POOKALAM OF MARUTHOORKONAM

Onam Customs and Rituals - Onasadya

Onasadya

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 24 - 28 dishes served in it.. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.
Onasadya is a big feast associated with a special occasion, such as a marriage, birthday, childbirth etc. Onasadya is traditionally a vegetarian meal served on a plantain or banana leaf; people eat sitting cross-legged on the floor.

The dishes are plain boiled rice, many curries, papadum, plain yogurt or buttermilk, banana or plantain chips, and two or more sweet dishes. The curries are made of different vegetables and have different flavourings. They can be made of yogurt, bitter gourd, mango, jaggery, etc. The reason for including so many dishes in the Sadya is to ensure that the diners will like at least two or three dishes. Coconut, being abundant in Kerala, is used in almost all dishes. Coconut milk also finds various uses in cooking. Coconut oil is used for frying.

There is a specific place for each item on the plantain leaf. For example, the pickles are served on the top left corner and banana on the bottom left corner. Thus, the waiters can easily identify the requirement of the diner by just looking at his leaf. There are variations in the menu according to the place and the religion. Onion and garlic are not typically used in the sadya.
The sadya is usually served as lunch. Preparations begin the night before, and the dishes are prepared before ten o' clock in the morning on the day of the celebration. All the dishes are served on the plantain leaf; it requires a special skill to eat the food. The food is eaten with the hands without use of any cutlery.

Traditionally, the people of the neighbourhood spent the night helping the cooks in works like scraping coconut and cutting vegetables. These people also volunteered to serve the food to the guests. This lent a personal touch to the occasion. Enterprise and urban demands on time and space have now made it possible for the work to be contracted to professional catering services.
Conventionally, the meal may be followed by vettila murukkan, chewing of betel leaf with lime and arecanut. This helps digestion of the meal and also cleanses the palate.

The usual items in Onasadya are:
Parippu : A thick lentil dish eaten with rice, papadum and ghee.
Sambar : A thick gravy made of lentils, tamarind, coconut, vegetables like drumsticks, tomato, etc., and flavored with asafoetida.
Rasam : A watery dish made of tamarind, tomatoes, and spices like black pepper, asafoetida, coriander, chili pepper, etc. It is very spicy in taste and aids in digestion.
Aviyal : Thick mixture of various vegetables, yogurt, and coconut. It is seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves. This dish is usually made of leftover vegetables.
Kaalan : Made of yogurt, coconut, and any one vegetable like "nendran" plantain or a tuber-like yam. It is very thick and more sour than avial.
Olan : A preparation of pumpkin, coconut milk, and ginger seasoned with coconut oil.
Koottukari : One or two vegetables like banana and coconut with a hot and sweet taste.
Kichadi : Made of yogurt and cucumber in raw or cooked form.
Pachadi : A sweet form of kichadi, but made with pineapple, grapes and coconut.
Injipuli : Curry made of ginger, tamarind, green chilies, and jaggery.
Thoran : A sauteed dish of vegetables such as peas, green beans, raw jackfruit, carrots, or cabbage (usually) with grated coconut.
Pickles (Achar) : Spicy pickled raw mango/lemon/lime, etc.
Pradhaman
Pradhaman is a sweet dish in the form of a thick liquid; similar to payasam, but with more variety in terms of ingredients and more elaborately made. It is made with white sugar or jaggery to which milk or coconut milk is added.
· Palada pradhaman is made of flakes of cooked rice, milk, and sugar.
· Pazha pradhaman is made of cooked "nendra" plantain in jaggery and coconut milk.
· Gothambu pradhaman is made of broken wheat.
· Parippu pradhaman is made of green gram.
· Chakka pradhaman is made of jackfruit.
· kadala pradaman is made from black gram.

Onam Customs and Rituals - Onapookalam

Onapookalam

Pookalam is an intricate and colorful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day long Onam celebrations.'Pookalam' consists of two words, 'poov' meaning flower and 'kalam' means color sketches on the ground. It is considered auspicious to prepare Pookalam, also known as 'Atha-Poo' during the festival of Onam.People believe the spirit of their dear King Mahabali visits Kerala at the time of Onam. Besides making several other arrangements, people, especially adolescent girls prepare elaborate Pookalams to welcome their most loved King.

Athapoovu are usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves. Use of powder colours, desiccated coconut or artificial flowers is prohibited. Pookalams are normally laid on the front court yard of the house. Idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the Pookalam and worshiped. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.Ritual of making the flower mats continues for all ten days of Onam. Designing starts from the day of Atham and is made ready by Thiruvonam day. Basic design is prepared on the first day. Size of a Pookalam is increased by adding more to it on every passing day hence a massive Pookalam gets ready for the main day of the occasion. It’s a big creative task, as designers have to think of a new design ever day.
Various flowers are used on each day as a specific flower is dedicated to each day of Onam. Commonly used flowers include Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti (little tree plant), Chemparathy (shoe flower), Aripoo or Konginipoo (Lantana), Hanuman Kireedom (Red pagoda plant) and Chethi (Ixora). Of all these flowers, Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookalam as they are small in size and glitter in the the soft rays of the sun. 'Thumba Poo' is also considered to be the favourite flower of Lord Shiva and King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Shiva.

On the next day of Onam, Thumba flowers are used to decorate Onapookalam. The arrangement is not touched for the next 15 days. On the 15 th day, called 'Ayilyam', Pookalam is decorated again. On the next day, called Magam, Pookalam is given a cut in its four corners with a knife. This marks the end of Pookalam decorations for the year. Some also follow the tradition of erecting a small pandal over the completed flower carpet and decorating it with colourful festoons.

Onam Pookkalam is considered as a symbol for secularism. Various kinds of flowers combine together to form a great-looking pookkalam. So, it shall reflect those old good days during King Mahabali. Making of Pookalam is itself a colourful and joyous event. Being a team effort it helps to generate feeling of togetherness and goodwill amongst the people. It is animating to watch women as they prepare Pookalam while singing traditional songs.

Onam Customs and Rituals - Onakkodi

Onakkodi

Onam is never complete without Onakkodi, the new clothes purchased for the festival. Much importance is attached to the dresses worn during Onam and the attires not only have a festive implication but also a spiritual significance. Since Onam is a happy occasion and it is the beginning of something new, people wear and gift new clothes on this day. Loved ones and close relatives also gift each other new clothes which are known as Onakkodi or Onapudava. It is usually the eldest member of the family who distributes the new clothes. Even the servants of the house are gifted with Onapudava. During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Mahabali's flawless reign. People wear new clothes (Vastra) during Onam. The 'Vastra' also stands for heart. Thus the significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts and feelings. People forgetting their sectarian outlooks, join together to welcome the auspicious 'Thiruvonam' day.

Onam Customs and Rituals - Onakazhcha

Onakazhcha

On the ninth day of Onam, tenants of the family, dependants and hangers-on present the fruits of their labor, such as vegetables and coconut oil, to 'Karanavar', (the eldest member of the family) in a ritual called 'Onakazhcha'. In return, they are treated with a sumptuous feast on the main day of Onam. It is also customary for the village artisans to present the Karanavar of each Nair Tarawad, a specimen of his handiwork in return of the presents of cloth or rice.

Onam Customs and Rituals

The harvest festival of Kerala - Onam - is celebrated with zeal and great fanfare by Malayalees. It is an enthralling carnival during the festive season, when people indulge themselves in merrymaking by playing a number of games, shopping, feasting, dances and taking part in the community events wherein cultural programs are organized. Since it is a harvest festival, a number of rituals are followed by people, especially the farmers. The customs of Onam may vary from region to region, because people in the southern state of Kerala are known for the performance of rituals that are native to their place.

Maveli Puja

Maveli Puja is one of the prominent rituals of Onam. Specific to the Malabar (northern) part of Kerala, people residing there perform the Maveli Puja on the Uthradam (ninth day) and Thiruvonam (tenth day) of Onam. It is done in honour of King Mahabali who is also known as King Maveli. In order to perform the puja, three small sized figurines, made of red sand are erected, and these man-made idols are placed at the entrance in front of the house.. The puja is performed early in the morning as well as in the dusk, on all the ten days of the festival by the prominent man (generally the bread-winner) of the home. The three red sands are regarded as king Mahabali.The mounds are also called as 'Thrikkakara Appan'. The eldest member or the bread winner of the family usually performs the puja. After the puja ends, the male members of the family shout loudly rhythmically in joy. This weird ritual is called as 'Aarppu Vilikkukal'.

Mahabali's rule in Kerala

Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala.

The following song is often sung over Onam:
“Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam
Manusharellarum onnupole
Amodhathode vasikkum kalam
Apathangarkkumottillathanum
Kallavum illa chathiyumilla
Ellolamilla polivachanam
Kallapparayum cherunazhiyum
Kallatharangal mattonnumilla
Adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
Balamaranangal kelppanilla”
The meaning of this song is as follows:
When Maveli, our King, ruled the land, All the people were equal.And people were joyful and merry; They were all free from harm.There was neither anxiety nor sickness, Deaths of children were unheard of, There were no lies, There was neither theft nor deceit, And no one was false in speech either. Measures and weights were right; No one cheated or wronged his neighbor. When Maveli, our King, ruled the land, All the people formed one casteless races.

THE LEGEND OF ONAM

THE LEGEND OF ONAM

According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during the reign of King Mahabali. Everybody in the state was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects. He was that much highly regarded among the subjects. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, the Gods under Indra approached Mahavishnu claiming that Mahabali is now equivalent to an Indra.

Mahavishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf Brahmin’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Vamana asked for a simple gift - three paces of land - and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realizing that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth; Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People including children celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.

KERALA CELEBRATES ONAM

THE CELEBRATIONS OF ONAM

After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green. The brooks and streams come alive, spitting forth-gentle white foam, the lakes and rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom. It is time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice. The harvest festival of Onam corresponds with the Malayalam New Year, Chingam.

Onam is the largest festival in Kerala. It falls during the first month of the Malayalam calendar which is Chingam (August–September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Maveli. The festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the Kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival. And it can be undoubtedly said that these elements constitute the diversity, richness and colorfulness that no other festival can claim in the world.

The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival . Onam is celebrated with a focus on different cultural aspects at different places. Athachamayam- a cultural procession takes place in the royal town of Tripunithura near Ernakulam-Kochi, on the Atham day of Chingam, which also marks the beginning of Onam celebrations. At the Vamanamoorthy temple in Thrikkakara, the annual temple festival coincides with Onam. The temple is dedicated to Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of Onam.At Valluvanad(mainly Ottapalam, Shornur regions), Kathakali dancers in gorgeous costumes enact the legends. A strikingly impressive procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out at Thrissur, where masked dancers also go from house to house performing the colorful Kummattikali dance. At Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact scenes from epics and folk tales. At Aranmula, during Onam days the famous Aranmula Vallam Kali is conducted.

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of the house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Chingam 1- The Malayalam New Year begins......

Chingam 1 & its Significance

Chingam (August – September) is the first month in the Malayalam calendar used in Kerala. The first day of Chingam is the beginning of the New Year according to the Malayalam calendar and is locally referred as (Andu Pirappu). Chingam(August-September) is the time of harvest in Kerala. After the rain drenched Karkidakam with its privations, Chingam is a welcome month of plenty.The first day is welcomed by special pujas and people in large numbers visit the temples. The day is of great significance to the farmers. In 2011, Chingam 1 falls on August 17.

As per Malayalam calendar, Kolla Varsham 1187 (the Malayalam year) begins on August 17. Onam the most popular festival of Malayalis is observed in this month. Onam is celebrated over ten days; it comes to an end with the grand celebrations on the tenth day called ‘Thiruvonam’. Onam celebrations start from the day of Atham which is on August 31st ( Chingam 15) this year and culminate on Thiruvonam which falls on 9th of September ( chingam 24). At some places the celebrations even extend to twelve days called as ‘Chatayam’(on 26th of September). However, Atham and Thiru Onam are the most important days for Onam celebrations. The days for these celebrations are decided according to the position of stars. The festival is supposed to start from the appearance of the lunar asterism (a cluster of stars smaller than a constellation) Atham (Hastha), that appears ten days before asterism Thiruvonam. Thiruvonam actually corresponds to the Shravan day in the month of August or September and that is why it is also known as Sravanotsavam. At this time, the sun is also located in the Zodiac sign of Leo which in return happens to be located in the sun’s house as well.

The month is considered highly auspicious and numerous marriages and other ceremonies take place in the month. Special schemes and several new initiatives are made in the agricultural sector in this month.

Temples of Kerala-Thirunelli Maha Vishnu Temple

Thirunelli Maha Vishnu Temple

It is one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. It is believed that here the prathishta of Lord Vishnu was performed by Lord Brahma. It is also known as ''Sahyamala Kshetram'' and ''Kashi of the South''. This is the only temple in the world where the devotees can perform all the rituals related to one’s life, starting from birth to death and life after death.The ancestral rites are performed on the banks of the stream Papanasini which flows down from Mount Brahmagiri. It is believed that this stream has divine power to dissolve sins of all the mortals. Another major attraction of the temple is the holy rock where people pray for their forefathers. Legend is that this temple was dedicated by Lord Brahma to propitiate Lord Vishnu. The idol is in the form of Chathurbhuja .There are numerous legends about the origin of the temple. The most interesting one is that Lord Brahma (the Creator) while traversing the world on his swan got attracted by the bewitching beauty of the area. Then he landed on a hill which is later known as Brahmagiri. Lord Brahma while walking through the hills enjoying the tranquility and serenity of the surrounding hills, saw an idol of Lord Vishnu resting on an amla tree. Brahma realized that this abode of peace is nothing but Vishnuloka. This was confirmed by a disembodied voice. Soon he installed the deity with a request to Lord Vishnu that he should remain in this area to give peace to the human souls hounded by the thought of their sins. Lord Vishnu assured that the rivers around this temple would wash away the sins of human beings during their mortal life and life after death. Brahma entrusted two pious Brahmins of the Amalaka village, its keeping. He also instructed them that everyday he himself visit the place and do service to Vishnu.

The puja (worship) in every shrine closes ordinarily at about 9 to 10 P.M. But in this shrine, where the ordinary puja is done five times, from morning till 10 P.M. the priest prepares for a sixth puja before leaving the place. On opening the doors next morning he finds that all the materials for the puja have been utilised during the night. It was Lord Brahma who performed the sixth puja when the animate and inanimate objects are in deep slumber. This has been going on every day and will go on for ever.

The priest before entering the temple in the morning swears thrice that he will not divulge what he sees there on opening the door, and no priest dares to give out the secret at the risk of being bitten by cobras emanating from the shrine. Lord Brahma ordained that visits and prayers at the temple would remove the sins and secure paradise. He also ordained that the performance of prayers and ceremonies would lead to the perpetual salvation of the spirits of the departed, to the world of “Pithurloka” (region of blissful spirits). It is to attain this blessing, pronounced by Brahma, pilgrimages are undertaken to the shrine.

Pinnappara

This rock is supposed to be the bone of an asuran (demon) named Pazhana-bhedi, who was killed by Vishnu. At the time of his death he prayed to Vishnu that his body be converted into a rock extending from Thirunelli to Gaya and divided into three parts fit for the performance of offerings for the departed, at (1)Thiurnelli representing his foot, (2)Godavari representing the middle part, and (3)Gaya representing the head. Offerings at any of these three places are supposed to have special benefits in producing happiness and in the propitiation of the spirits. In Thirunelli ritual offerings to the spirits are made at Pinnappara, especially on the New Moon days of the Malayalam months Karkkidakom, Thulam and Kumbham.

Panchatheertham

The steps at the back of the temple actually leads to the tank Panchteertham. It is believed that Panchteertham, at one point of time was a meeting point of five rivers. Hence its sacred importance was immense. But today most of the water has dried up and the only remaining attraction is the footsteps of Vishnu, Vishnupad. It is the image of a footprint on a boulder in the middle of the tank. It is believed that Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana performed the ‘pithrukarma’ of their father King Dasaratha, standing on this rock.

Gunnika Temple
As you walk from Thirunelly temple to Papanasini along the riverbank , somewhere midway on your left, a small bridge appears. Cross this to go to a cave temple called Gunnika temple dedicated to lord Siva. Legend is that a fruit ( again Nelli fruit ) plucked by a pilgrim was turned into a Phallus (Shiva linga), as he was finishing bath in the Papanashini. The Gunnika temple on the western side is the abode of Lord Shiva. Thus all the members of the trinity Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are omnipresent here. The belief is that, Gunnika was the abode of Lord Shiva and it was from here that he started to Kottiyur to kill Dhakshan, the father of Sathi Devi. After the ancestral rites at Pinnappara, pilgrims visit Gunnika temple also.

Holy Rivers of Kerala- PAPANASINI

PAPANASINI

It is a wild stream that originates from the Brahmagiri Hills which later joins River Kalindi. It is almost 400 mtrs away from the temple, on its western side. Literally it means, extinguisher of sins. It is believed that River Ganga and River Saraswathi join in Papanasini. Therefore Papanasini is called the Southern Kashi. A ritual dip in Papanasini is believed to wash one away, of all worldly sins committed in a life time. If we immerse the ashes of the dead in Papanasini, it is equivalent to that of doing Karmas(Rituals ) in Gaya.

At Papanasini there is a sacred rock called Pinnappara where ritual offerings to the spirits of the departed are made (known as bali). People believe that Parasurama, the famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu visited Thirunelli and performed last rites at the death of his father sage Jamadagni. He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed owing to the annihilation of Kshatriyas. The ashes of Rajiv Gandhi was immersed in Papanasini in 1991.

Papanasini (destroyer of sins) has an interesting story to reveal. When Brahma was consecrating Vishnu’s idol Garuda (the carrier of Vishnu) reached over the sky, above the installation venue with the Amrit Kumbha (pot of nectar). During Garuda’s circling over, a drop of Amrit fell on the stream, which provided purifying power to the water in the stream. After that incident the stream came to be called Papanasini. Papanasini later joins in River Kalindi which is a tributary of River Kabani which later joins in River Kaveri.

Holy Rivers of Kerala - PAMBHA

Holy Rivers of Kerala
There are 44 major rivers in Kerala of which 41 are west flowing and 3 east flowing. All these rivers originate from the Sahyadri hills. Periyar is the longest river in Kerala followed by Bharathapuzha and Pambha.

PAMBHA

Pamba River originates from Peermedu near Sabrimala, Kerala, and measures 175 Kms.Pamba is the most important point on the way to Sabarimala. It is here that Lord Ayappa was found by King Rajasekara. It is considered as sacred as the Ganges and is believed to purify one of sins. All pilgrims take a ritual dip in the river before heading to Sabarimala. Pilgrims also perform ‘pitru tarpanam’ (offering to ancestors) before starting the trek to the shrine.

Holy Rivers of India - MAHANADHI

MAHANADHI

Place of Origin of this river is Amarkantak plateau, Chhatisgarh. It is 857Kms long.In ancient Hindu scriptures such as Matsya and Brahma Puranas, the Mahanadi has been referred to as ‘Chitrotpala’ and has been regarded sacred. Papashya Ghat on the banks of river Mahanadi at a place called Binka (near Sonepur) houses the shrine of Lord Gopal. A dip in the Mahanadi at the Ghat during the lunar and solar eclipses is believed to wash away all sins.

Holy Rivers of India - BHAGIRADHI RIVER

BHAGIRADHI RIVER

Bhagiradhi river originates from the Gangotri glacier, Uttaranchaland.It measures 700 Kms and merges with River Alaknanda to form the Ganges at Deoprayag.


The river is sacred to the Hindus and is named after Bhagiratha who is credited for bringing the river down to earth.

Holy Rivers of India - GOMATHI

GOMATHI

The river is held sacred by most Hindus and a ritual dip in its waters is believed to purify all sins. According to legends, the river is the daughter of Sage Vashistha, who is believed to have brought the river from heaven to earth. The place of origin of Gomathi river is Western Himalayas, Nepal and it measures 805 Kms.

Holy Rivers of India - TUNGABHADRA

TUNGABHADRA

River Tunga is the aspect of Lord Vishnu and the river Bhadra is the aspect of Lord Siva. Hence Tungabhadra, formed by the confluence of both Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva is said to be very sacred.Place of origin of this river is Koodli (near Shimoga), Karnataka (The river Tungabhadra is formed by the union of the Tunga and the Bhadra rivers). Its Length is 531Kms.

River Tungabhadra is considered sacred by many. It is identified with Goddess Pampa, the consort of Lord Shiva (known as Virupaksha or Pampapati). Goddess Pampa is believed to be the daughter of Lord Brahma. An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha or the Pampapathi temple is located at Hampi. In fact, the name Hampi itself is an anglicized version of the Kannada Hampe, derived from Pampa Tungabhadra finds a mention in the epic Ramayana as Pampathirtha. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the river and it is believed the dip in river at Harihar (a small town in Davanagere district in central Karnataka) will cleanse them of their sins.

Holy Rivers of India - KSHIPRA RIVER

KSHIPRA RIVER

The Shipra River, also known as the Kshipra rises in the Vindhya Range north of Dhar and flows south across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River. It is one of the sacred rivers in Hinduism. The holy city Ujjain is situated on its right bank. Ujjain is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India and famous for one of the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India known as Mahakaleshwar. In every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela festival takes place on the city and millions of people take holy dip and bath in the holy river Kshipra.

Holy Rivers of India -RIVER SINDHU

RIVER SINDHU

Sindhu in Rig Veda is reffered as one one of the rivers of Sapta Sindhus. The river gots its name of Sindhu or Sindh through which it flows. It is the great river of the world.It originated from the Kailasa mountain near the Mansarovar in Tibet. The basin of this river gave birth to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. Indus rises in Tibet near the Mansarovar Lake, flows west through Kashmir and Pakistan and then empties itself in Arabian Sea through the Rann of Kutch.River Indus provides the key water source for the economy of India and Pakistan. It is considered auspicious because of the Hindu belief that Aryans settled on the banks of Sindhu and thus, Hinduism started. River Sindhu is one of the foremost rivers to be treated as a male.

Holy Rivers of India - RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA

RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA

The Brahmaputra means the "Son of Brahma" and the river rises in Jima Yangzong glacier near Mount Kailash in the northern Himalayas. It enters India in the far eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh after traveling hundreds of miles across Tibet as the River Tsangpo. This is one of the largest rivers of the world and ends in Bay of Bengal. It acts as a good source of water for irrigation, fishing, rituals and for navigation.

According to Kalika Purana, there lived a sage named Shantanu and his wife Amogha. They prayed to Lord Brahma for a son and Lord Brahma impressed with their piety, blessed them with his son whom he wanted to create for the benefit of humanity. Shantanu placed the son - Brahmaputra amidst the holy mountains of Kailash, Gandhamadana, Jarudhi, and Sambaka. Brahmaputra assumed the form of a large mass of water where the Gods and heavenly maidens would have their bath. Thus, Brahmaputra is also a male river.

Holy Rivers of India - RIVER SARASWATI

RIVER SARASWATI

Saraswati is an ancient river that flowed in northern India during the vedic era.Saraswati is no longer in existence and is said to have originated from Saraswati-Rupin Glacier confluence at Naitwar in Uttaranchal. There are numerous references to the River Saraswati in the ancient and Vedic texts. Saraswati is also said to join the Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Prayag/Allahabad making it the holiest of all confluences that leads to salvation of human soul.

It is believed that Saraswati had three tributaries Sutlej, Drishadvati and Yamuna. They flowed together along a channel, presently known as the Ghaggar River. The river finally ended in the Arabian Sea through the Rann of Kutch. Saraswati was considered the seventh river of the Vedic Sapta Sindhu river system.

Legends state that Aryans fought with the non-Aryan tribes on the banks of River Saraswati. Lord Vishnu requested Saraswati to disappear underground. Thus, the tribals were deprived of water and were forced to abandon the area. So Saraswati is also known as Prithudhar (subjugator of Aryans).

The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati,of these three The legendary Saraswati River is invisible and is said to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below and the point of confluence is a sacred place for Hindus.

Holy Rivers of India - TAPI RIVER

TAPI RIVER

Tapi river is one of the major rivers in India. The total length of the Tapi river is approximately around 724 km. It flows in the central part of India. The river originates from the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh in the Satpura range at an elevation of 752 meter above the sea level. The states through which the Tapi river flows include Maharashtra, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh. Apart from the Narmada river, Tapi is the only river which flows in the westward direction and merges into the Arabian Sea. The Tapi basin extends to the total area of 65, 145 sq km, which is approximately 2.0% of the total geographical area of India.

In the earlier times Tapi river at Surat was used as an important stopover destination for Muslim pilgrimage called Haj to Mecca. According to the legends, Tapi river also known as Tapti is the daughter of Surya (the Sun God). Some says that Surya created the Tapi river in order to save himself from his own intense heat. The river finds mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharata, according to which Tapti had married Sanvaran, a legendary hero of the moon dynasty. Tapti and Sanvaran also had the son called Kuru. It was on his name only the Kuru dynasty started. Tapi is considered as the Goddess among the Hindus and is worshiped among them.

Holy Rivers of India - NARMADA RIVER

NARMADA RIVER

River Narmada is one of the most sacred rivers in our country and is worshipped as a Goddess. Amarkantak is the place from where the Narmada river originates. It rises from the Maikal ranges at the height of 1057 meter above the sea level. Amarkantak is located in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh in India. Narmada river mainly flows in the central India. The total length of the Narmada river lies approximately 1,289 kms. The river flows from the eastward direction to the westward into the Arabian sea. It merges into the ocean at the point called 'Bharonch'. It is the largest west flowing river in India.

Narmada is one of the sacred rivers of India. People living along the banks of the river consider her to be holier than the Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims circumambulate the river during the annual Naramada parikrama. It is said that by taking a bath in the holy Narmada river, man can be freed from all the sins of his life. The water of Narmada river purifies a man and help him in attaining salvation. Among the people in India, Narmada River is considered as the mother and the giver of peace. The Narmada finds mention in ancient texts of India as one of the seven most sacred rivers in India. The river is considered as the Goddess and is worshiped in India. There are numerous thirthas on the banks of the river, the most important among them are Mahewswar and Omkareshwar tempes.

There are many stories that describe the origin of the river. According to the legends, Narmada river came down from the sky as by the order of the Lord Shiva. Some also says that the Narmada river also sprangs from the perspiraation of the Lord Shiva, while performing the tandava (Lord Shiva's cosmic dance). Naturally formed Shiva lingams or banas are found in the river. These stones are considered very sacred by devout Hindus Narmada means 'Giving Pleasure'. In Sanskrit Narma means 'pleasure' and da refers to 'to give'. In some parts of India Narmada is also known as Narbada.

Adi Shankaracharya met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada on the banks of river Narmada.

Holy Rivers of India - KRISHNA RIVER

KRISHNA RIVER

Krishna river originates in the western ghats near Mahabaleshwar at an elevation of about 1,300 meter, in the state of Maharashtra in central India. It is one of the longest rivers in India. The Krishna river is around 1,290 km in length. It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh before merging in the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh. The traditional source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev in Mahabaleshwar The river basin is approximately 200 meter deep. Krishna river is the oldest river in India.

River Krishna is sacred among the Hindus in India. The river is named on the name of the Lord Krishna. It is believed that by taking the ritual dip in its water can purify all the past sins of the human beings. The river is referred to as the Krishnaveni mata among the Hindus. There are many pilgrimage centers on the banks of the River Krishna including Mallikarjuna temple (Srisailam), Amareshwara Swamy temple (Amaravati), Dattadeva temple, Sangameshwara Shiva temple, Ramling temple and Durga Malleshwara temple (Vijyawada). The center of attraction is the Krishna Pushkaram fair which is held one in twelve years on the banks of the Krishna river.

Legends state that the River Krishna is Lord Vishnu himself who turned into a river due to a curse on the Trimurti by Devi Savitri (Goddess Parvati). It is said that its tributaries Venna and Koyana are said to be Siva and Brahma themselves. The waters of River Krishna are considered sacred for religious rituals and for releasing ashes of the dead people.

Holy Rivers of India - KAVERI RIVER

KAVERI RIVER

River Kaveri is also known as Cauvery (Lopamudra devi, Brahma's daughter, wife of Agastya Muni).River Kaveri originates in the Brahmagiri hills in Kodagu, in a place called Talakaveri (head of Kaveri). It starts its journey from the small pond called as Kundike pond, later the two tributaries known as Kanake and Sujyoti joins it. All these three rivers meets at the point called Bhagamandala. It lies at an altitude of 1350 meters and generally flows from the south to eastward direction. The river is approximately 760 km long. Its flows in the state of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and merges into Bay of Bengal.

There are many different stories behind the birth of River Kaveri. One of them goes as such- In the ancient times the condition of the south India was becoming worse due to the severe drought in the area. Watching this sage Agastya felt very sad and prayed to the Lord Brahma to help the mankind to come out of this situation. Brahma said if you go to the place where Lord Shiva lives and collect some of the snow water that never ends, than you will be able to start a new river. Rishi Agastya went to the mount Kailash and filled his pot with the snow water and went back. He started searching for the good place to start the river in the hilly Coorg region. He became tired searching for the right place and handed his pot to the small boy who was playing there. That little boy was actually Lord Ganesha who selected the place to start the river and slowly put the pot down and disappeared. After some time Agastya called out – Little boy what do you think. He got no answer. Soon he noticed a crow spilled the pot of snow water on to the ground. After some time Lord Ganesha appeared instead of crow with the smiling face. He said I have done nothing wrong but have helped you in finding the right place to start the river. Sage Agastya smiled and Ganesha disappeared. This is how rishi Agastya brought River Kaveri into the Himalayas.

The legend of the Cauvery tells the tale of a girl called Lopamudra, the daughter of Brahma. However, Brahma allowed Sage Kavera-muni to adopt her. She resolved to become a river to purify all sins and to obtain blessings for her adoptive father. It is said that even Ganga resorts to going underground once an year to the source of the Kaveri, to purge herself from the pollution contracted from the crowd of sinners who have bathed in her waters.

The river Kaveri is the sacred river of India and holds the special religious importance. People in India considers river Kaveri as Goddess and worship it. She has been referred o as the Goddess Kaveri Amman. According to the legends she purifies our karmas and washes away all our sufferings. She is the Universal mother and is believed to give us peace.