Kanishtha, or kanistha, is a dancer or an actress performing the role of a minor character. Nartaki, or the female dancer in Indian classical dance, performs a variety of roles in dance dramas and in solo repertoires. The nayikas (heroines) in the dance-drama traditions are classified according to their birth, their association with the nayaka (hero), being either the husband or lover, or their behavior offending the partner. The heroines primarily belong to three classes depending on their birth – uttama (superior); madhyama (middle) and adhama (inferior). Though nayikas are categorized under these three classes, Rasa Manjari (a treatise on theory of emotive expressions) written by Bhanu Datta, describes 384 types of heroines in relation to heroes. The madhyama heroine is of two kinds, jyestha (senior) wife and kanishtha (junior wife) who has less regard for the husband in spite of being the favorite one. She is kulastri (of noble birth) and has the status of being a sviya (lawf

Krittika Nakshatra 2022 dates and time based on traditional Hindu calendar, Astrology and Panchangam. Krittika Birth Star, also read as Kruttika or Karthigai, is the third Nakshatra among the 27 Nakshatras. Below are Krittika Nakshatra date in 2022. The astrological predictions of this Nakshatra as per Moon Sign are that of Mesha Rasi and that of Vrishabha Rashi.  As per Hindu astrology birth star Krittika Nakshatra, falls under Mesha Rashi or Aries and also Vrishabha Rashi or Taurus Zodiac.  The first quarter of Kruttika is in Mesha Rashi and the next ¾ quarter is in Vrishabha Rashi.  Mangal is the Lord of the Rasi for first quarter and Venus or Shukra is the lord the next ¾ quarter. The lucky color of Karthigai is White. Krittika Nakshatra 2022 Time - North - East - South of India This time is applicable in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nad

The Kannada folk Ramayana is based on the classical Ramayana. It has two important forms, viz., oral narratives and performances. The former gives importance to the story aspect narrated in a mixed style of singing and narration; the latter combines music, dance, acting, gestures etc. The story of the Ramayana, and the values propagated by it, are popular among the people in Karnataka. In oral narratives as well as in performing arts, usually only one popular episode from the Ramayana is chosen for a night. Burrakatha, Hari Kathe, Talamaddale,Kavalettinavaru, etc., are some of the important narrative forms in which the interesting episodes from Ramayana are narrated using musical instruments. The number of artistes in a troupe varies from group to group, depending upon the episode. The performers use musical instruments themselves, while enacting the roles or rendering a song. In some cases there are one or more instrumentalists. In the performance of a popular narrative form of

 Kankanti Paparaju, the author of Telugu Uttara Ramayana, belonged to the 13 th century CE. Though this period is identified with the post prabandha works, Papa Ramayana is written in the prabandha style, the classical poetical style that contains 18 types of descriptions and therefore has a classic quality. Like his predecessor Tikkana, author of Nirvacanottara Ramayana, Kankanti Paparaju also belonged to Nellur and was an Aruveka Niyogi Brahmin. He was a devotee of Madanagopala Swami to whom his prabandha is dedicated. The theme is Uttara Khanda section of the Ramayana – the banishment of Mata Sita to the forest by Rama. Unlike Tikkana, who omitted such episodes from his work, Paparaju included them. He depicts beautifully emotions like love and grief, valor and fear. In one or two sections Paparaju gives elaborate details of some locations mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana, e.g., the origin of Janasthanam in Dandakaranya. Paparaju describes Ayodhya without Sita as follows: “A box

Lead is the oldest of man made metals and the earliest archeological evidence of the use of lead is found in the Harappan period in ancient India. Ancient Hindus discovered lead metal from havan kund used for yajna or sacrifice. This is mentioned in the Yajur Veda. Ancient Hindus used lead metal mostly for the manufacture of toiletry items, pencils, and lead pipes for water supply to houses as well as for drainage. Historians have mentioned the use of lead as coinage metal in South India during the 2nd or 3rd century BC. It was the chief coinage metal during the Sangam period. Some of the other used of lead in ancient India were as a base material for embossing and engraving art motifs on gold and silver ornaments. It was also used as a joint-filling material to fix iron clamps that bind stone slabs together in dams and stone structures. Lead oxide was also used for glazing pottery. Zawar deposits in Udaipur in Rajasthan have been extensively mined, and furnaces a

Kanishkapura is located in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is known as Kanishpur or Kanishpora  and is a historical site identified with Kanishkapura, mentioned by Kalhana in his Rajatarangini (I, 68). This city was founded by Kushana king Kanishka, the famous ruler of the Kushana dynasty. M.A. Stein identified the site on the basis of archeological findings. The mounds of Kanishpur have also been explored by different teams of the Archeological Survey of India, revealing Neolithic pottery and early historical material. In a recent exploratory survey of the area more than two dozen decorated terracotta tiles were found at Kanishpur. Some of these seem to be in situ position besides ceramics of Neolithic, early historical and Kushana periods. The findings of a terracotta toy cart, wheel and a piece of stone ware, both belonging to   the Kushana period and more of pottery in red ware, both slipped and without slip, suggest that the site was an important center

Oorpazhachi Kavu Temple is an ancient temple situated at Edakkad in Kannur district, Kerala. Three main deities worshipped in the temple are Goddess Bhagavathi, Sree Oorpazhachi Daivathar and Vettakkorumakan. The three deities are worshipped in separate sreekovil inside the nalambalam. The darshan of Goddess Bhagavathi is towards north. The murtis of Oorpazhachi Daivathar and Vettakkorumakan are nearly 6 feet tall and is with beard and moustache. Both the deities are fierce looking and hold bow in right hand and arrow in left hand. There is also a separate sreekovil of Thondachan at the Mele Kottam. In this sreekovil both Daivathar and Vettakkorumakan are worshipped in a single murti. The main offering in the temple like Vellattam and Kaliyattam are performed here. The temple performs Kaliyattam on Vrischikam 16 and Vishu here. Devotees pay and perform Kaliyattam as offering from Vrischikam 17 to the day before Vishu. A unique offering in the temple is known as Arithraval – u

Karivellur Sree Muchilottu Bhagavathi temple is located at Peralam on Payyannur – Nileshwar road in Kannur District, Kerala. It is believed that this is the main center, or mool kshetram, of all Muchilottu Kavu in Kerala. Therefore the shrine is Adi Muchilottu Bhagavathi kshetram. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Muchilottu Bhagavathi. The deity faces east. Pujas are held only on Sankranti day and the Tuesday after Sankranti. The Prathishta is in such a form that the Goddess sits on a swing like structure (cradle). In rest all temples, Devi sits on a peedam. Neyyabhishekam (ghee) is performed in the temple. In rest all Muchilottu Bhagavathi temples coconut oil is used. The Upa Devata worshipped in the temple is Madiyan Chamundi. The main offering or vazhipadu in the temple is Chowa Vilakku. Kaliyattam adiyanthiram is held in Dhanu month. Perumkaliyattam is held once in 12 years. Muchilottu Bhagavathi is the Kuladaivam of Vaniya community. Muchilottu Bhagavathi first gave dar

Malamakkavu Ayyappa temple, also known as Malamelkkavu and Malamalkkavu, is located at Anakkara village in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala as it finds mention in the Thottam Pattu, which narrates about the 108 Ayyappan Kavukal in Kerala. The temple is also famous for the Neelathamara flower which grows in the temple pond. Ayyappa is worshipped here along with his spouse and son. The murti is swayambhu – not man made. The darshanam of Malamakkavu Ayyappa is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva, Bhagavathi, Vettakkorumakan, Rudramahakalan and Nagas. The annual festival is held in Meenam month (March – April). Thalappoli is held on the last Saturday of Dhanu month (first fortnight of January). As per local legend, the murti worshipped in the temple was accidentally discovered by a Cherumi community couple who accidently hit it with their sickle while cutting grass. The divine presence was showed throu

Narayanamangalam Ayyappan Kavu temple is located at Narayanamangalam on the Kodungallur- Irinjalakuda road in Thrissur district. The temple is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The shrine is referred to as Narayanamangalam Ayyappan Kavu in Thottam Pattu, which narrates about the 108 Ayyappan Kavukal in Kerala. There are two deities worshipped in the temple one is Ayyappa and other is Vettaikaran. Both the deities have equal importance. There are only two small sreekovils currently in the temple. Upa Devata is Sarpam worshipped in a grove (Sarpa Kavu). The darshanam of Narayanamangalam Ayyappan is towards east. Ayyappa has a Shila Vigraham. There is no particular form for Vettaikaran. Kannadi Shila prathishta is worshipped as Vettaikaran. The temple earlier had Oottupura and Nalambalam.

Parakkattu Mahadeva temple is located at Vellangallur in Thrissur district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva in Shivling form. The darshanam of Parakkattu Mahadeva temple is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy and Nagayakshi. The temple belongs to Ottur Mana. There is no annual festival in the temple. Mahashivratri is observed here. Pradosham on every fortnight is another important day. Mondays are considered highly auspicious to propitiate Shiva here.

Vellangallur Sri Krishna temple, also known as Narayanamkulangara Sree Krishna temple, is located at Vellangallur in Thrissur district, Kerala. The main murti worshipped in the temple Vennakannan – little Krishna with butter. The darshanam of the murti is towards west. As per local belief, the murti worshipped in the temple arrived here atop the traditional umbrella (olakkuda) of Ottur Namboothiripad from Guruvayoor. The sankalpam is that of Balakrishna. Ganpati worshipped in the temple is located one of the walls of the sreekovil and the darshanam is towards west. Balayoottu and Thrikkaivenna are the main offerings. Fireworks are not allowed in the temple. The temple is managed now by Guruvayoor Devaswom.

Swami Sivananda (September 8, 1887 – July 4, 1963),  founder of the Divine Life Society,  was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga and Vedanta.  Swami Sivananda thoughts are mainly from the numerous books authored by the Swami. The thoughts have also been taken from the monthly magazines published by  Divine Life Society.  Lemon, ginger, chillies or tamarind causes your mouth to water instantly. These are stomachic appetizers. Even so scriptures, company of sages, Kirtans and bhajans, Satsangas, Japa Malas and Ashrams are all spiritual appetizers. They goad you to sit, contemplate and meditate. Life is sustained by hope and aspiration, the struggle for betterment, and the zest for fulfillment. The moment these spurring elements of progress are taken away, one begins to vegetate and is miserably lost in the gloom of frustration and despondency, or becomes an ignoramus. The spiritual aspirant, no doubt, endeavors to attain the state of complacency and dissolution

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 31 August 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 12:13 AM on August 31. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 2:13 AM on September 1. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 31, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Rohini nakshatra till 9:19 AM on August 31 . Then onward it is Mrigasira or Makayiram nakshatra till 11:49 AM on September 1. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Rohini nakshatra t