2014 Chitrapoornima Girivalam

An estimated 10 Lakhs pilgrims (one million) visited Tiruvannamalai this year to perform Chitra Poornima girivalam around Arunachala. After Deepam, Chitra Poornima attracts the largest number of visitors to Tiruvannamalai in order to walk around the Hill. 

During the full moon period and the days both previous and after, the area was inundated with heavy rain, which was the tail end of a storm coming up from Sri Lanka. The rain was welcomed by all, as it cooled the town and girivalam roadway down most effectively.

The two photographs below are of the daytime girivalm crowd on the Chengam Road (outside Seshadri Ashram) part of the girivalam roadway. However the BIG crowds mostly performed circumambulation in the night time of the full moon. 

Girivalam near Seshadri Ashrlam

Reading of the Panchangam 2014

One very important aspect of the Tamil New Year (celebrated April 14) is the reading of the Panchangam at Arunachala’s main Temple, Arunachaleswarar Kovil. 

It is the Panchangam which is referred to when setting the dates of certain Festivals and Functions as it indicates (to one who knows how to read it) the right time to do certain things and also the time to avoid certain bad celestial aspects. 

The Panchangam, April 14, 2014

Arunachaleswarar Temple, April 14, 2014

Panguin Uthiram -- Celestial Wedding at Arunachala

The first day of Panguni Uthiram which was celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple yesterday (Sunday April 13, 20134) is known as the time of celebration of the Celestial Wedding of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi. 

The below photographs celebrated the following programme:- 

Evening 6.00 p.m. At Amman flag post Arunachaleswarar came in procession and there was performed the exchanging of garlands. 

8.00 p.m. Arunachaleswarar and Parashakti after exchanging garlands moved to the Thirukalyanam Mandapam. 

11.00 p.m. Thirukalyanam Mandapam, the Thirukalyanam Festival occurred.

Exchanging of Garlands

Exchange occuring in front of Unnamulaiamman Temple

Exchange occurring late Sunday night

Inside the Thirukalyana Mandapam for Marriage Function

Kuthu Velaku Puja, Kalayana Mandapam, Big Temple

Around January 14 each year marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai. As Thai is regarded as an auspicious period, each Friday of the month is celebrated with special pujas in many Temples in Tamil Nadu. 

On the third Friday of Thai month, Kuthu Velaku Puja is performed at Arunachaleswarar Koil here at Tiruvannamalai. This year the date for the Puja fell on January 31, 2014. 

The below photographs are of ladies performing their individual pujas in the Kalyana Mandapam which is located in the Third Prakaram opposite the Siva Sannidhi. 

January 28 Pradosham, Big Temple

Below are several photographs of the Tuesday, January 28, 2014 Pradosham performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Big Nandi

Flagpost outside Siva Sannidhi

Large crowds attend all Pradoshams at Big Temple

Happy 2014 from Arunachala

BEST WISHES TO ALL READERS OF ARUNACHALA GRACE FOR A HAPPY AND WONDER-FILLED 2014.

The first photographs were taken on January 1, 2014. The first three at Arunachaleswarar Temple and the fourth photograph of the Goddess at Rajarajeshwari Temple on the Arunachala girivalam roadway. 

Goddess at Rajarajeshwari Temple