Thiruvadipura Uthsavam 4 ~ 2019 : Ekadasi purappadu

**  பெய்யுமாமுகில் போல்  வண்ணா!  உன்றன் பேச்சும்செய்கையும்

எங்களை மையலேற்றி மயக்க உன்முகம் மாயமந்திரந்தான்  கொலோ ! **

For Srivaishnavaites, the month of Aadi is of special significance – as Thiruvadipuram [Puram Nakshathiram in the month of Aadi] –  is the  most blessed day for all Srivaishnavaites –  marking  the birth of Kothai Piratti [Andal]

 தமது திருப்பாவையில் - "வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்' என்ற பாசுரத்தில் - இந்த பூவுலகில் வாழும் எல்லோரும் பேறுபெற உஜ்ஜீவிக்கும் வழியை ஆராய்ந்து, திருப்பாற்கடலில் துயிலும் பரந்தாமனையே நினைத்து அவரடியே சேருமாறு பாடின ஆண்டாள் திருவாடிப்பூர உத்சவத்தில்  இன்று நான்காம் நாள்.  இன்று [28.7.2019] ரோஹிணி  நக்ஷத்திரம் கூடிய ஏகாதசி .. எனவே திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் ஆண்டாள் ஸ்ரீபார்த்தசாரதியுடன் பெரிய மாடவீதி புறப்பாடு   கண்டருளினார். 

பெரியாழ்வார் ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் வடபத்ரசாயீ திருக்கோவிலில் நந்தவன பணி ஆற்றும் போது ஆண்டாள் கிடைக்கப் பெற்றார். கோதை என்றால் தமிழில் மாலை; வடமொழியில் வாக்கை கொடுப்பவள் என்று பொருள். ஆழ்வார்கள் பாடல்கள் - பைந்தமிழுக்கும் பக்திஇலக்கணத்துக்கும் உயர்ந்த சான்றாய் திகழ்வன !  அவரது திருப்பாவையின் யாப்பு  மிக கடினமான இலக்கண கோப்பு வாய்ந்தது.  திருப்பாவை முப்பது பாடல்கள் - சங்க தமிழ்மாலை என போற்றப்படுகின்றன.  ஆண்டாளின் திருப்பாவையும் நாச்சியார் திருமொழி பாசுரங்களும் சொல்லழகும் பொருள் அழகும் சிறப்புற மிளிர்பவை.  "நம்மையுடைவன் நாராயணன்" என மானுடவரான  நாம் 'பரம்பொருளின் உடமை' என்பதை அழகாக வெளிப்படுத்துகிறார்.

இன்று திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் அற்புத சேவை.  கோதைப்பிராட்டி தனது நாச்சியார் திருமொழியில் அனுபவித்தது போல " மழை திரண்டு பொலியும் கார்மேகத்தைப் போன்ற எம்பெருமானது வடிவழகு, நம் அனைவரையும் மயக்கி, அவன்பக்கல் மென்மேலும் மையலுற வைக்கிறது. எம்பெருமானின் வடிவழகையும், ஆண்டாள் நாச்சியாரின் அழகையும் வெளிப்படுத்தும் சில படங்கள் இங்கே :

This year Thiruvadipuram falls on Saturday, 3^rd August 2019. The 10 day Thiruvadipura Uthsavam commenced on 25^th  July  and today [29.7] is day 4.  During Thiruvadipuram, on all days there is chinna mada veethi purappadu of Sri Andal in the evenings.   Today being Ekadasi day, it was Periya mada veethi.

~ adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Vakulabaranam ~ thematic dance by Zakir Hussain

" ஈசன் ஞாலமுண்டுமிழ்ந்த எந்தை யேகமூர்த்திக்கே" ~ என   ஸர்வேச்வரானாயும், ஜகத்துக்கு ஸர்வப்ரகார ரக்ஷகனாயும், அந்தத் தன்மையினால் என்னையீடுபடுத்திக் கொண்டவனாயும் அத்விதீயமான திருமேனியையுடையவனாயுமிருக்கிற எம்பெருமான் திருவுள்ளம் பற்றுவதே!  என நமக்கு உபதேசித்த அற்புத ஆசார்யர் ஆழ்வார் ஸ்வாமி நம்மாழ்வார்.

Of the Nava Thirupathi divyadesams, ThirukKurugoor is hailed as“AzhwarThirunagari”-  as this is the Avatharasthalam of  Swami Nammalwar.   Madura Kavigal saw the leading light from Thiru Ayodhya, travelled all the way to Kurugoor, identified  Nammazhwar in the Puliyamaram [tamarind tree]. 

The Greatest among Alwars preached to us – “ ஒழிவில் காலமெல்லாம் உடனாய் மன்னி ,வழுவிலா அடிமை செய்ய வேண்டும்நாம்,” – that when we do kainkaryam to Lord (to Him at Thiruvenkadam), we must do service by being with HIM throughout our life and do as a slave would serve his master.  Azhwar also guided us that we should do kainkaryam to Him in our youth, when we have strength itself ….  கிளரொளி இளமை கெடுவதன் முன்னம்

These and more reverberated  at ‘Sivagami Pethachi auditorium’ at MCTM School Campus ~ it was a nice lecture on Swami Nammalwar’s prabandha anubhavams and  .. .. .. more in the program titled ‘Vakulabaranam’.   A web search reveals that  Vakulabharanam is the 14th melakarta rāgam ! but this was a thematic dance presentation of Alwar pasurams choreographed by Sri Zakir Hussain.

At the start Mrs Rama Vaidyanathan was conferred Natya Semmal and Prof. Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan was conferred Ilakkiya semmal  by Chief Guest R Seshasayee, Vice President of Music Academy.   The award were conferred under the aegis of Sripadham Trust run by Zakir Hussain and people knowing his prowess in Thiruppavai & divyaprabandha upanyasam may not be surprised in seeing ‘sri satagopam’ represented grandly on the stage. 

Zakir Hussain is a young Bharata Natyam dancer, well known research scholar, and choreographer.  His unique style blends divyaprabandha pasurams and works of Azhwars.  Today’s programme was about the greatness of Swami Nammalwar – and the divyadesams associated with him.

It started with an astounding performance by Zakir himself on Thirumalirumsolai pasurams; then one on Thirukurungudi and on Thirumala Tirupathi.  There was to be one more on Thiruvananthapuram which could not occur as the programme got curtailed to an unfortunate development [sudden illness to the singer on stage]

The audience were spell bound for 1 ½ hours ~  I felt so happy in attending this and appreciating the well researched theme, the pasurams so well adapted for the dance.  Kudos to Mr Zakir Hussain and Madhusudanan Kalaiselvam and to all those involved in this.

An evening well spent thought it meant staying away from the purappadu of Sri Adhi Kesavar who had come to Thiruvallikkeni for vanabojanam

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

21^st July 2019.

Thirumylai Sri Adhi Kesavar Vana bhojana uthsavam 2019

Today (21.7.2019) is  Poorattathi in the month of Aadi and  at the divyadesam, where you have purappadus throughout the year there is nothing special at Sri Parthasarathi swami thirukovil .. .. .. yet, Allikkeni is active. There is never a dull moment in Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam ~ Kaliyan singing about the divyadesam calls it ‘maada maa Mayilai Thiruvallikkeni’ [singing Mylapore and Triplicane together as the place with palatial buildings !]

Mylapore is associated with Kapaleeswarar temple that has a great history – and one that was relocated from its earlier position nearer the sea to its present place.   Gleaning the annals of British history, one gets to read about ‘Battle of Madras’ that took place in Sept 1746  - during the War of the Austrian Succession when a French force attacked and captured the city of Madras from its British garrison. French forces occupied Madras until the end of hostilities when it was exchanged for the British conquest of Louisbourg in North America as part of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. One of the British defenders, Robert Clive made his name by escaping from the French captors and carrying news of the city's fall to his superiors at Fort St David.

Mylapore and Thiruvallikkeni existed much before the coming of the British.  Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal Devasthanam better known as ‘ Mylai Kesava Perumal Kovil’ is near Mylai Kapaleeswarar Temple and the Chithirai kulam belongs to this Temple.  This is Chandra pushkarini (sarva theertham) popularly known as Chithirai kulam.  The presiding deity here is Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal and thayar is Mayuravalli – the place itself was historically known as ‘Mayurapuri’. The temple is quite ancient and dates back to centuries.  This perumal Sri Adhi Kesvar had purappadu to Thiruvallikkeni and now is having Vana bhojanam at Thiruvallikkeni Sri Vanamamalai Mutt.  In the evening there will be periya mada veethi purappadu after which, Perumal will have thirumbugal purappadu to Thirumylai.

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Dept of Post releases special cover on Athi Varadhar Vaibhavam 2019

Now all roads, all thoughts, every action lead to Thirukachi ~ devotees in  lakhs are thronging Kanchi every day to have darshan of Athigiri Perumal.  Sri Athigiri Arulalar – the present thirumeni now worshipped was the one worshipped by our Acaryas and our fore-fathers many many years ago and that is the sole reason for us to go near Him and have His darshan.

அனைத்துக்கும் அதிபதியாய் நிற்பார் வந்தார்

தினைத் தனையும் திருமகளை விடாதார் வந்தார்

தேசு ஒத்தார் மிக்காரும் இல்லார் வந்தார்

நினைக்க நமக்கு இன் அறிவு தந்தார் வந்தார்

… …

அத்திகிரி அருளாளப் பெருமாள் வந்தார்

ஆனை பரி தேரின் மேல் அழகர் வந்தார்

கச்சி தனில் கண் கொடுக்கும் பெருமாள் வந்தார்

கருத வரம் தரும் தெய்வப் பெருமாள் வந்தார்

~  சுவாமி தேசிகர் தமது திருச்சின்னமாலை

Governor Banwarilal Purohit released a special cover and special cancellation on Athi Varadar on Thursday. [18.7.2019].  The Tamil Nadu Postal Circle has brought out this special cover to commemorate the ‘Athi Varadar Festival 2019’ in Kancheepuram based on a proposal from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. A total of 1,000 special covers have been printed with special UV printing and each cover is priced at ₹50.

The Department of Posts has also printed one lakh non-UV special covers. These covers are available at ₹20 each at the Anna Road Head Post Office Philately Bureau as well as at the special stalls, which have already been put up near the Devarajaswami Temple at Kancheepuram. Ganga Jal bottles (250 ml sourced at Gangotri at ₹30 per bottle) have also been made available for sale for the devotees visiting the temple for darshan.

A collage of the front and back of the cover is posted here.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

20^th July 2019.

Sri Athigiri Varadhar vaibhavam ~ Dist Collector asks people to avoid coming !!

Now all roads, all thoughts, every action lead to Thirukachi ~ for lakhs are thronging Kanchi every day to have darshan of Athigiri Perumal ~  48 days out of the Ananthasaras tank and blessing us all.     Sri Athigiri Arulalar – the present thirumeni now worshipped was the one worshipped by our Acaryas and our fore-fathers many many years ago and that is the sole reason for us to go near Him and have His darshan. 

When we were fortunate enough to have his darshan standing for 5 ½ hours with bakths of various hues – aged, some disabled, some with health issues, children and more – it was (amidst all difficulties) a pleasant thing.  The very thought of darshan of Emperuman albeit few seconds bound everyone in the vicinity.   People start assembling even before it dawns – in the darkness more than 20000 people line up and the crowd starts swelling.   My personal observation is those who came for darshan were well disciplined, chanting the names of Sriman Narayana [Govindha nama sankeerthanam] and talking about His mahimai.  Those waiting on the streets slowly swelled – yet was largely orderly and by 0430 am, crowd started moving as the temple gates at eastern side were opened.  Then was the zig-saw formation winding its way in front of the Temple gate and then inside the sands of the temple – it was long long queue and we neared the Vasantha mantap – excitement went many notches.  There were VIPs and others having preference  – while tens of thousands / lakhs of people were standing anxiously to have His glimpse. 

I had posted this yesterday ~ there were barricades, fans along the walk way – but the administration was found wanting in crowd management, not providing basic amenities – few toilets inside the temple compound – foul smell emanating – certainly not tidy, lot is required to be done  .. .. the Temple is administered by HR&CE Dept – who initially offered Rs.50 ticket line, then online ticket [none of my friends could book online] and .. .. now the Dept has announced Special Darshan Booking priced at Rs. 300 which the web says would  start at 11 am in their official website. Lakhs visit the Temple to have darshan of Adhi Athi Varadhar unmindful of the challenges and difficulties.

In between – there have been stampede and a day back 4 people reportedly died ! in the melee – on an earlier occasion too, couple of people died.  The medical support or emergency rescue is palpably low – and today’s advertisement found in Dinamalar, TOI and other media is appalling !!  ~  simple ! – the one issued in the name of Dist Collector Kanchipuram asks people [old, infirm, children, pregnant and others] to avoid coming for darshan to the extent possible .. .. sounds incredulous. 

The efficacy of administration is to handle issues – crowd management is effectively done at so many other places, directly comparable religious places.  At Kumbh Mela the World’s largest gathering they use AI too. But not trying to put things in order, having no priorities, no management technique, strategy, planning – simple solution – ‘ask bakthas to avoid coming’.

One need not be a management expert – simplest, be part of the crowd – just stand in the queue for a day – the woes can easily be listed out, analysed, prioritized and solutions found.  Perhaps the immediate need is for regulating the crowds, restricting the VIP, providing easy access to old, disabled, children, pregnant ladies and perhaps – placing Adhi Varadhar in a high placed mantap nearer the Ananthasaras tank itself – enabling darshan from all sides.

But the Administration simply asks people to avoid coming and not crowding ! – at Kumbh Mela   in Prayag Raj reports  claimed that over 2 crore people took a holy dip in one day - claiming it to be a record of the sort. People who are associated with the Kumbh mela put the figure to be not less than 50 lakh people on the first day of the Kumbh.  Yet it was reported that the city did not feel the impact of the large numbers. 

It is a huge occasion, once in 40 years, having darshan of Sri Adhi Athi Varadhar is indeed unique – everyone would like to have darshan and it is the duty and responsibility of all to ensure His darshan.

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

20^th July 2019.