Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple is located at Pazhayannur in Thrissur district, Kerala. The 8-day annual Pazhayannur Temple festival concludes with Arattu on Thiruvonam nakshatra day in Meenam month. The annual festival is note for all important temple festival rituals associated with Bhagavathi and Vishnu temples. The main ritual is the Ezhunnallathu with five caparisoned elephants. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Vishnu but importance is given to Bhagavathi who is an Upa Devata in the temple. The Sankalpam of goddess or Bhagavathy in the temple is that Vaishnava Durga. The deity faces east. The moolasthan of Bhagavathi is under a raised platform known as unnialthara in the south side of the temple. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva, Ganapathy and Ayyappan. Flying live roosters and feeding them is an important offering to the deity here. Pazhayannur Temple History The temple in the beginning only had a Vishnu murti who was known as Pallipurath Appan

Thiru Iranikkulam Kalathil Mahadeva temple is located at Pallippuram on Cherthala – Arukutti road near Pallichantha in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The 8-day annual festival at Pallippuram Mahadeva temple ends on Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Medam month. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Uma Maheswaran (Goddess Parvati and Shiva). The Sankalpam is that of Uma sitting on the lap of Maheshwara. The Prathishta in the temple is a Valkannadi made of bronze (odu) – a type of Kerala mirror. The deity faces east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Nanadurga, Ganapathy, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. The Naivedya prepared for Shiva is shared with Goddess Durga. The temple belonged to Cheruvally Swaroopam. The place was earlier known as Vallipuram. The headquarters or asthanam of Cheruvally Swaroopam is at Iranikulam in Thrissur. It is said that once there was a fight between at Iranikulam temple in Thrissur between the Uralanmar regarding holding the kuthuvilakku. In the

Palliyara Devi Temple is famous among devotees as the Kodumon Chilanthi Ambalam – a placed sanctified by the presence of spiders. Palliyara Devi temple annual festival is observed on Thrikarthika in Vrischikam month. The temple witnesses rituals associated with Durga temple during the festival. Ezhunnallathu is held during the festival. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Durga who faces west. The Upa Devatas in the temple are Shiva and Rakshas. The sreekovil of the temple is filled with spiders and spider web. Malar Naivedyam is offered here to overcome difficulties associated with spider poison. Palliyara Sree Bhagavathy Temple is located about 10 kms from Adoor and 11 kms from Pathanamthitta.

Neriamangalam Dharma Sastha temple is located on the Kothamangalam – Adimali road in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The annual festival at Neriamangalam Sastha temple is observed for 6 days during Makaravilakku or Makara Sankramana. The main rituals held during the festival are Ashta Abhishekam, Deepa Kazhcha, Sri Bhootha Bali, Kodipurathu Vilakku, Sri Bali, Navagam, Panchagavyam, Utsava bali, and Arattu ezhunellippu on the final day. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Shiva and Dharma Sastha. More importance is given to Sastha in the temple. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Nagam and Malikapurathamma. The shrine is on the banks of Periyar River. This is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The shrine is known as Choliyal Kavu in Thottam Pattu which narrates the glory of 108 Sastha temples in Kerala.

Nelluvai Mullakkal Bhagavathy Temple is located on the Nelluvai – Pattambi road in Kerala. The main festival in the temple is the Bharani Vela in Makaram month. Bharani vela in the shrine include Panchavadyam, Melam, Maddala Keli, elephant procession, Thalappoli and ezhunellippu. Tholpavakoothu is held in Meenam month. Kalamezhuthu Pattu and Navratri are observed in the temple. The murti of Devi or Bhagavathi is swayambhu. When the people in the region realized the presence of Goddess Bhagavathi they constructed a raised platform along with mulla flower (jasmine) plant. The temple thus got the name Mullakkal. The Upa Devta worshipped in the temple is Kshetrapalan. Main vazhipadu or offering in the temple is Panthirazhi – Kalam Karikkal. During renovation of the temple, 600 year old gold and silver coins were excavated.

Chandesha or Canda or Chandeshwara or Chandesura is one of the 63 Nayanmars and his story is found in the Periya Puranam. The name given to Chandeswara Nayanar by his parents was Vicharasarman. When the boy was five years old his mind was filled with the knowledge of the Vedas, the Vedangas, and the Agamas. Teachers were amazed at his grasp of all learning and his affection for Bhagavan. One day, while walking along with the other Vedic students, he saw an angry cowherd strike one of the cows. The tender-hearted boy intervened and drove away the cowherd, proclaiming the cow as “the most glorious of all beings, in whom abide the holy tirthas and whose panchagavya (milk, curd, ghee, urine and dung) become worthy for worship of Bhagavan. I will hereafter undertake this service. You, cowherd, may give it up once for all!” With the consent of the owners Vicharasarman began to tend the cows of the town, safeguarding them from all harm. He led them along good paths and let them repose

Chanting of the Mesha Rashi Mantra for marriage helps, Mesha Rashi born person to have early marriage to a desired girl or boy. It is also good for those looking to have love marriage. The mantra should be chanted after taking bath in the morning. You should sit in your pooja room or in a quiet place facing northeast and chant the mantra. Mesha Rashi mantra for marriage is: लम्बोदराय नम : The mantra should be chanted 21 times daily for 41 days. Wear white color dress while chanting the mantra. This mantra is dedicated to Ganesha as he removes all kinds of problems related to life. Chanting of the mantra also helps in solving various kinds of relationship problems and love marriage. 

Neyyattinkara Krishna temple is a famous Hindu shrine located at Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The 10-day festival ends on Rohini nakshatra in Meenam month with arattu. The annual festival is noted for the performance of temple arts, dance and music. Ezhunnallathu is an important event during the festival. Other festivals and rituals observed in the temple include Ashtami Rohini, Vishu, Navratri and Mandala Pooja. The murti of Krishna worshipped in the temple is that of Balakrishna or Navaneetha Krishna. The deity faces east and there is a gold plated kodimaram (flag post). The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy and Nagam. The main offering of the temple is Venna (butter).

Tirunettur Mahadeva temple is located at Nettur in Ernakulam district, Kerala. Nettur Shiva – Vishnu temple festival is held in Dhanu masam. The kodiyettam for Shiva in the Thirunettoor temple is held on Uthrattathi nakshatra in Dhanu month. The kodiyettam for Vishnu is held on Aswathy nakshatra in Dhanu month. Both the festival concludes on Thiruvathira nakshatra with arattu. The 8-day annual festival is famous for kooti ezhunnallathu. This is held on the seventh day of the festival. The Utsava murtis of Shiva and Vishnu are taken around the temple in procession atop a caparisoned elephant to the accompaniment of Kerala temple music. The festival ends with arattu. Shivratri and Ashtami Rohini are two other important festivals in the temple. The important deities worshipped in the temple are Shiva and Vishnu. The sanctum sanctorum is big and circular in shape – vatta sreekovil. The deities face east. The upa devatas worshipped in the temple are Sri Krishna, Ganapathy, Subrahmanya

Offering Kavadi to Muruga is of great significance as it brings peace and good luck. The story and reason of taking Kavadi to Murugan is associated with Murugan testing Idumban of his determination and duty towards his Guru. The Kavadi that each devotee carries symbolizes his/her burden like the two hills carried by Idumban. It is believed that the burden in the life of a devotee who carries Kavadi is lessened by Murugan. Taking Kavadi to Murugan temples during Thaipusam is considered highly auspicious. The usual Kavadi is a small wooden structure with an arch covered with a piece of cloth and is held on shoulders. The two sides of the Kavadi are covered with feathers of peacock – the vehicle of Muruga. The sides also contain two bags to carry offerings to Muruga. Some devotees beg at houses to collect the offerings. But today most people fill the bags on their own. The person who takes the Kavadi should observe certain austerities. The austerities start with food. Most K

Hundreds of devotees throng the Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh on Akshaya Tritiya day to have the very rare darshan of the feet of child Krishna. The feet of Lord Krishna is shown to the world only Akshaya Tritiya day. In 2023, Akshaya Tritiya is on April 23. Akshaya Tritiya, known as Akha Teej, is the third day of the lunar fortnight of Vaishakh, which is considered one of the most sacred days of the year. The belief is that having darshan of the feet and worshipping Lord Krishna will always rich (spiritually). All the wishes come true and get prosperity. All the good work done today in the name of devotion will not go in vain and one will definitely achieve something

How can Brahman - God be realized? Hindu religion answers by Sage Vidyaranya an extract from the book titled -  The Himalayan Masters – A Living Tradition. The actual experience of pure Self comes from Self Revelation. The truth reveals itself to the knower, and when this happens the knower becomes a rishi (a seer). It is not that the Rishi sees the truth but that the truth shows itself to the Rishi, thus transforming the blessed aspirant into a “seer”. Rather than being illuminated by the mind or the intellect, truth dawns. The study of scriptures helps sharpen the intellect and keeps us from becoming complacent about our present level of understanding. Logic and reasoning are a function of the intellect, which is a fine instrument for gaining secondhand knowledge. So you must train your intellect in order to read and understand the maps of spirituality that the sages have drawn, maps that are based on their direct experience. These maps are called the scriptures, and by follow

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, 28 January 2021 – It is Purnima tithi or the full moon day in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 12:32 AM on January 28. Then onward it Purnima tithi or the full moon day till 12:32 AM on January 29. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on January 28, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time after 1:06 PM.  Nakshatra  – Punarvasu or Punartham nakshatra till 3:28 AM on January 28. Then onward it is Pooyam or Pushya or Poosam nakshatra till 3:57 AM on January 29. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Punarvasu or Punartham nakshatra till 3:49 AM on January 28. Then onward it is Pooyam or Pushya or Poo