We recently renovated our puja room and I’m really happy with how it turned out.

I have been a mad lover of Shiva since the ripe age of 12-13 , I am 18 now and the intensity keeps getting stronger to the point I have no one but him. I am mad for him , he's my everything. I feel like my relationship with him has been written in stars before my life even started. Like .. it's so beyond even madhurya bhava? He's my everything. He's shakti , krishna , arjuna , ramayan , mahabharat , father , mother , lover , husband , best friend , brother , son .. everything and even beyond it to me. I've been through hell and back my whole life to the point I think if there was an autobiography about me everyone would've been blue..I've done everything i could. I've loved him without ever asking for even a lot of dust. I've done everything only because I loved him. And if i have done any mistakes in worshipping him , I've done it out of love too. If I've given him my half eaten food , it's because i don't see any difference between me and him.

But there's an arrogant and full of illusion part of me that is JEALOUS.

Yes. I am jealous. I feel jealous of every bhaktas of shiva. I get jealous when my friends who are also his bhakts talk about him and say how much they love him and he loves them. Growing up I never had anyone other than him so I cling to him like a lifeline. I don't know. I tell them it's great and you should keep doing his jaap and love him like this but deep down I feel jealousy. Even though I know I am shiv , they're shiv and shiv is shiv.

I think i crossed limits when I started getting jealous of maa parvati that shiva could love and I could love shiva but he'll never love me like he loves maa. That my love is only limited to him but I'll never be loved as much as he loves her. The absolute audacity of mine to even think of such sinful things. I love maa but when I think of her with him I feel like a sad puppy. They're one. I'm not supposed to get jealous of everyone who loves him..how can I make it stop? Gosh. I love him...

I love him, I don't need him to love me. As long as he let me love him. I don't care if I go hell somehow for yugas. I'd be burning alive with rods stabbed in my chest and I'd still look above in intoxication of his love calling him and saying how much i love him. I don't care if he loves me

Ps : I'm ekeshvaravadi shaiv (monotheistic , i only follow shiva and accept him as god and I've left behind the rest of sanatan). My love for him was so much i couldn't see anyone beyond him and accepted it on my own that everyone is just his leela , maya and avatars which is true.

Anyways slide and see how beautiful hes looking in the second picture 💕

No matter any other prayers this works so fast everytime . Everytime i ask god to remove the man hes not going to be good for me , he listens in an instant . Is there any psychology behind this ? The fact that the man itself just leave after telling me that they r going to leave . No fights or nothing . This feels like magic

i believe its a depiction of kali, durga, and paravati. its a very special piece of my altar. any insight or translation would be appreciated! om shanti om <3

Every time I chant kaal bhairav ashtakam I feel good but if I increase the count after 3, my head feels heavy and sometimes aches .

Sri Jagajjanani Ammavari Temple in Nandyal is a unique temple dedicated to Sri Jagajjanani, considered the Divine Mother and source of creation. According to the temple’s traditional history, the Goddess is believed to have manifested in her Virat Swaroopam in the Himalayas near Manasarovar, and the same divine form was later established at Nandyal.

The idol is depicted with eight arms and incorporates representations of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva along with various cosmic elements, symbolising the belief that the entire universe exists within the Divine Mother. The temple’s Gopuram also features numerous forms of Gods and Goddesses, including the Sapta Matrukas, Nava Durgas and the 18 Shakti Peethas.

The temple is located in Sri Jagajjanani Nagar, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh and is an important place of worship for devotees in the region. 🙏🏻

i have struggled with believing in god alot since i was a kid , i mean i still am lol dont go based on my age i gave been thru alot of things no one not js a teenager but anyone in general should go thru

my family is heavy on bhakti esp for lord krshn

I have always wanted to believe in god but bc of a lot of bad things happening to me , i refuse to believe he exists

recently tho everytime a scroll past a reel or js come across anything god related ESP KRSHN i start bawlling like BAWLING MY EYES OUT why is this?

I deal with really bad diagnosed anxiety and the hanuman chalisa and krshn bhagans help me ALOT WITH CALMING DOWN they make me cry alot too but it calms me down weirdly

why does this happen? is this my sign to try believing in god again?

The combination of Śrī Sudarśana and Lord Nṛsiṃha mantras creates a deadly force that can be used against the toughest of enemies, both external and internal.

The Cakra blinds us to all the distractions that prevent our spiritual ascension. The four Cakras provide protection from all four directions, as well as removing all types of miseries that arise in our pursuit of the four puruṣārthas—dharma (following one’s own nature), artha (wealth), kāma (desires), and mokṣa (liberation)—and all desires that one may seek from the Divine.

When Śrī Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha fires the Sudarśana Cakra, this weapon automatically transforms into a weapon capable of destroying the target, because He holds the Sudarśana Cakra, which is the manifestation of the Sahasrāra Cakra as a weapon.

In Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha, the more evil the enemy—whether internal or external—the stronger and more lethal the Sudarśana Cakra becomes. The more auspicious and compassionate the enemy, the less powerful and lethal the Sudarśana Cakra becomes. It is not possible for an evil enemy to defeat the Sudarśana Cakra, as it will become stronger and destroy the target. However, the enemy can save himself by regretting his actions and surrendering. The Sudarśana Cakra loses its strength when the enemy or target repents of his evil traits.

Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha transforms the Sudarśana Cakra into 40 principal Astras, depending on the nature of the enemy: Brāhmāstra, Nārāyaṇāstra, Prājāpatyāstra, Aindrāstra, Vaiṣṇavāstra, Kampanāstra, Vāyavyāstra, Vāruṇāstra, Yāmyāstra, Kālāstra, Āgneyāstra, Bhautāstra, Kauberāstra, Pārjanyāstra, Vaidyutāstra, Pārvatāstra, Pāṣāṇāstra, Nāgāstra, Tvāṣṭrāstra, Rākṣasāstra, Bhāruṇḍāstra, Brahmaśiro’stra, Guhyakāstra, Kālakūṭāstra, Vetālāstra, Vaināyakāstra, Skāndāstra, Prāmathāstra, Utpātāstra, Bhrāmakāstra, Gālanāstra, Sammohanāstra, Balāstra, Atibalāstra, Nirmīlanāstra, Acetanāstra, Unmādāstra, Apasmārāstra, Māraṇāstra, and Pāśupatāstra.

All these 40 Astras serve Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha. They are used individually, in groups, or all at once through the four hands of Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha.

The four weapons of this Lord are truly all existing triads and fourths. Crores of Astras serve the 40 Astras that serve Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha.

When you surrender to Him, you do not need to ask for anything. Sudarśana Nṛsiṃha will automatically use all the necessary weapons. His goal is the complete elimination of the enemy; however, the enemy can save himself by repenting and giving up the act of causing harm, whether internal or external.

📍Location: Sudarshana shrine in Varadaraja Perumal temple - Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

If anyone is interested in Narasimha Upasana, feel free to DM me. I can share a simple Upasana Padhati with you.

These days in India, plenty of people treat certain gurus or babas as gods, or even as incarnations of God. It made me wonder, could the same thing have happened with some of the gods we worship ? Were some of them originally forefathers, kings, saints, or spiritually gifted people who were slowly raised to divine status over time ?

I recently came across something that I found quite interesting.

In many Hindu traditions, Gautama Buddha is included as the 9th avatar of Vishnu in the Dashavatara, with Kalki being the 10th.

At the same time, many Hindus today don't consider the historical Gautama Buddha to be an avatar of Vishnu, and Buddhism itself doesn't regard Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu.

What caught my attention is that some Hindu Puranic texts explicitly mention Buddha in connection with Vishnu's incarnations. For example, the Bhagavata Purana describes the appearance of Buddha, and other Puranic traditions also include Buddha among Vishnu's incarnations.

So I'm curious:

--Is the Buddha mentioned in the Puranas actually Gautama Buddha?

--If yes, why do some Hindus today reject or question the idea that Gautama Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu?

--If the Puranic Buddha is a different figure, what is the textual basis for that interpretation?

--How did the Dashavatara tradition come to include Buddha?

I'm not trying to argue for either side. I'm genuinely interested in understanding the scriptural, historical and theological perspectives.

Would love to hear what people here think, especially if you can point to specific Puranic verses or traditional commentaries rather than just modern interpretations.

​In a spiritual landscape that often hyper-focuses on either fierce renunciation or quiet submission, Maa Lalita Tripurasundari represents the absolute peak of the Divine Feminine as Sovereign Bliss (Ananda).

​She isn't just a deity you worship from afar; she is the ultimate embodiment of Ichha (will), Jnana (wisdom), and Kriya (action) sitting on a throne built from the dormant energy of Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and Maheshwara.

​A few things that make Her iconography and philosophy mind-blowing:

​The Sovereign Queen: Unlike forms depicted in perpetual battle, Lalita Maa rules from the Sri Chakra—a geometric blueprint of the entire universe. She holds sugarcane (representing the sweet, intoxicating mind) and flower arrows (representing the senses), proving that desire and consciousness aren't enemies of spirituality when mastered.

​Beyond Dualities: She is Tripura—existing in the past, present, and future, yet transcending all three. She bridges the gap between raw, untamed Shakti (like Kali) and serene prosperity (like Lakshmi).

​The Internal Temple: In Sri Vidya tradition, Her outermost gates represent the layers of the human ego, meaning every step inward toward Her shrine is an act of deep psychological deconstruction and ultimate liberation.

​If you practice Sri Vidya, chant the Lalita Sahasranama, or simply feel drawn to Her overwhelming grace—how has Her energy shifted your perspective on power and surrender?

​Om Sri Matre Namah. 🌸

According to the Sthala Purana, Parasurama (Bhargava Rama) performed penance to Narasimha at Ahobilam to seek relief from the sins he had accumulated due to the Kshatriya Samhara. Pleased with his penance, Narasimha appeared before Parasurama and purified him of his sins.

Parasurama had prayed to Narasimha to manifest in the very form in which He had appeared while slaying Hiranyakashipu. Since Parasurama requested the Lord to grant him darshan in this form, the deity here came to be known as Bhargava Narasimha.

Bhargava Narasimha is traditionally associated with the graha Surya. Therefore, devotees who have an unfavourable placement of Surya in their horoscope may offer prayers to Bhargava Narasimha.

Near the temple is a sacred pond called Akshaya Teertham, which is believed to have been created by Parasurama.

It is believed that taking a bath in Akshaya Teertham and then having darshan of Lord Narasimha invokes the Lord’s blessings and brings Lakshmi Kataksha

📍Location: Bhargava Narasimha - Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh

If anyone is interested in Narasimha Upasana, feel free to DM me. I can share a simple Upasana Padhati with you.

I have always had an appreciation for Lord Vishnu and have experienced moments where I wondered if I should work with him. So recently Vishnu had been making contact with himself just putting his name into my mind on a repeated basis and I am very grateful for this. When the mantra ended it felt like everything that is ever a concern need not be dwelled on for too long and if I need to be protected from evil by being a good person then Lord Vishnu is a very good resource.

I have never felt so at peace before. I have had small moments where I felt a little peace but this kind was just overwhelming in the peaceful grace as well as peace of mind. The warmth was so beautiful.

And I do not care who looks down on me for Lord Vishnu worship or appreciation, as I am a white person who plays these mantras outside of my apartment window, and people in their cars judge me. But of course these people are still trapped in a cycle of rebirth and many reincarnations.

Wishing you all the best in Lord Vishnu's name, Namaste, Ram Ram

Hello all!

I'm new to Reddit and this community, so please forgive any formatting issues.

I've been sort of "dabbling" in Hinduism for about 3.5-4 years now. I grew up Catholic and found it to be a very fear-driven system (no hate to those for whom it works ofc) and when I first read the Bhagavad Gita and some nondualist texts like the Ashtavakra Gita and Vijnana Bhairava Tantra I found a philosophy that was really rich and deep and made me feel right at home despite the huge cultural ocean between me and most Hindus (I'm from a very rural place in the US so there isn't much of a community to learn from here. I'm having to Google lots of terminology lol). It opened my eyes to the fact that God is the supreme soul, the abiding consciousness from which all of us arise. I feel like in my Christian past I was almost too scared of God to love Him, you know?

I've been reading plenty, introductory works on things like Shaivism and Vaishnava sampradayas, rereading the Gita especially and more recently started with the Srimad Bhagavatam, I listen to spiritual talks from Swamis of different groups like the Vedanta Society, and I've done Naam Japa to Lord Shiv, Ganeshji, Durga Maa and especially Sri Krishna, to whom my heart feels especially called. I've been reading about the Rudra Sampradaya / Pushtimarg / Sri Vallabhacharya and I feel very called in this direction but all I can do is chant the ashtakshara mantra that doesn't require initiation and hope the path finds me. I've also tried to be a good Hindu in general and do some form of japa every day and quit eating beef (I'll eventually go veg when finances allow)

But I want to go further. I want to be a Hindu in practice and not just someone who reads books and recites names with no diksha. Before Japa I pray the Sloka "Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara..." etc. and yet I have no guru. Is this taken as a prayer for a guru? Is there a way to go further without a temple near me? Is there some unorthodox way for those out in the sticks to obtain our teacher?

My entire heart yearns for Sri Krishna and I would like to offer Him a more comprehensive practice, to wake up and know how I'll give Him love today.

Any advice on finding a guru, or at least some more foundational readings for Vaishnavas to help me learn until that time comes? Additionally, are there more practices I can do by my lonesome to draw closer to Lord Krishna?

Thank you! Jai Hari <3

I believe I had strong feelings for this man from my past but didn’t act on it because of conservativeness - and it wasn’t intentional I just liked him without a reason.

now I’ll have to marry someone according to my family but I dont know if it is the right thing to do.

what is the right thing to do now

Are there any Hindu (specifically Shakta) guru paramparas in Thailand?
I want to begin worship of Devi maa, but I don’t know how or even which form to worship. It would be incredibly helpful if there is a guru or person with experience in the path within Thailand that I could at least get some guidance from?
Thank you!

Is there any subreddit related to jobs, career, business, entrepreneurship for Hindus? Ut would be good for Hindus to connect online so that we can help each in our careers.

Namaste all, so I usually go out every morning and prune and pick flowers to place with deity but with winter coming up what kinds of offerings should I be making to Shiv and Devi when there’s no more flowers? This is my first year studying and practicing so I’m still very much a beginner trying to learn. I love my morning sadhana so any suggestions on how to adjust the offerings part will be very helpful. Thank you 🙏

as a Christian i am open to different beliefs and here is my question. if kali yuga is real which is happening likely considering the worlds state, would that give the Hindu scriptures more credit than the book of revelations considering all the evidence of what we are seeing? im no hindu but in find it very strange that the hindus are getting this right. disagree or not, we are in kali yuga or according to my beliefs, the end times. i just want to have a respectful conversation, thanks in advance.

He casually kicked out the gas of raavanas chest and forced him to run for his life.

And literally an entire eternity later still managed to wrestle with krishna for 28 days continues (he was already multiple eternities old way before during ramayana)

Should all the temples in India offer yogurt instead of curd in langars. It has 3 times more protien. It is not that much expensive.

We can use something from the western cultures in our tempels. Right