The Chakra News » Photos

Picture of the Week: Goddess Lakshmi (Laxmiji)

Editor — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 01:47:02 +0000

Hindu Goddess Laxmi (Lakshmi) – Diwali Deepavali

Lakshmi ji (or Laxmi) the a goddess in Hinduism known to symbolize wealth, spiritual and physical wealth, good health and fortune. She is wife of Lord Vishnu Bhagawan. Representations of Lakshmi are also present in Jainism temples.

People give their attention to Lakshmiji most during Deepavali (Diwali). Lakshmi pooja is a religious ritual and celebration in Hinduism done on Deepavali Amavasya (2nd day of Deepavali) also widely known as the Indian festival of lights. Based on tradition, people use small lamps or candles outside and inside their houses on Deepavali and do prayers to Goddess Lakshmi to bless their family and businesses with wealth, health and prosperity.

Picture of the Week: Gau Puja

Editor — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 05:01:15 +0000

One of our readers named Lalita sent this picture from Florida. This picture shows the inauguration of Gau puja, when the cow is worshiped. This is done in the Kartik month on the day after Diwali, particularly in Mathura region. The guru Haridas Shastri Maharaj who is the president of our Gauseva is opening the ceremony at Haridas Niwas ashram in Kalidah Purani, Vrindavan.

Gau Puja

Picture of the Week: Eco-Friendly Shiva Lingam of Fruit

Editor — Sun, 12 May 2013 16:18:31 +0000

(CHAKRA) The Shiva Lingam is a representation of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and used for worship in temples. This picture of an environmentally friendly Shiva Lingam was taken at a temple in Ottawa Canada around Shivaratri and is made of various fruits.

ShivaLingam

Picture of the Week: Lord Ganesha at Chinmaya School

Editor — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:08:05 +0000

(CHAKRA) This picture of Lord Ganesh was taken at the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. A picture or statue of Lord Ganesh is usually present at the front entrance of any home or hindu-owned institution for good luck and blessings.

Ganesha at Chinmaya School

Picture of the Week: The Panch Pyare (Sikhism)

Editor — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:33:35 +0000

The Panch Pyare – Sikhism

On Vaisakhi day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh summoned Sikhs from all over India to the city of Anandpur Sahib. At this gathering, the Guru called upon Sikhs to uphold their faith and preserve the Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh then lifted his sword and asked that anyone prepared to give his life for his faith to come forward. There was a big silence, but the Guru went on repeating his demand. One Sikh finally came forward and followed the Guru into a tent. This was repeated until five Sikhs had offered their heads for the Guru. Finally, the Guru emerged from the tent with all five men dressed piously in blue. Guru Gobind Singh called the five Sikhs the Panch Pyare, the Five Beloved Ones.

Picture of the Week: Lord Shiva Statue in Haridwar

Editor — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:48:01 +0000

This is a spiritual outdoor statue of Lord Shiva ji that is placed by the Ganges river. It was taken and submitted by one of our readers on their trip to the holy Hindu city of Haridwar in India.

Lord Shiva in Haridwar

Picture of the Week: Lord Krishna Statue in Haridwar

Editor — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:31:00 +0000

(CHAKRA) This is a beautiful outdoor statue of Lord Krishna playing his flute and is placed hidden among a green garden. It was taken and submitted by one of our readers on their trip to the holy Hindu city of Haridwar in India.

Krishna Statue at Haridwar

Picture of the Week: Two Golden Fish

Editor — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 03:03:29 +0000

The auspicious symbol of The 2 Golden Fish in Buddhism symbolizes happiness, fertility, abundance and all living things in a state of fearlessness. Some suggest that the idea behind this is that fish swim freely through the ocean with no fear of drowning. The origins of it can be traced back to a symbol of the Yamuna and Ganges rivers in India, the two main sacred water ways that are revered by followers of Hinduism, the oldest of the main eastern religions.

Picture of the Week: Lord Parshuram

Editor — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 01:47:48 +0000

Lord Parshuram, the sixth Incarnation of Vishnu, belongs to the Tretayug, and is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. Parshu means axe, hence His name literally means ‘Lord Ram with the Axe’. Even though He was born as a Brahmin, He had Kshatriya (warrior) traits in terms of aggression, warfare and valour. Hence He is said to be a ‘Brahma-Kshatriya’ and one who possesses Brahmatej and Kshatratej.

Lord Parshuram

Picture of the Week: Ankoot Mahotsav

Editor — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:10:40 +0000

(CHAKRA) Ankoot is the end of the monsoon season and thus crops are ready to be harvested or near Sharad Purnima. Hundreds of varieties of rich, exquisite, finely prepared items of food are offered to the Lord and then served as Prasad. The prasad is served first to Mount Govardhan and then to the Lord. Among the various forms and dishes of food, a mountain made of butter that resembles Mount Govardhan.

Source: Ankoot 2012 – Hindu Swaminarayan Mandir, Mississauga Ontario

Ankoot 2012 – Swaminaryan Temple