Hindu marriage

In Hinduism marriage is one of the very important ceremony because according to Hindus marriage is made in heaven.A lot of importance is attached to Hindu marriage since it's considered an integral part of one's duty to get married and ensure continuation of the family lineage.
Hindu marriages are colorful.
The rituals in Hindu marriage vary from caste to caste and region to region.
Classified into pre wedding rituals,wedding and post wedding rituals.

 pre wedding rituals include get together of families of both sides.Here both parties will confirm the marriage date.
The marriage is performed in the presence of gods as the witnesses.
on wedding day knot (mangalsutra) will be tied by the groom to the bride.Holding the bride's hands and walking seven steps around the fire( saptapadhi).This rituals will be performed by a priest.Chants will be read by the priest during the wedding.





After the wedding the bride will follow groom to the marital home.Both bride and groom will be welcomed by arti and get blessing from elderly people.

HINDU FESTIVAL(FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS)

-Also known as Diwali/Deepavali 
-celebrated by all the HINDUS around the world.
-The festival of lights extends over 5 days

• First Day-called Dhanvantari Triodasai (Dhan Teras)
• Second Day -called Narak Chaturdasi (fourteenth lunar day known as thiti of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik and eve of Diwali).
• Third Day-Actual Deepavali day (Bali Prathipada)
• Fourth Day-Goverdhan pooja is performed
• Fifth Day-A Day dedicated to strong bond between sisters and brothers(associated with the legendary tale between Lord Yama and his sister Yami)

-celebration fills with lights,fireworks and sweets.
-The date of Deepavali is set by a Hindu calender (usually falls in October/November).

WHY HINDUS CELEBRATING DEEPAVALI ?

It is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana(Truth's victory over evil)

Lord Rama( Great King of Ayodhya) returned to his own Kingdom after 14 years of exile(in which he put the end to Demon King Ravana(King of Sri Lanka).
After killed Ravana,who abduct Seetha during the 14 year exile ,Rama returned to his own Kingdom (Ayodhya) with Seetha and Lakshman .In Ayodhya ,people welcomed them with by lighting rows of clay lamps.

The defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna

Lord Vishnu as Krishna in his 8th incarnation destroyed Demon Narkasura who was causing unhappiness among the people.Narkasura used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him.People prayed to Lord Vishnu ,and Lord Vishnu came in form of Krishna to destroy Narkasura.
Once Krishna defeat Narkasura ,the women were freed as well.For Hindus,this story is a reminder that GOOD always can come out of EVIL.

The story of King Mahabali and Vamana Avatar (Dwarf)

King Bali was a generous ruler,very ambitious.Lord Vishnu came to earth in the form of Vamana (dwarf) to check King Bali's power.The dwarf (Lord Vishnu) approach King Bali and said " You are the ruler of three worlds( the earth,the world above the skies and the underworld),would yo give me three steps of land,measured by my feet?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground,thought the King and agreed to dwarf's request.Suddenly the dwarf changed back into his original form (Lord Vishnu),and his first step covered the entire universe,in the second step he covered the earth(except the place where King Bali was standing.Since there is no place to put his third step King Bali offered his own head to put the third step. King Bali was sent to the underworld.For King Bali's generosity,Lord Vishnu grant him to be with his people once a year and lights millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance,as well spread the love and wisdom.
This day is celebrated as Bali padyami( third day of deepavali)

Krishna and the Govardhan Hill

Many years ago,people in the village known as Gokula prayed to God Indra.They believed that God Indra give rains which make the crops to grow.But Krishna stop them and persuaded the Gokula people to worship Govardhan Hill because the mountain and the land around it was fertile.This made the God Indra angry,he sent thunder and heavy rain to the village.The people cried to Krishna to help them.Krishna saved the people by lifting the mountain using his small finger.This day is a reminder for all the Hindus the importance of food and time to be thankful to the god.

Tale of Lord Yama and Yami

After several decades,Lorda Yama went to meet his sister Yami. He was so touched by the love and hospitality showed by his sister, Yami.Yami welcome his brother with full of respect and put tilak on his forehead.Lord Yama blessed her and announced that a brother who greets his sister on this day will live a long life .

HINDU RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

AYURVEDA
-ancient Hindu system of medicine and healing .
-Ayurvedic medicine is to promote good health rather than fight disease.
-It has been in India for at least five thousand years and becomes popular in western culture.

(NAMASTE,VANAKKAM,NAMASKARAM) GREETING
-It is a simple act made by bringing together both palms of the hands infront (before) the heart or chest,and lightly bowing the head.

POOJA
-Religious rituals which Hindus perform every day after bathing(before taking any food).
-Pooja is a way of relating humans to the divine(god).

HOLY MAN (SADHU)
-are those who devote themselves to god ,meditation and spiritual discussion.

KUMKUM ON FOREHEAD

-Applying kumkum on forehead (female) is a symbol os sanata hindu cultture and

-Kumkum in the centre of the hair is the symbol of marital status of Hindu women.

-The ring finger SHOULD be used to apply the kumkum.

-while applying kumkum to others ,middle finger SHOULD be used.

-Scientific reason behind that : while applying kumkum, the point in the mid brow region (Adnya Chakra) are automatically pressed,which facilitates blood supply to the facial muscles.

HINDUS TIE KNOT FOR THE MARRIAGE

-The most important(a MUST) ritual in Hindu wedding is tying the knots(Mangalsuthra)

-it is also believed that Mangalsuthra protect the marriage from any evil eye.

-Mangalsuthra should be tied three times(three knots)

-The first knot represents bride's obedience to her husband,the second knot to his parents,and third represents her respect for the almighty.

The length of Mangalsuthra should be until the chest level(heart).

TOE RINGS

-Wearing of toe rings is a symbol for married woman and man in Hindu Religion.

-The toe rings are usualy made of silver and worn in second toe of both feet.

-The rings not be made of gold because gold holds a respected status and not be worn below the waist.

Scientific reason behind that : 

• Wearing toe rings press on certain nerves that pertain the reproductive system,keeping it healthy.
• Menstrual cycle is regularized,gives good scope for conceivving to married women.
• Revitalize the reproductive organs,since the particular nerve in the second toe of feet connects the uterus and heart .
• second toe of the feet has erotic effect.

Ramayana The Epic

Ramayana is the immortal tale Rama that teaches us the value of ideology,devotion,duty,relationships,dharma and Karma.

Written by the 4th c.Sage Valmiki .

Comprised of 7 kandas :

• Bala Kanda - the boyhood and adolescence of Rama
• Ayodhya Kanda- the court of Dasaratha and the scenes that set the stage for the unfolding of the story,including the exchange between Dasaratha and Kaikeyi and the exile of Rama.
• Aranya Kanda-Life in the forest during fourteen years & the abduction of seetha

• Kishkindhya Kanda- Rama's residence in Kishkindhya
• Sundara Kanda-description of the landscapes over which Rama roams and the arrival of Rama in Lanka
• Yudha Kanda - the defeat of Ravana,recovery of Seetha ,the return to Ayodhya & the coronation of Rama

• Uttara Kanda - rama's life in Ayodhya ,birth of Lava and Kusa, reconcillation of Rama and Seetha,her death or return to earth and Rama's ascent into heaven.

Ram Navami - Rama's Birthday

• one of the most important festivals of the Hindus
• on this auspicious day, devotees repeat the name of Rama with every breath and vow to lead a righteous life.
• People pray to attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards Rama & invoke him for his blessings and protection

Meenaksi Amman Temple,Madurai,India

The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva (Sundareshvara) and his consort Parvathy( Meenakshi).
The original temple was built by by Kulasekara Pandiya,But the entire credit of making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to Nayaks.
the Nayaks ruled Madurai from 16th to 18th century.
There are 12 temple towers ( Gopurams) :

1. East Tower (9 stories) - Height 161'3''
2. South Tower (9 stories) - Height 170'6''
3. West Tower (9 stories ) - Height 163'3''
4. North Tower ( 9 stories )-Height 160'6''

The many mandapams or pavilions are one of the many attractions of this temple.Prominenet among them are Killi Kootu Mandapam,Aayiram Kaal Mandapam,Meenakshi Nayakan Mandapam,Ashtashakti Mandapam and etc.

Facts about Hinduism

HINDUISM

1) The Holiest number for Hindus is 108

• This is the ratio of sun's distance from earth/sun's diameter or Moon's distance from the earth or Moon's diameter.

2) Hinduism have no origin

3)Medicine

• Ayurvedic medicine taught to Chinese,Persian,Greek and Roman students .
• Yoga a physical,mental and spiritual practice which is well spread in other countries all over the world.,

4) Hinduism as spread to many countries over the years ,especially in Bangladesh Nepal ,Myanmar ,Cambodia ,Thailand ,Malaysia , Indonesia and other South East Asian countries..

                                         

     

5)Hindu temples are not just architectural marvel,they are energy centers .The usage of metals and construction patterns are proven to transmit positive energy.

6) HINDUISM is not only a religion but a way of life !

Brihadeeswarar Temple

-also known as Brihadeeshwarar temple
The 1002 year old temple dedicated to the major Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, was built in 1010 AD by the Chola Emperor, Rajaraja Chola I. 
Thanjavur Periya Kovil is almost 40 times bigger than that of any known temple of its time. The magnificentVimana (temple tower) stands to a height of 216 feet (66m) and it is one among the tallest towers in the world.
The big statue of Nandhi (sacred bull), measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high is present at the entrance and it is made up of a single rock. 

Angkor Wat 

-built by Suryavarman II (r 1112–52) – is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith and the abode of ancient gods. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale and symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building.

The temple is the heart and soul ofCambodia and a source of fierce national pride. 

The sandstone blocks from which 

Angkor Wat was built were quarried from the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen, more than 50km away, and floated down the Siem Reap River on rafts. The logistics of such an operation are mind blowing, consuming the labour of thousands. According to inscriptions, the construction of 

Angkor Wat involved 300,000 workers and 6000 elephants, yet it was still not fully completed.

Watch full documentary here :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h8QBxNzQvNI

Rama Setu Bridge

Lord Rama built setu bridge also known as Adam's bridge between India and Srilanka( to rescue his wife sita)with the help of Vanaras million years ago ..
The “Ramayana” describes the dimensions of the bridge as 100 yojana in length and 10 yojana in width. One yojana is equivalent to about 5 miles (8 kilometers). 
Some have wanted to destroy the remnants of the bridge to open up a shipping channel. The proposal has been denounced by others as heresy and destruction of an important ancient heritage structure.
To watch Scientific explanation with proof,click on link below.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rMeAw-gZ1PQ

Srinivansa Ramanujan

Born in South India, Ramanujan was a promising student, winning academic prizes in high school. But at age 16 his life took a decisive turn after he obtained a book titled A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics. 
His total immersion in mathematics was disastrous for Ramanujan's academic career: ignoring all his other subjects, he repeatedly failed his college exams.
(born December 22, 1887—died April 26, 1920,contributions— to the THEORY OF NUMBERS include pioneering discoveries of the properties of the partition FUNCTION.

Inventions By Indians

1) Susrutha

- father of Indian surgery
- the first to practise rhinoplasty in India.
-Susruta emphasized surgical matters, including the use of specific instruments and types of operations

2)   Bhaskaracharya
-discovery of gravity was first made by Indian saint Bhaskaracharya
-Bhaskaracharya has written in the Surya Siddhanta - "Objects fall on the earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this force."

There are a total of 900 million Hindus worldwide, making HINDUISM the third largest religion (after Christianity and Islam).
Hinduism is thought to have gotten its name from the Persian word hindu, meaning "river," used by outsiders to describe the people of the Indus River Valley.Hinduism has no founder or date of origin.