On the traditionally holy occasion of the Fu Moon day during the Tamil Calendar month of ‘Purattaasi’, special Abhishekham was performed on the deity of Lord Natarajar at the famous Thiruvannamalai temple of Lord Arunachaleswarar.
Special Abhishekhams performed on Prathosam Day at Annamalaiyar temple in Thiruvannamalai!
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.
Pradosham’ on the New Moon Day in the Tamil calendar month of Avaṇi occurred on Tuesday, 15th September this year (2020).
So, on this day (Tuesday, 15th September), in the holy Thiruvannamalai temple of Lord Annamaliayr with His Cosort Goddess Sri Unnamulaiyamman, Special Abhishekhams and Deeparadhanais were performed on the 5 Nandihis (Periya Nandhi, Chinna Nandhi, Kodi Maram Nandhi, Adhikara Nandhi, and Saravilakku Nandhi, and Artha Mandapa Nandhi) located in the 5 corridors of the temple, and the Amman Sanctum Sanctorum Nandhi and also the deity of the Pradosha Nayakar.
Special Abhishekhams performed on pradosham Day at Annamalaiyar temple in Thiruvannamalai
Special Abhishekhams performed on pradosham Day at Annamalaiyar temple in Thiruvannamalai!
The Divine ‘Flag Hoisting’ ceremony for the celebration of the Aadi Pooram Festival (The day on which the star ‘pooram’ falls in the Tamil Calendar month of Aadi which is considered a sacred month) was performed in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Goddess Unnamulaiyamman on the golden flag-pillar today (Friday, 24th July) at the famous Lord Arunchaleswarar temple in Thiruvannamalai.
On the 1st day of the festival, the deities of Lord Vinayaka and Goddess Parasakthi Amman, specially adorned, offered Darshan to the devotees.
However, with the prevailing raging coronavirus pandemic spread and the lockdown imposition, devotees were not allowed to enter the temple premises.
Hence, the entire temple premises wore a ‘deserted’ look in the absence of the usual thousands of devotees!
