Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Monday, November 25, 2019
Abaya Hastha Swayambu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Agaram Village, Hosur Rayakotta Road
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Do's and Don’ts at Tirumala Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji) Temple
The Tirupati temple is one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the world, and it is imperative that you respect the religious sentiments of the devotees while you are there. A dress code is strictly enforced by the temple management, and it is important that you abide by the rules of the Devasthanam. Light colours are preferred to dark, bright ones. Men are advised to wear dhotis or veshtis that are south Indian staples. You can also opt for kurta-pyjamas or long tunics. Avoid wearing shorts or capris. Jeans are also discouraged. Loose-fitting trousers and pants are allowed. Shirts and tees are also allowed but do not opt for gaudy prints. Men are not required to be shirtless within temple premises.
Women are advised to wear saris or long tunics. Kurtis is allowed as well. Chudidars, suits and shawls are also allowed. Women can opt for ankle-length skirts and blouses, or half-saris too. Sleeveless tops and knee-baring dresses are not allowed within the temple.
Do's and Don’ts at Tirumala Tirupati Temple
For the best views of the deity on the tank, be sure to take a spot on the steps of the holy tank beforehand, as the region gets very crowded as time passes. If you want to accompany the procession as it makes its way around the mada streets, you may not get a good view of the final ceremony. It is advisable to plan your trip around the five days in such a way that you can witness both the procession and the concluding prayers. It is recommended that you get a good spot at the tank steps especially on the last day – Pournami – as the ritual is a must-watch!
Make sure to follow the dress code, as violations are viewed seriously. The weather is warm, so dress accordingly.
Most of the events are held at the sacred premises, which means that you will have to be barefoot. Avoid littering, and watch where you step.
Dispose of waste responsibly, especially prasadam leftovers and other offerings.
Take care of your valuables, especially wallets, mobile phones and jewellery. It is advised to not wear flashy jewellery or carry large amounts of cash while on the trip.
Take care of your children and keep sight of them at all times, as the crowds are quite overwhelming. It is better to give your children an identity tag with your contact information on it, in case of emergencies.
Carry an empty utensil to take the offerings home, as temple packaging may leak or tear. Avoid wasting food and prasadam.
Remember to book accommodation at Tirumala well in advance, as pilgrim influx is maximum during Teppotsavam season.
Smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming non-vegetarian food are prohibited inside temple premises. Respect the religious sentiments of the pilgrims during your visit.
All bookings done online are to be done through the official website of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam website.
Be wary of fake sites and quacks who may cheat you.
Electronic devices are allowed only minimally inside the temple. Use your phone minimally, and enjoy the wholesome spiritual experience at Tirumala.
Things to Keep in Mind
This is one of the most crowded times of the year at Tirupati, drawing in millions of devotees to the region. If you are looking to attend the regular prayers and rituals, keep in mind that some of them may be cancelled on account of the Teppotsavam. In particular, the Sahasra Deepalankara Seva is cancelled on all five days while the Arjitha Brahmotsavam and Vasanthotsavam pujas are not held on the last three days of the Teppotsavam. The Pournami Garuda Vahana Seva to be held on the day of the full moon is also cancelled. Morning prayers are held as scheduled, and there are not many changes to note.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sri Sivastakam - one of the most powerful mantras written to sing the glory of Lord Shiva
Sri Sivastakam
Shivaashtakam is one of the most powerful mantras written to sing the glory of Lord Shiva...its said that a devotee who sings it with full devotion after taking bath and wearing clean white clothes, goes to any Shiva Temple with some cow's milk, Bel leaves, Sandalwood, Flowers, Rice, Fruits etc...and most importantly, a pure heart, Shiva Shambho blesses him/her with immense strength and light to fight and get through all problems and obstacles that life offers.
Prayers glorifying Lord Shiva
namo namaste tri-dasheshvaraya
bhutadi nathaya mridaya nityam
gagga-taraggotthita-bala-chandra-
chudaya gauri-nayanotsavaya
"I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, the controller of the thirty primal demigods; unto you, the original father of all created beings; unto you, whose character is gracious; unto you, whose head is crested by the sickle moon arisen from the waves of the Ganga and unto you, who are a festival for the eyes of the fair goddess Gauri."
sutapta chamikara-chandra-nila-
padma-pravalambuda-kanti-vastraih
sa nritya-raggesta-vara-pradaya
kaivalya-nathaya vrisa-dhvajaya
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who are dressed in garments resembling molten gold, the moon, blue lotuses, coral, and dark rain clouds; unto you, who bestow the most desirable boons on your devotees by means of your delightful dancing; unto you, who are the master of the impersonalists and unto you, whose flag bears the image of the bull."
sudhamzu-suryagni-vilochanena
tamo-bhide te jagatah shivaya
sahasra-shubhramshu-sahasra-rashmi-
sahasra-sajjit-tvara-tejase'stu
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who dispells darkness with your three eyes - the moon, the sun and fire; unto you, who causes auspiciousness for all the living entities of the universe and unto you, whose potency easily defeats that of thousands of moons and suns."
nageza-ratnojjvala-vigrahaya
shardula-charmamzuka-divya-tejase
sahasra-patropari samsthitaya
varaggada-mukta-bhuja-dvayaya
"I offer my obeisances unto you, whose form is brilliantly illuminated by the jewels of Ananta, the king of snakes; unto you, who are clothed by a tiger-skin and thus radiate divine effulgence; unto you, who sits upon a thousand-petalled lotus and unto you, whose two arms are adorned by lusterous bangles."
su-nupura-ragjita-pada-padma
ksarat-sudha-bhritya-sukha-pradaya
vichitra-ratnaugha-vibhusitaya
premanam evadya harau videhi
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who brings happiness to your servitors, as you pour on them the liquid nectar from your two reddish lotus feet, which ring with charming anklebells. Obeisances unto you, who is adorned with an abundance of gems - please endow me with pure love for Lord Hari."
sri rama govinda mukunda shaure
sri krishna narayana vasudeva
ity-adi namamririta-pana-matta-
bhriggadhi-payakhila-dukha-hantre
"O Shri Rama, O Govinda, O Mukunda, O Shauri, O Shri krishna, O Narayana, O Vaasudeva!' I offer my obeisances unto you, Lord Shiva, the monarch of intoxicated bee-like devotees, maddened by drinking the nectar of these and other holy names of the Lord. Obeisances unto you, the destroyer of all grief."
sri naradadyaih satatam sugopya-
jijjasita-yashu vara-pradaya
tebhyo harer bhakti-sukha-pradaya
shivaya sarva-gurave namo namaha
"I offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto you, who is forever enquired of confidentially by Shri Narada and other sages; unto you, who also grants favors to them very quickly; unto you, who bestows the happiness of Hari-bhakti; unto you, who creates auspiciousness and unto you, who is the guru of everyone."
sri gaura-netrosava-maggalaya
tat-prana-nathaya rasa-pradaya
sada samutkantha-govinda-lila-
gana-pravinaya namo'stu tubhyam
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who are a festival of auspiciousness for the eyes of Goddess Gauri; unto you, who is the monarch of her life-breath; unto you, who is capable of bestowing transcendental rasa and unto you, who is expert in forever singing songs of the pastimes of Lord Govinda with great longing."
etat shivasyastakam adbhutam mahat
shrinvan hari-prema labheta shighram
jjanam ca vijjanam apurva-vaibhavam
yo bhava-purnah paramam samadaram
"A person, filled with loving feelings, who hears with rapt attention this wonderful eight-fold prayer to Lord Shiva, can quickly gain Sri Hari-prema as well as transcendental knowledge, the realization of that knowledge, and unprecedented powers."
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thathayagunta Gangamma
Glittering gift: The new diamond crown for the Thathayagunta Gangamma temple.
TIRUPATI: A diamond-studded golden crown is ready to adorn the deity of Thathayagunta Gangamma, the folk Goddess of Tirupati, who is revered as the younger sister of Lord Venkateswara.
With the annual ‘Ganga Jatara’ just round the corner, the temple management hastened up the process and got ready the Rs.71 lakh crown well ahead of the week-long festival. The crown, made at the TTD’s jewellery section, weighs 5.375 kilograms of gold with 580 diamonds.
Apart from the Rs. 12 lakh borne by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the cost of the diamond was met from voluntary contributions from the public.
The glittering crown was taken in a procession to the Venkateswara temple at Tirumala on Wednesday by the TTD chairman B. Karunakar Reddy, along with executive officer K.V. Ramanacharyspecial officer A.V. Dharma Reddy .
The crown will be consecrated and adorned for the first time to the presiding deity after the traditional ‘Abhishekam’
In all devotion: Draped in neem leaves, a woman devotee enters Thathayagunta Gangamma temple in Tirupati.
TIRUPATI: ‘Gangamma Jatara’, the folk festival of Tirupati came to a colourful end at the Thathayagunta Gangamma temple here on Tuesday midnight. The slaying of the clay idol of Gangamma in the early hours of Wednesday marks the culmination of the annual festival.
As is the practice, local people started pouring into the temple right from Monday night and spent the whole of Tuesday in the temple and its vicinity.
The interesting feature of the final day is the mode of travel to the temple. Though the most preferred way to the temple is on foot, irrespective of the distance from their residence to the temple, the devout take a more strenuous route by performing ‘Sashtaanga Namaskaram’ on the road throughout. They roll a coconut on the road and when it stops, start falling to the ground with stretched hands and legs offering prayers. The process continues till they reach the temple.
Common practice
Another practice in vogue among women is the draping of neem leaves and twigs from the shoulders to the anklets, which serves as a dress. Women, irrespective of age, don the dress and offer prayers at the temple as a fulfilment of vows.
Many Muslim women too paid obeisance at the temple early in the morning, showing that Gangamma is revered irrespective of caste or religion.
Source: The Hindu Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Labels:
crown,
deity,
festival,
folk,
Gangamma,
goddess,
Gold,
lord,
management,
prayers,
public,
Sister,
temple,
Thathayagunta,
Time,
Tirupati,
traditional,
venkateswara,
vows,
Woman