13th Pradosham - 20th June 2009 - Saturday

'Om Namah Shivaya'

VENUE:

Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai

Click the link to view the photos of 13th Pradosham.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/13thPradosham_2062009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPvV6LPZ_dzKogE&feat=directlink

12th Pradosham - 05th June 2009 - Friday

Venue:

Smt & Sri. Ravi Krishnamoorthy
302 Al Diyafa Building
(Green Mart Supermarket building)
Opp: Al Hanah Centre
Mankhool Road
Satwa, Dubai

Please click on the link to view the photos of 12th Pradosham.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/12thPradosham_05060902?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeF8bywnbfEuAE&feat=directlink

11th Pradosham - 22nd May 2009 - Friday

VENUE:
Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai

Click the link where the photos are uploaded - 11th Pradosham.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/11thPradosham_2252009?authkey=Gv1sRgCJW94_Xv-aWdqgE&feat=directlink

Shiva Linga

Om Namo Bhagavathe Rudraya

Shiva Linga is the holy symbol of Lord Shiva that is considered sacred by the devotees of Lord Shiva. The word, ‘Lingum’ in Sanskrit means, ‘symbol’. Shiva Lingum, therefore means symbol of Lord Shiva and is therefore considered most sacred by Shaivaites. Siva Linga has been worshipped in Hinduism since ages. Worship of Shiva Linga is regarded sacred and superior Shiva Mahapurana. This is because the form makes worship simple while maintaining the truth that God does not have any definite form.

Structure of Shiva Linga

Most prevalent icon of Shiva and virtually found in all Shiva temples, Shiva Linga is a rounded, elliptical, an-iconic image that is usually set on a circular base or peetham. According to some scholars the Peetham represents Parashakti, the manifesting power of God.

Shiva Lingas are usually made of stone that may either be carved or naturally existing - svayambhu, such as shaped by a swift-flowing river. Shiva Lingas may also be made of metal, precious gems, crystal, wood, earth or transitory materials such as ice. Some scholars say that transitory Shiva Linga may be made of 12 different materials such as sand, rice, cooked food, river clay, cow dung, butter, rudraksha seeds, ashes, sandalwood, darbha grass, a flower garland or molasses.

Various Interpretation of Shiva Linga

Besides regarding Shiva Linga as the symbol and form of Lord Shiva, religious scholars have given various interpretations of Shiva Linga. Here is the brief description of some of the popular theories and interpretations related to Shiva Linga and its origin:

Worship of the Phallus: According to some scholars, worship of Shiva Linga in effect means worship of the reproduction function. For, they say that the other meaning of the Sanskrit word ‘Linga’ is gender in general and phallus (the male reproductive organ) in particular. They believe that the base of the Lingam corresponds to the Yoni which mean vagina or the female reproductive organ. Correspondence of Linga and Yoni in a Shiva Linga is therefore interpreted as the representation of the process of copulation. Scholars further opine that the Kalash (container of water) that is suspended over the Shiva Linga from which water drips over the Linga also correspond to the idea of intercourse.

Connecting the origin of Shiva Linga to the early Indus Valley civilization, scholars opine that tribes of the Indus Valley took to the togetherness of Lingam and Yoni in a Shiva Linga as the point of energy, creation and enlightenment.

Interpretation in Tantra: According to Tantra, Lingam is a symbol of Shiva's phallus in spiritual form. They say, the lingam contains the soul-seed within which lies the essence of the entire cosmos. The lingam arises out of the base (Yoni) which represents Parvati according to some or Vishnu, Brahma in female and neuter form according to others.

Interpretation in Puranas: Puranas, especially the Vamana Purana, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana and Visva-Sara-Prakasha attribute the origin of Shiva Linga to the curse of sages leading to the separation of and installation of the phallus of Lord Shiva on earth. Some also refer to the endlessness of the lingam to be linked to the egos of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

Interpretation of Shiva Linga as an Abstract Symbol of God: Some scholars of the Hindu scriptures say that Linga is merely an abstract symbol of the God. They point towards several legends in Hinduism where a sundry rock or even a pile of sand has been used by as a Lingam or the symbol of Shiva. Citing a particular instance they say, Arjuna once fashioned a linga of clay when worshipping Shiva. Scholars of Puranas, thus argue that too much should not be made of the usual shape of the Lingam. Scholars say that the interpretation of Shiva Linga as an abstract form of God is also consonant with philosophies that hold that God may be conceptualized and worshipped in any convenient form. The form itself is irrelevant, as the divine power that it represents is all that matters. Scholars thus say that Sivalinga represent the formless Nirguna Brahman or the formless Supreme Being.

10th Pradosham - 6th May, 2009 - Wednesday

VENUE:

Flat 309, Block 'A'

Mubarak Building,

Behind Sana Fashions,

Karama, Dubai

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/10thPradosham_0652009?authkey=Gv1sRgCL743OLXksfMfg&feat=directlink

Om Namah Shivaya

The 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva

The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam, have been held in reverence since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs. The southernmost of these is located at Rameswaram, while the northernmost is located in the snowy heights of the Himalayas at Kedarnath. These temples are closely linked with legends from the puranas and are rich in history and tradition.

Somnath is the foremost of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva, held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, traditions and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.

Ujjain - Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine The ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Jyotirlinga shrine of Mahakaleshwar.

Bhimashankar - Jyotirlinga Shrine is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura. Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, accessed from Pune.

Tryambakeshwar - The origin of the river Godavari is intimately linked with this Jyotirlinga shrine near Nasik in Maharashtra.

Rameswaram: This vast temple in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswarar, and is revered as the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India.

Omkareshwar: an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.

Vaidyanath temple at Deogarh The ancient pilgrimage town of Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva.

Sree Sailam - Sree Sailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple rich in architectural and sculptural wealth. Aadi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here.

Kedarnath - the Northernmost of the Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.

Varanasi - The most celebrated pilgrimage site in India The Vishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh is the goal of the thousands of pilgrims that visit this ancient city. The Vishwanath shrine is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrine is a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora, which has several rock cut monuments from the 1st millennium CE.

Saurashtre Somanaatham Cha Sree Saile Mallikarjunam
Ujjayinyaam Mahaakaalam Omkaare Mamaleswaram
Himalaye to Kedaram Daakinyaam Bhimashankaram
Vaaranaasyaam cha Viswesam Trayambakam Gowtameethate
Paralyaam Vaidyanaatham cha Naagesam Daarukaavane
Setubandhe Ramesham Grushnesam cha Shivaalaye

Pradosham Dates 2009

08 January 2009 - Thursday
23 January 2009 - Friday
07 February 2009 - Saturday
22 February 2009 - Sunday
08 March 2009 - Sunday
24 March 2009 - Tuesday
07 April 2009 - Tuesday
22 April 2009 - Wednesday
06 May 2009 - Wednesday
22 May 2009 - Friday
05 June 2009 - Friday
20 June 2009 - Saturday
04 July 2009 - Saturday
19 July 2009 - Sunday
03 August 2009 - Monday
18 August 2009 - Tuesday
02 September 2009 - Wednesday
16 September 2009 - Wednesday
01 October 2009 - Thursday
15 October 2009 - Thursday
31 October 2009 - Saturday
14 November 2009 - Saturday
29 November 2009 - Sunday
13 December 2009 - Sunday
29 December 2009 - Tuesday