#hindufestivals

G: What is your source of light?

D: During the day it is the sun and at night, it is lamp, etc.

G: Yes, it is. Tell me, what light is the means of seeing the sun and the lamp

D: It is the eye.

G: At the time of shutting the eyes, etc., what is the light?

D: It is intellect.

G: What is the source of light for the intellect?

D: It is “I”, the Self (Awareness)

G: Therefore, your own Self (Awareness) is the light of lights (or the Supreme light).

D: Yes, O Lord, I am That Supreme Light (Awareness)

The temples of Guyana and Trinidad stand as vibrant reminders of the journeys taken by Indian indentured laborers who arrived in the Caribbean during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These immigrants, brought to work on sugar plantations, carried with them not only their skills but also their faith, traditions, and culture. Over generations, they established mandirs and temples that became spiritual and cultural centers for the Indo-Caribbean community.

In both Guyana and Trinidad, Hindu temples—some modest, others beautifully ornate—dot the landscape. One striking example is the Temple in the Sea in Trinidad, a symbol of devotion and resilience. These sacred spaces are often filled with worshippers dressed in traditional Indian attire: women in saris or salwar kameez, men in kurtas or dhotis, adding a burst of color and heritage to the islands.

Happy Pongal

Maha Shivaratri is the festival that honours Lord Shiva. it is the Hindu festival that is dedicated to the worship of the great Lord` ‘SHIVA’ . The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. Among all the twelve Shivratri’s that occur in a calendar year, the one that occurs in the month of February or March is of the most spiritual signicance, hence it is called Maha Shivaratri. Thus, it is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on this day helps one get rid of all the sins. 

Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. Ratri means ‘night’ and also ‘to take refuge.’ Shivratri is the night we take refuge in our spirit i.e., Shiva. Lord Shiva is considered the soul of everything. There is no difference between our soul and Lord Shiva. Since Lord Shiva symbolizes truth, peace, beauty, and innity, He represents the essence of our soul as well. It is what we are made of. When we worship Lord Shiva, we recognize these higher qualities within ourselves.Thus, Mahashivratri is the time to celebrate the soul or consciousness within. During Shivratri, we take refuge in the divine consciousness 

Shiva is the very energy on which the entire creation rests. This energy pervades the entire universe and is present within every living being. This energy is called the Shiva Tattva. During Mahashivaratri, Shiva Tattva which is usually 10 inches above the ground comes in contact with the Earth. Shiva Tattva, that is our consciousness or aura descends and touches the material ground. On this night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being. As a result, it is a day when nature is pushing one towards one’s spiritual peak.  Mahashivratri is the time for our inner consciousness to come alive within our body. 

It is a certain festival , in which staying awake all night long is followed. Basically, keeping awake at night is symbolic of awareness; this night-long tradition is to ensure to allow this natural upsurge of energies to end their way upwards and we remain with your spine vertical, staying awake. Being awake the whole night gives  the time to celebrate, meditate and rest in the Shiva Tattva. Spiritual seekers and devotees of Lord Shiva meditate and rejoice in the Shiva energy.   The best way to celebrate  Mahashivarati is to meditate and surrender. Meditation gives access to something beyond the scope of the mind and intellect. This experience takes us to the fourth level of consciousness that is also called Shiva consciousness. 

Thus, surrender is having the faith that there is a divine power that is taking care of us. Meditation and surrender bring peace and solace to us. Maha Shivaratri is taking refuge in Shiva or in other words it is about celebrating and understanding Shiva Tattva within oneself.

Celebrate the SHIVA TATTVA within yourself this Mahashivaratri ! OM -NAMAH-SHIVAYA !

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Consciousness in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Intelligence in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Sleep in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Hunger - Desire in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Shadow - Individual Self in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Shakti - Creative Energy in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Thirst - Desire in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Patience in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Original Cause in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Humility in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Stillness in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Devotion in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as splendor in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Lakshmi in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Mind in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Memory in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Compassion in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Contentment in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Mother in all beings everywhere.

Salute to the Divine Goddess, who manifests herself as Delusion in all beings everywhere.

O Mother!

Let all my speech be your prayer; let all my crafts and technology be your worship and be the mystic gestures of my hand, adorning you.

May all my movements become your devotional circumambulations.

May everything I eat or drink be oblations to you. Let my lying down in rest and sleep be prostrations to you.

Mother! Whatever I do, may all that become a sacramental service and worship for you.

Om Peace Peace Peace

I bow to Thee, Goddess, Thou dispeller of gravest fears, vanquisher of obstacles; Thou wearer of great mercy’s form.

Brahma and others know not Her essence; so is She called the Unknowable.

She has no end; so is She called the Endless.

She is not grasped and so is She called the Incomprehensible.

Her birth is not known and so is She called the Unborn.

She alone is present everywhere, and so is She called the One.

She alone wears all forms, and so is She called the Many.

For these reasons is She called the Unknowable, the Endless, the Incomprehensible, the Unknown, the One and the Many.

The Goddess is the source of all mantras: Of all the words the knowledge is Her form. Her conscious form transcends all cognitions; She is the witness of all emptiness.

Beyond Her is nothing; renowned is She as unapproachable; afeared of life, 

I bow to the inaccessible One, bulwark against all sins; the Pilot who steers me across the sea of worldly life.