Ayyankulam Tank Theerthavari February 8, 2016

The below photographs were taken before the incident occurred at the Ayyankulam Tank. In the below photographs, one can see that the devotees are conducting themselves in a peaceful and reverential manner. 

In this first photograph, the Priests are performing puja on the bottom steps of the Tank. 

The Sulam (Trident) is being brought down through the crowds of devotees and priests for immersion in the Ayyankulam Tank.

 

Many devotees have already immersed themselves in the Tank and are waiting in the water for the Sulam to be brought down into the Theertham.

After immersion in the Tank, the Sulam is then brought back up the steps for puja on the side of the Ayyakulam Theertham. 

The below sequence of photographs are of worship being conducted on the Sulam (trident).

Aarti and Gods leave for Tank: Mahodhaya Maha Puniya Kalam 2016

The previous post on Arunachala Grace is a pictorial archive of the Mahabhishekam Puja performed  at Arunachaleswarar Temple's Siva Sannidhi. 

The below photographs are of aarti of that puja and shows the Gods leaving the Siva Sannidhi and then the Temple by the Thitti Vassal Gate on their way to the Ayyankulam Tank on Monday February 8, 2016. 

Sri Arunachaleswarar leaving the Siva Sannidhi

The Goddess leaving the Siva Sannidhi

Exiting the Temple via the Thitthi Vassal Gate

Goddess leaving Temple on way to Ayyankulam Tank

Mahabhishekam Arunachaleswarar Temple: Mahodhaya Maha Punniya Kalam 2016

As readers will probably already have heard, tragedy sadly occurred at the Ayyankulam Tank, Tiruvannamalai, on the morning of February 8 during part of the Mahadhaya Maha Punniya Kalam 2016 ceremonies. Four people drowned in the Ayyankulam Tank and a number of others were injured when a stampede broke out as hundreds of devotees jostled to bathe in the Theertham on the auspicious occasion of Mahodaya Amavasya. 

‘Mahodhaya Punniya Kaalam’ is when the below attributes align together in a single day, an event which occurs only about once every 30 years. 

Thithi: Amavasya 

Nakshathiram: Thiruvonam 

Yogam: Vyathi Patham 

Month: Thai 

Vaaram: Soma (Monday) 

Due to the sad circumstances of the tragic accident, I was uncertain whether or not to post any additional information about the Festival. However this afternoon I received information from someone connected with the Big Temple who was at yesterday's function at the Ayyankulam Theertham. 

In his words: -

"We don't feel sad because it was very peaceful and we didn't even know till after the function what had happened. One victim was a Temple Gurukkal and the other three were devotees who have done excellent service over the years to the Temple Gods. It was such a big, important day and what happened was like God just silently taking them home." 

As a result of our converation, I feel it is appropriate to make additional postings of the Festival—which I hope will make the incident seem, through Divine Grace, more celebratory than sad. 

Below is posting of the Mahabhishekam performed at the Siva Sannidhi of Arunachaleswarar Temple prior to the Theerthavari. Tomorrow I will be making a posting of the Theerthavari itself. 

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During the early morning of Mahadhaya Maha Punniya Kalam 2016, Mahabhishekam was performed at the Siva Sannidhi for Sri Arunachaleswarar Samadeha Apeethakumbachambal. 

Mahabhishekham to be performed upon Sri Arunachaleswarar Samadeha (in union with) Apeethakumbachambal

Items ready for Mahabhishekam

Large crowd attending the 1 a.m. Mahabhishekam in Big Temple

Below is a pictorial record of that puja being performed. 

The significance and representation of some of the items used in the Mahabhishekam are as follows:

Panchagavyam (mixture of milk, curd, ghee, cow’s urine and cow dung): removes all sin 

Panchamrutham (mixture of fruits): gives wealth 

Ghee: gives liberation 

Milk: for long life 

Curd: for healthy progeny 

Honey: gives harmonious voice 

Sandalpaste: for Amman’s Grace 

Sugarcane Juice: removes enmity 

Tender Coconut: enjoyment and life satisfaction 

Sanctified Water: a consecration

Mahabhishekam Begins

Lord Shiva holding deer on hand indicates He has removed tossing of the mind (i.e. a deer flits quickly from place to place)

Lord Arunachaleswarar and Sri Apeethakumbachambal

The Goddess

Tragedy at Ayyankulam Tank Function

Sadly, tragedy occurred at the Ayyankulam Tank this morning during the Mahadhaya Maha Punniya Kalam 2016 ceremonies. 

At least four people drowned in the Ayyankulam Tank and a number of others were injured when a stampede broke out as hundreds of devotees jostled to bathe in the Theertham on the auspicious occasion of Mahodaya Amavasya. 

West Gate. Theerthavari would be performed by priests standing in the water on the bottom steps

It is reported that around 7,000 devotees gathered around the tank to witness the dipping of the presiding deity in the water (theerthavari) on the occasion of the Mahodaya Thai (Tamil month) Amavasya (new moon day), which occurs once in 30 years.

Temple Priests had performed special poojas for the Trident and the Gods Lord Arunachelswarar and Sri Abhidhakujambal since midnight of the previous day which culminated in 'Maha Deeparathanai' (aarti). The ceremony was then to be followed by "theerthavari" (holy dip) early this morning. 

Background. Raja Gopuram of Big Temple, Arunachala

Reports state that the stampede occurred when a procession was taking the deity towards the temple pond. It has also been reported that when the Western Gate of the Tank was opened around 6.45am, devotees rushed forward to the tank which led to a stampede. 

Ayyankulam Tank: View from top of Steps, West Gate

Immediately after the tragedy Police sealed the tank entrance and rescued about 50 people who were trapped in the stampede. Fire and rescue services personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured. 

I will post additional information as things become clearer. 

Heartfelt condolences to all those involved in this sad accident.

Sani Pradosham: February 6, 2016

As always yesterday’s Sani Pradosham (Saturday: February 6, 2016) at Arunachaleswarar Temple was well attended. Saturday is dedicated to Lord Saniswaran, one of the nine celestial Gods (Navagrahas). The planet Saturn is considered an agent of Karma who delivers many difficult trials in our lives in order to help refine and evolve our souls. 

It is thought that on the day of Sani Pradosham Lord Siva has more influence over Saturn and can cause him to release some of our karmic bonds. 

Nandi Abhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Offering of Aarti

Circumambulation of the God around the Siva Sannidhi

Lord Arunachaleswarar during Sani Pradosham

The Gods beautifully decorated

At Tiruvannamalai there is now a beautiful Shrine dedicated to Sani at the Lord Venkateshwara Temple (Balaji) near the Kubera Lingam which is also a very efficacious place to visit during the day of Sani Pradosham for those wishing to gain the support of Lord Sani in mitigating painful and unpleasant karma. 

Lord Sani

Sani Shrine at Balaji Temple with Raghu and Kettu

Mahodhaya Maha Punniya Kalam 2016

Mahabhishekam Theertha Utchava Invitation 

Right Click to view Enlargement

Translation:

Sri Arunachaleswararar Parameshwara is one among the five panchaboothas. It is the Agni, fire sthalam. Moorthi Thalam Theertham is the special name given to this sthalam along with 365 Theerthams at this place. Brahma, Visnu and other Devadevatas did pujas and got blessings from Siva in the form of Ardhanishvara. He killed the feeling of “I” in the Lingodbhava form where he manifested into a mountain. Devotees do girivalam. On Deepam Day He comes out as the Fire, taking the form of Half Siva and Half Shakthi. 

Punya Kalam occurs during the Solar Eclipse, Moon Eclipse, Vishu Punyakalam, Uttarayana, Dakshinayanam, Sankaranti etc. The Eclipse time is good for pujas and also theerthavari, yaham, japam, tarpanam and donations (dhanam) are good during this time. This is said in the Puranas. During japam in the time of grahanam (eclipse) the power is greater, also things like the giving of donations are more powerful. 

But 1000 times more powerful and sanctified is the time of Mahodhaya Punniya Kalam. It is better than the time of the solar eclipse. This truth is recorded in many Aham and Sastra books. It is also said in the Arunachala Mahatmyam. Parameshwara said that during Mahodhaya Maha Punniya Kalam, we have to do special pujas and theerthavari. 

In the Tamil Month of Thai; Amavasya (New Moon), Thiruona Nakshatriam (Monday) and Vayadeepadhyam—when all fall on the same day it is known as Mahodhaya Punniya Kalam. 

During this Tamil Year Manmatha, Thai Month, Tamil day 25. English date Monday, February 8, 2016. On this special day, Sri Apeethakumbachambal Samadeha Sri Arunachaleswarar will be worshipped with Mahabhishekam, Alankaram, Deepatharthana, and Theertha Urchavam at the Indira Theeram also known as Ayyankulam Tank. 

In the early morning between 6.30 and 6.45 a.m. Mahodhaya Punniya Kalatheeravari will occur. 

This powerful Punniya Kalam occurs only once every 25-30 years. During this time Shiva Bhaktas are invited for this function. 

Schedule: 

7.02.2016 Early morning 1 a.m. Mahabhishekam starts for Apeethakumbachambal Samadeha Sri Arunachaleswarar at the Big Temple. 

8.02.2016 Early morning 5 a.m. Mahadeepatharana and Swami go to Ayyankulam Tank. 

8.02.2016 Early morning 6.30 a.m. at Indira Theertham (Ayyankulam Tank) Mahodhaya Punniya Kalatheeravari and later procession. 

Right Click for Enlargement

‘Mahodhaya Punniya Kaalam’ is when the below attributes align together in a single day: 

Thithi: Amavasya 

Nakshathiram: Thiruvonam 

Yogam: Vyathi Patham 

Month: Thai 

Vaaram: Soma (Monday) 

Arunachaleswarar Temple and the Indira Theertham (Ayyankulam Tank) will be very crowded during this time.

Mahavillaku Kalyana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar Temple

This past Friday (January 29, 2016) during the Tamil Month of Thai, Mahavillaku Puja was performed by ladies inside the Kalyana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Ladies lined up inside the Kalyana Mandapam

Divine Shakti on Dais in Mandapam

Priests supervising the Puja being conducted in Mandapam

Divine Shakti giving Darshan