This blog is your one-stop guide to the most renowned religious landmarks and captivating festivals across the globe. Embark on a virtual pilgrimage to discover the architectural wonders, sacred spaces, and cultural experiences that ignite faith and inspire millions.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Arattupuzha Pooram 2012
Arattupuzha Temple
Located around 14 km from Thrissur, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. It is a thousand years old temple, famous for its annual festival - Arattupuzha Pooram. Held in March - April, this is the oldest and the most spectacular of the Pooram festivals of Kerala. About forty one neighboring temples participate in this colorful festival. The highlight of the festival is the ceremonial procession of deities from these neighboring temples on caparisoned elephants. The temple is opened from 05:00 to 09:30 AM and 05:00 to 07:00 PM. Arattupuzha is a culturally significant village located in Thrissur district of Kerala. This village, about 15 km from the town of Thrissur is renowned for the annual festival called Arattupuzha Pooram. It is a festival that takes place with the Sree Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, as the nerve centre. It is believed that during the festival period, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at the Sree Sastha Temple is visited by gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages.
The annual festival at Arattupuzha is also termed as the mother of all pooram festivals in Kerala, due to its sheer magnitude and grandeur. The Sree Sastha Temple, which is believed to be more than 3000 years old, and its premises are the venue for the festivities.
Visitors from nearby and from far off places reach the village of Arattupuzha during the festival days, to be part of this grand festival. The pinnacle of excitement and devotion during the seven-day festival is obviously the last two days. The evening prior to the last day of the festival would have an assembly of caparisoned elephants and staging of percussion ensembles as part of the ceremony called Sasthavinte Melam.
The atmosphere during Sasthavinte Melam would have the brilliance of the many brightly lit traditional lamps and also the huge flame bearing staffs, locally called as theevetti. Once this ceremony is over, the elephants carrying deities of nearby temples would proceed to the adjoining paddy field for the grand spectacle that would have 61 elephants lined up amidst a cheering crowd. By early morning the venue would become electrifying with groups of traditional percussion ensembles comprising Panchavadyam, Pacharimelam and Pandimelam playing their best possible beats and rhythms, while the the caparisoned elephants bearing muthukkudas (sequined, glittering umbrellas) andvenchamarams (white whisks) make a delightful sight, they also stand patiently and entertain the crowd.
At sunrise, the elephants carrying deities from neighbouring temples that had gathered at the Sree Sastha Temple at Arattupuzha would proceed to the nearby river for theaarattu ceremony.
It is a ceremonial cleansing process by immersing the idol in the river water amidst chanting of mantras and floral offerings. The last two undergo the aarattu would be Lord Ayyappan, the presiding deity at Arattupuzha.
The Arattupuzha pooram is celebrated to mark the coming together of Gods and Goddesses and the festival is truly a crowd puller due to its elaborate proceedings and grandeur.
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Arattupuzha Pooram

Thrissur Pooram Clebrating on 1st May 2012

Sakthan Thampuran, the then ruler of Cochin, united the 10 temples situated around Vadakkunnathan Temple and organized the celebration of Thrissur Pooram. The celebrations last for over 36 hours and also include parasol displays and firework shows. The dazzling display of fireworks starts in the early hours and last for three to four hours.
The Ten participants of the Pooram are :
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Thiruvambady Bhagavathi Temple |
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Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple |
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Kanimangalam Sastha Temple at Kanimangalam |
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Pookkattikkara - Karamukku Baghavathy Temple at Karamukku near Chiyyaram |
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Choorakkottukavu Bagavathy Temple at Choorakkattukara |
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Laloor Baghavathy Temple at Laloor |
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Sree Karthyayani Temple at Ayyanthole |
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Nethilakkavu Bagavathy Temple at Neithilakkavu near Kuttoor |
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Thrissur pooram Anna Chamayam

Sunday, August 14, 2011
Happy Independence day India

Monday, July 04, 2011
Rs 90000 Crore Gold Treasure found in Kerala Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple as on Sunday

Golden idol of Mahavishnu worth Rs. 500 Crore
The main treasure found on the 6th day was a one foot (12 angulams) height golden idol of Lord Mahavishnu and a 30 kg golden ‘anki’. This golden idol of Lord Vishnu is believed to be the replica of the ‘utsava vigraham' used in the temple. The golden idol of Padmanabhaswamy studded with more than 1000 previous stones is valued to around Rs. 500 Crore. Another golden idol of Lord Sree Krishna was also found which weighs around 5 kg. Golden Coins, Ornaments, and Human figurine
Several golden coins were also unearthed yesterday which are believed to be issued during the reign of Krishnadeva Rayar in the 16th century AD. Numerous golden ornaments which were used to adorn the main deity were also found in the Vault marked A. Ornaments studded with emeralds were also found on Saturday. Numerous golden human figurine weighing 1 kg, golden bangles, golden rope, are other interesting treasure found in the Vishnu Temple.
Golden Coconut Shells
Another interesting finding was two coconut shells made of pure gold. One of this golden coconut shell was students with rare antique stones including emeralds and rubies.
Cellar B To Open on Monday
Cellar B is the remaining one secret vault which is yet to be inventoried. It is said that this cellar haven’t been opened for more than 100 years. The remaining articles in Cellar A will be inventoried on Monday afternoon and Cellar B will be opened only after that.
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Padmanabhaswamy Temple

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