Month-long Varahi Utsav begins at Kanaka Durga temple
Vijayawada: The sacred Varahi Utsav celebrations began with great fervour at the Indrakeeladri Kanaka Durga Temple on Thursday, marking the start of a month-long spiritual festival dedicated to Goddess Durga during the holy month of Ashadha.
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Temple's executive officer (EO) Seenanayak and his family were honoured to offer the first saree to the goddess amid vedic chants and festive atmosphere.
The offering included sacred items such as turmeric, saffron, flowers, bangles, chalimidi, and gourd, signifying traditional welcome and reverence. Speaking to the media, Seenanayak expressed his joy and said, "It is a divine blessing to offer a saree to my mother Durga with my own hands during this sacred month.
These rituals symbolise inviting the goddess to her ancestral home."
He announced that grand saree offering ceremonies will be conducted throughout the month. A special highlight will be the presentation of a gold bonam by devotees from Telangana on June 29. Another major event—the Sakhambari festival—will be held on July 8, 9, and 10.
Devotees from across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and beyond are expected to throng the temple. As part of the preparations, Seenanayak instructed temple officials to ensure seamless arrangements, including seating carpets and homa kundas for Vedic rituals. Publicity efforts are also being strengthened to draw awareness to the celebrations.
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Month-long Varahi Utsav begins at Kanaka Durga temple
Vijayawada: The sacred Varahi Utsav celebrations began with great fervour at the Indrakeeladri Kanaka Durga Temple on Thursday, marking the start of a month-long spiritual festival dedicated to Goddess Durga during the holy month of Ashadha. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Temple's executive officer (EO) Seenanayak and his family were honoured to offer the first saree to the goddess amid vedic chants and festive atmosphere. The offering included sacred items such as turmeric, saffron, flowers, bangles, chalimidi, and gourd, signifying traditional welcome and reverence. Speaking to the media, Seenanayak expressed his joy and said, "It is a divine blessing to offer a saree to my mother Durga with my own hands during this sacred month. These rituals symbolise inviting the goddess to her ancestral home." He announced that grand saree offering ceremonies will be conducted throughout the month. A special highlight will be the presentation of a gold bonam by devotees from Telangana on June 29. Another major event—the Sakhambari festival—will be held on July 8, 9, and 10. Devotees from across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and beyond are expected to throng the temple. As part of the preparations, Seenanayak instructed temple officials to ensure seamless arrangements, including seating carpets and homa kundas for Vedic rituals. Publicity efforts are also being strengthened to draw awareness to the celebrations.
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- India Gazette
Revival of Ancient Kerala Heritage: Prana Pratishtha Ceremony Marks the Reawakening of the Pathirisseri Kuladevata Temple
cliQ India Media Pvt Ltd Pathirisseri (Kerala) [India], June 26: In a momentous revival of ancient spiritual heritage, the Prana Pratishtha (ritual consecration) of Lord Ayyappa at the Pathirisseri Sastha Temple, the Kuladevata sthalam of world-renowned spiritual master Mohanji, was completed on May 28, 2025. This sacred temple--steeped in antiquity, yet long dormant--has now been revitalized through meticulous spiritual procedures and deep-rooted devotion, transforming it into a beacon of divine energy, ancestral honor, and cultural renaissance. The week-long spiritual proceedings began on May 22 with a Vastu Puja and Shudhi Kriya (purification rituals), culminating in the Prana Pratishtha and Maha Aarti. Drawing together priests, community elders, and spiritual aspirants from across India and the world, the event not only marked the return of sacred energy to the site but also reestablished its role as a living, breathing temple of lineage worship and universal devotion. Kuladevata: The Lineage Deity of Light and Protection The Pathirisseri Sastha Temple is the spiritual root of the Pathirisseri family lineage and, by extension, a focal point of divine protection and ancestral connection for thousands whose spiritual path intersects with Mohanji. As a revered Kuladevata temple, its importance transcends religion--it serves as a sacred link to one's bloodline, dharma (righteous duty), and spiritual evolution. Lord Ayyappa, in his fierce and compassionate form as Dharma Sastha, is the deity enshrined here, embodying balance, courage, and grace in equal measure. According to ancient traditions, when one's lineage deity is worshipped consistently, it brings stability, ancestral blessings, and spiritual anchoring. The reactivation of this temple comes at a time when many in the modern world are disconnected from their roots. 'When the root is nourished, the tree flourishes,' Mohanji stated during a private moment at the temple. 'This temple is not only about the past--it is about realigning people with their purpose and their power.' A Sacred Space Reborn For years, the original family temple had been maintained minimally but without active worship. In recent years, guided by a series of divine signs and inner revelations, the need to restore and re-energize the space became clear. Mohanji, supported by a dedicated team, including close family members, oversaw the process that included the physical restoration of the temple in a new location, the reinstallation of the deity, and the full set of Vedic rituals as prescribed in Kerala's agamic traditions. The consecration rites were performed by senior Tantric priests from Kerala, following the traditional Kerala tantric procedures--precise and powerful methods of invoking divine energy into the deity and sanctum. In parallel, the surrounding areas were cleansed and energized to restore the vibrancy of the entire spiritual ecosystem of the temple. The most emotionally powerful moment came during the Netronmeelanam, or 'opening of the eyes,' when the deity is believed to begin seeing and responding to devotees. As conches and drums resounded through the forests around, the deity was unveiled amidst chants and heartfelt tears, witnessed by devotees who had traveled from as far as Europe, the Americas, and Australia to participate. Local Roots, Global Reach The revival of the Pathirisseri Sastha Temple is not just a local event; it is a spiritual movement with global resonance. Through the efforts of the Mohanji Foundation and associated global platforms, this temple is being positioned as a living monument of divine connection for all those who may not have access to or memory of their ancestral roots. It serves as an anchor for spiritual seekers from any background to reconnect with the universal principles of Dharma, compassion, and truth. Beyond its spiritual significance, the event also brought much-needed attention to the rural region of Pathirisseri in Palakkad district. Plans are underway to build infrastructure that will support visitors while preserving the serenity of the area. The temple will remain open year-round with periodic rituals, and will host annual festivals centered around Lord Sastha and other regional deities. A Message for the Times In a time of increasing disconnect--from self, from culture, from source--the revival of the Pathirisseri Kuladevata Temple stands as a bold reminder: we are never truly lost if we remember our roots. With Lord Ayyappa now awakened once more in his rightful place, the Pathirisseri Sastha Temple is ready to serve as a sanctuary for all who seek protection, direction, and divine connection. For more information, high-resolution images, or to request interviews, please contact [ [email protected] ] [ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by cliQ India Media Pvt. Ltd. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance
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