A Shivlinga that is shattered by lightening every 12 years!

A truly surreal location, which can be reached by a 3 km trek, Bijli #Mahadev temple in #Kullu is a must visit for Shiv Bhakts. It is believed that once in 12 years, lightening strikes and shatters the Shivlinga which

is then resurrected by the priest with butter.

The trek is absolutely beautiful and there are Trishuls all around when you reach the top. #Photography of the Shivlinga is strictly prohibited.

A must visit when you visit Kullu #Manali in #Himachal.

Share with a Shiv bhakt 🙂

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Credits: @divisgupta

Today is Bhishma Ashatami

Some Facts all should know about this Obedient Son, Great warrior and loving Brother

Being Ganga's son he was called Gangadutta/Gangaputra

Was also known as Devavrata, Shantanav Mahamahima, Gauranga, Shvetaveera & Asta Vasu

He took the vow of celibacy when he was 36 yrs old

He learnt much of his warfare from Bhagwaan Parshuram Brihaspati, Shukracharya & Vasishtha

He sacrificed his Rights & lived his life for happiness of his Step brothers Chitrangada & Vichitravirya

He was the only warrior in the era of Mahabharata who knew the knowledge of Praswapastra (divine weapon of Vasus)

Bhishma killed one million Pandava foot soldiers in the Kurukshetra war

It is said that, during the war of Mahabharata he was 150 yrs old

While He was on bed of arrows for 58 days he taught Pandavas many important lessons

He gave Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhistir

He is considered as one of the 12 Mahajanas(delegated agents) of Bhagwaan Vishnu who have the highest spiritual knowledge-Bhagavata Dharm

Why we should avoid eating Morris /G9 banana :

Ever thought hought the following while buying bananas ?
☑️Banana in markets are so shining and evenly shaped
☑️ No mosquito or flies bothering fresh bananas
☑️ No ripened fragrance emanating from these banana

☑️ Tasting raw than it appears outside
☑️ No dots ever appeared on the banana
☑️ Neck of banana is so stiff so that banana pulp never withered off from the neck

☑️Neck of banana is never black or ripened

☑️Honest answer for above is these are genetically engineered banana features

☑️These are bananas grown from tissue culture saplings and does involve special engineering for texture, yield and even ripening time

☑️These are farmers friendly as these high yield

☑️ In my opinion these are just bananas by appearance and taste never in terms of nutrition as these are genetically engineered right from growing to ripening

☑️Cytogenetically engineered for high yield, short-term, disease resistance

☑️ These bananas can never match nutrients

My major concerns are below

☑️These banana trees can't bear offshoot by themselves would require tissue culture processed saplings from banana seeds (Monsanto greed)
☑️Pesticide are mostly injected on the plant
☑️Yield is thrice of normal and in half of time

Something extraordinary is happening in Hyderabad. A giant statue of Saint Shri Ramanujacharya who propounded the Visishtadvaita philosophy has been set up. Today the Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi ji will do Lokaarpanam.

A short thread on what it might signify. 🙏

The statue and complex around it looks damn impressive! It has miniature shrines to all the Divyadesams. Veda Patashalas, Yagashalas, Gaushalas and so forth.

Certainly a huge huge commendable feat achieved!

🙏😀🙏😀

I am not going into the biographical details of the Saint. They are well known and readily available. What is more important is Telugus reclaiming him. Yes, he was of Telugu ancestry in his Poorvashramam. His Inti peru was Aasuri. His father was Keshava Somayajulu. 🙏😀

The person behind this huge project is Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, easily the most popular spiritual leaders in the Telugu lands today.

You might like him or not, like his philosophy or politics or not, but he has been working for Dharma significantly in the Telugu states.

Even Jeeyar Swamy's biographical details are well known. Including the huge controversy when he decided to travel overseas! They accused him of breaking Sampradayam, polluting it. Etc etc.

But his way of functioning and his reasoning of his travels seems perfectly fine!

This history vanish from text books

“THE UNSUNG FEMALE”

The Unsung Female Revolutionist : "Durga Bhabhi"

Durgavati devi popularly known as Durga bhabhi was a freedom fighter and HSRA strategist

She gave Bhagat Singh a British look after murdering Sanders a British officer who called lathi charge in Lahore and was responsible

death of LalaLajpat Rai

She along with Bhagat Singh as his wife travelled in a train to lucknow and way to Calcutta to escape from police and disguised Rajguru as their
Aid carrying luggage.

Devi, along with her husband, helped Vimal Prasad Jain, an HSRA member, in running a

in running a bomb factory named 'Himalayan Toilets' (a smokescreen to hide the agenda of making bombs) at Qutub Road, Delhi

She had also sold her ornaments worth ₹3,000 to rescue Singh and his comrades under trial.

She later opened a school for poor children in Lucknow.

Devi died in Ghaziabad on 15 October 1999 at the age of 92

Shakti mudra - A mudra for sound and peaceful sleep

- This mudra helps to keep the tridosha (Vata, Pitta,&Kapha) in balance
- Helps to keep manas /mind calm and easy
-Influences our central nervous system
-Widely done before homas after pranayama to maintain focus 1/2

Do this mudra mudra 15 minutes before going to sleep as below

-Do a 3 to 11 (Reverse count if possible ) count of Pranayama
- Do Shakti mudra for fifteen minutes by chanting any Shloka /mantra or ishta devata
- Complete thanking "Nidhra Devi " (Goddess of sleep )

You will feel calmness before hitting the bed and feel energetic the following morning when you wake up from bed

It’s more beneficial if you do this on a Dharbhasana as it helps you to focus inward (Chakras) by acting as a shield from energy disruption /distraction

If not place a towel or wodden plank asana and do this

As these mudras does activate the Chakras of our body

Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple, Hampi, Karnataka.

This temple dedicated to pawanputra Hanuman, near the banks of Tungabhadra river was built by dwaita philosopher and rajguru of the Vijayanagar empire, Sri Vyasaraja around +500 years ago.

:It is only in this temple that Hanuman appears in a prayer position. In this image, Bhagwan Hanuman’s crown has been formed by his tail.12 monkeys have been carved around this amulet.

:They represent the 12 days Sri Vyasaraja prayed to Hanuman ji. Each monkey holds the tail of the monkey in front of him but is facing backward. Seed syllables have also been carved around the amulet.

:It is believed that Sri Vyasaraja used to draw a picture of lord Hanuman here on the rocks before offering prayers using charcoal and the sketch disappeared after prayers.This incidence happened for 12 days in a row until he pleaded to bhagwan to appear in front of him.

On the 12th day, Hanuman ji appeared in front of Sri Vyasaraja and blessed him. Hanuman asked Sri Vyasaraja to constrain him in a hexagonal amulet & install him in that place.

#Thread on Maa Kali: Divine protector from evils and bestower of Moksha!

Amongst all  10 Mahavidya's the priority (मूलरूपा) has been given to Mata Mahakali . From the philosophical point of view, due to the predominance of Kaal tattva, Shri Kali is said to be the beginning in all the विद्या ।

There are two forms of Maa Kalika - उग्र   and सौम्य , which spread mainly in ten forms and started being called Mahavidya,Being the presiding deity of the महानिर्गुण, she is given an analogy out of darkness.

She is called 'Sundari' when she takes form of  महासगुण,

In Brihanniltantra it is said that
विद्या हि द्विविधा प्रोक्ता कृष्णा- रक्ता - प्रभेदतः ।
कृष्णा तु दक्षिणा प्रोक्ता रक्ता तु सुन्दरी मता ॥

The story of the appearance of Bhagwati Kali is described in Kalikapuran,

Markandeya Purana and Naradapancharatra.

According to Markandey Puran 87.5-24

Maa Kali was born from the forehead of Mata Ambika when she was very angry at Rakshas. Either she swall0wed whatever came in her way or she complety destr0yed it, Wearing Garland of skulls.

Our Temple's which are real Wonder's

Shri Chandramouleshwara Temple
Karnataka

Chandramouleshwara Temple which is situated at Unkal of Karnataka is dedicated to Paramshiva. About 900 year old temple showcases architectural skill of Chalukyas. This is preserved by ASI due to the marvelous sculptures here. It is said that Chalukyas built the

Temple in 11th & 12th century to show off their skills to their enemies, also believed that temple was built overnight by a group of skilled sculptors. It was planned to finish the work by morning, but they couldn't complete the work on said time and thus structure is incomplete.

Temple does not have gopuram. Eventhough this is unfinished temple it's architecture is excellent. Temple have two Shivalingas, one is Chaturmugha Linga means four faced Shiva Linga. Several devotees arrive here to have darshan on Monday

Om Namah Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏

#Thread On Arudra Darshan!

This is a Shiva-dedicated event that takes place in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan). During the Maargazhi Masam, this Arudra Nakshatram, better known as Thiruvaathirai Nakshatram, is extremely fortunate. 1/n
@LostTemple7

Arudra Nakshatra & Pournami fall on the same day on this day. 2/n

This honors Shiva's cosmic dance, which is symbolized by the Nataraja form. The cosmic dance is thought to reflect five different activities: creation, protection, destruction, embodiment, and release. It exemplifies the never-ending cycle of creation and destruction. 3/n

This Arudra Darshan is very important in the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple because it symbolizes the end of Margazhi Brahmotsavam. 4/n

What is the significance of Arudra Darshan?

It is held on the full moon night (together with the Arudra Birth Star) in the month of Margazhi, which is also the longest night of the year. The festival is mostly observed by Tamil-speaking people. 5/n

MURUDESHWARA SHIVA,
BHATKAL TALUKA, UTTAR KANNADA (KAR)

Murudeshwara is another name for Shiva.
Once, Ravana prayed to Shiva to get his powerful Atmalinga.
Pleased by his tapas, Shiva gave him Atmalinga but warned him not to place it on the ground before reaching destination.

To prevent Ravana from becoming all powerful, Sri Vishnu covered the Sun with his chakra.
As Ravana always did Sandhya prayers, he needed to put the Atmalinga down.
Sri Ganesh appeared as a child and agreed to hold the Atmalinga for Ravana.

However, Ganesha put down the linga before Ravana’s return and Sri Vishnu also uncovered the Sun.

Furious Ravana tried to lift the linga but failed.
It’s shape now looked like a cow’s ear.
This place is known as Gokarna (Go means Cow and karna means Ear in sanskrit).

The case of linga fell 23 miles away at Sajjeshwar.
He threw the lid to the south 27 miles away at Guneshwara in the form of “Vamdev Linga”.
The thread winding the linga was flung to south at Dhareshwara and it came to be known as “Tathpurusha Linga”.

The cloth wrapped on the linga fell at Kanduka hills and took the form of Aghora at Murudeshwar.
The word Mrida comes from trampling of cloth and also means happiness.
So Murudeshwara is the Ishwara of happiness.
Praying to Shiva at these Panchkshtras frees one from all sins.

Do We (Hindus) really have 33 Crore Gods and Goddesses?

The concept of 33 Koti devata in Hinduism!

’33 Crore Gods’ is a highly misinterpreted fact. The term ‘trayastrimsati koti’ mentioned in Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda, and Satapatha-brahmana, was misunderstood as 33 Crores.

The term ‘koti’ in Sanskrit has two meaning, one is ‘supreme’ and the other is Crore.

The term ‘trayastrimsati koti’ does not mean the number 'thirty-three crore'. Here koti means 'supreme', pre-eminent, excellent, that is, the 33 'supreme' divinities.

So, somewhere in translation, we missed the basic fact that Hinduism has 33 Supreme Gods and not 33 Crore Gods.

(The word koti has the same meaning as “Uchcha koti.”)

In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, chapter 3, Yajñavalkya has said that in reality there are only 33 Gods and Goddesses.

Of these 8 are Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Adityas, and Indra and Prajapati.

( 8+ 11 + 12 + 2 = 33).

8 Vasus (deities of material elements) are -

Dyaus "Sky",
Prthivi "Earth",
Vāyu "Wind",
Agni "Fire",
Nakşatra "Stars",
Varuņa "Water",
Surya "Sun",
Chandra "Moon"

They are called Vasus, because they are the abode of all that lives, moves or exists.

Thiruvathira / Ardra Darshanam
Tomorrow

Thiruvathira( Ardra Nakshatra) which comes on the Malayalam month of Dhanu and Marghazhi of Tamil month is very important day for worshipping Paramashiva. In Kerala, Vratham is undertaken on this day by ladies.

Unmarried for a good married life and married people takes for long life of their husband. Thiruvathirakali a dance form is performed.There is a custom called Pathira poochoodal, adorn hair with flowers at midnight.

In Tamilnadu, Ardra darshanam is celebrated in all Shiva temples. Worshiping the Dance form of Paramashiva, Nataraja is auspicious. Chidambaram temple celebrate Ardra Darshanam in a grant manner. Vyagrapada muni, and Adishesha observed vratham &

They were given darshan of Cosmic dance by Nataraja on this day. On this day a special sweet called as ‘Thiruvadirakali and kootu which is made made of 7 vegetables are prepared and offered to Shiva.

Om Namah Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏

VEERBHADRA MANDIR, LEPAKSHI (AP)

Constructed at Penukonda during King Achutaraya’s reign in 1530 by Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, brothers who were Governors in Vijayanagar Empire.

This is one of the divyakshetras, (Shiva’s significant pilgrimage place) as per Skanda Purana.

Legend is that the mandir was built by Maharshi Agastya.
It is believed that Pakshi Jatayu fell here after battle with Ravana to rescue Ma Sita.
Sri Rama is believed to have said to the brave bird “Le Pakshi” — ‘rise, bird’ in Telugu. From this, the place got it’s name.

The mandir is dedicated to Veerbhadra whom Shiva created in anger after Daksha Yagna.

The mandir floor also has a huge footprint believed to be that of Ma Sita that was created when Ravana stopped here for sometime after abducting her. The footprint is always moist.

The monolith Nandi sculpted from a single block stone is positioned in such a way that it faces Nagalinga inside the mandir complex.

The Hall has the famous Hanging pillar that doesn’t touch the ground. One can pass thin objects like piece of cloth from one side to other.

SOMNATHAPURA KESHAVA MANDIR, MYSORE (Kar)

One of the most well-preserved architectural beauty of Hoysala reign.

It was constructed by Somanatha, a commander of Hoysala King, Narasimha III, hence also called Somanatha Mandir.

It was built during 1254 – 1291 AD

The mandir is constructed in Trikuta style meaning three parts with three Vimanas.
They are dedicated to Krishna in three forms – Janardana, Keshava and Venugopala.
Unfortunately, the main Keshava murti is missing and the Janardana and Venugopala murtis are damaged.

The ceilings of the mandir depict sixteen different types of Hoysala art. Names of some sculptors are engraved on pedestals of sculptures.

The mandir is no longer used as a place of worship as Murtis have been broken and mandir was desecrated by invaders.

The Mandir is known for fine carvings. Some fine sculptures include Sri Vishnu,Devi Lakshmi and Saraswati.

There is a red post box in the complex. If a visitor posts postcard in the box, it is stamped with a unique Somanathapura stamp, which is one of its kind in the world.