Inaugural preparatory activity for the Grand Thirukkaarthigai Deepam Festiva at Thiruvannamalai!
The immensely and globally popular grand Thirukkaarthigai Deepam festival at the Lord Arunachaleswarar Tempe at Thiruvannamamalai is all set to be celebrated in a grand manner on 29th November!
The grand festival is inaugurated with the event of laying the foundation for the ‘Pandhal’ for the grand occasion of the Thirukkaarthigai Deepam Festival. For the year 2020, this event of laying the foundation for the Pandhal is performed today (Tuesday, 29th September).
Due to the prevailing situation of the raging coronavirus pandemic and the resultant preventive action, the public and the devotees WERE NOT ALLOWED TO participate in this holy and traditional event as a start of the grand Deepam festival.
Only the temple administration staff and the performing priests, and the festival, conducting hereditary heirs were allowed to participate in this function wearing face masks!
On this traditional holy day, special Abhishekhams were performed on the Panchamurthys of the famous temple with the deities being specially adorned.
The foundation pole for the Pandhal was kept near the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Lord Sambandha Vinayagar and Special Abhishekhams were performed with holy items such as milk, curd, sandal, turmeric, and paneer (It is an unaged, non-melting soft cheese made by curdling milk with a fruit- or vegetable-derived acid, such as lemon juice. Its acid-set form (cheese curd) before pressing is called chhena).
The foundation pole was dressed up with a special cloth and garlands and ‘Maha Deepaaraadhanai was performed simultaneously for this Foundation pole and the Lord Sambandha Vinayagar.
Subsequently, the Thiruvannamalai Lord Arunchaleswarar Tempe Administrator brought the above festive foundation pole and carried it to the location opposite the Rajagopuram with the chanting of Vedas, the pole was founded and Deepaaradhanai was performed!
Usually, the founding of the pole event is performed 2 months ahead of the Thirukkaarthigai Deepam festival. This year also, it was performed 2 months ahead. However, due to the prevailing raging coronavirus pandemic situation, it had been announced that the devotees WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AND AS SUCH, THE DEVOTEES DID NOT PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR TODAY (29TH SEPTEMBER).
In the grand inaugural event, the temple staff, the district collector, district police superintendent, the |Joint Commissioner of the temple, and other senior officials participated on this occasion.
