Navaratri Alangarams, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Today, Vijaya Dasami, concludes the 2013 Navaratri Function. To learn more about the significance of this Festival go to these links here and here. To read more about kolams (an essential floor decoration at all Festivals) go to this link here. For a nice explanation of the significance of Vijaya Dasami, visit this link here. 

The below photographs are of pujas performed in the Mandapam Hall at Arunachaleswarar Temple, on the 7th day of the Festival, Saraswati Alangaram and the 8th day of Navaratri, Amman Lingam Alangaram. 

Saraswati Alangaram, 7th Day Navaratri Festival

Amman Lingam Alangaram, 8th Day Navaratri Festival

Elaborate Hair Details back of Goddess

Chakra covering over Alangaram

Devotees entering Mandapam on way to Alangaram

2013 Arunachala Navaratri Functions

This year renovation work is being undertaken at the famous Durga Amman Temple at Arunachala, so there will be limited Navaratri celebrations at that Shakti Temple. For the most elaborate and beautiful pujas at Tiruvannamalai over the 2013 Navaratri festivities, its best to visit Arunachaleswarar Temple, where special pujas are conducted in their Mandapam. 

Navaratri Rishabha Vahanam -- 5th Day

 

Another spot to visit over this Festival is Ramana Ashram, which always puts on very beautiful puja functions for each day of Navaratri. 

In this posting I am including information on Navaratri Rishabha Vahanam, which is the fifth day of celebrations at that Ashram. To view photographs of the puja go to this link here, and a video at this link here. 

Visit to an Elephant

Being that I love elephants and also enjoy a nice, celebratory procession, I visited Sri Seshadri Ashram yesterday (Saturday October 5, 2013) in order that I could view the procession connected with the Raja Parivara Puja, which was scheduled to leave that Ashram at 4.00 p.m. As things usually get off to a slow start I turned up at Sri Seshadri Ashram at about 4.30 pm. But was disappointed to see that neither the horse nor cow (for the puja) had arrived, and that arrangements for the procession seemed to be delayed.

Fortunately the sweet elephant from Trichy was on time and was waiting patiently at the Ashram whilst snacking on some nice greens. I was told that she had been transported from Trichy by lorry, which I suppose in these days of speeding vehicles on overburdened roadways is the safest solution. In quieter times elephants would have a nice walk to functions. In days previously whenever Sri Sathya Sai Baba was switching from his Puttaparthi Ashram to his Whitefield Ashram, his elephant Geeta, would be taken between those stops by a long, leisurely walk. 

I waited at Sri Seshadri Ashram till about 5.00 p.m. but as not much progress was being made starting up the procession, decided to leave and go upon my household shopping duties. 

Having a little munch

Checking it all out

Wearing freshly painted face decorations

Pots inside Sri Seshadri Siddhar Hall

Young lads with their musical instruments

The sweet elephant wearing her "fancy dress" outfit

Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar

Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar was born at Thiruthalayur in a Brahmin family of Vedic Scholars. The Nayanar who was a fervent devotee of the Lord, made a practice of chanting the Sri Rudram, one of the most purifying holy hymns of Lord Shiva standing in neck deep water. He performed this tapas both in the early morning and evening with utmost devotion and faith. Nayanar achieved moksha because of his austere life and perpetual devotion to Lord. 

Sri Rudram: Namakam-Chamakam in Devanagari, English translations

Sri Shiva Rudram: Namakam-Chamakam slokas in Devanagari Sanskrit with English translations. Sri Rudram is a Hindu strotra dedicated to Rudra (Shiva), taken from the Yajurveda. The text is also famous for its mention of the namah shivaya mantra. Chanting the Rudram is considered to be of great benefit. Legend reports that Lord Shiva, after Bhasmasura was killed with the help of Lord Maha Vishnu, performed the Tandava Dance and then chanted the "Rudra Yagna" at the place where the "Sri Kalahasti" Temple stands now, (one of the 5 Pancha Moorthis). 

The story of Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar story goes thus: 

“The country watered by the Kaveri is a famed one rich in its fertile fields. Tiruttalaiyur was a city in it, great in its inhabitants of high ancesty, flourishing together, knowing no want. The sacrificial fires of the Brahmins rose up to the skies there (a landmark from afar for celestial bliss), the dense groves rich with blooms dripped honey, the cows yielded the five-fold products meet for the adoration of the dancing Lord. Well this place was the home for benevolence, righteousness and true culture. 

The righteous Pasupatiyaar hailed from a noble family of Brahmins dedicated to Vedic learning, in the city. He duly served the Lord of the bull-mount, who gloried in His Better-half, the daughter of the golden mount! With a heart over-flowing with love, he incessantly and zealously chanted the “Rudram” in praise of the Supreme Lord whose feet Vishnu could not divine of yore. 

Before the dawn of each day, responding to the twitter of the birds that were astir, and the humming of the bees in the flower groves he would betake himself to the water-brimming pool, where the flaming lotus blooms lifted their heads with leap of flashing fish at the base. 

Then he would get into the cool water up to this neck, fold his hands above his head and chant the “Rudram”, in faultles accents, expressive of his love for the Lord of the matted tresses wherein sports the Ganga of the white waves. He would repeat this chant, the essence of the Vedas, at noon and night too, without fail. 

Thus he shone like the four-faced Brahma, seated in the lotus-bed. In due course, the Lord who had given his left side joyously to His consort Uma, desired to raise up this saint. The Lord, source of all, was greatly delighted at the rgular chant of the ”mantras” in the prescribed way, in time with the gorious austerity of the passionate devotee and showered His grace on him, who then reached the bounds of the immaculate Abode of the Lord. 

By virtue of his faultless chanting of the “Rudram”, with an over-flowing heart, he then found himself close to the dancing feet of the Lord. Therfore, he became known in this wide world by the hallowed name Rudra Pasupatiyaar. 

Ah, the Lord of the Trident shows His grace to the loving, perfect chanters of “Sri Rudram”. This is one way to reach up to Him.” 

Pradosham, October 2, 2013

It can be seen from the below photographs of the October 2, 2013 Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple, that the number of visitors attending this bi-monthly function seems to be increasing exponentially.

Nandi

Crowds of Pilgrims in the Temple Compound

Crowd at Large Nandi, which faces direction of the Shiva Sannidhi

Counting the Cash

I don't know the difference between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in relation to how they govern Temples that fall under the Hindu Endowment Charitable Trust, so maybe Temples in Tamil Nadu have certain restrictions compared to Temples from other States. I don't know how it works. But wouldn't it be great if our own Arunachaleswarar Temple invited committee members from the famed Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati and asked for their suggestions in how to develop our own Temple and its subsidiary Temples and Shrines (i.e. Adiannamalai Temple, Asta Lingams, Durga Amman Temple, Surya Lingam etc).

Tirupati Temple

The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati is the busiest and richest Temple in the World and the wealth of the Temple through donations from its devotees help finance a very generous scheme for visitors to that place, keep the area in a pristine and immaculate condition and also helps finance the development of many other smaller Temples in Andhra Pradesh.

Now that the illustrious Arunachaleswarar Temple is receiving ever increasing financial support in the form of donations and sponsorship, maybe it would be a good time for its management to have some serious brain storming sessions in how to most effectively utilise that support.

Counting out cash from Hundials

Cash from Arunachaleswarar Temple's Hundials

Mahapuja for 18 Siddhars, Arunachala

While visiting various Swamis and Shrines off the Girivalam Roadway a couple of days ago, noticed this large poster telling about a nice function scheduled for a few days time. Years ago I attended such a Raja Mahapuja and it was a grand, beautiful occasion. 

If you don't have time to go to the various functions at Sri Seshadri Swsamigal Ashram or at the Viji Marriage Hall (off the Girivalam Roadway) then think about having a nice view of the celebratory procession that will be moving its way on the Chengam Road early this Saturday morning. Below are details of the upcoming Function.

The Maha Guru Mutheri Dhayana Sanga Peetam invites all to a Raja Parivara Puja which will be performed for the 18 Siddhars at Tiruvannamalai. 

Right click on poster for enlargement to read 

Poster in Tamil with full details

On October 5th, 2013 in the evening at 4.00 p.m., a procession will start from Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram and end at the Viji Marriage Hall on the Girivalam roadway. The procession will be very grand and include (as in such Rajapujas), an Elephant, Horse and Cow and celebratory music. The Kumbhas will be kept at a special tent and poojas will be performed at that place which is adjacent to the Marriage Hall on the girivalam roadway. 

On October 6th, 2013 in the early morning at 4.00 a.m., a special Mahakumbha Puja will be performed for 18 Siddhars with 18 Mahakumbhams at the above place. 

Mottayan Swami and Kootankuchi Swamigal

On October 20, 2009 I received a note from Dr. S. Ananthakrishnan which became lost in my computer files and which I unearthed only recently whilst clearing my files. On going through the note thought it was time to make an effort to respond to the questions raised by Dr. S. Ananthakrishnan. 

Kottankuchi Swamigal

The note went thus: 

"Have you heard of the mouna Swamigal on the Girivalam route? . . . I have personally met him and it was a casual meeting near the main Annamalaiyar Temple. His appearance is of a young person not less than 30-31, with a naturally formed French beard and he wears the Kaavi dress like the Kanchi Paramacharya style. This Mouna Swamigal himself wrote and told me when he visits the Mottayan Swami, that Mottayan Swami makes him sit in his lap. Still this mouna Swamigal preserves the photo of the Mottayan Swami though the edges of the photo are slightly damaged.

I would request you if you could post the photo of this Swamigal and his current whereabouts. Recently (note: i.e. at the end of 2009) on Zee Tamil T.V., they showed a video on the research on the Parakkum Siddhar. During the show they showed Mottayan Swami and this mouna Swamigal . . . “

Current house of Kootankuchi Swamigal

After stopping at several places and talking with another Swami (who I will write about in due course on my blog Arunachala Mystic) residing in a house near the old Shantimalai Trust Gokulam, I and my friend arrived by auto rickshaw at the house of the silent Swami now residing just off the Girivalam roadway (near the Rajarajeshwari Temple). The mouna Swamigal is still in silence but responded to my questions occasionally by hand signs and sometimes by writing his answers in a notebook. 

Kootankuchi Swamigal's compound right of Sai Mandir, Girivalam Road

Swami goes by the name Kootankuchi Swamigal. As he is a sannyasin, he did not wish to answer many questions regarding home and previous family but he did give several bits of information. His age is around forty years old and even though he is in silence he is available to visitors. He worships the Divine Mother in the form of Varahi. His guru is the now deceased Jangalidas Maharaj who has an ashram about seven kms from Shirdi. Kootankuchi Swamigal stayed at that place for six months many years previously. 

Kootankuchi Swamigal has been living at Tiruvannamalai for a number of years and for the last 10 years has been maintaining a verbal silence. He had great love for Visiri Samiyar (Yogi Ramsuratkumar) and spent a lot of time with him in earlier days. 

When asking Kootankuchi Swamigal whether the story of him sitting in the lap of Mottayan Swamigal was true. He said that previously (over 7 years ago) Mottayan Swamigal would sometimes come and meet with him and at that time, Mottayan would often lie on the floor resting his head upon Kottankuchi Swamigal and sometimes sitting in his lap. I asked Kottankuchi Swamigal as to his opinion of Mottayan Swami. He bowed his head in great reverence and indicated in writing that Mottayan Swami was a great Siddha. 

Jolly workers building Swami's house

I visited the Kootankuchi Swamigal with a friend Mr. Hari Prasad and my regular auto rickshaw driver Gandipan. Whilst there a number of personal questions were asked by us all, which Kottankuchi Swamigal answered (in writing and by gesture) clearly and at length. On a personal level I found that his advice was in line with the advice I have received through my own prayers and meditation upon the Divine Mother. 

Kottankuchi Swamigal is currently building his own house a short distance from his rental accommodation and as soon as that is complete (probably not before the beginning of 2014) he will shift from his current abode. 

Construction of House underway

I have made many postings of Swami Mottayan (also known as Mookupodi Swami = snuff Swami as he is in the habit of daily taking snuff). As it has been sometime since I last saw him, early this morning I stopped at the new Navagraha Shrine (near Rajarajeshwari Temple) on the girivalam road, where I had heard that he currently stays at. 

Mootayan Swami (Mookupodi Swamigal)

A crowd of about thirty people were standing silently and reverently close by the Navagraha Shrine taking silent darshan of Mottayan Swami whist he was drinking his morning tea at an adjacent tea stall. I have heard that nowadays there is often a crowd of pilgrims and visitors surrounding him. 

Crowd watching Swami take his morning tea

The times that I was able to get easy access and even sit with him on the verandah of a local school playing with thayam stones seemed to be a very long time ago. To view some of the posts on Mottayan (Mookupodi) Swami on Arunachala Grace, go to this link here. 

Mottayan Swami (aka Mookupodi Swami)

Tremors felt at Tiruvannamalai

Tiruvannamalai District experienced earth tremors on Thursday morning, September 26th, after a gap of nearly 25 years, according to the Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management, VIT University, Vellore. 

Vellore and Tiruvannamalai Districts have become seismically-active since 2002 and they have been reclassified into zone 3 (prone to quakes with up to 6.9 magnitude) from zone 2 earlier (up to 4.9 magnitude). 

Last Thursday at Tiruvannamalai, residents of Pudu Theru (i.e. Theru = Street), Pey Gopura Theru, Muthuvinayaga Theru and Mathalangula Theru; came out of their homes after the vessels in their houses fell down at about 8.20 a.m., as they feared more serious tremors. No damage to property or life has been reported. Residents returned to their houses only after ascertaining that there were no aftershocks. 

Thiruvoodal Theru leading to Pey Gopura Theru

 

The Indian Meteorological Department reported the Tiruvannamalai earthquake to measure 3.3 on the Richter scale and lasted for about three to five seconds. The epicentre of the Tremor is suspected to be in the Polur and Tiruvannamalai region, where an existing fault (planar rock fractures) passes from Salem to Tiruvallur. 

Earth tremors are a common phenomenon restricted to local conditions due to the readjusting of faults. In this respect around 105 tremors have occurred in Tamil Nadu in the last 200 years, with the majority measuring less than a magnitude of 5. Only a few of the earth tremors had a magnitude of more than 5; which included an earthquake in Coimbatore in 1900 (magnitude of 6) and one off the shores of Pondicherry in 2001 (magnitude 5.6). There are estimated to be around 286 fractured faults in Tamil Nadu, of which only around 47 have been found to be active. 

Tiruvannamalai District has only witnessed five tremors in recorded time. The first major one recorded was in 1822 at Vandavasi with a magnitude of 5, and later between Polur and Tiruvannamalai with a magnitude of 5. The same region witnessed another tremor in 1984 that had a magnitude of 3.3. 

[Information compiled from The New Indian Express]

Whisper into my Ear

September 17, 2013 Pradosham, Arunachaleswarar Temple

The first two photographs are of Nandi taken at Arunachaleswarar Temple during Pradosham which fell on September 17, 2013.

Nandi the Bull, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Whisper into my Ear

Nandi is the Gate keeper of Lord Shiva's abode, thus it is believed to be important to seek his blessings before praying to Lord Shiva.

It is thought that by whispering our prayers into Nandi’s ear, it will induce him to act as our interlocutor (messenger) and those prayers will reach Lord Shiva. When whispering into Nandi’s ear, some close one of his ears while whispering into the other, to prevent the wish leaving through the other ear.

When whispering it is believed that one shouldn’t stand in-between Nandi and Lord Shiva while praying. First one touches the feet of the Bull, then whispers into the ear and then goes to Nandi’s back.

Nandi on Girivalam Roadway

As seeing the Sivalingam in the Siva Sannidhi from in-between the ears of Nandi is also said to be a form of worship as it is believed that Shiva is looking at the world from between those ears and head. Thus in the case of Nandi at the side of the Girivalam Roadway, one should stand at the back of the statue and look at the Arunachala Lingam from in-between the Bull’s ears.

Next time you visit Arunachala and perform girivalam (giripradakshina), try whispering your thoughts and needs into the Bull’s ears. I found it a powerful and happy experience.

Postings of my Arunachala Blogs from September 2 to September 16, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from Monday, September 2, 2013 to Monday, September 16, 2013 

Arunachala Grace 

Palayam Puja -- Durga Amman Temple, September 2013: Puja conducted at the start of renovations and repairs at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai. 

Aadi Pooram Photographs—Friday August 9, 2013: Photographs of the most beautifully dressed and adorned Goddess Rajarajeshwari in Festival celebrated at that Temple during Aadi Pooram. 

Vinayagar Immersion September 11, 2013: Photographs of Vinayagar procession and immersion in the Tamari Nagar Tank at Tiruvannamalai. 

Nice Clay Ganesha Idols: Photographs of beautiful and eco-friendly clay Ganeshas at Tiruvannamalai.

Ganesha Chaturthi at Tiruvannamalai: Narrative celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi and explaining the importance of making it as eco-friendly as possible. 

What If: Inspirational Poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Panthakal -- September 8, 2013: Photographs of the function heralding the upcoming 2013 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam.

Soma Pradosham, September 2, 2013: Photographs of Soma Pradosham and narrative about the relationship of the moon with Lord Shiva. 

Tiruvannamalai Womens' Self Help Groups: Art work explaining and popularising Tiruvannamalai Womens' Self Help Groups.

Panthakal Karthigai Deepam 2013: Invitation to Function celebrating the offical beginning of lead up to the great 2013 Karthigai Festival.

Pavala Kundru Temple adjacent to Arunachaleswarar Temple: Spectacular view from inside top of Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple of surrounding Tiruvannamalai.

Home at Last: Celebration of anniversary of Sri Ramana’s arrival to Tiruvannamalai.

Arunachala Birds 

Rock Pigeon or Rock Dove: Narrative and photographs of the Rock Pigeon, including Cycle of Pigeon Hatching. Video of nesting bird. 

Arunachala Land 

House for sale, adjacent Samudram Eri: Newly constructed, modern 3 bedroom house for sale close to Ramana Ashram. 

Adiannamalai House specifications: Details and house plan of house for sale near Adiannamalai Temple.

House for Sale, Adiannamalai: Photographs of house currently under construction and available for purchase located near Adiannamalai Temple and with sublime darshan of Arunachala.

Arunachala Mystic 

Letter to Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar: Letter from Swami’s devotee with details of a dream and its connection with their guru. 

Lord Shiva as Chandrasekhara: Escoteric meaning of Lord Shiva in his manifestaion as Chandrasekhara. 

Palayam Puja -- Durga Amman Temple, September 2013

A Palayam Puja was performed at Durga Amman Temple on September 11, 2013 in connection with restoration and renovation work that is to be undertaken at the Temple. After the renovation work is completed next year, it will be followed by an elaborate Mahakumbhabhiskeham. 

Homam being conducted, Palayam Puja

Head Priest of Big Temple (in gold centre) in charge of Function

Blessing areas that are to be renovated, restored

The Durga Amman Temple is the only Tiruvannamalai Temple that actually participates in functions with Arunachaleswarar Temple during Karthigai Deepam. 

One reason for this is supposed to be because of the battle beween the Goddess Durga with the demon Mahishasura (see ‘The Fight with Mahishasura'). Before her battle the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri. She ordered: 

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penace at Her ashram." [The Glory of Arunachala] 

For this reason, the first day of Deepam Festival is always a celebration of the Goddess, who is recognised as a Guardian of Arunachala. 

Aadi Pooram Photographs—Friday August 9, 2013

After a long delay I finally connected with Swami at Rajarajeshwari Temple on the Arunachala Girivalam Roadway, and picked up photographs of the Aadi Pooram Festival as it was celebrated at that Temple. 

Below are two photographs of Sri Rajarajeshwari at Arunachala, specially dressed for this most auspicious Festival. I will be posting a more complete narrative with photographs onto my website Arunachala Samudra. To read more about this wonderful Temple, please visit my website at this link here. But for the time being below, two most sublime photographs. 

Right click for photo enlargement

Adi Pooram is celebrated in all Hindu temples in Southern India in the month of Adi, which corresponds to the English months of July-August, when the asterism Pooram (Delta Leonis) is in the ascendancy. As the Festival fell on a Friday this year, the occasion was regarded as even more auspicious. This Festival is observed to propitiate the Sakti Goddess who is said to have come into the world on this occasion to bless all. She is thus worshipped in order that one may secure happiness for oneself and for loved ones.

Vinayagar Immersion September 11, 2013

The below photographs are of the 2013 September 11, immersion of Vinayagar Statues in the Tamari Nagar community water reservoir.

Procession through town on the way to Tank

 
Nowadays the use of heavy lifting equipment marks a departure from the more rustic, labour intensive immersions of years previously. 

The Big Guy needs a crane for lift off!

Lets just enjoy these photos, and try harder to have an ecologically sound Festival next year!

Tamari Nagar Water Reservoir with Arunachala in background

To give you an idea of labour intensive Vinayagar Immersions pre-cranes, the below is a photo of the 2008 Immersion also at the Tamari Nagar Housing Board Tank at Tiruvannamalai. Nowadays this size statue would be crane assisted!

Nice Clay Ganesha Idols

Below are a series of photographs of more eco-friendly mud Ganeshas, which are safer and more environmentally friendly. However these type of mud statues should be purchased without the gold paint, glitter or piercing eyes! Craftspeople creating ecofriendly mud Ganeshas are all around Tiruvannamalai, the below photographs were taken off the Chengham Road, opposite both Seshadri and Ramana Ashrams. 

Householders brought their own small kolam adorned benches with them in order to welcome their completed Ganesha idols.

Right click on all below photographs to view enlargements. 

Beginning the day with a vast mountain of mud

Pressing the mud into Ganesha Moulds

The group co-operating in their street assembly line

Ganesha coming out of Mould

Getting ready for a final tidy-up

Adding to some statues piercing red eyes

Putting the Ganesha onto Househoulder's kolam-board

A very handsome Ganesha on his way home

Golden Ganeshas radiating throughout Tiruvannamalai