Akshantulu - Act of Blessing with Rice grains

Akshantulu:
Akshantulu will be prepared by mixing rice with turmeric or Vermillion Powder and ghee. They are used to bless the youngsters. They are often used in Hindu marriages, festivals and in some important days. By sprinkling these on the head, elders bless the youngsters by saying 'Deergayushman bhava' - Live long, 'Santana Praptirastu' - soon you will conceive a child, 'Arogya praptirastu' - Live healthy, 'Ishwarya praptirastu' - Live with Luxury,'Sakala soukhya prapthirasthu' - Bless with a full of happiness.

Cultural Beliefs:
'Akshantulu' is derived from the word 'Akshatalu' means 'AA + Kshitam'(which can't be destroyed). Rice grains will be obtained after hulling the grains. The grains which are not broken in this process, the unbroken rice which are used for giving blessings are called 'Askhintulu'.

Among 'Navagrahas'( nine planets) in astrology, Lord Chandra rules bad habits,mother, behavior and mood. By donating rice, people can overcome ill effects of Lord Moon.

In Hindu marriages, bride and groom used to play Talambralu by pouring lots of akshantulu on their heads. This act indicates, welcoming the bride into the family. Bride is represented as Dhanalakshmi( Goddess of wealth) and bridegroom welcomes her into his family by pouring lots of rice as Talambralu. Bride groom is represented as Lord Vishnu. Bride welcomes him by pouring rice as Talambralu.

Interesting facts:

• Blessings need to take from elders only.like Father,mother,elders and famous people.
• With out considering age all Hindus will take blessings from temple priest and gurus or saints.
• In every traditional ritual we offer 'Akshintulu' to Lord Ganesha.
• The 'Shodopachara puja'( 16 steps of worship) we offer 'akshintulu' to the deity.
• Hindus believe that these 'Akshintulu' has power to fulfill all the desires when used in the act of blessings.
• All kayanotsava mahotsavams perfomed wouold be distributed with akshantalu which are the talambralu for Gods in that function and if the unmarried people who take these as akshantalu from their elders would be maaried soon.
• Especially, talambralu used on the auspicious day called Sri Rama Navami in Bhadrachalam, it is beleived that people who take these as akshantalu would be married by next preceeding Sri Rama Navami. Unmarried people who take these would be married and the married who take these would be blessed with a peaceful married life like Gods'.

Scientific Reasons:

• Scientifically human body is a big electric station. The up and downs of body current indirectly affects the mood and health of a person. When ever people bless their children, the positive current will charge the rice grains when they bless with these rice grains with positive charge will balances the negative currents in the person who take blessings from elders.
• Our body has 24 electrically charged points and from these points, electricity will reach the entire body. In these 24 points, our head is the main distributing point. When ever people receive blessings, the 'Akshantulu'( positively charged particles) will touches the head and head charged with positive currents and distributes positive currents to entire body.
• Mixing turmeric or Vermillion Powder and ghee to rice grains will stop spreading virus or bacteria which causes illness from the person who give blessings to their children.

Check the related article Touching feet of Parents & elders

Deepam - Lighting the Oil lamp

Deepam:
Deepam means an oil lamp. Here, the oil can be any ghee, butter or any type of oil. According to Sanatana Dharma, there is a tradition that every hindu has to lit a lamp every day before the God. Hindus believe that lamp before god makes us travel from darkness to brightness.

Cultural Beliefs:
According to Agni purana, lamp should be lit by pouring Ghee or Oil by keeping cotton wick in it. Sesame oil is considered as auspicious when compared to other types of oils. Ghee which is extracted from Cow milk is considered the most auspicious than sesame oil. Oil is considered as our negative emotions , the cotton wick represents our ignorance and lighting the lamp represents suppressing negative emotions and ignorance with knowledge.

According to Rig-Veda, Goddess Lakshmi will visit the place where the lamps are lit. Lightening lamp before holy basil is considered auspicious.

One of the ancient stories tell us the power of lightening oil lamp. Due to the curse of Sage Durvasa, Lord Indra lost his power, wealth and kingship. He requests Lord Vishnu to give a solution for his problem. Later Lord Vishnu told Indra to worship a lamp by considering lamp as Goddess Lakshmi. After performing the same, his powers were restored.

Some Hindus say that huge lamp with bright light was originated while churning milky ocean by demons and gods using a giant snake as rope.

Interesting facts:

• According to Hindus, when a drop of cow ghee in any oil which is used to lit a lamp is considered as ghee lamp.
• Need to pray Lord Ganapathi before lighting a lamp.
• Need to offer flowers to the lamp.
• Need to lit a lamp before sunrise and after sunset.
• Akanda deepam(Lamp of continuous light) is considered as the most auspicious.
• Diwali and month of Karthika is celebrated by lightening different lamps.
• Gods or Goddesses (Aliens) use this oil lamps and vapors to make telepathic connection with the worshiper. 
• Lightening a lamp means in inviting God to clear the darkness in mind.
• ISKON a religious sect, magnificently celebrate's Deepostav(Festival of lights).
• Hanukkah a Jewish lamp's festival,Tazaungdaing lamp festival of Buddist also celebrate in marvellous manner.

Scientific Reasons:

• Lightening a lamp will kill virus, bacteria which causes diseases. Indirectly an oil lamp will keep us healthy.
• The oil lamp vapors hardens the ozone layer which acts as a protection layer for environment. 
• The oil lamp vapors increase magnetic field of earth which act as a protection shield from the attacks of meteors or hard rocks from universe. Due to this shield, meteors always diverts to fall on places with lesser magnetic field which causes lesser damage or no damage.
• It is believed that India is never hit by a meteor from decades. Think how many people who lit a lamp daily in their places and temples directly or indirectly contributing in saving earth.
• People also visit temple to worship as the temple would be decorated lightening the lamps which enhances their creativity.