Sunday 24 March 2013

Visiting Temples: Science Versus Faith

An interesting post which i found worth sharing. We usually find people who visit temples everyday and we also find people who hardly visit temples. So this post will tell you how useful it is to visit temples daily.

There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth’s magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as “Garbhagriha” or Moolasthanam. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This Moolasthanam is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the shlokas. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.

 Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or poojaris performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress.

The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the Moolasthanam / Garbagraham. Theertham, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,Karpura (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Clove, etc…Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy.

Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & Tulsi leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and Pachha Karpuram (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that Theertham is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious.
Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings.
This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one’s body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location.

Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged with faith towards God which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.
  
So now its up to us to decide whether we choose science as our reason of visiting temples or whether we  choose faith as our reason to visit the temple. In both cases we will be at profit.

Information Source: Facebook.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Mahashivratri @ Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Panaji-Goa

                                                                                                           

Mahashivaratri Festival is celebrated across the nation with devotion and religious fever on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Devotees observe fast all through the day and night of Shivaratri in honor of Lord Shiva and pay a visit to Shiva temples. Ritual bath of Shiva Lingam with milk, water, honey etc is also performed by the devotees as a part of the tradition.
Like all other Indians i too got up at early in the morning , had bath and proceeded towards Mahalaxmi devasthan Panaji-Goa, where just next to the main temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi is the small beautiful temple of Lord Shiva.
This year the festival day being Sunday devotees were more in no. ,Standing in que in a disciplined manner with  milk packets and flowers such as lotus, bilva patra (“bel” in konkani)etc. in their hands waiting for their turns to perform “Abhishek” and seek blessings of Lord Shiva.


It took me almost half an hour to reach inside the temple to take the “darshan” of Lord Shiva, followed by “ABHISHEK” on the “SHIVA LINGA” .
Thereafter there was a “mahaprasad” being served to the Purohits, Gaonkars(Panjikars) and devotees in the afternoon.

Later in the evening there was a “divja” procession in the vicinity of Mahalaxmi Temple, where the “SUHASINIS” –married women of Gaonkars(Panjikars) with a pancharart (five wicks lighted oil lamp) in their hands took  5 rounds of Mahalaxmi temple. This was followed by the palanquin procession of Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi in the temple vicinity after which there was a “bhar” of Gods Ravalnath, Rampurush , Grampurush in the bodies of Three Gaonkars(Panjikars) who gave blessings “Kaul” to the Gaonkar(Panjikar) family.




Post written by Shri. Shriram Pole.
Photo courtesy Shriram Pole and Ketan Karapurkar