--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from January 26, 2022


Kurunthiyoor Arthanareeswara Temple – Festival

Kurunthiyoor Arthanareeswara temple is located on the Nediyamcode - Kolliyode road at Kurunthiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Ardhanarishvara – the combined form of Shiva and Shakti (Parvati or Bhagavathy). The deity is worshipped in a vatta sreekovil – round sanctum sanctorum. The temple also has couple of upa devata shrines. The annual Shivratri festival is noted for dhara, homam, yagna, abhishekam, pujas and rituals, ezhunellippu, Kerala temple folk arts and cultural programs. The shrine also observes various other holy occasions like Ramayana Masam, Ayilyam pooja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navratri, Mandala kalam, Thrikarthika and Thiruvathira. Ashtami, Navami and Vijayadashami (ezhuthiniruthu) is an important occasion in the temple.

Panamattam Bhagavathi Temple – Festival - Padayani

Panamattam Bhagavathi temple is an ancient shrine located at Panamattom near Koorali in Kottayam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva and Goddess Bhadrakali – both the deities have equal importance. The annual festival in the temple is famous for Padayani and is held on Makayiram nakshatra day in Meena Masam (March - April). Maha Shivratri in Kumbha Masam (February – March) is another important festival here. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Anthimahakalan. Goddess Parvati and Nagas are part of the worship here. Meena Pooram is another important festival here. The temple has two separate sreekovil for Shiva and Goddess Kali. The shrine has a chuttambalam, namaskara mandapam, kodimaram and pond. The annual festival in the temple is famous for ezhunellippu of the thidambu of Bhagavathi atop caparisoned elephant to the accompaniment of melam. Padayani and other temple folk arts are part of the annual festival. The Mahashivratri festival is famous for abhishekams

Ummanazhi Patheeswaram Temple – Festival

Ummanazhi Patheeswaram temple is located Kalladikode - Sreekrishnapuram road near Ummanazhi Kadampazhipuram East in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Mahadeva – Shiva. The annual Mahashivratri festival is an important occasion in the temple. It falls in Kumbha Masam (first fortnight of March or last week of February). A Shivling is worshipped in the chathura sreekovil – square sanctum sanctorum. The Upa Devatas include Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. The shrine has a namaskara mandapam, bali kallu and nalambalam. The annual Shivratri festival is noted for dhara, homam, yagna, abhishekam, pujas and rituals, ezhunellippu, Kerala temple folk arts and cultural programs. The shrine also observes various other holy occasions like Ramayana Masam, Ayilyam pooja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navratri, Mandala kalam, Thrikarthika and Thiruvathira. Ashtami, Navami and Vijayadashami (ezhuthiniruthu) is an important occasion in the temple.

Pumkummoodu Ayiravalli Thampuran Temple – Festival

Pumkummoodu Ayiravalli Thampuran temple is located at Pumkummoodu on Thekkada - Punkummoodu - Vattappara Road near Vattappara in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Mahadeva – Shiva. The annual Mahashivratri festival is an important occasion in the temple. It falls in Kumbha Masam (first fortnight of March or last week of February). A Shivling is worshipped in the chathura sreekovil – square sanctum sanctorum. The Upa Devatas include Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. The annual Shivratri festival is noted for dhara, homam, yagna, abhishekam, pujas and rituals, ezhunellippu, Kerala temple folk arts and cultural programs. The shrine also observes various other holy occasions like Ramayana Masam, Ayilyam pooja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Mandala kalam, Thrikarthika and Thiruvathira.

Dev Nayakacharya – Vaishnava Saint And Propagator Of Santana Dharma

Dev Nayakacharya was born in 1887 CE at Siraj Village of Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) to a Brahmin family. He was an extraordinary scholar of Sanskrit, and almost all the Hindu texts and scriptures. References to Shastras were at the tips f his fingers, given his mastery over the ancient mnemonic system of retention of Vedic knowledge. Dev Nayak Acharya was given deeksha (initiation) by Totadri Swami, a renowned scholar of the 19 th century India. Dev Nayakacharya traveled across India to propagate the Sanatana Dharma. His speeches were so impressive that thousands of people would assemble to listen to his discourses. Impressed by the spiritual temperament and scholarly attributes of Dev Nayak Acharya, Yamuna Bai left to his care the Sri Ram Mandir of Bargadi in Mumbai in 1928 CE. He performed the daily worship in this temple ritualistically. Chanting of Vedic Samhitas, utavas, and sringara of Lord Rama according to the Vaishnava texts were performed regularly under his divine guid

Thrikka Shiva Temple – Festival

Thrikka Shiva temple is located at Perumballoor South – Arakuzha in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Mahadeva – Shiva. The annual festival in the temple is Mahashivratri (in Kumbha Masam) – it falls on the last week of February or the first fortnight of March. This is an old shrine and only the sreekovil remains that too is in a dilapidated condition. The shrine is located on the banks of Thodupuzha River. The temple has a square sanctum or chathura sreekovil completely made out of granite. This must have been a huge temple in ancient times with all the essential structures. The sreekovil still has numerous ornamental sculptures.

Vazhithala Thrikkekkunnu Shiva Temple – Festival

Vazhithala Thrikkekkunnu Shiva temple is located at Vazhithala on Thodupuzha-Koothattukulam road in Idukki district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Shiva – Mahadeva. The annual Shivratri festival (Kumbha Masam), which usually falls on the last week of February or first fortnight of March, is an important occasion here. The temple has a small Shivling in the chathura sreekovil. The temple has a chuttambalam,   namaskara mandapam and with sculptures. The Upa Devatas worshipped here are Goddess Parvati, Ganapathy, Subramania, Ayyappa or Sastha and Goddess Bhadrakali. There are also Nagas and Rakshas here. Annual Shivratri festival is noted for abhishekam, dhara, pushpanjali and homams. Ezhunnallathu atop caparisoned elephant performed along with traditional Kerala temple folk art forms. Pageantry, procession and floats are part of the festival. Pradosham, Ramayana Masam and Vrischika Masam (mandala kalam) and Thiruvathira in Dhanu Masam are of importance in the shrine.

Thottakkara Mahadeva Temple – Festival - Vavu Bali

Thottakkara Mahadeva temple is located at Thottakkara on Thodupuzha Ramamangalam road in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Shiva – Mahadevar. The shrine is famous in the region for observed Karkidaka Vavu Bali and Pitru Tarpanam. The annual Shivratri festival (Kumbha Masam), which usually falls on the last week of February or first fortnight of March, is an important occasion here. The temple has a small Shivling in the chathura sreekovil. The temple has a namaskara mandapam and with sculptures. There are a couple of upa devatas. Annual Shivratri festival is noted for abhishekam, dhara, pushpanjali and homams. Pradosham, Ramayana Masam and Vrischika Masam (mandala kalam) and Thiruvathira in Dhanu Masam are of importance in the shrine. The shrine observes the annual Karkidaka Vavu Bali and Pitru Tarpanam on the Vavu or Amavasya day in Karkidakam month. Hundreds of people arrive at shrine and offer various rituals to ancestors. Special arrangements are made by

Kottarakkara Mahadeva Temple – History – Festival – Shiva Kshetram

Kottarakkara Mahadeva temple is located at Kottarakkara in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Mahadevar – Shiva. Shivaratri is an important festival in the shrine. The 8-day annual temple festival ends with Arattu on the Thiruvathira nakshatra in Meenam month.  Kottarakkara Mahadevar temple is a Mahakshetram as five pujas are held daily in the temple. As per some estimates, the shrine is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala and thus the Shivling here was consecrated by Parashuram Avatar of Bhagavan Vishnu. The Shivling in the temple is considerably big. The sanctum sanctorum is circular – vatta sreekovil. There is a nalambalam, temple pond, and namaskara mandapam here. The temple was the Paradevatha kshethram of Elayadath Swaroopam. As per some people, Kottarakkara Thampuran had first performed Ramanattam, the predecessor of Kathakali, in this temple. This is a huge temple with numerous upa devatas and various other temple structures.

Panayil Devi Temple – Festival

Panayil Devi temple is located on Kottarakkara – Sasthamcotta Road at Kottathala – Neduvathoor in Kollam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi or Durga Devi. Shiva is an important deity in the temple. Mahashivratri festival is an important occasion at Panayil Devi temple. A unique aspect is that elephants are not allowed in the temple for pujas and festivals. The temple has a chathura sreekovil with a nalambalam, namaskara mandapam and shrines of Upa Devatas. A unique offering in the temple is tying of red color silk cloth on the Peepal tree here. The thread is offered puja for 21 Sundays and then tied on the tree. The annual festival in the temple is held in Kumbha Masam. Pongala is an important offering at the shrine. Huge effigies of ox – Kala is pulled to the temple on the occasion of the festival.

Edakkayil Theru Maha Ganapathi Temple – Festival

Edakkayil Theru Maha Ganapathi temple is located at Edakkayil on Perambra-Eravattur-Akkuparamb near Valiacode in Kozhikode district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Ganapati or Ganesha. Shiva is also worshipped here. Mahashivratri is an important festival at Edakkayil temple. The shrine has a Shila murti of Ganapati. Shivling is worshipped in the temple. The temple has a square sanctum and namaskara mandapam. The annual festival is famous for Kerala temple folk arts of Kozhikode area. The shrine observes Vinayaka Chaturthi festival which falls in Chinga Masam.

Pothencode Pulimathoor Mahadeva Temple – Festival

Pothencode Pulimathoor Mahadeva temple is located at Nannattukavu – Pulimathoor near Pothencode in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Mahadeva – Shiva. The annual Mahashivratri festival is an important occasion in the temple. It falls in Kumbha Masam (first fortnight of March or last week of February). A Shivling is worshipped in the chathura sreekovil – square sanctum sanctorum. The Upa Devatas include Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, Brahmarakshas and Pillayammachan. The temple has a nalambalam, namaskara mandapam, pond and shrines of Upa Devatas. The annual Shivratri festival is noted for dhara, homam, yagna, abhishekam, pujas and rituals, ezhunellippu, Kerala temple folk arts and cultural programs. The shrine also observes various other holy occasions like Ramayana Masam, Ayilyam puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navratri, Mandala kalam, Thrikarthika and Thiruvathira.

Girivraja – Capital Of Magadha In The Mahabharata

Girivraja is an ancient town with episodic references in the Mahabharata. It was the capital of Magadha, when Jarasandha was the ruler. About fifteen kilometers to the south of the ancient university of Nalanda and 102 kilometers southwest of Patna in Bihar, lies the small town called Rajgir, which was called Girivraja during the period of Mahabharata. The origin of Girivraja is mentioned in the Bala Kanda (Sarga 32) of Valmiki Ramayana. King Pusa of Puru dynasty had four sons is Vaidarbhi – Vasu, Kusamba, Kusanbha and Asurtarajas. Each of the sons built a city of their own and ruled it. Girivraja was the magnificent city built by Vasu. Located amidst small hills, the second Pandava, fought a duel with Jarasandha on the advice of Sri Krishna and Arjuna. The two Pandavas, as guided by Sri Krishna, had reached Girivraja disguised as Brahmins to eliminate Jarasandha in order to ensure that Yudhisthira performed the famous Rajasuya Yagna without any hindrance. In Girivraja there is sti

Athirudra Maha Yagna in Hinduism – Athirudram

Athirudra Maha Yagna, or simply known as Athirudram, is a very rare yajna in Hinduism because of its complexity and magnitude. This mammoth ritualistic function is performed by 121 Vedic scholars and their assistants at a specific time in a specially built yagasala. What is Athi Rudra Maha Yagna? In the Athi Rudra Maha Yagna, there will be 11 homa kundas and 11 Vedic scholars sitting around each Homa Kunda and performing homas by chanting Sri Rudram which is an important mantra in Yajur Veda. Performing homas in one homa kunda is known as Rudrakalasam. When it is performed in 11 homa kundas at a time is known as Maharudram. When this ritual is repeated for 11 days it becomes Athirudra Mahayagnam. How Is Athi Rudra Maha Yagna Performed? 11 kalasams (pots) in each homa kunda are filled with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, lime juice, gingelly oil, sugarcane juice, panchagavya, panchamrutham and ashwagandha water and sanctified by chanting mantras in the early hours daily. At th

Paravur Puthiyakavu Devi Temple – Festival

Paravur Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, also known as Paravur Thekkumbhagam Puthiyakavu Devaswom, is located on the Kappil Varkala road near Paravur in Kollam district, Kerala. The 6-day annual festival in temple concludes on Kumbha Bharani day. The temple has two sreekovil – one dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali and one dedicated to Goddess Durga. This is the ancestral temple of Valiyaveedu Kudumbam and has a history of more than 500 years. Villinmel Thookkam is an important event during the Bharani festival held in Kumbha Masam (February – March).

Champakulam Madom Mahalakshmi Temple – History – Festival

Champakulam Madom Mahalakshmi temple is located next to Nedumudy Panchayath office at Champakulam in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. The annual prathishta dinam festival is observed in the temple in Kumbha Masam. This is an ancient temple with a history connecting to the Chempakassery dynasty . This is a very small temple with a murti of Goddess Lakshmi in a Chatura Sreekovil. There are no major structures here. The annual festival is noted for pujas and rituals. Various pushpanjali and pujas dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is performed here. Champakulam Madom Mahalakshmi Temple Timings Morning darshan and puja timings are from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM Evening darshan and puja timings are from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Teaching From Ekashloki of Adi Shankaracharya

A very important teaching from the Ekashloki of Adi Shankaracharya. The guru asks: ‘What is your source of light?’ The student replies: ‘My source of light in the day is the sun.’ Guru: ‘What is your source of light in the night? Student: ‘Lamp and the like.’ Guru: ‘Let that be so. Please tell me what is your source of light to see the sun and the lamp?’ Student: ‘The eyes.’ Guru: ‘What is the source of light in times like when your eyes are closed? Student: ‘It is the intellect.’ Guru: ‘What is your source of light to see the intellect?’ Student: ‘Then, it is me, the pure Consciousness.’ Guru: ‘Therefore, you are that supreme light.’ Student: ‘Sir, I realise that I am that supreme light.’

Deepavali Koodi Ezhunnallathu At Thuravoor

Every year on Deepavali day an annual festival takes place at Thuravoor in Alappuzha district, Kerala for Koodi Ezhunnallathu. All the deities of various temples at Thuravoor assemble on the day at a designated spot. The thidambu or utsava murti of the deities are carried atop elephants to the accompaniment of melam. The deities participating in the Koodi Ezhunnallathu are Thuravoor Narasimha temple Thuravoor Maha Sudarshana Moorthy Thuravoor Purandareswaram Shiva temple Thiruvenikidpuram Sri Krishna of Pattathalil Mannath Krishna Kainikkara Krishna  Thuravoor kara, in ancient times was a Brahmin village inhabited by Brahmin families. These families were the owners of the temple in this kara. Purandareswarathappan is the only Shiva deity and is positioned west to Lord Narasimha in this Kootti Ezhunnallathu.

2 February 2022 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, 2 February 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:31 AM on February 2. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 8:10 AM on February 3. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time. )   Good – Auspicious time on February 2, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Dhanishta or Avittam nakshatra till 7:25 PM on February 2 . Then onward it is Shatabhisha or Sadayam or Chathayam nakshatra till 6:51 PM on February 3 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka