Encyclopedia of Hinduism

‪#‎Bhimadevi‬ Temples temples of the ‪#‎Goddess‬

Known to be among the oldest temples in existence in the northern parts of India, the Bhimadevi temples were built between the 11th and 14th centuries.

In ‪#‎Sarahan‬, a five-story Bhimadevi temple can be found (pictured below). The origin of the temple is given in Markandeya Purana. The legend states that Goddess Durga had promised the devotees that she would reincarnate herself to save them from the atrocities committed by the asuras (demons). She kept her word and killed the demons, and came to be known as Bhima ‪#‎Devi‬.

The temple in Sarahan combines elements of ‪#‎Hindu‬ and ‪#‎Buddhist‬ architecture and looks like a monastery. It is situated on a hillock…on the banks of the river Sutlej. The original temple collapsed in an earthquake in 1905.

In 1943, a new temple was built in the same style near the old one, and so there are now two Bhimadevi temples, and hence…two images of the Goddess. The image in the old temple portrays the Goddess as a young maiden, while the image in the new temple portrays her as a mature woman. There are various other deities in the temple, including Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, and even Buddha.

Bhakti a path to the realization of God.

 When knowledge of Brahman takes the form of bhakti (path of devotion), it becomes the means for moksa (liberation)… To the Advaitin, bhakti is a means to the attainment of jnana (knowledge), whereas, to the Visistadvaitin, bhakti is the summum bonum of religious experience. It is an upaya (means), a sure method of obtaining blessings of the Supreme Self. It is also the ultimate purusartha (goal), since there is no higher mortal state.

  Bhakti is expounded upon in the Upanisads, Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, Agamas, and Bhaktisutras. Narada defines bhakti as intense love for God that is inexplicable. It is, according to him, like a dumb man who has tasted delicious food but cannot speak about it.

 Bhakti is defined as a realization of God, accompanied by a deep love without attachment to the desired object, as God is entirely possessed by and absorbed in the devotee. Bhakti is…not the means to any other goal; it is the highest goal, the easiest of all and superior to all. It fills the self with complete peace and ecstasy of supreme joy.

Vasanta Pancami

festival observed on the fifth day of Magha Suklapaksa. 

At this time of year, the biting cold of winter disappears and warm sunshine impregnates the world of nature with flowers and fragrance. Fields become “vasanti” (yellow) all over with the blossoms of mustard, wheat and barley begin bearing grain, mango trees start flowering, and insects and bees set out with their music.

On this day Hindus worship ‪#‎Saraswati‬, the goddess of learning (pictured below). Vasanta Pancami is also auspicious for the learners of ‪#‎music‬ and other art forms. This festival is joyously celebrated at the birthplace of Krishna. People put on yellow clothes and cook food that is naturally yellow, sometimes even dyeing it yellow. Dhamar and Holi songs are sung with gusto.

Uttaramerur (a village near Kanchipuram in the Chingalput district in the state of Tamil Nadu)

Uttaramerur is one of the finest examples of self-government by representative village assemblies, called sabhas. These assemblies undertook legislation, administration, and welfare schemes for the community, almost independent of royal interference and control. 

The assembly meeting of elected members took place on the premises of the local Vishnu temple and was known as Oharmasthana. They adopted the kuda-olai system, i.e., the system of lot. The names of the eligible candidates were written on palm leaves and put into a pot, and a child was asked to select the names.

To be elected a member of a committee required qualifications like possession of tax-bearing land, a house, age between thirty and sixty, proficiency in Vedas and Sastras, and in transacting business. Membership during the preceeding three years or relationship with sitting members debarred a member from being elected. Stringent rules of conduct were imposed on the members.

Dattatreya one of the manifestations of Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva

All the traditions are unanimous that Dattatreya’s father was Atri and mother was Anasuya. There are many stories about his birth and life. 

The story of Dattatreya is different from that of any other incarnation. The details of his early life are not available. It is said that, when he was six days in the womb of his mother Anasuya, Haihayaraja reached the hermitage of Atri and tortured him. Dattatreya reacted furiously while saving the life of his father. 

In the series of twenty-four incarnations, Dattatreya occupied a position of respect. This type of incarnation is considered an amsavatara (part manifestation) in which some special qualities or powers, like knowledge and beauty, of Brahman find expression. 

Dattatreya represents knowledge. Scriptures describe him as an ascetic incarnation. It is believed that Dattatreya is immortal and often appears before his worshipers and spiritual persons. 

Though Dattatreya is accepted as an amsavatara, the Puranas are not unanimous in fixing his position in the order. Scriptures pay great respect to his liberated, selfless, and compassionate personality. He is portrayed as wandering like an intoxicated mad man on earth, though always a spiritually sensitive and conscious ascetic, so that worldly men do not disturb his spiritual life. 

Tara Devi consort of Avalokitesvara

She is worshipped in Vajrayana Buddhism. The name Tara derives from the root word tar, which means “to cross” It is believed that Tara helps humanity cross the ocean of existence. Many legends have grown around this concept, and the most popular one is that a tear from the eye of Avalokitesvara fell in the valley beneath to form a lake; from the waters of the lake arose a lotus flower, out of which emerged Tara.

Other scholars hold that Tara’s name originates from the Persian wort sitara, meaning a luminous body in the sky.

Introduction of the Mother Goddess in the form of Tara is generally traced to the influence of Tantra. It is generally agreed that the devotion to Tara became firmly established during the sixth and seventh centuries C.E.

There are two principle varieties of Tara : white and blue/green. The former is shown with the full blown white lotus as her symbol, and the latter with the utpala (blue lotus). These forms respectively symbolize day and night, and her benign qualities of compassion and protection.

Besides the two types, a variety of other forms of the Goddess Tara are recognized in Tantric Buddhism, each having a distinctive color.

‪#‎Jawaharlal‬ ‪#‎Nehru‬ First Prime Minister of Independent ‪#‎India‬.

In the history of India's struggle for freedom from British rule (1757, reckoning from the Battle of Plassey, to 1947) ‪#‎JawaharlalNehru‬ holds an important place. Perhaps few statesmen of the world can lay claim to the distinction of being as much loved and admired by the people as was Nehru in his time (1889-1964). He stood among the builders of modern India, giving it a direction towards socialism in a secular, democratic set-up.

Nehru joined the Gandhian Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 and was imprisoned. He was in prison for nearly thirteen years during several phases of the freedom struggle.

As the Prime Minister of India for seventeen years, Nehru not only gave shape to internal policies in all spheres of activity - political, economic, social and cultural- but influenced international opinion on specific issues concerning war and peace.

As a man, Nehru rose above prejudices, conquered fear and hatred, and displayed a liberal outlook and warm human sympathies. His speeches were marked by sincerity and deep feeling and his writings by sensitivity and warmth. He had a fine (almost poetic) appreciation of nature, the currents of history, and the roots of Indian culture. He was a self-confessed agnostic but had a clear understanding of the essentials of non-dogmatic religion. He had an emotional nature but wanted reason to prevail in dealing with human problems.

#Diwali (#Dipavali) the festival of lights

Diwali is a festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated…in all parts of the country and throughout the world by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists. and some Muslims, with gaiety unmatched by any other festival.

It is observed for one, three, or five days in different parts of India and in a variety of ways. For some North Indian business communities Diwali marks the beginning of the new year, when fresh accounting ledgers are opened and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for bringing prosperity.

The avali (row) of dipa (lights) gives a festive look in the North as a symbol to lead one from darkness to light. Lamps are lit in the south during the month of Kartika.

The fall of Bali, the demon king, is one of the stories associated with Diwali. In certain parts of India, Diwali is celebrated in the form of Kali Puja, as the day of the destruction of Mahisasura. It is also associated with the triumphant return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya from Lanka after defeating the demon king Ravana and rescuing Sita. One of the most popular stories associated with Diwali is Narakasura vadha, narrated both in Bhagavata and Harivamsa Purana. This refers to the killing of Naraka, the demon king, by Lord Krishna, with the help of his consort Satyabhama. 

Diwali is an occasion to wear new clothes, set off dazzling fireworks, and exchange sweets and gifts. In North India, Bhai Duja is observed as away of affirming the bond of affection of brothers and sisters.

Hi! That is a wonderful question, and congratulations on wanting to improve yourself and live a healthy, happy lifestyle! One book that many of our readers have loved, and that is a great introduction to Hindu culture and spirituality from a western point of view, is The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami. He is an American from Chicago who went to Europe and backpacked into India, and ultimately became a very well-respected teacher with thousands of devotees. it is an exhilarating and emotional read. 

Virupaksha Temple: A Shiva temple in South India

The Virupaksha temple was built at Vijayanagara and is referred to as the temple of Pampapati, the protecting deity of the Vijayanagara kings. 

This temple was built in the Dravidian style, under the guidance of the well-known architect Gunda and his associates. It has a square plan from the base to the apex, conforming to the Nagara order. The vast temple has a sanctum, circumambulatory passage, and a few mandapas (ornamental halls). 

The whole structure is enclosed by a prakara wall with gopura entrances in front and behind on the east and west, which are the earliest in the Calukyan series.

The fine sculptures of the Virupaksha temple add beauty to the architecture. The image of the Sun riding on a chariot drawn by seven horses is especially noteworthy. There are many sculptures depicting Shiva in various forms.

Janmastami 

Janmastami is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals observed all over the country. It commemorates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. 

The most important items in the worship of Krishna on his day of incarnation are fasting, worship, keeping awake in the night, and listening to chanting hymns of praise and legends relating to the pastimes of Krishna. 

Krishna is invoked in an image. The ceremonies of the birth rites are performed symbolically. After offering prayer, night-long vigil is kept; the devotees listen to hymns glorifying Vishnu and Krishna. The next day, after the morning ablutions, the image of Krishna is worshiped and a feast is held.