THE LEGEND OF THE QUEEN DIDDA OF KASHMIR

Born in 924CE to King Simharaja of Lohara which lies in Pir Panjal range of NorthWest frontier in Kashmir,Didda was physically disabled by birth having a deformed leg.Being a limp,she wasn't loved by the King&was brought up by the maids.

Still she learned sword fighting and horse riding to the best of her ability. Political and Military strategies came to her naturally.
Most knowledge pertaining to her is obtained from the 'Rajatarangini',a literary and historical piece of work written by Kalhana in 12th century.

She is often referred to as Charanhina(footless) in Rajatrangini. Although she could walk but there was a woman named Valga who used to carry her almost everywhere. It is for this woman she later built Valgamath.
She was still unmarried at the age of 26.

In those days,Kashmir was ruled by a king named Kshema Gupta. Known for his addictions of women and gambling,he was looking for political legitimacy of his rule and therefore in 950CE, he offered to marry a not so young and disabled queen, who was the granddaughter of the Shahis.

Princess Didda was the granddaughter of the Hindu Shahi of Kabul named Bhimadev Shahi. Since the princess was very beautiful, Kshema Gupta soon got bewitched by her beauty. He was so mesmerised that he even engraved her name in front of his name on the coins as 'Di-Kshem'.

Krishna & Paarijaata apaharana #sculpture #story #Thread

Parijata tree was in Indraloka which was one of gifts he received from churning of Ocean to obtain Amrit.

This beautiful #sculpture depicts Indra Dev chasing Shri Krishna for stealing parijatha tree branch from Indralok

📸- sculpture on outer walls of Hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu,Karnataka

Krishna has 4hands with Shankha,Chakra,Mace&Lotus holding Satyabhama tightly,mounted on Garuda. Garuda has a beautifully carved Parijata tree trunk in left hand& a weapon in his right hand, attacking Indra.

Other side is Indra,riding on Airavata.Indra can be seen attacking Krishna with his Vajrayutham.Airavata is charging towards Garuda.Wife of Indra can be seen in pillion seat.Just look at the Detailing of Garuda & Airavat sculptures.

So what led Krishna to steal parijatha tree👇

Narada Rishi once returning from Indralok collected few Parijatha flowers&reached Dwaraka.There he met Bhagwan Krishna&gave the heavenly flowers to him.Narada explained the greatness of Parijatha flowers & also said that these flowers must be given to the most loved ones.

Despite knowing Satyabhama’s anger,Krishna gave it to Rukmani Devi.Narada Rishi then went to palace of Satyabhama. He narrated whole incident that had happened.Satyabhama turned furious on hearing that Krishna gave Parijatha to Rukmini.Then Satyabhama shows her anger to Krishna.

Sri Devi Karumariamman mandir, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Sri Devi Karumariamman mandir is in Thiruverkadu, a suburb of Chennai. It is said that God Muruga came here and obtained the 'Vel' (spear) from His mother, Goddess Karumari (an avatar of Parvathi) 1/n

to fight the demon Suran and hence this place was called as 'Vel kadu' and became as Verkadu. As per legend Devi Karumariamman once disguised as a soothsayer visited Bhagwan Surya, the Sun God, to predict His future. 2/n

Not realising that the soothsayer is none other than Sakthi Matha, Surya ignored Her. Angered by his indifference, Devi Karumariamman immediately retreated. Bhagwan Surya lost His glory and the earth plunged into darkness. 3/n

Bhagwan Surya then realised His folly and pleaded forgiveness from Devi Karumariamman. In order to pacify mother Karumariamman, Suryadev said that His rays would fall on Her directly twice in a year and touch her feet. (in the month of Panguni (March- April) & during (Sep - Oct)

Mother Karumari Amman is worshipped here in two forms.A swayambu (self manifested) with only head visible above the ground and another one in a graceful sitting posture with all Parasakthi features,with four arms holding skull, sword, trishul, udukkai (damru). 5/n

ThiruVellankulam Annan Koil –
#108DD
Known as elder brother of Venkateshwara Perumal is located near Seerkazhi. This is the only DD we have the perumal to be called “Annan. It’s credence that we have people visiting this divine kshetram who cannot go to Tirupati.

Here we have perumal to be with Alar Mel Mangai Thaayar different from Tirupati where he is seen alone. The only DD where the deity and Goddess have the same names as in Tirupati.

Background –
Once lived a king named “Dhundhu Maaran” of “Surya Dynasty” who had a son who was destined to die when he is 9. King Maaran who was upset with this had requested sage Vasishta for remedy, in turn he had asked the son to come here to Annankovil

and penance by chanting the Narasimha Mrutyanja Mantra sitting before Lord Srinivasa to increase his lifetime. The kid followed it so meticulously that with his devotion Bhagwan himself appeared in front of him & gave him what he was looking (increase his lifetime).

Perumal then iterated that one who chants the Narasimha Mrutyunja Mantra 8000 times, would be relieved from fear of Death.

AGAMA SHASTRA:THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE MARVELS OF HINDU ARCHITECTURE

Agama Shastra is a Sanskrit word that means the manual for worship, temple building, rituals etc in Hindu Tradition.From Sanskrit,agama means handed down by tradition and Shastra means a commentary or treatise.

Therefore, Agama Shastra is a collection of ideas that drafts the rules for worship, temple construction, spirituality and rituals. It has been a guideline for many Hindus from ancient times. It's a collection of Sanskrit, Tamil and Grantha scriptures that mostly contains...

...methods of temple construction, idol creation, philosophical doctrines and meditative practices. It came into being after years of assimiliation and from a variety of sources. Some parts of it are pre-vedic while some are post-vedic.

Hindu Temples are not just temples, they are the pride and identity of Hindus. They are the symbols of Hindu unity and their religious aspirations. Temples are the places of spiritual healing and are our connection with the creator almighty.

Temples are the priceless treasure of our History, Heritage ,Art & Architecture. Architecture that mesmerises and spell bounds you. And Agama Shastra is that very text which is responsible for such a mesmerising and spell binding quality and beauty of our Hindu Temples.

Srimad Ramayanam - thAyar greeting rAvanA, different meanings of a single slokA

Vedas are considered apauruSEyam, not made by humans, and therefore cannot be interpreted in any manner. The vEdanta sUtra bASyam has been done by Sri Adi Sankara, Swami Ramanuja and Sri Madhwa 1

On the other hand, itihAsAs and purunAs are made by riSis, but the greatness is that they wrote without diluting the meaning of vEdAs (or Upanishads).

There is lot in them that are dependent on bhakti, which is subjected to bhAvam (or experience). AcAryAs have relished these 2

experiences in Srimad Ramayanam, and one such instance is in Sundara Kandam where thAyAr greets rAvanA when she visits her and places a grass between her and him. She also smiles at his arrogance

The slokA is

तृणमन्तरतः कृत्वा प्रत्युवाच शुचिस्मिता
3

There are bursts of bhAvam for one such slokA.

1) Thayar is used to wearing a veil (gOSA niyamanam) and, hence placed a grass between them.

2) When a person comes to see another person in their place, it’s customary to offer them a seat. As she does not have one, she places
4

grass

3) She’s insinuating that the strength and the valour he displayed is equivalent to that of a grass, meaning nothing.

4) The wealth or the grandeur he displayed pales into insignificance as She was Mahalakshmi, who is the abode of all the wealth in the universe.
5

திருஎழு கூற்றிருக்கை - திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்
===================================
"திரு எழு கூற்றிருக்கை" என்பது தமிழ் யாப்பு வகைகளில் மிகக் கடினமானது.

இதைச் "சித்திரகவி" என்றும் அழைப்பர்.

கவிதை முழுக்க முழுக்க திருக்குடந்தைப் பிரானின் பெருமையையும் குடந்தையின் இயற்கைக் காட்சிகளையும் காணலாம்.

பக்தியை எண்களில் வடித்து வெளிப்படுத்த முடியும் என்பதற்கு இப்பாசுரம் ஓர் எடுத்துக்காட்டு.

"செல்வம் மல்குதென் திருக்குடந்தை
அந்தணர் மந்திர மொழியுடன் வணங்க
ஆடு அரவு அமளியில் அறிதுயில் அமர்ந்த
பரம! நின் அடியிணை பணிவன்
வரும் இடர் அகல - மாற்றோ வினையே"

(அரவு அமளி = பாம்புப் படுக்கை)

என்று துன்பங்களைக் களைந்து அருள் தரும்படி பாசுரம் நிறைவு பெறுகின்றது.

SOME UNKNOWN PEOPLE OF INDIA - PART 1

Bipin Ganatara - Fire Chaser

Meet Bipin Ganatara, a volunteer fireman from kolkata, also called the Fire Chaser.

A humble man of around 64 years, who is a small time electrician , Bipin lives in a one room accommodation in Kolkata.

He is not a professional fireman, but has been instrumental in saving hundreds of lives in fire accidents in the city of Kolkata.

When Bipin was 12 years old, his elder brother Narendra died in a fire accident. This tragedy shocked him completely. He had to drop out of school.

And compelled to do some odd jobs. Whenever he use to see a fire engine nearby, he would chase it and reach the spot of fire and would see the firemen working.

Since five decades, he has been helping firemen in saving people involved in fire, removing the dead from debris and even cleaning the debris. Fire department of the city had offered him job many times but he is willing to serve voluntarily.

He relies on TV and radio news or information from his friends. As soon as he gets news, he rings up the fire department and reaches there himself in his old fire boots and yellow helmet donated by someone. Even fire people trust him and take his help .

MYTH AND MYTHOLOGY:

All religions and all ideologies (eg: communism, liberalism and so on) are a part history and a part myth.

As for religious myths, the academic types might want to read Joseph Campbell's book, "The Power of Myth".

I put down below some quotes of his :

1. Each myth is psychologically symbolic. Its narratives and images are to be read, therefore, not literally, but as metaphors.

2. Myth is much more important & true than history. History is just journalism & you know how reliable it is.

As far as ideologies are concerned, their mythology lies in their tall claims about their success in the real world. As we all are aware, this whole ideology of communism has proved to be just a myth as it has failed everywhere.

Even Mother Russia has forsaken Communism and mobocracy rules there now! Liberalism's self-proclaimed victories are a pure myth too because there's no liberal state.

Even the liberal dreamlands such as the Scandinavian countries have had to adopt non-liberal policies to check jihadism and Islamism brought in by the migrants.

Besides the above, today's Mythology becomes tomorrow's history as

#NamaBengaluru

There's no other way to explore the flavors of a city through a walk with our favorite drink in hands. Experiencing the hot spots, indulging the local cuisine and bargaining with street vendors makes us one with the locals. One such hot spot is SHIVOHAM TEMPLE.

Located at Old Airport Road of Bangalore, this was built in '95 that features a giant 65'Feet Shiva statue.

The unique modern-day architecture is to be applauded as the entire place is encircled within a small mall. The entrance to the almighty is like the journey through the caves which has the jyotirlingas in respective miniature versions. We are taken a back when we see lord Shiva

in his meditative posture with his damaru and trishul also depiciteing the holy river Ganges flowing out of the locks on the other side. The miniature amaranth type shiv linga Is crowd's favorite apart from the 35'Feet Ganapathy Statue as well.

Though the over the period of years this place has turned into a commercial zone like a theme park but this definitely is one of the go to places in nama Bangalore as the surrounding areas and the local flavour we get to see is abundant.

#Bookmark this
Divine Thread

When || Shri Ram || mentioned || Shri Krishna || in Ramayan

I repeat “Untold Unsung now Unearthed”

Go through entire thread carefully.

Stay Tuned
RT & spread the knowledge.

Starting the thread with Jai Shri Ram

Shri Krishna is stated straightforwardly in Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayan. Once Shri Ram did not see his subjects for 4 days & spent his time alone. Shri Ram then commands Lakshman to check if anyone was waiting to see him.

“O Dear Saumitri, 4 days have gone by since I concerned myself with the interests of my people & my soul is tormented; now call together family priests & ministers The king who does not fulfil his duties in regard to his people each day, undoubtedly falls into the darkest hell.”

Shri Rama then tells a tale to Lakshman about a king named Nriga who was cursed by Brahmanas to become a lizard. 2 Brahmanas were having a quarrel over a cow,so they went to approach King Nriga. Sadly they were not given entrance to the palace even after waiting for a long time.

Having tarried there many days and nights, they became greatly enraged and those two illustrious ascetics, furious at not achieving their purpose, uttered the following dreadful malediction :—

(kindly zoom slightly)

Sri Parasurameswara Swamy Mandir, Gudimallam, Andhrapradesh

Gudimallam is a small village located in Chittoor district. It is seven miles away from Tirupati. This small village came to significance,due to it's very beautiful Shiva Mandir with history of thousands of years. 1/n

The main importance of the mandir lies in the Linga which is housed in the Garbhagriha of the temple & considered as the only one of such type. It is the earliest Linga discovered so far and it has been assigned to the 3rd century BCE.(Satavahana period) 2/n

Ishrat Jahan was a "19-year-old kid" (fortunately her father wasn't a school teacher) from Mumbai, who was killed in an encounter in 2004 in Gujarat. The other three killed in the encounter were Jishan Johar, Amjad Ali Akbar Ali Rana and Javed Shaikh.

The Gujarat police said that she was on a terror mission to assassinate Narendra Modi, the then Gujarat chief minister. The police said it was a suicide (fidayeen) mission. Police identified Johar and Rana as Pakistani nationals.

Shaikh was allegedly “arranging their local network”.

When the FIR was registered, Ishrat Jahan could not be identified by the police. She went by “female terrorist” in the police record. Later, her identity came to light as a college student from Mumbai’s suburb Mumbra.

In July 2004, a Pakistan-based news outlet published a report in which terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed that Ishrat Jahan was its operative by describing her as “woman activist of LeT”. Police mentioned this report in its investigation.

Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun. In layman's language, they “chase the light.”

This facing the sun phenomenon is called HELIOTROPISM.

We might already know this, but there is another fact that we apparently do not know!

Have we ever wondered what happens on cloudy and rainy days when the sun is completely covered by clouds?

This is an interesting question. Isn’t it?

Perchance we think the sunflower withers or turns its head towards the ground. Is this what crossed your mind?

Well, that’s incorrect!

This is what happens...

*They turn towards each other to share their energy.*

Nature’s perfection is amazing. Now let’s apply this reflection to our lives. Many people may become low spirited, and the most weak ones, sometimes, become depressed.
How about following the example of the beautiful sunflowers 🌻i.e. *"Supporting and empowering each other"*.

Nature has so much to teach us.
Wishing everyone a "Sunflower"🌻 trait of turning towards each other on the cloudy and gloomy days.

*Spread some goodness...it will come back to you multifold*.😊🙏

Did you know?

When Saudi Arabia's King visited India in 1955, PM Nehru ordered all the Hindu Temples and Idols of Hindu Deities that came in Saudi King's way to be covered up.
Our temples are the architectural marvels in their own league.

Each of our temples tells the story of our rich history and cultural heritage. Was Nehru that ashamed of his own nation's heritage that he had to cover them up or there was some other reason? The answer would be best known to him only.

PM Nehru invited the then Saudi King Saud bin Abdul Aziz to India who accepted the invitation and planned a 17 day long official visit to India in 1955. Saudi King had brought a large delegation with him and he had to visit various Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Agra,

Aligarh, Shimla, Mysore and Varanasi. However, when Saudi King reached Varanasi, Nehru ordered to cover all the temples and Idols with curtains that came in the way of the Royal Convoy. During his stay in Varanasi, Govt buildings were painted with the words "Kalma Tayyiba".

'Kalma Tayyiba' means 'There is not God but only Allah and Mohammed is his messenger'. In addition to it, Pooja and Aartis were also stopped at temples. I can call it the appeasement politics of the highest order and Nehru was indeed the greatest appeaser of all times.

RANI ABBAKKA-THE QUEEN IMMORATALIZED AS 'THE GREAT FEARLESS WARRIOR QUEEN' & STILL FORGOTTEN.

The renowned Indian Coast Guard launched ICGS Rani Abbakka in 2009 at Indian Naval Port of Vizag. It commemorated the valour of a brave Queen named Rani Abbakka, who is not much known.

Queen Abbakka carved a niche for herself as 'The Warrior Queen of Ullal'.Rani Abbakka Chowta was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal(present day Mangalore) and was crowned by her Uncle Tirumala Raya in 1525 as the Chowta's followed a Matrilineal system of Inheritance.

While inheritance was from female line,the ruler was always a male. Since Tirumal Raya didn't have any children,he chose his niece as a legal Heir.She was married to King Lakshmapa Bangaraja in a Political wedlock,due to which they both remained estranged throughout their lives.

Rani Abbakka Chowta was trained to be a good ruler and administrator right from a very young age. Sword fighting, horse riding, archery, military strategies and political diplomacy were the subjects she was very keen in learning and she learned them with perfection.

Most Portugues sources tell us that Rani Abbakka was a great administrator.She was a Jain herself but she never stopped patronising Hindu temples,arts &literature.Her administration consisted of Muslims&Hindus alike. Diversity of her administration&her army was worth appreciation

Flamingos

Thousands of flamingos migrate to Mumbai every year between the months of October & March before flying out around June.

They arrive from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, some even from Iran and Israel.

A census by the Bombay Natural History Society in January 2019 had counted 1,21,000  flamingos in Mumbai then.

Besides the Navi Mumbai creek, environmentalists have noticed a huge flock of flamingos at Thane Creek, Uran, Panju Island and Vasai, as well.

One major problem is obviously the destruction of wetlands. This thread isn't about that.

From around 2016 onwards, the local fishermen started spotting injured and wounded flamingos mainly in the parts of Uran, ( Raigad) and Palghar (infamously famous).

Flamingos with broken legs, broken body parts, clipped wings, etc. The aim is to make them handicapped. Once they become handicapped, it's easy to capture them and sell their meat. They are considered to be a great delicacy.

And most of these are killed and sold as 'special chicken meat'.

Flamingos are our guests and in India, we believe in अतिथि देवो भवः!

RISHI PINGALA:THE ANCIENT INDIAN SAGE DISCREDITED FOR HIS MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO MATHEMATICS & PHI

Have you ever heard about,"The Golden Ratio"?
The Golden Ratio or Phi(Greek) is a mathematical ratio of nature. Mother Nature is the most exquisite artist in herself.

&Its this Phi she uses to create all the beauty in World.
If anyone uses this ratio correctly in their art,it can turn into a spell-binding piece of work.Such is the significance of'Phi'.But my thread isn't about it.Its about somethin called'Fibonacci Series'&who actually made it

Phi is related to Fibonacci series(0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34...)
&this series is responsible for everything dat is beautiful on this planet. Just try to calculate the ratio of any 2 successive numbers ÷ each of them by the number before it in above infinite series.

E.g. 3/2=1.5, 5/3=1.666, 8/5=1.6, 34/21=1.61904 and so on. Did you notice something? The ratio is coming almost same every time. This ratio is called 'Phi 'which is numerically represented as 1:1.618. This Golden Spiral is made in exact proportion of 1:1.618.

The thing I want to emphasize here is that we always find only those things appealing and attractive that have Phi. It's in our subconscious. Isn't it some revelation? We are the part of this Divine proportion of the God or the Mother Nature. Check these: