2021 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: After Deepam

 

The cauldron on top of Arunachala for the 2021 Karthigai Festival was alight for 11 days. At some times during the History of this Festival, the pot used to remain undisturbed on the Hill until its condition made it necessary for it to be brought back down the Hill for repair or replacement.

 

Nowadays the pot is taken up the Hill a couple of days before Mahadeepam and remains there for a day at the end of the Festival in order for it to cool. Thereupon the pot is returned to the Temple for storage. The Cauldron is more lightweight than at previous times (to make it easier to carry up and down the Hill), however its lack of robustness ensures that it has to be replaced more frequently.

 

 

2021 Cauldron carried down Hill after completion of Mahadeepam

After the Cauldron is carried down from the Hill  puja is performed for it, by way of a consecration ceremony at the Thousand Pillar Hall (Fifth Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple).

 

Consecration of the Mahadeepam Cauldron at Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

However the ultimate purification ceremony occurs on the summit of Arunachala. In this regard in earlier times four purification ceremonies (prayascittas) were observed at the top of Arunachala, for which priests used to go to the summit of the Hill. Nowadays the only prayascitta ceremony regularly observed on the summit of Arunachala is after completion of the Karthigai Festival.

 

Tiruvannamalai is one of the major sacred places of Tamil Nadu not only because of its great mountain Arunachala, but also because of its huge Arunachaleswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Siva and also to the many and frequent festivals which occur at this place.

 

The mythology of the Lingodbhavamurti, the column of light (which is unvarying in all its parts whether it be the top or bottom) commemorates that there is no actual difference in the vibrational power of any part of Arunachala. However even though Arunachaleswarar Temple is fully identified with Arunachala, for which it is also a substitute—certain variations between the bottom and top of the Hill were previously recognised four times a year by observance of purification ceremonies (prayascittas) for which priests used to go to the summit of the mountain.

 

Those four times were: Mahashivaratri Festival acknowledging the supremacy of Lord Siva, the Marriage Ceremony celebrating the union of Lord Siva with the Goddess, Karthigai Festival with its multitude of legends and symbolism, and the fourth and last purification ceremony represents separation from the Goddess and the renewed manifestation of the supremacy of Siva the great Yogi.

 

However over the years the difficulties of the climb for aging Gurukals and other factors has led to less emphasis being paid to these purification ceremonies occurring on the Hill itself and nowadays the only prayascitta regularly observed on the summit of Arunachala is after completion of the Karthigai Festival.

 

 

After completion of prayascitta ceremony on Arunachala Summit

 

2021 Karthigai Deepam Arunachaleswarar Temple— Lord Subramanya Theppal

 

On the evening of Monday, November 22 Lord Subramanya Theppal took place on the Brahma Tirtham inside Arunachaleswarar Temple.

 

2021 Karthigai Deepam Arunachaleswarar Temple— Parashakti Theppal

On the evening of Sunday, November 21 Parashakti Theppal took place on the Brahma Tirtham inside Arunachaleswarar Temple.

 

 

2021 Karthigai Deepam Arunachaleswarar Temple—Theppal Thirthotsavam

 

Day 1:  Sri Chandrasekhara Theppal

Day 2:  Parashakti Theppal

Day 3:  Lord Subramanya Theppal

 

Brahmostavam is intended to teach us the way to divine self-realisation. One of the last celebratory observances during Karthigai Festival is known as Thirthotsavam which means 'water festival'. Three days are allocated at the end of Karthigai to celebrate this 'water festival'. The 'water festival' is representative of a sadhaka’s plunge into the higher realms of consciousness—and typifies an entering into samadhi—the goal of religious aspiration.

 

Ordinarily the 'water festival' is celebrated at Ayyankulam Tank (in front of Arunagirinathar Temple—the third oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala). This year, due to the restrictions imposed because of health reasons, the 3-day 'water festival' was not conducted at the Ayyankulam Tank but at the Brahma Tirtham located inside Arunachaleswarar Compound.

 

The Theppals for the Gods are floating structures made up of drums and timber and decorated with flowers, religious paintings and silken buntings. Lights are installed around the perimeter of the tank and focus lights placed at strategic points. When the murtis of the Gods come to the Tirtham, they are placed lovingly on the float which then pushes off and completes an allocated number of turns upon the Temple Tank.

 

Devotees sit on the steps of the tank to take darshan of the God on the Theppal. Thereafter the deity of the day's Theppal is taken in procession around Arunachaleswarar Temple.

 

 Constructing the Theppal

 

 

Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Lighting—Friday November 19, 2021

The below photographs are of the lights of Arunachala starting with small deepams inside the Temple compound, the lighting of the Deepam on the Hill summit and thereafter darshan of the light on Arunachala from the rooftops of Tiruvannamalai. 

Below there is also an extended video with commentary and footage of the actual lighting of the Deepam Cauldron on the Arunachala summit and a video of the celebrations of Tiruvannamalai. 

Lighting of the 2021 Karthigai Deepam, Tiruvannamalai

The 2021 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam

An extraordinary photograph circulating amongst Arunachala devotees, many of whom believe shows the manifestation of Lord Siva at the time of the lighting of the 2021 Karthigai Deepam

First appearance from distance of the 2021 Arunachala Deepam at 6.05 p.m. Friday 19 November

2021 Arunachala Deepam

Extended video with commentary of the lighting of the Deepam Cauldron on Arunachala Summit

Celebrations in Tiruvannamalai of 2021 Karthigai Deepam of Tiruvannamalai devotees

    

Karthigai Mahadeepam at Arunachaleswarar Temple—Day 10, Friday November 2021

The below photographs are of the observance of Karthigai Mahadeepam at Arunachaleswarar Temple on Day 10, Friday November 2021. After the photographs there is a narrative explaining the Function and a video of the function is embedded thereafter.

 

Narrative of the Function

As the day wanes into dusk and night begins to darken the sky, pilgrims stand or sit, motionless with anticipation, at the base of Arunachala mountain, preparing to worship God Siva as an infinite pillar of light.

 

By 5:00 in the evening, the area surrounding the Temple flagpole, as well as the adjoining terrace, is packed. People are grabbing seats to observe the dramatic arrival of five exquisitely decorated palanquins, carrying the Hindu Gods Vinayaka, Subramanya, Siva, Amba and Chandikeshwara. The devotees are constantly moving and adjusting their positions to get a better view and to make way for still more people pouring in.

 

Suddenly, the crowd's attention shifts to the Temple entrance from behind the flag pole. Some devotees jump up to get a better view. The first palanquin arrives with a dramatic flair. It's the Vinayaka Deity, a form of Lord Ganesha. Exquisitely bedecked with a variety of flowers artistically arranged, this relatively small Deity seems magically large in its luxurious setting. More than eight people are carrying the heavy wooden palanquin. They dance with graceful dignity to the accompaniment of temple music, devotional singing and Sanskrit prayers. Soon enough, they reach their designated position in front of the flag pole and come to a stop.

 

In a few minutes, the next palanquin arrives “Subramanya”. It's a little bigger. Unmindful of its weight, those who are carrying this celestial cargo somehow manage to dance with abandon, rocking the Deity joyously.

 

Now another palanquin is arriving, rocking to and fro. "Swami, Swami," the crowd shouts. Here, "Swami" is referring to Siva. Amba (Goddess Parvati) is right behind, followed by Chandikeshwara. Within about 30 minutes, five palanquins have arrived in all their spiritual pageantry.

 

Finally, the appointed moment arrives. Against the backdrop of a sunset sky, crowned with the rising star of Kartika, thundering firecrackers, ringing Temple bells and a frenzy of rhythmic chanting merge to create a cacophony of chaotic splendor. Camphor is lit in a cauldron by the Temple flag pole, signalling priests on top of the mountain to light their flame.

 

The timing is perfectly synchronized. The air is charged as the overpowering sight of light, signifying Siva in the form of Jyoti (divine light), merges with Parvati to become Siva/Sakti. Now, finally, Ardhanarishvara is brought out of the Temple with great ceremonial fanfare. This is the only day of the year that this particular Deity is ever moved. It is most auspicious.

 

When that flame is seen by the thousands of devotees below, the entire countryside explodes with flashing luminescence. Bonfires, lamps, neon lights and fireworks light the night like day as a surging, thronging, emotionally charged mass of devotees chant, "Arunachala Siva," "Annamalai” and "Annamalai Harohara”. The sight of the Krittika Deepam is magical. It brings an inexplicable joy. People are ecstatic, mesmerized by the light.

[Narrative Fire on the Mountain]

Watch the function of 2021 Karthigai Mahadeepam inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple filmed Friday November 19, 2021