Mahakumbhabhishekam -- Ramana Ashram -- August 25, 2013

For two days (August 23rd and 24th) Homams were performed in the specially constructed Yagasala outside the Shrines at Ramana Ashram in order to infuse divinity and spiritual power into sanctified pots (kalasas) filled with consecrated water. 

Today during the Mahabhishekham programme Divine Power was transferred back by performing a salutary bathing (abhishekam) to the Gopuram and two Vimanas on the roof with the sanctified waters from the Kalasas. This ritual was performed while being accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. 

After the consecration on the roof of the Ashram, worship was then performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorums of the Ramana Maharshi Samadhi and Mother Shrine (Matrubhuteswara Shrine), in which further powers/energy were transferred to the Shrines. 

Left to Right: Gopuram, Mother Vimana, Sri Ramana Vimana

Left Mother Vimana, right Sri Ramana Vimana

Vimana over Matrubhuteswara (Mother) Shrine

Vimana over Sri Ramana Maharshi Shrine

Devotees watching Maha Abhishekam, Sri Ramana Shrine

Pouring the sanctified water over Mahalingam

[Thanks to Sethu, an officially accredited photographer for these remarkable photographs]. 

Roof of Ramana Maharshi Ashram

On the roof of Ramana Ashram on top of the entrance to the old hall is a Gopuram, which is an ornate tower that forms a dominant feature of Dravidian style Temples and Shrines in South India. 

Gopuram is positioned on top of Old Hall

In addition, on the roof over each of the samadhis of Sri Ramana and his mother (also in line with South India Dravidian style Temples/Shrines) are individual domed Vimanas (towers). 

Gopuram

Gopuram from another angle

Vimana over Mother Shrine

Statue of Sri Ramana at base of Mother Vimana

Painters preparing the Gopuram and Vimanas

Constructing bamboo ladders leading to top of Shrines

Arunachala Darshan from Roof

As is traditional, Sri Ramana Maharshi was entombed in his samadhi in a sitting position and (according to his direct instructions) facing Arunachala. The Lingam over his entombed, sanctified body is directly over his head. It is easier to visualise on viewing the photograph of the Vimana which is positioned on the roof directly over the mahalingam on top of Sri Ramana’s samadhi. 

Samadhi Hall

Stairway for priests to consecrate Vimana

Vimana centre of Arunachala. Sri Ramana facing hill with top of head directly under Vimana centre

Mahakumbhabhishekam is held either to formally consecrate a new Temple/Shrine or reconsecrate an old one, and generally occurs at twelve-year intervals or specifically following renovation, extensive cleaning or renewal which is the case of the Mahalingam and Sri Chakra shrines at Ramana Ashram. 

Mahakumbhabhishekam is a ritual that is believed to homogenize, synergize and unite the mystic powers of the deity. Kumbha means the Head and denotes the Shikhara or Crown of the Temple/Shrine and Abhishekam is ritual bathing, (hence the term Kumbha + Abhishekam). 

During this elaborate event, homas have and are currently being conducted at Ramana Ashram (according to the agamas), by priests in the specially constructed Yagasala outside the Shrines. To view photographs of yesterday’s Homams check this previous link here. The point of such Homams is to infuse divinity and spiritual power into kalasas (sanctified pots) filled with consecrated water. 

Divine Power is then transferred back by performing an abhishekam (salutary bathing) to the Vimanas (pinnacles) on the roof with the sanctified waters from the kalasas while being accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. 

Tomorrow, August 25, 2013 at the time (see programme link here) which has been designated as most auspicious, the Kumbha will be bathed with the charged and sanctified holy waters contained in the sacrificial pots. After the consecration of the Vimanas on top of the shrines of Sri Ramana and his mother, worship will be specifically performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorums, in which further powers/energy will be transferred to the Shrines. 

Ramana Ashram Function 23rd August, 2013

The following series of photographs were taken at Ramana Ashram today, August 23, 2013 during the morning programme of this special 3 day Function which started at 7.00 a.m. and included: 

Anujani, Sri Vigneswara Puja, Sankalpam, Punyaha Vachanam, Acharya Varnam, Sri Ganapati Homam and Navagraha Homam. 

While at Ramana Ashram today I took some beautiful photographs of the Gopuram and Vimanas on the Ashram roof, which I hope to post tomorrow. As there is so much detail and information to give about this 3 day Function, I hope to upload a full report onto Arunachala Samudra within a few weeks.

"Who is Shiva?"

I expect Sri Sathya Sai Baba has always been present for me as Sadguru, but it was only in the early 1980s, that I first became actually aware of him in this lifetime. He loved Arunachala and spoke about it many times in his speeches. But his first words glorifying this sthalam was in his very first spiritual discourse when he was a young lad of 14 years of age. 

Subsequently he gave many inspirational discourses on the Self, the Nature of the Mind and below an extract from a speech on ‘Shiva, the Divine Consciousness.” 

For additional speeches by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on the mind and self enquiry, go to this link here.

“Who is Shiva?” 

The following is a speech made by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Shiva, the Divine Consciousness: 

“Who is Shiva?” Divine Consciousness which pervades all living beings is none other than Shiva. This Divine Consciousness permeates not only human beings, but all other creatures. Shiva-consciousness is all-pervading. “With hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire Universe.” 

All that we witness is Shiva Consciousness; nothing else. Shiva does not mean a particular form with matted hair and tiger skin. Wherever we look and whichever form we come across – whether a child or an elderly person, whether a woman or a man, in every form Shiva Consciousness is resplendent. 

How can you describe the all-pervading Shiva-consciousness or limit it to a particular time and place? God is described by different people in diverse ways depending on their imagination and understanding. But the nameless, formless God is omnipresent and all-pervading 

Who can describe such Divinity? There is only one sign for Divinity, that is, Consciousness. In whichever form this Divine Consciousness permeates, it will assume that form – it may be the form of a dog, a crow, a crane or a human being. 

All that you witness in this objective world is a manifestation of Shiva. It pervades the three worlds; earth, space and nether world and exists in the three periods of time; past, present and future. It is indescribable. 

Man today searches for God everywhere, not understanding that he himself is an Embodiment of Divine Atma. 

One has to realise Divinity by cultivating love for God. It is only love that can bind God. Through such Divine Love, the oneness of God has to be realised. If the attributeless God has to be described, the description would be “One without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness to all functions of the intellect, beyond one’s imagination and beyond the three conditions (gunas).” 

The best sadhana is to realise unity in Divinity and worship God as such. “To see the One in all you see.”

Words by Sri Sathya Sai Baba

[Shiva Image]

2013 Pradosham Dates, Arunachaa

Its clear to see from the regular photographs posted on Arunachala Grace of pradosham, that this auspicious time dedicated to Lord Shiva, which falls on the 13th day of every lunar fortnight, is attracting increasingly larger crowds to Arunachaleswarar Temple. To read about the significance of Pradosham go to this link here. 

Below are photographs of Pradosham observed on August 18, 2013 here at Tiruvannamalai. 

As this is such an auspicious time to visit Tiruvannamalai, below are the dates for upcoming 2013 Pradoshams. The dates below apply to India and IST, Pradosham dates in other countries may vary. 

[Pradosham which falls on Mondays is known as Soma Pradosham, on Tuesday are as Bhauma Pradosham and Pradosham which falls on Saturday is called Shani Pradosham]. 

Pradosham 2013 
September 2, 2013–Monday 
September 17, 2013–Tuesday 

October 2, 2013–Wednesday 
October 16, 2013–Wednesday 

November 1, 2013–Friday 
November 15, 2013–Friday 
November 30, 2013-Saturday 

December 14, 2013-Saturday 
December 30, 2013-Monday

Kumbhabhishekam event at Sri Ramana Ashram, August 2013

Tomorrow, August 23rd, 2013 at 7.00 a.m. Vigneshwara Puja will be performed marking the beginning of official functions at Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram leading to Mahakumbhabhishekam and Deeparadhanai of Sri Matrubhuteswara and Sri Ramana mahalingams on August 25. 

The three day function marks completion of the renovation to the shrines and repair to the Gopuram and Vimana above the Matrubhuteswara and Sri Ramana Shrines. 

For the official schedule of functions, please check out this earlier link. 

The foundation of the Matrubhuteswara Shrine, in commemoration of Sri Ramana’s Mother, was laid by him in September 1939. The construction of that Shrine then proceeded under his supervision in accordance with agama rules and was completed in 1949.

August 20, Arunachala Poornima

These photographs were taken earlier today of pilgrims visiting the Arunachaleswarar Temple and others performing giripradakshina of Arunachala. The crowds start light in the daytime and builds up exponentially as the day progresses into the evening. Right now I can hear the distant hum of traffic on nearby Perumbakkam Road, which is used as a diversion road during Full Moons and Festivals. 

Even just ten years ago no barriers were necessary at the Temple to control crowds lining up for Darshan at the Shiva Sannidhi. Its very different nowadays. 

Devotees waiting for darshan at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Line of Devotees around the side of the Siva Sannidhi

Chengham Road in front of Seshadri Ashram

Crowd building up

At the beginning of girivalam roadway at the Chengham turnoff

2013 Mahakumbhabhishekam Sriramanasharam

A Mahakumbhabhishekam at Sri Ramanashram is scheduled between August 23rd, 2013 and August 25, 2013. 

The below programme lists the full schedule over the three day function. 

Right click to view enlargements

Mosquito Repellent Advice Tamil Nadu

This is a an updated version of an earlier narrative: 

I have received a number of emails with queries from first time visitors to Tiruvannamalai (generally from overseas) asking for mosquito repellent advice. On browsing the internet, found a plethora of information about natural mosquito repellents, so thought it would be helpful to make a posting about how to protect yourself from pesky mosquitoes. 

Nowadays all good hotels and apartments and most ashrams in Tamil Nadu will have quality mosquito screens on windows. However visitors often feel that they want additional protection with mosquito nets – generally facilities will NOT allow visitors to put up nets if it entails putting nails into the walls. So please assume that if you bring a mosquito net, it will be usually impossible to use at most facilities. However all facilities nowadays, if not having air conditioning, do have high speed fans – which is very effective in keeping mosquitoes away at night. 

Natural mosquito repellents come in many forms. There are oils for your skin, plants to keep around, and even things you can eat. You can change your environment to make it less attractive to mosquitoes and you can even use foods to change your body’s chemistry. 

A mosquito preventive that is quite common in Tamil Nadu is burning mosquito coils and increasingly more prevalent nowadays; electric mosquito repellent liquids that disperse through the air whenever the plug-in is switched on. 

However both mosquito coils and electric plug-in mosquito repellents although very effective (especially in the case of the latter) are DEET-based. According to various studies DEET damages brain cells, causes behavioural changes, and can have harmful interactions with some medications. It was found that up to fifteen percent of DEET is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream. The toxic effects of Diethyl-meta-toluaminde includes: reproductive disturbances, genetic material mutations, and central nervous system disorders. 

Nepeta Cataria: Catnip Plant

So to keep healthy and also mosquito-free, below is a list of natural preventives that are both effective and safe. One cheap and easy mosquito preventive tip is to wear light clothing. Another is eat lots of garlic (mosquitoes hate garlic) either in your food or in the form of garlic capsules from your health food store. Another remedy straight from the kitchen is White Vinegar (two parts vinegar to one part plain water). This remedy is particularly effective if you plan on spending time outside (especially in the evenings). Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray skin and clothing before going out. As well as mosquitoes the solution also repels gnats, horse flies and ticks. For a good smell add a few drops of fragrant oil (e.g. lavender, citronella) to the bottle. 

Below is a list of efficient mosquito natural repellents. Generally 3-5 drops of the various oil should be added to about a teaspoon of a base oil such as jojoba oil, sweet almond or coconut oil and placed on the exposed skin:- 

Lemongrass Oil 
Lavender Oil Lemon 
Eucalyptus Oil 
Neem Oil or Neem Seed Oil 
Organic Soy Oil 
Black Pepper Oil 
Blue Cypress Oil 
Peppermint Oil 
Basil Oil 
Geranium Oil 
Clove Oil 

Thyme Oil 

A favourite natural mosquito repellent is the essential oil of the Nepeta Cataria (Catnip plant). This perennial herb is a member of the mint family and has many useful medicinal and household applications. One of which is being a very effective, natural mosquito repellent, which has been found to be ten times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes. 

There are many preparations from naturally occurring sources that have been used as a repellent to certain insects. Some of these act as insecticides while others are only repellents. Check this link for a comprehensive list.

To view an excellent website which goes into detail about the various oils and gives information about how to make your own natural mosquito repellent. Go to this link here: 

Moorvi Compound Completed

This week I visited the Moorvi Compound, which is opposite the main Ramana Ashram. The development of the Compound is now fully complete. The remodelling has entailed the demolition of all the old one-storey accommodation and its replacement by new multi-storey accommodation. In addition the old Ramana Ashram Centenary Library has now been remodelled into a multi-room facility. 

To look at photographs at the beginning of the remodelling, go to these links here and here. In addition to see photographs of the Old Library Building, check out this link here. 

The last part of this remodelling programme has been the renovation of the original building in this compound, the Moorvi Choultry. The renovated Moorvi Building is very similar to the old building, but has been fully restored and modernised. 

As many trees as possible of the old Compound have been retained, and already many new bamboo shoots and other plants are making the Moorvi Compound a very comfortable, green retreat. It looks lovely. A very nice job.

Moorvi Choultry

Another view of the Moorvi Choultry

Back of Moorvi Choultry

Spacious Compound with lots of accommodation

Multi-Storey accommodation Facility

Trees left whenever possible during construction process

Building at end, the Old Library

Spacious and restful Compound

Bamboo shots planted at perimeter of Compound

Many of the original trees still remaining in Compound

Original Well still remaining in Compound

Shakti Fire Walking 2013

Yesterday, August 9th, 2013 the Vallaikappu (Bangle) ceremony took place in the Vallaikappu Mandapam, Fifth Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Later that day around 11.30 p.m. preparations began in front of the Unnamalai Amman Temple for the Fire Walking ceremony. At that time logs were set alight and allowed to burn up. At about 1.00 a.m. this morning Saturday August 10th, 2013, embers from the burnt logs were spread out on the compound floor in front of the Amman Temple. 

I have attended (as a visitor NOT participant) the Fire Walking ceremony at the Big Temple three times in the past, and had no plans to visit Arunachaleswarar Temple this year to view the ceremony. Thankfully I was snug and safe at home, because we had a fierce storm in these parts all through yesterday evening and early morning today. I am amazed that the organisers were able to keep the logs alight long enough for them to burn down to embers as I expected that due to the storm that the fire walking function would have to be cancelled.