''He who maintains the Saligrama shila, the Tulasi, and the conch in one place, becomes very dear to Lord Narayana." - Brahma Vaivaarta Purana.

Saptapadi

The most essential rite (Sanskrit: rītī) of a Hindu marriage ceremony is Saptapadi (English: seven steps, saptapadī). Saptapadi is a Sanskrit term that means "seven steps." The wedded couple walks seven steps after tying the Mangalsutra, which is known as Saptapadi.

The couple legally becomes husband and wife after the seventh step.
Hindu wedding rituals: During Saath Phere, the bride and groom exchange their marital vows while circumambulating (walking around) the sacred fire seven times.

This is because the bride and groom exchange marriage vows and hope for a happy married life together.

1. The first marriage vow, out of seven, is a petition to the Lord for nutrition and nourishment for the Hindu bride and groom.

2. Hindu Bride and Groom: The second marriage promise is for strength in sickness, health, good times, and terrible times.

3. For the Hindu Bride and Groom - The third marriage promise is for the Hindu bride and groom's prosperity.

4. For Hindu Bride and Groom - The fourth pledge is to stand by their families in good times and bad.

Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar sametha Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal, at Thirumalai Vaiyavur, Chengalpat, near Chennai.

ancient hill temple of (more than 500 years old), Lord Prasanna Venkateswara in the sanctum sanctorum looks majestically holding the scepter-Sengole.

Two Thayar idols, Mahalakshmi and Bhu Devi, are on His broad chest on both sides.

Divine serpent Adi Sesha has his place in the Tiruvasi frame around the Lord in upside down 'U' letter shape with all craftsmanship.

Lord is wearing 'Ashalakshmi-Sahasranama' malas and 'Dasavatara Odyanam', the belt around the waist.

Tiruvonam star days in the months of Aavani (August-September) and Purattasi (September-October) are celebrated grandly in the temple.

In Purattasi Tiruvonam, rice nivedhanam is arranged in the shape of Seven Hills with seven dheeps, seven varieties of other preparations and vegetables.

Om Namo Venkatesaya!

Andal, the One-of-a-Kind Azhwar!

Someone who is engrossed in bhakti with the omnipresent one is termed as Azhwar in Tamil. Among the 11 male azhwars, she is the only one who is female.

Background: Andal, also known as "Godai" or "Mother Earth's Gift," was discovered by a pious brahmin named Vishnucittar, who lived in Villiputtur, a town near Madurai, while doing his daily chores of procuring flowers for the Lord's devotion at the local temple.

"Godai" grew up in a loving and devotional home. Godha grew up listening to Krishna's stories and participating in all of her father's pastimes, such as collecting flowers, Tulasi, and weaving magnificent garlands for Vatapathrasayee, the Lord of Villiputtur.

Her head was full of Krishna-related thoughts from the beginning of her developing stage, and she was completely enamored with him.

She made up her mind to marry Vatapathrasayee even as a youngster, refusing to think of any other human being in the same way. She envisioned what it would be like to be His spouse, playing the role of His beloved and enjoying His presence, such was her love for the Lord.

The ultimate sacrifice of Panna Dhai!

#LongThread

Panna Dhai, a 16th-century Rajput woman of the Kheechee tribe, nursemaid to Udai Singh, the fourth son of Maharana Sangram Singh I (SANGA) (1509-1527). Her name, Panna means emerald, and dhai means a wet nurse in hindi language.

She had been given charge of young Udai, breastfeeding him virtually from his birth in 1522, along with her own son Chandan (also known as Moti), who was of similar age and Udai’s playmate.

However, the second and third decades of the 16th century were troubled times, and events moved rapidly. Sanga died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Khanva (1527) against Mughal emperor Babur. Sanga’s eldest son Bhoj Raj had been killed in battle in 1521.

Three of his other sons died during his lifetime. Then his eldest son succeeded to the throne as Maharana Ratan Singh II (1527-1531). However, when he died after ruling only four years, the vile-tempered Vikramaditya II succeeded to the throne at the young age of 14.

How do Hindus choose the right murti for their puja room?

#Thread

There are no universal rules for choosing murtis followed by all Hindus, but there are many guidelines followed by various Hindu communities.

As for which Devata to choose a murti of, typically a Hindu will select their Ishta Devata or personal favorite, most beloved Deity. This murti will be centermost on the shrine, and the most elaborate.

In addition, many Hindus add extra murtis to represent more of the pantheon in their puja room. Usually at least Ganesha is given a place, even if he is not the Ishta Devata.

This ubiquity in most puja rooms makes Ganesha the most popular Hindu Devata, even though he is not the most common Ishta Devata (an honor that goes to his father Shiva, followed by Hanuman).

Ever heard of a temple where the statue of the Goddess was found in a field in 1936 after spending almost a millenia under the soil?And is worshipped as the Tri-Sakthi-Swaroopini?
No?
I shall narrate the story of Nidadavole Kota Satthema temple in West Godavari district, Andhra

Nidadavole is a sleepy little town in the district of West Godavari, located a few kilometres from the Godavari. Among other things, it is famous for its Gramadevatha and Kshetrapalika, the Goddess Kota Satthema

In the tenth century, Nidadavole was known as Nirvadhyapuram, and was under the rule of the Eastern Chalukyas. They were nominal feudatories of the Kakatiyas of Warangal. The local Sthalapurana indicates that the original temple was built by one king called Virabhadra.

This Virabhadra has been identified as the husband and royal regent of the Kakatiya Empress, Rani Rudramadevi who ruled Central Deccan during the period. The original stone figure of the Goddess was built within a fort during his reign.

The goddess was worshipped as the Shakti of the Fort. Over time the name entered the vernacular parlance as Kota (the telugu word for Fort) and Satthema (a local vulgarisation of the word Shakti).

TODAY I WILL REMOVE ALL MISUNDERSTANDING & WRONG INFO ABOUT KRISHNA CHIRHARAN GOPI LEELA.

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS THREAD AND REFUTE THOSE WHO ARE DOING PROPAGANDA.

I often see such kind of images floating around & with wrong info about Bhagwan Krishna.

So lets start with Gokul..

Some people are of the view that 'gopi chirharan leela' was vulgar and obscene.People forget that Krishna stayed at Gokul for merely eleven years. This leela possibly must have been done when he must be eight or nine. How could gestures of a child can be obscene.

Rishi's and saints have used such words in their scriptures for centuries but we in this modern world are taking their present day meaning without considering the inner nuances of those words.

Such words were used to make us aware about the pure bhakti which according to them was that there should be no barrier between Parmatma and devotee.Spiritualists believe that Krishna is ATMA and gopis are VRITI(वृत्ति).

Once the cover of VRITI or attitude is destroyed that is Chirharan and finally when they surrender themselves to the Atma(Krishna) that is 'Raas'.

📸 Credit - Krishna_subconcious & Yogfoundation

1/ Thought it was strange to see an ostensibly hard Left "No Pasaran" publisher come out with a "Jewish Pride" text so decided to do a little digging into the company.

2/ Not much detail on their Twitter other than the usual stuff plus being "against Left antisemitism"

3/ Website equally vague

4/ Noted the address and put it through Companies House to see who is really behind "No Pasaran media."

5/ Found the result. Time to click on "People."

Does Islam teach men to oppress women?🧵

A dispassionate study of the primary sources of
Islam, along with an analysis of the position of
women in societies where Islam was implemented, shows that Islam's emergence was a blessing for women and it drastically improved their previously poor status.

As far as relationship to God is concerned, there is absolutely no difference between men & women. Both are promised reward/punishment according to their conduct.

In addition to the verses which makes both genders one product in regard to spirituality, Quran, in addressing believers, often uses the expression 'believing men & women' to emphasize their equality in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues & merits. Examples:

Quran being the rulebook for muslims demonstrates how certain things should be done which also includes rules regarding marriage, behaviour between spouses, separate rights of them which cant be taken away, Allah's warnings against pressuring/confining the wife etc some verses: