• Know about the joys of the oil application ritual at Sadhguru Sannidhi Bengaluru.

Earlier this year, in January, on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, Sadhguru consecrated a 21-foot tall Nandi right in front of the Bengaluru Adiyogi statue. For many visiting devotees, there was now a feeling of completion as Adiyogi Shiva was accompanied by his beloved Nandi! Moreover, there are Nandi seva rituals happening at this center every month.

Seva of Taila Arpane or Offering Oil to Nandi

On Amavasya day, as I walked up to the Adiyogi, I noticed a few Sadhguru Sannidhi volunteers sitting near Nandi with small copper pot vials filled with oil. The Instagram reels I had seen announcing this Taila Arpane ritual flashed in my mind.

On Amavasya days, oil is made available at nominal cost for devotees to pour into Nandi’s left ear. A ladder is placed so that devotees can climb up near the Nandi’s left ear to pour the oil through a small horn. 

Watch the Taila Arpane ritual at Nandi in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqO_iO_rIs4

Traditionally, it is believed that devotees can whisper their wishes to Nandi and they will get fulfilled. However, I usually don't make wishes in temples or in front of deities. My purpose has always been to be receptive to their spiritual energies, so they can enrich my life. 

As it happens, I have been very fond of this Nandi, so with a lot of joy I climbed up to its ear to pour the oil. It allowed me to connect with it in a slightly deeper way. Without such activities, I can only look at him from a distance.

My fellow Sannidhi volunteer happily exclaimed that she had made her wish to the Nandi. Her excitement was quite infectious and I hoped that other devotees had also made use of this opportunity. Currently, it is available only in the Bangalore Sadhguru Sannidhi, not in the Coimbatore center.

Sadhguru has always encouraged us to see Nandi as the symbol of eternal waiting,

“Nandi is a symbolism of eternal waiting, because waiting is considered the greatest virtue in Indian culture. One who knows how to simply sit and wait is naturally meditative. He is not expecting Shiva to come out tomorrow. He will wait forever. That quality is the essence of receptivity. Nandi is Shiva’s closest accomplice because he is the essence of receptivity. Before you go into a temple, you must have the quality of Nandi – to simply sit.”  - Sadhguru

Another, lovely seva opportunity with this Nandi is the oil application ritual that is done by the volunteers. A few days before the Amavasya, it is customary for the entire Nandi statue to be re-coated with oil by the volunteers. This happens late into the night, after the center has been closed to visitors. So, for those who would like to partake in this ritual, do connect with the center for volunteer possibilities during this event.

Author Priyanka Dalal has a profound love for spiritual exploration and travel. She documents her adventures on her blog MapRoute and youtube channel InSpirituality

Volunteer opportunities are available at this center, contact here to know more.

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