June 25 1974

Title

The Marriage ceremony (DAY 1/2) of Lokanayaki Amma and Arunachalam - biological parents of His Divine Holiness (The Avatar)

Description

Lokanayaki and Arunachalam are the biological parents of The Avatar. They entered matrimony on 26 June 1974, blissfully oblivious that Cosmos was executing its most auspicious plan for humanity through their marriage. They entered in utter innocence, with normal human expectations from each other and life. Their simplicity is revered and respected not only in Tiruvannamalai - their hometown, but by the disciples and followers of The Avatar today worldwide, and fondly acknowledged by The Avatar Himself, as a tribute to them and teaching to humanity forever.

Link to Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.487007861660274

Photos

These are photographs from the previous day of the marriage ceremony when the customary preliminary rituals commenced. Photographs of the next day ceremony are available under June 26 1974

1974 | This is the wedding album of The Avatar's biological parents Lokanayaki and Arunachala. The wedding took place in Tiruvannamalai, at the famous "Oya Mutt" on 26 June 1974, four years prior to His Descent.

25 June 1974 at Sathukkal Chathiram, Tiruvannamalai - The Avatar's biological parents on the day before their wedding. Lokanayaki was 19 and Arunachalam 25.

Wedding invitation to the grand wedding celebrations of The Avatar's biological parents, Lokanayaki and Arunachalam. The engagement happened three months prior to the marriage.

25 June 1974, Sathukkal Chathiram, Tiruvannamalai - The day before the wedding, The Avatar's father is standing and receiving from the temple priest, the attire to wear for the night's grand procession. It is customary for the bride's side to give the attire to the bridegroom. Next to the priest is The Avatar's maternal grandfather Raju Mudaliar's uncle (Raju Mudaliar's father's younger brother) Thangavelu Mudaliar, who was the oldest living male on the maternal side at that time. Seated next to His father is His father's older brother Kumarasamy.

25 June 1974 at Sathukkal Chathiram, Tiruvannamalai - The Avatar's biological parents on the day before their wedding. The mother was 19 and the father 25.

25 June 1974 - The night before the wedding, The Avatar's biological parents are in a customary grand procession in a chariot. The mother's siblings and a few other children are seen in the picture. The age gap was large between her and her siblings, that they seem like almost the next generation.

25 June 1974 - The night before the wedding, The Avatar's biological parents are in a customary grand procession in a chariot.

25 June 1974 - The night before the wedding, during the customary procession, The Avatar's parents visit the mother's house in Kanni Kovil street. The Avatar's maternal grandmother Yellammal is seen welcoming them with the traditional arati (lit camphor). The couple would be served milk and fruits during the visit

25 June 1974 - Night before the wedding, during the customary procession, The Avatar's parents visit the mother's house in Kanni Kovil street. From left to right omitting the parents are His mother's younger sister Shanti, His maternal grandmother Yellammal and His maternal grandfather Raju Mudaliar. The young boy with folded hands is His maternal uncle Shanmugam (the mother's first younger brother).

25 June 1974 - The night before the wedding, during the customary procession, the parents visit His house in Tiruvoodal street. Next to the mother is the father's sister Jaikumari. Next to the father is his older brother, The Avatar's uncle Kumarasamy and wife Shivabhushanam. The old lady is Dhanakoti ammal, wife of Sami Chettiar, His paternal grandfather's older brother.

25 June 1974 - Night before the wedding, the customary procession ends and The Avatar's parents enter Oya Mutt, the place where the wedding is to take place the next day. Next to the mother is her younger sister Shanti and next to her is Anbazhagan who later married Shanti! Next to the father is Shanmugam, the mother's younger brother (first of three brothers).

Interview with Family Nadaswaram instrumentalist

Shri L. Pichandi, a veteran Nadaswaram instrumentalist from Tiruvannamalai, shares his decades-long association with The Avatar's biological family and memories of being the chosen Nadaswaram player for the marriage ceremony of The Avatar's biological parents.