2020 Ardra Darshanam Homa

Aum Namah Sivaya

On December 29th, the monks of Kauai Aadheenam celebrated Ardra Darshanam with an early-morning homa, followed by an abhishakam to Lord Nataraja, concluding at noon that day. This day is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year, with Siva's dancing star of Ardra being in alignment with our moon, the Earth and the Sun. It is a time when we worship Siva in divine form, as opposed to Mahasivaratri, when we try to realize Siva as our own formless perfection. Aum

Yoginathaswami kindles the flames at this special Siva Homa

The fire, as Lord Agni, is seen as a conveyance between the physical and non-physical worlds

Throughout the homa, mantras and offerings bring forth tangible blessings which are used to imbue the large Kumbha (water pot) with a heightened and subtle energy. That kumbha is then the last item to be poured over Nataraja during the abhishekam

The monks chant Sri Rudram, a very powerful and ancient chant from the Yajurveda. At its center is is the mantra \"Namah Sivaya\"

Several smaller pujas are done before lighting the fire, beginning with offerings to Lord Ganesha

Into the flames are offered ghee, flowers and many other seeds and herbs. We also burn written prayers.

The pancharati is lit. It is a final offering of light with five flames represent Siva\

s fundamental powers of creation, preservation, dissolution, concealing grace (ignorance) and revealing grace (illumination). '

After the pancharati, the kumbha is to be carried outside around the temple flagpole and back inside to the inner sanctum

Satguru carries the Siva Kumbha

The monks parade outside around the temple flagpole

A coconut with camphor is lit.

It is often use to depict the ego, which must be broken in order to reveal the purity within

It is then broken against a stone in front of the kodimaram (flagpole)

Next the Kumbha is brought back into the temple

It is brought into the Siva shrine

It then rests at Nataraja\

s feet, to be the last offering in the abhishekam when milk, yogurt, honey and other substances are poured over the Nataraja murti. An event not to be filmed or photographed. Om. '
}

];