Pradosham July 18, 2020 Arunachaleswarar Temple

The above video is of Pradosham at the Big Temple on July 18, 2020. Usually pradosham is heavily attended at the Temple, so seeing the area around Periyar Nandi so deserted, does seem rather strange. This video was live streamed, and the Temple is putting on some very special programs at this time. So suggest you subscribe to their channel and get very nice darshan.

Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

Pradosham Abhishekam of Anuru Nandhi, Arunachala

Many devotees who visit Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai do so in order to attend the bi-monthly Pradosham function. However there are other beautiful Temples and Shrines located throughout this area at which one can observe a special Pradosham.

One such place dedicated to Nandeeshwara is known as Anuru Nandhi and is located just off Dindivanam Road on the way out of town, a couple of kilometres past the railway tracks.

The bull—Nandi—is the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. He is the chief of the ganas, Shiva's attendants. Nandi means 'happy'. Nandi is more than Shiva's vahana or vehicle. As the chief of Shiva's attendants, he is also the guardian of all four-legged animals. Nandi is essential to every Shiva Temple—the sanctum sanctorum of each Temple has an image of Nandi facing the shrine (where the deity may be in a human or lingam form).

There is a story that Vrishabha Deva or Nandi was very proud of his role as the vehicle of the Supreme Lord Shiva himself. To teach him a lesson, Shiva placed a lock of his hair on the bull, who was unable to bear the weight. Realising that he had been arrogant, Nandi begged Shiva's pardon. Shiva forgave him and initiated him into divine knowledge.

Nandi completes the image of the happy family. In days gone by, people depended on the bull for transportation. The bull was thus the vehicle both for Shiva and man. He is also a symbol of how a powerful animal, imbued with Divine authority, is also a gentle and humble worker and helper to both the Gods and man.

Many devotees whisper prayers into the ear of Nandi statues. The story behind this goes that while Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were meditating, an enemy of the Lord by the name of Jalandar, abducted the Goddess. Unaware of the incident Lord Siva continued His meditation. The Gods desperate to inform the Lord asked Lord Ganesha to mediate. Ganesha attempted to bring Lord Siva out of his trance but as he was unsuccessful, approached Nandi and asked him to intervene. Nandi whispered to the Lord bringing Him out of meditation. 

This legend explains the origin of the custom of whispering into the ear of Nandi in order that he might communicate our wishes directly to the Lord.

From this vantage point, one can take darshan of both Arunachala and Parvathimalai

Beautiful and ancient statue of Lord Nandi

Abhishekam during a previous Pradosham observed at shrine of Anuru Nandhi

Aarti after Abhishekam at Anuru Nandhi Shrine

To complete this posting my dog Winnie experiencing her own "Nandi moment"

April 13, 2018 Last Pradosham of Tamil Year

Yesterday April 13, 2018 marked the last Pradosham of the Tamil Year. A large number of devotees gathered at Arunachaleswarar Temple to watch the abhishekam of the Five Nandis.

Abhishekam of Periyar Nandi at Fifth Prakaram

Large number of devotees gathered in the Fifth Prakaram

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are:

Periyar 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

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Procession of the Gods around the Temple

Alangaram of the Gods

Pradosham Thursday March 29, 2018: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Pradosham Abhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Abhishekam is performed on the five major Nandi statues at Arunachaleswarar Temple on the occasion of each Pradosham.

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are:

Periyar 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

Abhishekam of Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Devotees watching Abhishekam  of Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Abhishekam of Ratha Vilaku Nandi, 2nd Prakaram

Aarti at Ratha Vilaku Nandi, 2nd Prakaram

August 5, 2017 Shani Pradosham: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Shani Pradosham occurs when the 13th Moon-day falls on a Saturday. As Lord Shiva has greater influence over Saturn on this day, Saturn can be led to loosen and release some of our karmic bonds.

Shani can bless with both good and bad and for this reason a prayer to him, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate devotee’s hardships. He is ruled by Lord Yama. Saturn ensures happiness.

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At a village called Surutapalli, (nearly 60 kms from Chennai), Pallikondeswarar Temple is located which is home to a recumbent Siva (Sayana Sivan i.e. Sleeping Siva).

Story about Saturday Pradoshams

The story goes that during the churning of the ocean, when Lord Siva swallowed poison spewed from the seas, his neck turned blue. Goddess Parvati rushed forward and held his neck so that the poison would not spread to the rest of his body. This Shiva is represented at the Pallikondeswarar Temple by the image of the Lord sleeping on the lap of the Goddess Parvathi.

The Gods came down from heaven to have darshan of the Lord but were stopped by gatekeeper Nandi, who asked them to return after Shiva was fully rested. When the Lord woke, he was filled with happiness and danced the “Ananda Thandavam”. The day the Gods came to have darshan of the Lord is reputed to have been a Saturday.

Pradosham Abhishekams at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Abhishekam is performed on the five major Nandi statues at Arunachaleswarar Temple on the occasion of each Pradosham. 

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are: 

Periyar 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 

Worship of Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Large Nandi

Devotees in 5th Prakaram watching abhiskekam of Lord Nandi

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram (Flagpost)

Rathu Vilaku Nandi, 2nd Prakaram

Abhishekam of the Lord with his Consort

Alankaram of the Gods

Procession of the Gods at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Circumambulation of the Shiva Shrine, Arunachala background

Friday 21 July, 2017 Pradosham: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Pradosham was observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple on Friday 21 July, 2017. 

Below are photographs of the worship of Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the Second Prakaram

Pradosham worship, 2nd Prakaram

Abhishekam of Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Nandi the Bull 

Nandi (which means ‘happy and joyous) is the vehicle and gatekeeper of Lord Shiva. He is most commonly depicted as a recumbent bull with folded limbs. His colour is either black or white and he wears a necklace with a bell. Most depictions portray him as Lord Shiva’s vahana. Other depictions of Nandi show him as half human, and half bull. 

According to the Vayu Purana, Nandi was the son of Kashyapa and Surabhi. Other texts point to the origin of Nandi from the desire of sage, Shilada, who wished to have an immortal child for which he performed many austerities. 

Indra, the King of Gods, manifested before the sage to grant his boon, whereupon Shilada replied he sought a strong, immortal child whose greatness would be a legend. Indra informed him that only Lord Shiva, the most powerful god, could grant such a wish. 

Shilada then worshipped Shiva with great devotion. The Lord pleased with his penance appeared before him, granting him the boon. When the sage performed a fire ceremony, the divine child emerged from it. The gods blessed the divine child and all marvelled at his brilliant radiance. Shilada named the child Nandi. 

Shilada took Nandi home and raised him with great care. By the age of 7, Nandi became well versed in all sacred scriptures. One day, the Lords Varuna and Mitra arrived. When they did not appear pleased, Shilada asked for the reason and was told that Nandi would die aged 8 years. 

A grief-stricken Shilada shared the news with Nandi. His son could not bear to see his father's pain and started praying to Lord Shiva. The Lord pleased with his devotion, conferred a necklace with bell to Nandi, transforming him into half man, half bull. He also honoured the young Nandi with immortality, making him the vehicle and head of the Ganas. 

One tale tells that Lord Shiva and the goddess Parvati were playing a game of dice where Nandi was the umpire. Partial to Lord Shiva, he decreed that the deity had won even though the Goddess was the clear winner. 

Infuriated, Parvati inflicted a curse on him. Nandi asked for release from the curse, saying his actions arose from devotion to his Lord. Parvati then said Nandi would be released from the curse if he worshipped her son Lord Ganesha and offered him his favourite items on his birthday. Nandi worshipped Lord Ganesh on Chaturdashi (Bhadrapada month), and offered him green grass as penance. 

Another story relates that during the Sagar Manthan (churning of the ocean), the snake king Vasuki was used as a rope. The poison spewed out of the snake king and to prevent this from harming all life, Lord Shiva drank the poison. Some of it spilled out while Lord Shiva's throat turned blue. To save his master and all life, Nandi drank the spilled venom. To everyone's amazement, Nandi survived the poison and all were amazed at his massive power and the protection of Lord Shiva. 

Nandi is a deity conferred with many powers. He is the protector of Dharma and the chief of the team of Ganas, or attendants of the gods. Nandi is also chief of 18 Siddhas or gifts in Hinduism and is considered the granter of boons. 

Nandi provides the music to which Lord Shiva performs the Tandava or the Cosmic Creation dance. Nandi symbolizes purity as well as justice, faith, wisdom, virility, and honor. 

Thursday 6 July, 2017: Guru Vrat Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple

The below photographs of Nandi abhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple are of the Big Temple Pradosham observed on Thursday (Guru Pradosham) 6 July, 2017. 

Abhishekam of Periyar Nandi

Aarti of Periyar Nandi

Aarti Nandi at Flagpost

Aarti, Arunachaleswarar Temple Pradosham

Lord Shiva enshrined in Nandi's Heart

Pradosham means the “removal of sins”. These times are the windows of opportunity to remove karma or karmic energies that limit our potential in this current life. Pradosham 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 and gives Moksha. 

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

Among the pujas performed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, 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. 

During pradosham abhishekam of Lord Shiva the following are considered fruitful. 

Milk Gives Long life 

Ghee gives Moksha 

Curd gives good children 

Honey gives melodious voice 

Rice Powder gives free from debts 

Sugar Cane Juice gives good health 

Panjamrutham gives wealth 

Lemon removes fear of death 

Sugar removes enmity 

Tender Coconut gives enjoyment 

Cooked Rice gives gives majestic life 

Sandal gives Lakshmi’s grace 

Thursday 22 June, 2017: Guru Vrat Pradosham Arunachaleswarar Temple

In this posting are photographs of the Pradosham observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple on June 22, 2017. The significance of Pradosham on Thursday (the day of the Guru) is that one receives help to overcome opponents and enemies—thus eliminating all danger. Also on Pradoshams which fall on Thursdays, devotees receive Divine blessings through their ancestors. 

Milk abhishekam of Periyar Nandi

Aarti at Periyar Nandi

Large crowd watching abhishekam at Periyar Nandi

Aarti at Nandi near Flagpost, 2nd Prakaram

Alankaram of the Gods on Guru Pradosham