Rituals, whose performance yields beneficial effects on humankind. Rituals like vivāha (vivaha; marriage) jātakarma (jatakarma; birth-related rites), cuḍākaraṇa (chudakarana; the haircutting-ritual), maunjībandhana (maunjibandhana; the ritual of binding hair in a certain pattern), prāsada-pratisṭhā (prasada-pratistha; establishment of a palace), dvājaropaṇa (dvajaropana; setting up flags), devapratisṭhā (devapratistha; consecration of the image of deities), utsarga (dedication) of kūpa […]

Acchoda (Achchhoda) is one of the greatest of all the famous lakes mentioned in Purāṇas (Puranas). In significance it is at par with the lakes Mānasa and Vindu. Due to variance in pronunciation it is sometimes spelled as Akṣoda (Akshoda). The lake was dug by a particular sect of manes called Agniṣvātta (Agnishvatta). It is […]

A township referred to in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana). It is considered the same to be as the Karūṣa (Karusha) region that is mentioned in Purāṇas (Puranas). Possibly, it refers to the region of Rewa in Baghelkhand in central India. It lies to the south-west of Allahabad, 131 miles away. It is situated to the north east […]

A river mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana). Adhṛiṣyā (Adhrishya) is a river referred to during a discussion of the various ordinary rivers and countries in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

Prajāpati (Prajapati, ruler of the people) advised Bhiṣma(Bhishma about several tīrthasthāna (tirthasthana, pilgrimage) when there arose a dharmic doubt over them (site of pilgrimage). During their exile in the forest, Yudhiṣṭhira(Yudhisthira) learned about this from the divine sage Nārada (Narada). Ādityāśramatīrtha (Adityasramatirtha) is one of those pilgrimage sites mentioned by Nārada. Suryadeva (Sun-god) is the […]

A pilgrimage site located on the bank of the river Sarasvatī (Sarasvati). Balarāma (Balarama), while travelling across several pilgrimage-sites, visited this site as well. Sūryadeva (Suryadeva; he Sun-god) achieved control over the planets and stars, through his performance of yajña (yajna, ritual sacrifice) at this site. According to Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana), this pilgrimage site is situated […]

A sacred pilgrimage site situated on the northern bank of the river Narmada. On the śuklā saptamī (sukla saptami) tithi of Māgha (Magha), this site becomes more effective to attain virtuous results.

We find references to the existence of many Agastya-āśramas (Agastya-ashrama) or hermitages established by Agastya in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and Purāṇas. It is true that the Aryan civilisation in ancient India mostly emerged from and flourished around the vast region of land surrounding the Sarasvatī (Saraswati) and Dṛiṣadvatī (Drishadwati) rivers. Since Agastya was one of […]

Aiṣākī (Aishaki) was a princess of the Iṣāku(Ishaku) clan who gave birth to a son named, Īrusha (Ieusha). In Padmapuraṇa (Padmapurana),  the name is mentioned as Mīrusha (Mirusha)  in place of ‘Īrusha’.

A site of pilgrimage mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana) . Its alternative name is Auttama Tāpaseśvara (Auttama Tapasesvara).  

Anadhyāya (anadhyaya) literally means ‘not to study’. Ancient Indian society fixed certain dates and events (natural as well as man-made) on or during which studying (traditional texts and knowledge) was prohibited. This act of refraining from study – in general or of a particular branch of knowledge – is called anadhyāya. Purāṇas (Purana) vary in […]

A holy place of pilgrimage devoted to lauding the greatness of Sage Nārada (Narada). In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhisthira) was asked to visit this site of worship falling within the ambit of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra). It is situated to the east of the holy place at Saraka— sarakasya tu pūrveṇa nāradasya mahātmanaḥ. kuruśreṣṭha śubhaṃ […]

A sacred site of pilgrimage in Vārāṇasi (Varanasi; Benares), as mentioned in Padmapurāṇa.

A river mentioned in Bhīṣmaparva (Bhishmaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). It is possible that the river flows through the southern part of India. The river Anaṅgā (Ananga) is mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana) too, after Śuktimatī (Shuktimati) River, and the primary verse of Mahābhārata remains nearly unchanged here. Only the text of Padmapurāṇa reads Śuktimatī as ‘Muktimatī’ (Muktimati).

This pilgrimage site is situated at Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), on the western side of the river Yamuna. Located here are temples of abode dedicated to Brahmā (Brahma) and Mahādeva (Mahadeva). Rudrāṇī (Rudrani) occupies the west, and Padmanābha (Padmanabha) occupies the north of this holy place. It has been referred to as sarvadevatīrtha (sarvadevatirtha, or the place […]

A township located in the southern part of the country.

The name of a river mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana).

Anaupamyā (Anaupamya) was the wife of Vāṇāsura (Vanasura). She was a beautiful lady of several virtues. However, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law always ill-treated her. Once Devarṣi (Devarshi; the divine sage) Nārada (narada) visited the house of Vāṇāsura, and Anaupamyā asked him about the redressal of this problem. Nārada then enlightened her about the procedures of […]

The Indian mythology divides all the mortals residing on the Earth in four categories according to their manner of birth. They are as follows: udbhijja, aṇḍaja (andaja), svedaja (swedaja) and jarāyuja (jarayuja). The term aṇḍaja refers to those creatures who are born out of the egg. The aquatic creatures, like the fish, the snake, the […]

Andhonatīrtha (Andhonatirtha) is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage)located near the river Narmadā (Narmada). It is a suitable place for offering piṇḍa and donation and meditation. One may become the ruler of the entire world by visiting this site.

An ancient sage-king. Most Purāṇas (puranas) have identified him as a descendant of Svāẏambhuva Manu (Swayambhubha Manu). Aṅga (Anga) was the child of Ulmuka of Svāẏambhuva Manu’s lineage, conceived by Puṣkariṇī (Pushkarini). Another version, however, recognises Aṅga as the child borne of Agneẏī (Agneyi) and Uru. Some Purāṇas, on the other hand, identify him as […]

A province referred to in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana).

Aṅgāreśvara (Angareshwara) is a site of pilgrimage situated on the northern bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). Rudraloka may be attained as a result of visiting this holy place. The residing deity of Aṅgāreśvara is God Rudraśiva (Rudrashiva). In an alternate version, this place has been noted as Agāreśvara (Agareshwara). It is auspicious to perform […]

A holy place situated on the bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). The site of pilgrimage dedicated to Śiva (Shiva), named Aṇgāreśvara (Angareshwara) is still present on the embankment of the river Narmadā in Vadodara of Gujarat.

Āṅgirā, son of Brahmā, worshipped Śiva in this holy place and achieved uttama yoga ( a high level of yogic power). It is a sacred site of pilgrimage mentioned in Kūrmapurāna.

A south country locality mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana). 

Anuṣṇī (Anushni) is a river mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana). Perhaps this very river is known as Anuṣṇā (Anushna) in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). [See Anuṣṇā]

Āpagā (Apaga) is a river; and there is a pilgrimage site named after this river. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is said that the river is located about one krośa (krosa, about two miles) away towards the east of Mānuṣatīrtha (Manushatirtha, the pilgrimage site called Manusha). It is hailed as a site of great virtue. It […]

Aparakāśi (Aparakasi) is the name of one ancient locality in Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India). It is probably located towards the west of the major portion of Kāśī (Kasi). Here we have seen the name of ‘Kāsī’ appearing as Kāśi. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the plural number of this name is used as ‘Kāśayaḥ’ (Kasayah), ‘Aparakāśayaḥ’ (Aparakasayah). If […]

Aparakuṭṭa (Aparakutta) is a locality mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana).

Apsareśatīrtha is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located on the bank of the rier Narmadā (Narmada). If some one takes a bath in this tīrtha, he is believed to have access heavenly pleasures and plays along with the Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesans). In Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana) it is said that having a bath in […]

A tīrtha (tirtha, site of pilgrimage) situated in Vārāṇasī (Varanasi), as mentioned in Padmapurāṇa(Padmapurana).

Aruṇā (Aruna)and Varuṇā(Varuna), two sacred rivers have merged into Gautamī Gaṅgā (Gautami Ganga). The place of this assimilation of the flows is known as Aruṇā-Varuṇāsaṅgama (Aruna-Varunasangama; the place of union of the two rivers), but Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana)says that initially Godāvarī flowed in between Aruṇā and Varuṇā — aruṇā-varuṇayormadhye yatra godāvarī nadī. Basically, this Gautamī Gaṅgā […]

Aryaṭī (Aryati) is an ancient locality of Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India).

The roots of the fingers are known as Āryatīrtha (Aryatirtha).

Aśokasundarī (Asokasundari) is the daughter of Śiva and Parvatī (Parvati), emanated out of their mental conception. She is a lady of all virtuous attributes, and extremely beautiful. While playing with his female associates in Nandanakānana (Nandanakanana),a Daitya called Huṇḍa (Hunda), son of the Dānava-king Vipracitti (Viprachitti) was bewitched by the beauty of Aśokasundarī, and proposed […]

After the union of Madana, the god of amour, and goddess Rati, out of ecstasy, several aśruvindu (asruvindu; tear-drops) from her eyes fell upon water. A lotus emerged from those tear drops, and a daughter was born out of that lotus. Her name was Aśruvindumatī (Asruvindumati). After falling under Śukrācārya’s (Sukracharya) curse of ageing, Yayāti […]

Aśvatīrtha (Aswatirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage located on the bank of Gaṅgā (Ganga), near Kanvakuvja. While visiting several sites of pilgrimage, Pāṇḍava(s)(Pandavas) came here. When Ṛcīka (Richika), belonging to the lineage of Bhṛgu (Bhrigu), wanted to marry Satyavatī (Satyavati), daughter of king Gādhi (Gadhi), the king demanded from him as the bride’s dowry […]

Aśvinikumāratīrtha (Aswinikumaratirtha) is a tīrtha(tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located in Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), blessed with the grace of the twin Aśvinikumāra. In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), there is a mention of going to this tīrtha from Koṭitīrtha(Kotitirtha).Visiting this tīrtha, one may become more beautiful. It is thought that this tīrtha is located in the place called […]

Aṭavīśekhara (Atavishekhara) is a township mentioned in Purāṇas (Purana). It is assumed that the inhabitants of this regions were same as the ethnic group of people called Aṭavīśikhara (Atavishikhara). 

Aṭavītīrtha (Atavitirtha) is a site of pilgrimage on the bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). One can attain the splendour of Indra, the king of gods, by taking a dip at this extremely holy place. 

Brahmā (Brahma), while performing a yajña (yajna) once consecrated two statues – one of Hari or Nārāyaṇa (Narayana) and another of Hara or Śiva (Siva). The statue of Hara was known as Atibala, which gave its name to the famous shrine of Atibala. This shrine is situated in modern day Mahabaleswar in the Indian state of […]

Atikṛccha (atikrichchha) is the name of a (purifying) ritual or vow (vrata) which requires to be observed over a stretch of twelve days. In order to observe this vow, the performer must obey certain rules of eating throughout the twelve-day long phase. For the first three days he should not eat anything but three handfuls […]

Audyānakatīrtha(Audyanakatirtha) is a sacred pilgrimage site, as mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana).

Ayonisaṅgama (Ayonisangama) is a sacred nadī-tīrtha(nadi-tirtha; river-pilgrimage), where the Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava) took a bath. Having a bath in this site, one gets salvation. It is located on the bank of river Narmadā (Narmada). It is advised that having a bath in this site, without having conjugal relationship with women, one should go to Pāṇḍaveśvara (Pandaveswara). […]

Āyu is one of the sons born of Urvaśī , sired by Purūravā. In Brahmaṇḍapurāṇa, Vāyupurāṇa, Viṣṇupurāṇa and Bhāgavatapurāṇa it is said that Āyu is the eldest of the six sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. However, Matsyapurāṇa says that Āyu is the eldest of the eight sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. In Vāyupurāṇa and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa […]

In Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana), the glory of Ekādaśīvrata (Ekadasivrata) is hailed as far greater than all other vrata(s), and major yajña (yajna) performances.The greatness of visiting pilgrimages, donation, and other vratas – are highly praised – until there comes the issue of greatness of fasting on the Ekādaśī tithi — tāvadgarjanti tīrthāni dānāni niyamāni ca yāvannopoṣayejunturvāsaraṃ […]

Haribaṁśa (Haribamsa) explains the word Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa) in the following way- Though Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa) was born from a part of Lord Viṣñu (Vishnu), the saviour of his subjects, conceptually and by nature, she was one and all. She was the Māyāśakti (Mayasakti or feminine power) of the Lord- Yogamāyā (Yogamaya)- Viddhi caināmathotpannāthaṁśāddevīṃ prajāpateḥ. Ekānaṁśāṃ yogakanyāṃ […]

Indumatī (Indumati) was the wife of king Āyu 9Ayu). She became pregnant by eating the fruit given by Sage Dattātreya (Dattatreya). One night she dreamed that a divine figure of a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) was entering into his chamber. This divine being with four arms, carrying saṁkha (samkha; conch), cakra (chakra; a wheel-like weapon), gadā(gada; mace) […]

A sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) situated on the bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). In Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana) it is described how to go there from Kankhal tīrtha. One may attain Brahmaloka (the heavenly abode of Brahma) by visiting and beholding this pilgrimage-site.