Ever heard of ‘elang bondol’ -
in 1989 , the Bondol was made the mascot of the city of Jakarta !
Tamil Nadu has crossed the grim milestone of 25,000 total
coronavirus cases, the only second state in India to do so after Maharashtra.
On Wednesday, the Southern Indian state recorded a new high of 1,286 cases,
while the numbers in capital city Chennai also went past the 1000-mark, with
1012 cases. The state has been
witnessing over 1000 cases daily over the last four days, with over 80% of the
cases coming from Chennai alone. On
Wednesday, Delhi reported more cases of novel Coronavirus infections than Mumbai,
the first time such a thing has happened in more than two months. Delhi
discovered 1,513 new cases, it highest single-day figure, while Mumbai, which
is the city with the maximum number of cases, found 1,276. Delhi has been
seeing a big surge in its numbers in the last one week, recording more than
1,000 new cases every day. Its case count has been growing at the fastest rate
among the top five states with maximum caseload.
~ and due to lockdown (5.0 now) – Temples remain closed – temple
festivals have been halted, otherwise today 4.6.2020 would have been grand
Garuda Seva for Sri Devapperumal. In
this earthly World full of conflicts, people often are listless, fear
everything and do not have a composed mind. What should they look to ?
ஒருவகைக் கலக்கமுமில்லாத இடம் பரமபதம்
**
அவ்விடத்தை நமக்கு அளிக்க வல்லன் எவன்
என்ற கேள்வியும் உளதோ ?
The annual brahmothsavam
of Sri Varadharaja Swami would have prospered and today would have been day 3.
The most famous amongst the brahmothsavam is
the Garuda Sevai – when Lord Devapperumal is taken in procession on
vahanam of Garuda also known as Periya Thiruvadi. Garuda was born to Kaashyapar
and Vinathai (Vinathai siruvan siragu- ena pasuram]
Bondol eagle (Haliastur
indus) is a species of bird of prey from the Accipitridae family. It is Brahminy Kite. Garuda is a legendary bird in
Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology.
Garuda is often portrayed in anthropomorphic form (man with wings and some
bird features). Garuda is a protector with power to swiftly go anywhere, ever
watchful and an enemy of the serpent. Garuda is a part of state insignia in
India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. The Indonesian official coat
of arms is centered on the Garuda. The national emblem of Indonesia is called
Garuda Pancasila. The Indian Air Force also uses the Garuda in their coat of
arms and even named their special operations unit after it as Garud Commando
Force.
Sri Vardadhar Garuda Seva @ Thiruvallikkeni of 2011 above and 2014 below
Garuda Seva has special
significance not only for Kanchi, more so for Sholinghur because of Swami
Doddachaaryar connection. Forefather of the present day Acharyar, who lived
during 16th century, was an ardent devotee of Lord Varadharaja and did many
kainkaryams to Him. He was a regular in the annual Vaikasi Garuda Sevai of
Devathirajar. Legend has it that on a particular year, he was not well and
could not attend the Garudothsavam at Kachi. He was feeling desperate about his
misfortune of not being able to have darshan of PerArulalar at Kachi on Garuda
vahanam. He lamented standing near the Thakkan kulam at Cholasimhapuram
(Sholinghur]. He composed hymns on Varadharaja, known as Sri Devaraja
Panchakam. He longed for the Lord's sevai and these outpourings were a direct
result.
Emperuman will never let
his ardent bhaktha down. He came down to Sholinghur and gave darshan to
Doddacharyar - seated on Garuda vahanam. Such is the mercy and leela vinotham
of PerArulalar. Even today, on Vaikasi
Garudothsavam day, there is a tradition known as Doddachaaryar Sevai, when the
archakas hide Lord Varadar at the western gate for a short time with two
umbrellas just before He leaves the temple. It is believed that Lord
goes to Sholinghur for giving darshan to Doddacharyar. The mangala harathi
takes place thereafter.
அவனே அருவரையால் ஆநிரைகள் காத்தான்,
அவனே அணிமருதம் சாய்த்தான், - அவனே
கலங்காப் பெருநகரம் காட்டுவான் கண்டீர்,
இலங்காபுரம் எரித்தான் எய்து.
Sri Peyalwar is crystal clear in his hymn praising
the Lord, who protected the cows and cowherds by holding the mountain
Govardhana, the one who broke marudhu trees, who razed the city of Lanka
killing demons, the Lord of the perfect city of Ayodhya is the Only One – who
can give us salvation and give us the blissful life at His abode
‘Paramapadam’.
On the glorious Garuda Seva time, we remember the great Acharyar and fall at the feet of the Acharyars through whom only we can reach our Emperuman. At Thriuvallikkeni divyadesam, for Sri Varadharajar Uthsavam on day 3 morning @ 06:00 am would be Gopura vassal sevai and periya mada veethi purappadu thereafter. ~ one will have to be at Thirukachi, to see and believe the crowds and the grandeur.
adiyen Srinivasadhasan. (S.
Sampathkumar)
4.6.2020.
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