ABOUT LORD GANESHA

Lord Ganesha - the Hindu deity in a human form but with the head of an elephant - represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors. For this reason, Hindus worship Ganesha first before beginning any religious, spiritual or worldly activity. In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the first son of Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother Parvati. Their second son is Lord Subramanya and their daughter is Jyoti. As explained below, the portrayal of Lord Ganesha as the blend of human and animal parts symbolizes the ideals of perfection as conceived by Hindu sages and illustrates some philosophical concepts of profound spiritual significance.
1. Elephant head, wide mouth, and large ears: The large head of an elephant symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. The wide mouth represents the natural human desire to enjoy life in the world. The large ears signify that a perfect person is the one who possesses a great capacity to listen to others and assimilate ideas.
2. The trunk and two tusks with the left tusk broken: There is no known human instrument that has an operating range as wide as that of an elephant's trunk. It can uproot a tree and yet lift a needle off the ground. Likewise, the human mind must be strong enough to face the ups and downs of the external world and yet delicate enough to explore the subtle realms of the inner world. The two tusks denote the two aspects of the human personality, wisdom and emotion. The right tusk represents wisdom and the left tusk represents emotion. The broken left tusk conveys the idea that one must conquer emotions with wisdom to attain perfection.
3. Elephant eyes: The elephant eyes are said to possess natural deceptiveness that allows them to perceive objects to be bigger than what they really are. Thus the elephant eyes symbolize the idea that even if an individual gets "bigger and bigger" in wealth and wisdom, he should perceive others to be bigger than himself; that is, surrender one's pride and attain humility.
4. The four arms and various objects in the four hands: The four arms indicate that the Lord is omnipresent and omnipotent. The left side of the body symbolizes emotion and the right side symbolizes reason. An axe in the upper left hand and a lotus in the upper right hand signify that in order to attain spiritual perfection, one should cut worldly attachments and conquer emotions. This enables one to live in the world without being affected by earthly temptations, just as a lotus remains in water but is not affected by it. A tray of Laddus (a popular snack) near the Lord denotes that He bestows wealth and prosperity upon His devotees. The lower right hand is shown in a blessing pose, which signifies that Ganesha always blesses His devotees.
5. A human body with a big belly: The human body possesses a human heart, which is a symbol of kindness and compassion toward all. Ganesha's body is usually portrayed wearing red and yellow clothes. Yellow symbolizes purity, peace and truthfulness. Red symbolizes the activity in the world. These are the qualities of a perfect person who perforrns all duties in the world, with purity, peace, and truthfulness. The big belly signifies that a perfect individual must have a large capacity to face all pleasant and unpleasant experiences of the world.
6. A mouse sitting near the feet of Ganesha and gazing at the tray of Laddus: A mouse symbalizes the ego that can nibble all that is good and noble in a person. A mouse sitting near the feet of Ganesha indicates that a perfect person is one who has conquered his (or her) ego. A mouse gazing at the Laddus, but not consuming them, denotes that a purified or controlled ego can live in the world without being affected by the worldly temptations. The mouse is also the vehicle of Ganesha, signifying that one must control ego in order for wisdom to shine forth.
7. Right foot dangling over the left foot: As stated above, the left side of the body symbolizes emotion and the right side symbolizes reason and knowledge. The right foot dangling over the left foot illustrates that in order to live a successful life one should utilize knowledge and reason to overcome emotions.

IN MAHABHARATA------GENESH

The Mahabharata is the longest and the oldest poem ever written.It comprises one hundred thousand verses and was written around 5000 years BC.The revered sage Vyasa first composed the poem and when he was ready to narrate it,he needed someone who could write it. He meditated on Lord Brahma the creator who appeared before him and instructed him to seek the assistance of Lord Ganesh.Vyasa prayed to Lord Ganesh who manifested himself before him.After paying his respects to Lord Ganesh he requested His help to write the poem. Lord Ganesh agreed but on condition that Vyasa would not pause during his narration.Vyasa agreed to this condition but requested that Lord Ganesh first understand the verse before writing it. Lord Ganesh agreed to Vyasa's condition and then they both began the narration and the documentation of the Mahabharata. Occassionally Lord Ganesh would write a bit fast and Vyasa would then compose some complex verses so that Lord Genesh would have to slow down to grasp it's meaning.Vyasa would then use these few moments to his advantage in composing the verses. This poem deals mainly with the disputes between two families who found themselves at the crossroads between good and evil,righteousness and unrighteousness.Historical facts about personalities and events as it relates to the civilisations at that time were also recorded and adds to the splendor and the glory of this great epic.
Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

SRI CHANDI

SRI CHANDI -- CHAMUNDASWARI

The twin warrior goddesses, Chandi and Chamunda, represent a curious tradition in

Hinduism of female warriors, often depicted in pairs, who ride together in battle

defeating men and exhibiting extraordinary strength and prowess. Throughout India

they are assigned different names in different traditions—Dayamava-Durgamma in

Karnataka, Chotila-Chamunda in Gujarat, Keliamma-Chamunda in Uttar Pradesh,

etc.—but the stories related to them are all very similar.

Sri Chandi and Sri Chamunda are expansions of the goddess Durga and the story of t

heir appearance is as follows: There were once two demons, Chanda and Munda, who

performed great austerities for thousands of years in order to please Lord Brahma.

After some time, Brahma appeared before them and they asked for the benediction to

become great warriors, strong enough to rule the world and conquer heaven. Brahma

granted the request but, because the two were demons, chaos quickly ensued. They

became more and more greedy and even tried to violate the abodes of Brahma, Siva

and Vishnu. It was agreed that Durga-devi should handle the matter and the goddess

expanded herself into two forms, Chandi and Chamunda, who fiercely fought against

the demons and emerged victorious.

Sri Chandi-Chamunda is said to be the embodiment of Durga’s power and strength.

The two deities assume fierce forms with large eyes, tridents in their hands, and ride a

single lion together. They are dressed in red and green and adorned with flower

garlands. There are temples to these twin goddesses scattered throughout India—a

famous one is situated on the Chotila Hill in Gujarat. Festivals are celebrated during

Durga-puja in the month of Ashvina (September-October).

SRI Durga devi is the universal mother and goddess of the material cosmos. She is the

wife and shakti of Lord Siva and, like her husband, has many different expansions such

as Kali, Parvati, Sati, Uma, Bhagavati, and so on. Durga rides on a tiger or lion and

has eight arms holding the four symbols of Vishnu (a lotus, conch, discus and club), a

bow and arrow, a trident, and a machete-like ax (khadagh). One of her hands is raised,

Sri Durga-devi can be both loving and fierce. As the universal mother she offers

protection and shelter to all conditioned souls, but as the supreme chastiser she never

hesitates to punish her children when they are bad or misbehaved. Since mothers are

always very compassionate and understanding of their children, goddess Durga is a

favorite of the third sex. The first nine days of the waxing moon of Ashvina

(September-October) mark a festival known as Navaratri, which is celebrated all over

India in honor of the goddess. During this time, Hindus offer respects to Durga-devi

and at many temples there is a tradition of crossdressing. In Tamil Nadu, for instance,

girl children are blessed with new dresses and sweets during Navaratri and treated as

representations of the goddess. In homes where there are no girls, small boys are

crossdressed and honored in their place. At some Krsna temples, the Deity is dressed

up as a beautiful young girl with saris, jewelry and so on, while at certain Siva temples,

priests wear saris and headdresses of the goddess while offering puja to Lord Siva on

her behalf. In Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu, men traditionally dress up as

women during NavaratriDasara, they go crossdressed to the Mutharamma Durga

temple to offer prayers and receive blessings from the goddess. Durga-puja is held on

the seventh day of the festival and during this time, Durga-devi’s divine yoni

and go house-to-house asking for festival donations. On the tenth day of (womb) is

worshiped as a symbol of fertility and the female principle........ !!!!!!

MAHAKALI TEMPLES IN INDIA

TEMPLES
Mahakali Temple of Gangolihat : Tehsil and block Gangolihat is at a distance of 77 Km. from Pithoragarh. It is rich in folk culture, music and religious traditions and had been chosen by Sankaracharya for the installation of Mahakali shaktipith. Amidst the cluster of pine trees is situated

Maha Kali Temple, Gangolihat
the shakti temple. The Goddess Kali as represented in her fierce form conquering the demon, is offered sacrifices of lambs and goats. In the direction opposite of the Kali temple about 2 Km. away is situated the Chamunda temple which is believed to be in the centre of an area of wilderness exclusively possessed by spirits and demons conquered by the Goddess in her fierce aspect. The temple has an aura of mystery and weird charm and during the dark hours of night the spirits are believed to have a free sway outside the temple premises.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar : The exposure of Patal Bhuvaneshwar (Lord Shiva in the underground temple complex) is one of this unique way to help mankind. 16 Km. to the north-east of Gangolihat and 20 Km. to the south of Berinag is situated the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple. It is 91 Km. away from the district head quarter and situated at a height of 1350 meters above sea level. The temple place comes under village Bhuvneshwar which is in the tehsil Didihat.The way to the temple is through a narrow tunnel shaped cave, giving a very thrilling experience. The main passage way opens into several small caves which have in them the stone carvings of many traditional Gods & Goddesses and can evoke weird romantic fancies and images in the religiously inclined person. The cave temple of Patal Bhuvaneshwar is traditionally believed to be the abode of thirty three crore deities.
Bhuwneshwar Cave Temple
Mostamanu : Some six Km. by bus and then 2 Km. on foot to the north of Pithoragarh is situated the temple dedicated to Mosta God. The temple premises are a center of a big lively fair held in August - September every year.
Mostamanu Temple
Nagmandir of Berinag : About one Km uphill to the south of Berinag proper in a romantic setting flanked in the north by a cluster of trees andto the further south by a ravine, is the location of the famous snake temple which is dedicated to one of several manifestations of Lord Vishnu. Legends say that the place was named Berinag after the Nagveni King Benimadhava. It is believed that when the pants from Maharashtra came to settle here they saw coiled snakes of allcolours in a very large number and as a mark of reverence to them they built a snake temple sometimes in the fourteenth century. It is a popular belief that Lord Krishna after conquering Kalinag advised him to leave river Jamuna and settle somewhere amidst the snowy peaks, and that, Kalinag followed by many others came to a place somewhere around here.
Lateshwar Temple, Barabe Photo : Deep Chauhan
Sirakot : Built by Reka Kings, the Sirakot fort cum temple is situated at a distance of 2 Kms away from Didihat town which is some 52 Kms from the district headquarters.The outer part of the fort was used by the King as household accommodation
Sirakot Temple Photo : Deep Chauhan
where the temples of Shiva & Bhairab were built in the inner part. They are now in a state of ruins. The hilltop on which the fort is situated offers a remarkably clear and fascinating view of the Himalayan ranges.
Ghunsera Devi Temple : The Ghunsera caves are located in the middle of a lofty hill on the top of which is situated the Asurchula temple. The stone images of Gods and Goddesses are believed to have been installed by the Khol kings of Kartikeya pura. Two of the stone images found here are said to belong to the Gupta period.Thal Kedar : Eight Kms on motor roads to the south of Pithoragarh and thence after a climb along a narrow pathway flanked by dense vegetation is reached the Kedar temple situated at a height of 2000 meters.
Nakuleshwar Temple : This temple has its location at a place about two km. removed from the village Shiling which it self is about four Km away from Pithoragarh. The word Nakuleshwar is derived from a combination of two words : Nakul
meaning Himalaya and Ishwar meaning God and hence, Shiva the Himalaya God. The architectural design of the main temple is splendid and appears to have been modeled on the stylistic pattern of Khajuraho. In all, there are some thirty eight stone images of Shiva-parwati, Uma-Vasudev, Nauvarga, Surya, Mahishasur mardini, Vaman, Kurma, Narsingh etc. many of which are broken and disfigured because of neglect and age. Kamaksha Temple : To the north east of Pithoragarh at a distance of about 7 Kms near the army contonment base is situated the Kamaksha temple on the top of a hillock over looking the surrounding mountain ranges.Kapileshwar Mahadev : In the Soar Valley right above the villages of Takaura and Takari overlooking Pithoragarh town, is situated the cave temple dedicated to Mahadeva. The legend goes that the great sage kapil meditated here. The passage through the cave is very long and branches out to several indeterminate destinations and has hence been closed. The temple is situated some ten meters deep inside the cave. There is another cave temple of this kind also dedicated to Mahadev at a place called Rai which is about half a Km to the north-east on Dharchula-Pithoragarh road.<-- Mahishasur Mardini at Nakuleshwar
Ulkadevi Temple : On Pithoragarh chandak motor road close to where the tourist rest house is situated stands the Ulkadevi temple besides which has also been built a memorial for the martyrs who laid down their lives in defense of the mother land. The temple offers a remarkable view of the sprawling Soar Valley.

UlkadeviTemple Photo: Mrigesh Pandey
Jayanti Temple Dhwaj : Eighteen Km from Pithoragarh on Didihat road is situated a place called Totanaula from where after a 3 Km long steep and tough climb is reached the Jayanti temple. On the way, some 200 ft. below the main
temple, is situated the cavetemple of Lord Shiva. Fromthe hill top where the Jayantitemple is situated the Panch-chuli and Nandadevi peaks of Himalayas in all their splendour can be clearly sighted.Arjuneshwar : Ten Km from the west of Pithoragarh town on the top of a hill at a heightof 6000 ft. is situated the Shiva temple called Arjune- shwar believed to have been built by Arjuna the greatwarrior & the supreme archer.
Dhwaj Temple Photo : Mrigesh Pandey


The principal among them are Laxminarayan temple and Shivalaya in the town and Shiva, Hanuman, Chatkeshwar, Gurna Devi and Igyara devi around the town.

Buddha Temple, Sukoli (Pithoragarh)
Then again there are temples dedicated to local Gods like Gangnath, Bhumia, Airi, Chamu, Badan, Haru, Balchan, Churmal, Gabila, Chipla and so on. These latter Gods are a class apart from the divine order and are Gods restricted to specific areas, families and castes. KOT GARI Devi : Situated about 9 Kms from Thal the temple of Kotgari is held to be the final divine court of appeal for the deprived and the victim


Aatwar at Kot Gari
Mrigesh Pande
of cruelty and injustice.

Located atop Neel Parvat Hardwar, Chandidevi temple is one of the most ancient temples of north India. This is a Sidhapeeth (holy places where one's wishes are fulfilled). Chandidevi alongwith Mansadevi and Mayadevi temple form a Siddhapeeth triangle in the holy city of Hardwar. The main deity is said to have been installed in the 8th century by Adishankaracharya.
According to legends, in ancient times, demon kings Shumbh and Nishumbh had captured the kingdom of Lord Indra and thrown out gods from heaven. After intense prayers to gods, incarnation of power and strength, Chandika Devi appeared from the cells of the body of Goddess Parvathi. She assumed the form of an exceptionally beautiful woman and Shumbh wished to marry her. On being refused, Shumbh sent his demon chief Chanda and Munda to kill her. They were killed by Kalika devi born out of Chandika Devi's anger. Shumbh and Nishumbh then tried to kill Chandika Devi but were slain by the Goddess. Thereafter Chandika Devi is said to have rested for a short while at the temple location. 200 metres from Goddess Chandidevi temple, the temple of Anjanadevi, mother of Hanuman is located.
Goddess Chandidevi has been fulfilling wishes of millions of devotees for thousands of years.

GOD GANESH

GOD GANESH

Ganesh - This God of knowledge and the remover of obstacles is also the second son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha is also called Vinayak ( knowledgeable ) or Vighneshwer (god to remove obstacles). He is worshipped, and always remembered in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness. He has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth), an axe (to cut devotees' attachments), and a sweet dessert ball -laddoo- (to reward devotees for spiritual activity). His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people. A unique combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving tiny mouse vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intellegence, and presence of mind.