Sunday, February 28, 2021

.Rare White Peacock......BEAUTIFUL....

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

 Syamala dandakam......... full lyrics in English.....And the story behind.... how this Dandakam was written by KALIDASA.


                                                   GODDESS SARASWATHI

Syamala dandakam complete lyrics in English with meaning......

Syamala dandakam is a powerful sloka on Goddess syamala the giver of wisdom. This composition is done by Sri Mahakavi kalidasa, an eminent Indian poet.


Shyamala Dandakam**

Raja Shyamala or Raja Matangi is the Minister - Mantrini of Goddess lalitha Parameshwari. She was created by Lalitha from HER sugar cane bow during HER battle with Bandasura. She rules the Empire(the Cosmos) on behalf of “Para Bhattarika” Herself as indicated in Lalitha Sahasranam as “Mantrini Nyasta raajya dhoo”(Verse 786)** and also bears the sovereign Mudra modiram (the ring of the Queen). Matangi represents the mind and its activities.
** She who gave the power to rule to her form of Manthrini.


GODDESS MATHANGI

Inline image'Vishanga', who represents the crooked mind was killed by HER. She has eight arms holding: paddy-past karmas, lotus-mind in worldly activity, paasha -love, ankusa-anger, japa mala and books - knowledge, and the veena -yoga. Her right foot is down indicating must do sadhana in the world by looking at her manifestation. The devotees of Matangi is known to be blessed with Her grace of proficiency in poetry, Music, Dancing and other fine arts—thus they become highly learned in their chosen field. The Lalithopakhyana gives a wonderful collection of names of Matangi. ....."Sangeeta yogini .....shyama shyamala..... mantra nayika..... mantrini sachiveshani..... pradhaneshi .......shukapriya..... vina vati vainiki...... cha mudrini priyakapriya .....nipapriya kadambeshi ......kadamba vanavasini ......sadamada cha namani ....shodashaitaini kumbhaja"..... One who recites this strotra can conquer all the three worlds**Dandakam is a literary style of poetry seen in Sanskrit prosody, The Stotrams of the Dandakam exceed 26 syllables, and resemble prose.

MAHAKAVI KALIDASA.....

Kalidasa was one of the great Sanskrit poets. He wrote many great dramas like Shakunthalam..... and great epics like Kumara Sambhavam,...... Malavikagni mithram,...... the message poetry called Megha Sandesham etc. He is extremely famous for the use of appropriate similes and metaphors.
Shyamala Dandakam is perhaps the greatest stotra written by him eulogizing the mother Goddess Shyamala.

He has employed a poetic style called Dandakam in writing this prayer. Dandakam is that poetry where some of the lines have more than 26 syllables. It very much resembles prose. In this case, the entire Dandakam is a single sentence from start to the end.

There is a folk story about how he came about to write this stotra. He was a foolish wood cutter who was made to act wise by the courtiers of a proud princess and thus convinced the princess marry him. The princess advised the wood cutter to enter in to a temple of Kali, and when she went for a walk, he locked himself in. When Kali came back, the wood cutter refused to allow her in, unless she made him wise. After she did,
the first prayer of this wood cutter to Kali was Shyamala Dandakam.

Manikhya veenaam upalalayanthim, Madalasam manjula vaag vilasam, Mahendra Neela dhyuthi komalangim, Mathanga kanyam manasa smarami.,1.

I meditate on the daughter of Matanga, Who plays the veena made of precious gems, Who has become lazy due to her exuberance, Who is blessed with very sweet words, Who has a pretty mien which shines like the blue gem.

Chathurbhuje Chandra kala vathamse, Kuchonnathe kumkuma raga sone, Pundrekshu pasangusa pushpa bana, Hasthe namasthe jagadaika matha., 2
My salutations to that mother of universe, Who has four hands, Who wears the crescent as an ornament, Who has very high breasts, Who is of the colour of saffron, And who holds flower, sugar cane, rope, arrow, The goad and pundareeka in her hands.

Matha marakatha shyama, Mathangi madha shalini, Kuryath kadaksham kalyani kadambha vana vasini., 3

Please bless me with a side long glance, Oh daughter of sage Mathanga,
Who is my mother, Who is as green as an emerald, Who is exuberant, Who blesses with all that is good, And who lives in the forest of Kadambha.

Jaya Mathanga thanaye, Jaya Neelolpala dhyuthe, Jaya Sangeetha rasike, Jaya Leela shuka priye., 4

Victory to the daughter of Mathanga, Victory to her who
resembles Neelothphala flowers, Victory to her who enjoys music,
Victory to her who likes the playful parrot.

Dandakam....

Jaya janani, sudha samudranthar udhuyanmani dheepa samrooda vilwadavi Madhya Kalpadhruma kalpa kadambha vasa priye, krithivasa priye, sarva loka priye.

Victory to the mother
Who is interested always in living in the forest of Kadamba trees which are similar to the wish giving Kalapaka trees and which is in the forest of Vilwa trees and which is situated in the gem island in the sea of nectar, Who is the consort of Lord Shiva, Who is the darling of all the world,

Sadararabdha sangeetha sambhavana a sambhrama lola neepasraga badha chooli sanadathrike, Sanumath puthrike,

Who has her posterior decorated by her dancing hair which has been freed by the raising crescendo of the soulful music, Who is the daughter of the mountain,

Shekhari bhootha sheethamsu leka mayookhavalibadha susnigdha neelaalaka sreni sringarithe, Loka Sambhavithe,

Who is extremely pretty with her bluish black hair curls which shine due to the light emanating from the cold crescent which she wears on her head,
Who is respected by all the world,

Kama leela dhanusannibha brullatha pushpa sandoha sandeha krullochane, Vak sudha sechane,

Who has eye lashes which resemble the flower arrows coming from the playful bow of the God of love, Who cools down the universe with nectar like words,

Charu gorchana panga keli lalabhirame, surame, rame,

Who is very pretty with her Tilak made of musk, Who makes all the world happy,
Who is Rama, the goddess Lakshmi,

Prollasad valika moukthika srenika chandrika mandalothbhasi lavanya gandasthalanyatha kasthurika pathra rekha samudbhootha sourabhya sambhrantha brungangana geetha santhree bhavan mantra thanthreesware, Susware, Bhasware,

Who is with the charming sound of Veena mixed with appropriate beats, strengthened by the several bees,which rush towards the incenses of the marks of musk made on her pretty necks and the light emanating from the ornaments she wears in her ears made of very precious gems which put to shame the light of the universe of the moon, Who has very pleasing musical voice, Who shines with her very pretty features,

Vallaki vadana prakriya lola thali dhala badha thadanga bhoosha viseshanwithe, Sidha sammanithe,

Who wears the ear ornaments made of palm leaves when she plays the musical instrument called Vallaki Who is recognized by great sages,

Divya halamadho dwelahelala sachakshurandholana sri samakshiptha karanaika neelothphale, poorithasesha lokapi vanchapale, sreephale

Who wears ear studs made of neelothphala flowers, whose shine is more than the light of her divine glances that emanate from her very pretty eyes which are red colured because of the divine alcoholic spirits drunk by her, Who grants all wishes for all people of the world, Who grants wealth and happiness.

Sweda bindulla sathphala lavanya nishyandha sandhoha sandeha krunnasika moukthike, Sarva viswathmike, Kalike,

Who has nose rings, which makes one wonder whether it is made by the perspiration on her pretty forehead which has flown down from there and crystallized on her nose, Who is the soul of all the world, Who also assumes the form of Kali,

Mugdha mandasmithodhara vyaktha sphural pooga thamboola karpoora gandolkare, Jnana mudhrakare, Sarvasampathkare, Padmabaswathkare, Sreekare,

Who has a pretty face which easily showers smiles and which is made by prettier by the areca nut, Thamboola[4] and camphor in her mouth, Who shows the symbol of jnana(wisdom) Who has all types of wealth, Who holds the lotus flower in her hand, Who grants good blessings,

Kunda pushpa dhyuthi snigdha dantha vali nirmala lola kallola, Sammelanasmera sona dhare, Charu veena dhare, Pakwa bimbha dhare,

Who is having the soft sweet reddish smile which comes in waves from the very pretty set of teeth with its white shine similar to the garland made of white jasmine buds, Who holds in her hand the pretty Veena, Who is having reddish lips like the Bimba fruits,

Sulalithayouanarambha chandrayodhvela lavanya dughdarnawavir bhava th kambhu bibhoka bruth kandhare, Sathkala mandhire, Mandhare,

Who is having the bright white conch like neck which has arisen from the ocean of milk at the time of high tide that too at the moonrise of the very pretty new youth, Who is the personification of all arts, Who is voluptuous,

Divya rathna prabha banduhrachaanna haaradhi bhoosha samudhyotha mananavadhyanga shobhe, Shubhe,

Who is having the total blemish less luster created by her shining parts of the body which are decorated by several garlands and ornaments made by holy gems, Who is the personification of all that is good,

Rathna keyura rasmi chada pallava prollasath dhorlatha rajithe, Yogibhi poojithe,

Who is pretty because of her two arms which shine like young tendrils decorated by the shining armlets made of umpteen rathnas(gems), Who is being worshipped by sages,

Viswa ding mandala vyapi manikhya theja spurath kankanalangruthe, Vibhramalankruthe, Sadhubhi poojithe,

Who wears bangles, the light of whose gems spread all over the world, Who is also very pretty because of all that she wears, Who is worshipped by holy
people,

Vasararambha vela samjrumbhamana aravinda prathi dwandwi panidwaye, Santhothdhyaddhaye, Adwaye,

Who has two hands which challenge in their beauty the luster of newly opened lotus flowers at the rise of the sun, Who always rains the shower of mercy,
Who is the one in whom there is no two,

Divyarathnormika dheethithi sthoma sandhyaya mananguli pala vodhyanna khendu prabha mandale, Sannadha ghandale, Chith prabha mandale, Prollasath khundale,

Who has very pretty fingers which has the luster emanating from her nails and which are decorated by several rings studded with very precious jewels which is similar to the luster of the moon, Who is worshipped lord by Indra, the king being of devas, Who is surrounded the holy light of God emanating from the cit,
Who wears ear studs which have great luster,

Tharaka jala neekasa haraa valee smera charu sthana bhoga bharanamanmadhya vallee valee schedha veechi samudhyath samullasa sandarsithakara soundarya rathna kare, Vallevibruthkare, Kimkara sreekare,

Who is an ocean of beauty due to the three wave like lines which are formed in her middle due to a slight bent caused by her very attractive and heavy breasts which are happily pretty due to the luster of several chains that she wears which resemble a bevy of stars, Who plays the sacred veena, Who blesses her devotees with wealth,

Hemakumbhopamothunga vakshoja parava namre, Trilokavanamre,

Who has a look of humility due to the slight bent caused by her very heavy golden breasts, Who is being worshipped by all the people of all the three worlds,

Lasadvrutha gambheera nabhee sarastheera saivala sangakara syama romavalee bhooshane, Manju sambhashane,

Who shines due to pretty greenish black hair which appears like the thin row of water plants surrounding her lake like deep,round and attractive belly button,
Who has a very attractive speech,

Charu sinchath kati soothra nirbarsthinanga leela dhanu sinchineedambare, Divya rathnambare,

Who defeats the lovely sugarcane bow of the God of love in arousing passionate love by just using the slight shake of her golden belt, Who wears silk studded with gems,

Padmaraghollasanmekhala moukthi sreni shobajitha swarna bhoo bruthale. Chandrika seethale,

Who by the shine of the diamond studded bells which are tied to her golden belt and which lessen the beauty of the greenish valley of the Mount Meru, Who is as cool as the moon light,

Vikasitha navakimsuka thara divyamsuka channa charooru shobha para bhootha sindhoora sonaya manendra matanga hasthargale, Vaibhavan argale, Syamale,

Who has very pretty thighs hidden by the holy cloth which is as red as the fully open flowers of palas tree and which defeats the prettiness of the trunk of Iravatha which has the pasting of a saffron coat, Who has the ever flowing grace without hindrance emanating from her, Who is a dark beauty,

Komala snighdha neelothpalothpaditha ananga thunnera sangakare dara jangalathe, Charu leela gathe,

Who has very beautiful knee caps resembling the quiver of the God of love,
which is shiningly pretty and made of dark flowers, Who has very pretty feminine gait,

Namradik pala seemanthini kunthalasnighdha neela prabha punja samjatha durvangurasangi saranga samyoga ringanna khendujjwale, Projjwale, Nirmale,

Who has lustrous and the crescent like nails, which are bent and saluted by the wives of the eight lord of directions whose flowing hair is attracted by deer who think is as the luscious grass, Who has a wholly lustrous mien, Who is holy and pure,

Prahwa devesa lakshmeesa bhoothesa thoyesa vaneesa keenasa daithyesa yakshesa vayvagni koteera manikhya sangushta bala thapodhama lakshara sarunya tharunya Lakshmi graheethangri padme, Supadme, Ume,

Who has lotus like feet which shine in the light emanating from the crowns of the bent head of Indra, Vishnu, Shiva, Varuna, Brahma, Yama Niryathi, Vaisravana(God of wealth), Vayu, and Agni, which because they are painted red by the plant extracts shines like the reddish rising sun and which are the treasure house of youthful beauty, Who holds lotus flower in her hands, Who has the form of Parvathy,

Suruchira navarathna peeta sthithe, Susthithe, Rathna padmasane, Rathna simhasane, Sankapadmadvayopasrithe, Vishruthe,

Who sits in the seat made of the nine precious gems, Who sits prettily, Who sits on the jeweled lotus flower, Who sits on the jeweled throne, Who is being sought by the Conch and the lotus flower, Who is very famous,

Thathra vignesa durga vatu ksethra palairyuthe, Matha mathanga kanya samoohanvithe, Bhairavair ashtabhir veshtithe,

Who is surrounded by Ganesa, Durga, Bhairava and Kshethra pala, Who due to her ebbing youthful vigour shines among the girls in the house of mathanga, Who is surrounded by the eight Bhairavas,

Manjula menakadhyanga namanithe, Devi vamadhibhi shakthihi sevithe, Mathurka mandalair mandithe, Yaksha gandharwa sidhangana mandalair archithe, Pancha banathmike, Pancha banenarathya cha sambhavithe, Preethibhajaa vasanthena chaanandithe,

Who is being revered by the divine beauties like Manjula and Menaka, Who is being served by Goddess Durga and Vama deva, Who is with the eight divine mothers , Who is being worshipped by the yakshas, gandarwas and sidhas,
Who is the soul of the arrows of the God of love, Who is being worshipped by Manmatha(God of love) and his wife Rathi devi, Who is being worshipped in spring along with love,

Bhakthi baajam param sreyase, kalpase yoginaam manase dhyothase, Geetha vidhya vinodhati trushnena krishnena sampoojyase, Bhakthimaschedasa vedhasa sthooyase, Viswa hrudhyena vadhyena vidhyadharair gheeyase,

Who grants great fame to her devotees, Who from the beginning of the world is being meditated upon by sages, Who is being worshipped by Lord Krishna a great expert in music, Who becomes pleased by the power of Vedic chants,
Who is being worshipped by Lord Brahma with devotion, Who is being worshipped by Vidhyadharas by soulful music made of pretty words,

Sravana harana dakshinakwanaya veenaya kinnarair gheeyase, Yaksha gandarwa sidhangana mandalair archyase, Sarva soubhagya vanchavahirvadhudhir suranam samaradhyase,

Who is being praised by Kinaaras accompanied by soulful music of the Veena,
Who is being worshipped by the women of Yaksha, Gandharwa and Sidha clan,
Who is also being worshipped by all devas with a deep wish to grant them all their desires,

Sarva Vidhya viseshathmakam, chadu gatha samuchaaranam, Kanda mulolla sadwarna raji thrayam, Komala syamalo dhara paksha dwayam, Thunda shobhathi dhoori bhavath kisukam tham shukam, Lalayanthi parikreedase,

Who pets and plays with that parrot which is the personification of all knowledge, which keeps on singing pretty songs, which has the shining three lines on its neck in three different colours, which shines with two wings of green colour, which has shining beaks which are more pretty than the Kimsuka flowers,

Pani padmadwaye nakshamalamapi sphatikeem jnanasarathmakam pustakangusam pasa bibrathiyena sanchinthyse,tasya vakthrantharal gadya padyathmika bharathi nissareth, Yena vaa yavaka bhakruitheer bavyase tasya vasya bhavanthi sthriya purusha yena vaa sathakumbhadyuthir bhavyase sopi Lakshmi sahasarair parikreedathe,

Who when meditated upon as the one who holds the crystal chain in one hand, the knowledge filled book in another ,and the goad and rope in other hands, makes knowledge flow from the devotee’s mouth in the form of prose and poems, Who when meditated upon as the one who has he reddish colour of dawn similar to the juice of red cotton, makes the devotee attractive to all males and females, Who when meditated upon as the one who has a golden coloured body grants the devotee all sort of wealth and makes him live happily,

Kinna sidhyedwapu shyamalam komalam Chandra choodanwitham thavakam dhyatha thasya kelivanam nandanam thasya bhadrasanam bhoothalam, thasya gheer devatha kimkari thasya chajnakari sree swayam,

Who when meditated upon as prettily greenish lustrous form wearing a crescent on her head, would grant all occult powers to the devotee and make him feel that the ocean is his pool for playing, great gardens are his kitchen gardens, the entire earth appears as his seat, Goddess Saraswathi appears as his servant and Goddess Lakshmi as the one obeys all his orders,

Sarva Theerthathmike, Sarva mantrathmike, Srava yantrathmike, Sarva shakthyathmike, Sarva peedathmike, Sarva thathwathmike, Sarva vidhyathmike, Sarva yogathmike, Sarva nadathmike, Sarva shabdathmike, Sarva viswathmike, Sarva vargathmike, Sarva sarvathmike, Sarvage, Sarva roope, Jagan mathruke, Pahi maam, Pahi Maam, Pahi maam, Devi thubhyam nama, Devi Thubhyam nama. Devi thubhyam nama.

Who is the form of all sacred waters,
Who is the form of all holy chants to god,
Who is the form of all holy and sacred symbols
Who is the form of goddess of female principles,
Who is the form of all sacred platforms,
Who is the form of all philosophy,
Who is the form of all knowledge,
Who is the form of all yoga,
Who is the form of all musical sounds,
Who is the form of all sound,
Who is the form of all universes,
Who is the form of all divisions,
Who is the form of all souls,
Who is everything,
Who has all forms,
Who is the mother of the universe,

Please save me, pleases save me, Pleas save me,
Salutations to the holy goddess,
Salutations to the holy goddess,
Salutations to the holy goddess
Aum.

J.KANNAN.




Friday, June 19, 2020

Significance and Importance of Masi Makam...........About Masi Makam:.......And this year



Significance and Importance of Masi Makam...........About Masi Makam:.......And this year

Masi makam is on....... 8th March, 2020.

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Masi Makam is an important festival in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The festival falls in the Tamil Month of Masi (February – March). Makam is among the twenty-seven stars in the astrological system. Makam star in the Masi month usually falls on the full moon day and hence it is considered auspicious across South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry (Pondicherry) and Kerala.


It is one of the most powerful Full Moon day of the year since the moon aligns with Magha. It is the birth Star of the Kings and Ancestors. This event occurs only once a year and signifies the descent of heavenly beings to the earth. Masi Makam offers abundance and prosperity associated with the Full Moon and the Magha star. It gives an opportunity to acquire power and energy. Masi Makam is the most appropriate time to get rid of ego.

Legend.......

There are numerous legends related to Masi Makam. Each temple has a tale for celebrating Masi Makam. Legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared as a child before King Vallala of Tiruvannamalai who was an ardent devotee. The king was childless. Lord Shiva promised to perform his last rituals. He died on Masi Makam day and as promised Lord Shiva performed his last rites. Lord Shiva blessed the king that whoever bathes in the sea during Masi Makam will get ‘salvation.’ It is believed that every year Lord visits the sea to perform the last rites of the King Vallala.


Lord Shiva.......

In ancient times, several sages were arrogant. They ignored the Gods as they gained knowledge. Their egos grew immensely. The sages were over confident that they can guide human beings. They no longer needed the blessings of the Gods. Angry Lord Shiva decided to teach a lesson to sages. He took the form of a beggar. The sages did not recognise him and assumed that he was a devil. The sages misused their power and mantras. They sent a mad elephant to attack Lord Shiva. As the elephant was about to attack Lord Shiva, he immediately disappeared. Goddess Parvati was worried that the entire world would come to an end with the disappearance of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva killed the elephant and emerged by wearing the elephant's skin. It is known as "Gaja Samhara" Soon the sages realised their mistake and apologised to Lord Shiva.

Maha Makam is of great importance at the Adi Kumbeswaran temple in Kumbakonam. There is sacred tank called Maha Makam.

Rituals/ Celebrations:........

On this day the idols are taken to the seashore or ponds. Hence, the festival is also known as holy bath ceremony. Processions from different temples arrive at the sea with the idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Idols of Shakti are also brought to the sea. Pujas and other rituals are performed at the sea shore. Thousands of devotees throng the sea shore to offer prayer. The temple Idols are given a bath in the sea, pond or lake as per traditional rituals. Idols of Gods and Goddess worshipped in the Temples are carried in a big procession. In some temples, Gaja-puja (elephant worship) and Ashwa pooja (horse) are performed. The devotees take a bath in the sea with the belief that the holy waters wash away all the sins. The festival of Masi Makam appears very colourful and divine.....................................AND..............................


Makam is a star that has great potential both in material and in spiritual realms. Masi Makam is great time to receive Blessings from enlightened souls and also from your owm ancestors.

Masi Makam......The day to magnify royalty consciousness....

The day marked by the brightest star in Leo constellation, Makam, in the Tamil month of Masi is when special cosmic energy fills the earth plane that enables you to increase your abundance and help elevate the souls of your ancestors. This once-in-a-year event can help you magnify your prosperity and royalty consciousness, as the star energy of the day carries the qualities of a King. Masi Makam day also supports you to seek the blessings of your ancestors, as the presiding deity of Magha star is Pitris (ancestors).

Scriptural Significance Of Masi Makam......

According to the scriptures, when Brahma (Creator Archetype) understood Shiva’s plan to recreate the universe after destruction, he asked about the methodology to recreate the world. Shiva asked Brahma to fill a Kumba (pot) with Amrit (elixir) and the source energy for creating the world and place it at the top of Mount Meru. Brahma requested Shiva to begin his creation activity from the place named Kumbakonam (sacred temple city in Southern India), where he found the pot, on a Makam star day in the Tamil month of Masi. Hence, Masi Makam is an ideal day to wash away your painful karma and curses and start anew to lead a healthy life with the blessings of your ancestors.

Blessings of Masi Makam .....

According to sacred texts, offering your sincere prayers with flowers and prasadam on the day of Masi Makam can bestow the following benefits to you:

1. Help receive the blessings of your ancestors.

2. Enjoy good health, wealth and knowledge.

3. Help get rid of curses caused by mistreating priests and learned Vedic scholars.

4. Cleanse negative energy and fill your life with positivity.

5. Grant happiness and peace of mind.

The holy river/sea water can wash away your sins and bad karma (According to the mythology, on this day, River Goddess Ganga purifies all water sources)


J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE
 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

Annapoorneswari of the Western Ghats.......“Sri Kshethra Horanadu”.


Annapoorneswari of the Western Ghats.......“Sri Kshethra Horanadu”.


Annapurne sadapurne shankar pran vallabhe
Gyan vairagya siddhyartham bhiksham dehim ch parvatim
Aham vaishvanaro bhukta praninam deham ashritam
Pran apan saman yuktam pachannam annam chaturvidham.

Meaning.....

Annapurna is the Goddess of food.She herself is the mother Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.
According to Indian mythology she supplies food to humanity. In the above verse Lord Shiva is asking goddess Parvati to serve him foods that he can receive enough strength for achieving knowledge and final enlightenment. Shiva says, I will become one with fire of each organism and with the help of the three types of vayu will help in the digestion of 4 types of food…

“Vadani kaval gheta naam ghya shrihariche
Sahaj hawan hote naam gheta phukache
Jivan kari jivitva anna he purna brahma
Udarbharan nohe jaanije yadnyakarma”

Meaning....

While consuming food, one should remember God. The food should be eaten as one is offering samagri in hawan to God, that is neither too much nor too less and consumed with positive attitude. Optimum intake of food allows proper digestion.

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On the banks of the River Bhadra, in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, there is the ancient temple of Horanadu Annapoorneshwari, which is located in the midst of thick forests and valleys in a remote part of Chikamagalur district, Karnataka. This temple is also known as “Sri Kshethra Horanadu”.

Being located 100 kms south-west of Chikmagalur, this temple attracts many visitors of all ages, religions, castes and genders, who come here to worship and are welcomed wholeheartedly. Since the reigning deity is Goddess Annapoorna or the Goddess of Plentiful food for all, devotees are given a three-course vegetarian meal.

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The word Annapoorna is a made of two words Anna meaning grains or food and Poorna meaning perfect and complete. Hence, Annapoorna means complete or perfect food. Sri Annapoorneshwari is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.

Devi Annapoorna is lauded and appraised in several ancient texts like Rudrayamala, Annapurna malininaksatra malika, Sivarahasya and Annapurna Kavacha.

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Goddess Annapoorneshwari can been seen here in a standing pose on a peetha. she is holding Shanku, Chakra, Sri Chakra and Devi Gayatri in her four hands. The idol is covered in gold from head to toe.

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It is believed that how so ever visit Devi Annapurna, will never for without food in their lives.

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To reach the main temple complex, worshipers have to climb a flight of steps. Beautiful carvings can be found on the ceilings of the temple.

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Adi Sesha surrounds the main sanctum or the Garbhagriha of the temple and the Padma Peeta constitutes of Koorma, Ashtagaja and others.

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Male devotes have to remove their shirts to enter into the central sanctum. It is believed that the sage Agastya in 8th century established the icon of the goddess here.

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As per legend, the god Shiva and his wife Parvati – the presiding goddess of food as Annapoorna, had an argument. Shiva declared everything in the world including food to be maya (illusion). To prove food is not illusion, Parvati disappeared resulting in the nature to become still. Neither climate changed nor plants grew, causing drought in the world.
Taking pity on the world, Parvati appeared as Annapurna and distributed food to all.

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According to another tale, Shiva beheaded the god Brahma. Brahma’s skull got stuck in Shiva’s hand. He was cursed that till the skull is not full of food or grains, it will stick to his hands. Shiva went everywhere and asked for food but the skull was never full. So he finally went to this temple and Annapoorna filled the skull with grains and reversed Shiva’s curse.

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The temple premise was small and unknown to many till the fifth Dharmakartharu Sri D.B. Venkatasubba Jois repaired and revived the Temple following the principles of Astrology, Vastu Shilpa and Hindu Myhtology. Prathistapana of Devi Adishakthi and ‘punaprathistapana’ of Devi Annapoorneshwari was done in 1973 on the auspicious day of “Akshaya Tritya”.

Akshya Tritya is the main festival celebrated in this temple. This day is believed to be the birth date of Devi Annapoorna. This day marks as the beginning of Treta Yuga as well as the end of winters and start of summers.

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The temple also celebrates 5-day long Rathotsaya during the month of February, 9-day long Navratri during September, Deepotsava and Havi with great enthusiasm.

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Horanadu is well connected by roads various KSRTC & Private Buses ply daily to Horanadu from various places. Nearest Airport is Mangalore airport. Nearest Railway Station is Shimoga Railway Station. Kalasa is 7 Kms from Horanadu, Chikmagalur 100 Kms away, Sringeri 75 Kms away and Bangalore 330 kms.

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This town also throws up opportunities for exploring nearby places like Sringeri, Kudremukh and its sanctuaries and Kalasa.
J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

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