Onam is the most popular and important festival in Kerala in India and for Malayalis around the world. The first day of onam is known as Uthradam. The name is taken from the Nakshatra or birth star. Uthradam date in 2023 in August 28. Onnam Onam, or first Onam, is observed on Uthradam day. All the preparation for Thiruvonam, which is on the next day, is completed on the day. ‘Uthrada Pachil’ is a famous saying in Kerala which literally means people are in a hurry to complete the last minute purchases for Thiruvonam. Triputhari is held on the day in several temples in Kerala including Arattupuzha temple. Nirayum Puthariyum is held on the day at Thirunakkara Sree Krishna Swamy temple. Kazhcha Kula samarpanam is held on the day at Guruvayur temple, Mammiyoor temple, Govindapuram Parthasarathy temple and Cherpulassery Ayyappankavu. Uthradam Nira is held the day at the famous Kumaranalloor Devi Temple. Niraputhari is held on the day at Angadipuram Tali Mahadeva temple and Chittoor S

Nuakhai is an important social event and festival mainly observed in Western Odisha in the Odiya month of Bhadra. In 2023, the date of Nuakhai is September 19. The festival is sort of thanks giving to Mother Earth for a good Kharif season harvest. Nuakhai means partaking of the first grains of paddy. Nuakhai is observed on the day after Sri Ganesh Chaturthi. It is the fifth day during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadarva month (August – September). On the day before the festival, local families send new clothes, food grains, sweets and adornments for the local village goddess. In the Devi temples around western Odisha, this ritual is called ‘Pahur’. On Nuakhai day, Mother Nature is worshipped for providing food and all those elements essential for the survival of living beings. Goddess Shakti symbolizes Mother Earth and is worshipped in some regions and the new Kharif season crop is offered at a Shakti temple. The offering is made in leaf-cups made from Sal, Palasa, Ten

King Bhagiratha had brought Ganga down on to earth through intense austerities to free the souls of his ancestors. But during the journey of the river from Himalayas to Gangasagar in Bengal there were numerous difficulties. One such story is that of Ganga being captured by Sage Jhanva in his ear. Due to this incident Ganga is also known as Jhanvi. King Bhagiratha rode his horse swiftly down the Himalayan slopes and the Holy Ganga River was following him. The ashes of his ancestors were lying at present day Gangasagar. On the way, the king passed through the ashram of Sage Jhanva. But Ganga was about to destroy the Ashram of the sage. To avoid any trouble to his ashram and its living beings, the powerful sage calmly took her into his body through the left ear. Soon King Bhagiratha discovered that Ganga was not following him. He then returned to the ashram of Sage Jhanva and pleaded with the sage to release the holy river. The Sage obliged and allowed the

Lalita Saptami is observed on the seventh day during the Shukla Paksha, or waxing phase of moon, in Bhadrapad month. Lalita Saptami 2023 date is September 22. It is believed that Lalita Devi appeared on this day. The pujas, rituals and festivals are observed mainly by the Vaishnava community. It is of importance to staunch Krishna devotees. Below is a brief idea on how to observe the Lalita Saptami Vrat. Importance of Lalita Saptami Lalita Sashti Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Lalita Devi, a gopika in Vrindavan. This vrat is believed to have been suggested by Sri Krishna. It is believed that married couples observing this vrat will be blessed with healthy children. Parents observe this for health, intelligence and long life of their children. Lalitha Devi was one of the most important Gopis in the Vrindavan and she was also a dear friend of Radha Devi. She was a constant companion and used to rebuke her for easily giving into the pranks of Sri Krishna. There is a t

Navashakti Jyothi is a unique lamp at the famous Jalakandeswarar Temple in Vellore – Tamil Nadu. The temple is world famous for it is architecture and is located inside the Vellore fort. Attached to the Navashakti Jyothi is the Nakshatra Deepa. Navashakti Jyothi Represents Nine Goddesses The lamp is located in front of the Amman Shrine (Goddess Parvati) in the temple.  The lamp is round in shape. There is one big lamp in the center and there are eight small round lamps around it. The specialty of the lamp is that it never extinguishes. Nakshatra Deepa Nakshatra Deepa is located just above the Navashakti Jyothi. This lamp has a diameter of 27 inches. Each inch represents the 27 nakshatras. 

A collection of quotes and teachings from Sri Tripura Rahasya.  Goddess Tripura is pure Consciousness, which is the creative force, the sole basis and background that mirrors the entire diverse manifold reality in the world. Misery is not absence of happiness, but limited happiness. For as happiness recedes misery pours in. Investigation is the seed capable of sprouting and flourishing into the gigantic tree of happiness. A deliberating man always shines over others, Brahma is great because of deliberation; Vishnu is worshipped because of it. ‘There is no bondage nor liberation; no means of liberation nor one who practices it. The undivided non-dual Conscious-Power Tripura alone is shining. She alone is Ignorance and Knowledge, bondage and liberation and the means’. Common people, becoming foolishly involved with regard to their sense of action, are perplexed at every turn; if, on the other hand, they think and then act, they will be free from all misery. Investigation