The test was simple but demanding: whoever could lift and string the mighty bow of Shiva, a gift to King Janaka, would win Sita’s hand in marriage.

The test was simple but demanding: whoever could lift and string the mighty bow of Shiva, a gift to King Janaka, would win Sita’s hand in marriage.
17 & 18 October 2017 Diwali celebrations in AmritapuriDiwali was celebrated throughout Amritapuri in many ways. In the morning, as Amma made her way to the stage for the day’s darshan, she was welcomed by a group of Amma’s children from Tamil Nadu, dressed in beautiful attire and holding diyas (lamps) in their hands. They chanted […]
28 Jan, Kanya Kumari, Tamil Nadu – Bharata Yatra 2017 Amma dedicated the Ramayanam Darshanam (exhibition on Valmiki Ramayana) and the Bharatamata Sadanam (Bharata Mata Temple) to the nation at the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Entering the ground floor of the temple, Amma was given a tour of the Ramayana gallery, then performed a puja to […]
Defeating adharma is not the foremost priority of avataras. Their primary goal is to nurture devotion in the hearts of humankind.
15 March 2005 — Amritapuri The Puranas and Hindu epics are full of stories that seem simple on the surface, but upon deeper investigation reveal fathomless depth. This, in truth, is their greatness—the fact that everyone from a child to a scholar can hear them and come away with meaning appropriate for their stage and […]
India is a land of festivals where you will see at least one major festival each month. Deepavali (or Diwali) which literally means “rows of lamps” is one of the four main festivals of India. Throughout the world, all Hindus celebrate Deepavali or Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm. The celebration of Diwali lasts six […]
Sthala Puranas of Bharat Tiruchirapalli (“Trichy”) is home to some of the most legendary and ancient temples in India, as well as to some beautiful stories and history. Here are but a few: Sri Rangam Temple & Uchi Pillayar Temple Perhaps its most famous temple in the city is the Sri Ranganath Swami Temple. The […]
The city of the Peacock Sthala Puranas of Bharat One of the most famous temples in Chennai is the Kapaleswarar Temple1, located in an area that is today referred to as Mylapore. In fact, Mylapore is an Anglicized form of “Mayilapur,” which literally means “City of the Peacock.”2 In the Puranas, Lord Shiva is the […]
Navaratri highlights the principles elucidated by the Ramayana. This is hinted at in the other name by which Vijaya Dashami is known in India, Dussehra. “Dussehra” is derived from “Dasha-hara”, which means “victory over the ten-faced one”. This ten-faced being (Dashamukha) is none other than Ravana, Lord Rama’s adversary. His ten heads symbolise the ten […]