Roadkill

On Wednesday, November 8th, approximately 74 people sustained injuries when a minibus in which they were travelling skidded and overturned on Tuesday.

The minibus was heading toward Tiruvannamalai from Paavupattu village. When near nearing Vignesh Polytechnic near Mel Puthiyandhal village (just outside Tiruvannamalai) the driver lost control of his vehicle and it slid sideways into the roadside shoulder and overturned.

All 74 passengers on the overcrowded vehicle sustained injuries and were rushed to the Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital, where 60 of them were admitted as in-patients. The other 14, (with minor injuries) were treated as outpatients. The incident is being investigated by authorities.

It is obvious to everybody in Tiruvannamalai that many vehicles are either flouting regulations regarding safety, recommended passenger numbers or environmental regulations regarding vehicle maintenance and excessive use of the horn whilst driving. The above difficulties are compounded by drivers who are either unskilled or too inexperienced to be driving passenger vehicles specially in dark and hazardous conditions.

About 8 kms of Chengam Road; which as well as being the main thoroughfare from Bangalore is also part of the pradakshina road around Arunachala, is notorious for driving incidents of speeding and noise pollution. This problem must be addressed!

Deepam Calendar

The Deepam festival involves a lot more than just the lighting of the flame on top of Arunachala. The first night of the lighting of the flame actually takes place on the 10th day of Deepam and stays alight for between 8-10 days. However the Festival itself lasts for 13 days. Of these the first 3 days occur in Durga Temple and the remaining ten days in Annamalai Temple and each day denotes different functions and ceremonies at either the Durga Temple, the Annamalai Temple or in the streets surrounding them.

Festival Days:

1.Durgambal festival: During the night of this festival Durga Amman idol is taken in procession in Vimana.

2.Pidari festival: In which the Goddess Pidari is brought in procession on a statue of a Lion.

3.Anukjai Vignesvara Puja: The elephant God Vinayka is taken out in the streets on a silver mount.

4.First festival, Annamalai Temple: Procession of five Deities in the morning and five Deities in the evening.

5.Second Day, Annamalai Temple: Morning procession of Chandrasekar (Lord Siva) and Vinayaka. Evening five Deities.

6.Third Day: Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar, Vimana, Buta Vehicles. Evening the five Deities, Lion Vehicle, Silver Swan Vehicle.

7.Fourth Day: Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar, Vinayaka Snake Vehicle. Evening, five Deities. Silver Kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree), Silver Kamadhenu (wish fulfilling cow) procession.

8.Fifth Day: Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar, Mooshikam, Mirrored Bull Vehicle. Evening five Deities. Silver Mooshikam, Silver peacock. Big Silver Bull Vehicles procession.

9.Sixth Day: Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar, Mooshikam, Silver Elephant, 63 Nayanamars Vimanam. Evening five Deities, Silver Car, Indra Vimanam and other silver vehicles procession.

10.Seventh Day: Morning the five Deities juggernaut. Dragging the rope of the car in Vrichika Lagna. Evening the five Deities returning from juggernaut.

11.Eighth Day: Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar Silver Vimanam. Evening at 4 p.m. Bhiksandar festival on golden Meru (Sri Chakra). At night the five Deities. Horse vehicle procession.

12.Ninth Day: Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar Mirror Vimanam. Evening the five Deities. Kailasa Vehicle, Kamadhenu Vehicle procession.

13.Tenth Day: Morning Barani Deepam. At noon sacred bath in Brahma Tirtham. At 6 p.m. the five Deities proceed in golden Vimanam. Great Deepam Darsan lit on top of Arunachala; the flame will be alight for between 8-10 days. That night at the Temple, the five Deities proceed on golden Bull Vehicles.

14.Eleventh Day: Night at 7 p.m. float for Chandrasekar. Annamalaiyar going round the Hill.

15.Twelfth Day: At 7 p.m. at night for Parasakti Amman.

16.Thirteenth Day: At 7 p.m. night float for Subramanian (Lord Murgan).

17.Fourteenth Day: Chandikesvarar festival procession on Silver Bull Vehicle.

Literary Evidence

There is literary evidence to prove that the lighting festival of Deepam is one of the oldest in the Tamil area. Tholkappiam whom scholars ascribe lived three thousand years ago and has the oldest extant work in Tamil literature, mentions 'the light lit on the Karthigai day of the Karthigai month'. Another poet from Tamil antiquity Thirthakka Devar, mentions 'lighting a lamp on the hill on Karthigai day'. Two old Tamil literary works, Kar Narpathu and Kalavazhi Narpathu refer to lighting on Karthigai Day and Saints Appar and Sambandar of the 7th century, also make similar references.

Small Savings

This week it was announced that the small savings target for Tiruvannamalai District for the current fiscal year has been fixed at Rs.55 crore (US$12,251,000) which is Rs.10 crore (US$2,228,000) more than the savings amount of the last fiscal year.

Local speakers encouraged people to cultivate the habit of saving and thereby encourage the development of the Country's economy.

Arunachala Vignette

[A vignette of a normal day at Arunachala by an American Devotee]

I wish you could see what is so difficult to describe in terms of the sounds, smells and colors in this place. The air has a vibrancy and is soft and muted at the same time. And the quality of the light is indescribable. Everything shines with the reflection of this honeyed colored sunlight, as if the plants and trees and rooftops were emanating crystal clear light.

It still astonishes me, the gratuitous beauty of Mother India, amidst the poverty, dirt, cow shit and shacks, the raucous voices of huge liquid black shinny crows, the peacocks perched in the trees, the gangs of monkeys who are like naughty thugs. There is such a profusion of life and it is all in your face! I love that. I just love dodging packs of narrow hipped, black, vacant eyed goats, cows and pigs and oxen carts.

It probably sounds odd, but it's kind of cool that people bathe and brush their teeth in public, in their yards, that so much of everyday life is in the open, women sweeping the spirits away before dawn, that sound of thatch against the dust awakens me each morning. I love all their little rituals, cow dung and twig fires under these black cauldrons, the smell of spices and frying dosas. This aspect of India that is so rich in humanity and the common actions of life. The vegetable sellers push their carts down each street and call out their products in loud, singsong voices, and it is something so deliciously comforting in that. What a paradox it is, the highest and the lowest, the extremes.

Development

Because of the uncertainty of the nature of the final verdict on disputes regarding the exact nature of development in the Arunachala area, many owners of land near the Hill cautiously waited for the Supreme Court's decision before beginning construction.

Now that a final verdict has been reached, construction has begun in earnest in hitherto sensitive area. This particular building site is literally right across from Ramana Ashram. A spectacular view indeed but sad news for Ashram devotees.

Waterfall

This the last week of October, the waterfall on Arunachala which has remained dry for sometime, has come back to life thanks to recent rains. The waterfall, starting at a height of 250 feet is located on the southern slope of the hill in front of the Government Arts College.

According to local residents and representatives of NGOs engaged in afforestation work, there was no water flow in the falls till the recent rains. Even last year there was a good flow only for about a month after the torrential storms.

Local residents and college students are making the trek through a short stretch of green and tranquil forests to picnic near the waterfall. However this year workers for the afforestation NGOs are implementing Reserve Forest regulations and sending people away from the restricted area.

Another evening

I was walking home the long way around so I could stop by and take photographs of progress on the new animal dispensary currently under development. This is Chengam Road and the building at the back on the left is a Girls' Orphanage run by the State. Just another evening. It has just finished raining but definitely ready to start up again later in the evening. The milkman is on duty going from house to house and milking whatever cows are there and noting the milk quantity taken in his book.

And talking about cows here is a very nice one ambling along. She certainly seems to know where she is going; hopefully to home and some nice dinner. This is the main pradakshina road that winds it way the 14km around the base of Arunachala. The road was much better in its narrow, pot-holed condition but since they've widened and improved it unfortunately it is now wide enough to be a race circuit for crazy truck and bus drivers to play at overtaking; which may be fun for them but gives little enjoyment to everybody else!

Still on my way to the animal dispensary and here is one of the autorickshaw drivers that plies his trade from outside Ramana Ashram. Definitely one of the better drivers we have. At the back on the right is new construction being undertaken by the Municipality, which when finished will provide accommodation (a choultry) for visiting pilgrims coming to perform giripradakshina around Arunachala.

Well this is our Animal Dispensary for free animal sterilisation operations that is being set up here at Tiruvannamalai. Some Western folk got seriously upset at the way surplus dogs were regularly killed by the Municipality. They were able to persuade the local Government to stop the practice in lieu of offering free sterilisation operations for wild street dogs (90% of the animal population) and poor local folk who couldn't afford the cost of the operation. The Municipality even offered a small building on a large plot of land on a free 5 year lease to the dispensary. And this is what is being transformed and developed into the animal sterilisation hospital.

Nice painting by one of our local artists; curiously named RAMBO (I think he picked that name when the action hero Sylvester Stallone was big). It shows the affiliation of this dispensary with the Puttaparthi one; Karuna Society for Animals and Nature (outside Sai Baba Ashram in Andhra Pradesh).

On the adjacent wall another painting by our Rambo showing the famous Indian pacifist Mahatma Gandhi.

The builders are making holding rooms for dogs after their operations. Both male and female dogs will be allowed sufficient time to recover from their surgery before they are either returned to their families or to the neighbourhood from which they came.

Opening day is set for about a month's time but seeing the rate of progess, it may be longer. Already the waiting list for people to bring in dogs for a sterlization operation is daily growing. So will keep you informed as to progress.

TNCSC Godowns

Direct procurement centres for Kharif season paddy (rice) is going to be started up at all six Taluk godowns (cereal storage warehouses) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supply Corporation (TNCSC) in Tiruvannamalai District. The Godowns of the six Taluks of the District are situated at Tiruvannamalai, Pudupalayam, Polur, Vandavasi, Arni and Cheyyar.

Arrangements have been made by the local Government to purchase paddy (rice) from farmers at a special Government subsidised rate, i.e. one quintal A-grade paddy at Rs.650/- (plus Rs.40/- special incentive) and general category paddy at Rs.620/- (plus Rs.40/- special incentive).

DMK Clean Sweep

Results of all recent local elections have now been tabulated and results show that out of the 18 Panchayat Unions in Tiruvannamalai District, the DMK has won chairmanship in 15 Unions, its ally PMK in two Unions and the Congress in the rest.

Notwithstanding DMK's encroachment of a few positions allotted for its allies, DPA completely swept the Chairman/President elections held at urban Local Bodies and Panchayat Unions in the district.

M.P.Giri of the DMK was elected as District Panchayat President. V.Anbalagan of the DMK has been elected vice-president.

Out of four Municipalities, the DMK won chairmanship in three and PMK in one.

Out of the 10 Town Panchayats in Tiruvannamalai District the DMK had won 6, the Congress and the PMK one each and Independents two (one pro-DMK the other pro-AIADMK).

Deepam Origins

Giripradakshina of Arunachala is regarded as most auspicious but to perform circumbulation of the Hill on the first night of the lighting of the Deepam flame (this year December 3rd) is regarded as the most blessed day, regarded holiest in the Arunachala calendar.

The 'Skanda Purana' tells of the legend in which the Goddess in order to expiatiate her sin of slaying the demon Mahisasura, completes her austerities of atonment on the evening when Krittika was in conjunction with the Moon in the month of Karthika (November-December). The Goddess says to the Lord:

"O Lord of Devas, this refulgence has been shown by you who are endowed with grace. It has been seen by Devas and human beings directly in the month of Karttika at the great festival of the conclusion of my holy observances. Let your great refulgence be seen (on the day) with the constellation named Karttika. By seeing this supreme brilliance every year, let all the creatures be liberated from all sins."

In further propiation of the Goddess' penance the Lord and the Goddess merge into each other with their bodies uniting into the form of Ardhanarisvara; showing the form of Shiva and Parvati.

"It was as though two objects were simulataneously perceived in close proximity. In one half it was as white as camphor and in the other half it is as red as red lead. The body of a single unit was highly wonderful. In one-half there was flowing tresses. In the middle of the necklace there was a flower. The body of the crescent moon-crested Lord had silk in one-half that was beautuiful with a single anklet, ear-ring and bracelet. The body of the companion of Kubera shone with a single breast . . ."

Siva said: " . . . This Durga, the destroyer of Mahisa, the deity born of your part, shall be present here itself, yielding the Siddhi of Mantras to men . . . Here in the sacred place of Aruna I shall also remain by the name of Aruna. You shall also be here by the name of Arunadevi. Since Aruna and the Lord are always present here, all the siddhis will be easily accedssible in this holy spot of Aruna to those who entertain a desire for them."

The Deepam festival follows the moon calendar so each year the date is different however it always falls when the star Krittika is in conjunction with the Moon in the month of Karthika (November-December). To find out the dates of upcoming Poornimas (full moons) and Deepams through to the year 2009, please check the following link:

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/fullmoon.html

Sri Ramana's Power

Sri Ramana's astonishing spiritual powers were observed by others but never remarked upon by Ramana himself. It must have been a golden time at Arunachala for devotees to be able to meet both Sri Ramana and the great avadhuta Sri Seshadri Swamigal.

In South India, Alick McInnes, a Scottish scientist, witnessed the strange spectacle of Sri Ramana Maharshi on his evening walk. Within seconds of his leaving his house, cattle tied up in stalls in the village half a mile away would struggle to get out of their ties. When released, they careered along the road to accompany the old man on his walk, followed by all the dogs and children of the village. Before the procession had gone far, wild animals and even snakes joined it from the jungle. Thousands of birds appeared, almost blotting out the sky. There were tiny tits, huge kites, heavy-winged vultures and other birds of prey, all flying in harmony around the Maharshi on his walk. When he returned to his room, said McInnes, all the birds, animals and children would quietly disappear.


[The Secret Life of plants by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird]

Noise pollution

A Writ Petition seeking the authorities to prevent the use of loud speakers along the 14km giripradakshina path around Arunachala was filed in the Madras High Court on September 29th.

The Petition was filed by the Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust and referred to the indiscriminate use of loud speakers during the numerous festivals celebrated by people of 13 villages in Tiruvannamalai District and by some religious establishments on the giripradakshina path. The arbitrary use of loud speakers is causing severe noise pollution to devotees coming to Tiruvannamalai to perform prayful circumbulation of the Hill.

The Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust also handed over a Petition to the District Collector and Environment Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Vellore. This Petition had sought to prohibit the use of loud speakers along the Girivalam path on July 28 and September 11 this year, but it received no response.

The Trust presented its case to the Court by adding that there are around 13 Ashrams, 8 Lingams, 34 Temples, and 20 Schools along the giripradakshina pathway and hence action must be taken to uphold the directions of the Supreme Court regarding the use of loud speakers during festivals and meetings.

The Madras High Court adjourned the matter, seeking reply from the Respondents, i.e. District Collector and Environment Engineer of the TNPCB within four weeks.

Previously Temples would hire musicians to play celebratory music during Festivals but the sound was localised as there were no loud speakers to broadcast throughout the countryside. However nowadays with the availability of electricity, sound systems and powerful amplifiers, many Shrines and Temples around the Hill broadcast a continuous din throughout the day.

It is very distressing to the animals, the ambiance of the countryside, its residents and also to the many pilgrims coming from long distances to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Arunachala.

When I previously lived in the built up area of Ramana Nagar (near Ramana Ashram and Seshadri Ashram), several Temples on the Chengam Road would start up sound systems and loud speakers at 3.30 a.m. each morning. I've heard in some metropolitan areas in north India there have been many successful legal challenges to this sort of raucous disturbance. I'm delighted that a local Trust is now Petitioning the Court on this matter and have no doubt that most locals hope they succeed in curtailing this noise pollution.

Blogroll

I hope in the month to add a blogroll to Arunachalagrace filled with some really interesting and excellent Blogs. If you have some suggestions about Blogs to appear on the upcoming blogroll please email me your ideas.

Charitable ambulance

A charitable ambulance, which will charge nominal fees, was launched at Tiruvannamalai on Thursday, October 26th. The ambulance which is jointly sponsored by the State Bank of India and the Red Cross Society, will be maintained by the Red Cross Society.

The ambulance is available for hire at a reasonable rate to those who need to urgently move patients to Pondicherry or Vellore for medical care. Fare details to major destinations are to be announced shortly.

Ambulance contact information: 944-32-52187, (0)4175-224222, (0)4175-224555.

It's not exactly air-helicopter but we are definitely making progress with our infra-structure!

Skandashram

This cave is not far from Virupaksha Cave and is also situated in a spot that has a perennial spring with good water.

The Ashram was developed by Kandaswami who undertook to build the main part of what has become Skandashramam. In front of a natural cave two small rooms have been built lengthwise. There is also a terrace in front of the Ashram with coconut palms and foliage and a breathtaking panoramic view of Arunachaleswarar Temple and Tiruvannamalai.

Bhagavan remained in this Ashram with his devotees until his mother Alagammal died on 19th May, 1922 and it was at the end of that year that Sri Ramana permanently made his home at the bottom of the Hill in what is now Ramanashram. It is believed that Sri Ramana's mother actually attained samadhi at her death in 1922 and Bhagavan himself confirmed that two devotees, namely Mother Alagammal and Lakshmi the Cow did in fact attain samadhi at their death.

Skandashram is maintained by Ramana Ashram and is open throughout the daytimes for visits and meditation. The Ashram can be reached by a beautiful scenic pathway originating from the back of Ramana Ashram and winding its way gently up the slope of Arunachala to Skandashram. The Ashram can also be reached by going up a pathway starting opposite the West Gopuram of the Big Temple.

The construction of Skandashram would not be allowed nowadays because it entailed vigorous quarrying of stone from the face of Arunachala itself. Now that the area has been deemed Reserve Forest it is in fact becoming increasingly difficult for sadhus to spend time in caves on the Hill, (other than caves in a specific area on the southeast slope above Arunachaleswarar Temple).

Narayana Swami (Hill Swami), who lived on the summit of Arunachala for 16 years permanently descended the Hill because of reasons of ill health; however had it not been for that reason, without a doubt he and his entourage would have had to vacate their colony on the top of Arunachala sooner or later.

Regarding Sri Ramana Maharshi and his own experience at Skandashram, I herein quote an extract from a book entitled 'Thiruvanamalai; The Power and glory of The Mountain Path' by A.D.M. Panneerselvam:

"Here follows yet another proof to show that the Mountain itself is Lingam. No one can dare to carry on quarrying on the Hill for its (granite) stones. And Annamalaiyar proclaimed it to the world through an incident.

Once the devotees of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi cut a stone slab from the hill and honoured their guru by seating him on it. And Ramana, the saint of the first order, had to suffer from cancer. It was a sport of Lord Siva."

Arunachala Trees

[Photograph above of the Cassia Fistula tree]

These trees are reputed in the Skanda Purana to be particularly loved by Arunachala.

Kesaras: (Rottleria tinctoria)
Nagas: (Mesu Rox Burghii)
Aragvadhas: (Cassia Fistula) Golden Shower Tree/Indian Laburnum: Golden shower
Punnagas: (Mallotus Philippinensis) Monkey-face Tree
Kurabakas: (A kind of Barleria)
Cutas: (Mango Tree)
Patalas: Trumpet Flower Tree
Maluras: (Feronia Elephantum) Wood Apple

Nearly Deepam

I really enjoyed the scene in 'The Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King' when a beacon light is lit on mountain peaks throughout a vast range of mountaintops. When I watched it, I was immediately reminded of the Deepam light at Arunachala and my first thought was, 'Oh! Look! Deepams; lots of Deepams!'

Talking about Deepam; there is already a buzz going on around town. For me Deepam starts on the first night of the lighting of the flame which will be dusk on December 3rd, but for a lot of people it begins with the festivities and functions that start 10 days before December 3rd.

In Arunachaleswarar Temple the preparation for the festival begins with the Pandalkal Muhurtham, a simple ceremony held to mark the commencement of the various arrangements. Invitations are printed and arrangements made, ornaments and vessels are polished and the Cauldron in which the Deepam will be lit is taken out and cleaned.

On the first three days of the Festival the various deities are propitiated. On the first day there is the hoisting of the flag i.e. Dwajarohanam, which ushers in the ten-day festival. On the night of the fifth day, the Lord with His consort is taken on his mount, the Rishaba (the bull) made of silver. The eighth day festival is the day of the Maha Ratham (great chariot car) when Lord Arunachala and Goddess Unnamalai are taken round the main streets along with the other deities each in their own chariot.

Two long chains made of iron links are connected to the chariot. The men hold one side of the chain and the ladies the other.

The tenth day of the Festival marks the day of the great Deepam. In the morning one can witness the Bharani Deepam inside the Temple compound as a prelude to the Maha Deepam or Karthikati Deepam on top of Arunachala.

Around 10 a.m. the Cauldron will be carried out of the South Gate of Arunachaleswarar Temple and be hauled by carriers up the south slope of the Hill. Hundreds of people will already be at the top of the Hill and hundreds more will follow the Deepam Cauldron all the way up. My plan is to watch the Cauldron going up past the Virupaksha Cave afterwhich I plan on pradakshina around the outer path along with all the other pilgrims. Should be quite a day!

Sadhus

This is a really nice looking group of Sadhus; a lot of character and colour there for sure! In this photograph the sadhus are sitting on a bench on the outer pradakshina path. Going around the Hill on any day you will meet a great assortment of sadhus, itinerants and stall wallahs.

I remember when I first came to Arunachala, it was impossible to even get a glass of water till you arrived in town on the other side of the Hill; well, that has certainly changed! Nowadays there is a huge range of shops and stores from which to buy fruit, biscuits, eatables, snacks and hot and cold beverages.

Necklet of 9 Gems

When one enquires into the meaning of Arunachala, which is lustrous like red gold and bestows Liberation, one finds that the word 'Aruna' means Sat, Chit and Ananda (Existence, Consciousness and bliss), the identity of the individual self and the Supreme Self and that the word 'Achala' means perfection.

[Ramana Maharshi]