Thiruvoodal Festival 2014, Pongal

For a full narrative of this Festival please visit my website Arunachala Samudra at this link here. 

The word 'Thiru' signifies; deity, sacred, holy and wealth and the word 'Voodal' actually means 'tiff' or 'petty quarrel', and represents the friction between the male and female in a love relationship which is consciously exacerbated. The distinguishing mark of Voodal is that it should arise and stay only for a brief period and not be prolonged as its focus is the bliss when the Voodal is withdrawn. 

The poem Thirukkural says in the chapters dedicated to 'kama' which is concentrated on the relationship between man and woman and the establishment of household and children, that; 'The way to amplify bliss through desire or relationship is through voodal. That ever present bliss you can only see when the tension comes and is withdrawn. It is like salt to food – beyond a certain limit it is lost completely.' Thirukurral explains the tiff as 'creation of a tension, which when released you have a bliss that is always present. It is the Voodal that helps one focus upon that.' 

Thus Thiruvoodal is enacted by Shiva and Parvati to convey social truths to their devotees. It takes place; inside the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple, on the streets delineating the perimeter of the Temple, and on the girivalam pathway itself; by iconic representations of Shiva and Parvati. Thiruvoodal Festival is regarded in such high esteem that one of the perimeter roads has earned the special name Thiruvoodal Street by this convention.

Tiff between Gods on Thiruvoodal Street, perimeter Arunachaleswarar Temple

In order to placate Goddess Parvati after their tiff (thiruvoodal) and as night is approaching, Shiva agrees to circumambulate Arunachala. During this circumambulation, he meets Bhringi Rishi and grants him liberation which enrages Parvati who is angry with the sage for his refusal to worship her. Parvati’s anger, creates maya (Maya Swarupa), and from that maya emerge thieves who strip Shiva of his ornaments and clothes, whilst he is performing pradakshina. This stripping of Shiva is actually yearly enacted at the same spot (during Voodal Festival) upon the idol that is being carried around the Hill. 

Shiva explains to Parvati (through his emissary Sundarar) that, to satisfy the desire of devotees, he has taken a vow to appear in the form in which he is worshipped. In accordance with that vow he has given darshan to Bringi. He further tells his emissary Sundarar to convey to Parvati; 

‘My darling you know Shakti can never be separated from Shiva in just the way the mud pot can never be separated from the mud. You can’t say, “Give the pot without all that other stuff!” You cannot have the form just like that. You know it my dear, that Shiva-Shakti can never be separated, so in accordance with the understanding of devotees, I am appearing in this form.’ 

‘Sundarar please explain to Parvati so that she will reduce this tiff.’

 

Story of Bringi’s maya

“Sage Bringi considered that Shiva’s Grace is the ultimate source for existence. He was an ardent votary of Lord Shiva to the exclusion of any deity in the worship including Parvati! He refused to worship Shakti, a woman. Even during his daily worship, he would circumambulate only the Lord ignoring Mother Shakti, with a flashing spark of arrogance.

Parasakthi and Sage Bringi at Hill Temple

The divine couple wanted to enlighten the sage and hence assumed a unique form sharing his body with Parvati. The couple took the form of Ardhanarishvara and stood unified inseparable to every atom. Even then the egoistic sage took the form of a bee (Bringa is Sanskrit for Bee and the sage came to be called Bringi because he once became a bee) and tried to pierce through the body of the Lord so that he could go around only the Shiva part. 

In every human body the static force of Shiva constitutes the bone and the skin, and the dynamic force of Shakti triggers the blood and flesh. Goddess Shakti, being the power as the name indicates, pulled out her energy from Bringi's body. Now he was a mere skeleton and was even unable to stand. The Lord pacified Parvati and gave the sage one more leg to stand. The sage soon realized his folly and understood that life becomes dynamic only by the blending of both grace and force which are not contradictory but complementary to each other.”

Lord Shiva circumambulates Arunachala

When Lord Shiva completes his pradakshina he returns to Arunachaleswarar Temple early the next morning. He wishes to have reunion with his consort. This part of the Festival is known as Maruvoodal. The point of the Maruvoodal myth is to show the world that even a Celestial Couple has differences between them. But in the end there should only be reunion, even at the cost of a loss in finances which is represented by the loss of the jewels the night previously. 

Returning to his residence, Shiva knocks at the door but it has been bolted by Parvati. Lord Shiva asks, 

‘Oh my darling why have you locked the door?’ 

‘Sir after we came to an understanding still you went without me. And see now look you have lost everything there is no ornament or clothes. Not, only that but you went and gave darshan to all kinds of people. So, I am now requesting you must establish your manliness to me and retrieve everything that is lost and give the special one-legged dance.’ 

Shiva as Nataraja performs his Cosmic Dance

Shiva starts the Nataraj dance, Parvati forgets everything and opens the door. 

Shiva and Parvati together again in Temple

Sani Pradosham, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Yesterday, February 23, Sani Pradosham was celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Pradosham which is a worship connected to Lord Shiva and is a bimonthly occasion which falls on the thirteenth day of every fortnight in the Hindu Calendar.

If Pradosham falls on a Monday it is called Soma Pradosham (or Chandra Pradosham), on a Tuesday it is known as Bhauma Pradosham, and on a Saturday is called Sani Pradosham. Among all Pradoshams, Soma Pradosham and Sani Pradosham are the most significant ones observed by devotees. An auspicious 3 hour period, 1.5 hours before and after sunset is regarded as the optimum time for worship of Lord Shiva. 

During the day of Pradosham a fast observed from sunrise to sunset is considered highly beneficial. During pradosham, the bull Nandi (in Shiva Temples in South India) is worshipped and the idol of Shiva with Parvati in a seated pose on Nandi are taken on procession in the Temple compound.

Lord Shiva and Parvati

Worship of Bull Nandi

Gods on Nandi in procession

Performing circumambulation of Lord Shiva shrine

Large crowd of devotees attendant

Legend of Sani Pradosham 

Sani Pradosham, the Pradosham which falls on a Saturday, corresponds to the planet Saturn and is associated with the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. 

According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasen, who was a pious devotee of Shiva and worshipped him continuously. He was blessed with a celestial gem which could create miracles. Rivals of Ujjain, King Ripudaman and King Singhaditya of neighbouring kingdoms decided to attack Ujjain to appropriate the celestial gem. King Chandransena unaware of the impending attack was involved in his worship of Lord Shiva. A farmer's boy (Shrikhar), walking on the grounds of the palace heard the king chant Lord Shiva's name. However on being discovered by the King’s guards, the farmer’s boy was removed from the palace grounds and sent to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. 

Shrikhar (the farmer’s boy) continued to pray and news spread to a priest named Vridhi. Who upon the urgent pleas of his sons, also started to pray to Lord Shiva. The attack by the enemies of the King occurred on a Saturday and with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, (blessed by the God Brahma to be invisible), the invading Kings plundered the city and attacked the inhabitants, who were all Shiva devotees. Upon hearing the pleas of his helpless devotees, Shiva appeared in his Mahakal (form of light) and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasen. 

Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of that kingdom. From that day on, (at that place) Shiva resided in his light form as Mahakal in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of Shiva and Parvati. 

It is believed that people worshipping Shiva on Sani Pradosham will be free from the fear of death and diseases and have an increase in their worldly wealth. 

2012 Mahashivaratri Legends and Significance

Each month there is day known as Sivaratri and once a year there is Mahashivaratri (maha=great) -- the Great Festival of Shiva. The dates of these occasions correspond to certain phases of the new moon when it is believed that the mind (which is adversely affected by the power of the moon) is less susceptible to low, animalistic forces and thus more tractable to the power of meditation and prayer.

It is for this reason that Mahashivaratri is believed to be the one 24-hour period in the year which is of the greatest benefit. It has been stated in the scriptures that if a man fasts, stays awake and meditates for the whole of Mahashivaratri, it will give him his best chance to achieve mastery of the mind and attain liberation.

Mahashivaratri always falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna (February-March), and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. (Mahashivaratri in 2012 falls on Monday, February 20th). On this day devotees sing Shiva bhajans, recite verses from scriptures, offer prayers in the morning and evening, and some observe fasting throughout the day. People visit Shiva Temples and in the case of Arunachala, premier Shiva site of South India, circumambulation of Arunachala Hill is observed by many.

The name Shiva signifies a quality that means 'Auspicious' or 'The Auspicious One'. To a few, Shiva is Paramatman, Brahman, the Absolute, but many more prefer to see Shiva as a personal God given to compassion for his worshippers, and the dispenser of both spiritual and material blessings. Related to the Absolute concept is Shiva as Yoganath, the Lord of Yoga, wherein he becomes teacher, path and goal. As such he is the Adi Guru or Highest Guru of sannyasins who have renounced the world to attain the Absolute.

One of the early traditions, is Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti; the South-Facing Guru. In this form, seated on a low platform, with one leg hanging down in front, he communicated the Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Wisdom to the four Kumaras who appeared early in creation. The Guru spoke no words but taught them by the transmission of mind-to-mind, and its purpose was to show that man can realise the Absolute when the human mind is in complete equipoise with the Cosmic Mind.





While almost all other festivals are celebrated during the day, Mahashivaratri is celebrated at night: and night stands for all that is evil; ignorance, darkness, sin, violence, treachery, falsehood, and misfortune. Mythology says that Shiva appeared to save the world from Tamoguna (darkness and ignorance).

There are a number of legends connected with the origin of Shivaratri. One such legend is that Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati were married on this day.





Our own Arunachala legend, proclaims it to be the day Lord Shiva appeared as a luminous Jyotilingam before Brahma and Vishnu.





On Mahashivaratri, Lord Shiva is Lingodbhavamurti, the pillar of fire that spans all, with no beginning and no end. The devout believe that they are on their way to oneness with Shiva, that they will join with the Supreme after hours of darkness spent in fasting and prayer. The worship of Lingodbhavamurti is with the leaves of the bilva, gathered from quince trees. The lingam is showered, unceasingly, with basketfuls of these, and other flowers, (just as the hunter in the below legend once did).

And it is believed that on the day of Mahashivaratri, all twelve Jyotirlingams of India manifested.






Shiva Purana legend about the Hunter and the Lingam:-

“In ancient times, a Bheel (forest inhabitant) named Gurudruha trudged through a forest to hunt deer. At night, without having sighted a single animal, he climbed a Bilva (Aegle marmelos) tree on the banks of a lake. Later at night, a doe arrived to drink water. Gurudruha aimed his bow and arrow at her. While aiming, he unknowingly dropped some Bilva leaves and his drinking water below on a Shivalingam that happened to be under the tree. The deer then requested him to allow her to entrust her fawns to her husband, after which she would return. After much haggling he agreed.

While awaiting her return, he stayed awake by aimlessly plucking leaves and dropping them below. Again they fell on the Shivalingam. Thus he unknowingly performed its puja (worship) while remaining awake all night. Finally the doe returned with her family, She informed him that along with her, he'd have to kill her family too. As he aimed, some more leaves fluttered down on the Shivalingam.

The collective punya (spiritual merit) accrued from the puja performed unknowingly, eradicated all his sins. This purified his heart. Repenting his flawed life of sin, he set the deer free. As he sat repenting, Lord Shiva manifested in front of him and granted him a boon, "You shall be born in a town known as Shrungver, as a man named Gruha. Lord Vishnu will grace your home as Lord Rama and redeem you." (This event is described in the Ramayana.) Shiva also blessed the deer, which attained a better destiny.”

Another legend of Mahashivaratri traces the origin of this festival to the churning of the Ocean of Milk by devas (gods) and asuras (demons). It is said that when both gods and demons were churning the Ocean of Milk to obtain amrita (water of immortal life), they came across many unusual substances, including the deadly poison Kalakuta. As soon as they touched the poison, it exploded into poisonous fumes that threatened to envelope the entire Universe with darkness.






When the destruction of the Universe seemed inevitable, the gods ran for assistance from Brahma and Vishnu, but neither was able to help. At last they ran to Lord Shiva, who raised his trident and condensed the fumes. In order to save the creation, Shiva swallowed the poison without spilling a single drop. The poison left a dark blue mark on Shiva's throat. The gods praised and worshipped Shiva for saving the Universe.






The Ocean of Milk represents the ideal world that is full of peace and happiness for all human beings. Churning the Ocean of Milk signifies the human activity in the world. The amrita symbolizes happiness and the poison represents human greed and selfishness. Shiva symbolizes the atman (self), and worship of Shiva denotes meditation and contemplation by an individual on his or her own self.

Thus the only way to achieve peace and happiness is by worshipping Shiva at night, that is, by meditating on one's own self during the night when the individual is free from the distractions of the physical world. When the individual attains self-knowledge, he or she can live in the world without being affected by anger, greed, and selfishness, the three enemies of one's soul. Mahashivaratri symbolizes the worship of the atman within.On the night of Mahashivaratri one can devote oneself to the chanting of the Vedic Rudram, or the five-syllable mantra of Shiva - Om Namah Shivaya - and on meditating on Him, thereby remembering one's ultimate goal, which is God Realization, the purpose of human birth. By ascending to the top of Arunachala within oneself, and trying to experience the presence of the God Shiva within as one's very own self, and simultaneously as the Universal Self permeating the entire universe, one draws close to Lord Shiva on this night.

On this day it is easy to please Lord Shiva by fasting and prayer. The main prayer is usually conducted during the night. Every three hours the devotee worships Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Lingam and bathing the Lingam with milk, ghee, honey, curd, rose water, etc. Lord Shiva is also greatly pleased by the offering of Bilva leaves. This worship is replicated in the worship at the Arunachaleswarar Temple which will take place tonight:

1st Kala Puja Night (20th February) 8.30 p.m.
2nd Kala Puja Night (20th February) 11.00 p.m.
3rd Kala Puja Morning (21st February) 02.00 a.m.
4th Kala Puja Morning (21st February) 04.00 a.m.

I will post photographs of the Mahashivaratri celebrations at Arunachaleswarar Temple when they become available.

Joyful Song to Lord Siva

Here is a lovely joy-filled video of verses excerpted from the Thiruvasagam, which is a Tamil sacred chant sung for Lord Shiva and written by Manikkavachakar in the 8th century

Life of Manikkavachakar:

"Manikkavachakar was born in a village called Vaadavur (Vaatapuri) in Pandya Desa. Because of that people used to call him Vaadavurar. He was sent to school very early. He read religious books, absorbed the lessons therein, and became noted for his devotion to Siva, as also his kindness to living beings. Having heard about him, the Pandya king sent for him, made him his Prime Minister and conferred on him the title of “Thennavan Brahmarayan” i.e., Leader among Brahmins in the south. Though he performed the duties of a minister with tact and integrity, he had no desire for material happiness. His mind was always absorbed in spiritual matters.

Feeling convinced that for the attainment of jnana, the grace of the guru is essential, he kept on making enquiries about it. Once the Pandya king directed the minister to buy a few good horses and bring them to him. As he was already in search of a guru, Manikkavachakar felt that it was a good opportunity and started with his retinue, carrying with him the required amount of gold. He visited all the temples on the way and reached a village called Tiruperundurai. For about a year before that, Parameswara had assumed the form of a school teacher and was teaching the poor children of the village seated on a street pial, near the temple. He had his meal which consisted of only cooked green vegetables, in the house of his pupils everyday by turn.

Well aware of the mental maturity of Manikkavachakar, Iswara anxiously awaited his arrival. By the time Manikkavachakar came, Iswara assumed the form of a Siddha Purusha (realised soul) and sat under a Kurundai (yellow amanth) tree within the temple. Many sannyasis had gathered around him. Manikkavachakar came to the temple, had darsan of the Lord in the sanctum sanctorum, and while doing pradakshina around the temple, saw the Siddha Purusha. He was thrilled at the sight and tears welled up in his eyes. Spontaneously, he lifted his hands above his head in salutation and prostrated at the feet of Iswara. He then got up, and prayed that he, a humble being, may also be accepted as a disciple.

Having come to earth solely to bestow grace on Manikkavachakar, Iswara, through His mere look, gave him jnana upadesa (initiation into knowledge). Manikkavachakar felt indescribable happiness and the upadesa given by Iswara took deep root in his heart. With folded hands and tears of joy, Manikkavachakar went round the guru, offered salutations, stripped himself of all his official dress and ornaments, placed them near the guru and stood before him with only a kaupina on. A deeply felt inspiration resulted in his spontaneously composing and singing beautiful and moving devotional songs in praise of his guru. Iswara was pleased, and addressing him as ‘Manikkavachaka’, commanded him to remain there, worshipping Him and singing His praise. His mission fulfilled, the Lord disappeared.

Fully convinced that he who had blessed him was no other than Iswara Himself, Manikkavachakar was stricken with unbearable grief and fell on the ground weeping and saying, “Oh! My lord, Why did you go away leaving me here?” The villagers were very much surprised at this and began a search for the person who was till then working in their village as a schoolteacher but could not find him anywhere. Then they realised that it was the Lord’s leela. Some time later, Manikkavachakar got over his grief, decided to act according to the injunctions of Iswara, sent away his retinue to Madurai, spent all the gold with him on the temple and stayed there alone.

Hearing all that had happened, the king immediately sent an order to Manikkavachakar to return to Madurai, but then how could he go to the king without the horses? If he wanted to purchase them, where was the money?

Not knowing what to do, he prayed to Lord Siva for help. That night Lord Siva appeared to him in a dream, gave him a priceless gem and said, “Give this to the king and tell him the horses will come on the day of the Moola star in the month of Sravana”. Startled at that vision he opened his eyes but the Lord was not there. Manikkavachakar was however, overjoyed at what had happened, put on his official dress and went to Madurai.

He gave the gem to the king, discussed the auspicious time when the horses would be arriving and then anxiously waited for the day. He did not however, resume his official duties. Though his body was in Madurai, his mind was in Tirupperundurai. He was merely biding time. The Pandyan king, however, sent his spies to Perundurai and found out that there were no horses there meant for the king and that all the money meant for their purchase had been spent in the renovation of the temple. So he immediately imprisoned Manikkavachakar making him undergo all the trials and tribulations of prison life.

Meanwhile, as originally arranged, on the day of the Moola star, Iswara assumed the guise of a horseman transformed the jackals of the jungle into horses, and brought them to the king. The king was astonished at this, took delivery of the horses and according to the advice of the keeper of the stables, had them tied up at the same place where all his other horses were kept. He thanked the horseman profusely and after sending him away with several presents, released Manikkavachakar from prison with profuse apologies. The same night, the new horses changed into their original forms, killed all the horses in the stables, ate them, created similar havoc in the city and fled. The king grew very angry, branded Manikkavachakar a trickster and put him back into prison.

Soon, in accordance with Iswara’s orders, the waters of the river Vaigai rose in floods and the whole of the city of Madurai was under water. Alarmed at that, the king assembled all the people and ordered them to put up bunds around the river.

For that purpose, he ordered every citizen to do a certain amount of work with the threat of dire consequences, should they fail to do their allotted work.

There was in Madurai an old woman by name ‘Pittuvani Ammaiyar’. She was a pious devotee of Lord Siva. She was living alone earning her livelihood by daily preparing and selling ‘Pittu’ (Pittu is sweetened powdered rice pressed into conical shapes). She had no one to do her allotted work on the river bund nor had she the money to hire a person to do it. She was therefore greatly worried and cried. “Iswara! What shall I do?”

Seeing her helplessness, Iswara came there in the guise of a coolie, with a spade on his shoulder, and called out, “Granny, granny, do you want a coolie?” “Yes”, she said, “But I do not have even a paisa in my hand to pay you. What to do?” He said, “I do not want any money and would be satisfied if you gave me a little Pittu to eat. I shall then do the allotted work on the river bund.”

Pleased with that offer, she began making Pittu, but they did not come out in full shape but were broken. Surprised at this she gave all the bits to the coolie. He ate as many of them as he could and went away saying that he would attend to the bund-raising work. Surprisingly, the dough with the old woman remained intact even though she had prepared and given bits of the Pittu to the coolie. The coolie went to the work-spot but instead of doing the work lay down there idly coming in the way of others doing their work.

The king went round to inspect the progress of the work and found that the portion allotted to Ammaiyar remained unattended to. On enquiry, his servants told him all about the pranks of that coolie. The king got infuriated, called the coolie and said, “Instead of doing the allotted work, you are lying down and singing”. So saying, he hit the coolie on the back with a cane he had in his hand. The hit not only recoiled on the king himself, but on all living beings there, and all of them suffered the pain on that account. The king immediately realised that the person hit by him was Parameswara Himself in the guise of a coolie. The king stood aghast. Parameswara vanished and soon a voice from the sky said, “Oh king! Manikkavachakar is my beloved devotee. I myself did all this to show you his greatness. Release him and seek his blessings.”

Soon after hearing that voice, the king went to see Manikkavachakar and on the way, he stepped into the house of Pittuvani Ammaiyar to see her. By that time she had already got into a vimanam (a heavenly car moving through the skies) and was on her way to Kailas. The king was greatly surprised and saluted her and from there he went straight to Manikkavachakar and fell at his feet. Manikkavachakar lifted him with great respect, and enquired of his welfare. The king said, “Please forgive me and rule this kingdom yourself.” Manikkavachakar, looking at the king, said with kindness, “Appah! (a term of endearment) As I have already agreed to serve the Lord, I cannot be bothered with the problems of ruling a kingdom. Please do not mistake me. Rule the kingdom yourself looking after the welfare of the people. Henceforth you will have nothing to worry about.”

So saying, smilingly, he put on the dress of a sannyasin and went about visiting holy places singing the praise of Siva."

[Spiritual Stories as told by Sri Ramana Maharshi]



Thereafter Manikavachakar led a life dedicated to Shiva worship and visited shrines of Shiva throughout what is now Tamil Nadu.

His devotional Tamil songs, praising his Guru, Lord Siva and His Grace which changed his life from worldly to divine were compiled into a single form and named as Tiruvachakam.

There are many autobiographical remarks in his Tiruvachakam which is full of references to the Guru-disciple relationship. This relationship turns afterwards into the lower and beloved relationship. here Manikkavachakar is the bride of the Lord Siva. e speaks of the complete stripping of his soul when he was united to God Siva.

“The Thiruvachakam relates an autobiographical story of the different stages of Manikavachakar’s spiritual life and experience which ultimately enable him to attain bliss ineffable and eternal. It is a torrential outflow of ardent religious feelings and emotions in rapturous songs and melodies. The work may be regarded as a convenient handbook on mystical theology.”
[Ramachandra Deekshithar]

There is a common saying that "Those hearts melted not to Tiruvachakam would melt to no other Vachakam". Tiruvachakam, particularly, the very first decad 'The Civapuranam' is daily sung in Temples and homes throughout Tamil Nadu.

Marriage of Shiva and Meenakshi

Right-click on photographs to view enlargements:

This year the marriage of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Meenakshi was celebrated on 16th April, 2011. Interestingly, the day before I visited Arunachaleswarar Temple and whilst sitting outside the Shiva Sannidhi watched as various palanquins were being prepared for the Marriage Festival to be held the next day.

The Marriage is celebrated throughout South India particularly at such Siva Sthalams as Arunachala. However, according to legend it is Madurai that is believed to be the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place and it is at Madurai that the Marriage is celebrated in a grand and huge manner over a period of 8-10 days.

The legend of Meenakshi and her marriage to Lord Shiva goes thus:

Marriage of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi

The legend

Once Indra killed a demon, even though the demon had done no harm. This act brought a curse upon Indra which he was freed from through the power of a Shiva Lingam in a forest, at which site he built a small Temple.

At that time in South India there was a Pandyan King called Malayadhwaja Pandiyan ruling a small city by the name Manavur, which was near the Shiva Lingam. When the King came to know about the Shiva Lingam he decided to build a large Temple for Shiva in that Forest. The King also developed the region into a fine princely state which was to be known as Madurai.

As the King was childless, he prayed and performed numerous yagnas for God to give him a child. The result was a three year old girl was born to him, who had three breasts and beautiful eyes like those of a fish (Meenakshi = eyes like a fish). The disappointed King who had been hoping for a boy, was told that when the child would meet her future husband, her third breast would fall off.

When her father died, the Princess ruled the kingdom and, as a ferocious warrior, led armies on a number of successful expeditions. On one of them she reached the Himalayas and encountered the God Shiva. Immediately her third breast fell off, and she became docile, ready to be a wife.

Shiva told her to return to Madurai where he would come to marry her.

He arrived accompanied by enormous crowds.

Wedding Procession

And it was at the wedding celebrations that Lord Shiva as Nataraja performed his majestic, cosmic dance.

Nataraja and Cosmic Dance

Moon at Arunachala

Shiva is known as Chandrasekhara, which means, one crowned by the Moon. Lord Shiva wears on his head the crescent of the fifth-day moon. In some cultures the appearance of the new crescent moon has been celebrated as a return of the moon from the dead.

The moon is a powerful influence on the human psyche. Its influence which is always available at Arunachala is celebrated in disparate ways during Shivaratri and Poornima.







Shivaratri is the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, when the moon is waning and the sun is in the sign of Aquarius. It is a night of consecration and illumination. Each month there is Shivaratri and once a year a Mahashivaratri. Chandra, who is the deity of the moon and presiding deity of the mind loses one sixteenth of his brilliance every day after the full-moon day and continues waning until, by Shivaratri, he is left with just one sixteenth of his power. It is on this night of the waned moon (Shivaratri) that it is believed the mind is most tractable and can be easily conquered.

Whereas the nights of Siva are usually associated with mastery of the mind and success of spiritual ambitions, Poornima (full moon) is more about success of boons, vratas and heartfelt prayers. Doing pradakshina on Monday, (the day of the Moon -- Chandra) is particularly helpful if one wishes to start a new project, attain a high elevation in life or rid oneself of the fear of death.

In Sanskrit Chandra means, 'bright and shining'. In Vedic Astrology, Chandra represents brain and mind, emotions, sensitivity, softness, imagination, Queen and mother. The bright moon is considered a benefic, and for this reason answers to prayers connected with the Poornima (full-moon) aspect, are believed to be more easily attained.

Chandra has the following associations: the colour white, gender female, metal silver, gemstones; pearl and moonstone, element water, direction north-west, season Winter, body part blood, food rice, taste salt, day Monday, guna Sattwa.

Hinduism propounds the idea that the (nine) Navagrahas (of which Chandra is one) are 'markers of influence' -- living energies which put out waves which affect our awareness by seizing our consciousness when we come under their influence. Reports of psychics and seers agree that Grahas cause a direct energy influence upon the energy bodies and minds of all life on earth. The nine planets (Navagrahas) are transmitters of Universal, archetypal energy and the qualities of each planet helps maintain the overall balance of polarities in the solar system.

The sun is the indicator of the soul and the moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Even though all the Navagrahas are represented at Arunachala, the moon with its particular association with Lord Shiva (Chandrasekhara) is believed to have an extraordinary and particular influence at Arunachala.

Origin of Mahashivaratri

There are a number of legends connected with the origin of Shivaratri. One is that Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva were married on this day.







Our own Arunachala legend, proclaims it to be the day Lord Shiva appeared as a luminous Jyotirlingam before Brahma and Vishnu.

And it is believed that on the day of Mahashivaratri, all twelve Jyotirlingams of India manifested.


The Shiva Purana relates another legend extolling the glory of Mahashivaratri:-


“In ancient times, a Bheel (forest inhabitant) named Gurudruha trudged through a forest to hunt deer. At night, without having sighted a single animal, he climbed a Bilva (Aegle marmelos) tree on the banks of a lake. Later at night, a doe arrived to drink water. Gurudruha aimed his bow and arrow at her. While aiming, he unknowingly dropped some Bilva leaves and his drinking water below on a Shivalingam that happened to be under the tree. The deer then requested him to allow her to entrust her fawns to her husband, after which she would return. After much haggling he agreed.


While awaiting her return, he stayed awake by aimlessly plucking leaves and dropping them below. Again they fell on the Shivalingam. Thus he unknowingly performed its puja (worship) while remaining awake all night. Finally the doe returned with her family, She informed him that along with her, he'd have to kill her family too. As he aimed, some more leaves fluttered down on the Shivalingam.


The collective punya (spiritual merit) accrued from the puja performed unknowingly, eradicated all his sins. This purified his heart. Repenting his flawed life of sin, he set the deer free. As he sat repenting, Lord Shiva manifested in front of him and granted him a boon, "You shall be born in a town known as Shrungver, as a man named Gruha. Lord Vishnu will grace your home as Lord Rama and redeem you." (This event is described in the Ramayana.) Shiva also blessed the deer, which attained a better destiny.”

To read an earlier post with more legends of the origin of Mahashivaratri and also explains its esoteric significance, go to this link here.

Mahashivaratri 2011 -- Cultural Programme at Arunachaleswarar Temple

This year Shivaratri falls on the night of March 2nd through the day of March 3rd. And as is customary at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, the Festival will be celebrated by musical programmes, dramas and classical dance in the Temple Auditorium on Wednesday, 2nd March through the early hours of Thursday, 3rd March:-



Programme Details


5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Devaram Music (Hymns to Shiva)


6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Classical Bharat Natyam by Meenakshi Angappan Troupe









7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Classical Bharat Natyam by Vanavaka Rajendran Troupe


8.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Nattiya Nagadam (singing and Drama) by Mount St. Josephs School, Tiruvannamalai


9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Classical Bharat Natyam by Lalita Thiyaganrajan Troupe


10.00 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. Grammiya (Village) Cultural Programme by Mayial Swamy Troupe (comedy cinema actor from Chennai)

Shiva at Suruttapalli

2010 is the year numerologically ruled by the number 3 (2+0+1+0). Three is the number ruled by the planet Jupiter (called Guru in Sanskrit).

The most powerful deity for 2010 is Dakshinamurti, who is a form of Shiva that is Guru or Jupiter. (Dakshinamurti is often depicted as teaching in silence, transmitting higher knowledge effortlessly to four ancient sages who were receptive to silent darshan.) To read more about Dakshinamurti and his particular relevance to Arunachala check out these previous links here and here:

At Suruttapalli (located in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh), there is a unique Temple. It is at this place that Lord Shiva is depicted drinking the poison (karma) of the world with Goddess Parvati holding his head in her lap so that the poison does not spill back out into the world. It is thought that by going there and in particular by performing puja there, that bad effects of karma may be averted.

Because at Suruttapalli Lord Dakshinamurti (Jupiter) can be found in the rare form in which his Shakti is present, it is believed that this symbolises that the Goddess is present to take hold of the pain and suffering of devotees and expiate their bad karma.

[For in-depth information and photographs of Suruttapalli please this website here]

History of Suruttapalli

According to Sthalapurana (history of the place), it is said that Asuras (demons) and Devas (Gods) decided to consume the nectar from Kseerabthi (the milk ocean) in order to live longer. Hence, they churned the ocean with the help of Vasuki (the celestial snake) and the hill Mandhara, with Gods on one side and demons on the other. Unable to tolerate the pressure, Vasuki spilled out the poison from his mouth. The Gods and demons then approached Lord Shiva to save them from the harm of poison. Lord Shiva transformed himself into Vishabhakarana Murthi and consumed the poison.

The situation was such that if Lord swallowed the poison, living creatures on the earth would die and if he did not swallow the poison, the Gods and Demons would be killed. He then started feeling a little giddy. Fearing this, his consort, Goddess Parvati placed Lord’s head in Her lap and gently pressed His neck and the poison remained thus in His throat without affecting His body.

Hence Lord Shiva got the name as ‘Neelakantha’ (‘Neela’- blue with poison and ‘Kantha’- throat) because of the accumulation of the poison in his throat and Goddess Parvati was called as ‘Amudhambigai’. On their way to Kailasa (Lord Shiva’s abode), Lord Siva feeling dizzy, rested on the lap of His wife for a while in the place where the village stands today. Hence the village got its name as 'Suruttapalli', Surutta meaning ‘Little dizzy’ and Palli meaning ‘Resting’.
[To read more about the Lord at Suruttapalli continue to this site here]

Samudram Evening

Walking about Samudram Erie is a favourite for my doggies and I, and I've previously posted many photographs of the hitherto unspoilt area. However things are changing and currently unchecked illegal sand quarrying occurs in this area, not only through the night but also during the day. Hopefully good results (for the sake of conservation) in the upcoming elections might change local dynamics and result in the people currently involved in sand quarrying being prevented from futher damaging our beautiful 750 acre natural reservoir.

The actual name Samudra means - sea of syrup (one of the seven seas), a gathering of the waters above and under the firmament and an ocean of virtues and auspiciousness.

There is an epigraph chiselled in the masonry at the Tiruvannamalai Temple dated 1317 which describes the glory of King Vallaladeva’s reign at Arunasamudra, an ancient name for Tiruvannamalai.

“From the lotus of [Vishnu's] navel arose Brahma, the creator of all men. From his mind was born Atri. Then Soma [the moon] was born in his eye. In [his family] was born the king Someswara. To him was born Narasimha who was like a lion to his elephant-like opponents. From him whose gifts eclipse those of the heavenly tree [the kalpa-vriksha or wish-fulfilling tree] whose wealth eclipses that of Kubera [the god of wealth] … and whose prowess eclipses that of the terrible blaze emanating from the forehead eye of the God having the bull as His vehicle [i.e. Siva] was born the king Vallaladeva.

The illustrious King Vallaladeva, possessing all auspicious things, was staying at his capital, which was distinguished by the name Aruna-samudra (earlier name for Tiruvannamalai), belonging to the Hoysala kingdom, which was established with love by his father, which possessed the wealth of a kingdom, and which was the abode of real riches.”

A Samudram Story

There is a fascinating story connected with the idols of Venugopalaswami and his Devis; Rukumini and Satyabhama, whose shrine is located immediately behind the Siva Sannidhi inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple. The story goes like this:

“It seems the statues were originally in a small Vaisnava Village or Agrahara near the large tank ‘Samudram’ about two miles to the south of Sri Arunachala Temple. The people of the village during certain festivals used to carry the Utsava murtis from there to Tirukoilur about 20 miles away. Tirukoilur is a Vaisnava centre with a large Vishnu Temple having a big gopuram on each of sides with no enclosure walls. The Vasinava inhabitants were over-zealous people. Every time the Saiva idols from Sri Arunachala Temple passed by to go round the hill the Vaisnava villagers would obstruct its progress. Repeated complaints of their behaviour were made to the Chola king of that period. The king himself it is said came to verify the complaint and when he was satisfied he worked out a strategy.

During a certain festival the king ordered that all the people of that village near the Samudram to go in procession to Tirukoilur. When they were gone, he had the images of Venugopal and his Devis removed from that Temple and had them installed immediately at the back of Sri Arunachala shrine. When this news reached Tirukoilur, the Utsava murtis were kept in the Temple there and the agraharam near the Samudram was abandoned by its inhabitants. It is also said that the property of the Temple goes in the name of Venugopala Swami to indicate that Arunachaleswarar is worshipped by Lord Vishnu in this Temple.”

[Extract from ‘Arunachalam’]

Nayanmar Poosalaar

Here is a beautiful and inspirational story about Poosalaar, an ardent devotee who enshrined Lord Shiva in his heart. Poosalaar is one of the Nayanmars stated in the Periyapuranam (lives of 63 Tamil Nadu saints).

The Legend

"His heart was large enough to house Shiva's temple and his love served to implement the task with ease.”

Thirunindravur, near Chennai once saw the outpour of devotion of a devout heart as well as the reciprocated grace as a result of the intense devotion. Poosalaar, was a poor man in terms of material wealth but rich in dedicated devotion towards Lord Shiva. His heart brimmed with love and devotion for the Lord. He was called Poosalaar as his body was always smeared with the sacred ash, (Tamil-Poosu-Apply). Bhagavan Ramana says that the right kind of desire on the spiritual path will condition an aspirant to become one with the divine ultimately. Poosalaar was not an exception to this and he yearned to erect a beautiful temple for his heart's favourite. However he became the object of people's ridicule for his herculean desire in his impoverished condition.

Poosalaar however was not deterred by the words of the people. His heart was large enough to house Shiva's temple and his love served to implement the task with ease. Meanwhile Rajasimha Pallava, the King of Kanchi had undertaken the task of erecting a temple for Lord Shiva. On the completion of the task, the king wanted it to be named Rajasimeswaram and duly consecrated. Hence the king fixed a date for the consecration. The day before the assigned date the king's heart was brimming with pride of having erected a beautiful temple for the Lord as his eyes shut with his thoughts vanishing into his sleep. And Lo! The Lord appeared in his dream and stated that He will not be able make present Himself in the consecration ceremony as He will be present in the consecration ceremony of another temple built by an ardent devotee, Poosalaar. Hence the king was asked by the Lord to choose another date to have Him installed ceremoniously on another day in the temple built by him.

Rajagopuram of Poosala Nayanar Temple

The surprised king immediately commanded the culmination of the ceremonies associated with the temple consecration and proceeded to check out on the temple of Poosalaar. Coming to know that Poosalaar lived in a nearby town he set out towards Thirunindravoor. The king was perplexed on the results of his enquiry that Poosalaar lived in poverty and there was not a sign of a new temple being erected in Thirunindravoor. Counting on the Lord's words, the King sought to meet Poosalaar who was meditating under a tree. The king approached Poosalaar and stated the purpose of his visit. Poosalaar replied with joy to have a look at the ceremonious installation of Lord Shiva in the temple that he had built. Lo and Behold! The king witnessed the consecration ceremony of the temple built by Poosalaar within the heart of Poosalaar, with the chanting of the Vedas and other ceremonial activities!

It was then that the king realized that the poor devotee had visualized his desire stage by stage within his heart, surrendering his will and wish to his beloved Lord. The pure devotion and the unconditional love for the Lord had led the almighty to be enshrined in his heart forever. The king then materialized the temple that Poosalaar had built in the cavern of his heart before having the temple built by him duly consecrated. He called the deity 'Irudhayaleeswarar', the one who abides in the heart.

“The story symbolically represents the Vedic principle of seeking the lord within one's heart and to ultimately lose oneself in Him”

About the temple

Thirunindravoor, the place where the temple of Irudhayaleeswarar is situated is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu near Chennai. The inner roof of the temple is fashioned like that of a heart divided into four compartments probably displaying Poosalaar's conception. Parvati here is worshipped as Maragathambigai. Poosalaar's statue is found with folded hands in the shrine of Irudhayaleeeswarar. Irudhayaleeswarar is also worshipped as Manavaleswarar. People with an ailing heart is said to flock to this temple for speedy recovery due to Irudhayaleeswarar's grace.

Hrudayaliswarar Temple

The story of this temple states that the Lord surrenders to the ambit of a devotee's pure devotion and not extravaganza. The story symbolically represents the Vedic principle of seeking the lord within one's heart and to ultimately lose oneself in Him indivisibly. Poosalaar sought the Lord within Himself which led to His liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In the words of Ramana Maharshi, the greatest form of bhakti or devotion is to find and identify Him within oneself."

[By Priya Devi]

Arunagirinatha Temple and Ayyankulam Tank

Arunagirinatha Temple is the third oldest Shiva Temple at Tiruvannamalai. Some say of it; Adi Annamalai Temple is the Head, Arunachaleswarar Temple is the body and Arunagirinatha Temple is the feet.

In front of this ancient, fascinating Temple is the Ayyankulam Tank which is famous for being favoured during Deepam as the Tank upon which the murtis of the Gods enjoy a leisurely rest on their float.

In more recent times the Ayyankulam Tank is famous for its association with Sri Ramana Maharshi as it is the place at which he became a sannyasin.

“Venkataraman detrained at Villuparam (near Pondicherry) for food and thereafter decided to walk. By sunset he arrived at Araiyaninallur Temple where he remained for meditation and later went to the nearby village of Kilur. The next day after pledging his earrings for four rupees he entrained for Tiruvannamalai arriving before noon on September 1, 1896. Immediately he went towards the Arunachaleswarar Temple and it was nearby at the Ayyankulam tank that Venkataraman tore his dress to make a kaupinam, threw everything else away including his remaining money and his Brahman sacred thread, and allowed a barber to give him a tonsure.” To read more click here.

Nowadays the Temple is surrounded by a cluster of new housing which sadly partly obstructs the view of Arunachala.

But perhaps one of the most curious tales associated with this ancient Temple is of the floor of this store room in the below photograph. It is believed that under this very floor is a tunnel (now sealed) which leads into the Arunachaleswarar Temple compound.

More information about this fascinating, ancient Temple to come.