SRI SHANKARNARAYANA KSHETRAM, UDUPI DIST. (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Shankaranarayana is considered one of the seven Parashurama Kshetram created by Maharshi Parashurama. This is one of the rare temples where we can see the confluence of Shiva and Sri Vishnu.

SRI KUMARIAMMAN, KANYAKUMARI (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Created by Maharshi Parasurama and also one among the 108 Shakthi Peethas in the world. The name Kanyakumari stands for Kanya(Virgin) and Kumari(girl).
Devi took this form to vanquish the demon Banasura
@GunduHuDuGa

Once, Banasura(grand son of Mahabali) obtained a boon from Shiva that he could be vanquished only by a virgin.
So, Devi took the form of a kumari and started meditating with the desire to marry Shiva at Suchindram.
Pleased Shiva fixed the midnight hour for marriage with Devi.

Devarshi Narada knew that the marriage would end the chance of killing Banasura. So, he assumed the form of a cock and crowed. Shiva returned back to Suchindram thinking that it was dawn.
Angered, Devi cursed that all food and articles meant for wedding turn into sand and shells

When Banasura heard about Devi’s beauty, he tried to take her by force. Devi, then, killed him and granted the wish of Devas to remain there always protecting them.
The murti of Devi stands with a rosary in hand. Her diamond nose-ring is said to be visible even from the sea.

Once an ancient mariner mistook it for a lighthouse and sailing towards it, his ship wrecked upon the Kanya Kumari rocks. In order to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, the eastern door of the shrine is opened only on five special occasions throughout the year.

DODDA GANAPATHI, BENGALURU
#karnatakatemples

Dodda in Kannada means big. Sri Ganesha here is 18 ft tall in height and 16 ft wide. Dodda Ganesha is also known as Shakthi Ganapathi and Satya Ganapathi.

It is said that Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru, saw a rock here.

The rock had engravings of Ganesha. His sculptors cut the Ganesha murti from that single rock. Later, a shrine was built around the Ganesh murti.

It is believed that Dodda Ganapathi is the protector of Bengaluru. All auspicious events start by praying to Him.

Benne Alankara is the most famous festival here when about 100 kg of butter is coated over Ganapathi every four years and the rich prasad is offered to the worshippers.

Ganesha is also covered in cream colour and is decorated with golden laces and buttons
@GampaSD

The Dodda Ganapathi murti is believed to be still growing in size, especially towards right.

The weavers from old Bengaluru tie a coconut to their looms before starting work. When the work is completed, they break 100 coconuts here along with the one tied on the loom.

SRI VARAHA NARSIMHA, SIMHACHALAM, VIZAG (AP)
#bharatmandir

One of the 32 Narsimha Kshetram of Andhra. It has a unique form of Narsimha, appearing like a shivlingam

It is said that Narsimha’s fierce nature is soothed by worshipping him with Varaha, considered a peaceful deity

The shrine is believed to have been constructed by Prahlada. With time, it crumbled.
In Treta yuga, King Pururava was passing from here in his vimana. The vimana was attracted to this place by a mystic power.
When the place was unearthed, the deity was found.
@GunduHuDuGa

Pururava’s wife, Urvashi, had a dream that the deity should remain covered in sandalwood paste for the whole year except on Akshaya Tritiya.
This practice has continued till date.
The mukhya mandap here, has a pillar kappam stambham believed to possess curative powers.

Chandanotsava/ Chandan Yatra is the most important festival celebrated on Akshaya Tritiya. The sandalwood paste is removed from the moolavar deity and nijarupa darshan (original form of deity) for twelve hours of the day are done by devotees.

UGRA NARASIMHA SWAMY, MADDUR, MANDYA DIST. (Kar)

Here, Narasimha Swamy gives darshan with eight hands and three eyes, considered a rare sight.

With two hands he is tearing Hiranya Kashipu, lying in his lap.

Bhakta Prahalada is seen standing in Namaskaar mudra.
@LostTemple7

This place was known as Arjunapuri. Sthala Purana says that Pandava Arjun wished to see Narasimha roop of Sri Hari.

Since it was not possible, Brahma carved out Ugra Narasimha image, on Krishna’s request, to fulfil Arjuna’s wish.

This was, later, installed here at Maddur.

Kadamba Rishi used to worship Ugra Narasimha here and so the place was called Kadamba Punya Kshetra.

It is believed that if any childless couple performs Thirumanjanam followed by Manjal kaappu and take bath in water mixed with same prasad, they will be blessed with a child.

कुछ इकठ्ठा भी उन्हीं के पास होता है, जो बाँटना जानते हैं..

INTERESTING FACTS ON SRI MAHALAKSHMI MANDIR, MUMBAI

* The mandir is dedicated to the three manifestations of Shakti, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali.

* It was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji who belonged to the Patharwe Prabhu community.

* The murtis were found in the creek of Worli and placed on top of the hillock.

* This was done because the Governor of Mumbai, William Hornby wanted to bring all seven islands of Mumbai together.

* However, construction kept collapsing despite all efforts.
Then, the Engineer had a dream where Mahalakshmi appeared and guided him to the murtis.

* Palkhi of Ma is celebrated on 1st day of Hindu New Year

* Everyday around 9.30 pm, the masks covering murtis are removed and original murtis are open for darshan for about 15-20 minutes, before Mandir closes.

* People stick coins behind Mandir wall to get wishes fulfilled

The Chanting of following names of Bhagwan Vishnu, immensely helps us in overcoming the obstacles in our daily life.
These names are from Sri Vishnu Sahasranama!
|. "Om Vashatkaaraaya Namaha" : For Success in Business.
||. "Om Aksharaaya Namaha" : For Success in Studies.

|||. "Om Bhuthabhavanaya Namaha" : For Good Health.
|V. "Om Paramaathmane Namaha" : For Self Confidence.

Src: VAK magazine from Chilkur Balaji Temple, Hyderabad - Sri @csranga
#SanatanaDharma #SanatanaSanskriti #Sattology

One needs to chant the following slokas 28 times to get rid of certain problems in life.
Om Hrushikesaya Namah - For Overcoming Bad habits
Om Vashatkaaraya Namah - For Success in Business, Interviews, visa interviews, building relationships

Om Srimate Namah - For Handsome appearance & wealth
Om Aksharaya Namah - For Education & better financial strength
Om Paramatmane Namah - For self employed people, for promotions and success in games.
Om Putatmane Namah - To remove mental stress & for mental peace

Om Sarmane Namah - For Job Satisfaction
Om Bhutadaye Namah -To amend soured friendship or any personal relationship
Om Dhatre Namah - For issueless couple
Om vidhatre Namah - Pregnant Ladies to Chant for healthy babies.
Chant the following 108 times :

LESSER KNOWN DETAILS ABOUT THE BATTLE OF PRATAPGAD - THIS YOU ALL SHOULD READ

In the 1659 Adilshah sent Afzalkhan with the army of 75000 soldiers to destroy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with his empire. He was the main soldier, warrior and minister in Adilshahi Sultanate.

He was the Subhedar of Wai province.

He was very powerful physically. His height was 7.3 ft. due to same he was very popular as a strong man from Adilshahi Sultanate.

Whole India was not daring to fight with Adilshahi due to Afzal Khan.

Badi Begum Sahiba sent him to kill Chhatrapati Shivaji on any cost.

Voluntary he decided to destroy Chhatrapati Shivaji’s empire with him. He started his operation against Chhatrapati Shivaji from "wai". He destroyed many temples like as Tulja Bhavani Temple.

He destroyed so many villages, killed villagers to torture Chhatrapati Shivaji.

DETAILED VIEW- Running commentary

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji chose Pantaji as a lawyer to communicate with Afzal Khan. Pantaji was very sharp minded, who did his job very nicely.

2. He presented Chhatrapati Shivaji is fearing Afzal Khan and he wanted to invite him in his kingdom near Pratapgad.

3. Pantaji succeed in the communication with Afzal Khan and he brought him as per the planning of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

MEENAKSHI AMMAN, MADURAI (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

A paadal Petra sthalam where Shiva took the form of Sundareswarar (the handsome one) and married Devi Parvati (Meenakshi).
Devi is also known by the name Angayarkanni (mother with the beautiful fish eyes).
@GunduHuDuGa

Devi Meenakshi emerged from yagna fire as a 3 year old girl when Pandyan King Malayadwaja and Kanchanamalai were praying for a child.
It is said that Devi was born with three breasts and there was a prophesy that her superfluous breast would melt away when she met her husband.

Devi ruled over Madurai and captured Indralok. She went on to capture Kailasha. When she saw Shiva, her 3rd breast disappeared and she realised that Shiva would be her consort.
The divine marriage was attended by all Devas and Sri Vishnu (as her brother) gave her hand to Shiva.

It is said that Indra found a swayambhu lingam at Kadamba Vanam. He placed it in Madurai where the kshetram stands. Here, Shiva is seen on the vehicle of Indra.
The Golden Lotus Tank is said to be the place where a golden lotus blossomed for the puja performed by Indra.

The Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival is celebrated in the Chithirai month to mark the divine marriage of Meenakshi Amman. The festival includes a procession where Meenakshi and Sundareshwara travel in a chariot and Sri Vishnu gives away his sister in marriage to Shiva.

@SaveToBookmarks Ciao! There you go! Original tweet by @AchuthArora: "@powerbeastt @buzz_chronicles @rattibha @SaveToBookmarks save as Movies". See You soon! ✌

Ahoj! There you go! Original tweet by @SaveToBookmarks: "@AchuthArora @powerbeastt @buzz_chronicles @rattibha Cool!

I saved this tweet f...". Enjoy 👌

In the last couple of days Russian propaganda has published a lot of content alleging that Poland staged provocations against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The content in question has employed narratives in use by the Kremlin in its influence activities against Poland. 1/6

Pattern no. 1
Articles posted to Russian websites pick up false accusations against the Poles. These include bogus claims that Poland sabotaged the construction site of the Russia-to-Germany gas link and carried out a direct attack on the pipeline. 2/6

Pattern no. 2
Some of the articles warn that the Kremlin may take retaliatory actions against Poland. Based on false accusations thrown by Russia, the Kremlin’s propaganda amplifies the calls by some journalists and contributors to embark on aggressive activities against PL. 3/6

Pattern no. 3
The Russian media outlets publish a lot of materials that mock the Polish Navy. The narratives that denigrate this component of the Polish Armed Forces are based on opinions and quotes by single Polish Internet users. 4/6

These information warfare efforts aim to:

- solidify false accusations made against Poland

- threaten the Polish society with a potential response by Russia

- weaken the morale of the Polish soldiers and undermine the image of the army 5/6