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Showing posts from May 15, 2020


Hanuman Setu Temple in Lucknow - Devotees Give Letter To Hanuman

Hanuman Setu Temple is located on the banks of Gomti River near Lucknow University in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The shrine was early located near the Gomti River ghat but it was shifted due to floods. Neeb Karori Baba consecrated the present structure in 1967.  Setu means bridge. There is a bridge near the temple, which faced numerous difficulties during construction. But after offering prayers and puja to Hanuman, the bridge was completed without any incident. The main murti of Hanuman worshipped in the shrine is in standing posture. He is clad in a yellow dhoti and red kurta. He also has a silver crown. The murti is depicted as showing Sri Ram and Mata Sita in his heart. Apart from this, there are murtis of Ganesha, Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Neeb Karori Baba in the temple complex. A unique custom in the temple is giving letters to Hanuman. Devotees make their wish through letters. The ritual was started by Neeb Karori Baba to help devotees who could not travel to the tem

Golaki Matha

Golaki Matha is a Shaiva Matha at Tewar (the old Tripuri) in J abalpur district of Madhya Pradesh . Despite attempts to identify the matha with the Yogini temple at Bhedaghat or in its proximity, or with the remains of a huge circular structure unearthed at Karanbel near Tewar, its location remains uncertain. The mutt was an important center of Shaivism for several centuries. The mutt and its teachers had great influence on the kings of Chedi, Kakatiya of Warangal and the kings of Malwa and Chola. With the decline of the power of the kings who supported the mutt, the followers of the mutt is believed to have migrated to South India. History Of Golaki Matha The Malkapuram (Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh) pillar inscription (1261 AD) and some other inscriptions in Tamil Nadu inform us about the matha’s head, Vishveshwara Shambhu. The Malkapuram inscription evidences the fact that it was founded by Sadbhav Shambhu, who received from the Kalachuri king, Yuvaraja Deva, a gift of 300,0

International Day for Biological Diversity

On International Day for Biological Diversity, annually observed on May 22, we human beings focus on the need to protect our environment and preserve the biodiversity of the planet. There is only one animal that causes harm to biological diversity and it is we humans. Why Is May 22 Observed As International Day for Biological Diversity? The United Nations’ (U.N.) Convention of Biological Diversity came into force on December 29, 1993, and the U.N. initially designated that day The International Day for Biological Diversity. However, in 2000, the day was changed to May 22 to coincide with the date of the adoption of the text of the Convention. This was also because in many countries December 29 is part of the holiday season, making it difficult for them to hold activities. Though the dates changed, the aim of the day remained the same – “to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues”. What is biodiversity? Biodiversity refers to the various life forms - fl

Godana In Hinduism – Gifting Or Offering Cow

Godana is an auspicious ritual of gifting or offering a cow to a learned person in Hinduism. Hindus gift a cow to a self realized soul to gain merit or to fulfil a vow or as atonement. A noted theologian (late 13 th century – early 14 th century) describes the procedure o this gift in his book Chaturvarga Chintamani in detail. According to Vishwamitra, an authority codified that the cow which is to be gifted should be with her calf and should stand facing east at the time of dana (offering); after bathing, the donor should stand near the cow’s tail and the person, who accepts the gift should sit facing north. Then the priest should take a bowl of ghee (clarified butter), put gold in it and ask the donor to dip the cow’s tail in the bowl; after that the receiver o the gift should take sesame seeds in this hands and sit facing east. Finally, the priest recites Gomati mantra and asks the donor to give away the cow, touching the tail from the top to the end. The Mahab

Life Is A Great and Sublime Yajna

Dispassion and renunciation comprise the key to inner peace. This peace alone makes happiness possible. Without peace there is no happiness. Thus it is clear, that anyone who wants peace and happiness must cultivate vairagya and tyaga. Attachment and selfishness constitute terrible bondage. Vairagya eradicates attachment. Tyaga cuts at the root of selfishness. They make you free and bring you peace and joy. Life is a great and sublime yajna. Yajna means self-offering, a noble giving of oneself for the good and the benefit of others. Paropakara is the overall governing principle of man’s life. You can engage yourself in doing good to others, in bringing happiness into the lives of others, only when you shed your selfishness. This is real renunciation. The secret of renunciation is the renunciation of selfishness, egoism and personal desires. Renounce personal selfishness and live in the world, enjoying what providence brings to you as your due. This is an admonition of the Seer of