At the top of the famous Jakhu hill is located the famous Jakhu Temple of Shimla. It is hardly 2 kilometers from the Ridge and is an uphill climb through the beautiful deodar trees. The Jakhu Temple of Simla is dedicated to the monkey God, Hanuman. The Jakhu temple is located at a height of 2455 meters and is situated on the highest peak in Shimla. The scenic view that surrounds this beautiful temple of India is absolutely breath taking and splendid. The temple has an interesting legend behind it. It is said that a deadly arrow injured Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana when he was fighting the battle with the demon king Ravana. A priest diagnosed Lakshmana and said that he needed a particular Sanjeevani herb from the Himalayas to cure Lakshmana. Hanuman was sent to get that herb from he lofty mountains. Upon reaching the Himalayas, Hanuman couldn’t make out as to which herb was the Sanjeevani. So he dug up the entire mountain and flew back to where Lakshmana was lying injured. After Lakshmana was cured, Hanuman went back to place the mountain in its original site. He rested on top of the Jakhu hill for sometime. It is said that the top of the hill got flattened due to Hanuman’s weight! The temple has been built around the place that is supposed to have the footprints of Hanuman. It is a highly revered religious place of Shimla and devotees throng in huge numbers to pray. The shrine is a hotspot for monkeys who flock here in great numbers and generously accept eatables that are given to them by devotees and tourists.
The Saptashrungi Devi temple is located at Vani near Nashik in Maharashtra. This temple is one among the 51 Shakti peethas located on the Indian subcontinent. The Devi is said be swayambhu (self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain. She is surrounded by seven (sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (shrunga-in Sanskrit), hence the name- Sapta Shrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks). The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in this region. She is believed to be Mahishasur Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, who took the form of a buffalo. Hence, at the foot of the hill, from where one starts climbing the steps, there is the head of a buffalo, made is stone, and believed to be that of the demon. Mahishasur Mandir Mahishasur Mandir It is believed that the Devi Mahatmya, a sacred book which extols the greatness of Devi and her exploits was composed at this place by the sage Markandeya, who performed rigorous penance on a hill opposite the one on which the Devi resides, which is now named after him. The temple, which sort of sticks to the cliff, is 1230 meters above sea level. There is an old path with steps cut out of the mountain, which starts right at the foothills, at Vani and goes all the way to the mountain. However, now, a motorable road has been built, which goes up to an altitude of 1150 meters. From this place one has to climb around 500 steps to reach the shrine, which only takes about forty five minutes
Kaisika Natakam and Araiyar Sevai were witnessed by hundreds of devotees at the Tirukurungudi temple. S. PRABHUCourtesy The HINDU Belief is that those who undertake fast, and listen to Kaisika Puranam, on Kaisika Ekadasi will attain Vaikunta Moksham. On the occasion of Kaisika Ekadasi, the most important festival of the year, the Azhagiya Nambi temple in the Vamana Kshetram of Tirukurungudi (Divya Desam 40 km south-west of Tirunelveli) wore a festive look on Saturday last. Thousands, many of whom were children, who had gathered at the Kaisika Mandapam waited with excitement to watch Kaisika Natakam. Just before midnight, to the beating of drums emerged a huge demon like figure. It was the hungry Brahma Rakshasa who had come there to consume Nampaduvan. For the next three hours, the devotees of Lord Nambi were treated to a pleasing and passionate presentation of the Kaisika Puranam. Kaisika Puranam, which is a part of Varaha Puraanam, showcases Lord Narayana as the supreme force. Parasara Bhattar, son of Koorathazhvaan, took up the story of a complex Kaisika Puranam (in Sanskrit) and wrote the vyakyaanam, in Tamil, in a simple, easily understandable language. The Story Kaisika Puranam revolves round Nampaduvan, belonging to the Baanar family, his unflinching faith in Lord Nambi and how he was instrumental in liberating a Rakshasa from a curse. The Kaisika Puranam is also a perfect case study on the values of life and how it is important to keep one’s promise at any cost, including one’s own life. Caught by the demon, Nampaduvan pleads with him to allow him to go to the temple and observe the Ekadasi ritual, that of singing the Lord’s praise. Unable to convince the Rakshasa, Nampaduvan talks about Sathya Sankalpam: “The world was created through ‘promises’ and continues to exist as a result of trust in each other.” Nampaduvan makes 18 promises that night to the Rakshasa. Through these promises, narrated beautifully in the Kaisika Puranam as part of this lengthy discussion between Nampaduvan and Brahma Rakshasa, one comes to know of the basic values in life. It is the eighteenth promise that finally moves the demon. It goes thus: “Swarva Swamiyum Moksha Pradhaana Sriman Narayananaiyum Devathai Galaiyum Samamaaga Bhaavikiravan Yaavaroruvan, Avanai Poley Nithya Samsaari Aaven.” (“If I do not return, I would have committed the biggest sin that exists – that of comparing and equating Lord Narayana with others. And I will become a sinner who will never get liberation from this cycle of births.”) This extraordinary promise moves the Rakshasa and he lets Nampaduvan go. After having spent the entire night (possibly for the last time) in front of the Tirukurungudi Nambi temple, he makes his way back to the Rakshasa, rejecting the offer of a Brahmin (Lord Nambi in disguise) to protect him. The Rakshasa, now, has changed his mind. He wants the fruits of Nampaduvan’s devotion, for his own liberation. Nambaduvan shares with him the ‘Kaisika’ verses, which he had sung that very night in front of Lord Nambi. Just listening to these verses helps the Rakshasa attain Vaikunta Moksham. Back to its glory days Over the past decade, the Kaisika Natakam in Tirukurungudi has seen a revival thanks to the efforts of Anita Ratnam (TVS Group), the trustee of Arangam Trust, who brought together the Bavupillai Bharatanatyam troupe (led by B. Herambanathan) all the way from Thanjavur to present this dance drama every year on Kaisika Ekadasi night. Gopi, an amateur artiste working as a Junior Assistant at Sastra University, Thanjavur, played the powerful role of the Brahma Rakshasa with ease. While the entire portrayal was exemplary, it was the last scene – where he pleads with Nampaduvan to relieve him from the curse of his previous birth and to help attain moksham – that brought tears to the eyes of the devotees and won him an ovation. (Gopi has now specialised in the role of Brahma Rakshasa, this being the tenth year of his performance at the Tirukurungudi temple. Interestingly, Gopi has also been playing the role of ‘Hiranyakasipu’ for the past five years at the annual Bhagavata Mela in Melattur village near Thanjavur). Equally commendable was the performance of Dr. Sumathi Sundar, who played the role of Nampaduvan. She matched Gopi scene for scene and was especially impressive in the portrayal of Sathya Sankalpam – the 18 promises of Nampaduvan, where she captured the imagination of the audience with a pleasing display. M.A. Arunodhaya too impressed in the role of Lord Nambi disguised as a brahmin. Araiyar Sevai The clock had ticked to 2.30 a.m., but it was not time to leave yet. The devotees stayed back after the Kaisika Natakam to watch an outstanding ‘Araiyar Sevai’ performance by Araiyar Bala Mukundan of Srivilliputhur. His abhinayam for the Periya Thiru Mozhi Paasuram (Akkum Puliyin Athalum Udaiyar… Kokkin Pillai Vel Iravu Unnum Kurungudiye) showcasing Tirukurungudi’s greatness drew great appreciation from the devotees who watched his sterling performance in absolute silence. Also, the Araiyar, through this Abhinayam, brought out an important historical information relating to the temple – that of Lord Siva being alongside Lord Nambi. He followed it up with the Abhinayam of the Thiruvoi Mozhi Paasuram (Enganeyo Annaimeergaal, Ennai Munivathu Neer……..Senkani Vaai Onrinodum Selkinrathu En Nenjamey). Araiyar Sevai was followed by the recital of the Kaisika Puranam. While Tirukurungudi temple is home to Kaisika Puranam and this traditional Kaisika Natakam has been revived to its past glory, it would be a worthwhile exercise for Anita Ratnam to consider taking it to more Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu. How to reach Tirukurungudi Take a train to Valliyur (on the Tirunelveli-Nagercoil route) – Kanyakumari Express, Ananthapur Express – from Chennai. One can reach the Nambi temple in 30 minutes by bus from Valliyur.
Mahalaya is observed on the Amavasya day in the Hindu month of Ashwin or Ashwayuja (September-October). Mahalaya 2009 date is on September 18. The last day of Pitru Paksha fortnight , the period sacred for doing rituals and offering oblations to the souls of the departed ancestors, ends on Mahalaya day. Durga Puja rituals also commence on Mahalaya day. The rituals and rites on Mahalaya day are performed early morning on riverbanks or on seashore. The main offering made on Mahalaya Paksha to ancestors is food. It is believed that the offering made during this period will benefit all the departed souls. Charity in the form of food is also done by people. Mahalaya also heralds the advent of Goddess Durga to earth. Mahalaya marks the beginning of ‘Devipaksha’ and the countdown to Durga Puja 2009 Mahalaya is on the dawn of 18th September.It means that this year’s Sharodiyo Durga Puja will commence from 25th September (Shosti).This article is about the significance of Mahalaya and the Tarpan. Mahalaya marks the eve of Durga Pujo because seven days after Mahalaya the Durga pujo starts. The scriptures mention Mahalaya as the starting of days of fierce fighting between Maa Durga and the Demon Mohishashur. The tale goes as follows.Mohishashur was a powerful demon and a menace for the sages and the gods.It was beyond their might to deal with him.Worried sages and gods seek refuge in Lord Vishnu’s feet.He places the responsibility of creating a goddesses challenging the might of Mohishashur on Rishi Kartayan. Rishi Kartayan creates Maa Durga with all the powers and might of the heaven.She is armoured with a special weapon by every god in the haven.This is the reason why one of the many names of Maa Durga is Kartayini. The fierce battle between Maa Durga and Mohishashur begins.Intimidatd by the might of Maa Durga the demon hides himself in a Buffalo. Maa kills the Buffalo and that is why the demon gets his name Mohishashur. In the days to follow,the demon reappears every time a drop of his blood touches the ground.Lord Vishnu then takes the initiative and drinks the blood of the demon without allowing it to touch the ground.Maa Durga then,kills the Demon Mohishashur unleashing a fresh life in haven and earth from the menace of the demon. Do try to listen to Chanidi path melodiously chanted by Birendra Kumar Bhadra, composed by Bani Kumar and set to music by Pankaj Kumar Mallick. The above chandi path is broadcast by AIR on the Mahalaya ammavasya day at 4.30am in the morning, now we have the facility to listen to the chant at our convenient time by going to the folowing web site for the chant.The same is in two parts. http://tutun23.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/parti.mp3 http://tutun23.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/partii.mp3 Click on the images to see enlarged image.
