Bullock Cart Hill Rounding

On Tuesday, February 10th, I performed a very nice hill round with a group of visitors from France and Belgium. All the group of eighteen members, except for the leaders Dominique Vincent and his companion Rahina, were visiting Tiruvannamalai for the first time. They leave this area on Friday, February 13th to continue their fascinating Indian tour. I hope to tell you more about their adventures and impressions in the upcoming Arunachala Grace Newsletter – which will be sent out to subscribers inboxes after Mahashivaratri.

Anyhow that Tuesday morning I arrived with two bullock carts (each with two bulls) early at Arunai Anantha Hotel. Already the days are getting warm, so we wanted to make an early start to avoid spending the afternoon in the sun. Everyone wrapped up nicely to venture out in the chilly early morning.

First off we stopped at Nirudhi Lingam (the SW Asta Lingam) so we could look at the descriptive lingam map painted on the outside of the Lingam Shrine. During the course of the morning we did in fact visit: Nirudhi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Asta Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Yama Lingam.

Our next port of call was the favourite Kannapar Temple.

“There is a Temple built at the foot of Arunachala, off the pradakshina route, on a rock dedicated to Sri Kannappar. Kannappar who was one of the sixty-three Nayanars (Tamil Poet-Saints) whose lives are recorded in the Periya Puranam (Lives of the Saints). The actual story of Kannappa Nayanar is supposed to have taken place at a Hill Temple in Sri Kalahasti, near Tirupathi.

The story goes that there was a forest place called Uduppur. It was an isolated area populated by fierce villagers. Nagan and Tatthai had a great desire for a child but as they were old had to go to a shrine of Lord Murugan to receive his blessings before they were able to conceive. A son was soon born to them who they named Thinnan (meaning strong), because he was so powerful and heavy that even his father could hardly hold him up.” To read further go to this link here.

You can get an idea of the way the Temple is constructed with Arunachala as its rocky foundation.

Its interesting to view the progress of the developing Swami Nithyananda’s Ashram from the vantage point of Kannapar Temple.

The below photograph was taken from the Panchamuka shrine from where one can see the five faces of Arunachala. R. Henninger in his interesting book ‘Arunachala – Holy Hill,’ remarks that the faces are:

Top dedicated to Ishana – Pure Crystal

East dedicated to Tat Purusha – Yellow, the face

South dedicated to Agoram – Black, the heart

North dedicated to Vamadeva – Red, the navel

West dedicated to Sadyojatha – White, the foot

This part of the hillround roadway was quite peaceful and the bullocks were moving along quite perky and unstressed. We had already fed them with some bananas during a stopover, and they were co-operating quite earnestly.

We definitely had to stop at the Idukku Pillayar Shrine and test the legend that those who succeed in passing through the narrow passage while uttering a wish, will have that wish fulfilled. Well just about all of the group went through the opening – so they will be able to test the wish-fulfilment part first hand. Anyhow all the group had a good laugh.

Once we got near the Tiruvannamalai Bus Stand, traffic started to get heavy and the bullock drivers really needed to concentrate and put their power into guiding the bullocks. It was a hair raising experience for us – can’t imagine what it was like for the poor bullocks.

It was getting hot and late and the roads were busy with traffic. Deciding time was too short to make the hike up the Hill to visit Pavala Kundru, we instead visited the beautiful Durga Amman Koil and from there we could look up and also see part of the 'Jewel of the Hill,' (i.e. Pavala Kundru).

Both these Temples are associated with famous stories of Arunachala connected with the Goddess. And it is this area which is believed to be the place that Shiva and the Goddess joined and became the manifestation known as Ardhanisvara (half-man, half-woman).

Durga Amman Temple

Durga Amman Temple is believed to have originated from the episode of the Goddess killing the demon Mahishasura. In the Puranas, we read that after having killed the Demon, a lingam adhering to his neck when taken by the Goddess remained welded to the palm of her hand. Durga then went to the place that is now situated in the compound of the Durga Amman Temple. The area was dry, but she dug a hole with her sword and water gushed forth. When she took a bath, the lingam came off her hand and Durga started worshipping it.

The Goddess remained and bestowed her favours on her devotees. Since then, the sacred tank has had a regular water inflow. It is at this Temple that great celebrations take place in honour of Durga during the days of Navaratri and Dasara – which symbolise the victory of the Goddess over evil.

Durga Amman Temple foreground,
Pavala Kundru background at top left

Pavala Kundru

Pavala Kundru (The Jewel of the Hill) is a beautiful Temple located on the top of a giant rock In Puranic mythology Rishi Gautama received the Goddess Parvati at this spot when she came to Arunachala to do penance and it is here it is believed she constructed her own Ashram

To read vignettes and stories about Puranic mythology of Arunachala go to this link here and this link here.

Pavala Kundru through the trees

In more contemporary times Ramana Maharshi lived in one of the two small rooms located at the side of the Temple.

Well we made it back to the Arunai Anantha Hotel where the group are staying. Bullock hillround took nearly six hours and the four bulls did a sterling job. Now they can digest their bananas and take a cooling rest before they head on home and the end of their day's work. Thanks fellas.

New Services

Dear friends sorry for the lack of recent postings but have been concentrating on setting up a couple of fascinating programmes for readers and interested parties.

I will give more information of both programmes over the coming weeks, but briefly we are now collaborating with another organisation in facilitating homams (fire worship) and pujas in several of Arunachala's beautiful independent Temples.

The second offering is that we will be organising Olai chuvadi (naadi josiyam) readings through email and post.

Nadi Astrology (a form of Hindu Astrology practised in Tamil Nadu and based on the belief that the past, present and the future lives of all humans were foreseen by Hindu sages in ancient times and written down as Palm Leaf Manuscripts (nadi grantha).

Our reader comes from a family that have been practising Olai Chuvadi (Nadi readings) for nearly 600 years and has inherited the palm leaf manuscripts through his ancestors. I myself have had a reading with this person and was so impressed that have arranged to offer his services through Arunachala Grace.

To find out more about arranging Homams at Arunachala or to arrange your own private Nadi reading, please use the contact information at the top left corner of this page.

Exploration VodPod

Have just posted a new Video Pod at the left margin of this page with some interesting new videos:

The first of which is entitled 'Quantum Edition' and is comprised of clips taken from controversial film, "'What the bleep do we know - quantum edition."

The second video is the beautiful 'Shiva Rudrastakam' with meaning appearing in English during the video.

The third film is taken from the BBC series ‘The Story of India – Ages of Gold,’ narrated by Michael Wood. After 3 minutes, the narrator visits our own Tiruvannamalai during Deepam.

The next video is the fascinating exploration of astrology, sun worship and religion and entitled, 'Astrology and Sun Worship, Part 1' - I recommend this video for the 'open-minded' as it deals with controversial -- albeit -- fascinating concepts.

Finally the fifth video of this current Video Pod, 'Exploration' is a musical montage of the new luxury, eco-sensitive Sparsa Resort (hotel) here in Tiruvannamalai.

Swami Satchidananda

In 1985 I was fortunate enough to be able to spend two months at Anandashram, Kanhangad, Kerala. Many devotees of Arunachala know of this beautiful ashram and of its long, loving links with the Hill. During my stay there I spent time with Mother Krishnabai and Swami Satchidananda and thereafter over the years occasionally wrote to Swamiji with spiritual questions. Even though he probably didn’t remember me, he always wrote lovingly and at length in response to my queries. Because of the link with Anandashram and Swami Ramdas, it was Swami Satchidananda who inaugurated the ashram of Yogi Ramsuratkumar at Tiruvannamalai.

On October 12th, 2008, Swami Satchidananda cast of his physical body in which he had served humanity for over sixty years. The below narrative is by way of a commemoration of this great soul’s life of service.

My Masters and Yogiji

“Coming to Anandashram in January 1949 was like returning home, my real home. From the next day of my arrival at the Ashram, I kept myself busy serving the Masters Swami Ramdas (Beloved Papa) and Mother Krishnabai (Pujya Mataji) in every possible way. In a very short time I became one with the Ashram. They taught me that Sadhana was not merely sitting still in meditation with closed eyes, but also living a normal life with constant God-remembrance and doing all acts dedicating them to Him, thus making every movement of the Sadhaka an act or worship. Gradually I understood that, they being everything and beyond, serving them meant serving everybody else also. I found in Beloved Papa and Mataji my divine parents and in all the Ashramites and visitors my brothers and sisters. I found real peace and joy in life, the like of which I had never enjoyed till then.

I came to them absolutely raw and shapeless like a lump of clay. I surrendered to them. They graciously took me in hand, pressed, crushed and moulded me to give shape to make me their instrument to serve all. Beloved Papa also gave me a lot of opportunities to move with his spiritual children who came to him as serious seekers and later became Mahatmas like Yogi Ramsuratkumarji Maharaj. How from an apparently possessive and obstinate nature, the Yogiji who took initiation from Beloved Papa, rose to the height of the Divine child of Arunachala is something for all the ardent Sadhakas to emulate. Not caring for even the basic requirements of the body, he threw himself totally at the feet of his Master whom he always addresses as 'my father'. lt is rare to see such intense vairagya. For nearly tour decades, while he continued to deny himself of any of the normal needs, he became a source of solace and protection for innumerable devotees, more so in Tamil Nadu. His surrender to his Guru was total. He always used to say, "My father alone exists. Nothing else, Nobody else'. Even after dropping his body, the Yogiji continues to inspire many in the path of devotion. I still remember the touching reference he made at the time of our meeting at the guest-house of Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai after a long gap of four decades. Answering somebody whether he was waiting for a few hours, he said not hours but for forty years.

To meet saints is a blessing. To be with them is a greater blessing. To be given a chance to serve them is a great privilege.”

[Swami Satchidananda]

Land and Flats

If you are interested in purchasing land close enough to Arunachala to appreciate its powerful influence, but far enough to avoid noise, smell, chaos and crowds of people, check out some beautiful agricultural land which is available about 8-10 kms from the Hill. There are two parcels of land about a quarter of mile from one another that are available in this particular area.

To view the first land parcel of two-and-a-half acres (2 1/2) go to this link here.

To view the second parcel of land of four-and-a-half acres (4 1/2) go to this link here.

The darshan of Arunachala (seen below) is spectacular from both parcels of land. To find out more details of either land, please use the contact email address at the top left of Arunachala Grace.

DEVELOPERS, BROKERS, AGENTS, SPECULATORS ARE NOT INVITED TO GET IN TOUCH.

However if you heart belongs to the township of Tiruvannamalai and you really feel the need to stay within the Ramana Nagar area and close to Ashrams and facilities you may appreciate learning about a project known as 'Ramana Grace,' which is currently underway.

A 12 unit apartment complex named ‘Ramana Grace’ is to be contructed a five minutes walk from Chengam Road and Sri Ramana and Sri Seshadri Ashrams to the north and Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram to the South. If you are interested in looking at the floor plans and specifications of this three storey complex check out this link here.

Artist version of Ramana Grace Apartments

Before and After

One of my favourite Arunachala Temples is Pachaiamman Koil located at the southeast side of the Hill. I've written about this fascinating Temple several times on Arunachala Grace and also in Arunachala Grace Newsletter. The Temple has an amazing history, parts of which I gave details of earlier. However, I recently found these fascinating archival photographs of the guardian statues located in the Pachaimman Temple compound, which are believed to be over 50 years old.

Although the below photograph is reportedly over 50 years old, the statues don't look that different then to the statues of recent date (about five years ago) -- and before they got their 'colourful makeover'.

And below -- the new version -- do you like it?

V. Ganesan

V. Ganesan grew up till the age of fourteen in the presence of his great uncle, Sri Ramana Maharshi. After the mahanirvana of Bhagavan in 1950, Sri Ganesan went on to get a Master’s Degree in Philosophy. After his return to Arunachala, Sri Ganesan was able to absorb reminiscences of Bhagavan that had never been recorded before. In addition to this, his close contacts with saints, sages and seers like Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Nisargadatta Maharaj and J. Krishnamurti, helped him to deepen and widen his understanding of the essence of Bhagavan’s Teachings.

For thirty-five years Sri Ganesan was the manager of Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai, and for twenty-five years he was the managing editor of The Mountain Path, the ashram’s Newsletter. He looked after the old devotees of Sri Ramana as his sadhana, allowing him to absorb little-known reminiscences about Sri Ramana. His sessions of spiritual sharing are given at his home in Tiruvannamalai. He has authored several books on Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Land for Industrialization

Land for Industrialization

A 2,300-acre land parcel has been identified for acquisition by the State Industries Promotion Corp. of Tamil Nadu Ltd, or Sipcot, a government-owned entity. But Sipcot is now facing problems with some villagers protesting the proposed acquisition. Purchasing land for industrialization is not a problem limited to Tamil Nadu and in this respect there have been protests by farmers across the country in the past couple of years against setting up of industries on farm land.

The current dispute concerns land in nine villages of Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram Districts, at which place land owners are still protesting even as Sipcot has started surveys marking the land for acquisition. The nine villages are Chellaperumbulimedu, Kunnavakkam, Ayinjalpattu, Perumbulimedu, Mangal, Akoor, Karanai, Ukkamperumbakkam and Mathur.

An excellent article regarding SEZs and compulsory land purchase for industrialization was posted in the New Indian Express on January 24th, 2009 -- it states:

"Special economic zones are touted as the new engines of growth, but they are also where the law seems to be suspended.

. . . . . The village of Mathur (150 acres) in Tamil Nadu is in mourning. Under a colourful pandal, over blaring loudspeakers, local leaders are organising a Black Pongal. Nearly three-fourths of ten villages in this neighbourhood will be swallowed up by a 2,300 acre SEZ, but none of the panchayat members were consulted. All ten presidents sent their written objections to the collector. Nothing came of it."

To read the whole article go to this link here

Siva Sannidhi Accommodation Facility

Siva Sannidhi is an accommodation facility started up by Arunachala devotees from Andhra Pradesh. In total there are sixty-two rooms all with attached Western style bathroom. It was opened in time for this current season. Siva Sannidhi is located across the street from the Ramana Nagar house Yogi Ramsuratkumar lived in before shifting to his Ashram -- which is situated a five minutes easy walk away. In addition this devotional facility is only two minutes from both Ramana Ashram and Seshadri Ashram so very convenient to those who wish to spend time at those places.

The below photograph, of a mural of Shiva as mendicant receiving food, is located on one of the dining room walls. Lunch, dinner and beverages are served twice a day.

And from the roof a close and good darshan of Arunachala.

Siva Sannidhi is run by good people and is a safe and protected haven for devotees and 'quiet' visitors.

For an update of the facilities at Siva Sannidhi, read my latest posting made in November 2012 about the completion of the new, modern annexe at this link here.
 
For those who wish to make room reservations or enquire about Retreat facilities please get in touch at the contact address located at the top left corner of this page.

Ore Mining, Tiruvannamalai District

A newspaper report today stated that:

“Thousands of farmers in 10 villages around Kavuthi Malai and Vediappan Malai in Tiruvannamalai District are determined not to let the government give the go-ahead for the proposal for mining of iron ore in the hills. They are not ready to lose their idyllic lifestyle and be uprooted from the land to which they have a cultural mooring. “One needs to know the significance of the hills and its role in shaping the lives of the farmers to understand our anger’, says a farmer from Andiyur. “Vediappan (after whom one of the hills is named) is our ‘kuladeivam’ (family deity).”

The collective anger was palpable when over 1,000 villagers attended the public hearing conducted by the District Administration on December 27th last, to elicit the local community’s views on the proposal for mining in 325 hectares of forestland (a hectare is 2.27 acres). “These two hills have provided us the sustenance when the rest of the District was reeling under famine,” says a resident of Ponakkadu. ‘During droughts, we collect ‘kolakattis’ (stone pounded to make kolam powder) from the hills and sell them in Thiruvannamalai town’ say a group of farmers.

In the District that does not have a perennial river, it is the water from the hills that is harnessed by farmers for irrigation and domestic use. “All irrigation ponds in the 10 villages are at the foot of these hills and they serve as catchment areas, helping us to cultivate cash crops like kanagambaram, marigold, jathimalli and other flowers, besides two crops of paddy a year,’ says a panchayat official. A government officer at the collectorate confirms it, saying that water supply from the Sathanur dam is only for 90 days a year.

The effects of iron ore mining

Stating that a farmer cultivating 50 acres of land makes, on an average, Rs 1.20 lakh, an official from Periyapalayapattu village panchayat, asks: “Do you want us to give up all this and migrate to some parched land elsewhere and suffer?” The hills, with expansive grazing space, also provide fodder for the cattle and the forests are a source for firewood. “Women in Andiyur village sustain themselves by collecting firewood from Kavuthi Malai and selling a bundle for Rs 150,” says a woman of the village. The government officer also fears that Thiruvannamalai would turn into a desert if miners use water from Sathanur dam.”

Map of iron ore mining India

Well and good if thousands of understandably irate farmers are able to prevent ore mining in the Tiruvannamalai Hills. However, one wonders how the situation has been allowed to come to this point particularly as Tiruvannamalai is a famous pilgrimage spot, developing tourist area and currently involved in huge reforestation programmes that are financed by foreign countries and domestic and overseas NGOs.

“JWS Steel plans to tap 41.78 percent low-grade magnetite quartz ore by putting up mining facilities and beneficiation and pelletization plants. One million tonnes of iron ore will be tapped per annum after ‘clearing’ 2.20 lakh trees of 15 girths.

This apart, lakhs of other trees, including those grown under a Japanese government-funded project in the last four years, would be felled, a forest official said. The forest is home for indigenous flora and fauna and endangered species like Monitor Lizard, Pangolin, Deer and Porcupine, he added.

Since the mining involves drilling and blasting, as mentioned in the Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (REIA) report, it would cause air and water pollution too. Though the report specifies pollution abatement measures, it is impossible to prevent the iron ore dust from polluting the air in a minimum of eight-km radius, posing a threat to the Girivalam around the Thiruvannamalai hills, said an officer at the Collectorate. He added that tippers would be used to transport the pelletization materials, disrupting the tranquility of the hills.

The project would bring no jobs for the locals but would displace lakhs of farmers in the 10 villages around the two hills, said an environment activist.”

I recently visited an area about 10 miles south of the Hill which is being heavily mined for granite – it was not a pretty site as surrounding farms are gray from granite dust and the pretty rustic area is severely scarred by granite extraction. Iron ore mining is far more intrusive – the whole situation beggars belief and makes one wonder, ‘What are they thinking?’

As well as the hazards and consequences of ‘authorized’ iron ore mining, places such as Goa also suffer from illegal iron ore activity:

“. . .connivance of forest and mines departments in allowing such illegal extraction accused forest department officials of protecting illegal mines in the reserve forests and wild life sanctuaries of the State.”

Lets hope the farmers and activists win – otherwise the area has a dusty and ‘dry’ future to look forward to!

Radha Ma Ashram

Radha Ma invited me to come and visit the recently built Narasimha Temple on the grounds of her Ashram. I love my gardens and my Temples, so didn't need to be asked twice! The below photographs show the lovely Ashram garden which 4-5 years ago was just a patch of scrub land.

The below photographs are of the Temple area.

At this time I wasn't allowed to take a photograph of the actual Narasimha statue inside the Temple, but outside is a well known photograph of the Vishnu avatar, upon which the statue inside the Temple is modelled. The statue was crafted by artisans in Mahabalipuram and the installation ceremony was performed by priests from the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai where the god Narasimha is worshipped.

Outside the entrance to the Narasimha Temple are paintings of GajaLakshmi and Kamadhenu.

Below is a photograph of Sarada Devi from inside Radha Ma's quarters.

Tale of Narasimha

"Few of the thousands of stories found in Hindu mythology have as much beauty, poignancy, and moral and intellectual daring as the tale of Narasimha, the man-lion who is the fourth incarnation or avatar of Vishnu. The circumstances under which Vishnu descends to earth in the form of Narasimha are to be found in the fact, as enumerated in the Puranas, that in his previous incarnation as the boar, Vishnu had killed the asura or demon Hiranyaksha, and consequently filled his elder brother, Hiranyakashipu, with a burning desire for revenge.

While commanding the asuras to create havoc on earth, Hiranyakashipu himself prepared for the battle with Vishnu by practicing the most severe austerities, the effect of which was that he acquired the most tremendous powers. For scores of years he stood still on Mount Mandara, and though ant hills, grass, and plants grew on his body, he would not stir; the rivers and oceans trembled; the volcanoes roared and the earth shook; and the astral bodies went astray. The fiery smoke emanating from Hiranyakashipu’s very head left a massive trail of destruction, and the panic-stricken devas or gods, led by Indra, finally made their way to Brahma’s abode. Warning him that the worlds of his own creation would soon become extinct, the devas pleaded with Brahma to intercede, whereupon Brahma, declaring himself pleased at the immense austerities practiced by Hiranyakashipu, agreed to grant him any boon, hopeful that he would cease to terrorize the world and the devas.

Such is the tapas, the fire of Hiranyakashipu’s sacrifice and discipline, that even the gods must render him obeisance. Much like Ravana, his fellow asura, Hiranyakashipu receives from Brahma a boon that he shall "never be killed by these means: the striking and throwing weapons of my enemies, thunderbolt, dried tree-trunks, high mountains, by water or fire." Drought, fire, earthquakes, thunder, hurricanes, and all other manner of natural calamities: from all these he shall have immunity. Most decisively, Hiranyakashipu appears to have clinched his immortality when it is agreed that he shall "not be slain in heaven, on earth, in the daytime, at night, from neither above nor below", and most importantly neither by man nor animal.

Emboldened by the boon, Hiranyakashipu and his asuras lose no time in bringing the entire world under their jurisdiction, dominating the devas, and creating a reign of absolute terror. Hiranyakashipu’s own son, Prahlad, is a devoted follower of Vishnu, and his father’s ceaseless efforts to make him abandon his faith do not bear fruit. He is subjected to much pain and suffering; asuras are let loose at him; and he is thrown down a cliff. Yet Prahlad outlives all these attempts at terminating his life. Immensely pleased by his devotion, Vishnu at last decides to intercede directly. Descending to earth in the form of Narasimha, Vishnu appears before the complaisant Hiranyakashipu. As half man (nara) and half lion (simha), he is neither man nor lion; he springs out of a pillar; he strikes at twilight, when it is neither day nor light; and he attacks Hiranyakashipu at the threshold of his palace, under the arch of the doorway, neither on earth nor in the sky. Narasimha throws Hiranyakashipu upon his thighs and rips apart his bowels with his claws.

The tale of Narasimha speaks to the critical importance of liminality in forging any kind of emancipatory politics or theology. It is at the cusp, in the moment of liminality, in the state of in-betweenness, that ignorance is defeated and knowledge is acquired. If we go only so far as common-sense logic appears to take us, we might not travel very far at all. The tale of Narasimha is also there to remind us of the risks which we must take if we seek to be true moral agents."

The Story of India

Posting this ‘You Tube’ video of the excellent BBC series ‘The Story of India – Ages of Gold,’ narrated by Michael Wood that traces the history of India. The below may be of interest to readers as after 3 minutes, the narrator visits our own Tiruvannamalai during Deepam.

Helping Out

This afternoon visited several spots in Ramana Nagar to put up posters for a friend. Worked my way to Usha's Restaurant, which is a busy vegetarian restaurant across the road from Seshadri Ashram. Surprised to find that a local Guru, Radha Ma was at the restaurant 'helping out' at Ushas as they currently have a serious staff shortage. It was quite a surprise! Anyhow as I haven't posted many photographs of Radha Ma on Arunachala Grace and because readers have requested up-to-date snaps, I am posting several pictures that I took this afternoon of Radha Ma 'working' at the restaurant.

Well her shift is finally over and below she is taking a rest and having a chat with a chum. Good days work!

Arunachala Grace News -- January 2009

The latest issue of Arunachala Grace News, the free Newsletter delivered straight to subscriber's email inbox, was sent out several days ago. The issue included a report on Deepam 2008, a narrative on the origins of Deepam, an article by Virginia Lee entitled 'A Women's Pilgrimage to Arunachala,' which describes the visit of eight ladies to Tiruvannamalai in November, 2008, a description of a bird commonly found throughout this area i.e. the Fork-Tailed Black Kite and the medicinal and ayurvedic properties of Wrightia Tinctoria, also known as the 'Snowflake Tree.'

As well as many narratives the current issue of Arunachala Grace News also includes anecdotes by Anthony Mello, the story of the famed archer Ekalavya, a report on the new luxury Sparsa Tiruvannamalai resort hotel, and a section dedicated to Arunachala Tidbits.

If you are not yet a subscriber, please check out the facility at the left hand column of this page and become a free subscriber, and you will automatically receive a copy of the current issue of this Newsletter.

Thiruvoodal Festival 2009

An important festival connected with Arunachala occurs during the time of Pongal and is known as the Thiruvoodal Festival. This Festival is celebrated on January 16th and is ennacted inside the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple, on the streets delineating the perimeter of the Temple, and on the girivalam pathway itself, by iconic representations of Shiva/Parvati in order to convey moral and social truths to their devotees.

Photographs of 2008 Festival

The word 'Voodal,' means 'petty quarrel' or 'tiff' and emissaries are employed by both of the Divine Couple to convey messages between the deities and participate in ‘brokering a deal’ between them.

Click to enlarge

To find out more about this Festival and the legends associated with it check out this earlier link here

Happy Pongal 2009

The festival of Pongal, the harvest festival of South Indian, is believed to be over a 1,000 years old and celebrated in Tamil Nadu and by Tamilians worldwide. Although it started as a farmers festival, nowadays it is an important festival in urban areas as it is in rural ones. It follows the solar calendar and marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period and all important events are scheduled during this 6-month period. Four festivals are celebrated at Tiruvannamalai (and throughout Tamil Nadu) for four consecutive days during Pongal; 'Bhogi' on January 13th, 'Pongal' on Jan 14th, 'Mattupongal' on Jan 15th, and 'Thiruvalluvar Day' on Jan 16th.

On Bhogi old clothes and materials are thrown away and set on fire, marking the beginning of a new life. The second day, the 'Pongal' day, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel - a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal. People also prepare savouries and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic. Most families adorn the front of their homes with kolam (rangoli drawings) every day, but during Pongal, the kolams are amazing in their detail, colour and intricacy.

Here are the two most popular legends attached to Pongal celebration

The raising of Mount Govardhan
The first day of the festival Bhogi Pongal connected with Lord Indra (the Vedic God of clouds and rains) and with Lord Krishna. In previous times, people used to worship Lord Indra who was the King of the Gods. This honour given to Lord Indra made him full of pride and arrogance. When baby Krishna came to know about this he thought of a plan to teach Indra a lesson. He persuaded his cowherd friends to worship Mount Govardhan rather than Lord Indra. This angered Indra and he sent forth his rain clouds to flood the land. At that time, Lord Krishna lifted the huge Govardhan on his little finger to protect the cowherds and cattle from the ravaging storm of Lord Indra. The rains continued for three days, till at last Indra realized his mistake and the superior power of Lord Krishna. He humbly begged Krishna's forgiveness. Since then, Krishna let the Bhogi celebrations continue to be celebrated in honour of Indra. Thus the festival also is known as 'Indran' from this legendary story.

The Banishment of Basava
Another legend associated with the festival relates to Lord Shiva. The third day of Pongal known as Mattu Pongal involves Lord Shiva and his mount, Nandi (Basava), the bull. According to the legend, Lord Shiva once asked the bull to go to the Earth and deliver a message to the people, to have an oil massage and bath daily and to eat food once a month. Basava mixed up the message, and told the people to have an oil massage and bath once a month, and to eat food daily. Enraged Shiva cursed Basava and said that due to this mistake there would be shortage of grains on Earth. He banished the bull to live on Earth forever in the form of cattle, and help people plough the fields. Thus, Mattu Pongal has an association with the cattle.

Birthstar Celebrations

To view a pictorial report of the 32nd Birthstar celebrations of Swami Nithyananda during his visit to Tiruvannamalai on December 21st, please check the following links.

The first link is of photographs of the Temple Visit early in the morning of the 21st December here.

The next cover the progress of the Ratha Yatra through the centre of Tiruvannamalai continuing around the Girivalam Roadway to Swami Nithyananda's Ashram near Adi Annamalai. For this series of pictures go here.

The last series of photographs include the speech and evening function at Swami's ashram on the Girivalam Pathway, for that series go to this link here.