Paal Kudam (MILK POT) Festival Event In Temples
Carrying milk pots of various sizes on their heads by the female devotees is a spiritual task which would mostly happen during the times of Tamil months Chithirai (April – May) and Aadi (July – August). Mostly Amman and Murugan Devotees would participate in this wonderful event, and this would be mostly done after their wishes are fulfilled, like after the completion of marriage, child birth, and also for the well-being of their life partners, and to lead a comfortable marriage life.
On the occasion of Chitira Pournami, 1008 Paal Kuda Vizha took place at Sri Mundagakanni Amman Kovil, Mylapore.
Devotees carried the 1008 milk pots in a grand procession around the temple covering Bazzar Road, Nattu Subburayar Street, Paripurana Vinayagar Kovil Street. A variety of musical instruments – Tharai, Thiru Annamalai oodal Vathiyam, flute and more were played during the procession.
The whole temple was decorated with flowers and bouquet to mark the festival.
The abhisekham took place for moolavar at 11.30 a.m. Later, Amman was decorated with a special alangaram and deeparadanai took place.
Muthumariamman kovil paalkudam Festival
The temple stands at the centre of Karaikudi town. In the year 1956 on November 8, a little girl, Lalitha came to this place from Meenakshipuram with small pox attack throughout her body. People found that every word from her longue showed a divine and auspicious power. Many people mocked at Her and the Tomato man was among them. He practically realized her divinity. The divine girl told them that She was but Maahamayee and would protect the residents if they raise a temple for Her. She assured all peace and prosperity to all. Saying these words, she attained liberation. The temple came into being on 17th November 1956.
Devotees carrying pots of milk, known as “paal kudam, on their head during the annual Tamil Chariot Festival, and some of them would sing nice songs in favour of Ma Annapurna, who is an aspect of Ma Shakti Devi.
SONGS IN PRAISE OF DEVI ANNAPURNA
Hey my dear devotees, the temple bells began to ring continuously. Now the puja for our holy mother Annapurna has been started. Come fast, fast, in order to witness the wonderful puja event.
See how nicely our holy mother has been seated in a golden throne, and how wonderfully she has been dressed with colourful garments and glittering ornaments. The holy prasad had already been offered to Ma Annapurna, and she has wilfully accepted it. Hence please come fast to witness the divine vision of Devi Ma Annapurna, and also have some Holy Prasad.
Hey my dear mother, even if I have been offered a place in the Swarka Loka, I don’t want it, since I want to stay only at your place, in order to witness your mesmerising beauty again and again. I don’t know why the people are wasting their time in order to fulfil their small desires like gossiping and spending their time and money on useless activities.
Hey my pretty Ma, your eyes releases a glittering effect which soothes our mind, your hands blesses us, your legs are meant for doing Pada Puja to it, your breast are meant for providing the divine milk to all of your children, your nose rings and ear rings adds utmost beauty to you, your garlands are made out of Parijatha flowers, which releases a good scented smell, the food stuffs produced before you, looks like the food stuffs available in the Swarka Loka.
Hey Rati Manmadha, don’t think that you are only the most beautiful pair in the world, since our dear Lord Annapurneswarar and Ma Annapurneswari are the most beautiful pair in the entire universe. Hey Chandra Rohini don’t get pride of your beauty, since our divine parent Annapurneswarar – Annapurneswari are only to be considered as the most charming pair in the entire universe. Hey Indra Indrani don’t feel jealous about the beauty of Annapurneswarar – Annapurneswari Devi, since we would consider only them as the most attractive pair in the whole universe.
Hey Ma, I have wasted half of my life in doing unnecessary things. Only in the past few years, I am thinking about you. Please pardon me for that. You have made me as a ‘USEFUL PERSON’, by the way of praising about you, singing songs on you and spreading your sweetness to the whole world. Oh, my kind mother, please place your tender hands on my head, and bless me whole heartily, since you have to do lot of goodness to me, please remember about it and do the needful.
Once when we recite the word Mother, it refers to our precious Mata Annapurneswari, and once if we recite the word food, it refers to our gentle mother Ma Annapurneswari, since she readily provides food to us whenever we need of it. She would provide food and water even in parched (dry
) desert regions, and would blossom our life like the beautiful lotus flower.Hey the beautiful lion (Simharaja), tell me my true devotion to your master Ma Annapurna. Hey Vinayaka Muruga, tell about my great faith kept on your mother Annapurna, Hey Nandeeswara and other Shivaganas(Divine attendants of Lord Shiva), go and inform about my arrival to Kailasha to your masters, Shiva and Shakti, please don’t make me to wait a long, since already I have become so tired of walking several thousands of miles from my place. Hence please convey my message and make me to meet them, since I want to have some delicious food from the hands of our holy Mother Ma Annapurna.
Hey Ma Annapurna, I am not an expert in writing songs on you, but however, with some of my limited level of knowledge, I have written some praises on you. If you feel fault on any portion of my songs, please pardon me, and give me adequate knowledge in writing lot of songs on you. Oh, my holy mother, please give me a bright future, since I am having lot of hope on you.
“OM SRI ANNAPURNESWARI PARIPOORNESWARI ANANDAEASWARI DEVI NAMO NAMAHA”
Sent By
R. HARISHANKAR
