SIVALAYA OTTAM - Maha Sivarathri

SIVALAYA OTTAM - Maha Sivarathri - travellogue - dated 27.2.2014
( J.K. SIVAN)

Maha Sivarathri, a great day for Hindu Saivites is celebrated by many bakthas visiting Siva temples, performing archanas, abishekam and have dharshan through out the day and night - whch are known as 4 kaala poojas and abishekam. Many devotees wish to visit as many Siva temples as possible and have dharshan. There are staunch Siva bakthas who do not consume even a drop of water and observe fasting throughout the day and night until next morning remaining awake the whole night, , chanting ‘’Om Namasivaya’’ or hymns like Rudram, Chamakam, Siva Panchakshra stuthi, or doing group bhajans comprised of Thevaram, Thiruvachakam etc.,

Some devotees listen to discourses, physically, or through tapes , cds and videos. Many find it easier and are more comfortable with the video clippings or direct telecasts in TV, news rounds broadcast from different important and legendary Siva temples spread all over the country. Vibhuthi, the holy ash is smeared on the forehead, neck, shoulders and arms and chest. The three stiripes of holy ash thus smeared and worn on the forehead is known as Tripundra. The stripes symbolise Absolute Knowledge, purity and penance (yoga sādhana).

Rudraksham is worn by many devotees. Rudraksha is a rosary used for meditation and dhyanam (Japam). The rudraksha is red in color with yellow stripes On one side of each bead is a slight opening, which appears like an open mouth.

Maha shivaratri ('the night of Lord Shiva) is for worship of Lord Siva, known as Maha Deva, greatest of Devas, who is the first and foremost Guru, source of knowledge and wisdom known as Gnanam. Worshipping Siva helps one to get rid of anger, jealousy, and greed etc. He is adored as Jagadhguru.

Sivam = mangalam (righteousness). Vash is knowledge- Shiva = He who gives vash (knowledge) Shiva has no shape or form but just a symbol of piety and purity for easy rememberance, The symbol of Lingam is ust for easy worshipping by focussing on something better than nothing. It is very difficult to concentrate on ‘’nothing’’ .Only trained minds after rigorous practice for a very long period can perform it.

Siva facing South, under the stone banyon tree is presented and sculpted as Dhakshinamoorthi. His Teaching is nothing but silence representing ‘self-search’. Silence is the best form of speech. This meditation, by keeping the mind open still, with no thoughts, of course, is very difficult and impossible except for those who have practiced it for long. It is a disciplined approach and requires training under a proper guru.

We seek knowledge from Maha Deva, Lord Shiva as we seek Liberation by worshipping Lord Vishnu When we say Siva is destroyer,it means complete destruction of the ignorance (that is, ignorance about one's true nature), destruction of evil thoughts from mind etc

The rudraksha converts the Divine light frequencies into the sound frequencies in the human body and vice versa. Hence, it facilitates the absorption of Divine frequencies and transformation of one's thoughts into Divine language, so as to reach one's Divine Principle of worship.
Rudraksha absorbs sāttvik frequencies. It emits similar frequencies from its mounds. When a genuine rudraksha is held in the hand, its vibrations can be felt in the fingers. At that time, the body is absorbing the sattvik frequencies emitted by the rudraksha.

It is easy to differentiate between a fake and the genuine rudraksha by a simple test. When kept in water, the fake ones get discolored since they are colored by keeping in an astringent extract.

Cold water is poured on the lingam which is abishekam, with the offering of the vilva dhalam, (a sacred plant's leaf, with three petals.) which is archana. The speciality of Vilva leaf is that it can combine the gross language of sound (ahat) and the subtle or Divine language of light (anahat); The meaning of keeping the Vilva leaf on Lingam with its back facing upwards and the stalk pointing toward the worshipper is to draw the combined energy from these three leaf petals towards oneself, leading to the reduction of one's trigunas.

The lingam is a combination of power of both Shiva and Shakti, it generates considerable heat. To prevent its adverse effects on the devotees, an arrangement of a continuous flow of cold water is poured on the Lingam as abishekam. Due to this stream of water on the lingam, the subtle Om (lowest frequency of sound in the audible range, indicative of the unmanifest God Principle) sound is generated. Similarly, when an embodied soul (seeker) in search of self-realisation chants continuously, it (one) is able to progress beyond the barrier of time and attain God.
The Shivalinga (lingam), represents the formless God principle and it is worshiped with great splendour during Maha shivaratri. While performing the abishekam on lingam one can maintain the spiritual emotion (bhāv) which will wash away all the sins, by scorching out the fire of worldliness and helps the devotees to remain focused on God (Shiva) always.
Sivalingam is the symbol of the one who is All – Pure, All -Perfect, All – Bliss and is a mirror of one’s soul. Further, one should derive inspiration from the Sivalinga to remind oneself to intensify the spiritual practice and realize one’s true identity. Sivalingam lies as the base of the mind.
Maha shivaratri therefore implies the spiritual union of the seeker, the embodied soul doing spiritual practice (jīvātmā) with the God principle Paramathma. It is a reminder to every seeker to attain the high state of God-realisation or lasting Bliss. Thus, the observance of Maha shivaratri should be performed with the understanding that though symbolic or ritualistic, it is an endeavour to progress to The Reality or The Truth -God).
White rice and white flowers are offered to Sivalingam, as white represents purity. After offering flowers, vilva leaves are offered by keeping the stalk pointing towards oneself.

While performing the pradakshina around the Shivalinga one should begin from the left side and walk till the Sivalinga's extended outlet (avudaiyar), through which the continuous stream of water (abhishēk) flows. Then one turns back without crossing the starting point and completes the pradakshina in the reverse direction. The reason for not crossing the extended portion of the shalunka is that the energy flow at that point has an adverse effect on the production of semen and the five internal airs (vāyus).

Lord Mahadeva is known as Abishekapriya, and the continuous flow of cold water keeps the Sivalingam wet continuously. The abishekam is offered whille chanting the namakam and chamakam, (Rudhram) the well known sacred hymn for worshipping Siva.

On the 27th February 2014 we formed a group of about 20+ devotees, started from Nanganallur to worship Lord Siva at 15 temples. A Short gist of the temples visited is given below. It was sacred all the more because it also included the Pradhosham worship on this day.

1.Dhenupureeswarar - Madambakkam, near Selaiyur
This temple is over 1000 years old (956-973 AD), said to have been built during the reign of Parantaka Chola II or Sundara Chola, father of Rajaraja Chola I (who constructed Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur). The temple is believed to be rebuilt of stone during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I. Saint Arunagirinathar (15th CenturyA.D.), has composed a hymn on this temple. (see temple photo)

2. Just a few minutes drive from the gateway of Chennai city (Tambaram) towards Noothancherry and near Madambakkam, you can find the most graceful Brindavanam of 18 Siddars and sanctum sanctorum of Seshadri Swamigal. There is a Shirdi Sai Baba temple at Madambakkam near Dhenupureeswarar temple (see picture attached)

3. Sahasra lingam at Skandasramam Tambaram is an excellent place of worship of Lod Siva in the form of a huge lingam with 1008 small lingams within it. (see picture attached)

4 Nandeeswarar temple at Nandivaram, near Guduvancheri
The Shiva temple here is is a Thevara Padal petra Sthalam, famous for Girivalam. About 6 kms from Maraimalai Nagar and 2 kms from Singaperumal koil towards West. ( see picture attached).

5. Thirukkach chur siva temples Kachchabesar & Oushadheswar (Marundheesar) see picture attached.

6. Thiruvadisoolam Gnanapureeswarar temple (see picture attached)

7. From Singaperumal Koil, there is a short way to Anjur and the road is not quite good but traffic-free, and it leads to Thiruvadisoolam via Eechangaranai village. This village is panoramic with a good lot of trees and green fields with beautiful hills surrounding it.

A huge Maha Bhairavar Rudra temple is in the serene village of Eechangaranai, Thiruvadisoolam, which is frequented by a Sidhdhar well known as Sri Bhairava Sidhdhamtham swamigal, because of whom the temple has gained great importance and visited by many devotees. See the pictures below: Maha Bhairavar templ is presently partrly unfinished
The temple has a large area still under construction beautifully with steps representing the 12 Raasis and 27 stars. The golden towers of the temple is a feast to the eye. Development of the temple is under progress. Many dogs are seen in the premises loved by devotees who feed them happily. (see picture attached)

A huge Maha Bhairavar Rudra temple is in the serene village of Eechangaranai, Thiruvadisoolam, which is frequented by a Sidhdhar well known as Sri Bhairava Sidhdhamtham swamigal, because of whom the temple has gained great importance and visited by many devotees.

Prior to visiting the Siva temple we visited the Sakthi peetam, under construction by the present hierarchy of Thiruverkaadu temple Swamiji, The imposing idol of Devi Karumari amman of 51 feet is awe inspiring.
you may see the picture attached showing the 51 ft imposing idol of Devi Karumari Sakthi Amman, Plans are ahead for installing Sahasra Koti lingam around the main deity. The temple is constructed in a sprawling 35 acre quiet and peaceful environment with hills around.(see picture attached)

Parameswara mangalam sivan temple is an ancient temple recently renovated by devotees. It is on the banks of a river in a serene atmosphere in the village nearby Vepenchery ECR . see picture attached

VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE THIRUKKALUKKUNDRAM is an ancient temple of Lord Siva in the South. A few years ago two eagles used to visit daily at noon and partake food offered by the priest at the hill top. Pictures of the birds are available in the temple.
See the picture of the temple.

We completed our SIVALAYA OTTAM after visiting all these temples and those not mentioned in this report and returned back to our places on 28th February 2014 by 8.15 am., as originally Scheduled having had dharshan of Lord Siva in all above ancient places.