Arunachala Grace

The Walled Garden of Truth

2012-01-24T19:09:00.001+05:30

We tried reasoningour way to Him:it did not work;but the moment we gave up,no obstacle remained.He introduced himself to usout of kindness: how elsecould we have known him?Reason took us as far as the door;but it was his presence that let us in.But how will you ever known him,as long as you are unableto know yourself?Once one is one,no more, no less:error begins with duality;unity knows no

Babavali Dargah

2012-01-23T09:45:00.025+05:30

A favourite place of mine and one curiously undiscovered by most visitors is a large Moslem burial ground located in the middle of Bavajai Nagar contains the dargahs of two Moslem saints. Most Muslims in India belong to the Sunni school, and burial sites for revered religious figures are known as dargahs (or durgahs).In response to my previous posting and the many enquiries as to the exact

The Five Nandis

2012-01-16T22:27:00.003+05:30

Right Click to view photo enlargementsDuring Mattu Pongal at Arunachaleswarar Temple, apart from other celebrations, five Nandis inside the Temple are lavishly decorated with garlands and foodstuff.The five Nandis are; Pradosha Nandi, in the Moolastanam, Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the Second Prakaram, Kodi Kampathu Nandi in the Third Prakaram, Chinna Nandi in the fourth prakaram and the Periyar Nandi

Pongal Time of Sunny Celebrations

2012-01-16T22:17:00.004+05:30

Pongal was originally a Festival for the farming community but nowadays it is celebrated by all. It follows the solar calendar and is celebrated on the same days each year. Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period and all important events are scheduled during this 6-month period. Four festivals are

Sufi Saint Syedini Bibi

2012-01-14T15:31:00.006+05:30

The population demographics of Tiruvannamalai and its surrounds is over 30% non Hindu. Of this percentage a large number of Muslims have been living in the area for many generations. What is now known as Tiruvannamalai has even been under Muslim rule several times in its history. There are also a number of powerful sacred burial sites dedicated to Muslim saints in Tiruvannamalai, one of the most

Arudra Darshan

2012-01-11T22:27:00.009+05:30

Arudra Darshan, also known as Thiruvathira festival, is another occasion celebrated in a grand manner on Arudra star day at Arunachaleswarar Temple during the Tamil month of Margazhi. 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 Arudra

Anthony De Mello Stories

2012-01-05T23:21:00.005+05:30

Anthony de Mello, a Jesuit priest from India, influenced many in the world through his powerful understanding of the human condition. And he pointed the way to authentic living with the use of parables and teaching stories.Until his sudden death on June 2, 1987, Father Anthony de Mello was the director of the Sadhana Institute of Pastoral Counseling near Poona, India. He aimed simply to teach

The Gates of Heaven

2012-01-05T15:24:00.007+05:30

Vaikunta Ekadasi (Ekadasi is synonymous with fasting and abstinence) is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It occurs in the month of Margashirsha (between December and January). In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Mukkoti Ekadasi or Sorgavasal Thirappu. On this day, fasting is an important aspect associated with this Festival. The austerity is associated with much deeper aspects

Arunachala Samudra Website

2011-12-28T14:11:00.002+05:30

Below is the Home Page of the newly designed Arunachala Samudra website. The website is already nearly 60 pages in size, and is expected to grow in content appreciably over the next year.For a photograph-rich report of the 2011 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam, please go to this link here.

2011 Mahadeepam Photographs

2011-12-28T13:28:00.012+05:30

Below are a number of photographs from the 2011 Mahadeepam taken on Arunachala in the afternoon and evening of December 8th, previous to the lighting of the Deepam in the evening, and of the event itself.The first photograph is taken of devotees clambering up the hill in order to secure a good vantage point for the Deepam lighting. From the town, the lines of devotees climbing up the side of the

Rukku's Holiday

2011-12-17T22:32:00.002+05:30

Right click on photographs for enlargementWell the below two photographs are enough to warm the coldest heart. Dear Rukku, the Arunachaleswarar Temple Elephant, is boarding a truck on her way to Theppakadu and a well deserved 48 day vacation.There will be 36 other elephants at the forest, 35 females and one male, to fun and frolic with, and this is not the first time Rukku has had a vacation from

Temple elephants embark on a vacation

2011-12-16T22:31:00.003+05:30

37 temple elephants have been transported to Theppakadu at Mudumalai Reserve Forest for a 48 day vacation. Our own Rukku from Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, is part of the vacationing group. In fact for Rukku this is returning home, because Theppakadu is the place where she was born, and where her mother still lives.The trip took a couple of days and necessitated the elephants

Light on Arunachala

2011-12-15T14:11:00.007+05:30

I posted videos earlier of Bharani Deepam on the morning of December 8th and Mahadeepam, as celebrated at the Arunachaleswarar Temple on the evening of that day. I have finally been able to track down photographs of the lighting of the 2011 Deepam on top of Arunachala and also photographs of the simultaneous celebrations inside the Temple.Right click on all photographs to view enlargementsAs the

Tenth Night and Ayyankulam Tank

2011-12-13T21:17:00.009+05:30

Right click on photographs to view enlargementsThe light still blazes through the night on the top of Arunachala, but the festivities of the Deepam Festival are over. Below are a few photographs of the latter days of the Festival. The first two photographs are of the evening of the 10th day.Murtis of the 5 Gods givingdarshan to devotees outside the TempleGolden Rishaba (bull) processionrounding

2011 Karthigai Maha Deepam

2011-12-10T12:16:00.008+05:30

The below extract and video is a narrative about the celebration of Karthigai Deepam at the Arunachaleswarar Temple. I hope to soon post either photographs or a video of the lighting of the 2011 Deepam cauldron at the top of Arunachala. But for now, this is what happens at the Temple:“All across India, millions of bonfires are lit on hills and in temples on Krittika Deepam. But nowhere is this

Bharani Deepam 2011 video

2011-12-10T11:43:00.005+05:30

The below is an excellent, recommended video taken of Bharani Deepam two days ago on December 8, 2011. Bharani Deepam occurs early in the morning, before daybreak, and is an essential part of the day's proceedings. Go to this link here for my earlier posting on the 2011 Bharani Deepam

Maharadham - Big Chariot

2011-12-09T10:56:00.014+05:30

To watch a short video of this year's Maharadham procession, check out the below video. Gents pull the chariot from the right, and ladies from the left.So how does it all work? First off we have the sweet Rukku, the Temple elephant surveying the area. She precedes many of the chariot processions and activities throughout the Deepam Festival.From early morning, devotees have lined up, in order to

2011 Karthigai Mahadeepam

2011-12-08T18:40:00.005+05:30

Right click on photos to see enlargementFirst sight of the Deepam of the 2011 Karthigai Deepam Festival from the Samudram Erie. The sounds of cheers and fireworks ring through the air.As dusk quickly falls, the light on Arunachala becomes easier to see.And now, even in the light of the moon that tomorrow will be full, the Deepam on top of Arunachala blazes like a beacon for miles around.HAPPY AND

2011 Mahadeepam Live telecasts

2011-12-08T15:12:00.005+05:30

The below TV channels will probably be only available in Tamil Nadu.Maha Deepam DD Live:Live telecast by Doordarshan Podhigai (DD1) from 4.15 pm on December 8, 2011 (Thursday).Vasanth TV will live telecast Maha Deepam from around 4 pm.On line Live StreamingOne can see live streaming of Karthigai Mahadeepam on:http://www.vasanth.tv/livetv.php from Templehttp://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/ from

Sri Nannagaru Deepam Darshan

2011-12-08T14:05:00.013+05:30

Sri Nannagaru traditionally visits Arunachala about four times a years. And one of those times (thus far) has generally been over the Deepam Festival. Sri Nannagaru hails from Jinnuru, Andhra Pradesh and visited Arunachala for the first time in 1957. He had taken Sri Ramana Maharshi as his guru, and had come to Tiruvannamalai to visit the samadhi of the great sage. It was while here that Sri

Cattle Fair, Tiruvannamalai 2011

2011-12-08T13:29:00.007+05:30

One of the traditions of Deepam at Tiruvannamalai, is that each year during the Festival, there is a Cattle Fair. The fair is packed by farmers and traders either selling their livestock, or on the lookout to make a purchase. There are cows, buffaloes, horses and ponies, and its always a delight to walk amidst the hundreds of creatures tethered in the fields around the base of the Hill.Quite

Bharani Deepam 2011, Arunachala

2011-12-08T12:46:00.007+05:30

Right click on all photographs to view enlargementsPreparations for this day begin one month in advance with the local administration, revenue department, police and temple authorities. Since early morning, temple staff and volunteers have been carrying five-gallon containers of ghee and large pots of thick, braided cloth wicks to the top of Arunachala mountain.As you are reading this, town's

Blessing the Deepam Cauldron

2011-12-07T13:39:00.004+05:30

Right click on view enlargements of photographsVery early this morning Puja was performed at the Arunachaleswarar Temple on the Deepam cauldron with sweet Ruku, the Temple elephant and one of the cows from the Temple goshala in interested attendance.Many years previously, the Deepam pot used to remain on top of Arunachala throughout the year, and was only replaced after several years of use and

Deepam and Ramana Maharshi

2011-12-07T00:17:00.002+05:30

One Deepam Day a disciple wrote the following and laid it at the Feet of Sri Bhagavan with the request that he should write another verse showing the significance of the Beacon that is yearly lighted on the top of Arunachala.SELF is the centre, e’en the Heart it isThat thus reveals itself, while intellectAnd ego both bewail.This the true meaning of Annamalai,Amidst Brahma and Vishnu blazing

Maharadham Day

2011-12-05T22:58:00.005+05:30

Right click on all photographs to view enlargementTo get a sense of the excitement and colour of today and Maharadham, read the below narrative written about a previous Deepam.“Three days before the lighting of the Light, it is Big Car Day.There are several Big Cars, huge wooden carts carved with fabulous mythological figures telling all the stories, with the biggest wheels in the world; the

Rishaba Vahanam, 2011 Karthigai Deepam

2011-12-05T22:40:00.006+05:30

Right click on all photographs to view enlargementThe silver Rishaba Vahanam is regarded as one of the more important processions over the Karthigai Deepam Festival. It generally occurs on the fifth night of the Festival, and as you can see from the huge crowds thronging the streets outside the Arunachaleswarar Temple, is very popular and is always well attended.The Silver BullLord

Wishfulfilling Cow and Tree

2011-12-05T22:16:00.003+05:30

One of the most popular of the processions over the Deepam Festival, is that of the Kamadhenu, the wish fulfilling cow, and the Kalpavriksha, the wish fulfilling tree. Both of which emphasis the wish fulfilling aspect of Arunachala.Kamadhenu, Wish Fulfilling CowThe Kamadhenu is a divine cow-goddess described in mythology as the mother of all cows. She is the giver of plenty and provides the owner

Karthigai Deepam Festival 2011, Day 4

2011-12-03T14:02:00.005+05:30

Throughout the 10 day Karthigai Deepam Festival, there are constant pujas of the Gods inside the Temple and circumambulation of the Gods both around the outside perimeter of the Siva Sannidhi, and around the outside of the 26 acre Temple perimeter.The programme during Karthigai Deepam follows a specific order, with the Gods being carried in procession on various vahanas (vehicles) on certain

Lights at Deepam Arunachaleswarar Temple

2011-12-03T13:50:00.005+05:30

Throughout the Deepam 10 day Festival, the Arunachaleswarar Temple is lit up inside and out. When it becomes available I will post the Temple with all its light photographed from the top of Arunachala. But for now, we can enjoy the excellent displays the Temple are putting on both inside and outside the Compound.So, eager were the town to have a successful Deepam Festival, that we had about two

Mother Amritananadamayi at Karthigai Deepam 1982

2011-12-03T00:49:00.004+05:30

The below narrative tells of Mother Amritanandamayi who with some 50 devotees visited Arunachala to attend the 1982 Karthigai Deepam Festival.The story goes thus:-"At the end of November 1982, Mother and a group of us went to Tiruvannamalai on a ten-day pilgrimage. This was the first time that Mother had left Her village for such a long time, and also the first time that the Krishna and Devi

Deepam, a Saint and a District Collector

2011-12-01T14:20:00.007+05:30

The below is a very nice story about the famous saint Isanya Desikar, and how he helped his British devotee Ayton, overcome dangers in his efforts to safely attend a Deepam Festival. If you wish to read more about Isanya Desikar, go to this link here.The story goes thus:-Isanya Desikar, whose math is located just outside Tiruvannamalai on the old pradakshina road, was a distinguished yogi who,

Deepam Festival Night 29th November 2011

2011-12-01T11:22:00.007+05:30

Right click on the below photographs to view enlargements.The below are photographs of the First Night of the 2011 Karthigai Deepam Festival. In the afternoons and evenings of every day up to the lighting of the Mahadeepam on Arunachala on 8, and for three days thereafter, various processions take place in the streets surrounding the perimeter walls of the Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Flag Hoisting - Deepam Festival Day One

2011-12-01T10:35:00.011+05:30

The days before the Flag Hoisting at the Arunachaleswarar Temple marking the start of the Deepam Festival, the streets around the Big Temple, get a quick make-over in preparation for the many upcoming processions. In the below photograph, the surface of Thiruvoodal Street is being readied for the various radhams (cars, chariots) that will be circumbulating outside the Temple's massive

Kalia Nayanar and message of the Nayanars

2011-11-24T09:23:00.003+05:30

Nayanar’s Message[By Swami Venkatesananda]"There have been many ‘intellectuals’ even in India who have looked down upon the path of Bhakti (devotion) as something inferior to Jnana (wisdom). Their short-sightedness becomes at once apparent when we study the lives of the great Four Teachers (Appar, Sundarar, Manickavachagar and Sambandar) and realise that these great Jnanis, too, were great

Another Deepam Festival

2011-11-24T09:10:00.001+05:30

The following fascinating narrative of a previous Deepam Festival was written by a lady from Australia who spent many years living in Tiruvannamalai with her adopted Indian daughter. “Deepam Festival lasts fourteen days. The Big Temple displays its treasures every night of the first nine days in processions around the circuit of streets in town. Millions of pilgrims come, perhaps two million

Other Beacons

2011-11-22T12:35:00.008+05:30

My favourite part of the movie trilogy, ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ is the lighting of the beacon on the mountain which starts the lighting of a series of seven mountain beacons calling for help in the upcoming battle. When the beacon is lit, Gandalf say, ‘Hope is kindled.’Its impossible for me to see the below excerpt from the film, without immediately thinking of Arunachala and Karthigai Deepam.A

Nami Nandi Adigal

2011-11-22T09:24:00.005+05:30

Another Saivite saint connected with lights and deepams, and mentioned in the Peripuranam, the book of the lives of the famed Shiva devotees, the 63 Nayanars, is Nami Nandi Adigal. His story recounted by Swami Sivananda goes thus:-“In Emaperur in the Chola kingdom there lived a Brahmin called Nami Nandi Adigal. Daily he used to go to Tiruvarur and worship Lord Siva, his sole refuge. One day, he

2011 Karthigai Deepam Invitation

2011-11-20T11:57:00.008+05:30

I previously posted a leaflet issued by the Arunachaleswarar Temple, giving details in Tamil (with my own English translation) about the 2011 Kathigai Deepam Programme.Subsequently the Temple has issued another leaflet with more information about the programme, and importantly details for devotees wishing to purchase ghee to be offered in the Deepam Cauldron, and thereafter to receive prasad from

A Visit to Karthigai Festival

2011-11-17T13:46:00.002+05:30

The below video is part of a BBC series entitled ‘The Story of India’. In this video, the lady the narrator interviews, talks about Karthigai at around the 2.20 minute mark. Thereafter the narrator boards a bus with the lady and heads for Tiruvannamalai to witness the Karthigai Festival.To read more about this T.V. series, go to this link here.

Kanampulla Nayanar

2011-11-17T13:40:00.002+05:30

Kanampulla Nayanar was a wealthy man of Pullirukkuvelur, who was a great Siva Bhakta. He wanted to utilise all his wealth in the service of the Lord. So, with unswerving devotion he would light lamps in Siva shrines and sing the praises of the Lord..Kanampulla went to Chidambaran where he continued his service. Lord Siva wanted to reveal the devotion of his bhakta to others, so the Lord withdrew

Karthigai Deepam, South Africa

2011-11-17T13:36:00.001+05:30

The South African branch of the World Saiva Council will celebrate Karthigai Deepam on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at 5pm at Chatsworth Stadium, South Africa.”Celebrated by South Indians for many centuries as the ancient festival of lights, the World Saiva Council has celebrated it on a very large scale annually for many years. In the month of Karthigai on the Tamil calendar, thousands of

Karthigai Deepam 2011

2011-11-17T13:22:00.003+05:30

Between now and Deepam, I hope to post various narratives explaining the relevance of Karthigai Deepam and how it is celebrated at Arunachala, and at other places. I will also post information and articles, on deepams, and saints associated with lights and lamps.Karthigai Deepam is believed to be one of the oldest festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu, previous even to the Festivals of Deepavali and

Some Animals in my Day

2011-11-15T23:19:00.012+05:30

So many animals interact so seamlessly in our days, that often one doesn't even notice. Bonnet Macaque Monkeys are part and parcel of life in Tiruvannamalai, and not a day goes past that one doesn't see the urbanised monkey living its life side by side with its human brethren.Most Bonnet Macaque Monkeys are mischievous and opportunistic, and I was very glad to have my camera to hand so I could

Lord Subramanya

2011-11-07T14:10:00.020+05:30

The worship of Muruga, as Skanda is popularly called in Tamil country, is very old in South India, where he is worshipped with great devotion. One of the most ancient totem-groups in the South was that of the Nagas (i.e. snakes) and the appearance of a serpent is even today considered by many as betokening the presence of Murugan. Lord Subramanya's other names are Skanda, Kumaresa, Kartikeya,

Kolam

2011-10-28T20:18:00.011+05:30

Now that we are in the midst of a celebratory season which started with the victory of Navaratri and will continue through to Karthigai Deepam in December, thought it an appropriate time to make a posting about the Kolam. A Kolam is a design, made afresh daily, which decorates the fronts of homes in South India. This art form which is described in many ancient Sanskrit texts, is a symbol of

Deepavali 2011

2011-10-25T16:58:00.007+05:30

Deepavali which means "a row of lights" falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). This year the celebration of Lakshmi Puja occurs on October 26, 2011.The Festival marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marks the closing of

Deepavali Lights

2011-10-25T10:14:00.014+05:30

In Vedic times, fire was kept alive in every household in some form and carried when migrating to new locations. Later the presence of fire in the household or religious building was ensured by an oil lamp. Over the years various rituals and customs were woven around the oil lamp.Early lamps were made out of stone or seashells. The shape was like a circular bowl with a protruding beak. Later they

Arunachala Retreat January-February, 2012

2011-10-23T12:54:00.002+05:30

This posting is about a Retreat to be held by Torsten Brugge and Padma Wolff at Arunachala from January 28th to February 12, 2012 The venue for the fully catered Retreat is Sri Nannagaru Ashram. Language is not an impediment as most members of the group are multi-lingual.For more information go to this link here:“Torsten and Padma offer self-enquiry in the tradition of Sri Ramana Maharshi and in

Hidden Secrets of Arunachala

2011-10-22T15:13:00.003+05:30

In connection with my previous posting on Kenneth Grant and his metaphysical interpretations of the Hill, in which appeared several quotes by Sri Ramana Maharshi. Below follows an extract taken from ‘Letters of Sri Ramanasramam’ by Suri Nagamma, which gives more information about the Hidden Secrets of Arunachala as revealed by the Maharshi..“ . . . One of the devotees addressed Bhagavan: “You

Kenneth Grant on Arunachala

2011-10-21T15:11:00.004+05:30

Over the last several hundreds of years there have been many fascinating narratives written about Arunachala by devotees of the Hill. But sometimes the most intuitive and compelling narratives are written by those who have never even visited Arunachala.One such writer was Kenneth Grant. He was born in Ilford, Essex, England on May 23, 1924 and died this year on January 15, 2011. Grant volunteered

Mother Umadevi

2011-10-19T21:41:00.013+05:30

Sri Seshadri Swamigal now has a website at this link, where you can find out more about this great Master, his teachings and his ashram. Sri Seshadri SwamigalIf you wish to read an indepth narrative of his fascinating life go to this link here.Arunachala has always attracted saints and holy people to itself. But sometimes those luminaries are known to just a few during their lifetime. Uma Deviar

Devyandal Land

2011-10-18T22:47:00.002+05:30

For those interested in purchasing land at Arunachala, there is a very beautiful land parcel available at Devyandal (northwest of the Hill) which is comprised of two adjacents farms and totals 5 acres in size.View of Arunachala from LandThe land, which is very reasonably priced, is to be sold as one unit, but has an electrical connection and water tanks (driven by petrol motors) on both pieces of

Significance of Vibhuti

2011-10-18T15:09:00.002+05:30

Although Shiva is worshipped primarily in the form of Arunachala, at this premier Shiva Sthalam, He is also worshipped in other significant forms, such as: Lingodbhava, ‘inside the Lingam', Ardhanisvara ‘the androgynous deity’, Dakshinamurti, ‘the one facing south’ and Bhikshtana, ‘the enchanting mendicant’. However, in whatever form Lord Shiva is worshipped, Vibhuti (sacred ash) is an integral

Control of the Mind

2011-10-17T20:34:00.003+05:30

“Other than inquiry, there are no adequate means for mind-control. If through other means it is attempted, the mind will appear to be controlled, but will again rise up. Through the control of breath also, the mind will become quiescent, but only as long as the breath remains controlled; and with the movement of breath, the mind also will start moving and will wander as impelled by residual

In Search of Secret India

2011-10-14T14:24:00.006+05:30

As is the case with many pilgrims to Arunachala, my introduction to the Hill was through the writings of Paul Brunton in his remarkable book, “In Search of Secret India.”The book charts the course of Paul Brunton’s spiritual quest travelling throughout India in search of a Guru. His journey led him to meet extraordinary men in very unordinary circumstances. Eventually he was to understand that

2011 Deepam Arunachala Programme

2011-10-10T22:03:00.035+05:30

Right click on programme for enlargement: Throughout the Festival, there will be processions in the daytime circumambulating the Arunachaleswarar Temple, but have listed below only information about major evening processions. In addition throughout the Deepam Festival there are scheduled singing and dancing programmes inside the Temple Compound.Tickets can be purchased which allows access to the

Navaratri 2011 - Pictorial Archive

2011-10-08T13:12:00.020+05:30

Right click on all photographs to view enlargementsBelow is the completion of Arunachala Grace's Navaratri 2011 pictorial archive. The first three photographs are of the Goddess in her most auspicious aspect.Sri Lakshmi,Kamakshi Amman Temple Goddess Saraswati, Kalyana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar TempleGoddess on Kamadhenu (wish fulfilling cow),Kamakshi Amman TempleThe next three photographs are of

Vijayadashami

2011-10-06T14:23:00.002+05:30

The culmination of the festival of Navaratri is Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra (i.e. "remover of bad fate") which symbolises the Victory of Good over Evil, which this year falls today October 6, 2011.The name Durga which means; "inaccessible", "invincible"; or "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of the Devi which is considered the fierce, demon-fighting form of

Navaratri [Sharad] 2011

2011-10-04T20:38:00.015+05:30

Each year Sharad Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. The festival is celebrated for approximately nine nights once every year during the beginning of October, with dates and longevity determined by the lunar calendar. This Navaratri started on September 28th and will complete on October 6th, 2011. To read about Navaratri in more

Iron Age Sites

2011-10-01T14:58:00.003+05:30

Tiruvannamalai Hill is constituted of igneous rock and forms part of the Javadi Hill range of Tamil Nadu. Geological surveys are reported to show that Arunachala is older than the Himalayas, and as to its longevity, it is stated in the Skanda Purana that:Sri Siva said:"Let this perpetual and immobile Fiery Form of mine, famous as Arunadri, be present here forever. (27)Even at the close of the

Parrots and Arunachala

2011-09-28T22:02:00.014+05:30

In Hindu mythology a vahana or vehicle (sometimes called a mount) is an animal closely associated with a particular deity. Similarities can be found in the religious associations of Hindu vahanas to animal totems and familiars in non-Hindu belief systems. Sacred animals who become the vahanas of various Hindu gods, symbolize and complement the energy or character of the deity and come to be

Tripurasundari and Navaratri

2011-09-26T19:21:00.010+05:30

To learn more about tree species in this area, visit my recent posting on my Arunachala Land Blog at this link here. One of the trees I mention in that posting is the Kadamba.There are many legends and mythology concerning the Kadamba Tree. Probably best known in these parts are the legends associated with Lord Murugan and the deity Kadambariyamman.During the Sangam Period in Tamil Nadu, Lord

Happy Birthday Guruji

2011-09-23T19:58:00.010+05:30

Today, September 23rd, is the birthday of my Guruji, Sri Nannagaru. I had a programme to go into Ramana Nagar to confirm a Deepam room reservation at a local lodge, Arunachala Ramana Home. Thereafter I planned to visit my Guruji’s Ashram to take prasad and bow outside the room of my spiritual teacher (who is currently in his native place at Andhra Pradesh).Sri Nannagaru in Previous DarshanHowever

Karikal Ammaiyar

2011-09-19T16:47:00.004+05:30

One of the few women saints whose stories appear in the 'Periapuranam, The Lives of the Sixty-Three Saivite Saints', is that of Karikal Ammaiyar. The stories of the 'Periapuranam' may expand our hearts by showing the depths of devotion to Lord Shiva that can be reached by mortal man.The story of Karikal AmmaiyarPunithavathiar as Karaikal Ammaiyar was called, was born in a Vaisya family. Her

Wish Fulfilling Arunachala

2011-09-18T12:04:00.011+05:30

Another aspect of Arunachala Girivalam, is the Hill’s reputation as a fulfiller of wishes. This aspect of the Hill is particularly emphasised every year during the Deepam Festival; during which time two of the Radhams appearing in night time processions around Arunachaleswarar Temple are the Kalpavriksha (of which the wish-fulfilling divine Kalpataru Tree is a synonym) under which Lord

Aid to Motorists

2011-09-17T10:34:00.006+05:30

Have found a fascinating application at this link here which will help motorists compute road distances to Tiruvannamalai from their native place. Hope it helps.

Arunachala Girivalam

2011-09-16T13:00:00.005+05:30

To those who have contacted me recently using the ‘contact me’ facility at the left top of this page, I can only respond to you personally if you include your email address.In this respect in reply to a nice email from a Malaysian Arunachala devotee (who gave no return address) requesting information on girivalam, I am heretofore answering some of the questions raised in that email. If more

Incense in India

2011-09-13T13:35:00.004+05:30

Of all our senses, the most primal and that which directly affects our brain and mind is our sense of smell. Incense has been and is used in; religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, mood creation, masking bad odours, creating a fragrant aroma and in ancient times, pleasant-smelling perfumes were offered to royalty and saints and diffused over roads on which revered

Nisargadatta Maharaj Website

2011-09-11T18:40:00.010+05:30

Please bookmark the new link to the excellent Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj website. The new website includes a number of videos, interviews, photographs and information about books and DVDs of this great Saint."You are never without a Guru, for he is timelessly present in your heart. Sometimes he externalises himself and comes to you as an uplifting and reforming factor in your life, a mother, a

Monkey House

2011-09-10T16:02:00.015+05:30

This morning I visited the Animal Shelter to consult with its chief veterinarian, Dr. Raju about one of my own dogs. Animal Shelter with ArunachalaWhile there I visited the two cows who recently had operations, a horse recuperating from years of neglect, two orphan bonnet macaque monkeys living in the shelter since the death of their mother and of course some nearly 150 dogs either permanently

Spiritual Questions

2011-09-08T14:38:00.002+05:30

Twelve questions were asked of sixteen different Indian spiritual teachers (the majority of whom are still alive) that cover the main issues that arise on a spiritual seeker’s journey to awakening. A sample of videos of the questions and answers of these teachers are available at this link here.Many of the spiritual teachers come from the tradition of Vedanta, a metaphysical Indian philosophy

Vintage Photographs

2011-09-07T16:35:00.007+05:30

Right Click on all photos to view enlargementsBelow are a set of vintage photos taken in Tamil Nadu which show the lives of ordinary people at the end of the 19th Century.