Visit to Sivapoomi Palace of Tiruvasakam and the 108 Sivalingam

In the afternoon of March 21st, the Innersearch visited a special place just to the south of Jaffna. Dr. Aru Thirumurugan, head of the Siva Boomi Trust in Sri Lanka has been doing so much service in various areas of the north. The Tiruvasagam Palace in Navatkuli is yet another spectacular project undertook by his team. The work was completed in June of 2018. The full Tiruvasakam is carved in 12 languages on granite walls and displayed around a hall which circles a Dakshinamurti shrine. Around are 108 perfectly carved Sivalingams and corresponding hanging bells. As devotees circumambulate the shrine they ring the bell above each Sivalingam. The Tiruvasakam Palace is a scene to behold and an experience to forever cherish. After circling the compound, the Innersearchers enjoyed an enchanting Nagaswaram performance by P.S. Balamurugan and company.

108 Sivalingam in perfect unison

Jaffna and its surrounding communities are truly the land of Siva.

Founder of the Tiruvasagam Palace Dr. Aru Thirumugan placing a garland on Bodhinatha

The garland was followed by a special laced-shawl

The foremost Ganesha greets all

Dr Aru Tirumurugan doing abhishekam to the Holy feet of Satguru

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami lighting the deepam before entering the Palace of Tiruvasakam

Offering flowers to the Tiruvadi

Here at the Palace of Tiruvasakam (sacred utterance) there is a research library for the works of Manikkavasagar\

s 9th century composition.'

Dakshinamurti is the main deity here

The vista of sacred hymns carved in stone

Muruga stands in one of the shrines

Dr Aru Tirumurugan rings the first bell as he walks, showing the place to the Innersearch pilgrims

Satguru and the monks do their rounds

From front to back: Lyla, Bhuma and Dishanna walk around the Tiruvasakam Palace

The sound of bells seem to go off every other second as Innersearch pilgrims walk around the Temple

A bell for each Sivalingam

Starting young, these kids are absorbing all the music and talent from their family

Shren from Johannesburg, South Africa enjoying the nagaswaram music

Balamurugan and his troupe are one of the leading nagaswaram groups in Sri Lanka. The older tavil player is his Uncle

A little challenge between both tavil players

Pilgrims enjoying the bliss of the Palace and the accompanying music of the moment

Nagavathy of Singapore enjoying the back and forth challenge of the tavil players

Nagarajan of Victoria, Canada in full motion following the music

The noble man behind many good things and happenings in Sri Lanka

Ganesh from Bangaluru, India

A group of Innersearch pilgrims taking a moment to reflect on the music and an amazing journey with a living Satguru, traveling to the land of Saiva worship in its purest form

Sivakumaran in the background, always caught in a contemplative mode, enjoying the bliss of being next to Satguru

A scene from the front entrance of the Palace of Tiruvasakam

Honoring Balamurugan and his team

All the musicians including the kids were given a gift by Satguru in appreciation

Launching the Sivapoomi magazine for April

A happy moment for Aru Tirumurugan, to be next to Satguru and Paramacharya

Maanikka Vaasagar was a 9th-century tamil poet who wrote Tiruvasagam, a book of Saiva hymns. He was one of the main authors of Saivite Tirumurai, his work forms volume eight of the Tirumurai, the key religious text of Tamil language Saiva Siddhanta

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