Helpful Tips - Somasutra Pradakshinam, Mangalya (133)

This section Helpful Tips is all about Frequently Arising Questions. Sri Narendra Babu Sharma widely known as Brahmanda Guruji, share the knowledge on general topics and Hindu Sanathana Dharma in his Television Programme - Lakshmi Kataksha, telecasted in Kasthuri Kannada Channel, which i have put in this section. Guruji also share information of knowledge on Vasthu Shastra and lot of Helpful stuffs. Many People have lot of doubts on Hindu Sanathana Dharma, which is also covered in this section.
Please do ask a priest or elders, if you have any doubts in below, who knows very well about our customs and practices and clarify the same.

• How To Perform Somasutra Pradakshinam During Pradosham?
  
  
  Pradakshina (Sanskrit), meaning circumambulation, consists of walking around in a 'circle' as a form of worship in Hindu ceremonies in India. The devotees walk around the garbha griha, the innermost chamber of the shrine housing the temple deity. It is done around sacred fire (Agni), trees and plants as well. Thus Pradakshina is done around Tulsi plant and Peepal tree. Pradakshina or Parikrama is done in pilgrimage centres also.
  
  Pradakshina literally means: to the right (Dakshina means right). So in Pradakshina, one goes to the left hand direction to keep the deity around the Sanctum Sanctorum on one's right side. Pradakshina is one of the customary aspects of going to a temple. Typically, Pradakshina is done after the completion of traditional worship (pooja) and after paying homage to the deity. Pradakshina is supposed to be done with a meditative mood.
  
  During the Pradhosham time Soma Sutra Pradakshinam is the suggested way of circumambulating Sivalingam. In some of the temples this is followed always. A point to note here is that the Gomukhi is never crossed. Gomukhi is the place where the water after anointing (abhisheka tirtam) would be flowing northwards out. By doing this way of pradakshinam one does not step over this holy water.
  
  "vrusham chandam vrusham saiva soma sutram punavrusham
  chandam cha soma sutram cha punachandam punarvrusham"
  
  First saluting the Rishabha devar (Holy Bull) go in anti-clockwise and salute Chandikeswarar (not crossing the gomukhi).
  
  Now return in the clockwise manner salute Rishabha and continue clockwise till the gomukhi (dont cross it again).
  
  Then return in anti-clockwise direction salute the Rishabha again and proceed towards Chandikeswarar.
  
  From there return back clockwise without worshiping Rishabha and reach the gomukhi (No crossing).
  
  Finally return back anti-clockwise from there to salute Rishabha and continue to Chandikeswarar and return back to Rishabha and worship the shiva lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy bull.
  
  This is one Pradakshinam. Such Pradakshinas to be done for three times.
  
  It is auspicious to have a darshan of Lord Shiva through the Horns of the Divine Bull on Pradosham days.
  
  If you carefully observe the curve traced by doing the pradakshinam is very similar to the periphery of the CRESCENT. Hence this way of circumambulating is called SOMASUTRA PRADAKSHINAM.

• What should be the length of Tirumangalyam?
  
  
  Thaali is made of thread which should be 9 times of our folder hand. This is done by the Vathyar or Sastrigal who performs the marriage ritual. In other words, the length of the Manjal Saradu would be 3 inches multiplied by 9 times (for the sake of 9 planets) which is 27 inches. If you could place that Manjal Saradu, you can see that it lengths only up to the Heart and not to the navel.
  
  
  Mangala Sutram (Thali Bottu) should lie in Heart center i.e. Anahata Chakra (the intersection point of the Sushumna Nadi, Surya nadi and Chandra Nadi).
  
  You can also read this post on Mangalayam (Thali) : Leaving mangalya outside

• Newly Married Couples:
  
  
  Newly Married Couples should visit any temple nearby, everyday evening after sunset for period of minimum 08 months without fail.