Karadayan Nombu

We celebrated "Karadayan Nonbu" or more simply Nonbu.
This is a very important festival in our calendar. This festival is celebrated at the time of Meena Sankramam orPanguni Masam. (The time the sun enters the Pisces sign, according to the solar calendar) and hence the time of offering the pooja falls at different times of the day in different years. We offer Pooja any time during the 24 hours, from the wee hours to mid-afternoon to evening to midnight. Hence, this festival is very different from all the festivals, which are celebrated on a particular day of the year at a particular time. Nombu has to be finished in the month Maasi and before the beginning of the month of Panguni .which happens on the same day March 14th 9:14 a.m. The time for the nombu is specified as7.30am to8.30am.

During Karadayan Nombu women invoke the blessings of Goddess Gowri to obtain an ideal husband during all seven births. While unmarried girls pray to get a good husband, married women pray for their husband's long life. This pooja is especially done for the well being and long life of the husband and even little girls are made to perform this pooja so that they will get a good husband and a happy married life

The neyvedyam (offering) for the pooja is a very simple steamed sweet cake and butter. (Nonbu Adai)The ladies and girls also wear a "manjal charadu"(a thread dipped in turmeric paste), similar to one tied during the time of marriage. In the olden days, when we were children, it was a practise to keep this manjal charadu till the next nonbu or as long as it lasted.

Story behind Karadayan Nombu:

The story behind this festival is said to be that of Sati-Savithri.Savithri was born as the daughter of King Asrapathi. Savitri was a princess of a rich kingdom in ancient India and was the only child of her parents. When she reached marriageable age, she told her father that she would herself search for a suitable husband for her. At last in a forest, she met an old couple and their young and handsome son serving them, living in a simple hut. She found out that the couple were the king and queen of a nearby kingdom, banished from their kingdom by their enemies.She decided that he was the suitable husband for her. The name of this young man was Satyavan. True to his name, Satyavan was very honest and dedicated to his parents. Savitri returned to her parents and announced that she would marry only Satyavan. The King and the queen were not very happy to marry their only child to the son of a banished king.

The palace astrologer, however warned her that according to his horoscope, Satyavan had only one more year's life left and he would die in a year. Savitri was not to be discouraged with this announcement either. The marriage of Satyavan and Savitri was performed and Savitri went to live with her husband and in-laws in the forest. Savitri took care of her husband and old in-laws with dedication and devotion and followed Satyavan whenever he went inside the forest in search of food and fuel. Days passed and the last day of Satyavn's life as per the prediction dawned. Savitri insisted on accompanying Satyvan to the forest. Satyavan made Savitri sit under a tree and went to fetch fruits and logs for fuel. After sometime, he returned feeling very tired. Savitri made him lie in a bed made of fresh green leaves keeping his head in her lap. As Satyavan started closing his eyes, there appeared in front of Savitri, a huge figure with a bison for his vahana. Savitri with her dedication and devotion could immediately recognize the figure as that of Yama, the God of death. She immediately saluted him and asked him the purpose of his visit. Yama replied that as destined Satyavan's life span was over and he had come to take his life to the other world. Saying this Yama started walking away with Satyavan's soul. Savitri left the body of the lifeless Satyavan under the tree and started following Yama. Yama forbade her from following him, saying she could not follow him to the other world, as Yamaloka was inaccessible to living beings. Only souls of dead beings are taken there. Savitri insisted on following her husband’s soul. Yama could not stop her from following him. At last, Yama agreed to grant her three wishes on condition that she would go back. She agreed. She asked as the first boon, that her in-laws get back their lost kingdom which Yama granted readily. For the second wish she asked that, as she was the only child of her parents, they get more children. This was also granted by Yama immediately. As the last wish, she asked that she be granted the wish of having many children which also was granted by Yama in his eagerness to get rid of her. Only after granting this wish, did Yama realise that he had been tricked into granting Satyavan life, as a pious and pathivratha (chaste) woman like Savitri cannot have children if Satyavan were to be dead. Yama had to accept his defeat and restore the life of Satyavan. Savitri came back to the tree where she had left the lifeless body of Satyavan. By the blessings of Yama Satyvan woke up as if from his sleep and Savitri narrated the happenings to him. To offer her gratitude to the Gods, Savitri immediately made a simple neyvedyam with available things on hand and tied the mangala sutra once again as her husband had got back his life.

Her offerings were durwa grass and peepal leaves.She performed neivedhyam with wild rice and toor dal. that is kaara arisi and thuvaram parrupu that is why this vratham is known as karadayan nonbu.Yamadharma realized that in order to grant Savitiri's wish he would have spare Sathyavan's life.So he granted her wish to honor her courage and devotion to her husband.So this karayadan nonbu protected her husband.Prayers are offered to GowriDevi and women meditate on Savitiri and wear a yellow thread round their neck as they chant the following sloka.

"Throram Krishhnami subhake saharithamDharami aham

bharthuAyushya Sidhartham supreethabhava sarvadha."

The following is the tamil chant

"Urukaddha Venneyum oradhayam naan nootren

Orukkalum en kanavar ennai vittu pririyadhirukka vendum."

which means I offer butter and the rice made out of kaara arisi bless me that i live happily with my husband.

Neivedhyam:

Neivadhayam is made of banana leaves Neivedhyam consists of Adai made out of rice and butter, and adai made of rice and jaggery also, along with butter kept seperately.Vethalai paaku pazham is also offered to the Goddess . On this occasion let me wish all the ladies a happy karadayan nonbu.

Upanayanam

Upanayanam - Sacred Thread ceremony of a brahmin boy

Yesterday i got an invitation for upanayanam for neighbour boy.So I thought to write about upanayanam. a little about the symbolism behind the thread ceremony. when I began to study. Indian rituals and their meanings,I understood the deep beauty and significance of the thread ceremony known in sanskrit as upanayanam and poonal in tamil. Among all sanskara rituals There are two distinct Dharmas prescribed– theVaideeka Dharma and the Bhagavata Dharma The most sacred sound in Vaideeka Dharma is ‘Om’.‘Rama’ is the equivalent in Bhagavata Dharma. While Vaideeka Dharma talks about rituals and rites,Bhagavata Dharma talks about love for God. The former is for a few to follow, while the latter is meant for everyone. Gayatri Mantra is a very powerful Mantra in theVaideeka Dharma.

Those who study the Vedas consider that the initiation rituals of Upanayanam as the most important. In the ancient times, it is said to have been available to both men and women of all communities desiring to study the Vedas. Some of the Brahma gnanis like Parasara, Vyasa, Sathyakama and Padmapada are not born in the 'high castes' but organized the Vedas and compiled all the karmas for the upanayanam. As the traditions changed after the eighth century AD, it was restricted to person born in some families of the 'upper' classes only and was denied for women. Upanayanam is usually performed at the age of seven or eight, because, that is the age when a child stops getting the benefits of the karmas of their parents and will have to learn and perform their own karmas. Upa means near and nayanam means going; that is the act of going to a teacher to learn. ), making for the interpretative meaning: bringing (the ultimate truth nearer in sight).

All sanskara rituals, the initiation rituals of Upanayanam are the most important. Upanayanam, also known as the sacred thread The sacred thread consists of three strings, each representing various qualities or gunas. Some contend that the threads represent, Satya (Truth) Rajas (action) and Tamas (inertia) .The brahmachari is supposed to be in a sort of vrata for the following three days, doing all the nityakarmas of the brahmachari but not going out. On the fourth day, a Pranava Sradha Medha Puja and homa is done, when the kuttai is removed and given to the Acharya and the moujibandanam, krishanjinam and palasha danda are also taken from the bramachari. In the olden days, new palashadanada, moujibanda and krishanajina were given to the brahmachari.

The Upanayanm function starts with Punyahavachanam followed by Yagnopaveethadharanam. The Muhurtham is the time of Brahmopadesam.After yajnopaveethadhaarnam is Kumarabhojanam. Kumarabhojanam is common both for Upanayanam and choulam. According to the vedic karmas, the vatu (the boy whose upanayanam is being performed is commonly referred to as vatu) should be served with rice, ghee and milk without salt or spices. During Kumarabhojanam, another kumara (boy)who is not yet a brahmachari is made to sit with the vatu and served food. At some places, another brahmachari is seated along with the vatu and also the food served is rice cooked with turmeric powder and dal, along with fried rice pappads.

After Kumarabhojanam is the vapanam, or shaving of the hair for the vatu. The first locks are cut by the father and then by the barber. Usually, this is a noisy scene during choulam, as this is the first time the boy gets a hair cut. After the vapanam, the boys are given bath, dressed in new clothes and taken to the temple.The rituals of Choula karma is almost over after the boy comes back from the temple and the homa and ashirvadam.Agnimukham is performed and the boy is given all the symbols of a brahmachari. It is an earnest prayer from the father, having brought the child up to his adolescent age, to all powers in this universe, the earth, the water, the sky, the ether, the fire, all the stars, all the deities who are the devatas of all the eight directions (ashtadigpalakas), all the vedic scholars and elders of the community and all the pitrus to take good care of the boy from then onwards. A First the boy made to stand on a stone and the father says, “You should be as strong-willed as this stone”.

The main function of Yagnopavitha Dhaaranam [putting on the Holy thread] is then performed. From this time onwards, the student starts wearing the sacred thread. It consists of three threads with a knot called Brahmagranthi symbolizing Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The three threads reminds him of the triple debts that men have, i. Pithru runam -- towards forefathers, ii. Rishi runam -- towards the acharyas, sages and saints, and iii. Deva runam -- towards the Deities and natural forces. Then the father ties a long cloth (known as kuttai) around the brahmachari’s waist and prays, “May the Gods give you long life, strength, health and wealth” (In the olden days, the brahmachari was supposed to wear this cloth for 3 days). A cord made of three strings of Durva (Moujibandhanam) is also tied around the brahmachari’s waist, symbolizing the three sections of Vedas which will protect him from all evils A piece of deer skin (krishnajinam) is also tied around bramachari’s waist, which will make him bright in intellect as the blazing sun. He will be endowed with health, wealth and prosperity. He will become strong spiritually and intellectually.

He also wears a dear skin symbolizing spiritual and intellectual pre-eminence and tied a girdle of 'munja' grass symbolizing the three sections of Vedas. Then the student is taught the Gãyathri Manthra by his father or teacher. This is followed by 'the student' symbolically asking for alms of rice from his mother and other women. From then on the student is considered "Dwija" or twice born and is qualified to learn the Vedas. He is expected to recite the Gayatri Mantra and perform Sandhya rituals three times every day*. Gayathri Mantra Follows

Om ! Bhoor Bhuva Suvah: Thath Savithur Vare'nyam |

Bhargo' Dhevasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo nah: Pracho'dhayath ||

Then the brahmachari is taught the most sacred Gayatri mantra by the father. He is taught all the rules of Brahmacharya vratha. He is also given Palasha Danda (a small twig of the peepul tree) as a symbol of brahmachari. According to Aapasthambha Maharshi, a brahmachari should not Sleep during the day,Use cosmetics or perfumes,Have close contact with girls,Engage in gossip,Indulge in entertainment,Indulge in boasting.He should be disciplined, quiet, self confident, tireless, soft spoken and without ego or jealousy. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra regularly gives him the strength to follow the above rules.The brahmachari is supposed to live on the food he receives as alms by going from house to house. As a symbolic representation of this now forgotten system, the brahmachari asks for alms from his mother and all the other ladies of the congregation.

Followed by Ashirvadam and aarathi, the upanayana karma comes to a happy end. The Upanayanam is the most sacred ritual in the life of a boy as all through the ceremony This karma has a very powerful influence on the boy and the family, if the purpose and meaning of each ritual is properly understood and followedIt is one ritual no one should avoid or postpone as it gives the boy great strength of mind. Practicing the Gayatri mantra everyday makes him strong willed, confident, intelligent and pure in his thoughts and deeds.

Valentine's Day

Every February,. Across the country Valentine's Day on February 14 on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's ...card candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, St. Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, so, Who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day he died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'Christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. Then Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance.

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London. In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia..

In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America. Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".

By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings.
. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;

Curl your locks as I do mine ---

Two before and three behind.

Good morning to you, valentine.
On February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were given as gifts” You unlock my heart!"
Every year on this day, people remember St. Valentine. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. They know that love can't be beaten!
" Love is pure and sacred,Love is truth and everything good
Love is selfless and undemanding; giving and not expecting in return"

(Collection from History Of Valentine)

Pain

My life is filled with pain.
Pain is all there is left.
Pain stuffed inside of me
The pain I have is deep,
Pain that people don't know
Pain that it took to just be me
Pain I go through. but people can't see.
Lost in numbness for years running from pain.

The only thing I can count on
The one thing I understand it is all
I have all I feel for
My life is filled with pain
All this pain that's held in me
Can't let anyone near me,
Can't let anyone see the real me,
Can't let anyone even hug me,

All this pain that's eating me,
Can't let go of the pain in me,
Can't get this pain from me,
Can't get this pain out of me.
More Pain Each day is what I gain…
No happiness, no joy,
The more pain I gain,
Its horrible and discussing…

I wish the pain wasn't in my life;
But it is and it’s killing me,
When will the pain stop hurting me?
Why can't I just feel me?
Why can't I just be me?
Why can't someone take this pain from me?
One can say that pain never leave,
One can say that pain is curable,
But one thing surely happens is pain leaves its mark.

Kolam

The colorful kolam tradition dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 B.C). Kolams were often drawn with coarse rice flour since it served as a food source to nature's creatures like ants and crows. Rice flour is seen as an offering to Lakshmi, the goddess of rice and wealth. The goddess has the power to attract prosperity and to prevent poverty from entering the home. Kolam means form and beauty. Kolams symbolize auspiciousness and a welcoming environment. The 'kolam' is a symbol of an open heart and an auspicious welcoming. 


Its colourful, devotional presence in the villages area is a well appreciated and respected feature, There are several families of kolams. Different families of Kolams are known by different names around India. They are generically referred to in many parts as “Rangoli” which means rows of colors. The “pulli (dots) or neli (curvy) kolam” is very unique and seen mostly in the southern states.Kerala : 'Puvidal' (Puv means flower and idal means arrangement, i.e. Rangoli by flowers)

Tamil Nadu : 'Kolam' (kolam - name of a specific quality of rice. Rangoli is drawn by using rice flour)
Andhra Pradesh : 'Muggu' (Rangoli drawn by using thick batter of soaked rice flour)
Karnataka : 'Rangoli' (From the powder of a special kind of a rock. Tiny dots are drawn on the floor usually in even numbers. These dots are joined with the powder in a geometrical fashion)
Maharashtra : 'Rangvalli' (Rangoli thick powder made from special rock is used in various colors, and the powder of burnt rice skin is used to draw rangoli in Konkan part of Maharashtra)
Gujarat : 'Sathiya' (Rangoli is known by this name)
Rajasthan : 'Mandana' (rice flour mixed with little turmeric. Rangoli is drawn on the walls)
Madhya Pradesh : 'ChowkPurna' (Traditional designs fitted in square with leaves and flowers)
Uttar Pradesh : Rangoli is known as 'Sona Rakhana'
Orissa : Rangoli is known as 'Ossa'
Almora - Garhawal : Rangoli is well popular known as 'Alpana'
Bengal : In Bengal it is drawn by soak rice paste and known as 'Apana' .
This abstract art has a significant interpretation. It is believed that the dots are symbolic of challenges we encounter in our lives and the curvy line around these dots is the journey we take during the course of our lifetime.Kolams also express mathematical ideas that have recently attracted the attention of scientists in India in developing picture languages for various families of kolams.

Kolam (in Tamil) is a decorative design drawn using rice powder by female members of the family in front of their home, especially near the threshold. A Kolam is a sort of painted prayer -- a line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. They are generally symmetric. Kolams are thought to bestow prosperity to the homes. For special occasions limestone and red brick powder to contrast are also used. Though kolams are usually done with dry rice flour, for longevity, dilute rice paste or even paints are also used. Modern interpretations have accommodated chalk, and the latest "technology" in kolams are actually vinyl stickers (that defeat the original purpose).Every morning in southern India, millions of women draw kolams on the ground with white rice powder. Through the day, the drawings get walked on, rained out, or blown around in the wind; new ones are made the next day. Every morning before sunrise, the floor is cleaned with water, the universal purifier, and the muddy floor and swept well for an even surface. The kolams are generally drawn while the surface is still damp so that it is held better. Occasionally, cow-dung is also used to wax the floors. Cow dung has antiseptic properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection for the home. It also provides contrast with the white powder.

Decoration was not the sole purpose of a Kolam. In olden days, kolams used to be drawn in coarse rice flour, so that the ants don't have to work so hard for a meal. The rice powder is said to invite birds and other small critters to eat it, thus inviting other beings into one's home and everyday life: a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. Not to be underestimated is the benefits for the artist to bend down each morning - it is said to help her digestive system, reproductive organs and to help overall stretching of the body. It is a sign of invitation to welcome all into the home, not the least of whom is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity. The patterns range between geometric and mathematical line drawings around a matrix of dots to free form art work and closed shapes. Folklore has evolved to mandate that the lines must be completed so as to symbolically prevent evil spirits from entering the inside of the shapes, and thus are they prevented from entering the inside of the home. It used to be a matter of pride to be able to draw large complicated patterns without lifting the hand off the floor (or unbending to stand up).

Women practice this artistic expression on a daily basis in Southern India. They begin their day with this creative exercise to express simple mathematical patterns in art form. The women decorate their thresholds early every morning with simple designs using rice flour or limestone powder. Rice flour is pinched between the thumb and forefinger and rubbed together while moving the hand along continuously to create the design. One is left guessing as to where the lines began or ended due to the very nature of the curvy lines, for they are generally looped.

Girls begin learning this art form from their female relatives at a very early age. Most kolams are symmetrical patterns and helps in the development of skills such as hand-eye coordination and visual perception. .During the Tamil month of Margazhi (mid Dec- mid Jan) large kolams decorate the courtyards and thresholds of many households When people get married, the ritual kolam patterns created for the occasion can stretch all the way down the street. Patterns are often passed on generation to generation, mother to daughter. Mastery of this art takes a lot of practice and concentration, for even a slight tremble of the fingers or lack of focus can alter the result of the art. The skill and practice required to master this art makes each design created a one of a kind individual experience.

There are different varities of kolams...for ex:Nalvaravu, or welcoming kolams,Thottil Kolams, or cradle kolams,Circle kolams,Snake kolams ,lotus kolam,shariot kolam.Drawing kolams also helps improve dexterity, mental discipline and concentration besides providing an opportunity for problem solving and artistic expression on a daily basis.

PineApple Halwa

My kula devatha Anjaneyar...

Sri Aanjaneya Murthi-ke Jey...

Today is Anuman Jayanthi.On this special occasion I wish to write about my kula devatha. In Special occasions and celebrations with spiritual and religious significance in ones' family. We make yatra to Kuladevatha temples and seek blessings (prasannatha) of family-deities i.e. Kuladevatha .This is the reason why it is customary to write at the top of the invitation cards "Om Shri Kuladevatha Prasanna ".MyParents side Kula devada is Kadayanallur Krishnapuram Anjaneyar. It is in tirunelveli dist.

Devotees of Lord Anjaneya, the temple dedicated to the `Son of Vaayu Bhagawan' at Krishnapuram, near Kadayanallur, in Tirunelveli district comes first, The sthalapuranam of the temple is interesting as SriAnjaneya himself is said to have visited the place during the time of the Ramayana. The six feet high, south-facing Anjaneya at this temple attracts devotees from all parts of Tamil Nadu, who believe that miracles happen in their life within a short period of their visit. The temple situated in the middle of paddy field.

After Ravana abducted Sita, Sri Rama sought the help of Sugriva, the king of Kishkinta, to locate the whereabouts of his beloved wife. And Sugriva, who had returned to power with the help of Sri Rama, sent his forces in all directions. Sri Anjaneya, led a mighty team to the South, with a ring given by Rama. Before the large contingent left Kishkinta in search of Sita, Sugriva asked his friends to return home after a month without fail, so that the next course of action can be designed according to the information gathered during the first phase of the mission.

Except the contingent that left under the leadership of Anjaneya, all the other groups returned to Kishkinta after a month-long search operation that was in vain.Though Anjaneya was not able to collect any vital clues that would lead them to Sita, he moved ahead with the hope of getting useful information about her. They reached a desert-like area after they crossed Vindhya Hills and being famished and thirsty, they began to frantically look for food and water. Then Anjaneya found some birds coming out of a cave looking wet and led his forces to the cave. Inside the cave, they saw a beautiful city, and a meditating tapasvini — Swayamprabha — sitting at the centre.

Sri Anjaneya told her about the purpose of his mission and Swayamprabha offered them fruit and water and told Him the story of the city, which was built by Mayan. Mayan was later killed by Lord Indra, as the architect had committed a sin. Indra, who had to take a holy dip after killing Mayan, prayed to Lord Siva who, in turn, sent a branch of the Ganges to the place. "I was asked to stay here till your visit here. Now it's time for me to leave this place," she said. But Sri Anjaneya asked her to remain there since he had to find Sita.

After Sita was found and rescued by Sri Rama, He, along with Sri Anjaneya came to the place again and Swayamprabha handed over the regime to Sri Anjaneya and left the place. The place, which was then ruled over by Sri Anjaneya, is now called Krishnapuram. The beautiful temple, sitting pretty amidst a paddy field, attracts every passer-by. The actual date of construction of the temple is not known as it dates back to the period of Sri Rama and is now known as Sri Abhayahastha Jayaveera Anjaneya temple.

In sudarakandam Hanuman is described as one for whom nothing is impossible and who is the embodiment of faith, devotion, loyalty to the master, fearlessness and self confidence. Success is the outcome of an attitude like this. If we want to be successful in life we have to combine the above qualities.

This particular Kandam is very important for each one of us because it really enlightens us in our spiritual quest. Hanuman is the awakened soul, Jambavan is the enlightened teacher, the vast ocean is the samasara which each one of us wishes to cross. We have to struggle to overcome the worldly sorrows which form the obstacles.

We may not be always successful in this effort; but if we are undaunted and we have. faith in GOD then we will at the end discover divinity which is manifested in Sita Devi.

I am Reading sundara kandam. from my teenage.It is almost no rules, no bars parayanam.Sundara Kanda parayanam bestows peace and prosperity in household and minds.

"Sri Rama Rama Ramethi, Rame Rame Manorame Sahasara Nama Thuthilyam Rama Nama Varanane."