Karkadaka Masam the last month of Malayalam Hindu calendar is also known as ‘Ramayanam Masam’ (month of Ramayana). A part of Ramayana is read everyday and completed by the end of the month, in every Hindu household and temples in Kerala. Karkidakam is a religious month for Hindu and Hindus performs many rituals. On the evening prior to the samkramam there was a ritual ceremony of packing the Chetta, the presiding spirit over dirt, off. Women with broom went around cleaning and dusting and driving out the Dirty thing that hid in corners. Basically, it was a thorough cleansing before the twilight.
കൊല്ലവർഷത്തിലെ 12-ആമത്തെ മാസമാണ് കർക്കടകം.സൂര്യൻ കർക്കടകം രാശിയിലൂടെ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്ന സമയമാണ് കർക്കടകമാസം. ജൂലൈ - ഓഗസ്റ്റ് മാസങ്ങൾക്ക് ഇടക്കായി ആണ് കർക്കടക മാസം വരിക. കേരളത്തിൽ കർക്കിടകം രാമായണ മാസമാണ്. ഇനി രാമായണ പാരായണത്തിന്‍റെ നാളുകള്‍. ഇനിയുള്ള നാളുകളിൽ ത്രിസന്ധ്യയ്ക്ക് ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളുടെയും തറവാടുകളുടെയും പൂമുഖത്ത് രാമായണത്തിന്റെ ശീലുകൾ ഉയരും. കുളിച്ച് ശുദ്ധമായി ദീപം തെളിയിച്ച് രാമായണം തൊട്ട് വന്ദിച്ച് വായന തുടങ്ങുന്നത്.
As the name specify, this holy month is destined for undertaking pious Vratham and recitation of Adhyathma Ramayanam Kilippattu: the epic life of Lord Sree Rama, which is the most virtuous and conversant contribution from Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, called as the Father of Malayalam Language. Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu written by Thunchath Ezhuthachan is the most famous Malayalam version of the Epic Ramayan and this is chosen for recitation at all my relatives places. To download Malayalam Ramayana Text in PDF format for free by clicking here.
The Karakidakam month also sees fasts and religious observances is considered appropriate for Ayurveda treatments. The new moon day is dedicated to dead ancestors special pujas and rituals to remember them is performed during the season.
The month is seen fit for pilgrimage to the four famous temples dedicated to Lord Ram, called the 'Nalambala Darshanam' literally. Nalambalam pilgrimage is gaining more and more popularity today. Nalambala Darsanam involves offering prayers at the Triprayar Sree Rama Temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple, Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple, and Payammal Shathrughna Temple, which are dedicated to Lord Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrughna respectively, on a single day.
Ramayana Masam concept taken from "രാമായണമാസാചരണം കര്‍ക്കടകമാസത്തിലായത് എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?" written by Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi Tiruvadikal.
The month represents a time when there is heavy rain and people read the Ramayana to build self-confidence during the difficult times. It is not always possible to complete the entire book, so mostly ‘Sundarakandam,’ the fifth book is commonly reading by the Hindus.
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are aware that the Ramayana Masam is going to begin on 17th july 2014 and that in most of the Hindu homes , it is a custom to read Adhyathma Ramayanam of THunjathu Ezhuthachan during the month. To help those Malayalis who have settled in USA and who do not know how to read Malayalam script, I have typed out the entire Ramayanam in english along with meaning of each verse given in english verse and this is available in my blog http://rajathathas.blogspot.in
I would be grateful if you could send this info to all the Malayali associations who are the members of your federation so that this information reaches all the needy Malayalis. Thanks in anticipation, Ramachander