2020 Calendar Hindu Religious Days

2020 Calendar of Hindu Festivals

Significance of Arunachala Girivalam 2020 Full Moon (Pournami) Dates

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

One of the thousand and eight names given to Arunachala by Adi Shankara is giripradakshinapriya – the 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 photo taken during rainy season

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". 

2020 Full Moon Dates

2019 Karthigai Photographs

2019 repaired Cauldron before painting

Taking Cauldron to Arunachala Summit

Bharani Deepam am December 10, 2019

Ardhanishwari, Big Temple, evening of December 10, 2019

Deepam inside Big Temple, December 10 2019

Lighting of Cauldron, December 10, 2019

Cauldron on top of Arunachala, December 10, 2019

Karthigai on Arunachala Summit from distance

Karthigai background, Temple gopuram in front

Lights on Temple with Karthigai bckground, December 10, 2019

Karthigai Deepam with Gopuram in front, from distance

Arunachala Suprabatham

There are a number of Arunachala Suprabathams (Waking up the God) Videos on Social Network platforms that have different music and lyrics. The version below appears without transliteration or English translation . . . so have added both below the video. 

Om enum pranavathin utporul naamavaney

Omkaaranaathamayamaana Jagadeeswaraney

Malar thaavum vandugal panpaadum

Pularkaalaiyil malar thoovi vanangugirom

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai.

You are the internal meaning and being of Om

You are Jagadeeswara and Om Kareeswara

Bees sing as they move from flower to flower

We offer our prayers to you with fresh bloom flowers

Arunachala wake up and give us Your Blessings.

Eesane, Paramesaney, Kayilai malai vaasaney

Sivagaami nesaney, Jagadeesaney

Nandhi kesane Lingesaney Thillai Nadaraajaney

Arunodhayam uthithathey

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Ishwara, Parameshwara, the Lord of the Himalayas

You are Love to Mother Sivagaami, O Jagadeeswara

Nandi Ishwara, Lingaeeswara.

You are the Lord of Chidambaram—Nataraja

Arunachala wake up and give us Your Blessings

Nanthi mathalam kotta naaradhar thamburaa meetta

Naanmarai vedhangal naadheswaram udan olikka

Naagabaranam thariththa Namachivaaya gurunaathaney

Narthanam purinthidavey

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Nanthi has started to beat the drum, Naradha to play his Thambura

All the 4 Vedas are being sung along with the music of Naadheswaram

Naga Devadhas are dancing, Namashivaya Gurunatha

All other Devas have started their work

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Aathiye paranjothiye arubathi moondru naayanmaar thozhum

Karunaimalai nithiye

Aathithan uthikka keezhvaanam sivakka

Athikaalai vanthathey

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You are the rootless one, You are in the form of fire.

All 63 Naayanars worship you

You are the kind hearted one in the form of mountain and river.

The sun is rising up and the light starts to spread

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Senjadaiyil Gangaiyudan pirainuthal tharithoney

Senjudaraai vaan sivakka muzhumathi marainthoda

Seythi solla seval koova methiniye kanvizhikka

Aathisakthi naayaganey

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You have the Ganga River and the Crescent shape moon on your head

The sky becomes red as the sun emerges

Cocks crow in the morning light

You are the Shakthi of the Universe

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Kalthondri manthondraa kaalathey munthondri

Adiyaargal kanmun thondri kanathil maraintha paramey

Kaamanai kannazhagaal vizhitherithathanaal

Kaamaari vadivam petra

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You originated before all else

You appear in front of those full of devotion and then disappear

You took the shape of Kaamaari

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Aalakaala vishathai kandathil niruthiye

Neelakandan ena peyar konda perunithiye

Mukkaalamum unarnthavaney

Kaalanai thuraththi maarkandeyanukku ekkaalamum pathinaaru

endraruliya

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You drank poison and stored it in Your throat

Because of that your name is Neelakandan

You know all the kalas, and got rid of time

You gave the thought to Maarkandayan to be 16 years old always

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Vethiyar othidam rudhram olikka

Devaathi devargalum tharisanam kaana thavamirukka

Vilvaarchanai seiya ninathadiyaargal kaathirukka

Vidivelli mulaithathendrey

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

All Veadhars start to sing Rudhram

All Devars await to have your darshan

All your devotees await your darshan

Those devotees awaits  to do Vilva archana to you

A new day has started

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Pittukku man sumanthu pirambadi pattavaney

Pithanaana arthanaana sithanaana ennappaney

Viragu vetti sumanthu veethiyellaam vitru

Vilaiyaadal purinthavaney

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You carried soil on Your Head. Got beaten with sticks

You were in the form of the madman, Arthanaada, my Father

You carried wood on Your Head and sold it on the streets

You showed Your playful love

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Maganidam manthira porul katru

Thaan petra maganukke seedanaana maheswaraney

Mugam aaru kondavanai guruvaaga etra unai

Jagam potrum Jagadeesaa

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You learned the lesson of OM from your son

And acted as follower (junior) to your son, Oh Maheswara

You took as Guru, your son with the 6 faces

You are the Lord of the Universe

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Panniru thirumuraigalum unmundrinai paadiya

Thirugnaanasambantharukku arul purintha eesaney

En iru karam kooppi unai thozhuthen Venneeranintha meniyaney

Un iru vizhi malara

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

12 Thirumurai sung before you

Oh, Ishwara, you gave blessings to Thirugnana Sambathar

I am folding both my hands in front of you and offering my prayers

Kindly open both Your Eyes

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Thalaiyotha payanaaga thalaikeezhaai nadanthu vanthu

Sivalogam thanai adaintha Karaikaal Ammaiyaarukku

Sivanadi thantha senjadaiyoney piraimudi kandiyoney

Sadai melathi gangai konda

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Keeping head down, she walked

She reached the Siva Logam, to Karaikaal Ammaiyaar

You gave blessings to Her and she resided at Your Feet

You have Ganga river in Your Hair

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Ainthu thirumugathinindru aagamangal irubethettu uruvaagi

Aaru mugap perumaanaal viruthaasalathil kailaasa prakaarathil sthaabithu vazhipada seithavaney

Ninpainthamizh paadalil kutram kandapin thavarai unarntha

Nakkeeranukku narkathi thantha

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

With Your beautiful face, Hindu rituals took form of 28

With the help of Murugan, at Viruthasalam you created Kailasa Prakaram

And lead everyone to worship

In your literary Tamil poem, a mistake was made by Nakkeran Poet

To let him know about the mistake in the poem, you showed your third eye

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Patralla gurupatru matriye eginum

Appar paadalil arputha porul arinthen

Sutram maranthen Sitrambalaney

Satre manamirangi enakkarulvaai

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Devotion to the Guru is important to everything else

In Appar’s songs, I learned the meaning of Guru

I forgot everything in the world, except you

Kindly shower your Blessings on me, my Lord

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Olimaaya perungadal kadakka

Meyyaana verum padagai thanthu

Narai kirai indri nanneri adaiya

Viraivaai vantharul puriya

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Knowledge is like an ocean, without boundaries

Truth is the boat, by which we cross it

To reach the shores, we need Your Blessings

Kindly come soon and shower your blessings

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Oonaagi uyiraagi valiyaagi oliyaagi

Vaanaagi kuriyaagi arulaagi nirpavaney

Boga yoga vedha vadivaai

Baagam piriyaaludan aruliya

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You are the soul of all living creatures, in all stages of their life

You own the sky, river, fire, earth and air

You are all vidhas and yogas, as their forms

You are a part of Mother Baagam Piriyaal

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Vinthaigal palapuriyum vinothamayamaanavaney

Pithaana soodalai venneeraai aninthavaney

Moovalagaalum mukkannaney in mugam kaana

Ezhulagam yenguthappaa

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You have done many miracles, as you are Supreme of all

You are our Lord, with Venneerai on your top

You are the Lord with three eyes, to all three worlds

All Devaras of the 7 worlds are waiting for you

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Kaanaatha aruvilirukkum uruvilirukkum karanamaai

Neeraanam aninthaarkku nizhal puriyum sivalingamena

Ulagariyaar paadalukkerpa aruvuruva vadivaana

Lingamaaga arul puriyum

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You are the vision to the blind, you are the knowledge to wise

You are the shadow, to all

You took all forms in the world

You are giving Blessings, in the form of Lingam

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Panjaboothangalum paramporulaagi

Prabanjathai aalukindra panchaatchara naayaganey

Paravaigalum karavaigalum pagalavan vara unarnthu

Paravasamaai unai azhikka

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You are the leader of all Panchaboothams

You are the secret manthras of Panchaatacharm

Birds, animals, Humans worship you

They all call you Parama Siva

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Agathooimai thanthu mei anbarkku arul thanthu

Ijjagam kaatharalum jagam pugazhum eesaraney

Kaarirul maraiya kathiravan thaan malara

Thevarul purinthidavey

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You give blessings to devotees with clean hearts

You are the saving God, for all the Universe

The darkness goes away, as the light rays of the Sun comes out

To give Blessings to all Devas

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Than bakthi sirappaal than iru kangalai thanthu

Thavap payan adaintha Kannappa naayanaarukku

Kaninthu arul purintha ennappaney

Enai aalum eesaney

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

With full hearted devotion, He gave his two eyes

He attained mukti, Kannapa Nayanar

You gave him eyes and blessed him

Ishwara you are ruling me

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Gnaayiru andru vazhipada pinigalai kalaibavaney

Thingalandru vazhipada aatralai tharubavaney

Sevvaayandru vazhipada piravippini theerpavaney

Buthanandru vazhipada vetrigal tharubavaney

Viyaazhan andru vazhipada gnaanam tharubavaney

Velliyandru vazhipada vishnupadham arulbavaney

Saniyandru vazhipada navagraha anugraham tharubavaney

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

They who worship you on Sunday will get rid of problems

They who worship you on Monday will get new skills

They who worship you on Tuesday will desired objects in this birth

They who worship you on Wednesday will get victory in their work

They who worship on on Thursday will get knowledge

They who worship you on Friday will get darshan of Lord Vishnu’s feet

They who worship you on Saturday will get blessing of Navagraham

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Mesharaasiyar niruthi lingathai vazhipadavum

Rishaba raasiyar indira lingathai vazhipadavum

Mithuna raasiyar eesaana lingathai vazhipadavum

Kadaga raasiyar vaayu lingathai vazhipadavum

Anugraham puriyum

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Devotees with Mesharaasiyar transit (Aries) should worship Niruthi Lingam

Devotees with Rishaba transit (Taurus) should worship Indira Lingam

Devotees with Mithuna Raasi (Gemini) should worship Eeswaraa Lingam

Devotees with Kadaga Raasi (Cancer) should worship Vayuu Lingam

Ishwara give you Blessings

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Shimma raasiyar agni lingathai vazhipadavum

Kanni raasiyar eesaana lingathai vazhipadavum

Thulaam raasiyar indira lingathai vazhipadavum

Viruchika raasiyar yama lingathai vazhipadavum

Arulpuriyum

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Devotees with Shima Raasi (Leo) should worship Agni Lingam

Devotees with Kanni Raasi (Virgo) should worship Isanya Lingam

Devotees with Thulaam Raasi (Libra) should worship Indira Lingam

Devotees with Viruchika Raasi (Scorpio) should worship Yama Lingam

Kindly shower Your Blessings

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Thanusu raasiyar kubera lingathai vazhipadavum

Magara kumba raasiyar varuna lingathai vazhipadavum

Meena raasiyar kubera lingathai vazhipadavum

Kaatharalum

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

Devotees with Dhanusu Raasi (Sagittarius) should worship Kubera Lingam

Devotees with Magara Kumbha Raasi (Capricorn, Aquarius) should worship Vayuu Lingam

Devotees with Meena Raasi (Pisces) should worship Kubera Lingam

Kindly save us Ishwara

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

Padaiththal kaaththal azhiththal enum muththozhil puriyum mukkatselvaa

Neerum neruppum kaatrum boomiyum aagaayamumaana praboodha naadhaa

Swarnalingam spadigalingam maragathalingam jothilingamena

Atchayalingam naagalingam sahasralingam kodilingamaaga

Ezhuntharuliya Eeswaraney

Arunaachalaney ezhuntharulvaai

You are doing three duties of creation, saving and destroying so called mukkatselvaa

You are water, fire, air, earth, sky as panchaboothams

You are in the form of Swarna Lingam (Gold), Spadiga Lingam (Crystal), Maragatha Linglam (emerald), Jothilingam (fire)

Akshayya Lingam (Imperishable), Naagalingam (Serpent), Sahasralingam (Thousand), Kodilingam (One Crore)

Wake up Ishwara

Arunachalana wake up and give us Your Blessings

[The audio is a copyright of Siva Audio.With lyrics by M.R. Vijaya and sung by Bombay Saradha. I have added the transliteration and translation myself for devotees to chant along.]