Andal Rangamannar Thirukalyanam ~ (Panguni Uthiram) at Sri Villiputhur

Panguni Uthiram is a special day ... at Thiruvallikkeni, it marks Thirukalyanam of Sri Vedavalli Thayar with Sri Mannathar (Sri Ranganathar); at Thiruvarangam, there is the Serthi of Divya thampathigal.......... and at Sri Villiputhur, occurs the famous Thirukalyanam of Sri Andal with Sri Ranga Mannar.  It was on this day, our Emperumanar (Udayavar) recited ‘Gadhya thrayam’ before the divya dhampathigal.

In Tamil Nadu, most Temples have beautiful and majestic Gopurams and at Sri Villiputhur, the birth place of Sri Andal it is a 11 tiered structure of about 192 feet high.  The majestic Gopuram of the West tower of the Sri Villiputhur divyadesam is the emblem of State of Tamil Nadu.

Kothai Piratti  [Andal] represents   the most unique combination of divine wisdom coupled with devotion non-pareil.  A paragon of virtues - supreme example of single-minded devotion in serving the Lord, as clearly brought out in her great prabandham of 30 hymns "Thiruppavai".  Andal’s  philosophy is clear and unmistakable.   She propagated taking refuge saying  ‘immaikkum ezhezhu piravikkum patraavan, nammaiyudaivan Narayanan nambi’  -  "Sriman Narayana is our refuge now and forever and He will not let us down, for we are His possessions". 

And true to her words – she vowed that she will marry only Sriman Narayanan.   Appreciating her steadfastness and bakthi of Sri Andal, Sri Ranga Mannar came from Thiruvarangam, married Andal on Panguni Uthiram day ...... now one can worship Garudazhwar, Andal and Sri Rangamannar in the sannathi at Sri Villiputhur.  Every year Andal Thirukalyanam is celebrated in a grand manner ~ on 9th day of the Uthsavam occurs the divine marriage of Andal Ranga Mannar – this year it was on 13th April 2014. 

இம்மைக்கு  ஏழேழ் பிறவிக்கும்  பற்றாவான் *

நம்மையுடையவன்  நாராயணன் நம்பி*

செம்மையுடைய திருக்கையால் தாள்பற்றி*

அம்மி மிதிக்கக் கனாக்கண்டேன்  தோழீ நான்*

In Nachiyar Thiromozhi, Andal elaborates Her dream marriage with the Paramapurusha, describing the rituals associated with the marriages.  She speaks of that Great Sriman Narayana, the One who owns us all, the One complete with all Kalyana Gunams; the One to whom we all should get attached not in this life but in all our births; Andal dreams of Her Divine Marriage with the Lord. ~ and that comes true on Panguni Uthiram day. 

My brother S. Sundararajan visits  this divyadesam frequently and  here are some photos taken by him during the  Kalyana Uthsavam at Sri Villiputhur.  In Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam, the garland of the Perumal will be carried by the battar and will adorn Kothai piratti, then a garland of Andal will be taken for Perumal..... at Srivilliputhur, this  ‘Malai marral’ (exchange of garlands) is performed by battar with so much of enthusiasm and devotion ... in the photos – one can seen the garland of Andal as also Rangamannar being carried, held high by battar....

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

PS :  In earlier days, puranic and religious stories were being filmed.  Andal Thirukkalyanam was a Tamil film released in  1937 by Saradha Films, directed by R Prakash.