A R U N A C H A L A S A M U D R A - Karthigai

The 2015 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Cauldron

Early in the morning of 8th day of the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival, puja was performed to the cauldron before it started its long journey to the top of the Hill. Lovely Rukku, our Temple Elephant was on hand to lend her own regal blessings to proceedings. As per tradition the Cauldron was taken up the Hill by devotees from the Fishing Caste.

Cauldron after cleaning and painting

Lovely Rukku adds her own blessings

After puja, cauldron starts its journey

Leaving Temple by Ammani Amman Gopuram

Men of fishing caste responsible for carrying cauldron to summit

Long haul upward

Wick for cauldron at temple to be taken up hill

Small part of the ghee for Deepam cauldron

Devotees donating towards Deepam ghee in Temple shop

Cow and Horse Fair: Deepam 2015

The below photographs were taken on the morning of Tuesday November 24, 2015. The Tiruvannamalai Deepam Cow (Horse) Fair is one of the most important and famous Cow Festival in Tamil Nadu.

The Fair is located just passed the Government Arts College on NH 66. Its situated on both sides of the Highway; and on the South Side stretches down to Perumbakkam Road, and on the North Side all the way up to Arunachala.

On both sides of the Highway there are shops selling accouterments for both Bulls, Cows and Horses. There are also buggies and carts set out for sale.