అమ్మలగన్నయమ్మ ముగురమ్మల మూలపుటమ్మ చాల పెద్దమ్మ సురారులమ్మ కడుపాఱడి పుచ్చినయమ్మ తన్ను లో నమ్మిన వేల్పుటమ్మల మనమ్ముల నుండెడియమ్మ దుర్గ మాయమ్మ కృపాబ్ధ్హియిచ్చుత మహత్వ కవిత్వ పటుత్వ సంపదల్.

అమ్మలగన్నయమ్మ ముగురమ్మల మూలపుటమ్మ చాల పెద్దమ్మ సురారులమ్మ కడుపాఱడి పుచ్చినయమ్మ తన్ను లో
నమ్మిన వేల్పుటమ్మల మనమ్ముల నుండెడియమ్మ దుర్గ మాయమ్మ కృపాబ్ధ్హియిచ్చుత మహత్వ కవిత్వ పటుత్వ సంపదల్.

Why Dharba (holy grass) is used as ring during on our auspicious and inauspicious occasions !!..

Findings of a research fellow and known person of our Hindu rituals...

"This article is on one of the practices widely used by Indian Brahmins all over using a Holy Grass named Darbha, Dharbham or Dharbai.

The botanical name is "Eragrostis cynosuroides" and in Hindi they call this as Kus or Kusha. Brahmins use this Dharbai grass in all functions, auspicious or inauspicious.

A performing person needs to wear a ring made of this Dharbham. But many have lost the reason of why it is to be used in the first place.

What I learnt from my father is proved to be accurately correct by a Medicine Practitioner. A Medical Practitioner once visited my home. When the topic turned to many subjects, I needed to tell him about the Holy Grass named Dharbham. When I told him about the usage and the values, he could not just believe my words. So, he took out a bunch of the Dharbham from me, went straight to the clinic to take an X-ray of his palm, by covering his hand with the Dharbham. To his utter surprise, he found that the grass absorbed about 60% of the (X-ray) radiation!

When the so powerful X-ray radiation can be absorbed by the Holy Grass, why can it not absorb the ill-radiations spread over the atmosphere?

At the time of Solar eclipse or Lunar eclipse our elders used to keep this Holy grass in all the food containers in the house to protect from radiation of eclipses.

While chanting and reciting some Vedic phrases and verses, one needs to wear a ring made of Dharbham on his right hand ring finger. This is most essential, while performing all the rituals, such as Agni Santhanam, Thiru-Aaradhanam, all sorts of
Havans known as Homam etc.

The count of leaves depends upon the function that is held viz. for some functions related to death only single leaf Dharbham is used; for auspicious and daily routine a ring made of two leaves is used; for inauspicious but not death related functions, (i.e. Amavasya Tharppanam,Pithru Pooja etc) a three-leaf Dharbham ring is used. And for the Temple Prayer and Pooja, a four-leaf Dharbham ring is used.

Also, when a fire ritual known as Agni Santhana is performed, these Dharbham are spread all the four sides of the Agni Kundam. Also, during the Eclipse time, these Dharbham are used to cover all food items to protect them from the harmful ultra violet radiation.

Whenever any function is held, firstly they perform a site-cleansing act known as "Shudhhi Punyaahavachanam". While reciting the selective versus, they hold the Dharbham bunch in their hand and
placing the tip point of it over the vessel containing water. Thus the recited vibration values are absorbed by water in the vessel through the Dharbham.

They found that the Holy Grass known as Dharbham has the highest value in conducting the phonetic vibrations through its tip. Later, they sprinkle the Holy water at every nook and corner of the place, where the function is held. A Dharbham without the tip is considered of no value, as the conductor-type value is lost in it."

Our Rishis were of greater knowledge than today's scientists , today's science is struggling to understand the inventions of ancient Great Rishis..

"Let us save our ancient science and our great heritage".

WHY WE ARE TOLD NOT TO STEP ON THE HORIZONTAL ROUND STONE AT THE ENTRANCE WHILE ENTERING A TEMPLE ?

Regardless any Hindu temple, a horizontal stone will be placed at the entrance of temple. This stone has a lot of meanings and reasons behind that many people today are not aware or even understand about the value.We are told by the elders not to step on the stone. But have you wonder the reason behind this practice?

The first thing we should do before entering a temple is wash our feet. After we wash our leg, hand and sprinkle a little water onto our head to cleanse off to open our magnetic entrance points of our body, we should stand in front of the Main Entrance, look at the Gopuram and Kalasam to pray and ask for permission from the "Thuarabala or Thuaramala" which you can see at the left and right of the temple at entrance.

As we enter into the temple, we must cross over the horizontal stone and shall not step on the stone. As we cross over the stone, we should think in our mind that
"I'm leaving all my negatives, worries & bad thoughts behind this point to get the Lord's blessings and obtain the positive energy"
and then step into the temple.

By doing so, it's believed that we will leave all our negatives & bad things outside the temple & go into the temple empty to get the positive vibrations & increase our positive energy.
If we step on the stone and go into the temple, it's believed that we carry everything together with us & we may not get the full benefits of worshipping in a temple.

A temple is a place full of positive energy and vibrations. Thousands of holy scripts and mantra being recited at the temple daily by the priest. We can increase our positive energy and vibration by worshiping in temple for a greater living on this earth.Do visit temple more often to enjoy the positive vibe.

సాంప్రదాయలు

1.    ముక్కులు కుట్టిన్చుకున్నచో దృష్టి దోషము కలగదని నమ్మకము. చెవులు కుట్టించుకున్న హృదయ సంబంద రోగములు రావు.

2.    ఎడమ హస్తము పరమాత్మ అనియు, కుడి హస్తము జీవాత్మ అనియు ఈ రెండు ఏకము కావలెనను ఉద్దేశముతో రెండు చేతులు కలిపి నమస్కరించుచున్నాము.

3.    తడి పాదములతో బోజనము చేసిన ఆయుర్వుద్ధి , తడి పాదములతో శయనించిన ఆయుక్షీణం.
స్త్రీలకు బేసి సంఖ్యా గల అక్షరములతో, పురుషులకు సరి సంఖ్యా గల అక్షారములతో పేర్లు పెట్టుట మంచిది.

4.    సూర్య గ్రహణానికి ముందు ”12 ” గంటల కాలము, చంద్ర గ్రహణానికి ”9” గంటల ముందు కాలము కడుపు కాలిగా ఉంచుకోవలెను.

5.    శిశువు పుట్టినప్పుడు చంద్రుడు ఎక్కడ ఉంటె ఆ స్థానం వారి జన్మ రాశి మరియు పుట్టిన సమయమునకు సూర్యుడు ఎ రాశిలో ఉంటె అది వారి జన్మ లగ్నం.

6.    జ్యోతిశాస్త్రం ప్రకారం బంగారం కుజునికి , వెండి గురువునకు , రాగి రవికి ,ఇత్తడి భుదునకు, ఇనుము శని కి ఇష్టము.

7.    రుద్రాక్ష ఎంత పెద్దదైతే అంత మంచిది, సాలగ్రామం ఎంత చిన్నదైతే అంత మంచిది.

8.    బుదవారం నాడు బూడిద గుమ్మడి కాయను, గురువారం నాడు కొబ్బరి కాయను వ్రేలాడ కట్టుకుంటే నరఘోశాలు తొలుగుతాయి.

9.    యాత్ర సమయములందు మార్గ మధ్యమున పరుండు నపుడు పాదరక్షలను తలక్రింద ప్ర్ట్టుకొని పరున్నచో మృత్యుభయం తొలగి సులభ మార్గమధ్య మేర్పడును.

10.  ఎవరికైనా వస్త్రములను ఇవ్వదలచినపుడు(వస్త్ర యుగ్మం) రెండు వస్త్రాలను ఇవ్వవలెను. తాంబూలం ఇచ్చేటపుడు తమలపాకు, అరటిపండు తొడిమలను ఇచ్చేవారి వైపు కొసలు తాంబూలం పుచ్చుకునే వారివైపు ఉండాలి.

11.  ఇరువురు వ్యక్తులు ఎదురెదురుగా కుర్చునప్పుడు దక్షిణ ముఖం అను ఆక్షేపణ రాదు. అలాగే హోమం చేయునపుడు -రుద్రునకు అభిషేకం చేయునపుడు నాలుగు వైపులందు నలుగురు కుర్చుండిన దిశల ఆక్షేపణలు ఉండవు.

12.  ఇద్దరు ఆడపిల్లలకు ఒకేమారు వివాహం చేయవచ్చును, కాని ఇద్దరు మగపిల్లలకు ఒకేసారి వివాహం చేయకూడదు. కనీసం ఆరు మాసాలు తేడా ఉండాలి.

13.  గృహ ప్రవేశ సమయములందు మంచి గుమ్మడికాయను పగలకోట్టుచుండురు. అది కేవలం పురుషులు మాత్రమే చేయవలెను. ఎత్తి పరిస్తుతులోను స్త్రీలు చేయరాదు.

14.  వినాయకునికి తులసి దలంతోను- శివునకు మొగలిపువ్వుతోను- దుర్గ ను గరిక తోను పూజించరాదు.

15.  తులసి దళమును-బిల్వ దళమును ఒకసారి పూజ చేసిన తర్వాత కడిగి మరల మరొకసారి పూజించవచ్చును.

16.  బోజనం చేసిన తర్వాత ఎడమ వైపు తిరిగి పడుకొని, కుడివైపు తిరిగి లేవవలెను

Kanchipuram Important Places to vist

• Kamakshi Amman Temple
• Vamanamoorthy Temple or Tiru padagam temple
• Ekambareswarar Temple i.e. Siva Kanchi
• Kailasanathar Temple
• Varadharaja Murthy Temple i.e. Vishnu Kanchi

Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi temple is situated at about 5 acres of land and has four entrances. The main entrance of the temple has a Kalabhairavar deity on its left and the Mahishasura Mardini deity on the right. On the centre of the entrance you can see a huge Dwajasthampa. Moving further to the entrance of the Kamakshi deity you can see a Vinayaga deity. Moving on a straight line further, Goddess Kamakshi is visible. Goddess Kamakshi is surrounded by deities of Ayyapan, Saraswati, Annaporani and Adisankaracharya on its outer prakaram. The Goddess also has Varahi, Arupalakshmi Kalvarperumal (one of the 108 Divya Desam of Vaishanavities), Roopalakshmi and Arthanariswarar deities surrounding the sanctorum of Goddess on its Gayatri Mandapam. There is Santhanasthampam inside the prakaram of Goddess which is called the Nabisthan of the Goddess. There is a Srichakra Yantra (Sri Kamakoti Peetam) established by Jagadguru Sri Adisankaracharya in front of the Goddess deity. There is also a temple tank inside the premises. Kamakshi temple has a close relation with the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and its successive Sankarcharyas. The temple has a gallery of Adisankarcharya's Life history inside the temple premises itself. Goddess Kamakshi is the main deity and the temple is one of the fifty one Shakti peetas. The temple is spelled as Nabisthana - Ottiyana peetam. The temple also has a golden Gopuram on the sanctorum of the Goddess Kamakshi deity which is visible to all devotees.

Vamanamoorthy Temple or Tiru padagam temple

The temple has an area of about 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) and has a three tiered rajagopuram(main towers) with seven kalasas. The temple houses four divya desams on it own - they are Thirukkarvaanam, Thirukaaragam, Thiruooragam and Thiruneeragam.[8] It is believed that all the shrines were probably separate temples, but the circumstances which lead do these temples getting housed in the Ulagalantha Perumal temple is not known. Thirumangai Azhwar has sung praises of all the four temples in a single verse. The temple tank, Naga Tirtha, is located outside the main temple complex.

The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai Alvar and Thirumazhisai Aazhwar. Thaayar of the temple is Amudhavalli (Amirthavalli) and the festival deity of the temple is Loganathan. The image of Ulagalantha Perumal is over 35 ft (11 m) in height depicted with his left leg at a right angle to the body and parallel to the ground. The right leg is seen placed on the head of Mahabali with two fingers on his left hand stretched out referring to the two steps he took to measure the two worlds and the stretched finger on his right hand indicating the question the posted to Mahabali as to where he could place his third step. The roof of the sanctum, the vimana has an elevated roof to accommodate the huge image of the presiding deity. 

 Ekambareswarar Temple i.e. Siva Kanchi

One day, goddess parvathi closed lord shiva eyes for fun. At the time of lord shiva’s eyes were closed the universe became dark because sun and moon are the two eyes of Shiva and life of all creatures became stagnant. Immediately, Lord Shiva opened his third eye hence saved the universe. MaaParvathi felt sorry about what she did. Then Shiva said to penance to washout the mistake. Then GodessParvathi born on earth with name Katyayani and started penance at kanchipuram (also known as Kanchi). Later on Shiva wants to test Katyayani (Parvathi) and sent Ganga as flood. At the time Katyayani worshipping sand shivalinga and scared that the linga may flood, Immidiately she hugged the linga to protect it. At the time of hug the linga got marked by her bangles and Kuchas. Even still you can see the marks on the shivaliga at Ekambareswarar temple. Shiva pleased with her devotion and married goddess Parvathi. Still we can see the Kalyana idols under the mango tree in the temple.

Shiva linga also called as PRITHIVI linga representing Earth. The temple was built by ParanthakaChola around 600 AD in 23 acers of land. Ekambareswarar temple is very ancient and powerful temple in India. The temple is very big one and also famous for sculpture

Kailasanathar Temple

The Kailasanathar Temple was built by the Pallava ruler Rajasimha Pallava, and was completed by his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava. Rajasimha Pallava ruled Kanchi during the period from 685 A.D. to 705 A.D.This temple is unique in its architecture.

It was constructed mostly of limestone. The walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. There are 58 small shrines situated

around the main shrine. Paintings of Fresco-style adorn the inner walls of the shrines.It has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions. It is the only temple at Kanchipuram which is not cluttered with the more recent additions of the cholas and vijayanagar rulers.Fragments of the eigth century murals which once graced the alcoves are a visible remainder of how magnificent the temple must have looked when it was first built.The locals believe that this temple served as a shelter for the king during wars. The architecture of the temple appears to confirm the belief. The remnants of an escape tunnel built by the kings is displayed with pride, even now. Once in a year, the temple is visited en-mass by the local people on the evening of the Maha-Sivaraathri. At that time, there could be hours of waiting in long queues. However, it is a Hindu faith that it is auspicious to visit this temple on the night of Sivaraathri.

The temple lies away from the commotion of the city, in a rustic suburb. It is under the maintenance of the Department of Archeology, Government of India. There isn't much of a security problem. Tourists are allowed to freely photograph the sculpures in and outside the temple, with the exception of the Sanctum and the main Deity.

Varadharaja Murthy Temple i.e. Vishnu Kanchi

Varadaraja Perumal temple is situated 3 Kms from the Kanchipuram bus stand and the presiding deity is Vishnu. This is also called as Hastgiri ( Hast means elephant, Giri means hill) and the sanctum is atop a small hill. It is also one of the 108 divyadeshams of Vishnu where Alwars have sung in praise of the Lord. To reach the Varadaraja Perumal's and Perundevi Thayar sannidhi one has to climb a fleet of steps. The sanctum houses the imposing idol of Varadarajar and outside the inner prakaram of this temple there are two sacred lizards sculpted on the ceiling , covered with silver and gold sheets. Sculptures of sun and moon are also visible near this. Pilgrims are allowed to touch these lizards and it is believed that it would wash away their sins and would bring prosperity. This hill is encircled with double storeyed, enclosed verandhas with a terrace and the whole thing forming a beautiful courtyard around the Varadaraja temple. This temple is also more than one thousand years old. 

This temple was earlier known as Attiiyurar. The original image of perumal was made of Attimaram (fig tree) and that image is worshipped for 10 days, once in 40 years. 

There are sannidhi's for Rama,Yoga Narasimhar, Kannan, the Alwars, and the Acharyas, Kariamanikka Perumaal, Andal and Varaaha Perumaal. 

The front side tower is about 180 feet high and was built in 11th century and was renovated by the Vijaya Nagara kings. The 100 pillared mandpam carved out of a single rock is a real master piece and we can see many pillars embellished with minute carvings.The temple tank is the near the 100 pillared mandapam. 

Temple timings: 7 am-12 noon, 3.30 pm - 8 pm. 

Thanks & Regards,

Pradeep