Articles

Mahavidyas (Great Wisdoms) or Dasha-Mahavidyas are a group of ten aspects of the Divine Mother or Kali herself or Devi in Hinduism. The ten Mahavidyas are Wisdom Goddesses, who represent a spectrum of feminine divinity, from horrific goddesses at one end, to the gentle at the other. Das Mahavidya Stotra is given below in Sanskrit with its hindi translation. दस महाविद्या स्तोत्र दुर्ल्लभं मारिणींमार्ग दुर्ल्लभं तारिणींपदम्।मन्त्रार्थ मंत्रचैतन्यं दुर्ल्लभं शवसाधनम्।।श्मशानसाधनं योनिसाधनं ब्रह्मसाधनम्।क्रियासाधनमं भक्तिसाधनं मुक्तिसाधनम्।।तव प्रसादाद्देवेशि सर्व्वाः सिध्यन्ति सिद्धयः।।शिव ने कहा- तारिणी की उपासना मार्ग अत्यन्त दुर्लभ है। उनके पद की प्राप्ति भी अति कठिन है। इनके मंत्रार्थ ज्ञान, मंत्र चैतन्य, शव साधन,...

Omkareshwar or better known as Mandhata Omkareshwar is one of the foremost of the 12 Joytirlingas or it is luminous physical self-presentation of Lord Shiva of the Hindus. Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man...

Shri Kedarnath is one of the best known Shivasthalams in India and is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers of the country, located in the lofty Himalayas. It is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingams - the Northern most one, while the Southernmost one is Rameswaram. The spiritual leader Adi Sankaracharya is closely associated with Kedarnath. Kedarnath is a shrine steeped in antiquity, rich in legend and religious significance. At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Garhwal (Kedarkhand) to Ukhimath, and is reinstated...

Shri Bhimashankar in Maharashtra is an ancient shrine, enshrining Bhimashankara one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Bhimashankar is located in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune. It is located 125 km away from Pune in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima.A unique bell (roman style) can be seen in front of the temple which was presented by Chimaji Appa ( Brother of Bajirao Peshwa and uncle of Nanasaheb Peshwa ) Chimaji Appa collected two large bells after he won war against Portugue from...

Trimbakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple in the town of Trimbak, in the Nashik District of Maharashtra, 28 km from the city of Nashik and 40 km from nashik road. The place is memorable due to its picturesque hills, roads and cool breeze .This hill station like place lies in the formidable shadow of Brahmagiri hills in the Sahyadri range and it is the source of holy river Godavari. The place is also known for its Simhastha Kumbha Mela, which comes every 12 years as per the Hindu calendar.What makes the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga unique is that it has three faces embodying...

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana (kotirudra sahinta, Ch.32-33 referred as "Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga"). Grishneshwar is believed as the Last or 12th (twelfth) Jyotirlinga on the earth. This pilgrimage site is located at a village called Verul which lies at a distance of 11 km from Daulatabad and 30 km from Aurangabad. It lies at a close proximity to the Ellora caves. Being the abode of one of the holiest and ancient temples known by the name of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, the popularity of Grishneshwar can be ascertained. The village through its serenity and...

Maa Chinnamasta is a form of Shakti shown as having cut off her own head. The blood that spurts from her neck, representing Prana that sustains all life, flows in three streams—one into her own mouth, showing her that she is self-existent, and the others into the mouths of her two female attendants, Dakini and Varnini representing all life force. The severed head symbolizes liberation. By severing the head, the She reveals herself in her true being, which is unconditioned, infinite, and free. It represents freedom from conditioning and individuality. Her nudity represents her autonomy. It shows that she can’t be...

Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameshwaram is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away one's sins and brings salvation (moksha). Located on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameshwaram, Shri Ramanathaswamy Mandir can be reached via Pamban Bridge across the sea. Being situated in Rameswaram, the shrine is popularly known as Rameshwaram Temple. Rameswaram is a town in Ramanathpuram district of Tamil Nadu. The town is particularly famous for its religious shrine of Ramanathaswamy. The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is located at Madurai, which lies at a...

Shri Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.The Jyotirlinga in the temple is known as Nageshwar Mahadev. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. The Jyotirlinga situated in the temple is considered to protect everybody from all sort of poisons. It is believed that one who offers prayers in the temple becomes poison free. The temple is located between Dwarka and Dwarka island in Gujarat on the coast of Surat. According to the legends, a devotee called Supriya was attacked by a demon named Daaruka in a boat. The demon...

Mahakaal is the Lord of time and Death. One of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at Mahakal is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself) deriving currents of power (shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti. "Aakasha tavakam lingam HatkashwaramBhulokhe Cha Mahakalah lingatrayah namaustuteye "Translated as - "In the sky is the Taraka linga, in the nether region is the Haatkeshwara and on the earth is Mahakaleshwara. We venerate the three lingas".The ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh is home to the...