Aani Pramotsavam Theerthavari: Ayyankulam Tank July 17, 2023

 

Aani Pramotsavam Theerthavari: Ayyankulam Tank July 17, 2023

 

Below is a very nice selection of photos of the Aani Pramotsavam Theerthavari function conducted at the Ayyankulam Tank on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Shani Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple: Saturday, 1 July, 2023

 

The importance of observing Pradosha is described in the Pradosha Mahatmyam from the Shiva Purana. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.

 

 

The first Pradosham of July, 2023 fell today Saturday (July 1) and is thus known as Shani Pradosham or Shani Pradosham Vrata. According to Hindu astrology Saturn is known to affect one adversely on occasions when it placed in a certain position in one's horoscope. A prayer to God, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate one’s hardships. Thus, it is believed that by observing a Vrata (vow) and offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Shani Pradosham, one can escape from the ill effects of Lord Shani (one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial Gods).

 

4th Prakaram Chinna Nandi

Shani Pradosham is classified into Uthama Shani Pradhosham, Mathima Shani Pradhosham, and Athama Shani Pradhosham.

 

Uthama Shani Pradhosha is the Shani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Shani Pradhosham occurs during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during waning period. All other Shani Pradhoshams come under the category Athama Shani Pradhosha.

 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

Abhishekam occurred upon all 5 Temple Nandis i.e.  Pradosha Nandi in the Moolastanam, Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the Second Prakaram, Kodi Kampathu Nandi in the Third Prakaram (near Flagpost), Chinna Nandi in the fourth prakaram and Periyar Nandi that stands in front of the Vallala Gopuram in the Fifth Prakaram.

Aani Thirumanjanam Procession — Arunachaleswarar Temple: June 26, 2023

 

Aani Uthiram, or Aani Thirumanjanam, is an auspicious day in the Tamil Month of Aani (June-July) and is dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva). It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi.

 

After completion of abhiskeham which took place in the 1000 Pillar Hall (link here at Arunachala Mystic) the Gods are taken out of the Hall and after turning right (in front of the Murugan Shrine) proceed through the gardens to the Thirumanjana Gate and exit Arunachaleswarar Temple on the start of circumambulation of the mada veedhis (perimeter streets) of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

 

The Gods leave 1000 Pillar Hall on Procession and circumambulation of Temple Perimeter Streets

 

Dancing with Shiva 

The world is seen as it truly is — sacred — when we behold Siva's cosmic dance. Everything in the Universe, all that we see, hear and imagine, is movement. Galaxies soar in movement; atoms swirl in movement. All movement is Siva's dance. When we fight this movement and think it should be other than it is, we are reluctantly dancing with Siva. We are stubbornly resisting, holding ourselves apart, criticizing the natural processes and movements around us.

 

It is by understanding the eternal truths that we bring all areas of our mind into the knowledge of how to accept what is and not wish it to be otherwise. Once this happens, we begin to consciously dance with Siva, to move with the sacred flow that surrounds us, to accept praise and blame, joy and sorrow, prosperity and adversity in equanimity, the fruit of understanding. We are then gracefully, in unrestrained surrender, dancing with Siva. The Vedas state, "The cosmic soul is truly the whole Universe, the immortal source of all creation, all action, all meditation. Whoever discovers Him, hidden deep within, cuts through the bonds of ignorance even during his life on earth."

[By Satguru Sivaya Subrmauniyaswami]