I Used To Assume That The Hindu Kush Region Had Hindu Connections Only From Ancient Times, Like The Mahabharata

"Har Har Mahadev! ✨ Celebrating the Divine Energy of Maha Shivratri"

Shiva (Lord Shiva) + ratri (night), so Shivaratri means the night of Lord Shiva." Devotees of Lord Shiva generally observe a strict fast on this day, with some undertaking a nirjal fast, abstaining even from water. The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.13.16) states vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ, indicating that Lord Shiva is the best of the Vaishnavas, the devotees of Lord Krishna. Gaudiya Vaishnavas worship Lord Shiva on this day to seek his blessings to become better devotees of Lord Krishna (Vishnu), rather than to attain residence in the abode of Shiva.

Origin and History of Maha Shivratri

The origins of Maha Shivratri are deeply rooted in Vedic scriptures and ancient traditions. There are multiple explanations for its significance:

1. Appearance of Lord Shiva – According to the Linga Purāṇa, Maha Shivratri marks the divine manifestation of Lord Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlinga, an infinite pillar of light, symbolizing his supreme, formless nature.

2. Marriage of Shiva and Parvati – The Skanda Purāṇa and Shiva Purāṇa mention that Maha Shivratri is the night when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, representing the union of Shakti (energy) and Shiva (consciousness).

3. Shiva’s Cosmic Dance – It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the Tāṇḍava, the divine dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, emphasizing the cosmic cycle.

4. Krishna’s Words in Mahabharata – In the Anushasana Parva (14.144), Lord Krishna advises Yudhishthira that observing Maha Shivratri with devotion bestows blessings and liberation.

5. Legend of the Hunter – The Shiva Purāṇa narrates the story of a hunter who unknowingly worshiped Shiva by dropping Bilva leaves on a Shiva Linga while hiding on a tree. This act freed him from past sins, signifying the power of sincere devotion.

Thus, Maha Shivratri has been celebrated for millennia, signifying Shiva’s role in the cosmic order and the power of devotion in attaining divine grace.

श्री माता वैष्णो देवी मंदिर के दर्शन

Visit to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple

We took a train from New Delhi to Jammu Tawi, and from there a smart city e-bus till Katra.

This was our view of the sky and the sun from the bus.

The setting sun from the place we rented at Katra before our climb. We decided to begin at night after a good dinner.

This must be at around 11 PM.

Didn't click any pictures around the Bhawan because we were too tired from the climb. Plus we had submitted our phones. We got to attend the morning aarti at 6 AM and we were in there for a good 2 hours of duration. After that we collected our belongings and headed for the ticket counters for the ropeway.

Took the ropeway for Bhairo temple.

And that is the Bhawan from the viewpoint from the Bhairo temple.

We took a train from here back to New Delhi.

Ik how it might have come across.

But look at it this way —

Muslims must have come along with the Mughal and turks and persians and settled in India. How? By years of massacred hindus and stole their lands. And yet their crimes are to be somehow made invisible and they are given a minority status. And they continue to commit those crimes. They continue to benefit from the crimes their ancestors committed.

Upper caste in India have committed the crime of casteism. We hold them accountable for it. There are caste based reservations to help the lower castes.

Muslims in Kashmir kicked out Kashmiri Pandits. Is that justified because they are upper caste? Do the Muslims deserve the minority status and the special rights? After all the crimes they've committed.

We don't say "not all muslims" even though they all benefit from the crimes some of them commit. They still deny us from our religious lands. They still occupy stolen lands.

Don't blame all Kashmiris and Indian Muslims for terrorism. Okay ji.

But blaming all UCs for 5000 years of history is alright? Building a system which denies equal opportunities for ordinary general category Indians citizens is also acceptable?

How does that work?

If only we had the original manuscripts and texts, we'd be able to answer these questions. A lot of things get lost in translation, sadly ofcourse.

Reading is such a journey cz sometimes you know what you're reading and the story has a base but sometimes it's just mahabharat and you can do nothing about it.

literally sat down with clenched teeth and had to calm down myself after I started reading Sambhava Parva.

I've read until Arjun's birth if anyone's wondering

My thoughts until now:

Shakuntala deserved better.

no way you just said that

yes wayy you just said that! Slayyy

Ok so I was cheering on the wrong side apparently

So then Devyani was the earliest sister-zoned lady

Devyani is such a papa ki pari.

Sharmistha— girl— that's not how it's supposed to work and we all know it.

Brother find a therapist— wait did they have therapists back then?

It can't be that bad???

Oh it is sO BAD!— who allowed this?

I have absolutely zero idea if that's how it's supposed to work.

And what about that one time you lied to Devyani sir?mmmmmmmm sus

BHISHMA NO

BHISHMA YES

bhisma wait— what are you TALKING ABOUT!?

Satyavati what shampoo dyu use gurl— snatched an entire king

Me killed Myself kinda situation ngl

Hmmm earliest teenager guy.

oh he dies right

Yeah he died

Who is making these rules ohmygod

BLUER EYES HYPNOTISE TERI—

red heads? back then? is this mahabharat?

no way you just said that

no wait they seriously had blue eyes?

Wait no what

When i asked who was making these rules i didn't expect an answer sir

Oh wait so like this existed!?

I don't know whose side I'm on now so I'll just wait it out until krishna pops up and has arjun kill yall

The amount of things that make no sense whatsoever

Lmao Vikrodara and Duryodhan born on the same day twinsies

Aint no way a child cracked a mountin tho

No wait thats bheem were talking abt

Arjun was born the main character

Im dying

Wait— they mentioned a guy before but his name aint here

Aaaand he pops back here somehow...

Hanuman ji ko unka address dedo. He'll handle them.

This really is ghorr kalyuga, just saw this post about someone calling lord rama "pretentious and immoral " and then tried to justify keikai's actions in another post like WHAT EXCUSE ME the fuck

I feel like this is heavily plagiarised

Vasantapuja

This puja is mentioned in the Ishanashivagurudeva Paddhati, and is a festival celebrating the spring season along with Damanakotsava , the associated festival of love, dedicated to Kama. In this puja, the season of spring is treated and worshipped as a goddess.

In case anyone is not aware, Vasanta, the god of spring and flowers, is the best friend of Kama (and Rati). He was mentioned to have been born from the sigh of Brahma in the Kalika and Shiva Puranas.

Vasantaradhana is one of the favorites of Shiva. The important part of worship in this festival held during the spring season (Vasantartu) is the Damanaka Puja, wherein Damanaka is an aromatic plant, and special to Kama since it was this plant that turned out to be the object of his Sapamoksha. Siva also blessed Kama, saying that whoever worships him with the Damanaka plant along with Vishnu, Brahma and other Devas will have all their wishes fulfilled. The author further states that those who do not strictly adhere to the Saivite modes of worship as stated above are, in effect, rejecting the basic tenets of Saivagama (traditionally communicated wisdom).

How The Puja Is Carried Out

For the details related to Vasantapuja and Damanakotsava, the author of the Paddhati has relied on 'Svacchandatantra' (official book of Kashmiri Shaivism) and 'SomaSambhupaddhathi' (another manual for Shaivite rituals).

Rites and rituals:

The venue for Vasantapuja has to be a garden that abounds in Damanaka creepers and Asokavrkshas (Ashoka trees). Puja is begun with the invocation and Aradhana of Ganesh in Nirti angle and Guru in Isana.

It is under the shade of an Asokavrksha that Puja takes place. Two pots of sanctified water are placed at the foot of the Asokavrksha. The one on the right side is meant for Vasanta and that on the left for Kama. The presence of their consorts, Kusumavati and Padmavati respectively, have also to be kept in mind. In the middle of the Pujavedi, the Asokavrksha is conceived as Vasanta in the guise of a vibrant youth, golden in complexion, and is to be invoked and offered Gandha-puspa-nivedyantapuja. The nine powers of Vasantartu are Ahladini, Gandhavati, Surabhi, Malini, Madira, Madayanti, Rama, Pushpavati and Vasanti.

Next is the worship of the Damanaka plant, during which the Bhairava form of Siva has to be conceived in mind. Kama has also to be conceived as remaining seated along with his consort Rati on his right thigh and holding Puspasara in his right hand. He is served on all sides by a group of beautiful and shapely maidens. The Saktidevatas of Kama may also be conceived and offered Gandhadhupa-nivedyantapujas. The Gayatrimantra of Kama is also given.

The important feature of the festival on the second day is the collection of the Damanaka plant (the whole plant including the roots) from the garden in a pot, offering of Puja, followed by the ceremonial procession carrying the three pots (Damanaka, Kama and Vasanta) on an elephant in Nagarapradaksina, to the accompaniment of Nrtta-vadyasangita-ghosas. On conclusion of the procession, the pots are placed beside the idol of Shiva after which Homavidhis, Sampatasparsa, Bali, prayer and Archana are performed. The other customary acts like Dakshina and gifts to the priests are also recommended. The Patala concludes with the following observation by the author. 

ittham vasantavihitam savasantayagam proktam tadantamiha damanakam hi parva| yadvad vasantatilakam sumanobhiramam tadvanmaunobhisitan phalatiha kaman |

Though this festival is no longer celebrated in Kerala, another festival called Vasanta Panchami, also known as Sri Panchami, is observed religiously, mainly as Saraswati Puja and also as worship of Kama, Rati, Indra, Varuna and Brahma, on a grand scale, especially in Bengal, Punjab and most of North India. The legend also bears close resemblance to that of 'Vasantotsava' described in Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati. Legend has it that on this day Shiva turned Kama into ashes.

|| श्री गणेशाय नमः ||

Welcome to Awadh ke Maati! This is my journey back to my roots, celebrating the rich culture, language, and art of Awadh and Uttar Pradesh. As someone who has faced challenges embracing my regional identity, I created this space to reclaim and honor the beauty of Awadhi heritage.

Whether you're from Awadh and disconnected from your roots or simply curious about the Awadhi culture, this is a place to explore and connect.

I’d love for you to be part of this journey. Together, let’s keep our heritage alive.

Oh I wish I had the skills to create such art. This is majestic!!🪷

Shubh Chaitra Navratri and a very auspicious Hindu New Year🌸🌸

This is a call out post. This is not coming from a feminist, but a Hindu.

True Hinduism gives equal respect to feminine and masculine energies.

So, men, you need to evaluate how you view women while claiming you're a Hindu.

How can you call yourself a Hindu while calling women names, while making and laughing at gr*pe jokes, while turning a blind eye to assault?

What are you even doing? You chant "Jai Shri Ram" and use the same vocal cords to hurl a slur at a woman you all have collectively demonized. You comment gr*pe threats under a woman's post like you’re above consequences.

And since I mentioned Shri Ram, let me remind you:

He continued to treat Surpanakha with respect, continued addressing her as "devi", even after she expressed her desire to kill Mata Sita so that she gets to marry Shri Ram. Even after she crossed every line of maryada.

He didn’t degrade her, didn’t mock her.

What would he think of you now?

You add sanskrit shlokas in your bio, but your comment history drips with filth. You bow at Mata Durga’s feet during Navratri, then talk about women’s bodies in a degrading manner.

This isn’t Hinduism. This is *misogyny wrapped in saffron*.

You're so desperate to not associate with what Islam or other Abrahmic religions stand for. And yet you're an equal part of the misogyny that they perpetuate on women everywhere in India.

Take out some time and really think about it. Are you a true Hindu or is it just for social media?

Are you really ready to fight adharma? Do you not know that for any fight with Adharma you want to win, you'd need the feminine energy on your side, by your side, and at times have them lead you. Our ancient texts, our folklore, our puranas are evidence for it.

Guys please you don't understand that they're innocent people 14 crore as a compensation is so necessary for all the 14 family members he lost what would he do now. Those 14 were his future terrorists now he will need to find new ones and train them and that needs money. 14 crore is so less. Have you looked at the Pakistani economy. I think he'd need more. Let's be supportive guys.

The Pakistan government reportedly promised to pay rupees 14 crore($1.7 million) compensation to terrorist Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist organisation, due to 14 of Azhar's family members perishing in the Indian airstrikes of terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.