Cheluva Narananan "Vairamudi Kireetadhana Mahotsav"

The Temple  ‘Sri SelvaNarayana Perumal Kovil’ at Melkote referred to by us as ThiruNarayanapuram, is a Abhimana sthalam of Udayavar, who lived here for 12 years, codified and ordained strict procedures for betterment of Sri Vaishnavism.    It is a hilly protected place, calmness, serenity and divinity pervading here.  It is on rocky hills known as Yadugiri, Yadavagiri and Yadushailadweepa, overlooking the Cauvery valley. The moolavar here is Thiru Narayanar.  The beautiful Uthsavar is ‘Sampathkumarar also known as Selvapillai’ – the name of temple is ‘Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple’. 

The annual Uthsavms are being celebrated with grandiose.  The most capturing is the ‘Sri Vairamudi Kireetadharna Mahotsav ‘  part of the Brahmotsav.  Devotees throng Melkote and more than a lakh of people are expected to have darshan on the Special occasion.   The ‘kireetadharna mahotsav’ began on 30^th Mar 2015, after the Mandya district administration handed  over the precious diamond-studded ‘Vairamudi’, ‘Rajamudi’ and other ornaments to the priests at the temple at the Mandya District treasury.

Sri Chelva Naranar [Sampathkumarar] adorns Vairamudi [the crown of diamond] and has purappadu on Garuda vahanam.  There is also the seva with another crown known as ‘Rajamudi’.  The Temple, the Kalyani pushkarini and major roads will be lit grandly for the purappadu.  Legend has it that this grand ‘Vaira kireedam’ was presented by Lord Krishna Himself.  The crown is never exposed to daylight and is kept in a special casket.   The serene town of Melukote comes to life with the grandeur and majesty of the procession. Rajamudi, is adorned on the Lord on the next day of the Brahmotsava.

Here is a photo of Sri Selva Naranar adorning ‘vairamudi’.

In the nearby Thirumylai Sri Madhava Perumal Temple, this occasion is being celebrated for many decades now.  The idol of  Sri Yathiraja Sampathkumarar, here too adorns the special ‘Vaira kireedam’ on Garuda vahanam.  Here are a couple of photos taken by me at Mylai on the occasion.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

30^th Mar 2015.