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The Shrine of Sultan Sahib (Sultan Darvesh) at Hakura Badasgam, Anantnag

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A 20th century Sufi known as Sheikh Muhammad Sultan used to live in a small village in Anantnag, the Kashmir valley called Hakura Badasgam. He has achieved miraculous status throughout the Kashmir area as well as outside of it as one of its prophets. Baba Sultan is classified as a Qalandar (one of 4 categories of Sufis). The Qalandars lived their lives wholly devoted to God by following Him alone and not following social customs (that is, the accepted rules of society) as a matter of course, except where doing so might violate the Shari'ah (that is, the universal law of God). (The differences in behaviour, dress, and objects carried by Qalandars has been used as an excuse to consider Qalandars to be separate from others.) There exists a considerable amount of literature concerning Qalandars in languages other than English such as Urdu (the principal native language of Pakistan), Persian (the principal native language of Iran), and Arabic (the principal native language of Saudi Arab...
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Exploring the most sacred 'Aap Shambhu Temple'

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Jammu is Known as City of Temples because of various shrines and temples located in the region. Jammu is also known as the winter capital of the erstwhile state of J&K. This city is the second most populous city of the Union Territory and there are many ancient temples and Hindu shrines in the region which makes the city most famous and popular. Among these sacred places and holy temples, one such temple is 'Aap Shambhu Temple' which is believed to be the ancient temple and most sacred place, frequently visited by the Hindus, for seeking blessings of the almighty.  Aap Shambhu Temple, located in the Roop Nagar Chinore area of Jammu, is a revered ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is renowned for its self-manifested (Svayambhu) Shiva Linga, which is believed to have naturally emerged from the earth. According to local legend, in ancient times, the area surrounding the temple was a dense forest. It is said that cows and buffaloes would spontaneously offer thei...
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Spiritual/Religious Significance of Chanting Om Namah Shivaya

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                                                                    The spiritual and religious importance of the cosmic mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" cannot be exaggerated as this mahamantra forms the core of Hinduism which sanatan Dharma is referred. It is the mantra recited at the birth and death of an individual and it is rightly called Aadi ta Annt. Every Sanatan ritual begins and ends with the chanting of Aum Namah Shivaya or Hari Om and it clearly shows the significance of this great and miraculous mantra. Chanting of Aum Namah Shivaya in fact leads to the salvation of the human beings and it is believed that this mantra liberates the man/women and one is destined to navigate the ocean of samsara and reach the safe and divine destination. Thus the chanting of this cosmic mantra results in the liberation of the human...
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The Essence of Navratri: Devotion, Dance, and Divine Blessings

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  The word Navratri originates from a sanskrit word 'ratri' which means night and 'nava' meaning nine. Sharada Navaratri is considered very sacred and auspicious, for this is the time when all the divine forces are at their highest level of percipience. During the Navaratri time, the divine Mother is worshipped in Her various forms such as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Though Goddess is one, she is represented and worshipped in these different essential aspects.  However, Navratri festival is celebrated twice in a year,  once as Chiatra navratri and then as Sharad navratri. Both navratri’s are celebrated with great devotion and traditional gaiety. The underlying essence and spirit is the celebration ,respect and reverence to feminine power which is the cause and action of the universe. Thus navtatri is dedicated to the importance of feminine power without which we cannot think of the universe. Therefore by celebrating the navratri’s, we actually celebrate feminine power...
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