Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, December 28 2025 – It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami and Navami tithi or the eighth and ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7 :23 AM on December 28. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5 :33 AM on December 29. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 28, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra till 4:52 AM on December 28. Then onward it is Revathi nakshatra till 3:44 AM on December 29. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, n...

The Fierce Grace of Goddess Chinnamasta and Her Connection to Jackals Among the ten Mahavidyas in Tantric tradition, Goddess Chinnamasta occupies a unique and awe-inspiring place. She is one of the most mysterious forms of the Divine Mother, depicted as self-decapitated, holding her own severed head while three streams of blood flow from her neck—one feeding her head and the other two nourishing her attendants. This startling imagery represents profound spiritual truths about sacrifice, transformation, and the union of life and death. An often-overlooked aspect of Chinnamasta’s portrayal is her association with jackals, who appear in certain depictions around her feet. Just as in the imagery of Kali, the presence of jackals around Chinnamasta is deeply symbolic, carrying messages about impermanence, dissolution, and the stripping away of illusion. Far from being mere animals, they serve as sacred companions in her cosmic drama. The Iconography of Chinnamasta Chinnamasta is depicted...

The Surname Dynasty: When Bloodlines Replace Brains The Golden Ticket Called Surname In the grand circus of Indian society, there exists a magical pass that grants unlimited access to wealth, power, and prestige – no talent required, no experience necessary, no entrance exam to clear. This isn't some mythical philosopher's stone or a genie's lamp; it's something far more prosaic yet infinitely more powerful: the right surname. Yes, dear reader, in our glorious nation, being born with the correct last name is the equivalent of winning the cosmic lottery without even buying a ticket. The phenomenon is so widespread that one might think surnames come with hereditary superpowers. Wear the right family name on your chest, and suddenly doors that remain bolted for the most qualified individuals swing open with a welcoming breeze. Intelligence, competence, and hard work become quaint old-fashioned notions, suitable perhaps for those unfortunate souls born without the golden...

From Ancient Texts to Modern Comics: How Hanuman Pioneered the Superhero Archetype In the vast landscape of contemporary superhero fiction, from Marvel's mighty Thor to DC's Superman, audiences worldwide are captivated by beings who possess extraordinary powers, unwavering moral compass, and the ability to transcend human limitations. Yet, millennia before the first comic book was ever printed, Hindu scriptures introduced the world to what can arguably be called the original superhero: Hanuman, the devoted monkey deity whose legendary exploits continue to inspire both spiritual seekers and modern storytellers alike. The Divine Origin Story Every great superhero needs an origin story, and Hanuman's tale begins with cosmic significance. Born to Anjana and blessed by Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman's birth itself was extraordinary. The Valmiki Ramayana describes his miraculous conception and the divine blessings that shaped his destiny from the very beginning. As a child, ...

The Story of Kashyapa Who Could Have Saved King Parikshit from the Bite of the Serpent Takshaka This story is part of the Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana The Curse That Sealed a King's Fate In the sacred pages of the Mahabharata, few stories illustrate the inexorable nature of divine destiny as powerfully as the tale of King Parikshit's encounter with death and the sage Kashyapa's fateful decision. This profound narrative, found in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, serves as a cornerstone teaching about dharma, destiny, and the limits of human power against cosmic will. King Parikshit, the noble descendant of the Pandavas and ruler of Hastinapura, found himself under a terrible curse. In a moment of spiritual transgression, he had insulted the sage Shamika by placing a dead snake around the hermit's neck during his meditation. The sage's young son, Shringi, in righteous anger, cursed the king to die within seven days from the bite of the serpent king Takshaka. This c...

In the Chandogya Upanishad (2.23.1), the term "Dharmaskandha" uniquely represents three divisions of a way of life within Vedic tradition. The word "Skandha" translates to a division or section, while "Dharma" refers to a righteous way of living. The three ways of life delineated are those of the householder, the forest-dweller, and the Vedic student, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. The Three Dharmaskandhas Householder (Grihastha) Vedic Fires and Sacrifices: The householder maintains and tends to the sacred fires (Agnihotra) and performs various Vedic sacrifices (Yajnas) as part of their religious duties. Study of the Vedas: They continue to study the Vedas to preserve and deepen the knowledge they have previously acquired. Charity: Providing gifts and aid to those in need is another significant duty. This generosity is seen as a way to accumulate religious merit and foster societal harmony. Designation: The householder is considered the...

The Sacred Balance: Understanding Religious Devotion Among Hindu Women and Men For generations, researchers studying religious behavior have consistently observed a striking pattern: across cultures, denominations, and continents, women demonstrate higher levels of religious engagement than men. This phenomenon extends into Hindu communities worldwide, where women tend to be more religiously active than men, particularly in daily practices like puja (prayer), and nationally, women are more inclined than men to pray daily (64% vs. 56%). The Foundation of Hindu Spiritual Practice Hinduism offers a unique perspective on gender and spirituality that differs markedly from other major world religions. One of the most profound attributes of Hinduism is the recognition and worship of God as feminine, making it distinctive among world faiths in consistently honoring the divine feminine principle. This theological foundation creates an environment where women's spiritual participation is...

Dharma: The Foundation of Life and Universal Harmony Dharma is a profound concept in Hindu philosophy, often described as the cosmic law and order that sustains life and fosters harmony among all beings. It derives from the Sanskrit root "dhri" , meaning "to uphold" or "to sustain." Dharma is not merely a set of rules or obligations but a dynamic principle that aligns individual actions with the universal good. Significance and Meaning In Hinduism, Dharma represents the moral and ethical duties that enable humans to coexist harmoniously with nature, society, and the cosmos. It varies according to one's stage of life ( ashrama ), role in society ( varna ), and personal circumstances. For instance: Sanatana Dharma : The eternal, universal principles of truth, nonviolence, and compassion that apply to all beings. Svadharma : One's individual duty, guided by personal nature and context. Symbolism Dharma symbolizes the intrinsic order of the u...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, December 27 2025 – It is Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 8 :53 AM on December 27. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7 :23 AM on December 28. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 27, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Bhadrapada or Pooruruttathi nakshatra till 5:39 AM on December 27. Then onward it is Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra till 4:52 AM on December 28. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Mahar...

Nayakanahatti Thipperudra Swamy temple, at Nayakanahatti near Chitradurga in Karnataka, is dedicated to Shri Guru Thipperudra Swamy of the Virashaivism. The temple hosts the samadhi of the great Guru and also the Shivling installed by him.  A unique ritual in this temple is the burning of coconuts. Story Of Coconut Burning at Thipperudra Swamy Temple During Swamiji’s journey on foot from Rayadurg (Andhra Pradesh) to Nayakanahatti, it became dark. To light his path, he used dried coconut shells pierced and lit them one by one like torches. This journey has become symbolic, and to this day, devotees burn heaps of coconuts at the temple as a vow offering. The coconuts offered are then used to prepare ‘Dasoha’ (community meal), and the prasadam is distributed to devotees. Today Burnt coconut, known as copra, is consumed as a 'prasad' or holy offering at the Nayakanahatti temple, a practice said to be inspired by Guru Thipperudraswamy's fondness for the food. This custom i...