Pradosham Abhishekam of Anuru Nandhi, Arunachala

Many devotees who visit Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai do so in order to attend the bi-monthly Pradosham function. However there are other beautiful Temples and Shrines located throughout this area at which one can observe a special Pradosham.

One such place dedicated to Nandeeshwara is known as Anuru Nandhi and is located just off Dindivanam Road on the way out of town, a couple of kilometres past the railway tracks.

The bull—Nandi—is the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. He is the chief of the ganas, Shiva's attendants. Nandi means 'happy'. 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 has an image of Nandi facing the shrine (where the deity may be in a human or lingam form).

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.

Many devotees whisper prayers into the ear of Nandi statues. The story behind this goes that while Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were meditating, an enemy of the Lord by the name of Jalandar, abducted the Goddess. Unaware of the incident Lord Siva continued His meditation. The Gods desperate to inform the Lord asked Lord Ganesha to mediate. Ganesha attempted to bring Lord Siva out of his trance but as he was unsuccessful, approached Nandi and asked him to intervene. Nandi whispered to the Lord bringing Him out of meditation. 

This legend explains the origin of the custom of whispering into the ear of Nandi in order that he might communicate our wishes directly to the Lord.

From this vantage point, one can take darshan of both Arunachala and Parvathimalai

Beautiful and ancient statue of Lord Nandi

Abhishekam during a previous Pradosham observed at shrine of Anuru Nandhi

Aarti after Abhishekam at Anuru Nandhi Shrine

To complete this posting my dog Winnie experiencing her own "Nandi moment"

2018 Arunachala Tamil New Year

The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine and Mandapam is located on the Arunachala girivalam roadway in an exact axial line opposite to Arunachaleswarar Temple on the other side of the Hill.

The early morning sun on Tamil New Year i.e. April 14 first falls directly onto the Lingam in this Shrine–this phenomenon can only be viewed on this day. Traditionally each year on this date, large crowds gather at this Temple for this special Surya darshan.

Ner Annamaliyar Lingam Shrine

Large crowd of devotees waiting to see first rays on Lingam on Tamil New Year

Aarti to Lingam

First rays of sun shining on Lingam

In front of Lord Ganesha priests study the Tamil Almanac for the New Year

Happy Tamil New Year to All

April 13, 2018 Last Pradosham of Tamil Year

Yesterday April 13, 2018 marked the last Pradosham of the Tamil Year. A large number of devotees gathered at Arunachaleswarar Temple to watch the abhishekam of the Five Nandis.

Abhishekam of Periyar Nandi at Fifth Prakaram

Large number of devotees gathered in the Fifth Prakaram

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are:

Periyar Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram Fifth Prakaram.

Chinna Nandi, Fourth prakaram

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Second Prakaram

Pradosha Nandi, Moolastanam

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Procession of the Gods around the Temple

Alangaram of the Gods

2018 Tamil Nadu Elephant Rejuvenation Camp

Today (April 5, 2018) the article “Temple Elephants Find Friends and Care at This Retreat in India,” with lots of great photographs has appeared in "The New York Times". The article is about Tamil Nadu's recently concluded 48-day Elephant Rejuvenation Camp that was conducted at Mettupalayam.

The article starts:

"It’s not every day that you spot an elephant riding in the back of a truck.

Selvaprakash Lakshmanam wasn’t the only person taking photographs as he documented a temple elephant’s trip from its solitary and sacred home to an elephant rejuvenation camp in southern India. He had first visited the camp, in the state of Tamil Nadu, about five years ago, and he returned in 2015. On that visit, he made portraits of elephants and their keepers, known as mahouts. But he wanted to witness the journey — one that begins by training an elephant to get into a truck.

Some of the elephants had traveled hundreds of miles to reach the camp, he said. “So I wanted to see what the preparation is.”

To read the rest of the article click on this link here.

Several Elephants getting a hose down

A worker's turn to "water-up"

History of Javadi Hills

Spread across an area starting from Vellore to Singarapettai in length and from Polur to Alangayam in breadth, Javadi Hills is located in the border regions of Tiruvannamalai and Vellore Districts. Nowadays one particular place at Javadi Hills which is ever-increasing in fame and spiritual significance is the great monolith Parvathamalai. To learn more about this Hill (which is less than 25 kms from our own Arunachala), go to this link here.

Arunachala in distance from summit of Parvathamalai

Of late, a number of stone inscriptions, artefacts and rock structures, believed to be dating back to ancient civilizations, have been found at Javadi Hills by archaeologists and academics. Some of these relics are believed to have belonged to the periods of the Cholas, Sambuvarayar and Vijayanagara Rayars, making the hills a glimpse into the ancient past.

Javadi Hills

Unspoilt Javadi Hills

Dusk at Javadi Hills

The belief that part of the present day Javadi hills, could have been previously known as ‘Navira Malai’ during the ancient Sangam period is supported by the recent discovery of the below stone inscription at Pudur Nadu village (near Tirupattur) in Javadi Hills. The inscription contains a reference to Navira Malai, indicating these Hills could have been known by this name over 2000 years ago. 

  

Recently found stone with historic inscription

2018 Panguni Uthiram—Thirukalyanam Festival

Panguni Uthiram is celebrated during the Panguni Month (March-April) on Uthiram Nakshatra day. In 2018 the Panguni Uthiram date was March 30. Panguni is special because of the coming together of the star Uthiram and Poornima.

The ceremonial marriages of Siva and Parvati, Muruga and Deivanai, Rama and Sita, Ranganathar and Andal are all celebrated on this day. Maha Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is believed to have emerged from the ocean of milk on the day of Panguni Uthiram thus she is also worshipped. Additionally Panguni Uthiram is regarded as the day of the incarnation of Lord Ayyappa.

This celebration of Divine Marriage emphasizes the protection of marital life from separation.  It is believed that offering prayers to God at this time will give good mental equilibrium to couples and bestow them with strength, love, affection and understanding.

In the evening in the forecourt in front of the Shrines, Lord Arunachaleswarar comes in procession and an exchange of garlands occurs.

After this exchange both Gods move to the Thirukalyanam Mandapam, where the marriage ceremony takes place.

Afterwhich Lord Arunachaleswarar with Goddess Ambal come out on the Rishaba Vahana and the Kamadhenu Vahana for a Chariot procession.

Alankaram of the Gods

Gods coming out for garland ceremony

Exchange of Garlands

Marriage ceremony

After ceremony Lord on Rishaba

Goddess on Kamadhenu Vahana

Pradosham Thursday March 29, 2018: Arunachaleswarar Temple

Pradosham Abhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Abhishekam is performed on the five major Nandi statues at Arunachaleswarar Temple on the occasion of each Pradosham.

From east to west the five Temple Nandis are:

Periyar Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram Fifth Prakaram.

Chinna Nandi, Fourth prakaram

Kodi Kampathu Nandi, Third Prakaram

Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Second Prakaram

Pradosha Nandi, Moolastanam

Abhishekam of Periyar Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Devotees watching Abhishekam  of Nandi, 5th Prakaram

Abhishekam of Ratha Vilaku Nandi, 2nd Prakaram

Aarti at Ratha Vilaku Nandi, 2nd Prakaram

National Award to the Karuna Society

The below posting is connected with animals, but happily much more cheerful than the several preceding narratives that I wrote about Rukku the Elephant.

On 8th March 2018 Clementien Koenegras, The Karuna Society President and Founder, in recognition of her work in the service of animals, received the 'Nari Shakti Puraskar' award presented by the Honourable President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovindji. Congratulations to you Clementien.

Receiving Award from the President of India

The Karuna Society at Puttaparthi was a major inspiration to the creation of the Arunachala Animal Sanctuary here at Tiruvannamalai. The Karuna Society is doing truly remarkable service in Andhra Pradesh and I recommend you visit their website and learn about their work.

History of The Karuna Society

“Hello! My name is Clementien Koenegras, President of the Society and I'd like to tell you how Karuna Society came to life.

When I arrived in Puttaparthi with my husband and son in 1995, it didn’t take much time for me to see the suffering of animals all around. I saw countless street dogs with pups, often run over by buses on the main road. I was also concerned about donkeys dying on the side of the main road without any help.

Very soon my house was full of sick animals and I was helping out on the street as much as I could. Of course, I was not the only one moved by this misery. A small group of devotees from the UK came forward to help and to provide funds, and the "Animal Rescue Project Puttaparthi" was born on 23rd August 1998 with the help of CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action) from Bangalore. In 2000, we felt we were ready to make our own decisions and planning and on September 18 "Karuna Society for Animals & Nature" was registered.

Setting up the shelter/clinic for treatment, in-patient care and sterilizations was the first step. Then our horizon widened and we became aware of the suffering of milking animals, starving calves and illegal transports to the slaughterhouses. In 2002 we rescued the first cows and buffaloes from illegal transport. Over time we have taken into our care more than 700 head of cattle. At present, approximately 300 head of cattle are with us including donkeys, a few horses and a camel.

Becoming more and more aware of our wider environment, we found the suffering of wildlife appalling: hunting by the local communities, droughts, electrocution of wildlife by farmers to protect their crops; there is no end to it.

At present, we are starting the construction of our new wildlife rescue centre close to the reserve forest, for which we need more support. There, sloth bears, deer, monkeys, birds and snakes will find the care they need.

On a personal note, being so intimately involved with the lives of animals has given me a very profound experience of the oneness and equality of all life forms emanating from the Divine.”

Heaven—Tale about Loyalty

'. . . Once upon a time, a man, his horse and his dog were travelling along a road. As they passed by a huge tree, it was struck by lightning, and they all died. But the man failed to notice that he was no longer of this world and so he continued walking along with his two animal companions. 

. . . It was a long uphill walk, the sun was beating down on them and they were all sweating and thirsty. At a bend in the road they saw a magnificent marble gateway that led into a gold-paved square, in the centre of which was a fountain overflowing with crystal-clear water. The man went over to the guard at the entrance.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," the guard replied.

"What is this lovely place?"

"It’s Heaven."

"Well, I’m very glad to see it, because we’re very thirsty."

"You’re welcome to come in and drink all the water you want." And the guard indicated the fountain.

"My horse and dog are also thirsty."

"I’m terribly sorry," said the guard, "but animals are not allowed in here."

The man was deeply disappointed because he was very thirsty, but he was not prepared to drink alone, so he thanked the guard and went on his way. Exhausted after more drudging uphill they reached an old gateway that opened on to a dirt road flanked by trees. A man, his hat pulled down over his face, was stretched out in the shade of one of the trees, apparently asleep.

"Good morning," said the traveller.

The other man greeted him with a nod.

"We’re thirsty—me, my horse and my dog."

"There’s a spring over the amongst those rocks," the man indicating the spot. "You can drink all you want."

The man, his horse and his dog went to the spring and quenched their thirst.

The traveller returned to thank the man.

"Come back whenever you want," he was told.

"By the way, what’s this place called?"

"Heaven."

"Heaven? But the guard at the marble gateway told me that was heaven!"

"That’s not Heaven, that’s Hell."

The traveller was puzzled.

"You shouldn’t let others take your name in vain, you know! False information can lead to all kinds of confusion!"

"On the contrary, they do us a great favour, because the ones who stay there are those who have proved themselves capable of abandoning their dearest friends."'

[From "The Devil and Miss Prym," by Paulo Coelho]

For more such tales go to my Website at this link here

Report about Ruku Death

The elephant, after blessing devotees as usual on Wednesday, was taken for rest to a spot near the temple’s Tirumanjana Gopuram in the fifth prakaram. When she reached the spot, a fight broke out between some dogs, one of whom ran between Rukku’s legs. The scared elephant ran and hit its head against a metal wall and fell down. 

A local veterinarian who examined her said she would be alright soon despite injuries in the left eye and body. However, Rukku died around midnight. A team of veterinarians took the animal’s blood samples and sent them for tests to the central government’s lab in Chennai.

A local favourite, Rukku was the cynosure during major temple functions, according to temple officials. During the Karthigai Deepam festival, the container (copra) in which the festival fire would be lit, would be carried to the top of the 2,660-ft high Annamalai hills only after Rukku blessed it. 

Born in Mudumalai on April 30, 1988, Rukku was gifted to the temple by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in August 1995. The elephant was buried after last rites near the Hanuman temple. Due to the elephant’s death, poojas and abishekam were cancelled and would be restarted only after parikaram was done, officials said. 

On hearing the news, students and devotees rushed to the spot.

Link for the above report