Birthplaces of Hanuman: Legends Across India
Dr Dinesh Soni
Among the many characters of Ramayana, Hanuman is probably one of the most revered and loved characters. Apart from Ram and Sita, Hanuman is one who got embedded in the…
Mythology
The secret behind Jyotirlinga names
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Dinesh Soni (@indian.temples) In Shaivism in India, the term Jyotirlinga holds a very specific religious value. The Word Jyotirlinga is…
The Jyotirlingas : An introduction to the legends and history of the 12 sacred Shaivite Temples
Introduction In Shaivism in India, the term Jyotirlinga holds a very specific religious value. The Word Jyotirlinga is a Sanskrit compound of jyotis (‘radiance’) and linga (‘symbol’). Thus, a Jyotirlinga…
Balrama : The unsung hero of Hinduism
Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, does not find a lot of significance in worship today. However, he existed as a very significant figure in Bhagavata Purana. The elder brother…
Unveiling the Vedic Gods: The Divine Beings of Ancient Indian Scriptures
Temples and deities are an integral part of our society today. We see temples dedicated to deities like Vishnu (in forms like Krishna, Rama, Narismha etc), Shiva, Lakshmi, Shakti (in…
Hanuman : The embodiment of Power and Humility
Hanumana, the all powerful Hindu deity, is one of the most revered characters in Ramayana. Even though Ramayana is a story of Ram and Sita, the side character of Hanuman…
Beyond Myth: The True Story Behind Lakshman Rekha in Ramayana
Introduction Even Sita had to follow the Lakshman Rekha. Who are you to defy? A very common line I have heard while growing up. Girls and women around me would…
The Divine Prescription: How Hindu Deities Teach Hygiene Practices
We have seen many natural forces being worshipped as deities in Hinduism. We have Varun (personification of ocean and flowing water), Indra (God of rain and thunder), Vayu or Pavana…
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Understanding: The act of Validation
Validation is the act of making someone realise that he/she is important and deserves respect. Or in some cases, it is the process of accepting the authority of someone. Is…
Decoding Vahana: Is it Truly Just a ‘Mount’ or Something More?
Introduction In our epics and Puranas, we read about different deities. The deities appear on earth for their devotees, they fight wars and they bless the devotees. And when they…