Comments on: Banavasi Temple | not even lonely planet knows this one

By: Arjun Ray

Arjun Ray — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 10:22:14 +0000

Thank you for this fantastic blog. We in India might not be aware of these off beat locations. Also your interpretation of the Shiva linga as informed by your guide is true to certain extent. Its not the genitals but the union of Lord Shiva and Parvari (his wife). Though it might be impossible to describe in couple of sentences. And yes Lord Vishnu’s vahan is Garuda (the eagle). I think snake is the vahan for Lord Shani. Keep it up. God Bless.

By: shubham

shubham — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 19:34:21 +0000

U dint seen half ganpati?

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:29:50 +0000

In reply to Jagadish.

It’s a highly debatable topic, that’s true. You can read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam but many still consider it to represent phallus, as my indian friends have told me and as our guides shared. But, everyone believes different things which is okay.

By: Jagadish

Jagadish — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:35:34 +0000

not sure why the guide told you that shiva linga represents the god’s genitals – that’s totally wrong as per the holy books!
The round form is due to a curse by bhrigu rishi on shiva that shiva should never be worshipped in his real form, but only as stone.

“Shiva Linga” has many other meanings attached to it, but definitely phallus is not one of them.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 06:19:24 +0000

In reply to Rajendra. thank you i'll correct it!

By: Rajendra

Rajendra — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:21:29 +0000

Hi Rachel,

I read your blog, its very informative and beautifully written. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

In your blog I found a mistake. Vishu’s vehicle is Garuda( Eagle) and not Snake.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:56:13 +0000

In reply to christine wilhelm. I would have loved to hear these stories growing up. thanks for sharing !

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:54:19 +0000

In reply to Jessica Wray. Yeah, there are a lot of places here that just aren't visited at all- but they're very difficult to see because they're so rural

By: Jessica Wray

Jessica Wray — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 04:27:14 +0000

Awesome! Ifeel like it’s so hard to find stuff that isn’t already written about online or by the big guide books. I guess India would sure be the place to find some true off the beaten path gems :)

By: christine wilhelm

christine wilhelm — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:26:50 +0000

Lord Vishnu’s mode of transportation is half bird-half lion, Garuda. He rests on the coils of the serpent Sesha.

By: christine wilhelm

christine wilhelm — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:25:34 +0000

Another Ganesha (Ganapati) story ( Amar Chitra Katha shortened): Ganesha and the Moon
Once on his birthday, Ganesha was invited to the abode of the moon for a feast. Modaks(*sweet dumpling filled with coconut and raw sugar cane) were specially made for him due to they were his favorite sweet. He ate ALL of them so fast he felt uncomfortable. He left the party and went outside to ride his mouse to get some fresh air.
It was a beautiful night. The moon shone so brightly, it was almost like day! Suddenly a cobra moved in front of his mouse, startling both mouse and his rider. Ganesha took a terrible tumble, splitting his stomach wide open and all the modaks he had eaten fell out! The cobra quickly apologized for frightening his mouse, but the Moon seeing the fall, burst out laughing.
Ganesha was very angry at the Moon. But he first had to put his modaks back. He then used the snake to tie his stomach up. The Moon just couldn’t stop laughing.

Suddenly, Ganesha broke off a piece of his tusk and hurled it, furiously….slashing the Moons luminous face. Ganesha commanded: “O foolish Moon! Your unblemished appearance has made you vain! I command you to vanish from the Universe!”

The Moon vanished and there was chaos in Heaven and Earth. Nobody could see anything it was so dark. The Moon was really sorry for humiliating Ganesha and came to him with other gods to apologise and ask him to take back his curse that plunged the world in darkness.
The ever-forgiving Ganesha thought for a while, then replied: “You were wrong to laugh at my discomfort. I cannot take back my curse but I can soften it. From now on , you will not glow brightly every night. You will wax and wane from one bright fortnight to one dark fortnight alternately. You will be seen as a full Moon, in all your splendor, only once a month, alternately growing smaller and larger. Also, you will be invisible for one night, every month.” The Moon bowed and went back to his place in the sky with everlasting dents in his face.
This is why we see Ganesha with a cobra around his scarred waist holding a broken tusk in his right hand. When the sage Vyasa was asked by Brahma, the Creator, to dictate the story of the Mahabharata to Ganesha, he replied: “I shall do as you wish. But my pen must not stop while I am writing. So you must dictate without pause or hesitation. I can only write on this condition.” So using the tusk to write is true too.
I adore Hindu mythology. Can you imagine being a small child and your mother reciting to you these fabulous stories?????

By: Niranjan

Niranjan — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 07:29:03 +0000

Looks lovely. Nice article.

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 06:54:30 +0000

I love exploring old temples! This place looks amazing. Great find :)

By: travelFREAK

travelFREAK — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:18:32 +0000

Looks fantastic! Perfect for travelers who want to explore the unexplored India.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:34:31 +0000

Looks beautiful! There are so many temples and not enough time :)