Ashwini or Ashvini (or Ashwathi in Malayalam), is the first Nakshatra of the 27 nakshatras in Hindu astrology. Ruled by Lord Ketu (Kethu), Ashwini Nakshatra Ashwini is governed by the Ashwins, the twin horsemen. Ashwini Kumara, the horse headed celestial physicians, is the deity of this asterism. With the spread from 00 to 13020 min, this star falls in the zodiac sign of Mesha, which is ruled by planet Mars. Ashvini is signified either by the head of a horse, or by honey and the bee hives.

General Characteristics of Ashwini Nakshatra
Here are some of the main characteristics of Ashwini naskshara. Persons born in this Ashwathi Nakshatram are of noble characters. They are aggressive; possess good business skills and leadership qualities. These people are very active, tend to serve others, be truthful, and obtain all comforts. Though there may be a gap in educational life, it could be completed due to their dedication. People of Ashvini Nakshatras are blessed with good family and children.
A person moves quickly and easily if he is born when the moon is in Ashvini. He has an attractive personality, be handsome, bright and intelligent. The natives of Ashwini are highly energetic and their greatest strength lies in the speed with which they get the things done. Other important qualities for those born in this star are meticulous, prosperous, obedient, and philosophical.


Here is the Hindu Festivals calendar for the month of April 2010. The calendar includes major festival dates and auspicious days in April. Some of the major festivals which falls in the month of April 2010 . The detailed calendar is given below.

13th April 2010- Baisakhi - Punjabi New Year Festival

14th April 2010-Amavasya – (Chaitra Amavasi or Adhik Vaishakh Amavasya),Chithirai Vishu or Puthandu (Tamil New Year)
Mesha Sankranti 2010 -Maha Vishuba Sankranti – Mahavishuva Samkranti, Goru Bihu
15th April 2010-ishu 2010 Kerala zodiac New Year or Malayalam astronomical New Year,
Bengali New Year – Naba Barsha or Poila Baisakh 2010,
Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu 2010 – Assam New Year.
16th April 2010-Gosain Bihu 2010 (Third day of Assamese New Year celebrations),
Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
20th April 2010-Shasti Vratham
21st April 2010-Budhashtami
24th April 2010-Kamala Ekadashi or Padmini Ekadasi 2010,
Thrissur Pooram 2010 – Trichur Pooram
25th April 2010-Ekadashi ,Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple Festival
26th April 2010-Pradosha Pooja – Soma Pradosh or Chandra Pradosha Puja
28th April 2010-Adhik Vaishaka Purnima,Swathithirunal Jayanti

When Sri Madhvacharya visited Badarinath, he was presented eight saligrama shilas known as 'Vyasa mushti', by Sri Vedavyasa devaru. Six of these saligramas are presently being worshipped in this maTha.

Along with the Vyasamushtis, Sri Vedavyasa devaru also gave Madhva a Narasimha saligrama, which is said to be very powerful. Madhvacharya placed this Narasimha saligrama in a box (sampuTa), along with 22 Lakshmi Narayana shilas and 5 Vyasamushti shilas. (only one Vyasamushti shila is worshipped outside the box)
Although the Narasimha saligrama is worshipped daily, it is always kept inside the box, except for bathing. Only the maThAdhipati of this maTha can open this box and touch the saligrama inside. Nobody else is allowed to see this Deity. If the peeThAdhipati of the maTha becomes sick, then on those days only the pooja rights of this saligrama goes to the swamiji of Sri Pejavara maTha in Udupi.

The first maThAdhipati Sri Vishnu teertha is said to be still residing in the forests in Kumara hills nearby where he is performing tapas. He sometimes returns to the maTha to perform puja to the Samputa Narasimha. Many devotees have heard the sound of bells inside the garbha-griha late at night when the temple is locked !
The second maThAdhipati of this maTha was Sri Aniruddha teertha (also a direct disciple of Sri Madhwacharya). During his time, King Ballala Raya of the Hoysala Dynasty stole the box containing the Narasimha saligrama.
Desiring to see the Deity, he hired four blacksmiths to forcibly open the box. Unfortunately, when they tried, they all died on the spot. The king also tried to open the box by having an elephant stand on it - the result was that the elephant also died immediately.

Because of this great offense, King Ballala Raya felt a great burning sensation within his body, and it was only when he returned the Samputa Narasimha to Sri Aniruddha teertha and obtained his blessings that he was relieved from his malady.

It is also believed that Sri Vishnu teertha had in fact carried the Samputa Narasimha saligrama (with the box) along with him to the forests, and sent back the same through the Kumara Dhaara river, upon request by Sri Aniruddha teertha.
Along with the saligamas, there are a number of other Deities, which belonged to previous pontiffs of the maTha, including a Laksmi-Narasimha Deity and Deities of Vittala, Rukmini and Satyabhama.

The present maThAdhipati is Sri Vidyaprasanna teertha swamiji, and he runs an educational institution at a place called biLinele.




The 6th maTha among the Udupi aShTa maThas is the Sode maTha. Two great yatis of all times have adorned the peeTha of this maTha. They are Sri Vishnu teertha and Sri Vadiraja teertha.

Sri Vishnu teertha was the first peeThAdhipati of Sode maTha. He was the younger brother of Sri Madhwacharya in poorvAshrama. He is still said to be alive and performing tapasya at the Kumaradri hills near Kukke Subrahmanya. In distant future he is supposed to revive the Tatvavaada philosophy once again, which by then would have become extinct. For this same purpose Sri Madhwacharya is believed to have preserved his sarvamoola granthas on copper plates, and buried them in a place called Kadtila or Setutila. Incidentally, Sri Vishnu teertha is also the founder of Kukke Subrahmanya maTha.

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