Meenakshi temple: Worshipping deities with sandal paste
by P Subramaniyan

          Madurai: About a million people visit the Meenakshi temple in Madurai in every year. The popularity of the world famous temple has increased manifold over the years. Recently, a ritual of grinding sandalwood on a stone for anointing devotees has been restarted after five decades at the Meenakshi temple. The resumption of long forgotten ritual is likely to attract many devotees to the Meenakshi temple. A cylindrical stone opposite Meenakshi shrine was used for grinding sandalwood in olden days. The authorities have now decided to resume the long forgotten ritual. During the rule of King Pandya , devotees used to grind sandal on the stone to make a sandalwood paste of it and anointed the presiding deities with it.

         There is evidence that one Vanigar Murthy Nayanar belonging somewhere between 3rd and 7th AD, who later became an emperor, made sandal paste and offered it for anointing the deity. Nayanar provided the sandal paste everyday, without skipping it for even a day. One day when he could not procure sandalwood, owing to decree passed by a Jain King, he put his elbows on the stone and started rubbing till the bones gave up. At this juncture, the Lord appeared before him and blessed him. Giving credence to the stories , the Meenakshi temple authorities decided to revive the tradition of making sandal paste on daily basis. With the resumption of this ritual, the authorities of the

         Meenakshi temple has urged the devotees to donate sandalwood and help the temple adminstration to sustain the service. As this would enable them to utilise the fresh sandal paste for anointing the deities every day. Meenakshi temple has a convention, different from that followed in others, that the devotee offers worship first to Goddess Meenakshi. Therefore, while there are four other entrances into the temple, it is customary to enter not through a Mandapa, with no tower above it. This entrance leads directly to the shrine of the Goddess Meenakshi.
Jan 31, 2006

Devotees take holy dip in Ganges on Mauni Amavasya

        Allahabad: Millions of devotees took the holy dip in the Ganges (Ganga) on the occasion of "Mauni Amavasya" (or, the new moon night), braving a chilly dawn on Sunday at Allahabad. The ritual, observed only on a new moon night in winter, began at midnight. Many devotees, who keep a fast by remaining silent for 48 hours prior to the auspicious hour of the ceremony, uttered their first word in the praise of the Lord. Millions each year travel to the banks of the holy Ganges (Ganga) to mark the festival. "It is said that whatever one wishes on this day, it comes true by taking a bath in the Ganges (Ganga). That is why we have come here travelling such a long distance," said Mukesh, a devotee.

         Legend has it that the Ganges (Ganga) flowed down to Earth from heaven to wash away the worldly sins of mankind. Hindus consider a bath at Allahabad, one of the holy places along the Ganges' 2,000-kilometre journey from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal to be holy enough to wash away their sins. People regardless of their religious beliefs take a dip in the river to mark the auspicious day. Keeping in view the large number of devotees, the local administration and the police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. Thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers are monitoring the queues and special patrol boats have been pressed into service to sanitise and comb the riverbank. Bomb disposal squads have also been deployed on a 24-hour alert to prevent any mishap. "People are coming in millions. The holy dip began at midnight and four million people have already bathed and the flow of pilgrims is showing no signs of slowing down," said Vijay Mina, Senior Superintendent of Police, Allahabad.

          Amavasya in the month of Magha is known as Mauni Amavasya. According to procedures one should not talk to anyone and remain mute and have a bath in the Ganges (Ganga). If Mauni Amavasya occurs on a Monday, it is of special significance. During this month (Magha) many men and women build small huts near the (Prayag) Triveni Sangam and bath regularly in the Triveni. This vow is observed throughout the month. Whilst observing this vow one should sleep on straw mattresses, avoid application of oil to the body, should not decorate oneself and maintain restraint of all type. Bathing in the Triveni Sangam and Kalpavaas during this month (Magha) is of special importance to the Hindus.
Jan 29, 2006

Guru Gobind anniversary: Sikhs observe 339th birthday
by Ravinder Singh Robin

          Amritsar: Sikhs paid their respects to their 10th spiritual leader, Guru Gobind Singh, on his 339th birth anniversary on Thursday. In Amritsar, Sikhs from all walks of life thronged the Golden Temple Complex to offer their homage on the auspicious occasion. The beautifully illuminated shrine bustled with life as scores of enthusiastic devotees paid their respects to the guru, who converted the Sikhs into a warrior class in the 17th century. "In spite of the cold, people have come from far off places to pay respect at the Guru Ram Das. Everything is all lit up and people are very happy and excited," said Rajinder Singh, a devotee.

         In Patna, the capital of Bihar, devotees offered prayers at the Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. The shrine is regarded as one of the holiest of five shrines, the seat of the Sikh authority and is one of the two shrines located outside Punjab. The other shrine is the Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra. Surinder Kaur, a devotee said: "This is the place where out 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, attained his enlightenment. We all, devotees come here to take the blessings of our guru." The Guru's birth anniversary commemorates the brave deeds of the Guru Gobind Singh, who organised the Sikhs into a fighting unit to counter Mughal attempts to quash their religious beliefs. Guru Gobind baptised his supporters with sacred water stirred by a dagger. Those who were baptised were known as "Khalsa" or the "Pure". All members of the "Khalsa" sect have to possess the 5 k's -- Kes (long hair), Kangha (comb), Kirpan (dagger), Kachha (shorts) and Kara (steel bracelet). Sikhs in India form about two per cent of over one billion population and are largely concentrated in Punjab and Delhi.

Yajna for world peace in Madurai
by P Subramaniyan

          Madurai (Tamil Nadu): Hindus gathered in this temple town in Tamil Nadu to perform a Yajna, a fire ritual, with the objective of praying to God to rejuvenate nature. The three-day-long ceremony was attended by seers from across the country. Priests chanted scriptures and prayed non-stop for the rejuvenation of nature and mankind and invoked the blessings of the deities in the Hindu pantheon. Organisers said they want to create awareness among masses about the importance of conducting Yajna. "The aim is to propagate spirituality and peace through "Gayatri Mantra". We want people to know the importance of the Mantra. People must know that they can avoid problems and sufferings by conducting fire rituals and chanting hymns," said Pranav Pandya, the organiser. People participating had a firm belief in the powers of Yajna ceremony. "The environment will be purified by the fire ritual. Peace will prevail not only in Madurai but also in the entire nation and the world. There'll be peace and prosperity all over," said Laxmikant Pandey, a participant. In Hindu mythology, it is believed the Yajna will strengthen the five elements of wind, fire, sky, earth and water in order to bestow prosperity and restore natural equilibrium. Hindus believe that a Yajna can also cleanse the air and purify the atmosphere. The ceremony concluded this Sunday.
Jan 3, 2006

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