Temples of celebrated quartet of Ramayana

Nalambalam Pilgrimage in Karkatakam

Come June 1, its equivalent in the Malayalam calendar is Edavapathi, when the rains begin to lash in Kerala with all ferocity. It also synchronizes with the opening of the Schools in Kerala.  The onset of the monsoons is widely welcomed, as on the strength of the rains, Kerala’s commercial crops depend heavily. Karkidakam, the last month in the Malayalam calendar when Sun transit Cancer between July 16 and August 16).  The month sees people attending temples every day, and the evenings are spent listening to various discourses and chanting of Ramayana. Kerala gets a festive and religious fervour during the month. 

Nalambalam, means four temples, which are in different locations of Thrissur district in central Kerala where the shrines of Lord Rama (Triprayar), Bharatha (Koodalmanikyam at irijalikuda), Lakshmana (Moozhikulam, Ernakulam district), Shatrugana (Payammal), the celebrated quartet of the epic Ramayana. They are one of the most popular religious tours of South India. Myriads of spiritually inclined tourists from all across the Indian subcontinent and abroad sign up for these tours from Thrissur. A trip to Nalambalam is a highly sacred auspicious event during Karkidakam, a highly sacred month in the Malayalam calendar.

Nalambalam Yatra begins from the Rama temple in Triprayar and ends up at Shatrughna Temple in Payyammal. It is customary to visit the four temples in the order Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna respectively. Triprayar Temple houses a 6 ft tall idol of the Lord, holding Shankha', Sudarsanachakra, Stick and Garland, in a very ferocious form facing east. He is seen in standing posture. Vedi Vazhipadu is the main offering, but that does not match with the Lord. There are many lunatic beliefs that Hanumanburnt many fire crackers on the ear of the Lord, but as Hanuman can't do any harm to Rama, that is not good to believe it. The temple is under the control of Cochin Devaswom Board.

Koodalmanikyam Temple houses another 6 ft tall idol of the Lord, seen in ferocious form, facing east, in standing posture holding the same things as seen at Triprayar. This is one of the rare temples where only one idol is there. The temple has a private devaswom.

Moozhikkulam is the only temple in Ernakulam District, and the only one among the four temples, which belong to the 108 Divya Desams, praised by Alwars. The temple houses another 6 ft tall idol, similar to the idol at Guruvayoor, holding Shankha, Sudarsana chakra, Mace and Lotus, in standing posture, facing east.

Payammal is the smallest temple, having the smallest idol, also similar to that at Guruvayoor. This is the way to praise them: First, we have to worship Hanuman. Then worship Rama at Triprayar during his nirmalyadarsanam. Then worship Bharata at Koodalmanikyam and Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam during their Usha Poojas. Then worship Shatrughna at Payammal during his Ucha Pooja.

1. Triprayar Sreerama Temple Triprayar is in the middle of Guruvayoor – Kodungallore route. Those who want to come via Trichur should reach Cherpu and proceed went wards to reach the east nada of the temple . Here is the famous Rama temple. This is the first temple to visit as part of Nalambalam Pilgrimage. Darshan is possible from 3am – 12.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm . Meenuttu and Vedi are important Vazipadu. Sited at a distance of 22 km from Thrissur, the Thriprayar temple consists of a group of four shrines that has been consecrated to none other than Lord Rama. The three day long Thriprayar Ekadasi celebrated during the month of Vrischikam .i.e. November to December in the Gregorian calender is one of the primary festivals that is celebrated with lots of pomp and grandeur. Prayers timings in the temple are between 4.30 am to 12.30 pm during the day and 4.30 pm to 8 pm in the evening.

2. Koodalmanikam Temple, Irinjalakuda This is a unique Vaishnava Temple and the second temple to visit. From Triprayar proceed in the Kodungallore route and divert from Edamuttam or Moonnupeedika. Irinjalakuda is about 20km away from Triprayar. Darshan is possible from 3am – 12 noon, and 5pm to 8pm. Important Vazhipatus are Thamaramala , Brinjal Nivedyam, Vedi , Gheelamp , Meeunttu.

3. Moozhikkulam Sree Lakshmanapermal Temple Moozhikkulam Temple is the third temple to visit and is dedicated to Lakshmana. This is in Ernakulam District near to famous Annadiane Mahadeva temple proceeds along Vellankallore in Irinjalakuda route to Kodungallore and reaches Mala, Annamanada and then Moozhikkulam. Darshan is possible from 4 to 12.30 and 5 to 8.

4. Payammal Temple This is the last temple to visit. Reach Vellangallore and proceed went wards 4 km to reach Aripalam. Take right turn and reach the temple . Important Vazhipadu is Sudarshanan dedication. Darshan time is as given along temples.

The Holy Ramayana month of 'Karkitaka' begins on July 17th this year. The Holy book of Ramayana is one of the very old books and is one that is read widely. The month of Ramayana has a great significance in many places in India.

In Kerala, the Malayalam month of Karkidakam is a month of heavy down pour and is considered as a month of scarcity. In this month, the people go for Ayurvedic treatments (sukhachikithsa) in order to rejenuate their body and mind. And equally important is the reading of Ramayana to wash out their sins.

In many of the Hindu families, this tradition is followed now also. In Kerala, 'Adhyathma Ramayanam Kilippattu' written by Sri Thunjathu Ezhuthachan is more popular than the original Valmiki Ramayana.

National Fibre Policy or Natural Fibre Policy?

National Fibre Policy or Natural fibre Policy?

The Government of India is following a flawed policy as far as natural fibre industries are concerned.  The National Fibre Policy, the draft of which has been already released, is flawed. One of the most important Textiles Ministry is under an additional charge of a Minister who is already holding a heavy weight portfolio of Commerce & Industry. Textiles are one of the most important segments which contribute heavily to GDP and Foreign Exchange earnings. Today, Textiles industries are facing mounting impediments to remain competitive when the market markets are squeezed for want of monetary wealth to keep the economy growing. But, India which is professed in political adventure games is more interested in politics rather than attempting serious governance! Second generation reforms which are long overdue remains on the blaming game and does not progress beyond a few notes and few noises. Nobody cares a dime.

            National Fibre Policy is not natural fibre Policy but anti- thesis of it. Man made fibres are preferred to natural fibres which are languishing due to poor Policy and monetary support for the various segments and sub segments of the natural fibre industry. Natural fibres are produced by Plants and animals. There are leaf fibres such as sisal and hard fibres such as Coconuts etc.  15 major and animal fibres dominate world fibre production- cotton to cashmere, have particular properties that place them in the luxury market.   Abaca, favoured source of rope, cotton (widely used natural fibre), Flax (one of the strongest fibres), Hemp which is a bast fibre, Jute (strong threads made from jute fibre, sack cloth), Ramie (white with a sulky luster, strongest natural fibre), sisal (replacing fibre glass fibres in composite materials used to make furniture), coir (extracted from the outer shell of the Coconuts, coir is found in ropes, mattresses, brushes, geotextiles, etc). Animal fibre include wool (world’s premier textile silk fibre), silk (queen of fibres), Mohair (noted for its softness and receptiveness to rich dyes), cashmere (soft to touch), camel hair (best fibre- Bactrian camels of Mongolia/inner Mongolia, baby camel hair finest, softest), Angora wool (silky white wool of Angora rabbit, quality knitwear), Alpaca wool (high end luxury fibres).

            When the world over, natural fibre is preferred due to their superior environmental friendliness vis-à-vis synthetics, we have authorities in India who would like to push the Man Made Fibres (MMF) through a National Fibre Policy unmindful of the damage to the environment and the associated cost to the Society, from disposing synthetic end products which are considerably greater than those accruing from bio-degradable products such as hard fibres. When traditional products would constitute an integral component of any Research undertaken to improve the characteristics of natural products or of the search for new ones within the overall strategy, we believe in formulating strategies and policies without caring for the generic concerns.   It is a pity, that Coconut fibre or coir fibre is not at all included in the National Fibre Policy, as India, like Srilanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, have been through policy intervention trying to strengthen coir production and exports through fiscal and policy support.

            Coir fibre constituted 25% of the value of total coir exports and 20% of the volume of the total exports, and the country has been producing 5,00,000 tonnes of coir fibre from Coconut husk, even though this is not even 50% of the available coconut husk supply, due to apathy of attention or intervention in its development. As Coconut is in the concurrent list, the Government of Kerala, is unable to get the centre invest in developing industries in Kerala because of lack of political will or incapacity to be a proactive state like Uttar Pradesh or West Bengal or  Tamilnadu which get a lions share of the Plan outlay.

It may seem odd, that the Coconut nor coir industry does not have adequate statistics to determine how many Coconut husks are available for use by the Coir industry and what is the quantum that is dehusked to make coir fibre and what is the residue  unused nos available for likely utilization . When the basic figures are not available, assumptions and notional statiscs form a part of planning, the results or inherent capacities go wrong, as a result, no proper planning can be envisaged.

Coir industry has a huge women worker population, and their livelihood and sustainability depend upon the fortunes of the Coir industry. If Coir industry comes to a grinding halt, the kitchens in many of the homes of Alapuzzha, Shertalla, Ambalapuzha, Haripad, Vaikom, Ettumannur, Kollam, Cheriyankeezhu, Thiruvanthapuram and wayside villages will remain unused, as the Coconut economy is the driving force. Yet, no structural approach, nor long term vision, finding an inequitable balance between growth and conversion on the user industry has ever been made. Government should have a long term commitment to support the traditional industry’s base. In the Micro, Small and MEDIUM Enterprises, the bulk of growth, and support is directed at micro, and mini industries and not at Medium Scale Industries which have financial as well as physical strength. But seldom are these nodes finding assistance from the MSME Act; government shying away from Policy support, Banks doesn’t want to finance the sector.

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Who is response for India's economic mess- Dr Singh, UPA, or Politics?

Is Dr Manmohan Singh alone responsible for India’s underachievement?

            Is India’s under performance in its economy due to Dr Manmohan Singh’s underachievement?   Is he, alone, responsible for slowdown in India’s economy, huge fiscal deficit, falling rupee, corruption scandals, political paralysis due to inept leadership qualities, and unfair power sharing agreements with regional parties who do not share Congress party’s economic  philosophy.

            It is true, that India’s growth momentum is slow and low compared to previous years. The Prime minister is projected as an ‘unachiever”, because he is in no position to launch any of the Second Generation Reforms. Is Dr Manmohan Singh alone the culprit for the economic mess that India is in?

            Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investments brought Crores of Rupees in foreign currency to India. Setting up of collaborative ventures, opening up of aviation to the private sector, auctioning of coal blocks to private sector, Telecom miracle, privatization of infrastructure, disinvestment, giant setting up of Original manufacturers of automobiles, gave fillip to industrial growth, increased  capital formation due to setting up ancillary industries under the patronage of a mother units for original equipment manufacture as well as Replacement parts industry, gave impetus to increasing employment. The growth of the software industry, as a result of which 55% of the foreign exchange came from Service exports, put India in a frontal position in respect of bilateral, multilateral trade. The unemployment got reduced as India’s educated got employment in the new generation banks that began operations in nook and corner of India, the need for software and hardware engineers, aviation personnel for various private sector airlines, big industrial houses which went for Acquisitions & Mergers, acquiring properties abroad, manpower required for on-shore operations abroad, telecommunications which grew vertically and horizontally, export houses , export logistics, export infrastructure, export consultants, requiring qualified personnel, drove the employment market upwards. The purchasing power of the younger generation professionals, their fat pay, the change from joint family to nuclear families, easy loans for buying apartments, motor cars, household items, etc., saw more and liberal spending rather than depositing the money in the Banks, which kick started the economy which saw growth touching two digits. Inflation was at its low, because, there was huge consumption, and all round passing off money, rather than getting blocked in deposits alone. Currency circulation created enough money flow in the market which diminished inflation. Insurance Companies, including foreign companies, set shop here. There was sufficient business for anybody and everybody. The money came into the organized net and got circulating through bank drawls and deposits. Banks had enough money to lend, and with a wide variety of products for which it gave loans, its coffers filled. The loans were given against collateral guarantee, and hence non- performing- assets in the consumer, middle class sector like house loan, gold loan, car loan, durables loan, was nil if not very low. The credit Card/Debit market rose geometrically. The launch of Telecom Revolution saw the increase of teledensity grow by 1000% giving business opportunities across a value chain. Exports which were $ 45 billion in 2004 grew to US $ 300 billion, bringing in the much needed Foreign Exchange. Foreign Exchange Reserves crossed US $ 300 billion. Stock markets began to grow by more than 100 points on a regular basis. Private sector contributed to a Indian Retail Chain, which changed the mind-set of the buyers who flocked to the Retail markets, and big malls, so as to get everything under one roof. BoP position was easily met due to Foreign Exchange Reserves, remittances from Indian Diaspora, FII, FDI, Exports, etc. Banking sector got strengthened, as it was able to contain the excess flow of liquidity which would have created volatility.

            Come UPA II. Everything began to go sour. Rs 80,000 Cr was written off to compensate the farmers’ credit which had become NPA. Reforms halted as one or the other coalition partner refused to tow the line. Enormous money was required for providing subsidy and to undertake popular Schemes. Opposition was relenting which made governance difficult. America’s meltdown caused a lightening strike on India’s software industry. Our exports shrunk as that country was India’s largest bi-lateral trading partner. American economy which became weaker and weaker, and the brakes applied did not work to change the mood of the economy. The economic crisis engulfed to Europe. This struck the European Union in more than one way. Indian professionals or the service industry, felt the brunt. Inflation started to mount. The more the RBI tried to tame inflation, it grew, and increasing interest rates 13 times did not even get an inch of recovery. Government resorted to Keynesian formula. Liberal spending. This caused more discomfort than benefit. People stopped spending. They were careful with the money. It caused a downturn in consumption. Reduction in consumption caused reduction in production. This was instrumental in creating lay offs, and retrenchment. Banks did not credit as it should have got. The robust economy slid to 5.2% against our declared target of 9%. The financial deficit was uncontrollable. The deficit finance which was reckoned at 4.2% went up to 5.9%. Even though Direct Taxes receipt showed an increase, the actual receipt was only 55-60%, as most of the money due got caught in litigation.

            Scandals, scams, became a scourge to our economy. When Parliament was incapacitated to function by pandemonium and when one entire Session was lost, what policy trajectory was possible? There have been crusaders, who have been blocking every move of the Government. The coalition parties were declining to support the Government which is surviving on the mercy of Opposition parties who are ruling some States as regional parties. The fiscal deficit in the State budgets is no better. They want funds infusion like Rs 10,000 Cr (UP), Rs 12,000 Cr (Bengal), Bihar (Rs 10,000 Cr), etc. From where the Government will augment, is another matter?

            Dr Manmohan Singh when he was Finance Minister in Mr Narasihma Rao ’s cabinet, had to look after only Finance. The economic conditions then, were rosy. America was interested in India’s growth and the bi-lateral trade began to grow from US $ 30 billion to US $ 60 billion. The government of Rao was a minority government, and even if it had fallen, there would have been no serious repercussions. Today, if anything happens to the Government, Congress will lose face, and there are no strong statesmen in that party to bring unity in the diversity coalition.  Can we blame only Dr Manmohan Singh for all the ills?

            

             The monsoon , as we take stock, only rains but never pours. the deficiency will be reflected in the final tally of crops, and agricultural output, which will send India into a tail spin. Dr Singh's worries are not over. It would crop up again and again. Mamta is waiting with a bowl. So also others. And we have Anna Hazare waiting at the other end to cleanse the rotten political system which has already saturated.