Karadayan Nonbu

Reposting the same again ...


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 . 

In US : this year it falls on Tuesday (13.03.12)  

In India , Uk, Dubai : 

this year it falls on Wednesday (14.03.12 ) timings : 9.15Am. - 9.45 Am.

To know more details about this nonbu check this link :


In English :


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


In Tamil :


http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2011/03/karadayan-nonbu-tamil-version.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

Vaikunta Ekadasi

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/

karthigai Deepam

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  

Karadayan Nonbu (Tamil version)

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://kaviskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-salt-adai-gayathris.html

Vellam / Sweet adai :

http://kaviskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-sweet-adai-gayathris.html

Aadi Pooram

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 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/

Aadiperukku

Aadiperukku 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

Vaikasi Visakam

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/

Tamil new year / Puthandu

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

Rama Navami (24.03.10 )

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 08/04/14 . 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

Thai Poosam

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

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

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

Vaikunta Ekadashi

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

Hanumath Jayanthi

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

Skanda Sashti

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

Karwa chauth Legends

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

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/

Navratri - Part 2

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 :

1. 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.
2. 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

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

Aani Thirumanjanam

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