Argala and Kilaka Stotra

I have uploaded the kannada transliteration of the Argala Stotra and the Kilaka Stotra to my Mantras page. Both the stotras are part of the initial stotras recited as part of the Devi Saptashathi Parayana.

Naga Bana – Photos

My home in Nellitheertha, just like any other in Tulu Nadu, has its own Naga Bana (Snake Forest). That stretch of forest is “reserved” for Nagas. All the Naga related rituals and Pujes happen in the Bana.

Throughout Tulu Nadu, the Naga Banas, by virtue of the reverence and fear associated with them, are virtually untouched pockets of greenery. They are, in a sense, the lungs of the forest 🙂

Some photos from the Bana…

Sama Veda Samhita Yaga

Recently, a Sama Veda Samhita Yaga was conducted at my “Mula Mane” or ancestral home at Nellitheertha. My uncle had conducted the Rig Veda Samhita Yaga two years ago and the Yajur Veda Samhita Yaga last year. And yes, next year he plans to conduct the Atharva Samhita Yaga.

This Yaga was very different from the last two years’ Yagas. The people who did the Yaga came from a very small community in Honnavar, Karnataka who still practice the Sama Veda. Their rhythmic and melodius chanting of the Veda Mantras was a treat to the ears.

The Yaga was conducted for 7 days and involved chanting every single Samhita shloka of Sama Veda and offering oblations through fire to Veda Narayana.

P.S: My uncle uses a “Arani” which is a small instrument made out of a special wood to “create” the fire needed to conduct the homas and Yagas. This is just like the good old traditional days when fire used to be created for these rituals using two Arani sticks.

Sri Pejavara Swamiji’s visit to our house

Recently, my uncle conducted the Sama Veda Samhita Yaga at our home in Nellitheertha. On that ocassion, we had requested the junior pontiff of the Pejavara Adhokshaja Matha of Udupi, Sri Sri Vishvaprasanna Theertha Swamiji to come home. He agreed and we got the opportunity of performing Pada Puje to him.

Sri Swamiji also had brought home the idols of the Matha, Sri Vittala and did a puje at our residence. In the above photo, you may notice that the silver stand used to keep the Saligramas is mostly empty because the Saligramas had been kept near the Yagna Kunda.

After the Puje, Sri Swamiji gave a very useful talk to all of us highlighting some of the necessary practices that every Madhva should undertake. This was followed by Mantrakshate to all of us.

Sri Swamiji, under the guidance of his Guru – the great Sri Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji, is running many projects for the community’s welfare. He is running a Go-Shale and also a Vedic School. More details can be obtained from the Matha website.

The matha is doing some excellent work in the Go-Shale protecting hundreds of cows in the region. The website also has details on how one can contribute to the project. I am sure many will find this a worthwhile cause to donate and help protect cows.

Kulai – Temples of Tulu Nadu

Kulai is a very, and I mean very ancient temple in Tulu Nadu. It is a small locality on the outskirts of Mangalore city, and has been merged within the City limits now. It is located on the Mangalore – Udupi highway, close to Suratkal. The main deity in this temple is Lord Vishnu, known as Vishnu Murthy.

The antiquity of the temple can be guaged by a close look at the main deity’s idol. Even without any scientific examination, it becomes clear that the idol is several hundred years old, at the least. In true Tulu Nadu style, the temple also has a Ganapati idol. In addition, the temple has a very attractive and revered Naga statue.

The main Bhuta in the temple is Panjurli which has its own “Gudi” towards the South-east corner of the temple. The temple also has an attractive “Pushkarani” or pond and a separate section for conducting Bhuta Kolas.

Name: Sri Vishnumurthy Devasthana

Location: Kulai, Dakshina Kannada district

Main deities: Vishnu, Ganapati, Nagas

Bhuta: Panjurli

Address: Sri Vishnumurthy Devasthana, Kulai, Mangalore – 575019

Telephone: 91-824-2408090

Contact: By phone or snail mail

How to get there: On the Mangalore – Udupi highway, Kulai is located 17kms from Mangalore, just prior to Suratkal. You will find the temple arch on the right as soon as you enter Kulai limits (while traveling from Mangalore). The temple is a kilometre away once you enter through the arch.

Annual festival: Starting from the 18th day of Meena masa, for five days (typically in the first week of April)

Best time to visit: October to May

Specialities: Being a Vishnu temple, Kulai is very well known for the numerous “Bhajan” programs held there. You are sure to attend a Bhajan session if you happen to visit on a Saturday or a Wednesday.

More photos can be found here.

Did you know? 6th November 2008

Sri Madhvacharya once demonstrated “Laghima Siddhi” or the ability to become light on will by sitting on the back of a very small kid and going around the Prakara of a temple. The kid did not even as much as feel the presence of Sri Madhva on his back!