2021 Karthigai Deepam Festival: November 12, 2021—Day Three

The below photographs are of Day 3 of the 2021 Karthigai Deepam Festival celebrated at the Arunachaleswarar Temple and show the Gods being carried out of the beautifully decorated Kalayana Mandapam and thereafter the procession and darshan of the Gods around the Temple prakarams.

 

Communal Kuthuvilakku Puja: July 29, 2016

In the month of Aadi, communal pujas such as the Kuthuvilakku Puja are performed on Tuesdays and Fridays at various Shakti Temples throughout the State. The pujas are performed for the well being of home and family or sometimes for the fulfilment of individual desires, such as a young girl wanting a husband or desiring children in a marriage. 

The most common among all lamps is the Kuthuvilakku. The name is derived from the fact that these lamps were originally spiked into the ground. They are now stand-alone pieces with ornate decorations, but the name has remained through the ages. The lamp has five bowls on the top and there is a trim pedestal fixed firmly on a heavy circular base. 

 

These lamps are used in common households and are also used on ceremonial platforms. The Kuthuvilakku is usually decorated on the top with structures of the "hamsa" (mythical swan) or with other religious symbols.

The photographs in this posting, are of the Kuthuvilakku Puja performed on Friday, 19th July 2016 in the Kalayana Mandapam, 3rd Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

To find out more about the different types of lamps used in Tamil Nadu homes and Temples, go to this previous link here. 

To find out how to perform a Kuthuvilakku Puja at home, go to this link here.

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Devotees get benefits by performing Mahalaxmi Thiruvilakku Pooja. However specific benefits for each month are listed below: 

Chithirai: Blessed with increased production of Pulses.

Vaigasi: Blessed with Money 

Aani: Blessed with Marriage 

Aadi: Blessed with Long Life 

Aavani: Blessed with New Born Children 

Purataasi: Blessed with more Cows 

Aipassi: Blessed with Food 

Karthigai: Blessed with Moksha 

Margali: Blessed with Good health 

Thai: Blessed with Victory in life 

Maasi: Blessed with removal of sins. 

Panguni: Blessed with Dharma 

Thiruvillaku Pooja can also be performed on Ammavasi and pournami days. 

Thirukalyanam Function, Big Temple: March 26, 2016

The below photographs were taken in the night at the Thirukalayana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar Temple during the evening function. 

Mahavillaku Kalyana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar Temple

This past Friday (January 29, 2016) during the Tamil Month of Thai, Mahavillaku Puja was performed by ladies inside the Kalyana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Ladies lined up inside the Kalyana Mandapam

Divine Shakti on Dais in Mandapam

Priests supervising the Puja being conducted in Mandapam

Divine Shakti giving Darshan

2015 Karthigai Deepam, Arunachala

The Brahmmotsavam of Karthigai Deepam Festival at 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 begin at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai, and on the last four days of the Festival, functions will include Theepal (Floats) of various Gods on Ayyankulam Tank, 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 Mahadeepam itself which is lit on the night of Karthigai, 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 2015 Karthigai Mahadeepam will occur at approximately (i.e. at dusk) on November 25. 

The main Festival lasts for 10 days and begins on Uttradam day (this year November 16) 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. 

Kalyana Mandapam 2015

Mandapam in full festive regalia

In  photo one can see the Bheemswara Lingam back of Mandapam

Bheemeswara Lingam 

Located at the back of the Kalyana Mandapam. The ancient Bheemeswara Lingam Shrine has been at Arunachaleswarar Temple for centuries. Some say that Lord Bheema (who represents knowledge—jnana) worshipped Lord Siva at this sacred spot. 

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Processions throughout the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival, will occur both day and night inside the Temple and around the outside perimeter of Arunachaleswarar Kovil.

Kuthu Velaku Puja, Kalayana Mandapam, Big Temple

Around January 14 each year marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai. As Thai is regarded as an auspicious period, each Friday of the month is celebrated with special pujas in many Temples in Tamil Nadu. 

On the third Friday of Thai month, Kuthu Velaku Puja is performed at Arunachaleswarar Koil here at Tiruvannamalai. This year the date for the Puja fell on January 31, 2014. 

The below photographs are of ladies performing their individual pujas in the Kalyana Mandapam which is located in the Third Prakaram opposite the Siva Sannidhi. 

Kalyana Mandapam

The below murals are on the walls and ceiling of the Kalyana Mandapam, a hall which is infrequently opened and situated at the southern side of the third prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. I am posting photographs of some murals representing more well known Arunachala legends.

As to the future renovation of the murals, we will have to wait and see -- one hopes that the ancient and beautiful murals are not renovated improperly or inexpertly. As to that more news when I get it.

The below photograph is of an ancient representation of Arunachala surrounded by holy tirthams (water tanks).

Arunachala with tirthams

Ardhanarisvara

Dakshinamurthi

Lingodbhava

The most important functions to be held at Arunachaleswarar Temple Kalyana Mandapam, are the marriage of Lord Siva and Sakthi during Panguni Uthiram and celebration of the days of Karthigai Deepam.

There are other special days during the year that the Mandapam is used, one such function is a group puja performed during one day each year (in the month of Adi as is the custom in most Tamil Temples dedicated to Shakthi). The group function is known as the 'Mangalaya Puja'. The above photograph is of such a function held at the Kalyana Mandapam at Arunachalaeswarar Temple in a previous year.