2021 Vasantha Utsavam at Arunachaleswarar Temple

When the photographs of each day of this Festival are uploaded to the Arunachala Samudra website, I will provide a link here on Arunachala Grace.

Vasantha Utsavam is a ten day Festival observed at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai which celebrates the arrival of the spring season and depicts the blossoming of love. It also re-enacts the famed legend of the burning into ashes of Kama, the God of Love and the resurrection of Kama out of the burnt ashes. The festival generally occurs between the end of March and during part of April. In 2021 the date of this festival ran from Saturday April 17 to Monday April 26.

The deity of this festival is Lord Somaskanda, a form of Shiva and Parvathi, whose shrine is located in the south-west corner, second prakaram of the Siva Sannidhi Temple. Traditionally during this Festival, the Gods are gorgeously decorated and with great ceremony taken upon Mahapradakshina i.e. round the sacred Mahila Maram (trees) within the Third Prakaram—ten times every night for ten days = 100 times. The significance of the "Makila Maram" comes from the Tamil verb which means to enjoy and denotes joy and exultation. In addition the word makila is often pronounced makuta which means crown and refers to the coronation of Lord Shiva as the sovereign of the universe.

The third day of Vasantha Utsavam is designated as the day of the birth of Manmatha, also known as Kama the God of love. At 9 p.m. on the fifth and eighth days the Temple lights are switched off so that the procession is in the dark. After going around the sacred Mahila Maram ten times the lights are switched back on to great rejoicing.

During this sacred Festival the Jumbo Keswara Lingam, that is set in stone on the raised platform in the midst of the sacred trees is filled to capacity with water. Plants and flowers are placed to float inside the recess of the Lingam, appearing to make the Lingam levitate and blossom.

   

Kamdev and Rati interrupt Shiva's meditation

Kama, The God of Love

When Lord Siva saddened by the death of his wife Sati decided to renounce the world, the Devas became afraid for the fate of the universe. The Gods went to Brahma and said, "Our foes, the Asuras have once again become powerful. It has been foretold that only the son of Siva can lead us to victory. The Lord has lost his wife and has become a hermit, forsaking us all. We dare not approach him, but it is absolutely essential that he wed again, and beget a son who will be our savior. What should we do?"

Brahma replied that Sati had reincarnated as the daughter of the Himavan king of the mountains and that she had resolved to obtain Siva for a husband and for this purpose had been performing severe penance. To ensure a meeting between the two, the Gods arranged for Parvati to serve Siva while he was performing his austerities.

However Indra became impatient and sent for Kama, the God of love and said, "O Kama, only you can save the Devas. For our welfare, it is required that Siva marry Parvati. She is at present waiting on Siva, but the Lord has not even noticed her presence. Go immediately and make him fall in love with her."

Kama went to the desolate forest where Siva was deep in meditation. He was accompanied by spring, and in an instant the entire forest was transformed into a beautiful garden. The time was ripe and Kama fitted one of his flower-arrows into his bow of sugarcane and let the arrow fly, aiming at the heart of Lord Siva. The arrow struck its target and Siva opened his eyes. He instantly fell in love with Parvati. However, his anger rose when he realized that Kama had interfered. Siva then opened his third-eye, and gazed with blazing anger at Kama, the God of love. Such was the potent power of Siva's gaze that Kama was instantly reduced to ashes.

Seeing her husband's death, Rati fell at the feet of Siva and beseeched him to spare her husband. At last, moved by her desperate pleas, Siva relented and brought Kama back to life but declared that Kama would thereafter be formless.

From that day on, Manmatha has not had a physical form. Neither Gods nor mortals can perceive him. He does his work unobserved, aided by his flower tipped arrows of love.

The death and resurrection of Kama represent the spiritual truth of how after the ego is destroyed, one is reborn as pure eternal Being. The fact that the flames from the third eye of Shiva burn Kama signifies that the third eye of Jnana (knowledge) in one’s heart  must be opened in order for the ego (ignorance) to be destroyed for no darkness can prevail when the light of knowledge shines.

Kama the God of Love

Kama the God of Love is also known as Manmatha, one of the mind-born son of Lord Brahma Dev. Some accounts say he was the mind-born son of Lord Vishnu. Rati was his consort.

Kama directing arrow at Lord Siva

Kamadeva is represented as a young, handsome winged man with green skin who wields a  bow and arrows with a parrot as his vehicle. His bow is made of sugarcane with a string of honeybees, and his arrows are decorated with five kinds of fragrant flowers.

The flowers on his arrows are: Aravinda (White Lotus), Ashoka, Cuta (Mango Flower), Navamalika (Jasmine) and Nilotpala (Blue Lotus). Also known as Unmada, Tapana, Shoshana, Stambhana and Sammohana.

Kamadeva has five arrows which are sometimes associated with five effects that desire has on one afflicted by it. Kamadeva's five arrows are said to be fascination, disturbance, burning, desiccation and destruction.

White Lotus

Ashoka Flower

Mango Flower

Jasmine Flower

Blue Lotus

Notice for 2021 Chitra Poornima Girivalam

The Tiruvannamalai district administration announced devotees would not be allowed to go on Chitra Poornima girivalam on April 26 and 27.

According to a press release, every Chitra Poornima (full moon day), more than 10 lakh devotees visit the Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple and circumambulate the hill.

The State government introduced new restrictions in regards to the pandemic, which are in force till April 30. This includes night lockdown from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and full lockdown on Sundays.

An official stated that, "Since girivalam for Chitra Poornima is scheduled between 12.16  p.m. on April 26 to 9.59 a.m. on April 27, devotees will not be allowed to circumambulate the hill."

 

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Its disappointing devotees will not allowed to perform circumambulation of Arunachala during the 2021 Chitra Poornima as after Karthigai Deepam Poornima, Chitra Poornima is traditionally the most popular and best frequented Arunachala Poornima of the year.

Below is information about the significance and legends attached to this special time.

 

Chitra Poornima, 2021

Chitra 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. This full moon observance of girivalam at Arunachala, is usually the most heavily attended of the year (other than Karthigai Mahadeepam Poornima).

Chitra Poornima is a day sacred to Chitra Gupta, the Keeper of Deeds. Lord Brahma created Chitragupta through the Sun God and is considered to be the younger brother of Lord Yama. Chitragupta (Chitra means picture, Gupta means hidden) represents the hidden picture of life that is vital, yet unknown. 

Chitragupta, Keeper of the Register

Chitragupta keeps the good and bad registry of every birth and according to ancestral belief, it is he who tallies a person's positive karma against their 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 gain virtue. 

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Legend of Chitra Poornima

Brihaspati was the Guru of Indra, the King of the Gods. When Indra disobeyed Brihaspati, Brihaspati relinquished his role of instructing and guiding Indra. Consequently during the period of the Guru's absence, Indra committed many evil acts. When the compassionate Guru resumed his role, Indra wanted to know what he should do to expiate the wrongs he had done in his Master’s absence. Brihaspati asked Indra to undertake a pilgrimage.

One day during this pilgrimage, Indra had the sudden realisation that he had been redeemed from his sins. He looked around and noticed a Shiva Lingam under a Kadamba tree. Feeling sure that it was Lord Shiva who had helped him alleviate his sins, he worshipped the Lingam. Suddenly golden lotuses appeared in a nearby pond as a manifestation of God’s pleasure and blessing. This legend is ascribed to have occurred on the day of Chitra Poornima, at Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

This special day has come to be known in Tamil Nadu as Chitra Poornima. It is advised that during Chitra Poornima one should remember this story. With intense faith and a contrite heart it is believed that if one admits to one’s sins and resolves never to commit such errors in the future and also pledges to always obey the Guru, then one’s previous sins will be forgiven. 

  

2021 TAMIL NEW YEAR: READING OF PANCHANGAM

 

Today, April 14 is the traditional observance of the Tamil New Year. On this morning the reading of the Panchangam (Tamil New Year Almanac) in front of the shrine of Sambandha Vinayaka occurs. This reading of the Almanac by a Senior Priest of Arunachaleswarar Temple is primarily in relation to the confirmation of Festival Dates at the Temple throughout the coming year.

Outside the Sambandha Vinayaka Shrine

2021 Tamil New Year Darshan of Sambandha Vinayaka

Senior Priest examining the 2021 Tamil Almanac

2021 HAPPY 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 the day, large crowds gather at this Temple for this special Surya darshan.

Axial line in Blue

First light shining on Lingam

Tamil New Year illumination

Aarti at daybreak on Tamil New Year, Arunachala Girivalam Roadway

Devotees taking darshan of Divine Light on Tamil New Year daybreak

Lord Siva Column of Light: Siva Purana

Most devotees are familiar with the legend of the manifestation of Lord Siva as an effulgent column of light without beginning or end, as represented in the Skanda Purana. Below is the legend as represented slightly differently in the Siva Purana.

Chapter Seven

(Siva manifesting as a column of fire in the battlefield)

Isvara said:—

1. Dear children, hail to ye. I hope the universe and the race of the deities, under my suzerainty, flourish in their respective duties.

2. O Gods, the fight between Brahma and Visnu is already known to me. This agitation on your part is like a redundant speech.

3. Thus the consort of Amba consoled the concourse of devas with honey-like speech sweetened with a smile in the manner of appeasing children.

4. In that very assembly the lord announced his desire to go to the battlefield of Hari and Brahma and accordingly issued His directive to a hundred of the commanders of his attendants.

5-6. Different kinds of musical instruments were played to announce the start of the journey of the Lord. The commanders of the attendants were in readiness fully bedecked in their ornaments, seated in their respective vehicles. The lord, consort of Ambika, mounted the holy chariot shaped like Omkara from front to the back and embellished in five circular rings. He was accompanied by his sons and Ganas. All the devas, Indra and others, followed.

7. Honoured suitably by the display of banners of various colours, fans, chowries, scattered flowers, music, dance and the instrument players, and accompanied by the great goddess (Parvati), Pasupati (Siva) went to the battle-field with the whole army.

8. On espying the battle, the lord vanished in the firmament. The play of the music stopped and the tumult of the Ganas subsided.

9. There in the battlefield Brahma and Acyuta desirous of killing each other were awaiting the result of the Mahesvara and the Pasupata weapons hurled by them.

10-11. The flames emitted by the two weapons of Brahma and Visnu burned the three worlds. On seeing this imminent untimely dissolution the bodiless form of Siva assumed the terrific form of a huge column of fire in their midst.

12. The two weapons of fiery flame potential enough to destroy the entire world fell into the huge column of fire that manifested itself there instantaneously.

13. Seeing that auspicious wonderful phenomenon assuaging the weapons they asked each other "What is this wonderful form?"

14. "What is this column of fire that has risen up? It is beyond the range of senses. We have to find out its top and bottom."

15. Jointly deciding like this, the two heroes proud of their prowess immediately set about assiduously in their quest.

16-18. "Nothing will turn up if we are together". Saying this, Visnu assumed the form of a Boar and went in search of the bottom. Piercing through the netherworlds and going very far below, Visnu could not see the root of the fiery column. Utterly exhausted, Visnu in the form of a Boar returned to the former battle-ground.

19. Dear one, your father, Brahma who went high up in the sky saw a certain bunch of Ketaki flower of mysterious nature falling from above.

20-21. On seeing the mutual fight of Brahma and Visnu, lord Siva laughed. When his head shook, the Ketaki flower dropped down. Although it had been on its downward course for many years, neither its fragrance nor its lustre had been diminished even a bit. The flower had been intended to bless them.

22-23. (Brahma said) "O lord of flowers, by whom had you been worn? Why do you fall? I have come here to seek out the top, in the form of a swan." (The flower replied) "I am falling down from the middle of this primordial column that is inscrutable. It has taken me a long time. Hence I do not see how you can see the top."

24-25. "Dear friend, hereafter you must do as I desire. In the presence of Visnu you must say like this. O Acyuta, the top of the column has been seen by Brahma. I am the witness for the same." Saying this he bowed to the Ketaki flower again and again. Even falsehood is recommended in times of danger. So say the authoritative texts.

26. (Returning to the original place) on seeing Visnu there, utterly exhausted and lacking pleasure, Brahma danced with joy. Visnu, in the manner of a eunuch admitting his inability (to a woman), told him the truth (that he could not see the bottom). But Brahma told Visnu like this.

27-28. "O Hari, the top of this column has been seen by me. This Ketaki flower is my witness." The Ketaki flower repeated the falsehood endorsing the words of Brahma in his presence. Hari, taking it to be true, made obeisance to Brahma. He worshipped Brahma with all the sixteen means of service and homage.

29. The Lord taking up a visible form in order to chastise Brahma who practised trickery, came out of the column of fire. On seeing the lord, Visnu stood up and with his hands shaking with fear caught hold of the lord's feet.

30. It is out of ignorance and delusion about you whose body is without a beginning or an end that we indulged in this quest prompted by our own desire. Hence O, Sympathetic Being, forgive us for our fault. In fact, it is but another form of your divine sport.

Isvara said

31. "O dear Hari, I am pleased with you, because you strictly adhered to truth in spite of your desire to be a lord. Hence among the general public you will have a footing equal to mine. You will be honoured too likewise.

32. Hereafter, you will be separate from me having separate temple, installation of idols, festivals and worship."

33. Thus, formerly, the lord was delighted by the truthfulness of Hari and offered him a footing equal to his own even as the assembly of the devas was witnessing the same.

Chapter Eight

(Siva's forgiveness of Brahma)

Nandikesvara said:--

1. Mahadeva then created a wonderful person, Bhairava, from the middle of his brows to quell the pride of Brahma.

2. This Bhairava knelt before the lord in the battle-field and said—"O lord, what shall I do? Please give me your directives quickly."

3. "Dear, here is Brahma, the first deity of the universe. Worship him with our sharp-pointed quick-moving sword."

4. With one of his hands he caught hold of the tuft of Brahma's fifth head that was guilty of haughtily uttering a falsehood, and with the hands he furiously shook his sword in order to cut it off.

5. Your father trembled like a plantain tree in a whirlwind, with his ornaments scattered here and there, his cloth ruffled and loosened, the garland displaced, the upper cloth hanging loose and the glossy tuft dishevelled, and fell at the feet of Bhairava.

6. Meanwhile the sympathetic Acyuta desirous of saving Brahma, shed tears over the lotus-like feet of our lord and said with palms joined in reverence just like a child lisping words of entreaty to its father.

Acyuta said:—

7. O Lord, it was you who gave him five heads as a special symbol, long ago. Hence please forgive him his first guilt. Please favour him.

8. The lord thus requested by Acyuta relented and in the presence of all devas asked Bhairava to desist from punishing Brahma.

9. Then the lord turned to the deceitful Brahma who bent down his neck and said "O Brahma, in order to extort honour from the people you assumed the role of the lord in a roguish manner.

10-11. Hence you shall not be honoured, nor shall you have your own temple or festival.

Brahma said:—

O Lord, be pleased. O flourishing one, I consider this sparing of my head itself a great blessing and a boon. Obeisance to Thee, the lord, the kinsman, the originator of the universe, the forbearing, the forgiver of defects, the benevolent one, wielding the mountain as his bow.

The Plastic Cow

 

The Karuna Society for Animals and Nature has been established in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, South India since 2000. The Karuna Society (Karuna = compassion) works for animal welfare and the environment by providing free medical care and shelter for sick, injured, abandoned and abused animals. Since 2002 Karuna has rescued more than 700 cows, buffaloes, donkeys and horses.

 

Around a decade ago, 35 cows suddenly came into Karuna Society's care—when one cow died unexpectedly, a post-mortem examination revealed a huge amount of plastic and other garbage in its stomach. Further surgeries on the remaining animals found that all had plastic in their abdomens. Since then Karuna Society has performed rumenotomies on around 60 cows.

 

An estimated five million cows roam India's cities, with many gorging on the vast amounts of plastic litter on the streets. There is no official, nationwide data on how many cows die every year from ingesting plastic. But in 2017, a Times of India report cited veterinary officials and animal welfare groups estimate, that around 1,000 cows die annually just in the city of Lucknow from eating plastic.

 

A case In Faridabad, North India highlights the country's twin problems of pollution and stray cattle. A cow was rescued after a road accident by the People For Animals Trust Faridabad. A vet soon noticed the pregnant bovine was struggling. In a four-hour operation, vets found nails, plastic, marbles and other garbage in its stomach. Vets at that organisation attempted to induce labour of the pregnant cow but were unable to save her calf—three days later the mother cow also died.

 

The Karuna Society have produced a documentary entitled The Plastic Cow about animal rights, which looks at the impact of man's dependence on plastic and how it is used and carelessly discarded each day. Not only is this plastic an environmental threat, it also ends up in the stomach of discarded cows; who have to fend for themselves by foraging for food from community garbage dumps and the streets.

Much excellent animal welfare work is being undertaken by such organisations as the Karuna Society at Puttaparthi but please understand the phenomenon of the Plastic Cow is serious and widespread throughout India and most certainly includes Tiruvannamalai and Tamil Nadu.

Blessed Easter

A Blessed Easter to you! Praise the resurrection of the Good Lord Jesus Christ!

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Sri Vuchimallai Narayana Swamy—Hill Swami

 

Below is a posting on Swami Narayana I previously made on Arunachala Grace. At the end I have added an additional narrative on Swami found online that gives a little more information about this saint of which little is known or remembered.

 

Swami Narayana, also known as Hill Swami, lived continuously on the top of Arunachala for over 16 years. On April 19th, 2005; Swami was asked to shift from Arunachala summit in response to new regulations regarding Arunachala. Consequently he descended the Hill and relocated to the grounds of the Vignesh Polytechnic some 5-6 kms from the base of the Hill.

However in response to public opinion Swami was awarded special dispensation by the Authorities to continue with his vigil on the Hill summit and within a week of his enforced departure, Swami was helped by his devotees to ascend the Hill to the same meditation spot on the summit of Arunachala.

However shortly after on July 17, 2005, Swami Narayana became ill and had to be helped down Arunachala Hill by devotees. He was admitted to Rangammal Hospital, Tiruvannamalai. Whilst at the hospital Swami received treatment and physiotherapy for arthritic knee joints, a condition brought about by his intense tapas over the previous sixteen years meditating on the summit of Arunachala Hill. Swami, who was attended by several devotees, and accommodated in a private bungalow on the Hospital grounds, maintained almost total silence during his stay and took no food, choosing to subsist entirely on milk. 

Before his departure from Rangammal Hospital on July 29th, 2005, Swami remarked:—

"I have been sitting on Arunachala Hill for all these years allowing people to serve me, now it is time for me to stand up and serve others."

At his departure Swami raised both hands in blessing and uttered the word, "Narayana". These few words were almost his total communication during his twelve day Hospital stay. After his discharge Swami left the Arunachala area and moved near Tuticorin with some close devotees.

Swami subsequently returned sporadically to Tiruvannamalai and after each short visit returned to Kerala. When visiting he stayed at Vignesh Polytechnic Hostel on the Thandrabuthi Road near the Tamari Nagar Housing Colony where twice a day he gave darshan to his Indian devotees.

 

Additional Narrative on Hill Swami

"A saint used to live on the top of Arunachala Hill and stayed there for 18 years without taking food. His name was Narayana Swami, but his devotees called him Ayya, as he was a follower of a saint named Ayya Vaikundar, who lived in the early 1800’s.

At the beginning, one of his disciples who was a shepherd used to carry water and a cup of milk up to him every day. The sadhu would make a cup of 'tea' using Vibhutti and leaves—and while on the summit of Arunachala all he ingested each day for 18 years was a cup of tea and a cup of milk. It is believed that had it not been for his yogic powers it would have been physically impossible for him to have lived in this way.

I first met him in 1997, after meeting his shepherd disciple near Virupaksha cave. The disciple asked me to come with him up the mountain to see his guru, whom he was carrying a jug of water for. I had climbed up the hill from the back entrance of Ramana Ashram, so I was still bare foot, as my shoes were at the front of the ashram, but I said I would try to come along with him.

As we went up the mountain together it was becoming quite long and laborious. It was scorching hot and the skin on my feet was starting to burn off. This disciple saw me suffering, took off his flip flops and told me to wear them up the mountain. That provided some relief and allowed me to climb up Arunachala; but it was much harder and further than it looked from the base of the mountain.

When I saw Narayana Swamy he was sitting inside a bush, which concealed most of his body. The disciple told me to keep some distance from him, maybe it was 15 feet or so. Swami prepared a tea using water, vibhutti and leaves and told me to drink it. I drank it, and then Narayana Swamy from within the bush extended his two feet out towards me, showing the bottom of his two feet to me. The disciple said, “You are very fortunate, he hardly ever shows his feet to people.”

I was told to chant a mantra, which I recall to be “ayya shiva shiva shiva shiva arakara arakara”. I offered obeisance to him one more time, and then headed back down the mountain with the shepherd disciple.

At that time no one used to stay with Narayana Swami, he was always alone on top of the mountain. In later years some young men formed around him and were staying on the mountain, but unfortunately they were not good people.

After 18 years of tapas he finally left Arunachala and went to a village near Kanyakumari named Palakulam, where he entered samadhi a couple of years ago. I think the people who had assembled around him caused him to leave Tiruvannamalai, because they were not keeping pure habits and were misusing his presence for extorting money from people.

Years later I came to know that his shepherd devotee had also passed away, while very young."

[Narrative by Jahnava Nitai Das]

Is Lingam A Tesla Coil: Theory of Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

Below is a fascinating video made by Praveen Mohan explaining his theory that the Siva Lingam at Arunachaleswarar Temple is an ancient energy device similar to the more contemporary Tesla Coil.

After the video, I have included a transcription (available at his Blog). I have added a third paragraph in red with information about a thara parthiram (special kind of vessel) being placed over the Lingam during a specific season.

"Hey guys, today I am going to show you a mysterious phenomenon that is happening in the Arunachalesvara temple in the town of Tiruvannamalai. This temple is very old, at least 1300 years old, The unusual thing about this temple is that there is a lingam in the main chamber, and it emits an enormous amount of heat. Nobody has been able to explain this until now. Like all Hindu temples, the main idol is situated in the central chamber inside this temple, but this lingam somehow radiates a lot of heat. As we approach the main chamber where the lingam is contained, you can feel the temperature rising. Notice how the entire stone walls have turned completely black because of constant radiation. You can see multiple fans placed all around, trying to cool the place down, but the place remains much hotter than the outside, all the time. It is extremely hot even during winter time inside the main chamber.

 

When I visited this temple, Initially, I thought no one felt the rise in temperature except me, but when I researched this, it has already been published in multiple newspapers and several websites. Many have wondered why this is happening. The priests in the temple also confirm this, and told me that the lingam itself is very hot, it feels like touching a warm cup of coffee. So they actually use a simple cooling device from time to time, this cooling system is a vessel is placed on top of the lingam, which slowly drips cold water to cool the lingam down."

 

Note:  For information go to my post at:

https://arunachalamystic.blogspot.com/2018/05/2018-kathiri-veyil-at-siva-temples.html

The posting explains the reason why a water vessel (i.e. thara parthiram) is placed over the Lingam at Shiva Temples during Kathiri Veyil, which is the period when the Sun (i.e. Surya) passes through the star Krittika. 

 

"But why is this happening? A stone is capable of giving out heat energy for many centuries without any power source? This is impossible, there should be some explanation for this phenomenon. I mean how is this possible? Locals and priests explain that this radiation is happening because it is a special type of lingam called the Agni Lingam. Now, what is an Agni Lingam? Agni Lingam is a stack of energy, a column of fire emitting heat and light. This unique type of energy is said to be created in the underground portion of the lingam. What we see here, is just the top of the structure, there is a large cylindrical column which proceeds underground, which is what creates the enormous amount of heat. Since the heat produced by the lingam is very real, is it possible that such a lingam, a cylindrical power source actually exists underground? If this is true, is it possible that the ancient builders also carved the entire Agni Lingam in this temple?

 

Here, we can see a man praying to this large cylindrical structure. But it does not look like a traditional lingam, it has many turns, many coils on the cylinder, as though it is wound with wires, and look at the top, there are thunderbolts coming out in all directions. This is incredible, because this matches 100% with a modern day Tesla coil. Now, what is a Tesla Coil? It is a Wireless Power Transfer device, it does not need wires, but can radiate enormous amount of energy, simply through the air. Nikola Tesla, an extraordinary inventor created this in 1891 in an attempt to deliver free energy to the world.

 

I mean look at the tesla coil. I mean look at the Tesla coil I am holding. It is a cylinder wound with wires connected to a battery and we see can see electric arcs which look like thunderbolts coming out from the top. This is exactly what we see in the carving. Is the Agni Lingam, an ancient Tesla Coil? How else can you explain this 1300 year old carving, with coils wound around the cylinder, and thunderbolts coming out from the top? Tesla coils also create a lot of heat, you can feel the heat rising as you move your hand closer to it. In fact, it will burn your skin if you touch it. This is the exact same feeling you get, as we walk closer to the lingam. As we move towards the lingam, we can literally feel the heat rising. Today, we have created large Tesla coils for experimental purposes. But did ancient builders also set up a similar device underground? If so, for what purpose? I mean ,what could have been the reason to put a large Agni Lingam inside a temple?

 

The answer lies in how we use Tesla coils. Today, Doctors are using Tesla Coils primarily for enhancing the overall well-being of patients. This procedure, known as electrotherapy not only completely relaxes the body, but also calms the mind into a deep, meditative state. Was the ancient Tesla Coil, the Agni Lingam installed here to heal the body and mind of the visitors? People from around the world come here to practice deep meditation in this temple. You will experience an unusual calmness in your mind and your body, when you are in this temple, this is why this area is called the spiritual capital of the world. Some of the world’s greatest saints attained enlightenment in this temple. Are all these things mere coincidences, or is it all because of the therapeutic effect, the effect of radiation coming out of the lingam?

 

Did ancient people worship this lingam to gain physical and mental strength? But if this is the case, then what is the need to construct such a large temple complex around this lingam? This temple is one of the largest temples of Lord Shiva, covering about 25 acres. The entire design and layout of this temple is mindboggling, the most important feature is the towers. Near the outer walls, Four large temple towers are set up precisely facing the 4 cardinal direction points.

 

If the Agni Lingam is a Tesla Coil transmitting energy, then is what is the need to construct all these gigantic towers? Perhaps the answer lies in the carving itself. If we count the number of turns on the Agni Lingam, it has 13 turns. Initially, I thought this was a mere coincidence but let us count the number of the metal domes, these are called Kalashas, placed on top of the main tower. There are exactly 13 domes placed on the top of the tower. This is not a coincidence. Not only that, the tower also has 13 levels, these rectangular holes are actually doorways to the levels, there are stairs inside the tower to access every level. If you we count the doorways, including the one hidden by this signboard, there are 13 doorways and 13 levels. So, this is definitely not a coincidence. If you look at the tower from the top angle, it looks like a next generation machine. What is the actual purpose of this gigantic tower? Even after 1300 years, it is still one of the tallest towers of India. Did you know Nikola Tesla built a gigantic tower, called the Wardenclyffe tower, in order to give free energy to the world? Tesla planned on wireless transmission of energy to the whole world, but this entire facility was destroyed by greedy businessmen. Was this temple also built as a centre for wireless transmission of energy?

 

See, if you go to a very high altitude, the entire temple complex looks similar to a modern day power company, I mean look at the lay out. There are 4 large towers perfectly aligned to the 4 direction points. There are smaller towers inside as well. There are water sources which act as a cooling system, you can see two large tanks always full of water. There are many separate buildings inside the complex, there are even emergency exits, just like modern facilities. But perhaps the real secret, the actual power source itself can be found if we can access the underground, but locked chambers."

 

[By Praveen Mohan]

Panguni Matha Pradosham, March 26, 2021—Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

Below are three photos of the Panguni Matha Pournami Pradosam that was observed yesterday Friday, March 26, 2021 at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Its most encouraging to see that devotees are once again visiting Temples in Tiruvannamalai to participate in functions.

Shirdi Sai Baba Arunachala Connection

 

"There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees' homes. It is my special characteristic that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not much for food and clothes. If you want anything; beg of the Lord, leave worldly honours, try to get Lord's grace and blessings and be honoured in His Court. Do not be deluded by worldly honour. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let the senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for any other thing: fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere; towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sign of the mind being well engaged in good company".

[Words of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba in Shri Sai Satcharitra]

 

There is a connection with Arunachala of the famed Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple at Mylapore, Chennai whose founder Sri B.V. Narasimha Swami resided at Tiruvannamalai and was a devotee of Arunachala and Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. In furthering the connection with Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, there are currently 3 Temples at Tiruvannamalai dedicated to the great Saint.

Two are on the Girivalam road; one near the Hanuman Temple on Girivalam Roadway, another known as "Akshaya Sri Sai" (i.e. the ever-full vessel of Grace and Auspiciousness) is located at Adi Annamalai. The third Shirdi Sai Temple, under the aegis of the Sri Arunaibaba Vazhipattu Sthalam Trust, is located in town at the feet of Pavala Kundru Temple and next to the Durgai Amman Temple.

The objectives of the Sri Arunaibaba Vazhipattu Sthalam Trust are:

1.  To perform Baba aarti and distribute annadanam (food prasad) on all Thursdays. To perform yaga puja and distribute annadanam on all no moon days, important festival days and full moondays. To perform puja and distribute annadanam on Ramanavami, Gurupournami, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Samadhi and on important Festival days.

2. To encourage devotees and visitors to the Temple into charitable pursuits and the path of non-violence.

3. To plan and undertake renovation and improvement works to the Temple

4. To exhibit civic responsibility by maintaining the cleanliness of the area around the Temple grounds

5. To provide funds for developing education for poor and handicapped children.

6. To facilitate camps for blood donation, free eye and medical tests for the poor.

Now that life is returning to normal after the year long pandemic, this Shirdi Sai Baba temple is eager to again concentrate on the aims of their Trust. In this regard, yesterday Sunday March 21, 2021 the Temple held a Sri Lakshmi Kubera Homam dedicated to the improvement and development of their Mandapam.

If you would like either to support this organisation in their fund raising endeavours  or if you would like to arrange a homam to be performed at their Mandapam please get in touch with Arunachala Grace on the contact facility at the left side of this Blog, and we will forward all correspondence direct to their Trust.

Below is a pictorial gallery of the Homam performed yesterday at the Shirdi Sai Mandapam.