Dig Away Please!

Apart from this evening and a rainy downpour, the weather this last week has been gorgeous - almost like early morning on a Summer's day. Taking advantage of the great weather my 5 dogs and I have been going on early morning walks at Samudram Lake. But actually Samudram currently is no lake at all because of the little rainfall this season. Generally the natural water reservoir fills up during the rainy season and slowly dries up through Summer. This time last year there was already heavy flooding in the land shown in the photographs.

Below is muffin playing in the soft, marshy grass which lies at the edge of a large pond, which is the remains of last year's Lake Samudram. This time last year my puppy would have been a couple of feet underwater - hold your breath little doggy!

Well this is a sight that gladdens my heart. I suppose these men have official permission, otherwise they would be taking the dirt (which is used for construction) in the middle of the night. The Lake is around 700 acres of unspoilt, undeveloped land that is a natural catchment area in rainy season for water pouring off the mountain and surrounding land. Digging out the land and making the lakebed even deeper, just means it will get more flooded and even more impossible for greedy land speculators to persuade politicians to change its status from Poramboke Land (Government) to Patta Land (privately held).

Dig away - please!

The below photo is of four of my dogs, 3 boys standing on the highground, and the little one lower down is the girl Holly.

And no.5 is Wally.

The below photograph is of one of the 'heroes' posing for my camera. Well done Mister!

Favourite Arunachala Activites

In our recent poll asking readers, "What do you enjoy most at Arunachala", 48% answered performing girivalam around the Hill was their favourite event when visiting the area. 35% (of readers) answered their preferred activity was spending time at Ramana Ashram, 33% replied they enjoyed visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple as their major activity, while nearly 22% choose to climb or walk upon the Hill as their primary activity.

[readers were allowed to vote for more than one activity]

Mast Trees

What I and plenty of others think is the sacred Asoka tree is actually something else. The real Asoka Trees is Saraca Asoca or the “sorrow less tree”. See photograph below

Besides being sacred, the Asoka also has many medicinal uses which will be elaborated upon in the next Arunachala Grace Newsletter coming out at the end of this month (for a free subscription, sign up on the left hand column of this Blog).

We often identify the tall, well-pruned trees in parks as “Asoka trees” but they are actually “nettilingams” or Mast Trees, known as Polyalthia longifolia, and belonging to the family Annonaceae.

The tree is found in plentiful numbers around Tiruvannamalai, particularly so in compounds and on side streets outside homes. Native to South India, Polyalthia longifolia is a tall, majestic evergreen tree with a straight trunk, shining drooping leaves and a wavy margin. The trunk is slender with a compact symmetrical crown and the branches spread at right angles from the stem, giving it a pyramid shape. The tall, straight trunks were formerly used for making masts in the days of sailing ships and hence the common name "mast tree."

The flowering season is from February to April, when star like green flowers appear, giving a hazy appearance to the tree. The inconspicuous greenish yellow flowers found in fascicles are almost hidden amongst dense foliage. The clusters of ovoid fruits are at first green, turning fairly deep purple or black when ripe. The soft and light wood is used for making barrels, packing cases, pencils, matches and for scaffolding and carriage shafts.

Polyalthia Longifolia is an excellent avenue tree planted in close rows. It is a favourite tree in the hands of horticulturists for manicured gardens and landscape architecture. Clamorous and squealing throngs of bats and flying foxes feed on the ripe fruits at night, dispersing the seeds. Festoons of leaves are often used to make arches or are strung across doors during religious ceremonies.

The Big Chariot

As always the Big Chariot is parked on Car Street, in front of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Besides the usual maintenance checks and upkeep, it only gets moved around and used once a year and that is during the Deepam Festival on the 7th Day.

Its parked on the road and anyone can get close and look at the beautiful detail and finishing of the Chariot.

And in the below photographs, you can see part of the chains that will be used to haul the chariot all around the outside perimeter of the Big Temple. It is considered a great blessing to pull this chariot and there is never a shortage of willing souls to join the massive lines of people needed to haul it.

Deepam Processions

One of the earliest references to Karthigai Deepam festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient.

Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy and indispensavle for the festival of Karthigai.

After the completion of the preliminary 3 day functions; Sri Durgambal on Kamadenu vahanam, Sri Pidariamman on Lion vahanam, Sri Vinayagar on Mooshiga vahanam, the ten days of Bhrammotsavam which takes place in the month of Kartikai (Scorpio, Nov 15 through December 15), started up today.

Each of these festival days is marked by a procession of the Pancha Murthis (5 God idols) inside the Big Temple and around the streets of Tiruvannamalai. The Gods are; Arunachaleswarar (Shiva), Unnamulaiyaal (Shakti, Parvati), Ganapati, Subramanian (Murugan) and Chandikeswarar in gaily decorated mounts.

Most noteworthy among the proceesions are the Rishabha Vahana Utsavam celebrated on the fifth evening (19th November) of the festival and the Rathotsavam (Maha Radham) Big Wooden Chariot around roads of town, celebrated on the seventh day of the festival (November 21st).

Order of Processions

First Day 15th November
Day: Panchamoorthies
Five Deities Silver Chariot

Night: Panchamoorthies
Mooshigan Mayil (Peacock), Adihara Nandi (Bull),
Sina Rishaba Chariots

********************

Second Day, 16th November
Day: Sri Vinayagar
Sri ChandrasekaraVimanams
(Chariots) of Sooriya Prabha; the Sun.

Night: Panchamoorthies
Silver Indra Vimanam Chariots


********************

Third Day, 17th November
Day: Sri Vinayagar
Sri Chandrasekara in new Vahanams

Night: Panchamoorthies
Simha (Lion) Vaahanamam,
Silver Swan etc

********************

Fourth Day, 18th November
Day: 1008 Sanka Abishekam,Sri Vinayagar,
Sri Chandrasekara Vimanams - Naga (Cobra) Vahanam

Night: Panchamoorthies
Silver Kalpatraru, Kamadenu (Cow of Plenty),
Ruby and Silver Chariots.

********************

Fifth Day, 19th November
Day: Sri Vinayagar
Sri Chandraskara Glass, Rishaba Vahanams, Silver Elephant

MAJOR PROCESSION Night: Panchamoorthies
Silver Mooshigan,Silver Mayil
Large Silver Bull Rishaba Vahanam

********************

Sixth Day, 20th November
Day: Sixty-Three Nayanmars (Saints)
Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandraskara Mooshikan

Night: Panchamoorthies
Indra Vimanam - Silver Car, Etc.

********************

Seventh Day, 21st November
BIGGEST AND GRANDEST PROCESSION
Big Wooden Chariot -
The Maha Radham around roads of town

Night: Panchamoorthies reach Ashthana Mandapam

********************

Eighth Day, 22nd November
Day: Sri Vinayagar,Sri Chandrasekara, Silver Chariot

Night: Panchamoorthies start with Horse
Vahanams etc at night 4.p.m. Pichandavar in Golden Meru

********************

Ninth Day, 23rd November
Day: Sri Vinayagar,Sri Chandrasekara, Glass Vimanam

Night: Panchamoorthies
Kailasa Vahanam,
Kamadenu - Cow of plenty
Raveneswaram Vahanam etc.

********************

Tenth Day, 24th November
MAHADEEPAM DAY

4 a.m. Maha Barani
Day: Tank Teertham
Ceremony 4.00 A.M.

Dusk: Panchamoorthies in Golden Vimanams
6 p.m. Deepam fire on top of Mountain.
Tank Ceremony


********************

Tank Ceremony
25th November
Day: Sri Chandrasekara Boating Festival

Night: Panchamoorthies in Golden Rishaba Vimanams.

********************

Tank Ceremony
26th November
Day: Sri Parasakthi Boating Festival

Night: 7 p.m Sri Arunachaleswara
and Mother Apeethakuchalambal
Sri Chandikeswarar

********************

Tank Ceremony
27th November
Day: Sri Subramania Boating Festival

********************

Tank Ceremony
28th November
Day: Sri Chandikeswarar Festival

Night: Sri Chandikeswarar Utsavam
Rishaba Vahanam
Silver Bull.

Deepam - First three days

November 12th: Sri Durgambal Urchavam, Night, Sri Durgambal on Kamadenu Vahanam

November 13th: Sri Pidari Urchavam, Night, Sri Pidariamman on Lion Vahanam

November 14th: Sri Vinayagar Urchavam, Night, Sri Vinayagar on Mooshiga Vahanam

* (Urchavam = Tamil word for temple festivals)
* (Kamadenu = wish fulfilling cow)
* (Vahanam = vehicle, seat)
* (Mooshiga = mouse)

Yesterday evening I performed giripradakshina around Arunachala and coming back through the town of Tiruvannamalai (during my hillround) I was able to enjoy the first night of Deepam Festival, namely, Sri Durgambal Urchavam.

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 day is connected with the Durga Amman Temple. Each day denotes different functions and ceremonies at either the Durga Temple, the Annamalai Temple or in the streets surrounding them.

Deepam is a festival which traditionally is connected with the Hill and Arunachaleswarar Temple and Durga Amman Koil (Koil = Temple), is the only other Arunachala Temple that actually participates in the functions.

The reason for this is supposed to be because of the Goddess and the demon Mahisha (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, recognised as a Guardian of Arunachala.

The below sequence of photographs shows the procession of the Durga Statue seated on Kamadhenu (the wish fulfilling cow) and being taken on a clockwise procession from Durga Amman Temple around the perimeter streets of the 26 acre Arunachaleswarar Temple and thereafter returning back to her own Temple. As is always the case in such functions, the procession stops whenever people along the route make offerings.

This year 4 large screens have been installed around the Temple, and one giant screen inside, so that later days of the Festival can be seen by the greatest number of devotees.

The procession through the town plays a very important role in maintaining a living relationship with the ordinary folk going about their business throughout the day, who sometimes may not have sufficient opportunities to attend functions inside the Temple itself.

And in the below photograph, the Goddess seated on Kamadhenu, the cow.

The peacock feather, which is positioned just above the cows tail, denotes auspiciousness.

Here we are at the front of the Big Temple. The decorations have already been put up, and hopefully one evening I will climb part of the Hill to take nice photographs of just how beautiful the brightly lit Temple looks.

While accompanying the Goddess procession, I also took some wonderful photographs of the huge chariot - which will be used later during Deepam. You can get an idea of its size by noticing the man in front of the huge wooden wheels.

As we passed near the flower market, I noticed some cows scavenging through the debris and discarded flower garlands.

In the next photograph, the chariot has halted so that a devotee may present their offering to the priest to be offered up to the Goddess in the appropriate fashion.

And next the glorious Goddess.

Its nearly midnight and still some stragglers wait expectantly outside their homes so that they may take darshan of the Goddess and offer up their offerings.

I'm ready to make my way home so I have a quick chat with the friendly policeman helping with the procession and proceed homeward after a beautiful and inspirational evening.

I hope to post information and photographs of at least another couple of events connected with this years Deepam. So keep checking back for updates.

Beautiful Ganesha

I went on giripradakshina yeterday evening and noticed the new amazing 3-D statues of the Gods; Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati on the outer wall of Vallalar Complex off the hillround roadway.

So here is the statue of Ganesha taken from the leftside.

Now, from the right side.


And from his very best side.

The Vallalar Complex is really fascinating with lots of different features that I hope to feature in an upcoming newsletter sometime. A really interesting new development in the area.

Have we changed the name?

Have we changed the name? Because nobody has told me or anyone else here at Tiruvannamalai!

Well I feel a little disappointed in my previously respected source of what I considered good information - i.e. Wikipedia, 'the free encyclopedia'. A couple of times when supplying a link to articles mentioned in my narratives, I referred to Wikipedia as an authority, however specialists of subjects of some of the narratives got in touch to suggest better links. I rather think those people are now right because of my own experience with Wikipedia, 'the free encyclopedia'.

Go to the 'Wikipedia' site at http://www.en.wikipedia.org/ and type 'Arunachala' in the search box and you will be sent to 'Annamalai Hill'. Which is an article supposedly maintained by the 'Tamil Nadu Work Group, to 'improve organisation and standardised look and feel of articles related to the Indian State of Tamil Nadu.' The Group has decided to abandon the name 'Arunachala' (Sanksrit) in preference for the name 'Annamalai' (Tamil).

Ironically in their blurb on the 'Annamalai Hill' page, the Group also kindly informs us that; 'This place is also known by the names Arunagiri, Annamalai, Arunachalam, Arunai, Sonagiri and Sonachalam'. Not once mentioning the accepted and loved name (used since antiquity) of 'Arunachala'.

On further investigation I also see that 'Arunachaleswarar Temple' has now been christened 'Annamalaiyar Temple' by the Tamil Group intelligentsia.

Yesterday evening I performed giripradakshina around the Hill, and pretending I was a new arrival to the area, asked many local, ordinary Tamil-speaking residents - 'What is the name of this Hill?' Each one answered 'Arunachala' on my second enquiry, 'Isn't the correct name Annamalai Hill?' I was invariably and patiently informed, 'Annamalai' is a name for Shiva, but the Hill is Arunachala and the God, Arunachaleswarar.

Well the Tamil language intelligentsia have been very successful in lots of expensive, unnecessary name changes i.e. Madras to Chennai, etc., so one needs to wait and see. But one thing for sure I will definitely be using Wikipedia a whole bunch less.

A Day at the Animal Shelter

I never need an excuse to stop by the Animal Shelter and find out whats happening - having 5 dogs of my own also ensures that I am also in constant need of the Shelter's support and advice. I feel very grateful that the Animal Shelter exists and can help so many discarded, abused, unwanted animals.

In the case of the below puppy he was tossed out in the street and was lucky enough to be picked up by Vishwa - one of the mainstays of the Shelter. So lets keep our fingers crossed that after the frightened puppy has received all necessary treatment (including shots) he will go to a good home. The Shelter desperately needs people to adopt their dogs - so please stop by and have a look at some of their adorable puppies and dogs. And if you can't adopt - then think about visiting them to donate a few Rupees - their work DESERVES SUPPORT.

Below is Dr. Puspha with Vishwa (in the check shirt) with a couple of young assistants, examining a young injured dog.

In the next photograph we have Dr. Raju (our other Veterinary Doctor) and Leslie Robinson, the Founder of the Animal Shelter. Great work guys!

A couple of days ago I posted the story about a dear injured elderly monkey (below photograph) who is awaiting a home at a sanctuary. Things look hopeful as currently Leslie is trying to sort out the paperwork so the monkey can be transported to a Shelter at Bangalore. Hope it happens soon as monkey is getting SO BORED in his cage. Sadly there is nowhere else to put him as the dog facilities are completely filled. Lets hope his release will be soon.

Finally the Animal Shelter has been able to sort out various Trust complications and in the upcoming December Newsletter I will post a full report on their behalf. Also happy to mention that they soon will have their own Website. Once its online I will post link information on this Blog.

Its nearly here!

Over the next few weeks, I hope to post information about the upcoming Deepam Festival at Arunachala. There certainly will be plenty happening and soon spectacular light decorations on all nine Gopurams of Arunachaleswarar Temple will illuminate the huge Temple and surrounding 26 acre compound. The 10 day Festival offically begins with a flag hoisting ceremony which falls this year on November 15th. The actual lighting of the Deepam on top of Arunachala will occur at dusk on November 24th. It is said the Deepam is lit at the precise moment when the moon rises and the setting sun is still visible on the horizon. These elements, sun, moon and fire, symbolise the three eyes of Lord Siva (who is known as Somasuryagni-lochana).

Get out that welcome mat - the town will be bursting at the seams!

Skanda Shashti

Skanda Shashti
(Nov 10th to 15th 2007)

A very important God worshipped at Tiruvannamalai and throughout Tamil Nadu is Lord Murugan. During the Nine Nights of the Goddess (Navaratri), the three goddesses Kali (Parvatis fierce form), Lakshmi and Saraswati were involved in destroying the dark forces. Now, for the month of November, and especially concentrated during Skanda Shashti, the Six Days of Murugan (November 10-15, 2007), the God Murugan takes over and continues the fight with the demons. Also occurring during Skanda Shashti this year, is an auspicious planetary placement of Mars in Gemini which increases the energy of Murugan and the planet Mars.

Lord Murugan has always been concerned about the evolution of the planet and welfare of its people. Throughout time, Murugan has played a major role in educating humans about a higher, more Divine way of life. Murugan is the Lord of the Pleiades and also a warrior God, in that his energy is expressed in a military manner. He is associated with the planet Mars and the star Krittika (Alcyone) in Vedic astrology.

Murugan’s weapon and icon (i.e., the symbol most closely associated and connected to Murugan) is the Vel. The Vel is in the shape of an arrow. Lord Murugan also holds the secrets of the sacred sound "Om", which he revealed to Lord Siva in ancient times at Swami Malai, after a curse from a powerful Yogi had removed this knowledge from Lord Siva entirely. A large statue sits in Swami Malai depicting the moment in time when Murugan whispered the secrets of "Om" into Siva’s ear while sitting on his lap.

Welcome to Arunachala Birds

Today we started posting on Arunachala Birds, the third Blog of Arunachala Grace Network, and dedicated to sharing information about Birds and the related ecosystem of Arunachala and surrounding countryside. As well as information about the species of indigenous and migratory Birds at Arunachala, we will supply news and developments that will affect the life of Birds and Animals of the area.

Over the coming months we hope to give up-to-date information about Samudram Lake and the efforts of interested parties to develop a bird sanctuary at Tiruvannamalai. There will also be information and details of the species of birds both indigenous and migratory to this area.

The above photograph is of the beautiful 'Emerald Dove' an infrequent but common bird at Arunachala, which also is the official State Bird of Tamil Nadu.

Outside Big Temple

Today I was supposed to meet Thiagaraja Gurukkal Elavarasu Pattam (family head and a senior priest at Arunachaleswarar Temple) so he could relate stories his father told him about Sri Seshadri Swamigal who lived and died in a room belonging to the family. Nowadays the room is being used as a video/music cassette shop and its virtually impossible to imagine it was the hallowed home of such a renowned Saint.

Anyhow the priest had to postpone our programme till next week, so I was left feeling rather disappointed nearby Arunachaleswarar Temple. So I decided to have a dosai breakfast and then wander about.

A deepam outside the main Gopuram is kept alight by pilgrims visiting the Temple.

Two hundials (boxes for offerings) stand outside the Temple gate - doubtlessly they are emptied every evening. I was told by a Trustee of a private Temple at Arunachala that private Temples have to be careful about soliciting offerings (such as by using hundials) - as they don't want to compromise their independent status and get taken over through the use of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act, by which Hindu temples and Maths are taken over by State Governments in the name of better administration. Most large Temples at Tiruvannamalai have in fact already lost their independent status under the Act.

Outside the Temple bamboo frameworks are being covered with awnings in preparation of the HUGE crowds that will come to Tiruvannamalai to celebrate Deepam.

Life outside the main gate of Arunachaleswarar Temple continues peacefully and much the same as it has for hundreds of years.

The next generation seems ready to take over the family Temple business!

Jewellery Maker, Designer

The below photograph is of Ramesh, a local man, who as well as having a small jewellers shop in Tiruvannamalai, also makes jewellery for the idols of many of the Temples at Tiruvannamalai, including Arunachaleswarar Temple.

The below photographs are examples of his work, which include ornaments he has made of both precious stones set in gold or silver, and also costume jewellery.

Ramesh concentrates mostly on making jewellery for Amman Idols and decorating the Goddess and Her Shrines, but occasionally he decorates other Gods. The below photograph is of Sri Venkateshwarar (Balaji). Ramesh made alot of the ornaments, and also dressed and displayed the idol.

The next series of photographs are of Amman, which seems very appropriate at this Diwali time of year!

Ramesh also designs themes for the Gods, as in the below forest scene.

I will be writing more about Ramesh in the upcoming Arunachala Grace News, December issue, which will be sent out at the end of this month. So if you don't already have a free subscription of the Newsletter, please sign up at the left hand margin of this Blog.