Guest guest Report post Posted September 3, 2003 Pranam. I would like to know more about the Kumari puja. I would like to know about the inner meanings, how one performs it and so on and so forth. Would someone please enlighten me? Thank you. With Love Shankaree Let my every word be a prayer to Thee, Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee, Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image, Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee, Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet; Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do, Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee." >From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Messenger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 6, 2003 Hi Shankaree ... Thanks for a very good question. We recently had a conversation that addressed some of the underlying issues of Kumari Puja; it's archived at http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Resource/Messageboard/MessageBoard9.ht ml And right now, Kumari Puja is very much in the news. Just yesterday, the BBC discussed Nepal's latest Kumari; if you follow the link below, you'll see her picture, and some links to earlier BBC coverage: KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 5, 2003: Next Tuesday, tourists in Nepal will have the rare opportunity of seeing a living Goddess. Normally, the Kumari appears for tourists through an intricately carved window at her residence in the Hanumandhoka palace square. But for the past six months six-year-old Preeti Sakya -- the living Hindu Goddess or Kumari -- has been hidden away because of a row with the Kathmandu municipality. Her guardians say she should receive a fair share of the fee tourists pay for entry to the historic palace square. Municipal officials say they have to use the proceeds of the US$2.50 fee to maintain the world heritage-listed site. For one day, at least, tourists will be able to see the Kumari when she is borne in a palanquin in a religious procession through Kathmandu. According to the 300-year-old tradition, a girl from the Sakya caste of the Newari community in the Kathmandu Valley is selected through rigorous tests. She remains the Goddess until puberty and is called upon to give blessings to Nepal's Hindus and Buddhists -- and even the king. "It is unfair," says Gautam Sakya, one of the guardians. "The municipality earns in the name of Kumari, yet we do not get anything to maintain the rituals associated with her." The guardians insist that the local body should pay them at least 10 percent of its annual earnings of a little over $200,000. Before the municipality began charging tourists the entrance fee two years ago, foreign visitors were allowed to see the Kumari and offered money individually. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3084130.stm , shankaree ramatas <shankaree> wrote: > Pranam. I would like to know more about the Kumari puja. I would like to know about the inner meanings, how one performs it and so on and so forth. Would someone please enlighten me? > > Thank you. > > With Love > > Shankaree > > > Let my every word be a prayer to Thee, > Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee, > Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image, > Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee, > Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet; > Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do, > Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee." > > From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari > > > > > Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Messenger > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 7, 2003 Greetings to all, I actually recently read about this Kumari Pooja which is mainly done in NEPAL,whereby they believe a young girl is believed to be an aspect of the Goddess and therefore worshipped!.Let me try to get hold of the article and i will post it here.It was quite a interesting fact!... OM SHAKTHI , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta> wrote: > Hi Shankaree ... > > Thanks for a very good question. We recently had a conversation that > addressed some of the underlying issues of Kumari Puja; it's archived > at > http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Resource/Messageboard/MessageBoard9.ht > ml > > And right now, Kumari Puja is very much in the news. Just yesterday, > the BBC discussed Nepal's latest Kumari; if you follow the link > below, you'll see her picture, and some links to earlier BBC coverage: > > KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 5, 2003: Next Tuesday, tourists in Nepal > will have the rare opportunity of seeing a living Goddess. > > Normally, the Kumari appears for tourists through an intricately > carved window at her residence in the Hanumandhoka palace square. But > for the past six months six-year-old Preeti Sakya -- the living Hindu > Goddess or Kumari -- has been hidden away because of a row with the > Kathmandu municipality. > > Her guardians say she should receive a fair share of the fee tourists > pay for entry to the historic palace square. Municipal officials say > they have to use the proceeds of the US$2.50 fee to maintain the > world heritage-listed site. For one day, at least, tourists will be > able to see the Kumari when she is borne in a palanquin in a > religious procession through Kathmandu. > > According to the 300-year-old tradition, a girl from the Sakya caste > of the Newari community in the Kathmandu Valley is selected through > rigorous tests. She remains the Goddess until puberty and is called > upon to give blessings to Nepal's Hindus and Buddhists -- and even > the king. > > "It is unfair," says Gautam Sakya, one of the guardians. "The > municipality earns in the name of Kumari, yet we do not get anything > to maintain the rituals associated with her." > > The guardians insist that the local body should pay them at least 10 > percent of its annual earnings of a little over $200,000. Before the > municipality began charging tourists the entrance fee two years ago, > foreign visitors were allowed to see the Kumari and offered money > individually. > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3084130.stm > > , shankaree ramatas > <shankaree> wrote: > > Pranam. I would like to know more about the Kumari puja. I would > like to know about the inner meanings, how one performs it and so on > and so forth. Would someone please enlighten me? > > > > Thank you. > > > > With Love > > > > Shankaree > > > > > > Let my every word be a prayer to Thee, > > Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee, > > Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image, > > Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee, > > Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet; > > Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do, > > Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee." > > > > From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari > > > > > > > > > > Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE > Messenger > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 7, 2003 Jay Ma! Namaste. I created little folder "Kumari Devi" at group(sorry , if Im not right). In this folder I attachmeted photo and images of kumari Devi. Also see this links: http://www.tripurainfo.com/puja/Kumari.htm http://www.catmando.com/casinosnepal/july/kumari.htm http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/7833/ Maybe it will be helpfull. Namaskar . Madan Mohan. --- Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote: > Hi Shankaree ... > > Thanks for a very good question. We recently had a > conversation that > addressed some of the underlying issues of Kumari > Puja; it's archived > at > http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Resource/Messageboard/MessageBoard9.ht > ml > > And right now, Kumari Puja is very much in the news. > Just yesterday, > the BBC discussed Nepal's latest Kumari; if you > follow the link > below, you'll see her picture, and some links to > earlier BBC coverage: > > KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 5, 2003: Next Tuesday, > tourists in Nepal > will have the rare opportunity of seeing a living > Goddess. > > Normally, the Kumari appears for tourists through an > intricately > carved window at her residence in the Hanumandhoka > palace square. But > for the past six months six-year-old Preeti Sakya -- > the living Hindu > Goddess or Kumari -- has been hidden away because of > a row with the > Kathmandu municipality. > > Her guardians say she should receive a fair share of > the fee tourists > pay for entry to the historic palace square. > Municipal officials say > they have to use the proceeds of the US$2.50 fee to > maintain the > world heritage-listed site. For one day, at least, > tourists will be > able to see the Kumari when she is borne in a > palanquin in a > religious procession through Kathmandu. > > According to the 300-year-old tradition, a girl from > the Sakya caste > of the Newari community in the Kathmandu Valley is > selected through > rigorous tests. She remains the Goddess until > puberty and is called > upon to give blessings to Nepal's Hindus and > Buddhists -- and even > the king. > > "It is unfair," says Gautam Sakya, one of the > guardians. "The > municipality earns in the name of Kumari, yet we do > not get anything > to maintain the rituals associated with her." > > The guardians insist that the local body should pay > them at least 10 > percent of its annual earnings of a little over > $200,000. Before the > municipality began charging tourists the entrance > fee two years ago, > foreign visitors were allowed to see the Kumari and > offered money > individually. > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3084130.stm > > , shankaree > ramatas > <shankaree> wrote: > > Pranam. I would like to know more about the Kumari > puja. I would > like to know about the inner meanings, how one > performs it and so on > and so forth. Would someone please enlighten me? > > > > Thank you. > > > > With Love > > > > Shankaree > > > > > > Let my every word be a prayer to Thee, > > Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to > Thee, > > Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image, > > Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee, > > Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet; > > Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I > do, > > Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee." > > > > From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's > Saundaryalahari > > > > > > > > > > Want to chat instantly with your online > friends? Get the FREE > Messenger > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 21, 2003 Shankaree brought up this thread a few weeks ago -- about traditions of living girls being worshiped as Devi; and today's edition of Channel News Asia (Singapore) provides yet another example. I hope Kochu (our resident encyclopedia on all things concerning Malayalee and Kerala) might be able to expand on this: MALAYALEES PRAY TO SNAKE GODDESS By India Correspondent Atul Jolly 20 September 2003 1812 hrs (SST) 1012 hrs (GMT) The last month of the Malayalam calendar year holds great importance for the Malayalees. It is a time when they chant verses from the scriptures and rejuvenate their bodies through the healing process of Ayurveda. It is also the month when girls are worshipped in an elaborate ceremony. For over 10 years, this ceremony has been practiced in the Indian state of Kerala. For the Malayalees, it is a tradition they consider necessary to appease the Snake Goddess. They believe it gets rid of any curse on the family that could otherwise haunt them for generations on end. To begin with, the mythological snake goddess is honoured in an elaborate ceremony. Mr Raman Pillai, Bharatiya Janata Party state leader, said: "To ward off the curse among the girls, each year this ceremony is conducted in the karakada month." Right after prayers have been made to the Goddess, the elders of the village worship 1,000 girls aged between five and 11. Girls as old as 21 are also welcomed to join in. It is necessary to use items generally associated with girls, like clothes, bangles, sandalwood, flowers, mirrors, combs and even turmeric. The girls must be dressed in the Malayalee traditional costume - the pattavastra, to participate in the function. Ms Laxmi, mother of a young girl, said: "I have great faith in this ceremony. I feel this will help the child in her education and future. Also it gives us a lot of peace of mind. That is why I come to this temple once every week." Ms Angiya, mother of a young girl, said: "My daughter is two-and-a- half years old. It's been two years since I have been coming here." Many families encourage their daughters to be part of the ceremony, not only for the gifts but also for the blessings received. This is an age-old practice in Kerala that has been somewhat forgotten. But today's generations are keen to bring back to life their cultural roots, as well as to allow their children the chance to follow the ancient traditions. 2003 MCN International Pte Ltd URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/49521/1/.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 21, 2003 My two bits. Maybe I am mad. But look at the snake. What does mercury's wand remind us of? The DNA? In Kerala the astrologers decree that all genetic diseases are "sarpa kopa". The diseases were enumerated at a time when genetics was not “ostensibly” so advanced as it is now. But how did they come to that conclusion? I dunno. An old astrologer once told me that there is a sure non medical no religious remedy for sarpa kopa. It was to fumigate the house with turmeric, very small quantity, so that there is a whiff or trace of smell of turmeric in the house. I did not believe him; yet I tried it out experimentally in some cases and the results were nothing short of miraculous. This man also told me (he was "uneducated by modern standards) that most of the remedies have a scientific and medical basis. But its only when a person with wide knowledge in diverse fields study these things that the connection is made. For “sarpa preeti” one of the ways of worshipping serpents is to sprinkle turmeric powder on the idol. Normally the snake idols are in the open and when you go near u feel the strong smell of turmeric. Was it one way the ancients devised to make people smell turmeric so that genetic problems are solved? I don’t know. Sarpas are the ancient Gods of Malayalis – especially the warriors – The nairs. Every house had its own snake grove from a few cents to maybe an acre or more in size. They were never cleared. I have had the opportunity of still unknown species of snakes come out of these groves. Hope I was not rambling too much. Kochu (BTW I am no encyclopaedia on anything) Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote: Shankaree brought up this thread a few weeks ago -- about traditions of living girls being worshiped as Devi; and today's edition of Channel News Asia (Singapore) provides yet another example. I hope Kochu (our resident encyclopedia on all things concerning Malayalee and Kerala) might be able to expand on this: MALAYALEES PRAY TO SNAKE GODDESS By India Correspondent Atul Jolly 20 September 2003 1812 hrs (SST) 1012 hrs (GMT) The last month of the Malayalam calendar year holds great importance for the Malayalees. It is a time when they chant verses from the scriptures and rejuvenate their bodies through the healing process of Ayurveda. It is also the month when girls are worshipped in an elaborate ceremony. For over 10 years, this ceremony has been practiced in the Indian state of Kerala. For the Malayalees, it is a tradition they consider necessary to appease the Snake Goddess. They believe it gets rid of any curse on the family that could otherwise haunt them for generations on end. To begin with, the mythological snake goddess is honoured in an elaborate ceremony. Mr Raman Pillai, Bharatiya Janata Party state leader, said: "To ward off the curse among the girls, each year this ceremony is conducted in the karakada month." Right after prayers have been made to the Goddess, the elders of the village worship 1,000 girls aged between five and 11. Girls as old as 21 are also welcomed to join in. It is necessary to use items generally associated with girls, like clothes, bangles, sandalwood, flowers, mirrors, combs and even turmeric. The girls must be dressed in the Malayalee traditional costume - the pattavastra, to participate in the function. Ms Laxmi, mother of a young girl, said: "I have great faith in this ceremony. I feel this will help the child in her education and future. Also it gives us a lot of peace of mind. That is why I come to this temple once every week." Ms Angiya, mother of a young girl, said: "My daughter is two-and-a-half years old. It's been two years since I have been coming here." Many families encourage their daughters to be part of the ceremony, not only for the gifts but also for the blessings received. This is an age-old practice in Kerala that has been somewhat forgotten. But today's generations are keen to bring back to life their cultural roots, as well as to allow their children the chance to follow the ancient traditions. 2003 MCN International Pte Ltd URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/49521/1/.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
