Arunachala Karthigai Deepam November 25, 2015

Below are photographs taken of the Mahadeepam being lit on the top of Arunachala around 6 p.m. this evening, Thursday, November 25, 2015. 

2015 Arunachala Mahadeepam

2015 Arunachala Mahadeepam 

 

 

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Ten—Evening: Mahadeepam Arunachaleswarar Temple

Lord Arunachaleswarar Gives Darshan

Deepam in Temple precedes the Deepam on Arunachala by a few seconds

After Deepam is lit, Ardhaniswarar gives darshan to devotees at Temple

Packed Temple Crowd  with eyes on Deepam, in Temple and on Hill

2015 Arunachala Deepam

MahaDeepam 

[By Swami Abhisktananda 1970] 

"Towards five the singing stopped, as a procession emerged from the Kalyana Mandapam. It was the five murtis (Ganapati and Subramaniyar, the two sons of Shiva; the Bull Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle, Parvati, his consort; and finally Shiva himself) which were now coming attired in their most splendid garments and covered with flowers, to mix with the crowd so that they might have the darshan of the Holy Light. Immediately in front of the porch of the sanctuary stands a mandapam which was built in 1202 by Mangayarkarasi to provide a shelter for the Lords of the Temple during this annual function. The murtis passed through the crowd in their palanquins carried on the shoulders of the Brahmins. Once they were in their place, everyone’s attention was once more turned towards the Mountain and the chanting of mantras began again. 

The atmosphere became more and more tense. The sun had now disappeared behind the mountain, and the lengthening shadow of the mighty Linga of rock gradually spread across the sanctuary, the courtyards and the Gopurams. The great moment was drawing near for which everyone was waiting—the appearance of the Flame. Expectation filled every heart and showed on every face. It increased in harmony with the rhythm of the cosmos itself; as slowly beyond the horizon the moon rose into the sky, while in the depths of space the constellation of the Pleiades, of Krittika, appeared in the same direction. 

Suddenly there was the sound of an explosion, like a gunshot. Young Brahmin torch-bearers came running out of the inner sanctuary, brandishing their lighted torches at arm’s length. Priests offered the flame of the arati before the murti of Arunachala at its space under the mandapam. In front of the main gate a huge bronze cauldron, filled with oil, camphor and clarified butter, burst into a giant flame. 

And from the peak of the Mountain also, - on which all eyes had been fixed for the last full hour, not only in the Temple and the town, but in the whole countryside around to a distance of many leagues—the flame mounted up, manifesting both outwardly and in the heart of the faithful, the mystery of Light which from the beginning has at the same time hidden and revealed itself in Arunachala. 

That is all. The Flame has been seen. Joy and grace have filled all hearts. The crowd immediately begins to disperse, though it will be more than two hours before the Temple courts are completely empty. Each one as he leaves, goes to the bronze cauldron and casts into it his offering of camphor or of oil to be burnt up in the one great flame - a symbol of his own departure into the mystery of the Flame. 

Meanwhile the bearers up above begin their slow and difficult descent from the Mountain. They had climbed up early that morning in the first light of dawn, carrying jars of oil and clarified butter. The worthiest of their number were entrusted with bearing the sacred fire, taken from each of the Temple shrines, in order to light the Thibam flame. This had to be done at the very moment when, from their lofty observatory, they saw simultaneously the red sun disappearing in the west while the moon’s dish came over the horizon in the east. 

As soon as I left the Temple precincts amid the crow of faithful, I joined with many others in once more following the circular road round Arunachala . . . as I stepped into the cool air of the night . . . all the detailed features of the Mountain had disappeared. There was nothing to be seen but the sharp outline of its mystic triangle sketched against the sky. As the moon climbed majestically towards the zenith, it shed over it its silvery light, while all around was spread a mysterious shadow. 

The Mountain had become an immense lamp, from the top of which glittered the bright Fame. OM.” 

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Ten—Morning: Bharani Deepam

The chief priest has just finished a simple ritual called bharani deepam and now ceremoniously waves a huge camphor flame in the direction of nearby Arunachala mountain. Although he is chanting Sanskrit slokas, he cannot be heard amidst the deafening furor of devotion that surrounds him. Finally, he touches the flame he is holding to the wicks of five huge, earthen, ghee-filled pots, representing the sacred elements earth, air, fire, water and ether. 

As these five flames loom up with red-yellow light, the famous, one-day, South Indian festival of Krittika Dipam officially begins. A single flame is then taken from the pots and kept burning in the Temple throughout the day as a symbol of the merging of manifestation back into God, the one source of all. This single flame is referred to as the Bharani Deepam. 

Significance: 

"There is immense significance in this ceremony called Bharani Deepam. At this time, the universal Lord manifests as the five elements, which will later fully merge to become one when the Krittika Deepam flame is lit in the evening. From one to many and many to one. This is the whole essence of Saivism and the meaning of Krittika Deepam." 

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Nine—Night: Kailasha (Ravana) Vahanam

The below photographs are of the Alangarams of Lord Arunachaleswarar which on the Night of the 9 th Day of the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival will be mounted on the Kailasha (Ravana) Vahanam. 

Aarti to the Panchamoorthies at Kalayana Mandapam

Inside Temple Compound infront of the Yagasala (3rd Prakaram)

Priest adorning Lord Arunachaleswarar at the Yagasala

Kailasha (Ravana) or Ravananugraha-murti ("form showing favour to Ravana") is an aspect of Lord Siva depicted seated on his abode Mount Kailash with the Goddess Parvati while the rakshasa Ravana tries to shake the mountain. 

Ravananugraha at Arunachaleswarar Temple

The legend recorded in the Ramayana goes like this: 

The ten-headed, twenty-armed mighty King Ravana defeated and looted the city of Alaka (which belonged to his step-brother and God of wealth, Lord Kubera). After the victory, Ravana was returning to Lanka in the flying chariot stolen from Kubera, when he spotted a beautiful place which his chariot could not fly over. 
 

Ravana met Shiva's bull-faced dwarf attendant Nandikeshvara and asked the reason for his chariot's inability to pass over the place. Nandi informed Ravana that Siva and Parvati were enjoying dalliance on the mountain and no one was allowed to pass. 

Ravana mocked Siva and Nandi. Enraged by the insult to his Lord, Nandi cursed Ravana that monkeys would destroy him. In turn, Ravana decided to uproot the mountain Kailash, infuriated by Nandi's curse and his inability to proceed further. He put all his twenty arms under Kailash and started lifting. However, the omniscient Shiva realized that Ravana was behind the menace and pressed the mountain into place with his big toe, trapping Ravana beneath it. Ravana gave a loud cry in pain. Advised by his ministers, Ravana sang hymns in praise of Shiva for a thousand years. Finally, Siva forgave Ravana and granted him an invincible sword. Since Ravana cried, he was given the name "Ravana" – one who cried. 

Ravana Vahanam

The Tamil version of the legend narrates that imprisoned under Kailash, Ravana cut off one of his heads and built a veena from it. He used his tendons for the strings and began singing the praises of Siva which pleased the Lord so much that he bestowed a powerful linga to be worshipped by Ravana at Lanka. 

Taking Darshan of the Panchamoorthies on Day Nine—Night

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Nine—Day: Purusha Mrigu Vahanam

On the morning of the 9th Day of the 2015 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival, the Vahana of Lord Chandrasekhara, is that of Purusha Mrigu. 

Lord Chandrasekhara Alangaram

Ganesha Alangaram in Kalyana Mandapam

Taking darshan of the Lord on his Vahana, morning of the 9th Day

Crowds milling around Car Street on morning of 9th Day of Festival

Forefront Lord Ganesha on Mouse Vahanam and at back Lord Chandrasekhara on Purusha Mrigu Vahanam

Purushamriga in Indian mythology, is a creature with a human head and a lion’s body. It is described as the Indian Sphinx. Statues are often found outside temples, where it serves to take away the sins of entrants to the temple and to ward off evil from the sacred grounds. It is Sanskrit for “human-beast”.

Close-up of Purusha Mrigu on its way on Thiruvoodal Street

Cow and Horse Fair: Deepam 2015

The below photographs were taken this morning (Tuesday November 24, 2015). By now the number of cows and horses will have hugely increased as the Tiruvannamalai Deepam Cow (Horse) Fair is one of the most important and famous Cow Festival in Tamil Nadu. 

The Fair is located just passed the Government Arts College on NH 66. It is situated on both sides of the Highway, and on the South Side stretches down to Perumbakkam Road, and on the North Side all the way up to Arunachala. 

On both sides of the Highway there are shops selling accroutements for both Bulls, Cows and Horses. There are also buggies and carts set out for sale. 

Ropes, ornaments, bells and harnesses all for sale

By tomorrow afternoon these stalls will have multiplied expotentially

Snacks, Fruit Stalls, Tiffin Restaurants surround the Fair

For the first time ever, I notice three camels at the fair ready for kid rides

The Bullocks for sale are for work and breeding -- as they are specialist and hugely expensive

Some Superb looking Bullocks

Already Bullock teams attracting attention from potential purchasers

Some serious checking-out! The inspector must be an experienced handler, as such bullocks can be very fierce when handled by an amateur

Traditionally purchases are not finalised until the Deepam is lit on Arunachala (i.e. 6 p.m. November 25)

Within 24 hours, the fields will be covered with Bullocks, Cows, Horses and lots of people

These creatures are massively strong. Remember seeing a tractor stuck in a muddy field having to be towed out by bullocks . . . sometimes the old way really is the best way!

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Eight—Night: Vettu Kuthirai Vahanam

The third and final procession of Day 8, of the Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival, is that of the Vettu Kuthirai Vahanam and which takes place at night. 

The Panchamoorties being carried out of the Kalyana Mandapam

The Panchamoorties are carried palanquin style out of the Kalayana Mandapm, around the Siva Sannidhi, up to the Yagasala and then right through the centre of the Temple, to the east side and exiting at the Thittivasal. Between all the carrying the Gods also rest at three separate stations where they need to be supported by specially constructed brackets.

Brackets at the Yagasala, 3rd Prakaram

More brackets which will be utilised to support the weight of the Gods' Palanquins

Coming out of the Kalayana Mandapam: Arunachaleswarar and Ambal

The Gods circumambulating the Madaveedhis of Arunachaleswarar Temple

The Goddess with riding crop in hand -- She looks so very nice

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Eight—Early Evening: Lord Shiva as Pichandavar

On the 8th Day of Karthigai Deepam as celebrated at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, there are traditionally three different processions. The first in the morning is that of Lord Chandrashekara on the Horse Vahanam on its circumbulation and meeting of the Maharadham. The second procession on the 8th Day is that of Lord Pichandavar (which is Lord Siva in His manifestation as a beggar). The third procession, which occurs later in the night is that of the Lord on the Vahanam of a White Horse.

Lord Shiva as Pichandavar

Pichandavar (i.e. Beggar)

Beautiful detail work on Vahanam

All night processions brilliantly illuminated

Lord Shiva as Pichandavar 

One story of Lord Shiva in the form of Pichandavar (beggar) goes like this: 

Punithavathiar as Karaikal Ammaiyar was called (the only woman saint of the 63 Nayanars), was born in a Vaisya family. Her father was Danadathan. He was a wealthy virtuous merchant. He and his dutiful wife prayed to the Lord for a child, and the child the Lord blessed them with they called Punithavathy. From her childhood, Punithavathy had an intense love for Lord Siva and His bhaktas. She was married to Paramadattan, a wealthy Vaisya. Both of them were leading an ideal householder’s life. 

To read more go to an earlier posting on Arunachala Grace at this link here. 

2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival, Maharadham -- Trying to get it to move

Karthigai Deepam 2015. 7th Day celebrates the processon of 5 chariots. The biggest of which is the giant wooden chariot i.e. Maharadham. This year's function took place in unceasing, sheeting rain. Below is a video I uploaded this afternoon unto You Tube. 

2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival, Maharadham Karthigai Deepam 2015. 7th Day celebrates the processon of 5 chariots. The biggest of which is the giant wooden chariot i.e. Maharadham. This year's function took place in unceasing, sheeting rain. In this video, boys are jumping on levers placed under the giant back wheels of the Chariot, in order to propel it forward. The excitment and energy of the huge crowd is apparent from the audio. Late in the evening, the Maharadham (and the 4 other accompanying chariots) completed their circumambulation of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

In this video, boys are jumping on levers placed under the giant back wheels of the Chariot, in order to propel it forward. The excitment and energy of the huge crowd is apparent from the audio. Late in the evening, the Maharadham (and the 4 other accompanying chariots) completed their circumambulation of Arunachaleswarar Temple.

To ready the Arunachala Grace earlier posting on the Maharadham Procession, go to this link here.

2015 Deepam Festival. Day Eight—Day: Lord Chandrasekhara on Horse Vahana

In the previous post, I uploaded two photos of Lord Chandrasekhara on the Horse Vahanam as observed on the morning of Day Eight of the 2015 Deepam Festival. 

The below photographs show the connection between the procession of the Horse Vahanam, and that of the Maharadham. 

Musicians accompanying the procession

The Maharadham is parked in its usual spot at the side of Car Street

After circumambulation the Horse Vahanam comes to the Maharadham, which it turns towards and faces

Horse Vahanam faces the Maharadham

Temple Priests officiating a puja at a place between the two Radhams

Temple Priests

Puja performed on the street between the two Radhams

Garland placed on the Maharadham

I hope to give more information about the esoteric signficance of this puja later in my Arunachala Mystic Blog.