Circumambulation around a sacred object or an idol of a god is an important custom in Hinduism, but Hindus do only half pradakshina around a Shiva lingam. A Shiva lingam is an anionic representation of Lord Shiva. In this article, we will try to understand the reason behind this custom. A Few Things to Note: … Read more

Some religious scriptures allow widow remarriage in Hinduism under certain conditions, while some discourage it. There is definite evidence that remarriage was in practice in India around or before the time of the Mahabharata, but the practice slowly ceased to exist with the advancement of time. A widow’s marriage was considered an unforgivable sin during … Read more

Parikrama (circumambulation) or Pradakshina is a ritual in Hinduism and some other religions in which a person circumambulates around a person or a thing in a clockwise direction. It is done around idols, temples, trees/plants, rivers, mountains, persons, and other objects. Meaning of the Words Parikrama and Pradakshina: ‘Pari’ in Sanskrit means ‘around,’ and ‘Krama’ … Read more

There are eight types of marriage in Hinduism per the Hindu Dharmashastras. They are mentioned in the Manusmriti 3.21-35. The Sanskrit word for marriage is Vivaha. It is among the 16 crucial Samskaras (rituals) in a Hindu’s life. Humans encounter different situations throughout life. In some situations, couples have to marry secretly, while some marriages … Read more