2014 Deepam Festival. Day Six—Morning: Elephant with 63 Nayanars

In the festivities of the morning of the sixth day, a glorious Silver Elephant, (notice the sugar cane in its mouth) leads a procession of the great Shiva devotees, the 63 Nayanars.

Glorious Silver Elephant

Lord Arunachaleswarar on the Silver Elephant

Procession starting on Car Street around the perimeter streets of Temple

On both sides of the below photograph, one can see individual palanquins of the Nayanars.

The Nayanars are remembered as a group of 63 saints (poets) of the 6th to 8th century who were devoted to Lord Shiva. It was they that influenced the Bhakti movement in Tamil Nadu. The names of the 63 saints were first compiled by Sundarar and the list was expanded by Nambiyandar Nambi during his compilation of material for the famed Tirumurai.

Message of the Nayanars

“There have been many ‘intellectuals’ even in India who have looked down upon the path of Bhakti (devotion) as something inferior to Jnana (wisdom). Their short-sightedness becomes at once apparent when we study the lives of the great Four Teachers (Appar, Sundarar, Manickavachagar and Sambandar) and realise that these great Jnanis, too, were great Bhaktas who loved to visit Temples and sing the glories of the Lord.

Love of the Lord cuts at the very root of our attachment to this world, and snaps all worldly ties, to father, mother, son, wife or relatives. As the stories of the Nayanars illustrate, the devotee is ever ready to renounce all, in favour of devotion to Lord Siva.

Let us also never forget that in the case of all the Nayanars devotion invariably meant expansion of the heart, and, therefore, service and charity. We have to take the individual tales of the Nayanars as allegories exhorting us to rout out the inner obstacles to our Sadhana.

If we approach these saints with faith and devotion in our hearts, we shall grasp the message they have for us. We shall also understand why they gave such a great place to externals like the sacred ash, Rudraksha, etc. These symbols remind one constantly of God: and, when they are said to remove our sins, they remove our sinful tendencies, too, by constantly reminding us of God, and keeping evil out of our mind.” 

[By: Venkatesananda]

* * * * * * * *

Out of these 63 Nayanars, the four Saiva Samaya Acharyas; (left to right) Tirugnansambandar, Tirunanvukkarasar (Appar), Sundarar and Manikkavasagar are remembered best of all.

The Saiva Samaya Acharyas

The principal teachings of the four Saiva Samaya Acharyas is of love and surrender to God; and of service to God and godly men. That love, devotion, and service to God is the only way one can obtain His Grace. God is One and He is Shiva. That man must get over his bonds which keep him in ignorance and obtain inseparable union with Shiva through the Lord's Grace.

Live TV coverage and online streaming video 2014 Karthigai Deepam

Tiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam -- December 5, 2014 

Morning 4:00 am Bharani Deepam 

Afternoon - Theerthavari Brahma Theertham 

Evening 6:00 pm Karthigai Deepam at Arunachaleshwarar Temple 

Live TV Coverage 

Many TV channels will telecast Barani Deepam and Karthigai Deepam live from Tiruvannamalai on December 5, 2014; Sun News, Vijay TV, DD Podhigai, Zee Tamil, Raj TV, Sri Sankara TV, Jaya TV, and SVBC TTD TV -- from 4:00 pm onwards.

 

To watch Karthigai Deepam 2014 live on YouTube visit 'Swasthik TVCom Channel' at this link here: 

 

You can watch online streaming of Tiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam 2014 on:

http://vasanth.tv/livetv.php 

http://www.turbotv.in/dd-podhigai-live 

http://www.dinamalar.com/thirvannamalai_live_video.asp  
http://www.turbotv.in/dd-podhigai-live 

http://www.svbcttd.com 

http://srisankaratv.com 

Karthigai Deepam online streaming video from Arunachaleswarar Temple official website at:

http://live.arunachaleswarar.org 

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Five—Night: Big Silver Rishabam

For a full pictorial representation of the below narrative please visit my website Arunachala Samudra at this link here.

Big Silver Rishba

[Narrative By Swami Abhishekananda 1970]

“The Festival begins nine or ten days before Thibam. Each evening there are solemn processions round the Temple, which are over and above the regular worship and the private offerings of puja which go on through the day.

The day comes to its climax with the procession in the evening, which lasts almost until midnight. It is led by Ganapati, the commander of the heavenly hosts (gana-pati). Next comes Karttikeyi, the lord of the Pleiades, also called Murugan or Subrahmaniyan in Tamilnadu, who like Ganapati is a murti of Shiva and also his son. Surya, the Sun, comes next, the great sign of Light. There there is Uma or Parvati, Shiva’s consort; and lastly, on his white bull, Shiva Arunachala or Annamalaiyar. According to custom they are carried on the Temple cars, whose dimensions and decoration are on the grandest scale. Every evening there are different cars, each more impressive than its predecessor. Of these the most remarkable are the huge car of carved wood, more than ten metres high, on which the statue is carried on a day during the Festival and also the silver bull on which Shiva rides on the fifth day.

I was strongly recommended not to miss the night of the silver bull, and had accordingly arrived in very good time. I passed the time in the shrine of Sundareshwar, which was under the supervision of my friend Arunachala Aiyar, Ramana’s old companion in the Virupaksha cave. Saminathan was also there that evening. The mandapam was crowded with people who like us were waiting to see the procession. They plied me with endless questions, which I answered as well as I could. Saminathan, not knowing Tamil, remained silent, his eyes half shut, lost in his prayer. I have to admit that my questioners were much more impressed by Saminathan and his silence than by the answer that they sought to extract from me; but they paid even less attention to the disquisitions which which one or other of the company sought remorselessly to improve the occasion. They clearly told me so . . .

During this time, in the Kalyana Mandapam, ‘the portico of weddings,’ the priests were busy decorating the murtis, using silk and gold brocade, flowers and valuable jewels. Meanwhile the cars were standing outside the Temple, and on them also ornaments were being loaded. All this seemed to go on interminably; but at last there was a sudden blare of trumpets form the inner courtyard, their sound re-echoing loudly from the high enclosure walls. Accompanying the trumpets was the low drone of the tamburas, while the silvery melody of flutes pierced though the noise of the crowd. 

Now the file of murtis with their attendants emerged from their shrines, and when they passed under porticos or gopurams the echo from the low vaults become deafening. Soon they came to the Vallalla Gopuram where were were standing. In front were the torch-bearers, next the musicians, and last the palanquins, carried on the bare shoulders of the priest. On either side was the tightly-packed crowd with outstretched arms, giving cries of fervent devotion. Somewhere breaking coconuts on the ground, while others held out at arm’s length gilded trays of burning camphor. The enthusiasm spread, swelled, multiplied itself irresistibly. Light, heat, scents, sounds, bodies and souls too, all were weeded together into a single vast and vibrant outpouring of love in honour of the Lord of Arunachala. 

We followed behind the procession, crossed the outermost courtyard, passed under the huge gopuram, passed under the huge gopuram over the East Gate and reached the long colonnade which adjoins it on the east, where the cars were waiting. The murtis were installed on the cars; and once again the work of decoration was resumed with renewed zeal; flowers, jewels, lights in even greater quantity. The crowd was now more tightly packed than ever. The friend who was guiding me managed to open a path for me immediately in front of the chief car, where the palanquin of Shiva Annamalaiyar was mounted on the silver bull. 

Over him was held a huge ceremonial umbrella which touched the roof overhead. Behind the car was a trailer with a dynamo, and thousands of electric bulbs sparkled all over the palanquin, the platform, the decorations, among the jewels, silks and flowers which adorned the statue. Appusastri, who was standing near, was so moved that he cried out: “How can one doubt any longer that it is the Lord himself upon his car, who presents himself for our adoration!” Yet this Appusastri was an old disciple of Ramana and Ganapati Muni, who more than anyone had lectured me about advaita, proclaiming that whatever appears is maya, that there is no distinction at the heart of Being, and that it is vanity to worship God as an “Other” . . . !

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Five—Day: Chandrasekhara in Rishabam

2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival -- Cultural Programmes

Throughout this long Deepam Festival, cultural programmes of traditional dance and music are held both in the auditorium inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple and also on floats moving around the town's Mada Streets (Temple perimeter streets). As well as cultural programmes, there are also street musicians and musicians attached to processions and festivities. 

Crowd Scenes 2014 Karthigai Deepam, Arunachala

Below are a sequence of crowd shots taken during the early days of the 2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

The first photograph is of the much loved Rukku, the Temple Elephant, who is very much part of many of the celebrations and processions connected with this Festival. 

Rukku on Procession Detail

Ladies carrying Child around the 3rd Prakaram Shrines

The above photograph is of 'karampu thuthi' in which ladies and family members in answer to a vow, carry a child in a holder made of sugar canes and saris, either around the inside or outside perimeter of Arunachaleswarar Temple. This is often the consequence of a would-be parent praying to God for the boon of a child and their pledge to the Divine that they will offer the child (when born) to God and perform Temple circumambulation. 

Sometimes if the family lives a long distance from Arunachala, it might a few years before the vow is honoured and they are able to return to complete their Temple circumambulation. Problem is the longer you wait the bigger and heavier the child becomes! 

Devotees visit Kalyana Mandapam to take darshan of the Gods

Temple compound busy with  pujas, processions and cultural programmes

The next three photographs are of musicians connected with processions and programmes during the 2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

Sadhus and Swamis an essential part of all Festivals at Arunachala

Young Lad offers his own aarti to the Gods

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Four—Day: Naga Vahanam

Today we had the procession of Chandrasekhara and Naga Vahanam. The first photo in his gallery is of the newly renovated and plated Naga Vahanam. 

Naga Vahana recently refurbished

Lord Arunachaleswarar on Naga Vahanam, 2014 Deepam

Lord Arunachaleswarar in Mandapam outside Temple Rajagopuram

Procession of the Panchamoorties around the Temple perimeter Streets

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Three—Night: Shima Vahanam

During Festivals the Deities are taken in procession around the Temple. Sometimes, the deity is shown mounted on or riding their vehicle, while at other times, the vahana is shown by the Deity’s side. Many times, this vahana (vehicle) is also represented by way of symbolisms, as a divine attribute. Though the vahana appears to be independent, it is part and parcel of the deity’s presence and has an meaning to it. 

In the case of the Lord on the Simha (lion) vehicle; the creature represents lordly power in general and lordly power of wild beasts in particular. Lion, the royal beast represents the best in animal creation. It can also represent greed for food and hence the greed for other objects of enjoyment, which invariably leads to lust. And as God’s vehicle represents His control of animal instincts in human beings 

The golden skinned lion is an archetypal symbol for the golden rayed sun, the lord of the day, whose appearance kills the demonic forces of the night. The lion has always been important in mythology in India as it symbolises the solar and luminous principle of life and knowledge. 

The lion also expresses the heroism and prowess necessary to defeat asurik forces and represents the heroism and strength required to enter the spiritual path. 

Alagarams left to right: Karthikeya, Shiva, Goddess

Lord Arunachaleswarar on Simha Vahana

Simha Vahana

Panchamoorthies outside Arunachaleswarar Temple

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Three—Day: Bootha Vahanam

This morning Day 3 of the 2014 Karthigai Deepam Festival at Arunachala was the procession of Lord Chandrasekhara on the Bootha Vahanam. 

Lord Chandrasekhara Alangaram

The Lord on the Bootha Vahana

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

Lord Chandrasekhara rounding Arunachaleswarar perimeter streets

Ganesha on his Vahana

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Two—Night: Indira Vahanam

Indra is the King of the Gods and ruler of the heavens. He is the God of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He wields a lightning thunderbolt known as the vajra, rides on a white elephant known as Airavata and also has a golden chariot drawn by ten thousand horses. 

The formidable thunderbolt-wielding Indra strikes an imposing figure but as king of the Gods he is generally benevolent, being generous to his worshippers, guaranteeing peace and prosperity and delivering beneficial rainstorms to end droughts. He can also be called upon in times of war to give support with his divine weapons and favourable intervention. 

At Arunachala this God has a special significance as he associated with the Asta Lingam with the cardinal direction of east. The Indra lingam is dominated by the Navagrahas, Lord Surya and Lord Shukra (Venus). Devotees are blessed with long life and prosperity on worshipping the Indra lingam. 

Arunachaleswarar

Sri Indra with Chariot Vahana carrying Lord Arunachaleswarar

Sri Indra with Lord Arunachaleswarar

Panchamoorthies giving darshan outside Temple

2014 Deepam Festival. Day Two—Morning: Surya Perai Vaghanam

This morning was the Surya Perai Vaghanam procession.

Vaghanam on its way through the Temple

Procession on its way down Car Street

God on the Sun Vehicle

2014 Deepam Festival. Day One—Evening: Adhikara Nandi Vahana

There are two types of Nandi (Nandikeśvara) statues at Siva Temples, the more common is that of the reclining bull (Vrsabha) and the other is that of Adhikara Nandi. In the case of Arunachaleswarara Temple the Adhikara Nandi of last night’s function is in the form of a bull-head human standing on two legs.

Adhikara Nandi's two back hands hold a parasu (battle axe) and mrga (antelope) and the two front hands are folded on the chest in a pose of obeisance. Since he is the chief of the ganas (retinues) of Siva, exercising his authority (adhikara) over them, he is christened as ‘Adhikara Nandi.’

There are different accounts as to the origin of this manifestation. Desirous of a son, a sage named Salankayana, propitiated Lord Vishnu, who granted his wish by producing a boy exactly resembling Siva, from the right side of his body. He was named Nandikesvara. According to another account, a sage called Nandi obtained the status of a Deva and the headship of the ganas of Siva by propitiating him. A third account depicts Adhikara Nandi as emerging from the yagasala (sacrificial shed) of the blind sage Silada, in the form of a young lad resembling Siva, thus bringing ‘nandi’ or joy to him. Silada adopted him as his son.

Panchamoorthies Deeparthana

Arunachaleswarar

Arunachaleswarar on Adhikara Nandi Vahana

Panchamoorthies giving darshan front of Arunachaleswarar Temple