KOLAM FOR RATHA SAPTHAMI DAY

KOLAM FOR RATHASAPTHAMI DAY (16th/17^th Feb 2013) (Surya Jayanthi)

The above Kolam is apt for the above occasion.

As anybody can observe, it is in four parts: the dome, side supports, the image of Surya in the middle and the base with wheel.

The image of Surya is drawn without any dots and can be easily drawn.

The dome starts with single dot (idukku pulli) and goes up to 12.  The sides are are with 3 dots throughout.

The base is drawn with 17 dots. 

The base wheel is again drawn without dot.

The whole image represents Lord Surya travelling in a chariot.

The entire design can be varied according to one’s taste and imagination.

The same Kolam can be used on Makara Sankaranthi (Pongal) day.

By the way Ratha Sapthami, as the heading indicates, is the Jayanthi   day of Lord Surya.

Ratha Sapthami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season

Worshipping Lord Surya on this day is the tradition for a long time in South India.

This year the Ratha Sapthami falls on 16th Feb in North America & 17^th Feb. in India.

It will be interesting to note here that some Temples in South India do Surya Pooja during this period ending with Ratha Sapthami.  Also, it will be interesting to note that during this period, the rays of Surya will fall on the Lord Shiva in the sanctum Sanctorum in some temples, which is an architectural marvel to watch.

I know for sure that this happens at Thirumeyachur, near Peralam (in the bus/train route between Mayiladuthurai & Nannilam).  This is the famous temple where there is the sannadhi for Shri Lalithambigai.   Surya Pooja at this temple is very famous.  So next time when you happen to travel that side, don’t miss this temple and be the recipient of the blessings of Lord Meganathar & Goddess Lalithambigai.

Prayer to Lord Surya not only gives of good health but also knowledge.  Lord Hanuman gained all his Vidya from Surya, so say the Puranas.  Let us pray to Lord Surya to bestow us with health and Vidya on this auspicious day.

Kolam For All

Drawing Kolam in front of a house or in the places of worship, be it inside the house or other places, has been one of the important duties cast upon ladies (Stri Dharmam) since ancient times.  The references to drawing Kolam, our elders with knowledge of Vedas will say, can be found in “Smirtis”

The basic  idea behind  this rich tradition are four fold, viz. 1) kindness towards other lives (Jeevakarunyam),  2)invoking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi (Lakshmi Kataksham) (3)creating healthy/happy state of mind  and (4)generation of positive attraction/vibration.

Even today, individual house owners and in village side, ladies get up early in the morning, sweep the entrance to their houses, sprinkle the place with water mixed with cow dung and draw attractive Kolams with rice powder.  It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi enters such houses without hesitation and blesses the households with health and wealth.    Further the rice powder becomes the feed for many small creatures like ants, birds, etc.  The drawing of Kolams with intricate designs brings with them concentration and peace of mind to the ladies besides serving as a morning exercise.  Even for  the passerby people, the very sight of such finely designed Kolams gives a positive vibration.

The month of Margazhi, is the most auspicious month for Gods/Devas.  During this month, ladies vie with one another in drawing big and well-designed Kolams in front of their houses.  This is an eye-catching sight even today in some traditional villages in South India.

My humble submission is that let us continue this grand tradition by dedicating the Kolams to Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi  and invoke their blessings for the benefit of the entire mankind.

SARVESHAM SWASTHIR BHAVATHU

SARVESHAM SHANTHIR BHAVATHU

SARVESHAM MANGALAM BHAVATHU

PS: Through this medium, I shall try to put forward some of my ideas in drawing various types of Kolams for various occasions.