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Showing posts from June 29, 2019


Annadanam – Importance of Food Donation in Hindu Religion

There is no better puja and ritual in Hindu religion than feeding a hungry living being. Annadanam is Mahadanam or the greatest donation in Hindu religion and is an essential part of Sanatana Dharma tradition. The food donation is not limited to feeding a human being but it encompasses all living beings. There are numerous stories in Hindu scriptures that extol the glory of Annadanam – prominent being Goddess Parvati appearing as Goddess Annapoorneshwari and feeding Shiva. Another instant is that Karna taking rebirth as he had performed all types of donation except food donation. He then performs food donation on earth to achieve moksha. A mistake many Hindus make while performing Annadanam is to feed only priests. This is wrong. Annadanam should be offered to all living being – there should not be any consideration of position, authority, religion or caste or nationality. In Hinduism, Annadanam is performed for redemption of sins, to attain piety, to get speedy reco

Tahia of Lord Jagannath – The Crown of Jagannath during Puri Jagannath yatra

When the murti (idol) of Hindu God Jagannath is taken from the temple to the Ratha for the Puri Rath Yatra ritual, he wears an ornamental crown on his head. This decorative piece which Jagannath wears is known as Tahia and is an important part of the Ratha Jatra ritual. The crown known as Tahia is made out of cane, bamboo sticks, solapith, flowers and colors (minimal, red and zinc, are used). Tahia is placed on the head of the murti while He is being taken from the temple to the chariot and it remains till the end of the Ratha Yatra. Only skilled artisans are entrusted to prepare the tahia. The tahia is shaped like a betel leaf. The crown is more than six feet in height and 8.5 ft in circumference. A lot of raw bamboo sticks (altogether 37 sticks) are held together with cotton strings to give the tahia its shape. Cane is also used at specific places. Flowers, made of sholapith, are also used, apart from jasmine. But the row of kadamba flowers at the t

What is Nishita Kala? – Nishit Kaal

Nishita Kala is defined as the 8th muhurta of the night and it is attained after doing complex calculation. It is of great importance to the Panchang makers and Jyothishis as this period is essential for calculating festival and auspicious days. Nishita Kala period is chosen to do pujas and worship on the Shivaratri day. This period is of great importance to some Hindu communities. For a festival to be fixed there should be a Nishita Kala on the day. For example a festival falling on Ashtami, there should be a nishita Kala on Ashtami day. The Nishita Kala period is usually of duration of less than an hour and fall during the midnight.

Swami Lilashah Ji Maharaj Quotes And Teachings

A collection of quotes and teachings of Swami Lilashah Ji Maharaj (1880 - 1972) The mind is the reason behind a person's bondage or salvation.  Pious and benevolent  actions resolves and purify the mind, remove all faults and lead to final salvation. Take your mind to task everyday! Constantly counsel your mind. "O restless mind! Now be quiet and steady. Why do you disturb me by wandering all the time? Time and again you run after sense pleasures and worldly relations, seeking company in relationships but don’t you know that they are short-lived? You have been forced to abandon them in all of your previous lives and will have to abandon them in this life as well. So immerse yourself in meditation of your True Self that is always with you, that is Bliss Supreme.” Never allow the mind free rein because it is an incredible treasure house of tremendous powers. It is such a fast horse as can easily and quickly simply gallop towards its goal if only given good direc