Special Vaikunta Ekadasi Alangaram & Sorga Vasal Opening ceremony!
On the occasion of the sacred festival of Vaikunat Ekadasi 2022 occurring today (Thursday , 13th January), Special Abhishekham and Deeparadhanai were performed on the deity of Lord Sri Venugopal Swamy located in the sanctum in the 2nd corridor of the Lord Arunachaleswarar temple in Thiruvannamalai. After the special Abhiskekham on the deity of Lord Venugoapalaswamy, the ‘Vaikunta Vasal’ ( Heaven’s gates) were opened for the devotees.
Thiruvannamalai Lord Arunachaleswarar Temple: Utharayana Punyakaala Brahmotsavam 2022!
The famous and traditional ‘Utharayana Punyakaal Brhmotsavam’ festival (festival performed during the first half of the Tamil Calendar year in the summer) commenced at the Thiruvannamalai Temple of Lord Arunachaleswarar commenced on 5th January with the divine flag-hoisting ceremony!
The deities of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Chandrasekarar were adorned and taken on a procession around the temple corridor streets offering Darshan to the ardent devotees!
Thiruvannamalai Temple: Devotees permitted for Darshan during the Full Moon Day in the month of Margazhi!
Devotees have been permitted to visit the Lord Arunachaleswarar Temple at Thiruvannamalai for Darshan during the Full Moon Day (Pournami) in the sacred Tamil Calendar Month of Margazhi.
Following this, there has been a teeming crowd of devotees for Darshan at the famous Thiruvannamalai Lord Arunachaleswarar temple!
Karthigai Deepam Festival 2021 – Exclusive Images
Yesterday (Friday, 19th November) being the concluding day of the sacred Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam Festival, the Maha Deepam was lit on the top of the 2668’ mountain situated behind the famous temple of Lord Arunachaleswarar…Here the exclusive images!
‘Maha Deepam’ was lit in the Lord Arunachaleswarar temple in Thiruvannamalai!
Today (Friday, 19th November) being the concluding day of the sacred Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam Festival, the Maha Deepam was lit on the top of the 2668’ mountain situated behind the famous temple of Lord Arunachaleswarar.
During this event of Maha Deepam lighting, the chant of the gathering of Devotees, “Annamalaiyarukku Arogara’ reverberated in the sky!
The divine and sacred temple of Thiruvannamalai yields Salvation just by thinking about it! The Deepam Festival during the Tamil Calendar Month of Karthigai commenced on 28th October with the Festival of Goddess Durgai Amman!
After this, the event of the divine flag-hoisting was performed to signal the start of the Maha Deepam festival of 10 days!
The idols of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite Saints) and the deities of the Panchamurthys in various carriages such as Silver Chariot, Maha Chariot, and other carriages were taken out on a procession along the temple corridor streets.
The 5.9’ high and of 250 kg weight container/copra or the divine tank on which the Maha Deepam is light made of 5 metals and in 3 tiers of Lords Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva!
This divine copra or container of the Maha Deepam was filled with 3500 litters of ghee (clarified butter) given by the devotees and the wicks made up of cotton of 100 metres length were used to light the Maha Deepam.
Karthigai Maha Deepam 2020 : Maha Deepam lit on the mountain peak in Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple
The sacred Maha Deepam was lit at 6 PM (on Sunday, 29th November 2020) at the mountain peak as the climax part of the grand Karthigai Deepam festival in progress at the Tiruvannamalai Lord Arunachaleswarar temple. During the evening, the adorned deities of the ‘Panchamurthys’ were carried on palanquins and placed in the Mandapam. At 5.59 PM, the deity of Ardhanareeswarar was taken out. Subsequently, ‘Aganda Deepam’ was lit in the Tiruvannamalai temple complex.
At the same time, ‘Maha Deepam’ was lighted on top of the mountain on the ‘copra’ (oil pot) kept ready filled with ghee.
Even as the Maha Deepam was lit, the swarm of devotees collected both inside and outside the temple complex rendered the sky with the devoted chanting of “Annamalaikku Arohara”with the ecstasy of devotion.
‘Annamalaiyarukku.. arohara!! Unnamulai Ammanukku.. Arohara!!’
‘Annamalaiyarukku.. arohara!! Unnamulai Ammanukku.. Arohara!!’
‘Annamalaiyarukku.. arohara!! Unnamulai Ammanukku.. Arohara!!’
Maha Sivarathri festival in Thiruvannamalai Lord Arunachaleswarar temple!
On the sacred day of Maha Sivarathri, ‘Lakshaarachanai’ Maha Abhishekham was performed on the main deity of the temple of Lord Annamalaiyar with His Consort Goddess Unnamulai on Friday, 21st February.
Special Abhishekham was performed on the deity of Lord Lingothhavar situated in the 2nd Corridor of the temple at 11.30 PM on Friday, 21st February.
The deity was adorned with lavender (Thaazhampoo) and a special Deepaaradhanai was performed from 11.30 PM.
6 Important Features of Kasi Sivarathri
The old literary classics inform that following above 6 activities must be observed while performing the special prayer on the occasion of Maha Sivarathri to be offered to Lord Siva either from the residence or at a temple!
- Performing Abhishekh on Siva linga – This signifies the purification of the soul.
- Applying kumkum (a special item made using turmeric for applying on the forehead) – this will lead to adopting good manners and good benefits.
- Offering items to the Lord Siva – It will give a longer life. It will also fulfil one’s wishes!
- Lighting the lamp – Will bring wealth!
- Lighting Diya – an earthenware lamp with oil and wick lighted at one end) – Signifies attaining wisdom or ‘gnana’.
- Offering betel leaf – It will offer contentment on worldly pleasures.
Significant information bits (literature-related to Lord Siva):
- Periya puranam is also known as ‘Thirutthondar puranam’.
- Sekkizhar is the poet who compiled the classic ‘Thiruvilaiyadal puranam’
- ‘Meikandathevar’ is the author of the literary classic work ‘Sivagnanabhodham’
- The Rishi Paranjothi wrote the classic ‘Thiruvilaiyadal puranam’.
250 special buses to operate on the occasion of Maha Sivarathri!
A notification released by the Tamil Nadu Express Transport Corporation Managing Director Muthukrishnan:
‘On the occasion of the sacred Maha Sivarathri festival falling on 21st February, on behalf of TNTC (Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation) – Villupuram, 250 special buses will be operated in the sections:
- Villupuram – Melmalaiyanur
- Chennai – Thiruvannamalai
- Chennai – Kalahasthi
- Gudiyatham- Mohili
From 21st February to 22nd February for the public to avail this. So, the public is requested to avail this opportunity!