REFLECTIONS ON VIJAYADASHAMI

17th,October,2010

Sunday

 Dear Friends,

Good Evening!

Happy Vijayadashami  To All Of You!

Morning I went to Kottappuram SIVA TEMPLE.Sarasawthi Pooja was going on for eight days. Devotees had brought avil,malar,plantains,jaggery,flowers and incense sticks as offerings.Many people had come to pray.The main prathishta is Lord Siva with  Ganapathy,Devi,BrahmaRakshassu as upadevathas.Idol of Krishna is kept in glass case.
Special stage is built for Saraswathi Pooja.Goddess Sarasawthi is adorned well with floral garlands and jewellery.The ceremony of Vidyarambham[beginning of getting knowledge]is held on Vijayadashami day,the last day of Navrathri.Vidyarambham is done for kids between two and three yeras old.
Initiation into the world of syllabry usually begins with the writing of the mantra,''Om Hari Shree Ganapathaye Namaha!''Initially the mantra is written on sand or in atray of rice grains.Then the priest will write the mantra on the child's tongue with gold ring.Writing on grains denotes the acquisition of knowledge which leads to prosperity.Writing on the tongue with gold ring invokes the grace of the Goddess of learning,by which one attains the wealth of true knowledge.Nowadays Vidyarambha is celebrated by people of all castes and religions.
Mookambika Temple,Kollur[Karnataka,Panachikkatu Saraswathi Temple,Kottayam,Thiruvallakkavu Shastha Temple[Thrissur] are famous for Vidyarabham.
Ladies were wearing the traditional two piece set-mundum veshty- and I wore a traditional saree with green border.Jasmine flowers were hung inside the auto rikshaw and the fragrance was so strong and spread everywhere.I enjoyed the trip in the rikshaw.

After coming from temple Amma  and I wrote on the rice grains.After reading the devotional books,the day began with much enthusiasm.

Yesterday was Mahanavami and I went to Pookunnum Siva Temple.I wanted to see Bommakkolu.iI love to pray here.Goddess Parvathi,Ganesha,Lord Krishna and Swami Ayyappa are upadevathas.

This is a huge temple and cultural programmes are held daily during Navrathri .The festival NAVRATRI[nine nights]symbolises different things in different parts of India,but is essentially the celebration of victory of good over the evil.The main motive is to worship the nine incarnations of the Goddess for wealth,health,knowledge and prosperity.

Knowing the traditions and following the rituals give a lot of happiness and peace of mind.Festivals are always an occasion of knowing our culture in abetter way,enjoying the celebrations and feasts.

I hope and pray May Goddess Saraswathi Bless You with wisdom and knowledge.

I have sad news to share with you.
My freind Anya's [check my bloglist on the right side] Anya's beloved hubby Wilfred passed away on October 14th after being hospitalised for a period of thirteen weeks.Anya was running around taking care of her hubby,aged parents and young daughters.
Anya,dearest,we join you wholeheartedly in your sorrow and please trust-God Knows the best.At times,we can't ask ''Why did this happen to me?''We just can't.
May Wilfred's departed soul rest in peace.Time heals the hurts and wounds and the makes the depth of sorrows lighter.God will give you mental courage to face the trials and tribulations of life.You are never alone.We are with you.Time will lessen the deep grief encircled you.

It's Anu signing off.........
Friends,
       Time and tide waits for none.
       Forget the ill feelings that you have against your friends,
       And do reach out as and when possible.
  Reuesting you to pray for Anya,
      May Goddess Saraswathi Bless You,
     With words that won't hurt the feelings of others,
       And hope and pray you have a good word for all.
       Reminding you Anu loves you dil se,
        Wishing you a beautiful night,
                                   Sasneham,
                                          Anu