Flag Hoisting, 2013 Arunachala Deepam Festival

These below photographs are of the early morning flag hoisting at Arunachaleswarar Temple signalling the start of the 2013 Arunachala Deepam Karthigai Festival. The Flag Hoisting was performed on November 8, 2013.

Cancellation of 2013 Deepam Cow Fair, Tiruvannamalai

The wonderful, colourful Cow and Horse Fair celebrated each year at Tiruvannanamalai during the time of Karthigai Deepam, is cancelled this year due to what is being reported as an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in these parts. 

The below report is by J Shanmugha Sundaram and appears in local newspapers. 

“The wide spread dreadful foot-and-mouth disease among milch animals in several parts of the State has stalled the time immemorial horse and cattle shandy, which is part and parcel of the annual Karthigai Mahadeepam festival, this year. 

The district administration has cancelled the shandy as trans-shipped animals would lead to the spread of the viral disease and infect huge number of livestock. The shandy is conducted during the last three-days of the 10-day festival. Next to Anthiyur shandy in Erode district, the Tiruvannamalai cattle shandy is the second biggest one in Tamil Nadu. 

Historians and archaeologists said it had been mentioned in Sanga Illakkiyam that traders brought their horses and cattle to the shandy organised as part of the Tiruvannamalai Karthigai Mahadeepam festival. “It is as old as the festival,” said R Segar, Professor of History Department, Government Muthurangam Arts and Science College, Vellore. 

Though the shandy had lost its sheen, thousands of traders and proud owners of horses of different breeds such as Kathiawari and Marwari, native breeds of milch cows and bulls from across the State and from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala States continued to bring their animals to it . . . ” 

To read more go to this link here 

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The below photographs are of the wonderful Fair from an earlier Deepam. 

2013 Arunachala Deepam Festival Schedule

The poster below lists the dates of major functions that will be celebrated during this years 2013 Deepam Festival.

Major Functions of 2013 Deepam Festival

Yesterday I spent the evening at Arunachaleswarar Temple and while there noticed electricians and workers busy setting up the lights that will illuminate the Temple during the Deepam Festival. 

2012 Temple with Deepam Lights

Below are photographs from the 2012 Deepam Festival at Arunachala, to give readers an idea of the huge crowds and wonderful spectacle and spiritual experience of some of the festivities surrounding the Deepam Festival. 

Flag Hoisting 2012

Flag Hoisting Arunachaleswarar Temple, Deepam 2012

Silver Rishaba Vahanam, 2012 Deepam Festival

Silver Rishaba Vahanam outside Arunachaleswarar Temple, Deepam 2012

Huge Crowd evening of Rishaba Vahanam, outside Big Temple 2012

Pulling the Maharadham, Deepam 2012

Giant Wooden Chariot being pulled perimeter Big Temple, Deepam 2012

Priests Bharani Deepam, Arunachaleswarar Temple, 2012

Mahadeepam on top of Arunachala, Deepam Festival 2012

I don't wish to give off negative vibrations regarding the Deepam Festival at Arunachala, but to those who intend to visit Arunachala for Deepam this year (or Deepam in years to come) -- a word of warning. Be careful of your belongings as many thieves and pickpockets will also be visiting Arunachala for the Festival -- but in their case for an entirely different reason. Two years ago whilst pulling the Maharadham (on the ladies side) my shoulder bag was slit open from the back, and a lady thief tried to pull out my wallet. Luckily I kept all my valuables at home, thus nothing was taken. 

To have a wonderful Deepam experience PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF YOUR POSSESSIONS. 

Deepam 2013 Clean-up

As always preparations for the Arunachala Deepam Festival start long before the function in conjunction with the local administration, revenue department, police and Temple authorities. 

At the Temple; wooden levers have to be fashioned by carpenters, ready to be placed under the large wheels of the chariots that will be daily used throughout the Festival. Repair work is undertaken on all Temple chariots and vehicles. 

Fire drills will be conducted at the Tanks inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple. And soon lights on Arunachaleswarar Temple will be placed around the Temple Compound perimeter and on the Gopurams heralding the upcoming Festivities. 

The giant cauldron which will be later carried to the top of Arunachala will be repaired and repainted. And arrangements have to be made for a mountain of ghee, to be stored in various rooms throughout the Temple. 

To begin with some photographs of Temple clean up and preparations. 

Men working on repair and painting, Big Chariot

Each chariot has to be inspected and repaired

Clean up outside the Shiva Sannidhi

Arunachaleswarar Temple Flagpole

Everything getting a good hose down

Postings on my Arunachala Blogs from September 18 to October 17, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from Wednesday, September 18, 2013 to Thursday, October 17, 2013 

Arunachala Grace 

Some Favoured Arunachala Temples and Shrines: Selection of some out-of-the-way girivalam Shrines and Temples.

Pradosham Photographs: Pictorial report of Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Aarti at Pavala Kundru: Photographs of the beautiful Temple on Coral Hill spur, Arunachala. Video. 

Navaratri Kolu Celebration: Visting two homes of Arunachaleswarar Temple Priests to view their Kolu displays.

Navaratri Alangarams, Arunachaleswarar Temple: Amman Lingam Alangaram and Saraswati Alangaram, Mandapam Hall, Big Temple.

2013 Arunachala Navaratri Functions: Information and links of Navaratri Pujas at Ramana Ashram.

Visit to an Elephant: Time with elephant from Trichy at Seshsadri Ashram who was going to participate in the Raja Parivara Puja on Girivalam Roadway.

Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar: Famed devotee of Lord Shiva, who made a practice of chanting the Sri Rudam, while half immersed in water.

Pradosham, October 2, 2013: Photographs of the large crowds at Arunachaleswarar Temple attending Pradosham.

Counting the Cash: Photographs of Temple appointees counting Hundial donations.

Mahapuja for 18 Siddhars, Arunachala: Raja Parivara Puja to be performed for the 18 Siddhars at Tiruvannamalai.

Mottayan Swami and Kootankuchi Swamigal: Information about two holy beings residing off the Girivalam Roadway, Arunachala.

Tremors felt at Tiruvannamalai: After a gap of almost 25 years, Tiruvannamalai experiences a small earthquake.

Whisper into my Ear: The method and benefits of talking into sacred Nandi’s ear.

Arunachala Birds 

House Sparrow: Description of the most common bird in India and resident at Arunachala. Photographs and Video

Ways to deal with Bully Birds: Modern bird feeders and hints of how to control bully birds in the garden.

Arunachala Land 

Act for Seed and Food Freedom: Information and links about the agricultural independence of India

Tiruvannamalai Puja Flowers: Tiruvannamalai trees and shrubs, flowers of which are used in Temple pujas.

Arunachala Mystic 

Significance of Arunachala Girivalam Asta Lingams: Story of Mooppanar Swami, and his work restoring the Asta Lingams on Girivalam Roadway.

Sri Siva Siddhar Mona Swami Birthday Function: Photographs, video and report of Swami’s birthday celebrations at his Ashram

Mouna Swamigal, Girivalam Roadway: Photographs and narrative of a Swami residing off the Girivalam Roadway

Some Favoured Arunachala Temples and Shrines

Some who perform Arunachala girivalam like to go around the Hill in silence and without stopping. Others like to stop at favourite shrines and lingams along the way. I prefer the former method, and enjoy silent circumambulation. However to view favoured Shrines I frequently take a vehicle to visit certain Temples. 

There are a number of fascinating Shrines and Temples which are located a little way off the main girivalam roadway, so do not attract the same number of visitors, but are very well worth a visit.

Below are some of my own favourite spots which are not as well visited as the more famous Girivalam shrines:

1. Balaji Temple. A Temple still under development. But with a completed major Shrine room dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. This Temple with large grounds has an interesting selection of other Shrines including: Lord Hanuman, Goddesses Kali and Durga, Lord Sani with Kettu and Raghu, the Snake Goddess.

Balaji (Sri Venkateshwara) Temple from distance

2. Pachaiamman Temple. The Temple is beginning to attract larger crowds than previously. It is particularly interesting because of its legends connected with the Goddess Parvarti and its huge Guardian Statues. 

Guardians to the Goddess at Pachaiamman Temple

3. Esanya Ashram (located across from Esanya Lingam) located on the alternate girivalam pathway, parallel to the main roadway. The Ashram contains the Samadhi of the great Saint.

Samadhi of great saint Isanya Desikar

Below is a very nice story about how the famed Saint Isanya Desikar helped his British devotee Ayton, overcome dangers in his efforts to safely attend a Deepam Festival. 

The story goes thus:- 

Isanya Desikar, whose math is located just outside Tiruvannamalai on the old pradakshina road, was a distinguished yogi who, like many before and after him, felt the spiritual call of Arunachala. He was born in 1750 in a small village called Rayavelur in northern Tamil Nadu. He came and settled at the foot of Arunachala only late in his life, but nevertheless, by virtue of his intense and personal relationship with Arunachaleswara, he is regarded as one of the major saints of Arunachala. 

Isanya Desikar had a western devotee, who is now recalled by the name of Ayton. He was the then District Collector for the region that extended from Tiruvannamalai to Vriddhachalam. Ayton had heard about the greatness of Isanya Desikar and approached him in the hope of getting a cure from the tuberculosis from which he had been suffering for many years. 

Isanya Desikar smiled and after a brief pause spat on the ground. The moment he spat, Ayton was cured of the disease. Ayton then spoke to the holy man with both trepidation and devotion. 'Swami, I have recently acquired a large amount of land, I would like to offer your holiness as much as you need. It can be a permanent endowment in your name.' Isanya Desikar smiled and asked tauntingly, 'Will your land yield crops even during a drought?' Then, pointing his finger towards Arunachaleswara and Apeetakuchamba, he added, 'Here is a householder with two children and a large family. It is proper to give him any amount of land, but it is not proper to gift it to me, a sannyasin.' 

Ayton took leave of him but returned on many occasions. He got into the habit of addressing him reverentially and affectionately as 'Tata', which means 'grandfather'. It is said that before he began any new project he would always mediate on Isanya Desikar and invoke his blessing by saying, 'Tata, please lead me in this work. It is your work.' At Deepam Festivals Ayton would take the lead in dragging the huge temple chariot through the streets of Tiruvannamalai. However, before moving the chariot for the first time he would pick up one of the ropes and exclaim loudly: 'Tata, you hold the rope and lead us!' The local people were all astounded that such a prominent British official should have such devotion towards a naked sannyasin. Ayton made it a point always to attend and lead this annual festival, but one year he found himself stranded by floods on the southern side of the River Pennar just before the beginning of the festival. Knowing that he was expected to be at Arunachala to start the chariot on its journey, he called out to his mount: 'Horse, I must see Tata and I must also get the Deepam Festival started. Think of Tata and cross the river!' Without a moment's delay or hesitation, the horse leapt into the raging torrent of water and effortlessly waded to the other side. None of the other people who were stranded dared to follow for they were all convinced that it would be suicidal to enter the surging waters. 

At the moment when Ayton put his faith in Tata and leapt into the water, Isanya Desikar opened his eyes after a long meditation and stretched out his hand in a southerly direction. When one of his disciples asked what he was doing, he replied, 'If someone falls into a river, should we not save him?' 

Ayton arrived safely and took Isanya Desikar's blessings to start the festival. When the news of Ayton's spectacular river crossing and Isanya Desikar's role in it spread among the Deepam crowds, many of them came to the north-eastern side of the hill to see the man who had been responsible for the miracle. Several of the new visitors turned out to be mature seekers who were looking for guidance from a Guru. Isanya Desikar accepted some as disciples, had a small thatched shed built to accommodate them and gave instruction by writing a guide to liberation entitled Jnana Kattalai.

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4. Adi Kamakshi Temple. One of the most ancient Temples at Arunachala located in a road close to Durga Amman Temple.

Front entrance of ancient Adi Kamakshi Temple

The Goddess at this Temple has a Lingam close to her Heart

5. Pavala Kundru. Located on a hill spur almost directly behind the famed Durga Amman Temple off the girivalam roadway.

Pavala Kundru Temple located on Arunachala Spur

6. Arunagirinathar Temple. Located a couple of blocks east of the Arunachaleswarar Temple’s Raja Gopuram.

Arunagirinathar Temple, third most ancient Arunachala Siva Temple

7. Kamakshi Temple. Off Thiruvoodal Street. This Goddess Kamakshi Temple is more recent than the Adi Kamakshi Temple. 

It is famous as a wish-fulfilling Shrine, and it also one of the 6 Temples at Arunachala that have steles (of Shiva and Parvati), and are believed to be part of an “Om” energetic field. 

I will write further on the six Om Temples [Parvati Temple, Niruddhi Lingam, Palani Andavar Temple, Esanya Lingam, Arunachaleswarar Temple and Kamakshi Temple (Thiruvoodal Street)].

Pradosham Photographs Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Below are photographs of the large crowd attending the Wednesday, October 16 2013 Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Large crowd in attendance, pradosham

Puja at Periyar Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Periyar Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Aarti at Pavala Kundru

The below photographs are of Pavala Kundru (Coral Rock) Shrine, situated on a spur of Arunachala. The current Temple dates from not earlier than the end of 18th Century, as historical records date the destruction of the original Shrine by the forces of Tippu Sultan to have occurred in 1790. 

View of Temple from main road towards bus stand

The opening hours of the Temple are somewhat erratic, and this week was the first time in about six visits, that I visited at a time that the Shrine was actually open. This was particularly satisfying as one has to climb 150 steps on the side of the slope to reach the Temple. 

Beginning of a long, steep trek

A fascinating stele in a shrine on the side of the walkway

A beautiful Nandi statue on the side of the walkway

Side view of Temple

Nandi in front of Temple, facing the Lingam in Shrine Room

Nandi front of Temple. Board with information about Sri Ramana

The Temple was recently renovated with the support of Shantimalai Trust and Ramana Ashram. 

Outside the front door of the Temple is a board placed by the Ashram, which reads: 

The first instruction imparted by Sri Ramana Maharshi was to his Mother at Pavala Kundru in 1899: 

"The ordainer controls the fate of souls in accordance with their past deeds. Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen; try how hard you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen. Do what you may to stop it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is for one to be silent.” 

North Side Arunachaleswarar Temple from Pavala Kundru

Ardhanariswarar

Puja at Shrine of Pavalagiriswarar and Ardhanariswarar

One of the most unique features of the current Temple is that there is both the Pavalagiriswarar Lingam and a statue of Ardhanariswarar in the Shrine room. 

Goddess Muttambikai

 

In a nook outside the main shrine room there is a statue of the Goddess Muttambikai, and to the right of that nook is a tiny room in which Sri Ramana Maharshi used to meditate during his six month stay at this Temple. 

View of Arunachala from Pavala Kundru

Unique view of Pavala Kundru on Arunachala spur

I hope to be soon posting more detailed information about the history and mythology of this unique Temple on my website Arunachala Samudra. But for now, as well as some photographs, have also uploaded a short video of aarti being performed in the main Shrine Room. 

Navaratri Kolu Celebration

Navaratri is a joyous, major Festival celebrated throughout India each year around late September or early October. This year the nine day Festival concluded on Vijaya Dasami (Day of Victory) which falls on October 14, 2013. 

It seems that around Tiruvannamalai Navaratri is not celebrated as lavishly as in other parts of India. Perhaps one reason is that many residents of the area are already anticipating the upcoming Deepam Festival. 

This year some friends and I were invited to the homes of two Brahmin Priest families connected to service at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The below photographs of the Kolu displays were taken in their homes. The last photograph in this posting was taken of the Kolu display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram. 

Kolu Display

One very fascinating aspect of the Navaratri Festival, of which I have never written about is Kolu (Tamil = Golu) which means “Divine Presence”. This celebration incorporates the exhibition or display of dolls and figurines on numbered tiers or steps in the home and in some cases at Ashrams and public halls. 

Top 3 Tiers of Display more detail

Preparations for Kolu begin well in advance. Many families have dolls dating back from several generations and between each year’s Celebration, the dolls are carefully wrapped and packed in large trunks. The figurines can be simple or very complicated and based upon marriage occasions, musical instruments, shops, current affairs, Gods and Saints, or depictions of the Epics and Puranas (i.e. Mahabharata, Ramayana, Krishna Leelas etc.). 

Another section of Display

Kolu had a significant connection with the agricultural economy of Ancient India. In order to encourage de-silting of irrigation canals the Kolu celebration was aimed at providing demand for clay that was needed for the celebratory dolls. It is believed that the tradition of Kolu has been in existence from the reign of the Vijayanagara kings. 

Display in another Priest's Home

Start of the celebration 

An auspicious time is chosen before placing the Kalash and dolls for worship with which the Kolu festival begins. A Kalash is a small pot made up of silver or brass containing rice, sticks of Turmeric, Toor dal and a rupee coin. A coconut and mango leaves are placed at the mouth of the pot. 

After placing the Kalash, the Kolu dolls are arranged in tiers of more than nine levels. There is a specific order in arranging the dolls. 

Generally they follow a set sequence as below:- 

Steps 1 to 3—Dedicated to Gods. The kalash is always kept on the first step and arranging the kalash on first step marks the initiation of the ceremony. The different idols of various Gods and Goddesses are arranged in these three steps. 

Steps 4 to 6—The next three steps are devoted to saints like Sai Baba, Swami Vivekananda, Demigods and national leaders. 

Figurine of Lord Iyyapan

Step 7—On this step dolls depicting festivals, celebrations and occasions are displayed. 

Step 8—Scenes of everyday life, such as shops, bus stop, cars, street scenes etc. 

Step 9—On this step, traditional Marapachi Bommai are placed along with other dolls symbolising living things in the world. (Marapachi Bommais are a pair of male and female dolls carved out of a special medicinal redwood called ‘Marapachi’ is a These dolls are a traditional part of South Indian Brahmin marriages in which male and female dolls are gifted to the bride). 

Figurine of Wooden Ther (chariot)

After arranging the dolls, friends, neighbours, visitors and relatives are invited to view the Kolu. In the evening of the conclusion of Navaratri i.e. Vijayadasami (the day of Victory) the dolls from the ‘Kolu’ are symbolically put to sleep by laying them horizontally and Kalash is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year’s Kolu. 

Figure depicting Ravana in the Ramayana

My Favourite: Cricketing Ganesha facing multiple Ganesha outfielders

Prayers are offered to thank the God for the successful completion of the year’s Kolu and for the hope of a successful exhibition in the following year. Then the Kolu is dismantled, packed and stored for the next year. 

2013 Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram