Mooguru Hode

Mooguru Sri Tripurasundari

Story:

Shi Tripurasundari (Thibbadevi) temple of Mooguru  village, T.Narasipura taluk, Mysore district is around 850 years old. According to the legend it is believed that this temple was constructed by a Muslim palegar (territorial administrator appointed by the Nayak ruler of South India) Nawab Baba Saheb. Nawab Baba Saheb wanted to expand his territory, so he goes on an expedition. And after the war while returning home he stops at a place to take rest. (This place is three kilometers away from Mooguru now called Hosahalli village). He tell his Army to take rest near the lake and he sleeps on a stone under a Jamun tree. All for sudden he sees a bright light. Disturbed by the bright light he gets up and when he sees at his Army all of them will be “still” in catatonic state.

Then the Goddess Tripurasundari appears in front of him and says ‘as you have rested your head on me, all this has happened’. The Nawab says ‘I am a muslim and I don’t believe in any other God than Allah’ and challenges her ‘if you are a real god, you have to win the challenge I give, then I will accept you as a God’. When the Goddess agrees to the challenge, he takes a dried jower stick, plants it upside down (root up and shoot down) and says ‘if this jower stick has sprouted (shoot with new leaves) by tomorrow evening I will believe that you are a God, if not I will destroy you’. Saying this he goes away.

Next day evening when he goes to that place he sees that the dried jower stick would have sprouted. He falls at the Goddess feet and ask for forgiveness. As a reparation for the wrongdoing, he takes permission from the Goddess to build a temple at Mooguru. So the Goddess will say that ‘she will destroy all the progeny (lineage) of Mookasura who are residing in his territory and will abide in that place. Later this place was called Mooguru. The Nawab requests the Goddess to show her miracle to the world by making the jower stick spring every year. From then on every year they do the spring blooming festival (chiguru Odoyo Jatre). During this festival, goddessess from neighbouring villages (supposed to be sisters of the Thibbadevi) are brought in procession to Mooguru. Traditionally the sisters of goddess come to visit Shi Thibbadevi then the procession is taken around the village. This Festival is celebrated for 3 days.

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Sanuru CF

Sanuru is a village which is 4.5 km away from Karkala Town, 47 km away from Mangalore and Udupi. The Shambhavi River flows here and runs into the Arabian Sea near Mulky. The nearest coastal town is Surathkal, 22 kilometres (14 miles) away by road. The village is on the slopes of the Western Ghats, and its population is concentrated between hills and beside the river.

During the British Raj, the village was headed by the Patels (Patler). Since independence, it has been administered by a Mandala Panchayat.

History:

The region was originally ruled by the Alupa dynasty. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Sanoor was governed by Bhairarasa Odeyas of the Kalasa-Karkala kingdom. The village has a Siva temple and a Nada Daiva shrine.

The district has two traditions: Buta Kola and Nagaradhane. Buta Kola (spirit worship), a stylised version of the dance of the spirit impersonator, is performed annually at a central shrine.

Fauna:

Russell's viper, saw-scaled viper, cobra and common krait are the four venomous-snake species which are a public concern, and snakebite is still associated with Nagaradhane (snake worship).

Culture:

Yakshagana, Kambala and Korida Katta are the three forms of local entertainment. The Yakshagana Bayalata (open-field musical theater) has become uncommon. Cock-Fighting is an example of the "cultural synthesis of 'little' and 'great' cultures". Also known as Kori Katta, it is popular in the village. Kambala (a bull race) is held in the former South Canara.

Mooguru Utsav

Mooguru is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Tirumakudal Narsipur taluk of Mysore district in Karnataka.

There is a famous temple here for goddess Tripurasundari, also called as Thibbadevi.

Also, the epic says, there resides the deity's better half, Lord Shiva and her sister too. So, two temples, one each for Lord Shiva, and another for Thibbadevi's sister also exists in this village.

During this festival, goddesses from neighboring villages, who according to the priest and villagers, are supposed to be sisters of goddess Thibbadevi are bought in procession to Mooguru. Traditionally the sisters of goddess come to visit Sri Thibbadevi and then, the procession is taken all around the village before bringing the curtains down for the three-day Shri Thibbadevi jaatre.

To watch temple video click here

World Leprosy Eradication Day

Theme of this day emphasizes ending leprosy-related stigma and discrimination will enhance early case detection and help us achieve a leprosy-free world.

World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year. It provides an opportunity for enhanced efforts and renewed commitment for elimination/eradication of the debilitating disease at the earliest. It focuses on the target of zero cases of leprosy-related disabilities in children. Early detection is prime focus to achieve this target, along with strengthening interventions to prevent leprosy transmission. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.

What is leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae (M. laprae). The symptoms of the disease occur generally after a long period of getting infection on average 5 years, as M. leprae multiplies very slowly. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.

What are the signs and symptoms of leprosy?

Leprosy should be suspected if a person shows the following signs and symptoms:

·       Dark-skinned people might have light patches on the skin, while pale-skinned people have darker or reddish patches 

·       Loss or decrease of sensation in the skin patches

·       Numbness or tingling in hand or feet

·       Weakness of hands, feet or eyelids

·       Painful nerves

·       Swelling or lumps in the face or earlobes

·       Painless wounds or burns on hands or feet.

What should be done in case of suspicion of leprosy?

In case of presence of signs and symptoms of leprosy, please visit the nearest dispensary. Treatment of leprosy is available free of cost at all government dispensaries in India.

Sarvodaya Day

In India, there are six days declared as Martyrs' Day (at national level also known as Sarvodaya day). They are named in honour of those who are recognised as martyrs for the nation. 30th January is the date observed in the national level. The date was chosen as it marks the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1948, by Nathuram Godse.

Meaning:

Martyrs' Day is an annual day observed by nations to salute the martyrdom of soldiers who lost their lives defending the sovereignty of the nation. The actual date may vary from one country to another. Here is a list of countries and Martyrs' Days.

Martyr:

A martyr is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, refusing to renounce, or refusing to advocate a religious belief or cause as demanded by an external party. Martyrs play significant roles in religions.

The numbers of martyrs covered is more than 3300. This covers the martyrs of Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura. "Dictionary of Martyrs: India's Freedom Struggle (1857-1947)"

Muguru Bandi Utsav

Legend:

Once devas prayed devi to kill Bhandasura. When Devi started for the war with Bandasura, she was accompanied by the powers called Anima, Mahima, Brahmani, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Maheshwari, Chamundi, Rudrani, Nitya Devaths and Avarna Devathas who occupy the chakra. While Sampatkari was the captain of the elephant regiment, Aswarooda was the captain of the cavalry. The army was commanded by Dhandini riding on the chariot called Giri Chakra assisted by Manthrini riding on the chariot called Geya Chakra. Jwala Malini protected the army by creating a fire ring around it.

Tripura Sundari rode in the center on the chariot of Chakra. Nithya destroyed a large chunk of Bhandasura's armies, Bala killed the son of Bhandasura, and Manthrini and Dhandini killed his brothers called Vishanga and Vishukra. When the asuras created a blockade for the marching army, Tripura Sundari created Ganesha with the help of Kameshwara to remove the blockade. Then Bhandasura created the asuras called Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashyapu and Ravana. She killed all his army using Pasupathastra and killed him with Kameshwarasthra. The gods then praised her. She then recreated Manmatha for the good of the world.

This story is contained in the first 84 names of the first 34 slokas of Lalitha sahasranama. All together it contains one thousand names. This is also called the Rahasya Nama Sahasra (the thousand secret names). Reading it, meditating on the meaning of the names would lead to the fulfillment of all the wishes of the devotees.

Magha Snana

Magham is a Sanskrit word ‘Ma and Agham’. ‘Ma’ means not present and ‘Agham’ means sin, evil, suffering, grief and Magha masa is the month which is highly meritorious, auspicious and free from any sin or suffering. Lord Maha Vishnu in the name of Madhava is the presiding deity who governs Magha Masa and to be worshiped.

Magha masa is the 11th month of Hindu lunar calendar. Magha Nakshtra (star) falls on the poornima day of this month. This month is considered auspicious to perform all the major occasions like marriage, upanayana (thread ceremony), house warming etc. One year on the earth is considered as one day in the higher abode and this month starts the dawn of the day to the Gods. Deepa daana (lighting a lamp) is auspicious in Karthika masa and Magha Snana (holy dips in holy rivers) is the major ritual of Magha masa. There are many auspicious and religious events during the month.

Religious Significance of Magha Masa:

It is believed that the Hindu Goddess of wisdom and learning – Goddess Saraswati, the Sun God or Surya Bhagawan and Lord Shiva in the lingam form were born in this month.  On the fifth day in the brighter half of the moon, Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Pooja is celebrated across the country. Hence the month is particularly dedicated to Lord Surya and people worship Sun god on the four Sundays of Magha masa. Reciting Aditya Hrudya on the four Sundays of the month would be very effective.

Magha Snana:

While Karthika masa is given lot of significance for lighting of lamps, Magha masa is given special significance for taking bath that is known as Magha Snana.  It generally starts from Pushya sukla Poornima and ends with Magha sukla Poornima or it can also be from Makara Sankramana to Kumbha Sankramana as per Solar/Luni-Solar calendar. For followers of lunar calendar it starts from Pushya Bahula Amavasya and ends with Magha Bahula Amavasya.  During this period it is prescribed to take bath early in the morning before Sunrise preferably during Arunodaya kala. This sacred bath is preferred to be taken in any river, lake or thirtha or at least at home. Apart from the daily routine (Nithya Karma) special arghya is to be given to Lord Madhava and Sun God after Magha Snana.

Advantages of Magha Snana:

In the earlier months to Magha Masa, on account of cold and snow, the body becomes weak because of lack proper sunshine, etc. In Magha Masa the Sun rays provide more heat and they energize the Sea and River Waters destroying the bacteria in the waters. Common salt also acts as an antibiotic and necessary for our body to cleanse the skin. Taking these factors into consideration, our Sages prescribed that one should perform Samudra Snana and spend in Sea waters for a period of 48 minutes in Magha Masa. By this the energy of sun rays embedded in the water spreads into our body. Taking a bath in sea waters for about 48 minutes refreshes us by cleansing our external body opening the roma koopa and a lot of significance has been added from spiritual point of view in the daily routine of an Individual. The benefits are multiple when sea bath is taken in Magha Masa.

According to Dharma-Shastra merits of Magha Snana gets increased depending on the place where the bath is taken as given below.

With hot water at home–Merits equivalent to Six years of such Snana;

From the waters of a well –12 years of such Snana phala;

In a lake –24 years of such Snana phala;

In any river – 96 years of such Snana phala;

In any sacred river – 9600 years of such Snana phala;

At the confluence of sacred rivers–38400 years of such Snana phala;

In Ganga (Ganges) River–Merits equivalent to 38400000 years of such Snana phala;

At Triveni Sangam (Prayaga) – 100 times of Ganga Snana phala;

Magha Snana in sea (Samudra) is considered more meritorious than all the above.

Wherever may be the place of bath; one should always remember to recollect (recite) Prayaga and also pray Masa Niyamaka Sri Madhava (Lord Vishnu) silently. Those who cannot take bath as said above for the entire month should at least take it for the last three days which is known as Anthya Pushkarini. Magha Snana is prescribed for all ages of men and women.

Arghya Mantra

Thapasya arkodhaye nadhyaam snaathoham vidhi poorvakam|

Madhavaaya dhadhaami idham arghyam samyak praseedhithu|

Madhavavaaya nama idamargyam

Savitre prasavitre cha paramdhaamne namosthuthe

Twattejasaa paribrashtam paapam yaaytu sahasradhah

Savitre nama idamargyam

Ganaga yamunayor madhye yatra gupta saraswathi

Trailokya vamdite devi trivenyargyam grihaana me

Trivenya nama idamargyam

Diwakara jagannatha prabhakara namosthuthe

Paripoornam karishwedam Magha Snana maya krutam

Melkote Punarvasu Utsav

It falls in the month of January-February. That day was the day when Ramanujacharya renovated the Melkote. In the morning, the abhisheka to Ramanuja, the kalyani (Tonnuru utsav) festival, where the prose parayana was followed by a flower offering to the acharyas in front of the house of vangipuram nambis. As soon as he was in, he was honoured to serve the Acharyas from mahamangalarati.

On the day of the Punarvasu Star this month, Ramanujacharya discovered and rejuvenated the Narayana murti in the Melkote area. In memory of this, a festival is celebrated every year in Melkote where Ramanujacharya is the real puja of Punarvasu Star.

Kumaravyasa

Kumaravyasa is the pen name of Narayanappa, an influential and classical Vaishnava poet of early 15th century in the Kannada language. His pen name is a tribute to his magnum opus, a rendering of the Mahabharata in Kannada. Kumaravyasa literally means "Little Vyasa" or "Son of Vyasa" (author of the Mahabharata). He was the contemporary and archrival of the famous, Veerashaiva, poet laureate Chamarasa who wrote the seminal work Prabhulingaleele covering the lives of Allama Prabhu and other Shiva Sharanas, circa 1435. Both poets worked in the court of Deva Raya II.

Contents:

Kumaravyasa's most famous work, the Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari (the Mahabharata of Karnataka) is popularly known as Gadugina Bharata and Kumaravyasa Bharata. It is an adaptation of the first ten parvas (chapters) of the Mahabharata. A devotee of Krishna, Kumaravyasa ends his epic with the coronation of Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas. The work is celebrated in Kannada literature due to its universal appeal.

Gadugina Bharata is composed in the Bhamini Shatpadi metre, a form of six lined stanzas. Kumaravyasa explores a wide range of human emotions, examines values, and displays extensive mastery over vocabulary. The work is particularly known for its use of sophisticated metaphors. Kumaravyasa is also renowned for his characterization. Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari is also known as Dasha Parva Bharata because it originally had only ten parvas as opposed to the eighteen in the original Mahabharata.

Kumara's Kathamanjari covers only up to the Gadayuddha, the battle between Duryodhana and Bheema, and the killing of Duryodhana. The subsequent parts of the original Mahabharata like the Yudhishthira Pattabhishekha, Ashwa Medha Yaaga, and the Swargaarohana Parva are not included.

It may be noted that Lakshmeesha, another great poet who was born a few decades after Kumara's death, took up and completed Ashwa Medha Yaaga parva alone in his work Jaimini Bharata in Kannada. This spiritual work was considered equal to Kathamanjari for its narration.

Belief:

There is a strong belief among locals that Kumara was a blessed poet of Sri Veera Narayana, another name for Lord Vishnu. The poet sat in front of the sanctum sanctorum in the temple and Narayana himself narrated the story of the ancient Mahabharatha from behind the statue. The poet transformed the story excellent poetry. However, Narayana laid down a condition that Kumara was to only listen to this voice without attempting to see the source or the spirit narrating the story. When the tenth parva of his work was complete, Kumara was deeply curious to see the narrator. Much to his surprise, he saw Narayana himself narrating the story. He also saw a scene of the Kurukshetra War as if it were happening in front of him. However, Kumara had violated the condition that he should not search for the source of the voice. At that point, the lord disappeared and the narration of the Mahabharata stopped forever.

Supremacy:

The poet Kumara has shown an exemplary writing style in the introduction. He proudly claims that his poetry is matchless and that it caters to the taste of all kinds of readers. He writes that in his poetry "A king enjoys the valor, A brahmin the essence of all vedas, philosopher the ultimate philosophy, ministers and state administrators the tact of rule and Lovers the romantic notes." In addition, he proudly acclaims that this work of his is the "Master of the works of all other great scholars." However, his selflessness may be noted when he says he merely noted all that was narrated by his lord, the actual poet.

Kumaravyasa's other, lesser-known work is Airavata.

His magnum opus, Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari, was completed in 1430 when Deva Raya II was ruling the Vijayanagara empire. Kumaravyasa earned high esteem as a poet in his court. Kumaravyasa was mentioned by other prominent 15th century poets, such as Kanaka Dasa and Timmanna Kavi.

Kumaravyasa lived in Koliwad, a village 35 km (22 miles) from Gadag in North Karnataka. According to popular legend, Kumaravyasa is said to have composed his work at the Veeranarayana temple in Gadag. A pillar known as Kumaravyasa's pillar stands in the temple to this day.

Influence on Kannada literature:

Kumaravyasa's works belong to the Nadugannada (Middle-age Kannada) period of Kannada literature. His influence on later Kannada literature is significant. Gadugina Bharata is still widely read. It is popularly sung in a unique style known as Gamaka.

Sringeri Aridrotsava

Aridrotsava takes place early the following morning with the event commencing with Mahamangalarati to Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani.  It will be performed in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sannidhanam. After the Maha-mangala-arati at the Malahanikareshwara temple, Ashtavadhana Seva comprising of Chaturveda Seva, takes place. A large number of devotees will be present for the Mahamangalaarti and for the grand procession of the Utsava Murtis of Lord Malahanikareshwara (as Nataraja) and Goddess Bhavani. The procession includes three circumambulations around the sanctum sanctorum, with each Pradakshina getting longer and descending down the hillock. The procession continues along the main streets of Sringeri and after upacharas and seva, the Utsava Murtis will be taken back to the Malahanikareshwara temple amidst the chantings of Sri Shivanandalahari and Sri Soundaryalahari (composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya).

Mooguru Sri Tripurasundari

Story:

Shi Tripurasundari (Thibbadevi) temple of Mooguru village, T.Narasipura taluk, Mysore district is around 850 years old. According to the legend it is believed that this temple was constructed by a Muslim palegar (territorial administrator appointed by the Nayak ruler of South India) Nawab Baba Saheb. Nawab Baba Saheb wanted to expand his territory, so he goes on an expedition. And after the war while returning home he stops at a place to take rest. (This place is three kilometers away from Mooguru now called Hosahalli village). He tells his Army to take rest near the lake and he sleeps on a stone under a Jamun tree. All for sudden he sees a bright light. Disturbed by the bright light he gets up and when he sees at his Army all of them will be “still” in catatonic state. Then the Goddess Tripurasundari appears in front of him and says ‘as you have rested your head on me, all this has happened’.

The Nawab says ‘I am a muslim and I don’t believe in any other God than Allah’ and challenges her ‘if you are a real god, you have to win the challenge I give, then I will accept you as a God’. When the Goddess agrees to the challenge, he takes a dried jower stick, plants it upside down (root up and shoot down) and says ‘if this jower stick has sprouted (shoot with new leaves) by tomorrow evening I will believe that you are a God, if not I will destroy you’. Saying this he goes away. Next day evening when he goes to that place he sees that the dried jower stick would have sprouted. He falls at the Goddess feet and ask for forgiveness. As a reparation for the wrongdoing he takes permission from the Goddess to build a temple at Mooguru. So the Goddess will say that ‘she will destroy all the progeny (lineage) of Mookasura who are residing in his territory and will abide in that place. Later this place was called Mooguru. The Nawab requests the Goddess to show her miracle to the world by making the jower stick spring every year.

From then on every year they do the spring blooming festival (Chiguru Odoyo Jatre). During this festival, goddessess from neighbouring villages (supposed to be sisters of the Thibbadevi) are brought in procession to Mooguru. Traditionally the sisters of goddess come to visit Shi Thibbadevi then the procession is taken around the village. This Festival is celebrated for 3 days.

Raghotthama Tirtha Aradhana

By that time, Shri Raghunatha Tirtha of Uttaradi Math had attained the lotus feet of the Lord and his successor Shri Raghuvarya Tirtha had upon his mantle the problem of resurrecting the trouble struck Madhvas. He was at crossroads when he contemplated the plight of the literature of Shri Madhvacharya and his followers.

Story:

He came to the conclusion that the feet of Sri Madhwacharya was the apt place to seek refuge and hence ardently prayed to Shri Madhvacharya. His frequent prayers were answered and Acharya appeared in his dream, instructing him to go to Swarnavata where his purvashrama sister, Ganga Bai, was living with her husband Subba Bhatta. The couple was childless and Shri Madhvacharya ordered the saint to bless them with a child. He also assured that the child born to them would blossom in the garden of Madhva Philosophy and spread the fragrance to all the devout souls. After alleviating the sorrow of the saint, Shri Madhvacharya disappeared. In the morning Shri RaghuvaryaTirtha woke up rubbing his eyes in disbelief and tears poured from his eyes on the kindness of Shri Madhvacharya and also the fortune of having beheld him.

Once in the course of his tour Shri Raghuvarya Tirtha visited Swarnavata village in the Nizam State. The Zamindar of the village Shri Subba Bhatta and his wife Ganga Bai invited Shri Raghuvarya Tirtha for "Bhiksha" in their house, Shri Raguvarya Tirtha accepted to receive their Bhiksha provided their first born male child should be handed over to the Shri Mutt. The blessed couple accepted to do so. Accordingly His Holiness performed the pooja of Shri Moola Rama and Seeta and received the Bhiksha in their house and gave Phala Mantrakshate to the couple. Sometime later, Smt. Ganga Bai, the wife of the Zamindar conceived. Shri Swamiji was informed accordingly. He returned to the village expecting the birth of the child. A big gold plate was sent to the Zamindar's house from the Mutt with a direction to receive the child directly in the golden plate without allowing the child to touch the earth. Accordingly the child was received in the golden plate and brought to the Mutt. The personality and the face of the child was beautiful like a moon. He was named after Shri Ramachandra by his Holiness and brought up at the Math itself and was fed only with the Abhishekha milk of the Vyasa Kurma Saligram of the Math. When Shri Ramchandra became a boy of seven years he had his Upanayanam at the Math and the very next year he was ordained as a sanyasi and named as Shri Raghuttama Tirtha.

Shri Raghuttama Tirthar was one of the greatest saints of Shri Uttaradi Mutt who descended for the upliftment of the satvic souls. Shri RaghuttamaTirtha received his advanced studies in Nyaya Sudha and Vedantha from Adya Varadacharya as per the direction of the guru Shri Raghuvarya Tirtha.

There was a Dalapathi in the village who patronised the pandit so much, incapable of understanding the greatness of His Holiness and began to respect both equally. In spite of such insults, Shri Raghuttama Tirtha very patiently, went to the house of pandit with humility to continue the studies.

On one occasion the Dalapathi invited Shri Raghuttama Tirtha and Adya Varadacharya for partaking food on Dwadashi day. Shri Raghuttama Tirtha went to Dalapthi house a little late due to his pooja and Aahnika. Varadacharya and others had already commenced taking food without waiting for the arrival of Shri Raghuttama Tirtha. The lady of the house fell at the feet of Shri Raghuttama Tirtha and apologized. When Sri Raghuttama Tirtha returned to Mutt he was very much sad at what has happened on that day. During the early hours of the next day, God himself appeared in the dream in the form of his guru Shri Raghuvarya Tirtha, and inscribed the symbolical letters on the tongue of Shri Raghuttama Tirtha and blessed him that he would be a master of philosophical wisdom and that he could commence teaching his disciples straight away. Further he was directed in his dream that he should abandon his too simple life and commence a life of pomp and status, having number of servants, establishment, professionals, elephants etc to make the Shri Mutt strong and powerful center of religious and philosophical learning. The next day onwards at usual time of lectures, Shri Raghuttama Tirtha himself started to deliver impressive lectures on ‘Nyaya Sudha’ in mellifluous voice which was sweeter than honey.

Once His Holiness was expounding "Bahulantani" portion of Nyaya sudha which is a difficult portion and Varadacharya himself had unclear understanding of it. Varadacharya hid himself behind a wall and listened to HH's excellent exposition which dispelled his doubts and gave him a grasp of that portion. He lay prostrated before Shri RaghuttamaTirthar and admitted his superiority in knowledge and paid respect to him. The most noble swami comforted the pandit and decreed that he should have first Tirtha in Uttaradi Math which is being followed even now by blessing the Adya family members with Tirtha first.

The great religious leader enjoyed the honors befitting a prominent Math such as the throne, crown, palanquin white umbrella, chamara, makaratorana, fan, daylight torch, flags and musical instruments.

Once Shri Raghuttama Tirtha was passing through a forest with his disciples. A gang of highwaymen attacked Shri Raghuttama Tirtha and his disciples. Swami went into mediation. Suddenly, the robbers were trapped in a conflagration and surrendered to the saint. The noble swami saved them. Many such extraordinary miracles happened in his regime.

Shri Raghuttama Tirtha desired to enter the Brindavana at Manampundi (Thirkoilur) on the banks of river South Pinakini (Penna) which is in Villupuram District of present Tamilnadu. This is said to be the holy place where Shri Galava Rishi once recided. This place is also known as "Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetra". Shri Samiji ordered a Zamindar of Tiruvanamalai in a dream to construct his Brindavana at a specified place. Shri Raghuttama Tirthar entered Brindavana in 1595 AD on the day of Vaikunta Ekadashi.  

India Tourism Day

India Tourism Day is celebrated on January 25th. It is aimed at increasing awareness about tourism through a range of activities. Cultural Heritage Tourism is the fastest growing segment within the tourism industry. Tourism is increasingly playing a major role in contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of destinations and local communities by creating direct and indirect jobs. Therefore it is an important sector in the services economy. Apart from economic benefits, Tourism brings together people of different cultures and regions and fosters better mutual understanding. Peace and Harmony are the two requirements for Effective and Durable Tourism. It is, therefore, rightly said that tourism is the greatest peace movement in the world.

Benefits:

Tourism generates many more jobs for relatively less investment. It is capable of creating large-scale employment opportunities, particularly in rural and backward areas where there are many attractive sites for tourists. It is, potentially, the biggest generator of foreign exchange. Truly speaking, tourism is a non-polluting industry but due to lack of awareness we end up in polluting the tourist places.

Putradaa Ekadashi

Putradaa Ekadashi ("ekadashi that is the giver of sons") is a Hindu holy day, which falls on the 11th lunar day (ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Pushya (December–January). This day is also known as Pushya Putradaa Ekadashi, to differentiate it from the other Putradaa Ekadashi in Shravana (July–August), which is also called Shravana Putradaa Ekadashi.

Couples fast on this day and worship the god Vishnu for a good son. This day is especially observed by Vaishnavas, followers of Vishnu.

A son is considered entirely important in Hindu society as he takes care of the parents in their old age in life and by offering shraaddha (ancestor rites) ensures well-being of his parents in the after-life. While each ekadashi is prescribed for certain goals, the goal of having sons is so great that two Putradaa ("giver of sons") Ekadashis are devoted to it.

Legend:

The Bhavishya Purana reveals the tale of Putradaa Ekadashi as told by the god Krishna to the king Yudhishthira. Once, king of Bhadravati, Suketuman and his queen Shaibya were grieved by the absence of progeny. The couple as well as their dead ancestors were worried that without someone to offer shraddha, they will not be at peace and will become lost souls after death. Frustrated, the king left his kingdom and went to the forest unbeknownst to everyone. After wandering the forest for days, Suketuman reached the ashram of some sages on the bank of Lake Manasarovar on Putradaa Ekadashi. The sages revealed that they were the ten divine Vishvadevas. They advised the king to observe the Putradaa Ekadashi fast to attain a son. The king complied and returned to the kingdom. Soon, the king was blessed by a son, who grew up to become a heroic king.

Practices:

Women who long for a son fast and pray to Vishnu on Putradaa Ekadashi. Couples also worship the deity for well-being for their children. Grains, beans, cereals, and certain vegetables and spices are avoided on this day. This Pausha Putradaa Ekadashi is more popular in North India, while other states give more importance to the Shravana one.

Benefits:

• Get rid of sins committed in past and attain moksha
• Seek well being of your progeny
• Achieve a sharp intelligence
• Attain wealth and prosperity

Shri Krishna explains the glories of observing the Ekadashi Vratam in Narada Purana by saying

अश्वमेधसहस्राणिराजसूयशतानिच।
एकादश्युपवासस्यकलांनार्हन्तिशोडशीम्।।

Ashvamedha Sahasrani Rajasuya Shathanicha |

Ekadashi upavasasya kalanahithni shodashim ||

Meaning: Not even thousand Ashvamedha Yagas or hundred Raja Suya Yagas would match the fast on an Ekadashi Day.

Puja Vidhi:

Every ritual of fast is required to be performed and observed with an adequate vidhi in order to seek maximum benefits out of it. Following is the puja vidhi of Pausha Putradaa Ekadashi:

• The devotees are required to wake up early morning and take a bath
• Observers are required to recite the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram
• The fast is observed for a period of complete 24 hours (In a milder version of the fast, the devotees can also observe a partial fast)
• The observers must refrain themselves from consuming all type of grains and rice too.
• If the couple has progeny issues or they do not have any child then both the wife as well as the husband must fast together and should worship Lord Vishnu jointly.
• They must devote their time and attention in worshipping Lord Vishnu, performing bhajan kirtan and must also observe a night vigil
• Special Puja is required to be performed for worshipping deity Vishnu
• The observers must visit a nearby temple of Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu and offer sacred food (Prasadam) to the idols of the deities
• All the puja and rituals must be concluded with Aarti of Lord Vishnu.