--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from July 13, 2019


Uma Maheshwar Temple in Sagar, Shimoga - Famous for Erotic Carvings

The 12 th century Uma Maheshwar temple at Hosgunda in Sagar Taluk of Shimoga District, Karnataka, has been in news lately for the renovation works taken up in the temple. The temple is noted for its intricate and erotic carvings. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva but there was no ‘ shivling .’ The temple was neglected for a long period mainly because it was outside the purview of the state and central archaeological department. The Hindu reports The temple is believed to have been built during the period of the Sthanik dynasty that ruled this part of the State with Hosgunda as its capital. A stone inscription of 1103 AD bears the description of the temple that has a height of 21 m and width of 9 m.  The Uma Maheshwar temple, nestled in the verdant forests of the Western Ghats, is being taken up for conservation by the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothan Trust in association with the Uma Maheshwar Seva Trust. The temple will be renovated in

Story of Akshaya Patra In Mahabharat - Divine Bowl Give Food All Day

Akshaya Patra is a divine bowl that was given to Panchali, the wife of Pandavas by Surya, the Sun God. It is an important symbol and the story happened during the exile period of Pandavas. During their exile period in the Mahabharata, Pandavas traveled across the country and wherever they camped, numerous saints and people used to visit them. The Pandavas found it difficult to provide food to the visitors. So Panchali prayed to Surya and He gave her the Akshaya Patra. The divine bowl would give food all day till Panchali takes her food. After the queen of the Pandavas had eaten, the bowl would not provide any food on the day. Kauravas who never spared an opportunity to trouble Pandavas requested Sage Durvasa to visit the Pandavas. Sage Durvasa was known for his short temper and used to curse people if he was angry. Kauravas made sure that Durvasa reached the camp of Pandavas after Panchali had eaten her food. Pandavas were forced to invite Durvasa and his students fo

Adi Kailash Yatra 2024 Booking – How To Book Pilgrimage to Chota Kailash, Om Parvat and Gauri Kund Packages 2024

Thousands of Hindu devotees and adventurous mountain trekkers partake in the annual Adi Kailash Yatra to have a glimpse of the formation of the Sanskrit letter ‘ ॐ ’ (om or aum) from snow on the Om Parvat. In 2024, the Adi Kailash Yatra conducted by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) from June 10, 2024 to September 14, 2024. The booking is underway.  Mount Adi Kailash, popularly known as Chhota Kailash and Baba Kailas, is one of the abodes of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas . The annual yatra takes place from June to September. Mount Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are at an attitude of 2,000 to 14,000 feet and are located in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand in India . Another major attraction during the annual pilgrimage is the Parvati Sarovar (Tal) or Parvati Lake or Gauri Kund at the foot of Adi Kailash. Other spiritual attractions during the Yatra include the snow-clad peaks of Annapurna Mountain , Kali River , and Narayan Ashram. For nature enthusiasts, the route to

Goddess Bhudevi in Hinduism

Goddess Bhudevi is the Mother Earth and she is the consort of Hindu God Vishnu. As per Hinduism, Goddess Bhudevi is the one who nourishes or sustains all living beings. When Adharma rises on earth, she calls for the attention of Vishnu. Many scriptures mention of Goddess Bhudevi complaining to Vishnu regarding the depredations and oppressions caused by demons. Then Vishnu takes an Avatar and installs Dharma by annihilating the demons. Goddess Bhudevi is always depicted with two arms - right hand holding utpala - the blue lotus in her right raised hand. The other hand is in Varada mudra. Bhudevi is worshipped in some of the important temples dedicated to Vishnu – especially at Tirupati Balaji Temple . Murtis of Goddess Bhudevi are mainly found in South India . Goddess Bhudevi also takes the form of cow. This is why in some regions cow is equated with mother earth. Sage Bhrighu’s Prakeernadhikara suggests that on the left side of the main icon of Lord Vishnu, an ic

Salmali Island – Importance Of Shalmali Dvipa in Hindu Scriptures

Information regarding Salmali Island (Shalmali Dvipa) is found in the Vishnu Purana. It is one among the important seven islands (dvipa). This is a huge island and is surrounded on four sides by sugarcane juice. (Some texts claim that the island is surrounded by sura (liquor). There are seven mountains in the Salmali Island . They provide shelter to various living beings including human beings. The seven mountains separate the island into seven regions and they contain rare trees, creepers, plants, flowers and herbs. It is also said that the mountains have huge deposits of precious stones. There are seven holy rivers in the Salmali Dvipa – Yoni, Toya, Vitrna, Chandra, Mukta, Vimochani and Nirvrti. It is said that merely remembering the name of the rivers will give redemption from sins. The people in the island worship Vishnu in the form of Vayu (wind god). The island takes the name from a tree which grows here known as Salmali. It is said that the tree provides comf

Swami Akhandananda Teachings

Swami Akhandananda -   Direct Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. This is a collection of quotes and teachings of Swami Akhandananda. There is no happiness here, no peace. How can there be? This is not our place – this narrowness, selfishness. We want freedom from all these. That is real happiness that is real satisfaction. To attain liberation and knowledge, even the gods have to be born in human form. Now I see God living in all human beings, and I have realized that the service to man is service to God. God, as it were, is whispering in my ears, - Verily these human beings are the Vedic sages; they are divine incarnations like Rama and Krishna - they are everything. The more you think of others as yourself, the more loving your heart becomes, and the more is Self-knowledge revealed. He who meditates well attains power to work more efficiently. He is never tired, because his energy is not misspent in any way – he is never annoyed or worried. Compassion is the root of al