Kumkum (Tilak)
Kumkum and/or Tilak is applied on the forehead, in between the eyebrows, this area is known as Ajna chakra. This chakra is also known as the third eye.
Sindoor
Historians have discovered that during the Harappan civilization, women applied sindoor along the part of her hair. This showed they were married.
Dharba
In the Atharva Veda, one will find that the Dharba (Kusha), it’s scientific name, Desmotachya bipinnata, was born when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kurma, the cosmic tortoise, supported Mandara mountain.
Puja at Home
Hindu worship or puja at home requires idols (murtis/deity) and prayers (mantras). Usually the deity(s) or pictures are kept in a quiet place called a puja room.
Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi puja falls on Amavasya, the new moon day, of Krishna paksha, the third day of Diwali. She is called Shri and known as Goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is a consort of Lord Vishnu.
Durga Puja
During Navaratri time, Durga puja is celebrated by eastern states of West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura, Assam and Jharkhand. In these states this celebration has a large secular component in the form of music, art, dance and food.
Satyanarayana Vratha (Puja)
The auspicious Satyanarayana Vrata is performed during full moon days by observing a fast. Once the puja is completed, stories are read from the Skanda Puranas.
Kalasha
Kalasha is a metal pot, brass, silver, copper or gold with a large base and small mouth. During puja it is filled with water and topped with mango leaves like a coronet and its tips touch the water inside the pot.
Rangoli/Kolam
Rangoli is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘rangavalli’. Rangoli/Kolam is an art which precedes sculpture and painting. It is both an auspicious and necessity in any religious ritual or functions.
Surya Namaskaar – Sun Salutation
‘Surya Namaskar’, or the sun salutation is a complete workout for your entire physical system. It also helps our breaking.
The Origins of Yoga
Yoga is one of the 6 major systems on orthodox (aastika) Vedic philosophy — Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā and Vedanta.
Solar Eclipse
“Solar eclipse” the phenomenon which occurs when the Moon comes exactly in line between the Sun and the Earth, eclipsing the light of the Sun.
Satya Narayan Katha (Story)
Story #1 Once, Narad Muni while travelling the three worlds, reached Mrityaloka (Planet Earth), he saw human beings suffering immensely. To […]
Ellora Caves
The architecture and brilliance of the Ellora Caves is an awe-inspiring example of India’s rich culture and history. The Ellora caves are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
Guruvayur (Sri Krishna Temple)
The Guruvayur Temple is a famous Shri Krishna temple and is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus and is often referred to as “Bhooloka Vaikuntam” which translates to the holy abode of Vishnu on Earth.
Kolam
Rangoli is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘rangavalli’. Rangoli/Kolam is an art that precedes sculpture and painting. It is both an auspicious and necessity in any religious ritual or functions.
The two aims of drawing rangoli:
•Beauty
•Auspiciousness/Spirituality
Travel and Belief Videos
Srirangam Temple
Srirangam Temple is one of the eight self-manifested shrines of Lord Vishnu. The temple complex is vast and includes many mandapams or halls, the biggest hall having 900 pillars.
Vaishno Devi Temple
There are many stories regarding this temple, it is said that Vaishno Devi was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and she used to meditate in a cave. Many people visit this temple, it is said only she can call you or you will not be able to visit this temple.
Santoshi Mata’s Katha
Santoshi Mata vrata is normally done on Fridays for 16 weeks. As the Katha says, light ghee lamp in front […]
Madurai Meenakshi Temple
The Madurai Meenakshi temple is one of the iconic temples of South India. It is situated in the heart of […]
Hayagreeva Puja
Hayagriva is an avatar of the god Vishnu. He is worshipped as the god of knowledge and wisdom, with a human body and a horse’s head, brilliant white in color, with white garments and seated on a white lotus.
India’s Freedom Struggle
India’s freedom struggle began with the leadership of Indian politics passing into the hands of the middleclass with the foundation […]
Namaste- A truly universal greeting for current times.
Every culture in the world has a method of greeting others when they meet; it can be a handshake, a […]
Why is the Ganga Water Sacred?
Originating from the Gangotri Glacier, high in the Himalayas of northern India, the river flows southeast through India, into Bangladesh, before spilling into the Bay of Bengal.
Konark
The temple at Konark in the state of Odisha is dedicated to the Sun God. The entire temple is shaped as a chariot with seven horses, carrying the Sun god across the heavens.
Surya
Surya, the sun god is addressed by many names in Vedas, Aditya, Saitur, Martanda, Bhaskara. The early morning rays which is red is […]
Chakras – Repositories of Power in the Human Body
Vishuddhi means to filter or purify. It is the purification center. This chakra is associated with the Respiratory System/Thyroid Gland. This is the ‘communication’ chakra since it is the center for sound, communication, speech, writing and thought expression.
Vainatheya Vibhavam
||Kumkumankitha Varnaaya Kundendu Dhavalayacha Vishnu Vaahana namasthubyam Pakshiraajayathe Namaha|| In every Sri Vishnu temple, we see Garuda, also known as […]
The Wedding Ceremony
The Hindu Wedding is a sacred step in the spiritual union of the bride and groom. It binds them in […]
