Thiruvallikkeni Kodai Uthsavam - Sri Parthasarathi purappadu day 2 (2014)

Summer rains are not totally uncommon – it rained heavily this evening and the immediate thing in our mind was the purappadu.

At Thiruvallikkeni, there are festivities throughout the year.  During the Summer is celebrated Kodai Uthsavam, when Sri Parthasarathi used to visit Vasantha Bungalow.  The Kodai Uthsavam takes place for 7 days ~ this year it started on Friday 27^th June and today is day 2 of the Uthsvam.

In this Uthsavam, Sri Parthasarathi and Ubaya Nachimars have purappadu in separate kedayams. As it rained, Perumal was covered totally and had siriya mada veethi purappadu.   Here are some photos take during the purappadu.

திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் ஸ்ரீ பார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாளுக்கு வருடம் முழுவதும் பல உத்சவங்கள் விமர்சையாக நடைபெறுகின்றன.  கோடை கால முடிவில் நடைபெறும் உத்சவம் "கோடை உத்சவம்".  சில வருடங்கள் முன் வரை,  நம்  ஸ்ரீபார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள் மாலை வேளையில் வசந்த உத்சவ பங்களாவுக்கு எழுந்து அருளி இளைப்பாறி, பின்பு வெய்யில் தணிந்ததும் திரும்புகால் புறப்பாடு கண்டு அருள்வார்.

இப்போது 'வசந்த உத்சவ பங்களா' இல்லாத காரணத்தால் 'பெருமாள் வெங்கடரங்கம் பிள்ளை தெரு வழியாக புறப்பாடு கண்டு அருளி, "கேட் ஆம்"  என்று அழைக்கப்படும் வீடுகள் வழியாக குளக்கரைக்கு திரும்பி புறப்பாடு கண்டு அருள்கிறார்.  இவ்வுத்சவத்தில் 'ஸ்ரீ பார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள் தனி கேடயத்திலும்,உபய நாச்சிமார் தனி கேடயத்திலும்"  எழுந்து அருள்வது விசேஷம்.  இன்று மாலை மழை பெய்த படியால் சிறிய மாட வீதி புறப்பாடு நடைபெற்றது. பெருமாள் மற்றும் உபய நாச்சிமார் போர்வை போற்றிக்கொண்டு (கோடையில்) எழுந்து அருளினர்

அடியேன் ஸ்ரீனிவாச தாசன்  

28^th June 2014.

Thiru "Kannapuram Sellungal ~ Kavalai ellam Marappeer"....

I have recently posted about the Bhagwad Vishaya Kalakshepam – more particularly   “Sarrumurai discourse of Thiruvaimozhi – Onbatham Pathu – Patham Thiruvaimozhi [9th canto – 10th set verses] – “Maalai Nanni Thozhuthu Ezhumino”……. Of Sri U.Ve. (Dr.) MA Venkatakrishnan Swami at Thirukannapuram Divyadesam. 

 ‘Thirukannapuram” –  is the abode of Sri Sowri Raja Perumal.   The Neelamega Perumal temple situated near Nannilam on way to Nagapattinam from Mayiladuthurai is a big imposing temple with a beautifully made pond (Thirukulam).   From Mayavaram (Mayiladuthurai) as we travel towards Nagapattinam, there is Thirupugalur from where one needs to travel in – for less than 2 km for reaching the temple, which is around 4 miles from Nannilam railway station.  The temple has a 7-tier rajagopuram and a vast temple complex.  Thiru Kannapuram is reverred as one amongst the five Krishnaranya kshetrams  -  with Therazhundur,  Tirukkannangudi, Thiru Kapistalam, and Thiru  Kannamangai. The Nithya pushkarini just infront of the Temple is so vast that it looks more like a large lake… it is neat and clean and a bathe here would cleanse our soul. 

Swami Nammazhwar in this canto describes the beautifully fortified temple mentioning in verses the ramparts of the temple variously as : “ வேலைமோதும் மதிள்சூழ் (கடலலை மோதப் பெற்ற மதிளாலே சூழப்பட்ட); வெள்ளியேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ்; வானையுந்து மதிள்சூழ்;  அரணமைந்த மதிள்சூழ்; நன்பொனேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ் ; மணிபொனேய்ந்தமதிள்சூழ்; ” *  As we would know, a defensive wall – also called rampart – is a fortification used to protect a city or settlement from potential aggressors. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements. Beyond their defensive utility, many walls also had important symbolic functions — representing the status and independence of the communities they embraced. Existing ancient walls are almost always masonry structures ~ one can think of its pristine looks, going by the descriptions of Swami Nammalwar centuries ago, which has stood the test of time and look imposing today too. 

The Moolavar here is : Sri Neelamega Perumal (also called Sowrirajar) in a majestic  standing posture facing east. Instead of Abhaya Hastham, He has Varadha Hastham similar to Kanchi Varadharaja perumal.  The Perumal who gave darshan here to Kanva Mahirishi, Thandaka Maharishi and Garudazhwar has Prayoka Chakkaram.  His consort is Thiru Kannapura Nayaki. Alongside Uthsavar is Ubaya Nachimar [Sri Devi & Bhuma Devi] Andal and Padmini Nachiyar, the daughter of the local chieftain, who married Him.  The Uthsavar strikes a post of seeking hands for marriage and sports ‘sowri’ [hair] ~ thus the Kingly  Lord sporting ‘sowri’ ~ Sowri Rajan.  Going by the description of Azhwar, the sea in those days could have been much closer but probably moved inside and away over the centuries. 

இல்லையல்லல் எனக்கேலினியென்குறை*

அல்லிமாதரமரும் திருமார்பினன்*

கல்லிலேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ் திருக்கண்ணபுரம்*

சொல்ல நாளும் துயர் பாடுசாராவே.*

Swami Nammazhwar says that he has no despair whatsoever as he lacks nothing ….. he guides to praise the Lord at Thirukannapuram who has Sri Lakshmi (the God sitting on Lily / Lotus) and for those of us singing paeans on this Lord, there can never be despair ~ it will not even come closer !

Here are some photos of the divyadesa Perumal during Brahmothsavam -  [photos courtesy my friend Sri Thirukannapuram Araiyar Venkata Varadhan Swami]

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi ~ Aani Masapravesam 2014

Aani masapravesam purappadu 2014.

Today, 15^th June 2014 heralds the birth of the month of Aani and in the evening there was siriya maada veeethi purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi.  Here are photos taken during the purappadu. 

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

Swami Nammalwar Sarrumurai - Vaikasi Visakam today 2014.

Today, 11^th June 2014 is a great day  for Sri Vaishnavas  – for it is  ‘Vaikasi Visakham’ –marks the birth celebrations of Swami Nammazhwaar.  Acharyan Manavalamaamunigal in his ‘Upadesa Rathinamalai’ says :   there is no other day matching Vaikasi Visakam; there is none matching Sadagopar; there is nothing equivalent to ‘Thiruvaimozhi’ and there is no place on earth which can be treated on par to Thirukurugai – the birthplace of Swami Nammalwar.

உண்டோ வைகாசி விசாகத்துக்கு ஒப்பொருநாள்*

உண்டோ சடகோபர்க்கு ஒப்பொருவர் – உண்டோ*

திருவாய்மொழிக்கு ஒப்பு தென்குருகைக்குண்டோ*

ஒருபார் தனில் ஒக்குமூர்**

The Greatest among Alwars preached to us – “ ஒழிவில் காலமெல்லாம் உடனாய் மன்னி ,வழுவிலா அடிமை செய்ய வேண்டும்நாம்,” – that when we do kainkaryam to Lord (to Him at Thiruvenkadam), we must do service by being with HIM throughout our life and do as a slave would serve his master.  

Swami Nammazhwaar was born on theauspicious poornima day of Tamil Vaikasi month in Visakha nakshathiram at Thirukurugur, now famously known as ‘Azhwar Thirunagari’.  He was born to Kari and Udayanangai.  Sri

Nammazhwaar has greatly contributed by his great works -  Thiruvaimozhi (1102 verses), Thiruvirutham (100), Thiruvasiriyam (7) and Periya Thiruvanthathi (87)

Today, Azhwar’s sarrumurai was celebrated in a grand manner at Thiruvallikkeni and in the evening there was the Grand purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi with Swami Nammazhwar.  Some photos (thanks to my friend Thirumazhisai Kannan)  are here.

The direction of Azhwar for our salvation is plain, simple and direct… he says – in the material World, first kill and uproot all thoughts of Self – stop thinking of Self and those belonging to self … simply fall at the feet of Lord, merge with Him – there can be no greater fulfilment.   

நீர்நுமதென்றிவை, வேர்முதல் மாய்த்து இறை

சேர்மின் உயிர்க்கு அதனேர் நிறையில்லே

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Vasantha Uthsavam Thiruvallikkeni Day 7 : 2014

I have posted yesterday about the Spring Season …… whence flowers bloom.  Today  8^th June 2014 is day 7 – concluding day (Sarrumurai) of Vasantha Uthsavam.   Till a decade ago, there  existed a beautiful bungalow known as Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow  in Venkatrangam Street abound with many trees, fragrant flowers, ponds and a big well [nadai bavi kinaru] which had steps for getting inside.  On the 7th day of the Uthsavam ~ there is to be  kuthirai vahana purappadu.

Now with Vasanthothsava bungalow in dispute – and kuthirai vahanam not available due to some reasons, Sri Parthasarathi had purappadu in Kedayam – however was dressed in the manner he would have been astride the horse… so majestic wearing an ornately decorated cap, known as 'Savaari Paagai'.  Perumal today had purappadu through TP Kovil 2^nd lane, into the Streets of Vasudevapuram, Besant Road, entering TP Kovil Street through the South arch and then periya maada veethi.  In the purappadu, it was Thiruvezhukkoorirrikkai; Siriya Thirumadal; Periya Thirumadal and Ramanuja Noorranthathi.

Here are some photos taken during the purappadu

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan. 

Sri KKCP Singarachar Swami Sashtiapthapoorthi vaibhavam at Sholinghur

For a  Srivaishnavaite, Acharyar leads and guides one to the eternal Sriman Narayana.   My Acharyar  is Cholasimhapuram Doddayachaaryar (presently Sri U. Ve. Kovil Kanthadai Chandamarutham Singarachaar Swamy) . Garuda Seva has special significance for Kanchi, Sholinghur because of Swami Doddayachaaryar connection and I have posted on this earlier.  .  In the thirukovil of Sri Bhakthochithan, there is sannathi for our Acharyar Swami Dhoddachar.

The Sri Vaishnavaite and Thennacharya Sampradhayam places great emphasis on following the path shown by Acharyan and our Sampradhayam is pround of the rich  lineage of greatest of Acharyars who have guided us towards salvation.  One can easily discern from the  Great ‘Thaniyan’ of Swami Koorathazhwaan that we observe daily - “Lakshminatha samarambaam, Nathayamuna madhyamam – Asmath Achaarya paryanthaam, vanthe Guru parambaram”  -

We the Sishyas of Swami belong to the lineage, which emanated from the Holy feet of Sri Periya Perumal, Periya Pirattiar, Senai Muthalvar, Nammazhwar, Naathamunigal, Uyyakkondar, Manakkal Nambigal, Aalavanthar, Periya Nambi, Emperumaanar, Koorathazhwar, Mudaliandan, Embaar, Battar, Nanjeeyar, Nampillai,  Vadakku Thiruveethipillai, Pillai Logachariyar, Thiruvoimozhipillai, Maanavala Maamunigal, Vaanamamalai Jeeyar to  Doddacharyar (of whose lineage we have the present head – Sri Singarachaaryar Swami). Understand that there were 5 Thirumaligais of the lineage of Doddacharyar  earlier.  Presently there are only two - the family of Swami Periyappangar Swami - of whose lineage is our varthamana Acharyar - Sri Ubhaya Vedantha Kovil Kanthadai Chandamarutham Singarachar Swamy;  the other is that of Swami Vedanthachaar.

7^th June 2014 was a great day for the sishyas as they descended at Sholinghur (Cholasimhapuram divyadesam) – On  Vaikasi Uthiram day, it was Sashtiapthapoorthi celebrations of our varthamana Acharyar - Sri Ubhaya Vedantha Kovil Kanthadai Chandamarutham Singarachar Swamy.

There was the holy  ‘Nalayira divyaprabandha Sevakalam’;  Chathur veda parayanam, Purana patanam - from 5^th June 2014 and on the morning of 7^th at 04.30 am, there was grand sarrumurai of Thiruvaimozhi patham pathu, Sri Ramanuja noorranthathi and Upadesa Rathinamalai.  In the grand function held at Thirumaligai situate in the the sannathi Street of Sholinghur, hundreds of sishyas and abimanis were present.  The rains in the evenings of 5ht & 6^th helped lowering the temperatures.  It was a great occasion for all of us to witness the event and have the blessings of our Swami. Here are some photos taken during the function at Thirumaligai.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

 Thirukovil as seen from the door of Thirumaligai....

 The celebrations ..........

 sannithi at Thirumaligai and our Acharyar

entrance of Thirumaligai

Vasantha Uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni - day 6 - 2014

Thiruvallikkeni is replete with Festivities.   Now it is time for Sri Nammalwar Uthsavam alongside  Vasantha Uthsavam.   It would amaze one to understand the significance of each Uthsavam and the care with which our elders have designed them.  There are palaces [bungalows] specially built for providing rest to Perumal on different occasions ~ at Thiruvallikkeni, there is Thavana Uthsava Bungalow situated in Thulasinga Perumal Koil Street, Komutti Bungalow in Peyalwar Koil Street and there was this  Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in Venkatrangam Street ~ sad that the big spacious sprawling premises of Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow is no longer there……..

Today 7^th June 2014  is day 6.  ‘Vasantham ‘ is a season – a pleasant one at that.  Vasantham corresponds to Spring season.  While they have only 4 seasons in the West, we have six seasons.  Here it is Vasantha Ruthu also known as ‘Ilavenil’  ~ வசந்தம் என்பது பருவம். வசந்த ருது எனவும் இளவேனில் எனவும் பெயர் பெற்றது இது. சித்திரை. வைகாசி இரண்டையும் இளவேனில் என்பார்கள். வசந்தகாலம் எல்லோரும் ஆவலுடன் எதிர்பார்க்கும் பருவம். தளிர்க்கும், பூக்கும் தாவரங்கள்,பாடித் திரியும் பறவைகள் என கூர்ந்து நோக்கினால் மகிழ்ச்சியாகவும், வியப்பாகவும் இருக்கும் காலம் இது.

Spring is a season. We have seasons because the earth takes a year to move round the sun, which gives us light and warmth, and because the earth tilts at an angle of 23.5 degrees.  Spring is the season when one can see lots of flowers blossoming.  The sprawling Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow  in Venkatrangam Street that I remember was replete with many trees, fragrant flowers, ponds and a big well [nadai bavi kinaru] which had steps for getting inside. 

Here are some photos taken during Vasantha Uthsava purappadu today…. it was the most beautiful sitting posture ~ the Emperor in total command~ with right hand on the bent knee and left hand holding Kathayutham. Most of you can recall having darshan of Sri Parthasarathi in the same posture… yes, it was on the 2^nd day of Brahmothsvam – morning Seshavahanam. 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Ramar punarvasu purappadu 2014

Sri Ramayanam is the most sacred Ithihasam – the  lifestory of Lord Sri Rama, the Great Parampurusha is  mentioned in Vedas and his ‘aayana’ – His Journey is “Ramayana”. Popularly, Sri Rama is known to have ascended to this Earth in the Tretha Yug –  which is beautifully and factually narrated by Sri Valmiki ~  in the greatest Ithihasa puranam, Rama is the valorous prince, perfect in virtue, but nothing more than a simple mortal man.  Very early in the life of Sri Rama, the fame of Rama attracted  sage Vishvamitra who prayed Dasharatha to send Rama with him to guard his sacrificial fire from pollution by the evil Rakshasas.

Sri Kulasekara Azhwar was so attracted to Sri Ramayana and has given literary expression in his devotional verses to the pronouncement that Rama is the Supreme Narayana Himself in human form. Here is how he describes the birth of Rama

அங்கணெடு மதிள்புடைசூழ்  அயோத்தியென்னும் அணிநகரத்துலகனைத்தும் விளக்கும் சோதி; வெங்கதிரோன் குலத்துக்கோர் விளக்காய்த் தோன்றி விண்முழுதும் உய்யக் கொண்ட வீரன்றன்னை* செங்கணெடுங் கருமுகிலை……

The place Ayodhya was a great fortified city with lofty walls which was shining a beacon to the all other places of the World, here in the Solar lineage, the Man capable of winning everything under the sky akin to the dark rain bearing clouds the Lord nonpareil was born.

Today,1^st June is ‘Punarvasu’ nakshathiram, that of Lord Rama and at Thiruvallikkeni, Sri Ramar had purappadu.  Here are some photos taken during the purappadu..  after the purappadu, in Perumal’s asthanam – with Kulasekarar, Mudaliandan and Embar seated, there was rendering of Perumal thirumozhi

Azhwar Emperumanar Thiruvadigale Saranam

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.