Night Six: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

Vasantha Urchavam (also known as Vasantha Utsavam) is the Spring Festival held in the season of Vasantha (Spring). It is also commonly known as the Festival of Love as it re-enacts the Love of Shiva and Parvathi and the burning of Manmatha by the piercing look of the Lord’s third eye. 

Lord Somaskanda (a form of Shiva and Parvathi) is the deity of this Festival. For nine consecutive nights after being carried in state out of his shrine, Lord Somaskanda is installed in a pandal facing the main shrine. After receiving due reverence with flowers and light to accompanying musicians playing on their mridangam and nathaswaram, the God is moved by palanquin to the Paneer (rose-water) Mandapam. 

At the Paneer Mandapam diparadhana is performed. Afterwhich the Gods re-enact a dance in front of a mirror placed nearby while musicians accompany them. After the dance, a representation of a Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph) travels down a rope from a nearby gallery. Once the laps of the Gods are covered with flowers, the priest on the pandal pours a pot of water with five vilva leaves in front of the Gods and then performs aarti. 

Rukku our Temple Elephant is an important part of these ceremonies and on each of these nine consecutive nights, stands adjacent to the Paneer Mandapam during these functions. 

Afterwards the Gods on their palanquin led by Rukku perform circumambulation ten times of the Mahila Marams (Temple Trees). This procession is accompanied by musicians, singers and devotees. At the completion of each circumambulation a re-enactment of the God’s dance is performed in front of the mirror in a gallery adjacent to the Paneer Mandapam. 

Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph) with offering of flowers

The nymph on her  journey to the Gods under the Paneer Mandapam

Offering her flowers to the Gods

Palanquin returning to the Paneer Mandapam

Beautifully lit and decorated Paneer Mandapam

Sixth Night Vasantha Urchavam Festival, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Night Five: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

Below is a pictorial report of Night Five of the Vasantha Urchavam 2016 Festival. Special Night pujas and accompanying functions occur at the Big Temple each night from the 2nd to the 9th night inclusive of this Festival. 

The Gods exiting the Siva Sannadhi

Being carried by palanquin on their way to the Paneer Manadapam

Gods resplendent under Paneer Mandapam receiving flower tributes from a Gandharva Kanni (a celestial nymph)

Gandharva Kanni coming down from the Gallery on way to the Paneer Mandapam

"At 9 p.m. on the fifth and eighth days the Temple lights are switched off so that the procession is in the dark. After going around the sacred Mahila Maram ten times the lights are switched back on to great rejoicing."

Gods circumambulating the Mahila Trees in 3rd Prakaram

Lord Dakshinamurti under the Mahila Trees is decorated splendidly each night of this Festival

Night Four: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

To read more about this Festival of Love, go to an earlier link here 

Rukku is an important part of each evening of the Vasantha Urchavam Festival

The Gods under the Paneer Mandapam on the Fourth Night of Festival

Gandharva Kanni (celestial nymph) with bucket of flowers ready to sprinkle on the Gods under the Mandapam

Gods performing circumambulation inside the 3rd Prakaram

Night Three: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

“Vasantha Utsavam is a ten day Festival depicting the blossoming of love. During this sacred event, Swami and Amman are gorgeously decorated with jewels. With the Temple Elephant fanning the Divine Couple with Shamara grass, they are taken with great ceremony in Mahapradakshina round the sacred Mahila Maram (trees) within the Third Prakaram . . ." 

Gods seated under Paneer Mandapam located in the 3rd Prakaram

This is the Paneer Mandapam when not being utilised in Festivals

Sweet Rukku getting lots of exercise during the Festival functions each night

A Celesital Virgin Nympth (Gandharva Kanni) being sent down line from Gallery to sprinkle flowers on the Gods

The place on the Gallery from where the Gandharva Kannis are sent down

Gandharva Kanni reaches the Gods and sprinkles them with flowers from her bucket

Night Two: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

Below is a pictorial report of Night Two, of the 2016 Vasantha Urchavam. 

Lord Arunachaleswarar

Taking the God out of the Siva Sannidhi

Representation of a Gandharva Kanni (celestial virgin nymph) approaches the Lord with flowers

Gandharva Kanni carrying a bucket of flowers to offer the Lord

Rukku, is getting plenty of exercise promenading during the evening functions

Close up of Gandharva Kanni (celestial virgin nymph) carrying a bucket of flowers

Devotees high on the gallery in charge of the ropes and pulleys moving representation of the Gandharva Kanni

The evening function heralded by the sound of conch shells

Reading of Panchangam: Tamil New Year 2016

At the time of each Tamil New Year, the reading of the Panchangam (Tamil New Year's Almanac) occurs. This reading of the Almanac by senior Priest of Arunachaleswarar Temple is primarily in relation to the confirmation of Festival Dates at the Temple throughout the coming year. 

Priests near Flagstaff at Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Parvathamalai Archive of Blog Postings

In response to those requesting information about Parvathamalai, below are a list of my postings of this sacred place. I will enlarge this archive when I make new postings on the Hill.

Parvathamalai, which is located a short distance from Arunachala lies in its sacred powerful influence as stipulated in the Skanda Purana.

Temple on Summit of Parvathalamalai

Parvathamalai Hill and Temple 

[18 October 2014] 

Information about the Hill and Temple located on the summit. Legends and mythology connected with the Hill. 

Thavathiru Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal and Parvathamalai 

[October 27, 2014] Legend connected with the great saint who lived at Parvathamalai and performed a famous miracle at Tiruvannamalai. 

Arunachala from Summit of Parvathamalai

Parvathamalai—Girivalam, Accommodation, Routes: 

[22 March 2015] 

Details of how to climb Parvathamalai and information about accommodation both at the Hill base and on the summit. 

Parvathamalai Summit: 

[31 March 2015] 

Information about the summit of the Hill including mythology and legends associated with the Hill. 

Parvathamalai Girivalam: 

[21 February, 2017] 

Photographs and History of 25 km Parvathamalai girivalam path. Information about Temples and Accommodation on Girivalam. Hints and suggestions. 

2016 Arunachala Tamil New Year

The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine and Mandapam is located on the Arunachala girivalam roadway in an exact axial line opposite to Arunachaleswarar Temple on the other side of the Hill. 

The early morning sun on Tamil New Year i.e. April 14 (Puthandu Vazthukal) first falls directly onto the Lingam in this Shrine – this phenomenon can only be viewed on this day. Traditionally each year on this date, large crowds gather at this Temple to be first to greet the rays of Surya and seek divine blessings for the coming new year. 

The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine at daybreak April 14, 2016

First light of Tamil New Year shining on Lingam at Shrine

First Light Tamil New year 2016

Night One: Vasantha Urchavam 2016

Rukku presiding at first night of Function

The Gods on Palanquin being taken out of the Siva Sannidhi

Lord Arunachaleswarar

Gandharva Kanni (celestial virgin nymph) on strings being moved towards the Gods to shower flowers on them

Large crowd attended first night of Function

Chittirai Vasantha Urchavam Invitation 2016

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamamalai Chittirai Vasantha Urchavam 

Invitation From 12 April, 2016 Tuesday 

The 10 day Vasantha Urchavam Festival is going to occur at Arunachaleswarar Temple In regard to this  Monday, 11 April with Panchami Tithi with Rogini star 

Evening 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Sannidyar Ganesha Temple Puja Urchavam will start 


Right click Invitation below to view enlargement

Invitation to Vasantha Urchavam 2016

Day 1: 12.4.2016 Night: special puja 

Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7: Day 8: Day 9: Special Night Pujas 

Day 10: 21.4.2016 Thursday 

Morning: Iyyankulam Tank. Theertavari 

Night: Special puja at Gopala Vinayaka Temple (near Thrishul Hotel) 

Night: Temple Manmatha firing after 11 p.m. 

“Vasantha Utsavam is a ten day Festival depicting the blossoming of love. During this sacred event, Swami and Amman are gorgeously decorated with jewels. With the Temple Elephant fanning the Divine Couple with Shamara grass, they are taken with great ceremony in Mahapradakshina round the sacred Mahila Maram (trees) within the Third Prakaram – ten times every night for ten days = 100 times. 

On the third day of Vasantha Utsavam is the birth of Manmatha, also known as Kama the God of love (lust). Manmatha is depicted looking for Siva. 

At 9 p.m. on the fifth and eighth days the Temple lights are switched off so that the procession is in the dark. After going around the sacred Mahila Maram ten times the lights are switched back on to great rejoicing. 

Lord Shiva opens His third eye on the final days of the Festival and the burning of Manmatha takes place. 

During this sacred Festival the Jumbo Keswara Lingam, that is set in stone on the raised platform in the midst of the sacred trees is filled to capacity with water. Plants and flowers are placed to float inside the recess of the Lingam, appearing to make the Lingam levitate and blossom. 

Sri Appar Swami’s birthday takes place on Satyam Natchatram day. Sri Appar Swami is taken on a chariot round the Maha Veedi – Seventh Prakaram.” 

[The Light of Arunachaleswarar] 

Kamadeva: God of Love

The Story of Kama The God of Love 

“When Shakti became Parvati, daughter of the king of Himalayas, She was doing tapas for Lord Shiva. At the same time the great sages, the four sons of Brahma, Sanakar, Sanandanar, Santanar, Sanatkumarar came to Lord Shiva for enlightenment. The Lord gave them enlightenment in the form of Lord Dakshinamurti. Who are the cause as well as the energy for the whole world are into yoga, the whole world got more inclined to yoga and life sustenance was in trouble. 

Meanwhile the Devas, who were tortured by the Surapadma and his brothers Taraka, Simhamukha, knew that those demons can be killed only by the son of Lord Shiva and Shakti. Disappointed that both God and Goddess were doing yoga instead of marrying, they asked cupid to disturb the meditating Lord Shiva with his arrows in order to induce lust for Parvati. When desperation sets in, reasoning gets pushed down. Can the Supreme be induced with lust by anybody? The cupid refused since he knew that it would be fatal for him. But the other Devas threatened to curse him if he didn't obey. Saying that it is better to be killed by the God of gods than by the curses of Devas, he went with his wife, Rati, to the abode of Shiva where He was in meditation. 

The cupid shot the flower arrow on the Lord. The next moment the fire from the eye in the forehead of the Lord burnt the cupid. Undisturbed He continued His meditation. The cupid is of the reputation that his arrows never fail. But well, it can apply to others, can it be for the Almighty? His arrows were useless in front of the Lord and he too became just a heap of ash! 

Shocked by the death of cupid all the Devas realised their plots would not work out with God. They understood that only sincerity can get showers of His grace and any other pressure can have no affect upon the Lord. They surrendered themselves in front of the Lord and pleaded for mercy. The Lord forgave them and married Parvati and gave Subrahmanya for the destruction of the demons. On their request He also bring back to life Kama, however he would be visible only to his wife and not to others. Because of this reason Kamadeva is called ananga (one without limbs).” 

Tuesday, 5 April 2016: Arunachaleswarar Temple Pradosham

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are: 

Periya Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram Fifth Prakaram. 

Chinna Nandi, Fourth prakaram 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram 

Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Second Prakaram 

Pradosha Nandi, Moolastanam 

All of these five Temple Nandis receive abhishekam and aarti at Pradosham.

Periya Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Large crowds gather to celebrate Pradosham

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

Ratha Vilaku Nandi, 2nd Prakaram

After worship, Lord Arunachaleswarar is taken on circumambulation in the 3rd Prakaram

The Lord on circumambulation

Going around the 2nd and 1st Prakaram of Arunchaleswarar Temple