AKSP -- November, 2008 Report

Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation: Greening of Arunachala
[November, 2008 Report]

The Forest Department intends to take full responsibility for the reforestation of Arunachala Mountain and we wish them well in their endeavour. After working on the Western end of the mountain for six years we will, from now on, observe the efforts of the Forest Depart while attending to plantation on flatlands surrounding Arunachala. This prospect offers greater potential for raising environmental awareness in the community. We are pleased to join two well established trusts – one on Arunachala's east and one on the west, both oriented towards the growth of sustainable ecological perspectives in children: The Arunachala Village School at Vediyappanur and Nectar Soma Trust at Somasapadi.

We are also engaged in the development of an organic model farm – "Prakruti" - on land offered us for this purpose on the Adianamalai side of the mountain. The land will first be developed with basic amenities before we begin structuring the farm with the introduction of organic farming techniques. On land offered near Arunachala Village School we will maintain a nursery for trees that will eventually be planted along roadsides and in villages on that side of the Mountain. The initial task in this direction is offered by the Panchayat at Selvapuram in Vediyappanur; who have invited us to design and develop a new burial ground, which we consider an honour. The children of the Arunachala Village School will be assisting us in this plantation as well as in the village itself and along the roadway leading towards the town of Tiruvannamalai.

We are in the process of training the children at the farm run by our Managing Trustee in using shadow puppet theatre for communication about environmental matters in surrounding villages. These children are forming a theatre group with Prahbun – a puppeteer from Bangalore, who visit regularly and assist with productions. This group will also give shadow puppet workshops at the Arunachala Village School where the Manager presents an ecological component in the curriculum. It is hope that this school will become proficient in spreading environmental awareness in their area.

At present we are building a nursery at the Nectar Soma children’s farm with considerable future prospects for plantation in the villages and on private lands. Adjacent is land owned by the Atma Saranalayam Ashram who have invited us to create a forest for its own sake on this land. We now feel oriented towards a wider arena of influence in our contribution to the greening of Arunachala.
[Apeetha Arunagiri]

Deepam Festival

Greatness of Deepam Festival

Sage Gowthama said: “I shall describe to you the glory of that which liberates people from all sins and bestows all prosperity. In the mount of Karthika, on the day of the star Krittika during pradosha (i.e. thirteenth day country from the new moon/full moon) the fortunate ones who perform giripradakshina are not born again. All karmas are destroyed on performance of giripradakshina. ‘It is customary to circumambulate the Hill for a Mandela or forty days. One who is not able to do this may perform giripradakshina at least for eleven days. If even this is not possible, then one should go round the Hill on the day of Deepam. This is equivalent to performing crores of Yagnas. (one crore 10 million). He who worships the Deepam lit atop the Hill derives countless blessings. A person residing elsewhere may light lamps in front of any shrine of Siva, atop His temple towers or on the peaks of other hills and he will be blessed. Whatever may be the attitude of the devotee, the mere lighting of the lamp on this day with any type of oil available confers great merit on him.

He who has darshan of this light on Arunachala Hill acquires the merit of having performed great charity and of having bathed in the sacred rivers. Who can express in words the benefits enjoyed by the one who has darshan of the peak of Arunachala with the beacon light glowing?’

The Glory of Arunachala
[Skanda Upapuranam]




Deepam Festival – Another Legend:

Long ago, King Vajresan of Panchala who was childless, was blessed with a son after having darshan of the Arunachala Deepam in the month of Kartika. The son was named Shatrujith. The prince grew up to be lecherous man. He once eloped with the wife of a Vedic scholar and came to Tiruvannamalai and entered the Temple of Arunachaleswarar.

It was the day of the festival of the beacon. The paramour made a wick out of her sari and lit the lamp with castor oil. At that moment the Vedic scholar came there and in a fit of rage stabbed his wife and the prince. And in turn the prince killed him.

Since it was a gruesome murder committed in the sacred precincts of the Temple the three were about to be taken to hell by the messengers of Yama, lord of death. At that moment the messengers of Siva intervened and claimed the prince and the woman as their own and took them to the abode of Siva. Their blasphemous acts were condoned by Arunachala Himself because the wife made a wick and the prince helped her to light the lamp for the Supreme Lord.

But the Vedic scholar was puzzled, as he was held by the messengers of Yama. The prince, moved by the plight of the Vedic scholar, ordered the vessel used for lighting the Karthika lamp to release the scholar. Immediately the Vedic scholar was liberated. Thus all the three, despite their misdeeds, were taken to the abode of Siva, as the merit gained by the simple act of lighting a lamp on Kartika day in his Temple outweighed their devilish acts.

The Glory of Arunachala
[Skanda Upapuranam]

First Visit to Tiruvannamalai

"The below is a narrative written by Joyce Meyers detailing some of her experiences during her first visit to Tiruvannamalai this November, 2008. Joyce travelled with a group of seven ladies with Virginia Lee facilitating their programme. Virginia's report of the Retreat will be featured in the upcoming Arunachala Grace Newsletter. (Check left column newsletter free subscribe facility to receive a copy of the monthly Newsletter).

Joyce is a licensed psychotherapist, certified Ericksonian hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, art therapist, and board certified past life regressionist. She uses a transformational therapy developed from traditional, spiritual and experiential approaches to healing."

Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, South India. November 2008.

“Although I have been home in New York City for two weeks, my heart is still very much in Tiruvannamalai. It was an important experience for me, and not one I had in the least anticipated. Ten months prior I had spent two weeks in Haridwar and Rishikesh. The entire time I felt cradled in the arms of the Divine Mother, who healed my shredded heart from a severed relationship. I was expecting to be provided with a similar embrace, only to find that Tiruvannamalai, the home of Arunachala and Ramana Maharshi, was preparing me for a different kind of ride. It was softly inviting me to look within and examine buried pockets of grief and negativity and I was given ample opportunity to do so, both internally and externally. This was not exactly what I had in mind, but it was what I was needing. So I decided to want what I needed. As I reluctantly released resistance to what was being presented, it soon led, thankfully, to other adventures of the uplifting kind.

I began experiencing heightened feelings of unconditional love with the locals, from the sales clerk, to the coconut lady, to the teachers, to the people who work at Sri Nannagaru ashram where I stayed, to sadhus, and the poor with outstretched arms. These feelings extended to the dogs and cows and bulls that lined the streets. In Rishikesh and Haridwar, I received all embracing spiritual love. In Tiruvannamalai, I received and gave human love.

In preparation for this trip, I immersed myself in learning about Ramana Maharshi and was taken with his teachings. Tiruvannamalai, which seems to be the hub where seekers, sages, sadhus, teachers and gurus gather, provided many opportunities to receive darshan with spiritual leaders and sit in satsang with advaita teachers where I could ask questions and apply what I was learning. I had no idea these Ramana teachings would lead me in a new direction. Since being home, I have joined advaita groups, signed up for an Enlightenment Intensive that Taj, from our group, directed me towards, and went back to reading Eckhart Tolle. On another occasion I went to hear Sri Vast, a guru, speak. I was waiting to be bored, only to finding myself moved by his every word. What I found spiritually in India filled and fulfilled me.

Gwen and Maryjo from our group, and I, went to Pondicherry, less than three hours away. We visited Auroville, Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Ashram; and Sri Vast Ashram, as well as my having a dental appointment for a hurting tooth with a most skillful, caring dentist using highly sophisticated Japanese equipment, all for 75% less than I would have paid in the states. Visiting Sri Vast Ashram, for me, was the highlight of this excursion. Far more important than the beauty of the land and the graceful architecture of the building structures, were the values Sri Vast upholds. His vision, and what he has put into practice, represents the greatest breadth and depth of vision of any intentional living community I have ever come upon.

left to right -- Ganesh, Dinesh, Radesh, Priya

Last but definitely not least is the ability to make a difference in the lives of several children. Priya, Dinesh and Radesh, the children of Jayanti (who works as a servant at Nannagaru Ashram), as well as Dinesh’s best friend Ganesh, are now enrolled in a year of English tutoring classes. With this, they can have the possibility of acceptance to a good school and open to choices in their life. The tutoring arrangement was accomplished with the very kind and generous help of Mr. Ravichandran, director of Shantimalai Trust, one of the top schools in the area.

Aswini

With Priya, I have already made a commitment to sponsor her through all her years of schooling. The other three, all of whom are very intelligent, aware, and adorable, will need sponsors as well if they pass their English exams or will require other kinds of support to learn a trade. Gwen, another fellow traveler on the journey, and I, now share a godchild, Aswini, who we are sponsoring through all her years of schooling. She was introduced to us by Mr. Ravichandran. Aswini was going to have to leave school because her mother couldn’t continue to pay, due to circumstances at home. How do you say no when you look into the eyes of a small child before you and know what a difference you can make in their life?

Thank you, Meenakshi Ammal, of Arunachala Grace Network, for leading me to Shantimalai and for helping the group as an expert travel guide consultant.

In order to travel to the tutor, each child, except Radesh, needed a bicycle. Gwen, Mary Jo and I chipped in and now Dinesh and Priya have their bicycles, with Ganesh’s on the way. It was joyous for me and Gwen to sit in the downtown bicycle shop with Dinesh, Priya and their mom, Jayanti, while the bicycles were being assembled, bells, whistles and all; to watch the happiness light up their faces, and then to watch all three ride home together. And none of this cost very much: $80 a bicycle, $200 a year to tutor four children, $25 a month to sponsor a child through Shantimalai Trust. I couldn’t do this kind of thing in the U.S.A., but in India, a dollar goes very, very far.

India feels like home. It is that spiritual dimension that deeply nourishes. It is the naturalness, openheartedness and lack of pretense of the people, with everything exposed and out in the open. There it is in your face, life taking place in the streets - death, excrement, bare feet, cow dung, dirt, eating with your fingers, deep-eye contact and soul connections with ‘strangers’, the friendliness of the people and their excitement at your taking their picture, sadhus sleeping or resting on the earth, fresh laundry laid out to dry on the ground, garbage, poverty, sorrow, seeking, awareness, and joy. Oh, joy!

Whatever it is that took place in Tiruvannamalai, It has brought me to a new level of awareness, of understanding, and of being. Thank you, India. And thank you, Virginia Lee, our travel leader, for creating the opportunity to participate in this wonderful journey.”

Joyce Z. Meyers
http://www.heartandsoultherapy.com/

The Deepam Festival -- Part Three

"It is widely believed that the provision of Free Food at Deepam is rewarded by the Lord more than any other provision of Free Food! Down at little shrine area in the only remaining virgin forest adjacent to my house, on one side of the road every year we have The Big Temple servants feeding ten thousand persons a day, and on the other side another group feeding another ten thousand. Crowd Control Barriers sprout and the vast distribution of free food manifests itself all along the Hill Round Route.

We wandered down to the little shrine area around midday on the seventh day of last year’s festival - the day of The Lighting. The Free Food queue in the crowd control barrier on one side of the road extended back for more than a kilometre, forming a static block against the jabbering stream of thousands not interested in free food just then. The field behind where the forest watchman lives was full of onionskins, vegetable peelings, big pots being filled with food and big pots on fires. Full steaming-hot big pots were carried on palanquins by strong men across to the awning on the roadside where more big pots of hot food were lined up and many men were dishing spicy rice onto leaf plates for the long barricaded queue of hungry Tamilians extending out of sight.

We ate our free food on a bench segregated from the crowd by thorns, watching a big fight between temple bouncers and persons trying to eat their food too near to the distribution spot, thereby creating untold congestion in a greatly congested situation. There was no alternative since there was nowhere to go to eat, because the sea of human beings takes up every available space. Discarded leaf plates smeared with spicy rice covered the road and particularly the shoulders of the road, where one had to wade through a great mess in order to move. Huge religious festivals have an agonizingly sordid side.

But the ecstasy is something else." To be Contd.

[By Apeetha Arunagiri]

Flag Hoisting Ceremony

The below photographs show preparations and festivities for 2008 Deepam.

After completion of the various preceding three days of functions:

Day One -- Sri Durgambal Utsavam
Day Two -- Sri Pidari Utsavam
Day Three -- Vignesvara Puja are complete

We begin Day One of Deepam 2008 with the flag hoisting ceremoney at Arunachaleswar Temple.

The Kotittaampam from koti “flag” and tanipam “pillar”, indicates the God or Goddess residing at that Temple. It is believed that as well as signalling the start of Temple functions, the flag hoisting ceremony represents:

“. . . indicates that the descended Kundalani Sakthy at Moolatharam of our spinal cord should rise to the head. The flag lowering ceremony indicates how this supreme consciousness descends down from the head to the body (Creation) and reaches the end of the spinal cord (Moolathatam).”

Its Awfully Wet!

During the second week of November I remarked to a group of visitors from California, that Tiruvannamalai had had an insignificant amount of rainfall in 2008. Well towards the end of November, a couple of days after the group had left, the heavens opened and a gale blew into the Southeast coast of India. Chennai got the brunt of it – but at Tiruvannamalai we also had to bear huge winds and rains that went on and on – day after day. I (and lots of others) lost electricity power for days – and the weather was so unbelievably bad that nobody was on the streets or could come and repair the lines. Residents just hid in their homes. My doggies eyes glazed over in bewilderment – what was happening? Poor things. Outside it seemed liked everything was melting into one great muddy glob.

To give you an idea of the amount of rain we have received in such a short time, I am quoting below part of a posting made on the renovation of the local Simha Tank.

“The Simha Tank is one of my favourite spots around the Hill, as I very much like the iconic statue of the Lion standing sentinel at the front of the Tank. As previously mentioned the tank is being desilted and deepened. It probably will be difficult to believe but over the last few rainy seasons the water level of the tank actually overflows onto Chengam Road, and makes the spot look like a negative edge pool (i.e. infinity swimming pool).”

I took the below photos this afternoon which show the Tank filling up -- still a ways to go before we get to negative edge pool (i.e. infinity swimming pool) . . .

. . . but if you notice at the back of the this photograph the continuous stream of water pouring down from the slopes of Arunachala . . .

and in closer detail . . .



Maybe our negative edge pool (i.e. infinity swimming pool) is not so far away at all!

Arunachala by L.Osborne

“Arunachala! Thou art the inner Self who dances in the Heart as ‘I’. Heart is Thy name, O Lord!”
(Five Stanzas to Sri Arunachala, verse 2.)

In the Puranas Arunachala is referred to as the oldest Hill on earth and is regarded as the heart of the Universe.

Scientists have also pointed out the Eastern Ghats of the Deccan plateau as the oldest land. Arunachala has many names: Arunagiri, Sonagiri, Sudarsanagiri, Annamalai, to mention but a few and is also referred to as the Tejolingam — the lingam of effulgence — which is the formless emblem of Siva.

The form of the Hill is said to resemble Sri Chakra, the emblem of the Cosmos with its substratum, and shaktas regard this Hill as Sri Chakra itself. Bhagavan took an active part in the installation of Sri Chakra in the temple dedicated to the mother.

Devotees of Siva consider this divine Hill as the form of Siva, who appeared in the midst of Brahma and Vishnu as a column of fire without beginning or end in order to dispel their ignorance. Both failed to realise his presence by their physical efforts. This signifies the inability of mind or intellect to go beyond itself. Arunachala is traditionally identified with Sudarsana (a form of the chakra or discus of Vishnu). In the form of a deity, Sudarsana appears in a fierce aspect, armed with weapons of destruction. When a seeker penetrates beyond the semblance of the terrible, while struggling to overcome what seems terrible in himself — namely, the dark downward propensities of his own psyche — grace reveals itself as love and compassion. This, according to Dr. Mees, an authority on symbolism, is the etymology of Sudarsana which aims at the destruction of these propensities, so as to reveal love and beauty.

Many saints and sages have sung and composed songs in praise of Arunachala and its import, and some have attained enlightenment here. Shankara also seems to have visited Arunachala. In one of his compositions he calls this Hill ‘Meru’ and says, like Bhagavan, that Siddha Purushas are found here.




Saint Namasivaya lived in one of the caves, which is still called by his name. His disciple has written the well-known Annamalai Venba, a hymn in praise of Arunachala. Another well-known Saiva saint, Virupaksha, also lived in a cave higher up on the slope. It is said to be in the shape of OM — and some devotees have heard there, the sound of OM in silent meditation. The saint’s tomb is also there and this cave bears his name. Bhagavan spent seventeen years in it and later moved up to Skandashram where a trickle of water changed overnight to a perennial stream whose water, like that of the Ganges, does not deteriorate with time. Arunagirinatha, another notable saint, is also celebrated for his songs of praise after he received illumination through the grace of Muruga in the Arunachala temple. When mention was made one day of the tank adjoining the Ashram being called Agastya Thirtam, the Maharshi was asked if that sage ever visited the Hill. Bhagavan remarked “Yes, of course, everyone must come here eventually”, meaning that everyone must eventually return to the source — Arunachala.

Sages have said that one can attain salvation by being born in Tiruvarur, by dying in Benares, by worshipping in Chidambaram and by merely thinking of Arunachala. “So worship Arunachala of shining golden lustre for mere remembrance of Him ensures deliverance,” Bhagavan also affirms.

[By Lucia Osborne]

The Deepam Festival -- Part Two

The full 2008 Deepam Programme is listed in an earlier post on Arunachala Grace -- so please check the link to keep up-to-date with the Deepam schedule. As promised I will be posting many 2008 Deepam photographs throughout the Festival -- in this respect you can check this Blog on Wednesday when I hope to upload many photographs of processions and daily life of devotees and inhabitants of Tiruvannamalai.

Below I post Part Two of the excellent 'The Deepam Festival' by Apeetha Arunagiri, whose website is at this link HERE. You can view Part One of this narrative at this link.

"Deepam Festival lasts fourteen days. The Big Temple displays its treasures every night of the first nine days in processions around the circuit of streets in town. Millions of pilgrims come, perhaps two million sometimes, perhaps more; they camp out in the temple complex and fill every available hut, home, shop, guesthouse, ashram, room, corner, balcony, corridor, niche, stone bench, and nook under trees and rocks. They all walk around the hill; some many times because it is exceedingly auspicious to do so. Lord Siva may very likely grant a pilgrim’s wishes.

Many years ago when my daughter was small, the old infirm lady who lived with us - an elderly Brahmana woman of ninety-nine-odd years - used to bundle her pots and pans, condiments, clean white saris – she’d bundle them all up in a cloth and scoot off by rickshaw into town for Deepam every year. She had an age-old arrangement with a family in the main street, she used to camp on their verandah for the ten days, staying awake at night to worship the gods as they came past. The divinities would no doubt reward her for all her trouble.

Although we are tempted to conjecture that the motivation to partake of this exceeding auspiciousness arises from other-worldly concerns lured by the possibility of relinquishment from the cycle of birth and death, this is not entirely true. For the Hindu it is considered monumentally difficult for an individual to achieve the freedom from attachment to this world that is essential for absolute freedom. It is love of this world that fires the hearts of the devotees; the possible fulfillment of desires sustains arduous pilgrimages.

The number of pilgrims walking around Arunachala has increased so much during the past ten years that we now have a mini-Deepam every single month. A famous film star’s pronouncement that Arunachala grants wishes at full moon as well as at Deepam is what started it all off. Since then, the entire town has to be frozen of incoming traffic for the duration of the moon’s radiant fullness and thousands of extra buses are scheduled. The ostensibly other-worldly Deepam festival is actually a tremendous affirmation of confidence in life on Earth.

Hawkers come with their wares: food in particular and pictures of gods, film stars and politicians. Hawkers bring spiritual books, protective talismans, plastic toys and bunches of grapes, things to hang on your rear vision mirror and stand on your TV, wind chimes, socks, belts, warmers for heads, underpants, bangles, molded plastic divinities, fruit trees, pillows and blankets, jewels, hair clips, watches, fruit trees and motor bikes – to name a few conspicuous items. The religious festival becomes a vast marketplace. The Holy Hill is garlanded with opportunities.

Beggars come by the busload with their leprous legs and stumpy arms and their begging bowls; some have little vehicles. Sadhus come in orange - the mendicant’s uniform. Businessmen also come. Families come with plastic carry bags of clean clothes and blankets. With their shaven scalps smeared with turmeric paste; they wash their saris, dhotis and shirts in the tanks beside the hill-round road route and walk with one wet sari end tied modestly about their body - the other held by a family member up ahead, the cloth streaming out to dry in the breeze. Skinny people with big feet and wide eyes: these are the true-blue pilgrims who camp on the flagstones of temples and mandapams. Modern middle class families stay in expensive hotels. Groups come with musical accessories and flower garlands, voices joining footsteps. The Hill becomes garlanded in humans, encouraged by the voices of the hawkers and bucket loudspeakers blaring from the frequent stands selling tapes of devotional music.

A recent upsurge in progress has resulted in the construction of several sheds along the way, in which pilgrims can rest and watch TV. A special cable was laid to provide video images of the festival happenings including much film of pilgrims walking around the Holy Hill so that resting pilgrims can even see themselves perhaps, by courtesy of our recent technological achievements." -- To be Contd.

[By Apeetha Arunagiri]

Durgambal Procession

Saturday 29th November marked the beginning of the 2008 Deepam Festival with the procession of Durgambal seated on Kamadhenu (the wish fulfilling cow) 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. The first photograph is of the statue at the Durga Temple before being placed on the Kamadhenu.

Below a close-up of the Goddess.

This year large screens have been installed around Arunachaleswarar 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. As is always the case in such functions, the procession stops whenever people along the route make offerings.

In the above photograph the Goddess is seated on Kamadhenu (the cow) at one of the Gopurams (entrances) of the Big Temple (Arunachaleswarar). Decorations are already up at the Big Temple and like last year I hope to post a photograph from Arunachala Hill looking downwards to the Temple, to show the beautiful brightly-lit Arunachaleswarar Koil.

Deepam 2008 Photographs

For last year's Deepam I posted many excellent photographs covering various functions during the Festival. This year I will be doing the same and in this respect am working with a photographer who will be supplying me with unique photographs of each function. The below is of the Maha Radham (Big Car) in 2007 circumbulating Arunachaleswarar Temple -- it was taken by the same photographer that I am using this year. You can view the full size photograph by clicking on it.

Maha Radham-- 2007 Deepam Festival
click to enlarge

There will be some Deepam photographs posted on Arunachala Grace, however this year I am offering readers the opportunity to acquire a full pictorial history of the Deepam Festival 2008. In this respect there will be well over two hundred photographs (same size as 'enlarged' photo sample above) of the Festival. As the photographer is professionally accredited, he is able to take photographs in areas of Arunachaleswarar Temple etc., which generally restricts the taking of photographs, he is also able to get exceptional access to cover the actual lighting of the Hill Deepam.

If you wish to receive a DVD pictorial history of the 2008 Arunachala Deepam, please get in touch at the contact link situated top left of Arunachala Grace. A donation is required in order to cover costs and expenses. There is a PayPal facility located at the left column of this page. In the case of International readers please add an additional U.S.$10 to your donation to bear the cost of registered, airmail.

Deepam Programme 2008

Today is the first day of the Deepam Festival as celebrated at Tiruvannamalai. The sequence of the Festival is explained below. The lighting of the flame on top of Arunachala actually takes place on the 10th day of Deepam and stays alight for between 8-10 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. In this connection 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.

Festival Days 2008:

29th November, Saturday -- Durgambal festival:

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

30th November, Sunday -- Pidari festival:

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

1st December, Monday -- Anukjai Vignesvara Puja:

The elephant God Vinayka is taken out in the streets on a silver mount.

2nd December, Tuesday -- (First Day) Annamalai Temple:

Procession of five Deities in the morning and five Deities in the evening.

3rd December, Wednesday -- (Second Day) Annamalai Temple:

Morning procession of Chandrasekar (Lord Siva) and Vinayaka. Evening five Deities.

4th December, Thursday -- (Third Day)

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

5th December, Friday -- (Fourth Day)

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

6th December, Saturday -- (Fifth Day)

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

7th December, Sunday -- (Sixth Day)

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

8th December, Monday -- (Seventh Day)

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

9th December, Tuesday -- (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.

10th December, Wednesday -- (Ninth Day)

Morning Vinayaka, Chandrasekar Mirror Vimanam. Evening the five Deities. Kailasa Vehicle, Kamadhenu Vehicle procession.

11th December, Thursday -- (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.

12th December, Friday -- (Eleventh Day)

Night at 7 p.m. float for Chandrasekar. Annamalaiyar going round the Hill.

13th December, Saturday -- (Twelfth Day)

At 7 p.m. at night for Parasakti Amman.

14th December, Sunday -- (Thirteenth Day)

At 7 p.m. night float for Subramanian (Lord Murgan).

15th December, Monday -- (Fourteenth Day)

Chandikesvarar festival procession on Silver Bull Vehicle.

2008 Karthigai Deepam – South India

Karthigai Deeepam, or Karthika Deepam, is the festival of lights in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, it is observed on the full moon day in the month of Karthigai (November-December). In Kerala, the festival is known as Trikartika or Kartika Vilaku and is held in the month of Vrichikam (November – December).

This year December 11th is the day for the lighting of traditional oil lamps at dusk (approximately 6.05 p.m.). Karthigai Deeepam is also known as Bharani Deepam and Vishnu Deepam in Tamil Nadu and is an auspicious day for both Shaivites and Vaishanvites. Click here to read more

The Festival of Light -- Arunachala

“Deepam is a Hindu religious festival which merges myth and sacred time with the ordinary temporal flow since the distinction between myth and reality’ does not exist in India where even the passage of time is illusory.

The sacred mountain Arunachala was worshipped long before the Vedic culture penetrated into the southern Indian peninsular millennia ago. In the south Lord Siva became the notion of significance and Arunachala became the embodiment of Lord Siva. Kailash Mountain of Tibet is his abode where he meditates, but Arunachala Mountain is Siva Himself.

It was in comparatively recent history that the Vedic Divine personalities evolved on the subcontinent; they up-staged the primeval pantheon of elemental divinities worshipped since time before mind: Fire, Water, Space, Air, Earth. Sacred places associated with these most ancient divinities lie in the South. Arunachala is The Fire Place.




However it is not Fire that is of primary significance but Light: an invisible column of light signifying the Enlightenment that those embodied in human form have the capacity to realize. Realisation confers freedom from the bondage of identity with form, both physical and mental. The light of the Deepam flame reminds us of this. Deepam means Light.

The original myth is that aeons ago the gods Brahma and Vishnu challenged one another, each claimed to be able to reach the end of the universe. Lord Brahma (the Creator) headed up in the form of a swan, and Lord Vishnu (the Preserver) headed down as a Boar. Neither was successful in their task. Lord Siva (the Destroyer of Ignorance) pronounced the justice of this situation: that no embodied being has precedence over any other; that only what is prior to consciousness is real. What is real is quality-less. It is eternal, unequivocal throughout all dimensions of all worlds. Lord Siva showed himself as this eternal principal in the form of an endless column of Light invisible to mortal eyes. He named it Arunachala. This was given visible form as a Mountain, an icon for what is beyond form, fondly referred to by locals as ‘the Holy Hillock’.”

[Apeetha Arunagiri]

Chatting Macaques

Reading an online International Newspaper, I found this light-hearted, amusing article about the macaque monkey. The macaques constitute a genus of Old World monkeys, of which there are twenty-two macaque species currently recognised, of which our own Bonnet Macaque, found extensively throughout this area, is one.

The article reads thus:

‘Why females love a good gossip ... even if they're macaque monkeys.’

“Female macaque monkeys love a good gossip as much as their chatty human counterparts, research has shown.

Scientists spent three months listening to a mixed group of macaques living on Cayo Santiago island off Puerto Rico. They discovered that, just as with humans, the female of the species was more talkative than the male.

The experts counted the grunts, coos and 'girneys' - friendly chit-chat between two individuals - while ignoring calls specifically used when in the presence of food or a predator. Female macaques were found to make 13 times as many friendly noises as males. They were also much more likely to chat to other females than males.

The scientists believe this is because female macaques form solid, long-lasting bonds. They stay in the same group for life, and rely on their female friends to help them look after offspring. In contrast males, who rove between groups throughout their life, chatted to both sexes equally.

Researcher Nathalie Greeno, from the University of Roehampton in London, told New Scientist magazine: 'The results suggest that females rely on vocal communication more than males due to their need to maintain the larger networks.' This is said to be the first time communication sex differences have been identified in non-human primates.

Primate expert Professor Klaus Zuberbuhler, from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, agreed that the findings had a bearing on language development. In all social species, communication helped individuals 'navigate their daily social lives, usually by influencing the minds and behaviour of group members,' he said. He added that communication helped resolve tension between the opposite forces of competition and cooperation.”

New Vodpod and Photographs

I have updated the display photographs at the left column of Arunachala Grace with new photographs related to upcoming Deepam – as the mood is definitely gearing up in town. Most of those photographs are in fact from last year's Deepam. I have also posted a new VodPod at the bottom left column of this page with the following videos:


Spirit – Born Free
Beautiful, inspirational song composed for the movie Born Free (1966) about a real-life couple who raised an orphaned lion cub to adulthood, and released her into the wilds of Kenya. The video is of a later animated movie about a horse born free in the Cimarron.

Our Place in the Universe
The incomparable Carl Sagan says it best when he says – “The Universe is not supposed to be in perfect harmony with human ambition.” A video describing the awesome immensity of space.

A Previous Deepam
A beautiful, well-shot inspirational video of a previous Deepam celebrated several years ago.

Lingashtakam by S.P.B
Devotional chant sung for Lord Shiva (in linga form) by S.P. Balasubramaniam. Two versions on this video, first -- Tamil version and the second is in Sanskrit.

Sparsa Hotel, Tiruvannmalai
Musical montage of Tiruvannamalai's new 3-star eco-sensitive luxury Hotel

Lingashtakam

Below are posted the Sanskrit lyrics with English translation for the Lingashtakam. The video is posted at the VodPod which is located at the bottom left column of Arunachala Grace. The video has two versions of the Ashtakam, the first being in Tamil and the second is in Sanksrit:-


Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam,
Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam,
Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam.
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,
Which is pure and resplendent,
And which destroys sorrows of birth.

Deva Murari pravarchitha Lingam,
Kama dahana Karunakara lingam,
Ravana darpa vinashana lingam,
That pranamami sad shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by great sages and devas,
Which destroyed the god of love,
Which showers mercy,
And which destroyed the pride of Ravana.

Sarva sukandhi sulepitha lingam,
Budhi vivarthana karana lingam,
Siddha surasura vandhitha lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is anointed by perfumes,
Which leads to growth of wisdom,
And which is worshipped by sages, devas and asuras.

Kanaka mahamani bhooshitha lingam,.
Panipathi veshtitha shobitha lingam,
Daksha suyagna vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is ornamented by gold and great jewels,
Which shines with the snake being with it,
And which destroyed the Yagna of Daksha.

Kunkuma chandana lepitha lingam,
Pankaja hara sushobitha lingam,
Sanchitha papa vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is adorned by sandal paste and saffron,
Which wears the garland of lotus flowers,
And which can destroy accumulated sins.

Deva Ganarchitha sevitha lingam,
Bhavair bakthi pravesa lingam,
Dinakara koti prabhakara lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is served by gods and other beings,
Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought,
And which shines like billions of Suns.

Ashta dalopari veshtitha lingam,
Sarva samudbhava karana lingam,
Ashta daridra vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is surrounded by eight petals,
Which is the prime reason of all riches,
And which destroys eight types of poverty.

Suraguru sura vara poojitha Lingam,
Sura vana pushpa sadarchitha lingam,
Parathparam paramathmaka lingam,
That pranamai sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by the teacher of gods,
Which is worshipped by the best of gods,
Which is always worshipped by the flowers,
From the garden of Gods,
Which is the eternal abode,
And which is the ultimate truth.

Lingashtakam, Idam Punyam padeth Shiva Sannidhow,
Shivalokam avapnothi shive na sahamodathe.

Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,
In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,
Would in the end reach the world of Shiva,
And keep him company.

The Cult of the Hill

“Of the outer symbol of Sri Arunachala on earth, Lord Siva says, “Meditate on the fact that in the heart of the Hill surges the spiritual glory, within which the whole world is contained.” It is in fact this holy Hill — the Mount Kailas of the south and the very embodiment of Siva.

In his article called ‘Physical Supports of Grace’, Arthur Osborne says that the Hill called Arunachala is verily the greatest of physical supports.Yet for those who are unable to live within sight of the earthly Arunachala, there need be no regrets, for the Hill itself is but a thought-construction same as any other. If we would grasp the inner significance veiled by the ‘dull’, outer form of its simple contours, we must search within the heart, and establish contact with that regionless bliss, void of all conceptions which the mind is capable of formulating. For Arunachala is the symbol of the void nature of the Self manifesting in so simple a shape as the ‘Hill of the Holy Beacon’.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said, “Is Kali, my divine mother, of a black complexion? She appears black because she is viewed from a distance, but when intimately known she is no longer so. The sky appears blue at a distance but look at it close by and you will find that it has no colour. The water of the ocean looks blue at a distance, but when you go near and take it in your hand, you find that it is colourless.”

And so it is with the ‘Hill of the Holy Beacon’; go near to it in spirit and it is without shape, without colour, without attributes of any kind. It is only distance which lends it the illusory qualities it seems to possess. Really, we impress the void — It essentially is with the attributes we seem ourselves to possess and then we imagine seeing what is not truly there. Thus it is our attributes we have to slough if we would come close to the sacred symbol and know its real significance, and our everyday life can help us insofar as we regard all things that occur to us in a new light. For instance, instead of viewing circumstances and conditions as isolated phenomena occurring to us for no reason at all, we should strive to regard each event as a stone upon the slopes of Arunachala; each trivial repetition of which event constitutes at last that sacred ‘mount of the spirit’ which is our true nature.

For when Arunachala has been truly built into the fabric of our hearts, we shall need to view each separate part no longer as a separate stone of the divine edifice, but as the structure entire in its sublimely simple shape of the ‘holy Hill’. And then, entering into the heart thereof with understanding, we shall know the whole as the embodiment of that spirit of grace and compassion which eternally enlightens our hearts. In this way it is possible for the less advanced of us to perform a spiritual discipline while living in the world even though far removed from the outer symbol of divine grace in Tiruvannamalai.

It is only when we realise that it is we who clothe the formless Arunachala with form, because we view it with the eyes of the body, that we shall begin to search within our hearts for the formless Reality which that form veils. It is the guru in hill form who is an everlasting beacon of hope for those who inhabit the earth (or body). As soon as the body is dissolved into a shining mist, so also does the guru’s Hill form dissolve, and we are no longer deluded by other concepts such as our own form or the Hill form — for these twain are no more. The underlying Reality shines forth as the pure and perfect void, conceptless and ever blissful.

As an aid to the realisation of this, it may help the devotee — if he be remote from the physical sight of the Hill — to create a mental picture thereof and endeavour through such a mandala to pervade the Hill and become one with it. Certain physical supports, such as a mound of actual stones taken from the Hill itself, may further the project and intensify the concentration, and also link the devotee in some subtle manner with the focus of spiritual peace abiding in Tiruvannamalai.

Yet all this is of no avail if it be not always borne in mind that these accessories are but props for exalting the consciousness to the pitch necessary for contacting the subtle emanations of grace, which spring from the spaceless Arunachala Siva, whose eternal abode is the Heart. For, all takes place in, and is supported by, the void, of which the Hill itself is the perfect and singular symbol.”

[By Kenneth Grant (born 1924) a British occultist and head of the magical order “Ordo Templi Orientis”]

Its getting Bright!

When you are used to seeing something, one often stops wondering and processing, and just accepts. In this connection I’ve been so used to seeing new homes being painted in garish, striking colours, that I stopped asking myself, “Why?”

Up to about five years ago, most homes throughout India were painted in a cement-based paint with added colour dye – the paint was available in; white, sandal, blue and pink – and for that reason everywhere you went houses were generally painted in one of these colours. As the cement-based paint is cheap and of low quality, it has a short life which is further shortened as a result of intense sun and heavy rain – two main components of Indian weather.

On seeing the new brightly painted homes, I assumed it to be a middle-class response to improved finances and being able to buy ‘proper’ paint instead of having to rely on cheap, cement-based paint.

However, I had a ‘eureka’ moment in town today while at the newly refurbished Deepam Hotel on Car Street. While at the Hotel for a midday snack I chanced upon the below article in an old issue of the Chennai Chronicle newspaper which was in the restaurant.

"Vastu Colours paint city homes"

'The latest fad in the city is Vastu exteriors which applies the principles of Vastu even to the colours in which one’s house is painted. Several residential apartments and individual houses are now painted in bright colours like yellow, red, purple and pink.

Speaking about the craze for these colours, S. Rajagopalam, a businessman who is getting the exteriors of his house painted with bright red and purple colours says, “A few neighbours and friends of mine have opted for these fluorescent colours to paint our exteriors. We did this on the recommendation of our family astrologer, who is also a Vastu expert. According to him, these colours would bring good luck and prosperity. Apart from that, these colours stand out from the rest and are comparatively long lasting as well.”

Kalyana Sundaram, a Vastu expert and astrologer says, “These are lucky colours associated with each zodiac sign which is considered auspicious for those falling under these signs. For instance, for Aries, it’s coral red, for Taurus, pure white and so on. In fact, several paint manufacturers are cashing in on this trend by introducing fluorescent paints of every kind.”

Ramani Manoharan, a local interior designer says, “When it comes to painting one’s house, the Indian school of thought follows the lead of bright fluorescent colours whereas as the westernized aesthetics are more in favour of softer, subtle shades. However, I feel that more Indians are now going the vibrant desi way and Chennai seems to be already stepping up in that direction.”

However, Vastu expert GVS Raghavan has a different opinion. “Although, there are lucky colours for all zodiac signs, one cannot expect to usher in good fortune overnight. Colours have only a minimal effect on one’s destiny.”

M. Krishnan, a dealer in paints says, “The fluorescent paints are of acrylic nature and are the latest entrants in the market. Although they cost five times as much as normal paints, they are more durable. But customers feel that the price is worth it due to the significance of Vastu.”’
[By Shankaran Malini]

Inspired by the above article, I did some research and below post information and link. The photographs throughout this posting are of local Tiruvannamalai homes situated at the back of Yogi Ramsuratkumar ashram. Such new, brightly-painted houses are to be found throughout Tiruvannamalai.

Vastu Principles

One of the principles of Vastu is that if you conform to your rashi (constellation/zodiac sign) in decorating and/or painting your home; it will bring the owner good luck and happiness.

The reason many Vastu houses are multi-coloured is the result of following the advice of experts who suggest colours for each of the walls of the building. The advice is based on the planets that governs the direction that each wall is facing.

Colours are divided into three categories:

Primary colour: Three basic hues; red, blue and yellow which are the foundation of the colour wheel of which all other colours are derived.

Secondary colour: When two primary colours are mixed, they form a secondary color . Such colours are; orange, green and violet.

Tertiary colour: When two secondary colours are mixed, they form a tertiary colour. For example; citron, olive, russet.

To view more in-depth explanation about the relevance of colours in Vastu and to view a Colour Wheel explaining the relationship of colours please visit this link.

1,000

This is the 1,000th post on Arunachala Grace Blog since it started in May, 2006. The BLOG ARCHIVE RESOURCE is at the left column of this page and filled with lots of interesting information and photographs about the extraordinary, amazing Arunachala.

As well as Arunachala Grace Blog, there is also the monthly newsletter -- Arunachala Grace News -- sent direct to the email inbox of (free) subscribers, the additional Blogs -- Arunachala Land, Arunachala Birds and the website Arunachala Samudram. Depending on the support of interested readers, I hope to extensively develop the website Arunachala Samudram in 2009 to include even more information on Arunachala, connected material, interactive features, a readers forum, videos and mp3 audios.

In the meantime thank you to all readers and to those who have made suggestions and sent information and particular thanks to those who support the development of Arunachala Grace Network through donations (PayPal is located at the left hand margin of this page).

At the top left corner of this Blog there is a 'contact' feature which I welcome readers to use. If you need help, information or suggestions about visiting Arunachala, where to visit or where to stay -- or WHATEVER, please get in touch.

Once again thanks for connecting with Arunachala through this resource and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one and all of us!

Adi Annamalai Puja

Over the last couple of weeks I have been spending time with a group of eight ladies from the U.S. showing them Temples and places of interest at Tiruvannamali. On Friday, November 21st, I accompanied three of the ladies to the beautiful Adi Annamalai Temple to participate in a Navagraha Puja, which I had arranged on their behalf -- for the purpose of 'healing and empowerment'. As photographs taken inside the Temple are prohibited, I am instead posting photographs below of the outside of this beautiful and inspiration Temple.

For an aerial view of the Temple go to the link HERE.

In the upcoming Arunachala Grace News, which will be sent out direct to subscriber's email inbox in about ten days, there will be a fascinating report by the facilitator of the visiting group of ladies from the U.S., about some of their experiences at Tiruvannamalai.

The report starts thus:

Click on all photographs to enlarge

"I was inspired to bring a small and intimate group of women to visit Arunachala for a spiritual pilgrimage in November of this year. The group (in addition to myself) consisted of seven women, who were all first-timers to India. Most of the women had a long-time deep desire to come to India for spiritual reasons, but were afraid to travel by themselves. They wished to travel with someone who had a deep connection with India and experience in making the journey." . . . the report continues in Arunachala Grace News . . .
[Virginia Lee]

As well as the upcoming posting in the Newsletter there will be more information on this Blog about the ladies and their experiences during their first visit to Tiruvannamalai.

One of the more enchanting aspects of this Temple are the nooks positioned at the top of the parapet inside the Temple Compound which are constantly utilised as nests for such birds as; rose ringed parakets, white doves, emerald doves, pigeons and also the occasional shy owl.

Watch Your Feet

Work has started getting Tiruvannamalai smart in time for Deepam. Roads are getting relaid, trash cleaned, grass verges cut back and buildings re-painted. The below roadwork is of the Bangalore Road which also forms part of the Girivalam Roadway. I stopped by and had a chat with the Engineer in charge and was surprised to learn that the road repair was being carried out by a private Company under Contract to the Municipality. Somehow I had assumed that it was Government work. It seems like India is getting more like the West everyday!

My main concern about the above roadwork is that the labourers are not wearing proper protective foot gear. The man below has some sort of cover -- however I'm not too sure how the rubber would bear up under hot tar -- perhaps melt?

And in the two photos below we are really getting into 'skimpy mode'-- Ouch! But at least the workers are wearing some sort of foot cover -- I often have seen shoeless tar workers on road repair wearing nothing but plastic bags wrapped around their feet.

I have a feeling that its going to be a BUSY Deepam. Keep checking back over the upcoming weeks as I hope to give lots of fascinating information about different aspects of Deepam and how it is celebrated at Tiruvannamalai. The first Deepam celebration is scheduled for November 29th at the Durga Amman Koil (Temple) which inaugurates a raft of functions, ceremonies, rituals and processions both at the Durga Amman Temple and then the Arunachaleswarar Temple. The lighting of the Deepam (flame) at the top of Arunachala is scheduled for dusk (around 6.05 p.m.) on December 11th. I believe the Tamil TV station, Raj TV will be providing a live broadcast of that day. I will post all information as I get it.