2020 Karthigai Deepam Arunachaleswarar Temple: Theppal Thirthotsavam

 

Day 1:  Sri Chandrasekhara Theppal

Day 2:  Parashakti Theppal

Day 3:  Lord Subramanya Theppal

 

Brahmostavam is intended to teach us the way to divine self-realisation. One of the last of the celebratory observances during Karthigai Festival is Thirthotsavam which literally means "water festival". Three days are allocated at the end of Karthigai to celebrate this "water festival".

Ordinarily the "water festival" is celebrated at Ayyankulam Tank (in front of Arunagirinathar Temple—the third oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala). The "water festival" is representative of a sadhaka’s plunge into the higher realms of consciousness—and typifies an entering into samadhi—the goal of religious aspiration.

This year, due to the restrictions imposed because of the current pandemic, the 3-day "water festival" was not conducted at the Ayyankulam Tank but at the Brahma Tirtham located inside the Arunachaleswarar Compound.

The Theppals for the Gods are floating structures made up of drums and timber and decorated with lights, flowers, religious paintings and silken buntings. Lights are installed around the perimeter of the tank and focus lights placed at strategic points. When the murtis of the Gods come to the Tirtham, they are placed lovingly on the float which then pushes off and completes an allocated number of turns upon the Temple Tank.

Devotees sit on the steps of the tank to take darshan of the God on the Theppal. Thereafter the deity of that day is taken in procession of Arunachaleswarar Temple.

 

Below are photographs of the Lord Murugan Theepal, celebrated on the third day of the "water festival".