RASAMO RASAM

The origin of the liquid dish called rasam is told from Mysore. Normally rasam is served before katti thayir/ butter milk serving in feasts after serving payasam. Though a large papad is served before sambar and parippu, either smaller ones or another large one is surely served just after rasam. Papad is the combination with rasam rice.

Some people like rasam and papad heated over fire called chuttappadam in Malayalam for night light meals along with porridge. Nothing more.

Probably the varieties of rasam like pepper rasam, ginger rasam, lemon rasam are later additions from different states, most probably pepper rasam from Kerala. Consuming small quantity of pepper rasam added in porridge and consuming is found effective during fever. Not too much.

Especially iyers consume more rasam, some like to have in tumbler ordinary rasam.

The addition of vadai socking in rasam and serving would have come later. Somehow rasa vadai has become a snack in many Tulu potti restaurants. Either thoordal vadai or black gram vadai are socked and served in large cups along with rasam. The vadai with absorbed rasam has special taste. Many take rasavadai and coffee as evening snack.

Either it has any truth or not, some say the thelivu (liquid rising up after boiling thoordal for sambar) is taken to prepare rasam rather than boiling thoordal separately during feasts. I am also told thoordal will not cook quickly if salt is added in the boiling time.

All people are not in favour of rasam. Some skip it and straight away go to curd and rice with side dish pickle

All said about dish rasam,  there is a  harmful metal in liquid form called Pada rasam (Mercury). Mercury should not be handled bare hand, should not be consumed even a drop. Mercury is used in Gold works and making mirrors. Other uses are also there. Why the word pada rasam is given to it in Malayalam is not clear to me.

The third rasam is by seeing, hearing and feeling. Anything beautiful to see attract people. Including calves, cute dogs and cats. Beautiful flowers, fruits, handsome people, well arranged things etc. Feeling created by good musical sounds is also a rasam

Itching can occur due to many reasons. But we get a feeling by scratching the itching area. If wounds are drying, we get itching. In spite of doctor’s advice most of us are uncontrollable and at least do limited scratch. Everybody knows on more scratching blood may ooze, still, while scratching starts, most people are uncontrollable.

Initially scratch items used to scratch itching on back was hand fans or rough walls of the home. Now with fine finishing of homes, for scratching itching, scratching hand has come in wood and plastic. It reaches to any area on back where hand cannot go.

Long back I read in kid’s health two uses of nails are for grip holding and scratching itching. Everybody is first tempted to scratch with hand nails - nature’s provision.

Most dreams give a pleasure feeling. Important, before it end, we wake up and whatever we try, we cannot continue the dream to continue the pleasure of that feeling.

The feelings of rasam can be felt  by watching a movie scene, reading a well written novel, poem, story and even an  article. An interesting story about young nampoothiri repeatedly watching a movie I have read long back.

Seeing a poster of a young lady about to take bath in a river, nampoothri went to see the movie. Just the lady entered in to the water, a moving train hiding the bath scene was shown passing slowly.  The scene came after the train finished crossing river was the lady coming dressed  in new cloths with wet cloths in hand.

Nampoothiri took ticket for next  show also. Same thing repeated. Nampoothiri came to take  ticket next day also for  seeing the film.

Just like that the counter man asked- why sir, you are continuously taking ticket 3^rd time now. Nampoothri replied- See last two times while bathing scene of heroine  came, a train passed obstructing  the bathing scene. I want to see at least this time, possibly train will not pass. 

Counter man replied- Sir, it is film taken like that. All shows  while the bath scene comes,  train will be moving. Nampoothri said- Enna pinnae venta- Oru rasom illa. ( Then no interest – Ticket not required)

Though the story is about nampoothri, many youngsters   watch movie for the beauty and appearance of actress/actor, conversation style , dress style,  humour and jokes etc.

But many people watch films for the touching feeling of the story and action also of the films also which is another way of rasam. 

Yesterday I was watching programme Rangoli in Doordarshan Malayalam. The different songs displayed gave me different feelings. Songs from film Ammayae kanan was first film I have seen with my teacher friends. Song from kannezhuthi pottum thottu reminded me keeping the dead in plantain leaf in North Malabar area. Songs from Ami made me to think of Madhavi kutti the poet and story writer. Different feelings created by song. A reference to MS Subbalakshmi and mention of the song Kurayethumillai kanna made me to wander my memories. I could not get sleep after seeing Rangoli because of the different feelings, some of them giving rasam on recollection. 

OLD ADAGES

     AATU KITANNITATTHU POOTA KANUM. 

There will be tiny hairs fallen down   if a lamb has rested in a place for some time 

This is a very important saying. There will be something left to identify if someone else has checked another person’s belongings for something and even carefully kept back everything –say anywhere in a home or almirah or table etc.   

In an office, the arrangements set by a clerk, if moved by an inch in his absence by anybody, he can immediately note it. 

In a house, the house wife knows how she keep the things weather it is neat or haphazard way she has kept. Any changes by husband or children can be noted by her. There will be some left out marks. 

This type of unknowingly left out marks will be there where  actions like  theft /murder/ trying to get a document etc occur  , The thieves leave some identification mark like leaving foot wear, forgetting cigarette pack, over coat etc in the place.

    UPPOLUM AAVILLA UPPILITTATHU

(Pickle cannot be equal to salt)

Where salt has to be added pickle cannot be added, even though a lot of salt is added in the pickle.

The saying is used to mean, one thing cannot be used in place of another replacing it. 

A teapoy is a teapoy and it cannot replace a table. A dining chair cannot replace a chair, though both are for sitting. 

A sink though look similar to wash basin, either wash basin cannot replace sink or sink cannot replace wash basin. 

In the human relations, also a chtthhappa is a chitthappa, periappa is a periappa. Periappa cannot be equal to mama. Chitthappa cannot be Athiambar. Though all are relations. 

During some functions due to some temporary quarrels one man may not come, say a mama. In his absence a cousin mama may carry out the formalities of mama. But everybody will wonder about the absence of mama. 

In personal relations an own brother cannot equal whatever be the relation, by a first cousin brother.

   NEERKOLI KADICHALUM ATTHAZHAM MUDANGUM 

(If water snake bites too, one cannot take supper). 

We can find snakes in river at times. These water snakes are like long fishes and not considered poisonous like others. But rarely they too bite people when we are in water while bathing in 4-5 feet deep water and taking a dip etc.  

But water snake will bite and go away. Others do not know what type of snake has bitten. So whatever the snake, food is not given to the person for 12 hours. After that if nothing problematic food can be given to him. 

The saying means to say, certain people could be not very harmful but can be slightly problematic. 

If we are preparing for a journey, and a person stops and talk of a possible problem, we will be hesitant to proceed further. In fact the problem would have already set right, which this person does not know.

    

   CHAVUTTI VANNA PATIKAL MARAKKARATHU 

(One should not forget the previous steps while climbing up in a ladder). 

This is another saying generally about the life. As we flourish, we should not forget our past life and difficulties experienced. The thinking of the past life and on those account doing good deeds while flourishing will help us to flourish more and more. 

In literal meaning also while climbing in a ladder, he should not forget the condition of loose steps, steps broken etc while getting down after climbing up for a work using the ladder. There may not be a step. While climbing up it is clearly seen and legs placed accordingly. But while coming down this could not be seen more visibly. Hence recollection is required.

    THALA MARANNU ENNA THEIKKARUTHU 

(Without knowing it is head one should not apply more oil) 

Applying limited quantity oil on the head is good. But there is an upper limit of oil which can be applied. A small kid or bald headed may require less oil. People having good growth of hair too can apply slightly more oil to keep the hair soft. 

More application of oil could lead to a lot of complications the person. 

The saying means to say, for every action, there is an upper limit. A person can work for 8 hours. He can work with straining for 10 hours. If exceeded the work will not be perfect as he is tired and he may also not able to do work and even faint. The same with all types of activities. Daily bath is required, but for that purpose, if a person spend time in water like hippopotamus?

MOOKU

MOOKKU

Mookku is also a vessel very much in use by caterers to serve jeera or dried ginger water, rasam, butter milk etc.

Now a day we have mookku in stainless steel in all vessels shops. Earlier days either tinned copper or tinned brass mooku were used. The speciality with mookku is it is equally used in Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Mookku has a flat base with conical sides to about 1.5 inches, a cylindrical body of about 6 inches and on top in one edge a nozzle (Mookku) through which well diluted items can be served to the required extent. It has got a semicircular handle firmly fixed. The nozzle has convenient position to serve holding the handle The nozzle will be  bigger than that of the saucepan  and like that of stainless steel jug. Height of the mookku may be about 7.5 inches and diameter about 6-6.5 inches.

In a wider use, it can be used to transfer anything to a smaller vessel liquid in nature filling 3/4^th to its capacity. Only thing on tilting it will overflow the nose.

For serving through the nose, the liquid item is kept well below the nozzle and tilted as required. When item is at the bottom more titling is done to serve the item.

Mookku is a beautiful vessel. 

PANCHAMUKA ANJANEYAR

Panchamukha (Devanagari: पञ्चमुख) (alternatively Panchamukhi) is a Sanskrit word meaning 'five-faced'. Most of the Hindu deities are shown as having several faces.

Origins of the Panchamukhi

The origin of Sri Panchamukhi Hanuman can be traced to a story in Ramayana. During the war between Lord Rama and Ravana, Ravana took help of Ahiravana, the king of Pathala. Lord Hanuman in order to protect Lord Rama and Lakshman formed a fortress with his tail. Ahiravana took the form of Vibhishana the noble brother of Ravana and took Lord Rama and Lakshman to Pathala loka..

Hanuman entered pathala loka in search of Rama and Lakshmana, He found that life of Ahiravana was hidden in the five lamps which were placed in different directions. He could be killed only by extinguishing all five lamps the same time. To accomplish this Hanuman had to take the form of Panchamukha Hanuman.

This form of Hanuman has five faces. Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha are the four other faces along with Hanuman's face. Hanuman, using the five faces in different directions, blew out the lamps thereby killing Ahiravana.

According to Hanumath Prakaranam in Sri Vidyarnavatantram, Anjaneya has five faces (Pancha Mukha) and ten weapons. Hanuman is a great yogi (mystic) having transcended the five senses (Pancha Indriyas). In Kamba Ramayanam (in Tamil), the significance of number five is beautifully narrated as follows: The son of one of the five elements (son of wind - Pavana Thanaya) crossed one of the five elements (water – the ocean), through one of the five elements (sky), met daughter of one of the five elements (daughter of earth - Sita Devi) burnt down Lanka by one of the five elements (fire). Sundara Kanda highlights the heroic exploits of Lord Hanuman at Lanka.

By many, it is considered auspicious to circle the Hanuman idol 5 times, 14 times, 23 times, 32 times or any amount in which the digits of which add to five.

The pancha mukha hanuman is rare idol of Hanuman. There are many legends and interpretations of this. One of the legend is that Lord Hanuman appeared before Raghavendra Swami in a unique way amalgamating within him the avataras of "varaha, garuda, anjaneya, narasimha and hayagreeva", thus five-headed.

Panchamukhi, located on the south bank of river Tungabhadra near Manchala now known as Mantralayam is where Raghavendra Swami performed penance for 12 long years in a cave. In appreciation of his Yoga, Lord Panchamukhi Pranadevaru, Kollahpura Mahalakshmi, Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati and Kurmavathara gave him darshan. Then Raghavendra Swami left for Mantralaya where he entered into Samadhi. A temple, the Panchamukhi Anjaneyaswamy temple, was constructed on the spot where Raghavendra Swami performed penance.

Details of Panchamukaa

East facing Anjaneya to grant Ishta Siddhi to humanity. South facing Karala Ugraveera Narasimha to grant Abhista Siddhi to humanity. West facing Mahaveera Garuda to grant Sakala Sowbhagya to humanity. North facing Lakshmi Varaha to grant Dhana Prapthi to humanity. Urdhva Mukha being Hayagriva to grant Sarva Vidya Jaya Prapthi to humanity.

Interpretations of Panchamukaa-The Five Ways of Praying to the Lord

These five ways are known as Naman, Smaran, Keerthanam, Yachanam and Arpanam. The five faces of Panchamukaa are each a depiction of one these five forms of worship. Lord Hanuman always used to Naman, Smaran and Keerthanam of Lord Sri Rama. He totally surrendered (Arpanam) to his Master Sri Ram. He also begged (yachanam) Sri Rama to bless him with undivided love. From the Bhagavat Gita

In the Bhagavat Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjun, "He who acts for me, who is engrossed in me, who is my devotee, who is free from attachment, he reaches me". We find all these 5 qualities enshrined in Hanuman. Each of his faces represent these five divine qualifications. Maybe an artist thought over about this before making the Vigraham. There is a belief that one of the faces is that of Sri Vinayaka. Half Ganesha and half Hanuman The idol of Adyanta Maha Prabhu depicts a figure of half Anjaneya and half Vinayaka.

At Madya Kailas temple Adyar Madras, the idol is an amalgam of Sri Vigneshwara and Sri Anjaneya in the style of Ardhanareeswara (Siva and Parvati) and Sri Sankaranarayana (a combination of Siva and Narayana). The word Aadiyantha stands for "beginning to end" (Aadi = beginning & Antha = end).

There is a Tamil saying "Begin with Ganesa and end up with Anjaneya".

Many people visit the temple to receive a blessing of the "Twins" against the influence of Navagrahas. The importance of the idol is that Sri Vigneswara and Sri Anjaneya are the only two deities who are totally free from any influence over them whatsoever by the Navagrahas. It is believed that, the devotees can and do influence the Navagrahas themselves proportionate to the devoutness with which the devotees address themselves to Sri Aadiyanta Prabhu!

Panchmukhi of Basatiyawala

Panchmukhi Hanuman temple of Basatiyawala exists in Yamunanagar district of Haryana near Kalesar National Park.

As part of INR1200 crore Morni-Kalesar tourism development plan announced in January 2019, the Government of Haryana is developing this temple, along with Kalesar Mahadev temple, Kapal Mochan Tirth, Sharda Mata Temple of Chotta Trilokpur, Lohgarh fort capital of Banda Singh Bahadur.[1]

Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneyaswami Temple, Tiruvallur

Lord Hanuman is worshipped all over India with various names like Anjaneya, Hanumanji, Maruti, Bajrang Bali, Mahavir, Pavan Kumar. He was born to the Wind God and Anjana Devi. He is one of the seven chiranjeevis (immortal ones).

The Sun God Surya is considered as his Guru.

The Valmiki Ramayana has a seperate section called Sundara Kandam or Sundar kand, which describes in detail the leelas of Lord Hanuman is his search for Sita , across the sea.

The Sundara Kandam comprises 2885 verses and the word Sundara means beautiful. The esoteric significance of the sundara kandam is important. The ocean represents the ocean of samsara. Lord Rama represents the paramatma and Sita Devi represents the jivatma. Hanuman represents the Guru or Divine teacher.

Origin of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman

The origin of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman can be traced to a story in the Ramayana. During the war between Lord Ram and Ravana, Ravana took the help of Mahiravana who was the king of pathala. Lord Hanuman in order to protect Lord Ram and Lakshman formed a fortress with his tail. But Mahiravana took the form of Vibeeshana and took Lord Ram and Lakshman to pathala loka.

Hanuman entered pathala loka in search of Rama and Lakshmana. He found out that to kill Mahiravana he had to extinguish 5 lamps at the same time. So he took the Panchamukha form with Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha faces and extinguished the lamps. Mahiravana was killed immediately.

The story apart, Sri Panchamukha Hanuman was the upasana deity of Sri Ragavendra Tirtha, the saint of Mantralaya. The place where he meditated on Panchamukha Hanuman is now known as Panchamukhi, wherein a temple for Panchamukha Hanuman has been built.

There is also a shrine for Panchamukha Hanuman at Kumbakonam. This is taken as the reference for the sculpturing of the Swami Murti in our ashram.

The Mahapradishtai of 32 feet tall Sri Viswaroopa Panchmukha Anjaneyaswami at Periakuppam Village at Tiruvallur ( 45 kms from Chennai, enroute to Tirupathy ) was performed on the 6th June, 2004 with the blessings of Gurudev Poojyasri “Mantramurthy Dasan.” S. Venkatesa Bhattachariar Swamigal, Fonder Trustee of Sri Viswaroopa Panchmukha Anjaneyaswami Foundation, a registered trust.

This happened to be a unique event for the entire humanity. The uniqueness is due to the fact that this is the one and only Pradishtai in the entire world under the MANTRA SHASTRA.
The main objective behind this Mahapradishtai is Gurudev’s commitment to pass on, for the benefit of the entire humanity, the all powerful Moola Mantras of Sri Anjaneyaswami, Sri Narasimhaswami, Sri Mahaveera Garudaswami, Sri Lakshmivarahamurthi Swami and Sri. Hayagreevaswami which he inherited from his Guruji.

Gurudev was an exponent of Mantra Shastra and he had alleviated the miseries of so many individuals / institutions by conducting poojas/ homams by way of pariharams. He had the good fortune of having, as his Guru, Sri Rengaswami Bhattachar of Aanathandevapuram who was conferred with the tiltle of “Mantramurthy” by none other than the great Paramacharya of Kanch Mutt in recognition of his mastery of Mantra Shastra.

After the construction of the Mandapams, it is proposed to engrave the Moola Mantras on the walls facing each Mukha so that any one, without any discrimination whatsoever can chant the Moola Mantra in the prescribed manner and get their wishes fulfilled and prayers answered. The powerful Shakthi of Guru Parampara will make this happen.

Significance of the Five Faces

The face towards the East is “Sri Anjaneyaswami Mukha” which removes all blemishes of sin and confers purity of mind

The South facing mukha of “Sri Narasimhaswami” removes fear of enemies and confers victory
The West facing mukha of “Sri Mahaviragarudaswami” drives away evil spells, black magic influences and removes all poisonous effects in one’s body

The North facing mukha of “Sri Lakshmi Varahamurthyswami” wards off the troubles caused by bad influences of the planets and confers all prosperity Ashta Aishwarya

The face looking upwards of “Sri Hayagreevaswami” confers knowledge, victory, progeny and mukthi

Some Highlights of the Pradishtai

Tallest (32′) Sri Panchamukha Anjaneyswami in Viswaroopa form, magnificently sculpted out of a massive monolithic green granite stone (36′ X 20′ X 10′) transported from Hassan, Karnataka

The Only pradishtai in the whole under Mandra Shastra

The place of pradishtai was known as Rudhra Vanam in legendary times where great sages like Agasthya have done penance.

Objectives of the Foundation

Annadhanam

Establishment and running of Vedha Patashalas

Propagation of Mantra, Yantra and Tantra Shastras
Medical and Educational assistance to poor and needy

Establishment and maintenance of Ghoshala

Establishment and maintenance of old age homes / Orphanages

Location of Asramam

Tiruvallur is situated at 45 kms from Chennai on the Chennai – Tiruttani – Thirupati route and the famous Vaidhya Veera Raghavaswami Temple is situated here. The nearest Airport is Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is is also connected by rail. You need to get down at Tiruvallur railway station.

From Chennai, to reach the Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Ashram, take the road identified by a Ashram sign board from “oil mill junction” at Tiruvallur and be guided by sign boards placed at every intersection.

Temple Address :10, Devi Meenakshi Nagar, Rajajipuram Part – III, Periyakuppam, Tiruvallur – 602 001, Tamil Nadu.
Phone: 91-44-27600641 Website : www.panchamukha.org

My note- of forwarding- I read the above from Wikipedia and the ashram website and found informative and thought of forwarding.

PRATHYANGIRA DEVI TEMPLE

Prathyangira Devi Temple, Shollinganallur



 deepradhana is special on Tuesdays and Fridays and Matadipathi performs it. The following information are compiled from Wikipedia and temple website. I think the information could be interesting to members.


Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple is located in the area of Sholinganallur, Chennai, India, adjacent to the beach of Bay of Bengal. The Temple sits on the banks of the Buckingham Canal.

This is a magnificent temple built for Goddess Prathyangira, in her incarnation of Shri Maha Prathyangira Devi. She is considered to be a powerful repellent of the influences generated by witchcraft, and is said to have the power to punish Adharma.

This is one of the few temples of Prathyangira and the only temple for Shri Maha Prathyangira Devi, the Shanta form.

The Temple

Other Gods who are also shrined in the renowned temple are Goddess Varahi, Goddess Neela Saraswathi, Lord Sarabheswara, Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Panjamukha Anjaneya, Lord Agni, Goddess Kaalikaambal, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Saniswara, Lord Narasimha, Lords Rahu and Ketu, Lord (Guruvayoorappan) and Lord Shiva.

Timing: 8 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm on weekdays, Sunday from 8 am - 1 pm and 4 pm to 8.30 pm.

Poojas offered

Abishegam and Archana are a regulation here. Special poojas are offered every Sundays.

Homas performed in the temple.

Homas are performed in the temple on special occasions only and it is conducted for free and any-one can participate, there is no agent or pre-booking for homam in this temple within India or in any other countries but there are scammers who pretend as agent for homams but they are no way related to this temple, homam are performed for public welfare and it is free to all.

Location

The temple is located close to the junction and halfway down the link road of East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road.

Official website

http://sholinganallurprathyangira.com

Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple, is founded by Saktha Sri Prathyangira Swamy in 1998 and it is the one of the first temple to built solely for Mother Goddess Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi and only temple where the main deity is Mother Prathyangira.

It is one of the World's wonder since nobody has dared to nirman Atharvana Veda Kali Temple till 1998, Swamiji's came forward with unshaken mind to start the Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple in Sholinganallur, Chennai and Kumbabishekam was done on 22/8/1999.
Now the Temple is popular throughout the world. People from various countries fly to Chennai to pay multiple visits to the renowned temple in large numbers and that every first day of new year, about 1 lac people pay visit to the temple, as recorded by the Police officials.

Despite the inclement weather changes, he devoted his entire force and soul into the development of the temple. Following this hard work, the temple has taken everyone's mind in India and abroad.

To describe Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi's greatness, Swamiji has written four religious books on Sri Maha Ganapathy, Sri Maha Varahi, Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Mahamatyam, Sholinganallur Ula and Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi..

Swamiji publishes ThiruKanidha Annual Panchagam in Tamil language from 2003 -2004 and from 2007 – 2016. It is well received among eminent astrologers.

Sri Prathyangira Devi Temple

Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple is a temple dedicated to Mother Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi. The primary purpose of the temple to transform the material self-centred identity into a spiritual identity of unconditional love which is the base of all success in both material and spiritual world.

The temple is constructed in a certain way based on vastu shastra which will invoke Mother Prathyangira to shower blessings on all devotees who visit here with sincere bhakthi.

Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple Entrance

The temple is open for Darshan between 8 am to 12 pm and again from 4 pm to 8 pm during week days and open from 8 am to 1 pm, and 4 pm to 8 pm on Sundays.

The temple has the following Sannadhis:

North Facing Entrance (Vadakku Vaasal) :

Mathurai Veeran & Sri Vedali

Sri Heramba Ganapathy (5 headed Ganesha)
Sri Garudazhvar
Sri Dhanvantri Bhagavan (God of Medicine)

Sri Mantra Varahi Devi A) Ashvaruda Varahi B) Mahisharuda VarahiC) Garuda Varahi

Rishi Easwarar (A Rishi who attained Moksha before million years in this sthalam)

Sri Nagaraja Karkodaga Swamy

Ashta Parivarars Nagas

A) Sri Vasuki B) Sri Ananthan C) Sri Adhisheshan

D) Sri Kuligan E) Sri Sangabalan F) Sri Pathuman

G) Sri Maha Pathuman H) Dakshan

Lakshmi Narasimhar
Garudan
Sri Swarna Agashrana Bhairavar
Sri Chamunda Badhra Kaali
Sri Aghora Veerabadhra Swamy
Sri Karupanna Swamy
Sri Agni Bhagavan
Sri Surya Bhagavan
Sri Durga Devi (Mahishasura mardini)
Agasha Saraba Lingeshwarar with Dwara Balagas
Yagna Mandabam (Sacrificial Fire)
Sri Guruvayurappan

A) Chakrathazhwar B) Bhaktha Anjanayar

Chandrashtama Ganapathy
Sri Viraja Kala Bhairavar
Naga Raja Dharbar with 108 Nagas
Sri Naga Raja & Sri Naga Yakshini
Sri Raaghu & Kethu

Sri Gayathri Devi Sri Indrakshi Devi
Bala Murugan
Panchamuga Hanuman Aishwarya Easwarar
Sri Sani Bhagawan Sri Ayyappan
Sri Uchishta Ganapathy Sri Neela Saraswathy
Sri Annapoorani Sri Maha Lakshmi
Sri Guru Dhakshinamoorthy
Sri Hayagrivar Sri Siva Sakthi

Maha Deepam

Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple Onam Celebration-Posted Sept 15, 2016

Onam is an ancient festival which survives till date. It was celebrated on Sept 14, 2016. The events of Onam celebration includes: Attapookalam, Pattern on the floor made of different types of flowers is called Attapookalam. There are several patterns and colours. It is considered as the symbol of welcoming Mahabali, who was a vanquished king. Special Poojas were done to Guruvayurappa on this day.

Abhirami Samadhe Amirtha Kadeshwarar Kumbhabhiseka Vaibhavam Posted 15 Sept, 2016

We are delighted to inform that Abhirami Amirtha Kadeshwarar Kumbhabhiseka Vaibhavam has been performed and celebrated on 21st Aug, 2016. Yagna was performed on this day. Yagnas are sacred rituals to invoke and propitiate various deities (energies) using fire as a revered medium for the attainment of various boons and general well-being. Throughout time, fire has been venerated as a symbol of spirit. The first sloka in the Rig Veda is to Agni, to fire:

Agni mide purohitam yajnasya devam ritvijam; hotaram ratna dhatamam

"I offer my humble prayer to Agni, who is the Absolute Divine, the awakener of the inner energy and the giver of prosperity."

Yajnas which are offered by those who expect no reward and believe firmly that it is their duty to offer the sacrifice are considered sattwic. Those offered in expectation of reward or for the sake of ego are classed as rajasic. Those in which food is not distributed, mantras are not properly chanted, gifts are not given and which lack faith are tamasic. According to the Bhagavad Gita the word yajna is not confined to the lighting of the sacrificial fire and making offerings of samagri. Many other forms of yajna are mentioned in the Gita:

Some yogis, who are devoted to karma yoga, offer their actions to the gods; while others, who are devoted to jnana yoga, and who have realized the Self, offer the Self in the fire of Brahman, just as one offers samagri to the sacred fire. (4:25)

Some again offer their ears and other sense organs into the fire of restraint, thus bringing their senses under control; others offer sound and other objects of perception into the fires of the senses. (4:26)

Others offer the functions of the senses and those of the breath (vital energy) in the fire of the yoga of self-restraint kindled by knowledge. (4:27)

Some offer their wealth for the welfare of the needy; some offer their austerities as sacrifice; some practise the eight limbs of raja yoga and offer this yoga (equanimity) as sacrifice; while others observe austere vows and offer study of the scriptures and knowledge as sacrifice. Thus sacrificial duties take many forms. (4:28)

The spirit of yajna is love, sacrifice and service. Yajna is a gift from the creator and a way to honour the creator. It is a symbol of life and all the processes of life. It is a symbol of creation and a method to honour creation. It is the esoteric science of life. The true meaning, value and spirit of yajna is the unity of God and humanity. This is what our life is all about - unity with the divine.

In the following Yajna photo, one can observe Agni taking the forms of divine mother, Lion Goddess. Miracles still do happen even in this age of Kali. Jai Prathyangira

Annadhanam-A Sacred Offering Of Food, Every Sundays

Every Sunday from 12 pm to 3 pm, Annadhanam is provided to all devotees. 1500-3000 people are benefited from this every week.

Annadhanam is often called the best form of dhanam. Because without food life cease to exist. Also, this is one kind of charity where the receiver can say “Enough”. Try giving them money, they need more. Give them clothes, they want a different style or color. Irrespective of how much food one can offer, the receiver will stop at some point and say, Thank you – I am full.

Yearly Navratri Celebration-Navratri is an important festival for devotees, it is celebrated for nine nights and ten days.

During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or "Dussehra" (also spelled Dasera). I

It is celebrated by : Navratri Golu Classical dance
Carnatic Music

Other Important Events

On 2nd & 4th Sundays, Group Bajans by Vazhum Kalaigal (Art of Living)

Yearly Medical Camps for Devotees

Akshara Abhiyasam on Vijayadashmi day

Sin is the basis of suffering. Rituals such as homam, & yagnam are prescribed in the Vedas for expiation of sins and for the acquisition of merit/virtue. The general significance behind all these rituals is to seek the help of deities (divine beings) that are capable to deliver one from sins and to make one acquire punyam (merit) to fulfill one's material or spiritual desires.

Why fire?

Before understanding the significance of homam, it is important to know why only fire and water are used in homam, yagnam and tarpanam. The Vedas proclaim that the entire cosmos is made up of panchabhootas (five elements) in varying proportions. One the basis of the ability to retain and transmit energy, among these five elements, the earth is the heaviest and most concrete. As a medium it can retain energy but cannot transmit it. On the other hand, air and space elements are the lightest of all and are too abstract. They can transmit but cannot retain energy. So, the ancient sages have chosen the fire and water elements for their sadhana to give offerings to the divine beings because these two elements have the best ability to retain and transmit divine energy.

Significance of Homam and Agni

Just as the five elements exist in the cosmos in the world around us, they exist inside the human body too. Inside the being, Agni (fire) exists in two forms - as Jatara-agni (digestive fire in the physical body) and as Bhoota-agni (internal spiritual fire in the subtle body). In most humans, jatara-agni burns brightly and the bhoota-agni burns low merely as a flickering dim flame. A yogi with his spiritual practices converts the jatara-agni into bhoota-agni. Hence he feels very little/no hunger (due to lack or absence of digestive fire). Bhoota-agni, on the other hand, is spiritual in nature and is capable of sustaining divinity.

When a yogi performs the nama/japa/mantra/ offerings to a deity, the deity enters into the bhoota-agni and receives the offering directly. This is said so because a yogi's bhoota-agni burns so brightly inside his sookshma sarira (subtle body) that it can sustain within it, the divinity of a deity or any other divine being. Since, a normal human being's bhoota-agni burns poorly, he makes use of an external fire, to invoke the deity into the fire so that the deity may receive the offerings directly from the external fire. In return, the deity fulfills the righteous desire of the person who performs the homam.

Out of all the types of rituals prescribed, Homam is the quickest way to derive the deity's grace.

Ganapati Homam , Chandi Homam, Sudarshana Homam, Paashupata Homam, Mrityunjaya Homam, Ayush Homam - These are some of the well known homams performed by priests in temples and homes of India. The fire ritual immensely aids in Nadi-shuddi and in maintaining good health.

More often than not one feels very cleansed and rejuvenated after performing a fire ritual. The gases that come out of a homa-kunda revitalize the atmosphere and environment around us and promote well being. Many researches have been conducted about the environmental benefits of homam and yagnam. Even today, these results can be witnessed in many cases where rains from the sky drench the earth with showers immediately after the conclusion of a massive fire ritual. In the ancient days, people performed fire rituals everyday. Such people were called Nitya-Agnihotris. Rama was a Nitya Agnihotri too. He performed the worship with fire even during the time of exile in the forests. With the passage of time, lifestyles have changed and mankind lost most of the knowledge about the significance of such ancient rituals.

Poojas & Homams

Ashtami Homa to Bhairava and Varahi

Every month of Sankata-hara Sathurthi Homam to Uchista Ganapthy

High Powered and Pre-Eminent Amavasya homam with 108 herbes, fruits, shrubs, 33 sarees samarpanam

Sunday Raaghu Kala Pooja to Sarabeshwarar

Friday and Tuesday Raaghu kala Pooja to Raaghu-Ketu

Daily Milk Abhishekam to all deities

Pournami Pooja to Kaalima

LOCATION AND DETAILS

Sri Prathyangira Swamy Siddhar Peedham Trust (Regd.)

No.16A, Sri Prathyangira Kovil Road, Sholinganallur, Chennai 600119, Kanchipuram District.

Phone no. 044 24501404, 044 24501716. Mobile No. 9444691404.

To Participate in Homams, Poojas please contact Temple Office directly.

My end note-Prathyankara devi and manjal varahi are powerful Goddesses. Sincere prayer to them are fulfilled .