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Religion 101

Anything to do with religion, morality, belief and God

Malaysia 101: The Majestic Batu Caves: History, Celebrations and the Giant Lord Murugan Statue

Batu Caves Thaipusam Old Photo Religion Hindu Malaysia India

In the 1950s, was already a significant site for the community in , with the annual festival being celebrated since the late 19th century. The caves, with their stunning natural limestone formations, had been a place of worship and pilgrimage for decades. During this time, the area surrounding Batu Caves began to develop, although it was not as built up as it is today. The iconic Murugan statue that now stands at the entrance had not yet been constructed; it would become a later addition that further solidified the caves’ status as a religious landmark. Image source: Astro Ulagam

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Religion 101: Divine Hindu Deities and Their Powerful Symbolism

Batu Caves Muruigan Hindu God Gold Hindu Deities

One of the main of Nadu, Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is associated with war and victory. Murugan’s is rich and varied, often depicted with six heads to see in all directions and twelve hands, riding a peacock, his vahana. He carries the Vel, a spear given by his mother, symbolizing his role as a divine warrior. Image source: iStock Photo

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History 101: The Legacy of Swami Vivekananda, His Teachings and Relevance in the Modern World

Swami Vivekananda Ashram Brickfields Tun Sambanthan History Indian India

The Vivekananda Ashram, located in the vibrant Brickfields area of Kuala Lumpur, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Swami Vivekananda, a revered leader and social reformer. Established in 1904 by Sri Lankan immigrants, the ashram commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s visit to in 1893. Image source: Coconuts

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 4 – Modern Findings & Evidences

Mahabharata Bhagavad Gita Kurukshetra War

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita is a central text of and a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is presented as a dialogue between the prince Arjuna and the Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. This dialogue occurs on the battlefield just before the start of a great war, where Arjuna is in a moral crisis about the violence and death the war will cause. The Gita addresses the concepts of duty and righteousness, and it has been revered for its teachings on how to live a just , pursue enlightenment, and understand the nature of the universe. Image source: Kobo

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 3 – The Brutal & Decisive Kurukshetra War

Kurukshetra War Hindu Mahabharata India History Religion

The Kurukshetra War, central to the epic Mahabharata, was a colossal battle fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, two factions of a royal family vying for the throne of Hastinapura. The battle took place at Kurukshetra, Haryana, , just over 100 km north of New Dehli, on the way to Chandigarh. This war also serves as the backdrop for the sacred Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna imparts wisdom to the warrior Arjuna. Image source: Krishna Culture

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 2 – The Essential Protagonists

Pandava Mahabharata India Hindu Hinduism

In the 2013 television adaptation of the Mahabharata, titled ‘Mahabharat’, the epic’s narrative centers around the Pandavas, consisting of the five brothers Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, along with their shared spouse, Draupadi. This retelling brings to the ancient tale, weaving the complex relationships and moral dilemmas faced by these central characters. Image source: Pinterest

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 1 – The Beginning Of An Ancient History

Religion Mahabharata History Hindu Deepavali

Lord Krishna is a pivotal figure in , revered as the eighth avatar of the Vishnu and also worshipped as a supreme in his own right. His and teachings are celebrated in various texts, most notably the Mahabharata, where he serves as a charioteer and guide to the prince Arjuna, imparting the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. Image source: Oleg Churakov on Unsplash

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Religion 101: Understanding the 10 Types of Sins in Hindu Philosophy

Temple USA Religion Sins

In philosophy, the concept of , known as “paap,” plays a significant role in shaping one’s moral and conduct. According to the Smritis, there are ten types of sins categorized into three groups. Image source: Merchant Circle

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Religion 101: The Battle Of The Ancient Rama Temple in Ayodhya

Temple Hindu Hinduism India

The Rama in holds immense religious and historical significance for millions of Hindus around the world. The temple is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, a revered in . However, the of the Rama Temple has been marred by legal disputes and controversies that have spanned several decades. Image source: vatra voda on Unsplash

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Religion 101: Mahatma Gandhi’s Favourite, Powerful Ram Dhun Bhajan

ram dhun bhajan mahatma gandhi louis fisher history richard attenborough

I still remember that I was still in primary school when Richard Attenborough’s movie was shown in the local cinemas but we did not have the chance to watch it in the local cinemas. It is also well that the Mahatma is a firm believer in Lord Rama to the point, that his last words after he was shot dead were alleged to be “Hey Ram”. Image Source: dailyoffice.com.

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Religion 101: Everyone’s Protective, Brave Guardian Warriors

Marmadesam Vidaathu Karuppu Warrior Religion K Balachander

I trust in every or society, there always been some form of guardian angels or warriors who will either looks after you personally, family or even a specific village and so on.

When I was in Cambodia on a work assignment, one of the things I did after I came back to the hotel and had my dinner is to watch an old serial titled “Marmadesam Vidaathu Karuppu” which has a few interesting subplots. Image source: Kavithalayaa

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Religion 101: An Uplifting Journey Of An Agnostic Atheist

pray science covid19 pandemic outbreak

(A simple question – in light of COVID19 pandemic on the loose on a global scale, when was the last time you saw or religious miracle workers healed an infected patient? In the end, it is modern , medical advances and a good dose of common sense that prevailed. Image source: Facebook)

Well, I am not sure if there is a term called an atheist when it comes to religion & beliefs. Anyway, when one talks about religion or their beliefs, it has always been my personal contention that it should be something personal – just between you and the Al-Mighty and such beliefs should not be forced onto others.

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