21 October 2012

Karthigai Deepam Festival 2012


Posters with details of Karthigai Deepam Festival 2012 have already been put up around town. In this post I have uploaded the poster showing the programme of major events in the 2012 Deepam Festival. I have also included below, photographs of those major events in 2011. To read a full report of the 2011 Deepam Calendar and also to view many photographs of last year's Festival, please go to my website Arunachala Samudra at this link here. Within the next few days I hope to post the full programme for 2012 Karthigai Deepam Festival.


Right click on all photographs to view enlargements.




Programme of 2012 Karthigai Deepam Festival

Flag Hoisting 2011 Deepam Festival



Flag Hoisting 2011 Deepam Festival




Silver Karpaga Virutcham (Wish Fulfilling Tree) 2011

Silver Kamadhenu Vahanam (Wish Fulfilling Cow) 2011

Silver Rishabha Vahanam (Silver Bull) 2011


Lord Panchamurthigal 2011


Maha Radham 2011





17 October 2012

Significance of Pradosham



Significance of Pradosham

Pradosham is a significant day to worship Lord Siva and his consort Goddess Parvati. It falls on the the 13th day (Trayodasi) of the lunar cycle and hence falls two times in a month, once in the waxing period and once in the waning period. Pradosham is joyously and elaborately celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The date of the most recent celebration was October 13 and below are series of photographs of that day.

History of Pradosham

One time the Devas and Asuras used the serpent Vasuki and the hill Mandhara to try and get Amrutham (nectar) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Their churning made the poison Halahala emerge. In answer to their prayers Lord Shiva came to their rescue and drank the poison and ordered the Devas to resume their churning of the ocean. On the twelfth moon day (Dwadhasi) the Devas were finally able to get the Amrutham.

In celebration they danced and sang but forgot to thank God. On the thirteenth moon day (Trayodhasi) the Devas realised their sin and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Pleased, Lord Shiva forgave the Devas and danced between the horns of his bull Nandi. That time is called Pradosham and it is believed that if one prays to Lord Shiva at that time, ones’ wishes will be fulfilled one will be given mukti.

During Pradosham time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful:

Offering Milk (for long life) 
Offering Ghee (for Moksha)
Offering Curd (for good children)
Offering Honey (for a melodious voice)
Offering Rice powder (relief from debt)
Offering Sugar cane juice (for good health)
Offering Panjamrutham (gives wealth)
Offering Tender coconut (to acquire enjoyment)
Offering Cooked Rice (to achieve a majestic life)
Offering Sandal (to acquire Lakshmi's Grace)
Offering of Lemon (removes fear of death) 
Offering Sugar (removes enmity and bad relationships).

[Pradosham Purana]


Photographs of Pradosham, Arunachaleswarar Temple, 
October 13, 2012 










Periods of Pradosham 
Waxing Period is the 15 days after Amavasaya or the New Moon Day. 

Waning period is the 15 days after Poornima or the Full Moon Day. 

Pradosham in the waxing period of the moon is supposed to be more significant. Moreover if Pradosham falls on a Monday it is called Somavara Pradosham and is highly auspicious. Pradosham which falls on a Saturday is called Sani Pradosham and that is also very important. If one cannot observe a fast on all Pradosham, at least Somavar Pradosham, Sanivar Pradosham and the ones in the waxing period should be observed for pleasing the Lord. 

The evening of travodasi, i.e., the 13th moon day between 4.30 p.m., and 6.00 p.m. is Pradosham. It is believed that whatever sins we have committed will be forgiven by the Lord if we pray wholeheartedly. 

Pradosham timings are 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset, that is it is observed in the twilight period. Some do Abishekam for the Lingam, some people chant "OM Nama Shivaya", some chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (given below) 108 times and the very pious also read the Siva Skanda Purana Story. But it is said, that just lighting a lamp and praying also please the Lord a lot. 


The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and its meaning:

Om Tryamlakam Yajamahe 
Sugandhim Pustivardhanam 
Urva rukamiva Bandhanan 
Mrtyor muksheeya Ma amritat 

Om. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who increasingly nourishes the devotees. By worshipping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk. 

25 September 2012

Maha Deepam Calendar 2012-2022


This year, as is well know, Mahadeepam will take place on Tuesday November 27, 2012. But for those wanting to keep a record for upcoming dates of Mahadeepam at Arunachala, below is a list of the Mahadeepam dates for the next 10 years.


Lighting of the Mahadeepam, 2011


Arunachala Maha Deepam 2013-2022

17th November 2013 (Sunday)
5th December 2014 (Friday)
25th November 2015 (Wednesday)
12th December 2016 (Monday)
2nd December 2017 (Saturday)
23rd November 2018 (Friday)
10th December 2019 (Tuesday)
29th November 2020 (Sunday)
19th November 2021 (Friday)
6th December 2022 (Tuesday)


The days preceding the lighting on the Mahadeepam are also well visited by pilgrims. The schedule of the Deepam Festival Calendar generally follows the same format each year, to view last year's programme, with photographs of each day go visit my website at this link here
 

Lights of Arunachaleswarar Temple 2011


As soon as the schedule for the 2012 programme is released by the Arunachalaleswarar Temple, I will post it on this site.


Arunachaleswarar Temple Tour


Nowadays there are lots of great videos on such sites as You Tube, connected with Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai, Girivalam and both famous and not so famous saints and teachers.

The below is a nice video taking one on a tour of the Arunachaleswarar Temple. Very soothing and inspirational background music to enjoy while taking the tour. 



22 September 2012

Panthakkal Preceding 2012 Deepam



An invitation from Arunachaleswarar Temple for Panthakkal preceding the 2012 Arunachala Deepam, was recently released. 

For those who do not read Tamil, an English translation follows further down this posting:- 








The Government of Tamil Nadu, Hindu Charitable Temple Department of Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Good Morning. 

In the Agni Sthalam (Tiruvannamalai) on 15-11-2012 to 01-12-2012 the Deepam Festival is going to be commenced in regard to that Thiruvalluvar 2043 Nandana Year, Month Purattasi 10, (English date 26-09-2012) on Wednesday Morning between 6.00 a.m. to 7.15 a.m., Panthakkal is to be organised. 

Panthakkal Murutham is to be organised with the blessings of Arulmigu Sambandha Vinayaka. 

At this Shrine in the Temple; Abhishekam and Aarti will be organised. At that time everyone is invited. Come and get blessings from Arunachala. 

Ganesha Going For Immersion


Was in town yesterday on errands, and while there was fortunate to be able to see some very nice Ganesha statues and floats on their way to various tanks and tirthams for immersion. The most popular spot for Ganesha immersion is at the Tamari Nagar tank. To read an earlier posting on Arunachala Grace about the Ganesha Festival and immersion, go to this link here


Ganesha on a Bullock Cart near Thiruvoodal Street

Big Temple Gopurams in the background



The lads seem to be having a grand time

Very stately looking Vinayakas
 Vinayaka waiting to be picked up and taken for his immersion

Vinayaka at Ramana Nagar giving darshan to passer-bys

20 September 2012

Asian Elephants in Kerala


For those interested is supporting the work of strenthening legal protection for Kerala’s Asian Elephants, please read the following notice of an upcoming ecological conference scheduled in Kerala for Mid December. Contact details and relevant website for more details are posted below. 





CALL FOR PAPERS: Announcing Major Kerala, India Ecology Conference 

Dr. Glen Barry of Ecological Internet to serve as Academic Convener, and present on the global biodiversity, ecosystem and biosphere imperatives for biocentric land planning and strengthened legal protections for Kerala's Asian elephants - and their corridors, particularly the Sigur plateau - as an umbrella species for other ecological values. 


September 19, 2012 
By Forests,org, a Project of Ecological Internet 

Dear Forest Protection Colleagues: 

I am pleased to announce a major international conference on conservation of India's forests, wild life, and ecology; and to issue a call for academic papers and attendance. The conference will occur in mid-December, 2012, in Kerala, India, located in the Western Ghats, which is known for its lush ecosystems, tremendous biodiversity - including viable Asian elephant populations - and high levels of human development, as well as human encroachment upon these vital ecosystems. Noted ecologist Dr. Madhav Gadgil, author of the important and controversial Kerala ecological land sensitivity designations, as well as Dr. V. S. Vijayan, Chairman of Salim Ali Foundation and Former Chairman of Kerala Bio-Diversity, have indicated they will be participating in the conference. 

The Kerala Eco Conference will emphasize global aspects of Kerala's ecological sustainability issues, placing issues of Western Ghats' broad environmental challenges within the larger international perspective of climate change, mass extinction, loss of ecosystem services, international environment law, landscape planning, and land use laws and policy. It is desired that various countries' practices as to protection of their hills and mountains' terrestrial ecology, and protecting watershed functionality and wildlife corridors in their countries, can provide an essential global view to the proceedings. An emphasis will be upon biocentric planning and law for India's ecology, people, elephants and other biodiversity, and their future together. 

Ecological Internet has been active in campaigning to protect critical elephant corridors in Kerala since 2006, achieving stunning success, including the relocation of a proposed Neutrino laboratory from prime elephant corridor habitat. On this basis, I have been asked to act as academic convener and coordinator for the conference, and will be presenting a paper which examines the importance of ecological conservation in the Western Ghats to global climate and ecological sustainability. I will highlight the importance of biocentric landscape planning to ensure adequate elephant habitat and corridors – particularly in the Sigur Plateau – using elephants as an umbrella species to secure ecosystems, biodiversity, water and future sustainable development potential. 

I ask that you please circulate the conference announcement (below) widely – particularly to your environmental law and academic ecology colleagues and departments around the world – as this will truly be an international affair. I would love to make your acquaintance there personally, as we work together to protect one of the most special natural ecosystems on Earth. 

Please contact the conference organizer Nagaraj Narayanan at nagaraj@keralalawacademy.org or myself Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological Internet, glenbarry@ecologicalinternet.org with any questions. I hope to see you soon in India's special evergreen city! 

Warm regards, for Earth, 
Dr. Glen Barry 
Political Ecological and President, Ecological Internet 

P.S. Within the next few days additional conference materials will be made available at http://KeralaEcoConference.org/ 

8 September 2012

Ramana Ashram New Library


One of the current building projects undertaken at Ramana Ashram is now finished and the new Ashram Library is open. The new Library, which is circular in shape and comprises the upstairs of the building, has a much larger shelf capacity than the old Library. The new Library is known as the Sri Ramana Granthalaya. 


Front View of the Library


Upstairs contains the Library books
Access to the Library
Better view of ramp

7 September 2012

The Plastic Menace


One can understand the reasoning behind the rapid development of Tiruvannamalai and surrounding countryside, however sometimes it seems that that development has completely unnecessary environmental consequences. One such issue is the proliferation of plastic waste throughout the area. 

Happily our Tiruvannamalai Administration is now throwing its full weight behind the drive AGAINST plastic in this area. 

A recent newspaper report states: “Facebook may not have ‘dislike’ button but you can express your dislike towards any plastic garbage pollution, violation of ban on plastics in Tiruvannamalai on a specially created Facebook page ‘plastic free Tiruvannamalai and get the attention of authorities. 




Plastics carry bags, sachets, water glasses etc of less than 40 micron have been banned in Tiruvannamalai. Even those above permissible 40 micron should bear the name of the manufacturer. The ban came into effect from August 15. 

District Collector Vijay Pingale is showing keen interest in realising the goal of plastic free Tiruvannamalai and on his insistence every Municipality and Town Panchayat in Tiruvannamalai District is organising rallies against usage of disposable plastics. 

Meanwhile Mr. Pingale has asked people to post their complaints against violation of this ban in the Facebook fan page created by supporters of the mission. While addressing a rally in Kilpennathur on Thursday Tiruvannamalai District Collector announced that:- 

“If you come across any case of disposable plastics being sold or used violating the ban in Tiruvannamalai you just can capture it on your mobile phone and share the picture with details such as time and place on the Facebook page ‘plastic free Tiruvannamalai’, created by supporters of our mission. Authorities will observe the postings in the page and take action.” 

The Facebook page, link here, is not officially managed by the Tiruvannamalai Administration, however the Administration has given their assurances that follow up action would also be posted on that Facebook page. 

5 September 2012

Tiruvannamalai Train Information


To those interested in checking the 'live status' online for Tiruvannamalai trains, you should go to this Indian Railways link here and register as a member. Once you are a member you can get excellent 'live status' updates of the schedule for Tiruvannamalai trains. 

The below is a 'live status' update for Tiruvannamalai Railway train departures from a few moments ago. 


Right click on below snapshot for enlargement.







4 August 2012

Arunachala Samudra Update


To those interested in reading about the recent Adi Annamalai Mahakumbhabhishekam please visit my website Arunachala Samudra at the section on Adi Annamalai Temple.  




Over the last month a number of new narratives have been added to the website, in the Temple Section, narratives and photographs on Adi Annamalai Temple, Rajarajeshwari Temple, Pachaiamman Temple and the Asta Lingams

There are also in depth narratives in the Festival Section, on the Thiruvoodal and Mahashivaratri Festivals. 

For morality tales, anecdotes and quotes go to this link here.

I will be continuing to upload new material on Arunachala Samudra over the coming months, so please continue checking in. 

Kodaikanal Interview on the Mind

The first spiritual teaching Sri Sathya Sai Baba is reputed to have given to the world was at the age of 14 years when he left his home and took a seat on a boulder outside his Puttaparthi village. It was at that boulder (which would later mark one of the boundaries of his vast desert Ashram), that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai sang: 

Manasa Bhajorey Guru Charanam 
Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam 
Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai 
Sai Natha Sad Guru Jai Jai 
Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namah Shivaya, 
Om Namah Shivaya, Shivaya Namah 
Om Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva, 
Arunachala Shiva Aruna Shiv Om 
Omkaram Baba, Omkaram Baba, 
Omkaram Baba Om Namo Baba 

"O mind, worship the Lotus Feet of your God and Supreme Teacher that will take you safely across the ocean of life and death. Victory to our Lord and supreme Teacher, Sai Nath! 

Mind, also chant and worship; the Divine name of Lord Shiva and Arunachala mountain (which is no different to Shiva) and Baba whose form is OM." 

In this bhajan Bhagavan exhorts devotees to worship the feet of the spiritual preceptor and explains that there is no difference between the Pranava Om (which pervades the Universe), Arunachala and the Lord. Bowing to one is as bowing to all. 

Since that early age of 14 years and his first teaching, Sri Sathya Sai Baba often encouraged, suggested and even ordered devotees to come to Arunachala. As well as his love of this Holy Place, Sri Sathya Sai Baba often guided people (as did Ramana Maharshi) in the method of Self Enquiry. 

 "All agitation will cease the moment one enters on the enquiry. 'Who am I?' This was the sadhana that Ramana Maharshi achieved and taught to his disciples. This is also the easiest of all disciplines." [Sri Sathya Sai Baba] 






The following is the transcript of an interview given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba to Western Devotees at Kodaikanal on April 1st, 1985. The interview is particularly relevant to devotees of Arunachala, as it explores the nature of consciousness and exhorts sadhakas to practice self enquiry. 

Interview given by Sathya Sai Baba at Kodaikanal April 1, 1985 

Devotee: Swami, what is the best way to relate to the world?

Baba: Do not spend your time thinking about the world or your relationships to individuals. These are all impermanent. They have only to do with the body. The body is just a water bubble. The mind is like a mad monkey. Do not follow either the body or the mind. Follow the Self, the Atma. It is beyond the mind. It is permanent. It is the unchanging truth within you. 

Most important, do not ever think that you and God are separate. Think always, "God is with me; He is inside me; He is around me. All there is is God. I myself am God. I am the Infinite, the Eternal. I am not two; I am one, only one. There is no one else besides me. I and God are one and the same." 

To realize this Unity, the first step is to develop self-confidence. It comes when you realize that God is not outside of you. Self-confidence means thinking all the time, "God is in me... God is doing everything... without God I cannot be... all this is God... I only want to think of God." When there is self-confidence then there will be love, there will be peace, there will be truth, there will be God. Without self-confidence there cannot be God. So, first there must be self-confidence and love of God. 

Devotee: Swami, how to do we rise up to that highest level?

Baba: Through love. Only through love. Develop divine love. Divine love is completely selfless. Human love is mostly selfishness; all the time it thinks only of the little 'i'. That 'i' is the ego. The ego is a very bad quality. Ego sees everything as separate; it sees everything as dual. You must remove this ego and see only the Unity. Think only of Unity; think only of the Atma. Atma is the one unchanging Truth, the one Reality that is the basis of everything. 

Devotee: Swami, is everything predetermined? 

Baba: For the Atma there is no time and there is no form. It is beyond time and beyond form. In the Atma all are one. Remember that Unity. Live in that Unity. Make that your goal. All are one... be alike to everyone. 

Devotee: Baba, what is the relationship between the Atma and the individual? 

Baba: The Atma is everywhere. But, do you know that? No, you do not know. What you say now all comes from your imagination. You have no experience. Do some Sadhana. Realize the Atma! Always think like that... "I am the Atma. I am all." The individual exists only in your imagination. It is just an illusion. When the Atma is one without a second, when the Atma is everywhere, where is the individual? Only in your imagination. The Atma alone is real. Realize it through meditation. 

Devotee: Then there is really no higher being related to this body, judging me and guiding me? 

Baba: You see, you are still in 100% body consciousness. Do not stay with this body consciousness. Remove that. What will remain will be Atma-consciousness. Then there will be no anger, no hatred, no envy, no jealousy, no hunger, no desire... only complete Ananda... only bliss, bliss, bliss! 

Devotee: But then, Swami, what is reborn in reincarnation? 

Baba: The body is born. Birth and death only have to do with the body. Ego also relates only to the body. Similarly, reincarnation relates only to the body. Do not think of the body. Think of the Atma. The Atma is one; it is unchanging. For Atma there is no incarnation, there is no reincarnation. 

Devotee: Swami, do I exist at all as an individual? 

Baba: When you realize the Atma then there is no individual. You can think of individuals as different light bulbs. There will be a differences in wattage and in color. There will be differences in shape, but everywhere the current is the same. That current is who you are. You are not the individual bulb. You are the one current in all. 

Devotee: Is there any difference between I and God? 

Baba: You are God. You are not the ego. You are God! Devotee: I am God? 

Baba: Yes. You are the Atma. You are permanent. The physical is not permanent. The physical is not the Atma. You are the Atma, not the physical. You are God. Think like this always. Do not think about the body. The body comes and goes; for it there is birth and there is death. But you are not the body. Body is just rust and dust. Think only of God. Love God. 

Devotee: Swami, how can we love something we don't understand? 

Baba: Develop self-confidence, then love will follow; it will come naturally from within. And that way the love will be pure. First comes self-confidence, that is the foundation. Then comes self-satisfaction. It is like the wall. Next comes self-sacrifice, it is like the roof. Finally the house is complete and the Indweller is installed inside; that is self-realization. It starts with self-confidence and it ends with realizing the Self. That Self is you. It is everything. It is God. That is who you really are. 

Devotee: Does self-confidence mean confidence in the Self? 

Baba: Yes, self-confidence is confidence in the Atma; it is an unwavering love for the Divinity within you. That is very important. What will help you to develop that confidence? Be equalminded, be satisfied with what you have. Be happy. The secret of happiness is not in doing what you like but in liking what you have to do. That is a great truth. Always have complete faith in the indwelling God who takes care of everything. True greatness can only come from faith. 

Devotee: Lord, I want to arrive very early to You. What do I have to do? 

Baba: Through love, only through love. Love is everything. Love is God. Live in love. Start the day with love, spend the day with love, fill the day with love and end the day with love. That is the way to God. 

Devotee: How do we develop this selfless love? 

Baba: It all comes through God's Grace. Without Grace you cannot do anything. First do your duty and think about God all day from morning to evening. See everything as God. Be happy. Think, "O Lord, You are my everything. You are my goal. You are my breath." Do not think, "This is mine, that is mine." Instead think, "All is You. All is Yours." Think, "I am beyond the body. This body is just a water bubble. I am beyond the mind. This mind is just a mad monkey. I am the Atma. I and God are one. Before this body was formed I was there. After this body leaves I am there. Without this body I am still there. I am omnipresent. I am all." 

To reach this truth you have to do some spiritual practice. You have to inquire, "What is God? Who is God? Who am I?" Jesus spent twelve years in the desert; then he realized. You must also do some Sadhana. The first step in realization is to always think of God. Then after some years you will realize that you are one with God. In the beginning you can think, "The world is like a stage. I am only an actor. God is the director. All are His instruments, all are just actors. He is directing everything." But do not always remain at that level. Move on. Think, "I am the unchanging Atma, not this changing personality and body." 

Devotee: Shall we tell these things to others, Swami? 

Baba: Do not talk too much. First do some Sadhana. First do. Then be. Then you can talk. Do good, be good and see good. Do everything with love. After you develop your self-confidence and love for God then you can share your experiences with others. But it is a good rule to talk very little, even about God. In Sadhana there will be internal talk with God. You will give up all attachments and attach only to God. For this, purity of the heart is very important. Where there is no purity, there is no Unity. Without Unity you cannot attain Divinity. Then your life is just a waste. First purity, next Unity, then you realize your Divinity. 

Devotee: And purity comes from service? 

Baba: Yes. Purity comes from Seva... it comes from selfless love. All are one family, serve all... not just the Sai family, but the whole world family. All are brothers and sisters. All are one, be alike to everyone. That is Unity... the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. 

18 July 2012

Our Rukku


Right Click on all photographs for enlargement: 

The below series of photographs of sweet Rukku, from Arunachaleswarar Temple, was taken last Sunday July 15, 2012 while Rukku was walking on the Girivalam Pathway on her way from the Arunachaleswarar Temple located Southeast of Tiruvannamalai on her way to Adiannamalai Temple, located at the Northwest side of the Hill. 









They say elephants never forget -- well it seems that might be true, and my visits to her at the Big Temple with snacks and treats of cabbages and carrots were rewarded by a very nice series of poses. Specially like the loving eye contact of this last photo.