As readers will already know an incident sadly occurred at the Ayyankulam Tank, Tiruvannamalai, on the morning of February 8 during the Mahadhaya Maha Punniya Kalam 2016 ceremonies. In that incident four people drowned in the Theertham and a number of others were injured when devotees jostled to bathe in the Tank on the auspicious occasion of Mahodaya Amavasya.
‘Mahodhaya Punniya Kaalam’ is when the below attributes align together in a single day, an event which occurs only about once every 30 years.
Thithi: Amavasya
Nakshathiram: Thiruvonam
Yogam: Vyathi Patham
Month: Thai
Vaaram: Soma (Monday)
Vaaram: Soma (Monday)
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| Ceremony at Siva Shrine, Arunachaleswarar Temple |
Parihara Puja was performed at the Ayyankulam Theertham yesterday Friday, February 12, 2016 in connection with the recent tragedy at that place.
The meaning of “parihara” is the removing, averting, remedying and clearing away of difficulties and troubles.
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| Ceremony at Ayyankulam Tank |
It is stated in the Veda Sastras, that the remedy for “parihara” can be divided into three parts.
Sulabha-Sadhya: Problems can be removed with simple “pariharas” (remedies) such as going to Temple, lighting lamps, Navagraha pradhakshina, Navagraha archana, reciting slokas-mantras and dhaana (gifts and donations) done daily and frequently.
Kasta-Sadhya: Problems have to be removed with a more concentrated and strong effort, as they cannot be removed with simple “pariharas”. To remove Kasta Sadhya such focussed long term efforts as intense recitation of Japa and performance of Homas is required.
Asadhya: These are problems which cannot be removed with any of the above “pariharas”. The problem just has to be undergone and experienced. It is estimated that around five percent of problems fall in this category.
My personal opinion in connection with the drownings at the Theertham is: if one considers the ways in which people meet their end; to die by water in the consecrated waters of the Indira Theertham, next to the Holy Sulam of Lord Shiva, under the auspices of Arunachala on one of the most sacred days of the last 30 years, seems more like a blessing than a tragedy.
Further, in the words of one of the people connected with this event:
"We don't feel sad because it was very peaceful and we didn't even know till after the function what had happened. One victim was a Temple Gurukkal and the other three were devotees who have done excellent service over the years to the Temple Gods. It was such a big, important day and what happened was like God just silently taking them home."
Though it is a noble place, time and way to die if it is one's time according to karma and fate; looking at it in a worldly way, it is a sad and unfortunate, unnecessary and unneeded untimely end to young lives. Perception is everything, yes? What we can say for sure is the faithful families of the deceased will find comfort in their belief of their loved ones having a blessed end.
ReplyDeleteNot that I had any loved one perish in the incident, but certainly do believe that such an end the 4 people met in the tank, was certainly blessed and auspicious.
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