My Birthday 2024!

Karthika Pournami Greetings!

Today is the holy day of Karthika Pournami. Karthika Masam is the name of the current Lunar month and today is Pournami which is Full Moon Day hence the day is called Karthika Pournami. Today is also called Karthika Punnami and Karthika Poornima / Purnima. It is a holy celebration of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It is the day on which Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura a demon king and protected the world. With boons from Lord Ganesha, Tripurasura became indestructible, grew into an evil force and defeated all the kings of Earth and the Gods in Heaven. According to Lord Ganesha’s boon, Tripurasura could be killed only by Lord Shiva. After witnessing the evil deeds and destruction unleashed by Tripurasura, Lord Ganesha approached Tripurasura in the guise of a Brahmin with a plan to eliminate him.  The Brahmin displayed 64 arts to the demon king, and pleased with the Brahmin; Tripurasura offered to grant him any wish he made. The Brahmin asked for the Idol of Chinthamani which is with Lord Shiva. As Lord Shiva refused to part with the Idol, a war took place between Lord Shiva and Tripurasura. The Chariot that Lord Shiva rode in this war is described as Prithvi (Earth) with the Sun and Moon as its wheels and the bow as Meru (the huge mountain) and Lord Vishnu as the arrow. This single arrow from Lord Shiva destroyed all the materialistic boons that Lord Ganesha had offered to Tripurasura in the form of palaces and vimanams (planes). The speed and force of the arrow caused heavy lightning which made Tripurasura faint and ultimately brought about his end.

People in very large numbers bathe in the holy rivers of the country today. They visit Temples and offer prayers. ‘Abhishekam’ is performed to Lord Shiva. As such, Karthika Masam which is the entire month of Karthikam is considered very auspicious. During this entire month and especially today oil lamps are lit at Temples, at holy rivers and houses with hundreds of wicks, sometimes thousands of wicks (‘Karthika Deepa-aradhana’) and in modern days 365 wicks to represent the days of the year. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi along with all the Gods are said to visit and reside under Amla that is Usiri or Gooseberry trees by the side of Tulisi plants that is Basil plants, in this month. Hence a lot of prominence is given to these plants, prayers are offered to the plants on this day and in this month, and picnics are organized outdoors, preferably under Amla trees. These rituals are called Vana Mahotsavam or Vanabhojanalu. All these actions are considered very beneficial, they are said to liberate us from all sins and bless us with good health, wealth, prosperity, success, longevity and fulfilment of all wishes. The attached photographs show Karthika Pournami puja offered to the sacred Usiri (Amla) and Tulasi plants in our house and of Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratham today.

As you can see in the attached pictures, we witnessed an extraordinary event during Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Vratham – two flowers emerged from the coconuts! In Hindu tradition, the appearance of flowers from coconuts during puja is considered highly auspicious. It fills us with immense joy, as we believe these coconut flowers symbolise the blessings of the deities. They are regarded as a positive omen, signifying that the worship has been accepted and divine grace is upon us. This marks a promise/blessing of prosperity, growth, and the potential for joyful new beginnings.

A Mole Superstition I Can Attest To!

 

Everyone has moles (birthmarks) on their body, and most people can remember at least a couple of them, as they often serve as identification marks on various official documents. If one has a prominent mark other than a mole, they might mention it first, followed by a mole, just as I do. For my identification, I list the 5 cm long crescent-shaped mark on my forehead and any of the many moles on my face and arms. These birthmarks can sometimes enhance a person’s overall beauty and personality.

However, the topic of moles goes beyond mere identification. According to the sciences of palmistry, astrology, and some superstitions, there is a wealth of information and beliefs surrounding moles across cultures worldwide. For instance, if you look on Amazon or Flipkart, you’ll find numerous books about moles, and there are many in my native language, Telugu, going back to ancient times!

These studies and beliefs view moles as representations of one’s personality, karma, and actions, both good and bad. There are countless superstitions attached to these marks, with meanings that vary based on a mole’s location, size, shape, and colour. Some believe that moles appear due to planetary influences on a person’s life during early fetal development.

As for the title of this article, "A Mole Superstition I Can Attest To!", it relates to my companion, who has a mole on the little finger of her right hand (visible in the picture above). According to various beliefs, a mole on the right-hand little finger is associated with good communication skills, charm, and adaptability. People with this mole are often perceived as articulate and persuasive, excelling in situations requiring negotiation, presentations, or interpersonal interactions. And this certainly holds true in her case!

This prompted me to write about whether these qualities in her personality are purely a result of the mole on her right-hand little finger.

Golden Transformation!

In shades of green, so bold and bright,

They basked once in the morning light.

Young and fresh, with veins so clear,

Symbols of life’s vibrant cheer.

But seasons shift, as seasons do,

And green gives way to golden hue.

A gentle fade, a whispered sigh,

As youth and vigour pass us by.

They rest together, side by side,

The journey told with humble pride.

For even as their colours wane,

Their beauty, timeless, will remain.

In each soft crease, in every line,

A tale of sun, of rain, of time.

A quiet strength, an ageing grace,

Nature's wisdom is on display.

So let us cherish, this fleeting sight,

The beauty of change, from day to night.

For in this transformation, we find,

The cycle of life, ever intertwined.

Deepavali 2024!

Pilgrimage to the sacred Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple, Pandharpur

 

Pandharpur is a significant and popular pilgrimage town on the banks of the Chandrabhaga/Bhima River. It is 75 km from Solapur city in Maharashtra State.

The Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur holds a revered place in Hindu culture, being the primary pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Vitthal an incarnation of Lord Krishna, and his consort, Rukmini Devi. Nestled along the Chandrabhaga River, the temple serves as a spiritual haven and a vibrant cultural hub that has drawn millions of pilgrims for centuries.

We had the fortune of visiting the Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur recently for two days on 7th and 8th October 2024. We feel blessed and are extremely happy to have had darshan of Lord Vitthal/Vitthala/Vitobha/Panduranga and Rukmini Devi on both the days. And especially on 8th October morning we performed Tulsi Archana Pooja and got the awesome opportunity of being with the sacred idols for some time and experiencing Pada Sparsha Darshan, that is touching the feet of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini Devi and praying at their feet.

We visited other temples in Pandharpur and Ashrams of various saints associated with Pandharpur, Tulsi Vrindavan and Vishnupad in the Chandrabhaga River. And as we were staying at the ISKCON Guest House, on the left bank of the Chandrabhaga River we got to visit the ISKCON Shri Radhapandharinath Temple and the River a number of times. The attached pictures are of us at Pandharpur. You may read more about the temple after the pictures below, and you may see some more pictures at the end of this article.

The Vitthal Rukmini Temple is more than a place of worship; it is a living testament to centuries of faith, love, and the pursuit of spiritual ideals. A visit here is not just about seeking blessings but about embracing a legacy of devotion and unity that has withstood time. For devotees and travellers alike, Pandharpur is a journey to the divine, steeped in history, culture, and the unending love between Lord Vitthal/Lord Krishna and his devotees.

The Vitthal Rukmini Temple’s origins are believed to date back to the 12th or 13th century, with connections to ancient dynasties and the medieval Bhakti movement. The temple’s primary deity, Vitthal, is an incarnation of Lord Krishna, depicted with his hands on his hips, standing on a brick. This unique posture and iconography symbolize patience and readiness to assist his devotees, and the stories behind this image are deeply woven into the folklore of Maharashtra and neighbouring States.

The most famous legend associated with the temple is that of Pundalik, a devoted son who was so committed to caring for his parents that he called upon Lord Krishna to appear before him but asked the deity to wait on a brick until he could attend to him properly after taking care of his parents. Moved by Pundalik’s devotion, Krishna appeared in the form of Vitthal, a God who would be accessible and willing to wait for his devotees. This event is commemorated by the temple, making it not only a place of worship but also a monument to the virtue of devotion and service.

The temple complex is not only significant to the Warkari devotee sect but also to the larger Bhakti movement, which has shaped devotional practices across India. Saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram are deeply associated with Pandharpur, as their devotional poetry and abhangas (devotional songs) have celebrated Vitthal and the ideals of devotion and equality.

The temple architecture is a beautiful blend of Hemadpanthi style, with its stone columns and intricate carvings, combined with later additions made during the Maratha rule. As visitors enter, they are greeted by the towering Shikhara (temple spire) and the elaborate carvings of the primary temple structure, adorned with figures and motifs of Hindu deities.

One of the temple’s most celebrated events is the Wari Yatra, an annual pilgrimage that culminates at the Vitthal Rukmini Temple. Devotees, known as Warkaris, walk hundreds of kilometres from across Maharashtra, chanting devotional songs in praise of Vitthal. The pilgrimage, which peaks during the Ashada Ekadashi festival, is not just a journey; it’s a display of devotion, unity, and faith.

On Ashada Ekadashi, the temple and town come alive with millions of pilgrims. The festival, marking the onset of monsoon, includes rituals, cultural events, and kirtanas (devotional singing sessions). For the Warkaris, this is a profound spiritual experience, one that strengthens their connection to Vitthal and the values of humility, simplicity, and service.

A special experience is attending the Kakad Aarti, the temple’s early morning prayer, where the idol of Vitthal is adorned and worshipped amidst vibrant chanting and music.

Pilgrims perform ablutions in this river before entering the temple, considering it auspicious. Its crescent shape adds a serene atmosphere to the ritual and is considered purifying.

The temple complex also houses memorials and symbolic padukas (footwear) of saints like Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram, which highlight the temple's importance in the Bhakti tradition.

I wonder why it took us so long to visit Pandharpur when it is just 380 km from our house!