Southern States - Karnataka   

`Varuna Japa' at Malpe Beach today

By Our Staff Correspondent

Udupi May 28 . A "Varuna Japa" (also known as "Parjanya Japa") seeking rains in Udupi region will be held at the Malpe Beach on Thursday evening under the leadership of Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Sri Shiroor Math.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Lakshmivara Tirtha said though June was fast approaching, there were no signs of rains in the region.

He claimed that this was the first time such a situation had arisen in Udupi. Water in many wells in Udupi city was reaching the bottom.

Since the winter had set in quickly last year, by local calculations, the rains too should have arrived by now.

But this was not the case. If the same situation persisted, things would get out of the hand in the next 15 days. Hence it had become necessary to conduct the "Varuna Japa".

He said the "Varuna Japa" would be held under the guidance of the priest, Krishnamurthy Samaga. Many other priests would participate in it.

This "japa" would be done by Mr. Samaga and other priests standing waist-deep in the sea. It would be done as ordained in the "shastras". Stating that the general public could take part in the "japa", he urged the people to turn up in large numbers to participate in it.

The "japa mantra" would be announced and the people had to repeat it. It would not be difficult for the public to repeat the "sthotrokta mantras".

The "Varuna Japa" would begin at 5 p.m. at Malpe beach and continue till sunset. The entire programme would last one-and-a-half hours, he said.

While many people had done the "Varuna Japa" earlier, this was the first time the "japa" would be done with the participation of the public.

The "Parjanya Japa" was done generally for the welfare of the mankind.

But Thursday's "japa" would focus on propitiating the rain god as the welfare of the people depended on the rains.

A 1008 tender coconut "abhisheka" to Lord Ananteshwara at the Sri Ananteshwara Temple in Udupi would be held on Sunday to pray for rainfall.

The general public could participate in this "abhisheka" by offering tender coconuts, Lakshmivara Tirtha said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Chitravathi Project will go ahead: Krishna
• Extra load-shedding for nine days
• BJP MP quits party, plans to float regional outfit
• Gaur gives birth to male calf at Mysore Zoo
• `Varuna Japa' at Malpe Beach today
• Yoga to be made compulsory in Udupi schools
• Free cardiac treatment for poor children
• New postings for IAS officers
• Koujalgi in the eye of another storm
• Quota urged for SC/STs in private sector
• Did insecurity prompt Sankeshwar's exit from BJP?

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu