Thursday, August 31, 2006
The days with Tanstia and SIDCO website development
Today while commuting to work and I had to briefly wait for the shuttle service at Kathipara Junction near the SIDCO Regional Head Quarters. My memory slowly went back to 2000 when SIDCO and TANSTIA -FNF were our prospective clientele and it was really a great time of developing those websites, interactive team from the clients in giving the feedback, trips to SIDCO and TANSTIA offices in Guindy Industrial Estate. I was then at Agenda Net Marketing Private Limited, the software development unit of Takewing Advertising, Chennai.
SIDCO website work was initially handled by Raghav and subsequently it was my kid. TANSTIA works was handled by Dayanand, who is currently in Wipro. Currently the SIDCO office are merged with TANSTIA premises in Guindy since part of the SIDCO office at the Kathipara junction is being taken over by NHAI for the Kathipara flyover work.
SIDCO is really a great team to work with. Even though it is government unit, you can really witness very vibrant, enthusiastic and hospitable staff at least from my perspective.
Rajastan Warrior - Teacher
The subcontinent of India is really huge and you can really witness very much extremes of climate at the same point of time in the year. While Northern India is reeling under waist high and neck deep inundations of almost all the life-giving rivers of the regions, Southern India is reeling still under acute high temperatures.
Well! India's only desert (Thar Desert), which is Rajastan seems to have a different cursed fortune this year. While each time, it would encounter short falls of rains and perennial water scarcity, this year seems to be floods all along taking toll of its people in significantly huge numbers.
Besides the innumerable hardships that the floods are bringing to the desert-state of Rajastan, it has brought to limelight a lot of tangible observations in the state. Sometime a week back, it brought to headlines, the bureocratic red tape inertia, stewarded by a minister himself at the flood scene when a tourist group could not be saved since neither the Fire Brigade and Rescue Services nor the army was informed regarding the stranded team in the flooded river. This way, the floods have brought to the headlines a great humanitarian soul.
It was in the Indo-Pak border village of Malva (in Rajastan) where a Madarasa teacher (Shaukat) risked his life acutely and saved about twenty tender kids by taking them to the top of mosque (mosque roof) since the flood situation there was grim. The fate had been very cruel to him. While he could save so many kids, his own kith and kin (family members) were ruthlessly washes off by the floods.
We need to really appreciate him for his life-risking social service and at the same time, we need to pray the Lord Almighty that he be given enough mental strenghts to bear the acute mental agony because of his loss of his kith and kin.
Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple Kumbabhishekam
Today as I was commuting to workplace in the GST Tambaram road, there was a Kanchipuram - Chennai bus that was overtaking us. There was a small clip off notice that was pasted on the windshield. Normally our Chennai political guys use bus windshields for all these protests and I thought this would be one set of jokers doing this. But as the bus slowed down, I read it. It was a message of Kumbabhishekham of Ekambaranathar temple in Kanchipuram.
It is a very famous temple in Kanchipurum dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is really old and built by the Pallava kings around 1509 AD and reflects greatest architectural designs and innovations of the then Pallava dynasty.
You can check out details of this Siva Temple from my personal website in the 'India Temple Network -- Siva Temples' section. (You need to select 'Thondai Nadu' in the top navigation bar in the 'Siva Temples' page)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Self Defense Programs in Sun TV
Yesterday I was starting a bit late to the office and since the television was switched on and in the Sun TV, it was Vanakkam Tamizhagam programme that was being telecasted. It is really good that they have good programmes in the morning. Two of the programmes that very much attracted my attention were:
- Indha Naal Iniya Naal (I guess that this was 'Indru Oru Thagaval' in All India Radio sometime back) by Then Kachi Ko Swaminathan.
- Tharkappu Kalai (Self Defense) -- Typically about Kobudo art of self defense
This Day That Age (Entry into VIT)
It was the same day (29th August 1999) and it was Ganesh Chaturti that time. After completing the admission formalities of the then DoTE (Directorote of Technical Examinations) of Anna University, I had to visit my college (Vellore Engineering College, now Vellore Institute of Technology).
The initial verification of documents, payment of hostel feels, visiting and booking of hostel rooms, introduction to various key persons of contact by the team and so on and so forth. Four days and September 4, the college was opening up for first year students. Also check out my post on Alma Mater here.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi
Wish you all a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations. Let us pray Lord Ganesh to bless us with all success in all spheres of life and world peace.
Shuklaambara Dharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva Vighna Upashaanthaye
Vakratunda Mahakaaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Newer Clothes and from Novel Innovative Textile Shops
Newer Clothes and from Novel Innovative Textile Shops
Come festivals or memorable days like birthdays, weddings etc, it is our usual practice to buy new clothes, jewellery etc. Perhaps, new cloths also mark formal business events like preparing for an overseas business trips, school opening etc. Clothes and garments have also of late become like an important gift items. The marketing efforts by the various textile merchants too show how competitive the textile markets have become.
I personally feel that textile shops in T Nagar to be really having excellent stock of good designs and collections. Just a fond recall of some instances and good testimonials about T Nagar textile shops are being shared across here. Sometime about five months back, myself and my friend wanted to buy some shirts for his sister's wedding. That was the time, when our workplace was also in North Usman Road. We almost searched for some good things in the newly opened Saravana Stores, Pothys, The Chennai Silks. We personally felt that The Chennai Silks is good for shirts and sarees of modern designs. But on a traditional touch weddings and gifts to closer friends (We had to purchase a saree gift for a friend sometime about three months back), I feel RMKV is the definitive choice.
This post does not rate anyone rather the bottomline of the post is to emphasize the greatness of textiles in each and every aspect of human life. As a Tamil proverb goes "Al Paadhi Aadai Paathi", a man is half adjudged by the textile he wears and his personality and so rightly, our forefathers have accorded the most prestigious position for clothes among the trio "Food, Clothes and Shelter". And we need to mention about the great achievements of RMKV in the textile segments too. A few of them are:
- The World's Longest Silk Saree
- A Silk Saree with largest number of (about 50000) colors in it.
- The latest innovation -- Reversible Silk Saree (A saree with two designs in itself -- front and back)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
My Vibrant eHome
My Vibrant eHome
It has been a while since my personal website got a friendlier touch, a cool navigation, a simplistic approach, a soothing appeal. There were bits and tidbits of turnarounds yesterday and eventually these paved a finer way to sit down and refine my website and a friendlier AJAX navigation for more better user experience.
There are more to conquer and more milestones to win. Currently check out http://www.lavanyadeepak.tk/ for updates.
Ustad Bismillah Khan passes away
Ustad Bismillah Khan passes away
Veteran Shehnai Maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan passes away due to a cardiac arrest on the wee hours of Monday. He was about ninety and survived by five sons and three daughters. He was aptly awarded as 'Bharat Ratna' after Pt. Ravishankar and MS Subbulakshmi, the most highest civilian honour in the country for his contributions to music.
The other awards that he has won are Sangeet Natak Academy award, Tansen Award and Padma Vibhushan. His childhood days were at Varanasi Kashi Viswanath temple where his uncle was Shehnai player.
India misses a great musician of honor with the demise of Ustad Bismillah Khan. Let us spend a couple of minutes to pray the Lord Almighty to bless his soul to rest in peace.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Integrated with Google Gmail Account
Integrated with Google Gmail Account
This weblog has been integrated with Google GMail Intregrated Blogger Beta. With more powerful blogging features, upgraded templates and choicy blogging features, there is more information planned to come and serve you.
Stay Tuned for updates...
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
60th Indian Independence Day
60th Indian Independence Day
Amidst a lot of tensions from within and sourced from external terrorists and anti-national forces, it is a great pleasurable and joyous moment for each and every citizen of this great nation (India) to celebrate with greater levels of enthusiasm our 60th Independence day from foriegn clutches. It is true that we have a lot of ardous ordeals that are being encountered; a lot of separations and difference of opinions but there is one fine blend of relationship that runs as a strong undercurrent that keeps us knit together -- the passionate thought of being the child of Mother India.
As like other Independence day celebrations, each of the states have their own Independence day celebrations and the Apex central government representatives hoisting the flag in Red Fort, New Delhi. The greatest source of inspiration for this Independence day is the seven-point oath that has been administered to youth by our President Hon'ble Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. I would like to have a brief mention about these for the welfare of the youth. (Source courtesy: India eNews)
‘Only in an environment of stable peace can the nation concentrate on social and economic development. Now, I would like to administer a seven-point oath to the youth of the nation,’ the President said.
- I realise that I have to set a goal in my life. To achieve the goal, I will acquire the knowledge, I will work hard and when the problem occurs, I have to defeath the problem and succeed.
- As a youth of my nation, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all my tasks and enjoy the success of others.
- I shall keep myself, my home, my surroundings, neighborhood and environment clean and tidy.
- I realise that righteousness in the heart leads to beauty in the character, beauty in the character brings harmony at home, harmony at home leads to order in the nation and order in the nation leads to peace in the world.
- I will lead an honest life free from all corruption and will set an example to others to adopt a righteous way of life.
- I will light the lamp of knowledge in the nation and ensure that it remains lit forever.
- I realise whatever work I do if I do the best, I am contributing towards realising the Mission of Developed India before 2020.
Let us swear the adopt this as our Independence Day resolutions and begin to align ourselves with utmost honesty true to our self.
Mudichur Sri Vidyambigai Temple
Mudichur Sri Vidyambigai Temple
Just at Tambaram and about four kilometres from there in a serene atmosphere, we have a beautiful Siva Vishnu temple. The main deity here would be Sri Vidyambigai and this temple also has Sri Vishnu shrines and it is said that Udayavar (Sri Ramanujar) had climatic issues prohibiting his travel to Sri Perumbudur and he conducted his upanyasam from here.
The temple is famous for Wedding Prayers. When I went to the temple it was about half past ten. Usually the temple gets closed that time in the morning but there was some 60th wedding of some person who has organizied homams for the Lord and hence it was purely His blessing to have the darshan of the Lord inspite of travelling late. The travel from Tambaram to Mudichur is punctuated by buses but the return journey we may need to wait a while or there are share autos, which facilitate ferrying of passengers to Tambaram back. After having darshan of the Lord, I returned to my workplace at about 12 noon.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Blog Unconference in IIT Chennai during September 2006
Blog Unconference in IIT Chennai during September 2006
A biggest blog camp is being planned and scheduled to be organized in IIT campus Chennai. Separate tracks have been planned for blogging, vlogging (Video Blogging), PodCasting. There are also plans to make it global with participants across the continents participating through video conferencing.
Check out BlogCamp website for further details.
Trip to Thirumullaivoil
Trip to Thirumullaivoil
As a followup to the regular Aadi Month temple visits, I started from my workplace at about 0400 PM to CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus). Initially the plans were either Thiruverkadu or Thirumullaivoil. The initial decision the previous day (Saturday) was to go to Thiruverkadu but the phenomenal crowd at CMBT, I thought not to venture into the crowd for security reasons like abundant pocket pickers would be found in the buses.
As I got down in CMBT, I left to the Lord as to decide whether Thirumullaivoil or Thiruverkadu. Whoosh.... A direct bus bound from CMBT to Thirumullaivoil just brushed across and stopped near me. It was a divine and instant answer and I took the bus and it was about 40 minutes journey through Ambattur Industrial estate to Thirumullaivoil. As I got down at Thirumullaivoil, there was a small confusion. All I know was the 'Kodiyudai Amman' (the name of the Lordess) and there were plenty of temples over there. Now the fun is how to locate the temple I am looking at. Again, my mind went to seek the emergency response to my friend 'Saranam Ayyappa'. Just entered the hotel and took some tiffin first to charge for the search. And interestingly when I asked the hotel while paying the bill, he guided me to all the important temples over there. Three main temples down the lane in one shot we can worship alongside small temple shrines. They are:
- Kodiyudai Temple
- Pachai Amman Temple
- Ayyappa Temple
And the temple at Pachai Amman, it was really a great temple with village style big idols at the entrance. It has been put in the temple history that Lordess Parvathi had been penancing for Lord Shiva here. There were prasadam distribution too. The next important temple was my friend (Ayyappa Temple). It was a small one albeit in a very similar style like Sabarimala.
I have a brief coverage of Kodiyudai temple in my personal webpage in Siva Temples (Thondai) Region. After worshipping a while in all the temples, at about 7 PM, I started back to Tambaram (South West Chennai) from Avadi - Thirumullaivoil (North West Chennai).
Adhi Rudra Maha Yagnam Invitation
Adhi Rudra Maha Yagnam Invitation
One more sacred and a holy function during the Aadi month that you need to schedule in your calendars. International Sai Organization has planned a Adhi Rudra Maha Yagnam at Prashanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Hyderabad for a period of twelve days from 09th August, 2006 to 20th August 2006.
With more 11 homa gundams and 140 Ridwigs participating and making the function holy, there are plans to perform Maha Rudra Abhishekam to the Maragatha lingam, in the presence of Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba.
Those of you in the neigborhood of Puttaparthi and those who wish to go there, can plan thier schedules accordingly to get His divine blessings.
Webpage Updates Complete
Webpage Updates Complete
There has been some breaking JavaScript code in my personal homepage and thanks to the visitors who alerted me. Today, I have fixed them and have republished. Also, the web statistics monitor has been rejuvenated.
Check out the newly published website here at http://www.lavanyadeepak.tk/
Saturday, August 12, 2006
"No No" to Coke and Pepsi
"No No" to Coke and Pepsi
The news of each state in India joining the bandwagon on imposing a ban on the sale and consumption of Coke and Pepsi softdrinks following a press release from a research group (Centre for Science and Environment) in New Delhi that they have spotted high amount of pesticide content in them. They have also prepared a comprehensive report on the topic which is available at the study results URL of the website.
I think, it is the second or third time Coke and Pepsi are coming into media with these types of complaints. Sometime about an year back there were complaints in New Delhi that a person found a lizard in Pepsi bottle and that created a turmoil and headlines were busy discussing these for a month long period.Check out this newsgroup URL for details.
I really wonder what is so attractive for people with just carbonated drinks. There are more healthy drinks all over India and many of them natural products, which are to be given more patronage than these unsafe slow poisons. A few of them are:
- Diary Products (like those from Aavin in Tamil Nadu)
- Hot Milk
- Butter Milk
- Tender Cocunut Water
- Fresh Fruit Juices
Having a Coke bottle or a Pepsi bottle has become more a status symbol following the big heroes who give marketing advertisements for these products. The big heroes who work for the products in fact get crores of rupees and we try to emulate them by spending the money from our wallets to invite health hazards and then reserve some money to be given to doctors and medical practitioners to cure these health hazards. Does it really needed? Is it not time to move towards healthy natural products?
An hardware to protect the software
An hardware to protect the software
Today being Saturday, I had some work in State Bank of India and after completing it, I was coming to my workplace. On the way, I saw some hoarding advertisements by UTI Bank emphasizing the necessity of helmets. A few days back there has been an active campaign by the City Commissioner of Police, Ms. Lathika Charan near LIC, Anna Salai distributing pamphlets to two wheelers emphasizing the necessity of wearing helmets. She even handshaked and congratulated two wheelers who were wearing helmets, in an appreciating gesture.
People feel that it is an undue burden wearing an helmet making heads to unnecessarily sweat and also it brings in baldness because too much sweat makes the hair to fall. But I don't think helmets are a burden. It is rather a necessary guard to the head to eliminate any forthcoming burdens or pains that you may encounter, in case of head accidents. There is a big hoarding in T. Nagar, near Prince Jewellery junction put by Chennai City Traffic Police which emphasizes the slogan "Use the hardware to protect your software". Here the hardware is the helmet and the software is the soft brain and the skulls, the former being a protective defense layer against any head injuries during accidents.
The UTI Bank has a different advertisement slogan. The Road Transport Offices (RTOs) call the license test for two wheelers as 'Eight Test'. The meaning is that if you want a two wheeler license, in India, you have to make the number eight driving it through your two wheeler. The number eight (shaped curve) is emphasized because the driving inspectors during the license test can ascertain the following:
- Confidence of the driver and whether the driver feels nervous
- There are four hand signals to be shown while giving the Eight Test for two wheeler license (Start, Stop, U Turn and Right, Left Turn). No automatic indicators are allowed in this process and only hand signals should be used.
UTI bank has coined a nice slogan like 'Licensekku Ettu Podu. Thalaikku Helmet Podu'. (To translate in English, it means 'Put Eight to Get License. Put Helmet on head to product your brain and skull). Also sometime back, in our neighborhood (Pallavaram Radial Road) which has been opened recently for traffic, there had been a huge spurt of accidents due to lack of street lights. There had been an huge campaign by the residents issuing bit notices and pamplets necessitating the wearing and use of helmets to protect life.
Some years back there has been a statute that wearing of helmets was mandatory. But due to political reasons, this was withdrawn. But I don't think we should depend on the external whip to guide us for a healthy life. We should understand the utility value of helmets as a life saver not only for us but for our families and let us swear that we necessarily put the helmets on the head before opening the ignition key of our two wheeler.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Reading Classes For the Visually Impaired
Reading Classes For the Visually Impaired
One of the most vital sense for any human is the vision. It provides an inevitable window for a living being to the external world. Sometime back, we have been discussing about the greatness of eye donation. Perhaps I would like to recall the post here before discussing about the volunteering services or reading classes.
Coming back to the current discussions, one of our Ashanet group members had been kind enough to share information about some of the Volunteering services like Reading for the blind or the visually impaired that is held in Chennai every weekend. I would like to share the same with other readers, so that readers who find time in the weekend can provide reading services for the blind.
Programme
Agenda: Reading classes for the visually challenged people.
Languages: English and/or Tamil
There is absolutely no stipulation like having minimum technical skills in teaching or past experience. If you are fairly comfortable in reading and writing in the abovesaid languages, you can volunteer for the above noble cause.
Address:
YGP Auditorium (Near Vidyodaya School),
Thirumalai Pillai Road,
T. Nagar,
Chennai -- 600 017.
Timings: 1015 AM to 1300 hours (You can drop in and read for one to three hours, based on your feasibility). Though it is not an absolute stipulation that you have to come every weekend, it would be greatly appreciated with thanks if you could make it as a weekly visit.
Contact Persons:
- Sri Vatsan: +919840826662
- Suchitra Ramaswamy: +919840714566 or reach her at: Suchitra.Ramaswamy (at) cognizant.com
Source URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asha-chennai-friends/message/624
Sunday, August 06, 2006
61st Anniversary of Hiroshima Nuclear Impact
It was this day (August 6) in 1945 that Hiroshima had to confront the total devastation from United States Airforce dropped the LittleBoy (the first ever nuclear atom bomb) on the Japanese City of Hiroshima. While Japanese military could understand the air attacks of United States as part of World War and could alert the residents not to venture out, least did they forecast that the weapon that is about to be dropped on thier cities is first of its creed and kind and is going to paralyse the city. Three days later, FatMan encountered Nagasaki, the second Japanese city, forcing Japan to surrender to United States, bringing to the close of second World War.
It is clear that the use of nuclear weapon really in brought in to the end of World War II but the effects on the innocent public and masses were profound even today. The effects of nuclear radiation are still reverberating across the Japanese cities. That is why, the world countries are trying hard and fast to control the use of nuclear warfare. This comes close to the heels as two Indian countries have also seemed to violate nuclear agreements that are prevailing internationally. Check out this news source for details.
Nuclear technology is really an excellent avenue but it is sad that some countries and low profile creatures are trying to misuse it for thier personal gains. But there are several constructive avenues where it can profitably used. Think of having a nuclear power plant and it can light up the entire area catering to powersupply, irrigation etc, compared to thermal or wind or hydel counterparts, which are weaker in nature. I admit that nuclear power stations have a costly infrastructural setup but our big brothers should try concenterating on making a constructive use of it for the global welfare instead of thinking it on the destructive perspectives.
Let us hope that in future, everybody in power understands the real constructive use of this powerful sword and forget about its destructive type. Let us pray the Almighty for the excellent double-edged sword and would pray Him to give us control that we use it only for constructive activities.
Bhavani Amman Temples in Tamil Nadu
Bhavani Amman Temples in Tamil Nadu
The power and prowess of Lordess has never been underestimated and particularly during the month of Aadi, which has been exclusively dedicated to the worship of Shakthi as has been time and again reemphasized in this weblog. In this post, we would cover in depth about Bhavani temples in and around Chennai.
Even today people in Tamil Nadu consider that an attack of small pox or a chicken pox to be as a visit of Goddess Amman. This is triggered off by a series of visits to nearest Amman temples and also after the recovery, visit to other Amman temples. The most significant of the Amman temple near Chennai is Periyapalayam. It lies somewhere in the Chennai - Thirupathi highway on the route of Tada. It is near to Arani in Tiruvellore district near Chennai. Do not confuse this with Arani in Vellore district.
The most significant of this temple shrine are:
- There are thousands of devotees who visit this shrine during the month of Aadi and stay for a week to offer thier prayers. This festival is normally celebrated during Saturdays and Sundays. You can see makeshift residences on the Arani river banks during the month of Aadi.
- There are different types of offerings to the Lordess. Typically meat is offered to the Lordess (form of Parvathi), Lord Shiva's spouse. Thousands of chickens are slaughtered during the event.
- Devotees, irrespective of male or female or kid, also tonsure thier head and have them shaven to please the Goddess.
- Virgins wrap themselves in neem leaves before circumambulating the temple. This, they believe, that would please the Lordess and bless them with marriage wishes.
- The devotees, who assemble together from far-flung places stay together, cook a special food made of of rice called Pongal and eat it as Lordess' Prasadam.
- Lordess Bhavani has a sparkling diamond in Her nostril that even overwhelms the brightness of the widespread sea and oceans.
- The temple is dedicated to utmost divinity and devotion and there is no place for just for tourist visits. Hence it is an appeal to everyone to visit Her temple with pious devotion, shedding ego of any kind and without intentions of tourist spot visits.
The temple assumes real significance in that Lordess Parvathi penanced here to Lord Shiva to win Him as Her spouse. With the penance turning futile, she vowed to remain virgin and hence the temple is dedicated to Her in the form of Devi Kanya (a virgin Goddess).
Check out Bhavani Amman Temple website over here for more details.
Periyapalayaththamman Temples in Chennai
There is also a temple dedicated to Periyapalayaththamman near Adyar Telephone exchange. People who could not find time travelling to Periyapalayam can consider taking a pilgrimage at least to the temple in thier vicinity.
Readers If you know of other Periyapalaththamman temples, please share with others by posting as comments for the benefit of other readers.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Patinettam Perukku
Patinettam Perukku
Rivers have been treated as very holy in India and are treated as forms of Lordess. With our earlier post on divinity associated with the month of Aadi, this is again an emphasis in the same direction. Typically the eighteenth day in the month of Aadi is of tremendous significance in the state of Tamil Nadu, at least in the Cauvery delta region. This is also known as Aadi Perukku.
Aadi festival assumes more significance since the Sun also changes its directions. The two indicators Uttarayanam and Dakshinayanam respectively applying for the month of Thai (January - February) and Aadi (July - August) highlights this too. The month also kickstarts the start of various festivals and the world enters a festive spree with a plethora of festivals lining up after this month.
With the monsoons in full swings during this month, all rivers are supposed to flow to its brim. The predominantly agricultural sector of the region (Cauvery delta) observes the 18th day of month, they go to the river banks with rice and other prasadams and give to each other betel nuts, clothes etc. Women also wear the new mangalyam. This is a special gesture of thanks that is shown to all rivers, which are lifeline to agricultural sector, which in fact feeds the world with the basic necessity of food.
At homes, there would be special feasts prepared and the most significant of the dishes in the village houses is the Chitraannam (Cocunut, Sugar, Limbu, Tamarind, Sesame and Curd). Special offerings and poojas are offered to river Goddesses like Ganga and Cauvery with betel leaves, betel nuts, fruits and cocunut. The pooja also features a special Deeparadhana to the rivers. In this occasion, I would also like to draw your attention to the special Ganga Arthi that is conducted in Haridwar but thi sis conducted on a daily basis by Swami Chitananda Maharishi.
2006 Aadi Perukku Highlights
An article coverage from 'The New Indian Express'
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Varalakshmi Vratham
Varalakshmi Vratham
Friday August 4, 2006 is celebrated all across the southern states of India (AP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharastra and Kerala) with deep piousness and devotion to the Lordess Mahalakshmi (the Lordess of Prosperity), which is known as Varalakshmi Vratham. Colloquially, in Tamil it is also known as Varalakshmi Nonbu.
The Goddess is also symbolized as Varalakshmi (aka) granter of boons. The festival is observed before the full moon day in the month of Aadi (July - August). This festival is predominantly observed by married women and girls and is significantly noted for its very strict adherance to certain austerities and practices.
The Rituals
Day Before:
- The house is cleaned the previous evening of the festival.
- A bronze or a silver pot filled with rice or water, coins, turmeric, a whole lime and a betel nut.
- A photograph of Lordess Lakshmi is adored with jewels and is placed in front of a cocunut.
On the Day:
- The next day morning (on the day of Varalakshmi Vratham), women sing a song near the specially erected pandal to welcome the Lordess.
- The poojas starting from prayers to Lordess Ganapathy and followed by prayers to Lordess Lakshmi are chanted. The significant prayers to Lordess Lakshmi are Lakshmi Astotram, Lakshmi Saharasranamam, Sri Sthuthi and Sri Sooktham.
- A yellow thread called saradu is worn by the ladies in thier right wrists. The women who are observing the fast eat the food that has been offered to the Lordess.
- In the evening, women visit one another and greet themselves with Thamboolam.
The Next Day (Punar Pooja):
- The holy water is sprinkled through out the house and/or the rice used in the Pooja is added to the storage.
Though it is significantly observed by women, everyone tries to visit Lordess Lakshmi temples. Here are the famous Lakshmi temples in India. Readers: Please feel free to update nearest temples that you visit and your Varalakshmi pooja in your area for the benefit of other readers.