ARUNACHALA GRACE

6 December 2016

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Night—Indira Vahana

At Arunachala, Indra has a special significance as he 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). Devotees are blessed with long life and prosperity on worshipping the Indra lingam.

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 and favourable intervention.

Adorning the Lord on his Indra Chariot Vahana

Panchamoorthies giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam


Indira Vahana

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Sugarcane Cradles

There are a number of Temples in Tamil Nadu at which parents pray and make a vow that they may bear a child. In such Temples, one can see wooden and cloth cradles hanging from trees as representative of a vrata (vow) between the parent and the Deity that their wish of progeny might be fulfilled.

Boon cradles hanging from branches of our own Mahila Maramas in the Temple's Third Parakam

Often the parent vows to complete an austerity or ceremony if the Lord grants their boon. One such ceremony is for the parent to carry the child (once born) on circumambulation of the Temple in a sugarcane cradle.

It used to be that on the tenth and final day of Karthigai Deepam, one used to see a small number of parents carrying such cradles around the perimeter streets (mada veedhis) of Arunachaleswarar Temple. But nowadays not just on the tenth and final day, but on everyday one may see large numbers of happy parents carry their child in such a homage.

Child being carried inside a sari cradle hanging from sugar canes

Sugar cane with cotton sari cradle

Stacks of sugarcane available on the side of the streets for happy parents

Car Street with lots of activity and milling devotees

This family are in the Temple Compound in front of Periyar Nandi, Fifth Prakaram

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Morning—New Mahadeepam Cauldron

On the morning of the 2nd day of the 2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival, the new cauldron was brought to the Alankaram Mandapam for puja and aarti and to be viewed by eager devotees.

After which the new Cauldron was pulled by tractor around the Mada Veedhis (perimeter streets surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple).

To view photographs of the Cauldron whilst being made, go to this earlier link here.

New Arunachala Cauldron

2016 Arunachala Mahadeepam Cauldron

Puja and aarti was performed on Cauldron in front of Alankaram Mandapam

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Morning—Surya Perai Vahana

On the morning of Day Two of the Karthigai Festival, Surya Perai is the Vahana for the Lord. Surya is the representation of Fire (or Agni) and the fourth element of the Panchabhutas. The essential character of Fire is to generate heat and according to Hindu Mythology, Agni is one of the Eight Guardians that guard our Universe (known as Asta-dik-palakas).

During each procession the panchamoorthies are seated on their respective Vahana. The word “Vahana” denotes “that which carries, that which pulls” and signifies the mount of the God. The mount represents a Divine attribute associated with the God.

Sun God at Arunachala

On the advice of Brahma, Bhaskara (i.e. the Sun-God) who is a mass of refulgence but who was harassed by Asuras, devoutly worshipped the Lord of Arunachala.

After plunging into the sanctifying pure Tirtha created by Brahma, he circumambulated Arunachala, the Lord himself.

After gaining victory over all the Daityas and (the privilege of) circumambulating Meru, he gained supreme refulgence that destroys the brilliance of enemies. [Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 32-34]

Aditya whose shape was formed by Tvastr blazed with brilliance. The Lord of Planets attempted to cross Sonadri. The horses of his chariot lost their power and became tired. Due to the refulgence of Sonadri he became devoid of glory. Even with all the attempted motion of the possessor of cluster of rays (i.e. Sun), he became unable to go to the heaven. On the advice of Brahma he propitiated Arunachala. When the Lord was pleased, he obtained the path of the sky and splendid horses.

Ever since then the Sun never crosses the mountain named Sona but goes circumambulating him.

[Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 45-49a]

Arunachala is replete with mythology connected with the Surya, the Sun God. To find out more about Surya’s connection with the Hill, go to this earlier posting at this link here.

Lord Ganesha to lead procession seated on His Rat Vahana

Preparing the Surya Vahana at the Alankaram Mandapam

After giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam, the Lord on Surya (preceded by Ganesha) start on their circumambulation of the mada veedhis

The Lord on his resplendent Surya Vahana

Proceeding along the mada veedhis (perimeter Temple streets)

Ganesha on Rat Vahana and the Lord on Surya Perai Vahana

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 1. Evening—Athikara Nandi Vahana Preparations

In an earlier post, at this link here, I posted photographs of the evening of Day 1 of the 2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival of the Lord on His Athikara Nandi Vahana. But between the Gods in the Temple and their triumphant procession on the Mada Veedhis of Arunachaleswarar Temple, there are many steps and preparations. Some of which are described in a pictorial report below.

The panchamoorties receiving aarti in front of the Siva Shrine in Temple

Musicians play traditional Indian Temple music during ceremonies inside the 3rd Prakaram

The unadorned Athikara Nandi Vahana awaits inside the Alankaram Mandapam, outside the Raja Gopuram gate

Sequence here is repeated throughout the Festival. The Lord at right of photographs is being transferred from His palanquin to the Athikara Nandi Vahana

Heavy exertion by young devotees is required to transfer the Lord on His palanquin to the Vahana

Inch by inch the Lord is brought to his Vahana

The God is in position on his Vahana, and the young men slowly disengage the palanquin poles

Bit by bit ornaments, accouterments and lights are added to the Vahana

This whole process takes place in the Alankaram Mandapam and only when all preparations are complete, will the God be brought out to the front of the Mandapam to give darshan

Unadorned Annapakshi (mythological bird) Vahana earlier in the afternoon waits to be transported to the Alankaram Mandapam, where it will be adored as Vahana of the Sakthi Goddess

Goddess on decorated Vahana ready to accompany the Lord on His Athikara Nandi Vahana

The Lord on the Athikara Nandi Vahana now to be moved to the front of the Alankaram where all the panchamoorthies will give darshan to devotees

The panchamoorthies accompanied by stirring music start their circumambulation of the mada veedhis

Devotees watch the start of the procession

4 December 2016

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 1. Evening—Athikara Nandi Vahana

Yesterday evening the Lord's vehicle was the Athikara Nandi. As this is one of my own favourite vahanas, think it might be interesting to give more information about this lesser known aspect of Nandi.

There are two types of Nandi statues at Siva Temples, the more common is that of the recumbent bull (Vrsabha) and the other is that of Adhikara Nandi. In the case of Arunachaleswarar Temple, the Adhikara Nandi of last night’s function is in the form of a bull-headed human standing on two legs.

Adhikara Nandi's two back hands hold a parasu (battle axe) and mrga (antelope) and the two front hands are folded on the chest in a pose of obeisance. Since he is the chief of the ganas (retinues) of Siva, exercising his authority (adhikara) over them, he is christened as ‘Adhikara Nandi.’

The white bull—Nandi—is the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. He is the chief of the ganas, Shiva’s attendants. Nandi means ‘happy’.

Nandikeshvara, Lord of happiness, was one of Shiva’s ganas and was fond of dance and music. He was born of the Divine progenitor Kashyapa and Divine cow Surabhi. He married Suyasha, the daughter of the Maruts. As his life was coming to an end, he prayed to Shiva to lengthen his life. Shiva granted him both immortality and the chief position over his ganas. He was given the title “Adhikara Nandi” (or “authoritative Nandi’), for it is only with Nandi’s grace and permission that one can enter the temple of Shiva. Adhikara Nandi took on a human form as a bull-headed human standing on two legs (or in some instances a bull standing erect on his rear legs).

Nandi is more than Shiva’s vahana or vehicle. As the chief of Shiva’s attendants, he is also the guardian of all four-legged animals. Nandi is essential to every Shiva Temple—the sanctum sanctorum of each Temple, where the deity may be in a human or linga form, has an image of Nandi facing the shrine.

There is a story that Vrishabha Deva or Nandi was very proud of his role as the vehicle of the Supreme Lord Shiva himself. To teach him a lesson, Shiva placed a lock of his hair on the bull, who was unable to bear the weight. Realising that he had been arrogant, Nandi begged Shiva’s pardon. Shiva forgave him and initiated him into divine knowledge.

Nandi completes the image of the happy family. In days gone by, people depended on the bull for transportation. The bull was thus the vehicle both for Shiva and people. He is also a symbol of how a powerful animal, imbued with Divine authority, is also a gentle and humble worker, of help to the Gods and man.

Athikara Nandi

Alangaram of the panchamoorthies

Panchamoorthies give darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam

The Lord on Athikara Nandi Vahana in procession of Mada Veddhis

Procession in evening of Day 1. 2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival

Festival Time!

Walking around Arunachaleswarar Temple and Tiruvannamalai yesterday morning after the "Hoisting of the Flag", its easy to see we are in Festival Mode. Groups of Brahmin Priests chant the Vedas in the Temple compound, Community Sangams recite Sundarar's Thevaram outside the Kalyana Mandapam, collections of lamps and lights lay in large mounds at the back of the Third Prakaram, newly crafted wooden chocs stacked against the walls awaiting pick up for use by processional Chariots.

Rukku the Star-turn of Arunachaleswarar Temple happily joining processions around the Mada Veedhis (Temple perimeter streets) . . . and everywhere you look, musicians playing both Indian traditional and Western musical instruments.

Its going to be a busy, happy Festival.

Brahamin Priests chanting the Vedas

Priests in 3rd Prakaram will be chanting through the day

Community Sangam group reciting Sundarar's Thevaram

Wooden chocs stacked by wall ready for use by processional chariots

Mounds of different style lamps for night processions awaiting use

This type of lamp to be carried for night processions

So many lamps!

Beautiful Rukku on Festival duty -- so loves going out and about

Musicians attending all functions and processions both in the Temple and in Tiruvannamalai Township

3 December 2016

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 1 Morning—Panchamoorthies Utsavam

After the Flag Hoisting ceremony, the Panchamoorthies each on their own palanquins are carried around the Flagpost five times in the order: Vinayaka, Murugan, Arunachaleswarar, Shakti and Chandikeswara. After their circumambulation, each of the Gods are carried through the Temple which they then leave through the Thitti Vassal Gate, adjacent to the Raja Gopuram on the east side of the Temple.