Order in Madras Courts regarding captive elephants—September 3, 2021

'Religious Sentiments Must At Times Yield To Reason And Animal's Point Of View':

To learn of progress in the Madras Court regarding captive elephants in Tamil Nadu, please follow the narrative below:-

"The Madras High Court on Friday (September 3, 2021) directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to prepare a catalogue of all captive elephants in the State. The Court further directed a video recording to be made of all elephants containing a complete profile of each elephant including its age, sex and also lineage including the manner in which the elephants came to be domesticated.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu was adjuciating upon a plea filed by activist Rangarjan Narasimhan over the alleged inhumane treatment of captive elephants kept in temples across the State. It further directed the concerned forest officials to ascertain the current practice of capturing elephants and accordingly observed.

The appropriate departments of the State Government such as the Animal Welfare or Animal Husbandry were instructed to extend all cooperation. The matter is slated to be heard next on September 24, 2021".

To read this Order from the Madras High Court in full and accompanying new journal narrative, go to this link here

Rukku (deceased) Arunachaleswarar Temple 

Crowd Scenes 2014 Karthigai Deepam, Arunachala

Below are a sequence of crowd shots taken during the early days of the 2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

The first photograph is of the much loved Rukku, the Temple Elephant, who is very much part of many of the celebrations and processions connected with this Festival. 

Rukku on Procession Detail

Ladies carrying Child around the 3rd Prakaram Shrines

The above photograph is of 'karampu thuthi' in which ladies and family members in answer to a vow, carry a child in a holder made of sugar canes and saris, either around the inside or outside perimeter of Arunachaleswarar Temple. This is often the consequence of a would-be parent praying to God for the boon of a child and their pledge to the Divine that they will offer the child (when born) to God and perform Temple circumambulation. 

Sometimes if the family lives a long distance from Arunachala, it might a few years before the vow is honoured and they are able to return to complete their Temple circumambulation. Problem is the longer you wait the bigger and heavier the child becomes! 

Devotees visit Kalyana Mandapam to take darshan of the Gods

Temple compound busy with  pujas, processions and cultural programmes

The next three photographs are of musicians connected with processions and programmes during the 2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

Sadhus and Swamis an essential part of all Festivals at Arunachala

Young Lad offers his own aarti to the Gods

Special Puja, Arunachaleswarar Temple December 14, 2013

In the previous posting entitled: December 14, Arunachaleswarar Temple Pradosham, I posted photographs of Sani Maha Pradosham. Sani Pradosham, the Pradosham which falls on a Saturday, corresponds to the planet Saturn and to read an earlier posting giving information about its significance and relating the Legend of Sani Pradosham, go to this link here. 

In connection with this special day, in the early morning an elaborate puja; Kalasa Abhishekam, Gaja Puja and Maha Rudra Pua with Siva Achariyas chanting the Rudra Mantra was performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Young Siva Achariyas chanting the Sri Siva Rudra

Priests carrying the Kalasas (pots of sanctified water)

Ghee being poured on the Homam

Worshipping our lovely Rukku

Temple Museum

A museum featuring various aspects of the history of the Arunachaleswarar Temple will be set up in the Thousand Pillar Hall of the Temple. As well as the historical aspect, it is hoped that the museum will give an opportunity to the devotee and visitor to view the unique sculpture of the Hall.

The foyer, situated near the Raja Gopuram of the Temple, which houses the Thousand Pillars with their wonderful sculptures was once used as warehouse by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supply Corporation and for a long time was filled with bags of rice that were said to harbour a large infestation of rats! When the Government vacated the warehouse it was turned into a resting shed for Temple elephant Rukku. A few years ago Rukku moved to a Hall near Thirumanjana Gopuram.

Traditionally there are only two occasions in the year when one was able to enter the Thousand Pillar Hall, i.e. Ani Thirumanjanam and the Arudhra darshan Festival. Due to the influence of art lovers and concerned parties the Government decided last year to establish a Museum in this Mandapam. At that time the Temple administration sent a letter to the Commissioner of Museums seeking suggestions on the setting up of a Museum. Acting on this request the Commissioner visited the Mandapam and thereafter sent detailed recommendations to the Temple authorities.

Subsequently engineers were consulted and the task of setting up the first phase of the Museum was handed over to the District Building Centre. According to Temple authorities 8,000 square feet in the western side of the Mandapam is to be utilized for the first phase. In this phase pillars will be stone varnished and separate enclosed rows devoted to different themes i.e.; paintings, portraits, wood carvings and stone sculptures. In this respect a section of 108 portraits representing different dance postures of Lord Shiva will be on display.

It is proposed that unprotected objects of antique value found in other Temples in Tamil Nadu will be diverted to the Arunachaleswarar Temple Museum. The first phase of this work is estimated at Rs.15 Lakh. Temple authorities have assured devotees that the Museum will be opened as soon as possible.