Arunachaleswarar Temple Lights: 2020 Karthigai Deepam Festival

 

 

Posting below a selection of photographs of the lights of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

 

 

 

2020 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Update

 

For information about the upcoming Karthigai Mahadeepam celebrations at Tiruvannamalai please read my earlier post links here and here.

Subsequent to these posts, here is additional information regarding the observance of the Festival. Entry to the Temple throughout the Festival (November 17-28, 2020) will only be allowed to ticketed devotees. If you wish to apply for a ticket please get in touch direct with Arunachaleswarar Temple at this link here.

No tickets will be available for November 29, the day of Karthigai Mahadeepam. Girivalam of the Hill is prohibited on November 29. Annadham will not be distributed on the day of the Festival.

Arunachaleswarar Temple is posting live streaming videos of functions at the Temple at their channel at this link here.

In addition live streaming functions at the Temple on the day of Karthigai Deepam, i.e. November 29 will also be available on their You Tube channel.

 

 

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple Pradosham November 12, 2020

 

When pradosham falls on Thursday it is known as Guru Pradosh—pradosham on this day is regarded as ideal for propitiating Lord Siva and getting wishes fulfilled. 

 

 

2020 Deepam Festivities at Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

 

After the relaxation of pandemic regulations, around 4,000 devotees have been daily visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple (however during their visit, devotees are not allowed to sit or stand anywhere inside the compound).

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple is currently working on a set of guidelines outlining celebrations inside Temple prakarams for the 2020 Karthigai Deepam. Such arrangements will include the procession of deities inside the Temple with a limited number of persons allowed inside to watch these functions.

 

The decision regarding the exact number of devotees allowed inside the Temple grounds during the Karthigai Deepam Festival is expected to be announced shortly.

 

Because of the ongoing Pandemic, Arunachala girivalam on the day of Karthigai (Sunday, November 29, 2020) is  banned. There will be no processions of the Gods around the Mada Vedhis (perimeter streets) on any of the Festival days.

 

Specifically regarding November 29, 2020 MahaDeepam inside the Temple (both in the early morning and evening) will be observed but open ONLY to special invitees, VIPs, Donors and those connected with the Temple. The lighting of MahaDeepam on top of Arunachala will occur but only participants and special invitees will be allowed to the summit of the Holy Hill.

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple has created a You Tube channel which broadcasts live streaming of certain functions inside the Temple Compound. One of these functions is Pradosham pujas performed at Periya Nandi inside the Temple Fifth Prakaram. 

 

Periya Nandi Puja, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple

  

In previous years, a number of TV channels have broadcasted Karthigai Deepam festivities. This year, Arunachaleswarar Temple will also be live streaming Karthigai Deepam festivities.

Their channel is at this link here.

 

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple Tour: November 2020

 

 

We are currently creating a 1.5 hour video of Arunachala Girivalam. The video starts with this tour of Arunachaleswarar Temple. It is expected that the complete Girivalam video will be posted on Arunachala Grace later in the month.

Arunachala Karthigai 2020 Information

 

Information has been released that girivalam of Arunachala on the day of Karthigai (Sunday, November 29, 2020) will be banned because of the ongoing Pandemic. 

There will be no processions of the Gods around the Mada Vedhis (perimeter streets) on any of the Festival days. The observation of MahaDeepam inside the Temple (both in the early morning and evening) will be observed but will be open only to special invitees, VIPs, Donors and those connected with the Temple. The lighting of the MahaDeepam on top of Arunachala will occur but only participants and special invitees will be allowed to the summit of the Holy Hill.

It is expected that Bharani and Karthigai Deepam will be live streamed from the Temple on Sunday, November 29, 2020. We hope to provide links in order that you may access Live Stream programmes.

Will update on this blog when new information is provided. Currently devotees are allowed inside the Temple Grounds, it is not yet known what regulations will be set in place regarding visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple during the 10 day Festival. At this time there is a stall outside the Raja Gopuram, East Gate, of the Temple which is the Donation Centre for Deepam Ghee.

 

Deepam Ghee Donation Center Raja Gopuram, Big Temple

Annabishegam Big Temple: Friday October 30, 2020

 

On Friday October 30, 2020  Annabishegam took place at the Kalyana Sundareswar Shrine located in the Temple's Fifth Prakaram.

 

Significance of Rice Puja

Aippasi (the sixth month of the Tamil solar calendar) begins with the Sun's entry into Libra (Thula Rasi). When the Moon is in the constellation of Ashwini Nakshatra on the full-moon day, that month is denoted as Aippasi Masam. The duration of the day and night time is equal during this month, hence it is named as Thula masa—thula means balance (weighing scale). 

During the month of Aippasi on Ashwini Star, as declared by Lord Shiva puja is performed with cooked rice and rice food items. Rice cultivation has existed in South India since 1400 BC. Details about rice have been found in the Yajur Veda and is frequently referred to in many Sanskrit texts. Rice is often directly associated with prosperity and fertility and therefore it is customary used during weddings and other religious ceremonies. 

 

 As by Lord Siva’s words: 

“I myself like this food as it gives energy to the whole Universe and goodness to all. Do puja to me with this food and don’t forget food is my special roopam (i.e. form).” 

As per the Agama Sastra, on paurnami day (full-moon) when it coincides with Ashwini Nakshatra during the month of Aippasi, offering rice annam to Lord Shiva will help yield good crop production, promote economic progress and thus help with the development of the nation. 

Hence Annabishekam (special abishekam with cooked rice) an annual affair during the full moon day of the Tamil Month Aippasi was performed this year on Friday October 30, 2020 at the Kalyana Sundareswarar Shrine at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Girivalam, Chitra Pournami: May 7, 2020

 

I recently found the below video on You Tube. The video, which lasts 28 minutes is of Girivalam performed on the day of Chitra Pournami, May 7, 2020. 

Its interesting to note that in other years, Chitra Pournami is always the second most attended Girivalam of the year—and only comes after the huge number of devotees of Karthigai Deepam in volume. 

Its an informative video that shows alot of the recent roadworks, new construction, and Temple renovations along the girivalam roadway. 

 

 

Arunachala Jigsaw Puzzles and Kolams

Have uploaded a new section onto the website Arunachala Samudra entitled "arts and crafts". The first offering is nine jigsaw puzzles of Arunachala scenes. 

The second offering is a history of Kolams (Rangoli in North India) and a page of 13 instructive animations showing, step by step how to make Kolams. 

Hope you enjoy.

Nine jigsaw puzzles on the Arunachala Samudra Website

13 Kolams. Animated kolam on left, completed pattern on right

Shirdi Sai Baba Bhajans at Tiruvannamalai

As well as the reopening of Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai, a number of other spiritual venues have also opened their doors to devotees. In this regard Shirdi Sai Baba bhajans at the venue of a mandapam next to Durga Amman Temple, started their Thursday Bhajan sessions on September 3rd. 

The photos below are of their Thursday September 10, Bhajan session. I would expect as people start getting used to moving about again, there will be a larger presence at these Bhajan sessions, which previous to the start of the pandemic in March, used to far exceed the mandapam's capacity. 

Currently there are two Shirdi Sai Baba Temples at Tiruvannamalai, both located on the left side of the girivalam roadway near Surya Lingam and Varuna Lingam. 

Photographs of Arunachaleswarar Temple Compound, September 2020

Below is a series of photographs displaying the current precautions being taken at Arunachaleswarar Temple now that it has been reopened after a shutdown of 165 days. 

At this time it is not possible to wander about the Temple compound, and barriers have been set up from the East Gate, Raja Gopuram all the way to the Moolasthana on the West Side. 

As things develop, hope to post more information and photographs. 

Raja Gopuram from outside Temple Compound

Health precautions at entry point

Restriction on number of devotee entering Temple Compound

Barriers set up from entry point

Devotees not allowed to wander around the Temple Compound

September Arunachala Girivalam

The below photographs were taken of the girivalam pathway on the day of the September 2020 full moon. As the situation has relaxed at Arunachaleswarar Temple, one also hopes to hear of a more relaxed attitude towards girivalam. Will post updates on this as news filters out. 

For now its just heart warming to take darshan (even if just by photograph) of the green and inviting girivalam roadway. 

Arunachaleswarar Temple Re-Opens

Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai opened again on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. 

Due to restrictions imposed because of the health pandemic, the Temple had been closed to devotees for 165 days since March 20, 2020. 

Even though the Temple was open and devotees allowed entry, flags were not hoisted and a special full moon puja was not conducted. 

This month has also seen relaxation of Arunachala girivalam restrictions, with the government allowing buses to carry pilgrims travelling to Tiruvannamalai. 

Arunachaleswarar Temple reopens

Happy Ganesha Chaturthi

Wish best wishes to you and your loved ones at this joy-filled time of Ganesha Chaturthi. In celebration of this day, I have uploaded a beautiful photograph of Rukku, who was Temple Elephant for many years at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

She was a beautiful soul, and I pray the last Elephant ever to be called upon to serve at the Arunachala Temple.

Lovely Rukku

Turning the Mind Inward

Talks with Sri Ramana

Talk 213

30 June 1936

Mr. B.C. Das asked why the mind cannot be turned inward in spite of repeated attempts.

Maharshi:

It is done by practice and dispassion and  that succeeds only gradually. The mind, having been so long a cow accustomed to graze stealthily on others’ estates, is not easily confined to the stall. However much her keeper tempts her with luscious grass and fine fodder, she refuses the first time; then she  takes a bit; but her innate tendency to stray away asserts itself; and she slips away; on being repeatedly tempted by the owners, she accustoms herself to the stall; finally even if let loose she would not stray away. Similarly with the mind; If once it finds its inner happiness, it will not wander outward.

Arunachala Jigsaw Puzzle

Below is a jigsaw puzzle of Arunachala which you might enjoy resolving. I will soon be posting a Jigsaw Page comprised of a number of similar puzzles on the Arunachala Samudra Website.

Rare Portrait of Sri Rama

Today I received a copy of a unique picture of Sri Rama and the request to pass along the below message. Today Wednesday August 5, 2020 marks the day Bhoomi Puja was performed and a foundation stone laid at the Ram Temple Site, Ayodhya.

Interview with Sri Nannagaru

I recently discovered this gem of an interview conducted with Sri Nannagaru shortly before his Samadhi in December 2017. The interview is in English and is probably one of the last such interviews given by Sri Nannagaru.

2020 Aadi Puram Valaikappu Festival: Arunachaleswarar Temple

At Arunachaleswarar Temple (as in other Saiva Temples) the day of July 24, 2020 was celebrated as the Valaikappu festival for Ambal. On this day glass bangles were offered to Ambal and later distributed to devotees. The bangles (the sound of which) are believed to provide children and protect from all evil.