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September 13, 2011

LIST of HINDU TEMPLES in INDIA

Unlike other organized religions, in Hinduism, it is not mandatory for a person to visit a temple. . Since all Hindu home usually have a small shrine or ‘puja room’ for daily prayers, Hindus generally go to temples only on auspicious occasions or during religious festivals. Hindu temples also do not play a crucial role in marriages and funerals, but it is often the meeting place for religious discourses as well as ‘bhajans’ and ‘kirtans’ (devotional songs and chants).

Holy places in India are famous for its temples. Indian towns - from Amarnath to Ayodha, Brindavan to Banaras, Kanchipuram to Kanya Kumari - are all known for their wonderful temples.

Given Below is a long list of most visited Hindu Temples of India.

Adi Sankara Shrine (Chikmagalur, Karnataka)
Aiyarappan Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu)
Ajgaivinath Temple (Deoghar, Jharkhand)
Akshar Dham – (Gandhinagar, Gujarat)
Akshardham Temple (New Delhi, Delhi)
Amarnath Temple (Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir)
Ambaji Temple (Ambaji, Gujarat)
Ambalapuzha Temple (Alappuzha, Kerala)
Ananta Vasudeva Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)
Ananthapura Lake Temple (Kasaragod, Kerala)
Ananthasana Temple (Udupi, Karnataka)
Annapoorneshwari Temple (Kudremukh, Karnataka)
Aranmula Temple (Tiruvalla, Kerala)
Aranya Devi Temple (Patna, Bihar)
Ardhanari temple (Mandi, Himachal Pradesh)
Arunachaleshwar Temple (Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu)
AtmalingaTemple (Hampi, Karnataka)
Attukal Devi Temple (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)
Avantipur Temple (Avantipur, Jammu & Kashmir)
Babor Temple (Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir)
Babulnath Temple (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Badrinath Temple (Badrinath, Uttaranchal)
Baij Nath Temple (Kausani, Uttaranchal)
Baijnath Temple (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)
Balaji Temple (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Balasundari Temple (Nahan, Himachal Pradesh)
Baldeva Dauji Temple (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh)
Banke Bihari Temple (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh)
Bari Patan Devi temple (Patna, Bihar)
Bhadreshwar Temple (Dwarka, Gujarat)
Bhimakali Temple (Sarhan, Himachal Pradesh)
Bhojeshwar Temple (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh)
Bhoramdeo temple (Raipur, Chhattisgarh)
Bhutanath Temple (Mandi, Himachal Pradesh)
Bijli Mahadev Temple (Kullu, Himachal Pradesh)
Biligiri Ranganna Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Birla Mandir (Chandigarh, Haryana)
Birla Mandir (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)
Birla Mandir (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Brahma Temple (Ajmer, Rajasthan)
Brajeshwari Devi Temple (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)
Bramheswara Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)
Brihadeeshwara Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu)
Buddha Amarnath Temple (Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir)
Bull Temple (Bangalore, Karnataka)
Cave Temples (Badami, Karnataka
Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathi Temple (Tiruvalla, Kerala)
Chamunda Devi (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)
Chamundeswari Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Chamundi Hill Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Chandi Devi Temple (Haridwar, Uttaranchal)
Channakeshava Temple (Belur, Karnataka)
Chattarpur Mandir (New Delhi, Delhi)
Chaurashi Temple (Bharmaur, Himachal Pradesh)
Chengannur Mahadevar Temple (Chengannur, Kerala)
Chennakesava Temple (Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh)
Chennakesavaswami Temple (Cudappah, Andhra Pradesh)
Chidambaram Temple (Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu)
Chintaman Ganesh (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
Chintamani Temple (Pune, Maharashtra)
Chintpurni Temple (Una, Himachal Pradesh)
Chitragupta Temple (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Chottanikkara Temple (Ernakulam)
Dagdusheth Ganpathi Temple (Pune, Maharashtra)
Dah Parbatiya Temple (Tezpur, Assam)
Dattatreya Temple (Ganganapur, Maharashtra)
Deogarh Temple (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh)
Deoghar Temple (Deoghar, Jharkhand)
Devi Bhramarambika (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)
Devi Kanaka Durga (Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh)
Devi Mookambika Temple (Mangalore, Karnataka)
Devi Talab Mandir (Jalandhar, Punjab)
Durga Parameshwari (Mangalore, Karnataka)
Durgiana Mandir (Amritsar, Punjab)
Dwarkadhish Temple (Dwarka, Gujarat)
Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Eklingji Temple (Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Ettumanoor Temple (Kottayam, Kerala)
Fourteen Goddess Temple (Agartala, Tripura)
Galta Temple (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Ganapathy Temple (Kottarakkara, Kerala)
Ganesh Tok (Gangtokm, Sikkim)
Gangaikondas Cholapuram (Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu)
Gangotri Temple Gangotri, Uttaranchal)
Gaurikund (Gaurikund, Uttaranchal)
Gavi Gangadeshwara Temple (Bangalore, Karnataka)
Gharishneshwar Temple (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)
Girijatmaja Vinayak Temple (Pune, Maharashtra)
Govind Devji Temple (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Gunupudi Someswara Temple (Godawari, Andhra Pradesh)
Guruvayoor Temple (Trichur, Kerala)
Hadimba Devi Temple (Manali, Himachal Pradesh)
Hanseswari Temple Hoogly (Kolkata, West Bengal)
Hanuman Mandir (New Delhi, Delhi)
Hanuman Tok (Gangtok, Sikkim)
Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar, Uttaranchal)
Hatimura Temple (Nagaon, Assam)
Hatkoti Temple (Shimla, Himachal Pradesh)
Hayagriva Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
Hazara Temple (Hampi, Karnataka)
Hoysaleswara (Hassan, Karnataka)
Innambar Temple (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu)
Iskcon Temple (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)
Iskcon Temple (New Delhi, Delhi)
Jaganmohana Ranganatha (Mysore, Karnataka)
JaganMohini Keshava Swami Temple (Rajahmundry,
Andhra Pradesh)
Jagannath Temple (Puri, Orissa)
Jalamandir (Patna, Bihar)
Jhakhu Temple (Shimla, Himachal Pradesh)
Jwalamukhi Temple (Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh)
Kailasanathar Temple (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Kailash Temple (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)
Kalaseshwar (Chikmagalur, Karnataka)
Kali Bari Mandir (New Delhi, Delhi)
Kali Devi Temple (Patiala, Punjab)
Kali Temple (Kolkata, West Bengal)
Kanchipuram Temples (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Kaviyoor Rock Cut Temple (Tiruvalla, Kerala)
Kedranath Temple (Kedarnath, Uttaranchal)
Keerthinarayana Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Keshava Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Khajuraho Temples (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh)
Khandoba Temple (Pune, Maharashtra)
Khirachora Gopinath Temple (Balasore, Orissa)
Kiliroor Kunninmel Temple (Kottayam, Kerala)
Kishkindha Temple (Hampi, Karnataka)
Koodalmanickyam Temple (Thrissur, Kerala)
Krishna Temple (Hampi, Karnataka)
Kurma Temple (Sri Kakulam, Andhra Pradesh)
Lakha Mandal Temple (Dehradun, Uttaranchal)
Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Chamba, Himachal Pradesh)
Lakshmi Narayan Temple (New Delhi, Delhi)
Lalji temple (Haldia, West Bengal)
Leaning Temple (Sambalpur, Orissa)
Lepakshi Temple (Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh)
Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)
Lokanarkavu Temple Kozhikode, Kerala
Lord Malleshwara Temple (Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh)
Ma Paudi (Singhbhum, Bihar)
Madan Kamadeva (Guwahati, Assam)
Madmaheshwar Temple (Kedarnath, Uttaranchal)
Maha Bhairav Temple (Tezpur, Assam)
Mahabalipuram Temples (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Mahaballeswara Temple (Karwar, Karnataka)
Mahadeshwara Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Mahadev Temple (Panaji, Goa)
Mahalakshami Temple (Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
Mahamaya Temple (Bilaspur, Chattisgarh)
Malayalapuzha Temple (Pathanamthitta, Kerala)
Manav Mandir Temple (Ahmedabad, Gujarat)
Manjunathaswamy Temple (Mangalore, Karnataka)
Mannarshala Temple (Alappuzha, Kerala)
Mansa Devi Temple (Haridwar, Uttaranchal)
Mansa Devi Temple (Panchkula, Haryana)
Manthani Temple (Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh)
Masrur Temple (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)
Mata Tripureswari Temple (Agartala, Tripura)
Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
Mehandipur Balaji Temple (Dausa, Rajasthan)
Mukhalingam Temple (Sri Kakulam, Andhra Pradesh)
Mukteswara Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)
Mumbadevi Temple (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Nageshwara Mahadeva Temple (Dwarka, Gujarat)
Naina Devi Temple (Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh)
Naina Devi Temple (Nainital, Uttaranchal)
Nanjundeshwara Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Narasimhavana Temple (Chikmagalur, Karnataka)
Nathdwara Temple (Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Navagraha Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
Neelkanth Mahadev (Rishikesh, Uttaranchal)
Negriting Temple (Sibsagar, Assam)
Oachira Temple (Kollam, Kerala
Omkareshwar Temple (Omkareshwara, Madhya Pradesh)
Orcha Temples (Orchha, Madhya Pradesh)
Ossian Temples (Jodhpur, Rajasthan)
Panch Mandir (Kapurthala, Punjab)
Pancha Linga Shrine (Mysore, Karnataka)
Parashuram Kund (Parasuramkonda, Arunachal Pradesh)
Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple (Kannur, Kerala)
Parasurameswara Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)
Parthasarathy Temple (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Perur Patteeswaraswamy Temple (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)
Pjakaksetra Temple (Mangalore, Karnataka)
Radha Shyama Temple (Kolkata, West Bengal)
Raghunath Temple (Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir)
Raja Rajeswara Temple (Karimnagar – Karimnagar, Andhra
Pradesh)
Rajarani Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)
Ram Janmabhoomi (Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh)
Ram Tirth (Amritsar, Punjab)
Ramakrishna Mission Temple (Kolkata, West Bengal)
Rameshwaram Temples (Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu)
Ranbireshwar Temple (Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir)
Ranchhodraiji Dakor (Ahmedabad, Gujarat)
Ranganathaswami Temple (Mysore, Karnataka)
Rudranath Temple (Gaurikund, Uttaranchal)
Sabarimala Temple (Pathanamthitta, Kerala)
Saidham Temple (Ahmedabad, Gujarat)
Sas Bahu Temple (Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Shani Shinganapur (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)
Shankara Simhasana Temple (Mangalore, Karnataka)
Shankeshwar Temple (Modhera, Gujarat)
Shankracharya Temple (Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir)
Shantadurga Temple (Panaji, Goa)
Sheetala Devi Temple (Gurgaon, Haryana)
Shiv Mandhir, Gur-mandi (Jalandhar, Punjab)
Shiv Temple (Bagot) (Mahendragarh, Haryana)
Shree Shantadurga Devasthan (Bardez, Goa)
Shri Gopinath Mandir (Imphal, Manipur)
Shri Govindji Temple (Imphal, Manipur)
Shri Shri Katyayani Peeth (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
Shri Shri Radha Madhan Mohan Mandir (Hyderabad,Andhra Pradesh)
Siddhivinayak Temple (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Sita Mai Temple (Karnal, Haryana)
Someshwara Temple (Verava, Gujarat)
Somnath Temple (Patan, Gujarat)
Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Anaprambal (Tiruvalla,Kerala)
Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala)
Sri Bhagavati Temple (Parshem, Goa)
Sri Chandeshwar Temple (Margoa, Goa)
Sri Mahalakshmi Temple (Panaji, Goa)
Sri Mahalasa Temple (Mangueshi, Goa)
Sri Mahishamardini Temple (Udupi, Karnataka)
Sri Manguesh Temple (Panaji, Goa)
Sri Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Bhaktha
Anjaneyaswami Temple (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami
Ashram (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Srisailam Temple (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple (Kurukshetra, Haryana)
Subramanya Temple (Mangalore, Karnataka)
Sudh Mahadev (Patnitop, Jammu & Kashmir)
Sukresvara Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
Sun Temple (Konark, Orissa)
Sun Temple (Modhera, Gujarat)
Sundari Temple (Agartala, Tripura)
Suratheshwar Siva temple (Santiniketan, West Bengal)
Temple of Shreenathji (Nathdwara, Rajasthan)
Thali Temple (Kozhikode, Kerala)
Thanjavur Temples (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu)
Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple (Kottayam, Kerala)
Thirunavaya Temple (Malappuram, Kerala)
Thirunelli Temple (Wayanad, Kerala)
Thrikovu Shiva Temple (Kochi, Kerala)
Thriprayar Temple (Thrissur, Kerala)
Tirupati Temple (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh)
Tiruvalla Temple (Alappuzha, Kerala)
Ugratara Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
Ulahalanda Perumal Temple (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Umananda Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
Vadakkumnathan Temple (Thrissur, Kerala)
Vaikom Temple (Kottayam, Kerala)
Vaishno Devi Temple (Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir)
Valliyoorkkavu Temple (Wayanad, Kerala)
Varadaraja Temple (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Vasisthasrama (Guwahati, Assam)
Vidya Sankar Temple (Chikmagalur, Karnataka)
Vindhyanchal Temple (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh)
Virupaksha Temple (Hampi, Karnataka)
Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Vithala Temple (Hampi, Karnataka)
Yamunotri Temple (Yamunotri, Uttaranchal)

Lord Shiva Temple in Ambernath, Maharashtra during Shravan

"Who wears snakes as garlands, whose eternal abode
is in the heart of the devotee, I bow to Him (Lord
Shiva) and His consort Bhavani (Uma or Paarvati)"

Month August, Hindu Calendar Month Shravan

‘Mom, it’s raining so heavy today!’
‘The RainGods are bathing Lord Shiva dear…’

As a small child, I remember such instances quite vividly. For me, it was just the dark clouds and the cool breeze of the rainy season that came along in the months of July-August. But for her (read my mother) it was a little bit more… And it took me a few more years to understand the complete depth and significance that this month of rains contained within itself…

Auspicious Shravan also known as Sawan, The Beloved Month of Lord Shiva

…The Holy Month of Shravan it was…

Believed to be the holiest month of the year according to the Hindu traditions, this is the month dedicated to Lord Shiva and is packed with auspicious days, festivals and celebrations. The relevance finds its roots in the traditional story according to which Lord Shiva had consumed the Halahal or poison that had emanated from the churning of the ocean and stored it in His throat (this is the reason, he is also known by the name of Neelkanth). To cool him off and provide relief, The Hindu Gods and Demi Gods poured Holy Ganges water on Him. A ritual which is still honored with devotees offering special prayers and Ganga water/milk to Shivalingams in the Shiva temples all round the country to commemorate this time of the year.

Ambernath Yatra: A Visit to the Ancient Ambreshwar Shiva Temple in Ambernath, Maharashtra during Shravan

The name Ambernath literally means Lord of the sky. Ambernath is the site of a very old temple, the ancient Ambreshwar Shiva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the construction of which dates back to 1060 AD in the 10th century.

Way to the ancient Ambernath Shiva Temple in Maharastra

Way to the Ambernath Shiva Temple in Maharashtra

Located by the bank of Vadavan (Waldhuni) river, the temple is a towering structure surrounded by a fenced wall. Richly carved and decorated out of a single black stone, the intricate carvings are inspired from Hemadpanti style of architecture.

The Domeless Ambernath Shiva Temple in Maharastra

View of the temple from a distance

There are two popular accounts that form the basis of the beliefs of the local legends here.

One belief suggests that the temple was constructed by the Pandava brothers of the epic Mahabharta fame for taking a night refuge during their period of exile (vanvaas). They could not complete the structure which is reflected even today in the missing roof directly above the main sanctum area (Garbha Griha) of the temple. It is also said that there is a km–long passageway which was used by the Pandavas to escape which lies shut and locked today.

The view of the Lord Shiva Ambernath Temple in Maharastra from the temple compound

Spot the missing roof in this picture

in the direction pointed by the fluttering flag

There is another official version that advocates that this temple was constructed by Shilahara king, Chittaraja and later rebuilt by his son, Mummuni.

Magnificient stone carvings and architecture of the Ambernath Shiva Temple in Maharastra

Magnificient architectural stone work at the Ambernath Temple

However, the saddening part is that a historical monument like this with such an exquisite past is gradually decaying with some of the sculptural carvings falling off due to neglect and poor maintenance by the authorities.

Main Entrance to the Lord Shiva Ambernath Temple in Maharastra

Main Entrance to the Ambernath Temple

Inside the temple, the main sanctum housing the shivling is situated at a slightly lower level and one has to descend a few of steps to take the blessings of Lord Shiva. There are a couple of other smaller temples too in the temple premises that you will come across while circumambulation.

The astounding architecture and various deities in the premises of the Ambernath Shiva Temple in Maharastra

Ancient Ambernath Lord Shiva Temple in Maharastra

One can’t help but marvel at the beauty of the religious place of worship which not only opens the window to the state’s rich past but also brings alive the time-honored stories from our ancient texts. And then, whichever way you may deem these stories to be, true or false; one can’t deny the peace and calm and the sense of spiritual energy that one is filled with when one visits such places and that also outlines one of the prime reasons I travel for!

Festivals at the Ambernath temple
The Ambernath temple is the hub of an enormous fair during Mahashivratri (Feb/March) and the entire Month of Shravan (July-August). Mahashivratri Fair continues for 3-4 days starting 2 days prior and extending to 1 day after shivratri as well.

Fast facts on the Month of Shravan
1. Every year, the month of Shravan marks the rainy season. This year, the auspicious month commenced from July 16 and will end with the sibling festival of Raksha Bandhan on August 13.

2. Mondays, called the Shravani Somvaar hold a special significance and many people observe the fast - Shravan Somvar Vrat - to please Lord Shiva and seek His blessings.

3. The Lord is worshipped by slowly trickling water/milk from a pot. In temples, a dharanatra or container filled with water or milk is hung over the Shivalingam with a small outlet at its base, the liquid dripping over the deity as offering. Bel or wood apple leaves, flowers, sweets, etc are also offered while chanting the Shiva mantra.

4. During this month, the Kanwarias take the holy water from the Ganga river in small pots and offer it to Lord Shiva at various big and small temples in the city. The first day of auspicious Shravan month also marks the beginning of fortnight-long ‘Kanwar Mela’.

Getting There and Distance: How to reach Ambernath
Ambernath Shiva Temple is on the Mumbai-Pune railway line at Akoli. Nearest airport from here is Mumbai. Temple is located about 2 km from Ambernath Railway Station (East). State transport plies buses regularly to Ambernath from almost all important places in Maharashtra.

From Mumbai, It is better to go to Ambernath (which is on the central line) by train and then take an auto-rickshaw (share rickshaws ply at the station for the temple for Rs. 8) from there to the temple.

Shiva: Primal Guru, Lord of Yogis, God of Destruction

: Shiva with Drum (Damaru) and Trident (Trishula) - K Rayker on Stock.xchng

This article explains all about the Hindu God Shiva: His identity, appearance, inner meaning, symbolism, mantras and worship.

The Hindu deity Shiva, (also spelled as Siva), is generally known as a part of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Maheshwara). While Brahma creates and Vishnu preserves, Shiva’s job lies in destruction.

Shiva – God of Destruction

However, Shiva doesn’t destroy just for the sake of it. When Shiva starts his work of annihilation, it is always with the aim of getting rid of the different forms of evil or ignorance. Another reason is to maintain the cycle of creation and annihilation, which includes the withdrawal of all creatures back into the non-manifest. Without destruction, there can be no development. The old has to be destroyed so the new can come into existence.

Spiritual transformation and liberation

Thus, Shiva paves the path for spiritual transformation. He destroys the things and attitudes that keep human beings from turning to the Divine within. Shiva is the male side of the transforming aspect of God, the female side being Kali/Durga.

PARVATHI

Goddess Parvati is one of the many forms of Shakti the strong feminine force in Hindu mythology and the feminine energy of the universe. Goddess Parvati is the animating force that brings skill, power and genius while she infuses the world with her magic. She is the divine consort of Lord Shiva - the trinity god – and the mother of Lord Muruga and Ganesha. Goddess Parvathy is also regarded as the sister of Lord Vishnu.

Evolution or Birth of Parvati

After the death of his first love Sati, Shiva isolated himself into the dark cave, buried amongst the snow covered peaks of the Himalayas and rejected the world outside. Meanwhile the demons began to attack devas and drove them out of the heaven. Lord Shiva was the only warrior who could help them to get rid of this but he was in deep meditation. The gods invoked mother goddess, Shakti and asked her for a solution. Shakti took birth as Parvati, daughter of Himavan (Himalayas), the lord of mountains and determined to draw the attention of Shiva. Goddess Parvathi would visit Shiva’s cave every day, sweep the floor, decorate it with flowers and offer him fruits hoping to win his love. But Shiva never looked at her and so she invoked Priti and Rati, the Goddess of love and longing to rouse Shiva out of meditation.

Picture of Goddess Parvati - Consort of Lord Shiva

Guided by Priti and Rati, Lord Kamadeva, the lord of desire raised his sugarcane bow and arrows to infuse desire into the heart of Lord Siva. The lord opened his third eye and reduced Kama into ashes. Now Parvati took a stern decision of performing strict tapas or meditation with nothing to protect her tender body from harsh weather and eating nothing. Now Parvati matched Shiva in her capacity to cut herself from the world and completely master his physical needs. The power of her tapas shook Mahadeva out of his meditation and stepped out of his cave and accepted Parvati as his wife. Shiva married Parvati in the presence of gods following the sacred rites and took her to the highest peak of the cosmos, Mount Kailasa, the pivot of the Universe. When the two became on, Kama was reborn.

Goddess Parvati Mantra

Om Aing Hreem Kreem
Chamundai Vicche

Other Mantras

Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram Lyrics and Video
Lalitha Sahasranama Mantra Lyrics in Malayalam

Appearance of Goddess Parvati

The Goddess is usually represented as a fair and beautiful woman but she has absorbed more and more goddess into her appearances. When shown with Shiva she carries a blue lotus in full bloom, showing the Abhaya Mudra and with one of her children on her knee. She has a languid appearance of her eyes as she has just emerged from a deep meditation. There are also images of Parvati wearing a sacred thread something not many women are associated with and her hair styled in a top knot like a rishi during the Chola period in the 9th century A.D. Goddess Parvati’s vahana or vehicle is considered to be the mountain lions native to the Himalayas.

Famous Incarnation of the Goddess

Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari is referred as the complete incarnation of Parvati. Other important incarnations of the Goddess include Goddess Meenakshi,
Goddess Akhilindeshwari, and Goddess Kamakshi.

Important Festivals of Goddess Parvati

Navratri festival, Gauri festival, Gangaur festival and Gauri Tritiya are some of the major festivals dedicated to Goddess Parvati Devi.

Goddess Parvati Temples in India

Some of the main temples dedicated to the Goddess include

In Tamil Nadu

Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamilnadu
Abirami Temple in Tamilnadu
Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram
Akilandeswari Temple at Thiruvanaikaval, Tiruchirappalli
Kanyakumari Devi Temple in Tamilnadu

In Kerala

Attukal Devi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Chottanikkara Temple in Ernakulam
Thiruvairanikulam Parvati Temple in Aluva

In North India

Visalakshi Temple at Banaras
Ambaji Temple in Gujarat

The family of Lord Siva, Parvati and their sons Ganapathi and Kartikeya is an ideal example of family unity and love and are adored for a happy family and married life.

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Nine Forms of Goddess Worship
Goddess Saraswati
Goddess Mahalakshmi

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Sita – The Symbol of Tolerance

The Hindus believe that Goddess Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi, who is the companion of Lord Vishnu. She was born in the times when life was bad in a human form to be the wife and the partner of Lord Rama, who was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Goddess Sita is one of the main characters in the Ramayana. It was Goddess Sita, who with her great sacrifice and courage was able to rid the earth of the horrible king Ravana.

The legend about the birth of Goddess Sita is holy and only that worthy of Gods. She was found in the fields by her parents, the King Janak and his wife Sunanya. They were the rulers of Mithila.

Goddess Sita was put through a lot of hardships and by virtue of her courage and holiness was able to come out a winner.

Sita suffered throughout her lifetime to be able to set an example for humankind. She showed how a strong woman should be who wouldn’t make any concessions on her principles come what may.

Sita had several wonderful characteristics and virtues just like her husband Ram. She was a wonderful daughter, an idealistic wife and a wonderful mother. Sita was the epitome of all that a woman should be in the different roles that she has to play throughout her life.

Goddess Sita ultimately was able to be together with her husband Lord Rama after Ravana was killed, and they returned jubilant to Ajodhya.

Rama when he was the young prince of Ayodhya, had won over Sita in the marriage ceremony that was held by breaking the bow and arrow that no other prince could. From that time onwards, Rama and Sita were inseparable.

Sita had to bear lots of difficulties throughout her life. First, when her husband was exiled for fourteen years to the forests. Sita relinquished all possible luxuries to be with her husband. The things of the palace did not attract her, and she went to the forests willingly.

Devi Sita's problems followed her in the banishment too. She was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. This brought about a severance from her husband.

Sita did not succumb to the charms and guiles of Ravan and rebuked him for misbehaving with her. Ravan tried several times but was always unsuccessful.

Sita was able to do this because of the strong mental and physical resolve that she had and her complete dedication and love for her husband Lord Rama.

Goddess Sita was finally rescued by Rama and the troop of monkeys led by Hanuman. This was only after a terrible war took place in Lanka against Ravana.

Finally, when Goddess Sita returned, she was made to undergo a test to prove her chastity called the test by fire. In order to prove her chastity the Hindu Goddess Sita had to walk through fire. Any other mortal would have died, but she proved that she was truly a Hindu Goddess, Sita. All the people who had gathered out there worshiped her.

Goddess Sita in the Ramayana went willingly for the banishment, although she was forced into it. Lord Rama was not aware that she was in the family way and let her go as he believed that it was important to be a righteous ruler. He was willing to keep his subjects before his wife, Goddess Sita. Then, Sita lived in Rishi Valmiki's hut and gave birth to twins, Luv and Kush.

Years later, at the time of the important horse ceremony, that the brave sons of Rama tamed the horse that was a part of the Ashvamedha yajna. This led them to their father Lord Rama.

When Sita saw this, she gave up her sons to Lord Rama. She refused to return to Ayodhya and gave up her life and was swallowed by mother earth.

Sita did not want to face any more hardships, and she felt that her birth on the earth had been fulfilled.

Sita is worshiped by Hindus all over India. You will find the idols of Lord Rama and Sita in innumerable Hindu shrines, along with the idols of Lakshman and Hanuman.

Hindu Goddess Sita is certainly the epitome of how a woman should be and cultivate all the relationships in her life with care.

Shri Krishna

Though known by many different names in many traditions,But there is only one God. Krishna is the original person. The word Krishna means the person who is attractive to everyone.

Sri krishna appeared over five thousand years ago in Mathura,dist of state UP (India) to Devaki and Vasudeva in the jail of Kansa. Kansa was the king og mathura and mama ofthe loard krishna .The place of His birth is known as Sri Krishna JanmBhumi.

The Supreme Lord descends from time to time in this material world to reestablish the teachings of the Vedas. In His Bhagavad-gita, Sri krishna promises: "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear milleniumm after millenium."

Although eternal the Lord appears in specific circumstances out of mercy for His devotees. In fact, His principal biography, the Srimad Bhagavatam states, "the learned men describe the births and activities of the Unborn and Inactive." Therefore, although He appears within the material dimensions of time and space, He is most definitely not of it.

Historically, Sri krishna appeared on the midnight of the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Sravana. This corresponds to July 19th 3228 BC. He exhibited His pastimes for a little over 125 years and dissappeared on February 18th 3102 BC on the new moon night of Phalguna. (His departure marks the beginning of the current age of corruption known as Kali.)

The great scholar Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti neatly outlines Sri krishna's activities in this way: the first three years and four months were spent in Gokula, then equal lengths of time in Vmdavana and Nandagram, eighteen years and four months in Mathura, and finally ninety-six years and eight months in Dvaraka totalling 125 years of manifest pastimes.

In Mathura, both Krishna and Balarama were initiated by Gargamuni in the Gayatri mantra> Later They went to live under the care of Sandipani Muni who instructed Them in all the Vedic arts and sciences in sixty-four days and nights especially in military science, politics and spirituality. As an offering (guru-daksina) to Their teacher, They recovered his son from death. Although God does not need instruction from anyone else, Lord Krsna and His brother set the perfect example : one must accept instruction from and serve a bona-fide spiritual master to advance in spiritual life.

For the next eighteen years, They continued to live in Mathura halting the impending threat of many demonic kings. Later in Their pastimes Lord Balarama married a princess named Revati. Lord Krsna married many queens, the foremost among them being the extraordinarily beautiftil Queen Rukmini. (See Sri Rukmini website for the story of Their marriage). Both Krishna and Balarama established Their palaces in Dvaraka off the coast of western India, where They enjoyed married life for many years. Although They were married, Lord Krsna and Lord Balarama exhibited the quality of detachment from material life perfectly. When They were about ninety years old, the great world war of Kuruksetra took place. This climactic battle brought together all the major world leaders. Lord Krsna took the role of a charioteer on the side of the pious Pandavas, while Lord Balarama refusing to participate went on a pilgrimage tour thereby blessing the entire land of India.

At the start of the war, Lord Krishna displayed His stupendous Universal Form delivered His famous message known as the Bhagavad-gita, literally the Song of God. This Song contains the essence of all knowledge having been spoken by the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Himself. This war concluded with the destruction of the demonic kings and the reinstatement of the righteous Pandava princes.

Having completed Their mission, Balarama and Krsna resumed Their life in Dvaraka where They spent some thirty-five more years before ending Their earthly manifest activities The foremost description of Lord Krishna's activities occurs in the Srimad Bhagavatam, literally "the Beautiful Book of God."

Radha Krishna

Hinduism is one religion that has a lot of love amongst the sexes in its fold. There are several legends that speak of the undying love that existed between the opposite sexes and lots on folk lore and exciting stories of love.

There is several interwoven love tales amongst the gods and goddesses in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and this makes the Hindu gods and goddesses adhere to the psychic of their devotees.

There are several love stories and tales that are associated with Radha and Krishna along with the innumerable gopis that Krishna coveted within the Brindavan gardens.

Radha Krishna is the story of love amongst these two players. Lord Krishna is depicted as the god of love, and he chose his love prey with great attention and won their hearts over. The tales of Radha Krishna are so very common and appealing that they surpass all other tales. There are several tales and stories that have been carried on down several generations that enable us to decipher the true and unyielding love that was shared by both of them, Radha Krishna. The kind of love and dedication that Radha showcased for Krishna are fantastic and hard to find in any other love pair. There are several legends that tell us of this love and how it was entrenched deeply in both their beings.

There is an excellent tale about hot milk:

This is one tale that tells us of the infinite and binding love that were shared by Radha Krishna. Radha was not Lord Krishna’s wife and her eternal love for him made all of his wives envious of her, and they wanted to do away with her somehow. So, what they did one day was to play a prank on Radha in order to make her suffer and also to test how far she would go for her beloved. Hence, they gave her a piping hot bowl of milk and asked her to drink the scalding milk saying that it was Krishna, who wanted it to be so. Surprisingly, Radha picked it up and drank it up, the hot milk and all. When the wives took back the bowl they saw that it was lord Krishna who had burned his tongue and was the one who had suffered. This proved the eternal bond that Radha Krishna shared with one another. He took upon himself her pain and suffering just like a true lover.

Another tale of the legend of Charanaamarit:

This tale further reinforces the love that Radha Krishna shared amongst them. Once when the lord Krishna became very sick the physician said that the only cure was the Charanaamrit from a true worshiper of him. All the gopis who had gathered that were asked one by one, but none of them were willing to do so. They were actually concerned about giving the water in which they usually washed their feet to the lord.

When it was Radha’s turn she did not hesitate even for a second. She said that you can go ahead and take as much as you want as I am not really bothered of getting to hell as long as my lord gets alright. His pain is more painful than the pain that I can ever experience of going to hell. Thus, Radha gave lord Krishna the Charanaamrit and this was going to be her undoing ultimately, as it is said that she couldn’t eventually, marry her lord because of this. Charanaamrit was the thing that made Krishna well again. But, at the same time it stopped Radha Krishna from marrying too.

Radha Krishna is one of the classical love stories and fable that has withstood the test of time. In Hindu mythology, there are several tales and folk stories that depict love and sensualness but this is the kind of Radha Krishna that tugs at the heartstrings of the most romantic of hearts.

Mata Saraswati

The Hindus consider Mata Saraswati to be the goddess that will grant them knowledge, learning and aesthetics, particularly in the realm of arts. Mata Saraswati is the one who is represented by the feeling of being aware and dispensing with ignorance. She is also called by a different name that is Vaagdevi, which is the goddess of speech and communication. The Hindus worship her in order to get rid of confusion from their lives by the light of knowledge.

Mata Saraswati is always shown in the idols as someone who is dressed in complete white and is seated on the white lotus along with a veena one of her favorite instruments. The four Vedas that are a part and parcel of her doing are actually considered to be her children. She is always shown to be riding swans, which are supposed to symbolize the purest form of knowledge that one could ever possibly acquire. Any place where knowledge is transpired is considered to be the home of Mata Saraswati. She is the goddess that will help you in your pursuit of knowledge and learning and allow you to be joyful by the dispensing of ignorance away from you.

Mata Saraswati is also called the consort of Lord Brahma, who was the one who created the universe. According to folklore, Brahma had the power to analyze and think things out only because of the presence of Mata Saraswati by his side. It was she who persuaded him to listen to naadabhramam which is supposed to be the sound that is the main fount for all creations on this earth.

The other name that is given to this goddess is Sharda. This name means the fountain head from where all of knowledge arises. This is the only way to be able to dispense off with all the darkness from one’s life and allow the light and illumination of knowledge to enter ones path. This enables one to turn into a more advanced being and pursue other things in life.

The river Saraswati that no longer flows was actually a very part of the Vedic culture at that point of time. This is the river that is considered part of the goddess. What is written scriptures is that when Lord Shiva opened his third eye the flame that came out of it was so very furious that it could have destroyed everything that it encountered. In that situation, everyone was petrified of the flame, but it was only Mata Saraswati, who was not frightened by the deadly flame that was flowing towards her. She was extremely certain that the flame was such that it would not touch those who are pure and true to their creator. And, this is exactly. What was witnessed at that point of time? Mata Saraswati turned herself into a river and took the flame away along with her. When the river carrying the flame reached the river, the flame was turned into a fire spewing female horse. Then the Mata Saraswati ordered the horse not to step out of the water and this would continue as long as people on the earth wanted wisdom and knowledge coming their way. In case knowledge and wisdom were not what people wanted any longer, then the mare would come back to earth spewing the same dangerous fire.

Mata Saraswati has many shrines that are built in her memory all over south India. These shrines are Saivite temples and most of them are built to the right of Parvati’s shrines. Mata Saraswati does not have temples standing all by themselves dedicated to her. You will only find one such temple in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. You will also be able to find shrines for Brahma and Mata Saraswati at Uttamar Koyil which is close by two Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.

Hindus worship Mata Saraswati because of the knowledge and wisdom that she can embody on them. She is supposed to be the goddess of dawn that will be able to enlighten the being and dispel darkness away from them. If there is no knowledge and wisdom on this earth, then the earth will be thrown into darkness and mayhem. In order to get the true meaning of wisdom for oneself, one has to give up the pleasure that is sensual and dependent on our senses but must search for the peace and calmness of the spiritual well being.

The way the goddess is portrayed is a point to be noted. Mata Saraswati does not have any jewelry or bright colors adorning her. All that she wears is white and this symbolizes the purity and simplicity that she embodies. She is the kind who is not lured by materialistic wealth or baseless pursuits.

This is the goddess that has arisen above the wanting of the fulfillment of desires and has the will power and control over her mind to be able to withstand all kinds of temptations. Everything that she stands for is simple, pure and a part of nature, away from materialistic pursuits.

Lord Hanuman

Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an avatar of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. Hanuman's tale in the epic Ramayana - where he is assigned the responsibility to locate Rama's wife Sita abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka — is known for its astounding ability to inspire and equip a reader with all the ingredients needed to face ordeals and conquer obstructions in the way of the world.

The Necessity of a Simian Symbol

Hindus believe in ten avatars of Lord Vishnu among a multitude of gods and goddesses. One of Vishnu's avatars is Rama, who was created to destroy Ravana, the evil ruler of Lanka. In order to aid Rama, Lord Brahma commanded some gods and goddesses to take the avatar of 'Vanaras' or monkeys. Indra, the god of war and weather, was reincarnated as Bali; Surya, the sun god as Sugriva; Vrihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, as Tara, and Pavana, the god of wind, was reborn as Hanuman, the wisest, swiftest and strongest of all apes.

Ram – the story of Lord Rama

Lord Rama is known by all Hindus, the world over, as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Rama was the perfect avatar of the Supreme Protector Vishnu. Ram has always been a well loved God among all the Hindu deities because of the several moralistic and virtuous characteristics that he brings along with him.

Sri Rama is the epitome of how a man should be. He symbolizes the ideal man full of values and morals. Rama is also referred to as the Maryada Purushottama, which when translated means the idealistic man.

Lord Rama was put on the earth to destroy the evil forces of those times and bring about morality and virtues.

Lord Rama had several wonderful characteristics. He always spoke the truth. Rama had a tremendous sense of morality. Lord Rama was not only the ideal son but also an ideal husband, and most important of all an ideal king to his subjects.

Rama and Sita, both of them are widely accepted by all Hindus to be actual historical figures that are loved and revered by Indians all over.

Rama and Sita are the two main characters of the great Hindu epic of Ramayana. The Ramayana is also known as the Romance of Rama. It was written by the ancient Sanskrit poet Valmiki.

All Hindus believe that Rama lived in the times when life was not good. The historians purport another belief that was not defined until the 11th century AD. Then Tulsidas, wrote another wonderful version of the Sanskrit epic "Ramayana” and turned it into "Ramcharitmanas". This was the writing that greatly etched in the minds of the Hindus all the characteristics that Lord Rama is popular for. Rama, the god went about to give rise to various devotional groups.

Shri Rama was a man who was full of virtues from head to toe. Lord Rama was kind and compassionate. He was also magnanimous and sensitive to the way everyone felt around him. Lord Rama looked handsome and conducted himself well. Shri Ram had a wonderful personality. He was born into a noble family and was the son of a king and conducted himself thus. He was generous, chivalrous and not afraid to speak the truth. He was very simple and down to earth.

Lord Rama is considered as an exemplary son who is unequalled in the world. He resembled his father, Dasaratha in every way and had wonderful good qualities.

He never lied. He always respected learned men and scholars and elders. People loved him and he adored them in return. He was just how a king should be.

He could reach out to the people with his charming personality and touch their very souls.

He was attractive and had all the qualities of a king's son. His subjects loved him and that was without any doubt.

Lord Rama’s superior qualities were showcased in the way he lived.

Lord Rama is considered to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was specially put on the earth to kill the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama is known for his wonderful personality and simplicity and every Indian man would love to emulate him.

Shri Ram is one of the popular and famous gods of the Hindu religion and was loved by millions of Hindus of all ages..

Lord Rama is one of the commonly worshipped gods of the Hindu religion and no Hindu shrine would ever be complete without the idols of Rama and Sita in it.

Shri Ram is known as a part of Lord Vishnu. He is considered to be the preserver of the Universe. Ram is the great lord of Hanuman, who helped him in getting back his wife Sita from the clutches of the demon Ravana.

Lord Rama shared a wonderful relationship with all around him. He was the obedient son to his father Dashratha the king of Ayodhya. He was a wonderful brother to all his brothers but especially was devoted towards his younger brother, Lakshman. He dearly loved his wife Sita and his children Luv and Kush. He proved to be a wonderful friend to Hanuman. He treated his subjects like his children and they in turn worshiped the ground that he trod on.

LORD GANESHA

This God of knowledge and the remover of obstacles is also the older son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha is also called Vinayak ( knowledgeable ) or Vighneshwer (god to remove obstacles). He is worshipped, or at least remembered, in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.

He has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth), an axe (to cut devotees' attachments), and a sweet dessert ball -laddoo- (to reward devotees for spiritual activity). His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people.

A unique combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving tiny mouse vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intellegence, and presence of mind.

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