Vriddhagiriswarar Temple
#Vriddhachalam
#TamilNaduTemples 🚩

Vriddhagiriswarar Temple, located in Cudalore district is one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
Mahadeva is swayambhu here as Virudhagireeshwarar and Parvathi Devi as Periya Nayagi.
Sthala Puranam says that

Brahma Deva instead of creating land created water. Mahavishnu defeated Madhukaidavas and thier bodies floated on the water as there was no land. Brahma Deva  prayed to Paramshiva to create earth from the water and from Madhukaidavas bodies. Thus Paramashiva created a

big mountain from their body. Brahma Deva, was feeling sad in his creation, didn't knew about the mountains created by Mahadeva. At that time Muruga appeared and told that mountains are created and Paramshiva is the form of mountain.

It is believed that during Maha Pralayam

Virudhachalam stood unaffected. It is believed that whoever worship Mahadeva here will get relieved from all sins.

Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

YANTRODHARAK HANUMANTHA, HAMPI (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Here, on a hill near Tungabhadra River, the image of Sri Hanuman is enclosed in a hexagonal amulet in prayer mudra.
It is said that the shrine is built where Hanuman met Sri Ram for the 1st time.

@LostTemple7

Other belief is that Sri Vyasaraja used to pray to Hanuman in this place by drawing his image on the rocks. By the time he finished his prayers, the picture used to disappear. When this happened for 12 days in a row, he pleaded with Sri Hanuman to appear before him.

Hanuman appeared and asked Sri Vyasaraja to constrain him in a six-sided amulet and build a shrine.
12 monkeys are carved around this amulet. They represent the 12 days Sri Vyasaraja prayed to Hanuman. Each monkey holds the tail of the monkey in front of him but faces backward.

Nearby, there is a shrine dedicated to Sri Ram. There is a fig tree also. At its foot, there are snake-stones showing snake worship.
Yantrodharak Hanuman Stotram is believed to have been written here. Chanting it thrice a day for 6 months fulfils one’s wish.

Once the four Pandavas (except Yudhishthira who was not present) asked Krishna:

"What is Kaliyuga and what will happen during Kaliyuga?"

Krishna smiled and said "Let me demonstrate to you, the situation of Kaliyuga." He took a bow and four arrows and shot them in four directions and ordered the four Pandavas to go and bring them back.

Each of the four Pandavas went in the four different directions to search for the arrows. When Arjuna picked an arrow, he heard a very sweet voice. He turned around and saw a cuckoo singing in a spellbinding voice but was also eating flesh of a live rabbit which was in great pain

Arjuna was very surprised to see such a gory act by such a divine bird he left the place immediately.Bhima picked arrow from a place, where five wells were situated. The four wells were surrounding a single well.

The four wells were overflowing with very sweet water as if they were not able to hold water and surprisingly the well in the middle of these four overflowing wells was completely empty. Bhima was also puzzled at this sight.

#Thread
Panguni Uthiram Festival:

Panguni Uthiram, also known as Paiguni Uttaram, is an important Tamil Hindu festival, which is observed in Panguni month when Nakshatra Uthiram or Uttara Phalguni prevails.
@chittukuruvi4 @GunduHuDuGa

Cont 👇

Panguni is the twelfth month in Tamil Calendar, which is recognized as Meena month in other solar calendars. On this day Uthiram Nakshatra coincides with full moon and is believed to be the auspicious occasion for most of the divine marriages. @SriramKannan77

Cont 👇

It is believed that the marriages of Goddess Parvati with Bhagwan Shiva, Goddess Deivayanai with God Murugan, and Goddess Sita with Sri Rama were conducted on Panguni Uthiram day.
@RajeAiyer @narayanagl @beingpavithraS

Cont 👇

Since it is regarded as the wedding day of Goddess Deivayanai and God Subramanya, it is an important festival celebrated in Murugan temples where hundreds of devotees gather to participate in the festival. @JumbuTweeple @NandiniVenkate3

Cont 👇

On this day Goddess Parvati in the form of Gowri married Bhagwan Shiva in Kanchipuram and hence this day is also celebrated as Gowri Kalyanam day.
@AnuSatheesh5 @anexcommie @GEEMS71

Cont 👇

HORANADU ANNAPOORNESHWARI, CHIKMAGALUR (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Annapoorneshwari is the Devi of nutrition and food. The literal meaning of Annapoorneshwari is “Feeding one and all”. Anyone who comes here is offered meals and shelter within the premises.
@LostTemple7

Maharshi Agastya is believed to have done pratishtha here.

Once, Shiva and Parvati had an argument. Shiva declared everything in the world including food to be Maya or illusion. To prove him wrong, Devi Parvati disappeared resulting in entire Earth becoming still.

Taking pity, Devi appeared as Annapoorna and relieved everyone.
Another belief is that once Shiva beheaded Brahma and his skull got stuck in Shiva’s hand. He was cursed that till the skull is not full of food or grains, it will remain stuck to his hands.

Shiva went everywhere and asked for food but the skull was never full. He finally came here and Maa Annapoorna filled the skull with grains and reversed Shiva’s curse.

It is believed that who ever visits Devi Annapoorna here will never be without food in their lives.

Kidangoor Subramanya Swami Kshetram
#Kottayam
#Keralatemples 🚩

Kidangoor Subramanya Swami Kshetram is one of the biggest Subrahmanya temple in Kerala, situated  on the banks of Meenachil river Subrahmanya is worshipped as Thrikkidangoorappan here.

Subrahmanya swami is Brahmachari bhavam, and all the women who enters temple is treated as mother (Sri Parvathy). It is common that when mother comes to see her son, with respect a son should stand and greet her. To avoid this situations women are not allowed to enter inside

nalambalam, but can worship through Balikkalppura.

Sthala Puranam  says that, Subramanya Swami came out of the Kamandalu, carried by Maharsi Gauna. Gauna Nadi(Meenachil river) starts from the Kamandalu of Gauna Maharshi. Gauna Maharshi filled his Kamandalu with punya theertham

Also a vigraham of Subrahmanya swamy and was waiting for Shri Rama in his return journey to Ayodhya after war. But Muni was unable to get Shri Rama darshan because Shri Rama was surrounded by Vanara sena, including Sugreeva and Vibheeshana.

With anger Gauna Muni threw the kamandalu away and the vigraham of Subrahmanya Swami came out from Kamandalu. Later the Prathista of Vigraham was done here in this temple, which is now Kidangoor Kshetram

Muruganukku Harohara
🙏🕉🙏

Dakshinamoorthy Kshetram,Sukapuram
#Malappuram
#Keralatemples 🚩

Dakshina Moorthy Kshetram is located in Edappal. Paramashiva is worshipped as Dakhinamurthy here. Kshetram is very unique because, no festival is celebrated here as it might disturb the Tapasya of Paramashiva.

Sthala Puranam says that, the Prathista of the Vigraham was done by Suka Maharshi, thus the name Sukapuram. Suka Maharshi informed an auspicious time for the Prathista of vigraham in the temple. He said that a peacock would appear at the right time.  Everybody waited for time,👇

when a man came with peelikavadi ( kavadi with peacock feather), people felt that this is the right time and requested Suka Maharshi to do Prathista.
But this was before the auspicious time. At the time informed by the Maharshi, a peacock came to the temple and sat in balikallu

Maharshi immediately did Prathishta of another vigraham facing south as Dakshinamoorthy. It is said that there are 4 sankalpas of Bhagwan in this temple, Vyakhyana Dakshinamoorthy, Yoga Dakshinamoorthy,Veenadhara Dakshinamoorthy,Jnana Dakshinamoorthy.

Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

@HelloNNewman @kunthavi05 @SparesofWar Aah.. the proverbial question.. I will try to write in concise as much as possible, but if it spans a few tweets, pls bear with me.

Our janma phala is decided by our karmic debts and deeds. The lifecycle of a jeeva is an ultimate goal of moksha i.e. Ikya with the paramatma

++

@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar We go through multiple births.. manushya one is considered as a big deal i.e. best of janmas to transition towards moksha..

However, our karmic deeds of the past i.e. prarabdha karma has a major impact too. I learnt it recently BTW...

++

@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar Some who would have done loads of punya in the past get to reap them in the next janma.. the same holds true for the paapa karma..

So we observe these vagaries where people seem to be doing fine inspite of all the adharmic activities done by them

++

@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar and same way, some suffering a lot even though they are dharmic and simple

Both are prarabda karma at play.. Please note that the current janma is not to expend the previous punya..

The paapa of this janma will also hit in a bad way..

++

@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar We observe only what's visible but not what's hidden.. most of these guys have issues with having children (just an observation - not generalisation) or with health or some other aspect of life..

We may not know everything of their life..

++

Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
#Erode
#Tamilnadutemples 🚩

Situated on the banks of the river Kaveri, Magudeswarar Temple is one among Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Kshetram is famous Parihara Sthala for Naga Dosham and for performing Tarpanam to the departed souls.

There are 3 sannidhi here for Paramashiva, Mahavishnu and Brahma Deva.

Sthala Puranam says that once Adisesha and Vayu Deva placed Meru parvat at the centre to decide who is stronger among them. Parvatam was held tightly by Adisesha and Vayu blew the wind to push Parvatham.

In this struggle, peak of meru  parvatham broke into 7 pieces and fell in different places as precious gems. Diamond fell at  Kodumudi as Magudeswarar. Panchamirtham abhishekam is very famous here. Vanni tree situated here is very old which contains medicinal values.

It is believed that Agasthiya Muni did Prathishta of Shiva Lingam here. As Adisesha is one of the reason for creation of the temple, this is famous Parihara Sthalam for Naga Dosham. It is believed that those who

who take a bath in the river Kaveri and worship paramashiva and mahavishnu, will be cured of diseases and will get relief from all illness.

Om Namah Shivaye
Om Namo Narayanaya
🙏🕉🙏

KANAKA DURGAMMA, VIJAYWADA (AP)
#bharatmandir

Ma Kanakadurgeswari is the supreme Goddess of Andhra Pradesh, seated atop the Indrakilaparvatha at Vijayawada.
This area is called Bezawada as Shiva made a bejjam (hole) in the rocks so that Krishna river could flow freely.

Once, a Rishi Indra Keela prayed to Devi and asked her to reside on his head forever. Devi told him to wait in the form of a mountain in the holy plains of River Krishna.
Later, when Devi killed all demons, she settled on Keeladri as Mahishasura Mardini and fulfilled his wish.

In this place, Arjuna performed penance and fought with Shiva, who had appeared in the guise of Kiratha to win Pasupathastra, the most powerful weapon. So this place is also called phalguna theertha and Vijaywada on account of Arjun’s victory.

Adi Sankaracharya visited this shrine and worshipped the Devi. He installed SRICHAKRAM at the feet of Sri Kanaka Durga.

Adjacent to the Kanakadurga shrine is the shrine of the divine consort-Sri Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakeeladri.

Papanasanathar temple
#Tirunelveli
#Tamilnadutemples 🚩

Papanasanathar Kshetram, situated in Papanasam is a famous Shiva temple. Paramashiva is Papanasanathar and Parvathi Devi as Ulagammai. Temple is one among Nava Kailasa famous for Surya Deva, also called Surya Kshetram.

River Tamarabarani flows next to temple.
Sthala Puranam says that Rishi Agasthiyar, couldn't witness Shiva Parvathy Kalyanam and it is said that Bhagwan gave darshan to Muni here with Parvathy Devi in Kalyanakolam. It is also believed that Indra, who had Brahmahatya dosham,

to get relieved from dosha, Indra deva worshipped Mahadeva here. Papa means sin and Nasam means destruction, thus Papanasam means destruction of all sins. Turmeric water used for Devi's abhishekam is very famous here.

Married women have this theertha jalam which is considered to give long life for their husbands. Praying to Papanasanathar, we will be relieved from all loses and cured of all diseases.

Om Namah Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏

AMALAKI EKADASHI: TODAY

Ekadashi is the day when devotees observe vrata to please Sri Vishnu. On Amalaki Ekadashi, the Amla tree (gooseberry) is worshipped along with Sri Vishnu as amla is his favourite.
The origin of amla is said to have been from Brahma’s tears.

After emerging from Sri Vishnu's navel, Brahma wondered who created him and wanted to know the purpose of his birth. He performed intense penance to know the answer. When Sri Vishnu appeared before him after a long time, Brahma had tears of joy in his eyes
@JumbuTweeple @keveeyes

Vishnu said that the tears would transform into Amla trees and the Amla fruits would be dear to him. He also said that those who worship the Amla tree on the Phalguna Shukla Paksha Ekadashi Tithi would get blessed by him.

Then onwards, people worship Amla along with Sri Vishnu.

It is said that Ma Lakshmi resides in Amla tree. Sri Krishna and Radha Rani are said to reside near the tree.
Besides, Amla is known for its medicinal qualities. It is the store house of Vitamin C. Amla has excellent immunity boosting and antioxidant properties.

1. Which politician in the post-Independence era do you most associate with vile, sinister destruction?

(A very positive, optimistic thread on politics in the post-Independence era. You can be frivolous or serious in your replies, but in either case, think before you answer.)

2. What was the single most important reform in the post-Independence era that never happened?

3. What has been the worst foreign policy disaster in the post-Independence era?

4. If you have to pick the worst decade (47-56, 57-66, 67-76, 77-86, 87-96, 97-06, 07-16, 17-now) for politics, what would that be?

5. When defining religious minorities at the state level, which state is the worst when it comes to persecution of religious minorities?

NAMAKKAL ANJANEYAR, TAMILNADU
#bharatmandir

Sri Anjaneya/Hanuman murti at Namakkal is 18ft tall and holds a japmala in hand and sword in waist.
Here, Anjaneya is closely associated with Narasimha and Ma Lakshmi.

Once, Anjaneya was bathing in Gandaki river of Nepal. He found a huge shaligram shaped like Sri Vishnu. He carried it with him. When he was passing over this place, he wished to bathe but shaligram cannot be placed on ground.
He, then, saw Mahalakshmi doing penance.

She wanted to see Prabhu as Narasimha, hence the penance. She agreed to hold the shaligram for some specified time. When Anjaneya could not come back within the given time, she placed it down. The shaligram became a huge mountain.
Vishnu appeared as Narasimha before Ma Lakshmi.

Anjaneya also stayed back. His Vigraha is carved out of a single rock.
The major festival here is the fifteen-day Panguni Uthiram celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March – April) when the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of the mandir.

Arulmigu Shri Ramaswamy Temple, #Kumbakonam
#Tamilnadutemples 🚩

Ramaswamy Temple, in Kumbakonam is also called Southern Ayodhya, located on the banks of river Kaveri. Shri Rama and Mata Sita are seen in sitting position on a single peetha
Vigraham is made of saligrama Sila,

Lakshmana,  Bharata and Shatrugna standing nearby. Hanuman can be seen here in a sitting posture with one hand holding a Veena and Ramayana book on other hand. This is also the only temple where Bharata and Shatrughna can be seen along with Shri Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana.

Sthala Puranam says that vigraham in the temple were found in a temple tank in the near by village. Inner walls are decoratedwith Ramayana paintings. In each pillers beautiful sculptors can be seen which is made using single stone
It is believed that people who face obstacles in

their wedding, prays to get relieved from all doshas as Shri Rama and Mata Seetha appear in their Pattabhisheka Kolam. Sriramanavami is celebrated in a grand manner.

Om Shri Ramachandra Swamine Namah
🙏🕉🙏

The SADIST Chronicles (Part I)

Princeton Priya furrowed her brow as she read the troubling communique from South Asian Desperately Important Scholars for Truschke (SADIST). The Rutgers Memsahib was in trouble.

“The Hindoos are sending their brats to steal my Academic Freedom! What will you do to show your loyalty!!” White Audrey hissed.

Priya quivered, her oversized ethnic jumkas dancing in fear.

She knew she must summon every ounce of outrage she had learned to perform during the last fiasco. At least in California, they were just fighting grade school kids. (I mean, those fifth graders were tenacious; they kept talking even when tenured scholars openly mocked them!)

These New Jersey rebels were full grown teenagers and young adults! They used Instagram!!

Priya FaceTimed her ride-or-die, Cambridge Karishma. They had met during undergrad at JNU.

Kitty, did you see?

I know. I know. It’s SO embarrassing . Why don’t these brats know their place? Ugh. F***ing Hindutva nonsense. Like they understand the Gita better than Memsahib, who has a PhD from Columbia. Pfft.

EKAMBARANATHAR SHIVA KSHETRAM, KANCHIPURAM (TN)
#bharatmandir

Pancha Bhoota Sthalam representing the element - Earth.
Also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all 4 most revered Nayanars- Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar n Manikkavasakar sang the glories of this kshetram.

Once, to relieve herself from Shiva’s curse, Parvati came here and prayed to a Shivlinga made of sand under a mango tree. Shiva sent fire to test her. She took Sri Vishnu’s help who calmed the fire by using the moon rays on Shiva’s head.
Shiva, then, sent Ganga to flood the area

Parvati requested her to calm down as Ganga was her sister.
It is also said that when river Vegavati flooded, Devi embraced the sand Shivlinga so that it would not melt. Her immense devotion pleased Shiva and she was reunited with him. Ekambareswarar is thus Lord of mango tree.

The sthala vriksham is a huge Mango Tree which is said to be 3,500 year old. It is said that under this tree Devi Parvati had meditated. Its branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes and believed to depict the four Vedas.
@JumbuTweeple @DubeyYash1911

A unique feature here is that sun rays fall directly on the main shivalinga on every 19, 20 and 21 of Phalguni months (March-April).
Also, in the inner corridor there are 10 pillars producing different musical sounds when tapped them with a stick.

Thrissilery Siva Kshetram
#Wayanad
#Keralatemples 🚩

Thrissilery Shiva Kshetram, located in Wayanad district is one among 108 Shiva temples of Kerala. Situated near Thirunelli Mahavishnu Kshetram, it is believed that the Tarpanam offered at Thirunelli will not be fulfilled

unless worshipped here.

It is believed that Bhagwan's Shirassu(head )is at Thrissilery and Kaalpadam( leg)is at Thirunelli Kshetram. Only after offering Neivilakku one should proceed to Thirunelli Kshetram.
There is a sannidhi for Jala Durga inside the temple which is one among

108 durgalayas. It is believed that the water around Jaladurga is connected to the Papanashini river at Thirunelli Kshetram. Kshetram Kulam is Rudrateertham and Ganesha is seen guarding here as it is believed that treasures are  hidden inside the well.

Om Namah Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏