Akshaya Tritiya – Akshaya Tritiya 2025 – Akha Teej – Vaishakh Teej

Posted on April 3, 2012 by astrobix

Akshaya Tritya is also known as Akha Teej and Vaishakh Teej. In 2025, it will be celebrated on  30 March. It is one of the most auspicious festival of Hindu culture. It is believed that a person who does charity and sacred deeds such as homas, fasting, donation etc on this day, get undiminishing results.

Akshaya Tritya is considered to be an auspicious day from many aspects. There are many legends and stories related to it that proves its significance in hindu culture. It marks the beginning of summers, farmers enjoy this time of crop ripening by observing fasts and organizing fairs. It is also believed that one of the manifestation of Lord Vishnu to save the world was born on this day itself.

As per the belief, it is said that this is the best time for  those who are suffering from obstacles at work and other ventures or those who are not getting any other auspicious muhurat to perform sacred deeds. It is considered to be an auspicious time to start everything from the scratch. afresh. It is an ideal day to purchase Gold and to expand your new ventures successfully.

Historical significance of Akshaya Tritya

There are many legends in the history depicting the significance of Akshaya Tritya. It is also said that the Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord Krishna (in the Mahabharata) on this day. Even Sudama and Kuchela visited  Lord Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of beaten rice (poha or aval) on this day only.

Lord Vishnu manifested into Parshuram, Nar-Narayana and Hayagreeva on this day. This day is considered to be the day of manifestations and celebrated as an important festival. Thus, it is also known as Yug Tithi.

Akshaya Tritya is celebrated when the sun and moon both are radiant until the afternoon. According to the astrologers, Monday and Rohini Nakshatra makes this day more auspicious. People should ask a Brahmin to perform special pujas with proper rituals and ceremonies. On this day the doors of pilgrimage place Badrinarayana opens for the devotees. Shri Banke Bihari’s temple in Vrindavana opens up only on this day for the devotees. Otherwise, his idol is covered with clothes throughout the year.

Significance of charity on Akshaya Tritya

Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be the festival for accomplishing enormous prosperity. Sacred deeds, charity, donations, austerities, holy bath etc have special significance on this day. Taking bath in holy rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna is considered  very auspicious.

Donating articles and things such as clothes, water, foods items etc which can be used in summers is also considered auspicious. Goddess Parvati should be worshipped with wheat, channa, curd, milk, kheer, sugarcane, gold, clothes, water pot etc on this day.

Fast and rituals for Akshaya Tritya

Akshaya Tritya is also considered to be a good time to observe fasts and worship the god. This day is lies in the category of fast as well as festival and all the sacred deeds performed have special significance.

On this day the devotees should take bath early in the morning and begin fasting after worshipping the deity. First, establish a picture of Lord Vishnu or idol and decorate it with sandalwood and garland of flowers. Now offer sesame seed, rice, channa dal to the lord before commencing your prayers. Then, recite Vishnu Sastranaam path while offering your prayers to the god. After completing the ritual of puja offer some prasad to the lord and distribute the rest to the members of the family. Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati are also worshipped along with Lord Vishnu on this day.

There is a tradition of eating rice and moong dal khichadi on this day. To make this dish first break the jaggery into two parts and soak them into the water. Once they are completely soaked into the water, take them out and prepare a thick paste. Now add  tamarind in the equal quantity of jaggery. Akshaya Tritya is also known as Navann, which is why donating utensils, sweets, watermelon, milk, curd is considered auspicious.

Auspicious time for Akshaya Tritya

According to the ancient scriptures, Akshaya Tritya is as auspicious as other Hindu festivals such as Dussehra, Dhanteras, Devuthana etc. It is a day of fortune and prosperity. It is also known as Abhujh Muhuratha or Sarvasidhi Muhurat.

One need not look for any auspicious muhurat or panchang on this day. It is an auspicious and prosperous day to do any important work of your life. The word Akshaya means ‘that which never diminishes’ and the day is ideal for beginning new ventures. It is believed that all investments on this day appreciates in the future.

Akshaya Tritya is celebrated with full zeal and enthusiasm in the entire nation. It is believed that the work or deeds performed on this day gives good results in the future and bring fortune and prosperity to the person. Therefore, all the auspicious work such as marriage, business expansion, new business set up, sale and purchase of land, property and shares can be done on this day without looking for any specific muhurat.

Significance of Akshaya Tritya

In a traditional Hindu lunar calendar, Akshay Tritiya is observed on the third day of Shukla Paksha in Vaishakh Month. It is also known as Parshuram Jayanti since Lord Parshuram was born on this day. Taking bath in the holy river Ganga on this day has a special significance. One can also donate clothes, umbrella, sacred thread, melon etc to the priest for the peace of dead ancestors.

The gate of Lord Badrinarayana’s temple opens up on this day for the devotees. One should establish a picture of Lord Narayana on a platform and offer sweets and soaked channa dal to the lord. In India, all the works are done according to the muhurat, but during the phase of Akshaya Tritya one need not look for any specific muhurat. It is believed that every second of Akshaya Tritya is auspicious.

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Pajuno puno vrat – Puno Festival – Puno Festival

Posted on April 2, 2012 by astrobix

Pajuno fast will be observed on chaitra shukla purnima. Females observe this fast for the welfare and prosperity of their children with full dedication and faith. Puno means, the last date of Chandramaas or fifteenth day of shukla paksha. This fast is particularly observed on the full moon day of shukla paksha in devotion of Lord Pajuno Kumar.

Lord Kumar is worshipped on the chaitra purnima of shukla paksha with proper rituals and dedication. Females can observe this fast according to their wish and faith. The interesting fact about this fast is that there is no ritual to observe strict fasting, all the significance lies in worshipping and offering prayers to the lord. Females who are blessed with boy child observe this fast.

Rituals for Pajuno Puno Fast

Females blessed with son observe Pujano puno fast for the welfare and prosperity of their son. On this day 5 or 7 earthen pots are worshipped along with karwa.

Paint the pots with lime or chalk soil and Karwa with turmeric paste. After painting them let them dry in a sun for a day. Once the pots and Karwa gets dried, make a picture of Lord Kumar along with the picture of his two mothers’. Establish the Karwa between the earthen pots and fill them with different variety of sweets and food.

Lord Ganesha, goddess Parvati and nine planets are worshipped in this puja along with Lord Kumar and his mother’s. After that, the story of Lord Kumar is recited by one women of the family and the other one hears it holding a handful of rice.

On completion of the story, drop these rice over the pots. Shake these pots one by one and keep them back. Now take out the sweet from the pot of Lord Kumar and offer it to the female observing the fast. Rest of the prasad is distributed among all the members of the family . Chant the following mantra while distributing the prasad to family members.

Pujan ke laddu va pajun khaaye

daur-daur wohi kothari me jaye ||

Story of Pajuno Puno Fast

As per the legends, King Vasuki had two wives – Sikoli and Roopa. The king was living a happy and prosperous life with his queens, but was deprived of the pleasure of a child. Roopa was curious to have a child, but all the elder ladies of the kingdom told her that, it is not possible without the blessings of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. But Roopa’s mother-in-law and sister-in law did not like her much and used to favour the other queen, Sikoli. Roopa asked other females to guide her the way to get their blessings.

As per the suggestions of elder females, Roopa visits her mother-in-law and sister-in-law in a disguise of a milkwoman. She keeps the milk cans before them and bends down to take their blessings. Both of them blesses Roopa with a child assuming her to be someone else.

After sometime Roopa gets pregnant and informs the king about it. She also discloses him the entire incident and trick she played to get the blessing of her in-laws. But, she was scared to tell this news to them and told the king that she is not aware of the procedure of delivering the child. The king told her that he will install bells around the kingdom, and whenever she feels uncomfortable she can ring the bell so that he is able to help her out.

One day Roopa decides to take a test of the arrangements made for her help and rings the bell unnecessarily. The king came running to the queen and got angry on realizing that it was just a prank. He scolds the queen and tell her that he will never come back again. The queen realizes her mistake, but having no other option she decided to tell her in-laws about her pregnancy.

Both of them got angry listening to the news, but promised to help her during the time of delivery.  They told her that whenever the labour pain arises she should sit on the ponder, keeping her face in the corner. Roopa does everything as per the directions of her mother -in-law. When the child takes birth, he slips into the ponder from the womb of the mother. As soon as the mother-in-law hears the cry of the child, she along with her daughter and Sirokali goes to the ponder and throws the child into the dustbin and fills the ponder with stones and pebbles. When Roopa gains her conscious, her mother-in-law informs her that she has given birth to stones and pebbles and not the human.

When the king reaches the kingdom he finds out that her wife has given birth to stones. He gets upset and soon realizes that his mother and sister had played some trick on him, but was unable to question them about it. The child took birth on the full moon day of chaitra shukla paksha. A potter finds the child in a dustbin and takes him home. Potter and his wife adopts him and raise him as their own child.

When the child grows up, the potter gives him a horse made of clay to play with. One day he takes the horse to the river bank and asks it to drink water from the river. All the females present around him started laughing and told him that the horse he is carrying cannot drink water as it is made of a clay. The child defends himself saying that if the queen can give birth to stones and pebbles then even his horse can drink water from the river. Everyone started saying that he is the son of queen Roopa. When Sirokali  hears the news, she compels the king to kill the child. The king refuses to do so, but asks the Potter’s family to leave the state.

After some time the child started visiting the kingdom in disguise and easily gets along with everyone. Once the kingdom was suffering from the drought. The saints advised the king and the queen to pull the cart together on their shoulders with a child sitting on it, who took birth on the full moon day of chaitra shukla paksha. Listening to the advice of the saints the child told the king that he was born on the full moon day of chaitra shukla paksha.

At the time of the cart pulling, the child goes to Roopa and tells her to do every task after Sirokali. Roopa does as per the direction of the child. She asks Sirokali to pull the cart first along with the king. Sirokali had to suffer a lot while pulling the cart. Bright Sun and thorns on the way gave her lots of trouble.

When Roopa’s turn came to pull the cart, the weather got pleasant and it started raining. She did not have to face any problem while pulling the cart. The child touched the feet of her mother and seek her blessings making it evident that he is the son of Roopa only.

Pujan Kumar first visits his grandmother and asks her, “ Dadi hum aaye, kya aapke mann bhaye” ( Grandmother, did you feel happy by seeing me ). His grandmother says, “ naati-pote kisse bure lagte hai” (who doesn’t love grandchildren ). Pujan Kumar did not find the answer according to his wish and cursed his grandmother  to become a threshold in next birth.

Then he goes to his aunt and asks her the same question. Again, not being satisfied with the answer he cursed his aunt to become a pot of soil in her next birth. Then, he goes to his stepmother and asks the same question. Again, he does not get answer according to his wish and cursed her to become a ghandchi.

In the end, he visits his mother and asks her the same question all over again. On this Roopa replied, that “she doesn’t know from where he came and who raised him. She did not get the privilege to raise him and see him growing up”. On the very moment, Pujan Kumar turned into a new born baby and started crying. Roopa takes him into her arms and feeds him her milk. Everyone in the kingdom was happy with the birth of Pujan Kumar and since that day this day is celebrated as Pujano Puno.

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Baisakhi Festival 2025 । Vaisakhi Celebrations

Posted on March 27, 2012 by astrobix

Baisakhi festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the Vaishakh month. This festival will be celebrated on 14th April 2025. Baisakhi represents the change in nature or season. Baisakhi is celebrated when the Sun enters the Aries sign. This festival is mostly celebrated by farmers. In northern India, especially Punjab, wheat crops are ready for harvesting during this time. Farmers celebrate this festival as a thanksgiving to God for providing with the harvest.

Why is Baisakhi celebrated

Baisakhi is a traditional folk festival. Farmers celebrate this festival as a thanksgiving to God on the occasion of harvest of their crops. Other crops like sesame, sugarcane, pulses are also harvested during this period.

In Punjab, wheat crops can be seen all around during this period. This scenario is very beautiful as the crops can be seen swinging with the winds. Farmers are quite happy and filled with excitement on seeing this. They offer a few crops to the Lord of fire and also cook some Prasad from them. People of Punjab dance and sing according to their tradition and rituals during this period. This includes Gidda and Bhangra. Since the day of sowing the seeds, farmers work very hard for this day, the day of harvest. Farmers celebrate Baisakhi festival to express their happiness caused by the harvest.

Baisakhi festival depicts Punjab’s tradition and culture

Baisakhi is mostly celebrated in Punjab, Haryana and other nearby places. This festival is very important for the people belonging to these states. This day is celebrated due to the harvesting of the crops. It is also the same day when Sikhs’ tenth guru, Guru Govind Singh ji laid the foundation for Khalsa Panth. Besides this, Baisakhi also marks the beginning of summers and the end of winters. Hence, Baisakhi festival can be closely related to Punjab’s tradition and culture.

Baisakhi festival marks the beginning of the New Year

13th or 14th April is the first day of the New year for Hindus, when Sun enters Aries sign. The New year begins from this day. This day celebrated as a festival all over India. People cook sweets on this day and wish each other.

Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva are worshipped on this day. Most of the businessmen start new financial accounts on this day. This festival is celebrated in all the educational institutions with zeal and excitement. Students perform in various programmes and are given awards on the day of Baisakhi.

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Ramnavami – Ramnavami 2025 – Ram Navami Festival – Ram Navami Pooja

Posted on March 23, 2012 by astrobix

Ram Navami festival falls on the Navami of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. In 2025, it will be celebrated on 6 april. This day also marks the end of Chaitra Navratra. Lord Ram was born on this day according to Hindu scriptures. Thus, devotees celebrate the birthday of Lord Ram in the form of Ram Navami with full enthusiasm and devotion. People visit holy places and take bath in holy rivers on this day.

Rituals to worship Lord Ram

Ram Navami puja is an important ritual for the devotees of Lord Ram. People take bath early in the morning and observe fast in devotion of Lord Ram. Lord Ram’s bhajan and prayers are sung throughout the day in the temples along with story reciting. After that Bhandaras are organized and prasad is distributed among all the devotees present at the temple. The life of Lord Ram was dedicated to the welfare of humanity and is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign. Devotees feel more attached to the lord after listening to his stories and celebrate the festival with joy and happiness.

Birth story of Lord Ram

In the era of Tritya Yuga, King of Lanka Ravana, was terrorizing people by spreading his fear and wrath on earth. Lord Vishnu took birth on earth in the manifestation of Lord Rama to kill Ravana and spread humanity. Rama was born to the king Dasaratha on the bright ninth day of Chaitra Shukla. After the birth of Lord Rama, the environment on earth became pleasant and joyful. He took birth in the Tretya Yuga to destroy demons on earth and make it a safe place to live. Therefore, he is also known as Raghukul Nandan.

Significance of Ramnavami

Ramnavami is dedicated to the memory of Lord Rama. It is an important festival of Hindus. This day also marks the end of goddess Durga’s nine days of Navratra. It is evident from this fact that Lord Rama worshipped goddess Durga before his war with Ravana and got victory in it. This is the reason that both the important festivals are celebrated at one time thereby increasing its significance. It is also said that Goswami Tulsidas started composing his text, “Ramcharitramanas” on the same day.

The fast observed on Ram Navami is said to destroy the evil and provides fruitful results to the devotee. Special pujas and bhajans are organized in devotion of Lord Ram. It is celebrated around the world with great zeal and enthusiasm. Devotees observe fasts and chant lord Ram’s name throughout the day.  Ayodhya is the focus of great celebrations as it is the birthplace of Lord Rama. People take bath in the holy river Saryu to get lord Rama’s blessings.

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Siva Temple in Vaikam – Siva Temple – Vaikom Temple – Mahadeva Temple

Posted on March 16, 2012 by astrobix

The Siva temple in Vaikam (Kottayam district) has a rich puranic and folk lore tradition. It is also impressive artistically. In its present form it may not date earlier than the sixteenth century. But this is so only because of frequent renovations. The Bhargava Purana tells the story of its origin. This links the temple with the traditional account of the beginnings of the great Nataraja temple in Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.

Temple Architecture

The temple is of quite big size. The shrine, oval in shape, is composed of the sanctum and, around it, to rows of pillars, mostly wood, twelve in the inner row and twenty in the outer. In the centre of the shrine standard the square sanctum. The roof of the shrine, which quite overshadows the walls, is colossal in appearance. There are wall paintings here, frequently renovated. There are also striking wooden bracket figures. The namaskara mandapa has a pyramidal roof.

Other Information

The traditions of the temple includes feeding devotees on a mass scale. The Lord is called the Giver of food, the Annadana Prabhu. On special occasions like the birthday of the Maharaja of Travancore, in whose territory Vaikam was included before the formation of Kerala, grand feasts were served. Connoisseurs held that Vaikam food had a special flavour of its own. The pious believe that this food cures many diseases. Even the preparation of the vegetables for the pot has been carried into an art here. An amusing story tells of a Raja who, observing a few bunches of plantain being carried away, suspected that they were being stolen. It was discovered that was being carried away was only the peels, the fruit having been dexterously removed without splitting.

The great social reform, opening temples to Harijans, received an impetus when in 1924-25 Mahatma Gandhi initiated a movement for throwing open to them the approaches tothe Vaikam fane. Ultimately, in 1936, the Maharaja of Travancore issued a proclamation throwing temples open to all Hindus. Within a decade the neighbouring state of Kochi followed suit. Since rather rigid orthodoxy used to prevail in Kerala, these reforms were of momentous consequence.

The Vaikam temple is famous for the Vaikam Ashtami, one of its main festivals, which is held in November–December. The exact date of the festival is determined by the Malayalam calendar. Vaikathashtami is celebrated on the day of Krishna Ashtami. The legend behind this festival is that years ago a saint man prayed to god siva for years after many years God siva and his wife parvathy devi appeared in front of him. It is believed that god Siva appeared in front of him in the day of Krishna Ashtami. So as a memory of this vaikathashtami is celebrated. It is the festival extends for 12 days. 12th day is vaikathashtami.

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Hoysalesvara Temple in Halebid – Hoysaleswara Temple – Hoysaleswara Temple Karnataka

Posted on March 15, 2012 by astrobix

The Hoysalesvara temple was built by Ketamalla, an officer of King Vishnuvardhana in or about 1121. Probably, sculptures continued to be added to it till at least 1141. On plan the temple consists of two sancta, each with its sukhanasi, navaranga and Nandi Mandapa. A corridor connects the two. The sancta are star shaped and contain two Lingas named Vishnuvardhana, Hoysalesvara and Santalesvara respectively after the King and his chief Queen, who also appear in the Kesava temple in Belur. Each half of the temple closely resembles Belur on plan. Outside them stands Nandi Mandapas. There is also a shrine for Surya.

Temple Architecture

On the upper parts of the walls there is another kind of artistic delight. Here, one can see  pierced windows on one of the walls and reliefs, about 90 cm high each of divinities, set on pedestals and with canopies above. Either King Vishnuvardhana or Ketamalla, the builder of the temple stands in eternal effigy in the north-east. On the beautifully sculptured south door there is a Kannada inscription which states that Kalidasi, a sculptor, made it for Kadaroja who was the chief architect of King Narasimha. This door way is marvellous and beyond words. A bare few of the Madanikai sculptures that once adorned the temple have survived.

A pillar in the Prakara contains a long Kannada inscription which tells that the body guard of king Ballala II, in accordance with their dread vow to survive him, killed themselves on his death.

Other related places

Three Jain temples stand within a Prakara not far from the Hoysalesvara. One, dedicated to Parsvanatha, is full of good sculpture. The central ceiling of its Navaranga is a marvel of carving. The twelve pillars here are so finely polished that the visitor can see reflection of himself but because of their curvatures these may result in some funny sights. The other two temples are dedicated to Santhanatha and to Adinatha, but the latter shrine is now empty.

Excavations in the 1980s revealed the plinths of temples with the typical Hoysala star-shaped plan and the hallmark breathtaking sculptural scrolls. Archaeologists found that three of the temples were accessed by one large mahadvara or entrance. One of the temples was found to be a Jaina shrine.

All that remains of the Nagaresvara temples today are the basements with scattered pieces of pillars, beams and even the base of a linga lying around. Laid low by invaders, desecrated by vandals, the site is ignored by all.

Another important place to visit is the Kedaresvara temple built almost a hundred years after the Hoysalesvara temple by Ballala II and his younger queen, Abhinava Ketala Devi. The temple is a three-celled structure with a linga in one of the cells but no worship takes place here. Though a mere 800 m away from the older temple, this little temple does not attract a swarm of tourists and its charm lies in its utter solitude.

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Bhoganandisvara Temple in Nandi – Bhoganandishwara Temple – Bhoganandishwara Temple Nandi Hills

Posted on March 15, 2012 by astrobix

The Nandi hills about 60 Km north of Bangalore is also a health resort. There are two temples, one on the hills and the other in the town at the foot. On the hills there are also many Mandapas, natural caves and some buildings erected. Nandi’s history begins early. Tradition associates it with a sage, Kushmanda. It was when the Banas, a subordinate dynasty, were ruling over this tract, in the ninth and tenth centuries, that the Bhoganandisvara temple, in the town at the foot of the hills was constructed. It was expanded considerably by many later kings.

This is a 1000 Year old temple built by the Chola Dynasty. The temple has a very large area around it called Prakara and a few ruins around. There are many small temples around the main temple all in ruins. It is a very good spot with very less visitors to spend a day in peace. This is amongst the cleanest temple since people here are constantly cleaning the temple. What a marvellous view it was near the water tank. A small mountain at the back. If you go early in the morning, you can actually see this mountain clouds covered.

The Bhoganandisvara temple, at the foot of the hills, is a large composite structure, built over the centuries. The Banas, the Cholas, The Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar Rayas and the local chieftains have all contributed to its making. The temple consists now of three courtyards, located north to south. There is a pond in the northern one and a pavilion in the middle one. It is in the southern that several shrines are located.

Temple History

A Bana queen, Ratnavali, constructed the shrine of Bhoganandisvara, with a sukhanasi and a navaranga around 800. Some eight decades later, parallel to this shrine and largely in imitation of it, was added the Arunachalesvara shrine with a sukhanasi and a navaranga. The Nolamba Pallavas might have been its makers. When the Cholas conquered this part of Karnataka in the eleventh century, they added Nandi Mandapas in front of both shrines. The next structure to come up was the beautiful Kalyanamandapa, lavishly ornamented. It has a Hoysala look. Then, in Vijayanagar days, was added the shrine of Umamahesvara between those of Bhoganandisvara and Arunachalesvara. Thus, there are three shrines in a row. In the same days two shrines of Apitakuchamba and Girijamba were built. The last additions, made probably by the local chiefs are the two courtyards.

Temple Art

The temple is thus a product of many schools of art. But the parts have cohered so well that there is no sense of separateness. In the Navaranga of the Bhoganandisvara shrine there is the image of a seated individual. It is evidently a portrait but it can not be that of any Chola King as popular fancy asserts. He is either a recluse or a local notability in meditation.

Artistically, the most beautiful part of the temple is the Kalyanamandapa. It stands on a high base and has four pillars. Each column is elaborately carved. Birds are very prominent here. Though the architectural style is different and though the stone used is a hard one, the coruscation of relief recalls that in the Hoysala temple which are made of soft soapstone.

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Sage Ribhu – Saint Ribhu

Posted on March 12, 2012 by astrobix

Sage Ribhu was the son of Lord Brahma.  Saint Ribhu was totally devoted and dedicated towards Lord Brahma. He was very skilled due to which is still considered to be one of the greatest saints. His devotion brought him closer to God. Learning from him, all his disciples turned out to be successful scholars. Saint Ribhu was skilled in the fields of Mantra, Yoga and knowledge. He equally imparted his knowledge to others without any sort of discrimination.

Saint Ribhu lived a self less life free from any sort of desires and attachments. Mahopnishad talks about Saint Ribhu in detail. In the fifth chapter of Mahopnishad, Saint Ribhu has talked about the seven roles of knowledge and ignorance with his son. He told his son that knowledge and ignorance had seven different phases. The first was arrogance and pride in which a person is full of himself. It leads to material desires and detachment from the soul. Emotions like anger, jealousy etc are also results of pride and arrogance.

The first phase of the wisdom begins with the knowledge of Greeting. The motive of the phase is to awake the moral sentiments where the person loses the feeling of passion, and desire of infatuation. As a result mortification rises that leads to salvation.  Thus, a knowledgeable person perform good deeds and attains salvation in the end.

Story of the Sage Ribhu and His Disciple Nidagha

Nidagha, son on Sage Pulsatya was the disciple of Sage Ribhu. Being influenced by his preachings, he decided to follow him as his Guru (teacher). He learnt a lot from Sage Ribhu on various disciplines and served him with full devotion. Sage Ribhu, on being impressed with Nidagha’s dedication taught him his philosophies. Later, as instructed by the sage, Nidagha entered into marriage and started taking care of his family. Once day, Sage Ribhu visited Nidagha’s ashram to meet him.

He went there in a disguise. Seeing the radiance on the sage’s face Nidagha understood that he is one of the great saints and welcomed him. Both Nidagha and his wife Shashiprabha served him unconditionally with devotion. Sage got pleased seeing the behaviour of his disciple and decided to put him under a test.

When Nidagha was serving the food to the sage, he asked the sage his place of departure. On which the sage replied bluntly that, “he does not come or go anywhere. It is his body who does that”. Nidagha got surprised with his rude behaviour, but continued to remain calm and perform his duty. A series of conversation continued in the same pattern that made Nigadha dissatisfied and upset.

Seeing him in this state, Sage Ribhu said, “since you are feeling dissatisfied and insulted, it means that you are still not able to get control over your negative emotions and need to work more on it”. On listening to the sage’s advice, Nidagha realized that the sage is none other than his own Guru, Sage Ribhu. He apologized for his mistake and touched his feet.

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Sri Kothandaramar Temple – Mudikondan

Posted on March 7, 2012 by astrobix

Kothandaramar temple is located in Mudikondan, Tamil Nadu.The main deity of the temple is family of Lord Rama. The unique part of the temple is that Lord Shri Rama is seen facing East since he gave darshan to Saint Bhardwaja as King of Ayodhya. Goddess Sita can be seen standing on the left of Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmna on his right. All the idols can be seen facing east. Sri Ranganathar installed by Saint Sri Bharadwaja is seen south facing in a separate sannathi.

History of Kothandaramar Temple

According to the legend, Saint Bhardwaj requested Lord Rama to accept the hospitality of his ashram while before heading towards Sri Lanka. Lord Rama told Saint Bhardwaj that he will only accept the hospitality on his way back from Sri Lanka along with Goddess Sita.

After wining the war against Ravana and winning back Goddess Sita, Sri Ram sends Lord Anjaneya on to Ayodhya to revent Bharata from entering into the fire since they had then completed fourteen years of exile. Lord  Rama along with Goddess Sita halted at Saint Bharadwaja’s ashram as promised. Lord Rama had to offer his prayers to Lord Ranganatha before accepting the hospitality. Saint Bhardwaja sensed it and installed Lord Ranganatha’s idol in his ashram. On completion of the prayers to his Lord Sri Ranganatha, Lord Rama accepted the food offered by the saint. On the request of the saint, Lord Rama gave darshan to him as King of Ayodhya, even before his coronation ceremony. Hence this place is known as “Mudikondan”, whichb means ‘one who is crowned’ in Tamil.

Significance

The devotees offer garlands of Tulsi, light lamps in front of the Lord’s idol and distribute nivedhana to the visitors.People visit the temple to seek boon of education and wisdom. It is believed that by worshipping Lord Rama along with his family in this temple, one can get all his desires fulfilled. Artists aspiring name and fame and special skills seek the blessing of the lord of this temple.

The third Saturday of  Purattasi (tamil month) (September-October ) is festive time with 13 days of celebration. The festival concludes with Sita Kalyanam and procession.A huge number of devotees can be seen visiting the temple, especially on Saturdays.

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Shri Thamarayalkelvan Parthanapalli Temple – Parthanapalli Temple

Posted on March 6, 2012 by astrobix

Parthanapalli Temple is one of the Thirunangoore Divyadesa temple. It is located at 4 kms distance from Thituvenkadu. Lord Thamarayalkelvan is the main deity of the temple. The idol of  the Lord holds a sword in the hand. The idol of the lord can be seen in standing posture with Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

The temple has a Raja gopuram of three storey, single prakaram with Maha mandapa, artha mandapa and a main sanctum. A small sanctum of Garudwar facing lord can be seen at the entrance of the main sanctum.  There is a small sanctum of Lord Hanuman. The tower of the temple is 75 feet tall. The speciality of this temple is that Sri Rama appears here with two consorts, that could not be seen in other temples. Kolavalli Rama can be seen next to the procession deity holding a bow.

As per the ancient scriptures, Saint Varunan,  Agasthiyar, Gowathamar and Baradwajar meditated and worshipped the Lord at this spot. God appeared in front of them in the form of Parthasarathy perumal.  It is also believed that King Dasaratha performed Aswamedha Yagna here. He was sure that Lord Narayana himself would be born to him as his son. Lord Narayana appeared before the king with his two consorts. Since it was not possible to have such a darshan of the lord during the Ramavatha period, King Dasaratha was greatly delighted. This rare scene is sculpted and kept in this temple showing the Lord stepping out of the Yagna Kund with his consorts.

History of Thamarayalkelvan Parthanapalli Temple

In the older times, Pandavas lost their wealth and land to Kaurav’s and were forced to live in an exile. During their exile one day Arjuna was searching for water in the forest to quench his thirst. He saw Saint Agasthya meditating under a tree with a water pot kept beside him.  Arjuna was very thirsty and could not wait for his meditation to get over. He obstructed his meditation and begged for water. He opened the pot with his permission but did not find even a drop of water in it. He looked at the sage with confusion. The sage smiled and said that he should approach Lord Krishna as he is always ready to help him.

Arjuna realized his mistake and prayed to Lord Krishna. The Lord appeared before him, gave him a knife and said that wherever he would dig the earth with the knife there would be a spring giving him water. The place where this incident took place is called Parthanpalli according to ancient scriptures.

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