The Vahanam of Lord Arunachaleswar on the Night of Day Two of the 2015 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Fesitval is that of Lord Indra (King of the Gods and ruler of the heavens).
Lord Indra is the God of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He wields a lightning thunderbolt known as the vajra, rides on a white elephant known as Airavata and also has a golden chariot drawn by ten thousand horses.
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| Aarti in Mandapam |
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| Circumambulation inside Temple |
Although formidable in the guise of the imposing figure of a thunderbolt-wielding Indra, he is generally benevolent, generous to his worshippers and guaranteeing peace and prosperity while delivering beneficial rainstorms to end droughts. He can also be called upon in times of war to give support with his divine weapons and favourable intervention.
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| The Panchamoorties (Five Gods) giving Darshan |
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| Lord Indira Chariot—Vahanam for Lord Arunachaleswarar |
At Arunachala this God has a special significance as he associated with the Asta Lingam with the cardinal direction of east. The Indra lingam is dominated by the Navagrahas, Lord Surya and Lord Shukra (Venus). Devotees are blessed with long life and prosperity on worshipping the Indra lingam.
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| Lord Arunachaleswarar on Indira Vahanam |
