Pilgrimage around Arunachala

The city of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu sits at the foot of the mountain Arunachala. This is one of the most important sites for devotion to the god Shiva. Legend has it that the gods Brahma and Vishnu as to which was the more powerful. The dispute was resolved when a column of fire shot up to the heavens from Arunachala, manifesting Shiva as the most powerful. The fiery column is the origin of the lingam (phallus) as a symbol of Shiva. Around the mountain are linga at the cardinal and sub-cardinal points of the compass.

On the occasion of a full moon, thousands of devotees gather in Tiruvannamalai to walk the 14 km. route around the mountain in honour of Shiva. Last night, I went with a group to join in this pilgrimage.

Temple at the beginning of the walk

. Devotees add their own flames to the gathering light.

Arunachala

Robot Horoscopes

So, what was it all about in the end? I'm still processing that. Can't say I did it for the sake of Shiva, but it was a close experience of sharing, at least to an extent, in a celebration of another religion. In addition to a small blister, that was a the main gift and one for which I'm grateful.