Skanda Shasthi begins today November 14, 2012

Om Saravanabavaya Namaha,

Skanda Shasti which is a very important festival in our Hindu Religion started today .

Observing fasting with milk or fruits or being vegetarian is important .

Below is some information for you to understand about this important festival

Skanda Sashti, also known as Kanda Shashti, is a festival dedicated to Lord Muruga. Sashti, meaning sixth day, falls on the sixth day of the full moon and the sixth day of the new moon in the Hindu calendar. However, Skanda Sashti is a six-day festival and is observed once in a year. It falls after Diwali in the Tamil month of ‘Aippasi’ (October - November), starting from the ‘piratamai’, the 1st phase of the brightening moon. The festival commemorates the slaying of the demon, Soorapadman, by Lord Subramanya, and is celebrated with great pomp and splendor. In 2012, Skanda Shasti begins on 14th November 2012 and ends on 20th November 2012 with Tirukalyanam (the sacred wedding). 

Legend behind Skanda Sashti 

Kanda Shashti is associated with the birth of Lord Muruga who defeated the evil powers. According to legends, Soorapadma, a powerful demon, was harassing Devas and mankind. The helpless Devas pleased Lord Shiva to relieve them from the demon. As a result, Lord Shiva produced six powerful sparks of fire from His third eye called Netrikkan. This was carried by Lord Vayu (god of air) and Lord Agni (god of fire) to river Ganges who in turn took to Saravana Poygai, a holy pond. These sparks became six divine small male babies who were nursed by six Karthigai pengal. Goddess Parvati hugged the kids and made them into a single child with six faces and twelve hands, called Shanmughan. Nine shaktis appeared from Goddess Parvati’s anklets from where Veerabahu and numerous soldiers emerged. They became the warriors of Lord Murugan. Lord Shiva granted Lord Murugan, a vel (spear) called Vetrivel and also gifted him with eleven Rudras which were changed into eleven arms.

Lord Murugan came to Thiruchendur with group and pursued war against Soorapadman which lasted for six days. He defeated the demon on the sixth day and this day is called as Skanda Sashti. The Lord converted Soorapadma into a peacock and a cock. The peacock or Mayil became the vehicle of Lord Murugan and therefore He is also called Mayilvahanan (or Mayil Vahanan – which means the one who uses Peacock as his vehicle). Seval or cock adorned his flag. Lord Muruga then married Deivayanai or Devasena who is the daughter of Indra (the Lord of Devas).

Please forward to all you friends.

Om Tat Sat Om

Anbe Sivam

Sivajnani Nagappan

012 9259495

artha.dharma@gmail.com

Today 29 October - Purnima and Anna Abisegam at Sivan Temples

Om Namasivaya Sivaya Nama Om.
OM NAMA SIVA YA OM.

Blessed Day to Blessed Atma,

Today is a very auspicious day for Lord Shiva , Anna Abisegam Festival.

Crytal Sivalingam in Kauai Hindu Monastery , Kauai , Hawaii , USA

Sivalingam in Kadavul Hindu Temple , Kauai , Hawaii, USA



Anna Abhishekam Ritual, or Annabishegam Festival, is an important ritual held in Lord Shiva Temples in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. Annabishegam 2012 date is October 29. Anna Abhishekam ritual, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is performed for food security through prosperity of the farmland and increase in agricultural produce. The ritual is usually performed after a harvest season and involves offering cooked rice to Lord Shiva.

The rice is cooked in the temple premises and then it is carried around the temple. Priests chant mantras and musical instruments like naadaswaram, drum and cymbal are sounded. The cooked rice is then used to cover the Shivling and it is referred as Anna Linga. 

Various different types of rice preparations like pongal, curd rice, Shakara pongal, tamarind rice, sesame rice, payasam and other sweets from freshly harvested rice are prepared and offered to Lord Shiva on the day. The food is then shared by people and is also given to domesticated animals and birds.

The ritual is usually performed on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Aipassi (November – December).

Please forward to all your friends.

Om Shanti

Sivajnani Nagappan

+012 9259495

Artha Dharma Concept Builders.

Panching Trip on Sani Pradosam October 27, 2012

SANI PRADOSAM or MAHA PRADOSAM TRIP BY ARTHA DHARMA

WHY SANI PRADOSAM OR MAHA PRADOSAM IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE 

OBSERVED ? Listen to the following UTUBE ;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZbuy_e-_aQ

Panching Hill looks like Nandi

The Itinerary for Panching Sivan Temple

Meeting Points :

5.45 am - Yashree Puchong

6.00 am - Petaling Jaya Siddhi Vinayakar Temple

6.30 am - Bangsar Ramalingeswarar Temple

7.00 am - Batu Caves Murugan Temple

Maran Temple at night

Panching Siva Lingam

Breakfast in Batu Caves

Arrival at Maran for 12 noon Puja . Lunch at the temple.

Arrival at 2.30 at Panching Sivan Temple . Prasadam will be served by the temple to all.

Leave Panching Sivan Temple at about 6 pm.

Arrive back to KL by 10 pm.

Payment : Rm 60 person.

Please confirm your seat by the 19th or earlier as demand for the trip is great.

CLOSING DATE : 19 OCTOBER 2012

CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SMS or CALL to book your seat 012 9259495
Email to artha.dharma@gmail.com

Please forward and inform all your friends.

Om Shanti.

Sivajnani Nagappan
012 9259495

Panching Siva Temple, Kuantan , Pahang Malaysia

Vanakam and blessed day to all precious Atma,

According to the historical background, this Sivalingam Statue was brought there in early 1993 by a member of the Nachitram Family from Negeri Sembilan. A few years before that, he often visited the Panching Cave in Pahang( Panching is a small town which is located on the road from Kuantan to Sg. Lembing-an old tin underground mining town), where a Buddhist Temple was built nearly a hundred years ago. During one of his visit there, he met an Indian Sage in the cave who told him to bring a Siva Statue to install it there! He immediately took upon the idea and flew to India to buy the Sivalingam Statue.

             . When the Sivalingam Statue was brought in; it being 9 feet tall and weighing several tons was left at the foot of the hill for a while because there was no one who was willing to undertake to take it up to the cave leave alone to install it there! This gentleman then got hold of Dr Sethugavalar, an O&G Consultants in Kuantan and requested him to take it up and have it installed in the cave. Dr Sethugavalar, the President of the Jalalingam Temple, paid Rm20,000/- to a group of 25 Indonesian Workers in 1993 to haul the lingam up to the entrance of the cave which is more than 150 feet up. From there on, it had to be rolled into the cave for  distance of  another 100 meters for installation!

               I came to know about this place through Dr Sethu who invited me to pay a visit to the temple in 2006. The path up to the temple was very steep with its twists and turns, making it very hazardous for any one to make the climb up to the cave. I have been there more than 10 times and on every visit, we would do a simple abhisegam for the Sivalingam with Water, Milk and Honey! At that time, I harboured the idea of making proper steps up to the Sivan Temple just like how the steps for Murugan Batu Caves were constructed! Furthermore, the Brahma Padam which is the lowest portion of the Sivalingam was broken and the Vishnu Padam/ Siva Padam above it were tilted and inclined to one side. It could topple over if a slight earthquake were to happen! So Dr Sethu, his committee members and I were contemplating of how to right the situation by making the Brahma Padam in Malaysia. In fact, a quarry in Negeri Sembilan did eventually cut a granite block which was brought to the foot of the hill but finally the Committee decided to import the black granite Brahma Padam from India.

                In 2007, I appealed to an old friend in Kuantan who was an ex-JKR officer, Mr Venudurai, to help build the steps up to the cave and he kindly agreed to contribute RM20,000/- for the purpose! He started survey work to find the easiest route to construct the staircase up to the Caves. At the same time, our Beloved Lord Shiva decided to land a helping hand. He appeared in a vision towards end of 2007 to Ir A. Sivabalan who was doing some work in Kedah. In this vision, he clearly saw a Sivalingam Statue up in cave atop a hill somewhere in Kuantan. He was amazed and puzzled with the vision but he decided to check it out. He asked several people about the whereabouts of the Sivan Temple in Kuantan but no one could give him an answer. One day, he asked Mr Venudurai whether there was indeed a Siva Temple in a Hill Cave in Kuantan! Mr Venudurai told him that there was no Siva Temple in Kuantan but there is one in Panching! This got Ir Sivabalan interested and he immediately decided to visit the location. When he finally visited the Buddhist Temple in Panching Cave, he knew this was the place that he saw in his Vision a few months ago.

                                  Astro 360 degree program on Panching Sivan Temple
                                                               September 2012








http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3foIerYGsxk- Sani Pradosam in  May 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3dknd-klK8- Sivarathri Feb 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0MyGYFFTGE- Astro 360 degree program September 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZfs2TT9Ouo - Pradosam in June 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLxbSzeKfiA- Pradosam Homa in June 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQbYH2H4t8- Sani Pradosam in January 2012

Testimony 

1. Skanda - 43 years - Head of a Finance Company 

It is simply very powerful and high vibration. Email : skandanathaswami@hotmail.com

2. Sumathi - 38 years - Home Maker

I will go back and see the Siva Peruman in the Cave. Great feeling.

3. Subramaniam Rengasamy - 72 years , Lawyer and Writer of the book Sivoham

It is a homely feeling and a rare experience to worship Sivalingam in a Cave . Email :subra2608@gmail.com

4. Sarah Santhi 38 - Lecture in a Private University

The journey to Panching Cave Sivan temple just an amazing experience. The trek up was little adventures but the moment i reach the temple ..am fully energized by the positive vibration. It's a beautiful and very peaceful feeling. The Sani pradosam prayers was the 1st prodosam fall on saturday for this year 2012. Thanks to Sivajnani Nagappan to take me closer to him . I am blessed. :). Email : sarahshamine@yahoo.com

5. Josephine - Kindergarden Teacher
 im Josephine George and i would like to share my personal testimonial on the pancing lord shiva's temple.This temple is located in gua caras pancing kuantan.10 kms far from my house.im a born christian but i realy like lord shiva since im small i always admire hindus worship him.i learned his manthras and used to chant every day.i can consider him as my every ting in my life.well,i have no words to tell about lord shiva who is in pancing cave he is realy powerful.i always feel diffrent kind of feeling when ever im there.Its like i can feel the presence of lord shiva there.every one should come and experience this.OM ANBE SIVAM. Email : jogeorge89@yahoo.com

6.Shiva Devotee from Ipoh , Perak

Vanakkam. As a devotee of Mahadeva, I am always in search of any information about Him in any medias available. I believe it is only His will that I stumbled upon a website, that too, a Malaysian website about spiritual matters. I always wanted to go on a pilgrimage, precisely India, but, I do believe God is omnipresent and we could have darshan of the Supreme even in Malaysia. As a matter of fact, I vowed to do abhishekam in Maran few months ago, and thisblogger was organizing a trip to Maran and Panching Sivan Temple...yes, His will indeed! 

God works in many ways... I went together in a car to Maran and Panching with 4 other people. I met the organizer of the trip, Mr. Sivajnani, a wise Chinese uncle called Kannan, a spiritual soul-Madam Saraswati and a quiet man with a search for something- Mr. Siva. How God comes into this matter, one might ask? As  a Malaysian Indian, I am a novice when it comes to spirituality and religion. Only through His grace that I am able to learn just by observing these people and listening to their work and perspectives about religion and spirituality on the journey to the said destinations. 

The organizer is a noble man, and he should be applauded for his noble intention creating awareness to our society about Hindusim. The Chinese uncle is the testimony that God is present in everyone, as He doesn't have a micron of prejudice and is fair to all, and this proves that God dwells in all man. This uncle knows almost all the Thirumurai and Thevaram by heart and I came into realization that there is so much more for me to learn in my quest to learn my own religion! Madam Saraswati braved the long journey and fleet of steps to climb the Panching Sivan temple, thus proving that when you have grit and determination, anything can be done, and Her one-pointed bhakti made her have darshans of both the Moolavars of the temples, without any problems due to her age. Mr. Siva, was a man of few words and it appeared to me, that he had some prayers to God, and what I liked was his his faith to come all the way to Maran and Paching. 

The Maran temple is a majestic temple with a unique Lord Muruga. No one should miss to have a darshan of Lord Skanda here. One the other hand, the Panching Sivan temple is a unique and exotic temple I have ever been in Malaysia. Words cannot express my delight to see Mahadeva in His majestic presence there in Panching. 

I must  like to say that this trip etched good memories and gave me a lot of insights on how to become a better Hindu. The journey with these noble souls was indeed a satsang. I just wish that may many other out there would benefit from such a trip in the future. May God bless us all. 

Sincerely, 

Shiva Devotee-Ipoh

Blessed Day and Blissful Life to all.

Om Shanti

Sivajnani Nagappan

Artha Dharma Concept Builders

artha.dharma@gmail.com

+6012 9259495

Ganesha Puja Class by Artha Dharma on September 30 , 2012

Ganesha Puja Class by Artha Dharma

The size of the class is between 6 to 8 people.
Time : 9 am to 1 pm
Date  :  Sunday 30 September , 2012
Venue : Taman Damai Utama , Puchong , Selangor
Fee : Rm 100 for adults and Rm 50 for children and student.
Materials and CD on the chantings will be given as the complimentary to the participants.

Things that needed to be brought the participant

1. Small Ganesha Murthi
2.tray large enough to hold the murthi and flowers ect.
3.Flowers
4. Incense/ Oothibathi
5 arthi deepam 
6 Small containers for rice, Vibuthi, Chandanam, Kumkumum,
contents will be provided 
7 Tirtham container and spoon 
8 Pen drive to copy audio files

Interested , please email to artha.dharma@gmail.com  or sms to 012 9259495 your name , contact number and email address

Please forward to all your friends.

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha


Sivajnani Nagappan
Artha Dharma Concept Builders
+6012 9259495

Nagalingam Plant For Sale During Ganesha Chaturthi Festival 2012

Vanakam Divine Light and Divine Beings.

Nagalingam is rare and a sacred plant.

Special offer only for three days from September 17 to September 19 in conjunction with Ganesha Chaturthi. Normal price RM 90 .

  Now offer price is RM 70 only. Discounts 20%

Please take this opportunity to give away a plant to the temples in your area so that the environment is green and at the same help with the mother nature.

Couroupita guianensis, whose common names include Ayahuma and the Cannonball Tree, is an evergreen tree allied to the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), and is native to tropical northern South America and to the southern Caribbean. In India it has been growing for the past two or three thousand years at least, as attested by textual records^{[citation needed]}; hence it is possible that it is native to India also. It's rare, but also found in Bangladesh. It is known as নাগকেশর or নাগালিংগম in Bengali.

It's part of the family Lecythidaceae and grows up to 25 m (82 ft) in height. The "Cannonball Tree" is so called because of its brown cannon-ball-like fruits. The majority of these trees outside their natural environment have been planted as a botanical curiosity, as they grow very large, distinctive flowers. Its flowers are orange, scarlet and pink in color, and form large bunches measuring up to 3m in length. They produce large spherical and woody fruits ranging from 15 to 24 cm in diameter, containing up to 200 or 300 seeds apiece.

Flowers and pollination

Cannonball Tree flowers do not have nectar, so these flowers are mainly visited by bees in search of pollen; outside the native range of habitat, carpenter bees are considered to be the principal pollinators. Both the fruit and the flower grow from stalks which sprout from the trunk of the tree. Cannonball Tree flowers are found on thick tangled extrusions that grow on the trunk of the tree; these are found just below the foliage branches. The extrusions however, can range from two to six feet in length. The flowers are attached to an upwardly bent, white fleshy disk. The flowers have six petals, which are large, orange-red, and strongly perfumed. In pollination, fertile stamens can be found in a ring around reduced style and stamens. The sterile pollen is located in the anthers. As a bee enters to pollinate the flower, its back rubs against the ring with fertile pollen; this allows the bee to carry the fertile pollen to another flower. The differences in the pollen was noticed by French botanist Antoine Porteau in 1825. The differences in the pollen are as follows: the pollen of the ring stamens is fertile, while the hood pollen is sterile.

Flower in the Botanic Garden in Singapore

Cannonball Tree flower from Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, HIFruits and dispersal

The tree gets its common name from the large, spherical fruits it produces. The fruit falls from the tree and cracks open when it hits the ground when mature, often causing the sound of a small explosion. The fruit emits an unpleasant aroma when exposed to the air. Individual seeds within the "ball" are coated with hair, which is thought to protect the seed when it is ingested and may also help in the passage of the seed through the intestines. The cannonball tree and its fruit are thought by some to be remnants of the last ice age, like the "hedge apple" or "osage orange" of north America. The fruit is thought to be an adaptation provided for the giant ground sloth, a long extinct species. Today instead of seeds being dispersed by the large extinct mammal, the fruit simply rots around the base of its mother tree. Like coconut palms, the trees should not be planted near paths or near traffic-filled areas, as the heavy nut is known to fall without notice.

[edit]Religious significance in Asia                          

The trees are grown extensively in Shiva temples in India. In Hindi it is called Shiv Kamal and also known as "Kailaspati". It is called theNagalingam tree in Tamil. The flowers are called Shivalinga flowers in Hindi; Nagalinga Pushpa in Kannada; Nagamalli flowers orMallikarjuna flowers in Telugu. Hindus revere it as a sacred tree because the petals of the flower resemble the hood of the Naga, a sacred snake, protecting a Shiva Lingam, the stigma.

In Sri Lanka, Thailand and other Buddhist countries the tree is often planted at Buddhist temples. It is here mistaken as the Sala tree,Shorea robusta, the tree under which the Buddha died and under which the previous Buddha Vessabhu attained enlightenment.

[edit]Medicinal uses

The Cannonball Tree possesses antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic qualities. The trees are used to cure colds and stomach aches. Juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases, and shamans of South America have even used tree parts for treating malaria. The inside of the fruit can disinfect wounds and young leaves ease toothache^{[citation needed]}.

The fruit emits an unpleasant odor and can be used as an insect repelent just by rubbing it to the skin or clothes.

Nagalingam Flower

Nagalingam ( Cannonball ) Fruit

Nagalingam Tree in Mauritius 

UTUBE Videos on Nagalingam Tree in Various Countries

A video short of Nagalingam flower and tree in Mylapore India.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhcmBT6V8so

A video short of Nagalingam flower and tree in Singapore http://www.youtube.com/watchv=S2J0k8yHFZo&feature=related

A video short of Nagalingam flower and tree in Hawaii USA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO8nLx326DI&feature=related

A video short of Nagalingam flower and tree in Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNcHYYbr_z0&feature=related

A video short of Nagalingam flower and tree in at Rajakondalar Renuka Temple at Athiplayam Coimbatore , Indiahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi_Qtp6yszY

A video short of Nagalingam flower and Bee 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsrQQ7HT6k&feature=player_detailpage

Offer Price RM 70 only .Discounted at 20 % 

To buy contact 012 9259495 or email to 

artha.dharma@gmail.com

Sivajnani Nagappan

Artha Dharma Concept Builders

Siddhar Yaagam and Cow Pooja , September 16,2012 in Tannirmalai Murugan Temple Penang

Vanakam and blessed day to all Divine Soul
A special Siddhar yaagam and cow puja conducted by a Siddhar from India.
Not to miss for those in Penang.

7.30 am September 16, 2012
Thannermalai Murugan Temple , Penang Malaysia

Annai Sitthar Maharaj S. Rajakumar Sitthar

ஓம் சரவண பவ

மலேசிய நாட்டின் மக்கள் நலன் கருதியும், பினாங்கு ஆன்மீக தருமவான்கள் சகல 

சுபிட்சம் பெறவும் இந்த உலகத்தை ஆளும் 210 சித்தர்கள், மற்றும் மஹா கணபதி, 108 

லெட்சுமி யாகமுடன் வருங்கால இயற்கை சீற்றங்களை கருத்தில் கொண்டு கோமாதா 

சிறப்பு பூஜை நடை பெரும். இந்த சிறப்பு யாக பூஜை பிரமரிஷி மலை ஸ்ரீல ஸ்ரீ 

புலிப்பாணி அன்னை சித்தர் ராஜ்குமார் சுவாமிகளின் திருக்கரங்களால்; நிகழும் 

மங்களகரமான நந்தன வருடம், ஆவணி 31ம் தேதி (ஆங்கிலம் 16.9.2012) உத்திரம் 

நட்சத்திரம் சித்த யோகமும் கூடிய சுபயோக சுப தினத்தில் காலை 7.45 – 8.45 

மணிக்குள், தண்ணீர் மலை ஆண்டவர் அருளுடனும், ஆசியுடனும் நடத்திவைக்கப்படும். 

கோமாதா சிறப்பு பூஜை முடிந்தவுடன் 108 திருமங்கயர்க்கு வஸ்திரம், திருமங்கல 

பொருட்கள், சித்தரால் வழங்கப்படும். பினாங்கு நாட்டின் தண்ணீர் மலை ஞான முருக 

ஆண்டவரின் குழந்தைகளாகிய அனைவரும் வந்து கலந்து கொண்டு குரு அருளும் திரு 

அருளும் பெற்றுக்கொள்ளுமாறு அன்புடன் அழைக்கின்றோம். ஓம் ஜெய் குருவே துணை.

மேல் விவரங்களுக்கு திரு பலனியாப்பன் அவர்களுடன் 012-4015322 என்ற 

தொலைபேசி எண்ணுடன் தொடர்பு கொள்ளவும்.

திருசிற்றம்பலம்

Siddhar Yaaga and Cow Pooja will be observed at HILLTOP THANNIMALAI MURUGAN 

TEMPLE, WATERFALL, PENANG on 16th SEPTEMBER 2012 (SUNDAY) from 7.45am to 

8.45am.

This is the first time such an auspicious Siddhar yaaga and cow pooja will be observed at the Murugan 

Temple in Penang.

The poojai will start at 7.45 am morning with 210 Siddhar Pootri, Maha Ganapathy Manthra, 108 

Lakshmi Yaggam and it will be followed by Cow Pooja. The Yaaga and the Pooja will be conducted by 

Srila Sri Pulipani Annai Siddhar Rajakumar Swamigal of Mahasiddhargal Thirusabai Gurukadakshaam 

Singapore and Brahmarishi Malai Maha Siddhargal Trust of India. Annai Siddhar has undertaken as his 

Dharmah to feed the hungry and heal the sick as instructed by his Guru Kagapuzandar Maharishi. Thus he 

has fed more than 10 million Sadhus, Sanyaasis, and the needy. A Siddha from Tamil nadu, he practises 

soulful compassion and Dharmah as his life breath. Annai Siddhar will also shower his grace and blessings 

to all devotees.

All are welcomed with family and friends to participate and receive special grace and blessings from Annai 

Siddhar. Annadhaanam will be served at the end. All devotes are kindly requested to wear traditional 

Indian attire.

Our sincere appreciation to the Hindu Endowment Board, Hill Top Temple Committee & SBYO for 

without their blessings and grace this event would not be a success.

If you would like to be a part of this Yaaga or if you have any enquiries, kindly contact Mr. 

P.R.Palaniappan at 012-4015322

Velum Mayilum Thunai



Please forward to all your friends from Penang Kedah and Northern part of Malaysia to attend this wonderful yaagam and puja.
May God bless all of you with tremendous power will and sakti to achieve excellence in life

Om Shanti.


Sivajnani Nagappan
Artha Dharma Concept Builders
+012 925 9495
artha.dharma@gmail.com

  

Ganesha Chaturthi on September 19 , 2012

Blessed Day to All,

Vinayakar Chaturthi which is a very important festival for Lord Ganesha is on September 19 , 2012.

Many temples are having very special prayers homas and puja for  10 days especially Ganesha Temple.

Also Chariot will be going out too. Check out the temples around your place.Some of the temples are  Pudu

Ganesha Temple , Pasar Road Ganesha Temple , Kampung Pandan Ganesha Temple, Brickfields Karpaga 

Vinayakar Temple, Ipoh Paranjothi Ganesha Temple , Petaling Jaya Siddhi Vinayakar Temple and many more.

Ganesha Chaturthi

Honoring the Lord of Beginnings

During Ganesha Chaturthi, a ten-day festival in August/September, elaborate puja ceremonies are held in Hindu temples around the world honoring Ganesha, the benevolent, elephant-faced Lord of Obstacles. In millions of home shrines, worship is also offered to a clay image of Ganesha that the family makes or obtains. At the end of ten days, Hindus join in a grand parade, called visarjana in Sanskrit, to a river, temple tank, lake or seashore, where His image is ceremonially immersed, symbolizing Ganesha's merging into universal consciousness.

Who is Ganesha?

Perennially happy, playful, unperturbed and wise, this rotund Deity removes obstacles to good endeavors and obstructs negative ventures, thus guiding and protecting the lives of devotees. He is the patron of art and science, the God inhabiting all entryways, the gatekeeper who blesses all beginnings. When initiating anything--whether learning, business, weddings, travel, building and more--Hindus seek His grace for success. He is undoubtedly the most endearing, popular and widely worshiped of all the Hindu Deities. Ganesha Chaturthi (also called Vinayaka Chaturthi) falls on the fourth day in the waxing fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada in the sacred Hindu lunar calendar, which translates to a certain day in August-September. It is essentially a birthday celebrating Ganesha's divine appearance.

What do people do on Ganesha Chaturthi?

Devotees often fashion or purchase a Ganesha statue out of unbaked clay. Many sculpt Him out of a special mixture of turmeric, sandalwood paste, cow dung, soil from an anthill and palm sugar. The Deity image is placed in the home shrine amongst traditional decorations. A rite of worship and prayer, called puja, is conducted daily, invoking the energies of the Deity and inviting Him to reside in the clay image. Mantras are chanted and offerings are made throughout the puja, including incense, lighted lamps, cooked food (naivedya), fruits, durva grass, tulasi and pomegranate leaves--and flowers, especially red ones. After ten days, a simple puja is performed before the statue is taken for a formal departure (visarjana). Often entire communities, from dozens to tens of thousands of devotees, gather each year for this final day of ceremony. The icons are carried on an ornate metal tray--larger images are borne on a palanquin by several strong men--to a lake, a river or the sea. There Ganesha is consigned to the water after removing non-degradable paraphernalia.

What foods are offered?

Sumptuous foods are specially prepared for Ganesha, keeping in mind His elephantine nature and prodigious appetite. People offer several varieties of fruits such as mangos, bananas and sugarcane. Sweets are the elephant-headed Deity's delight, so to express their love families take great pains to make special tasty treats. Each family has its recipes.

Tidbits About Ganesha

Where is this festival most popular? Nowhere is Ganesha Chaturthi observed with more creativity and enthusiasm than in Mumbai, India. The city virtually shuts down as millions of Hindus celebrate.

Why is He Ganesha worshiped first? Lord Brahma declared that any worship conducted without seeking Ganesha's blessings would be fruitless. He is considered a loving, playful, protective Deity whose blessings would grace any endeavor. He is therefore ceremonially invoked before weddings, housewarmings, taking an important exam, starting a new business and other important events.

What is His mystical work? Lord Ganesha is the God Hindus pray to when changes occur in their lives as they move from old established patterns into new ones. He is always there to steady the minds of devotees and open the proper doors as they evolve and progress.

What makes Him distinctive? Aside from His unique and endearing elephant head, Ganesha carries an elephant goad to prod us along the right path. He holds a noose to lasso foes of dharma and to draw devotees close when they venture off the spiritual path. His mount is a mouse. His big belly is said to contain the fullness of the cosmos. In His hand is a modaka, fruit or other sweet, symbolic of enlightened attainments.

Modaka Sweets

These rich, deep fried, fluffy, sweet dollops are the Mangalorean equivalent of the Tamil kollukattai. It is the all-time favorite of Lord Ganesha, who is described as Modaka Hasta, one with the modaka in His hand.

Preparation time: 10 minutes.

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Makes 20 pieces

Cooking equipment: A wok or deep saucepan, a perforated ladle, a lined colander to drain excess oil, a mixing bowl and serving plate.

Ingredients

4 cups thin beaten rice (poha);

1 cup semolina (rava) flour, 1 cup rice flour, 1 cup slightly over-ripe bananas, mashed, 1 cup powdered jaggery (or brown sugar), 1/8 tsp salt

oil to deep fry

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients together except the oil.

2. Add a little water and knead the mixture gently into a thick paste.

3. Heat the oil in the wok.

4. Drop tablespoonfuls of the batter into moderately hot oil and fry till rich brown. Drain and cool, then enjoy!

Fact & Fiction

FACT: There is not just one path to God Realization in Hinduism, but many. Tens of thousands of distinct teaching lineages prescribe varying combinations of prayer, rites and rituals, meditation, chanting and the many yogas to guide followers in their spiritual evolution.

FICTION: Many wrongly believe that Hindus worship cows. Hindus don't worship cows. They respect, honor and adore the cow. By honoring this gentle animal, who gives more than she takes, Hindus honor all creatures.

Source : Hinduism Today Magazine