When the Demon King Became the Priest: Ravana's Role in Rama's Durga Puja The Bengali Ramayana composed by Krittibas Ojha presents one of the most fascinating and philosophically profound episodes absent from Valmiki's original text—the story of Ravana serving as the priest for Rama's worship of Durga. This narrative, deeply embedded in Bengali religious consciousness, reveals layers of dharma, destiny, and the ultimate surrender to cosmic will that transcends personal survival. The Divine Dilemma When Rama prepared to wage the final battle against Ravana in Lanka, he sought the blessings of Devi Durga through an elaborate puja. However, a critical question arose: who possessed the knowledge and purity to conduct such a momentous ritual? The worship needed to be performed with absolute precision, for any flaw would render it ineffective. Brahma, the creator deity, provided an answer that seemed impossible—only Ravana himself, the very enemy Rama sought to vanquish, p...

Sri Vyasarajaru , a great Madhva saint and guru of Vijayanagara Empire, used to bathe at Chakratirtha at Hampi , meditate, and perform daily rituals. One night, he had a divine dream in which Mukhyaprana (Hanuman/ Vayu Deva) appeared and said: "We are pleased with you. In our first avatar as Hanuman, we were born on this sacred land. Install our idol on the banks of Chakratirtha. We will support your work and bless the Kannada land with prosperity." Inspired, Vyasarajaru visited Chakratirtha the next morning. While meditating, a divine light appeared. In it, he saw Mukhyaprana holding a mace and water pot , wearing jewel-studded sandals. As the light faded, Vyasarajaru noticed a monkey sitting on a black rock , realizing it was the same deity. He drew an image of Hanuman on the rock using sacred ash, but miraculously, it disappeared . He repeated this twelve times , and each time it vanished. Finally, he drew a sacred Yantra (mystical diagram) on the rock, surrounded...

The Sacred Matrikas of Gujarat: How Divine Feminine Energy Shapes Regional Hindu Identity Gujarat, the western jewel of India, stands as a testament to the profound connection between divine feminine energy and regional cultural identity. The state's rich tapestry of folk goddesses represents not mere local deities, but powerful manifestations of the universal Shakti principle that governs cosmic creation, preservation, and transformation. These sacred feminine forms have shaped Gujarati Hindu consciousness for millennia, weaving together spiritual devotion, cultural practices, and community identity into an inseparable whole. The Divine Feminine in Vedic Foundation The worship of the Divine Feminine in Gujarat finds its roots in ancient Vedic traditions. The Rigveda proclaims, "She who is the Supreme Shakti, the primordial energy, manifests herself in various forms to protect her devotees" (Rigveda 10.125). This foundational understanding permeates Gujarati folk godde...

Sashti fasting in eastern parts of India is dedicated to Goddess Sashti a manifestation of Goddess Durga. It is observed on all Shukla Paksha Sashti or the sixth day during the waxing or light phase of moon; including the one during Durga Puja. In the month of Ashwin, Mother Parvati, with her children Ganesha and Kartik, once came to her father’s home—the abode of King Himavan. Mother Menaka was overjoyed to see her grandsons. She carried them lovingly from the bel grove into the house. On that Shashti day, Mother Menaka, with devotion, bowed to Goddess Durga in her form as Mother Shashthi and undertook a vow for the well-being of her grandsons. She had been fasting since morning, waiting for her daughter’s arrival. Remaining without food, she offered flowers, sacred grass, incense, lamp, offerings of sun-dried rice, fruits, and sweets. With devotion she performed the Shashti Vrat. From that time onward, it is believed that those who, on Shashthi, observe the mother’s vow and tak...

The Tradition of Constructive Unbiased Debate in Hinduism: A Path to Knowledge and Self-Realization In the vast and intricate tapestry of Hindu philosophy, debate has always played a central role—not as a tool for winning arguments or asserting dominance, but as a means to unearth deeper truths, foster intellectual growth, and ultimately achieve self-realization. Unlike many modern debates, which are often marred by bias, partisanship, or the pursuit of personal gain, ancient Hindu debates were rooted in a quest for truth and a genuine desire to understand the multifaceted nature of reality. This article delves into the rich tradition of constructive, unbiased debate in Hinduism, exploring its methods, benefits, and lessons for contemporary society. The Historical Roots of Debate in Hindu Thought Debate, or vāda , has been integral to Hindu scholarly tradition since time immemorial. The Vedic period itself was characterized by rigorous discussions, wherein sages and scholars would enga...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, February 21 2026 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 1 :30 PM on February 21. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11 :34 AM on February 22. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on February 21, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time after 1:01 PM.  Nakshatra  – Revathi Nakshatra till 7:41 PM on February 21. Then onward it is Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra till 6:23 PM on February 22. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Raja...

The Sacred Red of Lord Ganesha: Victory Over Darkness In temples across India, devotees encounter a striking sight—the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha adorned in brilliant vermilion, his form radiating the sacred red hue that has become intrinsically linked to his worship. This distinctive red coloration, far from being merely decorative, carries profound spiritual significance rooted in ancient narratives and timeless wisdom. The story of Sindhoora Ganesha unveils the triumph of righteousness over evil and illuminates why vermilion remains an essential offering in Ganesha worship. The story of Demon Sindurasura According to the Ganesha Purana, during the ancient ages of creation, a demon named Sindurasura emerged from the creative forces of Lord Brahma. Born with a distinctive reddish complexion, this being possessed immense power through intense penance. However, rather than using his strength for righteous purposes, Sindurasura chose the path of destruction and harassment. He torme...

The Sacred Art of Solitude: Finding Divine Strength in Isolation During Kali Yuga When the world becomes a masquerade ball where everyone wears multiple masks, sometimes the wisest choice is to step away from the dance floor entirely. The Paradox of Modern Loneliness In our current age of Kali Yuga - the age of darkness and moral decline according to Hindu scriptures - we find ourselves surrounded by people yet feeling more isolated than ever. Social media promises connection but delivers comparison. Professional networks offer networking but rarely genuine friendship. It's almost comical how we've created a world where being physically alone feels more authentic than being surrounded by people wearing their carefully curated personas. The ancient Hindu sages understood something profound: there's a vast difference between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness is the pain of being alone, while solitude is the glory of being alone. As the Bhagavad Gita reminds us in Chapte...

The Katha Rudra Upanishad: A Timeless Guide to Renunciation and the Pursuit of Brahma Jnana The Katha Rudra Upanishad, though considered one of the minor Upanishads, holds a significant place within the spiritual literature associated with the Krishna Yajurveda. Composed of 47 mantras written in both prose and shloka forms, this Upanishad provides a comprehensive treatise on sannyasa—the life of renunciation—and the ultimate fruit of that path, the profound knowledge of Brahman. Its teachings, presented in the form of a dialogue between divine beings and Prajapati, encapsulate not only the external rituals of renunciation but also the inner transformation required for realizing the supreme truth. Historical and Scriptural Context Embedded within the Krishna Yajurveda, the Katha Rudra Upanishad emerged at a time when Vedic traditions were evolving, and seekers were increasingly drawn to the quest for a higher, inner reality. Unlike the more widely known Upanishads that focus on meditati...

The Sacred Significance of Left-Coiled Ganesha Idols in Hindu Homes The Auspicious Nature of the Left-Coiled Trunk In Hindu households, the placement and form of Ganesha idols carry profound spiritual significance. Among the various representations of Vighneshwara, the remover of obstacles, the idol with a left-coiled trunk—known as Vamavarta Ganesha—holds special importance for domestic worship. This particular form is considered highly auspicious for household devotion and is recommended by Vastu Shastra, the ancient science of architecture and spatial harmony. The left-coiled trunk represents the path of the moon, or Ida Nadi in yogic terminology, which symbolizes calmness, stability, and gentle progression. This energy aligns perfectly with the peaceful atmosphere required in homes where families seek harmony, prosperity, and spiritual growth. When devotees worship Vamavarta Ganesha with sincere devotion, he blesses the household with success in endeavors, domestic happiness, a...