Gods and Goddesses of Nainital

Have you heard the recital of the mantra - Om Mani Padme Hum  ? If not do try at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbpMxPIeVLQ

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homa_(ritual)#/media/File:(A)_Hindu_puja,_yajna,_yagna,_Havanam_in_progress.jpg B abaji was a mystic who appeared in the Nainital Himalayas between 1970 and 1984. Many believe that he was a divine being that appears repeatedly in human body since times immemorial in the Himalayas with his appearance at Haidakhan being the most recent one. While his origins must remain a mystery, there is no doubt that he added much peace, happiness and beauty in the lives of all he touched and that his life and works were magical. Haidakhan is also spelt Hairakhan because the actual consonant sound used in the word in local language does not exist in English. It is actually something that is a bit like a mix of an R and a D sound. Like many other modern Gurus, Babaji did not accumulate any wealth or luxuries, did not ask anyone to change his religion or become his exclusive follower and devotee but rather encouraged all to remain free in hear...

Jai Ma Nanda, Jai Sunanda Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi: Main and East Summits (photo: Alex Moran) With permission f rom http://www.moran-mountain.co.uk/moran-mountaineering/Nanda%20Devi%20East.htm   S ome visitors the blog may have noted that my profile name has changed from just Ashok to Ashok Babaji. There is an interesting history to this name change published in the companion blog at: http://someitemshave.blogspot.in/2017/02/babaji-what-is-in-name.html The title Babaji added to the name of person, place or some other word is often used for any person whose primary interest in life becomes the spiritual side of life rather than the material or worldly one and who has attained sufficient progress in same to be able to help others too in their spiritual evolution. Some are divine personalities who appear as humans for brief periods to share their message of love and peace with other humans. Baba Hiadakhan, or Babaji of Haidakhan/Hiarakhan of Nainital di...

Flowers for the Mother Goddess Through a life full of many events and adventures, many a time I foolishly did wrong things as perhaps most of us do or came close to grave danger but all those time a mysterious force, a loving hand saved me from trouble. I recognize that now as the Love of God in his various facets and manifestations, a prominent one among them being Naini Mata, the goddess of Nainital. The Infinite Almighty has no form that can be comprehended but those who love him have tried to do so in various names, forms and symbols. This is perfectly all right as long as one realizes that God is not limited to that name and form but it is just one of his infinite facets. As a female or as the female side of the Lord who is neither male nor female, humans recognize the Almighty as the Mother Goddess. The Mother Goddess too has an infinite number of shapes and forms and a devotee may choose any that he or she becomes familiar with. In the Himalayas the mother god...

Jai Shri Hanuman E ver since Nainital was established as a town and district in the Central Himalayas more than a century ago during the days of the British Empire, bureaucrats, politicians, mystics and others of Nainital have exerted their influence on the affairs of humanity across the planet. This year 2016, some watched American elections with much interest because being the largest economy and military power in the world, its influence on all humans across the planet, not just in America, is huge. The clear favorite of most was Bernie Sanders at first because in his words were the messages of love, truth and simplicity so loved by Baba Hairakhan, the most recent divine manifestation in the district of Nainital in human form. However, later, when he dropped out of the race, the choice of many fell on Donald Trump even though he is new  and unconventional as a politician and that causes fear of uncertain outcomes for many. However in him was hope of a break from man...

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 ...

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 char...