In the background…
February 29, 2008
In the background of this image, you can see the main gopuram (entrance tower) to the Varadaraja Vishnu Temple. There is something very nice and timeless about being so close to such an historic site. Aside from being the second largest Vishnu temple in all of India (Srirangam being the largest), it was also the site where the Rishi Agastya received the Lalitha Sahasranam from Vishnu in the form of Hayagriva.
Dramatic fire
February 29, 2008
Someone pointed out today that the vast majority of the verses in the Rig Veda are about Agni (fire) or Indra. The yagya fire always has a dramatic quality to it and it is very easy to sit and watch it as the pundits make their offerings of ghee.
Daily decorations
February 29, 2008
Every day the decorations are different on the Shivalingam. Probably just for fun, but today, being Friday is associated with Venus and therefor the goddesses. Red is the color associated with Parvati/Durga/Lakshmi etc. So the malas have red flowers and there is more red kumkum powder on the lingam than usual.
Cows
February 28, 2008
This pundit is one of the senior priests at the Shankaracharya Mutt in Kanchipuram and is an expert in Rig Veda. He also happens to own 6 cows which is traditional for a vedic priest although almost no one can afford it. But he milks the cows every morning to bring the milk that is used in the Rudra Abishekam.
Decorations
February 28, 2008
Every day, 11 fresh flower malas are delivered so that the kalasha pots always look nice and smell like jasmine flowers. Today was Wednesday, the day of Mercury/Vishnu, so the lingam was decorated with a green dhoti.
Shiva and water
February 27, 2008
Shiva and Water. He helps to tame Ganga so she can safely come down to Earth. Plus another water oriented story, chanting of Ganga Stotram and Moulav Ganga Slokam.
Fire yagya
February 27, 2008
After the abishekam all the priests go up on the roof for a vedic fire yagya called Rudra Havan. The abishekam is very soothing and calm. The havan is powerful; a great combination!
Rudra Abishekam
February 27, 2008
The essence of the Shiva yagyas is the process called Abishekam where 11 different ingredients are poured over the Shiva lingam. The old stories are that because Shiva is the god of destruction, he is always hot and the different baths are cooling to him (at least symbolically).
The above photo shows the final shower of water being poured over the little Shiva lingam that is surrounded by flowers.
Shiva as Kala Bhairava
February 26, 2008
Shiva as Kala Bhairava. Includes several stories about Shiva as Lord of Dance and Time, plus how he teases his wife Parvati. Chanting of Kala Bhairava Stotram and a melodic devotional song.
Birthday Yagya
February 26, 2008
On your birthday, the tradition is to perform an Ayush Yagya for long life and then Mrytunjaya Yagya for health, peacefulness and enlightenment. Finally, at the end of all that, the priest takes the kalasha pot with water which has absorbed all the goodness of the mantras, and pours the water over your head.
It probably sounds like so much mumbo-jumbo, but it is one of the best yagya experiences you can have. The effect is unmistakable and you definitely feel purified.
