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/