Indian.Temples Research & Media Services

02/04/2026

Hanuman is amongst the most reverred and loved characters of Ramayana. Every year, on Chaitra Purnima, we celebrate Hanuman Jannmotsava. But do you know the place where Hanuman was born? Find out in this post.

23/03/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/adWnFa1-4a4

क्या आपने कभी ध्यान दिया है कि भारत की अलग-अलग भाषाओं और परंपराओं में एक ही विचार बार-बार सामने आता है?“सब सुखी हों….....

21/03/2026

The Oldest Sculpture of Mahishasura Mardini

We have seen many sculptures of Mahishasura Mardini, across different periods and dynasties.
The iconography is familiar — the goddess with multiple arms, each holding a weapon.

But here, something feels different.

The Goddess has six hands.
Two of them hold Mahishasura, the buffalo demon.
Two hold weapons — a mace in one hand and a trident in the other.
And the remaining two… seem to rest above her head, holding onto something that is not very clearly defined.

This is not the Durga we are used to seeing.

This sculpture dates back to the 2nd century CE, from the Kushan period — a time when sculptural traditions were still evolving.
The forms were simpler. The ideas were still finding expression.

There is no dramatic moment of slaying.
No elaborate composition.
No perfected iconography.

And that is what makes this important.

Because it reminds us —
even the deities, as we see them today,
were once ideas…

slowly taking shape in stone.

03/03/2026

HOLIKA DAHANAM

The festival of Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi is celebrated a day before Holi. In certain parts of the country, the Holika Dahan is the main festival and the next day is celebrated as Dhulivandan.

According to legend, Holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, who acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She then attempted to kill her nephew, Prahlada, by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. However, she was immolated while Prahlada was saved from the fire.

On the day of Holika Dahan, a heap of cow dung cakes and wood is prepared. Other elements like neem, camphor and ghee are added the the heap and the heap is set on fire. This is a symbolic burning of the demoness Holika. It aymbolises victory of good over evil.

The ritual also has a medical significance. Holi is the time of transition between winter and summer. This is also a time when many viral diseases and infection may spread. The ritual of burning cow dung cakes, along with ghee and camphor, cleanses the air and helps in keeping the viral diseases away.

We have earlier published a reel about the medical significance of Holika Dahanam. Do check it out.

📷Sculpture of Holika on fire, Chennakesava temple, Somnathpura, Karnataka

16/02/2026

Shiva's life offers profound lessons even for the corporate world—almost every incident holds a mirror to leadership and decision-making.

During Samudra Manthan, the first thing to emerge was not nectar, but a deadly poison—Halahal. When neither the Devas nor the Asuras were willing to even touch it, Shiva stepped forward and consumed it.

In our organizations, brainstorming is also a kind of Samudra Manthan. We churn ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. And very often, the first things that emerge are doubts, criticism, uncomfortable questions, and negative comments. These are our Halahal.

Just like the poison, you can’t simply discard them. If ignored, they can pollute the entire process. They must be “consumed”—which means understood, processed, and addressed. Only then can the team move closer to the real goal.

Even when Shiva drank the Halahal, Parvati ensured it did not spread through his body and stayed in his throat. In every team too, we need someone—or some mechanism—that contains the negativity, resolves it, and prevents it from damaging the whole organization.

So next time you’re in a brainstorming session, remember this story—and quietly tell yourself:

“I am the Nilkanth of my company.”

16/02/2026

Shivji’s life offers profound lessons even for the corporate world—almost every incident holds a mirror to leadership and decision-making.

During Samudra Manthan, the first thing to emerge was not nectar, but a deadly poison—Halahal. When neither the Devas nor the Asuras were willing to even touch it, Shiva stepped forward and consumed it.

In our organizations, brainstorming is also a kind of Samudra Manthan. We churn ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. And very often, the first things that emerge are doubts, criticism, uncomfortable questions, and negative comments. These are our Halahal.

Just like the poison, you can’t simply discard them. If ignored, they can pollute the entire process. They must be “consumed”—which means understood, processed, and addressed. Only then can the team move closer to the real goal.

Even when Shiva drank the Halahal, Parvati ensured it did not spread through his body and stayed in his throat. In every team too, we need someone—or some mechanism—that contains the negativity, resolves it, and prevents it from damaging the whole organization.

So next time you’re in a brainstorming session, remember this story—and quietly tell yourself:

“I am the Nilkanth of my company.”

15/02/2026

Shivji’s life offers profound lessons even for the corporate world—almost every incident holds a mirror to leadership and decision-making.

During Samudra Manthan, the first thing to emerge was not nectar, but a deadly poison—Halahal. When neither the Devas nor the Asuras were willing to even touch it, Shiva stepped forward and consumed it.

In our organizations, brainstorming is also a kind of Samudra Manthan. We churn ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. And very often, the first things that emerge are doubts, criticism, uncomfortable questions, and negative comments. These are our Halahal.

Just like the poison, you can’t simply discard them. If ignored, they can pollute the entire process. They must be “consumed”—which means understood, processed, and addressed. Only then can the team move closer to the real goal.

Even when Shiva drank the Halahal, Parvati ensured it did not spread through his body and stayed in his throat. In every team too, we need someone—or some mechanism—that contains the negativity, resolves it, and prevents it from damaging the whole organization.

So next time you’re in a brainstorming session, remember this story—and quietly tell yourself:
“I am the Nilkanth of my company.”

29/01/2026

पीछे हटना हमेशा हार नहीं होता।
कृष्ण का युद्ध से हटना डर नहीं था — वह रणनीति थी।
महाभारत हमें सिखाता है कि कभी-कभी बुद्धिमत्ता पीछे हटने में होती है।

28/01/2026

Krishna Accepted, Karna Rejected | A Deep Mahabharata Story

Mahabharata is about a lot of stories, with very deep philosophical base. Today, we share one of them with you. What Krishna accepted as destiny, with open heart, Karna could never..

27/01/2026

𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 | 𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

Mahabharata is about a lot of stories, with very deep philosophical base. Today, we share one of them with you. What Krishna accepted as destiny, with open heart, Karna could never..

18/01/2026

Many Hindu gods are also depicted with their feminine side in the literature and sculptures. These divine feminine manifestations are prominently seen in the group of goddesses known as the Matrikas, whose sculptures adorn many ancient temples across India. One of the most powerful among them is Varahi—the feminine energy of Varaha.

The most widely accepted account of Varahi’s origin appears in the Devi Mahatmya. According to this text, the Matrikas were created from the bodies of major gods to assist Goddess Durga in her battle against the demon Raktabija, whose drops of blood produced countless clones. However, various Puranas narrate alternative legends regarding the emergence and roles of the Matrikas, reflecting the rich diversity of Hindu mythological traditions.

Varahi is characteristically depicted with the face of a sow and the body of a human woman. In some representations, she is shown lifting the Earth on her tusks—an attribute reminiscent of Varaha himself. Unlike most other Matrikas, who are portrayed as slender and graceful, Varahi is typically shown as pot-bellied and full-breasted, emphasizing her maternal and protective aspects.

In her iconography, Varahi may hold weapons and symbols associated with Vishnu, such as the Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace), sword, and shield. In certain depictions, she is also shown holding a fish and a kapala (drinking skull-cup), highlighting her association with both Vaishnava and Ta***ic traditions. Her usual vahana (mount) is the buffalo, further reinforcing her fierce warrior identity.

Varahi is frequently represented as part of the Matrika ensemble in temples across India. However, shrines exclusively dedicated to her are relatively rare. Notable examples include the Varahi temple in Mylapore, Chennai, and the Ashta-Varahi Temple near Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, where eight distinct forms of Varahi are worshipped.

The sculpture shown in the image belongs to the Gurjara-Pratihara period (9th century CE) and is presently housed in the British Museum. It stands as a remarkable example of early medieval Indian art and devotion centered around this formidable goddess.

13/01/2026

📚 9 Books to Look for at Delhi World Book Fair

Saranyu – Surya’s Wife | Saiswaroopa Iyer
A lyrical retelling of the story of Saranyu, the first consort of Surya Deva. The novel explores feminine resilience, cosmic relationships and the emotional undercurrents of solar mythology.

Amrit Kalash | Divya Narain Upadhyaya
A beautifully illustrated collection of classical mythological stories. It introduces readers to the moral universe of the Itihasas and Puranas through accessible storytelling.

Echoes of Nalanda | Kavita A. Sharma
A reflective narrative that revives the memory of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. It reminds us of India’s legacy as a global centre of knowledge, learning and philosophy.

Case for Ram | Anirudh Sharma & Sridhar Potaraju
A research-oriented exploration of Ram, Ayodhya and civilisational history. The book brings together archaeology, literature and evidence-based perspectives.

The Eternal Sun – The Legacy of Surya Deva | Shalini Modi
An insightful study of Surya worship across India’s temples and traditions. A valuable read for those interested in solar iconography and forgotten Surya shrines.

How to Become Rich | Devdutt Pattanaik
Not about money, but about prosperity as defined by dharma and values. The book interprets wealth through Vedic and Puranic storytelling.

Adbhut | Meena Arora Nayak
A fascinating journey into India’s lesser-known mythical beings and folklore creatures. It expands our imagination beyond familiar deities.

Marriage | Devdutt Pattanaik
An exploration of Indian wedding rituals, symbols and sacred meanings. It shows marriage as a cosmic and cultural institution, not just a social event.

Bhagavad Gita for Everyday Living | Swami Mukundananda
A practical guide that brings Gita’s wisdom into modern life. Each verse offers reflections on balance, clarity and right action.

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Which one are you picking first? 👇