The first time I visited Pandharpur was back in 2007 . The names Vitthal and Pandharpur, were just names to me. I had heard of them, but that was about it. Seeing the lord standing on the brick, hands on his hips, was memorable, but more memorable was the sight that greeted us as we walked out of the main sanctum of the temple. In the mandap just outside were a group of devotees singing abhangs , and dancing. This was the first time I had heard abhangs , and even almost 15 years later, I can remember the welling of feeling within me, listening to the songs, and how fascinated I was by the sight of the devotees dancing, lost in their love of the Lord. Over the years, as I have read more about Vitthal, and participated in Ashadi Ekadashi programmes at Puttaparthi, that first experience has stayed clear in my mind and heart. Every time I tell my Balvikas students of the saints who sang of Vitthala, it is that experience that I re-live. I visited Pandharpur again, in 2010, but that experie
The much awaited festival of Karthikai Deepam was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony at Thiruvannamalai yesterday evening, as we watched from the comfort of our home. Here is a link which will give you all a glimpse of the great lamp being lit atop the sacred hill of Arunachala.
And now, here are images from our celebrations at home….
and at a neighbours' house....
Quite a unique festival. And, you're an artist of Rangoli!
ReplyDeleteForest Warbler
Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeletethe lamps by the steps looks so surrel
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