Thai Poosam Theerthavari
The Thai Poosam Theerthavari was performed on Sunday. The ritual took place in Agni Theertham, which is just off National Highway 66. The Theertham is connected to the Agni Lingam but is located some distance from it.
Seen here are pictures of the ritual. The Gods were brought to Agni Theertham, where the Theerthvari was performed. The big priests performed the worship.
Girivalam at Thiruvannamalai
The temple of Sri Arunachaleswarar in Thiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be about a 1000 years old. It has been a regular place of worship for popular Nayanmar saints such as Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Arunagirinathar.
The temple is a home for the Agni Lingam. Here, the Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Lingam and in the form of fire as one of the five elements of the universe. The temple is situated in Thiruvannamalai. Thiru means holy, Anna means powerful and Malai means hills. Devotees take Girivalam every month. Giri in Tamil means Hill and Valam means going, or coming, around. Circumambulating the hill is called Girivalam.
One round of the hill is 14 kms. Every full moon day, lakhs of devotees walk around it. As one walks around the hill, one can encounter the eight lingams positioned facing the eight directions. These are Indralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberalingam and Esanyalingam.
While going around the hill, it is advised to do so barefooted. Devotees look upward towards the top of the hill during their journey, chanting Om Arunachala. The timings for Girivalam this month are from 10.55 am on 23rd January till 10.45 am on 24 January.
Thiruvoodal and Maruvoodal at Thiruvannamalai
The Thiruvoodal festival falls at the time of Pongal. It is a lovers tiff between the Lord and his consort Ambal. The Nayanmar Saint Sambandhar is the mediator between them during the argument.
During this festival, the Lord and Ambal are taken around the temple in the early hours of the morning. Maruvoodal is the Lord`s wish to reunite with his consort. The festival is celebrated to show that even the Celestial Couple have differences but they reunite at any cost.
