Pushkara - Festival of Sacred Rivers

Pushkara or Pushkaram:
Pushkara means the one who nourishes or purifies. Lord Vishnu is called Pushkaraakshah means the one who nourishes. In traditional astrology, there is a word called Pushkara Navamsa, the place where planets get nourished. A lake with the name Pushkara exist in the state of Rajasthan,India where we can find sacred temple of Lord Brahma. According to ancients, Pushkaram means span of 12 years.

Cultural beliefs:
According to brahmanda purana, what ever sins committed in this life and past life will be vanished and attain virtues by doing bath in river at the time of Pushkara. Pushkara snan will give equal benefits which are equivalent to doing of Ashvamedha Yag. Meditation at Narmadha river,Charity at Kurukshetra place, death in Kasi town are consider as the most auspicious but doing bath at the time of Pushkar will give all the three benefits. Ancient texts such as Rig veda 1.23 also explained the powers of water.

A popular story behind Pushkaram was Sages at ancient times requested Lord Varun(the king of all water bodies) to stay in 12 rivers every year.As per their request, he promised to stay in 12 rivers as per the planet Jupiter movements around sun. When ever planet Jupiter enters in to a zodiac sign, each river gets Pushkar.

As per the scripts, Lord Pushkara is the son of Lord Varuna. Pushkar prayed Lord Brahma and acquired a boon to live in sacred waters to purify them.He also prayed Lord Shiva and attain 'Jala Tattva Siddhi'( Physics of waters) and became king of all sacred waters and named as 'Theerdhapalaka' (Ruler of Sacred waters). Later to this Lord Jupiter prayed Lord Brahma to keep Pushkara along with him but, Pushkar refused it and Lord Brahma resolved conflict by requesting pushkar to stay with Jupiter for 24 days(12 days at beginning + 12 days at ending)  when Lord Jupiter enters each Zodiac Sign. Based on the planet Jupiter movement in Zodiac sign Lord Pushkar enters 12 sacred rivers in India.

Depending on Jupiter movement in Zodiac signs, sacred rivers get energies and nourishes the place.

Jupiter in Aries river Ganga gets Pushkara.
In Taurus      - Narmada River.
In Gemini      - Saraswathi River.
In Cancer      - Yamuna River.
In Leo            - Godavri River.
In Virgo          - Krishna River.
In Libra          - Kaveri River.
In Scorpio      - Bheema River.
In Sagittarius - Pushkara-Vaahini River.
In Capricorn  - Thunga -Bhadra River.
In Aquarius   - Sindhu (Indus) River.
In Pisces      - Pranahitha(Praneetha) River.

Interesting facts:

• Before doing bath at the time of Pushkara we need to make small mud balls and leave them in the river as a request or permission to take bath in that place.
• After bathing, Tharpan(act of giving water) has to be given to River,Lord Varuna, Planet Jupiter, Lord Vishnu,Lord Shiva ,Lord Brahma and all the Gods and Goddesses, 7 Sages, Sacred rivers at last to Lord Surya(Sun).
• After giving tharpan, water should be released for 3 times with hands at the banks of river and drain the water from the edges cloths for 3 times  before changing the dress.
• After the above acts, Gayatri Japa has to be done or recite mantras related to Lord Surya.
• People believe that tonsuring of head,staying,Fasting,Meditation, Donation, reciting mantras, Tharpanas for ancestors at the river in pushkara time is highly auspicious.
• Watching,touching,bathing,drinking of sacred water at the time of pushkar is consider as highly auspicious and soul cleansing.

Scientific Reasons:

• The enhanced Electro magnetic field of earth due to sun spot cycle or solar magnetic activity cycle at the time pushkar magnetizes water in the river and enhances healing properties in water. It is observed that entire body system raised to condition where it is equal to the effect of meditation.
• Water will acquire magnetic power from earth and stored until early hours of sun rise. When ever a person perform bathing ritual at that time will be relieved from several health disorders.

Ayyappa - Protector of Natural Law

Ayyappa:

Ayyappa is a famous Hindu deity who is popularly worshipped in South-India. It is estimated over 50 million people reach the temple every year to seek blessings of the Lord Ayyappa on the day of Makar-Sankranthi or Pongal. The most famous Lord Ayyappan shrine or temple is located at Sabarimala, on the hills of Pathanamthitta in Kerala,India.

Cultural beliefs:

Ayyappa was found on the banks of River Pampa. He was adopted child to Pandala King(Rajashekhara) and cured the deaf and dumb of Teacher’s(Guru) son. Due to evil manipulations of his step mother, he went to forest and killed demoness Mahishi and came to kingdom riding on tiger for giving milk of tiger to his step mother. After that he went to dense forest and disappeared. Upon the instructions of Ayyappa, King built temple for Ayyappa in Sabarimalai. Sabarimalai means Sabari- the devote of Ayyappa and malai- the hill. Sabari, the devotee of Ayyappa had become a hill for the place of stay for Ayyappa.

 

There is spiritual relation existed between Lord Ayyappa and Lord Saturn. After watching troubles caused by Lord Shani to his devotees he suggested Ayyappa deeksha for 41+ days(mandalam) as remedy for all the troubles of Lord Saturn. These 41+ days Lord Ayyappa devotees experience all the difficulties to please Lord Saturn and reach Lord Ayyappa Temple by wearing black cloths as the symbol of Lord Saturn.

 

When Ayyappa learning war fighting tactics(Kalari Vidya) under guru panicker (last name of Kaniyars community of Kerala,who are teachers). Teachers daughter 'Nila' fell love with Lord Ayyappa and asked to marry her. But Lord refuges marry her by explaining his misson as Bramhachari(bachelor) to kill demon Mahishi.

 

Interesting facts:

• Lord Ayyappa was born to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (Mohini Avatar) hence he is called as "Hariharasutan".
• He born wearing Mani( Jewel stone or bell) around his neck hence he is called as "Manikanta".
• The 18 steps to reach god are considered as Holy steps and indicates five senses,eight desires,3 behaviors,knowledge and ignorance. Act of crossing these steps is considered as sacred and bestows with self-realization.
• According to Buddhism, Ayyappa is form of Dharma-sastha.
• The original idol at sabarimalai temple was installed by Lord Parasurama.
• Sabarimalai hill was the place where Sabhari lived and Lord Rama visited.
• Makar Jyothi is a star which is worshiped by devotees as the form of Ayyappa on Makar Sankranthi day.
• Makara Vilakku is sacred fire which appears on the top of hills near by the temple.
• Thiruvaabharanam are the sacred gold ornaments of Ayyappa which are carried to temple before Makar sankranthi(around jan12th every year) and taken back to Pandalam temple after finishing of pilgrim season.Garuda (holy eagle) is the guardian of the ornaments.
• Sabarimalai temple officially uses K.J.Yesudas famous singer voice for 'Harivarasanam' song which was recited before closing the temple every day.'Ayyappa Suprabhatham' is another song used as wake up song for Lord.
• 'Nirajanam', Abhishekam with Ghee, Chanting Ayyappa names by taking Ayyappa Manadala Deeksha is sacred to get rid of bad influences of Lord Saturn.Hence he is called Shaneeshwaran Ayyappan.
• 'Irumudi' is the travelling kit of devotees which keeps worship articles such as ghee coconuts, sandal, vibhooti, jacket pieces with the wishes written on it..
• 'Aravana-payasam' is a sweet which is favorite to the Lord.
• 'Arddhasana' is the yogic sitting posture of the lord explaining he have no wife nor sons to sit on his laps. Some says it the posture of meditation with consciousness and observance. As Ayyappa, he is a bachelor but, as Manikanta he has 2 wives called Poorna and Pushkalamba.
• Names Of devotees according number of times they wear Ayyappa mala Kanni Swamy,Kathi Swamy,Ganta Swamy,Gada Swamy,Peru Swamy,Jyothi Swamy,Surya Swamy,Chandra Swamy,Trishula Swamy,Vishnu chakra Swamy,Shankadhara Swamy,Nagabharana Swamy,Srihari Swamy,Padma Swamy,Sri Swamy,Sri Sabari(Rathigiri) Swamy,Omkara swamy,Narikela Swamy(Guru)
• Only Guru can give mala to other devotees

Scientific Reasons:

• Humans show much interest in wearing colorful cloths in daily life. But, devotees of Lord Ayyapa wear unattractive black cloths.Exact reason is people will wear Ayyapa Mala in winter season(especially Karthika Masam) and black cloths will absorb heat and protects the body from cold climate. And black cloths will hide the people from wild animals at night when they travel in sabarimalai forest for seeing Ayyappan. Black color is favorite color for Lord saturn by wearing black cloths the Lord will be pleased and blessed the devotees.
• People wear rudrakshas , Spatika, Tulasi, Sandal wood, Coral,Lotus beads as jewellery around the neck at the time of Ayyapa Deeksha.  Rudrakshas will control anger and lowers Blood pressure. Tulasi beads lowers extra heat, Sandalwood beads will remove unwanted thirst from the body, Spatika(Crystal) beads will absorb toxins from the body, Coral beads makes uniform blood flow in body, Lotus beads will eliminate skin diseases from the body.
• People will wear this Ayyapa Mala and continue it for 40+ days and reach Ayyappa temple in Kerala state. These 40+ days called as Mandala Deeksha and it is compared to 27 stars + 12 Zodiac signs + 9 Planets = 48 days. Internal meaning states that people who wear Ayyapa Mala need to overcome all the affects of stars, zodiac signs, planets and reach the lord with pure devotion. Many of the Ayurveda treatments also have a span of 41+ days. Devotees take deeksha for 41 days and start for the yatra to sabarimalai and return home with the mala and in total it would cover 48 days.
• People who wear Ayyappa Mala will be respect the all human beings by calling with the name of God as 'Swamy'. They bow to the people who wear Ayyappa Mala. This practices will remove Ego in one and shows the world in equal manner. People in deeksha shouldn't apply oil to hair, should not shave and lead simple life by quitting all bad habits in these 41+ days period which explain about leaving ego, pride and victory over them with self control. People need to wake up at 4AM in the morning which is called 'Bramha muhurta' where the brain cells can perform in higher magnitude and fills our body with new life force.
• By litting camphor, the smoke arose from camphor will clear our sinus this is the main reason devotees worship Lord Ayyapan twice a day by litting camphor. Cold water baths have many medicinal benefits in winter and explains leaving worldly comforts by controlling mind to see the Lord.Leaving spicy,hot and salty tastes and eating nature food(sattvic food) which is easily digestible will raises immunity power and controls the mind and thought process. Preparing food by self and omitting outside food will explain good hygiene protecting from various contagious diseases which spreads in winter.
• Walking with bear foot without using sandals will acts as treatment of acupuncture and controls blood pressure. It adopts the procedure before climbing the hill at sabarimalai temple. Sleeping on floor will relieve various ailments in body due to earths magnetic force.
• Performing Japas and Bajans with group of devotees and attending to meals offered by devotees will makes the person socially active by giving equal importance to people irrespective of caste, religion, race and social status.