Girivalam at Tiruvannamalai
Every full moon day devotees from over the world visit Tiruvannamalai, the abode of Sri Arunachaleswara and Goddess Uma for Girivalam. The temple here is the abode of Theju or Fire, one of the five elements of the universe.
Girivalam or Malaivalam is the process of circling the hill (Giri or Malai) that house the abode of Sri Arunachalam. The auspicious day of Pournami (full moon) is symbolic in that it awakens the aspirations of a new life hopefully as bright and soothing as the moon.
The path around the hill is 15 kilometres and is dotted with more than a hundred lingams along the way. It is said that taking the Girivalam while chanting ‘Om Arunchaleswaraya Namaha’ instills a sense of detachment from the world and oneness with him.
Arulmigu Arunacahleswarar Thirukovil Maha Sivarathiri Photos
The Maha Sivarathiri festival at the Thiruvannamalai Shri Arunachaleswarar temple was celebrated by more than a lakh of devotees participating in Laksharchana, Abhishekams to the main-deity and His consort Unnamalai Amman.
Many women-folk who visited the temple participated in drawing rangolis with salt and some were indulged in lighting the compound wall with the traditional deepams.
At the temple the Lord Arunachaleswarar was performed milk, honey and rose-water abhishekams since Sunday evening to the Monday early morning.
Here are some of the pictures that were photographed when the Sivarathiri function was on.
Laksharchanai at Thiruvannamalai for Sivarathiri to begin at 5 am
The Thiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple is gearing up to celebrate the Maha Sivarathiri festival. Laksharachana for the Lord of the temple will start at 5 a.m on Sunday, the March 10.
According to information, the Laksharchanas for the Lord be performed at the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple. It will be performed by the eminent vedic pundits from different parts of the State. The four-kala poojas for the presiding deity of the temple will be performed, said the temple’s Joint Commissioner Paranjothi
At the temple auditorium several cultural programmes will also take place.
Devotees will draw colour angolis with salt around the prakaram of the temple.
Devotees will lit the traditional oil-lamps around the temple and the tank situated inside the prakarams on the night of March 10, Sivarathiri, said the Joint Commissioner.
Thiruvannamalai Maha Deepam 2013 On Nov 17
This year the Karthigai Deepam Festival falls on the Sunday November 17, 2013, in Thiruvannamalai. On the day, Lord Arunachaleswarar and His Consort Unnamalai Amman will be taken on procession for the public to worship. In the evening a Maha Deepam will be lit atop the Thiruvannamalai Mountain.
Every year the Deepam festival draws not less than lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country.
November 17th and the beginning of the Tamil month Karthigai fall on the same day. Being Sunday, it is expected that the devotees to the temple will outnumber the visitors of previous years.
