TemplesofAsia

VASANT PANCHAMI  It has been a tradition to worship Devi Saraswati, considered the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, on Vasant Panchami day. It is believed that Saraswati emerged on this auspicious day. SARASWATI IN RIG VEDA The Rig Veda contains references to both Saraswati, the river and Saraswati, the goddess. In a hymn in Mandala 1,  composed by sage Madhuchanda (son of Vishwamitra), Devi Saraswati is addressed as “Dhivavasu” which literally means whose wealth is wisdom  o

Sri Gurubhyo Namah. Harihi Om.. The above Mantra appears in the opening verse of Rig Veda which is considered to be the oldest of the four Vedas. It contains 10 Mandalas and a total of 1028 Suktas. Interestingly,  the first Mandala doesn't have a specific name but is referred to simply as Madhyama Mandala.  The first Suktam, of the  first Mandala, called Agni Suktam, is dedicated to the fire God Agni. The suktam contains nine verses and the opening verse begins with Agni Meel

இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்  Iniya Pongal Nal Vazhthukkal PONGAL is the most important festival of the Tamils. The festival gets its name from the words Sarkarai Pongal (சர்க்கரை பொங்கல்), a sweet dish prepared and offered to the Sun god on this day.  By the way, do you know who invented the dish Sarkarai Pongal? The credit of this goes to the famous ancient Chera king Ilam Cheral Irumporai (இளம் சேரல் இரும் பொறை). It was this Chera king (period not accurately known but he di

Lord Shiva is usually worshipped in three different forms - as Lingam, as the dancing deity - Nataraja  and as the eternal teacher - Sri Dakshinamoorthy.  The Nataraja form of the Lord is basically associated with the cosmic dance called thandava. These thandavs are of several types and can be classified broadly into seven categories and are collectively called Sapta Thandavam. Nataraja is always seen in a dancing posture, with flowing matted hair and lifting his left leg a

TRI-NETRA DASA- BHUJA ANJANEYA SWAMI SRI RAJAGOPALA SWAMY TEMPLE, ANANTHA MANGALAM, TAMIL NADU  UNIQUENESS  It is the only Temple in the world where Sree Hanuman is depicted with three eyes and ten arms called Sree Trinetra Dasa Bhuja Veera Anjaneya Swamy.   LOCATION  It is located in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu about 6 Kms from Thirukadayur, the well known Shashti Abda Boorthi Sthalam, where devotees offer prayers on their 60th birthday. From Mayiladuthurai it's abou

In ancient times, among the various terms used to describe Brahmins, one was Vipra. I came across this in two of the popular Sanskrit Slokas: 1.Sri Sastha Pancharatna Stotram (composer unknown) विप्रपूज्यं विश्ववन्द्यं विष्णुशम्भोः प्रियं सुतम् । क्षिप्रप्रसादनिरतं शास्तारं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥ Vipra pujyam Vishwa vandhyam Vishnu Shambho priyam sutam Kshipra prasada niratam Sastharam pranamamyaham Interpretation: I bow in reverence before Lord Sastha, who is worshipped by learned B

A sincere attempt has been made by yours truly to collect, summarise and share all significant, relevant information about one of the prime festivals of Tamil Nadu. I have indexed them here: Index 1.Karthigai deepam in ancient Tamil Literature 2.Kanchi Paramacharya's explanation 3.The Shivite school 4.The Vaishnavite school 5.Legend associated with Lord Muruga 6.Karthigai deepam in Sri Lanka 7.Yanai pandigai 8.Karthigai in Kerala 8.Karthigai chutru 10.Kuppai Karthigai 11.he

मूषिकवाहन मोदकहस्त चामरकर्ण विलम्बितसूत्र । वामनरूप महेश्वरपुत्र विघ्नविनायक पाद नमस्ते ॥ On the auspicious occasion of Vinayaka...

We all are aware of Rama Navami, the day Lord Maha Vishnu took a human form and appeared on the earth. We celebrate Sri Rama Navami in a...

The boy was about eight years of age.  He had walked miles and miles from his hometown to reach the banks of River Narmada.  He was...

Ohm Sri Guru bhyo Namah: Let us start from the following Sloka quoted from the Sanyasa Suktam which belongs to the Kaivalya Upanishad....

by S.Subramaniam द्वितीयं तु भवायास्य रसातलगतां महीम् । उद्धरिष्यन्नुपादत्त यज्ञेशः सौकरं वपुः ॥ The above lines are from Varaha Slokam...

LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM महाभोगा महैश्वर्या महावीर्या महाबला । महाबुद्धिर् महासिद्धिर् महायोगेश्वरेश्वरी ॥ ५५॥ Mahabhoga Mahaishvarya...

LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM महाभोगा महैश्वर्या महावीर्या महाबला । महाबुद्धिर् महासिद्धिर् महायोगेश्वरेश्वरी ॥ ५५॥ Mahabhoga Mahaishvarya...