Some Hindu temples require men to remove their shirts before they enter. I don't remember the names of any temples off the top of my head, but I do believe that a few temples in and around Thanjavur had this policy, and I remember hearing that this is relatively common across Kerala and Tamil Nad...

Hinduism is called dharma unlike Christianity or Islamism are religion. My question is that what is difference between dharma and religion?

In Ramayan, Shri Ram gave a chance to Ravan to surrender to himself and sent Angad as his ambassador for peace conciliation. This was because mercy befits warrior. Why not on the same reason, Ram did not give a chance to Vali to surrender and give Sugriv his right?

Shri Rama was a great and just king of Ayodhya. When his subject casts aspersion on the chastity of their benevolent Lady Sita, why Shri Rama did not protect Sita because he and Lakshman was witnesses of fire-test (Agni Pariksha)? Even there are witnesses, why it was against Raj dharma to protect...

Ramayana describes many great ladies for their sacrifices. One is Lady Sita, Others are Urmila, Sumitra and Kaikeyi (which even accept condemnation by her subject for a great purpose). What are the great ladies of Ramayana and why they are considered great?

There has been lots of Spiritual masters (I'm avoiding the word Guru deliberately, because of such rampant misuse of it) who were proponents of various sects of Vaishnavam such as Madhava (Brahma-Vaishnavam Sect, ब्रह्म-वैष्णवं), Shridhara Swamy (Rudra-Vaishnavam Sect, रूद्र-वैष्णवं) etc. What w...

We know Bhishma Pitamaha was a legendary warrior. He always fought for the right thing and truth. Then if Kamsa was doing so much evil, and Bhishma Pitamaha was already there on Earth, then why didn't he try to stop him?

Vedas teach Hindus to avoid some food items. The list includes not only non vegetarian food but also the old food items in the vegetarian categories too(older in the sense means food items which are put in fridge for more than one day and items like pickle.) Also it is advised to avoid items with...

Dhronar is the guru of Pandavas and Kauravas. How did he get his name 'Dhronar'? What is the incident or reason which gave this specific name to him?

Sanathana Dharma was originated in India. India is also having another name 'Bharatha'. The term ArhsaBharatha culture is commonly used for pointing out the Sanathana Dharma. How did the nation get this name?

Vali was famous for the boon that he had received, according to which anyone who fought him in single-combat lost half his strength to Vali, thereby making Vali invulnerable to any enemy. Source: Wikipedia - Vali It is clear that the boon is valid with a single combat only. Then what wo...

Recently on a Sathsang, I understood the values of Ekadasi Vrtha, explained by a scholar. He explained the power of Ekadasi in various pakshas - Krishna paksha and Shukla paksha. When I tried to follow the Vratha, I was stuck at a point. In the calendar (or in Panchang), it was mentioned as Ekat...

Given that Karma and punarjanma are the prime beliefs of Hinduism, why do we need Yamalokam and punishment in it? I mean, through Karma, the fruits of both good and bad deeds are obtained either in same or next janma. Then why do we need Yamalokam?

What is the difference between GOD and DEVI & DEVTA or are they same. As we know there are thousands of devi and devtas are they same as GOD or is there any difference between them ? If they are different then what is the difference ?

In Ramayana, we know that Ravana was the King of Golden city of Lanka. How did he get this City? I know very less that it was offered by God Shiva. but I don't have clear history on it.

It is generally observed in Hindu community, that women/girls having periods are not allowed to lots of things e.g., Worship of God, entering in temple, making food etc. I wanted to know, why there is taboo around periods, even if there are lots of Goddess in Hinduism? Isn't this creation of God...

It is considered that you should take prasad with your right hand only, if it is taken by left hand it is considered as bad. Is there any reasoning to significance of right hand in Hindu community? I am looking for scientific as well as traditional reason for this answer.

I have seen people keeping numerous fasts in an year. From where does it originated and whats the reason behind keeping a fast.

When I was a kid, I read the Amar Chitra Katha version of the story of Bhasmasura - the asura who was granted a boon by Shiva allowing him to kill anyone on whose head he placed his hand. In the end, Vishnu (in the guise of Mohini) tricks Bhasmasura into putting his hand on his own head, thus kil...