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The
Living Goddess ( KUMARI ) |
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 Hindus
worship the Kumari as the living incarnation of
Shiva's consort, Parvati, Buddhists as Tara. The
cult was instituted just over 200 years ago by
Jaya Prakash Malla . All Kumaris are drawn from
the Newar Shakya clan of gold and silversmiths
and are initiated into the role at the age of 4
or 5. They must meet 32 requirements ,
including being at least 2 years old, walking ,
a virgin, in immaculate health, and having an
unblemished skin, black or blue eyes, black hair
with curls turning to the right, a flawless and
robust body, soft and firm hands, eye lashes'
like those of cow', slender arms, brilliant
white teeth and 'the voice of sparrow'. Her
horoscope must also be consistent with that of
a king.
the Kumari has
been established by the last Malla King 1757 AD
and the southern part of India known as Kerala
where the huge massive temple of Kumari is
located which is 800 years old but they do have
worship in Idol and not as human.
In Kathmandu
valley has got altogether 4 Kumaris like Patan,
Bhaktapur and place call Bungmati has got Kumari
too. Obviously the Kumari of Kathmandu
represents the deity of nation so she is
well regarded the Kumari of entire nation.
It has been widely misinterpretation by guide
books saying that who person married Kumari will
die soon, that is absolutely incorrect and that
is very pretty much humiliating so you should
not have trust all what are written about Kumari
at all. 9 former Kumaris are still alive and
dwelling around Kathmandu.
The final
examination is a test of a nerve. Each suitable
candidate is led to the Taleju temple at
Kalratri in the dead of night and must remain
calm and fearless as she walks amidst severed
buffalo and goat heads . She confirms her divine
right by identifying the clothes of her
predecessor from a large assortment of similar
articles. The installation ceremony is private.
Astrologers then match her horoscope with the
king's and she is ensconced in the Bahal. The
Royal family consult her before important
festive occasions. The Bahal is her home until
she menstruates or loses her perfection through
hemorrhage from a wound or from losing a tooth.
To maintain her purity , she is only allowed to
leave the Bahal for religious ceremonies when
she is carried through the streets on a
palanquin or walks on a cloth. Her feet must not
touch the ground , as this wound be polluting .
whenever she appears she is dressed in red and
has a third eye painted on her forehead. When
her reign ends, she leaves the temple with a
handsome dowry, is free to marry and live a
normal life . Nowadays she is taught to read and
write to prepare for the future. Current living
goddess is merely five years old and including
herself she is the 26th living goddess of Nepal
. She leaves the temple 13 times a year only.
Regarding the
further details of the Kumaris please we highly
recommend you to purchages the an auto biography
of former Kumari written by Scott Berry ( Auto
biographer of from Goddess to immortal ) or
Michael R. Ellen ( Cult of Kumaris )
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Sankhu to Vajra
Jogini |
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 Sankhu 15
Km east of kathmandu emerges red as a
result of its position of on the ancient trade
route that linked India and Tibet. A permanent
settlement first established here during the
lichhavais times.
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 Today Sankhu
typifies rural life in Kathmandu Valley. An
agglomeration of old Newari houses, their
structural woodwork often dilapidated whilst
simultaneously displaying the fine carving which
seem to have been taken so much granted in
traditional Newari architecture .The village is
also surrounded by fertile agricultural land
the basis of villages existence. If you are here
either or harvesting or sowing it's worth taking
time to watch as all those who physically fit to
plant or reap.
A Large and
colorfully decorated arched gateway marks the
village limits. There are rarely shops selling
cold drinks but there are traditional
restruanrts. From Sankhu you can head to Vajra
jogini.
Jogni generally calls Yogini too.
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Prayer Flag
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 Any prominent
place exposed to the wind may be adored with
multicolor prayer flag {Dachok} Permitting the
natural power of the wind to distribute the
blessing of the their inscribed prayer as they
falp to and fro, which reason they are known
also as "Horses of the wind" {Lungta} Domestic
rooftops and monastery compounds of the have
large poles to which there flags are attached
and renewed annual on the third day after the
Tibetan New year. Similarly most mountain passes
{La-tse} are marked by cairns of the stones
{some inscribed with Mantras} to which sets
major pass, the passers will invariably
disembark to add a stone to cairn or tie a newly
prepared set prayer flags and burn incenses as
an offering to the spirit of the mountains who
would have been tamed and appointed protector of
Buddhism by Padmashamvaba back in the 8th
century .Some will cast paper prayer flags into
the air from the bus window, rejoicing loudly in
the ancients paean. May the gods be victorious {iha-gyel-lo} |
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single set of cotton prayer-flags is ordered
in sequence:blue,white,red,green and Yellow.
Respectively symbolizing the five elements:
space, water, fire ,air and earth. In each
corner of the flag there may be a protective
animal Garuda ,dragon, tiger and lion while the
Mantra –syllables forming the main part of the
inscription may vary according to the preferred
meditation deity of the deovotee. Those of the
three bodhisattvas. Avololiteshvara ,Manjughosha
and Vajrapani are commonplace as are the mantras
of female Bodhisattvas Tara, who protects
travelers from the diverse dangerous of the
road and trial.
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Sexual Imagery in Hinduism |
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Visitors to many of Neplai's temple will have seen
often elaborately carved portrayals of the
coital act and other "erotic" scenes These
largely symbolized the traditionally
fundamental role of creation and re-creation
in Hinduism, a theme which has persisted
since early development. Evidence of Linga
worship has been found in seals of the Indus
valley civilization, Probably reflecting the
importance theses agricultural of crops on
which of course life depended. Frequently
lurid details of the sexual act are
recorded in the Yajur Veda, while the woman
is elevated to a position of sanctity by
both the Brahmans and the Upanishads
,bringing the act of copulation within the
realm of the sacred.
 The role of
sex in Hinduism receives it's fullest
exposition in Tantrism .Here it’s seen not
so much for it's procreative qualities not
necessarily for its highest spiritual
experience. The arc become a ritual preceded
by meditation and believed to lead
ultimately to salvation. The distinct
subject of ercotism, meanwhile is concerned
with the purely sensual and is extensively
set forth in many Hindu religious texts. the
best known being the Kama sutra, written in
the 5th century AD by Vastayana. {according
to legend a lifelong celibate} This and
other treatises propounded etiquette and
posture to be adopted during coitus. It is
these, expressing the deeper religious
significances that are represented in temple
art.
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The Four Stages of Life
It is widely believed that an ideal life has
four stages: That of the student {Brambachari,
the householder {Grishti, the forest dweller
{Banprasta} and the wandering dependent or
beggar {Sanyas}.These stages represent the
phases through which an individual learns of
life's goal and of the means of achieving
them, in which he "carries out his duties
and raises sons" and then retires to
meditate alone, and then finally when he
gives up all possessions and depends on the
gift of others. It' is an ideal pattern
which some still try to follow.
One of the most striking sights is that t
of the saffron clad Sadhu or wandering
beggars ,seeking gift of food and money to
support himself in the final stage of his
life. There may have been Sadhus even before
the Aryan arrived. Today, most of these
wanderers who have cast of off the all the
moral requirements of their surrounding
cultures are devotees of popular beliefs.
Most give up material possession, carrying
only a strip of cloth a staff {danda} a
crutch to support the chin during meditation
{achal} prayers beads, a fan to ward off the
evil spirit, water pot ,a drinking vessel
{which may be human skull} and begging bowl.
You may well see one almost naked covered
only in ashes on Kathmandu street.
The age in which we live is seen by Hindu
philosophers as a dark age the KALIYUGA .The
most important behavior enjoined by Hindus
for this period was that of fulfilling the
obligations of householder. However each of
the stages is still recognized as a valid
pattern of for individuals.
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The Tantras
Tantrism carries popular and not altogether
erroneous, notions of debauchery. Although
some believe it developed from remnants of a
pre-Aryan culture. its precise origins are
unknown. It was an esoteric cult which held
particular sway from the latter part of the
first millennium AD. to medieval period. It
probably originated in china and some of
its philosophies are common to Hindus and
Buddhist. A moderate form of Tantrism has
significantly influenced approached to both
Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal. Hindu
Tantrics believe in principals, enshrined
in the Tantras to have been revealed by lord
Shiva and much of of Tantiric scriptures
consists of dialogues between Shiva and his
consort Parvati. Indeed Parvati is herself
an expression of the "Shakti" {Energy}
aspect of Shiva. Although Shakti is strongly
identified with Tantrism {and usually
specifically with Shiva} it's own origins
are are also unclear.
Evidence of devotion to a mother goddess is
found in some pre-Aryan cults. the concepts
includes notions of unity through the dual
aspect of divinity with incarnate from of Shakti variously perceived as personifying
fertility , motherhood, virginity,
sexuality and conjugality as well as s
merciless terror { Kali and Durga } present
in singe goddess. In temples, the Shakti is
often represented as yoni in association
with Linga of Shiva.
Though notable for its reaction against the
caste system and for the equality it
granted to both sexes. Tantrism is much
concerned wish superstitions magic or
occultism and their associated Ritual .The
emphasizes placed on the "Terrible" aspect
of deity {Shiva in the form of of Bahirab
whose name means "Terror} is also
characteristic .Taken as a whole however,
its higher principals of transcendental
philosophy and meditation are regarded by
some some tho be compromised by its
extremities such as necrophilia, sexual
–demonic worship and other perversions
embraced in the name of mysticism. Tantiric
writer 1968 "The loftiest philosophical
speculation side by side with grossest
obscenities the most rarefied metaphysic
with wildest superstition "while
Chattopaddhaya 1959 described them as "The
most revolting and horrible that human
depravity could think of".
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Aspect of Hindu Practice
Darshana
One of Hinduism's recurring themes is
"Vision", "Sight" or "View"-Darshanna.
Applied to the different philosophical
systems themselves, such as yoga or Vedanta,
"Darshana" is also used to describe the
sight of deity that worshippers hope to gain
when they visit the temples or shrine.
Equally it may apply to religious insight
gained through meditation or prayer.
Karma –An
eye to the future
According
to karma ,every person, animal or god has
being or self which has existed without
beginning. Every action expect those that
are done without any consideration of the
results ,leaves an indelible mark or that
self. This is carried forward into the
next life and overall character of the the
imprint on each person's "self" { animal
,human or god } and the kind of family he
will be born into in human.
It
determines the length of the next life
.Finally ,it control the good or bad
experiences that the self will experience.
However it does not imply a fatalistic
belief that the nature of action of this
life in is unimportant .Rather it suggest
that the path followed by the individual in
the present life is vital to the nature of
its life and ultimately to the
chance of gaining release form this world
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The story of Linga
worship
 Once in the past when all the universe had
become a single ocean, Brahama ,Vishnu and
Shiva arose from the water. Their arrival
was un witness ,and even wise men do not
,know it. The earth, which had been the
domain of of former beings, had been
destroyed ,for piercing wind had arisen and
dried up seven oceans. A single sun appeared
,rising in the east and then a second in
the south just like first ,drying up all the
water with its rays and burning all the that
moved and was still. Then in the west a
third sun arose, and in the north there
arose a fourth burning all that moved ans
was still, later on 8 more arose and then
12.
Shiva fire of doomsday arose from the
subterranean and filled all the regions out
of the sky. The exalted one as he is known
everywhere burnt all of the underworld above
sideways, without exception ,and then he
went to his own dwelling place which he had
made before. Then could arose and rained in
all directions, flooding the whole earth and
all the regions of the sky with waters,
afterwards they plunged into the single
ocean which the universe had become. There
was no earth, nor any regions of the sky, no
space, no heaven, everything was like a
giant cask filled to the barium.
Then the three
eternal gods arose from the
mids-of the water. Brahma, Vishnau and
Shiva, Whose arrivals are un witnessed. The
ka and Vishnu-bowed and said to Sarva, who
blazed with sharp energy and embraced the
Sakti or Shiva "You are the lord of
everything, our lord. Perform creation as
you wish: "I will perform it" He said to
them and then plunged into waters and
remained immersed for 1000 celestial years.
Then they said to one another" What will be
do without him? How will creation take
place? "Vishnu said to Brahma" Do as i tell
you, grandfather: Let no more times elapse
,but make and effort to create progeny. For
you are capable of creating various
creatures in the whole worlds, I will give
you your own Shakti so that you will be the
creator "Thus encouraged by the words of
Vishnu had spoken to Brahma.He thought about
creating.and then created everything
conducive to happiness. Gods, demons,
Gandharvs, Yakas, serpents,
Raksas, when that creation had been
perfumed, Shiva emerged from the
water, various of creating and thinking
about it in his mind. But when he saw the
entire universe strethihing above and below
with the Gods, Demons, Gandhravs, Yakas,
serpents Raksass and men. The great god's
heart was filled with anger. And he thought
"what shall I do? since creation had been
performed by Barhma, I will therefore
destroy cutting off my own seed "when he
said this he released form his mouth a flame
which burnt everything.
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When Barhma saw that everything was on fire
,he bowed to the great lord with devotion
and praised the lord......Shiva was pleased
by Brahma's praise and told him "I'm Shiva
I will always accomplish everything that is
to be done for anyone who seeks refuge with
me ,devotedly, I'm pleased with you ,tell me
what you desire in your heart "When Brahma
heard this he said "I created an extensive
range of propengy let that be as it was
lord if you are pleased with me "When Shiva
heard this he said "That energy I which I
gathered in excess in order to destroy your
creation tell me what shall I do with it
for you? "Brahma thought carefully for sake
of h world, and then he said to Shiva
"Cause your own energy to enter the sun,
since you are the lord over the sun for you
are the create, protector and destroyer. Let
us live together with all the immortals in
the energy of the sun and we will receive
with devotion the sacred image of three
times {past, present and future} that was
given by mankind. Then great lord at the
end of the a eon you will take the form of
the sun and burn the universe, moving and
still at that movement"
He agree to this and laughed for he was
secretly amused, and he said to Brahma
"There is no good use for this Linga except
for the creation of progeny "and as he said
this he broke it off and threw it upon the
surface of the earth. The Linga broke
through the air and went to the very sky
.Vishnu sought the end of it below and
Brahma flew upwards but they did not find
the end of of for vital effort. Then a
voice with braided hair is worshipped, it
will certainly grant all desires that are
longed for in the heart "When Brahma
and Vishnu heard this they and all
divinities who shipped the Linga devotion,
with their heart set upon Shiva.
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Shakti
The
images of Ganga and Yamuna flanking the main
entrance of the Taleju Bhavani Mandir are
two expressions of the creative energy of
Shakti . Traditionally, practicing Hindus
were divided into two main sects, Vaishnavas
and Shaivas worshipping Vishnu or Shiva
respectively as the supreme deity. Tantric
beliefs within Hinduism led to the
development of Shakti cults which stressed
that the male could be activated only by
being united with the female in which sexual
expression and spiritual desire were
intermingled. Its origin has been traced to
the persisting worship of the mother Goddess
from the Indus Valley civilization in the 3rd
millennium, BC, which has remained a feature
of Hinduism in South Asia . Since this could
not be suppressed , it was given a priestly
blessing and incorporated into the regular
ritual . Until this century , many temples
kept devadasis, women whose duty included
being the female partner in these rituals .
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Contact Address :
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Basantapur Durbar
Square,
Kathmandu ,
Nepal
Tel : + 977 - 1- 4285478
Cell: + 977 - 9841124741
Email :
krishnathapa@hotmail.com
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