Mahashivaratri in Tamil Nadu is traditionally celebrated in Maasi Month -- not Thai. This is based on astrology connected with both the sun and month. Working on these calculations Mahashivaratri will be celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple on March 13, March 14 NOT in February.
That means the Temple will NOT be open all night in February BUT will be opened and all accompanying functions and pujas will be held through the night of March 13, March 14.
All Shiva Temples in Tiruvannamalai will follow the lead of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Today spoke with the Chief Priest of Adi Annamalai Temple and he tells me that Kapaleswarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai will also be celebrating Mahashivaratri on March 13, 14. Word has it that Chidambaram Temple and Kalahasti Temple will also be having functions for Mahashivaratri in March (although Chidambaram might also in addition be already committed to February).
Will be posting more information on Mahashivaratri 2010, in the coming days.
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ReplyDeleteGood job. I noticed temples around the world were changing their dates and wondered "All of their printing shops made an error?". Now we know!
ReplyDeletemaha shivarathri according to dharmasindhu school of siddhantha [ madhava rishi & hemadri rishi) is celebrated when chathur dasi prevails during nissheta kala( 8th muhurtham) or even specific madhya rathri kala of phalgun krishna paksha. since phalguna month is yet to begin, march 13 of 2010 is to be taken as mahashivarathri and not feb 12.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it: devotees are winners in this dispute. We get to celebrate maha shivaratri twice. The more the better for our beloved Lord Shiva!!!
ReplyDeleteThank u for clearing the doubt.
ReplyDeleteI attended Giriwalam on 12.02, every temples around Arunachala had been attending puja, only Arunachaleswarar was closed
ReplyDeleteThanks for your report about the February function at Tiruvannamalai. And glad that there were minor Temples open to satisfy the crowds of pilgrims that visited the area.
ReplyDeleteHowever the MAJOR Shiva Temples -- Arunachaleswarar, Adi Annamalai, Arunagirinathar Temple (and others) were most definitely CLOSED and will be celebrating Mahashivaratri on March 13, 14.
Annamalay is a beautiful and peaceful place in india. the puranas said that'arunachala' is the birth place of lord shiva. among all of ths kshetrayas arunachala is the first place in india. thaning for visiting arunachala in google.
ReplyDeleteravi aradhuyula, araku, vizag dist, andrapradesh.