9 Navagraha Temples of Tamilnadu

Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu are the 9 temples dedicated to Navagrahas – the nine celestial planets of Hindu astronomy. These nine Navagraha temples are located near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Each of these Navagraha shrines is situated in a different village, and is dedicated to one of the 9 Navagrahas. That is, the first temple Sooriyanar Kovil is dedicated to Lord Surya, while the second temple Thingaloor Chandra Navagrahastalam is dedicated to Lord Chandra likewise. However, an interesting aspect is that majority of the temples enshrine Lord Shiva as the primary deity.

Among these 9 temples, Suryanar Temple, dedicated to Lord Surya, is the only temple where Lord Surya is worshipped as the principal deity. This temple is dedicated to the Sun God and all the remaining 8 Grahas – Chandra (Moon), Chevvaai or Mangal (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru or Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Kethu.  Below is the list of 9 temples dedicated to Navagraha Planets.

Navagraha Temples and Their Location 

1) Suriyanar Koil of Sun God   

Suriyanar Temple is dedicated to Hindu Sun God and is situated 3 km from Aduthurai, which is on the Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai Road in Tamil Nadu. More Info about Suriyanar Temple here

2) Thingaloor Temple  

Thingaloor Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Chandra or Moon God and is situated 1.5 km from Thirupayhanam, on the Kumbakonam - Thiruvayyaru Road. Read more about Thingaloor Chandra Temple here

3) Vaitheeswaran Kovil   

Vaitheeswaran Temple is dedicated to Angaraka (Sewai or Chowa) and is situated 4 km from Mayiladuthurai, on the Chidambaram Road. Read More here

4) Thiruvenkadu Temple   

Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Budha and is situated 10 km south-east of Sirkali. Read More here

5) Alangudi Temple   

Alangudi Abathsahayeswarar Temple is dedicated to Brihaspati (Guru or Vyazhan or Planet Jupiter) and is about 15 km from Kumbakonam on the way to Needamangalam. Read More about Temple here

6) Kanjanoor Temple   

Kanjanoor Agneeswarar Temple is dedicated to Sukran (Velli or Planet Venus) and is located at an interior village on the Mayiladuthurai - Kathiramangalam Road. Read More here

7) Thirunallar Temple   

Thirunallar Darbaranyeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shani (Sani or Saturn) and is located 5 km on the way to Peralam - Karaikkal. Read More here

8) Thirunageswaram Temple   

Thirunageswaram Naganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Rahu and is situated about 7 km from
Kumbakonam - Karaikkal Road. Read More here

9) Keezhperumpallam Temple   

Keezhperumpallam Temple is dedicated to Lord Kethu and is situated near Poompuhar on the Mayiladuthurai - Poompuhar Road. Read More here

12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Shiva in India

Jyotirlinga Temples, also spelled Jyotirling temples or Jyotirlingam temples, are the 12 temples of Shiva where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam or "the Lingam of Light". These 12 Jyotirlinga Temples or Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines are situated on various parts of India. Here is a list of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Shiva in India.

Twelve Jyotir Linga Temples - Dwadasa Jyothirlinga Temples of Shiva

Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple

Somnath Temple in Gujarat is the first among the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Shiva. The temple is located at Prabhas Patan or Somnath Patan, 7 km from Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India. Somnath literally means “The Protector of (the) Moon God” and legend has it that Lord Shiva Dev, pleased by the prayers of the Moon God (Soma), decided to rest in this Lingam till eternity, and thus the name Somnath Temple.

Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam

Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple is the second of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Shiva. Also known as Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, the shrine is situated at Srisailam in Nallamala Hills, Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy (a form of Lord Siva) and Devi Bhramaramba (a form of Goddes Parvathi). Guru Adi Sankaracarya composed one of his famous works the Sivananda Lahari (Shivanandalahari) here.

Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is situated in the historic city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. The Shiv Linga at Mahakal is believed to be Swayambhu linga, and the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams in India. The idol of Mahakaleshwar faces south, and hence is known as Dakshinamurti or Dakshinamurthy – a form of Shiva as Guru (teacher) of all types of Knowledge, especially the Jnana.

Omkareshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is situated on the banks of Narmada River, in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Omkareshwar Temple is located on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada River. The most interesting feature is that the shaped of the island is in the form of the Hnidu Om (Aum) symbol. There are two Hindu temples here – one is dedicated to Omkareshwar and the second one Amareshwar.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the holiest Lord Shiva temples in India, situated atop the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River in Uttarakhand district. Kedarnath Temple is the northernmost among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Shiva. Kedarnath forms part of the Char Dham pilgrimage and is open only for six months in a year, starting on the Akshaya Tritiya day and closing on Bhai Bij or Bhai Dooj (October end or November first week).

Bhimashankar Temple in Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple is situated in Bhorgiri village, around 50 km north-west of Khed, in Maharashtra, India. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is 110 km away from Pune.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple is situated on the banks of holy Ganga River in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra

Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple or Tryambakeshwar Temple is a famous Jyotirlinga temple situated in Trimbak town in Nashik District of Maharashtra, India. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir is locates on the banks is the sacred Godavari River.

Vaidyanath Temple in Deogarh

Vaidyanath Temple also known as Baidyanath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples in India. The location of Vaidyanath Temple is much debated. Some people claim that the Vaidyanath temple located at Deogarh in Bihar is the Jyothirlinga shrine. While Baba Dham Temple or Baidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkhand, India.

Nageshwara Jyotirlinga Temple

Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Temple is regarded as the first Jyotirlinga Temple on the earth. There are 3 popular temples in India, which are regarded as identical to this Jyothirlinga temple. They are the Nageshwara temple situated on the route between Dwarka and Bet Dwarka Island, on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat; the Jageshwar temple near Almora in Uttarakhand state and the Nagnath temple in Aundha in Maharashtra state.

Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu

Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamilnadu is the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India. The ancient Rameshwar Temple is built in traditional Dravidian architecture and is dedicated to Ramalingeswarar (Lord Shiva). Situated on the in the island of Rameswaram, Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple is believed to be the place where Lord Rama have prayed Lord Shiva to expiate any sins for killing demon king Ravana.

Grishneshwar Temple in Maharashtra

Grishneshwar Temple or Ghushmeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site located 11 km from Daulatabad, near Aurangabad in Maharashtra India. This Jyotirlinga Temple of Shiva is near the famous Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.

Navaratna Nine Gems in Hindu Astrology

Navaratna is a Sanskrit word which means “nine gems” and is related to the nine planets or Navagraha in Hindu Vedic astrology. The word Nava means ‘nine’ and Ratna means ‘gem’. Each gemstone is related to one Graha among the Navgrahas. Navaratna gemstones are considered auspicious and believed to give good health, prosperity, happiness and peace of mind to those who wear it. It protects against negative energies or malefic effects of planets and strengthens the positive influences of the gems.

Navaratna Gemstones and their Planetary Representations

1) Ruby – Manikkam or Manek – Lord Surya or Sun
2) Pearl – Moti – Lord Chandra or Moon
3) Red Coral – Moonga – Lord Kuja or Planet Mars
4) Emerald – Marakatam or Panna – Lord Budh or Mercury
5) Yellow Sapphire – Pukharaj – Jupiter or Lord Guru
6) Diamond – Heera or Vairam – Venus or Lord Shukra
7) Blue Sapphire – Neelam – Saturn or Lord Shani
8) Hessonite – Gomedh – Lord Rahu
9) Cat’s Eye – Vaiduryam – Lord Ketu

Diamond, ruby, emerald, blue sapphire and pearl are named as Maharatnas as they are considered to be superior to other gem. Usually people wear Navaratnas in the form of rings. The positions of planets keep on changing, accordingly the dasa and mahadasas of the planets. Astrology says that the malefic effects of Planets can be balanced by the effect of beneficial planets when one wears the Navaratna Jewelry.

Navaratna Ornaments

Navaratna Jewelry or Navagraha Jewellery is becoming more and more popular nowadays due to its astrological benefits. Some popular Navaratna ornaments include Navaratna necklaces, Navratna rings, bracelets, anklets, pendants, bangles, armlets and other trinkets. It is necessary that the Navaratna Jewellery should be made of gold or silver. Sri Garuda Purana states that before buying Navratnas or any gem, one has to ensure that the gem stones used in the ornament are good. Also be sure that the ornaments should be worn after cleaning and charging with Navagraha mantras. It is advisable to wear the jewelry before sunrise or any auspicious day at a temple.

Navaratna in Other Languages 

Navaratna is known as Navarathnam in Malayalam, Navarathinam in Tamil, Navarathnalu in Telugu, Nopparatana in standard Thai, Nopparat in Rajasaap (Royal Thai), and Navaratne in Singhalese.

Rudraksha and its Importance

Rudraksha, also spelled Rudraksh or Rudraksham, is regarded as a mystic power bead traditionally used as prayer beads by Hindus. Rudraksha is a red colored berry of the Rudraksha tree. Rudraksha is a Sanskrit word and the combination of the names Rudra (Lord Shiva) and Aksha (Eyes). The name itself tells us about the effect of seed on evil and negative effects where Rudra means terrible and Aksha means eye.

Origin of Rudraksha 

According to Hindu mythology, the religious text of Devi Bhagawat Purana says that there was a demon in the name of Tripurasur. He was very strong and had divine powers. Having these qualities his pride increased and he started disturbing deities and sages. Everybody tried out but no one could defeat this strong asura. All other Lords prayed to Mahadev Shiva to demolish Tripurasur for his immoral actions. Lord Shiva killed Tripurasur with his weapon called Aaghor but the weapon was so dazzling that even Shiva had to close his eyes. When he opened his eyes water ran through his eyes and this felt on the earth. Wherever the tear drops fell Rudraksha trees started to grow up. The fruit that grow on this tree is called Rudraksha.

Properties of Rudraksha

Scientific research says that Rudraksha beads have some electrical and magnetic powers. Researches also say that when there is a difference in the faces seen in Rudrakshas then they have different electromagnetic properties. Rudraksha beads are composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and some trace elements. Rudraksha bead are available in 1 to 108 faces, however currently 2 to 21 faces are only available in common. Single faced Rudraksha seed is rarely available, while some people claim that 22 to 108 faces Rudraksha plants are still found in the foot hills of Himalayas and Mansarovar regions.

How Rudraksha worn affects the Human Body

The electromagnetic properties in Rudraksha have the ability to affect neuro physiology of human beings. The beads also have anti aging factors also. It is proven that Rudraksha seeds impart positive changes in the bioelectrical system of the human body in a life supporting manner.

Effects of Kala Sarpa Yogam

Kalsarpa Yoga or Kala Sarpa Yogam, as per Hindu astrology, is a dreaded yoga found in a person’s horoscope where the person under the influence of this yog leads a very miserable life. ‘Kal’ means ‘Time’ and ‘Sarpa’ means ‘Snake or Serpent’. Kalsarp Yoga is so powerful that it can even cancel out all the good Yogas of your horoscope chart.

How Kalsarpa Yoga is formed

When some stars concentrate at a single particular position in the horoscope it is the conjunction of planets and in astrology it is termed as “yog”. Kalsarpa is formed when Rahu Graha is tainted. When Rahu is in a good position it brings good fortune. Rahu and Lord Ketu are believed to be shadow planets. When all planets are hemmed between Rahu and Ketu Kalsarpa is formed. Lord Rahu and Ketu are placed opposite to each other at 180 degree and they don’t have any solid form and cannot be seen with naked eyes.

The Legend behind Kalsarpa Yoga

Kalsarpa is determined on the basis of the position of Rahu and Ketu in the birth chart. Rahu is considered the head of a snake and Kethu is considered the tail of the snake. Rahu is the North Lunar Mode and Ketu is the South Lunar Mode. Lord Rahu was the son of Sinishka and Hiranya Kashyap. He went into the sea to drink the ‘amrit’ obtained from Samudramathan and when he was about to drink Lord Vishnu disguised as Mohini and cut his head off. Later the north part was called as Rahu and the south part was called Ketu and they were made part of Navagraha.

Effects of Kalsarpa Yoga

• It is said that anybody affected by Kaalsarpa Yoga faces lot of problems including mental restlessness and pessimistic thoughts until the age of 35.
• Some persons with Kala Sarpa Yogam gets addicted to bad habits or involve in illegal activities.
• Few of them get separated from their families and may also be deceived by their relatives.
• Individuals affected by Kalsarpa Yoga often see snakes in their dreams.

Types of Kalsarpa Yoga

According to Vedic Astrology there are many types of Kalsarpa Yoga. However the below mentioned 12 types of Kalsarpa Yoga are most effective.

1. Anant Kalsarpa Yoga
2. Kulik Kalsarpa Yoga
3. Vasuki Kalsarpa Yoga
4. Sankhapal Kalasarpa Yog
5. Padma Kalasarpa Yog
6. Maha Padma Kalasarpa Yoga
7. Takshak Kalsarpa Yoga
8. Karkotak Kalsarpa Yoga
9. Shankachood Kalsarpa Yoga
10. Ghatak Kalsarpa Yoga
11. Vishdhar Kalsarpa Yoga
12. Sheshnag Kalsarpa Yoga

Read More about the 12 Types of Kalsarpa Yoga Here

Kalsarpa Yoga Remedies or Parihara

There are several remedies for Kalsarpa Yoga Dosha. Some of them are

1. Chanting Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
2. Rudra Abhisheka Pooja during Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan
3. Kalasarpa Yajna
4. Chanting Hanuman Chalisa
5. Wearing Rings after consulting with Astrologer
6. Visiting Rahu Temples and Ketu Temples
7. Kalsarpa Shanti Pooja at Trambakeshwar
8. Kala Sarpa Dosha Yajna at Kalahasthi Temple
9. Kuja - Rahu Sandhi at Ghati Subramanya Temple
10. Sarpa Samskara & Ashlesha Bali at Kukke Subramanya Temple

How to Do Surya Namaskar Steps Mantras

Learn how to do Surya Namaskar, its advantages, Surya Namaskar mantras, and the step by step poses and position of the 12 postures of Sun Salutation. Surya Namaskar, which literally means ‘Salutation to The Sun God’, is a complete meditative technique and one of the popular forms of Hatha Yoga. Surya Namaskar includes Asanas, Pranayama, Mantras and Mudras and practicing this technique daily is beneficial for the health of the individuals. The Pranayama of Surya Namaskar helps for the flow of fresh oxygen into your body and mind and the various body movements stretch all the important organs of the body. Surya Namaskar includes the combination of 12 different postures with a specific breathing pattern which helps to strengthen and unblock the whole system.


How to do Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutation Steps & Postures

Morning is the right time to practice Surya Namaskar as the early morning sunrays are rich source of Vitamin D which is required for strong bones and clear eyesight. You can use a carpet or a small piece of cloth for doing this. There are twelve mantras for each of the twelve postures and these mantras are to be recited for each posture.

Following are the different postures in Surya Namaskar


First Posture – Namaskarasana

You should be in a standing position with palms folded in front of your chest, feet together and toes touching each other. Breathe as usual and recite the mantra.

Mantra - Om Mitrayah Namaha

Advantages - The mind and body turn out to be healthy

Second Posture – Parvatasana

Lift your arms over your head and shoulders, with palms touching each other. The biceps should touch the ears. Inhale and stretch your abdomen to the maximum extent and tilt backwards.

Mantra - Om Ravaye Namah

Advantages - A good exercise for the shoulders and the food pipe (Esophagus). Vision is also enhanced.

Third Posture - Namaskara Hastapadasana

Breathe in deeply and hold the breath. Bend forward without folding the knees and keep the palms on the floor. Touch your knees with the forehead and exhale deeply. Initially, if you are not able to keep the palms on the floor, you can just touch it with the fingers.

Mantra - Om Suryaya Namaha

Advantages -  This exercise is a remedy for belly and digestive ailments. The chest and hands become strong and your body grows to be well balanced. Also, diseases of the feet and fingers are set right.

Fourth Posture - Ekapada Prasaranasana

Breathe in and drag your right leg backward, with the knee and fingers of the foot touching the floor. Press hard the abdomen and belly such that they touch the left leg. Now raise your head as high as possible and look upward. Hold breath and resume in the posture for sometime. 

Mantra - Om Bhanave Namaha

Advantages - As this exercise stretches the small intestine and the seminal vesicles, it is a good remedy for constipation and diseases of the liver. Besides, thinness of the semen and diseases of throat are also corrected.

Fifth Posture - Bhudharasana

Breathe in deeply and hold it. Pull both the legs backwards and keep the thumbs of the feet, ankles and knees touching each other. Keep the head, waist, the back and the elbows in a line and bend forward with the palms on the floor. Your body looks like a bow now.

Mantra - Om Khagaya Namaha

Advantages - This movement helps to relieve from the pains - especially of arms, legs and the knees. It is also good for the abdominal disorders.

Sixth Posture - Ashthanga Pranipatasana

Inhale and hold the breath. Keep the knees on the floor and make the chest and forehead to touch the floor. The palms are to be placed on the side of the chest. Ensure that the abdomen should not touch the floor and drag it.

Mantra - Om Pusane Namaha

Advantages - This exercise makes the arms strong and if ladies perform this Asana before getting pregnant, the child could be prevented from many diseases.

Seventh Position – Bhujangasana

Inhaling the breath, lower your waist and raise your upper body. Now look upwards and keep the arms straight.

Mantra - Om Hiranya-Garbhaya Namaha


Advantages - Apart from toning up the body and the back muscles, this Asana improves eyesight. Disorders related to the reproductive system and the irregularities in female’s menstrual cycle are corrected. Also improves blood circulation.


Eighth Posture – Bhudharasana

This position is the same as that of Bhudharasana, explained in fifth position.

Mantra - Om Marichiye Namaha

Ninth Posture - Ekapada Prasaranasana

Repeat the process of fourth position.


Mantra - Om Adityaya Namaha

Tenth Posture - Namaskara Hastapadasana

The position is same as that of the third one.

Mantra - Om Savitre Namaha

Eleventh Posture – Parvatasana

The procedure is same as that of step two.

Mantra - Om Arkaya Namaha

Twelfth Posture – Namaskarasana

Same as that of first position

Mantra - Om Bhaskaraya Namaha

This full round of Surya Namaskar can be repeated as many times as possible.

“Om Sri Savitra Soorya Narayanaaya Namah”

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8 Ashtavinayak Temples of Ganesha

Ashtavinayak Temples are the 8 famous temples ofLord Ganesha in Maharashtra, India. In Sanskrit, Ashta Vinayaka means “Eight Vinayaka”, and the term is widely used to refer the group of eight Swayambhu Ganapati temples located near Pune in Maharashtra. Hindu Devotional Blog have posted articles on eachAshta Vinayaka Temple earlier. Hence we will link them below for those who wish to reach more about each temple. It is believed that one should visit Ashtavinayaka Temples in order for better results. The first temple you have to visit is the Mayureshwar, then head to Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyandri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and then again Moregaon will end you Ashtavinayak Yatra.

The Ashtavinayak Temples of Lord Ganesh are

1) Mayureshwar Temple in Moregaon

Mayureshwar Temple in Moregaon is a 14th century temple situated around 64 km from Pune in Moregaon. 

2) Siddhivinayak Temple Siddhatek

Siddhivinayak Temple in Siddhatek is located on the banks of River Bhima near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. It is believed that Lord Vishnu acquired Siddhi at this place after invoking Lord Ganesha.

3) Ballaleshwar Temple Pali

Ballaleshwar Ashtavinayak Temple is located at Pali around 110 km from Pune in Maharashtra. The specialty of the temple is that it is the only temple which have been named after a devotee Ballal. Another unique feature of this wooden temple is that, on the two equinoxes the rays of The Sun fall directly on the deity.

4) Varadavinayak Temple Mahad

Varadavinayak Temple is the fourth among the Ashtavinayak Temple and is located at Mahad, around 63 km from Mumbai in Maharashtra. One of the unique features of the temple is that, this is the only Ashtavinayak temple where devotees can personally pay their homage and respects to Varad Vinayaka. 

5) Chintamani Temple Theur

Chintamani Ashtavinayak Temple is located at Theur, around 25 km from Pune in Maharashtra. Legend has it this is the place where Lord Ganesha removed all Chinta (worries) of Lord Brahma. 

6) Girijatmaj Temple Lenyandri

Girijatmaj Ashtavinayaka Temple is located on the banks of River Kukdi at Lenyadri in Maharashtra. The temple lies on a hill and devotees need to climb up 283 stairs to reach the shrine. The annual thread ceremony of Lord Ganesha performed here attracts thousands of devotees. 

7)  Vighneshwar Temple Ozar

Vighneshwar Temple in Ozar is located around 102 km from Pune in Maharashtra. Built in 1833, the temple is noted for its Deepmala and its Golden dome.

8) Mahaganapati Temple Ranjangaon

Shri Maha Ganapati Temple is located at Ranjangaon, around 54 km from Pune. Legend has it that Lord Shiva worshipped Ganapathi here to destroy the demon Tripurasura. 

For devotees starting from Pune, each of these eight Ashta Vinayaka Temples are within the range of 20 km to 110 km.

How to perform Santoshi Maa Vrat Pooja

Santoshi Mata or Santoshi Maa is mainly worshiped by women of North India. The name Santhoshi Mata literally means “the mother of contentment or satisfaction”. Goddess Santoshi Maa is a symbol of love, contentment, forgiveness, happiness and hope. The Goddess, considered to be a daughter of Lord Ganesh, is believed to have a calm nature and offers her followers with happiness and peace. It is believed that fasting and praying Sanotshi Mata for 16 consecutive Fridays brings peace and prosperity in one's family. According to one legend, the sons of Lord Ganesh, Shubh and Labh, wanted to know the importance of Raksha Bandhan and wished to have a sister. Thus, Lord Ganesha created Maa Santoshi. As she fulfilled the wishes of her brothers, she was named Santoshi then.

The ritual

The vrat or the ritual of Santoshi Maa should be held on Fridays, which is considered as her day of birth.
Following is the procedure to perform the Santoshi Maa Vrat.

You are required to collect the following things for the Santoshi Maa Pooja

• 1 Kalash (a pot which contains water)
• Betel leaves
• Flowers
• Camphor for aarti
• Incense Sticks
• Diyas (an oil lamp usually made from clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or oil)
• Turmeric
• Vermillion
• Photo of Santoshi Maa and a book which contains the story
• Coconut for kalash (continue with the same coconut till you complete Pooja)
• A wooden stool for placing the idol
• Rice mixed with turmeric
• Dry whole channa (chickpeas), jiggery (unrefined brown sugar made from palm sap) and green banana for Prasad

Starting Santoshi Mata Puja


1) Select the appropriate place for worship and clean it thoroughly.
2) After taking bath on Friday morning, place the photo in the pooja place, decorate it with flowers and place a small Kalash.
3) Offer prayers to Lord Ganesh, to have success in business, to remove poverty and destruction of evil, then mother Riddhi Siddhi. Prayer to wealth, gold, silver, pearl, and other gems.
4) Read the story of Santoshi Maa. Make the listeners say "Santoshi Mata ki Jai" all the time.
5) Before reading the Santoshi Mata story, fill water in the kalash, and on top of it, keep a small bowl filled with channa and jaggery. At the end of the story, perform Santoshi Mata Ki Aarti and sprinkle water in the vessel in every corner of the house.
6) The remaining water should be poured into the Tulsi plant. 
7) Distribute the Prasad to the listeners.
8) During the day, ensure not to eat or touch anything which is sour such as Curd and Lemon. This is to be strictly followed. Otherwise, it may lose the benefits of fasts and prayers. Fasting can be observed the entire day or only one time in a day.
9) This way, you need to do this for 16 weeks on Friday.

Udyapan - Completing the Santoshi Maa Vrat

After completing the 16 weeks, you will be required to do Udyapan - that is offering food to kids. Udyapan is the closing ceremony of this ritual. On this day also, you should read the story and perform Aarti, like the Vrat, and then distribute the Prasad. Keep in mind that there should not be any sour item in the house and you should offer food to eight boys. If the children are closely related to your family, do not call from outside. However, if there are only fewer children from close family, you can call children from the Brahmins, relatives or neighbors’ children. You should not give them any sour item or money. They can be given Dakshina, cloth or fruits.

How to observe vratam for Sabarimala

The Vratham or Vrata for visiting Sabarimala Ayyappa Sannidhanam or Swamy Ayyappa Temple starts on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrichikam (this year on 17th November 2010) and culminates on Mandala Pooja Day (27th December 2010) or Makara Sankranti day (14th January 2011). On observing this Sabarimala Vratham (austerities), the mind and soul get purified as the devotees undertake certain practices and cleanliness. Here are some of the customs and rules of the austerities. For those who cannot start vrata on the first day of Vrishchika can start on any other day.

Maladharanam – Wearing of Mudhra Mala

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Vratha is marked by the wearing of "Thulasi Mala" (garland) or "Rudraksha Mala”, bearing the locket of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala Temple. The temple priest or Guru Swami / Periya Swami instigates the Mudra Mala to the devotee (Maaladharanam), by chanting mantra or simply “Swamy Saranam”. Guru Swamy or Periya Swamy is an Ayyappan devotee who has completed 18 successive years of Sabarimala pilgrimage and he guides others for the pilgrimage. The garland is to be obtained after sanctification in a temple / pooja room. Devotees offer "Dakshina" to the concerned priest. Subsequent to this ritual, the devotee wearing the "Mala" is called as "Ayyappan" or "Swamy" and the female (aged between 1 and 9 OR above 50 years) devotees are called as "Malikapuram" (who is the Shakti of Lord Ayyappa).

Mantra for wearing Mudhra Mala Dharan can be found here

Below are the austerities and rules that are to be followed for taking the Ayyappa Sannidhanam pilgrimage

1) On the day before starting the vratham, the devotee has to shave, trim his nails and hair and make himself clean. The Thulasi Mala or Rudraksha Pendants should be cleaned and smeared with sandal paste and placed before the image of Lord Ayyappa. Only a new pair of colored (black, blue and saffron) dhoti and towel/shawl is to be used by the devotee. 

2) During the Sabarimala Vratam, the devotee should wake up early in the morning, offer prayers and perform pooja to the holy mala. Also, he should not apply oil to his hair and shall not make oil smeared over his body.

3) The devotee of Ayyappa Swami shall not take part in any of the social activities. He shall spend his time only by prayers, poojas, visiting temples and helping the poor/needy.

4) The devotee should consume only satvic foods (vegetarian diet) and abstain from non-vegetarian, alcoholic drinks or drugs, chewing betel leaves and from smoking.

5)  Taking bath twice/thrice daily and performing puja by chanting 108 Ayyappan Saranams form part of the austerity. Apart from Ayyappa Saranams, devotees can chant Ayyappa Gayatri Mantra, Ayyappa Ashtottara Stotram, Loka Veeram Mahapoojyam Ayyappa Namaskara Sloka or any other mantras and prayers of Lord Ayyappa.

6) He should not hurt anybody either verbally or physically, and consider all co-devotees as Lord Ayyappan himself.

7) The Swami should not feel proud for the respect he gets during his observance for the pilgrimage.

8) The devotee should not in any way cause trouble to his family members because of his vratham.

9) He should practice pure Brahmacharya (celibacy) in his deeds, words and thoughts, during the pilgrimage period. Only vegetarian food and fresh fruits are to be consumed. He should sleep only on the floor, avoiding pillows. Some devotees do not use footwear so as to make their feet adjusted to climb the Sabarimala hills barefooted.

10) The Swami shall avoid himself from the proximity of dead body. If he happens to see one, he shall not eat anything until he takes bath.

11) It is always better to carry a Thulasi leaf to prevent him from evil spirits and from impurities.

It should be remembered that the blessings of Lord Ayyappa would reflect on those who strictly follow these rules.

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!!
Harihara sudhane Saranam Ayyappa!!

Padi pooja

Padi Puja is the worship of the holy 18-steps at the world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Ayyappa devotees climb the 18 steps, or Pathinettam Padi, to reach the shrine to have the darshan of Lord Ayyappa. The 18 steps are considered as holy as the shrine itself. Its holiness can be gauged from the fact that in 2009 itself the Padi Puja booking for the year 2021 has been completed.

Padi Puja, or the puja of the Pathinettam Padi, is performed in the evening on certain days at the temple. Thousands of people wait patiently to witness this important puja.

Earlier Padi puja was performed once in 12 years. But due to the large number of demands from Ayyappa devotees to conduct the puja, it is now conducted during the monthly puja on the first five days of the Malayalam month. It also performed during other auspicious days. Due to heavy rush of devotees the Padi puja is restricted to very few days during the Mandala Makaravilakku season.

Padi puja is also one of the costliest pujas at the Ayyappa Temple. The cost of performing the Padi Puja is 30,001/-.

Saramkuthi is very important pilgrim spot on the way to Sabarimala.. It lies on the traditional trekking path and is about 1 km from Sabari Peetam near Pampa. From here, a walk of 1.5 km leads to the Sannidhanam (Sabarimala). The Saramkuthi is known for the Saramkuthi Aal, a big banyan tree around, this is the a spot ,where it is believed , Ayyappa and his soldiers discarded their weapons after the liberation of Sabarimala temple from the domination of Udayanan .This act indicates the total shifting of this attention to personal spiritual advancement and to the renaissance of the Dharama Shaastha temple to the welfare of the whole mankind . It also symbolically indicates the potential evolutionary state in man , the realization of which would make all lethal weapons irrelevant in human society. Sharamkuttiyaal symbolisis that at a stage of his development man will have to inevitably discard his arms for a break through to a greater evolutionary stage and a super civilization. It is to be specially noted that only the kanni –ayyappa-s those who go on pilgrimage for the first time,are expected to bring the arrow. Others are supposed to have eradicated violence from their minds and refined themselves spiritually. The major festival here is the pallivetta, which is held on the eve of the `Arattu’.The pilgrim has now come very close to the temple and the whole region is vibrant with loud chantings of the pilgrims and the explosion of the fire works offerings in the shrine.

Read more: http://www.ayyappa.net/saramkuthi/#ixzz2CugTxwp4

Saramkuthi is very important pilgrim spot on the way to Sabarimala.. It lies on the traditional trekking path and is about 1 km from Sabari Peetam near Pampa. From here, a walk of 1.5 km leads to the Sannidhanam (Sabarimala). The Saramkuthi is known for the Saramkuthi Aal, a big banyan tree around, this is the a spot ,where it is believed , Ayyappa and his soldiers discarded their weapons after the liberation of Sabarimala temple from the domination of Udayanan .This act indicates the total shifting of this attention to personal spiritual advancement and to the renaissance of the Dharama Shaastha temple to the welfare of the whole mankind . It also symbolically indicates the potential evolutionary state in man , the realization of which would make all lethal weapons irrelevant in human society. Sharamkuttiyaal symbolisis that at a stage of his development man will have to inevitably discard his arms for a break through to a greater evolutionary stage and a super civilization. It is to be specially noted that only the kanni –ayyappa-s those who go on pilgrimage for the first time,are expected to bring the arrow. Others are supposed to have eradicated violence from their minds and refined themselves spiritually. The major festival here is the pallivetta, which is held on the eve of the `Arattu’.The pilgrim has now come very close to the temple and the whole region is vibrant with loud chantings of the pilgrims and the explosion of the fire works offerings in the shrine.

Read more: http://www.ayyappa.net/saramkuthi/#ixzz2CugTxwp4

Saramkuthi is very important pilgrim spot on the way to Sabarimala.. It lies on the traditional trekking path and is about 1 km from Sabari Peetam near Pampa. From here, a walk of 1.5 km leads to the Sannidhanam (Sabarimala). The Saramkuthi is known for the Saramkuthi Aal, a big banyan tree around, this is the a spot ,where it is believed , Ayyappa and his soldiers discarded their weapons after the liberation of Sabarimala temple from the domination of Udayanan .This act indicates the total shifting of this attention to personal spiritual advancement and to the renaissance of the Dharama Shaastha temple to the welfare of the whole mankind . It also symbolically indicates the potential evolutionary state in man , the realization of which would make all lethal weapons irrelevant in human society. Sharamkuttiyaal symbolisis that at a stage of his development man will have to inevitably discard his arms for a break through to a greater evolutionary stage and a super civilization. It is to be specially noted that only the kanni –ayyappa-s those who go on pilgrimage for the first time,are expected to bring the arrow. Others are supposed to have eradicated violence from their minds and refined themselves spiritually. The major festival here is the pallivetta, which is held on the eve of the `Arattu’.The pilgrim has now come very close to the temple and the whole region is vibrant with loud chantings of the pilgrims and the explosion of the fire works offerings in the shrine.

Read more: http://www.ayyappa.net/saramkuthi/#ixzz2CugTxwp4

Pathinettam Padi

What is the actual meaning of 18 steps which is there in sanidhanam. becasue i have heared lot of menaing for the same viz 18 puranas. 18 gunas, 18 mountains around sabarimala, etc... I want to know what is actual meaning of the same and after claiming we attain the Lord which is called "THAATVAMAASI" you hav written the meaning of the same in ur book but since i dont knw to read i did not knw the actual meaing.

Awaiting to your reply

Swamy Sharanam

Santosh

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18 Steps.... are equated to

18 Puranas

18 Mountains

18 Ayudhams

18 Siddhas

18 Devatas

18 Gunas

There are various explanations suiting each of the above statement.

You can also find ample of proof justifying each stand ...

"Padi Pathinettum Puranangal Aakkiya Premaswaroopandae Ananda Mandapam..." says an old sharana vili

There are 18 mountains surrounding Sabarimalai and each one is represented through one step of the padhinettu padi...

Ayyappan has 18 Ayudhams... he left each one of the ayudham while ascending the peetam and hence each step has or represents an aydham of Ayyappan. - Weapons which kills (the enemies) and at the same time protect (the devotees)

All our Shastras greatly exclaim about the 18 siddha purushas... These siddha purushas have surrendered to Lord Sastha who is the Yogeeshwara and obtained the status or privilege of being his Ashtadasha Peetam(18 Steps)

18 Special Devatas are installed in the 18 steps.. During the customary Padi Pooja - these dieties are worshipped...

Confused ...?

All these are implications.... Everything is true as far as this is concerned... you cant deny of the above statement... "It is there - because it is there" - is the best answer

As per the divine will of Lord Ayyappa all these things happen...

Now just go in the reverse order...

There are eighteen devatas who are the adhishtana moorthis of 18 mountain ranges(or Parivara devats) who are installed in the 18 steps... and Sastha was seated above all (here the steps are not built.. but it is done as a pratishta... that is the most important thing and uniqueness of Sabarimalai... )

When Ayyappa avatara took place he renounced his prince hood and left his ayudhams one by one on each of the step of Pathinettampadi... and merged with Sastha

Further 18 siddha purushas who wanted to serve the Lord, installed their divine presence in the 18 steps to serve him as well as bless the devotees..

Just imagine, the Swami is same everywhere.. at Achankovil, Aryankavu or Kulathupuzhai, Coimbatore or Banglore... But the 18 steps are unique here... You can see the Lord even without the vrutham. But you cannot step the Padinettampadi without Vrutham... Thats its speciality..

Bcoz.. By climbing the steps - You are actually stepping the zone of a Particular devata who guards it... and only if you have the Vrutha Balam - you qualify - "you pass the exam" - you are blessed.

(These devatas are worshipped during the Padi Pooja - this detail is not known or not revealed to many.. I can humbly claim that Iam blessed to have the actual process and the actual list of devatas of all the 18 steps along with their dhyanam - moola mantram and everything)

Now you can see - Every statement given above is true...

And thats not the end...

Every divine aspect has a direct side and an esoteric meaning... For Example Rama's war with with Ravana to unite with Seetha - is not a mere story but the aikyam of Jeevathma and Paramatma

Similarly the 18 steps has an esoteric meaning -

that one who conquers the 18 Gunas becomes Bhagawan... thats THATHVAMASI

Each year you follow the Vrutham to 100% sincerity, you climb one step or rise one level in your spiritual progress... the inner refinement happens.. (that is the actual purpose of Sabarimalai yatra.. if this is not happening.. there is no use even if you go 1008 times)

Similarly when you overcome the 18 gunas... you become pure and attain the state of oneness with the Lord - the state is called THATHVAMASI.

THATHVAMASI is a Maha Vakyam from the Vedas meaning - "You know that you and that are One"..

Unfortunately, we have neither understood the direct meaning nor the esoteric meaning

Let that evercompassionate Lord bless us with the Gnana and Bhakti and the inner drive to understand His significance...

Malikapurathamma Temple

During the construction of Sabarimala Temple the king of Pandalam was assisted by the whole villagers of Perunad. Two brothers belonging to Siva Vellala community were prominent among them.The elder brother settled at Ranni-Perunad. After the completion of the work at Sabarimala king entrusted the key of the Perunad Kakkattukoickal Sree Dharmasastha temple to Sri.Velupillai the elder son of the elder brother.The younger brother settled at Erumeli in the house by name Putheveedu where the sword used by Lord Ayappa to kill mahishi is still being kept. Lakhs of Ayappa devotees visit here every year for Darsan.The famous Erumelipettathullal which is unique for communal harmony also passes through this house.

When Sri Velupillai became very old he settled at Ranni - Perunad and made a Shrine for Malikappurathamma the holy avtar of Saraswathi,Lakhmi and Parvathi at Peunad similar to that of Sabarimala and offered poojas to

Malikappurathamma. After the holy demise of Sri Velupillai one of his close relatives Sri. Kudaikanal Kochukunju pillai Constructed a two storied ‘Malika’ for Malikappurathamma and for the ‘Saint’ .

As time rolled this malika became very old and dilapidated. So the construction of new temple was found inevitable. Accordingly as per instructions of scholars and temple architects this malika was rebuilt by Sri. P.K Sreedharan Pillai,Padmavilasom Koyikkamannil one of the members of younger generation of Sri Velupillai with the help of devotees . The construction of the new temple was completed in the year 1996. The famous Nayattuvili (Recitals of the story of Lord Ayappa ) is still being performed by the younger generation of Sri.Velupillai at Sabarimala Temple, Perunad Kakkattukoickal Sree Dharmasastha temple and. Erumeli Lord Ayappa temple.

The holy ceremony of incarnation in the temple was conducted by Brahma Sri Kandararu Neelakantararu, Thazhamon Mattom, the Chief Priest of Sabarimala. All rituals in connection with the incarnation Ceremony was conducted in the auspicious presence and guidance of the chief priest.

The responsibilities to maintain, manage and conduct of poojas in temple were entrusted to the ‘KVMS’ Perunad Union. In order to facilitate smooth functioning of the day to day affairs and administration of the Devi temple at Ranni-Perunad, a temple trust,namely Malikapurathamma Devi temple trust has been formed and registered as per law.

The temple is located on the way to Sabarimala. Lakhs of Ayyappa devotees travel through this highway during Sabarimala Pilgrim season for the holy darsan of Lord Ayyappa. Now the trust is implementing several schemes and programmes including providing of refreshments and retiring facilities to Sabarimala Pilgrims in addition to the development projects of the Devi Temple.But due to financial constraints the trust is not in a position to carryout the proposed devolopment project.The Temple trust appeals all noble hearted devotees to join hands with the trust to accomplish the aforesaid projects. Special efforts are being taken to offer facilities for the Ayyappa devotees on their way to Sabarimala Temple.

Participating in the venture for the development of a temple is really sacred and great. It is the rarest of rare chances in one’s life. By joining hands with such a mission not only the present generation but the forthcoming generation also will be blessed.

Sankatahara Chathurthi

Sankata Hara Chaturthi or Sankashti Chaturthi or Sankat Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the Chaturthi or Chavithi, the fourth day of Krishna Paksha during every month. Sankatahara Chaturthi which comes on Tuesday is referred to as Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi. Devotees of Lord Ganesh consider the Sankat Vinayaka vratam as highly auspicious. They observe upvaas on whole day and perform Sankat Ganesh Puja in the evening and break their fast after Chandra darshan (seeing the Moon God).
The significance, spiritual importance and the greatness of Sankatahara Chaturthi is mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana and the Narasimha Purana. Sankashti Chaturthi mahatmya was narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhistira.
The legend or story or Vrat Katha of Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi is associated with King Shursen, Lord Indra and sage Brushundi. The legend or katha goes like this:
Once God Indras Vimana (plane) returning to home from sage Brushundi (a great devotee of Lord Ganesha), was going above king Shursens kingdom. One person who has done many sins in his life saw that plane in the sky. With his single look the plane landed on the ground. Surprised by the brightness of the plane, king went to see the plane.
The king was very much pleased and saluted God Indra. He asked God Indra the reason for landing of the plane. God Indra told him that a sinner from your kingdom looked at the plane, due to his sins the plane landed on the ground. King Shursen asked Lord Indra how the plane could start again.
Lord Indra told him that today is Panchami, yesterday was the Chaturthi. A person, who fasted yesterday, gives his virtue to me then my plane will start. Soldiers searched the whole kingdom for the person who did fasting on Chaturthi. But unfortunately no one was there.
At the same moment some soldiers saw a recently dead woman being taken away by Ganesh-Duta (a soldier of Lord Ganesha). They asked him that how can you take such a sinner woman to Ganesh loka. Ganesh-Duta replied that yesterday whole night she was in sleep and had not eaten anything. She woke up late night after moon-rise and ate some food. Without knowing it she did Sankashti Chaturthi upvas vratam . She died today.
The soldier also said that a person, who does Sankashti Chaturthi at least once in life-time, goes to Ganesh loka or Swananda loka after death. Soldiers requested Ganesh-Duta to give that womans body to them so that the plane could start. But he refused to give virtue of that woman to soldiers. The wind which blew from the dead womans body diffused at the place where the plane of Lord Indra was stopped. The air was made virtuous with the air diffused from the dead body of woman. It means that the wind that touched the virtuous body of dead woman also become virtuous.
This story tells the significance of Sankashti Vinayaka Chavithi and signifies the spiritual importance of Sankata chavithi vratam fasting.
Devotees of Lord Ganesh believe that if a person who observes Sankshta Chathurthi vrat would collect lot of virtues. The person goes directly to the Swanand-loka where he can enjoy the prosperity and blessings of the Lord. There is a strong belief in Hinduism that a person takes seven births before she/he gets Moksha (salvation) but, the person who will do the Sankashta-Chathurthi will go Ganesh loka or Swanand loka directly and his rebirth will be stopped.

Mandala Masam

Devotees intending to go on Sabarimala pilgrimage are to observe vratha (austerity) for 41 days for darsanam during the Mandala puja at Sabarimala. Mandala pooja means pooja done for the period of a Mandala. A Mandala is of 41 days. Normally Sabarimala temple is open only for 5 days from the 1st of each of the Malayalam calendar months. Apart from these poojas there will be occasions like the major festivals of Kerala when puja is conducted during the festival period. The only occasion when the temple is open continuously for a long period of days is during the Mandala puja. This year the Mandala puja culminates on the 27th of December. Then again the temple will open after a few days for the most important occasion of the temple, the Makara Vilakku. For Sabarimala the Mandala period starts on the 1st day of Malayalam month Vrishcikam (generally falls at the beginning of the 2nd half of November) till around the 25th to 27th of December. The vrathas starts with the devotee putting on the Thulasi Mala or Rudraksha Mala with a dollar of Lord Ayyappan in it. After wearing the Mala the most important aspects of the vratha is the strict adherence to abstinence, avoiding all sorts of sensual pleasures, maintaining extreme purification of body and mind of the devotees. They have dress code to observe so that they are identified as the Ayyappan devotees and others take care not to do things which may interfere with the purification process of the devotees.

The daily routines prescribed include getting up early in the morning and finishing the morning routines and take bath. After bathing they are to apply the sacred ash and sandal paste on forehead and do pooja to the Lord and other family deities. It may take around 1 hour time. In the evening too they have to take bath and pray like in the morning. The devotees after starting the vratha are called as Ayyappans or swami. They are not to use non vegetarian eatables, tobacco and liquor during the period of the Mandala vratha observance. This period may be 41 days or 56 days depending on the individual pilgrim concerned. Many of the devotees observe the code for 41 days and go to Sabarimala for darsanam after the observance of the austerity. The Mandala Pooja at the Sabarimala temple is done on the 41st day. This year it is on the 27th December, 2011. Throughout the period from 1st Vrishcikam to the Manadala puja day and then for the Makara vilakku period which is around 14th January devotees come in thousands for darsanam of the Lord to Sabarimala. In between the Mandala puja and the Makara vilakku puja some of the days the temple will be closed.

Some people observe the vrathas till the 1st of Makaram month of Malayalam calendar. The Makara sankranthi day normally on 14th January (1st of Makaram – transition from Dhanu month to Makaram), the start of Utharayana kaalam (Sun's journey towards north) is the most auspicious day at Sabarimala and the next most important day is the Mandala puja day normally falls in the 4th week of December. Since recently the temple is open to devotees on the 1st to 5th of each of the Malayalam months and other important festivals days of Kerala like the 'Vishu' (Malayalam New year day – usually on April 14th) and Thiru Onam etc. However as per the conditions of the pilgrimage, devotees are to observe 41 days austerity - vrahta.