Today is the auspicious Deepam festival! In the morning, during Bharani Deepam, His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda blesses the celebrations, lighting the first Deepam lamp. He honors each Temple Deity, placing the lamps at their feet. His lamp is then carried to all Deities and Murties around the ashram. Each department is responsible for keeping lamp lit all day until evening, at which time the fire is returned to the Temple. At the evening Karthigai Deepam, all the small lamps are returned to the main Lamp at the Temple, which is lit by His Holiness at the same time it is happening at Arunachula - many lamps become one. Just as we perceive we are separate from the Cosmos, Mahadeva, the Lamps symbolize how with self-realization, we merge with the Cosmos, returning back to our Source.
 His Holiness Sri Nithyananda Swami arrives at Nithyanandeshwara Temple to inaugurate the Bharani Deepam celebrations
 His Holiness at Garba Mandir of Nithyanandeshwara and Nithyanandeshwari
  His Holiness applies sacred Kumkum to Anja Chakras of Nithyanandeshwara and Nithyanandeshwari
 And to Swayambu Lingam
   Performing Aarti, honoring the Deities
 Collecting the holy fire for the Deepam lamps. From this one lamp, all lamps around the ashram will be lit in the sacred places.
 Deepam lamps are carried to all Deities and Murties around the ashram. Each department is responsible for keeping lamp lit all day until evening, at which time the fire is returned to the Temple.
  His Holiness places newly lit lamps around at the feet of the other Temple Deities.
      Even the Divine enjoys worshiping the Divine
     His Holiness leaving the Temple
 The Temple Priest now takes the lamp to all the other Deities in the Ashram
  Worshipping the Energy of Kalabhairava
 Here lamps are placed at Soma Skanda - His Holiness, Shiva and Devi
 Our Ishta Devata, His Holiness Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Swami, sits Blessing the World
       The joyous procession moves on with the Deepam lamps
 Arrival at the 21' Ananda Lingam
  Flower malas beautifully arranged around the largest Deity on campus
  Revered Lord Kalabhairava receives His lamp
    Procession continues
  Several hours later, the sun is rising and the final lamps were placed.
          His Holiness ignites the Deepam lamp. All the lamps from around the Ashram have been poured into this Lamp.
    Aarti is performed
     Ardhanarishvara - representing Shiva and Shakti, the male and female energies.
        The whole temple is lit up, giving it a mystical feel.
 Fireworks flavor the celebrations
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