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Showing posts from July 28, 2019


Ravana Worshipped In Khonpura Village - Madhya Pradesh

Ravan, the archrival of Sri Ram in Ramayana, is considered as an embodiment of evil by majority of the people. But there are Hindu communities that worship him and consider the positive aspects of his character, especially Ravan’s deep devotion for Hindu God Shiva. The people of Khonpura Village in Madhya Pradesh worship a 45-foot Ravana murti, which is believed to be more than 200 years old. The huge murti of Ravana is worshipped on the open ground of the Khonpura Village . Elders in the village say that whenever the murti of Ravana was damaged – due to heavy rains or lightning – there would be something untoward happening in the village. As soon as the murti is repaired and worshipped, peace and good times return to the village. When huge effigies of Ravana are burnt on the Dasara day in Ashwin month, the Namdev Community of Khonpura Village worships him. The villagers testify that praying before the murti of Ravan helps in curing various diseases. New

Goddess Kamalaja – Hindu Goddess Kamalaja Devi

Goddess Kamalaja, is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti, and in this form she is believed to have helped Shiva in fighting Demon Tripurasura. Goddess Lakshmi is also referred as Goddess Kamalaja especially when she is associated with the Vasudeva Kamalaja. Vasudeva Kamalaja is half man - half woman incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu (Ardhanari Vishnu), which is mentioned in texts associated with Hindu culture in Nepal . Here Vasudeva is Vishnu and Kamalaja is Goddess Lakshmi. Temples dedicated to Goddess Kamalaja Devi as an incarnation of Goddess Parvati is found at Bhimashankar Temple dedicated to Shiva in Maharashtra . Another popular temple dedicated to the Goddess is found near the Lonar Crater in Maharashtra . Goddess Kamalaja Devi is worshipped on Tuesdays. The popular belief is that this incarnation of Goddess Shakti got the name Kamalaja as Brahma used to worship Her with Kamal or lotus flowers.

What does Upanishad mean? – Meaning of the term Upanishads

This article explores what does Upanishad mean? and meaning of the term Upanishads Upanishads are Holy Scriptures in Hinduism and are part of the Holy Vedas. The subject matter of Upanishad is self knowledge and contains the attempts made by various saints of ancient world to know Brahman – the Supreme Truth – and their attempts to share their findings and methods. Scholars have given numerous definitions to the term Upanishad but two schools of thought have gained prominence and is widely accepted. First school of thought suggests that the word Upanishad is derived from the root ‘sad’, to sit, to which ‘Upa’ and ‘ni’ prefixes have been added. The word is taken to mean ‘to approach someone and sit down next to him’ – a student approaching a Guru to learn the self knowledge. The second school of thought is developed from Adi Shankaracharya’s definition of Upanishads. The word ‘Upanishad’ is derived by adding the prefixes ‘upa’ (near) and ‘ni’ (with certainty) to the

Kottankulangara Sridevi Temple at Chavara in Kerala – Men Cross Dress For Goddess In Chamayavilakku Festival

According to Hindu tradition all animate and inanimate rise and fall in the Supreme Truth. Chamayavilakku Festival 2024 date is March 24 and 25. This concept has given rise to numerous unique traditions in Hinduism like the Ardhanareeshwara and unique temple festivals related to the concept half-man and half-woman. One such festival is the Chamayavilakku festival held at the Kottankulangara Sridevi Temple at Chavara in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Vana Durga – an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Please note that the festival is today being associated with homosexuals, crossdressers and transgender. But this is not correct. The ritual is a unique offering done by straight men to the Goddess. Homosexuals, crossdressers and transgender actively participate in the ritual. The ritual is held during the last two days of the 11-day temple festival. On the day, regular men from all walks of life dress up as women for the ChamayaVilakku (chamaya is make-up, vilakku is lamp

Significance of Amavasya In Hindu Religion - Spiritual Significance of Amavasya

Amavasya is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night of the first quarter of the lunar month. Since the moon is invisible on the day, Amavasya is also referred as no moon night. Amavasya holds great spiritual significance in Hinduism. Many Hindus choose this day to make offering (tarpanam) to the dead ancestors. There is also an ongoing debate whether Amavasya is auspicious or inauspicious. The term ‘Amavasya’ is commonly used in all regional languages in India . The fortnight that starts with Amavasya is also referred as the Shukla paksha (bright half of the month). Mauni Amavasya in Hindu Magh month (January – February) and Mahalaya Amavasya in Ashwayuja (September – October) are highly auspicious. Similarly the Amavasya in Aadi month is of great importance in Tamil Nadu. The Amavasya in Karkidakam month is of importance in Kerala. Positive Aspects Of Amavasya Amavasya is associated with liberation or Moksha. The day is ideal for beginning spirit

Maha Pradosh – What is Mahapradosh?

Maha Pradosh is a rare occurrence of the Pradosham, or Pradsha Vrata, dedicated to Lord Shiva falling on a Saturday during the waning phase of moon in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The Pradosh period – the twilight period – on the 13th day during Krishna Paksha (waning phase of period) is considered highly auspicious for worshiping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is the main ritual on the day for Shiva devotees. The prayers and rituals for Pradosh begin around 1.5 hours before sunset and end one hour after sunset. Special pujas are performed in Shiva temples during the period. It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvati are in a happy mood during Pradosham period and are easily pleased. Pradosh falling on Saturday is known as Shani Pradosh. But the Pradosh falling during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) is not defined a particular name but is also considered auspicious by many.

Swami Chidananda Thoughts And Sayings - Divine Life Society in Rishikesh

Swami Chidananda Saraswati  (1916 – 2008) was the president of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh – associated with the Swami Sivananda Ashram In spite of, because of, all the deficiencies and imperfections of the human mind and knowing how it is subject to various moods, some positive, some negative, you must take a stand that these things do not affect you. These things do not rob you of the greatest ever chance given to the individual to rise up and ascend back into its universal abode of perfection, fearlessness, freedom and absolute completeness. The scriptures also tell us the type of person we should be. They say that people in the least category have no stuff in them. Even before launching into an undertaking they begin to think of all the obstacles and conclude that it is too much for them. People of the middling type undertake a project, but when some obstacles come in the way, they give up. But people of real stuff, who know that they are made in the image