The
Flag Hoisting ceremony which took place at Arunachaleswarar Temple this morning
on Thursday, 23 November, 2017 marks the first day of the 2017 Karthigai Deepam
Festival at Arunachala.
Symbolically,
hoisting the flag suggests setting out to conquer—and a devotee comes to the Temple to conquer his
ego and gain control over his baser nature with the help of the Supreme Being.
The Sanskrit word for the flag is ‘Dhvaja’ and it means whatever is raised. In
the religious sense, whatever raises man to a higher level of understanding and
activity is a ‘Dhvaja.’ The flag also suggests hope and desire to overcome
ignorance. A Temple visit invigorates the devotee, recharging him with strength
and bravery to face hardships knowing that ultimately those who have
surrendered to the will of God find victory.
Kings
of old in order to exhibit their Lordship over their kingdom and proclaim their
continuing rulership would hoist a flag above their battlements or palace. The
Dhvaja which suggests the victory of good over evil is a symbol of victory and
superior wealth. It signifies commanding respect, patriotism and kingship. The
flag nowadays is raised to honour God who is seen as the King of Kings—the Supreme Power.
The
history of a Temple flag on the Dwajasthambam (Dwajasthambam—Flag Pole) is that
it marks an inauguration of a major Utsava at the Temple. The flag also serves
as a signal to indicate to the people and visitors of the town that an Utsava
is underway. Dhwajarohanam is a public act of sankalpa (an action made to
impress an idea on the mind) which indicates a vow undertaken (in this case) by
the people of the town to celebrate Brahmostavam.
Old
customs dedicated that no-one present within the town limits on the occasion of
the Dhwajarohanam was expected to leave the town or do any other thing such as
marriage etc., until after the end of the Festival. The close of the Festival
is marked by the Dhwajavarohanam or the lowering of the flag.
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| Crowd gathering to view the Flag Hoisting ceremony |
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| Lord Arunachaleswarar coming out of the Siva Sannidhi |
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| Sakthi Amman being carried on palanquin to the ceremony |
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| The God and Goddess positioned to view the hoisting of the flag |
