The Writer's Blog

Here are some interesting facts that were mailed to me by Mr.Pranesh of Delhi Madhvasangha. This is a forwarded message from Shri NarasimhAchar Chintana krama of Maharudra Devaru - ·        Rudra devaru has five faces – the colour of body look like spatika; ·        He has Chandra in his Jate ; ·        He is sarpabhooshana; ·        Always Parvati Devi will be there with him; ·        He has Ganga, the Vishnu paadodaka on his head (to prove Harisarvottamatva); ·        He has three eyes on all his five faces ·        He always has Urdwapundra, shanka Chakra symbol, ·        Has Padmakshi Tulasimaale; ·        In his four hands he has shoola, varamudre, abhayamudre, and deer. I.                   Different Shivanama with meanings – Ashutosha; Andhakasurahara; Chandrashekara; Damarugapani; Doorjati; Gangadhara; Kaamaari; Kruthivaasa; Kailasavaasa; Gajacharmambara dhara; Mano niyamaka; Maheshwara; Mrutyunjaya; Nandivaahana; Nataraja; Nagabharana; Nagabhushana; Neelakanta; Paarvateesha

For the past 2 and half months, clusters of men clad in black drapery have been trekking their way to finally reach their destination- SABARIMALA (शबरिमाला / ശബരിമല). The journey spanning a treacherous path of thorns and keeping alive severe worldly austerities on this journey to visit His Highness, Lord Ayyappa. Who is Ayyappa? People in the northern India often find the name funny and unsuitable for a God! Well, No offences, lack of knowledge can lead to such ignorant thinking. Lord Ayyappa is perhaps the most important Hindu deity for the people of Kerala and He is also followed in Tamil Nadu & Karnataka. Lord Ayyappa also known as Manikantha or the one with the bell around his throat is touted to be the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Startled??? Surprised??? Shocked??? Well, the story dates back to the great Samudra Manthan (The churning of the Ocean) epic in the Hindu puranas. The clash took place between SurAs(Gods) and asurAs(Demons) to claim Amritham, which was a milky