Aani Uthiram, or Aani Thirumanjanam, is an
auspicious day in the Tamil Month of Aani (June-July) and is dedicated to Lord
Nataraja (Shiva). It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his
devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi.
The Lord's form demonstrates his five-fold
functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation. The
rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation; his raised right arm
with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection; his left hand holding fire
destruction; his firmly placed foot concealment; and his other, slightly
lifted, leg salvation. Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year.
This planet takes 365 days to complete one
full circle around the sun. That duration is divided into six seasons:
Marghazhi-Thai—early
winter
Maasi-Panguni—late
winter
Chittirai-Vaikasi—early
summer
Aani-Aadi—high
summer
Avani-Purattasi—autumn
Aippasi-Karthikai—rainy
season.
This six-season year of humans is said to be
one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon,
afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily poojas (Kaala
Pooja) in temples are performed. During each of these six parts, an Abhishekam
has been ordained for Lord Nataraja. One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the
pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the Tamil
month of Aani (June-July) is believed to be the best time for worshipping Lord
Shiva.
Three Tamil Saivaite saints whose shrine face
the Nataraja shrine inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple are revered at the same
time as worship of the Lord and his Goddess, and deeparadhana is performed by
priests at the shrines of the Gods and Saints, which face each other. This is
known as Arakattu Utsavam and only happens at this time.
In preparation of the Holy Bath on Uthiram
Nakshatram Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Shivakami are brought out of the
Temple in procession and taken to the 1000 pillared hall where they are
installed in a special shrine. It is at this place that the sacred bath
(Thirumanjanam) is performed.
It is popularly believed that it was on Aani
Uthiram day that Lord Shiva appeared before Sage Manikkavachakar under a
Kurundai Tree and offered upadesha (advice). Sage Manikkavachakar is the author
of Thiruvachakam.
The below
photographs are from Thursday June 15, 2023 Vaikasi Maatha Amavasai Pradosham
at Arunachaleswar Temple, Big Nandi, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple.
Big Nandi Abhishekam, 5th Prakaram
Aarti to Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram
The Five Nandis
The five Nandis at Arunachaleswarar
Temple are; Pradosha Nandi, in the Moolastanam, Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the
Second Prakaram, Kodi Kampathu Nandi in the Third Prakaram, Chinna Nandi in the
fourth prakaram and the Periyar Nandi that stands in front of the Vallala
Gopuram in the Fifth Prakaram.
Below
is a fascinating video made by Praveen Mohan explaining his theory that the Siva
Lingam at Arunachaleswarar Temple is an ancient energy device similar to the
more contemporary Tesla Coil.
After the video, I have included a transcription (available
at his Blog). I have added a third paragraph in red with information about
thara parthiram (special kind of vessel vessel) being placed over the Lingam
during a specific season.
"Hey guys, today I am going to show you a
mysterious phenomenon that is happening in the Arunachalesvara temple in the
town of Tiruvannamalai. This temple is very old, at least 1300 years old, The
unusual thing about this temple is that there is a lingam in the main chamber,
and it emits an enormous amount of heat. Nobody has been able to explain this
until now. Like all Hindu temples, the main idol is situated in the central
chamber inside this temple, but this lingam somehow radiates a lot of heat. As
we approach the main chamber where the lingam is contained, you can feel the
temperature rising. Notice how the entire stone walls have turned completely
black because of constant radiation. You can see multiple fans placed all
around, trying to cool the place down, but the place remains much hotter than
the outside, all the time. It is extremely hot even during winter time inside
the main chamber.
When I visited this temple, Initially, I thought no
one felt the rise in temperature except me, but when I researched this, it has
already been published in multiple newspapers and several websites. Many have wondered
why this is happening. The priests in the temple also confirm this, and told me
that the lingam itself is very hot, it feels like touching a warm cup of
coffee. So they actually use a simple cooling device from time to time, this
cooling system is a vessel is placed on top of the lingam, which slowly drips
cold water to cool the lingam down."
The posting explains the reason why a
water vessel (i.e. thara parthiram) is placed over the Lingam at Shiva Temples
during Kathiri Veyil, which is the period when the Sun (i.e. Surya) passes
through the star Krittika.
"But why is this happening? A stone is capable
of giving out heat energy for many centuries without any power source? This is
impossible, there should be some explanation for this phenomenon. I mean how is
this possible? Locals and priests explain that this radiation is happening
because it is a special type of lingam called the Agni Lingam. Now, what is an
Agni Lingam? Agni Lingam is a stack of energy, a column of fire emitting heat
and light. This unique type of energy is said to be created in the underground
portion of the lingam. What we see here, is just the top of the structure,
there is a large cylindrical column which proceeds underground, which is what
creates the enormous amount of heat. Since the heat produced by the lingam is
very real, is it possible that such a lingam, a cylindrical power source
actually exists underground? If this is true, is it possible that the ancient
builders also carved the entire Agni Lingam in this temple?
Here, we can see a man praying to this large
cylindrical structure. But it does not look like a traditional lingam, it has
many turns, many coils on the cylinder, as though it is wound with wires, and
look at the top, there are thunderbolts coming out in all directions. This is
incredible, because this matches 100% with a modern day Tesla coil. Now, what
is a Tesla Coil? It is a Wireless Power Transfer device, it does not need
wires, but can radiate enormous amount of energy, simply through the air.
Nikola Tesla, an extraordinary inventor created this in 1891 in an attempt to
deliver free energy to the world.
I mean look at the tesla coil. I mean look at the
Tesla coil I am holding. It is a cylinder wound with wires connected to a
battery and we see can see electric arcs which look like thunderbolts coming
out from the top. This is exactly what we see in the carving. Is the Agni
Lingam, an ancient Tesla Coil? How else can you explain this 1300 year old
carving, with coils wound around the cylinder, and thunderbolts coming out from
the top? Tesla coils also create a lot of heat, you can feel the heat rising as
you move your hand closer to it. In fact, it will burn your skin if you touch
it. This is the exact same feeling you get, as we walk closer to the lingam. As
we move towards the lingam, we can literally feel the heat rising. Today, we
have created large Tesla coils for experimental purposes. But did ancient
builders also set up a similar device underground? If so, for what purpose? I
mean ,what could have been the reason to put a large Agni Lingam inside a
temple?
The answer lies in how we use Tesla coils. Today,
Doctors are using Tesla Coils primarily for enhancing the overall well-being of
patients. This procedure, known as electrotherapy not only completely relaxes
the body, but also calms the mind into a deep, meditative state. Was the
ancient Tesla Coil, the Agni Lingam installed here to heal the body and mind of
the visitors? People from around the world come here to practice deep
meditation in this temple. You will experience an unusual calmness in your mind
and your body, when you are in this temple, this is why this area is called the
spiritual capital of the world. Some of the world’s greatest saints attained
enlightenment in this temple. Are all these things mere coincidences, or is it
all because of the therapeutic effect, the effect of radiation coming out of
the lingam?
Did ancient people worship this lingam to gain
physical and mental strength? But if this is the case, then what is the need to
construct such a large temple complex around this lingam? This temple is one of
the largest temples of Lord Shiva, covering about 25 acres. The entire design
and layout of this temple is mindboggling, the most important feature is the
towers. Near the outer walls, Four large temple towers are set up precisely
facing the 4 cardinal direction points.
If the Agni Lingam is a Tesla Coil transmitting
energy, then is what is the need to construct all these gigantic towers?
Perhaps the answer lies in the carving itself. If we count the number of turns
on the Agni Lingam, it has 13 turns. Initially, I thought this was a mere
coincidence but let us count the number of the metal domes, these are called
Kalashas, placed on top of the main tower. There are exactly 13 domes placed on
the top of the tower. This is not a coincidence. Not only that, the tower also
has 13 levels, these rectangular holes are actually doorways to the levels,
there are stairs inside the tower to access every level. If you we count the
doorways, including the one hidden by this signboard, there are 13 doorways and
13 levels. So, this is definitely not a coincidence. If you look at the tower
from the top angle, it looks like a next generation machine. What is the actual
purpose of this gigantic tower? Even after 1300 years, it is still one of the
tallest towers of India. Did you know Nikola Tesla built a gigantic tower,
called the Wardenclyffe tower, in order to give free energy to the world? Tesla
planned on wireless transmission of energy to the whole world, but this entire
facility was destroyed by greedy businessmen. Was this temple also built as a
centre for wireless transmission of energy?
See, if you go to a very high altitude, the entire
temple complex looks similar to a modern day power company, I mean look at the
lay out. There are 4 large towers perfectly aligned to the 4 direction points.
There are smaller towers inside as well. There are water sources which act as a
cooling system, you can see two large tanks always full of water. There are
many separate buildings inside the complex, there are even emergency exits,
just like modern facilities. But perhaps the real secret, the actual power
source itself can be found if we can access the underground, but locked
chambers."
Vasantha Urchavam is a ten day Festival depicting the blossoming of
love. During this sacred event, Swami and Amman are gorgeously decorated with
jewels. They are taken with great ceremony in Mahapradakshina round the sacred
Mahila Maram (trees) within the Third Prakaram—ten times every night for ten
days = 100 times.
The third day of Vasantha Urchavam celebrates the birth of Manmatha,
also known as Kama the God of love (lust). Manmatha is depicted looking for
Siva.
At 9 p.m. on the fifth and eighth days the Temple lights are switched
off so that the procession is in the dark. After going around the sacred Mahila
Maram ten times the lights are switched back on to great rejoicing.
Lord Shiva opens His third eye on the final days of the Festival and
the burning of Manmatha takes place.
During this sacred Festival the Jumbo Keswara Lingam, that is set in
stone on the raised platform in the midst of the sacred trees is filled to
capacity with water. Plants and flowers are placed to float inside the recess
of the Lingam, appearing to make the Lingam levitate and blossom.
[Extract from The Light of Arunachaleswarar]
Each evening for the first nine
nights of this Festival, Lord Somaskanda (a form of Siva/Pavarthi) is brought
to the Paneer (Rose-water) Mandapam in the 3rd prakam. During this function the
Gods are showered with flowers by the Gandharva Kanya enactd by the celestial nymph
in the form of a puppet.
The Kanya puppet comes many times
to the Paneer Mandapam and showers buckets of flowers onto the Gods. Afterwards
ten processional rounds around the Makila Trees takes place, accompanied by
musicians and singers. At the completion of each round, the Gods dance in front
of a mirror and then remain seated under the Paneer Mandapam while receiving
two floral showers from the Gandharva Kanya.
During the Vasantha Utsavam Festival,
the appearance of the Gandharva kanya (celestial virgin nymph) represents the
expression of desire and the virtue of union which is further emphasised by the
flowers, fragrance and music of the ritual.
Gandharvas are celestial beings
and also musicians. In Hindu mythology, the Gandharvas are demi-gods, who are
somewhat less powerful than the Devas.
They are sometimes said to reside in
the Swargaloka, but some sources put their abode as Gandharvaloka. Their
father is sage Kashyapa and their mother is Arishta, a daughter of
Daksha. They specialise in dance and music, and are also skilled in dark magic.
They are the guardians of Soma,
the divine nectar of immortality and teacher of the Moon who is also called
Soma. The Gandharvas are attributed with a mystical power over women and the
right to possess them. They are invoked in traditional Hindu marriage
ceremonies and in the Brahmin tradition, the bride who is to be married is
supposed to belong first to Soma, to Gandharva and to Agni before becoming the
wife of a human being. A Gandharva marriage is a love marriage (not an arranged
one). The wives of the Gandharva men are usually celestial damsels, apsaras.
The Puppeteers in charge of the pulley system on adjacent gallery
The Gandharva Kanya on her way to the Gods
Nearing the Gods on their palanquin at the Paneer Mandapam
Adorning the Gods with flowers
Each evening of the 9 nights, the Gandharva Kanya is beautifully and differently dressed
Puppet in White and Gold nearing the Gods with her bucket of flowers
Another evening, and another dress for the Gandharva Kanya
