Jambukeshwara Temple, Thiruvanaikaval 

 The Jambukeshwara temple is located in Tiruchirupalli in Tamil Nadu. The Thiruvanaikal temple is one of the five panchambootham temples in the country. It represents water from the five elements the Panchambootham represent.

It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung glories of the deity in this temple. The temple has inscriptions from the Chola period.

According to legend, once the Goddess Parvati mocked Lord Shiva during his meditation. As a punishment the Lord commanded her to leave their heavenly abode Kailasam, and go to earth for penance. The Goddess Parvati went down to earth and settled in Tiruchiripalli. She made a lingam out of water from the Cauvery river under the Venn Naaval tree (the Venn Naaval tree on top of the saint Jambu) and commenced her worship. The lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water Lingam). Siva at last gave darshan to Goddess Parvati and taught her Siva Gnana. The Goddess took Upadesa (lessons) facing East from Shiva, who stood facing west.

A second legend also exists for the temple. There were two Siva Ganas (Siva’s disciples who live in Kailash): ‘Malyavan’ and ‘Pushpadanta’. Though they were Siva Ganas they always quarrelled with each other and fought for one thing or another. In one fight ‘Malyavan’ cursed ‘Pushpadanta’ to become an elephant on earth and the latter cursed the former to become a spider on earth. The elephant and the spider came to Jambukeswaram and continued their Siva worship. The elephant would daily shower the lingam with water from the Cauvery. The spider would weave a web daily around the lingam to protect it from dust and harm. The elephant however mistook the spider web as dust and tore it off. This continued for a number of days. The spider finally got frustated and crawled up the elephant’s trunk and killed it by biting the inside of the runk. In the process, it killed itself. The Lord however, was so pleased to see their devotion that he blessed them both and sent the elephant to heaven as he had completed his karma.

As an outcome of making sin by killing the elephant, in the next birth, the spider was born as the King Kochengot Chola and built 70 temples and this temple is the one among them. Remembering his enmity with the elephant in his previous birth, he built the temple entrance so small, that not even a baby elephant could enter. The entrance of the Jambureshwar temple is only 4 foot high and 2.5 foot wide.

Srikalahasti Temple

Srikalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Srikalahasti Temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India. Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The inner temple was constructed around 5th century and the outer temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings. Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshiped as Kalahasteeswara.

The temple is closely associated with the Hindu astrology of Rahu and Ketu. The river Suvarnamukhi takes the north course from the temple, washing the temple’s west wall in the process. In between the two steep hills Sripuram and Mummidi-cholapuram, is the Sivalinga set to represent the element of Vayu or wind.

This temple is considered as the Kailash of the South or Dakshin Kailash. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill.

There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the priests close off the entrance to the main deity room, which does not have any windows. One can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu, or self-manifested.

The main linga is untouched by human hands, even by the priest. Abhisheka (bathing) is done by pouring a mixture of water, milk, camphor, and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers and the sacred thread are offered to the utsava-murti, not the main linga.

Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai

Tiruvannamalai is the home of a big temple for Lord Shiva built around 700 A.D, rich in history, tradition and architectural splendor. Tiruvannamalai is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalangal of Lord Shiva (one of the five grand temples associated with the five basic elements) associated with the element Fire, the other four being Tiruvanaikkaval (Water), Chidambaram (Space), Kanchipuram (Earth) and Sri Kalahasti (Wind) respectively. Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of a massive column of fire, whose crown and feet, Bramma and Vishnu attempted in vain to reach. It is dedicated to Arunachaleswarar (God Shiva, venerated as Agni Lingam (Lingam of Fire) and his divine consort is Unnamalai Amman. This is the birth place of Saint Arunagirinathar who composed the Tirupugazh hymns. Tiruvannamalai is also the chosen place of Ashram built by Saint Philosopher Ramana Maharishi.

According to the Legend, Lord once Shiva manifested himself in the form of a massive column of fire, whose crown and feet, Bhramma and Vishnu attempted to reach but failed. A celebration of this manifestation is seen today in the age old traditions observed in the Shivaratri and the Kartikai Deepam Festival held here. The temple's annual Karthigai Deepam Festival in November-December involves the lighting of a huge sacred fire atop the Annamalai Hill. The l ight from the fire can be seen even 40 Kms away.
Aerial view of the temple

Aerial view of the temple

In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. The Holy hill referred as Arunachalam is 2668 fi. high. Tiruvannamalai is also known as Mukthipuri, Arunachalam, Arunagiri, Sonagiri etc. This sthalam is regarded as a Mukthi Sthalam and it is said that one would get mokshaa (salvation) just by thinking about this Sthalam and the main deity Arunachaleswarar. It is said that Lord Shiva has manifested himself in the form Arunachala Hill here. The sthala viruksham is Magizhamaram. By standing near this tree, one can view all the 9 gopurams of this temple.

Girivalam: Becuase God Shiva has manifested himself in the form of the Hill, it is considered very religious and auspicious to circle the Hill by walk. The circumambulation path is 14 Kms. This is to be undertaken on a full moon day. In the circular path one can find Indiralingam, Agrnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberalingam, Eesaaniya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Thevaram is located on this path. By offering worship at all these Lingams, it is firmly believed that one will be freed from all his/her troubles.

Tiruvannamalai|Temple Timing|Arunachala

Arunachaleswarar Temple
  
Arunachaleswarar TempleTiruvannamalai is a world renowned pilgrim centre located at the foot hills of Annamalai hills. It came to be built over a period of more than thousand years. Many kings particularly the Chola and Pandiya Kings. Apart from the King Krishnadevaraya in the 15th century.

This temple city is about 80 kilometres away from Katpadi or otherwise known as Vellore. This temple can also reached from Chennai traveling to a distance of about 180 kilometres. Shiva and Parvathi are the two deities that are worshipped here at Arunachaleeswar temple. Shiva is prayed here in the form of Agni. One of the panchaboothas that is used as an element to incarnate this earth or universe.

Shiva is known by devotees as Annamalayar or Arunachaleswarar. And this is believed to be the largest temple in the world dedicated to Shiva. The history of this Annamalayar temple dates back to thousand years. Mention has been made in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam, both great works in Tamil.

The greatness of this Arunachaleswarar temple was glorified through poems written by salivate poets Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, and Sambandar. This is also well known as the Padal Petra Sthalam in Tamil besides few more temples in Tamil Nadu that enjoys this status.Many kings of those periods have contributed their share to the growth and welfare of this Arunachaleswarar temple. Construction was going on at a steady pace over the last thousand years indicating its importance and patron received by this temple from the public. It has continuously expanded due to the initiative of the kings and the public contribution.

The Arunachaleswarar temple has a unique structure with a 66 metre high gopuram consisting of thirteen storey tier. The temple has seven prakaras and nine gopurams. The tallest gopuram was built by king Krishnadevaraya in the fifteenth century and it is believed to be the second tallest gopuram in the world. This tower is called as Rajagopuram located on the eastern side. Arunachaleswarar temple is spread over 25 acres of land. Out of the seven prakaras, the first two prakaras is said to be built by the Pandiya kings and the remaining prakaras by the Cholas and other kings. It has two big tanks named as Brahma Theertham and the other as Siva Ganga Theertham. It has a massive thousand pillar hall built by the ancient kings. In the thirteenth century the Hoysala kings from Karnataka built some sannadhis and prakaras in the temple.

The most significant factor in this temple is that lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of fire. Every year during the month of Karthikai, the flame is lit on the hill top and this ritual is witnessed by millions of devotees who gather here from all corners of the world. This festival is widely called as Karthikai Deepam in Tamil. Devotees consider greatly auspicious to witness this fire every year since Shiva or Arunachalaeswar is prayed as Agni at Tiruvannamalai.

Shiva is also called as Annamalayar and Parvathi as Apitakuchambaal by many of their devotees. This temple is also considered unique since fire being one of the five elements of Panchabootham is attributed to this Arunachalaeswarar temple and Shiva takes the form of this fire. The other elements that falls under the Panchaboothas are space (Akash), water (Jalam), wind (Vayu), and earth (Bhoomi) Each of these five elements of Panchaboothas are associated to different places of worship in Tamil Nadu and Andhra. Water is associated with a temple in Thiruvanaikaval, Space is attributed to a temple at Chidambaram, Earth at Kanchipuram and Wind at Sri Kalahasthi in Andhra nearer to Tirupathi. At Arunachaleswarar age old traditions and formalities are still in vogue. When it relates to worship the local community at Tiruvannamalai are involved in the rituals. They are the temple priests, administrators, temple staff, trustees, palanquin bearers, guards, bhajan singers, musicians and other important artisans.The ceremony includes bringing the Ganga theertham on the elephant from the holy tank located at the southern part of the town. This water is brought through the Thirumanjana Gopuram on the south side. This water is utilized for cleaning the second prakara entrance.

Then Shiva and Parvathi are woken up and Arunachaleswarar is taken on a procession to the main temple and Parvathi is taken to Unnamalaiamman temple. Then the first pooja starts every day in the morning and conducted at regular intervals and timings for a total number of six times a day.All devotees go round the hill and it is called Pradakshina and it is usually done during the full moon day (Pournami). About five lakh devotees go round this Annamalai hill every full moon day and it around 13 kilometres in distance. This practice of doing Pradakshina regularly helps the devotees to stay spiritually, mentally and physically fit.

Thiruvannamalai Arunachala Temple Address:

Executive Officer/Deputy Commissioner
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple
Thiruvannamalai - 606 601

Email : arunachaleswarartempletvm@gmail.com

Phone : 04175- 252438.

Arunachaleswarar_karthigai deepam_festival

We should know in detail about this annual holy beacon festival. Brahma and Vishnu were both quarrelling about their relative superiority. To give a decision on it and to erase their ego Lord Siva stood before them in the form of a blazing mountain. Having failed in their attempt to find out its top and bottom the two prayed to Lord Siva for His grace. He blessed them saying that he would appear in the form of Jothi on the top of the hill every year on the day of Karthigai in the month of Karthigai. To commemorate this event the Deepam festivals is being conducted at Tiruvannamalai every year.

There is ample literary evidence to prove that this lighting festival is one of the oldest in Tamil country. Tholkappiam is the oldest extent work in Tamil literature. In commenting on one of the Sutras in Tholkappiam,Nachinarkiniar, the prince of commentators, mentions"the light lit on the Karthigai day of the Karthigai month". Scholars ascribe the age of Tholkappiam to be three thousand years old. Jeevaka Chintamani, a Jain work and one of the five great Tamil Epics by Thirthakka Devar mentions "lighting a lamp on the hill on Karthigai day". Karnarpathu and Kalavazhinarpathu, the two old Tamil literary works refer to lighting on Karthigai day. Saints Appar and Sambandar who hailed in the 7th century A.D. makes references in this respect. There is a provebial saying "light on the hill" when one wants to express a thing world-wide known. This bears eloquent testimony to the antiquity of the lighting festival on the hill.

Of the five elements earth,water,fire,air and ether, fire is considered important as being in the middle. Adding Sun, Moon and Soul to these it is said that God exposes Himself in eight forms "Ashtamurthams". So the Vedas, Agamas and Puranas extol God as Rudragni Sivajothi and Paramjudar. Just as fire destroys impurity in anything, God destroy the darkness of ignorance and egoism in men and blesses them with the light of wisdom. This is short is the philosophic truth behind the celebration of the festival.


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Something should be said about the festival proper which will be of use to devout piligrim. The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai(November-December). It begins on Uttradam day with flag hoisting and goes on for nine days.


               

Between the raising and the lowering of the flag, the temple is the scene of two types of activity during the day: each morning and evening the five deities, Shiva, the goddess, Subrahmanya, Ganapati, and Chandikeshvara, go around the car-streets in procession; before leaving, they present themselves in front of the sacrificial hall where the fire-ritual is performed twice a day, and receive on their foreheads a protective black spot made of ash mixed with ghee. On the seventh day the same deities, each on a huge wooden car, are led in turn around the four temple streets in a procession which lasts the whole day.


               

In the early hours of the tenth day Bharani Deepam in five agantams will be lit in Arunachaleswarar's Sannithi. In the evening the Pancha Murthis will be brought to the Katchi Mantapam. At duck(Pradosha) the Karthigai day synchronising with the full moon day, the deity, Ardhanareeswarar is taken out to this place with the five deepams which are put in a big receptacle near the flag-stuff. At the same time the beacon light on the hill is lit. The huge concourse of devotees from all parts of our country in a million voice raise a cry cimultaneously "Harohara to Annamalai" which will rend the air. It is a sight for the Gods to see. On the hill top there is a big copper turn in which large quantities of camphor, ghee and wicks(of cloths) are poured and when these are lighted it will be seen from miles around for somedays after the Deepam festival day. We do not have such a huge light in any other place of our country. On the same night the eleven storeyed Gopuram is also lit with "Ahals"(earthern oil lamps) set in rows in all the storeys. Though this festival is special to Tiruvannamalai it is common throught the Tamil country. Lighting festival is celebrated in all the temples of South India including Vishnu temples. All the houses will also be illuminated with number of lamps being arranged in rows to give beautiful appearance.



It is ordained that a pilgrim to Tiruvannamalai for this festival should take one meal on the previous(Bharani) day, worship Bharani Deepam during the early hours on the Karthigai Deepam day, go round the hill walking the entire distance of eight miles, see on the way Adi(Ani)Annamalai temple and fasting completely that day should see the lighting that evening. He should take food only the next day. The intrinsic truth about seeing the light may be summed up thus; "Body is the hill; mind the vessel; love the wick; incessant meditation the ghee; breath the camphor and wisdom the fire. To light this flame and dispel the darkness is the effect produced on one who sees the light".

Sri Seshathri Maharishi

Sri Seshadri swamigal was born in Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India. Seshadri Swamigal was born to the couple Vardarajan and Margathammal, by the grace of goddess Kamakshi, another name of Parvathi, consort of Lord Shiva. Seshadri as a boy of four, following his mother to the temple, took an idol of Sri Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) in his hand, from a shop, saying he will do pooja to the idol. The shop keeper, appreciating the child's interest, gave the idol free to little Seshadri.

Next day, as Maragathammal and Seshadri were going to the temple, the shop keeper prostrated, placed child Seshadri's hand on his eyes and cried "golden hand! golden hand!". He explained that the sale was extraordinarily high after the child touched the idols. From that day onwards, till his Maha Siddhi, he was popularly known as `Thangakkai Saeshadri' (Saeshadri of golden hand), for whatever he touched turned into gold (flourished).

He renounced material life at the age of 19, left Kancheepuram and came to Thiruvannamalai. Like Sri Ramana Maharishi, he never left Tiruvannamalai till his nirvana in 1929. He was a great upasaka (worshiper) of Shakthi.

He roamed the streets of Tiruvannamalai like a mad man, entering a shop and dumping the cash from cash box on the floor or throwing the flour kept for making dough into the water and so on. However, his strange behavior was known to the town people and they never minded. On the contrary, they eagerly awaited his visit, for his visit meant that their business would flourish.

Mahan Seshadri swamigal, as mentioned earlier, was a worshiper of Shakthi. Recital of sacred syllables was his path. He was a contemporary of Sri Ramana maharishi. In fact, it was Saeshadri swamigal, who rescued young Ramana, when the later was immersed in penance, in the underground cell in Arunachaleshwarar temple and ants and moths were eating away young Ramana's body.

Their paths were different. There used to be friendly arguments between them. Sri Seshadri Swamigal possessed many Siddhis and performed many miracles like curing chronic diseases etc., openly. However, Sri Ramana Maharishi, though he performed miracles some times, he never acknowledged them or attached importance. He always advised seekers to focus on the ultimate goal of Self Realisation and not to be distracted by minor achievements like Siddhis or miraculous powers.

“Where do we go?” Is the essence of His teaching. If we meditate on this we are sure to attain endless bliss. He has no caste distinction and has devotees, who follow other religions. He is continuously helping us and giving us his grace.

The practice of Sesha mantra, Sesha meditation and understanding the Sesha path is spreading among numerous devotees

Saeshadri Swamigal ashram is next to Sri Ramanashramam. Regular Pujas are performed at the Samadhi of Sri Seshadri Swamigal. There are a few platforms for meditation in the open, in a beautiful garden, under the cool shade of trees. One can do meditation facing the holy hill Arunachala, from this garden. A book stall sells Mahan's photographs and books.