Pithapuram - Pilgrimage trip

Hi Readers,

I just completed one tour to Pithapuram and Kakinada. Just want to share my experience and pictures that could help someone planning to visit these two places. I was searching for a temple that performs Shraaddha or Pinda Pradanam ( last rights in memory of the deceased ) near Hyderabad as I did not had much leaves to visit Odisha again.

Since, Pithapuram is not a much developed town, we decided to travel to Kakinada which is just 21 kms from Pithapuram. Kakinada has a good number of hotels for accommodation. People here understand Hindi, even though they might not be comfortable speaking Hindi. This is a small town, with good food. We got good north Indian food at the hotel itself. We also got sleeper coach from Hyderabad to Kakinada. Our journey started at 9PM from Hyderabad and we reached Balaji Cheravu( the main private bus stand) Kakinada around 7:30 AM next day. With help of taxi got a decent 3 star hotel near 3 town police station. We took APSRTC bus from RTC complex bus stand to Pithapuram. It hardly took 30 mins to reach Kukuteswar Swamy temple.

I got to know that Pithapuram is one of the Trigaya Khetram ( Shiro gaya - Gaya Bihar, Navi gaya - Viraja Temple, Jajpur, Odisha and Pada gaya - Pithapuram, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh).Since, we had to do Pinda Pradanam of my father in-law, we choose this auspicious shrine. Before, I go further, I want to brief you about Gaya and the connection with Shraddha or Pinda Pradanam.


Gayasura is a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He worshiped Vishnu for a long time.Lord Vishnu appeared before him and asked to take the required boon. Gayasura asked to make his body so pious that every one who sees him will attain Mukti (salvation) immediately. Vishnu accepted it and disappeared.

Gayasura started to grow his body to an enormous size with the help of Yoga shakti. It was hundreds of k.m height. His wish is to show himself to all so that everybody on the earth attains Mukti. This made Indra (the king on deities) fearful. If everybody attains Mukti who will be there to be ruled by him? He prayed Trimurthis, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. He asked them to tell a solution. They laughed at Indra and disappeared.

They approached Gayasura in the form of three Brahmins. Gayasura welcomed them. They told Gayasura that they are going to do a very sacred Yajna and for that requested land from him. Gayasura happily accepted to give it. But, they questioned him where will he give the land? Each and every place on earth has bad incidents in it's history and so unfit for their sacred Yajna. Gayasura wondered. He asked them to tell the solution. They told that his body will be the best place. They supported their logic with the boon he got from Vishnu and his wish in giving salvation to everybody. And told that this can be considered as a challenge to him. He has to face the sins of all people before giving salvation. He has to face many Vighnas (obstacles) both physically and mentally to fulfill his desire. They told that the capabilities of Gayasura can be tested in helping to this Yajna.

Gayasura accepted. That Yajna will be conducted for seven days. He developed his body with his power and slept on the earth. His head was in Gaya of Bihar (Siro gaya), his Navel was in Viraja Temple, Jajpur of Odisha (Nabhi gaya) and his foot were in Pithapuram, East Godavari, AP. The Brahmins started doing Yajna.

Gayasura was bearing the fire on his body. He was counting the days with the help of crowing of cocks in the early morning. He is becoming frustrated day by day because of the fire but not moving his body for the word he gave. On the final day Lord Shiva took a form of the cock and crowed at midnight. Considering it as the sign of morning Gayasura woke up. The Yagna was destroyed. The Brahmins felt very sad. They asked him that if he couldn't control himself for just seven days how he is willing to bear the sins of entire humanity for unlimited time? Gayasura realized his mistake. He agreed his fault. Trimurthis appeared before him and told that his body will be present as it is and the entire land will become sacred because of him. Anyone performing Shraddha would get salavation for the deceased at these places. This is the story of Gayasura and Kukkuteswara swamy.

The three important places became Trigaya peethas, namely,
Vishnupada at Gaya
Biraja at Jajpur
Puruhoortika at Pithapuram

Gayasura is a great devotee of lord Vishnu. He was very good at heart. He just took an adventurous decision. The word Asura (demon) in his name is a misnomer. It just means opposite to Suras (deities ruled by Indra).

In some other mythological story, it is believed that Lord Vishnu forced Gayasura to live in Patala, and he will be fed by the devotees, who would do Shraaddha and Pinda Pradanam at these places and in return would get salvation for the deceased. The day when he will not be fed he will come back on earth. Thus, Pinda Pradanam at the Trigaya khetra is considered best for the deceased.

This story is beautifully depicted by the statue at the Pada Gaya Pond.This is the pond where Gayasura's  foot rested when he lie down for the Yajna to happen. Inside the temple premises, it has a small rock with foot prints Gaya Pada Vishnu Pada. The main temple inside the temple premises is at the middle with a huge Nandi (Bull) carved out of single stone. The Lord Shiva ( Kukuteswar ) is a swambhu linga ( self originated ) linga of  white marble in the shape of cocks head, thus the name Kukuteswar has originated. Goddess Rajarajaswari the consort of Kukuteswar Swamy is present beside the temple.

 The temple premises also has Sri Guru Datattreya temple.This is the only shrine with the idol of Sri Guru Dattatreya. There is a Audambara Vriksha (Banyan Tree) beside the shrine. It is also said that those who see, touch, do pradakshina or meditate near the Audumbara Vriksha will be the most fortunate of all. The Padukas (foot imprints) which are present beside the shrine is believed to be the real Padukas of Sri Sripada Vallabha Swamy.

This temple premises also has temple of Puruhoortika devi, which is considered one of the Shakti Peethas. Sati's left hand had fallen at this place, thus this is one of the important Shakti Peethas in India. Below, is a picture of Puruhoortika Devi that I got from net, taking pictures inside the temple premises is not allowed.

My Experience :- When we visited this temple, one of the Temple priest came to our help. Though he was not well versed in English, still he made us understand the Puja's and rituals that we need to do. With his help we got the Puja Samagri from near by stall and after entering the temple he asked us to sprinkle the water from the Pada Gaya pond. Taking dips in this water is considered auspicious and is believed to relieve one from of all sins of past. We performed the Abhishek of Sri Guru Dattatreya and did Kumkumarchana of Puruhoortika Devi. Next day, we did the Shraaddha or Pinda Pradanam of my father in-law. The ritual was very much similar to the one we do at Biraja temple. After the completion of ritual the Pinda was emerged in Pada gaya Pond.

We also visited the KuntiMadhav temple where Lord Krishna is worshiped in standing posture. This is one of the five (pancha pandab) Khetra which Lord Indra created do get rid of sin of killing Viddhasura.

We also visited the Kakinada beach. It was a cool beach, not too much crowded and got us relieved from the heat.

Ashoka Astami

Hi Readers,

Today is the auspicious day of Ashoka Astami the eighth day from new moon day in Chaitra Masa, this is the eighth day of Vasant Navaratri as well. On this day, Goddess Maa Durga is worshiped in  her Maha Gauri form.This is also believed that Sri Ram had worshiped Goddess Durga during Vasant Navaratri to defeat Ravana. As Maa Shakti is believed to have protected Ravana, Ram had worshiped her continuously to appease her and get boon to defeat Ravana in the battle of Lanka. Ram had worshiped both Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti to get this boon. On the auspicious day of Ashoka Astami (Ashoka meaning the one who removes and protects from hurdles and sorrows), both Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti had blessed Lord Sri Ram and had removed all his sorrows.

In Odisha this day has special significance, due to Rukuna Rath Yatra (the famous car festival of Lord Lingaraj in Bhubaneswar).According to folklore, Lord Sri Ram had worshiped Lord Shiva at Rameswaram, and when Lord Shiva wanted him to ask for what he wants , he wanted Lord to visit Rameswaram for five days, thus Lord Lingaraj in his Chandrashekar form visited Rameswaram in his chariot Rukuna. The folklore also has another version, in which Lord Lingaraj and Maa Bhubanswari had travelled to kill Surasura.

Rukuna Rath or chariot has one special significance, as it does not return once it moves in one direction. So, the devotees pull this chariot till the Rameswar temple. On the Bahuda yatra ( return of Lord Lingaraj to Lingaraj temple) the decoration in front side is removed and is placed in back side and pulled back.  

Do you believe in destiny?

Few days back in daily newspaper, I came across two articles based on life. One was about the attitude that we have towards our life and the other is about thinking. Sometimes, we think a lot and expand the issue which is in fact not so significant. I hope each one of us would have experienced this sometime or other. We worry unnecessarily and try to eliminate the problem itself.

However, life is not about eliminating problem, it is more about controlling problem and working through it until we come up with something or somewhat better off situation. Sometimes, we get angry on people just because we have been carrying a bad image of them with us. But, we need to question our self first, Am i good? Am I perfect? No body is perfect nor can ever be. The degree of being perfect varies. And also the values differ.

I may not like someone who boasts around or someone who goes on manipulating things. While there could be another individual, who would judge the same person as someone who could get the work done by any means. For me, getting the work done by good means, may it take lot of time and energy is worth but for the other person, getting work done is important over how it is done.

Life is always good, until the sky falls on our head and we stop breathing. There are hundreds of people who are starving, do not have proper clothes,shoes to wear, don't have a roof over their head. But, still they are alive. Have you ever watched a street children being way happy when someone offered them chocolate or ice-cream? There is happiness in them , that sparkles with that joy of getting something that they longed to have. It is as though they won a gold medal in a race.

Few days back there was a story in newspaper about one kidnapped child who was later united with his two mothers. He was kidnapped and was given to another lady who wanted to adopt a child. The lady took good care of this child, even in a better way than his real mother. The child soon forgot  image of his real parent and when reunited did not wanted to go back. The lady who adopted him, had lost her husband to one accident and her only son to an incurable medical condition. She runs a small catering business and had nothing that could inspire her. Her mother wanted her to adopt a child so that she could think it as her aim in life and lead a normal life. Though, not very rich, she had abundance motherly affection that she gave to two adopted children.

People like her are true inspiration. They have not only overcome hurdles but also have shed light of hope on many who undergo challenging circumstances. Sometimes, we really do not know what destiny has for us. But, yes we need to learn responding to challenging circumstances than reacting to it.

The journey of Ratnakar to Valmiki

Valmiki the saint who narrated epic Ramayan and who was the guru of Lav and Kush (Rama's son),used be a well known bandit named Ratnakar.

Though born in to a bhramin family, Ratnakar had turned bandit by being with bad company of others. He used to loot the people who would travel through the lonely paths of wood. He was destined to become the great sage Valmiki, the transformation of Ratnakar to sage Valmiki is an well known and inspirational story that motivates one to give up all the bad qualities and become a better person. The story of transformation of Ratnakar bandit to sage Valmiki is as below :-

One day, Narada Munni was crossing by the wood where Ratnakar used to reside and loot people. When he saw Narada, he challenged Narada to stop. Unafraid by him, Narada turned to him and said, " Look brother, I do not possess anything that you would like to take.Why are you engage in killing innocent people. There is no sin greater than killing another fellow mate. And for whom you are committing such heinous crime?

Ratnakar was accustomed of watching frightened faces that used to cry and beg for his mercy. Ratnakar, was astonished to see Narada, he was not bit afraid and moreover had courage to question him. He was impressed by Narada and answered, to feed my large family, I loot people and take their wealth.

Narada replied: " Brother, go and ask them, if they are willing to share your sins for whom you are committing these sinful actions. And don't think that I would run away, if you don't believe me then you an tie me with this rope to the tree. Remember, everyone repents for their part of sin after death."


Ratnakar after tying Narad with the rope went to his home and asked everybody the same question: " Is anybody ready to share my sins?" The same reply came from each member of his family:" It is your duty to look after me, to feed us. It is not my concern as to by which method you earn wealth, so why should I share your sins?"

Ratnakar was disillusioned. He who was toiling, committing sins, taking risks, day and night for them and here they were not even ready to share his sins. He saw the futility of his actions he had been committing. Ratnakar went back to the forest and untying Narada fell at his feet and started crying and said: O learned man ,how can a mean person like me achieve salvation?

Narada after thinking for a while asked him to chant the name of God Rama but for Ratnakar even pronouncing it was difficult. When Narada saw that even after trying very hard, Ratnakar was not successful in his attempts to chant Rama's name, he asked him to pronounce it backwards that is 'Mara' and then Narada went away. Ratnakar started to chant 'Mara, Mara' sitting there. He continued with this chant for 4 days, months, years and even Yuga! He did not get up for a single moment, even opened his eyes. His body was so still that termites made his body their home and his whole body was covered with them. Lord Brahma after being by his penance blessed him and gave him the name Valmiki because of the termites, which are called Valmik in Sanskrit.

One, who was a cruel bandit, whose only duty was to kill became the most noble sage because of the effect of chanting God's name though backwards.

We all have enormous power inside us, if we want to perform anything we can do it, be it the most difficult task of transforming from a cruel bandit to sage with the grace of god.

A rich man and his 19 horses.

Once upon a time, a rich man owned 19 horses. In his last will and testament he had written that upon his death, half the horses he owned should go to his only son; one fourth to the village temple and one fifth to the faithful servant.

The village elders could not stop scratching their heads. How can they give half of the 19 horses to the son? They puzzled over this dilemma for more than two weeks and then decided to send for a wise man who was living in a neighboring village.

The wise man came riding on his horse and asked the villagers if he can be of any help to them. The village elders told him about the rich man's last will and testament which stated that half of the (19) horses must be given to his only son, one fourth must go to the temple and one fifth to the faithful servant.

The wise man said he will immediately solve their problem without any delay whatsoever. He had the 19 horses stand in a row next to one another. Then he added his own horse as the 20th horse. Now he went about giving half of the 20 horses – that is ten horses to the son. One fourth of 20- that is 5 horses were given to the temple committee. One fifth of twenty- that is 4 horses were given to the faithful servant. Ten plus five plus four made 19 horses. The remaining 20th horse was his own which he promptly mounted, spoke a few inspiring words, and rode back home.

The villagers were simply dumbfounded, full of disbelief and filled with admiration. And the parting words of the wise man were inscribed in their hearts and minds which they greatly cherished and passed on to their succeeding generations till today.

The wise man said: In our daily lives, in our daily affairs, simply add God’s name and then go about facing the day’s happenings. Ever come across problems in life that are seemingly insurmountable? (Like the villagers, do we feel that such problems cannot be solved?).

The wise man continued: Add the God in our daily lives and the problems will become lighter and eventually will disappear. In the manner of the ice which, with the addition of the heat principle will turn into water, and that will eventually evaporate as steam and disappear. And how do we add God’s name  in our daily lives? Through prayers, filled with true love and devotion with sincerity of purpose and dedication that only total faith can bring about. Meditation is a powerful means of directing the mind towards God.

But without true love and devotion entering into it, it remains like a boat without water. It is not difficult to push a boat that is floating in water, but extremely hard to drag the same boat on dry land. In the same way, if our life’s boat floats on the waters of true love and devotion, we can sail easily in it. The principle of love of God and devotion with total faith, (like water) makes easy the voyage of our lives. When the mind is pure and the heart full of simplicity and holiness, such a devotee becomes an instrument in the service of the Lord.

Decluttering life

This week, I dedicated most of my time in de-cluttering my home. I felt really much much better, when I finally arranged my kitchen, gave it a new and perhaps a better well organized look. This was something that I wanted to do from quiet a long time. But, may be circumstances or may be I being lazy, postponed this for a long time.

 Finally, I decided one thing, everything, every situation good or bad will come and go, and I need to see something better each day when I cook . I want to feel enthusiastic while cooking... after all I don't want a messy kitchen...Most importantly my day starts with kitchen after all... I want my day to look beautiful and feel happier... Thankfully, I did it...

After, I completed de-cluttering kitchen, this automatically made me enthusiastic enough to de-clutter and rearrange all my rooms. Well, I have completed almost all rooms.... only one more room is left and I am dedicated to finish the stuff by this weekend....

Suddenly today, a thought erupted.... had it been that easy to de-clutter emotions.... just let go of all the experiences....good or bad.... but this does not happen that easily.... though I have somehow learnt to give up all the bad and negative feelings.... it is really very difficult to let go the good ones... the ones that made me laugh... the one that made me feel important....

Why I still remember my first school, my friends with whom I am not in touch.... why I tend to remember them.... simply why???? I wish it was as simple as de-cluttering my kitchen and getting rid of all those unused things of past.... and making it simpler and beautiful....

I know I have to be strict with myself, I have to avoid and put a full stop on all those things of past.... all emotional and sentimental feelings that is just left inside me...
 

"Mantra" - A powerfull & effective prayer.

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"'Prayer is the very breath of God'. Therefore it is possible to experience ones personal God through the mystic sound of Mantras. Since God is all-pervading, he also exists in the form of the vibration of all sounds.The simplest and most powerful Mantra is Om.

It is easier to achieve ones objective when one has faith, and also when the prayer is uttered with sincerity.One generally prays when one has realized that for achieving that, which one desires, one needs to rely upon a Higher Power.The above attitude, weakens our ego and purifies us, as we acknowledge our shortcomings.Below are the mantras that one can chant for health, prosperity, success and strength and peace.

Mantra for Health:

• Shortest Mantra for Health: 'Aham Aarogyam' meaning I am healthy.
• Other 'Mahamrityunjay' Mantra For health:

“Om! Tryambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtee Vardhanam
Urva ruka meva Bandhanaat Mrityor Muksheeya Ma amrutaat”

Om Tryambakam: The 3-eyed One i.e. Lord Shiva
Yajaamahe: We all worship
Sugandhim: Full of Fragrance
Pushti: Strength
Vardhanam: One who increases
Urvaa: Ripe cucumber
Arukam: Ready to be plucked
Eva: Just like
Bandhanaat: From bondage
Mrityo: Of death
Muksheeya: Bestower of salvation
Ma: Never
Amrutaat: Towards Eternity

Om! We worship Lord Shiva (The 3-Eyed One) who is full of fragrance and who nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, bestow salvation and (lead me) towards Eternity (Make me immortal) just as the ripe cucumber is severed (from the creeper) of its bondage.

Mantra for Success:

"Krishna Krishna Mahaayogin Bhaktaanaam Bhayankara
Govinda Parmaananda Sarvey Mey Vash Maanay"

O Krishan, O Krishna!
Thou art the Yogi of Yogis.
Thou bestoweth fearlessness on Thy devotees.
O Govinda! Thou art the giver of Supreme Bliss.
Bring everything to my favour.

Mantra for Improving Life:

The following mantra can help improve one's life or to help secure what your heart desire's. More than just a mantra, it requires a surrendering of oneself to the Lord.

This Mantra is from Chapter IX of the Bhagvad Geeta. It is the Verse 22:

Ananyaa shchinta yanto maam
Ye janaah paryupaasatey
Teshaam nityaa bhiyuktaa naam
Yogakshemam Vahaamyaham

It means:
To those men who worship Me alone,
thinking of no other, of those ever-united,
(To those men, ever-united in love, who surrender to Me, after having done their best)
I secure what is not already possessed,
and preserve what they already possess.

 

Mantra For Peace :

"Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Niramayah
Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu
Ma Kaschid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet"

May all be happy;
May all be free from disabilities
May all behold what is auspicious;
May none suffer from sorrow.

Mantra For Prosperity:

Aayur dehee Dhanam Dehee
Vidyaam dehee Maheshwari
Samastamakhilam dehee
dehee mey Parameshwari

It means:
Give me long life
Give me wealth,
Give me knowledge, O Maheshwari (Mother Goddess)
O Parmeshwari, give me also
everything else that I desire

 

 Mantra for having child :

 

"Om Shreeng Hreeng Kleeng Glaung Devakisut Govind Vasudev Jagatpate Dehi Me Tanayam Krishn Tvaamaham Sharanam Gatah "

Gauri Mantra for achieving child, son, spouse, prosperity:

Gauraageem Dhrut Pankaja
Trinaya naam Shvetaambaraam
Sinha gaam Chandrod Bhaashit Shekharaam Smit mukheem
Dobhhyarhu vahteem gadaam
Vidhi Chandraambuj yochi kaam tridasheiha
Sampoojitaam dhrid va yom Gaureem
Maana sapam kaje Bhagavateem Bhakteshta daam taam bhaje

It means:
The Mantra describes the smiling countenance of Gauri Mata and requests the fulfillment of the desire.

The beej (seed) Mantra of Gauri Mata:
Aum Hreem Shreem Glaum ga Gaureem Geem Svaahaa