Theertham

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Theertham

Theertham (Theertha or Tirtha) literally refers to water. In

Hindu sacred literature, it is referred to as the physical holy water body associated with a temple or deity. As per Hindu religious belief, water is the principal purification mechanism. While external purification is believed to be through a dip in sacred water bodies, internal purification is through truthfulness. Most Hindu temples are associated with bodies of water, which are called Theertham. In Vishnu
temples, devotees are offered a few drops of sacred water called Theertham.

There are various Hindu legends which mention that the temples tanks are usually created by celestial bodies or have been propitiated off their curse by taking a holy dip in such bodies of water. The names of such bodies of water are usually named after the celestial bodies or the characteristics of the sin propitiated.

Etymology

Theerthavari festival during 1905

As per

Tirupathi Venkateshwara Temple are Markandeya Theertham (relating to longevity), Agneya Theertham (redeems sins) and Yama Theertham (avoid hell).[3]

Theertha Yatra

Hindu pilgrimage sites along famour river banks.[6] There are major tourist Theertha Yatra ciruits in India covering various historic and religious themes.[7]

Theerthavari

Theerthavari during Mahamaham in Kumbakonam

Theerthavari is a common practice followed in some of the South Indian temples, where the festival idol is brought to the waterbody associated with the temple on an auspicious day annually. The devotees also take a holy dip along with other the festival deity.

Trichy and Kumbakonam perform Theerthavari during the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March) while the downstream temples in regions like Mayiladuthurai have the festival during Aipasi (April -May).[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ G.S., Rajarathnam (2019). Moorthi – Thalam – Theertham. Pustaka Digital Media.
  2. ^ Connect With The Divine Vol - 5 A compilation of discourses of Sri Sakthi Amma. Sri Narayani Peedam. p. 93.
  3. ^ Ramesh, M.S. (1993). 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams volume one Divyadesams in Tondai Nadu. Tirpuati: Tirupati Tirumala Devastanams. p. 47.
  4. ISBN 9781645876083
    .
  5. ^ "Chaar Dham Yatra: A True Test of Every Hindu's Quest Towards Spiritual Enlightenment". NewsGram. 20 March 2015.
  6. ISBN 978-1-4051-6702-4
  7. S2CID 143325849
    . Retrieved 23 January 2022. – via JSTOR (subscription required)
  8. ISBN 9781637145395
    .
  9. JSTOR 44211361
    . Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via JSTOR.
  10. ISBN 978-81-223-0997-3
  11. ISBN 9781645876250
    .

External architecture

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