Guruvayur

27/02/2016

Guruvayur Utsavam 2016 Special Moments...

27/02/2016

At Guruvayur, the Utsavam lasts for ten days. Beginning on the day of Pushya (the 8th asterism) in the month of Kumbham ( February-March), it ends after the Aarattu on the 10th day.
Religiously, it is the restoration of divine Chaithanya. Brahmakalasam is preceded by the Utsavam. It is aimed at the purification and energisation of the powers of the deity. It is the last of the long series of rituals of kalasam and at the end, the flag will be hoisted heralding the Utsavam.
Culturally, it consists of various processions, illumination and modest fire-works (this is a specialty of Guruvayur Utsavam that no explosives are used, unlike most of the other Kerala temples). All ten days, the place wears a festive look, streets dressed up with arches, festoons etc., houses freshly thatched and painted. Every shrine and building is tastefully decorated with lights, plantain trunks, bunches of coconut and arecanuts. Two Gopurams and the bahyankana (outer-courtyard) are elaborately decorated with illuminations and eye-catching electric displays. The lamps, Deepasthambams and vilakku are all lightened.

27/02/2016

Aatukal Pongala 2016 -

The largest gathering of women on a single event in the world. Estimated around 40 lakhs participated in the last event at the Aatukal Bhagavati Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala - India. The festival entered the Guinness records for being the largest single gathering of women for a religious activity.

Pongala (literally means to boil over) is a ritualistic offering of a sweet dish consisting of rice porridge, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. Devotees offer pongala to appease the presiding deity of the temple - the Goddess - popularly known as Attukalamma.

Only women are allowed to participate in the Pongala ritual. Right from the night before the Pongala day, thousands of women, regardless of religious faith, assemble at the temple premises and on either side of the roads leading to the shrine, to make the Pongala offering. Devotees from across the country and even from abroad participate in the ritual.

26/02/2016

Guruvayur Utsavam 2016

06/11/2015

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Guruvayur Ekadasi on 22nd of November 2015 Sunday …Of the 24 Ekadasis in an year, Vrishchika Ekadasi (Sukla paksha) is celebrated as Guruvayur Ekadashi at the Guruvayur temple & it falls in the Mandala season… On GURUVAYUR EkADASHI Day after Nirmalya darshan ( 3.00AM ), the temple will be closed only at 9.00 am on Dwadasi Day (12th day, 23rd of Nov ), thus allowing continuous “Darshan” for devotees throughout the Days....Jay Sree Guruvayurappa….. On Ekadasi day, the Udayasthamana Pooja will be conducted by the Devaswom itself . Also on the Dwadasi day(12th day), there is a unique custom of offering a token amount called "Dwadasi Panam" in Koothambalam for the welfare of the family and it is considered highly auspicious. .On Ekadasi day, after the morning seeveli, there is a grant elephant procession to the Parthasarathi temple as this day is also regarded as “Geethopadesam day”.. ....the day on which Bhagavan Krishna revealed Gita to Arjuna..... Jay ParthaSaradhee…
Highlights of the Guruvayur Ekadasi are the memorial honor for Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan who went to Bhagavan’s abode on Guruvayur Ekadesi Day , the Chembai Sangeetholsavam which lasts for15 days and the divine “Ekadasi Vilakku” which started already from last Saturday 24th Oct 2015.The ritual “Ekadasi Vilakku” begins a month before the Ekadasi day. Devotees, organisations, and institutions will conduct Ekadasi Vilakku as an offering on this month.Ekadasi is observed on the , the 11th day of lunar fortnight. For Guruvayur Ekadashi, the Navami (9th day) and Dasami (10th day) are also very important. On Navami day, the Vilakku is lit with ghee as an offering by Kolady family. The Dasami Vilakku which used to be an offering of Zamorin Raja, is now conducted by Guruvayurappan Sankeerthana Trust. On Guruvayur Ekadashi Day the Guruvayur Devaswom will perform the Vilakku celebrations Lamps were lit after the idol of Guruvayurappan was taken in a procession accompanied by Nadaswaram and Edakka. ..Narayana... Narayana.... Lord Guruvayurappan is the owner of the largest number of elephants in India .After the morning seeveli, on Ekadasi there is a grant elephant procession to the Parthasarathi temple as this day is also regarded as “Geethopadesam day”.. ....the day on which Bhagavan Krishna revealed Gita to Arjuna..... Jay ParthaSaradhee…….As a memorial service for GajarajanKesavan, the leader of the elephants at Punnathur Kotta of the GuruvayurTemple places a garland at the statue of Guruvayur Kesavan in front of Sreevalsam guest house and all the other elephants stand around and pay obeisance before the statue.
CHEMPAI SANGEETHOLSAVAM which is held annually in memory of the great Sree Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatahar, ahead of the 'Ekadasi' festival will concludes on the Guruvayur Ekadashi Day …All are welcome to the Sreelakam of PonnuGuruvayurappan….. Jay Sree Guruvayurappa…… SreeKrishnarppanamasthu……

23/08/2015

Onam Pookolam...
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23/08/2015

Sree Ganesha Chaturthi wishes to all bandhus. The great Ganesha festival, also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or Ganeshotsav. When people are on a fast on the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, they may opt for either the nirjal vrat (a stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). As a general fact, the devotees who have observed vrat on the festival are allowed to consume sweets including Til ka Ladoo (sesame sweetmeat), gajak and rewari (sweets made of sesame and jaggery), along with tea and coffee. They generally abstain from other forms of food, while non-vegetarian food is strictly not allowed, when someone is on a fast. In order to stay concentrated, the devotees would chant mantras invoking Lord Ganesha and sing bhajans on his praise. It is believed that if one observes fast on Ganesha Chaturthi with utmost devotion they will blessed with health, wealth and prospirity...
Lord Ganesha is the God of Knowledge and He is the god that protects His devotees from any obstacles (vighnam). Hence the name Vighneswara. He is also described as the Supreme Leader ( Vinayaka). Buddhi (intellect) and Siddhi (achievement) are Lord Ganesha’s spouses. Thus he is the master of knowledge and achievement. Lord Ganesh is worshipped in different forms .As Ekadanta, the Lord has limitless powers. As Heramba, he removes obstacles. As Lambodara, He protects all worlds. As Surpa Karna, He shows compassion by giving the highest knowledge. All these names for Lord Vinayaka, who is the Lord of all.

The Lord has four hands. In one hand he has a rope while in another he has an axe. With the axe he cuts off the attachment of his devotees to the world of plurality and thus end all the sorrows that go with it. The rope is used to pull the devotee close and closer to the Truth. In a third hand he holds a rice ball that represents the joys of Sadhana. With the other hand he blesses his devotees and protects them from obstacles that they may encounter on their Spiritual path of seeking the Supreme.

10/04/2015

"I am responsible for the welfare of those who think of me to the exclusion of all else and who remain devoted to me all the time"
- Bhagavath Gita

31/03/2015

23/03/2015

23/03/2015