2017 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 3. Day—Lord Chandrasekharar on Bootha Vahana

On the morning of Day 3 of the 2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival at Arunachala the procession of Lord Chandrasekhara on the Bootha Vahana is observed.

Bootha represents earth as one of the five manifestations of nature; air, water, fire, land and sky. The Lingam to which it is associated is the Prithivi Lingam of the Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram.

During Grand Festivals at Arunachaleswarar Temple, alangaram is performed at the Kalyana Mandapam. The Gods then leave by the front door of that Mandapam, perform circumambulation of the Siva Sannidhi and then stop at the Yagasala Mandapam for adornment and aarthi performed by the priests.

Deities in front of the Yagasala Shrine

 Deities carried through Temple towards egress of Thitti Vassal Gate

Lord Vinayaka on Vahana

Lord Chandrasekharar on Bootha Vahana in procession of mada veedhis

2017 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Night—Silver Indra Vahana

Lord Indra has a special significance with Arunachala, as He is 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) and devotees are blessed with long life and prosperity on worshipping it.

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, thus assuring a favourable intervention and outcome.

Lord Arunachaleswarar and Sakthi Amman being carried through Temple

The Lord mounted on Silver Indra Vimana

Young lad on horn

Process of the panchamoorthies through Tiruvannamalai

Large number of pilgrims attending all functions

2017 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 2. Morning—Surya Perai Vahana

On the morning of Day Two of the Karthigai Festival, Surya Perai is the Vahana for the Lord. Surya is the representation of Fire (or Agni) and the fourth element of the Panchabhutas. The essential character of Fire is to generate heat and according to Hindu Mythology, Agni is one of the Eight Guardians that guard our Universe (known as Asta-dik-palakas).

During each procession the panchamoorthies are seated on their respective Vahana. The word “Vahana” denotes “that which carries, that which pulls” and signifies the mount of the God. The mount represents a Divine attribute associated with the God.

Arunachala is replete with mythology connected with the Surya, the Sun God. To find out more about Surya’s connection with the Hill, go to this link.

The Panchamoorthies being carried through the Temple

The Gods being moved away from the front of the Alankaram Mandapam

Darshan of the Lord on Surya Perai Vahana

Rukku next to her own, Lord Ganesha

Procession of the Gods through Tiruvannamalai

The Lord on His Surya Perai Vahana

2017 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 1. Evening—Adhikara Nandi Vahana

Yesterday evening the Lord's vehicle was the Adhikara Nandi. There are two types of Nandi statues at Siva Temples, the more common is that of the recumbent bull (Vrsabha) and the other is that of Adhikara Nandi. In the case of Arunachaleswarar Temple, the Adhikara Nandi of last night's function is in the form of a bull-headed 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 of Siva, exercising his authority (adhikara) over them, he is christened as 'Adhikara Nandi.'

The white bull—Nandi—is the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. He is the chief of the ganas, Shiva's attendants. Nandi means 'happy'.

Nandikesvara, Lord of happiness, one of Shiva's ganas was fond of dance and music. He was born of the Divine progenitor Kashyapa and the Divine cow Surabhi. He married Suyasha, the daughter of the Maruts. As his life was coming to an end, he prayed to Shiva to lengthen his life. Shiva granted him immortality and leadership over His ganas. He was given the title “Adhikara Nandi” (or “authoritative Nandi'), for it is only with Nandi's grace and permission that one can enter the temple of Shiva. Adhikara Nandi took on a human form as a bull-headed human standing on two legs (or in some instances a bull standing erect on his rear legs).

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, where the deity may be in a human or linga form, has an image of Nandi facing the shrine.

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.

Panchamoorthies giving Darshan

Adhikara Nandi Vahana before decorating

Adhikara Nandi Vahana on Procession

Goddess Parashakti on Her Vahana the mythological bird Annapakshi

2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival Day One—Late Morning: Panchamoorthy Silver Vimana Procession

After the Flag Hoisting ceremony, the Panchamoorthies each on their own palanquin are carried around the Flagpost five times in the order: Vinayaka, Murugan, Arunachaleswarar, Shakti and Chandikeswara. After circumambulation, each of the Gods are carried through the Temple which they then leave through the Thitti Vassal Gate, adjacent to the Raja Gopuram on the east side of the Temple. 

Afterwhich the five Gods are placed on their respective vahanas which are decorated most beautifully. The Panchamoorthies then give darshan to devotees in front of the Alankaram Mandapam.  After darshan the Gods on their respective vahanas  are pulled by tractor in procession around the perimeter streets (mada veehis) of Arunachalaeswarar Temple.

The Panchamoorthies giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam

The Panchamoorthies on procession of the mada veedhis

2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival Day One—Flag Hoisting: Thursday November 23, 2017

The Flag Hoisting ceremony which took place at Arunachaleswarar Temple this morning on Thursday, 23 November, 2017 marks the first day of the 2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival at Arunachala.

Symbolically, hoisting the flag suggests setting out to conquer—and  a devotee comes to the Temple to conquer his ego and gain control over his baser nature with the help of the Supreme Being. The Sanskrit word for the flag is ‘Dhvaja’ and it means whatever is raised. In the religious sense, whatever raises man to a higher level of understanding and activity is a ‘Dhvaja.’ The flag also suggests hope and desire to overcome ignorance. A Temple visit invigorates the devotee, recharging him with strength and bravery to face hardships knowing that ultimately those who have surrendered to the will of God find victory.

Kings of old in order to exhibit their Lordship over their kingdom and proclaim their continuing rulership would hoist a flag above their battlements or palace. The Dhvaja which suggests the victory of good over evil is a symbol of victory and superior wealth. It signifies commanding respect, patriotism and kingship. The flag nowadays is raised to honour God who is seen as the King of Kings—the  Supreme Power.

The history of a Temple flag on the Dwajasthambam (Dwajasthambam—Flag Pole) is that it marks an inauguration of a major Utsava at the Temple. The flag also serves as a signal to indicate to the people and visitors of the town that an Utsava is underway. Dhwajarohanam is a public act of sankalpa (an 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.

Old customs dedicated that no-one present within the town limits on the occasion of the Dhwajarohanam was expected to leave the town or do any other thing such as marriage etc., until after the end of the Festival. The close of the Festival is marked by the Dhwajavarohanam or the lowering of the flag.

Crowd gathering to view the Flag Hoisting ceremony

Lord Arunachaleswarar coming out of the Siva Sannidhi

Sakthi Amman being carried on palanquin to the ceremony

The God and Goddess positioned to view the hoisting of the flag

2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Vinayaka and Chandikeswarar Utsavam—Thursday, November 22, 2017

On the third day previous to the beginning of the 10-day Karthigai Festival, Lord Vinayaka and Chandikeswarar Utsavam is observed. 

The panchamoorthies taken in procession throughout the celebratory Karthigai Deepam Festival are: 

Vinayaka, Arunachaleswarar-Unnamulai, Amman, Kartikeya and Chandikeswarar.  

Chandikeswarar represents all devotees and follows the other murtis in procession as their steward. He is the embodiment of devotion and piety and the position he attained is considered the highest a devotee of Siva is privileged with.

The legend behind the reason for this great honour goes as follows:-

  

“Chandikeswarar, a devotee of Lord Shiva was born in the village of Seynalur on the banks of the river Manni in the Chola country, as a young lad named Vicharasarman.

He was the son of a pious and learned Brahmin named Yajnadatta. Vicharasarman was of great intelligence. One day when the lad was going to school, he saw a cowherd brutally assaulting a cow. Angry at the behaviour of the cowherd, young Vicharasarman took upon himself the duty of tending the cows of the village, to which the villagers acceded. From that day the cows looked happier and yielded more milk. More than the cow’s udders could hold. Vicharasarman, seeing that the milk was being wasted, collected it in vessels, set up lingams made of sand and poured this excess milk to bathe the lingams with intense piety for Shiva. The cowherd who had lost position on account of this Brahmin boy, saw him in this act and found this a good cause for denouncing him. He immediately brought it to the notice of the village elders as well as Yajnadatta, Vicharsarman’s father. The father saw his son pouring milk on small sand mounds and without investigating, kicked one of the lingams in anger. Young Vicharasarman came out of his reverie and cut off the leg of his father with an axe with which he had kicked a linga.

Shiva was pleased with the devotion of this boy and he appeared in person along with Parvati his consort, before the boy. Shiva embraced him and made him in charge of his ganas (devotees or followers). He was also made the steward of his household, naming him Chandikeswarar.”

Lord Vinayaka Alangaram

Chandikeswarar Alangaram

Lord Vinayaka and Chandikeswarar Alangarams

Leaving the Siva Sannidhi

The Lords on their respective Vahanas

Taking darshan of Arunachala

2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Schedule of Special Functions

2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Pidari Amman Urchavam—Tuesday November 21, 2017

The Pidari Amman Shrine is located in the Third Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. In front of the Shrine stands a huge stone Trishul (Trident). On Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Pidari Urchavam was observed at this Shrine.

Goddess Pidari is an aspect of Kali in a rural setting and regarded as 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. Otherwise she 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 entrance. She joins the ‘kavaldeivam’ or Protection Gods’ similar to that of Ayyanar, Muniandy, Karuppana Swamy or Veerabhadra, all of whom are warrior-protection village gods.

Pidari shares Kali’s attributes and is depicted holding a noose, trident, skull cup and a pointed knife. The noose is sometimes replaced by ankusha—the elephant goad. The damaru that she holds is entwined by a snake, thus sharing Siva’s characteristics. She has flaming hair and three eyes. Sometimes her breasts are decorated with snakes. She has a terrifying appearance with long incisor teeth to frighten off evil spirits. Her sculptures are sometimes synonymous with Goddess Mariamman and lime strung as a garland—‘elumichai malai’ is her favourite.

Goddess Pidariamman Alangaram

The Goddess on procession on way to the Pidariamman Shrine

Pidariamman Shrine, 3rd Prakaram

Huge stone Trishul in front of the Pidariamman Shrine

After puja at Shrine, the Goddess carried out of Arunchaleswarar Temple through the Thitti Vassal Gate

The Goddess on her Simha Vahana in Mandapam

The Goddess will now be taken on procession around the perimeter (mada veedhis) streets around Arunachaleswarar Temple

2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Durgaiamman Urchavam—Monday November 20, 2017

This year the three days prior to the beginning of the Deepam Festival started on Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai. The reason for the unique connection of the Goddess at Durga Amman Temple with 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 Mahisasura’.

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.

Commanding, that:

"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]

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.

Durgaiamman Alangaram

Aarti to Goddess at Durga Amman Temple

Goddess being carried out of the Temple

Goddess on her Kamadhenu Vahana on procession through Tiruvannamalai

Musicians leading the procession of the Goddess through Tiruvannamalai