Pilgrim Sites

Pilgrim sites.

Varanasi – this maybe be considered one of the most famous pilgrim sites. It is situated on the banks of the Ganges around 450 miles south of Delhi. The city may be one of the oldest cities in the world. It is referred to in some ancient texts as “the foremost city of Shiva” one of its most famous buildings a golden temple dedicated to Visvanatha (Shiva) was destroyed, and then rebuilt while under Muslim rule.

Kanyakumari – this is one of the most important holy sites. It is  on the southern most tip of india. The main temple at this holy site is dedicated to the eternal consort of Shiva, Parvati. Many pilgrims come to bathe at this site were the Arabian ocean and the Indian ocean meet. There are seven colors of sand on the beach. The seven colors got there when seven different color of rice were thrown in the air in celebration of lord Shiva marrying the goddess.

Bahgavad Gita

The Bahgavad gita is an ancient Hindu scripture detailing the battle between to armies and words spoken between Krisha and Arjuna. There are 45000+ versus in the Bahgavad gita, gurus have to memorize all of these versus. The purpose to the Bahgavad gita is to explain the purpose of life and how to achieve it. It also details why we suffer. The Bahgavad gita explores nearly all of the major concepts in Hinduism.

Saraswati

Saraswati is the Hindu god of knowledge music and art. Saraswati first appears in the rid veda. Although saraswati is considered the consort of Brahma, she is also worshiped separately as a deity. Saraswati can bestow wisdom upon Hindus and can drive our ignorance. Even in recent times Hindu students pray to Saraswati the night before and exam.

Atman

Atman means eternal self or soul. The atman means the real self not the ego. Some Hindus refer to it as the soul or spirit, it lies underneath ones existence. There are many different views on atman in Hinduism some believe that it is a servant of god, others identify atman as god. Many define the atman as a spiritual self rather than material that is why some Hindus get rid of all material possessions.

Varsha Pratipada

Varsha Pratipada is the spring new year for Hindus, it means birth of the year. This celebration is not very popular and is even less popular in the UK. The first day is Chaitra it is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar. It is a promising day, symbolizing renewal. This day is a good day to start new ventures. 

Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in comemeration for the mokey god Hanuman Ji, he is the sybol for strengh and energy. Hunaman us celebrated for his unshakable devotion to Rama, he is worshiped and remebered for his selfless dedication to god. In an acient hindu text Hanuman said I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Lord Rama.” Because of Hanuman’s love the lord Rama gave Hanuman everlasting life, and promised that he would be worshiped next to Rama. This is a popular festival it can be celebrated alone or in a temple. During the festival the Hanuman Chalisa, a sacred text is recited either for twenty four hours straight or for a certain amount of times depending on the devotee. Some Hindus celebrate in different ways such as fire ceremonies. Colorful processions fill the streets and some people wear masks and tails to imitate the monkey god. The celebration is always followed with a period of fasting and a vegetarian feast afterwards.

Brahma

Brahma is the first of the three main hindu gods, he is the god of creation. Brahma is the creator he is the one who created all the animals all living and non-living. Brahma is the least worshiped god of the three. In all of india there are only two temples that are devoted to him. Brahma has four heads, many hindus beleive the four heads came from the four vedas, the most acient hindu texts. Some believe that the caste system came from different parts of brahma’s body.  Brahma has four arms and is usually shown with a beard. On view on why Brahma is not worshiped as much is that his role is as the creator, since there is no more creating to do it is left to vishnu to preserve the world and Shiva to continue its course or reincarnation. 

Vishnu

The three main gods in Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Brahma is the god of creation, Vishnu is the preserver or protector of the universe, and Shiva is the destroyer. Vishnu’s role is to return to earth during hard or troubled times to restore balance to the world. Vishnu worshipers are usually called Vaishnava, the Vainishava don’t think as highly of Brahma and Shiva. Vaishnava only worship Vishnu. In many hindu texts Vishnu is mentioned along side the gods of light and of the sun. He is often depicted as having blue skin and four arms in his hands he carries something that represents what he is responsible for.

1.    The charka (discuss): this symbolizes the mind.

2.    The conch: The sound the conch creates is the primeval sound of creation, the “Om.”

3.    The lotus flower: the lotus flower represents liberation.

4.    The mace: this represents physical and mental strength.

Vishnu as apperaned in many incarnations on earth, to be exact he ahs appeared nine times. One of which is Matsya a fish. Matsya has been compared to Noah.

Dharma

Dharma refers to the force or power which up hold the universe and society. Dharma is the power which makes the grass grow, gives people morals, it give us the chance to be virtuous. each person can act virtuously but acting virtuously does not mean the same thing for every one. this is called sva-dharma. acting virtuously means something different for an adult than it does for child. Most hindus believe that Dharma was generally revealed in the Vedas.

Main Hindu concept #1

The Gurus

In Hinduism gurus are highly respected and are in one of the higher casts. In the simplest term a guru is teacher who teaches through examples and pass on their wisdom. When a guru dies his disciples or students will take the gurus place sometimes there is more than one student meaning that when the guru dies both students will become gurus. When a Hindu has a question about his life or the meaning of something he will go to the guru and ask for help and advice. Because gurus have to know all of the text in Hinduism they will refer the person to a text or story “to solve this problem we must look at the Bhagavad gita, it says…” The gurus have to memorize the Bhagavad gita, and its 45000 versus. Hinduism is also strongly base on oral tradition meaning that the gurus not only have to know the Bhagadva gita but they also have to know all of the stories of Hinduism and the gods.