After one year continuous works and busy schedules, every person desires a lot to take a little rest before proceeding further. Such a small gap can give him a lot of positive energy to jump further energetically. In most cases, people love to go to some pilgrim place, devote a little time in divine thoughts or just do an annual ayurvedic treatment. If such things are done in the last month of a year, the New Year can begin with a good start. That’s the reason why Malayalis choose the last month of Kolla varsham (Malayalam calendar) for all these things and it comes during the period – July 16 to August 16. August 17 is Chingam 1^st, the New Year. Through this column I would briefly explain what are those things specially reserved for Karkidakom and why it’s significant.

Why Karkidakom is significant?

Karkidakom is the dark month of a year – the month of heavy rains, poverty and diseases.  As it is heavy monsoon, it affects farmers and people dependent on agriculture a lot. So people take rests, treatments and recite Ram’s name too. According to religious beliefs, reading Ramayana daily during Karkidakom month is very significant. Reciting Ram’s name keep them away from all bad happenings of the season – people believe so. So Ramayana written by Ezhuthachan in Malayalam is read in almost all Hindu homes everyday as well as at temples. Not only that, visiting temples of all the four brothers in a single day in the order – Rama, Bharatha, Lekshmana and Shatrughna is considered auspicious. This ceremony is known as “Naalambala Darshanan” – 4 temple darshan. This month is also known as holy Ramayana month.

This month is to pay homage to our dead ancestors too. It’s believed that on no moon day of holy month Karkidakom, they gain full strength and special tribute known as ‘bali tharpanam’ is given to them. It’s a symbol of sign of respect too. People use Ayurveda medicine known as ‘Karkidaka Kanji’ as ailment of all physical agonies and this medicine with different grains and ayurvedic medicines is specially prepared for the season.

Now a small note on Illam nira. Agriculturists give reaped paddy to temples during this month and later dispersed among devotes. It’s believed that if you are able to get a grain of it from the temple, then the whole year will be filled with prosperity. People do collect and tie the grains in bundle year by year and hang it somewhere in ceiling.

People choose this month for treatments like Dhara, Uzhichil etc and such treatments are annually conducted at temples too. This treatment and special food given are given to elephants and is known as Sukha Chikitsa. Ramayana month is the season of annual cleaning of homes and premises as well as reduction sales too.

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On June 30, 2013lView All Articles

Yes, Ramayana month is very auspicious to Malayalis

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/karkidakam-is-the-holy-month-for-keralites-article-2498.htm

Keywords :
Karkidakom month , Ramayana month , Illam nira , Karkidaka vaavu