Tag: Maharashtra

  • Shiva Worships Ganesha Ashtavinayaka Temples

    Eight temples of Ganesha are considered to be very auspicious.

     

    They are in Maharashtra around Pune, Maharashtra.

     

    They are to be visited in the order listed below.

     

    First  to visit is Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then,

     

     

    Ashta Vinayaka,Eight Ganesha Temples.jpg
    Ashta Vinayaka,Eight Ganesha Temples.Image credit.http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-slideshow/seekers/pilgrimage/amazing-ganesha-temples-ashtavinayaka

    visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Thevur, Lenyandri, Ozar, Ranjangaon, and then again Moregaon will end your Ashtavinayak Yatra.

     

    All  the Idols are Swayambhu Murthis, Nature made.

     

    1.Morgaon Ganesha temple

     

    However, this is not the original murti -which is said to have been consecrated twice by Brahma, once before and once after being destroyed by theasura Sindhurasur. The original murti, smaller in size and made of atoms of sand, iron, and diamonds, was supposedly enclosed in a copper sheet by the Pandavas and placed behind the one that is currently worshiped.

    The temple is situated at a distance of 55 km from Pune, next to the river Karha in the village of Moregaon. The village derives its name from the Marathi name of the bird Peacock – also the national bird of India; there used to be a lot of peacocks in this village in the ancient time, and the village is also set out in the shape of a peacock.

    2.Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek

     

    God Vishnu is supposed to have vanquished the asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after propitiating Ganesha here.

    This is the only murti of these eight with the trunk positioned to the right.

     

    This temple is situated off the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the town of Srigonda in Ahmadnagar district.[citation needed] The temple is situated next to Bhima river. On Pune-Solapur railway, Daund Railway station is 18 km from here.

    3. Ballaleshwar Pali

    Ganesha is believed to have saved this boy-devotee, Ballala, who was beaten by local villagers and his father (Kalyani-seth) for his single-minded devotion to him.

    The temple is located in the town of Pali, off the Mumbai-Pune highway, about 11 km before Nagothane on the Mumbai-Goa highway. This is located 30 km to the South-West of  Karjat Railway Station. Mumbai-Panvel-Khopoli-Pali is 124 km. Pune-Lonavla-Khopoli-Pali is 111 km.

    Behind this temple is the temple of Shri Dhundi-Vinayakwhich is West facing. This is a very rare idol which is facing the West. The story says that this idol was the same one which was thrown by Ballala’s father (Kalyani-seth) while Ballala was worshipping it.

    4. Varadvinayak

     

    The idol faces the east, has its trunk to the left and has been in the constant company of an oil lamp – said to be burning continuously since 1892. There are 4 elephant idols on 4 sides of the temple. the hall is 8feet by 8feet. The dome is 25feet high and is golden at the top. The dome has designs of cobra.

    This is the only temple where devotees are allowed to personally pay their homage and respects to the idol. They are allowed in the immediate vicinity of this idol to perform their prayers.

    The temple is located three kilometers off the Pune-Mumbai highway near Khopoli (80 km from Pune), and is thus closest to Mumbai city. Karjat Railway Station, Karjat on Mumbai-Pune railway is 24 km from this place and 6 km from Khopoli.

    5.Chintamani Temple, Theur.

    Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chinatamani jewel from the greedy Guna for sage Kapila at this spot. However, after bringing back the jewel, sage Kapila put it in Vinayaka’s (Ganesha’s) neck.

    The temple is located 22 km from Pune, off the Pune-Solapur highway, and is hence the nearest from Pune. The village of Theur sits at the confluence of three major regional rivers—Mula, Mutha & Bhima.

    6.Girijatmaja,Lenyadri.

    It is believed that Parvati (Shiva’s wife) performed penance to beget Ganesha at this point. Girija’s (Parvati’s) Atmaj (son) is Girijatmaj. This temple stands amidst a cave complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin.

    The temple is situated 12 km from Narayangaon, which is about 94 km from Pune on the Pune-Nashik highway. Nearest railway station is Talegaon. From Junnar, Lenyadri is about 5 km. Shivaneri castle is close by (5 to 6 km) where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born.

     

    7.Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar

    The history encompassing this idol states that Vighnasur, a demon was created by the King of Gods, Indra to destroy the prayer organized by King Abhinandan.

    The temple faces east and is surrounded by a thick stone wall. One can walk on the wall. The main hall of the temple is 20feet long and the inner hall is 10feet long. This idol, facing the east, has its trunk towards the left and rubies in its eyes. There is a diamond on the forehead and some jewel in the navel. Idols of Riddhi and Siddhi are placed on the two sides of the Ganesha idol. The temple top is Golden and is possibly built by Chimaji Appa after defeating the Portuguese rulers of Vasai and Sashti. The temple is probably built around 1785AD.

    This temple is located just off the Pune-Nashik Highway, in the town of Ozhar. It is enclosed on all sides by high stone walls, and its pinnacle is made of gold. The temple is situated on the banks of river Kukadi. Via Mumbai-Thane-Kalyan-Bapsai-Saralgaon-Otur, Ozhar is 182 km.

    8.Ranjangaon Ganpati

    Shiva is believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here.

    The idol faces the east, is seated in a cross-legged position with a broad forehead, with its trunk pointing to the left. It is said that the original idol is hidden in the basement, having 10 trunks and 20 hands and is called Mahotkat, however, the temple authorities deny existence of any such idol.

     

    Citation.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtavinayaka

  • Bhaskararaya Lalita Sahasranamam Details In English Hindi Telugu

    Bhaskararaya Lalita Sahasranamam Details In English Hindi Telugu

    The Lalita Sahasranaama is a powerful Mantra and form a part of The Tantra, Yantra Shastras of India.

     

    Lalita means’ one who plays”

     

    This can be recited daily as a Paarayana and as a Puja.

     

    Excepting Paarayana, the others have to be initiated by a Guru and performed.

     

    The Lalita Sahasranama has the thousand names of the Devi Lalita.

     

    Hinduism  describes the Reality as the One without Attributes, Nirguna,

     

    It also provides for worshiping personal Gods,Iswara, Saguna Brahman.

     

    Lalita Sahasranaama contains both Nirguna Upasana and Saguna.

     

    Broadly the Stotra has Nirguna and Saguna Upasana.

     

    It describes the Devi with Attributes in Saguna Saradhana Section, also details the Nirguna aspect.

     

    In Saguna ,The Devi is worshiped as The Mother, as who else can take care of the Child but the Mother!

     

    Nirguna follows the pattern of the Upanishads,’the neti Nyaya’ , that is not his, not this.

     

    Nirguna, Nirahankaara….the list goes on.

     

    And as a mode of worship of Shiva and Shakti it has Eykyaanusanthaanam, where the union of the individual and Universal Soul and of Shiva and Shakti are explained.

     

     

    Lalita Sahasranaama also deals with the description of the Devi, Her Evolution, though not really She Evolves for “She Always Is’ the details of Her Dwelling place, Sri Pura and Sri Chakra,

     

    The Stotra is Yantra Shastra because it deals with the Sri Yantra,

     

    It deals with Tantra Shastra, when it deals with all the Tantra.

     

    Akulaa Samayaanthastha Samayaachhara Thatpara’

     

    It accommodates all the sects of Devi worship,Kulachaara,Samayaachaara,Vaamaachara, you name it , the Lalita Sahasranaama has it.

     

    Lord Shiva divulged is and other stotras and it was later passed on to the others.

     

    It is also on record  that Sri Lalita Devi had ordered Her Yoginins to compose this.

     

    The Stotra also has Yoga embedded in it .

     

    The Angannyaasa and Karanyaasa are of Yogic Discipline.

     

    The various Chakras of the yoga are fixed in the Devi’ specifying the Chakra in its functional aspects.

     

    The fundamental aspect of Human understanding, Thought and Words are embedded her.

     

    ‘SriMad vaakbha Koodaika swaroopa,

     

    She rests as Savitri inin the tongue, remaining as Gayatri in the Consciousness Process and expresses herself as Sarasvati when words are formed.

     

    She is the Swaroopa of Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and She transcends them  All.

     

    The  letters and words are locked mystically.

     

    This Stotra contains the Bheejaakshara of Bhuvaneswari,Kali, Lakshmi.

     

    And it contains Laita Thripurasundaris Akshara as well.

     

    The practice of Bala as a Deity is also found.

     

     

    I can go on writing on these lines, which I shall do later.

     

    The reason for this post is about the The Giant who had written Bhashya, Explanation oh Lalita Sahsranaama, Sri Bhaskararaya.

     

    He was born in 1690 in Bhaga, Maharashtra, India, is Mother Konamba and father Gambiraraya, a Scholar.

     

    Gambirraya was conferred the Title ‘Bharathi by the Vijayanagar Empire.

     

    He was of Viswamitra Gotra,

     

    Gambiraraya administered the Saraswati Mantram and had Bhaskararaya trained under Sri Narasimha Advari in Benares,Varanasi.

     

    Bhaskararaya was highly respected by the learned and won accolades from Kings and Scholars.

     

    He was married to Anandhi and Parvati.

     

    He  settled in Benares and wrote over 40 books on Vedanta, Mimamsa,Vyakaran,Nyaya, Smriti,Mantra Shastra.

     

    All the works are research papers!

     

    He referers to more than 150 sources for his laita Sahasranaama Bhahsya.

     

    He had a host of Disciplies and Umanandanathar wrote  a book on Parasuramakalpasutram and a Biography of Bhaskararaya in Bhaskara Vilaasam.

     

    Bhaskararaya , with the support of his disciples and the Kings had many temples renovated.

     

    Then Bhaskararaya proceeded South, after staying for some time on the banks of the Krishna river and settled on the banks of  Kaveri.

     

    A village was created for him as Bhaskararajapuram in Thanjavur district Tamil Nadu.

     

    Later,reached Tiruvidaimaruthur,near Kumbakonam and lived there till 1785, till the age of  95.(1690-1785).

     

    Among his many works the famous are.

     

    Sowbhaagya Bhaaskaram’- this is the Lalita Sahasranaama Bhashyam.

     

    Sethubandham , dealing ith Shodasikaavarnam.

     

    Varivasya Rahasyam.

     

    These three are called the Ratnathraya of Devi Upasana

     

     

    http://gkamesh.wordpress.com/tag/bhaskararaya/

    Enhanced by Zemanta

    Join 4,576 other subscribers
    May 2026
    M T W T F S S
     123
    45678910
    11121314151617
    18192021222324
    25262728293031

    ललित सहस्रनामम् भारतीय तंत्र और यंत्र शास्त्र का एक महत्वपूर्ण मंत्र है। ललिता उसका नाम ‘खेलनेवाली’ है। इसे दैनिक प्रार्थना और पूजा के रूप में पाठ किया जा सकता है। पाठ के पश्चात इसे गुरु द्वारा संप्राप्त करना चाहिए। यह हजारों नामों का मंत्र है जिसमें देवी ललिता की महानता का वर्णन है। इसमें निर्गुण और सगुण उपासना दोनों हैं। श्लोकों में सगुण उपासना खंड में देवी को माँ के रूप में आराधित किया जाता है, क्योंकि कोई भी बच्चे की देखभाल कर सकती है सिवाय माता के। निर्गुण उपासना उपनिषदों की प्रणाली ‘नेति नेति’ का पालन करती है। इसमें देवी का विविधता, स्थान, श्रीपुर और श्री चक्र का वर्णन है। यह मंत्र शास्त्र है क्योंकि इसमें श्री यंत्र का वर्णन होता है, तंत्र शास्त्र है क्योंकि इसमें सभी तंत्र का वर्णन है। इसमें सभी देवी की प्रवृत्तियों का वर्णन है, जैसे कूलाचारा, समयाचार, वामचार और अन्त तक। इसका बड़ा भाग के रणाबांध कवि शिव ने ओर अन्य स्तोत्रों को लिखा है और यह बाद में दूसरों को भी पहुंचाया गया है। इस पोस्ट का कारण यह है कि ललित सहस्त्रनाम के टिप्पणीकरण के लिए भाष्य लिखने वाले ग्रामवासी थे, इसका नाम भास्करराय था। उन्होंने 1690 में महाराष्ट्र के भागा में जन्म लिया था। उनके पिता का नाम गंबीरराय था, जो एक पंडित थे। गंबीरराय को विजयनगर साम्राज्य ने भारती नाम से सम्मानित किया था। वे विश्वामित्र गोत्र के थे, गंबीरराय के नेतृत्व में श्री नरसिंह अदवारी के तत्वों के तहत भास्करराय का अद्ययन हुआ था। उन्हें ज्ञानी और राजाओं से महान सम्मान मिला था। उनकी शादी आनंदी और पार्वती से हुई थी। उन्होंने वाराणसी में बसने के बाद 40 से अधिक पुस्तकें वेदांत, मीमांसा, व्याकरण, न्याय, स्मृति, मंत्र शास्त्र पर लिखीं। उनकी सभी प्रविष्टि प्रमाणिक हैं। उनके लिखे भाष्य के लिए वे 150 से अधिक स्रोतों का उल्लेख करते हैं। उनके अनेक छात्रों के सहयोग से और राजाओं के सहयोग से उन्होंने कई मंदिरों का मरम्मत करवाया। फिर भास्करराय दक्षिण की ओर चले गए, कृष्णा नदी के किनारे कुछ समय बिताकर कावेरी नदी के किनारे बसे। उनके नाम पर भास्करराजपुरम नामक गांव बनाया गया। बाद में उन्होंने थांजावुर जिले के तिरुविडैमरुथूर पहुंचा, वहां रहकर उनकी उम्र 95 वर्ष (1690-1785) तक रुकी। उनकी कई प्रमुख पुस्तकें हैं: “सौभाग्य भास्करम्”- यह ललित सहस्रनाम के भाष्य है, सेतुबंधम्- शोडशीकावर्णमध्ये संबंधित, वरिवस्य रहस्यम्। ये तीन देवी उपासना की रत्नत्रय माने जाते हैं।

    ఈ పోస్టును తెలుగులో అనువదించండి:

    లలిత సహస్రనామం ఒక శక్తిపూర్ణ మంత్రమానికి చెందిన ఒక భాగముగా భారత దేశంలోని తంత్రశాస్త్ర యంత్ర శాస్త్రాలు. దినపత్రంలోనికి అనేక ఆవశ్యకమైన ప్రవృత్తిలతో, ఇది హరిపాద్యము అంటారు. ఒక గురునాయకుడి ద్వారా నిర్ధరించబడిన మీరు పారాయణము చేసుకోగలిగే వారికి సహపాఠం నేది. లలిత సహస్రనామంలో దేవి లలితాకు ఎప్పుడూ ఒకటిగానే ఉన్న సహస్ర నామాలు ఉన్నాయి. హిందూధర్మంలో సామర్థ్యముగా నరలో గుణాలేక ఉండే రహస్యస్వరూపముందు కూడా దేవరానికి ప్రార్థభావబద్ధమైన అర్చన పటం ఉన్నది. ఈ సహస్రనామం నిర్గుణ ఉపాసన మరియు సగున ఉపాసన రెండూ ఉన్నాయి. సర్వేయుడిగురించిన పట్ల వివరణలు అంటే అని సాగుతుంది. సగున ఉపాసన విభాగంలో దేవిని తాయనిగే ఆరాధించగలదు. సగుణ ప్రకారం, పిల్లలను ఎలాంటివారు పరిగణింకగలిగేందుకు తాయుడు ఏమీ చేయలేదో ఆరాధించగలడు. నిర్గుణ నాయకుడు పురాణ పద్ధతిలో, ‘నేతి నేతి’ అనే పద్ధతిని అనుసరించుటకు భక్తులకు ఉపదేశించబడును. నిర్గుణ, నిరహంకారం … జాబితాపు జరుగుతుంది.

    శివుని మరియు శక్తిని ఆరాధించే పటంలో ఆత్మీయత ఏక్యానుష్ఠానం ఉన్నది, ఇక్కడ వ్యక్తిదైవత్వ సహజ జీవ యొక్క ఏకైక ఆవేశకాలం మరియు శివుడు మరియు శక్తి యొక్క ఏకైక సమానత గురించి వివరణ చెప్పగలుగుతుంది.

    లలిత సహస్రనామంలో దేవిని, ఆకృతిని మరియు దేవి అభివృద్ధిని వివరిస్తుంది. రహస్యకోనంలకు దాని నామపదం చేరుకోగడమంటే “ఈశ్వరుని, విష్ణువు, రుద్రుని” అని ఉంటుంది. పత్రాలు మరియు పదాలు రహస్యవాదంగా ఉండును.

    ఈ స్తోత్రములో భీజాక్షరముల గురించి చర్చించడానికి నేల కలిగినా సాగుతుంది. ఇది లలిత త్రిపురసుందరి అక్షరమును కూడా గురించి చెప్పగలదు. బాలునిని ఆరాధించే పటంలో కూడా గుర్తింప ఉంది.

    ఈ రచయిత గురించి మరింత వ్రాస్తాను, అందువలన ఆవశ్యకం కానిది. ఆ పేజీలను గుర్తించడానికి ఇక్కడ క్లిక్ చేయండి.

    ఈ పోస్టునందున్న లింకుల ప్రముఖ లేఖలను చూస్తుంది.

  • Devi’s Eyes Kolhapur Mahalakhsmi Shakti Peeta

    The Eyes of Sati Devi fell in Kolhapur ,Maharashtra and this is where one of the Shakti Peeta is located.

    Maha Saraswati is also present here.

    Temple Timings.

    Mahalaxmi,Kolhapur
    Mahalaxmi,Kolhapur’Shati Peeta where the Eyes fell

    Starting up the daily routine 4.30 am
    Kakadarati 4.30 am to 6.00 am
    Morning Mahapuja 8.00 am
    Holy food (Nevaidya) 9.30 am
    Afternoon Mahapuja 11.30 am
    Alankar Pooja 1.30 pm
    Dhuparti 8.00 pm
    Shejarti 10.00 pm.
    The Legend of Kolhapur:
    In early days, this Shakti was witnessed in the form of five basic elements of Prithvi (earth), Aap (water), Tej (light), Vayu (wind), Akash (space).
    When Man pondered over his birth and the person responsible for it, he realized that mother is at the root of the genesis, and it is she who embodies the Shakti .
    He aspired to give a finite structure to the infinite energy. In the process he first named that finite structure as Matruka (representation of energy in the form of a divine mother).
    Then he granted a shape to the Matruka.
    The earliest form was of Pashan1 or Tandula2 (stone) and Varula (ant hill).
    .
    The main places where such Mahamatruka (the great divine mother) were established came to be known as Mahamantrukasthan (abode of the great divine mother).
    Such sites were discovered all over India. In Maharashtra they were identified in Kolhapur, Tuljapur, Mahur and Vani.
    All the four were thus called the Shaktipeeths (seat of the Goddesses that embodies energy).
    These places then became popular as pilgrimage sites.
    The finite form of the Goddess was further refined by Man.
    The birth of the universe and in turn his own birth had intrigued him.
    He wished to give a better representation to the Shakti.
    Therefore the mere stone representation was improvised to the form of Lajjagauri (female figure with a prominent womb). Lajjagauri was intially a two dimensional figure.
    As years passed Shakti that was represented by Paravati3 and Durga4 was also manifested in three different forms namely Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.
    “The framing narrative of Devi Mahatmya Presents a dispossessed king, a merchant betrayed by his family, and a sage whose teachings lead them both beyond existential suffering.
    The sage instructs by recounting three different epic battles between the Devi (Goddess) and various demonic adversaries the three tales being governed by, respectively, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.
    Goddess Mahalakshmi is the presiding Goddess of the middle episode.
    Here she is depicted as Devi in her universal form as Shakti.
    The world was under attack by  Mahishasura the most evil demon in the world, who took many different forms, including that of a buffalo.
    The male Gods, fearing total annihilation endowed Durga with their powers.
    The Goddess is described as eighteen- armed bearing string of beads, battle axe, maze, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, water-pot, cudgel, lance, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine-cup, trident, noose and the discus sudarsana. She has a complexion of coral and is seated on a lotus. She is known as Ashta Dasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi.
    Riding a lion into battle, she slew the buffalo by cutting off its head and then she destroyed the spirit of the demon as it emerged from the buffalo’s severed neck.
    It is through this act that order was established in the world”
    . Eventually the abovementioned description of Goddess Mahalakshmi was manifested in the form of idols.
    The evolution was gradual. The two dimensional concept of Lajjagauri developed in to a three-dimensional form when art of idol making was initiated.
    Thus the statues of Goddesses in various avatara of Durga were created.
    How to reach Kolhapur.
    Kolhapur is in Maharashtra,India,
    By Air
    Kolhapur has an airport near Ujlaiwadi, situated at a distance of almost 13 km from the heart of the city. The airport is well connected with almost all the major cities in India. Simplifly Deccan offers daily flights between Mumbai and Kohlapur, which take around one hour only.

    By Rail
    Kolhapur has its own railway station, which is known as Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus. The station is connected with Mumbai, Pune, Tirupati, Bangalore and Ahmedabad through direct as well as daily trains. One can also get a direct train for traveling to Kolhapur from Delhi and other major cities of the country.

    By Road
    Kolhapur is located at a distance of around 395 km from Mumbai and 225 km from Pune. It is well connected by both of them, along with the other cities of Maharashtra and neighboring states, through roadways. You can easily get private as well as State Transport buses for reaching Kohlapur, from all the key cities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, along with some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Taxis are also easily available.

    Source:
    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Four Headed Shiva Temple Pateshwar

    One is used to seeing Lord Shiva with Three faces, or Linga Swarupa.

    We are aware of the five heads of Shiva,

    Sathyajaatham,

    Vamadevam,

    Agora,

    Thatpurusha and

    Esana.

    Surprising to know that there is a Temple near Satara,Maharashtra, where the sculpture of Shiva is found with Four heads.

    Shiva with Four Heads
    Four headed Shiva

     

    Pateshwar is a village in Satara district of Maharashtra, known for rock-cut caves with shrines of Shiva.

    Pateshwar is located about 11.26 km South East of Satara on the Satara-Kolhapur state highway in Maharashtra. While there are two ways of approaching Pateshwar, the most popular route is through Degaon village by State Transport buses, uutorickshaws apart from private cars. The other route is from the South through a village called Borgaon. This road is preferred by the locals, however tourists prefer the Degaon route.

    Pateshwar has 8 ancient caves and many ancient stone carved deities of Lord Shiva and other deities. The place is known for having more than 1000 Shiva-lings (Also known as Pinds). Most important amongst these is the Maha Shiva Lingam which has intricate carvings. Many of the deities find references in the ancient Hindu Vedas and Puranas. Some of the identified deities are as below.

    Shiva Lingas.

    • Ekmukhdhari Pind
    • Chaturmukhdhari Pind
    • Ashtadikpal Pind
    • Harihar Pind
    • Margalmhaisa Pind
    • Yantra Pind.

     

    Other Deities.

    • Ekmukhi Bramhadev
    • Chaturmukh Shiv
    • Saraswati
    • Agni
    • Sheshashayee Vishnu
    • Vainayaki
    • Tripura
    • Ashtadashbhuja Mahishasur Mardini Chamunda
    • Ashtamatruka
    • Navgraha
    • Dvadashavtar
    • Balibhadra

    Many of the deities are very unique and have not been completely identified yet.

    There is a mutth called ‘Sadguru Govindanandswami Maharaj Mutt’ which has few Sadhus who are known to take care of the place. However the temples are not in the best of condition and most of them have overgrown vegetation.

    The hill has approximately 52 types of plants which have medicinal value and semi-deciduous trees like Teak, Banyan, Jamun, Karvee. Flowers like the Malabar Delphinium and Sonki which are found on the Kaas plateau in abundance are also found on this hill. The animals mostly found are monkeys, rat snakes, wild pigs and one can also sight Peacocks in the valley down below.

    There is a book written and published locally in Satara on Pateshwar which is titled ‘Shree Kshetra Pateshwar Darshan’”

    Some Images from the temple.

    Seshasayee in Shiva temple
    Seshasayee in Shiva temple

    Mahishasuramardhini Idol,Pateshwar
    Mahishasura mardhini in Pateshwar

     

    Source:

    http://sadanandsafar.blogspot.in/2011/09/pateshwar-offbeat-shiva-temple-complex.html

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pateshwar

     

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Indian Food Cuisine Unity In Diversity

    With Twenty-eight States and Seven Union Territories(2013), India has a wide yet distinguishing Vegetarian cuisine .

    Cuisine of India
    Indian Foods

    The Food in India is varied ,at the same time there are certain elements that are common.

    Let us look at what is common among these Cuisine.

    1.Seasoning in Oil is mandatory for food preparations.

    2.Spices are used in every dish.

    3.Pepper,Mustard,Fenugreek,Cumin seeds,Coriander are the three elements that are used daily in all the States.

    4.Curry and Curry leaves are the most used in preparations.

    5,Dhals ,Ghee,Papads,Pickles and Curds are essential .

    South Indians, especially the Tamils love Fire roasted(direct roasting) Papads.

    4.In Sweets Kheers,Mysorepak,Jilebi are common.

    5.Use of Pulses.

    The South uses more Thur dal, the North prefers Moong dal and Bengal Gram.

    Now to the differences.

    1.Rice is used as staple food in the South,East and North east while Wheat is used in the north and north-east.

    West(Maharashtra and Gujarat) use a combination of Rice and Wheat.

    More of wheat and Jowar.Maize in the northern parts of Karnataka.

    2,Vegetable cooking come under to broad heads, one dry,deep-fried

    Deep fried Ladies Fingers,Potatoes,Baingan are common to all the States

    There is yet another type of cooking vegetables, making vegetables as a sort of Gravy, Koottu in the South.

    3.Eating Rice with Curds is popular in Tamil Nadu,Kerala and Karnataka, to a limited extent in Andhra.

    Rice is used extensively in West Bengal ,Orissa,Assam and the North east.

    Kerala  and North Karnataka,abutting Kerala uses Coconut Oil extensively,North Groundnut oil ,the East and North east, Mustard Oil and Tamil Nadu Sesame oil.

    West ,Maharashtra and Gujarat uses more of ground nut Oil.

    Here I have excluded the use of Sun Flower oil as I am posting on traditional cooking.

    4.North indian foods have more of fat and Protein while the South has more of Carbohydrates to suit the climate.

    5.Normally in the South people take a full meal in the morning and, in the North breakfast(now the South has changed by switching over to meals at noon)

    6.In North India chillies, saffron, milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese and ghee (clarified butter) are hot favorites while in the South, folks love pepper, tamarind and coconut.