Lord Venkateshwara : Benign Presence and Benevolent Grace

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple: Vimanam and Gopuram (Wikimedia)

Tirumala Temple as seen from Srivari Padalu on Narayanagiri hill (Wikipedia)

Malayappa swami along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi during the annual Vasanthotsavam ceremony (Wikimedia)

Harati to Lord Venkateswara

Lord Venketeshwara is also known as the Lord of seven hills (Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.)   The seven hills are believed to represent the seven hoods of Lord Adisesha. The holy abode Lord Venketeshwara is at Venkatadri or Venkatachala, the seventh peak.

No one could find an equal place like Venkatadri and no god is so benevolent and graceful than Lord Venketeshwara. Tirumala Tirupati is considered as one among the 108 Divya Desams (Praised Al wars – Vaishanava Saints). There are about 202 hymns sung by nine Alwars i.e, Perialwar (7 hymns), Andal (16 hymns), Thiruppaan Alwar  (2 hymns), Kulasekaralwar (11 hymns), Thirumazhisaialwar – (14 Hymns), Poigaialwar (10 hymns), Boothathalwar ( 9 hymns), Peialwar ( 19 hymns), Nammalwar ( 52 hymns), Thirumangaialwar 62 hymns), Grand Total 202 hymns.

1.    The Holy Hymns of Alwars, Asthta-Dasa Puranam, the Hindu epics and Shastras praise the benign presence and benevolent grace of the Lord Venketeshwara. Every Hindu considers that a pilgrimage to Tirumala and Tirupati is a unique soul-stirring experience. The importance of the pilgrimage to Tirumala and Tirupati is explained in Rig Veda and Puranas.

2.    On your way to the main temple complex (about one kilometer away), you will find the most ancient (2500 million years old) and rare  structured and decorated stones called ‘Sila Thorana’ and such kind of rare kind of stone formations will not be found anywhere in the world.  It is believed that the icon of the Lord found in the Sanctum Sanctorum also belongs to this age.

3.    Therefore on the icon of the Lord always maintains a standard temperature of around 110 degree Fahrenheit. Is it not a surprise? There is always a cold climate prevails around this 3500 feet tall hill temple. On Thursdays before the ablution or abhishekam the temple priests (while removing the robes) find that the icon exhibits warm temperature. As soon as the priests complete ablution or abhishekam (during early morning 4.30 am), the rare stone icon show water particles like human sweating. The temple priests gently wipe the water particles from the icon using a fine silk cloth.

4.    You can prostrate yourself and worship the prime deity Lord Venketeshwara, awesome eight feet tall icon, at the Sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The ‘Anandha Nilaya Diva Vimanam,’ dome like tower above the Sanctum sanctorum, is guild ed with glittering gold sheets.

5.    You can witness Namam (thick white mark worn by Vaishanavites on their forehead) on the forehead of the Lord. The temple priests used draw this thick double patched white religious mark on Lords forehead using Pachai karpooram or refined camphor. You will also find a thick red line drawn using Kasthuri.

6.    You can also see the Lord adorning golden headgear embedded with precious emerald stones. During the occasions of Brahmothsavam festival, the Lord will be adorned with the thirty crore rupees worth diamond headgear or crown.

7.    You will find two bright golden ear ornaments called ‘Makhara Kundhala.’ The right hand of the Lord bears golden Chakra (weapon) embedded with gems and left hand holds golden Sankha or Conch.

8.    His ear’s are bedecked with shinning golden. The fist of his right raised hand is implanted with a gem-set chakra and the corresponding left fist is with the Sankha.

9.    You can see the rare ‘Salagrahma’ linked with gold and appearing like a huge garland. This ornament weighs about twelve kilograms and this can be adorned to the Lord with the help of three priests. Another ornament adorned by the Lord is known as ‘Surya Kadari’ and this one weighs about five hundred kilograms. What you see covering the Lord’s feet is known as ‘Pada Kavacham’ which is weighing about three hundred and seventy five kilograms.

10.    The unique ‘blue stone’ is a very rare piece and you will not get any similar piece in any part of the world. Do you know the value of this piece alone? It is about one hundred crore rupees only. 

   
11.    The prime deity in other Vaishnavite shrines normally poses with His weapons like holy wheel (sudharshana Chakra), Conch (panchajanyam), mace (Gomodhakee – gathai), bow (Sarngam), sword (Nandhakam). However at Tirumala the Lord poses with Chakra and Sankha. The Lord is described as the Lord without weapons or Nirayudhapani.

12.    The tamarind tree is considered as the holy tree (Sthala vriksham) of this shrine.

13.    You may be surprised to note that the priests use ‘vilva’ (Aegle marmeolus) leaves are submitted to the Lord during archana on Fridays as well as during Dhanur month (December 15 – January 15).

14.    On the occasion of Mahashivratri (Great Night devoted to Lord Shiva), a kind of festival called Shetra Palika’ is celebrated at this temple.  On this auspicious day the Urchava Moorthy (idol used to take out in a palanquin for procession) is adorned with a jewel resembling like vibuthi streaks (basmam used to apply on the foreheads of Saivites).

15.    Do you know the age of the beautiful paintings as well as murals? It is about three hundred years old. The paintings/murals at the Tirupathi are over 300 years old.

Inscriptions

16.    The total stone inscriptions found inside the temple complex amounts to 1180 numbers. The inscriptions spans over a period of 1079 years (from 830 AD to 1909 AD). Most of them are in Tamil (1130 numbers) and only 50 of them are in Telugu or Kannada. They are categorized according to their periods. Some 236 numbers are related to the rulers of Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas. Another 169 numbers are related with the Chalukya rulers. Some 229 numbers are related with the Telugu emperor Krishna Devaraya and some other inscriptions in relation with prominent rulers of Vijayanagara Kingdom include Achutha Rayar (251 numbers) and Sadasiva Rayar (147 numbers). The remaining 139 numbers belongs to the Kondai Veedu Kings.

17.    The stone inscriptions and the copper plates found in this temple reveals that early rulers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have offered prayers to the Lord and to mention a few like rulers of Pallava Kingdom of Concheepuram during 9th Century, rulers of Chola Kingdom of Thanjavoor during 10th Century, rulers of Pandya Kingdom of Madurai of the same period and the rulers of Vijayanagar (Andhra Pradesh) during 14th – 15th Century. The precious jewels offered as endowments by these ancient rulers are still preserved in this shrine.

18.    It is estimated that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is in possession of about 20 tones of gold and rarest diamond jewelry. Most of these precious jewelry items can be conveniently categorized as ancient and belonged to 12th century or before. Another interesting estimation is that the value of jewelry properties may be around rupees one lakh crore and the figure is almost equal to half of the budget of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

19.    A replica of the prime deity Lord Venketeshwara in a miniature size was installed in the year 966 AD. All ablutions are performed for this icon and decorated with the jewelry. The inscriptions inform us about the offer made by the Pallava Queen Kadavan Perum Devi, the wife of the Pallava ruler Sakthi Vidangan. The offerings include jewelery and other items. Also there are inscriptions and other evidences to inform about the endowments created by the Chola emperor First Kulothungan.

20.    You can also find the idols of the great emperor Krishnadevaraya with his two wives at the main temple complex.

21.    Also there are evidences about the endowments established permanently to the Lord by the well known Raghoji Bhonsle, the Maratha General.  He has also donated precious jewels like large sized emerald stone to the Lord. Other rulers who have endowed jewels include the Mysore rulers and the rulers of gadwall.

22.    It is surprising to note that the rulers of the East India Company like Sir Thomas Monroe and Col. Geo Stratten also paid homage to the Lord. There was special offering called Monroe Thaligai
23.    In the recent past the Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy offered the most precious ‘diamond studded crown’ to the Lord. The headgear bears diamonds worth of rupees forty two crores.

24.    You will be surprised to hear that there was huge donation made by an anonymous donor and the amount was estimated as 1100 crore rupees. The donor simply made arrangements to drop fifty gold bricks (valued about 240 million US Dollars) in the hundi.

25.    The Lord’s inner robes are prepared by the tribal community known as Chenchu. They also prepare the inner garments for the Goddess Alamelu Manga. They observe extreme devotion and keep themselves away from liquor and meat.

26.    Do you know that the outer robe (Mel Saththu Vasthiram) offered to adorn the Lord is costing Rupees Twenty Thousand only. The devotees are offering this robe to the Lord. TTD accepts only fifteen pieces every day. If you want to offer one such piece to the Lord, you have to wait for TEN years for your turn from the date of remittance of your money. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh offers two such pieces every year.

27.    The silk costume (saree like robe) has definite length and breadth and the length is about 21 arm lengths (one arm length is equal to one and half feet) or 31 ½ feet and this costume weighs about six kg. The robe will be adorned to the Lord only Fridays. Such a kind of robe cannot be manufactured or purchased in the market. If you are desirous of offering one such robe to the Lord, you have to pay rupees twelve thousand five hundred only at the TTD office and you have to keep waiting for about THREE years for you to get your turn.

28.    The Temple Priests will do ablution or abhishekam to the Lord everyday during early morning between 04.30 and 05.30 a.m. It is strongly believed that the Lord opens His THIRD eye during ablution or abhishekam. The ablution or abhishekam water is passed to the Pushkarani (Temple Tank). Hence a dip in the Pushkarani is also considered as holy.

29.    The cost of the ablution or abhishekam costs Rupees ONE LAKH only. If you want to perform ablution or abhishekam to the Lord you have wait for THREE years for your turn. TTD gets the most important items required for ablution from different countries:

a.    Saffron – Received from Spain
b.  Kasthuri (An important perfume substance with fragrance is obtained from the Musk Deer) – Received from Nepal
c.   Punugu (Another perfume substance obtained from a kind of specific cats) – Received from China.
d.   Some Other Perfumes – Received from Paris (France)

30.    The temple staff keep themselves engaged in the preparation of perfume paste for Friday Abhishekam on Thursday night. The specific place meant for this preparation is named as Parimala room.

31.    Many more perfumeries are also obtained from China and to mention a few – akil wood, Camphor (Chinese variety), clove (lavangam), niryasam, saffron, thamalam, sandal wood, thakkolam.
32.    Do you know where from the roses are imported for the Lord? Yes. The fresh and rare rose flowers are packed and airlifted from Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands. Do you know the cost of each rose flower? It is rupees eighty only.

33.    Legend says that Lord Kuberan (Lord of Wealth and North Direction) has remitted huge wealth to Lord Venketeshwara to celebrate His marriage with His consort Goddess Padmavathi (Alarmelmangai). Due to this reason devotee comes to Tirupati and donate money, jewels and other offerings. The Lord can settle Lord Kuberan’s debts using the donations offered by devotees.

34.    Sri Andal is one of the twelve Vaishanavite Saints (Alwars) and she is the only Saintess. She is also known as Kothai Nachiyar. Sri Andal belonged to the period of 8th century. She lived at Srivilliputhur, another important Diva Desam located at the South of Tamil Nadu. Andal means (Girl who ruled the Lord Vishnu). She used to offer flower garland to the Lord after wearing herself (Choodi kodutha Chudarkkodi). Even today the flower garland adorned by Sri Andal is being brought to Tirumala and adorned once again to the Lord.

35.    The madapalli (kitchen attached to the temple) is huge and equipped with gadgets to produce  ‘Neivedyam’ (offerings to God) like appam, athirasam,  badam kesari, cashew nut kesari, curd rice,  dosa, jilebi, laddu, milagu vadai, murukku, payasam, poli, rava kesari, tamarind rice, other variety rices, vadai and others in a mass scale. However the temple priests offer curd rice in a fresh mud pot or vessel as neivedyam. All other menu items prepared as offerings to the Lord will not cross the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. If any devotee obtains either mud pot or the curd rice offered as neivedyam from the priests, he is definitely considered as the one blessed with grace of the Lord.

Reference

1.    TTD depends on donors for daily floral needs http://expressbuzz.com/topic/ttd-depends-on-donors-for-daily-floral-needs/149721.html
2.    Valuation of Tirumala jewels to be over by June http://expressbuzz.com/topic/valuation-of-tirumala-jewels-to-be-over-by-june/176438.html
3.    Tirupati’s Lord Venkateswara weighed down by crowns http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tirupatis-Lord-Venkateswara-weighed-down-by-crowns/articleshow/4809811.cms
4.    Astonishing Wonders and Miracles of Thirupathi http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/14060713/959990929/name/ASTONISHING+WONDERS+OF+THIRUPATHI.txt
5.    Offerings pour in for gold plating of Tirumala temple http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Tirupati-Balajis-jewels-to-get-52K-crore-cover/articleshow/6483019.cms

Lord Venkateshwara : Benign Presence and Benevolent Grace by Muthusamy R published in Relijournal on December 30, 2010

Youtube

Balaji Abhishekam Lord Srinivasa - Tirumala Tirupati - Venkateswara abhisheka ttd venkatesa

Tirupati Venkateswara swamy 60 years old rare video footage. Original shoot in tirumala

150 crore year history of Lord Venkateshwara - Tv9 

 

Ugadi or Gudipadava - the New Year Day Festivals of India

Panchanga Patanam: Priest reads out the 'panchangam' (almanac), at a temple Source: The Hindu

 

Womenfolk Rejoice on Ugadi

The term Ugadi has two syllables i.e., Yuga (Era) and aadi (commencement). So Ugadi marks the beginning of New Year according to Telugu calendar.

Pooja at Home

The New Year festival Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka) or Gudi Padava (Maharashtra) or Cheti Chand (Sindh) is being celebrated on the first day of the every Hindu calendar year by the people of Deccan region in India.

Chandramana: the Hindu Calendar System

According to the Hindu Panchang or ephemeris the first day of the Hindu lunar (Chandramana) calendar falls on the Chaitra sukla Padyami i.e., Pradhama thithi during Shukla Paksha or waxing cycle of the moon (bright moon fortnight) of Chaitra month (Corresponding month March). Sali vahana Saka (Era) is the Hindu lunar (Chandramana) calendar followed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra states and hence it is rightly termed as 'Lunar Almanac of Deccan' (Wikipedia). It also marks the beginning of spring season.

Salivahana Era

Traditionally King Salivahana is being credited for initiating the calendar and hence the name Salvahana Saka. Historians corresponds the beginning if Salivahana to 78 AD of your Gregorian Calendar. Thus the current Salivahana year 1936 corresponds with the year 2014 AD.

Sowramana: the Hindu Calendar System

Please understand that only people from the three states celebrate new year on this day. People of Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab and Tamil Nadu follow Hindu Solar (Sowramana) calendar.

Tamil New Year

The new year is celebrated in Tamil Nadu as Nirayana Mesha Sankranti (Sun's transition into Nirayana Aries). The day marks the enry of sun into Aries or Mesha sign / Rasi of the zodiac (Corresponding Gregorian calendar date April 13 or14).

Vishu

The new year (Vishu) day in Kerala is celebrated in Kerala as Thiruvonam (Sun's transition into Nirayana Margasira). The day marks the entry of sun into Leo or Simha sign / Rasi of the zodiac. This day coincides with Shravana or Thiruvonam star.

Sixty year Cycle

Another interesting information about the Tamil and Telugu calendar is the revolving cycle of years. Unlike other calendar system there is a name for every year. Thus there is a list of sixty calendar names. After the end of every sixty cycle the new cycle begins. Accordingly the name of the current new year is 'Virodhi' and it is the 23rd year in the list. It falls on Friday the 27th day of March 2009.

Holy Bath in Rivers

Fervor and gaiety mark Ugadi. The new year dawns with fanfare among the People of Deccan region. The households will clean their homes and decorate the entrance with mango leaf festoons. People go to holy rivers and take head bath. Worship sun god. Traditionally the bath is associated 'Surya Arkya' with sesame thil and hence the ritual is named as 'Thailabhyanganam.' People enjoy with this festival by dressing in colorful attire.

Rejoice with Neem recipes

Another interesting ritual of Ugadi is 'Nimba Kusuma Bhakshana.' The term 'Nimba' means neem and the term 'Kusuma' means flower. There is much importance to neem flower in Ugadi celebrations.

Nimba Kusuma Bhakshana

Neem is bitter in taste. People will rejoice in tasting the ingredients representing three tastes. The households will prepare Neem Sauce (Pachadi) and Neem Soup (Rasam). The ingredients of the recipes will represent six tastes i.e., jaggey (sweet), raw mango (sour), salt (salty), neem flower (bitter), chili (pungent) and tamarind (astingent). In Kannada the recipe is named as 'Bevu-Bella.'

Panchanga Sravanam

The traditional Panchanga Sravanam is an important event. People will assemble at temples in the morning and listen the new year prospects as described in the Panchangam i.e., regional ephemeris / almanac / calendar.

Reference Sources:

1) Gudi Padwa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudi_Padwa
2) Indian New Year's days http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_New_Year's_days
3) Ugadi & Gudi Padwa http://www.astrologyforu.com/others/events/ugadi.php
4) Ugadi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugadi
5) Usher in the New Year http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/hindunewyear.htm
 

Published by MUTHUSAMY R on Mar 27, 2009 in ASSOCIATED CONTENT
Ugadi or Gudipadava - the New Year Day Festivals of India  http://voices.yahoo.com/ugadi-gudipadava-year-day-2950102.html

Thai Poosam: the Festival of Tamils Celebrated All Over the World

The Festival at Palani, Batu Caves, Singapore, Mauritius, Sydney and South Africa.

’Thai Poosam‘ is an important festival celebrated for Lord Murugan or Lord Subramanian or Lord Karthikeyan in the tenth month of Tamil calendar month ‘Thai’ (‘Pausa’ tenth month of Hindu Calendar month) (14 January – 13 February). Thai is an auspicious month for Tamils. This festival is celebrated on the full moon day when the moon passes through the star ‘Poosam’ or ‘Pushya.’ The Tamils (Hindus) all over the world are celebrating this festival in Murugan temples including the six bastions of Lord Murugan (Arupadaiveedu) in Tamil Nadu, Malaysia, Singapore, London, Sydney, Paris, and USA. The Lord Murugan is native Lord of Tamils. He is the younger son of Lord Shiva. In Tamil Murugu means handsome. The handsome god is represented as ‘Lord of War’ and he is also known as the Chief of Deva Army (Deva Senathipathy). He has also destroyed the demon Surapadman on a Shashti (sixth lunar day). Lord also destroyed another demon Tharakasuran on the Poosam star day and for this reason Thai Poosam is celebrated.

Palani

Palani is one of the six bastions of Lord Murugan. The Sri Dhandayudhapani (Murugan) temple is located on Palani hillock (Malai Kovil or hill temple). Thai Poosam is one of the main festivals of Dhandayudhapani temple in Palani. It is a ten days festival. The celestial marriage of Lord Murugan with his two consorts ‘Sri Valli’ and ‘SriDeivanai’ will takes place. On the seventh day the Lord and his consorts will be taken in a car and the procession will be along the four Ratha streets. On the tenth day there will be float festival. The festival attracts lot of devotees. People from all over the state proceed to Palani by walk. Some people vows to offer a kavadi to the Lord. They will observe fast and break their fast once their vow is fulfilled. About ten thousand kavadis are offered during Thai Poosam festival. People believe that all their miseries will be mitigated by the Lord. Kavadi is a “flattened pole with loads at the ends.” The pole would be made up of wood or metal. Some people would like to carry simple pole while others prefer to carry decorated poles. The pots attached on either side may be filled with milk or water from holy river Cauvery. Some may prefer to bring flowers. Some other may prefer to carry kavadi decorated with peacock feathers. The kavadi bearers duly garlanded and dressed in yellow costume, commence their pilgrimage from far off places and proceed by walk. On the way there will be ‘Kavadi Attam’ or dance by the devotees. The supporters will recite the Tamil song ‘Kavadi-Chindhu.’ People also vow to feed these Kavadi bearers.

Batu Caves (Malaysia)

Batu caves, Malaysia is the extremely popular shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is one of the well recognized Murugan shrine outside India. The shrine is located near Kuala Lumpur. You have to travel 13 Km from Kuala Lumpur to reach the temple. The temple is located in a typical limestone hill. You will find a series of caves or cave temples. Along the hill the famous Sungai Batu River flows. The Thai Poosam festival of Batu caves Murugan Temple is celebrated in grandeur. This most popular Thai Poosam festival outside India attracts around one and half million devotees from Singapore as well as from India and Australia. We can boldly state that this is the only place wherein largest devotees participate in the festival. On Thai Poosam day the devotees organize an eight hour procession from Mahamariamman Temple, kuala Lumpur to Batu caves at early morning in the wee hours of the morning. Devotees vowed to offer kavadi will carry different types of kavadis. As described earlier, some extremists will pierce their tongue or cheeks with a sharp shaft. Some other will pierce hooks other shoulders and pull toy cars. After a holy dip in the Sungei Batu River, the devotees and kavadi bearers will climb the 272 step stairway leading to the hill-cave temple. At the sanctum sanctorum the priests will help the devotees to remove their hooks from the body. They will apply the holy ash on the wound. By god’s grace there is no blood coming from the hook pierced flesh. Another cave temple or the Sri Subramanian Temple at Gunong Cheroh, Ipoh, Malaysia also celebrates Thai Poosam. Yet another place is at the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple along Jalan Waterfall in Penang.

Singapore

Thaipusam is celebrated with grandeur in Singapore. The devotees commence the celebrations on the preceding day of Thai Poosam. Lord Murugan is placed in the Silver Chariot and taken out in a procession to Layan Sithi Vinayagar temple and in the evening the chariot returns back. The Chettiar Kavadies and other devotees follow the chariot. People call this event as Chetty Pusam in Singapore. On Thaipusam day, you will find larger number of devotees. In Singapore also certain devotees vow to offer prayers by piercing their bodies with spikes and spears. They also pull toy chariots by hooks (hooks are pierced and attached on their back) from Srinivasa Perumal Temple. All kinds of Kavadis are also carried by them. The holy spear (Vel) in the sanctum sanctorum is bathed with milk continuously for a longer duration. Here you will find number of Chinese devotees as well as other religious people and even other races offering prayers and fulfill their vows.

Mauritius

Thai Poosam is also celebrated to Lord Subramanian at Mauritius. As told earlier the extreme devotees from Mauritius also ‘sport anatomy-defying piercings of all kinds.’ There are other type kavadis offered by the devotees. VICTORIA, Australia: Thai Poosam celebration was reported at Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple, 52. Boundary Road, Carrum Downs, Victoria – 3201. The Hindu Society of Victoria, Celebrated the festival on 1.2.2007. There was an Abishekam for Lord Subramanian at 5.15pm and the Rathothsavam followed at 7.45pm. Devotees carried kavadis and milk pots (Pal kudam) and offered to the Lord. The prime deity and his consorts were decorated with flowers and jewelry. The deity was taken out in palanquin. There was also rathothsavam on the same day. Prasadam and annadanam was served to all devotees.

Sydney Murugan Temple

Celebrate Thai Poosam as a simple event. There will be the worship of the lamp.

South Africa Poosam Kavadi Festival

The Tamil community at South Africa celebrates Thai Poosam festival every year. The devotees offer honey and pots of milk to Lord Murugan. You will find thousands of yellow-clad devotees carrying spectacular kavadis. You may hear the emotional charged chants of vel, vel! The idol of Lord Subramanian (or Lord Murugan) is placed on a silver chariot and taken out for a procession.

Reference Sources

1) Astrouniverse - http://www.astrouniverse.com/homam/special_puja.php
2) EPrarthana - About Thaipusam -http://www.eprarthana.com/offers/thaipusam/thaipusam.asp
3) Following Murukan: Tai Pucam in Singapore by Gauri Parimoo Krishnan http://murugan.org/research/gauri_krishnan.htm
4) Palani – Thai Pucam - http://palani.org/taippucam.htm
5) Thaipoosam Cavadee Mauritius http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=38904
6) Thai Poosam in Australia : (News Reporter, Nagarajan Murugan, Victoria) http://www.dinamalar.com/Ulagatamilargal_English/2007feb06/australia.asp
7) Thai Pusam - http://www.sttemple.com/STT/english/thaipusam.asp
8) Thai Poosam Kavady festival in South Africa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Poosam_Kavady
9) The Hindu - Thai Poosam festival to commence on February 2 http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/16/stories/2009011657300600.htm
10) Wikipedia – Batu Caves - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves
11) Wikipedia – Thaipusam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam

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Maha Shivratri the Hindu Festival Dedicated to Lord Shiva

Maha Shivratri Most Popular Hindu Festival in India

Overview

Maha Shivratri or Shivratri is the most significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the holy Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Lor of Generation; Vishnu Lord of Operation; and Shiva, Lord of Destruction). By Maha Shivaratri it is meant "The Night of Shiva".

Four Kinds of Shivratris

According Skandha Purana, there are four different Shivratris:

Every Hindu feels that every night is the Shivratri for him. It is known as 'Nithya Shivratri'.

According to Hindu calendar the thirteenth lunar night / fourteenth; lunar day (Thithi or lunar day = Thriyodasi night / Chaturdasi Day) the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) is marked as 'Masa Shivratri' (monthly Shivratri).

Prathamadhi Shivratri is the third kind of Shivratri celebrated for thirteen days commencing the day after new moon or first lunar day to the thirteenth lunar day in the waning phase of the moon in the Tamil month Masi (Hindu calendar month Falguna) month.

Maha Shivratri or annual Shivratri falls on the thirteenth lunar night / fourteenth lunar day Krishna Paksha Triyodasi / Chaturdasi in the Tamil month Masi (Hindu Falguna) month.
Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is universally observed in all Hindu temples. The temples devoted Lord Shiva celebrates this festival in a grand manner.

Lord Shiva

In the Hindu pantheon Lord Shiva is considered as the god manifested by himself. His consort is considered as the manifestation of power or Shakti. He is the Lord who liberates your soul from the cycle of death and rebirth. Attainment of His feet will remove the fear of death.

Lord Shiva is worshipped in different names and forms - Shiva, Ishwar, Mahadev, Maheshwar, Sadhashiv, Pasupathi, Nataraja, Linga, Ishanan and so on.

Shiva Linga

Lord Shiva is worshipped in three different forms: One with iconic image (Roopa); second without an image (Aroopa); and third with and without image (Roopa Aroopa). Shiva Linga marks the third form and it is a different kind of image worship.

In the Shiva Puranas or Shiva epics the Shiva Linga form is considered as the manifestation of an 'infinite Cosmic Column of fire.' In spite of the good efforts Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu could not trace either the top or bottom of this cosmic column of fire.

The Shiva Linga icon has three components. A pedestal part or 'Peetam', a middle part with circular or quadrangular receptacle or 'Avudaiyar' and the top part with cylindrical or elliptical structure or 'Linga' mounted on the middle part or Avudaiyar. It is believed that Lord Brahma resides in the pedestal; Lord Vishnu in the mid-portion and Lord Shiva in top most portion. Shiva Linga is represented as the cosmic column of fire. Therefore the icon is always cooled with holy water ablution or abhishekam. During ablution or abhishekam, the Shiva Linga idol is bathed with the holy water and the water gets drained through the receptacle.

Shiva Linga and Ablution

The Siva Agamas (pooja rules) prescribe abhishekam as one part of the shodashopachara pooja. Abhishekam gets top priority in Shiva poojas. The Shiva Linga abhishekam is performed with the prescribed 11 ingredients: 1) Gingely oil 2) Pancha kavyam (mixture of five ingredients i.e. milk, curd or yoghurt, ghee and cow's urine) 3) Panchamrutham (mixture of five ingredients i.e. fruit, jaggery, ghee, honey and sugar candy) 4) Ghee 5) Milk 6) Curd or yoghurt 7) Honey 8) Sugar cane juice 9) Lime juice 10) Tender coconut water 11) Sandal paste Lord Shiva is fond of ablution or abhishekam and the Lord will be pleased by ablution or the process of bathing Shiva Linga with the prescribed eleven ingredients like water, milk, curd, ghee, honey etc. A Shiva devotee will receive the blessings of the Lord by performing holy water ablution water on the ‘Shiva Linga form.' The Lord will remove all his / her obstacles and the Lord will shower happiness and joy.

Prayer and Fasting

The Shiva devotees or Saivites will observe fast during the day as well as during the holy night. They keep drinking the oscimum mixed holy water alone. They visit the Shiva temple during evening time. Men and women keep singing the holy verses in chorus.

Four Kalams (Four Parts of the Holy Night)

The holy night commences at 6 p.m and continues till 6 a.m next day. On the holy night of Maha Shivratri there will be four ablutions or abhishekams for Shiva Linga. The entire twelve hours wil be divided in to four parts or Kalam and there will an ablution or abhishekam for Shiva Linga after every three hours. The priests will perform the ablution with the prescribed eleven ingredients.

Chanting Mantras

Devotees will chant Panchakshara (Five Holy Letter) Mantra, 'Namah Shivaya' or 'Shivaya Namah.' They also chant 1008 Shiva Namahvali (1008 Holy Names of Lord Shiva) and offer holy Bilva Patras (Aegle marmelos - also known as Bael leaf) to the Lord.

During the holy night Vedic scholars recite Sri.Rudram. At the central part of the Krishna Yajur Veda there is Sri.Rudram. Sri.Rudram, the most powerful Vedic hymn, praises Lord Shiva with all his names and forms. Sri.Rudram also includes the MAHA MRUTYUNJAYA Mantra. The chanting of the MAHA MRUTYUNJAYA Mantra will remove the fear of death.

Harathi will be performed at the end of each kalam. Priests will distribute holy ash, holy water, milk and panchamirtham (jam mix made out of banana, jaggery, honey, dates and dry grapes, ghee, cardamom).

Famous Shiva Temples: Must be Visited on Maha Shivratri Night

Every Shiva temple is considered as holy abode of the Lord. However there are certain holy Shiva temples that are worth visiting on Maha Shivratri day. According to Shiva Agamas Lord Shiva appeared in the form of light or fire. The Lord is worshipped in the form of light or Jyotir Lingam in twelve holy shrines. These shrines are distributed through out India. The Jyotir Lingams are being worshipped from the time of immemorial:

1) Somnath Temple, Gujarat 2) Mallikarjun Temple, Andhra Pradesh 3) Mahakaleshwara Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 4) Omkareshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh 5) Vaidyanath Temple, Deogarh, Bihar 6) Bhimashankar Temple near Pune in Maharashtra 7) Rameshwaram Temple, Tamil Nadu 8) Nageshwar Temple, Dwarka, Gujarat 9) Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi 10) Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nasik, Maharashtra 11) Kedarnath Temple, Himalayas 12) Grishneshwar Temple, Daulatabad, Maharashtra

Other holy shrines include:

1) Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneswar 2) Pasupathinath temple, Nepal 4) Shiv temple, Bagot 5) Shri Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh 6) Nataraja temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival

The Most Significant Vaishnavite Festival in Tamil Nadu, India

Overview

Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important Hindu festival celebrated by Vaishnavites (Hindus) in India (especially in Tamil Nadu). The festival is celebrated with great significance in almost all Lord Vishnu temples in South India. This year Vaikunta Ekadasi falls on January 7, 2009.

Why ‘Ekadasi’?

Why ‘Ekadasi’ is so important? According to Hindu calendar (Hindus follow lunar month) the eleventh day of the waxing phase of the moon is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are twenty four ‘Ekadasis’ in a year. On this day the Hindus observe fasting to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Ekadasi day falling in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu calendar month Dhanurmasa (Markazhi in Tamil calendar) (December – January) is called Vaikunta Ekadasi. On this most significant and auspicious day Lord Vishnu will enter into the gateway of salvation (Swarga Vasal or Paramapatha Vasal) at the precincts of Vaishnava temples.

Opening of Gateway of salvation

This festival is being celebrated with the opening of Gateway of salvation in the early morning at Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple (the most significant among 108 Vaishnavite shrines in Indian subcontinent), Balaji at Thirumala – Thirupathi and Sri Parthasarathy temple, Chennai and many more Vaishnava temples. This gateway will be usually located in the northern side of the temple. The devotees will also accompany the Lord to the gateway of salvation.

Devotion and Fasting

People will observe fasting and keep awake on the previous (tenth day) night. They will chant mantras or recite holy Puranas or sing songs praising Lord Vishnu. In the early morning they will visit temples and pass through the gate of salvation. The gate will remain open for the entire day.

According to Padma Purana:

"Ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattraye anicchaya'pi yat krtva gatir evam vidha'vayoh ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate na jane kim bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya"

The meaning of the verse: Take the entire three worlds. No fasting is even comparable to the ‘Ekadasi Fasting.’ Any one can attain this Supreme Abode (Vaikuntam), even if he observes this fasting without proper procedure. On Ekadasi day, if one observes fasting with full devotion (procedure is not significant), he will be under the mercy of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. No one can describe the merit achieved by the devotee.

Padma purana

There is a significant evidence for celebrating Ekadasi in the Padma Purana (the second and the most important among eighteen Hindu Puranas). A demon named Muran lived in the Krita Yuga. He obtained super power and started harassing Devas and their subjects. The Devas prayed Lord Vishnu and sought His help. On a Dhanurmasa (December – January) Lord Vishnu transformed into Ekadasi (typical female energy) and fought with Muran. Finally Lord Vishnu established His victory and destroyed Muran, the evil force. Lord Vishnu wanted people remember ‘Ekadasi’ the female energy. Therefore he announced that whoever observe fast and worships Lord Vishnu will attain Vaikuntam and will remain under the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.

Margazhi Pakal Pathu - RaPathu Festival

During Dhanurmasa there will be Margazhi Pakal Patthu Rapathtu Festival observed in Srirangam and other important Vaishnava temples. This 21 days festival commences ten days before Vaikunta Ekadasi and follows ten days after Ekadasi. The ten days before Ekadasi is known as ‘Pakal Pathu Festival. A part of Holy Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham (Holy Hymns composed by twelve Azhwars) will be recited during day time (In Tamil pakal means day). The ten days following Vaikunta Ekadasi is called Rapathu Festival. The remaining part of Holy Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham (Tamil Veda) will be recited during early night time (In Tamil Ira means night). The 21 day the holy marriage ceremony between Lord Vishnu and Andal will take place. With this marriage the festival comes to an end.

Reference Source:

1) E Prarthana – Vaikunta Ekadasi - http://www.eprarthana.com/offers/vaikundaekadesi/vaikundaekadesi.asp

2) Hindu Blog – Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi - http://www.hindu-blog.com/2006/12/significance-of-vaikunta-ekadasi.html

3) Pariharam – Vaikunta Ekadasi - http://www.pariharam.com/Vaikunda_Ekadesi.aspx

4) The Hindu temple – Vaikunta Ekadasi - http://www.thehindutemple.ca/VaikundaEkadasiPhotos.htm

5) Srirangam – Vaikunta Ekadasi festival - http://www.srirangam.co.in/vaikunda_ekadasi_festival.php Today mehndi has also become popular in the West.

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How To Celebrate Navaratri with Golu

Nine Days Hindu Festival to Invoke Shakthi

Navratri - the nine sacred nights, is a festival celebrated, with great fervor both religiously and socially, all over India to commemorate the victory of the good over the evil. The celebrations spread over nine auspicious nights. According to Hindu belief, ‘The Embodiment of Divine Power' (Para-Shakti), has three important manifestations: Maha- Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) (Satwic), Maha-Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) (Rajasic) and Mahakali or Durga (Warrior Goddess) (Tamasic). During the Navaratri, the Goddess "Para-Shakti" is struggling to overcome the forces of vice, wickedness and egoism and on Vijaya Dashami (Dasara, the tenth Day commemorating victory), she conquers and destroys all evil forces (i.e. bringing to an end the atrocities of Asuras like Mahishasuran, Shumban, Nishumban, Madhukaidapan, Thumralochanan and Rakthabheejan). Para-Shakti is all-pervasive, omnipotent, infinite as well as all-knowing.

Navaratri - Devoted to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

The Navaratri has been divided into three components. The first three days are dedicated to the worship of Durga, the next three days to the worship of Lakshmi and the last three days to the worship of Saraswati. On the occasion of Navaratri, we invoke three kinds of potential energies--Ichchaa Shakti (will power), Kriyaa Shakti (the power of action) and Jnana Shakti (the power of discrimination) from Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswat. On the tenth day (Vijaya Dasami), we offer the valedictory worship to mark the victory of good over evil by Durga. It is a festival of thanksgiving. Gratitude is divine. Ingratitude is demonic.

Vasant and Sarat Navaratris.

In North India, people celebrate two Navaratris - Vasant and Sarat. Vasant Navaratri falls during April-May (Hindu Calendar month Caitra) and Sarat falls during September-October (Hindu Calendar month Ashwin). The ninth day of Caitra is doubly auspicious and is celebrated as the birthday and marriage day of Lord Rama (Rama Navami). In South India, Sarat Navaratri is celebrated with the dates falling in Shukla Paksha, a day after the new moon in Puratasi month (Tamil Calendar), which is September-October month in the Western calendar.

Golu and its philosophy.

In Tamil, Nadu Navarathri is celebrated by setting up ‘Golu' in a corner of every home (i.e. a gallery of handcrafted dolls representing major deities, scenes from everyday life, thematic doll sets representing mythological events or even modern day happenings and so on). In Tamil, Golu means a sovereign sitting in his royal durbar. The underlying belief in arranging these Navratri dolls on the tier is to depict that Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini is sitting in her Golu, prior to the slaying of the demon Mahishasura.

Kalasa Puja.

The housewives commence golu with "Kalasam puja." Instead of icon or photo we represent the goddesses in the form of kalasam. What is Kalasam? The Hindu house holds will always represent God or Goddesses in kalasam. For Kalasam, they will choose brass or silver pot and fill the brass or silver pot with water. After this, they will place a coconut amidst mango leaves on top of the pot.

Through the Kalasa puja mantra, they will invoke the power of goddess Durga or Parashakthi to come reside in kalsam or pot. It is called 'Avahanam.' After this puja it is believed that goddess Durga will be reigning our households for the entire nine days. She is the prime deity of Navaratri. So they attach more importance to this Kalasam and do kalasa puja.

After this puja, the Kalasam is kept in the golu i.e. first and foremost place and will remain fresh for the whole of nine days. During these nine days, the pot or Kalasam is decorated with new clothes, flower and sandal paste. Daily prayer, invocation songs, offerings, etc. will be performed with devotion. Once the festival is over, we will perform some rituals and remove kalasam and pour water in a well or pond. After this, everything comes to normalcy.

Our Mantra is powerful and invokes the goddess to reside in the pot full of water. For those who feel it difficult to understand 'Kalasa puja', it is a simple ritual to represent goddess PARA SHAKTHI in a pot or kalasam.

Number of tiers and steps in arrangements.

Golu means display. Goddess is present in our home during these nine days. The house holds organising 'GOLU' will prepare the display furniture either in metal or in wood. The furniture or golu stand will have nine steps or tiers. The furniture or golu stand is readily available in the market. The slanting steps are like our door steps or staircase steps. Imagine a furniture is designed to display dolls in graded steps or tiers.

The furniture or golu stand has 9 tiers or steps. It is significant that the Navaratri Golu is set up with the arrangement of dolls on an odd number of steps (usually 3,5,7,9). The counting of the first step begins from top and proceeds to the bottom most step. The top most is step one, the next one is step two and the step nine is the bottommost one.

Maximum number of tiers in which dolls are arranged are 9 depending on time and space constraints. The golus show different themes in different homes - from the elaborate, extravagant ones to the simple, traditional and artistic ones. Year after year the women folk enthusiastically organize these dolls as per their tastes. Yet there are beliefs and conventions in arranging dolls in respective steps:

Tiers 1-3: You are expected to arrange Kalasam on the first tier or step. The first tier or step begins on top of the display furniture (golu stand). Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati, Siva, Vishnu, Brahma and all other gods and goddesses occupy tier one to three. You may keep Dasavatharam set.

Tiers 4-6: Counting from top to bottom. You are expected to organize the next three steps to saints like Azhwars, Nayanmars, Guru Raghavendra, Sai Baba, and the like and you may even locate men and women of importance, i.e. national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsar, Swami Vivekananda etc.

Tier 7: Counting from top to bottom. You are free to organize sets of dolls on themes like family, marriage, festivals like Deepavali, Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, etc.

Tier 8: Counting from top to bottom. You may organize sets of dolls according to your imagination and creativity. You may arrange various businesses and crafts, say for example your Chettiar dolls sitting in his business shop surrounded by grocery items like rice, pulses kept in bags or other utensils.

Tier 9: Bottom-most tier. You have the liberty to arrange the traditional wooden dolls called (Marapachi) - covered and decorated with glittering dresses. So also you may keep dolls of fish, tortoise, reptiles, birds, lion, tiger, cow, bulls, etc.

Nine days rituals.

You may invite your friends and relatives to view your golu. Every day you are supposed to offer sweet pongal, sweets, sundal (boiled dhall with spices), etc., as naivedhyam and distribute amongfriends and relatives. Every day, you may dress up your children with fancy dresses depicting Lord Krishna, Devi Lakshmi or Devi Saraswati and so on. You may offer clothes, coconut, fruits, sweets, small mirror, kumkum, turmeric, comb, beetle leaves with supari to married woman folks (Sumangalis).

Conclusion.

On the 10th night after the ceremonial art and prayers, the dolls are put to ‘sleep.' You may pack up the dolls and preserve them for the next year golu.
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Required Tools:

* Golu Dolls to be collected over the years
* Creativity and innovation is involved in arranging Navaratri Golu
* There is an involvement of Religious rites and Sociability

Quick Tips:

* The first three days are dedicated to the worship of Durga, next three days to the worship of Lakshmi and last three days to the worship of Saraswati.
* During the Navaratri the Goddess "Para-Shakti" is struggling to overcome the forces of vice, wickedness and egoism and on Vijaya Dashami (Dasara, the tenth Day commemorating victory), she conquers and destroys all evil forces
* In South India Sarat Navaratri is celebrated with the dates falling in Shukla Paksha, a day after the new moon in Puratasi month (Tamil Calendar), which is September-October month in the Western calendar.

Useful Links:

* Golu - Wikipedia
* Hindi Blog