Aravukad Sreedevi Temple is ancient shrine dedicated to Mother Goddess Devi. The murti here is the fierce form of Mother Goddess Bhadrakali just after annihilating Demon Daruka. The popular belief is that the Goddess washed her sword filled with blood of the demon in the pond located here. The temple is located at Punnapra, which is around 8 km from Alappuzha on the way to Kayamkulam (National Highway 48). Although the main murti present here is of the fierce form of goddess, she takes the motherly form Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvati to bless her children. The murti of Shiva worshipped in the shrine is carved out of Krishna Shila. The pond in which Goddess Kali washed her sword is part of the temple complex. The main festival in the temple is observed from Bharani Nakshatra to Pooram Nakshatram. The 10-day annual festival is held in such a manner that it concludes on Pooram nakshatra in Meena Masam. The most important event during the festival is the Thiripidutham – hold...

In Hinduism, grounding (often referred to as "earthing") is the process of connecting oneself to the earth’s energy, harmonizing our body with nature. This ancient practice has roots in the Vedic traditions and is intertwined with Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. Grounding is believed to realign the body’s energy field, balance the doshas (bio-energies), and bring stability and harmony to the mind and soul. 1. Spiritual Benefits of Grounding in Hinduism Grounding in Hinduism is deeply spiritual, connecting individuals to the physical and metaphysical elements of the Earth. Known as Prithvi Tattva (the Earth Element), grounding provides a basis for stability, strength, patience, and resilience, embodying the qualities of Prithvi (Earth) itself. It’s a pathway to aligning with one's own inner consciousness and maintaining balance within. 12 Benefits of Grounding Mental Clarity : Grounding practices can alleviate stress, calming the mind and reducing overthinking, allowing f...

Brahmeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at Bamhani Village in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. The temple is around 11 km from Mahasamund. The temple is famous because it is believed that after offering prayers here couples are blessed with healthy children. The shivling worshipped in the temple is believed to be swayambhu. Legend has it that once an attempt was made to shift the Shivling to a big temple. When people tried to remove the Shivling, they could not find its end. The attempt was dropped. There is a pond in the temple complex. It is believed the pond is filled with water from Ganga River. The pond is known as Shwethganga kund. Taking bath in the pond is believed to cure skin diseases.

 In Hinduism, green tea is often valued not only for its physical benefits but also for its subtle spiritual influences. It is believed to be a sattvic (pure) beverage that can promote clarity, focus, and peace of mind, aiding in spiritual practices and mental well-being. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the spiritual, mental, and social benefits of green tea according to Hindu perspectives, as well as practical tips, relevant mantras, and more. 1. Spiritual Benefits of Green Tea in Hinduism Green tea aligns with the principles of Ayurveda and yogic practices, supporting the body and mind in ways that are spiritually enhancing. In Hindu philosophy, green tea is: Sattvic : Being pure and natural, it aligns with sattva, the principle of harmony and clarity. This quality is said to enhance spiritual practices, improve mental focus, and clear thoughts. Balancing the Doshas : Green tea is known for its cooling and calming effect, making it especially helpful for balancing Pitta dosha (as...

Panchamrit abhishek is an important ritual performed especially during elaborate puja. Panchamrit mantra is given below. This Panchamrut abhishek mantra should be chanted before offering the five items – milk, curd, cow ghee, honey and sugar. Panchamrit Mantra पयो दधि घृतं मधु चैव च शर्करायुतम्। पंचामृतं मयानीतं स्नानार्थ प्रतिगृह्यताम्।। The mantra can be also chanted before consuming Panchamrit as food or Prasad. It is believed that consuming Panchamrut helps in attaining peace, prosperity and good health.

A person, or family, suffers from Sarpa Dosha when a family member has hurt a snake or naga intentionally. The curse of the Sarpa (serpent) constantly haunts the family. Here are some important Sarpa dosha remedies.  The most effective solution to Sarpa Dosha is the worship and puja of peepal tree. On Ayiliyam or Aslesha Nakshatra day, after taking bath visit a peepal tree located in a temple or in a sacred place.  Offer milk to the roots. Mix petals of rose flower, white til, chandan and black til in water and offer it to the roots of the peepal tree. Perform annadanam or food donation on an auspicious day. Feed animals. Feed fishes Distribute dress to poor children. Distribute books to poor children. Plant trees. Protect sacred groves. 

A sage once told me, ‘To teach others, much intellect and learning are necessary, but not so for your own self illumination.’ Are you pure? If you are pure, you will reach God. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.’ If you are not pure, and you know all the sciences in the world, that will not help you at all; you may be buried in all the books you read, but that will not be of much use. It is the heart that reaches the goal. Follow the heart. A pure heart sees beyond the intellect; it gets inspired; it knows things that reason can never know, and whenever there is conflict between the pure heart and the intellect, always side with the pure heart, even if you think what your heart is doing is unreasonable. When it is desirous of doing good to others, your brain may tell you that it is not politic to do so, but follow your heart, and you will find that you make less mistakes than by following your intellect. The pure heart is the best mirror for the reflec...

The unique upside down Hanuman Idol is located at Sanwer near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The temple is located around 25 km from Indore city. The Hanuman murti worshipped here is also known as Patal Vijayi Hanuman. The story of the temple is associated with Mahiravana, also known as  Patalravanaor Patal Ravan . Mahiravana kidnapping Sri Ram and Lakshman and Hanuman rescuing them is a famous story found in Puranas and local traditions. It is believed that Hanuman entered Patala or the underworld from this spot. Therefore the murti of Hanuman is depicted with head below and feet up. Visiting on five Tuesdays in the temple is considered highly meritorious. It is believed to help in desire fulfillment. The temple complex also has a separate shrine dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ram.

The first and the most important step in transcending desires is to become aware of one’s true nature, which is beyond the body and the mind. However, one might argue that the desire to know God or Brahman is also a desire. However, such a desire is not really a desire, because such a desire becomes the nemesis of all desires. It is a desire to kill the mind, which is the source of all desires.   This desire to realize one’s true nature is the beginning of the path to attain a never-ending bliss and the only way to get liberation. Transcending desires is possible only by abstention from fresh desires and the eradication of old desires. This can be achieved only by a process of continuous introspection and discernment. Dispassion towards sense-objects and the withdrawal of the senses from such sense-objects would result in a detached attitude in all day-today dealings and this practice would eventually lead to desirelessness. Source – Prabuddha Bharata magazine Jul...

Indrastra is a powerful arrow mentioned in Epics and Hindu Puranas. The weapon is associated with Indra, the king of Devas. The person who has the knowledge of Indra Astra can summon it when required. The arrow brings shower of arrows from the sky. It can be used against an army or against an individual. In the Ramayana, Sri Ram used the Indra Astra against Kumbakarna. It killed Kumbhakarna. Indra Astra was terribly sharp and it had wings. It could move like the wind. In the Mahabharata, Indra had blessed Karna with Indra Astra. Karna had given earring and armor to Indra in charity. Indra was moved the Karna’s charitable nature and blessed him with Indra Astra. Karna saved the Indra Astra to kill Arjuna. But he was forced to use it against Ghatotkach during the night battle in the Mahabharata.