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Showing posts from January 18, 2016


Story – Ravana’s Devotion for Shiva Was Not Pure

Ravana was an ardent devotee of Shiva and the Shiva Tandava Stotram composed by Him is a prime example of his devotion to Mahadeva. But the devotion of Ravan was not pure. His devotion was to satisfy his never ending lust, passion, anger, jealousy and power. There is a story in the scriptures that prove that Ravana’s devotion was not pure. Goddess Parvati always wanted to settle down and be part of society. She used to point out to Shiva how Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi resided in Vaikunta amidst all pleasures. Shiva used to live in the Himalayas in cold weather, sometimes under trees, and sometimes under scorching heat. He was far away from society. Once when Goddess Parvati insisted on building a palace, Shiva agreed to it on one condition that all rituals associated with moving into new home will be performed by Ravana who is an expert in all rituals. Ravana came and performed all the rituals at the end of the ceremony the owner of the house had to give daskhina –

Tripunithura Uthram 2024 Date - Thripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple Annual Festival

Tripunithura Uthram is one of the most important festival observed in a calendar year at the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple at Tripunithura in Kerala. Tripunithura Uthram 2024 date is February 26. It is observed on the Uthram nakshatram in Kumbham month as per Malayalam calendar. Para Utsavam begins a couple of dates after the flag hoisting. The Para Utsavam ends with Arattu. Tripunithura Arattu 2024 date is March 8. The festival, also known as Uthram Thirunal, is famous for Poornathrayeesa sangeetholsavam and Panchari melam. The festival is observed on the birth anniversary of Lord Poornathrayeesa. Another major highlight of the festival is the sumptuous feast at the Oottupura Malika. The festival begins with the procession of Sree Poornathrayeesa atop a caparisoned elephant. The rituals conclude with appam nivedyam and Lakshmi Narayana Vilakku. Pishari Kovil Amma visits Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple for a combined procession which is termed as Lakshmi Narayana Vilakku (Go

Thalavoor Pooram – Trikkonnamarkode Sri Durga Devi Temple Pooram Festival

Thalavoor Pooram is the annual festival or utsavam held at the Trikkonnamarkode Sri Durga Devi Temple. It is observed in Kumbham month. The shrine is located at Thalavoor in Kollam District in Kerala. The shrine is located around 28 km from Kollam town.  The annual festival is observed on the pooram nakshatra day in Kumbham month.  The highlight of the festival is caparisoned elephants, melam and fireworks. Several unique rituals and pujas are performed during the festival period. Traditional performing arts, music, songs and other cultural activities are held during the period. The festival ends with arattu on the final day. The other important rituals and festivals in the temple are Thalavoor Pongala (first Sunday of Makara month), Thaipooyam Mahotsavam, Navratri festival - Vidyarambham, Sashti Viratham, Naranga Vilakku (last Sunday of Malayalam months), Vilakku Puja (last Friday of all Malayalam months). The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple include Murugan and Subramanya. 

Machattu Mamangam 2024 date – Machattu Thiruvanikavu Temple Festival

Machattu Thiruvanikavu Temple is located at Vadakkencherry in Thrissur district in Kerala. The annual festival or utsavam observed here is known as Machattu Mamangam. The five-day festival is famous for traditional arts forms and pageantry. Machattu Mamangam 2024 date is February 20.  Machattu Thiruvanikavu Temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti. Mamangam is observed in Kumbham month and it is a five day festival. The main procession of Machattu Mamangam is held on the final day. In the procession, richly decorated effigies of horses called kuthira kolams are ceremoniously brought to the temple by the devotees as offerings. These vibrantly adorned effigies are welcomed by the people with cheers. Caparisoned elephants accompanied by chenda melam converge at the temple courtyard in the evening, unfolding an extravagant spectacle.

Sthavareshwar Mahadev in Ujjain – Story of Sthavareshwar Form of Shiva

Sthavareshwar 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 Sthavareshwar Form of Shiva will help in overcoming all difficulties due to the bad positioning of planets or graham in a person’s horoscope. The temple dedicated to Sthavareshwar Mahadev is located near the Shani Temple at Nai Peth. This form of Shiva is associated with Shani Bhagavan who is also known as Sthavar. Sthavareshwar Mahadev is counted among the 84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 50th temple visited during the parikarama of Shiavalayas here. Story of Sthavareshwar Mahadev Samja wife of Surya, the sun god, could not bear the heat of her husband. To escape from the heat, she deputed another woman who looked like her in her place. Surya thought her to be his wife and they had a son. This was Shani. He created troubles for all living beings including Devas. To find a solution, Devas approached Shiva.

Kalbhairav Yatra at Rile in Shirala in Maharashtra – Rile Kalbhairav Temple Festival

Rile Kalbhairav Yatra is annually observed in Magh month. The yatra is the main festival and fair at the Kalbhairav Temple at Rile in Shirala , Maharashtra. The shrine is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. Rile Kalbhairav Yatra 2025 date is February 14. Hundreds of people participate in the annual festival at Shri Kalbhairav Mandir. A fair and festival is held during the period and it attracts scores of devotees from nearby villages and town. The main rituals associated with rural festivals are followed here too. Rile Kalbhairav Yatra is annually observed on Magh Krishna Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. 

Kalbhairavnath Yatra at Bilur in Jath in Maharashtra – Bilur Kal Bhairavnath Temple Festival

Bilur Kalbhairavnath Yatra is annually observed in Magh month. The yatra is the main festival and fair at the Kaal Bhairavnath Temple at Bilur in Jath, Maharashtra. The shrine is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. Bilur Kalbhairavnath Yatra 2025 date is February 14. Hundreds of people participate in the annual festival at Shri Kalbhairavnath Mandir. A fair and festival is held during the period and it attracts scores of devotees from nearby villages and town. The main rituals associated with rural festivals are followed here too. Bilur Kalbhairavnath Yatra is annually observed on Magh Krishna Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. 

Loknathswami Punyatithi at Pune

Loknath Swami Punyatithi is annually observed in Magh month. It is the death anniversary of Loknath Swami. The day is of significance to his followers in Pune. Loknath Swami Punyatithi 2025 date is February 15. There is not much information about this pious soul. Loknath Swami Punyatithi is held on Magh Krishna Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Kedarnath Yatra at Keloli in Patan

Keloli Kedarnath Yatra is annually held in Magh month. This is the most important annual fair and festival at the Kedarnath Temple at Keloli in Patan, Maharashtra. Keloli Kedarnath Yatra 2025 date is February 13. Kedarnath Mandir is an important worship place in the region and attracts scores of devotees. The temple is beautifully decorated during the period traditionally with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals are held during the period. Keloli Kedarnath Yatra is annually held on Magh Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Janhavi Devi Yatra at Erandoli in Miraj

Erandoli Janhavi Devi Yatra is annually held in Magh month. This is the most important annual fair and festival at the Jahnavi Devi Temple at Erandoli in Miraj, Maharashtra. Janhavi Devi Yatra 2025 date is February 13. Janhavi Devi Mandir is an important worship place in the region and attracts scores of devotees. The temple is beautifully decorated during the period traditionally with flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. The day is of importance to the villagers. People from nearby towns and villages arrive to participate in this annual fair and festival. Important rituals are held during the period. Janhavi Devi Yatra is annually held on Magh Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.