Hinduism, by virtue of its recognition of the inevitable plurality of the expressions of spiritual truth, contributes to the attitude of tolerance and strengthens the idea of the harmonious coexistence of all religions. All religions owe their inspiration to the personal insights of their founders. Unlike other religions, ‘Hinduism is not a ‘founded’ religion. Hinduism has no human founder like other religions of the world. It is verified experience of a large number of Rishis. Its distinctive characteristic has been its insistence on the inward life of the spirit. The ultimate ground of Hinduism is spiritual experience and not an authority. Rabindranath Tagore rightly distinguishes between a second hand religion – that of mere tradition – and the first hand religion of personal experience. Hinduism is of the latter class. For Hinduism, religion is salvation; it is more a transforming experience than a notion of God. Real religion can exist without a definite conception of the deit...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 7 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:18 AM on May 7. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 12:58 PM on May 8. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 7, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Punarvasu or Punartham nakshatra till 9:18 AM on May 7. Then onward it is Pushya or Poosam or Pooyam nakshatra till 11:33 AM on May 8. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Punarva...

Chhatra Yog is considered a good and auspicious period in Hindu astrology. This yog is calculated based on nakshatra or birth star. The Chhathra Yog time period is till the end of nakshatra on the particular day. Chhathra Yog benefits include better luck, victory and success. The time period is good for making all kinds of investments. It is good for participating in spiritual matters and all things associated with religion and temple. It is ideal for moving into new rented house and also for any kind of first meeting. It is also good for opening of shops and starting construction etc. Chhatra Yog happens when Purva Phalguni or Pooram nakshatra falls on Sunday or Ravivar Swathi or Chothi nakshatra falls on Monday or Somvar Mool or Moolam nakshatra falls on Tuesday or Mangalwar Shravan or Sravana or Thiruvonam nakshatra falls on Wednesday or Budhwar Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra falls on Thursday or Guruvar Krittika or Karthigai or Karthika nakshatra falls o...

Karuna Rasa is one of the nine sentiments in Hindu tradition. Karuna is defined as the sentiment of pathos or compassion. It is one of the nine rasas (rasa is the emotive experiences of actors and dancers transmitted to spectators witnessing their performance). Karuna grows from the sthayi bhava (permanent psychological state) of sorrow. The vibhavas (determinants) of this emotion could be the occurrence of various misfortunes in life. Causes such as separation from dear ones, loss of wealth, or accidents give rise to this feeling. The emotion is physically represented on stage by the dancers and actors through anubhava (consequents) such as shedding tears, being out of breath or drooping limbs and the like. These are external manifestations of the emotion. Other psychological states connected with karuna are anxiety, yearning, excitement, and sadness – these are sattvika bhavas, involuntary in nature and felt internally by the character while enacting a certain role. The transit...

The article is an Excerpt from the editorial of Prabuddha Bharata magazine July 2021 issue. The Hindu concept of Dharma can be an effective tool in the rejuvenation of religion in the future. The ideas of religion prevalent in the Western world are sectarian and related to secular structures of group of believers, while Dharma is entirely a spiritual ideal. The central idea of Dharma is not the sacralisation of human institutions as happened in Medieval Europe, but the spiritualization of all fields of human activity. Being the universal Law or Order, the Dharma does not depend upon the professing institutions for its survival, but rather the latter depends upon the Dharma for their sustenance. The only way for all religions to regain their past glory is to reclaim their spiritual credential and shape human life in the light of spiritual and ethical values. Dharma stands for these spiritual and ethical values, which are eternal and unchanging even during the vicissitudes of time. T...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 6 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:21 AM on May 6. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:18 AM on May 7. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 6, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 5:28 AM on May 6. Then onward it is Punarvasu or Punartham nakshatra till 9:18 AM on May 7. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Raj...

Mahasamanta is a feudal title used in ancient Hindu kingdoms. The epigraphic records and literary works of the post-Gupta period reveal that mahasamanta was used to mean a great vassal or a great noble, usually of a higher rank than samanta. Samanta literally means neighboring, bordering or being on all sides, as used in Katyayana Srauta Sutra in connection with the rites performed on all sides of the ritual fire. Vashistha Dharmasutra, Kautilya, Manu, Yajnavalkya, Narada, Katyayana, Agni Purana, etc, use the term in connection with the rules of boundary disputes. The term came to be used for the neighboring rulers, especially those who had accepted the suzerainty of the supreme overlord with the passage of time. Kalidasa used the word in both the senses of a neighboring ruler (Raghuvamsa VI.33) as well as subordinate king (Raghuvamsa V.28). This was also the time when higher titles were applied to emphasize the importance of a person. The term Mahasamanta, either independently o...

Pancha Kosha in Hinduism is mentioned in the Taittiriya Upanishad and it the five sheaths that cover the self. Pancha Kosha are Annamaya Kosha Pranamaya Kosha Manomaya Kosha Vijnanamaya Kosha Anandamaya Kosha Ignorance makes the individual self forget the true nature of it. The pure consciousness or true nature is covered by a sheath or kosha. The sheaths cling on till one achieves liberation. Annamaya Kosha is the physical body which is maintained by water and food. It is the medium for all kinds of enjoyment and it also the medium for self realization. A person under the influence of ignorance loses the physical body through death. For a self realized person the body drops voluntarily to enter a higher plain. Pranamaya Kosha is the vital airs and five organs of action. The five vital airs are prana, apna, samana, vyana and udana. The five organs of action or karmendriya are speech, hands, feet, genitals and anus. The true nature of pure consciousness is cove...

Swami Vivekananda defines religion with the backdrop of the classical idea of Dharma. His basic definitions of Religion can be classified into six groups based on different shades of meaning he gives. Struggle – Religion is the struggle to transcend the limitations of the senses. Manifestation – Religion is the manifestation of divinity already existing in man. Endeavor – Religion is man’s ceaseless endeavor to become free. The master of nature is what we call God. Blessedness, eternal peace, arising from perfect freedom, is the highest concept of religion underlying all the ideas of God. Realization – Religion is realization. It is being and becoming, not hearing or acknowledging, it is the whole soul becoming changed into what it believes. Relationship – Religion permeates the whole of man’s life, not only the present, but the past, present, and future. It is, therefore, the eternal relation between the eternal soul and the eternal God. Reality – Is this real? Religion be...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, 5 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:18 AM on May 5. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:21 AM on May 6. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 5, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time.  Nakshatra  – Mrigasira or Makayiram or Mrigasheersham nakshatra till 4:07 AM on May 5. Then onward it is Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 5:28 AM on May 6. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and so...

Asya means a reservoir or resting place. In Hindu tradition, the mind is considered to be the reservoir of which all the deeds (karma) of the past and present are stored in the form of traces (samskaras). The storehouse of the innumerable traces of past and present karma is called karmasya. Deeds are of three types – good, bad, and mixed. This distinction is preserved in their traces also. Each act of karma, good, bad, or mixed, leaves an impression of pleasurable, painful, or mixed feelings in the mind, according to the particular act of karma. There is no escape from experiencing the fruits of karma. This is called the binding effect of karma. The source of karma is the five kleshas or afflictions of the mind – ignorance, ego-feeling, likes and dislikes, and fear of death (or desire for life). These afflictions are themselves without origin or beginning. They cause various karmas. The fruits of the karmas are called karma vipaka. According to yoga sutra (II.12-14), the fruit or r...

It is declared that there are eight types of sacred images appropriate for worship in Hinduism, namely, those formed of stone of wood of metal of clay of sand of jewels as a painting and in the mind One might well wonder: How is it possible to have devotion for a lifeless image made of material elements? In the practice of Vaishnava tantra, one learns to regard all matter as energy, shakti, of the supreme energetic, shaktiman, person, Bhagavan or Vishnu. Since all energy originates in Vishnu, he can transform or perhaps better, transubstantiate, any material substance for his own purposes, or for benefiting his devotees. The Vaishnava tantra texts, Pancharatra Agamas, provide detailed ritual procedures for invoking Vishnu into an image, either temporarily or permanently. The aggregate of these procedures is called prana-pratishta, literally establishing life. But equally important as such formalities is the devotional attitude of the practitioner, by virtue of which...

Jitamtestotra (1.4-7, 2.10) teachings found in the Pancaratra Agama and the Narada Pancaratra. The wise, attaining to you (Bhagavan Vishnu) alone the surest refuge, cross the terrible ocean of birth and death, the cause of endless pain and misery. You (Bhagavan Vishnu) have no color, no form, no weapons, no particular abode. Yet you reveal yourself to your devotees in a personal form. Nothing is beyond your range of vision and understanding but you are not perceived by any. Everything is realized by you, yet you are not realized by any. The sages know you to be the primary cause of things, the greatest of the objects ever expressed in words and the ultimate goal of all spiritual paths. You are verily the supreme existence. Lord of the universe, lover of your devotees, with your grace, do you somehow save me who am helpless, unhappy and disappointed through my failure to attain the goal.

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, 4 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5:18 AM on May 4. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:18 AM on May 5. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 4, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 8:45 PM.  Nakshatra  – Rohini nakshatra till 1:35 AM on May 4. Then onward it is Mrigasira or Makayiram or Mrigasheersham nakshatra till 4:07 AM on May 5. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Rohini nak...

Bhavamukha is described as an exalted state of spiritual experience, in which an aspirant keeps his mind on the borderline between the Absolute and the Relative. From this position he can contemplate the ineffable and attributeless Brahman and also participate in the activities of the relative world, seeing in it the manifestation of God alone. The related bhava-samadhi is ecstasy in which the devotee retains the ego and enjoys communion with the Personal God. It is said that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was told on at least three occasions by the Divine Mother, to remain in bhavamukha — that is, to remain in a state in which his mind was on the border between the Absolute and the relative states of consciousness. We can probably consider this to be the key to his state of consciousness. Sri Ramakrishna did not have a limited ‘I’ – sense, as ordinary people have. Rather, his ‘I’ –     sense was united with the universal or cosmic ‘I’ of the Divine Mother. So his mission was ...

Guru Namashivaya, also known as Guru Namasivayar, lived in the 17 th century CE and was a disciple of Saint Guhai Namasivaya. There is little information about this early life but he became well known for his siddhis (accomplishments gained in deep penance) of clairvoyance and telepathy. He had been a disciple of Guhai Namasivaya, who lived on the slopes of the Arunachala hills in Tiruvannamalai. There are many incidents displaying his power of clairvoyance. Once, for instance, Namashivaya suddenly laughed. When asked by his Guru, he answered that he was able to visualize a humorous happening in Chidambaram. On another occasion, the Guru observed that his disciple was rubbing his clothes. When asked, he related the fire incident which had occurred in Chidambaram and that he was quenching the flames from his clothes. Guhai Namasivaya knew from these incidents that his disciple had reached an advanced stage of sadhana, but attainment of siddhis was no real indication of spiritual ...

Karma Sannyasa is renouncing household or other duties at the fourth stage (avastha) of life in Hinduism. As per the teachings, it is renouncing the ego of being a doer (karta) and leaving the longing for the fruits of action. Literally, karma sannyasa means renouncing the action itself, but as Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, it is impossible even for a moment to remain without doing anything (Bhagavad Gita 3/5); if all activities are shunned, even life cannot continue (Bhagavad Gita 3/8). Therefore karma sannyasa does not mean sitting idle. The real purport of the term is two- fold: of the four stages of ashrama dharma, the first three, viz., brahmacharya (celibate student), grihastha (householder) and vanaprastha (forest dweller) are duty bound, while the fourth, sannyasa (the renunciant), rises above all worldly duties and meditates on the absolute reality or the supreme being to realize the Brahman. Even in the first three stage of life, one can renounce the f...

 Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 3 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third 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 3:31 AM on May 3. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5:18 AM on May 4. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 3, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Rohini nakshatra on the full day on May 3 and till 1:35 AM on May 4. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Kartika or Krithigai or Krittika nakshatra till 12:34 AM ...

Karma Mala is the impact of ethical actions of a jiva (individual). Karma is voluntary action that we perform every day, arising out of a sense of want in us (malah karmanimittam (Tantra loka IX 88-89)). This is in contrast to kriya, which is a spontaneous, natural flow of activity that automatically arises out of fullness of bliss, but not out of some want. Since karma is voluntary action that we perform by the force of our will, it falls in the ethical realm of subhasubha (good and bad), involving the reaping of moral fruit generated by individual effort or action. Malinivijaya Tantra (I.24) states that karma mala also veils the essential nature of the empirical self. The individual performs pious and evil deeds, which bring about pleasure and pain in life (dharmadharmatmakam karma sukhadukhadilakshanam). Abhinavagupta in his Ishwara Pratyabhijna Vimarsini (III 2.5) says – There arises karma mala in the form of merit and demerit, when there is the consciousness of the external wo...

Lokanarkavu temple is located at Ayyanchery village, around 5 km from Vadakara, in Kozhikode district, Kerala. There are three main temples in Lokanarkavu – the main deities worshipped in the shrine are Vishnu, Shiva and Goddess Bhagavathi (Bhadrakali). Importance is given to Bhagavathy who is famous as Lokanarkavu Devi or Lokanarkavil Amma. Lokanarkavu Pooram 2025 date is April 10. The Bhagavathi worshipped here is known as Lokanarkavu Devi. She was the family deity or paradevata of Thacholi Tharavadu (ancient warrior family of Kerala). She is mentioned in Vadakkan Pattu. The oldest shrine among the three is that of Bhagavan Vishnu. The consecration of the murti was done by Parashurama. The right hand of Vishnu is slightly towards the front. The Chaturbahu or four-armed murti of Vishnu holds Shankh, Gada and Chakra. Shiva is worshipped in the form of Shivling in the temple. It is believed that the murti was consecrated on 1st day of Kolla Varsham (When kollavarsham era began...

Azhinjilam Sreekrishnapuram temple is located at Azhinjilam near Ramanattukara in Kozhikode district, Kerala. The annual pratishta festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Edava masam.  Ashtami Rohini or Sri Krishna Jayanti is an important festival in the temple and is observed in Malayalam Chingamasam (August - September). This is a typical Kerala style temple with a chuttambalam, namaskara mandapam and east facing sanctum sanctorum. The temple observes Vishu, Ramayana Masam, Onam and Mandala Makaravilakku kalam.

Kalattu Vamana Moorthy temple (Kalattambalam) is located at Kalad near Niramaruthur in Tirur, Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Vamana Avatar of Bhagavan Vishnu. The annual pratishta festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Edava masam. This is an ancient temple with an east facing square sanctum sanctorum. There are shrines of upa devatas. The temple has numerous ancient structures and written records. A unique offering in the temple is the offering of 1000 bananas - Aayiram Pazham Vazhipadu. This is performed for achieving peace and prosperity. Thiruvonam is another important date in the temple.

There is one common substratum of water behind all waves; similarly there is one spiritual principle, a background reality, behind all names and forms. These names and forms as a rule bespeak a plurality which cannot be attributed to the consciousness behind them. If there is a plurality of consciousnesses, we have to assume one more consciousness to perceive it, and this is untenable. It will be ultimately misleading and indeed wrong to suppose, for example, that each human being is an independent actuality who interacts with other human beings and with nature. Rather, all these are projections of a single totality. Therefore, the universe is one on all the three levels — physical, mental, and spiritual—and disparateness is only an illusion. This idea of disparateness is the root of all confusions, conflicts, wars, and bloodshed as well as a great stumbling block to affable human relationships. The simple fact is that we live in a world of conflict and opposites because we live in wor...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, 2 May 2022 – It is 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 Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2:04 AM on May 2. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 3:31 AM on May 3. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 2, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Kartika or Krithigai or Krittika nakshatra till 11:16 PM on May 2. Then onward it is Rohini nakshatra on the full day on May 3 and till 1:35 AM on May 4. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnata...

 A collection of objective affirmations of five elements based on Hinduism. The collection is taken from Prabuddha Bharata January 2010 issue page number 21. Looking deeply at the world and seeing in it the presence of the first element, space, I realize its sanctity and make the affirmation:‘I must avoid overcrowding.’ This applies to both physical space and mental space. When I respect space, it fills me with peace and harmony. Looking deeply at the world and seeing in it the presence of the second element, air, I realize its sanctity and make the affirmation: ‘I must keep the air clean.’ When the air is clean outside, the air will be clean inside, because it is the same air that I breathe. When I respect air, it fills me with health and harmony. Looking deeply at the world and seeing in it the presence of the third element, fire, I realize its sanctity and make the affirmation: ‘I must conserve energy.’ My life depends on energy resources; if I use the world’s energy resou...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, 1 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Amavasya Tithi or the no moon day till 1:05 AM on May 1. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2:04 AM on May 2. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 1, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Bharani nakshatra till 9:16 PM on May 1. Then onward it is Kartika or Krithigai or Krittika nakshatra till 11:16 PM on May 2. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Bharani nakshatra till 10:11 PM on May 1. Then onward it...

A collection of subjective affirmations of five elements based on Hinduism. The collection is taken from Prabuddha Bharata January 2010 issue page number 21. Looking deeply at my body and mind, and seeing in them the presence of the first element, space, I realize its sanctity and make the affirmation: ‘I feel free.’ Nothing can bind or set limits on space. When I respect space, it fills me with the idea of freedom. Looking deeply at my body and mind, and seeing in them the presence of the second element, air, I realize its sanctity and make the affirmation: ‘I am one with life.’ Air is a visible manifestation of Prana, which sustains all life. When I respect air, it fills me with gratitude that I am alive. Looking deeply at my body and mind, and seeing in them the presence of the third element, fire, I realize its sanctity and make the affirmation: ‘I am one with consciousness.’ Without consciousness, even light cannot be seen. When I respect light, it fills me with the light of...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 30 April 2022 – It is Amavasya Tithi or the no moon day in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 12:33 AM on April 30. Then onward it is Amavasya Tithi or the no moon day till 1:05 AM on May 1. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on April 30, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashwini or Aswathy nakshatra till 7:44 PM on April 30. Then onward it is Bharani nakshatra till 9:16 PM on May 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 till 8:13 PM on April 30. Then onward it is Bharani nakshatra till 10:11 P...

Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in May 2022 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). May 1 – Vaishakh month begins in calendars followed in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana May 3 – Parshuram Jayanti May 3 – Basaveshwar Jayanti May 3 – Akshaya Tritiya May 6 – Shankaracharya Jayanti May 6 – Surdas Jayanti May 7 – Ramanujacharya Jayanti May 7 – Muruga Sashti Fasting – Chandan Sashti May 8 – Bhanu Saptami May 8 – Ganga Saptami – Kamala Saptami May 9 – Bagalamukhi Devi Jayanti May 9 – Monthly Durga Ashtami fasting May 10 – Sita Navami May 12 – Ekadasi Fasting – Lakshmi Narayan Ekadasi in Odisha May 13 – Parashuram Dwadasi – Rukmini Dvadasi May 13 – Pradosh fasting – Som Pradosh as it is Monday May 14 – Narasimha Chaturdashi - Narasimha Jayanti May 14 – Chinnamasta Devi Jayanti May 15 –Purnima...

Malamel temple is located at Ambalapara, also known as Irumbazhi Kunnu, in Edamulackal village, around 16 km from Kottarakkara, in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is located atop a rock and the rock is also known as Nadukanippara. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva – Shankaranarayana sankalpam. The darshanam of Shiva is towards east. There is also narasimha sankalpam which is towards west. The temple has a vatta sreekovil – circular sanctum sanctorum. The main festival observed here is Shivratri. There is kettukazhcha on the festival day. There is a 2 meter ditch on the north side of the temple known as Karakanda Kuzhi, the water never goes dry in the hole. If one stands atop the rock one can see all the places around. There is a cave at extreme left of the temple believed to be filled with poisonous snakes. The shrine is located atop a rock spread over eight acres and nearly 400 feet in height. As per history, the temple belonged to Kadalayi Mana. The tem...

 A collection of Kannada proverbs translated in English. Who can evade one’s destiny? We see a person’s nature in their proverbs. Can anybody wipe out what is written on the forehead? Crying on the road, you cannot get what you haven’t brought in the beginning. Shanishwara pursues, even if one goes to Rameshwara. You have to suffer for what you have done. Whatever one gets is the most blessed for one. There is no home free from death; there is no oven free from fire. A yogi gets what is due for a yogi; a jogi gets what is due for a jogi. God, who has begotten you, won’t make you eat grass, i.e., He will provide for you. Won’t He, who has decreed this life for you, proved you with necessities for living? A dead body is only a corpse whether the king dies or a dog dies. If the cow is black, is its milk also black? All milk is white; all blood is red. Food grains have neither heredity nor kinship. Does the buyer of the land bother about the caste of the...