--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from December 9, 2020


Ambalapuzha Palpayasam History – Chess And Story Of Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam

Palpayasam, sweet prepared using milk, sugar, and rice, is the most important offering at the famous Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple in Alappuzha District in Kerala. There two versions of history of the Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam. On story is associated with the game of chess. Story Ambalapuzha Palpayasam And Chess The king of Chemakasherri was a great fan of chess and a brilliant player. He once challenged the people to defeat him in chess. A poor Brahmin, whom the people have never seen in the area, took up the challenge. But the Brahmin put a condition that if the king was defeated then he should give rice to him. The king has to keep one rice grain on the first square and then double it in the remaining each 63 squares in the chess board. The king did not realize as to what he was really staking. It was impossible for any king to give that amount of rice. The total rice from 64 squares would add up to 9 million trillion rice grains. The king accepted the condition set forth b

Hindu God Sri Siddhanath In Maharashtra And Kala Bhairava

In Maharashtra, the Kala Bhairava worship took the form of Sri Siddhanath cult. There are various stories of how Kala Bhairava worship reached Maharashtra. According to one version a demon named Kalasur resided at Kolhapur. He disrupted religious ceremonies around the region, particularly at Tuljapur. Saints and devotees of the region prayed to Adimaya Mahashakti to save them from Kalasur. She advised them to approach Kala Bhairava, the Kotval of Kashi. To help the devotees and saints, Kala Bhairava came to Maharashtra and killed the demon. Immensely pleased Bhavani Mata of Tuljapur honored him with the epithet of Siddhanath. After destroying demon Kalasur and his lieutenants, Bhairava went to Patal Lok on a horse. Shesha, the king of serpents, welcomed him. His daughter, Jogeshwari, fell in love with Kala Bhairava. On the request of King of serpents Kala Bhairava agreed to marry his daughter. Their marriage took place at Mhaswad. Meanwhile Bhairava killed several demon

Somvati Panchami 2024 Dates

Somvati Panchami is an auspicious date associated with Hindu religion and it occurs when Panchami or the fifth day of a fortnight in Hindu calendar falls on Monday. Somvati Panchami 2024 date is January 1, January 15, April 29, and October 21. The day is considered highly auspicious to perform pujas and rituals for prosperity. Some people observe a fast on the day for the well being of the family and for wish fulfillment. Prayers on the day are mainly dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh and Nagas (serpent gods).

Story Of Pandit Shridhar Bhagat – Ardent Devotee Of Vaishno Devi

Pandit Shridhar Bhagat was an ardent devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and he lived at Hansali Village in Jammu. The story of this great devotee of Vaishno Devi is associated with the story of Goddess and the evil tantric Bhairavnath. Evil tantric Bhairavnath was against the devotees of Vaishno Devi. He reached Hansali with the intention of teaching Pandit Shridhar Bhagat a lesson. He reached the residence of the devotee with his three hundred and sixty disciples and asked him to feed them all. Sridhar was very poor and it was beyond him to feed so many guests. Bhairavnath mocked him and asked him to ask Vaishno Devi to help him. Sensing the trouble of her devotee, Vaishno Devi appeared before him and asked him to invite the evil Tantrik Bhairavnath to his house. She promised him that all arrangements to feed them would be made. As directed by Devi, Pandit Shridhar invited them all for food. At the place called Bhumika they all appeared for food. Devi by her powers cre

Udayanapuram Temple History - Festival – Famous Subramanya Temple Near Vaikom

Udayanapuram Subramanya temple is located around 2 km from Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam District, Kerala. The 10-day temple festival is observed in such a manner that it ends with arattu on the Rohini nakshatra day in Vrischikam month. Another important festival held in the temple is the Thaipooyam in Makarm month. The main murti of Subramanya or Muruga is around 6 feet tall from the base (peedam).   The main upa devatas in the shrine are Ganapathy and Dakshinamurthy. The annual chirappu in the temple is held in Makaram month. It is said that a Chera king built a temple for Subramanya at Kumaranallor but Goddess Bhagwati occupied the shrine. A temple that was built for Goddess Bhagavati at Udayanapuram then became the shrine of Subramanya. It is believed that Subramanya or Muruga at Udayanapuram temple is the son of Vaikkathappan (Shiva worshipped at Vaikom Mahadeva Temple). Based on this belief on the Arattu or final day of festival in Udayanapuram Temple, the koodi puja i

Udayathumvathil Sree Krishna Swamy Temple Rituals - Beliefs - Festival

Udayathumvathil Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is located at Kumbalam on the Vytilla – Kumbalam road in Ernakulam District, Kerala. The 8-day annual festival is observed in such a manner that it begins on Chothi nakshatra in Makaram month and ends with arattu on Thiruvonam nakshatra. The Sri Krishna worshipped in the temple is of Balakrishna or little Krishna. From the base (peedam) the murti is 6-feet tall. The deity faces east. The main upa devata in the temple is Ganapathy. The shrine belonged to the Amma Thampuran Kovilakam. The most important ceremony during the festival is the Valiya Vilakku. Earlier, 55 para payasam was served on the Valiya Vilakku day. There is a firm belief that if children are applied the oil retrieved after abhishekam in the temple they will find immediate relief to various kinds of skin diseases like karappan, chori and cherangu etc.

Strange Are The Ways Of The Mind

Strange are the ways of the mind. One mind is hungry after desires; another one is content and full of love. One is only interested in getting, another one knows only giving. One mind knows only its own happiness, the other one feels for others. One mind is immersed in its selfish aims; another mind is immersed in doing good to others. One mind is full of egoism, another one is a garden of humility. Indeed strange are the ways of the mind Source - Vedanta Kesari June 2014 --------------- On The Topic Mind The jnani's mind is known only to the jnani. One must be a jnani oneself in order to understand another jnani. However, the peace of mind which permeates the saint's atmosphere is the only means by which the seeker understands the greatness of the saint. His words or actions or appearance are no indication of his greatness, for they are ordinarily beyond the comprehension of common people. (Ramana Maharshi Talks, no. 426) ........ Swami Sivananda

16 December 2020 Tithi - Panchang - Hindu Calendar - Good Time - Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 – Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 6:57 PM on December 16. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Tritiya Tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5:53 PM on December 17. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on December 16, 2020 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Shada or Pooradam Nakshatra till 10:26 PM on December 16. Then onward it is Uttarashada or Uthradam Nakshatra till 10:05 PM on December 17. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India.)  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and