Sri Manavala Mamunigal Uthsavam day 2 at Thiruvallikkeni.

The grand 10 day Annual Uthsavam of our Acharyar Swami Manavala Mamunigal started yesterday on  [29thOct 2013 – 12th day of Aippaisi month].  Today, 30^th Oct 2013, the 2^nd day is Ekadasi and there was the grand purappadu of Sri Manavala Mamunigal with Sri Parthasarathi Himself. 

Sri Parthasarathi dazzled adorning the Pandian Kondai as the Emperor of Emperors; wearing a garland made of ‘virutchi flowers’ and holding the spectre [senkoal]

Of the works of Manavala Mamunigal, simply astonishing is the grantham titled “Upadesa Rathinamaalai” litrally  “Jewel-studded Garland of Instructions” which gives us information of the glory of Azhwars and Acharyargal, their chronology, their place of birth and more ~ it also speaks of the greatness of Thiruvaimozhi and other divyaprabandhams, of the commentaries by great scholarly Acharyargal ~ on how Srivaishnavaite should conduct oneself; about the need for surrender and having a good scholar as one’s tutor [Acharyan] and more………..  

He emphasizes that one must fully hear to the scholarly wisdom of the elders [Acharyas], speak, preach and follow them without changing, misinterpreting or putting one’s own versions.  The thaniyan starts with great reverence to ‘Thiruvaimozhip pillai’ and the spiritual learning had from him.

Here are photos taken during todays thiruveethi purappadu of our Acharyar ‘Poyillatha Maamunigal’ and Sri Parthasarathi. 

Acharyan thiruvadigale Saranam !!    

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

Sri Manavala Mamunigal Uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni.

We stand rejuvenated and feeling fresh today as on today [29^thOct 2013 – 12^th day of Aippaisi month] commenced the celebrations of our Acharyar –Swami Manavala Mamunigal.  The annual Utsavam of our Greatest Acharyar  would be celebrated grandly for 10 days and would conclude on ‘Thirumoola Nakshathiram’ in the month of Aippasi – the birth star of Swami Manavala Mamunigal.  This year the sarrumurai falls on 7^th Nov 2013 ~ 21^st day of Aippasi.

Acharyar Sri  Manavala Mamunigal considered the reincarnation of Adisesha,  was born in  Kidaram in Tamilnadu, in the year 1370 AD.  His parents named him Azhagiya manavalan, after the Lord Himself.

Manavala mamunigal’s  first work  was - Yatiraja Vimsati, twenty sanskrit stanzas in praise of Ramanuja. Tiruvaymozhip pillai read the works and gave him the title Yatindra Pravanar.  Nam Acharyar is revered under various names as “Yatheendra Pravanar, Sri Vara Vara Muni, Mamunigal”  He has given us 19 granthams – 3 of them in Sanskrit and rest in Tamil & Manipravalam. 

On the 5^th day of Uthsavam  ~ 2^nd Nov 2013 falls  the festival of Deepavali,  and there would be a very grand purappadu of Swami Manavala Mamunigal with Lord Parthasarathi on that day.  

Here are photos taken during todays thiruveethi purappadu of our Acharyar ‘Poyillatha Maamunigal’……….. falling at his Lotus feet for guidance in this life and life thereafter.   Acharyan thiruvadigale Saranam !!

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

29^th Oct 2013.

Golden Chariot for Sri Raghavendrar at Thiruvallikkeni

In March this year, I had posted about the  ‘Navarathan Ratha’ made of gold kept on display and thence dedicated to Sri Raghavendra at Manthralayam. There is fair sprinkling population of Madhwas in Triplicane – i.e., those who follow the ideals propagated by Sri Madhvacharya. Understand that the writings of Sri Madhvacharya comprises of thirty-seven works, collectively called Sarva-moola Grantha. As we have Guru parampara Acharyas in Sri Vaishnavism, the hierarchy in Madhvas starts with Sri Maha Vishnu himself, Pirattiyar Lakshmi Devi, and then has Brahma, Saraswati, Garuda, Anjaneya… heard from a friend that they have Karmaja Devatas which includes Sri Prahladarajar.

Miles away, in the town of  Mantralayam in Kurnool district, that lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra river  exists  the holy Vrindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swami.  Sri Raghavendra Swami is reverred to have lived on this earth between 1595 – 1671.  Sri Venkata Natha as he was known earlier , learnt and acquired mastery over Vedas, Sastra, puranas and was totally religiously inclined in service of God. Upon taking Sanyasa, he came to be known as ‘Raghavendra Swami’; on a very auspicious day, the saint  Sri Raghavendra Thirtha, entered the samadhi in the Brindavan, alive.

At Triplicane, there is a Mutt for Sri Raghavendrar at Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street.  Remember this was built in the early 1970s and lot of rich and famous visit this temple…………. Remember having seen Rajnikant coming on a scooter and in later days on a Fiat car……….

Today, the devotees have reverentially made available a Golden chariot for Sri Raghavendrar.  Understand that after today’s purappadu for the first time in the mada veethis of Thiruvallikkeni with ‘Sri Moola Ramar’ – the Vigraha worshipped by Sri Raghaventhirar and Sri Prasanna Srinivasar on the Ratha – the ratha would then be stationed inside the Mutt for the purappadu of Sri Raghavendra.

Here are the photos of the Ratha – the Moolasthanam of the Mutt and Sri Venkatachalapathi..

With regards – Srinivasan Sampathkumar.

26^th Oct 2013.

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Ramar Purappadu - Oct 2013

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Ramar Purappadu

Today 26^th Oct 2013[9^th day of  Tamil month ~Aippaisi] is ‘Punarvasu’ – the grand nakshathiram of Lord Sri Rama

Today in the evening Sri Ramar, along with Sita Devi and Lakshmana had purappadu.  Here are some photos taken by me

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Thiruvallikkeni Divyaprabandha goshti

Vijayadasami Paarvettai purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni : திருவல்லிக்கேணி "விஜயதசமி" புறப்பாடு.

Vijayadasami Paarvettai purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni  :    

திருவல்லிக்கேணி  "விஜயதசமி" புறப்பாடு.

In the month of Purattasi is celebrated the nine day festival of Navarathiri.  In all these days, there will be grand purappadu of Vedavalli Thayar inside the temple premises.  ‘Siriya Thirumadal’ is recited  during the purappadu.  The last day is celebrated as Saraswathi Pooja, the day of reverence to the Lord of Learning.  

The next day is Vijayadasami ~ the day considered most auspicious for starting learning.  Children are put in schools and taught the first syllable known as “Aksharabyasam”. This year Vijayadasami fell on 14^th Oct 2013.  On this day at Thiruvallikkeni, there was to be purappadu of Lord Parthasarathi on ‘kuthirai vahanam’.

In the epic Mahabaratha, during their exile Pandavas had to spend a year without revealing their identities.  This period was spent on Virada desam.  This is explained in detail in Virada parvam of Mahabaratha.  On Vijayadasami day which coincided with completion of their one year in exile,  in the war to protect Virada kingdom, Arjuna took back his bows and arrows hitherto hidden in a ‘vanni tree’.

On Vijaya Dasami day at Thiruvallikkeni, ‘vanni tree parvettai’ is enacted every year.   This is symbolically celebrated at the entrance of the temple itself ; in olden days [till a decade ago]  this act called ‘paarvettai’ took place in Vasantha bungalow situate in Venkatrangam Street.  Now that picturesque bungalow and the mantap are no longer there. At the entrance of the temple, leaves of vanni  are  symbolically placed and the Lord comes near the tree ~ after aarathi, couple of  leaves get plucked by the battar representing the Perumal. 

In the bhooloka Vaikuntam of Thiruvarangam – Num Perumal visits Kattazhigaya Singar temple located just over a kilometre East of Thiruvarangam Periya Kovil.   The legend has it that wild animals constantly attacked the families of the rishis and consumed them. While the rishis, through severe penance, had the power to burn the animals just by their looks, they sought not to forego the fruits of their penance by killing these wild animals. Instead, they undertook a more severe form of penance invoking the blessings of Lord Narasimha. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Narasimha appeared before these rishis and is now worshipped at this place.

On  Vijaya dasami day, Nam Perumal [Sri Ranganathar] reaches this temple and in the evening – and in the evening mounted on a gold Horse releases arrows with brass heads from cane bows – the enactment of hunting scene of Nam Perumal slaying the Vanniyasura, the forest demon and symbolically reenacting the protection of good always.

At Thiruvallikkeni, it was exceptionally a hot day…… Sri Parthasarathi Swami was beautifully decorated as an Emperor riding the golden horse and the purappadu was to take place around 0530 pm.  It rained heavily impeding the vahana purappadu ~ hence Sri Parthasarathi had purappadu in Kedayam dressed in the same manner as He would have appeared atop the horse.  It was indeed a great darshan to behold. It was ‘Sthothira Padal’ goshti ~ Thadi Panchakam and Sthothra Rathnam were rendered.  Perumal had kulakkarai purappadu – TP kovil 2^nd street, Bandala Venugopala Street and then had periya maada veethi purappadu.

Here are some photos : of the symbolic vanni tree; the kuthirai vahana purappadu of last year; of today’s purappadu

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Ranganathar purappadu - Sri Vedanthachar sarrumurai

ஆண்டாள் தமது 'நாச்சியார்  திருமொழியில்'  கடல்சூழ்ந்தமண்ணுலகும் விண்ணுலகுமாகிய பகுதிகளை ஆள்பவனும் ; திருவரங்கத்திலே பள்ளிகொண்டவனும் ஆன சக்ரவர்த்தியான பெரிய பெருமாளை 'அவரது செங்கோலையே ஏற்றமாக கூறி  ~  பொங்கோதம் சூழ்ந்த புவனியும் விண்ணுலகும்*; அங்காதுஞ் சோராமே ஆள்கின்ற எம்பெருமான்* ; செங்கோலுடைய திருவரங்கச் செல்வனார்* - என புகழ்கிறார்.

Today 13^th Oct 2013 is the concluding day of Navarathiri – widely celebrated as Saraswathi Poojai.  Today also marks the birth of Swami Vedantha Desikar and hence Vedanthachar Sarrumurai.

Today at Thiruvallikkeni there was periya mada veethi purappadu of Sri Vedanthachar with Sri Ranganathar.  Sri Mannathar, the most beautiful Emperuman  - the Emperoer of all - gave darshan bedecked as the King of All  with ‘sceptre’ described as ‘Senkoal’ by Andal in her Nachiyaar Thirumozhi.

It drizzled and hence Perumal and Sri Vedanthachar were covered with porvais immediately at Gopura vassal.  There was power cut too ~ it appeared as though the purappadu was taking place in a village with no electricity.

Here are some photos taken during today’s purappadu

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Sri Vedanthachar above..

Mylai Sri Peyalwar mangalasasanam at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam

Among the 12 Azhwaars of Srivaishanva Tradition, Poigai Azhwar, Boothath Azhwar and Peyazhwar – were the ones to have descended on this Earth earlier.  They were contemporaries and are praised as “Muthal Azhwars (the first among the Azhwars).  They were born in the month of “Aippasi: in the thirunakshathirams of ‘Thiruvonam, Avittam, Sathayam’ respectively. This divine trio met on a rainy day at Thirukkovalur – when they sang 100 verses each which now form part of Moonravathu Ayiram (Iyarpa) in Naalayira Divyaprabandham. 

Sri Peyalwar was born in a tank in Mylapore (thence known as Mylai Thiruvallikkeni).  His birthplace is in the present day Arundel Street in Mylapore closer to Mylai Madhaava Perumal Kovil.  At Thiruvallikkeni, the road adjacent to Sri Parthasarathi Kovil houses a separate sannathi (temple by itself) for Sri Peyalwar and the street is named after the Azhwar and is known as ‘Peyazhwar kovil Street’.

Today, 1^st Oct 2013 is a Special day… today is Ekadasi…  On all Ekadasis, there will be periya maada veethi purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi Swami at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam. Today is special for Perumal had purappadu with Azhwar.    Over a decade now, annually Sri Peyalwar from Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal Devasthanam has been visiting Thiruvallikkeni for mangalasasanam of the Divyadesa perumal.  Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal Devasthanam better known as ‘Kesava Perumal Kovil’ is near Mylai Kapaleeswarar Temple and the Chithirai kulam belongs to this Temple. 

Now the Peyalwar who graces the Mylai  Kesava Perumal temple – annually visits Thiruvallikkeni in a grand procession.  Sri Peyalwar is taken in a palanquin and nearer Triplicane [at the TP koil Street – Besant Road Junction] – the pallakku is opened to let all devotees have his darshan fully.  From there, Peyalwar is taken on a grand procession in Chinna mada veethi with ‘Moondram Thiruvanthathi’ goshti – from the Vahana mandapam, Azhwar enters Thirukovil in kaipalagai.  Sri Peyazhwar visits all sannathies inside the Temple ~ those of Lord Venkata Krishnan, Vedavalli Thayar, Varada Rajar, Azhagiya Singar and Andal and does mangalasasanam – i.e., ‘praying and praising the divine Gods and begetting happiness in doing so’.

Sri Peyawlar has sung about Thiruvallikkeni temple in his ‘Moondram Thiruvanthati’ – he describes that at Thiruvallikkeni waves are white as milk and there are red pavazham and white pearls at the time of twilight and at that sandhya time he has the darshan of the Lord at Thiruvalllikeni

வந்துதைத்த வெண்டிரைகள் செம்பவள வெண்முத்தம்*

அந்தி விளக்கும் அணிவிளக்காம், - எந்தை*

ஒருவல்லித் தாமரையாள் ஒன்றியசீர் மார்வன்,*

திருவல்லிக்கேணி  யான் சென்று.

Later in the evening at around 0700pm, there was the grand purappadu of Sri Peyalwar with Lord Sri Parthasarathi.   It was a grand festival grandly organized by Sri NC Sridhar, Trustee of Sri Kesava Perumal Kovil, Mylapore….  In that worthy procession, there were horses, bearers carrying  flags that had  Thiruman printed on them, drums, Nathaswaram, thavil and more specifically, Divyaprabandha Veda Parayana goshties, Sri Peyalwar and Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman.   Here are some photos taken on the occasion.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan [Srinivasan Sampathkumar from Thiruvallikkeni]

Above - the special arrangements in the purappadu for entertainment

Sri Divyaprabandha goshti with 

Sriperumpudur Emperumanaar Jeeyar in the front

Sri Peyazhwar

Sri Parthasarathi