Hinduism
Sinhala Hindu New Year:
Observing a wealth of tradition
Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year emphasises the underlying oneness of
our society. It reflects the homogeneity of thought and tradition that
binds those born is our soil. A common mood of festivity of goodwill and
generosity, the nearness of their astrological timings, the parallels in
ritualistic observances, all confirm deeply rooted historical
association.
A common mood of festivity |
These bonds show themselves large enough to establish a common
allegiance, a common identity with the land of their birth.
Traditional New Year
In fact, goodwill, happiness and a sense of expectancy fills the air
and the hearts of the Hindus and Buddhists as they await the dawn of the
traditional New Year. It is observed with great reverence, devotion, a
sense of duty and loving kindness towards all stimulating society,
enlivening the nation and fostering national consciousness.
The New Year which is universally observed generally includes rites
and ceremonies that are the expression of mortification, purgation,
invigoration and jubilation over life’s renewal. Furthermore, renewals
mark the course of life in nature and the human existence.
The survival of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year through long periods
of colonialism and westernization testifies to the strength of natural
characters in this country. It establishes the depth and durability of
an indigenous culture. It bears witness to the long traditions that grew
out of Lanka’s own civilization.
Transition
From time immemorial the Hindus have considered the transition as an
auspicious event, for the sun is the presiding Deity of the planetary
system and the entry from Pisces to Aries is significant, marking the
beginning of the year. The Hindu Almanac known as Panchaangam
substantiated by astronomical calculations gives us the exact time of
the dawn of the New Year.
In fact, the month of April also marks the birth of spring. Even in
Sangam classics there are references to the joyous activities of the
spring. The great epics “Silappadikiarom” gives a vivid description of
Indira Vizha.
The Lord Indira referred to in “Silappadikarm” is associated with
festival of this nature. Lord Indira is considered to be a God of
protection and in view of these favourable factors, the Hindus have
counted upon “Siththirai” (April) as the first month of the year. The
New Year festival is associated with a wealth of tradition, rituals and
customs which are enchanting and mystical in character.
These are woven into the fabric of astrology, for it is believed that
the New Year dawns with the sun, “Surya Bhagavan” coming down to earth
riding His Golden chariot drawn by seven horses each representing a day
in the week. The sun is also referred to as “Kaalathevan”, the one who
determines the various seasons. The observances on this day are made in
conformity with this movement of the sun and thanksgiving is offered to
the Sun God.
On the New Year day, each member of the family is anointed with
“Maruththuneer” before the bath. This Maruthtu water is a decoction of a
variety of medicinal herbs, flowers and saffron prepared by the temple
priests and is available only in the temples.
Sharing and caring
The herbs and flowers that are used in this decoction are the Lotus
pomegranate, Tulasi, Vilvam, Aruham grass, Saffron, Thitpili, Sukku and
Pepper. This ritual bath signifies the outer purity making way to
spiritual purity.
Indeed, New Year is a season for sharing and caring. Social unity and
co-operation have been emphasised since the vedic age. In the homes,
milk rice is cooked with jaggery and offered to the sun. The poor are
treated with lavish meals. The workers, relatives and neighbours join in
merry making.
Kaiveshesham
The first handling of money is done at the auspicious time. This is
called “Kaivishesham” and is always received from good hearted people.
It is also considered to be a lucky transaction and one looks forward to
an year of prosperity.
To the young, particulary the children, it is a day of games and fun.
They enjoy themselves wearing new clothes and lighting of crackers. The
youth enjoy participating in a game called “Porthenkai” (Crushing of
coconuts). The young girls engage themselves in games like swinging and
scraping coconut. In the evening dance and music recitals are organised
in the principal villages and towns.
New year is a festival of freedom, pece, unity and compassion
crystallised in the last hymn on unity in the Indian spiritual text the
“Rig Veda”:- “Let your aim be one and single, let your heart be joined
in one, the mind at rest in unison at peace with all, so you may be”
Yogaswami venerated spiritual perceptor
On April 5, this year devotees Yogaswami paid their humble homage to
Yogaswami the venerated spiritual master by celebrating his 45th Guru
Puja. Although he shuffled off his mortal coil 45 years ago his life and
teaching continue to inspire. It is a great inspiration, to read what
those who met him have expressed.
Yogaswami |
Here is an extract from C.P.M. Abeyasekara’s article about his
meeting this great sage:
It was on February 24, 1962 that I first paid my visit to this
mystic, who lived in Jaffna. I had no favour to ask, no test to make. I
merely wished to bask in the sunshine of his holiness! Just prior to my
going to see him, I had read an account of the visit made by Ananda
Pereira, Crown Counsel, where the least of the Swami utterances had
griped me. It was just, Time is short, subject is large.
With this revolving in my mind I reached the humble dwelling which
harboured this radiant personality, who immersed in the Bliss of the
Divine came down to the ordinary levels of life to uplift men and women
of all religions.
On my name being mentioned he greeted me with the words Abayam, this
means I will guard you and protect you from danger and peril.
Immediately I felt that I have left the world of the superficial and
come to the world of real and basic things.
Then he added; Time is short, subject is large, that was what I told
Ananda Pereira. I gasped but it was for a moment. I felt close to him as
I felt that my mind was just a part of the universal mind, where
thoughts are transmitted from one to another.
The Swami continued I am you and you are me. You may be a Sinhalese
and I a Tamil but as far as spiritual attainment is concerned all living
things are equal. Before God all are equal. That is why Lord Buddha has
taught the doctrine of Ahimsa. If you hurt another, you hurt your
ownself.
He concluded by saying, You have definitely a bright future. Have
faith in your self. No great work can be done without sacrifice.
Courtesy - Sivathondan Souvenir, 1965
Pankuni Uttara festival
S. DURAISAMY Maskeliya group correspondent
Sri Shanmuganathar Swamy Hindu Temple at Maskeliya after
renovation |
Annual Pankuni Uttara Ther Festival of Maskeliya Shri Shanmuganathar
Swamy Hindu Temple will be held on April 8 at 9 a.m.
This Ther festival is to be conducted after a lapse of four years.
The last Ther procession was held in 2004. After which the temple was
renovated and the Ashta Pandana Maha Kumbabisegam of the temple was held
on November 10, 2008 in a very grand scale. Following which, 48 days
Madalabisegam poojas were performed at the temple. On January 14, the
Thai Pongal Festival was conducted. Now, the annual Panguni Uttra Ther
festival is to be held.
As far as the Maskeliya Sri Shanmuganathar Swamy Kovil is concerned,
the Panguni Uttara Ther Festival has become a very significant one. It
has become a powerful and colourful one too.
On April 8, this year morning pure water will be collected in pots
from the river at Sripada bottom and will be brought to the Shri
Shanmuganthar Swamy temple premises. There at the temple an Abishekem
will be held with this water to all idols and structures of gods and
goddesses.
Kavadi dances will be conducted from Glentilt estate boundary and
they will arrive at the temple premises in a very long procession with
other Hindu cultural items such as karakattam and pommalattam covering
all roads and streets of the entire Maskeliya town. Inside the temple
special Panguni Uttara poojas will be conducted, in the presence of many
devotees. Then the fire walk will be held. After the poojas Annathanam
will be served to all devotees. At 5 p.m. Natheswara Kachcheri will be
conducted at the temple premises.
At about 8 p.m. the main special poojas for god Shanmuganathar Swamy,
with Goddesses Sri Valli and Sri Theivanain, Sri Vinayagar and Sri
Marieamman will be held and after the poojas all idols of the Gods and
Goddesses will be kept on the three chariots (Thers) and taken in a long
procession round the entire town and on the following day at about 1 am,
will reach the temple premises.
The chief incumbent of Maskeliya Shri Shanmuganathar Swamy temple is
venerable Sri S. Sivasangara Sarma.
Incarnations of God Vishnu:
Kalki Avatharam
Thilaka V. Wijeyaratnam
Incarnations or Avatharams mean lowering one’s status. Here Lord
Vishnu descends on earth in many lowly forms to vanquish evil and save
the good. As Lord Krishna said in Geetha, “If there is good, I will
save.” So He had always saved and protected the good, though it took
time. “The mills of God grind slowly but exceedingly small.” All minute
details are taken into account at the final Judgement Day.
Kalki |
The last and the final incarnation that will bring about the nemesis
of the evil will be Kalki. Lord Vishnu is supposed to appear on a white
horse as Kalki to put an end to all evil in the world. All these
incarnations were divined by the great Rishis. Had not Nostradamus
himself divined the happenings on earth?
“In the sacred temple, scandals will be committed. They will be
thought of as honours and praiseworthy by one whom they engrave on
silver and gold medals. The end will be in very strange torments.”
Nostradamus prophesied, so be it - so be it.
To come back to Lord Vishnu’s incarnations let us see what happened
in the past eras. According to the docket of Hindu chronology the very
first era, after the creation of the world was known as the Kruthe Yugam
which lasted 172,800 years. So says the Almanac.
During this era there was an upholding of Dharma by every living
being. It was towards the end of this era an atrocious deed was done by
a Kshatriya (Royal Personage). There was a rishi by the name of
Gamathakni. His spouse was Renuka and their son was Parasuramar. Over a
dispute a king had cut off the head of the rishi. The outraged son vowed
to avenge the father’s death by killing every Kshatriya he confronted.
Renuka his mother let loose her hair and wailed. Only in distress a
woman would let loose her hair. The Krutha Yugam was annihilated after
this by the curse of Renuka.
This yugam was followed by the Thretha Yugam when Ramayana took
place. This era lasted for about 1,296,000 years according to the Hindu
Almanac. Sita wife of Sri Rama was coveted by Ravana the Rakshasa King
of Lanka. He carried her over to his kingdom and kept her in a secluded
spot known as ‘Asoka Vanam’. She was guarded by the Raskshasa women.
But Sita remained true to Rama and Ravana could not persuade her to
accept him. On the other hand Sita let loose her hair and vowed that the
Ravana clan be completely wiped out by Sri Rama. Thus Thretha Yugam
ended after the malediction of another virtuous woman.
The Dwapara Yugam of 864,000 years is next. This was when Mahabaratha
took place. When the Gauravas insulted Drawpathy in the court in the
presence of the Pandavas, she let loose her hair and vowed that she
would put up her hair only after King Duriyodhana’s death. So the
Dwapara Yugam ended.
The present Kaliyugam has a life line of 432,000 years. It is in this
Yugam that Kannagi - later worshipped as Pathini Amman, on the erroneous
judgement of the Pandiya King who had her husband executed, let loose
her hair and burnt the city of Madurai. In every era we see the complete
annihilation of the world itself by the anger, fury, rage and frenzy of
one woman.
Woe betide the Hindu World for now in this era almost all Hindu women
are with hair loose, whether married or widowed, whether in a temple or
at weddings, whether in distress or not, a most inauspicious action - in
Tamil it is referred to as ‘Thalaivirikolam’. So with the advent of
Kalki and all these loose haired women, the Kaliyuga is awaiting its
end.
Readers may wonder how Parasuramar of one era could meet Sri Rama of
another era and challenge him.
There are two theories. One is Parasuramar would have lived a long
life, long enough to come across Sri Rama in the Thretha Yugam. Besides
Parasuramar was also an avatharam of Lord Vishnu. The other concocted
theory is that mythology has scant regard for chronology.
Be that as it may, during Kalki Avatharam Lord Vishnu riding his
white horse would completely exterminate evil and evil doers.
But as he said, if there is good in one, one will be saved. So as a
devotee of the Gods Siva, Vishnu and Brahama, one should first think
good and then say good and do good and be good. Then one can sail
through any disaster be it deluge, fire or storm holding on to the
divine feet of the Almighty. |