Swamini Amitananda (Chinmaya Mission) visit to Lucknow

Reverend Swamini Amitananda ji visited Lucknow centre of Chinmaya Mission at Chinmaya Niket, 213, Kasmanda Regent Appartments, 2 Park Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow on two day tour 30th Nov. & 1st Dec.2011. During her stay, she blessed the followers of Chinmaya Mission & other visitors wih discourse on Vedanta. On 30th Nov. she spoke on 15th Chapter of Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta and tried to give a brief overview of the same. On 1st Dec. she took up the questions of devotees on vide ranging subjects related to vedas, Geeta & issues related to spiritual upliftment of devotees.

Swami Vivekananda Speech at Chikago

Main Kya Hoon - Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya

Today I finished reading a very good book "Main Kya Hoon" by Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya of Shantikuj, Haridwar.

In the book, Gurudev provides the practical methods of "Sadhana" for self attainment. He takes the readers from the knowledge of self: "What am I? my source of strength; place, time needs, means of resources and friends for me" to self realisation "So'ahamasmi-I am that " meaning My immortal soul is an inseparable and indivisible portion of the absolute spirit (Parmatman) in its ultimate state.

Shri Adinath Digambar Jain Temple, Jaya Nagar, Bangalore

This is relatively new Jain temple in Bangalore. The construction of this temple started early in the decade and completed in 2007. Built in white marble with colourful shades, the temple welcomes the devotees with a nicely sculpted gate.

Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore

Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple is one of the important temples of Bangalore situated at Hulimavu in Bannerghatta Main Road at a distance of about 15 kms from Bangalore.

It is a replica of the famous Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamilnadu and is also run by the same trust. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Sundareshwar and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi. It is a beautiful temple with a tower (Gopura). On entering the temple, Lord Sundareshwar is seen at the entrance and Goddess is on the other side of the temple.

ISKCON Temple, Bangalore

HE DID IT - Swami Chinmayananda, A Legacy

A few days back read a very inspirational book "He Did It - Swami Chinmayananda, A Legacy". Chinmaya Mission West's publication Mananam has brought out special issue "He Did It – Swami Chinmayanand, A Legacy" as part of special 12 issues, starting with this book, to celebrate Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda's birth centenary in 2015-16

Swami Chinmayananda (8 May 1916 – 3 August 1993), born Balakrishna Menon (Balan) was a great spiritual leader, Vedantic Master, Visionary and Missionary who inspired the formation of Chinamaya Mission in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta. The organisation founded by his disciples has over 300 centres in India & abroad.

Shri Shakambari Mata

नमः सर्वनिवासाय सर्वशक्तियुताय ते 

ममाभीष्ठम करू श्वासु शरणागतम वत्सल  

Shakambhari is an incarnation of Ishwari, consort to Shiva. She is the divine mother, called "The Bearer of the Greens". Ishwari is a name of Goddess Durga and means divine counterpart of Ishwara (supreme Lord). She is God's Shakti (force, infinite strength) represented in a form as an all powerful, sovereign Goddess reigning all over the worlds.

The word Shakambhari comes from "shakam" joined with the root "bhri"("shaka" = vegetables or food and "bhri" = to nourish) means the Goddess who bears or gave vegan food to the hungry.

SHAKUMBHARI DEVI (A Symbol of Botanical Energy): Stating in terms of botanical-science, there exist form of energy behind the growth of plants and vegetables; the evolution of this energy is caused due to the multiplication and compounding of atoms. The same energy has been worshipped as SHAKUMBHARI Devi. Indian Culture had adopted the importance of plants & vegetation thousand of years ago, when the worship of SHAKUMBHARI DEVI was started.

Shri Badrinath ji Yatra - 16 May 2011

Shiva

Ab Toh Lagi Lagan Ye Mitti Mein Hai Mil jana...Rameshbhaiji Oza

Govind Mero Hai - Rameshbhai Ojha

MUJHE DE DARSHAN GIRDHARI RE - RAMESH BHAI OZA

Guru pad raj mridu manjul anjan...Rameshbhaiji Ojha

Dur nagari - Rameshbhaiji Ojha

Dena Hai Tho Dijeye janam Janam - Rameshbhai Oza

MUJE MIL GAYA MANKA MEET

Mann Laago Re Yaar Fakeeri Mein - Anup Jalota

Man Laago - Abida Parveen

Kabir Bhajan - Man Lago Mero Yaar Fakiri Mein - Deepender Deepak Sharma ...

Prabhu More Avgun Chit Na Dharo - Sant Surdas Ji - Pt. ...

Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 31st July 2011

Panchtarni: a beautiful place in the feet of BHAIRAV MOUNT surrounded by snow laden mountains and a river with five streams flowing in between.

In the morning at about 06 AM it was beautiful scenery all around. After taking breakfast & signing some feedback forms at the Langar we proceeded to Helicopter ride back to Baltal. Actually did not feel like leaving the place.

Paulhani Mata, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh

PAULHANI MATA MANDIR is a temple located in Dainkund mount (2745 meters) in Dalhousie under District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The holy trinity of Hindu mythology is worshiped in this temple. She is supposed to be an incarnation of Kali Mata and arose at the site from a stone.

The area is called Dian Kund, or Witch's Pond. It is believed that in old days there were witches living there who used to trouble the villagers. The pond is now supposed to be inside the Indian Air Force station which occupies the top of the mountain. Another 1 kilometers of breath taking trek on a plain track leads one to the Temple of Pahalani Devi. The split stone is still near the temple. She killed all the Witches and saved the villagers who since worship her. The weird and wonderful fact about this temple is that, except a trident nothing can be found in the temple premises. A unique characteristic of this temple is the absence of the image of any deity.

Reality at Dawn

Just completed reading "Reality at Dawn", a book by great spiritual master Mahatma Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur or Revered Babuji Maharaj (1899-1983) as everyone so lovingly calls him.

This book explains the purpose and goal of life and how one can attain this goal by sincerely following his Guru. Book also explains why one should find a Guru, who can be the Guru as all the preachers cannot be a Sadguru. The book is a must read by those having inclination towards spirituality or those who are perplexed with the mystique of religion and spirituality. Author Shri Ramchandra ji was an exponent of Raja Yoga and he taught the simple way or Sahaj Marg system to realise or experience the truth hidden behind the complexities of the teachings of great ancient Rishis.

Somnath Temple

सौराष्ट्र देशे विशदेतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम 

भक्तिप्रदानाय कृपवातीर्नाम तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये
[Saurashtra deshe vishadeti ramye, Jyotirmayam Chandra kalavatamsam
Bhakti pradanaya kripavateernam, Tam Somnatham sharanam prapadye]

[I seek refuge of the Somnath who resides in the holy and beautiful Saurashtra, who dazzles with light, who wears the crescent moon, who has appeared there to give the gift of devotion and mercy]

श्री सोमनाथ महादेव प्रथम आदि ज्योतिर्लिंग हैं ज्योति अर्थात ज्ञान और ऊर्जा का प्रकाश मानव सभ्यता के प्रारंभ से ही परम तत्त्व की खोज हो रही है ऐसी ही एक बात ज्योतिर्लिंग के प्राकट्य के साथ जुडी है शिव पुराण की परंपरा के अनुसार एक बार श्री विष्णु भगवान और श्री ब्रह्मा जी के मध्य महत्ता की प्रतिस्पर्धा हुई जिसका निवारण करने के लिए परमात्मा ने अपना ज्योतिर्मय स्वरुप प्रकट किया जिसका रहस्य स्वयं श्री विष्णु जी और श्री ब्रह्मा जी भी नहीं समझ सके करुणा के सागर परमात्मा शिव ने कहा 'आप तीनो अर्थात ब्रह्मा विष्णु और रूद्र मेरे ही स्वरुप हैं मेरी ही ऊर्जा से आप सृष्टि का निर्माण संचालन और प्रलय करते हैं मेरा ही अंश सृष्टि के प्रत्येक जीव एवं निर्जीव पदार्थ में विराजमान है' भगवान शिव  का यह दिव्य स्वरुप आदि ज्योतिर्लिंग के स्वरुप में प्रकट हुआ

 

Somnath, or the protector of the Moon God, is the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas.

Somnath temple stands at the shore of the Arabian ocean on the western corner of Indian subcontinent in Gujarat State. It is also known as Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan and Pattan Somnath. It is believed that the Somnath temple here was originally built by Somraj, the Moon God himself, out of gold, and then rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then by Krishna in Wood, then by King Bhimdeva in stone. This pilgrimage is one of the oldest and finds its reference in the ancient texts like Skandpuran, Shrimad Bhagavat, Shivpuran etc. Rig-Veda & other scriptures have quoted importance of pilgrimage to this place along with Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati. In  the Shiva  Purana  and Nandi  Upapurana, Shiva  said, `I  am always present everywhere  but  specially  in  12  forms  and places as  the  jyotirlingas`. 

Legends

According to Ancient Indian traditions Chandra (Moon God) was relieved from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. As per the story, Moon was married to Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favoured Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and did penance to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed and relieved him from the curse of darkness.

Sarveshwari Jagdishwari - bhajan

Album Name: Maa lyrics : Members of Sri Aurobindo Society Pondicherry
Release Year: 1993

Mere Man ke andh tamas mein - bhajan

Ambe Charan - bhajan

Geeta Gyan Yagya, Lucknow

Swamini Amitananda ji during discourse

Geeta Gyan Yagya was organised by Lucknow centre of International Vedanta Mission, Indore where discourse on Chapter 13 of Shrimad Bhagwadgeeta and Kathopnishad was given by Swamini Amitananda ji. Swamini Poornananda also attended the Gyan Yagya.

Gyan Yagya was held from 18th to 26th September 2011 at Hari Om Mandir, Lalbagh, Lucknow.

Swamini Poornananda

Shri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam

Location: Sri Sailam near Kurnool. Located in the forests of Nallmalai hills, on the Rishabhagiri hills by the banks of Patal Ganga, Krishna river in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam.

Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy (a form of Shiva) and Devi Bhramaramba (a form of Parvathi) is located here. It constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingam shrines of Shiva and is one of the greatest Shaivite shrines in India. The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahashaktis and both are self-manifested.  The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyotirlingam and Mahashakti in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.

Bhramaramba Shrine

Located adjacent to the Mallikarjuna temple is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Jagdamba known as Bhramaramba here. It has great significance. According to legend, Parvati assumed the shape of a Bee and worshiped Shiva here and chose this place as her abode. One can hear the buzzing sound of a bee though a tiny hole in this temple where Parvati, in the form of a bee, slew the demon Mahisasura.

Srikalahasti - (Vayu Sthalam - Air)

There are five very important Shiva temples in Southern India where the Lord is worshiped as manifestation of five elements – earth, water, air, sky & fire. These temples are called panchabhoota sthalam. Although relatively unknown in other parts of the country, they hold much religious importance here. These are important ancient Shiva Kshetras (Shiva Temples) of Southern India.

Srikalahasti, one of the panchabhoota sthalam, is the Vayu Sthalam representing Air. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire), Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth), Tiruvanaikaval (Appu sthalam - Water) & Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Sky).

Importance: Srikalahasti is one of the ancient temples included in the Saiva pilgrimages and is popularly known as "Dakshina Kailasam". Primary deity is Sri Kalahastheeswara Swami (Shiva) with consort Gnana Prasunambika Devi (Parvati).

The Lingam here is swayambhu, and it is white in colour. The Main lingam is untouched by the human beings, even by the priest. Abhishekam is done by pouring a mixutre of water, milk, camphor and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers, and the sacred thread are offerred to the Uthsava murthi, not the main Lingam. Even today the flame placed in Garbhagraha inside the temple flickers indicating the presence of the wind while there is no entry of wind to disturb the flame. The air is just sufficient to breathe in. This according to a belief is the existence of Shiva in the temple

The goddess here is Parvati as Gnana Prasunanmba and is said to be the sister of Lord Venkateswara at the Tirumala temple. According to another legend, Parvati was once cursed by Shiva to leave off her heavenly body and become a human. She meditated here, and was finally blessed by Lord Shiva, who not only restored her to her original status but also endowed her with the highest of divine knowledge. It is believed that the goddess with divine powers here has cured women who were possessed by evil spirits.  

The main festival in this temple is Mahashivratri, which lasts for 10 days.

Shri Badrinath ji Yatra - 14 May 2011

Haridwar (Har ki Pauri)

Rishikesh