Thiruvallikkeni - Iraapathu Uthsavam 2017 – day 1

Thiruvallikkeni - Iraapathu Uthsavam 2017 – day 1   - 

திருவல்லிக்கேணி இராப்பத்து  உத்சவம் 

On the day of Vaikunda Ekadasi (8^th Jan 2017), in the morning Sri Parthasarathi bedecked in precious jewels entered Paramapada vassal and gave darshan to His devotees throughout seated in the beautiful ‘Punyakodi vimanam’ at Thiruvaimozhi mandapam. The auspicious Vaikunda Ekadasi heralds the start of ‘Irapathu’ Uthsavam.  As the name suggests, there will be celebrations for 10 nights.    Those who frequent Thiruvallikkeni would know this….. still can you guess the time whence the Irapathu Uthsavam purappadu on day 1 took place and around which time – Thiruvaimozhi’ muthal pathu – was rendered ??

நம்மாழ்வாரின் அற்புத வரிகளில் : ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணன் ~ 'பத்துடையடியவர்க்கு எளியவன்' -  அவனிடத்தில் பக்தி கொண்ட அடியார்களுக்கு, சுலபன் என எளியவனாய், அவர்களுக்கு வேண்டிய எல்லா நலன்களையும் அளிப்பவன்..  During Pagal Pathu, the Muthaliyaram and Thirumozhi of Thirumangai Mannan are rendered.   It is time for Nammalwar’s Thiruvaimozhi during Irapathu.  In the Thiruveethi purappadu, all the 10 days, ‘Upadesa Rathinamalai’  of Acharyar Sri Manavala Maamunigal is recited. After the conclusion of the Purappadu, inside the temple before the Lord in the Grand sabha of all Azhwars and Acharyas, every day 100 songs from the Thiruvoimozhi of Nammazhwaar gets recited.  The day of Vaikunda Ekadasi being day 1 it was  ‘muthal pathu’ of Thiruvaimozhi.

At Thiruvallikkeni, devotees thronged the temple in tens of thousands to have glimpse of His darshan and the queues got extended to many streets in the vicinity.  At around 11 am, there was Thirumanjanam of Sri Parthasarathi and Sri Andal (being neerattam) and day pasuram ‘Koodarai vellum seer Govindha’ was rendered. 

After Thirumanjanam, at around 12.00  (midnight i.e., early hours of 12^th Jan 2014) – there was the Periya maada veethi purappadu – Irapathu day 1 purappadu. There were thousands of bakthas on the street waiting to have His darshan.  Those waiting in the queue and those who were returning to their vehicles after having darshan were enthralled to see Swami Nammalar and Sri Parthasarathi in purappadu – for some coming from distant places, such a grand purappadu and having darshan of Perumal in close quarters were exceptionally divine.   At around 01.30  am of today, there was the Thiruvaimozhi Muthal pathu goshti and sarrumurai….an hour or so later,  hundreds of  people had the fortune of His theertha and other prasadams. 

From today on Paramada vassal will be opened in the evening with Swami Nammalwar receiving Him.  Here are some photos of Sri Parthasarathi and Swami Nammalwar of day 1 of Irapathu.

Azhwar, Emperumanaar, Jeeyar Thiruvaidgale saranam.   

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.