Meenakshi Amman Temple

According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods indira at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of Indira in this temple is said to be proof for this. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D  The temple was almost completely
destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur. As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculptures of the temple. Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century.

The Lord has been described as Alavai Iraivan in his songs. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records. 

Balram Avathar

While all avathars are incarnations of Lord Vishnu it is Aadisesha the five hooded of snake on which Mahavishnu reclines in his 'yoganidhra' that incarnates as Balarama.

Balarama was born to Vasudeva and his first wife Rohini. Thus he becomes the elder brother of Lord Krishna. There is not much significance in this avathar. From the
evolutionary angle this avathar marks the
period when human started a settled way of life taking to agriculture- Balarama is pictured as carrying a plough on his shoulders. Being a contemporary of Krishna the spot light is more on Krishna than on Balarama.

Sri Rama Avathar

Rama avathar is called Dharma Avathar. He not only overcame 'adharma' (evil forces) but also taught man kind how to lead a perfect life of truthfulness, kindness, obeisance to parents etc.Now we will go to the story. In the north of the Ganga was the great kingdom called Kosala. Its capital was Ayodhya. King Dasartha ruled over the Kingdom.The people of Kosala were very happy contented and virtuous. The land was protected by a mighty army and no enemy could come any where near.

But the King Dhasartha was always very sad because he had no children. King Dhasaradha wanted to perform asvamedha yaga in which a Horse is sacrificed in the alter to beget a progeny and consulted his religious teachers for their advice. They agreed that performing asvamedha yaga would bless the king with a heir to his throne.

All arrangements were completed and the cermonies were setin motion strictly as enjoined by the Shastras. Out of the sacrificial fire came a goddess with a vessel of nectar which King dasaratha gave to his queens.

In time Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and satrugun were born. The king was over-joyed and brought them up with great care. They were schooled in all arts, vedas and sasthras. They were so valorous that when the boys were only about 16 years old sage Viswamithra came to the king and complained that 'rakshasas' were obstructing the sage from performing their yagas etc and requested the king to to send Rama with him to kill the demons. Accordingly Rama set forth with the sage and killed all the demons.

King Janakar 0f mathila kingdom was a very pious and righteous ruler. He was long without and issue and prayed to Lord Vishnu for a child. One day when the king was getting his land ploughed he found a female child with a strong bow At the time when Rama with Sage Viswamithra was in forests kill in gall the demons the news came that King Janaka was conducting a'swayam-vara'- ceremony to choose a bride-groom, for sita who was by then grown up as an young maiden. The condition laid down by King Janaka was who-ever broke the 'Shiva-dhanush' that was found along with sita in the field that person would be chosen to marry Sita.

Viswamithra took Rama and Lakshmana to the 'swayamvara' where they were received with the respect due to the princes. A number of princes tried their and in bending the bow but they could not even lift it. However Rama effortlessly lifted the bow and broke into two to the amazement of all present and the delight of sita who was watching the proceedings from a balcony above the hall. Rama married sita with great pomp and pageantry and went back to Ayodhya with his bride and Lakshman and Viswamithra. When it was time king Dasaratha wanted to crown Rama as the king and retire to the forest to devote his time to penance renouncing all pleasures of life. Called 'vana-prastha- asram this is considered the last stage in a man's life. Kaikeyi the third wife of dasaratha and a step-mother to Rama however wanted her son Bharatha to be crowned the king Long time earlier Kaikeyi saved the life of King dasaratha when his chariot over turned. Pleased King Dasaratha Promised kaikeyi two favours she would ask for. She however did not ask for anything at that time but said that she would make her wish known at the appropriate time later.

 Now she invoked the promise that King dasaratha had made and asked that Bharatha be crowned the King instead of Rama. Her second wish was that Rama should be banished to the forest and live there for 14 years as an ascetic before returning to the kingdom. King dasaratha was distressed in the extreme as he had a soft corner for Rama as his eldest son. But he was cornered.

When Rama heard about his step mother's wishes he voluntarily steped down in favour of Bharatha and also agreed to go to the forest for 14 years. King dasaratha was saved the unhappy task of telling Rama to do these. But he was very sad at the thought of Rama going to the forest and died broken hearted. Rama was not shown the remains of his father but was hustled into going to the forest. Lakshmana his brother and sita his wife insistedon going with him and reluctantly Rama agreed. So the trio set for thon their 'vana-vasam' (residence in the forest).Bharatha the son of kaikeyi was however not happy to reign over the kingdom as his mother wanted him to but went into the forest in search of Rama to persuade him to return to ayodhya take the crown.When Bharata did meet his brother Rama would not agree to return to the kingdom but insisted that his step-mother's wishes should be fulfilled. So Bharata took the pair of Rama's wooden slippers with him to Ayodhya, kept those on the throne and ruled as the Vice-roy of Rama. Rama set up an 'ashram' in the forest and settled down there with his brother and wife. One day Rama went for a hunt and left Lakshmana behind as a guard for Sita.

The present day Sri lanka was then ruled by the ten-headed demon king Ravana. He was an ardent devotee of lord Shiva and had the distinction of having sung the whole of 'Rig veda' in songs. He attained great prowess doing penance to Lord shiva became power-drunk and mis-ruled over his kingdom leading a life of laxity. Once Ravana's sister Soorpanagai was wandering around in the fore stand ran into Rama and Lakshmana and was struck by the hand some features of the princes. She went up to Rama and spoke to him coylyto entice him but Rama was so much devoted to Sita that he would not countanence any other women in his life. He chasticed her and drove her away. 

She next went to Lakshmana with similar intentions. But Lakshmana did not like her obsene manners and to spite her he cut off her nose with his sword. Soorpanaga vowed to take revenge on both the brothers She ran to her brother Ravana and mis-represented her encounter with Rama and Lakshmana. She also told him about the rare beauty of Sita and kindled his desire to possess Sita. So he took the form of a deer and went near the ashram. Sita was so struck by the beauty of the animal and wanted to keep it in the ashram. She asked Rama to bring the deer to her. Rama went after the animal which was running fast taking Rama away from the ashram. At one point the deer gave out a cry "hey Lakshmana"mimicrying the voice of Rama. Sita was panic stricken and thought Rama was in deep trouble and asked Lakshmana to immediately go and see what was wrong. Lakshmana protested that his job was to guard Sita and nothing would have happened to valorous Rama. On Sita's insistence Lakshmana left the ashram to look for Rama. All the while Ravana was watching and when Lakshmana was out of sight pounced upon Sita and carried her away in his sky-chariot to Lanka as his kingdom was called.

Rama was disconsolate when he returned and found sita missing. Heup braided Lakshmana for leaving sita unguarded. On regaining composure they both set forth in search of sita. On their way they saw the wounded jatayu the eagle who told them that he saw Ravanathe King of Lanka carrying away Sita south-ward. Jatayu was wounded by Ravana when he tried to rescue sita.

So Rama and Lakshmana went south-ward towards Lanka in search of Sita. On the way they met Hanuman who became most faithful and devoted to Rama. Through Hanuman Rama got the following of Sugriva and his army of monkeys. Sugriva and his brother Vali had some family quarel and rama siding with Sugriva killed vali. This act bound Sugriva to Rama.

Rama sent Hanuman to search for sita in the south-ward region and scourging around Hanuman found sita in the asoka- vana in Lanka disconsolate and sorrounded by evil ladies. Hanuman met sita and took from her a ring to show to rama that he had indeed found sita and returned to Rama who was over-joyed that his sita was still alive. Rama set forth with the army of monkeys to rescue sita. Knowing the powers of Ravana Rama prayed to lord for strength to fight Ravana and his hordes. Shiva granted him the boon. Armed with this Rama invaded Lanka. After an epic battle he vanquished Ravana and his army and rescued Sita.

By this time the prescribed peiod of 'vana-vasa' was over. So Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman the ever-faithful flew back to Ayodhya in a 'pushpaka- wimana' (sky-chariot bedecked in flowers)They were received by the people of Ayodhya with pomp and pageantry. Rama was crowned the king of Kosala and commenced his glorious rule. This in short is the epic story of Rama the perfect. Mahavishnu took this incarnation to show to the world an example in virtuous living. From another angle this marks the period when human solved as a perfect being in the long process of evolution.

Kalki Avathar

(Avathar yet to come)

paritranaya saadunaam vinashayasa dushkrudham
dharma samsthaba narthaya sambavami yuge yuge

(meaning)

 
Whenever evil over-takes the good and the world is sinking with sins at that time I will come to
annihilate the evil and establish righteousness.

quote ;by Lord Sri Krishna
from Bhagavat Geeta :-

Shri Kashi Vishwanath

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to
seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers

liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. 

Tradition has it that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living embodiment of our timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace send harmony with one another. 

Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the national as well as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in 1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome still remains uncovered, Ministry of culture & Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. is taking keen interest for gold plating of third dome of Temple.

Important Festivals

1. Mahashivratri

Shivaratri is celebrated on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (Feb or March) every year. On the auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava'. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma. On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. At our temple this festival celebrated with great spritualism.

2. Rangbhari ( Aamlaki) Ekadashi

Once, in the month of Phalguna (February - March), the holy fast of Amalakii Ekadasii arrived, conjoined with Dvadasi. This particular fast would bestow especially great benefit. Amalakii is offspring of Lord BrahmA, who can destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Amalakii, is actually the form of Brahman, and was once worshiped by Lord Ramachandra Himself. Whoever circumambulates her is therefore immediately freed of all his sins.

3. Annakoot

Annakoot is celebrated in observance of the episode in Sri Krishna's childhood, in which He gave protection to the cowherd clan of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra and humbled Indra in that process. The cowherds, their wives, children and cattle jubilantly surrounded Sri Krishna. They were awed by His superhuman accomplishment and celebrated Sri Krishna's feat with a sumptuous feast. Thus began the tradition of Annakoot. After the prayers, traditional worship & Aarti, innumerable varieties of delicious sweets/ all cookings / 56 bhogs were ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the deity as "Bhog" and after Lord had it full , now it was citizens turn to approach the Mountain of Food and take Prasad from it. It was a Great Feast for residents of Goverdhan & they all enjoyed it thoroughly

4. Makar Shakranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. They may be trying to reach upto their glorious God or bring about greater proximity with the one who represents the best. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamah kept waiting to leave his mortal coil.
Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God of Hindus begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Sun for the Hindus stands for Pratyaksha-Brahman - the manifest God, who symbolizes, the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one & all tirelessly. Sun is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial Wheel of Time. The famous Gayatri Mantra, which is chanted everyday by every faithful Hindu, is directed to Sun God to bless them with intelligence & wisdom. Sun not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge & wisdom. Lord Krishna reveals in Gita that this manifested divinity was his first disciple, and we all know it to be indeed a worthy one too. No Sundays for the Sun, may be because one who revels in its very 'being', the very essence of his own Self, is always in the Sunday mood.
The co-relation of cosmic events with individual life and values is one of the most astounding traits of Hindu Masters. Once this co-relation is brought about thereafter these cosmic events become instrumental to remind us the best which we cherish & value. Of all the cosmic bodies Sun is the most glorious & important, thus every sun-centric cosmic event became very important spiritual, religious & cultural events. On Makar Sankranti day the Sun begins its ascendancy and journey into the Northern Hemisphere, and thus it signifies an event wherein the Gods seem to remind their children that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya'. May you go higher & higher - to more & more Light and never to darkness.

5. Shrawan Maah

Shrawan Maah is highly auspicious month for the lord Shiva devotees. Special decoration is been done on every Monday of the month. On first Monday of the month lord Shiva’s decoration is being performed, on second Monday lord Bhagwa Shankar and mother Parvati’s moveable statues are being decorated. On third and fourth Monday , shri Ardhyanarishwar and Shri Rudrakshay , decoration is being performed respectively.
The whole month of Shrawan Maah is celebrated with great enthusiasm, it is highly auspicious as every member of Lord Shiva’s family are decorated and special 'Jhoola Sringar' is being performed.

6. Akshya Tritiiya

Akshya Tritiiya is considered one of the four most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is the third day of the new moon of Vaishakh month (April-May).

After having bath offered Amalakii tree a pot filled with water, as well as garland and aromatic incense. Then worship Lord Parashurama with these prayers: 'Oh Lord ParashurAma, Oh son of Renuka, Oh all-pleasing one, Oh liberator of the worlds, kindly come beneath this holy Amalakii tree and accept our humble obeisances.'

If the Amarlaki tree isn't available then worship the sacred Tulasi tree. Also plant the sacred Tulasi seeds, and offer lamps to her.