FAMOUS RIVERS IN INDIA

                    In India we have many rivers. These Rivers are part of our culture. We just don’t treat them as rivers, they are treated as goddesses. Taking bath in these rivers is believed to be sacred. During Pushkaras and in Karthika Maasam many people have a bath in these rivers. As rivers have so much importance in our life, I would like to share some information about the rivers in India.  

1. RIVER GANGA

                    River Ganga flows in VARANASI, UTTARAKAND, UTTAR PRADESH, BIHAR, JHARKAND, WEST BENGAL, AND IN SOME PARTS OF BANGLADESH. It covers over 2525KMS. Its starting point is in Himalayas. Per year About 400 million devotees come to take bath in River Ganga.  It is believed that River Ganga is there from time of RIGVEDA i.e approximately around 1700-1100BC.

                    River Ganga is the most important river which flows in KASI. People believe that they will attain Moksham easily by taking their last breath at the banks of river Ganga in Kasi, so in past many old people used to go to Kasi and stay there itself to spend their last days. Every Hindu will wish to have bath in river Ganga at least once in their life time. Ganga water is very sacred, it is proved that it can clean the impurities in it by itself. It will not be spoiled when stored for many days. By Puranas we can know that by visiting Kasi or having bath in Ganga we will not have next birth.

                   Now this sacred river is being polluted so much that it is beyond the capacity of the river to clean itself, so our government is taking necessary measures to clean Ganga water on the name of “THE GANGA ACTION PLAN”. 

KUMBHMELA

                   Kumbhmela is a mass Hindu Pilgrimage in which Hindus gather at Ganga River. The normal Kumbhmela is celebrated for every 3 years.

2. RIVER SARASWATHI

                  Another river which is present from Vedic period (period in history during which the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism were composed) is river Saraswathi. According to Puranas this river is believed to be the other form of goddess Saraswathi Devi.

Due to the changes that occurred in the underground layers of the earth, now this river is not visible, but it is flowing even know under the under ground layers of earth (ANTHERVAHINI). It is proved by the satellite pictures. It flows between river Yamuna and River Sutlej.

                  River Saraswathi originates in HIMALAYAS near KAILASA PARVATHAM(mountain) and when it is visible it flowed through. PUNJAB, HARYANA, RAJASTHAN, GUJARAT, RANN OF KUTUCH AND THEN MERGED IN ARABIAN SEA.

3. RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA

                  River Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia. I t is the only Indian river that is attributed the masculine gender. It is about 1800(2900kms) miles long. It is one of the deepest rivers in the world. It is 5,075metres deep. It is an important river for irrigation and transportation. It originates near KAILASA PARVATHAM IN HIMALAYAS and flows through NEPAL, BHUTAN, BURMA AND MERGES IN BAY OF BENGAL IN BANGLADESH.

4. RIVER THAPATHI

                   Thapathi River covers over 724kms. It is 752feet height from the sea level. It flows through important places in India and we can see it in   SATPURA (BHATHUL DISTRICT, MADHYAPRADESH).It flows through MAHARASTRA, GUJARAT AND MERGES IN ARABIAN SEA. Thapathi is daughter of Lord Surya .She married Sanvaran. They gave birth to a child named KURU. According to Puranas we can know that Kuru ruled the place for many years.

                    In olden days this river played a very important role in Hajj and Mecca tour of Muslims. It is also used as a major port and exports and imports are also done. Tapathi River is also called as River Taapi, River Thapthi. It helped for the development of Dhodia tribes and Bhil tribes.

5. RIVER YAMUNA

                    River Yamuna is in UTTARANCHAL. It originates in YAMUNOTRI in HIMALAYAS at a height of 6387 meters. It covers 1370kms(length)  .Yamuna is  daughter of Lord Surya. Sister of Lord Yama .She is also worshipped as Jamuna matha. Lord Krishna was taken across the Yamuna on the night of his birth. When Vasudeva carrying Krishna in a basket, reaches river Yamuna, on a extremely turbulent, rainy night of Krishna‘s birth, it has parted in the middle and made way for Vasudeva. Most of the Lord Krishna’s childhood passes on the banks of Yamuna. Yamuna, according to legends is closely related to Ramayana and Mahabharata.

6. RIVER KAVERI

                   River Kaveri originates on Brahmagiri hills in KODAGU in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. It is also called as TALAKAVERI, which means head of Kaveri. It flows through Karnataka and Tamilnadu and merges in to Bay of Bengal.

                   The Kaveri basin is estimated to be 27,700 square miles with many tributaries. Rising in Southwestern Karnataka, it flows south east some 765km to enter the Bay of Bengal. East of Mysore it forms the island of Shivanasamudra, on either side of which are the scenic Shivanasamudra Falls .Shivanasamudra falls are the second biggest water falls in India. 

                  Hydroelectric plant built on the left Sivanasamudra Falls in 1902 was the first hydraulic  plant in Karnataka. The primary use of river Kaveri is providing water for irrigation, and water for house hold purpose.

 

                  The three major islands at Kaveri have a strong Vaishnava Heritage. One of them is Srirangam.

On the banks of Kaveri is the ancient temple of Talakad where the holy festival Panchalinaga Darshan is held every 12years.
                   There is a small story related to Kaveri. Once when drought occurred in India Agasthya Rishi prayed for Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma pleased by the prayers of the sage told Agasthya rishi to go to Kailasa Parvatham and please Lord Siva and bring water along with snow which will never drain and changes into a big river. Agastya rishi took water into a Kamandalam and was in search an appropriate place. Lord Ganesha came in the form of a child. Agasthya rishi called the child playing there and gave this Kamandalam and told him not to place it down until he comes.Lord Ganesha kept that Kamandalam down before rishi came and one cow came there and throwed that Kamandalam down. The place where Kamandalam fell down Kaveri originated.  

                 Karnataka people call Kaveri as Kaverimaa. Having dip in this river removes all our sins and gives mental peace.  

TEMPLES ON THE WAY

1. SRIRANGAM

2. TALAKAD

7. RIVER KRISHNA

               The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers in central southern India, about 1290kms. It is 200metres deep. It is one of the oldest rivers in India. It is also called as Krishnaveni. Krishna River is the fourth largest river in India after Ganges, the Godavari and the Narmada. It flows from Mahabaleswaram to Maharastra. In middle it touches Karnataka and comes into Hamsaladeevi (Andrapradesh) and merges into Bay of Bengal. For every 12years Puskaras will be celebrated grandly. 

              Its most important tributary is the Tungabhadra River. Other tributaries are Venna River, Konya River, Bhima River, Malapraba River, Ghatapraba River, Yerla River, Warna River, Dindi River, Paleru River, Musi River, Urmodi River, Tarli River and Dudhganaga River.

TEMPLES ON THE WAY OF KRISHNA RIVER

1. Sri Saila Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisialam

2. Amareswara Swamy, Amaravathi

3. DathatrayaSwamy Temple

4. Sangameswara Temple

5. Durga Malleswara Sawmy Temple,Vijayawada.

ATHIRATHRAM 2012

Athirathram 2012 in Yatapaka,Andhra Pradesh

            Athirathram is a supreme SHROUTHA SOMA YAGAM. SHROUTHA YAGAM are said to be the BEST OF ALL Yajnas and Yagas. It is greater than Asvamedha Yagam, Rajasuyayagam and it is conducted to save the Environment and for Viswasanthi Parirakshana(Global Peace) and for welfare of all human beings.This Athiratra Yagam is a 4000years old ritual. It is done only by Kerala Nambodris. They strictly follow all traditions given in Rugveda, Ajurveda and Samaveda. They treat this Yaga as the outline (rupureka) of all the Indian traditions and Hindu culture. 




       

Yagasala in Athirathram 2012

             Till now it was performed 4 times. It was done in 1901,1956,1975,2011. Last year it was done in Panjal (Kerala).  This year Athiratram is going to be done at YETAPAKA, 13kms from Badrachalam located in Andhra Pradesh. The Yagam will be performed from 21^st APRIL 2012 TO 2^nd  MAY 2012 under the management of Samatha Lokseva Samithi. This Yagam will be performed in 50 acres of land. Preparations are going on in Yatapaka and four lakes are dug in that place. Boomi Pooja was done.

Bricks and Cow in Athirathram 2012 

             Researches were done while doing Athirathram in Kerala, they found changes in the climate. It has effect on human beings and on plants also. It is like cooling Lord Rudra which means cooling Pancha Boothas. They found that crops are growing fast in the palce where Athirathram is done when compared to other places.

DONATIONS ARE BEING COLLECTED BY SAMATHA LOKSEVA SAMITHI THOSE  WHO ARE INTERESTED CAN GO THROUGH THE SITE   http://athirathram2012apyagna.in/ 

People doing Pradakshina around Yagasala

             Robert Gardiner, Indolagist of Calfonia came to Kerala and stayed there for 1 year and did researches on Athiratram and encouraged Nambodri Brahmins to do this Yagam.  Yagam was restarted in 1975 in Panjal (Kerala). Until 10min before the completion of the Yagam there were no clouds but as soon as the Yagam was completed heavy rain poured and it was witnessed by many people who came to see the Athiratram.

 

           Nambodri participating in this Yaga should get Upanayanam before 8 years and married before 14 years and that girl should not be matured before marriage. They should do poojas very day from the time of marriage until his death, he is only eligible to do this Yagam.

 

Horse used in Yagam

          It is very costly and it is very difficult and there are strict rules and regulations for this Yaga. They should not move out of that place in those 12 days. Place to do this Yagam is selected according to vastu,power of sun and some other specifications. 

1. For this ritual Yaga Gundam is made in the shape of GARUDA PAKSHI, it is prepared by using 1200 special bricks.

2. Juice extracted from Somalatha theega (creeper) is used in Yagam. Mud pots and articles made of wood are only used. All these are prepared exclusively for this Yagam.

HOW IS IT DONE

Athiratram is a 12 day ritual.

Bricks used to Prepare Homagundam

1. First day Yagamani(One Who Performes The Yagam) will bring fire necessary for the Yagam in a specially made 3 pots, and enters in to the Yagasala. 5 main purohits are selected. Fire is created by (rubbing). Yagamani is tied something like turban. Yagamani should do Yagam for 12 days with out talking. He can open his mouth for reciting his part of mantras. He should walk 3 steps with the 3 fire pots. Yagnavatika is ploughed and seeds are sown and main pot is buried inside on the first day

2. Second day another pot is made using Banka Matti(Mud ).

3. On third day a Stambam(Pillar) is made tooffer Neivedyam, Yaganavatika is built according to vastu while reciting mantras. Bird shaped Balipeetam assumption is made with some specific dimensions. 

4. On fourth day Lord Indra is invited to the Yagam.. and preparing Bali Peetam in the shape of bird is started. On the 5^th , 6^th  and 7th day Balipeetam preparation goes on and in night time Agni Hotram is carried on. 

Sri Rama Ratham in the Premises

5.Bricks are placed in 5 levels.On 8th day Rudra pooja is  done.

6. On 9th day  all the items used are placed in the Balipeetam in the shape of a human being and by reciting mantras and adding ghee yagam is continued.

7. On last 3 days Yagam is continued day and night.

8. on 10th day Yagamani along with some pandits should go around the Balipeetam like a snake.

 9. On 12 th day Yagamani goes along with his wife and will have a bath and comes back and offer goat as bali and goes back to his house and places fire in three places and should do that Agnihotram through out his life.

It is believed that as soon as Yagam is completed ,Garuda Pakshi goes over the Yagasala .After the completion of the Yagam,Yagasala is set on fire.Heavy rain falls after the completion of the yagam .

^{INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS TAKEN FROM A NEWS CHANNEL PROGRAMME}   

Dinning Hall

       

Yagasala

MY  EXPERIENCE

               We had been to Athirathram Yagam on second day i.e on 22.4.2012. All the Arrangements were very well organised. Annadanam is been organised in the premises. We had our lunch there. It was very good. Samatha Lokseva Samithi is taking care off all the arrangements and they are well organized. Samatha Lokseva Samithi has to be appreciated for organizing such an ancient Yagam. People are doing Pradakshinas around the Yagasala. Pradakshina should be done with out chappals but few are doing with their chappals.

                We should not touch any of the items which are used in the Yagam. We are not supposed to enter into the premises of the Yagasala. Any mistake done will show effect on the body of Yagamani .While we are having our lunch they made a announcement  that Garuda Pakshi came there, immediately we rushed out to see it and we felt very happy to see it. There is ample of  parking space.

PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE. 

CLICK ON THE LINK      http://athirathram2012apyagna.in/

NIVEDYAM TO GODDESS ACCORDING TO MONTH, THITI AND WEEK

According to Devi bagavatam those who pray goddess by offering Nivedyam, as given below will get rid of their sins and will get all the happiness in life .Whose who cannot do every month, can do atleast  for few months, but do from starting of the month to End of the month.

1.  CHAITRA MASAM                            JAGGERY

2.  JYESHTA MASAM                            HONEY

3.  ASHADA MASAM                             BUTTER

4.  SRAVANA MASAM                          CURD

5.  BHADRAPADA MASAM                  SUGAR

6.  ASWAYUJA MASAM                        PONGALI(PAYASAM)

7.. KARTHIKA MASAM                         MILK

8.  MARGASIRA MASAM                      PHAANI

      

9.  PUSHYA MASAM                              DADHIKURCHIKA

                           

10. MAGHA MASAM                              PURE  COW GHEE

11. PHALGUNA MASAM                        COCONUT

According To The Week

1. SUNDAY                                                 PONGALI

2. MONDAY                                                MILK

3. TUESDAY                                                BANANAS

4. WEDNESDAY                                         BUTTER

5. THURSDAY                                             SUGAR

6. FRIDAY                                                    SUGAR

7. SATURDAY                                              COW GHEE

According To Thiti

1.      On  PADYAMI  offering GHEE as nievedyam and donating ghee to Brahmin gives relief from  health problems

2.      VIDIYA                SUGAR                              GETS LONG LIFE

3.      THADIYA              MILK                                 FREE FROM  ALL

                                                                                                          SORROWS

                                                                                                         

4.      CHAVITI               APUPAMULU                   GETS FREE FROM

                                                                                                           OBSTACLES

5.      PANCHAMI           BANANAS                         GETS GOOD  MEMORY  

                                                                                           

6.      SHASHTI               PURE HONEY                   GETS BEAUTY

7.      SAPTAMI                 JAGGERY                          FREE FROM SORROWS

8.      ASHTAMI                   COCONUT            

9.      NAVAMI                  PALALU(POPCORN WITH OUT SALT AND CHILLI

                                                                                                                            POWDER                

10.  DASAMI                  BLACK SESAME                NO FEAR IN HELL

                                            (NALLA NUVULU)                         

11.  EKADASI                  CURD                                   GET BLESSINGS OF

                                                                                                                            GODDESS

12.  DWADASI                 ATUKULU                          U WILL BECOME BELOVED

                                                                                                                  DEVOTEE OF DEVI                                                                                             

13.  TRAYODASI              SANAGALU                        GOOD CHILDREN

14.  CHATURDASI           PALALA POWDER             LIKED BY LORD SIVA

15.  PURNIMA                  PARAVANAM                    GOOD FOR ANCESTORS

                                                                                           

            Offer the following items as Nivedyam and donate to Brahmin

UGADI

                                                                                                     
             All trees that withered in Sisiram will get new leaves in Vasantharuthu. Nature is in full bloom, symbolizing regeneration and celebrating the season’s freshness. In seasons Vasantham is the best season, Lord Krishna also said in season’s he is Vasantha ruthu .So Vasantha ruthu is taken as the first season of the year. First month in Vasantham is Chaitram. First importance in Thiti goes to Padyami.

            According to BRAHMA PURANA, Lord Brahma started the creation on Chaitra Suddha Padyami. This day is celebrated as UGADI. This is the first festival of Telugu people (Andrapradesh). Those who follow phases of MOON ( ANDRAPRADESH, KARNATAKA, MAHARASTRA) CELEBRATE NEW YEAR ON CHAITRA SUDDHA PADYAMI. It is called as YUGADI in Karnataka, GUDI PADWA in Maharastra. Those who follow lunar calendar also celebrate New Year in Vasantha Ruthu, but on a separate day. It is called as Vaisakhi in Punjab, Puthandu in Tamilnadu, Vishu in Kerala, Poyala bisakh in Bengal. 

              Pandits say Srirama Patabishekam(in Treta yuga) and End of the incarnation of Lord Krishna in Kaliyuga is happened on this day only. According to astrologer, scientist Vrahamihira predictions Chaitram is the first season. On this day only he gave the first Panchagam to us. 

 

UGADI  PACHADI

             The most significant tradition in Ugadi is beginning the New Year with the unique flavored Ugadi Pachadi. Ugadi Pachadi  is prepared using fresh mango pieces, fresh neem tree flowers, new jaggery, tamarind paste, salt, green chilli. It has all the six tastes (Shadruchulu) in it symbolizing happiness and sorrows in our life. According to Ayurvedam, by eating this Ugadi Pachadi in the beginning of the year all vata, pitha, kafa doshas will be removed. Neem tree flowers have Antiseptic, Anti –Bacterial properties. Skin diseases are also cured. Mango helps to remove the problems in blood circulation . TAMARIND paste increases digestion. New jaggery decreases the heat in the body. Green chilli  reduces ear pain,  throat infections  and salt sees fat does not accumulate in valves.  It should be prepared in new mud pot. Some people add sugarcane pieces and banana also.

              ACCORDING TO BOOKS LIKE DHARMASINDHU THIS IS NOT THE UGADI PACHADI. In olden days Ugadi Pachadi is called as “NIMBU KUSUMA BAKSHANAM”. In order to reduce the effects of seasonal changes tender mango tree leaves (chiguru) and tender leaves of Asoka vruksha are also added, So it is called as “Asoka Kalika Prasadam”

It should be taken by us by praying to Asoka tree to give us all the happiness. We should eat it until Srirama Navami i.e 9days.But as time passed by, tender mango tree leaves are replaced by mango pieces .Even now in Karnataka, they will eat “BEVU  BELLA” chutney(PACHADI) MADE OF MIXING tender leaves of neem tree and jaggery . Maratas mix neem tree leaves and thyme/carom seeds/Ajwain(vamu) in Ugadi Pachadi.

PANCHANGA SRAVANAM

                It is compulsory to read Panchangam on this day. It is listened through a purohit or astrologers. It contains enormous mathematical work on the movement of the celestial bodies. The ancient Vedic sages and scholars have explained the astronomical phenomena and have formulated many principles. The literal meaning of Panchangam stands for 5 limbs they are Thithi, Vaara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and  Karana. By this Panchanga Sravanam we can know how the climate is going to be through out the year and which crop earns more. It helps the farmer to choose the type of crop he should cultivate. It tells about cyclones and how much rain will fall this year.

DWAJAROHANAM

                Dwajam is erected in front of the house. A bright green or yellow cloth adorned with zari (brocade) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which sugar crystals, neem leaves, mango leaves and a garland of red flowers are tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. It is then erected outside. This is called as BRAHMA DWAJAM. It symbolizes Lord Brahma started the creation on this day. This tradition is followed even now in Maharastra. Whole house is decorated with leaves and flowers. 

DAVANOSTAVAM 

                Davanam plant is a small and aromatic herbaceous plant which is native of the southern parts of India. Davanam grows well in this time. Davanam will be used in pooja from Chaitra Suddha Padyami to Purnima. By doing so it removes all bad smell from the body and reduces the heat from the body. Jasmine flowers also have the power to reduce the heat from the body. So jasmine flowers and Davanam tied together as a garland and used in temples to do pooja and decorate the deities.

PRAPADANA

                PRAPA means “Chalivendram” i.e keeping water in big mud pot and donating the water to the people who are thirsty. It is also started on this day.

VASATHA NAVARATRI

                 Vasantha Navaratri, just like Dasara Navaratri is also celebrated in this season. It starts from Ugadi and continues upto Srirama Navami. Vasntha Navaratri Ustavas are done at Lord Rama temples and in Devi temples.