Ramanisblog

Tag: Vishnu

  • Bala AdiBala Mantras Viswamitra To Lord Ram

    Sage Viswamitra taught two important Mantras to Lord Rama to overcome Fatigue and sleep while fighting.

    I am reproducing the Mantras.

    The mantra is not a a text written or assembled by some people to propagate a religion to sustain an Empire,

    It was revealed to Humanity to the deserved.

    For the deserving this will be from a Guru who will initiate this.

    As practiced with out a Guru, Yama Niyama and Sandhyavandana, it will be remain a text.

    Not meant for self style rationalists and egotistic academicians.

    I have provided from three different sources for authenticity , easy readability and download,

    balaatibalayoh viraat purusha rishih |

    gaayatrii devataa | gaayatrii chandah |
    akaara okaaramakaaraa biijaadyaah |
     kshudhaadi nirasane viniyogah|
    klaamityaadi shadanga nyaasah |
    klaam angushtaabhyaam namah |
    kliim tarjaniibhyaam namah | kluum madhyamaabhaamnamah |
    klaim anaamikaabhyaam namah | klom kanishtikaabhaam namah |
    klah karatalakaraprishtaabhyaam namah ||klaam hridayaaya namah |
    kliim shirase svaahaa | kluum shikhaayaivashat | klaim kavacaaya hum |
    klom netratrayaayavaushat | klah astraaya phat | bhuurbhuvassuvaromiti digbandhah |
    amrita karatalaardrau sarva sanjiivanaadhyaa
    avaghaharana sudkshau veda saare mayuukhe|
    pranavamaya vikaarau bhaaskaraakaara dehau
    satatamanubhave’ham tau balaatiibaleshau ||

     om hriim bale mahaadevi hriim mahaabale
    kliim catur vidha purushartha siddhi prade tatsavitur
     varadaatmike hriim varenyam bhargo devasya varadaatmike |
    atibale sarva dayaamuurte bale sarva kshud bhrama upanaashini
    dhiimahi dhiyoyonarjaate pracuryaa pracodayaatmike pranava shiraskaatmike |
    hum phat svaahaa ||
    evam vidvaan krita krityo bhavati |
    saavitryaa eva salokataam jayati ||
    iityupanishat ||

    om aapyaayantu mamaangaani vaakpraanashcakshuh

    shrotramatho balamindriyaanicasarvani |
    sarvam brahmaupanishadam |
    maaham brahma niraakuryaam maa maa brahma niraakarot |
    aniraakaranamastu aniraakaranam me’stuh tadaatmani
    nirate ye upanishatsu dharmaaste mayi santu te mayi santu ||
    om shaanti shaanti shaantih |
     Deatiled with Body Gestures, Anganyasa ans Karanyasa.
    BalaAtibalaMantraWithMeaning:
    SudhakarV.RaoMD.
    Thisisthemeaningofthemantrasingeneralterms.IthastobelearntfromaqualifiedGuruandpracticedwithappropriatemeaningfulgesturescalled(Karanyaasa-handgesturesandanganyaasa-bodygestures).
    BalaAtibalayoH,
    “ForthemantrasBalaandAtibala,
    ViratPurusharishiH
    ThesageisViratPurusha(LordNarayana)
    Gayatridevataa,
    ThepresidingDeityisGayatri.
    Gayatrichandah
    Themeter(chandas)isGayatri
    AkaaraUkaaraMakaarabijaadyah

    TheBija(seed)is“A”;theshakti(power)is“U”andthekilaka(thekeytothepower)is“M”.(A,U,Marethethreeletterswhichformthe“OM”-thatis
    Kshudhaadi nirasanay viniyogah
    The mantra is used to vanquish hunger, thirst, fatigue etc.
    Klaamityaadi shaDanga nyaasah; Klaam angushTaabhyaan namaH; kleemtarjaneebhyaan namaH; kloom madhyamaabhyaan namaH; klaimanaamikaabhyaan namaH; klaum kanishTakaabhyaan namaH; klaah karatalakara prushTaabhyaan namaH;Klaam hridayaaya namaH; kleem shirase svaahaa; kloom shikhaayai vashaT; klaimkavachaaya Hum; klaum netra trayaaya vaushaT; klaaH, astraaya phaT; Bhoorbhoovassuvaromiti digbandhaH
    .(These are body gestures and hand gestures to invoke the Gods of the mantra. Thegestures are called Anga nyaasa and karanyaasa. (Anga means parts of the body and karameans hand. Nyasa is the gestures.) The 6 gestures are made uttering the seed letterscalled Bijaksharas. They are Klaam, Kleem, Kloom, klaim, klaum and klah.
    They should be learnt from the Guru.)
    Ater this, meditation is done with the following thoughts:
    Amrita karatalaardrau sarva sanjeevanaadhyaa avagha haraNa sudkshau Vedasaare mayookhay, praNava maya vikaarau, Bhaaskaraakaara dehau, satatamanubhaveham, tau balaatibaleshau

     http://www.scribd.com/doc/121296201/Bala-Atibala-mantra-in-english-with-meaning

     

    With Original Reference.

    Vishvamitra addressed Rama in a harmonious voice calling, ‘oh, Rama’, on the southern riverbank of Sarayu. ( Valmiki Ramayana, Book 1, Chapter 22, Verses 10b, 11a)

    गृहाण वत्स सलिलम् मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः || १-२२-११
    मंत्र ग्रामम् गृहाण त्वम् बलाम् अतिबलाम् तथा |

    grihaana vatsa salilam maa bhuut kaalasya paryayah || 1-22-11
    mamtra graamam grihaana tvam balaam atibalaam tathaa |

    “Take water, my boy, and like that you receive a group of hymns, bala and ati bala from me, and let no time lapse. (1-22-11b, 12a)

    “On receiving these hymns neither tiredness nor fever, nor disfiguring of personality can effect you, nor the demons can charge you either you are sleeping or unvigilant. (1-11-12b, 13a)

    “As it is none whosoever on earth can equal you in dexterity, Rama, and by reciting these hymns none can equal you in the three worlds. (1-22-13b, 14a)

    “My dear Raghava, if bala atibala hymns are practised, oh, impeccable one, none can equal you in the world by your handsomeness, calibre, erudition, by your discernment, and even in replying or rebutting you. (1-22-14b, 15)

    “On receiving these two teachings there will be none similar to you, for bala and atibala are the mothers of all knowledge. (1-22-16)

    “Oh, best one among men, Raghava, if you go on reciting bala and atiblala hymns, my dear Rama, there will be no hunger or thirst to you. (1-22-17)

    “And if these twin teachings are practised an inestimable renown will also accrue, oh, Raghu’s legatee, these two hymns that possess brilliance are the daughters of Forefather Brahma, and oh, Rama of Kakutstha, I intend to impart these hymns to you, oh virtuous one, as you are the most eligible one, hence take the teachings that are kept safe from the world. (1-22-18, 19a)

    “Though all of these numerous qualities are undoubtedly available with you, that too in abundance, yet these hymns if ascetically nurtured will yield various results.” Thus spoke Sage Vishvamitra to Rama. (1-22-19b, 20a)

    (ii) Bala Atibala Teaching:

    Sage Vishvamitra is the Seer for Gayatri hymn. He is the same Sage to impart bala atibala hymns to Rama and Lakshmana. This hymn is yet another aspect of Gayatri, and there is no hymn superior than Gayatri, na gaayatriyaah paramam japam.

    (One will get maximum benefit if the teaching from Guru).

    Balaatibala Mantropanishad:

    balaatibalayoh viraat purusha rishih | gaayatrii devataa | gaayatrii chandah | akaara okaaramakaaraa biijaadyaah | kshudhaadi nirasane viniyogah |klaamityaadi shadanga nyaasah |klaam angushtaabhyaam namah | kliim tarjaniibhyaam namah | kluum madhyamaabhaamnamah | klaim anaamikaabhyaam namah | klom kanishtikaabhaam namah | klah karatalakaraprishtaabhyaam namah ||klaam hridayaaya namah | kliim shirase svaahaa | kluum shikhaayaivashat | klaim kavacaaya hum | klom netratrayaayavaushat | klah astraaya phat | bhuurbhuvassuvaromiti digbandhah |

    Dhyaanam:

    amrita karatalaardrau sarva sanjiivanaadhyaa avaghaharana sudkshau veda saare mayuukhe |
    pranavamaya vikaarau bhaaskaraakaara dehau satatamanubhave’ham tau balaatiibaleshau ||

    om hriim bale mahaadevi hriim mahaabale kliim catur vidha purushartha siddhi prade tatsavitur varadaatmike hriim varenyam bhargo devasya varadaatmike | atibale sarva dayaamuurte bale sarva kshud bhrama upanaashini dhiimahi dhiyoyonarjaate pracuryaa pracodayaatmike pranava shiraskaatmike | hum phat svaahaa || evam vidvaan krita krityo bhavati | saavitryaa eva salokataam jayati || iityupanishat ||

    Shaanti paatha:

    om aapyaayantu mamaangaani vaakpraanashcakshuh shrotramatho balamindriyaanicasarvani | sarvam brahmaupanishadam | maaham brahma niraakuryaam maa maa brahma niraakarot | aniraakaranamastu aniraakaranam me’stuh tadaatmani nirate ye upanishatsu dharmaaste mayi santu te mayi santu || om shaantishshaantishshaantih |

    http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110529202558AAlvnc0

  • Srardham FAQs

    Srardham.
    Srardham.

    No.I am not talking about performing Srardha in Benares ,Gaya.

    I am talking about performing Srardha in your Home or in a common place.

    The best option is to perform Srardha at Home, it brings prosperity and Sreyas.

    But now people do not prefer to conduct this at Home.

    Sastras declare that all auspicious and inauspicious functions,anything is good or bad, marriage, death, Srardha are to be performed only at

    Home.

    Once one decides to deviate from the Sastras , it is left to one’s inclination.

    However, choice are available at various Mutts Gnana vapis.

    On careful evaluation, I am posting some information on this.

    Before that let me clear some FAQs on Srardham.

    1.At what time should Sradham is to be performed.

    After 12.00 Noon

    Madhyanhikam and Brahmayagna must be performed prior to Srardha, not before.

    2.what is the Diet?

    Srardha should be performed on an empty stomach.

    Food has to be taken only after the Sastris take food.

    Wife of the Karta (one who performs the Srardham) must also follow the diet.

    At night refreshment made of Rice’ like idly,Dosa,Adai,Aitsi Upma,Arisi Kozhukkattai are to be taken,

    Nothing made of anything else must be  taken, like Chappati, Poori.

    Who should cook ?

    Cooking must be done by the Karta’s wife; if wife is not alive,daughter-in-law must cook; else daughter if her father in law is not alive.

    if these are not applicable, brother’s wife may perform.

    If even this is not possible, then a cook may be engaged.

    How many Brahmins are to be invited for food?

    Minimum 2 plus the Satrigal.

    What is the Menu?

    By tradition, the menu is the same as the one prepared on the 10h day ceremony of the departed.

    If details are not available, then read my post on Srardha Samayal( Srardha Menu).

    What should one wear for the Srardha?

    Pancha kachcha for men and Madisar for women(read my posts/video on this).

    How much should I pay for Sastri and Brahmins?

    Depends on your city.

    Who should take the Pitr Sesha(balance of Srardha food including the snacks)

    Only those who are born to the departed, daughter in law,Grandsons( sons born of Sons), Brothers, brother’s wives, their male issues.

    There is controversy regarding daughters ans son in-laws taking the Pitr Sesha.

    On no account the Pitr Sesha is to be thrown away are given to others mentioned above, including throwing away and feeding the dogs.

    Now there is the practice of maintaining a Dog at Home, parent might be possibly be in an old Age Home or in some fancy titled Home for the Destitute.

    If out of necessity one can not perform the Srardha at Home, I recommend the Sringeri Shankara Mutt, where the rates are really reasonable and most importantly the Performance of the Srardha is detailed and they do not allow you flout rules  to suit your whims.

    One point on Vishnu Ilai( Platter for Vishnu)

    This is practiced by certain families by tradition.

    if being practiced, go ahead, do not introduce a new custom as sentiments are involved.

    I have leant now that for Vishnu Ilai, the Kula Deavatha is to be invited to partake the Food, the term Visnu Ilai is symbolic as Lord Vishnu is the Devata for Para Loka(after death).

    Shankara Mutt.

    Shankar Mutt Road, Sankarapuram, Basavanagudi, Bangalore, KA  560004
    080 2661 3365.

    Google for other cities.

    http://ramanisblog.in/tag/srardham/

     

    Related Articles

  • The Dream Of Brahma Illustrations By The West

    I have come across Illustrations of The Hindu Puranas.

    They are vivid, though the comments/observations are not correct.

    Creation Hinduism.
    Creation By Brahma

    Tales Of Creation 
    Brahma Dreaming is a collection of mythological adaptations in three parts, each centring on one of the great gods within the Hindu trinity, or ‘trimurti’. Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu correspond to the cosmic forces of Creation, Destruction and Preservation, and it is largely their adventures that drive the story forward. From the moment that Lord Brahma dreams the world into existence, Hindu mythology is filled with moments that are also an illustrator’s dream – and my collaborator Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini has really made the most of the opportunity. This wonderful picture shows the 60,000 sons of King Sagara, who were ‘the seeds’ born from a melon.

    Paarkkadal
    The Ocean of Milk.

    The Ocean of Milk.

    In this story, the gods realise they are losing their struggle with the demons. They need to obtain divine ambrosia (amrita) in order to gain the upper hand – and that can only be done by churning the Milk Ocean. The gods use mount Mandara as a churning stick and the cobra Vasuki as a rope – and even trick the demons into helping them. All manner of creatures, objects and substances rise to the surface as they gradually succeed. This story exemplifies what fascinates me about Hindu mythology – the combination of fantastical details with behaviour that we can all recognise.

    Garuda and Sarpa.
    Snake and Eagle

    All religions need to explain how ‘bad’ things like envy and deceit entered the world. This tale concerns the snake Kadru, and Vinata, her sister, who is envious of Kadru’s fecundity. Daniela has depicted the moment in their dispute when Kadru encourages her children to hang from a white horse’s tail to create the impression that it is black. I have always been fascinated with the tendency of myths and fables to ascribe immoral behaviour to animals – a neat way of sparing human blushes. Just as in Genesis, here it is the snake’s fault!

    Pralaya.
    Destruction by Rudra

    Tales of Destruction
    The ‘Tales of Destruction’, which focus on the fearsome Lord Shiva, follow the ‘Tales of Creation’ (focusing on Brahma) and precede the ‘Tales of Preservation’ (focusing on Vishnu). This illustration shows Sati, a shy princess who falls in love with Shiva and marries him despite her father Daksha‘s disapproval. Their story is a tragic one, because Sati throws herself on a fire during a banquet at king Daksha’s palace when she cannot bear his rejection. Until prohibited by the British Raj, Hindu wives were permitted to demonstrate wifely devotion by incinerating themselves on their husbands’ funeral pyres. Although Sati perishes, her body remains intact. This illustration demonstrates Daniela’s ability to home in on the key moments within a story.

     

    http://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2013/aug/08/brahma-dreaming-john-jackson-in-pictures#/?picture=414610181&index=3

  • Hindu God Exquisite Statues

    Dancing Ganesh
    Bronze Ganesh Statue Playing Flute 38” The chubby Ganesh is light on his feet with his legs bent springing about on his chubby yet shapely legs. He has four arms, two of which hold a flute. A flute is usually a instrument played by Krishna. Ganesh, like Krishna affirms life by celebrating in its wonders, music being one of these. In his other two hands he holds a noose and axe. His trunk is raised straight up symbolizing good luck. The casting is beautiful as you can see in the fine details of the fingers and toes. Each detail is rendered perfectly. $7950 Additional Information: http://www.lotussculpture.com/40b116.html

    Subrahmanya
    Bronze Bala Murugan Statue with Vel 18” Shiva’s other son besides Ganesh is Kartikeya, also known as Kumara, Skanda, Subramanya, Shanmukha or Murugan (used in Tamil Nadu). As Subramanya, he has two consorts, Valli and Devasena, who embody Jnana Shakti, the power of knowledge and Kriya Shakti, the power of action. As Kartikeya he is designated the deity of war, guarding right and destroying evil. As Shanmukha, the six-headed, he teaches that we have five senses and the mind, and only when all six are in harmony is there spiritual growth. His vahana or vehicle is the peacock who struts around admiring his own beauty. Murugan keeps the peacock around to remind us not to let pride and egotism get the better of us. In his hand he holds the vel and a sharp spear. He uses the vel to guard the spiritual progress of the world. $1190 Additional Information: http://www.lotussculpture.com/10bc15.html

     

    Ravana Lifting Kailash
    Masterpiece Ravana Lifting Kailash 96” A masterpiece Hindu wood carving depicting the 10 headed, 20 armed Ravana trying to shake mount Kailash with Shiva and Parvati seated upon it. The carvings boasts a multitude of figures including; A benign form of Shiva and Parvati with Nandi. Above them looms Mahakala with 4 flying celestial attendants. Eleven rishis or temple priests in various poses around the sculpture. Ganesh is shown on the right side of the panel along with one of his dwarf attendants or gana. On the opposite side is Ganesha’s brother, Murugan. There are cows and deer amongst the vegetation along with a small Shiva Lingam. On the bottom of the carving kneeling beneath mount Kailash is the menacing demon king, Ravana with 10 heads and 20 arms playing a veena with one of his heads on the end of it. The panel is painted in South Indian style like the brightly colored gopurams of South Indian temples. At the customers’ request we can put hooks on the back of the carving for hanging into wall studs. The carving is a masterpiece! $6850

    Saraswati.
    Marble Saraswati Seated on Swan 23” $2950

     

    Venugopala
    Gopal Krishna is captured in his pose of playing the flute enchanting all the cow herders’ daughters with his good looks and the melodies of his music. Krishna’s face is beautiful has a slight smile on his lips, as if he knows that he is in some way up to mischief! No detail is spared on his cloths and jewelry. All of his jewels are perfectly carved. He wears makara earrings. His headdress, jewelry and clothing are simply beautiful. No detail was spared on this stunning sculpture. The lotus base has beautiful carvings on it. One aspect of this sculpture which is particularly unique is that Krishna’s fingers are not wrapped around the flute as usual. The pose catches his fingers in the act of playing the flute with some of his fingers extended. The flute even has holes in it like real flute. $8500

    Lord Shiva.
    Bronze Nallur Shiva on Dwarf 23.5”
    This form of Shiva dancing on top of a seated dwarf holding a knife is called Nallur Shiva. It is named after a lord Shiva temple named Periyandeswarar temple which is in Nallur Village. This temple is home to the oriiginal statue. The statue design has many unique aspects. Shiva is dancing on the head of a dwarf rather than on his prostrate body. The dwarf is looking forward holding a knife in his hands. Shiva’s step looks light a feather because the dwarf shows no sign of bending under Shiva’s foot. Shiva has 8 hands that hold a 3 headed serpent, a bell, agni or fire, a drum, a knife and a stick. The arch is oval in shape. It has the typical flames on the outer arch with swirls of water on the inner arch. There are two mythical beast called makaras on the base of the arch along side the dwarf. There is a lotus flower carved into the base. The design is a beautiful departure from the most popular form of dancing Shiva; Nataraja. It gives one a different aspect of dancing Shiva to meditate upon.
    $1790

     

    Mariamman.
    Antique Shakti Marriaman Statue 36” The antique Shakti Marriaman Statue is estimated to be 13th to 14th century. A steel base has been made to hold the piece upright. Shakti has 8 arms, which hold a variety of weapons among them, a sword and trident. Her right hand is facing down in the abhaya mudra or ‘fear not’ hand position. Her hair is pushed back vertical, standing on edge personifying the energy that is Shakti. Shakti wears earrings, necklaces and leggings with tassels hanging off to each side. She has a sensual womanly figure with motherly exposed breasts embodying mother Devi. The face has been worn down from years of devotees touching the surface. The unusual nub that protrudes from the bottom of the statue was used to affix the sculpture to the base of a wall so it could not move. $85,000

    Goddess Kali
    Stunning Bronze Dancing Kali Statue 37” This beautiful sculpture of the Goddess Kali is the fierce goddess in her passive and benign form. Kali is dancing with her head tilted back looking up. She has 8 hands holding a trident, sword, noose, shield, bell with a trident on it, skull cup, and a dharmu or drum . The trident is cast separately from Kali and can be removed from her hand. Her face is beautiful with a slight smile on her lips. Her hair is spread out wildly and perfectly frames her beautiful features. Her legs are spread open in a diamond shape a dance posture known as chatura or “square dance”. A fantastic fiery arch surrounds Kali. The bronze has a beautiful color. Over time it will darken and only become a richer, warmer hue of bronze. $6785

     

    Maruti Statue.
    Hanuman Carrying the Mountain 18” This beautiful sculpture of Lord Hanuman depicts the monkey god carrying a mountain of herbs to Lakshmana from the Ramayana epic. He also has a large club over his shoulder as he steps over mountainous terrain. $1150

    Source:

    http://lotussculpture.tumblr.com/

  • Unexplained Facts About Puri, Jagannath

    Some time back I came across a post listing some curious and inexplicable facts about Puri, Orissa, India.

    I wanted to write about it and promptly forgot to book mark.

    Now I am unable to find the post.

    However I came across similar information form Iskcondivinetree.

    It lists some curious facts about Puri.

    They are:

    Story:

    Mahaprasad, Puri
    Puri PrasadMahaprasad, Puri

    Wonders of the Jagannath Temple in Puri are as follows::
    1.Flag always flaps in opposite direction of air.
    2.From any place in Puri you will always find the Sudarshan Charka (Charka at top of Temple) facing you.
    3.Normally during day-time, air comes from sea to land & during evening, the vice-versa occurs. But in Puri it’s totally opposite.
    4.No bird or planes fly above the Temple.
    5.The shadow of the main dome is invisible at any time of the day.
    6.The quantity of cooked food inside the Temple remains same for the entire year. But that same quantity of prasadam can feed few thousand people & 20 lac people, Still it won’t get wasted.
    7.In the Temple kitchen, 7 pots are kept on each other & cooked on firewood. In this process the contents in the top pot get cooked first & then the bottom one.
    8.After entering from Singhadwara’s first step (from inside of the Temple), u can’t hear any sound produced by the ocean. But, when u cross the same step (from outside of the Temple) u can hear it. This can be noticed clearly during evening.

    JAI JAGANATH Share this & let the world know about Jagannath ji..

    Regards. Hari Bol
    Jai Shri Krishna

    Comment on this is at the site.

    Attahasya Das on Tuesday

    As to the second “wonder” about that you will always find from any place of Puri the Sudarshan Charka (Charka at top of Temple) is facing to you, it is not right. I have many photos taken from many angles of the Sudarshan Charka in Puri, and I can see that Chakra is facing to different sides depending on from which side those photos are taken.

    As to the shadow of the main dome is also the same: you can see from those photos that in the sunny day the shadow is clearly visible around that main dome. However, these facts do not in any way diminish the spiritual nature of the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu! We don’t have to look for some physical evidences to prove the spiritual nature of the Sudarshan Chakra.

    Does this mean that that the other features check out?

    People residing in Puri may confirm this.

    I had earlier posted some facts pertaining to Benares,Varanasi.

    “

    • Flowers do not smell
    • Cows  do not knock you even if you touch them
    • Eagles(Golden Eagle) Will not Fly over
    • Corpses will nor Smell (while being burnt)
    • Lizard(common Lizard) will not  make sound.

    Varanasi,Kasi is an important pilgrimage Center for the Hindus.”

    I requested for feed back on the veracity of this.

    Yet to receive the feedback.

    Varanasi. please respond.

    Let me add some more to this list.

    Suchindrum,Kanyakumari District,Tamil Nadu.

    Here all the three divinities Brahma, Vishnu and Siva are in the same Idol.

    Thanumalayan Temple Goprum.
    Stanumalayan Temple,Tamil Nadu.

     

    The holy place, which is 13 km from Kanyakumari, has a very big temple dedicated to the Trinity — Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. According to tradition, the top, middle and bottom portions of the image in the temple represent Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu (Maal) and Brahma (Ayan) respectively.

    The place got the name of Suchindram, according to the Sthalapurana, as Indra was relieved of a curse. The term “Suchi” means purifying and the place where Indra was purified got the name of Suchindram. According to the believers, Indra even now visits the temple daily for performing “Ardhajama Pooja” in the night.

    Another fact I came to know is that , if you insert a long iron string in the left ear of the Anajaneya Idol, it comes out through the other ear!

    Navapaashanam, Ramanatahapuram District, Tamil Nadu.

    Dharpasayanam/Thirupullani is a place where Lord Rama is reported to have worshiped the Lord Varuna, God of water and Navapaashanam is where Rama  worshiped the Navagrahas before embarking on this journey to Srilanka to annihilate Ravana.

    The Navagrahas are represented in stones in the sea, amidst water .

    Whatever be the season and tide condition, the Navagrahas never get submerged though the area around it are, despite the ground level where these Navagrahas are located are at the same level.

    Sources:

    http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/profiles/blogs/eight-divine-wonders-of-sri-jagannatha-temple-puri

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/01/05/varanasi-eagle-wont-fly-flowers-corpse-dont-smellcows-dont-dash/

    The food is prepared in earthen soiled pots, which resembles to French sauté pans. These pots are kept one over the other on an earthen furnace. The most interesting aspect of this cooking is that the topmost pot is cooked first and then the next below it. When the food is cooked, the wall of the pots gets hot and provides heat retention. Due to this, food remains hot for atleast 5-6 hours and tastes yummy. –

    See more at: http://blog.onlineprasad.com/2013/07/11/lord-jagannaths-mahaprasad/#sthash.voy9yLBS.dpuf

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