ganesh chaturthi ka yah pavan parv maratha saamrajya ke poorv rajyon tak hi simit the, lekin ab yah pure desh bhar men badi dhoom-dhaam se manaya jata hai. yah maharashtra aur gova men konkani logon ka sabse bada tyohaar hai. gujarat, karnaatak, aandhra pradesh ke alava bharat ke sabhi rajyon men yah tyohaar badi dhum-dhaam se manaya jata hai. bharat ke alava shrilanka aur nepal jaise deshon men bhi yah tyohaar pure dhum-dhaam aur badi shraddha ke saath manaya jata hai.

Ganesh ji ka Janm

shivapuran ke antargat rudrasanhita ke chaturth (kumar) khand men yah varnan hai ki, ek baar mata parvati ne snan karne ja rahi thin. us samay vah chahati thi snan karte vakt unhe koi pareshaan n karen. tab usi samay unhone snan se poorv apani mail se ek sundar baalak ko utpann karake use apana dvarapal bana kar daravaaje par pahara dene ke aadesh ke saath snan karne chali gayeen. usi samay bhagavaan shivaji aaye aur jab andar pravesh karana chaha tab baalak ne unhen rok diya. lakh samajhane par bhi us baalak ne unhe andar jaane nahin diya. is par shivaganon ne bhagavaan shivaji ke kahane par us baalak ko dvar se hatane ke liye usase bhayankar yuddh kiya. parantu is sangram men use koi parajit nahin kar saka. antatogatva bhagavaan shankar ne krodhit hokar apane trishool se us baalak ka sir kaat diya. apane putra ka kata hua sir dekhakar bhagavati shiva kruddh ho uthin aur unhonne apane putra ko vapas jivit n hone par pralay karne ki than li. yah sab dekhakar saare devi-devta bhayabheet ho gaye. devarshi narad ki salah par jagadamba ki stuti kar mata bhagavati ko shaant kiya aur fir sabhi devi-devataon ne milkar us baalak ko vapas se jinda karne ka anuraadh bhagavaan shivaji se kiya. samasya yah thi ki kata hua sir vapas se dhad ke saath jud nahi sakta tha. aur fir yah taya hua ki agar kisi dusare jiv ka sir mil jaaye to yah baalak vapas se jinda ho jaayega.

bhagavaan shivaji ne shivaganon ko uttar disha men jaane ka aadesh diya aur saath men yah bhi kaha ki, aise jiv ka sir lekar aana jisaki mata usaki taraf pith karake soi ho. isi kathan ke anusaar shivaganon ko ek jangal men ek haathi ka bachcha mila, jisaki maan usake karaf peeth karake soi thi. yah dekhakar shivaganon us haathi ke bachche ka sir kaatkar le aae. mrityunjay rudra ne us gaj ke kate hue mastak ko baalak ke dhad par rakhakar use punarjivit kar diya. mata parvati ne harshatirek se us gajamukh baalak ko apane hridaya se laga liya aur devataon men agrani hone ka aashirvaad diya. brahma, vishnu, mahesh ne us baalak ko sarvadhyaksh ghoshit karake agrapoojya hone ka varadaan diya. bhagavaan shankar ne baalak se kaha girijanandan! vighn naash karne men tera nam sarvopari hoga. too sabka poojya bankar mere samast ganon ka adhyaksh ho ja. ganeshwar too bhadrapad mas ke krishnapaksh ki chaturthi ko chandrama ke udit hone par utpann hua hai. is tithi men vrat karne vaale ke sabhi vighnon ka naash ho jaayega aur use sab siddhiyan prapt hongi.

krishnapaksh ki chaturthi ki ratri men chandrodaya ke samay ganesh tumhari pooja karne ke pashchat vrti chandrama ko arghya dekar brahman ko mishthaan khilae. tadoparaant svayam bhi meetha bhojan kare. varsh paryant shriganesh chaturthi ka vrat karne vaale ki manokamna avashya poorn hoti hai.

Chandra darshan dosh se bachaav

pratyek shukl paksh ki chaturthi ko chandrama ke darshan ke pashchat? vrat karne vaale ko aahaar lene ka nirdesh hai, isake poorv nahin. kintu bhadrapad ke shukl paksh ki chaturthi ko ratri men chandrama ke darshan ko nishiddh mana gaya hai. jo vyakti is ratri ko chandrama ko dekhte hain unhen jhootha kalnk prapt hota hai. aisa shastron ka nirdesh hai. yah anubhoot bhi hai. is ganesh chaturthi ko chandra-darshan karne vaale vyaktiyon ko ukt parinam anubhoot hue, ismen sanshay nahin hai. yadi jaane-anajaane men chandrama dikh bhi jaaye to nimn mantra ka path karne se jhutha kalnk dosh mit jata hai - ‘sihah prasenam? avadhit?, sinho jaambavta hatah. sukumaarak ma rodistav hyesh svamantakah?‘

Ganeshotsav

vaise to yah tyohaar poore bharat men manaya jata hai, kintu maharashtra ka ganeshotsav vishesh roop se prasiddh hai. maharashtra men bhi pune ka ganeshotsav jagatprasiddh hai. yah utsav, hindu panchaang ke anusaar bhadrapad mas ki chaturthi se chaturdashi (char tareekh se chaudah tareekh tak) tak das dinon tak chalta hai. maharashtra men ise mangalakari devta ke roop men v mangalapoorti ke nam se pooja jata hai. dakshin bharat men inki vishesh lokapriyata kala shiromani ke roop men hai. ganesh hinduon ke aadi aaradhya dev bhi hai. hindu dharm men ganesh ko ek vishashti sthan prapt hai. koi bhi dhaarmik utsav ho, yagya, poojan ityadi satkarm ho ya fir vivahotsav ho, nirvidhn karya sampann ho isaliye shubh ke roop men ganesh ki pooja sabse pahle ki jaati hai. maharashtra men saat vahan, rashtrakoot, chalukya aadi rajaon ne ganeshotsav ki prathama chalayi thi. chhatrapati shivaji maharaj bhi shri ganesh ki upasna karte the.

Itihas

kahate hain ki pune men kasba ganapati nam se prasiddh ganapati ki sthapana shivaji maharaj ki maan jeejabai ne ki thi. parantu lokamaanya bal gangadhar tilak ne ganotsav ko jo swaroop diya usase ganesh rashtriya ekta ke prateek ban gaye. tilak ke prayas se pahle ganesh pooja parivar tak hi seemit thi. ganesh pooja ko saarvajanik mahotsav ka roop dete samay use keval dhaarmik karmakaand tak hi seemit nahin rakha, balki aajadi ki ladaai, chhuaachhoot door karne aur samaj ko sangathit karne tatha aam aadami ka gyanavardhan karne ka use jariya banaya aur use ek aandolan ka swaroop diya. is aandolan ne british saamrajya ki ninv hilane men mahatvapoorn yogadaan diya. lokamaanya bal gangadhar tilak ne san 1893 men ganeshotsav ka jo saarvajanik paudharopan kiya tha vah ab viraat vat vriksh ka roop le chuka hai. vartamaan men keval maharashtra men hi 50 hajaar se jyada saarvajanik ganeshotsav mandal hai. isake alava aandhra pradesh, karnaatak, madhya pradesh, uttar pradesh aur gujarat men kafi sankhya men ganeshotsav mandal hai.

Svatantrata Sangram aur Ganeshotsav

veer savarkar aur kavi govind ne nashik men mitramela namak ek sanstha banaai thi. is sanstha ka kaam tha deshabhakti poorn povade (maraathi lokagiton ka ek prakar) aakarshak dhng se bolkar sunana. is sanstha ke povadon ne pashchimi maharashtra men kafi dhoom macha di thi. kavi govind ko sunane ke liye logon umad padte the. ram-ravan katha ke aadhar par ve logon men deshabhakti ka bhaav jagane men safal hote the. unake baare men veer savarkar ne likha hai ki kavi govind apani kavita ki amar chhaap janamanas par chhod jaate the. ganeshotsav ka upayog aajadi ki ladaai ke liye kiye jaane ki baat poore maharashtra men fail gayi. baad men nagpur, vardha, amaravati aadi shaharon men bhi ganeshotsav ne aajadi ka naya hi aandolan chhed diya tha. angrej bhi isase ghabra gaye the. is baare men rolet samiti rapat men bhi chinta jatayi gayi thi. rapat men kaha gaya tha ganeshotsav ke dauraan yuvakon ki toliyan sadkon par ghoom-ghoom kar angreji shasan virodhi geet gaati hain v skooli bachche parche baantate hain. jisamen angreji hukoomat ke khilaf hathiyar uthane aur marathon se shivaji ki tarah vidroh karne ka aahvaan hota hai. saath hi angreji satta ko ukhaad fenkne ke liye dhaarmik sangharsh ko jaroori bataya jata hai. ganeshotsavon men bhashan dene vaale men pramukh rashtriya neta the – veer savakar, lokamaanya tilak, netaji subhash chandra bos, bairistar jayakar, rengalar paranjape, pandit madan mohan maalaveeya, maulikachandra sharma, bairist chakravarti, dadasaheb khaparde aur sarojani nayadu

On the eve of India’s independence, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru famous speech “Tryst with Destiny” marked the beginning of a free India with words symbolizing hope and triumph.

India got its independence from the clutches of British rule on 15th August 1947. It was this day when India’s tricolor flag was unfolded by Pandit Nehru on the barricades of the Red Fort at Delhi. Each and every patriotic soul watched with excitement and paid tribute to thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom.

The Independence Day of India is a moment of delight and grandeur but to achieve it the nation had to put up a long battle for over two centuries against the British Empire. At last on 3rd June 1947, the last British Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, declared the separation of the British Empire in India into India and Pakistan. The announcement was made under the terms of the Indian Independence Act 1947.

Significance of Independence Day

The significance of the Independence Day in the existence of a nation is of greater value. The day is much more than merely celebrating the anniversary of India’s free statehood. On this day India attained a major part of Asian subcontinent’s 562 extensively spread territories besides British owned states.

15th August 1947 symbolizes the victory of Indian patriotism which the nation got after uncertain yet brutal struggle from the repression of the British colonialism. The British, who oppressed India for centuries had primarily arrived to initiate business but steadily captured the entire government of the nation. They educated the Indians and in the process generated enthusiasts who weren’t hesitant in helping them expanding their regime.

Men and women from all over India joined hands and fought for India’s freedom. Many were acclaimed while others contribution went unnoticed. However, praise wasn’t what they desired for. It was the dream of free and autonomous India which motivated them to walk the path of struggle unselfishly. Neither did they battle for their region nor for their natives, but for India and Indians.

At the time of growing communal and caste conflicts, it becomes significant to remind us that the people who laid the foundation of free India has always dreamt of an integrated nation. Hence, it is our duty to live and sustain their dreams, the sole reason for which Independence Day in India is observed.

It is a day to pay a mark of respect to our saviors because of whom we are breathing an air of freedom which does not have the elements of exploitation and repression.

Independence Day celebrations in India

Independence Day is considered as a national holiday in India. The arrangement begins a month before the D-day and the roads are embellished with ribbons and Indian flags.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies are executed all over India by state governments. However, the chief event is conducted in the capital city of India, New Delhi where the Prime Minister of India unfurls the tricolor at the barricades of Red Fort which receives a salutation of 21 guns, and addresses the nation with his speech.

The Prime Minister’s speech holds major importance as it pays tribute to the great souls who sacrificed their lives for nation’s independence and reveals the achievements of the nation during the past year beside discussing significant issues and proposing steps for further growth.

A vibrant parade exhibiting India’s cultural multiplicity, emblematic portrayals of the nation’s developments in science and technology, a collaborative parade of India’s armed competencies by the three forces and patriotic skits and dramas by school children are an integral part of the Independence Day festivities.

On this day the skyline of the capital city gets sprinkled with innumerable multicolored kites. People indulge inkite flying competitions and children cheer aloud elevating the spirit of the day.

Vande Mataram Anand Math Lata Hemant Bankim Original

Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna

Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan – Indian Patriotic Song

AAYE MERE PYAARE WATAN

1964 Leader – Apni Aazadi Ko Hum Harjiz Mita Sakte Nahin – Dilip Kumar , Vyjayanthimala

Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Kaa

jaha daal daal par sone ki chidiya

Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada

Nanha Munna Raahi Hoon…

Jagriti 54 – Hum Layen Hain Toofan Se

Mere desh ki Dharti – Upkar

BEST MELODY HINDI SONG- i love India

Ay Watan

Aye mere watan ke logo

Dus – Hindustani

The Brahmakumaris.

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, (Brahma Kumaris in short) is a unique Vishwa Vidyalaya ( university ) and a well known spiritual value based educational institution. Through it’s teachings, the institution has gained global acceptance and unique international recognition. The institution believes in the parenthood of God and the brotherhood of man and is open to the people of the entire globe irrespective of their caste, creed, age and social, economic or political status. More

Administrators.
Dadi Janki is the Chief of the Brahma Kumaris and a world-renowned spiritual leader. More

History
Prajapita Brahmakumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya was established in Sindh Hyderabad (now in Pakistan) in the year 1937. The institution has a very unique, unexpected and interesting beginning in an atmosphere of incredible divinity. The process of the establishment of the institution and the divine force behind it can be clearly understood when we get glimpses of some extraordinary events that unfolded in the life of an ordinary man called Dada Lekhraj, who himself had the least idea of what was to follow later. More

Academy For A Better World
Academy for a Better World is an Institution of higher learning, established by the Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya with World Renewal Spiritual Trust and Raj Yoga Education & Research foundation. More

With UN
Our global spiritual perspective highlights and affirms the ideals and principles underlying the work and spirit of the United Nations. Speaking with the authority of an increasingly large segment of civil society concerned with human and social values, we support UN programmes over a wide range of developmental, humanitarian and other issues. Our special competence brings a unique ethical and spiritual approach to world concerns and enables this approach to be clearly expressed within the broad forum of UN circles. More

Wings
Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya and the sister organisations RajYoga Education and Research Foundation and Brahma Kumaris Academy for the Better World have set up variousWings and Departments or Faculties that conduct courses for various sections of society. Seminars, workshops and conferences are held in order share with them the applications of spirituality, the art and experience of Meditation for achieving excellence in their fields, overcome work related stresses and inspire them to have for themselves, a code of conduct to follow. It brings various important personalities in respective fields on a common platform for broad exchange of ideas and infuse fresh thinking towards solving various problems plaguing different sections of the society. Each Wing or Department does various kinds of services with a spirit of dedication. The services and facilities of the institution are free and no fee is charged. Details about various Wings of the institution are mentioned below. . More

Course Offered

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya offers foundation courses in meditation through each of its centres spread across the world. At the heart of the course is a clear understanding of the relationship between spirit and matter, mind and body, and the interplay between the soul, God and the material world. The course enlightens people on spiritual themes and lead to self development and inner transformation so that one feels enthusiasm and attains happiness in life in all situations. More

Courses Offered:

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya offers foundation course in meditation through each of its centers spread across the world. At the heart of the course is a clear understanding of the relationship between spirit and matter, mind and body, and the interplay between the soul, God and the material world. The course enlightens people on spiritual themes and lead to self development and inner transformation so that one feels enthusiasm and attains happiness in life in all situations.

Apart from the basic course in meditation, the institution offers following courses in  places like hospitals, schools, prisons, business and industry, etc for the benefit of the society in the spirit of social service. These courses encourage positive values, offer a fresh vision of future and strive to bring out the best in the people.

* Self-Management Leadership
* Stress Management
* Living Values
* Positive Thinking
* Mind Management
* Relationship Management
* Self-Empowerment
* Developing Concentration Power
* Increasing Memory Power
* Increasing Self Esteem
* Exploring Eight Inner Powers
* Developing Positive Attitude

The Self Management Leadership(SML) is a training course for executives and professionals at all levels who wish to develop their personal leadership capabilities to a higher level.

The underlying philosophy of the programme is that authentic, inspirational leadership requires a firm foundation of self knowledge and inner power that can only be acquired through a disciplined process of self-management i.e. management of one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

SML  is a fusion of the best modern management practices with the ancient self management principles of Raja Yoga. The programme was developed by the Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with western management development professionals and the senior management of one of India’s leading industrial groups.

The SML programme consists workshop sessions with an accredited trainer from the organisation. Typically, the programme comprises of following sessions

Sesson 1: Vision, Mission and Values – A personal choice

This workshop session deals with the subject of clarifying my personal values and vision. Topics include

*       Identifying my innate values and acquired values
*       Understanding the power and influence of my
*       innate values on my emotions, thoughts and behaviors
*       Learning how to empower and motivate myself
*       through the application of my innate powers
*       Developing my personal vision and mission
*       Identifying the blocks and barriers to personal  progress.
*       Developing my personal self management plan

Session 2: The Change Master Workshop

This workshop equips managers with the knowledge and inner powers they need to manage themselves in order to lead others through periods of turbulence.

The topics covered include

*        Why people resist change
*       The different approaches necessary for transformational versus transitional change
*       The inner powers necessary to deal with change
*       How to access the inner powers
*       How to change deeply entrenched attitudes,
*       behaviors and emotional reactions.

Session 3: The Hidden Powers of Leadership

This session deals with inner powers, which are essential aspects of leadership that cannot be acquired

The topics include

*      The eight inner powers of effective leadership
*      How to maintain self esteem and fearlessness in the face of criticism and negativity
*      How to develop and sustain the charisma of an effective leader
*      How to deal with conflict and chaos with calmness  and courage

Session 4: The Inner Game of Teamwork

In any organization, successful teams are those whose members are bonded together by a subtle thread of common purpose, mutual respect, honest communication and an agreed code of behavior. This session deals with the subtle process of building a sense of ‘community’ within the group based upon the personal example and practice of the leader

Topics covered include:

*      The power and effect of the leaders’ attitude and vision of the group
*      How to restore respect and trust if it has been lost
*      How to engender open and honest  communication without drowning in negativity
*      How to inspire commitment and motivation through a powerful mental attitude

Stress happens most in the context of our day to day interactions and relationships. Stress is both a sign of damage and it does damage. Before managing and preventing stress, a new understanding is required – the what, why and how of stress.

This course will incorporate useful techniques for transforming stress that include meditation, creative visualisation and thinking positively.

One  will learn how to:

*     Identify the type and level of stress that a person is experiencing today
*     Relaxing and refreshing mind and body anywhere, anytime.
*    Turning negative, energy draining, thoughts into positive, empowering ones.
*    Developing a constantly positive attitude and protect the self from negative and stressful influences.
*    Strengthen the ability to respond and thereby build  confidence in dealing with difficult people and challenging situations.
*    Turning resistance into acceptance & release creative energy.

Here is a list of over 300 other websites that can help you along your spiritual path and research. This is to help keep you informed regarding news and events on India, its culture and related topics, and other resources to assist you. Check back with us from time to time because we will be adding newer sites.

They are divided into categories, such as for:

1) Acquiring additional books and devotional items that you may like,

2) Vaishnavism and Hare Krishna sites,

3) Acquiring or reading numerous sacred texts, commentaries or songs online,

4) Vedic Philosophy and Hinduism in General, plus some Current Issues and Information

5) Temples of India and others around the world,

6) Sites of Krishna and Gaudiya Temples

7) Ancient Vedic culture and history of India, and for learning Sanskrit or Hindi.

Vedic Astrology,

9) Yoga and Hatha Yoga,

10) Auyurveda and health issues,

11) Sites on Vastu, Vedic Science of Home Architectural Arrangement

12) Personal websites of others involved in Vedic research, writing, and activities,

13) Current news and issues, information, culture, events, resources, and travel in India,

14) Indian groceries, cooking utensils, and some recipes,

15) Information on traveling to India and elsewhere, and US-India relations,

16) Hindu organizations and Indian related issues,

17) Sites that Deal with Prejudice and Atrocities Against Indians and Hindus

18) For children, about their education, training, camps, children’s online magazines, games, stories, etc., and on Missing Children and what to do.

19) U. S. Government related links and media contacts.

20) Sites for Critical Research into Other Religions

21) Additional Sites for Your Assistance.

22) Informational Videos on Various Spiritual and Other Topics.

At the bottom of the page is the link to a new addition called “Websites to the Fourth Dimension“. This takes you to other topics regarding numerous mysteries around this planet and universe, as well as the real news behind the events that we hear about.

Don’t forget about the numerous links we have to websites about vegetarianism, recipes and many more resources on our “Vegetarian Resources” page.

1. Sites for Additional Books, Deities, Paraphernalia, Spiritual Art, etc.

http://www.krishna.com –  a newer site on many aspects of Krishna Consciousness and Vedic philosophy with books, CDs, DVDs, and other devotional items and resources to assist you. Also has Krishna radio with programs you can listen to with lectures, stories, music, etc.

http://www.prabhupada.com — the online store for the Bhaktivedanta Archives, for books, CDs, software, art, etc.

http://www.blservices.com –  a company in Belgium serving people in Europe. It carries a multitude of spiritual books (including Stephen Knapp’s), CDs, tapes, videos, etc., and the books of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Located at: B. L. Services, Petite Somme 2, 6940 Durbuy, Belgium / Phone: +3286323280 / Email: visnu.murti@bbt.se.

http://vedicresource.com –  a site for all kinds of books (including those of Stephen Knapp), tapes & CDs, Deities, clothes, meditation beads, incense, and many other items to help you with your spiritual life. Also, you can call them at 800-829-2579 to ask for their complete catalog.www.rasbihari.com

http://www.rasbihari.com –  an outlet in Vrindavana, India based on the store that carries lot os books and devotional items, as well as a few of Stephen Knapp’s books.

Http://www.harekrishna.com/~ara or   http://www.webcom.com/~ara – this is the Hare Krishna home page, site for many spiritual books, such as Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and more as published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. You can also contact them by calling 800-927-4152, and ask for their complete catalog. This site also contains links for more information about the philosophy, spiritual masters, books, and many other topics related to the Vedic Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of spiritual development and the Hare Krishna Movement.

http://www.webcom.com/ara/col/catalog/welcome.html –  The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) Catalog, order all their books directly.

http://www.golden-wheel.net/fullhind.html –  a huge bibliography of books on Vedic philosophy and Hinduism, all available through Amazon.com, and more links to Hindu oriented websites.

http://www.bharatvani.org/books/hindusoc/ch8.htm –  site of Bharatvani Institute with articles and books on the Aryan Invasion Theory, Hindu Human Rights, and other issues, with writers like Sita Ram Goel, David Frawley, and others.

http://www.Vedicarts.com –  An enterprise dedicated to delivering Vedic knowledge, its culture and stories to children through books of all kinds, coloring books, cassettes, crafts, kits, puzzles, teenage classics, and more.

http://www.matchless-gifts.com –  in India, has all kinds of videos, video and audio CDs of holy places, festivals, songs, texts, etc.

http://www.gosai.com/books/ –  a site offering many books that get to the heart of the purpose and process of devotional or bhakti yoga.

http://books.arshavidya.org –  online bookstore of the Arsha Vidya Guruklum of Saylorsburg, PA, for many philosophical books from India, and those hard to find.

http://www.indianbookscentre.com –  An online bookstore for Indian books.

http://indusbook.com/cgi-bin/indus455 –  Another online bookstore in Oregon of India books.

http://www.vedamsbooks.com –  For books from India.

http://users.erols.com/nataraj –  Nataraj Book Publishers and distributors, offers a large list of South Asian books.

http://www.southasiabooks.com –  site for the America outlet of imported books of all kinds from India.

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com –  Rudra Center offers quality holy rudraksha beads, gemstones, yantras, malas, puja articles, etc.

http://www.indousplaza.com –  site of Butala Emporium for all things India, including books, musical instruments, puja paraphernalia, arts & handicrafts, Ayurveda preparations, and much more.

http://www.jungleshop.com/books.html –  The JungleShop Book Store, The bestseller book store online for a selection of sites that offer books on fiction, business, political, history, humor, cookbooks, college, travel, children’s, health, mystery, used books, and many other spiritual and Vedic resources.

http://www.krishnaimages.com –  a site for purchasing and of the Iskcon BBT paintings on canvas.

http://www.tazarat.com –  a large site for Indian bronzes, deities, and antiques.

http://www.divine-rudraksha.com –  Information about Rudrakshas, Yantras, Puja items, mantras, with online shopping for global delivery.

http://www.holyrudraksha.com –  Description and information about Rudraksha, Yantra and their mantras, Parad (mercury),  and other Vedic items with online shopping and global delivery.

http://www.krishnaland.com –  the beautiful site of Vishnu das and his Vedic and devotional art.

2. Sites Related to the Hare Krishna Movement (Iskcon) and Vaishnavism in General

Http://www.iskcon.org/hkindex — links to most Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) affiliated websites for spiritual information, resources, frequently asked questions about Iskcon, etc.

http://iskcon.org — the complete picture of the Hare Krishna organization with many or your questions answered here.

http://www.iskcon.net/namahatta –  This site is aimed at those who want to know more about how to practice Bhakti-yoga or Krishna Consciousness at home by a gradual process, starting with the basics and culminating in pure love of God. A most important site.

http://www.iskcon.org/kchome/index.html –  a simple site on practicing Krishna Consciousness at home.

http://krishnascience.com –  various sciences applied in Krishna consciousness for a greater spiritual undersatanding.

Http://www.krsna.com — website for the “Back to Godhead” magazine, Bhaktivedanta Archives, various Iskcon related projects, and other links to additional sites.

http://news.iskcon.org/ –  site for the newspaper “Hare Krishna World” or “Iskcon News” which contains news of the Hare Krishna Movement.

http://www.prabhupada.tv –  site of Illuminated Television website, with videos of Srila Prabhupada and the devotees’ memories of him, etc.

http://www.itvproductions.net –  Iskcon TeleVision Productions, offers many videos on the Hare Krishna Movement, its activities, Srila Prabhupada, life in India and the glories of Vedic culture, temples, holy places, cooking classes, etc.

http://www.prabhupada.com –  site of the Bhaktivedanta Archives and the publications they provide. They also provide the Vedabase, which is a CD complete with all of the books of Srila Prabhupada and much more, all in a searchable Folio format, information on which can be obtained at http://www.vedabase.com.

Http://harekrishnatemple.com –  a cyber Hare Krishna temple devoted to Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

http://www.afn.org/~bvi/ or  www.binstitute.org –  The Bhaktivedanta Institute, synthesizing science and spirituality since 1974, dealing with scientific matters in a spiritual light.

Http://www.ifast.net – the site for the “Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology” and the books and activities of Bhaktitirtha Swami.

http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz –  Vedic knowledge online, includes articles, books, Vedic texts, biographies of Vaishnava saints, links to many other Iskcon sites, frequently asked questions on Vedic philosophy, etc.

http://religion.krishna.org –  many articles on comparative religion and Krishna Consciousness, their connections or dissimilarities.

http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-int.htm –  the International Hare Krishna spiritual resource network, provides links to all kinds of sites, including those of temples all over the world, books, information, personal websites, and more.

http://www.iskcon.net/hktv/ –  site of Hare Krishna Television, based in Houston, Texas.

http://www.vaisnavi.com –  a site for women Vaishnavis, related to all areas of interest amongst women devotees.

http://www.ffl.org –  Food for Life Global for vegetarian food relief.

http://www.indiadivine.com/main.htm –  The Bhaktivedanta Ashrama in Mysore, India. This has many articles, discussions, online Vedic scriptures, numerous links to other websites, audio lectures, and more.

http://www.gopaljiu.org –  the site for the Gopal Jiu and the Krishna Kathamrita Bindu magazines for studies of Vaishnavism. Associated with Gour Govinda Swami.

http://www.festivalofindia.org.pl — site for the annual summer Festival of India in Poland and Europe.

http://www.traveling-preacher.com/homepage.htm –  website of H. H. Indradyumna Swami.

http://www.namahatta.org –  the official website of Iskcon’s Congregational Ministry, with writings of many dynamic preachers, articles, reports, ideas, online books, etc.

http://dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Hinduism/Vaishnava –  A large site with lots of links to websites about Vaishnavism, Hare Krishna and Iskcon.

http://www.naturalnirvana.com/Vegetarian/Vegetarian-Links/HareKrishna.htm –  lots of links to Hare Krishna and Vedic sites.

http://www.hare-krishna.com –  all about Deity worship in temples, in your home, and all the pujas, offerings, etc.

http://www.avatara.org –  a site that links you to other sites that are dedicated to the main avataras of the Lord that explain many things about Them.

http://www.avatara.org/narasimha –  site on Lord Narasimha, offers paintings, stories, prayers, etc.

http://www.harekrsna.cz/nrsimha/html/home.html –  site on Lord Narasimhadeva.

http://www.geocities.com/visoka123/visoka/Jayananda/Jayananda_Website.htm –  website dedicate to Jayananda, a great contemporary devotee who made the first Rathayatras possible in America, and was very inspiring in many ways.

http://www.jpsoffice.com –  site of Jayapataka Swami’s office, tells of his activities.

http://www.srilagourgovindaswami.org –  the beautiful and official site of Srila Gour Govinda Swami.

http://www.wva-vvrs.org –  The site for the World Vaishnava Association, presenting much information about spiritual masters of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, and many of the available books by them. Plus, it promotes unity and better relations with all Vaishnava associations.

Http://www.ramanuja.org — home page of the Sri Vaishnavas.

http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/pramana.htm –  transcendental knowledge based on Sri Jiva Gosvami’s Tattva Sandarbha.

http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com –  a site to help you connect with Srila Prabhupada with his lectures, writings, articles, and more.

http://www.harekrishnala.com –  site of the major Krishna temple in Los Angeles, with programs, live feed of the temple room and Deities, Gift shop, restaurant, etc.

http://www.utahkrishnas.com –  site of the beautiful Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, Utah and their radio broadcasts you can listen to online.

http://www.detroitiskconlive.com or  http://www.detroitiskcon.org –  the website for the Detroit Iskcon center. Also, the link to the temple monthly newsletter is:

http://www.scribd.com/full/13358140?access_key=key-1sp0hw77aug2h902b5xn

Also, to see numerous photos of the Detroit Fisher Mansion / Hare Krishna Temple from the Glory Days of 1981 to 1987, you can use this link to view the Gallery:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sknapp108/FisherMansionGloryDays#

http://www.krishnanyc.com/projects.html –  site of the Krishna temple at 26 2nd Avenue in New York City, Srila Prabhupada’s original center. Also, http://www.krishnanyc.org.

http://www.distributebooks.com –  on ways to distribute more of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SeniorDevoteeGodsisters/ –  a yahoo group for Senior Godsisters looking for other Senior Godsisters, focusing on Krishna nectar & Prabhupada experiences.

http://webcom.com/~ara –  Hare Krishna Home page for more information on the movement, with articles, online books, send for additional books, and more.

http://www.harekrishnaturkey.com –  A Hare Krishna site that explains everything in Turkish.

http://www.salagram.net –  a great site on all aspects of spiritual development.

http://graciouskrishna.com –  a website dedicated to Krishna. Here you will get Krishna pictures, bhajans, online Bhagavad-gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and much more.

http://www.careforcows.org –  if you like to care for cows, this site is for an organization that cares for sick, injured or abandoned cows of Vrindavana. They do amazing work in caring for all kinds of conditions in which cows may be found. They are always expanding, taking of more cows, depending on funds, which you can help with.

http://varnashrama.org/ –  a site for discussing and establishing varnashrama dharma in society.

http://www.scienceofidentityfoundation.org/ –  Official website of Science of Identity Foundation, Information about Science of Identity Foundation with articles and video lectures.

http://www.yogavaisnava.com/3/mp3.htm –  offers numerous kirtans and bhajans that can be downloaded

http://www.mahamantra.it –  offers numerous kirtans and bhajans that can be downloaded.

http://www.harekrishna.es –  Hare Krishna website in Spanish.

www.iskcondesiretree.info –  has more than 20,000 audio lectures & bhajans by various speakers, videos, images, games, presentations, comics, special
kid’s stuff, recipes and more.

http://vanipedia.org –  “Vanipedia is a dynamic, interactive encyclopedia of all of Srila Prabhupada’s words (vani).”

www.absolute-truth.net –  an informative website covering many topics from the Iskcon Sri Jagannath Mandir in Bangalore.

3. Sites for Access to Sacred Vedic Texts, Commentaries and Songs

http://www.iskcon.org/sastra/bg.html –  offers “The Bhagavad-gita As It Is,” with transliterated Sanskrit, word-by-word synonyms, English translations, and commentary by Srila Prabhupada of all 700 verses.

http://www.krishna.com/gita/index.htm –  the Bhagavad-gita online, read the whole Gita, hear the audio, lectures , read articles on the Gita, etc.

http://vedabase.net/bg/ –  Read the English version of Bhagavad-gita online.

http://www.krsnabook.com/index.html –  the online copy of the complete “Krsna” Book, summary of the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, by Srila Prabhupada.

http://www.asitis.com –  provides “Bhagavad-gita As It Is”, by Srila Prabhupada.

http://srimadbhagavatam.com — a beautiful site with the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) online in both Sanskrit, Roman transliterations and English translation.

http://harekrishnatemple.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid+3 –  a site where you can download many of the books by Srila Prabhupada.

http://wald.heim.at/sherwood/530002/ –  a site where all of Srila Prabhupada’s books are available for downloading only.

http://www.hare-krishna.org/srila-prabhupada-books.htm –  another site where you can download the books of Srila Prabhupada that are listed here.

http://freeprabhupadabooks.tripod.com — offers many free RTF format editions of Srila Prabhupada’s books, downloadable in zip files to be unzipped with WinZip.

http://gauranga1.tripod.com/library/id25.html –  lots of books for reading online or downloading. Includes Bhakativinoda Thakur, Sanatana Gosvami, Jiva Gosvami, Raghunatha das Gosvami, Narottama dasa Thakura, Ramananda Raya, etc.

http://www.iskcon.org/sastra/bs.html –  the Brahma-Samhita by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur online.

http://webcom.com/~ara/col/books/YM/poy/contents.html –  the Path of Yoga online.

http://www.philosophy.ru/library/asiatica/indica/authors –  lots more Vedic oriented books online.

http://www.iskcon.org/sastra/vs.html –  lots of Vaishnava songs by Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Narottama dasa Thakur, and others.

http://web.tiscali.it/gopala/Vaishnava-Songs/index.html –  where you can read or download the words to numerous songs composed by the Vaishnava Acharyas.

http://www.webcom.com/ara/col/books/VEG/ht –  the online copy of “The Higher Taste: A Guide to Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking and a Karma-Free Diet.” A complete cookbook with dozens of vegetarian recipes.

http://www.bhagavad-gita.org –  all about Bhagavad-gita, with audio lectures and films online.

http://www.gita-society.com –  all about the Bhagavad-gita, free classes, online editions of the Gita and other information.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm –  a source for online and downloads of various Vedic texts in English, includes Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc.  Also use http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm.

http://www.sacred-texts.com –  a site with access to all kinds of sacred texts from a wide variety of traditions.

http://www.DharmicScriptures.org –  downloadable forms of all Vedas in Microsoft Word and other Dharmic texts, such as the Major and Minor Puranas and others.

http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext05/8sutr10.txt –  the Vedanta Sutras with commentary by Ramanuja. Also http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext05/8sutr10.zip –  for downloading the zip files of the Vedanta Sutras with commentary by Ramanuja.

http://www.mum.edu/vedicreserve –  a Maharishi Mahesh Yogi site with lots of Vedic texts available in pdf. format.

http://sanskrit.safire.com –  offers a wide range of Sanskrit texts, some also translated into English, for reading online or downloading, mostly in pdf. Sahasranams of Vishnu, Shiva, Lalita, Radha-Krishna, Durga. Lakshmi, etc. (However, I found that some of the links on this site do not work)

http://sanskrit.bhaarat.com/Dale –  another link to Sanskrit texts and translations of all kinds.

http://sanskrit.safire.com/pdf/VISHNU2.PDF –  the Vishnu Sahasranam in Sanskrit in Adobe format.

http://sanskrit.gde.to/TextsElsewhere.html — a listing of web sites that offer Sanskrit texts online.  Also: http://sanskrit.gde.to.

http://www.vedamantram.com –  offers many audio files of various stotras, stutis and suktams, such as from the Upanishads and others.

http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/ –  translations (more than 40) are given of many great sthothras, including Vishnu Sahasranamam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Soundarya Lahari, Shivananda Lahari, Devi Mahatmyam, Sundara Kandam, etc.

http://www.vedah.com/vedah/rv/firstash/test_i.htm –  The first Ashtaka of the Rig Veda.

http://www.celextel.org –  Celextal’s Online Spiritual Library. Has English translations of Bhagavad-gita, Brahma Sutras, 76 Upanishads, some of Adi Shankara’s books, and more.

http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/index.html –  Another site with numerous stotras and srutis for chanting and reading with English translations.

http://rajathathacorner.awardspace.com –  For reading children stories and rhymes.

http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/sruthi.html –  Mantras, Essays, Vikramadithya stories, Samkshepa Dharma Sastram, Kerala temples.

http://www.mssc.edu/projectsouthasia/history/primarydocs/arthashastra/index.htm –  Kautilya’s Arthashastra.

http://www.hindulinks.org/Scriptures/index.html –  offers various texts and articles about the Vedic scriptures.

http://www.dharmakshetra.com/literature/vedas/atharva%veda.html –  the English translation of the Atharva Veda.

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/hinduism_scripts.htm –  Many Vedic scriptures, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita, Laws of Manu, Yoga Sutras, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc.

http://www.valmikiramayan.net –  a complete online Ramayana in both Sanskrit and English translations.

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduscriptlinks.htm –  links to other sites on Vedic and Hindu scriptures or information about them.

http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/religions/religions.htm –  information on various aspects of Hinduism and its scriptures.

http://www.swaveda.com/Religion/Vedas/Vedas.htm –  English translations of the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita, etc. However, the timeline that is offered on this website is quite inaccurate. Alsohttp://www.swaveda.com/etext.php.

http://www.prapatti.com –  contains lots of stotras and prayers to all the divine personalities in Sanskrit, Tamil, and other languages.

http://bhagavad-gita.org/index-arabic.html –  ARABIC SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA ONLINE.

http://protectacow.typepad.com/photos/nectar_of_instruction_ara/index.html — Another copy of an Arabic Bhagavad-gita online.

http://www.sub.uni-goettingen.de/ebene_1/fiindolo/gret_utf.htm –  Sanskrit texts of all kinds in Roman transliteration.

http://www.omkarananda-ashram.org/Sanskrit/Itranslt.html#downloads –  this is where you can download a Sanskrit reader that you can use with other word processing programs to use or read Sanskrit. Also:http://www.omkarananda-ashram.org/Sanskrit/Itranslt.html.

http://www.vedpuran.com –  a site that offers copies of the major Puranas and four Vedas, but in Sanskrit only.  –

http://www.muktalib.org –  offers 1144 recent paper Devanagari transcripts (containing over 2000 mostly Shaiva texts and over 200,000 pages) commissioned or copied by scholars of the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP) and the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient (EFEO) over a period of more than thirty years.

Additional Sacred Texts and Material

http://www.webcom.com/~gnosis/library/cac.htm –  the apocryphal texts of the Nag Hammadi Library.

http:///www.webcom.com/~gnosis/library/polem.htm –  polemical works against gnosis.

4. Sites for Vedic Philosophy and Hinduism in General, plus some Current Issues and Information

http://www.hinduism.co.za –  a site with lots of articles on the various aspects and basics of Hinduism.

http://www.vina.org – site of the Vaishnava Internet News Agency, articles on all kinds of spiritual topics and events.

Http://www.hinduweb.org - has many links to sites related to the Hindu and Vedic culture, resources, books, temple art, and much more.

http://www.gosai.com — Gateway to Ancient India. Has articles and information on Vedic discoveries, Indian archeology, the Aryan Invasion Myth, philosophical traditions, pilgrimage places, Vedic sciences, and more.

Http://www.philo.demon.co.uk/vedanta.htm –  a balanced introduction into the philosophy of Vedanta and an explanation against the impersonalist or mayavada philosophy that accepts that God is an impersonal force or Brahman only.

http://www.geocities.com/dipalsarvesh –  a personal website with lots of info and articles on various aspects of Vedic culture, date of the Mahabharata, the falsity of the Aryan Invasion Theory, Vedic science and mathematics, and much more.

http://hinduism.about.com/?once=true& –  A large site with many links to various websites offering all kinds of information about Hinduism, both modern and ancient.

Http://www.ahista.com/dvt/vedchant.html – site on Vedas and Vedic knowledge and mantras.

http://www.swordoftruth.com/swordoftruth/multimedia/krishnapresentation/html/introduction.html –  This presentation shows how reverence for Lord Krishna is a consistent and unifying theme of all cultural traditions in every state of India. Very nice and informative.

http://spirituality.indiatimes.com –  a positive site on the many aspects of spiritual paths and spiritual teachers and leaders in India and abroad.

http://www.thevedicfoundation.org –  a site and organization for reestablishing the greatness of Hinduism.

http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Hinduism –  A large site with hundreds of links available for all kinds of websites about Hinduism in general.

http://www.hindulinks.org –  Another site that can provide a large number of links for reaching additional websites for a host of topics and issues related to Hinduism.

http://www.hindunet.org/home.shtml –  a site that can connect you with many other Hindu related organizations, discussions, temple directories, and links, presenting a variety of information on all aspects of Hinduism and Vedic culture.

http://www.swaminarayan.org –  site of the large Swaminarayan (BAPS) group.

http://urday.com/indexb.asp –  a site on the many beliefs and practices of all religions found in India, from Hinduism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, etc., plus astrology, poojas, online arati, Vedas, Ayurveda, etc. Also try http://www.urday.com.

http://onlinedarshan.com –  allows you to do a simple darshan and puja to prints of the main Deities of Hinduism, with accompanying audio prayers that you can recite along with the arati.

Http://www.goloka.com – a general interest site with many Indian paintings in particular styles.

http://htmlgear.lycos.com/link/control.link?u=gauranga1&i=2&a=render&style=list –  a site with links to many devotional and spiritual sites.

http://www.geocities.com/lavlesh/contents-sudheer.html –  Sudheer’s site with many insightful articles on numerous aspects of the scientific contributions of ancient Indian and Hindu culture.

http://www.hinduism.co.za/amazing.htm –  plenty of articles on Vedic culture’s connection with scientific and historical discoveries.

http://www.bharatvani.org/books.html –  has online books on Hindu issues by Sita Ram Goel, David Frawley and others. Many contemporary topics covered, like the Aryan Invasion Theory, Muslim atrocities and invasions of India, etc.

http://www.shivashakti.com –  information on different aspects of the tantrik tradition, groups, teachings, and texts.

http://www.hinduwisdom.info –  a large site with lots of basic information about Hinduism.

http://www.123greetings.com/links/events/durga_puja/happy/ –  a nice little site about Durga Puja and other events and information.

http://sify.com/samacharreligion/festivals/durgapuja/index.php –  site on Goddess Durga and her legends, stories, worship, etc.

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduismlinks.htm –  links to information on various aspects of Hinduism.

http://www.bvinst.edu –  the site of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, for the advanced studies in consciousness and science.

http://www.binstitute.org –  the other site for the Bhaktivedanta Institute for the studies of science and spiritual consciousness together. Features books of Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami and other scientific activities and achievements in spirituality and science.

http://www.rakshabandhan.net –  a site that describes and facilitates the festival of Rakshabandhan, wherein the sister honors her brothers.

http://www.vedicsociety.org –  Vedic Society is a family of worldwide workers and volunteers working to serve the society through ancient wisdom to make today’s world more harmonious for all.

http://www.diwali-greetings.com –  a pleasant site that allows you to send email greetings for various Vedic holidays, like Diwali.

http://www.diwaligreatings.us –  is another site that offers many features for sending electronic email greeting cards.

http://www.diwali-cards.com –  send your holiday greetings through the features on this enjoyable site.

http://www.holi-ecards.com –  a site for acquiring and sending ecards for Hindu celebrations like Holi, plus links to other sites.

http://www.hindu-festivals.com –  a site on the great festivals of India, also offers free ecards on Hindu Festivals.

5. Sites that will take you to Vedic temples in India and sites around the world

Http://www.iskcon.net/darshan – a site that offers a virtual darshan through color photos of the many Deities in temples around the world.

http://mathura-vrindavan.com –  a site on Lord Krishna and the holiest places of Mathura and Vrindavan.

http://mathuravrindavan.com –  another site on the holy places of Mathura and Vrindavana and Lord Krishna.

http://www.vrindavanmvt.com –  gateway to visiting Vrindavana.

http://www.radhadamodarmandir.com –  site of the famous Radha Damodar temple in Vrindavana.

http://ori.nic.in/jagannath –  the site of Lord Jagannatha’s temple in Jagannatha Puri. You can also use http://ori1.nic.in/jaga/.

http://www.neonblue.com/tfs/nathindex.htm –  a site all about Lord Jagannatha in Puri.

http://www.jagannathpuri.blessingsonthenet.com –  a site on the temple in Jagannatha Puri, and a gateway to many other important temples.

http://www.badrinath-kedarnath.org –  website of the temples in Badrinatha and Kedarnatha in the Himalayas, as well as links to other important temples of India.

Http://www.hindunet.org/temple_info – information of numerous Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist temples around the world, includes maps, history, scriptures, directories of temples, pilgrimage sites, photos, temples in the news, with lots more info and links.

Http://www.balaji.net – a large and interesting site for the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, India, one of the most famous temples in the world.

http://www.tirumala.org –  all about the temple of Sri Balaji (Venkateswara) at Tirupati

http://sribalaji.com –  another site on the temple of Tirupati and Lord Balaji.

http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.com –  official site for the Vishnu temple in Guruvayur.

http://www.vaishnodevi.com –  site for the famous Vaishnodevi temple near Jammu, India.

http://www.ahobilamutt.org –  site on the temple at Lord Narasimhadeva’s appearance place in South India.

http://www.indiantemples.com –  a large site of information, locations and photos of over 2000 temples and pilgrimage places in India. You can also use http://www.templenet.com.

http://www.indiantemplesportal.com –  for temples all over India.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=108%20Divya%20Desams%20Virtual%20Tour%20on%20google%20maps&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl –  A cool site that will take you to all the Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu, with extra web addresses to give you lots of information on each temple.

http://www.templepages.com –  a site that offers miscellaneous information about temples of South India.

http://www.kumbakonam.info –  a great site all about the wonderful temples of Kumbakonam, South India.

http://www.templenet.com/desam.htm –  temple of Vishnu, Shiva and others in India.

http://www.templenet.com –  the ultimate source of all kinds of information on all kinds of temples in India.

http://travel.indiamart.com/places-of-worship –  A site that can take you to many places of pilgrimage and temples around India. You can also check out  http://travel.indiamart.com/pilgrimage.

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/5349/ –  a site on the temples of the nine planets in India.

http://www.geocities.com/vinodsrivatsanparthasarathy/SriVaishnavaDivyaDesams.html –  offers descriptions of the 108 Divya Desams, the 108 most holy places to Lord Vishnu.

http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu-temples.asp –  a site that provides descriptions of the 108 Divya Desams, the 108 most important temples to Lord Vishnu.

http://srivaishnavam.com/divyadesam108/index.html –  another site that provides information and photos on the 108 Divyadesams of Lord Vishnu.

http://www.art-and-archaeology.com –  has a list of India’s archeological sites, and has a glossary of many terms related to India’s sites.

http://www.koausa.org/index.html –  A site on all aspects of Kashmir, its temples, religion, history, politics, and the damage that has been done to Kashmir and it’s Hindu people by the campaign of intimidation and terrorism from the militant wing of the Islamic secessionists, and how you can contribute to saving the refugees and orphaned children from the war there.

http://members.tripod.com/~Bhagavan/temples.htm –  a site connecting you with other temple websites from various places in the world.

http://siddhanta.shaivam.org/toi.html –  seeing temples outside India.

http://www.indianet.com/ganesh/tonline.html –  a listing of websites of Hindu temples of North America. You can also check http://www.hindumandir.us/ .

http://www.nchtuk.org –  site of the National Council of Hindu Temples in the United Kingdom, lists of temples and more information.

http://www.dcunitedtemples.org — for descriptions and addresses of all the prominent Hindu temples in the Washington, D.C. area.

http://www.caribbeanhindu.com –  a site on the news, events, temples, noteworthy people and issues that concern the Hindus and temples in the Caribbean region.

http://www.mandirnet.org –  site for Hinduism and lots of information about the significance of temples and temples around the world.

http://www.theangkorguide.com –  all about the fabulous temples at Angkor Wat.

http://www.cambodian.com/angkor/ –  another site on the temples of Angkor Wat.

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/vasu –  provides lists and images of Vedic temples around the world, and basic precepts of Hinduism.

http://www.sacredsites.com –  an extensive site about traveling to and photographing the sacred sites from all over the world in all the major countries and cultures.

http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/21378.html and  http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Stephan-and-Klaudia beautiful photos of travel through the orient.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8931191297840928556 — “Lost Temples of India” and other videos on India and its temples.

http://dharsanam.blogspot.com –  a blog that has lots of information about numerous and smaller temples of India, with legends and photos. Updated regularly.

6. Sites of Krishna and Gaudiya Temples (More can be found in the Temple Directories)

http://www.iskcon.net/utah –  a beautiful site on the new Iskcon temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

http://www.iskcondc.org –  The site of the Hare Krishna temple in the Washington, D.C. area.

http://www.iskconchicago.com –  The beautiful and informative site for the Hare Krishna temple in Chicago.

http://www.radhagovinda.net –  site for the New York Krishna temple and information about its programs and more.

http://www.krishnanyc.com –  site on the first Iskcon temple in America at 26  2nd Avenue, New York City. Lists its programs, festivals, newsletter, etc.

http://www.newvrindaban.com –  site for the rural New Vrindaban community in West Virginia, with directions, listing of facilities, darshan of the Deities, etc.

http://www.mayapur.info –  site on the Mayapur, India temple and its projects and festivals.

http://www.harekrishna.asn.au –  a site on Iskcon Australia with lots of lectures to hear or read, books, articles, and information on all Krishna temples in Australia.

http://www.veda.ru –  site of the Moscow Center of Vedic Culture, in Russian or English.

http://www.detroitiskcon.org –  site of the Detroit Iskcon temple.

http://newgovardhan.us –  site of San Diego Iskcon.

http://www.scsmath.com –  site for the Shri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, headquartered in Nabadvipa, India, with branches around the world.

http://www.krishnanyc.com –  site of the original temple Srila Prabhupada started at 26 2nd Ave., New York.
7. Sites for the Study of Ancient Vedic Culture and History of India

http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/contents.html –  an extensive site with lots of information on “Ancient India’s Contribution to Our World’s Material Culture.”

http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichinduism.org –  has articles and answers typical questions on Hindu philosophy, based on “The True History and the Religion of India.”

http://www.hinduism.co.za/oldest.htm –  a page that explains how Hinduism is the world’s oldest culture.

Http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/arth/meister/pakistan.html – a site on the ancient Vedic and Hindu temples in Pakistan.

http://harappa.com –  a site for the study and information about the Indus Valley and more, with photos, articles, artifacts, etc.

http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/maritime/maritime01.htm –  site with information on proof of the Sarasvati River and its culture.

http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/adibadri/adibadri1.htm –  site on the discoveries along the ancient Sarasvati River area.

http://www.picatype.com/dig/dig.htm –  news and updates on Indian archeology findings.

http://www.archaeologyonline.net –  This site by David Osborn is informative and well illustrated. The site presents a wide range of new information, including that from marine archeology, satellite imagery, carbon dating and linguistic analysis. Shows the real origins of Vedic culture. You can also go to http://www.archaeologyonline.net/artifacts/scientific-verif-vedas.html for a scientific view and verification of Vedic culture.

http://indianculture.about.com/culture/indianculture/msub13.htm –  A site that offers many links for the study of ancient India.

http://members.tripod.com/ayodhya2000/table_of_contents.htm –  A site on Ayodhya and the ancient temple of Lord Rama by N. S. Rajaram. Also check: http://members.tripod.com/ayodhya2000/

http://www.ayodhya.com — another site on the sacred city of Lord Rama, Ayodhya.

http://www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/modern/moghal_link.html –  has in-depth articles about the Muslim atrocities committed against Hindus and India throughout history.

http://www.umassd.edu/indic/waves –  the website for WAVES, the World Association for Vedic Studies.

http://www.hindu-university.edu –  the site of the Hindu University of America in Orlando, Florida. Offers courses on Hinduism, awards Masters and Doctoral degrees, has conferences, etc.

http://www.magicalmethods.com –  for learning and spreading the wonder of Vedic mathematics, offers tutorials, books, and more.

http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Projects/Pearce/index.html –  all about Hindu and Indian mathematics, its history, development, ancient texts, etc.

http://www.geocities.com/ifihhome/articles/bbl002.html –  B. B. Lal’s recent lecture on the falsity of the myths about India’s history, such as the Aryan Invasion Theory and others.

http://www.hamsa.org –  offers the free book by Ishwar Sharan, “The Myth of Saint Thomas and the Mylapore Shiva Temple”.

http://www.vedicempire.net –  a site dedicated to the history and achievements of Vedic culture.

http://www.ifih.org –  International Forum for India’s Heritage, has articles, books, notice of conferences, and other resources on the significance and study of India’s ancient heritage and its affect on the world.

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/ –  The Digital Library of South Asia, contains references, maps, photographs, books and journals on the history of India.

Sites for Learning Sanskrit or Hindi

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/vivekananda/sanscrit.html — A site for an etymological study of Sanskrit.

http://www.samskriti-bharati.org –  for learning Sanskrit. Offers lessons, residential courses, books, CDs, magazines and more for teaching Sanskrit. Also try: http://www.samskrita-bharati.org/newsite/index.php.

http://www.samskrti.org & http://www.samskriti.org/html/sanskrit_courses.htm –  on courses on Sanskrit.

http://www.americansanskrit.com –  Vyass Houston’s Sanskrit study program and schedule of learning sessions that take place around the country, as well as programs for home study that you can purchase.

http://www.hindiclass.com — a site for learning Hindi.

http://www.learninghindi.com –  programs and tolls to learn Hindi.

8. Sites on Vedic Astrology

http://www.eeshay.com/free.html -

1- Free Astrology On Mobile +91 9893269666

2- Get Free Eeshay Reiki and Prayer/Prarthna/Dua

3- Eeshay Doll – For Negative energy and Vaastu Dosh

4- Get Online Homeopathy Treatment

5- Get Free Color Therapy for all Diseases

6- Arrange Camp – Astrology, Yoga-Meditation Satsang, Guru Deeksha, Eeshay Reiki, Satsang, Color Therapy

http://www.vedicastrology.com –  the site of Chakrapani Ullal and his services, with articles, newsletter and forecasts for the U.S. and elsewhere.

http://www.vedicsoftware.com –  site on Vedic astrology and the astrologer Andrew Foss. Offers information on readings, courses to learn it, and Vedic astrology software with many features to assist you in readings.

http://www.jeffreyarmstrong.com –  site on writer, lecturer, and Vedic Astrologer, Jeffrey Armstrong. Also: http://www.creditcardmerchant.com/jeffrey/jeffrey2/index.html.

http://www.vedicworld.org — this website of Howard Beckman’s offers information about Vedic astrology and the use of gemology with it, and the means to use Howard’s knowledge for an astrological reading for yourself. It also offers much more information about Vedic culture and its many benefits.

http://www.vedicastrology.org –  the American Council of Vedic Astrology. Lists the certified Vedic astrologers in America, offers courses, conferences, events, etc.

http://www.jyotishweb.org/home.asp –  site on Vedic astrology, offers horoscopes, and ways to learn about it.

http://www.jyotish.net –  offers basic info about Vedic astrology.

http://www.astrovastuguide.com –  nice site on Vedic astrology and Vastu by Nikunj Suthar.

9. Yoga and Hatha Yoga

http://www.amrityoga.com –  site for hatha-yoga as taught by Yogi Amrit Desai.

http://www.parayoga.com –  site on the Hatha Yoga techniques as taught by Rod Stryker in Carbondale, CO.

http://www.yogajournal.com –  the site for the Yoga Journal magazine.

http://www.gaiam.com –  for yoga props, mats, clothes, Yoga instructions on CDs & DVDs, and lifestyle productions, this catalog can help.

http://yoga.researcheasy.com –  a site on all aspects of yoga with articles, yoga retreats, instruction, etc. all accessed through links.

10. Auyurveda and Health Issues

http://www.ayurveda.com — the Ayurveda Institute of Doctor Vasant Lad in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

http://www.drpaneri.com –  site on Ayurveda curing Parkinson’s and other diseases, and info about Dr. Paneri and others.

http://www.healingmission.com –  the site of Dr. Pratichi Mathur on Ayurveda, introductory articles on what it is, and information on her own practice.

http://www.drsvoboda.com –  site of Dr. Svoboda, on Ayurveda and his practice.

http://www.vaisnavascare.com –  a network a Vaishnavas for offering counseling, assistance, resources and education for the terminally ill and their family.

http://www.ayurvedaonline.com –  Ayurveda Products, services and education.

http://www.vadikherbs.com –  an online bazaar of Indian Ayurveda products.

http://www.banyanbotanicals.com –  a site that offers many Ayurvedic herbs and products.

http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com –  this site is the Maharishi Ayurveda natural medicine approach with a special emphasis on women’s health issues from author and clinician Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.

http://www.dreddyclinic.com –  Dr. Eddys Integrated Medical Clinic & Ayurveda School located in Thailand. Offers Integrated Medical Clinic and Ayurveda School, a unique healthcare facility, combining the strengths and knowledge of both traditional western and alternative medicine in a holistic manner.

http://www.bazaarofindia.com –  mostly on Ayurveda herbal products, medicines, listing of Ayurvedic practitioners, etc.

http://www.ayurveda-herbs.com –  Ayurveda Alternative Herbal Medicine, Traditional Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Remedies for various illnesses, Alternative Medicine, Herbal Supplements, Herbs, Essential Oils, Diet Consulting, Massage oils, Teas and Spices.

http://www.aumedicine.com –  site of Elizabeth Ray Stoller for advancing the cause of Ayurveda.

11. Sites on Vastu, Vedic Science of Architectural Arrangement

http://www.sereneinteriors.com/vastu-shastra.htm –  This is a great site on Vastu, lots of information, articles, and consulting.

http://vastusindhu.com –  the site of Arun Naik, Vastu consultant, offers lots of introductory info about the benefits and functions of Vastu, along with consultant services.

http://www.vastu-design.com –  site of Michael Borden on designing your house in Vastu principles, offers training and design services.

http://www.mgc-vastu.com –  Designs according to Maharishi Sthapatya Veda.

http://www.btsquarepeg.com/vastu –  offers a short, free, online book on Vastu.

http://www.ads-vastu.com –  offers a tutorial in Vastu.

http://www.sampatti.com/fengshui/vs1.shtml –  a good intro to Vastu.

http://www.vastukalp.com –  Vimal Jhajharia’s site on Vastu house design.

http://www.transcendencedesign.com –  lots of free info on the site, including a 21-page yantra guidebook that can be downloaded. I do Vastu design consultations for homes, gardens, and businesses. Vastu consultations for homes, gardens, and businesses, yantras (sacred geometry) for spatial rectification & sumptuous natural products for the home.

12. Personal Websites of Others Involved in Vedic Research, Writing, and Activities

http://www.mnsbooks.com/ –  the nice website of Mahanidhi Swami with all of his books that you can order, and some articles and audios that you can download.

http://www.mcremo.com –  website for Michael Cremo, author of such books as “Forbidden Archeology” and “The Hidden History of the Human Race,” with additional articles and a large list to other websites on more mysteries and discoveries.

http://www.vedanet.com/index.html –  the American Institute of Vedic Studies and David Frawley, a Vedic astrologer, Ayurveda practitioner, and author of many books on Vedic culture and India.

http://www.dharmacentral.com –  the web site of Frank Morales, an active speaker and academic in the field of Vedic and Indian studies.

http://www.ee.lsu.edu/kak/home.html –  Home page of Professor Subhash Kak at Louisiana State University, and http://www.ee.lsu.edu/kak/books.html for the listing of his books. http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/hist.html — lists his numerous articles. Also http://subhashkak.voiceofdharma.com has information, along with many articles online or where to find them.

http://www.rameshnrao.com –  site of professor and writer Ramesh N. Rao, with many of his insightful articles on issues and information relating to Hinduism.

http://www.sacredvoices.com –  the site for Andy Fraenkel for his many talents of telling stories from various cultures of the world.

http://www.planetaryjewels.com –  a site of Howard Beckman (Hamsavatar das) a certified gemologist as well as Vedic astrologer, author, lecturer, providing information about the Vedic aspect of gemology and astrology. Also has info on his books about the same subject and gives you the means to buy top quality gems for what you need astrologically and according to Ayurveda.

http://www.home.wanadoo.nl/indira.dasi –  Indira dasi’s beautiful site especially on Indian dance, of which she is a student and dancer. Also info on the Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual tradition.

http://my.tele2.ee/svs/ –  Madhavendra Puri’s site on Science and the Vaishnava Sastras, and how there is proof of God from chemical analysis.

http://www.bluemonsoonmusic.com –  a site for the music and CDs of Michael Cassidy (Mangalananda das) and Ron Marinelli (Uttamasloka das), and devotional music of all types.

http://www.thousandsuns.org –  site of Linda Johnson, author of “An Idiot’s Guide to Hinduism” and other books.

http://www.india-unveiled.com –  site of Robert Arnett, author and photographer of the book “India Unveiled”, one of the best photographic books of India available. Also see, http://www.atmanpress.com.

http://www.amma.org –  site of Mother Ammachi, the hugging saint, and all her activities, charities, tours, lectures, and books.

http://www.karunamayi.org –  site of Mother Karunamayi and her activities, tours, retreats, books, charity projects, etc.

http://www.athenasgarden.com –  Jean Alley’s site for networking toward World Peace and World Peace products.

13. Websites for Current News and Issues, Information, Hindu Culture, Events, Resources, and Travel in India

http://indianculture.about.com/culture/indianculture/mbody.htm –  A site that offers many links to general information about many aspects of India and its culture.

http://www.theindianculture.com –  A portal that introduces the basics of Indian culture & history, religions & philosophies, dance & music, art & paintings, forts & temples, writers & poets, and cuisine.

http://indianculture.about.com/culture/indianculture/msub6.htm –  Offers links to many sites for various aspects of Indian culture and Eastern philosophy.

http://www.nic.in –  a gateway for all kinds of information about the government of India on the web.

http://www.indiainformation.com –  a search engine for all things Indian, including culture, travel, religion, entertainment, crafts, temples, history, etc.

http://www.Samachar.com –  a site that covers all of the important headlines of the major publications of India.

http://www.IndiaCause.com –  news and headlines of all aspects and areas of India, from many Indian sources, as well as from many news sources around the world.

http://www.India-Today.com – site for one of the major magazines of India.

http://indiatimes.com –  the site of the Times of India publications, with news, articles, and links to many additional resources.

http://IndiaTribune.com — site for India Tribune Weekly newspaper.

http://Rediff.com — one of the foremost news sites about India.

http://www.indiaworld.co.in — all kinds of news and information.

http://www.indolink.com — another link for all kinds of news and articles, etc., of India.

http://www.socialcause.org –  news and articles on the latest issues in India.

Http://www.freeindia.org — news and articles about India and additional links to related sites.

http://swordoftruth.com/swordoftruth/aboutus/aboutus.html –  A site that offers news and editorials on events in India, articles, books, information, additional links on Indian culture and Aryan invasion theory, and more.

http://www.sarvesamachar.com –  Hindu news portal, covering recent news events in India and numerous articles and editorials on Hindu related news and issues.

http://www.hinduvoice.net –  postings on news and views on Hindu related issues and news.

http://www.dailypioneer.com –  Indian newspaper for recent news in various fields of activity.

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/india.htm –  for a variety of online newspapers covering news and aspects of India.

14. Sites for Indian Groceries, Cooking Utensils, and Recipes

[See more on the Vegetarian Resources page]

http://www.Mahabazaar.com – a cyber shop offering travel information and tickets, groceries, Indian recipes, books, news about events, and more.

Http://www.deliciousindia.com – an Indian cyber mall on Indian cooking with recipes, utensils, and more.

http://www.ethnicsuperstore.com –  great for ordering Indian and Middle Eastern foods if you live in a small town with no access to any Indian grocery stores.

http://www.Bhojan.org –  site for information on Hindu vegetarian resources.

http://www.rajafoods.com –  site for the Swad brand name foods, offers descriptions of products and over 150 vegetarian Indian recipes.

15. Sites for Information on Traveling to India and Elsewhere, and US-India Relations

http://www.usindiafriendship.net – An excellent online resource for keeping up with relations between India and the US, covers issues, news, and viewpoints on U.S.-India relations.

http://travel.indiamart.com –  a huge site with lots of information on many different cities, areas of India, temples, tourist sites, booking tours, hotels, maps, the culture, trekking, travel guide info, architecture, excavations, arts & crafts, pilgrimages, safaris, and lots more. Not much left out.

http://www.india-travel.com –  information on areas, cities, weather forecasts, train and airline timetables, tour packages, etc.

http://www.shubhyatra.com/railway/ –  train schedule for all Indian railway lines.

http://indian-airlines.nic.in –  site for the Indian Airlines.

http://mapsofindia.com –  a multitude of maps of India for all kinds of purposes.

http://spiritualguides.net — supplies much information about traveling to the spiritual sites of India, and how to get the guidebooks that help.

http://upgov.up.nic.in –  government website of Uttar Pradesh, India.

http://www.up-tourism.com –  Tourism for Uttar Pradesh.

http://www.himachaltourism.com –  site for tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

http://www.westbengaltourism.com –  a somewhat useful site for tourism in West Bengal.

http://www.andhrapradesh.com –  site for tourism in Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.aptourism.com –  another site for tourism in Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.keralatourism.org –  site for tourism in Kerala.

http://www.famous-india.com –  a travel guide to India for famous places, people, buildings, cities, parks, etc.

Http://indiatogether.org/us/lobby.htm – site on U.S./India relations.

http://www.travel.state.gov/india.html – U. S. State Department’s travel information of all kinds, especially for India. If this is not available, you can also do a search for India on the website to pull up whatever articles are there, especially for news and any cautions.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html – regional travel warnings put up by the U.S. State Department.

http://www.cdc.gov –  the Center for Disease Control can provide updated information on diseases and travel warnings when you click on the travel links. The page that focuses on India is reached at:http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm.

Http://chicago.indianconsulate.com — the Indian Consulate in Chicago. Also http://www.indianconsulate.com.

Http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/VISAINSN.html – Website on information about visas for India.

http://www.indianembassy.org –  Homepage for the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C.

http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/visa.pdf –  information and downloadable visa application forms are available here in pdf (Acrobat Reader) format.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html –  to get passport application forms.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html –  Get or renew a passport online.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html –  how to renew your passport by mail in the U.S.

http://iafdb.travel.state.gov –  locator to find the nearest passport agency near you in the U.S. by zip code.

http://www.mapsofindia.com –  find all kinds of maps for India.

16. Sites of Organizations for Hindu and Indian Related Issues

http://www.hscnet.org –  site for the Hindu Student Council, which has chapters all across America.

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/ –  HAF continues to represent Hindu Americans by interacting with leaders in government, the media, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

http://www.hssworld.org –  also http://www.hssus.org –  site for the Hindu Svayamsevak Sangh of America, works in many ways for the preservation of Vedic standards and principles, and publishes many useful books and booklets for helping others to understand the depth of the Vedic traditions, customs and practices.

http://www.americanfriends.org/index.html –  American Friends of India, for intellectual activism tracking Indo/US relations and Indian cultural and political news.

http://www.hvk.org –  site of the Hindu Vivek Kendra, a group which tracks and comments and discusses issues related to India and Hinduism.

http://www.ekalvidya.org –  an organization dedicated to eradicating illiteracy in tribal regions in India, supports one-teacher schools where a dollar a day can educate 30 to 40 children in rural villages.

http://vhp.org –  site for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Delhi, India, for information on more issues related to India and Hinduism.

http://www.vhp-america.org –  site for the American chapter of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, centered in Houston, Texas.

http://www.rss.org –  site of the Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh, its history and activities.

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/ –  the site of The Organiser paper.

http://bjp.org –  Look more closely at the developments in India through the site of the BJP party in India.

http://www.prajna.org/index.htm –  site for the Bharati Prajna, a group and publication discussing the cultural and political issues of Hindus and Indians.

http://www.apnaghar.org –  a crisis organization in the Midwest US especially for women of Asian descent who are battered or abandoned, or domestic violence, etc.

http://www.sakhi.com –  for South Asian Women who are facing domestic violence, based in New York, contact info, and links to many other organizations throughout the United States.

http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/users/sawweb/sawnet –  South Asian Women’s Network dealing with crisis issues, and has links to many other sites for South Asian women and families.

17. Sites that Deal with Prejudice and Atrocities Against Indians and Hindus

http://www.IndiaCause.com –  a site that discusses and promotes activism on Hindu and India related issues, and for the defense of Hindu culture.

http://www.hinduhumanrights.org –  discusses and presents news and information about persecution, prejudice, atrocities and other issues against Hindus.

http://www.hrcbm.org –  Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities, covering issues and fighting for rights against Muslim terrorist activities, rapes, atrocities, etc. Heavy information.

http://www.Mayerdak.com –  provides details about the atrocities in Bangladesh against the minority Hindus and Buddhists.

http://www.hinduholocaust.com –  the Online Hindu Holocaust Museum, dedicated to the millions of Hindu lives that have been lost by Islamic & Christian invaders. You may also use http://www.mantra.com/holocaust if the first site does not deliver.

http://www.hindujagruti.org –  Hindu Organization working for awakening Hindu soul and uniting Hindus globally based at Maharashtra and Goa.

http://www.geocities.com/saterrorwatch/index.htm –  site of the South Asia Terror Watch, all about terror activities of Islamic Jihadis.

http://www.satp.org –  the South Asian Terrorism Portal for updates on global terrorism.

http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/sair –  South Asian Intelligence Review weekly assessment.

http://www.kentaxrecords.com/iaca/feature_survey.htm –  is the site of Indians Against Christian Aggression. It discusses and tracks the intentions and plans of Christians who want to rid India of Hinduism and make it a Christian state. Also available through  http://www.christreview.org.

http://www.christianaggression.com –  news & articles that monitor acts of aggression, conversion tactics, etc., of Christians.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA130062001?open&of=ENG-2S4 –  BANGLADESH Attacks on members of the Hindu minority.

http://www.factusa.org –  site for the Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism, a traveling exhibit focused on the atrocities and terrorism and killing of Hindus that have gone on in Kashmir at the hands of Pakistani-aided Islamic terrorists.

http://www.aurangzeb.info/ –  a site that explains Aurangzeb as he was according to Mughal Records, an exhibition by FACT – India.

http://defenders-of-dharma.blogspot.com/ –  An exhibition showcasing the bravery, fearlessness and sacrifices of the Sikhs during the Mughal, British and post independence periods that show how they defended the universal Dharma.

18. Sites For or About Children, Their Education, Training, Camps, or Games, etc., and Information About Missing Children and to Report on Them

http://balagokulam.org –  a site for children and teaching them the values of Vedic culture. Also has children’s stories, quizes, activities, guidance for teachers, and links to additional sites that may be useful.

http://www.hindukids.org –  site of Hindu Kids Universe. Has all kinds of interactive things for children, such as learning the alphabet, vegetarianism, Hindu dharma, India’s history, Gods & Goddesses, online games, stories from Vedic texts, and more.

http://www.gameskidsplay.net –  games for children on the web.

http://www.netfundu.com –  has riddles, tricks, coloring, humor, etc., for children on the web.

http://www.pitara.com –  site with an Indian flavor for stories, news, poems, books, games, activities, e-pals, and links to additional sites for a children’s web directory to arts & crafts, hobbies & sports, and more.

http://www.vedicarts.com –  Vedic Arts Publications, produces books of all kinds for children on the stories of the Vedic literature.

http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduismforkids/index.htm?nl=1 –   a site on Hinduism for children, contains additional links to sites with books, Indian history, stories on legends, sages, Kings & Queens, coloring books, etc.

http://www.krsnaforkids.com –  includes DVD movies of plays and puppet shows for children.

http://www.dimdima.com –  an online children’s magazine with all kinds of topics for children, stories, science, books, discussions, and more.

http://www.desikids.co.uk –  for children and parents of Hindu origin. Has religious, legendary and moralistic books, CDs & DVDs for educating the youth in the culture of India.

http://www.missingkids.com –  alerts on missing children

http://www.cybertipline.com –  on missing and exploited children, to file a report on children or suspects.

19. U. S. Government Related Links and Media Contacts

President@whitehouse.gov –  or mailto:president@whitehouse.gov are the email addresses to reach the president of the United States.

http://www.senate.gov/contacting — is the site for locating and writing to members of the Senate.

http://www.house.gov –  is the site for the list of representatives located by name. Includes events and what topics or issues are currently on the house floor.

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.htm is the site for finding your representatives by state.

http://www.congress.org –  another site to find your local government representatives by entering your zip code, and then clicking “Go”.

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.phtml –  this site is for contacting your government representatives by their district office address, in-state addresses, fax numbers, email addresses, etc.

http://www.enterprisemission.com/help.htm –  a huge list of important government and news media related links and contacts.

20. Sites for Critical Research into Other Religions

http://www.burningcross.net –  Explore the history and origins of a mysterious Jewish cult that became one of the most powerful religions in the world — through deception, religious intolerance, and mass-murder! Site contains many articles, interviews, movies and pictures.

http://www.exposingchristianity.com/index.htm –  http://www.exposingchristianity.com/Inquisition.html –  reveals the insanity and the torture that went on in the name of Christianity.

http://tombofjesus.com –  has lots of photos of the tomb of Jesus in Srinagar, and many articles that relate how Jesus traveled through India and died in Kashmir after his crucifixion. Plus several books and more links to websites for additional information on this controversial topic.

http://www.tjresearch.info/ecumensm.htm –  James Deardorff’s site on the evidence of the lost years of Jesus and where he went.

http://hamsa.org/resurrection.htm –  another page on whether Jesus died on the cross or not.

http://www.hamsa.org –  site on the myth of St. Thomas and the Mylapore Shiva Temple and historicity of Jesus.

http://jesus-and-bible-debunked.freewebsitehostimg.com –  has lots of testimonies, opinions, and research from noteworthy people that Jesus never existed.

http://www.jesusneverexisted.com –  a site who’s motto is “Illuminating the terrifying history of a morbid cult that destroyed the ancient world.” Very interesting site for research. Also has pages of pictures of Christian torture instruments, and tales of its hideous dark side.

http://www.jesuspuzzle.com –  Was there really an historical Jesus? This site of Earl Doherty offers much research to make its case that there may not have been a Jesus as presently accepted.

http://home.earthlink.net/~pgwhacker/ChristianOrigins/PaganChrists.html –  lists other pre-Christian Jesus figures that Christ was styled after.

http://www.findarticles/com/p/articles/mi_m1111/is_1822_304/ai_83553507 –  Archeology refutes Bible’s claim to history.

http://www.meteorbooks.com –  has well-presented book on the expose of Mother Theresa, what she really was working for.

http://www.faithfreedom.org –  a site on the controversies of Islam by ex-Muslims that show the ill-logical foundations of the religion.

http://www.militantislammonitor.org –  monitors the militant nature within Islam.

http://www.prophetofdoom.net –  another site that shows some of the ironies in the teachings of Islam.

http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Contra/ –  a site that presents numerous mistakes in the Koran.

http://www.beconvinced.com/RELIGION/CONTRADICTIONS.htm –  list contradictions found in the Bible and Koran.

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html –  contradictions in the Bible.

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/donald_morgan/inconsistencies.html –  a list of 666 contradictions found in the Bible, with links to other absurdities and atrocities the Bible contains.

http://www.evilbible.com/ –  This web site is designed to spread the vicious truth about the Bible.  For far too long priests and preachers have completely ignored the vicious criminal acts that the Bible promotes. This site shows the reality of what is in the Bible.

www.islamreview.com — a site which gives numerous articles and books that reveal Islam in a completely different light of truth and those who have experience at it from a far less than complimentary way. See it for yourself.

www.islamreview.org –  this is a site similar to but different from the above with additional references to reveal Islam as it is, a Religion of Peace at War with the World.

http://www.liveforall.com –  a very nice site that offers simple and quick reviews of all major religions in the world, which can help relieve people of much misunderstanding that seems to pervade the world.

www.christianaggression.org –  a site that reports the recent news and various activities of Christian aggression against other religions.

21. Additional Sites for Your Assistance

http://www.soaringspirit.com or  http://www.nexusmagazine.com/miracle.man.html –  sites on Joao Teixeria de Faria, one of the most powerful spiritual healers on the planet, located at Casa de Dom Inacio, Brazil. This site gives much info about him, how to visit him, what he can do, etc. You can also use this site for additional information: http://www.friendsofthecasa.org, or http://www.MIRACLESOFJOHNOFGOD.com.

http://www.watercure.com –  Some of the complicated diseases have the simplest cures. Find out how such things as ulcers, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, headaches, the process of aging, and other pains and diseases are related to a lack of water intake. This site gives you the means to begin curing yourself of numerous problems with a method on water intake, based on the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj, and his book “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water.”

http://www.healthfreedomrights.com –  deals with the means and issues to provide continuing our rights to choose the way to treat ourselves, whether with herbs, vitamins, or other alternative means.

http://www.fmiclinic.com &  http://www.iahf.com –  both these sites and the one above also have information on codex and the laws that have been proposed for regulating the sale of all vitamins, herbs and organic foods that will put many of these alternative health avenues out of business.

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org –  Natural Solutions Foundation – information on health freedom threats, Codex, FDA, Vaccinations, Genetically Modified Foods, etc.

http://www.spiritualdivorce.com –  Since so many people go through divorces, this site by Debbie Ford can help you learn how to take divorce as a means to start a new and uplifting life.

http://www.webmd.com –  a site for all kinds of medical information, even to get free advice from a doctor.

http://www.iris.edu/seismon/ –  a site that monitors and lists earthquakes.

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net –  a site that explains the oil age is over, the problem of the decreasing amount of oil and its rising cost and how it will affect the world.

http://www.umsonline.org –  University Of Metaphysical Sciences, offers New Age news and articles and courses for Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, D.D., Ph.D., Degrees in Metaphysics, Free newsletter, online store. Internet downloads or postal mail delivery of courses, non-profit 501(c)3…

www.getyourbreathback.com –  describes a book by Paresh Jivanji and his Ayurvedic system by which people can be cured of asthma.

www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking –  Site for Administration for Children and Families, Campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking. Also, Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. The hotline will help you determine if you have encountered victims of human trafficking, will identify local resources available in your community to help victims, and will help you coordinate with local social service organizations to help protect and serve victims so they can begin the process of restoring their lives.
http://winrock.org –  is another site that can help.

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/516/index.html –  take a trip up to
Gaumukh in the Himalayas to see how the Gaumukh and Bhagirathi glacier is
melting and how the world will have to cope with less water as glaciers all
around the world are melting away.

THE FOLLOWING SITES deal with a major concern of mine that needs to be stopped at any cost, and that is human trafficking.

http://ex-oriente-lux.org –  news, reports and testimonials from victims of human trafficking, and what you can do about it.

http://www.freetheslaves.net –  news and ways of freeing and ending slavery around the world.

http://www.globalrights.org –  Gobal Rights is a human rights advocacy group that emphasizes promoting women’s human rights and combating discrimination

http://www.polarisproject.org –  news about and against sex trafficking.

http://www.dhs.gov –  Department of Homeland Security

http://www.state.gov/g/tip –  the State Department’s venue and hotline for giving tips against modern day slavery whenever you may notice such conditions.

22. Informational Videos on Various Spiritual and Other Topics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6CNhj3KtI4 –  India – Nation of
Hindus offers the glories of the ancient Hindu or Vedic culture and how they
have progressed from then.

http://www.sastradana.com/html/video/reincarnation.htm –  news video on the reality of reincarnation.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html –  a very good video on why we need to change our eating habits away from eating meat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmj-_BB6zWY&feature=related — Bad Manna – A first hand report on the effects of missionary activities in India: Heart breaking video to see how Christian Missionaries are dividing and bringing animosity in India.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xEuhtjRX8I –  “Invasion Through Conversion” in two parts presents another view of Christian conversion through deception in India.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY4Q2xx7BTc&feature=related –  “Scientific Verification of Vedic Knowledge in Hinduism – 1″ shows the authenticity of Vedic culture and the falsity of the Aryan Invasion Theory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO8-JCK45tc&NR=1 –  “ARYAN invasion theory, proven false — INDIA”.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-515319560256183936&q=money+masteres&total=1845&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 –  Film documentary on “The Money Masters: How International Bankers Gained Control of America.” Very interesting.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ –  This is a two-hour movie. I’ve seen nothing more convincing in its explanation in dispelling the myths that surround us, from Christianity and the influences that it derived from, the 911 event, the Federal Reserve and the tax system, the financial purpose of the 1929 stock market collapse, the world wars, war in Iraq, how homeland Security is but a means to take away an increasing number of your freedoms, and the North American Union (which will dissolve the U.S. Constitution) and the development of the Amero, which will replace the dollar.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2461177575671329682 –  the video ZeitGeist Part Two, “The Continuation of the Never Ending War” takes you farther behind the illusion of what is portrayed to be happening in the world.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7065205277695921912 –  the video ZeitGeist Addendum, how we are controlled by those who control the money supply and economy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=530806696524042736 –  the video ZeitGeist Part 3, “How The Bankers Control the World.” Most revealing!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6030443037963555139 –  This is a great video that covers all the major areas of information, economically, politically, environmentally, etc. that most people don’t realize is going on in the world! It shows how our rights of the many are being taken away for the agenda and benefits of the few elite.

http://www.storyofstuff.com –  reveals the truth about how things are gathered and manufactured in the relentless consumer society that is never satisfied.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food –  the movie “The Future of Food” reveals the real plans and damage already done from manipulating humanity’s food supplies by corporate interests and what happens if we depend on Genetically Modified foods. A must watch for everyone. You can also see it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU8XrioF4CE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKGMTxRwnJo –  “The World According to Monsanto” shows the demonic plans and arrangements being made and what has been done by Monsanto’s plans to dominate the seed and agriculture business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKGMTxRwnJo –  “Secret FDA Memos Reveal Concerns About Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs” is a video, along with others recommended with it, show the various dangers of genetically modified foods. Learn about it.

http://www.howtosavetheworld.com and  http://www.onemanonecow.com –  both show how a grass roots efforts have been going on to help farmers of India get back to the old and traditional organic ways of farming to produce nutritious food and to release them from incurring the debts that have lead many farmers to suicide by engaging in the costly and ineffectual process of chemical farming with Monsanto’s terminator seeds and being forced to buy so much chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

http://www.poisonontheplatter.com –  reveals the consequences of the chemical farming that uses pesticides and chemical fertilizers to produce food and how we ingest it and the damage it does. Deals especially with India.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6926416900837431282&ei=ELAiS4mGNYSSrALh3vCeBw&q=+%22slow+poisoning+of+india%22&hl=en –  the movie “The Slow Poisoning of India” deals with the increasing use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

http://www.onedollardvdproject.com/DVD-new/Order.html –  here you can purchase the inexpensive copies of the DVDs and CDs of important documentaries, presentations and interviews of what is really going on behind the scenes in regard to our economical system, medicines, politics, military acts, and what the New World Order really is.

http://www.breakthematrix.com and  http://www.bytestyle.tv –  both of these show the latest plans and news of what the banking and politically elite are doing in their attempt to stifle our freedoms, increase their profits, and push their agenda, often at the expense of the real benefit of humanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgehzC_m-5c –  it’s time to wake up.

Websites to the Fourth Dimension

This link takes you to a list of nearly 70 additional websites that will provide information on other topics regarding numerous mysteries around this planet and universe, psychic and otherwise, including UFOs, aliens and abductions, secret societies, secret governments within governments, ancient legends, and much more. However, enter at your own risk.

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The Hanuman Chalisa was written by Goswami Tulsidas. By singing the praises of Shri Hanuman, one is able to overcome many obstacles. When Hanuman was only a child, He swallowed the sun from a distance of sixteen thousand miles. He lifted the mountain containing the herb to save the life of Lakshman, Rama’s brother. Hanuman was filled with compassion for Lord Rama, when Sita was abducted by Ravana and taken to Lanka. He is the most ardent devotee of Lord Rama, the manifestation of Lord Vishnu, who is the second person of the Trinity. His only wish is to fulfill Lord Rama’s every request

The impossible becomes possible.

One of the reasons that Hanuman had to be born in the form of a monkey was to enlarge himself and fly across the ocean to find Sita. God has the power to take any form He pleases to accomplish His work. He took Lord Rama’s ring in His mouth across the ocean to comfort Sita. In return He burnt down Lanka to save Sita from the demon king, Ravana. This is the great power and incomparable strength of Shri Hanuman. This shows the extraordinary power of God to move mountains, in order to rescue.

When the Hanuman Chalisa is sung anywhere in the world, it is narrating the great glory about this incarnation of God. This Chalisa is divided into many verses. Every verse recited and chanted has the power to remove difficulties from our lives. Singing the first verse, “Jai Hanuman gyaan gyun saagar” will give you knowledge. The third verse, “Mahabeer bikrama bajarangi” will remove the bad company of family and friends from your life. The following verses have the power to help you reach your goals, drive away evil spirits, give you health and the ability to conquer evil forces in your life.

The more this Chalisa is recited, the more beneficial it becomes to anyone. It praises the greatness of Hanuman. It has the power to remove suffering and sins, heal sicknesses, give happiness and rid you of all calamities. Lord Shiva testifies that one attains perfection by reading the Hanuman Chalisa. It can always provide you with strength, knowledge and guidance in your life. It is the story of God and His love for humanity. The story and service of Shri Hanuman is Eternal throughout the whole world.

HANUMAN CHALISA-New – with English sub-titles

hanuman chalisa Gulshan Kumar

Hanuman Chalisa Ashutosh Sanskar Tv animation

Hanuman Chalisa with meaning

Shree Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Man Mukar Sudhari,
Barnau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu, Jo dayaku Phal Chari

With the dust of Guru’s Lotus feet, I clean the mirror of my mind and then
narrate the sacred glory of Sri Ram Chandra, The Supereme among the Raghu
dynasty. The giver of the four attainments of life.

Budhi heen Tanu Janike, Sumirow, Pavan Kumar,
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Bikaar

Knowing myself to be ignorent, I urge you, O Hanuman, The son of Pavan! O
Lord! kindly Bestow on me strength, wisdom and knowledge, removing all my
miseries and blemishes.

Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar
Jai Kipis Tihun Lok Ujgaar

Victory of Thee, O Hanuman, Ocean of wisdom and virtue, victory to the Lord of
monkeys who is well known in all the three worlds

Ramdoot Atulit Bal Dhamaa,
Anjani Putra Pavansut naamaa.

You, the Divine messager of Ram and repository of immeasurable strength, are also
known as Anjaniputra and known as the son of the wind – Pavanputra.

Mahebeer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi.

Oh Hanumanji! You are valiant and brave, with a body like lightening. You are the
dispeller of darkness of evil thoughts and companion of good sense and wisdom.

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesaa,
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.

Shri Hanumanji’s physique is golden coloured. His dress is pretty, wearing
‘Kundals’ ear-rings and his hairs are long and curly.

Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birjai,
Kandhe Moonj Janeu saage.

Shri Hanumanji is holding in one hand a lighting bolt and in the other a banner
with sacred thread across his shoulder.

Shankar Suvna Kesari Nandan,
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the emanation of ‘SHIVA’ and you delight Shri Keshri.
Being ever effulgent, you and hold vast sway over the universe. The entire
world proptiates. You are adorable of all.

Vidyavaan Guni Ati Chatur,
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur

Oh! Shri Hanumanji! You are the repository learning, virtuous, very wise and
highly keen to do the work of Shri Ram,
Prabhu Charittra Sunibe Ko Rasiya,
Ram Lakhan Sita man basyia.

You are intensely greedy for listening to the naration of Lord Ram’s lifestory and
revel on its enjoyment. You ever dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram-Sita and Shri Lakshman.
Sukshma roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhwana,
Bikat roop Dhari Lank Jarawa

You appeared beofre Sita in a diminutive form and spoke to her, while you
assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.

Bhim roop Dhari Asur Sanhare,
Ramchandra Ke kaaj Savare.

He, with his terrible form, killed demons in Lanka and performed all acts of Shri
Ram.
Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye,
Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye.

When Hanumanji made Lakshman alive after bringing ‘Sanjivni herb’ Shri Ram
took him in his deep embrace, his heart full of joy.

Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badaai,
Tum Mama Priya Bharat Sam Bahi.

Shri Ram lustily extolled Hanumanji’s excellence and remarked, “you are as dear
to me as my own brother Bharat”

Sahastra Badan Tumharo Jas Gaave,
Asa kahi Shripati Kanth Laagave.

Shri Ram embraced Hanumanji saying:
“Let the thousand – tongued sheshnaag sing your glories”

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa,
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa

Sanak and the sages, saints. Lord Brahma, the great hermits Narad and
Goddess Saraswati along with Sheshnag the cosmic serpent, fail to sing the
glories of Hanumanji exactly

Jam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te,
Kabi Kabid Kahin Sake Kahan Te

What to talk of denizens of the earth like poets and scholars ones etc even Gods
like Yamraj, Kuber, and Digpal fail to narrate Hanman’s greatness in toto.

Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Keenha,
Ram Miali Rajpad Deenha

Hanumanji! You rendered a great service for Sugriva, It were you who united
him with SHRI RAM and installed him on the Royal Throne.

Tumharo Mantro Bibhishan Maana,
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana.

By heeding your advice. Vibhushan became Lord of Lanka, which is known all
over the universe.

Juug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhaanu,
Leelyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu

Hanumanji gulped, the SUN at distance of sixteen thousand miles considering
it to be a sweet fruit.

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukha Maaheen,
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaj Naheen.

Carrying the Lord’s ring in his mouth, he went across the ocean. There is no
wonder in that.

Durgam Kaaj Jagat Ke Jeete,
Sugam Anugrah Tumhre Te Te.

Oh Hanumanji! all the difficult tasks in the world are rendered easiest by your
grace.
Ram Duware Tum Rakhavare,
Hot Na Aagya Bin Paisare.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the sentinel at the door of Ram’s mercy mansion or His
divine abode. No one may enter without your permission.

Sab Sukh Lahen Tumhari Sarna,
Tum Rakshak Kaahu Ko Darnaa.

By your grace one can enjoy all happiness and one need not have any fear under
your protection.

Aapan Tej Samharo Aapei,
Tanau Lok Hank Te Kanpei

When you roar all the three worlds tremble and only you can control your might.

Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Avei,
Mahabir Jab Naam Sunavei.

Great Brave on. Hanumanji’s name keeps all the Ghosts, Demons & evils spirits
away from his devotees.

Nasei Rog Hare Sab Peera,
Japat Niranter Hanumant Beera

On reciting Hanumanji’s holy name regularly all the maladies perish the entire
pain disappears.

Sankat Te Hanuman Chhudavei,
Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavei.

Those who rembember Hanumanji in thought, word and deed are well guarded
against their odds in life.

Sub Par Ram Tapasvee Raaja,
Tinke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja

Oh Hanumanji! You are the caretaker of even Lord Rama, who has been hailed as
the Supreme Lord and the Monarch of all those devoted in penances.

Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lave,
Soi Amit Jivan Phal Pave.

Oh Hanumanji! You fulfill the desires of those who come to you and bestow
the eternal nectar the highest fruit of life.

Charo Juung Partap Tumhara,
Hai Parsiddha Jagat Ujiyara.

Oh Hanumanji! You magnificent glory is acclaimed far and wide all through the
four ages and your fame is radianlty noted all over the cosmos.

Sadho Sant Ke Tum Rakhvare,
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the saviour and the guardian angel of saints and sages
and destroy all the Demons, you are the seraphic darling of Shri Ram.

Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data,
Asa Bar Din Janki Mata.

Hanumanji has been blessed with mother Janki to grant to any one any YOGIC
power of eight Sidhis and Nava Nidhis as per choice.

Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa,
Sadaa Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.

Oh Hanumanji! You hold the essence of devotion to RAM, always remaining His
Servant.

Tumhare Bhajan Ramko Pavei.
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisravei…

Oh Hanumanji! through devotion to you, one comes to RAM and becames free
from suffering of several lives.

Anta Kaal Raghubar Pur Jai,
Jahan Janma Hari Bhakta Kahai.

After death he enters the eternal abode of Sri Ram and remains a devotee of
him, whenever, taking new birth on earth.

Aur Devata Chitt Na Dharai,
Hanumant Sei Sarva Sukh Karai

You need not hold any other demigod in mind. Hanumanji alone will give all
happiness.

Sankat Kate Mitey Sab Peera,
Jo Sumirei Hanumant Balbeera

Oh Powerful Hanumanji! You end the sufferings and remove all the pain from
those who remember you.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai
Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Naiee

Hail-Hail-Hail- Lord Hanumanji! I beseech you Honour to bless me in the
capacity of my supreme ‘GURU’ (teacher).

Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Koi,
Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi.

One who recites this Hanuman Chalisa one hundred times daily for one hundred
days becames free from the bondage of life and death and ejoys the highest
bliss at last.

Jo Yah Padhe Hanuman Chalisa,
Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa

As Lord Shankar witnesses, all those who recite Hanuman Chalisa regularly are
sure to be benedicted

Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera,
Keeje Nath Hriday Mah Dera.

Tulsidas always the servant of Lord prays. “Oh my Lord! You enshrine within my
heart.!

Chopai

Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran , Mangal Murti Roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.

O Shri Hanuman, The Son of Pavan, Saviour The Embodiment of
blessings, reside in my heart together with Shri Ram, Laxman and Sita

Aum is said to be the essence of all mantras, the highest of all matras or divine word (shabda), brahman (ultimate reality) itself. Aum is said to be the essence of the Vedas.

By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe.

A stands for Creation

U stands for Preservation

M stands for Destruction or dissolution

This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva)

The three portions of AUM relate to the states of waking, dream and deep sleep and the three gunas (rajas, satva, tamas)

The three letters also indicates three planes of existence, heaven (swarga), earth (martya) and netherworld (patala)

All the words produced by the human vocal organ can be represented by AUM. A is produced by the throat, U & M by the lips

In the Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the sound of assent (affirmation) and ascent (it has an upwards movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon.

Matter From – http://www.hindunet.org/aum/index.htm

—————————————————–

“The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma.”
~ Katha Upanishad I

Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.

Om in Daily Life

Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines.It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually cleansed and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.

The Eternal Syllable

According to the Mandukya Upanishad, “Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it”.

The Music of Om

Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one’s being, the atman or soul.There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable Om, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Ultimate Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the highest state of “stateless” eternity, states the Bhagavad Gita.

The Vision of Om

Om provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the other hand, it makes the absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It encompasses all potentialities and possibilities; it is everything that was, is, or can yet be. It is omnipotent and likewise remains undefined.

The Power of Om

During meditation, when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the single thought—Om—is quenched; there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Om.

How to Type it on your Computer

Try this! To get the Om symbol on your computer screen, open MS Word and key in backslash ( \ ) in Wingdings font. You will type in Om!

Discuss About Om

• Om chant helps me in my meditations… ~ Rashmi
• Will my Om tattoo offend Hindus? ~ Steve

More About Om

• Om Articles and Web Links
• The Om Image Gallery
• The Om Puzzle

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atter From – http://hinduism.about.com/od/omaum/a/meaningofom.htm

—————————————————————————

“Om” redirects here. For other uses, see Om (disambiguation).

“Omkara” redirects here. For the film, see Omkara (film).

This article is about the mystical syllable. For other uses, see AUM.

Devanagari Aum

Aum (also Om, written in Devanagari as ?, in Sanskrit known as pra?ava ????? [lit. "to sound out loudly"] or au?k?ra (also as Omk?ra) ????? (lit. “au? syllable”) is a mystical or sacred syllable in the Indian religions, i.e. Hinduism/San?tana Dharma, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Aum is commonly pronounced as a long or over-long nasalized close-mid back rounded vowel, [õ??]) though there are other enunciations pronounced in received traditions. It is placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts as a sacred incantation to be intoned at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas or prior to any prayer or mantra. The M?ndukya Upanishad is entirely devoted to the explanation of the syllable. The syllable is taken to consist of three phonemes, a, u and m, variously symbolizing the Three Vedas or the Hindu Trimurti or the three stages of life ( birth, life and death ). Though ostensibly, in some traditions, it is polysyllabic and vocalized as a triphthong, the Omk?ra is held to move through and contain all vowels possible in human speech, since in properly vocalizing the ‘aah’, ‘oo’ and ‘mm’ sounds, one’s mouth perforce adopts the shapes which it would have to in order to make other phonemes as well.^{[citation needed]}. One important version has five components, flowing from h through a, [short]u, oo to m.

The name Omkara (Sanskrit: the syllable aum) is taken as a name of God in the Hindu revivalist Arya Samaj (?rya sam?j. Similarly, the concept of om, called onkar inPunjabi, is found in Sikh theology as a symbol of God. It invariably emphasizes God’s singularity, expressed as Ek Onkar (“One Omkara” or “The Aum is One”), stating that the multiplicity of existence symbolized in the aum syllable is really founded in a singular God.^[1]

Contents [hide] 1 Nomenclature, orthography and etymology 2 In Hinduism 2.1 Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gi:t? and Su:tra literature 2.2 Pur?nic Hinduism 2.2.1 Dvaita 2.2.2 Thai 2.2.3 Advaita 2.3 In proper names 3 New Age Spirituality 4 In Jainism 5 In Buddhism 6 ”Onkar” in Sikhism 7 Gallery 8 Notes 9 External links

[edit]Nomenclature, orthography and etymology

The strokes of the Aum have associated meanings and an order.

The symbol Aum inTibetan script

The Sanskrit name for the syllable is pra?ava, from a root nu “to shout, sound, praise”, verbal pra-nu- being attested as “to make a humming or droning sound” in theBrahmanas, and taking the specific meaning of “to utter the syllable aum” in the Ch?ndogya Upanishad and the Shrauta Sutras. More rarely used terms are ak?ara (lit. symbol, character) or ek?k?ara (lit. one symbol, character), and in later times omk?ra becomes prevalent.

Phonemically, the syllable is /aum/, which is regularly monophthongized to [õ?] in Sanskrit phonology. It is sometimes also written with pluti, as o3m (????), notably by Arya Samaj. When occurring within a Sanskrit utterance, the syllable is subject to the normal rules of sandhi in Sanskrit grammar, however with the additional peculiarity that after preceding a or ?, the au of aum does not form vriddhi (au) but guna (o) per P??ini 6.1.95 (i.e. ‘om’).

The ligatures of the aum represent 1) the waking state or “Jagrat” 2) the deep subconscious or “Shushupti” 3) the subconscious or dream state Swapna” 4) the seat of the higher consciousness, or “Raif, the vibration of the universe” and 5) the higher consciousness (God), or “Bindu” all the particles in the universe.^[2]

The aum symbol  is a ligature of Devanagari ?+? (o?, encoded in Unicode at U+0950 ?, the Tibetan script variant ? at U+0F00, and the Chinese persian linguistics? at U+5535 or ? at U+543D).

It is claimed by some that “Amen“, in Christianity, and “Amin“, in Islam, came from aum, but this view is contradicted by its known etymology. ^[3][4][5]

[edit]In Hinduism

Part of a series on Hinduism
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The syllable aum is first described as all-encompassing mystical entity in the Upanishads. Today, in all Hindu art and all over India and Nepal, ‘aum’ can be seen virtually everywhere, a common sign for Hinduism and its philosophy and theology. As the creation began, the divine, all-encompassing consciousness took the form of the first and original vibration manifesting as sound “AUM”.^[6] Before creation began it was “Shuny?k?sha”, the emptiness or the void. Shuny?k?sha, meaning literally “no sky”, is more than nothingness, because everything then existed in a latent state of potentiality. The vibration of “AUM” symbolizes the manifestation of God in form (“s?guna brahman”). “AUM” is the reflection of the absolute reality, it is said to be “Adi Anadi”, without beginning or the end and embracing all that exists.^[6] The mantra “AUM” is the name of God, the vibration of the Supreme. When taken letter by letter, A-U-M represents the divine energy (Shakti) united in its three elementary aspects: Bhrahma Shakti (creation), Vishnu Shakti (preservation) and Shiva Shakti (liberation, and/or destruction).^[6]

In Hinduism, Aum corresponds to the crown chakra and diamond white light.^[6]

[edit]Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gi:t? and Su:tra literature

Further information: Mandukya Upanishad

The syllable is mentioned in all the Upanishads, specially elaborated upon in the Taittiriya, Ch?ndogya and M?ndukya Upanishad set forth as the object of profound religious meditation, the highest spiritual efficacy being attributed not only to the whole word but also to the three sounds a (a-k?ra), u (u-k?ra), m (ma-k?ra), of which it consists. A-kara means form or shape like earth, trees, or any other object. U-k?rameans formless or shapeless like water, air or fire. Ma-k?ra means neither shape nor shapeless (but still exists) like the dark energycontent of the Universe. When we combine all three syllables we get AUM which is a combination of A-k?ra, U-k?ra, and Ma-k?ra.^[7]

The Katha Upanishad has:

“The goal, which all Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which humans desire when they live a life of conscience, I will tell you briefly it is aum“

“The one syllable [ev?k?ara, viz. aum] is indeed Brahman. This one syllable is the highest. Whosoever knows this one syllable obtains all that he desires.

“This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma.” (1.2.15-17)^[8]

The Ch?ndogya Upanishad (1.1.1-1) states:

om ity-etad ak?aram udg?tham up?s?ta / aum iti hy udg?yati / tasyopavy?khy?nam

“The udgi:t? ["the chanting", that is, the syllable om] is the best of all essences, the highest, deserving the highest place, the eighth.”

The Bhagavad Gi:t? (8.13) states that:

Uttering the monosyllable Aum, the eternal world of Brahman, One who departs leaving the body (at death), he attains the Supereme Goal (i.e., he reaches God).

In Bhagavad Gi:t? (9.17): Lord Krishna says to Arjuna – “I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable O?. I am also the ?ig, the S?ma and the Yajur Vedas.”

The Bhagvad Gi:t? (17.23) has:

om tatsatiti nirdesho brahmanstrividhah samratah

“OM, tat and sat has been declared as the triple appellation of Brahma, who is Truth, Consciousness and Bliss.”

In the following s?tra it emphasizes, “The repetition of Om should be made with an understanding of its meaning”.^[9]

[edit]Pur?nic Hinduism

The Om Parvat in Pithoragarh district. Its snow deposit is said to resemble the Aum symbol.

God Ganesha is sometimes identified with the Aum

In Pur?nic Hinduism, Aum is the mystic name for the Hindu Trimurti, and represents the union of the three gods, viz. a for Brahma, u for Vishnu and m for Mahadev which is another name of Shiva. The three sounds also symbolize the three Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yaju:rveda).

According to Hindu philosophy (see M?ndukya Upanishad), the letter A represents creation, when all existence issued forth from Brahma‘s golden nucleus; the letter U refers to Vishnu the God of the middle who preserves this world by balancing Brahma on a lotus above himself, and the letter M symbolizes the final part of the cycle of existence, when Vishnu falls asleep and Shiva has to breathe in so that all existing things have to disintegrate and are reduced to their essence to him. More broadly, Aum is said to be the primordial sound that was present at the creation of the universe. It is said to be the original sound that contains all other sounds, all words, all languages and all mantras.

[edit]Dvaita

Vaishnava Dvaita philosophies teach that ‘Aum’ is an impersonal sound representation of Vishnu/Krishna while Hari Nama is the personal sound representation. A represents Krishna, U Sri:mati R?dh?r?ni and M jivas. According to Sri:dhara Sv?mi the pranava has five parts: A, U, M, the nasal bindu and the reverberation (n?da). Liberated souls meditate on the Lord at the end of that reverberation. For both Hindus and Buddhists this syllable is sacred and so laden with spiritual energy that it may only be pronounced with complete concentration.

[edit]Thai

In Thailand times, Thais make Thai scripts and an om in the end.

[edit]Advaita

Aum symbol on a temple elephant‘s forehead

In Advaita philosophy it is frequently used to represent three subsumed into one, a triune, a common theme in Hinduism. It implies that our current existence ismithy? and maya, “falsehood”, that in order to know the full truth we must comprehend beyond the body and intellect the true nature of infinity. Essentially, uponmoksha (mukti, sam?dhi) one is able not only to see or know existence for what it is, but to become it. When one gains true knowledge, there is no split between knower and known: one becomes knowledge/consciousness itself. In essence, Aum is the signifier of the ultimate truth that all is one.

Examples of sacred triunes (three-in-ones):^{[citation needed]}

• Creation (Brahma)- Preservation (Vishnu)- Destruction (Shiva) into Brahman the Atman
• Waking- Dreaming- Dreamless Sleep into Turiya (transcendental fourth state of consciousness)
• Rajas (activity, heat, fire) - Tamas (dullness, ignorance, darkness) - Sattva (purity, light, serenity or peace/sh?nti) into Brahman
• Body, Speech and Mind into Oneness
• Generate(Brahma-Saraswati), Operate(N?r?yan-Lakshmi), Destroy(Shiv-Shakti) as GOD within
• Satchit?nanda

[edit]In proper names

When Aum is a part of a place name (for example Omk?reshwar), or is used as a man’s name, it is spelled phonetically using ordinary letters of whatever Indian alphabet is used in the area. The adherents of Arya Samaj always use the ordinary letters ?(Ah), ?(ooh) and ?(ma) to write Aum.

Om is originated from navel of Lord Hashrasen . Quite often he creates another earth and in r.w. another space . He is also known as father of Lord Bramha , Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh. He gives them birth by by tearing his navel. His kingdom is known as land of believers / land of Bhavesh.

[edit]New Age Spirituality

Template:New Age Spirituality In New Age spirituality, Om is described as such: Om chanting is already happening in your blood, in your heart, in your brain. It is happening in your every cell, every moment. You only need to tune with it, turn your attention inward, listen to that and merge with that. Om is the mantra of integration. Om chanting is the art of flowing with the whole. ^[10]

[edit]In Jainism

Depiction of Om in Jain script

In Jainism, Aum is regarded to be a condensed form of reference to the five parameshthis, by their initials A+A+A+U+M (o3m). The Dravyasamgrah quotes a Prakrit line:

?? ??????? ????????????????????? ????????? ??? “??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????? ???????”

oma ek?k?ara pañca-parame??hi-n?m?-dipam tatkabhamiti ceta “arihat? asar?r? ?yariy? taha uvajjh?y? mu?iy?”

“Aum” is one syllable made from the initials of the five parameshthis. It has been said: “Arihanta, Ashiri, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Muni” .

Thus, ?? ??? (o? nama?) is a short form of the Navkar Mantra.

[edit]In Buddhism

Buddhists place om at the beginning of their Vidya-Sadaksari or mystical formulary in six syllables (viz., om mani padme hum) as well as most other mantras and dh?ranis. As a seed syllable (bija mantra), it is also considered holy in Esoteric Buddhism.

The syllable is often written with the Chinese character ? (pinyin ?n) or ? (pinyin w?ng) in Buddhist texts of East Asian provenience.

[edit]“Onkar” in Sikhism

Main article: Ek Onkar

Gurmukhi Ek Onkar symbol

Guru Nanak dev ji writes that, “From Onkaar, the One Universal Creator God, Brahma was created. He kept Ongkaar in his consciousness. From Ongkaar, the mountains and the ages were created. Onkaar created the Vedas.”^[11] Khushwant Singh writes that, “The concept of om, which is somewhat elusive in Hinduism, is crystallized in Sikh theology and is given a status of symbol – the symbol of God.” The singularity of God is expressed in the saying, Ek Onkar (“There is one God”).^[12] Guru Nanak’s teaching about God is summed in the Sikh Mool Mantra.^[13]

[edit]Gallery

Aum in various scripts

The symbol Aum in theTamil script The symbol Aum inKannada, Telugu and Tuluscript Omkar in Bangla Script. The Balinese Om symbol These views or articles do not belong to us. Our objective is to compile and provide the information on Astrology at one place.These views or articles were compiled from different sources on the internet.We are grateful to the authors/publishers for their views or articles. The source of the above views or articles is provided for reference. We do not intend to harm anybody’s business interests or copyright. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum

Bhagavad Gita is the most unusual and the one of the most important scriptures. Its is the divine voice of the God. One can be spiritually benefited by mediating and contemplating on the Gita. One’s all doubts are removed and by following it, one can attain Him. This Celestial Song was sung by Lord Krishna.

Whatever happened, it happened for good. Whatever is happening, is happening for good.

Whatever that will happen, it will be for good.

What have you lost for which you cry?

What did you bring with you, which you have lost?

What did you produce, which has destroyed?

You did not bring anything when you were born.

Whatever you have, you have received from Him.

Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.

You came empty handed and

you will go the same way.

Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and  will be somebody else’s tomorrow.

Change is the law of the universe.

Gita Sar video

]]> http://eeshay.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=291 695 http://eeshay.com/wordpress/?p=266 http://eeshay.com/wordpress/?p=266#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:25:18 +0000 eeshay http://eeshay.com/wordpress/?p=266 ...Read the Rest]]> http://www.sindhicouncilofindia.com/index.html

Sindhis are the only community in the history of mankind after Yahudi community who have been rendered homeless and landless after cruel partition of the country in 1947. This Statelessness rendered Sindhis politicaly orphans in thier own country, we Sindhis have no single representatives, to call our own in Loksabha, Rajyasabha and state Assemblies, who can raise the issue concerning Sindhis on the floor of the above houses. In absence of any representatives, Sindhisare deprived of  their  legitimate Rights of quality at par with other citizens of the country.

To fight against above Injustice meted out to community some local Sindhi Organizations have been doing their bit since last several years with no desired result. Hence, it was imperative to have an organization with its wings in entire nation in true sense and NRI representatives from all over the globe.

Keeping above objectives in view and to unite Sindhis scattered in all parts of India and abroad, Sindhi Council Of India under the able leadership and efforts of Shri Suresh A. Keswani (Ex. M.P. Rajya Sabha) was formed on October 2nd, 1998 on auspicious day of  Gandhi Jayanti at Jhulelal Temple Sindhu Bhawan, Secunderabad.  Sub-sequently, at 2nd National Convention at Nagpur Constitution of Sindhi Council Of India as adopted and registered under the society’s Act 1860 with its Headquarters at Delhi and also regestered under Trust’s Act.

Structure :    Sindhi Council Of India consist of 10 Regions, out of which 9 Regions are for Sindhis in India and 10th Region is for NRI Sindhis. Thirty Founder representatives are nominated from each region forming 300 strong House of Representative of Sindhis.

Main Object :    The chief objective of this Body is to safeguard the ethnic and political identify , safety and security ofSindhis by   providing them their own governance machinery, some thing like Landless Government.

The Sindhi Council Of India aims to be an Apex Body to project the united voice of the Sindhis before the Union Government of India and also the respective State Governments. Further the Council intends to be active at other national and international fora.

Today Sindhi Council Of India has a Strength of 15000 Members

Appeal :    To further expand and to reach every Sindhi at grass-root level, we have started opening chapters(Branches) of the Council in suburbs, cities, towns wherever Sindhis are and intend to open hundreds of such branches in every part of the country. To support and show the solidarity in the cause of community each one of you is requested to joinSindhi Council Of India by subscribing the membership by paying a nominal fee of   Rs. 100 (Re. One Hundred only) for 3 years at the Council chapter nearest to your area or can contact office bearers for further information.

Governing Body

1. Shri Suresh A. Keswani
(Ex. MP Rajya Sabha)
Founder President
Chairman: Linguistic Minority
Commission, Govt. of India

2. Justice Indersen Israni
Ex.  President
Chairman: Sindhi Rights Com.

3. Shri Amar Doultani
National President
Cell : 09825007100

4. Shri Harish Dubey
National Secretary General
Cell : 09821041916

5. Shri Suresh Sachdev
Vice President
(Northern Region)

6. Shri Parmanand Khattar
Vice President
(West)

7. Mr. Shyam Jumani
Vice President (South)

8. Ms. Durga Thawrani
Vice President (East)

9. Mr. Ishwardas Moolrajani
Vice President (Central)

10. Mr. Murli Adnani
NRI. Addl. Sec. General

11. Mr. Vijay Lakhani (West)
National Addl. Sec. Gen

12. Mr. Raju Bharat (Kolkata)
National Treasurer

13. Shri Shrikant Bhatia
P. R. O.

14. Regional Presidents
Mr. Nandlal Rajpal
Dr. Gurmukh Jagwani
(Maharashtra)
Mr. Ramesh Varlyani
(Chhatisgarh)
Mr. Mohan D. Ladhani
Mr. Ishwar Jhamnani
Mr. Beharilal Menda
Ms. Renu Idnani (North)
Mr.__________ (East)
Mr. Naren Shahani
(Rajasthan)
Mr. Nandlal
(Gujarat)
15. Mr. Ram Buxani (NRI)

Main Objects

1) To achieve the unity, integrity and harmony of all the Sindhis in the country and abroad and to consolidate their achievements and harness them for establishing the “National Developmental Institutions” which can further build on the achievements of SINDHIS.

2) To strive for and take concrete steps with a view to achieve continuous development and all round betterment of SINDHI community and simultaneously achieve the basic objective of human growth in all such areas and communities which have been “Deprived and Handicapped” for various reasons within the country.

3) To effectively harmonies the energies of various Sindhi Organizations be they Social, Cultural, Commercial or Political, spread across the country and abroad by providing them a single platform to enable concerted and integrated actions for eventual advancement of the SINDHI Community and effective participation of the community in the “National Development Work”.

4) To achieve demand ofHomeland for SINDHIS in India and to bring together thru the Council individual Sindhi Brother settled across the globe so that the reaped benefits of such unity and brotherhood directly help in furthering the economics, social, cultural and educational interests of Sindhi Community at large.

5) To get adequate representation for SINDHIS by election, selection, reservation or nomination as the case may be in various political bodies including Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, Local Municipalities, State Councils etc. so that the SINDHI Community is well represented in the overall political set up of the country.

6) To set up in addition to a Regional Council for NRIs covering overseas SINDHIS. Nine Regional Councils across the country each having geographical jurisdiction of states under them as follows :-

(1) SINDHI COUNCIL of NORTH INDIA :
Covering the state of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and  Kashmir & Union Territories of Chandigarh.

(2) SINDHI COUNCIL of UTTAR PRADESH :
Covering the state of Uttar Pradesh  and Nepal.

(3) SINDHI COUNCIL of EAST INDIA :
Covering the state of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and North Eastern States.

(4) SINDHI COUNCIL of MADHYA PRADESH :
Covering the state of Madhya Pradesh.

(5) SINDHI COUNCIL of RAJASTHAN :
Covering the state of Rajasthan.

(6) SINDHI COUNCIL of GUJARAT :
Covering the state of Gujarat.

(7) SINDHI COUNCIL of MAHARASHTRA :
Covering the state of Maharashtra excluding Mumbai and areas covered under SINDHI Council Of Mumbai.

(8) SINDHI COUNCIL of MUMBAI :
Covering the state of  Mumbai, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli.

(9) SINDHI COUNCIL of SOUTH INDIA :
Covering the state of Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondichery & Kerala.

OTHER OBJECTS :

Education

Old age Medicare & Orphanages

Social and charitable causes

Sports and cultural

Official Status for the language and linguistic minority

Regional Councils

There are a total of  10 Regional Councils each having certain geographical jurisdiction of states under them as follows

(For full details of Region please click on the name of that region)

Each Regional Council will consist of 26 members :

Main Demands of Sindhi Council Of India

The following provisions / amendments be made in the Constitution to redress the grievances of Sindhi Community,

(1) Adequate representation in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and Local bodies

(2) Benefits of Backward Class To Sindhis

(3) Establishment of National Commission for Sindhi Community

(4) Status Of Minority Community

(5) To Protect, Preserve and Promote Sindhi Language, Literature, Art and Culture.

(6) Development Board under Article 371 of the Constitution.

Adequate representation in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and Local bodies:

To get freedom of India, on partition whole of Sindhi State was given away to Pakistan, therefore Sindhis were put in refugee camps and scattered in various parts of the country to stand on their legs and earn livelihood for their families. Therefore, they have no vote-pockets at one place like other communities, from where they can elect other own representatives. Hence, it is imperative to identity some areas in Indian States where Sindhis can live in sizeable numbers.

We therefore, request that atleast 14 (Fourteen) seats in Lok Sabha, 7 (Seven) seats in Rajya Sabha, 15 (Fifteen) seats in every states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where Sindhis are more then 10 lakhs in each state and 5 (Five) seats each in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other such States, should be reserved for Sindhis so that they can get representation at par with other citizens of India. Such suitable amendments in Article 332 may be recommended or separate article inserted in the Constitution of India. Without special arrangement of reservation through the amendment in the Constitution, it will be impossible to give adequate representation to Sindhis as in present political setup of the country. We have developed  a strong cast based society where every person votes in favour of his own cast. Therefore, there is no chance for Sindhi candidate to get elected (barring rare incidents in 53 years) without reservation.

It may be mentioned that a special arrangement for Sindhi community is also justified, as in Sind assembly before partition of our country, 22 Hindu Sindhis were elected representative to call its own representative. This is clear cut case of injustice which need to be redressed by suitable amendment in the Constitution.

Benefits of Backward Class To Sindhis:

Since Sindhis have lost their whole State and on that account suffer from several disadvantages viz. political, socially and in several other ways, therefore they have become in forefront. To bring them on par with other citizens, they should be given benefits of Backward Classes. It will be proper to make suitable amendment in Article 16 (4) of be partially redressed and they will get some opportunity to come up in mainstream of the nation.

MEMBERSHIP Membership Form

A member of the Council shall be a person who having been admitted according to these Rules shall have paid a subscription and shall not have ceased to be a member in accordance with these Rules and Regulations.

Any SINDHI person of Indian sub-continent origin who has attained the age of majority living in any part of India or abroad shall be eligible for membership of the Council. The desirous person shall however make an application in the prescribed form :

Type of Membership
The membership of the Council shall be of various types such as:-

(1) Patron Members

(2) Founder Members

(3) Ordinary Members

(4) Life Members

(5) Active Members

(6) Corporate Donor Members

(7) Honorary Members

(1) Patron Members
This will be a privileged Membership. The President of the Council on the advise of the Governing Body shall have right to invite not more than 10 eminent personalities from different disciplines whether Sindhi or Non Sindhi in a year. These Members shall not have voting rights.

(2) Founder Members
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Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Tryambakam yajamahe, Sugandham Pushti vardhanam
uruva rukumiva bandhanath,mruthyor muksheeya mamruthhaath

Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being (Brahman of the Upanishads) that continuously dissolves to recreate in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe. As stated earlier, Lord Shiva is the third member of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.

Owing to His cosmic activity of dissolution and recreation, the words destroyer and destruction have been erroneously associated with Lord Shiva. This difficulty arises when people fail to grasp the true significance of His cosmic role. The creation sustains itself by a delicate balance between the opposing forces of good and evil. When this balance is disturbed and sustenance of life becomes impossible, Lord Shiva dissolves the universe for creation of the next cycle so that the unliberated souls will have another opportunity to liberate themselves from bondage with the physical world. Thus, Lord Shiva protects the souls from pain and suffering that would be caused by a dysfunctional universe. In analogous cyclic processes, winter is essential for spring to appear and the night is necessary for the morning to follow. To further illustrate, a goldsmith does not destroy gold when he melts old irreparable golden jewelry to create beautiful new ornaments.

Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. The symbolism discussed below includes major symbols that are common to all pictures and images of Shiva venerated by Hindus. Since the tasks of Lord Shiva are numerous, He cannot be symbolized in one form. For this reason the images of Shiva vary significantly in their symbolism.

• The unclad body covered with ashes: the unclad body symbolizes the transcendental aspect of the Lord. Since most things reduce to ashes when burned, ashes symbolize the physical universe. The ashes on the unclad body of the Lord signify that Shiva is the source of the entire universe which emanates from Him, but He transcends the physical phenomena and is not affected by it.
• Matted locks: Lord Shiva is the Master of yoga. The three matted locks on the head of the Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of yoga.
• Ganga: Ganga (river Ganges) is associated with Hindu mythology and is the most sacred river of Hindus. According to tradition, one who bathes in Ganga (revered as Mother Ganga) in accordance with traditional rites and ceremonies on religious occasions in combination with certain astrological events, is freed from sin and attains knowledge, purity and peace. Ganga, symbolically represented on the head of the Lord by a female (Mother Ganga) with a jet of water emanating from her mouth and falling on the ground, signifies that the Lord destroys sin, removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge, purity and peace on the devotees.
• The crescent moon: is shown on the side of the Lord’s head as an ornament, and not as an integral part of His countenance. The waxing and waning phenomenon of the moon symbolizes the time cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the end. Since the Lord is the Eternal Reality, He is beyond time. Thus, the crescent moon is only one of His ornaments, and not an integral part of Him.
• Three eyes: Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka Deva (literally, “three-eyed Lord”), is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye and fire the third eye. The two eyes on the right and left indicate His activity in the physical world. The third eye in the center of the forehead symbolizes spiritual knowledge and power, and is thus called the eye of wisdom or knowledge. Like fire, the powerful gaze of Shiva’s third eye annihilates evil, and thus the evil-doers fear His third eye.
• Half-open eyes: when the Lord opens His eyes, a new cycle of creation emerges and when He closes them, the universe dissolves for creation of the next cycle. The half-open eyes convey the idea that creation is going through cyclic process, with no beginning and no end. Lord Shiva is the Master of Yoga, as He uses His yogic power to project the universe from Himself. The half-open eyes also symbolize His yogic posture.
• Kundalas (two ear rings): two Kundalas, Alakshya (meaning “which cannot be shown by any sign”) and Niranjan (meaning “which cannot be seen by mortal eyes”) in the ears of the Lord signify that He is beyond ordinary perception. Since the kundala in the left ear of the Lord is of the type used by women and the one in His right ear is of the type used by men, these Kundalas also symbolize the Shiva and Shakti (male and female) principle of creation.
• Snake around the neck: sages have used snakes to symbolize the yogic power of Lord Shiva with which He dissolves and recreates the universe. Like a yogi, a snake hoards nothing, carries nothing, builds nothing, lives on air alone for a long time, and lives in mountains and forests. The venom of a snake, therefore, symbolizes the yogic power.
• A snake (Vasuki Naga): is shown curled three times around the neck of the Lord and is looking towards His right side. The three coils of the snake symbolize the past, present and future – time in cycles. The Lord wearing the curled snake like an ornament signifies that creation proceeds in cycles and is time dependent, but the Lord Himself transcends time. The right side of the body symbolizes the human activities based upon knowledge, reason and logic. The snake looking towards the right side of the Lord signifies that the Lord’s eternal laws of reason and justice preserve natural order in the universe.
• Rudraksha necklace: Rudra is another name of Shiva. Rudra also means “strict or uncompromising” and aksha means “eye.” Rudraksha necklace worn by the Lord illustrates that He uses His cosmic laws firmly – without compromise – to maintain law and order in the universe. The necklace has 108 beads which symbolize the elements used in the creation of the world.
• Varda Mudra: the Lord’s right hand is shown in a boon- bestowing and blessing pose. As stated earlier, Lord Shiva annihilates evil, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees.
• Trident (Trisula): a three-pronged trident shown adjacent to the Lord symbolizes His three fundamental powers (shakti) of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge (jnana). The trident also symbolizes the Lord’s power to destroy evil and ignorance.
• Damaru (drum): a small drum with two sides separated from each other by a thin neck-like structure symbolizes the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest. When a damaru is vibrated, it produces dissimilar sounds which are fused together by resonance to create one sound. The sound thus produced symbolizes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation. According to Hindu scriptures, Nada is the source of creation.
• Kamandalu: a water pot (Kamandalu) made from a dry pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva. The process of making Kamandalu has deep spiritual significance. A ripe pumpkin is plucked from a plant, its fruit is removed and the shell is cleaned for containing the nectar. In the same way, an individual must break away from attachment to the physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to experience the bliss of the Self, symbolized by the nectar in the Kamandalu.
• Nandi: the bull is associated with Shiva and is said to be His vehicle. The bull symbolizes both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva’s use of the bull as a vehicle conveys the idea that He removes ignorance and bestows power of wisdom on His devotees. The bull is called Vrisha in Sanskrit. Vrisha also means dharma (righteousness). Thus a bull shown next to Shiva also indicates that He is the etemal companion of righteousness.
• Tiger skin: a tiger skin symbolizes potential energy. Lord Shiva, sitting on or wearing a tiger skin, illustrates the idea that He is the source of the creative energy that remains in potential form during the dissolution state of the universe. Of His own Divine Will, the Lord activates the potential form of the creative energy to project the universe in endless cycles.
• Cremation ground: Shiva sitting in the cremation ground signifies that He is the controller of death in the physical world. Since birth and death are cyclic, controlling one implies controlling the other. Thus, Lord Shiva is revered as the ultimate controller of birth and death in the phenomenal world.

- Bansi Pandit – From this matter – http://www.koausa.org/Gods/God9.html

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The Powerful God:

Shiva is ‘shakti’ or power, Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by many names – Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath – Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. Hindus recognize this by putting his shrine in the temple separate from those of other deities.

Shiva As Phallic Symbol:

Shiva, in temples is usually found as a phallic symbol of the ‘linga’, which represents the energies necessary for life on both the microcosmic and the macrocosmic levels, that is, the world in which we live and the world which constitutes the whole of the universe. In a Shaivite temple, the ‘linga’ is placed in the center underneath the spire, where it symbolizes the naval of the earth.Read the Story of the Shiva Lingam

A Different Deity:

The actual image of Shiva is also distinct from other deities: his hair piled high on the top of his head, with a crescent tucked into it and the river Ganges tumbling from his hairs. Around his neck is a coiled serpent representing Kundalini or the spiritual energy within life. He holds a trident in his left hand in which is bound the ‘damroo’ (small leather drum). He sits on a tiger skin and on his right is a water pot. He wears the ‘Rudraksha’ beads and his whole body is smeared with ash.

The Destructive Force:

Shiva is believed to be at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe, because of his responsibility for death and destruction. Unlike the godhead Brahma, the Creator, orVishnu, the Preserver, Shiva is the dissolving force in life. But Shiva dissolves in order to create, since death is the medium for rebirth into a new life. So the opposites of life and death and creation and destruction both reside in his character.

The Most Fascinating of Gods:

He is also often portrayed as the supreme ascetic with a passive and composed disposition. Sometimes he is depicted riding a bull called Nandi decked in garlands. Although a very complicated deity, Shiva is one of the most fascinating of Hindu gods.

The God Who’s Always High!:

Since Shiva is regarded as a mighty destructive power, to numb his negative potentials he is fed with opium and is also termed as ‘Bhole Shankar’, one who is oblivious of the world. Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva worship, devotees, especially the menfolk, prepare an intoxicating drink called ‘Thandai’ (made from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and dance to the rhythm of the drums.

More About Shiva

• Lord Shiva Articles & Resources
• Stories of Shiva
• Nataraj: The Dancing Shiva

Shiva Image Galleries

• Shiva Art Gallery
• Shiva Photo Gallery
• Shiva Sculpture Gallery

this matter from – http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordshiva/p/shiva.htm

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Shiva (pronounced /??i?v?/; Sanskrit: ??? ?iva, IPA: [??i??] meaning “auspicious one”; Malay: Siwa, Tamil: ????? Civan) is a major Hindu deity, and the Destroyer or transformer of the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine.^[2] In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme Being. In the Smarta tradition, he is regarded as one of the five primary forms of God.^[3]

Followers of Hinduism who focus their worship upon Shiva are called Shaivites or Shaivas (Sanskrit ?aiva).^[4] Shaivism, along with Vai??avatraditions that focus on Vishnu and ??kta traditions that focus on the goddess Shakti are three of the most influential denominations in Hinduism.^[3]

Shiva is usually worshipped in the abstract form of Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava upon Apasmara Purusha, the demon of ignorance in his manifestation of Nataraja, the lord of the dance.

Etymology and other names

A statue of Shiva on Delhi-Gurgaon Highway

The Sanskrit word Shiva (Devanagari: ???, ?iva) is an adjective meaning “auspicious, kind, gracious”.^[5][6] As a proper name it means “The Auspicious One”, used as a name for Rudra.^[6] In simple English transliteration it is written either as Shiva or Siva. The adjective ?iva, meaning “auspicious”, is used as an attributive epithet not particularly of Rudra, but of several other Vedic deities.^[7]

The Sanskrit word ?aiva means “relating to the god Shiva”, and this term is the Sanskrit name both for one of the principal sects of Hinduism and for a member of that sect.^[8] It is used as an adjective to characterize certain beliefs and practices, such as Shaivism.^[9]

Adi Sankara, in his interpretation of the name Shiva, the 27th and 600th name of Vishnu sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu interprets Shiva to have multiple meanings: “The Pure One”, or “the One who is not affected by three Gunas of Prakrti (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas)” or “the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His name.”^[10] Swami Chinmayananda, in his translation of Vishnu sahasranama, further elaborates on that verse: Shivameans “the One who is eternally pure” or “the One who can never have any contamination of the imperfection of Rajas and Tamas”.^[11]

Shiva’s role as the primary deity of Shaivism is reflected in his epithets Mah?deva (“Great God”; mah? = Great + deva = God),^[12][13] Mahe?hvara (“Great Lord”; mah? = Great + ??hvara = Lord),^[14][15] and Parame?hvara (“Supreme Lord”).^[16]

There are at least eight different versions of the Shiva Sahasranama, devotional hymns (stotras) listing many names of Shiva.^[17] The version appearing in Book 13 (Anu??sanaparvan) of the Mahabharata is considered the kernel of this tradition.^[18] Shiva also has Dasha-Sahasranamas (10,000 names) that are found in the Mahanyasa. The Shri Rudram Chamakam, also known as the ?atarudriya, is a devotional hymn to Shiva hailing him by many names.^[19][20]

Historical development

For the early history, see Rudra.

The worship of Shiva is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced widely across all of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.^[21][22] Some historians believe that the figure of Shiva as we know him today was built up over time, with the ideas of many regional sects being amalgamated into a single figure.^[23] How the persona of Shiva converged as a composite deity is not well documented.^[24] Axel Michaels explains the composite nature of Shaivism as follows:

Like Vi??u, ?iva is also a high god, who gives his name to a collection of theistic trends and sects: ?aivism. Like Vai??avism, the term also implies a unity which cannot be clearly found either in religious practice or in philosophical and esoteric doctrine. Furthermore, practice and doctrine must be kept separate.^[25]

An example of assimilation took place in Maharashtra, where a regional deity named Khandoba is a patron deity of farming and herding castes.^[26] The foremost center of worship of Khandoba in Maharashtra is in Jejuri.^[27] Khandoba has been assimilated as a form of Shiva himself,^[28] in which case he is worshipped in the form of a lingam.^[26][29] Khandoba’s varied associations also include an identification with Surya ^[26] and Karttikeya.^[30]

The Pashupati seal

Seal discovered atMohenjodaro shows a seated figure surrounded by animals.

A seal discovered during the excavation of Mohenjo-daro has drawn attention as a possible representation of a “proto-Shiva” figure.^[31] This Pashupati (Lord of animal-like beings)^[32] seal shows a seated figure, possibly ithyphallic, surrounded by animals.^[33] Sir John Marshall and others have claimed that this figure is a prototype of Shiva and have described the figure as having three faces seated in a “yoga posture” with the knees out and feet joined. However, this claim is not without its share of critics, with some academics like Gavin Flood^[31][34] and John Keay characterizing them as unfounded.^[35]

Rudra

Main article: Rudra

Three-headed Shiva, Gandhara, 2nd century CE

Shiva as we know him today shares many features with the Vedic god Rudra,^[36] and both Shiva and Rudra are viewed as the same personality in a number of Hindu traditions. Rudra, the god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the element he represents as a fierce, destructive deity.

The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rig Veda, which is dated to between 1700 and 1100 BCE based on linguistic and philological evidence.^[37] A god namedRudra is mentioned in the Rig Veda. The name Rudra is still used as a name for Shiva. In RV 2.33, he is described as the “Father of the Maruts”, a group of storm gods.^[38] Furthermore, the Rudram, one of the most sacred hymns of Hinduism found both in the Rig and the Yajur Vedas and addressed to Rudra, invokes him as Shiva in several instances, but the term Shiva is used as a epithet for Indra, Mitra and Agni many times.

The identification of Shiva with the older god Rudra is not universally accepted, as Axel Michaels explains:

To what extent ?iva’s origins are in fact to be sought in Rudra is extremely unclear. The tendency to consider ?iva an ancient god is based on this identification, even though the facts that justify such a far-reaching assumption are meager.^[39]

Rudra is called “The Archer” (Sanskrit: ?arva),^[40] and the arrow is an essential attribute of Rudra.^[41] This name appears in the Shiva Sahasranama, and R. K. Sharma notes that it is used as a name of Shiva often in later languages.^[42] The word is derived from the Sanskrit root ?arv-, which means “to injure” or “to kill”,^[43]and Sharma uses that general sense in his interpretive translation of the name ?arva as “One who can kill the forces of darkness”.^[42] The names Dhanvin(“Bowman”)^[44] and B??ahasta (“Archer”, literally “Armed with arrows in his hands”)^[44][45] also refer to archery.

Identification with Vedic deities

Shiva’s rise to a major position in the pantheon was facilitated by his identification with a host of Vedic deities, including Agni, Indra, Praj?pati, V?yu, and others.^[46]

Agni

Rudra and Agni have a close relationship.^[47][48] The identification between Agni and Rudra in the Vedic literature was an important factor in the process of Rudra’s gradual development into the later character as Rudra-Shiva.^[49] The identification of Agni with Rudra is explicitly noted in the Nirukta, an important early text on etymology, which says, “Agni is called Rudra also.”^[50] The interconnections between the two deities are complex, and according to Stella Kramrisch:

The fire myth of Rudra-?iva plays on the whole gamut of fire, valuing all its potentialities and phases, from conflagration to illumination.^[51]

In the ?atarudr?a, some epithets of Rudra, such as Sasipañjara (“Of golden red hue as of flame”) and Tiva??mati (“Flaming bright”), suggest a fusing of the two deities.^[52] Agni is said to be a bull,^[53]and Lord Shiva possesses a bull as his vehicle, Nandi. The horns of Agni, who is sometimes characterized as a bull, are mentioned.^[54][55] In medieval sculpture, both Agni and the form of Shiva known as Bhairava have flaming hair as a special feature.^[56]

Indra

According to a theory, the Puranic Shiva is a continuation of the Vedic Indra.^[57] He gives several reasons for his hypothesis. Both Shiva and Indra are known for having a thirst for Soma. Both are associated with mountains, rivers, male fertility, fierceness, fearlessness, warfare, transgression of established mores, the Aum sound, the Supreme Self. In the Rig Veda the term ?iva is used to refer to Indra. (2.20.3,^[58] 6.45.17,^[59][60] and 8.93.3.^[61]) Indra, like Shiva, is likened to a bull.^[62][63] In the Rig Veda, Rudra is the father of the Maruts, but he is never associated with their warlike exploits as is Indra.^[64]

Attributes

Shiva with Parvati. Shiva is depicted three-eyed, with a crescent moon on his head, the Ganga flowing through his matted hair, wearing ornaments of serpents and a skull necklace, and covered in ashes, and Trisula and Damaru are seen in the background.

• Shiva’s Form:

Lord Siva wears a deer in the left upper hand. He has Trident in the right lower arm. He has fire and Damaru and Malu or a kind of weapon. He wears five serpents as ornaments. He wears a garland of skulls. He is pressing with His feet the demon Muyalaka, a dwarf holding a cobra. He faces south. Panchakshara itself is His body.

• Third eye: Shiva is often depicted with a third eye, with which he burned Desire (K?ma) to ashes.^[65] There has been controversy regarding the original meaning of Shiva’s name Tryambakam (Sanskrit: ???????????), which occurs in many scriptural sources.^[66] In classical Sanskrit, the word ambaka denotes “an eye”, and in the Mahabharata, Shiva is depicted as three-eyed, so this name is sometimes translated as “having three eyes”.^[67] However, in Vedic Sanskrit, the word amb? or ambik? means “mother”, and this early meaning of the word is the basis for the translation “having three mothers” that was used by Max Müller and Arthur Macdonell.^[68][69] Since no story is known in which Shiva had three mothers, E. Washburn Hopkins suggested that the name refers not to three mothers, but to three mother-goddesses who are collectively called the Ambik?s.^[70] Other related translations have been “having three wives or sisters” or were based on the idea that the name actually refers to the oblations given to Rudra, which according to some traditions were shared with the goddess Ambik?.^[71]

• Crescent moon: Shiva bears on his head the crescent moon.^[72] The epithet Chandra?ekhara (Sanskrit: ?????????? ”Having the moon as his crest” -chandra = “moon”, ?ekhara = “crest, crown”)^[73][74][75] refers to this feature. The placement of the moon on his head as a standard iconographic feature dates to the period when Rudra rose to prominence and became the major deity Rudra-Shiva.^[76] The origin of this linkage may be due to the identification of the moon with Soma, and there is a hymn in the Rig Veda where Soma and Rudra are jointly emplored, and in later literature, Soma and Rudra came to be identified with one another, as were Soma and the moon.^[77]

The crescent moon is shown on the side of the Lord’s head as an ornament. The waxing and waning phenomenon of the moon symbolizes the time cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the end. Since the Lord is the Eternal Reality, He is beyond time. Thus, the crescent moon is only one of His ornaments.The wearing of the crescent moon in His head indicates that He has controlled the mind perfectly.

• Ashes: Shiva smears his body with ashes (bhasma).^[78] Some forms of Shiva, such as Bhairava, are associated with a very old Indian tradition of cremation-ground asceticism that was practiced by some groups who were outside the fold of brahmanic orthodoxy.^[79] These practices associated with cremation grounds are also mentioned in the Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism.^[80] One epithet for Shiva is “inhabitant of the cremation ground” (Sanskrit: ?ma??nav?sin, also spelled Shmashanavasin), referring to this connection.^[81]

• Matted hair: Shiva’s distinctive hair style is noted in the epithets Ja?in, “the one with matted hair”,^[82] and Kapardin, “endowed with matted hair”^[83] or “wearing his hair wound in a braid in a shell-like (kaparda) fashion”.^[84] A kaparda is a cowrie shell, or a braid of hair in the form of a shell, or, more generally, hair that is shaggy or curly.^[85]

• Blue throat: The epithet N?laka?tha (Sanskrit ???????; n?la = “blue”, ka?tha = “throat”)^[86][87] refers to a story in which Shiva drank the poison churned up from the world ocean.^[88][89] (SeeHal?hala.) The Hari Van?a Purana, on the other hand, attributes the colour of Shiva’s throat to an episode in which Vishnu compels Shiva to fly after taking him by the throat and nearly strangling him.^[90]

Shiva bearing the descent of the Ganges River as Parvati and Bhagiratha and the bull Nandi look, folio from a Hindi manuscript by the saint Narayan, circa 1740

• Sacred Ganga: The Ganga river flows from the matted hair of Shiva. The epithet Ga?g?dhara (“bearer of the river Ga?g?“) refers to this feature.^[91][92] The Ganga (Ganges), one of the major rivers of the country, is said to have made her abode in Shiva’s hair.^[93]The flow of the Ganga also represents the nectar of immortality.

• Tiger skin: He is often shown seated upon a tiger skin,^[78] an honour reserved for the most accomplished of Hindu ascetics, the Brahmarishis.^[94]Tiger represents lust. His sitting on the tiger’s skin indicates that He has conquered lust.

• Serpents: Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake.^[95]His wearing of serpents on the neck denotes wisdom and eternity.

• Deer:His holding deer on one hand indicates that He has removed the Chanchalata (tossing) of the mind. Deer jumps from one place to another swiftly. The mind also jumps from one object to another.

• Trident: (Sanskrit: Trishula): Shiva’s particular weapon is the trident.^[78]His Trisul that is held in His right hand represents the three Gunas—Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. That is the emblem of sovereignty. He rules the world through these three Gunas. The Damaru in His left hand represents the Sabda Brahman. It represents OM from which all languages are formed. It is He who formed the Sanskrit language out of the Damaru sound.

• Drum: A small drum shaped like an hourglass is known as a damaru (Sanskrit: ?amaru).^[96][97] This is one of the attributes of Shiva in his famous dancing representation^[98] known as Nataraja. A specific hand gesture (mudra) called ?amaru-hasta (Sanskrit for “?amaru-hand”) is used to hold the drum.^[99] This drum is particularly used as an emblem by members of the K?p?lika sect.^[100]

• Nand?: Nand?, also known as Nandin, is the name of the bull that serves as Shiva’s mount (Sanskrit: v?hana).^[101][102] Shiva’s association with cattle is reflected in his name Pa?upati, or Pashupati (Sanskrit: ??????), translated by Sharma as “lord of cattle”^[103] and by Kramrisch as “lord of animals”, who notes that it is particularly used as an epithet of Rudra.^[104]Rishabha or the bull represents Dharma Devata. Lord Siva rides on the bull. Bull is His vehicle. This denotes that Lord Siva is the protector of Dharma, is an embodiment of Dharma or righteousness.

• Ga?a: The Ga?as (Devanagari: ??) are attendants of Shiva and live in Kailash. They are often referred to as the Boothaganas, or ghostly hosts, on account of their nature. Generally benign, except when their lord is transgressed against, they are often invoked to intercede with the lord on behalf of the devotee. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha‘s title ga?a-??a or ga?a-pati, “lord of the ga?as”.^[105]

• Mount Kail?sa: Mount Kailash in the Himalayas is his traditional abode.^[78] In Hindu mythology, Mount Kail?sa is conceived as resembling a Linga, representing the center of the universe.^[106]

• Varanasi: Varanasi (Benares) is considered as the city specially loved by Shiva, and is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in India. It is referred to, in religious contexts, as Kashi.^[107]

Forms and depictions

According to Gavin Flood, “?iva is a god of ambiguity and paradox,” whose attributes include opposing themes.^[108] The ambivalent nature of this deity is apparent in some of his names and the stories told about him.

Destroyer versus benefactor

Shiva carrying the corpse of his first consort Dakshayani (Sati)

In the Yajurveda, two contrary sets of attributes for both malignant or terrific (Sanskrit: rudra) and benign or auspicious (Sanskrit: ?iva) forms can be found, leading Chakravarti to conclude that “all the basic elements which created the complex Rudra-?iva sect of later ages are to be found here.”^[109] In the Mahabharata, Shiva is depicted as “the standard of invincibility, might, and terror”, as well as a figure of honor, delight, and brilliance.^[110] The duality of Shiva’s fearful and auspicious attributes appears in contrasted names.

The name Rudra (Sanskrit: ?????) reflects his fearsome aspects. According to traditional etymologies, the Sanskrit name Rudra is derived from the root rud-, which means “to cry, howl”.^[111] Stella Kramrisch notes a different etymology connected with the adjectival form raudra, which means “wild, of rudra nature”, and translates the name Rudra as “the wild one” or “the fierce god”.^[112] R. K. Sharma follows this alternate etymology and translates the name as “terrible”.^[113] Hara (Sanskrit: ??) is an important name that occurs three times in the Anushasanaparvan version of the Shiva sahasranama, where it is translated in different ways each time it occurs, following a commentorial tradition of not repeating an interpretation. Sharma translates the three as “one who captivates”, “one who consolidates”, and “one who destroys.”^[114] Kramrisch translates it as “the ravisher”.^[89] Another of Shiva’s fearsome forms is as K?la(Sanskrit: ???), “time”, and as Mah?k?la (Sanskrit: ??????), “great time”, which ultimately destroys all things.^{[115][116][117]} Bhairava (Sanskrit: ????), “terrible” or “frightful”,^[118] is a fierce form associated with annihilation.^[119]

In contrast, the name ?a?kara (Sanskrit: ?????), “beneficent”^[42] or “conferring happiness”^[120] reflects his benign form. This name was adopted by the great Vedanta philosopher ?a?kara (c. 788-820 CE), who is also known as Shankaracharya.^[121][122] The name ?ambhu (Sanskrit: ?????), “causing happiness”, also reflects this benign aspect.^[123][124]

Ascetic versus householder

An illustration of the family of Shiva, consisting of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha andSkanda (Kartikeya)

He is depicted as both an ascetic yogin and as a householder, roles which have been traditionally mutually exclusive in Hindu society.^[125] When depicted as a yogin, he may be shown sitting and meditating.^[126] His epithet Mah?yogin (“the great Yogi: Mah? = “great”, Yogin = “one who practices Yoga“) refers to his association with yoga.^[127] While Vedic religion was conceived mainly in terms of sacrifice, it was during the Epic period that the concepts of tapas,yoga, and asceticism became more important, and the depiction of Shiva as an ascetic sitting in philosophical isolation reflects these later concepts.^[128]

As a family man and householder, he has a wife, Parvati (also known as Um?), and two sons, Ganesha and Skanda (also known as Karthikeya and Murugan). His epithet Um?pati (“The husband of Um?”) refers to this idea, and Sharma notes that two other variants of this name that mean the same thing,Um?k?nta and Um?dhava, also appear in the sahasranama.^[129] Um? in epic literature is known by many names, including the benign P?rvat?.^[130][131]She is identified with Devi, the Divine Mother, and with Shakti (divine energy). As a householder, he is known for the great love and respect he has for his consort. Ganesha is worshipped throughout India and Nepal as the Remover of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles. Karthikeya is worshipped in Southern India (especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) by the names Subrahmanya, Subrahmanyan, Shanmughan, Swaminathan and Murugan, and in Northern India by the names Skanda, Kumara, or Karttikeya.^[132] The consorts of Lord Shiva are the source of his creative energy. They represent the dynamic extension of Shiva onto this universe.^[133]

Nataraja

Bronze Chola statue depicting Shiva dancing as Nataraja. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

Main article: Nataraja

The depiction of Shiva as Nataraja (Tamil: ??????, Sanskrit: na?ar?ja, “Lord of Dance”) is popular.^[134][135] The names Nartaka (“dancer”) and Nityanarta (“eternal dancer”) appear in the Shiva Sahasranama.^[136] His association with dance and also with music is prominent in the Puranic period.^[137] In addition to the specific iconographic form known as Nataraja, various other types of dancing forms (Sanskrit: n?tyam?rti) are found in all parts of India, with many well-defined varieties in Tamil Nadu in particular.^[138] The two most common forms of the dance are the Tandava, which later came to denote the powerful and masculine dance as Kala-Mahakala associated with the destruction of the world,^[139][140] and Lasya, which is graceful and delicate and expresses emotions on a gentle level and is considered the feminine dance attributed to the goddess Parvati.^[141][142] Lasya is regarded as the female counterpart ofTandava.^[142] The Tandava-Lasya dances are associated with the destruction-creation of the world.^[143][144]

Dakshinamurthy

Dakshinamurthy, or Dak?i??m?rti (Sanskrit: ?????????????),^[145] literally describes a form (m?rti) of Shiva facing south (dak?i?a). This form represents Shiva in his aspect as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom and giving exposition on the shastras.^[146] This iconographic form for depicting Shiva in Indian art is mostly from Tamil Nadu.^[147] Elements of this motif can include Shiva seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction.^[148]

Chola bronze from the 11th century. Shiva in the form ofArdhanarisvara.

Ardhanarishvara

Main article: Ardhanari

An iconographic representation of Shiva called (Ardhan?r??vara) shows him with one half of the body as male and the other half as female. According to Ellen Goldberg, the traditional Sanskrit name for this form (Ardhan?r??vara) is best translated as “the lord who is half woman”, not as “half-man, half-woman”.^[149] In Hindu philosophy, this is used to visualize the belief that the sacred ultimate power of the universe as being both feminine and masculine.^[133]

Tripurantaka

Lord Shiva is often depicted as an archer in the act of destroying the triple fortresses, Tripura, of the Asuras.^[150] Shiva’s name Tripurantaka (Sanskrit: ????????????,Tripur?ntaka), “ender of Tripura”, refers to this important story.^[151]

Lingam

A Shiva Lingam worshipped at Jambukesvara temple inThiruvanaikaval (Thiruaanaikaa)

Main article: Lingam

Apart from anthropomorphic images of Shiva, the worship of Shiva in the form of a lingam, or linga, is also important.^{[36][152][153]}These are depicted in various forms. One common form is the shape of a vertical rounded column. Shiva means auspiciousness, and linga means a sign or a symbol. Hence, the Shivalinga is regarded as a “symbol of the great God of the universe who is all-auspiciousness”.^[154] Shiva also means “one in whom the whole creation sleeps after dissolution”.^[154] Linga also means the same thing—a place where created objects get dissolved during the disintegration of the created universe. Since, according to Hinduism, it is the same god that creates, sustains and withdraws the universe, the Shivalinga represents symbolically God Himself.^[154]Some scholars, such as Monier-Williams and Wendy Doniger, also view linga as a phallic symbol,^[155][156] although this interpretation is disputed by others, including Christopher Isherwood,^[157] Vivekananda,^[158] Swami Sivananda,^[159] and S.N. Balagangadhara.^[160]

The worship of the Shiva-Linga originated from the famous hymn in the Atharva-Veda Samhitâ sung in praise of the Yupa-Stambha, the sacrificial post. In that hymn, a description is found of the beginningless and endless Stambha or Skambha, and it is shown that the said Skambha is put in place of the eternal Brahman. Just as the Yajna (sacrificial) fire, its smoke, ashes, and flames, the Soma plant, and the ox that used to carry on its back the wood for the Vedic sacrifice gave place to the conceptions of the brightness of Shiva’s body, his tawny matted hair, his blue throat, and the riding on the bull of the Shiva, the Yupa-Skambha gave place in time to the Shiva-Linga.^[161][162] In the text Linga Purana, the same hymn is expanded in the shape of stories, meant to establish the glory of the great Stambha and the superiority of Shiva as Mahadeva.^[162]

Avatars

Shiva, like some other Hindu deities, is said to have several incarnations, known as avatars. Although Puranic scriptures contain occasional references to avatars of Shiva, the idea is not universally accepted in Saivism.^[163]

• Adi Shankara, the 8th-century philosopher of non-dualist Vedanta“Advaita Vedanta”, was named “Shankara” after Lord Shiva and is considered by some to have been an incarnation of Shiva.^[164]
• In the Hanuman Chalisa, Hanuman is identified as the eleventh avatar of Shiva, but this belief is not universal.^[165]
• Virabhadra who was born when Shiva grabbed a lock of his matted hair and dashed it to the ground. Virabhadra then destroyed Daksha‘s yajna (fire sacrifice) and severed his head as per Shiva’s instructions.^[166]

[edit]The five mantras

Adoration of five-headed Shiva byVishnu (blue figure, to left of Shiva), Brahma(four-headed figure to the right of Shiva),Ganesha (elephant-headed son of Shiva, bottom left) and other deities. Painting fromLACMA.

Five is a sacred number for Shiva.^[167] One of his most important mantras has five syllables (nama? ?iv?ya).^[168]

Shiva’s body is said to consist of five mantras, called the pañcabrahmans.^[169] As forms of God, each of these have their own names and distinct iconography:^[170]

• Sadyoj?ta
• V?madeva
• Aghora
• Tatpuru?a
• ?s?na

These are represented as the five faces of Shiva and are associated in various texts with the five elements, the five senses, the five organs of perception, and the five organs of action.^[171][172] Doctrinal differences and, possibly, errors in transmission, have resulted in some differences between texts in details of how these five forms are linked with various attributes.^[173] The overall meaning of these associations is summarized by Stella Kramrisch:

Through these transcendent categories, ?iva, the ultimate reality, becomes the efficient and material cause of all that exists.^[174]

According to the Pañcabrahma Upanishad:

One should know all things of the phenomenal world as of a fivefold character, for the reason that the eternal verity of ?iva is of the character of the fivefold Brahman. (Pañcabrahma Upanishad 31)^[175]

Relationship to Vishnu

Vishnu (left half—blue) and Shiva (right half—white)

During the Vedic period, both Vishnu and Shiva (as identified with Rudra) played relatively minor roles, but by the time of the Brahmanas (c. 1000-700 BCE), both were gaining ascendance.^[176] By the Puranic period, both deities had major sects that competed with one another for devotees.^[177] Many stories developed showing different types of relationships between these two important deities.

Sectarian groups each presented their own preferred deity as supreme. Vishnu in his myths “becomes” Shiva.^[178] The Vishnu Purana (4th c. CE) shows Vishnu awakening and becoming both Brahm? to create the world and Shiva to destroy it.^[179] Shiva also is viewed as a manifestation of Vishnu in theBhagavata Purana.^[180] In Shaivite myths, on the other hand, Shiva comes to the fore and acts independently and alone to create, preserve, and destroy the world.^[181] In one Shaivite myth of the origin of the lingam, both Vishnu and Brahm? are revealed as emanations from Shiva’s manifestation as a towering pillar of flame.^[182] The ?atarudr?ya, a Shaivite hymn, says that Shiva is “of the form of Vishnu”.^[183] Differences in viewpoints between the two sects are apparent in the story of ?arabha (also spelled “Sharabha”), the name of Shiva’s incarnation in the composite form of man, bird, and beast. Shiva assumed that unusual form of Sarabheshwara to chastise Vishnu, who in his hybrid form as Narasimha, the man-lion, killed Hiranyakashipu.^[184][185] However, Vaishnava followers including Dvaita scholars, such as Vijayindra Tirtha (1539–95) dispute this view of Narasimha based on their reading of Sattvika Puranasand ?ruti texts.^[186]

Syncretic forces produced stories in which the two deities were shown in cooperative relationships and combined forms. Harihara is the name of a combined deity form of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara).^[187] This dual form, which is also called Harirudra, is mentioned in the Mahabharata.^[188] An example of a collaboration story is one given to explain Shiva’s epithet Mah?bale?vara, “lord of great strength” (Maha = “great”, Bala = “strength”, ??vara = “lord”). This name refers to a story in which R?va?a was given a linga as a boon by Shiva on the condition that he carry it always. During his travels, he stopped near the present Deoghar in Jharkhand to purify himself and asked Narada, a devotee of Vishnu in the guise of a Brahmin, to hold the linga for him, but after some time, Narada put it down on the ground and vanished. When Ravana returned, he could not move the linga, and it is said to remain there ever since.^[189]

As one story goes, Shiva is enticed by the beauty and charm of Mohini, Vishnu’s female avatar, and procreates with her. As a result of this union, Shasta – identified with regional deities Ayyappa andAyyanar – is born.^[190][191] Shiva is also served by Mohini when a bunch of haughty sages were taught a lesson by Shiva.^[192][193]

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivratri is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night or the 14th day of the new moon in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar. This festival is of utmost importance to the devotees of Lord Shiva. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava‘ and it is also believed that Lord Shiva was married to Parvati. On this day the devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and Bael leaves to Shiva Linga.^[194]

Temples

There are many Shiva temples in the Indian subcontinent, the Jyotirlinga temples being the most prominent.

Jyotirlinga temples

Main article: Jyotirlinga temples

The holiest Shiva temples are the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. They are,

Jyotirlinga		Location
Somnath		Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gujarat
Mallik?rjuna		Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar		Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar		near Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Kedarnath		Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Bhimashankar		Disputed: Bhimashankar Temple, near Pune, Maharashtra (pictured) Bheem Shankar (Moteshwar Mahadev), Kashipur, Uttarakhand Bhimshankar temple near Guwahati, Assam Bhimasankar temple near Gunupur, Orissa
Kashi Vishwanath		Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Trimbakeshwar		Trimbak, near Nasik, Maharashtra
Ramanathaswamy		Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Grishneshwar		near Ellora, Maharashtra
Vaidyanath		Disputed: Vaidyanath temple, Deoghar, Jharkhand (pictured) Vaijnath temple, Parli, Maharashtra Baijnath temple, Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh
Nageshwar		Disputed: Jageshwar temple near Almora, Uttarakhand (pictured) Nageshwar Temple, Dwarka, Dwarka, Gujarat Aundha Nagnath, Maharashtra

Manifestations

In South India, five temples of Shiva are held to be particularly important, as being manifestations of him in the five elemental substances:

Deity	Manifestation	Temple	Location	State
Sri Jambhukeswar	Water	Jambukeshwarar Temple	Thiruvanaikaval	Tamil Nadu
Sri Arunachaleswar	Fire	Annamalaiyar Temple	Thiruvannamalai	Tamil Nadu
Sri Kalahastheeswara	Air	Srikalahasti temple	Srikalahasti	Andhra Pradesh
Sri Ekambareswar	Earth	Ekambareswarar Temple	Kanchipuram	Tamil Nadu
Sri Nataraja	Ether	Natarajar Temple	Chidambaram	Tamil Nadu

Sabha temples

The five sabha temples where Shiva is believed to perform five different style of dances are:

Sabha	Temple	Location	State
Pon (Gold) Sabha	Natarajar Temple	Chidambaram	Tamil Nadu
Velli (Silver) Sabha	Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple	Madurai	Tamil Nadu
Tamira (Copper) Sabha	Nellaiappar Temple	Tirunelveli	Tamil Nadu
Rathna (Gem) Sabha	Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar Temple	Thiruvalangadu near Arakkonam	Tamil Nadu
Chitira (Picture) Sabha	Kutraleeswar Temple	Coutrallam	Tamil Nadu

Other famous temples in India

Tamil Nadu Main article: Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Thanjavur district Gangaikonda Cholapuram Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Tiruchirappalli Brihadeeswarar, Thanjavur—2nd Largest Temple in the world, after Angkor Wat in Cambodia; it also has one of the largest Shivalingams and the largest Nandi in the world Patteeswaram in Perur, Coimbatore District Kerala Rajarajeshwara Temple, Taliparamba Perumal Temple, Kottiyur Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur Poonkunnam Siva Temple, Poonkunnam Shiva Temple, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Karnataka Murudeshwara, Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada (Tulunadu)—World’s Tallest Shiva statue[195] Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple in Belthangadi taluk in Dakshina Kannada district Andhra Pradesh Vemulawada, Karimnagar district Mahanandi, Kurnool district Kotappakonda, Guntur district Amaravathi, Guntur district Draksharamam, East Godavari district Srimukhalingam, Srikakulam district Kapila Theertham, Chittoor district Srikalahasti, Chittoor district Maharashtra Kailash Temple, Ellora Elephanta Caves, Mumbai

Assam Sukreswar Temple, Guwahati Orissa Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar Kapilash Temple, Dhenkanal District Mukteswar Temple, Bhubaneswar Parsurameswar Temple, Bhubaneswar Gupteswar Cave temple, near Jeypore Gorakhanath temple, Jagatsinghpur district. Uttarakhand Daksheswara Mahadev Temple at Kankhal in Haridwar district Guptakashi Jageshwar Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple Baleshwar Temple, Champawat Gopinath Mandir, Chamoli Gopeshwar Panch Kedar Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, near Rishikesh Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district – one of the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva Tungnath, Chamoli district Rudranath Madhyamaheshwar Kalpeshwar Jammu and Kashmir Amarnath Yatra to the Amarnathji cave in Jammu and Kashmir is of huge significance.

Bihar, Bhagalpur

• Shiv Mandir at Phulwaria village in Post Baijani, zila Bhagalpur

Famous temples in other countries

• Pashupatinath Temple located on the banks of Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, Nepal
• Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash in Tibet, a pilgrimage site believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva
• Gosaikunda Lake located in Rasuwa District, Nepal

Pashupatinath Temple inKathmandu, Nepal

Mount Kailash in Tibet, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva

Gosaikunda Lake is believed to have formed by the Trishul of Lord Shiva after he drank the poisonHalahala from Samudra manthan and desperately wanted cold water to quench the overwhelming heat of the poison

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shiva

• Shiva mahimna stotram
• Shiva Puja
• Shiva Purana

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We do not intend to harm anybody’s business interests or copyright. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva

All action results from thought, so it is thoughts that matter.
Sai Baba

Do not be misled by what you see around you, or be influenced by what you see. You live in a world which is a playground of illusion, full of false paths, false values and false ideals. But you are not part of that world.
Sai Baba

Let love flow so that it cleanses the world. Then man can live in peace, instead of the state of turmoil he has created through his past ways of life, with all those material interests and earthly ambitions.
Sai Baba

Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.
Sai Baba

Look out into the universe and contemplate the glory of God. Observe the stars, millions of them, twinkling in the night sky, all with a message of unity, part of the very nature of God.
Sai Baba

Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy.
Sai Baba

Man is lost and is wandering in a jungle where real values have no meaning. Real values can have meaning to man only when he steps on to the spiritual path, a path where negative emotions have no use.
Sai Baba

Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process.
Sai Baba

Man seeks to change the foods available in nature to suit his tastes, thereby putting an end to the very essence of life contained in them.
Sai Baba

The life ahead can only be glorious if you learn to live in total harmony with the Lord.
Sai Baba

What is new in the world? Nothing. What is old in the world? Nothing. Everything has always been and will always be.
Sai Baba

What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past.
Sai Baba

You must be a lotus, unfolding its petals when the sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or even the water which sustains it!
Sai Baba

You must pass your days in song. Let your whole life be a song.
Sai Baba

These views or articles do not belong to us. Our objective is to compile and provide the information on Astrology at one place.These views or articles were compiled from different sources on the internet.We are grateful to the authors/publishers for their views or articles. The source of the above views or articles is provided for reference.
We do not intend to harm anybody’s business interests or copyright. – http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sai_baba.html

The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.

The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestowed of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

It is located in a glacial valley at 4,175m (13,700 ft.). The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. Within the cave there are four or five ice formations that resemble the figures of different gods. The biggest figures of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as Siva (Amarnath). On the left side of the linga is an ice formation called Ganesh, and on the right side is one of Parvati and Bhairava.

The area is covered with snow from September to June. The cave opens only in July and August. This is the rainy season, so pilgrims have to brave the rain to get there. About 25,000 people make this pilgrimage each year. You can also hire ponies and dandies for the trip. It is very crowded during the annual Sravana festival. There is a yearly pilgrimage starting from Srinagar that is led by the Chhari Saheb, the holy seepter.

Significence of Amarnath Cave
The Legend about the importance of Amarnath Cave is as follows :

• This is The Cave which was chosen by Bhole Shankar for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe to Maa Parvati ji . The story goes like this . Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shiv ji to let her know why and when He started wearing the beads of heads ( Mund Mala) . Bhole Shankar replied when ever you are born I add one more head in my beads . Maa Parvati said ,” My Lord, my body is destroyed every time and I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please let me know the secret of this .” Bhole Shankar replied that it is due to Amar Katha .”
• Maa Parvati insisted that she may be told that secret. For long Shiva ji continued postponing . Finally on consistent demand from Maa Parvati He made up his mind to tell the immortal secret . He started for lonely place where no living being could listen it . He choose Amarnath Cave . In preparation to that He left His Nandi ( The Bull which He used to ride ) at Pahalgam (Bail gaon) . At Chandanwari He released Moon from his hairs (Jataon). At the banks of Lake Sheshnag He released the snakes . He decided to leave his Son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill ) . At Panjtarni, Shivji left the Five Elements behind (Earth , Water, Air , Fire and Sky) which make living being . He is the Lord of these elements. It is believed that as a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world , Shivaji and Maa Parvati had Tandav Dance . After leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar enters the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa.
• Lord Shiva takes his Samadhi on the Deer Skin and concentrate . To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale , He created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave . After this He started narrating the secret of immortality to Maa Parvati . But as a matter of chance one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin remained protected . It is believed to be non living and more over it was protected by Shiva -Parvati Asan (Bed) . The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal having listened the secret of immortality (Amar Katha). Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons when they trek the arduous route to pay their obeisance before the Ice-Lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

The huntsman stayed at the tree whole night and to keep himself awake, he plucked one leaf after another from the tree and threw it down. There was a Shiva Lingam under the tree and gracefully the tree turned out to be a ”bilva” tree (leaves of this tree are adored by Shiva). Without any knowledge, the huntsman had delighted the deity by pouring Bilva leaves all night. With the arrival of the sun, the hunter looked down and found the tiger gone. In its place, Lord Shiva was standing and he prostate before the lord. With Shiva’s blessings, he attained salvation from the bondage of the material world.

From – http://www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/gods/shiva/legends.html

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