Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will be a hub of activity with spiritual and cultural programmes taking place on the banks of the Kaveri for a fortnight from September 12 to 24 to celebrate Kaveri Pushkaram. The ghats of the river Kaveri will wear a festive look, with arrangements in place to celebrate Maha Pushkaram.
Kaveri Maha Pushkar 2017 is a festival of River Cauvery celebrated by all Hindus religion. Pushkaram is a holy festival that is celebrated once in every 12 years at each of 12 major rivers and the river Kaveri is one among them. The Kaveri Maha Pushkar or kaveri pushkaram Festival will be held from September 12 to September 23rd on the banks of Cauvery River in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Must Read: Ghosts look for Home : Dr Devdutt Pattnaik
The Kaveri is a large river in India. It rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in southwestern Karnataka state, flows in a south-eastern direction for 475 miles passing through states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
What is Pushkram
The occasion is Pushkaram, an event that happens every year, when Jupiter (Guru) shifts house. The river associated with the zodiac sign will be propitiated in an event called Pushkaram. The movement of Jupiter from one planet to another, also means that Pushkar, who resides in the kamandal of Brahma, moves to the river, to which the planet’s rasi belongs.
Must Read: HAF Calls For Immediate Release of Kidnapped Hindu Woman in Pakistan
This year, Guru (Jupiter) shifts from Kanya to Thula, which is the rasi of Cauvery, and will be celebrated on a grand scale across the State, where the river flows. Since the phenomenon is happening after 144 years, it is called Maha Pushkar.
The 12 major rivers have each Zodiac sign associated them and the river for each year’s festival is decided based on which sign Jupiter is in at the time. Cauvery Pushkaram begins as Jupiter enters in to Tula Rashi (Libra).
Legend
The story goes that Guru (Jupiter) did a long penance seeking the favour of Brahma. The God of Creation promised to fulfil the planet’s need. Guru replied that he wanted Pushkaram — an aspect in Brahma’s kamandal. But Pushkaram was unwilling to part with the ‘Master.’ Brahma solved the problem by making the two strike a compromise, according to which, when Jupiter makes his annual transit, Pushkaram will enter the river and stay there for twelve days after which it will return to its original abode. The first 12 days is called Aadi Pushkaram and the last 12 before Jupiter moves again is Andhi Pushkaram.
Kaveri Pushkara Mahatyam
There are many stories linked to the Kaveri but the common thread is that she is not just the Ganga of the South but even holier than her. Even Ganga and Yamuna are supposed to take a dip in the Kaveri to wash off the sins deposited by human beings. Sage Agastya walks towards the South with the river in his Kamandala to be released. He places the Kamandal on the ground to do his ablutions, when a crow (Vinayaka) tips it and out flows the river. Agastya is taken aback but reconciles that it is the Almighty’s wish. The river gets her name — Ka (crow) and Viri (expanse).
Must Read: FEED THE NEED! An Initiative by Art of Living
Also Read : #KnowYourRiver : Kaveri River
According to Cauvery Mahatmyam, bathing in the river here once during Thula is equivalent to 1,000 dips in the Ganges. Also all the rivers, including the Ganga, merge here to cleanse themselves. The heads of all the maths of Tamil Nadu, including Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, are guiding the Pushkar Committee and supervising the arrangements. All of them will be present during the 12 days of the festival.
Kaveri Pushkaram Muhurtham
In Kaveriy Pushkaralu 2017, millions of devotees take a dip in river Kaveri during the first 12 days of the festival for they would be relieved from all the sins. Large numbers of pilgrims arrive from all over India to have a holy dip at the Kaveri Pushkaram. Kaveri Pushkara parambha Muhurtham 2017 will begin at 6:51 AM, 12 September 2017. This date is recognised as Krishna Paksha Saptami in Bhadrapada Masam.
Rituals on the banks
Several rituals and pujas will be conducted on the banks and in the temples across the various ghats of the river. Homams and chanting of Vedas, Sahasranamam, cultural activities and Aarti in the evenings have been planned. Both the state governments are making elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims to perform the rituals smoothly. The puja’s made available by the government at all the ghats are –
Mahasankalpam
Mahasankalpam means appealing and praying pitru devatas by chanting their names and gotras for removing our birth bad karmas and sins.
Laghusankalpam
Laghusankalpam means taking a dip in the holy river by uttering our names and gotras to get favors from deities in present birth life.
Sariganga Sanam
Sariganga Snanam means taking bath in the holy river during pushkara period for better family life, seeking good children and better relations between wife and husband.
Prayaschittam
Prayaschittam means a type of confession according to Hindu mythology. It is observed by women to get rid of their sin or known or unknown mistakes if they mate with men during mensuration period.
Gouri Pooja
Gouri Pooja is conducted by Hindu devotees at the holy Riverside to please goddess Gauri which is also known as kumkum Archana.
Ganga Pooja
During sacred pushkara period, all rivers water mix with Kaveri water, so Ganga pooja is conducted to appease all deities at once.
Musivayanam
Musivayanam is an important and compulsory religious Dharma in Hindu community in which a sumangali is respected and gifts are offered when a woman dies and her husband is alive. It is for attaining salvation for that woman.
Pindapradanam
Pindapradanam is the most important program during pushkara period. It is observed by Hindus to offer pindas to their nearest 34 relatives and family members who are dead. They believe that such ritual provides salvation after their death and they can reach to good lokas and get ultimate moksha.
Kaveri Pushkar Ghats
Although all the ghats are significant, the one at Mayiladuturai is singled out as special.
Kaveri Pushkar ghats in Karnataka:
Talakaveri, Kodugu
Bhagamandala, Kodugu
Kushalnagar, Kodugu
Srirangapatna, Mandya District
Mandya, Mandya District
Shivanasamudra, Mandya District
Talakadu
Kanakapur, Karnataka
Muthathi, Karnataka
Kaveri Pushkaralu ghats in Tamil Nadu
Mayiladuthurai (Nagapattinam district)
Thiruvenkadu (near Sirkazhi)
Thiruvaiyaru (Thanjavur District)
Thiruvidaimarudur (Thanjavur district)
Srirangam (Tiruchirappalli)
Thiruvarur (Tiruvarur district)
Kodumudi (erode district)
Karur (Karur District)
Swamimalai (near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District)
Thiruvisanallur (Thanjavur district)
Kumbakonam (Thanjavur district)
Poompuhar (Puhar is a town in the Nagapattinam district)
Mettur (Salem district)
Velur (Namakkal District)
Erode
Pallipalayam (Namakkal district)
Bhavani (Erode district)
