Hariti is one of the minor divinities in Buddhism. The name literally means one who steals. Hariti was a yakshini, an other-worldly being who used to steal and devour children. According to some legends, she was an ogress who had made a vow in her former birth to devour the children of Rajagriha and thus was born as a yakshi. Though yakshinis were usually fierce ad full of spite and vengeance, addicted to man-and-beast killing, some of them got kinder and humane under the moralizing influence of Buddha. Originally, Hariti was a Magadhan tutelary Goddess who resided at Rajagriha with her spouse Pancika, a general of yaksha army, variously known as Kubera, Jambhala, Dhanada and Vaishravana. She began destroying the children of Rajagriha by smallpox and so earned the name of Hariti, by which she is also known in Buddhism. Metaphorically, she is said to devour children as an ogress, in which form Buddha encountered her. Buddha adopted the tactic of hiding her last-born child, Pingala, who

Harishchandra Kavya was composed by Raghavanka, a Virashaiva poet, in the 13 th century CE. It is the Kannada poem based on the story of famous King Harishchandra. The greatness of this the Kannada classic poem is that it focuses on Karuna Rasa (sentiment of compassion). Harishchandra Kavya refers to incidents from the Mahabharata and Puranas, particularly Markandeya Purana. Harishchandra, the embodiment of truth, is the central protagonist of this poem. He becomes the victim of a quarrel between Sage Vasistha and Vishwamitra. When Vasistha asserted that King Harishchandra was the most truthful person and that under no circumstances would he utter a lie, Sage Vishwamitra challenged him. Raghavanka describes this situation in a beautiful metaphor – if two bulls fight each other, the tree will be the target to show off their might. Harishchandra had to sacrifice all his possessions on earth, including his wife and son, in order to uphold the truth. Throughout the poem, the poet esta

Shravan Month (July – August) in Hindu calendars is dedicated to Shiva. Here are the reasons why Shravan month is dedicated to Shiva. The main rituals in the month include bathing Shivling with water and observing Shravan somvar vrat.  1)      Shiva saved the earth and living beings by drinking Halahala poison in the Shravan month. Halahala poison appeared during the Churning of Ocean or Samudra Manthan. People observe various vrats and bath Shivling with water in memory of this divine event. 2)      Young Markandeya was saved from Yama by Shiva in Shravan month. Markandeya was destined to die on his 16 th birthday. When Yama arrives to take him away, he hugs on to a Shivling. Shiva then appears and saves Markandeya. 3)      Shiva is believed to have narrated the glory of Amarnath Pilgrimage in this month to Goddess Parvati. 4)      Shiva gives darshan to devotees as Baba Barfani in Amarnath Cave in this month.

Priya Pravas is one of the most important literary works of Hariaudha – penname of Ayodhya Sing Upadhyaya, an eminent Hindi writer. In Priya Pravas, Hariaudh depicted Radha and Krishna not as a pair of romantic lovers but as those who reformed society and redeemed the country from distress. The literary work was written between 1909 and 1913 CE. Interpreting an important legend in Hinduism in a manner suited to modern times required not only courage but also a command over language. Significantly, in Priya Pravas, the poet used classical Sanskritmeters. He succeeded admirably in describing the agony of the gopis at being separated from Krishna. Hariaudh started his journey in Braj Bhasha but soon switched over to Khadi Boli, the modern Hindi was called then and enriched it profusely. If Priya pravas is the first Hindi (modern) epic, then surely he is the first great poet of this language. Hariaudh (1865 – 1947) was renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge in various dialects of

Harirudra is a combined iconic form of Hari (Vishnu) and Rudra (Shiva). The form is also known as Shiva-Narayana and Shankara-Narayana. Hari Rudra is described in detail in Matsya Purana. Madhava (Vishnu) occupies the left side and Shiva, the right side. Both of the arms of Vishnu are adorned with diamond bracelets and he holds the conch shell and disc or mace. The lower right hand of Shiva is held in Varada mudra and the upper right hand holds a trident. The yajnopavita or sacred thread consists of serpents and the lower garment of Harirudra is made of animal skin. According to many scholars, this concept was evolved to bring about a fusion or synthesis of two modes of worship (Shaivite and Vaishnavite) and also to indicate the complementary nature of two gods. Sasta or Ayyappan is the offspring of Harirudra and is known as Hariharaputra. Sculpture specimens of Harihara, though small in number, are found all over India from the period of Kushanas (1 st century CE from Girdhar

Haracharita Chintamani is a mahakavya or great epic of the 13th century CE. It was composed in the thirty two sargas (cantos) by Rajanaka Jayaratha – as per some texts the name is Jayadratha. Haracharita Chintamani, as the name itself suggests, retells many legends about Shiva and his manifestations. Rajanaka Jayadratha was the son of Srngararatha and great-grandson of the brother of Sivaratha, minister of King Uccala of Kashmir (1101 – 11 CE). The stories and legends in Haracharita Chintamani related to several sacred places in Kashmir. The local names recorded by Rajanaka Jayaratha agree closely with those mentioned by Kalhana, in his Rajatarangini, indicating that the names used by Kalhana were current during that period. The plain and authentic narration in Haracharita Chintamani of the different local legends is very valuable in identifying sacred places in the Kashmir region referred to in Nilamata Purana. Some of the important legends described in this work are the manifestation

Aila Sree Durga Parameshwari temple is located at Mangalpady in Kasaragod district in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Mahishasuramardini form of Goddess Durga. The darshanam of Aila Sree Durga Parameshwari is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshiped in the temple are Ganapathy, Sastha and Subrahmania. Legend has that the Mahishasuramardini worshiped in the temple arrived here from Mysore and the prathisha was performed by a muni (a holy person). In ancient times the temple belonged to Mayappady kings. The temple was associated with 18 villages from Thalappady to Kumbala.

Ayiroor Mahavishnu temple is located at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur district, Kerala. The main murti worshipped in the temple is Vishnu Bhagavan. The murti is nearly 4 feet tall and darshanam of Ayiroor Mahavishnu is towards east. The annual festival in the temple is held in Meena Masam (March - April). The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathi and Sasthavu. Daily three pujas are held in the temple. There are two ponds on the north side of the temple. It is said that the temple had three ponds. In ancient times the temple belonged to Ayiroor swaroopam. The temple was then governed by Vakkayil Kaimal. Ashtami Rohini festival in Chingamasam is of great importance in the shrine. The utsava murti of Bhagavan is taken atop chariot as part of the procession. Various Vaishnava pujas, rituals and festivities are part of the Krishna Janmashtami festival.

Ayroor Anchumoorthy temple is located at Ayroor, around five kilometers northeast of Varkala town in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple lies on the banks of Ayroor Lake. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Vishnu and Shiva. The murtis are known as Meledom Vishnu and Keezhedom Shiva. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva, Subrahmania, Ganapathi and Sastha. The main festival in the temple is held on Atham nakshatram in Meenam month (March – April). The temple belonged to two Namboothiri Illams. The temple was taken over by Travancore during the reign of Sri Moolam Thiurnal. Some of the nearby temples include Ilangalloor Bhagavathi, Velliyachakavu Bhagavathi, Cherukunnam Sastha and Chenamkodu Sastha.

Ambar Sri Sadashiva temple is located at Mangalpady in Kasaragod district, Kerala. The Shivling worshipped in the temple is unusually big in height and girth. It is believed that the prathishta in Ambar Sri Sadashiva temple was performed by Bhima the second of Pandava brothers. The main festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri. The temple in ancient times belonged to Mayappadi kings.

 Adat Shiva temple is located at Adatt or Adattu in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Shiva and Vishnu. Importance is given to Shiva. Darshanam of Shiva is towards east and that of Maha Vishnu is towards west. It is believed that the prathishta of Shivling in the temple was performed by Parashurama. It is believed that Kuroor Amma worshipped the Vishnu Bhagavan in the temple as Sri Krishna. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are two Ganapathi and Ayyappan. The temple belongs to Kuroor and Chemangadu Manas. Along with the two manas, a committee of villagers also participates in the governing of the temple. The important festivals observed in the temple are Mahashivratri and Ashtami Rohini (Gokulashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti). Story Of Origin Of Adat Vishnu Temple It is said that Kurooramma used to worship Guruvayoorappan in the spot where the current Adat Vishnu temple is

Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in August 2021 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). August 2 – Shravan Somvar Vrat in North India August 2 – Aadi Krithigai August 3 – Mangala Gouri Vrat August 3 – Aadi Perukku August 4 – Kamada Ekadashi fasting August 5 – Pradosh Vrat August 6 – Shravan Shivratri Vrat – Monthly Shiva Chaturdashi Vrat August 8 – Snan Daan Shradh Amavasya August 8 – Amavasya Tithi - Aadi Amavasya in Tamil Nadu -  Divaso in Gujarat - Karkidaka Vavu Bali in Kerala - Hariyali Amavasya in North India - Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra - Bheemana Amavasya in Karnataka - Deep Puja in Maharashtra - Telangana - Karnataka - Chitalagi Amavasya in Odisha - Nagara Amavasya in Tulunadu of Karnataka - Chukkala Amavasya or Gaur Vratam in Andhra Pradesh August 9 – Shravan month begins in calendars followed in Maharashtra, G

Angadipuram Thali temple, also known as Sree Tali Mahadeva kshetram, is located at Angadipuram, around 3 km from Perinthalmanna, in Malappuram district, Kerala. Shiva is worshipped in the form of Shivling. The Upa Devata in the temple is Ganapathy. The annual pratishta festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meda Masam on the Vishu day. As per history, initially there was only a Shivling located amidst a number of Kanjiram Maram (trees). The temple was attacked and ransacked by Tipu Sultan. The main festival observed in the temple is Shivratri. The temple is now governed by Thali Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti. Angadipuram Thali Temple Agitation Angadipuram Thali temple agitation is an important event in the history of Kerala. This agitation led to Aradhana Swathanthryam. Muslims and the communist government were against the renovation of the Angadipuram Thali Temple. Angadipuram Thali temple agitation was led by K Kelappan on November 16, 1968 during the renovation of the

Angadikavu Bhagavathy temple is located around 2 km from Killimangalam in Thrissur district. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The Sankalpam of the deity is that Vana Durga. The main Upa Devata worshipped in the temple is Ayyappa. The annual Vela festival is held on Revathi nakshatra in Kumbha Masam (February - March).  Tholpavakoothu is held during the annual festival. Caparisoned elephants, melam and ezhunnallathu are part of the festival. The darshanam of Goddess Bhadrakali is towards west in a chathura sreekovil. The temple once belonged to Kunnathu Nair. The temple is currently maintained by a committee of elected members from local people.

A collection of Sanskrit Sayings. The ears are beautified by satsang (company and words of pious souls) not by earrings. The hands are beautified by charity, not by bangles. The body of good people is beautified by the good deeds and not by sandal paste. The ornament of man is his physical form, the ornament of the form is his inner virtues, the ornament of his virtues is his knowledge and the ornament of knowledge is forgiveness. People, occupied as they are with their own affairs, normally do nothing for others. The activity of those in who every stain of phenomenal existence has been destroyed are identified with Bhairava (Shiva), full of Him, is intended only for the benefit of the world. Man is obsessed with the idea that everything should be judged by his own standard. He wants to weigh God also in his own moral balance. There is no end to man's desire and no satisfying of all of them even if the whole world with all that is in it were his. There is

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 31 July 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during waning or dark phase of moon till 6:34 AM on July 31. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 8:14 AM on August 1. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 31, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra till 6:28 PM on July 31. Then onward it is Bharani Nakshatra till 8:52 PM on August 1. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra t