2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Pidari Amman Urchavam—Tuesday November 21, 2017

The Pidari Amman Shrine is located in the Third Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. In front of the Shrine stands a huge stone Trishul (Trident). On Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Pidari Urchavam was observed at this Shrine.

Goddess Pidari is an aspect of Kali in a rural setting and regarded as a consort of Siva. Pidari is the ferocious aspect of Amman. The Mother Goddess gives life but Kali takes life. Goddess Pidari is the feminine form of Kala—time. Kali is the energy or the power of time. Her blackness swallows all that exists and the emptiness of space is her clothing, for when the Universe is dissolved, the power of time remains without maya (veil).

Kali’s extension, Pidari and her worship; evolved as a fighter and warrior and gained importance with the influence of Tantrism where she is known as Kala Pidari. The Pidari Goddess, in line with Shakti manifestations, emphasises fierce symbolism. At times Pidari is the sole resident deity in a village. As devata, She is the all-in-all for the village from simple prayers to divine blessings. Otherwise she watches over the main deity of a temple in her role as ‘kaval deivam’ while taking her seat in a structure on the right hand side of a temple entrance. She joins the ‘kavaldeivam’ or Protection Gods’ similar to that of Ayyanar, Muniandy, Karuppana Swamy or Veerabhadra, all of whom are warrior-protection village gods.

Pidari shares Kali’s attributes and is depicted holding a noose, trident, skull cup and a pointed knife. The noose is sometimes replaced by ankusha—the elephant goad. The damaru that she holds is entwined by a snake, thus sharing Siva’s characteristics. She has flaming hair and three eyes. Sometimes her breasts are decorated with snakes. She has a terrifying appearance with long incisor teeth to frighten off evil spirits. Her sculptures are sometimes synonymous with Goddess Mariamman and lime strung as a garland—‘elumichai malai’ is her favourite.

Goddess Pidariamman Alangaram

The Goddess on procession on way to the Pidariamman Shrine

Pidariamman Shrine, 3rd Prakaram

Huge stone Trishul in front of the Pidariamman Shrine

After puja at Shrine, the Goddess carried out of Arunchaleswarar Temple through the Thitti Vassal Gate

The Goddess on her Simha Vahana in Mandapam

The Goddess will now be taken on procession around the perimeter (mada veedhis) streets around Arunachaleswarar Temple

2017 Adi Pooram: Arunachaleswarar Temple—Flag Raising

The below sequence of photographs were taken yesterday (Monday 17 July,  2017) on the first day of Adi Pooram as observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

After puja and aarti Goddess Unnamulai is carried to the Flag Post mandapam where she views the Flag Raising ceremony in the 3rd Prakaram of the Temple.

Alankaram of Goddess Unnamulai

Aarti offered to the Goddess

Goddess Carried out of Shrine to view the Flag Raising Ceremony

The Goddess is to the right watching the Ceremony

Adi Pooram Flag Raising Ceremony for Adi Pooram Festival

Aarti being offered to the Mother not showing on photograph. Nice snap of Nandi in front of the Flagpost

The schedule for the Adi Pooram Festival is listed in my previous posting at this link here. However Adi Pooram will not only be observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple but at all other Shakti Temples throughout Tiruvannamalai. 

A favoured darshan for the final day puja, this year will occur on Wednesday 26 July, 2017 at 6 p.m. at the Temple of Sri Rajarajeshwari off the Girivalam Roadway. 

Adi Pooram Puja, Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple 2016

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

Pidari Ursavam, 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival

In the evening of November 14, 2015 Pidari Ursavam was observed at the Pidari Shrine, which is located in the 3rd Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

The Goddess

In front of the Pidari shrine, which faces North, there is a stone trident and two Bali peethas or sacrificial altars. Inside the Pidari shrine are representations of; Ganesha, Sapta Kanyas or seven ‘Matris’ (chiselled in separate stones), a severed head of a Goddess with a crown and Nidambasudani who gives darshan with eight arms. This severed head represents ‘Renuka’ the Goddess worshipped at Padaiveedu, a town about 30 miles from Tiruvannamalai. Renuka represents the ‘Formidable’ the ‘Fearful’ aspect of Kali, the consort of Siva. The stoned head of ‘Reunka’ is about 2½ high and although it has a slightly damaged nose, is a very beautiful image. 

Pidari Shrine, 3rd Prakaram, Big Temple

Goddess Pidari is Kali in a rural setting and regarded as being a consort of Siva. Pidari is the ferocious aspect of Amman. The Mother Goddess gives life but Kali takes life. Goddess Pidari is the feminine form of Kala—time. Kali is the energy or the power of time. Her blackness swallows all that exists and the emptiness of space is her clothing, for when the Universe is dissolved, the power of time remains without maya (veil). 

Kali’s extension, Pidari and her worship; evolved as a fighter and warrior and gained importance with the influence of Tantrism where she is known as Kala Pidari. The Pidari Goddess, in line with Shakti manifestations, emphasises fierce symbolism. At times Pidari is the sole resident deity in a village. As devata, She is the all-in-all for the village from simple prayers to Divine blessings. 

Goddess circumambulating the Temple perimeter streets

This Goddess also watches over the main deity of a Temple in Her role as ‘kaval deivam’ while taking Her seat in a structure on the right hand side of a Temple’s entrance. She joins the ‘kavaldeivam’ or Protection Gods’ similar to that of Ayyanar, Muniandy, Karuppana Swamy or Veerabadhra, all of whom are warrior-protection village gods. 

Goddess procession