has the blessings of the greatest physician. It is believed that prayer to moon will help to overcome depression. Those suffering from various mental illnesses find relief after chanting the mantra. Chandra Mantra For Mental Illness Om Bhubhurvasvah Amritangaya Vidmahe Kalaroopaya Deemahi Tanoo Somo Prachodayat ॐ भूर्भुव : स्व : अमृतांगाय विदमहे कलारूपाय धीमहि तन्नो सोमो प्रचोदयात्। How To Chant Moon Prayer To Overcome Depression? Wear white color clothes and sit in meditation facing east. Come out of the small world you have created for yourself. Try to see yourself in all animate and inanimate. Try to focus on the image of a full moon on a calm and peaceful night. Mediate for few minutes and chant the mantra any number of times you want.

Goddess Parvati in Gauri form is bright as full moon. In Kali form she is dark as the night sky. All these are various forms of Mother Goddess with deep symbolism. During creation, Mother Goddess is Gauri. The mother of all animate and inanimate. She nourishes her children and represents hope. She protects them and guides them in the path of Dharma. When She is Gauri she nourishes and provides the ideal setting for all kinds of life forms to flourish. This form is associated with cleanliness, fresh water, good rains, timely change of seasons, good harvest, growth and finally liberation. But when her children stray from the path of Dharma and embrace Adharma, she takes the form of Kali. In this form she symbolizes death. She devours everything. She prepares the ground ready for next cycle of creation. Kali form of Goddess Parvati appears when human greed has destroyed all that is associated with Goddess Gauri. An angry mother, then wipes all the destruction done by human be

Vanabadrakaliamman is worshipped mainly in certain rural temples in Tamilnadu. She is a fierce manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. In fact, she is Goddess Kali – Devi Bhadrakali. The deity is part of the Amman worship prevalent in Tamil Nadu. The most popular legend has it that she blessed the Pandavas of the Mahabharata in the fight against seven Aravalli Sisters who were harassing people through witchcraft. It was with her blessing that the Pandavas were able to overcome the sorcery and witchcraft of the evil sisters. Another legend has it that Pagasooran, a demon, was terrorizing people in the region. They complained to Bhima, the second of the Pandavas. Pagasooran was equal in strength to the powerful Bhima. Finally with the blessing of Vanabadrakaliamman, Bhima overcame Pagasooran. On of the most popular temples dedicated to Vanabadrakaliamman is located around 5 km from Mettupalayam near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Vanabadrakaliamman is worshipped for early m