Shani Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple: Saturday, 1 July, 2023

 

The importance of observing Pradosha is described in the Pradosha Mahatmyam from the Shiva Purana. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.

 

 

The first Pradosham of July, 2023 fell today Saturday (July 1) and is thus known as Shani Pradosham or Shani Pradosham Vrata. According to Hindu astrology Saturn is known to affect one adversely on occasions when it placed in a certain position in one's horoscope. A prayer to God, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate one’s hardships. Thus, it is believed that by observing a Vrata (vow) and offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Shani Pradosham, one can escape from the ill effects of Lord Shani (one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial Gods).

 

4th Prakaram Chinna Nandi

Shani Pradosham is classified into Uthama Shani Pradhosham, Mathima Shani Pradhosham, and Athama Shani Pradhosham.

 

Uthama Shani Pradhosha is the Shani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Shani Pradhosham occurs during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during waning period. All other Shani Pradhoshams come under the category Athama Shani Pradhosha.

 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

Abhishekam occurred upon all 5 Temple Nandis i.e.  Pradosha Nandi in the Moolastanam, Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the Second Prakaram, Kodi Kampathu Nandi in the Third Prakaram (near Flagpost), Chinna Nandi in the fourth prakaram and Periyar Nandi that stands in front of the Vallala Gopuram in the Fifth Prakaram.

Sri Siva Mona Siddhar: Supporter of the Distressed

 

I have made many posting about Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar on my Arunachala Mystic blog, to read these posts and for information about him and his interaction with devotees check out the links on the left column of this Blog.

 

Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Swami

Swamiji's ashram is located off Vettavalam Road about 20 kms from Arunachala but due to winding country lanes is about a 30 km drive from Tiruvannamalai. An ever-increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamiji at his Ashram to consult with him and receive his blessings. As a result of strenuous tapas Swamiji received siddhis from the Divine that have given him the ability to understand, guide and support those in distress—and also to perform healings.

 

Sethavarai countryside near Ashram

Swami's Sadhana

Swami was born on October 3rd, 1962 and named Sri Narayanan. He lived a rustic life in a small Tamil village and at 27 years of age agreed to an arranged marriage which resulted in the birth of a girl child.  However his yearning for a spiritual life led him to renounce the world and enter into sannyas. He thereupon went into the forest to perform sadhana and continued to roam about for over 15 years. One day desolate at the meaningless of life he decided to commit suicide by jumping from the summit of Kanjanakiri Mount (near Vellore District).

 

Sri Siva Mona Siddhar was prevented from this act by the call of a sadhu who had seemingly appeared from nowhere. The sadhu invited him to a nearby Temple to eat and sleep and in the middle of the night, the sadhu disappeared. Swami stayed in Kanchangiri Temple’s Ashram, at the back of which was a Kanni Temple and this is the exact spot where he was bestowed Divine powers by Lord Shiva.

 

Miracle Bestowed Powers

One day, when his body was in a dire condition, and he felt that there was no hope left, he prayed to Mother Unnamulai Ammal, beseeching, “you give food to the whole World, so why can’t you take care of my needs and feed me?”

 

Immediately on uttering this prayer, five ladies and five men suddenly appeared in a vision and came to Swami and laid him on the floor. The five ladies sat below the head of the prostrate body, and the five men sat above the head. Each of the five ladies started to remove parts of Swami’s body, bit-by-bit, and made up small packages of the body parts. 

 

During this whole process Swami felt absolutely no pain. Finally only his head remained. Thereupon the ladies said, “give these small packages, to those that come to meet you, as prasadam.” After this, the five men sitting above him, placed their hands upon Guruji’s head and after a few moments disappeared. At that very moment Guruji’s body reappeared and from that time till this day, Guruji has not had a single problem with his body. 

Merging with a Lingam

Sometime after the incident whilst Swami was in meditation, a Lingam suddenly appeared. In his excitement he tried to lift the Lingam but as it was heavy he wasn’t able to move it even an inch. Upon being unable to move the Lingam, he decided to perform a puja, so stood up in order to perform the ritual; as he stood the Lingam also lifted up to his position, slowly came towards him, and then mingled with him. 

 

It was at this time that he came to an understanding of the truth of life.  According to his inner guidance Swamiji travelled to Sethavarai and isolated himself in a cave for 58 days. As a result, he received a vision of the Divine and guidance as to his work in this lifetime. An increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamiji at his Ashram (which has developed around him) to consult with him and receive his blessings.

 

Ashram and Temple

 

Now that there is a Temple at Swami's Ashram some devotees arrange pujas to be performed at that place, in order to further bless their prayers.

 

Temple at Swami's Ashram

Lord Siva Shrine inside Temple

Temple Daily Schedule.

Temple Timings: 6 am—12 noon and 3 pm—7 pm

 

Special Pujas:

New Moon Day, Full Moon Day, Astami Day, Pradosham

Each month special pujas take place at Pradosham (evenings from 4.30 pm—6.00 pm) and at Poornima from 6 am—12 noon. The Poornima puja includes Abhishekam, Fire Homam and Anandam.

 

Swami Darshan and Interviews

Swami Darshan: 9 am—12 noon (sometimes up to 1 pm). Special Darshan can be arranged for afternoon session. Mondays there is no Swami darshan.

 

Swami giving blessings during Interview

Location and Contact Information:
Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Dharma Paribalana Trust
Sethavarai, Nallan Pillai Petral Village & Post
Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu
+91 96291 45883 Ashram Manager

Thursday June 1, 2023: Guru Vrat Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

The below photographs are of Arunachaleswarar Temple Pradosham which was observed on Thursday June 1, 2023.

 

Pradosham indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line and occurs on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) during the waxing and waning phase of moon in the Hindu lunar calendar.

 

It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on this day will relieve the devotee from sin, help overcome opponents and enemies—thus eliminating all danger and will also lead to Moksha. On Pradoshams which fall on Thursdays, devotees also receive Divine blessings through their ancestors.

 

Among the pujas performed by Lord Shiva devotees, Pradosham puja is considered to be the most auspicious. It is believed that during this period all universal beings and Gods come down to earth and attend the worship.

Large number of devotees in attendance

Readings of Holy Works during the function

Nandi Abhishekam

Procession of the Gods after Puja

Arunachaleswarar Temple Pradosham: Friday December 31, 2021

The photographs below are of the last Pradosham of 2021. This Shukra Pradosham occurred on  Friday, December 31 and its particularly cheering to see the pradosham attended by so many devotees. 

 

 

Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple: Saturday 18 September, 2021

 

Below are photos of the latest pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple which occurred on Saturday, September 18, 2021. This is the first pradosham function for a long time that few masks are on display—and very much better this looks too!

 

 

 

Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple—Saturday, September 4, 2021

 

I am posting several photos of the latest pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple which occurred on September 4, 2021. The Big Temple is currently closed to devotees but one hopes matters will improve soon. Keep praying.

Very special photograph of Nandi

Even though devotees have not been allowed inside Arunachala Temple during weekends, Festivals and during full moons, I read today in a Tamil Nadu journal that pilgrims are regularly visiting Arunachala in spite of difficulties and restrictions, in order to make offerings in front of the Big Temple's main gate, the eastern Raja Gopuram. The article appeared at this link here.

Waiting outside Raja Gopuram

Despite the government repeatedly announcing the closure of places of worship during the weekends, Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai witnesses a steady flow of devotees from Friday every week. Though this is the fourth weekend when worship has been banned, devotees congregate in front of the Rajagopuram, offer prayers and leave.

Daily, on an average 1,000 devotees turn up and despite the Temple being closed to contain the spread of coronavirus, pray and light diyas at the spot and leave after going around the outer prakarams and mada veedhis (streets).

The continuous flow of devotees has its benefits as it has ensured good sales in the shops outside the Temple. A mud agal (diya) costs Rs 5 and usually a devotee lights five diyas costing Rs 25. When the devotee leaves after completing his prayers, the used diyas are again picked up by shopkeepers, cleaned, and made ready for sales to the next devotee.

“Many who come, calculate the price of the diya, oil, and wick which amounts to nearly Rs.50/- for five new diyas and hence are happy to buy used diyas for half the price,” says a long-time resident R.Sethu. The shops also provide stands for placing lit diyas. After devotees leave, the remains are either cleaned by Temple officials or shopkeepers who chip in to do their bit.

The same is the case with Pournami Girivalam. Devotees quietly undertake the banned trek either on two-wheelers or by walk. As the path joins the national highway 66 after crossing the Indra, Agni, and Yama lingams, devotees undertake circumambulation of the Annamalai hill before going home too.

Pradosham August 20, 2021: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Below are photographs of Pradosham observed at Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple on Friday, 20 August, 2021.

Panguni Matha Pradosham, March 26, 2021—Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

Below are three photos of the Panguni Matha Pournami Pradosam that was observed yesterday Friday, March 26, 2021 at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Its most encouraging to see that devotees are once again visiting Temples in Tiruvannamalai to participate in functions.

Bhauma Pradosh February 9, 2021: Arunachaleswarar Temple

The below photographs are of the most recent Pradosham observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple on February 9, 2021. Due to the complications of the pandemic, this is the first time in nearly a year that such a good size crowd has attended the Pradosham function at the Temple. It is most encouraging to observe life slowly returning to normal. 

Significance of Bhauma Pradosh Vrat: 

When the observance of Pradosh Vrat coincides with a Tuesday, it is referred to as Bhauma Pradosh Vrat (Bhauma is another name for the planet Mars or Mangal). According to the Shiva Purana and other scriptures, Bhaum or planet Mars observed severe ‘Tapas’ and was bestowed with Mangal Loka by Lord Shiva. 

It is therefore believed that a person who observes Bhauma Pradosh Vrat and worships Lord Shiva will be granted the fulfilment of desires. Women observe this vrat to be blessed with a male child. It is believed that the power of Bhauma Pradosh Vrat removes all obstacles and negative forces in life and purifies one surroundings, cures diseases and blesses the devotee with good health.

 

 

 

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.