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Theertham
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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[edit]
The word Theertham as in "Theertha Tatra" has its roots in 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.[1]
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.[2]
Theertha Yatra[edit]
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.[3]
Theerthavari[edit]
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.[4] 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.[5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Payne, Robert. Ancient Rome. J. Boylston, Publishers. p. 54. ISBN 9781596871045.
- ↑ G.S., Rajarathnam (2019). Moorthi – Thalam – Theertham. Pustaka Digital Media.
- ↑ Shah, Vaishali (2019). Hindu Culture and Lifestyle Living Indian Traditions in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Notion Press. p. 137. ISBN 9781645876083.
- ↑ Subrahmanian, Krithika (2020). The Next Big Thing - Thanjavur: Treasures. Notion Press. p. 83. ISBN 9781637145395.
- ↑ Balasubramanian, Shanmugapriya. "Myth, religion and ritual and their role in defining the existence of tanks in Kumbakonam, a South Indian temple town". Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review. International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE). 28 (1): 21. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via JSTOR.
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