OM

HINDU DHARMA AND OM:
The ancient syllable “OM” is the shortest of the Mantras and in Indian tradition it is a word suggestive of God. The scriptures tell us that “OM” is the planets primordial vibration from which the entire universe has arisen. All other sounds are contained within it. It is believed that “OM” is the mother of all languages. Repetition of “OM” enables us to maintain mental and emotional calmness, overcome obstacles and enable understanding.

The most sacred symbol in Hindu dharma - Aum (OM) is the sound of the infinite. It is placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts as a sacred exclamation to be uttered at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas or previously to any prayer or mantra. The Mandukya Upanishad is entirely devoted to the explanation of this syllable.

The syllable is mentioned in all the Upanishads as the explanations for the three sounds a (a-kāra), u (u-kāra), m (ma-kāra), which it consists of. A-kara means form or shape like earth, trees, or any other object. U-kara means formless or shapeless like water, air or fire. Ma-kara means neither shape nor shapeless (but still exists) like the dark matter in the Universe.
By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe. In the Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the Sound of Assent (affirmation) and Ascent (it uplifts the soul).

WHAT DOES AUM OR OM STAND FOR?
· A - Creation, U - Preservation, M - Destruction or dissolution
· The Three Murthis : Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
· The Three States : Waking, Dream and Deep Sleep
· The Three Gunas : Rajas, Satva, Tamas
· The Three planes of existence : Heaven (Swarga), Earth (Martya) and Netherworld (Patala)

HOW TO CHANT?
The first is A, a sound that comes from the belly, is formed in the open throat, and is voiced with the mouth open. As with many alphabets, A is the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet. The second aspect is the U, a sound that is formed in the middle of the mouth. The mouth is not as wide as it is for sounding the A. With the third sound, M the mouth closes. The sound rises to the nasal passages, from where the resonance, the forth aspect of “OM” issues forth.

POSITIVES OF CHANTING OM:
· Scientifically, it clears the nasal passages thereby reducing the possibilities of any breathing disorders. Pranayama – the breathing practice is specifically based on OM chanting.
· Psychologically, it calms done the mind and thought process. It increases concentration and also the efficiency at work.
· Myth logically, it helps the souls rest in peace and also uplifts it for what is called the Mukthi. OM when chanted with other prayers it is supposed to remove the flaws in the chanting.

THIRUVANNAMALAI

Presiding Deity : Annamalayar
Goddess : Unnamualayal
Muruga : Kambathuilayanar
Vinayaka : Sambandhavinayakar
Bhairavar : Ashta Bhairavar
Holy tree : Makizha tree
Holy spring : Brahmma theertham

The temple has 9 towers and spread over an area of 25 acres. Thiruvannamalai Gopuram (tower) is the second tallest one – 217 feet with aesthetic beauty. According to geologists, Thiruvannamalai has some greater magnetic power and hence the name Kaanthamalai (Kaantham - Magnet, Malai - Mount). The festival of Karthigai is supposed to be celebrated very specially as a lamp is lighted on top of the mountain and will be visible from a very long distance and will be burning at least for 11 days and nights continuously.
The other wonder is, the mount looks with a single shape when seen from the east meaning “All is One”. During the rounding, it looks as if two symbolizing the “Arthanareeswara” philosophy (male and female both are important parts of life). When seen from the west, three faces could be seen meaning the “Trimurthis” (Brahma – Creator, Vishnu – Protector, Shiva – Destroyer). In one another instance, the mount looks like “Nandhi Mukh”. At the end of the rounding journey, five faces will be visible symbolizing the five faces of Lord Shiva.
Girivalam – Giri meaning Mount and Valam meaning Rounding. Procedures of Girivalam or walking around the mount the total distance is 14 kilometers. The rounding journey should be undertaken worshipping all the Lingams.

There are eight Lingams:
1) Indra Lingam – Worshipped for improvement in business and official hierarchy
2) Agni Lingam – Worshipped to overcome suspicions and life partner troubles
3) Ema Lingam – Worshipped to overcome the fear of death
4) Nruthi Lingam – Worshipped to overcome the problem of infertility
5) Varuna Lingam – Worshipped to overcome water borne diseases
6) Vayu Lingam – Worshipped to overcome from respiratory diseases
7) Kubera Lingam – Worshipped for happy prosperous life
8) Eesana Lingam – Worshipped for peaceful life

There are some beliefs about Thiruvannamalai:
- This mountain was a Fire Mount during the Krutha Yuga (during Vamana Avtar), Ruby Mount during the Thredha Yuga (during Rama Avtar), Golden Mount during Dwapara Yuga (during Krishna Avtar) and now a Stone Mount during Kali Yuga (currently).
- When you worship the Ashta Bhairavar in this temple and do an archana in the name of the person who has to give back money to you, it is believed to be collected with ease from that person.
- This mountain is supposed to be the place where a lot of saints attained moksha including Yogi Ramanar, Seshadri Swamigal and Visiri Swamigal
- When a person is born in Thiruvaiyaru (native of saint thyagaraja) or dies in Kasi, he is supposed to attain moksha. But according to tamil mythology, when a person thinks about Thiruvannamalai he is supposed to attain moksha.
- Sunday Girivalam ensures divine position, Monday the greater status, Tuesday release from debt burdens, relieves the devotee from the cycle of births and deaths, Wednesday the Wisdom, Thursday a status equal to enlightened souls, Friday taking near to Lord Vishnu and Saturday ensures effects of total prayer offered to all the nine planets.
- Girivalam on new moon days eliminates all the tension and stress of the mind and makes it clear as a crystal. A 48 day fasting and going round the mount ensures a child.

One who thinks Arunachalam and desire to go around by covering 14km the Arunachala hill and forwarding one foot will get equal benefit of Yagam and for second foot he will achieve the benefit of Raja suya Yagam and with clear mind of third foot will achieve Aswameda Yagam and who continues further will get beneficial of all Yagams. The Siddhas tell going around the hill once destroys the karma of ten million births.

So powerful is the Mountain Thiruvannamalai. Apart from spiritual beauty it also has the beauty of nature with more than 360 holy water tanks, springs, ashrams and mandapams. The scenic beauty adds strength to the devotees who are on the Girivalam.

Who am I?

Hello all,
As usual this is my first blog. Being my first, I thought why wouldn't I just post some details about me rather than posting some crap (Though I know, both are almost similar).

Official Name : Hema Seetharaman
@ Home : Krithika, Paapu, Chinnu, KK

Schooling :
- Till 6th : Sitaram Vidhyalaya, West Mambalam.
- Till 10th : SBSM Jain School, West Mambalam.
- 11 & 12 : Ahobila Math, West Mambalam.

College : PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
Course : MSc - software Engineering (5 yr integrated course)
Internship : Kuliza Technologies, Bangalore

Native : Thirunelveli
Father : T.K. Seetharaman (employed by Toshniwal)
Mother : H.Seetha (VRS from TWAD)

Favorite Colors : Peach orange, white and Pink
Favorite God : Kanchi MahaPeriyava, Iskcon Krishna and Ayyapan
Favorite Timepass : Chit Chat

Hobbies :
- Music
- Dance
- Mehandi
- Jewelery Designing

Friends : I have world's best friends ever. They know me the best. It includes my mom too..!
Relatives : I don't have siblings but all my cousins are my all time favorites..!
Life : The best way to understand Life is to Live it..!
Career : Path is on exploration till date..!
Future : It is always a mystery. Its better to take it up as it comes..!