Vedic Rituals and Routines!!! Why do wear marks (tilak, and the like) on the forehead?

img from google

The tilak invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and the others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of te Lord worshipped.

In earlier times, the four castes (based on varna or colour) - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The brahmin applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior races. The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black bhasma or kasturi mark signifying service as he supported the work of other three divisions.

Vedic Rituals and Routines!!! Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?

Indians prostrate before their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls, by touching their feet. The elders in turn bless us by placing their hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily, when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals, etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration is accompanied by 'abhivaadana', which serves to introduce oneself, announce one's family and lineage.

Vedic Rituals and Routines !!! Why do we do Namaste (Salutation)?

Indians greet each other with namaste. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word namaste. This greeting is for all ----- people younger than us, of our own age, those older, even strangers.

There are five forms of formal traditional greetings in the Sastras, of which 'namaskar' is one. This is understood as prostration, but it actually refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a namaste.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare..

Sri Krishna

Today is a day when a MAN was born to deliver people from pain and injustice. This man was an incarnation of God and he is the face of the religion called Hinduism. He is the source of the Holy Book called Mahabharata. He is Lord Krishna,an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, a GOD.

Many people still argue about his existence and many continue to question his presence in the so called History of the World. But i believe he did and there are many like me who do believe that. Now, in the past few years many scientists and archaeologists have researched and discovered the place called Dwarka, which is submerged under the sea near the coastal lines of Gujarat in India. It is proven that there was a city just like it is described in the scriptures and there was a man (god) called Krishna who precedes Jesus Christ.

Dhyana Linga

Dhyana Linga

The sacred land of India has been witness to the lives of countless yogis, sages and enlightened beings. The Dhyana Linga Yogic Temple, situated at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India, is very much part of this glorious tradition.

The Dhyana Linga was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a mystic and realized Master, after three years of intense prana prathistha, using his own energies. The people involved in the consecration process underwent intense sadhana, overcoming the limitations of the body and the mind to energize the Dhyana Linga. Dhyana in Sanskrit means 'meditation',, and Linga means 'the form'.

As Sadhguru describes it, the linga-form allows energy to be brought to the highest intensity, at which it

"India" in "Ramayana"

Ramayana by Virgin Comics

 Well, who would have thought that the epic Ramayana, which is Hindu's sacred book just like Mahabharata, would show us, the India which was there around Treta Yuga, more than 1,700,000 years ago. I was not able to believe my eyes when i saw this picture but then this was drawn as accurately as possible as  it was described in the Ramayana. Some of the references were taken from the Buddhist texts too.

Amarnath "Shiva Lingam"

Lord Shiva & Mata Parvati

Om Namah Shivay. I'm a devotee of Lord Shiva and will be forever but i haven't had a chance to visit one of the most holy places on earth called Amarnath. It's located in Jammu & Kashmir, India. Situated on Mount Amarnath, in the Himalayan Range there is a shrine dedicated to the god Shiva, which is said to be 5,000 years old.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy

 Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has become the talk of the country as it has surprised or rather i would say "shocked" many citizens of India. Located inside East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram - the capital city of  Kerala, India this Mahavishnu Temple has been assumed and estimated to be the richest temple in India as well as in the world. In late June 2011 India's Supreme Court ordered the inspection of the vaults of the temple after a lawyer petitioned a local court asking the state government to take over the temple, citing improper and inadequate security. The current Maharaja of Travancore had appealed to the Supreme Court against the petition.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

 Till now a vast amount of gold coins, jewels, gold statues of gods and precious stones were unearthed and it was expected to grow further in value as the last 6th chamber will be opened later after the approval from the Supreme Court. There were totally 6 chambers, as the 5 chambers have been opened and the treasures are accounted the estimated value goes to Rs.100,000 crore (US$22.3 billion). The riches come from the donations that were made by the Royal family, devotees and the traders from all across the country as the offerings to the diety. All this treasures were sealed in the vaults for over 150 years.
Even as the treasures are being calculated its just the wild guess and the estimated amount that reaches Rs.100,000 crore. Some say that the actual value of all these treasures might even cross Rs.4-5 lakh crore.
All these treasures should not be called as treasures actually. These are the offerings made by people to the god, So it is His wealth not some old treasure. 
What will happen when the final chamber is opened??? There is a rumour that there is a huge snake protecting the vault and watching over the god's wealth. Nobody has any idea of what will be the total value or amount of all these god's wealth when the final chamber is opened.
There are many temples in India like this which are famous or not famous but have millions of god's wealth as offerings by the people. India still is the richest country, with half the money in the country and half in the swiss bank. I hope that the same sri vishnu helps in developing this country.