Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a festival to celebrate two important events in Hindu mythology. The first is the anniversary when Lord Murugan received the Vel from His Mother, Goddess Parvathi. The second event is the day that God Shiva danced the ananda tandava and revealed His form of Nataraja to the devas, sages and priests gathered at the hallowed Shiva temple of Chidambaram in Tamilnadu. Thus Thaipusam is celebrated in both Sivan and Murugan temples, though Thaipusam is more popular as a Murugan festival. Thaipusam is a one day festival which usually falls on the last week of January or beginning of February.

Hindu Prayers

Hindu Prayers are a collection of mantra and devotional songs that you can learn and teach others, especially children. The meanings of these prayers and how and when best to say them are explained. You will find prayers in Sanskrit, Tamil and English.

Click Here to learn Hindu Prayers.

The Hindu Names Database

Share your comments on The Hindu Names Database, Hindu Naming Traditions and Namakarana Samskara - Hindu Naming Ceremony here.

"This is an expanding and comprehensive database of Hindu names. One of the public services of My Hindu Page is to collect contemporary and ancient Hindu names and provide their meanings. Apart from the names, systems of naming in Hinduism, the namakarana samskara (the Hindu name giving ceremony) and other articles related to Hindu names and naming will be included to provide a comprehensive understanding of Hindu naming."

To access The Hindu Names Database and read the articles connected to it Click Here.

ITS WAR! WAR! WAR! FOR THE SAKE OF peace?

Alright, I have kept silent long enough about this war between Israel and Hamas. Now I've got to say my piece. Though what triggered me to ponder on this issue is not this war, but the Mumbai terrorism incident.

A few days ago I stumbled upon a very disturbing piece of transcript. It is a transcript of a few phone conversations between the Mumbai terrorists and their 'handlers' (as in dog 'handlers') in Pakistan. Here is an excerpt of the most benign part of this conversation.

"*Mumbai terrorist: *Greetings! What did the major-general say?
*Pakistan caller:* Greetings. The major-general directed us to do what we
like. We should not worry. The operation has to be concluded tomorrow
morning. Pray to God. Keep two magazines and three grenades aside, and
expend the rest of your ammunition."

Click Here to continue Reading this article.

Thaiponggal / Makar Sankaranti

Thaiponggal is a three to five day thanks giving festival celebrated in the second week of January, usually January 14th or 15th. The period marks the northward progression of the sun (uttarayana) after the winter solstice. It is a day of thanks giving to Mother Earth and the Sun, on which crops that provide food and commerce depend. This festival is celebrated throughout India. In the northern Indian states it is Makar Sankaranti, in Andhra Pradesh, Pedda Panduga. In the states where the holy Ganga river flows it is called Gangasagar Mela. It is considered very auspicious to dip in the purifying waters of the Ganga during this festival. In Tamilnadu it is Thaiponggal.

Click Here to continue reading this article about Thaiponggal / Makar Sankaranti.

Five Unique Questions on Hinduism

Continuation of Q & A Presentation. 2008 Scott Road Kandaswami Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Hindu Youth Camp.

1. What is Bhakti Yoga?
2. Who created Hinduism and the Vedas?
3. Is it a must to follow the rules of the religion to the letter?
4. Talking to God, does it help?
5. If we adopt a few religions in doing various activities, is it wrong?

Click here to read the answers to these questions.

Nine Common Questions on Hinduism

Last month (December 08) I presented and answered nine common questions about Hinduism to a group of youth attending a Hindu camp in the Scott Road (Brickfields) Kandaswami Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malalysia. This lecture weaves in a number of common questions asked in Hinduism. After I had finished this presentation, I the youth the opportunity to ask their questions.

Quick Links to the Questions: Are there many Gods in Hinduism? Are Hindu Gods married? Are we idol worshippers? Is there a Hindu Bible? Why do we worhsip cows? Must we be vegetarian? What is karma? Do we believe in reincarnation? Why do we wear the 'pottu'?

Click Here to Read the Questions and Answers

Pondering: My 2009 New Year Resolution

My 2009, New Year Resolutions 

New Years' are great aren't they? From one point of view it is just another day. I mean, January 1, 2009 would be nothing if we decided the new year fell on February 1, 2009. 

For me the greatest significance of a new year day (or the eve) is that I review and tie-off the loose ends of the previous period of time we call a year and look to new beginnings. The best part of this is that despite whatever the foercast for next year may be, the eve of a new year and new year day are times of renewed inspiration and celebration. It is a positive time and we reinforce this positivity collectively by wishing all our loved ones and acquaintances a very Happy New Year. Even for those in the midst of tragedy, trials and tribulations, there is, even if it may be only a slightest sliver of a glimmer of hope, it is some hope and positivity nonetheless. Thus it becomes a duty for all of us to wish each other a Happy 2009. This is our collective commitment for this year and let us all join together in prayer and action to see this positivity and inspiration through in our lives.

As usual on New Year's eve and the day, my mobile beeped away with text greetings. Usually after sending the reply, the messages gets trashed. I always thought it a pity, trashing these messages, as many of the them took a lot of thought to compose. So this time around, as I list out my resolutions for this coming 2009 in this the first of the Pondering article, I am going to insert these greetings here and there in an effort to save these greetings for posterity.

"Before the sun sets in this year, before the memories fade, before the networks get jammed. Wish you Happy Sparkling New Year '09."

Click Here to Read the Rest of this article.