INCREDIBLE INDIA

Se La (La = Pass), Arunachal Pradesh: 4170 m (13,700 ft)
Temperature can go down to as low as -10 degree Celsius in the Winter!

According to legend, a sepoy of the Indian Army named Jaswant Singh Rawat fought alone against the Chinese soldiers near the pass during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. A tribal woman who had brought food and water to him is said to have killed herself upon seeing the dead body of Jaswant Singh rawath . Singh was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his courage

One of the highest motorable mountain passes of the world. The pass connects the Buddhist city of Tawang Town (78 Km) to Tezpur and Guwahati (340 Km).

This place is snowed in most of the year and offers excellent and heavenly views all year round. This part of the Eastern Himalayan range is pretty special for the Buddhists as it is believed that about 101 lakes exist in and around Sela pass and each of these lakes has a huge religious significance for the Buddhist community

While Sela Pass does get heavy snow in winters, it is usually open throughout the year unless landslides or snow require the pass to be shut down temporarily. Sela Pass is the main route to access Tawang town, and given the proximity of Tawang District with Tibet. (I LOVE MY INDIA)

Why do we do Om Namah Shivaya chanting? And why we do it 108 times?

Why do we do Om Namah Shivaya chanting? And why we do it 108 times?

Namah, read backwards is manah, the mind which is directed outwards and confused, dull, etc. you turn the mind inwards, it becomes Namah, and when you go inwards, what do you find? Shiva! The embodiment of Bliss, peace and tranquility... So we chant the Om Namah Shivaya to turn ourselves inwards to the Bliss and tranquility of the Being.

Other than this there are 3 more reasons:

1. Like we take a bath everyday (hopefully ), and that cleans our physical body, we need to take a “mantrasnaan”, a bath with mantras, this rejuvenates and cleanses our subtle body.

2. There are 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets. As the 9 planets move through the 12 signs, their positions affect us either negatively or positively. Chanting the Om Namah Shivaya 108 times (12 x 9 = 108 duh!), nullifies any negative effects and enhances positive effects of the planets on us! You will suddenly find yourself becoming very lucky and notice that things that were troubling you will simply vanish

3. Chanting Om Namah Shivaya is sooooooo nice!!!

Make this a part of your Sadhana everyday. It doesn’t take more than about 10 minutes or so... and you will really feel very nice

Happy Chanting

What are the benefits of prayer?

What are the benefits of prayer?

1.) Enhances the potency of chanting the Name of God: A seeker chants the Name of God with the aim of realising God. Only if accompanied by intense motivation for God realisation and spiritual emotion will the Name repeated (chanted) be truly effective. Repeated prayers about being graced with quality chanting, along with chanting the Name of God, helps in generation of spiritual emotion and makes our chanting reach God.

2.) Divine help in spiritual practice: When a seeker sincerely prays to God to get a particular action/thought/attitude pertaining to his spiritual practice, done through him (the seeker), a seemingly impossible task is easily accomplished by the Guru’s grace.

3.) Reducing the ego: While praying we plead before God; it is therefore the place where pride is abandoned and we humbly admit our need/human frailty as well as our dependence upon God. It therefore helps to reduce the ego faster. Refer to importance of prayer.

4.) Increase in faith: When a prayer gets answered, faith in God or the Guru increases. Faith is the only currency on our spiritual journey.

Hanuman Chalisa:

Hanuman Chalisa:

Shree Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Man Mukar Sudhari,
Barnau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu, Jo dayaku Phal Chari

I am cleaning the mirror that is my mind with the dust from the feet of Gurudeva and I am now beginning the praise of Lord Rama who has given me four fruits – righteous path, money earned through noble means, happiness and freedom from worldly attachments.

Budhi heen Tanu Janike, Sumirow Pavan Kumar,
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Bikaar

My knowledge is limited Oh, son of Vayu ! I meditate upon you ! Bestow me with strength, intelligence,true realisation.Release me from all the miseries in life, O hanuman !

Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar
Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagaar

Victory to Lord Hanuman – the ocean of wisdom and virtue; Victory to the Lord of monkeys who is well known in all the three worlds.

Ramdoot Atulit Bal Dhamaa,
Anjani Putra Pavansut naamaa.

Oh, the messenger of Lord Ram – you are the repository of immeasurable strength, you are the son of the great woman Anjanai – you are also known as the son of the wind.

Mahabeer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi.

You are valiant and brave, with immense physical strength.You drive away evil thoughts. You are a companion of good and noble thoughts.

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesaa,
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.

Lord Hanuman’s physique is golden colored. He wears a pretty dress and is wearing ear-rings that have matchless brilliance.His hair is wavy and beautiful.

Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birajei,
Kandhe Moonj Janeu saajai.

Hanumanji is holding a lighting bolt in one hand and a banner in the other ; a sacred thread is dangling from his shoulder

Shankar Suvana Kesari Nandan,
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan.

Hanumanji is a form of Lord Shiva ; The world bows down in front of your tejas (brilliance/effulgence) and courage. Lord Hanuman’s biological father is Kesari – who was leader of the vanar sena. Vayu Bhagwan is Hanumanji’s spiritual father.

Vidyavaan Guni Ati Chatur,
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur

Lord Hanuman- the intelligent being with a noble character and a sharp intellect is forever waiting to serve Lord Rama.

Prabhu Charittra Sunibe Ko Rasiya,
Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya.

You delight in listening to the glory of Lord Rama through details about Sri Ram’s life story and character sketch. You forever dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram-Sita and Shri Lakshman.

Sukshma roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhawa,
Bikat roop Dhari Lank Jarawa

While appearing before Sita Maiiya you appeared in a diminutive form but when you set Lanka on fire, you assumed a dreadful form.

Bhim roop Dhari Asur Sanhare,
Ramchandra Ke kaaj Savare.

Assuming a gigantic form, you decimated all the demons ! In doing so, you fulfilled the wish of Lord Sri ram.

Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye,
Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye.

O Hanuman ! When you revived Lakshman back to Life using the magical Sanjeevani herb by carrying the entire mountain , how Lord Ram embraced you with so much happiness !

Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badaai,
Tum Mama Priya Bharat Sam Bai.

So impressed was Lord Ram with you that he praised your virtues and added that you were as dear to him as his brother Bharath.

Sahasa Badan Tumharo Yash Gaavai,
Asa kahi Shripati Kanth Laagavai.

Embracing Hanumanji, Lord Sriram said – let Adisesha (the serpent with the thousand heads) sing your glory.

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa,
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa

Sages like Sanak , Devas like Lord Brahma, the great hermit Narad and Goddess Saraswati along with Sheshnag, the cosmic serpent, are not able to sing the glories of Hanumanji perfectly.

Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te,
Kabi Kobid Kahin Sakai Kahan Te

Lord Yama, Kuber, poets and scholars – even they are unable to describe the glory of Hanumanji.

Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Keenha,
Ram Milai Rajpad Deenha

Hanumanji! You helped Sugriva in the nick of the time and gave back his kingdom by introducing him to Lord Ram .


Tumharo Mantro Vibhishan Maana,
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana.

It is known to all that Vibhishan followed your advice and became the King Of Lanka.

Yug Sahastra Yojan Par Bhaanu,
Leelyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu

You gulped the SUN who was at a distance of sixteen thousand miles , THINKING it to be a sweet fruit.

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukha Maahee,
Jaladhi Landhi Gaye Acharaj Nahee.

Carrying the Lord's ring in his mouth, you crossed the ocean. This is no surprise considering you are the mighty Hanuman !

Durgam Kaj Jagat Ke Jethe
Sugam Anugrah Tumhare TeTe.

Oh Hanumanji! Your grace will pave the way for successful completion of even the toughest tasks.

Ram Duware Tum Rakhavare,
Hot Na Aagya Bin Paisare.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the sentinel at the door of Ram's divine abode. No one can enter his abode without your permission.

Sab Sukh Lahen Tumhari Sarna,
Tum Rakshak Kaahu Ko Darnaa.

Those who surrender to you benefit immensely ! Why fear when you are the protector ?

Aapan Tej Samharo Aapei,
Tenau Lok Hank Te Kanpei

All the three worlds tremble when you roar ; only you can control your might.

Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Avei,
Mahabir Jab Naam Sunavei.

The Ghosts, Demons & evil spirits dare not come near your
devotees.

Nashai Rog Harai Sab Peera,
Japat Niranter Hanumat Beera

Disease and difficulties vanish when your name is chanted incessantly !

Sankat Se Hanuman Chhudavei,
Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavei.

Those who remember Hanumanji in thought, word and deed are freed from their troubles.

Sab par Ram Tapasvee Raja
Tinke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja

Lord Ram blesses those who seek his grace and you are fulfilling the commands of Sri Ram sincerely.

Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lavai,
Tasu Amit Jivan Phal Pavai

Desires of devotees are fulfilled by you and they benefit from the eternal grace of the Lord.

Charo Yug Partap Tumhara,
Hai Parasiddha Jagat Ujiyara.

The name of Hanuman is known across the Universe ; Your glory is being sung in all the four yugs – namely Satya, Thretha, Dwabar, Kali.

Sadhu Sant Ke Tum Rakhvare,
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare.

Oh Hanumanji! O, guardian angel of saints and sages and destroyer of all the Demons, you are the one whom Shri Ram is so fond of.

Ashta Siddhi Nawa Nidhi Ke Data,
Asa Bar Din Janki Mata.

Hanumanji – you have been blessed with mother Janki that you may bestow to those who pray to you, eight types of Sidhis and nine kinds of funds .

Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa,
Sadaa Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.

Forever a servant of Lord Sri Ram, the essence of devotion to Lord Ram lies within you.

Tumhare Bhajan Ramko Paavai
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisravei.

The sufferings of several past births are wiped out by praying to you, Lord Hanuman. A hymn sung in your praise pleases Lord Rama.

Anta Kaal Raghupati Pur Jai,
Jahan Janmi Hari Bhakta Kahai.

After death he enters the eternal abode of Sri Ram and remains his devotee Whenever he takes birth on earth.

Aur Devata Chitt Na Dharai,
Hanumant Sei Sarva Sukh Karai

Praying to Hanumanji alone will give all happiness.

Sankat Hare Mitey Sab Peera,
Jo Sumirei Hanumant Balbeera

You end the sufferings, sorrows and remove all the pain from those who remember you.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai
Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Naiee

Hail-Hail-Hail-Lord Hanumanji! I beseech you to bless me in the capacity of my supreme 'GURU' (teacher).

Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Joi,
Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi.

Anyone who recites this Hanuman Chalisa one hundred times daily is free from the bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.

Jo Yah Padhe Hanuman Chalisa,
Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa

Those who recite the Hanuman Chalisa, will be showered with grace by Lord Shiva.

Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera,
Keeje Nath Hriday Mah Dera

Tulsidas , always the servant of Lord prays. "Oh my Lord! May you reside in my heart forever !

Pavanathanai Sankatharan, mangala murthi roop
Ram Lakhan Seeta Sahith, Hriday basahu Surbhoop.

Lord Hanuman – the son of Vayu, the one who removes all obstacles and the one who has an auspicious form - Let Lord Hanuman reside in my heart along with Sri Ram, Lakshman and Sita