25 November 2017

2017 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Night—Silver Indra Vahana



Lord Indra has a special significance with Arunachala, as He is associated with the Asta Lingam with the cardinal direction of east. The Indra lingam is dominated by the Navagrahas, Lord Surya and Lord Shukra (Venus) and devotees are blessed with long life and prosperity on worshipping it.


Indra is the King of the Gods and ruler of the heavens. He is the God of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He wields a lightning thunderbolt known as the vajra, rides on a white elephant known as Airavata and also has a golden chariot drawn by ten thousand horses.


The formidable thunderbolt-wielding Indra strikes an imposing figure but as king of the Gods he is generally benevolent, being generous to his worshippers, guaranteeing peace and prosperity and delivering beneficial rainstorms to end droughts. He can also be called upon in times of war to give support with His Divine weapons, thus assuring a favourable intervention and outcome.


Lord Arunachaleswarar and Sakthi Amman being carried through Temple

The Lord mounted on Silver Indra Vimana

Young lad on horn

Process of the panchamoorthies through Tiruvannamalai

Large number of pilgrims attending all functions

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