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Showing posts from January 7, 2016


Saptotsava 2025 at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

Saptotsava is held five days before Makar Sankranti in January in Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. The festival is observed to commemorate the consecration of the murti of Lord Krishna. Saptotsava 2025 at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple begins on January 9, 2025 and ends on January 14, 2025. It is believed that the murti worshipped in the shrine was discovered on Makar Sankranti around 800 year ago. Various rituals are observed in the temple during the period. The annual Saptotsava is also known as three chariot festival or tri rathotsava.  Chariots in the temple are beautifully decorated during the period. The shrine is decorated with lamps and lights. Saptotsava will culminate with the pulling of three chariots through the surroundings of the temple and Choornotsava on Makar Sankranti day, which falls on January 14, 2025. 

Sree Andalur Kavu Temple Festival 2024 in Kannur - Andaloor Kavu Theyyam Thira Kaliyattam festival Festival

Sree Andalur Kavu Temple is located at Andalur in Dharmadam in Kannur District. The annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival in the temple is observed in Kumbha Masam - Kumbham 1 to 7 (February 13 to February 20, 2024).Various unique rituals are performed during the period.  The annual festival is noted for various rituals including Theyyam. The kaliyattam performed here is based on Ramayana. The festival begins with the famous ponmudi veppa arambam. Important theyyams that can be witnessed at Sree Andalur Kavu temple are Athiralamma theyyam (Athiralavum makkalum), Ilamkarumakan theyyam, Naga Bhagavathy theyyam, Poothadi Malakidaran theyyam, Malakari, Ponmakan, Puthuchekon, Vettakkorumakan, Bappooran and Naga Kandan theyyam.  Daivathar Sree Rama Theyyam Seethayum Makkalum - Sita Devi and Lava Kusha February 16-ന് പുലര്‍ച്ചെ 4.30ന് നിര്‍മാല്യദര്‍ശനം. February 16 - 5 AM വിവിധ തെയ്യങ്ങള്‍. അതിരാളവും മക്കളും (സീതയും ലവകുശന്‍മാരും), ഇളങ്കരുവന്‍, പൂതാടി, നാഗകണ്ഠന്‍,നാഗഭഗവതി, മലക്കാരി,

Kutaj Tree in Hinduism – Kutaja Tree

Kutaj, or Kutaja, belongs to the family of Apocynaceae. In Hinduism, the small tree or shrub is associated with Indra. Therefore the plant is also known as Indra Vriksha and its fruits are known as Indrayava, or Indrajaun or Indrajavanu (Indra’s Barley). It is a highly valuable medicinal plant and its reference is found in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Kutaja is a small sized tree with pale white flowers and barley like fruits. It is mostly found in the drier or deciduous forest regions of India. As per Hindu scriptures, Kutaj was dear to Indra, the King of Devas. It is believed to usher in happiness and good fortune. It has rich medicinal properties. The plant is traditionally considered to be effective for all diseases in Kali Yuga. Rishis planted it in their hermitages. The flower of the plant which symbolize purity and righteousness is used in various Hindu rituals. The bark of the plant along with other herbs is used to cure snake bites, piles and fever.

Thirichilangadi Palakkottu Kavu Bhagavathy Temple Prathishta and Annual Festival

Thirichilangadi Palakkottu Kavu Bhagavathy Temple is located around 4 km from Ramanattukara in Kozhikode District. The Prathista and annual festival is observed in Kumbham month (mostly around mid February 12 or 13).  The annual Thalappoli is also held in Kumbha Masam. This is a Tharavadu Kavu or sacred grove of an ancient family of the region. The small shrine is located to the backdrop of the sacred grove. Apart from the main deity, which is Goddess Bhagavathi, the temple also has upa devatas. The murtis worshipped in the temple are very old but the temple structures are new. Many unique traditional rituals that are part of North Kerala temples are enacted during the period of annual festival. Various unique offerings are made at the shrine during the period. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during the period. The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights.

Vairankode Valiya Theeyattu - Sri Vairancode Bhagavathi Temple Annual Festival 2024 Date

Sri Vairankode Bhagavathi Temple is located at Vairamkode in Malappuram District  in Kerala and is around 11 km from Tirur. The annual festival in the shrine is observed in Kumbham month. Vairankode Valiya Theeyattu 2024 date is February 23. Vairancode Cheriya Theeyatu is on February 21. Special rituals and pujas are held during the period at the shrine. Sri Vairamkod Bhagavathi Temple annual festival begins 6 days before the Valiya Theeyattu with Maram Muri. The seventh day after Valiya Theeyattu is observed as ezham puja. Makara Chovva, or the first Tuesday in Makara Masam, is also of great importance in the temple. Thalappoli and special pujas are held on the day. Annual Prathishta Dinam in the temple is held in Meena Masam with Navakam, Kalasabhishekam and Udayasthamana Pooja. Meena Thalappoli is held on the next day. Sri Vairankode Bhagavathi temple annual festival begins on first Sunday of Kumbham month, with the ritual of Maram Muri, cutting a jackfruit tree for woods to prepa

Puthanalkkal Bhagavathy Temple Thalappoli

Puthanalkkal Bhagavathy Temple at Cherpulassery in Palakkad District . The annual Thalappoli festival in the shrine is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month (this usually falls on February 13). The rituals and festivities attracts scores of devotees. The Thalappoli festival is observed on the next day Kalavela festival. Thalappoli is a unique feature of temple festival in Kerala. Girls, unmarried women and married women carry lighted lamps and move in a procession to the temple. It is performed for peace and prosperity. The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi and is an important Shakti Shrine in the region. The annual pratishta festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Mithuna Masam (June - July).

Kanadi Madam Thiruvellattu Festival in Kumbham Month near Thrissur

Kanadi Madam Temple is famous for worship of Chathan or Kuttichattan. The family maintained shrine is located around 22 km southeast of Thrissur town. The annual festival known as Thiruvellattu is observed in Kumbham month.  Special rituals are performed during the three-day festival to please Chathan. Various unique offerings are made at the shrine during the period. The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. Traditional music is performed during the period.

Ajan Trees to be planted where the Palki of Sant Dnyaneshwar halts overnight during Pandharpur Yatra

Ajan Trees (Ehretia laevis) are to be planted by a spiritual organization where the Palki of Sant Dnyaneshwar halts overnight during the 21-day Pandharpur Yatra. It is believed that Sant Dnyaneshwar took Samadhi under an Ajan tree at Alandi in Maharashtra. "There is an Ajan tree (Ehretia laevis) at Alandi which has religious significance. This tree is not commonly found in these parts. We are planning to use cuttings from the original tree and plant them as a part of Mauli Harit Abhiyan," said Sachin Punekar, founder president of Biospheres.  One sapling of the Ajan tree will be planted at all of the places where the palki halts overnight during the 21-day procession. Since it is widely thought of as a tree of wisdom, a sapling will also be planted at all important educational institutions along the way, he added.