PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF JAPA

noreply@blogger.com (Institute of Futurology) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:52:02 PST

Daily Horoscope

Mantras and Slokas

1)Select any Mantra or Name of God, preferably that given to you by your Guru
2)Take a bath or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Japa in the morning.
3)The early morning period(Brahmamuhurta) and dusk is the most favourable time for Japa
4)Face east or north during the practice.
5)Sit on a plank or mat
6)Maintain a steady pose
7)Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without any mistakes.
8)Sit in the same place and at the same time every day. Do not beg for any worldly objects from God while doing Japa.
9)Observe silence and avoid distractions, calls and engagements.
10)avoid fish and meat.

STRUCTURE OF KERALA TEMPLE

noreply@blogger.com (Institute of Futurology) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:45:49 PST

The major parts of a typical Kerala style temple are as follows:

Sreekovil and Garbha-grha: Called as sanctum sanctorum this is the most important part of the temple where the idol of the God or Goddess is situated. It is of various forms square, rectangular, elliptical, circular etc. and may have one or two stories. The front part of the sanctum sanctorum is called sopaana. In many temples the sopaana has stone idols of guards of the God called as Dwarapalakas. The top of the sanctum has a pointed bronze structure called tazhikakkudam or sthoopika.

The inner circumambulation area: In Malayalam it is called pradakshinavattom. It is located just outside the sanctum. There are many stones located here, which represents the Ashta-Dik-paalakas, (Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirthi, Varuna, Vaayu, Soma and Isaana)who are the guards of the main deity and are generally called balikkallu.

Namaskaara Mandapa: Mandapa is located in front of the sopaana facing the sanctum. It is generally square in shape and has a roof hung by four pillars and usually has a tazhikakkudam.

Well: A well is a must in a temple. Its position is at the North-East, either within the inner circumambulation or at the chutttambalam. Its water has to be exclusively used for abhisheka or preparation of nivedya.

Chuttambalam and valiambalam: Their function is to protect the temple as they cover the temple on all sides. They are less broad on the surrounding three sides and are called chuttambalam. The one facing the sanctum is very broad and is called valiambalam. Between the two valiambalams there is a passage for devotees to enter and exit. Usually the chuttambalam has the thitappalli or the kitchen of the temple.

The outer circumambulation area: It is located outside the chuttambalam. On the outside wall of the chuttambalam there are stands for lamps and it is called vilakkumaatam. In some temples between the chuttambalam and vilakkumaatam there may be an open area. The outer circumambulation area also has many stones called balikkallu.

Balikkal-pura: It faces the sanctum and is the extended portion of the passage in between the valiyambalams. The large, main balikkallu (principal bali-peeta) is located here.

Dwaja or kodimaram: This tall pillar is visible from a distance. It bears on the top the deityâ€™s vahana as emblem and one can identify the deity of a temple by seeing it. It is used for hoisting kodi or flag during festivals. It is located outside the balikkalpura and is usually made of wood and covered with copper or gold.

Koothambalam: The position of Koothambalam is in the front and right side of the principal diety.

Outer walls and Gopura: These are the outermost protective coverings of the temple. The outer wall is called praakaara. There is the typical Kerala style of architecture of temple towers and it varies from single to multistoried.

Others: These comprise anakottil, the place where elephants are tied; koothambalam where the performance of chakiar koothu and koodiyattom art forms is held; oottupura or dining hall with kitchen, store and well; anapandal facing balikkalpura where elephants stand during festivals etc. Many temples thousand one or more of these elements. A temple having all these elements is referred as a perumtrikkovil, Mahakshetra or a great temple. Outside the temple wall there may be a pond called kulam and kulappura used for bathing.