Temple

This body of ours is the temple of God - Kathoupanishad

The structure of the temple represents the macrocosm (the universe) and the human body as microcosm (the inner space).Temples' ground plan is described as a symbolic miniature of a cosmos.

Temples are built based on Vedic Shastras with a firm concept and aesthetic sense. The procedure for building a temple is called as Karshanadi Pratisthantam. According to our Veda agamas a temple should be built in a square shape. It would be divided into 64 or 81 smaller squares, each squares represent a specific divinity. The square in the centre house the main deity of the temple. Image of the deity that used is called archa (by Panini- great grammarian).

                                                    Prambanan Shiva temple in Indonesia

                                                         Cross section of a main temple

                                                               Ground plan o f a temple

The archa or the deity is housed in garbhagraha (womb of the temple). The garbhagraha is crowned by a Vimana. Pillared halls called mandapas is place in front of the garbhagraha.  It is joint together with the main temple to form a hall for public rituals . There are few type of mandapams -  artha mandapam, asthana mandapam, kalyana mandapam, maha mandapam. The mandapam are bulit to use as balconies, assembly halls and auditoriums.There are also outer pillars and pilasters known as gopuras which are the getaways for the temples.

A Stapathi (traditional temple architect)  is the one who has full authority in delivering and interpreting the Hindu temple art and architectural elements. Currently, the iconic Dr. V. Ganapathi Stapathi and his grand nephew Santhanam Krishna Stapathi are patronizing the knowledge of Sthaptya Veda architecture.

Indian bath

Purity and hygiene is very important for a Hindu. From birth till to the death there are different type of bathing and bathing rituals are being done in our culture.

Human body is the centre of electric currents and impulses. Maharishi Vaatsyaayana has described various powers centres in our human body. Energy is generated and emanated in all our deeds and activities throughout the day. Our body get lethargic and need to be refreshed. Thus, we need to freshen up ourselves mentally and physically.
  

Bathing or refreshing the whole body is the  best option to rejuvenate oneself. Bathing in a flowing water and merge oneself in chest deep water as enumerated by our ancient scriptures enhances electro magnetic activity in our body.

1. Morning bath

காதார் குழையாடப் பைம்பூண் கலனாடக் 
கோதை குழலாட வண்டின் குழாம் ஆடச் 
சீதப் புனல்ஆடிச் சிற்றம் பலம்பாடி 
வேதப் பொருள்பாடி...

(First 4 versus (Pasuram 14 of Thiruvembavai by Manickavasagar)

மார்கழித் திங்கள் மதி நிறைந்த நன்னாளால்
நீராட போதுவீர்...
(First 2 versus from Pasuram 1 of Thirupavai by Andal)

Both the Pasurams from Thiruvembavai and Thirupavai  talk about the beginning of the day that start with a morning bath. It plays an integral part Indians daily routine. Bathing in flowing water is considered the best. We should wet our feet first before wetting the other parts of the body. Then enter into the water to wet the top of the head. These  is considered as the proper way to cleanse and energize our body.

Since there is a bathroom in every household nowadays, bathing styles changes according to the priority. Some use shower to bath and others use tap water collected in a bucket (using mugs to pour the water to the head and the body).

Normally, modern Indians use soap to cleanse their body. Initially, sandalwood powder, green gram powder, flowers, siakai (shikakai), coconut milk, coconut/neem or sesame oil and fire ashes are the things commonly used in Indian bathing culture to cleanse the body and hair.

2. Evening bath

Tropical and warm climate make it necessary for us to take an evening bath.  Furthermore, a hindu need to take a bath before prayers. Thus bathing is needed for the to offer their prayers. However, it is advised to take evening bath before seven o'clock. According to elders, taking a late bath will cause nerves  or lung problem.

    

3. Infant bath

A newly born is washed with a great care. Bathing the infant is make the baby clean,  healthy and to enhance its overall development. Traditional baby care customs is followed by Indian till today for the first 40 days. Usually, a midwife is appointed to carry out the custom. Green Gram powder and fresh turmeric paste will be used to bath a newborn in a lukewarm water. The baby will be laid on the thigh and front leg of the midwife and the body and leg is washed with a gentle massage. Finally the face and the hair will be washed gently without suffocating the baby. Styrax resin (sambrani) mixed with turmeric smoke is used to dried out the hair and body. Finally, vasambu is scrubbed and applied on baby's palm and feet.

4. New mother bath

A mother in confinement  is need to be taken care from infection and exhaustion of childbirth. She will be given a full body massage usually oil massage. Once she is ready to take a bath, a house elder or midwife will be bathing the new mother. Herbal bath is given using herbs and spices- such as nunaa leaves, notchi leaves, lemon grass, neem leaves (boiled and mixed with water), turmeric and so on. Then, she will be toweled to dry and proceeded with sambrani to perfume the body and hair.

5. Puberty bath

When a Hindu girl is gets her first period, Ruthu Sadanggu will be done. It is meant to educate the girl about the culture, customs, maturity, hygiene and health so that she gets herself prepared to face the new world as a woman. One of the rituals done is bathing the girl with specially prepared water. The water is added with turmeric powder (anti bacterial), seven type of flowers (fragrance) and lime (anti-oxidant and ward of evil energy)). Her close relatives (usually aunts) will help the girl to get her first bath after attaining puberty and the ritual is on for two weeks. Sandalwood powder and green gram powder are used to scrub the body.  A sesame oil massage will be given and shikakai and turmeric is used to rinse of the excess oil.

6. Marriage bath

A hindu bride is given an elaborate wedding ritual bath prior the wedding day. The nalanggu ceremony done three or five days consecutively before the wedding is actually connected to the wedding ritual ceremony. Her hair will be oiled (aromatic oil). Paste of milk, turmeric, sandalwood, green gram powder is applied on her face, body, hand and leg. Rose water will be sprinkled and she will be adorned with flowers by married ladies. Finally, she will be taken  to a flower and herbal bath before get dressed up. these process will be done until the wedding day to make the bride glow radiantly on a wedding day.

7. Ritual bath

A hindu man or woman's life is very much connected to water usually flowing waters or rivers. A hindu believes that water has spiritually cleaning power. It is considered by Hindus to be a purifier, life-giver, and destroyer of evil. It represents the "non-manifested substratum from which all manifestations derive". Thus, he takes a dip in water before offering prayers. Every big temples or ancient temples will be having a sizable water tank or pond for the bakthas to cleanse themselves. 

8. healing bath

Ayurveda, siddha and unani treatment is very much related to nature and its resources.  An oil massage is given prior to a steam bath in Kerala Ayurvedic treatment. it is to improve skin note and stimulates blood circulation. At times, herbal, spices, flowers and essences bath are recommended  to rejuvenate mental, physical and spiritual self.

9. Funeral bath 

It is a must for the body to be washed before the burial or cremation. A decent bath is given to the body using sandalwood paste, milk and rose water. Close family members will be doing it or a funeral director can be hired in conducting it accordingly. Then body will be anointed with sandalwood paste, decked with flowers and covered with new unbleached clothes. A person who has attended a funeral rite is required to take a bath. It is customary belief as warding off any evil or negative energy. 

10. Sacred Bath

The mark of penance for a Hindu pilgrim starts with a bath. He/she will take a holy dip in a flowing water either rivers or ocean before offering their prayer. Maha Kubh Mela is a biggest religious gathering that involves bathing as on of the important ceremony followed by prayers, religious and vedantic discourses, chanting, meeting the sadhus and so on.

Vastu-shastra

Vastu - to dwell/to exit
Shastra - science
Vastushastra - science to create building spaces to live in harmony with subtle nature

It unfolds the scientific principles and models of spiritual art and architecture to yield a harmonious flows of energy in the physical environment, attaining good health, wealth, intelligence, happiness and attunment with the wider universe - Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami (Hawaii)

Yet modifications of a building lead to a disturbance of energy inside the enclosed space. Hence, the shastras do not recommend any post-construction alteration - Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati (Renowed Indian architect and Vastushastra expert)

Vastushastra is an ancient knowledge that started with the main focus on the sacred architecture of Hindu temples around 6000 BCE to 3000 BCE. It is based on the harmony of  5 elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space- pritvi,appu, agni, vahyu and akasha). Indian science advocates that our universe is made up of these 5 elements and it coordinates with the human body as well.

 

 

Besides the 5 elements, the directions are important in Vastu practice. The directions correlate with the 5 elements. 8 directions ( north, east, west south, north east, north west, south east and south west) are given utmost importance with each as specific characteristic in deciding a harmonious life.
It can be simplified to:-

a. East - sun rise/ new beginning
b.West - sun set/ the success is not big
c. North - best for business people
d. South - successful in the beginning
e. Northeast - most auspicious
f. Northwest- good for interpersonal relationship
g. Southeast - good for logical and reasoning people
h. Southwest - direction for demons/ can command in business field

But this is only a basic. There are other sciences such as astrology, numerology and other Vastu factors also taken into consideration when planning a new structure or building.

Though the Northeast is auspicious in Vastushastra but the centre (Brahmasthan) is the one emanating the energy flow for the whole structure or site. The subtle energy flowing originate from Vastu Purusha and then spread into the four corners of a building.

(Vastu purusha the presiding deity of any site and his position is keep changing throughout the year)

 

Ramalingga Swamigal

Ramalingga Swamigal also known as - Ramaligga Adigalaar
                                                       - Arutprakasa Vallalaar Ramalingga Swami 
                                                       - Vallalaar

Parents - Ramaiah Pillai and Chinnamaiar

Birth Place - Maruthur (a village in Chitambaram, Tamil Nadu)

Born on 5th October 1823 and lived until 30th January 1874.

One of the greatest saints of 19th century, he...

a. was a critic, poet, writer, publisher and commentator and

b. had knowledge in occultism, alchemy, astrology and

c. traditional medicine practitioner particularly in the nutritional and medical values of herbs and leaves.

d. was a musician  with a keen musical taste for lyrical songs

e. a great soul with his highest and sublime realizations of the Divine, particularly that of Truth-consciousness (Satya Jnana).

Centres

He established 'Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sanggam" , 'Satya Ngana Sabai" and 'Satya Darma Sala".

a. Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sanggam -  centre for advocating a casteless society and equanimity in achieving universal self-hood

b. Satya Ngana Sabai - centre for teaching the True Knowledge (nyana)

c. Satya Darma Sala - centre for feeding the poor

Literary works

1. Thiruvarutpa  (compilations of 5818 poems about universal love and peace)

2. Manumurai Kanda Vaasagam

3. Jeeva Karunya Ozhukkam

Teachings

1. Service to the mankind is the path to Moksha.

2. God is the personifications of mercy and knowledge.

3. Path of final intelligence is "Jeevakarunyam" (mercy, compassion and benevolence).

His Maha Mantra is

" ArutperunJothi ArutperunJothi TaniperumKarunai ArutperunJothi". 

Thiruneetru patchai

Scientific name - Ocimum basilicum Linn
English - Java Tea/ Cat's Whiskers
Tamil - Thiruneetru patchai/ Siva Tulasi

It is an tropical herbaceous shrub (height of 1.5 meters). Its flowers are  unique (purple or white and bluish with filaments) resembling a cat’s whiskers. It can be seen growing in the forest and along roadsides.
 

The benefits :-
1. treats ailments of the kidney, kidney stone, bladder stone, gall bladder,  
2. treats urinary tract infection
3. control and normalize the urge to urinate
4. treats back pain
5. treats cold and cough
6.anti-allergic, antihypertensive, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory
7. remedy for capillary and circulatory disorders
8. prevents and control diabetes/ stabilize and normalize sugar level
9. remedy for rheumatism and gout
10. Anti fungal and anti-bacterial
11. treats muscle and joints pain associated with cold
12. reduces cholesterol and high blood pressure

 

 

How to use:-
 
1. flowers, stem and leaves (fresh or dried) are used make  herbal tea drinks
2. fresh flowers and leaves are crushed or mashed to extract herbal substance
3. chew fresh leaves
4. make salad
5. cook as vegetable
6. dried flowers, stem, leaves are powdered to make capsules

                                                                                           dried leaves

Maha Avathar Babaji

Also being called as - Kriya Babaji Nagaraj
                                     Mahavathar Babaji
                                     Siva Baba

Birth Place - Tamil Nadu India
Birth name - Nagarajan
Guru - Bogar

He is a great soul who has conquered death and attained the supreme state of enlightenment. He is still living at the Himalayan mountain and only visible to the fortunate few. They have encountered him wandering at Himalayan mountain ranch, occasionally. According to them, he appeared as a sixteen years old youth.

Paramahansa Yogananda in his book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' wrote how Babaji as revealed himself to Lahiriya Mahasaya (the guru of Sri Yukteswer Giri). Sri Yukteswer Giri is the guru Of Paramahansa Yogananda. The ancient science of Kriya Yoga was handed over to Lahiriya Mahasaya by Babaji (between 1861-1935).

This ancient science knowledge had been lost due time of Dark Ages of Hindu Religion. Babaji had discovered and clarified it as a simple technique to freed humankind from karma or the lawful chain of cause- effect equilibriums.

Kriya Yoga is a technique that teaches, "union(yoga) with the infinite through a certain action or rite (kriya). It is a simple method that teaches the way to prevent the decay of tissues in human body. Some yogis have used this knowledge to make their  bodies to materialize and dematerialize at will.

 

Nunaa-kaai

Scientific name - Morinda Citrifolia
English -Indian Mulberry/Noni
Ayurveda- Aashyuka
Tamil- Nunaa

It is a tropical plant which is commonly grows as coastal or littoral forest shrub. Now it is widely cultivated for its medicinal use.

The use of Noni :-

a. fruit - cooked or even eaten raw when it has ripe.
b. leaves -  tender leaves for salad and cooked as vegetables
c. dried leaves and fruits - made into tea drinks
d. leaves, fruit, stems and roots - medicinal use
e. bark and root-dye clothes

Medicinal Use:-

a. fruit - treats high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, diabetes, kidney damage, nerve problem and gall bladder, sore throat and mouth disease, urinary disorder, control cancer cell growth, antiseptic, and as pain reliever, anti aging and anti oxidant.

b. leaves- reduce pain, inflammations of the skin and skin disease

c. roots and barks- dye (produce brownish purple for batik and yellow )

d. flowers - treat eye disease

e. roots - nasal congestion and haemorrhoids

Mukthinath

Mukthinath is located at Thorong  La mountain pass (3710 meters above sea level) at Mustang district, Nepal.  It is a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus call it as 'Moksha-shetra'. It is a Narayana temple. Its ancient name was 'Thiru Saligramam'. It is one of the 108 Thivya Desam (holy places for Vaishnava Sect).

Few more steps to reach the temple 

One can have a quick snana (bath) in the freezing cold sacred water which flows from 108 pipes around the temple complex before offering prayers to the presiding deity.

Snana at 108 pushkaranis

                                                                    Mukthinath temple

  

Lord Narayana is the presiding deity of the temple. The temple houses the saligrama sila (sacred stone for vaishnavas) considered to be naturally available form of Sriman Narayana.

There is Jwala-Mukhi temple just next to the main temple. It is considered as one of the 52 Sakthi Peethams (sacred abode of Sakthi).Jwala Maa is in a physical form of an eternal flame burning off the natural gas.

                                                                     Jwala-Mukhi temple

March till June are the best months to visit this temple. It can be accessed by flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then from Phokhara to Jomsom. There is hard way too, to reach the place by a tedious journey by jeeps. But one will not the resist the serenity, beauty and breathtaking views of Annapurna -Dhaulagiri ranges and the ever flowing sacred Kali-Gandaki river. The sacred stone Saligramas are collected from the this Kali-Gandaki river.

Kali Gandaki river

Accommodations are available throughout the journey.

Marunthe unavu, unave marunthu

Indian food encompasses dietary patterns emanating from cultural and religious teachings that have existed for thousands of years. For example, vegetarianism is the one highly suggested for, that it bestow humanity with spiritual, mental, and physical (nutritional) health - Manu Smirthi (Rules of conduct in Hindu Society). It is widely accepted as better diet to maintain our health, even by non Indian scholars.

 

"Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances for survival of life on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.  It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind. Basically, Indians regard vegetarian diet to have complete health and wholeness that need to be applied in daily lives- Albert Einstein

Indians daily food and its benefits

Rice	Protects heart	Battles diabetes	Prevent kidney stones	Combats cancer	Prevent strokes
Wheat	Prevent colon cancer	Prevent constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Prevent strokes	Aids digestion
Suji (uppma)	Decrease diabetes	Prevents cancer	Combat heart disease	Helps bowel function	Prevents hunger
Yogurt	Prevents  ulcers	Strengthen bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion
Honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Prevents ulcers	Increase energy	Fights allergies
Lemon/lime	Combats cancer	Protects heart	Control blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Tamarind	Antiseptic	Lowers cholesterol	Combat  jaundice	Curing malaria fewer	Curb cancer
Onion	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
Garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Fights fungus
Ginger	Reduce joint inflammations	Prevents cancer	Aids digestion	Curb all kinds of aches	Controls blood pressure
Parupu (dhal/lenthils)	Helps weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Protects heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Increase energy
Paasi payir (green urad dhal)	Lowers cholesterol	Fight breast cancer	Prevents osteoporosis	Weight control	Controls blood pressure
Ulunthu (black urad dhal)	Develops bone density	Cures nerve problem	Aids blood circulation	Promote hair growth	Helps weight loss
Chick pea	Lowers Cholesterol	Stabilizes blood sugar	Prevents colon cancer	Curbs osteoporosis	Helps weights loss
Corn	Aids digestion	Prevents anaemia	Balance energy level	Stabilizes blood sugar	Controls hypertension
Peanuts	Protects heart	Promotes weight control	Combat prostate cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Helps digestion
Tomatoes	Protect prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects heart	Protects high blood pressure
Chilli	Aids digestive systems	Soothes sore throats	Clears sinuses	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure
Carrot	Saves eyesight	Protects heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
Mullanggi (white radish)	Aids digestive systems	Repair body cells	Fights free radicals	Increase energy	Combats cancer
Pumpkin	Prevents kidney stones	Prevents ulcer and acidity	Cures constipation	Prevents insomnia	Combats heart disease
Brinjal	Battles diabetes	Protects heart	Aids digestion	Improves mental health	Promotes weight loss
Okra	Strengthening bones	Boosts memory	Combats colon cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar	Prevents asthma
Long beans	Lowers cholesterol level	Controls blood sugar level	Smooth bowel movement	Treats hypertension	Prevents constipation
Bitter  gourd	Lowers blood sugar level	Prevents  diabetes complications	Reduces hypertensions	Treats cancer	Helps eight loss
Bottle  Gourd	Aids digestion	Supports urinary systems	Helps weight loss	Boosts memory	Combats excessive thirst
Pudina	Lowers cholesterol	Treat cold and flu	Mouth freshener	Improves mental health	Combats cancer
Pasalai keerai	antioxidant	Cell rejuvenating	Increase energy	Combats prostate cancer	Fights free radicals
Murunggai keerai	Cures malnutrition	Controls blood pressure	Prevents constipation	Combats hair loss	Increase lactation for mothers
Cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects heart	Help haemorrhoids
Broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eye sights	Combats cancer	Protects heart	Controls blood pressure
Mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
Potato	Reduces inflammation	Increases brain function	Prevents kidney stones	Relieves external burns	Increase brain function
Sweet potatoes	Saves eye sights	Lifts mood	Supports thyroid glands	Strengthens bones	Raise blood level
Banana	Protects heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
Pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves cough	Aids digestion	exfoliating  skin tone and complexion	Dissolves warts
Mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	Aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
Water melon	Protects prostate	Promotes weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stop strokes	Controls blood pressure
Papaya	Prevents pimples	Reduces  gastric problems	Aids digestion	Treat colon cancer	Combat high blood pressure