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EXPLAINED: Mahishasura - The Real Truth

Why Even Wise People Fall Into Mahamaya's Illusion

Have you ever wondered why you keep thinking about someone who betrayed you, even when you know they were wrong? You tell yourself to move on, yet your mind returns to the same memories again and again. According to the Durga Saptashati, this is not simply weakness or attachment. It…

MyLifeXP

Why Did Shiva Grant Boons Even to Those Who Would Misuse Them?

Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity, is paradoxically also the most compassionate. He is known as Ashutosh, the one who is easily pleased. Legends repeatedly show him granting powerful boons to sages, devas, and asuras alike, often without judging their future intentions. This creates an enduring mythological puzzle.…

MyLifeXP

Why Every Chandi Path Begins With Devi Kavach

Most devotees know that Devi Kavach is recited before the Durga Saptashati and Chandi Path. But very few stop to ask a fascinating question. Why does the prayer repeatedly request the Goddess to protect every part of the body our head, eyes, hands, shoulders, heart, knees, feet, and even our…

MyLifeXP

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Is This Peaceful Prayer Actually an 18-Day War Story?

What if a song you’ve heard countless times isn’t just music, but a hidden war story? What if every verse carries the echo of an 18-day battle where power, patience, and purpose collide? Aigiri Nandini is not just something you sing it’s something you experience. Beneath its rhythm lies a…

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Durga Saptashati Mantra for Health, Peace & Protection

Goddess Durga is worshipped as the principal warrior Goddess in Hinduism. Indeed, Durga Devi represents the supreme feminine energy or Shakti and the prevalence of good over evil. She killed the strong, shape-shifting buffalo demon Mahishasura, in order to create balance throughout the universe. As a result of this act…

Times Life

Most Powerful Durga Mantra for Chaitra Navratri 2026

Hindu devotees all over the world are honouring Durga Maa through fasting and religious rituals, celebrating the 9-day long festival of Chaitra Navratri. This is the time period in which goodness prevails over evil as a result of the boundless cosmic energy of Durga Devi. Therefore, we extol the Goddess’…

Times Life

Do You Know the Secret Story of Maa Durga’s Lion Companion?

Have you ever wondered why Maa Durga rides a lion and not any other animal? It’s not just a symbol of power. There’s a hidden story, filled with devotion, patience, and divine purpose, that most people don’t know. From fierce battles against demons to a silent moment of patience during…

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Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Puja & Spiritual Significance

Chaitra Navratri is one of the most spiritually significant Hindu festival which honours Durga Maa, the Divine Feminine, lasting throughout 9 days in March. Marking the starting point of the New Year according to Hindu traditions, this festival gifts us an excellent opportunity for deep inner purification and for worshipping…

Times Life

Did Shiva and Vishnu Really Have a Son? The Hidden Truth

What if I told you Shiva and Vishnu had a son? Sounds impossible, right? Yet, ancient mythology tells a story of cosmic necessity, divine strategy, and miraculous birth. After Mahishasura’s death, his wife granted a boon that only Shiva-Vishnu’s son could kill her wreaked havoc across the three worlds. Both…

MyLifeXP

Why Does Durga Represent the Balance Between Compassion and Power?

At first glance, the image of Goddess Durga seems full of contradictions. She rides a lion, holds powerful weapons, and defeats terrifying demons. Yet millions of devotees call her “Maa,” the loving mother. How can the same divine figure represent both fierce power and deep compassion? This question has fascinated…

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6 Famous Shakti Peethas in South India

“या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्ति रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥” There are temples you visit… and then there are temples that stay with you. The Shakti Peethas belong to the second kind. Born from the story of Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva’s unimaginable grief, these sacred sites are believed…

Times Life

Who Are the 9 Avatars of Goddess Parvati in Navratri?

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥ For nine nights, we worship. But very few understand what is unfolding. Navratri is not about nine decorations, nine fasts, or nine rituals. It is a journey of power, revealed day by day. Each sunrise introduces a new form, not…

Times Life

Photos of a Hindu goddess' idols being handcrafted for the Durga festival in India

Leaning on his 10-armed creation, Govind Nath is ready to breathe life into the Hindu goddess Durga, a beloved deity who will be revered by tens of thousands of worshippers during the Durga Puja festival.

The Independent UK

75+ Happy Dussehra messages, greetings, wishes and quotes for 2024

Durga Puja celebrations have begun. Such a rich heritage and tradition beautifully unite every citizen of the country as a celebration. A symbol of the victory of good over evil, it pays tribute to Goddess Durga. The festival depicts how the Goddess gains victory over the demon king Mahishasura, where…

The Times of India

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The Conversation

Durga Puja festival: where it originated and how it’s celebrated

Every October, Kolkata, the “city of joy” and capital of West Bengal in India, lights up to celebrate Durga Puja. The festival is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga – daughter, mother, warrior and defeater of demons.

The Hindu

District administration denies permission for Nanjangud bandh today

The Mysuru district administration has refused permission for Nanjangud bandh called by a group comprising devotees of Srikanteshwara Temple to protest the alleged disruption of traditional rituals of the temple during the recent Andhakasurana Vadhe.

The Hindu

Curtains come down on Dasara festivities in Ongole

Ongole celebrated Dasara with grand 'Kalaram' processions from temples dedicated to the mother goddess. Devotees rejoiced the decimation of Mahishasura, with artistes dressed like gods and goddesses leading the colourful processions. Special prayers were offered to the Jammi Chettu tree, while girls performed Kolatam and Kuchipudi ballet. Bapatla SP and…

The Hindu

Durga Puja celebrated

Bangiya Samithi celebrates Durga Puja in city with religious fervour. Giant idol of Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura installed at Leela Channaiah Kalyan Mantap. Deity flanked by other gods from pantheon, 10-armed Durga captivating. Celebrations commenced on Oct 20 with Shasti Puja, special rites on Oct 21 for Sapthami, Maha Ashtami…

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The Hindu

Security measure ensures no untoward incident during Mahisha Utsava

Police avert Mysurua face-off between BJP and Mahisha Dasara organisers. Prohibitory orders imposed, Chamundi Hills out of bounds. Mahisha Utsava held peacefully at Town Hall to reclaim history. Speakers argued Mahisha was Buddhist king, Buddha despised by Brahmins. Jnanaprakash said Buddhism had transformative power. Event also to commemorate Dr. Ambedkar's…

The Hindu

Mahisha Dasara: Protest against Pratap Simha in Mysuru

Protestors in Mysuru gathered at Ashoka Circle to demand permission to celebrate Mahisha Dasara. They formed a human chain and erected a portrait of Mahishasura, while showering flower petals and shouting slogans against BJP MP Pratap Simha. The police had denied permission for both Mahisha Dasara and Chamundi Chalo march…

The Hindu

Permission denied for Mahisha Dasara and Chamundi Betta Chalo events

Mysuru City Police denies permission for Mahisha Dasara & Chamundi Betta Chalo march on Oct 13 due to threat to peace & law & order. BJP MP Pratap Simha opposes Mahisha Dasara & calls for march to Chamundi Hills. KPCC spokesperson questions MP's opposition & accuses him of fomenting trouble.

The Hindu

District administration will take decision on Mahisha Dasara celebrations, says CM

CM Siddaramaiah says decision on Mahisha Dasara celebrations to be taken by district admin. Organisers plan bike rally, cultural prog. Former Mayor Purushotham, Gyanprakash Swamiji, writers Bhavavan & Chamaram call for peaceful celebration.

The Hindu

Mahisha Dasara to be celebrated on October 13

Mahisha Dasara, a celebration pitting BJP against organisers, will be held on Oct 13 with a seminar on Oct 10 to take a 'historical perspective' of Mahisha. State govt has given consent and police cooperation is expected. 5,000 people from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan to attend.

The Hindu

Mahisha Dasara planned on October 13

Days after Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa clarified that the Congress government will not come in the way of the Constitutional right to freedom of religious practices, the organising committee of Mahisha Dasara revealed that this year’s Mahisha Dasara will be celebrated on October 13.

The Hindu

Celebration of Mahisha Dasara atop Chamundi Hills likely to be allowed this year

The Mahisha Dasara celebration, which had not been allowed atop Chamundi Hills during the just concluded BJP government’s tenure in Karnataka, is expected to be allowed in the coming Dasara season.

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