SHIVARATHRI AT PALAMADAI FEB 24

Significance of Shivratri

Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism

Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation. 

Significance of Shivaratri for Women

Mahashivratri Festival is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband

Marriage Invitation for Goddess Mangaleshwari with God Mangalankureshwarar, Palamadai

The marriage of Goddess Mangaleswari with God Mangalankureshwarar will be celebrated on 17th of January 2017 followed by Nalangu Seshahomam Theerthavari and Bairavapooja till 21st January. The Weather conditions are very fine with the serene atmosphere all around at Palamadai.

The peacock's dance is a speciality which you have to wait and watch and peacocks catwalk on the street of Palamadai is a feast to our eyes. 

Every day the Poojas are performed morning and in the evening daily. Especially the sayaraksha Pooja((Evening)  is very much vibrating. The food is served to one and all morning and evening to all who visit during the occasion of marriage which is good by all standards. 

The Special Alangarams by Sri Rajamani Bhattar and his team with the help of Upayadars (One who fund in Cash and Kind) has to be enjoyed. 

All are invited to receive the blessings of the divine couple and from the Sage, Statesman and Poet Mahakavi Sri Neelakanta Deekshithar. His Adhistanam and the Dyana Mantapam is a place very much vibrating. Come and join us at Palamadai to witness the divine marriage. 

MAHAKAVI NEELAKANTA DEEKSHITHAR ARADHANA JAN 3RD TO JAN 6TH 2017

Mahakavi Neelaklanta Deekshithar's Aradhana was performed at Palamadai, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu State, India from 3rd January to 6th January 2017 with the cooperation of Palamadai Citizens and Devotees. 
Every body received the blessings of Deekshithar and also Mangaleswari Samedha Mangalankureshwarar and Kasi Visalakshi Amba Sameda Kasi Viswanathar. The four day event with Mahasangalpam, Veda Parayanam, Rudha Yekadasini, Vasoordhara Homam and Aradhana was well performed by Vedic Scholars. 
With the serene atmosphere of Palamadai with its own silence and the sounds of the birds and especially the sounds of Peacocks flying and walking around with their beautiful wings was a site to watch and enjoy. 
I am pasting below a brief about Mahakavi Neelakanta Deekshithar and his works and also about our Foundation. 

MAHAKAVI NEELAKANTA DEEKSHITHAR FOUNDATION

Mahakavi Neelakanta Deekshithar Foundation has been established with a view to perpetuating the memory of the great Saint-Poet-Statesman of the Seventeenth Century who was a Minister to the Great Tirumalai Naicken of Madurai.

Sri Nilakanta Deekshithar is believed to have experienced the Sakshathkara of Goddess Meenakshi. He needs no introduction to Sanskrit Scholars, students and lovers of Sanskrit. He was undoubtedly one of the notable figures in the field of Sanskrit Literature of the Seventeenth Century. 

Every year at Palamadi, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu State, India, in the Tamil Month of Vaikasi, on the day of Anusha Nakshatram, Mahakavi's Jayanthi is celebrated with the performance of Rudra Yekadhasini with Vasoordhara Homam. Annadanam is provided for all the devotees who participate in the celebration.

On the day of his Kaivalyam (the day he left his mortal body) in the month of Margazhi Sukla Ashtami, his Aradhana is celebrated. Three Veda Parayanams, viz., Rig, Yajur and Samaveda are performed for three days preceding the day of Aradhana and in the evenings following the veda parayana Indrakshi, Shivakavacham and Vishu Sahasranamam are also chanted by Vedic Scholars. Further on the 3rd day nowadays Rudra Yekadhasini with Vasoordhara Homam is performed. On the fourth days the final day Aradhana is performed with Rithviks Bhojana and Annadhanam follows. All the four days the Devotees receive Annadhana. 

The Key objectives of Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Deekshithar Foundation is to publish and propogate his literary works in Sanskrit and maintain his Adhishtanam at Palamadai and conduct Aradhana and Jayanthi Functions. 

People who are desirous of contributing to this noble task may send their cheques/drafts in the name of "Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation". Contributions can also be sent by electronic fund transfer usine the National Electronic Fund Transfer(NEFT) and other modes available to the foundation account maintained with the State Bank of India, quoting:

Account Name : Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation

Savings Account No.: 10013241620

IFS Code: SBIN0005797

State Bank of India, Santhome Branch, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Further to reach more readers we publish his works along with transliteration and commentary in Tamil and also in English. The books that are readily available are as follows:

1. Sivaleelarnavam                                                                 Rs.300/-

2. Kalividambanam                                                                Rs. 45/-

3. Chandee Rahasyam                                                           Rs. 20/-

4. Vairagya Sadakam                                                             Rs. 90/-

5. Saba Ranjana Sadakam                                                     Rs. 90/-

6. Sivothkarsha Manjari (very few books available)

7. Neelakanta Deekshitharu Avaradhu Kavyangalum (under Print)

8. Sri Ramayana Sara Sankraham - Raghuveerasthvam published shortly