Garuda Puja

For many years families of Brahminy Kites have taken to nesting in the tops of coconut trees on the edge of Samudram Erie near Anaipirandhan Village. Even though Arunachala is regarded as a Shiva Sthalam, the area of Samudram has a long history with the worship of Vishnu. So its particularly appropriate that these beautiful birds have chosen to situate themselves in this area.

In Hindu mythology the various Gods are each associated with a particular 'vahana' which symbolises qualities and powers manifested by that God. In this respect the Garuda (which in India is supposed to be represented by the Brahminy Kite) is the vehicle associated with Lord Vishnu.

The villagers of Anaipirandhan zealously protect their nesting Garudas and often during the evenings you can see groups of folk looking up to take 'darshan' of their favoured birds.

Around this time every year a beautiful puja and feast is arranged in celebration of Lord Vishnu and his mount, the Garuda. But this year through the sterling efforts of a local villager, Venkatesha, sufficient money was gathered to build a small Garuda shrine close to the coconut trees so favoured by the birds.

Venkatesh with wife and child



Garuda with Lord Vishnu on his shoulders



Shrine dedicated to Garuda

150 kgs of rice was cooked to feed the large groups of pilgrims visiting the function and opening of the new Garuda Shrine. A very tasty lunch was served under a shamian with Arunachala in the background.

The local cows had a wonderful feast snacking on tasty banana leaves and lots of left overs.

And below one of the nesting Anaipirandhan Brahminy Kites looking down serenely at the gathered crowds of devotees.

A truly wonderful day had by all.

Mattu Pongal at Anaipirandhan

This morning I walked in the Arunachala countryside and visited the village of Anaipirandhan. I was on my way to the home of my local milkman Bharat, who daily delivers fresh cow milk to my house and for which I wanted to give his cows a BIG THANKS.

On the way to the village I passed locals going about their normal day. Below a friendly lady (with her two kids) doing her laundry.

On my way to Bharat's house, I passed lanes covered with kolam decorations and also noticed that many of the simple, rustic cottages had state-of-the-art antenna TV dishes to pick up as many stations as possible.

And finally I arrived at Bharat's house and was introduced to his five cows. And time for their morning Mattu Pongal bath. Later the cows would be decorated, their horns painted and heavily garlanded in time for their beautiful cow puja -- of which they would be the honoured recipients.

HAPPY PONGAL TO ONE AND ALL.

Pongal – time of “Sunny” Celebrations

Pongal was originally a Festival for the farming community but nowadays its celebrated by all. It follows the solar calendar and is celebrated on the same days each year. Pongal’s astronomical significance is that it marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period. All important events are scheduled during this season. The festival celebrates leaving behind old way of doing things, be it relationships, money matters or health habits.

The Sun governs health; both physical and mental, self-esteem and proper functioning of the heart and vision. During Pongal, i.e. the Vedic Winter Solstice, the Sun moves into Capricorn forming an auspicious configuration with Jupiter, and remains in one sign for thirty days. Good times continue until July 16th, whilst the sun is in Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini.

Four festivals are celebrated at Tiruvannamalai (and throughout Tamil Nadu) during the four consecutive days which comprise the Pongal Festival. 'Bhogi' on January 13th, 'Pongal' on Jan 14th, 'Maattuppongal' on Jan 15th, and 'Thiruvalluvar Day' on Jan 16.

On Bhogi old clothes and materials are thrown away and set on fire, marking the beginning of a new life. Spiritually this is the time for a spiritual overhaul and to get ready for higher things. The second day, Pongal, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel – a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal. People also prepare savouries and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is one in which one is meant to offer thanks to cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands and provide us milk to drink. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go for picnic, trips and excursions.

Pongal also signals the end of the traditional farming season, giving farmers a break from their monotonous routine.

Thiruvoodal Festival

An important festival connected with Arunachala occurs during the time of Pongal and is known as the Thiruvoodal Festival. This Festival is celebrated on January 16th and is re-enacted inside the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple, on the streets delineating the perimeter of the Temple, and on the girivalam pathway itself, by iconic representations of Shiva/Parvati in order to convey moral and social truths to their devotees. To read more click on these links here and here.

Surya Relevance

In Shaivite theology, Surya is said to be one of eight forms of Shivam (Astamurti). He is said to be of Sattwa Guna and represents the Soul, King, highly placed persons or Father. The Sun God is considered as the life-giver, (Pranadata) of the entire Universe. Surya is essential for life and the witness (Sakshi) of all actions. The Sun is the 'indicator of the soul,' and indicator of our ego, honour, status, fame, heart, eyes, general vitality, respect and power. He has hair and arms of gold. His chariot is pulled by seven horses, which represent the seven chakras.

He represents soul, will power, fame, the eyes, general vitality, courage, kingship, father, highly placed persons and authority. And has the following associations: day Sunday, number one, food grain Wheat, colours Copper or Red, metals Gold or Brass, gemstone Ruby, direction East and the season Summer.

Worship of Sun, which is all power, strength and glory, is beneficial for people in difficulties or who aspire for sound health, prosperity, good eyesight, strength, courage and success.

To read Arunachala Surya mythology go to this link here.

Shiva Divine Consciousness

By Sri Sathya Sai Baba


“Who is Shiva?” Divine Consciousness which pervades all living beings is none other than Shiva. This Divine Consciousness permeates not only human beings, but all other creatures. Shiva-consciousness is all-pervading. “With hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire Universe.”

All that we witness is Shiva Consciousness; nothing else. Shiva does not mean a particular form with matted hair and tiger skin. Wherever we look and whichever form we come across – whether a child or an elderly person, whether a woman or a man, in every form Shiva Consciousness is resplendent.

How can you describe the all-pervading Shiva-consciousness or limit it to a particular time and place? God is described by different people in diverse ways depending on their imagination and understanding. But the nameless, formless God is omnipresent and all-pervading

Who can describe such Divinity? There is only one sign for Divinity, that is, Consciousness. In whichever form this Divine Consciousness permeates, it will assume that form – it may be the form of a dog, a crow, a crane or a human being.

All that you witness in this objective world is a manifestation of Shiva. It pervades the three worlds; earth, space and nether world and exists in the three periods of time; past, present and future. It is indescribable.

Man today searches for God everywhere, not understanding that he himself is an Embodiment of Divine Atma.

One has to realise Divinity by cultivating love for God. It is only love that can bind God. Through such Divine Love, the oneness of God has to be realised. If the attributeless God has to be described, the description would be “One without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness to all functions of the intellect, beyond one’s imagination and beyond the three conditions (gunas).”

The best sadhana is to realise unity in Divinity and worship God as such. “To see the One in all you see.”

[artist: Dennis McCambridge]

Shiva at Suruttapalli

2010 is the year numerologically ruled by the number 3 (2+0+1+0). Three is the number ruled by the planet Jupiter (called Guru in Sanskrit).

The most powerful deity for 2010 is Dakshinamurti, who is a form of Shiva that is Guru or Jupiter. (Dakshinamurti is often depicted as teaching in silence, transmitting higher knowledge effortlessly to four ancient sages who were receptive to silent darshan.) To read more about Dakshinamurti and his particular relevance to Arunachala check out these previous links here and here:

At Suruttapalli (located in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh), there is a unique Temple. It is at this place that Lord Shiva is depicted drinking the poison (karma) of the world with Goddess Parvati holding his head in her lap so that the poison does not spill back out into the world. It is thought that by going there and in particular by performing puja there, that bad effects of karma may be averted.

Because at Suruttapalli Lord Dakshinamurti (Jupiter) can be found in the rare form in which his Shakti is present, it is believed that this symbolises that the Goddess is present to take hold of the pain and suffering of devotees and expiate their bad karma.

[For in-depth information and photographs of Suruttapalli please this website here]

History of Suruttapalli

According to Sthalapurana (history of the place), it is said that Asuras (demons) and Devas (Gods) decided to consume the nectar from Kseerabthi (the milk ocean) in order to live longer. Hence, they churned the ocean with the help of Vasuki (the celestial snake) and the hill Mandhara, with Gods on one side and demons on the other. Unable to tolerate the pressure, Vasuki spilled out the poison from his mouth. The Gods and demons then approached Lord Shiva to save them from the harm of poison. Lord Shiva transformed himself into Vishabhakarana Murthi and consumed the poison.

The situation was such that if Lord swallowed the poison, living creatures on the earth would die and if he did not swallow the poison, the Gods and Demons would be killed. He then started feeling a little giddy. Fearing this, his consort, Goddess Parvati placed Lord’s head in Her lap and gently pressed His neck and the poison remained thus in His throat without affecting His body.

Hence Lord Shiva got the name as ‘Neelakantha’ (‘Neela’- blue with poison and ‘Kantha’- throat) because of the accumulation of the poison in his throat and Goddess Parvati was called as ‘Amudhambigai’. On their way to Kailasa (Lord Shiva’s abode), Lord Siva feeling dizzy, rested on the lap of His wife for a while in the place where the village stands today. Hence the village got its name as 'Suruttapalli', Surutta meaning ‘Little dizzy’ and Palli meaning ‘Resting’.
[To read more about the Lord at Suruttapalli continue to this site here]

Predictions for 2010

"2010 will be successful for those who believe in God and the Divine. It will help all people and even create interest in spiritualism for those who do not have a current interest. For spiritual people it will surely be an excellent year.

With the benefic influence of Jupiter, no major setbacks will happen in 2010. There will be some problems, of course, but overall, the energies of 2010 bring bright promise for the future. All beings (animal, trees, humans) existing in this world will gain more virtues and will elevate to a higher stage in life in connection to knowledge, expenditures of money and energy and overall capabilities. All this will help us make wiser choices which are more productive. "

[With thanks to http://www.astroved.com]

2010 Predictions from ... Beyond

Virtual Tour of Arunachaleswarar Temple

As always right click on image to view enlarged version

A reader has kindly alerted me to a brilliant new site which displays panoramic views of various spots in South India.

Click on this link here to check out the index map with listed sites. Once the map opens find Tiruvannamalai and click to take you to a panoramic 360 degree tour of Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Once you get the hang of navigating, open the ‘virtual tour page’ at this link and enjoy hours of inspiration on an in-depth ‘virtual’ tour of Arunachaleswarar Temple – its simply breathtaking.