Chitra Pournami:
The Hindu festival going by the name of Chitra Pournami is observed on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai or Chaitra corresponding to the English months of April-May. On this day the star Chitra and full moon comes together. The day is also dedicated to Indiran, the head of Devas.This year(2012), Chitra Pournami is celebrated on 5th May.
Chitra Gupta:
Chitra Pournami is the day sacred to Chitra Gupta, the Keeper of Deeds. Chitragupta was born to Parvathidevi through a painting (Chitira Puthiran). Later he entered into the uterus of Gomatha / Kamdhenu and born on chitra pournami and got the name Chitra gupta.
Chitragupta is the assistant of Lord Yama, the God of Death. It is believed that when a person dies his soul first goes to Lord Yama, where Chitragupta reads out the good and bad deeds of the person. Chitra Gupta keeps the good and bad register of every birth and according to ancestral belief, it is he who tallies your positive karma against negative and declares the result to the Judge on High.
Some call him as Chitta Gupta.. Meaning
Chitta – repository of memories from all our births
Gupta – a secret
Chitta Gupta – The secret of our memories….
How to worship Chitra Gupta:
Worshipping him with Sarkarai Pongal(Sweet Pongal) and other things without salt will give immense pleasure to the whole family throughout the year.
Have heard from my elders that some people will draw a kolam called Padi kolam. In that Padi kolam they will leave the south side empty as a mark of entrance to him. After finishing pooja they will immediately wipe the kolam.
NOTE: One should avoid uptaking milk and milk-products on that day since he came out from kamadhenu. (It is preferable to take buffalo milk if necessary). Then after finishing usual pooja and naivedhya, we have to donate rice, vegetables, dhal and dhakshina to the needy people.
Temples Famous for Chitra Pournami and Chitra Gupta:
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- There is only one temple in South India for Chitragupta at Kancheepuram. According to archaeologists, the Chitragupta temple was built in Kanchipuram during the Chola period (Ninth Century) and is being maintained by a particular community of Kancheepuram from time immemorial.The presiding deity (moolavar) is seen in a sitting posture holding the ezhuthaani (pen) in his right hand and a palm leaf in left symbolising his nature of work. The utsava panchaloka idol of Chitragupta is seen with His consort Karnikambal. It is believed that Lord Chitragupta is the Athi Devathai for Kethu, one of the Navagrahas, and those who worship Chitragupta at this temple, would be bestowed with prosperity. Also the evil effects of Kethu during its transit period would be mitigated. However, according to astrologers, Lord Vinayaka is the Prathi Devathai for Kethu and would also mitigate the evil effects of Kethu.
- Thirukoteeswarar Temple(Thirukodikaval):Thirukodikaval is situated on the northern bank of the Cauvery on the Kumbakonam-Mayiladuthurai route. It is about 5 Kms from Suryanarkoil (Navagraha kshetra for Sun God) and 2 km from Kanjanoor (Sukhra kshetra on the east) and 5 km west of Kuttalam town. Thirukoteeswarar is the presiding deity in this temple. There are seperate sannadhis for Chitrgupta and Yama. Chitra Pournami festival is celebrated in a grand manner every year.
- Worshipping Ambal in pournamis is a very special thing. Chithra pournami is famous for Meenakshi amman and Kallazhagar also. So, worshipping them also will be fruitful to us.
- The Mangaladevi Temple located at Kumily in Idukki, Kerala also celebrates Chithra Pournami festival with much religious fervor. Mangala Devi Temple is build in Pandya style of architecture is dedicated to Kannagi or Kannaki Amman, the main character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram. The temple is around 2000-years-old and remains closed for the entire year except for Chithra Pournami Festival. Hundreds of pilgrims from Kerala and the nearby state of Tamil Nadu visit the shrine during the festive occasion.
- Chitra Pournami is an important festival at Murugan temple at Ettukudi, Near Thirukkuvalai, Tiruvarur. Thousands of Kavadis will fill the small village with Milk Kudams and there will not be any space to move around.
Slokam:
Chita guptham mahaa praagyam lEkanee pathra dhaarinam
Chitra rathnaambaratharam madhyastham sarva dEhinaam.
Meaning
We may write wrong accounts or our accounting may be wrong;
but his is perfect and impeccable.
Chitra Pournami is highly auspicious of all the Pournami days (full moon days), and is the right time to gain Chitra Gupta blessings to wash away all your sins and to bag the virtue for the life beyond!
Let’s pray Chitra Gupta and Gain the Power to Be a Purified Soul!
