Sree Ganesha Arati

Shree Ganeshaya Dhimahi lyrics by Shankar Mahadevan

Mmmmm Mmmmm
Pausaaaaaaa Pausaaaaaa
Gananayaka Ganadaivataya Ganadaksha Yadhimahi
Guna shariraya Guna Manditaya Guneshanay Dhimahi
Gunaditaya Gunadhishaya Guna pravishtaya Dhimahai
Ekadantaya Vakratundaya Gauri tanahaya yadhi mahi
Gajeshanaya Bhalchandraya shree ganeshaya dhimahi
{Ekadantaya Vakratundaya Gauri tanahaya yadhi mahi
Gajeshanaya Bhalchandraya shree ganeshaya
dhimahi}-chorus

Gaanachaturaya ganaapranaya gaanantaratmane gaanot
sukhay
Gaanamattaya gannott sukha mana se
Guru pujitaya, Guru daivataya, Guru kulasthaine
Guru Vikramaya, Guiyya pravaraya Gurave guna gura ve
Gurudaitya kalakchetre, Guru dharma sada rakdhyaya
Guru putra paritratre Guru pakhand khand khaya
Geet saraya, Geet tatvaya Geet kotraya dhimahi
Gudha gulfaya, Gandha Mattaya Gojaya pradaya dhimahi
Gunaditaya Gunadhishaya Guna pravishtaya Dhimahai
Ekadantaya Vakratundaya Gauri tanahaya yadhi mahi
Gajeshanaya Bhalchandraya shree ganeshaya dhimahi
Ekadantaya Vakratundaya Gauri tanahaya yadhi mahi
Gajeshanaya Bhalchandraya shree ganeshaya
dhimahi}-chorus
{Gandharva rajaya gandhaya Gandharva gana shravan
pranaime
Gaadha anuragaya granthaya geetaya grantatarth
tanmaiye gurileee.
Gunavateee.. ganapatayeee..}- chorus
Granta geetaya granta geyaya grantanta ratamane
Geeta leenay geetaa shrayaya
Geetavadya vadya padave, dheya charitaya gaya gavaraya
Gandharvapri krupe gayakadhina vighra haya
Gangajala pranayavate Gauri stanamadhaya Gauri hridaya
nandanaya
Gaur bhanu sukhaya Gauri ganeshwaraya
Gauri Pranyaya Gauri pravanaya Gaur bhavaya dhimahi
Ohasa hastraya gowardanaya gopa gopaya dhimahi
Gunaditaya Gunadhishaya Guna pravishtaya Dhimahai
Ekadantaya Vakratundaya Gauri tanahaya yadhi mahi
Gajeshanaya Bhalchandraya shree ganeshaya dhimahi
{Ekadantaya Vakratundaya Gauri tanahaya yadhi mahi
Gajeshanaya Bhalchandraya shree ganeshaya
dhimahi}-singer and chorus together
Pausaaaaaaa Pausaaaaaa
Mmmmm Mmmmm

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Vaikunda Ekadasi on 24 Dec 2012

There are 24 Ekadasis observed by Hindus during the year. Of these Vaikunda Ekadasi celebrated in the Tamil month Margazhi (Dec-Jan) is considered very auspicious. On this day people accompany the Lord to the doors of Heaven (SorgaVasal, Sorgam - Heaven/Vasal - Doors). In all temples the Sorgavasal will remain opened on this day. People remain awake the previous night and go to the temple early in the morning to enter the Sorgavasal. People take up fasting on this day for all their wishes to come true. It is believed that one who worships Lord Vishnu on this day will reach Vaikunta (Heaven). This festival is of great significance at all Balaji Temples especially at Tirupati and Sri Rangam.

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The Sacred Month of Karthika ( Pongala)

The Sacred Month of Karthika:
  The month wherein the 'Karthika' Nakshatra is in completion is known as the month of Karthik (comes somewhere between mid November and December as per English calendar). This month is extremely sacred and is very dear to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. There is something extremely special about the sanctity of this month that draws all Shiva and Vaishnava devotees together and reinstates the unity in the Shiva - Vishnu concept. That is, all the sacred baths, lighting lamps, fasting, pilgrimages, devotional services will be devoted to and reach both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. This sacred period falls within the 'Sharad Ruthu' (Winter season), hence water is clear and cold. This period is also known as 'Hamsodakam' (Swan period).

India, the country where the Vedic knowledge originated, celebrates this whole holy period in a very special way. People take baths with pure, cold water before sunrise, and this will supposedly benefit the purity of both mind and body and also lead towards better health. Many of those who live close to rivers would even take a river bath. This is much better because the rivers waters, flowing from many forests, carry ingredients from many herbs which help towards better health. Many people at least try to avoid hot water baths during this time.

The following traditions are most commonly observed by the people who understand the importance of this period:

Dipping the right hand thumb and shaking water thrice and then pour water from the right hand palm three times
Wearing freshly cleaned dry clothes to do 'Sandhya Vandana'
Offering Prayers & deeparadhans (lamp ceremony) to Deities,
It is believed that offering 'Tulasi Dalas' (Holy basil leaves) to Lord Vishnu and 'Maredu' (or Bilva leaves) to Lord Shiva during praying time is supreme and will please them the most. So, many follow this ritual even to this day.

Fasting once in a while is considered good for health even from medical point of view. Fasting in winter is more feasible and easier than fasting in summer. It would be best if the entire family could take part together in these activities. It is supposed to increase harmony, fun and happiness in families and improve matrimonial relations.

Leave lighted lamps in the rivers and other water bodies is also considered to bring prosperity. So many Indian married women observe fasting and leave well lit lamps in rivers on certain special days like Karthika Poornima day in many parts of the country.

Another extremely special feature one would notice in temple rituals that is exclusively special is 'Jwala Thoranam'. On certain special days like Mondays, in a Shiva Temple, a large, thick rope is made from grass and lit. Under the burning grass rope, devotees along with the Deity keep moving in a swing-like motion. This is a rare sight to see and one that no one should miss. Huge crowds gather to witness this and many do participate in this event.

Many people perform Sri Satyanarayan Vratam during this time of the year. Especially, performing this on Karthika Poornimaday is considered supreme and yields best results.

 

 In kerala on karthika pournami attukal  Pongala is done. Ponkala, is a unique ritual performed by women in Bhagavathy temples in Kerala. The ritual comprises preparing ‘prasad’ for the Devi – women cook rice and jaggery in earthen pots and they offer it to the goddess. In 2012, Chakkulathu Kavu Pongala is on November 28. Bhagavathy or Devi is a divine incarnation of Shakti. Chakkulathu Kavu Pongala takes place at Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple near Thiruvalla in Kerala and attracts lakhs of women
Om Sri Sairam !
Om Namah Sivayah

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KalaBhairavashtami, DEC 6th-2012

Kalashtami, or Maha kalaBhairavashtami, is the most auspicious day dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairava. Lord kala Bhairava is a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Kala Bhairava is the God of Time – Kal means 'time' and 'Bhairava' the manifestation of Shiva. Ashtami after Poornima, the eighth day after full moon, is considered the ideal day to propitiate Kala Bhairava. In 2012, Kala Bhairavashtami is on Dec 06.

Lord Kala Bhairava is also known as Kshetrapalaka, the guardian of the temple. In honor of this, keys to the temple are ceremonially submitted to Lord Kaala Bhairava at temple closing time and are received from him at opening time.

The vahana (vehicle) of Lord Kaala Bhairava is the dog. Feeding and taking care of dogs is another way of showing our devotion to Lord Kaala Bhairava. 

There are eight types of Bhairavas and they are called ashta Bhairavas. They are Asithanga Bhairavar, Ruru Bhairavar, Chanda Bhairavar, Krodha Bhairavar, Unmatta Bhairavar, Kapala Bhairavar, Bhishana Bhairavar and Samhara Bhairavar. Apart from these eight forms there is yet another form called Swarna akarshana Bahiravar. Maha Bhairavar is said to be Shiva himself.

The Swarna akarshana Bhairavar has red complexion and clothed in golden dress. He has moon in his head. He has four hands. In one of the hands he carries a golden vessel. He gives wealth and prosperity.

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Kaarthigai Deepam 27th NOV 2012

Kaarthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in the Tamil month of Kaarthigai. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Kaarthigai month which coincides with Krithikai star. It is also considered as the extension of the Deepavali festival. In some houses, they double the number of lamps every day from the day of Deepavali and this way, they end up with a number of lamps on the day of Kaarthigai Deepam.

It is celebrated in a special manner in Thiruvannamalai. Lord Shiva asks Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Since Lord Shiva takes a gigantic form, they are not able to find out anywhere. Then Lord Shiva takes the form of a jyothi (light of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Therefore, this festival is also known as Annamalai Deepam. Here, a special torch is lighted on the zenith of the hill and it is believed that Lord Shiva's jothi will be visible on this day.

Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai". On this day, all his six forms were united by Parvathi(his mother) and this way, he had six faces. Special poojas are performed to Lord Muruga.

On this day, people clean the houses. In the evening, they draw kolams (rangoli) in the front of the house and also place some lamps on it. The lamps(Agal) are placed in the pooja and lighted. Then the Deeparathana is done in which the lamps are moved to different places in the house. The lamps glow all over the streets on this day. The lamps are arranged near the doors and windows and also in the balconies. In this way, people of Tamil Nadu celebrate Kaarthigai Deepam for three days.

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