Deepawali and Kedara Gowri Pooja
We all know from legends that Parvathy did penance and resided in the left half of Shiva as Ardhanaree. This form of Shiva sakthi is the symbol of equality, bhraman transforms as Parasakthi, sakthi is the mirror image of bhraman, responsibility of man and woman in family and society, equality to woman hood etc.
It is also the symbol of female energy and male energy within us.
This Kerada Gowri pooja is being observed on Ammavasya day with Deepawali festival in Andra and northern part of Tamil nadu as an auspicious day.
My ancestors have migrated from Kanchipuram to western part of Tamil Nadu before 500 years. They have installed the family deity Varadharajan [Vishnu] along with Kedara Gowri Ambika in our village - THUDUPATHY near Perundurai town in Erode district.
I have heard many legends about the fame of this pooja through my grand mother and mother.
Even couple after marriage is being initiated with this pooja on Deepawali day which is a very special occasion in our village like another wedding ceremony.
To my knowledge Kedara Gowri Devi has temple only in my village.
Devi is 4 feet tall standing with lotus in her hands under the pee pal tree in penance form.
Her utsava moorthy is very beautiful with 4 hands holding abhayam - varadham, akshara mala and lotus depicting Vaani - Ramaa and Umaa.
Legends say that Gowri [Parvathy] as Aparna [one who attained Shiva by severe fasting] meditated in Kedar Nath. Devi installed the jothir linga there. The Himalayan peak behind the Kedar nath shrine is a sakthi peetam and it is known as ''Su Meru''. This is being worshiped as ''maha meru'' upon which in bindhu, Shivasakthi is being meditated.
This pooja is based on Devi's penance. Woman who took initiation fast from Naraga chathurdasi evening. On ammavasya day they cook specific onion less, garlic less food to Devi. In olden times women even fasted at nights for 21 days.
Every dish is placed in a banana leaf and it is placed upon a new bamboo muram or plate and taken to temple. With the lady her husband has to go. Devi will be decorated in penance posture. The wife will offer her respect to Devi and offer that food and new garments and she will be given rice powder [maa vilakku] prasadham and a sacred thread with 21 knots. Her husband will tie to her neck or wrist or upper arm.
Then she prays to her husband as her Shivam. After coming home the husband will make her to complete the fasting by serving the food.
By eveing Devi is taken out for grand procession. By this time people arrange rangoli, wear new dress, arrange lights and lamps and celebrate Deepawali in our village. Still I can see this grand pooja is being observed in Chennai.
At home install kalasam and do aavaahanam with Gowri.
Light lamps and place a new dress, sacred turmeric paste smeared thread, sweets or fruits, a good food and chant Lalitha thrisadhi [this was recited by Rathy before Devi after getting Manmatha back with life in Kanchipuram]
Offer arthi, complete pooja and pray for every one's well fare.
The sacred thread in our family tradition will not be removed till next pooja indication that the woman must have awareness in her good actions.
This year Kedara Gowri pooja is on 11.112015.
Om Sakthy
Dr.M.Madeswaran
10.11.2015, Madras
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