Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Coffee production in India Did you know that coffee production in India started when Baba Budan, while on a pilgrimage, smuggled seven coffee beans from Yemen by concealing them around his waist, and planted them in Karnataka? Coffee production in India is dominated in the hill tracts of South Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The total production of coffee in India was 349 thousand metric tons for fiscal year 2022. The country exports over 70% of its production. Indian coffee is the best shade grown coffee in the world. Coffee growing has a long history that is attributed first to Ethiopia and then to Arabia (Yemen). The earliest history is traced to 875 AD according to the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, and the original source to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) from where it was brought to Arabia in the 15th century. In the Indian context, coffee growing started in 1670 with an Indian Muslim saint, Baba Budan, who, while returning from...

Guruvayur Temple - Part 2, Architecture and worship practices Did you know that in the Sree Kovil or Garba Griha of the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, where the idol of Lord Krishna is defied, the two doors and the roof are covered by gold and with exqusite mural paintings on its walls? Guruvayur Temple originally built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and consecrated with Lord Krishna called Guruvayurappan (four-armed form of the Lord Vishnu ), has under gone many changes over the centuries but retaining the Kerala architectural style of sloped pyramidal roofing fitted with copper plates.   The Guruvayur temple, built according to Kerala's temple Vastuvidya, and called Bhuloka Vaikunta" meaning the "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth"., faces the East direction has two Gopurams (towers), one at East (Kizhakkenada) and other at West (Padinjarenada); the entire area between these two towers is roofed with tiles and known as Anapanthal. The hol...

Guruvayur Temple - Part 1 background and ancient legends  Did you know that the Guruvayur Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna popularly known in Kerala as Guruvaurappan , was established in the 8th century of Adi Shankaracharya at Guruvayur town? The Guruvayur Temple established in Guruvayur town in Thrissur District, of Kerala dedicated to Lord Krishna, the eigth incarnation (avatara) of Lord Vishnu. is also popularly called Guruvayurappan in Kerala. The historical belief is that Adi Shankaracharya (788-820) , the propounder of Advaita Philosophy, found the idol of Lord Krishna, a swamyamvyakta (self revealed) image, while he was travelling in the Guruvayur area. Shankaracharya then built a temple in Guruvayur and consecrated the Krishna idol, and started regular worship of the idol. This temple now one of the most famous Hindu temples is often referred to as "Bhooloka Vaikuntam" which translates to the holy abode of Vishnu on Earth. It is a mahakshetram - a great temple, ...

Sharanagati, surrender unto the Lord Did you know that Sharanagati, surrender unto the Lord is a Vedic and Puranic scriptural tradition, a philosophical theme, available to all castes, which is the only easy method of attaining salvation and preventing rebirth? Sharanagati, also spelled Saranagati, in Vedic and Puranic scriptural tradition, a philosophical theme, a Sanskrit usage which is means of attaining spiritual realization. It is self surrender, perfect resignation of oneself to the Divine - Narayana-Krishna - in the tradition of Sri Vaishnavism and Vaishnavism. It signifies an integral dedication of the body , mind and the soul at the altar of Divine Dispensation. Namaha signifies Sharanagathi . This one word signifies the entire wisdom of Vedanta as it prescribes the self - offering of the Jiva to the Paramatman.  The process of Sharanagati forms the basis of devotion to Vishnu in the bhakti traditions within the Sri Sampradaya, propounded by Sri ...

What is Pongal? Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on the fourteenth of January every year. Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the sun.   All important events are scheduled during this period. Makara Sankranthi refers to the event of the Sun entering the zodiac sign of Makara or Capricorn. In Hindu temples bells, drums, clarinets and conch shells herald the joyous occasion of Pongal. To symbolize a bountiful harvest, rice is cooked in new pots until they boil over. Some of the rituals performed in the temple include the preparation of rice, the chanting of prayers and the offering of vegetables, sugar cane and spices to the gods. Devotees then consume the offerings to exonerate themselves of past sins. Pongal signals the end of the ...