Shiva

The story of Lingodhbhava is considered the origin of Linga (Sanskrit: symbol) worship in several references in Hindu iconography. Shiva appears as a flame of light to dispel the Ahamkara (individuality) of Vishnu and Brahma, reminding them of the futility of infighting since the underlying substratum is the same amongst them all. Understand in depth the symbolism of the most enduring symbol of Shaivism.

Invoking nostalgia and bhakti with a Jambukeswarar-Akilandeswari Temple last, Thirukadaiyur in the town of Tiruchirapalli last year to pay homage to its queen.

Learn about the symbolism of the cin-mudra, through an image of Dakshinamurthy or Shiva as the primordial Guru in the Advaita parampara. 

In memory of Thirukartthiggai which occurred recently, essay inspired by a story in the Sivapuranam rendered as a lesson in iconography using the traditions of the shilpa shastras as described in Elements of Hindu Iconography by T.A Gopinatha Rao.

Recalling in Margazhi, a timely memory of a beautiful seva at the Thillai Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram

This is the concluding post of my parikrama of Mt. Kailash, followed by some reflections. 

As part of the Mt.Kailash yatra, I begin its longest stretch of nearly 23 kilometers clearing the highest elevation at Dolma La Pass. Mani remains my constant companion in this challenging journey.

On the second day of the Mt. Kailash Kora and Charan Sparsh, I walk towards the north face of Mt. Kailash from Dirapuk, to pay my respects. Uncertain weather conditions and altitude sickness render some excitement as its not clear whether we will succeed at touching its surface that day.

I begin my parikrama from Darchen, the base camp of the Mt. Kailash yatra and proceed towards Dirapuk which is the first stop of the parikrama that overlooks the north face of Mt. Kailash

Continuing on my Kailash yatra, this post discusses the journey into Tibet finally reaching Manasarovar.

This post is the second part of my Kailash yatra and captures the preparation for the trip, briefly covering relevant logistics and my stay in Kathmandu.

Capturing my journey, a beginning in several ways, to Mt. Kailash. Mt.Kailash's parikrama is an aspirational journey for many Buddhists, Hindus and Jains with origins from the Indian subcontinent. This, is the first of a multi-part blog of my parikrama and charan sparsh of this sacred mountain.