Yoga has been proven to relieve stress by using exercises that unify the mind, body, and spirit. If you are new to yoga, these seven tips will start you on the road to a more centered life. Know More

भगवान विष्णु को क्यों कहा जाता है नारायण और हरि, जानिए इसका रहस्य - गुरुवार का दिन बृहस्पति के साथ ही भगवान विष्णु को समर्पित है और इस दिन उनकी विशेष पूजा के साथ ही खास उपाय भी किये जाते हैं जिससे भक्त के संकट दूर होते हैं और उसे मनचाहा फल मिलता है Know More

Traditionally it was believed that the power of herbal medicine to heal rests partly in the plants, partly in the healer and partly in the person being healed. Today, conventional western medicine encourages us to believe that all power lies with the doctors and the medication. Know More

THE Rev. R. J. Campbell, M.A., who presided, said : In introducing the lecturer to a City Temple audience it is not my desire to indulge in personalities which might be embanassing to her, but I feel it is due to ourselves to say that we recognise in Mrs. Besant one of the greatest moral forces of the day. Know More

Lord Shiva is to all men all things. His universality and adaptability have preserved His place in the hearts of men for millennia. The elemental Lord of the Wind, He personified the cataclysmic forces of nature and was the Lord of Destruction. Know More

The origin of Shiva Ratri, the night of Lord Shiva, is related in a fable. In ancient times near the City of Light, Varanasi, there lived a violent and cruel hunter. Whilst hunting in the woods one day, he killed so many birds that he had trouble carrying them all home. He grew tired from the weight of his catch and was frequently forced to stop and rest. Know More

Yoga means union of man with his Higher Self. It is an ancient discipline that can be traced back as far as the third century B.C., when the forest dwelling ascetics broke away from the traditional material values of society, and sought to free them selves from the chains of karma. Know More

As a man’s desire is, so is his destiny. For as his desire is, so is his will, and as his will is, so is his deed, and as his deed is, so is his reward, whether good or bad.” Know More

Through His destruction, Shiva claims and regenerates life,death is His dominion. In a world dominated by a distorted vision of reality the thought of death and its consequences can be extremely disturbing. The direct experience of parting from all that one loves and cherishes and entering a completely different state of consciousness, is confusing and even frightening. Know More

Varanasi, built along the banks of the holy River Ganges, is the earthly dwelling place of Lord Shiva. Called Banares by the British, it was originally known as Kasi, the City of Light,and is said to be the oldest existing city on earth. Know More

There are a number of simple rites the performance of which will free you from inner impurities. From generation to generation our forefathers performed them and earned happiness and contentment. We must follow in their footsteps. We do not have to go in search of any new way of life, any new doctrine or belief. Know More

Truthfulness means mind and speech being well integrated. The wise say that speech being at variance with the mind is untruthfulness. Know More

A MILK-MAID used to supply milk to a Brahmin priest living on the other side of a river. Owing to the irregularities of the boat service, she could not supply him milk punctually every day. Once, being rebuked for her coming late, the poor woman said, "What can I do ? I start early from my house, but have to wait for a long time at the riverbank for the boatman and the passengers. Know More

The River Ganges, more than all other rivers, has inspired the hearts of the Indian population through the Ages. The uncounted millions who have prayed on her banks and bathed in her waters from the source to the sea, tell the colourful story of India’s spiritual quest. Know More

Religion is an integral part of daily life in the Indian subcontinent, there is hardly a separation between worship and worldly affairs. People bow to sacred cows blocking the road, they pause to ring a temple bell while walking through the marketplace, offering coins to a beggar, and flowers to a shrine. Know More

RaMA’S whole heart was filled with the longing to see Sita, and renew once more the life-sweetness which had been broken that morning when he left her to catch the golden deer. Yet he was no mere mortal, full of blind impulse, a prey to the chance-born desires of the passing moment. He foresaw that if their reunion was to be secure, it must take place in public and must be accompanied by some proof of his wife's honour and devotion which could never be shaken in the popular mind. Know More

There was a truthful king whose mind was given to piety. If any common man who brought to his capital cereals, textile goods or any other commodity for sale failed to dispose of them by sunset, the king used to buy them. Such was the unfailing vow undertaken by the king for the public weal. Immediately after the sunset the king's servants went round the city and if they found anyone sitting with some saleable commodity they made inquiries of him, and after paying a price to his satisfaction would purchase the whole stock. In order to put to a test the love for truth of that truthful monarch, on a certain day, Dharma (the god of piety) himself appeared in his capital in the guise of a Brahmin, carrying with him a box containing useless household articles fit for throwing away as rubbish, and sat down in the bazaar as a vendor. But who was going to buy rubbish ? When the evening shades fell, the king's men went about the city on their usual round. Know More

Many symbols have come to be associated with Lord Shiva and although their origins are obscured by time, their meanings are as true and vibrant as ever. Know More

Each member of the Trinity has an animal who acts as his vehicle. Shiva’s mount is the beautiful milky white bull, Nandi, who is enormous with powerful red-tipped horns and large, loving eyes. Know More

Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, is the son of Shiva and Parvati. One of the most beloved deities in the Hindu pantheon is the elephant-headed god Ganesh, who is worshipped first in all Hindu rituals, as he is the harbinger of good fortune and the lord of wisdom. There is a popular story describing how he came to have an elephant’s head on a plump human body. Know More

Although Shiva is worshipped as the ruler of the three worlds and the strongest of the gods, His power, or Shakti, is represented by his wife or consort. Together they fulfill a parental role, ministering to the needs of mankind. Know More

As an ascetic, Shiva has overcome the joys and sorrows of this finite world. Eternally youthful, He is of pale blue complexion, possessing a face so exquisitely beautiful that He appears both male and female. His long matted hair is worn in a massive topknot from which Mother Ganges flows down as the sacred river of India. Know More

Yoga is the practice of traditional physical and mental disciplines associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is believed to date back to 900 BCE among figures found in classic Yoga poses. Know More

Thousands of years ago, as history dawned in the distant Himalayas, there lived a few renun- ciants seeking to understand the mysteries of life. Aware of the transitory nature of existence, they sought lasting fulfillment by emulating their God, Rudra, Lord of the Wind,whose abode upon the summit of Mount Kailash, now in Tibet, has been sacred to Hindus throughout the ages. Know More

The earliest evidence of the origin of Lord Shiva came from the excavation of two ancient cities of the Indus civilization, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, which flourished between 2,000-3,000 years B.C. A large number of terra-cotta seals and statuettes were discovered in the region, providing a wealth of insight into the religious beliefs of the area. Know More

The traditional Medicine Man, or Woman, as the case often was, watched the goings on in their environment. They observed the animal life, birds, climate, and other actions or changes to determine whether the future would be successful or difficult. Know More

In any discussion ofKathak as a major dance-form, several questions arise, since the style evolved gradually duringthe course ofseveral centuries, imbibing diverse influences. There are some primary questions concerning this art form; what is its chronological place in relation to other styles; does it share the Hindu myth and legend of the other dance forms; did it originate in the Moghul Coruts. Know More

THE fort of Gulbarga in Karnataka is about 363 miles from Bangalore. It was built by Raja Gulchand, but nothing is known about the year of its construction, nor how it passed on to the possession of Mohammed bin Tughluq. The possibility is that when Delhi Sultanate conquered Daulatabad, Gulbarga passed alongwith to their possession. Know More

Manipuri may be described as a dance form which is at once the oldest and the youngest among the classical dances. Seemingly free and unbound governed only in a limited manner by the poetic line and the melody, a long waning metrical system, it is in fact rigorously structured and its easy fLowr and spontaneity is its outer form w-hich makes for a smooth commtuiication but is not to be mistaken for simplicity. Know More

Orissi may well claim to be the earliest classical Indian dance style on the basis of archaeological evidence, the most outstanding being the Rani Gupta caves of the second century B. C. in Orissa. Scholars have dated these caves and their carvings to be earlier than the writing ofthe Natyascistra. Know More

DAULATABAD is one of the most natural and best preserved forts of India. It owes its beginnings, according to Stuart Paggot,its geological formation and derives its strength from the peculiar nature of mountain ranges and spires. It is at a distance of about 15 km from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Know More

normally are longer than the smaller units, sometimes these culminate as has been mentioned above or in multiples ofthree. There are even bigger Kcilasams known astheBaliya Kalasams. Know More

A NOBLE city in a high state of prosperity which for the pleasantries of its climate and the display of the choice of production of the whole globe is almost unrivalled.Abul Fazel. Know More

The history of Indian classical dance is no longer a matter of conjecture; it is a fact and reality which pervades all parts of India and extends from the earliest levels of civilisation to the present day Know More

HE fortress of Champanir set on a formidable deeply scrapped rock 25 miles from Baroda derives its name from its founder. Jamb or Champa the brilliant and gallant minister of King Wun Raj of Chowra dynasty that ruled in the eighth century. The fortress is also known as Pawan garh or Pavagarh The Castle of Winds pawan meaning wind which continuously blew and blasted it. Know More

Agni, the sacred fire, must be kept burning throughout a Brahmins life.The Brahmacarin or bachelor - student must perform the samidadhana everyday. After he is married, with Agni as witness, he becomes a grhastha (householder). He must now perform the aupasana in the fire. For the vanaprastha (forest recluse), there is a sacred fire called kaksagni. Know More

The migration of Indian musical instruments to the countries surrounding India at an early period forms an interesting subject of study. In pre-Buddhist times, India seems to have had commercial and other relations with Egypt, Sumer and other Middle-Eastern regions. Archaeologists have discovered musical instru¬ ments similar to the yazh of the ancient Tamil country in Egypt and Babylon. Know More

Music and dance have been the chief forms of religious expression in India. The origin of music in India is attributed to gods and goddesses and to mytho¬ logical figures like gandharvas and kinnaras who figure in all the stories and legends connected with the science and practice of music. Know More

Sanskrit treatises on music and literature containing references to musical instruments begin from about the 3rd century B-c* In Barhut, Sanchi, Bhaja, etc., the artists of ancient India have sculptured various types of musical instruments in the scenes depicting the life of the Buddha. Know More

THE Amber Fort near Jaipur is situated on the summit of a hill that commanded the regions lying to the north and south and the narrow passage which joins these two. Its powerful and extensive walls and towers enabled its rulers to prepare themselves for defence from inside. Know More

The polished, ivory-ornamented elegance of modern Indian musical instru¬ ments such as the veena, the sitar and the sarod affords little idea as to how primitive were the instruments from which they are descended. Know More

RAO BIKA, the founder of the Rathore principality of Bikaner in Rajasthan, built the fort in 1485 and the city three years later in 1488. According to Tod, a Jit who had the hereditary right on the spot selected by Bika for his capital, said that he would concede it only if his name was associated in perpetuity with the fort. Naira or Nera was the name of the proprietor, which Bika added to his own : thus the name became Bikaner (Bika + Ner). Know More

KUMBHALGARH, situated on a high peak of the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, on the borders of Mewar and Marwar, is a stupendous monument of the military and constructive genius of Maharana Kumbha. In later times his successors repaired to this fortress whenever they found Udaipur unsafe and Chitor untenable. Know More

TO the rulers of states in Rajasthan, which literally means the Land of Kings and who claimed to be offsprings of the sun, moon or some such phenomenon, freedom was the most precious possession for which they considered no price, no sacrifice big enough. They could not compromise when any demand from their opponents clashed with their sense of self respect. Know More

In my opinion, the Sthala Puranas not only enables us to have an insight into history but also enrich our knowledge of local culture and local customs. It seems to me that if they are read together in a connected manner they will throw more light on our history than even the 18 major Puranas and Upapuranas. In fact, they fill the gaps in the major Puranas. Know More

As one enters the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram (pi. XI), one finds a large gopura, the upper por¬ tion ofwhich is completely lost but the form ofwhich may be imagined from the complete second (inner) gopura. The larger prakara-wall all around the temple, decorated with couchant bulls at intervals, is in continuation ofthe second gopura Know More

The great monument at Gangaikondacholapuram, the second Brihadisvara Gangaikondacholesvara temple (pi. VI), rears its head nobly and bespeaks the imperial dignity of the capital that Rajendra (1012-44), the son ofRajaraja, established after his victorious march to east India up to the river Ganga. Know More

Even those who respect the Puranas are not prepared to accept that the Sthala Puranas, that is the short Puranas pertaining to particular places,are authentic. If educated people think the [major] Puranas to be nothing but lies, they go so far as to treat the Sthala Puranas as nothing better than rubbish. Know More

KOT KANGRA, in Himachal Pradesh crowns a precipitous rock that dominates the surrounding area. It is surrounded on three sides from inaccessible cliffs and because of its strong position and massive walls, the fort was considered impregnable. And, though it was attacked many times, it could never be taken by storm. Once it withstood a siege for 12 months. Know More

Thanjavur attained prominence under the Cholas in the ninth century, Vijayalaya, the first great ruler of the dynasty (850-71), having captured it and made it his capital. The Brihadisvara temple is a symbol of the greatness of the Chola empire under its author, emperor Rajaraja (985-1012), whose splendour it reflects. Know More