List of Figures

Name of Figures No. Fig. 1 Seal of Indus Valley Civilization Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Somaskandar (God Siva with Goddess Parvati and God Skanda) Airavateswara temple Fig. 4 Temple layout illustrating human form Fig. 5 Dhvajastambha in normal days Fig. 6 Dhvajastambha during Mahotsava Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Inscription written on the walls of the Brihadesvara temple at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu Pranala or outlet for the ablution water Fig. 9 Vimana from the Nandi Mandapa Fig. 10 Vimana of the Thanjavur Lord Brihadesvara temple Fig. 11 Dakshinamurti shrine on the side wall of the Vimana of the Thanjavur Lord Brihadesvara temple Fig. 12 Pavilion for the Pratistha retreat ritual, 1 st type Fig. 13 Pavilion for the Pratistha retreat ritual, 2 nd type Fig. 14 Pavilion for the pratistha retreat ritual, 3 rd type Fig. 15 Four designs of strings on the Linga Fig. 16 Thiruvidaimarudur temple gopura above and Fig. 17 The yoni altar for the Kumbabhisek Fig. 18 Altar for the main and sub deities in the temple Fig. 19 Altar along with the lotus place for the Kumbha Sthapana Fig. 20 Boys helps in cleaning the dry grass Fig. 21 Life infusing from the main deity as it is Reconsecration ritual

Fig. 22 Life infusing from the main deity as it is Reconsecration ritual Fig. 23 Ready for the Procession taken after infusing life from the main shrine to the Yagasala Fig. 24 Procession taken after infusing life from the main shrine to the Yagasala Fig. 25 Installing the Kumbha in the Yagasala Fig. 26 Decorating the Kumbha after installation in the Yagasala Fig. 27 Procession taken of the Fire ritual material Fig. 28 Boys watch the Procession from the Yagasala Fig. 29 Fire ritual in the Yagasala Fig. 30 Fire ritual in the Yagasala Fig. 31 Consecration ritual on the final day Fig. 32 Swing for the god during the festival (Thirumarugal temple) Fig. 33 God taken out during Procession on Bull icon Fig. 34 Astra Devar Fig. 35 Bheri-Puja Fig. 36 A saiva boy after bathing in the temple tank Fig. 37 Ankurarpana performed at the house for the domestic ritual Fig. 38 Design made of rice flour Fig. 39 Fire altar during domestic ritual Fig. 40 Fire ritual during Domestic ritual Fig. 41 Fire ritual performed at home Fig. 42 Fire ritual performed at home Fig. 43 Dhenu Mudra Fig. 44 Dhenu Mudra

Fig. 45 Visvadevar and Pitrudevar Fig. 46 Sraddha ritual in Saivacarya family