Thirukalyanam Festival: March 28, 2016 – Special Puja

As appeared in an earlier posting setting out the programme for the Thirukalyanam Festival, the function which occurred around 12 noon today March 28, 2016 was a special puja held at the Tamari Tank with later aarti at the Kumara Kovil. 

Below are photographs of this afternoon’s puja and worship:-

Special Puja at Tamari Nagar Tank, Tiruvannamalai

Taking the Gods into the Mandapam

Lord Arunachaleswarar

Goddess being taken on palanquin into the Mandapam

Giving Darshan in Mandapam

Thirukalyanam Function, Big Temple: March 26, 2016

The below photographs were taken in the night at the Thirukalayana Mandapam, Arunachaleswarar Temple during the evening function. 

2016 Panguni Uthiram -- Celestial Wedding at Arunachala

At Arunachaleswarar Temple a Marriage Festival is celebrated. 

The first day of Panguni Uthiram which was celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple yesterday (Wednesday March 23, 2016) is known as the time of celebration of the Celestial Wedding of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi. 

In the evening the Gods came in procession and an exchange of garlands took place. Arunachaleswarar and Parashakti after exchanging garlands were both moved to the Kalyana Mandapam. 

Inside the Kalayana Mandapam (Thirukalyanam Mandapam), the Thirukalyanam (Wedding) Festival occurred. 

Gods Alangaram

Outside the Shiva Sannidhi

Exchange of Garlands

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Arunachala Spur with Murugan Shrine on top

The Panguni Uthiram Festival is also the celebration of the Celestial Wedding of Lord Murugan and his Goddess Devayani. As well as the carrying of Kavadis, devotees of Lord Murugan also hold separate functions for their God at various Lord Murugan Temples and Shrines throughout Tiruvannamalai. 

The hillside shrine on a small spur south of Arunachala is holding a two day long celebration of the Celestial Wedding. On the night of the 23rd March, 2016, the whole top of this spur was decorated and illuminated with lights. 

Panguni Utthiram – Thirukalyanam Festival

Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai

Panguni Uttiram – Marriage Festival

Invitation From March 23, 2016 to March 28, 2016

Panguni Uthiram is celebrated during Panguni Month (March-April) during Uthiram Nakshatra day.

Panguni Uthiram (Falgun Purnima) full moon day is known as the time of the celebration of the Celestial Wedding of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi; Lord Muruga and His consort Goddess Devayani and Lord Vishnu and His consort Goddess Andal. This day also celebrates the Divine Wedding Day of Lord Rama and the Goddess Sita.

This celebration of Divine marriage is intended to emphasis the glory of married life for householders and to protect their union from separation. It is believed that offering prayers to God at this time gives good mental equilibrium to couples and bestows them with strength, love, affection and understanding.

Devotees visiting Lord Murugan Temples on Panguni Uthiram day carry Kavadis and many devotees choose to have their heads shaved and observe austerities at this time.

Invitation

During Panguni month on the 23.3.2016, Wednesday on Full Moon morning 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Arunachaleswarar Moolasthana the Wedding Ceremony of Sri Annamalaiyar and Unnamulaiyar will occur. In the evening of that day, a procession starts from the Flagpost and then night at 11 p.m. reaches the Kalyanamandapam. At the Mandapam the Thirukalyana Festival will happen. In this regard the following Programmes are scheduled in the coming days. All devotees are invited.

Programme of Thirukalyanam Functions

23.3.2016 Wednesday

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thirukalyana Ucchavam at Moolastahana.

Evening 6 p.m. Ambal procession starts from Kumara Kovil to Big Temple.

Evening 8 p.m. Near Flagpost Garland exchange between Shiva and Shakti. Then reaching Thirukalyana Mandapam.

11 p.m. onwards. Marriage Festival.

12 midnight onwards Golden Rishaba procession outside Temple.

24.3.2016 Thursday

8 p.m. Swami and Ambal going to Kilnaathur for special puja.

25.3.2016 Friday

Night. In Thirukalyana Mandapam Naalagu Festival. (3 days).

 

26.3.2016 Saturday

Morning special Homam.

Night. In Thirukalayana Mandapam Unjal Urchavam.

27.3.2016 Sunday

Morning Thirukalyana Mandapam Homam

Night Thirukalyana Mandapam Unjal Urchavam.

28.3.2016 Monday

12 Noon In Tamari Tank special puja. Aarti at Kumara Kovil.

12 Midnight Special music function. Swami and Ambal go to Kamakshi Amman Temple (Thirumanjana Street) and from there goes on procession on the Mada Veedhis

Panguni Pradosham 2016

On Sunday, 20 March 2016 Panguni Pradosham was observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Aarti at Nandi, Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

The Gods ready for procession

Circumambulation of the Siva Sannidhi

Circumambulating outside the 2nd and 1st Prakarams

Pey Gopuram and Kattai Gopuram with Arunachala in Background

Completion of circumambulation of Siva Sannidhi, now moving through Temple towards the Thitti Vasal

 

 

2016 Mahashivaratri Lingodbhavamurti Puja

Below are photographs of the Lingodbhavamurti puja held at Arunachaleswarar Temple on the night of the 2016 Mahashivaratri. 

The manifestation of Shiva in this column of fire in front of Brahma and Vishnu, is carved in stone, as the Lingodbhavamurti manifestation of Shiva, and is always enshrined in the rear niche of the sanctum enshrining a Shiva Lingam. Since most temples face east, the Lingodbhava faces West. 

The non-anthropomorphic form of the Shiva Lingam is a representation of this infinite cosmic column of fire, whose origins were not traceable by Brahma or Vishnu. The Shiva Lingam is the centre of reverence and worship in all Saivite temples. 

Large crowd watching the Puja

The story of Lingodbhava is that of the attempts of Vishnu and Brahma to discover the origins (the beginning Aadi and the end Antha) of Shiva, is stated in three of the Puranas - the Kurma Purana, the Vayu Purana and Shiva Purana. 

Vishnu was engaged in his yoganidhra (the slumber of yoga) at the end of a kalpa, in the waters of the great deluge, when there appeared before him, Brahma emerging from a great illumination. Brahma introduced himself to Vishnu as the Creator of the Universe, to which Vishnu replied that he was the architect of the Universe. An argument ensued between both as to their superiority over one another, when there appeared before them - a huge lingam of fire - with tongues of flames blazing out of it. 

Curious to trace the origins of this column of fire, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and flew upwards, while Vishnu assumed the form of a boar, and burrowed down into the earth. Eons of search in either direction proved futile, and hence the two Gods surrendered to this column of fire. 

The puja celebrating the legend of the Lingodbhavamurti is particularly relevant on the day of Mahashivaratri as it represents the worship of sacred Arunachala itself, which is considered to be the manifestation of this cosmic column of fire as it represents the primordial element of fire as one of the Pancha Bhuta Stalas. 

It is only on the day of Mahashivaratri (during the third Kala Puja) that the Screwpine Flower is used for the worship of Shiva. As a result of a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu, Lord Shiva declared that henceforth the flower which hitherto had adorned his head in worship would no longer be used in his adoration except on the night of Mahashivaratri. 

The Lingodbhavamurti is in a niche at the back of the Siva Sannidhi

The worship follows the proscribed order of Lingam abhishekham

Crowds had filled the space back of the Siva Sannidhi many hours before the Puja

Abhishekham complete aarti is offered to the waiting pilgrims

The top of the Lingodhava is covered with flowers, but can see the figure of Vishnu as boar at bottom of column

Ketaki flower with unopened blooms on top of Lord Shiva's head

Ketaki Flower with opened blooms

The story including the Ketaki Flower goes thus: 

In the days of antiquity a controversy arose between Brahma and Vishnu as to which of the two was greater. Brahma said to Vishnu, "I have created the five elements and all the living beings with their endless differences in form and sound. Therefore I am the Absolute God." Vishnu said, "The whole universe is but an aspect of mine. Of what use is your creation if I do not protect it? It is my thought-power that creates, sustains and destroys the whole Universe. So I am the Absolute God" Their dispute resulted in misery in the manifested world. Supreme Being Parameshwara saw this and was filled with compassion. To settle the discord and subdue their pride, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of blazing column of light and a voice issued from it asking them to seek its upper and lower limits and he who found either of these is the superior one. Both gods stopped fighting and decided to explore the ends. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew up to reach the top of the column of light, whereas Vishnu became a boar and started burrowing into the earth to find its base. 

A thousand years passed as Vishnu dug deep into the nether worlds and the journey seemed endless. With all this power he could not discover the base and he got lost in meditation with the result that he experienced the Supreme Light which dwells in the hearts of all. He soon realised and recognised that his true strength was derived from this Supreme Light, that is Lord Shiva. He prayed to Shiva seeking His pardon and then returned to earth. Brahman who flew up as a swan was mounting the sky and the higher he soared, the column of light rose higher before him. He was growing despondent and was about to return when he saw a fragrant flower called Ketaki (screw-pine) falling towards the earth. On asking from where it had come, the flower revealed that it had come from the crest of the fire column that was none other than Shiva himself and that it had been descending for thousands of four-fold Yugas. Brahma requested the flower to say that both of them came down after seeing the crest and thus the flower swore to Vishnu in the presence of the Column of Effulgence that Brahma had reach the summit. 

Splitting asunder the column of Light, Shiva appeared before the two Gods. When the lotus-eyed Vishnu saw him, he danced with joy. The guilty Brahma on seeing the Lord’s true form was confused and frightened. Mahadeva said, "The two of you need not be ashamed for having transcended your limits. Hari (Vishnu) pondered deeply and became enlightened. But Brahma has uttered falsehood and I now cut off his fifth head for that perjury. Brahma shall not hereafter be installed in any Temple. And this flower, which bore false witness, shall never again find a place on my head and shall not be used for my worship." After cursing Brahma and the screw-pine flower thus, Shiva turned to Vishnu and said, "Child! Be composed, I am pleased with you. You are one of my foremost devotees. You originated from me and are my sattwic part. At the end of the kalpa you shall merge in me." 

Brahma and Vishnu prayed to Shiva to abide there forever as a Tejo Lingam. In answer to their heartfelt request, Parameshwara established himself as the Arunachala Hill and also as a small Siva Lingam at the eastern foot of the Hill for the welfare of the world and for those who desire to worship Him and obtain illumination. 

[Abridged – The Glory of Arunachala] 

2016 Mahashivaratri Pictorial Report

Disappointingly because of work currently underway at Arunachaleswarar Temple in the way of restoration, cleaning and renovations, and according to the Sastras, certain traditions usually observed in these parts during Mahashivaratri, had to be dropped. In this respect the lighting of the 1000 jyothis around the Temple tanks and compound floors did not occur as it was felt that there was a fire hazard with the many flammable materials around the Gopurams and Shrines. 

Also as work is currently underway at the Temple's major Shrines, this year the tradition of the giant salt crystal Kolams on the Temple Compound Floor was also postponed. Happily after the upcoming Mahakumbhabhishekam Function scheduled for June 2016, the traditions of Festivals will once again be observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Early on March 7, crowds start milling around at Temple Flagstaff

Devotees queuing to enter the Shiva Sannidhi for darshan

Devotees performing puja on "floating lingam" on plinth outside Siva Sannidhi

Although the 1,000 jyothis around the Tanks and Temple floors were not allowed this year, some devotees lighting their individual jyothis near Flagstaff outside the Siva Sannidhi

As the day of March 7 develops into dusk the queues for Lord Siva's darshan extend into the 4th Prakaram

 

Dusk descending and the night of Mahashivaratri commences

Cultural program inside the 3rd Prakaram

Varied and inspirational devotional music and singing throughout the night

Young girls performing Bharat Natyam dancing in cultural programme

In evening the Gods on procession giving darshan

Outside Flagstaff at Siva Sannidhi

Renovations at Arunachaleswarar Temple 2016

Renovations and restorations continue at Arunachaleswarar Temple in preparation for the Mahakumbhabishkem which is scheduled for June, 2016. 

The Vimanas on top of Shrine, and attendant Nandis are all being painted

Progress can be seen at the Temple by the rate the scaffolding is coming down around the Shrines and Gopurams

Lord Ganesha Shrine in the 4th Prakaram

Very handsome Nandi on wall of the Brahma Theertham, 4th Prakaram

On top of the Brahma Lingam (five-faced Lingam) at the 4th Prakaram

Painting of Vimana and statues on top of Brahma Lingam completed

Restoration work on some Gopurams has already been completed and scaffolding removed

View of Brahma Teertham and the Bhairavi Shrine