Hindu Devotional Blog

Panchangam & Festival dates - February

2012-02-01T12:34:00.006Z

Pandigai / Festival Dates :

07.02.12 - Thai Poosam
20.02.12 - Maha Sivaratri

Thedivantha Chidambaram

2012-01-19T16:53:00.000Z

This article was published in Dinamalar Aanima malar dated 07.01.12 . Thanks to my friend Lavanya for translating the same in english ..

This story was titled as " THEDIVANTHA CHITHAMBARAM". This was a year before his sidhi, when Maha Periyavaa was not feeling very well, one evening he called his disciples and told that he wanted to go to Chidambaram and pray Natarajar and also wish to see the, kunjithapatham. Kunjithapatham is an offering for Natarajar made out of various herbal roots. This is considered to cure many health related diseases also believed to give moksham. Now his disciples were so worried how to take him to Chidambaram in this health condition. For their surprise, the next day, early morning before sunrise, the priests who do the poojai to Chidambaram temple came to visit Kanchi maha periyavaa with prasadam along with the kunchithapatham and requested to meet Kanchi maha periyavaa and give the offerings. This put every disciples of Kanchi maha periyavaa into a great surprise. They went and informed maha periyavaa about the priests arrival and maha periyavaa signed the priests to come near him. He then accepted the offerings and kept the kunjithapatham on his head. This photo was taken then and this event is called as "Thedivantha chidambaram." The above picture is considered to be one of the rarest picture of maha periyavaa.

Have provided the screen shot :

To view in bigger size and to read it clearly in tamil check the below link :

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MZINf9SE39neCDZEsFioFx5p3mDC4L2-fquj4NaT570?feat=directlink

Source : dinamalar.com

Vaikunta Ekadasi

2012-01-06T12:43:00.000Z

Vaikunta Ekadasi was celebrated yesterday (05.01.12) ..

To read in Tamil :

http://temple.dinamalar.com/news_detail.php?id=7866

Video :

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xngae0_vaigunda_shortfilms?start=624#from=embediframe

Source :http://www.dinamalar.com/

Panchangam & Festival dates - January

2012-01-02T17:01:00.001Z

Wish you all a very Happy New Year ...

Pandigai / Festival Dates :

05.01.12 - Vaikunta Ekadasi
08.01.12 - Thiruvadirai / Arudra darisanam
14.01.12 - Bhogi
15.01.12 - Thai Pongal
16.01.12 - Maatu Pongal
22.01.12 - Thai amavasai
30.01.12 - Ratha Saptami

karthigai Deepam

2011-12-05T14:19:00.000Z

Karthigai deepam is a festival of lights,celebrated on the full moon day of tamil calendar month karthigai (November/december) ,which coincides with the karthigai star. This year Karthigai deepam falls on 08.12.12 (Thursday). The lighted lamp is considered as an auspicious symbol, it is believed to ward off
evil forces and bring in prosperity and joy in life. On this day, People clean the houses and in evening, they draw kolams in front of houses and also rows of oil lamps (agal Vizhakku) is lit up on the festival day.

Karthigai deepam festival is famous in Thiruvannamalai temple. On this day, a huge fire lamp is lit up on the hill, visible for several kilometers around the hill. This deepam is called Mahadeepam.

Legends / Mythological stories :

Lord shiva appeared as a huge flame of light before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma , who each considered themselves as supreme and said that it can be tested if the two could search for Lord shiva beginning and end. Vishnu was appointed the end, and Brahma the beginning. Each took their journey, Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and began digging downwards into the earth while Lord Brahma took on the shape of a swan began flying upwards. But neither could find their appointed destination. Lord Vishnu gave up his search and returned back to Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma did not give up so easily. As he was going up, he saw a kaitha(Thalamppu) flower. His ego forced him to ask the flower to bear false witness of Brahma's finding Shiva's beginning. When Lord Brahma told his tale, Lord Shiva, the all-knowing, was angered by the former's
ego. Lord Shiva thus cursed him that no being in the three worlds will worship him. and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva.The place where Lord Shiva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai.

The birth of Lord Muruga also holds special significnce to the celebration of karthigai deepam festival, It was on this day Lord Muruga who first incarnated as six infants in saravana poigai.

This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps...there is a legend relating to this and also as to :

Why elephant lamp is lit on Karthigai deepam day ?

Once there lived a king and he had only one daughter. She loved an elephant as her own brother. After her marriage she missed her brother elephant very much, so for every karthigai she lits up elephant lamp and prepares Milagu adai, Pori, Appam, Adhirasam for neivedhiyam on this day .

Source : Wikipedia & here

Panchangam & Festival dates - December

2011-12-01T16:35:00.000Z

Pandigai / Festival Dates :

Karthigai Deepam (Annamalai Deepam ) - 08.12.12
Hanumath Jayanthi - 24.12.12

Panchangam & Festival dates - November

2011-11-09T16:44:00.002Z

Panchangam & Festival dates - June

2011-06-07T11:13:00.000+01:00

Vishnu Sahasranamam

2011-05-20T11:23:00.002+01:00

Chitirai Thiruvizha

2011-05-09T17:03:00.001+01:00

Photos

2011-05-09T17:01:00.000+01:00

Source : www.dinamalar.com

Panchangam & festival dates - May

2011-05-04T13:54:00.007+01:00

Festivals / Pandigai dates :

17.05.11 - Vaigasi Visagam

Panchangam & Festival dates - April

2011-04-01T13:33:00.001+01:00

Festivals / Pandigai dates :

04.04.11 - Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Chet - I - Chand
12.04.11 - Rama Navami
14.04.11 - Tamil New Year
15.04.11 - Vishu

Karadayan Nonbu (Tamil version)

2011-03-14T10:23:00.001Z

சுமங்கலிப்பெண்கள் தங்கள் கணவரின் ஆயுள் விருத்திக் காக காரடையான் நோன்பு அனுஷ்டிக்க வேண்டும். கார்காலத்தில் விளையும் நெல்லைக் குத்தி, பச்சரிசி மாவுடன் இனிப்பு கலந்து தயாரிப்பதே காரடை ஆகும். மந்திர தேசத்து மன்னன் அஸ்வபதியின் மகள் சாவித்திரி, வீரத்தில் சிறந்தவள். இவள் ஒருநாள் வேட்டைக்குச் செல்லும்போது, தியானத்தில் இருந்த சாளுவதேசத்து இளவரசன் சத்தியவானைப் பார்த்தாள். அவனது தந்தை ஒரு போரில் நாட்டை இழந்து விட்டார். அதனால், காட்டில் மகனுடன் வசித்தார். பார்வையற்ற பெற்றோரை சத்தியவான், அன்புடன் கவனித்துக் கொண்டான். அவனையே திருமணம் செய்வதென்று முடிவு செய்தாள் சாவித்திரி. மந்திர தேசத்திற்கு வந்த நாரதர், சாவித்திரியின் தந்தையிடம் இன்னும் ஓராண்டு காலத்தில் சத்தியவான் இறந்து விடுவான் என்றும், அதனால் சாவித்திரியை அவனுக்கு திருமணம் செய்து கொடுக்க வேண்டாம் என்றும் எச்சரித்தார். ஆனால், சாவித்திரி விடாப்பிடியாக சத்தியவானையே திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டாள். கணவனையும், பார்வையற்ற மாமனார், மாமியாரையும் அவள் அன்புடன் கவனித்துக் கொண்டாள். அரண்மனைவாசியான அவள் காட்டில் பல சிரமங்களை அனுபவித்தாலும், பொறுமையுடன் ஏற்றுக் கொண்டாள்.

சத்தியவானின் ஆயுள் முடியும் நாள் வந்தது. அன்று அவள் கணவனைப் பிரியவே இல்லை. அவர்கள் காட்டில் பழம் பறித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தனர். திடீரென சத்தியவான், மயங்கி விழுந்து இறந்தான். அவனது உயிரை எமதர்மராஜா, எடுத்துச் சென்றார். சாவித்திரி எமனைப் பின்தொடர்ந்தாள். தலை சிறந்த கற்புக்கரசி என்பதாலும், கணவன் இறப்பான் என்று தெரிந்தும், தைரியத்துடன் அவனை திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டதாலும், பார்வையற்ற முதியவர்களுக்கு தளராத சேவை செய்தவள் என்பதாலும் அவளுக்குக் காட்சி தந்த எமதர்மர், அவளை திரும்பிப் போகச் சொன்னார். அவரிடம், நான் என் கணவருடன் வாழ விரும்பு கிறேன். நான் பதிவிரதை என்பது உண்மையானால், அவரது உயிரைத் திருப்பித்தர வேண்டும், எனக் கேட்டாள். இறப்புக்குப் பிறகு யாருக்கும் வாழ்வு கிடையாது என மறுத்த எமதர்மர், அதற்குப் பதிலாக வேறு எந்த வரம் கேட்டாலும் தருவதாகக் கூறினார். சாவித்திரி சமயோசிதமாக,என் மாமனார், மாமியாருக்கு மீண்டும் பார்வை வேண்டும். ஆண் வாரிசு இல்லாத என் தந்தைக்கு ஆண் குழந்தை பிறக்க வேண்டும். எனக்கு நூறு குழந்தைகள் வேண்டும், என்றாள். சற்றும் யோசிக்காத எமதர்மன் அந்த வரங்களைக் கொடுத்து விட்டார். எனக்கு நூறு குழந்தைகள் பிறக்க வேண்டுமென்றால், என் கணவன் உயிருடன் இருந்தாக வேண்டுமே! அவரது உயிரை திரும்பக் கொடுங்கள், என யாசித்தாள் சாவித்திரி. எமதர்மராஜா அவளது அறிவின் திறனை வியந்து, சத்தியவானை அங்கேயே விட்டுச் சென்றார். மாசியும், பங்குனியும் இணையும் சமயத்தில் காரடையான் நோன்பு நோற்பது வழக்கம்.

மாங்கல்ய பாக்கியத்திற்காக பெண்கள் அனுஷ்டிக்கும் விரதம் காரடையான் நோன்பாகும். மாசி மாதம் முடிந்து, பங்குனி மாதம் துவங்கும் வேளையில் இந்த விரதம் அனுஷ்டிக்கப்படும்.

விரதமுறை: விரதம் இருக்கும் நாளில் பெண்கள் அதிகாலையில் நீராடி, பூஜையறையை சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும். ஒரு கலசத்தின் மேல் தேங்காய், மாவிலை வைக்க வேண்டும். கலசத்திற்கு சந்தனம், குங்குமம், மஞ்சள் பூசி, அதன் மேல் மஞ்சள் கயிறை கட்ட வேண்டும். அருகில் இஷ்ட அம்பாள் படம் வைத்து, அவளை சாவித்திரியாகக் கருதி வழிபட வேண்டும். கார்காலத்தில் (முதல் பருவம்) விளைந்த நெல்லைக் குத்தி கிடைக்கும் அரிசி மாவில், இனிப்பு சேர்த்து அடை தயாரிக்க வேண்டும். இதுவே, காரடை ஆகும். இந்த பெயராலேயே இந்த விரதத்திற்கும்ச பெயர் அமைந்தது. அன்று நல்ல நேரம் பார்த்து, பெண்கள் மாங்கல்ய கயிறு மாற்றிக்கொள்வர்.

பலன்: காரடையான் விரதம் இருக்கும் பெண்கள் தீர்க்க சுமங்கலிகளாக இருப்பர்.

நோன்பு கயிறு கட்ட நல்ல நேரம் மாலை 6.00 - 9.00 மணி.

Source : http://temple.dinamalar.com/news_detail.php?id=2226

Timing to perform the nonbu (tie the thread ) : 6.00 - 9.00 PM

To read the above information in English , check this link :

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu.html

while we tie the thread, have to chant this slokam :

Urugda Venaiyum oru adai naan tharuven .

Oru kaalam yen kanavan yenaai piriyatha iruka vendum

karadayan nonbu adai recipes :

Uppu / Salt Adai :

http://kavithavin-kaivannam.blogspot.com/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-salt-adai-gayathris.html

Vellam / Sweet adai :

http://kavithavin-kaivannam.blogspot.com/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-sweet-adai-gayathris.html

Panchangam & festival dates - March

2011-03-01T10:48:00.005Z

Festivals / Pandigai dates :

02.03.11 - Maha Shivaratri & check here
14.03.11 - Karadayan Nonbu
19.03.11 - Panguni Uthiram
19.03.11 - Holi

Panchangam & festival dates - February

2011-02-01T09:00:00.030Z

Festival / Pandigai dates :

Thai Ammavasai - 02.02.11
Ratha Saptami - 10.02.11
Maasi Magam - 18.02.11

Happy Pongal wishes

2011-01-14T19:52:00.010Z

ஐந்து கரத்தனை ஆணை முகத்தனை
இந்தில் இழம்பிறை போலும் எயிற்றனை
நந்தி மகன் தனை ஞானகொழுந்தினை
பந்தியில் வைத்தடி போற்றுகின்றேனே

Ainthu karathanai aanai mugathanai
Inthin ilam pirai polun yeyitranai
Nandhi magan thanai gyanakolunthinai
punthiyil Vaituthadi potru gindreney

This beautiful Lord Ganesha's photo was shared by my friend..Thanks a lot to her ...do checkout her photoblog and I am sure you all will enjoy, same as me ...

And here comes my Pongal wishes to all my friends ...

Want to know more details about Pongal festival ,click here .

Sastha Namaskaram - Loka veeram song

2011-01-11T13:10:00.004Z

To Download the lyrics check this link :

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1keFs2-xm8WYNStphaslq5PtGilxRWdYalTuAqGLhAq4

Ganapathy Slokam :
Mooshika vahana Modaka Hasta
Shyamara karna Vilambitha soothra
vamana roopa Maheshwara Putra
Vigna vinayaka Paatha Namasthe(2)

Kannimoozha Ganapathy Bagavane...Saranam ayyappa.

1. Loka veeram Maha Poojyam Sarva rakshakaram thibum
Parvathy Hirudayanandam Sastharam Pranamamyaham

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa..2. Vipra Poojyam Viswa Vanthyam , Vishnu- sambho Priyam sutham
Shipra prasatha Niratham Sastharam Pranamamyaham

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa..
3. Matha bathanga gamanam Karunya-mirutha puritham
Sarva vigna haram devam satharam Pranamamyaham

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa..4. Asmath Kuleswaram devam asmath chathru Vinasanam
asmathishta prathatharam Sastharam Pranamamyaham

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa..5. Paantye savam sathilagam kerale Keli Vigraham
Aarthathrana-varam devam Sastharam pranamamyaham

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa..
Slokam :
Pancha ratnakya methathyo Nithya suktha prane naraha
Satsya Prasanno baghavan Sastha vasathi maanase

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa..

Boodhanatha Sathanantha Sarva boodha dhayabara
Raksha raksha Mahababo Sasthe dhupyam Namonamaha

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.

Panchangam & festival dates - January

2010-12-31T15:30:00.005Z

Festival / Pandigai dates :

04.01.11 - Hanumath Jayanthi (celebrated in Kerela and Tamilnadu )

14.01.11 - Boghi pandigai

15.01.11 - Pongal pandigai

16.01.11 - Maatu pongal

20.01.11 - Thai Poosam

Wishing all my friends a Very Happy New year ..

Gajendra Moksham story / Video

2010-12-08T19:19:00.001Z

Trikuta was one of the beautiful mountain and in the forest there ,
lived a King of elephants named Gajendra. He ruled all other elephants in the herd. Gajendra , in his previous birth was a King named Indrayumna . He was a great devotee of Lord vishnu. One day, Agastya, a great sage came to visit the King , he did not welcome the sage with respect nor he did not rise up to greet him .The engraged Agastya cursed the
king to become an elephant and he will be wandering in the jungle ...
Thus the king became the Gajendra.
One day when Gajendra and all his herd proceeded to a river to take bath . Suddenly a crocodile which was living in that river caught hold of Gajendra's leg. Gajendra couldn't get away from crocodile and all its friends efforts to rescue him failed. The crocodile was more stronger than all the elephants put together.
The elephant and the crocodile struggled for a thousand years ..the elephant lost so much of blood and it began to get tired , although the crocodile's strength was still strong ..
Gajendra couldn't do anything and atlast he realised that only God can help him so he started to call out Lord Vishnu for help. Lord heard Gajendra crying for help and appeared on his Garuda Vahana. Pleased with Gajendra ,Lord Vishnu killed the crocodile with the Sudarshana Chakra and freed Gajendra. Gajendra offered Lord Vishnu a lotus and thanked him for saving his life.

The crocodile in his previous life was a King named HuHu in the Gandarva planet. Once, while enjoying himself in the water, he pulled the leg of a sage. The engraged sage cursed the king to become a crocodile.And he said that he will be freed by Lord Vishnu.

Ps: Have shared the youtube video of Gajendra Moksham , I couldn't find the english version ... if you can understand Telugu ...enjoy the video.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gajendra_Moksha

http://www.riiti.com/2008-06-gajendra_moksha_the_story_of_elephants_king.html

Panchangam & festival dates - December

2010-12-02T12:16:00.002Z

Hi all ,
I am back with my blog work ..same old reason ...My system was not working for the past one month ...Got my system back just 2 days before ..with full working condition , Hoping that my system works fine hereafter ...Will try to update this blog regularly ...Thanks for all your support and encouragement to write / learn more about Hindu

Subamuhurtham Dates :

02.12.10 - Thursday
09.12.10 - Friday
12.12.10 - Sunday

Festival / Pandigai dates :

17.12.10 - Vaikunta Ekadesi
22.12.10 - Arudra darshan / Thiruvadirai

Story of Shri Sai Baba

2010-10-12T11:35:00.003+01:00

Saraswathi Ashtothram

2010-10-11T17:58:00.006+01:00

To download the lyrics ...check this link :

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BxIe8jzLW3nWMzkyNDQwMzYtNDQ1Yy00ZWU1LWE2NTctMTQxOTE3Zjg5Nzk2&hl=en
Om Sarasvatyai namah
Om Maha-bhadrayai namah
Om Maha-mayayai namah
Om Vara-pradayai namah
Om Sree pradayai namah
Om Padma-nilayayai namah
Om Padmakshmai namah
Om Padma-vaktri-kayai namah
Om Shivanu-jayai namah
Om Pustaka-stayai namah
Om Gynana-mudrayai namah
Om Ramayai namah
Om Kama-rupayai namah
Om Maha-vidyayai namah
Om Maha-pataka-nashinyai namah
Om Maha-shrayayai namah
Om Malinyai namah
Om Maha-bhogayai namah
Om Maha-bhujayai namah
Om Maha-bagayai namah
Om Maho-tsahayai namah
Om Divyamgayai namah
Om Sura-vandi-tayai namah
Om Mahakalyai namah
Om Maha-pashayai namah
Om Maha-karayai namah
Om Mahamkushayai namah
Om Peetayai namah
Om Vimalayai namah
Om Vishvayai namah
Om Vidyunma-layai namah
Om Vaishnavyai namah
Om Chandri-kayai namah
Om Chandra-lekha-vibhu-shitayai namah
Om Bhoga-dayai namah
Om Savitryai namah
Om Surasayai namah
Om Devyai namah
Om Divya-lankara-bhushitayai namah
Om Vagdevyai namah
Om Vasudayai namah
Om Teevrayai namah
Om Maha-bhadrayai namah
Om Maha-phalayai namah
Om Gomatyai namah
Om Bharatyai namah
Om Bhamayai namah
Om Govimdayai namah
Om Jati-layai namah
Om Vindhya-vasayai namah
Om Chandi-kayai namah
Om Vaishnavyai namah
Om Bramhyai namah
Om Bramha-gynanaika-sadhanayai namah
Om Soudaminyai namah
Om Sudha-murtayai namah
Om Subha-drayai namah
Om Sura-puji-tayai namah
Om Suvaa-sinyai namah
Om Suveenayai namah
Om Vini-drayai namah
Om Padma-lochanayai namah
Om Vidya-rupayai namah
Om Vishalayai namah
Om Bramha-jayayai namah
Om maha palayai namah
Om Traeimurtyai namah
Om Traeikalanjyai namah
Om Traeikalanjyai namah
Om Shastra-rupinyai namah
Om Shumbha-sura-pramadhinyai namah
Om Shubha-dayai namah
Om Sarvatmi-kayai namah
Om Rakta-beejani-hantrai namah
Om Chamundayai namah
Om Ambikayai namah
Om Munda-kambi-katai namah
Om Dhumra-lochana-mardhinyai namah
Om Sarva-devastu-tayai namah
Om Soumyayai namah
Om Sura-sura-namaskrutayai namah
Om Kala-ratryai namah
Om Kala-dharayai namah
Om Vagdevyai namah
Om Vara-rohayai namah
Om Varahyai namah
Om Varijaa-sanayai namah
Om Chitrambarayai namah
Om Chitra-gamdhayai namah
Om Chitra-malya-vibhushitayai namah
Om Kantayai namah
Om Kama-pradayai namah
Om Vindyayai namah
Om Rupa-soubhagya-daeinyai namah
Om Shweta-sanayai namah
Om Neela-bhujayai namah
Om Sura-puji-tayai namah
Om Rakta-madhyayai namah
Om Neela-jamghayai namah
Om Niranja-nayai namah
Om Chaturana-nasamrajyai namah
Om Chaturvarga-phala-pradayai namah
Om Hamsa-sanayai namah
Om Bramha-vishu-sivatmi-kayai namah
Om Sarva-mangalaya namah
Om Vedamathre namah
Om Saratayai namah
Om Sri Saraswatyai namah
Om Naanavidha Parimal Pathra Pushpaani Samarpayami

Yakundendu - Sarawathi Slokam

2010-10-11T17:25:00.005+01:00

Ya Kundendu Tushaara Haara Dhavalaa
Ya Shubhra Vastraavrita
Ya Veena Vara Danda Manditakara
Ya Shweta Padmaasana
Ya Brahma Achyutaha Shankara Prabrithibhih
Devai Sadaa vanditata
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswathi Bhagavati
Nishyesha Jyaadyaapaha

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - OCTOBER

2010-10-06T12:25:00.001+01:00

Subamuhurtham Dates :

27.10.10 - Wednesday
29.10.10 - Friday

Festival / Pandigai dates :

07.10.10 - Mahalaya Amavasya
08.10.10 - Navaratri begins
16.10.10 - Saraswati Puja / Ayuda Pooja (Navaratri ends)
17.10.10 - Vijayadasami
26.10.10 - Karva Chauth (Karwa chauth legends )

To know details about Navratri check Part 1 & Part 2

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - SEPTEMBER

2010-09-16T13:30:00.000+01:00

A Break FROM BLOG WORK

2010-08-17T12:42:00.000+01:00

Hi all ,

Very sorry for not updating , the blog post about the festival dates and about the festivals , which we are celebrating in this month ... The main reason being , my system is not working fine , and next we are going on a Summer vacation to USA for next two weeks and will be back on september 1st week ...will start updating my blog once I get back .

Meet you all soon.

AADI POORAM

2010-07-08T17:28:00.001+01:00

Aadi Pooram is one the major festival celebrated in every Vaishnavite temples. It falls on the Aadi month , the fourth month of the Tamil calender , and on the Pooram star . This year it falls on August 12th , 2010. This day is considered as Goddess Andal's Birthday , and it is also believed that Andal is the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi. Andal is one among the 12 Alwars , and she is a great poetess , who is well known for her works which include Thiruppavai and Nachiar Thirumozhi . Andal and all other alwars are the most famous devotees of Lord Vishnu.

According to the legend : It was said that goddess Lakshmi took Human form on this day . A Vaishavite saint named , Periyalwar in Srivalliputar , prayed to Goddess Lakshmi that he had no children ...One day morning when Periyalwar was ploughing his field , he found a beautiful child near the Tulasi plant . He took the child home and named her as Andal , and it was on a Pooram star day in the month of Aadi . Therefore this day is celebrated as the birthday of Aandal.

There is one more famous story realted to the life of Aandal , which goes like this : Everyday Periyalwar used to tie garland to Lord Vishnu and offer that to Lord. Aandal will wear the garland everyday before wearing to Lord Vishnu , which was not know to her father ...One day he found this and he made a new garland and took it to the temple , after doing all rituals and decoration to Lord Vishnu , he offered this new garland to Lord. But this new garland fell off ...Inspite of several attempts , Periyalwar was unable to offer the Garland to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu , he himself came before periyalwar and told that he want to have only the garland which Aandal wored ..and he told him that she is none other than Goddess Lakshmi .

This Aadi pooram is celebrated in grand manner in Srivalliputur , Srirangam and in many other places and it is celebrated for 10 days . In Temples , all women offer Glass bangles to goddess and those bangles are distributed to all the ladies. On this day people will read

Lalitha Sahasranamam and Thiruppavai .

Source : http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/

AADI PERUKKU

2010-07-06T14:38:00.001+01:00

Adiperukku is a festival celebrated on the 18th day of Tamil month of Adi (Mid july -August). This year it falls on August 3rd. This festival is also called as "Padinettam perukku" - Padinettu -means 18 and Perukku denotes rising. The aadi month falls during the monsoon season and in this month all the rivers will get filled by the rains . This festival is also a form of worshipping the nature. This festival is celebrated in Tamilnadu and it is a rejoicing for the people who live on the banks of the main rivers , tributaries and branches. People do offer special poojas to the river on this day. Hundreds of devotees , including newly married couple celebrate this festival and worships on the banks of the river . There is a belief that young girls who do this pooja , will be blessed with good husbands.

Mulaipari and Adi perukku : This is a very important ritual which takes place in every village for their village goddess. In villages , womens plants , 9 types of grains inside the eathern pot and on this day the grains will be grown ...they carry that on thier head and along with the goddess they go as a procession to the rivers and the grown grains is dissolved in water . This ritual is performed as a request to the village goddess for rain and fertility of the land.
And on this day women will float ahal villakku in the river , a belief that if the lamp stays floated for a long time , all the dreams will get fulfilled. Women on this day change their Thali saradu (yellow thread ). In case of newly married couples , the brides family invite their daughter's husband and gives the new clothes. On this special day various variety rice are prepared along with sweet dishes and after offerring the pooja to the river goddess they all will have it .

source : http://www.ammas.com/topics/Festivals_and_Celebrations/a152714.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiperukku

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - JULY

2010-07-02T12:45:00.000+01:00

Aadi month / Aashada month / Sharavan month : (Mid July - Mid August )

No major festivals falls in the month of July . Aadi perukku , Aadi Amavasya , Aadi Pooram , Varalakshmi viratham ... falls in August month . Will update about these in next month post .

SATYANARAYANA POOJA - AUDIO FORMAT

2010-06-30T12:40:00.000+01:00

Pooja in audio format :

check this link to hear in Telugu :
http://www.raaga.com/player4/?id=91906&mode=100&rand=0.20234942322807658

check this link to hear it in Tamil :
http://www.raaga.com/player4/?id=33333,33334&mode=100&rand=0.6882780904010848

To know more about sathyanarayana pooja and to read the Kathas :
Check here , Katha Part 1 , Katha Part 2

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - JUNE

2010-06-02T12:46:00.000+01:00

Subamuhurtham dates :

02.06.10 - Wednesday
03.06.10 - Thursday
04.06.10 - Friday
07.06.10 - Monday
11.06.10 - Friday
14.06.10 - Monday
17.06.10 - Thursday
21.06.10 - Monday
24.06.10 - Thursday

Festival / Pandigai dates :

19.06.10 - Aani Thirumanjanam

Click the festival / pandigai name to know more about it .

VAIKASI VISAKAM

2010-05-18T14:33:00.003+01:00

Vaikasi Visakam is the famous festival celebrated in Tamilnadu . It is this day , Lord Murugan , son of Lord Shiva was incarnated in this world to save Earth and to save the Devas , from demons like Soorapadman . The birthday of Lord Muruga falls on the Vaishakam star in the tamil month , Vaikasi (May- June). In 2010, Vaikasi visagam falls on 27th of May.
It is also said that Valli - Murugan (Kalyanam ) marriage took place on the same day .

Legend , according to Puranas :

Once Devas were driven out of heaven by demon Surapadman with the help of boons he received from Lord Brahma. when Devas were unable to defeat him , The king of devas , Lord Indra , went to seek the help of Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma was unable to help Devas , as he has given the boon to surapadman , seeing his severe penance ...instead he asked Lord Indra to seek the help of Lord Shiva . Lord Indra narrated the whole story to Lord Shiva , enraged Lord shiva , opened his third eye and the fiery sparks that came from Lord Shiva's eye , turned into six babies . Later Devi Parvati joins all the six babies into one and thus Lord Muruga was incarnated and vanquished the demons .
On this day , all devotees visit Lord Murugan temple at Thirupparankundram and Lord Subramaniaswamy temple. Devotees take out procession carrying Milk pots and some take Kavadi on this day . In Houses pooja are done to the idol of lord Muruuga and sakarai Pongal is done as the neivedyam. People read kanda shasti kavacham , Shanmuga kavacham
source :
http://www.palanitemples.com/english/vaikasi_vishakam.htm
http://in.ygoy.com/2008/05/13/vaikasi-visakam-the-festival-of-lord-subramanya/

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - MAY

2010-05-01T17:21:00.003+01:00

Subamuhurtham dates :

02.05.10 - Sunday
05.05.10 - Wednesday
10.05.10 - Monday
16.05.10 - Sunday
19.05.10 - Wednesday
23.05.10 - Sunday
24.05.10 - Monday

Festival / Pandigai dates :

04.05.10 - Agni Nakshatram begins
16.5.10 - Akshaya Tritiya
27.05.10 - Vaikasi Visakam
28.05.10 - Agni Nakshatram ends

Click the festival / pandigai name to know more about it .

VISHU / MALAYALAM NEW YEAR

2010-04-13T17:30:00.000+01:00

In 2010 , Vishu falls on April 14th . Wishing you all a very Happy New year .

To know more about Vishu , click here

വിഷു ആശംസകള്‍

PUTHANDU / TAMIL NEW YEAR

2010-04-13T16:45:00.001+01:00

Card Source : http://www.thisismyindia.com/free-e-cards/new-yearcards/tamil-newyear2.html

In 2010 , Tamil new year / Puthandu falls on 14th of april . This year it is called as " Vikrudhi year".
To know more about this festival click here .

இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - APRIL

2010-04-04T16:56:00.002+01:00

Subamuhurtham dates :

01.04.10 - Thursday
05.04.10 - Monday
08.04.10 - Thursday
09.04.10 - Friday
18.04.10 - Sunday
25.04.10 - Sunday
26.04.10 - Monday
30.04.10 - Friday

Festival / Pandigai dates :

14.04.10 - Tamil New year / Puthandu
14.04.10 - Malayalam New year / Vishu
25.04.10 - Madurai Meenakshi Thirukalyanam
25.04.10 - Kallagar Yethir Sevai.

Note :
Click the festival / pandigai name to know more about it ..will update more details soon ....

RAMA NAVAMI (24.03.10 )

2010-03-23T18:45:00.002Z

Sree Raama Raama Raamethi

Rame Raame Manorame

Sahasra Naama Thatthulyam

Raama Naama Varaanane

Aapadaamapa Harthaaram Daatharam

Sarva Sampadaam Lokaabhiraamam

Sree Raamam Bhuyo Bhuyo Namaamyaham

The festival of Ram Navami is the celebration of birthday of the Hindu God, Shri Ram. Rama Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of Hindu month of Chaitra (March - April). Ram Navami marks the end of nine day long festival called Chaitra Navratri or Vasanta Navratri . It starts from Ugadi day and the end of nineth day and the last day is celebrated as Sri Rama Navami. This year it falls on 24th of March '10. In temples they continuosly recite Ramacharitamanas and sing bhajans . In southern part of India , they do celebrate Ramanavami as the Sitarama Kalyanam , the ceremonial wedding of the celestial couples. It is celebrated in grand manner in Ayyodhya (Uttarpradesh) , Badrachalam (Andrapradesh ) and in Rameshwaram (Tamilnadu)

The special prasadham made on this day are :

Panakkam , Neer mor (Buttermilk ) , Kosambari .

To know more about Rama Navami , check this link :

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/04/rama-navami.html

KARADAYAN NONBU

2010-03-11T20:06:00.005Z

Karadayan Nonbu , which is also called as Savitri Viratham is observed by married woman for the wellbeing and Long life of their husbands and unmarried girls do pray for a good husband . This nonbu falls on the last day of the Maasi month .

To know more details about this nonbu check this link :

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu.html

karadayan nonbu adai recipes :

Uppu / Salt Adai :

http://kavithavin-kaivannam.blogspot.com/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-salt-adai-gayathris.html

Vellam / Sweet adai :

http://kavithavin-kaivannam.blogspot.com/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-sweet-adai-gayathris.html

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - MARCH

2010-03-05T19:48:00.002Z

Subamuhurtham dates :

04.03.10 - Thursday
05.03.10 - Friday
22.03.10 - Monday
25.03.10 - Thursday
31.03.10 - Wednesday

Festival / Pandigai dates :

14.03.10 - Karadayan Nonbu
16.03.10 - Ugadi , Gudi Padwa , Chet - I -chand
24.03.10 - Sri Rama navami
29.03.10 - Panguni Uthiram

Note :

Click the festival / pandigai name to know more about it ..will update more details soon ....
If I have missed any important festival / details please let me know ...will make a change .

AWARD TIME.

2010-02-16T17:00:00.000Z

Happy to share an Kreativ Blogger Award , I recieved from my friend Padma few days back. Thanks a lot Padma and so kind of you to share it with me .

This Kreativ Blogger Award comes up with some set of rules and here are the rules

1.Thank the person giving the award.

2.Copy the award to your blog.

3.Place a link to their blog.

4.Name 7 things people don't know about you.

5.Nominate 7 bloggers

6.Place a link to those bloggers

7.Leave a comment letting those bloggers know about the award.

About Me :

Kavitha has written about me : thanks dear.

loves to experiment cooking, thou she does nt get much chances for it ;)
very very friendly
loves to blog
loves music
loves and nvr hesistates to learn new stuff
no ego watsoever
will tune to any place

And it is now time to pass this award to 7 blogger friends :

Miracle in Kumbakonam - Shiva Temple

2010-02-09T11:13:00.001Z

1265712287Cobra-doing-Sivapooja-during-Solar-Eclipse-1[1].pdf

check out this link for photos :

http://picasaweb.google.com/harshaanand18/Photo?authkey=Gv1sRgCMf57tav1-z03gE&feat=directlink

Large numbers of devotees witnessed a miracle of a Cobra doing Archana for Siva Lingam with Vilvam leaves. In Thanjavoor district of Tamil Nadu, near Thirunageswaram, there is a Siva Temple at Thepperumanallur. Here Vedhanthanayagi [Sakthi] with Viswanathaswamy [Siva] are the main Deities. In this Temple, it has been customary to do archana with Rudhraksha only. Yesterday morning, just before Solar Eclipse, at about 10:30 AM Sivachariar Satish, priest of the Temple,noticed a Cobra lying on top of the Siva Linga. The snake slowly descended from there and went towards the Vilvam tree which is the Sthala Viruksham- Holy tree of the temple. It climbed the tree and picked a Vilvam leaf and came back and entered the Sannadhi. It hissed at any devotee trying to get near it. It climbed onto the Siva Linga and opened it hood and dropped the Vilvam Leaf. This miracle was witnessed by all devotees who were excited. Then the Cobra went again and again to do the same repeated two or three times. As the news spread all over the village, hundreds of villagers rushed to the Temple to have the Dharshan of this event of Cobra with Siva.
The Priest explained "It is doing the archana during the Solar Eclipse time to wash off its sins".
[ Note: Vilvam leaf (Bilva Leaf) is holy and special for Siva Pooja]
News in Dinakaran - Dated: January 16, 2010

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - FEBRUARY

2010-02-02T23:14:00.003Z

Subamugurtham dates :

04.02.10
05.02.10
17.02.10
18.02.10
25.02.10

Festival / Pandigai dates :

Shivaratiri - 12.02.10
Holi - 28.02.10

THAI POOSAM

2010-01-29T12:33:00.007Z

To know more about legends of Thai Poosam , check this link :
http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/thai-poosam.html
Thai Poosam is the Hindu festival , celebrated in the Tamil month "Thai", on the day of the star "Poosam " and on the full moon day . The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Muruga and the occassion when Parvati gave him a Vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Tharakasuran. In the year 2010 , the festival falls on 30th of january.
Celebrations in Various places :

In Tamil nadu , Palani Temple : Thousand of devotees flock to this temple and take Kavadi.
In Kerala , Vaikom Udayanapuram Subramanya temple , devotees take Panchamirtha kavadi , Paal Kavadi , Bhasma kaavadi. In Karamana , Satyavageeswara temple , the Utsava moorthu is taken in procession. There is Nel Parai alappu or Nel alavu , as a ritual performaed for good luck and prosperity.
Thai Poosam festival is conducted in grand manner in Srilanka , Singapore , Mauritius and Malaysia.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam
Ps : I am unbale to find the details about Nel parai alappu or Nel alavu . If anyone of you know the details , please do share with me .

PONGAL PANDIGAI

2010-01-13T16:50:00.005Z

To know more about Pongal pandigai , check this link :
http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2008/12/pongal-pandigai.html

Pongal is a harvest festival, which lasts for four days. It is celebrated accross India by different names. Pongal literally means, "boiling over". The Tamil harvest festival is celebrated with decorated cows, processions and decorative Rangoli. Pongal is a dish, which is a sweet porridge made from newly harvested rice and eaten by all, even the animals. Each day of this festival has a special significance and importance; however, it is celebrated more grandly and elaborately in the villages. The festival is celebrated for four days.

Regional Significance of Pongal :

The harvest festival of Pongal has its unique regional significance. The festival of Pongal is celebrated all over India on the same day, but has different names in each region. However, being a harvest festival, bonfires and feasts are the main thing common to all the celebrations of this festival. Almost all the states of India celebrate this festival with varied festivities including singing and dancing.

In northern India, the festival is known as Lohri
In Assam it is called Bhogali Bihu
In Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , Karnataka it is known as Sankranti,
In Andhra Pradesh it is celebrated as Bhogi,

when each household puts on display its collection of dolls. Following is the state wise regional significance of the Pongal festival. In Maharashtra, the flying of kites in the sky marks the festival of Makar Sankranti. On this day, people exchange homemade delicacies like til and gur laddoos and wish each other. A newly wed woman gives away oil, cotton and sesame seeds to mark the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. In Gujarat, also Makar Sankranti is kite-flying day. Traditionally celebrated on the 13th or 14th January. Every family is seen flying kite outside.

Source : http://www.festivalsinindia.net/pongal/

RATHA SAPTAMI

2010-01-08T10:00:00.007Z

Ratha Saptami is a Hindu festival that falls on the Seventh day in the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month Maagha (January - February) . It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun god Surya , turning his chariot drawn by seven horses in a North -eastern direction. It also marks the birth of Lord Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanthi . It also symbolicaly denotes the changes of season , spring to the start of harvesting season. The festival is observed by all Hindus and in all temples dedicated to Lord Surya. The symbolic significance of the ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday.

Legends :

Yashovarma , a noble king who had no heir to rule his kingdom. On his special prayers to God, he was blessed with a son. The King's vows did not end with this, as his son was terminally ill. A saint who visited the King advised that his son should perform the Ratha saptami Pooja with reverence to rid of his past sins. Once the king's son performed this, his health was restored and he ruled his kingdom well. In Mahabharatha, Bhishmacharya chose this day to attain Moksha.

Observances :

God Vishnu in the form of Lord Surya is usually worshipped on this day. In Households , they begin with a purification bath by holding seven Ekka leaves (in Kanada) , Arka leaves in Sanskrit, Jilledu leaves in Telugu, Erukku leaves in Tamil , along with Raw rice and woman add little turmeric powder along with raw rice and take head bath , While taking head bath , no oil should be applied .

There is a popular belief that offering Tarpanam to ancestors is highly beneficial , and some people perform tarpanam in the name of Bhishmacharya as he had no children.
Bhishmacharya never got married, by his own decision, as a vow to help his father. He is a "Akhanda Brahmachari", and that is why he did not have children.

Prayers are done for the Sun god and the pooja is said to be performed within one hour after sunrise.

In Vaishanavite temples , such as Tirumala and Srirangam , Ratha saptami is one of the important festivals of the year. One Day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala. On this day, Rangoli is drawn with coloured rice powder depicting a chariot and seven horses as symbolic of Ratha Saptami.

Other than Ratha Saptami , the most widely celebrated festival for Sun god is Makara Sankranthi / Pongal.

Sources : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratha_Saptami

PANCHANGAM & FESTIVAL DATES - JANUARY.

2010-01-07T11:23:00.007Z

Subamuhurtham dates :

18.01.2010
21.01.2010
22.01.2010
27.01.2010

Festivals / Pandigai dates :

ARUDRA DARISANAM - THIRUVADIRAI - 01.01.10
Bhogi - 13.01.10
Pongal - 14.01.10
Kanu / Maatu Pongal - 15.01.10
Ratha Saptami - 22.01.10
Thai Poosam - 30.01.10

VAIKUNTA EKADASHI

2009-12-27T16:48:00.004Z

Source : www.dinamalar.com

In 2009 , there are two Vaikunta Ekadashi , One was on 07.01.09 and the second one is on 28.12.09 .

Vaikunta Ekadashi is an auspicious day , dedicated to Lord Vishnu and falls in the Margazhi month as per tamil calender. As per Telugu Calender, it is observed in the pushya month. Vaikunta Ekadashi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadashi and as Swargavathil Ekadashi in Kerala.

To know more details about Vaikunta Ekadashi , check the link given below :

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/vaikunta-ekadasi.html

BLOG FIRST ANNIVERSARY

2009-12-25T17:11:00.004Z

I am very happy to share the news that , today is my blog's first anniversary . I thank all my friends , followers of the blog ,for encouraging me to write about various topics in this blog ...And I wanted to say a special thanks to Kavitha , Padma , Vidyo , Nisha , Bhavani and all the members of chennaimoms site ,and ofcourse to my dear son , he was the one who asked me to start a blog , as he got inspired by Kavitha and Padma's blog . In this past one year , through blogging world , I learned lot of imformation about our tradition , culture and religious information and lot of other useful informations .. and it is a pleasure for me to share them with you all through this blog .

Seeking all your wishes and encouragement to explore more information in coming years also ...and do keep sending your comments , suggestions to improve my blog.

once again I thank all my friends and Advance Happy New Year wishes .

LORD KUBER

2009-12-24T17:04:00.005Z

Kubera also called as Kuvera or Kuber is the king of the Yakshas and the lord of wealth in Hindu mythology. He is also known as Dhanapati, the lord of riches. He is one of the Guardians of the directions, representing the Uttara-disha( meaning north of 4 directions in Sanskrit.). Kuber is one god , who isbeen claimes as own god by Hinduism , Buddhism and Jainism. In Hindu mythology Lord Kuber is represented as the son of Lord Brahma , he is the ruler of the hidden city in the himalayas called Alkapuri, which has all the stored up wealth of the Earth. This is close to the abode of Lord Shiva, in Kailash . Kuber is supposed to be a shiva worshipper as well , hence his name is also called as Isasakha.Kubera is also the son of Sage Vishrava (hence he is also called Vaisravana) and in this respect, he is also the elder brother of the Lord of Lanka, Ravana. He is said to have performed austerities for thousand years, in reward for which Brahma, the Creator, gave him immortality and made him god of wealth, guardian of all the treasures of the earth, the nidhi which he was to give out to whom they were destined.When Brahma appointed him God of Riches, he gave him Lanka (Ceylon) as his capital, presented him with the vehicle pushpaka(according to the Ramayana), which was of immense size and ‘moved at the owner’s will at marvellous speed’. When Ravana captured Lanka, Kubera moved to his city of Alaka, and established his Yaksha Kingdom there.Kubera's house was believed to be the abode of Adilakshmi, the goddess of wealth who, pleased by his devotion, gave him immense wealth making him nideesha or the keeper of riches.

Legends of Lord Kuber :

Lord Vishnu/ Balaji/ Venkateswara at Tirupati asked him for a loan to marry Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that till today Lord Balaji is paying interest on that loan. Devotees try and do their bit and donate generously to help Lord Balaji.

The next legend of Lord Kubera is related to Lord Ganesh. One day Lord Kubera went to Mount Kailash to seek the blessings of Shiva. As he was conceited, he decided to invite Lord Shiva for a feast at his magnificent city of Alakpuri. Lord Shiva was aware of his narcissistic quality and politely backed out of this invitation and said that his son, Lord Ganesh would be more than happy to join in the festivities. But Kubera was made aware that Lord Ganesh was a connoisseur of good food and had a voracious appetite. Kubera beamed with over confidence and was convinced that Lord Ganesh’s hunger would be easily satiated.Kubera took little Lord Ganesh with him to his glorious city and offered Him a ceremonial bath, then adorned Him in exquisite clothing. Our Lord was then taken to a splendid arena where the feast was arranged. The royal attendants served Lord Ganesh and He started eating. He relished on everything that was offered and continued gobbling on a wide variety of delicacies. The food that was prepared for Kubera’s other esteemed guests were also offered. But nothing seemed to satisfy Him and He kept waiting for the attendants to dole out more portions. In the meantime, the attendants hurried to arrange more quantities of food. Impatient, Lord Ganesh started consuming the plates. Slowly, He reached for the decorations and the furniture. Kubera was at his wits end. He prostrated in front of little Lord Ganesh and begged Him to stop this and spare his palace. Lord Ganesh with his little, innocent eyes looked at Kubera and said that He was still very hungry. Until He was offered more food, He said that He would continue eating whatever that was in front of Him.Kubera frantically rushed to Mount Kailash and begged Lord Shiva to give him a solution. Lord Shiva smiled and handed him a fistful of roasted rice and instructed Kubera to offer this with humility. By the time Kubera managed to reach his kingdom, Lord Ganesh was on the verge of swallowing up the entire city of Alakpuri. Kubera paid obeisance and humbly offered the roasted rice. This satiated Lord Ganesh’s hunger and He was pleased.
Qualities like humility and respect are the unbeatable duo that can change an unattainable situation to an accomplishment, if one knows how to use them sincerely in their undertakings. Materialistic possessions blind people with arrogance but this veil can be lifted when one learns to be humble and remembers that everything he owns is because of His blessings.
Those who worship Lord Kubera will get His blessings, He also stablises to be with every individual with good strength, better business sufficient inflow of money, education, industiral growth etc.

Auspious dates to worship Lord Kubera is between Oct 15th to Nov. 15 (Tamil Month Iyppasi). Thursday is the most auspicious day with star Pusa. He faces Northern direction.His characteristic symbol is the mongoose, often shown vomiting jewels. In the Buddhist pantheon he is also known as Jambhala, probably from the jambhara (lemon) he carries in his hand. He is always represented corpulent and covered with jewels. His right foot is generally pendant and supported by a lotus-flower on which is a conch shell.

Kubera Money Mantra (God Of Wealth) :

Manuja Vakya Vimana Varasthikam

Garuda Rathna Nibam nidhi Thayakam

Siva saka murudathi vibooshidham

varagatham dhanatham

baja thunthilam.

Om yakshaya kuberaya

Vaiswaranaaya Dhanadhanyathi

pathaye dhanadhanya samruththimme.

Dehi Dabaya swaha

Mahalakshmi Mantra :

Om Shreem Hreem

Shreem Kamale Kamalaleyi Praseed.

Om Shreem Hreem

Shreem Mahalaxmiyei Namaha.

Method of Preparing Kubera pooja :

On Fridays / Tuesdays - clean a wooden plate and draw the kubera kolam ( shown below)with rice flour.

27 20 25

22 24 26

23 28 21

Kubera Kolam :

Draw this kolam in a square shape and in each square write the above nos. Take 9 coins and put each coin on the no. with the coin value facing the no. Put red colour flower on each coin and 2 flowers on Kuberar. Lit a small light and sambranis.

Chant the above mantras for 11 times. Red colour is flower to be used for Kuberar. Try to perform pooja on every Friday / Tuesdays. All the money related worries will be diminishing and there will be uniform flow of cash.

Visit Kubera Temple @ Rathanamangalam (near Vandaloor - kelambakkam road), Chennai.

Source : Thanks to my friend , Anitha for sharing this article about Lord Kuber.
http://www.indianetzone.com/2/lord_kuber.htm-- &

http://nayna.in/blog/divine-grace/legend-of-lord-kubera/

HANUMATH JAYANTHI

2009-12-23T13:10:00.001Z

In Hindu mythology , Shri Hanuman is regarded as the God of Power , strength and knowledge. He is known as the Param bhakth of Lord Rama and he is also considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. He was born to Kesari and Anjani on the Chaitra Shukla Purnima , that is why, he is known as ‘Kesari Nandan’ and ‘Anjaneya’.The philosophy of epic Ramayana is incomplete without the understanding of the unfathomable devotion of Lord Hanuman for Shri Rama. Lord Hanuman is regarded to be the son of Hindu deity ‘VAYU’ (the wind). He was taken by 'Vayu' to Lord Sun to gain Vedic, shastra's and moral knowledge. He gained his whole knowledge from Lord Sun, as he was considered as omniscient on the planet earth. As per the mythology, Hanuman ji is invincible and blessed to be immortal. The supremacy possessed by him is very beautifully described in Ramayana, during the Ramayana war of Lord Rama against the mighty Ravana. The Sundara Kanda, the fifth book in the Ramayana, focuses mainly on the adventures of Hanuman.

Festival dedicated to Lord Hanuman :

The Important festival dedicated to Hanuman is Hanumath Jayanthi , which is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Hanuman. This festival is celebrated in different dates in different parts , in Maharashtra , it is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra. In states of Tamilnadu and Kerala , it is celebrated in the month of Margazhi , ie., between December 16th to January 14th. In Andhrapradesh , 41 day vratha is dedicated to Hanuman . In some parts of North India and Gujarat it is celebrated , a day before Diwali.

The devotees visit temples and apply tilak of Sindhur to their foreheads from Hanuman's body as this is considered as good luck .

According to the legend Sita , was applying sindhur to her forehead, Hanuman questioned , why and Sita replied that this would ensure a long life of her husband, Lord Rama. Hanuman then smeared his entire body with Sindhur, in an effort to ensure Rama's immortality.

Devotees chant Hanuman chalisa and Hanuman Ashtak on this day and some do fast the whole day.

Source : http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Hanuman/index.asp , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_Jayanti

WHY DO WE HAVE A PRAYER ROOM ?

2009-11-05T13:25:00.001Z

Most Indian homes have a prayer room or altar. A lamp is lit and the Lord worshipped each day. Other spiritual practices like japa - repetition of the Lord’s name, meditation, paaraayana - reading of the scriptures, prayers, and devotional singing etc are also done here. Special worship is done on auspicious occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and the like. Each member of the family - young or old - communes with and worships the Divine here.The Lord is the entire creation. He is therefore the true owner of the house we live in too. The prayer room is the Master room of the house. We are the earthly occupants of His property. This notion rids us of false pride and possessiveness.The ideal attitude to take is to regard the Lord as the true owner of our homes and us as caretakers of His home. But if that is rather difficult, we could at least think of Him as a very welcome guest. Just as we would house an important guest in the best comfort, so too we felicitate the Lord’s presence in our homes by having a prayer room or altar, which is, at all times, kept clean and well-decorated.Also the Lord is all pervading. To remind us that He resides in our homes with us, we have prayer rooms. Without the grace of the Lord, no task can be successfully or easily accomplished. We invoke His grace by communing with Him in the prayer room each day and on special occasions.Each room in a house is dedicated to a specific function like the bedroom for resting, the drawing room to receive guests, the kitchen for cooking etc. The furniture, decor and the atmosphere of each room are made conducive to the purpose it serves. So too for the purpose of meditation, worship and prayer, we should have a conducive atmosphere - hence the need for a prayer room.Sacred thoughts and sound vibrations pervade the place and influence the minds of those who spend time there. Spiritual thoughts and vibrations accumulated through regular meditation, worship and chanting done there pervade the prayer room. Even when we are tired or agitated, by just sitting in the prayer room for a while, we feel calm, rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted.

SKANDA SASHTI

2009-10-22T11:11:00.000+01:00

Skanda sashti is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga.Skanda sashti is observed in the tamil month of Aippasi (october - November), this year skanda sashti is celebrated from October 18 to 23rd. Soorasamharam is on the sixth day and on the seventh day ie.,on 24th October is tirukalyanam of Lord Murugan. Skanda Sashti commemorates the destruction of evil by the Supreme General Kartikeyan, son of Shiva, and is celebrated with the dramatic enactment of Soora Samhaaram. The events leading to the vanquishment of Surapatuma are demonstrated on the seashore on the evening of the Sashti-day by actual representations of giant-sized images of four demons (asuras) are moved on uplifted chariots , and these are symbolically encountered and destroyed by Lord Murugan .

For this festival only, the deity of Chinnakumarar comes down from the hill temple, kills the demons (asuras) at the corners of the four direction while on a festive procession around the hill, and triumphantly returns to His abode in the hill. This is on the sixth day, i.e., the sashti day. All the other events of the festival take place in the Palani hill temple.

Story of Skanda Shasti : It is the story of the birth of Skanda or Kumara and the fulfillment of the purpose of His divine incarnation.

The mighty demon, Tarakasura, had been oppressing the celestials very much. He drove them out from heaven. All the devas with Indra as their head , went to Brahma to appeal for help. Lord Brahma said that he cannot destroy Tarakasura, as he has obtain My grace through severe penances. The creator said " only the spark of Shiva can produce the hero who will defeat the powers of the evil" Unfortunately, Shiva The king of yogis was lost in a deep state of meditation and samadhi. None of the Devas dared to disturb him least of all convince him to create a progeny.
Upon Brahma's suggestion, they sought the help of Parvathi and Kama (the god of love). Parvathi agreed to help and engaged herself in severe penance to attract Shiva's attention. Kama also agreed to help and engaged himself in the suicidal mission of arousing Shiva from His state of Samadhi. Kama shot his arrows of love at Shiva who was eventually disturbed and the fire of anger from his third eye burnt Kama into ashes.
The penance of Parvathi and the sacrifice of Kama paid off. Shiva was aroused from his Samadhi. However, none could bear the sparks of His fiery seed. It fell into the mouth of Agni, and afterwards received by Ganges, who in turn threw it into Sara Vana ( forest of arrow like grass). Thus Saravanabava was born. He was also Skanda - Shiva's power of chastity preserved through penance. Skanda was raised by the six mothers of the divine constellation of Krithikai . Karthikeya divided himself into six babies to be nursed by six mothers. When Parvathi came and gathered all the six babies, He became Shanmukha - the one with the six faces and one body. Shanmukha became Kumara - the powerful virile adolescent who was also the beautiful and the handsome ( Muruga) . He was made the General (Deva Senapathi) of the God's army. Skanda received from his mother Parasakthi an all powerful Vel (lance). Hence He is also Sakthi Velan. He engaged the armies of Simhamukha, Surapadman and Tarakasura on a six day battle and vanquished all of them on the sixth day. The Asuras were annihilated and the Devas were liberated.Offering of Kavadi on Skanda Sashti is a form of popular worship. The Lord spent his childhood in Tiruchendur and took Mahasamadhi at Kathirgamam. If anyone goes to Kathirgamam (Sri Lanka) with faith, devotion and piety, and stays in the temple for two or three days , the Lord himself grants his vision to the devotee."

During these six days, devotees recite various inspiring hymns and read stories connected with Lord Subramanya.They go on pilgrimage to the various Subramanya shrines.

Links for Kandasashti Kavacham :

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/kanda-shasti-kavacham.html &

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/kanda-shasti-kavacham-part-2.html

Source : http://www.kytemple.org/skanda.html

DEEPAVALI KI SHUBHKAMANAYEN

2009-10-16T12:34:00.002+01:00

KARWA CHAUTH LEGENDS

2009-10-07T17:14:00.004+01:00

Story of Queen Veeravati :

A beautiful girl Veeravati, the only sister of her seven loving brothers, got married to a king. On her first karwa chauth, she went to her parents house and a strict fast, waiting for the moon rise to break it. The seven brothers could not see their loving sister go hungry throughout the day. They decided to end her fast, by reflecting a mirror through peepal tree leaves and making her believe that it is moon. The sister fell for it and broke the fast. The moment she ate food, she got news of her husband's serious illness. After coming to know that her husband is not well, she rushed to her palace and on her way, met Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It was them that she came to know that her brothers had shown her false moon and made her break her fast before moonrise. The queen asked for forgiveness and was granted the boon that the king would be revived only if she undertakes seven karwa chauth fast strictly, following all the rituals. The queen agreed and strictly followed all the rituals of karwa chauth the next seven times and got her husband back.

Legend Of Mahabharata :

Karwa Chauth also has a story dating back to the pre-Mahabharata times. Draupadi used to observe this fast after her marriage. It so happened that once Arjun went to the Nilgiris for penance and in his absence, the rest of the Pandavas faced many problems. Draupadi asked Lord Krishna for help. The Lord reminded her about Goddess Parvati, who had sought Lord Shiva's guidance under similar circumstances and was advised to observe the fast of Karwa Chauth. Draupadi followed the instructions and observed the fast with all its rituals and the Pandavas were able to overcome their problems.

Legends Of Satyavan and Savitri :

Another story related to karwa chauth concerns the Satyavan and Savitri. When Lord Yama came to take away Satyavan's soul, Savitri begged him to spare her husband. He refused to do so. In order to gain back her husband's life, Savitri stopped eating and drinking anything. Finally, Yamraj relented and granted her, her husband's life. And from that day onwards, karwa chauth has been celebrated with great faith and belief.

Legend Of Karwa :

Karwa was a woman deeply devoted to her husband. It so happened that her husband was caught by a crocodile while bathing. Karwa came running and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She then went to Yama and requested him to send the crocodile to hell. She threatened to curse him when Yama refused to do so. Afraid of the power of a devoted wife, Yama accepted and sent the crocodile to hell and blessed Karwa's husband with long life.

Source : http://festivals.iloveindia.com/karwa-chauth/legends.html

KARWA CHAUTH

2009-10-07T15:06:00.004+01:00

Karwa chauth is one of the most awaited festivals of North India, which is celebrated by the married woman. On this day they keep a fast for the long life, well being and prosperity of their husband. Karwa chauth reflects joy, splendor, brightness and happiness of a married life. The festival also brings people together and provides them an opportunity to socialize with friends and family members, exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals. Karwa Chauth is a festival that comes 9 days before Diwali . The word 'Karwa' means 'a clay pot' and 'Chauth' corresponds to fourth. Specifically, in this case Chauth is the fourth night (day) after the Full Moon in Kartik month according to Hindu calendar.

Karwa Chauth Rituals and Tradition :

The preparations for karva chauth start the day before the festival. Brides get beautifully wrapped baskets with the sargi (the food to be eaten before sunrise) from their mother-in-law. The fasting women of the neighborhood get together before sunrise, to eat the sargi, which mainly consists of thirst-quenching foods, like fruits, along with a main course of potatoes eaten with hot puris (a deep-fried Indian bread). Traditionally, a newly wed woman spends the day before the fast in her mother’s house and comes to her mother-in-law’s house only on the day of karwa chauth.

On karwa chauth, married women wear bright and beautiful clothes, heavy jewelry and bangles , have our red dupatta called "Chunni" with which we cover our head when we are getting married. and keeps henna, on their palms and feet. Traditionally, it is the mother who usually sends baya, which includes sweets, money, clothes and a karva (small earthen pitcher), to their married daughters’ houses. In the evening, the mother-in-law or any elderly women of the house accepts the baya, given to them by the younger married women of the family.

Pooja :

In the evening, women gather at a common pooja place like temple or someone's house who has arranged the puja. An elderly lady narrates the legend of Karwa Chauth and all the ladies together listen to the katha. The essentials of this gathering and listening of the Karwa chauth story includes a special mud pot, that is considered a symbol of lord Ganesha, a metal urn filled with water, flowers, idols of Ambika Gaur Mata, Goddess Parvati and some fruits, mathi and food grains. Traditionally, the tiny image of Gaur Mata was made from cow dung, though nowadays pictures or idols of Parvati are the norm.

About an hour before moonrise, the women place their bayas and their karvas in a plate and sit around the puja area to pray, while an elderly lady narrates. While the story is read out to everyone, the women exchange their respective karvas, till each one gets her own karva back. During this time, they also chant the following prayer ,which is for the well being of the husband and for marital bliss:

"Addey-addey Krishna pakshe var Tith Karva Chauth Manse

hain apne suhag ke liye Yeh karva, mattri, halwa, sari, nagdi

Apne suhag ka liye rani ka sa raj dena

Gaur ka sa suhag dena Shri Krishna nimant."

The puja ends with the women showering rice and vermilion on Parvati and seeking her blessings. The younger women touch the feet of the elders, seek their blessings and offer their baya to them

Breaking the fast :

In the evening, the women see the moon, while carrying a plate decorated with lit earthen lamps and a container of water. The moon is seen through a fine mesh or sieve. Water is offered to the moon, followed by some food women. Though the women are allowed to break their fast after they see the moon, it is preferred if they can also see the faces of their husbands before they eat or drink. So, the married men scurry back home from work as soon as possible, on this day. Thereafter, the family sits down for a grand meal and the celebration comes to end.

source : http://festivals.iloveindia.com/karwa-chauth/

கலைமகளே வருக! கல்வியைத்தருக!

2009-10-06T08:39:00.001+01:00

வீணை இசைப்பது ஏன்?

கலைமகள் சரஸ்வதி ஆயகலைகள் அறுபத்துநான்கிற்கும் ஆதாரமாகத் திகழ்கிறாள். எல்லாக்கலைகளின் இருப்பிடம் என்று நாம் குறிப்பிட்டாலும், கண்ணுக்குப் பளிச்சென்று தெரிவது வீணைதான். சரஸ்வதியின் வீணை என்பது கலைகளின் குறியீடாகத் திகழ்கிறது. சரஸ்வதிதேவி வீணையை எப்போதும் இசைத்தபடி இருப்பது உலகில் கலைகள் நாளும் வளர்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது என்ற உண்மையை நமக்கு உணர்த்துவதாக அமைந்துள்ளது. வீணையில் தந்திகள் மிகவும் இழுத்துக் கட்டப்பட்டிருந்தால், அவை அறுந்துவிடும். தொய்வாக இருந்தாலும் நல்ல இசை வெளிப்படாது. எது சரியான நிலையோ அந்தநிலையில் நரம்புகள் கட்டப்பட்டிருந்தால் மட்டுமே சுருதி சுத்தமாக வீணையில் நாதம் வெளிப்படும். நம் உடலும் வீணை போலத் தான். அதில் மனம், ஐம்புலன்கள் போன்ற அகக்கருவிகள் எல்லாம் தந்திகள். அந்த தந்திகள் சரியான நிலையில் கட்டப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். அப்போது ஞானம் என்னும் இனிமையான ஸ்வரம் வெளிப்படும். இந்த சரஸ்வதிபூஜை நன்னாளில் "இவ்வுலக வாழ்வு பொய்யானது, இறைவனின் நிழலே என்றும் அடைக்கலம் தரும்' என்னும் மேலான உயர்ந்த ஞானத்தைப் பெற நம்மைத் தகுதிப்படுத்திக் கொள்வோம்.

காளமேகப்புலவருக்கு அருளிய கலைமகள்: திருமலைராயன் என்ற மன்னன், தமிழ்ப்புலவர்களைப் போற்றி வந்தான். இவனது அவையில் அதிமதுரம் என்பவன் அவைப்புலவனாக இருந்தான். இவனுக்கு கவி காளமேகத்தின் மீது பொறாமை உண்டாயிற்று. அவரைப் பற்றி மன்னனிடம் இல்லாததையும் பொல்லாததையும் சொன்னான். இதை நம்பிய மன்னன், காளமேகப்புலவர் அரசவைக்கு வந்தபோது, அவரை அவமதிக்கும் விதத்தில் ஆசனம் அளிக்கவில்லை. உடனே, காளமேகப்புலவர் சரஸ்வதியை தியானித்து ஒரு பாடல் பாடினார். அரசனின் சிம்மாசனத்திற்கு இணையான உயரிய ஆசனம் ஒன்று அவையில் தோன்றியது. அதில் ஒய்யாரமாக அமர்ந்தார் காளமேகம். கலைமகளின் அருள் பெற்ற காளமேகப்புலவரின் செயலைக் கண்டு, அஞ்சிய அதிமதுரமும், மன்னன் திருமலைராயனும் தங்கள் குற்றத்தை மன்னிக்குமாறு வேண்டினர். கற்றோருக்கு சென்ற இடமெல்லாம் சிறப்பு என்பதை சரஸ்வதி, இந்த நிகழ்வின் மூலம் எடுத்துக் காட்டினாள்.

நீண்ட பாதத்துடன் சரஸ்வதி: திருவாரூர் மாவட்டம் கூத்தனூர் சரஸ்வதி ஞானம் அருள்பவளாய் தவக்கோலத்துடன் வெள்ளைத்தாமரையில் வீற்றிருக்கிறாள். அம்பிகையின் திருக்கரங்களில் ஜபமாலை, கமண்டலம், ஓலைச்சுவடி, கையில் காட்டும் சின்முத்திரையும் உள்ளன. இந்தப் பொருட்களும், முத்திரையும் ஞானசொரூபமாக மனிதன் மாற வேண்டும் என்பதைக் குறிக்கின்றன. உலகில் செல்வத்தால் பயனேதும் இல்லை. செல்வத்தை நல்வழியில் பயன்படுத்தக் கூட கல்வியறிவு வேண்டும் என்பதையும், கல்வியும், தியானமும் இறைவனை அடைய வைக்கும் பெரிய பாலம் என்பதையும் இவை உணர்த்துகின்றன. கந்தபுராணத்தில் சரஸ்வதிக்கு மூன்று கண்களும், ஜடாமகுடமும் (கூந்தலையே கிரீடம் போல் அலங்கரித்தல்) இருப்பதாகச் சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளது. சரஸ்வதி பூஜை தினத்தில், கூத்தனூர் சரஸ்வதிதேவியின் பாததரிசனத்தை அன்பர்கள் பெறும்வகையில் கருவறையிலிருக்கும் அம்பாளின் திருப்பாதங்களை அர்த்தமண்டபம் வரையில் நீட்டித்து அலங்கரிப்பது இக்கோயிலில் மரபாகப் பின்பற்றப்படுகிறது.

கலைமகளுக்கு பாம்பு வாகனம்: கலைமகளாகிய சரஸ்வதி வழிபாடு, ஜாவா, பாலி, ஜப்பான் ஆகிய நாடுகளிலும் உள்ளது. திபெத்தில் "யங்சன்ம' என்னும் பெயரிலும், ஜப்பானியர்கள் "பென்டென்' என்னும் பெயரிலும் சரஸ்வதியை வழிபடுகின்றனர். கலைதேவியாக இருக்கும் பென்டெனே காமதேவதையாகவும், தங்களது மனவிருப்பங்களை நிறைவேற்றுபளாகவும் பக்தர்கள் நம்புகிறார்கள். "டிராகன்' என்ற ராட்சஷ பாம்பு வாகனத்தில் பவனிவரும் இத்தேவி சிதார் போன்ற வாத்தியத்தை இசைப்பவளாகக் காட்சி தருகிறாள். ஜப்பானியர்கள் வழிபடும் ஏழுதெய்வங்களில் "பென்டென்' மட்டுமே பெண்தெய்வம் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. இந்தோனேஷியாவிலும், பாலித்தீவிலும் புத்தகங்களை அலங்கரித்துப் பூஜிக்கும் வழக்கம் இருக்கிறது. இப்பூஜைக்கு "கலஞ்சன்' என்றுபெயர். விஜயதசமி நாளில் பாலித்தீவில் "தம்பாக் ஸைரிங்' என்னும் குளத்தில் நீராடி புத்தகங்களை வழிபட்டால் கல்வியில் சிறந்துவிளங்கலாம் என்று மக்கள் நம்புகிறார்கள். தமிழகத்தில் முந்தைய சரஸ்வதி படங்கள் சிலவற்றில் மயில் வாகனமும், பாம்பும் வரையப்பட்டிருப்பதைக் காணலாம்.

மாணவி வடிவில் சரஸ்வதி: கல்வி தரும் சரஸ்வதியாக, தனம் தரும் லட்சுமியாக, வீரம் தரும் துர்க்கையாக இருப்பவள் சாரதாம்பாள். இவள் சகல கலைகளுக்கும் அதிபதியாகத் திகழ்கிறாள். சிருங்கேரியில் ஆதிசங்கரர் சாரதாம்பாளை பிரதிஷ்டை செய்து வழிபட்டார். இங்கு தற்போதும் தேவி, ஒரு மாணவியைப் போல் படிக்கின்ற கோலத்தில் அமர்ந்திருக்கிறாள். கைகளில் சுவடி, ஜபமாலை, கெண்டி, ஞானமுத்திரை கொண்டு சர்வ ஆபரணங்களுடன் பத்மாசனத்தில் காட்சி தருகிறாள். இங்கு சாரதா நவராத்திரி சிறப்பாகக் கொண்டாடப் படுகிறது.

சரஸ்வதி வழிபட்ட காளத்தி: காளஹஸ்தி மலை பஞ்சபூதத்தலங்களில் வாயு தலமாகத் திகழ்கிறது. சரஸ்வதிக்கு முனிவர் ஒருவரின் சாபத்தால் பேசும் சக்தி பறிபோனது. சாபநீக்கம் பெற அவள் காளஹஸ்தி வந்து, ஒரு தீர்த்தத்தை உருவாக்கினாள். அது சரஸ்வதி தீர்த்தம் எனபெயர் பெற்றது. அத்தீர்த்தத்தால் அபிஷேகம் செய்து, காளத்திநாதரைப் பூஜித்ததன் பயனாக சாபம் நீங்கப்பெற்றதாக தல வரலாற்றில் சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளது. இங்குள்ள அம்பிகை சரஸ்வதியின் பெயரால் "ஞானப்பூங்கோதை' என பெயர் பெற்றிருக்கிறாள். இங்குள்ள சரஸ்வதி தீர்த்தத்தில் நீராடுபவர்கள் அறிந்தோ, அறியாமலோ செய்த பாவங்கள் விலகிஞானம் பெறுவர் என்பது ஐதீகம்.

சரஸ்வதி ஸ்லோகம்

சரஸ்வதி நமஸ்துப்யம்வரதே காமரூபிணிவித்யாரம்பம் கரிஷ்யாமிஸித்திர் பவது மே ஸதா!

மாணவர்களுக்கான சரஸ்வதி ஸ்தோத்திரம்: மாணவர்கள் காலையில் பள்ளிக்கு கிளம்பும் போதோ, மாலையில் பாடம் படிக்க துவங்கும் முன்போ சொல்ல வேண்டிய எளிய சரஸ்வதி ஸ்தோத்திரம் இது. இதைக் கேட்கும் கலைவாணி சிறந்த கல்வியறிவைத் தருவாள்.

* தாமரை மலரில் வீற்றிருப்பவளே! தேவர்களால் போற்றப்படுபவளே! அழகிய புத்தகத்தை கரத்தில் கொண்டிருப்பவளே! பிரம்மனின் துணைவியே! கலைவாணியே! என் நாக்கில் மகிழ்ந்து ஆடுவாயாக!

* அடியவர்களின் இதய தாமரையில் ஒளிவீசி நிற்பவளே! மகிழ்ச்சியை தருபவளே! எதிர்த்து வாதிடுவோரை தோற்கடிக்கச் செய்பவளே! என்றும் நிலைபெற்றவளே! "நகுலி' என்னும் பெயர் கொண்ட அன்புத் தாயே! உன்னை வணங்கி மகிழ்கிறேன்.

* மாசு மருவற்ற சந்திரனின் நிறத்தைக் கொண்டவளே! மூன்று கண்களை உடையவளே! சந்திர கலையை தரித்தவளே! ஞான முத்திரையை உடைய கரத்தை கொண்டவளே! மந்திரங்களின் தலைவியே! என்னை பாதுகாப்பாயாக!

* ஜபமாலை, ஹோம கரண்டி, பாசம் ஆகியவற்றை கையில் உடையவளே! கொடி போன்ற உடலை கொண்டவளே! பொன் நிறத்தவளே! பாலசரஸ்வதியே! உன்னை மகிழ்ச்சியோடு வணங்குகிறேன்.

* மலர் முகத்தவளே! வெண்மை நிற ஆடையையும் வெள்ளை பூமாலையையும் அணிந்தவளே! அபய வரத கரங்களை கொண்டவளே! "பாரதி' என்னும் திருநாமம் கொண்டவளே! உன்னை வணங்குகிறேன்.

* அன்ன வாகனத்தில் அமர்ந்தவளே! திருநீற்றின் ஒளியால் பிரகாசிப்பவளே! புன்னகை சிந்துபவளே! வீணை, அமுத கலசம், சுடர் விளக்கு ஆகியவற்றை உடையவளே! கலைவாணியே! எங்களது அனைத்து விருப்பங்களையும் நிறைவேற்றித்தர வேண்டுகிறேன்.

* கூர்மையான அறிவுடையவளே! பல அணிகலன்களை பூண்டவளே! வாகீஸ்வரியே! உன்னை சரணடைகின்றேன்.

* அனைத்து உலகங்களையும் ஆள்பவளே! பேரழகு கொண்டவளே! சந்தேகத்தை நீக்குபவளே! கொஞ்சும் வீணையின் இசையை விரும்புபவளே! சக்கரம், சங்கு, பெண் கிளி ஆகியவற்றை கையில் ஏந்தியவளே! அரச போகம் தருபவளே! எனக்கு இந்த உலகின் தலைமைப் பதவியை அடையும் அருளைத் தருவாயாக!

புஷ்கர் சரஸ்வதி கோயில்:

இந்தியாவில், படைப்புக் கடவுளான பிரம்மாவுக்கும், கல்வி தெய்வமான சரஸ்வதிக்கும் கோயில்கள் குறிப்பிட்டுச்சொல்லும்படி இல்லை. பெரிய சிவாலயங்களில் உள்ள பிரகாரங்களில் சரஸ்வதிக்கு சன்னதி இருக்கும். பிரம்மா கோஷ்டத்தில் (கருவறை சுற்றுச்சுவர்) இருப்பார். தமிழகத்தில், திருவாரூர் மாவட்டம் கூத்தனூரில் சரஸ்வதிக்கு கோயில் இருக்கிறது. வடஇந்தியாவில், ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலம் புஷ்கரில் ஒரு கோயில் உள்ளது. 20 ஆயிரம் பேரே மக்கள் தொகையுடைய இவ்வூரிலுள்ள இந்தக் கோயிலுக்கு தினமும் 5 ஆயிரம் முதல் 7 ஆயிரம் பேர் வரை வருகின்றனர் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்க அம்சம்.

தல வரலாறு: "புஷ்கர்' என்றால் "பூவினால் பிறந்த ஊர்' என பொருள். இவ்வூரிலுள்ள பிரம்மாண்டமான ஏரியின் கரையை ஒட்டி பிரம்மன் கோயில் உள்ளது. இக்கோயில் புராதனச் சிறப்புடையது. ஆதிகாலத்தில் பிரம்மா பூலோகத்தில் யாகம் செய்வதற்கு ஏற்ற இடத்தைத் தேடி ஆகாயமார்க்கமாக . அன்னவாகனத்தில் ஏறிக்கொண்டு வலம் வந்தார். புஷ்கரத்தை நெருங்கி வந்த போது அவருடைய தாமரை மலர் நீண்டு வளைந்து பூமியைத் தொட்டது. அங்கே ஒரு ஏரி உருவானது. அதற்கு "புஷ்கர தீர்த்தம்' என்று பெயர் உண்டானது. இந்த இடமே யாகத்திற்கு தகுந்த இடம் என்பதை உணர்ந்தார் பிரம்மா. பத்மபுராணத்தில் பிரம்மா புஷ்கரத்தில் செய்த யாகம் பற்றிய குறிப்பு காணப்படுகிறது.

ஐப்பசி மாத பவுர்ணமிநாளை யாகத்திற்கு குறித்து, அதற்குரிய ஏற்பாடுகளைச் செய்தார். யாகத்தில் கலந்து கொள்ள தேவர்களை அழைப்பதற்காக சரஸ்வதி கிளம்பினாள். கைலாயம், வைகுண்டம் சென்று பார்வதிதேவியையும், லட்சுமியையும் நேரில் சென்று அழைக்க ஆவல் கொண்டாள். இதனால், சரஸ்வதியால் யாகத்திற்கு திரும்பி வருவதில் தாமதம் ஏற்பட்டது. யாகத்தைத் தொடங்குவதற்குரிய முகூர்த்தநேரம் நெருங்கிவிட்டதால், பிரம்மா செய்வதறியாமல் தவித்தார்.வேதசாஸ்திரத்தின்படி மனைவி அருகில் இல்லாவிட்டால் யாகம் செய்ய முடியாது. அப்போது யாகம் நடத்திய அந்தணர்களின் வழிகாட்டுதலின்படி, காயத்ரிதேவியை மணந்து கொண்டார்.

சரஸ்வதி கோயில்:

தன்னை எதிர்பார்க்காமல் மறுவிவாகம் செய்த பிரம்மன் மீது சரஸ்வதிக்கு கோபம் ஏற்பட்டது. எனவே அவள், புஷ்கரத்தில் இருந்த குன்றின் மீது அமர்ந்து கொண்டு கோபத்தை வெளிப்படுத்தினாள். பூவுலகில் வேறுஎங்கும் பிரம்மனுக்கு கோயிலோ, ஆராதனையோ இனி நடக்காது என்ற சாபமும் கொடுத்தாள். இந்த குன்றின் மீது நூற்றுக்கணக்கான செங்குத்துப்படி களின் மீதேறினால், சரஸ்வதியின் கோயிலை அடையலாம். சரஸ்வதி கோயில் அமைந்திருக்கும் மலைக்கு ரத்தினகிரி என்று பெயர். அடிவாரத்தில் உள்ள கோயிலில் பிரம்மனும், காயத்ரியும் கோயில் கொண்டுள்ளனர். ராஜஸ்தானிய பாணியில் இங்கு அலங்காரம் செய்யப்படுகிறது.

பிரார்த்தனை: புஷ்கரத்தில் உள்ள பிரம்மா கோயிலில் பக்தர்கள் வேண்டுதல் நிறைவேற வெள்ளிநாணயங்களைத் தரையில் பதிக்கும் வழக்கத்தைக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றனர். அடியார்களின் பாதம் பட்டு அந்நாணயங்கள் தேய்ந்து போவதுபோல, துன்பங்கள் தீர்ந்துவிடும் என்று அவர்கள் நம்புகிறார்கள்.

புஷ்கர் மேளா: புஷ்கர் கோயிலில் ஆண்டுதோறும் ஐப்பசியில் மிகப்பிரம்மாண்டமான திருவிழா நடக்கிறது.இவ்விழா நவமியில் தொடங்கி பவுர்ணமியில் நிறைவு பெறும். அப்போது ஆயிரக்கணக்கில் மக்கள் இவ்விழாவில் கலந்து கொண்டு வழிபாடு செய்கிறார்கள். மாநில அரசும் புஷ்கர் பெஸ்டிவல் என்ற பெயரில் அரசுவிழாவாக மேளாவை நடத்துகிறது. அப்போது ""டூரிஸ்டு வில்லேஜ்'' என்ற தற்காலிக கிராமத்தை உருவாக்கி சுற்றுலாப்பயணிகளை இங்கு தங்க வைக்கிறார்கள். அப்போது ராஜஸ்தான் மாநில பாரம்பரிய கலைகள் பொம்மலாட்டம், கோலாட்டம், நடனக்கலைநிகழ்ச்சிகள் பல நடத்தப்படுகின்றன.

சுற்றுக்கோயில்கள்: புஷ்கரைச் சுற்றியுள்ள பகுதிகளில் 400க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கோயில்கள் உள்ளன. இவற்றில் வராகர், பாதாளேஸ்வரர், தத்தாத்ரேயர், விஸ்வகர்மா, பராசர முனிவர், பாலமுகுந்தர், ராதாகிருஷ்ணர், ராமர், துர்க்கை கோயில்கள் சிறப்பானவை. தென்னிந்திய பாணியில் நிர்மாணிக் கப்பட்டிருக்கும் வைகுந்தர், ரங்கஜீ கோயில்களும் பார்க்கத் தகுந்தவை.

இருப்பிடம்: சென்னையில் இருந்து ஆஜ்மீர் சென்று, அங்கிருந்து 14 கி.மீ., ஜீப் அல்லது பஸ்களில் சென்றால் புஷ்கரை அடையலாம்.

Source : http://www.dinamalar.com/new/fpnnewsdetail.asp?News_id=5101

RECIPE CONTEST

2009-10-02T10:57:00.002+01:00

Want to win Rs.2000 worth of crackers for Diwali? Then read on!

Diwali is an occasion with food, fun and crackers. http://www.chennaimoms.com/ combines it all in this contest.

● Food - Post your best recipe with photos

● Fun - Ask your friends and relatives to vote

● Crackers - Win a pack of crackers as the gift

For more details check this link below :

http://www.chennaimoms.com/home/diwali_recipe_contest

DEVOTIONAL SONGS ( Mp3 FORMAT)

2009-09-23T10:38:00.001+01:00

1. Mrutyunjayaa :

2. Natanashiva :

3. Mahaganapate :

4. Vanamaali Radha :

5. Premaachala :

6. Shrikari Krupakari :

7. Krishna Govind :

NAVRATRI - PART 2

2009-09-21T14:17:00.003+01:00

The story associated with Navratri can be found in various Hindu religious texts. The story of navratri is the symbolic message of the fact that however glorious and powerful the evil become,at the end it is the goodness that wins over all of the evil. The story is associated with Maa Durga and Mahisasura, the buffalo headed demon.

Rambha and Karambha are two sons of Danu , who performed austerities to gain extreme power and authority. When their prayers became deeper , the King of the heaven God Indra got perturbed. Out of fear, he killed Karambha. Rambha, who came to know about his brother's death, became more stubborn to win over the Gods. He increased the intensity of austerities and finally got several boons from Gods like brilliance, beauty,invincibility in war. He also asked a special wish of not being killed by either humans or Gods or Asuras.He then considered himself immortal and started freely roaming in the garden of Yaksha where he saw a female-buffalo and fell in love with her. To express his love, Rambha disguised in the form of a male-buffalo and copulated with the female buffalo. However, soon after that a real male buffalo discovered Rambha mating with the she-buffalo and killed him. It was due to Rambha’s inflated ego that killed him, out of which he has not asked his death to be spared from the wrath of animals. As the pyre of Rambha was organized, the female-buffalo, who was copulated with him jumped into the funeral pyre of Rambha to prove her love. She was pregnant at that time. Thus, demon came out of the with the head of a buffalo and human body and he was named Mahisasura (the buffalo headed demon).Mahishasura was extremely powerful. He defeated the gods and the demons and acruierd power over the entire world. He even won over the heaven and threw devtas outside it. He captured the throne of Indra and declared himself to be the the lord of the gods. The gods led by Brahma approached Vishnu and Shiva and evaluated them of the situation. In order to save the Gods, the three supreme deities emerged a light of anger, which combined to the take the shape of a terrible form and this was Durga. All the gods then granted this Goddess of power with all the supreme weapons they had. This is why; Durga is called the brilliance of all the Gods.When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he was mesmerized by her beauty. Her then fell in love with her and proposed to marry her. The goddess said she will marry him, if he defeated her in the battle. Then began a scary and terrible battle between both of then which continued for nine days. Finally, on the last day, Durga took the form of Chandika and stood over the chest of Mahishasura and smashed him down with her foot. She then pierced his neck with her spear and cut off his head off with her sword. It is the day when Vijayadashmi is celebrated.

Legend of Sati :

According to a story in the Hindu mythology, King Daksha of Himalayas was blessed with a beautiful and virtuous daughter, named Uma. She wished to marry Lord Shiva. In order to tie the wedding knot with the god, Uma worshipped him and pleased him. Consequently, Lord Shiva married Uma. One fine day, Uma, now the consort of Lord Shiva, wished to take part in a Yagna conducted by her father. Since her father was not in good terms with him, Lord Shiva refused her to witness the Yagna. When she turned up at the Yagna, her father - King Daksha - insulted Lord Shiva. Unable to withstand the insult, the angry Uma decided to end her life by jumping into the agni kund. Soon after doing this, she was united with the eternity. Therefore, Uma came to be known as Sati. Sati was reborn again. In the second birth, Sati married Lord Shiva and the divine couple lived happily, thereafter. It is believed that since then Parvati / Uma / Sati comes on earth every year with Lord Ganesha , Lord Subramanya, Goddess Saraswathi, Goddess Lakshmi and her friends called Jaya and Bijaya, to visit her parent`s home during the nine days of Navratri. This is celebrated as Navratri.

Other Legends :
A story says that in the ancient times, the Kshatriyas abstained from taking part in any warlike activities during the monsoon season. Once the season was over, they made a fresh start with their war activities. Therefore, before their commence their new activities, they would worship different avatars of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Warriors, for nine whole days, which is now celebrated as Navratri.
A popular legend associated with the celebration of Navratri is the story of Lord Rama, who wanted to rescue his wife Sita, from the demon king- Ravana. To freed her from the clutches of the demon king, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga in her nine different forms, for nine days, so that he gets all the strength and power to kill Ravana. All the nine days became Navratri and hence, celebrated every year. On the tenth day, Rama killed Ravana and that day is called Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.

Source : http://festivals.iloveindia.com/navratri/katha.html

NAVRATRI

2009-09-20T16:02:00.007+01:00

This is the golu display in my maama's house .

Navratri is a Hindu festival of worship and dance.In sanskrit, the word "Nava" means nine and "Ratri" means Nights . During these nine nights and ten days , nine forms of Goddess Durga / Goddess Shakthi are worshipped and are as follows :

Shailputri
Brahmacharini
Chandraghanta
Kushmanda
Skanda Mata
Katyayani
Kalratri
Maha Gauri
Siddhidatri.

Traditions and Rituals of Navratri :

The festival of Navratri is celebrated twice in a year. Once in the Hindi month of Chaitra (March - April) and again in the month of Ashwin , ( Puratasi , September - October) . And this festival is celebrated in different ways throught India.

In North India : There are five Navratris devoted to the worship of Goddess Shakthi. of which only three are celebrated now :

Sharad Navaratri / Maha Navratri - September to October
Vasant Navaratri - March to April
Ashada Navaratri / Guhya Navratri - July to August

The sharad navaratri culminates Dussehra and Durga pooja. The Dussehra of Kulu in Himachal Pradesh is particularly famous in the North. In Westbangal of Eastern India, the last four days of sharad Navratri is celebrated in grand manner as Durga pooja. This is biggest festival of the state. Exquisitely decorated clay idols of Goddess Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahisasura are set up in temples and other places. These idols are worshipped for five days and then immersed in river. In Western India of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba dance.

In Southern state of Tamilnadu and to a lesser extent part of Andhra pradesh, Navaratri is called as Kolu or Golu. The word Kolu is orgined from the word in tamil : Kolu and telugu : Koluvai, Which means a soverign sitting in his royal darbar. It commences on the Amavasya day of the month of Bhadrapada / Puratasi . On the Amavasya day after finishing the rituals, like offering tarpana etc. the custom is, to keep the Kalash filled with rice, toor dal haldi sticks, betel leaves and nuts or mango leaves with a coconut on it. The most important thing is to keep two wooden dolls specially brought from Tirupathy. The wooden dolls are anointed with oil and bathed and decorated as bride and groom. The right muhurtam is chosen before placing the Kalash and the dolls for worship, with which the Kollu festival begins. The dolls are given to the girl from her parents during her marriage and are called "Marapachi Bommai". From this day she starts collecting dolls and observes the ceremony annually from South. Marapachi' means a special kind of wood which has medicinal value too and Bommai meant dolls. This is done by constructing wide tiers or steps in any odd number, maximum being Nine .From the day the married girl gets the Marapachi Bommai.

And in Karnataka , Dasara also called "Navaratri", is the most extravagant festival of Mysore. This festival has been celebrated in Mysore with great pomp and show since centuries. This tradition is still carried on. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates and commemorates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari after slaying the demon Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The Dasara festivities have become an integral part of the culture and life in Mysore.
To celebrate this festival they light up the Palace of Mysore with more than 10,000 light during that period.Which is ofcourse a treat to the eyes.

The first three days of Navratri :

These days are devtoed to the worship of the Goddess Durga. Kumari, ehich signifies the girl child, is worshipped on the first day. Parvathi,who is the embodiment of a young woman is worshipped on the second day. Goddess Kali is worshipped on the third day , who represents the woman who has reached the stage of maturity.

Fourth to sixth days of Navratri :

The mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth , Goddess Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the Goddess of wealth.

Final three days :

On these days Goddess Sarawathi , the goddess of wisdom is worshipped. Sarawathi pooja / Ayutha pooja day ,all the tools of the trade , pen , machinery, books, automobiles, school, work are given rest and ritually worship them and fresh start on the last day which is considered as vijayadasami day. A period of introspection and purification, Navratri is tradionally an auspicious and religious time for starting new ventures.

In the follwing procedure the steps are arranged with dolls : (starting from top to Bottom)

Step 1 - 3 :

The clay dolls displayed are mostly from mythological characters. All Gods and Goddesses of our Epics and Puranas are displayed on the tiers which are beautifully decorated and look spectacular and colourful. for example, Garuda Vahana' i.e. God Narayan taken in Garuda Vahan or vehicle is kept. The Kumbham filled with fresh water and the kalash is covered with silk cloth and a coconut , mango leaves are placed on top of it. This is kept on first step.

Step 4 - 7 :

These steps are devoted to saints, demi Gods, great men and even national leaders ,One of the items exhibited is the Marriage Set called "Melam Talam" i.e. the marriage procession of relations and friends led by musical players of clarionet (melam) and mridangam (talam). Then there, is the Dashavatar' set, episodes from Ramayana and Krishna Leela. One can add more dolls but should not decrease the number. The festival lasts for nine days with arti, prayers Prasad daily mornings and evenings.

Step 8 & 9 :

The eighth step is devoted to various business and crafts dolls, like chettiar dolls - a businessman and his wife are seated and their commodities like rice, pulses and other utensils are kept in front of them.

The ninth step is the last step where the traditional wodden dolls called marapachi bommai are kept. are placed. Dolls of animals, birds, reptiles and other forms of evolution are also kept on this step.
On the 10th night after the ceremonial arti and prayers, the dolls are put to ‘sleep.’ And the next day, the exhibits are packed carefully in cloth or paper and preserved for use the next year.

During these nine days ladies are invited and offered haldi kumkum,betel leaves with nuts and fruits. In the morning sweets and evening chundals' i.e. different chanas are offered to the ladies. During Kollu, old traditional women observe "Valluku Anaya" Valluku meaning lamp and Anaya meaning not going up. That is the lamp or diya once lit is continuously kept burning for twenty-four hours for ten days. Some people observe it even today. On the tenth night after the ceremonial arti and prayers the, Marapachi' are put to sleep. And, the next day the exhibits are packed carefully in cloth or paper and preserved for use the next year. Vijay Dasami and Navratri are also the auspicious time for buying new clothes and feasting. Unlike other Vrats, there is no custom of fasting during Navratri Kollu.

Navratri Katha / Legend to be continued in next posting ....

Thanks to Bhavani , my friend ...for sharing few points with me.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri , http://festivals.iloveindia.com/navratri/navratri-significance.html , http://www.dandiyazone.com/navratri-festival/navratri-kolu.htm

SRI LAKSHMI ASTOTHRAM

2009-09-18T11:19:00.003+01:00

Lakshmi Ashtothram

NANDI PHOTO, BRAGATHEESWARAR TEMPLE,

2009-09-03T10:43:00.003+01:00

Manjal (Turmeric) abhishekam performed to Lord Nandi ,on account of Pradosham day , at Tanjore - Bragatheeswarar Temple - ( Periya Kovil).

source : www.dinamalar.com

BACK TO BLOG WORK

2009-09-01T08:33:00.004+01:00

I am back to blogger's world after a months break . Had been to India on vacation .Thanks to all my friends for visiting my blog regularly .

Will start updating soon .

Regards,

Gayathri.

சூரியனை குறித்த ஆன்மிகத் தகவல்

2009-07-20T22:29:00.005+01:00

நாளை காலையில் சூரிய கிரகணம் நிகழ்வதை ஒட்டி சூரியனை குறித்த ஆன்மிகத் தகவல்களை தெரிந்து கொள்வோமா!

சூரிய நமஸ்காரம்: தினமும் காலையில் நீராடிய பின் கிழக்கு திசைநோக்கி சூரியநமஸ்காரம் செய்வது உடல் ஆரோக்கியத்திற்கு மிகவும் நல்லது. பிராணாயாமம் என்னும் மூச்சுப்பயிற்சி, அதனைத் தொடர்ந்து காயத்ரீ மந்திரம் ஜபித்தல் ஆகியவை, சூரியனின் ஆற்றலை அதன் கிரணங்களின் மூலம் பெறும் முறைகளாகும். காலை, மாலை வேளைகளில் சூரியனை நோக்கி இருகைகளாலும் நீரை எடுத்து அர்க்யம் விடுவதும் சூரிய தோஷத்திற்கு தகுந்த பரிகாரமாகும். ஆதித்ய ஹ்ருதயம் போன்ற சூரிய துதிகளைச் சொல்வதால் நம் உடலும், மனமும் சூரிய சக்தியைக் கிரகித்துக் கொள்கின்றன. கிரகணம் பற்றிசுவாமி சிவானந்தர்பாற்கடலை தேவர்களும் அசுரர்களும் கடைந்த போது அதிலிருந்து அமிர்தம் வெளிப் பட்டது.

பகவான் விஷ்ணு ஓர் அழகான மோகினி வடிவம் தாங்கி அசுரர்களை மயக்கி, அந்த அமிர்தத்தை தேவர்களுக்கு மட்டும் வழங்கினார். ஆனால் சுவர்பானு என்ற அசுரன் மட்டும் தேவர்களைப் போல உருவம் தாங்கி வந்தான். இதை அறிந்த சூரியனும் சந்திரனும் அதை மோகினியிடம் தெரிவித்தனர். உடனே மோகினியாக இருந்த விஷ்ணு அசுரனின் தலையை கொய்து விட்டார். ஆனால், அதற்குள் அமிர்தம் கழுத்துவரை சென்று விட்டதால் அவன் சாகவில்லை. அவனது தலை ராகுவாகவும், உடல் கேதுவாகவும் அழைக்கப்பட்டன. தங்களைக் காட்டிக்கொடுத்த சூரிய, சந்திரரைப் பழிவாங்கும் விதத்தில் அவ்வப்போது ராகுவும் கேதுவும் சூரியனையும் சந்திரனையும் விழுங்குகின்றனர். வானசாஸ்திரப்படி சூரியன், சந்திரன், பூமி ஒரே கோட்டில் வரும்போது, நடுவில் சந்திரனோ, பூமியோ வரும்போது சூரியசந்திர கிரகணங்கள் ஏற்படுகின்றன. கிரகண காலத்தில் மக்கள் புனிதநதிகளில் நீராடி, பசுக்கள், பணம் மற்றும் தங்கத்தை தானமாக அளிக்க வேண்டும். கிரகணத்திற்கு மறுநாள் ஏழைகள் மற்றும் சாதுக்களுக்கு உணவளிக்க வேண்டும். கிரகணம் முடிந்தபின் வீடுகளைச் சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும். கிரகண காலத்தில் ஒருவன் சாப்பிடக்கூடாது. தொடங்கும் நேரத்தில் முன் உண்ட உணவு முழுவதும் ஜீரணமாயிருக்க வேண்டும். கிரகணம் விட்ட பிறகு சூரியனைப் பார்த்தபின்னரே உணவு உட்கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

கிரகணத்தின் போது சூரியனை கர்ப்பமான பெண்கள் பார்க்கவே கூடாது. அவர்கள் பார்த்தால் பிறக்கப்போகும் குழந்தைகள் செவிடு, ஊமை அல்லது குருடாகப் பிறக்கும். இதே காரணத்திற்காகவே கிரகணநேரத்தில் தாம்பத்ய உறவும் கொள்ளுதல் கூடாது. இந்தநேரத்தில் ஒருவர் தேள்கடிக்காமலோ மற்றும் காயத்திலிருந்து ரத்தம் வெளியேறாமல் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுவது அவசியம். இவற்றால் பயங்கரவிளைவு ஏற்படும். கிரகணநேரத்தில் ஒரு மண்புழுகடித்தால் கூட விஷம் இருக்கும். கிரகண நேரத்தில் ஜபம், தியானம் செய்பவர்கள் பெரும் நன்மை அடைவார்கள். இவ்வேளையில் செய்யும் ஜபம், சங்கீர்த்தனம் (இறைவனைக் குறித்த பாடல்கள்) அல்லல்களையும், பீடைகளையும் அகற்றும். தேவர்களின் ஆசி கிடைக்கும். நமது சிற்றறிவினால் பிரபஞ்சத்தில் நிகழும் பல விஷயங்களைத் தெரிந்து கொள்ள முடியாது. எனவே, முனிவர்களின் வார்த்தைகளை நம்புங்கள். உலக வாழ்வு நிலையற்றது என்ற ஆன்மஞானமாகிய நிஜத்தை, அறியாமை மறைக்கிறது. எனினும், இந்தத்திரையாகிய கிரகணம் நிச்சயம் ஒருநாள் அகலும். நீங்கள் உங்கள் இயற்கையான புகழுடன் ஒளிர்வீர்கள். இதுதான் கிரகணத்தின் ஆன்மிகத் தத்துவமாகும்.

யார் இந்த சூரியன்?: சூரியனின் பிறப்பு குறித்து இருவேறு கதைகளைப் புராணம் சொல்கிறது. மகாவிஷ்ணு தமது உந்திக்கமலத்தில் இருந்து பிரம்மாவைப் படைத்தார். திருமாலின் ஆணைப்படி பிரம்மா பல உலகங்களைப் படைத்தார். அவை அனைத்தும் இருள்மயமாக இருந்தது. அந்த இருளைப் போக்க "ஓம்' என்ற பேரொலியை உண்டாக்கினார் விஷ்ணு. அந்த ஒலியில் இருந்து பிரகாசமான ஒளியுடன் சூரியன் தோன்றினார் என்பது ஒரு கதை. பிரம்மா தன் படைப்புத் தொழிலை விரிவுபடுத்த சப்தரிஷிகளை (ஏழு பேர்) உண்டாக்கினார். அவர்களில் மரீசி என்பவரும் ஒருவர். அவருக்கு காசியபர் என்னும் மகன் பிறந்தார். அவருக்கு13 மனைவிகள் .அவர்களில் மூத்தமனைவியான அதிதி பெற்ற மகனே சூரியதேவன் என்பது மற்றொரு கதை. சூரிய புராணத்தில் இந்தக் கதைகள் சொல்லப்படுகின்றன. சூரியன் நவக்கிரகமண்டலத்தின் தலைவனாகத் திகழ்கிறார். இவர் ஏழுகுதிரைகள் பூட்டப்பட்ட, ஒற்றைச் சக்கர ரதத்தில் மேருமலையை வலம் வருகிறார். இவருக்குச் சாரதியாக அருணன் விளங்குகிறார். வைவஸ்தமனு, யமன், அசுவினிதேவர்கள், பிரதவன், ரைவவஸ்தன் என்ற மகன்களும், யமுனை என்ற மகளும் சூரியனுக்கு உள்ளனர். சூரியன் மும்மூர்த்திகளின் அம்சமாக விளங்குகிறார். பிருகுமுனிவர், வால்மீகி, அகத்தியர், வசிஷ்டர், கர்ணன், சுக்ரீவன் ஆகியோர் சூரிய தேவனின் அருளால் பிறந்தவர்கள் என்று ராமாயணமும், மகாபாரதமும் கூறுகின்றன.

சூரியனுக்கு கோயில் : ஒரிசாவிலுள்ள கோனார்க்கிலும், தமிழகத்தில் தஞ்சாவூர் அருகிலுள்ள சூரியனார்கோயிலிலும்சூரியனுக்கு கோயில்கள் உள்ளன. முன்னொரு காலத்தில் இமயமலைச் சாரலில் காலவமுனிவர் என்பவர் தவம் செய்து வந்தார். இவர் தம் தவசக்தியால் எதிர்காலத்தில் நடக்கும் விஷயங்களைச் சொல்வார். ஒருநாள், தனக்கே தொழுநோய் வரவிருப்பதை அறிந்தார். நவக்கிரகங்களை நோக்கி வழிபாடு செய்தார். தொழுநோய் ஏற்படாமல் இருக்க கிரகங்கள் வரம் தந்து, அந்த நோயைத் தாங்களே ஏற்க வேண்டிய கட்டாயத்துக்கு ஆளாயினர். அந்த நோய்நீங்க பூலோகம் சென்று அர்க்கவனம் என்னும் இடத்தில் பிராணேசுவரரைப் பூஜித்தால் விமோசனம் பெறலாம் என்று பிரம்மா அருளினார். அதன்படியே அர்க்கவனமாகிய சூரியனார்கோயிலுக்கு வந்து விரதமிருந்து நவக்கிரகங்கள் நன்னிலை பெற்றனர். தனக்காக நோயை ஏற்றதியாக உள்ளம் படைத்த கிரகங்களுக்கு காலவமுனிவர் கோயில் அமைத்து நன்றிக்கடனைச் செலுத்தினார். இத்தலமே சூரியனார்கோயில் என்று பெயர் பெற்றது.

புதன்கிழமை பிறந்தவரா?: கிரகணத்துக்கு முன்னதாக சாப்பிடக்கூடாது என மகான்கள் சொல்கிறார்கள். நாளை அதிகாலையே கிரகணம் நிகழ இருப்பதால், இன்று மாலை 6.40 மணிக்குள் இரவு உணவை முடித்து விடுவது நல்லது. நாளை காலையில் கிரகண நேரத்தில் ஆறு, குளம், கடல்களில் நீராடி முன்னோருக்காக தர்ப்பணம் செய்யலாம். வீட்டில் இருப்பவர்கள் இறைவணக்கப் பாடல்களை கிரகண நேரத்தில் பாடுவதன் மூலம் எவ்வித தோஷமும் இல்லாமல் தங்களைப் பாதுகாத்துக் கொள்ளலாம். எந்தக்கிழமையில் கிரகணம் நிகழ்கிறதோ, அந்த கிரகணநாளில் பிறந்தவர்கள், கிரகணம் முடிந்த பிறகு நீராடிவிட்டு, கோயில்களுக்குச் சென்று தங்கள் பெயரில் அர்ச்சனை செய்வது நல்லது. இதுதவிர புனர்பூசம், பூசம், ஆயில்யம், அனுஷம், உத்திரட்டாதி நட்சத்திரத்தில் பிறந்தவர்களும் சாந்தி செய்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

கிரகணத்துடன் துவங்கும் 2010 : 2010, ஜனவரியில் இரண்டு கிரகணங்கள் அடுத்தடுத்து நிகழ உள்ளன. அதுவும் புததாண்டு துவங்கும் நேரத்திலேயே சந்திர கிரகணம் நிகழ உள்ளது. அதாவது ஜனவரி1ல் (டிசம்பர் 31 நள்ளிரவு இரவு 12 மணிக்கு) புத்தாண்டை வரவேற்ற 21 நிமிடங்களில் கிரகணம் துவங்குகிறது. 12.21 மணிக்கு துவங்கும் கிரகணம் இரவு 1.23 மணிக்கு தான் விடுகிறது. இதனால் கோயில்கள் டிசம்பர் 31ல் முன்னதாகவே அடைக்கப்பட்டு விடும். மறுநாள் காலையில் கோயில்களைச் சுத்தப் படுத்திய பின்னரே நடை திறக்க முடியும். இதையடுத்து, ஜனவரி 15, மாட்டுப்பொங்கல் தினத்தன்று மற்றொரு சூரிய கிரகணம் நிகழ இருக்கிறது. இது காலை 11.24க்கு ஆரம்பித்து, 3.14 மணிக்கு இரு சுபநாட்களில் கிரகணங்கள் நிகழ்வது உலகுக்கு நன்மை தராது. அதிலும் புத்தாண்டின் துவக்கத்திலேயே இவை நிகழ உள்ளதால், இப்போதே விலைவாசி உயர்வில் சிக்கித் தவிக்கும்நம்மைக் காப்பாற்ற இறைவனைச் சரணடைவதைத் தவிர வேறு வழியில்லை. எந்தளவுக்கு மனப்பூர்வமான வழிபாடுகள் வீட்டிலும், கோயில்களிலும் அதிகமாகிறதோ, அந்தளவுக்கு சிரமங்களில் இருந்து தப்பி விடலாம்.
ஆணும் பெண்ணுமான சூரியனின் தேரோட்டி: சூரியனின் தேரோட்டியான அருணன், காஷ்யபருக்கும், விநதைக்கும் பிறந்தவர். காஷ்யபரின் மற்றொரு மனைவியான கத்துரு என்பவளுக்கு முதலில் குழந்தைகள் பிறந்தனர். இதனால், பொறாமை கொண்ட விநதை, ஆத்திரத்தில் தான் அடைகாத்த முட்டையை பருவம் வரும்முன் உடைக்கவே, ஒருகி கால் இல்லாதவனாக அருணன் பிறந்தான். இதனால் ஆத்திரமடைந்த அவன், ""என்னை கால் இல்லாமல் செய்த நீ, கத்ருவுக்கு அடிமையாகி, அதன்பிறகு என் சகோதரன் கருடன் மூலமாக சாபம் நீங்கப்பெறுவாயாக!'' என்று தன் தாய்க்கே சாபம் விடுத்தான். இவன் மீது இரக்கம் கொண்ட சூரியன், தனது சாரதியாக நியமித்துக் கொண்டான். ஒருசமயம் அருணன் இந்திரலோகத்தில் நடந்த கொலுவை வேடிக்கை பார்க்க, பெண் வடிவில் சென்றான். இந்தப் பெண்ணின் பேரழகைக் கண்ட இந்திரன், அவளோடு இணைந்ததால் வாலி பிறந்தான். இதன் காரணமாக இவன் சூரியலோகத்திற்கு தேரோட்ட தாமதமாகச் சென்றான். அருணன் இந்திரலோகத்தில் நடந்ததைச் சொல்லவே, அந்தப் பெண் உருவைப் பார்க்க வேண்டுமென சூரியன் கூறினார். அருணன் மீண்டும் பெண் வடிவம் எடுக்கவே, அவள் மீது ஆசைப்பட்ட சூரியன் அவளுடன் இணைந்ததால் சுக்ரீவன் பிறந்தான். ராமாயணத்தின் இரு முக்கிய கதாபாத்திரங்களுக்கு இந்த அருணனே காரணமாகிறான். இவனது மனைவிஸ்யேனி. இவளுக்கு சம்பாதி, ஜடாயு ஆகிய கருட குழந்தைகள் பிறந்தனர்.

விஷப்பூச்சி அருகே செல்லாதீர் : சூரிய கிரகண நேரத்தில் பூச்சிகளுக்கு சக்தி அதிகரிக்கும். இந்நேரத்தில் வீட்டில் திரியும் பூச்சிகள், பல்லிகள், கரப்பான் களை அடிக்கப்போகிறேன் என்று கட்டையுடன் திரியக்கூடாது. கிரகண நேரத்தில் இவை கடித்தாலோ, உடலில் ஊர்ந்தாலோ ஏற்படும் விளைவு கடுமையாக இருக்கும். குறிப்பாக, குழந்தைகளை இந்நேரத்தில் சுவர்களில் இருக்கும் துவாரங்கள் அருகே செல்லவிடாமல் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்.
கிரகண கால அட்டவணை: நாளை கிரகணம் பிடிக்கும் நேரம்: காலை 5.28 மணி
முழுமையடையும் நேரம்: 6.20 மணி
கிரகணம் விடும் நேரம்: 7.12 மணி
கிரகணத்துக்கு பிறகு கோயில், வீடு சுத்தப்படுத்தும் நேரம்: காலை 7.15 மணி.
கர்ப்பிணிகள் வீட்டுக்குள் இருந்தபடியே தெய்வத்தை வணங்க வேண்டிய நேரம்: காலை 5.20- 7.15 மணி.
சூரியனைத் தரிசிக்கும் நேரம்: காலை 7.15 மணி

சூரிய வணக்கப்பாடல் :
ஆயிரம் கரங்கள் நீட்டி அணைக்கின்ற தாயே போற்றி!
அருள் பொங்கும் முகத்தைக் காட்டி இருள் நீக்கம் தந்தாய் போற்றி!
தாயினும் பரிந்து சால சகலரை அணைப்பாய் போற்றி!
தவிக்கும் ஓர் உயிர்கட்கெல்லாம் துணைக்கரம் கொடுப்பாய் போற்றி!
தூயவர் இதயம் போல துலங்கிடும் ஒளியே போற்றி!
தூரத்தே நெருப்பை வைத்து சாரத்தை தருவாய் போற்றி!
ஞாயிறே நலமே வாழ்க நாயகன் வடிவே போற்றி!
நானிலம் உளநாள் மட்டும் போற்றுவோம் போற்றி போற்றி!
சூரிய போற்றி சீலமாய் வாழ சீர்அருள் புரியும் ஞாலம் புகழும் ஞாயிறே போற்றி
சூரியா போற்றி! சுதந்திரா போற்றி!
வீரியா போற்றி! வினைகள் களைவாய்.
சூரிய ஸ்துதி: சூர்யம் சுந்தர லோக நாதம்
அம்ருதம் வேதாந்த சாரம் சிவம்
சுரேஷம், அமலம் லோகைக சித்தஸ்வயம்
இந்திராதித்ய நரதீபம் சுரகுரும்
த்ரைலோக்ய சூடாமணிம்
ப்ரம்ம விஷ்ணு சிவ ஸ்வரூப
ஹ்ருதயம் வந்தே சதா பாஸ்கரம்

சூரியன் உதித்ததும் இந்த ஸ்லோகத்தை
24 தடவை சொல்பவர்களுக்கு நோய்கள் நீங்குவதுடன் செல்வவளம் பெருகும்.
source : http://www.dinamalar.com/

திருவிளக்கு ஸ்தோத்ரம்

2009-07-15T14:25:00.016+01:00

விளக்கே திருவிளக்கே வேதமுடன் நற் பிறப்பே
ஜோதி விளக்கே ஸ்ரீதேவி பெண்மணியே
அந்தி விளக்கே அலங்கார நாயகியே
காந்தி விளக்கே காமாட்சி தாயாரே
பசும் பொன் விளக்கு வைத்து பஞ்சு திரி போட்டு
குளம் போல நெய்விட்டு கோலமுடன் ஏற்றினேன்
ஏற்றினேன் நெய் விளக்கு எந்தென் குடி விளங்க
வைத்தேன் திருவிளக்கு மாளிகையில் நான் விளங்க
மாளிகையில் ஜோதியுள்ள மாதாவை கண்டு கொண்டேன்
மாங்கல்ய பிச்சை மடி பிச்சை தாரும் அம்மா
சந்தான பிச்சையுடன் தனங்களையும் தாரும் அம்மா
பெட்டி நிறைய பூஷணங்கள் தாருமம்மா
பாட்டி நிறைய பால் பசுவை தாருமம்மா
அல்லும் பகலும் என் அண்டையிலே நிலுமம்மா
சேவித் தெளிந்து நின்றேன் தேவி வடிவம் கண்டேன்
வஜ்ர கிரிடம் கண்டேன் வைடுரி மேனி கண்டேன்
முத்து கொண்டை கண்டேன் முழு பச்சை மாலை கண்டேன்
சபரி முடி கண்டேன் தாழ் மடல் சூடக் கண்டேன்
பின்னல் அழகு கண்டேன் பிறை போல நெற்றி கண்டேன்
சாந்துடன் நெற்றி கண்டேன் தாயார் வடிவும் கண்டேன்
கமல திரு முகத்தில் கஸ்தூரி பொட்டும் கண்டேன்
காலில் சிலம்பு கண்டேன் காலாழி பீஃலீ கண்டேன்
மங்கள நாயகியே உன்னை மனம் குளிர கண்டு மகிழ்ந்தேன்
அன்னையே அருந்துணையே அருதில் இருந்து காரும் அம்மா
வந்த வினை அகற்றி மகா பாக்யம் தாரும் அம்மா
தாயாரே உந்தன் தாழடியே சரணம் என்றேன்
மாதவே உந்தன் மலரடியில் நான் பணிந்தேன்
தந்தையும் தாயும் நீயே தற்காக்கும் ரட்சகி நீயே
அன்பருக்கு உதவும் நீயே ஆதாரமும் நீயே
உன்னை உறவாக நம்பி உற்றாரை கைவிட்டேன் தாயே
சந்தான சௌபாக்யம் தந்து சத்துக்கள் சேவை எனக்கு அளிப்பாய்
பக்தியுள்ளமனம் எனக்கு தந்து பரதேவி கிருபையுடனே அருள்வாய்

SURYANAR TEMPLE

2009-07-08T14:07:00.007+01:00

Suryanar temple is the first Navagraha temple .This temple is situated in the small village called Thirumangalakkudi. This is an exclusive shrine dedicated to the Sun god and was built during the Chola period. This temple also houses shrines to each of the other eight celestial bodies - The Navagrahams.Very close to this temple are the Shivasthalams, Tirumangalakudi and Kanjanur. It is believed that one should visit Tirumangalakkudi temple first and then visit the Suryanar temple.The Suryanar temple faces west. Surya's wives are Goddess Usha and Goddess Prathyusha. The presiding deities are Prananatheswarar and his consort Mangalanayaki.There are also shrines to Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Brihaspathi in the sanctum. Shrines to other celestial bodies are located outside the sanctum.

Surya's great chariot has one wheel and is drawn by seven horses, he has a lotus in each hand, wears an armour and has a shield over his breast, has beautiful straight hair, and is surrounded by a halo of light. Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst the navagrahas. The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha - Rudran. His colour is red The grain associated with his is wheat; the flower - lotus, yerukku; fabric - red clothes; gem - ruby; food - wheat, rava, chakkara pongal.

Legend : Kalava Munivar had foreseen his failure and realised that he would suffer from leprosy. He prayed to the navagrahas, who being pleased with his devotion absolved him of the disease. Brahma deva on realising that the Navagrahas were granting boons, instead of aspecting a person as per his /her good or bad deeds, condemned them to suffer from leprosy and banished them to earth.

The Navagrahas realsing their mistake, pleaded for mercy. Lord Brahma adviced them to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Uma Devi residing at Thirumangalakkudi, after bathing in the holy river, Cauvery, He adviced them to consume only curd rice laid on velerukku leaf .

Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion absolved them to their sins and said that there will be nine seperate sanadhis to the navagrahas seperately in this Suryanar temple and those who pray here will get relief from their problems.

Slokas :

Aswa Dhwajaaya Vidhmahe

Padhma Hasthaaya Dheemahi

Thannas Soorya Pracho Dhayaath.
Japaa Kusuma Sankaasam Kaasyapeyam

Mahaath' YuthimThamo'urim

Sarva Paapa Ganam

Pranathosmi Dhiwaakaram

Surya Gayatri :

om aswadhwajaaya vidmahae
paasa hastaaya dheemahi
tanno surya: prachodayaat

NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES

2009-07-07T17:35:00.008+01:00

The Navagraha Temples refer to a group of nine temples that are found near Kumbakkonam region of Tamil Nadu. Each of these temples is considered an abode of one of the Navagrahams. However, the majority of these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Surya temple is the only one dedicated to the Graham. This region was under the Chola rulers at one point of time. The Navagrahas are not the nine planets as is generally misunderstood. On the contrary they are nine celestial bodies comprising of the sun, the moon, the planets – Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and the two shadow planets – Rahu and Ketu. These heavenly bodies have a profound implication on astronomical calculations.

Many temples in South India contain a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas. However, the term Navagraha Temples refers to a cluster of nine seperate temples , each an abode of one of the Navagrahams.

The following are the Navagraha temples :

Sun - Surya -- Suryanar Kovil
Moon - Chandra -- Tingaloor
Mars - Angaarakan -- Puttirukku Velur (or) Vaitheeswaran Kovil
Mercury - Budhan -- Tiruvenkaadu
Jupiter - Guru -- Aalangudi
Venus - Sukran -- Kanjanoor
Saturn - Shani - Tirunallar
Raahu - Tirunageswaram
Ketu -- Keezhperumpallam

Will post about each temple in detail...

Source : Wikipedia.

AANI THIRUMANJANAM

2009-07-07T16:10:00.003+01:00

Aani Uthiram, or Ani Thirumanjanam, is an auspicious day in the Tamil Month of Aani (May -June) and is dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva). The word "Thirumanjanam" means Holy bath. The festival is observed on the Uthiram Nakshatram day. In 2009, the date of Aani uthiram was on June 29. It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan in the months Ani and Margazhi. The Lord’s form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation. :

The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation;
his raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection;
his left hand holding fire destruction;
his firmly placed foot concealment;
and his other, slightly lifted, leg salvation.

Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year. The explanation for that number is as follows. Earth takes 365 days to complete one full circle around the sun. That duration is divided into six seasons :–

Marghazhi-Thai: early winter;
Masi-Panguni: late winter;
Chittirai-Vaikasi: early summer;
Ani-Adi: high summer;
Avani-Purattasi: autumn;
Aippasi-Karthikai: rainy season.

This six-season year of humans is said to be but one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily pujas in temples are performed. During each of these six parts, an abhishekam has been ordained for Lord Nataraja. One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the month Ani (June-July). This is the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva.

It is popularly believed that it was on Aani Uthiram day that Lord Shiva appeared before Sage Manikkavachakar under a Kurundai Tree and offered upadesha (advice) and during the abhishekam to the Lord, as everyone watched, the sage merged in the Lord as a brilliant flame. Sage Manikkavachakar is the author of Thiruvachakam.

The Abhishekam or holy bath of the idol performed during the twilight period (Pradosham) on the day is considered highly auspicious. Special rituals and processions are held on the day at Nataraja Temple.

check this link also about Aani Thirumanjanam :

http://www.dinamalar.com/fpnnews.asp?News_id=4220

Source : http://www.bhattar.com/html/may_june.html

SANKATAHARA CHATURTHI

2009-07-06T17:03:00.003+01:00

Sankatahara Chaturthi vratham occurs during the fourth day of the Theypirai or Krishna Paksha, every month. The vrata starts before the sunrise and lasts until moon rise. Sankata (means problems) and Hara (means killing or removing) and therefore Sankata Hara Chadurthi is a day to invoke Lord Ganesh's blessings to remove all problems in life. Sankata Hara Chathurthi vrattam is very auspicious for removing all obstacles in life and to convert your problems into opportunities. Every month, the chadurthi falling after the full moon or Pournami is Sankatahara Chaurthi. When Sankatahara Chadurthi falls on a Tuesday it is considered very auspicious and known as Angaraki Sankatahara Chadurthi. Lord Ganesha Temples conduct special poojas on the day.

Sankata hara Ganesha stotram :

As the name indicates, the SANKATA HARA GANESHA STOTRAM is a very powerful slokam. This sloka is chanted daily for three times to get rid of all the problems. All the problems get destroyed by chanting this stotra of Lord Ganesha. Number 3 is very dear to Lord Ganesha. Hence, it is desirable to chant this thrice if possible.

Pranamya Sirasa devam Gauri Puthram Vinayakam

Bhaktavasam Smarennithyam Ayuh Kamartha Siddaye !

Prathamam Vakrathundam cha Ekadantham Dvithiyakam

Thrithiyam Krishna Pingaaksham Gajavakthram Chathurthakam

Lambodaram Panchamam cha Shashtam Vikatameva cha

Saptamam Vighna Rajam cha Dhoomravarnam thathashtakam

Navamam Phala Chandram cha Dasamam thu Vinayakam

Ekadasam Ganapathim Dwadasam thu Gajananam !!

Dwadasaithani Namaani Thri Sandhyam Yah Pathennarah

Na cha Vighna Bhayam thasya Sarva Siddhi karim Prabho!

Vidyarthi Labhate VidyamDhanarthi Labhate Dhanam

Puthrarthi Labhate PutraamMokshaarthi Labhate Gatim

Japeth Ganapthi Stotram Shadbhirmaasai Phalam Labheth,

Samvatsarena Siddhim cha Labhate Naathra Samsayaha !

Ashtabhyo Brahmanebhyash cha Likhitwa yah Samarpayeth

Thasya Vidya bhavetsarva Ganeshasya Prasadathaha !!

Sankatahara Chaturthi Pooja Songs:
http://www.raaga.com/channels/sanskrit/moviedetail.asp?mid=S0000022

This information was collected by my friend , Vidyo.

THIRUVILLAKKU STOTRAM

2009-07-03T19:54:00.003+01:00

Thiruvillakku sthothram :

Villakke ! Thiruvillake ! vendan udanpirappe !

Jyothi manivillake sridevi ponmaniye

Andhi villakke alankara nayagiye

Gandhi villakke kamakshi thayare

Pasumpon villakku vaithu panchu thiri pottu,

Kulam pola nei vittu Kolamudan yetri vaithen

Yetrinen nei villakku yendan kudi villanga Vaithen

thiruvillakku maligaiyum thaan villanga

Maligaiyil jyothiyulla mathavai kandukonden

Mangalya pichchai madipichchai tharumamma !

Santhana pichchaiyudan dhanangalum tharumamma !

Petti niraya booshanangal tharumamma !

Patti niraya paal pasuvai tharumamma !

Kottil niraya gudiraigalai tharumamma !

Pugazhudambai thandhu yen pakkathil nillumamma !

Allum pagalum endran andaiyile nillumamma !

Sevithezhundirunden devi vadivu kanden

Vajjira kridam kanden vaidurya meni kanden

Muthu kondai kanden muzhupachchai maalai kanden

Souri mudiyakanden thazhai madal sooda kanden

Pinnazhagu kanden piraipola netri kanden

Saandhudan netrikkanden thayaar vadivamkanden

Kamala thirumugathil kasthuri pottu kanden

Maarbil padhakkam minna maalai asaya kanden

Kaivalayal kalakalenna kanaiyazhi minna kanden

Thanga oddiyanam thagathagena jolikka kanden

Kaalir chilambu kanden paalazhi peeli kanden

Mangala nayagiyai manam kulira kandukonden

Annaiye arunthunaiye arugirundu kaathiduvai

Vandha vinai agatri mahabaakkyam thandhiduvai !

Thaayare undhan thaaladiyil charanam yendren

Maadhave undhan malaradiyil naan panindhen

Kudumbakodivillakke kutrangal poruthiduvai

Kuraigal theerthiduvai kudumbaththai kaathiduvai

Thandhaiyum thaayum neeye dhayavudane rakshippai !

Karunaikadal neeye karpagavalli neeye !

Sakalakalavalli thaaye rakshippai

Thanjam unai adaindhen !

dhukkammellam Pokkiduvai !

Abiramavalli amma ! adaikkalam neeye amma !

Sarva mangala mangalye sive sarvartha saadhike

Saranye thriyambake devi narayani namosthuthe

Aayur dehi dhanam dehi vidyam dehi maheshwari

Samastham akilam dehi dehi me parameswari

Anyatha charanam naasthi thvameva charanam ma ma

Dhasmath kaarunya paavena raksha raksha maheswari

Thiruchitrambalam.

KANCHIPURAM

2009-07-01T17:46:00.003+01:00

Location : 75-Km From Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Called : Religious Capital Of South India
Famous Temples In Kanchipuram : Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadaraja Temple, Kailashanathar Temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Kumara Kottam, Ulahalanda Perumal Temple
Important Festivals Celebrated : Brahmotsavam -Varadaraja Temple InMay; Garuda Sevai- Varadaraja TempleIn June; Float Festival -Varadaraja Temple In February And November; KamakshiAmmam Festival - February; Mahashivaratri Festival - Kailashanatha Temple In February; Panguni Uthiram -EkambareshwaraTemple In March-April.

Land Of Thousand Temples Kanchipuram is a small, rural town about 75-km from Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. With the Sankara Mutt acting as the hub of Hindu activities and the temples, Kanchipuram is one of the most highly visited pilgrimage spots in India, and can rightfully be called the "Religious Capital of South India". Kanchipuram was under the Pallavas from the 6th to 8th century AD and later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a center of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage.All the religious cities in India support one of the two sects in Hinduism - Vaishnavism and Shaivism, but Kanchipuram has blended itself equally to both the sects, dividing itself into Vishnu Kanchi, surrounding the Varadaraja Temple, and Shiva Kanchi, surrounding the Ekambareshwar (also spelt as Ekambareshwa) Temple, while the Kamakshi Amman Temple stands in between as a place of Shakti worship.

Kailashanathar Temple :

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kailashanathar (also spelt as Kailashnatha) is one of the earliest temples built by the Pallava ruler Rajasimha Pallava and was completed by his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava in the 8th century AD. It is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest example of Pallava architecture in South India. The temple is situated among several low-roofed houses just over 1-km west of the town center. Of all the temples in India, no other edifice has been so elaborately filled with all the 64 aspects of Lord Shiva. The temple is unique in its architecture and is viewed more as an architectural wonder than as a holy place. Hence, it is never crowded with locals. But, once in a year during Shivaratri festival large crowds visit the temple and there could be hours of waiting in long queues.

Kamakshi Amman Temple :

India has three main cities where the Goddess Shakti is worshipped. Kanchipuram holds the most important rank among the three. In the same order, the three places are Kanchipuram, where the Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped, Madurai, where the Goddess Meenakshi is worshipped, and Kashi, where the deity is 'Visaalakshi'.The Kamakshi Amman temple is the hub of all religious activities in Kanchipuram. The temple is also in closer control of the Shankara Mutt, unlike the other temples, which are governed either by the Department of Archeology, Government of India, or the Hindu Temples Department of the Tamil Nadu Government. The kings of the Chola Empire built the temple in 14th century AD.The main tower over the sanctum (Vimanam) of the temple is gold plated. Also of significance is the Golden Chariot in this temple. The Golden Chariot is taken in a procession around the temple on Friday evenings around 7.00 p.m. This temple also features an Art Gallery with pictures depicting the history of Sri Adishankaracharya and the Shankara Mutt.

Kumara Kottam :

Kumara Kottam is located in between the Kamakshi and Ekambareshwar temples in the Somaskanda formation in the town of Kanchipuram. It is a well-visited temple with two Prakarams and a complete pantheon of Parivara Devatas enshrined in their respective shrines.In the sanctum, Muruga is in a seated pose. Valli, Deivayani are absent here, but their festival idols are kept here. In accordance with the function of Creation he has assumed, his right arm is in Abaya pose, the upper hand holds the rosary, and the lower left arm is on the thigh in Katyavailambita pose with the left arm holding the Kamandalam. The posture is also called "Brahma Chattam".Here only honey is used for ablutions. When one comes out after worshipping the main deity, one can see the festival idols. In the front part of the temple in the mirror room one can see the marble figure of Ramalinga Swamigal.

Varadaraja Temple :

The Varadaraja temple is one of the important shrines of Sri Vaishnavites, also known as "Hastigiri" and is one of the celebrated Vaishnava Divya Desams, located in Vishnu Kanchi or "the Little Kanchi". Originally it was known as "Attiyuran". The main deity here is Varadaraja Perumal in a standing posture facing west and the Lord here is also known as "Devaraja", "Pranatharthihara", "Deva Perumal", "Athiyooran" and "Perarulalan".Varadaraja temple with superb art has a magnificent history, which is associated with Sri Ramanuja, who used to serve here. Many miracles are said to have occurred. It was with his ministry that the temple, then already several centuries old, began to gain fame.

Ulahalanda Perumal Temple :

Ulahalanda Perumal temple, situated about half a kilometre from the centre of the town near Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the oldest temples in Kanchipuram. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal in this temple represents the "Vamana Roopam", an incarnation of Lord Vishnu taken to save the Devas from the Demon king Mahabali. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal is depicted by a huge image of about 35 feet high.

Festivals Celebrated In Kanchipuram :

Some of the important festivals celebrated in Kanchipuram are the Brahmotsavam -Varadaraja temple in May; Garuda Sevai- Varadaraja temple in June; Float festival -Varadaraja temple in February and November; Kamakshi Ammam Festival - February; Mahashivaratri festival - Kailashanatha temple in February; Panguni Uthiram -Ekambareshwara temple in March-April.

This posting was prepared by my friend Vidyo ..

PRADOSHA VRATA

2009-06-28T12:22:00.003+01:00

The Pradosha worship is to be done in the evening twilight or sandhya Kala on the Trayodashi of both lunar fortnights, Shukla paksha and Krishna Paksha , and on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight. It is the worship of Lord Shiva for victory and success in all undertakings, and the fulfilment of all your heart’s cherished desires. In some regions, the day is dedicated to Nataraja form of Lord Shiva.Fasting on this day is observed for success, peace and fulfillment of desires. It is said that mere darshan of any form of Lord Shiva removes ignorance.Pradosha means sunset time of Trayodashi.
The Performance of the vrata :

There are two methods of fasting on this day, some observe fasting throughtout the day, and some observe fasting from sunrise to sunset and after doing the Shiva pooja in th eevening the fast is broken. A bath is taken one hour before sunset and Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga and Nandhi are worshipped. After the initial prayers, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of kalasha. The Kalasha filled with water is covered with darbha grass and a lotus is drawn on the kalasha.
Another form of worship is doing pooja for the Shivalingam. The shivalingam is anointed with water and bilva leaves are offered. After the pooja is over the pradosha vrata katha or chapters from shiva puranam are read and the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantram is recited 108 times. And the Lingaastakam bhajan should be sung after worshiping shivalingam.

A devotee observing Pradosha vrata must perform pooja to Lord Shiva four times in four praharas for the whole day starting from sunset to that day to sunrise in the next day.The prahara times are as follows :

Sunset to 9 PM. - First Prahara
9PM. to 12 Midnight - Second Prahara
12 Midnight - 3 AM. - Third Prahara
3 Am. to sunrise - Fourth Prahara

In the end the sacred kalasha water is partaken of, the sacred ash is applied to the forehead, and the water which was used to bathe the Lord, is drunk. A gift of a pot, a cloth and an image of the Lord is given to a Brahmin to conclude the worship.

Pradhosha Purana:

Once Dhevas and Asuras using the serpent Vasuki and the hill Mandhara were trying to get Amrutham (nector) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Then the terrible poison Halahalam came up. All got frightened and pleaded to Lord Shiva for rescue. Being the peak of mercy Lord Shiva ate that poison. Then as per His order they resumed their effort to get Amrutham. They got it on Dhwadhasi (twelfth moon day). Without praying and thanking the God, by whom they got Amrutham, Devas started dancing and celebrating their victory. On thrayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) they realised their sin of not praying the God and pleaded for forgiveness. The pleased graceful Lord Shiva forgave them and danced between the horns of the Nandhi (holy bull). That time is called Pradhosham. Whoever prays Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and give them mukthi.

Pradosha katha :

Long ago there lived a widow Brahmin woman who along with her son after taking permission from the Rishis would go for begging food the whole day and return back in the evening. Whatever she received , she would utilize it and also do shiva pradosha vrat. One day she met the prince of Vidharbha state, Dharma Gupta, whose father was killed by the enemies and the pronce was thrown from the state. The brahmin woman brought him to her house and looked after the prince. One day the prince and the son of the brahmin saw the gandarva princess, Ashumati, in the forest . The prince started talking to Ashumati and went along with them. The brahmin son returned home alone. The Parents of Ashumati, got her married to the prince Dharma Gupta and defeated the enemies and got back the kingdom and crowned him as the king of Vidharbha. Dharma Gupta rememberred the son of brahmin and made him his Minister. All this was happened only because of the prodasha vrata. From that time the prodasha vrata became famous and the asupiciousness of this vrata is the fulfillment of all desires.

During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful.

Milk gives long life
Ghee gives Moksha state
Curd gives good children
Honey gives melodious voice
Rice powder frees from debts
Sugar cane juice gives good health
Panjamrutham gives wealth
Lemon removes fear of death
Sugar removes enmity
Tender coconut gives enjoyment
Cooked Rice(Annam) gives mejestic life
Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace

Sani Pradosha katha :

Once Indra lost his kingdom and found that only if he consumed the Divine Nectar he could rule. So there was a tug of war between the devas and asuras to obtain this nectar. The Devas and Asuras got together to churn the ocean, using Mandramalai & Vaasuki, the snake. As they continued to churn the ocean, Vaasuki the snake began to tire and started spewing its poison. Siva came and consumed all the poison. Thus Siva became blue up to his throat and is also known by the name "Neelakandan" ( neela-blue colour, kandam-throat).Goddess Parvati rushed and held his neck so that the poison would not spread to the whole of his body. Shiva then became drowsy and selected a village called Surutapalli (near Chennai), where he is seen sleeping on the lap of Parvathi. This is the only temple that houses Lord Shiva in a sleeping position.Narada, meanwhile, passed on the message and down came the Devas, Brahma, Vishnu and the Saptarishis, to have darshan. They were promptly stopped by Nandi who asked them all to come after some time, as Shiva was resting. All of them waited. Shiva, when he woke up, was filled with extreme happiness and danced ("Ananda Thandavam"). This day, when the Devas, Brahma, Vishnu, Narada and Saptarishis had Shiva darshan was a Krishnapaksha Trayodasi (Stiravaram, Saturday). This is the Mahapradosham day. Pradhosham, generally, is a significant occasion observed with great piety at all Shiva temples. It is believed that all the Devas & Gods are assembled in the Shiva temples during Pradosham time. Further, the first pradosham was on a Saturday & hence "Sani Pradosham" is even more auspicious.

Check this link to read about Sani Pradosham :

http://www.dinamalar.com/Topnewsdetail.asp?News_id=1281

A very important point to be remembered in this connection is that during this auspicious period all the hosts of celestial beings and gods come down from the heavens and attend the worship in their subtle forms. This adds immensely to the sanctity of the worship.This Vrata is highly lauded by the scriptures and is of very great sanctity and importance to worshippers of Lord Shiva. The mere sight of the Deity in a temple during this period will destroy all sins and bestow bountiful blessings and Grace upon the fortunate beholder. Even a single bael leaf offered to the Lord at this unique, auspicious moment equals a hundred Mahapujas. It is usual to have special additional lights in the shrine during the Pradosha. To light even a single wick at this juncture is highly meritorious and productive of untold benefits, spiritual as well as material. Most fortunate and blessed is the person who performs the Pradosha Vrata, for upon him Lord Shiva showers His choicest Grace and blessings in a very short time.

(Thanks a lot to my friends , Vidyo & Sasi for providing the details)

Source : wikipedia , http://www.ammas.com/ar/home.cfm?r=va&bid=0&topicid=941&tid=166775 , http://www.dinamalar.com/

LORD SRI VENKATESWARA PHOTOS

2009-06-28T10:48:00.000+01:00

EKAMBARESWARA TEMPLE - KANCHIPURAM

2009-06-16T17:13:00.006+01:00

Ekambareswara temple is one of the famous hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kanchipuram. It is one of the Pancha bootha sthalams representing the Earth , Prithvi Sthalam. It is also one of the Divya desam for Vaishnavites. This vast temple with high rising Gopurams dominates the skyline of Kanchipuram.

Ekambareshwar temple is one of the largest temples in Kanchipuram, spreading over an area of 12.14 hectares. This ancient temple is surrounded by a huge stonewall built in the early 16th century during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire. Ekambareshwar temple is of hoary antiquity, beginning as a small fane, it has grown over the centuries into a large one with innumerable shrines, Mandapams, Gopurams and Tanks. It is considered to be one of the most ancient temples in India and has been in existence even prior to 600 AD. It enshrines many traditions.

Deities : The presiding diety here is Ekambareswarar or Lord Shiva, worshipped as Prithvi Lingam. No seperate shrine for Goddess Parvathi exists here. There is a small shrine for Lord Vishnu named Thiru Nilaaththingal Thundathan, and he is prayed as Vamana Moorthy.

Legend : Once Parvathi was doing Tapas under the Mango tree. Inorder to test her devotion Lord shiva set fire on her. Goddess Parvathi prayed to her brother, Lord Vishnu inorder to save her, he took the moon from Lord Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the fire. After that, Lord Shiva made river Ganga to flow over Parvathi and to distract her from doing the tapas. Parvathi devi prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them are sisters and should not harm her. Ganga also did not disturb her after that. Then Parvathi made a Shiva Linga out of sand and got united with lord Shiva.

According to another legend, it is believed that Parvathi worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithvi Lingam under a mango tree. And legend says that the neighbouring river Vegavathi overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvathi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In that context he is reffered to as Tazhuva Kuzhainthaar , ie., "He who is melted in Her embrace".

Festivals : Six worship service are offered each day in this temple , namely :

Ushad Kaalam
Kaalasanthi
Uchi Kaalam
Pradosham
Sayratchai and
Ardhajamam

Festivals which are celebrated throughout the year are as follows :

Thai Poosam (Jan - feb)
Panguni Uthiram (March - April)
Chitra Pournami (April - May)
Vaikashi Visakam (May - June)
Ani Thirumanjanam (June - July)
Adi Krithikai (July - August)
Avani Moolam ( August - September)
Navaratri ( September - October)
karthikai Deepam (November - December)

The panguni festival lasts for 13 days and it is during this festival , wedding of the presiding diety is celebrated, and the venerated Tamil poems of the Nayanmars are sung in great splendor.

Source : wikipedia & http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/ekamkanc.html

CHIDAMABRAM TEMPLE

2009-06-16T11:47:00.000+01:00

Chidambaram is one of the Panchabootha sthalas , where the lord is worshipped in his manifestation as sky or Aagayam. Chidambaram is also one of the five dance halls , they are as follows : The Hall of Gold - Kanakasabha at Chidambaram, The Hall of Silver Velli Sabhai at Madurai, The Hall of Rubies - Ratnasabha at Tiruvalankadu, The Hall of Copper - Tamrasabha at Tirunelveli and The Hall of Pictures - Chitrasabha at Kutralam.The word Chidambaram may be derived from the words "Chit" , meaning "Consiciousness", and "ambalam", meaning "Sky" , it refers to Chidaakasam, the Sky of Consciousness, which is the ultimate aim one should attain according to all the Vedas and scriptures.

The word Chidambaram may also be derived from Chit + Ambalam. Ambalam means a "stage" for performing arts. THe chidakasam is the stage of bliss or aananda natanam.

Special features : A unique feature of this temple is the bejeweled image of Lord Nataraja. It depicts Lord Shiva as the Lord of dance Brathanatyam. Here in this temple LOrd Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, anionic Lingam.

The Ananda Tandava Posture :

The Ananda thandava depicts him as the enjoyer of his creation - the Universe.

The demon under Nataraja's feet signifies that ignorance is under his feet.
The fire in his hand means destroyer of evil.
The raised hand signifies that he is the savior of all life
The ring at the back signifies the cosmos.
The drum in his hand signifies the origin of life.

Significance about the temple : Chidambaram is also referred to as Thillai , Perumpatrapuliyur or Vyagrapuram. This temple is supposed to be located at the lotus heart of the Universe,Virat Hridaya Padma Sthalam. The spot where Lord displayed his dance of bliss - is exactly south of the Thirumoolataaneswar temple, today this is known as Ponnambalam or Porsabbai. The Lord is also hence refferred to as the Sabhanayakar, meaning the lord of stage.

To know more about Chidambaram temple , check these links

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/chidambaram-nataraja-temple.html &

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/chidambaram-natarajar-temple-part-2.html

Source : wikipedia.

Photos

2009-06-12T22:08:00.008+01:00

Hi all,

I was not feeling well for the past couple of weeks . Will catch up soon.

Gayathri.

Got these photos from leading tamil newspaper , Dinamalar... and thought of sharing it with you all...

Naamakkal Anjaneyar Pushpangi Alangarram :

Paal abhishekkam to Lord Murugan in Thiruparamkundram temple on account of Vaikaasi Visagam .

Lord Balaji blessing his devotees on Garuda Vahana - Venugopala Swami temple , Nelli kuppam

Source : www.dinamalar.com

KALAHASTI TEMPLE

2009-05-27T11:31:00.009+01:00

Kalahasthi temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalam and , represents the Vayu Sthalam . This temple is located in Chitoor district in Andhra pradesh. Sri Kalahasthi temple is situated 36kms away from Tirupathi and it is the only shrine for the God of Vayu . This temple was construced by the Chola King, Rajendra Chola . Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. Goddess Parvathi devi is worshipped here as Gnanaprasunambika.

The Temple :

Vishwakarma brahmin Sthapthis was the one who sculpted this temple. This temple features an enormous, ancient Gopuram over the main gate. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill. The temple is surrounded by two sacred hills, The Durgamba temple is found on the northern hill, while Kannappa Nayanar temple on the southern hill. It is found on the banks oif the river Swarna Mukhi.

The Lingam here is swayambu , and it is white in colour. The Main lingam is untouched by the human beings , even by the priest. Abhishekam is done by pouring a mixutre of water , milk, camphor and panchamrita. Sandal paste , flowers, and the sacred thread are offerred to th e Uthsava murthi , not the main Lingam.

There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air can be observed even when the priests close the main deity room, which does not have any windows. One can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air.

The temple is also associated with Rahu and kethu, as per astrology to be redeemed from the clutches of Sarpa dosham. The temple is considered as the Kailash of the south or Dakshin Kailash.

Legends :

Sri Kalahasthi is named after the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They were Spider (sri), the serpant (kala) and the Elephant (Hasti). Lord Shiva pleased by their devotion , gave them a boon that their names be merged with the Vayulinga and called as Sri Kalahasteeswara. According to the mythology, the elephant used to clean Shiva by watering the idol with the help of river water carried in his tusk and pray for him by offering Vilva leaves. The Spider tried to protect the deity from external damage by weaving his web and to provide shelter. The snake used to place its precious gem on the Lingam to adorn the lord. The elephant not knowing that this is the form of pooja by Sri and Kala , pours water on the linga and cleans it up. This causes a war between the three and in this war the snake enters the elephant trunk and in the process kills itself. Spider is squashed against the linga by the elephant's trunk and the elephant dies due to snake poison. Lord Shiva then appeared and gave moksha to all the three of them for their selfless devotion.

The other legend that go with this temple are the restoration of the original form that of a ghost to Ghanakala who worshipped the lord with the Bhairava Mantra, the redemption of Chandra, Mayura and Devandra from their curses and lord shiva's proclamation of the importance of Guru or the spirutual master to Markandeya, deeming the guru to be Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Goddess Parvathi's curse :

Goddess Parvathi who was once cursed by the Lord to assume a human body, engaged herself in a long penance here which pleased the lord. He presented her with a body that was incomparable to the older form and initiated her with various mantras including the Panchakshari which ultimately bestowed her with Shiva Jnanam or the knowledge of the obsolute truth. She was henceforth then worshipped as Gnanaprasunambika.

Kannappar :

At Sri Kalahasthi, Kannappar plucked out one of his eyes and placed in the eyes of Linga which was oozing with blood and tears. when the tears and the blood were still tricking from another eyes, Kannappa decided to remove his second eye and placed one of his feet on the right eye of Linga. before he could pull out his eye with the arrow, Lord shiva appeared and restored his eye while granting him a boon to occupy his place close to him.

Festivals : Mahasivaratri is an important festival , where people offers prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord to attain Mukthi.

Source : http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2008/kalahasti-panchaboothasthalam-151008.html & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalahasti_temple

THIRUVANAMALAI TEMPLE - PART 2

2009-05-19T18:30:00.006+01:00

Festivals :
check this link , http://www.arunachaleswarar.com/eArunaFestival.html

Pooja :

Daily poojas are conducted for six time . Special poojas are also conducted apart from the below mentionned poojas , they are Panchaparuva Poojas namely , Amavasai , Kiruthigai, Pradosham, Pournami, Chathurthi .

The significance of Girivalam :

In most of the holy places the Deity is found on a top of the hill. But here the Hill is the deity , and it is worrishpped . "Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam" means Giri or Malai. Thus Arunachalam means the holy hill which is red in colour. There are eight Lingams located at the eight directions and provides octagonal shape to the town. The circumbulation path is 14 kilometres. It is auspicious to perform Girivalam during every full moon day

The eight Lingams and its significance are as follows :

To view the photos of temple , check this link : http://www.arunachaleswarar.com/gallery/index.htm

Source : http://www.arunachaleswarar.com/eArunachalesHome.html

THIRUVANNAMALAI TEMPLE

2009-05-19T12:44:00.018+01:00

Thiruvannamalai is one of the Panchabootha Stalas , and the temple represents Fire of the Five elements. This temple is one of the largest temple in India for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva here , not only enshrined within the sanctum of the temple as Arunachaleshwara , but also appears as the mighty mistic hill called "Annamalai". The holy hill is said to have stood the passage of time rather yugas. It was a Mount of Fire in Krutha Yuga , Mount of Ruby in Thredha Yuga, Mount of Gold in Dwapar Yuga and the present rock hill during this Kali Yuga. Goddess Parvathi is worshipped as "Unnamalai Amman" or "Apeethakuchambal".

Temple Structure :

Arunachaleswarar temple consists of Six Prakarams. The sixth prakaram is the outer prakaram. Rajagopuram , Thirumanjana Gopuram, Pei Gopuram and Annamalai Gopuram are located between sixth and fifth prakarams. The Raja Gopuram, located on the eastern side between the sixth outer prakaram and fifth prakaram is the tallest of all the towers in this temple. It is the second tallest temple tower in south India.

Kambathu Elayanar Sannathi :

At the inner left side of the Raja Gopuram entrance stands this magnificient sannathi. This sannathi consists of seven steps which leads devotees to the innerr chambers. This sannathi marks the actual spot where according to legend , Lord Muruga appeared . (The legend is explained in detail in puranic history part)

One Thousand Pillarred Mandapam :

Parllel to Kambathu Elayanar Sannathi and to northern side of the fifth prakaram stands "One Thousand Pillared Mandapam". This mandapam is used for the deities to be seated for ablutions and worship on Aani Thirumanjanam and on the day of the star Thiruvaathirai. This mandapam consists of underground chamber which houses Sri Pathala Lingam.

Sri Pathala Lingam :

The sculptured vimanam of this shrine is at the floor level of themandapam.The stone lingam found in this shrine is at floor level of the mandapam. This was the shrine where saint Ramana Maharishi used to mediate during his early days.

The other sannathi and mandappam in this temple are Sivagangai Vinayagar Sannathi , Arunagirinathar Mandapam , Kalyana Sundareswara Sannathi, Vallala Maharaja Gopuram.

Legends related to this temple :
Lingothbavar :

Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma approached a huge
Shiva linga and set out to find its beginning and end. Vishnu was appointed the end, and Brahma the beginning. Each took their journey, Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and began digging downwards into the earth while Lord Brahma took on the shape of a swan began flying upwards. But neither could find their appointed destination. Vishnu, satisfied, came up to Shiva and bowed down to him as a swarupa of Brahman. Brahma did not give up so easily. As he was going up, he saw a kaitha(Thalamppu) flower. His ego forced him to ask the flower to bear false witness of Brahma's finding Shiva's beginning. When Lord Brahma told his tale, Lord Shiva, the all-knowing, was angered by the former's ego. Lord Shiva thus cursed him that no being in the three worlds will worship him. and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai.

Arthanareeswarar :

Lord Siva's wife Goddess Umadevi once playfully
closed His eyes which plunged the world into darkness. All living beings suffered in the dark. To absolve herse of this sin Mother Umadevi created a Sivalingam out of sand and worshipped at Kancheepuram. At that instance, Lord Siva ordered her to proceed to Thiruvannamalai and do penance so

that she could get half of His body. Likewise Mother Parvathi did penance at Pavalakundru with the help of Saint Gowthama. A demon called Makidasuran disturbed the penance of Mother Parvathi. The Mother took the form of goddess Durga Devi and destroyed him on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of pradosham. Lord Siva presented himself in the form of Fire atop the hill and merged Goddess Parvathi on the left half of his body. To commemorate this event, every year during the Tamil month of Karthigai in Kiruthigai Star, exactly at 6.00 p.m. Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees at the time of Karthigai Festival 10th day.

Appearance of Lord Muruga :

Saint Arunagirinathar was the ardent devotee of Lord Muruga. Sambandan was a scholar in the king's court and had obtained many boons from goddess Kali. Afraid of Arunagirinathar's popularity, he proposed to the king a competition between him and Arunagirinathar, as to who could bring his chosen deity manifest in the form visible to everyone present.In the competition the devotion of Arunagirinathar brought the appearance of Lord Muruga through a stone pillar. Since then this has became one of the famous places of visit for the devotees of Lord Muruga.

Arunagirinathar saved by Lord Muruga :
In his earlier years Arunagirinathar climbed the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and attempted to fall off. Lord Muruga appeared before him and saved his life. Since then Arunagirinathar became known as Gopurathilayanar.

Arunagirinathar's Life force entering into the body of a Parrot :

The Vijayanagar King Pravda Deva Maharaya, once lost his vision and was blind. Sambandar, a confidant to the king advised him to get the flower Parijatham to regain his sight and suggested that Arunagirinathar could do the job. The king was convinced and asked Arunagirinathar to bring Parijatha flower.As the Parijatha flower is in heaven, Arunagirinathar moved his life force into the body of parrot, after keeping his own body in the gopuram. Even before his return with Parijatha flower his body was cremated. As he could not get his human form back, Arunagirinathar remained as parrot and composed great songs including Kandaranubuti.

(To be continued in part two)

Source : http://www.arunachaleswarar.com/

THIRUVANAIKAVAL TEMPLE

2009-05-18T12:04:00.007+01:00

Thriuvanaikaval , is a famous shiva temple in tiruchirapalli . The presiding diety is Sri Jambukeswara also known as Appu lingam . This temple is one of the Pancha bootha sthalas and this temple represents the element of water .

The Legend :

As one of the pancha bootha sthalas, a lot of significance is attached to this pilgrim centre. The deity is said to have been installed by Goddess Akilandeswari , one of the forms of the Goddess Parvathi To signify that the devi worshipping the lord, even today the priest wears a saree and performs the noon pooja.

Jambukeswara, Lord shiva in Lingam form , is depicted sitting under a Jambu tree . Therefore the lingam came to be called as the Jambulingam . The Lingam grows over a small stream that engulfs the deity during the rainy season.

According to the legend there was once a forest of Jambu trees in the place of modern Thiruvanikkaval. Nearby was a tank called Chandratheertha which was filled by water from the Cauvery river. Due to a curse, two of shiva ganas Pushpadanta and Malyava, were born in a forest as a white elephant and a spider. The elephant worshipped the lingam with flowers and with water brought in its trunk. the spider too worshipped the lingam, spinning the web over the lingam to prevent leaves if the tree falling on it. the spider's web appeared to be unclean for the elephant and it destroyed the web. This lead to big clash between the two and ultimately resulted in their death. Lord shiva granted Mokshas to both. The spider was born in a royal Chola family as the great king Ko. Chenkannan , who built 70 temples , including the Jambukeswarar Temple at Tiruvanaikaval. Because the king rememberred about his earlier birth, he built the temple in such a way that no elephant can enter the sanctum sanctorum and come near the Sivalingam.Since an elephant worshipped the Shivalingam here, the place is known as Tiruvanaivakaval (Aanai in tamil means Elephant).

The Massive outer wall, known as the Vibudi Prakara, stretches over a mile long, Legend says that the wall was built by Lord Shiva , working along with the labourers. The legend is as :

The Myth is known as Pittukku Mann Sumatha kathai :

At the time of constuction, the king decreed that every household shall send one man to work on the temple's construction. An old lady of the village, with no male relatives requested a vagabond known to her to serve in her honor in exchange for a sweet dish called Puttu. The vagabond was actually Lord Shiva in disguise, who reluctantly accepted the offer. At the construction site of the Prakara, Shiva sang and danced without working, irritating the constuction supervisor whipped shiva on his back, an infliction of pain that was felt immediately by all people in the world and left the mark of spine on the backs of humanity. Henceforth , the supervisor and the king realised the folly and begged his forgiveness.

Goddess Akilandeswari Sannathy : The sannathy of Akilandeswari and prasanna Vinayaka are in the shape of the pranava manthram Called "OM". It is believed that people who go round the sannathy twelve times and for on efull mandalam (48 days) will get the blessings and have a good , healthy and wealthy life.

Auspicious days : As in all Shiva temples, full moon days and Prodhoshams are special occassions in this temple . Sivaratiri days are very special .

Pooja offerings : For Pooja coconut, banana , betel & nut are offerred. Castor oil is offerred which is kept in the feet of the goddess and when given to the pregnant women will help them with easy deliveries. And the Ghee which is offerred is also kept in the feet of goddess and returned back to the couples and they are blessed with children.

Theerthams : There are nine theerthams near the temple they are as follows :

Sreemath Theertham
Rama Theertham
Chandra Theertham
Agni Theertham
Indira Theertham
Akasthiya Theertham
Jambu Theertham
Surya Theertham
Brahmma Theertham

To conclude : Legend also says that Adi shankarar has offerred Sri Chakra as Thaadanga (ear rings) for devi. The other legend says that Devi made the Lingam out of water particles and offerred prayers to Lord Shiva. She took Upadeshas from the lord and hence this place is also known as Upadesa Sthala.

Sources : http://archives.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/saranam/pancha/tiruvanaikaval.asp , http://panchaboothatemples.blogspot.com/2008/04/thiruvanaikaval-temple.html,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvanaikaval,

http://www.pariharam.com/TempleAkilandeswariAmman-Thiruvanaikaval,Trichy.aspx?TempleID=TMPL093

PANCHA BOOTHA STHALAS

2009-05-18T11:29:00.009+01:00

source : http://www.indian-heritage.org/temple/panchabp.html

The Pancha bhootha stalams are five towns in Tamil Nadu , each of which are considered to be representatives of five elements namely Water, Fire , Air, Ether and Earth. The five towns are as folows :

Appu Sthalam (Water) - Tiruvanaikaval
Thejo Sthalam (Fire) - Tiruvannamalai , Thiruvanamalai Part 2
Vayu Sthalam (Air) - Kalahasthi
Akasa Stalam (Space) - Chidambaram
Prithvi Sthalam (Earth) - Kanchipuram

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchabhootasthalas

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