Found 66 Articles for Beliefs & Customs

Kumbha Mela which is a mass Hindu Pilgrimage was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It was done during an ongoing session in South Korea. This is the third inscription after the Yoga festival and Parsi festival in December 2016.The expert body recommended inscribing the Kumbha Mela when they observed that it is the largest congregation of pilgrims where the religious rituals and cleansing in holy rivers are performed peacefully. They have also observed the transmission of knowledge and skills through “Guru-Sishya Parampara” which passes on to the next generation without losing its verve.Soon after the official ... Read More

The famous pilgrimage spot, Kamakhya temple is situated on Nilachal hill in Guwahati, Assam. This temple was built centuries ago and is one of the most powerful among the 18 Shakti Peethams.Besides the main deity Kamakhya, few more avatars of Kali such as Dhumavati, Matangi, Bagola, Tara, Kamala, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Bhuvaneshwari and Tripura Sundari Devi shrines are located in the same compound.Celebrating WomanhoodThere is no sculpture of Parvathi Devi or Shakti in the sanctum, like in other Shakti Peethams or Devi temples. In a corner of a cave inside the temple, an image of a yoni or the female genitalia ... Read More

The day before Diwali is known as Kali Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdasi in Hindu tradition. Diwali is celebrated as a festival of happiness which gets after prolonged suffering. As every festival has a story in Hindu Mythology for celebration, Diwali also has many stories attached.Main ReasonDuring Dwaparyug, there was a demon called Narakasura who tortured people for his pleasure. When all the people prayed to Lord Krishna to protect them, Krishna along with Satyabhama his consort, came to kill Naraka.As Satyabhama was actually another form of the goddess Earth and Krishna is none but Lord Vishnu, Naraka should not be ... Read More

Tirupathi is the highest visited temple on this earth till date, having Lord Venkateswara or Balaji as the main deity. Tirupathi is the city which is below the hill whereas Tirumala is the set of seven hills on top of which is situated the temple of Lord Venkateswara Swamy.This temple was constructed centuries ago and attracts a huge number of visitors all over the world. Lord Venkateswara Swamy is addressed with a lot of names such as Balaji, Govinda, Perumaal, Srinivasa etc. The names of these seven hills are Vrushabhadri, Anjanadri, Neelaadri, Garudadri, Seshaadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri, where Adri means ... Read More

Rahukalam is mentioned by the ancient sages as an inauspicious period of time of the day during which any activity/project/venture started during this time would not yield good results. It was said that this particular time period will be under the supervision of Rahu, who will show his evil effects and hence warn not to start any good deeds. Some of them hesitate even to go out during this period and would like to stay indoors.According to astrologers the mighty Rahu and Ketu have the strength to even obscure the sun and moon, thus causing solar and lunar eclipses. It ... Read More

According to the Ancient Hindu tradition, there are four phases of human life, also called as Ashramas. They are Brahmacharyam (bachelor student), Grihastha (After marriage with family), Vaanaprastham ( Retirement after completing his household responsibilities), and Sanyasam in the later part of their life. There is no rule that a person has to follow through this cycle to attain Sanyasa. Great souls who renounce worldly pleasures can attain Sanyasa in brahmacharya phase itself to dedicate the rest of their lives towards spiritual advancement.The greatest example of true Sanyasi is Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya, who attained sanyasa at the age of 8 ... Read More

Tulasi plant is venerated by Hindus while the meaning of the name Tulasi being the incomparable one. It is said that the house of every Hindu must have a Tulasi plant. This plant needs a little sunlight and water to survive. It has many types such as Rama Tulasi, Krishna Tulasi, and Vishnu Tulasi.It is believed in the Hindu culture that Lord Vishnu gets pleased if worshipped by Tulasi or a garland made out of Tulasi leaves. Keeping this plant at home can invite good luck and prosperity.Sacred PlantTulasi is the most sacred plant for Hindus as this is considered ... Read More

As per Hindu Mythology, Lord Rama is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu while Lakshman is the reincarnation of Seshnag, Adiseshu or Ananth. Seshnag is the enormously huge serpent with his several heads, who remained when the whole universe got destroyed. As per a mythological saying, Lord Vishnu used to recline on its coils during the intervals of creation. Adisesh or Seshnag is the reclining couch as well as roofing canopy of Lord Vishnu.A Request When MadeSeshnag is the staunch and ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu who requested to accompany him in his incarnation as Rama. Hence he was born as ... Read More

Vastu Shastra is the science which denotes a set of guidelines regarding the construction of a house. Any house following most of the rules ensures a healthy living. The literal translation of Vastu Shastra is the “Science of Architecture” which is the ancient Indian science that describes the principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, spacing and spatial geometry of a building.Is it Effective?These guidelines not only make the work easier but also makes the house safer and healthier. For instance, it is suggested that the bedroom of a house, should be constructed in the south-west direction. This allows a ... Read More

Numbers could be Whole, Natural, Odd, Even, Prime, Rational or so. But I wonder what numbers have to do with your Luck!! There are many people around the world who believe in Myths and Superstitions like lucky and unlucky numbers.What the West Believe: Friday, 13th !!Many Americans believe that 13 is an unlucky number and Friday is unlucky day and when both of them come together, it’s the unluckiest day ever according to western superstitions. God!! I pray for the fate of a person who was born on 13th Friday!!! Sounds stupid, right? There must be many in this world ... Read More