Spirituality

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.

We await with bated breath for January 22, bristling in excitement as if a grand wedding is taking place in our own homes. We imagine a tree-bark clad superhero returning after a long estrangement from his land climbing up the steps of a pink sandstone building. Cheered by a vast crowd, he walks on in slow motion, to ascend the throne that was longing for his warmth.

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.