This is a Guest Post by Dr R Sri Ravindra Rajah - writing about his visit to Nadi Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Fiji Islands . Very recently I visited Fiji Island for the first time and went to Nadi Sri Subramaniya Swamy temple. This temple which is the biggest Hindu Temple and only Shaiva temple in Pacific Islands built according Agamic traditions by Indian builders. It was opened by the late Sivasubramaniya Swami of Hawaii in 1994. This temple had its second Kumbabishekam in June 2006. Thaipoosam is the biggest festival at this temple is celebrated for ten days with flag hoisting ceremony. Devotees from all over Fiji and other Pacific Islands come to the temple. This temple is run by Sangam - The India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, which also runs number of primary and secondary schools all over Fiji for over 100 years. Recently it had started Sangam Institute of Technology. One of the features of the temple is that both old and new traditions of conducting poojas are...

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is planning to gold plate the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum of Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple . When the outer wall is covered with gold sheets, it will also cover up ancient inscriptions found on the wall. To save the centuries old inscriptions, TTD and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are planning to preserve the inscriptions and digitize it and upload on a website. The inscriptions mainly narrate the socio-economic, political and religious situation that had existed during a particular period and is of great help to historians. There are also plans to maintain a replica of the temple with inscriptions at the Tirumala museum. A.D. Rangarajan writes in the Hindu Sadhu Subrahmanya Sastry, the TTD’s former epigraphist-cum-archaeologist, copied 1,150 of the inscriptions in 1922 employing the ‘eye copy’ technique. These included 640 inscriptions in the area that will be covered up. But the ASI’s Mysore-based epig...

The wise sayings of Hindu sages often emphasize the importance of harmony between our thoughts and actions. This concept is deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy and is considered vital for achieving inner peace, moral integrity, and a fulfilling life. Here’s an expanded explanation of the idea that problems arise when there is no connection between what we think and what we do, as seen through the lens of Hindu wisdom. 1. The Principle of Dharma In Hinduism, dharma refers to the moral and ethical duties that one must follow to live a righteous life. When our actions are not aligned with our thoughts, we stray from our dharma, creating internal and external conflicts. For example, if we believe in honesty but act dishonestly, we create a dissonance that can lead to guilt, stress, and social discord. 2. The Concept of Karma Karma is the principle of cause and effect where our actions influence our future experiences. If our actions do not reflect our true thoughts and intentions, we generat...

Avacayam meaning dazzling flowers in Sanskrit is the program begun by Society for Child Development (SFCD) and supported by the Department of Environment that converts hundreds of kilos of waste flowers in non-toxic gulal for Holi. Avacayam today provides regular income to 1,500 disabled adults and helps in creating environmental friendly Holi colors. The Holi color produced by SFCD is available in South Delhi . Girija Duggal writes in Hindustan Times  Says the NGOs executive director Dr Madhumita Puri, “No one has really looked at the opportunity to provide the mentally challenged a space in a [manufacturing] chain, where they could be productive,” says Puri. It was this that led to the formation of Avacayam.  Discarded flowers from temples, marriage pandals, homes and nine hotels in the city are used for this purpose. And the simple task of cutting petals provides them a regular income — for every kilogram of petals cut, they earn Rs 50-100.  ...

In Hinduism, the concept of the cyclical nature of the universe and the perpetual creation and destruction of cosmic entities, including gods, is a profound and intricate teaching. This teaching is exemplified in the idea that millions of Brahma and Vishnu appear and disappear over vast periods, known as Yugas and Kalpas. Here is an expanded explanation of this concept: The Cyclical Nature of Time Hindu cosmology views time as cyclical, consisting of repeating cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. This cyclical concept contrasts with the linear perception of time common in Western thought. Yugas and Kalpas Yuga: The smallest unit of cosmic time, comprising four ages (Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga). Each Yuga varies in length and characteristics, reflecting the moral and spiritual state of the world. Kalpa: A much larger unit of time, equivalent to 4.32 billion years, encompassing 1,000 cycles of the four Yugas. Role of Brahma and Vishnu Brahma: The...

The worship of Ranchhod form of Krishna is particularly popular with the Marwari Hindu community for several cultural, historical, and spiritual reasons: 1. Cultural Significance: Origin and Migration: The Marwaris originally hail from the Marwar region of Rajasthan. This region has a deep-rooted tradition of Krishna worship, especially in his form as Ranchhod. The Marwaris, known for their mercantile and trading acumen, migrated to various parts of India and carried their cultural and religious practices with them. Vaishnavism: Many Marwaris are followers of Vaishnavism, a major tradition within Hinduism that worships Vishnu and his avatars, primarily Krishna. The Ranchhod form, depicting Krishna as a strategic and compassionate deity, aligns with the values of pragmatism and wisdom. 2. Historical Context: Strategic Retreat: The term "Ranchhod" translates to "one who has left the battlefield". This refers to an episode in the Mahabharata where Krishna strategica...

Hindu teachings emphasize the importance of removing self-limiting thoughts, such as the belief "I am limited," through the practices of discrimination (Viveka) and detachment (Vairagya). Here's an expansion on how these principles can be applied: Discrimination (Viveka) Discrimination refers to the ability to discern the real from the unreal, the eternal from the ephemeral. In the context of self-limiting thoughts, it involves recognizing the true nature of the self (Atman) as distinct from the transient body and mind. Understanding the True Self : According to Hindu philosophy, the true self (Atman) is eternal, infinite, and beyond physical and mental limitations. It is a reflection of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Discrimination involves deeply contemplating and understanding this truth. Scriptural Study and Reflection : Engaging in the study of sacred texts such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and other Vedantic scriptures helps in developing this discernment. The...

In the context of Hindu philosophy, particularly as discussed by saints and scholars, the statement "Division of true knowledge is not possible – it is only an imagination from the bodily standpoint" emphasizes the unity and indivisibility of true knowledge or wisdom. Here’s an expanded explanation: Unity of Knowledge Non-Dualism (Advaita) : Many Hindu saints and scholars, especially those aligned with Advaita Vedanta, emphasize the concept of non-dualism, where all of existence is seen as one unified reality. In this view, knowledge (jnana) is also non-dual and indivisible. The perception of divisions in knowledge is considered an illusion (maya) arising from our identification with the body and mind. True Knowledge : True knowledge, in this philosophical framework, refers to the understanding of the ultimate reality or Brahman, which is formless, infinite, and beyond all dualities. This knowledge is not subject to division because Brahman itself is an undivided whole. It is...

Waving of lamp or Diya before the murti or the image of deity is an indispensable aspect of the worship and prayer in Hinduism. The circling of light (diya) ritual is known as Dipa, Arati, Aratika or Niranjana. It is performed usually at the end of a Hindu puja. For the ritualistic circling a lamp with one, three, five or seven wicks dipped in clarified butter or oil is used. Some people prefer to use camphor (Karpura). Symbolically, the person who performs the circling of Diya and the people who witness is believed to conquer ignorance and burn up all the sins performed. The waving of the lamp is also recognition of the fact that whatever is born perishes and is later born again. This wheel of life and death has been going on perpetually from time immemorial like the cycle of sunrise and sunset. We pray to the deity to save us from this cycle. Lucky are those that are able to attain Moksha and merge with the Supreme Truth (Brahman). The sole aim of human being is to att...

Bhishma, a central character in the Mahabharata, was adamant about not becoming the king of Hastinapura due to a solemn vow he took early in his life, known as the Bhishma Pratigya or Bhishma's vow. This vow was made to ensure the continuation of the Kuru dynasty and the stability of Hastinapura. Here are the key reasons behind his decision: Vow of Celibacy : Bhishma's vow included renouncing his right to the throne and committing to lifelong celibacy. This vow was made to facilitate his father's marriage to Satyavati, whose father had demanded that Satyavati's children inherit the throne. By taking this vow, Bhishma ensured there would be no challenge to Satyavati's children's claim to the throne. Loyalty to the Throne : Bhishma was fiercely loyal to the throne of Hastinapura and believed in the principle of dharma (duty). His vow was not just a personal commitment but a binding promise to his father, Shantanu, and to the kingdom. Respect for the Succession : B...