திருவல்லிக்கேணி திருவாடிப்பூர உத்சவம் நாள் 5. : Thiruvadipura Uthsavam day 5 : 2016

திருவல்லிக்கேணி திருவாடிப்பூர உத்சவம் நாள் 5.

The 10 day Thiruvadipura Uthsavam of Andal is now on in all divyadesangal.  During Thiruvadipuram, on all days there is purappadu of Sri Andal in the evenings.  This year Thiruvadipuram falls on Friday, 5^th Aug 2016.     Here are some photos taken during today’s purappadu.

இன்று [31.7.2016]  திருவாடிப்பூர  உத்சவத்தில் ஐந்தாம் நாள்.  திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் திருவாடிப்பூர உத்சவம் பத்து நாட்கள் விமர்சையாக நடைபெறுகிறது. வெள்ளி (ஆகஸ்ட் 5) அன்று திருவாடிப்பூர சாற்றுமுறை.

பெரியாழ்வார் ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் வடபத்ர சாயீ திருக்கோவிலில் நந்தவன பணி ஆற்றும் போது ஆண்டாள் கிடைக்கப் பெற்றார். கோதை என்றால் தமிழில் மாலை; வடமொழியில் வாக்கை கொடுப்பவள் என்று பொருள். ஆழ்வார்கள் பாடல்கள் - பைந்தமிழுக்கும் பக்தி இலக்கணத்துக்கும் உயர்ந்த சான்றாய் திகழ்வன !  அவரது திருப்பாவையின் யாப்பு  மிக கடினமான இலக்கண கோப்பு வாய்ந்தது.  திருப்பாவை முப்பது பாடல்கள் - சங்க தமிழ்மாலை என போற்றப்படுகின்றன.

 ஆண்டாள் இயற்றிய நாச்சியார் திருமொழியில் வரும் வரிகள் இவை " தொழுதுமுப்போதும் உன் அடி வணங்கித் தூமலர் தூய்த்தொழுதேத்துகின்றேன், பழுதின்றிப் பாற்கடல் வண்ணனுக்கே பணிசெய்து வாழப்" -  :  காலை, சாயம், உச்சி என மூன்று காலங்களிலும் பெருமாளின் திருபாத கமலங்களிலே நல்ல மனமுள்ள மலர்களை தூவி, பெருமாளையே  ஆச்ரயித்து, அவனடிகளையே தொழும் ஆண்டாளின் பக்தி பிரமிக்க வைப்பது அல்லவா ! பூமியைச் சூழ்ந்த கடல் போன்ற திருநிறத்தையுடைய கண்ணபிரானுக்கு பணி செய்து வாழ்தலே, நமக்கு எல்லா நற்பயன்களையும் தரும்.

அடியேன் : ஸ்ரீனிவாச தாசன். 

Sri Anjaneyar at Nagari, on way to holy Thirumala

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.    As you travel, One can also enjoy the beautiful hills of Vrushabadri, Anjanadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Seshadri, Narayanadri and finally Venkatadri.  The very thought of the Holy Thirumala devoids us of any sin ~ and brings happiness in mind.

Of the routes from Chennai, perhaps the most used one is Thiruvallur – Thiruttani route.  Approx 50 km before Tirupathi is the municipal town of Nagari, considered gateway of Andhra from Tamilnadu.  This small place is famous for cotton textiles made by power looms.  Few kilometres away is Puttur, the place known for bone-setting.

Lord Anjaneya, [Maruthi, Ramabaktha Hanuman  (Son of Vayu, the Wind God)],  is considered a  terror to demons (Rakshasas),  is present wherever people sing in praise of Lord  Rama, presenting himself with joyous tears in His eyes and folded hands over His head. And to that Anjaneya, We  offer our salutation.  At Namakkal is  famous temple of Lord Anjaneya at Namakkal. Lord Hanuman in viswaroopam of 18 ft is standing and looking straight in to the feet of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, situated not far away.

In Andhra and in many places in the North, there are many tall statues of Hanuman -  the one at Samarlakota is very tall. On the highway leading to Tirupathi, at Nagari, on the main road itself stands this 31 feet tall Sri Ramabaktha Hanuman. A couple of photos taken during an earlier trip are posted here.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

29^th July 2016-07-29

~ a plaque here has the name of Cine actor Chiranjeevi as donor among others.

the imposing "Puri Jagannath Temple" ~ the land of Rath Yatra

Swami Nammalwar prays to that God on bird Garuda – clouds of dust being raised,  the bad Asuras being chased out ..  through living countless cycles of birth and death, having found the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana,  Azhwar prays Lord not to part with him anymore, as submission to Him consoles heart and imbues endless joy. 

மாறிமாறிப் பலபிறப்பும் பிறந்து அடியை அடைந்து  உள்ளம் தேறி*

ஈறிலின்பத்து  திருவெள்ளம் யான்மூழ்கினன்,

பாறிப்பாறி  அசுரர்தம் பல்குழாங்கள் நீறெழ, பாய்பறவை ஒன்று ஏறி*

வீற்றிருந்தாய்  உன்னையென்னுள் நீக்கேலெந்தாய்

The aim of life is to reach Him by serving Him and those who do kainkaryam to Him.  Srivaishnavaite way of life is singing paeans, chanting divyaprabandham, doing service and having darshan at His various abodes.  For us, Kovil Thirumalai Perumal Kovil would mean the divyadesams of ‘Thiruvarangam, Tirumala Thirupathi and Thirukachi’.  When we think of temples, the one at Thiruvallikkeni and other divyadesams – its tall gopurams, the divine Vimanas and the most merciful Moolava vigrahams and blemishless Uthsava vigrahams come readily to mind.  There are more ~those sung by Alwars being 108 Sri Vaishnava divyadesams and the centuries old temples associated with our Acharyars being ‘Abimana sthalams’.    

Just like our Kovil Ozhugu, there is Madala  Panji, a chronicle describing the historical events of Odisha Jagannath Temple.  In the state of Odisha [Orissa] lies the famous ‘Jagannath temple’ in Puri, situate on the east coast.  The moolavar idols of Northern India are different than the ones in South India, mostly in white marble.  Puri Jagannath is different – Perumal is made of sacred wood, which are ceremoniously replaced after few years.  The  Navakalevara  ceremony is an intricate set of rituals that accompany the renewal of the wooden statues.

The Puri  temple was built in the 12^th  century atop its ruins by the progenitor of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Lakhs of devotees descend here at this holy temple town for this festival.

Inside the huge temple, the presiding deities are : Sri  Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Balabhadra (Balarama)  and the Goddess Subhadra constituting  trinity of deities worshiped at the temple. The temple iconography depicts these three Gods sitting on the bejewelled platform [ Ratnabedi ]  in the inner sanctum. Lord  Jagannatha is  the supreme God and the sovereign monarch of the Odishan empire. The Deities are adorned with cotton and silk fabrics, Gold Ornaments studded with precious stones, flowers of different varieties, Tulsi leaves, sandal paste, camphor. These articles are used in the daily and periodical rituals.

Pic credit : http://jagannathtemplepuri.com

Lord Jagannath temple at Puri  is built on a gigantic raised platform.   The temple complex is enclosed by a wall about seven meters high. The area of this platform is more than 4,20,000 sq.ft. The wall is pierced by four gates, facing the four directions. On the east-facing gate, there are stone images of two lions and it is called the Simha dwara [Lions Gate]. The north, south and west facing gates are similarly known as the Elephant Gate, the Horse Gate and the Tiger Gate.  As one stands at the Simha dwara,  there is a monolithic pillar about 10 meters high. This pillar is known locally as the Aruna Stambha,  associated with Aruna, charioteer of the Sun-god. 

The main temple is a curvilinear temple and crowning glory  is the 'Sudarshana chakra / Ssrichakra' (an eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. Also known as the "Nilachakra", it is made out of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. The vimana or tower is 215ft high, and in the evening, a temple sevaka  called Garuda sevaka climbs up to the tower to tie pieces of cloth on the flagpole. This chakra is visible from almost all parts of Puri and would appear to be facing you from wherever you are.  The flag atop is believed to flap in the opposite direction of the breeze.  

The temple is situate on expansive landscape and attracts crowds throughout the year.  During the annual Rath Yatra, lakhs of devotees visit Puri ~ more about the Rath Yatra in another post.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Source : facts about Puri; http://jagannathtemplepuri.com ; and https://www.iskconbangalore.org

Gajendra Moksham ~ salvation of elephant Gajendra 2016

The temple tank of Sri Parthasarathi Swami is famous ~ it is ‘Kairavini Pushkarini’… the pond of Lily – ‘allikkeni’ from which the place itself derives its name.  Pushkarinis (temple tanks)  were developed closely associated with temples. The water from the tank was once used daily for thirumanjanam and all other religious functions of the Lord. The conclusion of Brahmotsavam would be by ‘thirthavaari’ the sacred bath at the tank. .. .. and today hundreds were standing on the steps to witness depiction of a great philosophy.

Aquila is a constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for 'eagle'  representing  the bird who carried Zeus/Jupiter's thunderbolts !  In Hindu mythology, Garuda is the vahana of Lord Sriman Narayana.  Brahminy kite is considered to be the contemporary representations of Garuda.  Indonesia adopts a more stylistic approach to the Garuda's depiction as its national symbol, where it depicts a Javanese eagle.

Today 19^th July 2016 occurred grand purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni …… Sure you know the puranic legend of ‘Gajendra moksham [salvation of elephant Gajendra]’ ~ whence   Lord Maha Vishnu Himself  came down to earth to protect Gajendra (elephant) from the death clutches of   Makara (Crocodile).   It also offers us great learning – the  otherwise mighty elephant too could get into difficulty and in its extreme distress the elephant after testing its power and understanding  its futility, still had the presence of mind to think of  bhatki (devotion) and gnana (spiritual knowledge) ….. the plea of elephant was immediately answered by Lord Sriman Narayanan, who came rushing in to protect  His devotee – making the earthly human beings realise that if God does so for an elephant, He sure would protect  all of us too. 

The reenactment of Gajendra moksha takes place during the full moon in the month of Aadi.   During Theppothsavam, Lord Varadhar has sarruppadi of  ‘Gajendra moksha thirukolam’. Inside the temple at  Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, Lord Devathirajar (the Moolavar) gives us darshan on Garuda vahanam – “aanaiyin thuyaram theera pul oornthu sendru nindru aazhi thottanai” [the one who transcended on the bird to wipe out the trouble of elephant] in the words of Thirumangai Mannan. 

Today, it was Gajendra Moksham at Thiruvallikkeni, and Sri Parthasarathi had purappadu in Garuda vahanam.  Normally all Garuda SEvais here are in the morning [this and Garuda sevai of Sri Ranganathar exceptions] ….  Here are some photos taken during the purappadu.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

Tidbit 1 :  In 1918, London educated R Nataraja Mudaliar produced and directed  the first silent feature film in Tamil called ‘Keechaka vadham’ ……….. he also made Draupadi Vasthrabaharanam, Mayil Ravana, Lavakusa and Kalinga Mardanam.  The other early pioneer A Narayanan made “Gajendra Moksham” in 1930. 

Tidbit 2 :  Garuda is known as the eternal sworn enemy of the Nāga serpent race and known for feeding exclusively on snakes ! The image of Garuda is often used as the charm or amulet to protect the bearer from snake attack and its poison.  There is news that a passenger was stopped from boarding a plane after he was found with ten live snakes in his trousers at Jakarta International Airport in Indonesia. The man having passed security was attempting to board a Garuda Indonesia flight bound for Jeddah. 

Solstice !! ~ Dakshinayana Punya Kalam : மாகாயமாய் நின்றமால் Purappadu

Today,  17^th July 2016 marks the birth of Tamil month of ‘Aadi’ ~ it is not simply any other masapirappu, but special as today is Dakshinayana Punyakalam.    

A few days ago, on 20^th June as the Sun sank beneath the horizon, it was the longest day of the year and media reported that for the  first time since 1967 the summer solstice coincided with a rare ‘strawberry’ moon.  Don’t get carried away by the fancy name - moon will not appear pink or red, although it may glow a warm amber.  Away in  North America June’s full moon signals the beginning of the strawberry picking season.

A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year (in June and December) as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Astronomy has been important to people for thousands of years ~ our greatest epic Mahabaratha has references to seasons, eclipses and astronomical events, perfectly recorded.   Finding out time and predicting things by referring to astronomy is strongly inculcated in Hindu culture.  In all our rituals, we do ‘sankalpam’ ~ a formal statement of intent chanted loud  designating the occurrence, its timing and its purpose.  Now it is Kali Yuga and in all sankalps contain the place ‘ Bharatha varshe Bharata kande, Kali yug and  ‘ ayana ’ – may not require any greater detail, as we all know that each year is divided into two halves, known as ayana.  The  six month period—either Uttarayana or Dakshinayana.  

Today marks the beginning of Dakshinayana punya kalak.  The angular distance of a heavenly body from the celestial equator will be either negative if the planet is above the northern hemisphere, or positive, in case the planet is above the southern hemisphere. This is also commonly known as a declination or Ayana.  Dakshinayana  is the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the South on the celestial sphere.

All these may sound too confusing for intelligent persons .. .. Sriman Naryana in His vamana avatar accepted gift of land, then grew in such gigantic proportions that His crown ripped through the space and extended beyond the Universe – we, the followers of Sriman Narayana knew His exploits too well and always look at His Lotus feet and there is nothing for us to think of or worry about other than our Saviour ~ the most benevolent Sriman Narayana.  Sri Peyalwar says :

படிவட்டத்தாமரை பண்டுலகம் நீரேற்று,

அடிவட்டத்தால் அளப்ப நீண்ட - முடிவட்டம்,

ஆகாய மூடறுத்து அண்டம்போய் நீண்டதே,

மாகாயமாய்  நின்றமாற்கு.

Here are some photos of Sri Parthasarathi Perumal on the occasion of Dakshinayana punyakala purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Ekadasi purappadu this day 2016 : நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்.

Oh what a day today ! – a beautiful Ekadasi day (15^th July 2016).  Thirumangai Mannan in his exalted delight tells us :

துயரிலீர் சொல்லிலும் நன்றாம், நஞ்சுதான் கண்டீர் நம்முடைவினைக்கு நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்.

On this great Ekadasi day at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, Sri Parthasarathi had grand purappadu with most beautiful floral garlands outsmarting the dazzling ornaments. 

Kaliyan showed us the path – to those distress-free state, the perfect antidote for all worries – the perfect panacea is the delightful call of His name ‘Sri Narayana” – the great mantra.  Perhaps, one need not even utter ~ for when you get to see Him as He was seen at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam today, the very darshan, the very thought would rid us of all our troubles.  

Here are some photos taken during today’s periya mada veethi purappadu.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Thiruvallikkeni Kodai Uthsavam 2016

Summer rains are not totally uncommon – it is raining now – but the downpour came only after the purappadu.  During the Summer is celebrated Kodai Uthsavam, when Sri Parthasarathi used to visit Vasantha Bungalow. Today [ 6^th July 2016 ] is  day 2  of Kodai Uthsavam for Sri Parthasarathi Swami at  Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam.  This year, the 7 day long festival is curtailed to 3 days only, due to Sri Thelliya Singar, Varadharajar balalayam.

அரியது எளிதாகும் ஆற்றலால் மாற்றி*

பெருக முயல்வாரைப் பெற்றால்* - கரியதோர்

வெண்கோட்டு மால்யானை வென்று முடித்தன்றே*

தண்கோட்டு மாமலரால் தாழ்ந்து.

செய்வதற்கு அரிய செயலும்  மஹாபுருஷனான எம்பெருமானை பெற்றால்  எளிது ஆகும்.

There is no impossible for the devotee who has sought refuge in Sriman Narayana.  He accepts all with love just as He did for that elephant Gajendra. That beautiful white elephant battling life, yet offered flowers, bowed low and attained desired fruit by surrendering to Sriman Narayana. 

During Kodai Uthsavam, Sri Parthasarathi and Ubaya Nachimar have purappadu in separate kedayams… in those days when He visited Vasantha bungalow, there would be Unjal and on return Perumal and Nachimar would be together in the same kedayam.   Here are some photos taken by me  during today’s 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.                                                                

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. @ 20.30 hrs / 6^th July 2016