At Cogito Explorer, we unravel the complexities of civilization in a simple and engaging way. Explore the roots, evolution, and key elements of human civilization with our accessible explanations, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history.
Long ago, during the age when the universe was still in its infancy, Lord Shiva deeply engrossed in meditation envisioned the need for sacred abodes on Earth to serve as focal points for spiritual practice and divine communion. He decided to manifest seven majestic mountains [Sapta Kailash] infused with his divine energy, each constituting its…
Aadi Himani Chamunda temple dedicated to Goddess Chamunda sits high up in the mountains [3185m] where snow only starts to melt around March and April giving it its name Aadi Himani. Legend has it that this very place witnesses the battle between the demons Chand Mund and the Devi Durga [Chamunda]. The Nandikeshwar Mahadev temple…
The Mahunag Temple is located in the Karsog Valley of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, captivating tale that dates back to ancient times. It is dedicated to Lord Mahunag, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Karna of Mahabharata. Legend has it that the Lord metamorphosizes himself as a bee (Mahu) to help his troubled devotees. This…
Rock-cut cave temples are architectural structures that are carved directly into natural rock formations. This form of construction involves the removal of rock material to create a hollowed-out interior space. The process typically starts with carving the exterior facades and then progressing to the interior chambers thus creating intricate and detailed religious or architectural features….
Dalai Lama of Namgyal Monastery The title Dalai Lama means ‘Ocean of Wisdom’ in Mongolian and is associated with the Gelug tradition [Yellow Hat] of Tibetan Buddhism which was founded by Je Tsongkhapa in the 14th century. Tsongkhapa sought to restore what he considered the pure and disciplined monastic practices of Buddhism. Consequently, Gelug is…
Kamrunag Temple History Himachal, is the homeland of numerous folklore connecting what today is considered Mythology to the various religious structures, landscapes, etc. Today we will be exploring one such structure in the folds of the Shivalika Himalayas in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh [India], The Kamrunag Temple. As traditions differ from place to…
Shivratri [The Great Night of Shiva] is observed annually on the 13th night and 14th day of the month of Phalguna [Panchanga]. It is said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati tied the knot on this day. The churning of the ocean [Samudra Manthan] is also linked to it. It is said that during the…
The Sun Temple of Modhera in Gujarat, India, honors the solar deity Surya and was built during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty, around 1026-1027 CE. It is believed that its construction may have been inspired by an invasion by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024-1025, where the kingdom defended itself successfully. The…
Badrinath has been a significant pilgrimage destination for Devotees, particularly as one of the Char Dham sites, which also include Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath [Chote char dham] in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The current temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century by Adi Shankaracharya. However, the temple has undergone several renovations…
The origins of the Vittala Temple trace back to the 15th century AD, under the reign of King Devaraya II of the Vijayanagara Empire. Over time, successive kings contributed to its expansion and embellishment, shaping it into the grand complex it is today. Historical records from the 16th century refer to this site as Vitthala,…
