Pradhosha Pooja
Pradosha pooja is one of the most sacred and important among the poojas performed by Shivites to the Graceful Lord Shiva. In Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from new moon to full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from full moon to new moon) the evening of the Trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 pm to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradosham. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradosha time is to pray Lord Shiva and invoke His Blessings. Praying in this time will free us from sins and gives Moksha (hence the name Pradosha). During Pradosha time, a special type of circumbulating called "Somasutra Pradakshinam) which is elaborated in this site separately.
Niraputhari
Devotees believe that witnessing this ritualistic fertility festival would bring them good luck and prosperity in the year ahead. The temple was opened at 3.30 a.m. and the puja began with the ‘Asthadravya Ganapati homam’ performed by Tantri. Devotees kept bunches of fresh paddy spikes before the holy 18-steps as their offering to the presiding deity. The Niraputhari ritual began at 6.15 a.m. with the devotees offering bunches of paddy spikes to the deity before the golden temple mast. The Niraputharipuja was held between 6.20 a.m. and 6.45 a.m. The Tantri, assisted by Melsanthi and other priests, carried the paddy bunches on their head to the Nalambalom in a ceremonial procession to the accompaniment of Marappani and other temple orchestra. The Tantri performed puja at the Nalambalom. The paddy spikes were then taken to the sanctum sanctorum and later for ‘deeparadhana.’ The paddy spikes were distributed among the devotees as prasadom, later.
Thiruvathira
Thiruvathira is a Hindu festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Kerala on the full moon day of the month of Dhanu (December or January). The festival commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love.[1] It is believed that on this day, the Goddess Parvathi finally met Lord Siva after her long penance. This festival is also called the festival of women, because women will fast on this day to get good husbands.
Mahaganapathi Homam
Mahaganapathi removes obstacles in one’s sadhana (spiritual practice). He sits in the mooladhara chakra, where the sushumna nadi begins. He pierces the sushumna nadi and makes the energy rise through it. Mahaganapathi is a very important deity for Kundalini awakening and Kundalini rise, which is the first step in self-realization. Thus, it is an excellent idea to start one’s spiritual practice with Mahaganapathi homam.
Ayilya pooja
It is said that this Pooja is done to Lord Nagaraja and the Nagadevata( serpant king) on Ayilya Nakshatra every month.This pooja is done widely in Kerala,followed by Andhara and Karnataka with little varians. The pooja is offered by the Devotees whose desires fulfilled, or who come with desires to be fulfilled mostly ladies and house wives.
Mahanavami ayudha pooja
Navatathri-saraswathi pooja
Vijayadasami
Mandalapooja
41 days of it. During this period devotees make a pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. As a tradition, those visiting Sabarimala also visit the temple at Guruvayur. Mandala Pooja signifies 41 days of austerities. Main Mandala pooja is conducted on the 41st day after the 1st of Vrichikam.
Mahasivarathri
Kumbabharani
Thiruvathira uttu
Painguni Uthram
Panguni Uthiram is a day of importance to Tamil Hindus. It falls on the day the moon transits in the asterism or nakshatram of Uttara-phalguni or Uthiram in the twelfth month of the Tamil solar calendar It is the full moon of the month of Panguni.
This month is special because the Uthiram nakshatram coincides with the full moon. This full moon signifies the marriage of Parvati and Parameswara (Lord Shiva), Murugan and Deivanai, and Aandaal (also known as Kothai) and Rangamannar took place. On Panguni Uthiram, Narayana marries Kamalavalli Naachiyar and give his Kalyana Kola Seva to his Bhakthas. Again, Valmiki's Ramayana says it is on this day and star that Sita's marriage with Rama was celebrated. From Brahmanda Puranam we learn that on Panguni Uthiram every holy water joins Thumburu teertha (also spelt as Tirtha), one of seven sacred tanks in Tirupati Tirumala.
The day is intended to underline the glory of grahasta dharma (or the married life of a householder). The Almighty manifests in the marital state as Uma Maheswara, Sita Rama, and Radha Krishna – despite his changelessness, sans childhood or youth or old age. The Lord is indeed a Nitya Kalyana Murthi. It is our duty to celebrate this day when the Lord, in both Shiva and Vishnu temples, appears to devotees in his married state. On Panguni Uthiram, in all places where Lord Subrahmanya has a temple, his devotees carry in a kavadi the requisites for puja for him, in fulfilment of vows. Such vow fulfilment by devotees carrying kavadis is a special feature of Subrahmanya temples wherever they happen to be.
Devotees flock in hundreds to the all Murugan temples during the Panguni Uthiram festival, which is celebrated in March every year. It is the Jayanti (Day of Incarnation) of Lord Ayyappan. It is also an important festival day for Lord Subramanya (Muruga), as it is on this day that Sri Deivanai married Lord Subramanya. On this day Goddess Mahalakshmi incarnated on earth from the ocean of milk (after the ocean was churned by the Gods and the demons) and hence it is celebrated as Mahalakshmi Jayanti. On this day Goddess Parvati in the form of Gowri married Lord Siva in Kanchipuram and hence this day is also celebrated as the Gowri Kalyanam day.
This occurs during the last month of the year known as Panguni (i.e. Phaalguna). Panguni Uthiram is a famous festival and special to Murugan devotees. The State Government of Tamil Nadu often declares it a holiday. Offices and schools remain closed. However, shops remain open and do brisk business. The active film industry of the state also releases a few new films, and cinemas usually overflow with eager fans waiting to watch the earliest show of their favourite stars on the big screen.
Vishukani
Vishu is a festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, usually on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar. This occasion signifies the Sun's transit into the Mesha Raasi(first zodiac sign), according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox. "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal".
Vishu is similar to the New Year festivals observed elsewhere in India such as Baisakhi (Punjab), Bihu (Assam), Naba Barsha (Bengal), Bisu Parba (Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka), (Vishuva Sankranti) in Orissa Puthandu (Tamil Nadu) and Ugadi in(Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka) .
The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means " the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up". The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in thepuja room of the house. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This is arranged the night before. On Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season. Reading verses from Hindu Holy book Ramayanam after seeing the "Vishukkani" is considered auspicious. It is also believed that the page of the Ramayanam which you open up to will have a bearing on your life in the coming year. Devotees visit temples like Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to have a "Vishukkani Kazhcha" in the early hours of "Vishu" day.
"Vishu" is celebrated with much fanfare and vigour in all parts of Kerala.[citation needed] Setting off firecrackers is part of the celebration, especially for children. People wear new clothes (Puthukodi) for the occasion and elders of the family gift money, called Vishukkaineetam, to children, servants and tenants.
Vishu is also a day of feasting. The foods consist of equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Feast items include Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation of neem) andMampazhapachadi (a sour mango soup).
Sanipradhosham
Ramayanamasam
Karkidakavavu
Vavu Bali or Vavubali Tharpanam is an important ritual observed by Hindus in Kerala in the month of Karkidakam (mid July to mid August). In 2011, the date of Karkidaka Vavu Bali is July 30. People offer ‘bali’ to the departed souls of ancestors on this day.
The ‘bali’ – a form of ritualistic homage – is offered on the first Amavasi of Dakshinayanam. This is the no moon day in the month of Karkidakam. On this day, thousands of people gather on the riverbanks and beaches to offer ‘bali.’ Temples and religious organizations make elaborate arrangements for the ritual. It is believed that the souls of dead ancestors attain ‘moksha’ when ‘Vavu Bali’ is offered.
The Vavu Bali is performed under the guidance of an elderly person or priest. Darbha (a type of long grass), pavithram (ring made of darbha grass), sesame (Ellu), cheroola (a special herb), ellu (sesame), cooked rice, water and banana leaves are the important accompaniments needed for performing bali ritual. A lot of flexibility is shown in the ritual and the items needed change locally.
The Vavu Bali ritual is offered by men, women and children. The men only wear a dhoti while performing the ritual. In some areas, people tie a red cloth on the waist.
The ‘bali’ ritual which is done on a banana leaf and it is finally taken to the river or sea and the person who offered the bali dips in the water along with the offering and leaves it in the water.
In northern part of Kerala, people believe that the dead ancestors pay visit to homes on the Karkidaka Vavu day. Therefore people prepare and offer Ada (a sweet made of rice) to the departed souls.
Aushadhaseva
Karkidaka kanji and special treatments can be taken by diabetic patients also but only after confirm that their blood sugar level is with in normal limit. The general benefit of karkidaka kanji seva is explained below. Benefits of Karkitaka Kanji As per Ayuerveda , the month of Karkitakam comes under Varsha rithu, during which season, our general health and immunity power becomes most weak. In this month, as per Ayurvedic texts, our general body health, digestive power will be reduced remarkably, due to drastic climatic change. This could make persons more disease prone. As per Ayurvedic principles, the root cause for each and every disease, is Mandagni or Vishamagni, ie., reduced digestive power or impaired digestion. These leads to the production "Amam" in our body, which further alter the equilibrium of 'Thridoshas", eventually ends up in many health problems. As the old adage goes, Prevention is better than cure, in the month of Karkitaka, taking precautionary measures to prevent "Amam" in our body, will help in protecting our body against many diseases. So the food regimen during Karkitakam, should be either supportive or stimulating to the digestive power of individual, which eventually supports the immunity power. It is always better not to take heavy food in Karkitakam, as it weakens the digestive power. When it comes to taking light and nutritious food, Kanji always has a primary place, because it has the following qualities, as per Ayurvedic texts, prescribed by Acharyas: "Kshuth Thrishna Glani Dourbalya Kukshiroga Jwaraapaha Malaanulomani pathyaa Peya deepana Pachani" Which means: "It cures the thirst, hunger, fatigue, general weakness of the body. It has the power to cure all the diseases which originates from the abdomen, especially fever. It helps easy elimination of "Malas" (excreta) from the body It will stimulate the appetite, and promote the digestion. When Kanji in general is endowed with such qualities, Kanji made with Ayurvedic medicines have more potency in augmenting health care. Marunnu Kanji or Oushadha Kanji, can bring back the "vitiated thridoshas" to its equilibrium state, and restore our normal health and immunity power.
