Gods and Goddesses of Nainital

A s a result of fate and destiny, I have lived in many different continents and parts of the world in my brief something life of sixty and some years. My experience tells me that it is fate and destiny where one ends up living rather than one’s own choices in the matter.   As I look back, it is clear that the happiest periods of my life were spent in Nainital with the grace of the Goddess of Nainital – Naini Mata – and the Lord. I spent my childhood in Nainital and have visited later whenever opportunity permitted. The scriptures assert that when one leaves this body and is born again in a new life, it is usually in a place that is most on one’s mind during one’s last days and I suspect in my case it shall be Nainital. The District of Nainital is indeed one of the most beautiful districts on our planet with a diverse flora and fauna depending on where one is in the district with the Naintal town in its center. Unlike the plains, in Himalayan districts, the flora and faun

M ount Kailash situated in Tibet  is regarded as the abode of Shiva-Shankar who was charged with the spirit of the formless and infinite Almighty known by many Hindus as Shiva. Lake Mansarovar, the largest fresh water lake of the Himalayan region is situated at the foot of this mountain. It is situated to the north-east of Nainital District. Many believe that  lakes of Nainital District are fed by waters of this lake through underground rivers. According to mythology, the connection was a result of prayers of ancient sages that medidated on the banks of Naini Lake. Bhim Tal lake also in Nainital District is held by some to be fed from the adjoining Rakshas Tal. It is one of the poorly developed and mantained lakes of the district. Its water constitute a portion of the water supply of Haldwani town situated at the foot of Nainital Hills. Surprisingly the less beautiful parts of Nainital district are those fed by Rakshas Tal, whereas others fed by Mansarovar Lake are charged with

Khurpa Tal, a village few kilometers from Nainital. Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khurpa_Tal_lake_near_Nainital,_Uttarakhand.jpg T here are so many wonderful spots in and around Nainital for a picnic that it is not a surprise that picnics are a common hobby with friends and family. One only has to walk a few kilometers from one’s home in Nainital to an enchanting spot in the lap of nature to relax and enjoy a picnic in aside from the famed Tiffin Top (Called Dorothy’s Bum by some naughty Europeans) in case one wanted to have company of other families too. I recall my picnic lunches in Nainital and it is the common one for many families, Alu Paranthas with pickle, or plain triangular Paranthas (pan fried unleavened flat bread) with a stir fried meat or vegetable dish, sticks of cucumber, carrots and radishes for salads, hard boiled eggs with salt packed in small newspaper pouches, followed by a sweet Barfi (a sweet preparation from milk). All of these foo

T he Mother Goddess is viewed as Naini Mata by residents of Nainital, all though, others from afar also see her as Nanda Devi, Kali Mata, Durga Devi or Naina Devi and many other forms in which those who love the Universal Mother Goddess have viewed her. Long before Nainital came up, the temple of the goddess stood on the shores of Naini Lake. The present one is a reconstruction after the original one was submerged in the lake due to a landslide more than hundred years ago. You will find much information on Nainital and the spirituality surrounding it in the various posts of this blog. It is is the jewel of Central Himalayas. You can also learn more about the Mother Goddess in this little book, perhaps the only one in English language. It is available widely at most major online retailers around the world including: https://www.amazon.com/Naini-Mata-Nainital-Ashok-Malhotra/dp/1461159229/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roti_Cane_Kari_Kambing.jpg A mong one of the most delicious dinners on earth is a dinner consisting of a curry of meat or chicken served with flat bread and a salad. Those who do not eat meat substitute it with paneer (a cheese that does not melt) or more simply peas and potatoes etc. Even when the main ingredient is meat, peas and potatoes may be added to the dish. It may be pointed out that when curry is mentioned here it does not refer to a dish made with curry powder as many do in the west, particularly North America but it is a dish with a sauce prepared from a mix of individual spices and herbs that usually include onions, garlic, tomatoes, ginger and cilantro added last as a garnish and a large variety of spices that includes cardamom, cloves, black pepper and cumin. In the richest of curries, some nuts such as cashew nuts and almond are added while cooking. Yoghurt is also used frequently in the preparation at the frying

Maharishi Alok  ( Dr. Alok D. Sagar) I n the previous post (posted before news of Alok Sagar became public) this author had described about hermits who are also guardians of the forests, such is their love for nature.  Some say that all this is history or theoretical with no relevance to modern times. But it is not so dear readers, such hermits exist even today. One of them - Alok Sagar - was a class fellow during my younger days. We both graduated from the best university for engineering in the country in 1971 and later after some more study, we both went on for doctoral studies again at leading universities in USA and Canada. However soon after, this friend, Dr. Sagar took to the forests for reasons similar to what has been described in the previous post. Until recently he kept his education and background secret but it became known by chance due to an inquiry by police who became suspicious that he might be some spy or something. He had to reveal all then. He has be

Morning in a Pine Forest (1899) by Ivan Shishkin and Konstantin Savitsky . F or thousands of years now a belief has prevailed in South Asian society that one cannot escape all difficulties of life as long as one remains embedded in family, society, worldly ambitions and possessions, that to escape such difficulties and to find understanding and spiritual enlightenment one must escape into the wilderness leaving all behind, that peace, happiness, enlightenment and bliss may then be found through communion with nature, the stars, reflection and meditation. It was as a part of such traditions that Prince Gautama left behind his family along with kingdom and left for the forests. After several years of meditation he received enlightenment and became the Buddha. Many persons who leave for the wilderness have led successful, highly educated and wealthy lives prior to their departure. Not all become a Buddha but many do become renowned saints. The educated and highly lear

  Om Namah Shivay  http://hdwallpapers.org.in/wallpapers-download.php?ide=611 Some feel the fire of truth, some taste its nectar I n recent times many refer to Baba Haidakhan of Nainital District as just Babaji which in fact is a generic term for an evolved spiritual mystic. Although much about Babaji remains a divine mystery with him revealing only parts to different loving followers, his interest in the Middle East   is revealed by Alx Uttermann I am thankful to Alx for drawing my attention to the matter earlier today.: http://alxindia.blogspot.in/2006/08/mahavatar-babaji-and-middle-east_06.html While the people of both Israel and Palestine suffer, it is a small narrow group of vested interests that profit from keeping up the conflict and not reaching a peaceful resolution. This conflict is at root of much terror in world. It seems prior to Israel-Palestine conflict that began after WWII, Muslim nations were just as if not more peaceful than Christian ones. Po

A photo snapped this morning from my bedroom window - every morning, I go to the window and greet the morning sun, thanking it and the Universe for all it gives without having to ask, and then I say to myself, it is a new day, a new beginning, a time to experience the magic of new beginnings, and then numerous birds sing "New day, new day, new day, come on out and experience the magic ---" Jai Ho Surya Devta, Jai Surya Dev Gods and goddesses grant wealth, fame and security from dangers through prayer and sacrifice for them, but peace and happiness comes from doing good and compassionate deeds for other humans in need, children, old, vulnerable, animals, birds, nature etc. and not harming any. It is one of the reasons why there are very many rich persons in the world but they have neither peace nor happiness that is found more commonly in humble homes. That is what I believe the Lord, all of his Angels, all of the gods and goddesses wish of humans, that is my bel

T hose who love the spirituality of Nainital and surrounding Himalayas would love this enchanting devotional music by Hans Christian called - Nanda Devi. Check out at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nanda-devi/id1017874568 Also see, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulAj_XdKCqU Followers of Baba Haidakhan would love it especially. Personally I am looking forward to a sequel - Sunanda Devi - because the two sister goddessess are eternal companions. To quote a reviewer from the given link who has described better than I could, “New age master multi-instrumentalist Hans Christian has a spiritually-powerful new album, NANDA DEVI, named after the tall, sacred peak in India, and the music is an ode to this special place on our planet. His main instrument is cello, but he also plays a large group of real ethnic world music instruments such as sitara, sarangi, nyckelharpa, dhilruba, swaramandala, psaltery, bamboo flute, udu, tampura, frame drums, Tibetan bowls and many more. ---