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According to Hindu mythology, all animals were created by the god Shiva who simply assumed their particular asana or stances. Due to their divine origin, most animals are considered sacred, though in varying degrees. Most sacred are cows, which are considered the symbol of an all-sustaining mother goddess. Snakes are also sacred, especially the mighty cobra, which is closely associated with Shiva. Even rats are sacred—up to a point—as a rat is the faithful 'vehicle' (vahana) of the elephant-headed god Ganesh.
The Seto (Shveta) Machindranath, the 'White Machindranath', also known as Janabaha Dyo, was built during the 16th and 17th centuries, and is frequented by Buddhists as well as Hindus, the Buddhists regarding Machindranath as an incarnation of the Avalokiteshvara while the Hindus regard him as a manifestation of Shiva.<br/><br/> Renovated and altered in the 17th and 19th centuries, the temple is surrounded by a number of small stupas, and its roof is capped with a particularly ornate pinnacle. The figure housed in the temple was discovered near Rani Pokhri, the Queen’s Pond, and every year in March or April it is carried in an exuberant chariot procession around the streets of Kathmandu. One of the spots visited during the procession is the place of its discovery. The festival usually lasts four days, but if some bad omen should occur, for example the breaking of one of the chariot wheels, the festival is easily, and joyfully, prolonged.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.
Durga Puja, also referred to as Durgotsava or Sharadotsav is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijayadashami.<br/><br/> The Durga Puja festival marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, the Durga Puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil. In Bengal, Durga is worshipped as Durgotinashini, the destroyer of evil and the protector of her devotees.
Durga Puja, also referred to as Durgotsava or Sharadotsav is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijayadashami.<br/><br/> The Durga Puja festival marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, the Durga Puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil. In Bengal, Durga is worshipped as Durgotinashini, the destroyer of evil and the protector of her devotees.
Māgha Pūjā or Makha Bucha (Lao: ມະຄະບູຊາ; Thai: มาฆบูชา (Pronunciation); Khmer: ​មាឃបូជា) is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). The third lunar month is known in the Thai language as Makha (Pali: Māgha); Bucha is also a Thai word (Pali: Pūjā), meaning 'to venerate' or 'to honor'. As such, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.<br/><br/> Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Māgha Pūjā or Makha Bucha (Lao: ມະຄະບູຊາ; Thai: มาฆบูชา (Pronunciation); Khmer: ​មាឃបូជា) is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). The third lunar month is known in the Thai language as Makha (Pali: Māgha); Bucha is also a Thai word (Pali: Pūjā), meaning 'to venerate' or 'to honor'. As such, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.<br/><br/> Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Māgha Pūjā or Makha Bucha (Lao: ມະຄະບູຊາ; Thai: มาฆบูชา (Pronunciation); Khmer: ​មាឃបូជា) is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). The third lunar month is known in the Thai language as Makha (Pali: Māgha); Bucha is also a Thai word (Pali: Pūjā), meaning 'to venerate' or 'to honor'. As such, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.<br/><br/> Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is located in the royal palace complex and houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Māgha Pūjā or Makha Bucha (Lao: ມະຄະບູຊາ; Thai: มาฆบูชา (Pronunciation); Khmer: ​មាឃបូជា) is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). The third lunar month is known in the Thai language as Makha (Pali: Māgha); Bucha is also a Thai word (Pali: Pūjā), meaning 'to venerate' or 'to honor'. As such, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.<br/><br/> Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Raksha Bandhan, (the bond of protection) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival primarily observed in India, Mauritius and Nepal, which celebrates the relationship between brothers (shaurya), cousins and sisters (shreya). It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India. The festival is observed by Hindus, Jains, and some Sikhs.<br/><br/> In times past Rajput queens practised the custom of sending rakhi threads to neighbouring rulers as token of brotherhood and good will. Even today, in many cities across the country, Hindu girls tie rakhi on the wrist of youths they consider their brothers. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called Jina (Conqueror or Victor). Jainism is also referred to as Shraman (self-reliant) Dharma or the religion of Nirgantha (who does not have attachments and aversions) by ancient texts. Jainism is commonly referred to as Jain Dharma in Hindi and Samanam in Tamil.<br/><br/> Jain doctrine teaches that Jainism has always existed and will always exist, although historians date the foundation of organized or the present form of Jainism to sometime between the 9th and the 6th centuries BC. It has been hypothesized that like several traditions in Hinduism, proto-Jainism may have had its roots in the Indus valley civilization, reflecting native spirituality prior to the Indo-Aryan migration into India. In the modern world, it is a small but influential religious minority with as many as 4.2 million followers in India,and successful growing immigrant communities in North America, Western Europe, the Far East, Australia and elsewhere.
Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening.<br/><br/> Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or "Sisakayamunee" which was moved from Sukhothai province.