2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 4. Day—Naga Vahana

In the morning of Day 4 of the 2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival, the vahana for Lord Chandrasekara is the naga.

The use of the word naga usually refers only to mythological serpents while snakes living in nature are called sarpas. However the word naga is also used to represent the cobra.

The cobra which is seen coiled around the neck of Lord Shiva, represents power over destruction and creation. It primarily represents rebirth, death and mortality—due to the casting of its skin thus being symbolically "reborn". The snake also represents Kundalini Shakti and as a vahana of Lord Shiva depicts desires kept under control of the Divine.

Alangarams of the Lord and Vinayaka

Brahmin Priest applies pottu to the Lord in front of the Yagasala Shrine, 3rd Prakaram, Big Temple

Carrying the Lord on palanquin through Temple, 4th Prakaram

The Lord on palanquin in front of the 1000 Pillar Hall, 5th Prakaram

The Lord on Naga Vahanam receiving aarti at Alankaram Mandapam

Tractor with the Lord on Naga Vahana beginning procession of the mada veedhis

Procession on Car Street, Tiruvannamalai

Lord Vinayaka on Rat Vahana, followed by the Lord on Naga Vahana