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Showing posts from September 3, 2015


Uruli Kamazhthal Ritual in Nagaraja Temple in Kerala – Uruli Kamuzhthu in Kerala Snake Temples

Uruli Kamazhthal is a unique ritual performed in temples dedicated to serpents in Kerala. It is only performed in Nagaraja Temples. It is considered as a remedy for couples without children. The main ritual involves offering an uruli, a traditional cooking vessel in Kerala. Uruli Kamuzhthu means offering the vessel inverted or mouth of the vessel facing down. The couple along with the priest or administration of the temple decides on the day to perform the ritual. During the ritual, couples who do not have children, perform pradakshina or circumambulation of the temple by chanting prayers. The couple carries the uruli. Panchavadyam – music created by five instruments famous in Kerala, accompanies them. The uruli contains red colored pattu or silk cloth. They first come to the shrine of Nagayakshi and offer prayers. After seeking her permission, they come before Nagaraja and offer prayers. Here they perform the ritual of Uruli Kamizhthu – inverting the vessel. Special

Noorum Palum in Kerala Snake Temples – Noorum Palum Ritual

Noorum Palum is a unique ritual dedicated to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi Temples in Kerala. It is one of the most important rituals in temples dedicated to serpents in Kerala. In the ritual special offerings are made to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. The main ritual involves bathing the naga murtis with milk mixed with rice powder. After this turmeric powder is scattered on the naga murtis. For the ritual, two Swastika Padmas are drawn on the ground. One drawing is for Nagaraja and another is for Nagayakshi. The drawing is made parallel to each other. Two thandulas or symbolic representations of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are placed in front of the drawings. Pujas are performed to the accompaniment of traditional music instruments. During the puja, banana leaves are placed near the drawings. On it cherukuttu pala, thanniplavila and areca nut flower are placed. Milk mixed with rice flour, flowers, leaves and areca nut flower is prepared and offered to Naga murtis on the day. The en

Thirumandhamkunnu Temple Timings – Opening and Closing and Darshan Time at Thirumandhamkunnu Temple near Angadipuram

Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is located near Angadipuram in Kerala. Thirumandhamkunnu Temple Timings in detail is given below. Please note that the opening and closing and darshan time will be extended during special days, festivals and important rituals. Thirumandhamkunnu Temple Timings Morning Darshan Time 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM Evening Darshan Time 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM Detail Temple Timings Usha Pooja – 6:00 AM Pantheeradi Pooja – 9:30 AM Uccha Puja – 11:30 AM Thirinju Pantheeradi Pooja – 4:30 PM Note - Sree Moola Sthanam timing is from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM Evening puja here is at 7:30 PM Deeparadhana in the temple is based on sunset in the region.

Weapons and Other Items in the Eighteen Arms of Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga with eighteen arms is a very rare form. In her eighteen arms she holds various weapons and other auspicious items. Please note that the list varies from scripture to scripture. Beads Axe Mace Arrow Thunderbolt Lotus Bow Water pot Cudgel Lance Sword Shield Conch Bell Cup Trident Noose and Discus In some murtis, we will also come across small hourglass drum, snake, flag, severed head etc. In such an instance one of the above said weapons or auspicious items is removed. In some instance two hands will be in Varada and Abhaya Mudra posture. In modern times, it is left to the discretion of the artist as to what weapons and auspicious items should the murti hold.

Chariot Festival at Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple – Rathotsava at Goddess Lakshmi Temple in Kolhapur

Rathotsav, or chariot festival, is held at Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple in Chaitra Month (March – April). Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple Rathotsava 2023 date is April 6. It is the most important festival in the temple after the Navratri festival. In the festival, a chariot bearing the representation of the murti of Goddess Lakshmi is taken out in a procession in the evening from 7:30 PM. The silver chariot is decorated with special lights and flowers. Devotees offer prayers when the chariot reaches the main entrance of the temple. A one canon salute is given when the chariot comes out of the shrine. The procession accompanied by police and military bands then moves through the city. Huge rangolis are drawn on the road through which the chariot moves. Fireworks complete the chariot festival. The festival is annually held on the Chaitra Purnima day or full moon day in Chaitra month as per traditional Marathi calendar.

Story Of Origin Of Basara Saraswati Temple

Gnana Saraswati Temple at Basara in Telangana in India is a rare temple exclusively dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of art and learning. The story of the origin of Basara Saraswati Temple is associated with the Mahabharata. As per the Brahmanda Purana, to find peace and solace after the gruesome Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata, Sage Veda Vyasa and disciples came and settled at Vasara (present day Basara) in the Dhandaka forest. One day after performing his morning pujas and rituals in the Godavari River , Sage Vyasa brought a fistful of clay from the river and molded it into an image of Goddess Saraswati. It is also believed that to warn the future generation about the futility of jealously, enmity and war, Veda Vyasa dictated the Mahabharata to his scribe Lord Ganesha on the banks of Godavari River at Basara with murti of Goddess Saraswati as witness. It is believed that Sage Vyasa merged in the Supreme Truth at Basara.

Annual Lok Jat Yatra in Uttarakhand – Yearly Nanda Devi Lok Jat Yatra

Nanda Devi Lok Jat Yatra in Chamoli District in Uttarakhand is annually held in Bhadrapad month (August – September). Goddess Nanda Devi visits several villages in the region during the period.  The journey starts from the Nanda Devi Temple at Kurud Village in Chamoli District. The murti of Goddess Nanda Devi is carried to Vedani Kund during the annual Yatra. Nanda Devi is the supreme spiritual goddess of the locals of Garhwal and Kumaon region. The annual journey which start in the Bhadrapad month passes through the villages of several villages including Charbang, Fali, Ustoli, Bhainti and finally reaches Vedani Kund. On sunrise, special prayers and pujas are offered to Goddess Nanda Devi at Vedani Kund. That very day evening the return journey starts and passes through Bank Village, Lvani, Ulgra, Veradhar, Gotina, Kurad and Dangoli. The deity then reaches Devrada Village where she resides for next six months.

Meeting of Goddess Nanda Devi and Mahishasura Mardini at Gandasu Village near Uttarakhand

Goddess Nanda Devi and Mahishasura Mardini are deities worshipped in villages near Gopeshwar in Uttarakhand. Goddess Nanda Devi arrives from Jakhani Village. The meeting of the two goddesses happens at the Goddess Mahishasura Mardini Temple at Gandasu Village. Hundreds of devotees from nearby villages arrive to have a glimpse of the meeting of the two deities. The ritual takes during the Krishna Paksha Ekadasi Tithi in Bhadrapad month as per traditional Hindu Lunar Calendar followed in Uttarakhand. The ritual is part of the annual Lok Jat Yatra which takes place during the period.

Vadakumnathan Temple in Thrissur in Kerala wins UNESCO prize - Award of Excellence 2015

UNESCO prize – Award of Excellence 2015 – is given annually for the remarkable conservation effort undertaken by a sacred site. In 2015, Vadakumnathan Temple in Thrissur in Kerala is chosen for award of excellence. This majestic temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. Legend has it that Lord Parashuram installed the murti worshiped here. The Hindu reports  “The award recognizes the remarkable conservation effort undertaken at the sacred site which employed age-old rituals and conservation techniques drawn from Vastu Sastra focusing on architecture and construction,” UNESCO said in a statement.  As such, the tangible attributes of the temple were inextricably linked with its intangible heritage which dates back generations, thus ensuring that “spirit of place” resonates throughout the site, the U.N. body said. A classic example of the Kerala style of architecture, the temple has many decorative murals and pieces of art. Exquisite mur

Ashta Naga Pooja

Ashta Naga Pooja is dedicated to Nagas or Serpents in Hinduism. It is a very complicated puja and ritual. Only a thoroughly learned priest or pujari can perform the puja. Ashta Naga Puja is dedicated to Anantha, Gulika, Vasuki, Shankapala, Thakshaka, Mahapadma, Padma and Karkodaka. All these are nagas or snakes that are worshipped in shrines and kavus or sacred groves. Each of the above mentioned nagas are considered as separate deities and pujas and rituals are performed to each one of them. Offerings too are made separately.

Kannada Mantra for Welfare and Wellbeing

Below is a prayer in Kannada language for welfare and wellbeing. It can be chanted for improvement of welfare and wellbeing of the person. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The number of times it is chanted can be decided by the person. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.

Telugu Mantra for Welfare and Wellbeing

Below is a prayer in Telugu language for welfare and wellbeing. It can be chanted for improvement of welfare and wellbeing of the person. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The number of times it is chanted can be decided by the person. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.

Mantra for Welfare and Wellbeing in Tamil

Below is a prayer in Tamil language for welfare and wellbeing. It can be chanted for improvement of welfare and wellbeing of the person. The mantra should be chanted continuously for 40 days to be effective. The number of times it is chanted can be decided by the person. It is ideal to chant the mantra in the morning. During the chanting you mind should not wander around.