Day 1 Morning Procession of the Panchamoorties

After completion of the Flag Hoisting ceremony; later in the morning of November 15, 2015 (Day One of Karthigai Festival), the five Gods are worshipped inside the Temple and then taken outside through the Thittivasal gate. 

The Thittivasal gate is by the side of the Raja Gopura and is used as a departure and access point for the deities during Festivals. 

As Murtis (idols of the Divine) are taken to represent sukshma sarira (i.e. the subtle body) they are not taken through the Eastern Gopura as that represents the sthoola sarira (i.e. the gross body). In earlier times the Thittivasal was also used by royalty and important personages. 

Thittivasal Gate from Inside Temple

1949 Photo of Thittivasal Gate outside Temple

Gods coming out of the Thittivasal Gate into the street outside Temple

Gods giving Darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam

Once outside the Temple the Gods receive darshan of devotees and pilgrims at the Alankaram Mandapam (located front of the east Raja Gopura). 

Thereupon the Gods are taken out to circumabulate the 4 perimeter streets (Mada Veddhis) surrounding the Temple. 

4 Perimeter Circumambulation Streets of Temple

Lovely Rukku was out on the streets on the morning of the 1st Day

She will have lots of walking and attention throughout the Festival

During all the processions musicians are out in force

Talking of Elephants, here is Vinayagar in the morning procession

Lord Arunachalewarar in procession

To the left of the Lord Arunachaleswarar Radham, is the parked giant Maharadham, which is traditionally used on the 7th Day of the Festival. The yellow building to the left of the Maharadham is the access point to the top of the multi-storey Radham, which on the morning of the 7th day pilgrims are allowed to traverse and go onto the plinth of the Madharadham and take darshan of the God.

Tractors pull the giant Radhams along the perimeter streets

Always colour and crowds surrounding the streets of the Temple

2015 Karthigai Deepam Flag Hoisting Ceremony

Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Unnamulai 

The commencement of the utsavam or festival is marked by a ceremony called the Dhwajarohanam or the hoisting of the flag. Dwajasthambam literally means "flag pole." Comparing the Temple structure to the human body; the main sanctum is the head, Mahamandapam, the central portion is the body and the Rajagopuram represent the feet. 

At Arunachaleswarar Temple the flag post is located outside the Shiva Sannidhi and is made of wood with an overlay of brass and a gold coating.

Raising of the Flag

A cloth flag is hoisted during Temple Festivals (Brahmostavam) according to the rules of Agama. The flag tree is representative of Lord Shiva, the flag tree cloth marks Shakti, the flag marking represents the soul and the thread of the flag marks grace. 

Dhwajarohanam is a public act of sankalpa (action made to impress an idea on the mind) which indicates a vow undertaken (in this case) by the people of the town to celebrate Brahmostavam. Hence no-one present within the town limits on the occasion of the Dhwajarohanam is expected to leave the town or do any other thing such as marriage etc., until the Festival is over. The close of the Festival is marked by the Dhwajavarohanam or the lowering of the flag. 

Offical beginning of 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival

Between the raising and lowering of the flag, Arunachaleswarar Temple will be host to two kinds of activity during the day. Each morning and evening the five deities; Siva, Sakthi, Subrahmanya, Ganapati and Chandikesvara go around the perimeter streets of the Temple. Before leaving the Temple, the Gods are worshipped in the mandapam hall where a homam is performed twice a day, and thereupon the Gods receive on their foreheads a black spot made of ash (vibhutti) mixed with ghee. On the seventh day the same deities, each on a wooden radham, are led around the Temple perimeter streets in a day long procession 

Devotees attending the Flag Hoisting Ceremony

During this 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival the Gods of Arunachaleswarar Temple will be taken out seated on differently built Temple vehicles (vaghanams) like Rishaba (Bull), Elephant, Cow (Kamadhenu—a mythical animal), palanquins, chariots or Radhams (Thers). 

Vinayagar Ursavam—November 15, 2015

Vinayagar Ursavam was celebrated in the evening of Sunday, 15 November 2015 as part of the Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

Lord Vinayagar

Lord Vinayagar (right) on his Vahanam

Lord Vinayagar giving darshan outside Temple

Pidari Ursavam, 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival

In the evening of November 14, 2015 Pidari Ursavam was observed at the Pidari Shrine, which is located in the 3rd Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

The Goddess

In front of the Pidari shrine, which faces North, there is a stone trident and two Bali peethas or sacrificial altars. Inside the Pidari shrine are representations of; Ganesha, Sapta Kanyas or seven ‘Matris’ (chiselled in separate stones), a severed head of a Goddess with a crown and Nidambasudani who gives darshan with eight arms. This severed head represents ‘Renuka’ the Goddess worshipped at Padaiveedu, a town about 30 miles from Tiruvannamalai. Renuka represents the ‘Formidable’ the ‘Fearful’ aspect of Kali, the consort of Siva. The stoned head of ‘Reunka’ is about 2½ high and although it has a slightly damaged nose, is a very beautiful image. 

Pidari Shrine, 3rd Prakaram, Big Temple

Goddess Pidari is Kali in a rural setting and regarded as being a consort of Siva. Pidari is the ferocious aspect of Amman. The Mother Goddess gives life but Kali takes life. Goddess Pidari is the feminine form of Kala—time. Kali is the energy or the power of time. Her blackness swallows all that exists and the emptiness of space is her clothing, for when the Universe is dissolved, the power of time remains without maya (veil). 

Kali’s extension, Pidari and her worship; evolved as a fighter and warrior and gained importance with the influence of Tantrism where she is known as Kala Pidari. The Pidari Goddess, in line with Shakti manifestations, emphasises fierce symbolism. At times Pidari is the sole resident deity in a village. As devata, She is the all-in-all for the village from simple prayers to Divine blessings. 

Goddess circumambulating the Temple perimeter streets

This Goddess also watches over the main deity of a Temple in Her role as ‘kaval deivam’ while taking Her seat in a structure on the right hand side of a Temple’s entrance. She joins the ‘kavaldeivam’ or Protection Gods’ similar to that of Ayyanar, Muniandy, Karuppana Swamy or Veerabadhra, all of whom are warrior-protection village gods. 

Goddess procession

Durgai Ursavam 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival

This year the first three days of the 17 day Festival started off at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai on November 13, 2015. The reason for the unique connection with the Goddess at Durga Amman Temple to the Karthigai Festival is believed to be because of the Goddess and her fight with the demon Mahisha. Go to this link to read ‘The Fight with Mahishasura’. 

Arti to the Goddess at the Durga Amman Temple

In the Mahishasura legend, before fighting with the demon, the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri. Ordering, that: 

Goddess on her Kamadhenu Vahana (wish fulfilling cow)

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penance at Her ashram." 

[The Glory of Arunachala] 

Goddess giving darshan outside Durga Amman Temple

In accordance with the mythology of Arunachala, Durga is recognised as Guardian of Arunachala and thus a precursor of the Deepam Festival is always a celebration of this aspect of the Goddess. 

After worship and arti, the Goddess on her circumambulation

2015 Karthigai Deepam, Arunachala

The Brahmmotsavam of Karthigai Deepam Festival at Tiruvannamalai is not confined to the Temple alone but involves the whole town. The rituals and ceremonies connected with it have endured for centuries. On the first 3 days of the 17 day Festival various functions begin at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai, and on the last four days of the Festival, functions will include Theepal (Floats) of various Gods on Ayyankulam Tank, and Hill rounding by the Gods on their chariots in order that they may give darshan and blessings to those who live around the Hill. 

the Mahadeepam itself which is lit on the night of Karthigai, depending on the advice of Priests consulting their astrological texts, can last from a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of 13 days. This year 2015 Karthigai Mahadeepam will occur at approximately (i.e. at dusk) on November 25. 

The main Festival lasts for 10 days and begins on Uttradam day (this year November 16) with flag hoisting (dhwajarohanam) marking the beginning of festivities. After this ceremony, the image of Arunachaleswarar along with other deities are installed in the Kalyana Mandapam, where they remain housed for the next 10 days so that visiting devotees may have darshan. 

Kalyana Mandapam 2015

Mandapam in full festive regalia

In  photo one can see the Bheemswara Lingam back of Mandapam

Bheemeswara Lingam 

Located at the back of the Kalyana Mandapam. The ancient Bheemeswara Lingam Shrine has been at Arunachaleswarar Temple for centuries. Some say that Lord Bheema (who represents knowledge—jnana) worshipped Lord Siva at this sacred spot. 

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Processions throughout the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival, will occur both day and night inside the Temple and around the outside perimeter of Arunachaleswarar Kovil.

Panini Workshop at Auroville

Our Friends of the Vedic Society in Auroville have asked us to let our readers know that a Panini Sanskrit Grammar Workshop presented by Professor Rama Nath Sharma (University of Hawaii), will take place at Auroville from November 12 to November 15, 2015. 

We wish them well and that the Workshop is a grand success. 

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple Preparations for 2015 Karthigai Deepam

Currently work is underway at Arunachaleswarar Temple in preparation for the upcoming 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival. This work entails cleaning throughout the Temple Compound including the Bali Peetam and Flag Post, the stringing up of electric lights on the Gopurams and around the Temple and touch-ups and repainting of the various Gods and Vahanas that will be used in processions during the upcoming Festival. 

Cleaning the Flagstaff dais for 2015 Karthigai

High Pressure hosing and washing of the Bali Peetam

Preparation of Halls and Mandapams

Touch-ups and repainting Vahanams for Processions

Cleaning and Polishng of the Metal Vahanams

Anthropomorphic Nandi - Nandikeshwara

A story about the Karthigai Maha Radham

There are a number of powerful sacred burial sites dedicated to Sufi saints in Tiruvannamalai, one of the most famous being that of the woman saint, Syedini Bibi. 

In 1880 the Darghar in Car Street was built by the Nawab of the time in honour of this great Sufi Saint. Although the burial site faces noisy Car Street, it is renowned for its powerful and peaceful vibrations. It is believed that both Sri Seshadri Swamigal and Sri Ramana Maharshi often sat in meditation at this place, and in more contemporary times the tomb was frequently favoured by Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar 

Darghar on Car Street

Syedini Bibi came from the middle east in the early nineteenth century. Like many Sufis before her she landed at Nagore on the south-east coast. From there she travelled inland a few hundred kilometers to Arunachala where she settled for the rest of her life. 

Little is known about the life of this saint, however there are several famous stories connected with her tomb. 

Once such story concerns the Karthigai Festival. 

1880 Karthigai Maha Radham

The story goes that the Tiruvannamalai authorities decided to demolish the burial grounds (where Syedini Bibi was buried), in order to widen the road to more easily accommodate the Maha Radham (Big Car Chariot) during the Deepam Festival. 

In response to this proposal, many protested against disturbing the Saint’s grave, and the authorities postponed the demolition. The myth that was handed down claims that the postponement came about because during the Karthigai Festival, as the gigantic Maha Radham (Wooden Chariot) passed, one of its huge wheels accidentally knocked the side of Syedini Bibi’s tomb and the Maha Radham immediately burst into flames. 

2015 Major Karthigai Deepam Functions

Below is the programme of the upcoming 2015 Karthigai Deepam at Arunachala which lists the most famous and what will be the best attended major functions over the Festival period. 

To view the complete programme of the upcoming 2015 Karthigai Festival (as celebrated at Tiruvannamalai) please go to my previous posting at this link here. 

The below photographs are of a previous Arunachala Karthigai Festival and show the fervour and excitment of the crowds during various major Festival functions. Right click on all photos to view enlargements. 

Raising of the Flag will occur Monday, November 16, 2015

Wishing Fulfilling Tree function to occur Thursday, November 19, 2015

Kamadhenu to occur in tandem with wish fulling tree Thursday, Nov 19, 2015

Silver Rishaba Vahanam to occur Friday, 20 November, 2015

Maha Radham Function to occur Sunday, November 22, 2015

Mahadeepam inside Temple Compound will occur November 25, 2015

Arunachala Mahadeepam will occur 6 p.m. November 25, 2015

If you wish to learn more about the Arunachala Karthigai Festival visit my website Arunachala Samudra at the Karthigai section on the site's browser to view archives including narratives and photographs of previous Deepams. 

2015 Karthigai Deepam Arunachala Programme

Below is the programme for the 2015 Karthigai Deepam which will be celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The dates for the 2015 Festival are Friday, November 13, 2015 to Sunday, November 29, 2015. 

The date for Bharani and Mahadeepam is Wednesday, November 25, 2015. 

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Tirukovil Tiruvannamalai

Thirukarthigai Deepam Festival 2015

13 November, 2015 
Friday Night: Durgai Amman Urchavam 

14 November, 2015 
Saturday Night: Pidari Amman Urchavam 

15 November, 2015 
Sunday Night: Vinayaka Urchavam 

Right Click Programme for Full Enlargement

16 November, 2015 

Monday Morning (early): Flag Hoisting 

Morning (late): Panchamoorthy Silver Vimana procession 

Night: Athigara Nandi Vahana 

17 November, 2015 

Tuesday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Surya Perai Vahanam 

Night: Indira Vehanam 

18 November, 2015 

Wednesday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Bootha Vahanam 

Night: Shima Vahanam 

19 November, 2015 

Thursday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Naga Vahanam 

Night: Kamadhenu and Virikpaksha 

20 November, 2015 

Friday Morning: Chandrasekhara in Rishabam 

Night: Big Silver Rishabam 

21 November, 2015 

Saturday Morning: Elephant with 63 Nayanars 

Night: Silver chariot 

22 November, 2015 

Sunday: Maharadham 23 November, 

23 November, 2015 

Monday Morning: Chandrasekhara on Horse 

Evening: Pichandavar 

Late Night: Big Horse 

24 November, 2015 

Tuesday Morning: Chandrasekhara on Purusha Meruga Vahanam 

Night: Kailasha (Ravana) Vahanam 

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25 November, 2015
Wednesday Morning: Bharani Deepam 4 a.m.
Evening: Maha Deepam 6 p.m.

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26 November, 2015 

Thursday Morning: Gods Arunachala Girivalam 

Evening: Theepal Chandrasekhara 

27 November, 2015 

Friday Night: Parashakti Theepal 

28 November, 2015 

Saturday Night: Subrahmanian Theepal 

29 November, 2015 

Sunday Night: Chandikashwara 

2015 Chittarai Vasantha Ursavam

Currently underway at Arunachaleswarar Temple is Vasantha Utsavam; a ten day festival depicting the blossoming of love between Lord Shiva and the Goddess. The Festival this year started on April 23, 2015 and will complete with special functions on Saturday May 2, 2015. 

Chittarai Vishakam Festival 

Day 1: Thursday 23rd April, 2015 

Day 10: Saturday 2nd May, 2015 

To those hoping to attend the last day of the Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple, the schedule for Day 10 will be: 

Morning: Bath of the Gods at Ayyankulam Tank (Outside Arunagirinathar Temple) 

Evening: Special Puja and Abhishekam at Gopal Vinayaka Temple (near State Bank of India) 

Night: Around 10.00 p.m. at Flagpost, Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple. Manmathan Dhaganam Function with crackers and fireworks 

To read the legend about this festival and functions celebrated at this time go to these links here, here, here and here. 

Chittarai Poornima crowd in an earlier year

Chittarai Poornima girivalam (May 3rd, 2015) after the Festival will be the most heavily attended poornima girivalam (after Karthigai Deepam) of the year’s calendar at Arunachala. It will be VERY CRUSHED. 

Chittarai Poornima is dedicated to Chitragupta, the Keeper of Deeds in the house of Yama, (God of death) and to Indra, the leader of the Devas. Lord Brahma created Chitragupta through the Sun God and He is considered as the younger brother of Lord Yama. Chitragupta (Chitra=picture, Gupta=hidden) represents the hidden picture of life that is vital, yet unknown. 

Chitragupta keeps a register of every birth (good or bad) and according to ancestral belief, it is he who tallies one’s positive karma against one’s negative karma and declares the result to the Judge on High. It is believed to be the right time to gain blessings to wash away sin and accrue virtue.