NEWS: About 750 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for Holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas early this morning.

NEWS: About 750 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for Holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas early this morning. This was the lowest number of pilgrims undertaking the yatra since the commencement of the 55-day-long pilgrimage from June 28 from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

A yatra official said 320 pilgrims, including sadhus and women, left Baltal for the holy cave. Similarly, 430 pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for the cave shrine. They included 43 women and 90 sadhus, an official added.

MahaKaaleswor MahaDev at Ujjain

MahaKaaleswor MahaDev at Ujjain

Har Har MahaDev

Rain infuses fresh life in everything.

Rain infuses fresh life in everything.The magnificent silence of the lake in a rainy evening takes the mind to a deep relaxing state

!!!!..........The only Shiva temple made by British….!!!!!

!!!!..........The only Shiva temple made by British….!!!!!

The British ruled India for hundreds of years, and built many churches and cathedrals. But in the 1880s, a Shiva temple in Agar Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, was rebuilt by Lt. Col. Martin — the only temple ever made by an Englishman in India.
Col. Martin was in the Afghan wars.He used to regularly write to his wife, informing her of conditions there. It was a long war, and gradually the colonel’s letters stopped. Mrs. Martin, who then lived in the cantonment of Agar Malwa, was besides herself with grief, fearing the worst.
She would spend time riding for hours to calm herself. One day she rode her horse, past the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. It was in a decrepit state. It was the time of arti, and the sound of conches and the chanting of mantras compelled her to stop. She went inside to see the worship of Lord Shiva taking place. The priests saw the grief on her face and asked her what was wrong. Mrs. Martin narrated her sad story. The Brahmins told her that Lord Shiva listens to sincere prayers of all devotees and saves them from difficult situations. She was advised by one of the priests to start chanting the mantra-Om Namah Shivay for 11 days. The English woman prayed to Lord Shiva for the colonel’s safe return, promising she would rebuild the temple if he came home safe from the war. On the 10th day, a messenger arrived from Afghanistan with a letter from her husband. It read, “I was regularly sending you letters from the battlefield but then suddenly the Pathans surrounded us. I thought there was no way of escape. Suddenly I saw an Indian yogi with long hair, wearing a tiger skin carrying a trident. He had an awe-inspiring personality and he started wielding his weapon against the Afghans who ran away from the field in fright. With his grace what was certain death our bad times turned into victory. Then the great yogi told me that I should not worry and that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife’s prayers.”
Tears of joy and gratitude welled up in Mrs. Martin’s eyes as she read the letter. Her heart was overwhelmed. She fell at the feet of Lord Shiva’s image and sobbed. After a few weeks Lt. Col. Martin returned and his wife told him her story. The couple became devotees of Lord Shiva. In 1883, they donated Rs 15,000 to renovate the temple. This information is engraved on a slab kept in the Baijnath Mahadev Temple.
The Martins sailed for England with the firm resolution that they would make a Shiva temple at their home and pray to him till the end of life. And they did.
Ref.-
The New Indian Express Chennai, Jan. 8, 2012

卐 neelkantha 卐

卐 neelkantha 卐

The story of Shiva consuming the deadly poison to save the Universe and establishing the new doctrine –

He who has a power; has a responsibility

Brahma created the Universe, the mother earth and lives, Gods (The Good power) and Demons (The Evil powers) and their most beautiful creation of all – humans. The humans often offered prayers and yagnas to God, which were known to boost their powers. Demons with the aim of conquering the universe and control earth (where human lived) and Swarg lok (heaven the abode of Gods) often attacked and tortured humans (who were their natural victim as humans supported God). To save themselves, humans would inevitably turn to Gods and this would give rise to Deva-sur Sangram (Battle between Gods and Demons).

More often than not Demons would emerge victorious over the God. The secret lies in the hand of the Demon Guru (Teacher and adviser) Sukracharya (A great devotee to Lord Shiva) who got a power from Shiva called Mrita-Sanjivini (That can bring a dead back to life). This ensured that no demon would ever be killed. In absence of such a power God always had a loosing hand. The solution?

Were the miseries insufficient for Gods to incur another curse? It so happened that once the king of Gods, Indra was traveling on his elephant when he met saint Durvasa. Durvasa offered him a flower garland which Indra in light vein placed on his elephants head and the animal threw it on the ground. Durvasa, who was well known for his short tempers, took the incident as an insult and the arrogance of Gods. He cursed Gods “Let all richness and power of yours be gone”. The Godess of prosperity Laxmi at once vanished in the depth of ocean. What could be a better opportunity for demons? They forced the Gods out of the heaven.

Gods, cursed, defeated and demoralised, turned to their deity – Lord Vishnu, The Protector. Vishnu suggested a solution – Sagar Manthan (Churning the ocean to get precious elements out) to get the most precious of all resource – Amrit or nectar (A Drink to make one immortal.) But the task was too difficult to be accomplished by Gods alone, in other words without the joint effort of the natural rivals Gods and Demons.

Demons were invited for joint venture and to share whatever comes out of the great ocean. Sukracharya was first reluctant as they never needed Amrit. But when pointed out that the demons power would collapse once Sukracharya dies since he is the only person who could bring others to lives but not himself. The Sagar Manthan was agreed upon.

It was decided that the mountain called Mandrachal would be used as pivot and the great snake Vasuki (the garland or Lord Shiva) as the rope to turn the pivot. The Gods and Demons would pull the snake from either side to stir the ocean. But the Big question… who will face the snake and the deadly venoms? Narad, played the trick and flattered the demons to accept the head portion.

The efforts started, and Sagar yielded many valuable elements, jewels, treasures etc. which were divided among Gods and Demons. Then came Godess Laxmi from the ocean whom Lord Vishnu took as his wife. At the end came the much desired Amrit (nectar), which Lord Vishnu by his trick ensured only for Gods. But churning of ocean is not the story of obtaining the nectar. So let us go back to the real story. Before Amrit, came the deadly poison.

The poison was so deadly it became a danger to the extend of finishing the entire creation. It was named kaalkut – the manifestation of death. It was growing uncontrollable and causing unrest to the entire universe. Whom then, God and demons turn to?

Who had the ability to control this weapon of devastation? Who except Maha-mrityunjay (Lord Shiva) himself? All turned to Bhole-nath (Shiva). Shiva took the universe under his guardianship and swallowed the entire poison. The poison of course couldn’t bring any harm to Mahadev Shiva, but so deadly was the poison that it got accumulated in his throat and turned it blue… and Ashutosh Shiva got a new name Nilkanth (God with blue throat)

The episode of churning of ocean is not really about getting the nectar (amrit) but it the story about Shiva’s consuming the poison. It is the story of establishing a tradition:

he who has the power has got a responsibility.

When others were fighting over getting Amrit, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison. Nilkantha aspect of Shiva continues to inspire Indian culture from ancient times where people have put themselves in trouble to save and support those in need. In many a cases the reason was capability and not a matter of duty.


हर हर महादेव

Yadav Bandhus offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva

VARANASI: Maintaing their tradition the YadavBandhus under different banners offered Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva at different temples on the occasion of first Monday of Shrawan month.

Marching on the crisp beat of 'Damru', people of Yadav community dressed in thematic and traditional costumes walked bare foot from Kedarghat. Despite comparatively less crowd was seen in the procession, the crowd of devotees looked enthusiastic and charged with religious fervour. Several children and youngsters had come painting their faces like Lord Shiva and other Gods and Goddesses. Mesmerized by the festive spirit several other devotees also joined the procession.

Offering Jalabhishek at Gauri Kedareshwar temple, the procession also reached Tilbhandeshwar temple, Sheetla temple, Alhadeshwar temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Mahamrityunjay temple, Trilochan Mahadev, Omkareshwar Mahadev and Laat Bhairo temple. The procession finally culminated at Laat Bhairo where devotees paid tribute to the Uttarakhand flood victims. Yadav Bandhus under the banner of Chandrabanshi Gop Sewa

Samiti, Shree Krishna Yadav Mahasabha were present on the occasion.

It may be noted that the tradition of offering Jalabhishek by Yadav Bandhus started as a regular feature from 1932 onwards when less than 50 people from the Yadav community offered Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva and prayed to make the region get rid of drought that was prevailing during that period.

-timesofindia

Importance Of The Shravan Shiva Vrat

Shravan is the month when the Monsoons are at its peak in India. This month is held in special reverence by the devotees of Lord Shiva. This is because, Shravan is the special month of Lord Shiva. Especially, the 4 Mondays that come in the month of Shravan are very auspicious. The Shravan Shiva vrat is one of the important religious customs associated with Lord Shiva. 

There are different ways of doing the Shravan Shiva vrat. Some people fast on the Mondays of Shravan. This is called the Shravan Somvar vrat. The Shravan Shiva vrat on Mondays is very common. Monday is the special day of the week dedicated to Lord Shiva. And as the month of Shravan is very significant for Lord Shiva, Shravan Somvar fasts are very common. 



There are also some people who fast throughout the month of Shravan. They stick to certain types of foods for the entire month. Foods like sabudana and fruits are commonly eaten during the Shravan Shiva vrat. People who follow the Shravan Shiva vrat religiously have only one meal every single day in the entire month. They also eat food without salt at the time of fasting. 

Importance Of Shravan Shiva Vrat 

The Shravan Shiva vrat is particularly significant for women. Both married and unmarried keep this fast for different reasons. Usually, unmarried women keep the Shravan Somvar vrat so that they find good husbands. Married women keep this fast to pray for the long life of their husband. Keeping this fast is also supposed to ensure a long and happy marital life. 

Scientific Causes 

Some medical practitioners believe that fasting during the month of Shravan is good for health. When the rains start pelting, sunlight is scare and this slows down the digestive system. It is good to eat food that is very easy to digest. That is why, many Hindus follow a strict vegetarian diet during the month of Shravan. 

Fasting also has de-toxifying effect on the digestive system. This is a natural protection against water borne diseases that are common during this period of the year. 

So these were the ways to keep the Shravan Shiva vrat and the significance of doing so.

- boldsky

How many feel that there is a greater desire to 'learn' about Shivji now than there was a few years ago?

~ ॐ नमः शिवाय ~
How many feel that there is a greater desire to 'learn' about Shivji now than there was a few years ago?

Sarvatra Bhairava

According to Kashmir Shaiv Darsana : Kashmir Shaivism, an initial revelation is made to the bhakt by the shiva "inside', and this is called Udyamo Bhairava. But the spiritual journey does not end with such enlightenment. If the Bhakti is firm, the seeker goes further to a great state where all is seen asLord Shiva and nothing else. This is called Sarvatra Bhairava.

"I harnessed my thoughts around the feet of the divine, and then they began to beat His rhyme."

I harnessed my thoughts around the feet of the divine,
and then they began to beat His rhyme.
(shail gulhati)

lamenting her separation from her love for Lord Shiva

O mother I burned
in a flameless fire
O mother I suffered
a bloodless wound
O Mother I tossed
without a pleasure:
loving you my lord, white as jasmine
I wandered through unlikely worlds.


– Akkamahadevi, wandering bhakta poet, 12th century

lamenting her separation from her love, Lord Shiva

Guruji, What is subtle ego, and how does one overcome it?

Q: Guruji, What is subtle ego, and how does one overcome it?

Guruji : Subtle ego is when you have the feeling that ‘I have no ego’. When you feel that ‘I am the most down-to-earth and humble person alive’, then that is the subtle ego.
See, if you find that there is some ego in you, never mind, just keep it in your pocket. If it is there, let it be there. It is alright. Why do you want to get rid of it? If you try to get rid of the ego, then that will become another big problem for you. Because then you will say, ‘See, I have overcome my ego!’ Then that is the subtle ego. You cannot overcome ego by destroying it. Just be natural. Ego dissolves in the naturalness of your being.

Om Namah Shivay.

Oh... here once again !! Rishi Śvetāśvatara proclaimed "Shiva eva kevalaḥ" ie., Shiva alone exists

yadā’tamas tan na divā na rātrir
na san na cāsac chiva eva kevalaḥ
tad akṣaraṃ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
yadā’tamas tan na divā na rātrir
na san na cāsac chiva eva kevalaḥ
tad akṣaraṃ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
prajñā ca tasmāt prasṛtā purāṇī (SV Up IV-18)

When there is no darkness of ignorance, there is no day or night, neither being nor non—being; SHIVA alone exists. That immutable Reality is the meaning of "That"; It is adored by the Sun. From It has proceeded the ancient wisdom.

Oh... here once again !! Rishi Śvetāśvatara proclaimed "Shiva eva kevalaḥ" ie., Shiva alone exists

Om Namah Shivay.

Beauty Is Eternity Gazing At Itself In A Mirror

Beauty Is Eternity Gazing At Itself In A Mirror : 

The youthful Mulla Nasrudin was determined to marry a beautiful young girl from a poor family. His father wanted him to marry someone rich. "What's wrong with you?" he said, "the beauty that's blinded you is only skin-deep."
"That's deep enough for me," Mulla replied. "I'm not a cannibal."

I find this joke amusing but it also makes a persuasive point: beauty is what matters to you. It is your own reflection. As you progress in life, intellectually and emotionally, your priorities change. What you find pretty at fifteen, you may not find it half as beautiful when you are thirty. As you understand yourself better, the importance of just external beauty declines in your eyes. It does not mean the visual appeal of something or someone beautiful diminishes in your eyes, it just means you place greater value on other traits. Mostly. In the words of Khalil Gibran: Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.

Om Namah Shivay.

There Is Only One Binding Force In The World

There Is Only One Binding Force In The World : 

If your mind is trained well through Sadhana (spiritual practices), it befriends you, and it helps you. Otherwise your own mind behaves like an enemy. Isn't this so true? It is so true! 
===================================
None of your efforts will go waste that you should be assured about, if not now you will see the results later. ===============================
There is one binding force in the whole universe in which all the atoms are bound, in which the trees are growing, animals are existing, wind is blowing, the earth is revolving, and that power is love.

Om Namah Shivay.

Shivji, I give my..........................

SHIVJI, 
I give you my hands to do your work!!!
I give you my feet to go your way!!!
I give you my eyes to see as you do!!!
I give you my tongue to speak your words!!!
Above all, I give you my heart to love!!!
I hope you like this prayer.

Om Namah Shivay.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ― Confucius

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
― Confucius ((( Have a peaceful Day )))

Dakshina

Dakshina (Sanskrit: dakṣiṇā, the feminine of dakṣiṇa "south, southern", but also "right-hand side, able, dexterous, clever") in the historical Vedic religion is the term for the recompense paid by the sacrificer for the services of a priest, originally consisting of a cow (according to Kātyāyana Śrautasūtra 15, Lāṭyāyana Śrautasūtra 8.1.2). The term itself is derived from this, the feminine dakṣiṇā being a term for a cow able to calve and give milk (a prolific cow, milch-cow) in the Rigveda.

Dakshina is personified as a goddess along with Brahmanaspati, Indra and Soma in RV 1.18.5 and RV 10.103.8, and is the reputed authoress of RV 10.107 according to the Anukramani. In later literature, in the Manusmrti and in the Ramayana, the term acquires a more general meaning of "thanks" or "a gift".

May Shiva bless you with good health, love and happiness

May Shiva bless you with good health
May Shiva bless you with love
May Shiva bless you with happiness.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA!

World's first university was established in Takshila

As early as 700 B.C., there existed a giant University at Takshashila, located in the northwest region of Bharat (India).

The world's oldest recognized university

Taxila also known as Takshashila, flourished from 600 BC to 500 AD, in the kingdom of Gandhar. 68 subjects were taught at this university and the minimum entry age, ancient texts show, was 16. At one stage, it had 10,500 students including those from Babylon, Greece, Syria, and China. Experienced masters taught the vedas, languages, grammar, philosophy, medicine, surgery, archery, politics, warfare, astronomy, accounts, commerce, documentation, music, dance and other performing arts, futurology, the occult and mystical sciences,complex mathematical calculations. The panel of masters at the university included legendary scholars like Kautilya, Panini, Jivak and Vishnu Sharma. Thus, the concept of a full-fledged university was developed in India.
Famous Nalanda University

The stupa of Sariputta at Nalanda University. "The first great university in recorded history."

Did you know that the University at Nalanda functioned from 500 to 1300 AD until destroyed by invaders?

During the 800 years that the university was operational, it attained great fame. Its campus was one mile in length and a half-mile in width. It also had 300 lecture halls with stone benches for sitting; laboratories and other facilities were also available. For example, the university had a towering observatory called the Ambudharaavlehi for astronomical research. It has boasted a massive library called Dharma Gunj or Mountain of Knowledge that was set up in three buildings named Ratna Sagar, Ratnodavi and Ratnayanjak. The entrance examination was very difficult and the pass rate was 3 out of every 10 students. Despite this hurdle, the Chinese traveler, Hien Tsang wrote in his diary that 10,000 students and 200 professors were at Nalanda University.

source : veda.wikidot

"God is with me, within me"

Some say "Be Muslim". Some say
"Be Hindu". Some say "Be
Christian". Vedas say "Be Human".
Some say "Follow Prophet". Some
say "Follow Avatar". Some say
"Follow Jesus". Vedas say "Follow
Conscience".
Some say "God is over 7th Sky".
Some say "God is over 4th Sky".
Vedas say "God is with me, within
me".
Some say "God tests". Some say
"God punishes". Some say "God
forgives". Vedas say "God supports"

Floor Shringar with dry fruits..!

Floor Shringar with dry fruits..!



Today's Bholenath's Shringar...!

Omkareshwar Jytroling (5 photos)

Omkareshwar Jytroling

2

3

2

1

5

!!!!!!.... Lord Shiva does Shayan in Omkareshwar….!!!!!!!

!!!!!!.... Lord Shiva does Shayan in Omkareshwar….!!!!!!!

On request of a devotee I am providing here one picture of Lord shayan aarti ,it is believed that among all Jyotirlinga Lord Shiva does Shayan in Omkareshwar so whosoever is visitinghere please try to catch the aarti ,it is very powerful ,with many playing instruments like Dhol,Damru and Nagade ,you can feel Lord Shiva’s Omni present there. May Shiva bless all.
A game like Choupad is placed there for Lords entertainment and it says that in morning the setting of all game found different.

Omkareshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata in the Narmada river; the shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu ॐ symbol. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means "Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound") and one to Amareshwar (mamleshwar) (whose name means "Immortal lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas"). But as per the shloka on dwadash jyotirligam, Mamleshwar is the jyotirling, which is on other side of Narmada river.
In spite of the Omkareshwar Temple being famous for the Jyotirlinga, some devotees believe that that Mamaleshwar holds the actual Jyotirlinga while some believe that both are the two parts of one and the same linga.

The wall of the temple is in scripted with the Shiv Mahima Stotra dating back to 1063 A.D. There are also several other temples of Lord Shiva around the main temple of Mamaleswar.
Greatness of Mamaleshwar temple is described in the Shiva Purana and it is believed that the deity in this temple and one that found in the Mandhata temple is one and same. This temple holds equal importance as to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga has different beliefs about arrival of lord here.
It is believed that king Mandhata and his son's did tough penance. King Mandhata of Ishvaku clan (an ancestor of Lord Ram) worshipped Lord Shiva here till the Lord manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga. Some scholars also narrate the story about Mandhata's sons-Ambarish and Mucchkund, who had practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Lord Shiva. Because of this the mountain is named Mandhata.
Other story from Hindu scriptures says that once upon a time there was a great war between Devas and Danavas(demon), in which Danavas won. This was a major setback for Devas and hence Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Lord Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated Danavas.

!!!...............MANGALA GAURI VRAT IN SHAARVAN ….........!!!

!!!...............MANGALA GAURI VRAT IN SHAARVAN ….........!!!

On every Tuesday in the month of Shravan Goddess Mangala Gauri is worshipped, and the religious observance is known as Mangala Gauri Vrat. The vrat is celebrated by married women, especially newly married, for the good fortune of their husbands and children, and above all for a long and happy conjugal life.

On Tuesday morning, the idol or picture of the Devi Mangala Gauri is placed on a small wooden platform wrapped in a red cloth. A lamp consisting of 16 thick cotton wicks made of wheat flour (atta) is lit with ghee and the devotees meditate by reciting the following mantra:-

Kungkumaaguru liptaangaa
Sarva avaran bhooshitam.
Neelakanthapryaam Gaureem
Vandeham Mangalaahavayaam

Once through with the meditation (Dhyan), Devi Mangala Gauri is worshipped by performing a puja with Shodoroshopochar rituals.

Various items (as mentioned below) are offered to the Goddess:

Sixteen garlands, sixteen laddus, sixteen different types of fruits, five types of dry fruits for sixteen times, seven types of cereals sixteen times, jeera sixteen times, coriander sixteen times, sixteen leaves of betel, sixteen betel nuts, sixteen cloves, sixteen cardamoms, casket full of various items of cosmetics including sari and sixteen bangles should be offered to the Goddess. It is to be noted that the number sixteen is of prime importance in this puja.

After completing the rites and rituals, the devotees read / listen to the story behind the Mangala Gauri Vrata.

As the story goes: Long time ago, a merchant named Dharampal lived in a city. He had a very beautiful wife and sufficient wealth. But, they were not at all happy as they had no children. However, by the grace of God they obtained a son who was unfortunately short lived (Alpayu) as he was cursed of death by snake bite at the age of sixteen. But fortunately, he was married before he achieved that age (sixteen) with a girl whose mother observed the Mangala Gauri Vrat. As a result, she was blessed with a daughter who would never face widowhood. So, Dharampals son achieved a life span of hundred years. Thus, all the newly married women should perform this pujan and observe this vrat for long, consistent and happy conjugal life. Those who cannot observe fast should at least perform the puja.

After hearing the above sacred tale, the married women offer 16 laddus to their mother-in-law and sister-in-laws. Thereafter, they offer the same Prasada to a Brahmin. After completing this ritual, devotees perform Nirajan (aarti) of the 16 wick lamps before the Goddess. The next day i.e. on Wednesday, the idol of Devi Mangala Gauri is immersed in a pond or lake. This pujan and vrat is performed for five consecutive years for happiness of the family.

This year, the Mangal Gauri Vrat falls on Tuesdays the 30th July ,6th August , 13th August and 20th August ( As Per North India Calendar)
13th August ,20th August , 27th August , 3rd September ( As Per South India Calendar)

Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath Baba.....

HAR HAR MAHADEV

Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath Baba.....