21
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Why is Shiva primarily worshipped in a linga form?
This question can be answered into two aspects:
1) Why is Linga form worshipped ?
2) Why is Shiva primarily worshipped in Linga form ?
1) Why is Linga form worshipped ?
Among the 18 major ...
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20
votes
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Is there any temple where deities are Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara?
Yes, there are a few.
Temples of historical significance
The very famous Prambanan temple at Java, Indonesia. This very old temple (and UNESCO world heritage site) from 9th century is dedicated to ...
- 2,358
18
votes
Is there any temple where deities are Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara?
There is one temple of Trimurties i.e. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, in Uthamarkoil, a village in the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is ...
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17
votes
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Was there a Rama Temple in Ayodhya?
I would like so share some of the important points from the following link http://veda.wikidot.com/ayodhya, here. It provides both historical as well Archaelogical Evidences
Puranas like the ...
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14
votes
Are there any scriptures available (or mention) that are related to GyanVapi mandir?
Description of Jñānavāpī (Gyanvapi) or Jñānodatīrtha, and its mahatmya is extensively mentioned in many chapters of Kāśī Khanda of Skanda Purana.
In one of the early Satya Yugas, Īśāna was roaming on ...
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13
votes
What is the difference between a Shiva temple and a Jyotirlinga?
What is a Shiva Temple?
Shiva Temples are specially designed places of worship where the presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga.
What is a Linga?
Linga is an aniconic representation ...
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13
votes
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Black Magic/Kala Jadu/ Pilli Soonyam are real?
Black magic is real and is mentioned in Vedas itself.
Quoting from this page:
Core of Atharva Veda
The subject matter of the Samhitā of this Veda has no systematic
division in the first twelve ...
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13
votes
Why are women advised to tie their hair in temples?
Setting your hair loose is not suggested not only when you visit temples but also when you are at home. Setting your hair loose is an indication of sorrow, grief, inauspicious things poverty and sins. ...
- 25.7k
12
votes
Is it more helpful in any way to worship multiple deities?
As per the advice that most Gurus give, it's not beneficial to worship multiple deities for any particular individual. One must only worship his/her Ishta Devata and stick with it's worship only (...
- 111k
12
votes
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Why are female counterparts in South Indian temples placed on the right?
If the temple is depicting the specific scenario of the deities during marriage then it's correct that the female deity is placed to the right of the male deity.
Because we have from the Atri Smriti:
...
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11
votes
Is there any temple where deities are Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara?
In a place called Sucheendram near Kanyakumari of India, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara are in a single form called 'Sthanumalayan' and worshipped in that form.
From Wiki:
The main ...
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11
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Are there any scriptures available (or mention) that are related to GyanVapi mandir?
@TheDestroyer has already given a detailed answer from Skandha Purana. I just want to focus on two aspects:
1) The name GyanaVapi (JnanaVapi / ज्ञानवापी):
Skandha Purana Kashi Khanda Purvardha chapter ...
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10
votes
Why are many South Indian temple's walls painted in white and red stripes?
Sri Kandadai Ramanujacharya says:
They are painted likewise nowadays so that temples can be identified from a long distance & also to differentiate them from ordinary houses or buildings. But ...
- 25.7k
10
votes
Accepted
What is the story of Kasi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga?
The Greatness of Kasi (Varanasi) and Kasi Vishwanatha Temple are described in many Puranas. Kasi is known as Avimukta Kshetra. Chapter 22 of Kotirudra Samhita of Shiva Purana describes the origin of ...
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10
votes
Is it more helpful in any way to worship multiple deities?
The purpose of worshiping multiple Gods is because of multiple desires fulfillment. For example worship of Indra is done in order to please him for rain. Worship of Kuber is done for the wealth etc. ...
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10
votes
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Is there a temple in India where devotees get rid of the "evil" in their selves by uttering abusive words before a deity?
Yes. Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple located in Kerala is one such temple. It is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, who was born from third eye of Lord Shiva and had slain the asura Darika
They have a ...
9
votes
Accepted
Why are Yama temples few in number?
This is due to a curse pronounced on Dharmaraja by a Brahmin, when Yama killed his son as a part of His (Yama's) duty. This is explained in Chapter 139 Greatness of Dharmarajeswara Book 6 Nagarakanda ...
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9
votes
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What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?
The stories of all jyotirlingas are described in KotiRudraSamhita of Shiva Mahapurana. Chapter 15 of same Samhita describes the story of Sri Mallikarjuna or Malleswara in detail.
After going around ...
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9
votes
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What is the story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga?
Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in Linga form during the Setubandha event and Lord Shiva established himself as Jyoti Swarupa there and that Linga became popular as Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga.
...
- 48.2k
9
votes
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What was the traditional justification for why Chandalas were not allowed in temples?
PV Kane in his History of the Dharma Sastra Vol 2 Part 1 Page 93 says
There is no taint of untouchability when a person is touched by an
untouchable in a temple, religious processions and marriages, ...
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9
votes
Are there temples where the deity is simply called "Vishnu"?
Yes, it is at Gaya in Bihar where it is called Vishnu pad temple. It is claimed that the foot print of Lord Vishnu on stone is kept inside of the temple. Gaya is an ancient place for worshiping ...
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9
votes
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Are there any temples exclusively for women?
There are certainly a lot of women-only temples. Two of the famous ones, which I can recall are:
Kamrupa Temple in Guwahati
The Kamrupa Temple is a Shakti Peeth, where the yoni of Sati fell. During ...
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9
votes
Are there any scriptures available (or mention) that are related to GyanVapi mandir?
It is mentioned in guru charitra by Shri Saraswati Gangadhar.
ज्ञानवापीं करी स्नान । नंदिकेश्वर अर्चोन ।
तारकेश्वर पूजोन । पुढें जावें मग तुवां ॥५७॥
Below verse is from padma purana uttara khanda ...
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8
votes
Why do Hindus remove their footwear before entering temples?
Since no answer gives any reference from any scriptures, i am adding my own.
The reason is scriptural injunction. That is, scriptures ask us not to wear shoes where idols are placed.
There are 5 ...
- 111k
8
votes
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The story behind Pashupatinath temple in Nepal
The Pasupatinath ShivaLinga is described in Koti Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana in chapter 11 'Pasupatinath Linga':
नयपालाख्यां तु प्रसिद्धायां महितले ।
लिङ्ग पशुपतिशाख्यं सर्वका...
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8
votes
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Why low-caste people are not allowed inside some temples and homes?
Well,the Hindu Shastras ,mostly consider the lowest caste,the Sudra,as being impure and also consider that they can transmit this impurity to other objects or living beings by touch or association etc....
- 111k
8
votes
What is the meaning behind Shiva with 26 heads and 52 hands?
He is known as:
Maha Sadashiva
Maha sadashiva is an extended form of Sadashiva.
From Wikipedia:
Sadasiva (Sanskrit: चताशिव, Catāśiva, Tamil: சதாசிவம் ), is the
Supreme Being Lord Parashivam in ...
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8
votes
Which scripture mentions Vasishth praying to Tantrik Goddess Tara?
Quoting from Arthur Avalon's book Shakti and Shakta's chapter 8, named Cinachara:
Most important however in the alleged Buddhist connection is the story
of Vashishtha to be found in the Tantras. ...
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8
votes
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What scriptures describe Shiva whispering Rama's name to those who die in Kashi?
It is present in Padma Purana Uttara Khanda Chapter 243 Lord Shiva speaks Lord Rama as follows:
O Rama, we two are venerable to the world. You two (Sita and Rama) are always venerable to us. Gaurl ...
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