2016 Mahashivaratri Pictorial Report

Disappointingly because of work currently underway at Arunachaleswarar Temple in the way of restoration, cleaning and renovations, and according to the Sastras, certain traditions usually observed in these parts during Mahashivaratri, had to be dropped. In this respect the lighting of the 1000 jyothis around the Temple tanks and compound floors did not occur as it was felt that there was a fire hazard with the many flammable materials around the Gopurams and Shrines. 

Also as work is currently underway at the Temple's major Shrines, this year the tradition of the giant salt crystal Kolams on the Temple Compound Floor was also postponed. Happily after the upcoming Mahakumbhabhishekam Function scheduled for June 2016, the traditions of Festivals will once again be observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Early on March 7, crowds start milling around at Temple Flagstaff

Devotees queuing to enter the Shiva Sannidhi for darshan

Devotees performing puja on "floating lingam" on plinth outside Siva Sannidhi

Although the 1,000 jyothis around the Tanks and Temple floors were not allowed this year, some devotees lighting their individual jyothis near Flagstaff outside the Siva Sannidhi

As the day of March 7 develops into dusk the queues for Lord Siva's darshan extend into the 4th Prakaram

 

Dusk descending and the night of Mahashivaratri commences

Cultural program inside the 3rd Prakaram

Varied and inspirational devotional music and singing throughout the night

Young girls performing Bharat Natyam dancing in cultural programme

In evening the Gods on procession giving darshan

Outside Flagstaff at Siva Sannidhi

Lights and Colour of Nights 1 and 2: 2015 Karthigai Festival

The crowds throughout the Karthigai Deepam Festival are huge and energetic. Processions, music, street programmes, cultural programmes, illuminations all add to the fervour and excitement of these times. 

Below are photographs from the first two evenings of the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

Musicians add to the energy and excitement of the processions

Illuminations and lights throughout Arunachaleswarar Temple

The Gods beautifully illuminated at an Arunachaleswarar Temple Theertham

In the below photograph the vahanam of Adhikara Nandi (of the first evening), is waiting at the Alankaram Mandapam outside the main east gate of the Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple, to be decorated and receive its Gods.

Adhikara Nandi Vahanam

The Vahanam decorated and ready for circumambulation of the Temple

The below photograph is of the Indira Vahanam of the 2nd Night of the Festival, awaiting to be decorated and receive its God.

Indira Vahanam at Alankaram Mandapam

While at Alankaram Mandapam priests prepare the Vahanam

Beautifully illuminated and decorated Vahanam

Indira Vahanam ready for Temple Circumambulation

Lord Arunachaleswarar on Indira Vahanam

On the Streets -- 2014 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival

The below photographs are a pictorial representations of some of the sights at Tiruvannamalai during the 2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

Arriving at the main bus stand

Girivalam crowd taking both sides of the roadway

Crowds on Car Street

Crowd during a God procession

Girivalam crowds early in morning

Massive lamps in evidence throughout the Festival

Carrying large child in Karumpu Thuthi (sugar cane sling)

Ladies burning camphor in front of Temple

Barbers busy outside and inside Temple shaving heads

Hair shaving becoming traditional during Arunachala Karthigai Deepam

Flower sellers outside Raja Gopuram (East Gate) of Big Temple

Big Temple trying to keep up with garland demands for alangarams

Shops and stalls in Tirvannamalai full of lamps and lights

Priests during Silver Bull night at Temple

Priests and Brahmins throughout Tiruvannamalai

Sadhu inside Arunachaleswarar Temple

Sadhini with wonderful kumkum pottu at Big Temple

2013 Arunachala Deepam Festival Photographs

RIGHT CLICK ON PHOTOGRAPHS TO VIEW ENLARGEMENT

The below photographs are of the culmination of the 2013 Deepam Festival celebrated at Tiruvannamalai by the lighting of the Deepam Cauldron at the top of Arunachala and also inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

The first photograph is of the blessing of the Cauldron inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple before it starts its long trip to the top of Arunachala. 

Rukku's blessing of the Cauldron

Cauldron leaving the Temple on its way to top of Arunachala

The next series of photographs show the fisherman (who are traditionally in charge of the Cauldron, including its lighting) filling the Cauldron with ghee and wick. The small bottles of ghee have been donated by devotees, who often climb the hill during the period the Cauldron is alight to personally deliver their ghee offerings. Large containers of ghee from the Temple are also carried up the Hill to fill the Cauldron. 

Individual ghee pot offerings for the Cauldron

Fishermen devotees preparing the Cauldron

Wick previously waiting inside the Temple waiting to be carried up the Hill

Filling the Cauldron with the wick

 Arunachaleswarar Temple from Hilltop, notice the crowds in compound

The next two photographs are of devotees climbing Arunachala to be as close as possible to the Deepam Cauldron to view the lighting. From early morning one can see a column of devotees climbing the Hill from the Temple side. From a distance the column looks like a line of ants.

Some devotees marking their spot for the Mahadeepam Function

Other Devotees eager to climb higher to the top of the Hill

The next two photos are of the lighting of the 2013 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Cauldron

Lighting of 2013 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam

2013 Deepam

While the lighting is occurring at the top of Arunachala, so too a smaller cauldron is being lit inside Arunachaleswarar Temple outside the Siva Sannidhi, near the flagstaff. At the culmination of the Deepam function inside Arunachaleswarar Temple, the statue of Ardhanarishvara is carried into the crowds. This is the only time in the year that this statue leaves its permanent place inside the Temple.

Arunachaleswarar Temple with 2013 Deepam Lights

The statue of Ardhanarishvara (Shiva-Parvati)

The Deepam Flame was burning on the Hill this year for 11 days. In olden times the Deepam pot remained on the top of the Hill and was only taken down the Hill when it was being repaired or replaced. Nowadays the Cauldron is taken up just before Mahadeepam and after its completion is brought back down to Arunachaleswarar Temple to its permanent home in the 1,000 Pillared Hall. Where it will remain until next Deepam at which time it will be repaired (if necessary) and repainted. 

Koparai Puja for the Deepam pots (from top of Hill and Temple)

I have a full collection of photographs of each day of the 2013 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival which will be soon uploaded with full narratives onto Arunachala Samudra. 

In this respect Arunachala Samudra website welcomes contributions be they financial, submission of narratives, articles or photographs, in support and development of what will be the definitive Arunachala Website. There is a PayPal function located at the left column of this Blog. For information regarding alternative methods of sending donations please email via the address located at the top left of Arunachala Grace. Thank you.