PAINKUNI UTHRAM AND HANUMAN JAYANTHI!

CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF LORD AYYAPPA AND HANUMAN

28th,Sunday,2010

7p.m

Dear Friends,

Good Evening!

Today was a real holiday.I could realx and enjoy lazing round and reading a lot.Tomorrow is Painkuni Uthram or Panguni Uthiram which falls on Pournami day of Meena Masam of Malayali Calendar.Lord Ayyappa is born to the union of Mohini-the avatar of Lord Vishnu -and Lord Shiva.Hence he is called as Hariharasuthan or Harihariputhran.Ayyappan is also called as Manikandan or Manikanta.

Bhoothanatha sadananda,

Sarvabhoota dayapara,

Raksha raksha mahabaho,

Shastrethubhyam namo namaha!

Devotees believe that Ayyappan is born to demolish the demoness Mahishi.After destroying her,Lord has given her a boon that she will be worshipped as Malikappurathamma.

In Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple,Ayyappa Jayanthi is celebrated with utmost fervour and attracts ten thousands of devotees to Sabarimala.

Sabarimala is situated in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.Many holy shrines of Hindus are lcated close to nature on mountain tops,river banks or sea shores where teh enviornment is conducive for reflection and meditation.Of these holy destinations,hilltop shrines have been difficult to access as often the climb is long and arduous.Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is situated on such ahilltop.It is widely believed that the difficulties encountered on a journey increase the benefits one would derive from the pigrimage and in turn enhance the sanctity of the pilgrim centre.Such pilgrimages present a challenge to pilgrims not only because of the terrain they have to negotiate but also on account of the presence of wild animals on the way,which adds an element of risk and uncertainty to the journey.

Tomorrow is the last day of the annual festival of Sree Sabarimala Temple-Aarattu,the tenth day of the annual festival.Swami Ayyappan's star is Uthram in Meena Masam.[My Amma's star is also Uthram].

Panguni Uthiram is a big festival in Tamil Nadu.Several temple festivals like divine marriages,brahmotsavams,aradhanotsavams and other festivites are celebrated on Painguni Uthiram.Madurai Meenakshi Sundrareshwar temple,Sreerangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple,Palani Murugan Temple and some other temples dedicate dto Lord Shiva attract thousands of devotees on this special day of Painguni Uthiram.
Yatra yatra raghunatha keertanam

Tatra Tatra kritha mastakanjalim

Bhaaspavaari paripurna lochanam

Maarutim namata raakshsanthakam.

Means,we bow to Maruti,Sri Hanuman,who stands with his palm folded above his forehead with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the names of Lord Rama are sung.

Shri Hanuman is worshipped all over India either alone or together with Sree Rama.Every temple of Sree Rama has the murti or idol of Sree Hanuman.He was born to Wind God and Anjani Devi.His other names are Pavanasuta,Marutsuta,PavanKumar,Bhajrangabali and Mahavira.Hanuman's birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima[the March-April full moon day]. Devotees fast on this day and read Hanuman Chalisa.They spend the whole day in the name of Rama -Nam.

Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated to commorate the birth anniversary of Sree Hanuman,the strong devotee of Sri Rama.From early mornings devotees visit Hanuman Temples and seek blessings.Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy.Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will,wield rocks,move mountains,dart through the air,seize the clouds and rival Garuda in swiftness of flight.Hanuman is worshipped in folk tradition as a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer the evil spirits.Hanuman or Anjaneya is the strong devotee of Lord Rama and he is a brahmachari and humility is his hallmark.

He is the loving embodiment of Rama-Nama.He was an ideal selfless worker a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion without expecting any fruit in return.He lived to serve Sree Rama.He was humble,brave and wise.He possessed all kinds of virtues.He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean by just chanting Sree Rama Nam,burning the city of Lanka and bringing the sanjeevani herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again.

The devotees will visit temples and apply kumkum[sindoor] n their foreheads as thilakam as this is considered to bring good luck.According to the legend,Sita was applying kumkum on her forehead,Hanumanji wanted to know the reason for which Sita Devi replied that this would ensure a long life for her husband,Sree Rama.Hanuman then smeared his entire body with Sindoor,in an effort to ensure Sree Rama's immortality.

May Lord Ayyappa and Sree Anjaneya shower their choicest blessings on one and all.

It's Anu signing off..............

We are always taught to chant the mantra for Lord Hanuman to prevent us from seeing the nightmares[the terrific dreams!]

Together,let us seek the holy blessings,

Anu loves you dil se,

Wishing you a bright and beautiful week ahead,

Sasneham,

Anu