Shani Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple: Saturday, 1 July, 2023

 

The importance of observing Pradosha is described in the Pradosha Mahatmyam from the Shiva Purana. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.

 

 

The first Pradosham of July, 2023 fell today Saturday (July 1) and is thus known as Shani Pradosham or Shani Pradosham Vrata. According to Hindu astrology Saturn is known to affect one adversely on occasions when it placed in a certain position in one's horoscope. A prayer to God, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate one’s hardships. Thus, it is believed that by observing a Vrata (vow) and offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Shani Pradosham, one can escape from the ill effects of Lord Shani (one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial Gods).

 

4th Prakaram Chinna Nandi

Shani Pradosham is classified into Uthama Shani Pradhosham, Mathima Shani Pradhosham, and Athama Shani Pradhosham.

 

Uthama Shani Pradhosha is the Shani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Shani Pradhosham occurs during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during waning period. All other Shani Pradhoshams come under the category Athama Shani Pradhosha.

 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

Abhishekam occurred upon all 5 Temple Nandis i.e.  Pradosha Nandi in the Moolastanam, Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the Second Prakaram, Kodi Kampathu Nandi in the Third Prakaram (near Flagpost), Chinna Nandi in the fourth prakaram and Periyar Nandi that stands in front of the Vallala Gopuram in the Fifth Prakaram.

Why Lord Nataraja changed his dancing posture

After the demise of Vikrama Pandian, Rajesekharan ascended the throne. He learnt and mastered sixty-three out of the sixty-four arts. He did not attempt to learn 'Bharathanatyam' because he believed as Lord Nataraja was the supreme dancer, it would amount to disrespect to practice that art form.

 

During Rajeskharan's rule, the Chola Kingdom was ruled by Karikaal Cholan. Not only was he a great King but he had also mastered all the sixty four arts including Bharatnatyam. One day a poet from Karikaalan's court visited Rajesekharan. After paying tributes he said that his King was a master of all sixty-four arts whereas the Pandian knew only sixty-three. Believing the admonition was a way of God instructing him to learn Bharatnatyam, Rajasekharan Pandian started to learn that art of dance. However he soon found that the practice exhausted him to such a degree that it made him wonder whether it would also be tiresome for Lord Nataraja, who had been dancing for ages with his left leg always lifted.

 

Dancing posture, Lord Nataraja worshipped at Tiruvannamalai

The compassionate king filled with love and devotion for the Lord spent sleepless nights worrying how much it would hurt the Lord to always dance in one posture. On the day of Sivaratri, he arranged a puja for Lord Somasundarar then presented himself in front of Lord Nataraja. With a melting heart he beseeched the Lord,

 

“Oh my beloved Lord, you are dancing always with one leg on the ground and the other lifted in the  air. Does it not cause you pain? Please change your posture by setting your left leg on the ground and your right leg in the air. This will bring relief to my aching heart. If you do not oblige I will kill myself here in front of you."

 

With these words, he unsheathed his sword and was about to kill himself but at that very moment, the merciful Lord Nataraja changed his posture and set his left leg on the ground and lifted his right leg. Pandian was overwhelmed by the Lord's compassion and further requested that Lord Nataraja always exhibit his changed posture at Velliambalam for the benefit of devotees. 

 

Lord Nataraja at VelliSabhai, Madurai

 

Lord Nataraja granted the wish and even to this day Lord Nataraja is worshipped in that posture at Madurai.

[Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam]

Sri Siva Mona Siddhar: Supporter of the Distressed

 

I have made many posting about Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar on my Arunachala Mystic blog, to read these posts and for information about him and his interaction with devotees check out the links on the left column of this Blog.

 

Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Swami

Swamiji's ashram is located off Vettavalam Road about 20 kms from Arunachala but due to winding country lanes is about a 30 km drive from Tiruvannamalai. An ever-increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamiji at his Ashram to consult with him and receive his blessings. As a result of strenuous tapas Swamiji received siddhis from the Divine that have given him the ability to understand, guide and support those in distress—and also to perform healings.

 

Sethavarai countryside near Ashram

Swami's Sadhana

Swami was born on October 3rd, 1962 and named Sri Narayanan. He lived a rustic life in a small Tamil village and at 27 years of age agreed to an arranged marriage which resulted in the birth of a girl child.  However his yearning for a spiritual life led him to renounce the world and enter into sannyas. He thereupon went into the forest to perform sadhana and continued to roam about for over 15 years. One day desolate at the meaningless of life he decided to commit suicide by jumping from the summit of Kanjanakiri Mount (near Vellore District).

 

Sri Siva Mona Siddhar was prevented from this act by the call of a sadhu who had seemingly appeared from nowhere. The sadhu invited him to a nearby Temple to eat and sleep and in the middle of the night, the sadhu disappeared. Swami stayed in Kanchangiri Temple’s Ashram, at the back of which was a Kanni Temple and this is the exact spot where he was bestowed Divine powers by Lord Shiva.

 

Miracle Bestowed Powers

One day, when his body was in a dire condition, and he felt that there was no hope left, he prayed to Mother Unnamulai Ammal, beseeching, “you give food to the whole World, so why can’t you take care of my needs and feed me?”

 

Immediately on uttering this prayer, five ladies and five men suddenly appeared in a vision and came to Swami and laid him on the floor. The five ladies sat below the head of the prostrate body, and the five men sat above the head. Each of the five ladies started to remove parts of Swami’s body, bit-by-bit, and made up small packages of the body parts. 

 

During this whole process Swami felt absolutely no pain. Finally only his head remained. Thereupon the ladies said, “give these small packages, to those that come to meet you, as prasadam.” After this, the five men sitting above him, placed their hands upon Guruji’s head and after a few moments disappeared. At that very moment Guruji’s body reappeared and from that time till this day, Guruji has not had a single problem with his body. 

Merging with a Lingam

Sometime after the incident whilst Swami was in meditation, a Lingam suddenly appeared. In his excitement he tried to lift the Lingam but as it was heavy he wasn’t able to move it even an inch. Upon being unable to move the Lingam, he decided to perform a puja, so stood up in order to perform the ritual; as he stood the Lingam also lifted up to his position, slowly came towards him, and then mingled with him. 

 

It was at this time that he came to an understanding of the truth of life.  According to his inner guidance Swamiji travelled to Sethavarai and isolated himself in a cave for 58 days. As a result, he received a vision of the Divine and guidance as to his work in this lifetime. An increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamiji at his Ashram (which has developed around him) to consult with him and receive his blessings.

 

Ashram and Temple

 

Now that there is a Temple at Swami's Ashram some devotees arrange pujas to be performed at that place, in order to further bless their prayers.

 

Temple at Swami's Ashram

Lord Siva Shrine inside Temple

Temple Daily Schedule.

Temple Timings: 6 am—12 noon and 3 pm—7 pm

 

Special Pujas:

New Moon Day, Full Moon Day, Astami Day, Pradosham

Each month special pujas take place at Pradosham (evenings from 4.30 pm—6.00 pm) and at Poornima from 6 am—12 noon. The Poornima puja includes Abhishekam, Fire Homam and Anandam.

 

Swami Darshan and Interviews

Swami Darshan: 9 am—12 noon (sometimes up to 1 pm). Special Darshan can be arranged for afternoon session. Mondays there is no Swami darshan.

 

Swami giving blessings during Interview

Location and Contact Information:
Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Dharma Paribalana Trust
Sethavarai, Nallan Pillai Petral Village & Post
Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu
+91 96291 45883 Ashram Manager

Arunachala 2023 Girivalam Full Moon: Dates and Timings

 

Below is an extract from the Skanda Purana Chapter 9, verses 34-50 which explains the significance of Arunachala girivalam.

 

If anyone regularly circumambulates the Lord in the form of Sonacala, he has no rebirth. He shall certainly attain eternity.

 

If a person takes even a step by way of circumambulation, the entire earth is sanctified by coming into contact with the dust of his feet.

 

With palms joined in reverence he should make obeisance in every direction. He should then meditate and eulogize. He should circumambulate slowly without his hand touching anyone else.

 

Without any agitation, without even hearing the sound of his own steps, the devotee should circumambulate in the manner of a woman walks when delivery is imminent.

 

The learned devotee should put on a clean dress after bath. He should apply sacred ash over his body and adorn himself with rudraksa beads. Remembering Siva he should take steps slowly.

 

He should think about the likelihood of collision with thousands of Devas, invisible Siddhas and others of gaseous forms. He should be a true devotee and go ahead slowly putting down his steps along the path.

 

Or the devotee should circumambulate along with other devotees chanting the names of Siva, singing excellent songs and dancing like Siva.

 

Or he should, with his mind not dwelling on anything else, listen respectfully to my greatness and circumambulate slowly feeling the thrill of the bliss.

 

He must offer different kinds of charitable gifts. He must perform meritorious deeds. He should render assistance to supplicants. He should be pious and merciful in a manner he thinks best. Thus he should move around.

 

In Krtayuga the Linga is fiery. In Treta it is a jewel mountain. In Dwapara one should think about it as golden and in Kaliyuga it is an emerald mountain.

 

Or he can meditate upon the red crystalline form that is self-luminous. Meditating thus, he will be freed from all sins. He shall go to the city of Siva.

 

This Linga with the name of Arunachala is the greatest on account of its inscrutability resulting from its state of not being an object of speech and mind and also because of its fiery nature. It is unapproachable. But I become approachable immediately to the person who circumambulates after meditation.

 

 

Chitra Pournami 2022: Early morning crowds

 

The largest Arunachala girivalam crowds are experienced at the time of Karthigai Mahadeepam. However after that—the second most attended girivalam is held to be that performed at the time of Chithirai Pournami. 

This year Tiruvannamalai District is set to witness up to 2 million devotees for the occasion of Chithirai Pournami. The three photographs posted below are of the early build-up of devotees here to observe this significant occasion.

 

Devotees near Alankaram Mandapam, in front of East Gate of Temple. Arunachala in background.

Early morning crowds milling around on Car Street

Devotees on the streets of Tiruvannamalai for the occasion of 2022 Chitra Pournami

 

Arunachala Girivalam: 2022 Paguni Month Full Moon

 

The below photographs are of devotees performing Arunachala Girivialam during this 2022 Paguni month Full Moon. It is welcoming to view the beginning of the inflow of devotees returning to Arunachala. 

 

 

 

Sri Ramana Maharshi Jayanthi: Tuesday December 21, 2021

 

The below photographs were taken at Sri Ramanashramam, Tiruvannamalai on the day of the celebration of Bhagavan's Jayanthi on December 21, 2021.

 

Arudra Darshan Lord Nataraja Abhishekam and Deeparathani: December 20, 2021

 

Below are photographs of the abhishekam and deeparathani performed on Lord Nataraja and the Goddess at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, 1000 Pillar Hall on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Arudra Darshan is observed in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January). It takes place at the time of the full moon (along with Arudra Birth Star) and is the longest night of the year. 

 

 

 

 

This function celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, which is represented by the Nataraja form. The term 'Nataraj' means 'King of Dancers' (nata = dance; raja = king). Arudra denotes a red flame and Lord Siva has also a name called "Semporjyoti" or "Golden Red Flame," and thus Nataraja is the manifestation of Siva as a Light.

 

The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities–Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release–thereby representing the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. It is believed that the energy from this dance of bliss (Ananda Tandavam) sustains the cosmos, and when Siva is finished with this dance, the Universe will end and a new one will begin.

This Festival is in particular celebrated in a grand manner in the five Sabhas of Sri Nataraja. Lord Shiva as Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) performs the Tandava–the dance in which the Universe is created, maintained, and resolved. The five places where Lord Nataraja performed His Tandavam are collectively known as Pancha Sabhas meaning Five Assembly Halls of Lord Nataraja.

 

(1) Kanakasabha (Gold) at Chidambaram, Ananda Tandavam (Dance)

(2) Velli Sabhai (Silver) at Madurai, Sandhya Tandavam (Dance)

(3) Ratnasabha (Ruby) at Tiruvalankadu , Oordhva Tandavam (Dance)

(4) Tamrasabha (Copper) at Tirunelveli, Muni Tandavam (Dance)

(5) Chitrasabha at Kutralam, Tripura Tandavam (Dance)

 

 

 

In this festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Abhishekam of Lord Nataraja takes place early in the morning and He and the Goddess then come outside amongst  devotees. Only a few times a year is the statue of Lord Nataraja brought out of its permanent home at the 2nd Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple.

 

For more information and photographs about the performance of this Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple, please visit an earlier post at this link here.