View allAll Photos Tagged prayers
Gokarna (Kannada: ಗೋಕರ್ಣ) is a small temple town located on the western coast of India in the Uttara Kannada district of the Indian state of Karnataka. Main temple and deity is Lord Shiva, who is also known as Mahabhaleshwara. This temple houses what is believed to be original image of Lord Shiva's lingam (Atmalinga). There are many other temples all over this small town. Ankola and Kumta on Highway 17 are the main towns near Gokarna.
Gokarna is historically known as one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centers and is located on what was once unspoiled beach near the estuary of river Aghanashini with its palm trees, other colorful tropical fruit and flower trees. Of late due to the numbers of tourists the character of this town has changed. This town is no longer just a center of pilgrimage though massive numbers of devotees still visit the town for the purposes of offering prayers and worship to Lord Shiva.
Due to its laid back unspoiled and rustic nature, many younger western tourists started visiting Gokarna about a decade ago. The beaches around Gokarna were hardly used by the locals until these mainly Western tourists started coming to undeveloped beaches around Gokarna. Many enterprising locals started stores restaurants and now fully fledged resorts cater even to the well heeled tourists.
ETYMOLOGY
Gokarna means Cow's Ear. It is believed that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow (Prithvi, the Mother Earth) here. It is also located at the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini.
MYTOLOGY
Gokarna is mentioned in the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana as being the home of the two brothers Gokarna and Dhundhakari and the Bhagawat also gives details of the differences in their temperament, nature and exploits.
The sthalapuranam of gokarna then available in Tamil as it was a part of Tamil Kingdoms during sangam times, has the following account. Inorder that Brahma who out arrogance arising out of his power to create the universe, sat penancing to redeem himself from curse of shivan, lord shiva appeared in front of him from the ears of a cow. So the place came to be known as gokarnam or ear of the cow. The sangam period writings refer to a class of chieftains going by names kocar and kilans, in charge of the region between gokarnam and present day Mumbai. Even though the Tamil saints have revered this temple, their composed hymns on the same are not available to us as of today.
HISTORY
The earliest history of the city is not known. Tamil saints like the Nayanmars Appar and Sambanthar from the 6th century CE praised the deity of Tulu Nadu in their hymn canon Tevaram. It is an established fact that Mayurvarma of the Kadamba kings brought Brahmins from Ahicchatra. A sect of Brahmins fled from the Gomantak to escape forcible conversions by the Portuguese and British and settled in and around Gokarna in the 15th century. It was part of the Sodhe and Vijayanagar kingdoms. Later, when the Konkan region - including Goa - was occupied by the Portuguese, it became part of their rule. A few temples were destroyed by the Portuguese in 1714 and then rebuilt later in the 18th century and also under the supervision of Guru H. H. Shrimat Anandashram Swamiji in 1928.
CULTURE
Gokarna is a town of contrasts, as it is a temple town and also a holiday destination. Gokarna is full of coconut, banana and other trees, blue seas and relatively clean sands. It is a laid back town with two main streets lined with shops and traditional tile-roofed brick houses. The beaches near Gokarna have shacks (huts) for rent. Kannada is the main language spoken here, however Konkani as well as Indian version of English are spoken here.
RELIGIOUS ATTRACTIONS
Gokarna is also an important centre of Sanskrit learning and houses Bhandikeri Math and Toggu Math. It is a place where Sanskrit knowledge is passed down from generations in Brahmin families. Many Hindus also perform the last rites of a person here.
- Mahabaleshwar Temple (Maha: great, bal: strength) is a famous Shiva Temple and it houses the 'Atmalinga'. Named so after Ravana referred to the linga's great strength.
It is situated at the western end of the main street. In the sanctuary is 'Athmalinga' in between the Saligrama Peethaa. The idol of Lord Mahabaleshwara is called Nagabharana. It is so named because of the Lord rests under the head of Naga (serpent). The floor of the hall in front has an intricate engraving of a giant tortoise.
- Maha Ganapathi Temple built in honour of the boy Ganapathi, who deceived the demon Ravana by keeping Atmalinga on ground before ravana returns from sandyavandanam. The deity here is two-armed, standing and at least 1500 years old.
- Uma Maheshwara Temple
- Bhadrakali Temple
- Tamra Gauri Temple
- Venkataramana Temple
- Kotitheertha is a man-made tank that is used for immersion of idols and ritual bathing. It is surrounded by temples.
- Shivaratri festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The temple has two chariots - named locally as 'Dodda Ratha' (Dodda for Big in Kannada) and 'Sanna Ratha' (sanna for small in Kannada). Dodda Ratha is quite huge. While 'Sanna Ratha' is out in the open during winter and summer, the 'Dodda Ratha' is brought out and made ready only during Maha Shivaratri. On the last day of Maha Shivaratri festival the Lord Mahabaleshwara idol is carried in 'Dodda Ratha' in a procession through the town's big Car Street, while priests and pilgrims chant hymns in praise of Shiva. More than a hundred people are needed to pull the chariots with thick ropes while priests conduct religious ceremonies inside. During the nine-day Maha Shivaratri festival, the small town of Gokarna is visited by up to 20,000 pilgrims.
COMMUNITY FESTIVALS
- Mahashivaratri
- Kartika mahotsava
- suggi habba is the main cultural festival of halakki vakkaligas
BEACHES
The drive up the winding path that leads to Gokarna is scenic, with the rocky mountains and Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other.Gokarna is also known for the beaches. The main beaches in Gokarna are the Gokarna beach (also known as Indian Beach), Main Beach, Kuddle Beach, Om Beach, Half moon Beach, Paradise Beach (also known as Full moon)and Nirvana beach (3 km long with fine white sand). The Gokarna beach forms the coast of the town and is followed by Main beach in northern direction while the other four beaches lie to the south of Gokarna. Gokarna Beach is mainly used by Indian pilgrims. Main Beach is a long open beach, also known for surfing. Kuddle and Om are around 6 km from Gokarna town along a muddy hill; they are accessible by rickshaw or foot. Half moon and Paradise are beyond Om beach and are accessible only by foot or boat, Nirvana beach is accessible by boat and road from Kumta town. Om beach is named so because it is shaped like the auspicious ॐ [Om] symbol. Om beach is the only naturally Om shaped beach. Three other beaches - Paradise, Half Moon and Nirvana beach.
LOCATION
Gokarna is about 583 km from Bangalore, 238 km north of Mangalore and about 59 km from Karwar. It is between the Gangavali and Agnashini rivers and situated along the Karwar coast by the Arabian Sea. It is 200 km north from the college towns of Suratkal.
Gokarna can be reached by buses and maxicabs from Kumta (30 km), Ankola (26 km) and Karwar (59 km) on National Highway 17( NH-17 ). Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) also runs long-journey buses from many cities like Panaji, Bangalore and Mangalore. Private buses (Vijayanand Roadlines - VRL, Sugama, Sea Bird, etc.) operate night journeys from the capital city of Bangalore to Gokarna daily. It can be reached by train Konkan Railway on the Mumbai to Mangalore route. The railway station ( called Gokarna Road ) is 6 km away from the town. The station also has a retiring room at a nominal price. Many important trains like Matsyagandha Express have a halt here. The nearest airports are Dabolim at Goa and Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe.
WIKIPEDIA
Prayer Wheels from Ladakh (though shot at my current place in Hyderabad). Lit by a feable candle behind it...
This late fifteenth-century prayer book was made for the use of Rome and is illuminated by followers of Willem Vrelant of Bruges. The manuscript was probably created for the couple depicted in two full-page miniatures (fols. 13v and 103r). The representation of the bride in the full-page miniatures, as well as references to her in suppliant prayers, indicates that the manuscript was commissioned primarily for the bride’s use. Further evidence of this is the prominence of women throughout the illuminations and drolleries, from one who was caught in adultery being brought before Christ to Veronica extending her cloth before Christ. The decorations in the manuscript stray from the typical border designs of this time period, focusing more on illusionistic Ghent-Bruges’ illumination (post-1475) and less on the Vrelant acanthus-floral borders. Among the number of full-page miniatures, fol. 229v stands out as an exceptional example of an imitation of a late fifteenth-century panel painting.
To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.
Work in progress for the Prayer for Japan event at BOOKS KUBRICK gallery in Fukuoka, Japan using Monotype Arabesques cast by Stan at Gloucester Typesetting...
From Adinkra symbols of West Africa. This one is Ananse Ntontan - The Spider's Web. It stands for wisdom, craftiness and creativity. This was my contribution created with a freezer paper stencil, Shiva paint stick and a rubbing pattern.
You buy a prayer, and the monk folds it up and ties it to the clothesline, thusly. Every night, the monks burn all the prayers. They like burning stuff.
أسعد الله صباحكم / مسائكم بكل خير
حياكم الله يالغالين وكل عام وأنتم بخير وتقبل الله منا ومنكم صالح الأعمال والطاعات
أقدم لكم صور بسيطة لتصوير مصلى العيد وبالتحديد مصلى مدينة بريدة الجنوبي ،،
أخوكم عبدالله الغفيص
Took a walk along the beach in the morning. Saw this guy sitting completely still.
I decided to set up my tripod to take this candid shot. This is a long exposure (almost 8 seconds) and is a true testament to how still this man was sitting.
Deep in morning prayer.
"Shakha (White Bangle) & Pola (Red Bangle) are pairs of conch shell specially Shakha, the white bangle is made of conch shell, crafted & polished out of conch. Shakha & Pola are a symbol of a married woman. This custom is most popular in eastern part of India.
In west bengal according to the bengali culture the Shakha & pola has a great significance. Before the actual bengali marriage day in the wee hours of very day, married women perform ritual called Dodhi Mangal in which they soak bangles made with shells in turmeric mixed water. Seven married women put shakha pola into bride’s hands. It symbolizes as seven forms of Goddess. According to the folk stories it is believed that this shakha-pola custom belongs to poor fishermen because they can’t afford expensive jeweleries. The bride has to wear Pola between Shakha or iron metal bangles. It is said that the iron bangle provides firmity to the relation & helps to balance the positive & negative power."
In eastern part of India, Specially West Bengal, married women often hangs a Sakha & a Pola with a red cotton thread in prayer to 'Godess Durga' to keep their partner and their married life safe. The custom is being carried on for centuries.
Thank you for your visit and feedback :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Despite being ameteurish, all my photographs are exclusively copyrighted to me. You are encouraged to share it to your heart's content, if you like it of course. I'd only request you to provide attribution to me by my name. I hope it is not too much to ask for ... :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Easter Holiday, Roadtrip Idar-Oberstein
Easter (Old English: Ēostre; Greek: Πάσχα, Paskha; Aramaic: פֶּסחא Pasḥa; from Hebrew: פֶּסַח Pesaḥ) is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year.[1] According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday[2] (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday). The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD 26 and 36, traditionally 33.
Easter marks the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of the Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter is followed by a fifty-day period called Eastertide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.
Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox.[3] Ecclesiastically, the equinox is reckoned to be on March 21 (even though the equinox occurs, astronomically speaking, on March 20 in most years), and the "Full Moon" is not necessarily the astronomically correct date. The date of Easter therefore varies between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Christianity bases its calculations on the Julian Calendar whose March 21 corresponds, during the 21st century, to the 3rd of April in the Gregorian Calendar, in which calendar their celebration of Easter therefore varies between April 4 and May 8.
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar. In many European languages, the words for "Easter" and "Passover" are etymologically related or homonymous.[4] The term "Pascha", from the same root, is also used in English to refer to Easter.
Easter customs vary across the Christian world, but decorating Easter eggs is a common motif. In the Western world, customs such as egg hunting and the Easter Bunny extend from the domain of church, and often have a secular character.
English: Page from the Stavelot Bible. Stavelot monastery, Mosan region, Belgium. 57.5 x 37 cm. In the collection of the British Library, London.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christ_in_Majesty_-_Stavelot_B...
Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Principauté abbatiale de Stavelot-Malmedy (fr)
Preensdom Stavelot-Malmedy (li)
Fürstabtei Stablo-Malmedy (de)
Vorstelijke abdijen Stavelot en Malmedy (nl)
Imperial abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy
Imperial Abbey of the Holy Roman Empire
←
651–1795
→
Stavelot-Malmedy, as at 1560, within the Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle
Capital
Stavelot
Government
Principality
Historical era
Middle Ages
- Malmedy abbey founded
648
- Stavelot abbey founded
651
- Abbot Poppo of Deinze
1020–48
- Abbot Wibald
1130–58
- Annexed by France
1794
- Creation of Ourthe
1795
- Congress of Vienna*
9 June 1815
Area
600 km2 (232 sq mi)
* Stavelot to United Kingdom of the Netherlands; Malmedy to Prussian province of Jülich-Cleves-Berg
The Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire. Princely power was exercised by the Benedictine abbot of the imperial double monastery of Stavelot and Malmedy, founded in 651. At 600 km2 (230 sq mi), it was the second-smallest territory in the Empire, after the Duchy of Bouillon at 140 km2 (54 sq mi).[1] Along with Bouillon and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, it was one of only three principalities in the region that were never a part of the Southern Netherlands,[2] all having been a part of the Lower Rhenish Imperial Circle, rather than the Burgundian Circle.[3]
In 1795 the principality was abolished and its territory was incorporated into the French département of Ourthe.[4] The Congress of Vienna in 1815 assigned Stavelot to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands[5] and Malmedy became part of the Prussian district of Eupen-Malmedy.[5] Both are currently parts of the Kingdom of Belgium — since the 1830 Belgian Revolution and the 1919 Treaty of Versailles respectively.
Establishment
Saint Remaclus
Saint Remaclus founded the Abbey of Stavelot on the Amblève river circa 650[5][6] on lands occupying the border between the bishoprics of Cologne and Tongeren,[7] this territory previously having been part of the Frankish Empire. A charter of Sigebert III, king of Austrasia entrusted Remaclus with both monasteries of Stavelot and Malmedy a few kilometres eastwards in the Ardennes forest, "a place of horror and solitary isolation which abounds with wild beasts".[8][9][10] Sigebert granted forest land and his Mayor of the Palace, Grimoald the Elder, was charged with furnishing money to build the two monasteries and continued to foster these communities with personal gifts and means from the king.[8]
The monastery of Malmedy is considered by the historians and the hagiographers to be slightly older than the monastery of Stavelot,[11] with the town claiming foundation in 648.[12] Malmedy is listed on earlier maps than Stavelot and the commission appointed in 670 by Childeric II, in order to delimit the abbey territory, started from Malmedy (Latin: de Monasterio Malmunderio).[7] Afterwards, the territory of the abbey was increased westwards so that Stavelot became the geographical center and the capital of the principality.[7]
The site of Malmedy was probably already settled before the foundation of the abbey, despite etymology seeming to indicate Malmedy may have been unsuitable for settlement.[7] Mal(u)mund(a)-arium was "a place with winding waters" or, most probably, Malmund-arium, a "bad confluency".[7] The Warchenne was partially canalised and its banks strengthened, before which Malmedy was often flooded.[7]
The first church in Stavelot was built by abbot Godwin and, on 25 June 685, was dedicated to the saints Martin, Peter and Paul.[13] The relics of Saint Remaclus were held in this new church.[14] The abbey church in Malmedy was dedicated to St Benedict.[10]
The estab shot. This giant golden prayer wheel (together with a temple next to it) is one of two landmarks of Shangrila, which is more steeped in Tibetan culture than in Chinese. Once again we have the services of a local to show us around...
[ Post Script : This is the largest Buddhist prayer wheel in the world! Standing at 24m or 80ft high and weighing in at 15 tonnes, it requires at least 6 persons to make it begin to move. Our family of 4 nearly burst our blood vessels trying to move it.. until two kind local teenagers came to our rescue. And they kept shouting - "must go three rounds, then it is lucky!" If I did not know better, I think they were indeed trying to make us stay in town longer, probably in their hospital!
Though it was built recently for the sake of tourism, it has become an authentic item because local Buddhists now climb the hill to spin it to submit their prayers. You can twirl it, too, but do it only clockwise, as religious tradition dictates. ]
"Prayers deposited will be offered to God at the altar next drawn by our ministers. It is our privilege to pray with you and for you."
Prayer wheels leading up to Enchey Monastery.
Enchey is an important seat of Nyingma order, another one of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
To be honest, I have no idea how the schools differ, but the piece of information given above might mean something to some reader...I might read the wikipedia articles on them tomorrow.
Gangtok, Sikkim, 30 April 2007
Symbolism and Tradition
Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to 'gods,' a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.
By hanging flags in high places the "Wind Horse" will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the Mantras.
The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.