View allAll Photos Tagged rammandir
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www.flickr.com/photos/danprolv/54435693284/in/explore-202...
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Few days back on our Republic Day ( 26th Jan ) which was a holiday, I went with my roommate to Ram Mandir ( Temple ) of Bhubaneswar. Liked the place. The place was very clean, silent and beautiful. This was shot at the temple.
Friends have a nice weekend. I have exam on Monday, so my weekend will end by studying :(.
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Meaning: "the almighty knows no boundaries, and so are the tales of the almighty"
@ Vittala temple, Hampi
As per our guide at Hampi, such places were used as shops but somehow I couldn't trust him much. i would love to know more about this place.
See more pic from Hampi Here
Title Suggested by Rajeshwar sir :)
Please build your Ram Mandir
Go Ahead Please
Than get back to your
Promise of Progress Development
Let there be Eternal Peace
Between Hindus Muslims
Life at ease ..Hate is a terminal
disease ...Mutual Coexistence
Tolerance are the key ..to open
hearts...in a constitutional
Democracy...a golden
opportunity let us seize
children of the same
family tree ,,,Indians first
such as these ..
First the views above in my poem are my personal views I am not a spokesman for Muslims at all.
4 years our government was in power they should have built the Temple taking all shareholders and coming out with a mutual compatible solution ,,.this flexing of muscles by various groups is anti humanity .before the much awaited court order..
it causes fear and puts the onus on anti social elements who will cause unwanted animosity between Hindus and Muslims .
I say all this as me and my family were victims of the 93 riots in Mumbai we lost everything our house we had to sell it for peanuts it was in a Hindu locality .
But we rebuild our lives we blame this riot on politicians with vested interests that divided us ..as Indians ..it was a state engineered act.
I have nothing against the Hindus we both as a community were pawns of the politicians .
As a Shia Muslim I believe Babri Mosque caused a lot of unnecessary deaths and doom..
I live in Mumbai ,,, I personally believe building hope hospitals schools colleges is taking life in the right direction.
I am 68 year old .. I respect all faith.. I follow the Islam that I inherited from my parents an Islam of peace and brotherhood....I believe Hussain is Humanity ..
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We can be content and happy with what we already have when we change our attitude and realise that happiness lies within us.
Having a better house, another job, a different spouse, a bigger paycheck, a nicer car will not make us happier people.
Having more stuff will not bring us contentment in this life, yet we are continually complaining about not having enough stuff or wanting better stuff. We are making ourselves unhappy by our attitude.
But when we give up the wanting we come to know how blessed we are to drive the seven-year old car that we have, to live in the smaller home on the block, and to be utilizing the same clothes we wore last year. Life is good!
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Photo © Tristan Savatier - All Rights Reserved - License this photo on www.loupiote.com/14453066552
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Nyatapola Temple on Tachupal Tole square in Bhaktapur (Nepal)
The temple is built on top of a high brick pyramid.
For more info about the Nyatapola Pagoda, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyatapola.
Bhaktapur is one of the Royal Cities of Nepal, located about 10 Km East of Kathmandu. For more info about Bhaktapur, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur.
If you like this photo, follow me on instagram (tristan_sf) and don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me.
This is a typical pooja mandap for Hindu Marriage around which the marriage rituals are performed by the pandit.
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Article sourced from
www.gsbkerala.com/satyanar.htm
Satya Narayan is the Narayan form of Lord Vishnu. The Lord in this form is considered an embodiment of truth. Satyanarayana is worshipped commonly by Hindus in their homes with family and friends, usually on a full moon (purnima) day of the month. In this puja called Satyanarayana Pooja, people worship by reciting the gracious story of Lord Satyanarayana. This story was originally told by Lord Vishnu himself to the sage Narada for the benefit of humankind.
This puja is conducted to ensure abundance in ones life. Many people carry out this puja immediately after or along with an auspicious occasion like a marriage or moving into a new house or any other success in life. The satyanarayan puja can be performed on any day. It is not a puja confined to any festivities. But Poornima (full moon day) or Sankranti are considered to be most auspicious day for this puja. Performing this puja in the evening is considered more appropriate. On the day of the puja, the devotee has to fast.
The prasad for this vrita is known as Sapaad which is prepared thus: Take an equal measure of rava, Milk, Ghee, Banana, Sugar ( the measure should be 1 1/4 or multiples thereof ) cook it till all mix into a paste.
The Pooja or Vrata
The vrata is explained in five chapters. The first or the introductory chapter deals with the timing of the vrata and the procedure to go about it. The remaining four chapters contain three stories to reassert the greatness and benevolence of the Almighty. The stories weave out such anecdotes, which reveal the significance of the vrata quite effectively. The vrata is also revealed in nine chapters in some books.
On the day of the vrata, it is required to fast and perform the pooja towards the evening. In a sacred pooja room, a new cloth has to be spread on an elevated platform. Rice about a Kg is to be spread on the cloth and in the centre and a kalash capped with a new cloth piece should be placed and on that the token or a small idol of the Lord has to be positioned. A Panchamruta (a mixture of ghee, milk, sugar, honey and curds) abhishekam has to be performed.
Vrata begins with the lighting of the lamp, a symbolic gesture of lighting the lamp of devotion in one's heart. Then we pray to Lord Ganesha, the dispeller of obstacles, Lakshmi, the giver of prosperity, Vishnu, the sustainer, Lord Shiva and Parvathi, the primordial couple who dance their way to cosmic rhythm, Sun God, the giver of good health, the nine planets and Ashtadikpaalakas including Lord Indra.
Shri Satyanarayana
Lord Ganesha and Panchaloka Paalakaas should be positioned to the north of the Kalasha and can be worshipped through areca nuts or almonds or turmeric pods or dry dates. Later, the nine planets should be worshipped by placing areca nuts on betel leaves followed by Lord Indra and other Dikpaalakaas. Later the Lord Satyanarayana's idol or image on betel leaf should be worshipped through panchamruta abhisheka. The pooja runs in ashtottara or satanaama attributes and culminates with haarathi and taamboolam. At the end of the vrata there is udvaasana, a formal way of concluding the pooja. The vrata can be performed by every devout individual by inviting brahmins, friends and relatives. The underlying spirit is to bring in as many people as possible into the divine cult.
Pooja Materials:
A book on the vrata (It is preferable to seek help of a purohit), a square platform, mango leaves, two new cloth pieces, kalasha, lord's idol or a photograph, turmeric, kumkum, panchamruta, six coconuts, prasada, four oil lamps, sandal paste, incense sticks, betel leaves, two garlands, areca nuts, turmeric pods, dry dates or almonds, camphor, offerings in form of cash or coins, tulsi leaves and flowers.
Satyanarayana Katha
CHAPTER 1
Shri Sathyanaranayana katha is from Skandha purana, Reva kaanda. Sutha Puraanikji was the narrator of these stories, in Neimishaaranya to the rishis lead by Shounakji who were performing a 1000 year yajna for the benefit of mankind.
Shounakaji and others now ask Suta Puranikji an important question. "When a man has a desire, how can he fulfill that ethically sound desire? By worshipping whom, by what vrita, or tapas? Please let us know.
Sutaji was pleased to know that this question they asked, was for the benefit of the mankind and not for their personal benefit, for, they had abandoned their homes and all desires. Sutaji said " this question was also asked by Devarshi Naradaji once to Lord Narayana Himself; Let me tell you that story.
Once Naradaji was traveling all over the worlds and finally came to Bhuloka, where he found almost everyone was suffering one or the other misery on account of their past Karmas and were not knowing how to extricate themselves from their untold miseries which were multiplying everyday on account of their ignorance. Being a Satjana his heart felt their agonies and immediately he reached Vaikunta, to Lord Narayana to find the right answer for getting the people out of their miseries. But when he sees the Lord, being a great devotee of the Lord, he forgets his purpose and starts praising the Lord. The Lord Narayana smiles at him and asks the purpose of his visit, knowing that normally Naradaji does not visit Him without a purpose. Naradaji tells Him what he saw and requests Him a panacea for all such miseries. The Lord is now happy at this question of Naradaji because of Naradaji’s intention of benefiting the world by seeking the right answer. The Lord said:
Yes, there is a vrita called Sri Satyanarayana vrita which is not known to the inhabitants of the Bhuloka. This is a secret and yet since your interest is the benefit of the mankind, I shall narrate to you this vrita. This can be performed by anyone (anyone means it does not need an expert or a priest to worship the Lord - ANYONE of any caste, community, creed can worship the Lord directly) and very easily. One who does this, will get all the benefits and the pleasures of this world and will eventually get Moksha too. Now Narada wants to know more details of this vrita. The Lord says, this can be done any day, in the evening. Gather friends and relatives and perform this vrita with faith and devotion. The night should be spent in Bhajans and praise of the Lord. All those attending Pooja should be given food and respect. Thus the performer will get all his wishes fulfilled.
CHAPTER 2
Sri Lord Narayana tells Narada the further story:
There was an old and poor Brahmin in the city of Kashi. He was a man of virtue and yet extremely poor and was always begging for the next meal. Since the Lord is Viprapriya- (Brahmana priya means Lover of Brahmana- Brahmana means anyone on the devotional path ) - He came in the guise of an old Brahmin and accosted him " Tell me my friend, what ails you?". The brahmin replied "I am an old and very poor man and I shall be grateful if you can tell me how to get rid of this poverty of mine which does not seem to leave me". The Lord replied "Why don’t you perform Sri Satyanarayana Vrita", and He told him how to perform the Vrita.
The poor man now desires to do this vrita and thinking over these thoughts of the Lord he goes to bed. He could not sleep on account of these thoughts. Again in the morning he had same thoughts and he says to himself, "whatever I earn today by begging I shall use it to perform the vrita". Since the Lord likes such feelings, (Bhavena Devam - Lord does not want our material possessions, he is won by the genuineness of our feelings) that day, he got plenty of money while begging and thus pleased, he took the necessary articles and performed the vrita.
Very soon he became rich and had all the things of the world and thereafter he started performing the vrita every month and thus he enjoyed all the pleasures of the world and finally reached the Moksha too.
Now Shaunakji and other rishis want to know how this vrita spread in the world. Also those who have heard the story, what benefits they got.
Sutaji replies:
Once when this brahmin was performing the Sri Satyanarayana Pooja there came to his house a woodcutter. He saw the pooja and wanted to know what it is and what are its fruits. The brahmin said, "This is Sri Satyanarayana Pooja. Whatever desires you have in your mind will be fulfilled by performing this vrita. My own poverty and troubles all ended by my very decision to perform this vrita". On hearing this, the woodcutter prostrates to the Lord, takes prasad, and decides to perform this pooja next day. He thought in his mind, "Whatever amount I get from the sale of the wood tomorrow, I will use it for the performance of the vrita." That day he sold the wood for twice the price. Happily thinking of the Lord Satyanarayana he proceeds to do this pooja, inviting his friends and relatives. Thus performing regularly he became rich and happy and finally reached Satyaloka.
CHAPTER III
Suta Puranikji continues the story:
Once there was a good king called Ulkamukha. He was wedded to truth and sense- control. Everyday he used to go to the temple, worship the Lord, distribute alms to the needy. Once he was performing Sri Satyanarayana Vrita on the banks of a river. At that time there came a merchant in a ship loaded with precious goods. He approached the king and wanted to know the details of the pooja and also its fruits. The king said, "My friend, what we are doing is a vrita called Sri Satyanarayana Pooja. This is done with a desire to have progeny, wealth, property, etc. By this, we are worshipping Lord Narayana or Mahavishnu".
The merchant said, "Please tell me the details as to how to perform this vrita, because I would like to have children whom I have not been fortunate to have till now." The king tells him the details of the vrita and the merchant returns home. He tells the details to his wife and they decide to perform this vrita if they get a child. Sometime later his wife Lilavathi became pregnant and delivered a girl who was named Kalavathi. Lilavathi reminded her husband about the vrita and he kept postponing it, till his daughter grew of age and was ready to be married. The father finds a suitable groom and marries her off and again forgot to perform the vrita although he had decided to do so at the time of marriage of his daughtier. The Lord now wanted to remind him.
The merchant and his son-in-law were in a city called Ratnasara where king Chandrakethu was ruling. There was a theft at the palace and the burglars were chased by the police. The running burglar saw these two merchants resting near a tree and they left the booty with them and ran off. The police caught the two merchants with the stolen goods and they were straight away sent to the prison. The king himself overlooked to investigate. It is this time the merchant suddenly realized that this was all on account of his forgetting the promise to the Lord. At about this time, back home both Lilavathi and her daughter Kalavathi lost all their belongings due to thefts at home and were rendered beggars. During one such wandering trying to find some food Kalavathi sees Sri Satyanarayana Pooja being performed at one house. She goes in, hears the story and details and returns to tell her mother what had taken place. Lilavathi now knows that it is their forgetting to do the Pooja that had created all these problems. Next day she calls her relatives and friends and performs the Pooja, begs for forgiveness. Accordingly, the king had a dream that the merchants were innocent and he releases them on inquiry and gives them lot of wealth.
CHAPTER IV
Suta Puranik continues the story:
Thus released from the custody the merchants were returning home. They reached the outskirts of their town in their ship. The Lord in order to test them again comes in the form of an old Sanyasi and inquires as to what the load in the ship is. The merchant bluffs and says that it contains dried leaves. The sanyasi says "Tathasthu". When the merchant returns to the ship he finds that it does contain now dried leaves only. He swoons and when he regains his consciousness he realizes that these are doings of the Sanyasi whom he had cursorily dismissed earlier. He seeks him out and begs for forgiveness. The ever-merciful Lord again forgives him. Now that the merchant was near the town, he sends a messenger in advance to Lilavathi to let her know that they are on their way home. Lilavathi. tells her daughter to complete the Satyanarayana poola they were performing and goes ahead to meet her husband. Kalavathi does the pooja, but in a hurry to meet her husband, she neglects to take the prasad; and when she nears the anchorage, she does not find the ship nor her husband! It looked to her that they both sank/drowned. She swoons and now she decides to die.
The merchant thinks that this must be on account of some fault on their part in ignoring the Lord and then and there he decides to do the pooja as a part of expiation from his side for mistakes of omission or commission. The Lord now pleased makes him realize that it is the daughter’s oversight in not accepting the prasad that has created this problem and now if she goes and takes the prasad, everything would be all right.
Kalavathi returned to the altar and took prasad with all faith and reverence. And her husband returned and from then onwards, they all performed Sri Sathyanarayana Pooja regularly till the end of their life and finally after death, they reached Satyaloka.
CHAPTER V
This chapter is important to us as we too tend to behave like the King in this story, in respect of pooja/worship/religion of other people.
In the woods of Nemisharanya, Suta Puranikji continued the story narrating the greatness of this Vrita to Shounaka and other Rishies:
In ancient times, there was a King called Angadwaja. He was good and righteous king {like all of us, good and righteous}; and yet once he ignored the prasad of Sri Satyanarayana Pooja and had to suffer very dearly to that.
Once this king was returning from hunting the wild animals in the forests. He rested under a tree for a while. A few yards away a small group of cowherd boys had gathered to perform Sri Satyanarayana Pooja. They did not have anything except their daily bread they were carrying and a talkative among them became their priest and they played the game of doing a pooja. At the end of the pooja, they offered the prasad to the king who, out of contempt and pride, left it untouched.
Pretty soon all his wealth was lost; his hundred children died and he now knew, being a good king that this was all on account of his contempt for those children’s pooja. Without any delay the king goes to that very spot where the cowherd boys had done the pooja earlier, gathers them all around him performs the Satyanarayana Pooja with all shraddha and bhakthi.
Thus the king again got all his wealth and kingdom and kins.
Suta now tells the Rishis that this Vrita is specially effective in Kaliyuga. This Lord of Lord is called Ishwara, Satyadeva, Sri Satyanarayana and by many other names. He alone has taken names and forms.
One who reads this story and one who hears it will be rid of all woes and difficulties.
Types of Vishnu
Pauranikas consider Narayana or Vishnu as of four types based on the celestial world — 1. The Lord of Paradise (Vaikunta Nadha) 2. The Lord-lying on the ocean of celestial waters (Anantha sayana) 3. The inhabitant of the white Island (Sweta Dvipa), and 4. The Lord of Goloka (Golokanadha).
1. Jyotistoma is the region of light from the earth to 21st plane. It is full of fire. It is Vaikuntanatha–the first sacrifice. "This fiery and divine sacrifice (Swaha yajna) consists of 34 utterances and the 21st plane is its establishment (Pratista). Thirty three fire-deities related to Vishnu are its limbs. The whole of these deities is Vaikuntanadha Vishnu". He will be awake for eight months and sleeps for four months. During these four months, there will be dominating influence of water and the fire becomes recessive. So the sacrifices will be destroyed. This is what we call ‘sleep of Vishnu’.
2. Dwadasa yajna extends from 22nd plane to 33rd plane which is full of spiritual water (Apa) and essence (Soma). This is the Lord Vishnu lying on the Ocean. He is said to be having 34 utterances including Prajapati (Pridvi). He is the second Vishnu. Vishnu of the celestial ocean, always sleeps and often awakes. The Splendour of ignition (Agni) is the waking state. The ignition will be weak in the sea and hence the sacrifice will be slackened. The word ‘sleep’ denotes this condition.
3. Navaha yajna starts from 17th plane to 25th plane. The sacrificial Vishnu of this region will have white island as His habitation but is established at 21st level. He is the third Vishnu called Lord Satyanarayana. As Satyanarayana will always be in self-mortification, He is always awake. He never sleeps since Navaha yajna at 21st plane uniformly continues throughout the year.
4. Pancha Dasaha yajna extends from 22nd plane to 36th plane. It is uttered by Sama Veda. Here Gau spirits are born and hence is called Gosava or Goloka. It is established at 29th plane. This region is pervaded by the ocean, a form of spiritual water, air and essence. The spiritual waters are the form of cows (Gua Spirits). They are of spreading nature. This is the supreme world (Paramesti). Lord Vishnu of this world is called Govinda.
These four divisions belong to Pridvi that extends up to 33rd level. Thus they are the four dwellings places of the four types of Vishnu. The Lord of Goloka has two arms but the others are four-armed.
Lord Satyanarayana owing to utter blackness is white in complexion. The other three are blue in color. As Satyanarayana is an embodiment of Tapas, (self- mortification). He has no wife.
The others forms have wives. Govinda Vishnu’s wife is Radha. She is the splendour of Vak (Vagjyoti) and carrier of wisdom (Janana Vahini). Lakshmi is the consort of Samudra Seyana Vishnu. She should be considered as Padma (Pridvi) born of the sea having the quality of terrestrial atoms (mrit paramanu lakshana). Vaikuntanatha has five wives – Pridvi, Tulasi, Ganga, Saraswati and Lakshmi.
This was shot at ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar during my stay at Bhubaneswar. Me and her went to Ram Mandir on Republic Day, 26th Jan, '10 and had a nice time there together. She is my friend, my flatmate here in Kolkata and was my roommate in Bhubaneswar.
Hanoeman (Sanskrit: हनुमान् , Engels: Hanuman) is in het hindoeïsme een godheid die de gedaante heeft van een sprekende aap. Hij speelt een belangrijke rol in de Ramayana, waarin hij de god Rama helpt bij de redding van zijn vrouw Sita uit de handen van Ravana, de demonenkoning van Lanka. Hanoeman symboliseert met zijn trouw aan Rama de bhakti (devotie) en is vooral populair in het noorden van India.
Volgens sommige onderzoekers is de Chinese mythologische figuur Sun Wukong (Son Goku) op Hanoeman gebaseerd.
Krishna (कृष्ण, letterlijk "zwart, donker, donkerblauw"; Sanskriet voor 'al-aantrekkelijke') is een van de meest aanbeden goden in het hindoeïsme. Als zodanig is Krishna onder meer de hoofdpersoon in de Mahabharata , Srimad Bhagavatam en de Bhagavad Gita. In veel hindoeïstische stromingen wordt Krishna beschouwd als een incarnatie van Vishnoe, in andere als de Allerhoogste Persoonlijkheid of hoogste manifestatie van God-energieën, God zelf.
bron wikipedia
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Today I am saddened by the first page news in the Mumbai Mirror that has over blown a topic on Sunni Shia personal conflict that puts our city to shame.
Mumbai is another name for Mutual Coexistence .
Mumbai is another name for Hindu Muslim Amity .
Mumbai is another name for Muslims living in Peace irrespective of their sect.
I am a good Shia because my city has made me think broadmindedly, I am a Shia with an Indian Soul..
This morning I made sure I shot the Mahashivratri Festival to share with all of you, I believe this is not just an aspect of religiosity , this is a path that I call Hope and Hindutva.. a positive energy in the right direction..Hinduism is my cultural identity and I am proud that some call me a Shia Pandit.
The Ram Mandir at Bandra Bazar Road celebrates the Mahashivratri feast with devotion and spiritual humility ..
I shoot it every year..its the first time I shot it from within..this is a small set here at Flickr .
It takes two hands to clap, you give respect you get respect..
The Mumbai wall made up of so many bricks each holding a monument of our Indianness , beyond caste color or creed.
And when cracks start showing between the Shias and the Wahabbi adherents it hurts all of us as Muslims.
We have to live together , and settle our differences outside the court of law, and settle things mutually.
Most important as good Mumbaikars we should see our actions intentionally or unintentionally should not hurt the religious sensibilities of our neighbors..
We should bury the hatched and keep the disease of factionalism away from the soul of our beloved city.
I have al this to say on Mahashivrati day.. 2009
Lets make the right surroundings of peace love and harmony for our children.. let us not make them bigots..lets make them human and above all instill in them values of mutual respect..for each one of us.
Let us be Indians for a change..
About Mahashivratri
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva") is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Samudra manthan (the Churning of the Ocean)
* 2 Pralaya (the Deluge)
* 3 Shiva's Favourite Day
* 4 The Story Of King Chitrabhanu
* 5 Rituals of Maha Shivratri
o 5.1 Other Traditional Worship of Lord Shiva
* 6 Mahashivaratri in South India
* 7 References
* 8 External links
[edit] Samudra manthan (the Churning of the Ocean)
During the samudra manthan (the churning of the ocean) by the Gods and demons, haalaa-hala, a poison, came out of the ocean. It was so toxic, it could have wiped out the entire creation. At this juncture, on the advice of Lord Vishnu , the gods approached Lord Shiva and prayed to him to protect their lives by consuming this poison. Pleased with their prayers, and out of compassion for living beings,Lord Shiva drank the poison but it was so intense that something was required to cool its effects as his throat became blue. Help was taken from Chandra( Moon God ) and finally a snake was palced aroung his neck which cooled the effect of the poison and the throat became blue.Thus Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha.This saga of hari-dasa story between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, is often depicted in many hindu households.
[edit] Pralaya (the Deluge)
In another version, it is believed that the whole world was once facing destruction and the Goddess Parvati worshiped her husband Shiva to save it. She prayed for the Jivas (living souls) remaining in space – like particles of gold dust in a lump of wax – during that long period of pralaya (deluge) night, should, upon becoming active again, have his blessings, but only if they worshiped him just as she did then. Her prayer was granted. Parvati named the night for the worship of Ishwara by mortals Maha-Sivaratri, or the great night of Shiva, since Pralaya is brought about by him.
[edit] Shiva's Favourite Day
After creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 13th night of the new moon, during the month of Maagha, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.
[edit] The Story Of King Chitrabhanu
In the Shanti Parva (chapter) of the Mahabharata epic, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma (righteousness), refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows:
Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa (the earth), was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.
The lord asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had a gift of remembering the incidents of his past birth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before the new moon, while roaming through forests in search of animals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew he noticed the deer's family and their sadness at its impending death. So he let it live. He had still not caught anything when he was overtaken by nightfall and climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water, so he was both hungry and thirsty. These two torments kept him awake throughout the night, thinking of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
The next day he returned home and bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own.
At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva, sent to conduct his soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there had been a Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bottom of the tree. The leaves he dropped had fallen on the Lingam, in imitation of its ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteen had washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously had worshipped the Lord.
As the conclusion of the tale the King said that he had lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages and now he was reborn as Chitrabhanu.
This story is also told in the Garuda Purana[1].
[edit] Rituals of Maha Shivratri
Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshippers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga), so also they represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.
Wearing a rudraksha seed of the rudraksha tree, said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshipping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha is reddish in colour with yellow stripes.
On Shivaratri, only cold water and bael leaves are offered to the Lingam. Other traditional offerings, such as bathing it in milk and Panchamruta (a mixture of milk, curds, ghee, sugar and honey) (symbols of sustenance), or annointing it with vermilion (kumkum) or white consecrated rice (Akshata) (symbols of fertility, or creation), are done on this day, when Lord Shiva is worshipped as the deity of dissolution [2]..
[edit] Other Traditional Worship of Lord Shiva
Main article: Jyotirlinga
The twelve Jyotirlingas (lingams of light) are sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, and centres for his worship. They are known as "Swayambhus", meaning the lingams sprung up by themselves at these places and temples were built there afterwards.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gudi Padwa or Gudhi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा often mis-pronounced as guDi padwa because ढी sounds like डी while speaking) is the Marathi name for the Hindu holy day of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.[1] It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. It is theorized that Padwa is the origin of the term "Pagwah", a synonymous title used in Guyana and Trinidad for Holi.
Known as Gudhi Padwa in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as[1]
* Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa[2]
* Yugadi among the rest of Konkani diaspora in Karnataka and Ugadi in Andhra pradesh[citation needed]
In other parts of India[1] this festival is celebrated during
* Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh
* Yugadi in Karnataka
* Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people
The word padwa is derived from the Sanskrit word Pratipada[citation needed] for first day of a lunar month i.e. first day after new moon day (Amavasya). A Gudhi is also erected on this occasion giving this festival its name. The term padwa or padavo is also associated with Balipratipada the third day of Diwali[citation needed] which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.
See also: Balipratipada
On Gudi Padwa, a gudi is found hanging out of a window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households. Gudi is a bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gathi (sugar crystals), neem leaves[citation needed], a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. This gudi is then hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.
Some of the significances attributed to raising a Gudhi are as follows:
* Gudhi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj (translation: Brahma’s flag) mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj (translation: the flag of Indra).[3]
* Mythologically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.[3]
* Maharashtrians also see the Gudhi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It also symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana over Sakas and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.[3]
* Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.[3]
The Gudhi is positioned on the right side of the main entrance of the house. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul.[1]
[edit] Festivities
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Nyatapola Temple on Tachupal Tole square in Bhaktapur (Nepal)
For more info about the Nyatapola Pagoda, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyatapola.
Bhaktapur is one of the Royal Cities of Nepal, located about 10 Km East of Kathmandu. For more info about Bhaktapur, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur.
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Stair to the Nyatapola Temple on Tachupal Tole square in Bhaktapur (Nepal)
The temple is guarded by stone elephants, lions and dragons.
For more info about the Nyatapola Pagoda, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyatapola.
Bhaktapur is one of the Royal Cities of Nepal, located about 10 Km East of Kathmandu. For more info about Bhaktapur, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur.
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Bhairavnath Temple on Tachupal Tole square in Bhaktapur (Nepal)
View close-ups photos of one of the bells and one of the brass lion guardians.
Bhaktapur is one of the Royal Cities of Nepal, located about 10 Km East of Kathmandu.
For more info about Bhaktapur, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur.
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article courtesy..
www.vmission.org/hinduism/festivals/shivratri.htm
Mahashivratri Festival
Java based Animated Mahashivratri Greetings!
The festival of Mahashivratri (literally means the 'Grand Night dedicated for the worship of Lord Shiva'). is looked upon with greatest reverence & respect by the devotees of Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated every year on the 13/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon fortnight, just before the new moon) of the month of Phalgun. As per the English calendar this is somewhere around Feb or March.
This day and more so the night is dedicated by the devotees of Lord Shiva for his worship, practice of various austerities & meditation. All the Shiva Temples are fully decorated and there are hordes of devotees queuing up to get darshan of Lord & offer their obeisance's at the feet of Lord Shiva on this special day.
The Significance of Mahashivratri :
There are several stories which are associated with this special grand night of Lord Shiva:
1. Samudra Manthan Story:
During Samudra Manthan by the gods and demons, a highly toxic poison came out of the ocean. As per the advice of Lord Vishnu, gods approached Lord Shiva and prayed him to protect life by consuming this poison. Pleased with their prayers, out of compassion for living beings, Lord Shiva drank this poison and held it in his throat by binding it with a snake. The throat became blue due to the poison (Thus Lord Shiva is also know as Neelakantha) and Shiva remained unharmed. The wise men advised gods to keep Lord Shiva awake during the night. To keep him awake, the gods took turn performing various dances and playing music. A vigil was thus kept by the gods in contemplation of Shiva. As the day broke out, Shiva, pleased with their devotion blessed them all, and also said that whosoever worshipped & contemplated on him on this day shall be blessed with the fulfillment of his or her wishes. Since then, on this day and night - devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.
2. Manifestation of Lord Shiv as a Jyotirlinga on this day:
On this day manifested the great & also the first ever effulgent (Jyotirmaya) form (Anala-skanda or a pillar of fire) of Lord Shiva in front of Lord Vishnu & Brahmaji.
The story goes that once both Vishnuji & Brahmaji, got infected by ego. The result was an clash between both these gods. In order to show their respective superiority they decided to fight it out. Lord Shiva decided to intervene so as to make them realise that there is something more to life than the powers of an embodied beings. He manifested in the form of a huge pillar of fire (Anala-skanda) whose beginning and end could not be seen. Vishnuji & Brahmaji decided to check what this strange thing was. While Vishnuji, in the form of varaha (boar) went down towards patal-loka to see the end of this pillar, Brahmaji sitting on his swan went up. Even after years of travel they could not see the beginning or the end of this manifestation. Brahmaji saw a leaf falling off, and thought it fell down from the top of pillar of fire, and returned satisfied that he had seen the starting point. They came back, while Lord Vishnu accepted that he could not see the end, Brahmaji said that he had seen, which was a lie. Lord Shiva cursed Brahmaji that no will ever worship him. Then he too surrendered. This manifestation of Lord Shiva in the form of the first effulgent linga was on this special day of Mahashivratri, and thus all devotees pray to the effulgent linga (jyotirlinga) of Lord Shiva.
3. Day of Reunion of Shiva & Parvati:
King Daksha, opposed Sati's marriage with Shiva. At a yagna (holy sacrifice) the king ignored Shiva’s presence and thereby insulted the latter publicly. Sati was so angered by this that she jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her life. Lord Shiva unleashed his fury at the death of his wife by performing the violent dance, Tandava. He wiped out Daksha’s kingdom, undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. The Gods, who feared that the severity of Shiva’s penance might bring an end to the world, revived Sati in the new avatar of Parvati. Shiva-Parvati married and this reunion is celebrated on Maha Shivaratri.
4. Story of Chitrabhanu:
In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows.
Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Mahashivratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.
The sage asked, "O king! why are you observing a fast today?"
King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth.
The king said to the sage: "In my past birth I was a hunter in Varanasi. My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in search of animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a bel tree. I had shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. I bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away the time that night I engaged myself in plucking the bel leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
"The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then took my food.
"At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt then for the first time of the great merit I had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivratri. They told me that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. My tears which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell onto the Lingam and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night. Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord.
"I lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages. I am now reborn as Chitrabhanu." I have now realized about the infinite love & compassion of Lord Shiva. Even unconscious acts of goodness are blessed in such a way, then what to talk of our conscious acts of expressing our love, respect and reverence for Lord Shiva. He is indeed Ashutosh, one who gets pleased very soon. Lord Shiva is indeed an embodiment of infinite love, love & compassion, that is why he is so easy to please. He showers us with his blessings at every moment of our lives, may we all devote this day of Mahashivratri to express our gratitude unto his feet. It is a very auspicious day.
5. Story of Lubdhak:
Another legend. There once lived a tribal named Lubdhak, who was a devotee of Shiva. It was his usual practice to go into the forest to collect firewood. One day he wandered deeper than usual and night fell before he could come out. It was the night before the no moon night and the thin crescent moon offered no light. He was not able to find his way in the dark and soon got lost. A hungry tiger smelt him out and with a loud roar made his intentions clear. Lubdhak knew he could not outrun the tiger and so he climbed up a bel tree. In order to keep awake so that he would not fall down in his sleep he began to pluck the leaves from the bel tree and drop them one by one, each time chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”, which means I bow down to Shiva. In this manner, he passed the night. Until dawn, he had dropped a thousand bel leaves. When he descended the tree in the morning, he saw a lingam, which he had missed in the dark. Unknowingly he had been dropping leaves on the lingam. This was the 14th night of the waxing moon of the month of Phalgun and came to be celebrated at Mahashivratri.
How to Celebrate?
The devotees of Lord Shiva should preferably do the following things on this day.
1. Observe fast on this day, taking only fruits & milk.
2. Perform elaborate puja of Lord Shiva, and perform Rudrabhisheka. Chant various hymns & bhajan of Lord Shiva.
3. Use this day to bring to your mind the infinite ways your life has been blessed. In our obsession with thinking on what all I dont have we fail to see the infinite ways in which we are so positively blessed. The fact that you can read right now is a great blessing, ask someone who cannot see. Feel truly blessed & gratified and express your thanks & devotion at the feet of Lord by chanting the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ as many times as you can.
4. Practice Dhyana for longer periods than the usual routine. Be one with your loving God, and revel in utter fulfillment.
5. Remain more introvert on this day contemplating about the truths of life.
6. Go for darshan of Lord Shiva where he is properly & regularly worshipped.
7. Try to get darshan & satsang of some learned Mahatmas. Offer sewa at Ashrams & Temples.
Also check out:
1. Shiv Upasana ebook - in Hindi
2. Shiv Puja - (pdf / audio)
3. Podcast on Lord Shiva - in English
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Brass Lion Guarding the Bhairavnath Temple on Tachupal Tole in Bhaktapur (Nepal)
Bhaktapur is one of the Royal Cities of Nepal, located about 10 Km East of Kathmandu.
For more info about Bhaktapur, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur.
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Old bell in front of the Bhairavnath Temple on Tachupal Tole square in Bhaktapur (Nepal)
Bhaktapur is one of the Royal Cities of Nepal, located about 10 Km East of Kathmandu.
For more info about Bhaktapur, read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur.
If you like this photo, follow me on instagram (tristan_sf) and don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me.
It has a brand
Now it is a lotus
Earlier it was a
Traffic policewalas
Raised hand ..
My constituency
Nurtured by
Ms Poona Mahajan MP
Advocate Ashish Shelar MLA
Is a sight to behold very grand
Swach Bharat cleaning garbage
From the land but who will clean
The evil minds of cow protectors
Extortionists terrorizing Dalit
Muslins of our aggrieved
Motherland ..
Acche din I cannot understand
I don't want 15 lakhs in my bank
Account dear Modiji give it the
Farmers widows ..a thought I
Won't poetically expand ..
Progress development ..gasping in the
quick sand as a Indian and as a Muslim
I sincerely hope and pray you build the
Ram Mandir at Ayodhya as planned
But please spare the minorities as your
Pervading silence on the soul of Humanity
everyone misunderstands
As those that were once Kar Sevaks
Now in the guise of Gau Raksha Dal
have become a dangerous clan..
I have faith in you as the leader not of a
Political party or the RSS .
But our elected Head of our beautiful
Wonderful ..Land divided we fall
But united we must stand ..
This is a temple situated in the upper Himalayas valley, Shimla. This Nag Devta temple is dazzled with Khadu's horn and other ornaments with decorated colours makes my spirit clean and soulful.
ii Jai Nag Devta, Thinoo ii
Group of hindu extremists demolishing babri masjid in ayodhya on 6th Dec 1992 triggering a series of hindu-muslim riots all over the country. Photo courtesy : raviwar.com/news/396_ram-mandir-ayodhya-sandeep-pandey.shtml
Thanks for the comments.
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This temple (next to Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, Kothrud) was all decked up for 'Ram Navami' today and surprisingly (and luckily) had my camera with me. :)