Govindapuram temple is located at Sasthakulam on Vaikom – Vechoor road Kottayam district, Kerala. The 8-day annual festival ends with Arattu on the Rohini nakshatra day in Makaram month. The temple was earlier known as Kudavechoor Govindapuram temple. Ashtami Rohini in Chingam month is also of great importance in the temple. The deity worshipped in the temple is the sankalpam of Unnikrishnan form of Vishnu. The sanctum sanctorum is circular (vatta sreekovil) and the deity faces east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva, Ganapathy and Rakshas.

Santhana Gopala Temple at Changanacherry in Kerala, also known as puzhavathu Vaikunteswara Santhanagopala Vishnu Temple, is famous for Santhana Gopala Vratham – a ritual puja and fasting undertaken by couples for begetting children. It is said the worshipping the temple will help in solving all problems related to childbirth and pregnancy. Santhana Gopala Temple in Changanacherry has a very unique Vishnu murti or vigraham. The murti is of a Vishnu sitting. The murti has four hands. Two hands hold Shankh (conch) and chakra (discus). The other two hands are holding a child. It is said that the murti is of Vishnu who is getting ready to give the 10th child to the Brahmin as per the famous Santana Gopala story. ( you can read the story here ) The Queen Lakshmibai of Travancore had built the Lakshmipuram Palace and the Vaikunteswara Santhanagopala Vishnu Temple. The shrine is located inside the Lakshmipuram Palace. The sreekovil is square in shape. It is believed that Swatithirunal, t

Black mark on nails is part of Shakun in Hindu astrology. It is considered bad luck to see black mark on nails. These black marks come and disappear pretty quickly. Black mark on left hand thumb nail suggests accident and on right hand thumb nail suggests relationships problems with family members, spouse, lover or friends. Black mark on left hand index finger nail is associated with diseases and on right hand index finger nail is associated with problems or theft during travel. Black mark on left hand middle finger nail is associated with loss valuables and on right hand middle finger nail is associated with death of family member or friend. Black mark on left hand ring finger nail is associated with financial loss and on right hand ring finger nail is associated with job loss or shame or scandal. Black mark on left hand small or pinky finger nail is associated property loss or trouble in business or problems due to bad weather and on right hand pinky finger or small finger

Keezhoor Bhagavathy temple is located at Keezhoor on the Thalayolaparambu – Koothattukulam road in Kottayam district, Kerala. The temple is around 4 km north of Kaduthuruthy. The annual festival at Keezhoor Bhagavathy temple is observed from Medam 15 to Medam 20. The festival begins with kodiyettam and ends with arattu. Pana ritual is held from Pathamudayam (April 23 to April 26). Thalappoli and Kumbha Kudam too are held during the period. The temple has three main deities – Shiva, Vishnu and Bhadrakali. The deities face east. Festival in the temple is only dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. There is a belief that the original murti in this temple was a Yakshi. Another belief is that Shiva and Vishnu were the original murtis. The local ruler Keezhur Naduvazhi once went on a hunting expedition and found the Bhadrakali murti in Mangatu Kulam. He consecrated the Bhadrakali murti in the temple and the temple gained importance in the region as a Bhagavathy temple. The Upa Devatas in t

How to overcome death is explained in the Mahabharata by Sanatkumara to Dhritarashtra and is famous as Sanatsujatiya. Seers say that ignorance or delusion and death have existed from the very beginning. I tell you forgetfulness of our true nature is death and constant mindfulness, immortality. It is on account of their forgetfulness of true nature that the asuras were defeated. The Devas became Brahman by being mindful of their true nature. Death comes out of the egos of men in the form of anger, ignorance and delusion.  Following evil ways, as human beings generally do, under the impulse of the ego, hardly anyone attains union with the Self. Being deluded and under the sway of ego human beings repeatedly die and take birth.   Actions produces attachment to the fruits of action. And those who are enamored of the results of action on earth never transcend death. Not   knowing how to attain liberation or union with Reality, these souls work purely for the sake of s

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, 21 January 2021 – It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 3:21 PM on January 21. Then onward it Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 5:31 PM on January 22. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on January 21, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra till 3:31 PM on January 21. Then onward it is Bharani Nakshatra till 6:08 PM on January 22. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), it is Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra t