From 17th century temples in Andhra Pradesh to stretched canvases in modern homes, Kalamkari is a time-honored and widely beloved form of traditional Indian art.
Deriving its name from the word ‘kalam,’ which means pen, ‘Kalamkari’ refers to a particular, intricate style of hand-painting onto cloth and is noted for its beautiful earthy tones.There are are two types of Kalamkari paintings, Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam.
Having a strong connection to Persian motifs,this art has been in practice for more than 3000 yrs.Kalamkari derives its name from kalam or pen and it means ‘drawings with a pen’. This organic art of hand and block printing has survived generations in Andhra Pradesh.
Although even art historians do not know exactly when Kalamkari began, it originated in the modern-day states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Kalamkari was first used to portray scenes from sacred texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavatam.
These paintings were often used as decorative backdrops in temples, depicting the stories of deities. Today, these subjects are still common in Kalamkari, as well as other spiritual and ancient symbols.
The Tree of Life is one especially popular Kalamkari motif, deeply rooted while growing towards the sky—it connects the heavens, earth and underworld. It is also a symbol of nourishment, with many animals feeding on its leaves, living in its branches and enjoying its shade.
Kalamkari art involves earthy colours like green, rust, indigo, mustard and black. Today this art is used in ethnic clothing, and depicts anything from fauna and flora to epics such as Mahabharata or Ramayana.
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🌺।।Maa Matangi is the ninth Mahavidya and is the Tantric form of Goddess Saraswati।।🌺
A Thread🧵 about her story and her Tantric Significance
Also known as the Outcast Goddess of Sacred Speech, she sits on the edge of tradition.
Not quite inside the temple, and not completely outside it.
Maa Matangi — the ninth Mahavidya — is the Tantric form of Saraswati, but unlike her Vedic counterpart, she does not follow the rules. She breaks them to reveal a deeper, more raw truth.
Where Saraswati is pure, white, and proper —
Matangi is wild, emerald-green, and unapologetically free.
🌺।।The Story of Maa Matangi।।🌺
Once, in ancient times, the Devas offered a grand feast to Sri Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. As is customary, the leftovers from the divine feast were thrown away, for no one dared to eat what had already been offered to the Gods.
🌺।।जब भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के आह्वान पर अगस्त्य ऋषि एक घूंट में पी गए देवराज इंद्र द्वारा लाई गई बाढ़ का पानी।।🌺
माता अन्नपूर्णा और अगस्त्य ऋषि की एक कथा 🧵
जब भगवान श्री कृष्ण ने गोवर्धन को धारण किया तो भगवान ने अगस्त्य ऋषि का आह्वान किया कि अगस्त्य ऋषि आओ और इस देवराज इंद्र के द्वारा जो यहाँ जल भरा हुआ है उसको पी जाओ और अगस्त्य मुनि आये, एक घूंट में सारा जल पी गए ।
अगस्त्य मुनि एक ऐसे ऋषि हैं जिनके पास समुद्र को भी एक घूंट बनाकर के पीने की शक्ति है ।
ऋषियों मे अत्यंत शक्तिशाली ऋषि अगस्त्य, शिवजी के परम भक्त थे । एक बार माता पार्वती, जो अन्नपूर्णा भी कहलातीं हैं, उन्होंने शिवजी से निवेदन किया, ‘महादेव ! मेरी इच्छा है कि मैं संसार के सभी साधू-महात्माओं को भोजन करवाऊँ । इसलिए आप सभी साधू-संतों व ऋषि-मुनियों को आमंत्रित कीजिए।
‘इस पर शिवजी ने जो प्रतिष्ठित संत व ऋषि-मुनि थे उनको स्वयं बुलाया कुछ को बुलाने गणों को भेजा, इस प्रकार से संसार के सभी साधू-संतों व ऋषि-मुनियों को आमंत्रित किया । लाखों साधू-संतों व ऋषि-मुनि एकत्रित हो गए । माता पार्वती ने सैंकड़ों व्यंजन भरपूर मात्रा मे बनवाए जिनको खा-खा सभी साधू-संत व ऋषि-मुनि थक गए किन्तु व्यंजन ज्यों के त्यों ही पड़े रहे ।
🌺।।Do you know about the curse that led Dhritrashtra to lose his 100 sons ?।।🌺
A Thread 🧵
King Dhritarashtra once asked Sage Vyasa, “Why did I lose all hundred of my sons? I remember my past hundred births—I committed no sin!”
Vyasa replied, “You remember a hundred lives, but what about before that?”
Then he revealed the truth.
Long ago, Dhritarashtra had been a mighty king. One day, a flock of swans stopped in his royal garden. Their leader entrusted his pregnant mate to the king’s care while he went on pilgrimage. She gave birth to a hundred cygnets.
The king’s cook, unaware, killed one and served it. The king loved the taste and ordered it daily—never questioning where it came from. One by one, all hundred babies were cooked and eaten.
🌺।।10 Amazing Facts about Kailash Parvat every Mahadev Bhakt must know।।🌺
A Thread 🧵
Kailash Parvat has a great significance in Hinduism as it is believed to be the Sacred Abode of Mahadev Shiva.
In addition, Kailash Parvat is a central figure in the spiritual traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, often viewed as the axis mundi (the center of the universe).
1. It is believed to be the abode of Mahadev where he resides with his family.
2. Kailash Parvat is located in western Tibet at an elevation of 6,656 meters above sea level.
3. Kailash Parvat is considered the axis of the universe i e the center of the world.
4. As you can see from Google Maps, the distance from Stonehenge in the UK to Kailash is 6,666 km, which is also the distance from Kailash Range to North Pole.
5. The distance from Mt Kailash to the South Pole is 13,332 km, which is exactly twice the distance to the North Pole.