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Thursday, 29 November 2012


Radhasoami 
                       Is a spiritual movement that originated in 19th century India, and is considered by adherents as a true way to attain God realization. The Radhasoami faith is also referred to as Sant Mat, the "Path of the Sants." The word "Radhasoami" itself is actually a combination of two words: "Radha" (referring to the soul or spiritual essence, either of an individual or of the whole) and "Soami" (referring to the spiritual master; cognate to the Sanskrit term swami or svami); the combined word thus refers to the "Lord of the Soul" or God. It also can be interpreted to mean the "Master Soul" or "Spirit Master" who guides the disciple to higher states of consciousness. Like Sant Mat sects, Radhasoami emphasizes the use of listening to inner sound accessed by (mantra/simran), combined with personal loyalty to a given living Master, for devotees to attain desired states of spiritual advancement.
Shiv Dayal Singh, called "Soamiji Maharaj" by devotees and admirers, was a khatri seth by caste who descended from Choora clan (popularly known as Sobly) in Agra, India. He used to insist that anyone who chose to follow him must give up non-vegetarian food, abstain from alcohol and intoxicants, lead a high moral life and engage in over two hours of shabd yoga (sound-current yoga) meditation per day.[2]
In the mid-1850s, Shiv Dayal Singh had a handful of followers in Agra. However, his teachings eventually attracted disciples from across India and by the time of his death in 1878, Shiv Dayal had several thousands of followers. He died on 15 June 1878 in Agra, India.
Shiv Dayal Singh's wife, Narayani Devi (called Radhaji), Rai Saligram (called Huzur Maharaj), Sanmukh Das, Gharib Das, Partap Singh (Shiv Dayal's younger brother) and Baba Jaimal Singh were some of his prominent followers around whom individual satsang groups formed. This splintering off, led to the propagation of Radhasoami teachings to a wider audience, although with slightly varied interpretations.

Sunday, 30 September 2012

jwalaji



jwalaji in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is well-known for the famous Jwalaji Temple which is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peeths in the country. It is said that when, Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva, killed herself by jumping in the sacrificial fire when her father Daksha Prajapati insulted her husband, an enraged Shiva started roaming the entire universe with the body of Sati in his arms. His movement created havoc and imbalance in the Universe. To calm down the anger of Shiva, Lord Vishnu dismembered the dead body of Sati and various parts of the body fell at 51 different places in India which later on became sacred as Shakti Peeths. It is believed that Sati's tongue had fallen at the very place where Jwalaji Temple is now situated. The tongue of Sati is represented by Jwala (Holy Flame) that is perpetually burning. The flames come out from nine different rocks in the temple. It is said that the Pandavas have visited this sacred place. Even Emperor Akbar paid yearly visit to this Temple after he became impressed with the holy flames that kept burning even after he had put a massive chhatra (canopy) over it to extinguish the flame. The climat of this region is quite moderate with cool but pleasant winters and warm summers.


FAST FACTS : 

  • Main Attraction : March-April & September-October Navaratra Celebrations. Two huge fairs are held at the temple in April and mid October during the Navratries which anyone can attend.
  • About Prashad : Devotees can either buy prashad from any of the nearby shops of the temple or bring in their own prasad from home. Usually, the prasad that is offered to the deity include pan, supari, dhawaza, narela, loung and elaichi.
  • Climate : During summer, the climate is mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended. In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woollens are required.
  • Best Season to Visit : Whole year is best to visit this place.  
  • HOW TO REACH / ACCESS / GETTING THERE : 
  • Air : Closest Airport is at Gaggal, 50km away. Chandigarh airport is at a distance of around 200 km.
  • Rail : The nearest Narrow gauge is at Ranital, 20 km away. Also Nearest Broad Gauge Railway Station is at Pathankot, More than 100km away
  • Road : The temple is also well connected by road. State transport buses from cities of Punjab and Haryana are available. Taxis are also there to take you to the Jwalamukhi temple.
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Wednesday, 19 September 2012

kangra fort

KANGRA FORT





History Of The Fort
                  The history of the fort reveals that it attracted numerous eyes that wished to control the region. In those days it was said that the person who holds the Kangra fort will be the one who ruled over Kangra. Accordingly, the king of Kashmir, Shreshta became the first one to conquer the fort in 470 AD. In 1009 AD, Mohammad of Gazni set his eyes on the fort and ransacked it. He took away with him 7 lakh gold coins, 28 tonne utensils mode of gold and silver and 8 tonnes of diamond and pearls.

The next two attack on the fort were made by Muhammad Tughlaq (in 1337) and Feroze Shah ( in 1357). A quick period of peace was soon followed by another attack. This one came from Khan Jahan, a commander of Sher Shah Suri in the year 1540. Less than a century later, Jahangir himself occupied the fort in 1620. 1781 saw the fort passing into the hands of Jassa Singh Kanhaya while five years later Maharaja Sansar Chand became its owner. Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured it in 1809 and finally in 1846, the Kangra fort fell into the hands of the British power




Location

               The historical Kangra Fort is 3 km from the Kangra town. One can reach Kangra town by road, rail & air. Kangra is 17 km from Dharamshala, 220 km from Shimla and 235 km from Chandigarh.

Saturday, 1 September 2012

           








   Sada Shiv Mandir


                                                   Sada Shiv Mandir Dhyunsar is considered to be the adobe of Lord Shiva. Sada Shiv Mandir Dhyunsar is Located in  Una district, Himachal Pradesh. The temple is situated on one of the top Hill. It is about 16 km far from baruhi which is located on the Delhi - Dharmashala road. This road is part of the State Highway network and is normally kept in good repair. The famous places of Una are, Sada Shiv Mandir Dhyunsar Temple Talmehra. It is a place of great attraction for the religious people as well as for climbers. To reach to this placeone has to reach Bahi of Talmehra.Situated in Bahi village near Talmehra in Bangana Tehsil of Una district, Dhyunsar Mahadev Temple is corrupted form of DHAUMYESHWAR SADASHIV TIRATH (Temple). It is believed that ‘kul-purohit’(family priest) of Pandavas DHAUMYA RISHI while wandering came to this place and attracted by its serenity and beautiful surroundings, sat in reverence to worship lord Mahadev
. The rishi prayed lord Shiva to bless him with the boon that whosoever will worship him at this place, his desires will be fulfilled. Eversince that time this place got the name of Dhaumyeshwar Sadashiv Tirath which got corrupted to Dhyunsar Mahadev in the modern times. On the auspicious occasion of ‘Shivratri’, a fair is held here when the ‘shiv linga’ in the temple is bathed with milk and butter milk in the presence of a mammoth gathering chanting “Om Namah Shivaye”.More than fifty years back, Swami Anand Giri came from Uttarkashi and renovated the badly damaged and dilapidated temple into a beautiful place. In the meanwhile some ‘serais’ (resting places) have come up and a water tank has also been constructed so as to facilitate the devotees and the pilgrims.