The best and easy mantra during Shivratri is the ‘Panchakshari Mantra’ – ‘ namah shivaya.’ Most people repeat it as ‘om namah shivaya.’ Not just during Shivaratri but this mantra can be chanted at anytime. Just close your eyes and chant it. You can experience a different feeling – a calmness. Repeat 'ॐ नमः शिवाय ' to attain mental strength and to overcome any kind of fear.  Most people want to know the result of repeating the mantra. If you are repeating a mantra to gain something, I don’t personally believe that it is going to be of any help. Never expect miracles to happen by repeating any mantras. All mantras are meant to improve ‘Shradha’ – one can say it as concentration although it has a wider meaning. When chanted during meditation these mantras provide an inner strength. With the help of inner strength or shradha gained during chanting, you can improve your skills. This will in return help you in gaining both spiritual and materialistic wealth. Greatest r...

Night usually represents evil then why is Shivratri celebrated during night? The night after Maha Shivratri is ‘amavasya’ (full dark night). A day when the world will be completely dark. Symbolically, nothing but only ignorance and injustice will prevail. This ‘amavasya’ also represents ‘Kaliyuga.’ Mahadev Shiva appeared just before the beginning of Kaliyuga to rid the world of ignorance and evil. This was during the night before ‘amavasya.’ Therefore special worship is done before ‘amavasya’ to please Shiva who is the remover of darkness, evil and ignorance. Then, almost all the legends associated with Shivratri happened during night and this is another reason. Related Link to other articles related to Shivratri

Eramangalam Puzhakkara Bhagavathy temple is located at Eramangalam – Veliancode in Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The annual Prathishta dinam festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meena Masam (March – April). This is a small temple with a powerful deity. The temple also has shrines of upa devatas. The temple observes various rituals and pujas that are part of North Kerala. The shrine also observes other important festivities including Navratri and Thrikarthika.

Panavally Thaliyaparampu Devi temple is located at Panavally near Cherthala in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The annual festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meena Masam (March – April). This is a beautiful Kerala style temple with a Anakottil, Kodimaram, Nalambalam, Namaskara Mandapam, pond and shrines of upa devatas. The temple has a west facing chathura sreekovil. The annual festival is famous for various important Tantric rituals and pujas. Ezhunnallathu, Kalavaravu, caparisoned elephants, melam and traditional performing art forms of Kerala are part of the festival. Kalamkari ritual is part of the festivities. The annual festival begins with kodiyettam and concludes with arattu ceremony. Ada puzhugal and Thiri pidutham are some of the important rituals in the temple.

The death of Jarasandha is in important incident in the Mahabharata. The story is famous as Jarasandha Vadh. Jarasandha was a mighty ruler, who at the time of his birth, was born in two parts. A maidservant namedJara had to join the two parts to make him a sturdy boy. Because of this face, nobody could defeat him in a physical combat. He subsequently became the mighty ruler of Magadha. He was the father-in-law of Kamsa, and when, Sri Krishna Bhagavan killed the latter in Mathura, Jarasandha became a sworn enemy of Sri Krishna. He harassed Krishna and the Yadavas so much by repeated attacks on Mathura that they had to shift their capital from Mathura to Dwarka. When Yudhishthira became the king of Indraprastha, he decided to perform the Rajasuya Yajna. But Sri Krishna knew that as long as Jarasandha was alive, Yudhisthira would not be able to complete it. So, in order to eliminate his sworn enemy and ensure the performance of the yajna unhindered, he took Bhima and Arjuna to Girivra...

Moovottukonam Bhadrakali temple is located at Moovottukonam in Kanyakumari district, Kerala. The annual festival in the temple begins on Meena Bharani day in Malayalam Meenam month. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. This is a beautiful colorful temple that one sees across Tamil Nadu. The temple has a colorful square sanctum sanctorum. The walls and the roof are decorated with sculptures. There are shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival is famous for a unique ritual seen in Bhadrakali temples in Thiruvananthapuram region. Huge crown of Bhagavathy is taken by the priest Thookam is another important festival ritual in the temple.

North Paravur Venkatachalapathy temple is located at North Paravur in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu. The annual six-day festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meena Masam (March – April). The shrine is maintained by the GSB community. The main murti worshipped in the temple is the Venkatachalapathy form of Bhagavan Vishnu who is flanked by Goddess Lakshmi on left side and Bhoomi Devi on the right side. There is a pratishtha of Ganpati on the southwest side. As per history the original temple was built in the 17th century CE. The current temple structure was built in 1888 CE. The temple has a east facing square sanctum and a pond. Various Vaishnava temple rituals and pujas associated with the GSB community in Kerala are part of the festival.

Aattippuzhakkavu Bhagavathy temple is located at Attipuzhakkavu at West Veliyathunadu near Aluva in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The annual festival in the temple is observed on the Meena Bharani day and is famous for Aal Thookam and Mudiyettu. The temple has a beautiful traditional style Kerala temple with a nalambalam, namaskara mandapam, chathura sreekovil, and small shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival in the temple begins with kodiyettam and is famous for various tantric pujas and rituals. Abhishekam, kalasham, and other similar rituals are held on the occasion. Ezhunnallathu and traditional temple art forms are part of the annual festival. The festival concludes with the arattu procession. The temple also observes Navratri with ezhuthiniruthu and Thrikarthika festival.

Kummannor Nadakkam Kunnu Devi temple is located at Kummannor in Kottayam district, Kerala. This is a beautiful Kerala temple with a rare Garuda sculpture and is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The Meena Bharani day which falls in Malayalam Meena Masam (March – April) is an important festival in the temple. The temple has a beautiful traditional nalambalam, namaskara mandapam, chathura sreekovil, pond and small shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival in the temple is famous for various tantric pujas and rituals. Abhishekam, kalasham, and other similar rituals are held on the occasion. Ezhunnallathu, arattu, and traditional temple art forms are part of the annual festival. The temple also observes Navratri with ezhuthiniruthu and Thrikarthika festival.

Earayil Koottummel Devi temple is located at Eara on the Kurichy - Eara – Kavalam Road in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The shrine is also known as Koottummel Maha Bhadrakali Temple and is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple observes the Meena Bharani festival in Malayalam Meena Masam (March – April). The 10-day annual festival in the temple concludes on the Meda Bharani day (April – May) with Arattu. This is a traditional Kerala temple with a chathura sreekovil, nalambalam, kodimaram, shrines of upa devatas and namaskara mandapam. The Bharani day in Meena Masam is observed as the birthday of Goddess Bhagavathy. There is a procession with the sword of Bhagavathy four days after Meena Bharani. The annual Pongala festival is held on Makara Bharani day. The annual festival is famous on Meda Bharani day is famous for ezhunnallathu, shakti temple pujas and rituals, traditional performing art forms of Kerala. The shrine also observes Ramayana Masam, Shivratri, Navratri festival...

Changanassery Kavil Bhagavathy temple is located at Puzhavathu near Changanassery in Kottayam district, Kerala. This is a traditional Kerala temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagathy. The annual Meena Bharani day, which is observed in Malayalam Meena Masam, is an important festival in the temple. The annual festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Dhanu Masam. Changanassery Kavil Bhagavathy Temple – History As per local history, Kavil Bhagavathy temple was the family deity of Changanassery Idam, a branch of the Thekkumkoor Royal family. Though the Thekkumkoor Royals were vanquished by King Marthanda Varma of Travancore in the 10th C AD, the temple survived. The temple was given its present form by Thekkumkoor Udaya Marthanda Varma Rajah nearly 900 years back. The sankalpam of Goddess Bhagavathy in the temple is that of Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple has a west facing sanctum. The shrine has a nalambalam, namaskara mandapam, chathura sreekovil and shrines of upa devatas. The annual ...

Ariyannur Harikanyaka temple is located at Ariyannoor near Guruvayur in Thrissur district, Kerala. This is an ancient temple dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu – Mohini form of Vishnu is worshipped in the shrine. The annual festival in the temple is held in Meena Masam (February – March). This is one of the rare temples exclusively dedicated to Mohini Avatar of Vishnu. The temple is famous for its mural paintings, sculptures and stone carvings (most of them are lost or in really bad shape). The shrine was built by the legendary Perumthachan. His chisel (uli) can be seen on the back side of the sanctum sanctorum. The temple has a two tier sanctum sanctorum – Chathura sreekovil with numerous sculptures.   The granite Adhishtana of the temple has ornate walls made of laterite. A traditional Namaskara mandapam, Nalambalam, Thidappalli, Balikkalppura are part of the temple. The murti of Goddess worshipped in the temple is nearly 5 feet tall. There is also a pratishta of Ayyappa in the mai...

On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, Hindu devotees around the world observe Shivratri Vrat or Upvaas or fast. In 2026, Shivratri Vrat date is February 15. Vrat time is from Sunrise on Feb 15 to sunrise on Feb 16. The Maha Shivaratri fasting rules involve refraining from eating any food and not sleeping through out the night. Sivaratri literally means ‘the night of Mahadev Shiva’ and unlike other festivals associated with Hinduism there is no fun and merrymaking on the day. But the night provides an opportunity to cleanse the ignorance and realize that you are Brahman and open the door to bliss. The day after Shivaratri is Amavasai – the dark night or the no moon night. It symbolizes the evil forces – desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger – which dominate the Kaliyuga. Shiva is believed to have appeared in the form of ‘Lingodbhavamurti’ or Jyotirlinga on the Shivratri night. The Linga is an attempt to give form to the formless Brahman. Praying ...

The word murti is a commonly used word in Hinduism. The widely used meaning of the word murti is an image or an idol. The word ‘idol’ cannot be considered the proper translation of the Sanskrit word murti, for the simple reason that ‘idol’ has many connotations in English, most of which are derogatory. On the other hand, murti in Hindu religion is generally considered to be the embodied representation of the Divine principle. Such a representation could take any form, most of which are human. However, it is not uncommon to see many animal forms or the forms of other living beings as representing some divine power. The iconography in the different forms of murti is interesting as most of these forms are visual developments of the bodies that we find naturally. For instance, it is quite common to see a murti with a human form having multiple arms or heads. These represent the supra-normal powers of the divine beings. A murti does not merely represent a symbol of the Divine, but the m...

Chengannur Vandimala temple is located at Vandimala in Chengannur town in Alappuzha district , Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Meena Bharani festival, which falls in Malayalam Meenam Masam (March – April), is an important festival in the temple. This is a beautiful temple with a chathura sreekovil. The shrine has murtis of Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple has shrines of upa devatas. The annual Meena Bharani is noted for various Shakti temple rituals and pujas. Melam and ezhunnallathu are part of the day.

 Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, 7 March 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:06 PM on March 7. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waxing or light phase of moon on the entire day on March 8 and till 12:36 AM on March 9. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on March 7, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashwini or Aswathy nakshatra till 4:44 AM on March 7 . Then onward it is Bharani nakshatra till 6:26 AM on March 8 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north K...

If you are suffering from Kaal Sarp dosh, then you can find relief from it after performing puja and rituals on Shivratri. Kaal Sarp dosh nivaran puja should be performed at night on Shivratri. Here is a brief idea on how to perform Kaal Sarp dosh nivaran puja at home. How to Perform Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran Puja? The person performing the puja should wear white color dress. Before starting the puja offer prayers to Ganesha in mind. The puja should be performed facing northeast or north. On a white color cloth, keep a shivling. If you do not have a Shivling, you can make one using turmeric powder. This can be later put under a bilva or peepal tree. Keep a small silver sculpture of nag (male serpent) and nagin (female serpent). If this is not there then you can draw the figure using turmeric on a plate. Light lamp using mustard oil (sarson ka tel). Offer white and red color flowers. Offer karpur or camphor. Offer uncooked rice mixed with turmeric. Offer halwa as Prasa...

Odanavattom Kattayil Palakottu Devi temple is located at Odanavattom near Kottarakkara in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy or Devi. Meena Bharani day in Meena masam is an important festival day in the shrine. This is a small temple with a chathura sreekovil – roof it the sanctum is covered with copper. The temple has shrines of upa devatas including a sarppakavu. There is a kodimaram and other relevant temple structures. The annual festival is famous for Shakti temple pujas and rituals. Ezhunnallathu, procession and temple art forms are part of the festival. The temple also observes annual prathishta dinam, Navratri with Ashtami, Navami and Vidyarambham. Thrikarthika is also observed in the shrine.

Bharanikavu Devi temple is located at Bharanikavu near Kattanam in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Meena Bharani is an important festival day in the temple. This is a traditional Kerala temple with kodimaram, namaskara mandapam, shrines of upa devatas and nalambalam. The temple has a chathura sreekovil which faces east. Jeevitha Ezhunnallathu is part of the temple festivals and rituals. The annual festival is famous for ezhunnallathu, abhishekam, homam and various other tantric pujas and rituals. Temple art forms of Kerala, melam, caparisoned elephants, huge effigies of characters from epics and puranas and colorful procession are part of the annual festival. Navratri, Thrikarthika and other Devi temple festivals and rituals are observed here.

Kathikudam Karimpanakkavu temple is located at Kathikudam in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Bhagavathy or Devi. The annual festival in the temple is observed on Meena Bharani day in Meenam month (March – April). The sankalpam of Bhagavathy here is that of Goddess Bhadrakali. This is a typical Kerala style traditional temple with nalambalam, namaskara mandapam and shrines of upa devatas. The shrine has a chathura sreekovil. The annual festival begins with kodiyettam. Traditional temple performing art forms, Shakti temple pujas and rituals and procession are part of the annual festivities. The festival concludes with Arattu procession with melam and caparisoned elephants.

Kottakkal Kuttipurathu Kavu Bhagavathy temple is located at Kottakkal in Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Meena Bharani is an important festival day in the temple. This is a typical Kerala style traditional temple with a chathura sreekovil and shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival begins with kodiyettam. The festival concludes with Arattu procession with melam and caparisoned elephant. The shrine observes other Bhagavathy temple rituals like Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

I find most people asking how to celebrate Shivaratri? Shivratri is the day when rituals and worship are given more importance. There is no fun or merrymaking as in other Hindu festivals. It is a day of renunciation and prayer. It is a day to realize the Brahman and cleanse ignorance. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga on this day. A lingam which had no end and beginning and it symbolizes Brahman. It is said that one should practice non-violence on this day. Then are things like not to lie, strict brahmacharya, be compassionate etc. But these things should be practiced on all days. So one need not wait for Shivaratri to be compassionate. Generally most people fast on Shivaratri day by uttering the panchakshari mantra – ‘om namah shivaya.’ The fast is from Shivratri morning to next day morning. Next is keeping vigil all night by worshipping Lord Shiva. Worshipping Shiva with Bilva leaves is considered highly auspicious. If you have a Shivling at home...

Shivratri is that of the time year when devotees can bring home certain symbols of Shiva to achieve peace and progress. Here are the list of things that can be brought home on Shivratri. Shiva is Bholenath and he can be pleased without much effort. He fulfills the desires of his devotees. But when the devotees turn evil, He will not also hesitate to burn them down into ashes. Things To Get on Shivratri Shivling   If you wish to perform Shiva puja daily at home then Shivratri is the day to bring Shivling home. It is said that on Shivratri night Shiva appears on all the Shivlings on earth. Nandi  Getting  a copper sculpture of Nandi and keeping it at home will help in avoiding financial problems. Naag or Snake Keeping silver or copper sculpture of Naag (serpent) near the front door will help in keeping out fights in home. There will be unity in the family. It also helps in keeping out obstacles faced by family members. Bhasma   Th...

Maha Shivaratri in 2022 is on Tuesday. Know the importance when Shivratri falls on Tuesday. Tuesday, Mangalwar in Hindi, is dedicated to Mangal or Mars – one of the nine navagrahas (planets in Hindu astrology). Importance of Shivratri on Tuesday There are numerous legends in Hindu scriptures that are associated with Mangal and Shiva. It is said that Bhaum had performed intense Tapas and he was blessed with Mangal Loka by Shiva. Mangal or Mars is a fiery red planet and its anger and ferocity can only be calmed by Neelkanth Shiva. Tuesday is also dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti. There is a belief that Goddess Shakti as Maa Parvati married Shiva on a Shivratri night. The divine couple will be in a very good mood on the day and therefore it is easy to please them and get boons. Benefits of Puja and Vrat on Mahashivratri on Tuesday Moksha and liberation Peace and prosperity on earth. All sins and blemishes are destroyed. Thus helping in getting birth in a go...

Unable to handle the mischief of the child Sri Krishna, Yashoda came to a conclusion after much thought. She tied a rope to a wooden mortar. Then, she tried to tie the other end of the rope to the waist of the child Sri Krishna. But, the rope fell short. She brought another rope, tied it to the first rope and tried again to tie Sri Krishna. The rope was short even then. In this manner, no matter how much rope Yashoda brought and no matter how long the combined rope was, it fell short and she could not tie Sri Krishna. Further, it was a great ordeal to manage the child Sri Krishna, who was running away. The gods and devotees had arrived there to see this amazing phenomenon. Of them a person asked Sri Krishna: ‘You, who is the supreme Brahman, have now taken the form of a child. Still, you are enacting your divine play. Your mother Yashoda is trying to tie you and no matter however much rope she brings; it is all falling short. At the same time, she is exasperated in trying to manage y...

Panayam Devi temple, also known as Tripanayam Temple, is located at Panayam in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Meena Bharani observed in Malayalam Meena Masam is an important festival day in Tri Panayam temple. This is a traditional Kerala temple with kodimaram, namaskara mandapam, shrines of upa devatas and nalambalam. The temple has a chathura sreekovil which faces west. The annual festival is famous for ezhunnallathu, abhishekam, homam and various other tantric pujas and rituals. Temple art forms of Kerala, melam, caparisoned elephants, huge effigies of characters from epics and puranas and colorful procession are part of the annual festival. Navratri, Thrikarthika and other Devi temple festivals and rituals are observed here.

 Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, 6 March 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 10:03 PM on March 6. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:06 PM on March 7. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on March 6, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 8:48 AM.  Nakshatra  – Revathi nakshatra till 3:28 AM on March 6 . Then onward it is Ashwini or Aswathy nakshatra till 4:44 AM on March 7 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Revathi naksha...

Neerakathala Bhadrakali Devi temple is located at Amaravila in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The most important festival in the temple is annual Meena Bharani which falls in Meena Masam (March – April). This is a small colorful temple with a chathura sreekovil. The outer walls of sreekovil are full of sculptures and they are colorfully painted. The heavily decorated image of Goddess is taken around the temple to the accompaniment of melam on the head of the temple priest. Colorful procession and temple art forms are part of the annual festival.

Panayara Triporittakkavu Bhagavathi temple is located at Panayara in Chemmaruthy near Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The 10-day annual festival in the temple coincides with the Meena Bharani day in Malayalam Meena Masam. The sankalpam of Bhagavathy here is that of Goddess Bhadrakali. This is a typical Kerala style traditional temple with nalambalam, namaskara mandapam and shrines of upa devatas. The shrine has a chathura sreekovil. A unique anakottil and kodimaram are part of the temple. The annual festival begins with kodiyettam. The Pongala ritual is held on Revathi nakshatra before Bharani. Urul Nercha is the most important ritual on Meena Bharani day. The festival concludes with Arattu procession with melam and caparisoned elephant. There are special pujas including Vrischika Vilakku in Malayalam Vrischika Masam. The temple also conducts special pujas and rituals on Bharani nakshatra day in Kumbha Masam.

Vaikarakavu Bhagavathy temple is located at Vaikkara near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Bhagavathy. The annual festival in the temple coincides with the famous Meena Bharani day in Malayalam Meenam month (March – April). This is a small temple with a chathura sreekovil. The chuttambalam of the temple is beautifully decorated. The shrine has a namaskara mandapam and small temples of upa devatas. The annual festival in the temple is famous for mudiyettu ritual. The festival also includes ezhunnallathu, melam, and procession. Unique annual Shakti temple pujas and rituals of the region are part of the festival. The festival concludes with Arattu ceremony. The shrine also observes various other annual pujas and festivals including Makara chowa, pathamudayam, Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

True sannyasa means the giving up of desire and not of action.… ‘To live in the world and not be of it’ is the truest renunciation as Swami Vivekananda truly remarks. So long as a man is swayed hither and thither by his senses, so long as he is lured by earthly objects, he can never hope to free himself from the yoke of misery. ‘Arjuna, shaking off attachment and being the same in success and failure, do your work, established in yoga. Preservation of the equanimity of mind is called yoga.’ (Bhagavad Gita, 2.48) Everything of the universe must be covered with Brahman (God); thus giving up the attachment to transitory things, live and enjoy your life, but do not covet anything of the world. — Ishavasya Upanishad. Whereas a man who is unattached to this world, who discharges his duties, indifferent to the results, who is neither elated by success nor cast down by failure, who has centred his mind on the permanent, will ever be blissful. No storm of circumstances can ever break the ...

Povathinchuvadu Devi Temple is located at Povathinchuvadu on Thiruvambady - Kodenchery Rad near Nellipoyil – Chembukadavu in Kozhikode district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Bhagavathy. The annual festival in the temple coincides with the famous Meena Bharani day in Malayalam Meenam month (March – April). This is a small temple with a chathura sreekovil. The annual festival in the temple is famous for   ezhunnallathu, melam, and procession. Unique annual Shakti temple pujas and rituals of the region are part of the festival. The shrine also observes various other annual pujas and festivals Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 5 March 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:30 PM on March 5. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 10:03 PM on March 6. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on March 5, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra till 2:42 AM on March 5 . Then onward it is Revathi nakshatra till 3:28 AM on March 6 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Utta...

Goddess Thwaritha Devi is one among the numerous name of Goddess Parvati. She is known as Goddess Twaritha Parameshwari as she appeals to Shiva to answer the prayers of her devotees. She implores Shiva to give boons to his ardent devotees. The story of Goddess Thwaritha Devi is associated with the Arjuna attempting to gain Pashupatastra from Shiva. To get Pashupatastra from Shiva, Arjuna performed intense penance. Shiva wanted to make sure that Arjuna was eligible to receive the divine astra. Shiva took the form of a Kirata (hunter) and Goddess Parvati took the form of Kirati (wife of hunter) and approached Arjuna. Arjuna was doing his Tapas, standing on the toe of his right foot; hands raised high above his head in pranamam posture and with air as his only sustenance, and chanting mantras to appease Shiva. Shiva realized that ego of Arjuna was causing hindrance to him possessing Pashupatastra. Bhagavan decided to wean out the go. Goddess Parvathi Devi, knowing well the strength ...

Punnayur Pavittakkulangara Shivabhadra temple is located on the Punnayur - Vadakkekad Road at Punnayur in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Goddess Bhadrakali. The annual festival in the temple coincides with the Meena Bharani day in Meena Masam (March – April). The temple has a chatura sreekovil. There are shrines of upa devatas. Huge trees cover the entire temple complex. Caparisoned elephant, melam, shakti temple rituals and poojas and ezhunnallathu are part of the annual festival. Navratri pujas and Thrikarthika vilakku are part of the festival calendar in the temple.

Changanassery Vazhappally Morkulangara Devi temple is located at Vazhappally near Changanassery in Kottayam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The annual festival in the temple is held in Meena Masam and it coincides with the Meena Bharani day. The sankalpam of Bhagavathi is that of Goddess Bhadrakali who has just annihilated Demon Darika. The murti of Bhagavathi is more than 6 feet high. This a small shrine with a nalambalam, chathura sreekovil, temple pond and namaskara mandapam. There are shrines of upa devatas. Caparisoned elephant, melam, shakti temple rituals and pujas and ezhunnallathu are part of the annual festival. Saptaham, niramala, abhishekam, Navratri pujas and Thrikarthika vilakku are part of the annual festival.

Thirumala Kundamonbhagam Devi temple is located at Thirumala in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. Meena Bharani, which falls on Bharani nakshatra day in Meena Masam (March – April), is the most important festival in the temple. The sankalpam of Devi here is that of Goddess Durga. This is a small temple consisting mainly of a chathura sreekovil. There are shrines of upa devatas. The sreekovil has colorfully painted sculptures. Vedivazhipadu is an important offering. The annual festival is noted for unique pujas and rituals that are associated with Bhagavathi temples in the Thiruvananthapuram region. Ezhunnallathu, procession, melam and performing art forms of Kerala temples are part of the festival. The Thrikarthika and Navratri are observed in the temple.

Karimulackal Thuruthiyil Devi temple is located on the Kayamkulam – Pathanapuram Road in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meena Masam and coincides with the Meena Bharani day. The sankalpam of Bhagavathy is that of Goddess Bhadrakali. Shiva is also has important place in the worship here. The temple has a chathura sreekovil, namaskara mandapam, shrines of upa devatas and nalambalam. The upa devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Yogeshwaran, Yakshi, Moorthi, Rakshas, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. There is a grove or kavu that is part of the temple. The annual Meena bharani festival is famous for various Shakti temple pujas and rituals, melam, ezhunnallathu and arrival of Kala processions. Some of the other rituals and festivals in the temple include Bhagavatha Parayanam on the first day or all Malayalam months. D evi Bhagavatha parayanam and Sarvaiswarya puja is conducted on Bha...

Paippad Puthenkavu Bhagavathy temple is located at Paippad on Changanacherry – Kaviyoor road in Kottayam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The 10-day annual festival is celebrated on Bharani nakshatra day in Meenam Month (March - April). The festival begins with kodiyettam and concludes with arattu ceremony. Caparisoned elephants, melam, colorful procession and traditional temple art forms of Kerala are part of the annual festival. Kalamezhuthu Pattu is a major highlight of the annual festival. During the festival Goddess also visits homes and takes para. Padayani and other rituals are part of the annual festival. The annual Pongala festival is held on the Makara Bharani day (January – February). This is major temple consisting mainly of a chathura sreekovil, nalambalam, namaskara mandapam and shrines of upa devatas. The upa devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Shiva, Yakshi, Nagaraja, Moorthi and Rakshas. Paippad Puthenkavu Bhagavathy Te...

Panachur Devi Temple, also known as Panachamoodu Vanadurga Temple, is located at Pilappuzha Thekku – Danapady near Haripad in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy and the sankalpam is that of Vanadurga. Meena Bharani, which falls on Bharani nakshatra day in Meena Masam (March – April), is the most important festival in the temple. This is a small temple consisting mainly of a chathura sreekovil. There are shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival is noted for unique pujas and rituals that are associated with Bhagavathi temples in this region of Alappuzha. Ezhunnallathu, procession, melam and performing art forms of Kerala temples are part of the festival. Thrikarthika and Navratri are observed in the temple.

Once, Sri Krishna along with his queens went on pilgrimage to holy Siddhashram. As luck would have it, at that time, Radha had also gone there with her female friends or sakhis. Both the parties were overjoyed at seeing one another and started talking amongst themselves. Sri Krishna’s anointed queens were hearing Sri Krishna tell about Radha’s glories. Hence, they met Radha privately in an opportune moment. Radha heartily welcomed them and attended on them. During her conversation she told the following verse: ‘Chandro yathaiko bahavah chakorah, suryo yathaiko bahavo drishahsyuh, Srikrishna-chandro bhagavan tathaiva, bhakta bhaginyo bahavo vayam cha; just as there is only one moon but many partridges that feed on the moonbeam, just as there is only one sun but many eyes, similarly there is only one moon-faced Bhagavan Sri Krishna but there are many of us devotee-sisters. The queens were quite surprised hearing these words of Radha. They coaxed her to go to their residence. There, Radha...