Pictorial Report: 2016 Adi Puram Arunachaleswar Temple -- Firewalking Ceremony

The last part of the 2016 Adi Pooram festivities observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple was the Firewalking ceremony conducted in front of the Mother’s Shrine in the Temple’s 3rd Prakaram. Devotees prepare for their firewalk at the Temple’s Theertham. Great logs are burnt down and the burning embers laid in front of the Mother’s Shrine at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The Mother is brought out by palanquin from Her shrine to watch Her devotees perform their firewalk, as a test and celebration of their devotion to the Divine. 

I have written at length about the symbolism and unique significance of this firewalk ceremony at Arunachaleswarar Temple—a Shiva Sthalam. For more information please refer to an earlier posting at this link here. 

Logs being prepared for the firewalk ceremony

Mother being brought to the front of her Shrine to watch the Ceremony

Specially approved Devotees who will be undertaking the firewalk ceremony

Burning embers placed in front of the Mother's Shrine: 3rd Prakaram

Devotees rushing over the burning embers

2016 Adi Pooram Firewalking Ceremony: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Pictorial Report: 2016 Adi Puram Arunachaleswar Temple -- Vallaikappu Ceremony

Abhishekam was performed on the Goddess Parashakti Amman at the Vallaikappu Mandapam in the 5th Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple in the evening of Adi Pooram, Friday 5th August, 2016. This was followed by distribution of bangles at 5 p.m. Around 6 p.m. Goddess Parashakti Amman was carried in procession from the Mandapam and returned Her Shrine at the 3rd Prakaram. 

On this day of Adi Pooram glass bangles are offered to Ambal and then distributed to devotees. These bangles are said to provide offspring and generally protect one from evils. In addition Valaikaappu is a Festival during which a pregnant woman wears glass bangles, the sound of which is said to protect her and the child from evil forces. 

Abhishekam of the Goddess at the Valaikappu Mandapam, Big Temple

Crowds of ladies watching the Abhisekam of the Goddess

The Goddess with her glass bangles at the Mandapam

Goddess Parashakti Amman after Abhishekam at Mandapam