->Neils51: replaced: the the → the, typo(s) fixed: Therefore → Therefore,, whcih → which

2022-01-09T19:07:16Z

replaced: the the → the, typo(s) fixed: Therefore → Therefore,, whcih → which

New page

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'''Theertha''' (Theertha) literally refers to water. In [[Hindu]] sacred literature, it is referred to as the physical holy water body associated with a temple or deity.

==Etymology==
The word ''Theertham'' as in "Theertha Tatra" has its roots in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. Tamil prospective provides a much better and acceptable analogy.
''Theertham'' came from a Tamil word ''Theervu'' which stands for solution (for any kind of problem faced by humans). It is from this word we have words like theermanam, thiruppam came in. The word 'Thirthankara' used in Jain faith also has its roots in the same Tamil word. ''[[Thirthankara]]'' actually means ''Theervu + Thanda + Karangal'' where Theervu is solution, Thanda is providing and Karangal is hands. Therefore, to refer to people who used to provide solution for day to day problems, usually saints sitting in temples and provide such solutions, were called "Theervu Thanda Karangal" which over a period of time became ''Thirthangarar'' or ''Thirthankar''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ancient Rome|isbn=9781596871045|publisher=J. Boylston, Publishers|first=Robert |last=Payne|page=54|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Ancient_Rome/n9OCDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tirthankara+meaning&pg=PT54&printsec=frontcover}}</ref>

As per [[Hindu]] mythology, Hindu temples are usually associated with the trio of Moorthy (image), Stalam (sacred place) and Theertham (a body of water). While most temples are located near rivers or lakes, the temples are usually associated with them. Temple tanks and wells are dug inside or outside the temple for all religious purposes. Also, most temples were centers of social and economic activities, making a waterbody very essential inside the premises. 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Moorthi – Thalam – Theertham|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Moorthi_Thalam_Theertham/yYDmDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=theertham&printsec=frontcover|year=2019|first=Rajarathnam|last=G.S.|publisher=Pustaka Digital Media}}</ref>

==Theertha Yatra==
[[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Theertha Yatra]] is the pilgrimage associated with [[Hinduism]]. ''[[Rig Veda]]'' and ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' have detailed mention about the famous pilgrimage sites in India. ''[[Mahabharata]]'' identifies around 300 religious sites related to Theertha yatra.<ref>{{cite book|title=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Hindu_Culture_and_Lifestyle/F7KhDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=theertha+yatra&pg=PT137&printsec=frontcover|page=137|title=Hindu Culture and Lifestyle Living Indian Traditions in the age of Artificial Intelligence|year=2019|last=Shah|first=Vaishali|isbn=9781645876083|publisher=Notion Press}}</ref>

==Theerthavari==
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.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Next Big Thing - Thanjavur: Treasures|first=Krithika |last=Subrahmanian|page=83|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=DWYHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT83&dq=theerthavari&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwidkde_sqT1AhVXwzgGHRfXDKcQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=theerthavari&f=false|publisher=Notion Press|year=2020|isbn=9781637145395}}</ref> During the evenings of such festivals, float festival is celebrated in the temples during which the festive deity is taken in the decorated float in the temple tank.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Myth, religion and ritual and their role in defining the existence of tanks in Kumbakonam, a South Indian temple town|first=Shanmugapriya |last=Balasubramanian|page=21|volume=28|issue=1|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44211361|via=JSTOR|access-date=9 January 2022|publisher=International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE)|journal=Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review}}</ref>

==See also==
{{col div|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Hindu calendar]]
*[[Kshetram]]
*[[List of Hindu temples]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Hindu temple architecture]]

Theertham - Revision history

->Neils51: replaced: the the → the, typo(s) fixed: Therefore → Therefore,, whcih → which