12 Jyotir lingams of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati

12 Jyotir lingams of Lord Shiva & Mata Parvati

Sri Nageshwar( at Darukavana in Maharashtra), 

Sri Vishwanath(Kashi or Varanasi),

Sri Triambakeshwar (near Nasik in Maharshtra) ,

Sri Kedarnath (Uttarkhand in Himalayas),

Sri Ghumeshwar ( Viasalakam near Ellora in Maharashtra),

 Sri Somnath (Kathiawad Gujarat),

Sri Rameshwar (Setubandha at Tamil Nadu),

Sri Mammaleshwar (Omkareshwar on banks of Narmada river),

Sri Mahakaleshwar(Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh),

Sri Baidyanath (Deogarh in Bihar), 

Sri Bhimshankar (Dhakini near Pune in Maharashtra), 

Sri Mallika Arjun (Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh).

The Meaning and Symbolism of Lord Shiva

The Meaning and Symbolism of Lord Shiva - This photo beautifully depicts what Lord Shiva stands for and the meanings behind his attire

Lords Shiva and Godess Parvati with Baby Ganesha

Lords Shiva & Godess Ma Parvati with Baby Ganesha - some photos

God Shiva And Goddess Parvati

Lord Shiva And Ma Parvati - some beautiful photos. Their wedding anniversary is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. The legend behind their wedding is also very unique.

It is said that Ma Parvati is the Godess Sati ( Lord Shiva's first wife) reborn. Ma Parvati or Gauri was born to King Himavat after many prayers to Godess Durga for a child. Godess Durga then told Himavat that she herself would take birth in his house but he must never question what she does as his daughter. Ma Parvati went through great penance in order to attain Lod Shiva as her husband as Lord Shiva had renounced the worldy life and went into samadhi after Godess Sati's death. Kamsa dev ( the god of love) and his wife Rati devi tried to memerise and allure LordShiva to fall in love with godess Parvati but Lord Shiva burned Kamsa dev with his third eye in anger but being ever benevolent and kind he granted a boon to Rati devi that Kamsa dev would be returned to her. Ma Parvati won over Lord Shiva with he penence and great austerities and prayers. Once Lord Shiva agreed to marry her she told her parents that she would marry only Lord Shiva and no other. It is said that when Lord Shiva's baraat came to Ma Parvati's door her mother cried out in fear and shock as the groom was smeared with ash, wore a loincloth and carried a trishul weapon. He was accompanied by Nandi,bhoots,and other scary pisachas as he was also Lord of Destruction. However legend says he took pity on his mother in law and changed his appearance so that she could see an illusion of Lord Shiva dressed in rich jewels and clothes like a King.

Akshay Trittiya 2009

This year 2009 Akshay Trittiya is on April 27th 2009. Its an extremely auspicious day for buying gold or real estate. I had previously written about it in an earlier blogpost. I have given below the link to my blogpostexplaining Akshay Trittiya and its puja,meaning etc 

Akshay Trittiya Significance, Puja, Traditions and Legends

A Photo Ode to God Shiva

A Photo Ode to God Shiva

Pushkar

The famous Pushkar fair this year is scheduled for November 10 - 13, 2008

Pushkar is a vital religious place for Hindus in Rajasthan. This small city is initially famous for Pushkar Fair (the mass trading of camels), the Lord Brahma Temple, a picturesque lake and camel fair. It is situated at just 11 kms from Ajmer in Rajasthan. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats, which includes the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously inclined.

Pushkar, the holy town in Rajasthan is known for it's sacred lake and the only Brahma Temple in the world. Legend has it that this lake was formed where Lord Brahma - the lord of creation - dropped a lotus on the day of the full moon. Every November, the famous Pushkar Fair is held for 7 days, starts on Noami, finish on Kartik Poornima (Full Moon). The Fair is predominantly a gathering with thousands of camels, cattle and horses for trade, with added attractions of games, races, local folk dances, song and entertainment.

Pushkar is located 13 km from Ajmer, on the edge of a small & beautiful lake.

Photos are courtesy G's memories,