Showing posts with label preparations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preparations. Show all posts

29 November 2016

Preparations for 2016 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival


The below photographs show how busy the Temple and Tiruvannamalai are in their preparations for the upcoming 2016 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival. 



Roadworks are being quickly completed in time for the crowds expected throughout the Festival days.


Roadworks throughout Tiruvannamalai being expedited in time for Festival



Much of the scaffolding throughout the Temple in preparation for next year's Mahakumbhabhishekam Festival, has either already been removed or the green cloth covering the scaffolding been taken off. 


Scaffolding on the Gopurams and Shrines throughout Temple

Chains used for pulling vahanas being sorted, cleaned and repaired when necessary

Freshly painted Gopuram being electrified for Festival

Temple workers busy with cleaning


Brahmin Priests also busy cleaning throughout the Shrines


Cleaning implements for the numerous upcoming aartis to be performed

Priests lending a helping hand


Checking lights for Temple electrification

Big job hoisting the lights up to the tops of the Gopurams

Kili Gopuram between 4th and 3rd Gopurams

Vallala Maharaja Gopuram between 5th and 4th Prakarams

16 November 2014

2014 Deepam Preparations Underway


Preparations are underway through Tiruvannamalai in connection with the upcoming 2014 Karthigai Arunachala Deepam. 


Ladies cleaning Temple lamps

Goldplating the Nagavagnam

Cleaning the Pali Peedam and fire holder



Pali Peedam in front of the Flagpost



Special Bus Services Announcement

It has been yearly practice to run special buses to Tiruvannamalai for the occasion of Karthigai Deepam. 

This year also, special buses will be run from Villupuram, Cuddalore, Pondicherry, Trichy, and other places to Tiruvannamalai. 

A total of 1100 special buses will be in service. 

Out of this, 500 are to be operated from Chennai. 

The buses will run from 4th December till 6th December. 

15 November 2014

2014 Arunachala Deepam Preparations


Preparations for Deepam begin long before the start of the Festival. This year a new Theepal has been created -- i.e. a float for the Gods to enjoy the last four days of the Festival on the waters of the Ayyakulam Tank (in front of the Arunagirinathar Temple). 

There are also lights to put up all around the Arunachaleswarar Temple and touch ups and repaintings of the various Gods and Vahanas that will be used during the upcoming Festival.


Preparing for the new Theepal, Ayyakulam Tank

Ayyakulam Tank in front of Arunagirinathar Temple

Blessings of new Theepal at Ayyakulam Tank

Completed Theepal for 2014 Karthigai Arunachala Deepam Festival

Decorating the Gopurams with electric display

Installing Lights throughout Arunachaleswarar Temple


Painting and touch-ups of the Gods and their Vahanas

Statues stored, newly painted; awaiting the 2014 Deepam Festival

24 August 2013

Roof of Ramana Maharshi Ashram


On the roof of Ramana Ashram on top of the entrance to the old hall is a Gopuram, which is an ornate tower that forms a dominant feature of Dravidian style Temples and Shrines in South India. 


Gopuram is positioned on top of Old Hall


In addition, on the roof over each of the samadhis of Sri Ramana and his mother (also in line with South India Dravidian style Temples/Shrines) are individual domed Vimanas (towers). 


Gopuram

Gopuram from another angle

Vimana over Mother Shrine

Statue of Sri Ramana at base of Mother Vimana


Painters preparing the Gopuram and Vimanas

Constructing bamboo ladders leading to top of Shrines

Arunachala Darshan from Roof


As is traditional, Sri Ramana Maharshi was entombed in his samadhi in a sitting position and (according to his direct instructions) facing Arunachala. The Lingam over his entombed, sanctified body is directly over his head. It is easier to visualise on viewing the photograph of the Vimana which is positioned on the roof directly over the mahalingam on top of Sri Ramana’s samadhi. 


Samadhi Hall



Stairway for priests to consecrate Vimana


Vimana centre of Arunachala. Sri Ramana facing hill with top of head directly under Vimana centre



Mahakumbhabhishekam is held either to formally consecrate a new Temple/Shrine or reconsecrate an old one, and generally occurs at twelve-year intervals or specifically following renovation, extensive cleaning or renewal which is the case of the Mahalingam and Sri Chakra shrines at Ramana Ashram. 

Mahakumbhabhishekam is a ritual that is believed to homogenize, synergize and unite the mystic powers of the deity. Kumbha means the Head and denotes the Shikhara or Crown of the Temple/Shrine and Abhishekam is ritual bathing, (hence the term Kumbha + Abhishekam). 

During this elaborate event, homas have and are currently being conducted at Ramana Ashram (according to the agamas), by priests in the specially constructed Yagasala outside the Shrines. To view photographs of yesterday’s Homams check this previous link here. The point of such Homams is to infuse divinity and spiritual power into kalasas (sanctified pots) filled with consecrated water. 

Divine Power is then transferred back by performing an abhishekam (salutary bathing) to the Vimanas (pinnacles) on the roof with the sanctified waters from the kalasas while being accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. 

Tomorrow, August 25, 2013 at the time (see programme link here) which has been designated as most auspicious, the Kumbha will be bathed with the charged and sanctified holy waters contained in the sacrificial pots. After the consecration of the Vimanas on top of the shrines of Sri Ramana and his mother, worship will be specifically performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorums, in which further powers/energy will be transferred to the Shrines.