The Brahmin represents the head of the Virat Purush or cosmic soul. It is said that Brahmins have taken birth from the mouth of Lord Brahma. A Brahmin is knowledgeable about scriptures and the Vedic texts. Secondly, he is referred as the God of...

Bhandara is a unique food distribution tradition. During Bhandara, Prasad (proper food) is distributed to each and everybody taking part in the celebration. Prasad is a gracious gift. Anything, usually edible, that is first offered to a deity and then distributed to devotees. The...

The Guru Granth Sahib is truly unique among the world's great scriptures. It is considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion, rather than any living person. Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of devotional hymns and poetry which proclaims God,...

Because of their association with Lord Rama, monkeys are treated with compassion and respect, and are offered food. There is a monkey temple at Varanasi where they are worshipped, and allowed to have their way. They personify such positive qualities as obedience, loyalty, duty,...

Buffaloes represent strength, divinity, support, and ferocity. The water buffalo is the vehicle of Lord Yama, who is regarded as lord of justice. According to Kalika Purana, a buffalo is an auspicious animal with an excellent form which gives life, wealth and fame. Traditionally,...

Prakriti is depicted as a female goat. Prakriti represents the Mother Nature. The color of a goat i.e. red, black or white , represents the three gunas – Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. The vehicle of Goddess Kali is a black goat. Lord Agni rides...

Rats are popular as the vehicle of Lord Ganesha. The Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan is famous for its tradition of revering the rats. Rats roam freely in the temple premises and receive offerings of food from the devotees who visit the temple to...

Feeding food and water to birds and pigeons has several merits. This Punya (good deed) acts as a shield at several times in a person's life.Purpose:1. Feeding millet and grains to birds is beneficial to gain concentration, career growth, higher studies and to have children. 2....

Ants have always been a good example for humans that display hard work and focused efforts to attain a goal. Purpose: If we feed ants, it spells good fortune for us.  To avoid ill effects of Rahu and Ketu planets, one should feed sesame...

Fish represents an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that fish take all your adversaries and safeguard you from troubles. Purpose: One should feed fish if you are seeking problem in earning money or when you are in debt.  If the Moon planet...

In the Vedic world, in ritual sense, horses carried greater importance than the cows or any other animals. Horses were used in sacrifices and symbolize speed, beauty, purity, the expansive power of Brahman, freedom, grace, and strength. The Asvins, who symbolize the divinity of...

Lord Indra is believed to have a divine dog named Sarama. Sarama is said to have pursued and recovered the cows stolen by the asuras and hidden in the nether world of Patala. Lord Yama, the Hindu God of death is believed to have...

Crows play a significant role in Hindu mythology. It is believed that our ancestors arrive on earth in the form of crow. Feeding food to crows is considered as being delivered to our dead ancestors. Crows are only birds which act as a messenger...

Elephants symbolize royalty, majesty, strength, divinity, abundance, fertility, intelligence, keenness, destructive power, and grasping power. The souls in elephants are said to be highly evolved and ripe for evolution. The Hindu Puranas suggest that elephants in the past had wings. God Indra's vehicle is...

A cow is considered as the symbol of Earth and is known as the mother of all animals. Kamadhenu is a celestial cow, which represents abundance and sacrifice. The cow symbolizes wealth, compassion, motherliness, righteousness (dharma), motherhood, divinity, sattvic nature, sacrifice, service, purity, and...

Hinduism has an ancient school of devotional theism known as the cat school. Followers of this school base their conduct upon the example set by the kitten in allowing themselves to be carried by their mothers by the scruff of their necks. They believe...