DharmaQuiz: Shiva

Showing posts with label Shiva. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Famous Gurus in South India

#DharmaQuiz Session 363: 10-May-2016

#DharmaQuiz 2206: "Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam, Punarapi janani jatare sayanam" - This great summary of rebirth is from which song? Ans: Bhaja Govindam of Adi Shankara.

#DharmaQuiz 2207: This temple complex at the sangama of Krishna and Malaprabha rivers, holds the samadhi of a great Guru. Who? Ans: Basaveshwara.

DQ 2207. Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2208: This Narasimha temple overlooks a famous temple town made famous by Ramanujacharya. Name the town. Ans: Melukote.

DQ 2208. Pic: holidayiq.com

#DharmaQuiz 2209: This is a special Shiva temple in Thrissur, Keralam, consecrated by a very famous Guru. Name him. Ans: Narayana Guru.

DQ 2209. Pic: sreenarayanaguru.in

{Final,open till 10 PM}: #DharmaQuiz 2210: This is Nanak Jhira, linked with Guru Nanak in South India. Which city? Ans: Bidar, Karnataka.

DQ 2210. Pic: historicalgurudwaras.com

Scores for session 363:

@DrShobha : 5
@TheArvindDhar : 5
@man8shree : 5

@veena_ps : 4
@jasshu7 : 4
@Subbu_kalkuni : 4

@rnviva : 3
@VinayMysuru : 3
@sambharadwaja : 3
@charuandguru : 3

@malllige : 2
@mrsnrao : 2

@shettysuhasa : 1
‏@karthyke : 1
@Vnand01 : 1
@thebomanirani : 1
‏@snithin123 : 1
@veenabv : 1
‏@Lalitalaxmibhat : 1
@Vijaya76002908 : 1
@Susri1210 : 1
@Srianuragh : 1
@nvshandilya : 1
@shreyasms : 1
‏@tejoprakash : 1
@PawanG4u : 1
‏@anand_rva : 1
@kapilwajapey : 1
@bhovegora : 1
@agneepankh : 1
@sonigroup : 1
@rmanii : 1
@ramesh_katte : 1
@tarasundar : 1
@pai_rajesh : 1
@Sreenikethan_JS : 1
@girishalva : 1
‏@chander1 : 1
@tweetRada : 1
@usheelvant : 1
@San_Kustagi : 1
@SManjeshwar : 1
@Shivayogi_ms : 1

Om Shri Gurubhyo namah!

Friday, April 29, 2016

Hindu temples in Pakistan

#DharmaQuiz Session 361: 29-Apr-2016

#DharmaQuiz 2196: This Gorakhnath temple was reopened in 2011,after 6 decades of closure in Pakistan. In which city? Ans: Peshawar or previously known as Purushapura.

DQ 2196. Pic: blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 2197: Old Raghunath temple, on the verge of collapse in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Near which city? Ans: Mirpur.

DQ: 2197. Pic: https://thekashmir.files.wordpress

#DharmaQuiz 2198: This is a famous Shiva temple in Pakistan's Sindh province. Akbar was born in this place. Name it. Ans: Umerkot

DQ 2198. Pic: http://constellationplus.com

#DharmaQuiz 2199: This is one of the rare functioning Hindu temples in Pakistan. In which big city? Ans: Karachi.

DQ: 2199. Pic: panoramio.com

#DharmaQuiz 2200: Name this 1000+ year old temple in Pakistan, very close to India's Jammu. Ans: Shawala Teja Singh, in Sialkot, Pakistan Punjab.

DQ 2200. Pic: Wiki

Scores for session 361:

@veena_ps : 5
@jasshu7 : 5
@mamtan14 : 5

@sriksvenkat : 3
@hamsadwani23 : 3

@sidspin : 2
@Myselfkp : 2
@sriksvenkat : 2

‏@vipulIT : 1
@VinayMysuru : 1
@subashwarrier : 1
@NoorRathore : 1
@aatma_deep : 1
@KaveriThiyagara : 1
‏@Shanbarani : 1
@arunrush : 1
@ShirazHassan : 1
@chambalion18 : 1
@Shivam__23 : 1
@CausticIndian : 1

Have a good weekend.

Friday, March 18, 2016

India's national symbols and Dharmic Background

#DharmaQuiz Session 358: 18-Mar-2016

#DharmaQuiz 2181: India's national bird peacock, is also the mount of a famous Hindu Bhagawan (God of War). Who? Ans: Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva.

DQ 2181. Pic: pinimg.com

#DharmaQuiz 2182: India's national flower Lotus, is also the representation of the navel of a Hindu Bhagawan. Who? Ans: Vishnu, also known as Padma Nabha (Lotus Navel).

DQ 2182. Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2183: India's national emblem has "Satyameva Jayate" written on it. From which Upanishad is that from? Ans: Mundaka upanishad, part of Atharva Veda.

DQ 2183. Pic: blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 2184: India's national animal is the mount of Durga. Name 1 other Hindu Deva/ Devi whose mount is tiger. Ans: Ayyappa.

DQ 2184. Pic: pinimg.com

#DharmaQuiz 2185: India's national fruit mango is held in hand by a Jain Devi. Name her. Ans: Ambika.

DQ 2185. Pic: jainpedia.org

Scores for session 358:
Sorry, could not complete the score. It was a huge response with 100s of people participating.
Thanks!

Friday, November 27, 2015

Hanuman

#DharmaQuiz Session 349: 27-Nov-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2131: Hanuman took Surya as his teacher. As guru dakshina, Surya asked Hanuman to help his son. Who was that son? Ans: Sugriva.

#DharmaQuiz 2132: During Ramayana times, the mighty Hanuman lived near Pampa lake. In which of today's Indian state is that region located? Ans: Karnataka.

#DharmaQuiz 2133: Anjaneya brings Dronagiri hill to search for Sanjivani to save Lakshmana.
In which Indian state today is Dronagiri in? Ans: Uttarakhand.

#DharmaQuiz 2134: In Mahabharata, which brave warrior's ratha / chariot had the Hanuman flag? Ans: Arjuna.

#DharmaQuiz 2135: Anjana's son Hanuman (Anjaneya or Bajrangbali), is an avatar of which mighty Bhagawan? Ans: Shiva.

Scores for session 349:

@tweeteringuise : 5
‏@iSaakshi : 5
@man8shree : 5
@Appu_Chikku : 5
@IndiafirstVM : 5
@jasshu7 : 5
@AadyaRao10 : 5
@anamika_99 : 5

@mamtan14 : 4
@SamitLive : 4
@mrsnrao : 4
@pandeyanant99 : 4

@Susri1210 : 3
@BluruLad : 3
@Swatiisme : 3
@manasdoon : 3
@AparnaAbhimanyu : 3

@tradetoday99 : 2
@neel_jai : 2
‏@raghur : 2
@ksharma2485 : 2
@ANILKUMARAN5 : 2
@VaibhavTweeeter : 2
@ChintanKahar : 2
@vamshitweet : 2
@vmguruprasath : 2

@manojdha : 1
@meenagor412 : 1
@vadirajayachit : 1
@alsorun : 1
@keshavaram : 1
@aatma_deep : 1
@nnsinha54 : 1
@pradeepbadaneha : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
@lodyaashi : 1
‏@POTTUKADALAI : 1
@agNishchay : 1
‏@shenoyorker : 1
‏@anujkapoor83 : 1
@harishkrcr : 1
@BMNikitha : 1
@rkvk2001 : 1
@vinayrkr : 1
@suryatej_borra : 1
@Panchjanyaa : 1
@jgdanjesh : 1
@sufferuddin : 1
@bhanubms : 1
@Sridhar_Salem : 1
@bezubaan : 1
@shivaparv : 1
@rspack_hosur : 1
@Rahulasm_ : 1
@chaitanyaMVS : 1
@NSSollapur : 1
@subodhdgame : 1
@PriyaLakar : 1
‏@arunrush : 1
@apar_rajesh : 1
‏@envee38 : 1
@shivprasath : 1

Praying to Bajrangbali to bless us all!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Theme: Krishna in Bhagavad Gita's 10th Chapter

#DharmaQuiz Session 346: 27-Oct-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2116: In Gita, Krishna says that he's Gayatri among Chandas (meter).
Can you name any other Vedic Chandas that has 8 syllables? Ans: Anushtup is one example.

#DharmaQuiz 2117: In Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna hints that among 4 Vedas, he's the most "melodious". Which one? Ans: Sama Veda.

#DharmaQuiz 2118: In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna Bhagawan says - I am ____ among 11 Rudras.
Fill the blank. Which Rudra? Ans: Shiva.

DQ 2118: pic: Blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 2119: In Bhagavad Gita, to which warrior-chief does Lord Krishna compare himself?
"Senaninam aham ______" Ans: Skanda or Subrahmanya.

#DharmaQuiz 2120: In Gita, Shri Krishna compares himself to which mighty mountain, among the world's mountains. Ans: Himalaya.

Scores for session 346 could not be complied on time. Next time!

Friday, October 9, 2015

Hindu temples of North East India

#DharmaQuiz Session 345: 09-Oct-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2111: The famous Kamakhya temple of Guwahati, Asom, is over which hill? Ans: Nilachal.

#DharmaQuiz 2112: The famous Basistha temple outside Guwahati, is in which forest reserve, famous for elephants? Ans: Garbhanga reserve forest.

DQ 2112: Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2113: There's a Maha Bhairab temple from Mahabharata times in the North East of India with ~5 ft tall Linga. Where? Ans: Tezpur, Asom.

DQ 2113. Pic: holymahabhairab.in

DQ 2113, pic 2. Pic from Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2114: This Shiva temple in Brahmaputra, on the smallest inhabited riverine island in the world. Name it. Ans: Umananda temple.

DQ 2114. Pic 1 (from holidify)

DQ 2114: Pic 2 (from ignca.nic.in)

#DharmaQuiz 2115: One North East Indian state is named after this Devi temple. Which state? Ans: Tripura, named after Tripura Sundari temple of Udaipur.

DQ 2115. Pic: Wiki

Scores for session 345:

@karthikjana : 5
@Appu_Chikku : 5

‏@mamtan14 : 4

@VkPriyanka : 2

@bulletguru : 1
@alok_bhatt : 1
‏@sujata_subhasis : 1
@Winnie11Pooh : 1
‏@Sanjay2Agarwal : 1
@AjoyChatterjee : 1
@sndoreswamy : 1
@dharmikumar : 1
@HalderSitavra : 1
@adiscover : 1
@gaonliya_aapa : 1
@Sandeepkhaitan : 1
@ratlamisev : 1
@bibekdebroy : 1
@Richanjgd : 1
@RAMESH4184 : 1
‏@keshavaram : 1
@sidsen77 : 1
@Myselfkp : 1

Try to visit these magnificent temples in the North East!

Friday, July 3, 2015

Tamil Nadu Temples

#DharmaQuiz Session 336: 03-Jul-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2066: There are 3 prominent Ranganatha Swamy (Vishnu in sleeping pose) temples along Kaveri river. Which one is "Antya Ranga"? Ans: Srirangam, TN.

@benmoha informs:
Aadi - Srirangapatna, Karnataka
Madhya - Shivana Samudra, Karnataka
Antya - Srirangam, Tamilnadu

#DharmaQuiz 2067: There are 5 ancient Shiva temples in south India, 1 for each pancha bhoota (basic element). Which one is for Jala / water? Ans: Tiruvaikaval or Jambukeshwara, TN.

#DharmaQuiz 2068: There's a famous Shani Temple in Thirunallar. 1000s take bath in this tank. In which state or UT? Ans: Puducherry.

DQ 2068. Image - Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2069: This ancient Shiva temple is in a temple town of TN.
The Linga is slightly tilted. Name temple. Ans: Adi Kumbeswarar. Kumbakonam.

DQ 2069. Image - Wiki

@NR_Tatvamasi says: Quite a few shiva in TN are tilted. unless that gopura is well known for them tough for anyone.

{Final, Open till 10 PM} #DharmaQuiz 2070: Image from 1870s of a very famous "Dancing Shiva" temple in TN. Name it? Ans: Chidambaram.

DQ 2070. Image - Wiki

Scores for session 336:

@Sricalifornia : 4
@keshavaram : 4
@BKottadamane : 4
@sridhar_savitha : 4
@ramkiprasad : 4
@nandaakumar : 4

@VG100000 : 3
@pvaidyaraj : 3

@ksrikantiyer : 2
@benmoha : 2
@mrsnrao : 2

@SKK288999 : 1
@strawsInTheWind : 1
@kool_Mady : 1
@rkthiyagarajan : 1
@Sravan : 1
@DrPannagDesai : 1
@singh81arun : 1
‏@juyal_pravin : 1
@pradeptk : 1
@vsubbu48 : 1
@thamzi_SH : 1
@dsktweets : 1
@_BeingSpiritual : 1
‏@UKKishor : 1
@AvinashCKM : 1
@tweeteringuise : 1
@kikkeriv : 1
@PaarthRudra : 1
@seeniram : 1
@TheTandav : 1
@esgeeaar : 1

Have a great trip to these temples, at least once in your life time!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Ancient and Medieval Hindu Sants

#DharmaQuiz Session 334: 12-Jun-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2056: Alwars were the Vaishanava poet saints in Tamil Nadu during ancient times. Out of 12 Alwars, how many were female? Ans: One - Andal.

#DharmaQuiz 2057: Sant Eknath was a renowned Bhakti movement poet in Maharashtra. Did he live before or after Sant Tukaram? Ans: Before.

#DharmaQuiz 2058: Name this 19th century Hindu sant from central part of India. His name is another name for Ganesha. Ans: Gajanan Maharaj.

DQ 2058 - Pic - Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2059: This Yogi from 1000 yrs ago is credited for Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, a Hatha Yoga text. Name him. Ans: Gorakhnath or Gorakshanath.

DQ 2059. Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 2060: Key Nayanars who worshiped Shiva in TN here.
How many Nayanars were there? Ans: 63.

DQ 2060. Pic: Wiki

Scores for session 334:

@Telugutalli : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5
@chaitanyasoul : 5
@karthikjana : 5

‏@sbangarp : 2
@Sai_swaroopa : 2
@RDWARAKANATH : 2
@mithlm88 : 2
‏@stormylook : 2

@IyerMira : 1
@shashiparakh : 1
@shaileshwelekar : 1
@ShubhaPatil9 : 1
‏@amalviya18 : 1
@ganex : 1
@ravi_bansal30 : 1
@srinivasanands : 1
@Sridhar_Salem : 1
@choubisa171 : 1
@KARUPPASAMY_L : 1
@sameeral_in : 1
@arunprasad72 : 1
@vs70 : 1
@Aryavarta_ : 1
@MrCoolkarni : 1
@cavrags : 1
@ksrikantiyer : 1
@conphucius : 1
@ashvasant : 1
@ksinamdar : 1
@shreeramm : 1
@Mamdhata : 1

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Akshaya Tritiya

#DharmaQuiz Session 329: 21-Apr-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2031: On #AkshayaTritiya, this benevolent Devi was said to be born. Name her. Ans: Devi Annapurna.

DQ 2031. Pic - aghori.it

#DharmaQuiz 2032: On #AkshayaTritiya, Jains give a ceremonial bath (Abhisheka) to Tirthankara Rishabhadeva. With which juice? Ans: Sugar cane juice.

#DharmaQuiz 2033: #AkshayaTritiya is when Ganga descended to earth. This is one of her origin points. Where is this? Ans: Gaumukh, Bhagirati's origin point. Bhagirati is one of Ganga's main starting tributaries.

DQ 2033. Pic - jyoti-kothari.hubpages.com

#DharmaQuiz 2034: He was made a custodian of wealth and property with Lakshmi on #AkshayaTritiya by Shiva. Who is he? Ans: Kubera.

DQ 2034. Pic - blogspot.com

#DharmaQuiz 2035: On #AkshayaTritiya, Surya gifted a famous vessel to Yudhishtira. Name it. Ans: Akshaya Patra.

DQ 2035. Pic - Wiki

Scores for session 329:

@CJoshi28 : 5

@yadavendraSS : 4
@kmukundra : 4
@stormylook : 4
@karthikjana : 4

@deshi_mangoman : 3

@prasannarl1 : 2
@vinodthakur3 : 2
@GhostriderYahoo : 2
@ChughShobu27 : 2
@nandaakumar : 2
@kpramodrai : 2
@kirtweetz : 2
@mpsharma56 : 2
@rinku3009 : 2
@bohrapankaj : 2
@RAMESH4184 : 2
@tweeteringuise : 2
@gurudath29 :

@developermv : 1
@Harish8hs : 1
@Vamsee9002 : 1
@kharwar_banaras : 1
@manoj_niketa : 1
@BramhaKamal : 1
@ashujoshi27 : 1
@jain_hd : 1
@Manjunaath : 1
@SnghAP : 1
@pareshmshah12 : 1
@kkapilrai : 1
@harishkrcr : 1
@Rakesh_Hassan : 1
@surimohnot : 1
@abhilashbalu : 1
@deepti_nainwal : 1
@pinktoothjourno : 1
@udayakandate : 1
@Richanjgd : 1
@Ay_Prashanth : 1
@atul_doshi : 1
@lalitadvani : 1
@RaghuKandkur : 1
@SonalShriv : 1
@Chandra_bhs : 1
@DharamaKshetra : 1
@gorishankaryad1 : 1
@anayaseth : 1
@ispastwadi : 1
@oojnas : 1
@kartikanandan : 1
@mithlm88 : 1

Hope you all had a great Akshaya Tritiya!

Friday, February 27, 2015

Hinduism in Vietnam

#DharmaQuiz Session 320: 27-Feb-2015

#DharmaQuiz 1986: A 4000 year old Vishnu statue was discovered in Vietnam recently.
Next to which major river? Ans: Mekong. (Ma Ganga, some say)

DQ 1986

Read more: http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/4-000-year-old-vishnu-statue-discovered-in-vietnam

#DharmaQuiz 1987: Champa Kingdom in Vietnam was a famous Hindu kingdom 1600 years ago. Name any one Champa King. Ans: Bhadravarman, who ruled from 349-361CE. Others are Shambhuvarman, Vijayavarman and Simhavarman.

DQ 1987

Read more: http://indiafacts.co.in/forgotten-hindus-vietnams-champa-kingdom/

#DharmaQuiz 1988: Champa Hindu kingdom of Vietnam had 5 parts.
Indrapura, Amaravati, Vijaya, Kauthara (Nha Trang). Name the 5th one.
Ans: Panduranga is known today simply as Phan.

#DharmaQuiz 1989: Apart from the Champa Kingdom of Cham Hindus, another Hindu kingdom was in Vietnam 1900 years ago. Name it. Ans: Funan.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1990: Identify this Hindu deity from Vietnam. It's at My Son temple complex. Ans: Lord Shiva.

DQ 1990

Scores for session 320 were not counted. Will do it next time.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Shiva

DQ 1977: Image: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz Session 318: 10-Feb-2015

#DharmaQuiz 1976: Lord Shiva is praised with the name "Aashutosh". What does it mean? Ans: The One Who Fulfills Wishes Instantly or becomes happy easily. Ans: Ashu = quick. Tosh = please.

#DharmaQuiz 1977: Shiva has a name for carrying this club like weapon in hand. What's that name of Lord Shiva? Ans: Khatvangi. The weapon is called Khatvanga.

DQ 1980: Image: indotemple

#DharmaQuiz 1978: For having an eye on the forehead, Lord Shiva has a special Sanskrit name. What is it? (Hint: starts with L). Ans: Lalataksha. Lalata = forehead.

#DharmaQuiz 1979: Give one name of Lord Shiva that is based on his cosmic dance. Ans: Nataraja.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1980: Where is this Jyotir Linga for Shiva? Said to be the last Jyotirlinga. Ans: Grishneshvara, Maharashtra (near Ellora caves).

Scores for session 318:

Could not score - election night and too many tweet responses. Sorry.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Maha Lakshmi

DharmaQuiz Session 292: 8-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1846: Devi Lakshmi is praised in Vedas as "padma maalini". What does Padmamaalini mean? #VaraMahaLakshmi Ans: The one who wears a garland of lotus flowers.

#DharmaQuiz 1847: Goddess Lakshmi is often referred as Hiranyavarnaa and Adityavarnaa.
What does the Aditya Varnaa mean? Ans: Resplendent like the sun.

#DharmaQuiz 1848: This Ashta Lakshmi temple is 10 KM outside a big South Indian metro.
Which city? Ans: Hyderabad. 12 KM from Nampally.


DQ: 1848

#DharmaQuiz 1849: This Bharat Ratna was famous for singing one of the most famous Lakshmi songs. In which language? Ans: Kannada

DQ 1849

Here is the rendering:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tdYY6lUw9g

#DharmaQuiz 1850: Today is #VaraMahaLakshmi vrata. First performed by Parvati. Who told her to do this puja? Ans: Lord Shiva.

Read more about the Vedic Shri Sukta praising Goddess Lakshmi here, with meaning:
http://www.puja.net/wordpress/sri-suktam-rig-veda-mantra-for-lakshmi/

Answers to session 292:

@pramod_klr : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
‏@surnell : 5
@RakeshChouhan : 5

@chetankshet : 4
@GayathriSrinath : 4
@tradetoday99 : 4
@gboxam : 4
@vish_was_is : 4
@MangoAdmi : 4

@bezubaan : 3

‏@kakdwip : 2
@omprakashcaims : 2

@ashokagarwal : 1
@SaffronShirt : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@Vamsee9002 : 1
@chand_andas : 1
@atul_speaks : 1
@praveenk333 : 1
@sapana_almelkar : 1
@Dm12Sanyal : 1
@anamika_99 : 1
@nandaakumar : 1
‏@sankarbe : 1
@Viswajgd : 1
@Ramgopaljgd : 1
@hegde_anirudh : 1
@sumanthagowda : 1
@ngc1729 : 1
@peeyushmalhotra : 1
@gkamath07 : 1
@nrkoranne : 1
@ReMeeer : 1

Pictures: holidayiq.com and ytimg.com

Friday, August 1, 2014

Nava Nagas - Naga Panchami

DharmaQuiz Session 290: 1-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1836: Which of the 9 famous Nagas was a part of Samudra Manthan, and also worn by Lord Shiva around his neck? #NagaPanchami Ans: Vasuki.

#DharmaQuiz 1837: Which of the 9 famous Nagas was killed by Lord Krishna, and it attained moksha? Ans: Kaliya or Kalinga. But Aghasura also considered.

#DharmaQuiz 1838: Who was the ancestral mother of all famous Nagas? She was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. Ans: Kadru

#DharmaQuiz 1839: Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of Brahma's creation, is resting over which of the 9 great Nagas? Ans: Sesha.

#DharmaQuiz 1840: One of the 9 Nagas had to flee Kurukshetra area and settle in Taksha Shila. Who? Ans: Takshaka

Scores for session 290:

@ravighiyar : 5
‏@durgaramdas : 5
@Sunil_Rao_MS : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@PrachinVaani : 5
@ksmsundaram1975 : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@ProtectIndia : 5
@deshi_mangoman : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@pramod_klr : 5

@vipulgupta1976 : 4
@Bengalur_Huduga : 4

@Mamdhata : 2
@SonalShriv : 2

@MyViews_MyIdeas : 1
@DelRastogi : 1
@gdthot : 1
@sumanthagowda : 1
@anantharajutm : 1
@shyamddeore : 1
@bashbangalore : 1
‏@ajegowda : 1
@AnupamkPandey : 1
‏@noop_1882 : 1
@rohitsamvada : 1
@rohitkumarnath : 1
@akshri_250 : 2
‏@Mamdhata : 1
@dubey2812 : 1
@SanthoshPPrabhu : 1
‏@A31X64Vijay : 1
‏@ShrinivasRJoshi : 1
@Rasraj : 1

Regarding Kaliya, there are different versions. Keep reading them in Mahabharata for a better understanding. I am also learning.

Friday, June 13, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 281: 13-Jun-2014

Theme: Source of the famous Hindu stotras or prayers

#DharmaQuiz 1791:
Famous Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, त्र्यम्बकम् यजामहे / triambakam yajamahe, is from Rig Veda. What does Triambakam mean? Ans: The one with 3 eyes (Lord Shiva)

#DharmaQuiz 1792:
शान्ताकारम भुजगशयनम / Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam , a famous prayer for Lord Vishnu, is from which Hindu sacred text? Ans: Prayer before chanting Vishnu Sahasra Nama. If anyone knows the exact composer or the text, please leave a comment.

#DharmaQuiz 1793:
श्री राम राम रामेति / Shri Rama Rama Raameti - a popular Rama prayer is from which sacred source?
Ans: Rama Raksha Stotra, atribted to Rishi Budha kaushik. It's mentioned in Padma Purana about Ishwara telling this to Parvati.

Read fully here: http://www.vedicyagyacenter.com/articles/sriramaraksha-stotram.html

#DharmaQuiz 1794:
गणानां त्व गणपतीम् / Gananam Tva Ganapatim - The most sacred Ganesha strotra, is from which Veda? Ans: Rig Veda 2.23.1. And possibly in Atharva Veda too.

{Final, Open till 10.30 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1795:
सर्व मंगल मांगल्ये / Sarva Mangala Mangalye prayer to Devi is from which sacred Hindu text? Ans: Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya. It is a part of Markandeya Purana.

You can download the 139 page Devi Mahatmya PDF from here. Very precious asset.
http://www.ambaa.org/pdf/devii_mahatmyam_1.pdf

Answers to Session 281:

@SamitLive : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@karthikjana : 5
@abhishek_2411 : 5

@meenabg : 4
@ashujoshi27 : 4
‏@gboxam : 4

@chandrasuren : 3
@pramod_klr : 3

@PrashanthSai369 : 2
@deshi_mangoman : 2

@rinku3009 : 1
‏@jemin_p : 1
@HokageMihir : 1
@sudhica84 : 1
‏@surnell : 1
@mukunthaniyer : 1
@kirtweetz : 1
@upma23 : 1
@ratanagarwal : 1
‏@pramod_klr : 1
@sumashiv : 1
@kbsnataraj : 1
@AnirudhaLimaye : 1
@nemkals : 1
@shreevarapuncha : 1
@rucheesharma : 1

It's important for all of us to know the most basic and commonly used mantras/shlokas and their origin. It helps!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 280: 10-Jun-2014

Theme: Ancient rock carved murtis in India

#DharmaQuiz 1786: These magnificent ancient rock carving of Shiva is in which North Eastern state of India? Ans: Tripura. Kailashahar in North Tripura district is famous for the Unakoti Shiva pilgrimage.

DQ 1786: Pic: indiaonline.in

#DharmaQuiz 1787: This large Shiva Linga, a monolith always surrounded by water, is in which south Indian state? Ans: Karnataka. It's in Hampi. Badavilinga (near to Lakshmi-Narsimha statue) is a monolith, carved out of one rock. The sanctum chamber that houses it is a large stone, brick and mortar structure.

DQ 1787: Pic: Blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1788: At Siyamangalam, TN, a temple on top of a rock. Only brave climb dangerous steps. For which Deva? Ans: Murugan or Subrahmanya or Kartikeya.

DQ 1788. Pic: gkamesh.wordpress

DQ 1789. Pic: pkothavade.blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1789: This Hanuman carving by lake is near a famous fort at 3500 feet in Western India. In which state? Ans: Maharashtra. Vilaspur area. Bhaje fort and caves.

DQ 1790. Pic: trekearth

{Final,Open till 10.30 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1790: This ancient rock carving of Maitreya is in which North Indian state? Ans: Jammu and Kashmir. Karchay Khar village, Suru valley, Kargil district.

Scores in session 280:

‏@PrashanthSai369 : 4
‏@man8shree : 4
‏@pramod_klr : 4
@Tasmayi : 4

@RakiTweets : 3

@shivprasath : 2
‏@muktivardhan : 2
@durgaramdas : 2

‏@raamss : 1
@SonofUdupi : 1
‏@Yaba_dabadoo : 1
@ChampakRoy : 1
@Ravindra_Maiya : 1
@SadanandaAithal : 1
@balaji210671 : 1
@arunpatil36 : 1
‏@rajeev_n : 1
@KRMuraleedharan : 1
@anamika_99 : 1
@sridhar17 : 1
@comfykaju : 1
@vvkashyap : 1
@RameshAllenki : 1
@dilipdehariya : 1

Feel free to leave future sessions' topic suggestion.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 274: 13-May-2014

Theme: Famous temples of the world.

#DharmaQuiz 1756: Name one temple that is dedicated to the Lord of creation, Brahma. Ans: Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, Pushkar, Rajasthan. Also, Kumbhakonam's Lord Brahma temple.

#DharmaQuiz 1757: Tell one place and city outside of South India, where an Ayyappa temple exists. Ans: RK Puram, Dilli; Goregoan, Mumbai; Southern Avenue, Kolkata. Also, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Nagpur, Betul..

#DharmaQuiz 1758: In which city and country is the biggest Sikh Gurudwara outside Punjab, located? Ans: Havelock Road, Southall, London, UK.

#DharmaQuiz 1759: A fabulous golden temple for Lakshmi, in Shri Chakra shape (Star) is on 100 acre land. Where is it? Ans: Sripuram near Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

DQ 1759: Pic - blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1760:Where is this standing Shiva statue? This is probably the world's tallest Shiva
statue. Ans: Bhaktapur, Nepal. 143 feet tall.

DQ 1760: Pic - bossnepal

Answers for session 274:

@mareekuree : 5
@meenabg : 5

@PrashanthSai369 : 4
@gboxam : 4
@pramod_klr : 4
@man8shree : 4
‏@shivprasath : 4
@SamitLive : 4

@InduSarabhai : 3
@MorbidMortal : 3
@rinku3009 : 3

@RakiTweets : 2
@Ehashanali : 2
@911ashish : 2
‏@guruswamy_c : 2

‏@_shomy : 1
@Adv_P_G : 1
@alok174 : 1
‏@amitsinghai16 : 1
‏@ankurjpr : 1
‏@ashokbarjasar : 1
@ASHOKTHEKING : 1
@athreyaa : 1
@balamy : 1
@BashamPb : 1
‏@carvk : 1
‏@chaitanyadj : 1
@cheenisrini : 1
@ChorSipahi : 1
‏@DelRastogi : 1
@dhwaj23 : 1
@Diler_Thakur : 1
@ecophilo : 1
@Jaihind100 : 1
@kalia_perumal : 1
@kbarthwal : 1
@KesariDhwaj : 1
@mahesh4shriya : 1
@mamtan14 : 1
@mayankmatador : 1
@mylovenamo : 1
@neohunk007 : 1
‏@pchidu420 : 1
@pramoo : 1
@pushkaranand11 : 1
@raghumedicon : 1
@ramprakash74 : 1
‏@ranjanbaisak : 1
@raviprawat : 1
@RramachandranR : 1
@sensiblesuraj : 1
@sharmaswati28 : 1
@swarya55 : 1
‏@Tan_Tripathi : 1
@TorontoDreams : 1
@vasudevan_k : 1
@vishalnext : 1

Thanks for participating.

Friday, February 28, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 258: 28-Feb-2014

Theme: Lord Shiva

#DharmaQuiz 1676: Lord Shiva is having a name which translates as "the roarer" or "fierce". That name is also a Rig Vedic deity. Name it. Ans: Rudra.

#DharmaQuiz 1677: In which Veda is the hugely popular Chamakam, found in? You will almost always hear Chamakam during Maha Shivaratri. Ans: Krishna Yajur Veda primarily.

#DharmaQuiz 1678: Shiva's wife Sati immolated herself during her father Daksha's yajna. Which rishi, also Daksha's SIL,was conducting yajna? Ans: Brighu.

#DharmaQuiz 1679: To save the universe when Shiva drank the poison halahala, who stopped it at his neck itself,getting him Neelakantha name? Ans: Parvati.

#DharmaQuiz 1680: Shiva worshiped as Jyotir-Linga in 12 places. Geographically, which is the easternmost Jyotir Linga? Ans: Vaidyanath at Devgarh, Jharkhand.

Answers to session 258:

@TheArvindDhar : 5
‏@ajaypawardr : 5
@vijirak : 5
@Mamdhata : 5
‏@pandey_ashishkp : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5

@karthikjana : 4
@vivekDw02165999 : 4

‏@ShenoyVijeta : 3
@drarora_gaurav : 3
@_shomy : 3
@meenabg : 3

@Susri1210 : 2
@venkataa : 2
@karthiabraje : 2
‏@SeCoolar_Right : 2
@deshi_mangoman : 2
‏@kksubbu2003 : 2

@_sujayS : 1
@Viswajgd : 1
@mandya_manju : 1
@anurag_surya : 1
@sonitarun1 : 1
@ksmsundaram1975 : 1
@Ramsesh2809 : 1
@ashvasant : 1
@AniilkumarAnil : 1
‏@jpdadhich : 1
@ajittyagi1805 : 1
@Srinathbki : 1
@seevin : 1
@ajittyagi1805 : 1
@Asach4 : 1
@YashwantCharan : 1
@ashimasingh99 : 1
@swamilion : 1
‏@Prach82 : 1
@Prouud2bIndian : 1
@AnirudhaLimaye : 1
@Chandrashmii : 1
‏@a_gopinathan : 1
@harshit13175873 : 1
@swathip18 : 1

Hope you all had a great and soothing Maha Shivaratri.

Friday, December 6, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 246: 6-Dec-2013

Theme: 18 Maha Puranas

#DharmaQuiz 1616: Which of the18 Maha Puranas describe the greatness of Bhagavad Gita splendidly, earning the title Geeta Mahatmya? Ans: Padma Purana.

#DharmaQuiz 1617: Which of the 18 Mahapuranas describe the importance of Vaastu Shastra for home construction?. Ans: Agni Purana. But Matsya and Skanda also taken.

#DharmaQuiz 1618: Name any one Maha Purana, that extensively deals with narration of Lord Shiva. Ans: Shiva, Linga, Vayu and Skanda.

#DharmaQuiz 1619: There are at least 5 Maha Puranas (18 of them), that deal with narration of Bhagawan Vishnu's stories. Name any one. Ans: Vishnu, Bhavata, Matsya, Linga, Varaha.

{Final, Open till 10 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1620: Which of the 18 Maha Puranas, contain Devi Mahatmya, victory of Durga over the Mahishasura story? Ans: Markandeya

Answers for session 246:

@yarish_tweet : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5
@meenabg : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
‏@man8shree : 5
@Telugutalli : 5

@venkatbhoopathy : 2
@DrSrishtiGupta : 2
@duvijan : 2

@YashwantCharan : 1
@bibekdebroy : 1
@pst4bjp : 1
@sanjaynparikh62 : 1
@gprasadadv : 1
@balamy : 1
@sanchit30 : 1
@nithinkrishna17 : 1
@ShrikkynayakP : 1
@stormylook : 1
@jatanacharya : 1
@InnovativeHindu : 1
@sreedharag : 1
@tradetoday99 : 1

See you next week.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 238: 22-Oct-2013

Theme: Hindu temples

1) Name the President of India who took part in the grand pratishtapana of Somnath temple's Jyotirlinga, after independence. #DharmaQuiz 1576. Ans: Babu Rajendra Prasad.

2) From the December month of which year, is keertana, pooja and darshan of Ram Lalla happening at Ram janmabhumi, Ayodhya? #DharmaQuiz 1577. Ans: 1949. The gates were opened in 1980s but the pooja was happening much before on a small scale.

3) You can get to this famous Shiva temple in Karnataka, after climbing 7 beautiful hills. Name temple. #DharmaQuiz 1578. Ans: Male Mahadeshwara temple.


DQ 1578; Image: thehindu.com

4) This is the birth place of one of the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus. Name the place. #DharmaQuiz 1579. Ans: Talakaveri.

DQ 1579: Image: Facebook

5) {Final, Open till 10PM} Pic from Bhartiya temple, Michigan, USA. Which festival is being celebrated? #DharmaQuiz 1580. Ans: Karva Chauth.

DQ 1580: Image: staticflickr.com

Toppers for session 238:

@Manjunaath : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 4
@ashujoshi27 : 4
@dolby_mehul : 4
@KaushikRg : 4

Congrats to:

@talmukund : 3
@arunk3707 : 3

@Dilipmys : 2
@pai_rajesh : 2
@YashwantCharan : 2
@nareshdixit82 : 2
@V_R_R_K : 2

@SnookyBangalore : 1
@lodyaashi : 1
@n_dolli : 1
@sdpandya8 : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@sushmitnath : 1
@pwnprm : 1
‏@ganeshmahnar : 1
@Ameysd : 1
@siddarthpaim : 1
@mrsnrao : 1
@kapilvyas : 1
‏@Janamejayan : 1
@Ammamymother : 1
@HawaSoniya : 1
@Mohandb : 1
@himanshucs28 : 1
@Del_Alpha : 1
@mishrakmanoj : 1
@neerajvakeel : 1
‏@pallavirajeev11 : 1
@Nithin_Kumar_ : 1
@mahanteshneel : 1
@vishal_jamuar : 1
@sanjeevirao : 1
@FatAngryBird : 1
@Susri1210 : 1
@biswajeetdash : 1
‏@sushmahari : 1
@beingNOMAD : 1
@nanditathhakur : 1
@AnupCommonMan : 1

See you next time.

Friday, September 20, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 235: 20-Sep-2013

Theme: Misc.

What was the Guru of Asuras (Rakshasas), Shukracharya's daughter's name? #DharmaQuiz 1551. Ans: Devayani.
If Shukracharya was Rakshsas' guru, who was Devas' guru? #DharmaQuiz 1552. Ans: Brihaspati or Guru.
Kubera is the Lord of Money in the Swarga Loka. Who was Kubera's daughter? #DharmaQuiz 1553. Ans: Meenakshi.
Indra is the Lord of Swarga or heaven. Name his capital. #DharmaQuiz 1554. Ans: Amaravati.
Pushpaka Vimana was a very key component of Ramayana. It belonged to Kubera. Who gave it to Kubera? #DharmaQuiz 1555. Ans: Lord Shiva. But some say Brahma. So taking both answers.

Toppers for session 235:

@gboxam : 5
@ksmsundaram1975 : 5
‏@ankurjain200607 : 5
@sundeeppatkar : 5
@man8shree : 5
@nandini2611 : 5
‏@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
‏@GuruCharan99 : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@yike19 : 5
@Susri1210 : 5