SELECT LANGUAGE

The Correct Methods of Praying

A. 'While paying obeisance to God, bring the palms together.
1. The fingers should be held loose (not straight and rigid) while joining the hands or palms.
2. The fingers should be kept close to each other without leaving any space between them.
3. The fingers should be kept away from the thumbs.
4. The inner portion of the palms should not touch each other and there should be some space between them.
Note: The stage of awakening of spiritual emotion (Bhav) is important to the seeker at the primary level. Hence, for awakening spiritual emotion (Bhav), he should keep space in between the joined hands, whereas a seeker who is at the advanced level should refrain from leaving such space in between the palms to awaken the unexpressed spiritual emotion (Bhav).
B. After joining the hands one should bow and bring the head forward.
C. While tilting the headforward, one should place the thumbs at the mid-brow region, i.e. at the point between the eyebrows and try to concentrate on the feet of the Deity.
D. After that, instead of bringing the folded hands down immediately, they should be placed on the mid-chest region for a minute in such way that the wrists touch the chest; then only should the hands be brought down.
Underlying Science in this action


Subtle picture while offering Namaskar (1)
Subtle picture while offering Namaskar (2) A. The fingers should not be stiff while bringing the palms together because this will lead to a decrease in sattva component from the vital and mental sheaths and thus increase the raja component in them. By keeping the fingers relaxed, the subtlest sattva component will get activated. With the strength of this energy, embodied souls are able to fight powerful distressing energies.
B. In the Namaskar posture, the joined fingers act as an antenna to assimilate the Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) or the Energy transmitted by a Deity. While joining the palms, the fingers must touch each other because leaving space between the fingers will result in accumulation of energy in that space. This energy will be immediately transmitted in various directions; therefore the seeker's body will lose the benefit of this potent energy.
C. About the space to be maintained between the palms :
For a seeker at the primary level, it is advisable to leave space between the palms; it is not necessary for a seeker at an advanced level to leave space between the palms.
D. After joining the palms, bow a little. This posture puts pressure on the navel and activates the five vital energies situated there. Activation of these vital energies in the body makes it sensitive to accepting sattvik frequencies. This later awakens the 'Atma shakti' (i.e. soul energy of an embodied soul). And later, Bhav is awakened. This enables the body to accept in large measures the Chaitanya emitted by the Deity.
E. Touch the thumbs to the mid-brow region. (Please see images above.) This posture awakens the Bhav of surrender in an embodied soul, and in turn activates the appropriate subtle frequencies of Deities from the Universe. They enter through the ’Adnya chakra’ (Sixth of the 7 chakras in the Kundalini) of the embodied soul and settle in the space parallel to it at the back interior of the head. In this space the openings to all the three channels converge; namely, the Moon, the Central and the Sun channels. Due to the movement of these subtler frequencies in this space, the Central Channel is activated. Consequently it facilitates the speedy transmission of these frequencies throughout the body, leading to purification of both the gross and subtle bodies at the same time.
F. After doing Namaskar, to completely imbibe the Chaitanya of the Deity (that has entered the hands by now), instead of bringing the folded hands down immediately, place them on the mid-chest region in such a way that the wrists touch the chest.The 'Anahat chakra' is located at the centre of the chest. Akin to the Adnya chakra, the activity of the Anahat chakra is also to absorb the sattva frequencies. By touching the wrists to the chest, the Anahat chakra is activated and it helps in absorbing more of the sattva component.
Effect of this Posture

By doing Namaskar in this manner, the Deity's Chaitanya is absorbed to a greater extent by the body, as compared to other methods of doing Namaskar. This gives maximum distress to negative energies. The negative energies that have manifested in a person are unable to touch their thumbs at the mid-brow region in Namaskar. (The negative energies are subtle. But at times they enter an individual's body and manifest it. - Editor)'
Q. What is the reason for not wrapping a cloth around the neck while performing circumambulation, doing Namaskar, ritualistic worship, sacrificial fires, chanting and while visiting Guru and deities?

A. When a cloth is wrapped around the neck, it does not activate the Vishuddha chakra (in the throat region) and hence an individual gets less benefit of the sattva component. (More information on this is given in Sanatan's Publication 'Part 3: Vol 29: Bhaktiyoga 4: 'Spiritual Science in the ritualistic worship with sixteen substances'.)
(Ref: Sanatan's Publication - 'The Correct Methods of Praying Obeisance')
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Astrological Examination

Kerala Temple Affairs Minister V S Sivakumar today sought a report from Travancore Devaswom Board on the controversy over the conduct of a "devaprasnam" (astrological examination) at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple without prior consent of competent authorities. Accordingto reports, a "devaprasnam" was conducted at the temple premises to ascertain if the plot identified for building a free meal(annadanam) complex was ideal or not. The issue became controversial as the ritual was conducted by the temple officials without the prior approval of the TDB, administering the shrine, and the 'thanthri' (high priest), asmandated by the temple board manual. When the matter was brought to his notice, the Minister said a report had been sought on the issue from TDB president M Rajagopalan Nair.
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The Astrological Consultation

The astrological consultation (known as ‘raasi-vaickal') was reportedly organised by Devaswom administrative officer K.Rajan and a Kochi-based private construction company that has been tasked to prepare the design and project report of the proposed four-storey Annadana Mandapam.

Renowned astrologer Padmanabha Sarma conducted the astrological consultation in the presence of astrologer Kanippayur Krishnan Namboodiripad and the administrative officer, at the Namaskara Mandapam of the Ayyappa Temple on Wednesday morning.
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The 10-Day Annual Festival At Sabarimala

The 10-day annual festival at the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala began with the ceremonial ‘kodiyettu’ (flag hoisting) on Tuesday.
The temple chief priest (Tantri), Kandararu Maheswararu, assisted by the head priest (Melsanthi), N. Balamurali, performed the rituals preparatory to the kodiyettu ceremony in the morning.
The ceremonial flag was taken out in a customary procession around the sanctum sanctorum, with the accompaniments of a caparisoned elephant, the sacred ‘marappani’ and other traditional temple percussion, prior to the ‘kodiyettu’.
The tantri hoisted the ceremonialflag, after performing the ‘kodimara-puja’ amidst loud chants of ‘Ayyappa Saranam’ mantra.
S. Jagadeesh, Special Commissioner appointed by Kerala High Court; N. Vasu, Devaswom Commissioner, and M. Sathishkumar, Sabarimala Executive Officer, were among those who have attended the kodiyettu ceremony.
Utsavabali darshan
According to Mr Sathishkumar, the auspicious ‘utsavabali’ darshan as part of the annual festival will be held between 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm on all days from March 28 to April 4. Sreebhoothabali is another important ritual held in connection with the annual festival on all these days.
The ritualistic ‘pallivetta’ will be held at Saramkuthi on the traditional trekking path on April 4 evening.
Aratt ceremony
The ceremonial ‘Aratt’ marking the grand finale of the annual temple festival will be held at the specially prepared ‘Aratt kadavu’ in river Pampa on the foothills of Pampa on April 5 forenoon.
The Tantri will perform the ‘Aratt puja’ and ‘Utcha puja’ at the Arattkadavu and the ‘Aratt’ processionwill return to the Sannidhanam, later around 10 pm. The annual festival will come to a close with the Tantri bringing down the ceremonial flag on the temple mast.
The Ayyappa shrine will be closedafter the ‘Athazhapuja’, later.
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Kerala Seeks Sponsors For Sabarimala Development



Reviewing the progress of development works in Sabarimala, the Chief Minister said instructions have been given to complete the work of the second floor of the Nadapanthal at Sannidhanam as part of the Sabarimala Master Plan.

L and T has informed that this work would be completed within four months at a cost of Rs 27 crore. 'Rs 26.5 crore has been allotted for the Sabarimala Master Plan till now while Rs 130 lakh has been given as grants to Panchayaths and Rs 118.6 crore for cleaning up activities,' he added.

The Appam and Aravana plants would be renovated at a cost of Rs 12 crore and a fully automatic compact machine for preparing Aravana would be installed before the next season, Dewasom Board President M Rajagopalan Nair said.

Nadapanthal would be erected in the Pampa-Marakootam stretch before the commencement of the next pilgrim season.

Two more queue complex would be completed before Vishu.

Mr Chandy also gave instructions to complete the work of the check dam in the Sabarimala forest as a study report on environmental impact in this regard has been received.

DGP Jacob Punnoose said the advance queue reservation will be doubled by next season. The parking space at Nilakkal would be developed and fee can be collected on a time-bound basis, he added.

A bridge will be constructed at Pengattukadavu. Facilities would be provided for opening an operating centre at Nilakkal for KSRTC. Temporary barricades would be erected at Vandiperiyar and Pullumedu.

Ministers VS Sivakumar, K M Mani, K B Ganeshkumar, Adoor Prakash, Ibrahim Kunju and M K Muneer were among those at the meeting. (UNI)




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More Funds For Road Development At Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 26 : Project for intense maintenance of various major roads leading to Sabarimala will be launched soon.

The work would be completed before the start of the next pilgrimage season in Sabarimala, official sources said here today.

A sum of Rs 800 crore had been sanctioned to the Public Works Department (PWD) for various road development projects, they said.

The government had given top priority for infrastructure development, especially to roads essential for the State's progress, it said. (UNI)

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TDB Plans Free Toilets For Sabarimala


Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 26 : For the first time, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to make available toilets free-of-cost to Sabarimala pilgrims during the next festival season.




TDB had invited offers from interested firms, voluntary organisations and individuals to undertake the task of cleaning and preserving the latrines, bathrooms, urinals at Sabarimala and to allot them for the use of Ayyappa devotees at free-of-cost and at their responsibility on sponsorship basis, TDB sources said here today.The TDB will provide water and electricity free-of-cost.The decision was taken with a view to provide more facilities to the devotees as part of various welfare measures.In the previous years, TDB had auctioned these facilities, the sources added. (UNI)
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Heavy maintenance work of Sabarimala roads soon


Heavy maintenance work on the three main roads leading to Sabarimala will begin in February, Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju has said.

Mr. Kunju was inaugurating the work on the proposed Chethackal-Koothattuklulam road at Ranni on Monday.

He said the government had sanctioned Rs.58.45 crore for the heavy maintenance work on the Mannarakulani-Chalakkyam road, Kanamala- Elavumkal road, and the Kanjirappally- Erumeli road and the work would be completed before the beginning of the next Sabarimala pilgrim season. He said work on the Kanamala bridge at Kanamala on the Erumeli- Elavumkal road would begin in the next phase.

The Minister said the work on the ground floor of the proposed 12-storey pilgrim amenity complex at Ittiyappara at Ranni would begin soon and the project would be completed in four years. The funds required for the same would be sanctioned soon.

He said the PWD had taken over 8,570 km rural roads across the State from local self-government institutions after the United Democratic Front came to power.

Mr. Kunju said the government's policy was to sanction more bypasses and ring roads attached to major towns.

Road repair works

He said the PWD could carry out road repair works estimated at Rs.67.25 crore in Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kottayam districts prior to the beginning of the last Sabarimala pilgrim season.

Raju Abraham, MLA, presided over the function. Anto Antony, MP, inaugurated a public meeting.

Mariyamma Cherian, Sosamma, district panchayat members; Benny Puthenparambil, Ranni block panchayat president, and K.E. Abdul Rahman, IUML district president, spoke on the occasion.
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50:50 cost mooted for rail project


A fresh ray of hope has come into sight to bring Sabarimala on the railway map of the country with the cash-strapped Railways urging the State government to look into the feasibility of cost-sharing of at least 50 per cent of the Angamaly-Sabarimala rail project.

With this, Railways have placed the onus of kicking off the project on the State again. The project was sanctioned in 1997-98 andhad been hit by several hurdles, including land acquisition.

Union Minister for Railways Dinesh Trivedi in a recent letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy put forward the proposal of 50 per cent cost-sharing of the project and requested the State to forward a suitable proposal for consideration to his ministry.

The possibility of getting additional budget is remote at least in the near future for the Angamali-Sabarimala project that is “one of the un-remunerative projects that had not taken off owing to resource constraints and the huge throw-forward liability of the ongoing projects,” Mr. Trivedi said in the letter.

A way out has been found with State governments, particularly Jharkhand, Haryana, Karnataka and Rajasthan, coming forward with cost-sharing proposals ranging from 50 to 75 per cent of the latest estimate.

The Railway Minister said the Angamaly-Sabarimala rail line is very crucial to the development of the region and for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Kerala. It was pointed out that the project was sanctioned on socio-economic consideration with the objective of rail link to the remote areas of Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta and to catalyse growth.

The proposal came close on the heels of the State's request to Railways to adopt the Fast Track Project (FTP) mode to acquire land for speedy completion of the project. Only 14.3 hectares of the total 515 hectares of land needed for the project had been acquired by the State and handed over to Railways. As many as 22 panchayats and four municipalities are covered.

Initially, Railways were in favour of laying the 130-km railway line from Angamaly to Azhutha. The stretch falls under forest area and as many as 11 tunnels had to be created between Erumeli and Azhutha. Besides, there was no added advantage in laying the railway line to Azhutha. Railways have now drastically changed the alignment and decided to terminate the railway line at Erumeli. By this, the proposed Sabari railway line would be only 117 km.

Already, the cost of the proposed project has gone up from the initial estimate of Rs. 550 crore to Rs.1,214 crore.

The Railway Board is also yet to clear the revised estimate and the alignment. The board has to take a decision in the wake of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Building Construction, Coastal Regulation Zone, Infrastructure Development and Miscellaneous projects deferring the project in the absence of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

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