Andal Thiruvadi Puram - Uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni 2014

Wednesday, 30^th July 2014 - மிகச் சிறந்த நன்னாள் !  ஸ்ரீ ஆண்டாள் அவதரித்த தினம். 'திருவாடிப்பூரம்' ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூரில் பெரியாழ்வார்  பெண்பிள்ளையாய்,  நந்தவனத்தில், துளசி மலரில் பூமிபிராட்டி அம்சமாய் தோன்றிய கோதைப் பிராட்டியின் பக்தி அளவிட முடியாதது. தன் இளமை  தொடங்கியே  'மானிடவர்க்கென்று பேச்சுப்படில் வாழகில்லேன்' என உறுதி பூண்ட பிராட்டியின் பக்தி திருப்பாவை, நாச்சியார் திருமொழி நூல்களாக வடிவெடுத்தது. ஆண்டாளை அனுதினமும் சேவித்து,ஆண்டாள் அருளிச்செய்த பாசுரங்களை  பாடி திருமால் அடியார்களை மகிழ்வித்து, ஸ்ரீமான் நாராயணின் அருள் பெறுவோமாக !! 

This year Thiruvadipuram falls on Wednesday, 30^th July 2014.   Andal was born in the  month of Aadi; found in a thulasi garden at Sri Villiputhur by Vishnu Chithar [Periyazhwaar]. Our Acharyar in his ‘Upadesa Rathina Malai’ hails the day as ‘Periyaazhwar pen pillaiai Aandal pirantha thiruvadipurathin seermai’.  Uyyakkondar says in the thanian visualizing Srivilliputhur as a very special Divya desam where Hamsam [anna pakshi] known for its power to separate milk from water are abundant and hails Andal for the verses with which she offered garlands to the Lord.

Sri ANDAL,  quintessence incarnation  of Shri Bhuma Devi, the divine consort of Sriman Narayana, sang thirty sweet songs containing the cardinal principles of Sri Vaishnava Dharma.  Other than Thiruppavai which is specially sung in all the days of the month of Margazhi, She also gave us 143 verses known as ‘Nachiyar Thirumozhi’. Her philosophy is clear and unmistakable propagating that -  "Sriman Narayana is our refuge now and forever ~  He will never  let us down, for we are His possessions". 

Here are some photos taken during the veedhi purappadu of Andal on 27^th July 2014, day 7 of the Thiruvadipura Uthsavam

Andal Thiruvadigale Saranam; Azhwar Emperumanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

Adi Amavasai Purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni (Andal Thiruvadipura Uthsavam day 6) 2-14

For Srivaishnavaites, the month of  Aadi assumes special significance for on this month was born the female saintess Azhwar Andal.   Godadevi  was born at Srivilliputhur  in the Tamil month Adi, with the birth-star Pooram, which is celebrated as ‘Thiruvadippuram’. 

Andal composed two works  unique in their literary, philosophical, religious, and artistic content.  One is  Tiruppavai, a composition of thirty verses in which Andal imagines herself to be a cowherd girl during the incarnation of Lord Krishna. This is recited in all temples daily,  especially during the month of Margazhi.  The second is the Nachiyar Tirumozhi, comprising of 143 verses.

This year Thiruvadipuram falls on Wednesday, 30^th July 2014.  The 10 day Thiruvadi Poora  Uthsavam commenced on 21^st and today 26^th July 2014 is day 6.  During Thiruvadipuram, on all days there is purappadu of Sri Andal in the evenings. Today is Amavasai ~ and there was grand purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi and Sri Andal.   Today it was the ‘kondai’ which added further beauty to the most beautiful Emperuman.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Perumal Kondai Azhagu 

 Sri Andal Kondai Azhagu 

Andal Perumal Kondai Azhagu  - viewed in the backdrop of  Raja Gopuram

Mylai Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni

I have recently posted about Thiru Mayilai Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal  from  ‘Kesava Perumal Kovil’ in Mylapore having Vana Bojana Uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni.  

On 20^th July 2014 in the evening, there was grand purappadu of Adhi Kesavar in the mada veethis of Thiruvallikkeni.  Horses and pathagais preceded – after Divyaprabandha goshti – there was group Nathaswaram and instrumental music – arranged by Sri NC Sridhar adding to the grandeur.  It rained heavily in between, Perumal took rest in the Gangai Kondan Mandapam, where Sri Parthasarathi and Sri Azhagiya Singar halt during every major purappadu.  The purappadu continued after the rains and Thiruvanthikappu took place in front of Vanamamalai Mutt.

Sri Adhi Kesvar then returned back to Thirumayilai in pallakku.  Here are some photos taken during the thiruveethi purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Thiru Mayilai Sri Aadhi Kesava Perumal Vanabojanam at Thiruvallikkeni

Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal Devasthanam better known as ‘Kesava Perumal Kovil’ is near Mylai Kapaleeswarar Temple and the Chithirai kulam belongs to this Temple.  This is Chandra pushkarini (sarva theertham) popularly known as Chithirai kulam.  The presiding deity here is Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal and thayar is Mayuravalli – the place itself was historically known as ‘Mayurapuri’. The temple is quite ancient and dates back to centuries.

 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. 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.  

For many years, Sri Aadhi Kesava Perumal from Thirumayilai has been visiting Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam and have ‘vana bojana uthsavam’ performed here. Today, 20^th July 2014 – Adhi Kesavar with all paraphernalia visited Thiruvallikkeni, had Thirumanjanam at Sri Vanamamalai Mutt at East Tank Sq St., Triplicane.  Sri NC Sridhar has been taking care of all the arrangements.  Here are some photos taken at the Mutt a few mintues ago -  His Holiness Sri Paramahamsedhyathi Sriuperumpudur Appan Parakala Ramanuja Embar Jeeyar Swami was also present.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

20^th July 2014 @ 06.30 pm.

Sri Azhagiya Singar Pushpa Pallakku 2014

மல்லிகைகமழ் தென்றலீருமாலோ வண்குறிஞ்சியிசை  தவருமாலோ

செல்கதிர் மாலையும் மயக்குமாலோ செக்கர்நன்மேகங்கள் சிதைக்குமாலோ

Swami Nammalwar says …. ‘the most pleasant fragrance of jasmine –wafting breeze,  ears receiving the pleasing kurinji music; Sun setting with beautiful red colours in the horizon – all attracting -  but more attracting was the pleasing sight of the fragrant palanquin made of flowers – for they were set for the most beautiful ‘Sri Azhagiya Singar’.

Today, 18^th July 2014 is Pushpa Pallakkuu -  after 10 days of  Brahmothsavam, it  was rest called ‘Vidayarri’ for Sri Thelliya Singar and after 3 days of rest comes the florally bedecked ‘Pushpa Pallakku – the palanquin with flowers’ .  

Favourite memories are triggered by our sense of smell ~ flowers are admired for their beauty,  exquisite shapes, spectrum of colours and more so for their fragrance. In our tradition, the decorative wreath of flowers woven together as garlands adorn God.  Flowers have their pride of place and are mentioned in our epics – in Divyaprabandham too.  In our mythology, Parijatha flower was brought to earth by Lord Krishna himself.  Legend has it that Sriman Narayana’s heavenly throne is under a flowering Parijatha tree.   The pallakku was fragrant pervading goodness all around – a great treat to the eyes, ears and senses  of Bakthas. At Triplicane [Thiruvalikkeni divyadesam] Sri  Azhagiya Singar   had purappadu in Pushpa pallakku.    Here are some photos taken during the purappadu

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. 

Sri Narasimhar (Azhagiya singar) Brahmothsavam - Porvai kalaithal 2014

Thiruvallikkeni Brahmothsavam -    day 9 Morning - Porvai Kalaithal

14^th July 2014 is the 9^th day of Sri Azhagiya Singar Brahmothsavam – Theerthavari.   In the morning Sri Azhagiya Singar had purappadu in “Aaal mael pallakku”.   I had posted about the symbolic search whence Perumal Himself comes  incognito, covered with ‘sheets’ (போர்வைகள்).

Sripadham thangis carry the palanquin in a circular motion and with every circling round, one porvai is removed; aarthi performed – immediately after the uncovering of last sheet too -  for a few seconds one can have darshan of Sri Azhagiya Singar with no floral garlands – then many flowers adorn Perumal. 

This year, I had the fortune of darshan during ‘Porvai kalaithal’ and here are some photos taken during the function.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Sri Thelliya Singar - siriya thiruther (chinna ther) 2014

On the concluding day of Brahmothsavam is ‘Sapthavaranam’ – grand Thiruvaradhanam, rendering of Thiruvaimozhi and late in the night, there is purappadu in Siriya Thiruther [the small chariot].  Today, 15^th  July 2014 is the tenth day of Sri Azhagiya Singar Brahmothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni [Triplicane] divyadesam.

It is  ‘Chinna Thiruther’ famously known as ‘Vettiver Chapparam’… I had earlier posted of the scientific name of  vetti ver as - ‘Chrysopogon zizanioides’, a type of grass of Poaceae family, native to India.  Also known as ‘khus’ Vettiver can grow up to 1.5 metres high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin, and rather rigid; the flowers are brownish-purple. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading, mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2–4 m in depth.  This is not intended to by any post on its characteristics..

This Ther is known as ‘Vettiver Chapparam’ – for there used to be so many sheets made of this grass placed on the temple car.  One could feel the divine fragrance from a distance itself.   Understand that the stem of the grass vettiver is cut, smoothened and made into a mat.  These mats were earlier even used in houses and as the air passes through it, there would be fragrance and natural cooling of air. 

In the purappadu -  Thiruvarangathu Amuthanaar’s ‘Ramanuja Noorranthathi’ was rendered.  Here are some photos taken during the purappadu.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. 

Allikkeni Azhagiya Singar Punyakodi Vimanam - 2014

At Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam – there are grand Brahmothsavams for Sri Parthasarathi in Chithirai and for Sri Azhagiya Singar in Aani, which is presently on – and today 14^th July 2o14, is 9^th day of the Uthsavam.  On  8^th  day morning it is ‘VEnnak thazhi kannan’ for Sri Parthasarathi, while it is ‘Lakshmi Narasimhar’ for Azhagiya Singar.

On  Ninth day evening it is  – Kannadi Pallakku – the palanquin embedded with beautiful mirror work for Sri Parthasarathi, - for Sri Thelliya Singar, there is no ‘kannadi pallakku’ but, the imposing  – ‘Punniyakodi vimanam’.   The most beautiful Azhagiya Singar true to His name, has purappadu from the Western gopuram, comes through Peyalwar Kovil street, ascends the Vimanam – first there was kulakkarai purappadu.  When purappadu was on Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street, it drizzled – Azhagiya Singar was covered and had purappadu in kedayam.

Here are some photos taken during the purappadu

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Sri Thelliya Singar Brahmothsavam - Porvai Kalaithal - day 9 - 2014

Thiruvallikkeni Brahmothsavam -    day 9 Morning - Porvai Kalaithal

14^th July 2014 is the 9^th day of Sri Azhagiya Singar Brahmothsavam – Theerthavari.  This morning Sri Azhagiya Singar had purappadu in “Aaal mael pallakku” – a palanquin with four men holding the pallakku on their shoulders. 

The day’s events are sequel to that of the previous day -  i.e., ‘Thirumangai Mannan Vaibhavam’; Emperuman turning Kaliyan into his astute devotee teaching him the  ‘ashtakshara mantra’.... In symbolizing search of lost ring, Perumal has Himself covered with ‘sheets’ (போர்வைகள்) and comes incognito  - the deed of His searching is celebrated at the same place where He gave the Ultimate advice to Thirumangai Mannan.  With every circling round, one porvai is removed and aarthi performed.

The conflict is not that of mortals…it is divine… ‘pranaya kalaham’ arising out of the celestial bonds between ‘Thayar and Perumal’….  In the words of Andal ~  *ஊடல் கூடலுணர்தல் புணர்தலை*  காலை புறப்பாட்டின் போது எடுக்கப்பட்ட சில புகைப்படங்கள் இங்கே :

அடியேன் ஸ்ரீனிவாச தாசன்.