Pradosham - Om Namasivaya

Pradosham – Om Namasivaya

·        Significance of Pradhosham The Dhevas wished to be immortal so as to oppose the Asuras. If they got the panacea called ‘Amirdham’ , they would fight against the mighty Asuras.But the divine medicine lay deep in the sea of milk.(Paarkadal) So they started churning the sea of milk. The snake Vasuki was used as the cord for churning and the mountain Meru was the chosen churn. Lord Vishnuin the form of Turtle served the base. The Dhevas and the Asuras stood on each side of the sea and started churning. The Dhevas , in their hurry to get the Amirdham had forgotten to worship Lord Siva. They thought that they could get the Amirdham merely by their own strength and efforts. . This thought had made them forget the divine grace of Siva without which nothing could happen in this world. Due to the process of churning, Iravatham, Karpagam, Chinthamani SriLakshmi etc surfaced out of the sea of milk. But even then there was no sign ofAmirdham. Even at that moment they did not think of Siva. Still they continued the churning process hardly knowing that they were opening the Pandaora’s box. Deadly Poison (aalakala nanju) started coming out of that sea. Both the parties were simply stupefied and feared that there was going to be mass killing due to the poison of very high power. They were simply terrified. Now only did they realize their mistake of forgetting Lord Siva. Immediately they rushed to him and fell down on His Feet and prayed to help them. It was enough that if they were saved from the effects of the poison, even if they could not get the panacea., they requested Him. It was a Dhasami Thithi when the sea of milk was churned.

·        Siva was pleased by their prayers and drank the heavy poison the next day that is on the Ekathasi Thithi. for their welfare. Goddess Parvathi was very much shocked to find her spouse’s reckless act. Immediately She gently pressed the neck of Siva to prevent the poison from gliding down into the Lord’s body .The region of the neck became blue in colour due to the stagnated venom in the Ganta. Hence Siva is called, Neelagantan. This happened in a Saturday. The poison could not move down. Due tp its presence , Siva became tired and this happened on the immediate Dhuvadhasi Thithi. The Dheva groups were moved by the actions of Siva. So they again prayed to Him. Moved by their prayers, Lord Siva started performing the Dance called Anantha Thandavam between the two horns of Nandhi Dhevar. The time when :Lord Siva performed this dance to protect his devotees’ distress was Pradhosha Kaalam i. e. between 4.30 pm and 6.00 pm in the evening. It occurred on the immediate Thirayodhasi Thithi day. Hence Pradhosham is the most auspicious period when Lord Siva saved his devotees from disaster by his readiness to sacrifice Himself. Efficacy of Pradhosha Worship Pradhosham denotes the end of day time and the beginning of night. Thisis also called the period of Asuras( Rakshasa Vaelai). So during this period one is forbidden to eat or drink. One is advised to perform Siva Pooja at this period. The duration between 4.30 pm and 6.00 pm is called Nithya Pradhosham. The same duration of time on the Thrio Dhasi day immediately following the New Moon day is called Monthly Pradhosham (maassa pradhosham) and the same duration on the Thrio Dhasi day following the Full Moon day is called Paksha Prashodham.

·        The Pradhosham that falls on any Saturday is called MahaPradhosham.(Sani Pradhosham) Worshipping Siva on this day is bound to givethe efficacy for a period of 5 years. Worshipping the Pradhosha Utsava Moorthys(procession of the idols along the corridors) is equal to witnessing the rejuvenation of three temples (Kumbabishekam) and also equal to visiting 100 holy shrines

Arulmigu Agora Veerabathirar – Sanggili Karuppar Alayam – Rawang, Selangor - “Iniya Nandhana Tamil Puthandu Nalvazhthukal' -

Arulmigu Agora Veerabathirar – Sanggili Karuppar Alayam – Rawang, Selangor - “Iniya Nandhana Tamil Puthandu Nalvazhthukal' -

There are 60 Tamil year names which comes cyclically. The name of this year 2012 2013 is 'Nandana' Each year has 12 Tamil months from Chithirai to Panguni.

01	Prabhava				1987 - 1988
02	Vibhava				1988 - 1989
03	Sukla				1989 - 1990
04	Pramodhoodha				1990 - 1991
05	Prachorpaththi				1991 - 1992
06	Aangirasa				1992 - 1993
07	Srimukha				1993 - 1994
08	Bhava				1994 - 1995
09	Yuva				1995 - 1996
10	Thaadhu				1996 - 1997
11	Eesvara				1997 - 1998
12	Vehudhanya				1998 - 1999
13	Pramathi				1999 - 2000
14	Vikrama				2000 - 2001
15	Vishu				2001 - 2002
16	Chitrabaanu				2002 - 2003
17	Subaanu				2003 - 2004
18	Thaarana				2004 - 2005
19	Paarthiba				2005 - 2006
20	Viya				2006 - 2007
21	Sarvajith				2007 - 2008
22	Sarvadhari				2008 - 2009
23	Virodhi				2009 - 2010
24	Vikruthi				2010 - 2011
25	Kara				2011 - 2012
26	Nandhana				2012 - 2013
27	Vijaya				2013 - 2014
28	Jaya				2014 - 2015
29	Manmatha				2015 - 2016
30	Dhunmuki				2016 - 2017
31	Hevilambi				2017 - 2018
32	Vilambi				2018 - 2019
33	Vikari				2019 - 2020
34	Sarvari				2020 - 2021
35	Plava				2021 - 2022
36	Subakrith				2022 - 2023
37	Sobakrith				2023 - 2024
38	Krodhi				2024 - 2025
39	Visuvaasuva				2025 - 2026
40	Parabhaava				2026 - 2027
41	Plavanga				2027 - 2028
42	Keelaka				2028 - 2029
43	Saumya				2029 - 2030
44	Sadharana				2030 - 2031
45	Virodhikrithu				2031 - 2032
46	Paridhaabi				2032 - 2033
47	Pramaadhisa				2033 - 2034
48	Aanandha				2034 - 2035
49	Rakshasa				2035 - 2036
50	Nala				2036 - 2037
51	Pingala				2037 - 2038
52	Kalayukthi				2038 - 2039
53	Siddharthi				2039 - 2040
54	Raudhri				2040 - 2041
55	Thunmathi				2041 - 2042
56	Dhundubhi				2042 - 2043
57	Rudhrodhgaari				2043 - 2044
58	Raktakshi				2044 - 2045
59	Krodhana				2045 - 2046
60	Akshaya				2046 - 2047

Kubera Linggam in Arulmigu Agora Veerabathirar – Sanggili Karuppar Alayam

Kubera Linggam in Arulmigu Agora Veerabathirar – Sanggili Karuppar Alayam, 17 ½ miles, Jalan Ipoh, Kg. Benggali, 48000 Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia, is the first of its kind on Malaysian soil in align with the one in the sacred mountain of Lord Shiva in Thiruvannamalai and exactly facing the north direction. For more info please contact temple committee at 010-2208514 & 016-3030911 or visit our blog at http://vstemplerawang.blogspot.com/

THIRUVANNAMALAI

Significance of Worshipping Asta Lingams in Girivalam, Tiruvannamalai

 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. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the HOly hill which is rd in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high.

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

The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars 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 .

The circumambulation path has been provided with sodium lamps at the expense of 12 lakhs donated by cine artist Thiru 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.

Indra Lingam:(East)
This is the first lingam while the hill circumambulation, worshipping this lingam yields healthy and wealthy life.

Agni Lingam:(South East)
This is the second lingam, It placed near The Lotus tank, This is the only lingam placed on right side of the circumambulation path, all other lingams are placed on left side, It occupies the South East direction, worshipping here retrieves us from all diseases and to face challenges of life.

Yema Lingam : (South)
This is the third lingam, and next to Agni lingam and 3 kilometer away from the Rajagopuram, and it occupies the South direction, it also has a holy tank called "Simma Theertha", it is believed that, worship of this solves economical problems.

Niruthi Lingam : (South West)
This is the fourth lingam, while we see the peak of the holy hill Arunachala, it views accompanying of two parts of mountain and shows 'Sivan' and 'Sakthi' together. It placed in south west of Arunachala. It also has a holy tank nearby, called "Sani Theertha", worshipping here relieves us from our difficulties.

Varuna Lingam : (West)
This temple placed West of the hill Arunachala, this is the fifth lingam. It is 8 kilometers away from the Rajagopuram. One of the holy tank called "Varuna theertha" is here. Workship of this temple retrieves from crucial diseases and promotes ones social status.

Vayu Lingam : (North West)
The whole world is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky. no living creature can survive without Air. While reaching this temple we feel the pleasantness of spring and get peace of mind. it is placed in Northwest direction. Worshipping here is of confers boon on ladies and children.

Kubera Lingam : (North)
This is the seventh lingam. Almost all of the devotees , who comes for circumambulation, worship here by soaring coins and currencies on this lingam. Worship of this lingam grants economical growth, and promotes peace of mind. It is placed in North direction.

Esanya Lingam : (North East)
This is the eighth and last lingam. Here gets peace of mind ability to concentrate mind on God works out his way to heaven.

OM NAMASIVAYA - The “God Supreme” in Saivaism was referred to as “God Siva”. He in the Saivaism that developed and practised in Tamil Nadu - known as “Tamil Saivaism” was of three aspects. The “formless” (Aruvam in Tamil), of “semi-form” (Aru-Uruvam in Tamil), and of “human forms” (Uruvam in Tamil)

A RARE TAMIL INSCRIPTION FROM CHINA

This Tamil Language inscription was found in China.

It was found about 500 miles north of Canton, in a place called Chuan Chou. This is a port city. It was an important port city in the ancient times also. Normally, the Tamils used to sail to Ta Kua Pa in the west coast of Thailand.
They would then take an overland journey across the Isthmus of Kra to other ports like Nakon SiTammarat or Songkla. These ports were on the east coast of Thailand. From there they would sail on to one of the ports of present day Vietnam. Then they would sail northwards to Canton.

A straight sail would be a longer distance which would take them across the Bay of Bengal, Straits of Malacca, Gulf of Siam, and South China Sea. They would have to sail around the Malay Peninsula. This would have increased their journey by more than a thousand miles and would have taken up several more months. Apart from Canton, the Tamils had gone to other places also and
established their own colonies. The merchant guilds like 'Thisai Aayiraththu AinnuuRRuvar' was very active around this part of the world.

In Chuan Chou, there was a Sivan Temple. In that temple, an image of Siva was consecrated under the 'Firman' - royal orders of 'Sekasai Khan'.
This was done for the health of 'Sekasai Khan'. Sekasai Khan' in this inscription is the name of Kublai Khan himself. His full name was Kublai Sekcen Khan. Sekcen Khan became Sekasai Khan in Tamil. The Sivan Temple was known as ThiruKathaleesvaram and the Lord of the temple was known as

ThiruKathaleesvaram udaiya Naayanaar.

The person who executed the order was Thava ChakkaravarththikaL Sampandha Perumal. It was done on the Chithra Paurnami day of Saka Era 1203 - 1281 AD. This was during the rule of Kublai Khan who came to power in 1260 and ruled until 1294 AD. Now, something about Kublai Khan and the Mongols.........

The Mongols were a loose group of tribes wandering around the Cental Asian grasslands with their horses and cattle. They were warlike.
               

At one point of time, a great leader among them rose. He united all the Mongols and made them into a powerful force. He was also a clever strategist. He conquered Persia, Central Asia, Russia, parts of Europe, parts of Middle East, and China.     

No single man till today has conquered so much land with his armies within a short period of time.He was elected as the Grand Khan, the supreme leader of the Mongols. After his death, there were problems of inheritance. After Chengiz Khan, the Mongol Empire was divided into four parts of which China was one. The others were Persia, Russia and Europe, and the original homeland of Mongolia itself. One of them would be elected as the Grand Khan or Khan of Khans. 
               

Kublai Khan was the grandson of Chengiz Khan. He was the third son of the fourth son of Chengiz Khan. Kublai became the Grand Khan of all Mongols. He took China as his part of inheritance and ruled from there. He built Beijing and moved the capital there. He also had a summer capital. His country was big, wealthy, and prosperous. He was mighty and powerful. His armies were immense, powerful, and invincible. Only on two occassions, his armies failed. One was a naval expedition to Java which did not take place.
               

The other one was huge naval invasion of Japan. Due to a freak storm known as Kami Kaze, the ships were all destroyed. Whatever was left of his army was killed off by the Japanese. Although he was a Mongol, he did not Mongolise the Chinese; neither did he force any change in administration. He only made it smoother and more efficient. His rule of thumb was efficiency. He revolutionised communications and postal systems. His espionage services were superb.

              

In spite of all this, he never learned Chinese. He started an Imperial Dynasty called the Yuan Dynasty. He ruled during the time when the Imperial Pandyas were ruling Tamilnadu and Kerala. The Pandyas were on very close friendly terms with the Great Kublai Khan. At the time that the inscription was inscribed, Kublai Khan was very ill. Marco Polo, the Venetian traveller spent seventeen years at the court of Kublai Khan. When he found that the Great Khan was getting old and sickly, he got permission and left China.
It should be noted that he temple was consecrated according to the Firman of the Emperor.

The word, 'Firman' is used in the inscription. 'Firman' is a Royal Order, instuction, or proclamation. When the Mongols captured the Middle East, Persia, and Central Asia, they adopted words and traditions of these regions.
          

The last line of the inscription is in Chinese characters. Chola types of statues were also found in the temple site. This is a rare inscription in Tamil which is found outside TamilNadu.