Karthiki Ekadasi

Karthiki Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in Kartik Month as per traditional calendar followed in Maharashtra. Kartiki Ekadashi is associated with the famous Alandi Yatra – to the Samadhi place of Sant Dnyaneshwar at Alandi near Pune in Maharashtra. In 2009, there is a slight confusion regarding the Karthiki Ekadasi – first it was declared on November 12 but later it was changed to November 13.

Karthiki Ekadasi is observed as Uttpati Ekadasi or Utappana Ekadashi in other regions.

Thousands of pilgrims arrive at Alandi on Karthiki Ekadasi and pay their respects to Sant Dnyaneshwar. The pilgrims carry a Murti of Saint Dnyaneshwar on a Palkhi (Palanquin). Devotees take bath in the Indrayani River to wash away the sins committed and to start afresh on the path of liberation or Moksha.

While Praying or Doing Puja Pray with a Single Aim – A story from Puranas

Lord Surya, or Sun God, had a son named Shradhadeva. He did not have any children after several years of marriage. So he took the advice of Sage Vasishta and performed the Puthrakameshti Yajna to get a child.

Shradhadeva asked the sage conducting the yajna to pray for a boy child. But during the course of the yajna the queen asked the sage to pray for a girl child.

A year after the yajna the queen gave birth to a girl child. The king was disappointed as it was not a boy child.

So the king asked the sage who conducted the yajna where he had made the mistake. The sage said that he did not make any mistake but during the course of yajna the aim of the prayer and puja was changed on queen’s request.

Shradhadeva then prayed to Lord Shiva for a boy child and he was blessed with a male child later.

This story illustrates that while praying or doing puja there should be only a single aim. When there are numerous wishes and desires none will be fulfilled. This is one reason why most prayers and pujas go unanswered. When a devotee prays and works with a single aim it will meet with success.

The story also symbolically illustrates that for success one should work with a single point agenda and should not waver and include too many ideas.

Sashti Fasting in November 2009 – Shasti Vratam

Shasti Vratam is observed on the sixth day during the waxing phase of moon as per a traditional Hindu calendar and is dedicated to Lord Muruga or Kartik. Shasti fasting date in November 2009 is November 22. In some calendars the day is marked on November 23. Muruga devotees observe a fast on the day. Special pujas and rituals are also held on the day in Muruga Temples.

There are two Sashti fasting dates in a month one each during the waxing phase of moon and another during the waning phase of moon. Most devotees fast during the Sashti falling during waxing phase of moon.

Fasting on Sashti is considered highly beneficial and some devotees observe a complete fast for 24 hours. Lord Muruga, also known as Shanmukha and Subramanian, is widely worshipped in South India, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka especially by Tamilians. In North India, Lord Muruga is known as Kartik or Kartikeya.

The Sashti on November 23 is also known as Chamba Sashti in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka and is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Malhari Marthand or Kandoba.

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Shasti fasting – How to observe Sashti

Dev Deepavali

Dev Deepavali is observed on the first day of the Margashirsh month as per the traditional calendar followed in Maharashtra. Dev Deepavali 2009 date is November 17. It must be noted that Dev Deepavali is also observed on the Kartik Purnima day in many regions.

Please note that in many regions Dev Diwali is observed on Kartik Purnima. That is around 15 days earlier.

Dev Deepavali as the name suggests is dedicated to the Devas or Demi Gods. It is observed to commemorate the victory over demons and their return to heaven or Devaloka.

The most popular dev Deepavali is the one observed during the Kartik Purnima day which is the first Purnima after the Diwali celebrations.

Teachings from Atma Bodha of Adi Shankaracharya

Just as the fire is the direct cause for cooking, so without Knowledge no emancipation can be had. Compared with all other forms of discipline Knowledge of the Self is the one direct means for liberation.

Action cannot destroy ignorance, for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness.

The Soul appears to be finite because of ignorance. When ignorance is destroyed the Self which does not admit of any multiplicity truly reveals itself by itself: like the Sun when the clouds pass away.

Constant practice of knowledge purifies the Self (‘Jivatman’), stained by ignorance and then disappears itself – as the powder of the ‘Kataka-nut’ settles down after it has cleansed the muddy water.

Atma Bodha of Adi Shankaracharya

Narmadeshwar Lingam – Shivalingam found in Narmada River

Narmadeshwar Lingam is the Shivalingam found in Narmada River in India. River Narmada is one of the sacred rivers associated with Hinduism. The Narmadeshwar lingams are naturally formed due to the flow of the river. The Linga is also known as Bana Lingams. Possessing this Shivalingam is considered highly auspicious and is believed to bring peace, progeny, luck, wealth, fame and prosperity.

Importance of Narmadeshwar Lingam is mentioned in the Shiva Purana. It is said that Lord Shiva blesses the place where Narmadeshwar Lingam is kept and worshipped.

People worship Narmadeshwar Lingam by offering water and bel leaves. Tilak using ash is also applied on the Linga.

Narmadeshwar Lingam is a natural appearing lingam but there is no apt method to identify it. You can only be sure that you are having a Narmadeshwar Lingam, if you are able to personally pick it up from the Narmada River.

Sashti 2010 dates – Shasti Vratam or Fasting Days in 2010

Shasti, or Sashti, observed on the sixth day of the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) in a lunar fortnight is an important day in a Hindu calendar and is associated with Lord Muruga. Below are the Shasti and Kanda Sashti fasting dates in 2010. There are two Sashti in a month and devotees of Skanda observe partial or full fast on the Shashti occurring after the new moon (Amavasya).

Shasti Days in 2010 based on Indian Standard Time (IST)

January 21, 2010 – Shasti

February 20, 2010 – Sashti

March 21, 2010 – Shashti

April 20, 2010 – Sashti

May 19, 2010 – Shasti

June 17, 2010 – Sashti – The day observed as Aranya Shasthi in some regions.

July 16, 2010 – Shashti – The day observed as Kumar Shasti in some regions.

August 15, 2010 – Shasti – Observed as Shriyal Shashti in some regions.

September 13, 2010 – Sashti – Observed as Surya Shasti in some regions.

October 13, 2010 – Sashti

November 7, 2010 – Skanda Shasti fasting starts

November 8, 2010 – Kanda Shasti fasting Day 2

November 9, 2010 – Kantha Shasti fasting Day 3

November 10, 2010 – Skanda Sasti fasting Day 4

November 11, 2010 – Skanda Shashti fasting Day 5

November 12, 2010 – Skanda Sashti Soora Samharam (Skanda Shashti fasting Day 6)

November 13, 2010 – Tirukalyanam

December 11, 2010 – Shasti – Champa Shasti

Please note that the Sashti fasting might begin in some regions a day earlier or a day later depending on the regional Panchang.

History of Talakad and Story of the Curse That Buried Talakkad below Sands

Talakad in Karnataka is famous for temples that are buried under sand – the Cauvery Riverbed. Situated on the banks of the Cauvery, the town of Talakkad is famous for the Panchalinga Darshan – a rare darshan of five Shiva temples during rare astrological calculations. The history of the town goes back to the 8th century AD but what is more popular than history is a myth – a curse that buried the town under sands.

Meera Iyer writes about the History and the Myth of Talakkad in Deccan Herald

Talakad has a long history, going back to at least the eighth century when it was the capital of the Ganga kings. In later years, it was also a prominent city under the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar kings and the Mysore Wodeyars, with each successive dynasty adding its own architectural stamp to the city.

Like any other ancient city in India, Talakad too has its share of colourful myths. But of the several stories about this ancient town, one that reverberates through the years down to this day dates from the early 1600s, when Raja Wodeyar defeated Rangaraya, the Vijayanagar empire’s viceroy in Srirangapatna.

The victorious king alleged that Rangaraya’s wife, Alamelamma, still had with her jewels that rightly belonged to the temple at Srirangapatna. Eventually, when Raja Wodeyar sent soldiers to recover the jewels, Alamelamma fled to Talakad and famously cursed the king and the town before drowning herself in the Cauvery near Malingi a town on the opposite bank of the river. “Let Talakad be filled with sand,” she is said to have cried, “Let the Mysore kings remain childless. Let the river at Malingi become a whirlpool.”

In an extraordinary turn of events, beginning in the 1600s, Talakad did indeed begin to be deluged with sand. This concurrence with the curse has never failed to capture the imagination of visitors to the besieged town, where today, some 30-odd temples are said to lie buried under the sand. In recent years, this remarkable coincidence has also intrigued scholars, resulting in some fresh insight into this mystery.

You can read about latest archeological developments in the article by Meera Iyer – Township of shifting sands.

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Panchalinga Darshana 2009 at Talakad

The Story of Ekadasi Fasting – Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Ekadasi is a highly auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight in traditional Hindu calendar. There are 24 Ekadasis in a year and 26 Ekadashis when there is an Adhika Masa in a Hindu lunar calendar. The yearly cycle of Ekadasi begins with the Utpanna Ekadasi in November/December. There is an interesting story regarding Ekadasi fasting and how the Ekadasi day gained such prominence is explained in the Ekadashi Vrat Katha.

Once Devas (demigods) and their King Indra were driven out of Swarga (heaven) by Asuras or Demons. As usual the Devas took refuge at the feet of Lord Vishnu and pleaded to him to restore their lost kingdom.

The current crisis for the Devas was created by Demon Mura – son of Demon Nadijangha and the ruler of Chandravati. Mura defeated all the demigods and started living in heaven.

Lord Vishnu promised to help them and asked the Devas to assemble at Chandravati to fight Demon Mura. Soon Mura appeared before them with a huge army.

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Jejuri Khandoba – Malhari Martand Bhairav Festival and Rathotsav

Malhari Martand Bhairav is a form of Lord Shiva worshipped in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Khandoba – Malhari Martand Bhairav Rathotsava and Festival is held at Jejuri Temple near Pune for six days starting from Kartik Amavasi as per traditional Marathi calendar. In 2009, Malhari Martand Bhairav Rathotsav and festival begins on November 17 and ends on Chamba Shasti day on November 23.

Somvati Amavasi, or no moon day on Monday, is highly auspicious in Jejuri Temple. November 16, 2009 is Somvati Amavas.

Legend has it that Khandoba had fought the demons Malla and Mani for six days starting from Kartik Amavasi. The festival celebrates the victory of Khandoba over the demons – victory of good over evil. Mhalsa and Banai are his consorts.

Khandoba is known by numerous names - Khanderao, Khanderaya, Malhari Martand and Mallu Khan in Maharashtra. He is known as Mallana in Andhra Pradesh and Mailara in Karnataka.

Malhari Martand is a very popular family deity in Maharashtra. He is worshipped by all class of people and is the patron deity of warriors, farmers, herders, hunters and gathers and tribals.

The stories of Khandoba are mentioned in the text Malhari Mahatmya.

Most of the temples dedicated to Malhari Martand are found in Karnataka and Maharashtra.