2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 3. Night—Shima Vahana

During this 10-day Arunachala Karthigai Festival, the panchamoorthies are daily taken out in procession and circumambulation of the mada veedhis around Arunachaleswarar Temple. Sometimes, the Deity is shown mounted on or riding the vahana, while at other times, the vahana is shown by the Deity’s side. Many times, this vahana (vehicle) represents and symbolises a Divine attribute and even though the vahana appears to be independent, it is actually part and parcel of the Deity’s presence and has an meaning to it. 

In the case of the Lord on the Simha (lion) vehicle; the creature represents lordly power in general and lordly power of wild beasts in particular. The lion is regarded as a Royal beast and thus represents the best in animal creation. However it may also represent greed for food and hence greed for other objects of enjoyment, which invariably leads to lust. The Lord mounted on this Simha vahana represents His ascendancy and control of animal instincts manifested in the human being. 

The lion is an archetypal symbol for the golden-rayed sun, the lord of the day, whose appearance kills the demonic forces of the night. The lion has always been important in Indian mythology as it symbolises the solar and luminous principle of life and knowledge. 

The lion also expresses the heroism and prowess necessary to defeat asuric forces and represents the heroism and strength required to enter the spiritual path. 

Panchamoorthies giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam

The Lord mounted on Shima (lion) Vahana in procession on Temple perimeter streets

The Lord mounted on His Shima Vahana on Thiruvoodal Street (one of the mada veedhi streets)

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 3. Morning—Bootha Vahana

On the morning of Day 3 of the 2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival, Lord Chandrasekhara on the Bootha Vahana. 

Vinayaka leading procession through 5th Prakaram

Lord Chandrasekhara being carried towards Thitti Vassal gateway

Lord leaving Temple via the Thitti Vassal gateway

Lord Chandrasekhara

Brahmin priests adorning the Lord

Bhoota Vahana before recent make-over

Bhootha Vahanam with impressive panchalogam covering

Lord giving darshan outside Alankaram Mandapam

Starting procession of circumambulation of mada veedhis

Tractor pulling float with Lord Chandrasekhara on Bhootha Vahana

Lord Chandrasekhara preceded by Vinayaka on Rat Vahana

Lord Vinayaka with lovely Rukku in background

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Night—Indira Vahana

At Arunachala, Indra has a special significance as he associated with the Asta Lingam with the cardinal direction of east. The Indra lingam is dominated by the Navagrahas, Lord Surya and Lord Shukra (Venus). Devotees are blessed with long life and prosperity on worshipping the Indra lingam. 

Indra is the King of the Gods and ruler of the heavens. He is the God of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He wields a lightning thunderbolt known as the vajra, rides on a white elephant known as Airavata and also has a golden chariot drawn by ten thousand horses. 

The formidable thunderbolt-wielding Indra strikes an imposing figure but as king of the Gods he is generally benevolent, being generous to his worshippers, guaranteeing peace and prosperity and delivering beneficial rainstorms to end droughts. He can also be called upon in times of war to give support with his divine weapons and favourable intervention. 

Adorning the Lord on his Indra Chariot Vahana

Panchamoorthies giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam

Indira Vahana

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Sugarcane Cradles

There are a number of Temples in Tamil Nadu at which parents pray and make a vow that they may bear a child. In such Temples, one can see wooden and cloth cradles hanging from trees as representative of a vrata (vow) between the parent and the Deity that their wish of progeny might be fulfilled. 

Boon cradles hanging from branches of our own Mahila Maramas in the Temple's Third Parakam

Often the parent vows to complete an austerity or ceremony if the Lord grants their boon. One such ceremony is for the parent to carry the child (once born) on circumambulation of the Temple in a sugarcane cradle. 

It used to be that on the tenth and final day of Karthigai Deepam, one used to see a small number of parents carrying such cradles around the perimeter streets (mada veedhis) of Arunachaleswarar Temple. But nowadays not just on the tenth and final day, but on everyday one may see large numbers of happy parents carry their child in such a homage.

Child being carried inside a sari cradle hanging from sugar canes

Sugar cane with cotton sari cradle

Stacks of sugarcane available on the side of the streets for happy parents

Car Street with lots of activity and milling devotees

This family are in the Temple Compound in front of Periyar Nandi, Fifth Prakaram

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Morning—New Mahadeepam Cauldron

On the morning of the 2nd day of the 2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival, the new cauldron was brought to the Alankaram Mandapam for puja and aarti and to be viewed by eager devotees. 

After which the new Cauldron was pulled by tractor around the Mada Veedhis (perimeter streets surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple). 

To view photographs of the Cauldron whilst being made, go to this earlier link here. 

New Arunachala Cauldron

2016 Arunachala Mahadeepam Cauldron

Puja and aarti was performed on Cauldron in front of Alankaram Mandapam

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Morning—Surya Perai Vahana

On the morning of Day Two of the Karthigai Festival, Surya Perai is the Vahana for the Lord. Surya is the representation of Fire (or Agni) and the fourth element of the Panchabhutas. The essential character of Fire is to generate heat and according to Hindu Mythology, Agni is one of the Eight Guardians that guard our Universe (known as Asta-dik-palakas). 

During each procession the panchamoorthies are seated on their respective Vahana. The word “Vahana” denotes “that which carries, that which pulls” and signifies the mount of the God. The mount represents a Divine attribute associated with the God. 

Sun God at Arunachala 

On the advice of Brahma, Bhaskara (i.e. the Sun-God) who is a mass of refulgence but who was harassed by Asuras, devoutly worshipped the Lord of Arunachala. 

After plunging into the sanctifying pure Tirtha created by Brahma, he circumambulated Arunachala, the Lord himself. 

After gaining victory over all the Daityas and (the privilege of) circumambulating Meru, he gained supreme refulgence that destroys the brilliance of enemies. [Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 32-34] 

Aditya whose shape was formed by Tvastr blazed with brilliance. The Lord of Planets attempted to cross Sonadri. The horses of his chariot lost their power and became tired. Due to the refulgence of Sonadri he became devoid of glory. Even with all the attempted motion of the possessor of cluster of rays (i.e. Sun), he became unable to go to the heaven. On the advice of Brahma he propitiated Arunachala. When the Lord was pleased, he obtained the path of the sky and splendid horses. 

Ever since then the Sun never crosses the mountain named Sona but goes circumambulating him. 

[Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 45-49a] 

Arunachala is replete with mythology connected with the Surya, the Sun God. To find out more about Surya’s connection with the Hill, go to this earlier posting at this link here. 

Lord Ganesha to lead procession seated on His Rat Vahana

Preparing the Surya Vahana at the Alankaram Mandapam

After giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam, the Lord on Surya (preceded by Ganesha) start on their circumambulation of the mada veedhis

The Lord on his resplendent Surya Vahana

Proceeding along the mada veedhis (perimeter Temple streets)

Ganesha on Rat Vahana and the Lord on Surya Perai Vahana

2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 1. Evening—Athikara Nandi Vahana Preparations

In an earlier post, at this link here, I posted photographs of the evening of Day 1 of the 2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival of the Lord on His Athikara Nandi Vahana. But between the Gods in the Temple and their triumphant procession on the Mada Veedhis of Arunachaleswarar Temple, there are many steps and preparations. Some of which are described in a pictorial report below. 

The panchamoorties receiving aarti in front of the Siva Shrine in Temple

Musicians play traditional Indian Temple music during ceremonies inside the 3rd Prakaram

The unadorned Athikara Nandi Vahana awaits inside the Alankaram Mandapam, outside the Raja Gopuram gate

Sequence here is repeated throughout the Festival. The Lord at right of photographs is being transferred from His palanquin to the Athikara Nandi Vahana

Heavy exertion by young devotees is required to transfer the Lord on His palanquin to the Vahana

Inch by inch the Lord is brought to his Vahana

The God is in position on his Vahana, and the young men slowly disengage the palanquin poles

Bit by bit ornaments, accouterments and lights are added to the Vahana

This whole process takes place in the Alankaram Mandapam and only when all preparations are complete, will the God be brought out to the front of the Mandapam to give darshan

Unadorned Annapakshi (mythological bird) Vahana earlier in the afternoon waits to be transported to the Alankaram Mandapam, where it will be adored as Vahana of the Sakthi Goddess

Goddess on decorated Vahana ready to accompany the Lord on His Athikara Nandi Vahana

The Lord on the Athikara Nandi Vahana now to be moved to the front of the Alankaram where all the panchamoorthies will give darshan to devotees

The panchamoorthies accompanied by stirring music start their circumambulation of the mada veedhis

Devotees watch the start of the procession