Durga Amman Temple 2016 Mahakumbhabhishekam Function

Mahakumbhabhishekam is held either to formally consecrate a new Temple or reconsecrate an old one, and generally occurs at twelve-year intervals or specifically following renovation, extensive cleaning or renewal. 

Kumbhabhishekam is a Hindu Temple 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 (usually in the Gopuram) and Abhishekam is ritual bathing, (hence the term Kumbha + Abhishekam). 

During this elaborate event, homams conducted according to the agamas, are performed by priests in the Yagasala outside the Temple over the preceding days. These homams infuse divinity and spiritual power into kalasas (sanctified pots) filled with consecrated water. 

Divine Power is transferred back to the deities by performing an abhishekam (salutary bathing) to the Vigrahas and Vimanas (pinnacles) on the roof with the sanctified holy waters from the kalasas accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. On that day at the designated auspicious time, when the Kumbha is bathed with the charged and sanctified holy waters contained in the sacrificial pots, consecrated and sanctified pranic powers trickle down a silver wire and enter the Deity installed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple. 

Now that the restoration and renewal work undertaken over the last couple of years, has been completed at Durga Amman Temple, Mahakumbhabhishekam was held this week at what is one of the most significant Temples at Arunachala. 

Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai

One of the most famed Temples at Tiruvannamalai

Ceremonies being undertaken inside Temple Compound

Below a pictorial record of the ceremonies and functions undertaken at this time at the Durga Amman Temple.

Homams at Temple

2016 Thai Poosam Theerthavari

The 2016 Thai Poosam Theerthavari was performed at the Agni Theertham just off NH66 (Chengham Road). The Theertham is connected to but located some distance from, the Agni Lingam. The Agni Lingam is one of the famed Asta Lingams of Tiruvannamalai.

The Gods at Agni Theertham

Theerthavari at Agni Theertham

Theerthavari performed by Big Temple priests

Exiting the Agni Theertham

Thai Pradosham -- January 21, 2016

The below photographs are of today's Thai Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Even though the Pradosham took place early in the day, it was attended by very large crowds. 

Aarti performed at Periya Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Big Nandi

Large crowd attending the Periya Nandi Puja

Thai Pradosham, January 21, 2016

Photographs of Gods, Thiruvoodal 2016

Gods give darshan at Alankaram Mandapam, outside Big Temple

Lord Arunachaleswarar giving Darshan

The Goddess

A Devotee's offering to the Gods

Crowds on Thiruvoodal Street, Pongal 2016

Crowds on Car Street, Tiruvannamalai

Gods carried on Palanquins

 Poles under Palanquin covered with cloths for easy carry

Musicians accompanying the Gods

Gods returning to the Big Temple

Devotees struggling to bear the heavy weight of the Palanquin

Goddess also on a Palanquin

[Thanks to Mr. Hari Prasad for these wonderful photographs of 2016 Pongal on this posting and on the previous two postings on Arunachala Grace].

2016 Mattu Pongal Nandis

Periya Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Beautifully decorated Big Nandi

Large Crowds gathered around the Big Nandi

Chinna Nandi, 4th Prakaram

Lavishly Decorated Nandi the Bull, 4th Prakaram

Nandi at Kalyana Eswara Sundara Shrine

Nandi the Bull, Mother's Shrine

Colours of Pongal 2016

Karumbu (sugarcane) on sale Big Street

Tumeric Plants for the Ladies

Flowers on sale at Market, Big Street

Abundance of Colourful Blooms

Flowers for devotees to make God Garlands

Bright Kolams throughout Tiruvannamalai

Leads and Harness for Bullocks, Cows and Horses

Kolam powders in a variety of Colours

Bright, Colourful 2016 Pongal, Tiruvannamalai

Pongal 2016 Gods Girivalam

There are two times Lord Siva perform girivalam of Arunachala each year. Those times are during the Karthigai Deepam Festival and the Pongal Festival. As well as a particular esoteric significance attached to the Girivlams at both those times, another reason for the circumambulation is for the Lord to give old and infirm devotees who live around Arunachala His darshan. 

Preparing the Lord for girivalam

Lord Arunachaleswarar ready for girivalam

Thiruvoodal Festival -- Pongal 2016

I have gone into greater detail of this Festival on my website Arunachala Samudra at the link dedicated to the Thiruvoodal Festival. Please also visit an earlier posting on this “Divine Quarrel” on Arunachala Grace at this link here. 

***************************

The Thiruvoodal Festival is celebrated in the month of Thai during Pongal. Legend has it that the Lord in answer to a promise given to Parvati appears during Uttarayana to dance on one foot. He says; ‘On Uttarayana holy day, I will do the dance when the sun rises.’ 

The word 'Thiru' signifies; deity, sacred, holy and wealth and the word 'Voodal' actually means 'tiff' or 'petty quarrel', and represents the friction between the male and female in a love relationship which is consciously exacerbated. The distinguishing mark of Voodal is that it should arise and stay only for a brief period and not be prolonged as its focus is the bliss when the Voodal is withdrawn. 

The drama re-enacted on Tiruvannamalai Streets

The actual staging of the Divine Quarrel is re-enacted on the streets, with one of the madaveedhi streets actually named Thiruvoodal Street in celebration of this Divine Drama.

The Gods of the Quarrel

After their quarrel, Lord Shiva performs girivalam and gives his blessings to devotees during his circumambulation of the Hill.

Maruvoodal 

When Lord Shiva completes his pradakshina he returns to Arunachaleswarar Temple early the next morning. He wishes to have reunion with his consort. This part of the Festival is known as Maruvoodal. The point of the Maruvoodal myth is to show the world that even a Celestial Couple has differences between them. But in the end there should only be reunion, even at the cost of a loss in finances which is represented by the loss of the jewels the night previously. 

Returning to the Temple

Returning to his residence, Shiva knocks at the door but it has been bolted by Parvati. Lord Shiva asks, 

 ‘Oh my darling why have you locked the door?’ 

Outside the Siva Sannidhi

‘Sir after we came to an understanding still you went without me. And see now look you have lost everything there is no ornament or clothes. Not, only that but you went and gave darshan to all kinds of people. So, I am now requesting you must establish your manliness to me and retrieve everything that is lost and give the special one-legged dance.’ 

Shiva starts the dance, Parvati forgets everything and opens the door. 

Their reunion is complete.

Mattu Pongal -- 2016 Pongal Festival

According to the calendar based on the solar system the year is divided into two halves following the apparent movement of the Sun northwards and Southwards. The former is termed Uttarayana and the latter is Dakshinayana. Uttarayana marks the Sun’s movement northward for a six month period and all important events are scheduled during this time. On the first day of Thai, the Sun leaves the zodiac sign of Sagittarius and enters that of Capricorn, the latter is known as Makaram. The event thus is celebrated as Pongal. 

Gods leaving the Siva Sannidhi

Early in the morning of Mattu Pongal (Cow Pongal) the Gods leave the Siva Sannidhi at Arunachaleswarar Temple, perform circumambulation of the outside of the Shrine and then proceed through the Temple leaving by the Thitthi Vasal gate which is adjacent to the Raja Gopuram East Gate.

Lord Arunachaleswarar at Thitthi Vassal Gate

Goddess at Thitthi Vassal Gate

The third day of this Festival is known as Mattu Pongal and is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. 

A legend associated with the Festival and in particularly connected to Mattu Pongal goes like this. 

The Banishment of Basava 

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. 

As well as farmers and agriculturalists celebrating Mattu Pongal today, the cow (buffalo) is also worshipped at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

The Five Nandis 

During Mattu Pongal at Arunachaleswarar Temple, apart from other celebrations, the five Nandis inside the Temple are lavishly decorated with garlands and foodstuff. 

The five Nandis:

Pradosha Nandi in Moolastanam, 
Ratha Vilaku Nandi in Second Prakaram, 
Kodi Kampathu Nandi in Third Prakaram, 
Chinna Nandi in Fourth Prakaram 
Periya Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram,Fifth Prakaram.

Periya Nandi