There is a unique story in the Ramayana of Baiga Tribe of Central India . In the story Lakshman goes through trial of fire to prove his fidelity. Lakshman was leading a life of Brahmachari during the exile period in the Ramayana. During the exile in the forest, Lakshman used to play the Kingri musical instrument. He played it so beautifully that Apsara Indrakamini of heaven was attracted to Lakshman. She tried to induce him into love making. But all her efforts failed. The apsara was jealous and angry. To avenge her insult, one night when Lakshman was fast asleep she broke her bangles and scattered it on his bed. She also left an earring of her on the bed. Next day morning when Mata Sita came to sweep the room, she discovered the bangles and earring. She reported the matter to Sri Ram. Lakshman was unable to convince his brother and Mata Sita that he was innocent. An angry Lakshman then decided to take the trial of fire to prove his fidelity. He jumped into a huge...

Manav Mandir Temple – House of Humanity – is a new Hindu Temple at Brevard County in Florida in United States . The temple was thrown open to devotees during the second week of August 2014. The temple is located off Wickham Road at Suntree in Brevard. The $9.4 million Manav Mandir Temple has separate shrines in the complex dedicated to Ganesha, Shreenathji (Sri Krishna), Goddess Saraswati, Radha Krishna, Satyanarayan, Shiva, Mahalakshmi, Goddess Durga, Kartikeya, Rajarajeshwari, Ram Parivar, Hanuman, Shirdi Sai Baba, Bhudevi, Sridevi, Balaji and Navgrahas. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu community in Brevard County . Some information about the Manav Mandir Temple:   Total cost - $9.4 million Located on 37 acres of land All murtis (idols) worshipped in the temple are hand carved from white marble or black granite in India The temple features grand columns, intricately molded, 25-foot tall gopurams — or steeples — and other design elements ...

 In Hinduism, ant hills (often referred to as "Valmikam" in Sanskrit) hold spiritual significance. They are believed to be homes of divine energies, often associated with the serpent deity (Naga Devata) and the earth goddess. Ant hills are considered sacred, and rituals or offerings are often made at these sites, especially in southern parts of India, during festivals like Nag Panchami. Spiritual Benefits of Ant Hill in Hinduism Connection with Nature and Earth Energy : Ant hills are seen as natural formations that represent the earth's energy. Worshipping ant hills helps individuals connect deeply with nature and the divine energy of the earth, offering grounding and peace. Blessings from Nagas (Serpent Deities) : In Hinduism, serpents are considered sacred and symbols of protection. Offering prayers or milk to ant hills, believed to be homes of snakes, can bring protection from negative energies, obstacles, and curses (especially Sarpa Dosha or Naga Dosha in astrology)....

Arjuna, the third of the Pandava brothers, took the form of Brihannala – a eunuch during the incognito (staying in disguise for a year) exile period in the Mahabharata. As Brihannala, Arjuna taught dance and music to Uttara, the daughter of King of Virata. Arjuna did not need to act like Brihannala as he made use of a curse by Apsara Urvasi – the damsel in the court of Indra. Arjuna once did not show any interest to the sexual innuendos of Urvasi. The frustrated Apsara cursed him to be a eunuch. The curse was later changed by Indra to a year. Thus Arjuna used the curse during the incognito exile period and lived like a Eunuch. Brihannala was the charioteer of Uttara Kumara who went to fight against the Kauravas. After the death of Kichaka, there was no one to defend the kingdom of Virata . Using this opportunity, Kauravas took away the cattle of Virata. Uttaran went to fight the Kauravas with Brihannala as charioteer. But the young prince was frightened at the sight of...

The book titled “The Power of the Female: Devangana Sculptures on Indian Temple Architecture ” is written by Gauri Parimoo Krishnan, curator with the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore . The main theme of the book is the celestial women sculptures in Hindu temples in Central and Western India . The sculptures are known as Devanganas, surasundaris and apsaras. The book is based on the Phd thesis of the author. The highlight of the book is more than 250 black and white photos. Eight chapters explore all the important aspects of the celestial women sculptures. Times of India reports  Usually, most scholars make a token reference to the apsaras as decorative appendages and relegate them to be minor images of semi-divine nature, erotically charged and supposed to offer a titillating thrill when seen on the walls of temples. Puranic literature has also depicted them as alluring men, rishis, and gods from their path of righteousness and spirituality. "They have ...

In the beginning it was theaters, and then came television, then computer, then laptop, then mobiles, then tabs…We are now able to watch anything wherever we want at our convenience. It is a positive change. But are we watching what we watch? Are we aware that we are mentally being prepared through visuals to become addict to a particular product? It is not just products but ideas and thoughts. Quite often we are being made vulnerable. Fear and insecurity is being directly and indirectly injected into our minds. Our minds are slowly poisoned against people and nations. We are made to believe that we are superior to a particular group of people. All these are done daily through what we watch. To not to become a slave of media just don’t be satisfied with just one point of view. Take a look at what other people are saying on the subject. The generation that came after the media revolution is finding it difficult to relate on an intimate level to the opposite sex – the rea...

Garuda Seva is an important ceremony during the Brahmotsavam in Vishnu Temples in South India . It is popularly known as Garuda Vahana procession. The importance of Garuda Seva is due to the fact that it is the most auspicious ritual during the Brahmotsavam. In the ritual, the processional murti of the form of Bhagvan Srihari Vishnu worshipped is taken around the temple street atop Garuda – the holy bird which is also the vehicle or Vahana of Vishnu. Seeing the sit of Vishnu atop Garuda is highly meritorious. Garuda Vahana procession is usually held during the night.  It continues for several hours. The deity is fully attired and wears rare ancient jewels. The most important Garuda Vahana procession is held at the world famous Tirupati Balaji Temple . The day attracts more than 100,000 devotees.

There is no doubt that the world around us is changing quickly both technologically and morally. The changes in technology and its influence on our culture are happening at a very fast rate that we are not even aware of it. But should I follow the changes. Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) is not a closed book. It is a living religion. It accepts all positive changes. If you are a Hindu, then your religion gives the permission to adapt, change and assimilate positive changes. But are these changes positive? Has the change made you a better human being? Are you happy due to all the technological developments? Is it helping you in self realization? A decade ago a teenager was happy if he had a cycle. But today he is unhappy even if he has a bike and the best smartphone. Why? Because each day a new bike is appearing in the market. Every hour there is a new smartphone. So what is in possession of him is obsolete within a day or an hour. So he is never happy. It this a positive cha...

At the famous Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram you can touch lizard made of gold and silver for luck. Devotees also touch it to overcome bad results of lizard falling on a person’s body. The story of golden lizard at the Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple begins with a curse by Sage Gautama. Sage Gautama had two disciples who were brothers. One day the water they offered to the sage contained two lizards. The angry sage cursed the disciples to become lizards. The terrified students begged for forgiveness. The sage relented and asked the brothers to perform penance at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple . Bhagvan Vishnu as Varadaraja was pleased with the penance and blessed them with liberation. He then turned the body of the two brothers into sliver and golden lizard. He then declared that those who visit the temple should also touch and worship the two lizards which will help in removing all sins and curing all illness. 

Upvaas, or fasting, in Hinduism is mainly observed for the fulfillment of a vow. Upvas is also referred as 'Vrats.' But 'Vrat' has a wider meaning and it is not just curtailed to the fasting observed for material or other gains. Each day in a week is dedicated to one or more of the gods in the Hindu pantheon. A particular deity is appeased by the devotee on a particular day. Thus Monday is usually dedicated to Lord Shiva. Upvass, or fasting, on Mondays begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. On the day, food is only eaten after evening prayer. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped on the day. Of course, no worship begins without remembering Lord Ganesha. The fasting on Mondays in the Shravan month is considered even more auspicious. It is believed that those people who observe Upvaas on Monday will have their desires fulfilled and will be blessed with wisdom. In some areas, fasting on Mondays is observed by unmarried women to get an ideal husband. The reas...