Iraivan's Kodimaram Unveiled

From Tamilbrahmins.com: "Shastras compare a temple to the human body. Just as an individual soul is enveloped by five koshas or sheaths - (Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vynnamaya and nandamaya) - the Deity installed in the Temple (representing the Supreme Spirit) is also enveloped by five prakaras.

Just as our gross body has five sections - head, neck, chest, legs and feet - a Temple also has five corresponding sections. The Garbhagriham or sanctum Santorum represents the head; the Sanctum is the Soul or the Jiva of the body; the Vimana over the Sanctum represents the tip of the nose. Ardhamandap in front of the Sanctum represents the neck; Maha Mandapam, the chest; Prakaras around the Sanctum represents our five senses: the palibida where nivedana is offered to the deity represents the naval; the kodimaram represents the jeevadhara; (dwajasthambam) flag post of deity's endearing power, and the Gopura, the main gateway of the temple, represents the feet."

Way back in 2009 we received Iraivan's kodimaram, or flagpole, from India. Not only was getting it on the property difficult, but the ocean freight required months of back and forth communication to get container sizing right, wood shipping permits agreed upon and detailed inspections for foreign bugs. Ever since then the 45-foot kodimaram has been waiting patiently inside one of our storage buildings. The day has come where this majestic length of wood is unwrapped and prepped for copper clothes.

The 45-foot timber is made of Teak wood. Wikipedia mentions, \"Teak(Tectonagrandis) is a tropical hardwood tree species placed in the flowering plant family Lamiaceae. Tectona grandisis a large, deciduous tree that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. It has small, fragrant white flowers and large papery leaves that are often hairy on the lower surface. It is sometimes known as the \"Burmese teak\". Teak wood has a leather-like smell when it is freshly milled. It is particularly valued for its durability and water resistance, and is used for boat building, exterior construction, veneer, furniture, carving, turnings, and other small wood projects.\"

The Siddhidata kulam, along with Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, cut out the cage and continue their work that began almost twenty years ago

The lighting makes for an unintentional recreation of Raiders of the Lost Ark

The log is freed and ready for gold and copper artisans to measure and mold the round kavacham, or armor, sitting on the shelves out of view

More to come for this flagpole.

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