Destinations:Andhra Pradesh (AP)

Kapilatheertham:

A sacred Tank a mile and a half distant from Tirupati, where Lord Shiva is said to have blessed Sage Kapila with a vision of himself and his concert.

Govindaraja Swamy Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Govindaraja Perumal in contradistinction of the Venkatachalapathi shrine at the top of the hill. There is also a tower called Galigopuram, which is very famous. There are shrines of Sri Andal, Sri Parthasarathy and Sri Venkateswara in the temple.

Sri Kondandarama Swamy Temple

This temple is dedicated to Sri Rama is situated with n a distance of about a kilometer from Tirupati railway station. This temple was built to commemorate the visit of Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita to Tirupati, while returning from Lanka.

Regional Science Center

The Regional Science Center is established by the Central Government for the benefit of School Children in particular and public in general to create the awareness about the scientific procedures and importance of Science education to human life. The Science Center conducts different Programmes for Teachers and Students regularly to improve the quality of Science Education. The Science Center also conducts science Exhibitions at least once a quarter, where in, they propagate the recent innovations in Science and Technology and provide guidance to the teachers in exploring the locally available resources and improvisations to make their Class room teaching effective.

S.V.Zoological Park

The changed concept of exhibiting wild animals in cramped cages to that of vast natural and simulated enclosures, has established the zoological Parks world over as centers of wild life conservations and environmental education in addition to research and recreation. The Andhra Pradesh Forest department which had two of India's Best Zoos to its credit at Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, has set up its third venture at Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, with a daily visitation of about fifty thousand people from all

corners of the Country and a number of Academic and Professional Educational Institutions, Ideally suited to achieve the objectives of an ideal Zoological Park, named as Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park extending an area of 5532 acres.

Srinivasa Mangapuram:

It is a place where a temple dedicated to Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy, situated at a distance of 12 km on Tirupati Madanapalli Road. Puranas says that Lord Venkateswara Swamy after his Kalyanam with goddesses Padmavathi Devi at Narayana Vanam while proceeding to Tirumala Hills had stayed here for six months on the bank of the river Kalyani on the advice of Agastheeswara Maharshi. Hence this temple is named Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy.

Tiruchanur

In Tiruchanur which is five kilometers from Tirupati is the temple of Alamelumaga, the consort of the Lord on the top of the hill. A visit to Tirupati will not be completed unless a Darshan of this Goddess is also had.

Chandragiri Fort:

Chandragiri came in to prominence during the last days of Vijaya Nagar Empire. The Fort is said to have been built in 1000 A.D. and was later improved by the Vijaya Nagar Kings. The Fort is built on a Huge rock above 183 mts height. With in the wall of this fort lie the ruins of Palaces and Temples. Near the Fort there are two big Buildings, known as Mahals which are formerly used by the member's of the Royal Families. They present good examples of Vijaya Nagar architecture.

Kalyani Dam:

The scenic, Picturesque Tourist and Picnic spot Kalyani dam constructed on the river Kalyani, is located at a distance of 25 km from Tirupati on Tirupati - Madanapalli Road, attracts number of Tourists from Tirupati and sorrounding villages of Chittoor District

Srikalahasti:

This picturesque religious centre is famous for the temple dedicated to Vayu, the wind god. It is said that the Linga was worshipped by a spider, by spinning a web over it, a snake by placing gem upon the Linga and an Elephant by washing the Linga with water from its trunk and attain Mukti. Hence this place is called Srikalahasthi.

Karvetinagar:

Karvetinagar earlier ruled by Suryavamsa Dynasty with Narayanvanam as their capital. Having special importance of this place due to rabit hunding dog, the rulers of surya dynasty later built their new capital Nagaram at this place by clearing the forest. In Tamil Kadu means forest, and vetti means clearing. Hence this place is known as Kaduvettinagaram and later known as Karvetinagaram which is now the mandal headquarters. The Venugopala Swamy Temple, Skanda pushkarani and the Old Palaces are worth seeing here.

Narayanavanam:

The importance of this village is due to big temple dedicated to Lord Kalyana Venkateswara swamy. It is believed that the marriage of Lord Venkateswara Swamy with Goddess Padmavathi Devi took palce here. This is the temple where in we can see both Venkateswara Swamy along with Padmavathi Devi in one temple complex. This place is famous for handlooms.

Kailasanathakona:

Kailasanathakona water falls are situated in the valley of Nagiri hills near Puttur. The water here is said to be rich in minerals and possess curative properties. Puranas reveal that Lord Kailasanatheswara Swamy attended the marriage of Lord Venkateswara Swamy and Goddess Padmavati at Narayanavanam and selected this water fall for meditation for sometime. Hence this place is called Kailasanathakona which is a picnic, scenic and pituresque spot.

Nagalapuram:

Nagalapuram Temple is said to have been built by Sri Krishnadeveraya in memory of his mother Nagamba. It contains a few rare stone images such as Vinachara, Dakshinamurthy, Hayagriva, Bhuvarbha and Trivikrama. The sun festival is March is very important here. During the festival the first rays of sun falls on the feet of the first day, on the abdomen on the second day, and on the face on the face on the third day. The temple is maintained by the T.T.D and annual Brahmostavam is being celebrated in large scale.

Talakona:

Talakona is famous for the temple of Sri Siddheswara Swamy and the scenic and picturesque water falls in the midst of thich forest. People from Chittor district and neighboring districts will gather on 1st January and Mahasivaratri festival days and week ends to pray god and enjoy the water falls. Puranas says that those who do not have children come here and pray god for children and name their children as Siddaiah or Siddamma. The water falls are four km from the temple.

Gurramkonda:

Gurramkonda is located in between Madanapalli - Rayachoti - Cuddapah road at a distance of 29 km from Madanapalli and 12 km from Vayalpad. This place was ruled by Lieutenants of Tippu Sultan of Mysore and they built a Fort on a huge hill and the Ragini Mahal and used to go to the Fort on Horses. Hence this place is called Gurramkonda, which has got historical and archaeological importance. The Ragini Mahal and Maqbara Tomb and the Fort are worth seeing here.

Reddemmakonda:

Reddemmakonda, the famous Pilgrim center is situated on Madanapalli - Gurramkonda - Cherlopalli - Rayachoti - Cuddapah road. The preceding deity here is a glorified and sanctified village "Lass Reddemma", Who lost her life in an attempt to escape molestation by sensuous lieutenants of Tippu Sultan, who chased her. On reaching huge rock during chase, finding no way to escape, she prayed protection in a sheer helpless state and the rock before her, left a cleavage enabling her to pass through it. Soon after she entered inside the cleft closed affording no entry for chasers. Ever since that time, people around started praying the sacrificed Lass Reddamma for begetting children.

Sompalyam:

Sompalli, which has got architectural importance, is situated in between Mulakalacheruvu and Thambalpalli civil road at a distance of 6 km from Mulkala Cheruvu. A temple of Chennakesava swamy is claimed as one of the finest temples in Andhra districts. A monolith of the most graceful proportions stand in front, presenting a beautiful spectacle. The rich carvings on the kalyana Mandapam are very attractive. According to local tradition a shepherd was responsible for the construction of this temple during Vijayanagar period.

Horsley Hills:

The most picturesque, scenic, picnic and summer resort, Horsley Hills is situated near Madanpalli in Chittoor District at an altitude of 4200 feet above sea level. Mr.W.D.Horsley, a British member of the civil service and then the District Collector of Cuddapah, who found the climate very hot, selected this part as his summer resort on the top of the hills. He constructed two houses, the Kachari Room and Milk Bungalow and developed as summar resort. The Governor's Bungalow, the Forest Bungalow, and Microwave station, View point, Enugumallamma Temple are worth seeing here.

Madanapalli:

Madanapalli is an educational and cultural center from the days of Dr.Anneie-Besant, the great theosophist. The medical institutions like the Government Hospital, M.L.L Hospital, and Rajkumari Amrutkour T.B.Research Center are worth mentioning. Here the climate is pleasant through out the year. The old house of Jiddu Krishnamurthy, the great Philosopher and the founder of Rishi valley public school is also worth seeing here. The said house is now renovated and proposed for housing of Public Library.

Boyakonda:

The famous hill located in between Madanapalli - Punganur - Chowdepalli called Boyakonda, came into prominence in the recent years. Because of location of the famous Gangamma temple on the top of the hill, attracted by more than 20,000 devotees per day, mostly from karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. People will visit this place for praying Gangamma for getting the grievances redressed. The devotees will ask the Ammavaru for flower (Pushpam Aduguta) to know whether their vows will be fulfilled or not.

Gudimallam:

Gudimallam is well known for its unique Sivalinga in the Parasurameswara Temple. The tmeple is of granite stone dated back to the Pallavas - Bana times. An insciption dated 1127 A.D. belongs to the period of Vikrama Chola records the reconstruction of the temple in stone. The sanctum enriches the unique Linga square at the bottom, seven sided in the middle and nut shaped at the top, corresponds to the errect of male organ containing the standing figure of Sivaparameswara over a stumpy dwarf figure in the front side. At present the temple complex has main Parasurameswara shrine.

Kanipakam:

Kanipakam is located on the northen banks of the river Bahuda at a distance of 13 km from Chittoor. The famous shrine of Varasiddhi Vinayaka, the deity of which is believed to be self manifest (swayambhu) and the annual celebrations of Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Brahmostavam on the eve of Vinayaka Chaturthi (Aug - Sep) of the special attractions of this place attracted by about 15,000 devotees from all over the District on this special occation.

Mogili:

Mogili is situated at a distance of 30 km from Chittoor and 10 km from Palamaner on the Chennai - Bangalore highway. It is one of the sacred places in Chittoor District on account of the existence of the Mogileeswara Temple. Shiva is worshipped here under the title of Abbreswara, the Sanskrit form of Mogileeswara or Iswara of the Skies. There is Pushkarini in the premises of the temple with perennial water flow from the mouth of Nandi (the sacred bull) which is a good source of drinking water for public irrespective of seasons. The water coming from Nandi is also a good source of irrigation to local people. On the eve of 1st January, Sivarathri and other festivals about 15,000 tourists per day will visit this place.

Kalyanarevulu - Ganganasirassu Waterfalls Koundinaya Elephant Sanctuary:

The Ganganna Sirrassu and Kalyanarevulu water falls are located on the border of Tamilnadu and Karnataka which form part of the Kaudinya Elephant sanctuary. Both the waterfalls are seasonal, scenic and picturesque. The water flows at a height of 200 feet are attracted by number of tourists, mostly from Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Chittoor District. The four water pools formed due to flow of water on a single rock at Kalyanarevulu (popularly known as Kalyanarevulu). At a distance of 200 feet from Ganganna Sirassu the flow of water stream to a narrow valley, known as Ganganna Valley, shut on all sides by precipitous walls of rock is worth seeing.

Kaigal Water Falls (Dumukurallu Water Falls):

Kaigal Water Falls is popularly known as Dumukuralla water falls located at a distance of 2.5 km from Kaigal village on the Palamner - Kuppam Highway. The popular name Dumukurallu water falls came into Prominence because of its sound resembling the fall of stones from above. The water fall is natural, perennial and water comes from a big rock at a height of 40 feet, irrespective of seasons. The formation of lovely natural pond at water falls and water passing through sand plains with beautiful shrubs are other attractions of this place.

Kangundi:

Kangundi is located at a distance of 16 km from Kuppam on Kuppam - Vijalapuram Road. It is having a great Historical value since 11th century with its Ruined fort, Beautiful temples of excellent artistic value, structures of archeological importance, valleys, forests and Palar river etc., The Kangundi fort is situated on a white granite rocky hillock at the entrance of Kangundi village and it is circular in shape and the bottom resembles a coach.

Kuppam:

Kuppam, the headquaters of the Kuppam Mandal, lies in the South West corner of the Chittoor District is a busy Railway station on the Bangalore - Chennai Railway line. A bone meal Fertilizer factory, Scandal wood oil mills, and Dravida University are located here. Stone cutting and polishing is an important industry at this place. The Someswara Anjenaya, Tirupati Gangamma and Subramanyaswamy are the Temples worshipped here.

Gudivanka:

Gudivanka is located at a distance of 16 km from Kuppam on the borders of Andhra and Karnataka. Here the Subramanyam Swamy Temple (gudi) is located on the top of a hillock, and at the foot of the hillock a small stream called Vanka is flowing. Hence this place is called Gudivanka. People in large numbers do gather here on Adikritika (Kavadi) Festival, during the month of August every year. On the back side of the temple a Reservoir, belongs to Karnataka state is located. It is a religious and picnic spot. The TTD has constructed a Guest House here to provide accomation to the visiting Tourists.

Lets face it. Life is not a bed of roses. There are hurdles to get over and mountains to climb. In numerology, the roadblocks faced in life is called the challenges. The Challenge is a weak point in our Life Path. It is the weak link in the chain of life which must be overcome for us to grow and develop properly. We learn by meeting the challenge, and dealing with it effectively. The nature of the challenge is shown in the Life Path.

Actually, there are three challenges included in your life path. Two that will be called sub-challenges and then a main challenge. Each challenge is represented by a number, and the number reflects the tone of the confrontation. We will again use the month, the day and the year of birth in this calculation. The first step will be to reduce each of these components to a single digit base number. Thus, December 14, 1968, would become month 3 (1+2), day 5 (1+4), and year 6 (1+9+6+8=24; 2+4=6).

The first sub challenge is derived by finding the difference between the month and day of birth. In our example, this would be 5-3=2 first sub challenge.

The second sub challenge is identified by finding the difference between the day of birth and the year of birth. The example would be 6-5=1; the number 1 for a second sub challenge.

The final challenge is identified by finding the difference between the first and second sub challenge. Our example would have a 2-1=1 challenge.

The numbers behind the final challenge will each be a potential problem during half of the life. The first sub challenge during the first part of the life, and the second sub challenge during the second half of the life. The Final Challenge is a potential weakness and problem throughout the entire life.

If you correctly reduced the month, day and year to a single digit (no master number), the difference between the two numbers must be a number from 0 to 8. Here are readings of each of the challenges:

Challenge 0

The obstacles life during this period may not be many, or they may be coming from all directions. The challenge of the number 0 is called the challenge of choice. You are likely to have difficulty acting on your preferences. You are perfectly capable of analyzing a situation and realistically comparing possible solutions. The challenge of 0 may make bring this decision to requisite action very difficult for you. To overcome the challenge, it should be understood that you must have the faith in your own abilities to the extent that you can analyze, make a choice, then act with ease and comfort. This challenge is one that is normally found on in a highly evolved individual and an individual who can be expected to make your own decisions about life and know where the pitfalls lie. To meet the challenge of 0 you must have control of all of the numbers; the independence of 1, the diplomacy of 2, the optimism of 3, the application of 4, the understanding of 5, the adjustment of 6, the wisdom of the 7, the constructive power of 8, the universal service of 9. In other words, to meet the challenge of 0 in your life, you must be a very gifted person.

Challenge 1

The challenge of the number 1 suggests you are likely to feel dominated by others with strong influence, probably parents or others with whom you compete. The challenge of the number 1 is avoidance of being dominated, but doing so in a fashion that does not impose upon or dominate others. With the challenge of the number 1 it's extremely important to control the ego, and avoid the negative aspect of individuality. False pride, pomposity, egotism are issues to be guarded against now. You are now in a period of learning about self-reliance and how to solve your own problems independently. Learn to rely on your wit and your intelligence, avoiding argumentation and resentfulness.

Challenge 2

The challenge of the number 2 suggests you are likely to be extremely sensitive and more or less brimming with feelings. You find it hard to work with people because your are afraid of being criticized or, worse yet, ignored. You have a good deal of self-doubt and a definite lack of self confidence. There is a tendency to constantly worry about the opinion that others have of you. There is likewise a tendency to use this sensitivity in a negative way. Used more positively, your keen sensitivities can be a significant strength, allowing you to be acutely aware of so much of with others rarely perceive. But during this period it will be hard for you to assert yourself and make decisions. You will shy away from positions of authority and responsibility. This can be a time for accumulation of wisdom, as you show patience and pay close attention to detail. Try not to take things too personally. Friendships are a source of deep satisfaction to you during this time. Respect your ability to compromise and grow in a quiet way. Do not let details overwhelm you and keep you from seeing the big picture. Plan for slow growth rather than immediate gain.

Challenge 3

The challenge of the number 3 suggests a tendency to scatter talents and try to do too many things at once during this period of your life. You may have a fine imagination and a gift for words, but you find it hard to express yourself effectively. Though you know you should cultivate friends and be sociable, you tend to be somewhat reclusive and defensive. You may have a talent for writing, acting, or speaking, but you are reluctant to involve yourself with these sorts of activities because you do not like to face the prospects of criticism. You are expressing yourself with a negative emphasis, hiding your creative talents behind a wall of shyness. You must strive to develop yourself in a social and in a creative sense. It's hard to just relax and have a good time.

Challenge 4

The challenge of the number 4 suggests a difficulty with work. Either you simply don't like to work, don't like the work your are forced to do, or you have difficulty completing tasks and working efficiently. You may be careless and lack a sense of practicality. Often this challenge makes it hard to see the forest for the trees when it comes to work and obligations. It is important for you to learn patience, understanding and the practical, common sense way of dealing with mundane responsibilities. You may also need to learn the importance of working within the parameters of a time schedule.

Challenge 5

The challenge of the number 5 suggests that your challenge is to overcome the desire and the demand for freedom at any price. This challenge number is very difficult to handle because, with it, you are apt to be extremely impulsive; you want to try everything at least once, and you are rather unstable in many ways. Change may be necessary for you, but it must be handled in an intelligent and controlled manner. Make certain that the desire for change is not associated with a desire to escape responsibility. In any event, this challenge requires that you learn as early as possible in life to control your impulses.

Challenge 6

The challenge of the number 6 suggests that you may have difficulties because of your insistence on extremely high standards. You are apt to appear authoritarian, intolerant, and a little self-righteous. It is hard for others to live up to your standards of expectation. Many of your considerable talents for balancing situations are used with a negative emphasis. Avoid creating friction in relationships and strive for harmony. You must learn that your diplomatic approach will only be appreciated if others feel that their needs are met, their desires understood, their point of view respected. You must learn to allow others to set their own pace, make their own rules. This challenge requires learning unconditional love and acceptance.

Challenge 7

The challenge of the number 7 suggests difficulties brought on by your discomfort with your own inner feelings; feelings of a reserved attitude and unexpressed emotions. You may feel unable to better your situation, or to change and improve circumstances. There is a tendency with this challenge to be a chronic critic and complainer, while offering little or nothing as a suggest to correct the faults that are found. The sense of discrimination is strong, but it is expressed in a very negative way. A sense of false pride tends to keep your real feelings buried beneath the surface. Avoid a tendency to approach people in a very reserved and aloof way, and develop faith in your own abilities rather than dwelling on your limitations. Marriage is apt to be delayed until this challenge is overcome, or if married, this can be a difficult time.

Challenge 8

The challenge of the number 8 suggests an early life assumption that satisfaction can only be gained and safeguarded by adequate material accumulation. There's likely to be considerable effort exerted to attain money, status, and power, sometimes to the exclusion of almost all else. The number 8 challenge indicates that you are/were using your concern with material matters with negative emphasis. You must learn to use your ability to gain money, status and power with a sense of proportion and an awareness of the relation of material affairs to other matters, and deal with the material world in a comfortable manner.

THE ESSENCES

An additional cycle used in numerology is associated with the name rather than the birth date. This timing method uses the letters in the name in what might be called transits of the name, to arrive at this important cycle information that is called the Essences. The transit begins at birth with the first letter of your first name, the first letter of your middle name, and the first letter of your last name, their values totaled, defining the tone of the year from birth to age one. Then we will go on with these transits finding the Essence of each year of the life.

You'll need to recall those letter values, so here is chart for easy reference:

You must place the letters of your name on this worksheet. Begin with the first letter of your first name. Each letter in this name will last a number of years (from 1 to 9) depending on its numerology number designation. Thus, if the first name was David, a D would be placed under the F (for First Name) column on each of the first 4 years or rows. The value of D is 4. The next year (row) would get a single A, then V for 4 years, I for the next 9, and finally, the last D for the next 4. This would fill the F column for the first 21 years. Then, you would start over and repeat the process using this first name. If you were going to progress the chart through age 60, a third set of the letter in David would be used which would actually progress the chart (under the letter F) to age 63.

Next, you would follow this procedure under the M for middle name. In my chart the name Michael would have the first 4 years filled with the letter M, the 9 years of I, 3 of C, 8 of H, 1 A, 5 Es, and 3 Ls. Since there are 33 years filled with this name, only two sets would be used to progress the middle name past age 60.

Finally, the last name would be set in using the same process.

After the name has been set on the chart in this fashion, the next task is to fill in the 'Letter Value' column. For the name David Michael McClain, the first year would show D M M each having a value of 4. So 4 would be placed under F, M, and L. This process would be followed for each year.

Under the column entitled 'essence of transit', total the letter value (for the first, middle and last name letters) for each year, and show the single digit or master number which is derived from this total. This is the Essence for the year (birthday to birthday).

Here are readings for each Essence:

1 Essence

The Essence of the number 1 signals a time when you are developing new ideas and enlarging on projects that have been around for a while. This will be a period that will bring the opportunity for marked increase in your personal status and recognition. This Essence is often an opportunity to turn a life-long avocation into a money-making vocation. Many new friends and business associations are likely now. Your status in the world may grow, and you may get some recognition for your achievements. One thing may lead to another and you may find many alterations in your life during this essence.

if this essence remains in effect for 3 years or more...

Because this Essence is in effect for such a long period of time, its meaning with regard to change is somewhat confusing. In some cases, this foretells of a series of dramatic ongoing changes, or one considerable change with many years between the beginning and the finale of the alteration.

with a 1 personal year...

The effects of this Essence in a number 1 Personal Year are greatly amplified. It will be very hard for you to choose between the opportunities during this period. You are apt to run into some frustrating situations. You need to be prepared to make careful choices now with an eye on the future value of decisions as opposed to what feels good at the moment.

2 Essence

The Essence of the number 2 is a cycle when everything seems to be consolidating and this is decidedly a period of growth. But often the growth is not without reversals, and there is much emphasis on cooperation and patience. You may find yourself developing relationships, or trying very hard to develop a good relationship. You will likely find yourself working with and hopefully helping others. Conversely, you can expect to get much help from others now. This is apt to be a period of slow development, delays, roadblocks, and obstacles, and the period can be one of great frustration for you in certain ways. There can be a lot of emotions associated with the 2 Essence, and you may become much more sensitive now. Lowered energy and vitality may be experienced throughout the cycle. Confrontations are difficult now, but often necessary.

if this essence remains in effect for 3 years or more...

The 2 Essence remaining in your lifepath for a lengthy period may produce nervous tension due to prolonged high emotions and/or deep frustration due to the delays and problems encountered.

with a 2 personal year...

When this Essence is in effect during a number 2 personal year, emotional conflicts may heighten the tension, upset the sensitivity, and even affect the health. Self-control and a disciplined approach can help maintain a harmonious balance. Plan to move forward slowly, despite periodic detours.

3 Essence

The Essence of the number 3 is a very special time when you feel and experience the joy of living to its utmost. This is a very enjoyable time in your life. You are apt to be making a lot of new friends and renewing old friendships. This is a time for love affairs and expanding the social circle; many activities and good times. You are likely to travel a good bit during this Essence.

The other factor that is associated with the Essence of 3 is that of expression. This is a very good time for you to be interested in the development of creative work, particularly works that involve words...singing, acting, writing. This should be a busy time advancing your talents with classes or study, or for starting or expanding business ventures involving creative endeavors.

Optimism is the operative word for this cycle. This is a very pleasant period, but you must beware of a tendency now to scatter your energies.

when the period extends for 3 years or more...

This long period may allow a significant creative development in a positive and happy time of your life.

3 Essence with 3 Personal year...

Since you are enjoying this three Essence along with a 3 personal year, you may have a great deal of difficulty maintaining your sense of self-discipline. Having too much fun can be a long term mistake. Likewise, this is probably to be a very restless time for you as you may be on the go a great deal.

4 Essence

During this number 4 Essence the events and opportunities coming your way will emphasize a more serious tone. This is a time to buckle down and put the affairs of your life in order. Your attention is apt to be drawn to more practical interests such as dealing with financial matters and your work. The development of opportunities in your life now requires a practical and realistic view along with a lot of hard work, effort, determination and discipline. In many ways you are apt to feel a sense of restriction in your life for a while and you may face some setbacks as the pace of progress slows somewhat. This is a building time and the building is sometimes painfully slow.

if this essence is in effect for 3 years or more...

Since the 4 essence is with you for several years, this period is apt to feel like a never ending struggle. Yet significant gains or accomplishments may be the reward for your hard work and determination during this essence.

with personal year 4...

Since this Essence accompanies a personal year number 4, the feelings of being in a rut are not uncommon. The repressive conditions may be in your mind more than in the work at hand, but the feeling will be there just the same. Be objective about the obstacles you really face because it may be that they are not as formidable as you think.

5 Essence

With the Essence of the number 5 you will find that the events and opportunities coming your way will emphasize freedom and change. Your experiences during this cycle will be sudden, unusual, and unexpected, and you are apt to be dealing with constantly changing circumstances and activities. The ventures in your life now will stress progress, new ideas, and probably new friends. Travel is very likely. There should be a caution here to avoid tendencies to go off in every direction and scatter your forces. Choose your opportunities carefully and thoughtfully. Freedom is great, but be sure to use it in constructive ways that help others and yourself.

period of 5 Essence for 3 or more years

A long period of 5 Essence suggests that it is apt to be a very free-wheeling period. Unless some self-discipline is exercised, most of the energy is likely to be scattered with little accomplishment. If this scattering occurs, there may be feelings of deep frustration.

the 5 essence during a 5 personal year...

This may be a period when you are too free-wheeling and unrestrained. Constant change is not always constant growth and development. Try to maintain a balanced and thoughtful approach to problems and opportunities. Control self-centered interests.

6 Essence

The 6 Essence focuses circumstances and opportunities on the home, the family, and largely on domestic matters. This time is associated with responsibility, but usually the job is close to home or involving those nearest to you, including your close friends. If you are single, this Essence is a very good time for marriage; if married, this is a good time for your marriage. It is a good time to surface any problems that may exist in the marriage and deal with them before they become more serious. This is also a time for children, and it may be a time to have a child. The 6 essence also may and often does involve you in service to your community in some way; assuming responsibility for those outside your immediate family. This is more common if you are older and the need for your services in the immediate family is not apparent.

if 6 essence extends for three years or longer

The idea of intense responsibility is very much a part of your life during this period. Ideally, you will accept responsibilities and thrive in its execution. Resistance to duty now may impart a sense of suppression or isolation. On the other hand, if you meet challenges now, you are apt to become handsomely repaid with love and the devotion of those close to you.

The 6 essence during a 6 personal year

Responsibilities may never seem greater, but the rewards for accepting obligations and meeting the test may never be greater either. This is a year when feeling emotions and sharing them with someone close to you can help the family or community grow stronger and more cohesive. This may be a time when the size of your family grows larger.

7 Essence

During the essence of the number 7, many of the events in your life now will often involve study, a sense of isolation, and an inwardly focused attitude toward yourself. A time of looking for an understanding of fundamentals and pursuing new interests has arrived. You are likely to find yourself withdrawing for a time of reflection and perhaps even meditation, hopefully comfortable with a chance for repose.

When the 7 essence is in effect for 3 years or more...

Since the 7 essence is to be with you for a while, look forward to a time of internality and spiritual growth. You may grow away from others and become much more introspective.

When the 7 essences is joined by a 7 personal year

This can be a period when you become very moody and withdrawn. You may have to force yourself to be social because this seems like an aspect of life that is not important now. While you may actually enjoy your solitude, guard against signs of depression.

8 Essence

The number 8 essence suggests that the trend of events will be pointed toward getting ahead in a material sense and basically taking care of business. This essence normally marks a period when the business and professional reputation is enhanced and ripens. You are apt to reap financial gain now, building or expanding current ventures. Common sense and good judgments will help you achieve goals and make some real progress. This is apt to be a period when you work very hard.

for periods of 8 Essence exceeding 3 years...

This long period 8 essence may be an indication that you are very focused on issues of the career, power, and status. You may have to be reminded to stop occasionally to "smell the roses."

8 Essence with 8 Personal Year

When the 8 essence is joined by an 8 personal year, the stress of you devotion to "getting ahead" can be great. While this is an important period for you relative to the career, your power and status, it is also a time that can take a toll on other aspects of your life.

9 Essence

With the Essence of the number 9 life will tend to have a very dramatic or emotional flair. Your feelings and reactions to events will be very acute. Often this Essence denotes the ending to a significant endeavor, and a marked change in interests of some kind. Usually, additional freedom is a byproduct of the concluding affair. If you are single, there is likely to be an intense or emotional romance. Frequently, this Essence shows involvement with humanitarian endeavors are a constant during the essence period. Endings now may lead to a more useful life.

for periods of 9 Essence exceeding 3 years...

The fact that this is such a long period of 9 essence suggests that it is apt to be a very extended period of passionate feelings, a long drawn out love affair with a prolonged ending, or perhaps a sustained effort of some sort.

when the 9 Essence is coupled with a 9 personal year....

This may be an emotionally draining year which completions coming only with great difficulty. Clear thinking will be difficult but it is a must.

THE PERSONAL YEAR

The Personal Year is helpful in evaluating the trend of the coming calendar year. For a clue as to what lies ahead in the coming year, calculate your personal year using this formula:

First, reduce the month and day of your birth, your birthday, to a single digit. Using my birthday for example, February 8th, that single digit would be 1 (2+8=10; 1+0=1). If your month and day total comes to 11 or 22, the master numbers, in this instance, reduce the number to 2 and 4, respectively.

Next, reduce the year for which you are making the calculation to a single digit. The year 2003 would become 5.

Now, add the single digit representing your birthday to the single digit representing the year in question. Thus, 2003 is a 6 personal year for me.

Calculate your personal year and see the likely trend of events for the year:

Personal Year 1. . . .A New Beginning In Your Life

The current year is the beginning of a new nine year cycle for you. It holds the promise of being an exciting new adventure, with life taking on new challenges that pave the way for the next cycle of nine years in your life. This is a time to clarify your goals and it is a time to act on them. Hard work may be necessary to get a new venture moving. Your physical strength will be up during this year, perhaps higher than it has been for some time, as you have some special needs for this extra energy. If you are unable or unwilling to answer the call to change and make the move in your life the appears necessary now, your prospects may be delayed until the next cycle begins in nine years. Because of this, you feel like an adventure, a major change in your life, something new. New goals should be clearly set and worked toward, as this is really a new beginning of a nine year cycle and it is best not to dwell on the past at this time. This will be fairly easy for you to do because most of the problems and disappointments of the past will tend to disappear, leaving the way open for these new challenges. This is a great time; use it to its full advantage.

Personal Year 2. . . .Development, cooperation, and waiting

This is a number 2 personal year. A personal year 2 is a wait and see time; a year when you will find yourself in the background and very much in a stage of development. This is not a time to force the issue and try to move forward. It is a time for cooperation and building relationships that will benefit you in the future; a year for accumulating and collecting. Aggressiveness will cause problems now. You must be prepared for delays, detours, stoppages and you must be patient. This is a time of small contribution, of helping, and details must be taken care of when they come up. You may give time and effort to further another's work. This year may be a test to your self-control and emotional sensitivities. This is a time to improve your abilities to work with others in a productive way and this can be difficult for you if you have chiefly worked alone in the past. Keep calm, cool, and pleasant. You may experience a degree of nervous tension during this period; the two year brings a tendency to emotional extremes including depression. Very deep relationships with a person of the opposite sex (including marriage) may be more apt to occur during a 2 year. If married, there is apt to be a deepening of feeling in the relationship during a 2 year.

Personal Year 3. . . .Social expansion & creative successes

This is a number 3 personal year. This is a social, happy year, and it generally tends to exude bright and cheerful vibrations. This is a year when you will want to check up on old friends and broaden your social circle to include some new ones. Romance and love affairs may bloom. You are inclined to live life to its fullest now, even if you have to pay the consequences later on. You are likely to be more sociable and the bridle of responsibility will seem to be loosened a bit. You are inclined to scatter your energies and undertake too many things at the same time. You can safely take some time off to enjoy yourself, but resist the temptation to completely give in to having a good time; keep your goals in mind. A 3 personal year is a good time to expand personal creative talents, particularly those related to the arts and verbal skills. Recognition in this regard is likely this year.

While this can be a happy year as far as personal expression and activities are concerned, it may be a disastrous year on the business scene. A generally frivolous attitude in that environment can cause rash decisions and impractical, unfinished schemes. This is not likely to be a very good year for your finances, and it is fortunate that the next year is designed to compensate these effects.

Personal Year 4. . . .Hard work and slow, but steady progress

This is a number 4 personal year for you. The previous year frivolity will now be truly forgotten, as the facts of life are clearly spelled out. This is a year of hard work and effort when one must knuckle down to the task at hand. A year of digging in and hoeing, a reestablishment of self-control. In many ways, however, it is a frustrating year, when considerable effort fails to produce dramatic results. One step forward and two back may seem to be the case most of the time. This is an organizational period and you must look at your current and past performance in a very hard light. It is a time to get organized and bring yourself down to earth. Responsibilities will increase, magnifying the effort and hard work needed to maintain a reasonable level of existence. Health and diet should be carefully scrutinized this year, as physical resistance is low and you may become more susceptible to ailments. A tidying up of affairs is now in order, as you must make ready for a very hectic year ahead.

Personal Year 5. . . . Feeling Loose and Free

This is a number 5 year, a year of major change in your life. Horizons are expanded and growth is less impeded. You are likely to make a number of new friends this year as social activities are expanded. This is a year that has brought/will bring excitement and adventure and a good deal more freedom than you have experienced in recent years. This is a time for feeling loose and free; for moving away from old routines in a constructive way. If you became bogged down during this past year, now is the time to seek out new directions.

The problem with a personal year 5 is the tendency to scatter energies in all directions. Your ability to do detail work is limited now and it will make you feel very confined. In all, this a free-wheeling year that is liable to bring major changes to your life; your career, your family situation, your residence.

Personal Year 6. . . . Love, Family, Home and Responsibility

This is a number 6 Personal Year for you. A personal year 6 tends to bring on increasing responsibilities and a deepening concern for family, loved ones, and close friends. It may be a year when you are called on to make some adjustments in your life, or sacrifices for those in your family or close circle of friends. This is not really a year for major accomplishments, but rather a time to handle those adjustments to your plans that may be necessary or required, and for finishing projects started earlier. Endeavors will seem to be moving so very slowly throughout this year. You should expect to have a very good year so far as family, domestic, and romantic matters are concerned. Your emotional interchange with those who are close to you should be at its very best during this particular year. The important thing is to be willing to accept a slower pace and be sure to enjoy the peace and harmony that the personal year number 6 will bring.

Personal Year 7. . . . a time for analysis and understanding

A 7 personal year promises to be a very introspective year, a period of some pause and reflection between very active years in your life. This year should provide you with some time for gaining some understanding of yourself, and you are apt to spend a good bit of time in contemplation. It will be good for you to spend time alone or in quiet activities, as free from outside responsibilities as possible. You should try to get away from business pressures. This is a good year to reflect on the past and plan for the future. This will not tend to be a year of action, but rather a year of waiting and development. One of the most profitable activities in with to engage during a personal year 7 is that of study and writing, for your ability to think clearly, analyze, and integrate your thoughts is peaked now. Your capacity for research and understanding is at its very best. It would not be unusual for you to take on an appearance of coolness and detachment during a 7 year. Certainly, it is best for you to focus your attention on your talents and your skills in an effort to use the time you have now to refine them. Perhaps you can find the time to gain more education, or simply spend free time in reflection and meditation.

Personal Year 8. . . . Attainment and capital gains

This is a number 8 personal year for you. This is your power year, a period when you can make important strides in you life. Coming after a very slow and introspective period (the personal year 7), you may start feeling some stirrings of ambitions. This is a year of big decisions and major achievements. Activity is your keynote now, and you will find yourself very much involved and occupied. Opportunities for advancement and recognition for past and current work is likely to come about during this year. You have things going for you so long as you take advantage and act. It is easy for you to branch out and expand in a businesslike manner. If you are at all inclined, this is the time to exude self-confidence and authority, because others will tend to be receptive to your leadership and control. Your power and status potential is at a peak of the nine years personal epicycle that concludes at the end of the next year.

Personal Year 9. . . . Reflection and Reaching Out

This is a 9 personal year for you. This is a year of completions, ending, and a time when you are apt to take inventory of the many factors in your life, some of which you are no doubt proud of, and others that you may want to change. You are likely to scrutinize old values, ideals, and the ideas that you thought were important. This should be a time when you become more involved with other's and giving may become more important that merely looking out for yourself. You may also become aware of a lure to commune with nature, as escapist desires become much stronger than in the past. A lot of things that you have been working for should come to completion during this year, and you will tend to clear the deck for the beginning of a new nine year cycle.

Traditional Indian Wedding

Many Divya Desams have references in their traditional histories (sthala puranas) to the Lord seeking the hand of Maha Lakshmi, who is raised by a maharishi after finding her as a parentless infant (ayonijaa). For instance, in Oppiliappan Koil, Markandeya Maharishi accedes to the request of Sriman Narayana who seeks the hand of his daughter Bhumi Devi. She was found as a child in the tulasi forest by the Maharishi. At Kumbakonam, Sarangapani weds Komalavalli, the daughter of Hema Maharishi. At Thiruvahindrapuram, Hemambujavalli, the daughter of another rishi, marries Devanathan in a Vedic ceremony. At Tirupati, Srinivasa marries Padmavati after seeking her hand from her father, Akasa Rajan. At Tiru Idavendai, the Lord got the name of Nitya Kalyaanar through his marriage of the 360 daughters of Kalava Rishi. He married them each one a day and made them all into one named Akhilavalli Nacciyar.

The most celebrated one is the wedding of Andal and Ranganatha. Ranganatha seeks the hand of Andal from her father Periyalvar and weds her in a ceremony at Srivilliputtur. Andal had previously dreamt about this marriage and recorded the wedding in detail in her Nacciyar Tirumozhi, Varanamayiram section, exactly as prescribed in the Vedic ceremony.

In the following sections, I will describe the steps of a Vedic wedding and their significance.

Step 1: vaak daanam

This step is a part of Kanya Varanam, where the groom-to-be (brahmachari) sends two elders on his behalf to the father of a girl whom he wishes to marry. The elders convey the message of the brahmachari and ask for the daughter's hand. The two mantras in the form of brahmachari's appeal to intercede on his behalf come from Rg 10.32.1 ("pra sugmantha...") and 10.85.23. The first mantra begs the elders to proceed and return quickly with success back from their mission on his behalf. The second mantram ("anruksharaa Rjava:...") asks for the gods' blessings for the elders' safe journey to the house of the father of the would-be-bride. The mantra prays to Aryama and Bhaga for a marriage full of harmony. The father accedes to the request of the elders and the resulting agreement for betrothal is known as vaak daanam.

Step 2: kanyaa daanam

Here, the brahmachari meets his prospective father-in-law. The latter seats him facing the eastern direction and washes the feet of the future son-in-law, considering him as Lord Vishnu Himself. All honors are given including the ceremonial washing of the feet of the groom by the father-in-law and offer of madhu parka (a mixture of yogurt, honey and ghee) to the accompaniment of selected Veda mantras.

Step 3: vara prekshanam

In this ritual, the bridegroom and the bride look at each other formally for the first time. The bridegroom worries about any dosas (defects) that the bride might have and prays to the gods Varuna, Brihaspati, Indra and Surya to remove every defect and to make her fit for harmonious and long marriage life blessed with progeny and happiness (mantra: Rg 10.85.44). The bride groom recites the mantra and wipes the eyebrows of the bride with a blade of darbha grass, as if he is chasing away all defects. The darbha grass is thrown behind the bride at the conclusion of this ceremony.

Step 4: mangala snaanam and the wearing of the wedding clothes by the bride

Five Veda mantras are recited to sanctify the bride in preparation for the subsequent stages of the marriage. This aspect of the marriage is known as mangala snanam. The sun god (Surya), water god (Varuna), and other gods are invoked to purify the bride in preparation for a harmonious married life. Next, the bride wears the marriage clothes to the accompaniment of additional Veda mantras. The bridegroom then ties a darbha rope around the waist of the bride and leads her to the place, where the sacred fire is located for conducting the rest of the marriage ceremony. The bride and the groom sit on a new mat in front of the fire. The groom recites three mantras which invoke Soma, Gandharva and Agni to confer strength, beauty, and youth on the bride.

Step 5: maangalya dhaaranam

There is no Veda Mantram for tying the mangala sutram (auspicious thread) around the neck of the bride by the groom. The latter takes the mangala sutram in his hands and recites the following verse:

mAngalyam tantunAnena mama jIvanA hethunA | kaNThe: badhnami subhage! sanjIva Sarada: Satam ||

(meaning: This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes! May you live happily for a hundred years (with me).

Step 6: paani grahanam

After maangalya dhaaranam, the groom lowers his right palm and encloses it over the right hand of the bride. He covers all the five fingers of the right hand of the bride with his right palm through this act of paani grahanam. He recites mantras in praise of Bhaga, Aryama, Savita, Indra, Agni, Suryan, Vayu and Saraswati, while holding the bride's hand. He prays for long life, progeny, prosperity and harmony with the bride during their married life. The closed fingers of the right hand of the bride is said to represent her heart. The paani grahanam ritual symbolizes the bride surrendering her heart in the hands of the groom during the occasion of the marriage.

Step 7: sapta padi

During this ritual, the groom walks with the bride to the right side of the sacred fire. All along, he holds his wife's right hand in his right hand in the way in which he held her hand during the paani grahanam ceremony. He stops, bends down and holds the right toe of his wife with his right hand and helps her take seven steps around the fire. At the beginning of each step, he recites a Veda mantra to invoke the blessings of Maha Vishnu. Through these seven mantras, he asks Maha Vishnu to follow in the footsteps of his wife and bless her with food, strength, piety, progeny, wealth, comfort and health. At the conclusion of the seven steps, he addresses his wife with a moving statement from the Veds summarized below:

Dear Wife! By taking these seven steps, you have become my dearest friend. I pledge my unfailing loyalty to you. Let us stay together for the rest of our lives. Let us not separate from each other ever. Let us be of one mind in carrying out our responsibilities as householders (grihasthas). Let us love and cherish each other and enjoy nourishing food and good health. Let us discharge our prescribed Vedic duties to our elders, ancestors, rishis, creatures, and gods. Let our aspirations be united. I will be the Saaman and may you be the Rg Veda.(Saaman here refers to the music and Rg Veda refers to the Vedic text that is being cast into music). Let me be the upper world and let you be the Bhumi or Mother Earth. I will be the Sukla or life force and may you be the bearer of that Sukla. Let me be the mind and let you be the speech. May you follow me to conceive children and gain worldly as well as spiritual wealth. May all auspiciousness come your way.

This series of Veda mantras starting with "sakhaa saptapadhaa bhava ..." and ending with "pumse putraaya ..." are rich with meaning and imagery.

Step 8: pradhaana homam

After sapta padi, the couple take their seat on the western side of the sacred fire and conduct pradhaana homam. During the conductance of this homam, the bride must place her right hand on her husband's body so that she gets the full benefit of the homam through symbolic participation. Sixteen mantras are recited to the accompaniment of pouring a spoon of clarified butter into the sacred fire at the end of recitation of each of the mantras. These mantras salute Soma, Gandharva, Agni, Indra, Vayu, the Aswini Devas, Savita, Brihaspati, Viswa Devas and Varuna for blessing the marriage and beseeches them to confer long wedded life, health, wealth, children and freedom from all kinds of worries. One prayer -- the sixth mantra -- has a sense of humor and provides deep insight into human psychology. The text of this mantra is: "daSaasyam putraan dehi, patim ekaadaSam kRti". Here, the groom asks Indra to bless the couple with ten children and requests that he be blessed to become the eleventh child of his bride in his old age.

Step 9: stepping on the grinding stone

After pradhaana homam, the husband holds the right toe of his wife and lifts her leg and places it on a flat granite grinding stone known as "ammi" in Tamil. The ammi stands at the right side of the sacred fire. The husband recites a Veda mantra when he places the right foot of his wife on the ammi:

May you stand on this firm stone. May you be rock-firm during your stay on this grinding stone. May you stand up to those who oppose you while you carry out your time-honored responsibilities as a wife sanctioned by the Vedas and tradition. May you develop tolerance to your enemies and put up a fair fight to defend your legitimate rights as the head of the household in a firm manner, equal to the steady strength of this grinding stone.

Step 10: laaja homam

After ammi stepping, a ceremony of doing homam with parched rice is conducted. Here, the wife cups her hands and the brothers of the bride fill the cupped hands with parched rice. The husband adds a drop of ghee to the parched rice and recites five Veda mantras. At the end of each of the recitation , the parched rice is thrown into the sacred fire as havis (offering) to Agni. Through these mantras, the wife prays for long life for her husband and for a marriage filled with peace and harmony. At the end of the laaja homam, the husband unties the darbha belt around the waist of his wife with another mantra. The husband states through this mantra that he unites his wife and ties her now with the bonds of Varuna and invites her to be a full partner in his life to enjoy the blessings of wedded life.

Step 11: griha pravesam

This ceremony relates to the journey of the wife to her husband's home. The husband carries the sacred fire (homa agni) in a earthern vessel during this journey home. There are many Veda mantras associated with this journey. These mantras pray to the appropriate Vedic gods to remove all obstacles that one can experience in a journey. The bride is requested to become the mistress of the house and is reminded of her important role among the relatives of her husband. After reaching her new home, she puts her right foot first in the house and recites the following Veda mantra:

I enter this house with a happy heart. May I give birth to children, who observe the path of righteousness (dharma)! May this house that I enter today be prosperous forever and never be deficient in food. May this house be populated by people of virtue and pious thoughts.

Step 12: praavisya homam

After griha pravesam, a fire ritual known as praavisya homam is performed by the couple to the accompaniment of thirteen Veda mantras from the Rg Veda. Jayaadi homam is also part of the praavisya homam. This homam offers the salutation of the newly married couple to Agni Deva and asks for strength and nourishment to discharge the duties of a grihasthas for the next one hundred years. After that, the bride shifts her position from the right side of her husband to his left side. At that time, once again, she recites a Veda mantra invoking the gods for blessings of children and wealth to perform the duties of a householder.

At the end of the above homam, a child is placed on the lap of the bride and she offers a fruit to the child, while reciting a prescribed Veda mantra. Yet another mantram asks the assembled guests to bless the bride and then retire to their own individual homes peacefully. During the first evening of the stay in her new home, the couple see the stars known as Dhruva (pole star) and Arundhati. The husband points out the pole star and prays for the strength and stability of the household thru a Veda mantra. Next, the husband points out the Arundhati star to his wife and describes to her the the story of Arundhati and her legendary chastity.

The rich and meaningful ceremony of the Hindu marriage (Kalyana Mahotsavam of the temples) is thus carried out in concert with sacred Veda Mantras. The bride and bridegroom should enunciate clearly the Veda mantras and reflect on their meanings during the different stages of the marriage ceremony. This way, they can be sure of a long, happy and prosperous married life and play their appropriate role in society to the fullest extent. Srinivasa Kalyanam is performed in the temples to remind us of these hoary Vedic traditions behind a Hindu marriage.

SlokA: samastA: sukhino bhavantu sarva mangaLaani santu

An important part of any wedding is the wedding decorations and wedding favors. Having a beautiful wedding will make it a day to remember for the rest of your life together.