Natural Shiva Linga-Hinduism in Indonesia

Natural Shiva Linga, Lingga Islands, Indonesia.
Natural Shiva Linga on top of Mount Daik in the Lingga Islands of Indonesia. Obviously, the Indonesian Lingga archipelago gets its name from this natural structure. The archipelago lies in the south of Singapore. It must be noted that Shaivism was the form of Hinduism which was most popular in Indonesia before the advent of Islam.
प्राकृतिक शिवलिङ्ग, लिङ्ग द्वीपसमूह, इण्डोनेशिया..
इण्डोनेशिया के लिंग द्वीपसमूह में विद्यमान डाईक पर्वत की चोटी पर दिख रहा प्राकृतिक शिव लिङ्ग। इसमें कोई संशय नहीं कि इण्डोनेशिया के लिंग द्वीप समूह का नामकरण प्राचीन काल में इसी पर्वत की चोटी पर दिख रहे प्राकृतिक शिवलिङ्ग के कारण ही किया गया होगा। यह द्वीप समूह सिंगापुर के दक्षिण में विद्यमान है। इसलाम के आगमन से पूर्व शैव सम्प्रदाय ही इण्डोनेशिया में सबसे अधिक फैला हुआ हिन्दू सम्प्रदाय था।

Meditating Bhagavan Vishnu holding a Shivalinga

Meditating Bhagavan Vishnu holding a Shivalinga in His palm, Bali (Indonesian). The Shaiva traditions of Indonesia see Lord Vishnu essentially as a form of Lord Shiva.
हाथ में शिवलिङ्ग ले कर ध्यानस्थ गरुडवाही भगवान् विष्णु, बाली (इण्डोनेशिया)। इण्डोनेशिया की शैव परम्पराओं में भगवान् विष्णु को भगवान् सदा शिव का ही स्वरूप माना जाता है।

Shiva Lingas at Harappa

In 1940, archaeologist M.S. Vats discovered three Shiva Lingas at Harappa, dating more than 5000 years old. This rare archival photo shows that ancient Shiva Linga as it was being excavated from the Harappa site.
सन् १९४० में, पुरातत्त्ववेत्ता एम०एस० वत्स ने हड़्प्पा में ५००० वर्ष से अधिक प्राचीन ३ शिवलिङ्गों की खोज की थी। १९४० के इस दुर्लभ चित्र में उत्खनन के दौरान निकल रहे शिवलिङ्ग को देखा जा सकता है। 
Source: http://www.indiadivine.org/news/articles-on-hinduism/5000-year-old-shiva-linga-found-at-harappa-r749

Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh

Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh translating the Upanishads.
Dara Shikoh was the eldest & preferred son of Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal. He was an enlightened Muslim, a sufi scholar and saint, having translated all the Upanishads from the Persian. Yet he remained a Muslim, starting all this translations by invoking Allah's name. But because Aurangzeb was jealous, he had Dara imprisoned and then beheaded for apostasy. If Dara Shikoh had become emperor, the whole of history of Islam in India - and even in the world, would have been different. Today every western nation is desperately looking for the type of moderate and tolerant Islam that Dara embodied - but cannot find it anymore.
FACT, has mounted a unique exhibition on Dara Shikoh with the help of Professor V.S. Bhatnagar, ex dean of Rajasthan University , department of History and our team of miniature painters in Jaipur. Each scene is properly documented and historically accurate, such as the one below showing Dara Shikoh translating the Upanishads with two pandits from Benares. It is now permanently exhibited in Shivaji Maharaj Museum of Indian History, Pune.
See the pictures of the exhibition online here:
http://dara-shikoh.blogspot.in/

Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York City. USA.

Pagan revival after destruction from Christianity

"Pagan" elders from various countries meet at Swami Ganapati Saccidananda's Ashram in India. Just saw this picture of today on a friend's wall, but couldn't find any related news online. From the caption it seems that Pagan traditions have lived on in various parts of the world, openly or under disguise, despite persecution by major world religions. It also seems that many lecturers spoke about the similarities of their native "Pagan" traditions with Hinduism.

Vedic Gods Ashvini-kumaras (अश्विनी-कुमार) in ancient Europe:

Vedic Gods Ashvini-kumaras (अश्विनी-कुमार) in ancient Europe:
Most Vedic scriptures celebrate the two heavenly twins, the Ashvini Kumaras, also known as Nasatya (kind, helpful) and Dasra (enlightened giving). Also known as Deva-Bhishak (doctors of the Divine beings) they are the patron Gods of Ayurveda. The Twin Pandavas, Nakula and Sahadeva, were considered incarnations of the Divine Twins. The Divine twin brothers were worshiped in ancient Greece and Rome as Castor and Pollux; Ašvieniai in Lithuania and Dieva Deli in ancient Latvia. The Lithuanian name comes closest to their Vedic Sanskrit name. Not altogether forgotten, even today one can see two horses on top of many ancient buildings in Latvia and Lithuania and on top of many ancient temples across the Baltic and North Germanic lands, which is a reminder of this ancient tradition of worshiping the Ashvini-kumaras in ancient Europe.
Pictures:
Castor and Pollux at the entrance of the Capitol in Rome, which was designed by Michelangelo, one of the most influential figures in Classical Western Art;
Ašvieniai on top of old Latvian and Lithuanian homes.

Tirupati Balaji on the currency of the Republic of Palau:

Tirupati Balaji on the currency of the Republic of Palau:
Last year, the Government of the Republic of Palau, an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean, released coins dedicated to Tirupati Balaji. 
Further news:
Original article-thehindu.com

Bhagavan Nrisimha from a Salt Range temple, 1194 Century in Punjab

Bhagavan Nrisimha from a Salt Range temple, a faint reminder of the flowering of Pancharatrika tradition in ancient Punjab, but now completely destroyed, the influence of which however can still be seen clearly on Shri Guru Granth Sahib, the most sacred book of Sikhism. Of special interest is the headgear of the deity.
प्राचीन पंजाब में पंचरात्र वैष्णव आगमों के प्रभाव का प्रमाण है भगवान् नृसिंह का यह श्रीविग्रह। यह श्रीविग्रह सिलसिला कोहे-नमक नामक पर्वत शृंखलाओं के एक प्राचीन मन्दिर से प्राप्त हुआ है, जो अब आधुनिक पाकिस्तान के पंजाब प्रान्त में विद्यमान है। प्राचीन काल में विद्यमान वैष्णव आगमों का यह गहरा प्रभाव अब पंजाब में पूरी तरह से विनष्ट हो गया है, केवल उसके कुछ भग्नावशेष श्री गुरु ग्रन्थ साहिब के इन शबदों में देखे जा सकते हैं - १. धरणीधर ईस नरसिंघ नाराईण। दाड़ा अग्रे पृथिमि धराईण (पृ० १०८२); २. भगत हेति मारिओ हरनाखसु नरसिंघ रूप होइ देह धरियो (पृ० ११०५); ३. ओइ परम पुरुष देवाधिदेव। भगति हेति नरसिंघ भेव (पृ० ११९४) इत्यादि। या किसी समय पंजाब प्रान्त का हिस्सा रह चुके कुल्लू रियासत के प्राचीन मन्दिरों में देखा जा सकता है। 

The story of a famous Film actress who became a Hindu priestess in Indonesia:

The story of a famous Film actress who became a Hindu priestess in Indonesia: 
The moving account of Eva Pilz, a famous German film actress from Saltzburg, who dedicated her entire life to serving Hinduism and ended up becoming a Hindu Priestess ("Ibu Pandita" or Mother Priestess in Indonesian) in Solo (Sanskrit name: Surakarta), a city in Indonesia, a country which was a Hindu/Buddhist country just 500 year ago but has become today home to world's largest Muslim population. I have been informed that thanks to her persistent efforts, Pura Mandira Seta, an ancient Hindu temple located in the Royal Palaces of Solo, was revived and saved from closing down in 2009 (I have not been able to confirm the news independently). She has been living completely alone in Solo and has been serving the local Hindu temple now for over 23 years without any other German being around. All this should inspire us to do more to selflessly serve Hinduism and our brethren living in other nations. The complete documentary on her life and work can be seen here (German language).

Attached picture: Pura Mandira Seta, ancient royal temple located at the Royal Palaces of Solo (Surakarta), Indonesia.

Goddess Sita Temple in Sri Lanka

Temple built on the place where Mother Sita was held captive by Ravana in Sri Lanka.
श्री लंका में उस स्थान पर निर्मित मन्दिर जहां पर लंकापति रावण ने सीता मैया को बन्दी बना कर रखा था।


India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages... she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics... mother, through the village community of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all." 
- Will Durant (an American writer, historian and philosopher)

Ganga Talao (गंगा तालाव), also known as Grand Bassin, im Mauritious

Ganga Talao (गंगा तालाव), also known as Grand Bassin, is the most holy Hindu pilgrimage center in Mauritius. It was visited by a record number of 200,000 Hindu devotees on the last Shiva-ratri (17.02.15).
Complete News. 

http://www.lemauricien.com/article/maha-shivaratree-2015-200-000-pelerins-grand-bassin-durant-week-end
Short Video: 
http://news.yahoo.com/video/thousands-celebrate-hindu-festival-mauritius-155914938.html

The temple of Devi Dadhimati

The temple of Devi Dadhimati, the sister of Rishi Dhadhyan Atharvana (seer of Ishavasya Upanishad; also known as Dadhichi), who is worshiped here as a manifestation of the Divine Mother, located in Goth Manglod, Nagaur region of Rajasthan (India). Built in 4th century AD, this is one of the oldest surviving temples in North India. It is one of the 52 Shakti-

Hinduism culture in Bali Indonesia

Bali (Indonesia) where Ramayana and Mahabharata dominate the skyline...
The Vanara army can be seen constructing the Setu-bandha Rameshvara bridge with the blessings of Lord Rama




Ida Resi Alit, the youngest Hindu High Priestess of Bali (Indonesia). 


The life and teachings of Guru Gorakshanatha (गुरु गोरक्षनाथ/गोरखनाथ) presented in Balinese Dance and Theater, Indonesia. Guru Gorakshanatha is the first master in the Hatha Yoga Tradition of Yoga



Worship offerings in Bali, the island famous throughout the world for its exquisite cultural beauty.

Yogeshvara Krishna

The last Shloka (verse) of the Bhagavad Gita mentions "Yogeshvara Krishna", i.e. Krishna the Lord of Yoga. This is an amazing ancient statue of Yogeshvara Krishna seated in a meditative posture.
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः। तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम॥

Hindu New Year celebration, Bali (Indonesia).

Hindu New Year celebration, Bali (Indonesia). The Hindu New Year starts on 21.03.2015. 
Indonesia celebrates the first day of the Hindu New year as the day of silence and prayer...
Mr. Jokowi, the President of Indonesia, attends the Hindu Nyepi celebration organized in the Prambanan Hindu Temple Complex, Yogyakarta, Java (Indonesia). Nyepi is the first day of the Hindu New Year (21.03.2015) and will be celebrated by Hindus in Indonesia as the day of complete silence and prayer. On this day, the complete state shuts down, which means no traffic, no television and no electricity. Even all shops and all airports close down completely. Just pray, fast and meditate for a complete 24 hours. 
Pictures: Indonesian President celebrating Nyepi. Empty streets on Nyepi (picture from last year).

Pura Santi Buana (पुर शान्ति भुवन = Temple for World Peace), Belgium.

Balinese Hindu Temple called Pura Santi Buana (पुर शान्ति भुवन = Temple for World Peace), Belgium.

Shri Veena Maharaj (1916-1990), one of the greatest Nadayogis

A rare picture of Shri Veena Maharaj (1916-1990), one of the greatest Nadayogis and Musician Saints of modern times, who lived for most of his life in the holy pilgrimage-center of Badarinath situated high up in the Himalayas, playing his Veena and singing to Bhagavan Vishnu. He hardly ever spoke to anybody. He was a maestro of Rudra Veena (which he is holding in his hands) and some of his extremely rare musical recordings were made as part of a UNESCO project.
Listen to Shri Veena Maharaj playing his Veena, a recording from a USESCO collection:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvT7qFbUOO0

For more info and pics of Veena Maharaj: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dattatreya_Rama_Rao_Parvatikar

Bhagavan Vishnu from Nepal.

Ancient deity of Bhagavan Vishnu from Nepal.नेपाल में उत्खनित भगवान् विष्णु का प्राचीन श्रीविग्रह॥

Mendut Temple, Java (Indonesia)

Puja Bhakti Asadha at Mendut Temple, Java (Indonesia)

Mahishasura-Mardini Durga from Gardez, Afghanistan (700 CE)

A fragment of Mahishasura-Mardini Durga from Gardez, Afghanistan (700 CE) 
कभी अफगानिस्तान में भी भगवती दुर्गा की पूजा होती थी, इस बात में प्रमाण है गर्देज़ (अफगानिस्तान) से उत्खनित ७वीं शताब्दी का यह भग्नावशेष, जो कभी भगवती महिषासुरमर्दिनी दुर्गा के किसी श्रीविग्रह का खण्ड रहा होगा।

Mahishasuramardini Durga, Bali (Indonesia)

Extremely Ancient Mahishasuramardini Durga, Bali (Indonesia)
भगवती महिषासुरमर्दिनी दुर्गा का अतिप्राचीन श्रीविग्रह, बाली (इण्डोनेशिया)

Bagan Temple Complex, Myanmar (Burma)

Bagan Temple Complex, which still contains over 2200 temples of the original 10,000 temples a thousand year ago. 

Lord Vishnu at the Bagan Temple complex in Myanmar (Burma). This temple complex, which once housed over 10,000 temples a thousand years ago, today contains over 2200 temples. Here is one of the remaining Hindu temples at Bagan


Lord Vishnu Temple, Bagan. 
Lord Vishnu at the Bagan Temple complex in Myanmar (Burma). This temple complex, which once housed over 10,000 temples a thousand years ago, today contains over 2200 temples. Here is one of the remaining Hindu temples at Bagan.

Banteay Srei: 1000 years old temple of Lord Shiva, Siem Riap,Cambodia.

Banteay Srei: 1000 years old temple of Lord Shiva, Siem Riap, the cultural capital of Cambodia. प्राचीन काल में कम्बोडिया की सांस्कृतिक राजधानी माने जाने वाले सिएम रिआप नगर में १००० वर्ष प्राचीन शिव मन्दिर।



Lord Indra, relief at Banteay Srei, 1000 years old Shiva Temple, Siem Riap, Cambodia. देवराज इन्द्र, १००० वर्ष प्राचीन शिव मन्दिर, कम्बोडिया।


Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, relief at Banteay Srei, 1000 years old Shiva Temple, Siem Riap, Cambodia. दिग्गजों द्वारा अभिषिक्त भगवती महालक्ष्मी, १००० वर्ष प्राचीन शिव मन्दिर, कम्बोडिया।


The demon brothers Sunda and Upasunda fighting for Tilottama, as described in the Mahabharata, at Banteay Srei, 1000 years old Shiva Temple, Siem Riap, Cambodia. महाभारत में निरूपित कथा के अनुसार देवसुन्दरी तिलोत्तमा के लिये परस्पर लड़ते सुन्द तथा उपसुन्द, १००० वर्ष प्राचीन शिव मन्दिर, कम्बोडिया।



Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati at Banteay Srei, 1000 years old Shiva Temple, Siem Riap, Cambodia. १००० वर्ष प्राचीन भगवान् शिव तथा देवी पार्वती, कम्बोडिया।


Lord Rama and Hanuman witnessing the fight of Bali and Sugriva, 1000 years old Shiva Temple, Siem Riap, Cambodia. भगवान् राम तथा रामभक्त हनुमान वानरराज बालि तथा सुग्रीव के द्वन्द्व युद्ध को देखते हुए, १००० वर्ष प्राचीन शिव मन्दिर, कम्बोडिया।

The killing of Jarasandha by Bhima as described in the Mahabharata, 1000 years old Shiva Temple, Siem Riam, Cambodia. महाभारत में निरूपित भीमसेन द्वारा जरासन्ध का वध, १००० वर्ष प्राचीन शिव मन्दिर, कम्बोडिया।