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Showing posts from October 4, 2020


Chudalabhadra – About Goddess Chudala Bhadrakali

Chudalabhadra is a ferocious form of Goddess Bhadrakali worshipped mainly in ancient villages in South India especially in Kerala. It is believed that this form of Bhadra Kali resides in the cremation grounds. Chudukadu means Smashanam or cremation ground.  And the goddess gets her name from this aspect. She along with the fierce aspect of Shiva rules the cremation grounds. It is believed that Chudalabhadra along with her companions performs dance in the smashanam. Every life form has to undergo transformation before merging in the Supreme Truth, Chudala Bhadra makes this transformation easy for the life form. There is a popular story associated with Chudalabhadra and Naranathu Branthan – a divine person, an avadhuta who pretended to be mad. Chudala Bhadra could not scare Naranathu Branthan who used to frequent the cremation grounds. Impressed by the knowledge and fearlessness of Naranathu Branthan, she offered him a boon. Naranathu Branthan asked Chudalabhadra to extend the tim

Chandravalayam Musical Instrument

Chandravalayam is an ancient musical instrument associated with Hindu religion. In ancient times it was widely used in temples in South India, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Even today it is used in some temples. Chandravalayam is a percussion instrument and is made of iron and parchment. The musical instrument is known as Chandra Pirai in Tamil Nadu and is widely used in Mariamman temples. Chandra means moon and the instrument gets its name from the crescent shape like moon. The crescent shaped iron rim is attached to a bent iron strip by a small iron rod. One face covered with skin. Bent part is tied on the forehead and played with two sticks, along with its pair called Suryavalayam. The instrument is used as an accompaniment instrument during Nadaswaram Kacheri.

Kavu – Sacred Grove – Worship Places With Trees And Shrubs In Kerala

Kavu is the term widely applicable to worship places covered with trees and shrubs in Kerala where Hindu gods and goddesses are worshipped. The deities are placed in open space in the sacred grove or with small shrines built around them. Kavu is mostly dedicated to Goddess Bhagavati and Nagas. Some Kavu are also dedicated to Ayyappa. Sacred grove is an age-old tradition especially in Kerala and coastal Karnataka where a path of forest is dedicated to local deities and none is allowed to cut plants or to harm animals or any form of life. Some of the famous temples also have a sacred grove within in the temple compound. Most of trees, shrubs and plants found in the Kavu are noted for its medicinal properties. Sacred groves are a well known source of Ayurvedic medicines. Kavu dedicated to Goddess has the unique feature of having two kavus namely melkavu and kizkavu. Some of the traditional folk arts of Kerala like Sarpam Pattu, Theyyam etc are associated with Kavu. Depending on

Truth is not a closed book – Swami Tathagatananda Quotes and Teachings

Swami Tathagatananda (15 February 1923 - 25 June 2016) associated with Ramakrishna Mission. Truth is not a closed book. Our internal dissensions, selfishness, mutual jealousy and hatred were among the principal causes of our degeneration. The spiritual ideal is for life, and life must be lived truly and well in all its spheres – private, social and international. The universe, being nothing but God, hence is looked upon by the Hindu mind as a temple or body of God. It is divine and sacred. This ultimate truth, the oneness of God, man, all animate and inanimate and the universe, has been revealed to Hindu mystics down the age. Spiritual truth, being the goal of human fulfillment, can never be attained without moral perfection. Morality is not an end in itself, nor ultimate good, yet without morality, a person cannot realize the supreme harmony within as well as without. Hinduism may also be thought of as the spiritual and philosophical result