Ganesha Going For Immersion

Was in town yesterday on errands, and while there was fortunate to be able to see some very nice Ganesha statues and floats on their way to various tanks and tirthams for immersion. The most popular spot for Ganesha immersion is at the Tamari Nagar tank. To read an earlier posting on Arunachala Grace about the Ganesha Festival and immersion, go to this link here. 

Ganesha on a Bullock Cart near Thiruvoodal Street

Big Temple Gopurams in the background

The lads seem to be having a grand time

Very stately looking Vinayakas

 Vinayaka waiting to be picked up and taken for his immersion

Vinayaka at Ramana Nagar giving darshan to passer-bys

Arunachala Newsletter -- September, 2008

If you are not yet a subscriber to the monthly Arunachala Grace Newsletter, delivered direct to your email box, please check out the facility at the left column of this page in order to become a free subscriber.

In the September 2008 issue of Arunachala Grace News there is a narrative of the dispute between Brahma and Vishnu and information about the Navagraha Mercury, of which Vishnu is the God. In keeping with the Vishnu connection (re: Krishna Jayanti August 23rd), the Arunachala flower highlighted this month is that of the Screw Pine, which features prominently in the story of the Column of Effulgence. To mark the anniversary of Sri Ramana (September 1st), there is a narrative of his first visit to Arunachaleswarar Temple upon his arrival at Tiruvannamalai. And to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi (September 3rd) there is an account describing three lesser known Ganesha legends.

As for the rest of Arunachala Grace News, September 2008 issue, there is a potpourri of poems, inspirational anecdotes, folk tales (this month the folk tale deals with Nasruddin and Money), Arunachala Tidbits, an update on the work of the Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation and finally a short description on a bird found throughout Tiruvannamalai District, i.e., the Common Woodshrike.

Guru Poornima

The day of full moon, in the month of Ashadh is traditionally observed as Guru Poornima. This year, that day falls on Friday, July, 2008 (1:29 p.m. in India) and celebrates the anniversary of Sage Vyasa’s birth. (Vyasa is believed to have edited the four Vedas, written the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavata).

Ganesha is believed to have written the Mahabharata to Veda Vyasa's dictation. When the sage asked Ganesha to write down the epic, the learned god agreed on condition that his pen should not stop moving until the story was completed. Vyasa agreed but said that Ganesha should write only if he completely understood what was dictated. So whenever Ganesha stopped to consider Vyasa's complicated compositions, the sage would use the time to compose more verses.

Spiritual Gurus are revered on this full moon day by remembering their life and teachings. And a period of 'Chaturmas' (four months) begins at this point. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.


“Guru is understood to be the awakener of the dormant spirit of the aspirant to the consciousness of the immortal Self or God. Guru is the guide and the leader. What does the Guru say to the soul in tribulation? He exhorts: “Go within yourself and behold therein the splendour and glory of the eternal Truth. Therein resides your ultimate home of perfect release, happiness and peace. Therein find the life that never fades, that never changes, but ever blesses and sanctifies. Be in tune with that Reality, if you sincerely crave of the highest consummation of life.” It is thus the Guru awakens you, and thereafter you are always awake. This is the real conception of a Guru.”
[Swami Ramdas]

Beautiful Ganesha

I went on giripradakshina yeterday evening and noticed the new amazing 3-D statues of the Gods; Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati on the outer wall of Vallalar Complex off the hillround roadway.

So here is the statue of Ganesha taken from the leftside.

Now, from the right side.


And from his very best side.

The Vallalar Complex is really fascinating with lots of different features that I hope to feature in an upcoming newsletter sometime. A really interesting new development in the area.