19 April 2016

Chithirai Pournami 2016 Girivalam Map and Information



The full moon girivalam this month (i.e. Chithirai Pournami 2016) will be the busiest girivalam of this year (excluding that of the full moon circumambulation during the Mahadeepam Festival). For this reason be aware crowds will be HUGE. So make sure that you have no important deadlines to catch . . . as once you start the girivalam there really will be no way back -- can't go against the tide of humanity coming towards you.

There will be many Ashrams and Temples giving prasad off the girivalam roadway . . . so no reason to take food. But if you have problem feet don't be shy to put your sandals in a bag to take along and put on if necessary. Many devotees wearing shoes will be performing girivalam. The roadway is not the idyllic one of yesteryear with cooling grass and soft earth to protect one's feet. Nowadays the pathway will be hot, dirty and gravel crusted.

Also please understand that bad people as well as good people visit pilgrim areas, especially during times of heavy crowds and special functions. Do NOT carry unnecessary valuables and cash with you. There will be many thieves on the roadway to relieve you. This applies to women as well as men. I myself was robbed by women while pulling the Maharadham Chariot one Mahadeepam Festival. My handbag (which was tucked tightly under my arm) was slit from behind with a razorblade. Luckily the inner lining of the bag prevented the robber taking my valuables.

Chithirai Pournami is a wonderful celebratory occasion. The Municipality has made great and loving effort in providing extra facilities for visiting Devotees. Please ensure by using commonsense that your visit is wonderful. 

The below map of facilities, first aid stations etc., are listed in this map which the Thiruvanamalai Municipality has released especially for this Chithirai Pournami. 



Chithirai Pournami Arunachala Timings 
Start: 21 April, 2016 9.54 a.m. 
Complete: 22 April, 2016 11.53 a.m. 


Right click to view enlargement previous to downloading

Chithirai Pradosham: Tuesday 19 April, 2016


Today Chithirai Pradosham was observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Pradosham on Tuesdays is also known as Bhauma Pradosham and is renowned for providing relief from disease and improving one’s financial situation. As always the crowds were large at the Temple on this special Chithirai Pradosham day. 


Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Aarti at the Kodi Kampathu Nandi

Observance of Pradosham at Chinna Nandi, Fourth Prakaram

Night Seven: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

Lord Somaskanda being carried out of Temple on palanquin

Leaving the Siva Sannidhi on palanquin

The Gods first receive worship in Pandal opposite the Main Shrine

Gods then moved to Paneer Mandapam where they are feted with flowers by a Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph)


Celestial Nymph offering her flowers to the Gods

Our own sweet Rukku a major part of the festivities throughout the 10 days of the Vasantha Urchavam Function

Night Six: Vasantha Urchavam 2016



Vasantha Urchavam (also known as Vasantha Utsavam) is the Spring Festival held in the season of Vasantha (Spring). It is also commonly known as the Festival of Love as it re-enacts the Love of Shiva and Parvathi and the burning of Manmatha by the piercing look of the Lord’s third eye. 

Lord Somaskanda (a form of Shiva and Parvathi) is the deity of this Festival. For nine consecutive nights after being carried in state out of his shrine, Lord Somaskanda is installed in a pandal facing the main shrine. After receiving due reverence with flowers and light to accompanying musicians playing on their mridangam and nathaswaram, the God is moved by palanquin to the Paneer (rose-water) Mandapam. 

At the Paneer Mandapam diparadhana is performed. Afterwhich the Gods re-enact a dance in front of a mirror placed nearby while musicians accompany them. After the dance, a representation of a Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph) travels down a rope from a nearby gallery. Once the laps of the Gods are covered with flowers, the priest on the pandal pours a pot of water with five vilva leaves in front of the Gods and then performs aarti. 

Rukku our Temple Elephant is an important part of these ceremonies and on each of these nine consecutive nights, stands adjacent to the Paneer Mandapam during these functions. 

Afterwards the Gods on their palanquin led by Rukku perform circumambulation ten times of the Mahila Marams (Temple Trees). This procession is accompanied by musicians, singers and devotees. At the completion of each circumambulation a re-enactment of the God’s dance is performed in front of the mirror in a gallery adjacent to the Paneer Mandapam. 


Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph) with offering of flowers
The nymph on her  journey to the Gods under the Paneer Mandapam

Offering her flowers to the Gods

Palanquin returning to the Paneer Mandapam

Beautifully lit and decorated Paneer Mandapam

Sixth Night Vasantha Urchavam Festival, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Night Five: Vasantha Urchavam 2016



Below is a pictorial report of Night Five of the Vasantha Urchavam 2016 Festival. Special Night pujas and accompanying functions occur at the Big Temple each night from the 2nd to the 9th night inclusive of this Festival. 


The Gods exiting the Siva Sannadhi

Being carried by palanquin on their way to the Paneer Manadapam

Gods resplendent under Paneer Mandapam receiving flower tributes from a Gandharva Kanni (a celestial nymph)

Gandharva Kanni coming down from the Gallery on way to the Paneer Mandapam


"At 9 p.m. on the fifth and eighth days the Temple lights are switched off so that the procession is in the dark. After going around the sacred Mahila Maram ten times the lights are switched back on to great rejoicing."


Gods circumambulating the Mahila Trees in 3rd Prakaram

Lord Dakshinamurti under the Mahila Trees is decorated splendidly each night of this Festival

Night Four: Vasantha Urchavam 2016



To read more about this Festival of Love, go to an earlier link here 


Rukku is an important part of each evening of the Vasantha Urchavam Festival

The Gods under the Paneer Mandapam on the Fourth Night of Festival

Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph) with bucket of flowers ready to sprinkle on the Gods under the Mandapam

Gods performing circumambulation inside the 3rd Prakaram

Night Three: Vasantha Urchavam 2016


“Vasantha Utsavam is a ten day Festival depicting the blossoming of love. During this sacred event, Swami and Amman are gorgeously decorated with jewels. With the Temple Elephant fanning the Divine Couple with Shamara grass, they are taken with great ceremony in Mahapradakshina round the sacred Mahila Maram (trees) within the Third Prakaram . . ." 


Gods seated under Paneer Mandapam located in the 3rd Prakaram


This is the Paneer Mandapam when not being utilised in Festivals

Sweet Rukku getting lots of exercise during the Festival functions each night

A Celesital Virgin Nympth (Gandharva Kanni) being sent down line from Gallery to sprinkle flowers on the Gods

The place on the Gallery from where the Gandharva Kannis are sent down

Gandharva Kanni reaches the Gods and sprinkles them with flowers from her bucket

17 April 2016

Night Two: Vasantha Urchavam 2016


Below is a pictorial report of Night Two, of the 2016 Vasantha Urchavam. 


Lord Arunachaleswarar

Taking the God out of the Siva Sannidhi

Representation of a Gandharva Kanni (celestial virgin nymph) approaches the Lord with flowers

Gandharva Kanni carrying a bucket of flowers to offer the Lord

Rukku, is getting plenty of exercise promenading during the evening functions

Close up of Gandharva Kanni (celestial virgin nymph) carrying a bucket of flowers

Devotees high on the gallery in charge of the ropes and pulleys moving representation of the Gandharva Kanni

The evening function heralded by the sound of conch shells

15 April 2016

Reading of Panchangam: Tamil New Year 2016


At the time of each Tamil New Year, the reading of the Panchangam (Tamil New Year's Almanac) occurs. This reading of the Almanac by senior Priest of Arunachaleswarar Temple is primarily in relation to the confirmation of Festival Dates at the Temple throughout the coming year. 


Priests near Flagstaff at Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

14 April 2016

Parvathamalai Archive of Blog Postings


In response to those requesting information about Parvathamalai, below are a list of my postings of this sacred place. I will enlarge this archive when I make new postings on the Hill.

Parvathamalai, which is located a short distance from Arunachala lies in its sacred powerful influence as stipulated in the Skanda Purana.


Temple on Summit of Parvathalamalai


[18 October 2014] 
Information about the Hill and Temple located on the summit. Legends and mythology connected with the Hill. 

[October 27, 2014] Legend connected with the great saint who lived at Parvathamalai and performed a famous miracle at Tiruvannamalai. 


Arunachala from Summit of Parvathamalai


[22 March 2015] 
Details of how to climb Parvathamalai and information about accommodation both at the Hill base and on the summit. 

[31 March 2015] 
Information about the summit of the Hill including mythology and legends associated with the Hill. 

[21 February, 2017] 
Photographs and History of 25 km Parvathamalai girivalam path. Information about Temples and Accommodation on Girivalam. Hints and suggestions. 

2016 Arunachala Tamil New Year


The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine and Mandapam is located on the Arunachala girivalam roadway in an exact axial line opposite to Arunachaleswarar Temple on the other side of the Hill. 

The early morning sun on Tamil New Year i.e. April 14 (Puthandu Vazthukal) first falls directly onto the Lingam in this Shrine – this phenomenon can only be viewed on this day. Traditionally each year on this date, large crowds gather at this Temple to be first to greet the rays of Surya and seek divine blessings for the coming new year. 



The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine at daybreak April 14, 2016

First light of Tamil New Year shining on Lingam at Shrine

First Light Tamil New year 2016




Night One: Vasantha Urchavam 2016


Rukku presiding at first night of Function

The Gods on Palanquin being taken out of the Siva Sannidhi

Lord Arunachaleswarar

Gandharva Kanni (celestial virgin nymph) on strings being moved towards the Gods to shower flowers on them

Large crowd attended first night of Function