Lingadharana Chandrika, a Virashaiva treatise, was composed by Nandikeshwara and it elucidates the custom of wearing the linga. ‘Dharana’ here means wearing. Nandikeshwara is a son of Mahesaradhya and belongs to the family of Manana Pandita (an Advaitin family). Ishwara and Sharabheshwara were his brothers. The value and importance of the work is gathered from its quotation by Sadashiva in his Lingaracana Chandrika. Though the term linga has many senses, the fundamental meaning of the word is a ‘mark’ or ‘symbol.’ Even in respect of the meaning ‘phallus,’ it has the same sense of distinguishing one sex from the other. This primary meaning of the term is kept in view even in the case of denoting Lord Shiva. It is a visible symbol representing the absolute form of Lord Shiva. The Virashaiva system founded by Basava is a branch of Saiva Siddhanta, with some distinguishing features. The followers of this system wear the linga enclosed in a small casket on a thread worn as a g

Ramayana Masam in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month Karkidakam (July – August). On all days in the month, the Epic Ramayanam is read in traditional Hindu houses, by Hindu organizations and in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In 2023, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 17 and ends on August 16. The reading of the Ramayana begins on the first day of the month and is completely read on the last day of the month. The famous Malayalam Version of the Ramayana titled Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu written by Thunchath Ezhuthachan is the one recited in the month. After lighting the evening lamp, people sit before nilavilakku (traditional Kerala lamp) and recite the Adhyatma Ramayanam. The reading of the epic is managed in such a way that the reading ends on the last day in the Karkidakam Month. The Karkidakam month is the last month of the Malayalam calendar. The monsoon is at its peak in this month, and during olden days majority of the people in Kerala depended on a

Aadi Masam, or Adi, is the fourth month in Tamil Calendar and is termed inauspicious by many as the Dakshinayana Punyakalam begins in the month. In 2023, the Aadi Masam begins on July 17 and ends on August 17. But several Tamil Hindu rituals and festivals are held in the month of Aadi and therefore it is also auspicious to some people. Aadi is considered bad by some people becomes of the southward journey of sun. The next six months are the night of Devas. Aadi masam is of great importance in these testing times when Mother Nature is slowly shedding her kind and benign nature. She is slowly turning into the all consuming ferocious Mother Kali. The Adharma that we are perpetuating in the name of development is nothing but greed. It is wiping out all living forms from Earth. Months like Aadi used to be a time of introspection and healing. It was a time when we humans recognized the role of Mother nature in our life. Let us each plant a tree during Aadi Masam and take care of

Koliyoor Shankaranarayana Temple at Meenja village in Kasaragod district, Kerala. Koliyoor Shankaranarayana Temple thulabharam is on January 1, 2023. Koliyoor Shankaranarayana Temple festival 2023 date is January 2. Thulabharam performed on Dhanu 17 is an important ritual here. The temple festival is observed the next day on Dhanu 18. The Thulabharam in the shrine is observed with rice. On Vrischikam 1 Lakshadeepam is performed in the temple. The temple is of old Kumbala village. Main murti in the temple is Shankaranarayana. In the sreekovil of the temple there are three bimbams or vigraha. In ancient times, it was believed to be of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Now instead of Brahma, Ganapathy is worshipped in the sreekovil. The main offering in the temple is uncooked soaked rice. The Upa Devatas in the temple are Malayadaivam and Kuruthi. The moolasthanam of the temple is a pond located below Meethakoliyur Kunnu. It is believed that when Trimurtis were bathing in the pond, thei

Adi Shankaracharya had explained about six different kinds of Samadhi in the Vivekachudamani and Drig Drishya Viveka. Meditating upon one’s self as the witness of desires and other activities of the mind. Knowing the self to be free from contacts, self luminous, being consciousness bliss and non-dual. Experiencing the exalted feeling of Self derived from the ecstasy of the above two states and yet discarding them both and remaining motionless like an unflickering light in a windless place. Discarding with indifference outer things, things which have name and form, and meditating on the underlying Reality. Knowing and being aware at all times that That which manifests as Being-Consciousness-Bliss (sat chit ananda) is the universal Brahman. With the experience of the above two, overcoming all desires and remaining calm and motionless like the waveless ocean. By constantly practicing these six kinds of Samadhi at all times and without intermission one can attain

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 23 July 2021 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:33 AM on July 23. Then onward it is Purnima Tithi or the full moon day till 7:40 AM on July 24. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 23, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Shada or Pooradam Nakshatra till 2:26 PM on July 23. Then onward it is Uttarashada or Uthradam Nakshatra till 1:25 PM on July 24. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Purva Shada or Pooradam Nakshatra till 2