Day 1 Theepal - Sri Chandrasekaran: Deepam Festival December 6, 2014

Brahmotsavam is intended to teach us the way to divine self-realisation. The last of the celebratory observances during Karthigai Festival is Thirthotsavam which literally means “water festival”. Four days are allocated at the end of Deepam to celebrate the water festival at Ayyankulam Tank in front of Arunagirinathar Temple (the third oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala). The water festival is representative of the sadhaka’s plunge into the higher realms of consciousness – and typifies an entering into samadhi... an end of religious aspiration. 

Sri Chandrasekaran

The Theepal for the Gods are floating structure made up of drums and timber and decorated with lights, flowers, religious paintings and silken buntings. Lights are installed around the perimeter of the tank and focus lights placed at strategic points. When the murtis of the Gods come to Ayyakulam Tank they are placed lovingly on a float and then the float pushes off and completes an allocated number of turns upon the Temple Tank. Devotees sit on the steps of the tank to take darshan of the God on the Theepal. Thereafter the deity of that day is taken in procession around the four Mada Streets (perimeter streets) surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Float on Ayyakulam Tank, Arunagirinathar Temple

Post-2016 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Day 1 Theepal—Sri Chandrasekhara

Brahmotsavam is intended to teach us the way to divine self-realisation. The last of the celebratory observances during Karthigai Festival is Thirthotsavam which literally means “water festival”. Four days are allocated at the end of Deepam to celebrate the water festival at Ayyankulam Tank in front of Arunagirinathar Temple (the third oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala). The water festival is representative of the sadhaka’s plunge into the higher realms of consciousness – and typifies an entering into samadhi... an end of religious aspiration. 

The Theepal for the Gods are floating structure made up of drums and timber and decorated with lights, flowers, religious paintings and silken buntings. Lights are installed around the perimeter of the tank and focus lights placed at strategic points. When the murtis of the Gods come to Ayyakulam Tank they are placed lovingly on a float and then the float pushes off and completes an allocated number of turns upon the Temple Tank. Devotees sit on the steps of the tank to take darshan of the God on the Theepal. Thereafter the deity of that day is taken in procession around the four Mada Streets (perimeter streets) surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

During the evening of Tuesday, December 13, Sri Chandrasekhara gave His devotees darshan on Day 1 of Theepals on the Ayyankulam Tank in front of the Sri Arunagirinathar Temple. 

Lord Chandrasekhara

The Lord gives darshan on Theepal, Ayyankulam Tank

Photographs of 2015 Mahashivaratri at Arunachaleswarar Temple

The below photographs are of the recent 2015 Mahashivaratri function celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai. To learn more about the legends and significance of Mahashivaratri as is observed at this place go to this link here.

The first photograph is of devotees performing worship by lighting camphor outside the main Raja Gopuram East Gate of the Temple. 

Main Temple Gate on Night of 2015 Mahashivaratri

Devotees going through the Temple Vallala Maharaja Gopuram

Generally both Theerthams inside the Temple Compound are closed to devotees, but on the evening of Mahashivaratri around 6 p.m. the gates of the Brahma Theertham traditionally open to allow devotees entry to light and place their individual Deepamas at the side of the tank. 

Lights around Brahma Lingam Tank, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Throughout the Temple Compound various groups of devotees engage in their own devotions throughout the evening of Mahashivaratri -- one of the Festivals celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple during which the Temple gates stay open all night. 

At the auditorium some devotees are watching cultural programmes. In the Moolasthanam others are attending the Kala Pujas and later on the Lingodhavamurti Puja. Other devotees are silently sitting in quiet spots in meditation. In the below photograph a small group of devotees are gathered in front of the Brahma Lingam Shrine in satsang and are observing the night of Mahashivaratri, singing bhajans dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

Singing bhajans in front of the Brahma Lingam Shrine

Devotees coming up from Tank after lighting their Deepam

Cultural Programme, Arunachaleswarar Temple Auditorium

Traditionally large kolams created by using salt rock crystals are made in the morning of the first day of the Festival. After their creation, devotees place small clay deepams around the kolam perimeters. The below depicts Saint Arunagirinathar -- who has many legends associated with this Temple. 

Arunagirinathar Kolam

Lingodbhavamurti Puja 

On the Night of Mahashivaratri, which in 2015 was observed on February 17th-18th, an abhishekham and puja ritual commenced at 12 midnight at the Sri Lingodbhavamurti. 

The manifestation of Shiva in a column of fire, carved in stone is known as the Lingodbhavamurti. It is always enshrined in the rear niche of a Shiva Lingam sanctum. Since most temples face east, the Lingodbhava faces West. The non-anthropomorphic form of the Shiva Lingam is a representation of this infinite cosmic column of fire, whose origins were not traceable by Brahma or Vishnu. The Shiva Lingam is the centre of reverence and worship in all Saivite temples. 

2015 Lingodbhavamurti Puja, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Lingodbhavamurti located outside the back of the Moolasthanam

Arti at 2015 Mahashivaratri Puja at Lingodbhavamurti

To learn more about the Lingodhavamurti at this Temple, and the legend of the Ketaki flower and why it is only used in Shiva worship one time a year -- i.e. the night of Mahashivaratri, visit my earlier posting at this link here. 

Visit to Arunagirinathar Temple

Visited Arunagirinathar this morning for a function and was happy for the opportunity to spend time at this ancient, fascinating Temple. The large Iyyankulam Tank next to the Temple is famous as the venue for the Gods to leisurely enjoy some evenings during Deepam Festival on floats on the Tank.

Right-click on all photographs to view enlargement.

Today I climbed to the roof of a neighbour's house in order to take some photographs -- below is a very fine photo of the Temple Gopuram with Arunachala as background.

The below photograph is also taken from the neighbour's roof.

Renovation of this ancient Temple began about seven years ago. The Temple's independent Trust has done a great job in raising funds for its restoration and development.

I hope to soon post information about the mythology and history of this important Shiva Temple.

2014 Arunachala Deepam Preparations

Preparations for Deepam begin long before the start of the Festival. This year a new Theepal has been created -- i.e. a float for the Gods to enjoy the last four days of the Festival on the waters of the Ayyakulam Tank (in front of the Arunagirinathar Temple). 

There are also lights to put up all around the Arunachaleswarar Temple and touch ups and repaintings of the various Gods and Vahanas that will be used during the upcoming Festival.

Preparing for the new Theepal, Ayyakulam Tank

Ayyakulam Tank in front of Arunagirinathar Temple

Blessings of new Theepal at Ayyakulam Tank

Completed Theepal for 2014 Karthigai Arunachala Deepam Festival

Decorating the Gopurams with electric display

Installing Lights throughout Arunachaleswarar Temple

Painting and touch-ups of the Gods and their Vahanas

Statues stored, newly painted; awaiting the 2014 Deepam Festival

Mariamman Temple

There are several Mariamman Shrines and Temples located around Tiruvannamalai, however I was eager to visit the large, well attended Mariamman Temple in town -- which I had been meaning to do for a while but never seemed to get around to it.


I have previously written about the major Shakti Temples located near Arunachala on many occasions; so if you are interested in finding out more about Durga Amman Koil, Pavala Kundru, Pachaimman Koil, Rajarajeshwari Koil, or the Amman Shrines located in the three major Shiva Temple Compounds; Arunachaleswarar Temple, Adi Annamalai and Arunagirinathar Temple, please use the search feature to access postings on the above.

The Goddess Mariamman is a main South India mother Goddess who is closely associated with the Hindu goddesses Parvati and Durga. She is an ancient village goddess related to rain (the Tamil word ‘mari’ means rain or change).

Each month on the night of Poornima at this Temple, there is a procession of lights in honour of the Goddess. Ladies carry oil lamps three times in girivalam around the inside of the compound.

Mariamman is the Goddess devotees pray to, to eradicate smallpox and heat-based diseases. During the summer months in South India (March to June), people walk miles carrying pots of water mixed with turmeric and neem leaves to ward off illnesses like measles and chicken pox.

Neem Tree

People also pray to Mariamman for progeny and a good spouse. The most favoured offering is "pongal" (rice and green gram), cooked in the Temple compound. The below photograph is of a lady seated in front of the cooking facilities, preparing to do a puja on behalf of her brother, an NRI visiting from South Africa, who is hoping to find a bride to bring back with him on his return to South Africa.

There are two trees (Peepal and Neem) inside this Temple compound, and outside the main gate there is another Peepal tree.

Peepal Tree

Peepal Tree outside Compound

View from Ayyankulam Tank

The below photograph is taken from the back of Ayyankulam Tank, and facing Temple in the foreground and Arunachala in the background. The photograph was taken in the late 40's.

The small mandapam in the foreground of this second photograph is in the same place as a similar structure which you can easily make out at the left side of the top photograph near the tree. The tower and facade of Arunagirinathar Temple are new and did not exist in the 40s.

The view of Arunachala from Ayyankulam Tank is restricted and you can get good darshan only from rooftops.

In the last photograph of this sequence, the wall is the side of Arunagirinathar Temple and as you can make out there is a warren of streets and houses between it; the Big Temple and Arunachala.

2014 Chittarai Vasantha Ursavam Invitation

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple Tiruvannamalai 

Chittarai Vasantha Ursavam 

Invitation for May 3, 2014 Saturday to May 12, 2014 Monday 

Vasantha Utsavam is a ten days festival depicting the blossoming of love between Lord Shiva and the Goddess. 

Festival Programme

Day 1: 03.05.2014 Saturday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 2: 04.05.2014 Sunday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 3: 05.05.2014 Monday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 4: 06.05.2014 Tuesday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 5: 07.05.2014 Wednesday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 6: 08.05.2014 Thursday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 7: 09.05.2014 Friday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 8: 10.05.2014 Saturday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 9: 11.05.2014 Sunday Night Special Puja and Abhishekam 

Day 10: 12.05.2014 Monday 

Morning: Bath at Ayyankulam Tank (Outside Arunagirinathar Temple) 

Evening: Special Puja and Abhishekam at Gopal Vinayaka Temple (near State Bank of India) 

Night: Around 10.00 p.m. at Flagpost, Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple. Manmathan Dhaganam Function with crackers and fireworks 

Each day during the above function there will be a feeding at Arunachaleswarar Temple. If devotees wish to donate, Rs.6,000/- pays for the feeding of 300 pilgrims per day. 

For devotees that wish to pull the Golden Radham (chariot) around the Temple Prakaram, a donation of Rs.1,500/- is suggested. 

Temple Office details for donations: 

Office 

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, 

Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601 

Landline:  (0)4175-252438 

Day 4 Theepal - Sri Chandikeswar: Deepam Festival December 9, 2014

Brahmotsavam is intended to teach us the way to divine self-realisation. The last of the celebratory observances during Karthigai Festival is Thirthotsavam which literally means “water festival”. Four days are allocated at the end of Deepam to celebrate the water festival at Ayyankulam Tank in front of Arunagirinathar Temple (the third oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala). The water festival is representative of the sadhaka’s plunge into the higher realms of consciousness – and typifies an entering into samadhi... an end of religious aspiration. 

The Theepal for the Gods are floating structure made up of drums and timber and decorated with lights, flowers, religious paintings and silken buntings. Lights are installed around the perimeter of the tank and focus lights placed at strategic points. When the murtis of the Gods come to Ayyakulam Tank they are placed lovingly on a float and then the float pushes off and completes an allocated number of turns upon the Temple Tank. Devotees sit on the steps of the tank to take darshan of the God on the Theepal. Thereafter the deity of that day is taken in procession around the four Mada Streets (perimeter streets) surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Sri Chandikeswar

This (i.e. December 9, 2014) is the fourth and final day of the Theepal observances at the Ayyankulam Tank and part of the festivities surrounding the Arunachala Karthigai Festival. The below photographs are of Sri Chandikeswar (who as one of the five panchamoorthies represents us as devotee) being taken around the streets surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

In this and other processions throughout the Festival, the Panchamurthis are: Vinayagar, Lord Annamalaiyar, Goddess Unnamulaiyar, Lord Subramanya and Sri Chandikeswarar. 

Sri Chandikeswar in Mandapam outside Temple

To find out more about Sri Chandikeswar and how he was elevated to his high position: 

”Shiva was pleased with the devotion of this boy and he appeared in person along with Parvati his consort, before the boy. Shiva embraced him and made him in charge of his ganas (devotees or followers). He was also made the steward of his household, naming him Chandikeswara.” 

Visit this earlier posting at this link here.

Arunachaleswarar Temple with Arunachala Deepam background

Saints and Devotees

In connection with the last post about the Subramany Temple at Tiruvannamalai which I recently visited; though Arunachala is primarily regarded as a Shiva Sthalam, this place has also been the home of saints who were devotees of other Gods. One of the most famous of these saints is Arunagirinathar, a Murugan bhakta who lived at the foot of Arunachala in the fourteenth century.

"Arunagirinathar was born in Tiruvannamalai and spent the greater part of his life there. He was reputed to be the son of a courtesan called Muttammai. As he grew up he found the company of courtesans so attractive, he spent most of his time in their houses. When his mother died, all the properties he inherited from her were squandered to pay for his lust. Arunagirinathar had a sister, Adi, who was very fond of him. Taking advantage of her affection, Arunagirinathar persuaded her to part with her jewels and all her other possessions so that he could continue to indulge his appetite for the local courtesans.

He continued with this way of life for many years. As he became older, his body became diseased and the better class of courtesan began to jeer at him and avoided his company. The major turning point in his life occurred when he had spent all his sister’s money. Not knowing that she was destitute, he approached her again in the hope of getting another hand-out. His sister, who had nothing left except the clothes she was wearing, told him that her funds were exhausted. Since she still loved her brother, and since she still wanted to be of assistance to him she offered him her own body, saying, 'If your lust is so insatiable, you can use my body for your sexual satisfaction'.

These words deeply affected and shamed Arunagirinathar. He mentally reviewed the wasted years of his life and came to the conclusion that he had been committing crimes against God. As his sense of shame deepened, he decided to commit suicide by jumping off one of the gopurams in the Arunachaleswarar Temple. He climbed the tower, but before he was able to jump, Lord Murugan manifested before him and held him back. In some versions of the story, Arunagirinathar actually jumped and Murugan had to catch him before he died on the paving stones below.

Murugan embraced him. Then, with his vel, (the spear that he always carries) he wrote a mantra on Arunagirinathar’s tongue, gave him a japa mala and commanded him to sing songs in praise of him. Arunagirinathar was initially hesitant, claiming that he had no knowledge of Tamil prosody, but when Murugan encouraged him by giving him the first line of a song, Arunagirinathar found that he could effortlessly compose and sing the remainder. Murugan disappeared, leaving Arunagirinathar a totally transformed man. His diseases vanished and he became an ecstatic bhakta whose devotion manifested as a stream of new songs, all in praise of Murugan, his deliverer. He toured the town of Tiruvannamalai, composing and singing songs as he went.

Later on, he travelled throughout India, still singing his songs, and visited many of the country’s famous pilgrimage centres. Traditional accounts say that he composed more than 16,000 songs in praise of Murugan. Most of them have been lost, but more than 1,300 of the surviving ones have been collected together in a work called Tiruppugazh (The Glory of God), which has now become one of the classics of Tamil devotional literature." To read more click on this link.

Ayyankulam Tank Perimeter

This morning I attended a function at Arunagirinathar Temple, next to Ayyankulam Tank. As I frequently visit this Temple, while there I also take the opportunity to explore the area.

The perimeter of the huge Ayyankulam Tank, is filled with Temples, Shrines, houses, colonies and neglected curious compounds.

As the view of Arunachala from the front of the Tank is obscured by development, I decided to walk around to the back of the Tank for Hill darshan.

In spite of rampant development the view of Arunachala with the Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple in the foreground is still spectacular and rather better than I anticipated.

As is usual at tanks, many local housewives line up to wash their clothes in the tank water.

Throughout there were fascinating passages and shrines, and traditionally built Indian cottages, which I took the opportunity to explore.

It would be fascinating to learn the history of these Shrine and Temples. Many of them are currently in the condition that the now famous shrines such as the Asta Lingams, Pavala Kundru, Kannapar Temple, Arunagirinathar Temple etc., were in as recently as 25 years ago before their renovation was taken up.

So maybe some of these deserted compounds, neglected Shrines and dilapidated Temples, will also be given a ‘new life’.