Tag: Varanasi

  • Shankaracharya Intellectual Giant Complete Works

    Whether  Adi Shankaracharya is the incarnation of Lord Shiva is point, better left alone.

    There are some who dispute it.

    However what one can not dare to deny, is the fact that He was an intellectual Giant ..

    Shankaracharya was engaged in an argument with Buddhists on Reality  and the nature of the world.

    The main pivot of Shankaracharya’s  Philosophy rests on His assertion that Permanence is Real and Change is Illusory.

    For the Buddhists, Change alone is permanent and there is no Permanence.

    Totally diametrically opposite  point of views.

    Buddhists argue with Shankaracharya thus.

    Take a Candle.

    It lights up the area surrounding it.

    It releases Energy, and loses Energy every micro second.

    So when you look at the candle for the second time ,it is not the same as it was as it has expended energy, has changed its size.

    In the case of Man, Man changes.

    Man goes through the various Ages-Childhood,Youth, Old Age.

    So Man does not remain the same.

    Every thing changes and nothing is Permanent.

    Shankaracharya replies,

    True,

    But , if , as you declare, every thing changes and does not remain the same, how is it that you identify the Object as such?

    Yes, The candle has changed, Changes, Man changes.

    If only Changes are there, how is that we recognize them as such?

    Because there is Something by referring to which you recognize Objects despite the Changes.

    The permanent Reality is Brahman and the Changes are Illusory.

    What an argument?

    Look at list of works of Shakaracharya whci he completed  in 32 years of His Life.

    Shankaracharya with His Disciples.Imge.jpg.
    Shankaracharya with His Disciples.

    Prasthanatraye.

    • Brahmasutra Bhashya
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    • Brhadaranyakopanishad Bhashya
    • Chandogyopanishad Bhashya
    • Ishopanishad Bhashya
    • Kathopanishad Bhashya
    • Kenopanishad Bhashya
    • Prashnopanishad Bhashua
    • Mandukyopanishad Karika Bhashya
    • Mundakopanishad Bhashya
    • Taittiriyopanishad Bhashya
    Other Commentaries
    • Adhyatma Patala Bhashya
    • Hastamalakiya Bhashya
    • Lalita Trishati Bhashya
    • Nrsimha Purvatapanyupanishad Bhashya
    • Sanatsujatiya Bhashya
    • Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra Bhashya
    Longer Philosophical Works
    • Prapancha Sara
    • Sarva VedAnta SiddhAnta Sara Sangraha
    • Upadesha Sahasri
    • Viveka Chudamani
    Shorter Philosophical Works
    • Advaita Anubhuti [84]
    • Advaita Panchakam [5]
    • Anatma Shrivigarhana [18]
    • Aparokshanubhuti [144]
    • Atmabodha [68]
    • Brahma Anuchintanam [28]
    • Brahmajnanavallimala [20]
    • Dhanyashtakam [8]
    • Ekashloki [1]Jivanmukta Anandalahari [17]
    • Kaupina Panchakam [5]
    • Laghu Vakyavrtti [18]
    • Manisha Panchakam [5]
    • Maya Panchakam [5]
    • Nirvana Manjari [12]
    • Nirvana Shatakam [6]
    • Panchikaranam [prose]
    • Prabodha Sudhakara [257]
    • Prashnottara Ratnamalika [67]
    • Praudha Anubhuti [17]
    • Sadachara Anusandhanam [55]
    • Sadhana Panchakam or Upadesha Panchakam [5]
    • Shatashloki [100]
    • PDF from Sanskrit Document Site
    • Svatma Nirupanam [153]
    • Svatmaprakashika [68]
    • Tatvopadesha [87]
    • Vakyavrtti [53]
    • Yati Panchakam [5]
    • Yoga Taravali [29]
    In Praise of Ganesha
    • Ganesha Pancharatnam [5]
      PDF from Sanskrit Document Site
    • Ganesha Bhujangam [9]
    In Praise of Shiva
    • Dakshinamurti Ashtakam [10]
    • Dakshinamurti Stotram
    • Dakshinamurti Varnamala Stotram
    • Dasashloki Stuti
    • Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram
    • Kalabhairava Ashtakam
    • Mrityunjaya Manasika Puja
    • Shiva Anandalahari [100]
    • Shiva Aparadhakshamapana Stotram [17
    • Shiva Bhujangam [4]
    • Shiva Keshadipadantavarnana Stotram [29]
    • Shiva Manasa Puja [5]
    • Shiva Namavali Ashtakam [9]
    • Shiva Padadikeshantavarnana Stotram [41]
    • Shiva Panchakshara Nakshatramala Stotram [28]
    • Shiva Panchakshara Stotram [6]
    • Suvarnamala Stuti [50]
    • Vedasara Shiva Stotram [11]
    In Praise of Shakti
    • Ananda Lahari
    • AnnapUrna Ashtakam [8]
    • Bhavani Bhujangam [17]
    • Bhramaramba Ashtakam [9]
    • Devi Bhujangam [28]
    • Devi Chathuhshasti Upachara Puja Stotram [72]
    • GaurI Dashakam [11]
    • Kalyana Vrshti Stava [16]
    • Kanakadhara Stotram [18]
    • Lalita Pancharatnam [6]
    • Mantramatrka Pushpamala Stava [17]
    • Minakshi Pancharatnam [5]
    • Minakshi Stotram [8]
    • Navaratna Malika [10]
    • Saundaryalahari [100]
    • Sharada Bhujanga Prayata Stotram [8]
    • Tripurasundari Ashtakam [8]
    • Tripurasundari Manasa Puja [127]
    • Tripurasundari Veda Pada Stotram [10]
    In Praise of Vishnu and His Avatars
    • Achyutashtakam [9]
    • Bhagavan Manasa Puja [10]
    • Govindashtakam [9]
    • Jagannathashtakam [8]
    • Krishnashtakam [8]
    • Lakshminrsimha Karavalamba (Karunarasa) Stotram [17]
    • Lakshminrsimha Pancharatnam [5]
    • Mohamudgara (Bhaja Govindam) [31]
    • Pandurangashtakam [9]
    • Rama Bhujanga Prayata Stotram [29]
    • Shatpadi Stotram [7]
    • vishnu Bhujanga Prayata Stotram [14]
    • vishnu Padadikeshanta Stotram [52]
    In Praise of Other Deities and Tirths
    • Ardhanarishwara Stotram [9]
    • Gangashtakam [9]
    • Guru Ashtakam [10]
    • Hanumat Pancharatnam [5]
    • Kashi Panchakam [5]
    • Manikarnika Ashtakam [9]
    • Narmadashtakam [9]
    • Nirguna Manasa Puja [33]
    • Subrahmanya Bhujangam [33]
    • Uma Maheshwara Stotram [13]
    • Yamunashtakam [8]
    • Yamunashtakam(2) [9]

    Complete Works of Shankaracharya for Download at the following Link.

    Shankara Works

    Works of Shankaracharya

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  • Kasi Visalakshi Devi’s Wrist Varanasi Shakti Peeta

    Kanchi Kamakshi, with Her eyes bestows one’s desires,Kama, Madurai Meenakshi protects as a fish would by Her Eyes, Kasi Visalakshi bestows Grace with her compassion.

     

    Benares,Varanasi or Kasi is the place where The Devi’s wrist fell

     

    It is also said that it is Her Eyes or Ear Rings.

     

    .Varanasyam Vishalakshi, Kashmire tu Saraswati /
    Ashtadasha Shakti peethani, Yoginamapi durlabham //’ Ashtadasa Stotra, Adi Shankaracharya.

     

     

    Legend:

    History of the Vishalakshi Temple

     

    It is considered that the earrings or eyes of the Mata Sati have fallen in the Varanasi at this sacred spot. Kajali Tij, the most important Hindu festival for the Indian women, is celebrated at the Vishalakshi Temple very happily. This festival is held at the third day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August) during fortnight.

     

    Sati was the daughter of the Prajapati Daksha and She got married to the Lord Shiva against Her father wishes. Once, Prajapati Daksha had organized a great yagya but he did not call his daughter and his son in law. Sati was very sorrow from Her father’s such behavior. She reached there but got insulted from Her father as he ignored the Sati. She could not bear insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and She had jumped into the fire of yagya and committed suicide. She died but Her dead body did not burn. Lord Shiva became angry and had taken His Virabhadra Rupa. He cut the head of Daksha but finally He forgave him by reviving his life again. The heartbroken Lord Shiva had wandered in the universe by taking the Sati’s corpse. Finally, Lord Vishnu dissected the corpse of the Sati into 52 parts by His Chakra. Each of the body part became Shakti Pitha. At the place where body piece had fallen on the earth had changed into the temple. Lord Shiva had created 52 Bhairava for each Shakti Pitha as a guardian to secure the Shakti Pitha. It is considered that Her eyes or earrings had fallen in the Varanasi that’s why the temple in Varanasi called as the Vishalakshi Temple.

     

    There are six points as a temple in the Varanasi which symbolizes Shastanga (six-fold) yoga. These are the Vishwanath Temple, the Vishalakshi Temple, the holy River Gange, the Kala Bhairava Temple, the Dhudiraj Temple (this temple is devoted to the Lord Ganesha) and the Dandapani temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva).

     

    Religious Significance of the Vishalakshi Temple

    Devotees take bathe in the holy water of the Gange just before offering worship to the Vishalakshi Maa. The devotees believe that offering puja, Jal, chanting songs to the goddess is highly profitable as Goddess provide success and wealth. Unmarried girls worship the Goddess Vishalakshi to find their groom, childless mother for getting a child and unfortunate people for their bright fortune.

     

    Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of October as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura). They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March). At each nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

     

    According to the Puranas, Vishalakshi Manikarnika or Vishalakshi Manikarni is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. It is considered that the karna kundala (known as the earring) of the Sati fallen here that’s why known as the Manikarni or Manikarnika. In the Puranas, it is clearly mentioned that the Varanasi city will exist even after the Pralaya. Vishalakshi Temple is a powerful Shakti Peeth and is considered to bless to devotees a lot.”

     

    How to reach.

     

    Check the Link here.

     

     

    http://www.mustseeindia.com/Varanasi/how-to-reach

     

    Temple Timings.

     

    4.30 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm.

     

    Navaratri is special here.

     

    Please check my posts on Varanasi Sradham, Gaya.

     

    Citation:

    http://www.kalibhakti.com/vishalakshi/

     

     

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  • Vishnu Cut Devi, Fingers At Prayag Shakti Peeta

    Dev’s fingers fell in Prayag, now called Allahabad.

    It is a shame we now call the place as Allahabad, which has no bearing to our culture.

    Lord Shiva , stricken by grief at the death of His consort, was roaming the skies,with Sat’s body, or what remained of Her Body after she immolated Herself.

    This is the temple where as per the legend Sati’s fingers had fallen.

    Swami Brahmananda(Rakhal), first president of Ramakrishna math, spiritual son and one of the best student of Sri Ramakrishna paramahamsa, saw the goddess here as a small child with three Jatas. Trijata

    It is famously called as Mata ji ka temple (or Lalita ) by the locals. Prayaga means Prakrishta Yaga, that means it is the place where Lord Brahma did a very great Yaga.

    Hence its name became Prayaga.

    Prayaga is considered as one of the Sapta mokshapuras.

     

    Ths is where the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati meet, Trveni Sangam

    Madhaveswari Dev, Prayag
    Alopi Devi Prayag.Where Dev’s Fngers Fell

    This place is also called as Theertharaj, that means king of all theerthas.

    How To Reach:

    It is about 130 km distance from Varanasi.

    Taxis are available to travel from Varanasi to Prayaga(Allahabad) or from Prayaga(Allahabad) to Varanasi.
    Allahabad is very big railway junction which is at 6 km distance from Alopi temple: http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/455.
    Allahabad airport is at 17 km distance from Alopi mata temple

     

     

    Lord Vishnu, unable to bear His Brother In Law suffering with His(Vishnu) sister’s Body, threw His Sudarshan Chakra and the Body , cut into pieces and fell in different pieces of on the ground.

    The Fingers of the Devi fell at Gaya.

    There is no Idol but only a Dholi(wooden).

    Devi is called Madhaveswar Devi 0r Alopi(Disappeared).

    “The origin of the name, Alopi (disappeared) Bagh lies in the Hindu belief that when after the death of his wife Sati, the grieving Lord Shiva travelled through skies with her dead body.

    Lord Vishnu, to relieve him from this agony, threw his Chakra at the corpse, resulting in the fall of various parts of the body at various places in India, which were sanctified by the touch of the Goddess’ body parts and hence were thereby deemed holy places for pilgrimage.

    The last part fell at this location thereby named as “Alopi” (where disappearance was concluded)and the holiest of all.”

     

    Another Legend.

    Once upon a time in that forest happened to pass a marriage procession.

    Marriage processions, in those days used to be the most vulnerable targets of robbers as they used to return loaded with gold and other riches.

    While deep into the jungle this marriage party found itself surrounded by robbers, robbers after killing all the men and looting the wealth turned to the ‘doli’ or carriage of the bride.

    To their dismay when they unveiled the carriage they found there was no one inside.

    The bride had magically disappeared. The word went around, history became legend and legend became myth.

    A temple came up at the site where this incident had happened and locals started worshiping the bride as “Alopi Devi” or the ‘virgin goddess who had disappeared’.

    However, this story provides no convincing explanation as to why the place would be deemed so holy.

    Ref:

    http://www.srinithyakalyani.org/madhaveswari.html

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  • The Eight Forms Of Bhairava Photo Essay

    Bhairava is Lord Shiva in His Fiercest Manifestation.

    It may be worth mentioning that Shiva is different from Rudra, which is yet another manifestation of Shiva( Actually the pronunciation is Siva).

    Kaal Bhairava is an fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva. The term Bhairava means “Terrific”.

    He is often depicted with frowning, angry eyes and sharp, tiger’s teeth and flaming hair, stark naked except for garlands of skulls and a coiled snake about his neck.

    In his four hands he carries a noose, trident, drum, and skull. He is often shown accompanied by a dog. Once Brahma insulted Lord Shiva and his fifth head teasingly laughed at Lord Shiva.

    From Lord Shiva came out the Kalabhairava (Black Bhairava) who tore off the fifth head of Lord Brahma.

    On the entreaties of Lord Vishnu, Shiva pardoned Lord Brahma. But the sin (in the form of a lady) of beheading Lord Brahma followed Kalabhairava everywhere. Also the head of Brahma stuck to him. To keep away the sin and punishment which were chasing him, Kalabhairava entered the city of Benaras ( now Varanasi ). The sin could not enter the city. Kalabhairava was made as the Kotwal (Inspector) of the city of Varanasi. Bhairava rides on a dog.

    A pilgrimage to Kasi (Benares) is not supposed to be complete without visiting the temple of Kalabhairava.’

    The Eight Forms of Bhairava.

    1. Asidanga Bhairava – Gives Creative Ability

    2. Guru Bhairava – Divine Educator

    3. Chanda Bhairava – Gives incredible energy, cuts competition and rivals

    4. Kroda Bhairava – Gives You the Power to Take Massive Action

    5. Unmatta Bhairava – Controls Negative Ego and Harmful Self Talk

    6. Kapala Bhairava – Ends All Unrewarding Work and Action

    7. Bhishana Bhairava – Obliterates Evil Spirits and Negativity

    8. Samhara Bhairava – Complete Dissolution of Old Negative Karma.

    Bhairava, Form of Shiva
    Asitanga Bhairava
    Samhara Bhairava
    Samhara Bhairava
    Unmatta Bhairava
    Unmatta Bhairava
    Bhishana Bhairava
    Bhishana Bhairava
    kapala Bharavar
    Kapala Bhairava
    Form of Bhairava
    Guru Bhirava
    Kroda Bhaira , one of the forms of Bhairava
    Kroda Bhairava
    The Chanda Bhairava
    Chanda Bhairava for Energy

     

    Description of Bhairava Forms.

    Kshethra Pala Bhairava

    [Guard of Earth Bhairava]

    Raktha jwalaa Jada dharam, sasi dharan, Rakthanga thejo mayam,

    Dakka Shoola kapala pasa gadha dharam Bhairavam,

    Nirvanam Gathavahanam Trinayanamcha Ananda kolahalam,

    Vande bhootha pisacha natha vadukam Kshethrasya palam Shubham. 1

    I salute the leader of ghosts and Ghouls, Lord Bhairava,

    Who wears the red flame as his matted hair,

    Who wears the moon, who shines in red colour,

    Who holds a drum, spear, skull, rope and mace in his hands,

    Who is nude, who rides on a dog, who has three eyes,

    Who is always happy and exuberant and is the guard of the temple.

    Asithanga Bhairava

    [Dark Bodied Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam shantham, munda mala bhooshitham,

    Swetha varnam, krupa murthim, Bhairavam Kundalojjwalam,

    Gada kapala samyuktham, kumarsya digambaram,

    Banam pathrancha sankham cha Aksha maalaam kundalam,

    Naga Yagnopaveetham cha dharinam suvibhooshitham,

    Brahmani shakthi sahitham, hamsaroodam suroopinam,

    SArvabheeshta dharam nithyam asithangam Bhajamyaham. 2

    I pray the dark Bhairava who fulfills all desires,

    Who is forever, who has three eyes, who blesses and is peaceful,

    Who wears a skull garland, who is white, who is the Lord of mercy,

    Who shines in his ear globes, who holds mace and the skull,

    Who is young and nude, who holds arrow, vessel, conch, bead chain and ear globes,

    Who wears snake as sacred thread, who is well ornamented,

    Who is with Goddess Brahmani, rides on a swan and is good to look at.

    Krodha Bhairava

    [Angry Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

    Gadam shankam cha Chakrancha pada pathrancha dharinam,

    Lakshmyacha sahitham vame garudasana susthitham,

    Neela varnam maha devam Vande Sri Kroda Bhairavam. 3

    I salute the angry Bhairava, who is blue and a great God,

    Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

    Who is armed with mace, conch, wheel, rope and a vessel,

    Who is near Goddess Lakshmi riding on Garuda the eagle.

    Unmatha Bhairava

    [Frantic Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

    Hema Varnam, maha devam, hastha vahana susthitham,

    Gadgam, kapalam, musalam, dathantham, kedagam thadha,

    Varahi shakthi sahitham Vande Unmatha Bhairavam. 4

    I salute that Frantic Bhairava who is power called Varahi,

    Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

    Who is of golden colour, great God and rides on a swan,

    And who holds sword, skull, Pestle and also the shield.

    Ruru Bhairava

    [Teacher Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

    Dangam krisna mrugam pathram bibranam chakru panakam,

    Maheswaryayudham devam vrusharoodam smitha vahanam,

    Shudha sphatikam sankaram, namami Ruru Bhairavam. 5

    I salute the Bhairava with the deer, who is like pure crystal and a destroyer,

    Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

    Who holds a hatchet, deer, drinking goblet and a sword in his hands,

    Who has the armed Maheswari by his side and who is smiling and rides on a bull.

    Kapala Bhairava

    [Skull Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

    Pasam, Vajram, thadha Gadgam pana pathranch dharinam,

    Indrani shakthi sahitham Gaja vahana susthitham,

    Kapala Bhairavam Vande padma ragha prabham Shubham. 6

    I salute the Bhairava of the skull, who has a shining body,

    Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

    Who holds rope, Vajrayudha, Sword and Drinking Goblet,

    Who has with him Indrani Shakthi, is being well praised and rides on an elephant.

    Chanda Bhairava

    [Fierce Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

    Dhanur banancha bhibranam, Gadgam Pathram Thadaiva cha,

    Koumari shakthi sahitham, Shikihi vahana sthitham,

    Gowri varnayudham Devam Vande Sri Chanda Bhairavam. 7

    I salute the Chanda Bhairava who is pure white in colour,

    Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

    Who holds rope, Vajrayudha, Sword and Drinking Goblet,

    Who has with him Kaumari Shakthi and rides on a peacock.

    Bheeshana Bhairava

    [Terriffic Bhairava]

    Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

    Gadgam soolam Kapalancha darinam musalam thadha,

    Chamunda shakthi sahitham pretha vahana susthitham,

    Raktha varnam maha devam Vabde Bheeshana Bhairavam. 8

    I salute the Terriffic Bhairava who is a great God of blood red colour,

    Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

    Who holds sword, trident, skull and pestle in his hand,

    Who has with him Chamunda Shakthi and rides on a corpse.

    Samhara Bhairavam

    [Annihilator Bhairava]

    Dasa bhahum trinethram cha sarpa yagnopaveethinm,

    Damishtra karala vadanam ashtaiswarya pradhayakam,

    Digambaram kumarancha simha vahana samsthitham,

    Soolam damarugam shankam, gadam chakrancha darinam,

    Gadgam pathram cha Gadwangam pasa mangusa meva cha,

    Ugra roopam madonmathamam bada vaalai,

    Chandika shakthi sahitham dyayeth samhara Bhairavam. 9

    I meditate on Bhairava the destroyer, who is with Chandika Shakthi,

    Who has ten hands, three eyes and snake as sacred thread,

    Who has protruding teeth, fearful look and grants eight type of wealth,

    Who is nude, a youth and rides on a lion,

    Who holds trident, drum, conch, mace and wheel in his hands,

    Who holds sword, vessel, Gadwangam, rope and goad.

    And who has fearful looks, wears skull garland and greatly exuberant.

    Sources:

    http://www.dharmavidya.net/description-and-forms-of-bhairava.html

    http://bhajanradio.com/forms-of-kaal-bhairava/#prettyPhoto

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  • Hindu Wedding Rituals Vratham Kankana Nandi Kasi Yatra Detail

    kankana Dharanam,Hindu Wedding ceremony.
    Kankan Dharana

    Please read my post on the components of the Hindu marriage.

    Link provided towards the end of the post.

    Kankana Dharanam.

    On the wedding day,after Vigneswara Puja, Vratham is performed.

    The wedding ceremonies start with the Vratham that is observed separately by the groom and the bride.

    The Vratha is a ceremony where a vow is taken to go through the marriage and is performed by  the Bridegroom

    The marriage ceremonies begin with the Vratham performed separately by the bride and the groom. For the bride, it means the tying of the KAPPU – the holy thread on her wrist which is meant to ward off all evil spirits. It symbolises a kind of the protective armour for the bride. For the groom, the various Gods – Indra, Soma, Chandra, Agni. From there on, the groom prepares himself for a new chapter in his life as a householder or Grihasta. The days of his bachelorhood or brahmacharya are now over and the acceptance of this is all what the Vratham is about.

    In this ceremony, a cotton thread (applied with Turmeric powder) is tied to the wrist of the Bride and groom, indicating the vow to get married and declaring that they would not be deterred from the wedding ceremony and it is removed a couple of days after the wedding.

    “the important ceremony called
    kankana \ For this purpose they obtain two pieces of
    saffron or turmeric, round which they tie a double thread.
    They place on a metal dish two handfuls of rice, and on
    this rice a cocoanut painted yellow, and on the cocoanut
    the two pieces of saffron. Prayers are offered to all the
    gods collectively, who are implored to come and place
    themselves on this kankana, and to remain there till the
    five days of the marriage ceremony have been accomplished.
    The bridegroom then takes one of the pieces of saffron and
    ties it on his wife’s left wrist, who in her turn ties the
    other piece on his right wrist. The rice and cocoanut on
    which the kankana has been lying are then given to the
    purohita.

    Then follows the procession of the tutelary deity. The
    mother of the bride, accompanied by the other women
    and the Brahmins who are present, go and fetch the copper
    vase which represents the ishta-devata. The women begin
    to sing and the musicians to play, and forming a procession
    they march to the end of the street, where, after choosing
    a clean spot, they pour out some of the water contained in
    the vase. They do puja to the deity while it rests on the
    ground, and then it is taken back with the same pomp to
    the place whence it came. Then follows the most important

    1 The ceremony is actually called kankana-dharana, that is, the tying
    or wearing of the kankana.

    Nandi.

    This is performed to propitiate the Ancestors nd the Nadi Devatas.

    After the completion of Ganesh Puja on the wedding day, several other Gods are worshipped. These Gods are known as Nandi Devatas.

    Who are Nandi Devatas?

    The Nandi Devatas are the holy Pitris, who live in the lokas of Bhuvash and Suvah. They are the builders of the subtle bodies, Sukshmadeha, around which physical atoms aggregate to produce the physical body. As the objects of marriage are the maintenance of the Grihastha Dharma and the begetting of progeny with spiritual, not carnal tendencies, the co-operation of the PitriDevatas is essential.

    To propitiate the Nandi Devatas, a leaf-laden branch of the pipal tree is set up. Five Sumangalis (married women) would then wash the installed branch with milk. The ritual is followed by gifting clothes to the bride and the groom. Generally, the bride is presented a saree while a traditional dhoti is gifted to the groom as part of the auspiciousness.

    Nandi Srardham, Part of Hindu Wedding ceremony.
    Nandi Srardham

     

    These PitriDevatas are not beings to be trifled with, and they are beings who generally avoid the physical plane of the Universe, the Bhurloka, and they should be sent away from the physical world as soon as the business for which they are invited is over. Nor are they to be invited frequently.

    In an ideal Nandi Srardha, 12 Brahmins are invited, Dhotis and Angavastras are ditributed, their feet washed amidst the chsning of the Srardha Mantras.

    Kasi Yatra.

    In Hinduism a Man has Four Stations in Life,

    Brahmacharya, the Ceibate,

    The Grihastha, The Married,

    The Vanaprastha, the detachment state, and

    The Sanyasin, The Renounced State.

    Boys aged 5 are anointed with Upanayana(read my post on this ceremony) and sent to a Guru for the Adhyayana or the repeated learning of the Vedas.

    When they reach the age of 13 they are married.

    Now the  marriageable age has changed.

    When the boy comes of age for Marriage,after the Vratham, Kankana Dharanam and Nandi, the Boy goes to Kasi(Benares, Varanasi ,the Holy City of The Hindus, to meditate on the Brahman, The Reality.(Symbolically)

    The bride’s father intervenes and requests the Bridegroom not to undertake the trip,become a Grihastha as Grihathaasrama is the fundamental Stage of Dharma or the Path of Righteousness, and offers his daughter in Marriage , promising that she will be his soul mate in performing the Vediac rituals that would guarantee spiritual enlightenment.

    This is Kasi Yatra.

    kasi Yatra, Hindu wedding ceremony.
    Kasi Yatra

    Now comes the muhurta, that is to say, the most essential
    ceremony of the marriage. To begin with, a sacrifice is
    offered to Vigneshwara. The bride and bridegroom are
    seated on the earthen dais, their faces towards the east,
    and the married women proceed, singing the while, with
    the young people’s toilette, which is of the most elegant
    and sumptuous description. When attired the bridegroom
    rises, performs the sam-kalpa, prays to the gods to pardon
    all the sins he has committed since he received the triple
    cord ; and, to be the more sure of this pardon, he recites
    a mantram, and gives fifteen fanams to a Brahmin as alms.
    He then dresses himself up as a pilgrim, and makes all
    preparations as if he were really going to take a long
    journey, announcing that he is going to start on a holy

    222 THE KAXKAXA CEREMONY

    pilgrimage to Kasi, that is Benares. He leaves the house
    accompanied by the married women singing in chorus, and
    by his parents and friends, and preceded by instruments of
    music. After passing the outskirts of the village he turns
    his steps to the east.

    But here his future father-in-law meets him, and asks
    him where he is going, and on learning the object of his
    journey, begs him to give it up. He tells him that he has
    a young virgin daughter, and that if he wishes it he will
    give her to him in wedlock. The pilgrim accepts the pro-
    posal with joy, and returns with his escort to the place
    whence he set out. On his return the women perform the
    ceremony of the aratti.

    Source:

    http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/j-a-jean-antoine-dubois/hindu-manners-customs-and-ceremonies-obu/page-24-hindu-manners-customs-and-ceremonies-obu.shtml

    http://www.sanathanadharma.com/wedding.htm

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/07/17/an-introduction-to-samskarashindu-rites/