The practise of thoppukkaranam is visible in every household of south India.But, with the arrival of luxuries in everyday's life we don't practise it.Even today,the students who are afraid of exams make a "deal" with the god of knowledge ---Ganesha. If their demand is materialised , they perform thoppukarnam in front of the ganesha idol who is seated under the canopy of a pipal tree in the vicinity of the village tank. Remember, the pipal tree has the benefits of enlarging one's intelligent power. In urban areas, the concept of thoppukaranam has been modified because of tight shirts and trousers. Urbanites do it at their own style.
What is more pathetic is that we as Indians do not honour our age old practise. When the same thing has received a "so-called-certificate" from the westerners. We follow it with full reverence.
Now, the thoppukaranam has been redefined as super brain yoga . The benefits of this yoga is to improve our intelligent power.Just correlate intelligence-Lord Ganesha-Pipal tree everything leads to knowledge.
I hear some whispers saying "there is some real stuff in pagan's traditions".
