SARASWATI

Goddess Saraswati (Sarasvati) is the wife (consort) of Lord Brahma and possesses the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning; mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lot us (a symbol of true knowledge) in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on the violin (veena). She is dressed in white (sign of purity) and rides on a white goose (swan).

LORD UMA MAHESWARA

Uma Maheswara Stotram
Uma Maheswara Stotram
Composed By Adhi Sankara Bagawat Pada
Translated in to English in free verse,
By P.R.Ramachander

Nama Sivabhyam, Nava Youvanabhyam,
Paraspara slishta Vapurtharabhyam,
Nagendra Kanya vrusha Kethabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who are always in fresh stage of youth,
Who cling to each other in tight embrace,
Of whom one is the daughter of the mountain,
And the other is one whose symbol is a bull,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy.
Nama Shivaabhyam sarasothsavabhyam,
Namaskruthabheeshta vara prathabhyam,
Narayanenarchitha padukabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Whose playful love is a festival,
Who grant boons to those who salute them,
And whose feet is worshipped by Lord Narayana,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy.
Nama Shivaabhyam vrusha vahanabhyam,
Virinchi vishnveendra su poojithaabhyam,
Vibhoothi pattera vilepanaabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who ride on the divine bull,
Who are worshipped by Vishnu, Brahma and Indra,
And whose bodies are anointed with Sandal and holy ash,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy.
Nama Shivaabhyam Jagadeeswarabhyam,
Jagat pathibhyabhyam , Jaya vigrahabhyam,
Jambhari mukhyair abhi vandidabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who are the lord and lady of the universe,
Who are always victorious,
And who are worshipped by Indra and his chiefs,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam paramoushadabhyam,
Panchakshari panjara ranjithabhyam,
Prapancha srushti sthithi samhruthibhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who are themselves the greatest medicine
Who are happy to hear panchakshari repeated,
And who create , rule and destroy the universe,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam Athi sundarabhyam,
Athyanthamasaktha hrudambujabhyam,
Asesha lokaika hithamkarabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who are very pretty,
Who are ever interested
In the lotus like heart of devotees,
And who do not have any other wish,
Except the good of the world,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam kalinasanaabhyam,
Kankaala kalyana vapurdharaabhyam,
Kailasa saila sthitha devathabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa
Who destroy the effects of the kali age,
Who has a body with famished one on one side,
And a pretty one on the other side,
And who are the Gods living on mount Kailasa,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam asubapahaabhyam,
Asesha lokaika viseshithaabhyam,
Akuntithabhyam, sruthi samsthuthabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who destroy all that leads to bad effects,
Who are one and only one in this entire world,
Who have a sharp intelligence ,
And who has a very deep memory of what they hear,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam rachithabhayabhyam,
Ravindu vaiswanara lochanabhyam,
Rakasangabha mukhambujabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who are the solace for all who surrender,
Who have sun , moon and fire as eyes,
And whose lotus face resembles the full moon in the sky,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam jana mohanabhyam,
Jara mruthi thrasa vivarjithabhyam,
Janardhanabjod bhava poojithabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who attract all the people of the world,
Who do not have old age death and other imperfections,
And who are worshipped by Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam Vishamekshanabhyam,
Bilwachhadhamallikadhama brudbhyam,
Shobhavathi santhavatheeswarabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who are our immediate solace in difficult times,
Who both wear the garland made of Vilwa leaves
And Jasmine flowers,
Who are resplendent with abounding peace,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Namashivaabhyam pasupalakabhyam,
Jagathrayee rakshana badha hrudhbhyam,
Samastha devasura poojithabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,
Who protect all beings of this earth,
Whose great intent is to protect the three worlds,
And who are worshipped by all asuras and devas,
Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara
And to that Goddess Parvathy
Sthothram trisandhyam Shiva Paravatheebhyam,
Bakthya patethdwadasaka naro ya,
Sa sarva sowbhagya phalani bunkthe,
Sathayuranthe Shivalokamethi.
Devotee who recites this prayer at dawn, noon and dusk,
Which sings the praise of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy,
In its twelve holy stanzas,
Would live a life with all luck for hundred years,
And then attain the world of Lord Shiva.
A

ABOUT SANKARA

The Meaning of Shankara
Lord Siva is popularly known as Shankara. The word Shankara is made up of two words, namely "shanka" and "hara". Shanka means doubt and hara means dispeller or destroyer. It also means lord.
The word "Shankara" thus means He who dispels or destroys doubts. dispels or destroys all doubts. He rules over our disbeliefs and hesitations and establishes firm faith in us through his compelling nature. By dispelling our doubts and establishing faith, He destroys all our bondage.
Shankara or Sankara can also mean sankata + hara, that is he who destroys or ends all difficulties. Sincere prayers to Shankara can be very effective. The Lord is easily pleased with pure devotion and responds immediately. Siva is known for his boon giving nature, which at times causes trouble because when he is pleased he can be very generous even to the evil characters.

SHIVA (NATYAM) PICTURE

LINGASHTAKAM---- A PRAYER TO LORD SHIVA

Brahma Murari surarchita LingamNirmala bhasita sobhita LingamJanmaja dukha vinasaka LingamTat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
Devamuni pravararchita LingamKamadahana karunakara LingamRavana darpa vinasaka LingamTat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
Sarva sugandhi sulepita LingamBuddhi vivardhana karana LingamSiddha surasura vandita LingamTat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
Kanaka maha mani bhushita LingamPaniphati veshtitha shobhita LingamDakshasu yajna vinashana LingamTat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
Kumkuma chandana lepita LingamPankaja hara sushosbhita LingamSanchita papa vinashana LingamTat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
Devaganarchita sevita LingamBhavair bhaktibhi revacha LingamDinakarakoti prabhakara LingamTat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
Ashtadalo pariveshtia LingamSarva samudbhava karana LingamAshtadaridra vinashana LingamTatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Suraguru suravara pujita LingamSuravana pushpa sadarchita LingamParatparam paramatmaka LingamTatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Lingashtakamidam punyamYat Pathet ShivasannidhauShivalokamavapnotiShivena saha modate.

OM NAMASHIVAYA

MURUGAN PICTURES

LORD MURUGAN -- ABOUT

Murugan or Murukaṇ (Tamil: முருகன்) called Subrahmanya (Kannada: ಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ) is a popular Hindu deity among Tamil Hindus, and is worshipped primarily in areas with Tamil influence, especially South India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. But in Sri Lanka, Hindus as well as Buddhists revere a highly sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrine Katharagama temple (also in Sinhala "Katharagama Devalaya") dedicated to him and situated deep south in the country.
Lord Murugan is more popular in South India compared to other parts of India. Like most Hindu deities, He is known by many other names, including Senthil, Saravaṇa, Kārttikeya (meaning 'son of Krittika' ), Arumugam or Shanmukha (meaning 'one with six faces'), Kumāra (meaning 'child or son'), Guha, Skanda (meaning 'that which is spilled or oozed, namely seed' in Sanskrit) Subrahmaṇya, Vēlaṇ and Swaminatha. He is the God of war and the patron deity of the Tamil land (Tamil Nadu). According to the Tamil devotional work, Thiruppugazh, "Murugan never hesitates to come to the aid of a devotee when called upon in piety or distress".
The references to Murugan in Sanskrit literature can be traced back to the first millennium BCE. There are references to Subrahmanya in Kautilya's Arthashastra, in the works of Patanjali, in Kalidasa's epic poem the Kumarasambhavam and in the Sanskrit drama Mricchakatika. The Kushanas, who governed from what is today Peshawar, and the Yaudheyas, a republican clan in the Punjab, struck coins bearing the image of Skanda. The deity was venerated also by the Ikshvakus, an Andhra dynasty, and the Guptas. The worship of Kumāra was one of the six principal sects of Hinduism at the time of Adi Shankara. The Shanmata system propagated by him included this sect. In many Shiva and Devi temples of Tamil Nadu, Subrahmaṇya is installed on the left of the main deity
Murugan slaying the demon Surapadman
Sati, the consort of Shiva immolated herself at the Daksha Yagna, which was later destroyed by Shiva. Sati was reborn as Uma, or Parvati the daughter of the mountain king Himavaan (the Himalayas). Shiva withdrew himself from the universe and engaged himself in yogic meditation in the Himalayas.
In the meanwhile, the demon Surapadman ravaged the earth and tormented its beings. It was realized by the gods that only the son born of Shiva could lead the gods to victory over Tarakasuran, Surapadman and their demon companions. They plotted with Kamadeva, to shoot a flower arrow at Shiva, as he sat in meditation, so as to make him fall in love with Parvati. When Kama aimed his arrow, Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kama to ashes instantly.
The sparks of the fiery seed of Shiva were unbearable; even the fire God Agni could not bear them; this fire was then transported by the river Ganga into the Saravana forest into a pond called the Saravana Poigai(located at mouths of river Ganga), where the sparks became six children. They were raised by the six Krittika or Kartika - the stars that make up the Pleiades, earning the name Karthikeya. Parvati combined these six babies into one with six faces, i.e. Shanmukha or Arumugan. Since he was born in the Saravana he was also called 'Saravanabhava.'
Murugan became the supreme general of the demi-gods then escorted the devas and led the army of the devas to victory against the demons. The six sites at which Karthikeya sojourned while leading his armies against Surapadman are Tiruttanikai, Swamimalai, Tiruvavinankudi (Palani), Pazhamudirsolai, Tirupparamkunram and Tiruchendur. All these sites have ancient temples glorified by the Tamil poems of Tirumurugaatruppadai of the Sangam period (circa the 3rd century CE).And these six sites collectively came to be known as "Arupadai Veedu" (Lang:Tamil), it means the six battle camps of the Lord.

Hindu epics
The first elaborate account of Karthikeya's origin occurs in the Mahabharata. In a complicated story, he is said to have been born from Agni and Svaha, after the latter impersonated the six of the seven wives of the Saptarishi (Seven Sages). The actual wives then become the Pleiades. Karthikeya is said to have been born to destroy the Asura Mahisha.(In later mythology, Mahisha became the adversary of Durga.) Indra attacks Karthikeya as he sees the latter as a threat, until Shiva intervenes and makes Karthikeya the commander-in-chief of the army of the Devas. He is also married to Devasena, Indra's daughter. The origin of this marriage lies probably in the punning of 'Deva-sena-pati'.It can mean either lord of Devasena or Lord of the army(sena) of Devas.
The Ramayana version is closer to the stories told in the Puranas discussed below.



Vedas
The Atharva Veda describes Kumaran as 'Agnibhuh' or son of Agni, the fire god. The Satapatha Brahmana refers to him as the son of Rudra and the ninth form of Agni. The Taittiriya Aranyaka contains the Gayatri mantra for Shanmukha. The Chandogya Upanishad refers to Skanda as the "way that leads to wisdom". The Baudhayana Dharmasutra mentions Skanda as 'Mahasena' and 'Subrahmanya.' The Aranya Parva canto of the Mahabharata relates the legend of Kartikeya Skanda in considerable detail. The Skanda Purana is devoted to the narrative of Kartikeya.

Puranas
Though slightly varying versions occur in the Puranas, they broadly follow the same pattern. By this period, the identification of Shiva/Rudra with Agni, that can be traced back to the Vedas and Brahmanas, had clearly made Karthikeya the son of Shiva.[citation needed]
The Skanda Purana narrates that Shiva first wed Dakshayani (also named Sati), the granddaughter of Brahma, and the daughter of Daksha. Daksha never liked Shiva, who, symbolizing destruction and detachment, begs for food, dances in a graveyard smeared with ashes, and has no possessions, not even good clothes for himself. Daksha publicly insults Shiva in a Yagna ceremony, and Dakshayani immolates herself. The Yagna is destroyed although protected by all the other Gods and the rishis. Taraka believed that, because Shiva is an ascetic and his earlier marriage was conducted with great difficulty, his remarriage was out of the question, hence his boon of being killed by Shiva's son alone would give him invincibility.[citation needed]
The Devas manage to get Shiva married to Parvati (who was Dakshayani, reborn), by making Manmatha (also known as Kama), the God of love awaken him from his penance, but Manmatha incurred the Lord's wrath indicated by the opening his third eye - "Netri Kann" , and being destroyed & resurrected. Shiva hands over his effulgence of the third eye used to destroy Manmatha to Agni, as he alone is capable of handling it until it becomes the desired offspring. But even Agni, tortured by its heat, hands it over to Ganga who in turn deposits it in a lake in a forest of reeds (shara). The child is finally born in this forest (vana) with six faces-eesanam, sathpurusham, vamadevam, agoram, sathyojatham and adhomugam. He is first spotted and cared for by six women representing the Pleiades - Kritika in Sanskrit. He thus gets named Karthikeya. As a young lad, he destroys Taraka. He is also called Kumara (Sanskrit for "youth")

Sangam literature

Classical Tamil representation of Murugan with Deivanai and Valli
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Tamil Sangam Literature (early centuries CE) mentions Murugu as a nature spirit worshipped with animal sacrifices and associated with a non-Brahmanical priest known as a Velan , a name later used to refer to the deity himself. The worship of Murugu often occurred in the woods or in an open field, with no particular associated structure. The rituals practiced included the Veriyaattu, a form of ritual-trance-dancing, which is still a common part of Murugan worship in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Malaysia. Murugu was believed to hold power over the chaotic and could be appeased by sacrifices and Veriyaattu to bring order and prosperity.
Tolkappiyam, possibly the most ancient of the extant Sangam works, glorified Murugan, " the red god seated on the blue peacock, who is ever young and resplendent," as " the favoured god of the Tamils."The Sangam poetry divided space and Tamil land into five allegorical areas (tinai) and according to the Tirumurugarruppatai( circa 400-450 CE) attributed to the great Sangam poet Nakkiirar, Murugan was the presiding deity the Kurinci region (hilly area). (Tirumurugaruppatai is a deeply devotional poem included in the ten idylls (Pattupattu) of the age of the third Sangam).
The other Sangam era works in Tamil that refer to Murugan in detail include the Paripaatal, the Akananuru and the Purananuru.
One poem in the Paripaatal describes the veneration of Murugan thus:
"We implore thee not for boons of enjoyment or wealth, But for thy grace beatific, love and virtuous deeds".
Architectural findings of pottery in several places in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere had ideographic inscriptions of this name as far back as 3rd century BCE.According to noted epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan, the ideographs signify a brave warrior capable of killing evil demons to save the devoted.
Lord Muruga was worshipped for giving the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (OM) to Lord Shiva himself.

Tamil liturgy
Murugan is venerated throughout the Tamil year. There is a six day period of fast and prayer in the Tamil month of Aippasi known as the Skanda Shasti. He is worshipped at Thaipusam, celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide near the full moon of the Tamil month Thai. This commemorates the day he was given a Vel or lance by his mother in order to vanquish the demons. Vaikasi Visakam or the full moon of the Tamil month of Vaikasi signifies his birth. Each Tuesday of the Tamil month of Adi is also dedicated to the worship of Murugan. Tuesday in the Hindu tradition connotes Mangala, the god of planet Mars and war. This reveals the link between Skanda and Kujan (Mangala).

Symbolism
Kartikeya symbols are based on the weapons - Vel, the Divine Lance that He carries and His mount the peacock. He is sometimes depicted with many weapons including: a sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow although more usually he is depicted wielding a sakti or spear. This symbolizes His purification of human ills. His javelin is used to symbolize His far reaching protection, His discus symbolizes His knowledge of the truth, His mace represents His strength and His bow shows His ability to defeat all ills. His peacock mount symbolizes his destruction of the ego.
His six heads represent the six siddhis bestowed upon yogis over the course of their spiritual development. This corresponds to his role as the bestower of siddhis.

Worship through ages

Coin of the Yaudheyas with depiction of Karttikeya.
Historically, Kartikeya enjoyed immense popularity in the Indian subcontinent. One of the major Puranas, the Skanda Purana is dedicated to him. In the Bhagavad-Gita (Ch.10, Verse 24), Krishna, while explaining his omnipresence, names the most perfect being, mortal or divine, in each of several categories. While doing so, he says: "Among generals, I am Skanda, the lord of war."
Kartikeya's presence in the religious and cultural sphere can be seen at least from the Gupta age. Two of the Gupta kings, Kumaragupta and Skandagupta, were named after him. He is seen in the Gupta sculptures and in the temples of Ellora and Elephanta. As the commander of the divine armies, he became the patron of the ruling classes. His youth, beauty and bravery was much celebrated in Sanskrit works like the Kathasaritsagara. Kalidasa made the birth of Kumara the subject of a lyrical epic, the Kumaarasambhavam.
In ancient India, Kartikeya was also regarded as the patron deity of thieves, as may be inferred from the Mrichchakatikam, a Sanskrit play by Shudraka, and in the Vetala-panchvimshati, a medieval collection of tales. This association is linked to the fact that Kartikeya had dug through the Krauncha mountain to kill the demon Taraka and his brothers (in the Mrichchakatikam, Sarivilaka prays to him before tunnelling into the hero's house).
However, Kartikeya's popularity in North India receded from the Middle Ages onwards, and his worship is today virtually unknown except in parts of Haryana. There is a very famous temple dedicated to Him in the town of Pehowa in Haryana and this temple is very well-known in the adjoining areas, especially because of the fact that women are not allowed anywhere close to it. Women stay away from this temple in Pehowa town of Haryana because this shrine celebrates the Brahmachari form of Kartikeya. Reminders of former devotions to him include a temple at Achaleshwar, near Batala in Punjab, and another temple of Skanda atop the Parvati hill in Pune, Maharashtra. Another vestige of his former popularity can be seen in Bengal, where he is worshipped during the Durga Puja festivities alongside Durga.

Popularity in Tamil Nadu
In South India, Murugan has continued to be popular with all classes of society right since the Sangam age. This has led to more elaborate accounts of his mythology in the Tamil language, culminating in the Tamil version of Skanda Purana, called Kandha Purānam, written by Kacchiappa Sivachariyar (1350-1420 CE.) of Kumara Kottam in the city of Kanchipuram. (He was a scholar in Tamil and Sanskrit literature, and a votary of the Shaiva Siddhanta philosophy.)
He is married to two deities, Valli, a daughter of a tribal chief and Deivayanai (also called Devasena), the daughter of Indra. During His bachelorhood, Lord Murugan is also regarded as Kumaraswami (or Bachelor God), Kumara meaning a bachelor and Swami meaning God. Muruga rides a peacock and wields a bow in battle. The lance called Vel in Tamil is a weapon closely associated with him. The Vel was given to him by his mother, Parvati, and embodies her energy and power. The flag of his army depicts a rooster. In the war, the demon Soorapadman was split into two, and each half was granted a boon by Murugan. The halves, thus turned into the peacock (his mount) and the rooster.
As Muruga is worshipped predominantly in South India, many of his names are of Tamil origin. These include Senthil, the red or formidable one; Arumuga, the six-faced one; Guha and Maal-Marugan, the nephew of Vishnu.
Lord Subramanya is the major deity among the Thiyyas of northern Kerala.
Lord Subramanya is worshipped with utmost devotion in districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in the state of Karnataka. Rituals like nagaradhane are unique to this region.

Puranic Stories
Given that legends related to Murugan are recounted separately in several Hindu epics, some diferences between the various versions are observed. Some Sanskrit epics and puranas indicate that he was the elder son of Shiva. This is suggested by the legend connected to his birth; the wedding of Shiva and Parvati being necessary for the birth of a child who would vanquish the demon Taraka. Also, Kartikeya is seen helping Shiva fight the newborn Ganesha, Shiva's other son, in the Shiva Purana. In the Ganapati Khandam of the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, he is seen as the elder son of Shiva and Ganesha as the younger. In South India, it is believed that he is the younger of the two. A Puranic story has Ganesha obtain a divine mango of knowledge from Narada winning a contest with Murugan. While Murugan speeds around the world thrice to win the contest for the mango, Ganesha circumambulates Shiva and Parvati thrice as an equivalent and is given the mango. After winning it, he offers to give the mango to his upset brother. After this event, Ganesha was considered the elder brother owing as a tribute to his wisdom.
In many traditions, Murugan is seen as a bachelor. Many of the major events in Murugan's life take place during his youth, and legends surrounding his birth are popular. This has encouraged the worship of Murugan as a child-God, very similar to the worship of the child Krishna in north India. Other traditions have him married to two wives, Valli and Devayani.





Murugan Icons carried in procession during Thaipusam at Batu Caves.
The main temples of Murugan are located in Southern Tamil Nadu. They include the Aru Padaiveedu (six houses- rather, military camps in his campaign against demon) - Thiruchendur, Swamimalai, Pazhamudircholai, Thirupparangunram, Palani (Pazhani), Thiruthani - and other important shrines like Mayilam, Sikkal, Marudamalai, Kundrathur, Vadapalani, Kandakottam, Vallakottai, Vayalur, Thirumalaikoil, Vella Kovil, Kukke Subramanya. Malai Mandir, a prominent and popular temple complex in Delhi, is one of the few dedicated to Murugan in all of North India apart from the famous Pehowa temple in Haryana.
There are innumerable temples dedicated to Lord Subramanya in Kerala. Amongst them , the most important ones are Subramanya temple in Haripad, Udayanapuram Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Kottayam.
The key temples in Sri Lanka include the sylvan shrine in Kataragama / (Kadirgamam), or Kathirkamam in the deep south, the temple in Tirukovil in the east, the shrine in Embekke in the Kandyan region and the famed Nallur Kandaswamy temple in Jaffna.
There are several temples dedicated to Murugan in Malaysia, the most famous being the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur. There is a 42.7m high statue of Lord Murugan at the entrance to the Batu Caves, which is the largest Murugan statue in the world.
Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road, Singapore is a major Hindu temple where each year the Thaipusam festival takes place with devotees of Lord Muruga carry Kavadis seeking penance and blessings of the Lord.
In United kingdom, Highgate Hill Murugan temple is one of the oldest and most famous.
In Australia, Sydney Murugan temple in Parramatta (Mays Hill) is a major Hindu temple for all Australian Hindus.


Worship in Sri Lanka
Kartikeya or Murugan is adored by both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Numerous temples exist throughout the island. He is a favorite deity of the common folk everywhere and it is said he never hesitates to come to the aid of a devotee when called upon.
In the deeply Sinhalese south of Sri Lanka, Kartikeya is worshipped at the temple in Kataragama (Kathirkamam), where he is known as Katragama Deviyo (Lord of Katragama) or Kathiravel. This temple is next to an old Buddhist place of worship. Local legend holds that Lord Murugan alighted in Kataragama and was smitten by Valli, one of the local aboriginal lasses. After a courtship, they were married. This event is taken to signify that Lord Murugan is accessible to all who worship and love him, regardless of their birth or heritage. The Nallur Kandaswamy temple, the Maviddapuram temple and the Sella channithy temple near Valvettiturai are the three foremost Murukan temples in Jaffna. The Chitravelautha temple in Verukal on the border between Trincomalee and Batticaloa is also noteworthy as is the Mandur Kandaswamy temple in Batticaloa. The late medieval-era temple of the tooth in Kandy, dedicated to the tooth relic of the Buddha, has a Kataragama deiyo shrine adjacent to it dedicated to the veneration of Skanda in the Sinhalese tradition.

The Legend or Sthala Purana of Palani
Or How Kavadi Tradition Began
Sage Agastya wanted to take two hills—Sivagiri and Sakthigiri—to his abode in the South and commissioned his disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban bore the hills slung across his shoulders, in the form of a kavadi one on either side. When he was fatigued, he placed the kavadi near Palani to take rest.
At this stage, Subrahmanya or Muruga had been outwitted in a contest for going round the world. Ganapati had won the prized fruit (pomegranate or mango) by simply going round His parents. Long after, this, Subrahmanya came sweating on His peacock to find that the prize had already been given away. In anger, the frustrated child left the divine parents and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivaram (pronounced Adivâram. It means foot of the Sivagiri Hill). Siva pacified Him by saying that He (Subrahmanya) Himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge; nee —you. Hence the place was called 'Pazham Nee' or Palani. Later, He withdrew to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.
When Idumban resumed his journey, he could not lift the hill. Muruga had made it impossible for Idumban to make it. In the fierce battle that ensued, Idumban was killed but was later on restored to life. Idumban prayed that:
1.whosoever carried on his shoulders the Kavadi, signifying the two hills and visited the temple on a vow, should be blessed.
2.He should be given the privilege of standing sentinel at the entrance to the hill.
Hence we have the Idumban shrine halfway up the hill where every pilgrim is expected to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple of Dandâyudhapani. Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has spread from Palani to all Muruga shrines worldwide.

MURUGAN PICTURES

ABOUT SUBRAHMANYA

Jñāna Malai Sri Subrahmanya Swami
Lord Muruga is the embodiment of jñāna (spiritual insight). He is Jñāna Panditan, Jñānaswarupan, etc. By worshipping the Lord as Jñāna Panditan, one obtains jñāna.
Until recently the celebrated Jñāna Malai (Mount of Wisdom) could not be identified. Lord Jñāna Murugan only recently disclosed His presence at Jñānamalai situated near Kaverippakkam in Vellore district at a small village called Govindacheri 14 kilometres from Kaverippakkam.
Though it a small hillock, yet there is no easy way to reach the top of the hill. There is a small Murugan temple on this hill.

Greetings to the devotees of the omnipotent Tamil Deity Lord Muruga!In Tamil Nadu as the popular maxim goes, "Wherever there is a mount there is a shrine for lord Muruga".This Portal dedicated to the devotees of Lord Muruga across the globe. Lord Muruga - called by various favourite names like Karthilkeya, Arumuga, Shanmuga, Guhan, Skanda, Subramanya and Kumara - by his ardent devotees - is a Hindu god. He is considered to be the son of Lord Shiva - the Hindu God of distruction and the brother of Lord Ganesh - the most famous elephant headed god of India. The portal provides vital information on temples of Muruga - across the globe, with special emphasis on the arupadai veedu group of shrines. It includes specific details like location, legends, purana, mythology, places to stay, festivals, links to other websites etc. on these six most famous temples of Lord Muruga - called Aru padai veedu.
Lord Muruga Aaru Padai Veedu(Six Battle Filed)Thiruparamkundram : Soora Samharam, Chariot Festival and Laksha archana (worship to Lord Muruga by hundred thousand names)Thiruchendur : Swing Festival (Oonjal Sevai - where Lord Muruga swings with his consort in a highly tranquill atmosphere)Palani : The Golden Chariot Festival (A very famous occation in which golden image of the Lord goes around the temple in Gold Plated Chariot)Swamimalai : The Soora Vahana Festival (Lord Muruga is seated above the Asura Soorapadhman and is taken around the temple)Thiruthani : Mirror Festival (Kannadi Sevai - where the Lord's Six faces are exposed through a mirror and worshipped)Pazhamudhircholai : Bathing Festival (Abhishekam - where the Lord's image is bathed in several holy waters, amidst the veda chanting - Sri Rudhram and Chamakam)

VISHNU RUPAS

LORD VISHNU

BHAGAVAN VISHNU

Bhagavan Vishnu is the supreme God in Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God,and his supreme status is declared in the Hindu sacred texts like Yajurveda, the Rigveda and the Bhagavad Gita.
The Vishnu Sahasranamadeclares Vishnu as Paramatma (supreme soul) and Parameshwara (supreme God). It describes Vishnu as the All-Pervading essence of all beings, the master of—and beyond—the past, present and future, the creator and destroyer of all existences, one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates and develops all elements within.
In the Puranas, Vishnu is described as having the divine color of clouds (dark-blue), four-armed, holding a lotus, mace, conch and chakra (wheel). Vishnu is also described in the Bhagavad Gita as having a 'Universal Form' (Vishvarupa) which is beyond the ordinary limits of human sense perception.
The Puranas also describe each of the dasavatara of Vishnu. Among these ten principal avatars described, nine of them have occurred in the past and one will take place in the future, at the end of Kali Yuga. In the commentary of creator Brahma in Vishnu Sahasranamam, he refers to Vishnu as "Sahasrakoti Yuga Dharine", which means that these incarnations take place in all Yugas in cosmic scales. The Bhagavad Gita mentions their purpose as being to rejuvenate Dharmaand vanquish negative forces as also to display His divine pastimes in front of the conditioned/fallen souls. In almost all Hindu denominations, Vishnu is either worshiped directly or in the form of his ten avatars, such as Rama and Krishna.
The Trimurti (English: ‘three forms’; Sanskrit: trimūrti) is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer. These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" or the "Great Trinity".

LORD SIVA

Shiva (Sanskrit: Auspicious One), or Siva, is one of the main Deities of Hinduism, worshipped as the paramount lord by the Saivite sects of India. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger.
Shiva was originally known as Rudra, a minor deity addressed only three times in the Rig Veda. He gained importance after absorbing some of the characteristics of an earlier fertility god and became Shiva, part of the trinity, or trimurti, with Vishnu and Brahma.

SHIRIDISAIBABA

Shirdi Sai Baba

It shows how a young was horse was sent to Saibaba as a gift and Sai Baba named

him Shyam Sunder. Shyam Sunder use to dance in front of Saibaba when Aartis

were performed in Shirdi

It shows how a young was horse was sent to Saibaba as a gift and Sai Baba named him Shyam Sunder. Shyam Sunder

use to dance in front of Saibaba when Aartis were performed in Shirdi.Later on the last moment of Bayjabai, who used

to roam about in jungles to feed Sai Baba, when He was little known, Saibaba appears before her.Sai Baba used to say

that Bayjabai was his sister since many past births, she used to call Saibaba as brother and Tatya her son, who was so

near to Sai Baba called Sai Baba as Mama (maternal uncle). Bayjabai's hunt for Sai Baba in jungles to feed him is also

mentioned in the sacred text Shree Sai SatCharitra.Next scene is Sai Baba talking with Nanasaheb Chandorkar

sitting in Mashid, Sai Baba had called for Nanasaheb Chandorkar but he was not much willing to meet Saibaba in the

beginning. Later he became staunch devotee of Sai Baba and instrumental in sending many devotees to the sacred

land Shirdi.Next Sai Baba shows his oneness with all living beings. Sai Baba used to say if you hurt any one know well

that you are hurting me. Sai Baba did not just stopped telling this on many occasions he showed the marks of being

hurt when anybody or an animal had been hit. The picture shows when Shyam Sunder was hit. Another similar

story of cat.Next is the scene of adalat (legal court) being set in front of Dwarkamai and Sai Baba's metaphysical

answers to the questions. A thief was caught with gold ornaments, he lied to the police officers that the gold ornaments

were given to him by Sai Baba of Shirdi. A summon was charged against Sai Baba that he should be present in the

police station to answer for the same. Sai Baba got enraged and threw the papers of summon in the Dhuni (the sacred

fire that was and is kept alive in Masjid Mai. Later the more authoritative devotees of Sai Baba applied to the

government that Sai Baba was revered as Saint and God by many of His devotees and it was not proper to issue an

warrant on the words of ordinary thief. However the legal actions had to go according to the laws, hence a court of

Law in front of Masjid Mai.

BABA IN4MATION

Places for Darshan at Shirdi

1. Khandoba Mandir : This Temple is located near Shree Saibaba Hospital on Nagar-Manmad road.When the marriage party of Chand Patil’s wife’s nephew came to Shirdi,they had taken shelter under the banyan tree located near this Temple.When Shree Saibaba,Who had accompanied this marriage party,alighted with others in the open ground of this Temple,the Pujari of the Temple welcomed this young Ascetic with the words “Ya Sai” (”Come Sai”).

2. Gurusthan : Baba was first spotted here (within Samadhi Mandir Complex) when He was a lad of sixteen.Baba used to refer to this spot as His Guru’s (Mentor’s) location.The famous Margosa (Neem) tree,refered to in Shree Sai Satcharita stands here.It is the experience of devotee that if they burn incense here on Thursday and Fridays,their ailments get cured.

3. Sai Baba’s Samadhi Mandir : Baba’s Sacred Body has been laid to eternal rest (Samadhi) here.The edifice of this main Mandir (Temple) was constructed with Baba’s blessings,by Shri Gopalrao Butti of Nagpur,an ardent devotee of Baba.It is therefore also known as ‘Butti Wada’.Baba’s beautiful lifesize idol is installed near His Samadhi in this shrine.All rituals,comprising Pooja,Abhishek and daily four Aaratis are performed here.

.Dwarkamai (Masjid) : This was Baba’s abode(located within Samadhi Mandir Complex) continously for sixty years till He took Samadhi.Baba blessed innumerable devotees here.The Sheela (Stone),on which Baba used to sit is located in Dwarkamai.The sacred Fire (Dhuni) lit by Baba is also eternally burning here.Baba used to give Sacred Udi (Ash) from this Dhuni to his devotees to fulfil their wishes.Even now,Udi distributed to devotees is from this Dhuni.Baba used to cook food here and distribute it among His devotees.

5.Chavadi : Chavadi is located nearby on the eastern side of Samadhi Mandir Complex.On every alternate day,Baba used to proceed in procession from Dwarkamai to Chavadi at night and sleep there.Even now,on every Thursday,Baba’s Photo,Holy Padukas (Foot-wear) and Sataka (Baton) are taken in Palanquin Procession to the Chavadi between 9.15pm and 10pm.

6.Others Samadhis : Samadhis of Shri Tatya Patil Kote,Shri Bhau Maharaj Kumbhar,Shri Padmanabha iyer,Shri Nanawali and Shri Abdul Baba,who were Baba’s ardent devotees and were closely associated with Him during His life time,are located within Samadhi Mandir Complex,near Lendi Baug.

7.Lendi Baug : Baba used to go for a stroll to this Baug (Garden),which is located within Samadhi Mandir Complex.Nanda Deep (Sacred Oil Lamp) is kept continously lit near the Pipal tree planted by Baba Himself in this Garden.A small Datta Mandir is also situated in this Garden.Baba’s beloved horse Shyamkarna (Shyamsunder) was laid to eternal rest here.There is also a Well,called “Baba’s Shivadi” in this Garden.

8.Besides the forgoing,there are three other Temples located within Samadhi Mandir Complex:Shri Ganesh Temple,Shri Shani Temple and Shri Mahadeo Temple.

9.Museum Hall : Valuable things used by Baba during his time are drinking vessel (Tumbrel),Baba’s Paduka (footprints),Baba’s Satka,Grinder,Gramaphone,Bowl of Hukka,Horse bridle-habiliments,the kaphani and Sandals worn by Shri Sai Baba and the original photograph of Lord Sai.All these Valuable things are kept in the museum Hall for Sai devotees.

BABA PICS

BABA PICS

SAI BABA

SAI

BABA