Chennakeshava idol found near Halebelur village, Karnataka

Hoysala  Empire was a prominent Southern Indian Kannadiga empire that ruled most of the modern-day state of Karnataka between the 10^th and 14^th  centuries. The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebidu.   In the 12^th  century,  they expanded to  areas of present-day Karnataka and the fertile areas north of the Kaveri River delta in present-day Tamil Nadu. By the 13^th   century, they governed most of present-day Karnataka, minor parts of Tamil Nadu and parts of western Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Deccan India. The Hoysala era was an important period in the development of art, architecture, and religion in South India. The empire is remembered today primarily for its temple architecture. Over a hundred surviving temples are scattered across Karnataka.

 

Well known temples "which exhibit an amazing display of sculptural exuberance" include the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.  The Hoysala rulers also patronised the fine arts, encouraging literature to flourish in Kannada and Sanskrit. Their style of architecture is appreciated by all.   Temples built prior to Hoysala independence in the mid-12th century reflect significant Western Chalukya influences, while later temples retain some features salient to Chalukyan art but have additional inventive decoration and ornamentation, features unique to Hoysala artisans. 

The Chennakeshava Temple, also referred to as Keshava,  or Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur, is a 12^th century Hindu temple in the Hassan district of Karnataka state.  It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur also called Velapura, an early Hoysala Empire capital. The temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish.   Sadly, like many other great temples, this temple too  was repeatedly damaged and plundered by marauding invaders  during wars, repeatedly rebuilt and repaired over its history. It is 35 km from Hassan city and about 200 km from Bengaluru.

 

Chennakesava (lit, "handsome Kesava") is a form of Sriman Narayana.  It is reverentially described in medieval Hindu texts, and remains an important pilgrimage site in Vaishnavism.  The temple is remarkable for its architecture, sculptures, reliefs, friezes as well its iconography, inscriptions and history. The temple artwork depicts scenes of life in the 12th century, dancers and musicians, as well as a pictorial narration of our Ithihasa puranas - Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas through numerous friezes. The Chennakeshava temple is a testimony to the artistic, cultural and theological perspectives in 12th century South India and the Hoysala Empire rule. 

Very rare Hoysala Architect with beautifully carved Channakeshava idol found while sand mining near Halebelur village of Sakleshpur taluk on Thursday. The 4.5ft black stone idol belonging to the Hoysala Dynasty is almost similar to Lord Channakeshava at Belur temple.  The idol has minor damages at the right side.

Interestingly the driver of the earth moving machine was anxious and took to the heels immediately after he saw the Idol.  The matter spread like a wildfire among villagers who rushed to the spot and removed the same safely.  Later they brought it and installed it in front of the temple in the village. The people have started offering pooja for the idol.

Tahsildar HB Jayaraj, PSI Basavaraj, Halebelur GP president Kumar have visited the spot and gathered further details in this regard. Sidegowda a village head opined that Channakeshava Temple also constructed in Halebelur during Hoysala dynasty.  Ancient Channakeshava idol was installed inside the temple. The sculptures might have rejected the newly found idol as it desecrated while carving he added. Expressing happiness the villagers also urged the officials of the Archeology department to give permission to keep the idol inside the temple.  The villagers also urged the officials of the Archeological department to further research and extract the right reason for buring the idol on the banks of Hemavathi River.

Jairaj Tahsildar Sakleshpur said that the newly found Channakeshava idol is belonging to the Hoysala dynasty as it has Hoysala architecture and carving. The taluk authority has submitted the detail report to the deputy commissioner R Girish who will take a decision in this regard he added

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

28.3.2021

News Source :  https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2021/mar/26/rare-channakeshava-idol-found-while-sand-mining-in-karnatakas-sakleshpur-taluk-2282068.html

Photos from twitter pages of : Vertigo_Warrior - @VertigoWarrior  and   Raghu - @IndiaTales7

 

  

Pallava Uthsavam : Panguni Uthiram Kannadi Garuda Sevai 2021

கருநாழி, நால்வாநாழி, மாநாய நாழி, பிழையாநாழி, நாராய(ண)நாழி ~ என்பன கேள்விப்பட்டுள்ளீரா ?  .. .. ..  இன்று 35 வயது அல்லது அதைவிட இளம் வயதினருக்கு 'முகத்தல்' அளவை என்பது தெரிய வாய்ப்பில்லை ! .. ..  முகத்தல் என்றால் : மொள்ளுதல்; அளத்தல் ; தாங்கியெடுத்தல் ; விரும்புதல் ; நிரம்பப்பெறுதல் ; மணம் பார்த்தல்.  மாவடு போன்றவற்றை படி (கால் படி; அரைப்படி; 1 படி) எனவும்; வேப்பம் பூ போன்றவற்றை ஆழாக்கு என்ற அளவையிலும் விற்றார்கள் - நாம் வாங்கினோம் என்பது ஒரு புதிய தகவலாக இருக்கலாம்.  இன்னமும் பூ கட்டி விற்பவர்கள் - ஒரு முழம், இரண்டு முழம் என (முப்பது பைசா மூணு முழம் அந்த காலம் !!) முழம் அளவையாக விற்கிறார்கள் .. .. முழம் ஒரு மனித கையின் அளவு.  அளப்பவரின் கையை பொறுத்து இது மாறலாம்.

பால், மோர், நெய் போன்ற நீரியல் பொருளை உழக்கு படிகளால் மொண்டு எடுத்து அளப்பது முகத்தல் அளவை ஆகும். முகந்து அளக்கப்படும் பொருள்களுள், நெல் பெரும்பான்மையாகவும், சிறந்ததாகவுமிருத்தல் பற்றி, முகத்தலளவை நெல்லிலக்கம் எனவும் வழங்கப்பட்டது. முகத்தல் அளவை உங்களை கொஞ்சம் ஈர்த்து இருந்தால் :   படி - 4 படி கொண்டது, ஒரு மரக்கால். 6 மரக்கால் கொண்டது, ஒரு பறை.2 பறை கொண்டது, 1 கலம். 2 கலம் கொண்டது, 1 மூட்டை. 60 மரக்கால் கொண்டது, ஒரு உறை.  கிலோ கற்கள் போன்றவை வருமுன்னர்  காய்கறிகளை (பொருட்களை) எடை பார்க்க... கூழாங்கற்கள், நெல்மணிகள், குன்றிமணி, தெள்ளுக்காய், களர்ச்சிக்காய் போன்றவற்றையும் பயன்படுத்தியிருக்கிறார்கள்.  

For the foodie, ‘vadu mangai’ ~ the pickle of maavadu [tender mango : tiny baby mangoes] are great favourites. With the onset of summer of these small early staged mangoes hit the market and are straightway hits. ~ there is no better place to buy them than the mada veethi of Mylapore ….as you walk nearer, there is the famous Chithirai kulam belonging to Thirumylai Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal kovil, an ancient temple of Mylapore. 

The human body was commonly used as a standard for measuring length, the forearm, thumb, finger and hand span were common measurements used in ancient times. In fact, many of the measurements still in use were originally based on body measurements, and in some cases other common items. The hoppus cubic foot was the standard volume measurement used for timber in the British Empire and countries in the British sphere of influence before the introduction of metric units. A unit of volume is a unit of measurement for measuring volume or capacity, the extent of an object or space in three dimensions. Units of capacity may be used to specify the volume of fluids or bulk goods, for example water, rice, sugar, grain or flour.  

Humanity has struggled and life  has been thrown out of gear by the dreaded Corona virus – even as we were limping back to normalcy and the great relief sounded in the form of vaccines, the surge is hitting back with more numbers getting reported in recent times.  Last year  6th Apr 2020  was Panguni Uthiram, which could not be celebrated grandly due to Covid 19 restrictions in place and sadly, this year too, am not in a position to have darshan of this wonderful sevai..  

Today 28^th Mar 2021 is Uthram nakshathiram in the month of Panguni and is the concluding day of Pallava Uthsavam, celebrated as Panguni Uthiram – ‘Sri Ranganathar – Sri Vedavalli thayar’ thirukkalyanam at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam and serthi at various divyadesams.    

Panguni Uthiram is a special day ... at Thiruvallikkeni, it marks Thirukkalyanam of Sri Vedavalli Thayar with Sri Mannathar (Sri Ranganathar); at Thiruvarangam, there is the Serthi of Divya thampathigal.......... and at Sri Villiputhur, occurs the famous Thirukalyanam of Sri Andal with Sri Ranga Mannar.  It was on this day, our Emperumanar (Udayavar) recited ‘Gadhya thrayam’ before the divya dhampathigal.  

பங்குனி உத்திரத்தில் முடியுமாறு ஐந்து நாட்கள் பல்லவ உத்சவம் நடக்கிறது. ஐந்தாம் நாள் - பங்குனி உத்திரத்தன்று ஸ்ரீரங்கநாதர் கருட சேவை. மிக அழகான கண்ணாடி கருடன் என்று அழைக்கப்பெறும் கருட வாஹனத்தில் ஸ்ரீரங்கநாதர் புறப்பாடு கண்டருளி, பெருமாள் உள்ளே எழுந்து அருளிய உடன்,  ஸ்ரீரங்கநாதர் வேதவல்லித்தாயார்   திருக்கல்யாணம்  நடைபெறுகிறது. திருக்கல்யாணம் முடிந்த பிறகு, 'கத்ரத்யம்' சேவிக்கப் பெறுகிறது.

~   when you have darshan of Perumal of Thiruvallikkeni, do you care to look at the ornate dress, beautiful ornaments, fascinating flower garlands, awe-inspiring Crown and more !! – do look at this photo of Lord Sri Ranganatha and test your observation power as you read this post. 

The holy divyadesam of  Thiruvallikkeni is replete with festivals all the time - after the grand Theppothsavam [float festival]; it was Thavana Uthsavam, Sri Rama Navami Uthsavam and now  Pallava Uthsavam for Sri Ranganathar which concludes today.  The first 2 days there was no thiruveethi purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni as it coincided with Sri Parthasarathi thavana  uthsavam and today (day 5) is    Panguni Uthiram Kannadi Garuda sevai purappadu for Sri Ranganathar;  followed by Sri Ranganathar Sri Vedavalli thayar thirukalyanam .  

During Pallava uthsavam, at the divine feet of Lord Ranganatha, tender foliage of mango is kept.  Thiruvallikkeni is part of Thondaimandalam,  associated with Pallava dynasty.  The Pallava Empire was the largest and most powerful South Asian state in its time, ranking as one of the glorious empires of world history. The Pallavas gained prominence after the eclipse of the Satavahana dynasty.  Of the many Kings, Mahendravarman I  (600–630 CE) was very prominent and it was during regime, Pallavas fougth Chalukyas – Pulikesi – the Vengi wars.  Mahendravarman was succeeded to the throne by his more famous son Narasimhavarman I.    Narasimhavarman 1 fondly known as ‘maamallan’  shared his father’s  love of art and completed the work started by Mahendravarman in Mahabalipuram.   

At  Mahabalipuram besides the monumental architecture, there are royal portraits too. One of them represents  Simhavishnu (A.D. 550-580), flanked by two of his queens, and the other -  of his son Mahendravarman (A.D. 580-630), also with two queens. Now don’t get carried away – ‘Pallava Uthsavam’ is not associated with Pallavas or any other rulers for that matter.   

பல்லவ உத்சவம்:  திருவல்லிக்கேணி தொண்டை மண்டலத்தில் உள்ள கோவில் ஆதலால், இது பல்லவர் கால அல்லது பல்லவ மன்னர்கள் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட உத்சவம் என நினைக்க வாய்ப்பு  உள்ளது. வடபெண்ணையாற்றைத் தென் எல்லையாகவும் சோணையாற்றை வடஎல்லையாகவும் அரபிக்கடலை மேற்கு எல்லையாகவும் கலிங்கத்தையும் வங்க மாகாணத்தையும் கிழக்கு எல்லையாகவும் கொண்ட ஆந்திரப் பெருநாடு கி.மு 184 முதல் கி.பி. 260 வரை செழிப்புற்று இருந்தது. வடபெண்ணை முதல் தென்பெண்ணை வரை இருந்த நிலப்பரப்பே அக்காலத் 'தொண்டை மண்டலம்' எனப்பட்டது. சென்னைக்கு ஆரம்ப காலத்தில் மதராஸ் பட்டினம் என்று பெயர்.    தொண்டை மண்டலத்தின் தலைநகரமாக காஞ்சிபுரம் விளங்கியது.     

பிற்காலப் பல்லவர்களின் பிந்தைய தலைமுறையினரில் பரமேசுவரவர்மனும், இராஜசிம்மன் என்று அழைக்கப்பட்ட இரண்டாம் நரசிம்மனும் சிறப்புற்ற மன்னர்களாவர். இவர்கள் காலத்தில் தான் இன்றும் நிலைத்திருக்கும் மாமல்லபுரத்துக் கலைச் செல்வங்கள் உருவாக்கப்பட்டன.  தந்திவர்மன் (கி.பி 775-825) தென்னிந்தியாவை ஆண்ட பல்லவ மன்னன்  ஆவர் .  இவன் இரண்டாம் நரசிம்மவர்மனின் மகன்.  இவரது கால கல்வெட்டு திருவல்லிக்கேணி திருக்கோவிலில் உள்ளது. 

 

தமிழ் கோப்பில் சில அர்த்தங்கள் தேடினபோது :

 

·         பல்லவம் - இலை : கிளை : கொப்பு : கையணி : சாயம் : தளிர் : தேயம்   

·         ஐம்பத்தாறின் ஒன்று : பதத்தின் ஓர் உறுப்பு : விசாலித்தல்.

·         பல்லவராயன் - மூடன் : இளிச்சவாயன்.

·         பஞ்சி ஒளிர், விஞ்சு குளிர் *பல்லவம் *அனுங்க,  செஞ்செவியகஞ்சம் 

·         நிகர், சீறடியள் ஆகி,  -  கம்பராமாயணம். 

·         சூர்ப்பணகை ராமனுக்கு எதிரில் வந்ததைப் பாடும்போது கம்பன் சொல்வது.  ‘விளக்கம்  மிக்க  செழித்த தளிர்களும் வருந்தும்படி’ என்பது வைமுகோ உரை. 

Pallavam is a period – it is the period when tender shoots spring up. During Pallava Uthsavam,  ‘Brindaranya Sthala mahimai’ is read before Sri Ranganathar  at Thiruvaimozhi mandapam inside Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple.  After this there is periya maada veethi purappadu everyday.  On Panguni Uthiram day, Pallava Uthsavam concludes with Sri Ranganathar astride ‘kannadi Garudan’ and later there is Sri Vedavalli Thayar Srimannathar Thirukkalyanam.   

பங்குனி உத்திரத்தில் முடியுமாறு ஐந்து நாட்கள் பல்லவ உத்சவம் நடக்கிறது. பல்லவம் என்பது காலம்.  பூந்தளிர்கள் துளிர் விடும் பருவம். ஸ்ரீ  ரங்கநாதர் திருவாய்மொழி மண்டபத்தில் எழுந்தருளி அவர் முன் ப்ருந்தாரண்ய தல மகிமை படிக்கப்படுகிறது. பெருமாள் புறப்பாடு கண்டு அருளுமுன் ஏழு மெல்லிய திரைகள் விலக்கி கற்பூர ஆர்த்தி கண்டு  அருள்வார்.  தினமும் ஸ்ரீரங்கநாதர் பெரியவீதி புறப்பாடு கண்டு அருள்கிறார். பங்குனி உத்திரத்தன்று அழகான கண்ணாடி கருடசேவையும் பிறகு ஸ்ரீரங்கநாதர்  ஸ்ரீவேதவல்லித்தாயார் திருக்கல்யாணமும்  சிறப்பாக நடக்கிறது. பெருமாளின் திருப்பாதங்களில் அன்றலர்ந்த மாந்தளிர்களை காணலாம்.     

One odd reference to Pallavam is found in Thirumangai Azhwar in  Thirumozhi ~: “பல்லவம்  திகழ்  பூங்கடம்பேறி  அக்காளியன்  பணவரங்கில்*, ஒல்லை வந்துறப்பாய்ந்து அருநடஞ்செய்த  உம்பர்கோனுறை கோயில்” – Kaliyan describes the glory of Emperuman at Van Purudothamam ~ a divyadesam at Thirunangur (Perumal here is Sri Purushothaman) ... Azhwar calls him the King of Kings – says the Lord ascended a Kadamba tree with plenty of tender leaves, jumped on the hood of Kalinga  ... .. .. .. .  

திருமங்கை மன்னன் 'வண்புருடோத்தமம்' திவ்யதேசத்தை மங்களாசாசனம் செய்யும் பாடலில் -   தளிர்கள் பூத்து குலுங்கிய கடம்பமரத்தின் மேல் ஏறி, கொடியனான காளியனின் படமெடுத்த தலை மீது திடீரென்று வந்து சிக்கனக் குதித்து அருமையான கூத்தாட்டம் செய்த தேவாதி தேவன் வாழுமிடம் என அருளுகிறார். 

ஆரம்பத்தில் குறிப்பிட்ட : கருநாழி, நால்வாநாழி, மாநாய நாழி, பிழையாநாழி, நாராய(ண)நாழி மற்றும் - உழக்கு, பிடி, சோடு, மரக்கால், பதக்கு, குறுணி, காடி, கலம் என்பன - பல்லவர் கால முகத்தால் அளவைகளாம்  !!!   பல்லவர் காலத்து   நில அளவைகள் குழி, வேலி என்பன. மேலும் கலப்பை, நிவர்த்தனர், பட்டிகாபாடகம் என்பனவும் நில அளவைகளாக வழங்கின.   கழஞ்சு மஞ்சாடி என்பன பல்லவர் காலத்து   பொன் நிறுக்கும் அளவைகள்.

 

அடியேன் ஸ்ரீனிவாசதாசன் [ S. Sampathkumar.]
28.3.2021. 

Photos Srimannathar in Kannadi Garudan  of yesteryears !!  & Pallava uthsava Sesha vahana photos below of 28.3.2010 (yes more than a decade ago !!) 

Indian PM Shri Narendra Modi worships Ma Kali at "Jeshoreshwari" Bangladesh

It lasted only 14 days ~ in the battle of Padma, nearer Jessore, Squadron leader Kumar gets ejected from his fighter aircraft and lands in an area, with full presence of Paki military.  Pak committing atrocities on locals takes custody of Indian Squadron leader.  He is tortured by Capt. Mohammad Sultan of Pak army, in whose veins hatred against India runs.  When Pak surrenders – Sultan takes Kumar out, and shoots him in his stomach, minutes later, he is arrested by advancing Indian troops who provide medical aid to Sultan .. .. that is ’14 naatkal’ [14 days] novel of Sujatha, depicting the Bangla war  in the eyes of a Pilot commander.

 

Bangladesh on Wednesday kickstarted the golden jubilee celebrations of independence from Pakistan, along with the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The South Asian nation is organising a 10-day programme till March 26 to mark its liberation from Pakistan after the 1971 war.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji  is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh participating in a wide range of programmes aimed at furthering cooperation between the two countries.  On Friday, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,   recalled that he had participated in a satyagraha for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Delivering a speech in Dacca, Modi said the satyagraha for Bangladesh was one of his first protests and revealed that he had been arrested for it. .. .. and in a hasty tweet where his mind voice became louder – Congress Sashi Tharoor admonished Nation’s PM.  A day after slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his speech in Bangladesh, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor today took to Twitter again aplogising that he doesn't mind admitting when he is wrong.  That is politics of hate and this is no political post !

 

Worshipping Ma Kali is famous in Bengal.  Kalighat Kali Temple is a very famous temple in Kolkata and  is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Kalighat was a Ghat (landing stage) sacred to Kali on the old course (Adi Ganga) of the Hooghly river (Bhāgirathi) in the city of Kolkata. The name Kolkata is said to have been derived from the word Kalikata devi of Kalighat Temple. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hooghly. The Adi Ganga was the original course of the river Hooghly. Hence the name Adi (original) Ganga.

There is another famous Kali temple in Calcurtta.  Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a navaratna temple located at Dakshineswar. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, a form of Kali, otherwise known as Adishakti Kalika.  The temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali. The temple is known for its association with Ramakrishna and Ma Sarada Devi, mystics of 19th Century Bengal. The temple compound, apart from the nine-spired main temple, contains a large courtyard surrounding the temple, with rooms along the boundary walls. There are twelve shrines dedicated to Shiva —along the riverfront, a temple to Radha-Krishna, a bathing ghat on the river, a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. 'Nahabat', the chamber in the northwestern corner just beyond the last of the Shiva temples, is where Ramakrishna and Maa Sarada spent a considerable part of their lives.

Across the border there is another famous Kali temple – “Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple” located in Ishwaripur, a village in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira. The name "Jeshoreshwari" means "Goddess of Jeshore".

Jeshoreshwari is regarded as one of the 51 Peeth of Sati;  it is where the various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen. Jeshoreshwari represents the site where the palm of Sati fell. Legend says that the General of Maharaja Pratapaditya discovered a luminant ray of light coming from the bushes, and came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human palm. Later, Pratapaditya started worshiping Kali, building the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple. As to be the "Goddess of Jessore", it was named after Jessore. The occurrence  of Daksha yaga and Sati's self-immolation is the story behind the origin of Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas divine places or holy abode of the Mother Goddess(Parashakti).   The Shakti of this shrine is addressed as Jeshoreshwari and Bhairava as Chanda.

It is believed to have created by a brahman named Anari. He created a 100-door temple for the Jeshoreshwari Peeth. But the timeline is not to be known. Later it has been renovated by Lakshman Sen and Pratapaditya in their reigning periods. Before 1971, there was a daily routine of worship. Every year on the day of Kali puja, the present Caretakers of the temple conduct a ceremony.   

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited  the Jessoreswari Kali Temple in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira  and offered worship. Shyamnagar was being decorated around the arrival of Modi in this historical temple located in Ishwaripur of the upazila.  This is the first visit of a head of government of any country to Shyamnagar, though ministers and dignitaries from different countries have visited Jessoreshwari Kali Mandir before.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh visited Jeshoreshwari Kali temple today and  prayed for the human race to get rid of COVID-19 as early as possible. PM Modi also stated that he got the opportunity to visit one of the 51 Shaktipeeths and feels fortunate to visit the goddess just ahead of the Chaitra Navratri. Talking to ANI, PM Modi said, "After few weeks Chaitra Navratri will start. Before the start of this holy festival, I am fortunate enough to visit one of the 51 shaktipeeths.  When I visited Bangladesh in 2015, I got the opportunity to seek blessings from Ma Dhakeshwari."

PM Modi on his visit to Jeshoreshwari Kali temple was seen wearing a mark as he was welcomed in the temple, which was renovated on the occasion of his visit. He also offered a hand-made, gold-plated silver crown to the deity. "A number of devotees come here during Kaali Puja. So a multi-purpose community hall is needed here, which can become a shelter house during any disaster, especially cyclone. The Indian government will construct a community hall here. I express my gratitude to the Bangladesh government that it has also wished us well for this work," added PM Modi.  

On his second day in Bangladesh, PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Gopalganj's Orakandi temple. The Orakandi temple is home to hundreds of the Hindu Matua community, most of them being Indian residents. PM Modi on Thursday had said in a statement, "I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichandra Thakur Ji disseminated his pious message." 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
27.3.2021.

  

“Adi vo alladi vo Sri Hari vasamu" .. ... some politics surrounding holy Thirumala !

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.  This beautiful temple in its present form owes a lot to the works of the greatest Vaishnava Acharya – Sri Ramanujar. 

“Adi vo alladi vo Sri Hari vasamu…. padi velu Seshula padagala mayamu” …  

              Look and behold, this is abode of Hari- the place where He resides, formed by the hood of Adisesha; place where sages dwell uttering His name all the time; the place replete with riches and prosperity, the Holiest of all places …. Sang   Tallapaka Annamacharya [popularly Annamayya], the 15^th century musician who composed keerthanas on Lord Venkateswara.  

திருமால் தன் அடியார்களை காப்பதற்கு எழுந்து அருளி இருக்கும் திவ்யதேசங்களில் தலையானது "திருமலை" என போற்றப்படும் "திருவேங்கடம் - திருப்பதி"- குளிரருவி வேங்கடம்; விரிதிரை வேங்கடம் என மிகுந்த அருவிகளை உடையதாக புகழப்படுகிறது.

Thirumala has existed for Centuries and Lord Venkateshwara will provide all riches, all wealth and all goodness to all His believers. Thiruvengadam, the abode of Lord Balaji is the  ‘Thilakam’ the shining glory of the whole Earth.  All that we need to do is to pray towards the Greatest Lord of Universe from wherever we are, think of HIM always and do good to humanity in Thy Name. Lakhs of devotees of all ages, from all over the Country and from other parts of the World throng to the hills, by walk, by vehicles of various hues and wait in the queue for hours to have a glimpse of the Lord.  Here is some news about the holy Thirumala .. ..  

Amid allegations that the ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh is misusing government machinery, the opposition parties have now accused it of using the sacred "laddu prasaadam" of Lord Venkateswara to woo voters.  With panchayat polls around the corner, the distribution of Tirumala-Tirupati laddus has triggered a controversy.

Based on viral videos, it has been alleged that the YSRCP is using the newly-launched PDS door-delivery vehicles in Chandragiri zone's Thondawada panchayat to distribute "Prasadam" among voters. The laddus were allegedly handed over to voters along with voter slips insisting them to vote for the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's party. The alleged use of "Prasadam" for political gains has attracted criticism from the Opposition. TDP general-secretary Nara Lokesh demanded disqualification of the YSRCP candidate who distributed the laddu prasaadam. Lokesh also demanded the registration of a case against the ruling party leader for hurting religious sentiment. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also demanded action.

Sharing a video, BJP leader Vishnuvardhan Reddy said in a tweet, "Is there anything more shameful than this? The TTD should immediately register a case on the matter and we demand the State Election Commission to take immediate action." The laddus were allegedly handed over to voters along with voter slips insisting them to vote for the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's party. The alleged use of "Prasadam" for political gains has attracted criticism from the Opposition. TDP general-secretary Nara Lokesh demanded disqualification of the YSRCP candidate who distributed the laddu prasaadam. Lokesh also demanded the registration of a case against the ruling party leader for hurting religious sentiment. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also demanded action.

 

BJP Member of Parliament Subramanian Swamy filed a defamation case against a prominent Telugu daily in the Tirupati City Civil Court  for publishing ‘slanderous’ material against the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the custodian of the famed Sri Venkateswara shrine at Tirumala.

Known as a champion of safeguarding Hindu shrines and waging legal battles to restore the rights of temples, Dr. Swamy came forward to take up this issue specifically at the behest of the TTD. The issue pertains to the article reportedly carried by Andhra Jyoti in 2019 over the alleged presence of ‘Christian related content’ in the TTD’s official website, which later turned out to be fake. The TTD had filed a defamation case for Rs.100 crore against the daily for hurting the religious sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees across the globe. Dr. Swami, who claimed to have ‘never lost a defamation case’, has now jumped into the fray over the same issue.

Dr. Swami’s presence at the court was necessitated as his signature was required to proceed with the case. He accused the media house of having resorted to mudslinging, owing to its close links with former Chief Minister and Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu. “Venkateswara is our family God and my mother used to be a regular visitor to Tirupati. It is hence I thought such slanderous campaign should be stopped”, Dr. Swami told the media outside the court complex here on Wednesday. The legal battle includes a criminal case under sections 153 and 295 of IPC for creating enmity between communities and a civil case pertaining to publishing objectionable content. When quizzed about singling out a media house when several dailies and social media carried news of ‘Christianising’ the TTD, he said the article in question was a direct assault on the institution, adding that he would not go by the content aired by social media.

Widely quoting the media and the public, he called himself a ‘Hindutva spokesperson’, owing to his support extended to the cause of freeing temples from the clutches of government. He wondered why should state governments hold the reins of temples, when they actually had no control over churches and mosques. Though representing the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, he also referred to his recent legal battle against the party-led Uttarakhand government for taking over 53 temples including the famed Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines.

Interesting !

 
Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar

  

Thavana Uthsavam 4 - Pandiyan kondai 2021

Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam is replete with uthsavams ~ 2021 began too well – and there have been 2 special Brahmothsavams (Sri Parthasarathi in Feb; followed by Sri Azhagiya singar in Mar) – in between we had Thai poosam, Masi Magam, Ratha Sapthami – and 7 days of Theppothsavam,  concluded on Friday – 20.3 was Panguni Rohini purappadu and now  Thavana Uthsavam for Sri Parthasarathi Perumal is on.  Today is day 4 of the uthsavam – and Pallava uthsavam for Sri Ranganathar has started today. 

Gold and silver futures gained this day as US Treasury yields held close to one-week low, with bullion shrugging off strength in the dollar following Federal Reserve Chairman’s  reassurance that inflation would not spiral out of control. Treasury yields slipped to the lowest since March 16, while the dollar jumped above a two-week high after Powell told US lawmakers on Tuesday he expected inflation to rise over the year but it would be "neither particularly large nor persistent." Commodity prices traded mixed on Wednesday after a mixed previous session.  Bullion prices traded steady with spot gold price at COMEX was trading near $1732 per ounce while spot silver price at COMEX was trading over half a percent up near $25.20 per ounce in the morning trade. Earlier, bullion prices witnessed selling on Fed comments which boosted buying in dollar.  In the spot market, gold prices gained Rs 116 to Rs 44,374 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday, reflecting overnight gains in global precious metal prices. Silver, however, declined by Rs 117 to Rs 65,299 per kg. 

It is an year since !  On March 25 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  announced a nationwide lockdown in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases. An  year later, India is experiencing a renewed surge in infections with many states reportedly in the grip of a second wave. Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare today  said that two states - Maharashtra and Punjab are of grave concern.  Tamil Nadu recorded 1437 positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the state tally to 8,69,804. Among these, Chennai reported 532 positive cases, bringing the city’s total to 2,42,647.

Life was limping back to normalcy – but people have been impatient – with Elections around the corner or even before the announcement  violations became the norm – as people hit the streets not wearing masks and not maintaining social distance. In Cities especially Chennai, crowds are swelling – traffic is snarling .. busy market places like T Nagar is full of people – shops are dotted with people  

செங்கோல் (scepter) என்பது அரசுச் சின்னங்களுள் ஒன்றாகும். மன்னனுக்கு மகுடமும், அரியணையும் போன்றே செங்கோலும் இன்றியமையாததாகும். மன்னனின் ஆட்சி நேர்மையானதாகவும், நெறி வழுவாததாகவும் அமைய வேண்டும் என்பதன் பொருட்டே செங்கோல் எனும் நேரிய தண்டு அரசன் வீற்றிருக்கும் போதெல்லாம் கையில் காணப்படும்.  

பருவத்தே மழை பெய்தாலும் நல்ல விளைச்சலும் உள்ள நாடு சுபிக்ஷத்துடன் விளங்கும்.  நல்ல மன்னர் நேர்மைத்திறனுடன் ஆட்சி செய்தால் அந்நாடு வளம் பெரும்.  திருவள்ளுவர் தம் வாக்கு இங்கே :

இயல்புளிக் கோலோச்சும் மன்னவன் நாட்ட

பெயலும் விளையுளும் தொக்கு.

நீதி முறைப்படி செங்கோல் செலுத்தும் அரசனுடைய நாட்டில் பருவ மழையும் நிறைந்த விளைவும் ஒருசேர ஏற்படுவனவாகும்.   ஸுகாஸீநம்  ~  அதி ஆனந்தமாக எந்த உபத்ரவமேதும் இல்லாமல் இருக்கும் இடம் ! ~ எது என்ற கேள்விக்கே இடமில்லை ..... நம்பெருமாள்  பள்ளிகொண்ட திருவரங்கமே !!

A sceptre is a staff or wand held in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia. Figuratively, it means royal or imperial authority or sovereignty… ..  to us ‘Sengol’ is of higher significance.  Sceptre has assumed a significant role in many mythologies.  It had a  central role in the Mesopotamian world, and was in most cases part of the royal insignia of sovereigns and gods.   The Mesopotamian sceptre was mostly called ĝidru in Sumerian and ḫaṭṭum in Akkadian. The ancient Tamil work of Tirukkural dedicates one chapter each to the ethics of the sceptre.   

எத்திறத்திலும் யாரொடும் கூடும் * அச்

சித்தந் தன்னைத் தவிர்த்தனன் செங்கண்மால்*

அத்தனே அரங்கா என்றழைக்கின்றேன்*

பித்தனாயொழிந்தேன்;  எம்பிரானுக்கே ** 

புண்டரீகாக்ஷனான எம்பெருமான்  எந்த விஷயத்திலும், கண்ட பேர்களோடே, சேர்ந்து கெட்டுப்போவதற்கு நெஞ்சை நீக்கியருளினான்; (ஆதலால்);   ஸ்ரீரங்கநாதனே!  என்று அழைக்கின்றேன் ; அந்த எம்பிரானுக்கே பித்தனாய் ஒழிந்தேன். [credit ~ Dravidaveda.org]

A beautiful pasuram from Kulasekara Azhwar’s Perumal thirumozhi hailing  Namperumal – there certainly is reason.   At  Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam  Sri Parthasarathi Perumal adorns ‘Pandian Kondai’ holds Sengol (sceptre)  on a day in Thavana Uthsavam,   Kodai Uthsavam, Manavala Mamunigal Uthsavam & Irapathu  ~  what a darshan it is to worship Sri Parthasarathi adorning such aa beautiful kireedam.   The kireedam known as Pandian kondai  replicates the one usually worn by Lord NamPerumal rendered to him by a Pandian King known as Sundara Pandian.  .. .. and  Namperumal has  ‘sengol’  (sceptre) worthy of Emperors.  

Today on day 4 of Thavana Uthsavam, Sri Parthasarathi adorned Pandiyan kondai and wielded Sengol.  This is a specially made kireedam tendered to the Temple by Challani Jewellery Mart and worn first by Sri Parthasarathi Perumal on Oct 26, 2020, the Vijayadasami day.    Above is a photo of  Sri Parthasarathi Perumal adorning the earlier  Pandiyan kondai and  rest are  photos with the new crown taken during the inner purappadu at Thavana uthsava bungalow this evening.  

அடியேன் ஸ்ரீனிவாசதாசன்.   
~adiyen Srinivasa dhasan (Mamandur Veeravalli  Srinivasan Sampathkumar) 
24.3.2021.