It is the Indian tradition to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesa before starting anything. It is strongly believed that Ganesa removes any stumbling block to our endeavour. It is centuries old tradition to pray Ganesa by performing what is called ‘Thoppukaranam’ in Tamil.
’Thoppukaranam’ is performed by holding the left ear with right hand fingers and the right by left hand fingers and simultaneously sitting and standing. This is repeated several times. Many of us are doing this from the time immemorial without knowing for what purpose this is done. Of course we do believe that this ‘Thoppukaranam’ will bring lot of good to us.
Each and every performance followed by Hindu culture is backed by some scientific truth. But unfortunately our forefathers have not passed on the secret ( or scientific truth) to the next generation. Every exercise and hygiene is blended in our religious belief and conventions that we practise in our day to day life. Probably this is because our elders would have thought that these things can be enforced only under the guise of religious formalities or conventions.
One such thing is ‘Thoppukaranam’. We have come across several occasions where a person fulfils his ‘prarthana’ by performing 18 or 108 or even 1008 ‘Thoppukaranams’ before Lord Ganesa.
Yale University School of Medicine has introduced ’ Thoppukaranam’ by christening it as ‘Superbrain yoga’. According to sources ‘Thoppukaranam’ activates the acupuncture points at right and left ears thereby activating the right and left brains. Fifteen minutes of ’Thoppukaranam’ increases the brain power immensely according to sources.
Readers who are interested in knowing more can do so by clicking the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSwhpF9iJSs
Many of our religious conventions and customs are based on extensive scientific research and blended in our day to day life in the form of religious practices. If we try to find out the reasons for each and every acts like this it will take another 1000 years. Such is the depth of the great Indian meaningful Sastras and Sambradayas. If we go on raising questions and refrain from following these good things the loss is only to us.
Let us be proud of our culture and hold our head high. Let us be proud to know that the world is trying to learn what our forefathers have introduced several thousands of years ago.
Jai Hind.
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Apr 6, 2009 at 01:05:51
thoppukkaranam is the alternate performance of kundalini yoga which raises the kundalini sakthi from the moolaadhaaraa to the sahasraadhaaraa n back to the bottom… that’s why it was suggested by our ancestors as a good practise. good to know from your blog that it has finally got its recognition.
Oct 11, 2009 at 09:45:30
As I am practising this since childhood I was curious to know the benefits of thoppukaranam and hence I opened the site. I am also practicing meditation to get Kundalini shakti If you have anything regarding Kundalini shakti please mail. I got some good information and thanks.
Oct 11, 2009 at 09:47:19
Good to read and understand and practice.
Jan 21, 2010 at 05:44:21
I am practicing Thop0pukaranam practically everyday and i feel it is a very good yoga for the whole body.
Jan 21, 2010 at 05:46:29
I like to do maximum number of thoppukaranam, everyday
Oct 17, 2010 at 05:58:45
What is the correct way to hold the ears while doing thoppukaranam? Should the right hand be over the left hand or should it be under the left hand while doing the thoppukaranam? Or does it make no difference at all? Experts in Yoga may kindly advice.