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Showing posts from January 15, 2022


Kaanum Pongal or Kari Naal – Importance of Fourth Day of Pongal in Tamil Nadu - How is Kanum Pongal Observed?

Kanum Pongal, or Karu Naal or Kari Naal, is the fourth day of the Pongal Festival in Tamil Nadu. In 2025, the date of Kaanum Pongal  is January 16. Kanum literally means ‘to see’ and it is essentially a day of relaxation and socializing and people either visit relatives or go out on a picnic. Numerous sports activities like bull fight, cart race etc are held on the day in rural areas. How is Kaanum Pongal Observed? One of the most important events on the day is the visit to the banks of Kaveri River or other major rivers in the state. Many people pack their lunch and a have a picnic lunch on the riverbank. In many regions special prayers are offered to Mother Kaveri. In certain parts of rural Tamil Nadu, people use the opportunity provided by Karu Nal to perform the ritual ‘Kummi Pattu’. This is a ritual performed for the speedy marriage of girls whose marriages are unduly delayed. The girl whose marriage is delayed is made to sit in the center of a circle formed by wome

Tholeri Karekkandi Bhagavathi Temple – Thira Festival

Tholeri Karekkandi Bhagavathi temple is located at Tholeri near Payyoli in Kozhikode district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual Thira festival in the temple is held in Kumbha Masam ( തോലേരി  കാരേക്കണ്ടി    ഭഗവതി തിറ) . The festival is famous for various rituals and pujas associated with Bhagavathi temples in North Kerala. The Thira ritual in the temple is famous and attracts hundreds of devotees. The kolam of Bhagavathi in form of head gear is used in the Thira ritual. The dance form performed using it is known as Thirayattam. The festival is also famous for Thottam Pattu. The musical instruments used in the festival are Chenda, thudi and Ilathalam. The shrine also observes Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

Mekkotta Bhagavathy Temple – Thalappoli Festival – History

Mekkotta Bhagavathy temple is located in Vallikkunnu village in Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is located atop a small hill. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual Thalappoli festival is held in Kumbha Masam and it begins with the kuriyidal. Mekkotta Bhagavathy Temple – Thalappoli Festival During the annual Thalappoli festival Mekkotta Bhagavathi comes down from the hill and visits her sister who is worshipped at Thalappoli Parambu, which lies about 1.5 kms south. During the festival the Thiru Udaval – the sword and main weapon of Mekkotta Bhagavathi   is tied up with Thiru Udayada – dress of Bhagavathy. The Udaval is brought atop a caparisoned elephant to the accompaniment of melam along with the golden mirror at midnight to Thalappoli Parambu and returns back with Thalappoli carried by women to Mekkotta Bhagavathi temple. The Thalappoli begins when Komaram or oracle starts running. Women who bears Ari Thalam (plate with uncooked rice) shower the th

Significance of Chanting Mantras Daily In Hindu Religion

Sage of Kanchi, Mahaperiyava, explains the significance of chanting mantras daily in Hindu religion. Sound does not bring any benefits, any fruits, by itself. Isvara alone is the bestower of benefits. However, instead of making the fruits available to us directly, he appoints deities to distribute them in the same manner as the king or president of a country appoints officials to carry out his dictates. The mantras represent various deities in the form of sound.  If we attain perfection (siddhi) by constant chanting and meditation of a mantra, it should be possible for us to see the deity invoked in his physical form. The deities also arise if we make offerings into the sacrificial fire reciting specific mantras. If a sacrifice is conducted in this manner, the deities give us their special blessings. We do not pay taxes directly to the king or president. In the same way, we pay taxes in the form of sacrifices and Vedic chanting to the aides of the Paramatman for the sake of the welfa

22 January 2022 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 22 January 2022 – It is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 7:23 AM on January 22. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 6:51 AM on January 23. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on January 22, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Phalguni or Pooram nakshatra till 9:11 AM on January 22. Then onward it is Uttara Phalguni or Uthiram nakshatra till 9:14 AM on January 23 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and sou