Tulunadu Traditions

 Towards Tamilnadu and Kerala This is a blog based on the experience of a planned and well executed 6 days bike ride to different destinations in Tamilnadu and Kerala. Anybody looking for a perfect break can plan something similar.  Day 1(Bangalore-Madurai) 450kms With all good preparations as per your requirements, start the trip from Bangalore early in the morning. Suggested time is 5-5.30AM. You can plan for breakfast, tea breaks and lunch at convenient places. There are good restaurants at Krishnagiri, Salem, Karur and other places. You can reach Madurai by 2-3 PM, as the road is a 4 and 6 lane highway throughout.  Once you reach lookout for a hotel to stay near the Meenakshi temple; or book in prior to avoid last minute hassles. After freshening up you can visit the temple which is open from 4pm to 9pm. After darshana, you can explore the city, have dinner and go to bed.  Day 2(Madurai-Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari) 175+300kms Start the day two early by 5am. As the distance to be covere

Utsava, the word means festival. Here we are speaking of the Utsava that takes place annually in the temples of Tulunadu. As the word itself suggests it is the annual festival. As per mythology one year for mankind is equal to one day for God. So, if we perform Utsava once a year, it is like performing daily for God. Utsava’s  are celebrated in almost all the temples in Tulunadu; during Uttarayana(one half of the Hindu year), which is known to be day time for Gods. The time period varies from one day to one month in various temples.  In many temples, Utsava starts with Dhwajarohana, hoisting of God’s flag on Kodimara(holy pole in front of the temple). Many rituals are conducted based on old practices of each temple(practices vary from temple to temple) during the period of Utsava such as Rathotsava(chariot festival), various special Pooja’s such as Ranga Pooja, Pusha Pooja, etc., Utsava bali(procession by holding God’s idol on head), Kattepooje,etc. Utsava’s normally end with Avabhruta