Showing posts with label Hindu. Show all posts

Sunday, 2 January 2011

Tirupati Tirumala Online Service E-Darshan in India

The E-Darshan is the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) online services to pilgrims in India on a single window system. The system enables a devotee to book special darshan, Archana Anthara Darshan, Nijapada Darshanam and accommodation at Tirumala in advance. At present there are 43 online centers in India. Now it is also possible to do all the Tirupati booking and get information through phone from the comfort of your home.

Pilgrims to Tirupati Tirumala Balaji temple can reserve for pujas and darshan minimum 2 days and maximum 60 days in advance. Each Pilgrim has to offer his finger print and photo will be captured at the time of booking.

E-Darshan facility is available at all district headquarters in Andhra Pradesh. New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pondicherry, Kolhapur, Pune, Salem, Erode, Bhimavaram and Naidupeta are the other cities and towns with E-Darshan facility. The darshan counters are managed by TTD.

At present the special darshan ticket costs Rs.50 each, Archana Anthara Darshan tickets are priced at Rs.200 each, Nijapada Darshanam costs Rs.200 each (only on Fridays) and accommodation at Tirumala starts from Rs100.

The address of the E-Darshan counters in the various towns and cities can be found here.

Another simple option, provided you have credit cards or debit cards, is the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams e-service. You will also need to upload your photo and have a photo id card.

Download Panchangam 2010-2011 in English PDF format – Vikruti Nama Samvatsara Panchanga

This Panchangam for year 2010 - 2011 in English is the Soorya Siddhantha, Vikruti Samvatsara Panchanga from the famous Thanjavur Panchangam publication. Based on Tamil and Kannada Panchangam, the calendar is for March 2010 to April 2011. This particular Panchangam concentrates more on auspicious dates, Muhurtas and festivals associated with Kannada, Tamil and Telugu Culture.

The Panchangam is easy to use and contains all the basic information in a simple format. There is also a special page dedicated to Panchanga Shravanam. Please note that this Panchangam does not contain any astrological predictions.

You can read the Panchangam in pdf format online and download and save copy with the latest version of Adobe Acrobat.

The Panchangam can be downloaded from here – English Panchangam 2010 – 2011.

Please note that you will need adobe acrobat to read the English Panchangam.

Symbolic Meaning of Acts Performed During Hindu Pujas and Prayers

A simple prayer before the deity with hands folded and placed near the heart is the most common form of praying in Hindu religion. But there are also various other acts that Hindus perform while praying like lighting the lamp, offering flowers and leaves, burning camphor or offering food etc. In Hinduism, each act performed has a symbolic meaning.

Sprinkling of Water and Sipping while doing Puja

Sprinkling of water symbolically performs the purification of the surroundings. Sipping of water is purification of oneself.

Lighting of Lamp

It symbolizes removal of ignorance and ushering in of knowledge. The wick in the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally the ego (wick) perishes. (More details in this post)

Burning of Camphor

Burning of camphor symbolizes the destruction of our egos and arrogance. When ego melts what is left is the pure Self.

Lighting of Incense and Agarbathis

This is used for fragrance which symbolically suggests the presence of the deity and the love of deity.

Performing Aarati or waving of lamp around the deity

Waving of lamp and camphor around the deity is symbolically an act of surrender.

Breaking of Coconut

Symbolically breaking of coconut is act of destruction of one’s ego. Coconut kernel and the water is also considered to be the purest form of offering that a devotee can make. (more details in this post)

Offering of Betel leaves and Betel nuts

Betel leaves and nuts symbolize fertility and is usually offered for the birth of children at home. It is also part of all important pujas in South India.

Bells Rung during Puja

The bells that are rung during puja are to keep out other noises and it is also a means of celebrations. Bells rung in the beginning is done to ward away evil forces.

Offering of Food or nevediya

Symbolically, offering of good indicates a thanksgiving to the deity. It is an act of sharing God’s bounty. It is then distributed as 'prasad.' What is offered should be shared with the poor and the needy.

Offering of Flowers

Flowers are offered basically because of their fragrance and due to the association of a particular flower with a particular deity. For example Bilva leaf is associated with Lord Shiva and Tulsi with Lord Vishnu. Puranas have stories which explain why a particular flower is associated with a particular deity.

On the symbolic level, the flowers and leaves are picked up with five fingers and is offered with all five fingers. It is usually placed at the feet of the deity. The five fingers symbolically indicate the five senses and thereby surrendering of it before the deity.

Flowers are also offered by bringing it close to one’s heart. This symbolically suggests that one is offering the soul or atma to the deity.

Walking thrice around the deity or Pradakshina

In some places mainly in temples people walk around the Sanctum Sanctorum three times in clockwise direction. It is symbolically to cross the nether world, earth and heaven to reach Brahman. (More details in this post)

Knocking the two ends of forehead before Pujas in South India

Some devotees knock the two ends of forehead before beginning prayer and puja in South India. It is believed that the nerves connecting to the intellect passes through these two ends and the knocking is to invoke Lord Ganesha, the god of Budhi (intellect).

Arms crossed across the chest and holding ear tips

In South India, Hindus while praying knock both the sides of forehead and then put arms crossed across the chest and hold ear tips and then sits and stands before the deity a few times. This is known was Thoppukaranam in South. It is a sort of self-imposed penance and praying for forgiveness.

Kali Comic from Virgin Comics

Kali, sorry it is Kaali for Virgin Comics, is part of Deepak Chopra’s India Authentic Series. This is the second comic book, first being Ganesha. Kaali is the story of ‘the most primal and feared aspect of the Indian Mother Goddess.’

I guess the introductory tag explains it all. Instead of modern mechanized villains, we will be served demons from Hindu mythology and for a change the heroine is not a beauty but monstrous in appearance than the villains.

Read what Virgin Comics has to say about Kaali

She was born in a crimson haze. She bathed in the blood of a thousand hearts, devoured a million creations and smeared on herself, the ashes of infinity…and then she slept.

When Rakta Veej the blood demon and his unstoppable army of blood spawns lay siege to Amaravati, the city of Gods, the Gods desperately invoke the slumbering Vampiric spirit of Kaali to destroyer to fight their battle. But once the battle is done, will Kaali stop there? Or will her primal instincts cause her to turn on the Gods themselves?

It looks; the comic is going to be dominated by blood and battles. For the first time, Kali is compared to a Vampire – her instincts. There is no denying the fact that Kali is ferocious and provides scope for artistic exploration of ferocity.

Most modern interpretations of Kali, like this new comic, are nothing but an attempt to win over a young Western audience with ferociousness and demons. The Western audience is fed up with mechanized monsters. They need something fresh and Hindu mythology is an unexplored arena, which has lot of ferocious characters to tickle the imagination and fill the appetite of western readers.

But there is a spiritual angle to Kali and that is quite often purposefully forgotten in modern interpretations of the legend of Kali. The motherly aspect of Kali is being sidelined. She is benevolent and compassionate too. She becomes ferocious only when her children are in danger.

The comic Kaali is created by Deepak Chopra. It is written by Saurav Mahapatra. Illustrations and Cover Design is by Satish Tyade.

The comic will be released on June 13^th 2007.

Images are a property of Virgin Comics.

Hindu Festival Dates 2011

Hindu Festival Dates 2010

This is a list of important Hindu festival dates in 2010 based on various regional calendars followed in Hinduism. The same festival might be celebrated a day earlier or later in different parts of India.

January 2010

Makar Sankranti – 14th January, 2010

Pongal – 14th January, 2010

Haridwar Kumbh Mela begins on January 14, 2010

Basant Panchami – Saraswati Puja – 20th January, 2010

Ratha Saptami – 22nd January, 2010

Thaipusam – 30th January, 2010

February 2010

Shivratri – 12th February, 2010

Holi – 28th February, 2010

March 2010

Gudi Padwa – 16th March, 2010

Ugadi – 16th March, 2010

Cheti Chand - 16th March, 2010

Chaitra Navratri Begins – 16th March, 2010

Ram Navami – 24th March, 2010

Chaitra Navratri Ends – 24th March, 2010

Hanuman Jayanti – 30th March, 2010

April 2010

Tamil New Year – 14th April, 2010

Vishu Kerala – 15th April, 2010

Bengali New Year – 15th April, 2010

May 2010

Akshaya Tritiya – 16th May, 2010

Narasimha Jayanti – 26th May, 2010

June 2010

Vat Purnima – 25th June, 2010

July 2010

Puri Rath Yatra – 13th July, 2010

Guru Purnima – 25th July, 2010

August 2010

Nag Panchami – 14th August, 2010

Onam – 23rd August, 2010

Raksha Bandhan – 24th August, 2010

September 2010

Sri Krishna Jayanti – 1st September, 2010

Hartalika Tritiya – 10th September, 2010

Vinayaka or Ganesh Chaturthi – 11th September, 2010

Rishi Panchami – 12th September, 2010

Anant Chaturdasi – 22nd September, 2010

October 2010

Navratri begins – 8th October, 2010

Lalita Panchami – 11th October, 2010

Durga Ashtami – 15th October, 2010

Mahanavami – 16th October, 2010

Dasara – 17th October, 2010

Vijaya Dasami – 17th October, 2010

Kojagari Purnima – 22nd October, 2010

Sharad Purnima – 22nd October, 2010

Karwa Chauth – 26th October, 2010

November 2010

Dhantrayodashi – 3rd November, 2010

Diwali – 5th November, 2010

Annakut – 6th November, 2010

Gujarati New Year – 7th November, 2010

Bhai Dooj – 7th November, 2010

Chhath Puja – 11th November, 2010

Tulsi Vivah – 17th November, 2010

December 2010

Gita Jayanti – 17th December, 2010

Why did Ancient Hindu Temples have Sex Sculptures?

Why did Ancient Hindu Temples have Sex Sculptures?

Sex symbols have been associated with Hinduism from an early stage. These symbols were mainly part of nature worship. There is difference of opinion regarding the exact reason for sex sculptures in Hindu temples. And the notion of Hindu sex temples is wrong. A Classic example is Khajuraho were only 20% of the sculptures are sex sculptures that too they are depicted along with other aspects life.

Kama (materialistic living which includes sex) is one among the four paths suggested in Hinduism to merge with Brahman or to escape from rebirth (Moksha). Many scholars think these sculptures were meant to explain the ‘Kama’ aspect to people.

A closer study of Hinduism will reveal that sex was never a taboo during the ancient period. Some believe they were meant for sex education and there is nothing unnatural for temples to have them. In fact, the sex sculptures are all seen outside the Hindu temple along with other sculptures depicting materialistic way of life.

Buddhism had completely devoured Hinduism during the initial phase of 1st millennium. But soon the rigid Buddhist way of life began to create problems in the society. It is said that Hindu sages saw this as an opportunity to revive Hinduism. To invite people into family and sex life these sculptures were created.

The ancient Hindu kings of India were noted for their extravagance. Some scholars believe the sculptures were part this luxury.

Hinduism and Big Bang Theory The Cosmic Event in Upanishads and other Hindu Scriptures

Hinduism and Big Bang Theory: The Cosmic Event in Upanishads and other Hindu Scriptures

There are numerous theories regarding the origin of universe but the Big Bang model is the broadly accepted theory. But thousands of years before scientists came up with Big Bang model, did the sages of Upanishads knew about the cosmos wake up. In his long introductory essay in the book ‘The Big Bang and the Bhagavad Gita,’ R.A.S. Koacha suggests that the early saints of modern day Hinduism knew about this cosmic event through mystic insight.

Big Bang Theory postulates that 12 to 14 billion years ago, the portion of the universe we can see today was only a few millimeters across. It has since expanded from this hot dense state into the vast and much cooler cosmos we currently inhabit. (NASA)

Some of the conclusions from the book – ‘The Big Bang and the Bhagavad Gita,’ R.A.S. Koacha

Is Brahman an oblique reference of Big Bang?

The very name ‘Brahman’ representing the Ultimate Reality in Hindu religion appears to be nothing but an implicit reference to the ‘Big Bang’ itself. The word ‘Brahman’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘brh’ which means to ‘grow big’ without limit and can be an oblique reference to an explosion. Hence it is perhaps also called ‘Shabda Brahman’ in the scriptures as Brahman manifests itself as a ‘Sphota’ or explosion.

But Brahman is before and after Big Bang

However, Brahman being the one and only Reality, represents everything, including event the state of singularity before the Big Bang, as well as the whole manifested universe after it. As the point of singularity, Brahman is the impersonal absolute of pure timeless existence.

Big Bang is represented by Symbol OM

As all creation emerges from Brahman with the Big Bang, its symbol is the single syllable ‘OM’ (Shabda Brahman). The ‘OM’ is the only symbol used as a ‘Mantra’ (Invocation) by the seers of the Upanishads in meditation to attain oneness with the cosmos. It also represents the waking, dream and deep-sleep states of all living beings. Hence it is the appropriate symbol of Brahman in its transcendent as well as immanent aspects. Representing the primal sound of creation the ‘AUM’ symbolizes the manifesting sound (or vibration) of the ‘Big Bang’ which astronomers have detected as the residual cosmic emanation from that explosion.

Hindu Samkhya System Negates Creation Out of Nothing

In the Hindu Samkhya System we have the earliest refutation of the creation out of nothing (ex nihilo), and the first full-fledged theory of creation. According to Samkhya the effect preexists in the cause. There is nothing like a new creation but only a manifestation of what was already present in the cause in a potential form. Thus Prakriti or material nature is the primordial matrix or plenum out of which all material as well as psychic phenomena evolve. Mind and matter are but manifestations of the same principle. Prakriti is the homogenous universal field (Quantum field?) at first in a state of equilibrium, its three constituents the illuminating (Sattvic), activating (Rajasic) and restricting (Tamasic) being in a balanced state. When this balance is disturbed by the preponderance of one or the other of the constituents (Gunas) creation becomes inevitable.

The evolution of the manifold is succeeded by its involution and reabsorption back into the unitary state, only to be re-emitted after a period of potentiality. These processes are governed entirely by the tension between the forces among themselves and no extraneous agency is necessary to account for them.

The concepts of Narayana, Lila, Sankalpa are attempts by Upanishad Seers to simplify the complex Bing Bang Theory

The Upanishads are more cryptical in their description of creation. According to them the ONE (Brahman) wished to be many and creation is only an expression of its WILL (Sankalpa). Sometimes creation is depicted as divine play (LILA) of the Supreme Being. But any game will lose its meaning when the omniscient player knows all, from beginning to end. The scripture state that the universe originated from Narayana; Narayana is too difficult to interpret even in Sanskrit. He is very the Big Bang personified. (Jagat Narayanodbhavam)

The Bindu (dot) in Shaivism is the Few Millimeter Long Primordial Seed

The Kashmiri cult of Shaivism is more explicit in its account of creation. The whole universe was at first concentrated at one point or dot (Bindu). It is the Primordial Seed of creation. After a period of germination it undergoes an explosion (Sphota) resulting in the sound (Nada) of creation (OM). (Sound is used in the scriptures for all kinds of vibrations.) All creation (Kala) proceeds from this sound. Thus the doctrine of Nada, Bindu, and Kala is but an implied reference to the Big Bang theory of creation.

(Source: Excerpts from The Big Bang and the Bhagavad Gita by R.A.S. Kocha Published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai)

Purnima Vrat – Fasting on Full Moon

Purnima Vrat – Fasting on Full Moon

Purnima or Poornima is an auspicious day in Hinduism. Poornima is the full moon day and many important rituals and festivals takes place on full moon day. In South India, the day is known as Pournami. Upvaas (Fasting) is observed on this day by some people.

The Purnima Fasting begins at Sunrise and ends after sighting the Moon. Most people only take food after seeing the moon or after evening prayers.

In some places in South India, the Pournami Vratam is dedicated to Devi, Mother Goddess.

Special pujas are performed in temples on Poornima day including the Pournami Pooja.

Satyanarayana or Satya Narayana Puja is another important Pooja performed on the Purnima day.

Ghosts in Hindu Religion – the Preta Concept in Hinduism

Ghost in Hinduism is referred as ‘preta’, ‘pey’, ‘pret’ or ‘pretam.’ Do Hindus believe in ghosts? It depends on the individual but it is believed that majority believe in ghosts. The concept of ghosts in Hindu religion is often associated with those people who had an unnatural death like murder, accident, etc and those dead people who were not given proper Hindu dead rituals like Shraadha or Tarpan.

In Hinduism, there is the concept of Kshooshma shareera apart from the physical body. This Kshooshma shareera is a sort of carbon copy of all the impressions of the five senses of the physical body. It is said in the Brahma Sutra that this acquired impressions is carried by the soul when it leaves the body.

What is left of these impressions on natural world, also referred as pinda shareeram, are completely destroyed through the various rituals performed to the dead in Hindu religion.

So the primary aim of Hindu death rituals is to destroy all the impressions that are left of a dead person in natural world and to release the soul. Therefore, what is popularly referred as ghost is completely destroyed by Hindu dead ceremonies.

If you carefully examine all the ghost stories, you will realize that the ghosts are associated with those people who had met with an unnatural death or whose ‘pinda shareera’ was not destroyed through the usual Hindu dead rituals. Such ‘pinda shareera’ will only get destroyed after a longtime and the natural destruction will depend on the aspirations and desires of the ‘pinda shareera.’ And such people are believed to roam the graveyards and there are references in the Puranas of Lord Shiva having an army of pretas or ghosts.

Now can a preta enter another person’s body? No. This is against the basic tenant of Santana Dharma (Hinduism) as a body can only have a single soul.

But hearing about the unnatural death of a person can make the listener sympathize with the dead person. And sympathy will become empathy and it can go to such an extent that the listener will assume the role of an agent to help the person who had met with unnatural death. This particular aspect has been widely used in Indian movies and folk stories and is often misunderstood as ghost.

All latent impression of dead person referred as ‘pinda shareera’ is destroyed by Hindu dead rituals like Shraadha and Tarpana. So the question of such souls roaming around as ghosts does not exist. Those ‘pinda shareera’ that did not receive proper burial get destroyed in due natural course.

But the greatness of Santana Dharma is that while performing rituals to dead ancestors, people knowingly or unknowingly perform rituals to all the dead. Thus it is believed that annual sharaadha ceremony performed destroys all the latent impressions of all the dead. Thus what is called ghost is properly dealt in Hindu religion and is given proper rest through rituals.

Chess had its Origin in India and the Oldest Reference in the Ramayana

Even though it is widely accepted that the game of Chess had its origin in India, there are some people who would like to say, ‘the origin of Chess is lost in antiquity.’ Writing on the topic of Origin of Chess, Viswanathan Anand, Indian chess grandmaster and the current World No.1 player categorically states that chess comes from India.

In the article titled ‘The Indian Defense’ in Time, Anand says that he has heard the ownership of chess being claimed by Russians, Chinese, Ukrainians, Arabs, Iranians, Turks, Spaniards and Greeks.

Anand says that there is no doubt that the oldest reference of Chess is found in ancient Indian texts like the Ramayana, which was orally transmitted between 750 BC and 500 BC. He indicates that Chess was invented by Ravana, the king of Lanka, to play with his wife Mandodari. But the inventor was thoroughly defeated by his first opponent, Mandodari, according to Anand.

The world’s oldest political treatise, Arthashastra, written in 3rd Century BC by Chanakya talks about chess as a game of war strategy, known as chaturanga, played on an 8-by-8 board.

Chess traveled from India to Persia via Afghanistan. Arabs learned chess from Persia and they carried it to North Africa and from there it traveled to Europe. Chess became hugely popular in Spain. The 15th century conquest of Iberia by Catholic forces led by Queen Isabella I changed the rules of chess.

Anand Writes

On the board, the queen became the most important piece; the bishop replaced the camel and flanked the king and queen. (Modern chess is still played by rules formalized under Isabella's reign.) Around this time, the Spanish player Luis RamÍrez de Lucena wrote what may have been the first book about chess theory.

Soviet Russia which dominated Chess until the end of the 20th century was one of the last old world nations to receive chess. And the dawn of the present century saw the title of world chess champion coming to the land where it originated through Anand.

Lingam Puja

Lingam Puja – How to Worship Shivling at Home?

Shivling or Shiva lingam connects a devotee with the Supreme Being – Lord Shiva. The lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva and the lingam puja helps the devotee in understanding Lord Shiva. The Lord cannot be described but still we say he is without a beginning and an end and is without a form. It is difficult for a devotee to understand this formless nature. Therefore Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga before Brahma and Vishnu. The Lingam thus is a symbol of Lord Shiva. Each Lingam puja, step by step, takes the devotee to the eternal truth – that he/she is part of the Supreme Being.

Worshipping Shivling at Home

Before starting the Puja, the devotee takes a bath and wear freshly washed clothes. Hymns praising Lord Shiva or the mantra ‘om namaha shivayaa’ are repeated to create a mood for worship. Then, the devotee sits in front of the lingam and blows conch or ring bells. This indicates the beginning of the Puja.

First it is the panchamrit abhishek - the libation of five holy liquids over the lingam. The libation

can consist of any five of the following – water from river Ganga, honey, sugarcane juice, milk, yogurt, ghee, seawater, coconut water or milk, fragrant oils, rose water or other precious liquids. Usually, only milk of cow is used. While pouring the liquid, om namah shivaya is uttered. Some devotees utter the Lord’s name 108 times and some 1008 times. There is no fixed rule.

After the panchamrit abhishek, the lingam is cleaned with water from Ganga. (This is might not be possible always so just normal water.) After this the lingam is smeared with sandalwood paste and is decked with flowers. Water and sandalwood paste is used to keep the lingam cool, as Lord Shiva is always in a highly inflammable state. In some Shiva temples, cooling liquid constantly drops from pot hung above the Lingam.

Next, sweets, coconut and fruits are offered to the Lord. Camphor and incense are lit and ‘arati’ is conducted. Some devotees fan the lingam and sing praises of the lord.

Finally, ringing of bells or blowing of conch indicates the end of Puja. White ash (vibhuti) is rubbed on the forehead and it is also distributed. Fruits, sweets and coconut are distributed as ‘prasad.’

Hanuman Quiz – A quiz on the life of Hindu God Hanuman

HB Quiz 2 HB Quiz » Free Online Quizzes

This is a quiz based on the life of Hanuman. Majority of the questions are from the Ramayana.

You can take the quiz –

HB Quiz on Lord Ram » Quiz on Narasimha Incarnation of Vishnu

Please note that the quiz is an embedded file and is hosted on another website.

If there are any corrections please post it on the comment section or send it on our email address.

Wrongly quoting Bhagavad Gita to explain the mass destruction caused by US and its allies

Wrongly quoting Bhagavad Gita to explain the mass destruction caused by US and its allies

An article appearing in FPIF on the mass destruction caused by United States and its allies quotes Bhagavad Gita to explain the nature of destruction. The article written by Conn Hallinan is titled “The Vishnu Strategy” (no idea what that strategy is) and quotes from the Bhagavad Gita.

The Supreme Lord said: I am death, the mighty destroyer of the world, out to destroy.” According to the great Hindu text Bhagavad-Gita, Vishnu delivered that speech to Prince Arjuna before a great battle almost eight millennia ago.

The author seems to be influenced by Robert Oppenheimer who quoted from Gita to describe the explosion of the atomic bomb. Firstly, it was not Vishnu who delivered Bhagavad Gita but Lord Krishna. Since Krishna being the incarnation of Lord Vishnu for argument sake the statement can be accepted.

The above said quote is from the eleventh chapter of Bhagavad Gita (verse 32). And Conn Halliman has not taken the entire quote but mutilated it to suit his article.

I am death,
The mighty destroyer of the world, out to destroy.
Even without your participation all the warriors
Standing arrayed in the opposing armies
Shall cease to exist.

Kalo’smi lokaksayakrt-pravrddho
Lokan smahartum-iha pravrttah|

rte’pi twam na bhavisyanti sarve
ye’vasthitah pratyanikesu yodhah||

The term used for death in the verse is ‘Kal’ which also means ‘Time’ so the verse also means

Time am I, that comes to destroy worlds, grown mature, engaged here in subduing the world. Even without thee, all the warriors stationed in the opposite ranks shall not be. (Translated by Shakuntala Rao Shastri)

Krishna is here removing the ignorance of Arjuna by pointing out that ‘Time’ or ‘death’ will anyway consume all those that you are worrying for. When Krishna says ‘Time am I’ he is saying that he is Brahman or the ultimate truth.

So what is the article dealing with?

An Israeli commander recently expressed regret on the recent war against Lebanon by Israel.

From the article

The latest channeling of the Hindu god can be found in an Israeli commander's evaluation of last summer's war with Lebanon: “What we did was insane and monstrous, we covered entire towns in cluster bombs.”

The commander was decrying the way Israel, the United States, and Great Britain wage war these days, which has increasingly become an exercise in mass destruction. In the last five years, Vishnu has visited Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon. The result has been death and ruin on a biblical—or more aptly, a Bhagavad-Gita—scale.

The writer concludes that US and its allies are employing Vishnu Strategy.

What does this mean? What has Bhagavad Gita and Lord Vishnu to do with the mass destruction carried out by fascist governments?

Krishna did not ask Arjuna to kill innocent people but asked to fight for his existence. Shying away from defending one's existence is against the law of nature. Every living being has the right to live in nature until nature consumes it. Often human beings out of his/her ignorance do not perform the required duty. Krishna was only removing the ignorance of Arjuna which was acting as an impediment from him performing his duty.

If United States and its allies are creating mass destruction it is out of the ignorance of the ruling class.

Tirupati Laddu Facts

Tirupati Laddu Facts

Laddu, or Ladoo, is one of the most important offering and prasadam given to devotees at the Tirumala Tirupati Lord Venkateswara Temple. Tirupati Laddu is a spherical-shaped sweet made of flour and sugar. In fact, Tirupati and the huge laddus are synonymous. It is a customary duty of a devotee returning from Tirupati Balaji Temple to distribute ‘laddu’ as prasadam to his neighbors, friends and relatives.

Some quick facts about Tirupati Laddu

Around 150,000 laddus are made daily.
One laddu is given free to each devotee; the number of daily devotees that visit the temple is around 50,000.
A devotee can buy extra two laddus – a small laddu costs 25 rupees and big laddu costs 100 rupees.
The revenue from the sale of laddu annually is more than 11 million rupees.

Each laddu weighs around 100gms and is huge when compared with the normal laddu found in shops.
There is a super huge Tirupati Laddu known as Kalyana Laddu and it weighs around 500gms – ½ a kilogram.
Single largest laddu made is said to have weighed 32 kg.

The tradition of Tirupati Laddu is nearly 300 years old.
It is prepared by special hereditary priests known as archakas in special temple kitchen known as ‘potu’.

Ingredients used in Tirupati Laddu are Besan flour (kadalai mavu), Sugar, Cashew nuts, Cardamom, Ghee, Oil, Sugar candy, Raisins and Almonds.

On a day around 5000 kg of Besan flour is used.
Sugar around 10000 kg.
Cashew nuts around 600 kg.
Cardamom 150 kg
Ghee 300 liters
Sugar candy 400 kg
Raisins 540 kg

The ingredients are bought at the auction at the Commodities and Spices Exchange in Kochi.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTDs) the administrating body of the temple is planning to patent the Tirupati Laddu to stop counterfeits.

Lingam Puja – How to Worship Shivling at Home?

Lingam Puja – How to Worship Shivling at Home?
Shivling or Shiva lingam connects a devotee with the Supreme Being – Lord Shiva. The lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva and the lingam puja helps the devotee in understanding Lord Shiva. The Lord cannot be described but still we say he is without a beginning and an end and is without a form. It is difficult for a devotee to understand this formless nature. Therefore Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga before Brahma and Vishnu. The Lingam thus is a symbol of Lord Shiva. Each Lingam puja, step by step, takes the devotee to the eternal truth – that he/she is part of the Supreme Being.

Worshipping Shivling at Home

First it is the panchamrit abhishek - the libation of five holy liquids over the lingam. The libation

Next, sweets, coconut and fruits are offered to the Lord. Camphor and incense are lit and ‘arati’ is conducted. Some devotees fan the lingam and sing praises of the lord.

Somvar Vrat – Monday Fasting Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva

Somvar Vrat – Monday Fasting Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva

Upvaas, or fasting, in Hinduism is mainly observed for the fulfillment of a vow. Upvas is also referred as 'Vrats.' But 'Vrat' has a wider meaning and it is not just curtailed to the fasting observed for material or other gains. Each day in a week is dedicated to one or more of the gods in the Hindu pantheon. A particular deity is appeased by the devotee on a particular day. Thus Monday is usually dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Upvass, or fasting, on Mondays begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. On the day, food is only eaten after evening prayer. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped on the day. Of course, no worship begins without remembering Lord Ganesha. The fasting on Mondays in the Shravan month is considered even more auspicious.

It is believed that those people who observe Upvaas on Monday will have their desires fulfilled and will be blessed with wisdom. In some areas, fasting on Mondays is observed by unmarried women to get an ideal husband.

The reason for fasting on a day is usually traced back to a particular incident in one of the Hindu Puranas or folk tradition. There are numerous myths associated with a particular fast. The stories vary from region to region and from community to community.

Somvar Vrat, or Monday fasting, dedicated to Lord Shiva too has numerous stories. Among the several myths, three have gained popularity – the first is the story of a poor Brahmin gaining wealth due to Monday fasting, second is the story of a rich merchant begetting a son after long wait and the subsequent death of the son and his rebirth due to the grace of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the third story is the most famous involving the game of dice played between Shiva and Parvati.

Any Upvaas or Vrat is directly or indirectly connected with some sort of material comfort. This is a sweet lure used by ancient saints to attract a devotee to the concept of Brahman.

The concept of Brahman in Sanatana Dharma is not easily digestible to many people. And they are least bothered about Brahman concept all they need is material comfort. For this many devotees are ready to go to any extend. They are ready to observe any harsh vow. Ancient wise men used this tendency among the common people to spread the awareness of Brahman. During each upvas there are occasional flashes when a person thinks beyond material comforts. This is a realization of Brahman. Gradually many devotees begin to think beyond material comforts.

Significance of Amavasya

Amavasya, or Amavasi, is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night of the first quarter of the lunar month. Since the moon is invisible on the day, Amavasya is also referred as no moon night. Amavasi holds great importance in Hinduism. Many Hindus choose this day to make offering (tharpanam) to the dead ancestors. There is also an ongoing debate whether Amavasya is auspicious or inauspicious.

The term ‘Amavasya’ is commonly used in all regional languages in India. The fortnight that starts with Amavasya is also referred as the Shukla paksha (bright half of the month). Mauni Amavasya in Hindu Magh month (January – February) and Mahalya Amvasya in Ashwayuja (September – October) are highly auspicious. Similarly the Amavasi in Aadi month is of great importance in Tamil Nadu. The Amavasya in Karkidakam month is of importance in Kerala.

In some regions people observe partial fast (Upvaas) or a complete fast on the day.

Thanks to mainstream Indian movies, Amavasya is considered the ideal day to perform black magic and evil acts. Since there is no moon, Amavasya night is pitch dark and this provides the ideal setting to invoke evil powers.

Earlier it was advised not to travel on an Amavasya night. The logic being that there is no moonlight and this could invite lot of hardship and danger.

Many astrologers advise against performing any important ceremony on the day as moon and important planets in Hindu astrology are not visible. In some regions, people do perform certain auspicious deeds on the day. But largely no new beginnings or important ceremonies are held on the day.

Symbolically, the period from Amavasya to Purnima (full moon) is considered to be the gradual awakening and transcendence into the fullness. From darkness to the gradual realization of the Supreme Soul.

Hindu Temples and Sites in UNESCO World Heritage List

Prambanan Temple Compounds in Indonesia – The 10th century Prambanan Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are also temples dedicated to Lord Brahma and Vishnu and to the vehicles of the Trimurtis. The highlight of the temple is the Illustrations from Ramayana.

Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia – The largest Hindu temple in the world was built during the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. Angkor Wat Temple, the Bayon Temple and the countless sculptural decorations are part of the Angkor Archaeological Park.

Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape in Laos – Envisioned by the rulers of Khmer Empire, the Champasak cultural landscape, including the Vat Phou Temple complex, was shaped to express the Hindu vision of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountain top to river bank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks extending over some 10 km.

Katmandu Valley in Nepal – It consist of the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist Stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan.

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka – Temples built by Cholas during the 11th and 12th century is dotted with Hindu temples and deities. The architecture of the Hindu temples had a greater influence on the Buddhist temples in the region.

Ellora Caves in India – The 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora dating from A.D. 600 to 1000 are dedicated to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram in India – The seventh and eighth century Pallava monuments are noted for the temples in the form of chariots, cave sanctuaries, the famous ‘Descent of the Ganges’ and the thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva.

Sun Temple at Konark in India – This majestic representation of Surya's chariot was built in the 13th century.

Monuments in Hampi in India – These inspiring monuments of the great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara were built between 14th and 16th centuries.

Khajuraho Temples in India – Built in the 9th and 10th century by the Chandella Dynasty the temples are noted for its sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of temple sculptures in ancient India.

Elephanta Caves in India – Rock Art linked to Lord Shiva on an island in the Sea of Oman near Mumbai.

Great Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu, India - The 11th century Brihadisvara temple of Thanjavur, the 11th century Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the 12th century Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. A testimony of Chola architecture, sculpture, painting, and bronze casting.

Temples at Pattadakal – The 7th and 8th century Chalukya temples includes the famous Virupaksha Temple and an impressive array of eight temples.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Gujarat, India - The Kalikamata Temple on top of the Pavagadh Hill, chalcolithic sites and a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital. It is noted for ancient Hindu architecture, temples and special water retaining installations.

The Different Versions of the Ramayana in India

The original or Adi Ramayan by Sage Valmiki has been adapted or translated into the various regional languages in India. Majority of them are not mere literal translation instead they all have their own distinguishing features.

Ramcharitmanas written by Tulsidas in the 16th century is the Ramayana version popular in North India.

In Urdu, it the Pothi Ramayana written in 17^th century.

In Jammu and Kashmir, it is Kashmiri Ramavatara Charita written in 19th century.

In Punjab, it is the Ramavatara written in 17^th century by Guru Gobind Singh.

In Gujarat, it is the Tulsi-krita Ramayana a Gujarati adaptation of Tulisdas Ramayana in 17th century by poet Premanand.

In Maharashtra, it is the Marathi Bhavartha Ramayana written by Eknath in the 16^th century. There is also reference of Ramayana being translated into old Marathi during the 12^th or 13^th century.

In Assam, it is the Assamese Katha Ramayana or Kotha Ramayana in 15th century by Madhava Kandali.

In Bengal, it is the Bengali Krittivas Ramayan written by poet Krittivas in 15th century.

In Orissa, it is the Oriya Balramadasa Ramayana was adapted by Balarama Das in the 16th century.

In Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Ramayan is known as Sri Ranganatha Ramayana and was adapted by Buddha Reddy.

In Karnataka, it is Kannada versions of the Ramayan – the Kumudendu Ramayana (Jain version) in 13th century and the Kumara-Valmiki Torave Ramayana in 16th century. There is another one titled Ramachandra Charita Purana written by Nagachandra during the 13th century.

In Tamil Nadu, it is the most popular Tamil Kamba Ramayana written by poet Kamban in the 12th century.

In Kerala, it is the Malayalam Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipattu written by Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan in the 16th century.

Please note that this list is incomplete as there are more regional versions of this immortal epic. An exhaustive study needs to be conducted to identify all the regional versions of the Ramayana. Unfortunately, some regional languages are no longer in use and some languages have undergone severe changes and therefore Ramayana written in these languages might have disappeared completely.

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