Murugan Temple

I made an earlier posting on an ancient Murugan Temple located on Chengam Road. There are several other notable Murugan Temples and hillside Shrines dedicated to this God, here at Tiruvannamalai.

The oldest Tamil hymns refer to the Sri Murugan as God of of the Hilly regions, the God of the tribes of hunters—Velan (He who carries a vel or spear), and shrines dedicated to him are often found on rocky hills all around Tamil Nadu. 

Path to Shrine

One such shrine is on the top of a hillock off Perumbakkam Road. The shrine can be accessed in under five minutes by hiking up a small rocky pathway. For the little energy expended darshan from the top of the hillock is superb and a big favourite to those who know the area. 

At top of Pathway

The spear Lord Murugan holds in his hand, is an emblem of power and indicates that He is the ruler of the Universe. His vehicle is the peacock which he rides, thus signifying that He has conquered pride, egoism and vanity. There is a cobra under His feet, which signifies that He is absolutely fearless, immortal and wise. 

Arunachala Darshan from Shrine Hillock

As Lord Murugan is regarded as God of the mountains, so too Lord Vishnu is worshipped as God of the Forests, Lord Indra as God of agricultural land, Lord Varuna as God of costal regions and Lord Kali as God of desert regions. 

Outcrop known as Anjaneya's Rock

Some of Sri Murugan’s other names are: Lord Subramanya, Skanda, Kumaresa, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Guha and Velayudhan. Lord Subramanya is a ray born of the Divine Consciousness of Lord Siva. Valli and Deivayanai are His two wives who represent the power of action and the power of knowledge. 

Vel in front of Shrine

Lord Murugan is an aspect of the Divine easily accessible in this age of ignorance and lack of faith. He gives material and spiritual prosperity and success to His devotees, if they show even the smallest devotion to Him. 

One view of unspoilt countryside

The six most sacred abodes of Lord Murugan known as (Aarupadai Veedu), situated in Tamil Nadu, are: Tirupparamkunram, Tiruchendur, Thiruvaivanankudi, Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Pazhamudircholai with Marudamalai often considered to be a seventh abode.

The now closed rock quarry off Perumbakkam road

For a fascinating in-depth narrative about Skanda, the elegant war-god son of Shiva Go to this link here. 

Growing urbanisation of Tiruvannamalai

Postings: 2nd week June, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 8, 2013 to Saturday June 15, 2013. 

Arunachala Grace 

Mahabhishekam Somaskanda, Big Temple: Information and photographs of  Mahabhishekam Puja performed on the Somaskanda manifestation of Lord Shiva. 

Siva Sannidhi Accommodation Facility: Information about the completed new annexe building of the Shiva Sannidhi with its new forty-nine modern accommodation rooms. 

Peaceful Adiannamalai Temple: Photographs of the famed Shiva Temple on the Northside of the Hill 

Arunachala Birds 

The Asian Koel: Information about the Koel, the most familiar of Indian Cuckoos found at Tiruvannamalai District. 

Arunachala Mystic 

Aurora of Arunachala: Devotee narrative of the mystic lights of Arunachala 

Arunachala Land 

Hiking in Arunachala Countryside: Photographs of nearby unspoilt countryside hills, with wonderful darshan of Arunachala 

The Tamarind Tree: Information and superstitions regarding the Tamarind Tree, familiar all around Tiruvannamalai. 

Peaceful Adiannamalai Temple

Nowadays an increasing number of pilgrims visit Adiannamalai Temple during their Arunachala Girivalam. However considering the significance and power of this Temple, one wonders why significantly more pilgrims don’t break their girivalam to spend time at what is believed to be the oldest Shiva Temple at Arunachala. Its history predates even Arunachaleswarar Temple on the southeast side of the Hill and the only other Shiva Temple of major historical emminence is the very beautiful, and again, relatively unvisited Arunagirinathar Temple on the side of the Ayyankulam Thirtham. 

To read more about a visit to Arunagirinathar Temple go to this link here, and its significance in connection with Ramana Maharshi, to this link here. 

Entrance to Adiannamalai Temple

It was after the establishment of the Temple at Adi Annamalai that Lord Siva then manifested himself as Swayambhu Linga (Self Created) on the southeast side of the Hill. The Temple housing this sacred Linga is known as Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Lord Shiva and his Goddess

According to legend Brahma got enamoured of Tillottama, his own daughter (i.e. one of his own creations) and in his mood of infatuation went after her in the form of a dove. When she took refuge in Siva, the Lord confronted Brahma in the form of a Hunter and dispelled his delusion. There is even today on the slopes of Arunachala, a Temple to the Lord as Hunter, known as Vediyappan Koil, being called wrongly nowadays as Kannapar Koil. To get himself absolved of the sin committed, Brahma installed and worshipped a Linga of Lord Arunachaleswarar. This is also called Adi Annamalai. 

Wonderful Arunachala darshan from Temple Compound

In the Arunachala Puranam (Tamil), Brahma says to his son Sanaka, “To remove the unabating Karmas I installed and worshipped a Linga of Lord Arunachala, who is called Ani Annamalai (Ani = Beautiful)”. 

Beautiful statue of Nandi

It is reported that the vision of Arunachala from this Temple is known as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan and the great Siddha Thirumoolar saw this aspect. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi who used to camp at Adi Annamalai for up to 2-3 nights while performing Giri Valam was reported to have said that while at the Temple he heard the celestial recital of 'Sama Veda'. 

Lord Subramanya and his two wives

The month of Maargazhi (December-January) is considered the pre-dawn hour of the gods (Brahma Muhurtha). Saint Manickavachakar sang his immortal ‘Thiruvembavai’ at Adi Annamalai. This song of bridal mysticism is sung all over Tamil Nadu every morning of Maargazhi month. There is a Temple and pond dedicated to this saint at Adi Annamalai. 

Pradakshina of Temple compound

For more detail and photographs of this beautiful Temple please visit my website Arunachala Samudra at this link here.

Siva Sannidhi Accommodation Facility

To read an earlier posting on Siva Sannidhi, before the construction of the new annexe building, go to this link here.

I have received emails from readers eager to view the completed new annexe at Siva Sannidhi. I made this original posting of the new annexe, at this link here but now construction is complete and the new accommodation annexe which has 39 rooms is now fully operational. 

I am posting the below photographs to give an idea of the rooms and the facility. All rooms have two single cots, tiled floors, mosquito net windows, fan, attached western style bathroom and a small dressing room with sink. Bedding i.e. mattress, top sheet and pillows are standard in all rooms. 

The annexe is very quiet, comfortable, a two minute walk from Ramana Ashram and shops, and most importantly has a magnificent darshan of Arunachala. Accommodation rates are very reasonable and except over Deepam, long stays are allowed. The week of Deepam is always heavily oversubscribed, so the facility has no rooms available at that time. Siva Sannidhi has a dining hall in which food (Andhra Style, medium heat) is served three times a day). 

The manager and workers at Siva Sannidhi are very friendly and helpful and the facility which attracts a pilgrim type visitor does not have a commercial or worldly atmosphere. The new building at Siva Sannidhi is by far and away one of the most pleasant and convenient accommodation facilities located in the Ramana Nagar side of Tiruvannamalai. 

Arunachala Grace represents Siva Sannidhi as booking agent. So for more information or to make a reservation, please use our email contact at the top left side of this page. 

Welcoming Visitors to Shiva Sannidhi

Reception

Welcoming Lord Ganesha

Darshan of Arunachala from Shiva Sannidhi

         Elevator, new building

Standard Room

All windows with mosquito netting

Standard Western Style Bathroom

Some bathrooms have water heaters

Rooms have small dressing area with separate sink

Layout sample of first two floors

Seating area on Second Floor

Open area on Third Floor

Third Floor open area suitable for group meetings

Four rooms on fourth floor roof

Mahabhishekam Somaskanda, Big Temple

The photographs are of Mahabhishekam Puja performed once a year at Arunachaleswarar Temple on the day of amavasya (this year June 8, 2013) during Vaikasi month on the Somaskanda manifestation of Lord Shiva. 

Devotees sitting in front of the Somaskanda icon

Somaskanda is a particular form of representation of the four-armed Shiva with the Goddess Parvati to his left and the joyous, dancing child Skanda in between. 

Crowds of devotee present to watch the puja

This Somaskanda aspect of Lord Shiva represents the Supreme Godhead as a father by the side of his family and the Lord’s consort, Goddess Parvati as a graceful mother, full of tenderness for their son Skanda who is dancing with ecstasy in the middle of his parents. 

Somaskanda Mahabhishekam, June 2013

This family-group depiction of Shiva originated during the sixth to eighth century in South India and not only Arunachaleswarar Temple, but many Shiva Temples in Tamil Nadu bear a Somaskanda representation behind the Shiva Lingam at the sanctum sanctorum. 

Lord Shiva and Parvati, with ecstatic, dancing Skanda

Postings: 1st week June, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 1, 2013 to Saturday June 8, 2013.

Arunachala Grace

Mosquito Repellent Advice Tamil Nadu: Practical information for visitors to Tiruvannamalai (and Tamil Nadu) and advice as to chemical free mosquito protection.

Agnihotra Yagam: Information and photographs of a yearly Yagam performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple during the hot Summer Months. 

Thirujnana Sambhandar: Short biography of one of the four great Tamil Saints, the Nalvars, and a narrative of his visit to Arunachala. 

A Tamil Wedding: Photographs and information about a traditional Tamil Wedding performed at Arunachala.

June 6, 2013 -- Pradosham, Big Temple: Photographs and short narrative of the Arunachaleswarar Temple June 6th, 2013 Pradosham. 

Arunachala Birds 

Common Babbler -- Passerine: Extract from 1902 Book on Indian Birds about the Common Babbler accompanied with contemporary photographs of this bird species. 

 

Arunachala Land 

Frangipani: Description and photographs of the beautiful Frangipani Plant and narrative of the Frangipani in Hindu folklore. 

Arunachala Mystic

Nakshatra Offerings to Arunachala: Information and listing of Arunachala offerings appropriate to each of the 27 Nakshatras in connection with the date of one’s visit to the Hill.

Panchamukha Darshanam: Escoteric significance of the Panchamukha located off the girivalam roadway on the northeast side of Arunachala. 

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.

A Tamil Wedding

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a wedding to be performed at the Sri Ganesha Mahal Wedding Hall on Sannidhi Street. The wedding was performed at the auspicious, very early hours between 6.00 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. on Monday, May 20th, 2013. 

The night before I was going through my clothes to select an appropriate silk sari for the occasion. I had definitely made up my mind to wear silk, but then the next day even at the early hour of 5.00 a.m. it was already muggy, close and hot and I knew that the mercury would soar and I lost courage and put away the silk sari and instead selected an easy-to-wear cool crepe muslin. 

Definitely felt that I was cheating once I got to the marriage hall and was surrounded by ladies wearing glorious, silk ornamental saris -- but what to do? It had been so hot. For six weeks we had been suffering at daily temperatures of around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and at such times we may lose our courage and go for comfort. So although I felt a little guilty when I met with so many ladies who obviously were more stoic than I, frankly I was able to shrug it off pretty easily! 

Sri Ganesha Mahal Wedding Hall, Sannidhi Street

The first photograph is of the Sri Ganesha Mahal Marriage Hall which is right in the heart of Tiruvannamalai and close to Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

View (from Hall) of Raja Gopuram and Arunachala

The above is a view from upstairs at the Marriage Hall looking down a very deserted early morning Sannidhi Street with the Temple and Arunachala in the background. Wonderful darshan.

Musicians at Wedding

The musicians playing at the wedding played popular classical instruments including the Nathaswaram (also known as Nagaswaram), Thalam (brass cymbals) and Tavil, a drum played with thimbles, tacks and sticks and used to accompany performances of the Nathaswaram. The auspicious music is traditionally used to accompany South Indian weddings. 

Nathaswaram on left, Tavil on right

Tavil being played with thimbles

The below photograph is of a blending of auspicious leaves found in Tamil Nadu which are used in traditional marriage ceremonies. The leaves are Ficus Bengalis and Bamboo. 

Ficus Bengalis and Bamboo Leaf

The next photograph is of the bride Radha who hails from Vellore where she taught Computer Science at local Schools. In Tamil marriages, the wife will move to the native place of the husband, so the marriage not only means she will be moving household, but she will also be relocating from Vellore to Tiruvannamalai. Here she is wearing her pre-wedding sari.

Radha, the Bride

Below is the offering of Wedding clothes for both the bride and groom. 

Wedding clothes for Bride and Groom

The below statue is of the wedding of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Meenakshi -- Meenakshi's brother Lord Vishnu is there to give away his sister. The wedding of the Gods, which you can read at this link here, is very auspicious, and the presence of the the wedding statue brings good fortune to the couple who marries in front of it.

Wedding of Shiva and Meenakshi with brother Vishnu

The next three photographs are of the wedding ceremony itself and shows the bride, Radha and bridegroom, Sampathkumar during the various parts of the wedding ceremony, surrounded by family members from both sides. Sampathkumar's family have been living at Tiruvannamalai for many generations. He is currently completing his studies in Botany at Tiruvannamalai, and will be awarded his Ph.D this upcoming September.

Time for the Mangala Sutra

Ceremony being captured on video cam

A very happy and now married couple

Thirujnana Sambhandar

In my previous posting, I mentioned that on May 27, 2013 there was a procession at Arunachaleswarar Temple connected with the festival of Saiva Acharya Thirujnana Sambandar. Thirujnana is regarded as one of the four great Tamil Saints, the Nalvars, comprised of: Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavacakar. The below posting is a short biography of the life of the great saint and more interestingly (for us at Tiruvannamalai), his visit to Arunachala as is described in the Arunachala Mahatmyam. 

Thirujnana Sambhandar 

Sambandhar took his birth in a Brahmin family in Sirkali in the district of Tanjore which is also known by the name Brahmapuri. His parents were Sivapada Hridayar and Bhagavathiar. At that time apart from Saivism, Jainism and Buddhism were among the popular faiths in South India and both Sivapada Hridayar and his wife as ardent devotees of Lord Siva, refused to embrace Jainism and give up Saivism, even though at that time the forces of Jainism were very powerful. 

Sivapada Hridayar prayed to the Lord for the boon of a son who would re-establish Saivism. The Lord granted this boon, and soon a male child was born. One day the parents took the child, who was then around three years old, with them to the Temple tank and left him on its bank so they could bathe. In response to the child’s crying the Lord and Goddess Parvati appeared before him. The Goddess fondled the child and suckled him with her Milk of Wisdom. From that moment the child was known as “Aludaiya Pillayar” or one who enjoys the protection of the Lord: and also as “Tirujnana Sambandar” as he attained divine wisdom through the grace of Lord Siva and the Goddess Parvati. 

From the moment he drank the Milk he began to compose and sing songs in praise of Lord Siva; the collection of these songs are called Thevaram. The child, accompanied by his father, went on pilgrimage to various Temples throughout South India, where the boy would compose and sing songs of praise to Lord Shiva. 

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Sirkali with fresco of Sambandhar’s story

Information about Sambandar comes mainly from the Periya Puranam, the eleventh-century Tamil book on the Nayanars that forms the last volume of the Tirumurai, along with the earlier Tiruttondartokai, poetry by Sundarar and Nambiyandar Nambi’s Tiru Tondar Tiruvandadi. The first volumes of the Tirumurai contain three hundred and eighty-four poems of Sambandar, all that survive out of a reputed more than 10,000 hymns. 

At his investiture with the sacred thread, at the age of seven Thirujnana Sambandhar is said to have expounded the Vedas with great clarity. Sambandar attained liberation in "Visaka Nakshtara" in the Tamil month of "Visakam" at the age of sixteen soon after his marriage ceremony. 

Thirujnana Sambandhar

Sambandhar says in one of his Padigams: “O foolish man, do not allow days to pass. Serve Lord Siva who has a blue neck. Hear His praise. Meditate on His form. Repeat always the Panchakshara. Live in the company of devotees of Siva. Serve them. His name will remove all evils and dangers . . . Worship Lord Siva, He will confer on you eternal bliss and immortality”. 

In an English translation of the Arunachala Mahatmyam, Sri Thirujnana Sambandar’s pilgrimage to Arunachala is recorded thus:- 

**************** 

Visit of Sambandha to Arunachala 

Upamanyu said: When Tirujnanasambandha (one of the four great Tamil saints) was staying at Tiruvarayaninallur (adjoining Tirukkoilur) adoring the Lord there, some of his followers pointed out Arunachala standing majestically at a distance. The child saint spontaneously composed a hymn of ten stanzas beginning with the words: “Unnamulai Umayalodum’, meaning, the Lord who is accompanied by Uma known as Unnamulai. 

Once he was looking for someone who would show him the way to Arunachala when he saw a strange looking old Brahmin gathering flowers. He was moved by the sight of the old man and asked him respectfully, in a voice choked with emotion, “where have you come from? Which is your place? Why have you come here?” The old man replied, “I have come from Arunachala. That is where I live. I have come to gather flowers for the Lord.” At this, Jnanasambandha asked him, “How far is Arunachala from here? Is it a small wood or a big forest? Kindly lead me for I do not know the way.” The old man said, “Yonder is the Hi. It is not very far. I am old but I come here everyday and return with flowers required for the morning worship of the Lord. I shall take you there quickly by a good path”

. . . . 

Sambandha followed him along with his retinue. When they reached the precincts of Arunachala the old man leading them suddenly disappeared. He was none other than Arunachala who was leading his child to His abode. 

In accordance with the Lord’s command, His bhutaganas appeared as hunters and robbed the personal possessions of Jnanasambandha and his followers. They took away the bundles and ran away from the place. 

The Saint thought: Alas! I cannot find the old Brahmin who was leading the way, our only recourse now is to pray to the Lord who grants wealth and joy. When he sang the praise of the Lord, the extremely compassionate Arunachala appeared mounted on Nandi along with His consort. When Sambandha saw the Lord, he with great devotion and overflowing love prostrated and with folded hands sang melodious hymns praising the Lord. The Lord with great affection and in a reverberating voice said: Child! Because of my love for you I wanted you to come to Arunachala which is my eternal abode. Hence I assumed the form of an old Brahmin and came to the garden at Arayaninalloor in the guise of plucking flowers for the Lord’s puja. Upon my orders, bhutaganas took away your possessions. The belongings of your followers shall be returned. A feast shall be set before you and your followers so that your hunger may be appeased. 

Sambandha and his followers got back whatever they had lost and a veritable feast was set before them. The Lord bade the child Saint to come to His temple. In ecstasy, Sambandha approached the Lord’s Temple whose mighty towers were visible from afar. 

In every house the chanting of the Vedas could be heard. Great hospitality was shown to the guests by the residents of the holy city of Arunachala as if the former were the very form of Lord Shiva. In the streets around the temple of Arunachala, the sounds accompanying the celebration of the festival for the deities could be heard. Yagas were being performed. The deities were brought out of the temple on procession accompanied by elephants, horses and chariots. Sambandha saw tapasvis who were deeply absorbed in the bliss of Siva. The city of Arunachala was a flourishing one with scholars well versed in the Vedas and sastras, their bodies radiating the glow of intense tapas, devotees with Arunachala’s name on their lips, wearing rudraksha and their frames smeared with vibhuti, jnanis who cared not for the state of Brahma or Indra and yogis who were immersed in their Heart in perfect bliss. 

After passing the streets on either side of which stood many storied buildings, Sambandha reached the Temple of the Lord. Sambandha entered the Temple which had courts and majestic walls. With profound devotion and love for Arunachala he reached the sanctum sanctorum and surrendered himself. He circumambulated the Lord and the Goddess Apitakuchamba. He adored the Lord and paid his homage by praising Him with a decad beginning with the word ‘Poovar malarkondu’. He resided in the vicinity of Lord Arunachala for a few more days singing decads praising gloriously the Lord and the Hill of Arunachala. Sambandha and his followers left Arunachala after seeking the Lord’s blessings and continued their journey.