Aani ( Third Month) - The Festivals in Aani

Aani is the third month in a year in a traditional Tamil calendar. One of the auspicious days in the month is the Skanda Panchami. The month is meant for the preparation for next month which is the Aadi Masam – a month noted for numerous festivals and rituals. Aani Month begins in Mid June and ends in Mid July. One most auspicious day in the month is the Ani Uthiram or Aani Thirumanjam.

THIRUMANJANAM

The word "Thirumanjanam" means Holy bath. Aani Thirumanjanam (Tamil month spanning June-July) is a special day (Uthram Nakshtram) when an Abhishekam is performed for Lord Nataraja .

It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi.

The Lord's form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation.

The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation; his raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection; his left hand holding fire destruction; his firmly placed foot concealment; and his other, slightly lifted, leg salvation. Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year.

Earth takes 365 days to complete one full circle around the sun.

That duration is divided into six seasons - Marghazhi-Thai: early winter; Maasi-Panguni: late winter; Chittirai-Vaikasi: early summer; Aani-Aadi: high summer; Avani-Purattasi: autumn; Aippasi-Karthikai: rainy season.

This six-season year of humans is said to be one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily poojas (Kaala Pooja) in temples are performed. During each of these six parts, an Abhishekam has been ordained for Lord Nataraja.

One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July). This is the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva.

The important ritual of Upadesa Kaatchi is performed in the early morning hours of Aani Tirumanjanam day.

Aani Tirumanjanam or Aani Uthiram is an important festival at the at Avudayar Koil in Tamil Nadu. In 2017, the important festival dates are June 28, June 29 and June 30. Aani Tirumanjanam is on June 30. Main rituals involve the pulling of the chariot of saint-poet Sri Manickavasagar around the temple street. This is performed on two days.

‘Velli Ther’ ritual is usually held on the day before Aani Tirumanjanam. In it the processional murti of Saint Manickavasagar is taken around the streets from evening to night.

During the Tamil month of ‘Aani’ the authorities of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam, used to send ‘holy vastrams’ or holy dresses to the Tirupati Temple. This was to make sure of protecting the processional deities of from Muslim invasion.

When Mohammed bin Tuglaq invaded the Srirangam town, Pillailogachariyar, a Vaishnavite saint took the idols of Lord Namperumal and Goddess Sridevi and Sri Bhoodevi to the Tirupati Temple. The idols were safely kept at the Tirupati temple for more than two decades.

In memory of this incident, the authorities of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam, send ‘holy vastrams’ every year even today in the month of ‘Aani’ (mid-June to mid-July) to Tirupati Temple.

Do not miss the next edition - "Aadi the Fourth month" to be published on 12th May.

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All information in the above blog is sourced from various articles on the web. Nothing is original!!!