Ramanisblog

Tag: Temple

  • Churches Turn Into Temples, Pope Coverts To Islam.

    In  a reverse process, Churches are turning into Temples in the US and UK.True.

    Pope Coverts To Islam
    Pope Coverts To Islam

    I read a hilarious story that Pope Benedict  converted  to Islam!

    Delightful hoax of course.

    Pope Benedict XVI Resigns Papacy, Converts To Islam

    HOLY SEE – In a shocking press conference Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI revealed to the world that he will be stepping down from the Catholic Church’s highest office. “Through prayer and reflection over the past years,” the world’s holiest man began, “I’ve realized that Allah is the one true God.”

    Amid clattering camera shutters and roaring reporters, Pope Benedict patiently answered questions, citing traditional Muslim folklore as well as passages from the Qur’an to explain his decision. His session was interrupted only once, when he swiveled South-East to face Mecca, stooped to the ground, and recited the Asr, one of the five daily prayers central to Muslim belief.

    According to a message that has been circulating for several months, previous Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI actually resigned his post in February 2013 because he converted to Islam and could therefore no longer play his role as head of the Catholic Church. The message claims that Pope Benedict made the decision after years of prayer and reflection and because he came to realize that “Allah is the one true God”.

    But, not surprisingly, the claims in the message are utter nonsense. Pope Benedict has certainly not converted to Islam. The message began life as a story published on the “news” section of the satire and humour website “Dead Seriousness” in February 2013.  The website specializes in satirical – and entirely – fictional articles, many of which are couched as news reports.

    Most site visitors who have a careful read of the articles will quickly realize their satirical and humorous nature and will not take them seriously.  However, partly because the site does not include a disclaimer on its articles explaining that the reports are untrue, at least a few readers are duped into believing what they read.

    Moreover, the above article fairly quickly escaped the confines of its original home and began circulating via email and social media as a stand-alone “news” story, thus duping even more recipients. Amusingly, the story has generated a good deal of often angst-ridden commentary about the Pope’s supposed decision.

    The message is reminiscent of another widely circulated satire article that falsely claimed that the Pope had come out as gay. This message also escaped from a satirical website.

    http://www.hoax-slayer.com/pope-converts-islam.shtml

    UK : Former Wardlawhill Church in Rutherglen (Scotland, United Kingdom) is reportedly Sri Sundara Ganapathy Temple now.

    Before the Temple organizers purchased it, Wardlawhill Church was affiliated to Church of Scotland, majority church in Scotland, whose aim is “to worship God by following the teachings of Jesus Christ”. It was then renovated and refurbished into a Hindu temple.

    According to reports, on the opening day, following the Milk Abhishegam ritual for Lord Ganapathy, the deity was carried in a decorated palanquin on shoulders of several young men in a procession from the City Centre to the Temple hall through the Main Street with police escort, which included chanting and music. A Hindu priest from London conducted the opening ceremony, which included various ancient rituals, prayers, bhajans to the accompaniment of drums and manjeeras, lamps lighting, etc. An auction of sarees was held for temple development fund.

    (Pakistan Hindupost.blogspot.in)

    ”

    indu activists have converted an 18-year-old church into a temple at Bhojpur village in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh. They have also forcibly re-converted 300 Dalit Christians by making them go through the yagyopaveet ritual.

    According to the Hindu Jagran Vibhag (HJV), an outfit belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), despite regular re-conversions by Hindu organisations in rural India, the number of Christian converts have been growing, especially in the rural parts of western Uttar Pradesh.

    HJV provincial head Rajshwar Singh says his outfit has set up a team of 600 Hindu activists to investigate the reasons for the growing number of Dalit Christians in the region. This team has recently submitted a report that points out the existence of a number of churches without a single Christian around.

    (indianchristians.in)

     

    ‘

    Next month, a Swaminarayan temple will be thrown open to devotees in Los Angeles, California. While there are many Hindu shrines the world over, a majority of them built by global Gujaratis, the consecration scheduled on July 22 is special. For, this abode of Lord Swaminarayan was once a run-down church.

    The 80-year-old church was acquired for $1.3 million by Swaminarayan Maninagar Gaadi Sansthan (SMGS) last year.

    SMGS has acquired five such old churches in Canada, the US and the UK. A fortnight ago, the sect acquired a 121-year-old heritage church building in Toronto, Canada for $1.6 million. While the building is now being converted into a temple-ashram, SMGS plans to retain carvings and glass paintings which are of great heritage value.

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/ahmedabad/32472241_1_lord-swaminarayan-church-uk

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  • Arrested Animals Photo Essay

    Law is an ass.

    In a case involving the  rent payable to the Temple for the shops constructed in Temple property, the Presiding Deity was served a Court Notice to appear in Person .

    In its Profound Wisdom Law had animals arrested for one crime or another.

    For Details Hover Over the Image.

    Arrested Animals.
    Oscar, the Cat Burglar
    Arrested Animals
    Bobby, the Indian in Pakistan
    Arrested Animals.
    The Pigeon Spy
    Arrested Animala.
    The Magical Goat
    Arrested Animals.
    Gosha, the hobo monkey

    Source:

    http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-examples-of-animals-under-arrest.php

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  • Family Deity Personal Deity

    Vedas do not advocate Temple Worship or Collective/Public Worship.

    It does not mention Temples at all.

    Yet Hinduism has many Gods and Temples.

    For an explanation please read my post God has Name and Form, Yes and No, as entering this topic will take us away from the present post.

    Every family, by custom, has a Family Deity குல தெய்வம்

    Any auspicious function should be preceded by a Pooja first to this Deity.

    It is mandatory to visit the Temple of the Deity, at least once a year.

    Customs vary with regard to the Poojas being performed for the Deity.

    Some times it happens(which should not), the children  are not  informed of the Family Deity by the Elders.

    As a Result. the generation remains ignorant of the Family Deity.

    In such cases, one can ask  Family elders who are still alive.

    If this attempt fails, check the names of your ancestors on your Father’s( for men only) side., for  minimum three generations.

    The family custom is to name the first child of the Family after the Family Deity.

    If the Family Deity is a Female, and the eldest of the Family is a Male, check if a female name is given for  a male , as in Kamakshi (and for Female the reverse).

    And that will be your Family Deity.

    The most common name will be your Family Deity.

    Otherwise continue The present Deity( of which you are unsure) and if a Saivaite have Subramanya as an additional Family Deity and if a Vaishnavaite, have Lord Balaji of Tirupati.

    If you are sincere in your quest you will get the name of the Deity from unexpected quarters..

    Personal Deity-இஷ்ட தெய்வம்

    Many have some special attachment to some Deity other than the Family  Deity.

    One can worship that as well.

    Abirami, Thirukkadavur(Thirukkadayur)
    Abirami, Thirukkadavur(Thirukkadayur)

    But the first  Pooja or priority should be for the Family Deity.

    For instance our family Deity is Pazhani Dhandayudhapani.

    My Personal Deity is Thirukkadiyur Abirami.

    I follow both.

    There is a small story about my personal Deity.

    I have studied the Vedas under His Holiness Abhinava Vidyathhertha Swamigal of Sringeri Mutt.

    He taught me the Pancha Suktas,( Purusha Sukta,Narayana Sukta, Vishnu Sukta,Sri Sukta and Durga Sukta) and Sri Rudram and Chamakam, among many other things.

    I was enamored of Sri Rudram, am even now.

    I used  to recite quite often.

    One day I visited my niece’s house( sister’s daughter, she is elder to me)

    Her hsuband who was a close friend of mine was doing Pooja to Goddess Lalitha.

    Despite learning from the Great man , I used to be playful, even now, on many aspects.

    Instead of attending to Pooja, I asked my niece what she has cooked for the day.

    She replied that she had prepared my favourite dishes but I  must wait till the Naivedyam (Nivedan ) is over.

    Her husband performed the Arati and as he came out,  said’

    ‘ I am doing every thing for you and you are calling out my husband’s name”

    I was confused.

    I asked my niece,

    She was also perplexed for she had never seen her husband talking like this.

    No doubt he was a pious man , but not to the extent of being immersed in God.

    He came out and I asked him what he meant.

    He replied that he did not know what he said and asked me to confirm what I said “he said’

    He paused for  a moment  and asked me whether I was doing the Sri Rudram recitation.

    When I said yes he said to me.

    ” Fool(மடையா  (Goddess Lalitha is saying that she is giving every thing to you and you are reciting Rudra, her Husband, You worship her”

    I left it at that , ate a hearty meal and came Home.

    Next morning,  I chanced upon a copy of Abirami Andhadhi of Abhirama Bhattar.

    ( Curious thing is I never had a copy of it at home at all, This copy, I chanced upon in my office, where such books have no place-I was International Sales Manager of the organization)

    As I read it, I felt moved and I took the copy.

    Evening, I received a copy of Lalitha Sahasranamam form my friend as a compliment as he did not have much faith in the Mantras.

    In the subsequent days I have received Soundarya Lahari, Shyama Dandakam, a flood,.all free of cost.

    Then I immediately proceeded to Tirikkadayur to see Goddes Abirami.

    I had never been  to Tirukkadayur( actually it is Thitukkadavur).

    On seeing the Idol of Abirami I felt  happy beyond words and felt I was seeing The Mother of All.

    From that day, She became my personal Deity .

    Then on, when ever I feel like seeing her I will hop in any transport and proceed to Tirukkadavur, no planning

    This happens quite often.

    I go there for the Happiness I get on seeing Her and I never ask Her for anything.

    Many call me Superstitious and a Fool.

    If being Superstitious and a Fool brings me Happiness, I am more than happy to be one.

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  • Temple Accounts Are Submitted To God Daily Madurai

    God is treated as the head of the Family in Hindu families.

    They are called Kula Deivam’ in Tamil, literal meaning, head of Clan.

    Meenakshi Amman temple,Madurai
    Meenakshi Amman temple,Madurai

    Any auspicious ceremony at Homes is preceded by a Pooja to this Deity, be it a naming ceremony of the child , marriage.

    I will be posting separately on this subject.

    If God is being treated as the Head of the family at Home , what about the Temples where hundreds come worship and share their joys and sorrows?

    So all respect that is due to the Head is being accorded to God, as one would to an Elder of the Family.

    As such in temples there was and still is habit of presenting the daily accounts of the Temple to the reigning deity.

    But there are exceptions, depending on the Sthala Purana (details of the origin of the Place).

    But in most of the Temples the Account Submission id  done daily, in South India.

    This is done after the Artha jama Pooja (10.30 pm), when God is sent to His bed room.

    For those who are unaware of Hinduism’s treatment (!) of God as one of us, this might sound strange.

    The Poojas are performed , the od and the goddess are led into their Bed room (பள்ளியறை) , after offering them boiled Cow’s Milk.( it will be distributed to the devotees, it will taste heavenly(அரவணைப்பால்)

    i shall post on this Bed room aspect separately.

    ( seem to be committing for a lot of posts, hope I remember to write).

    As soon as God enters the bed room, the accountant of the Temple  reads out the Accounts for the day before God and seeks his approval.

    Then an Arati is performed and the bed room is closed.( Arati- a practice in which  some pieces of camphor is lit on a special plate and showed around God thrice to the chanting of mantras.)

    This practice is being followed in Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple even to-day.

     

  • Brahma’s Temple Forms The Base Of A Triangle,Tirupattur

    Tirppttur as is often called, is Thiruppidavur.

     

    Details are provided below.

     

    This is the only Temple for Brahma.

     

    There are two legends for the  non-existence of Temples for Brahma.

     

    Brahma Lied. When there was an altercation between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma s to who was greater , there appeared a Linga of Lord Siva accompanied by a Divine Voice commanding them to find the feet and the head of Lord Siva and whosoever finds them first will be declared as the greater among the two.

     

    Brahma assumed the shape of A Swan and started flying high to find the Head while Vishnu assumed the form of Varaha(Wild Boar) and head towards the feet.

    Both of them could not find it and while they were returning they met .

     

    Vishnu informed Brahma that he will declare that He did find the Head of Lord Siva .

     

    Brahma and Vishnu prostrated before Lord Siva( as a Lingam).

     

    Vishnu declared that He could not find the Feet of Lord Siva, regretted His Arrogance and moving away from humility.

     

    Brahma confirmed that He did see the Head of Lord Siva and The screw pine flower,தாழம்பூ  was a witness.

     

    Lord Siva cursed that Brahma would not have a Temple on Earth and the Flower should not be used for His Worship.

     

    Even to-day the use of this Flower for Siva Pooja is forbidden.

     

    Another legend has it that Brahma became arrogant because He had Five Heads and assumed that He was equal to Lord Siva and Lord Siva removed Brahma’s Fifth Head.

    And cursed Brahma that He would never have a Temple on Earth.

     

    Tirupattur is a Place where Lord Siva Blessed Brahma who repented for his act.

     

    The Philosophical explanation is that as Lord Brahma is the progenitor, who creates the human beings and as Birth id the cause od all Misery in Life. worship of Brahma is avoided.

     

    One may note the fact that, in Christianity ‘The Wages of Sin is Death’ while in Hinduism ‘The wages of Sin is Birth’ as birth is the cause of everything including death.

     

    Three Temples are located in Tirupattur.

     

    Lord Brahma(Brahmapureswarar (Swambu Lingam ‘ self created)and Devi Brahma Sampath Gowri.

     

    Lord Vishnu(Purushottaman and Poornavalli)

     

    Lord Siva(Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi)

     

    The temples forma triangle.

     

    Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva Templates  top two pints and he Brahma temple forms the Base, indicating that, much as would like to avoid it, Birth is the only starting point for  Self Realization and one can reach Higher levels of Spirituality through the Grace of Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva , through Sustenance ad apparent Destruction

    Tirupattur is located 30 kms from Trichy in TamilNadu, on the Trichy Chennai National Highway 45.

    It is 10 Kms from Samayapuram towards Chennai.

    Landmark : After you cross Siruganur towards Chennai, there is a left detour from the main highway, towards Tirupattur.

    There is a signboard on the highway, which shows the way to Tirupattur.

    The temple is 4 Kms away from the detour on the highway.

    By Air

    Air India, (http://indian-airlines.nic.in), Air India Express (www.airindiaexpress.in) and have regular flights connecting Chennai and Trichy.

    By Rail

    Trichy is well connected by rail. Being centrally located, almost all trains to the southern region of the state pass through Trichy. You can access Southern Railway’s official website, www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in for more details.

    By Bus

    There are a number of Government Transport Corporation Buses, and also a host of private luxury bus operators from Chennai to Trichy.

    The distance is 320 Kms, and the travel time is approx 6 hours.

    The entire stretch is a Tolled 4 Lane National Highway No.45.

    The Temple finds mention in the hyms of the revered Saivite Saint Sundarar.

    The presiding deity is Lord Brahmapureeswarar in the form of Swayambu Lingam.

    The presiding deity is Devi Brahma Sampath Gowri.

    There is a separate shrine for Lord Brahma. The idol of Lord Brahma is in meditative pose sitting in Padmasana on a lotus.

    Abhishekam to Lord Brahma – Timings

    On all days except Thursday 08:00 am
    On Thursday 06:00 am

    The Temple complex consists of the 12 Shiva Lingams, installed and worshipped by Lord Brahma.

    The Temple Complex also has the Jeeva Samadhi of Yogi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga.

    The temple is under the administration of The Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department, Government of TamilNadu.

    Acknowledgement.http://www.brahmatemple.org/brahma_howtoreach.htm

     

    Photos.

    Brahma Temple Tirupattur.
    Brahma Temple Tirupattur.
    Purushottamar Temple,Tirupattur.
    Purushottamar Temple,Tirupattur.

     

    Purushottamar temple, One who can rewrite Fate,Tirupattur
    Purushottamar temple, One who can rewrite Fate,Tirupattur

     

    Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Tirupattur.
    Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Tirupattur.
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