Waiting to shower immense grace
TEMPLES OF Siva blessing the people of Tamil Nadu are known as abodes of `The Southward Siva.' Special among them are those that were visited by great messengers of God who have composed countless verses on Him. Sixty-eight such abodes have been classified as the best. And the best among those `bests' are Thiruvarur, Chidambaram, Kasi and Tiruvannamalai.
Manicka Vachagar was greatly moved by Tiruvannamalai. It is also the place where Arunagirinathar was born and was shown His overwhelming grace. He lived in the 15th century and gave to the spiritual world nine most valuable works like Thiruppugazh, Kandar Anubhuti, Kandar Alankaram and Kandar Andhathi. His spiritual hymns would slowly bring about attitudinal change in the minds of the readers, urging them to tread the path of peace and love.
`Pavazhakundru' (coral hillock) in the heart of Tiruvannamalai is the place where Goddess Parvati assumed the left half of Lord Siva after taking a birth and observing austerities as desired by Him, near the ashram where sage Gautama did penance.
This is also the place where the demon Mahishasuran was killed with the help of Durga, a form of the Goddess. Kataka Teertham was created by Her as if to atone for the sin.
This is precisely the place where She worshipped the Lord in the form of a mountain. Pavazhakundru is a place of divine reunion and will therefore immensely please all those who are torn between emotions, sentiments and ideals.
In a small cave-like portion of it, Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi is believed to have performed penance for many months.
Moreover, it is ascertained that Goddess Parvati, as a part of her puja to reunite with Lord Siva, was the first to have commenced the `Giri Valam' (mountain pradhakshinam) in the days of yore which is followed even today, especially on full moon days.
It is firmly believed that the visit to Tiruvannamalai, which is replete with ashrams like those of Ramana, Seshadri Swamigal, Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Athithi and Skanda, and filled with scores of temples, is not complete without a climb to the auspicious Pavazhakundru that can be reached through easily accessible steps.
Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati are believed to be eagerly waiting to shower their immense grace on the entire humanity sitting on the `Kundru.'
Kumbabhishekam to Pavazhakundru Arthanareeswarar temple (Pavalagireeswarar in the company of Mukthambikai) was successfully completed in August.
Homams started five days prior to the Kumbabhishekam and the whole arrangement was supervised by Sri Ramanashramam in coordination with the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board.
SRIDHAR-CHAAMA
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