MA LAXMI AND SRIYA CHANDALANI

Once, on the day of Laxmi Narayan Vrat, Ma Laxmi wanted to see how the vrat was being observed by her devotees. So she left Jagannath Mandir and moved from house to house.
She was saddened to see people busy with their morning work.
@Shawshanko

This decline in devotion hurt her. As she was moving, she found the single hut of Sriya Chandalani- a lower cast woman.
The woman was cleaning her house and making pooja preparations. Mata entered her house and accepted her prasada.
Due to this, Ma was late in returning back.

Sri Balrama and Sri Jagannath decided to search for Mata. When they saw her come out of the hut of a low caste woman, Sri Balrama was furious. He asked Jagannath to tell Ma not to enter Mandir before purification.
Jagannath stood helpless. This angered Ma Laxmi.

She cursed them that they would live without food n shelter for years till they accept food from the low caste woman.
So the mandir became devoid of everything. Prabhu kept roaming hungry along with Balrama. Wherever they went, misfortune awaited them. In the end, they saw Sriya

They asked her for food and water. Sriya guided them to Ma Laxmi who finally gave them food and shelter. Ma also agreed to return to Sri Mandir.

With this leela, Sri Jagannath gave the message that a true bhakt is always upheld by Prabhu.

Jai Jagannath🙏🏻

CHAMPA SHASHTHI: TODAY

Khandoba or Khanderao is worshipped as the Prabhu of gatherers, hunters, warriors, herders, and farmers.
Champa Shashti is mostly celebrated in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
@RatanSharda55 @onlyonenetra

Khandobachi jejuri is the Mandir of Sri Khandoba in Pune. It is believed that Khandoba is the Prabhu of Sakamabhakti i.e. Prabhu who fulfils all the desires of his devotees.
The hilltop on which the Mandir stands is called Jejurigad and its history dates back to 1688.

Once there were 2 demon brothers Mani n Malla who troubled Devas, Rishis n human beings.
Hence, everyone sought help from Shiva. 
Shiva took the form of Khandoba who had an appearance like shining gold. As Khandoba, his face was covered with turmeric powder.
@RapperPandit

The fight went on for 6 days n Mani sought forgiveness from Shiva offering him his white horse. Mani expressed his wish that he wanted to live with Shiva.
Shiva,then,decided to place a Murti of Mani in all the Khandoba Mandirs to be created after the battle.

UTPANNA EKADASHI: KATHA

The fast kept on Utpanna Ekadashi equals to fasting for Tridev- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

This year, Utpanna Ekadashi is on 30th November.

This Ekadashi is also called Utpatti (उत्पत्ति) Ekadashi.
Devi Ekadashi originated on this day.
@LostTemple7

A demon Mura had become so powerful that the Devas had to seek Sri Hari’s help.

Sri Vishnu and Mura fought for about 10,000 years.
After that, Sri Vishnu went to Badrikashram to take rest at Hemvati Caves.

Demon Mura chased Sri Vishnu and tried to attack him while sleeping.

Then, Shakti adorned with all weapons emerged from Narayana’s body and killed Mura.

This Yogmaya was blessed by Sri Hari who gave her the name Ekadashi.

Ekadashi was given the boon that anyone fasting with devotion on this day would enjoy worldly pleasures and attain moksha.

SOMNATHAPURA KESHAVA MANDIR, MYSORE (Kar)

One of the most well-preserved architectural beauty of Hoysala reign.

It was constructed by Somanatha, a commander of Hoysala King, Narasimha III, hence also called Somanatha Mandir.

It was built during 1254 – 1291 AD

The mandir is constructed in Trikuta style meaning three parts with three Vimanas.
They are dedicated to Krishna in three forms – Janardana, Keshava and Venugopala.
Unfortunately, the main Keshava murti is missing and the Janardana and Venugopala murtis are damaged.

The ceilings of the mandir depict sixteen different types of Hoysala art. Names of some sculptors are engraved on pedestals of sculptures.

The mandir is no longer used as a place of worship as Murtis have been broken and mandir was desecrated by invaders.

The Mandir is known for fine carvings. Some fine sculptures include Sri Vishnu,Devi Lakshmi and Saraswati.

There is a red post box in the complex. If a visitor posts postcard in the box, it is stamped with a unique Somanathapura stamp, which is one of its kind in the world.

SHRI SIDDHIVINAYAK, MUMBAI
#bharatmandir

Siddhivinayak is called Navasacha Ganapati or Navasala Pavanara Ganapati (meaning- Ganapati bestows whenever one humbly and genuinely prays) among Bhaktas.

@RatanSharda55

The mandir was built by generous donations from Smt. Deubai Patil. She had the belief that Ganesha would answer the prayers of childless women.
Therefore it is a predominant belief that those without a child can get their prayers answered here.
@GunduHuDuGa

It is said that Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj (follower of Akkalkot Swami Samarth) buried two murtis in front of Siddhivinayak as instructed by his guru.
As was foretold by Swami Samarth, 21 years later, a Mandar tree grew at the spot where these two murtis were buried.

The tree had an image of Svayambhu Ganesha on its branches.
Siddhivinayak Ganesha murti is chaturbhuj (with 4 hands) and carved out of a single black stone. Ganesha's trunk is to the right instead of left.
On his forehead, a third-eye is etched.

Siddhi and Riddhi, the two consorts of Ganesha are on either side of Ganapati.
It is believed that if anyone whispers their wish in the ears of the two huge silver mice installed within the mandir premises, the wish gets conveyed to Ganesha directly.

SHIVA BORN AS RISHI PIPPALAD

Pippalad was born as Mahadev’s incarnation to Rishi Dadhichi and Suvarcha.
Once, the Devas needed the bones of Rishi Dadhichi to end the menace of Vritrasur.
Dadhichi donated his bones readily and the Vajra created from his bones ended Vritrasur.

When his wife Suvarcha came to know this, she decided to be Sati but could not as she was pregnant. Later, she left her earthly body after giving birth to a child. He grew up feeding on pipal leaves and som(nectar) given my moon, so he came to be called Pippalad.

When he grew up, he came to know about his parent’s sacrifice. He was angered by the selfishness of the Devas and decided to destroy them. It is said that his angry glance at Shani made Shani fall and hurt his foot.
Only Mahadev was able to calm Pippalada and make him see reason

Pippalada wrote The Prashnopanishad which is embedded in Atharva Veda.
The Prashna Upanishad is a Mukhya Upanishad and contains six Prashna (questions). Each Prashna is assigned a chapter with a discussion of answers.

MURUDESHWARA SHIVA,
BHATKAL TALUKA, UTTAR KANNADA (KAR)

Murudeshwara is another name for Shiva.
Once, Ravana prayed to Shiva to get his powerful Atmalinga.
Pleased by his tapas, Shiva gave him Atmalinga but warned him not to place it on the ground before reaching destination.

To prevent Ravana from becoming all powerful, Sri Vishnu covered the Sun with his chakra.
As Ravana always did Sandhya prayers, he needed to put the Atmalinga down.
Sri Ganesh appeared as a child and agreed to hold the Atmalinga for Ravana.

However, Ganesha put down the linga before Ravana’s return and Sri Vishnu also uncovered the Sun.

Furious Ravana tried to lift the linga but failed.
It’s shape now looked like a cow’s ear.
This place is known as Gokarna (Go means Cow and karna means Ear in sanskrit).

The case of linga fell 23 miles away at Sajjeshwar.
He threw the lid to the south 27 miles away at Guneshwara in the form of “Vamdev Linga”.
The thread winding the linga was flung to south at Dhareshwara and it came to be known as “Tathpurusha Linga”.

The cloth wrapped on the linga fell at Kanduka hills and took the form of Aghora at Murudeshwar.
The word Mrida comes from trampling of cloth and also means happiness.
So Murudeshwara is the Ishwara of happiness.
Praying to Shiva at these Panchkshtras frees one from all sins.

DANDAYUDHAPANI SWAMI, PALANI (TN)
#bharatmandir

Once, Muruga lost to Ganesha in a contest on divine fruit; he left Kailasha and came here in anger.
Shiva tried to pacify him by saying that he (Muruga) himself was the divine fruit (pazaham nee). So the place became Palani.

Meanwhile, Maharishi Agastya asked his disciple, Idumban, to move the hills of Sivagiri and Shaktigiri further South. Idumban bore the hills slung across his shoulders, in the form of a kavadi one on either side. When he was tired, he placed the kavadi near Palani to take rest.

Sri Muruga tested him by making the hills so heavy that Idumban could not lift them. When he challenged Muruga, he was killed in the battle. Muruga restored his life again and make him dwarapalaka of the hill. Also, he promised to bless all who came bearing a kavadi here.

The murti was made of navapashanam by Siddha Bogar. Milk and panchamrita abhishekam is believed to extract medicines from it.
The panchamritham offered here is very famous. It is a combination of 5 natural substances-banana, jaggery, cow ghee, honey and cardamom.
@GunduHuDuGa

USING TESU (PALASH) FLOWER: HOLI

Tesu/Palash flowers were widely used on Holi before colours with chemicals and dyes came up.

Tesu is skin-friendly, eye-soothing and scented naturally. The flowers when soaked in water overnight give a beautiful yellow colour. @LostTemple7

It is believed that Krishna played Holi with Radha using colors made from Tesu flowers. Even today many of the Mandirs in Vrindavan, Braj area and Mathura play Holi with traditional yellowish-orange coloured water extracted from dried Tesu Flowers.

The flowers are delicately plucked from the trees where they sprout 2-3 days before Holi. The petals are dried in the sun and then crushed by hand to make a natural, rich paste of colour that can be additionally dried to make a powder or utilized as a wet colour.

SOUTHADKA SRI MAHAGANPATI, BELTHANGADI TALUK (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Southe is cucumber and adka is meadow in Kannada.
Here, Maha Ganapathi is out in the open field without a Garbha gudi and shrine structure. The place is decorated with lot of bells offered for special wishes.

Once, a Ganapati shrine revered by a royal family was destroyed by enemies. To prevent enemies from destroying Ganapati murti, the cow herds of the place carried it along with them and installed it in a place where cucumber was grown in plenty.
@GunduHuDuGa

The farmers of the place reaped huge harvests of cucumber, offered it to Ganapati and wished to build a shrine there but Ganapati appeared in their dream and asked them not to build a shrine as that would mean restrictions on devotees visiting the place to seek his blessings.

So no shrine was built here.
The most popular seva offered here is avalakki panchakajjaya seva (a mixture of beaten rice, jiggery, til, coconut, honey and banana) performed on a regular basis.
Moodappa Seve is very prominent, which involves covering the Mahaganapathi with Appam

SIDDHI VINAYAK, HATTINGADI (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Hattiangadi was once Alupa capital and the shrine is believed to be of around 7th-8th c.
Ganesha vigrah is about 2.5 feet tall, carved out of Shaligram stone. It is the only Ganesha murti where His curly black hair is left loose.

This was the place of meditation of Sri Govindarama Yathivarya. He had predicted that the shrine would attain fame in next 300 years.
Ganesha is believed to grow in size each year and since it is believed that he grants all wishes so the title of Siddhi is conferred on Him.

The offering of singara (areca nut flower) is considered extremely sacred here.
If the flower falls from Ganesha’s crown during aarti, it signifies that wish will be fulfilled.
Sahasra Narikela Ganayaga (pooja with 1008 coconuts) is another special prayer conducted.

ADI SHANKARACHARYA AND MAHADEV

Once, Adi Shankaracharya was going to Kashi Vishwanath Mandir along with his disciples.
Suddenly, an untouchable/ chandala came in his way along with his wife and four dogs.
Adi Shankaracharya’s disciples shouted at him to make way.

The untouchable smiled and said, "According to your principle of Advaita, which you practice, all the Jivatma are same as Prabhu. How am I different from your Paramacharya? How should I go? My body or my Atman, the form or the formless, the limited or the limitless?”

Adi Shankaracharya understood that it was Shiva himself who had come along with Ma Parvati and the 4 Vedas. He prostrated before Mahadev and sang five slokas called "Manisha Panchakam". Shiva then presented himself along with Visalakshi and blessed Adi Shankaracharya.


Manisha means firm conviction and Panchak means five. The word manisha appears in the last line in all the five Verses.
Manisha Panchakam conveys the message that the Paramatman is same within all beings regardless of bodily distinctions of caste.

BHAKT PUNDALIK AND VITHOBA

Pundalik, son of Janudev n Satyavati, lived in Dandirvan. As Pundalik ill-treated his parents, they decided to leave for Kashi. Pundalik and his wife also went with them. While the old couple had to walk bare-foot, Pundalik rode on horse
@onlyonenetra

One night they halted at the ashram of Rishi Kukkutswami. Just before dawn, Pundalik got up n saw 3 beautiful women in soiled clothes entering the Ashram, cleaning, sweeping and washing clothes. They, then, went in the pooja room, came out spotlessly clean and vanished.
@GampaSD

Next night, same thing happened. So Pundalik went to them and asked their details. The 3 women were Ganga, Yamuna and other holy rivers. They were soiled as people washed their sins in them. They told Pundalik that he was the greatest sinner as he ill-treated his parents.

This changed Pundalik and he became a devoted son. Impressed, Sri Vishnu paid him a visit. At that time, he was tending to his parents. So, Pundalik gave a brick to waiting Vishnu and told him to stand on it till he was free. When he was free, he realised what he had done.

He begged for pardon but Vishnu was immensely pleased. Pundalik requested Vishnu to stay there always. Vishnu took the form of Vithoba and still stands there on a brick, along with Rukmini.
The divine place is Pandharpur, abode of Vithoba/ Vitthala 🙏🏻
@IndiaTales7

TIRUNALLAR SANISWARAN KSHTRAM, KARAIKAL (TN)

Also called Dharbaranyeswarar. It is one of the navagraha kshtram with Shani (Saturn) as sthal deity.
The presiding deity is Shiva as Dharbaranyeswar. The place Thirunallar was historically called Dharbaranyam.

Originally the place was a forest with Dharba or Kusa grass. The Lingam here was originally made of Darba grass. It appeared when the native Mudaliars ploughed the land.

This is the only place where Shani lost all his powers to Shiva (Dharbaranyeshwarar).

It is said that Raja Nala was troubled by Shani. He lost his kingdom, his wife and lived in extreme poverty. Finally, his misfortunes ended when he took bath here in a pond which is called Nala Teertham.
The murti of Nala is installed here along with the sixty-three Nayanars.

Here, Saneeswaran has only two hands and the right-hand holds the Abhaya Mudra. It means fearlessness indicating that Saneeswaran protects all devotees who offer puja here. Devotees light lamps with sesame in this kshetram.

SRI SHANKARNARAYANA KSHETRAM, UDUPI DIST. (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Shankaranarayana is considered one of the seven Parashurama Kshetram created by Maharshi Parashurama. This is one of the rare temples where we can see the confluence of Shiva and Sri Vishnu.

It is also known as Kroda after Kroda Maharshi.
Once, two demons Kharasura and Rattasura were harassing people. Maharishi meditated upon Shiva and Sri Vishnu together. Pleased with his meditation, the two came here as Shankaranarayana and killed the demons.
@GunduHuDuGa

Here, the main deity is in the form of Udbhava Linga. The swayambhu lingam of Shiva and Narayana is one feet below the ground, inside the Garbhagudi. It is not possible to see the lingam. The Shankara Lingam is on the right and Narayana Lingam on the left.

While Shankara Lingam is round, Narayana Lingam is flat with foot prints of cow on it. These are believed to be that of Kamadhenu who dripped milk on the Lingam. There is water around Udbhava Linga at any time of the year. This holy water is called Suddhamrita Theertha.

KANCHIPURAM SILK

It is said that that the Kanchi silk weavers are descendants of Rishi Markanda. They are considered to be the master weaver for the Devas themselves.
It was during the reign of Krishna Devaraya (Vijayanagara Empire) that the art really took off.
@twttdc

Two major weaving communities of Andhra Pradesh, the Devangas and Saligars migrated to the town of Kanchipuram. They used their excellent weaving skills to make the silk saree that bore images of scriptures and figurines found on the Mandirs around the village.

These sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk. While silk belongs to South India, the pure gold and silver zari comes from Gujarat. The silk thread that is used to weave the saree is dipped in rice water and sun-dried before use. It is then interlocked with a thin silver wire.

One of the most foolproof ways to tell the difference between an original and fake Kanchipuram silk saree is to pick a few loose threads from the saree, burn them, pick remaining ash and smell it. You’ll be met with a smell similar to that of burnt leather or hair.

Cr:internet

YALAGURESHVARA MANDIR, VIJAYAPUR(KAR)

Also called ‘Speaking Hanumantha’.

The Mandir belongs to the Madhwas (a sect of Brahmins-followers of Madhwacharya).

Only holy water from Krishna river is used to perform Abhisheka to Yalaguresh.
@onlyonenetra

There is a wonderful tradition carried out at the Mandir even to this day. When you want to know if your desired endeavors are going to be fulfilled or not, you are asked to sit in front of Prabhu and say your endeavor to Hanuman Ji in your mind.
@iamkamyabuch @DetheEsha

If your endeavour is going to be fulfilled, then a flower on the sacred Murti falls to his right. And if your endeavour is not going to be fulfilled, then a flower on the sacred Murti falls to his left.
@desi_thug1 @unever_followme @harshasherni

If the flower falls quickly to his right that means your endeavour would be fulfilled very quickly. Or falls to his right after a long time, it says your endeavour would be fulfilled but slowly. Hence known as ‘Speaking Hanumantha’.

Kartika Utsava/Yalagur Jatra is the biggest event here. It falls on 1st Saturday after Poornima in February every year.
The devotees perform Pallakki Seva early in the morning.
Bhimshen Joshi Ji’s reputed disciple Shri Paadigaar comes on this day every year to perform Bhajans.

ATTUKAL PONGAL: TODAY

Attukal Pongal is celebrated in Attukal Bhagavathy Amman Mandir (Ker)
It is a sweet offering of Rice, Jaggery, Coconut n water in earthen pots and prepared in fireplace made with bricks. These 5 elements show relationship of Human life with Panch Bhutas

Women from different parts of Kerela take part in this festival and take vratha for 9 days. On the first day, thottam pattu takes place. This is like a song which tells the whole story of kannaki. The right to sing Thottam pattu goes to a particular family.
@Piyu_Nair @RajeAiyer

This is sung in a green shed made with coconut leaves in front of the Mandir. This ritual lasts till the 10th day of festival.
Villakku kettu is an offering which is done during the 10 days of festival. It is a huge lamp decorated with flowers, glitter paper, cloth etc.

They are taken to the mandir and finally it is burnt in the mandir.

Thaloppoli is another ritual done by girls under 10 years of age on the day of pongala. It is performed for health, wealth and prosperity of the family. The girls are beautifully decorated with little crowns.

Kuthiottam is a ritual performed by boys below 12 years of age. It is believed that these boys are injured soldiers of Mahishasura mardhini. They have to stay in the mandir for 7 days.
Pongala concludes with Guruthi pooja which is a special ritual performed by the main pujari.

AMALAKI EKADASHI: TODAY

Ekadashi is the day when devotees observe vrata to please Sri Vishnu. On Amalaki Ekadashi, the Amla tree (gooseberry) is worshipped along with Sri Vishnu as amla is his favourite.
The origin of amla is said to have been from Brahma’s tears.

After emerging from Sri Vishnu's navel, Brahma wondered who created him and wanted to know the purpose of his birth. He performed intense penance to know the answer. When Sri Vishnu appeared before him after a long time, Brahma had tears of joy in his eyes
@JumbuTweeple @keveeyes

Vishnu said that the tears would transform into Amla trees and the Amla fruits would be dear to him. He also said that those who worship the Amla tree on the Phalguna Shukla Paksha Ekadashi Tithi would get blessed by him.

Then onwards, people worship Amla along with Sri Vishnu.

It is said that Ma Lakshmi resides in Amla tree. Sri Krishna and Radha Rani are said to reside near the tree.
Besides, Amla is known for its medicinal qualities. It is the store house of Vitamin C. Amla has excellent immunity boosting and antioxidant properties.