ArunaR
Ramayana maasam in Kerala.....
Ramayana Masam in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month Karkidakam (July – August). On all days in the month, the Epic Ramayana is read in traditional Hindu houses, by Hindu organizations and in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The reading of the Ramayan begins on the first day of the month and is completely read by last day of the month. In 2008, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 16 and ends on August 16.
The Karkidakam month is the last month in the Malayalam calendar. The monsoon is at its peak in this month; and during olden days majority of the people in Kerala depended on agriculture. Due to heavy rain, the Karkidakam month is referred as ‘panja masam’ or the month of scarcity.
With the paddy fields flooded, there used to be no work and the economy used to come to a stand still. People used to solely depend on what grains they had stored during the previous harvest season. There used be such heavy rains that it was even hard to go outside the house or village and earn a living. To ward off nature’s fury people used to read the Ramayana. As per Malayalam Panchangam, new ventures and auspicious functions are not held during this month.
The Amavasi day in the Karkidakam month is dedicated to dead ancestors and Hindus perform special pujas at seashore and on riverbeds on this day.
Ramayana maasam in Kerala.....
Ramayana Masam in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month Karkidakam (July – August). On all days in the month, the Epic Ramayana is read in traditional Hindu houses, by Hindu organizations and in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The reading of the Ramayan begins on the first day of the month and is completely read by last day of the month. In 2008, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 16 and ends on August 16.
The Karkidakam month is the last month in the Malayalam calendar. The monsoon is at its peak in this month; and during olden days majority of the people in Kerala depended on agriculture. Due to heavy rain, the Karkidakam month is referred as ‘panja masam’ or the month of scarcity.
With the paddy fields flooded, there used to be no work and the economy used to come to a stand still. People used to solely depend on what grains they had stored during the previous harvest season. There used be such heavy rains that it was even hard to go outside the house or village and earn a living. To ward off nature’s fury people used to read the Ramayana. As per Malayalam Panchangam, new ventures and auspicious functions are not held during this month.
The Amavasi day in the Karkidakam month is dedicated to dead ancestors and Hindus perform special pujas at seashore and on riverbeds on this day.