Duty Over and Coming Down

I recently received a copy of the below photo of the 2012 Deepam Cauldron on its way down the Hill after completion of this year's Deepam Festival. This year the Deepam Flame was alight for 11 nights. 

Well done to you -- and now time to rest until next year's duty. And that is exactly what will happen as the cauldron will be left undisturbed and carefully stored in a special room at Arunachaleswarar Temple until Deepam 2013. 

Indira Vimana, Night 2, Deepam 2012

The second night of Deepam celebrations is of the resplendent Indira Vimanam. As always the chariots perform a full rounding of the Temple outside its perimeter wall. The chariots are being pulled by tractor, it is not until later in the week that the chariots are pulled by devotees.

Chariots outside Raja Gopuram concourse

Alangaram at Temple Tank

Indira Vimanam

Panthakkal Preceding 2012 Deepam

An invitation from Arunachaleswarar Temple for Panthakkal preceding the 2012 Arunachala Deepam, was recently released. 

For those who do not read Tamil, an English translation follows further down this posting:- 

The Government of Tamil Nadu, Hindu Charitable Temple Department of Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Good Morning. 

In the Agni Sthalam (Tiruvannamalai) on 15-11-2012 to 01-12-2012 the Deepam Festival is going to be commenced in regard to that Thiruvalluvar 2043 Nandana Year, Month Purattasi 10, (English date 26-09-2012) on Wednesday Morning between 6.00 a.m. to 7.15 a.m., Panthakkal is to be organised. 

Panthakkal Murutham is to be organised with the blessings of Arulmigu Sambandha Vinayaka. 

At this Shrine in the Temple; Abhishekam and Aarti will be organised. At that time everyone is invited. Come and get blessings from Arunachala.