How old is the universe according to Hindu scriptures?

 

Let us reflect upon our Vedic scientific knowledge:

We often use the phrase "the Brahmanda (cosmic egg) has shattered" when a major problem arises or a significant event occurs. The Upanishads state that the universe was formed when the Brahmanda shattered.

The "Big Bang Theory" posits that the universe originated from the explosion of a fireball. According to this theory, the universe was formed 13.8 billion years ago.

Let us examine what our Vedic knowledge says. When we recite the Sankalpa (ritual vow), we say: "Shveta-Varaha-Kalpe, Vaivasvata-Manvantare, Kali-Yuge, Prathama-Pade..."

The "Shveta-Varaha-Kalpa" is the third Kalpa; this means two Kalpas have already concluded.

A single Kalpa consists of 14 Manvantaras. Our current era, the "Vaivasvata," is the seventh Manvantara; thus, six Manvantaras have already passed within the third Kalpa.

This implies that a total of 34 Manvantaras (2 × 14 + 6) have elapsed so far.

One Manvantara comprises 71 Mahayugas. A Mahayuga consists of four Yugas: Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali.

A single Mahayuga spans 4.32 million years. Therefore, one Manvantara equals 71 × 4.32 million years.

Since we have established that 34 Manvantaras have passed, the total duration is 34 × 71 × 4.32 million years, which equals 10,428.48 million years (or approximately 10.43 billion years). Since we are currently in the Kali Yuga, the Krita, Treta, and Dvapara Yugas have already passed, and 5,000 years of the Kali Yuga have elapsed. This amounts to 38.93 lakh years. Adding this figure brings the total to 104,323.73 lakh years.

It is recorded that a "Sandhi-kala" (transitional period) occurs after the completion of each Manvantara to allow for stabilization and cleaning the garbage. The duration of this period is equal to the lifespan of the Krita Yuga—that is, 17.28 lakh years. As 34 Manvantaras have passed, the total time for these transitions is 34 × 17.28 = 587.52 lakh years.

Combining all the above figures results in a total of 104,911.25 lakh years, which is approximately 1,050 crore years.

There is no consensus among scientists regarding this figure of 1380 crores; some dispute it. However, none of our sages ever declared our Vedic knowledge to be incorrect; there was no refutation—it was universally accepted.

Just as touching a single grain of rice is enough to determine if the whole pot is cooked, let us consider one aspect of Vedic knowledge. We can predict with absolute precision exactly when solar and lunar eclipses will occur—specifying the day and the exact time interval—not just for the next year or two, but even for the year 2050. This demonstrates the remarkable accuracy of our Vedic mathematical science.

What we state regarding the origin of the universe is also the truth. What room is there for doubt?.

Perhaps it was after reading about these amazing concepts that the Irish astrologer " Cheiro " described the Indian system of time calculation as "miraculous." (I mention his name because of the proverb, "A plant in one's own backyard is of no medicinal value"; since he was a foreigner—specifically of Greek origin—his words carried greater weight.)

Subhamastu

What are the lesser known facts about Hindu temples (or any other religious place)?

 Duryodhana and the 101 Kauravas temples of kerela, India

Despised in most of India, The eldest Kaurava Duryodhana has a temple in kollam which witness millions of devotees every year. Around 20 lakh devotees visit Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanda temple and offer prayers to Duryodhana and his 100 siblings including Yuyutsu who opted to join the Pandavas to fight Kauravas.

And it's not only the 101 Kauravas, Dushala(their sister), Shakuni and Karna also have temples around 50 km of radius. The Kauravas community in Kerela worship them and consider them as their ancestors.

The belief:

During the exile of Pandavas, the tired and thirsty Duryodhana, along with other Kauravas including Karna and Shakuni, approached their community to take some rest and food. They were served with palm wine and offered the village to take rest for a couple of days.

Duryodhana promised to return to their village to celebrate more days with the community, but he never returned. Assuming they all died, the villagers performed their last rites. However, they believe that his spirit still resides here as he gifted vast swathes of agricultural land to the villagers

Although, it is still to be cleared authentically that did Duryodhana ever stepped there? Faith brings love for many

Is there any mosque that looks like a Hindu temple?

 

How does this architecture look like?

A temple?

No.

It is a mosque. In fact it is one of the oldest mosques

[1]

in India, not just in India, but also one of the oldest mosques in the world as well.

It is the Kilakkarai Mosque, in Tamil Nadu. It was built in 628–630 AD and was re-constructed in 1036

[2]

.

Ibn Batutah and Murad, Sultan of Ottoman have visited this mosque.

Incredible!

Edit:

In comments section, people have asked whether it was a temple which was converted to a mosque in an invasion.

No. It wasn't. It was not a Hindu temple before. The mosque was constructed in Dravidian style.

This is Tamil Nadu!

Footnotes

[1] http://Gibb & Beckingham 1994, pp. 814–815 Vol. 4.

[2] Palaiya Jumma Palli - Wikipedia

What are the strange facts about Hindu mythology?

 Women of Substance: A journey through the Devadasis culture in India

The Devadasis culture was a prominent practice in many Southern parts of India centuries ago where the “Dasis(females) ” were served to Devs(Gods and their Wives ).

The Dasis were basically the courteans who performed dance, music and other chores within the palaces or outdoors. Such Devadasis were invited for essential rituals, royal coronations and other ceremonies including at the time of worship in temples.

The cultural practice of Devdasis was a regular practice and the inscriptions found in many temples in South India common practice in Vishnu temples dating back to A.D 966 reveal that the word Devdasi was a terminology used for talented women who belonged to lower sections of the society

The Devadasis were sophisticated, intellectual and respected in the community as they were the epitome of culture, arts and were “married to the gods”. The Devadasis during the Dwapar Yuga were served to gods and their wives including the imperial almighty. Even Lord Krishna were gifted 1001 virgin Devadasis when he was welcomed by Dhritshartra to parley the negotiations between the Kauravas and Pandavas before the war began

The concept, later was transformed to Devadasis who would not please the king and their wives anymore , but dedicate their lives to the temples by participating in music, dance forms, art and culture, but are married to gods.

What is the significance of the rat to the Hindu god Ganesha?

 The narration of Rat as the vehicle of Ganapati in Puranas, is an allegorical way of presenting a deep spiritual message. This symbolism had been derived from the Rig Veda.

Here, Ganapati is the BRAHMAN or all powerful god and rat indicates our weaknesses, which eat away our spiritual inclination/strength.

——-

Rig Veda 9.67.30

अलाय्यस्य परशुर्ननाश तमा पवस्व देव सोम । आखुं चिदेव देव सोम ॥
alāyyasya paraśur nanāśa tam ā pavasva deva soma | ākhuṃ cid eva deva soma ||

English translation:

SOMA destroyed the destructive power (axe) of the alāyya. Soma! so also (make) the rat (to disappear). By purifying yourself flow here, o DIVINE Soma.

——

alāyya indicates a destructive creature/thief that destroys/steals wealth.

A rat is a creature that operates in the dark, chewing away at foundations quietly and surreptitiously without the owner immediately noticing. This is an exact parallel to human vices—like ego, doubt, desire, and laziness, following the path of UNTRUTH—which secretly consume a person's spiritual strength/inclination.

—-

The rishi is requesting esoterically the BLISS/DIVINE SOMA to destroy the destructive power (axe) of alāyya. And, also requesting the SOMA to destroy the rat, so that the BLISS/DIVINE SOMA flows to him.

If understood properly, this Rik is advising the spiritual practitioner to get rid of vices or weaknesses, viz., ego, doubt, desire, and laziness, following the path of UNTRUTH, that stills progress in spiritual path of the individual, so that one can experience the DIVINE BLISS/SOMA.

What does the depiction of Kali with Shiva and Mahakal reveal about the roles of these deities in Hindu mythology?

 It’s a deep concept in Tantra.

The image of Goddess Kali with Shiva & Mahakal shows a very deep concept in Tantra. These 3 aren't 3 but actually 1 Ultimate Truth represented in 3 forms.

Firstly, Shiva is depicted lying down in Shavasana, above him is Mahakal who is Shiva himself but in a more intense and fierce form. Above Mahakal, it's Maa Kali who is seated.

It is actually the depiction of the energies.

Firstly, Shiva as the auspicious, benevolent one serves as the base. This is the calm, peaceful force, the Consciousness.

Above him is Mahakal, the fierce form of Shiva who is the controller of time, he is the Ultimate Ruler who brings the transformation, the necessary change and evolution. Above Mahakal is Mahakali, his Queen, the Ultimate Energy who acts as the unstoppable force who makes things happen.

Now this depiction is not about superiority of one over the other, it is the perfect depiction of the static, still Aadhara (Shiva) upon which the active forces Mahakal (Shiva) and Kali (Shakti) function.

The idea is that when you are absolutely still (Shiva), it serves as the foundation for the transformation (Mahakal) and then you turn into the unstoppable, uncontrollable force (Kali). So the peaceful, calm and stable Shiva serves as the base for the transformation (Mahakal) who then eventually becomes Mahakali. Kali (Shakti) is Shiva himself at 100% femininity (dynamic force) when Shiva puts down his masculinity to 0 level (static), the more stable and still remains, his Shakti emerges from him with more intensity.

Mahakal is the perfect balance, equilibrium between the inactive state of Shiva and the unstoppable force of Kali. The union of Shiva and Shakti is the perfect representation of the functioning of Prakriti over Purush as the Aadhara (Base).

This depiction serves as a great lesson in understanding the basic Tantra in a sense that if you want to be unstoppable in growth, if you want nothing to control you then you must have a solid base which leads you to a transformation into that powerful personality. It can be understood in this way too.

So Shiva and his Mahakal swaroop along with Kali are the forces within us that make us function properly. Without Shakti, there is no life, we would be Shava (corpse) and without Shiva, there is no stability, we’ll be wild and crazy. For functioning, Energy is needed but to hold that energy, consciousness is needed. That's the play of consciousness and energy that together make things happen properly.

Jai Mahakal 🙏 Jai Mahakali 🙏

Which Hindu god represents Thursday?

 The Indian tradition designates certain days as special because their energy and purpose differ from normal days. Thursday exists as a day that brings forth discipline, learning and future planning to people who observe it.

Hindus observe Thursday as Guruvar because they connect it to Jupiter, together with Lord Brihaspati, who serves as the divine teacher of the gods. He serves as the master of all wisdom, knowledge and directional teaching. This connection explains why Thursday serves as a day dedicated to learning with religious activities and major life choices.

People will discover an intriguing fact by observing their surroundings. Families select Thursday as their day to begin educational programs, visit temples and request blessings before making significant life choices. The practice exists as a standard, but this practice shows that people believe wisdom should guide their actions.

The original concept still exists today because people use it to interpret their present-day experiences. Indian families and businesses maintain their custom of observing Thursdays as a sacred day for making plans, signing contracts and obtaining counsel. People still use the old cultural pattern which exists in their present decision-making process.

Thursday functions as a special weekday because it brings forth knowledge together with mental clarity and purposeful guidance. Thursday teaches people to understand things before they act and to gather wisdom before they make choices.

What God's make the Hindu Trinity?

 Before the creation of Entire Universe. When there was darkness everywhere.. An absolute Shunya, nothing was there, Par Brahman (Supreme Being) divided itself into 2 Major Parts:- (Purush and Prakriti). Purush- The Masculine form of Par Brahman divided itself into 3 main energies (Gods)- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Different to Purans have different observations. Prakriti- The Feminine form of Par Brahman got divided into 3 energies (Goddesses)- Saraswati, Lakshmi and Shakti. So, this holy Trinity if we see, the three Gods- Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (Destroyer) are collectively called Tridev. The three Goddesses that help their consorts (Tridev) are collectively called Tridevi- Saraswati (Knowledge), Lakshmi (Wealth) and Shakti (Power). Lord Brahma’s wife is Goddess Saraswati, Lord Vishnu’s wife is Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Shiva’s wife is Shakti who later got the name ‘Parvati’ (after taking birth as the daughter of mountains, that’s why her first form is Shailputri). So I hope my answer will help you. Thank you and have a nice day ahead.

Lord Brahma with Goddess Saraswati

Lord Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi

Lord Shiva with Goddess Shakti (also known as Parvati or Durga)

Do you think there was a Hindu temple at the site of the Qutb Minar?

 

It is definitely being possible that Qutb Minar was being built on site of Hindu Temple

Please don't be abuse me in comments. I am simply saying what I am being told by my home elders.

In our religion, it is regarded a matter of pride to construct a place for saying Azaan five times a day by destroying other religious buildings

If two choice is being given - one to build on empty land and other to build by destroying a temple - many elders will advise to destroy the temple and build the place for offering prayers

In Islam, this is called Nasr Ala Al Kuffar (Victory over Non Believer)

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So wherever there is major mosque in India or place to offer Azaan (Qutb Minar is building where prayers were offered), built when Mughals or Mussalman rulers were ruling India, then definitely 99% it is being built by destroying some temple

Even Christians in old days have same policy , they are also destroying existing religious building to build church even if there is empty land nearby

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However Taj Mahal is definitely not being built on temple or it is not being deliberate

In Islam, Monument to someone is never built by destroying a temple. Monument is always built on empty land or land where other musalmaan are buried

We are believing in Barzakh - Barzakh is when dead Mussalman is going to afterlife - and Barzakh will never happen if there is pain or destroying on that site

So even if they build Taj Mahal on temple site , they definitely don't know or it is not being deliberate

---

Today all this is old history now

When Mussalman Rulers were strong, they destroy many temple and church and built masjid

When Christian was strong, they destroy many jewish temple and built Church

Both prefer to build church or masjid only by destroying other religious place because it is seen as fighting for religion and other religion was seen as enemy

Today there are temple in Pakistan which is given respect by locals

When I was young, my cousins and I went to Hanuman temple in Karachi where they welcome Mussalman and give us very tasty poori and halvah on some day

Our grandmother would curse us but we would laugh

What are your favorite legends and myths about Hindu temples?

 Pancharama Kshetras are so called, after the 5 temples dedicated to Shiva, in Coastal Andhra. All the Shivalingas at the five temples were derived from a single Linga. Apparently this massive Shiva Linga, was owned by the Asura ruler Tarakasura, which made him practically invincible. It was finally Kumara Swamy who attacked Tarakasura and used his Shakti to kill him. However Kumara Swamy discovered that the torn apart pieces of Tarakasura’s body, would rejoin again and again, frustrating his efforts. It was then Vishnu advised him to break the Shiva Lingam, which Taraka was wearing into 5 pieces.He also cautioned Kumara Swamy, that the pieces of the Linga would again reunite, so they should be fixed to the spot.

Soon Kumara Swamy, used the Aagnesthra, the fire weapon, to break the Shiva Linga, and then Surya fixed those pieces, by fastening them with nails and building temples over them. If one notices the five Shivalingas here have scaly markings, believed to be due to the Agneshtra. Now the five different temples are collectively called as Pancharamas( 5 places of rest).

Amararamam, is located at Amaravati, in Guntur district, and the reigning deity is Amaralingeswara Swamy. The name comes from the fact that Amarendra installed the Shiva Linga here. Located on the Southern bank of the Krishna River, Bala Chamundika is the consort of Amaralingeswara Swamy. The temple is noted for it’s massive Shiva Linga, that covers two floors

The temple was developed by Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, the ruler of Dharanikota, and a devotee of Amaralingeswara. It was also a penace for him, to atone for his act of massacring the Chenchus, in order to put down a revolt. He not only renovated the temple, but also appointed 9 Archakas, provided them with the means of livelihood.

Draksharama located in East Godavari district, near the town of Ramachandrapuram, is also the most picturesque, surrounded by lush green paddy fields. Shiva here is called as Bhimeswara Swamy, and the Shiva Linga was believed to be installed by Surya himself . It is believed that Draksharama was where the infamous Daksha Yagna took place, and that is the reason no yagna happens at this temple. It is also called as Dakshina Kasi, and Shakti here is Manikyamba Ammavaru. The pond here is believed to contain the waters of the Sapta Godavari.

The Shiva Linga at Draksharama again is quite tall, and one part of it lies in the basement floor, only the top part is seen.Another legend of Draksharama goes that the outer wall could not be completed in time, to date it still remains incomplete.The Draksharama Temple is one of the oldest in Andhra, dating back to 10th century, built by Bhima, the Eastern Chalukya king of Vengi.

Somarama located at Bhimavaram, is the 3rd of the Pancharamas, and the Shiva Linga here is believed to be installed by Chandra. The front of the temple has a pond called Chandrakundam covered with flowers. It’s believed that Chandra, got rid of his sins by worshipping Shiva here, and hence the name Somaramam one of the Pancharamas.The unique aspect about the Shivalinga at Somarama, is that it keeps changing it’s color, based on the phases of the moon.During Pournami, the Shivlinga at Somarama turns full white in color, and during Amavasya, it turns a shade of black.A very unique aspect of this temple is that the temple of Annapurna, is built on top of the Shiva temple, which you do not find anywhere. Shakti is worshiped here as Sri Rajarajeswari Ammavaru.

Ksheerarama Temple at Palakollu in West Godavari,is where Shiva is worshipped as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy is believed that Upamanyu, son of Kaushika, requested Shiva for desired quantity of milk for ritual, and the Pushkarni overflowed with milk, which also accounts for name of Palakollu(Palu is the Telugu word for Milk).

It is believed that Vishnu installed the Shiva Linga here, and Shakti is worshipped as Parvati Ammavaru. It is noted for it’s tall gopuram, and the temple itself covers around nine floors. The Shiva Linga here itself is milky white, and the mandapa with 72 black pillars is worth a visit. Palakollu is located on the Gosthani, one of the tributaries of Godavari river, surrounded by lush green paddy fields.

The Kumara Rama temple at Samarlakota, in E.Godavari dist, is the last of the Pancharamas, Shiva Linga here was installed by Karthikeya. Shiva is worshipped as Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy here and his consort is Bala Tripura Sundari. The temple was built during the time of the Chalukya ruler Bhima, hence the name too.The Shiva Linga at Kumara Rama is around 16 ft tall, rises to two floors and is made entirely of limestone.Again the temple is famous for it’s 100 pillar mandapa and an Ekasila Nandi at the entrance.