Cheruthirunavaya temple is located on Kuttippuram – Chamravattom road in Thavanur village in Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and it lies on the banks of Bharatapuzha River. Here is a look at the history and deities worshipped in Cheruthirunavaya temple. Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Shivling and the darshanam of Cheruthirunavaya temple is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy and Nandi. The Nandi murti in the temple does not face Shiva, which is the usual rule in Shiva temples. Nandi faces north and is situated on the south side of the chuttambalam. During the famous Mamangam period, Cheruthirunavaya was the main center of Eralpaddu. Nilapadu thara and sthanam were located here. Thirunavaya Sabha Madom which is the main center of Thirunavaya Sabha yogam is located at Cheruthirunavaya. This important Brahmin organization earlier had more than 400 illams as its members and it also controlled 19 temples. The place w...

Suvarnavalli Sri Maha Vishnu Temple is located at Pattena near Nileshwar in Kasaragod district, Kerala. Suvarnavalli temple is also known as Choornnolli Ambalam. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Mahavishnu. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy and Sastha. The annual festival in the temple is held in Makaram month. The festival is noted for Thidambu Nritham and special pujas. Vinayaka Chaturthi and Deepavali are the other festivals observed here. Puna Prathishta in the temple was held in April 2019. The shrine is open during morning hours from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Evening darshan time is from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Arayakkil Veerabhadra Swamy temple is located at Pattena near Nileshwar in Kasaragod district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Veerabhadra Swamy. The main Upa Devata in the temple is Ganapathi. As per history, the temple belonged to Arayakkil Peringamana Illam. The temple was previously located at Chellakattu (Moolasthanam). Around 400 years ago, the shrine was shifted to the current spot. The most important festival in the shrine is held on the second Sunday on Vrishchikam month. The temple was earlier famous for Visha Chikitsa (cure for animal and reptile poison). Those people who were bitten by snake used to sit here for three days for Bhajanam. Those that were bitten by dog used so sit in the temple for Bhajanam for 48 days.

Huvishka Pura, was a city near Baramulla in Kashmir, built by the great Kushana king, Huvisha in the 2 nd century BCE as recorded by Kalhana in his Rajatarangini. Kalhana also records the construction of a temple of Vishnu Bhagavan named Muktaswamin and a large vihara with a stupa by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the Karkota ruler of Kashmir. Hiuen-tsang, the famous Chinese traveler who entered Kashmir Valley by the Baramulla Pass, stayed at one of the monasteries at Huvishka Pura. Huvishka Pura is identified with the present Ushkur village near Baramulla, to the west of which is the stupa based and its enclosure wall. It is quite evident that the structure o the stupa belongs to the 8 th century CE. It is definitely built over an older structure, perhaps belonging to the time of Kushanas, stone blocks of which were seen after the removal of the silt. One of these stones bears letters in Kushana Brahmi and one has been deciphered as he-sh-ka-ra in Sharada characters, which perhaps refer...

In Hindu astrology, Hutasana Yoga is employed for analyzing and finding the auspicious dates for traveling on land, the direction in which the journey has to be made, and others. All the tithis are divided into three categories called – dagdha, visha, and hutasana tithis. If on Monday, the tithi is Sasthi, Tuesday Saptami, Wednesday Ashtami, Thursday Navami, Friday Dashami, Saturday Ekadashi and on Sunday Dwadashi then such combinations of the day and tithi form the Hutashana Yoga which is an auspicious yoga. Any work undertaken, under the Hutasana Yoga is expected to be auspicious. While reckoning the Hutasana Yoga, no importance is given to the paksha (fortnight). In other words, these dates could be of the bright fortnight or the dark fortnight. According to this classification, when Saptami tithi falls on Tuesday, it forms the Hutasana Yoga, but if it should be panchami on Tuesday, where it would come under Visha (negative) tithi and hence become inauspicious. This entire...

Hora is used with different meanings in Hindu astrology. It is taken to be an abbreviation of ahoratra. The treatise Saravali has devoted a chapter to it. Hora Shastra – As an alternative for astrology, where hora is derived from ahoratra by dropping ‘a’ and ‘tra’, indicating previous and future births. The word hora in Sanskrit stands for time. ‘Horoscope’ and ‘hour’ are also derived from hora. Hora – used for ascendant (lagna). Parasara has used it for both lagna and half or a rashi. Mantresha has also adopted the same concept, and thus all the significance of lagna is attached to it. Hora Varga – a half division of a rashi is hora. Thus for twelve rashis there will be twenty four horas. The hora gods are the sun and the moon for odd rashis and the reverse holds for even rashis. All odd rashis follow the order of Mesha rashi horas and even rashis follow the order of Vrishabha. However, the first view is commonly accepted. Hora Lagna – Hora Lagna is based on equal time as ...

Champakara Devi temple is located at Champakara near Karukachal in Kottayam district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Bhadrakali. The murti is carved in black granite stone (Shila Vigraham). Darshanam of Champakara Devi is towards east. As per history, Goddess Bhadrakali arrived here atop the oolakuda or traditional umbrella of Kaithakkatt Karnavar. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Kalayakshi and Shiva. The 10-day annual festival in the temple coincides with Meena Bharani. Anpoli Vazhipadu is part of the annual festival. The temple is now administered by NSS Karayogam.

Chandanakkavu Temple is located at Kurumbathur in Malappuram district, Kerala. There are four temples here dedicated to Ganapathi, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagavathi. The temple was earlier known as Chandanakkavu Ganapati Devaswom. There are four temples in Chandanakkavu – Melekkavu, Keezhe Kavu, Ganapati Temple and Vishnu Kshetram. The temple is located inside 8 acres of land. It is said that earlier the temple was spread over 20 acres of land. Melekkavu temple is dedicated to Shiva and Bhagavathi. Both the deities are installed on the same peedom. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Kara Bhagavathy and Eettilath Amma (ഈറ്റില്ലത്തമ്മ ). A unique offering is made by pregnant woman for easy and incident free delivery to Eettilath Amma. The offering is a black silk cloth. Keezhe Kavu temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi, Vallikavil Amma and Subrahmanian. The Upa Devatas here are Sastha and Vettakkorumakan. The Ganapathi temple has murtis of Ganpati, Brahma, Vishn...

Chadayamangalam Mahadeva temple is located at Chadayamangalam on Kottarakkara – Kilimanoor road in Kollam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva. The darsahanam of Chadayamangalam Shiva temple is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Nagam and Jatayu. The 10-day annual festival is observed in Meenam month. The festival is famous as the Meena Thiruvathira utsavam. Another important festival here is the Mahashivratri.

Muttath Tirumala Temple is located at Cherthala in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Sree Venkatachalapathy with Sridevi and Bhudevi, and the Sree Lakshmi Narasimha Shaligram. The temple is a Gowda Saraswat Brahmin temple (GSB). The Narasimha Shaligram is powerful that the temple is now also referred to as Narasimha Temple. There is a Goddess Lakshmi vigraham in the sreekovil. Hanuman and Garuda have separate sreekovil here. The upa devatas in the temple are Shiva, Ganapathi, Naga and Yakshi. Muttathu Tirumala Temple History As per history, the first temple here was built in 1763 CE. The murtis until then was worshiped by Vilaknari Vadika family, who had arrived here from Konkan. The land were the temple now stands, belonged to a Muttathu Namboothiri who worshiped Shiva in a temple here, gave the temple and the land around it to two GSB families – the Alunkal and Kothakulangara families. On the 1st of July 1974, the deities of the temple alo...

Sree Venu Gopala Swamy Temple is located at Purakkad in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The main murti worshipped in the temple is Venu Gopala Swamy form of Vishnu Bhagavan. The deity is flanked by Goddess Lakshmi and Bhu Devi. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Goddess Lakshmi, Ganapathy, Hanuman, Garuda, Naga Kanyaka, Brahma Rakshas, Bhairavan and Shiva. There is also a samadhi of Yogeeswaran – Kundalagosayi. Purakkad Sree Venu Gopala Swamy Temple History The original temple was built between 1660 and 1665 CE. The construction was performed by a businessman named Janardhana Pai. The temple was renovated in 1706 CE – Makayiram nakshatra in Makaram month – with the help of Ambalapuzha king. The jeernodhara prathishta was done on this day. A Gowda Saraswat Brahmin, Baruda Bhatta had left Goa at a time of Portuguese persecution, for Moodbidri, in Dakshina Kannada district with a murti of Venugopala which he had secured from Kelosi-Kushasthali in Goa. After a short sojourn...

Vithoba Temple is located near the Kayamkulam market in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The shrine is locally known as Konkani temple and the main deity in this temple is Vittal or Vithoba. This temple is associated with the Gowda Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) community in Kayamkulam region. Vithoba worshipped in the temple is seen along with Goddess Rukmini. The darshanam of Vithoba Devasthanam is towards west. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva, Bhuvaneshwari, Mahalakshmi, Hanuman, Garuda and Ganapathi. The temple complex comprises the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) and inner temple, flag post (dwajam), temple pond and chariot shed. As per history, the murti worshipped in the temple was brought by a devotee from Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Kayamkulam king had helped in the construction of the temple which belongs to the 18th century CE. Vrischikolsavam, also known as Chaithrolsavam, (November – December) is the main festival celebrated here. The highlight of the 10-day...

Sri Venkatachalapathy Swamy Temple, popularly known as Kollam Thirumala Devaswom Temple, is dedicated to Venkatachalapathy form of Vishnu Bhagavan. This is one among the numerous temples Gowda Saraswat Brahmins in Kerala. The main murti is flanked by Lakshmi Devi and Bhu Devi. Another important deity worshipped here is Varadaraja Murti. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Lakshmi Devi, Ganapathy, Hanuman, Yogeeswaran and Dharma Daivangal. As per history the temple was consecrated in kollavarsham 999 Makayiram nakshatra in Makaram month (January 1822 CE). The temple popular belief is that the murti worshipped here was brought by Govinda Vadhyar from Goa. The annual festival in the temple is observed in Meenam month.

Teachings and Quotes of Meena Om  –  Spiritual mentor and founder of Pranam, a movement to establish Nature's law of truth, love and light by the spiritual realization of Universal Consciousness Tranquility is an inner peaceful, content and consistent state of mind. It is not loneliness. It is liberation from all emotional and physical bondage. Most of us cannot relate to ourselves, or to our own truth inside. We do not realize that there is joy in everything, rising as well as falling, as it is all meant for our growth. It is a joy to watch ourselves grow. The more we resist whatever is happening to us in our life, the more it is disquieting. The moment we realize and accept it as a part of the Universal design for our growth, we become comfortable with it. This is when miracles happen. Our passage becomes smooth. Simply by practising and preaching that we are one or we should be one, problems do not get solved. There is a direct relationship between perfection...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 7 August 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 6:14 PM on August 7. Then onward it is Amavasya Tithi or the no moon day till 6:40 PM on August 8. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 7, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Punarvasu or Punartham nakshatra till 8:28 AM on August 7. Then onward it is Pushya or Poosam or Pooyam nakshatra till 9:46 AM on August 8 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Punarvasu or Punarth...

Thurayil Kavu Bhagavathi temple is located at Karanthur in Kuruvattoor village, Kozhikode district, Kerala. The murti of Thurayil Kavu Bhagavathi is swayambhu shila – a stone murti of divine appearance. The darshanam of Bhagavathi is towards west. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The temple is known as Avattoor in Durga Nama Stotra Namavali. Only one puja is held in a day. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Hanuman and Vettaikkaran. There is no festival in the temple. The shrine is located amidst a ten acre kavu (grove). The grove is inhabited by monkeys.

Thukalassery Mahadeva temple is located on the northern side of Manimalayar near Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The Shiva temple is atop a small hill. The Shivling worshipped in the temple is known as Rakshasa Lingam. The darshanam of Thukalassery Mahadeva is towards east. The upa devatas worshipped in the temple are Sree Krishna, Nagam, Aryayakkal   Bhagavathy and two murtis of Vishnu Bhagavan. The 8-day annual festival begins with kodiyettam on Uthrattathi nakshatra in Kumbham month. As per history, the temple belonged in ancient times to Thukalan who was a Naduvazhi (local ruler) and hence the name Thukalassery. The temple was managed by Tharayil Kuzhikkattu, Thekkedath Kuzhikkattu, Parambooru and Mulavana - all Tantri families (priests). Currently, the temple is managed by Mahadevar Kshetra Haindava Seva Samiti.

Mambra Mahadeva Temple is located at Mambra (near Kallur Thekkummuri) around 7 km south of Koratty in Thrissur district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva. The temple was a Mahakshetram during ancient times. The Shivling worshipped in the temple is considerably big. The sankalpam of Shiva in the temple is that of Keerata Murthy. The darshanam of Mambra Mahadeva is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Goddess Parvathi, Sastha, Brahma Rakshas and Nagam. As per history, Adi Shankaracharya had performed darshanam in the temple. The temple during ancient times had a three tier vatta sreekovil (a 3 storied circular sanctum sanctorum). Currently the prathishta is on a square sanctum on the base of the old circular sanctum sanctorum. Earlier Vishu Pooram was held in the temple. The main festival in the temple is Prathishta Dinam.

Mamanikkunnu Sri Mahadevi temple is located at Irikkur. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Shiva and Goddess Bhadrakali. The darshanam of Shiva is towards east and that of Mamanikkunnu Sree Mahadevi (Bhadrakali) is towards north. The shrine is on the eastern bank of Irikkur River. Although the presiding deity is Shiva, importance is given to Bhadrakali. The prathishta of Bhadrakali is peedom and sword. The pujas to Goddess Kali are performed at noon and evening. The puja at night is as per Shakteya rules (Shakti puja). The puja is performed by Peedaranmar. The Upa Devatas worshiped in the temple are Sastha and Kshetrapalan. The most important festival in the temple is held on pooram nakshatra in meenam month. Navratri and Shivratri are the other important festivals. A unique vazhipadu or offering known as Muristhambhanam is held in the temple. Coconut is broken with sword in the ritual. The offering is done to remove difficulties and obstacles in life. The temple i...

Mathur Shiva temple is located at Tavanur in Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. The Shivling worshipped in the temple is 5 feet tall including the peedom. The darshanam of Tavanur Mathur Shiva is towards east. Vishnu Bhagavan has a separate shrine in the temple complex. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathi and Ayyappa. The important festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri.

Manickamangalam Temple is located at Manickamangalam, around 2 km north of Kalady, in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Karthyayani (Swayambhu Sankalpam). The circular sanctum sanctorum (vatta sreekovil) faces east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva and Sastha. The annual festival in the temple concludes on Uthram nakshatra in Meenam month with arattu. The temple earlier belonged to Pazhoor Mana. Now the shrine is administrated by NSS Karayogam.

Mattil Sastha temple is located around 2 km southwest of Varandarappilly on Amballur – Varandarappilly road in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The shrine was known as Malamoottil Sastha in ancient times. The Ayyappa worshipped in the temple is Bala Swaroopam (child form). The square sanctum sanctorum (Chathura Sreekovil) faces east. The Upa Devata worshipped in the temple is Ganapathy. The belief is that Mattil Sastha is the guardian deity of Thottippal Bhagavathy. As per history, Mattil Sastha was the upsaana murti of Changaram Kotha Karthas. Another belief is that the deity was a Kalari Devata. The shrine participates in the famous Arattupuzha pooram. The next day of pooram is observed as Uthram vilakku in the temple. The shrine is the keezhedom of Areshwaram Temple.

Upamsu Japa is prescribed in the texts of tantra in Hindu religion. It is the recitation of a mantra according to certain rules. Japa involves uttering the words of a mantra and applying the mind to the meaning of the mantra. There are different ways in which words of a mantra may be uttered. Accordingly, japa is classified into three varieties. They are Vachika Japa – in which the words are uttered audibly. It is called also called the verbal japa. Upamsu Japa – in which no audible sound is produced while reciting the mantra, but the words are uttered internally, involving movements of the lips, tongue, and the mouth. Manasa Japa – in which the words are chanted purely internally. When we produce sound by the vibrations of the vocal cords inside the throat, it is called a dhvani, which has no meaning or which is not a word belonging to any language. Language involves production of articulate sounds by specific movements of the apparatus of speech. It is called a varna, which...

Sree Mangode Bhagavathy temple is located at Mangode on Cherpulassery – Palakkad road in Palakkad district, Kerala. The annual festival in the temple is famous as Mangode Pooram and in 2025 it is on April 9. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Devi. The popular belief is that this is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The shrine is known as Mangottur in Durga Nama Stotram Namavali. The temple has a circular sanctum sanctorum – vatta sreekovil. The murti worshipped in the sreekovil is swayambhu. The darshanam of Sree Mangottu Kavu Bhagavathy is towards north. The Upa Devata worshipped in the temple is Ganapathy. The 7-day festival in the temple begins with kodiyettam on Punartham nakshatra in Meenam month. The important rituals and festivities during the annual Mangode Pooram includes Pana, Palakombu Ezhunellippu, Pooja, Thiri Uzhichil, Pana Pidutham and Guruthi. Kazhcha Seeveli, Panchavadyam, Thira, Poothan, Kuthira, pakal pooram, Kummatti, Angadi Kulathingal panchavadyam,...

 Mattom Narasimha Swamy temple is located on the Harippad – Mavelikara road in Allappuzha district, Kerala. The main murti worshipped in the temple is four-armed Narasimha (Chaturbahu). The darshanam of Mattom Narasimha Swamy is towards east. The temple has a circular sanctum sanctorum – vatta sreekovil. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Shiva and Sri Krishna. Attvishesham is observed on Vishu day. The belief is that the murti was the Upasana murti of Odanadu kings. The temple is mentioned in Unnineeli Sandesham of 14th century. As per scholars the name mattom because the place might have been a place where barter system existed during ancient times. Vishumattam or exchange of goods on Vishu might have happened here.

Pandavas and the Kauravas of Mahabharata are descendants of King Kuru. King Kuru gave rise to the Kuru dynasty and fifteen generations the Pandavas and the Kauravas were born. The story of King Kuru and Kurukshetra was narrated to the Pandavas during their exile period in the Vana Parva of Mahabharata by Rishis. They had met Rishis on the advice of Indra who wanted Pandavas to use their years of exile wisely to travel, see new places, and learn new skills and to spend time with sages and learned people. This would help them in becoming better human beings and rulers. Kurukshetra the land near Hastinapur was named after King Kuru. King Kuru had tilled the earth here using his flesh as seed and blood as water to please Indra. An exasperated Indra appeared before King Kuru and asked him what he sought. Kuru wanted nothing for himself but asked for heaven for those who died in Kurukshetra. Indra agreed but laid a condition, saying it was not enough for a person to die on Kurukshetra;...

Mathur Shiva Temple is located at Pannithadam in Kadangode village on Wadakkanchery – Kunnamkulam road in Thrissur district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva. The unique Shivling in the temple is known as Rudraksha Lingam. The Shivling is irregular in shape and is of divine origin. Mathur Shiva Temple at Pannithadam has a big circular sanctum sanctorum (vatta sreekovil) and the darshanam is towards west. Goddess Parvati has a prathishta on the east side of Sreekovil in the temple. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ayyappan, Ganapathi, Dakshinamurti and Nagayakshi. All the Upa Devatas face west. The important festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri.

Swami Sri Atmananda Saraswati Thoughts -  Teachers Should Not Spoon Feed With due respect to all teachers, some keep spoon feeding their students with even small and simple things of life. They keep taking decisions for their students, thus not only stunting their growth, but also bringing about dependence on their teachers for even small things in life. Such teachers may help solve some problems, but the basic dependence always remains. This is not an ideal condition. Even though all gurus will have to help their students in their fields just like our parents and other well wishers do in helping solve their problems, but the responsibility of a teacher does not end here. Ultimately their students should become mature and enlightened enough to not only take their decisions themselves but also attain heights attained by their teachers themselves. For this one has to go one day into the very 'Knowledge of Truth'. When this understanding dawns in a person that...

Mangottu Bhagavathi temple is located at Athipotta in Palakkad district, Kerala. The murti worshipped in the temple is a highly fierce form of Goddess Bhagavathi. As per local belief, Mangottu Bhagavathi is the younger sister of Kavasseri Parakkattu Bhagavathy. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathi and Mookan Chathan. Mangottu Bhagavathi Temple Story As per history, Mangottu Bhagavathi arrived here atop the olakkuda or traditional umbrella of a weaver named Kuttan. The weaver community headed by Kuttan used to sell clothes during temple festivals in the region. During one such journey, he happened to see the murti of a very beautiful Goddess. He wished to have the murti of Goddess worshipped in his village. During the procession of the Goddess, a huge wind removed the clothes of the deity. Kuttan immediately threw the clothes he had in his hand on the murti of the Goddess. The clothes miraculously got attached to the murti of Goddess. Next day, Kuttan returned ...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 6 August 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 5:18 PM on August 6. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 6:14 PM on August 7. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 6, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 6:43 AM on August 6. Then onward it is Punarvasu or Punartham nakshatra till 8:28 AM on August 7 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa...

Bhagavan Sri Rama was the ideal ruler of Treta Yuga, in whose kingdom, there was excellent growth and unparalleled economic thoughts. Bharata, who ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya during the exile period of Sri Rama, made the sandals of Rama his symbol, and enhanced the reserved of the exchequer more than ten times. This indicates his commitment to careful public financial management, wherein the subjects were happy and were paying taxes, willingly, due to the successful, encouraging, prospective economic welfare achieved by the ruler. Bhagavan Sri Ramachandra used to hear the problems of his subjects, and personally came forward to redress their grievances as he used to feel that public grievances as he used to feel that public grievances were his own. Rama rajya (the reign of Rama) is known for success, peace, welfare, and willing participation of the subjects in all activities of the state. It was an example for everyone to follow, and even to this day Rama rajya is acclaimed as t...

 Thiruvallur Mahadeva temple is located at Eriyad on the Eriyad – Kodungallur road in Thrissur district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva who is swayambhu. The darshanam of the deity is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Sastha, Vettaikaran, Bhagavathy, Nagayakshi, Sri Krishna and Vadakkumnathan. The main festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri in Kumbham month.

Thiruvarchanamkunnu temple, also known as Puramalasserikkavu, is located atop a hill around 4 km from Oorakam Puthen Peedikayil on the Malappuram – Vengara road in Malappuram district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The temple is known as Puramalasserikkavu in Thottam pattu, which narrates the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Ayyappa and Shankaranarayana. Both the deities have separate sanctum sanctorum (sreekovil). The darshanam of the shrine is towards west. There is only one puja in a year and this is on Thiruvonam nakshatram in Thulam month.

The legend and life of Agastya is featured often in the Puranas and epics. In the Mahabharata, Indra advised Pandavas to use their years of exile wisely to travel, see new places, and learn new skills and to spend time with sages and learned people. This will help them in becoming better human beings and rulers. The story of upside down ancestors of Sage Agastya and their rebirth was heard by the Pandavas during their exile period. Rishi Agastya had constant bad dreams about his ancestors. In every dream, they appeared hung upside down over a bottomless pit, crying that they would never be able to escape this miserable state unless they were reborn. For this, they told Agastya, they needed him, their descendant, to marry and produce children. Heeding their advice, Agastya married the princess Lopamudra of Vidarbha kingdom. She served Agastya with devotion and sincerity. But when they decided to have a child, Lopamudra wished that the sage should earn sufficient wealth for them to l...

Chowalloor Shiva temple, Chowalloor Mahadeva Kshetram, is located at Chowalloor in Chowalloor in Kandanassery village, Thrissur district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva and Shivling worshipped in the temple is swayambhu. Darshanam of Chowalloor Shiva is towards west. The temple has a circular sanctum sanctorum – vatta sreekovil. The sreekovil is two-tiered. The top roof is covered in copper. The shrine of Goddess Parvati is located on the eastern side of the sreekovil and the darshanam of goddess is towards east. The murti of Goddess Parvati is carved in jackfruit tree (varikka plavu). The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapati, Hanuman, Ayyappa, Navagrahas, Sapta Matrikas and Simhodaran. The main Balikalu is about 10 feet tall. A Subrahmanya Swamy temple is located on the northeast side. The deity faces east. The 12-day long annual festival in the temple concludes on Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Dhanu month. Main offerings during the 12 days long Thiruvathira...

Chowara Sri Krishna temple is located at Chowara (on the banks of Periyar River) in Sreemoolanagaram near Aluva in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The main murti worshiped in the temple is Sri Krishna. The belief is that the deity blesses couples with healthy children (sankalpam is of Santana Aishwarya Pradanan). The Upa devata worshipped in the temple is Ganapathi. The 8-day annual festival concludes on Rohini nakshatra in Makaram month with Arattu. As per history, the original temple was built by Kulasekhara Perumal. This old shrine is known as Moola Kshetram. The current temple was built by Chowara kovilakam for peace, prosperity and Santhana bhagyam (to beget children). Another legend has it that Parashuram had given advice to Tantris in the place where the current temple is located. Ashtami Rohini in Chinga Masam is an important festival in the temple.

 Chowara Sree Dharma Sastha temple is located at Adimalathura, Kazhivoor, ( in between Vizhinjam and Poovar on Chappath seashore) in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The temple is known as SriPoorkkavu in Thottam Pattu. The temple is located atop a hill. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Durga, Nagam and Shiva. Chowara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple History As per history the temple belonged to Mooriyathotam family. Marthanda Varma who was being chased by Ettuveetil Pillamar had taken refuge in the house of Mooriyathotam family. Ettuveetil Pillamar burnt the house down. But miraculously nothing happened to the puja room. The puja did not burn because of the presence of Ayyappa. When Marthandavarma became king he built a temple here and gave land for the maintenance of the temple. When Mooriyathotam family split into four groups, it became impossible to maintain the temple. The temple was handed ov...

Chelamattom Sreekrishna temple is located at Chelamattom on Perumbavoor – Kalady road in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple lies on the banks of Periyar River. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Sree Krishna and Narasimha. The darshanam of Chelamattom Sree Krishna Swamy is towards east. Karkidaka Vavu Bali is of great importance in the temple. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Sastha, Nagayakshi and Swamiyar Samadhi. As per history, initially the temple only had the prathishta of Narasimha. Sree Krishna murti was retrieved from the Periyar River and consecrated in the temple. The first vigraham of Sree Krishna was made of wood (dharuvigraham). The current shila vigraham (stone) was donated to the temple by Sakthan Thampuran. It is said that Shila vigraham was meant to be consecrated in Thiruvananthapuram but it was accidently installed at Chelamattom. The temple is famous for Pithru Karmam (rituals associated with departed souls). This is beca...

Ashtabandakalasham is a tantric kriya involved in the consecration of a murti or bimbam or vigraham in a Hindu temple in Kerala. In simple terms it is the fixing or sticking the murti to the peedam (stand or foundation) using a particular glue like substance. In tantric terms, the peedam represents moola prakriti and the vigraham represents Virat Purusha. The name Ashtabandakalasham is because of the use of eight ingredients in making the sticky substance for fixing peedam and vigraham. The ingredients for making the Ashtabandakalasham or the glue like substance include powder of Shankh six parts (aru bhagam), kolarakku four parts, kadukka two parts, chenchaliyam one part, kozhipparal one parts, perattumanal one part, nool paruthi one part and nellikai or gooseberry two parts. All the ingredients except noolparuthi are powdered atop a granite stone. The powder is mixed with sesame oil (ellenna) and powdered again (idichu patham varuthuka). When it is pounded on granite stone, the...

Thiruvalloor Mahadeva temple is located at Alangad in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped in a ferocious form in the temple. The specialty of the temple is that Shiva is worshipped with his third eye open – Agni Pratistha.  There is no abhishekam or dhara in the temple as the pratishta in the temple is Agnithwa Shiva Lingam. The dhara vazhipadu of Thiruvalloor temple is performed at Iravipuram Shiva temple. The temple was one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. The temple has a circular sanctum sanctorum - vatta sreekovil. Ganapathi prathishta in the temple is adjacent to the sreekovil on the southside. The darshanam of Ganapathi is towards north. The 8-day annual festival in the temple concludes on Vishu day after Vishukani. The Koodeyirikkam takes place after Vishukani. A temple pond is located on the east side of the sreekovil or sanctum sanctorum. The pond water is believed to cool down the effect of Agni emanating fr...

Chelakkara Anthimahakalan Kavu temple is located at Chelakkara in Thrissur district, Kerala. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Anthimahakalan (Shiva) and Goddess Bhadrakali. The darshanam of Chelakkara Anthimahakalan Kavu is towards east. The famous Chelakkara Anthimahakalan Kavu kala vela festival begins on the first Saturday of Meenam month (Mid March). The dharu bimbam or murti of Anthimahakalan wears pashupatastra and is in the form of forest dweller (Kattala Roopam). The murti of Goddess Bhadrakali is kannadi shila prathishta. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple is Nagaraja. The annual festival in the temple is the Anthimahakalan Kavu Vela. The festival begins on the first Saturday in the Malayalam month of Meenam (Mid March) and ends on the next Saturday. The most important ritual of the Anthimahakalan Kavu is the Goddess Kali – Demon Darika debate which is followed by Kaala Vela. Both the debate and Kaala Vela, the procession of huge effigies of oxen, is...

Cheranalloor Bhagavathy temple is located at Cheranalloor in Ernakulam. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Karthyayani. The shrine is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The darshanam of Cheranalloor Bhagavathy is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy andVishnu. The nine-day annual festival in the temple begins on Rohini nakshatra day in Kumbham month. There is a ruler that fragrant flowers should not be used in the temple. For processions and ezhunellippu, only female elephants should be employed.

Chowara Chidambara Swamy temple, also known as Sri Chidambareswara Mahadeva temple, is located at Chowara (on the banks of Periyar River) in Sreemoolanagaram in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva. The famous Nataraja form of Shiva is worshipped in the temple. The darshanam of Chowara Chidambara Swamy is towards west. As per local people, the temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. It is believed that murti in the temple was consecrated by Parashurama avatar of Vishnu. There are no upa devatas in the temple. The architecture of the temple is typical Kerala style temple architecture. The sreekovil is square in shape. The Nandi worshipped in the temple is in standing posture not the regular sitting posture. The important festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri. The annual festival in the temple begins on the Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Makaram month with kodiyettam. 

A collection of quotes and teachings from Brahma Upanishad. As oil in the sesame seed, butter in the curd, water in the stream, fire in the arani wood, so is the Atman in one’s self to be discovered by one who realizes it through truth and tapasya. Just as spiders by means of one thread project and withdraw the web, so also the Prana, (who) retires drawing back his creation. One in dreamless sleep goes through that state to one’s own Abode, like a falcon and the sky – just as a falcon goes (to its nest) borne on the sky.  Just as this Devadatta (in dreamless sleep) runs not away even when struck with a stick, even so he does not also attach himself to good or evil consequences of the life’s ordained activities; just as a child enjoys itself (spontaneously) without motive or desiring fruit, even so this Devadatta (the subject of dreamless sleep) enjoys happiness in that state. He knows being the Light Supreme. The enlightened one should discard the external threa...

Chovva Maha Shiva temple is located at Melechowa South in Kannur district, Kerala. The Shiva worshipped in the temple is swayambhu – of divine origin. The darshanam of Chovva Maha Shiva is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Vishnu, Ayyappa, Ganapati, Nagam and Murugan. Ganapati murti is worshipped on the south side of the main sanctum sanctorum. Mahavishnu is worshipped in the Balivattom inside and he faces east. The darshanam of nagam is towards wes and that of Ayyappa is towards east. The temple is situated in a 4 acre compound. Legend has it that the Shivling worshipped in the temple was buried underground and it was later retrieved and consecrated by Kanva Maharshi. The temple is believed to be more than 5000 years old and the temple was destroyed by Tipu Sultan. The remains of the old temple can be still seen around.   The main festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri. As per history, the temple belonged to Kolathiri king and it late...

Cheranelloor Shiva temple is located at Koovappady (around 8 km north to Perumbavoor) in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. Darshanam of Cheranalloor Shiva is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy and Ayyappan. The 8-day annual festival in the temple concludes with arattu on Thiruvathira nakshatra in Kumbham month. The temple is now managed by Ooranma Devasom. As per history, the temple belonged to Moothedom, Edasseri, Koramburu and Mooppilappally illams.

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, 5 August 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 3:54 PM on August 5. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 5:18 PM on August 6. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 5, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Mrigasira or Makayiram or Mrigasheersham nakshatra till 4:32 AM on August 5. Then onward it is Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 6:43 AM on August 6 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gu...

Cherambatta Kavu temple is located on Kothakurissi-Chalavara road at Ananganadi village in Palakkad district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The darshanam of Cherambatta Kavu Bhagavathy is towards north. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Rakshas, Kshetrapalan and Nagarajavu. The annual festival in the temple begins on Chothi nakshatra in Meena month (March - April). Arattu is performed on the fifth day from Chothi nakshatra. The famous Cherambatta Kavu Pooram festival is held on the sixth day from Chothi nakshatra in Meenam month. Nearly 50 elephants participate in the pooram festival. This is a small shrine with a Chathura sreekovil covered in panchaloham. There is a Kodimaram (flagpole). The annual festival is famous for caparisoned elephants, panchavadyam, pandimelam, ezhunellippu, tantric pujas and rituals. Kala vela (twin ox effigy is pulled to the temple as part of the festival). Tall decorated structures with sculptures of Devi is carried to the t...