Sunday, November 28, 2010

Deepavali - Karthik Poornima Celebrations at Kochi Tirumala Devaswom temple

I enjoyed the recent Deepavali celebrations in Kochi Tirumala Devaswom temple as I got  an opportunity to celebrate it in my hometown Kochi.The temple was opened at 4.45 am and devotees thronged the temple to participate in the early morning worship.

The idol of Lord Venkatachalapathy was given a special abhishekam with perfumed oil known as champel made by soaking scented flowers in oil which was  later distributed among the devotees. Worshipping the Lord by singing devotional songs and performing aarti made of oil wicks  kept in the centre of rice flour balls are also part of the festivities. This is called as Divyan aarti and goes on for about 1 hour in the temple.

Special worship is performed to Tulsi and it is believed that Lord Narayana resides and meditates inside the Tulsi for a  month starting 10th day of Navarathri. It ended on Uthana Dwadashi which was on 18th November 2010. GSB's celebrate the whole month as the Karthika masa. During this period  paper lanterns  known as panjire are hung in front of the houses and lamps are lit in the morning and evening.

On Diwali day, Tulsi in the temple was  decorated well with diyas,( lamps) rangolis, flowers and thoranas made of palm and mango leaves. Special worship for Tulsi is also conducted on Uthana dwadashi  day too and on that day it is believed that Lord Narayana leaves for Vaikunta.

 On Karthik Poornima day, the  Lord is worshipped under the Nelli maram(gooseberry tree). The idols are adorned with garlands made of gooseberries.The legend is that after killing Narakasura, the Lord rested under a Nelli tree.

 A few photographs are displayed below for you to enjoy Diwali - Kartika Poornima in  Kochi temple. I have also added a few snaps of Uthana Dwadashi, Tulsi  pooja  celebrations at my home.


 The aaratu of Lord Venkachalapathi is starting on  Dec 3rd 2010. For a glimpse of April  Chaitra masa aaratu pictures click here.



Uthana dwadashi- Tulsi pooja at home.

68 comments:

Archana said...

Happy Diwali belated!

It's nice to learn about this Diwali tradition. In eastern India people make artistic lamps and hang them on top of the house with an earthen lamp or candle inside. The paper lamps in your images reminded me of that.

Again in the Eastern India, Devotthan Ekadashi is celebrated a day earlier, since in your post it's a dwadashi (12th day of the waxing moon after Diwali, which is on the new moon night), but there it's ekadashi (11th day). It is called the day when Vishnu rises from his sleep in Vaikunth. It's basically the end of harvest season when paddy is brought home. this festival is not the part of 5-day Diwali festive season in Eastern India.

You may see my post on the 5-day Diwali season in the North -

http://archanablogging.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/hello-world-happy-diwali/

It's nice to learn about the diversity across India in these celebrations!

Insignia said...

Missed you and your pilgrimage pictures. Beautiful pictures :) The food on the banana leaf looks so scrumptious. Hope you had a great Diwali

chitra said...

Archana,
This post was overdue but I wanted to combine the karthik poornima also along with this. Up to Uthana dwadashi it is part of Diwali for us. Ekadashi is also important but for us, Lord arises from tulsi on dwadashi only.
There is special worship for tulsi through out the month, lanterns with oil lamps would be lighted in every house. But now a days electrical lamps are also used. It would be interesting to read your post too.Shall do the same

chitra said...

Insignia,
I was traveling and hardly found time to ready this post.I am happy you liked all the pictures. the feast was really sumptuous with payasam to top it all.
I also missed all of you.

Mridula said...

Lovely decorations particularly what looked like leaves and marigold.

chitra said...

Mridula ,I was also awe struck when I saw all the decorations,the leaves are of palm and mango and flowers indeed are marigold.

kiran sawhney said...

You seem to have very nice Diwali. I love the pictures and the description you give-it makes me feel as if I have traveled with you and seen it through your eyes. Thanks.

sm said...

beautiful slide show
about oil and food didnt knew about it.

Amrit said...

Chitra,

Very happy Diwali. Beautiful pictures and write up. Taking low light pictures (night pictures) is not easy but the photographer (I assume you) did a great job. Pictures are sharp, clear and convey the message.

Thanks for posting these pictures. :)

aipi said...

The views of our elaborate temples always fascinates me,especially like your pictures with deepams..very beautiful!

US Masala

chitra said...

Kiran,
Temple celebrations are more important for us than the festivities we conduct at home. I am happy you enjoyed the virtual tour.

chitra said...

sm,The oil is very special and has a nice aroma.Yes, food was served for Karthik poornima.

chitra said...

A,
Thanks a lot for appreciating the photographer.My hard work has paid off:). You made my day. All the pic.were taken around 5.30 am.'A' special thanks once again.

chitra said...

aipi,
Thanks a lot.

Archana said...

Chitra,
Yes, I know there is a lot of diversity in celebrating these festivals across India. Even the calendars are different in different parts of India.

It is interesting to learn about these variations.

SG said...

Thanks for the nice narration. Tirumala Devaswom! I hope there was no "Jarugandi Jarugandi" business there.

I got to hand it to you. You are, in my mind, another Desa. Mangayarkarasi.

Bhagyareema said...

AS USUAL LOVELY PIX, BUT THEN U MUST BE USED TO HEARING IT ALL THE TIME ;)
SOMEHOW DEEPAWALI i HAVE ALWAYS CELELBRATED AT HOME, SO HAVE MISSED THE TEMPLE FESTIVITIES. wE HAD tULSI VIVAH HERE TOO, THOUGH NOT IN AS GRAND A SCALE AS WE DO IN iNDIA.

Anuradha Shankar said...

Nice pics, Chitra... and an interesting celebration of Diwali and Karthikai...

Felicity Grace Terry said...

How beautiful. All those lamp lit photos are simply stunning. And those scented flowers must have smelt heavenly.

chitra said...

SG,
Saying it again no jargundi..

I am so happy about that title you have conferred on me.I am humbled...oops...honoured.

chitra said...

Bhagya,
Tulsi vivah is news to me.I would like to know what exactly it is.May be you can blog about it.

chitra said...

Anu,
Thanks a lot. Each region has its own specialty and it is nice to learn and share.Blogs are great medium for this.

chitra said...

PW,
Fragrant lowers like jasmine,Champa( Magnolia champaka),flowers of bullet wood tree are used for preparing the oil which really smells heavenly. This is prepared by soaking the flowers in oil for a few days and kept in the hot sun.

Urmi said...

I appreciate for your wonderful photography. Beautiful decoration and nice description. As always excellent post.

Sridharan said...

Nice pics.. I also saw the other post Chaitra masa aaratu. I am seeing the no of PICs increasing nowadays. I like these pictures. Good work Chitra..!

chitra said...

Babli, my good friend thank you.

chitra said...

Sridhar,
I liked all the photos and wanted to publish as many as possible. I am in fact inspired your blog- the way you publish photos. Hence I also went ahead and did the same.Thanks for visiting my other post also .

Shrikrishna Meena said...

Awesome, Beautiful Photos.... Liked it.... Deepawali - The name itself is good for description.

chitra said...

Thanks SKM, keep visiting.

Prabha Kamath said...

Chitra, I have not seen the Deepavali Puja in cochi temple so far. Thanka a lot for providing tha descriptions as well as the photos.

Sridharan said...

I am honoured by your comments Chitra..! I am also seeing gradual improvement in your photographic skills ..I read somewhere 1 photograph is equivalent to 1000 words...!I like visiting blogs that contains photographs..I like your posts. Thanks for taking time to keep posting...!

chitra said...

Sridharan,
that is a nice compliment. V.happy. Like you said let pictures speak more. I like to learn a lot from others and was happy to see someone having similar interest. thanks a bunch.

chitra said...

Prabakka,
You must visit temple once during deepavali.Then you would be able to enjoy more.

indicaspecies said...

Your post reminds me of my last temple visit at Nathdwara, Rajasthan.

Martina said...

Diwali is such a beautiful celebration - and like always, you took so much effort to collect these pictures! A very pretty post chitra! Hope the weather got nicer where you are - here it snowed!

chitra said...

indicaspecies,
thanks a lot.I am happy you liked my post.

chitra said...

Martina,
My good friend, it was really a tough job taking pic.early morning.But I enjoyed it.
Weather here is also not good.Raining for the past few days.But our state needs it.

R. Ramesh said...

as usual u r doing a gr8 job ya..thanks and cheers

Sanand said...

Fantastic post. Didn't even know about this till i read your post.

Bikram said...

Your posts make me visit all these beautiful places of god, that it feel like i am there ...

I reaally am thankful I would probably never get to see all the sites but thanks to yu I can see all of them : )

Thank You

chitra said...

Rameshji, thanks , thanks

chitra said...

Sanand,
Happy about the appreciation.thanks.

chitra said...

Bikram, thanks once again for visiting my blog.haves sent you the pic.

Savaari said...

Wow, what a slide show! Pictures are really so beautiful. Thanks for this wonderful collection.

chitra said...

Savaari,
Welcome to my blog.thanks for the appreciation.

Sushma Mallya said...

Beautiful Photography Chitra:)....I just love to see all the beautiful temple photos u upload every time :)

chitra said...

Sushma, Thanks. I am sure you must be familiar with these rituals.

Anonymous said...

I have heard a lot about this temple but never got to see it until now.

beautiful pictures and informative post..Thank u Chitra

chitra said...

Stranger,
Welcome,Long time no see!. I hope all is well at your end. Thanks for the comments.

Savaari said...

You deserve it chitra :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Chitra,
Good Evening!
Beautiful posts and thanks for the gooseberry information.
I had written a post on Tulsi Vivah last year.Here it's a grand celebration.
You'll be blessed for gifting the readers such wonderful visual treat and proper information.
Wishing you more pilgrimage,
Sasneham,
Anu

chitra said...

Anu,
thanks a lot.Shall read your post. happy to know that you liked the photos.

Martina said...

Hi Chitra, thanks for visiting! Would love to pop over to your place - it's so cold here today! I light a candle in the morning. It must be so interesting to attend these colorful indian ceremonies. Have a great day!

chitra said...

Martina, I am so happy, You are welcome here. You would love the warm atmosphere.

V Gopalan said...

Thank you very much for your comments Chitra. I did not know that Diwali is celebrated so well in Kerala till i saw your blog. Wonderful pictures!

Work pressure is not letting me to post frequently!

à´°à´®േà´¶്‌ à´…à´°ൂà´°്‍ said...

Nice script..nice photos ,..congraatssss

chitra said...

Gopalan. Keep some time for sharing your beautiful posts. They are wonderful.thanks for the comment. Visit when you find time.

chitra said...

Ramesh Aroor,
Thanks for the comment.

R. Ramesh said...

chitra ji..nanni nanri :)

Urmi said...

You are welcome at my new posts-
http://urmi-z-unique.blogspot.com/
http://amazing-shot.blogspot.com/
http://khanamasala.blogspot.com

Anya said...

Good Morning Chitra

Thanks for your sweet words
the last days/weeks
it means a lot to me
to have real friends in blogging world

Hugs
Kareltje =^.^=
Anya

Siddhartha Joshi said...

So nice to see your blog, am amazed and impressed that you visit and write about so many temples! Each visit is very nicely written :)

chitra said...

Anya, I am touched .
I know it was a difficult phase.may God give you strength.
Love and hugs

chitra said...

Siddhartha Joshi,
I am Very happy to read your comments.Please do visit when you find time.

Arti said...

Wow lovely pics, all of them!!
A great way to spend your Diwali at a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu Himself…
Loved the pics of the Tulsi Vivaah too:)

chitra said...

Thanks Aarti, Welcome! Nice to see you back.

Anonymous said...

I'm extremely impressed together with your writing skills as well as with the
format to your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you
modify it your self? Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is
rare to see a great weblog like this one nowadays..

chitra said...

Hello,
I only write my posts, there is nothing commercial in this.
I am happy you found my writing interesting. Thank you.
I will do my best to maintain quality.
Lot of work goes into readying each post.