Parshvanath or Parshvanatha was the twenty-third Tirthankara (fordmaker) in Jainism. He is the earliest Jain leader generally accepted as a historical figure. He was a nobleman belonging to the Kshatriya caste. Parshvanath is also known as Appandai or Appandainathar. He lived a life of a nobleman for 30 years and was never married, before he renounced the world to become …

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called Jina (Conqueror or Victor). Jainism is also …

Brief Introduction to Jainism: The word “Jain” is derived from Jina (“Victor,” or “Conqueror”) implying final victory over bondage to life’s misery. Jainism has the universal message of nonviolence. The absence of a creator god in Jainism can be understood as a reaction against the nature worship of early Vedic religion, the priestly order of Brahmanism, and the theology of …

Jainism at A Glance: Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation. The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself. Jainism at A Glance: Most Jains live in India, …

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshiped on the ninth day of Navratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. …

The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta‘, who is worshiped on the third day of Navratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta‘. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a …

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshiped on the fourth day of Navratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until …

The charismatic town Alwar is the gateway of Rajasthan. It is also known as the land of Tigers. The city derived its name from the Salva tribe and the name Alwar is the final outcome of deformation of Salwapur, as it was called earlier. Alwar Festival is the most popular festival in Alwar held from April 14 to April 15th annually …

General Reginald Dyer defending his actions on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh How Reginald Dyer, the General who ordered Jallianwala Bagh massacre, was honoured by some Indians Jallianwala Bagh massacre by the British was one of the worst events in the history of India. As per British official records, 379 unarmed Indians were killed and 1100 were injured because …

Taj-ul-Masjid Bhopal, which literally means the ‘Crown of Mosques’, is one of the largest mosques in Asia. Spread across a sprawling campus, this imposing ‘dome of Allah’ is situated in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. This pink edifice, embellished with white-dome minarets, is indeed a treat for every eye. Although Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal pioneered its …