Dasa Maha Vidya-Adi Parasakthi in 10 different forms

Devi Adi Parasakthi, the creator and protector of all worlds and the Supreme Gods the 'Trinities', has given darshan to the gods including the Trinities in ten forms at different times and in different moods suited to the occasion. The manifestation of the ten forms is known as Dasa Maha Vidya. The most powerful divine spirit of the Dasa Maha Vidya is the Sree Bagalamukhi Devi worshipped by Mahadeva, an embodiment of Tamas. Like for the other gods and goddesses the Vedic Sastra Vidhi or Aagama Sastra Vidhi are not to be adopted in consecrating and worshipping Bagalamukhi Devi. In the worship and other related rituals, strict adherence is essential. Even a slightest deviation will result in severe punishment to the priest due to Devi's anger. Among the ten divine forms, known as Dasa Maha Vidya of Devi Parasakthi, Mathangi, Bhuvaneswari, Tripurasundari, Mahalakshmi, these four forms are in the Satwa guna, Mahakali, Tara, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta are in Rajas guna and Dhoomavathi is in Tamas guna. But Bagalamukhi Devi is the embodiment of all the three qualities - Satwa, Rajas and Tamas. Hence the omnipotent Bagalamukhi Devi can be made easily angry and easily pleased.

Performing the Bagalamukhi Navakshari mantra yaga and doing Sarvaroga Samana mantra homam on the Suklashtami day will enable you to get rid of Pithru Saapam, the sins of the previous birth and Rahu dosha and you will be hale and healthy.
On the full moon day in the night in the Bagalamukhi Maha Mantra yaga, doing the Paramanna homa with Bhagyasooktha and Mangala sooktha mantra will drive away the ill effects of the marriage and will provide Subha Mangalya Sidhi (marriage), Santhana Sidhi (children), good married life, wealth, employment, promotion and higher education and will fulfill all your requirements.

Abhicharadosha shanthi manthram (To remove Black Magic )

Om hreem bagalamukhi mama sarva sathruprayuktha
sarvadushtagraha badhaan kshipram yadhasthaney uchhatayo
uchhatayo hum phut swaahaa:

To know more on Bagalamukhi Devi visit : http://sreebagalamukhidevitemple.org/

Bala Tripura Sundhari- She is the foremost and the most important in Dasha-Mahavidyas. Her consort is Maha Kameswara.She is the highest aspect of Goddess Adi Shakti.Parvati is the complete incarnation of Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari.

Bhuvaneshwari is the fourth of the ten Mahavidya goddesses and an aspect of Devi or Durga as elements of the physical cosmos, in giving shape to the creation of the World. Her consort is Shiva. Bhuvaneshwari is known as the sovereign Queen of the Universe!

Chhinnamasta is associated with the concept of self-sacrifice as well as the awakening of the kundalini – spiritual energy. She is considered both as a symbol of self-control on sexual desire as well as an embodiment of sexual energy, depending upon interpretation. She symbolizes both aspects of Devi: a life-giver and a life-taker. Her legends emphasize her sacrifice – sometimes with a maternal element, her sexual dominance and her self-destructive fury.

She is often called tender-hearted and a bestower of boons. Dhumavati is described as a great teacher, one who reveals ultimate knowledge of the universe, which is beyond the illusory divisions, like auspicious and inauspicious. Dhumavati is described as a giver of siddhis (supernatural powers), a rescuer from all troubles, and a granter of all desires and rewards, including ultimate knowledge and moksha (salvation). Her worship is also prescribed for those who wish to defeat their foes. Dhumavati's worship is considered ideal for unpaired members of society, such as bachelors, widows, and world renouncers as well as Tantrikas.

Matangi: She is considered to be the Tantric form of Sarasvati, the goddess of music and learning. Like Sarasvati, Matangi governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts and gaining supreme knowledge.

Tara is the second of the Dasa (ten) Mahavidyas or "Great Wisdom [goddesses]", is a form of Durga. Tantric manifestations of Durga or Mahadevi, Kali, or Parvati. As the star is seen as a beautiful but perpetually self-combusting thing, so Tara is perceived at core as the absolute, unquenchable hunger that propels all life.

associated with empowerment, or shakti. She is the fierce aspect of the goddess Durga.The name of Kali means black, time, death, lord of death; she is therefore called the Goddess of Time, Change, Power, and Destruction.

                                                                       

Bagalamukhi Devi smashes the devotee's misconceptions and delusions (or the devotee's enemies) with her cudgel. She is also known as Pitambara Maa in North India. "Bagalamukhi" is derived from "Bagala" (distortion of the original Sanskrit root "valgā") and "mukha", meaning "bridle" and "face", respectively. Thus, the name means one whose face has the power to capture or control. She thus represents the hypnotic power of the Goddess. Another interpretation translates her name as “crane faced”.

Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Bhairava. She is also called Shubhamkari, good mother to good people and terrible to bad ones. She is seen holding book, rosary, and making fear-dispelling and boon-conferring gestures.

Lakshmi or Kamala Is the Devi in the fullness of her graceful aspect. She is believed as the tenth Mahavidya. Kamalatmika has a golden complexion. The name Kamala means "she of the lotus" and is a common epithet of Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is linked with three important and interrelated themes: prosperity and wealth, fertility and crops, and good luck during the coming year.

Meenakshi Amman Kovil, S Ramachandrapuram, Saduragirimalai

The following temple is my all time favorite. This temple is in my husband's village near Srivilluputtur, TamilNadu. Sadhuragiri is 12 km from this place. This is a beautiful village.

This is a very quiet temple. As you enter, you're welcomed by a huge Ant-house ( Pambu puthu) that sits under a wide banian tree. This is a beautiful temple. The temple has been renovated now, however, this wasn't always the case. Here is the story of this temple that sends chills down the spine.

This is an ancient Meenakshi Amman temple built by one of the Pandias. Although there is not much information on the builder, this temple is not as big as, and as crowded as Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple, in fact, it is quite the opposite. 40-50 years ago this temple was in ruins. Three men from weavers community(Saliar) decided to clean the temple. The poisonous plants, cobwebs, snakes, scorpions and other venomous creatures hidden under tall weeds and grass did not deter this team from cleaning the place. The team consisted of an old man, a middle aged man and a teenager. The village was poverty stricken, and most of the villagers were weavers. They did not make a lot of money from weaving.  Although they were in poverty, their love for the temple and Meenakshi Amman was very rich. After weaving, everyday the men gathered at the temple to clean it. In the process of cleaning they discovered old scrolls on occult science. If one follows the instruction from the scroll, how actually one can meet Meenakshi goddess in person! The team did not use it right away, as cleaning was still in progress. They successfully removed the weeds and cobwebs that decorated the temple for centuries. In the cleaning process, the team moved to sacred sanctum. As they kept cleaning inside the sacred sanctum, they found the main idol of presiding deity. They were completely bewitched by the beauty of Meenakshi amman Idol that stands on the alter.  Found more scrolls on Tantric practices,  and secret passage in the sacred sanctum. To this day, no one knows where the other end of the passage leads too.

They successfully cleaned the temple. And they were madly in love with the Meenaksh Amman. Determined to meet her, they first started yagna or homa, and bought murukku, and a banana or two, as that is all they could afford for the Homa. Started the homa inside the sacred sanctum. All they chanted was 'Om meenakshiE Namaha'. They were not trained vedic priests and did not know any mantra. They started the homa hoping to meet the goddess. The smoke from the homa filled the room to dangerous level, and as a result they couldn't finish it. They were forced to abandon the homa in the middle. They were staunch devotees and was very determined to meet the Amman. After the first failed attempt, they decided to follow steps/ Instruction from the old tantric scrolls. It involved some of the gory steps. 

This project was led by the old man. Although, they were weavers by profession, they were also avid hikers and hiked the beautiful Saduragiri hills, part of Western Ghats. They knew flora and fauna like back of their hands. The senior most member guided the team. They went on a wild hunt to get the tantric ingredients. When Tantric methods are not followed as per the scrolls, that can turn dangerous.  In the middle of the process, the team lead lost his vision on both eyes, and the other two dropped the idea. The other two did not lose hope, but did abandon the tantric way at once. Knowing it is too dangerous to pursue to meet goddess they quit. They went back to do their work, and also taking care of the temple, and doing daily priestly duties. The blind, retired from the temple duty. Also, he never got back his vision and died blind. 

It was understood, one was an assistant priest and the middled aged man was the main priest at the temple. One day on a hot summer afternoon when the senior of two was away, a lady barged in to the temple. Seeing the lady, the young teenager, who was alone and cleaning the temple lamps and other temple utensils decided to stop this woman from entering in to the temple. It was afternoon and technically, temple was closed. The lady, walked past him into the temple's sacred sanctum. He followed behind. He was very upset at the woman, and angrily asked: 'who are you? Temple is closed now, come later!' To which, the woman replied with a smile: ' I thought you wanted to see me'. The young priest was puzzled by her answer. As he kept staring at her, the lady who was wearing kandangi Saree, changed her avatar and revealed her true-self--Meenakshmi Amman. The priest was taken back. The goddesses was so pleased by the priest and said: 'I'm pleased by your love and affection. Thank you for renovating the temple. As a token of appreciation, i will teach you the mantra. Whenever you need something recite it.' After teaching him the mantra, the goddess vanished.  

The young priest was in a shock & surprise state. He couldn't believe it was the divine mother, who just visited him. He wanted to know if  he was dreaming or hallucinating. Also was very excited to use the divine mantra, so sitting in the sacred sanctum he wished for 2 bananas recited the mantra. When he opened his eyes, he saw 2 bananas in front of him! He now knew he wasn't dreaming. Armed with the sacred mantra, he continued to ask for more expensive things like money, gold etc. The young priest, for whatever reasons, did not tell the other priest of his experience with the divine mother. The sudden rise in his financial status made everyone in the village to take notice. The other priest too noticed. He wanted to know how he is able to afford, when having a square meal in itself is a difficult task. Finally, the young priest spelt the bean. After listening to his rendezvous with the goddess, out of spite, the cheif priest took promise from the assistant that he should never use the mantra ever again in his life. The young priest obliged; and stopped using it out of respect. The family of the other priest took over the Temple maintenance and other temple works. To this day, their family takes care of the temple, and the sacred utchava murthy is at their home.

Today, this young priest is 60+ years old works as the main priest at the Sundara Mahaligam --Anandavalli temple, Sadhuragirimalai. This story was narrated to me by the priest himself during one of my Navaratri visits to Sadhuragirimalai in 2011. There were others who also endorsed the story. He remembers it like it was yesterday. He also tells me has seen many UFO descend on Sadhuragiri hills. BTW, if you're visiting Sadhuragiri hills, please visit this temple which is in S Ramachandrapuram ( Patti a Kal, Bus-Stop). 

Temple Festival:

Meenakshi Amman pongal is celebrated in May-June month. All villagers no matter, which part of the country they are in, come to celebrate this festival. This is a huge festival. 

Surutapalli Temple, Sayana Shivan

14-12-13 SATURDAY
Surutapalli Temple Sani Pradosham

ABOUT 56 KM from Chennai, on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border, is a small village called Surutapalli, which houses the only "Sayana Sivan" (sleeping Shiva) called Pallikondeswarar. The temple has an interesting history which is as follows: Once Indra lost his kingdom and found that only if he consumed the Divine Nectar he could rule. So there was a tug of war between the devas and asuras to obtain this nectar. The Devas and Asuras got together to churn the ocean, using Mandramalai & Vaasuki, the snake. As they continued to churn the ocean, Vaasuki the snake began to tire and started spewing its poison. Siva came and consumed all the poison. Thus Siva became blue up to his throat and is also known by the name "Neelakandan" ( neela-blue colour, kandam-throat).Goddess Parvati rushed and held his neck so that the poison would not spread to the whole of his body. Shiva then became drowsy and selected a village called Surutapalli (near Chennai), where he is seen sleeping on the lap of Parvathi. This is the only temple that houses Lord Shiva in a sleeping position.Narada, meanwhile, passed on the message and down came the Devas, Brahma, Vishnu and the Saptarishis, to have darshan. They were promptly stopped by Nandi who asked them all to come after some time, as Shiva was resting. All of them waited. Shiva, when he woke up, was filled with extreme happiness and danced ("Ananda Thandavam"). This day, when the Devas, Brahma, Vishnu, Narada and Saptarishis had Shiva darshan was a Krishnapaksha Trayodasi (Stiravaram, Saturday). This is the Mahapradosham day. Pradhosham, generally, is a significant occasion observed with great piety at all Shiva temples. It is believed that all the Devas & Gods are assembled in the Shiva temples during Pradosham time. Further, the first pradosham was on a Saturday & hence "Sani Pradosham" is even more auspicious.

Thanks to Mr. Narayanan Dharmaraj for letting us know about this unique Shiva temple :) 

Surutapalli temple, Sayana Sivan, lord shiv, Hindu temples etc. 

Mahabharata Audio Series - written and read by Sriram Raghavan

This is a beautiful English narration of Mahabarata by Sriram Raghavan. You can play this to your little  prince and princess like I do. I have a 8 months old and she loves what she hears. For you hearing pleasure here I present Sriram Raghavan's Mahabaratha audio Series. You can listen to such beautiful stories on his youtube channel and get updates from his facebook page .  Also, I will be uploading his videos here. Also leave me your feedback in the comment section.

Thank you for being such loyal readers.

Jai Sri Ram!

Boo Varahaswamy Temple, Mysore

Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple is located in a tiny village named Kalhalli on the banks of river Hemavati. This is one of the prominent places near Mysore.  The temple is dedicated to the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Varahaswamy or the wild Boar form.The deity is supposed to have mysterious powers.The idol is 18 feet tall, is monolith made of grey stone.  The god is in a sitting pose with goddess Bhoodevi seated on his left lap.

History: The temple is said to be more than 2500 years.It is also called punyakshetra or holy region where Great sage Gautama performed penance.According to legend king Veera Ballala while he was hunting he got lost in this forest .while he was resting under a tree he saw a unique thing happening in front of his eyes a hunting dog was chasing a rabbit, when they reached a particular spot, the rabbit turned back and started chasing the dog.

Looking at this strange event the king new there was some magical powers in that place.  He dug up the place and he found the diety of Pralaya Varahaswamy hidden under the layers of earth.  The king then built a temple and offered prayers everyday.  Even today you can see the temple which has weathered severe floods and storm to tell the tale.

The river Hemavati flows graciously beside the temple.Though the river appears calm there are strong undercurrents which prevents people from swimming here.  In fact the dept of the river in the centre even till today is not known.During monsoon the water level reaches the temple wall and submerges the adjoining areas.  When the water recedes during the months of April or May “Varaha Jayanthi” is celebrated, it is an annual fair.

How to get there: It is on Bangalore Mysore Highway. The village is 32 kms from Pandupura which comes under KR Pet taluk of Mandya district. KalhaliiGangikere is the nearest bus stop for KSRTC buses and Kalhalli is 2kms from here.

Special Thanks to Raagi Mudhe of karnataka.com

Sri Mundaka Kanniamman temple, Mylapore, Chennai

This Temple is around 1000 years old. In the olden days there was a lotus pond in this place. Under the Banyan tree in the banks of this pond, Ambal manifested herself in swayambu form.  In the beginning, the devotees erected a small hut as sanctum for Ambal and worshipped her.  Later, an elaborate temple was structured.  Since there has been no sanction from Ambal, the Prime sanctum continues to be the hut.  It is said that Ambal in order to indicate simplicity lives in the hut and graces us. Ambal’s swayambu form of this holy place looks like a lotus bud. Hence, she is called ‘Mundaka Kanniamman”.  ‘Mundakam’ means ‘lotus’. The significant feature is of the trident, the primary weapon of Devi, seen at the center of the swayambu form. 

The swayumbu Goddess Sri Munda KanniAmman

The Naga (sacred snake of the temple)

A portrait of the Amman

Uchava Murthi

Temple Tree

The traditional belief is that Mundaka Kanniamman holds the power of the Trinity – Siva, Vishnu and Brahma.  The Banyan tree is behind Ambal’s sanctum.  Within the tree is the snake-cove and beside the tree is the sanctum of Naaga Devathai. Those with serpent-curse, worship the Naaga Devathai by offering milk, rose-water, turmeric abishekam and by lighting ghee-lamp.  On the left of the Prime sanctum, the procession Ambal graces us seated on the throne, flanked in both sides with Simha Vahanam – lion carriers.  In the prakaaram are the sapta kannikas appearing in the linga form. Jamadagni Maharishi and his son Parasuramar are seen as security gods on both their sides.  In front of the temple is Lord Vinayaka under the pipal tree.  Those with serpent-curse install Nagar (serpent) images under this tree.  This is the holy place where Vaayilaar, one of the Nayanmar and Peyaalvaar, one of the aalvaars were born.  Around this temple are the famous  Kapaleeswarar temple,  Parthasarathy and Madhavap Perumal temples.  By having the darshan of Mundaka Kanniamman, we can also go to these temples.

The Ambal is swayambu and appear with twin arms and donned with serpent crown.  There is a small vimanam constructed above her, in which are the female doorkeepers.  During the abishekam  performed from morning 6.00 to 11.30 we can worship the swayambu form of the Amman.  A fee of Rs.150/- is collected from the devotees to participate in the abishekam function.

Those who pray to her offer turmeric, sandal, saffron powder, kaappu and also annabishekam.  Generally, only in the Siva temples, the Lord is worshipped performing annabishekam.  Since the Ambal here is an aspect of Parvati Devi, she is worshipped by performing annaabishekam.  To prepare the Pongal offering to her, the temple uses only the dried cowdung.  The residue ashes are distributed as prasaadam.

1008 flower-basket Abishekam   :  The main prasaadma in this temple are the neem leaves, lime fruits, turmeric and holy water that are offered toAmman during prayer.

At the frontage of the Ambigai’s sanctum are the saptakannikas (the seven virgins) Brahmi, Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Kaumari, Indirani and Chamundi in the sculpture forms.  The whole of Aaadi and Thai months festivals are celebrated.  The ‘Porridge distribution’ festival in the month of Aadi and the ‘Pongal offering’ in the month of Thai are very famous festivals.  The 1008 Flower-basket abishekam on the last Friday of Aadi, the 108 Lamp Pooja on the last Friday of Thai and on the Chithira Pournami day, the 1008 Milk-pot abishekam are important features.  On the ninth day of the Navarathiri festival, Ambal in the guise of Mahishasuramarthini goes in procession along the streets.   There is also a practice amidst the devotees who take vow to her of going round the sanctum wearing neem leaves attire. Every evening Ambal goes in procession in her golden chariot.  The fee to participate in this is Rs.1000/-.

Those afflicted with chickenpox, by praying to her gets relief is the stern belief.  Devotees who confront impediments in getting married and those affected with eye diseases also pray to her.  By lighting 23 lamps, people pray to her to attain rank in studies.

When their prayers are fulfilled, the devotees perform abhishekam to Ambal and do ‘angaprathakshinam’ (body-rolling around the sanctum).

Text courtesy : dinamalar.com

Image Courtesy: dinamalar.com

Sri MariyAmman Temple - Punainallur,Thanjavur

This temple is situated at Punnainallur, a small village near Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India. 

The history states that, before waging a war with the demon Tanja of Tanjore, Lore Siva stationed the Ashta Saktis (eight powers) one at each of the eight directions, and the one stationed at the eastern direction is now the presiding deity of this temple. In the year 1680, when the Maharashtra king Venkoji Maharaja Chatrapati (1676 - 1688) of Tanjore was on a pilgrimage at Samaya- puram, where there is a famous temple dedicated to Kali, Mariamman appeared to the King in his dream and told him -that she (the idol) was in a forest of Punna trees at a distance of about 3 miles from Tanjore. The King lost no time in rushing to the spot indicated to him and recovered the idol from the jungle. 

The goddess cures her devotees of all physical ailments. A charismatic yet considerate form is seen here. Mud replicas of the different parts of the human body are placed in the temple as offering and pleading the mother for cure. This temple was constructed at the place and the idol installed and so the deity of this temple is known as Punnainallur Mariamman. It is said that the daughter of Tulaja Raja (1729-35) of Tanjore, who lost her eyesight in an illness, regained it on offering worship at this temple.

In general all fridays are special, in particular the fridays of the tamil month Aadi will be more special. Devotees throng the temple in August/September, the season which relates a lot with this goddess. Sundays are considered to be the most auspicious days for worshipping the Goddess, when huge crowds mainly consisting of womenfolk and children pay their homage. Poojas listed here are applicable for this temple only.The tariff shown are not actual cost payable to the temple. It includes our service charge, cost of pooja items and Delivery charges.