Comprehensive Guide to Worshipping Rakkayi Amman in Hinduism Rakkayi Amman, also known as Rakachiamman, is a powerful village goddess (Kula Devi) worshipped primarily in Tamil Nadu, India. She is revered for her protective nature, granting health, prosperity, and relief from hardships. Worship of Rakkayi Amman is significant for those seeking her blessings in personal and family matters, as she is believed to guard against evil, illness, and poverty. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to worship Rakkayi Amman, covering various aspects of the puja (worship) process, from cleanliness to concluding the ritual. 1. Cleanliness and Preparation In Hindu rituals, cleanliness is paramount. Before starting the worship: Personal Hygiene : Bathe before beginning the puja to purify the body. Clean Space : Clean the area where the puja will take place. Use natural ingredients like cow dung mixed with water to purify the surroundings, as it is considered auspicious and eco-friendly. Altar Setup : Pl...

Comprehensive Guide to Worshipping Griha Devi in Hinduism Griha Devi refers to the household deity, often regarded as the guardian goddess of the home, providing protection, peace, prosperity, and well-being to the family. Worshiping the Griha Devi helps in establishing harmony, ensuring positivity, and keeping negative energies at bay. Here’s a detailed guide on how to properly worship Griha Devi with eco-friendly methods, following traditional practices. Benefits of Worshipping Griha Devi Peace & Prosperity : Regular worship brings peace, financial stability, and prosperity to the household. Happiness & Harmony : It strengthens family bonds, ensuring love and unity. Health & Well-being : It promotes health, removing ailments and negativity from the household. Protection from Negativity : The worship helps in protecting the house from evil forces and negative influences. Mental Clarity & Focus : Helps the members of the household to stay grounded, focused, and clear-m...

Ayonija means that which is born without parents – not born due to copulation. Literal meaning is not born from uterus or womb. Ayonija is an important concept in Hinduism. It is believed that Mother Goddess, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are Ayonija. The eternal omnipresent divine being takes various forms out of will. Those that appeared through Ayonija never perish. All that is born due to sexual copulation perish in due course of time. Brahma appeared from the navel of Lord Vishnu. One of the most popular images in Hinduism is that of a lotus sprouting from the navel of Vishnu with Brahma seated on the lotus. ( you can read the story here ) Ganesha and Muruga were also not born from a Yoni. Goddess Parvati rubs her body, creates a boy, Ganesha , out of the material that appears from the body and asks him to keep guard while she bathed. Muruga was born from the divine spark that emanated from Shiva as a result divided into six and Vayu (wind) and Agni (fire) carried...

Thiruindalur Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Srihari is worshipped here as Parimala Ranganathar. It is one of the 108 Vishnu Temples or Divya Deshams . The temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old and is located at Thiruindalur in Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu. Thiruindalur Temple is located around 4 km from Mayiladuthurai Junction Railway Station. About Murti of Vishnu at Thiruindalur Temple The murti of Parimala Ranganathar in the sanctum sanctorum is in reclining form. He faces east. The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum has Veda Chakra design. Powerful Murti The belief is that Chandra worships the face of Lord here; Surya , Ganga, Yama and King Ambrisha worships the feet Brahma worships the navel Cauvery worships the head Saint Tirumangai Azhwar praised Parimala Ranganathar in his hymns. The sacred pond in the temple is known as Indu Pushkarini. Chandra, the moon god, got salvation after taking bath in the pond. Mot...

In Hinduism, barefoot walking holds profound spiritual, physical, and mental significance. It is an ancient practice that connects the individual with Mother Earth, or Bhumi , which is revered as a deity in Hinduism. Walking barefoot is seen as a symbolic act of humility, surrender, and reverence to the Divine. This simple act helps harmonize the body’s energies, improve health, and foster spiritual growth. Let’s explore the various benefits, practical solutions, and deeper meanings associated with barefoot walking. 1. Connection to Earth’s Energy (Prana) Hinduism teaches that the Earth is full of life energy, or prana , which flows through all living things. Walking barefoot allows the feet to absorb this energy, grounding and balancing the body's vital forces. This act of “earthing” promotes a sense of calm and spiritual alignment. 2. Symbol of Humility and Devotion In temples and during religious rituals, walking barefoot is a sign of humility, surrender, and reverence towards t...

Goddess Padmini is one among the numerous names of Goddess Lakshmi. Padmini means one who is seated on the Lotus. Lotus flower is a symbol of eternity , plenty and good fortune and Goddess Lakshmi , the Hindu goddess of wealth, is usually depicted with a lotus flower. She is always referred to as the wife of Purushottama . She holds noose and the goad in her upper arms. Two hands are in blessing posture. She wears a garland made of lotuses. She has a gracious appearance. Her complexion is like the heart of a lotus. Her ornaments are in the shape of letters. Devotees surrender her before for protection. She is the source of all that is noblest in the universe. She is the ultimate refuge. Padmavati and Padmamalini are two other names of Goddess Lakshmi that is associated with Lotus Related Symbolism in the Murti or idol of Goddess Ganga – Significance of Iconographic representation of Goddess Ganga

Lord Ganesha is depicted with an Ankush, or goad, in one of his hands. Sometimes people confuse it to be an axe. Traditionally goad is used to control elephants in India . Symbolically, Ankush is used by Lord Ganesh to drive mankind forward on the path of self realization. Ankush symbolizes the need for the control of the elephant size desires which runs amok and ruins the life of a human being. When desires are not controlled it is like an elephant running amok – destroying everything on the path to fulfill the desire. Ankush is also seen as a symbol which reminds a person for the need to keep the mind in control. The unwanted thoughts that arise in the mind should be controlled by a person just like an Ankush controlling the elephant. In some images, Ankush is depicted along with an axe-like portion. This axe like portion of Ankush cuts the person away from the false identification with the body and helps in realizing that all animate and inanimate is ...

Panchu Mahadeva Temple is a cluster of five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at Budhakhol (3 km away from Buguda) in Odisha. The temple is located around 30 km from Aska and around 70 km from Berhampur . The temples are located atop a hill and are surrounded by beautiful hills. A huge statue of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva welcomes one to the area. The small shrines are simple ancient structures. Shiving is worshipped in the temples. Nandi bull is also found near the temples. One has to climb a series of steps to reach the shrine. Special rituals are observed during Shivratri and Kartik Purnima. The month of Shravan attracts scores of devotees. Related Telankhedi Shiv Temple near Nagpur – Telangkhedi Temple

Shiva as the undivided principle is worshipped in the linga. His more manifest aspects are represented in anthropomorphic images. All other deities are part of a multiplicity and are thus worshipped in images. The symbol of the Supreme Man (Purusha), the formless, the changeless, the all-seeing eye, is the symbol of masculinity, the phallus or linga. The symbol of the power that is Nature, generatrix of all that exists, is the female organ, the yoni. Swami Karpatri Pleasure dwells in sex organ (upastha), in the cosmic linga and yoni whose union is the essence of enjoyment. in the world also all love, all lust, all desire is a search of enjoyment. Things are desired for the pleasure they contain. Divinity is the object of love because it is pure enjoyment (Swami Karapatri - Lingo-pasans-rahasya page 153) Shiva Purana says this about Shivling The distinctive sign through which it is possible to recognize the nature of someone is called a Linga (Shivling) (Shiva Purana...

Goddess Kirti is a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi . She is actually the manifestation of Narayani as per Lakshmi Tantra. She is thus the consort of Vishnu or Narayana . Legend has it that Goddess Narayani divided herself into four – Lakshmi, Kirti, Jaya and Maya . Goddess Kirti bestows fame on her devotees. Goddess Kirti resembles Goddess Lakshmi in her garb and ornaments, except that sometimes her complexion is fair like the kunda flower or campaka flower. Kunda flower is a variety of white jasmine. Champaka flower color is golden yellow. The twenty-syllable mantra associated with her form is Om hrim krim traim namah sadoditanandavigrahayai hrim krim svaha. Her anga-mantra is kram tam krim tam krum tam krim tam kraim tam kraum tam. Related Rudramsa Durga