Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label information. Show all posts

18 January 2021

Thiruvoodal Festival 2021: Arunachala

 

Thiruvoodal Festival is celebrated in the month of Thai during Pongal (which has to do with the movement of the sun from the southern to the northern hemisphere). Legend has it that the Lord in answer to a promise given to Parvati appears on this holy day (Uttarayana) to dance on one foot. He says; ‘On Uttarayana holy day, I will do the dance when the sun rises.’

The word 'Thiru' signifies; deity, sacred, holy and wealth and the word 'Voodal' actually means 'tiff' or 'petty quarrel', and represents the friction between the male and female in a love relationship which is consciously exacerbated. The distinguishing mark of Voodal is that it should arise and stay only for a brief period and not be prolonged as its focus is the bliss when the Voodal is withdrawn.

The poem Thirukkural says in the chapters dedicated to 'kama' which is concentrated on the relationship between man and woman and the establishment of household and children, that; 'The way to amplify bliss through desire or relationship is through voodal. That ever present bliss you can only see when the tension comes and is withdrawn. It is like salt to food – beyond a certain limit it is lost completely.' Thirukurral explains the tiff as 'creation of a tension, which when released you have a bliss that is always present. It is the Voodal that helps one focus upon that.'

Thiruvoodal is  unique festival enacted by Shiva and Parvati to convey social truths to their devotees. It takes place; inside the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple, on the streets delineating the perimeter of the Temple, and on the girivalam pathway itself; by iconic representations of Shiva and Parvati. Thiruvoodal Festival is regarded in such high esteem that one of the perimeter roads has earned the special name Thiruvoodal Street by this convention.

For more information about this Festival go to this link here.



The Gods exiting Temple through the Thitti Vasal Gate






2 January 2021

Significance of Arunachala Girivalam: 2021 Full Moon (Pournami) Dates

 

[The below narrative is taken from my website dedicated to Arunachala and available at this link]. 

One of the thousand and eight names given to Arunachala by Adi Shankara is giripradakshinapriyathe Lord who loves giripradakshina.

'Be they of lowly birth, without the advantage of learning, unable to practise the virtue of liberality, it is of no account. Those who perform pradakshina of holy Aruna, the Supreme, submit to his rule and become his devotee, will excel even amongst the most excellent . . .' [Arunagiri Antadi]

 

Arunachala southside after seasonal rains


At most holy places located on hills, the Deity is found at the summit of the Hill. But here at Tiruvannamalai, the Hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and one of the ways in which it is propiated and worshipped is by its circumambulation.

In Sanskrit this going around the Hill is called 'giripradakshina' (giri=mountain and pradakshina: Prada=giver of boons; Kshi=destroyer of Karma; Na=giver of Jnana. Also, Pra-Dakshina=going around with centre kept to the right).

'Pradakshina (the Hindu rite of going round the object of worship) is "All is within me." The true significance of the act of going round Arunachala is said to be as effective as a circuit round the world. That means that the whole world is condensed into this Hill. The circuit round the temple of Arunachala is equally good; and self-circuit (i.e. turning round and round) is as good as the last. So all are contained in the Self.

Says the Ribhu Gita: "I remain fixed, whereas innumerable universes becoming concepts within my mind, rotate within me. This meditation is the highest circuit (pradakshina).' [Ramana Maharshi: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi]

In the Tamil language, this process of going around, is called 'giri valam' (giri=mountain and valam=right side), inferring that one should keep the Hill to the right when circumambulating.

The Arunachala Puranam declares that:

'.... the holy Arunachala is the primal, Adi linga. The path around its base is the sacred Yoni. Pradakshina of the Hill is therefore pradakshina of the source of all lingas! So one goes round keeping to the left-edge of the path. A mere step taken, confers the benefit of a Yaga, sacrifice; two steps, the fruit of Rajasuya Yaga; and three that of Asvamedha Yaga. Going round the hill one gains in health and vigour. The hill abounds in rare herbs sought by traditional herbalists and the breeze carries the salubrious wafts from these siddha herbs to the one doing the holy round. The dust from the feet of such a person, carried and deposited in towns far away effects immeasurable purification.'

 

The Asta (8) Lingams plus the additional Surya and Chandra Lingams i.e. Dasa Lingams (10) are underlined in the above map of the 14 km outer Girivalam Arunachala pathway



The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres (8½ miles). Tradition has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill.

There are eight lingams located at the eight directions, which provides an octagonal structure to the town of Tiruvannamalai. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. To find out more about the esoteric signifiance of the Asta Lingams around the octagonal perimeter of Arunachala which reflects the geometry of a Cosmogram, go to this link here.

To learn more about the Dasa Lingams and their relevance to the geometry to both Arunachala and also Arunachaleswarar Temple Siva Sannidhi Shrine go to links on Surya Lingam and Chandra Lingam.

There are two pathways around the Hill, the outer pathway which is the most commonly travelled and which contains Temples, the Asta Lingams, Tirthams and Shrines. And the inner pathway which winds its way through the countryside at the feet of Arunachala.

According to scriptures, the walk around the Hill should be conducted at a slow pace either in silence, reciting mantras or chanting sacred songs. As to the ritual of the spiritual round; one should abjure all thought of the opposite sex on the day of pradakshina. After bathing one wears clean white clothes, applies vibhutti and proceeds, giving alms but without accepting any. Free from fear, anger, irritation or sorrow one walks on bare feet, without using vehicles or carrying an umbrella. Without swinging one's arms about, and with a silent soft tread, one saunters like a queen in her 'tenth-month'. One bows, first to the holy Hill from each of the eight cardinal directions, and then to the Lord of that direction enshrined in the linga there. One bows mentally to the incorporeal gods and siddhas going the rounds and keeps to the side. One could keep silence of speech and mind; or one could allow thoughts to flow on to the Hill of Fire; or one could sing and listen to songs of devotional praise.

In the company of those of lofty character, one is able to halt here and there and enjoy a feast of fruit and milk. Otherwise, simple food free of flesh can be taken.

Certain days are regarded as particularly auspicious for circumambulation:-

The fruit of a Sunday pradakshina is Siva's abode (enter the solar region and attain Liberation);

that of Monday is merger in Siva-form (live happily in a world free from senility and death);

that of Tuesday is termination of debt and cyclic death (freed from all doubts and becomes Emperor);

that of Wednesday is divinity through skill in philosophy and art (attain Wisdom and Omniscience);

that of Thursday is lordship over gods and god-men (venerated by all Devas and may even become a renowned Guru);

that of Friday is lordship of the Lotus Lady (may hope to reach Vishnu's abode).

A Saturday pradakshina confers the astronomical benefits of a nine-planet conjunction in the Eleventh House (worldly success and protection against planetary influences).

The above effects are magnified if circumambulation is done on Sivaratri, New-year day, or during the three months, mid-October to mid-January. The fruits are believed to increase by a factor of one crore if done on the two solstices; or on the day the moon is in the Magha asterism during February-March; or during the pre-dawn hour; or during solar eclipse or Vidhipaada Yoga.

It is also regarded as particularly auspicious to perform "Girivalam" during every Full moon day (poornima) to coincide with siddhars' movements, and the heady perfumes of herbal plants surrounding the Hill.

Once a sadhu who went regularly around the Hill, requested Sri Ramana for a Vedantic text. A devotee casually remarked, "He only goes round the Hill. What will he do with any Vedantic text?" To which Sri Ramana retorted, "What better sadhana can there be than going round the Hill?"

Hindu mythology also explains the significance of circumambulation, in a narrative relating that the Goddess Parvati on the advice of Sage Gautama circumambulated the Hill everyday in order to have her desires fulfilled.

Another legend says that Sage Durvasa, who cursed two vidyadharas stated that:-

"The curse cannot be lifted by any act except that of circumambulating the Arunachala Hill."

He then proceeded to relate what Siva Himself had declared in an assembly of devas and others:

"He who circumambulates with devotion the Arunachala Hill which is my form, attains a form like mine. He becomes the Lord of the entire world and reaches the highest state".

The two vidyadharas then advised King Vajrangada who was suffering,

"The Lord of Aruna Hill is a repository of compassion and His glory is great. Circumambulate the Aruna Hill on foot as a means of release from suffering".

 

2021 Full Moon Calendar for Arunachala


 

28 November 2020

Live Streaming Link: 2020 Arunachala Karthigai Mahadeepam

 

For those who want to watch videos of 2020 Karthigai Deepam functions, you can visit the Big Temple's channel on You Tube. 

Tomorrow early morning (after 4 a.m.) there will be live coverage from the Temple Compound of the Bharani Deepam and in the evening from around 4 p.m. there will be live coverage of the Karthigai Deepam Function being held in the Third Prakaram.

The official You Tube channel hosting the live streaming is at this link here.   

I will post photographs (and videos when I receive them) of the Karthigai Deepam function occuring on the summit of Arunachala as soon as I receive them. There are NO PLANS to have live streaming of the Karthigai Mahadeepam lighting on top of the Holy Hill.

Below are three photographs of the 2020 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Cauldron.

 

 

Newly repainted Cauldron waiting inside Old Office, Big Temple


Cauldron ready to be taken up Arunachala


Carrying Cauldron up Arunachala

 

19 November 2020

Deepam will be alight for 11 days

 

 

Please be informed that the 2020 Arunachala Karthigai Mahadeepam will be lit on November 29, 2020 around 6 p.m. and will remain alight for 11 days. 

 

 

2019 Lighting of Arunachala Karthigai Mahadeepam


 

 

18 November 2020

2020 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Update

 

For information about the upcoming Karthigai Mahadeepam celebrations at Tiruvannamalai please read my earlier post links here and here.

Subsequent to these posts, here is additional information regarding the observance of the Festival. Entry to the Temple throughout the Festival (November 17-28, 2020) will only be allowed to ticketed devotees. If you wish to apply for a ticket please get in touch direct with Arunachaleswarar Temple at this link here.

No tickets will be available for November 29, the day of Karthigai Mahadeepam. Girivalam of the Hill is prohibited on November 29. Annadham will not be distributed on the day of the Festival.

Arunachaleswarar Temple is posting live streaming videos of functions at the Temple at their channel at this link here.

In addition live streaming functions at the Temple on the day of Karthigai Deepam, i.e. November 29 will also be available on their You Tube channel.

 

 



 

9 November 2020

2020 Deepam Festivities at Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

 

After the relaxation of pandemic regulations, around 4,000 devotees have been daily visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple (however during their visit, devotees are not allowed to sit or stand anywhere inside the compound).

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple is currently working on a set of guidelines outlining celebrations inside Temple prakarams for the 2020 Karthigai Deepam. Such arrangements will include the procession of deities inside the Temple with a limited number of persons allowed inside to watch these functions.

 

The decision regarding the exact number of devotees allowed inside the Temple grounds during the Karthigai Deepam Festival is expected to be announced shortly.

 

Because of the ongoing Pandemic, Arunachala girivalam on the day of Karthigai (Sunday, November 29, 2020) is  banned. There will be no processions of the Gods around the Mada Vedhis (perimeter streets) on any of the Festival days.

 

Specifically regarding November 29, 2020 MahaDeepam inside the Temple (both in the early morning and evening) will be observed but open ONLY to special invitees, VIPs, Donors and those connected with the Temple. The lighting of MahaDeepam on top of Arunachala will occur but only participants and special invitees will be allowed to the summit of the Holy Hill.

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple has created a You Tube channel which broadcasts live streaming of certain functions inside the Temple Compound. One of these functions is Pradosham pujas performed at Periya Nandi inside the Temple Fifth Prakaram. 

 

Periya Nandi Puja, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple
  

In previous years, a number of TV channels have broadcasted Karthigai Deepam festivities. This year, Arunachaleswarar Temple will also be live streaming Karthigai Deepam festivities.

Their channel is at this link here.

 

 

9 September 2020

Photographs of Arunachaleswarar Temple Compound, September 2020




Below is a series of photographs displaying the current precautions being taken at Arunachaleswarar Temple now that it has been reopened after a shutdown of 165 days. 

At this time it is not possible to wander about the Temple compound, and barriers have been set up from the East Gate, Raja Gopuram all the way to the Moolasthana on the West Side. 

As things develop, hope to post more information and photographs. 



Raja Gopuram from outside Temple Compound

Health precautions at entry point

Restriction on number of devotee entering Temple Compound

Barriers set up from entry point





Devotees not allowed to wander around the Temple Compound

24 July 2020

2020 Adi Pooram Flag Hoisting: Arunachaleswarar Temple





Today’s Flag Hoisting ceremony at Arunachaleswarar Temple marked the beginning of the Adi Pooram Festival. Because of the ongoing health crisis, the Adi Pooram ceremonies this year are not open to devotees. However the Temple through their official You Tube Channel have posted a very nice video of today, July 24, 2020, the first day of Adi Pooram 2020.





Adi Pooram Brahmotsavam is celebrated in all Hindu temples in Southern India in the month of Adi, which corresponds to the English months of July-August, when the asterism Pooram (Delta Leonis) is in the ascendancy. It is observed to propitiate the Sakti Goddess who is said to have come into the world on this occasion to bless all. She is thus worshipped in order that one may secure happiness for oneself and for loved ones. 

Aadi Pooram is also dedicated to the birth of Goddess Andal, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Pooram or Puram is one among the 27 Nakshatras in Hindu Astrology.



Lord Ganesha

Parashakti Amman


3rd Prakaram, Siva Sannidhi


Flag Hoisting, 2020 Adi Pooram


2020 Adi Pooram Festival commences









24 March 2018

Report about Ruku Death



The elephant, after blessing devotees as usual on Wednesday, was taken for rest to a spot near the temple’s Tirumanjana Gopuram in the fifth prakaram. When she reached the spot, a fight broke out between some dogs, one of whom ran between Rukku’s legs. The scared elephant ran and hit its head against a metal wall and fell down. 

A local veterinarian who examined her said she would be alright soon despite injuries in the left eye and body. However, Rukku died around midnight. A team of veterinarians took the animal’s blood samples and sent them for tests to the central government’s lab in Chennai.

A local favourite, Rukku was the cynosure during major temple functions, according to temple officials. During the Karthigai Deepam festival, the container (copra) in which the festival fire would be lit, would be carried to the top of the 2,660-ft high Annamalai hills only after Rukku blessed it. 

Born in Mudumalai on April 30, 1988, Rukku was gifted to the temple by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in August 1995. The elephant was buried after last rites near the Hanuman temple. Due to the elephant’s death, poojas and abishekam were cancelled and would be restarted only after parikaram was done, officials said. 

On hearing the news, students and devotees rushed to the spot.

Link for the above report 

 

25 August 2017

Happy 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi




Today, Friday August 25 is the first day of the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Chaturthi always starts on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September).



Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe



“SALUTATIONS to Lord Ganesha who is Brahman Himself, who is the Supreme Lord, who is the energy of Lord Shiva, who is the source of all bliss, and who is the bestower of all virtuous qualities and success in all undertakings.”







HAPPY  2017 GANESH  CHATHURTHI



Swami Sivananda Recommends:

”On Ganesh Chaturthi, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.

Don’t forget DO NOT LOOK AT THE MOON on this day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.”


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However we decide to celebrate this Ganesha festival, lets all try to remember to keep everything as eco friendly as possible and avoid the dreadful pollution and environmental damage caused by Plaster of Paris idols and chemical paints. For help in understanding the environmental impact of this Festival and what we can do to help go to this link here.

The Festival ends with the immersion of the idol on Ananta Chaturdasi Day (this year Monday, September 4, 2017).

“On that day, statues of the God will be taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river, sea, lake or water tank symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees, this is the ritual known as Ganesh Visarjan”.
[Swami Shivananda]

Anant Chaturdashi is performed on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.

Anant Chaturdashi has two main significances. The first is that on this day is that it is the day of the immersion of  Lord Ganesha. On this day, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi comes to an end, the installed Murti's of the Elephant God are taken to a lake, river or a sea in procession and immersed in the waters. Thus Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement.

The second reason for Anant Chaturdashi is that on this day people recite and listen to the stories and legends of God Vishnu who is Anant, the infinite and recite hymns from the Vedas. This is sometimes also called Ananta Vrat.


4 September 2016

Ganesha Chaturthi: Monday, September 5, 2016


Ganesh Chaturthi is a day on which Lord Ganesha makes his presence known on earth for all his devotees; the day is also termed as, Vinayaka Chaturthi, (it is not the birthday of Lord Ganesha!). 

Ganesha or Ganapati is an extremely popular God. One of his many names is Vigneswara, the destroyer of obstacles. He is often worshipped for success in undertakings and for the gift of greater intelligence. This is a very auspicious day celebrated to pray to Him so that every new activity started is successfully completed without obstacles. Ganesha is the God of education, knowledge, wisdom, literature and the fine arts. 

The date of Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the waxing moon period (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhadrapada (i.e. August or September). This year the date of Ganesha Chaturthi is Monday, September 5, 2016. The festival is usually celebrated for 11 days, with Ananta Chaturdasi taking place on the last day. 


Ananta Chaturdasi 

Ananta Chaturdasi is believed to be the day when Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Anantapadmanabha, the Ananta Sayana form of Lord Vishnu in which he is reclining on Ananta. 


Reclining form of Lord Vishnu

  
This Ganesha festival is celebrated at home, work and in public. At all these celebrations images are installed and worshipped. At the end of the Festival, the idols are taken in ceremony and then immersed in a well, pond, lake or the sea. 


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Legends of Lord Ganesha 

One version of a legend relating to the source of Ganesha’s elephant head goes that at the behest of the Gods, who needed a deity able to remove obstacles from their path of action, Shiva himself was born from Parvati's womb, under the form of Gajanana. 

According to the Linga-Purana, Ganesha was created by Shiva in order to triumph over the enemies of Gods and the image of a child was born from Shiva’s mind which had the head of an elephant. Looking at the child, Parvati took him on her lap and made the vow that any undertaking, would not be successful unless Ganesha be first worshipped. Shiva declared the child to be Ganapati, Lord of the Ganas (celestial hosts). 

In the Varaha-Purana, Ganesha is depicted as a young man originating from the glittering forehead of Shiva absorbed in deep meditation. Parvati was disappointed that the boy was born without her intervention. So, she wished that his head become the head of an elephant. When she saw the elephant-headed child, she loved him immediately, and declared that any human or divine undertaking, should not be successful unless Ganesha be worshipped first. 


Lord Ganesha


Another Puranic legend tells that Parvati longed for a child and informed Shiva about her desire. He requested she observe a one-year penance. Thus, the Sage Sanatkumara submitted Parvati to various tests in order to ascertain the force of Her will. Eventually a glorious child was born and the Gods and nine Planets (Navagrahas) went to Mount Kailash to admire him. One of the Planets, Shani (Saturn) would not raise his eyes to look at the child. Parvati requested him to view and admire the baby. When Shani raised his eyes and looked at the child, the baby's head instantaneously separated from the body. 

In response Vishnu left on his vahana Garuda to search for a new head to replace the lost one. On the banks of the Pushpabhadra River, he met a herd of sleeping elephants. Choosing a resting animal, whose head was turned northwards, he cut if off and brought it back. According to a version of this legend, this elephant was actually a Gandharva who desired to obtain liberation from his terrestrial life. 

On Vishnu’s return, the elephant head was attached to the child and Vishnu gave him the following eight names: Vighneshvara, Ganesha, Heramba, Gajanana, Lambodara, Ekadanta, Soorpakarna and Vinayaka. 


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Tiruvannamala begins its Preparations 


Many Ganeshas created for the Festival


This Ganesha looks very jaunty!

A whole army of Ganeshas with lots of help to give!

Umbrellas for Ganesha idols for home and office

Families purchasing their idol for home worship

Lord Ganesha's favourite Wood Apple for sale

Fruit Sellers on Car Street near Arunachaleswarar Temple