Alangarams Shakti Temples 2014 Navratri

Each year Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. The Navratri festival or 'nine day festival' becomes a 'ten days festival' with the addition of the last day, Vijaya-dasami (day of victory) as its culmination. The 2014 Navratri started on Wednesday, September 24th and will complete on Friday, October 3rd, 2014. To view the schedule of this 2014 Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple please go to this link here. 

The origin of Navratri came about when Adi Shankaracharya gave upadesa at two primary locations during the installation of a Sri Chakra at Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and at Koolurmugambika (Karnataka). At the time of the installations he directed women folk to worship the Goddess and seek her blessings for wealth, prosperity and long life for their husbands and overall happiness in the family. 

This Festival is celebrated in a wide variety of ways, depending on region, local history and family influences. Some see it as a way to commune with one’s own feminine divinity. A widespread practice honours the Goddess in every woman by inviting young girls to the family's home, feeding them and offering new clothes. During the Festival, women also perform tapas and selfless acts. 

Families in Tamil Nadu traditionally prepare in their homes a kolu, an exhibition of small dolls, figurines and small artifacts on a stepped, decorated shelf. At least one murti of Shakti must be present, as well as wooden figurines of a boy and a girl together to invoke auspicious marriages. To view the 2014 Navaratri Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar please visit an earlier posting at this link here. 

In South India the Goddess is worshipped in three forms. During the first three nights, Durga is revered, then Lakshmi on the fourth, fifth and sixth nights, and finally Saraswati until the ninth night. Durga ("invincible" in Sanskrit) is the epitome of strength, courage and ferocity. Her devotees approach Her, sometimes with difficult penances, for those qualities and for the protection she Bestows. 

A more gentle worship is observed for Lakshmi also called Annapurna "Giver of food," Lakshmi is the Goddess of abundance, wealth and comfort. She is the ever-giving mother, worshipped for well being and prosperity. A traditional way of invoking Her is chanting the Sri Suktam. In Her honour, food is prepared and offered to neighbours and all who visit, thus strengthening community ties. On the full moon night following Navratri, it is believed Lakshmi Herself visits each home and replenishes family wealth. 

The last three days of Navratri, exalt Saraswati, the form of Shakti personifying wisdom, arts and beauty. Her name literally means "flowing one", a reference to thoughts, words, music and the Saraswati River. Mystically Saraswati is believed to be the keeper of the powerful Gayatri Mantra, which is chanted during the festival to invoke Her supreme blessings. Devotees meditate for days on this mantra alone, as it is considered the door to divine wisdom. 

Tiruvannamalai has many beautiful Temples dedicated to the Divine Mother and the photographs of this posting are of alangarams of the Shakti Goddess from the 2nd and 3rd days of Navratri of: Unnamulai at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Durga Amman Temple, Thavasu Adi Kamakshi Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple. 

Goddess at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Goddess on Kamadhenu at Durga Amman Temple

Thavasu Adi Kamakshi Temple

Goddess at Kamakshi Amman Temple

2014 Navaratri Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram

I made a very nice posting during the 2013 Navaratri Function of the significance of Kolu (Tamil=Golu: means “Divine Presence”) displays during the Navaratri Festival, see this link here. In this respect at that time, I visited the house of a Priest family of the Arunachaleswarar Temple to view their Kolu display and it was those photographs that I posted in the above link. 

This year I am posting photographs of the very elaborate, beautiful Kolu display at the ashram of Yogi Ramsuratkumar. If you are hereabouts, do visit the Kolu display, its really quite lovely. So much time and attention has been spent in creating beautiful displays of legends and leelas of Gods and Goddesses. 

Kolu figurines can be simple or very complicated and based upon Gods and Saints, depictions of the Epics and Puranas (i.e. Mahabharata, Ramayana, Krishna Leelas etc.), Demigods and National leaders, marriage occasions, musical instruments, shops, current affairs and scenes from everyday life; such as shops, bus stop, cars, street scenes etc. 

Historically Kolu had a significant connection with the agricultural economy of Ancient India. In order to encourage de-silting of irrigation canals the Kolu celebration was aimed at providing demand for clay that was needed for the celebratory dolls. It is believed that the tradition of Kolu has been in existence from the reign of the Vijayanagara kings. 

There are several sections at the Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram within the Kolu displays depicting the abodes, live and legends of various Gods and Goddesses. 

One section is of Lord Shiva and has beautiful models with figurines of our own Arunachala, the Amaranath snow lingam and dancing Lord Shiva at Kailash. 

Arunachala Hill with beautiful details

Amaranath Snow Lingam

Mount Kailash and Dancing Shiva

Another section is of the Ramayana with models depicting various parts of the legend. 

Section on the Ramayana

Section shows some of the tales and stories of Rama and Sita

There is a very special section dedicated to the 6 abodes of Lord Murugan. 

Those six abodes are: 

Thirupparamkunram: Located on the outskirts of Madurai on a hillock where Kartikeya married Indra's daughter Deivanai. 

Tiruchendur: Located on the sea-shore near Tuticorin. The Temple commemorates the place where Murugan worshiped Lord Siva and won a decisive victory over demon Soorapadman. 

Palani: Located south east of Coimbatore, the Temple is build on a hill top where Murugan resided after his feud with his family over a divine fruit. 

Swamimalai: Located at 5 km from Kumbakonam, the Temple is built on an artificial hill and . commemorates the incident where Lord Murugan explained the essence of "Om" to his father Lord Siva. 

Thiruthani: Located near Chennai, Murugan reclaimed his inner peace after waging a war with Asuras and married Valli here. 

Pazhamudircholai: Located on the outskirts of Madurai on a hillock with a holy stream nearby called "Nupura Gangai". 

Section dedicated to Lord Murugan

The person assigned to the Lord Krishna section has done an amazing work in depicting various leelas from the legends surrounding Lord Krishna. 

Section full of Krishna leelas and legends

With two nice butter BalaKrishnas

Another section is of the Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram. 

Beautiful wooden model of the Ashram Hall

Yogi Samisthan

Road back of Yogi Samisthan

First night of Kolu Display

[Photographs by Hari Prasad]

All these photographs were taken on the first night of the 2014 Navaratri Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram. Each year this ashram surpasses itself with its beautiful displays. Truly a work of love dedicated to their guru. 

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Traditionally in the evening of the conclusion of Navaratri i.e. Vijayadasami (the day of Victory) the dolls from the ‘Kolu’ are symbolically put to sleep by laying them horizontally and Kalash (a small pot made up of silver or brass containing rice, sticks of turmeric, toor dal and a rupee coin—with coconut and mango leaves at the mouth of the pot) is moved towards the direction of the North to mark the end of that year’s Kolu Festival. 

September 21, 2014 Temple Pradosham

Below are two very nice photographs of the recently celebrated Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple on Sunday, September 21, 2014. 

2014 Navratri Function at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai Invitation 
for 
The 2014 Navratri Festival

The Festival will be conducted from Wednesday, 24 September, 2014 to Friday, 3 October, 2014. All days will be celebrated in the Tirukalyana Mandapam at the Arunachaleswarar Temple each evening. 

Official Temple Programme

24 September 2014 The Goddess Parashakti moves from the Artha Mandapam to the Tirukalyana Mandapam. 

25 September 2014 Rajarajeshwari Alankaram 

26 September 2014 Gajalakshmi Alankaram 

27 September 2014 Manomani Alankaram 

28 September 2014 Rishba (bull) Alankaram and Panchamurti special abhishekam 

29 September 2014 Andal Alankaram 

30 September 2014 Saraswati Alankaram 

1 October 2014 Lingapuja Alankaram 

2 October 2014 

(i) Mahishamardini and 

(ii) Unnamulai Amman Sandana Alankaram (moolasthana of Amman in Shakti Shrine covered with sandalpaste) 

3 October 2014 Vijayadasami 

(i) morning, Parashakti special abhishekam with panchamurti and 

(ii) morning, Panchamurti Abhishekam at Moolasthana of Amman in Shakti Shrine 

Relocation of Swami Nityananda primary Ashram

I have not been posting information on Swami Nityananda over the last several years. However due to recent news which will make a difference to some people in the Tiruvannamalai area, am posting the following information which appeared in local newspapers this week: 

"Swami Nityananda announced here on Tuesday (September 9, 2014) that he's moving out of his 20-acre ashram in Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bangalore and settling down in his Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, facility about 204 km away from here. 

On Tuesday morning, Nityananda told his devotees that not just him, the entire team of Nityananda Dhyanapeetham will shift to Tiruvannamalai. 

Nityananda said he would finish his current commitments in a few days, as it would require a few days to make preparations for setting up residence at Tiruvannamalai. "It is not just me who will be moving but the entire team, including accounts, publications, IT and others. The whole team will operate from Tiruvannamalai," he said. 

"Whenever legally required I will come back to Bangalore to attend proceedings. I also wanted to rest after all that has happened and I think Tiruvannamalai is the best place for that. But I will continue to do all the spiritual activities from there," he said." 

Development of Arunachala Samudra Website

Thanks to the generous support of a sponsor of Arunachala Samudra, I was able to recently arrange the upload of the beautiful divination programme Arunachala Oracle. The programme is based on the same premise as the Leaf of Impartiality (utilised in India for many hundreds of years) and is a system with which one tries to access the will of Divine Providence. 

Currently I am busy researching material in respect of new uploads in the following sections of the Arunachala Samudra website: 

Arunachaleswarar Temple 

History 

Girivalam 

Spirit Centre 

Sacred Power 

Depending on financing, I will also introduce new visuals and graphics in the Temple and Girivalam section. Whilst enlargement and improvements continue on Arunachala Samudra, I am also working with my webmaster to make this definitive Arunachala website available in (to begin with) Telegu. 

For more information about how to sponsor the continuing development of Arunachala Samudra, please get in touch with me by email, my contact is at the top left column of this page. 

Postings on my Arunachala Blogs August 4, 2014 to September 5, 2014

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from Monday, August 4, 2014 to Friday, September 5, 2014:- 

Arunachala Grace 

An Ordinary Day in a Temple Town: Video of an ordinary day at Arunachala. Many scenes from the Arunachaleswarar Temple and sadhus in the area.

2014 Ganesha Chaturthi Arunachala, Photographs: Photographs of Ganesha Chaturthi as celebrated at Arunachala.

Greenland Ashram -- Ganesh Chaturthi 2014: Celebrations of Festival at Greenland Ashram. Information about progress in the development of this Ashram. Photographs.

Sri Nannagaru at Arunachala: Narrative and photographs of the August-September visit made to Arunachala by Sri Nannagaru.

Ramana Ashram Radio Channel: Information and link of new radio channel service being offered by Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai.

Dialogue on Puja Flowers: Function and importance of the part of flowers in worship.

August 2014 Supermoon at Arunachala: Explanation of the extra large moon in August. Photographs of girivalam devotees.

Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple, August 8, 2014: Photographs of the August 8, 2014 Pradosham at the Big Temple, Tiruvannamalai.

Sri Nannagaru on a previous Arunachala visit: Narrative and video of a previous visit to Arunachala by Sri Nannagaru.

Greenland Ashram Update August 2014: Photographs and information about progress of development of new Arunachala countryside ashram.

NH66 Petition for Road Completion: Information about an online petition to speed up construction of the NH66 Krishnagiri-Tiruvannamalai Higway.

Walk on Samudram Lake with Bhagavan: Narrative about a Samudra walk made by Ramana Maharshi with some devotees

Arunachala Birds 

The Stately Peacock: Symbolism and legends of the peacock. Photographs, video and links.

Arunachala Land 

Zoning regulations for Tiruvannamalai apartments: Short explanation of the regulations governing apartments in this area. Photographs of new apartment building.

Arunachala Mystic 

Linga Bhairavi -- Feminised Male Aspect of the Divine: Photographs of this unusual statue. Information about its esoteric significance.

Video of Swamis and Sadhus, Arunachala: Beautiful video dedicated to the many sadhus, saints and undoubtedly also secret saints, here at Arunachala.

Life of Shirdi Sai Baba: Short narrative on the life of Shirdi Sai Baba and photograph of his statue at a Temple dedicated to this saint off the Arunachala girivalam roadway.

Swami Vellaiyananda--Life and Tales: Biography of a now deceased famous Swami of Tiruvannamalai. Photographs.

Arunachala the Greatest Monolith: Dedication to Arthur C. Clarke. Discussion about the monolith in the famous “2001: A Space Odyssey” and explanation of monoliths. Photographs. 

Goddess Mariamman and Kasi Swami, Temple Founder: Village patriarch at his small Shakti Shrine. Photographs.

Moola Mantra: Explanation of the Moola Mantra. Sanskrit and English translation. Video.

An Ordinary Day in a Temple Town

The below video was shot in 2003, but is very topical, and everything looks much the same now as it does in the film. Below the film I have listed various activities and the time they appear on the video. Its a well shot film and gives an accurate idea of an ordinary day at this Temple town. 

0.00 Sadhus chanting at Ganeshan Temple, Pallakottu Tank with scenes off the girivalam roadway 

2.35 Sadhus bathing in Tank, sadhus 

3.40 Sadhus feeding Ramana Ashram 

3.45 to 5.10 Ceremony Arunachaleswarar Temple 

5.50 Creating Deepams Mahashivaratri, Arunachaleswarar Temple 

7.25 Rukku Temple Elephant 

7.45 Puja at Ramana Maharshi’s Samadhi, and Mother’s Shrine Ramana Ashram 

9.27 Big Temple 

9.30 Ladies, street scenes 

10.05 Hanuman actor performing on streets 

10.40 Bullock cart and street scenes 

2014 Ganesha Chaturthi Arunachala, Photographs

The below photographs are of the recently concluded 2014 Ganesha Chaturthi Festival here at Arunachala. 

 

Sindhoor Ganesha with golden dress, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Ganesha at Mandapam opposite Agni Tank, Chengham Road, Arunachala

Day of Ganesha immersion, parade heading for water body

One such water body, Tamari Nagar Tank, Arunachala background

Greenland Ashram -- Ganesh Chaturthi 2014

Greenland Ashram set in the Arunachala countryside near Periyapaliyapatu Village is nearing completion. The below photographs are of a function held on Ganesha Chaturthi (August 29, 2014) at the Ashram to celebrate completion of several of the accommodation buildings. 

Greeland Ashram has been started by a married couple who are devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Their aim is to create an Ashram in the Arunachala countryside which offers support and order for visitors to concentrate on sadhana and spiritual enquiry. 

Cow puja and homam celebrated on Ganesha Chaturthi, 2014

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sadguru of Ashram Founders

Ashram calf who attended with its Mother for the Cow Homam

Several of the Ashram buildings have been completed

Siva Siddhar Mona Swami

Swami in attendance to give his blessings

Darshan of Arunachala from nearly completed Greenland Ashram

Sri Nannagaru at Arunachala

After a long absence from Arunachala due to health reasons, Sri Nannagaru was finally able to come to Tiruvannamalai and stay at his Ashram from August 22nd to September 2nd, 2014. While in residence he gave a number of speeches to his many devotees, most of whom had followed him from Andhra Pradesh. 

Devotees mostly from Andhra Pradesh

Swamji gave a number of speeches whilst at Tiruvannamalai

As is his usual custom Sri Nannagaru conducted daily interviews in his room. One morning Sri Sundaram, the President of Ramana Ashram came to visit Sri Nannagaru. They talked about the importance of Ramana Ashram publishing and disseminating the works of Sri Ramana Maharshi throughout the world. Sri Nannagaru requested that the President authorise the publication in Telegu of “Be As You Are.” The book, edited by David Godman, is a collection of conversations between Sri Ramana and seekers who came to his ashram for guidance. 

Sri Nannagaru and Sri Sundaram, President Ramana Ashram

“Be As You Are,” is one of the most widely read book on the seer’s teachings. Dialogues with Ramana are arranged by the following topics; The Self, Enquiry and surrender,The Guru, Meditation and yoga, Experience, Theory. 

 “The collection of conversations between him and the many seekers who came to his ashram for guidance contains the essence of his teaching. His concern throughout his long life of imparting his experience to others was to convince his listeners that self-realisation - or enlightenment - is not an alien or mysterious state, but the natural condition of man. This state can be easily discovered by undertaking the self-investigation clearly described in these talks. The lucid instructions to each section provide further illumination of this greater seer's message.” 

Sri Nannagaru

Sri Nannagaru asked that the Telegu publication of the book be expedited as in his opinion it is the best introduction to the teachings of Sri Ramana. Sri Sundaram promised that his officers would start to make arrangements for the book’s Telegu publication immediately on return to the Ramana Ashram office. 

To find out more about Sri Nannagaru, you can visit his website at this link here, and to read about the experiences of many of his devotees please visit a Blog put out by Bangalore devotees at this link here. 

Ramana Ashram Radio Channel

Ramana Ashram in Tiruvannamalai have launched their own radio channel to play songs, sacred chants, commentaries and readings from the works of Sri Ramana Maharshi and other saints glorifying Arunachala. 

In the words of Ramana Ashram: 

“Voice of Arunachala” is an Internet radio station broadcast from Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, India. Sri Ramana Maharshi has written a verse meaning “This is Arunachala, Ocean of Compassion, one thought of whom bestows liberation. 

Arunachala Mahatmyam states that “Arunachala Hill is the center of the Earth and the Heart of Lord Siva. We hope to bring the atmosphere of the ashram within the earshot of listeners anywhere in the world. Listeners are welcome to send suggestions for the improvement of the program." 

To find out more about the availability of the radio channel, please visit the ashram at their link here. 

Dialogue on Puja Flowers

In a posting on my Arunachala Land blog I wrote about the types of flowers used in Tiruvannamalai during puja in Temples and at home. To read that posting and view many photographs of the flowers, go to this link here. 

In the Anusana Parva (Section XCVIII) of the Mahabharata there is a beautiful and informative narrative explaining the function and importance of flowers in the worship of the Divine. In it Bhishma addressing Yudhisthira refers to a discourse between Manu and an ascetic named Suvarna. In that discourse Suvarna asks Lord Manu to answer (for the benefit of all creatures) why deities are worshipped by flowers, how the practice originated and the merits attached to the observance. Manu responds to Suvarna’s request by telling him that the topic relating to the mertis attached to the gift of flowers was expounded in a dialogue between Vali and Sukra. In that dialogue, Sukra said: 

Penance (indicative of the duties of the four orders of life),first sprang into life. Afterwards came Dharma (or compassion and other virtues). In the interval between started into life many creepers and herbs. Innumerable were the species of those. All of them have the deity Soma for their Lord. 

Lord Soma

In Hinduism the god Soma evolved into a lunar deity--interestingly Monday in Sanskrit is called Somavaram. Full moon is the time to collect and press the divine Soma drink. The moon is also the cup from which the gods drink Soma, thus identifying Soma with the moon god Chandra. A waxing moon means Soma is recreating himself, ready to be drunk again. 

Soma's twenty-seven wives are regarded as the star goddesses, the Nakshatras daughters of the cosmic progenitor Daksha who told their father that he paid too much attention to just one of them, Rohini. Daksha subsequently cursed Soma to wither and die, but the wives intervened and the death became periodic and temporary, and is symbolised by the waxing and waning of the moon.

Some of these creepers and herbs came to be regarded as amrita and some came to be regarded as poison. Others that were neither this nor that formed one class. That is amrita which gives immediate gratification and joy to the mind. That is poison which tortures the mind exceedingly by its odour. 

Know again that amrita is highly auspicious and that poison is highly inauspicious. All the deciduous herbs are amrita. Poison is born of the energy of fire. Flowers gladden the mind and confer prosperity. Hence, men of righteous deeds bestowed the name Sumanas on them. That man who is in a state of purity offers flowers unto the deities finds that the deities become gratified with him, and as the consequence of such gratification bestow prosperity upon him. O ruler of Daityas, those deities unto whom worshippers offer flowers, uttering their names the while, become gratified with the offers in consequence of their devotion. 

The deciduous herbs are of diverse kinds and possess diverse kinds of energy. They should be classed as fierce, mild, and powerful. Listen to me as I tell thee which trees are useful for purposes of sacrifice and which are not so. Hear also what garlands are acceptable to asuras, and what are beneficial when offered to the deities. I shall also set forth in their due order what garlands are agreeable to the rakshasa, what to the uragas, what to the yakshas, what to human beings, and what to the pitris, in proper order. 

Flowers are of diverse kinds. Some are wild, some are from trees that grow in the midst of human habitations; some belong to trees that never grow unless planted on well-tilled soil; some are from trees growing on mountains; some are from trees that are not prickly; and some from trees that are prickly. Fragrance, beauty of form, and taste also may offer grounds of classification. The scent that flowers yield is of two kinds, agreeable and disagreeable. Those flowers that emit agreeable scent should be offered to the deities. 

Jasmine

The flowers of trees that are destitute of thorns are generally white in hue. Such flowers are always acceptable to the deities. 

Lotus

One possessed of wisdom should offer garlands of aquatic flowers, such as the lotus and the like, unto the Gandharvas and Nagas and Yakshas. Such plants and herbs as produce red flowers, as are possessed of keen scent, and as are prickly, have been laid down in the Atharvana as fit for all acts of incantation for injuring foes. Such flowers as are possessed of keen energy, as are painful to the touch, as grow on trees and plants having thorns, and as are either blood-red or black, should be offered to (evil) spirits and unearthly beings. 

Indian Coral Tree

Such flowers as gladden the mind and heart, as are very agreeable when pressed, and as are of beautiful form, have been said to be worthy of being offered to human beings. Such flowers as grow on cemeteries and crematoriums, or in places dedicated to the deities, should not be brought and used for marriage and other rites having growth and prosperity for their object, or acts of dalliance and pleasure in secrecy. Such flowers as are born on mountains and in vales, and as are agreeable in scent and aspect, should be offered unto the deities. Sprinkling them with sandal paste, such agreeable flowers should be duly offered according to the ordinances of the scriptures. 

The deities become gratified with the scent of flowers; the yakshas and rakshasas with their sight, the Nagas with their touch; and human beings with all three, viz., scent, sight and touch. Flowers, when offered to the deities gratify them immediately. They are capable of accomplishing every object by merely wishing its accomplishment. As such, when gratified with devotees offering them flowers, they cause all the objects cherished by their worshippers to be immediately accomplished. Gratified, they gratify their worshippers. Honoured, they cause their worshippers to enjoy all honours. Disregarded and insulted, they cause those vilest of men to be ruined and consumed. 

August 2014 Supermoon at Arunachala

In this third quadrant of 2014 we have already experienced two perigee “supermoons” in consecutive months; July and August. The just completed (full moon) of August 10, 2014 was the second of the three “perigee” moons, nowadays known as “supermoons”. Such moons are around 15% bigger and 30% brighter than an ordinary full moon. The recent supermoon of August 10, was the largest of the three, presenting a moon that was only 356,896 kilometers (221,765 miles) from Earth. The third and last supermoon of this sequence will be on September 9, 2014. 

To find out more about Supermoons, please visit this link here on my Arunachala Mystic Blog. 

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 August moon from behind the Earth viewed from International Space Station

Unfortunately as it was wet and cloudy at Arunachala on the night of August full moon, we were not able to get a good view of the much awaited supermoon. However the rain did not deter pilgrims from performing girivalam throughout the day and night of this just concluded full moon. 

Pilgrims on girivalam in the afternoon of full moon day

Pilgrims on north side of Arunachala on their girivalam

Next full moon India: Tuesday, 09 September 2014 around 7:08 AM 

Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple, August 8, 2014

Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple attracts large numbers of devotees

Beautiful Nandi taking darshan of the Lord at the Siva Sannidhi

Nice the crowds are being advised to sit down . . . good darshan for all