Design Buzz: November 2010

Significance of Gooseberry or Nellikkai

4:21 AM Sivanis

Karthigai Masam (November to December) is a highly auspicious Tamil month. Fasting and pujas performed in this month is believed to be highly meritorious. Special significance is associated with Gooseberry or Nellikkai (Awala or Amla) and Karthigai Masam. It is believed that hearing stories of Muruga or Kartikeya under the Nellikkai tree will help in attaining good health and prosperity.

If food is taken under the gooseberry tree it will help in good health. If food is offered to the hungry or poor people or any living being under a gooseberry tree it will help in fulfilling your prayers and desires.

It is also said that if women of the family eat under the nellikai tree in Karthigai Masam it will help in the prosperity of the entire family.

Significance of Gooseberry or Nellikkai in Karthigai Masam is mentioned in the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. The popular belief is that during the Karthigai month gods and sages reside on the Nellikkai Tree. Therefore worshipping the tree during the period can help in destroying sins and in fulfilling wishes.

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Importance of Vibhuti – Significance of applying sacred ash or Vibhuti on the body

3:55 AM Sivanis

The popular belief in Hindu tradition is that applying Vibhuti, or Bhasma, or sacred ash, on forehead and other parts of the body will help in redemption of sins. It is also believed that Bhasma which is made using burned cow dung has the power to cure various diseases and it also helps in improving physical and mental health. In Hinduism, Bhasma or Vibhuti is associated with Shiva.

While applying Bhasma one should chant the mantra – Om Namah Shivaya. Bhasma should be applied using the middle three fingers – not the thumb and the little finger.

One should take Bhasma in the left hand and apply it using the right hand.

Bhasma applied on forehead and on the middle of the head will help in removing lethargy and laziness.

Vibhuti applied on neck, hand and chest will help in redemption of sins.

Some saints are known to apply Bhasma all over the body. This is in adoration of Shiva. It is also believed that this will help in removing sins committed in previous births.