--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from August 11, 2021


Atham Nakshatram in Chingam Month – Preparations for Onam Festival Begin in Kerala

There is a famous saying in Kerala – Atham Pathinu Ponnonam. In 2024, the date of Atham is September 5. It means the tenth day from Atham day is Thiru Onam – the day King Mahabali or Maveli visits his citizens. The famous Atha Pookalam (floral designs) made during Onam has ten rings. On the Atham day there is a single ring and as each day progress a ring is added to the Pookalam and finally there are ten rings on the Thiruvonam day. Thiruvonam in 2024 is on September 15. Square clay pyramids are made on the Atham day and is kept outside the house and a small pookalam is made and it signifies the beginning of Onam festival. Atham is one among the 27 nakshatras (Asterism) in Kerala astrological calendar.  The ten stars (nakshatras) that lead to Onam are - Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Visakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam, Thiruvonam. The days are meant for the preparation of Onam. Houses get cleaned, menu is decided, pickles are prepared, banana chips and oth

Pavitra Dwadashi August 2024

Pavitra Dwadashi is observed on the 12 th day during the shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the month of Shravan. Pavitra Dwadashi 2024 date is August 17. The rituals on the day are dedicated to God Vishnu and are mainly observed in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The day is also known as Damodar Dwadashi in some regions. Another unique ritual that is followed on the day is the Pavitra Baras . This is also observed by Vaishnava sect in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The prayers and pujas on the day is also a continuation of the Pavitra Ekadasi which is observed on the previous day.

Dundubhi Story In Ramayana – Buffalo Demon Who Fought Vali

Dundubhi is a buffalo demon who fought Vali, monkey King, in the Ramayana. He was a mighty demon, as tall as Mount Kailash, with the strength of a thousand elephants, sharp horns and a fierce appearance. With a formidable physical power, Dundubhi was arrogant and longed to fight against a worthy foe. He first challenged Varuna, the God of the oceans, to fight. Varuna, knowing the enormous strength of Dundubhi, directed him to call Himavan, the God of mountains, to a fight. Himavan, in turn, told him that Vali, the king of Kishkindha, would be a foeman worthy of his steel. Dundubhi rushed to Kishkindha, and standing at the gates of the city, challenged Vali to a combat. Vali, wearing the golden necklace given to him by his great father, God Indra, fought ferociously. He seized Dundubhi by the horns, swirled him around, threw him down and finally crushed him to death. Vali then threw the lifeless body far away. As the body was in the air, drops of blood fell near the hermitage

Chamakkavu Devi Temple Venmoney - Sharghakkavu Temple

Chamakkavu Devi temple is located on the Venmoney – Mavelikara road in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Also known as Sharghakkavu temple, the shrine lies on the banks of Achankovil Aru. The temple is located inside a huge grove (kavu). The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Vana Durga. The darshanam of the deity is towards east. The main festival observed in the temple is Vishu (April 14) in Medam month. The temple belonged earlier to Pandalam Kovilakam. Now the shrine is maintained by Sharghakkavu temple trust.

Chathannoor Sree Bhoothanatha Temple - Information - History - Festival

Chathannoor Sree Bhoothanatha temple is located at Chathannoor in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is known as Naiyarukulangara Kavu in Thottam Pattu (Ayyappan Theeyattu Pattu), which narrates the 108 Ayyappan Kavukal in Kerala. There are two separate sreekovils in the temple. One sanctum (sreekovil) has Sree Bhoothanatha along with Shiva and Goddess Devi. The other sanctum has Shiva and the Upa Devata here is Ganapathy. The darshanam of Chathannoor Sree Bhoothanatha temple is towards east. The 10-day festival in the temple concludes with arattu on Atham nakshatra in Meenam month (March – April). The Nedum Kuthira which is part of the festival is one of the biggest in South Kerala. As per history, the temple was managed in ancient times by Kulangara Nair, who was the local ruler. Currently the temple is managed by local people.

Chathannoor Durga Devi – Kottanellur Near Vellangallur – Thrissur

Chathannoor Durga Devi is located at Kottanellur Karuvappady on the Vellangallur - Kombodinjamakkal Road in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The temple has a square sanctum (chatura sreekovil). The darshanam of Chathannoor Durga Devi is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Sastha and Ganapathy. As the temple is located at Kottanelloor , people believe that the deity must be Kottavai. It is believed that the place gets the name Kottanelloor from the Goddess. The most important festival in the temple is the Thrikarthika nakshatra in Vrischikam month (November – December).

Vastu in Agama

Agamas, like the Puranas, deal with Vastu (Hindu architectural subjects). Their contributions to the Shilpa Shastra are extensive and valuable. Some of them deal with very technical matters. Some Agamas to all intents and purposes are but architectural treatises. Agamas in Hinduism are texts of rituals and rites regarding the worship of gods. Agamas include mantra, tantra and yantra. These are treatises that explain the external worship of God in the form of a vigraha or murti in the temple. The dhruva bera (immovable image) in the temple becomes the locus of the vibrant presence of the divinity, due to the perfect and precise way in which the sculptor has carved the image, and the power of the mantras and rituals prescribed in Agamas for installing the same. Kamika Agama devotes sixty chapters out of a total of seventy five to architecture and sculpture, and its treatment of the subjects can hardly be surpassed by that of an avowedly architectural treatise. Just like in Shilpa

Budh Puja – Budha Pujan in Shravan Month in Maharashtra

Budh Puja is dedicated to Budh or Mercury – one of the Navgrahas. Budha Pujan is performed on Wednesday or Budhwar. In Shravan Month in Maharashtra , Budh Puja is performed on all Wednesdays. Budha Puja is considered highly beneficial for students and is believed to help in intellectual powers. The puja is also performed to help in attaining children by couples. Shravan is one of the holiest months in a traditional Hindu calendar and numerous rituals and pujas are held in the month. Special pujas dedicated to Lord Shiva are held on Mondays. Mangala Gowri Puja is held on Tuesdays and Brihaspati Puja is held on Thursday. Wednesday is the dedicated to Budh Navgraha in Hindu religion. Wearing green color clothes on the day is considered to be auspicious. Donating moong dal (split green gram), ghee and curd on the day will help in keeping out troubles associated with budh graha in life. For all round prosperity in life, offer green gram to Budh graha on Wed

Chavara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Chavara Sree Krishna Swamy temple is located at Chavara in Kollam district, Kerala. The sankalpam of Sri Krishna Bhagavan worshipped in the temple is that of Balagopala. The darshanam of Chavara Sree Krishna Swamy is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva, Ganapathy and Nagarajavu. As per history, the temple was built by Sankaran Thampi who was a Kariyakaran (caretaker) of Travancore kings. The most important festival observed here is the Ashtami Rohini.

Chamravattom Ayyappa Temple – Information – History - Festival

Chamravattom Ayyappa temple is located around 13 km from Tirur in Malappuram district. The temple lies on a land formed by two arms of Bharathapuzha River. The temple is one among the 108 Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is known as Chamravattom in Thottam Pattu (Ayyappan Theeyattu Pattu), which narrates the 108 Ayyappan Kavukal in Kerala. The Prathishta is that of Sastha along with Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that the murti worshipped here is Swayambu – of divine origin. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Goddess Durga, two Shivlings, Bhadrakali, Ayyappan, Vishnu, Subrahmanya and Goddess Parvati. The arattu in the temple takes place when Bharathapuzha overflows and enters the sanctum sanctorum. Chuttu Vilakku ritual is held from Dhanu 1 to Dhanu 12 in the temple. Another legend has it that the Prathishta of swayambhu shila was done by Parashurama and later Sabari Maharishi rediscovered the murti and started worshipping it. It is believed that

Chambrakulangara Ayyappa Temple – Information – History

Chambrakulangara Ayyappa Temple is located near Kottayi on Thiruvilwamala – Palakkad road in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is known as  Chamrakulangara in Thottam Pattu (Ayyappan Theeyattu Pattu), which narrates the 108 Ayyappan Kavukal in Kerala. The darshanam of Chambrakulangara Ayyappa is towards east. The Prathishta here is that of Sastha along with Purna and Pushkala. The main festival in the temple is held in Vrischikam month. It is believed that the Sastha worshipped here was brought by a Sanyasi named Chemaran in his Kamandalu (Ayyappane Kamandaluvil Avahichu Kondu Varika). Another belief is that when a Yogeshwaran arrived at Kulangara, Ayyappa appeared before him. Yet another belief is that there was a fort here and the Sastha was the Yuddha Devan of the fort. As per history, the place was an Upa Gramam of Namboothiris and then it was a Grama Kshetram. When the Namboothiris and Palakkad king had differ

Chammanad Devi Temple Near Cherthala – History – Information - Festival

Chammanad Devi temple is located around 16 km from Cherthala on the Ernakulam – Cherthala road in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Bhadrakali. The murti worshipped here is Kannadi Shila Pratishta. The deity faces east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Vasoorimala and Velichappadu. The annual festival is held in Kumbham month in such a manner that Pooram nakshatram is at night. The festival is held for 14 days. Kumbha Bharani is held the temple with elaborate rituals. As per history, the temple belongs to Ettuveetil Karthakanmar. The eight families are Alakkodu, Kovilakathu, Puthuparambathu, Velikkakathu, Pulikkal, Kuzhuveli, Puthanveli and Kunnath Parambu. The family is now known as Kaimalmar. The family had ruled the area (Karapuram) for Kochi kings. The belief is that Ettuveetil Kaimalmar had brought Chammanad Bhagavathy from Kodungallur (Avahichu Kondu Varika). Another belief is that a Velichappadu who was traveling along wit

What Constitutes Right Action in Hinduism?

Sage Patanjali narrates what constitutes right action – wisdom of ancient teachers of Hinduism 1)      Non-violence 2)      Truthfulness 3)      Non-stealing 4)      Sexual continence in thought, word and deed – control of the senses 5)      Non-possessiveness (not being greedy and selfish) 6)      Purity – cleanliness 7)      Contentment – peacefulness 8)      Austerity – spiritual discipline 9)      Introspective – self study 10) Offering of one’s life to God

18 August 2021 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, 18 August 2021 – It is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2:04 AM on August 18. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:44 PM on August 18. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:35 PM on August 19. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 18, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta nakshatra till 1:30 AM on August 18. Then onward it is Mool or Moolam nakshatra till 11:57 PM on August 18 . Then o