Deepavali - 4th Nov 2013

 



Deepamu (oil lamp) is the incarnation of the Lord Almighty himself. It is omnipresent. Everything is possible because of this fire. We pray to such a light that brightens the whole Universe. In our culture we have a special respect to the forces of nature and primarily to fire. A house that is lighted with a deepam, is blessed. . .



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November 2013

1. ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ అవతరణ - Andra Pradesh Formation day
2. నరకచతుర్దశి - Naraka Caturdasi
3. దీపవళి - Deepavali

4. ఆకాశదీపారంభం - Akasadeeparambham
5. చంద్రదర్శనం, యమద్వితీయ - Chandra Darsanam - Yamadvitiiyam
6. Moharam
7. నాగులచవితి - Nagulachaviti
10. కార్తవీర్యజయంతి - Kartaviirya Jayanti
11. అక్షయ నవమి - Akshaya Navami
12. యజ్ఞవల్క జయంతి - Yajnavalka Jayanti
13. ప్రభోధన ఏకాదశి - Prabhodana Aekadasi
14. క్షీరాబ్ది ద్వదశి, బాలల దినోత్సవం - Kshiirabdi Dwadasi - Balala Dinotsavam (Children's Day)
16. వృశ్చిక సంక్రమణం - Vrschika Samkramanam night 10.30, VaikumTa chaturdasi
17. కార్తీక పూర్ణిమ, జ్వాలాతోరణం - Kartika Poornima, Jwala Toranam
19. అనురాధకార్తె - Anuradhakaarte
21. సంకష్టహర చతుర్ధి - Samkashtahara Chaturdhi
29. మతతత్ర త్రయోదశి - Matatraya Aekadasi

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Asirwadamulu

 





Its our tradition that children and younger people touch the feet of their elders to recieve their blessings on events like Birthdays, festivals, marriages and other events then the elders bless them whole heartedly. We say that elders blessings are like Gods sheild for the children. Different 'Asirvadamulu' (blessings).
http://www.teluguvaramandi.net/cul_asharwad.html

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ఆడవారి సాంప్రదాయ శృంగారాలంకరణ

ఆడవారి అందాలు కవుల కలములో నుండి జాలువారే కవితలు. సాంప్రదాయక వస్త్రాలంకరణ వారి అందాలకు మెరుగులు దిద్దుతాయి. ఆడ పిల్లలు పట్టు పరికిణిలో ఇంట్లో తిరుగుతుంటే సాక్షాత్తు లక్ష్మీ దేవి ఇంటిలో తిరుగుతున్నట్టు వుంటుంది. వేల కొద్ది నూతన వస్త్రములు వచ్చిననూ పట్టు పరికిణి అందాలు పరికిణీవే.

దంతధావనము, నలుగు పిండితో స్నానం చేయుట, వంటికి పసుపు పూత, జిహ్వాది పరిమళ ద్రవ్యాలు పూసుకొనుట శరీర సౌందర్యమును పెంపొందించును.

పెళ్ళికాని ఆడ వారు పరికిణీ వేసుకుంటే, పెళ్ళి అయిన ఆడవారు చీరతో సింగారించుకుంటారు.

వస్త్రధారణతో పాటు శిరోజాలంకారణ పుష్పాలంకరణకూ మన ఆడవారు ఎంతో ప్రాధాన్యం ఇస్తారు. ఆడవారి వాలు జడ, జడకుచ్చులు, పాపిడిబిళ్ళ శిరోజాల అలంకరణలో ముఖ్యమైనవి.

పాపిదిలో కుంకుమ, బుగ్గన చుక్క(సౌందర్య బిందువు), లలాట తిలకము(బొట్టు), చేతులకు గోరింటాకు, అధరాలకు ఎరుపు రంగు, కళ్ళకు కాటుక, కాళ్ళకు పారాణి వారిని సర్వాంగ సుందరగా చేస్తుంది.

మెడలో కంఠాభరణం, శతమాన/మంగళసూత్రం, నల్లపూసలు, దండచేతికి వంకీ, చేతులకు గాజులు, చేవులకు దిద్దులు/ కమ్మలు/ బుట్టలు, చెంపస్వరాలు/ మాటీలు, ముక్కు పుడక, అడ్డబాస, చేతి వేళ్ళకు ఉంగరం, నడుముకు వడాణం, కాళ్ళకు పట్టాలు/ కడియాలు, కాలివేళ్ళకు మట్టెలు సర్వాభరణ అలంకరణకు నిదర్సనాలు.

మన సాంప్రదాయాల ప్రకారం వివాహం తరువాతనే మంగళసూత్రం, నల్లపూసలు, పాపిడిలో కుంకుమ, కాలివేళ్ళకు మట్టెలు ధరిస్తారు.
The Beauty of women is like the poetry that comes out of poets ink. Dressing in traditional wear gives women the beauty and elegance to women. When girls move around in silk wear (pattu parikini) it feels like Godess Lakshmi lives there. Thousands of new designs could not dominate of some one wearing silk cloths.

Brushing teeth, taking bath with bath powder(nalugu pindi), applying turmeric to the body, perfumes like 'jihva' add beauty to body and mind.

Maidens dress in 'parikini' (voni) whereas Married women wear sarees.

Our ladies give much importance to hair as well. Long braided hair with 'kucchulu' at their end, 'papidi billa' add beauty to hair.

Wearing 'kumkuma' in papidi, a dot on the cheek, kumkuma on the forehead, mehendi on hands and feet, red color on the lips, kajal for the eyes, 'parani' for the feet makes the ladies beautiful in every aspect.

Necklace for the neck, 'mangalasutram' and black beeded chains for the married women, shoulder wear, bangles for the hands, ear rings/studs/hangings, ear wear to the sides(champaswaraalu), nose ring/stud, rings for the fingers, belt around the waist, anklets for the feet and toe rings for the married women complete their make-up.

According to tradition only married women wear 'satamanam/mangalasutram', black beeded chain and toe rings.

Hindu Marriage Ceremony

Gods invited to Marriage.
Importance of Marriage
Rituals performed in a Marriage

One of the memorable moments in every one's life is their wedding, it gives a sense of friendship between two people. It is a foundation for a beautiful future. This is the marital bliss people talk about. Marriage follows the rules of 'Dharmaarthkamaadulu' (justice, money, love etc.). There are different rituals in which this sacred ceremony in different religions.

'Brahmacharyam'(Bachelorhood), 'Gruhastamu'(Matrimony), 'Vanaprastamu'(Living in forest), 'Sanyasamu'(sagehood) are four *Ashrama Dharmas (principle or conditions) that customarily governs behavior of any man's life. The second of which is 'Gruhastamu'(matrimony) that is important. This gives us the blessing of having a family and children and attain 'Moksha'. This is because 'yati', 'brahmachari'(bachelor), 'vidyarthi' (student), 'Guru' (teacher), 'poshakudu' (bearer), 'baatasari' (traveller), 'vruthi laenivadu' (unemployed) are seven categories of people who depend on a 'gruhastu'(married man). Serving them as a responsibility is a way of attaining 'Moksha'.

During 'Gruhastasramamu'every man seeks a woman and every woman a man for fulfilment. The children by their union are the source of paying back 'pitrurunamu'(what we owe to our ancestors), 'gururunamu' (what we owe our teachers), 'daeva runamu' (what we owe our Gods).
Hence the union of man and woman is provided with the moral and social support and both recieve fame and honour because of each other. The rituals of a marriage include the recital of age old rules, guideance that have been told by our elders in form of mantras.

A millioniar, or a common man, every one should tie the knot someday, much pomp and joy is a part of such union. The importance of such marriage is to be noted by man and woman alike. Not only them but the importance of marriage should be noted by the one who performs the marriage, the one who watch the marriage.

There are many rituals performed in a traditional Hindu marriage. They are:
1. 'peLLi chuupulu'
2. 'niSchitaardhamu'
3. 'snaatakamu'
4. 'kaaSee prayaaNam'
5. 'varapuuja - edurkoalu'
6. 'gouriivratam'
7. 'mamgaLasnaanaalu'
8. 'kanyaavaraNamu'
9. 'madhuparkaalu'
10. 'yamnoapavaetadhaaraNa'
11. 'mahaasamkalpamu'
12. 'kaaLLukaDuguTa'
13. 'sumuhuurtam'(jeelakarra bellam Sirassumeeda peTTuTa)
14. 'kaaLLu tokkimchaTam'
15. 'kanyaadaanam'
16. 'svarNajalaaBimamtram'
17. 'yoattraebamdhanam'
18. 'mamgaLasuutradhaaraNa'
19. 'talambraalu'
20. 'brahmamuDi'
21. 'amguLeekaalu teeyaDam'
22. 'saptapadi paaNigrahaNam'
23. 'hoamam'.
24. 'sannikallu toayaDam'
25. 'raajahoamam'
26. 'sthaaleepaakam'
27. 'naagavalli'
28. 'sadasyam'
29. 'nallapuusalu kaTTaDam'
30. 'arumdhatee darSanam'
31. 'uyyaalaloani bommanu appajeppaDam'
32. 'ampakaalu; gRhapravaeSam'
33. 'satyanaaraayaNa svaami vratam'
34. 'kamkaNa vimoachanam'
35. 'garbhaadhaanam'

But now the marriage has been condensed to 14 rituals. They are:

1. ' peLLi chuupulu'
2. 'niSchitaardhamu'
3. 'snaatakamu'
4. 'kaaSee prayaaNam'
5. 'varapuuja - edurkoalu'
6. 'samaavartanamu'
7. 'kanyaavaraNamu'
8. 'kanyaadaanamu'
9. 'sumuhuurtam'(jeelakarra bellam Sirassumeeda peTTuTa)
10. 'paaNigrahaNamu'
11. 'agni puujanamu'
12. 'laajahoamamu'
13. 'saptapadi'
14. 'nakshatradarSanamu'



'Vadhuvu'(Bride):

The single identity of a bride is the trinity of 'Lakshmi', 'Saraswati', 'Parvathi'. It is the blossom of nature that defines the bride.

'Varudu'(Bride Groom):

The divine trinity of 'Vishnu', 'Brahma', 'Maheshwara' is combined to form the groom. Evolved to walk in the enlighted path shown by the Lord himself.

'Baasikam':

The body of a man consists of many veins among which 'idi', 'pingala', 'sughamna' are quiet important. Amoung them 'sughamna' has 'surya nadi' and 'chandra nadi' on either side. The two meet in the middle of the forehead. Hence a 'Basikam' is tied at that point for both the bride and groom to protect them from ill omens.

1. ' peLLi chuupulu' :

The parents of the bride and the groom arrange for a meeting of the two in a controlled environment, this is very important for the two as they start a new life together. During this time the two get to know about each others likes and dislikes and bond with each other and develop an understanding about eachother. This is the most memorable moment in anyone's life.

2. 'nischitaardham' :

If the bride and groom like each other the their parents would talk about dowry and ornaments, (a major part of hindu marriages, it has turned from a tradition to an addiction and hence a black mark on an otherwise beautiful tradition) they find a worthy date for the alliance and and the 'purohit' (priest) writes the 'lagna patrika' (sheet on which the auspicious date and time of the wedding according to astrological allignment of stars) infront of friends and relatives and the parents exchange the 'lagna patrika', and 'tambulalu' ( a symblol of tradition, consists mainly of 2 or more beetal leaves, beetal nuts, any fruit and anything you wish to give the person, like cloth money etc.). This constitutes the main event of 'nischitaardham' or engagement in general. This completes half a marriage.

[Westerners do not usually include parents in the marriagge process, but in India it is still customary to have arranged marriages. Not just parents, every relative has a duty to perform, that way everybody is involved. This may seem old fashioned, but in a country where everything revolves around family a bride is not just marrying a groom she is becoming a part of his family, so it is important that everyone in the family should be comfortable with her.]

3. 'snaatakam' :

This ritual is performed by the 'purohit' either in the house of the groom or in the altar of the marriage itself. After the 'vgneshwara' (ganesh) puja, to get rid of all the sins and have a healthy body and mind this ritual is performed accoring to the 'gotram' (gotram is your ancestral identity, it helps us to know our roots).

4. 'kaasi yaatra' :

Amist of pomp and in the presence of his friends and relatives, holding an umbrella in one hand and a stick on the other, with slippers under his feet and a turmeric filled cloth over his neck, the groom starts on a journey to 'Kasi' (varanasi/benaras) to take a oath of celibacy. Then the brother of the bride approaches the groom saying "Please relive yourself of this journey bachelor. Marry my sister and become a 'gruhastu' (married man)" he places a 'bottu' (a color of red, a must for married women) on his forehead and offers him new cloths and other gifts.

5.'varapuuja- edurukolu' :

The groom who renounces his journey and gets ready for marriage is welcomed and greeted by the parents of the bride with great pomp and joy and is taken to the altar. they are then offered 'paanakam' (sweetened water) and new clothes.

6.'samaavarthanam' :

In indian culture before the marriage the ritul of 'samaavartanam' is performed. This is very important. 'Samaavartanamu' means to return. Which means the man returns to his parents after his education with a master, bachelor completes his responsibility and prepares himself to become a married man. This is a transition from a boy to a man.

7.'kanyaavaranam' :
The father of the bride sees this bachelor and enquiring him about his health and happiness then he counsels him to settle down taking his daughters hand in marriage. After this suggestion the bachelor is then invited to the house of the bride which he accepts and arrives at the same, all dressed up and with a great pomp along with his friends and relatives. The father of the bride invites all of them and arrange for their convenience, and to prepare for the coming marriage. This ia also called 'madhuparkam' or 'edurukolu'.

... read more

Sri Ramanavami

This year the auspicious day is celebrated on 3rd of april (3/4/09)
The day when 'Sri Ramachandra murthy' was born is celebrated with reverence as 'Sri Ramanavami'. The wedding of Sri Rama and Sita devi, and the return of Lord Rama after conquering Lanka and vanquishing the cruel king Ravana also falls on the same day. The next day ie., 'dasami' the day after 'navami' is when Lord Rama was crowned king. This is such a happy and auspicious occasion for all Hindus. This day people spend accordingly to buy the idols of Sri Rama, Devi sita, Lord Lakshmana, Hanuma, Bharatha and Satrugna and by reenacting the crowning ceremony and pray.

Puja procedure: The place where the puja is being performed is cleaned and a 'peeta' (small table about a few inches high) is placed and turmeric is applied to it, it is then decorated with 'kumkuma' (red powder). The middle of the 'peeta' an 8 petal flower is decorated with sandalwood. 'kalasam' is arranged in the middle of the 'peeta'.

'kalasam' is adored with sandalwood paste and flower, then we place and honour 'Astadikpaalakulu' (guardians of the directions), 'Navagrahaalu' (Nine planets), ' Aadidevataa pratyadidevatalu' (deities) and worship them.

The puja altar has banana leaves, sugarcane stems tied on four sides and decorated with flowers and mango leaves. The pillars are also decorated with coconut leaves, stems of banana trees. Next everyone in the family sit together and worship Lord Rama by reciting the 'Ramaastotharam', 'Sitaastotharam', 'Aamjaneyaastotharam', and offering 'tulasi', 'maaredu', 'tamalapaaku'. 'Tulasi' is for Sri Rama,'maaredu' is for Mother Sita, 'tamalapaaku' is for Amjaneya (hanuman) 'srisuuktam', 'purushasuuktam' and 'vishnusahastranaaman' is also recited.

Nivedyam(offering): 'chakkara pongali'(sweet rice and moongdal), Mango fruit, sugarcane pieces, 'paanakam' (sweetened jagarry water), 'vadapappu'(soaked moongdal with little pieces of jaggery and pieces of coconut) is the offering. Then we give 'harati' (showing light) This is the way in which we celebrate this auspicious day.

Also see : kalasam, Navagrahamulu, Sri Rama Sthrotram, Harathi.

Harati gaikonumu

haarati gaikonumaa Sreeraamachamdra !!haarati!!

karpuura haarati karuNatoa gaikonumu

kanikara mumchumaa kausalya tanayaa !!haarati!!

mamgaLa haarati mahimatoa gaikoni

marimari mamubroava daSaradha tanayaa !!haarati!!

JayaMangalam

jaya mamgaLam nitya Subha mamgaLam

maa talli seetammaku jaya mamgaLam nitya SubhamamgaLam

jaya mamgaLam Bakti janulaku SuBamulu

dayasaeyunaTTi maa talli seetammaku !!jaya!!

amdela paadaaravimdamulamduna

pomduga mroaya naa sumdara kanyaku !!jaya!!

taLuku moamuna mamchi tilakamu merayaga

molaka navvula muddulolku seetammaku !!jaya!!

praematoa Badraadri raamula naemaaraka

mimchi broacheDu raGuraamuni raaNiki !!jaya!!

vaasiga narasimhadaasuni hRdayani

vaasuDau Sree Sreenivaasuni daeviki !!jaya!!

Ugadi

Ugadi is observed as the New Year of SouthIndians (in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka ) marking the new blossoms and the coming of the harvest. It is the first festival of the telugu calender.

'Virodhi' is the name of the new telugu year which starts from 27th March 2009.

Every year on 'chaitrasuddha padyami' we celebrate the beginning of our new year. Things that should be done on this day:

Get up early (before dawn ) and take a bath using sesame oil, and bathing powder (the traditional way), get ready with new cloths. Next recite to the Lord Surya our New year resolutions and while offering flowers, holy water, light, insence. After that we savour the 'vepaputa pachadi' (neemflower concoction). "Nimbhakusumabhakshanam" means...

"Sataayu rvajradaehaayuh sarva sampatkaraaya cha

sarvaarishTa vinaaSaaya, nimBha kusuma bhakshaNam"

this neem flower concoction has tamarind syrup, the flower of mangoes, the flowers of Asoka tree as a few of its many ingredients.

"tvaamashThaSoaka naraabheeshTa! madhumaasa samudbhava!

nibaavi Soakasamtaptaam maamaSoakam sadaa kuru"

which means...

In my life suffering with sorrow i am a bit of the 'asoka'! I serve thee. In the bloom of full spring you blossom oh 'asoka'! You make me free of sorrow!

The tree of asoka has such divine stength.

Neem flower concoction: Neem flower, mango flower, asoka tree flower, jaggary, tamarind syrup, mango pieces, sugarcane pieces, sugar candy, jeera.

'Purna kumba daanam' should be done. Which means a copper tumbler should be arranges in the form of a 'kalasam' and perform 'kalasa puja' by filling it with 'pancha pallava's which means scented water, flowers, turmeric rice and sanctify it with sacred chants and decorated in a plate. After the puja the priest should be offered new cloths and 'dakshina' (offering of our choice could be money,rice or fruits) and recieve their blessings. this is 'purna kumba danam'

Panchamga sravanam: When we hear the 'Panchamga sravanam' (foretelling of the year to come) because of 'tidi' we learn about wealth, 'vaaramu' (week) tells us about life, 'nakshatramu' (star) gives us deliverence from sins, 'yogamu' helps us in eradicating disease, 'karanam' tells us about good omens. Hearing the 'Pancamga sravanam' would give us blessings equal to that of offering land, gold, cattle, grain, virgin(like marriage). Hearing the fortunes of great ones would also give us health, wealth and life has many best returns.

Kalyanam

Kalyanam!(marriage) The word has such sweetness to it. This once in a lifetime event remains forever in the hearts of those who experience it. This moment is such an delightful experience. It is after this moment that a person attains a purpose in life. Marriage gives a person a responsible position both in family and society. Many moments of happiness, sorrow, joy are to be shared equally amoung the couple to find their destination is the purpose of a marriage. It is the very meaing of the 'mantras' that are chanted during the wedding.
Let us find out which deities grace us with their presence in a marriage that has been performed in a ritual which includes all the mantras

First would be the 'Ganapati puja' hence we invite Lord Ganapathi (Lord Ganesh) to the wedding. He would recieve our prayers and invite the eternal groom ,Lord Sri MahaVishnu and his ever beautiful, blushing bride Devi Sri Lakshmi. Lord Ganapati would recieve them and after settleing them at the altar he leaves. Sri Mahavishnu is the oone who stays at the altar and presides over the wedding ceremony.

The news that lord Vishnu is coming is spread by Garuda ( the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) to all the deities. Hence all the deities arrive to the altar before him to invite him. The 'astadikpalakulu' - the rulers/guardians of the eight directions 'Lord Indra'(the ruler of East), 'Lord Varuna' (the ruler of west), 'Lord Kubera' (the ruler of North), 'Lord Yamudu' (the ruler of South), 'Lord Agni'(ruler of south-east), 'Lord Nirruti'(ruler of south-west), 'Lord Vayuvu'(ruler of north-west), 'Lord Esanuvu' (ruler of north-east).

Along with the above mentioned come the servants of the Lords, their sevants, devotees and the residents of Vikumtam and Kailasam also grace us with their presence. Along with them come, Vasista- Atri - Bharatvaja - Viswamitra- Gautama - Kasyapa- Jamadagni the 'Saptarishis' along with their wives to bless the marrying the couple. When the marriage ceremony done with such mantras that could include such a gathering of deities and include their blessings then it would be a loss not to perform the wedding in such a manner.

Radha Saptami 2/2/2009

'Rada Saptami' is the eve on which we honour the Sun God ' Surya deva' for our fertile and bountyful land.

Sankranti

సంక్రాంతి

The most auspicious of festivals for the telugu people is the 'Sankranti'. This festival is celebrated for three days Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma respectively. After the starting of 'Dhanur masam'
the ladies of the house wake up early in the morning and observe 'nelapattu' by decorating their courtyards with beautiful and colorful designs called 'muggu' or 'rangavallikalu' (ramgoli). Girls use the ordure of cow [which is considered sacred, also it has a lot of medicinal properties] to make 'gobbemmalu' decorate them with turmeric and 'kumkuma', pray to them and they sing and dance around them. the ritual of 'gobbemmalu' is complete with sankranti. 'nelapattu' is ended with a 'radham' (chariot) muggu on 'kanuma'

On the eve of bhogi a bonfire where all the old stuff is burned. Ladies bless their children and pour 'bhogi pallu' (regi pallu) on them.

On the eve of sankranti

mukkoti aekaadasi

7-1-2009 ముక్కోటి ఏకాదశి

The 'aekaadasi' before the full moon in 'pushya masa' is called the 'mukkoti aekaadasi' which is a very auspicious day for Hindus. This is also called as 'vikumta aekaadasi'. This day is revered as it is the favorite day of Lord Vishnu.

This day 'vikumtam' (the abode of Lord Vishnu ) is visited by the three crores deities to offer their obeisance to Lord Vishnu, hence the name 'mukkoti aekaadasi'

The northern doors of the temples are usually closed. But on the day of 'mukkoti aekaadasi' the doors are opened. Devotees rise before the sun and cleanse themself and enter the temple through the northern entrance.

A visit to the temple on this day would gaurentee the full blessing of the Gods. Piligramages like 'Badrachalam', and 'Tirupathi' observe this day with great reverence.

Karteeka Masam

'Karteeka Masam'(month) is the most auspicious because it is the favorite month of Lord Shiva.
Maidens and married women observe fasting on the 'karteeka somavaaraalu' (Mondays of karteeka masam) so that they could have good husbands as well as the health and well being of their husbands. All this month the family members, wake early before sunrise, take bath in cold water, read a story from 'karteeka puraanam', 'lingaastakam' and pray to Lord Shiva. Every evening we pray and and light 'deepamulu' (lights) before our houses.

'Karteeka Pournami' (Fullmoon of the month of Kaarteeka masam) has a grandness of its own. This is the day the 'Aakasa Ganga' descended to earth, therefore it is recommended to do 'Samudra Snaanam' (bathing in sea or any other large water body) to wash off all sins. During 'karteeka pournami' lighting 360 deepamulu in a temple will give you the blessing of placing them there everyday of the year. This year 'Karteeka masam' falls on 13th November.

Usually today everyone does fasting,(though people who cannot do a strict fast, may have fruits and milk) and at night meal is prepared without using onion. But before feasting people make 'pramidalu' (candles) with wheat flour or rice flour, 108 threads are light using ghee(clarified butter) or 'nuvvula nune' (sesame oil).
'Karteeka masam' is a time for picnic under the 'usirika' (amla) tree with family and friends after praying and placing 'pramidalu' before it.

Also see : Limgaastakam, hymns

Yanki Paatalu

Namduri Subbarao gaari yanki paata

duuraana naa yemki

yaaDumTivae, yemki, yaaDumTivae?

puutoari pamdiTloa seetaayi yeltumTae

nee taLuku gaepagaana naa tala tirigimdole!
yaaDumTivae, yemki, yaaDumTivae?

maamiDitoaTa kelli mamchipamDoaTi goasi

yaeToagaani, noaTlaestae yisamai poayimdoale!
yaaDumTivae, yemki, yaaDumTivae?

pottaeLa jonna saelo sittaramai poataadi

gummamai voananostae gumDegiri poayenoale!

yaaDumTivae, yemki, yaaDumTivae?

(kaaPi raagam - chatruSa - aekataaLam)

Nagula Chavithi

When the sun enters 'Vruschika raasi', we celebrate Nagula Chavithi. This is celebrated exclusively by ladies. We take head bath before sun rise and wear new cloths. We take cow's milk, eggs and other offerings to the snake pits and take blessings from the 'Adiseshu' (divine snake). Specially maidens who are in search of a good husband, women who are looking forward to children should worship the divine snake for their wishes to come true. While children enjoy themself by lighting up the remainder of the crackers from diwali.

This year Nagula Chavithi came on Nov 2.

Happy Deepavali

Deepavali is the festival of lights. It's celebrated all over India with great pomp and cheer no doubt. But this festival is celebrated differently all over the country. Some celebrate it as the return of Rama to Ayodhya and the defeat of Ravana, by burning the image of Ravana, representing the trimph of good over evil. While some celebrate it as the day when Krishna and Satyabhaama returned after a victorious battle with Narakaasura which ended with Satyabhaama beheading Narakaasura and bringing the light of hope to the world. Hence thousands of lights are lit and crackers are burnt to rejoice the occation. Some celebrate it by doing Lakshmi pooja, honouring the birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the sea of milk, while some do kali pooja. While Deepavali is a bit of all the above, its mostly a festival of joy and happiness, spreading cheer and lighting up our lives and chasing away the darkness in our hearts and minds.

Here is how we celebrate Deepavali .....