Ani Thirumanjanam

It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan in the months Ani and Margazhi. The Lord’s form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation. The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation; his raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection; his left hand holding fire destruction; his firmly placed foot concealment; and his other, slightly lifted, leg salvation. Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year. The explanation for that number is as follows. Earth takes 365 days to complete one full circle around the sun. That duration is divided into six seasons – Marghazhi-Thai: early winter; Masi-Panguni: late winter; Chittirai-Vaikasi: early summer; Ani-Adi: high summer; Avani-Purattasi: autumn; Aippasi-Karthikai: rainy season. This six-season year of humans is said to be but one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily pujas in temples are performed. Likewise, the Devas’ day, which is a human year, has been divided into six. During each of these six parts, an abhishekam has been ordained for Lord Nataraja. One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the month Ani (June-July). This is the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva. Scriptures say it was on Ani Uthiram, under a kurundai tree, that the Lord offered upadesa to Sage Manikkavachaka. Legends have it that during the abhishekam to the Lord, as everyone watched, the sage merged in the Lord as a brilliant flame. Let us worship Lord Nataraja on Ani Thirumanjanam day. The six abhishekhams for Lord Nataraja in Chidambaram take place in: 1. The month Chithirai, on the day of Thiruvonam star, in the Kanaka Sabha; 2. Ani, in Uttira star, in the thousand-pillared pavilion, Rajata Sabha, at 4 in the morning; 3. Avani, on the evening of purva paksha chaturdasi, in the Kanaka Sabha; 4. Purattasi, purva paksha chaturdasi evening, in the Kanaka Sabha; 5. Marghazhi, in Thiruvadirai and Uthiram stars, in the thousand-pillared Rajata Sabha at 4 in the morning; 6. Masi, on the evening of purva paksha chaturdasi, in the

Vaikasi Visakam

On this day (in May-June) Lord Muruga was born with the mission of saving earth from demons like Soorapadman. He emerged as a spark from the third eye of Shiva, and passing through sky, wind, fire and the waters of Ganga, reached earth, formless at first and finally acquiring form in a pond. That the Almighty comprises the five elements is demonstrated by the manifestation of Lord Subrahmanya. He is called Visakhan as he was born under the star Visaka; Pavaki from having rested awhile in fire; Gangeya, since he acquired form in Ganga; Skanda, as he took in and poured out Ganga water; and Karthikeya because he was brought up by Kruthika maidens. Brahmanya is a term applied to Lord Shiva. From interpreting the pranava mantra to Shiva, Muruga came to be called Subrahmanya. Sashti is regarded as ideal for worship of Subrahmanya as it was on that thithi he vanquished the demon Soorapadman. Vaikasi Visaka, when Visaka and poornima meet, is particularly auspicious for worship of Subrahmanya. Adi Sankara composed the 100-verse Subrahmanya Bhujangam in praise of Muruga. Saint Arunagiri composed several thousand hymns. These are eminently recitable. Vallimalai Swami has laid down that for maximum benefit one should recite on Sunday hymns relating to Thirupparankunram, on Monday those relating to Tiruchendur, on Tuesday the Thuruavinankudi hymns, on Wednesday the Swamimalai hymns, on Thursday those relating to Subrahmanya’s sporting on hallowed hills, on Friday the Pazhamudir solai hymns, and on Saturday the ones relating to the rest of Subrahmanya shrines. This is a directive we can follow with advantage.

ADI POORAM

The months Adi and Thai are important. These mark the start of the ayana (solstice). Ayana means path. Utharayana is when the sun travels from south to north in a northward incline. Dakshinayana is when the sun moves southwards from north to south. The six months Thai to Ani form utharayana, and Adi to Marghazhi dakshinayana. Utharayana with its long days is but one day for the immortals; and dakshinayana with its long nights one night. Thai and Adi, as the start of their day and their night, acquire importance. Adi (July-August) is considered a special month for the Mother in her various manifestations. Adi Pooram is said to be the day when the Mother gave darshan to deities like Sri Devi and Andal, and the day Uma attained womanhood. Hence the celebration of Adi Pooram as a grand festival for the Mother in temples. It is said that dakshinayana is ideal for worship of Shakti and utharayana for worship of Shiva. The offering of pulse sprouts on Adi Pooram day symbolizes Shakti’s engaging in creation on this day. Andal, the only woman among the 12 vaishnavite devotees who composed Divya Prabhandham, is said to have been born on this day. Perur Puranam stresses that worship of the Mother on this day yields immense benefit. Indeed, all four Fridays in Adi are ideal for worship of the Mother. There is special puja on these days in temples.

ADI PERRUKKU

This festival when the river is worshipped as the embodiment of woman falls on the 18th day of Adi (July-August). At embankments on rivers, in olden days when dams were unknown, women from farming families prayed to the river to flow perennially to enable them raise three crops in the year. River mother, they prayed, on you depends our livelihood! Wearing new clothes and carrying chitranna – sweet pongal, tamarind rice, coconut rice, lemon rice, and a variety of side dishes including pappad, vadagam, chutney, and buttermilk – they went to riverbanks and worshipped the river waters with traditional offerings like coconut, plantain, betel leaf and areca nut. Hailing the flowing river as Mother Kaveri, they adorned her with ear ring and black beads. Newly weds are on this day offered special reception by the bride’s parents. Let us pray to Mother Kaveri that water flows perennially, rendering the earth fertile .

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