Shri Mahalaxmi Mandir, Sarasbag, PuneAbout The Godess'
Shri Mahasaraswati Mata
Saraswati (Sanskrit: सरस्वती, Sarasvatī) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom & learning and is worshipped throughout India. She is a part of the trinity (Tridevi) of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati. All the three forms help the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to create, maintain and regenerate-recycle the Universe respectively.
The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the Rigveda. She has remained significant as a goddess right from the Vedic period through to the modern times of Hindu traditions. Some Hindus celebrate the festival of Vasant Panchami in her honour and mark the day by helping young children learn how to write the alphabets on that day.
The Veena that Maa Saraswati holds, does not only symbolize harmony, but also symbolizes intelligence and intellect.
The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the Rigveda. She has remained significant as a goddess right from the Vedic period through to the modern times of Hindu traditions. Some Hindus celebrate the festival of Vasant Panchami in her honour and mark the day by helping young children learn how to write the alphabets on that day.
The Veena that Maa Saraswati holds, does not only symbolize harmony, but also symbolizes intelligence and intellect.
Shri Mahalaxmi Mata
Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from its elemental form lakS, meaning "to perceive or observe". This is synonymous with laksya, meaning "aim" or "objective". Lakshmi has many names.
Apart from the autumnal celebration, Lakshmi, along with Alakshmi (her shadow energy), is also worshipped during Diwali night . She is known to be very closely associated with the lotus and her many epithets are connected to the flower : Padma: lotus dweller, Kamala: lotus dweller, Padmapriya: One who likes lotus', Padmamaladhara devi: One who wears a garland of lotuses, Padmamukhi: One whose face is as beautiful as a lotus, Padmakshi: One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus, Padmahasta: One who holds a lotus and Padmasundari: One who is as beautiful as a lotus.
Her other names include: Manushri, Chakrika, Kamalika, Aishwarya, Lalima, Kalyani, Nandika, Rujula, Vaishnavi, Samruddhi, Narayani, Bhargavi, Sridevi, Chanchala, Jalaja, Madhavi, Sujata, Shreya. She is also referred to as Jaganmaatha ("Mother of the Universe") in Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Lakshmi is worshipped daily, but special focus is given in the Navratri and Diwali. People offer food and sweets and chant her 108 names
Apart from the autumnal celebration, Lakshmi, along with Alakshmi (her shadow energy), is also worshipped during Diwali night . She is known to be very closely associated with the lotus and her many epithets are connected to the flower : Padma: lotus dweller, Kamala: lotus dweller, Padmapriya: One who likes lotus', Padmamaladhara devi: One who wears a garland of lotuses, Padmamukhi: One whose face is as beautiful as a lotus, Padmakshi: One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus, Padmahasta: One who holds a lotus and Padmasundari: One who is as beautiful as a lotus.
Her other names include: Manushri, Chakrika, Kamalika, Aishwarya, Lalima, Kalyani, Nandika, Rujula, Vaishnavi, Samruddhi, Narayani, Bhargavi, Sridevi, Chanchala, Jalaja, Madhavi, Sujata, Shreya. She is also referred to as Jaganmaatha ("Mother of the Universe") in Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Lakshmi is worshipped daily, but special focus is given in the Navratri and Diwali. People offer food and sweets and chant her 108 names
Shri Mahakali Mata
Mahakali literally translated as Great Kali, is the Hindu Goddess of time and death and is considered to be the consort of Mahakala the God of consciousness, the basis of Reality and existence. Mahakali in Sanskrit is etymologically the feminized variant of Mahakala (which is interpreted also as Death), an epithet of the God Shiva in Hinduism. Mahakali is the form of Adi Parashakti, who is beyond time and space. Kali is the force of anger of Adi Parashakti and therefore her color is black. She is the greatest aspect of Kali whom many Hindus hold as a Divine Mother.
Her four armed iconographic image shows each hand carrying a sword, a trishul (trident), a severed head and a bowl or skull-cup (kapala) that catches the blood of the severed head. Her eyes are red with intoxication and rage, Her hair is shown disheveled. Small fangs sometimes protrude out of Her mouth and Her tongue lolls. She has a garland consisting of the heads of demons she has slaughtered.
She is shown standing on the body of Shiva. This is interpreted in various ways but the most common is that Mahakali represents Shakti, the power of pure creation in the universe, and Shiva represents pure Consciousness which is inert, in and of itself.
Her four armed iconographic image shows each hand carrying a sword, a trishul (trident), a severed head and a bowl or skull-cup (kapala) that catches the blood of the severed head. Her eyes are red with intoxication and rage, Her hair is shown disheveled. Small fangs sometimes protrude out of Her mouth and Her tongue lolls. She has a garland consisting of the heads of demons she has slaughtered.
She is shown standing on the body of Shiva. This is interpreted in various ways but the most common is that Mahakali represents Shakti, the power of pure creation in the universe, and Shiva represents pure Consciousness which is inert, in and of itself.