Monday, August 26, 2019

We are Comali



Comali (in English : Clown) movie is not just the lesson for the 2K kids, but also to all set of people of different ages. Even 4 years old kids to 50 years old uncle/aunty is probably addicted to the dumb box mobile. This is not at all a “Movie review post”. These are solely my point of view of the movie which conveys the much needed message to the society.

Mobile is just a one medium, people are addicted to TV still now. These mobiles and the evolution of great technology took away our valuable memories related to human and socializing with others. These technological evolution also stopped the human way of thinking solutions for problems, instead we always ask it from “Google baba”.


90's & 2k kids:

Also this movie highlighted the difference of thoughts that varies for one who’s born in the 90’s and the 2K generation. The 2K generation has this whole lot following which is trending on the current date, whereas 90’s kids follows the correct one and are more humane.

Present youth which involves the diverse mix of 90’s as well as the 2K kids, changed the definitions of love, best friends which these 2K kids nonsensically replaced with besties, enjoyment, making memories and independency.


A tiny overview:

So coming back to “Comali”, it was a funny movie wholly. The necessary social message that they wanted to convey was that, “Humanity is the one emotion which makes us human and is found only when the masses are in problems”. This is my interpretation of the movie. There were much more to speak of the lessons we should learn from the movie which genuinely portrays the view of a 90’s kid, who missed the technological evolution fortunately and remained still as a child at heart.


Nostalgy:

The comedies were genuine, the schooling part of the movie was something which everyone could relate, as many of us made good memories and of course the “The First love of our Life”. The song includes some best nostalgias of scribbling in the toilets, shouting our name when our crush comes across in the corridor of our school and creating scenes in front of our crush are really best treats for 90’s kids.

Out in the playground:

This movie also conveys a strong message to the kids of this generation to not to worry about getting tanned in the sun and to play in fields rather than playing within a dumb box. I really miss those good old days, where my friends and I never missed an opportunity of playing cricket in the big ground of palace in Thanjavur.
Playing out in the scorching sun or in heavy rain never harms the children, it gives them a valuable opportunity to socialize, to learn what failure and success is, to learn how to solve some conflicts from their young age, in turn all these things will help them in the future at a wider perspective.


Friendship:


The best scene was when Yogi Babu says that he takes care of Jayam Ravi only because he is friend and not because of Jayam Ravi’s sister is married to Yogi Babu. Oh Man!!! That’s the kind of friendship our generation is practicing since our age of knowing things.


Evolution of Technology and Fear of Reality:

When Jayam Ravi speaks of the evolution and the harm it has caused, we being the victims should feel ashamed of, because whatever has happened, we let those things happen with our knowledge. We lost the opportunities to interact with people face to face, rather we tie ourselves within the mobile phones.

The fact that we are afraid of the reality and hiding behind the smartphones, which actually they’re and we are left behind as fools, totally relying on internet for every problems and totally stopped thinking and turned on our “Brain Saving mode”.


Nila Soru:

An image from Jamuna Abaranchi blog

The Nila Soru (having dinner in the terrace under the sky, when the world is filled with moonlight and some chilled air) not at all happening. It is a golden time more important than the prime time of some biased news channels, when we all as a family sat together in the terrace of our house, had food which is served with love from the hands of our grandparents or parents, listening to their childhood stories, the adventure they had gone through, the hardships they faced and the lesson they learnt which we will never find it in any top institutes of the world.


Ripped dressing trend:


The ripped dressing which became the trend in the early 2018s was another thing to speak about. There used to be times when we being the kids used to not even use some casual dresses even if it is torn a bit. Now you can see 1000s of people walking down the roads wearing these kind of ripped denims and tees which costs them not less than 1500 bucks. But it’s your wish whether you need to buy a 500 range denim or tee and tear it and then wear it. LOL!!!

Spending time with Family:

I literally had tears rolling down from my eyes when there were nostalgic and emotional scenes which really persuaded me and made me to connect to it personally. We could say anything to justify the facts that we are spending less time with our family, those are not at all enough to recover from the mistake and to rewind the golden times back in this electronic and artificial intelligence era.
At least we are safe with our humanity which exists in bits. If anybody wants to speak up their mind go and speak with your mom, then friends. But make sure you do it in real and face to face.

A bit about the crew:

The debutant director, Pradeep Raghunathan has given a great treat for 90’s kids to go through a journey of nostalgic moments. Jayam Ravi has won the hearts of audience with his innocent acting and strong hard-hitting points. Yogi Babu, with his pure comedy, became the reason for laughter riots.


Songs:


The lyrics of ‘Hi sonna Podhum’, ‘Comali’, and ‘Paisa Note’u’ are penned down strikingly and given soul by the music of Hip Hop Thamizha ‘Aadhi’. ‘Oliyum oliyum’ song was exactly full of lessons to learn and especially the #ennada_panni_vechirukinga was the best part of the song being placed so well.


One Pointer:

Comali is not only a movie, it’s a visual treat of emotions of the humanely generation of 90’s kids.

Yours East Gaterr

Images are downloaded from Behindwoods and jamuna abaranchi blog.


Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Thirumiyachur Sthala Puranam



Thirumiyachur, as I’ve shared my previous post about the ‘Story and Power of Lalitha Sahasranamam’, in this post I’ve written about the Sthala Puranam (History) of the temple. One can visit Thirumiyachur temple only if they have good karma of their previous birth (Poorva Janmam).
Thirumiyachur Raja Gopuram

This is one of the oldest temple of Lord Shiva. This temple came into existence even before the worship of Navagraha came into existence, so you could only find 12 Nagas for the 12 zodiac signs.

Aruna Bhagavan's Desire

This temple comes into picture when Aruna Bhagavan, who drives the chariot of the Surya Bhagavan expresses his desire to have dharshan of Lord Shiva in Kailash. In reply Surya Bhagavan humiliates Aruna Bhagavan as he is paralyzed from his hip to toe. Then Aruna Bhagavan meditates towards Lord Shiva, with his strong will, Aruna Bhagavan overcomes all the disturbances and humiliation caused by Lord Surya.

Lord Shiva, as he never compromises with the humiliation happens to his ardent devotees, curses Surya Bhagavan that he will lose his tejas (light) and will be dulled. That’s when he realizes his mistake and apologize to Lord Shiva and pleads him to lift up the curse.
A glimpse of the Gopuram

Lord Shiva, who says that he can’t reverse this curse, advises Surya Bhagavan to go and worship him in the Mihira Kshetram, Thirumiyachur, for seven and a half months. Surya Bhagavan then creates Surya Theertham in Thirumiyachur and worship Lord Shiva in the clouds over Thirumiyachur for seven and a half months. That’s why Lord Shiva is also known as Meghanada Swamy in this temple.

As Aruna Bhagavan’s wish gets fulfilled and Surya Bhagavan Worships Lord Shiva here, he is also named as Mihira Aruneshwarar. As Surya Bhagavan is relieved from his curse, during the Thamizh Month of Chithirai, from 21st to 27th, it so happens that the sun rays while it rises falls on the Shivalinga, making it that the Surya Bhagavan himself worshipping the deity.

Shri Lalithambigai

Goddess Lalithambigai, here in the temple is blessing the world with her divine smile and as her iron throne she has this Sri Chakra. Chanting Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam in this temple is considered more special.

Specialties of the temple

One specialty about this temple is that, this temple comprises of two temples (both had been sung and praised by Thirungnana Sambandar) at a same place. The one is Meghanada Swamy with his consort Lalithambigai and other is Sagala Bhuvaneshwarar with his consort Minnu Megalaiyal.

Gajaprushta Vimanam


Meghanada Swamy is a swayambhu moorthy. As Lord Shiva was worshipped by Surya Bhagavan amongst clouds on an elephant, the Vimanam aka Sanctum of the temple is built like the top of an elephant. This style of Vimanam aka Sanctum is known as Gajaprushta Vimanam and is a rare style.
GajaPrushta Vimanam

The couple's Smile and Anger


Kshethra Puraneshwarar is one of the attractive sculpture work in this temple, located in the southern side of the main sanctum. While we observe this idol from one side, we see that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is smiling and from other side it looks like they are angry. This portrays a fun happenings that usually occurs between every couple as they get angry after a small fight and after sometime, they get calmed down.
Kshetra Puraneshwarar

We can also find Rishabaarudar, Chaturbhuja Chandikeshwarar and much more attractive deities in the outer wall of the Sanctum. We can also have the dharshan of Trinity in one place.

Messenger Parrot


Goddess Durga with eight hands and holds a parrot named “Sugapuram”, which mediates and conveys all the needs and prayers of the devotees. If devotees conveys their wish to Goddess Durga here, she will send her parrot to convey the wishes of devotees to Shri Lalithambigai from the Kodimaram which is located in front of the Goddess Lalithambigai Sanctum.

Neikula Dharshanam and Ratha Sapthami


Neikula Dharshanam is one of the important occasion to worship Shri Lalithambigai. Laksharchana followed by the offering (Neivedhyam) of 100 kgs happens 3 times a year (Vijayadasami, Theipirai Ashtami of Thamizh Month Maasi and Full moon day  of Thamizh month Vaikasi). It is the time where Sakkarai Pongal, Puliyodhare and Curd rice are placed in a tray and spread in the Artha Mandapam. Neivedhyam are done and pure cow ghee is filled like a tank built of Sakkarai Pongal and the devotees should see the reflection of Shri Lalithambigai in the Ghee. Then the Neivedhyams are distributed.
Neikula Dharshanam

Ratha Sapthami is another important festival of this temple as Surya Bhagavan got relieved from the curse on this day. It is celebrated for 10 long days where the Abhishekams for the deities in the temple are done in the Surya Theertham (Pond). The temple's chariot festival is also done during these days.

To Reach Thirumiyachur

Bus: From Kumbakonam – Karaikal route buses (or) Vice versa
Train: Nearest station is Peralam, just 2 kms away.
By road: From Kumbakonam it is 34 kms, located in the route which runs towards Karaikal. The temple is located 24 kms From Karaikal.

Contact Priest: 9842551988


Yours East Gaterr

Friday, August 16, 2019

The story and Power of Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram



Lalitha Sahasranamam is one of the powerful stothram next to Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram. This is a sacred text from Brahmanda Purana. One who regularly chants Lalitha Sahasranama Stothram, Goddess Lalithambigai fulfills the devotees life with health and prosperity.
Last Aadi Friday of this year Pooja
The importance of Lalitha Sahasranama Stothram was taught by Lord Shri Hayagreeva to Sage Agastya in the place called Thirumiyachur, where Goddess Lalitha Devi blesses her lakhs of devotees sitting in the Sri Chakra as her iron throne.

Thirumiyachur is a small village located near the town of Peralam in the Thiruvarur district. The village is blessed with the presence of Sri Lalithambigai’s temple, with her consort Sri Meghanada Swamy aka Mihira Aruneshwarar.
Last Aadi Friday of this year Pooja

The whole story of Thirumiyachur comes into light when Lord Hayagreeva explains the importance and the power of Lalitha Sahasranamam to his Shishya Sage Agasthya. This Lalitha Sahasranamam was a praising of Lalithambigai done by the Vasinyadi Vak Devathas (8 Devathas) emerging from the mouth of Shri Lalithambigai. These devathas comes out of Shri Lalithambigai as a result of the vibrations of herself during the meditation (Tapas) as requested by Lord Shiva, in order bless this world and the people with prosperity. Shri Lalithambigai asks these Vak Devathas to praise about herself as she shouldn’t praise herself.
Thirumiyachur Temple Raja Gopuram
This was a secret which is only known to Lord Hayagreeva, who is the main Shishya of the Goddess Lalithambigai. He taught this to his Main Shihsya, Sage Agasthya. Out of curiosity, Sage Agasthya wanted to have the dharshan of Shantha Swaroopi, Shri Lalithambigai, that’s when Lord Hayagreeva reveals the Location of such temple in Thirumiyachur.

When Sage Agasthya, chants Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam in front of Shri Lalithambigai herself, she appears as nine gems in front of him.

The power of Lalitha Sahasranamam can be well explained with a real life experience of Shri Mythili Rajagopal, who is an ardent devotee of Devi Lalithambigai, who chanted Lalitha Sahasranama for 35 years regularly. When Goddess Lalithambigai appeared in the dream of Shri Mythili ji, and expressed her wish to wear anklets. But to the wonder of Shri Mythili ji, who doesn’t knew where the deity resides, ended up in Thirumiyachur after going and visiting lots of temples. She came to know about Thirumiyachur after reading about the temple in an article.

To her surprise, when she approached the priest of the temple then, the priest wondered, whether there will be any arrangement in the Vigraha (idol) of deity, as anklets were not used before. To the surprise of everyone, there was provision in both legs (Charanam) of Lalithambigai. Lalithambigai is “Sarvaalangara Bhushithayai”.

I am fortunate enough to witness the Neikula Dharshan of Shri Lalitha Devi within a week of regular chanting of Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam, which I am doing it now for more than a month and a half.
I wish all my readers to gain such blessings from Shri Lalitha Devi, by chanting Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Stothram.

More information about the Thirumiyachur temple, Neikula Dharshan and Kshetra Puraneshwarar in my next post on Tuesday (20th August, 2019).





Yours East Gaterr


Friday, August 2, 2019

Important Goddess Temples to visit during this Sacred Aadi Month in Thanjavur

Thanjavur, always attracts large number of tourists, who mainly come to admire the heritage and historical beauties. Also the number of tourists, who specifically comes to Thanjavur mainly for offering prayers and visiting important ancient temples are never low compared to those who comes for the sake of sightseeing.
Simple Vilakku Pooja picture from my relative's home

As I’ve previously written that, ’Aadi month is the perfect time to worship the women deities’. In every home during Aadi Fridays’, Tuesdays’, Aadi pooram and Aadi perukku is celebrated divinely. In every house, people light lamps (Deepaam) in front of the deities in their Pooja room, chant Lalitha Sahasranamam, Abhirami Andhadhi, Soundarya lahari and many more Devi Stotrams to gain prosperity, happiness and heathy life. Many people offers special Neivedhanam (Prasadam) to goddess in their home as well as in temples. 
The Delicious Thanjavur Special Ashoka Halwa for Neivedhyam in my relative's house

I planned to write about the Shakti peethams of Thanjavur every Friday, but couldn’t cope with, as I was travelling.

In this post I’ve written about 6 important goddess Temples to visit during this Aadi month. I’m restricting myself to write about the temples which are in and 6 kms radius from the heart of the main city.

  • The first important Goddess is Varahi Amman, located in the mighty Brihadheeshwara Temple. The shrine here is exclusively dedicated to Goddess Varahi, which you can’t witness in any other part of the World.


Varahi Amman

  • The Bangaru Kamakshi Amman temple is dedicated to Bangaru kamakshi. I’ve written elaborately about this temple in one of the previous posts of mine. This temple is located in the heart of the main city, in the West Main Street, which the street itself is filled with more number of temples.


Bangaru kamakshi

  • Punnainallur Mariyamman Temple is one of the ‘Must-Visit’ temple. The main deity, Mariyamman is made up of sand, so no abhishekam to the goddess here. It’s located in the outskirts of the city, which is 7 kms from the Town Bus stand (Old bus stand).

Punnainallur Mariyamman 

Image Courtesy : Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12290744


  • Kodiyamman Kovil, this temple is located at the entrance of Thanjavur itself, if you come from Kumbakonam or Thiruvaiyaru. My recent post was about the history of the temple only. She’s a powerful goddess comprised of both the powers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. This temple is located around 6-7kms from the Town bus stand (Old bus stand), Thanjavur.

Kodiyamman 

  • Nisumbasudhini Amman temple is located in the area of East Gate (Keezha Vasal). This Amman (Goddess) is also known as Vada Bhadra Kali Amman, Raaghukaala Kaali Amman etc. She (Kali) is the war deity of Chozhas. This temple is one of the ancient temple established by Vijayalaya Chozha. This temple is located within 2 kms from the Town bus stand (Old bus stand).


Nisumbasudhini Amman
  • Ekauri Amman temple is located in the village of Vallam, in the highway which runs from Thanjavur to Trichy. This temple offers lime juice as Prasad. The goddess here is with 2 faces, one with ferocious and anger and other face is calm and peaceful. This Amman (Goddess) is also known as Vallathu Pattikai, Makali etc. This temple is located within 6 kms from the New Bus stand of Thanjavur.

Egowri Amman
The reason I’m writing about this temple is to help my readers to know of many unspoken powerful and ancient temples located in and around our places. This Aadi month, may everyone be blessed with all the happiness by Goddess Parvathi aka Shakti.

Yours East Gaterr