Thursday, January 7, 2016 Pradosham

The January 7, 2016 Pradosham fell on a Thursday. All 13th Moon phase days are called Pradoshams and are opportunities to dissolve negative karma. However when Pradoshams fall on specific days of the week, additional benefits are believed to accrue. 

Monday: Soma Pradosham helps to attain good health and fulfills one's desires and wishes. 

Tuesday: Bhauma Pradosham, provides relief from disease and improves one’s financial condition. 

Wednesday: Pradosham on this day is believed to be fruitful for wisdom and knowledge. Also blesses the childless with progeny. 

Thursday: Guru Pradosham helps in achieving victory over opponents and enemies. Helps dissolve negative karma and invokes the blessings of grace from the Guru. 

Saturday: Shani or Maha Pradosham is observed by couples for a harmonious married life. 

Periya Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Abhishekam Periya Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Devotees watching the Periyar Nandi Abhishekam

The Periyar Nandi is 6 feet long with gaze directed to the west and towards the Moolasthana. Its head is slightly turned towards north while the heads of all the other Nandis at Arunachaleswarar Temple are turned slightly south.

Periya Nandi

Five Temple Nandis

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are:

Periya Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram Fifth Prakaram.
Chinna Nandi Fourth prakaram 
Kodi Kampathu Nandi Third Prakaram 
Ratha Vilaku Nandi Second Prakaram 
Pradosha Nandi Moolastanam 

June 6, 2013 -- Pradosham, Big Temple

On June 6, 2013, Pradosham was celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Pradosham is a worship connected to Lord Shiva and is a bimonthly occasion which falls on the thirteenth day of every fortnight in the Hindu Calendar. 

When Lord Shiva delivered the Shiva Sutras to the Goddess, Nandi was guarding the entrance to ensure that the Lord’s instructions were delivered without interruption. Thus during Pradosham, the bull Nandi (in South India Shiva Temples) is worshipped and the idol of Shiva with Parvati in a seated pose on Nandi is taken in procession in the Temple compound. 

During the day of Pradosham a fast observed from sunrise to sunset is considered highly beneficial. 

The next Pradosham is June 21st, 2013. To learn more about the significance of Pradosham, go to this link here.

Postings on my Arunachala Blogs from Thursday January 1, 2015 to Saturday March 7, 2015

Readers may wonder why I write so frequently about Arunachaleswarar Temple on Arunachala Grace. It is because in the Puranas and Holy Books and from advice and guidance of Saints and Sages, it has been established throughout the history of this place, that there is absolutely no difference between Arunachala Hill and Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

In the legend of Shiva as a manifested column of light, which neither Lord Vishnu or Lord Brahma could find from whence it came or to where it went, in answer to the prayers of the Gods, Shiva himself created a lingam for the devotees to worship on the southeast plain in front of Arunachala Hill. Legend reports that it is this very lingam that Lord Shiva created, around which our own Arunachaleswarar Temple has developed. 

I am currently working on a comprehensive Arunachaleswarar Temple section for my website Arunachala Samudra, which will include narratives, rare information, photographs, and interactives. More details and information on this work’s progress soon. 

As well as the continual development of Arunachala Grace, in 2015, I will be making regular postings on Arunachala Birds, Arunachala Mystic, Arunachala Land and the new blog; Arunachala Satsang.

Arunachala Grace 

Soma Pradosham, March 2, 2015 -- Arunachaleswarar Temple: Explanation about significance of Soma Pradosham. Narrative and Photographs. Legend of “How the Moon fell in love with the Sun”.

Walkabout in Tiruvannamalai: Morning shopping in the streets near the Big Temple. Narrative and Photographs. 

Photographs of  2015 Mahashivaratri at Arunachaleswarar Temple: Narrative (with links) and observance of devotees during Mahashivaratri at the Big Temple. Including Lingodbhavamurti Puja.

2015 Mahashivaratri at Arunachaleswarar Temple: Photographs and narrative (with links) of the night of Mahashivaratri as celebrated at the Big Temple.

February 16, 2015 Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple: Narrative and photographs of the first Pradosham in February, 2015 at the Big Temple.

2015 Arunachaleswarar Temple Mahashivaratri Programme: Times and Schedule of the functions at Arunachaleswarar Temple during the night of Mahashivaratri.

Visit to a village shrine: Goddess Shrine off the Nallan Pillaei Petral village road. Narrative and Photographs.

View of all 9 Temple Gopurams: Explanation and photographs of where to stand inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple from where one can see all nine Gopurams of the Temple.

Life of Ammani Amman (Arunachaleswarar North Gopuram): Life of the woman Saint who constructed the North Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Photographs of Gopuram and saint Samadhi.

2015 Maruvoodal -- Arunachaleswarar Temple: Narrative and Photographs of the renunion of the Divine Couple.

2015 Arunachaleswarar Thiruvoodal Enactment: Narrative with links about the enactment of the “tiff” between the Gods here at Arunachala. Photographs.

Happy 2015 Pongal from Arunachala: Explanation about Pongal and Uttarayana in Tamil Nadu. Photographs of decorated Nandis Arunachachaleswarar Temple. Narrative.

Thiruvathira Festival and Saint Manikkavacakar: Festival of Saint Manikkavacakar poet of the Hindu bhakti revival movement. Information and Photographs.

Nataraja Abhishekam during 2015 Arudra Darshanam: Arudra Darshan, also known as the Thiruvathira Festival, celebrated in a grand manner at Arunachaleswarar Temple during the Tamil month of Margazhi. Photographs and Narrative.

January 2, 2015 Pradosham -- Arunachaleswarar Temple: Photographs of puja and crowds at Temple for Pradosham.

Sorgavasal Thirappu 2015: Mukkoti Ekadasi or Sorgavasal Thirappu (Celebration of Lord Vishnu) at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Narrative and Photographs.

A Blessed and Auspicious 2015 from Arunachala: Greetings and photographs of New Year Arunachala. 

Arunachala Mystic 

Visit to Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal: Narrative of a visit to this Swami. Photographs of him and his Ashram in the Arunachala countryside.

Uttarayana – Hoisting of Flag at Temple: Explanation of Uttarayana and photographs inside Arunachaleswarar Temple of hoisting the Flag.

Aldous Huxley describes the aspect of Lord Nataraja: Video in which the great writer Aldous Huxley (Brave New World, The Doors of Perception etc) describes the "Dancing Shiva" image of Lord Nataraja and its immense significance.

Arunachala Birds 

White Rumped Shama: Narrative and photographs of the life cycle of the White Rumped Shama. Video of this beautiful songster.

Arunachala Bird List 2015: Comprehensive up-to-date alphabetical list of bird species sighted in Tiruvannamalai up to 2015.

Pradosham Monday December 26, 2016: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Soma Pradosham was observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple on Monday, December 26, 2016.

Significance of Monday Pradosham

Lord Shiva is also known as Chandrasekhara, which literally refers to the 'Person who wears the moon'. In some cultures the appearance of the new crescent moon has been celebrated as a return of the moon from the dead. This celestial body is a powerful influence on the human psyche. Its influence which is always available at Arunachala is celebrated in disparate ways during Sivaratri and Poornima. It is also recognised in all Pradoshams that fall on Mondays, as did today’s Pradosham Monday December 26, 2016. To read more about the significance of Soma Pradosham go to this link here.

All of the below five Temple Nandis receive abhishekam and aarti on Pradosham. From East to West the five Temple Nandis are: 

Periya Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram, Fifth Prakaram 

Chinna Nandi, Fourth Prakaram 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi,Third Prakaram 

Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Second Prakaram 

Pradosha Nandi, Moolastanam 

Aarti being offered at Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Milk Abhishekam being offered to Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

Tumeric abhishekam offered to Kodi Kampathu Nandi

Aarti at Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

The Lord on golden Rishaba, 3rd Prakaram with Arunachala background

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.

May 4, 2016 Wednesday Pradosham: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Pradosham on May 4, 2016 heralded the start of Agni Natchathiram which according to Almanacs is regarded as the hottest time during the Summer season. This is the time that the Sun travels through the star Karthigai, which is governed by Agni (fire). The 2016 Natchathiram will end on May 28, peaking around May 11 to 24. 

The Pradosham of May 4, 2016 fell on a Wednesday is known as Saumya Vaara Pradosha. The special significance of Pradosham falling on a Wednesday is believed to benefit a person with education, knowledge, fulfillment of wishes and progeny. 

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are: 

Periya Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram Fifth Prakaram

Chinna Nandi, Fourth Prakaram 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram 

Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Second Prakaram 

Pradosha Nandi, Moolastanam 

All of these five Temple Nandis receive abhishekam and aarti at Pradosham. 

Periya Nandi, Fifth Prakaram

Kodi Kampathu Nandu, Third Prakaram

Aarti at Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Lord Arunachaleswarar at Pradosham

Lord Arunachaleswarar on Circumambulation by palanquin on Golden Rishaba

Sani Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple: Saturday, 26 November, 2016

The below is a pictorial report of the Karthikai Maatha Amavasai Sani Prathosam at Arunachaleswarar Temple which took place on Saturday, November 26, 2016. 

Abhishekam of Periyar Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Aarti at Periyar Nandi, Saturday 26 November, 2016 Pradosham

Closer look at aarti at Big Nandi, Pradosham

Crowds were huge at the Big Temple watching the abhishekam of Periyar Nandi

Large crowd in the 5th Prakaram for the Amavasi Sani Pradosham

Sani Pradosham, Big Temple

Aarti at Nandi at Flagpost, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Devotees in 3rd Prakaram watching circumambulation of Gods on Sani Pradosham

Chithirai Pradosham: Tuesday 19 April, 2016

Today Chithirai Pradosham was observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Pradosham on Tuesdays is also known as Bhauma Pradosham and is renowned for providing relief from disease and improving one’s financial situation. As always the crowds were large at the Temple on this special Chithirai Pradosham day. 

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Aarti at the Kodi Kampathu Nandi

Observance of Pradosham at Chinna Nandi, Fourth Prakaram

Sani Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple: Saturday, 12 November, 2016

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 November, 2013 fell on a Saturday (November 12) and is thus known as Sani Pradosham or Sani 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 Sani Pradosham, one can escape from the ill effects of Lord Shani (one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial Gods). 

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

Uthama Sani Pradhosha is the Sani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Sani 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. 

Aarti at Big Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Large crowds watching the worship at Big Nandi

Standing in front of the Nandi statue

Abhishekam of Nandi at Flagpost

Bathing Lord Nandi with milk

Aarti at Lord Nandi

The Gods being carried on circumambulation around the Siva Sannidhi

Large crowds of devotees accompanying the Gods on their circumambulation

Pradosham Tuesday January 10, 2017: Arunachaleswarar Temple

The below photographs were taken on Pradosham as observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai Tuesday, January 10th, 2017. 

When Pradosham Vrat falls on Tuesday, it is known as Bhaum Pradosham. The benefit of Bhaum Pradosh Vrat is believed to give relief from health problems and enhance physical health. It also brings prosperity. 

Aarti at Periyar Nandi 5th Prakaram

Devotees watching Periyar Nandi Aarti, 5th Prakaram

Large crowd of devotees gathered for Tuesday Pradosham

Aarti at Kodi Kampathu Nandi,Third Prakaram

The next pradosham to be observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple will be on Wednesday January 25, 2017.

Sani Pradosham: February 6, 2016

As always yesterday’s Sani Pradosham (Saturday: February 6, 2016) at Arunachaleswarar Temple was well attended. Saturday is dedicated to Lord Saniswaran, one of the nine celestial Gods (Navagrahas). The planet Saturn is considered an agent of Karma who delivers many difficult trials in our lives in order to help refine and evolve our souls. 

It is thought that on the day of Sani Pradosham Lord Siva has more influence over Saturn and can cause him to release some of our karmic bonds. 

Nandi Abhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Offering of Aarti

Circumambulation of the God around the Siva Sannidhi

Lord Arunachaleswarar during Sani Pradosham

The Gods beautifully decorated

At Tiruvannamalai there is now a beautiful Shrine dedicated to Sani at the Lord Venkateshwara Temple (Balaji) near the Kubera Lingam which is also a very efficacious place to visit during the day of Sani Pradosham for those wishing to gain the support of Lord Sani in mitigating painful and unpleasant karma. 

Lord Sani

Sani Shrine at Balaji Temple with Raghu and Kettu