![]() |
Ayyankulam Tank in the daytime |
![]() |
First Evening Lord Chandrasekhara |
![]() |
Crowds at Tank Edge, First Evening |
![]() |
Second Evening, Amman Theppal
|
![]() |
Amman |
![]() |
Gods on Circumambulation |
![]() |
Stopping whenever requested |
![]() |
Ayyankulam Tank in the daytime |
![]() |
First Evening Lord Chandrasekhara |
![]() |
Crowds at Tank Edge, First Evening |
![]() |
Second Evening, Amman Theppal
|
![]() |
Amman |
![]() |
Gods on Circumambulation |
![]() |
Stopping whenever requested |
This fusion of Siva and Shakti representing the male and female halves, transcends the distinction and limitation of male and female and takes the Lord to a level beyond gender-manifest Brahman, realization of which means liberation. Siva is snow-white while Shakti is golden. He is substance while She is substrate. Siva is static; Shakti dynamic and creative. Siva is Being and Shakti is Becoming. He is One; She is many; He is Infinite and She renders the Infinite into finite; He is formless and She renders the Formless into myriad forms; But both are one. Siva and Shakti exist in Nirmala Turiya state (Stainless Purity).
When it comes to worship of Ardhanarishvara, some worship the Siva aspect and some worship the Shakti aspect. Siva is viewed as the Holder of Power, though he is inert. Siva is Shava (dead body) without Shakti. All the power in creation, maintenance, and dissolution rests with Shakti. But the Great Mother does not exist without Siva. When they become one Ardhanarishvara becomes a being of generative and constructive force.
Philosophically, this form portrays the boundless Grace of God. The formless God is called Parashiva. On Its own free-will for the benefit of pashus (souls), which are drowned in pasha (bondage), It thinks to create the worlds. Its dynamism of creation thus springs out of It, which is called Shakti. Now Shiva and Its power Shakti create everything. This is the form of their togetherness that makes every existence active. Siva and Shakti are one and the same Supreme. They are associated like the person and the action of the person. They are one and the same like ice and the water - one becomes the other. Shiva and Shakti are compared to gold and gold ornaments; they are the same; Shiva is hypostasis and when this force fuses with Shakti, it results in a multitude of manifestations.
[With thanks to A. Venkatraman]
*********************************************
The Light on the Hill Top
This was the first time that the little cubs were seeing the Deepam light on the top of the Arunachala Hill. They were all awe-struck at the sight.
The older cubs were telling the youngest one, six-month old Spotty, the story behind the fire on the hill-top.
Each one was telling his own version of the story and little Spotty was listening to each version with complete belief, unmindful of the inconsistencies.
Arunacub, who loved the Mahabharata, was telling Spotty of Vishnu and Brahma fighting with bows and arrows. Tirucub talked of Nandi the bull as Nandi the Hippo.
Mum Lioness had a difficult time controlling her laughter at this one. To read more, go here.
To give you an idea of the wonder of Deepam, here is a video of Deepam from a previous year. This evening, after Deepam is lit, I will post photographs of the occasion as I experience it at the Ashram of my Guru, Sri Nannagaru.
If you cannot see anything below, please enable the cookies on your browser at: Tools>Internet Options
One of the earliest references to Karthigai Deepam festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient.
Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy and indispensavle for the festival of Karthigai.
After the completion of the preliminary 3 day functions; Sri Durgambal on Kamadenu vahanam, Sri Pidariamman on Lion vahanam, Sri Vinayagar on Mooshiga vahanam, the ten days of Bhrammotsavam which takes place in the month of Kartikai (Scorpio, Nov 15 through December 15), started up today.
Each of these festival days is marked by a procession of the Pancha Murthis (5 God idols) inside the Big Temple and around the streets of Tiruvannamalai. The Gods are; Arunachaleswarar (Shiva), Unnamulaiyaal (Shakti, Parvati), Ganapati, Subramanian (Murugan) and Chandikeswarar in gaily decorated mounts.
Most noteworthy among the proceesions are the Rishabha Vahana Utsavam celebrated on the fifth evening (19th November) of the festival and the Rathotsavam (Maha Radham) Big Wooden Chariot around roads of town, celebrated on the seventh day of the festival (November 21st).
Order of Processions
First Day 15th November
Day: Panchamoorthies
Five Deities Silver Chariot
Night: Panchamoorthies
Mooshigan Mayil (Peacock), Adihara Nandi (Bull),
Sina Rishaba Chariots
********************
Second Day, 16th November
Day: Sri Vinayagar
Sri ChandrasekaraVimanams
(Chariots) of Sooriya Prabha; the Sun.
Night: Panchamoorthies
Silver Indra Vimanam Chariots
********************
Third Day, 17th November
Day: Sri Vinayagar
Sri Chandrasekara in new Vahanams
Night: Panchamoorthies
Simha (Lion) Vaahanamam,
Silver Swan etc
********************
Fourth Day, 18th November
Day: 1008 Sanka Abishekam,Sri Vinayagar,
Sri Chandrasekara Vimanams - Naga (Cobra) Vahanam
Night: Panchamoorthies
Silver Kalpatraru, Kamadenu (Cow of Plenty),
Ruby and Silver Chariots.
********************
Fifth Day, 19th November
Day: Sri Vinayagar
Sri Chandraskara Glass, Rishaba Vahanams, Silver Elephant
MAJOR PROCESSION Night: Panchamoorthies
Silver Mooshigan,Silver Mayil
Large Silver Bull Rishaba Vahanam
********************
Sixth Day, 20th November
Day: Sixty-Three Nayanmars (Saints)
Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandraskara Mooshikan
Night: Panchamoorthies
Indra Vimanam - Silver Car, Etc.
********************
Seventh Day, 21st November
BIGGEST AND GRANDEST PROCESSION
Big Wooden Chariot -
The Maha Radham around roads of town
Night: Panchamoorthies reach Ashthana Mandapam
********************
Eighth Day, 22nd November
Day: Sri Vinayagar,Sri Chandrasekara, Silver Chariot
Night: Panchamoorthies start with Horse
Vahanams etc at night 4.p.m. Pichandavar in Golden Meru
********************
Ninth Day, 23rd November
Day: Sri Vinayagar,Sri Chandrasekara, Glass Vimanam
Night: Panchamoorthies
Kailasa Vahanam,
Kamadenu - Cow of plenty
Raveneswaram Vahanam etc.
********************
Tenth Day, 24th November
MAHADEEPAM DAY
4 a.m. Maha Barani
Day: Tank Teertham
Ceremony 4.00 A.M.
Dusk: Panchamoorthies in Golden Vimanams
6 p.m. Deepam fire on top of Mountain.
Tank Ceremony
********************
Tank Ceremony
25th November
Day: Sri Chandrasekara Boating Festival
Night: Panchamoorthies in Golden Rishaba Vimanams.
********************
Tank Ceremony
26th November
Day: Sri Parasakthi Boating Festival
Night: 7 p.m Sri Arunachaleswara
and Mother Apeethakuchalambal
Sri Chandikeswarar
********************
Tank Ceremony
27th November
Day: Sri Subramania Boating Festival
********************
Tank Ceremony
28th November
Day: Sri Chandikeswarar Festival
Night: Sri Chandikeswarar Utsavam
Rishaba Vahanam
Silver Bull.
The first stop of this Sri Nannagaru hillround is a Ganesha Shrine. In the below photograph devotees of Swamiji are crowding around (thereby hiding him from view) at the front of the Ganesha shrine.
Even though Sri Nannagaru performs his hillround as a private affair, he is also courteous and friendly with many of the people following him on his girivalam. Sometimes Swamiji will take the time to stop and bless various followers.