TALES FROM THE PAST

SRI DURGAPARMESHWARI, KATEEL (KAR) Kshetram is situated on an islet, in the middle of sacred river Nandini. Kati means Centre and Ila means Earth. Durga Parameshawri is a powerful incarnation of Devi Parvathi. A demon, Arunasura, lived in this area. He was blessed with a boon that he could not be killed by any man, woman or by a 2 or 4-legged creature. To end him, Parvati took the form of a beautiful woman (Mohini) and teased him to anger. Angry Arunasur tried to kill Devi Parvathi. She turned herself into a rock. Arunasura broke the rock open to see an army of gigantic and furious bees flying towards him. Maa in the form of a bee (Brahmara) stung him to death. Later on, Rishis worshipped Maa Brahmaramba and pleaded her to bless in her Soumya Roopa. Owing to their prayers, Goddess Parvathi took the form of Parameshwari and stands in Kateel to bless and protect the world from the evil forces. There is a huge rock before leading up to the shrine. It is called Rakteshwari-the rock form to

STORY OF KANNIKONNA: THE FLOWER OF VISHU  Kanikonna is the state flower of Kerala. The lovely yellow flowers are used in Vishu to adorn the Kani. Their bright yellow colour symbolises Surya that represents ever flowing grace and auspiciousness. Once, a village landlord employed a pujari to do pooja in the mandir. Every afternoon, the pujari used to sleep in the mandir front yard after pooja. His little son used to play around. No one knew that Unni Krishnan (child krishna) used to come out and play with the child. One day, Krishna gave his waist belt which was full of golden bells to the boy for playing. The landlord saw the golden waistbelt of Krishna in the hands of the boy. He accused the pujari’s son of stealing the ornament. The pujari beat his son and threw the waist belt. The chain got stuck on a tree and the tree suddenly bloomed with yellow flowers.These flowers are called as konna poo which are even today offered to Krishna in the vishu kani because it pleases him and reminds

IRINGOLE BHAGAWATHY MANDIR, ERNAKULAM (Ker)  The cruel King Kamsa killed Devaki’s new-borns one by one. As he tried to kill the 8th one, the baby rose up and beams emanating from her body fell on earth. The place where the beam fell was called 'Irunnol' that later became Iringol. The trees n undergrowth are never removed as it is said that Devas descended on Earth to pray to Devi and became trees and plants in the grove Another belief is that Rishi Trinabindu did tapasya in these forests. He was disturbed by child Hanuman so much that Rishi cursed him. The curse was that Hanuman would forget his infinite strength. Vayudev, Hanuman’s father, came to the forest when he heard the curse. All trees started shaking except the one on which Hanuman sat. That tree is believed to be here and worshipped as ‘Valiya Ilavu’ On Vayudev’s request, the Rishi said that Hanuman will be reminded of his powers by Jambavan when Sri Vishnu would take birth as Ram. He also blessed Hanuman that so long

SRI KUMARIAMMAN, KANYAKUMARI (TN)  Created by Maharshi Parasurama and also one among the 108 Shakthi Peethas in the world. The name Kanyakumari stands for Kanya(Virgin) and Kumari(girl). Devi took this form to vanquish the demon Banasura Once, Banasura(grand son of Mahabali) obtained a boon from Shiva that he could be vanquished only by a virgin. So, Devi took the form of a kumari and started meditating with the desire to marry Shiva at Suchindram. Pleased Shiva fixed the midnight hour for marriage with Devi. Devarshi Narada knew that the marriage would end the chance of killing Banasura. So, he assumed the form of a cock and crowed. Shiva returned back to Suchindram thinking that it was dawn. Angered, Devi cursed that all food and articles meant for wedding turn into sand and shells When Banasura heard about Devi’s beauty, he tried to take her by force. Devi, then, killed him and granted the wish of Devas to remain there always protecting them. The murti of Devi stands with a rosary i

SOMVATI AMAVASYA: TODAYVRAT STORY  Amavasya falling on Monday is Somvati Amavasya. It is said that if a man is suffering from a prolonged disease, his wife can fast on this day n circumambulate a peepal tree as a ritual, praying for his recovery and prolonged life. Once a Rishi told a brahmin that his daughter did not have the line of marriage in her hand. So she should try to please Sona, a washerwoman, of nearby village. If Sona applies Sindoor from her head on the head of the Brahmin’s daughter, her problem would be solved. The girl started going to Sona’s house early morning and finish all household work before Sona got up. One day, Sona found out the truth and pleased by her humility, she applied sindoor on the girl’s head. That very moment, Sona’s husband died. That day was Somvati Amavasya. Sona went to a peepal tree she worshipped daily. As she had nothing to offer, she picked some bricks and circumambulated around the tree praying for her husband’s life. By Shiva’s grace, his

SREE POORNATHRAYEESA MANDIR, KOCHI (KER) First among 8 royal Mandirs of erstwhile Kochi Kingdom. Sri Poornathrayeesa/ Vishnu is sitting under the shade of five hoods of Ananthan, whose folded body acts as the throne. Also called Santhana Gopala Moorthy (Saviour of infants). It is said that the murti of Sri Poornathrayeesa was given to Arjuna by Vishnu, when Arjun sought his help to give rebirth to the ten children of a brahmin. Arjuna along with the ten children and the murti returned in his chariot and handed over the children to the brahmin. Arjun then sent Ganesh to search a place for installing the murti. He was attracted by the holiness of Poornavedapuram (now Tripunithura), and tried to occupy the place for himself. However, Arjuna moved him to the southern side of the Mandir and installed the murti. He then plucked some mustard seeds from surrounding fields and lit a lamp in front of the murti. Devotees consider the evershining “Valia Vilakku” here as the oil lamp lighted by Ar

SRI VADAKUNNATHAN, THRISSUR (KER) One of the oldest and largest Shiva kshetram of Kerela and first among 108 Shiva Mandirs set up by Parashurama. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have been born to Devi Aryamba and Shivaguru after years of prayer to Vadakunnathan. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati came here at the request of Parashurama but disappeared suddenly. Parashurama saw a radiant light emanating from a Lingam at the base of a huge banyan tree. This place is the Mula sthana where Shiva manifested himself in the form of a lingam The daily Abhisheka of Shiva with Ghee covers the shivlingam making it invisible. The ghee doesn't melt even in scorching summers. A portion of the ghee, after Abhisheka is given back to the devotees as it is believed to have miraculous power to kill all the diseases. Famous Thrissur Pooram is conducted in the premises of Sri Vadakkunnathan. Murtis from the nearby mandirs are brought here in grand processions. They offer their tribute to Shiva and le

WHAT IS ADITYA HRIDAYAM STOTRAM  आदित्य हृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रु विनाशनम् । जयावहं जपेन्नित्यम् अक्षय्यं परमं शिवम् ॥  This sacred stotram is in the Yuddha Kanda of Maharshi Valmiki's Ramayana. It was recited by Brahma Rishi Agastya to Shri Ram before war with Ravana. Relentless search for Sita had left Rama fatigued and stressed. This Stotram was meant to calm him and provide him with mental and physical strength to face the enemy on the battlefield. This stotram is a tribute to Suryadev and seeks his blessings. During testing times, the Stotram acts as an immune and morale booster for the body and the mind. It helps a person regain lost confidence, and helps him/her focus on her goal.

AMBABAI MAHALAKSHMI, KOLHAPUR (MAHA)  Considered most sacred abode of Devi Lakshmi in the world. Mahalakshmi is the Devi of Maharashtra. The history of the Mandir goes back to the time when Maharshi Bhrigu paid a visit to Sri Vishnu who was resting on sheshnag. To test Prabhu, Maharshi Bhrigu kicked him on his chest. Instead of getting angry, Sri Vishnu pressed Bhrigu’s foot and asked him whether he got hurt. Devi Lakshmi was offended by Vishnu’s humility as she took this incident as an insult and left Vaikuntha. The place where she decided to live was this Kolhapur. It is said that the region had a demon Kolhasur who used to suck all the water from the river. To end people’s misery, Devi Lakshmi killed him. His dying wish was that the place be known on his name, hence Kolhapur. Both Sri Lakshmi and Sri Vishnu reside in this area eternally and shall not leave even at the time of Mahapralayakala(where the whole world is supposed to drown in water). This region is eternally blessed and i