Mylai Sri Peyalwar Mangalasasanam at Thiruvallikkeni

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). 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.

Today 18^th Nov. 2014 is Ekadasi day. On all Ekadasis, there will be periya maada veethi purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi Swami at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam. Today is more special. For 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 – 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 enabling 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 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:

நாமம் பலசொல்லி நாராயணாவென்று,

நாமங்கையால் தொழுதும் நன்னெஞ்சே! - வா, மருவி

மண்ணுலகமுண்டுமிழ்ந்த வண்டறையும் தண்டுழாய்,

கண்ணனையே காண்க நங்கண்.

The purpose of our birth is to appreciate and pray Sriman Narayana with folded hands calling Him by His various names. The mouth should chant His name, hands should remain folded in prayer, eyes should be fixed at His lotus feet – for all our parts to be engaged in prayers to Him will happen with support of heart – so our heart should be pure in bakthi towards Sriman Narayanan who wears the garland made of tulsi and the one who swallowed and remade this earth. Let us surrender to His feet and enjoy His great qualities, which will stand us in good stead.

Here are some photos taken during the purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.