People's home deities - Show pictures of your ishta here.

Giridhari in the forest of winter season...

Just serve him lots of hot masala tea and make sure he doesn't catch cold!

Christmas time is coming...

Radhe Radhe!

Giriraja rules!

Radhe!

Their Lordships SriSri Nitai Gauracandra appeared last weekend by the mercy of a friendly devotee in our house. How sweet and merciful they are. Exactly the right kind of mercy for a fallen soul like me.

Joy Sri Radhe! Joy SriSri Nitai Gauracandra!

Tarunji

I really did started this thread to "out" Keshava, but I figure it's a good idea. These are our new member Keshava's deities in Maui, Hawaii.

Very nice idea, this thread, really. I hope many will post the pictures of their beloved Deities. However, a brief description of what figures we see on the altar, or some story behind them would be very nice.

Here are our Gaura-Nitai and Giridhari.

another...

SriSri Nitai Gaurachandra

Tarunji

How do I post a picture?

Keshava

Respected Arcakas,

By the way this photo of my deities was taken a long time ago. Also it was take just after removal of the Nirmaly Prasadam from the previous days worship, hence no tulasi, flowers, etc.

A more recent picture.

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Each Sunday in our home we have “Krsna Day”. A day for family spiritual activities such as dressing the deities, reading, kirtana and allowing the children to do the bhoga offerings. Their favorite is in the morning where they bathe and put on their doties to help bathe and dress our deities, Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Gopicandraji. Their enthusiasm and joy during these moments is an easy reminder as to how sweet devotional life is. Here are some pictures from today.

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Anticipating service

Gopicandra

Sri Radhika

Gauranga! He was given to our son, Rasaparayana das, by his godfather Narottama das.

So wonderful, happy children and so wonderful, happy Deities, dear Rasaraj! Congratulations!

This is a 3-year-old picture of my shalagrama, Murali-manohara. He was a gift from ISKCON San Diego's head pujari, sort of as a consolation until Giriraja came to acceptt service in my home (I had been serving the temple's Giriraja for 9 years at the time).

And this is an old picture of my Girirajas, who did come. This picture is also about three years old. The larger one is about half an inch tall and broad.

I thought that last sentence was going to say, "The larger one is about half an inch taller..." after growing bigger over the last three years.

Nah--just that they're quite small. We also worship Gaura-Nitai, but I don't have any digital pictures of them.

Laksmi Narasimha

Lord Srinivasa (Balaji) Sridevi & Bhumi Devi

Giriraja

Thanks for the nice pics, Keshava! I took the liberty of resizing them, as they were pretty enormous.

That is one of the most amazing Girirajas I have ever seen. Where did you ever find it? Those natural eyes are really something.

What do you do when you go to Srirangam? Pack up all your altar in a crate and take it with you?

Sorry that they are so big. Maybe I should ask this in the Tech section, but how do I resize them before I send them?

Keshava

Yes, Giriraja is quite unique. Just as there is a tongue of Govardhana. I like to think of him as the face. This is nothing. You should see him when I have time to paint him! Anyway his natural color is dark blue (syamish) and he has redishness around his "eyes". There is a distinct "nose" and under the nose on the right there is the beginning of the "mouth". All nice laksanas.

Some devotees have commented that the two raised "eyes" look like two breasts. So I guess there can be different interpretations of His/Her form?

I have seen similar Girirajas with one raised section in a small temple rright at the sangam of Radha Kunda and Syama Kunda. Also the Kama dhenu stone at Varshana looks like this but with 4 raised areas.

I was given Him/Her by some Babajis. I was a pujari in Vrndavan at the time and used to live at the Gosala. I used to take a short cut though some land (which now belongs to ISKCON) to get back there or to go from there to Krsna Balarama mandir. Every time I went through this place I had to pass by the sammadhi of one babaji. His followers lived on the land where the samadhi was situated. Next to the samadhi was a tulasi stambha. On the tualsi stambha were two girirajas (you know how they do that). Anyway one was very big like a boulder and the other one was this one. When I saw the face I was really surprised. I told the babajis that I wanted to worship Giriraja. Then I said that since they had two would they give one to me for worship. I did not specify which one or consider taking Him without permission. They were really nice and just said "tik hai" and picked Him up and gave him to me in my hand. That was 25 years ago.

Of course some the Bhattas I studied with in South India thought that He looked like other Avatars like Narasimha. If you look closely at the picture you will see a small white dvaraka sila also on the same throne. 7 chakras on this one confirms it's identity as Balarama according to HBV 5.461 saptastu baladevas ca

When I go travelling all the silas and and assortment of small deities go with me.

The big deities and altars have been from India to Honolulu, to Maui, to Australia and now back to Maui. And in each of those places they have moved several times (except Australia and now here in Maui where we are not renting).

Most of the deities have interesting stories behind them.

Keshava

I took this picture this morning of my guru maharaja's Giriraja Maharaja after his morning puja. I just happened to have a digital camera with me.

Giriraja Maharaja ki jaya!

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

When our little Caitanya saw the photo he began shouting "I go to Inia! I go to Inia with Guru Amonds!".

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Some friends have been asking about the kind of altar setup disciples of our Baba have. Here's a view. I trust the deities need no introduction. Gaura-Nitai were with us from before meeting our Baba, the rest are what he has given or advised.

Keshava, your Venkatesha, Sridevi and Bhudevi are so lovely, and Lakshminarasimha is *awesome* to behold!

Govinda Govinda!

These are "our" Sri Sri Radha-Ramanji:

Sri Sri Radha-Ramanji's lotus face; by the away, thanks Madhava for sharing the picture of the your altar which carries Babaji Maharaja's mood.

Radhe!

I found this picture in a book. It was actually taken in 1984 for a project conducted by Nimai Chand Goswami for the 500th appearance day of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. These are the deities of Sri Sri Radha Madhava at Chakdaha Mahesh Pandit's Sripat, where one of my favorite Vaishnavas, Keshavapriya Dasji, was the mahanta. He was a disciple of the famous Krishnapremaji.

Sri Krishna, received from Sri Varada Yatiraja Jeeyar Swamiji

The story of my Gaura-Nitai Deities is very interesting. Brajamani offered his set sometime back in mid-2003 and I excitedly took him up on the offer, since I had been feeling for some time that I would like to serve Gaura-Nitai deities. Interestingly, a week or so before Brajamani's offer I remember commenting to my mother that I would love to have a pair of Gaura-Nitai deities.

So it was settled! Brajamani would ship Them asap! Unfortunately it was not that simple; the Deities were taking Their time and enjoying the journey! (Did They take the scenic route?) Apart from that, Brajamani had informed me that one of Nityananda's eyes was missing, so consultation with Madhava and others informed me that I needed to get new eyes since "incomplete" Deities are not fit to be worshipped. A friend who was going to Vrindavana kindly offered to get me a couple of shell eyes from the bazaar, and he did. There was also mantras to learn, clothes to get, arati paraphernalia to be bought, and so on.

I was freaking out wondering where They were, wondering if They ever arrived or not. Did They get lost in the post? Brajamani was freaking out too. I spent several months in this way until I finally got used to the fact that, yes, They had got lost in the international mail on Their scenic journey. Apparently They preferred the sights than me! Or at least I satisifed myself that They had gone to stay with someone more dserving instead.

All that botheration about mantras, clothes and shell eyes had all come to nought, but hey that's life.

And so I was getting ready to celebrate Gaura Purnima 2004 when they arrived a few days before! I was so excited. I had planned to make it go all smoothly, but within the space of a few days I had to get set up in time for the holy occasion. And so They graciously agreed to stay at my humble residence on Gaura Purnima 2004, where I and my family have been serving Them every day without fail.

Yep true story !
They look wonderfull!

So good to see you again!

Giridhari, Day 2, Disneyland.

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Brajamani - you too!

Braja - nice!

These are my Dieties Gaura-Nitai and Sri Sri Radha-Krsna
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......

Here are our Thakurajis. Gaura-Nitai came to us as a birthday gift from my friend Brishni in 1975. Murali-manohara, our Shalagram, was a gift from ISKCON San Diego's head pujari several years ago, and the Girirajas (on our left) were a gift from a godbrother. I apologize for the glare; we bought a low-end digital camera, and I haven't yet figured out how to overcome some of the deficiencies.

Girirajas (Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama, image here much larger than "life size"), apparently spotting some trouble to get into:

And posing for the photographer:

And Murali-manohara, stylin' when we still lived in Hilo:

They look so energetic!

Inviting us into their audarya lila:

A bit unclear, but its the best I have - Giridhari Lal in Zeist, Holland, Radhastami 2004.

My older daughter, Krishnamayi, calls them the Rowdy Boyz.

Wonderful! I needed that one! The best Darshan I have had in days! Thanks Babhru! Simply Sublime!

Yeah, I keep getting drawn back to look at them! They are so full of personality! You are so lucky Babhru!

Well, I'd like a better look at Advaita's Giridhari Lal when it's possible. I think he's just tantalizing is with that photo.

1. I'm a lousy photographer
2. I'm poor - no money for a digital camera
3. My camera's photo-roll is full

But........If you come to Radhakund next month you can see Him in real life!

Speaking of Radhakund, this pic was taken there last Kartik, hope that is a bit more clear..........

My small humble bhajana-kutira beneath the roof.

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My small humble bhajana-kutira beneath the roof.

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What a sweet little kutir. Nobody can blame you for having the element of guru underrepresented there, not?

What do you mean?



Yeah, I like him a lot.
And without the mercy of Sri Guru?
NOTHING.

So I thought "fill the wall!"

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Today's view, Nitai on the left side.

The photo of my Deity of the Lord Nrsimha Deva

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These shoes are too shiny for me to photograph but you probably get the idea--Giridhari has the fanciest dancing shoes in all of Vraja.

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Braja, this is such a wonderful image. I have never had Deities or even an altar, but seeing your beautiful Giridhari and His sparkling golden shoes made me want to have one.

@braja

Man, these shoes knock the gopis surely out.

And your Thakurji is VERY VERY beautiful.

This is a recent photo of our Sri Radha-Syamasundara along with two Giridharis and other Deities in our flat in Gainesville, Florida. Ananta Das Pandit Baba installed Sri Radha-Syamasundara in Radha Kunda some 7-8 years ago.

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Beautiful!

I've noticed that many of the altars include this picture of a male and female devotee. Sorry for my ignorance but I was wondering if someone could say who they are?

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Srila Ananda Gopal Gosvami and his spouse Srimati Pratibha Sundari Gosvamini. They are the parents of Sri Nikunja Gopala Gosvami.

Sri Advatadasji is very humble person, indeed. This is the photo of his param-guru. See his bioghaphy at Advaita's site.

Indranila,

I've never really been into the deity/ritual side of things but have now been given just the right amount. (I guess attitude would be a more appropriate factor than the "amount".) The story of Raghunatha Das Goswami has always been an inspiration for me but I didn't seriously consider trying to obtain and worship Giridhari. Then, shortly before taking diksha, I met someone who had just been given Giridhari by Ananta Das Baba. Their Giridhari had a most amazing face--a division in the center made his eyes form the most natural of that infamous sidelong glance we hear about. That humorous, seductive expression was enough to convince me that this is someone I can worship.

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My Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundara enjoying water-abhishek Gaura Purnima 2005.

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Enjoying milk-abhishek.

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After the abhishek in Their brand-new shiny suits!

They are 1-year-old today.

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My Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundara enjoying water-abhishek Gaura Purnima 2005.

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Enjoying milk-abhishek.

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After the abhishek in Their brand-new shiny suits!

They are 1-year-old today.

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My Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundara enjoying water-abhishek Gaura Purnima 2005.

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Enjoying milk-abhishek.

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After the abhishek in Their brand-new shiny suits!

They are 1-year-old today.

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Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai of Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, England - Gaura Purnima 2005.

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Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai fly through the streets of London on the back of Garuda - Gaura Purnima Maha-harinam 2005.

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Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai of Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, England - Gaura Purnima 2005.

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Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai fly through the streets of London on the back of Garuda - Gaura Purnima Maha-harinam 2005.

They are so adorable!
Happy Birthday Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundara!

Thanks for sharing the pics from BVM too...It must have been a wonderful celebration.

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Since receiving my dear Giridhari I have been trying my best to cook nicely for his enjoyment which includes dabbling in sweets. So far I have become comfortable with Simply Wonderfuls (Khara Pera) and Sweet Rice (Kheer). Today was my first try with Besan Ladoo.

Below are pictures of my dear Giridhari receiving his first Besan Ladoo's from me along with Palak Paneer, Poori's, Rice, Pakoras and Mango Chutney. I think he enjoyed them and I know my son, Caitanya dasa, really enjoyed Giridhari's remnants.

Radhe Radhe!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Since receiving my dear Giridhari I have been trying my best to cook nicely for his enjoyment which includes dabbling in sweets. So far I have become comfortable with Simply Wonderfuls (Khara Pera) and Sweet Rice (Kheer). Today was my first try with Besan Ladoo.

Below are pictures of my dear Giridhari receiving his first Besan Ladoo's from me along with Palak Paneer, Poori's, Rice, Pakoras and Mango Chutney. I think he enjoyed them and I know my son, Caitanya dasa, really enjoyed Giridhari's remnants.

Radhe Radhe!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Since receiving my dear Giridhari I have been trying my best to cook nicely for his enjoyment which includes dabbling in sweets. So far I have become comfortable with Simply Wonderfuls (Khara Pera) and Sweet Rice (Kheer). Today was my first try with Besan Ladoo.

Below are pictures of my dear Giridhari receiving his first Besan Ladoo's from me along with Palak Paneer, Poori's, Rice, Pakoras and Mango Chutney. I think he enjoyed them and I know my son, Caitanya dasa, really enjoyed Giridhari's remnants.

Radhe Radhe!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Dear Rasaraja,
I am stunned.

Beautiful...

Yo, he DOES!

We just had some additions to our family, here they are.

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Wonderful! Could we have some other angles?

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If you don't mind let me post sloka in salutation of your Sri Vigraha. It's from Mukunda Mala 57

kSIrasAgaratarangazIkarAsAratArakitacArumUrtaye/
bhogibhogazayanIyasAyine mAdhavAya madhuvidviSe namah//

I bow in salutation to the lord Madhava,
slayer of the asura Madhu, who , reclining
on the soft coils of the divine serpant bed,
has his beautiful limbs adorned with star-like
spray from the milky ocean.

That's very beautiful, Keshavaji. Very big too.

I would like to offer a krthi of Swati Thirunal at the lotus feet of your padmanabha.

audio: http://www.musicindiaonline.com/s

I wanted to include the rendition done by MSS but could not find online, sorry.

http://www.geocities.com/promiserani2/c1108.html

bhOginDra shayinam
raagam: kuntala varaaLi

28 harikaambhOji janya
Aa: S M1 P D2 N2 D2 S
Av: S N2 D2 P M1 S

taaLam: jhampa
Composer: Swaati TirunaaL
Language:

pallavi

bhOgIndra ShAyinam purukucaladAyinam
purusham ShAsvatam kalayE

anupallavi

vAgISha gaurISha vAsavAdya marapari
vArAbhi vanditapadam padmanAbham

caraNam 1

kSIra vArAnnidhish-vEdAntarIpa bhava citramaNi saudhAsthitam
nAradAtyakhila muni divya pArSada vihaga nAyaka sadArAdhitam
sura bhAsura sudarshana nandaka pramukha shObhanAyudha sEvitam
shrI rasAkara sarOjAmrudita pAda vandArujana bharaNOtyatam padmanAbham
(bhOgIndra)

caraNam 2

parama bhaktOttama divAkara yatIndra krtaguru puNya vasudhAgatam
surucirAdbhuta bAlavESa sAkSAtkAra paritOSa shira lALitam
paripUjanArtha sALagrAma haraNAttatatara yOgi karavAritam
tvaritAnuyAta yati karuNA kulAnandapara pAdhyAsitam padmanAbham
(bhOgIndra)

caraNam 3

kalitanuta sanyAsi bhajanAnu guNavihita sulalitAkAramahitam
kalushara parisarOjavala padma tIrthAdi
khaNDitAShEshaduritam kalaShOtbhavAn vita mahEndra trikUTavara
malayAcalEndra vinutam
kaladamana va~NJci mArtANDavar mAkalita kA~NJcana vimAna- lasitam padmanAbham


caraNam 4

aruNAbhamaNi makuTa makara kuNDala dhAra hAra kaustbha bhUSitam
parivIta pItAmbarAkalita kAncikAvaravanya mAlAncitam
niravadya vancIsha sakrta lakSadIpAdi nityOtsavAnanditam
sarasIruhOdara palAshAyatAkSi puTa paripUrNa karuNamrtam
padmanAbham

Shri Shri Bala Gopala and Shri Shri Radha GovindaJi along with gopishvara Mahadev also see the pic i postedin the Chandan Yatra post

Photo's of my dear Thakurji and Altar this morning...

Photo's of my dear Thakurji and Altar this morning...

Your Giridhari looks well fed in the picture...

Some views of our Thakurs today:

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Your Giridhari looks well fed in the picture...

Some views of our Thakurs today:

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Radhe Radhe!

Although I cannot "compete" with the nectar that others posted, still I like to offer a nice view of my new altar in the kutir.

It became bigger and still there is a lot of emphasis on "guru-tattva"....

This is my Thakurji-
I feel that my life has been turned upside down according to His whims, so I am here with all of you great Vaisnavas thanks to Him.
He is wearing His warm winter Dhoti and Turban.
Isn't He dashing?
Thanks to Braja for technical support for the post.

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This is my Thakurji-
I feel that my life has been turned upside down according to His whims, so I am here with all of you great Vaisnavas thanks to Him.
He is wearing His warm winter Dhoti and Turban.
Isn't He dashing?
Thanks to Braja for technical support for the post.

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Testing...

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Shri Krishna at painting in my room...

Here are some recent images of our Thakurs Sri Sri Gora-Gadadhar. They are in Their "special" dress. Gadadhara is manifesting "his" hidden nari-svarup as Sri Radhaji while Gora is showing His rasraj mood donning vamsi and peacock feather in His crown.

Ohhh...
Khoopshundar!
Va! Khoopbhalo!
Radhe! Radhe!

closeups of our thakurs

today's pics w/ flower dress

........

.........

another of my beloved murtis

Wonderfull

Gora(Govinda) and Gadai(Rai) in their Independence Day best.

new Gaura nitai deites

A couple of close-ups...

Sri Sri Gora Gadadharou Vijayatam!

A couple of close-ups...

Sri Sri Gora Gadadharou Vijayatam!

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Janmastami - Bala Gopala on his swing

Radhashthmi

SUPER RARE DARSHAN: Genuine Sri Valampuri Turbinella Pyrum Lakshmi Conch AND genuine Gandaki Vajra-kita Shalagram Shila with complete Chakra. THIS PICTURE IS RARE TO SEE IN THIS WORLD. This is a FIRST! We have never before seen a truly genuine picture like this. Om Tat Sat!

SUPER RARE DARSHAN: Genuine Sri Valampuri Turbinella Pyrum Lakshmi Conch AND genuine Gandaki Vajra-kita Shalagram Shila with complete Chakra. THIS PICTURE IS RARE TO SEE IN THIS WORLD. This is a FIRST! We have never before seen a truly genuine picture like this. Om Tat Sat![attachmentid=2008]