Arudra Darshinam

During the Arudra star in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec 15 – Jan 15) is believed to be the time when Lord Shiva’s energy is very close to the earth; hence it has been given the importance of being His birthday. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja in this month which is also observed as Lord Nataraja Urchavam at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

The month of Margazhi is also known as the ‘Twilight’ in Heaven (the time that the sun is in Sagittarius), and is considered the most appropriate time in which the Gods can rest and rejuvenate. This year, 2012, Arudra Darshan was observed today December 28.  

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the cosmic dance form as Lord Nataraja, and the full moon night of Margazhi is also the longest night of the year. After this date, days get longer and nights get shorter. To read more about the way seasons and rhythms affect our bodies go to an earlier posting at this link here. 

The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction.

"Modern physics has shown that the rhythm of creation and destruction is not only manifest in the turn of the seasons and in the birth and death of all living creatures, but is also the very essence of inorganic matter...For the modern physicists, Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter . . . Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics." 

[Fritjof Capra]

For more information on Arudra Darshan go to any posting at this link here.

Duty Over and Coming Down

I recently received a copy of the below photo of the 2012 Deepam Cauldron on its way down the Hill after completion of this year's Deepam Festival. This year the Deepam Flame was alight for 11 nights. 

Well done to you -- and now time to rest until next year's duty. And that is exactly what will happen as the cauldron will be left undisturbed and carefully stored in a special room at Arunachaleswarar Temple until Deepam 2013. 

Arunachala Grace Mentor Programme

Arunachala Grace is offering a Mentor programme for individuals and groups who wish to visit Tiruvannamalai and need assistance in arranging transportation and accommodation. In addition Arunachala Grace will arrange talks and tours for those who want to learn more about the history and mythology of Arunachala, its unique and extraordinary Temples, and its lineage of saints and seers. 

We invite you to email Arunachala Grace (top left corner) and begin a dialogue. 

Whoops -- where's the water?

This year Tiruvannamalai has had very little rain. The monsoon season we were eagerly waiting for, never seemed to happen. And even though its rather nice to have continually azure blue skies, and a toasty sun -- it does mean that the farmers will have crop difficulties next year. 

Tiruvannamalai has several major reservoirs, that act as catchment areas for the water pouring down Arunachala during heavy rains. One of the major catchment areas, and a main source for water for the area is the Samudram Eri. 

The first photograph below shows a Samudram Eri in a previous year, with a good supply of water. 

In comparison the next sequence of photographs were taken recently and show, except for several ponds and large puddles, an almost dry Samudram Eri.

Where's the water gone?

Oscar having a bask in the sun

Some puddles at the back of Winnie

Holly checking out a little pond

Caspar tracking rabbits

A lovely but almost completely dry Samudram Eri

Animal Girivalam

Those that have been following Arunachala Grace, already know of my great love for animals. I have six of my own doggies and also daily feed dinner to a number of local doggies -- much to the intense jealous rivalry of my own brood.

As well as having my own doggies, I also feed hundreds of birds who daily visit my garden compound which is located adjacent to the wilderness area of the Samudram Eri. So the below Animal Girivalam -- is all about my love of animals.

Over Deepam Festival I was asked by Yoges, a good friend in Malaysia to look after two of her compatriots, who needed a mentor during their stay at Tiruvannamalai.

On one day during their stay, we rented an auto rickshaw for 4-5 hours to enjoy a nice leisurely auto hill round. During the hill round made sure to stop off at some special Temples to explain to my visitors the mythology connected with the Temple and sometimes just talked about local gossip surrounding various Temple compounds.

Although I had my camera, wasn't really in the mood to take many snaps, except for the below photographs which were of animals we saw at some of the Temples we visited.

Right click to see nesting birds: Adiannamalai Temple

The below extract is from my posting on Adiannamalai Temple on my website Arunachala Samudra.

"Birds nesting at Adi Annamalai Temple 

When entering the Temple Compound of Adi Annamalai during bird nesting season, you will often be met with clouds of parrots and doves on fly-past. And looking up you will spot the occasional sleepy looking owl standing sentry at the doorway of its nest.

With careful attention to detail during renovation of Adi Annamalai Temple, the little openings at the top of the compound walls surrounding the Temple were preserved so they could continue to remain as nesting places for: parrots, doves, pigeons, sparrows, owls and bats."

Mating Rose Ringed Parakeets: Adiannamalai Temple

To read more about the Rose Ringed Parakeet which is found in abundant numbers in the countryside around Arunachala, please visit my Arunachala Bird Blog, at this link here.

Its been a long time since I visited the developing Balaji Temple (Lord Venkateshwara) near the Kubera Lingam on the South East side of Arunachala. It is the perfect place to bring young children, because as well as enormous statues of various Gods housed in individual shrines throughout the grounds of the Temple, the Temple is also home to a donkey and horse sanctuary. Below a lovely new-born at the beginning of his sweet life.

Ohhhhh!!!!!

Best place for junior -- right next to Mum

Another Temple which has a fascinating history and mythology is the recently remodelled Pachaiamman Koil. On a personal note, I preferred the Temple previous to its remodelling -- but obviously I am in a minority, as the Temple is very popular as a wedding venue for local couples. Which was delightful for all the local monkeys, as it meant plenty of snacks and fruit for the day.

For a fascinating narrative on the history of this Temple, visit my website at this link.

Monkeys in the Shade!

Munishwaras (Guardians)

Excerpt from my Website Narrative

 

"A legend of Pachaiamman (an aspect of Parvati) has it that after completing her penance at Kanchi, the Goddess started off for Arunachala. She travelled with 7 rishis and 7 virgins (Sapta Kanniyars) as part of a protective entourage. Halfway from Kanchi to Arunachala, the entourage stopped and made camp at the village Vazhapanthal. At that place the local king tried to molest the Goddess and the 7 rishis became as munishwaras (guardians) and killed the king. 

In the Pachaiamman Compound there are 14 statues of Pachaiamman’s warrior guardians set out in two lines, with two representations of each warrior." 

--- oOo ---

With our Animal Girivalam complete, my two ladies from Malaysia and I continued on our auto hillround and stopped off at several other fascinating, mythology-rich Temples - and a very nice time we had of it!

Rukku Goes on Holiday

The first photograph below is of a lovely parade of nine elephants being taken from Palayamkottai on Saturday November 24 for their annual rejuvenation camp to be held at Mettupalayam. The camp lasts for 48 days and is the precious time in the year that elephants that serve in Temples in Tamil Nadu, return to their forest roots. 

Elephants going on Holiday

Rukku getting onto the Truck

Our own Rukku who lives at Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai was held back by Deepam Festival duties, so her holiday was delayed by several days. But the next two photographs, show her in the truck that will take her to the Mettupalayam forest, which is in fact the place where she was born. 

On my way to the Forest -- Hooray!

Hope that the authorities in charge notice the careful security planning of the trucks in the first photograph – and apply it in future to our own precious Rukku’s safety both when she travels in trucks and also during her time here at Arunachala – we want to keep her SAFE AND HAPPY.