Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 7. All Day - Maharadham
The 7th day of the 2016 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival is probably
the most popular of all the ceremonial processions of the Deepam
Festival. It is the day of the giant Maharadham - which is hauled by
devotees around the mada veedhis of Arunachaleswarar Temple.
This day all the panchamoorthies participate in the procession, each in
their own wooden chariot. The first two chariots are those of Lord
Vinayaka and Lord Murugan (with both wives).
Alangaram of Lord Vinayaka
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Lord Vinayaka in Wooden Chariot on circumambulation of Temple. First of the five radhams
Lord Vinayaka pulled around the whole perimeter of the Temple by devotees
Chariot on the West Side of Temple near Pey Gopuram
Lord Vinayaka on Big Street (North Side)
Second chariot is Lord Murugan (with two wives). Alangaram of Lord Murugan.
Lord Murugan in Chariot on circumambulation.
Being pulled by devotees. Gents on right. Ladies on left
2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 7. All Day - Maharadham Procession
The most popular day for performing the "sugarcane cradle" vrata (vow)
is on Maharadham. From early morning parents and family members purchase
sugarcane from vendors throughout Car Street. Then go on their Temple
rounding.
Parents with their sugarcanes near Radhams on Car Street
Endless supply of sugarcane for sale throughout Car Street
Parents with child in sugarcane cradle on circumambulation
The Ter (Chariot)
"Ter-pulling Festivals are to be understood as a royal progress. In
Tamil Hindu Temple rites, the "ter" is at once a war-chariot, a mobile
palace and a representation of the God's Temple. During these Festivals
the God (or Goddess) is enthroned on his "ter" and vested with royal
trappings; the great car is then drawn in triumph along its designated
procession route.
This route is the Deity's symbolic kingdom. As He proceeds among His
worshippers, He (or the priest-attendants who act on His behalf)
receives the offerings which are presented by His subject-devotees; the
God returns these presentations in the form of prasad. These ceremonial
exchanges affirm the God's sovereign status, and they also express the
bonds of social rank and primacy which are continually being built up
and recorded among his devotees."
[Saints, Goddesses and Kings by Susan Bailey]
Structure next to Maharadham for devotees to cross over into chariot
Maharadham on its procession route Car Street
Maharadham on Thiruvoodal Street
2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 7. All Day - Maharadham Procession: Amman and Chandikeswarar
With the arrival of the Amman and Chandikeswarar Radhams, all the
panchamoorthies have completed their procession of the mada veedhis and
have returned to their permanent spots on the sides of Car Street (east
side of Temple).
Amman Radham returns to Car Street
Last Radham to complete circumambulation is Chandikeswarar
2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Day 8. Early Morning - Cauldron Puja. Cauldron Taken To Top Of Arunachala
Early on Saturday, December 10, 2016, Puja was performed on the Deepam
Cauldron in the 4th Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Rukku was in
attendance. After the Cauldron was blessed, it was lashed up to poles
and then carried out of the Temple by (as tradition dictates), men of
the fishing caste.
Rukku in attendance at early morning puja
2016 Arunachala Deepam Cauldron
Cauldron lashed to poles and carried by fishermen
Cauldron leaves Arunachaleswarar Temple
Crossing Pey Gopuram Street to Arunachala summit pathway
2016 Arunachala Karthigai Festival: Cauldron and Wicks To Arunachala Summit
After puja was performed on the Arunachala Mahadeepam Cauldron, men from
the fishing caste left the Temple by Amman Ammani Gopuram with the
Cauldron and made their way to the entry point of the track on the east
side leading up to Arunachala summit.
Men from the fishing caste carry Cauldron
Back-breaking work but no shortage of fishermen volunteers
In Big Temple, cloth (to be used as Cauldron wicks) awaits to be carried to Arunachala summit
Devotees make donations towards Deepam Cauldron ghee
Ghee being weighed
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