Mother Umadeviar: Channel to Sri Seshadri Swamigal

Several of my last posts have been about the great Mahan, Sri Seshadri Swamigal. In relation to the great saint, the following is information about the luminary Uma Deviar (born May 22, 1942) who was believed to be a preeminent channel of the great Mahan. She was known to devotees of Sri Seshadri Swamigal but otherwise lived the quiet exemplar life of a married woman with meticulous attention to her duties to God and family. 

I was fortunate to have met Uma Deviar briefly in her home towards the end of her life, where she met me with kindness and courtesy and responded to a worrying spiritual difficulty I was experiencing in words that would be repeated almost exactly, sometime later, by my own guruji, Sri Nannagaru. 

Through her tapas and sadhana, Uma Deviar previously acted as a channel to various saints until she moved to Tiruvannamalai and her life became inextricably mixed with the great Sri Seshadri Swamigal. Of her connection with him; Mother Umadevi said that Swamigal would appear in front of her in response to questions asked, and thereafter she would convey the answers to those seeking his guidance. To read more about the life of Uma Deviar, go to this link here. 

Uma Deviar

I found the below narrative written by B.R. Kumar in which he talks of his experiences with Mother Umadevi, beautiful and inspirational and it reminds one that sometimes even in an ordinary guise in an ordinary home, lives a most extraordinary person. 

Mother Umadevi 

“The turning point in my personal and official life was in 1961 when I had the first darshan of Saint Uma Deviar at Thenmathadi Street, Tiruvannamalai. It was evening time, when we reached Tiruvannamalai from Pondicherry. We were at the residence of Sri S.R. Veeraraghavan, well-known Advocate-Scholar of Tiruvannamalai. Sri Veeraraghavan told us that we would be meeting a very rare personality in a few minutes time and he took us to the residence of Sri. R. Muthukumaraswamy, another Advocate of Tiruvannamalai and a prominent personality known for his erudition and benevolence. 

We were introduced to Saint Uma Deviar and we were talking to her. I was wonderstruck at her appearance, for she was bedecked with a huge Kumkuma Pottu on her face which was fully smeared with Vibhuti. I came to know that she was the wife of Sri Muthukumaraswamy. But I was wondering at her saintly appearance. She took each of us separately to an adjoining room and talked to us about our past, present and future lives. She gave vibhuti and blessed me saying that Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal was always with me for guidance and security. I was dazed at her words, for this was the first time in my life that I had met such a personality. 

We came away to Pondicherry the same night, but the memories of my meeting Saint Uma Deviar was haunting me and I wanted to make another trip to Tiruvannamalai immediately and meet the Saint once again. Yes, I did it immediately on my own and reached Tiruvannamalai within a couple of days. I waited on the verandah of the residence of Saint Uma Deviar. A servant woman came from inside and asked me whether I was from Pondicherry and if my name was Kumar. I said ‘Yes’ and I was wonderstruck. The servant maid said that the Saint was doing Puja and she would meet me very soon. After some time the Saint came out and took me inside and was speaking to me for quite a long time. She was seated in a chair and I was on the floor. Sri Muthukumaraswamy was also present by our side. After some time, with great reluctance, I took leave of her and came away to Pondicherry. 

Who is Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal and how does he speaks through Saint Uma Deviar? were questions that I was asking myself several times, but I could not find any answer, within my limited knowledge and experience in spiritual matters But I used to pray to both the Saint Uma Deviar and Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal, by continuously chanting the mantra, “Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal Tiruvaadikke”, which brought me immense benefits in both my personal and official life. 

In the meanwhile, I found in Sri A.D.M. Panneerselvam, a great poet and a devout follower of Mahan, answers to all my questions about the Saint and the Mahan. Sri Panneerselvam became my very close friend in the days to come and our bond of friendship grew from strength to strength. Even after 28 years, I find Sri Paneerselvam humility and friendship unfathomable. I do not know what good I have done for him but to speak to him once on the telephone brings me all memories of my previous Tiruvannamalai visits. 

Saint Uma Deviar used to politely tell all those who met her, to go around the Hill of Arunachala whenever they are in Tiruvannamalai. I used to think that it was only for others and not for me! One day, when I met her in the mid-afternoon, she told me that I should immediately go round the Hill and then return to Pondicherry. I was terrified and did not know what do to. She told me emphatically, “Yes! Go round and come back!”. With great reluctance I started, with a friend of mine from Pondicherry. It was quite hot to start with, but when I landed on the path to go round the weather cooled down and it was all pleasant. I completed the circle in about three hours and raced back to report to the Saint. She blessed me and me that I must undertake such going round frequently. 

Later in the company of Sri A.D.M. Paneerselvam, I have gone around the Hill at different times of the day and night. While going around the Hill during the nights, I have been guided by white glimmering lights to show the path and have seen red lights glowing from the Hill. I have been guided by the pleasant aroma of flowers, vibhuti and medicinal plants. Once a playful calf was leading all around the Hill and finally disappeared. Once a male saint with a dog and a stick in his hand was going in front of us and guiding us throughout our round of the Hill. And many more such incidents made me feel that the Mount Arunachala was a Hill full of throbbing life and that it took care of all those who went round at any time. 

Saint Uma Deviar became part and parcel of my personal life and our entire family bowed and followed whatever she said. Once on her visit to Pondicherry, I had arrange only for a limited number of laddus for distribution to those who came to meet her. But to our surprise, the distribution of laddus became endless and there even remained a surplus quantity! That was a very great miracle performed by Saint Uma Deviar. 

She visited us while I was at Tiruchirapalli in the year 1991 and went on a lecture tour of educational institutions. I took her to the Samadhi of Saint Thayagaraja at Tiruvaiyaru and there she rendered a beautiful composition in Telegu. Saint Uma Deviar could also play on the Veena very well. 

During my train journey from New Delhi, Saint Uma Deviar provided me a security guard and escort of an unknown person, when the train was attacked by an unruly mob. The security guard came with me till I reached my home at Pondicherry. And then he disappeared. During my unplanned long distance travels, Saint Uma Deviar used to send unknown messengers from the Railway Department, to arrange for my reserved accommodation. 

Once Saint Uma Deviar, accompanied me in an unknown form (I could not see it at all!) and set things right, with the higher officials at New Delhi. That was a great relief for me, for I was struggling with a peculiar problem for several years. She secured admission for my son in the Central School, so that I could easily move all over India on transfer. She gave me special numbers for chanting, so that I could solve problems instantly. 

Saint Uma Deviar had prepared and served coffee to me, with her own hands! Once she had served me lunch at her house. At the time, she told me that she had gone without food for over 48 days. Yet she was very cheerful and healthy. There was not a small trace of tiredness or weakness in her appearance. Always she had talked to me with a very bright and broad smile on her face. She used to be extremely cheerful and pleasant whenever she met with devotees. I have been fortunate enough to move with her very closely and I felt sad when she shed her mortal coil. She has not gone anywhere. She lives with all of us. Such is her power of penance. She had sat on the hot rocks of the Mountain of Arunachala at her young age for observing silence and penance. For years, she had not taken food at all. She had lived on a spoonful of milk and a small bit of banana fruit. For preparing the Golden Kavacha for the Goddess Unnamulai Amman of the Big Temple at Arunachala, she removed all the golden bangles that she was wearing on her hands and gave them to Sri Muthukumaraswamy to be taken to Chennai instantly for ordering ornaments for the Goddess. 

I had met her at odd times at her residence at Tiruvannamalai, both at Thenmathadhi Street and Gopal Pillayar Koil Street and she never once frowned upon me. She had always received me with great grace and benevolence and talked to me in a very sweet manner. Once she was on a very long penance of silence, but she welcomed me inside her house and talked to me personally for several minutes. 

Once when one becomes the staunch devotee of Saint Uma Deviar, well-known as “Amma” she takes care of the entire life of the devotee, along with their family. What is required on our part is only devotion, pure devotion.” 

[By B.R. Kumar]

Relationship of Seshadri Swamigal and Ramana Maharshi

The below is a fascinating narrative written by a devotee of Sri Seshadri Swamigal about an occasion when the Mahan chased away rowdies from a meditating young Brahmana during his early days at the Pathala Lingam at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The narrative is particularly interesting because it explains how the Mahan viewed the nature of the relationship between himself and Sri Ramana. 

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‘That our Swamiji attained Jnana Siddhi after severe penance dedicated to Goddess Parasakthi is well known. Accordingly Mahan used to say many times that he was Parvathi Devi. He used to call Sri Ramana Bhagavan as Subrahmaniamurthy and characterised him as a child. The statement of devotees on the subject indicate the mother and son relationship between the two saints. 

As per his usual practice Sri Venkatachala Mudaliar went to take bath in Sivaganga at 12 noon. At that time some noise emanated from the nearby hall of thousand pillars. On investigation he found five or six rowdies pelting stones into the Pathala Iswara Temple. When he approached near the Temple, there emerged from inside our Swamiji with a loud laughter. Mudaliar was taken by surprised by his sudden appearance. Swamiji asked him not to be afraid and took a Banyan stick lying there and with it drove the rowdies away. 

Then Swamiji came back and told Mudaliar, “See my child is doing penance inside.” Mudaliar asked him how he said that it was his child. Swamiji responded, “you already know that I am Parvathi and I have told you but you have forgotten.” Saying this, Swamiji led him by his hand and asked him to look inside the Temple. Mudaliar got down two or three steps and peeped in and saw someone’s head behind the Sivalingam there. 

Outside Pathala Lingam before renovation

As it was quite dark, Mudaliar was afraid of going aone to the Sanctum and in the company of a few persons crept in and witnessed Sri Ramana Bhagavan sitting stiff like wood in Samadhi. All lifted Sri Raman and brought him out. Both is thighs bore wounds oozing blood resulting from the onslaught of insects. Swamiji patted him on the back and left after telling, “Now do you see my child Skanda.” Thus, it is brought out that our Swamiji as Parvathi had always been looking after Sri Raman as child Skanda.’ 

[By Brahmasri Kuzhumani Narayan Sastriar] 

More information about the history of the Pathala Lingam at this link here.

Healing Miracles of Sri Seshadri Swamigal

Sri Seshadri Swamigal arrived at Tiruvannamalai in 1889 when he was 19 years old. He lived uninterruptedly at this place for the next forty 40 years until 1929. He lived the life of an Avadhuta, with no home or ashram, and moved from place to place within Tiruvannamalai. After he left the body, his devotees made his samadhi at a spot off the Chengam Road, which was later to incorporate also an Ashram in his name which is located next to Ramana Maharshi Ashram. 

To those who have a connection with Sri Seshadri Swamigal, he is a great Mahan, and a source of strength, instruction and inspiration. But even to those who don’t know him, stories of his life and wanderings around Tiruvannamalai, of his interactions and miracles, are thrilling Divine leelas. For more information about his life go to this link here. 

. . . Swamiji drove away his devotees’ ailments whether it was paralysis or lung disease or fever or whatever serious illness, they all would vanish at the sight of Swamiji. Ghosts, devils, brahmarakshas would fly away. Scorpion, Snake poison would all be reduced to ashes. Swamiji would offer such patients some bits of food brought out from his mouth. Sometimes he used to give some green leaves and herbs to eat. After consuming the same, the disease would vanish. 

Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Arunachala

Some such stories of his amazing cures go thus: 

A Poisonous Disease 

“Swamiji aunt’s son Krishnaswamy Sastriar was living in village Thandarai near Tiruvannamalai. His first wife Shankuntala (also known as Alamelu Ammal) developed a strange poisonous ailment because of which her entire body became swollen. Her hands and legs became dead like the stem of a tree. She vomited often and ever time worms as long as four inches, came out with the vomit. Sastriar was flabbergasted. Even the doctors gave her up. Finaly he put her in his horse-driven cart and drove her to Tiruvannamalai. 

Near the point where the Temple Chariot was located, he found Swamiji. He jumped out from the car and prostrated before Swamiji, “Oh Cousin! Shankuntala is lying in the cart in a precarious condition. Please see her. Except you there is none who can cure her. I have come all the way only to seek your help”, he said, all the while in tears. Swamiji saying, “Oh, is that so? Where is she?” Got into the cart, he put his feet on the lady’s legs, abdomen and neck and crossed over to the front of the cart and took hold of the horses’ reins and whipped it to speed up. 

The horse ran like the high wind. He stopped it near the Sadhu Chathram and got down from the cart. He came to the rear and picking up some earth, threw two handfuls inside the cart. He made her swallow another handful of mud. He asked her to pack three handfuls of earth in the corner of her sari and instructed that she should smear the same on her body for three days and departed. Sastriar followed the instruction and on the fourth day her ailment vanished. 

Meenakshi’s Delirium 

Chengalvarayana was a pleader in the criminal court in Tiruvannamalai since 1899. Later on in hkis old age he donned the saffron robe and was serving Swamiji as his disciple. He had a friend by name Rao Bahadur Siva Chidambaram Pillai, a Deputy Superintendent of police. Pillai’s daughter, Meenakshi, developed high fever with delirium at 105 degrees F and the fever did not abate. The doctors gave up the case as difficult to cure. 

Chidambaram Pillai wept bitterly before his friend Chengalvarayana. He, out of compassion, informed our Swamiji who was sitting in the sanctum of Lord Muruga (Kambathu Ilayanar). He directed him to appear in that direction. Hence Chengalvarayana composed a verse in Tamil and placed it at Swamiji’s feet and did obeisance. Swamiji smilingly instructed him to go into the sanctum and read it to the deity. Accordingly he went in the sanctum and read it five or six times and showed camphor flame and brought the paper to Swamiji again. 

“Lord Murugan of Red Complexion! The sick who fall at your feet get rid of their sickness in this life. If this is true, please see that this child Meenakshi becomes healthy today.” 

Swamiji told him, Go, go. It will be cured before sunrise”. Accordingly the girl’s fever receded at 4 a.m. and she became all right. 

Scabies 

Krishnamurthy was a village Munsif. He heard from his friend about Swamiji’s greatness even when he was in his school. Every summer he used to get scabies in both his hands. It used to bother him for four months. During that period he had to depend on somebody else to do his work. For ten years he struggled with it and neither application of medicine nor magic could cure him of that. 

He then remembered Swamiji and rushed to Tiruvannamalai. On reaching there he went to a restaurant and took some tiffin. When the server brought coffee, Swamiji suddenly appeared there and started pouring the coffee to cool it and also drank a little. As Krishnamurthy had not seen Swamiji before, in his ignorance, he became somewhat angry. Luckily for him, he controlled his temper. Swamiji asked him if he had scabies in his hands and advised him to apply kumkum on it the very next day. Saying this, Swamiji ran away from the place. 

When Krishnamurthy came to know that that was Swamiji he regretted what a foolish thing he had done and thought that he had not taken even a whole cup of coffee as prasad. Hating himself for the ignorance. He started searching for Swamiji, who could not be traced. The next day he applied kumkum on the scabies and by evening the scabies dried up. By next morning the entire thing had faded.” 

[By Brahmasri Kuzhumani Narayan Sastriar]

Aurora of Arunachala

The below narrative is of the light of Arunachala, experienced by a devotee of a Sri Seshadri Swamigal during his visit to this place:

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"The importance of the sacred place of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu lies in the secret of its being the centre of the Thejo-lingam kshetra and in its being the secret abode of the Supreme Lord Shiva in his elemental form of fire. While the celebrated linga adorns the Temple of Arunachaleswarar, Skandapurana comes out with the exciting fact that the mountain of Arunachala is itself the present version of the original fiery linga in the form of a pillar that confronted Brahman and Vishnu in times of great antiquity, the Lord have settled himself in the form of the mountain in order to bless all beings who go round it. He is the august Divinity living seemingly silent as a pradakshina priya. But those who have gone round and worshipped him know he is not silent but verily vibrant as a beacon of light—as a Jyoti sui generis. 

Arunachala Light

The Jyoti 

The great one who first beckoned me through the emerald route leading to the sanctity of Arunachala was none other than Bhagavan Sri Seshadri Swamigal himself. Early in the 1970’s, I had not even heard of his name. But one day, as I was meditating in Bangalore in the early hours of the morning his effulgent figure appeared before me. The thajasic vision with the golden face and form was such that I had no two opinions about his being a great one. I was only keen on the identity of the central figure of my visionary experience. It was only when I saw his portrait on the same evening in a great devotee’s place that I came to know about his identity. I thanked him silently for his kindness of the type that has no parallel in this world. 

As I learn that his Samadhi and abode of tranquility glorified Arunachala, I embarked on a pilgrimage to the Ashram shortly thereafter. It was past midnight when my friends and I reached the Samadhi. After about two hours of rest, I work up early and found that the whole landscape around was totally plunged in darkness because it was a New Moon day (Amavasya); even the electrical lights were not visible but it was not dark in one spot behind Seshadri Ashram at the foot of the mountain of Arunachala. A huge elliptical ball of brilliant light stood from the ground to a gigantic height. The sight of what I would like to call Aruna-Jyoti was also shared by another who came out with me at the same time. The Jyoti vanished after two minutes. 

Sri Seshadri Swamigal statue back of Samadhi

I should hasten to add that the Jyoti of Arunachaleswarar is not confined to any particular form or denomination. Everything depends upon His will, grace and illimitable kindness. Indeed, the Lord is everywhere inside every jeevan, inside the mountain of Arunachala and outside. What makes visits exciting is the rewarding experiences of the Jyoti—thanks to Arunachaleswarar’s manifestations of his Jyoti-maya form. What is even greater about the Lord is that, as the scriptures proclaim, he is visible in his Jyoti state both in the Antarmukha and Bahirmukha—in the microcosm and the macrocosm. 

The Jyoti that becomes visible either as a result of the grace of Sree Seshadri Swamigal or Sree Arunachaleswarar is so variegated that no one can say anything precise about a great God who defies description. But it can be categorically asserted as emphasised by Skandapurana that Arunachala offers more vivid experiences of the celestial light or Jyoti than any other kshetra.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba at back of Samadhi

Perhaps the most spectacular of the Jyoti phenomena is the aurora of Arunachaleswarar emerging from the top of the mountain in a fantastic cluster of rays beaming to great heights in all directions. This was visible once on the eve of our pradakshina from Sree Seshadri Swamigal’s ashram as the starting point of pradakshina. What is significant is the same aurora in miniature form is sometimes also visible from the top of the jyotirlinga in Arunachaleswarar Temple."

[By S. Suryanarayan] 

An experience with Sri Seshadri Swamigal

I arrived at Tiruvannamalai twenty years ago by a late evening bus. I had been sent here by my own guruji, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and had only the vaguest idea about the hill Arunachala. I also knew a little about two of the more famous saints, Sri Ramana Maharshi and Yogi Ramsuratkumar (who a friend of mine visited in the mid 1980’s.). Other than that I had little information or knowledge. On the bus a retired Police Inspector took me under his wing and expressed concern that I had no knowledge of the area or thought of where I would put up on arrival. It was he that kindly took me to the ashram of Sri Seshadri Swamigal and arranged my lodging with what was then a very small ashram with only minimal accommodation facilities. 

I stayed ten days at the ashram of Sri Seshadri Swamigal and received guidance and inspiration throughout my time both at the samadhi of the great soul and also from sitting in what was then very pretty ashram grounds. I bow to the karma that led me to this great soul and unto his loving protection. It was he that welcomed me to Arunachala and provided the beginning of my knowledge and connection with the great Hill. 

[Meenakshi Ammal: author of Arunachala Mystic]

Panchamukha Darshanam

The point known as the Pancha Mukha Darshanam located on the northeast side of Arunachala, has been highly revered for many years. It is said that the great Arunachala Saint Sri Seshadri Swamigal when as a child in his native place of Kanchipuram, would draw pictures of the Arunachala Pancha Mukha Peaks. Although the fame of the Pancha Mukha dates back to antiquity, it is only in the last thirty years that it has become a well known and outstanding aspect of Arunachala girivalam. 

One of the reasons for its increasing fame is its association with Isakki Swamigal, for more information go to these previous links here and here. Isakki Swamigal’s great love and belief in the Five Peak Point inspired many of his devotees to develop their own special connection with this spot. 

Arunachala Panchamukha Darshanam

One of his better known devotees, Mother Umadevi, developed psychic powers through the grace of her Guru, Isakki Swamigal and because of the time she spent at the Pancha Mukha. It was this grace and spiritual opening that lead to her connection with the deceased Sri Seshadri Swamigai, of whom she was later in her life regarded by many as a channel and spokesperson. In this respect many devotees of Sri Seshadri Swamigal would visit Mother Umadevi and ask her to be their intermediary in asking for Sri Seshadri's guidance and help. 

Mother Umadevi

The statue of Isakki Swamigal, was put up while he was still living to indicate the spot he favoured during his daily meditations at the pancha mukham darshanam. The statue also marks the place that nowadays he is believed to visit daily in his psychic body to give guidance and encouragement to devotees of Arunachala. The Samadhi of Isakki Swamigal is at the back of the statue and is identified by the presence of a Lingam. Intererestingly the Samadhi of Isakki Swamigal was constructed by A.D.M. Panneerselvam as guided by his own teacher Mother Umadevi.

Statue of Isaki Swamigal

Elsewhere at the Shrine of the Pancha Mukha darshanam, there are five lingams, which represent the five peaks of the Hill, viewable from this spot. These five lingams were only installed at this shrine comparatively recently.

Five Lingams at Panchamukham Shrine

An explanation of the five lingams, with each corresponding to a face of Lord Shiva (in his five-faced aspect) and to one of the Hill peaks follows below:

Five Faced Shiva, Mahashivaratri Kolam, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Shiva is Yogi Raja, the Lord of Yoga, the perfect ascetic. The five aspects of Shiva represent:

Ishana - Skyward Face:

The word Ishvara is form the root “Aisha – Aishwarye”. Total wealth means the total control and ownership of all the fourteen worlds. Such form of Shiva, who is the total owner of the fourteen worlds, is called as Ishana. This face is skywards. Which means it is on top of the other four faces which face the four directions. This fifth face of Shiva represents the creation; balance, annihilation energies and control and chaos energies. It is represented by pure crystal and signifies the top.

Tatpurasha - East Face:

The word “Tat” represents Paramatma. Tatpurusha means Saguna filled Para Brahma form. This represents the form of Shiva that is in meditation and Blessing the world. Hence this eastern face is considered as the first face. The word “Tatpurusha” means “his person”. One who is always behind a person to protect is Tatpurusha. It is represented by yellow and signifies the face.

Vama Deva – North Face:

The term Vama means Left or innocent. If we stand facing east, the north is to our left. Hence the north facing Shiva is worshipped as “Vaama Deva”. The left of a person is representative of the Shakti aspect. It represents “Maya and the feminine strength and beauty”, Hence in Ardha Nareeshwara aspect, we find the goddess on the left side. Represented by red and signifies the navel.

Sadyojata - West Face:

West is called as “Paschima or Pratyak”. The soul is called as “Pratyagaatma”. “Sadyaha” which means just now and “Jataha” means now born. Shiva makes his presence felt through the countless souls being born. Hence the apt name “Sadyosata”. This shows the creative aspect of Parameshvara. Since the very existence of any being starts from its birth, the Sadyosata aspect of Lord Shiva is prayed first. Represented by white and signifies the foot.

Aghora - South Face: 

If we stand facing east, south is our right. Hence right side is called as “Bala”. As important as right hand is for humans, the South face is important to Lord Shiva. This is also famously known as “Dakshina Murthy”. Those who worshipped the Aghora form of Shiva were called as “Aghoris”. Aghoris generally live in graveyards and are naked, use things which the world has branded as “inauspicious”, and perform harsh penance; because their main belief is that there is no such thing called “inauspicious” in the world because all that exists if Shiva himself. Represented by black and signifies the heart.

Nakshatra Offerings to Arunachala

Nakshatra Offerings to Arunachala It is repeatedly mentioned in the Skandapurana that Lord Shiva will always have a special connection towards those who undertake pradakshina, tapas and austerities at Arunachala. 

According to Nandikeswara, for heavenly enjoyments and eventual satisfaction, there is no greater place of sanctity than the Holy Hill. Remembrance of Arunachala purifies the mind, learning about its greatness perfects the ears and extolling its munificence sanctifies the tongue. It is also stated in the Purana that, “There will be no experience of physical and mental ailments wherever the lingam of Arunachaleswarar is worshipped”. 

Offerings during 27 Nakshatras 

Nakshatras or stars function as sensory organs of the Lord. Arunachaleswarar prefers particular offerings on each day of puja depending upon the ruling star of the day. The precise specification of offerings, however, has a scientific basis. For example, on the day ruled by Krittika (i.e. Moon in Krittika), which is an incendiary or fiery constellation in consonance with the Yajur Vedic hymn, "Agnirnahpaatu Krittikaaha . . ." evocative of light and fire, the offering of lamps (deepams) is suggested. It is therefore in the fitness of things that one offers just what is ordained as it is believed to greatly increase the significance of the seva. 

The below table is based upon the Skandapurana:- 

Day ruled by Nakshatra followed by Nature of Offering 

1. Aswini — Vastram (Cloth)

2. Bharani — Abharanam (Jewels)

3. Krittika — Deepam (Lights)

4. Rohini — Thaapyam (Hot Offerings)

5. Mrigasira — Srigandham (Sandalpaste)

6. Aridra — Harichandanam (Red Sandalpaste)

7. Punarvasu — Kasturi

8. Pushyami — Karpuram (Camphor)

9. Asiesha — Kesari (Saffron)

10. Makha — Pachakarpuram in water

11.Pubba — Thambulam

12.Uttara — Dhoopam (Incense)

13.Hastha — Kaalaaguru (A Scent)

14.Chitta — Anulepanam

15.Swati — Scents

16.Vishaka — Chaamaram (Traditional Fans)

17.Anuradha — Swetachatram (White Umbrella)

18.Jyeshta — Go-ghritam (Cow’s Ghee)

19.Moola — Pearl Necklace

20.Purvashada — Kireetam (Crown)

21.Uttarashada — Nava-ratnams (9 Precious Stones)

22.Sravana — Bhadraasanam (as Peeta)

23.Dhanishta — Gold

24.Satabhisha — Fine Articles

25.Purvabhadra — Enjoyable (Bhogya) ones

26.Uttarabhadra — Horse

27.Revati — Golden Chariot

For English speakers, to find out what the Nakshaktra is for the time you will be visiting Arunachala, check out this link here.