Pre-Deepam: Day 1 Durgai Amman Temple—2021 Karthigai Deepam Festival

 

On Sunday November 7, the 2021 Karthigai Deepam Festival commenced at a function which included special abhishekam and procession at the Durgai Amman Temple, Chinnakadai Street, Tiruvannamalai.

 

3 Celebratory Days pre-Deepam Festival, 2020

 

There are three celebratory days before the start of the 10 Day Deepam Festival. 

On the first of these three days, Durga Amman is worshipped at the Durga Amman Temple. 

On the second day the Goddess Pidari is worshipped at the 3rd Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

On the third day Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the 3rd Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

This year a very limited version of the Deepam Festival is being observed at Tiruvannamalai. I am receiving photographs of the various functions, but plan to post only the more natural ones that do not show devotees wearing masks. In this respect devotees carrying the Gods on palanquins are all wearing masks.

However priests performing Ursavam on the Gods and accompanying them upon processional chariots around the Temple Compound are not wearing masks. 

 

Durgai Amman Alangaram, 2020 Deepam Festival

 

Pidari Amman Alangaram, 2020 Deepam Festival

Lord Vinayakar Alangaram, 2020 Deepam Festival

Lord Vinayakar procession Temple compound, 2020 Deepam Festival

There is an excellent write up and explanation of the above  functions held on the three consecutive days prior to the commencement of the 10-day Deepam Festival, at this link here.

Durga Amman Temple 2016 Mahakumbhabhishekam Function

Mahakumbhabhishekam is held either to formally consecrate a new Temple or reconsecrate an old one, and generally occurs at twelve-year intervals or specifically following renovation, extensive cleaning or renewal. 

Kumbhabhishekam is a Hindu Temple ritual that is believed to homogenize, synergize and unite the mystic powers of the deity. Kumbha means the Head and denotes the Shikhara or Crown of the Temple (usually in the Gopuram) and Abhishekam is ritual bathing, (hence the term Kumbha + Abhishekam). 

During this elaborate event, homams conducted according to the agamas, are performed by priests in the Yagasala outside the Temple over the preceding days. These homams infuse divinity and spiritual power into kalasas (sanctified pots) filled with consecrated water. 

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. 

Now that the restoration and renewal work undertaken over the last couple of years, has been completed at Durga Amman Temple, Mahakumbhabhishekam was held this week at what is one of the most significant Temples at Arunachala. 

Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai

One of the most famed Temples at Tiruvannamalai

Ceremonies being undertaken inside Temple Compound

Below a pictorial record of the ceremonies and functions undertaken at this time at the Durga Amman Temple.

Homams at Temple