Thiruvallikkeni Pushpa pallakku ~ மணம் தரும் நன்மலர்கள் 2016

ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணனுக்கு மணம் தரும் நன்மலர்கள் மட்டுமே சமர்பிக்கப்படுகின்றன. 

Flowers are considered important in our worship.  We offer flowers to our Gods. Blooming flowers are one of the most beautiful things you can see in nature.  After 10 days of  Brahmothsavam, it is rest called ‘Vidayarri’ for Sri Thelliya Singar - and after 3 days of rest, comes the florally bedecked ‘Pushpa Pallakku – the palanquin with flowers’.  The floral palanquin  looks beautiful and pervades goodness all around – treat to the eyes, ears and senses  of Bakthas.

I had posted in detail about the pushpa pallakku purappadu for Sri Azhagiya Singar at Triplicane [Thiruvalikkeni divyadesam] on the night of 27^th June  2016 – and many of my friends had responded  expressing their happiness on seeing such a beautiful palanquin. .. ..  still, it is simply materialistic – now, look at our most beautiful Sri Thelliya Singar with ubayanachimar proceeding in purappadu from His sannathia through Peyalwar kovil street to vahana mantapam for pushpa pallakku purappadu.  Now, none needs to tell us, what made that pallakku beautiful !

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Pushpa pallakku for Sri Thelliya Singar @ Thiruvallikkeni 2016

பூக்கள் அழகானவை; அழகானவை; நறுமணம் தர வல்லன !

ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணனுக்கு மணம் தரும் நன்மலர்கள் மட்டுமே சமர்பிக்கப்படுகின்றன.  ஏனைய நறுமலர்களை தவிர, குங்குமப்பூ அரைத்து சாற்றப்படுகிறது.  குங்குமப்பூ (Saffron) என்பது குரோக்கசு என்னும் இனத்தைச் சேர்ந்த சாஃப்ரன் குரோக்கசு (saffron crocus)  என்ற செடியின் பூவிலிருந்து தருவிக்கப்படும் ஒரு நறுமணப் பொருளாகும். இப்பூவின் உலர்த்தப்பட்ட சூலகமுடிகளும் சூல் தண்டுகளும் உணவுக்குச் சுவையூட்டும், வண்ணமூட்டும் பொருளாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகின்றன. நீண்டகாலமாக உலகின் மிக விலையுயர்ந்த நறுமணப் பொருளாக (எடையின் அடிப்படையில்) குங்குமப்பூ இருந்து வருகிறது.  குங்குமப்பூவில் எளிதில் ஆவியாகின்ற, நறுமணம் தருகின்ற 150 க்கும் அதிகமான சேர்மங்கள் உள்ளன.

Flowers are considered important in our worship.  We offer flowers to our Gods. Blooming flowers are one of the most beautiful things you can see in nature. The production of  volatile chemicals in some flowers also make pleasant smell. It also attracts pollinating insects and spread a positive energy in the surrounding. Sweet fragrant smell is capable of transporting us to other places and times – some entirely unimagined. In some,  Roses are the most popular choice; perhaps we see more jasmine here. 

Each flower has a unique smell. It is because of each flower produce a unique chemical compound.  Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus, or autumn crocus, is a species of flowering plant of the Crocus genus in the Iridaceae family. It is best known for the spice saffron, which is produced from parts of the flowers. Saffron though not used as a flower is used as a paste anointing Lord.

After 10 days of  Brahmothsavam, it is rest called ‘Vidayarri’ for Sri Thelliya Singar - and after 3  days of rest, comes the florally bedecked ‘Pushpa Pallakku – the palanquin with flowers’.  The floral palanquin  looks beautiful and pervades goodness all around – treat to the eyes, ears and senses  of Bakthas. At Triplicane [Thiruvalikkeni divyadesam] today on the night of 27^th June  2016 , Sri Azhagiya Singar  had purappadu in Pushpa pallakku and photos taken on that occasion  can be worshipped below :-

பூக்கள் அழகானவை; நறுமணம் தர வல்லன:: மல்லிகை, முல்லை, செண்பகம் தாமரை,மகிழம், ரோஜா,  அல்லி  மற்றும் விருச்சி, செங்காந்தள்;   ஆம்பல்; அனிச்சம் ; குறிஞ்சி ;வாகை; வகுளம் ; கோங்கம்;   என எவ்வளவோ நறுமலர்கள் உள்ளன.   பூக்களை அழகாக தொடுத்து இறைவனுக்கு சாற்றி வழிபடுவது நெடுங்காலமாக உள்ளது.

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 ‘Sriman Narayana’.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

  

Thirumala VEnkata Ramana : * Govinda ~ Yedugondalavada * at Thiruvallikkeni

Tirupathi Sri Srinivasa Perumal at Thiruvallikkeni - nearer Vijay Avenue

For a Srivaishnavaite – thinking of Him, praising Him all the time, going to temples of His, doing services to His bhakthas and associating oneself in any form with various kainkaryams to the  Bhagwan Shri Maha Vishnu are the only real things.   

                    Thirumala Thirupathi Temple – the  sacred and most reverred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak – Venkatachala hill of Tirumala.  The Lord stands tall as bestower of all boons and lakhs of people reach here to have a glimpse – a few seconds darshan of the Lord.   Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam which manages the holy shrine has lot of projects in and outside Thirumala.  Srinivasa Kalyanam is being performed at various places – this Idol is not Swami Malayappar, the processional deity at the holy Thirumala Temple.

Among the various projects, Dasa Sahitya Project propagates and popularises the literature of saint composers of Karnataka, popularly known as Haridasas, who enriched Kannada religious literature with their hymns. Through this project, TTD aims to acquaint people with the lives and teachings of Haridasas, spirituality, righteousness and morals and devotion to Lord Srinivasa in particular. 

Today [25^th June 2016], at Thiruvallikkeni TTD Dasa Sahitya Project jointly with TKKNN Vyaya Charities is organising  Sri Srinivasa Uthsavam at the premises nearer Vijay Avenue [ex Sri Parthasarathi swami sabha complex].  Hundreds of devotees had darshan of Perumal this morning.  There will be Thomala seva, Thirumanjanam followed by Thirukalyanam in the evening around 6 pm.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

Sapthavaranam : day 10 Siryia Thiruther (vettiver chapparam) Sri Azhagiya Singar 2016

For land owners, especially in hilly areas, soil erosion is a major source of concern.  There have been some research papers on the planting of   ‘Chrysopogon zizanioides’ in effectively preventing soil erosion.  It in fact is a perennial grass native to India, grows up to 1.5 meters high, its roots grow downward, two to four meters deep.

Heard of ‘Chrysopogon zizanioides’ and wonder what is has to do with a Temple related post, especially one on the last day of Sri Thelliya Singar aani Brahmothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni. ‘Chrysopogon zizanioides’  is the scientific name of what is commonly known as ‘vettiver’ - which has many medicinal qualities.

On the concluding day of Brahmothsavam is ‘Sapthavaranam’ – grand dwadasa (12) Thiruvaradhanam, rendering of Thiruvaimozhi pasurams in front of Sri Azhagiya Singar, Sri Parthasarathi & Andal, Sri Vedavalli sametha Sri Ranganathar, Sri Ramar and Sri Varadharajar - and later in the night, there is purappadu in Siriya Thiruther [the small chariot].  24^th June 2016 was the tenth day of Sri Azhagiya Singar  Brahmothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni [Triplicane] divyadesam.   

Veethi purappadu is in ‘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. 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.   Here are a couple of photos of yesteryears.

This year there was no vettiver mats and  it was simple ther;  in the purappadu -  Thiruvarangathu Amuthanaar’s ‘Ramanuja Noorranthathi’ was rendered. This time, a new step stand enabling ascending and descending of Perumal to the Thiruther  was first used  Here are some photos taken during the purappadu. 

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. 

Sri Azhagiya Singar Punniya kodi vimanam 2016

At Thiruvallikkeni,  there are two dwajasthambams [kodimaram] and there are two Brahmothsavams – one for Sri Parthasarathi and the other for Azhagiya Singar.  Both are grand ~ there are some minor differences.    On day 8^th morning it is ‘VEnnai thazhiK kannan’ for Sri Parthasarathi, while it is ‘Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar’ for Azhagiya Singar.

On  9^th day evening it is  – Kannadi Pallakku – the palanquin embedded with beautiful mirror work.   There was a big, captivating, eye-capturing palanquin made of glass – rather with glasses fitted all over and with chandelier like things suspended on its arms.  Slowly it faded into oblivion as it was not maintained properly and glass pieces started falling as it was not maintained in the best manner.  Then a newly made one – looking different than the earlier one was submitted.  For Azhagiya Singar, there is no ‘kannadi pallakku’ but – ‘Punniyakodi vimanam’ – the Devasthana pathirikai calls it ‘Satha darsha vimanam’.

திருமங்கை மன்னன் நமக்கு உரைக்கும் அமுதம்  :-:   'நலம் தரும் சொல் : நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்'... கலியன் மேலும் அருளுகிறார்.  கண்ணபுரத்து உறையம்மானே :       வேதங்கள் ப்ரதிபாதிப்பது பரம்பொருளான  ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணனை மட்டுமே ! ~ எம்பெருமானை தவிர வேறு தெய்வம் உள்ளது எனும் மனம் கொண்ட மாந்தரோடு இருக்ககில்லேன்;  எம்பெருமான் அடியார்களிடம் மட்டுமே அடிமையாய் இருப்பேன்..  எம்பெருமானிடம் அடையவல்ல அஷ்டாக்ஷரமான எட்டெழுத்து மந்திரத்தை தெளிந்த பின் என்கிறார். 

மற்றுமோர் தெய்வம்  உளதென்றிருப்பாரோடு

உற்றிலேன் உற்றது முன்டி அடியார்க்கடிமை

மற்றெல்லாம் பேசிலும் நின்திருவெட்டெழுத்தும்

கற்று நான் கண்ணபுரத்துறையம்மானே.

Thirumangai mannan in this pasuram says : Oh Lord of Thiruk Kannapuram, I shall have nothing to do with those who think that there are other Gods too.  Having learnt the glorious eight syllable [Ashtaksharam] and its meaning,  the only thing I desire and do is to service Your devotees. 

At Thiruvallikkeni this evening,  there was purappadu in ‘Tholukku Iniyaan’ from Thelliya Singar sannthi via Peyalwar Kovil street, thence it was purappadu in vimanam – first Kairavini Thirukulakkarai and then periya mada veethi.

Here are some photos of the purappadu.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

23^rd June 2016.

Sri Azhagiya Singar Thiruther ~ Aani brahmothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni 2016

We worship Sriman Narayana, as  devotees and followers of the Vedic path, we firmly believe that  Lord Krishna descended on this Universe some  5,000 years ago.  His upadesam Srimad Bhagavad Geetha is the greatest treasure trove, rendered in the midst of Mahabaratha, when He offered to drive the chariot of Arjuna and earned the sobriquet ‘Sri Parthasarathi’

Today, 21^st June 2016  is day 7 of Sri AzhagiyaSingar Aani  Brahmothsavam – the grand Thiruther [chariot]….. one will realise its grandeur that of rolling juggernaut, if one were to stand near as the 8 or 9 feet wheel rotates by.  Thiruther is a grand occasion of togetherness of people.  During Brahmothsavam thousands throng Temple and have darshan of Perumal in His veethi purappadu ~ significantly, during Thiruther, thousands partake – they pull, go around, push, offer buttermilk and panakam [jaggery water] to devotees and there is celebrations on the air, clearly visible.

Could recall that the Thiruther of yore was even bigger ~ in 1980s for a couple of years, there was no Thiruther purappadu as it was under repair – when made again, in tune with times, it got reduced a bit – also now it has steel wheels; the earlier one had wooden wheel… it now runs on concrete cement road. Thiruther, the chariot, is easily the most grandeur and most attended by bakthas too. Ratha [the chariot] has existed in puranic days, historic days and more.  We have heard of Kings of recent past having had platoons of horse and horse-driven chariots.

On screen too, we have seen many – one got enamoured by the scene of Arjuna wading through the forces in Mahabaratha  - even those chariots were quite attractive.  Ratha is not only fleet-footed mode during war, it symbolizes energy and zeal to move forward.  It was on the chariot steered by Lord Krishna, Geethopadesam occurred to Arjuna, the mighty warrior.  The rath itself according to legend was given by Agni.  The battle formation was unconceivably bigger ~ by some accounts an Akshauhini is described as a formation consisting of 21870 chariots, 21870 elephants, 65160 cavalry and more than a lakh of infantry.

Odisha’s king Narshimhadeva, the first of Eastern Ganga dynasty, decided to make a huge temple complex consisting of four temples dedicated to the Sun god in 1255 AD. The site chosen by the architects was in the north-eastern corner of Puri, one of the four sacred dhams – Konarak,  Bhubaneswar.  The Konark temple is designed in the form of the chariot of the Sun god. It has 24 wheels and seven horses.  

It was a grand festive day at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam – the chariot was pulled at 07.00 am and reached back the place by 08.30 am ~ it was heavenly.  In the goshti, it was Thirumozhi of Thirumangai Mannan. 

Kaliyan advises us (saying unto his heart) : the supreme Lord residing in Thiru Oorakam and Thirukudanthai, is the one who by His bow killed those rakshas of the sena of Ravana.  That Lord of Thirupper resides in the temple surrounded by fertile fields with chirping water birds, the One who is worshipped with thousand namas – to Him, the heart should go and be blessed by the divine. 

ஊரான் குடந்தையுத்தமன் ஒருகாலிருகால்சிலைவளைய*

தேராவரக்கர்  தேர்வெள்ளம் செற்றான் வற்றாவருபுனல்சூழ் பேரான்,

பேராயிரமுடையான் பிறங்குசிறை வண்டறைகின்ற*

தாரான், தாராவயல்சூழ்ந்த சாளக்கிராமமடைநெஞ்சே.

திருவூரகம்  திவ்யதேசத்து எம்பெருமானும், திருகுடந்தையிலே புருஷோத்தமனாகவும்  சேவை சாதிக்கும் பெருமான் ஸ்ரீ ராமாவதாரத்திலே  தன்னுடைய வில்லினினாலே, இராவணனது அரக்கர் சேனையை சிதைத்தான்.  நெஞ்சே, ஆயிரம் பேர்களாலே புகழப்படுபவனும், வண்டுகள் ரீங்காரம் இடும்,  நீர்ப்பறவைகள் நிறைந்திருக்கிற வயல்களாலே சூழப்பட்ட ஸ்ரீசாளக்ராமத்திலே எழுந்தருளி இருக்கும், அப்பெருமானிடல் சென்று சேர். 

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.