Reasons to pray

Hinduism is one amongst the oldest region in earth. None is able to say when and how the religion started.

As per Hindu mythology there are four yugas' namely Satyayuga (golden age), Tretha yuga(silver age), Dwapura Yuga(bronze age) and currently we are in Kaliyuga(Iron age).Each of these yuga are said be millions of years each. This is an indication, as who old is the religion. I had earlier written a post on Hinduism.

In previous yuga, Rishis performed meditation or tapas for very long time to get their prayers answered. However in this Kaliyuga due to various distractions, it is stated, if one is true, pious  and perform even short prayer or thinks about god sincerely, they are bound to get blessing from god.

This universe is millions of years old, whereas of our life span is so very short. In this yuga, we as human being run behind materialistic comfort, we at times feel having materialistic comfort and achieving what we think can bring us happiness. This may not be really so, if focus is only on getting materialistic comfort then, I believe we could complicate our life and thereby become unhappy, as focus is towards materialistic acquisition. In this uncertain world it’s difficult to predict what would happen the next moment.

Here, I would like to bring forward the famous Bhagavat Gita quote,

(The above, Bhagavat Gita quotes, the reality of life in this earth, I keep getting reminded about this, when things do not go as I wish)

The mind is source of one's action. Once deed will be based on what is sowed in mind over a period of time. However, some time, unpredictable events do happen. When unpredictable happens and if its negative there is always a question of 'why me’? . Many times, we do not have answer for many questions in life. We could have some solace in prayers and spirituality. Even, when things happens as per expectation, I would not like to forget that life is journey and attribute success to blessing of god or having my prayers been answered.

I read an article in newpaper on spiritual health., sharing the same in this blog post

Well, is prayer meant only for asking something always?. I believe not, it is for expressing my gratitude to god, also to guide me in this life and even beyond it, 

• Expressing my gratitude for what I am today and what I have accomplished till now in life.
• For being born to right parents, whom I have not asked or cannot ask.
• Guiding and providing right family. Also being in contact with right people at right point of time.
• There are millions of homeless people, but being provided with a home.
• There are millions of people go without food on daily basis. While thankful for the meal, I receive every day.
• Finally, having guided so far, I am thankful to almighty and believe they would guide me for rest of life.

We are made up of body and soul, while body is temporary the soul is said to be permanent and hence pray to him, so that I am guided all through this life journey and beyond this life as well.

Being a festive season, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous Deepavali. On Deepavali day, we do perform Kedareshwarar vrata which is prayer towards lord Shiva, Parvati and Lakshmi to provide us with good health, wealth and overcome all our sorrow. The prayer starts with Ganesh pooja. This time planning to get 'Sampoorna Lakshmi poja kit.' This pooja pack is said to contain  all basic materials required for the pooja as mentioned in the Skanda Purana. There is also CD with  Shree Vinayak Ashtottarashata Naamaavali.

To know more about ‘Sompoorna Lakshmi pooja kit’ click here.

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Enchanting Himalayas

Himalayas the mountain range, which is so unique in nature and this place, I wish to explore at some point of time in my life. Vastness of Himalayas makes one to realize the significance of nature and the creator. Further, it have been scientifically said if Himalayas aren't their, then India could well have been a cold desert

Embedded video would give an exotic glimpse of the elegant Himalayas.

 In Sanskrit Hima (snow) and Alaya (abode) in combine to form Himayala ( Abode of Snow) and according to Hindu Mythology, Himalaya is the home of God Shiva. Nepalese call Himalayas ‘Samgarmatha’ that means ‘Goddess of the Universe’ or ‘Forehead of the Sky’.

The Himalaya, run across five countries Bhutan, India Nepal , Tibet and Pakistan, while Human race claims certain areas belong to them, Himalaya is an ideal example as none can climb that Himalayas is solely belongs to them. The Himalayan Mountain Range was formed roughly about 70 million years ago as a result of a collision between Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates. It is said to cover 612,021 sq km with geographic variation so stunning. The climatic changes in Himalayan regions change quickly. As a result, the areas are prone to monsoons, floods, snowstorms, landslides, earthquakes, tremors and high winds.

 Several greatest rivers in the world — the Ganges, the Indus, the Brahmaputra, the Mekong, the Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers originate from Himalayas or from the Tibetan Plateau. The medicinal herbs found at the foothills of Himalayas are the purest of all. According to Hindu mythology Ganges is believed to originate from head of lord Shiva.

I don’t think there is any place so very unique compared to Himalayas. Naturally, this is ultimate place for me to visit. Further, during trip to Himalaya I wish the world time machine stops, so that you really don’t need to hurry up seeing the places and be back to our normal routine life. Also, I believe, the mind is the source of happiness and unhappiness.

On Himalayas, some of the places worth exploring in my list are,

Ladakh: Rock carvings found in many parts of Ladakh show that the area has been inhabited from Neolithic times (around 10000 BC). Ladakh is a region in India totally isolated from the modern world. I understand this to be an authentic land, where one finds ancestral customs of life characterized by intense spirituality. Even an Indian traveler will probably find no similarities in the land and people between the ones he leaves behind and those he encounters in Ladakh. Rich traditions of Mahayana Buddhism still flourish in the purest form in this region, which has often been referred to as Little Tibet. Ladakh's landscape has more in common with the lunar landscape than any other place on earth  

Lukla: This is the place in nepal, if one wish to take a aerial view of Himalaya through a small aircraft, Lukla has an airport. The amazing video clipping of mount Everest take you out of the world.

 (video links courtesy - You tube).

 

Finally would be glad to wound it us with visit to Gangtok, which has emerging as Ecotourism spot in India. Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. I would look forward for a holiday tour company like Yatra travel which can customize such trips with suitable package tours with combination of suitable flight options, self driven car or SUV and offcourse, accomodation. Such options, if provided would very much prove to be unique tour of its kind

 I would like to sign with the quote which had mentioned in my earlier travel blog post.

 It would be a treat to watch the vastness and bounty of nature which would be so soothing to mind , for one who is, confined to city life most time, where almost every inch is man-made and short lived with arrogance of 'me' associated with it.

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Ancient Shiva temples

Some time back, I read this article, spiritual health, a nice short article. I personally feel materialistic world has taken the world by storm, which made people lose focus. However, I keep wondering there are places in India which keep spirituality and heritage live.

Many of the spiritual temples do not have date associated with it. Shiva ‘s pancha bootha stalas does not require any introduction. Apart from Panchabotha stala, felt some of the Shiva temples are so very divine and peaceful.

Kailasanathar temple, Kanchipuram: This is in outskirt of Kanchipuram (approx 80 Kms from Chennai) and currently maintained by Archeological department of India. This Shiva temple is believed to be one among the oldest temple ( more than 1000 years).

This temple withstood time in its pristine form and believed to be built through sand ('pittu man'). There is a tunnel around the Shiva Lingam (god), which is symbolic representation of Birth (crawl to get in), adulthood (walk) and finally death(crawl again). Interesting it also mean only before birth and after death one might be spiritually aligned \ view god and during living time the materialistic world (called Maya) might make us forget or not remember about god and seek pleasure in materialistic comfort. It is also believed by going around the tunnel would reduce number of re-birth.

Brahmapureshwarar temple, Trichy: It's an ancient temple near Tiruchi (approx 40 km), Tamil Nadu. It is believed Brahma (Hindu god for creation) did 'tapas' by installing 12 Shiva idols million and millions of years ago due to curse from Shiva due to ego and finally got liberated from curse.

This is one of the very few temples, which has Brahma idol prominently. It is believed since almighty Brahma's destiny got changed, any one who visit this temple would have their destiny changed, positively. Jeeva Samadhi of Pathanjali Maharishi is said to be here. Pathanjali is said to guru or father of Yoga and he is believed to be incarnation of almighty god - Narayanan. Much easier to reach by car, if you are traveling from Tiruchi to Chennai by car, its worth a visit (about 4 km from main highway) and one can spend about few hours. Some of the temple gopuram is believed to be constructed 100's of years ago.

Suruthapalli (near Chennai): Its is believed 'Pradosham' time started from here. Nice temple in outskirts of Chennai. This temple is believed to be constructed in 14th Century. The temple 'Stala' history is very interesting. In Satya Yuga (millions of years ago), during churning of 'Par' Kadal, the churning rope (snake) vomit poison.

The Devas and Asuras becomes jittery on seeing this and make an earnest appeal to Lord Shiva to save them, as the poison could destroy all living being in Universe. Lord Shiva consumes the poison and save all living being in the universe.

Further it is believed Lord Shiva feels dizzy due to consumption of poison and is said to have taken rest on lap of goddess Parvati at Suruthapalli for some time on his way back to his abode in Kailash. Hence, Lord Siva in this temple is in unique reclining posture. There is also 'Valmiki Lingashwarar' and 'Rama Lingashwarar', which is believed to be worshiped by Valmiki Muni and Lord Rama respectively.

Though, the temple is believed to be built in 14th Century, there is no date associated with main deity - Pallikondeswarar (Lord Shiva) in this temple. Very calm and serene temple in outskirt of Chennai.

Other unique temples with spiritual divinity I could associate are Kumbeshwarar Temple at Kumbakonam, Tanjore Brahadeshwarar. Heard about Darasuram near Tanjore and Gangai konda Cholapuram, which are on list of temples to visited soon, looking forwards to such visit.

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Hinduism - Part 2.

Why does Hinduism have so many gods?. This is the one of the question normally asked. I have heard many answers, but, I thought of giving my own answer. 'Hinduism' is one amongst the oldest living religion date back to millions of years. As per Hindu mythology there are four yugas' namely Satyayuga (golden age),Tretha yuga(silver age), Dwapura Yuga(bronze age) and currently we are in Kaliyuga(Iron age).

Many of the god's incarnation in form of human happened over these yugas. As a matter of fact, god maha Vishnu has so far had 9 incarnation (out of 10) in his total of 10 Desaavatharam.

Hence, as Hinduism dates back to millions of years, each time their was incarnation of god into human and fought over the evil. This could have given new name for god. Further, all Hindu mythology god has associated biography behind it.

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Hinduism

***** Happy Deepavali to All !!! ****.
On this happy day, thought of writing about Hinduism. It is one of the very few religions where prayers are offered to god directly.
Religion and Spirituality can be interesting and would provide solace to many points of time, if one start understanding it better and believe the same.

At times, questions are raised about trueness of a religion. Every happening in life may not have answer and but religion can provide support to overcome difficulty and challenges.


Hinduism is often called the "one of the oldest living religion'. No one knows, when, how it was started. The starting place was Asian subcontinent and more particularly India

According to Hindu Philosophy, there are four ages. These are Satya Yuga, Thretha Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga.

Each of the yuga is said to close to million years.

Satya Yuga : Virtue was supreme, human life span 10s of 1000 years. Truth, Dharma and spirituality of human being close to 70% (near to saint).
Thretha Yuga: Reduced virtue. Truth, Dharma and spirituality of human being close to 50 to 60%. Human being size for much bigger than current size of Human being, at least by 3 or 4 times.
Dwapara Yuga: Truth, Dharma and spirituality of human being closed to 30 to 50 %. Life span was 1000 years.
Kali Yuga: Truth, Dharma and spirituality in range of 10 to 30%. Life span max of 100 years.

The ten famous incarnation of Vishnu is said to happen over all four yugas. Lord Rama said to belong to Threta Yuga and Krishna is said to be in Dwapara yuga. Once Krishna Era was over Kali Yuga is said to be born. With Kali yuga the distance between human being and god said have increased.

Some times there are questions are raised. In the last few years, some of the finding proves the above to be true.

There are evidence of about Ramar Bridge (which belonged to Thretha Yuga).

There are evidence about, humongous sized Human being of previous Yuga.

Also, there is evidence about Dwaraka city ruins where Krishna ruled (which belonged to Dwapara Yuga).

Human being life is so very short. Every religion preaches peace for self and towards others. It is said currently, we are living in "Kaliyuga" (reduced dharma and spirituality) , where prominence is given to self and selfish motive. However, one needs to keep in mind "What we sow in mind is what we get".

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