September 30, 2008

Chakramangai, Arimangai, Soolamangai - Navaratri 2008

Chakramangai.
Chakrapalli near Ayyampettai.
Shiva's Third Eye.
Sri Brahmi Devi, one of the Saptha Maathas.
Mother Sri Devanayaki and
Lord Sri Chakravaageswara

Arimangai
near Ayyampettai.
Ganga on Siva's Head.
Sri Maheswari Devi, one of the Sapta Mathaas.
Mother Sri Gnaanambika and
Lord Sri Hari Mukteeswara

Click here to read more...

Soolamangai.
Soolamangalam near Ayyampettai.
Siva's Trident.
Sri Kaumari Devi, one of the Saptha Maathaas.
Mother Sri Alanakaravalli and
Lord Sri Keertivaageeswara.
Lord Sri Astra Deva

www.Agasthiar.Org

September 25, 2008

Saptha Maathaa Shakti Navratri - Navaratri of the Sarvadhari Year - September, October 2008 - Nine Nights of the Mother Goddess

What is Navaratri?

Nava = Nine. Ratri = Night. Thus Navaratri = Nine Nights.

The nine nights of Navaratri are particularly important for the worship of the Universal Mother.

The first nine thithis of the waxing moon phase that immediately follow Mahalaya Amavasya are referred to as Sharada Navaratri. This generally occurs in the September/October timeframe each year.

Similarly there is Vasanta Navratri in spring and two other Navaratris each year. Of these four, the Sharada Navaratri is the most popular. These days, it seems to be the only one that people celebrate! What should be an once per month observance has been relegated to once per year!

Maasa (Monthly) Navaratri

Over the years, Sathguru Venkataraman taught us that the first nine thithis of every waxing moon phase must be celebrated as maasa Navratri or monthly Navaratri. This monthly Navarathri observance is that much more important for Devi Upasakas (devotees of the Mother Goddess).

Sathguru Venkataraman was an expert non pareil in all facets of the worship of the Universal Mother. His sadhana started at the tender age of eight and he went on to master the most secret Vaalai Manonmani Yoga under the tutelage of his Siddha Sathguru. Devotees would do well to heed Sathguru Venkataraman's advice to observe monthly Navaratri and hasten their own spiritual uplift. 

In this Sarvadhari year, Navaratri starts on September 29 2008 IST and lasts till October 9, 2008 IST. Refer to the Agasthiar Panchang Spiritual Calendar for other time zones.

Saptha Maathaa Shakti Navaratri

The special feature of Navaratri 2008 is the Universal Mother Goddess's advent along with the seven Saptha Matrika Devis and two Adi Dwara Palaki gate keepers on the nine nights of this Sarvadhari Navaratri.

Siddha worship procedures for each of the nine nights...
Click here to read more.

www.Agasthiar.Org



September 11, 2008

Pitru Moksha Spots Worshipped by Lord Sri Rama - Ideal for Pitru Worship

There are Pitru Shakti spots imbued with the spiritual potency of exalted Pitru Deva Beings. And then there are Pitru Mukti spots - places so holy that they are able to grant moksha to even these exalted Pithru Devas!  

We have mentioned Seshambadi near Kumbakonam and Poovalur near Trichy as some of the best Pitru Mukti spots in the entire world.  

Sathguru Venkataraman has revealed hundreds of these important pitru moksha temples/spots for our benefit.

 Lord Sri Ram Himself did tarpana pooja for His father Dasaratha and His Soorya dynasty ancestors at more than 108 of these Pitru Moksha spots in Tamil Nadu alone. These include Rameswaram, Nedungudi, Thilatharpanapuri, Innambur, Theerthandapuram and Kekkarai just to mention a few. 

 Considering the whole of the holy land of India, Sathguru Venkataraman taught us that there are more there are more than 1008 Pitru Mukti kshetras including the well known ones such as Varanasi, Prayag, Gaya, Kedarnath and Badrinath. 

 In all these Pitru Moksha spots, the exalted Pitru Devas themselves accept your tarpana, argya and sraddha offerings at all times, but particularly during the Mahalaya Paksha fortnight. Furthermore, they themselves are engaged in serious worship at these spots.

Thus these pitru mukti temples and sacred spaces are the best places in the world for conducting your pitru worship and pitri karmas.

Click here to read more...


Mahalaya Paksha and Mahalaya Amavasya of the Sarvadhari Year - September 2008

We published the Siddha worship procedures for the coming 2008 Mahalaya Pitru Paksha a few days ago on our Website.  Click here to read that article.

A few excerpts from that article:

In this Sarvadhari year, Mahalaya Amavasya falls on September 29 2008 IST. The 2008 Mahalaya Paksha starts at 2:44 p.m. on Monday September 15, 2008 IST and lasts till 1:42 p.m. on Monday September 29, 2008 IST. Refer to the Agasthiar Panchang Spiritual Calendar for other time zones.

As the Sathguru, Guru Mangala Gandharva Venkataraman has taught us for many years, we should commit ourselves to pithru pooja (worship of ancestral beings) at least during this fortnight.

The word Pithru means ancestor beings. It is spelled variously as pitru or pitri or pitr and so on.

Pithru tharpan pooja is a way of showing our gratitude to our ancestors who have made us what we are today. We should realize that all the happy events that happen in each family is the result of blessings from those ancestors in that family that have become exalted pitru beings. Once you understand this, you can understand the importance of pitru pooja.

Sathguru Venkataraman, over the decades, instructed us to do daily tharpanam pooja for pithrus. If this is not possible, one should at least do tharpan pooja on the 96 sraddha days each year. But those who can't do even that should at least do tharpan during all days of the Mahalaya paksham fortnight. Readers should understand that this relaxation of rules is meant for first timers only. After the first time, you should move on to the daily nitya tharpanam pooja.

The Agasthiar Ashram has published many books that show how anyone can do tharpanam easily. Furthermore, our monthly magazine Sri Agasthia Vijayam has regular features on tharpan pooja.

Make use of the material put out by the Agasthiar Ashram and learn how to do tharpan pooja. Once you have learnt this, do daily tharpanam and gain the blessings of your very own pithru beings.

Click here to read the rest of the article including Siddha worship procedures for each day of the 2008 pitru paksha.