21 June 2013

Tirumular Nayanar



“The Supreme Reality is called Siva. He is infinite consciousness. He is eternal, changeless, formless, independent, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, one without a second, beginningless, causeless, taintless, self-existent, ever free, ever pure, and perfect. He is not limited by time. He is infinite bliss and infinite intelligence. He is free from defects, the all-doer, the all-knower.

Lord Siva is the God of Love. His grace is infinite. His love is infinite. He is the saviour and Guru. He is engaged in freeing the souls from the thraldom of matter. He assumes the form of a Guru out of His intense love for mankind. He wishes that all should know Him and attain the blissful Siva-Padam (the state of Siva). He watches the activities of the individual souls, and helps them in their onward march. He liberates the individual souls from their fetters or bonds.” 

[Swami Sri Sivananda] 



Lord Siva



The stories of the Periapuranam (the lives of the sixty-three Saivite Saints) illustrate that a true devotee is ever ready to renounce all in favour of devotion to Lord Siva. Below is the story of Tirumular Nayanar, the saint who composed the oldest and most important text of Yoga from South India entitled Tirumandiram. The Tirumandiram comprises; yoga, tantra, mysticism, mantra, kundalini and monistic theism 


Life of Tirumular Nayanar 

Tirumular Nayanar (or Thirumoolar) was a Saiva Siddha and great yogi. He was called Tirumular because he entered into the mortal frame of Mulan (the cowherd in this narrative). The Nayanar was one of the eight students of Tirunandi Devar. Tirumular Nayanar desiring to see Agastya Rishi in the Pothia Hills, left Kailasa and journeyed southwards. On his way, he visited many Saivite shrines. When he came to Tiruvavaduthurai, he took a bath in the Kaveri River then went to the Temple. Upon leaving the Temple and walking along the banks of the Kaveri, he saw a herd of cows shedding tears. He found out the cause: their cow-herd lay dead. Wanting to pacify the grief stricken cows, the Nayanar entered the body of the cowherd after safely depositing his own body in the trunk of a tree. The cows rejoiced. 

The cowherd known as Mulan, resident of Sattanur drove the cows back into the village in the evening. Mulan’s wife was eagerly expecting the return of her husband. But, when she approached him, he would not allow her to touch him, but said: ‘Oh lady, I am not your husband. Adore Lord Siva and attain Liberation.’ He left and went away to a near-by Math. 


Tirumular finding the cowherder


The lady complained to the village elders about her husband’s conduct. They examined him and after they came to the conclusion that he was a great Yogi who had attained spiritual eminence, instructed the lady to have no further contact with him. The next day, Tirumular followed the cows, but could not find his body in the trunk of the tree, where he had left it. It was the Lord’s Leela. Lord Siva wanted Tirumular Nayanar to write a book in Tamil on Saiva Philosophy, containing the essence of all Siva Agamas. Tirumular understood the Lord’s wish and returned to Tiruvavaduthurai. 

There he worshipped the Lord and sat under a Peepul tree in deep meditation. He was in Samadhi for three thousand years. But, every year, he would come out of samadhi and compose a stanza: thus, in three thousand years he wrote three thousand stanzas, and the stanzas were compiled into a book named Tirumandiram. 

Once the Lord’s mission had thus been fulfilled, Tirumular Nayanar went back to Kailasa. 


******************* 


The 3,000 verse Tirumandiram was written probably between the 4th and 6th centuries A.D., and is the oldest and most important text of Yoga from South India. The work comprises; yoga, tantra, mysticism, mantra, kundalini and monistic theism. The 12th century philosophical school of Saiva Siddhantha trace its origins to it. The Tirumandiram is considered the final authority on subtle matters of philosophy and theology in Saiva Siddhanta and the 12th century school of Saiva Siddhanta traces its origins to it. 

“Saint Tirumular is a theologian of our faith, but not merely a theologian. He is also a siddhar, an accomplished yogi. Our Hindu scriptures come from such great men, men who have attained to the deepest realizations through their sadhana and their devotion. When their awareness dwells in the superconscious states resident in all men but penetrated intentionally by only a few, and when they speak out from that state . . . ” to read more on Tirumular Nayanar and to download an English translation of the Tirumandiram, go to this link here

20 June 2013

Murugan Temple


I made an earlier posting on an ancient Murugan Temple located on Chengam Road. There are several other notable Murugan Temples and hillside Shrines dedicated to this God, here at Tiruvannamalai.

The oldest Tamil hymns refer to the Sri Murugan as God of of the Hilly regions, the God of the tribes of hunters—Velan (He who carries a vel or spear), and shrines dedicated to him are often found on rocky hills all around Tamil Nadu. 


Path to Shrine


One such shrine is on the top of a hillock off Perumbakkam Road. The shrine can be accessed in under five minutes by hiking up a small rocky pathway. For the little energy expended darshan from the top of the hillock is superb and a big favourite to those who know the area. 


At top of Pathway



The spear Lord Murugan holds in his hand, is an emblem of power and indicates that He is the ruler of the Universe. His vehicle is the peacock which he rides, thus signifying that He has conquered pride, egoism and vanity. There is a cobra under His feet, which signifies that He is absolutely fearless, immortal and wise. 


Arunachala Darshan from Shrine Hillock


As Lord Murugan is regarded as God of the mountains, so too Lord Vishnu is worshipped as God of the Forests, Lord Indra as God of agricultural land, Lord Varuna as God of costal regions and Lord Kali as God of desert regions. 


Outcrop known as Anjaneya's Rock


Some of Sri Murugan’s other names are: Lord Subramanya, Skanda, Kumaresa, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Guha and Velayudhan. Lord Subramanya is a ray born of the Divine Consciousness of Lord Siva. Valli and Deivayanai are His two wives who represent the power of action and the power of knowledge. 


Vel in front of Shrine

Lord Murugan is an aspect of the Divine easily accessible in this age of ignorance and lack of faith. He gives material and spiritual prosperity and success to His devotees, if they show even the smallest devotion to Him. 


One view of unspoilt countryside


The six most sacred abodes of Lord Murugan known as (Aarupadai Veedu), situated in Tamil Nadu, are: Tirupparamkunram, Tiruchendur, Thiruvaivanankudi, Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Pazhamudircholai with Marudamalai often considered to be a seventh abode.



The now closed rock quarry off Perumbakkam road


For a fascinating in-depth narrative about Skanda, the elegant war-god son of Shiva Go to this link here



Growing urbanisation of Tiruvannamalai

15 June 2013

Postings: 2nd week June, 2013


Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 8, 2013 to Saturday June 15, 2013. 


Arunachala Grace 
Mahabhishekam Somaskanda, Big Temple: Information and photographs of  Mahabhishekam Puja performed on the Somaskanda manifestation of Lord Shiva. 

Siva Sannidhi Accommodation Facility: Information about the completed new annexe building of the Shiva Sannidhi with its new forty-nine modern accommodation rooms. 

Peaceful Adiannamalai Temple: Photographs of the famed Shiva Temple on the Northside of the Hill 


Arunachala Birds 
The Asian Koel: Information about the Koel, the most familiar of Indian Cuckoos found at Tiruvannamalai District. 


Arunachala Mystic 
Aurora of Arunachala: Devotee narrative of the mystic lights of Arunachala 


Arunachala Land 
Hiking in Arunachala Countryside: Photographs of nearby unspoilt countryside hills, with wonderful darshan of Arunachala 

The Tamarind Tree: Information and superstitions regarding the Tamarind Tree, familiar all around Tiruvannamalai. 


13 June 2013

Peaceful Adiannamalai Temple


Nowadays an increasing number of pilgrims visit Adiannamalai Temple during their Arunachala Girivalam. However considering the significance and power of this Temple, one wonders why significantly more pilgrims don’t break their girivalam to spend time at what is believed to be the oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala. Its history predates even Arunachaleswarar Temple on the southeast side of the Hill and the only other Shiva Temple of major historical emminence is the very beautiful, and again, relatively unvisited Arunagirinathar Temple on the side of the Ayyankulam Thirtham. 

To read more about a visit to Arunagirinathar Temple go to this link here, and its significance in connection with Ramana Maharshi, to this link here


Entrance to Adiannamalai Temple

It was after the establishment of the Temple at Adi Annamalai that Lord Siva then manifested himself as Swayambhu Linga (Self Created) on the southeast side of the Hill. The Temple housing this sacred Linga is known as Arunachaleswarar Temple. 


Lord Shiva and his Goddess


According to legend Brahma got enamoured of Tillottama, his own daughter (i.e. one of his own creations) and in his mood of infatuation went after her in the form of a dove. When she took refuge in Siva, the Lord confronted Brahma in the form of a Hunter and dispelled his delusion. There is even today on the slopes of Arunachala, a Temple to the Lord as Hunter, known as Vediyappan Koil, being called wrongly nowadays as Kannapar Koil. To get himself absolved of the sin committed, Brahma installed and worshipped a Linga of Lord Arunachaleswarar. This is also called Adi Annamalai. 


Wonderful Arunachala darshan from Temple Compound


In the Arunachala Puranam (Tamil), Brahma says to his son Sanaka, “To remove the unabating Karmas I installed and worshipped a Linga of Lord Arunachala, who is called Ani Annamalai (Ani = Beautiful)”. 


Beautiful statue of Nandi


It is reported that the vision of Arunachala from this Temple is known as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan and the great Siddha Thirumoolar saw this aspect. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi who used to camp at Adi Annamalai for up to 2-3 nights while performing Giri Valam was reported to have said that while at the Temple he heard the celestial recital of 'Sama Veda'. 


Lord Subramanya and his two wives



The month of Maargazhi (December-January) is considered the pre-dawn hour of the gods (Brahma Muhurtha). Saint Manickavachakar sang his immortal ‘Thiruvembavai’ at Adi Annamalai. This song of bridal mysticism is sung all over Tamil Nadu every morning of Maargazhi month. There is a Temple and pond dedicated to this saint at Adi Annamalai. 


Pradakshina of Temple compound


For more detail and photographs of this beautiful Temple please visit my website Arunachala Samudra at this link here.


11 June 2013

Siva Sannidhi Accommodation Facility



To read an earlier posting on Siva Sannidhi, before the construction of the new annexe building, go to this link here.


I have received emails from readers eager to view the completed new annexe at Siva Sannidhi. I made this original posting of the new annexe, at this link here but now construction is complete and the new accommodation annexe which has 39 rooms is now fully operational. 

I am posting the below photographs to give an idea of the rooms and the facility. All rooms have two single cots, tiled floors, mosquito net windows, fan, attached western style bathroom and a small dressing room with sink. Bedding i.e. mattress, top sheet and pillows are standard in all rooms. 

The annexe is very quiet, comfortable, a two minute walk from Ramana Ashram and shops, and most importantly has a magnificent darshan of Arunachala. Accommodation rates are very reasonable and except over Deepam, long stays are allowed. The week of Deepam is always heavily oversubscribed, so the facility has no rooms available at that time. Siva Sannidhi has a dining hall in which food (Andhra Style, medium heat) is served three times a day). 

The manager and workers at Siva Sannidhi are very friendly and helpful and the facility which attracts a pilgrim type visitor does not have a commercial or worldly atmosphere. The new building at Siva Sannidhi is by far and away one of the most pleasant and convenient accommodation facilities located in the Ramana Nagar side of Tiruvannamalai. 

Arunachala Grace represents Siva Sannidhi as booking agent. So for more information or to make a reservation, please use our email contact at the top left side of this page. 


Welcoming Visitors to Shiva Sannidhi

Reception

Welcoming Lord Ganesha

Darshan of Arunachala from Shiva Sannidhi

         Elevator, new building


Standard Room

All windows with mosquito netting

Standard Western Style Bathroom


Some bathrooms have water heaters

Rooms have small dressing area with separate sink

Layout sample of first two floors

Seating area on Second Floor

Open area on Third Floor

Third Floor open area suitable for group meetings

Four rooms on fourth floor roof

Mahabhishekam Somaskanda, Big Temple


The photographs are of Mahabhishekam Puja performed once a year at Arunachaleswarar Temple on the day of amavasya (this year June 8, 2013) during Vaikasi month on the Somaskanda manifestation of Lord Shiva. 


Devotees sitting in front of the Somaskanda icon

Somaskanda is a particular form of representation of the four-armed Shiva with the Goddess Parvati to his left and the joyous, dancing child Skanda in between. 


Crowds of devotee present to watch the puja

This Somaskanda aspect of Lord Shiva represents the Supreme Godhead as a father by the side of his family and the Lord’s consort, Goddess Parvati as a graceful mother, full of tenderness for their son Skanda who is dancing with ecstasy in the middle of his parents. 


Somaskanda Mahabhishekam, June 2013


This family-group depiction of Shiva originated during the sixth to eighth century in South India and not only Arunachaleswarar Temple, but many Shiva Temples in Tamil Nadu bear a Somaskanda representation behind the Shiva Lingam at the sanctum sanctorum. 



Lord Shiva and Parvati, with ecstatic, dancing Skanda


8 June 2013

Postings: 1st week June, 2013


Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 1, 2013 to Saturday June 8, 2013.


Arunachala Grace
Mosquito Repellent Advice Tamil Nadu: Practical information for visitors to Tiruvannamalai (and Tamil Nadu) and advice as to chemical free mosquito protection.

Agnihotra Yagam: Information and photographs of a yearly Yagam performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple during the hot Summer Months. 

Thirujnana Sambhandar: Short biography of one of the four great Tamil Saints, the Nalvars, and a narrative of his visit to Arunachala. 

A Tamil Wedding: Photographs and information about a traditional Tamil Wedding performed at Arunachala.

June 6, 2013 -- Pradosham, Big Temple: Photographs and short narrative of the Arunachaleswarar Temple June 6th, 2013 Pradosham. 


Arunachala Birds 
Common Babbler -- Passerine: Extract from 1902 Book on Indian Birds about the Common Babbler accompanied with contemporary photographs of this bird species. 

 
Arunachala Land 
Frangipani: Description and photographs of the beautiful Frangipani Plant and narrative of the Frangipani in Hindu folklore. 


Arunachala Mystic
Nakshatra Offerings to Arunachala: Information and listing of Arunachala offerings appropriate to each of the 27 Nakshatras in connection with the date of one’s visit to the Hill.

Panchamukha Darshanam: Escoteric significance of the Panchamukha located off the girivalam roadway on the northeast side of Arunachala. 

June 6, 2013 -- Pradosham, Big Temple


On June 6, 2013, Pradosham was celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Pradosham is a worship connected to Lord Shiva and is a bimonthly occasion which falls on the thirteenth day of every fortnight in the Hindu Calendar. 




When Lord Shiva delivered the Shiva Sutras to the Goddess, Nandi was guarding the entrance to ensure that the Lord’s instructions were delivered without interruption. Thus during Pradosham, the bull Nandi (in South India Shiva Temples) is worshipped and the idol of Shiva with Parvati in a seated pose on Nandi is taken in procession in the Temple compound. 



During the day of Pradosham a fast observed from sunrise to sunset is considered highly beneficial. 




The next Pradosham is June 21st, 2013. To learn more about the significance of Pradosham, go to this link here.


5 June 2013

A Tamil Wedding


A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a wedding to be performed at the Sri Ganesha Mahal Wedding Hall on Sannidhi Street. The wedding was performed at the auspicious, very early hours between 6.00 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. on Monday, May 20th, 2013. 

The night before I was going through my clothes to select an appropriate silk sari for the occasion. I had definitely made up my mind to wear silk, but then the next day even at the early hour of 5.00 a.m. it was already muggy, close and hot and I knew that the mercury would soar and I lost courage and put away the silk sari and instead selected an easy-to-wear cool crepe muslin. 

Definitely felt that I was cheating once I got to the marriage hall and was surrounded by ladies wearing glorious, silk ornamental saris -- but what to do? It had been so hot. For six weeks we had been suffering at daily temperatures of around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and at such times we may lose our courage and go for comfort. So although I felt a little guilty when I met with so many ladies who obviously were more stoic than I, frankly I was able to shrug it off pretty easily! 


Sri Ganesha Mahal Wedding Hall, Sannidhi Street


The first photograph is of the Sri Ganesha Mahal Marriage Hall which is right in the heart of Tiruvannamalai and close to Arunachaleswarar Temple. 


View (from Hall) of Raja Gopuram and Arunachala


The above is a view from upstairs at the Marriage Hall looking down a very deserted early morning Sannidhi Street with the Temple and Arunachala in the background. Wonderful darshan.


Musicians at Wedding


The musicians playing at the wedding played popular classical instruments including the Nathaswaram (also known as Nagaswaram), Thalam (brass cymbals) and Tavil, a drum played with thimbles, tacks and sticks and used to accompany performances of the Nathaswaram. The auspicious music is traditionally used to accompany South Indian weddings. 



Nathaswaram on left, Tavil on right

Tavil being played with thimbles



The below photograph is of a blending of auspicious leaves found in Tamil Nadu which are used in traditional marriage ceremonies. The leaves are Ficus Bengalis and Bamboo. 



Ficus Bengalis and Bamboo Leaf


The next photograph is of the bride Radha who hails from Vellore where she taught Computer Science at local Schools. In Tamil marriages, the wife will move to the native place of the husband, so the marriage not only means she will be moving household, but she will also be relocating from Vellore to Tiruvannamalai. Here she is wearing her pre-wedding sari.


Radha, the Bride

Below is the offering of Wedding clothes for both the bride and groom. 


Wedding clothes for Bride and Groom


The below statue is of the wedding of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Meenakshi -- Meenakshi's brother Lord Vishnu is there to give away his sister. The wedding of the Gods, which you can read at this link here, is very auspicious, and the presence of the the wedding statue brings good fortune to the couple who marries in front of it.


Wedding of Shiva and Meenakshi with brother Vishnu


The next three photographs are of the wedding ceremony itself and shows the bride, Radha and bridegroom, Sampathkumar during the various parts of the wedding ceremony, surrounded by family members from both sides. Sampathkumar's family have been living at Tiruvannamalai for many generations. He is currently completing his studies in Botany at Tiruvannamalai, and will be awarded his Ph.D this upcoming September.


Time for the Mangala Sutra

Ceremony being captured on video cam

A very happy and now married couple