GUNDICHA DEVI MANDIR:PURI

Next to Sri Jagannath Mandir, the most important abode of Prabhu is the Sree Gundicha Mandir where Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra travel during the Rath yatra.
Due to this, Rath yatra is also called Sree Gundicha Yatra.
@Shawshanko

It is said that Devi Gundicha was the queen of King Indradyumna, the legendary founder of the 1st great Jagannath Mandir. It is because of the deep devotion of queen Gundicha that Sri Jagannath pays a visit to her house for nine days during Rath Yatra.

It is also believed that Gundicha Ghar is the house of Sri Krishna’s adoring aunt/ mausi Gundicha. Once, Ma Lakshmi left the Sri Mandir and Sri Jagannath and Balbhadra had to roam around for years without food and shelter. At that time, Devi Subhadra resided with Ma Gundicha.

During Rath Yatra, when Prabhu visits Ma Gundicha, she gives a warm welcome to the 3 siblings with a special delicacy made of rice called 'padoapitha'. This rice cake is also known as Podapitha.

Prabhu stays with her for 7 days (plus 2 in travel) every year.

Jai Jagannath🙏🏻

Thread.

Recently, Harsimrat Kaur @HarsimratBadal_ claimed in parliament that Guru Tegh Bahadur protected the religion of Hindus despite of being a Non-Hindu. And Hindus owe a huge favor to others.

In this thread, I will show that Guru Tegh Bahadur was every inch a Hindu!

Let us begin with some contemporary sources.

Guru Tegh Bahadur visited the holy Triveni at Prayaga in 1662 CE.

This visit is documented in contemporary Bhat Vahi records.

Unlike those unpublished "bhat vahis", this one was published by Sikh historian Madanjit Kaur (1978)

This Bhat Vahi was signed by Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The content of the letter is particularly striking.

Guru Tegh Bahadur calls himself a devotee of Naina Devi.

Note. A devotee of Naina Devi. He does not mention Akal Purakh or Waheguru.

In the record, Guru Tegh Bahadur identifies himself as Sodhi Khatri by Varna and Kaushish by gotra.

This is exactly how the followers of orthodox Hinduism identify themselves to this date!

Further, Guru Tegh Bahadur appoints a brahmin purohit named Bhoj Raj.

He orders Sodhis of his line and all his Sikh followers to obey the aforementioned Brahmin Purohit.

This practice of appointing purohits is just what is referred to by some people as "Brahmanical Hinduism"

VASANT PANCHMI: TODAY

Vasant Panchami is celebrated on fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh.
Mata Saraswati, the giver of knowledge, worshipped with yellow flowers, Gulal, water offerings, incense, lamp etc. Panchami is also celebrated as the birthday of Ma Saraswati.

Once, after creating the world, Brahma Ji was very happy and wanted to see his creation with his own eyes. So he set out on a journey. He was disappointed to see complete silence everywhere. Everyone on Earth appeared to be very lonely.
@SriRamya21 @GampaSD @SriramKannan77

He took some water in his Kamandal and sprinkled it in air. A Devi appeared with a harp in her hand. On Brahma Ji’s request, she struck the chords of her harp and music emanated.
Thus, Ma Saraswati was born who blessed the people with voice and filled Earth with music.

The ancient Mandir of Sri Sharda at Sringeri had sandalwood murti. Later, Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya had a mandir built in Kerala style, with timber and tiled roof. Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha substituted the sandalwood murti with the present golden murti.

The Sixteen Sanskaras In Sanatana Dharma. When we talk about it. It teaches you about life and the science revolving around it. Our religion is beyond criticism and it is to be followed after understanding it. Thought this is one important thread.

We believe that every stage and the aspect of life is sacred and you are destined for it. That is why each significant stage, from conception to cremation, is celebrated as a reminder that life is a gift from God which should be duly respected and lived according to his wishes.

The vedas l prescribed a set of observances, known as Samskaras or Sanskaras. There is a diverse number of Sanskaras in Hinduism out of which 16 are referred to as “Shodasha Samskaras“.
Let me not waste your time are keep you all waiting for it. So let us start

(1) Garbhadan (Conception)
Garbhadan Samskaras also called Garbhalambhanam, literally means attaining the wealth of the womb. This is first Samskaras among sixteen Samskaras approved in our scriptures. After entering into a social and worldly life, this Garbhadan is performed.

It is a ceremony performed before conception and impregnation.
(2) Pumsavana (Foetus protection)
Pumsavana is a ritual conducted when the pregnancy begins to show, typically in or after the third month of pregnancy and usually before the fetus starts moving in the womb.

Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Kshetram
#Thrissur #Kerala
#KeralaTemples 🚩

मृत्युंजायाय रुद्राय नीलकंठाय शंभवे ।
अमृतेशाय शर्वाय महादेवाय ते नम:।।

Temple is one among 108 Shiva Temples in Kerala. Shivalingam here is in Rowdra Bhavam. To calm the anger of Paramashiva, 👇

Maha Vishnu is here in the form of Narasimha Moorthy.

Story says that, to win mahabharata war Pancha Pandavas have did Prathishta to many Shiva temples. It is believed that Bheema

made this Shivalinga and Arjuna did Prathishta and worshipped Mahadeva here. Ganapathi, Bhagavathy, Shastha are Upadevatas here.

Shambo Mahadeva
Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

ADI SHANKARACHARYA AND BHAJ GOVINDAM

Bhaja Govindam is written in Sanskrit by Adi Shankaracharya. It teaches the fundamentals of Vedanta in simple, musical verses. It is also called ‘Moha Mudgara’ (the hammer that strikes at delusion).
@RatanSharda55 @SriRamya21

It is said that Adi Shankaracharya and his disciples were walking along a street in Varanasi one day.
He came across an aged scholar trying to learn the rules of Sanskrit grammar on the street. At this age, he was wasting the remaining valuable time of his life.

So Adi Shankaracharya went up to the scholar and advised him not to waste his time on the rules of Grammar, instead turn his mind to Prabhu which would save him from the vicious cycle of life and death. The prayer “Bhaja Govindam” is said to have been composed on this occasion.

भजगोविन्दं भजगोविन्दं गोविन्दं भज मूढमते
संप्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृञ्करणे

O deluded minded friend, chant Govinda, worship Govinda, love Govinda as memorizing the rules of grammar cannot save one at the time of death.

Narayan Hari🙏🏻

@Shaaabaaaaa That is only having a soft corner but not Dharma. Without a doubt, the real Hero is Sri Krishna. After Him, Yudhishthira, or for that matter any of the Pandavas, are the ones one should aspire to emulate. They have no iota of blemish. Otherwise Krishna wouldn't side with them.

Good morning. A Parenting Story

Every year Rohan's parents took him to his grandmother's house for the summer break, and they would return home on the same train the next day.

Then, one day Rohan asks his parents:

#SundayThoughts #SundayMotivation

′′ I'm pretty big now, What if, I went to grandma's house alone this year?"

After a brief discussion, parents agree.

Here, they are - standing on the train station, greeting him, giving him one last tip through the window, as Rohan continues to repeat:

′′ I know, you've already told me a hundred times...!"

The train is about to leave and his father whispers:

′′Son, if you suddenly feel bad or scared, this is for you! ′′

And he slips something into his pocket.

Now, the boy is alone, sitting on the train, without his parents, for the first time...

He looks at the scenery through the window that scrolls..

Around him strangers hustle, make noise, enter and exit the compartment, the controller comments him that he is alone..

A person even gives him a sad look...
So the boy is feeling more uncomfortable..

Please go through this. Very inspiring

1/ At 107, there’s nothing I can’t do! I wake up at 3 AM, go to my farm before all my workers and after a whole day of ploughing and harvesting, I cycle down to the market to sell my produce!

2/ There were no formal schools when I was growing up; I’m self-taught. I was 14 when I got married and inherited a piece of Appa’s land after.

3/ In those days, married women were confined to four walls, but I didn’t want to sit idle. So, at 16, I started my first venture–I set up an idli-vada shop. This was the 1950’s–I’d make about 20 Rs a month!

4/My husband and I couldn’t have kids, so we adopted. Years passed by, my son grew up, but still I kept myself occupied–at 35, I was appointed as the first woman Sarpanch of my village. After, I’d travel to farmers’ meets–there, I learnt about organic farming; I was fascinated!

5/So, at 50, I invested all my money and bought 10 acres of land where I started cultivating my own crops. I didn’t make a lot of money, but I was content! After keeping what was needed for me and my husband, I’d donate the extra produce.

BEDI/DARIA HANUMAN AND SRI JAGANNATH

The Bedi Hanuman Mandir is near Chakratirth.
It so happened that Sri Jagannatha engaged Hanuman Ji to protect Puri from the ocean because sometimes the ocean waves would enter Puri and the people would suffer.
@Shawshanko

However, once Hanuman Ji left his post of guarding Puri and set out to visit Ayodhya to attend a festival and eat laddu there. As a result, the ocean
water entered the town and the people were in great distress.
Prabhu then brought Hanuman back from Ayodhya.
@arunbothra

Jagannath Ji bound him here with a rope(bedi), with laddu in one hand, and ordering him to never leave the place and guard Puri.

The Mandir here has two armed Hanuman with laddu in his left hand and a mace (gada) in his right hand.

Jai Jagannath🙏🏻

THREAD (Something is Wrong)

1/n

Why was Ashoka glorified by @PMNehru instead of Chandragupta Maurya?

2/n

Why was Chanakya demonized as a Kutil Brahman by Nehruvian historians?
Why was this image glorified?
Wasn't there a better image present at that time?

3/n

Why our academic curriculum was so shallow about Magadh Empire and Maurya Dynasty?

4/n

Why were the views of Chanakya on women glorified when we should have focused more on his epic work Arthashastra?

5/n

Why was the work of Chanakya hidden for 2200 years?

1. There is a fire of anger in my eyes
Which has turned my eyes into red.
Like a spark of fire explodes and spread every where
My anger spill on the face of those
Who come to my kitchen.

2. Whoever comes in contact with me
They are roasted as like by live wire
Words come out of my mouth
Like arrows to pierce.

3. Godesses Kamakshi
When I come into Thine Temple
And Aarati is shown
The beauty of your Smile
Is refelected throughout your creation.
The eyes radiate with grace and blessings.
All my anger vanish into air.

4. My eyes are fixed on cooling Moon.
Bless me to be at your feet
So that others' heart don't bleed
Due to my anger and greed.

Wishing you all a Happy Navrathri🙏🙏

Deivatin Kural Vol 2 Pg 791
Meaning of samskara:
After Pralayam unification will happen. Hence efforts to be made to reach there .The sages have laid down forty samskaras and 8 athma gunas for this purpose. When it is said as athma guna and purifying atma through 1/5

Samskaras, it refers to the jivatma as called by dwaithis where jivatma appears to be different than paramatma .ln reality there is only one atma. There is no different atma like jivatma and paramatma .This atma is ever pure .Hence it is wrong to say being purified by 2/5

Samskaras. Atma is nirguna. Therefore calling atma Guna is also wrong. But in reality that nirguna along with Maya has prevented us from knowing that we are that nirguna only . Hence here when atma is referred ,it refers to the jivan as seen by the dualistic principle. 3/5

That atma is impure only . Hence by using Samskaras this has to be purified .This has all dhurgunas. Hence by practicing 8 athma gunas this atma need to be made purified.Once we succeed in this there will be neither any samskaras nor Gunas. There will be an experience of 4/5

self without any difference between jivatma and paramatma. To attain that status only now all the samskaras and the 8 gunas are needed. 5/5

SRI MURUGAN AND AVVAIYAR

Avvaiyar was a great poetess and devotee of Sri Murugan. Once, she want to visit Murugan Mandir.
Since, she walked all the way, she got tired. So she decided to rest under a jamun tree.
Suddenly, she heard the voice of a child.
@twttdc

The boy was sitting on the branch of a tree and asked her whether she wanted a fruit. When she said yes, the boy asked her whether she wanted the fruit hot or cold.
Avvaiyar thought the child was teasing her. So she asked for a hot fruit as the day was cold.

The boy shook the tree. When the fruit fell down, Avvaiyar blew at it to remove the sand in which the fruit had fallen. The boy then smiled and asked her whether the fruit was so hot that she needed to blow at it.
Avvaiyar was stunned, she realized she had become complacent.

She had a momentary pride and thought that the boy was illiterate and she was knowledgeable. This incident made her realise that nobody should be neglected. She then requested the boy to reveal his true image. The boy revealed that he was Sri Murugan himself.

Pazhamudircholai Murugan Mandir is believed to be the spot where Sri Murugan gave darshan to Avvaiyar.

A popular mandir associated with Avvaiyar is the Avvaiyar Amman Mandir at Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu.

Aathichudi is a Tamil Classic text credited to Avvaiyar.

Perunna Shri Subrahmanya Swamy Kshetram
Changanasserry, Kerala
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Perunna Shri Subramanya Kshetram is located in Kottayam District. It is believed that Sri Subrahmanya came here after Tharakasura Vadham. Vel is pointing downwards.

Story behind this temple is 👇

about a great Muruga devotee Kumaran Namboodiri. He had a wish to worship Palani Murugan Temple. But, due to some reasons Namboodiri was unable to go. It is said that Muruga appeared in his dream and told the Namboodiri that he will find a Vigraham in the river, and he should 👇

do Prathista in Perunna Temple. Thus Prathishta done here. During Prathishta Vigraham was completely covered in Sun Light. In the Malaylam month of Meenam, Prathista Dinam is celebrated.

Om Saravana Bhava
Om Muruga
🙏🕉🙏

Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple
Thrissur, Kerala
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Urakam Ammathiruvadi Kshetram is one among 108 Durga temples.
Story says that, Pumully Namboodiri also called Thiruvalayannur Bhattadiri, went to worship Kanchi Kamakshi Devi. It is said that, pleased with his👇

Bhakthi, Devi came to Urakam with him in his Umbrella. That night Devi came in his dreams and asked to do her Prathishta here. She also told Namboodiri that he will find a Vigraham in a well nearby. Thus Prathishta was done here. Temple site was previously Namboodiri's illam.

It is said that Sri Rama worshipped here before war with Ravana.
Urakam Ammathiruvadi temple is main participant in Arattuppuzha pooram. During pooram Urakathamma will be in the left and Cherpu Bhaghavathy will be in right of Triprayar Sri Rama.

Urakathamme Sharanam
🙏🕉🙏

ADI SHANKARACHARYA AND MAHADEV

Once, Adi Shankaracharya was going to Kashi Vishwanath Mandir along with his disciples.
Suddenly, an untouchable/ chandala came in his way along with his wife and four dogs.
Adi Shankaracharya’s disciples shouted at him to make way.

The untouchable smiled and said, "According to your principle of Advaita, which you practice, all the Jivatma are same as Prabhu. How am I different from your Paramacharya? How should I go? My body or my Atman, the form or the formless, the limited or the limitless?”

Adi Shankaracharya understood that it was Shiva himself who had come along with Ma Parvati and the 4 Vedas. He prostrated before Mahadev and sang five slokas called "Manisha Panchakam". Shiva then presented himself along with Visalakshi and blessed Adi Shankaracharya.


Manisha means firm conviction and Panchak means five. The word manisha appears in the last line in all the five Verses.
Manisha Panchakam conveys the message that the Paramatman is same within all beings regardless of bodily distinctions of caste.

As per hindu mythology, depending on whether you follow Vishnu puranam or Bhagavath Geetha, there are 7 Worlds (Lokams) above the Earth (including Earth) and 7 below (excluding Earth) 1/n

The Seven Worlds above the Earth are Bhur loka (Earth), Bhuvar Loka, Svar Loka, Mahar Loka, Jana Loka, Tapa Loka and Satya Loka.

The Seven Worlds below the Earth are Atala Loka, Sutala Loka, Vithala Loka, TalaTala Loka, Mahatala Loka, Rasatala Loka, Patala Loka. 2/n

I am not going deep into descriptions about these 14 lokams.

Depending on which puranam you follow, there could be minor changes in the nomenclature. 3/n

But what is striking is the similarity between the various layers of atmosphere above us and the lokams(there could be a mismatch of a number here or there - it is the concept that is important). 4/n

If you analyze the atmosphere above us, we see

Earth, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Exosphere.

These layers almost match with the concept of Lokams above us in the puranas!!! 5/n

MA LAXMI AND SRIYA CHANDALANI

Once, on the day of Laxmi Narayan Vrat, Ma Laxmi wanted to see how the vrat was being observed by her devotees. So she left Jagannath Mandir and moved from house to house.
She was saddened to see people busy with their morning work.
@Shawshanko

This decline in devotion hurt her. As she was moving, she found the single hut of Sriya Chandalani- a lower cast woman.
The woman was cleaning her house and making pooja preparations. Mata entered her house and accepted her prasada.
Due to this, Ma was late in returning back.

Sri Balrama and Sri Jagannath decided to search for Mata. When they saw her come out of the hut of a low caste woman, Sri Balrama was furious. He asked Jagannath to tell Ma not to enter Mandir before purification.
Jagannath stood helpless. This angered Ma Laxmi.

She cursed them that they would live without food n shelter for years till they accept food from the low caste woman.
So the mandir became devoid of everything. Prabhu kept roaming hungry along with Balrama. Wherever they went, misfortune awaited them. In the end, they saw Sriya

They asked her for food and water. Sriya guided them to Ma Laxmi who finally gave them food and shelter. Ma also agreed to return to Sri Mandir.

With this leela, Sri Jagannath gave the message that a true bhakt is always upheld by Prabhu.

Jai Jagannath🙏🏻