Tirtha means a Small pond or a Sanskrit: तीर्थ), which literally means “a ford, a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed” has come to connote places of pilgrimage associated with sacred water.
Kampilya (कम्पिल्य) was the Capital of the Panchala Kingdom ruled by Drupada during Mahabharata period. It is mentioned in Mahabharata that when Pandavas were in exile and staying at place called Ekachakra (Etawah, Uttar Pradesh), they came to know that Drupada, King of Panchala, had announced the Swayamvara of his daughter Draupadi. Then they came to Kampilya (Kampil, Uttar Pradesh), the capital of Drupada. The historian Thakur Deshraj has mentioned that the people of Kampilya were later known as Koil. The Koīl people came from Kampilya and founded the city known asKampilgarh, situated south east of Ganges. The town of Kampilgarh later became popular as Koil which is now Aligarh. Shri Nagendranath Basu has mentioned in ‘Bangla vishva kosha’ that Jats seized Ramgarh in 1757 AD and named it Koil. This was later took by Marathas and appointed a French named Piran as administrator of this place. Koil is also mentioned in an old folk-song ‘Rag dhola’ which tells about Fool Singh Punjabi Jat as its ruler. This place was also ruled by Maharaja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur for some time. Literary significance of Kampilya In Kampil there have also been great poets. (1) Mathura Chaubey Mukatimani (Kaviraja). Aurangzeb gave him 500 bigha of free hold land that is still in the possession of the family. A descendent of this poet Ms. Neera Misra Chairperson of Draupadi Trust is working for Restoration of the historical and heritage value of this land.’
This is reported to be the place where Varaha Avatar redeemed the world.
Taking a dip here shall relieve one of his sins.
4.Varaha Tirtha.
The most prominent temples of Varaha is the Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the shores of a temple pond, called the Swami Pushkarini, in Tirumala, near Tirupati; to the north of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (another temple of Vishnu in the form ofVenkateswara). The region is called Adi-Varaha Kshestra, the abode of Varaha. The legend of the place is as follows: at the end of Satya Yuga (the first in the cycle of four aeons; the present one is the fourth aeon), devotees of Varaha requested him to stay on earth, so Varaha ordered his mount Garudato bring his divine garden Kridachala from his abode Vaikuntha to Venkata hills, Tirumala. Venkateswara is described as having taken the permission of Varaha to reside in these hills, where his chief temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, stands. Hence, pilgrims are prescribed to worship Varaha first and then Venkateswara. In the Atri Samhita (Samurtarchanadhikara), Varaha is described to be worshipped in three forms here: Adi Varaha, Pralaya Varaha and Yajna Varaha. The image in the sanctum is of Adi Varaha..
5.Chakra Tirtha.
Chakra Theertham is also a famous pond in Tirumala, which is located next to Silathoranam and holds special importance. Visiting this site is considered as good as touching the Lotus Feet of the Lord, which will deliver the devotees from their travails.
It is believed that when Lord Brahma observed grief at this site, Lord Vishnu plunged his Sudarshana Chakra for cleansing it. The Sudarshana Chakra then fell into a place, which later came to be known as Chakra Theertham. This pond is known for cleanse bathers of sins that would lead them to the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.
Chakra Theertham is located about 2 Km from the temple, in the same complex as the Sila Thoranam is a rare natural rock arch. This place houses a Swayambu Lingam and is well-known for being a popular tourist spot in Tirupati.
6.Bhimshankar Therrtha.
Bhimashankar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in Bhavagiri (Bhorgiri) village, 50 km north-west of Khed, in Maharashtra, India. Bhimashankar Shiva Mandir is about 110 km from Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills (Sahayadri Ranges). The temple is situated on the banks of River Bhima, it is from here Bhima Rive flows south east and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur. Bhima Shankar Temple gives a beautiful view of the forts, the rivers and the hill stations nearby..
12.Panguni-Narasimha Dwadasi, Sukla Paksha Dwadasi for varaha.
13.Kaanthi Vrata;Sukla Paksha Dwithitiyai( second day after New Moon) for Krishna.On this Thithi Krishna/Balarama are to be worshipped and Silver idols of each is be donated .
* New Moon to Full Moon Sukla Paksha
Full Moon to Nwe Moon-Krishna Paksha.
Tamil Months and corresponding English Months.
The number of days in a month varies between 29 and 32.
The following list compiles the months of the Tamil Calendar.
Note: The Sanskrit months above would start one month ahead of Tamil months since the Tamil calendar is a solar calendar while the Sanskrit calendar is a lunisolar calendar.
It is of interest to note that these Vratas cover all the Avataras of Vishnu.
All the Vratas are to be followed on Dwdasi, whic is natural, as Lord Vishnu is associated with number 12-he is one among the 12 Adithyas,His Dwadasa Naama’Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya’ contains twelve Aksharas or letters in Sanskrit and Sri Vaishnava practice is to keep everything inmultiples of Twelve including the cheer(things offerd in Marriages.
But the greates Vrata of Vishnu is Ekadasi, which is Symbloic of Lord Shiva!
Sathya Narayna Vrata and others are not found in the Purans, may be they are from the Smritis or by tradition
For January Vaikuntha Ekadashi…
On 10th, Parana Time = 07:17 to 09:29
On Parana Day Dwadashi would be over before Sunrise
Viswaroopa Of Vishnu.
Smartha Vaikuntha Ekadashi = 08/01/2017
On 9th, Parana Time for Smartha Ekadashi = 13:50 to 16:01
On Parana Day Hari Vasara End Moment = 10:17
Ekadashi Tithi Begins = 07:52 on 8/Jan/2017
Ekadashi Tithi Ends = 05:03 on 9/Jan/2017
The term Ekadasi means eleven. Hindus follow two calendars.
One is Surya Manasa, following the movement of the Sun.
The other one is Chandra Manasa where one follows the waxing and waning of the Moon.
In Surya Manasa, the Stars, Nakshatras are given importance for calculations of festivals and auspicious occasions.
Chandra Manasa takes into account the wacing and waning of the Moon, called the Thithis. Nakshatras 28 and Thithis are fifteen.
Thithis are taken into account for calculation of inauspicious occasions like death and performance of Death related rituals like Srardha.
The period from the New Moon Day to Full Moon Day is called Sukla Paksha, which is considered auspicious and for auspicious occasions days/dates are fixed during this period.
However major Vows or Vratas are observed during the waning Moon period, Krishna Paksha.
Vaikunta Ekadasi,Shivratri,Shashti(for Lord Subramanya), Ganesh Chaturthi are observed in this period.
Of the major Vrats, Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed in Onesiance to Lord Vishnu and this is believed to grant many a boon, including the ttainment of Lord Vishnu’s feet at His Abode, The Vaikunta.
This is observed on the eleventh day of the Moon Cycle and the one that falls during Sukla Paksha is important.
However, most important Ekadasi which occurs in the month of Mrigasira, Margazhi in Tamil,December-January in Gregorian calendar, is of special importance and is celebrated on agrand scale in sri Vaishnava Temples, Sriranagam and Srivilliputtur are famous for this occasion.
Early in the morning of the Vaikunta Ekadasy Day, the doors leading to the Inner Sanctum of Lord Vishnu is opened and people enter through this. Special poojas are performed.
The doors remain closed during the other days.
During the Ekadasi day one is expected to fast and take nothing. The next day, Dwadasi, Tulasi water is to be drunk followed by austere food.
This consists of a Raita prepared out of a Dhal Urad dhal,Black Gram), and special Green leaf vegetable(Agathi Keerai) along with a salad of Amla, Nellikkai,Gooseberry in Curds .
Food can be taken once during the day.
At night,light snack made of rice are taken.
The taking of Tulasi water in the morning of Dwadasi is called Dwadasi Baranai’
Now people take light snacks on the Ekadasi day.
This is not correct.
On the Ekadasi day one engages himself in chanting the names Lord Vishnu and visiting His Temple.
One also enters His Inner Sanctum through the Doors early in the morning.
The origin of Ekadashi Vrata.
‘
According the to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year.[2] However according to Vaishnava tradition fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashi of both Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha. Fasting on Ekadashi is considered holier than any other religious observation.
Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntham (his abode) for two demons in spite of their being against him. They also asked for the boon that whoever listens to their story and sees the image of Vishnu coming out of the door (called Dwar), called Vaikunth Dwar, will reach Vaikunth as well. Temples all over India make a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to walk through.
According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Vishnu slayed the demon Muran and protects the ‘Devas’. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month during the sun’s journey in the Dhanurrashi or Dhanu Rashi. Impressed by the act, Vishnu names her as ‘Ekadashi’ and gives her the boon that those who worship ‘Ekadashi’ on the day of her victory over Muran would reach ‘Vaikunth’ (His abode).[3]
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is one of the important and auspicious days for Hindus. It is dedicated to Vishnu. It occurs in the Hindu calendar, in the month of Margashirsha (between December and January). When observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
‘
Mohini Alankaram
Sri Namperumal – Vaikunda Ekadasi Festival – Pagalpatthu 10 day
2017 January 8
Sri Namperumal – Vaikunda Ekadasi Festival – Irappatthu (night) 1 day
Sri Namperumal – Vaikunda Ekadasi Festival – Irappatthu (night) 9 day
2017 January 17
Sri Namperumal – Vaikunda Ekadasi Festival – Irappatthu (night) 10 day
Theerthavari
Vaikunta Ekadasi Significance.
”
According the to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year.[2] However according to Vaishnava tradition fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashi of both Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha. Fasting on Ekadashi is considered holier than any other religious observation.
Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntham (his abode) for two demons in spite of their being against him. They also asked for the boon that whoever listens to their story and sees the image of Vishnu coming out of the door (called Dwar), called Vaikunth Dwar, will reach Vaikunth as well. Temples all over India make a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to walk through.
According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Vishnu slayed the demon Muran and protects the ‘Devas’. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month during the sun’s journey in the Dhanurrashi or Dhanu Rashi. Impressed by the act, Vishnu names her as ‘Ekadashi’ and gives her the boon that those who worship ‘Ekadashi’ on the day of her victory over Muran would reach ‘Vaikunth’ (His abode).[3]
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is one of the important and auspicious days for Hindus. It is dedicated to Vishnu. It occurs in the Hindu calendar, in the month of Margashirsha (between December and January). When observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of birth and death.”
As I have posted in many of my posts that Hinduism treats Gods as Human Beings and offer services that befit a King, Queen or a child.
Gods are treated and loved as one would love one’s own children, friend, Lady Love.
In Tamil Literature,there are Grammar Rules for composing Poems based on the Bhava or attitude to God.
It may be as a Child, a lady Love or various stages of a child growing up.
Poems were composed appropriate to these ages and offered to God.
Arayar Sevai
In the Sanatana Dharma, Vedic practice, there are 16 Upachaaras or ways of offering Obeisance to the Lord.
These were originally 64 .
I will be posting on this in detail.
A special practice in Tamil Nadu of offering Obeisance to Lord Vishnu has been in practice from the 10th Century AD.
One, a male, from a designated Family, performs Dance Drama with a special dress, singing poems from the Devotional text of the Sri Vaishnavas,The Naalayira Divya Prabhandam.
Though many a Vishnu Temple in Tamil Nadu follow this, SriRanagam, Srivilliputtur and Alwar Thirunagari are the three places which are traditionally following this custom and they are famous.
The right to perform belongs one family in Srirangam, two each in Srivillipuutur and Alwarthirunagari.
The Right is Hereditary.
The Pagal Pathu(10 day time) and Ra Pathu(10 day night time) festival is celebrated in the month of Margazhi(December–January) for twenty days. The first ten days are referred as Pagal-Pathu (10 day day time festival) and the second half as Ra Pathu(10 day night-time festival). The first day of Ra pathu is Vaikunta Ekadashi.[31] The eleventh day of each fortnight in Tamil calendar is called ekadesi and the holiest of all ekadesis as pervaishnavite tradition is the Vaikunta Ekadashi. Nammazhwar, one of the 12 azhwars.
During this period this Dance Drama is enacted.
This is called the ‘Arayar Sevai’
Arayar in Tamil means King, implying paying obeisance that befits a King.
Another meaning is’one who declares’
The Arayar, the one who performs, declares the devotion to Lord Vishnu through the Poems of the Alwars.
Other Names of the Arayars are,
Vinnappam Cheyvar – they speak directly and only to the lord and make their requests only to him.
Nampaduvan- the sing the praises of our lord Nam (Perumal)
Isai ariyum Peruman – Referring to their ability to sing the Prabandham.
Thambiranmar – Roots word are probably than-piran-mar meaning those who belong to the lord and indicative of the Arayar becoming an Azhvar himself when performing the Arayar sevai.
The Arayar is always a male and has to follow a specific dress code and perform a vow before each performance.
Songs used.
A)Periyaazhvar thirumozhi (473 songs)of Periyaazhvar, including Thiru Pallaand.
i. Siriya Thirumadal by Thirumangai Azhwar (40 songs)
j. Peria Thirumadal by Thirumangai Azhwar (78 songs)
5. Ramanuja Nootranthaati ( 108 songs) of Amudhanar and it was added to the text compiled by Nathamuni neither is it his own Vishnu nor is it by an Azhwar.
Hindu Astronomy, which is intricately linked to Indian Philosophy(in Hinduism all these are intricately interwoven) calls the Center of our Universe,Galaxy) as Vishnu Nabhi, the navel of Lord Vishnu.
Hinduism states that the world, through Brahma, evolved from the Navel of Lord Vishnu.
Brahma , with the blessings of Lord Vishnu created the world by producing Daksha Prajapathi , the first Man.
Then the entire Humanity evolved.
This is creation part elaborated.
Now to Astronomy.
The Sun ascends and descends from the navel of Lord Vishnu,.
Sun takes 12, 000 years for ascension, moving towards the navel, and 12000 years for descending, moving away from Lord Vishnu’s Navel.
( in Earth Years and the distance from the navel of Lord Vishnu to the center of the earth)
These 24,000 year of Ascending and Descending cycle approximates the 25,765 Precessional Years when the sun moves backwards in the 12 zodiacal constellations.
This is from the Surya Siddhanta.
1.Lord Vishnu’s Nabhi as the center of our Milky way Galaxy verified.
“The Galactic Center cannot be observed at visible, ultraviolet, or x-ray wavelengths because interstellar dust obscures the line of sight. All scientific information about it comes from observations of gamma ray, hard X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths. The precise astronomical location of the Galactic Center at approximately 3 degrees Sagittarius (sidereal) was first verified in 1918 by Harlow Shapley. However its energetic connection to the earth was not realized until 1932 when Karl G. Jansky, an engineer working for Bell Telephone, was investigating the source of the static interference with overseas telephone lines. He discovered that the interference was due to radio waves being emitted from the center of the galaxy. The source of the radio waves appears to be located almost exactly at the Galactic Center, and may coincide with a super massive black hole. This black hole has the equivalent mass of 4 million suns and is the source of most of the gravitational energy in our galaxy. Thus the Galactic Center is the Sun around which our Sun rotates.
Hinduism understood this connection between Sun and the Galaxy, and used it as a marker for the ascending and descending yuga cycles that are measured by our Earth/Sun relationship to it (ie the pole star alignments at the solstices).
During the past decade the winter solstice occurs as the Sun rises in the mouth of the great rift or Galactic Center and will be exact in 2012. In Galactic Alignment John Major Jenkins revealed that this alignment is one of the astronomical phenomena tracked by ancient Mayan, Egyptians and Vedic traditions.
Our Galactic Center In our home galaxy, the Galactic corresponds to an area of space between the constellations of Scorpio and Sagittarius, its critical points are in the Gandanta degrees of these signs.
..In our home galaxy, the Galactic Center corresponds to an area of space between the constellations of Scorpio and Sagittarius, its critical points are in the Gandanta degrees of these signs. In Vedic astrology the transition of a water sign to fire sign is called Gandanta,.
This is an inauspicious position causing misery to the area of influence of the planet.
Sanskrit word Gand means knot, or node, and anta means end, in particular the last 3 degrees of a water sign, and first three degrees of a fire sign — at the three distinct junctions of Pisces (Revati)- Aries (Aswini), Cancer (Ashlesha)- Leo (Magha), and Scorpio (Jyeshta)- Sagittarius (Mula).
2.Collapse of Civilizations Indicated.
As it is very complicated to follow, later Hinduism follows the Great Bear Constellation’ or the Saptha Rishi Mandala or constellation .
The findings are the same. but these calculations are easy to follow.
“According to this calendar the Great Bear stayed in one constellation for 100 years, thus adding up to 2,700 years for 27 constellations. However, 12,000 years were equally divided into four Yugas or Ages with each yuga getting 3,000 years: Satya Yuga (Golden Age), Treta Yuga (Silver Age), Dwapar Yuga (Bronze Age) and Kali Yuga (Iron Age), with the Transition or Mutation period of 300 years each.
It has been established by several scholars through the historical accounts in Mahabharata and visits of the Greeks travelers etc to India, that the Saptrishi Calendar started in 6676 BCE. Moreover, since Mahabharata describes events happening in Dwapara Yuga, it has been established that 6676 BCE marks the beginning of Descending Dwapara Yuga. According to this calculation, we are in the Ascending Kali Yuga (676 BCE to 2025 CE). Now, the Transitional Period of 300 years starts from 2025 CE and ends in 2325CE before the next yuga starts.
What is important here is the Transitional Period. Calculations indicate that in the past Transitional Periods, Sri Yukteshwar’s “complete change” indeed took place. Scholars have linked in this way:
Consider Transitional or Mutation Period preceding Ascending Kali Yuga, 300 years back from 676 BCE – Troy was destroyed, the great Mycenaean cities collapsed, “Third Intermediate Period” of Egypt happened, Indus Valley Civilisation ended, and Hekla volcano eruption”
It is expressed in these treatises that Human Intellect and culture peaks as the Sun moves towards the Vishnunabhi and declines when it moves away from it.
Based on complex calculations on this and the checking up of our earth’s History and Civilization , increased volcanic eruptions, sink holes, increased earthquakes, increased flooding, increased cracking of the earth because of earth swelling began in 2012.
It is expected to worsen and the calamities will increase and would lead to the collapse of Civilizations in Three Hundred years time.
You must be logged in to post a comment.