Lord Indra has a
special significance with Arunachala, as He is 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) and devotees are blessed with long life and
prosperity on worshipping it.
Indra is the King
of the Gods and ruler of the heavens. He 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.
The formidable
thunderbolt-wielding Indra strikes an imposing figure but as king of the Gods
he is generally benevolent, being generous to his worshippers, guaranteeing
peace and prosperity and delivering beneficial rainstorms to end droughts. He
can also be called upon in times of war to give support with His Divine weapons,
thus assuring a favourable intervention and outcome.
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| Lord Arunachaleswarar and Sakthi Amman being carried through Temple |
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| The Lord mounted on Silver Indra Vimana |
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| Young lad on horn |
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| Process of the panchamoorthies through Tiruvannamalai |
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| Large number of pilgrims attending all functions |
