Kartika deepam festival at Tiruvannamalai on Dec 1st 2009.

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The Significance of Girivalam, (Circumambulation) – Karthika Deepam

 

Tiruvannamalai the home of Annamalayaar or Arunachaleswarar (Shiva worshipped as

a Shiva Lingam) and Unnamulaiyaal (Apitakuchambaal - Parvati), is one of the

largest temples in India. It occupies a special place in the Saivite realm and

is regarded as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (one of the five grand temples

associated with the five basic elements.

 

Five ancient temples in South India enshrine Shiva as the manifestation of the

five basic elements of wind, water, fire, earth and space respectively. All of

these five temples are widely visited centers of worship and are repositories of

ancient worship traditions.

 

Kanchipuram near Chennai in Tamilnadu is home to the Ekamreswarar temple

enshrining Shiva as a prithvilingam symbolizing the element earth .

 

Sree Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh is where the manifestation of Shiva in the

form of the element air is celebrated – Vayulingam.

 

Chidambaram in Tamilnadu enshrines Shiva in the form of Nataraja and in the form

of the formless element space – Akasha lingam .

 

Tiruvannamalai in Tamilnadu is an ancient center of Shiva worship. The Annamalai

hill is symbolically regarded as a tall column of fire or the Tejolingam.

 

Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswaram near Tiruchirappalli , Tamil Nadu is where the

ancient temple holding Shiva in reverence as a personification of the element

water – Jala lingamis located.

 

The temple town of Tiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient heritage sites of

India. In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the

Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. " Arunam "

means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. " ACHALAM " means " Giri " or " malai "

(mountain). Thus " Arunachalam " means the Holy hill which is red in colour. The

Holy hill is 2668 ft. high.

 

The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald)

during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during

Kaliyugam.

 

There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an

octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra

Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam,

Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Dhevaram

is located on this path. Apart from these, hundreds of temples of Ganesh,

Subrahmanya swamy, various avatars of Parvathi, Balaji, Anjaneyar and many

other deities are located on the path.

 

The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has it that even today a

number of siddhas are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform

" Girilvalam " (Circumambulation) during every Full moon day which would do

immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhas movement would be there

and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This

will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven fact that on

every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all

benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar.

 

Of all the full moon days, on kartika pournami is specially celebrated since

Bramhotsavam is celebrated and the number of devotees taking GIRIVALAM would be

the highest. The celebration of " Kartika Deepam " marks the conclusion of the

ten day Brammotsavam in the month of Kartikai (Scorpio , Nov 15 through December

15). This year the Kartikai Deepam is on

http://www.facebook.com/l/c34f7;03.12.06.

 

The human mass gathered within and around the precincts of the temple, along

with the residents of the town and neighboring towns catch sight of the flame

atop the Annamalai hill, cherishing the age old belief that it is a

representation of Shiva himself, who appeared in the form of a flame whose

origins could not be deciphered by the other two of the Trinity namely Bhramma

and Vishnu.

 

Keeping with tradition, the inner sanctum doors close, with the arrival of the

deepam outside, and it is believed Annamalaiyaar is to be worshipped only as the

beacon until the next morning when the shrine is reopened.

 

Legend has it that Shiva manifested himself in the form of a massive column of

fire, whose crown and feet, Bhramma and Vishnu attempted in vain to reach.

(See: Lingodbhavar) A celebration of this manifestation is seen today in the age

old traditions observed in the Shivaratri and the Kartikai Deepam Utsavams held

here.

 

There is an air of deep mysticism around the temple, the hill and its environs

and the town itself has been known for its long association with Yogis, Siddhas,

the well known spiritual savant Ramana Maharishi and several others. The origin

of this temple dates way back in time, although much of the temple structure as

seen today, is a result of building activity over the last one thousand years.

 

The circumambulation path has been provided with sodium lamps at the expense of

12 lakhs donated by cine artist Shri Rajinikanth. This benefits pilgrims who

perform circumambulation during night times. On behalf of Town administration

bore well pumps are erected to supply drinking water to pilgrims. Moreover for

the benefit of the devotees during special occasions annadhanam is performed by

Sri Agasthiar Ashram, and so many donors. Milk is distributed by certain well

wishers. People who go for girivalam every full moon day take 3-4 hours approx.

The sight of several groups of people singing Bhajans during girivalam makes us

feel more energetic.

 

(Dr. Suryanarayana Raju from Self-Inquiry.)