13 November 2016

2016 Pavala Kundru Mahakumbhabhishekam Preparations


Kumbhabhishekam is a ritual that is believed to homogenize, synergise 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).

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. In the case of the Pavala Kundru Temple, this ritual was performed after completion of major renovation work. The below photographs are of preparations prior to this Mahakumbhabhishekam.


Temporary railings installed on side of steps leading to the Hillside Temple

Railings extending all the way to the top of the Hillock

Devotees climbing to the Temple

Preparations outside the Temple's major shrine room

Scaffolding around Lord Nandi in preparation of consecration of Vimana on top of Shrine

Renovation and painting throughout

View of Tiruvannamalai from Temple

View of Arunachaleswarar Temple from Pavala Kundru

Tent for Yagasala erected adjacent to Temple



Consecration rites extend over several days, with the main ones taking place in the shamian (tent) erected adjacent to the Shrine. The tent becomes a Yagasala, a “House of the Fire Offerings,” where rites of consecration are performed at specially constructed altars. 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 of the Temple 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. 

After the consecration of the Vimanas on top of the Temple, worship is then specifically performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum in which further pranic powers are transferred to the Deities 


Inside the Yagasala



Scaffolding around the Vimanas which will be bathed (consecrated) on the final day of ceremonies. 




Pavala Kundru sits on a hillock which is a spur of Arunachala


To view photographs of the actual Mahakumbhabhishekam ceremony go to this earlier link here

11 November 2016

National Green Tribunal approves conditional work on Girivalam path


[The below posting gives information about the current situation of the widening of the Arunachala Girivalam Pathway. The information is abridged from postings in The Indian Express and The Hindu]. 


As the 2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival begins at the end of this month, the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday November 8, 2016 passed an interim order permitting ‘conditional’ works to be conducted by the Highway Department which do not involve the further cutting of any trees. 

The National Green Tribunal Bench has partly accepted the report of the two-member Committee but its recommendations in connection with tree felling and road widening have been set aside. 

The Bench has banned asphalting of the right side of the girivalam road on stretch 1, which faces the sacred hill, but has allowed widening on the left side, which faces the town. The interim order states, “Install a pavement and demarcate it exclusively for pedestrians. The left side can be widened, subject to the condition that local residents are given space to walk around.” 

The Highway Department has been permitted to continue road improvement works on stretch 5 as per the original proposal since the area is already fully urbanised. The other three stretches — 2, 3 and 4 — are ecologically sensitive areas on which the Highway Department officials had previously proposed cutting 65 trees. 

The Committee told the Tribunal, having been informed about the presence of certain endangered species along the road, that further scrutiny is required to find alternatives to widening the road. 

The National Green Tribunal Bench has allowed the Highway Department to carry out a few urgent works on stretches 2 and 3. This includes that the cement foundation laid in the drainage channel which was excavated on the right side of stretch 2 be removed and filled to safeguard trees and pilgrims. 

On stretch 3, the compound wall of Manikavasagar Temple, which was encroaching the road, has been ordered to be removed. Based upon the Committee’s recommendations, the Temple authorities have agreed to this proposal. 


National Green Tribunal Recommendations: 

Encroachments to be removed:  The removal of encroachments along all stretches of the Girivalam Roadway. However, permission should be given to vendors during the festive season as long as it does not affect the movement of pedestrians 

Lighting:  LED lights to be placed at intervals on the whole of the 14 km Girivalam Roadway. 

Protection of water bodies: The interim order says that no water body should be affected under the guise of development or anything else. No culverts should be damaged by anyone, including the District Administration 

Religious Structures to be preserved: Temples and other religious structures along the Girivalam path should be protected. All mechanisms to safeguard them should be provided 


--- oOo --- 


Importance of retaining Arunachala’s traditional water system 

Mr. V.R. Visweswaran, a water resource expert, recently visited Tiruvannamalai to assess the kind of impact the Girivalam path widening project may have on local water systems. He explained Arunachala has a structural feature of fissures and joints in archean rock formation that allows natural recharge and flow of rain water. 

Water flowing from Hill on rainy season


The rain water flows into streams on all sides of the pyramidal slopes of the Hill and thereupon fills innumerable tanks, ponds and theerthams around the hill. The water ultimately reaches irrigation tanks in the plains and benefits farmers while recharging the water table en route. 





The rulers of the past who had great knowledge of the Hill’s hydraulic structure, provided storage for the waters flowing from it. Mr. Visweswaran counselled that the hydraulic structures and courses of flow should not be disturbed or altered and that altering the water course would affect the recharge of ground water and water available for irrigation. He said,“Tiruvannamalai is a region that survives with low rainfall and every drop of water is important here. Hence preserving water via harvesting structures constructed brilliantly centuries ago is important.” 


Ayyankulam Tank in centre of Tiruvannamalai

Any road project should be executed after studying the hydraulic structure of the area and water flows. Utmost care should be taken not to divert or destroy water courses. Raising road levels indiscriminately would affect water flows. When asked about the plans of the Highway Department to dig new drainage, he said “any new channel, drainage and diversion of original courses without a scientific approach will result in water flowing into wrong areas which have no fissures for water to percolate.” 

2016 Karthigai Deepam at Arunachala


Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Tirukovil 
Tiruvannamalai 
Thirukarthigai Deepam Festival 2016 



Arunachala Deepam Cauldron in daytime during earlier Festival



30 November, 2016 
Wednesday Night: Durgai Amman Urchavam 

1 December, 2016 
Thursday Night: Pidari Amman Urchavam 

2 December, 2016 
Friday Night: Vinayaka Urchavam 

3 December, 2016 
Saturday Morning (early): 7.15 to 8.30. Flag Hoisting 
Morning (late): Panchamoorthy Silver Vimana procession 
Night: Athigara Nandi Vahana 

4 December, 2016 
Sunday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Surya Perai Vahanam Night: Silver Indira Vahanam 

5 December, 2016 
Monday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Bootha Vahanam 
Night: Shima Vahanam 

6 December, 2016 
Tuesday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Naga Vahanam 
Night: Kamadhenu and Virikpaksha 

7 December, 2016 
Wednesday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Rishabam 
Night: Big Silver Rishabam 

8 December, 2016 
Thursday Morning: Elephant with 63 Nayanars 
Night: Silver chariot 

9 December, 2016 
Friday: Maharadham 

10 December, 2016 
Saturday Morning: Chandrasekhara on Horse 
Evening: Pichandavar 
Late Night: Big Horse 

11 December, 2016 
Sunday Morning: Chandrasekhara on Purusha Meruga Vahanam 
Night: Kailasha (Ravana) Vahanam 

12 December, 2016 
Monday Early morning: 4 a.m. Bharani Deepam 
Evening: 6 p.m. Mahadeepam 
Late Night: Golden Rishaba Vahanam 

13 December, 2016 
Tuesday Night: 9 p.m. Chandrasekahra Theepal, Ayyankulam Tank 

14 December, 2016 
Wednesday Morning: Arunachaleswarar girivalam 
Night: 9 p.m. Parashakthi Theepal, Ayyankulam Tank 

15 December, 2016 
Thursday Night: Subramanian Theepal, Ayyankulam Tank 

16 December 2016 
Friday Night: Vinayaka and Chandikeshwara Theepal 



2016 Deepam Programme in Tamil


7 November 2016

2016 Pavala Kundru Temple at Arunachala -- Mahabhishekam



The Pavala Kundru (i.e. Jewel of the Hill) Temple has a fascinating history which starts with the legend of Goddess Parvati and her time on the Hill whilst performing tapas. I have made a number of postings of the famed Pavala Kundru Temple at Arunachala. To read some of its history and view a short video of aarti at the Temple, go to this link here.


Amman Ammani Gopuram, Big Temple. Pavala Kundru on spur right of photograph


Older photograph of Pavala Kundru Temple on Coral Hill, Arunachala spur


To find out more about the invasion of Tiruvannamalai by Tippu Sultan and the role of the Temple during that time, go to this link here.

One of the most unique features of the current Temple is that there is both the Pavalagiriswarar Lingam and a statue of Ardhanariswarar are in the Shrine room. 

Today November 7, 2016 Mahakumbhabhishekam was performed at the Pavala Kundru Temple. Photos below. 



2016 Pavala Kundru Mahakumbhabhishekam 




Arunachala in background




6 October 2016

2016 Navaratri Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram


One very fascinating aspect of the Navaratri Festival, is the Kolu (Tamil = Golu) which means “Divine Presence”. This celebration incorporates the exhibition or display of dolls and figurines at home and in some cases at Ashrams and public halls. 

Below are 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, life and legends of various Gods and Goddesses. 


Devotees visiting the 2016 Ashram Kolu Display

Gods and Saints ranged on tiered platforms
  
Section dedicated to the story of Krishna

Various leelas and legends of the Krishna Avatar

All the displays have been loving and carefully created

Vishwarupa Dharsanam of the Bhagavad Gita
 
The Five Pancha Bootha Sthalams

From left to right the five pancha bhoota sthalams: 

Kanchipuram 
Thiruvanaikaval 
Tiruvannamalai 
Kalahasthi 
Chidambaram 


Section dedicated to the Six Abodes of Lord Murugan

Lord Murugan is much beloved in these parts and in the Kolu Display there is a special section dedicated to His six abodes. 

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 the history of Yogi Ramasuratkumar

Yogi Ramsuratkumar's Ashram

Blessed Arunachala


[Photographs courtesy of Mr. Hari Prasad]
 

There is so much more to see than what I have posted. As always the Navratri Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram has been created with great love and devotion. If you are either living at Tiruvannamalai, or visiting at this time, do please visit this wonderful and inspirational Display.

2016 Navaratri Alangarams at Tiruvannamalai


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 2016 nine day Festival of Navratri started on Saturday, October 1st and will complete on Sunday, October 9th, 2016. 

A legend explaining the origin of Navratri is that 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. 

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 during the first five days of Navratri at: Arunachaleswarar Temple, Durga Amman Temple, and Kamakshi Amman Temple. 


Parakshakthi Amman at Arunachaleswarar Temple


Aarti is offered to the Goddess


Goddess Gajalakshmi


Goddess Gajalakshmi is offered aarti


Goddess at Tiruvannamalai Shakti Temple

Goddess at Tiruvannamalai


Goddess on Kamadhenu at Durga Amman Temple


10 September 2016

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2016: Immersion


Many devotees use their own or local tanks and ponds for immersioin of their family statues of Lord Ganesha. But for the bigger, public statues, the major tank for immersion is at Tamari Nagar, which is located a short distance from the Big Temple. 

Previously the occasion was very thrilling with never-ending columns of gigantic Ganeshas coming down main thoroughfares in carts and carriers on their way to Tamari Nagar tank. However nowadays a new system has been introduced and groups with large Ganeshas are given a specific time to bring their statue to the Tank for immersion. 

The immersion occurred on Wednesday, September 7, 2016. 


Boys bringing their Ganesha for immersion

Larger Ganeshas need a little extra help!

Up he goes
A statue of Lord Ganesha in Tamari Nagar Tank

Tamari Nagar tank with Arunachala in background

Statues beginning to back up for immersion

Lord Ganesha ready for immersion

In He goes

Lord Anjaneya with Lord Ganesha aloft coming for immersion

Constant stream of statues going into the Tank

Immersion complete for 2016, getting ready for 2017


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


Important Information

Don't want to be a killjoy at such a happy celebratory time, but remember that immersion of toxic statues into our community water bodies (the most popular dunking ground in Tiruvannamalai during this season is the Tamari Nagar tank in the Housing Board) affects us all and will impair our health and our children's health. 

Think before purchasing eco-unfriendly statues in future that are destined to be immersed in a water body. To find out more about this, go to an earlier post at this link here