Significance of Ardhanarishvara
There are many subtleties and esoteric meanings connected with the mythology and legends of Arunachala. One of the most famous being that of Ardhanarishvara—a form of the Divine which is particularly celebrated at Arunachala and not more so than during the festival of Deepam.
"At the mystic hour of dusk when devotees have gathered in the courtyards and roofs of the Temple, the deity Ardhanarishvara is brought out and placed on the stairs of the Temple close to the big Deepam. This is the only day of the year that this particular Deity is ever moved. It is most auspicious.
In the Deepam Festival the union of Shiva and Parvati in the form of Ardhanarishvara is reflected. Once the Goddess in play covered the eyes of Lord Shiva with her hands, and thus the whole world was plunged into darkness. However, Shiva opened his third eye on the request of the Gods, and light was restored.
Goddess Parvati was ashamed of her behaviour, and retired from Mount Kailasa to Kanchipuram to do penance and purge herself of her sin. Shiva then directed her to go to Tiruvannamalai to worship him there. Parvati became an anchorite and did severe penance and performed girivalam around Arunachala with deep concentration on the holy name of the Lord.
Shiva was pleased and told Her that she was now relieved of the sin of causing the untimely pralaya (destruction of the world). He blessed Her saying, 'Come and unite with me,' and disappeared into the Hill.
On Kartikeya day the Lord appeared as a blazing light, a jyoti on the top of Arunachala and asked Parvati to circumambulate the hill. She did so, and when she rounded the western side of the hill, Shiva appeared on his white bull and blessed her. When she rounded the hill on the north-western side he absorbed her into the left half of his body. Thus came into being the form of Ardhanarishvara, the deity that is represented as half male and half female."
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