--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March 16, 2022


Mulamkadakam Devi Temple – Festival – Thookam – Temple Story

Mulamkadakam Devi temple is located at Mulamkadakam in the heart of Kollam town in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The annual Garudan Thookam festival is held on the Pathamudayam day (April 23 or April 24) on Meda Masam 10. The 10-day annual festival begins on Vishu day (Medam 1). This Devi shrine is owned and managed by Viswakarma community. Ottada naivedyam is a unique offering in the temple. Nadaswaram, melam, ezhunnallathu, procession, traditional temple performing arts and unique rituals and pujas are part of the annual festival. This is a typical Kerala style temple with a kavu or grove. There are various upa devatas in the temple including Yakshi, Nagas, Shiva, Nandi, and Ganapathi Mulamkadakam Devi Temple Story നൂറ്റാണ്ടുകൾക്ക് മുമ്പുള്ള ഒരു വേളയിൽ മുളങ്കാടിന്റെ ഓരത്ത പുല്ലറുത്തുകൊണ്ടുനിന്ന് അടി യാട്ടി പതിവില്ലാത്ത ഒരു കാഴ്ച കണ്ടു . കട്ടിയാവുടുത്ത ഒരു പെൺകുട്ടി കത്തിച്ചുപിടിച്ച കാക്കവിളക്കു മായി മുളങ്കാട്ടിലേക്ക് കയറിപ്പോകുന്ന

Chirangara Bhagavathy Temple – Festival

Chirangara Bhagavathy temple is located at Chirangara Kizhakkummuri near Koratty in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual Pathamudayam festival in Meda Masam is the important festival in the temple. The 10-day festival (April 14 to April 23) begins on Vishu day (Medam 1). The temple has a west facing chathura sreekovil, namaskara mandapam, shrines of upa devatas, chuttambalam, and a huge pond. The annual festival is observed with various Tantric pujas and rituals including homam, abhishekam and various other Devi temple rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu and procession are part of the festival. Mudiyettu is an important festival ritual in the temple. Caparisoned elephants, panchavadyam and kudamattam are part of the annual festival. The shrine also observes Vishu, Thiruvonam, Navratri and Thrikarthika festival. The temple provides free food to Sabarimala Pilgrims. There is also a Vishnu temple in the same compound.

Chirakkadavu Manakkattu Bhadra Temple – Pongala Festival

Chirakkadavu Manakkattu Bhadra temple is located at Chirakkadavu Manakkattu near Ponkunnam in Kottayam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadra Devi. The annual Pongala festival is held on the Pathamudayam day (Medam 10), which falls on April 23 or April 24. The sankalpam of Goddess Bhagavathy here is that Goddess Bhadrakali. The belief is that the deity blesses devotees with Sri (wealth) and bhadra (security). The main sreekovil has the murti of Goddess Bhadrakali along with Kodum Kali and Yakshi. Mandalakalam (November – January) is observed in the temple with various pujas and rituals. Naranga Vilakku (lemon lamp) is an important offering of the temple. Guruthi pooja is another major ritual here. Panthirukulam Guruthi is offered once in 12 years. The temple is an important stopover for those devotees heading towards Sabarimala. Annadanam is provided to Sabarimala pilgrims. The upa devatas worshipped in the temple are Goddess Durga, Bhuvaneswari, Nagaraja,

Velavoor Vaidhyankavu Devi Temple – Pathamudayam Festival

Velavoor Kunnida Vaidhyankavu Devi temple is located at Velavoor near Koliyakode in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. Pathamudayam festival (April 23 or April 24) in Meda Masam is an important festival in the temple. It is a three day festival and the most important day is the final Pathamudayam day. This is a small temple with a powerful deity whose fame is spread across the region. The temple has a chathura sreekovil and pond. The temple follows architecture similar to Tamil Hindu temples. Kannu nadakkal veykkal (sculpture of eye) is an important offering in the temple. For this reason the temple is also known as Nethrambika. Nirmalyam, Maha Ganapathi homam, Samooha Pongala, Kalamezhuthu pattu, caparisoned elephants, melam, ezhunnallathu, dance, music, thalappoli, anga purappadu and traditional temple art forms are part of the annual festival.

Advaya Taraka Upanishad

Advaya Taraka Upanishad a minor Upanishad that describes the practice of yoga culminating in the realization of non-dual Brahman. Advaya Taraka Upanishad belongs to Shukla Yajurveda. This Upanishad addresses itself to one who after having performed the duties pertaining to his station and stage of life like that of a householder, who having received instruction in the scriptures from a preceptor and reflected on the truth so imparted, contemplates on it without hindrance. Such a person is in complete control of his sense organs and mind, is dispassionate and detached from worldly interests and has an intense thirst for release. The method prescribed in Upanishad for attainment of this realization is called taraka yoga or method of transcending the bondage to worldly interests. This method consists of continuous meditation on the truth. By this Yoga, one realizes one’s true nature as Brahman. This yoga is said to be of two kinds taraka (taking across) and amanska (mindlessness). Wit

Kunnida Devi Temple – Festival – Padayani

Kunnida Devi temple, also known as Kunnida Malanada Thannikal Devi Temple,  is located at Kunnida in Enadimangalam in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The annual festival in the temple is held on the Makayiram nakshatra day in Meena Masam (March – April) This is a traditional Kerala style temple with a west facing chathura sreekovil without a roof. There are separate shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival in the temple is observed with various Tantric pujas and rituals including homam, abhishekam and various other Devi temple rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu and procession are part of the festival. Padayani is also part of the annual festival. The shrine observes various rituals and pujas during Mandakal kalam, Thrikarthika day and Navratri. Special pujas and rituals are held on Ayilyam nakshatra in Thulam masam and this is dedicated to Nagas. The annual Pongala festival is held during t

Veiloor Sasthavattom Dharma Sastha Temple – Festival

Veiloor Sasthavattom Dharma Sastha temple is located Sasthavattom – Veiloor near Kazhakootam in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The annual festival in the temple is held for 7 days in Meda Masam – the festival begins couples of days after Vishu day (April 14 or April 15) and concludes on the Pathamudayam day (April 23 or April 24). The shrine has a chathura sreekovil, shrines of upa devatas, pond, chuttambalam, namaskara mandapam and kodimaram (flag pole). The annual festival is noted for abhishekam, kalasham, homam and various Sastha temple annual rituals. Procession, caparisoned elephants, ezhunnallathu, performing temple art forms of Kerala and melam are part of the annual festival. The 41-day Mandala Kalam is highly auspicious in the temple and it attracts scores of devotees. There are also special pujas and rituals during Makaravilakku.

Urulikunnam Pariyarathel Bhagavathy Temple – Festival

Urulikunnam Pariyarathel Bhagavathy temple is located at Urulikunnam in Kottayam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual Pathamudayam festival in Meda Masam, which is observed 10 days after Vishu, is an important festival in the temple. The temple has a west facing chathura sreekovil. There are shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival is observed with various Tantric pujas and rituals including homam, abhishekam and various other Devi temple rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu and procession are part of the festival. The shrine also observes Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

Perungala Karimuttam Devi Temple – Festival

Perungala Karimuttam Devi Temple is located at Karimuttam in Peringala near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Pathamudayam festival (April 23 or April 24) in Meda Masam is an important festival in the temple. As per history, this was a Kalari temple of the ancient Krishnapuram kings. This is a traditional Kerala style temple with a kodimaram, temple pond, namaskara mandapam, west facing chathura sreekovil, bali kallu and chuttambalam. There are separate shrines of upa devatas.  The annual festival in the temple is observed with various Tantric pujas and rituals including homam, abhishekam and various other Devi temple rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu and procession are part of the festival. The arrival of Kettukazhcha is the main highlight of the festival. Jevitha ezhunellathu is part of the annual festival and pujas. The festival begins with kodiyettam and concludes with arattu procession. The shrine observes various ritual

Manampuzha Kunnathur Thrikkannapuram Mahadeva Temple – Festival

Manampuzha Kunnathur Thrikkannapuram Mahadeva temple is located at Manampuzha near Kunnathur in Kollam district, Kerala. The annual festival in the temple is held for 10 days in Meda Masam – the festival begins on Vishu day (April 14 or April 15) and concludes on the Pathamudayam day (April 23 or April 24). The temple is small but hugely popular with devotees. The shrine has a chathura sreekovil and shrines of upa devatas. The shrine is located amidst the backdrop of huge trees. The annual festival is famous for kettukazhcha especially for the arrival of huge effigies of Kala (ox). Ezhunnallathu, huge procession, traditional temple art forms of Kerala, and melam are part of the festival. The pujas and rituals are Tantric Shaiva and includes dhara and various homams. Shivratri and Pradosham are important days in the temple.

Chathiyara Sakthikulangara Devi Temple – Festival

Chathiyara Sakthikulangara Devi temple is located at Chathiyara near Thamarakulam in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Pathamudayam festival (April 23 or April 24) in Meda Masam is an important festival in the temple. This is a traditional Kerala style temple with a kodimaram, namaskara mandapam, west facing chathura sreekovil, bali kallu and chuttambalam. There are separate shrines of upa devatas. Thekkethalathil Vallyachan a prominent figure from local history has a place of worship here. The annual festival in the temple is observed with various Tantric pujas and rituals including homam, abhishekam and various other Devi temple rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu and procession are part of the festival. The festival begins with kodiyettam and concludes with arattu procession. The shrine observes various rituals and pujas during Mandakal kalam, Thrikarthika day and Navratri.

Pulluvila Mathru Devi Temple – Festival

Pulluvila Mathru Devi temple is located at Pulluvila in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The 10-day Vishu festival at Mathrudevi temple begins on Vishu (Medam 1) and concludes on the Pathamudayam day (April 23 or April 24). The annual festival in the temple is famous for various Tantric pujas and rituals. Melam, ezhunellathu, annadanam and procession are part of the festivities here. This is a small temple with chathura sreekovil and numerous shrines of upa devatas including Navagrahas and Ganapathi. The temple also observes Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

Madamon Hrishikesha Temple – Festival

Madamon Hrishikesha temple is located at Madamon near Konni in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The 10-day annual festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meda masam and coincides with the Pathamudayam festival (April 23 or April 24). Sabarimala Mandala Makaravilakku kalam is another important festival season in the shrine. The annual festival in the temple is famous for Srimad Bhagavatha Sapthaha yajnam. The annual festival begins on the first day of Medam 1 (Vishu day). Harinamakeerthanam, Ganapati homam, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Prasadam oottu, Vishu Kani darshanam, bhadradeepam pratishta, unni oottu, vidya gopala mantra archana, kuchela sadhgati, Ashta Dravya Ganapathy homam, ghoshayatra, maha prasadam oottu, traditional performing art forms of temples of Kerala, ezhunnallathu, melam, kavadi, caparisoned elephants, thalappoli, puthukkalam vazhipadu are part of the annual festival. During the then days various different types of aracha

Importance Of Guru In Tantric Tradition In Hinduism

 Almost all the major agamas like the Rajarajeshwari Tantra, recognizes the importance of guru in tantric tradition in Hinduism. Various tantric texts acknowledges Guru as a supreme torchbearer. Guru reveals the Kundalini Shakti and her creation of trinity, hence Shakti is known as Tripura. She is also known as Maha Tripura Sundari and Lalita. She is the destroyer of the demon known as Bhandasura. Lalitha is always associated with Shiva. She is one with Shiva. Sri Chakra is the symbolic body of Shiva and Lalitha. So Sri Chakra is her abode. All the Dasa Mahavidyas are the manifestation of Srividya. The secret of Srividya has been unfolded by Her great worshipers. These are – Manu, Chandra, Kubera, Lopamudra, Manmatha, Agastya, Nandikesha, Surya, Vishnu, Skanda, Shiva and Durvasa. These are twelve in number and are the originators of the Srividya following. So all these are great spiritual masters known as gurus in Tantric tradition. The list can be classified into three categorie

What is Wisdom In Hinduism?

Wisdom in Hinduism – an understanding. Excerpt from an article titled ‘Wisdom or Eye of Knowledge by Gopal Chandra Bhar’ published in Prabuddha Bharata magazine December 2018. One tends to think wisdom can be attained either through collecting as much information as possible or by cramming the mind with knowledge from diverse fields. The acquisition of knowledge requires meaningful information, which a random collection of information is not. Some feel wisdom is a wise use of the knowledge about human values. An unwise use of knowledge makes one a ‘learned fool’. One can read books and gain understanding about the process of enlightenment, but one will still remain in the theoretical domain. Even being knowledgeable about everything cannot make one wise; any amount of knowledge cannot lead to wisdom. Wisdom is a unique combination of facts and skills acquired by a person through experience and education. Thus with supreme intellect and integral experience one may be able to realise

Kanjiramkulam Sachidananda Temple – Festival

Kanjiramkulam Sachidananda temple is located at Kanjiramkulam on Balaramapuram - Poovar Road in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Sri Krishna. The annual festival in the temple is held on Medam 10 (Pathamudayam day - April 23 or April 24). This is a small temple with a chathura sreekovil. There are shrines of upa devatas. Vaishnava rituals and pujas are performed here. The annual festival is noted for procession, melam, homam, ezhunellathu and abhishekam.

Veliyam Malayil Devi Temple – Festival

Veliyam Malayil Devi temple is located at a few meters off the Oyoor  - Kottarakkara Road at Veliyam in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual Pathamudayam festival in Meda Masam, which is observed 10 days after Vishu, is an important festival in the temple. This is a small temple with a chathura sreekovil. There are shrines of upa devatas. The annual festival is observed with various Tantric pujas and rituals including homam, abhishekam and various other Devi temple rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu and procession are part of the festival. The shrine also observes annual prathishta dinam, navratri and thrikarthika festival.

Payyanalloor Maya Yakshi Kavu Temple – Festival

Payyanalloor Maya Yakshi Kavu temple is located at Pallickal Payyanalloor near Nooranad in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess. The annual Pathamudayam day (April 23 or April 24) – the tenth day of Meda month – is an important festival here. The annual festival in the temple is famous for various Tantric pujas and rituals. Melam, ezhunnallathu, annadanam and procession are part of the festivities here. This is a small temple with chatura sreekovil and shrines of upa devatas. The temple is more associated with nature worship. The temple also observes Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.

23 March 2022 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, 23 March 2022 – It is Krishna Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 5:38 AM on March 23. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 3:22 AM on March 24. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on March 23, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 6:52 PM.  Nakshatra  – Anuradha or Anusham or Anizham nakshatra till 8:05 PM on March 23 . Then onward it is Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta nakshatra till 6:27 PM on March 24. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Anuradha or Anush