November 7 2000

Photos

After His ultimate realization as The Avatar and the revelation of His Avataric mission on Planet Earth, His Divine Holiness Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam returned to Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu in South India for the first time after 9 years.

He stayed in a nearby village and began conducting programs and rituals, officially inaugurating His public life. He made Himself available completely to the public, giving spiritual healing for their illnesses and solutions for their daily problems. He dedicated Himself to increasing their quality of life multifold. Thousands of people were benefited and transformed just by His sheer commitment to their lives.

On November 7, 2000, The Avatar conducted a full-fledged Chandi Homa ritual in the Rajarajeshwari Kovil (Temple) located on the Girivalam Path around the sacred Arunchala Hill. The Girivalam Path is a well-known road around the circumference of Arunachala Hill, which is considered as a spiritual pilgrimage site for millions of Hindus.

Chandi Homa is a vedic fire ritual, worshiping the Divine Feminine Energy in the form of ‘Chandi’ the all-knowing and all-powerful form of Devi Parashakti. Parashakti is the main deity of the sacred feminine, and the divine consort of Bhagavan Paramashiva (who is the Lord of Supreme Consciousness)

During this homa, the form of Devi seated with a trishul (holy trident) appeared in the flames, as if to grace all the participants gathered around The Avatar with the blessings of Parashakti Herself. Only with the grace of The Avatar's pure devotion did the vedic fire ritual come to fruition with such auspiciousness.

Not by any coincidence, this temple is right across from what is known today as Kailaasa in Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam, the temple-monastery complex run by initiated sanyasis ( Hindu monks) of The Avatar to conduct His mission.Every full moon occasion this land offers free food for the at least 100,000 who take up walking around the sacred Arunachala Hill, whom they consider as Bhagavan Paramashivam Himself.

Devi's Leela behind the Happening of Chandi Homa

DEVI and Her Devotees: Rajendran Iyya - Main Temple Administrator had a deep desire to Consecrate - Do Kumbabisekam of Rajarajeshwari temple. He shared his wish with his friend Ravi, whose favorite deity is Raja Rajeshwari. Immediately Ravi iyya supported the vision. Rajendran iyya and Ravi iyya started working together. They were supported by family and friends. First, it was a small temple. They expanded step by Step. They built Artha Mandapam, then they started constructing Mahamandapam for people to sit comfortably in the Shade. The Mahamandapam came to the level of Pillars. There were 8 pillars. They were discussing if in the eight pillars, they could install Ashta Lakshmis. One day when they went to the temple at 1 AM and were discussing construction aspects of the temple, that time he was a swami from Salem, who is also an astrologer who came to Raja Rajeshwari Temple. He told them,'Usually People install only the Ashtalakshmi's. You Install Dasa Mahavidhya'. When the visitor from Salem asked Ravi iyya if knows anything about Dasamahavidhya, Ravi iyya got surprised because he came across an English Magazine just 15 days before, which was left there by someone. So, he connected that divine Leela of reaching a magazine 15 days before with Devi's Leela of sending one person in the early morning asking to install Dasamahavidhya. He wanted to make the Dasa Mahavidhya, but he didn't have the Right Divine form of Devi as described in Scriptures. He consulted a few of his friends about his collections. They rejected the magazine and other forms advising him to go as per Scriptures. So, they started Seeking to get Divine Form of Devi. At this time, Rajendran Iyya got introduced to Swamiji through his friend Sridhar.

Swamiji was staying in Oyya Mutt in Thiruvannamalai. Swamiji was requested to Come to the temple. Ravi iyya welcome Swamiji at the entrance of Temple. Swami himself said that' I know you Very well.' Ravi iyya happily smiled and they welcomed Swamiji inside the temple. Swamiji checked the energy Vibration in the Temple and Swamiji's face was lit, radiating joy exclaimed - ' It is very good'.

Swamiji asked, ' I am seeing there is a delay. Why is this work getting delayed?

They expressed the various reasons behind the delay.

Swamiji advised doing Nava Chandi Homa for Devi. Committed to them that HE will conduct. And Blessed that they will get speed, Strength, and funds and will be able to complete everything in a good way. Swamiji explained the Principle behind the homa, we all should pray together in oneness is Principle and Everything will manifest. DEVI herself manifested. What is Chandi Homa?:

Chandi homa is a Vedic-tantric fire ritual invoking the grace of the Cosmic feminine. In the Devi Mahatmyam, which literally translated as the glory of the Goddess, Devi is worshipped as Chandi. She is the embodiment of all power, abundance and intelligence. The embodiment of Durga Lakshmi and Saraswati. Hence this Devi mahatmyam is also known as Chandi. This has 700 mantras. The Bhuvaneshwari Tantra says " Just like the Vedas have no beginning , so is the Devi Mahatmyam considered."

Pre Preparation:

The date for Chandi Homa:

Date for this Chandi Homa was selected by HDH Himself. The Chosen date is 07.11.2000 (Year - Vikrama Samvata Shukla Paksha, Ekadashi, Tithi - Shukla Paksha, Nakshatra -Purva Bhadrapada, Yoga - Vyaghata, Karana - Vanija Weekday - Mangalwara) Auspicious Timings: Timing for Chandi Homa is decided by Swamiji himself. Swamiji said, HE should start in Brahma Muhurtham and will be in the temple by 4.30 AM

Pre Preparation of Men:

Preparation of Body, Mind, and Being: The Basic level preparation receives Devi's grace is to be done. So Swamiji asked the chose members ( 9 Men) to fast for three days. He Initiated them into Chamundi Moola Mantra - Asked them to chant 108 times per day. Swamiji prepared their Body, Mind, and Being. One of the Selected Member Ravi iyya, who had the habit of chewing Pawn dropped that immediately committed that he will not chew till the homa is completed. The True Vedic preparation is explained to them with the Context. They all agreed and disciplined themselves.

Pre Preparation:

Procuring Material -Requirements for Homa are given ahead. Unique Samith ( Wooden Sticks) for each Mahavidhya as per Devi Mahatmya is listed. Each Samith is collected in huge quantities. One gunny bag full for each Samith ( Eg. Nayurivi, Arasu, Aal). They got 5 Kg of Sandalwood also. Homa Draviyam - 50 Kg prepared. Liters and Litres of Ghee were procured. Kalasam and the Vessels required for puja was purchased. Red Color Saree, Riped Banana Tar, and Other fruits were prepared in huge Quantities. Even now for the homa, the same preparation is done and the same quantity is used. The type of material used during the homa has changed. Example from Silver Steel to Silver or Gold, but there is never a compromise in the Sanctity.

Happening of Chandi Homa: 12 Hour Schedule

3.30 AM: Getting ready for Chandi Homa

4.00 AM: Starting from Oya Mutt (Oya Mutt -No 126, Thiruvoodal Street, Tiruvannamalai -606601, Tiruvannamalai)

4.20 AM: Reaching Rajarajeshwari Temple by Car ( 5.5 km via NH77 from OYYA Mutt)

4.30 AM: Welcomed at Entrance. Swamiji asked ALL selected members to gather outside and as team of 10 enterings into the premise. Swamiji was integrated into HIS Commitment. He came 10 minutes ahead of Committed time

4.30 to 6.00 AM: Swamiji verifying the Preparations personally. The long Darbha grass was tied around the Navel of Main Kalasa, all selected 9 men, Homa Kunda, Swamiji himself, and with the Main Deity of the Homa. with this, he connected all energies in Oneness.

6.00 to 11.30 AM: Chandi Homa. Swamiji himself brought the book, Chanting was done Continuously 5 hours 30 minutes

11.30 to 12 PM: The offering of Maha Poornahuti ( The Auspicious time falls after 11.30 Am)

12.00 to 1.00 PM: The offering of Arathi to Homa Kunda, Main Kalasa, and Main deity.

1.00 to 2.30 PM: Blessing each individual personally. Swamiji brought 108 Sri Yantra. He blessed those Yantras and gave them. He gave Vibhuti and Kumkum.

2.30 to 4 PM: Distribution of Prasad and Serving Anna Dhan

4.00 to 4.30 PM: Return to OYYA Mutt

Chronicled Hours: 12 Hours ( 4 AM to 4PM) Chanting of Chandi Continuous Chanting of Chandi Mantra for 5 hours 30 minutes without a break

Unforgettable Experience shared by Devotee Ravi:

There was a bright light near Swamiji's eye. This is the First Picture of the day. That light symbolizes the Presence and Divine Blessings. The Last Picture of the Chandi Homa, One can see Devi appearing and receiving the offerings.

Miracle happening during Consecration of Dasa MahaVidya:

The Devotees sculpted Dasa Mahavidyas taking guidance from HDH. HDH read the Slokas for each Mahavidya, explained the context of each form, each Ayudha in their hand from scriptures. Example - Kali ( Ferocious in form, motherly look in eyes). They took notes of that and sculpted the deities. During the consecration, when the Mahavidyas were installed one by one, the final deity sat exactly in the Peeta without any change in Positioning, without any requirement for adjustment in direction. The Stathapathis themselves were shocked seeing the perfection of the deities and their features.

Foot Note:

OYYA Mutt:

Oya Mutt - Trustees are the Nattukottai Nagarathar. Oya Madam is situated in Tiruvadal Street, Tiruvannamalai. The presiding deity of Tiruvannamalai, namely, Sri. Arunachaleswarar is the "Kula Deivam" of the Nagarathar community and their people numbering about two lakhs, spread over 92 villages and towns, often visit the temple, and would avail the facilities provided for in the Madam for boarding and lodging. It is also stated that during "Karthigai Deepam", a popular festival, the Madam would be fully occupied and food will be provided to occupants free of cost.The religious sentiments of the Nattukottai Nagarathar Community which is Imparting Spiritual Teachings, providing boarding and lodging facilities to devotees on the festival occasions is followed in this traditional Mutt. The enlightened Ecosystem of Thiruvannamalai has traditional mutts namely Oya Mutt, Sivakasi Mutt, Maduraiyar Mutt, Virudhunagar Nadar mutt, Noolkarar Mutt, Kurumbar Mutt, Me-Ka-Anna Sathiram, and Vallala Maharaja Vanniyar Mutt for imparting the Spiritual Instructions to devotees and offering devotional services to the Lord.

Chandi Homa In Rajarajeshwari Temple