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Varshita Gupta
Bio
Introducing before you the hidden gems of India in the form of tales and stories. 💗
अहं ब्रम्हास्मि। 🧘
Indian
Stories (3/0)
Kamakhya Devi
Located in Guwahati, Assam, on top of Nilachal Hill, the Kamakhya Devi Temple is a monument to the spirituality and architecture of ancient Hinduism. Its past is intricately entwined with ancient history, dating back to the renowned account of Lord Shiva's wife, Sati. As per the scriptures, Sati was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha and also an incarnation of the goddess Adi-shakti. Daksha was the son of Brahma and the first Prajapati (emperor) of the world which made him egoistic. She fell in love with Bhagwan Shiva who was hated by her father Daksha. Despite her father's disagreement, Sati married Shiva which made Daksha abandon her daughter. Once, Prajapati Daksha escorted an enormous yajna in her palace. All the gods, demons, priests, and commoners from all around the world were invited except Shiva and Sati. Sati imbibed by the love of her parents decided to access the yajna uninvited. Noticing Sati in the palace, Daksha became furious and out of rage insulted Shiva. Sati could not bear the insults of her husband and self-immolated herself. Witnessing such devastating condition of his wife, Shiva became furious and called upon Virbhadra and Bhadrakali to annihilate Daksha. He then entered the palace and bearing the burnt body of her wife traveled across the cosmos in anguish and wrath. To emancipate the soul of Sati, so that she could be reborn, Bhagwan Vishnu, with the help of his sudarshan chakra, sliced her body into 51 pieces, each falling into different sites and creating a Shaktipeeth. Kamakhya Devi temple is the place where Sati's vulva (external genitalia) fell, forming the holiest place for Hindu pilgrims. Interestingly, there's no idol of the deity in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple, rather a yoni-like stone (a stone in the shape of the female genitalia) over which a natural spring flows. Every year, the Kamakhya Temple hosts the Hindu festival known as the Ambubachi Mela. It lasts for four days and is observed during the monsoon season, which is often in June. Thousands of followers from all across India attend the festival, which is based on the traditional tale that the goddess Kamakhya has a menstrual cycle. The goddess Kamakhya is thought to be going through her yearly menstrual cycle during this period, hence the temple is closed for three days. During this time, the Brahmaputra river also turns red for three days. A red cloth is used to cover the yoni during these three days. The temple is reopened on the fourth day, often referred to as "Naba Patrika Puja" or "Devi Snan," which marks the conclusion of the goddess' menstrual cycle. The red cloth covering the yoni turns red and is distributed among the Devotees in the form of Prasad (Angabastra). Devotees assemble to watch the idols being bathed in holy water while engaging in complex rituals and hymn chanting. The fair draws visitors from all across the nation with its array of cultural events, folk music and dance performances, traditional craft exhibits, and local food vendors. All things considered, the Ambubachi Mela is not just a religious celebration but also a cultural spectacle that highlights the rich history and customs of India and provides a forum for societal unity and spiritual renewal. For those who worship the goddess Shakti, the Kamakhya Temple is extremely important as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, representing the holy feminine force and energy. The temple complex consists of several smaller shrines, each radiating a sense of spiritual reverence and devotion, devoted to different forms of the goddess. Its unique dome-shaped roofs and elaborate wall carvings are reflections of the Indian cultural and artistic influences on its architecture. The temple has a long history of incorporating tantric rituals and practices, which draw researchers and practitioners of Tantra from all over the world. For both visitors and seekers, the Kamakhya Temple is more than just a physical structure—rather, it's a hallowed place where the goddess's heavenly presence is felt deeply. It inspires innumerable people on their spiritual journey through the realms of devotion and divine grace, acting as a light of hope, healing, and transformation. Menstruation is a representation of a woman's inventiveness and ability to bear children. It's a symbol of rejuvenation and creation, something which should be revered and not forsaken. The goddess and the Kamakhya temple honor the Shakti that resides in every woman. But unfortunately, some people even today, consider menstruation and a bleeding woman to be impure. There's a need to recall the lost history and heritage of India to bring back the era when women were worshipped and respected and menstruation was considered a reverential and creative process rather than a taboo.
By Varshita Gupta 4 months ago in History
Jagannath Puri
The Jagannath Puri Temple, located in the Indian state of Odisha's city of Puri, is one of the most revered Hindu temples in all of India. Its centuries-old story is rich with folklore and theological importance. The temple was originally built by King Indradyumna, who was a devout disciple of Lord Vishnu, according to legend. The story states that the king was shown by Lord Vishnu in a dream, telling him to build a temple to house his idols, which would float ashore on a wooden log. Following the directive, the king visited the coast the following day and was shocked to see a wooden log floating in the river. After getting the log in his kingdom, he began to look for an architectural genius who could turn it into a statue of a deity. After several days of searching, a guy appeared in court and expressed his wish to create the status, but he had one need. He would be given a room for the construction as per the agreement, and nobody would be able to access it until he left. The architect got to work once the king gave his approval. The sound of the hammer and other equipment could be heard in the early days, but after a few days, there was only stillness. The king's wife proposed that they open the door to investigate and speculated that the architect might have died from a lack of food and water. The king nodded, and just as they were about to enter the door, the architect vanished and a brilliant flash of light emerged in front of them. Only three unfinished statues of the gods Bhagwan Shri Krishna, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra remained. The king decided to install the statues of the deities into the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple he further constructed. The wood-carved gods are exchanged annually in a tradition known as "Nabakalebara." It is thought that the wooden logs contain the living heart of Shrimahaprabhu Jagannath. The temple priests cover their eyes and hands with thick black blindfolds and gloves every twelve years when the deities are switched. On this day, when all of the city's electricity is turned off, the heart of Jagannath Prabhu is carefully moved from the old statue to the new one in extreme darkness.
By Varshita Gupta 4 months ago in History
Yagyaseni Drauapadi
In the ancient kingdom of Panchala, amidst the splendor of its royal palace, a remarkable princess was born. Draupadi emerged from the sacred flames of a yajna, a symbol of divine grace and human ambition. From her earliest days, she displayed an extraordinary intelligence and innate grace that set her apart from others. As Draupadi grew, so did her reputation for wit and wisdom. She immersed herself in the scriptures and the arts, mastering the intricacies of diplomacy and governance. Her keen intellect and sharp tongue became renowned throughout the land, earning her the admiration of scholars and sages alike. Yet, it was not just her intelligence that captivated those around her; it was her innate sense of femininity, a delicate balance of strength and grace. Draupadi moved with the poise of a swan and the determination of a lioness, embodying the essence of feminine power in all its forms.
By Varshita Gupta 4 months ago in History