Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati
Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru

“In this water, I invoke the sacred waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri.”
The Kanchi Paramachaarya brings out the strong message that the concept of “national integration” is nothing new to us Indians, and that we have been aware of this for centuries.
The above Shloka is chanted by the devout while having a bath anywhere. By chanting the names of important rivers in the subcontinent during one’s bath, one is reminded of the length and breadth of this great Desam, contrary to the popular notion that “India” as a nation is just a British creation.
To quote another example, Hindus perform rituals for their departed family members ... Read More  

Those who have visited the temple in Madurai would have seen Meenakshi with a parrot in Her right hand. A visit to the Andaal temple in Srivilliputhur made me realize that Andaal, the lady Alwar (One among the 12 Tamil Vaishnava saints) also has the same in Her right hand!
So, what does the parrot signify?

The parrot is pure love personified. It is the love Meenakshi shows to Her beloved Read More  

Thai Poosam is celebrated on the Pournami day of the Tamil month of "Thai", falling on the Poosam Nakshatra. The Poosam (Pushya) star is very auspicious for the inner growth of an individual.
Thai Poosam is the day Taarakaasura, the demon who troubled a lot of people, was destroyed by Lord Murugan. For the difficult task of annihilating the ferocious demon, Murugan was given 12 weapons! 11 of these were given by His father Shiva, and one was given by His mother Paarvathi. The one given by the mother is the "Vel" (spear).

Significance of the Vel:
Murugan is known as Velaayudha or Dhandapaani, the one with the "Vel/Dhanda" weapon in His hand. There is probably no depiction of Him without this powerful symbol. The Vel is the supreme wisdom that destroys negative tendencies and helps the devotee in ascension to higher
stages of spiritual growth, u... Read More  

Vibhuti is the sacred ash that many Hindus wear on their
forehead, head and chest.This is made in a Homam, where
special items like dried cowdung cakes, Samit twigs, ghee, etc
are offered to the fire with Vedic chants. The ash got after the
Homam is the sacred Vibhuti or Bhasmam. It is given as PrasadamRead More