Kotilingeshwara Temple situated in Kolar, Karnataka, is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva

 

Situated in Kolar, Karnataka, Kotilingeshwara Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kotilingala Temple is well known for housing the tallest Shiva Linga in the world, measuring 108 ft (33 m). Koti in Kannada means One Crore. Linga is an abstract symbol of Lord Shiva. As the name itself signifies, together it's Koti-Linga, (Crore Statues). Lord Kotilingeshwara temple spans over 13 acres of land in Kammasandra.

The Kotilingeshwara temple was initiated with the intent of installing 1 crore lingas. Koti means crore (10 million) in Sanskrit and hence the name "Kotilingeshwara". This temple is part of Mukti Kshetra Darshan.

A huge Nandi (Nandishwara - the Vahana of Shiva) which is 35 feet (11 m) tall lies in front of this huge Shiva Linga. The Nandi stands on a platform which is about 4 feet in height. Kotilingeshwara temple is a modern marvel that is still developing with the efforts of devotees. About eleven small temples of various deities are constructed within the premises. A water tank is also present for performing Abhishekam to the Lingam.

Manjunatha was an atheist, but a good person helping others in need and fighting evil and so even though Manjunatha hates his namesake Lord Manjunatha (aspect of Shiva), the latter loves his would be devotee. Being an atheist, Manjunatha always disrespects Lord Shiva.

Eventually Manjunatha realizes the existence of the Supreme and slowly transforms himself into a great devotee of Lord Manjunatha (Shiva) and with his devotion, wins the hearts of everybody including the local King, Ambikeshwaravarma.

He is believed to have insulted Supreme god Manjunath ten million times in his lifetime, therefore, to acquit himself of his past sins, Bhakta Manjunatha, under the patronage of Maharaja Ambikeshwaravarma and help of his family, created ten million lingams, hence the name "Kotilingeshwara" where 'Koti' means 'crore,' and installed them in the area now known as Kotilingeshwara Temple.

Om Namo Narayana ~ Om Namah Shivaya

Lord Narayana

 

In the Yajur Veda it is stated ;

Lord Narayana is all pervading - The whole jagat (Universe) is pervaded by Him alone' - The Self the Pure Consciousness of the meditator (Pragnana Ghana) in front. behind in between and in all the names and forms (the Jagat) is nothing but 'Consciousness'. So everything emerged out of Lord Narayana. exist in Narayana and merge back into Narayana. Just as bangles are made out of gold, exist in gold and goes back to gold when melted. Similarly the waves and its relation-less relationship with ocean. So Lord Narayana is the womb of all creations just as from 'Consciousnesses' emerge this Jagat.

In the Narayana - Atharva - Siro Upanishad , it is stated - Lord Narayana is the Prathyag-Athma, the Pure Self within and is in the nature of Pranava, 'OM ' which is represented as a symbol for the Reality.

He who meditates on his name reaches Vaikuntha, meaning the state of Pure Consciousness which is the Light of Consciousness, the Lord Narayana within.

The word 'Narayana' means "The one who rests on waters of creation".

The Manusmriti states,

The waters are called "narah", for the waters are, indeed, produced by Nara-Narayana (the first Being); as they were his first residence "ayana", he is called Narayana.

Narayana also means,

"The Supreme Being who is the foundation of all men".

Another interpretation sees, Nara means "human" and Ayana as "direction/goal". Some view Narayana as meaning "son of man." Hence, Narayana refers to the "direction of a human" towards moksha. Nara means "Human" and Ayana also means "Shelter" so Narayana means, shelter of all human beings.

The Narayana Upanishad reads ; Om Namo Narayanayeti mantra upasaka Vaikuntha bhuvanam gamishyati.

In Sanskrit, The word 'Nara' can also refer to a man, male or a person. Narayana is spoken of in the scriptures as being parabrahman, paramatma parameshwar parashakti and parajyothi which are all ways of saying "absolute" or "supreme".

In the Vedas, it is written,

"Narayana parabrahman tatvam Narayana paraha"

which points to how Narayana is essentially the supreme force and/or essence of all.!

Om Namo Narayana ~ Jai Shri Vishnu

Lord Hanuman

 

Lord Hanuman's tale as told in the epic Ramayana is renowned for its ability to inspire its readers to face ordeals and conquer obstructions in their own lives. At the time of the Ramayana, Hanuman ji is sent as an advance spy to Lanka, the capital of Ravana's empire. Ravana has provoked Lord Rama by carrying away his beloved wife Sita in order to start a war. During the epic times that follow, Hanuman ji brings hope and secret messages to the captive Maa Sita, leads Shri Rama's monkey army in the Battle of Lanka and single-handedly kills many demons including Lankini, champion of the demons.

During this time Hanuman is captured by the enemy, only to outwit them with cunning and the use of his powers. He returns to find Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana themselves captured by the enemy and about to be sacrificed to the goddess Kali by the sorcerer Mahiravana. In a tale of great daring, Hanuman ji outsmarts the evil lord into becoming the sacrifice himself, thereby earning the eternal respect of Maa Kali. She appoints Hanuman ji as her doorkeeper and today many of her temples are seen to have a monkey guarding their doorways.

After the defeat of Ravana, Rama and Sita are crowned King and Queen of Ayodhya. Hanuman ji is offered a reward for his bravery and asks only to continue in service to him and to live for as long as men speak of Rama's deeds. He remains as Rama's favourite general to this day.

Because of his bravery, perseverance, strength and devoted service, Hanuman ji is regarded as a perfect symbol of selflessness and loyalty. Worship of Hanuman ji helps the individual to counter the bad karma borne out of selfish action, and grants the believer fortitude and strength in his or her own trials during the journey of life. Hanuman ji is also invoked in fights against sorcery and protective amulets depicting him are extremely popular among his devotees.

Jai Shri Ram ~ Jai Mahaveer Hanuman