2015 Karthigai Festival: Prayascitta Ceremony

2015 Arunachala Deepam

In the Introduction of the Section entitled Prakarama, Vimanas, Gopurams on my web site Arunachala Samudra, I make mention of the four purification ceremonies (prayascittas) previously observed at the top of Arunachala, for which priests used to go up to the summit of the mountain. Nowadays the only prayascitta ceremony (purification) regularly observed on the summit of Arunachala is after the 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 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 up to the summit of the mountain. 

Those four times were: Mahasivaratri 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 gurukkals and other factors has led to less emphasis being paid to these purification ceremonies occurring on the summit of the Hill itself and nowadays the only prayascitta regularly observed on the summit of Arunachala is after the completion of the Karthigai Festival."

2015 Karthigai Prayascitta Ceremony on Arunachala Summit

Purification Ceremony end of 2015 Karthigai Festival

Arunachaleswarar Temple Priest performing Ceremony

Summit of Arunachala end of 2015 Karthigai Deepam

Lord Shiva's Feet Summit Arunachala

After the Cauldron is brought down from the Hill and returned to its permanent resting place inside the Arunachaleswarar Compound, an additional purification ceremony is observed in connection with the Deepam Cauldron.

2015 Karthigai Deepam Cauldron back at Temple

Tiruvannamalai Artist

During my visit to the ARS (Annamalai Reforestation Society) Model Farm today, my escorts JJ (well known at Tiruvannamalai as a pundit, scholar, musician and also Librarian of Ramana Ashram Library), and Nawaz officer of the ARS since his retirement from the State Bank of India, Tiruvannamalai -- took me to view the studio of Gayatri, an artist from Spain.

She has converted an upstairs room at the Model Farm into a studio in which she can immerse herself in her paintings. To learn more about Gayatri and to view some of her work you can visit her website at this link here.

JJ with Gayatri in her studio

To view more photographs click on below link.

Iron Age Sites

Tiruvannamalai Hill is constituted of igneous rock and forms part of the Javadi Hill range of Tamil Nadu. Geological surveys are reported to show that Arunachala is older than the Himalayas, and as to its longevity, it is stated in the Skanda Purana that:


Sri Siva said:

"Let this perpetual and immobile Fiery Form of mine, famous as Arunadri, be present here forever. (27)

Even at the close of the Yugas the great oceans shall not submerge it, the winds shall not shake it and the fires shall not burn it." (28)

[Skanda Purana - iii(U).16.27-28]


The age of the area is evidenced by the dates of the rock formations, but it is an area which also has been inhabited for many thousands of years. And in this respect Megalithic burial sites over three thousand years old and spread over three kilometres were recently discovered at the foot of a hill chain near Veeranam Village, Tiruvannamalai District.

The sites are marked by cairn-circles, which are rough stones arranged in a circle indicating burial chambers below. The chambers accompanied by urns containing bones and pottery with paddy, beads, knives, swords and other artifacts.

Such burial sites are highly valued by Historians, as they provide information about the social life of the Sangam Age in Tamil Nadu. In this respect The Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department and The Archaeological Survey of India are being asked to involve themselves in conservation of remaining historically rich areas by offering them protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.