Significance of Nanthy Flag at Hindu temples

The world revolveth not round the inventors of new noises, but it revolveth inaudibly round the inventors of values, thus said a German poet. In the history of the world every nation has stood for a particular idea which it has sought to weave into the fabric of the lives of the people.

Thus, the Germans made the concept of beauty essentially their own. The spartans excelled in sports and the commitment of the rule of law moulded the pattern of the Britishers. Likewise, long before the Greeks and Romans the Hindus were told to govern their lives by the norms of Dharma which comprehends all the excellences which make for an ideal humanity.

Furthermore, every religion, every nation and every political party is identified by its own flag. They hoist their respective flags during all their important occasions and celebrations. In that way the whole world comes to know the different celebrations and festivals.

As far as the Hindus are concerned, there is no such flag being hoisted during festivals or ceremonies anywhere in the world. Realizing the importance of hoisting a flag for Lord Shiva the Colombo Saiva Munnetta Sangam came forward to hoist "Nanthy flag" which symbolizes Dharma.

In fact, Sinnadurai Dhanabalan being the trustee of Colombo Saiva Munnetta Sangam took all possible steps to request the trustees of the Hindu temples and presidents of the religious organizations to hoist this "Nanthy flag" which signifies Lord Shiva during temple festivals and various other religious occasions.

Dhanabalan is a devout Hindu and the trustee of the Colombo Saiva Munnetta Sangam, but also the trustee of the Kataragama Pilgrims Thondar Society, Vice President of All Ceylon Hindu Congress Vice President of World Saiva Congress (Sri Lanka) and holds positions of several other associations. Further he was the former Director of Air Lanka Ltd, Orient Lanka Ltd and NERD Centre.

In fact, the hoisting of the "Nanthy flag" was the vision and brainchild of late S. T. Sinnadorai the father of Dhanabalan. Furthermore, Sinnadurai was the founder of Leela Press and an enterprising entrepreneur. Being a Hindu he tremendously helped Buddhist causes and Sinhala culture.

Though he was mindful of the Hindu community and Hindu religion, he was equally mindful of national concerns. He possessed a national vision, mission and foresight that immensely helped to respect everyone and every religion irrespective of race, creed and religions. As such he rose above narrow parochialism, communalism, and sectarianism.

Besides, he was consistently pragmatic and practical in his approach to national problems and wanted all the communities to live in peace and unity to bring about communal harmony.

He always promoted goodwill, mutual understanding and steadfast faith towards each other.

Though the idea of "Nanthy flag" originated from late Sinnadurai it was taken forward by his son Dhanabalan who himself is a devout Hindu and is greatly associated with Buddhist activities and Buddhist organizations.

Nanthy, the bull is the vehicle of Lord Shiva and as such he is usually found outside Sivan Temple. Furthermore, every god has an associated vehicle. For example, Lord Ganesha has the rat, Goddess Saraswathy has the swan, and Lord Muruga has the peacock.

As an independent deity the bull was in ancient times the Lord of Joy (Nandikeswara) and was represented as a man with a Bull's head.

The Vahana or vehicle of Lord Shiva, the "Nanthy" bull is always found facing the Sivalingam in places of worship.

Lord Shiva is nothing else but Lord Nanthy and in the visible state it is represented by a bull. The saints selected a bull as a vehicle for Lord Shiva since it ploughs the field, draw cart and helps man in many ways.

The bull is a vehicle representing movement. It is the movement of the supreme consciousness Lord Shiva, since it is statue and the dynamic nature was called as Nanthy.

The flag hoisting ceremony in the temples indicates that the descended Kundalani Sakthy at Moolatharam of our spinal cord should rise to the head. The flag lowering ceremony indicates how the supreme consciousness descends down from the head to from the body (creation) and reach the end of the spinal cord (Moolathatam).

The hoisting of "Nanthi Kodi" (Nanthy flag) at the top of the Rajagopurams of the temples and in other religious organizations will undoubtedly explain the principles, philosophies of Saivasm to achieve the goal of life.

The Ministry of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs has consistently given him the whole hearted support and co-operation to promote this flag hoisting activities.

For this Dhanabalan is always grateful to the Hindu Ministry. It should be specially mentioned in this instance that Mrs. Dhanabalan is a source of encouragement and tower of strength for his husband's unselfish and untiring service for the Almighty Lord Shiva.

Undoubtedly, Sinnadurai Dhanabalan should be highly commended for the yeoman service he is rendering by way of distributing and hoisting "Nanthy flag" which represents Lord Shiva and symbolizes Hindu (Saiva) Dharma, which will definitely bring everlasting peace and eternal prosperity to Sri Lanka.

- "Kalabhooshanam" Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar