Religious & Spiritual
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Ganesh Idols in the making at Railway grounds, Lower Parel in Mumbai. Ganesh idols are made from POP and painted with rich colours on the eve of the Ganesh Chaturti festival.
ChaturtiGanapati festivalHindu GodINDIndiaLower ParelMaharashtraMumbaiNaigaumelephant headedfestivalganeshganeshageolat19.00141070geolat19.00143352geolat19.00147156geolon72.83759594geolon72.83768445geolon72.83773810geotaggedhinduvisarjan
There are twelve temples surrounding the Mysore Palace within the compound. Some of them are built in typical Dravidian style including the Varashaswamy Temple with a gopuram that set the pattern for the later Sri Chamundeswari Temple on Chamundi Hill.
Sri Laxmiramanaswami Temple is located at one of the entrances of the Palace of Mysore. Exquisite carvings and stone work is done on the exterior of the wallssri laxmiramanaswami templepalacemysoreamba vilasmuseum karnatakasouthernindiaresidence royal family of mysoredurbarroyal courtwodeyar mahararaja08010109
Naga sadhus (naked monks) jump into the river ganga with frenzy. As per tradition, the Naga sadhu's have the first right of bathing in the holy Ganga on the occasion of Kumbh Mela.
Kumbh Mela is the biggest religious gatherings on the planet which takes places on the banks of the river Ganga. The number of pilgrims this year is expected to exceed around five million since the first day Jan 14 till the time it concludes on April 28, 2010. The auspicious days of the shahi snan or royal baths usually draw hundreds of thousands of devotees to the Har Ki Paudi and other banks of the river. Uttarakhand. North India. The occasion draws pilgrims from around the world and severly overloads the infrastructure so most of the city is shut down for any vehicles other than security or emergency services so a sea of humanity walks through the city to get to the bathing ghats.2010April 28Har Ki PaudiHaridwarHindusJan 14Kumbh Mela FestivalNorth IndiaUKauspiciousbanks of river Gangabathbiggest religious gatheringdevoteeshindukumbh melamillionspilgrimsreligiousriver banksroyal bathsshahi snansnanuttarakhandwash sins
Camera image (no PhotoShop manipulation) of the Janamashtmi Celebrations in Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai.
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark half) of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra (Western star name: Aldebaran) is ascendent. The festival falls during August/September. In 2005, it was celebrated on 27th Aug'08.
The ritual is to fast the previous day followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night. At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped.The fast is completed after aarti (a special prayer).
Janmaashtami, popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi is celebrated with enormous zeal and enthusiasm. Various Handis are set up locally in several parts of the city, and groups of youngsters, called Govinda, travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day.krishnajanamashtmidahihandigovindacelebrationshindureligiousfestivehiranandani gardenspowai lakepowailakemumbaiKrishna Janmashtamieighth dayKrishna PakshashraavanaRohini NakshatraAldebaranasia05080424
The huge Buddha statue in Bangkok, Thailand which is named Luang Phor TO was believed to be first constructed back in 1867 during the reign of King Rama IV and lasted probably 60 years. The work on it actually stretched to King Rama VII! Phra Soomdej Toh who originated the idea actually never saw its completion and passed away in the temple when he was 80 years old (1872).
Phra Soomdej Tohhuge Buddha statueBangkokThailandbuddhastatuetempleLuang Phor TOconstructed1867King Rama IVKing Rama VII06102963
Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss") is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam, Penang and is one of the best known temples on the island. Mahayana Buddhism and tradional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole, both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of worshippers.
Kek Lok Si TempleTemple of Supreme BlissGeorge townpenangmalaysiaasia08032081
Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss") is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam, Penang and is one of the best known temples on the island. Mahayana Buddhism and tradional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole, both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of worshippers.
Kek Lok Si TempleTemple of Supreme BlissGeorge townpenangmalaysiaasia08032072
WAT PHO (Recline Buddha) is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha. WatPho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's First University".
WAT PHORecline BuddhaBangkoktempleKing Rama IgoldplatedWatPhoeducationbuddhistbuddhathailandasia06103090
Panoramic image of Angkor Wat Temple Complex at Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundationfirst Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.panopanoramicpano imageangkor wat templeindiankinglarge stonestatueold ladybuddhahindurocksbuddha statuesiem reapcambodiaasiareligioustemplecomplexankortemples785790
St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro). The splendid square and colonnade, Bernini's finest work, form a superb entryway to the greatest church of Christendom. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and Sovereign of the Vatican City (a city within a city) and this has been the case since the time of St. Peter. At the time of Christ, Rome was the Capital of the Roman Empire - the most important City in the Western world.
Basilica di San PietroSt. Peter's BasilicavaticanromeitalyeuropesquarecolonnadeBerninifinest workentrywaychurchchristendompopechristchirstianity06091646
Sri Venkateswara Temple in the evening. Tirumala Tirupati dev sthanam. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.
It is by the Lords presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice.
The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.Sri Venkateswara TempleeveningTirumalaTirupatidev sthanamancientsacredVenkatachalaVenkata HillTirupati Hillsouthern banksSri Swami PushkariniVaishnavismsanctumsanctorum idol05113555
Golden Jubliee Celebrations 1963-2013 of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Chinmaya Mission, Powai, Mumbai, India.
Sandeepany celebrated its 50th Year in 2013, on 9th January. Chinmaya Mission Acharyas came together to express their gratitude and make their offerings at the lotus feet of Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on 9 January, 2013.Golden Jubliee CelebrationsSandeepany SadhanalayaChinmaya MissionPowaiMumbaiIndia19632013geolat19.13236665geolon72.89816558geotagged
Golden Jubliee Celebrations 1963-2013 of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Chinmaya Mission, Powai, Mumbai, India.
Sandeepany celebrated its 50th Year in 2013, on 9th January. Chinmaya Mission Acharyas came together to express their gratitude and make their offerings at the lotus feet of Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on 9 January, 2013.Golden Jubliee CelebrationsSandeepany SadhanalayaChinmaya MissionPowaiMumbaiIndia19632013geolat19.13236665geolon72.89816558geotagged
Lord Jagadeeswara (Lord Shiva) at The Chinmaya Mission's Sandeepany Ashram in Powai, Mumbai (Bombay). Chinmaya Mission aims at providing people with the knowledge and understanding of the Vedanta. It also attempts to teach them the practical way of attaining the goal of spiritual growth and contentment.
lordjagadeeswaraLord ShivaChinmaya MissionSandeepany AshramPowaiMumbaiBombaytempleknowledgevedantaspiritual
Satsang and Gita Gyan in Mumbai (Bombay) by Swami Ishwaranandaji of Chinmaya Mission who is presently the acharya in Los Angeles, USA.
satsangGita GyanSwami IshwaranandajiishwaranandaChinmaya MissionacharyaLos AngelesUSAbombaymumbai07010271
A camp organized for children at IIT to use soil from Powai Lake to make eco-friendly Ganesh idols for the Ganesh Chaturti festival.
GaneshjiChaturtifestivalecoecologicalecoGaneshchildrencampteachteachingclaymudhindupowai lakepowailakeGanapati festivalelephant headedHindu GodGaneshavisarjanpovaiwatershoredipimmersionwetidolMumbaiIndia
Artists make and paint Ganesh idols and other murthis (statues) which are for sale on the eve of the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Lower Parel, Mumbai.
INDIndiaLower ParelMaharashtraMumbaiNaigaumgeolat19.00147156geolon72.83759594geotagged
Devotees light oil lamp and offer prayers at Sri Venkateswara Temple in the evening. Tirumala Tirupati dev sthanam. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.
It is by the Lords presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice.
The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.oillampSri Venkateswara TempleeveningTirumalaTirupatidev sthanamancientsacredVenkatachalaVenkata HillTirupati Hillsouthern banksSri Swami PushkariniVaishnavismsanctumsanctorum idol05113588
The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
shivahindureligionelephanta cavesharbourgharapuriislandunescoworld heritagerockgateway of indiagodgodessmumbaiindiasouthasiaseawaterportuguesebramhavishnumahesh08021250
WAT PHO (Recline Buddha) is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha. WatPho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's First University".
WAT PHORecline BuddhaBangkoktempleKing Rama IgoldplatedWatPhoeducationbuddhistbuddhathailandasia
Artists at Railway grounds, Lower Parel in Mumbai make Ganesh idols and paint them with rich colours on the eve of the Ganesh Chaturti festival.
GaneshChaturtifestivalhinduGanapati festivalelephant headedHindu GodGaneshavisarjanMumbaiIndiageolat19.00141070geolon72.83768445geotaggedINDMaharashtraNaigaumLower Parelgeolat19.00143352geolon72.83773810geolat19.00147156geolon72.83759594
Sri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam. The Batu Caves is a limestone hill which has a series of caves and hindu cave temples. One has to climb steep flights of 272 steps to reach the top. Batu caves is located in Gombak district which is just over 10 kms north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The caves take their name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is the focal point of the annual Thaipusam festival and attracts many pilgrims.
Batu Caves is a famous tourist destination. Thaipusam festival celebrated here attracts many devotees and spectators who come to watch devotees in a trance carrying kavadi (a metal frame attached to the body). At the base of the steps leading to the caves are nice vegetarian food places.Batu CavesstepsGombakKuala LumpurMalaysia. Sungai BatuRiverhindu shrinesLord MurugaThaipusam festivalpilgrimskavadivegetarian foodmalaysiaasiaSri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam08032268
Wat Chayamangkalaram - Thai Buddhist Temple, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Wat ChayamangkalaramThai Buddhist Templemalaysiahistorical sitepenangasia08031635
Golden Jubliee Celebrations 1963-2013 of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Chinmaya Mission, Powai, Mumbai, India.
Sandeepany celebrated its 50th Year in 2013, on 9th January. Chinmaya Mission Acharyas came together to express their gratitude and make their offerings at the lotus feet of Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on 9 January, 2013.Golden Jubliee CelebrationsSandeepany SadhanalayaChinmaya MissionPowaiMumbaiIndia19632013geolat19.13236665geolon72.89816558geotagged
Lord Jagadeeswara (Lord Shiva) atThe Chinmaya Mission's Sandeepany Ashram in Powai, Mumbai (Bombay). Chinmaya Mission aims at providing people with the knowledge and understanding of the Vedanta. It also attempts to teach them the practical way of attaining the goal of spiritual growth and contentment.
lordjagadeeswaraLord ShivaChinmaya MissionSandeepany AshramPowaiMumbaiBombaytempleknowledgevedantaspiritual
Sultan Salahuddin Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. Capped by one of the largest religious domes in the world, the mosque uses blue as a dominant colour and thus the name. It occupies about 36 acres of beautiful parkland surrounded by the Municipal Council Tower, State Library, State Museum and the Lake Gardens. The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is the state mosque of Selangor. It is Malaysia's biggest mosque and also the second biggest mosque in Southeast Asia after Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Sultan Salahuddin MosqueBlue Mosquelargest religious domesSelangorKuala LumpurMalaysia08032467
Stainglass showing the life of Jesus Christ. The Afghan Church is located in Colaba, Mumbai. Work on the church of St. John the Evangelist (Afghan Church) was begun in 1847 by the British to commemorate the dead of the disastrous First Afghan War of 1838. It was consecrated in 1858 and work on the steeple was concluded in 1865. The church is located in Navy Nagar in the Colaba area of Mumbai (Bombay).
afghan churchcolabamumbai st. john evangelist britishfirst afghan war1838navy nagarmumbaibombayindiasouth asiajesusstainglass080209001
Ash and colour smeared Sadhu (medicant) with his "lota" (the pot behind) and "kamandal" near Pashupatinath Mandir, Kathmandu, Nepal. These sadhus sit at the temple gates. Seen behind is another sadhu lying down.
sadhumedicantlotapotkamandalpashupatinathmandirkathmanduNepalhindujatajatayuhairunkeptmarksfaceforeheadcolour06101335
Sadhu (medicant) with his orange robe near Pashupatinath Mandir, Kathmandu, Nepal. These sadhus sit at the temple gates and ask for offerings from devotees. Not all of them are true seekers and some are just dressed up to collect money from innocent people.
sadhumedicantkamandalpashupatinathmandirkathmanduNepalhindujatajatayuhairunkeptmarksfaceforeheadcolourorangerobefakeseeker06101339
A Buddha's head embraced by tree roots at Wat Phra Mahathat, Ayuthaya, Thailand. Ayuthaya has many historic ruins of the ancient capitol of Thailand and site of an historic battle. In Burmese invasions many Buddha statues were beheaded en masse at the battle. This head remnant of a statue is entangled in Banyan roots and is a site of reverence.
buddhabuddhistbuddhismBuddha's headtree rootsWat Phra MahathatAyuthayaThailandBurmese invasionsBuddha statuesbeheadedbattlehead remnantBanyan rootsholystonechisledtreeoldbanyan06102432
Women taking taking a ceremonial bath at Tirta Empul - The Holy Springs
Located in Tampak Siring is the Temple Tirta Empul where its pond is believed to cure sickness. Tirta empul means water that comes from the earth naturally. And until this day Balinese still believe the miraculous healing powers of the water and therefore bath in it. According to Usana Bali, an ancient Balinese manuscript, there was once an evil king named Maya Denawa who did not believe in god, and objected to the people worshipping gods. The gods sent a punishment in the form of the warriors of Bhatara Indra, who arrived to attack Maya Denawa and overthrow him. However, Maya Denawa poisoned the warriors and they lay dead. Seeing this, the Hindu God Indra pierced the earth to create a spring called Amerta. When the water was sprinkled over the dead warriors, they became alive again. This water source is believed to be Tirta Empul - the source of life and prosperity to this day. The temple inscriptions mention that Tirta Empul was constructed in 960 AD, when the king Chandrabhaya Singha Warmadewa ordered its construction. During a festival or ceremony you can see many people bathing in the ponds that has seven pancuran. It is believed that the sacred spring water not only can cure sickness but can also purify sins.Pura Tirta EmpulThe Holy SpringsTampak SiringTemple Tirta Empulpondcure sicknessBalinesemiraculoushealing powerswaterbathmanuscriptevil kingMaya DenawaGodhinduBhatara IndrapoisonedwarriorsdeadHindu God IndraspringAmertainscriptionsking Chandrabhaya Singha Warmadewafestivalceremonymany people bathingpancuranpurify sinstempleislandbaliUbudBedulusanctuarycarvedindonesiaIndonesianstoriesHindu epicsthousands templesfestivalsprivate ceremonies
Women and men dressed traditionally carry offerings. Enroute from Denpasar International Airport to Ubud, we see a Hindu procession.
Bali is an Indonesian island with the provincial capital at Denpasar. Lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east, the island is home to the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music. What's interesting is that while Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, on the island of Bali, 93% of the population is Balinese Hindu and one can find Hinduism in each and every aspect of the life and living.baliindonesiaIndonesianislanddenpasarsanurkutajavalomboktourist destinationrenownedhighly developed artsdancesculpturepaintingleathermetalworkingmusicBalinese HinduhindureligionHinduismperforming artsstoriesHindu epicsRamayanapendetlegongbaristopengbaronggong keybarkecakmonkey dancethousands templesfestivalsprivate ceremoniespublic shows
The Mother Temple of Besakih - Pura Besakih in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, is the most important temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali, Indonesia and is one of a series of Balinese temples. It has been nominated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Puru Besakih but fortunately, the lava flows missed the temple complex by mere yards. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the Gods.
This temple was built in a holy village named Hulundang Basukih, which is known today as Besakih village. The name of Besakih was derived from the word "Basuki" or in some old manuscripts written as Basukir or Basukih. The word Basuki itself was taken from the word "Wasuki" on the Sunskrit, which means "salvation".
The mythology of Samudramanthana mentioned that Basuki was the name of a dragon that coiled around the Mandara Mountain.
The old remains say that the Besakih Temple was built by Rsi Markandya and his followers in the 11th century. At that time, Rsi Markandya intended to go to Mount Agung to build a residence. The construction was troubled by a disease which caused the death of his followers. For the safety of them, he constructed a veneration to worship God for a salvation. The veneration was called "Sanggar Basuki".11th centuryAgama Hindu DharmaBalinese templesBasukiBasukihBasukirBesakih villageGodsHulundang BasukihIndonesianMandara MountainPura BesakihRsi MarkandyaSamudramanthanaSanggar BasukiSunskritThe Mother Temple of BesakihUNESCO World Heritage SiteWasukibalibesakihcoileddeathdragoneastern Balieruptionsfollowersgodimportant templeindonesiaislandkilledlava flowsmiraculousmount agungmythologyold manuscriptssalvationsamudramanthansanskritslopesubudvenerationvillageworship
