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Showing posts from November 15, 2008


Karthigai Somavaram – Kartika Somavara Vratam

Karthigai Somavaram, or Karthika Somavara Ubayam, is the Mondays in the Tamil Month Karthigai which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In 2024, Karthigai Masam is from November 16 to December 15. Karthika Somavara Vratam is observed by Shiva devotees in the month and special pujas and rituals are held in Shiva temples in maintained by Tamil community. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is undertaken by many devotees.  Note - In neighboring Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh also Kartik Month of importance and Mondays are dedicated to Shiva.  Karthigai Somavaram Vratham is observed because it is in this month Shiva destroyed the three cities of Tripuri built by demon Tripurasura. Legend has it that a powerful demon named Tripuri or Tripurasura built three impregnable cities of gold, silver and iron with the blessing of Lord Shiva. The demon became so powerful and his inflated ego knew no bounds and started attacking and tormenting humans and demigods (devas). Brahma and Vishnu failed to contain

Kanakadasa Thoughts and Quotes

A small collection of thoughts and quotes of Kanakadasa Bathing in the holy river without conquering internal pride, envy and wrath is meaningless. Exhibiting hyperbolic devotion is like an actress exhibiting her illusory beauty. Does fragrance lie in the flower? Or the flower in fragrance? Or do both the flower and fragrance lie in the nostrils? I cannot say, O Lord Adikeshava of Kaginele, O! peerless one, are all things within you alone? It is better to quarrel with the wise than to be with the ignorant; it is better to beg in a populous city than to starve in a royal palace; it is better to live in a deserted temple than to live in the company of the jealous. According to Kanakadasa untouchable is one – ‘who preaches virtue but does not practice it; who serves the king and yet wishes him ill; who lusts after a whore; who poisons the patient through medicine.’ Teachings from the Poems of Kanakadasa I am a humble non-entity and you are the donor o