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Showing posts from January 19, 2015


Chandramouishvara – About Shiva as Chandramouli

Chandramouishvara is one among the numerous names of Shiva. In the Chandramouli manifestation, Shiva adorns Chandra, the moon god, on his head. The story of Chandra taking refuge on the head of Shiva is associated with Rohini, daughter of Daksha Prajapati, and a curse. Shiva is worshipped by the name Chandramouishvara in many temples in South India . Legend has it that Daksha Prajapati, the master of civilization, married twenty seven of his daughters – the Nakshatras or birth stars – to Chandra – the moon god. But Chandra was attracted to Rohini Nakshatra and ignored the other daughters. The disappointed daughters complained to Daksha about Chandra’s favoritism for Rohini. This behavior of the moon god angered Daskha. He cursed Chandra that his body of which he is so proud will fade away. Soon the body of Chandra started fading away and this caused upheaval on earth. Several plants and herbs need the moonlight to survive. Chandra then approached Lord Vishnu who directed

Balaji Temple Festival at Chimur in Maharashtra – Balaji Temple Godha Yatra

The festival at Chimur Balaji Temple is known as Godhayatra or Goda Yatra. It is observed in Magh Month. Balaji Temple Festival or Godha Yatra 2025 date is February 10. The festival and fair attracts hundreds of people and is noted for a colorful procession. Balaji temple in Chimur is more than 300 years old. The murti (idol) worshipped in the shrine is similar to the famous Tirupati Balaji. During the Balaji Temple Godha Yatra, the murti of the presiding deity is taken out in a colorful procession through the streets of Chimur town. Balaji Temple Festival is annually observed on Magh Shukla Paksha Trayodashi Tithi or the thirteenth day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Teppotsavam at Madurai Meenakshi Temple – Float Festival or Boat Festival at Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu

Teppotsavam or float festival is annually held in Thai month in the world famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu. The boat festival is observed for 12 days. The festival is annually held in during the last fortnight of January or the first fortnight of February.  During the festival the utsava murtis of Shiva and Madurai Meenakshi are taken out in procession along the Chitra streets. On the 8th day of the boat festival the the casting of net festival would. The theertham festival and the pushing of the boat are observed on the 10th day. Harvesting of sheaves is held on the 11th day. The main ritual of float festival is held on the 12th day. In the festival, the processional deities are taken in a boat (Teppam), in the temple tank, together with chanting of hymns and the playing of nadaswaram and other musical instruments.

Village That Carves Tella Jilledu Ganapathi – Ganesha Idol In White Wood

Tella Jilledu is a type of white color wood and the Ganesha murti or idol from it is mainly made at Kadapagunta Village in Gangadhara Nellore Mandal in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. The murti is sold in important temple towns associated with Ganesh. Today it is a small scale industry in the village. But the people who create the beautiful murtis were exploited by middlemen. But an NGO, Navodaya Yuvajana Seva Sangham, intervened in 2013, and is now offering them better options to sell the murti P Hareesh writes about the origin of the Tella Jilledu and the village  Story of how carving delicate Ganesha idols from white wood became a small scale industry in a sleepy Chittoor village started with one man’s efforts to learn something new. Twenty years ago, A Shanmugam went to Chennai to learn sculpting for a livelihood. Just a few months into his training, he got an opportunity to learn something unique. A group of sadhus approached his guru Subramanyam at Tiruvannamalai wi