Durgai Ursavam Pre-2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival

This year the first three days of the 17 day Deepam Festival started off last night (November 30, 2016) at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai. The reason for the unique connection with the Goddess at Durga Amman Temple with the Karthigai Festival is believed to be because of the Goddess and her fight with the demon Mahisha. Go to this link to read ‘The Fight with Mahisasura’. 

In the Mahishasura legend, before fighting with the demon, the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri. 

Ordering, that: 

 

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penance at Her ashram." 

[The Glory of Arunachala] 

In accordance with the mythology of Arunachala, Durga is recognised as Guardian of Arunachala and thus a precursor of the Deepam Festival is always a celebration of this aspect of the Goddess. 

Durgai Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai

Aarti of the Goddess

Leaving the Shrine

After being carried around the outside of the Shrine, the Goddess on Palanquin ready to leave Temple compound

Being carried from Temple to the Goddess' vahana

Goddess on her Kamadhenu Vahana giving darshan to devotees

Friday: January 29, 2016 -- Mahakumbhabhishekam Durga Amman Temple

Today the ceremony of Mahakumbhabhishekam was completed at the Durga Amman Temple Tiruvannamalai. Over the course of the previous week homams were conducted in the Temple compound consecrating and sanctifying waters in order to bathe the Kumbha (pinnacles) of the Vimanas at the Temple.

A Maha Kumbhabhishekam is held either to formally consecrate a new temple or reconsecrate an old one, which usually occurs at twelve-year intervals, following renovation, extensive cleaning and renewal. The rites culminate with the priests' pouring sanctified water over the temple spires, each of which resembles an inverted pot, or kumbha. Leading up to the consecration, a number of rituals are performed by the sthapati (main temple architect) in charge of the construction or renovation. 

Divine Power is transferred back to the deities by performing an abhishekam (salutary bathing) to the Vigrahas and Vimanas (pinnacles) on the roof with the sanctified holy waters from the kalasas accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. On that day at the designated auspicious time, when the Kumbha is bathed with the charged and sanctified holy waters contained in the sacrificial pots, consecrated and sanctified pranic powers trickle down a silver wire and enter the Deity installed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple.

After the consecration of the Vimanas on top of the Temple, worship is then specifically performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum in which further pranic powers are transferred to the Deities.

Pouring consecrated water over Kumbha

Kumbha on Gopuram Main Gate being sanctified with holy water

In the above photograph at the back of the Durga Amman Temple and inset into the Hill itself, is the famed Pavala Kundru Temple. To view photographs of his unique Temple go to this link here.

Wonderful photograph of ritual with Arunachala in background

Durgai Ursavam 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival

This year the first three days of the 17 day Festival started off at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai on November 13, 2015. The reason for the unique connection with the Goddess at Durga Amman Temple to the Karthigai Festival is believed to be because of the Goddess and her fight with the demon Mahisha. Go to this link to read ‘The Fight with Mahishasura’. 

Arti to the Goddess at the Durga Amman Temple

In the Mahishasura legend, before fighting with the demon, the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri. Ordering, that: 

Goddess on her Kamadhenu Vahana (wish fulfilling cow)

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penance at Her ashram." 

[The Glory of Arunachala] 

Goddess giving darshan outside Durga Amman Temple

In accordance with the mythology of Arunachala, Durga is recognised as Guardian of Arunachala and thus a precursor of the Deepam Festival is always a celebration of this aspect of the Goddess. 

After worship and arti, the Goddess on her circumambulation

Durgai Ursavam—November 23, 2014

The Brahmmotsavam of Karthigai Deepam Festival in Tiruvannamalai is not confined to the Temple alone but involves the whole town. The rituals and ceremonies connected with it have endured for centuries. On the first 3 days of the 17 day Festival various functions occur at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai, and on the last four days of the Festival, functions include Theepal of various Gods on Ayyankulam Tank (Arunagirinathar Temple), and Hill rounding by the Gods on their chariots in order that they may give darshan and blessings to those who live around the Hill.

The three days of functions dedicated to Goddess Durga started last night (23 November, 2014) with Durgai Ursavam.

The reason for the unique connection with the Goddess at Durga Amman Temple to the Karthigai Festival is believed to be because of the Goddess and her fight with the demon Mahisha. Go to this link to read ‘The Fight with Mahishasura’.

In the Mahishasura legend, before fighting with the demon, the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri. Ordering, that:

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penance at Her ashram."

[The Glory of Arunachala]

In accordance with the mythology of Arunachala, Durga is recognised as a Guardian of Arunachala and thus a precursor of the Deepam Festival is always a celebration of this aspect of the Goddess.

The Deepam itself which is lit on the night of MahaDeepam, depending on the advice of Priests consulting their astrological texts, can last from a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of 13 days. This year the lighting will take place on December 5, 2014.

The main Festival lasts for 10 days and will begin on Uttradam day (November 26, 2014) with flag hoisting (dhwajarohanam) marking the beginning of festivities. After this ceremony, the image of Arunachaleswarar along with other deities are installed in the Kalyana Mandapam, where they remain housed for the next 10 days so that visiting devotees may have darshan.

Processions occur both day and day inside the Temple and around the outside perimeter of Arunachaleswarar Kovil.

Palayam Puja -- Durga Amman Temple, September 2013

A Palayam Puja was performed at Durga Amman Temple on September 11, 2013 in connection with restoration and renovation work that is to be undertaken at the Temple. After the renovation work is completed next year, it will be followed by an elaborate Mahakumbhabhiskeham. 

Homam being conducted, Palayam Puja

Head Priest of Big Temple (in gold centre) in charge of Function

Blessing areas that are to be renovated, restored

The Durga Amman Temple is the only Tiruvannamalai Temple that actually participates in functions with Arunachaleswarar Temple during Karthigai Deepam. 

One reason for this is supposed to be because of the battle beween the Goddess Durga with the demon Mahishasura (see ‘The Fight with Mahishasura'). Before her battle the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri. She ordered: 

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penace at Her ashram." [The Glory of Arunachala] 

For this reason, the first day of Deepam Festival is always a celebration of the Goddess, who is recognised as a Guardian of Arunachala. 

Deepavali Blessings from the Goddess at Arunachala

WISHING ALL, GRACE AND LIGHT DURING
THIS JOYOUS FESTIVAL

Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Unamulai

Goddess Shrine at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Goddess Rajarajeshwari,
Shrine on Girivalam Roadway

Goddess Rajarajeshwari

Goddess Durga Amman Temple

Goddess Periyar Karuamman Temple

Pavala Kundru Temple, Arunachala Hill Spur

Goddess Pachaiamman Temple,
South East Arunachala

Durgambal Procession

Saturday 29th November marked the beginning of the 2008 Deepam Festival with the procession of Durgambal seated on Kamadhenu (the wish fulfilling cow) being taken on a clockwise procession from Durga Amman Temple around the perimeter streets of the 26 acre Arunachaleswarar Temple and thereafter returning back to her own Temple. The first photograph is of the statue at the Durga Temple before being placed on the Kamadhenu.

Below a close-up of the Goddess.

This year large screens have been installed around Arunachaleswarar Temple, and one giant screen inside, so that later days of the Festival can be seen by the greatest number of devotees. The procession through the town plays a very important role in maintaining a living relationship with the ordinary folk going about their business throughout the day, who sometimes may not have sufficient opportunities to attend functions inside the Temple itself. As is always the case in such functions, the procession stops whenever people along the route make offerings.

In the above photograph the Goddess is seated on Kamadhenu (the cow) at one of the Gopurams (entrances) of the Big Temple (Arunachaleswarar). Decorations are already up at the Big Temple and like last year I hope to post a photograph from Arunachala Hill looking downwards to the Temple, to show the beautiful brightly-lit Arunachaleswarar Koil.