Lingodbhavamurti Puja—2021 Mahashivaratri, Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

The manifestation of Lord Shiva in a column of fire in front of Brahma and Vishnu and carved in stone, is known as the Lingodbhavamurti manifestation of Lord Shiva. It 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-anthromorphic form of the Shiva Lingam is a representation of the infinite cosmic column of fire, whose origins could not be traced by Brahma or Vishnu. This representation of the Shiva Lingam is the centre of reverence and worship in all Saivite temples.

On the night of Mahashivaratri the Lingodbhavamurti is bathed and anointed in the ritual of abhishekam and puja.  This ritual conducted on the night of Mahashivaratri represents the worship of sacred Arunachala itself, (which is considered to be the manifestation of this cosmic column of effulgence) as it represents the primordial element of fire (Agni); one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams.

For more information about the significance of this worship, please visit an earlier posting at this link here.

Nadaswara Musical Recital: 2021 Mahashivaratri—Arunachala

 

A musical recital was held at Alankaram Mandapam in front of the Raja Gopuram, Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai on the occasion of the 2021 Mahashivaratri Festival. The musicians who participated are from the Nadaswaram Music Society, Tiruvannamalai District.

Mahashivaratri 2021: Sri Chandrasekhara Procession

 

The photographs below are from the 2021 Mahashivaratri celebrations at Arunachaleswarar Temple of Sri Chandrasekhara taken in procession on the Silver Rishabha Vahana around the Temple prakarams.

Mahashivaratri 2021: Thursday, 11 March

 

Each month there is a day known as Sivaratri and once a year there is Mahashivaratri (maha=great) ... i.e. the Great Festival of Shiva. The dates of these occasions correspond to certain phases of the new moon when it is believed that the mind (which is adversely affected by the power of the moon) is less susceptible to low, animalistic forces and thus more tractable to the power of meditation and prayer.

It is for this reason that Mahashivaratri is believed to be the one 24-hour period in the year which is of the greatest benefit. It has been stated in the scriptures that if a man fasts, stays awake and meditates for the whole of Mahashivaratri, it will give him his best chance to achieve mastery of the mind and attain liberation.

Mahashivaratri always falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna (February-March), and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. (Mahashivaratri in 2021 falls on Thursday March 11). On this day it is recommended that devotees sing Shiva bhajans, recite verses from scripture, offer prayers in the morning and evening, and observe fasting throughout the day and visit Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the case of Arunachala, premier Shiva site of South India, circumambulation of Arunachala Hill is observed by many.

To read more about the significance of this grand Festival please visit my website at this link here

Please enjoy the below rousing audio "Mahadev" by Armonian entitled "Mahashivratri".

Nisargadatta Maharaj Website

Please bookmark to a resource website on Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj at this link here. The website includes a number of videos, interviews, photographs and information about books and DVDs of this great Saint.

"You are never without a Guru, for he is timelessly present in your heart. Sometimes he externalises himself and comes to you as an uplifting and reforming factor in your life, a mother, a wife, a teacher; or he remains as an inner urge toward righteousness and perfection. All you have to do is obey him and do what he tells you. What he wants you to do is simple, learn self-awareness, self-control, self-surrender. It may seem arduous, but it is easy if you are earnest. And quite impossible if you are not. Earnestness is both necessary and sufficient. Everything yields to earnestness." [Nisargadatta Maharaj]

Go to this link here to read a fascinating narrative by David Godman on Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. 

An excerpt concerning a portion of the narrative concerning Sri Ramana Maharshi is reproduced below:- 

Question: What was Maharaj's attitude to Ramana Maharshi and his teachings? Did you ever discuss Bhagavan's teachings with him? 

David Godman: He had enormous respect for both his attainment and his teachings. He once told me that one of the few regrets of his life was that he never met him in person. He did come to the ashram in the early 1960s with a group of his Marathi devotees. They were all on a South Indian pilgrimage tour and Ramanasramam was one of the places he visited. 

With regard to the teachings he once told me, 'I agree with everything that Ramana Maharshi said, with the exception of this business of the heart-centre being on the right side of the chest. I have never had that experience myself.' I discussed various aspects of Bhagavan's teachings with him and always found his answers to be very illuminating. He asked me once, 'Have you understood Ramana Maharshi's teachings?' Since I knew he meant 'Had I actually experienced the truth of them?', I replied, 'The more I listen to Maharaj, the more I understand what Bhagavan is trying to tell me'. I felt that this was true at both the theoretical and experiential levels. 

His explanations broadened and deepened my intellectual understanding of Bhagavan's teachings and his presence also gave me experiential glimpses of the truth that they were all pointing towards. 

I have to mention Ganesan's visit here. V. Ganesan is the grandnephew of Ramana Maharshi and in the 1970s he was the de facto manager of Ramanasramam. Nowadays, his elder brother Sundaram is in charge. Ganesan came to visit Maharaj for the first time in the late 1970s. As soon as he arrived Maharaj stood up and began to collect cushions. He made a big pile of them and made Ganesan sit on top of the heap. Then, much to everyone's amazement, Maharaj cleared a space on the floor and did a full-length prostration to him. When he stood up, he told Ganesan, 'I never had a chance to prostrate to your great-uncle Ramana Maharshi, so I am prostrating to you instead. This is my prostration to him.'

Bhauma Pradosh February 9, 2021: Arunachaleswarar Temple

The below photographs are of the most recent Pradosham observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple on February 9, 2021. Due to the complications of the pandemic, this is the first time in nearly a year that such a good size crowd has attended the Pradosham function at the Temple. It is most encouraging to observe life slowly returning to normal. 

Significance of Bhauma Pradosh Vrat: 

When the observance of Pradosh Vrat coincides with a Tuesday, it is referred to as Bhauma Pradosh Vrat (Bhauma is another name for the planet Mars or Mangal). According to the Shiva Purana and other scriptures, Bhaum or planet Mars observed severe ‘Tapas’ and was bestowed with Mangal Loka by Lord Shiva. 

It is therefore believed that a person who observes Bhauma Pradosh Vrat and worships Lord Shiva will be granted the fulfilment of desires. Women observe this vrat to be blessed with a male child. It is believed that the power of Bhauma Pradosh Vrat removes all obstacles and negative forces in life and purifies one surroundings, cures diseases and blesses the devotee with good health.

 

 

 

Maruvoodal 2021: Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

When Lord Shiva completes his Arunachala circumambulation He returns to Arunachaleswarar Temple early the next morning. He wishes to have reunion with his consort. This part of the Festival is known as Maruvoodal. The point of the Maruvoodal myth is to show the world that even a Celestial Couple has differences between them. But in the end there should only be reunion, even at the cost of a loss in finances which is represented by the loss of the jewels the night previously. To read full details of this festival go to this link here.

Returning to his residence, Shiva knocks at the door but it has been bolted by Parvati. Lord Shiva asks,

‘Oh my darling why have you locked the door?’

‘Sir after we came to an understanding still you went without me. And see now look you have lost everything there is no ornament or clothes. Not, only that but you went and gave darshan to all kinds of people. So, I am now requesting you must establish your manliness to me and retrieve everything that is lost and give the special one-legged dance.’

Shiva starts the dance, Parvati forgets everything and opens the door.

 

 

 

Thiruvoodal Festival 2021: Arunachala Circumambulation: Chinnakadai Street

 

The Lord during this holy festival of Thiruvoodal, continues his circumambulation of Arunachala ever moving closer to Arunachaleswarar Temple and his Goddess, Parvati. The photos below are of the Lord stopping on Chinnakadai Street to give darshan to devotees gathered at the Kamakshi Temple, Durgaiamman Temple, Shirdi Sai Baba Mandapam and the Hanuman Temple. To learn about the unique Thiruvoodal Festival go to this link here. 

 

Shirdi Sai Baba Mandapam

 

 

Thiruvoodal Festival 2021: Gods Circumambulate Arunachala

 

Further to the previous post, to read about this unique Thiruvoodal festival and details of the "quarrel" between the Divine couple go to this link here. The quarrel enacted on the mada vedhi street, results in an implacable Parvati refusing to continue to talk with Shiva. She re-enters Arunachaleswarar Temple without him. In order to placate Parvati and as night is approaching, the Lord who has agreed to circumambulate Arunachala, turns away from the Big Temple and spends the night at Sri Kumara Koil on Thirumanjana Street. The next morning he starts on his Arunachala circumambulation. On his way around the Hill, the Lord stops at the Asta Lingams, Temples and Shrines to offer his Blessings to devotees.