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ESSENCE OF HINDUISM

Releasing shortly in many languages with rare and colorful photographs

ESSENCE OF HINDUISM

Gayatri Pathmanathan & Raghavan Pathmanathan

THE CONCEPT AND PHILOSOPHY OF ANNUAL FESTIVAL

(VARSHA MAHA BRAHMOTSAVAM) OF OUR PRINCE OF NALLUR, JAFFNA

The book deals with the detailed explanations based on the concept and philosophy of the annual grand festival or Varsha Maha Brahmotsavam of the world famous and one of the historically old and geo- politically important Lord Sri Karthikeya Swamy’s grand old temple at Nallur- Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. It is also popularly known as “Nallur Sri Kandaswamy kovil” among the Hindus It narrates the philosophy, history and importance of the Hindu settlers who migrated to the island of Sri Lanka (former Ceylon) almost 1800 years B.P (during middle and late Iron Age periods of India).Reasoning the various kind of festival practices in accordance with the explanations by applying scientific reasons, nature, discipline, determination and devotion. The preservation of Hindu culture in a very sophisticated and well protected manner against various cultural and political invaders from Europe is an interesting factor. It also discussed the facts with historical documentations about the successful introduction of Hindu culture during the ancient maritime trade followed by frequent invasions across the Pak strait. This was done by the triple Sangam kings called Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas. The historical records about these episodes are simply astonishing. Authors have systematically analyzed the wonderful combinations and successful co-existence of Hindu Ahamashastras embroiled with locally groomed Sambradhayas (socio –cultural sequences) for the past many centuries by the people of Jaffna. The most interesting fact is that originally 9^th Century A.D old Nallur Sri Karthikeya temple is committed by its unique and complicated Hindu cultural preservation, systematic services to the divine power and its pinpoint punctuality made itself as an outstanding Hindu temple of the world.