Thiruvalluvar Statue

Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari

The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133 feet (40.5 m) tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and saint Tiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. It was opened in January 1, 2000 (Millenium) and is located atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari, where two seas and an ocean meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean . The statue has a height of 95 feet (29 m) and stands upon a 38 foot (11.5 m) pedestal that represents the 38 chapters of "virtue" in the Thirukkural. The statue standing on the pedestal represents "wealth" and "pleasure", signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue.

The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural. It has a total weight of 7000 tons.
The statue, with its slight bend around the waist is reminiscent of a dancing pose of the ancient Indian deities like Nataraja. It was sculpted by the Indian sculptor Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also created the Iraivan Temple.

Ganesh Chathurthi Celebration

Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayaka Chavithi' is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) and the grandest and most elaborate of them, especially in the western India state of Maharashtra, lasts for 10 days, ending on the day of 'Ananta Chaturdashi'.

The Grand Celebration

A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual is called 'pranapratishhtha'. After this the 'shhodashopachara' (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 'modakas' (rice flour preparation), 21 'durva' (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered.

The idol is anointed with red unguent or sandal paste (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.
For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi , Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man.

All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.

The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents. These also serve as the venue for free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional songs, etc. during the days of the festival.

Swami Sivananda Recommends
On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path.

Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your
house. Feel His Presence in it.
Don’t forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!

Peacock Feather And Hinduism

Symbolism Of Peacock Feather In
Hinduism

Peacock is regarded as one of the most
auspicious bird in Hindu mythology. It's a
beautiful bird and has also earned the favour of
being the national bird of India. You may have
noticed that many people hand the peacock
feathers in their houses. It is believed that
keeping peacock feather at home brings good
luck and prosperity in the house.
It is actually a matter of great interest as to
how dramatically the species of peacock has
survived over the time span of 4000 years. It
has survived climatic changes, predatory
animals and human's destructive tendencies.
It still remains the oldest ornamental bird in the
world. Have you ever wondered what could be
the secret of its survival? You will be surprised
to know about the myths which surround the
survival of peacock.
Here are some stories from the Hindu
mythology which substantiates the symbolism
of peacock and its feathers in Hinduism.

ALSO SEE: THE HEALING POWERS OF
GAYATRI MANTRA

Origin
It is believed that Mayura or peacock was
created from one of the feathers of Garuda
(another mythical bird in Hind mythology,
carrier of Lord Vishnu). In images of the
peacock is depicted as a mythical bird, which
is killing a snake. According to a number of
Hindu scriptures, it is a symbol of cycle of
time.

The Beautiful Feathers
Long back, peacocks had dull tail feathers. In a
battle between Ravana and Lord Indra, the bird
opened its feathers for Indra to hide behind and
wage a war. Indra was saved and in gratitude,
he made its long feathers iridescent. That is
why Indra is often depicted as seated on a
peacock throne.

Peacock Feather & Goddess Lakshmi

Peacock is also identified with the Goddess of
wealth, Lakshmi. That is why people keep
peacock feathers at home because it is
believed to bring wealth and prosperity in the
house. It is also said to keep the house free
from flies and other insects.
Peacock Feather In Hinduism
Peacock feather is of great importance in
Hinduism. Lord Krishna wears a peacock
feather on His crown. Goddess Kaumari,
another form of Shakti also rides a peacock.
Lord Karthikeya or Murugan uses peacock as
His mode of conveyance. Hence, we see that
peacock and its feathers are extremely
significant in Hinduism.