Why did Krishna not stop the Mahabharata war?
Shri Krishna knew war was likely. He had gone to Hastinapura himself to seek peace. Tradition holds he had the power to intervene further. He did not stop it by force. The Mahabharata instead shows him choosing guidance over coercion. He made repeated peace efforts. He then respected the choices Duryodhana and Arjuna each made,...
What is Moksha and How can a person attain it?
Moksha means the liberation of the soul from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. Hindu philosophy names it as the fourth and final purushartha, the ultimate goal of human life. A soul attains moksha through good karma, self-knowledge, and devotion, and is then freed from samsara forever. Hindu scripture lists four aims of human...
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: Story, Date, Puja Muhurat, Vrat, Rituals
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 falls on Friday, September 4, with the Nishita Puja extending past midnight into the early hours of September 5. In a rare alignment, both the Smarta and Vaishnava calendars agree on this same date this year. Puja and parana timings still vary by city, so check the location-specific table below before you...
Raksha Bandhan 2026: Date, Shubh Muhurat, History and Rituals
Raksha Bandhan 2026 Date Friday, August 28, 2026 Tithi Shravana Purnima (full moon) Shubh Muhurat 5:57 AM to 9:48 AM IST Bhadra Kaal None. Bhadra ends before sunrise, so the full morning is auspicious Ask anyone with a sibling what Raksha Bandhan feels like, and you rarely get a straight answer. You get a memory …...
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2026 Date, Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2026, also widely known as Pavitra Ekadashi 2026, falls on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The Ekadashi tithi begins at 2:01 AM on August 23 and ends at 4:19 AM on August 24. The Shravana Putrada Ekadashi parana time is the next day, August 24, between 1:58 PM and 4:29 PM. This is …...
शिव चालीसा | Shiv Chalisa in Hindi with English Meaning
The Shiv Chalisa is a 40-verse Hindi devotional hymn praising Lord Shiva’s compassion, strength, and protection of his devotees. “Chalis” means forty in Hindi, referring to the 40 chaupais that make up the main body of the hymn. It opens and closes with dohas (couplets) and is traditionally chanted on Mondays,...
10 Powerful Lord Shiva Mantras and Prayers with Meaning & Benefits
The ten most powerful Lord Shiva mantras for daily practice are Om Namah Shivaya, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Lingashtakam, Bilvashtakam, Shiv Tandav Stotram, Shiva Gayatri Mantra, Rudrashtakam, the 108 Names of Shiva, Shiva Chalisa, and the Om Jai Shiv Omkara Aarti. Each serves a different purpose, from protection and peace to healing...
108 Names of Lord Shiva with Meaning | Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali
The 108 names of Mahadev are a namavali of sacred Sanskrit epithets, each paired with “Om” and “Namah” to form an independent mantra (for example, Om Shivaya Namah). Devotees chant all 108 names in sequence, often while offering one Bilva leaf or flower per name, to honor Shiva’s complete divine nature. Key...
God in Hinduism Explained: One God, Many Gods, or Ultimate Reality?
God in Hinduism is Brahman, the one formless ultimate reality behind everything that exists. Hindus worship this reality through personal forms, called Ishvara or Bhagavan, like Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Devi. The concept of God in Hinduism is not one god versus many gods. It is one reality, reached through several genuinely different...
Teej 2026: Dates, Types, History, Rituals, Meaning & Celebrations
Teej 2026 brings three festivals for Hindu women between mid-August and mid-September. Hariyali Teej 2026 falls on 15 August, Kajari Teej 2026 falls on 31 August, and Hartalika Teej 2026 falls on 13 or 14 September, depending on the panchang your region follows. Each Teej honors Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Women fast, dress in...
