Frederick County Digital Photography Club
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International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (Srila Prabhupada) in the West in 1966. ISKCON belongs to Gaudiya (refers to Bengal) Vaishnavism, a devotional tradition based on the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The precepts and practices of ISKCON were taught and codified by the 15th century saint and religious reformer Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1532), his brother Nityananda Prabhu and six of his principle associates, the Goswamis of Vrindavana (Sanatana, Rupa, Jiva, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta.)
The Bhagavad-gita was first put into writing about 5000 years ago. The Gita is the principal scripture of The Hare Krishna Movement™ Organization. Its origins are more than 5000-years-old.
ISKCON Durgapur is an extension centre of ISKCON Mayapur
An hand held mobile phone!
here after photography is not allowed inside the temple so I tried to cover the maximum.
if you zoom you can see same mark on the forehead of a man and on the wall. this is for vaishnavism (subsect in Hindu ) .
thanks for every one for views, faves & comments.
Galtaji is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site located approximately 10 km east of Jaipur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The site consists of a series of temples built into a narrow crevice in the ring of hills surrounding Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downward, filling a series of sacred kunds (water tanks) in which pilgrims bathe. Visitors can ascend the crevasse, continuing past the highest water pool to a hilltop temple, where panoramic views of Jaipur and its fortifications can be seen. It is believed that a saint named Galav lived here, practiced meditation, and performed penance (tapasya).
The Galtaji temple is set within a mountain pass in the Aravalli Hills. Since the early 15th century, it has been a retreat for Hindu ascetics belonging to the Ramananda Sampradaya of Shri Ramanand. It is said that the site was occupied by yogis for a long period, and Payohari Krishnadas, a Ramanandi saint, arrived at Galtaji in the early 15th century and became head of the Galta gaddi, replacing earlier yogis.
Galta was northern India's first Vaishnava Ramanandi Peeth and became an important center of the Ramanandi sect. The fame of Ramanandi saint Shri Krishnadas Payahari of Galta dham spread widely, and he initiated Shri Bhagwanji from Punjab into the order of Ramanandi Vaishnavism. Shri Bhagwanji later founded the Ramanandi center at Pandori dham in Gurdaspur, Punjab.
The temple also houses the shrine of Goswami Nabha Das Ji, a respected Ramanandi saint who met the famous Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas, at Galta Dham.
Durga is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon and often defeating demons. on the left and right are her sons and daughters who are also gods and goddess. She is widely worshipped by the followers of the goddess-centric sect, Shaktism, and has importance in other denominations like Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
Maa Durga bestow upon you and your family nine forms of blessings- Fame, Name, Wealth, Prosperity, Happiness, Education, Health, Power, and Commitment.
That dark dweller in
Is my only refuge.
O my companion, worldly comfort is illusion,
As soon you get it, it goes.
I have chosen the indestructible for my refuge,
Him whom the snake of death will not devour.
My beloved dwells in my heart all day,
I have actually seen that abode of joy.
Meera's lord is Hari, the indestructible.
My lord, I have taken refuge with you, your maidservant
-Meera
ISKCON Delhi temple, is a well known Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi.
"Chennakeshava Temple of Belur, is a 12th-century Hindu temple in the Karnataka state of India. It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River, an early Hoysala Empire capital. The temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. It was repeatedly damaged and plundered during wars, repeatedly rebuilt and repaired over its history."
"The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has been an active Hindu temple since its founding. It is reverentially described in medieval Hindu texts, and remains an important pilgrimage site in Vaishnavism. The temple is remarkable for its architecture, sculptures, reliefs, friezes as well its iconography, inscriptions and history. The temple artwork depicts scenes of secular life in the 12th century, dancers and musicians, as well as a pictorial narration of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas through numerous friezes."]
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Les Bishnoïs ou Vishnoï (de bish, « vingt » et noï, « neuf » en rajasthani, une forme dialectale de l'hindi), sont les membres d'une communauté vishnouïte surtout présente dans l'État du Rajasthan, majoritairement dans les régions de Jodhpur et de Bîkâner, et dans une moindre mesure dans l'État voisin de l'Haryana en Inde. Elle a été créée par le guru Jambeshwar Bhagavan, appelé communément Jambaji (1451-1536).
Les Bishnoïs sont des hindous vaishnav qui suivent vingt-neuf principes édictés par leur gourou (d'où leur nom). Ils se caractérisent par leur végétarisme, leur respect strict de toute forme de vie (non-violence, ahimsâ), leur protection des animaux et des arbres, leur tenue vestimentaire particulière1. On les définit souvent comme ayant une forte conscience écologique. Les Bishnoïs vivaient paisiblement dans des villages isolés loin des centres de peuplement, mais depuis une dizaine d'années, ils sont de plus en plus nombreux à vivre en ville. Ils seraient environ 700 000 dans l'ouest de l'Inde. Ce sont les rares hindous à enterrer leurs morts, du fait du bois vert (venant d'un arbre vivant, non mort) qu'il faudrait couper pour la crémation (les sadhus vishnouites, eux non plus, ne sont pas brûlés après leur mort, mais enterrés, généralement en position assise ; le site où ils sont enterrés devient un endroit
ISKCON Delhi temple, is a well known Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi.
One of the largest fountain in the world, Buckingham fountain is pleasing to look at, specially in the backdrop of Chicago skyline.
Lovely location and must shoot for photographers, if you are in Chicago.
Radha Krishna is a Hindu deity. Krishna is often referred as svayam bhagavan in Gaudiya Vaishnavism theology and Radha is a young woman, a gopi who is Krishna's supreme beloved. With Krishna, Radha is acknowledged as the Supreme Goddess, for it is said that she controls Krishna with Her love.[2] It is believed that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha "enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme goddess of all. Radha Krishna"
Copyright reserved by Mirza Imran Khan
Radha’s heart,
Paths to Kṛṣṇa,
Love’s journey unfolds.
In the Hindu tradition, Lord Kṛṣṇa is often depicted as having both male and female qualities, which is known as Ardhanarishvara. Therefore, some male devotees of Lord Krishna choose to dress as women to express their devotion and to emulate the gender fluidity of the deity.
This practice is known as "Radha Bhava" or "Radha Bhakti" and is particularly popular among the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism. Radha, who is believed to be a female companion and lover of Lord Krishna, is considered the embodiment of devotion and love for the deity. By dressing as Radha, male devotees hope to experience the same love and devotion that she had for Lord Krishna. The practice is also seen as a way to overcome gender and social barriers in expressing devotion to the deity.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goud_Saraswat_Brahmin
Goud (also written as Gowd or Gowda or Gaud) Saraswat Brahmins(Konkani:गौड़ सारस्वत,Kannada:ಗೌಡ ಸಾರಸ್ವತ್,Malayalam:ഗൌഡ് സാരസ്വത്) are primarily a Konkani speaking Hindu Brahmin community in India and a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community. They are popularly referred to as GSBs.
The meaning of the word 'Saraswat' has more than one origin. One refers to 'offspring of Saraswati'[citation needed] , the Goddess of learning applied usually to learned and scholarly people. It may also denote the residents of Saraswati river basin. The brahmins of this region who are referred to as 'Saraswats' in Mahabharata and Puranas were learned in Vedic lore[citation needed] . They concentrated on studying subjects like astronomy, metaphysics, medicine and allied subjects and disseminating knowledge[citation needed] .
Due to geo-morphosis in the Himalayas, the Saraswati began to dry up and the Saraswats were forced to migrate to greener pastures. Some went to Kashmir in the north, others went eastwards. Few made their way to the Konkan and Goa. These came to be recognized as Goud Saraswats or Dakshinatya Saraswats, to distinguish them from other Saraswat groups of North.
Lord Parshurama with Saraswati brahmin settlers commanding Lord Varuna to make the seas recede to make the Konkan .
The new immigrants were called 'Goud' because they were followers of Monism or Advaita as preached by Goudapadacharya, who was guru of Govinda Bhagavatpada whose direct disciple was the great Shankaracharya, who resurrected Hinduism or Vedic religion in India. The first math of Saraswats dedicated to the memory of Goudapadacharya was established in Kaivalyapura or Kavale in Goa in the 8th century A.D. To this day, the swamis of Kavale math are known as Goudapadacharyas. Kavale Math is Goud Saraswat Community's Adimath (first math) and three main sub-sects of Dakshinatya Saraswats, viz., Sashtikar (Dorke including Bardeshkars), Shenvis (Karbharis), and Chitrapur Saraswats (Bhanaps) were all known as Goud Saraswats or Konkani Brahmins till three-hundred years ago. Other Saraswat subsects include Kudladeskars, Pednekars, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins and Balavalikars.
In the 13th century, Dwaita (Vaishnava) philosophy advocated by Madhvacharya became popular and many Saraswats adopted vaishnavism. They continued to worship the deities they brought with them from the North. These were 'Mahan Girish' or Mangueshi, Shakti or Shanta durga, Vishnu, Ganesh and Surya. They form the 'Panchayatan' or five deities, sacred to all Saraswats.
Goud Saraswats were in all the kingdoms of the western coast under different dynasties right from 6th century A.D. Kadamba, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala, Chalukya Shilahara and Vijayanagara kings had given important posts to Saraswats. There were admirals, treasurers, ambassadors, army chiefs and foreign language-interpreters among them. They were famous traders, who conducted maritime trade with Eastern and Western countries of the contemporary world. The spoken language of Saraswats is Konkani.
The Portuguese traders followed by Christian missionaries. Forcible conversions began to take place under the patronage of Portuguese government in 1560 A.D. Most of the Saraswat families left Goa with their family deities, risking life and limb. They settled down in the adjoining Hindu principalities. New temples came up in the coastal districts of Karnataka for Saraswat deities. When conditions improved in Goa and forcible conversions stopped, the idols were taken back to newly constructed temples in Goa. They are not in the original ancient spots, where churches were built, destroying earlier temples. Many people migrated to Kerala and built temples mainly dedicated to Vishnu and his different avatars. Kashi Math at Kochi came up in 1560 A.D. and at Bhatkal in 1540 A.D. This was shifted to Gokarn hence known as Gokarn Jeevottama Partakali Math to include the name of famous Saint-Pontiff by the name Jeevottam of the Math stationed at Partakal or Partakali, Goa. Finally, this Math was established at Canacona in Goa. All the Vaishnav Saraswats are Kulavis (followers) of either Kashi Math or Gokarn Math. 'Smarth' Saraswats owe allegiance to either Kavale Math or Chitrapur Math.
Saraswats continued to hold important posts under Keladi or Nagar rulers. Many families who emigrated from Goa settled down in smaller towns and villages in Shimoga, South and North Kanara Districts. Saraswats were the first beneficiaries of English education introduced in 1840 A.D
Total population
300,000 (approx)
Regions with significant populations
Primary populations in:
* Goa
* Maharashtra
* Karnataka
* Kerala
Populations in:
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Arab States
Languages
Konkani, Marathi,Kannada,Malayalam
Religion
Hinduism
* Divisions based on Veda
o Rigvedi
* Divisions based on sect
o Smartha
o Madhwa
Related ethnic groups
* Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman
* Daivajna
* Padye
* Bhatt Prabhu
* Chitpavan
3 shots panorama stiched using Lightroom 6.
Baltimore downtown skyline view from inner harbor. Taken from near science center, early morning view.
Fall colors started appearing in few parts of state !
Taken at black hill regional park in montegomery county.
It was accidental for me to see almost full moon rising over Jefferson memorial with lovely cherry trees on foreground.
couldn't resist myself to take a composite . multi exposure shot !
2 shots , composite done using 5D MKIII built in functionality.
Photo by: Darshan Vaishnav
Vishnu Sanskrit: विष्णु, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, and the Supreme Being in its Vaishnavism tradition. Vishnu is the "preserver" in the Hindu trinity (Trimurti) that includes Brahma and Shiva.
In Vaishnavism, Vishnu is identical to the formless metaphysical concept called Brahman, the supreme, the Svayam Bhagavan, who takes various avatars as "the preserver, protector" whenever the world is threatened with evil, chaos, and destructive forces. His avatars most notably include Rama in the Ramayana and Krishna in the Mahabharata. He is also known as Narayana, Jagannath, Vasudeva, Vithoba, and Hari. He is one of the five equivalent deities worshipped in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta Tradition of Hinduism.
In Hindu iconography, Vishnu is usually depicted as having a dark, or pale blue complexion and having four arms. He holds a padma (lotus flower) in his lower left hand, Kaumodaki gada (mace) in his lower right hand, Panchajanya shankha (conch) in his upper left hand and the Sudarshana Chakra (discus) in his upper right hand. A traditional depiction is Vishnu reclining on the coils of the serpent Shesha, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi, as he "dreams the universe into reality"
Lovely fog was settling down in beautiful colored trees ..!! It was much more appealing and this picture doesn't justify the beauty I witnessed !!
Photo by: Darshan Vaishnav
[Explored on 2011-11-08 # 246 and made it to # 49 . Thanks a lot to all flickr friends..]
Street tea stalls are most thriving places anywhere in India. I am pretty much sure they are doing more business then upscale coffee shops.
This photo was taken a place where daily "CASH" revenue is about $750 (That is way too much more then I make in USA..:( )
My fav photo so far .. and I am sure many of you will like it too..
EXPLORED #77
Location: Sunrise at St. Martins Island, Bay of bengal, Bangladesh
If you have few minutes, enjoy the Dhun Vaishnav Jan To based on Gujrati Bhajan on bansuri/flute by Prasad Bhandarkar composed on Raga Mishra Khamaj
NO GRAPHICS PLEASE
It was bright sunny afternoon with clouds at Rehoboth Beach. So thought to take a long exposure shot with 10 stop ND filter. !!
Photo by: Darshan Vaishnv
The festival of Holi is celebrated because of a story in the old Hindu religion. In Vaishnavism, Hiranyakashipu is the great king of demons, and he had been granted a boon by Brahma, which made it almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was due to his long penance, after which he had demanded that he not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra". Consequently, he grew arrogant and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshipping Gods and start praising respectfully to him.
Hiranyakashipu, on the lap, being killed by Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu
According to this belief, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continued offering prayers to Vishnu. He was poisoned by Hiranyakashipu, but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlada to sit on a pyre in the lap of Holika, Hiranyakashipu's demoness sister, who also could not die because she had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire. Prahlada readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed. The salvation of Prahlada and burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi.
Chennakeshava Temple, also referred to as Keshava, Kesava or Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur, is a 12th-century Hindu temple in, Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur, an early Hoysala Empire capital. The temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. It was repeatedly damaged and plundered during wars, repeatedly rebuilt and repaired over its history. Chennakesava (lit, "handsome Kesava") is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu and has been an active Hindu temple since its founding. It is reverentially described in medieval Hindu texts, and remains an important pilgrimage site in Vaishnavism. The temple is remarkable for its architecture, sculptures, reliefs, friezes as well its iconography, inscriptions and history. The temple artwork depicts scenes of secular life in the 12th century, dancers and musicians, as well as a pictorial narration of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas through numerous friezes. It is a Vaishnava temple that reverentially includes many themes from Shaivism and Shaktism, as well as images of a Jina from Jainism and the Buddha from Buddhism. The Chennakeshava temple is a testimony to the artistic, cultural and theological perspectives in 12th-century South India and the Hoysala Empire rule.
Tucked away in the Western part of Assam state (North East India), the island of Majuli lies on the Brahmaputra, one of Asia's greatest rivers. It is home to different tribal communities, such as the Mising people, and is the heart of neo Vaishnavism, a tolerant and nonconformist Assamese movement initiated in the 15th century by social and religious reformer Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Several sattras (monasteries), remain important centres of Sattriya art and culture, where Sakardeva's philosophy is taught and where different generations of Bhakats (artist monks) live in peaceful harmony.
But behind the idyllic peacefulness of this rural and spiritual watery world the reality is quite harsh. Much of Majuli's land keeps disappearing under water every year, as the Brahmaputra erodes the island faster and faster after each Monsoon. 'Majuli is in danger', everyone says and it is both hard and painful to imagine that the greedy Brahmaputra waters may soon submerge what was once the greatest river island in the world.
The sandbanks of Majuli, Assam, India. 2016
ISKCON Delhi temple, is a well known Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi.
Teli ka Mandir, also known as Telika Temple, is a Hindu temple located within the Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh, India. Dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Matrikas, it has been variously dated between the early 8th and early 9th century CE.
It is an unusual Hindu temple, as it has a rectangular sanctum instead of the typical square. It integrates the architectural elements of the Nagara style and the Valabhi prasada that looks like the Dravidian wagon-vault topped gopuram superstructure. The temple is based on a Pratihara-Gopagiri style North Indian architecture.
The temple is a classic example of a design based on "musical harmonics" in architecture, one that Hermann Goetz called as a masterpiece of late Gupta era Indian art.
The Telika Mandir is generally dated to between 8th and 9th century based on paleography, art-style, architectural design and small inscriptions found within the temple premises. According to Michael Meister, an art historian and a professor specializing in Indian temple architecture, the temple was built by 750 CE, per the most recently discovered inscriptions in Gwalior. George Michell, another art historian and a professor specializing in Indian temples, the temple was complete by the 9th century. Bharne and Krusche place the temple between 700 and 750 CE, while Allen places it in the 8th century.According to Allen, some local literature states it to be from the 11th century, but the evidence suggests that this late chronology is inaccurate. According to Bajpai, the temple may have been built during the reign of the Gurjara-Pratihara Mihira Bhoja.
The temple shows signs of extensive damage and change. It was badly damaged in the plunder raids by Muslim army of Qutb-ud-din Aibak and his successor Iltutmish in 1232 CE along with other temples in the fort following a jauhar, parts of the ruins were then used to apparently build a mosque nearby. The mosque was in turn apparently destroyed by Hindu Maratha army centuries later. The temple was restored by the Hindus after the desecration by Iltutmish forces, which speculated Cunningham, may explain some of the features that appear from a later era. The temple has icons and inscriptions related to all three major traditions of Hinduism: Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism. One of the inscriptions, for example, is a metrical hymn about Durga. The relief work includes a prominent Garuda, the vahana of Vishnu. Inside the temple is a Shiva linga.
The temple was in ruins in the 19th century. Between 1881 and 1883, repairs to the temple were initiated by Major Keith, an officer of the Royal Scots Regiment stationed in Gwalior.
Radha Kund near the holy city of Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh,India.This little town containing the two lakes -Radha Kund and Shyam Kund- is considered the holiest in the Braj area by the Gaudia Vaishnavs or followers of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,the Bhakti Saint of Bengal.The Braj area in western Uttar Pradesh is the land of Lord Krishna and the city of Mathura is his birthplace.
Was foggy and bit rainy weather but got lucky to get few shots of fall colors around Blackwater Falls state park.
Photo by: Darshan Vaishnav
The magnificient temple complex is one of the finest monuments built by the Hoysalas and is regarded as the most exquisite shrine of the South. Its construction was initiated in 1117 A.D., at the instance of King Vishnuvardhana and was completed by his son Narasimha I and grandson, Veera Ballala II. According to historical records, it took about 103 Years to complete this profusely sculpted masterpiece of Hoysala architecture. The temple is said to be built to commemorate the victory of Hoysalas over the Cholas in the great battle of Talakkad. Some also believe that it was constructed when Vishnuvardhana adopted Vaishnavism under the influence of the great Guru Sri Ramanujacharya. The ornamental temple was built in chloritic Schist, a light green soapstone, ideal for carving which acquires granite like harness after getting exposed to the atmosphere.
TEMPLE COMPLEX:
The huge temple complex enclosed by a high wall has a large paved courtyard with a main temple surrounded by subsidiary shrines, colonnades and other structures. There are two gateways, but only the main eastern gateway is crowned by a gopuram, which was built in 1397, by gunda, a general of Vijayanagara King Harihara II, after the original Mahadwara was burnt down by Ganga Salaer, a officer of Tughalaks during the invasion and seize of the shrine. The Vijayanagara kings alos considered the presiding deity as their Kuldevta of patron courtyard is dedicated to Lord Vijayanarayan or Keshava, one of the twenty four forms of Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity is popularly known as Chenna Keshava or the 'handsome' Keshava. The Chenna Keshava temple facing Channigraya. Some other important temples here are of Narasimha, Anjeaneya etc. The courtyard has an idol of Praying Garuda sthambha or pillar erected during the Vijayanagara era and a Deepa sthamba built by the Hoysalas.
TEMPLE PLAN:
The temple is built in charecteristic stellate plan of the Hoysalas and looks like a carved casket made of wood and polished to perfection. It is larger in size as compared with other Hoysalas temples and is about 443 ft. long and 396 ft broad. The main temple set on a raised platform (Jagati) is 178 ft. long from east to west and 156 ft broad from North to South. The platform is also star shaped,similar to the temple built upon it. It is an example of ekakuta vimana or single shrine design. The temple comprises of a garbha griha (Sanctum sanctorium), a large sukhanasi (vestibule) connecting the navaranga mandapa (pillared hall) and garbha griha. The navaranga mandapa noted for its lathe turned pillars and capital was originally an open one, with only parapets. Later on , the space between parapet and the roof was covered by beautiful filigreed panels or pierced window screens depicting puranic themes and geometrical designs, while the base of the temple is decorated with eight levels of horizontal friezes.The unusual Vimana (tower) of the sanctum, made of brick and mortar was supported by wood work and plated with gold glided copper sheets. Unfortunately, the crumbling vimana had to be dismantled in 1879, to protect the main sanctum. The tower was built in bhumija style and not in the regular star shape. The curvelinear outline with a central verticle band and four coulmns of miniature nagar nikharas per side makes it a type of nagara (North India) tower. This type towers can be seen on the miniature shrines.
The Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, in Puri in the state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India. The temple is an important pilgrimage destination. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. These gave their name to the English term Juggernaut. Unlike the stone and metal icons found in most Hindu temples, the image of Jagannath is made of wood and is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by an exact replica. It is one of the Char Dham.
The temple is sacred to all Hindus and especially in those of the Vaishnava traditions. Many great saints, such as Ramananda and Ramanuja, were closely associated with the temple. Ramanuja established the Emar Mutt near the temple and the Govardhan Mutt, which is the seat of one of the four Shankaracharyas. It is also of particular significance to the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism whose founder Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years.
Souce: Wikipedia
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam
Srirangam est le premier des huit sanctuaires de Vishnu. Ce temple est également connu sous le nom de Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, ou encore Bhogamandabam. Dans le langage Vaishnava, le terme "koïl" signifie seulement ce temple énorme en taille. Le complexe du temple mesure 80 hectares entourés par sept prakaras ou enceintes. A l'intérieur des prakaras, 21 tours dravidiennes offre une vue unique sur le complexe édifié sur une île entre les rivières Cauvery et Coleroon.
Majuli bhakats (monks) chanting in the satra namghar, the prayer hall or sacred heart of the monastery, Assam, India. 2016
Taken at Rehoboth beach around sunrise time. Very cloudy morning made sunrise colors disappear but managed to get my hands on slow shutter :)
Photo by: Darshan Vaishnav
Tucked away in the Western part of Assam state (North East India), the island of Majuli lies on the Brahmaputra, one of Asia's greatest rivers. It is home to different tribal communities, such as the Mising people, and is the heart of neo Vaishnavism, a tolerant and nonconformist Assamese movement initiated in the 15th century by social and religious reformer Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Several sattras (monasteries), remain important centres of Sattriya art and culture, where Sakardeva's philosophy is taught and where different generations of Bhakats (artist monks) live in peaceful harmony.
But behind the idyllic peacefulness of this rural and spiritual watery world the reality is quite harsh. Much of Majuli's land keeps disappearing under water every year, as the Brahmaputra erodes the island faster and faster after each Monsoon. 'Majuli is in danger', everyone says and it is both hard and painful to imagine that the greedy Brahmaputra waters may soon submerge what was once the greatest river island in the world.
Assam, India. 2016
I was happy to experience the annual Baul festival -- lots of people! They estimated over 100K for each day. Lots of remarkable music. Here's the short Wiki description...
"The Baul (Bengali: বাউল) are a group of mystic minstrels of mixed elements of Sufism and Vaishnavism from different parts of Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam's Barak Valley and Meghalaya. Bauls constitute both a syncretic religious sect of troubadours and a musical tradition. Bauls are a very heterogeneous group, with many sects, but their membership mainly consists of Vaishnava Hindus and Sufi Muslims. They can often be identified by their distinctive clothes and musical instruments. Lalon Shah is regarded as the most celebrated Baul saint in history.
Although Bauls constitute only a small fraction of the Bengali population, their influence on the culture of Bengal is considerable. In 2005, the "Baul tradition of Bangladesh" was included in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO."