--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from November 17, 2020


Reason Sharakol Thrown At Sharakmuthi In Sabarimala

The first time visitors of Ayyappa Temple (Kanni Ayyappas) throw Sharakol or Arrows at Saramkuthi. But why do Ayyappas carry arrows to Sabarimala? Legend has it that after defeating the Marava Pada (an army of bandits) and Udayanan (the leader of the bandits), Ayyappa, Vavar, Kadutha and the army crossed the Enjiparakotta and headed towards and reached Pampa . From here the warriors headed by Ayyappa went towards Nili Mala. And they reached the Sabari Peedam. Here Ayyappa asked his warriors to put down all the weapons. The warriors put down their bow, arrows, swords, spears and other weapons under a peepal tree. After that they entered the temple of Dharma Shasta (the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple ). First time visitors to Ayyappa Temple , known as Kanni Ayyappas, throw Sharakols or arrows in memory this divine act. Symbolically, one should enter the Sabarimala Temple with devotion only. The army then rebuilt the temple that was destroyed by the bandits.

Story of Malikapurathamma at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Malikapurathamma is the Goddess that is worshipped in a subsidiary shrine at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Malikapurathamma Temple is visited after having darshan of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . As per the story of Malikapurathamma, she is Demoness Mahishi who was annihilated by Ayyappa. When Mahishi – the buffalo-headed demon – was killed by Ayyappa, she changed into a beautiful woman. Mahishi in her previous birth was the daughter of Sage Galvan. She was cursed by a student of Galvan to become a buffalo headed demon. With Ayyappa killing Mahishi, she attained reprieve from curse. The beautiful woman wanted to marry Ayyappa. But Ayyappa told her that he is a Brahmachari. Ayyappa asked her to reside near his temple in Sabarimala. Her temple in time came to be known as Malikapurathamma Temple . Ayyappa also told her that He will marry her when no first timer (kanni Ayyappa) comes to Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Related Story of Mahishi

Kakkad Ganapathy Temple - Important Ritual - Facts - Festival - Kakkad Mahaganapathi Temple

Kakkad Ganapathy temple, also known as Kakkad Mahaganapathi Temple, is located at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur. The annual festival in the temple is observed for eight days starting from the Thiruvathira nakshatra in Meenam month. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Ganesha whose trunk is turned left. The Ganapathy in the temple was the upasana murti of Kakkad Karnavar. Kakkad Ganapathy faces east. The main subsidiary deity here is Vettakkorumakan (Shiva). The temple also has murtis of Navagrahas, Nagas, Dampathirakashas, Durga and Bhadrakali. The temple is famous for Ganapati Homam. The main offering here is unniappam. Vettaikaran pattu and offering 1008 coconuts are another specialty in the temple. The annual festival begins with flag hoisting or kodiyettam on Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Meenam month. Pallivetta is observed on the seventh day of the festival. The festival ends on the eighth day with arattu. Elephant processions, melam, traditional art forms like Chakyar K

Chhathi Maiya – About Goddess of Chhath Puja

The Goddess that is worshipped during the famous Chhath Puja is known as Chhathi Maiya. Chhathi Maiya is known as Usha in the Vedas. She is believed to be the consort of Surya, the sun god. Some scholars are of the view that she is only the beloved of Surya and some suggest that She is Surya’s wife. Usha is the term used to refer to dawn – The first light of day. But in the Rig Veda she has more symbolic meaning. Symbolically Usha is the dawn of divine consciousness in the individual aspirant. During the Chhath Puja, Chhathi Maiya is invoked to bless us with this divine consciousness which will help us to overcome all the troubles in the world – this bless will help us to Moksha or liberation. Here are few Shlokas that are dedicated to Usha in the Rig Veda Lover of praises, O Usha, deathless one, which mortal is fit to enjoy thee? O luminous one, whom does thou attain? (1.30.20). Satyamantra ajanayan ushasam – By the truth in their thoughts, they brought to birth

Goddess Pedamma – About Hindu Goddess Pedamma

Goddess Pedamma is widely worshipped in many villages in South and Eastern parts of India, especially in Orissa, Bengal, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. At the beginning of creation, Goddess Pedamma produced three eggs. The three eggs contain three great gods. Thus, she is the primordial source of life on earth. To start creation on earth, she wished to have intercourse with the three great gods. However, two of them refused because they considered Goddess Pedamma as their mother. The third one agreed but only if Goddess Pedamma gave her third eye to him. The goddess agreed and gave him the third eye. All her power rested in the third eye. When the goddess lost her third eye, she became powerless. The third god killed her and scattered her on earth. In the scattered form, she appeared as Gramadevata or village goddess. The word Peddamma consists of two separate words Pedda and Amma, literally mean Mother of Mothers or The Supreme Mother.

Qualifications Of A Good Hindu Astrologer – A Person Well Versed In Hindu Astrology

Daivajna is a person who is well versed in Hindu astrology and all the predictions made by such a person would come true. Here are some of the important qualifications of a good Hindu astrologer. A daivajna must know the ten kinds of motions of the planets, have knowledge of the horas and must be an expert in the five siddhantas (traditions). He must have been initiated into a suitable mantra by a preceptor. Varahamihira (6th century CE) in his Brihat Samhita describes the qualifications of a good astrologer. He should be an adept in astrology as well as astronomy, Vedas and the mantra shastras. He must be a man of character, be religious, righteous and must have obtained siddhi (success) of certain secret mantras which would confer on him “the uncanny power of making correction predictions.” Also, he should have an agreeable appearance, humility and clean habits. He should be well versed in rituals and expiatory ceremonies. He must have faith in God, be helpful by nature with a capa

Thirukalyanam 2024 During Skanda Sashti

Thirukalyanam of Lord Muruga concludes the Skanda Sashti festival held after Amavasya in the Tamil month Aippasi. Thirukalyanam 2024 date is November 8. After the sixth day Skanda Sashti fasting and Soorasamharam, Thirukalyanam is held on the seventh day. It is a major event in important Lord Muruga temples. On the Thirukalyanam day, Lord Muruga marries Goddess Devasena. This divine marriage is celebrated with all traditional rituals by Murugan devotees. Special arrangements are made on the Thirukalyanam day. The previous day is the Surasamharam and this holy event too attracts thousands of devotees. Lord Muruga is also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Kartik and Kartikeya. Today, Thirukalyanam is observed in Murugan Temples around the world especially in South India, Malaysia , Singapore , Sri Lanka and South Africa .

For Success In Spiritual Life - A Strong Will To Transform Oneself

A strong will to transform oneself is an important prerequisite for success in spiritual life. Sri Ramakrishna teaches that the mantra purifies our mind, but we have to struggle to grow in purity and not let our mind slide back to its old ways. Even if we have done something wicked we should not dwell on the past, but dwell in the present, be steadfast in our spiritual practice and make an agreement with God: "If a man repeats the name of God, his body, mind, and everything become pure. Why should one talk only about sin and hell, and such things? Say but once, 'O Lord, I have undoubtedly done wicked things, but I won't repeat them.' And have faith in His name." Weak-willed people often go back to their old undesirable ways. Sri Ramakrishna teaches that a seeker ought to exercise his will and steadfastly practice spiritual disciplines without giving in to weakening thoughts: "Suppose a man becomes pure by chanting the holy name of God, but imme