This man with the kind face was saying prayers at a monastery being rebuilt after a fire.

Biellavagando con l'AC Officina Fotografica di Romagnano Sesia

Prayer during the 2009 Srebrenica genocide commemoration.

--Photo By Donna Harati, 2009 AP Peace Fellow. Location: Serbia. Partner: Women In Black.

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

At the Mausoleum Of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatana, April 2009 [mod: cropped]

An inspiring stone from my church's prayer garden.

52. Anything Taken On December 1st

71. Meditation / Meditative

This is a poignant photo of the English Pentecostal Smith Wigglesworth. Wigglesworth went from being a plummer to an internationally recognized healing ministry.

Volunteers make prayer beads May 12 during the United Methodist 2016 General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS.

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” Mahatma Gandhi

12-05-01 Athens, Greece

Bouddhist Prayer wheel in the Monestry in Thoska

This is a prayer card from 1918 for the funeral of my great grandfather Napoleon McNabb.

Bishop Pauls walking party depart the Sikh Gurwara in vintage style.

Prayer charms intended to bring good luck hang around a tree at Kunozan Toshogu Shrine in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

I've taken this shot before, but I like how the purple adds a bit of color to the background.

This is a piece of art in my home. It is a native woman bowing in prayer.

My heart is burdened with the news of the ongoing disaster on the Annapurna circuit. May the prayers of families of trekkers, still missing, be answered.

I'm almost ashamed to tell you guys that this trinket of mine has gathered dust. But I look at this whenever I feel a little lost and need some answers.

Oh yeah, first picture with my DA* 50-135mm f2.8

Prayer-flags in Karmatang village.

The incense sticks signifies prayers to the gods.

A prayer..what else to say ?

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May not seems similar bu even if my Golden Caves don't resemble at all his Powerpoint the parameters are no much different but colors, point and depth of view are very different

Thank to Ecate for her beautiful stock :thumb206259825: , have a look of her gallery ecathe.deviantart.com/gallery/ full of really nice and original works

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'Prayers (Long, Through Darkness) detail.

hammered nails, enamel, acrylic on wood. 12"x48"

in Chromesthesia @ the Tribeca Art Space

The mantra "om mani padme hum" is carved with impressive precision, into these pink round stones by a man who is sits, crouched all day long with hammer and chisle in hand. For a small fee you can choose a stone of your own to transform into prayers. Entire walls are constructed of these prayer stones. Some of these walls are over a kilometre long. Believers travel many many kilometres to reach these sacred walls in order to contribute a stone and add their prayers to the wall.

Prayer flags at evening. Nan Puoto Buddhist Temple, Xiamen China

Continuous prayers for peace and safety for all beings everywhere, especially at this time, in the land next to where I live.

(please understand my non-visiting your photo pages now. I am trying to concentrate my photo-work into a force for peace)

islamic prayer rug

A man reading Quran before Friday prayers

"Prayer booth" outside a church in Kansas City, MO, I think somewhere in the vicinity of 39th St. W.

This grand old Ladakhi Buddhist man we met on our way to Lamayuru has prayer beads in his right hand which he counts in the fashion of a rosary while chanting the sacred mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum'. In his left hand he is carrying a prayer wheel which he keeps spinning with a deft swing of his wrist. The wheel is filled with prayers and as it spins the prayers ascend to Heaven. What a nice way to spend old age!

An interesting bit of background of the Baldan Bereeven Monastery can be found on the unesco pages -

whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5949/

Bishop Minerva Carcaño prays with Hispanic/Latino young adults and others in a lobby of the Portland Convention Center during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

During our stay in Nara, Japan, we toured the Todaiji shrine complex. It is there that this photograph was taken.

Mormon Christgethsemene

Visit to SF

Prayer flags for sale outside a monastery.

The third important component of Buddhism- Prayer wheels. Anyone can spin them if it's to the right. Remember, don't go back that way!

Taken at the 7th Chennai Photowalk (re-run). A prayer session in progress at the Mylapore temple tank.

It was getting dark as we arrived at our last Mandalay temple-stop of the day, but fortunately the rains held off. We positioned ourselves on the upper balcony of a modest monastery - who's name I don't know - and waited as a young monk struck a metal bong repeatedly with a heavy wooden striker. Quietly, walking barefoot, maroon-robed monks emerged from all directions, and lined up to enter the prayer hall, where they sat for meditation, chanting and prayers.

For the story behind these pictures, please visit the "Ursula's Weekly Wanders" PhotoBlog post: www.ursulasweeklywanders.com/religious-practice/life-in-t...

Xigatze, Tibet

The prayer cloth is covered with flames of people who are inspired by the Holy Spirit in our parish.

Prayer Breakfast Held by Marylanders for Marriage Equality. by Jay Baker at Annapolis, Md.