Below are photographs of the 2014 Lingodbhavamurti Abhishekam performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple.
The manifestation of Shiva in a column of fire with Lord Brahma manifesting as a swan at the top of the Lingodbhava and Lord Vishnu manifesting as a swine at the base of the Lingodbhava, is carved in stone and always enshrined in the rear niche of the sanctum sanctorum in Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Since most Temples face east, the Lingodbhava faces West.
The manifestation of Shiva in a column of fire with Lord Brahma manifesting as a swan at the top of the Lingodbhava and Lord Vishnu manifesting as a swine at the base of the Lingodbhava, is carved in stone and always enshrined in the rear niche of the sanctum sanctorum in Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Since most Temples face east, the Lingodbhava faces West.
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| Lingodbhavamurti, Arunachaleswarar Temple |
The non-anthropomorphic form of the Shiva Lingam is a representation of an infinite cosmic column of fire, whose origins were not traceable by either Lord Brahma or Lord Vishnu. The Shiva Lingam is the centre of reverence and worship in all Saivite temples.
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| The bathing of the Lingodbhavamurti with tumeric |
The puja celebrating the legend of the Lingodbhavamurti is particularly relevant on the day of Mahashivaratri as it represents the worship of sacred Arunachala itself, which is considered to be the manifestation of this cosmic column of fire as it represents the primordial element of fire as one of the Pancha Bhuta Stalas.
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| Bathing of the Lingodbhavamurti with milk |
On the night of Mahashivaratri around 8.30 p.m. I circumambulated the Shiva Sannidhi and noticed a large crowd assembled in front of the Lingodbhavamurti that would patiently wait until midnight and start of abhishekam. But really not such a difficult wait, as one isn’t often offered the opportunity to sit undisturbed for hours behind the Sannidhi next to the Lingodbhava.
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| Lord Vishnu in form of Boar at base of Lingodbhava |
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| Aarti at 2014 Mahashivaratri Lingodbhavamurti Abhishekam |
The day of this Mahashivaratri abshikeham is also significant in that it is the only day in the year that the Ketaki flower (Pinescrew) is allowed to be used in the worship of Lord Shiva. To read the reason for this go to an earlier posting at this link here.
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| Ketaki Flower (white celery looking flower) top of Lingodbhava |
