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Showing posts from February 8, 2016


Abhayeshwar Mahadev in Ujjain – Story of Abhayeshwar Form of Shiva – 48th Shiva Temple in Ujjain

Abhayeshwar Mahadev is worshiped in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshiped in Ujjain. It is believed that worshipping Abhayeshwar Form of Shiva will help in attaining peace and prosperity. The person worshipping Abhayeshwar Shivling will lead a peaceful and happy life and finally merge with the Supreme Truth. The temple dedicated to Abhayeshwar Mahadev is located near Dani Darwaja or Dani Gate behind Porwal Dharmashala in Ujjain. This form of Shiva is associated with the belief that Shiva gives refuge to anyone who offers prayers to Shivling. Abhayeshwar Mahadev is counted among the 84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 48th temple visited during the parikarama of Shiavalayas here. Story of Abhayeshwar Mahadev When one cycle of creation ended, Surya and Chandra also disappeared. Brahma was worried about the next cycle of creation. When he was thus thinking two tears rolled down his eyes. As soon as the tears touched earth, they tu

Attukal Temple Kuthiyottam Ritual – Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Kuthiyotta Vratam

Kuthiyottam is an important ritual held during the annual temple festival and Pongala at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Boys below the age of 12 perform Kuthiyottam ritual. The ritual is performed to please the Goddess and get her blessings.  Bookings for participating in the ritual begin well in advance. The young boys represent the wounded soldiers of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini. On the third day of the annual temple festival these young boys receive the prasadam (offering) from the temple priest and start a seven day penance to purify their body and mind. For the Kuthiyottam ritual they have to pass through rigorous physical and mental discipline such as sleeping in mat, observing strict diet restrictions, staying in the temple etc. Besides these, the boys have to undergo such disciplines like prostrating 1008 times before the deity after their morning and evening oblations. The Kuthiyottam is offered during the Attukal Pongala festival