The Sublime One.

Shivaratri 24th February 2017 - 24 hour Vigil

Written by Verushka Pather, a Classical Indian Dance Artist, trained in India. Verushka have had an opportunity in December 2016 to take her art back to the original setting, the temple courtyards of India. Her project, Sampoorna Sadhana was a pilgrimage of Dancing in 10 famous Temples in South India and has gained the support of the KwaZulu Natal Department of Arts & Culture & The Tamil Nadu Government to honour their rich cultural heritage. Dancing in the holy abodes of Shiva has allowed Verushka to share her expereinces of the Lord before HIs auspicious day of Shivaratri

As the mystical night approaches, the desire for peace and sublime bliss awaits us. I can feel the radiant presence of the formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute primal soul of the universe, Lord Shiva. On the holy night of Shivarathri or Sivan Iravu, the famous festival in honour and praise of Lord Siva, devotees offer flowers and water tothe holy Sivalingam as practiced since ancient days. Saivite saint Thirumoolar says if one has nothing to offer to the Lord, even a green leaf and some water, will do in theworship of Lord Siva.

As inthe story of a hunter who while hunting in order to avoid a Tiger had to climb a tree and just to stay awake, plucked the leaves of the Vilva (Bilva- bale) tree and was dropping them down below where there was a Sivalingam. That powerful night became, which is now known to us as, Sivarathri or Sivan Iravu.

Devotees fast on the night of Shivaratri and sing hymns on Lord Siva like Thevaram, Thiruvasagam and do archanai with Vilva leaves in the name of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers for the whole nightto Lord Shiva will invite good luck into their life.

I close my eyes and envision the majestic Lord of Dance, Lord Shiva with His powerful third eye on His forehead, representing knowledge and wisdom beyond this material world, the serpent around his neck symbolising alertness within a conscious state, the adorning crescent moon allowing us to experience wisdom beyond the mind, the holy river Ganga as liberating knowledge flowing from his matted locks to purify our souls, the trishula as his weapon and command over all 3 states of mind and the damaru, the process of creation from expansion to disintegration.

My heart is taken back to the famous Siva Temple of South India, Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara. It was built by the famous King Raja Rajeshwara 1st from the Chola dynasty 985 and 1014 CE, a UNESCO Heritage Site that holds the largest Shivalingam and Nandhi (Bull) on its holy grounds. On 15th Dec 2016 we had the blessing of dancing on the stage that has embraced legends of our past for the past 1500 years and the epic Nandi (bull) as our backdrop. This was a moment that I will treasure forever. The Chola Dynasty and King were influential in supporting and promoting the Arts and hence Thanjavur is home to all famous Artists of our past and worldwide. The templerepresents the crystallisation of Tamil culture; in its finest tradition of sculpture, painting, dance, music and literature.

The power of acceptance within the silence of His abode is what I will hold onto for not just the night of Shivaratri but for all of my days. Lord Shiva of Thanjavur has accepted me to dance on His holy ground by not knowing my name but by having my heart and red alta stained feet on his holy ground. It is my service to Him to forever strive to take my art to a point of silence to experience His mercy, beauty and Peace within sublime bliss.

To all devotees celebrating have a glorious and soul fulfilling night.

Then Naadu udaiya Sivaneh Pohtri, En naattavarkkum iRaivaa pohtri

The pictures are done by Mr. Kavithasen Govender, a Mechanical Engineer by profession, with a deep passion for photography and the arts.