Year: 2016

According to the Hindu Calendar Ekadashi is the technically the eleventh day of a fortnight and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are two Ekadashis in the month of Magha and are called Jaya Ekadashi and Vijaya Ekadashi

What is Jaya Ekadashi to be exact?

Jaya Ekadashi is also known as BHisma Ekadashi or Bhoumi Ekadashi and is considered of extreme importance by the devout devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Ekadashi as mentioned earlier is generally associated with the worship of Lord Vishnu, but in case of Jaya Ekadashi, because it falls in the month of Magha or January or February by the Gregorian calendar; it is considered to be extremely auspicious in terms of worshipping Lord Shiva.

What is the legend behind Jaya Ekadashi?

The legend and significance of Jaya Ekadashi was explained in by Lord Krishna to the eldest Pandava, Yudhistira  and also finds a mention in the Padma PUrana  and the Bhavisyothara Purana.  According to the legend, when the soul of BHisma, left his body after Uttarayana, it went to heaven on the day of Jaya Ekadashi. Before he left for the heavenly abode, lying on his bed of arrows, he revealed the Vishnu Stothram to the Pandavas. While he disclosed this extremely powerful stotram, Krishna, manifestation of Lord Vishnu; was present there.  Thus Jaya Ekadashi started being celebrated with great devotion and effort. The devotee who observes this with utmost intention attains freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

How to do the rituals on Jaya Ekadashi?

Fasting on Jaya Ekadashi yields wonderful results. It is sadi that fasting on this day ensures the devotee of a place in Vaikuntha or the abode of Vishnu.  Thus one should take a bath in the early mornings on the day of the Jaya Ekadashi, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Vishnu.  Non Vegetarian food, alcohol, beans, spices, grains and cereals are to be avoided on this day. While breaking fast in the evening, the devotee should chant the Shiva and the Narayana Aarti stotram. Ekadashi fasting for the days, ekadashi and the next day is suggested for stauch devout devotees who are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is said that the listener of the Jaya Ekadashi Vrat katha too attains blessings and merits gained from performing an agni (fire) sacrifice.

According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Krishna said –

I might let you know about Jaya Ekadashi. This Ekadashi decimates a wide range of evil responses and demoniac impacts that might be influencing the soul. It is known as Jaya Ekadashi, and the lucky soul who watches this holy day is assuaged of the immense weight of unholy presence. Subsequently there is no preferred Ekadashi over this, for it really presents opportunity from conception and demise. It is to be regarded deliberately and determinedly. Thus one ought to entirely watch a quick on the consecrated day of Lord Hari, particularly on this Jaya Ekadashi. Any soul who watches this with full confidence and dedication has as a result given a wide range of philanthropy, performed a wide range of penance, and washed in all the Holy places of journey.

 

Thus, whoever observes the Jaya Ekadashi religiously achieves immense success in the present life and the coming ones.

Rohini Vrat is a fairly common vrat practiced by the Jain s, particularly; the Jain ladies, on a fairly regular basis.

Jainism which renounces all forms of non- violence and propagated lives engaged in sadhana,  advocates  quite a number of vrats or rituals as part of being involved in that sadhana or quest to find that eternal life. Rohini vrat, being one such is a pretty popular vrat observed by the women of the Jain household.

It is a simple and easy vrat devised keeping in mind that the gentle womenfolk will not be able to go through rigorous disciplines in their quest for Sadhana and is considered to be an observance in their path of spiritual practice. It is a significant fasting day amongst the Jain communities.

 

• When is the Rohini Vrat observed?

Rohini Vrat is observed once in every twenty seven days, when the Rohini Nakshatra rises and is visible in the sky. Rohini is one of the Nakshatras out of twenty seven nakshatras present in the Jain as well as Hindu Calendars.

 

• How is the Rohini Vrat performed?

On the day of the Rohini Vrat, the woman of the house has to wake early and take a thorough and holy bath.  Then they have to set up the idol of the Jain Bhagwan, Vasupujya.  After a long and an elaborate puja, the idol is also given a bath and offerings are made. After the puja ends, the ladies start their fasting which only finishes when the next star, Marga shirsha Nakshatra rises.

 

• What is the significance of the Rohini Vrat?

In a world, where the basic values are going missing, Rohini Vrat teaches the value of patience and sacrifice. This vrat as kept by women are basically for a long and fulfilling life for their husbands. According to traditional tales, it is also said that those who observe the Rohini Vrat are liberated from the trials and tribulations of life. Rohini Vrat is said to bless not only the husband of the devout but also her immediate and intimate family members as well.

A considerable number of devout and religious Jain women perform the Rohini Vrat on a regular basis.  They engage themselves in charity and alm giving to please Bhagwan Vasupujya and to seek his blessings.  There are certain families which observe this day as a day of fasting, and some other where the women of the household fasts, and normal life goes on the other members of the household.

Rohini Vrat is advised to be continued at a stretch for three, five or seven years. The ideal and advised duration for continuing this Vrat is for five years and five months. At the end of the Rohini Vrat people visit the temples of Bhagwan Vasupujya to do udjapon, or bring closure with a festivity be feeding the poor and donating to charity.

Bhanu Saptami is a day when the sun god is worshipped. Sun is the source of light and thus in that context is one of the most important aspects of life and living in itself.

It is of little wonder then, that Sun God is an extremely important deity in the Hindu religion.

The Sun God as a Hindu deity is worshipped on a day to day basis, but He is specifically worshipped with lot of reverence on couple of particular days as Bhanu Saptami.

Bhanu Saptami is observed on the following months – Magh, which is January or February, Falguna which is February or March, Jyestha which is June or July, Kartik month which is November or December and in the Margashirsh month, which is the December January.

The shukla paksha saptami or the 7^th day of the waxing phase of the moon of these months is the day when the Sun God is worshipped especially by different Hindu communities.

Bhanu Saptami is believed to be the birthday observance of the Sun God. It is believed that this is the day when he made his first appearance in his chariot driven by the 7 horses.

Legend behind Bhanu Saptami

According to the legends and also sources, the Sun being the source of energy and heat cures all kinds of diseases. It is believed that the Sun God cures a devotee of all kinds of ailments.  According to a legend, long back Lord Krishna’s son Shamb was very proud because of his own physical strength and handsomeness. Being obsessed with his physical wellness, he disrespected the ggreat and angry sage Durbasha. Durbasha, feeling humiliated cursed Shamba that he will suffer from leprosy, which will mar his physical beauty and make him deformed.

Shamba, went to Lord Krishna in sorrow and asked for his help. Lord Krishna asked Shamba to observe the Bhanu saptami vrat or ritual as observance of this day can cure all kinds of diseases. Shamba worshipped Sun God and was cured of his leprosy.  Thus a devotee worshipping Sun God is not cured of all his ailments, but also blessed with a son and a prosperous life.

Bhanu Saptami observances

On this auspicious day, devotees should wake up early and take a bath before sunrise. According to some, this bath should be taken after keeping some Badar leaves or Ark leaves on top of his head. Women draw Rangoli on this day to welcome the beneficial Sun God to their house. Milk is boiled facing the sun, as it is believed that the boiled milk reaches the Sun God. After the bath, the devotee should mix 7 types of rice, grains; fruits etc in water and offer it to the Sun God. The devotee should also chant Om Ghrani Suryaya Namah’ or ‘Om Suryaya Namah. Reading of Aditya Hridiya Stotra is also considered to be extremely beneficial and auspicious. Kheer made of bolied milk, wheat and 12 heaps of grains are offered to the Sun God. Grains are donated to the Brahmins on this day as it is considered to be beneficial.  Lamps, camphor and flowers are also donated on this day.

Benefits of Bhanu Saptami

There are lots of benefits to be had from the Bhanu saptami observances, such as –

• Worshipping the Sun God with utmost purity, keeps the human being healthy throughout life
• Brahmins worshipping the sun do so in the wish to become celestial
• Observance of this vrat redeems a person of his sins of degrading a Brahmin
• This vrat performed by women makes them knowledgeable and bestows them with good fortunes.

In India, there is only one temple where the Sun God is worshipped, this is known as the Shri Navagraha. On this day a mahavishek is performed after the arrival of the sun rays on the  Durya Yantra. It is widely celebrated in Southern parts of India and also in some parts of western India.

People observe this with great devotion to attain virtues and health and women observe this in the expectation that they may get knowledge and be spared of widowhood.

Holidays Around The World

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Bhisma Dwadashi is observed in the sacred memory of one of the most loved characters of Mahabharata, Pitamah Bhisma, who fell in the great battle of the Kurukshetra.

Bhisma, the son of King Santanu and Ganga, had the boon of self willed death or Ichcha Mrityu, and after being bombarded with arrows by Arjuna; lay on a bed of arrow waiting for fifty eight days and an auspicious day to leave his mortal body behind and give up his soul to the Gods. He chose the day when the Uttarayana or the northward journey of the Sun started to leave his body behind.

Bhisma Dwadashi is observed on the twelfth day in the month of Magha or January-February during the shukla paksha according to the Hindu calendar. This day is also known as Magha Shukla Dwadashi. According to the epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas performed the last rites of the erudite BHisma on this day in the bank of the Ganga.

Bhisma Dwadashi is the second most auspicious day amidst the Bhishma Panchaka Vrat, which is observed from the Bhishma Ekadashi till the Maghi Purnima.  It is an auspicious day which is observed by the Vaishnavas (that is the followers of Vishnu), as well as the Shaivites (that is the devotees of Lord Shiv)a.

As the last rites of Bhisma was performed by the Pandavas on this day, it is generally considered to be an auspicious day; and according to popular beliefs, offering Tarpana and doing the last rites or Shradh for the ancestors   on this day is highly beneficial. Some people also offer tarpan, or water in the name of Bhisma as he was childless.

The Bhisma Dwadashi is celebrated amidst great fanfare in ISKCON temples, the Vrindavana Krishna Temples, Banke Bihariji Temple and in the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri.

The month of Magha is one of the most important months according to the Hindu calendar and the Maghi Purnima day amongst the most auspicious day of the year.

Maghi Purnima marks probably the end of the month, as it is the last important date of the month, which is January- February by the Gregorian calendar. As discussed earlier, since it heralds the end of the month, the full moon or the Purnima is considered to be immensely auspicious and is revered by especially the devotees of Lord Vishnu.

Because of the importance of this month, a daily holy bathing is prescribed and practiced in this month, especially on the day of the Maghi Purnima. Magha Mela or the Kumbha Mela, which sees million of people converging in Prayag to attend the same falls on this time.

 

Significance of Maghi Purnima –

Though it is prescribed to have a daily bath during the month of Magha, starting from the Poush Purnima, still bathing on the Maghi Purnima is considered to be of supreme importance. Devotees throng to the river Ganga or Jamuna, Kaveri, Tapti etc to have a holy bath, those who can’t access these rivers may take a dip at any other religious river. A holy dip in the seas of Rameshwaram or Kanyakumarika has high religious merit. The Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan is considered an important lake to conduct this holy bath. Kumbhakamaon which has in Madras, shrines of Sarangapani and Nageswara, has a tank, where it is ardently believed that water from Ganga flows in there on this very day to ensure the devotees an experience of having bathed in Ganga.

On this Maghi Purnima day, the ornately decorated idols of Lord Sundeshwara and Meenakshi are mounted on floats and taken to the Mariamman Teppakulam Sarovar, a huge water body of religious significance to float. Incidentally on this day King Tirumala Nayak, who had built the Mariamman Teppakulam Sarovar was also born.

For the Buddhists also this day of Maghi Purnima holds immense importance as it is recorded that on this day Gautama Buddha announced his impending death. Thus religious ceremonies along with the chantings of Trpitaka and other Biddhist scriptures are heard fm the morning in all the Monastries.

 

Rituals followed on the Maghi Purnima –

There are various rituals observed on the day of the Maghi Purnima. Devout devotees seeking divine blessings raise early in the morning offer tarpanas to their ancestors after having a holy dip. They offer dakshina or alms as per their capability to the underprivileged,  donate cows, perform Homa or Havanas at Prayag at the confluence point of the three rivers, Ganga , Yamuna and Saraswati on this Maghi Purnima Day.  It is firmly believed that all charity work done today turns manifold in efficacy.

Lord Satyanarayana is also offered puja on this auspicious day. Panchamrit or nectar with five things, like milk, honey, ganga jal, tulsi and sweets too is offered to the God. He is worshipped with simple things such fruits, sweets, Beatle leaves, Bananas, til or sesame etc.  His Prasadam is made with milk, wheat, jiggery or sugar etc. A satyanarayan Katha is read after the puja for all the devotees to hear and be blessed.

According to the religious scripture Brahmavaivartpurana, Lord Vishnu in the month olf Magha resides in the water of river Ganga himself and thus blesses all those who take a holy dip in the Ganga in this particular day, and the water can purge all sins and bless the devotee with health.

Ancient tales say that ascetic Vishwamitra performed and took the holy bath in the Ganga in the Kumbha in 2382 BC on this very day of the Maghi Purnima.

Astrologically too the Maghi Purnima is considered to be auspicious as the Sun is in Capricorn and the Moon in the Cancer sign, indicating that a ritualistic bath can cure the devotee from all problems related to the Sun and Moon.

As per the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana, anyone who donates to charities on this day finds a place with the Lord Vishnu himself, that is goes to Heaven after death.

Kumbha Mela held in the confluence of the three rivers of Ganga , Yamuna and Saraswati ; the Triveni Sangam, near Prayag in every twelve years since ascetic Vishyamitra blessed it has remained an important and auspicious event to attend and of lately has received international recognition as probably the only religious event to attend so much of footfall and participation from people of all race and creed.

Dasha Mahavidya or a group of ten aspects are what is related by the Hindu pundits with Devi Parvati or the Goddess Shakti according to Hinduism. It is a huge spectrum ranging from the fierce warrior Goddess to the gentle and coy feminine side of the Goddess that the Dasha Mahavidya encompasses.

Maa Lalita, is one of those ten Mahavidyas, or an aspect of Goddess Parvati or Shakti.  Lalita jayanti is the observance of the day when Maa Lalita first appeatrd or rather the incarnation day or the Avatara Dinotsava of Goddess Lalita, also known as Tripura Sundari Devi.

Lalita is the Goddess who is associated with Sri Vidya.  The holy chanting of Lalita Sahasranama says – “Na shathaya na dushtaya na vishwasaya karhichith sri mathra bhakti yuktaya sri vidya raja vediney’; meaning that this divine knowledge should not be shared with one who is wicked, amoral or depraved.

The image of Lalita is one where she holds five arrows of flower, a noose, a bow and a goad.  The noose represents temporal attachment, the going toad stands for extreme revulsion, the five flowery arrows stand for the five sensory objects and the bow made out of sugarcane represents the complex mind. Lalita jayanti is observed in the margashirsha purnima in the Hindu moth of Magha or January- February.

 

Legend of Sri Lalita jayanti –

The ancient religious book called Devi Purana finds a mention of Devi Lalita. According to the scripture, Devi Purana, when Goddess Parvati was visiting her father Daksha for the yagna (Hindu ritual of fire sacrifice) he was performing, she could not tolerate her Husband Lord Shiva’s humiliation. Daksha had never approved Shiva as His daughter’s husband, and took the opportunity to belittle Shiva even in the presence of other Gods and Goddesses. Deeply aggrieved by her father’s behavior, Devi Parvati gave up her soul or committed dehatyag. Shiva saddened beyond belief, lifted Parvati’s dead body and started on a maddening dance or Tandava. Seeing the destructive dance, Lord Vishnu used his Chakra and cut Parvati’s body to 108 pieces. Wherever a body part of Parvati fell on Earth, a Shakti peeth was established.  Devi Sati in this way came in to existence in Naimish and was called Devi Lalita.

 

Worship of Ma Lalita Devi –

It is believed that Ma Lalita Devi lovingly blesses those of her devout and ardent devotees who worship her with utmost dedication and faith.  Those who worship her are believed to be blessed with lifelong happiness, wish fulfillment and contentment. Devotees keep fast on this day and do Devi lalita puja in the morning.  She is worshipped with Lalitopakhyan, Lalitasahasranaam and Lalitatrishati. Skanda Mata and Lord Shiva are also worshipped along with Ma Lalita Devi on this auspicious day.

There are places where on this auspicious day lot of melas or fairs are organized.  Devotees throng these fairs.  Huge gatherings are seen in the Ma Lalita Devi temples as well, and according to the ancients Puranas, devotees visit the Aadishaktitripuri Sundari Jagat Janani Sri Lalita Mata’s temple. Though devotees can always visit her temple, visiting Ma Lalita’s temple on this particular day brings fortuitous results for the devotees.

Lalita Devi bestows success and lifelong contentment to her devotees. According to Southern folklores Ma Devi Lalita is another form of Devi Chandi and is also worshipped in that form on this revered occasion.

The Masi Maham or the Masi Makam is a major Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamils all over the world religiously. It is not only an auspicious and important day for the Tamilians, it is also an Annual day for them.

The makam or magma is one among the twenty seven nakshatras according to the Hindu Astrological system and is celebrated in the  Tamil month of Masi  during the prevalence of this nakshatra.in other language this is known as Magha.  Generally the Masi Magam happes on a Pournami or full moon period, but then it is not always applicable.

The Masi Magam becomes Maha Magam when Jupiter comes into the sign of Leo, which happens once every twelve years. 2016 is one such year when the Maha Magam will take place. Jupiter or Brihaspati adds greater glory to this day. This day is said to be able to reduce the negative influence caused by the Rahu, Ketu and Kala Sarpadosh.

• What happens on a Masi Magam day?

 

On a Masi Magam day, the idols from the temples are taken out of the temple and taken in a procession to the Sea shores or River side or Ponds.  There the idols are bathed in the water and pujas and various other rituals are organized there and thousands of devotees throng to take part in the proceedings and to witness these auspicious events.

 

The devout devotees then take bath in the sea or river or pond water. It is believed that taking bath in the water which had been made holy by the idols having been bathed in the same ensures the attainment of Moksha.

 

On the day of the Maha Magam, paying homage to Lord Shiva and Murugam will bring divine consciousness and also give a boost to your confidence to move ahead in life. As the ritual is performed in the month of Magha, doing tarpan, or offering to the ancestors are also bound to bring good results and shower their blessing on the devotee.

 

• Are there any myths and legends surrounding the Masi Magam?

 

There are numerous myths and some call them legends associated with the day of Masi Magam and the rituals observed on this day. One such and the most plausible one is that Lord Shiva took the form of a child and appeared before the King Vallala of Tiruvannamalai who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.  The King was childless and Lord Shiva committed to him that he will perform his last rites.  The good king passed away on a Masi Magam day and Shiva it is said, performed his last rites.  Lord Shiva blessed the King by declaring that whoever bathes on this day in the sea will attain Mukthi or freedom from being reborn. Devotees believe that every year the Lord Shiva comes on this day to the sea shore to perform the rites of the King.

This day is celebrated with great fervor in Pondichery, at the Adi Kumbeswaran temple in Kumbakonam, Srirangam and other temples worshipping Lord Shiva, Shakti or Vishnu. This auspicious occasion is also observed and celebrated all over the world, like Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia etc; where there are Tamil Language speaking devout people present.

The divine Goddess Lakshmi took birth in the form of Janaki, the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila in the time of Treta (Treta Yug). The auspicious day when she came into being is known as Janaki Jayanti.

• When is Janaki Jayanti celebrated?

 

Janaki Jayanti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Vaisakha in the Navami tithi of the shukla paksha.  Lord Rama, her companion was also born in the same tithi in the month of Chaitra coincidentally.

This is an extremely important vrat for the devout Hindus. Nine according to the Sanatan Dharma is the best and the most sacred number where perfection is manifested. Thus it is believed that only those who are far superior appeared on this day, like Mata Sita or Lord Rama.

 

• How was Janaki or Maa Sita born?

 

Legend tells us that when King Janaka was ploughing a field in order to perform a Yagna, he stumbled upon a beautiful baby girl in a golden casket under the ground. Delighted that this definitely was a divine direction, Janaka adopted her as his daughter and thus Goddess Lakshmi came in to being in the form of Janaki or Sita. A plough is worshipped on Janaki Jayanti, as she had emerged from the earth. Also the name is often linked to be coined from – Daughter of King Janaka, which leads to Janaki.

 

• How to observe Janaki Jayanti?

 

Women observe Janaki Jayanti with a lot of devotion and dedication. An early morning bath and a fast should be maintained. Then a small mandap should be prepared, housing the idols of Lord Rama, Janaki Mata, King Janak and a plough should be placed.  The devotee should then welcome Lord Rama and Sita Mata with panchopochar, or the incense, lamp, grains, fragrance and flowers. The mandap should be decorated with colorful flowers, sweets fruits and bhogas are offered as prasads. The bhogas should be satvik, that is be made without ginger, garlic and onion and be prepared with rock salt. Til or sesame, rice and barley are also offered during the puja. One should chant the Sita Mantra of Om Sri Sitaoi Namah.

 

• What is the significance of the Janaki Jayanti?

 

Lord Rama and his other half, Maa Janaki, despite having faced numerous hurdles in life are considered to be the ultimate and ideal couple. Thus women perform this Vrat to seek blessings from the divine that their life too be filled with peace and homes with an abundance of happiness and joy. She also prays that may she be blessed to be a Sumangali, that is die before her husband. As Janaki Mata is the epitome of purity and sincerity, women aspire to be like her and seek blessings as such.

Sankashti Chaturthi is also known as the Sankata Hara Chaturthis and is observed in deference to Lord Ganesha.

The Sankashti Chaturthi is considered to be extremely auspicious, and it if coincides with a Tuesday then it becomes doubly so and that is called the Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi.  The Sankashti Chaturthi happens on the fourth day of every lunar month of Krishna Paksha or the waning phase of the moon.

Why is Chaturthi Important?

Lord Ganesha, according to legends was born on the Chaturthi or the fourth day in the month of Magha. He was born out of the sandalwood paste being used by Goddess Parvati. She later gave life to the figure she created, and thus Ganesha was born out of the great Adya shakti herself.

How should one observe the Sankashti Chaturthi puja?

As Sankashti Chaturthi is the day devoted to the Lord Ganesha devotees pray to him for prosperity, wisdom and the success of all their ventures.  Devotees take a bath before the sunrise to prepare them for the puja, light a lamp in front of the Ganesha idol and keep a fast for the whole day as Lord Ganesha is known to be the remover of all obstacles.  In the evening the Ganesha idol must be decorated with flowers and garlands and the worshipping should start with an arati and burning of incense sticks. The Ganapati Atharvasheersha should be recited to invoke the God. An offering of coconut and banana should be made to the Lord Ganesha. Ganesha Arati such as – “Jai ganesh jai ganesh Jai ganesh deva Mata jaki parwati Pita maha deva” should be sang to please the God and seek his blessings.

 

It is firmly believed that Lord Ganesha the remover of all obstacles and the giver of supreme intelligence bestows his benign presence on those in earth who worship him on this day. It is this day when Lord Shiva had declared that his son Ganesha should be invoked before the start of any puja and that he should be deemed superior than all Gods barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Himself and Parvati.

Ponkala or Pongala is perhaps the most important festival in the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, also very popularly known as the ‘Sabarimala of Women” in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.

Pongala, is the ninth day celebration amongst a ten daylong celebration which commences from the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham or February March by the Gregorian calendar, on the Karthika star and closes with the sacrificial offering known as the Kuruthitharpanam at night.

 

Attukul is a Hindu point of pilgrimage in Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala. The Attukul Bhagwati temple is amongst one of the most ancient temples in the southern part of India. The Goddess worshipped in this temple, Mother Attukalamma, is looked up to as the Supreme Mother to all. She is the creator, the preserver and the destroyer to all.

 

• What does the word Pongala mean?

 

Pongala, the word literally means to boil over and it denotes and means the offerings of things made to the Gods and Goddesses to make them happy and to seek their blessing. Pongala ceremony is observed on the auspicious occasion of the Pooram star, coinciding with the full moon.

 

• And what is the Legend about Attukal Bhagavathy?

 

According to legends, Attukal Bhagavathy, is the reincarnation of the great Kannaki, who is again said to be the reincarnation of Parvati; the heroine of Chilappathikaaram, written by Ilanko adikal, the great Tamil Poet. The legend says that after the destruction of the city of Madurai, Kannaki left Madurai and reached Kerala via the route of Kanyakumarika; and en route stopped here.

 

• What happens on the Attukul Pongala then?

 

Pongala, as said earlier means to boil over, is a dish prepared by boiling rice, Jaggery and coconut in an earthen pot – it is sweetened rice, which only women are allowed to cook. The ritual of preparing this sweet rice or Pongala starts early in the morning and is finished off by noon. Then the chief priest of the Attukul Temple arrives with the Goddess’s sword and blesses all the women devotees by showering flowers on them and sprinkling holy water. The ladies then take this blessed Pongala back with them. It has been believed that Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy can fulfill your wishes with her blessings. She blesses the devotees observing this ritual with the boon of health and prosperity.

 

The Pongala ceremony is preceded by the musical renderings of the story of the Goddess Kannaki slaying the Pandayan King.  The sacred event of the Goddess demolishing the Pandayan King is rendered with great gusto and accompanied by lot of sound made by the temple drums and the Vaykurava by the devotees.

 

The Pongala Mahotsav or the Attukul Pongala has found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as it is considered to be globally the largest congregation of women. It is generally assumed that more than 2.5 million women congregate to celebrate this auspicious occasion from Kerala and other neighboring parts. Procession of colorful floats made of the deity carried with fervor makes for an experience to cherish.