Partial Lunar Eclipse: Feb 10 2017 Friday
 
Visible in United States Of America
5:45 PM - 6:55 PM Pacific Time Zone
7:45 PM - 8:55 PM Central Time Zone
8:45 PM - 9:55 PM Eastern Time Zone
Affected Nakshatrams and Rashi's:-
Aslesha, Pushyami, Makha Stars
Karkataka Rashi and Simha Rash i 
Please contact for Grahana Shanthi Homam to perform at your Home if your or your family member's star is affected as mentioned. 

(A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra. This can occur only when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can occur only the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.)
Sri Thirumazhisai Azhvar Thiru Nakshatram (Birthday) : Feb 11 2017 Saturday
 
Period : 7th C. AD

Place : Thirumazhisai

Month : Thai 

Star : (Natshatram) Magam (Magha) 

Day : Sunday

Father : Parkkava munivar

Mother : kanakanki

Other Names : Bhakthi-saarar, Bhaargavar, Magisaaraapuriswarar, Mazhisai-piraan 

His works : nanmukan tiruvantati, tiruccata viruttam

Songs : 216

                                                                        Amsam : Sudarshanam (  Cakkarattalvar  )
This AzhwAr was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakra (the divine discus of Lord Vishnu). He was born to Barghava Muni and KanakAngi at Tirumazhisai near KAnchipuram. Even though the fetus was in the mother's womb for 
an unusual 12 months, when delivered it was without arms, legs etc. The parents left it at the foot of a bush of cane shrubs in the forest. Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi appeared and blessed the child which then became fully developed into a lovely baby. 

A childless tribal couple called Tiruvaalan and Pankaya Chelvi engaged in cutting canes found the child and took it home. The child would not eat or drink anything nor did it show any signs of expelling waste material from its body. When an old agriculturist couple offered milk in a bowl, the child drank it with relish. One day, the couple drank of the milk left over by the child. They regained youth and in due course had a son born to them whom they named as 'KanikaNNan'.

Thirumazhisai decided to learn about all other religions. So, he studied Buddhist, Jain and other literature. He became a staunch devotee of Siva assuming the name of Siva VAkya. One day, he saw an old man planting a plant upside down and then trying to water it with a broken pot using a tattered rope to lift water from a waterless well. Sivavakyar asked him why he was attempting such a foolish act. The old man was none other than Pey AzhwAr who replied that what he was doing was only less foolish than Sivavakya's allegiance to Saivam, knowing full well that the Vedas and Smritis proclaim Sri Narayana as the Supreme deity.

As a result of an argument with Pey Azhwar, he finally got initiated into Srivaishnavam by Pey Azhwar. After visiting several temples, he reached Tiruvekka, the birthplace of Budat Azhwar. Tirumazhisai Azhwar himself says
 " We learned SAkkiyam (jainism) SamaNam (Buddhism) and did deep research into the doctrine of Saivam; which were all totally misleading. Luckily, we landed at the feet of TiruvengadathAN as a SrIvaishNavan" 


He refers to the inseparable-ness of ParamAtma and JeevAtama when he makes the powerful statement- " I cannot exist without you nor can you exist without me"  "Naan unnaiyanri ilEn kaNDAi nAraNanEnee ennaiyanri illai"
Maha Shivarathri : Feb 24 2017
 
Maha Shivaratri is a  Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god  Shiva. There is a Shivaratri in every lunary month on its 13th night /14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March) and before the arrival of spring, marks Maha Shivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva".
It is a major festival in  Hinduism, but one that is solemn and marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers,  fasting, doing  Yoga and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, non injury to others, forgiveness and the discovery of  Shiva. The ardent devotees keep awake all night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on pilgrimage to Jyotirlingams. This is an ancient Hindu festival whose origin date is unknown.

Please contact for 'Rudrabhishekam' to perform at your house, I can bring shiva lingam. 

Wedding Priest.Pradeep Archakam |