Tag Varanasi

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.

Hindu Wedding Rituals Vratham Kankana Nandi Kasi Yatra Detail

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.