Photographs 2014 Mahashivaratri Big Temple

The below photographs are a short pictorial record of part of the 2014 Mahashivaratri Festival as observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. As tradition dictates, in the daytime of Mahashivaratri (this year February 27) ladies created beautiful kolams (also known as rangolis) on the floors of the Temple Compound which depicted scenes from the history and mythology of Lord Shiva. 

Outside Unnamulai Shrine, Big Temple

I assumed that the pictures were created in coloured kolam powder, but learnt yesterday that all the kolams at the Temple were made using rock crystal salt. Found the fact surprising as always assumed that salt is regarded as inauspicious during Festivals. But this doubt was easily brushed away by the assurances of several ladies (connected with the kolams) that its just fine to use rock salt as it makes the pictures nice and shiny. Oh! well that's alright then!

Five Face Siva Kolam, Big Temple

Later on around 6 p.m. of the 2014 Mahashivaratri celebrations, the gates to the Temple tank were opened to allow devotees to place and light their deepam clay pots around the perimeter of the tank. The tank gates stayed open till about 9 p.m. But it wasn't just around the Temple Tank that one could observe the small deepam lights, as little ghee deepam pots were twinkling everywhere throughout the Temple compound.

Brahma Teertham, 2014 Mahashivaratri, Big Temple

Line waiting to enter Third Prakaram through Kili Gopuram

The Temple was packed with devotees. I arrived with friends at about eight in the evening. The devotional programmes were already underway in the open air auditorium in front of which a long and densely packed line of devotees waited in turn to climb up the stairway of the Kili Gopuram (parrot tower) and thus enter the Third Prakaram with its Annamalaiyar and Unnamulaiamman Shrines. Very tasty rice dishes were available for purchase near the auditorium and with the easy availability of drinking water, one felt very comfortable and well taken care of. 

Crowd milling around the Fourth Prakaram, Big Temple

Finally we made it into the Third Prakaram, and I was eager to view the special Lingam at the Mahila Maram Sacred Trees located at the side of the Siva Sannidhi. Four round pillars and statues of Dakshinamurthi stand close the Linga and I was disappointed that the pedestal base of the Lingam was not filled with water (as occurs during the Vasantha Utasavam Festival). As I had heard that when the Lingam pedestal is filled with water, it appears that the Lingam is floating. 

Lingam under the the sacred trees

Four Kala Pujas (see my earlier posting at this link here) would occur inside the Shiva Sannidhi during the night of Mahashivaratri. My friends and I didn't even attempt to secure access to any of the pujas. However we did walk around the First Prakaram to view the Lingodbhavamurti which is (as all Shiva Temples) located at the back of the Lord Shiva Shrine room. The puja was scheduled for midnight, and it was only 8.45 p.m. when we walked around, but already all spots facing the Lingodbhavamurti had been taken by devotees  happy to sit and wait for the commencement of the special abhishekam  scheduled to start 2 1/4 hours later.

After circumambulating the First Prakaram, we walked to the Unnamulaiamman Shrine, which was also peopled by large crowds of devotees. Many devotees were lighting ghee deepams close to the Navagraham (nine celestial bodies) Shrine. 

Near Navagraham Shrine, Unnamulaiamman Temple

2014 Mahashivaratri, Lord Shiva and Goddess with Ganesha and Murugan

During Mahashivaratri the marriage of Lord Siva is also celebrated. Below is an extract from the Vamana Purana describing the Lord in a procession with his ganas and retinue proceeding to the site of the marriage. 

“Lord Vishnu, Brahma, the deities and the Ganas were pleased to hear about Shiva's marriage. Lord Shiva went to his abode Kailash Mountain to make preparations for the marriage ceremony. 

Lord Shiva's marriage procession proceeded towards Himalaya Mountain. His appearance was quite terrifying with a tiger skin around his waist and Gorochan Tilak on his forehead. He had a garland of skulls around his neck. Snakes were coiling all around his body. His mount Vrishabh (ox) was walking in a majestic way. The marriage procession comprised of the deities, Yakshas, demons and his Ganas. Lord Vishnu had Goddess Lakshmi by his side and was mounted on Garud (eagle) while Lord Brahma was mounted on Hans (swan) . . ."

[Vamana Purana] 

Lord Siva in marriage procession

Lord Siva and Goddess Meenakshi Kolam at big Temple

If I am able to secure photographs of the Lingodbhavamurti puja, will post later on so please check back. 

2014 Arunachala Mahashivaratri

For those wishing to attend the Mahashivaratri Function at Arunachaleswarar Temple this year, the Temple will be open throughout the night. Crowds will be big so unless you have arranged permission to attend the pujas being conducted inside the Siva Sannidhi, best to be satisfied enjoying being inside the Temple Compound, viewing the exquisite rangolis on the floors, lighting a Deepam jyothi on the steps of the Temple tank and enjoying the excellent devotional dancing and singing at the Temple auditorium. 

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai 

Mahashivaratri Festival Celebration 

Invitation Thursday February 27th, 2014.  

Below is a copy of the Temple Invitation, listing the full programme with a short English translation.

Details of the programmes in the Temple Auditorium on the evening of Thursday 27th February, 2014 and early morning of Friday 28th February, 2014. 

Timing:

6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Devaram poems with music 

7.05 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Kalaratna Bharatnatyam Dance Group (Chennai) 

8.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Sri Krishna Kalamandhir (Vellore) Bharatnatyam Dance Group 

9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Sri Nithi Bharatnatyam Dance Group (Tiruvannamalai) 

10.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. Banaka Bharatnatyam Dance Group (Bangalore) 

11.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. Saxophone music of devotional songs by Sivanandan Group (Chennai) 

Mahashivaratri Night Puja Programme 

1st Kala Puja 8.30 p.m. February 27 

2nd Kala Puja 11.00 p.m. February 27 

3rd Kala Puja 2.00 a.m. February 28 

4th Kala Puja 4.00 a.m. February 28 

Night of Mahashivaratri February 27-28 at 12 midnight 

Commencement of the Sri Lingodbhavamurti (at back of Siva Sannidhi) Special Abhishekam 

King Vallalan and Pallikonda Pattu

King Vallalan was an ardent Saivite and during his stays in Tiruvannamalai made many improvements to the Arunachaleswarar Temple. Tiruvannamalai was near the geographical centre of his empire and this encouraged him to make protracted stays there, particularly after the destruction of Dwarasamudra. 

Vallala Gopuram, Arunachaleswarar Temple

It seems that during the last fifteen years of his reign he was constantly in residence at Tiruvannamalai. 

King Vallalan, Arunachaleswarar Temple

In a concluding verse on King Vallalan in the Arunachala Puranam, Lord Siva undertakes to perform King Vallalan’s funeral rites for him, a task which is normally performed by the son of the deceased. The promise is still remembered in Tiruvannamalai and each year King Vallalan’s funeral is re-enacted to commemorate the event. 

The Lord on his way to river

In the month of Masi the Temple priests read out the news of King Vallalan’s death to Arunachaleswarar. Then the image is carried in procession to the village of Pallikonda Pattu, about three kilometres from Tiruvannamalai, for the performance of the King’s annual sraddha rites. 

Puja at riverbank

Pallikonda Pattu

The connection between Pallikonda Pattu and the life and death of King Vallalan is no longer known. It is unlikely that he lived there since his palace is thought to have been located about a mile to the east of the main Temple. Until about a hundred years ago the last remains of what was reputed to be his palace could still be seen there, but around the turn of the century the land was levelled and cultivated and the railway line from Villupuram to Tirupathi now runs across the site. 

Kuthu Velaku Puja, Kalayana Mandapam, Big Temple

Around January 14 each year marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai. As Thai is regarded as an auspicious period, each Friday of the month is celebrated with special pujas in many Temples in Tamil Nadu. 

On the third Friday of Thai month, Kuthu Velaku Puja is performed at Arunachaleswarar Koil here at Tiruvannamalai. This year the date for the Puja fell on January 31, 2014. 

The below photographs are of ladies performing their individual pujas in the Kalyana Mandapam which is located in the Third Prakaram opposite the Siva Sannidhi. 

January 28 Pradosham, Big Temple

Below are several photographs of the Tuesday, January 28, 2014 Pradosham performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Big Nandi

Flagpost outside Siva Sannidhi

Large crowds attend all Pradoshams at Big Temple

Animal Sanctuary at Arunachala

I visited the Arunachala Animal Sanctuary and Rescue Shelter today to check up on the two baby squirrels I wrote about in a recent posting at this link here. The progress of the squirrels is uneven, they both have their eyes open but one of the babies is plumper and healthier than the other.

In the above photograph Doctor Raja (in the plaid shirt) and Raja a long term and much valued attendant at the Shelter are feeding the little squirrels with a dampened wad of tissue soaked in milk. I asked Dr. Raju why they didn’t use a dropper or syringe (without needle). He informed me that when using such implements there is a real danger the wee creature will aspirate by taking in the liquid too quickly.

Arunachala Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill shelter which permanently houses a number of seriously injured animals. As well as a sanctuary for injured or sick animals, it also performs neutering operations on dogs and cats. 

Now that road surfaces have been improved all around Tiruvannamalai, drivers are keeping their foot on the accelerator and even around the girivalam roadway, auto rickshaw and car drivers are driving at flat at speeds. This is not safe for you as a passenger and particularly dangerous for the many animals living near the girivalam and other roadways around Tiruvannamalai. 

Below is a very sad photograph of a 10 year old monkey who was run over by a car and is now paralysed. The shelter is his Hospice as he is not expected to live much longer. The monkey is not in pain and is receiving loving attention and very good food including lots of tasty fruits (the seeds in his cage are the remains of recently eaten watermelon). 

If you are in a autorickshaw and the driver is speeding, please tell them to SLOW DOWN. Make sure the driver pays attention and does what is requested . . . thank you . . . you may have prevented yet another monkey or dog being paralysed or killed. 

As of June 1, 2013 the statistics at the Shelter are as follows:- 

Rescues Estimated 1,504 
Dogs Sterlized 5,101 
Anti-Rabies Injections 8,341 
Clinic Visits 20,063 
In Patients Treated 59,685 
Non Dogs Treated 1,756 
Dog Adoptions 614 

Julie, her story is in below link

To read about some of the animal rescues performed by the Shelter visit the section on their website entitled Great Dog Stories at this link here. 

If you would like to participate in the work and service of Arunachala Animal Sanctuary please visit their donation page at this link here.

Paul Brunton and Arunachala

In the previous posting I wrote about the upcoming restoration of Paul Brunton's Cottage at Palakottu, west of Ramana Ashram and at the base of Arunachala. To read the posting go to this link here. Below is a short biography and extract from his famed book, "In Search of Secret India." 

Paul Brunton (1898-1981) was a British philosopher, mystic, and traveller. He left a successful journalistic career to live among yogis, mystics, and holy men, and studied a wide variety of Eastern and Western esoteric teachings. With his entire life dedicated to an inward and spiritual quest, Brunton felt charged with the task of communicating his experiences to others and, as the first person to write accounts of what he learned in the East from a Western perspective, his works had a major influence on the spread of Eastern mysticism to the West. He was also one of the first Westerners to first bring Arunachala and Sri Ramana Maharshi to greater public attention. 

Pencil drawing of Paul Brunton in his Cottage

The following extract taken from Paul Brunton 1936 book ‘A Message from Arunachala,’ describes the Hill’s appearance and antiquity in a way which has not been bettered: 

The Hill

"Somewhere in South India there is a lonely Hill which has been honoured with a high status in Hindu sacred tradition and legendary history. It lies near the same latitude as French-ruled Pondicherry, yet does not enjoy the latter’s advantage of catching the cooling coastal breezes. A fierce sun daily flays it with darting rays. Its form is uncouth and ungainly – a tumbled, awkward thing whose sides are jagged and broken. Whose face is a mass of jumbled rocks and thorny scrubs. Snakes, centipedes and scorpions lurk beneath the crevices of its multitudinous stones. During the dry summer months, cheetahs make their bold appearance with dusk, descending the Hill in a snarling quest of water. 

The whole peak offers no pretty panorama of regular outline, straight sides and balanced proportions, but rather the reverse. Even its base wanders aimlessly about on an eight-mile circuit, with several spurs and foot Hills, as though unable to make up its mind as to when it shall come to an end. Its substance is nothing but igneous and laterite rock. 

A geologist friend from America who visited me lately proclaimed Arunachala to have been thrown up by the earth under the stress of some violent volcanic eruption in the dim ages before even the coal-bearing strata were formed. 

In fact, he dated this rocky mass of granite back to the earliest epoch of the history of our planet’s crust, that epoch which long preceded the vast sedimentary formations in which fossil records of plants and animals have been preserved. It existed long before gigantic saurians of the prehistoric world moved their ungainly forms through the primeval forests that covered our early earth. He went even further and made it contemporaneous with the formation of the very crust of the earth itself. Arunachala, he asserted, was almost as hoary and as ancient as our planetary home itself. It was indeed a remnant of the vanished continent of sunken Lemuria, of which the indigenous legends still keep a few memories. 

The Tamil traditions not only speak of the vast antiquity of this and other Hills, but assert that the Himalayas were not thrown up till later. Untold centuries, therefore, pressed their weight upon this time-defying pile which rose so abruptly from the plain. 

And yet this unbeautiful and doddering greybeard among heights took my heart in pawn a few years ago and would not let me redeem the pledge. It held me captive in an intangible and indefinable thrall. It imprisoned me from the first moment when my eyes glanced at it till the last reluctant turning away of the head. I could no longer regard myself as a free man when such invisible chains clanged around my feet."

Restoration of the Paul Brunton Compound at Palakottu

The below photographs are of the Paul Brunton Cottage located at Palakottu. Many sadhus lived in the Palakottu area (located directly west of Ramana Ashram) during the lifetime of the Maharshi. In those days there used to be a colony of varying types of residential structures which housed such personages as Muruganar, Lakshmana Sharma, Paul Brunton and Annamalai Swami.

Entrance to the Paul Brunton Compound

Compound and House have been enlarged over the years

In more recent times various pilgrims have lived in cottages around the Palakottu Tank. Sharon Muensch in December 1973 wrote of her short time living in the Brunton Cottage: “A few days later I moved into Brunton’s Cottage in Palakottu. Back then there were three simple huts in Palakottu, grouped around the water tank. There was direct access to the Ashram through the back wall. None of the huts had plumbing. And we fetched water from the street taps and walked out to the Hill for our toilet.” 

 

Brunton Compound

Main house and outlying cottages need renovation

Part of the Brunton Cottage

  

Subsequent to Sharon living in the Brunton house, a lady from Germany popularly known as Helga established a Trust which took over the Brunton House, built a Ganesha Temple and created a sadhu colony, in which a number of permanent sadhus are currently housed. Helga died several years ago after a long and happy life in her home at the foot of Arunachala.

 

Ganesha Temple built by Helga's Trust

Adjacent Lord Iyyapan Shrine

Sadhu Compound created by Helga

 

Recently a Canadian French lady Jacqueline Jacques (of Helping the World Foundation) has taken the Brunton cottage on a long lease and plans to repair and renovate the cottage and compound and also ensure that the beautiful Palakottu Tank, which is believed never runs out of water, is maintained in pristine condition amidst its beautiful forest glade. 

Jacqueline and her associate Agasthya Ganesha

Palakottu Tank

Set in pretty glade

 

Trees surrounding the Brunton Compound

 

Peaceful, area frequented by a wide variety of birds

 

Palakottu adjacent to Ramana Ashram

Squirrel Drama

Had a drama in my house a couple of days ago. One or several of my darling doggies killed a squirrel in the house. I have a popular squirrel nesting spot in a light fixture in the dining room. Previously a nesting squirrel made a hole in the wire mesh of one of the windows (which I have left to allow unrestricted access for visiting nesting mothers). From the hole squirrel Mom jumps onto the window ledge, then door ledge then into the nest. Have watched the leap on several occasions and its surprisingly easy for adult squirrels to get in and out of the nest. 

Nest that was in the light fixture

One of the rescued baby squirrels

Have no idea why the squirrel got caught on the ground of my house, when she should have been swinging freely in the air, but done to death she was. Had quite a nasty turn when I came home and found her sprawled inert on the floor next to my bed – with my naughtiest dog Winnie looking VERY pleased with herself. 

What's better than one baby squirrel -- two little 'uns

The next day I heard squeaking from the nest. Called in a local handyman to climb a ladder and rescue the baby squirrels. Found two healthy but hungry little ones in the nesting box. The next day after getting permission from the Animal Hospital took them to the Sanctuary. Happy to report both baby squirrels are in good health. 

Dr Raju with squirrel nest inside cardboard box

Visit from Russian Group to Tiruvannamalai

This week a group of 18 arrived from Russia to enjoy a 10 day stay at Siva Sannidhi here at Arunachala. Its interesting to note how representatives from so many diverse countries and cultures are nowadays arriving in even larger numbers at Tiruvannamalai. For Arunachala Grace’s Russian readers, you can view the spiritual website of the leader of this group at this link here.

The group arrived from Mahabalipuram and on the 29th of this month will leave for a visit to Auroville.

Coach Arrives at Tiruvannamalai

16 seater with two additional seats in front

Driver cab in front

Using Google Translate, the posting of the group leader’s on her website regarding their spiritual tour of India reads: “Advaita, that is not two - duality. Advaita is a Sanskrit origin, and nowadays used to refer to the One Being, Reality. 

Traveling to India and not only acquainted with the Advaita masters from different countries, touching the teachings of the master left the body, have all contributed to the fact that the experience of non-duality, unity of all things naturally manifested. 

Satori or enlightenment spilled grace in life. The unity of all existence, presence, silence filled with love, understanding and outside the mind - all this is the true nature of every living being. 

This outlook on life, read about the Masters, the experience of enlightenment, materials and written words and sounding from the very essence of life, and therefore endowed with the power and presence.” 

Russian group

Heading towards Siva Sannidhi

Arunachala Grace arranged a local coach to pick up the Russian group at Mahabalipuram for their trip to Tiruvannamalai. It is safer and no more expensive to arrange transportation originating from Tiruvannamalai to pick up visitors at arrival point in India. Several weeks ago a lady on her way to Tiruvannamalai engaged a taxi from Chennai Airport to bring her to Arunachala. The taxi was involved in a serious accident hospitalising both the passenger and driver with injuries. 

Taxi drivers resident in Tiruvannamalai drive to and from Chennai airport and other spots many times a week and know the road and routes very well. The drivers and their families are also familiar to us, so engaging a local taxi from Tiruvannamalai is not the lottery ticket of hiring a taxi from Chennai. Arunachala Grace (email at top left of this page) is always happy to arrange car and/or coach transportation on behalf of visitors and pilgrims to this place.