Sri Ramar Pattabishekam - Theppam at Thiruvallikkeni 2016

The greatest of the Ithihasa puranam has had its influence across centuries, countries and cultures -  Maryadha Purush Sri Ramapiran  has illuminated the lives of millions imparting lessons in various spheres - statecraft, conduct, family and societal values. It has set rules for war and peace, for daily life and during times of crisis propagating the importance of justice, virtue, love and sacrifice and indicting greed, lust, the evils of power and covetousness.

Pleasant things give happiness to everyone and there cannot be more pleasant sight than that of Sri Rama Pattabishekam ~ the eternal state of bliss- the most complete picture of happiness to everyone in the Kingdom.  Kavichakravarthi Kambar describes the mega event  saying it justified the name of earth.  Earth in Tamil is ‘Puvi’ [Bhoomi : பூமி] ~ which characteristically is the one with flowers [பூ].  The sages and angels were outpouring choicest flowers from all directions, it was raining fragrant flowers ~ earth appeared as if totally covered by those flowers offered celebrating the Coronation celebrations of Sri Rama.

தேவரும் முனிவர்தாமும் திசைதொறும் மலர்கள் சிந்த*

ஓவல் இல் மாரி ஏய்ப்ப, எங்கணும் உதிர்ந்து வீங்கிக்*

கேவலமலராய், வேறு ஓர் இடம் இன்றிக் கிடந்த ஆற்றால்*,

பூ எனும் நாமம், இன்று இவ்உலகிற்குப் பொருந்திற்று அன்றே.

Mere chanting of the name ‘Sree Rama’ would provide everything to us ~ he is the greatest benefactor ~ the Maryadha Purush ~ the greatest epitome of all virtues Lord Rama. It is our total belief that by listening to the highly meaningful and auspicious poetical composition of Sri Ramayana, a person gets family-prosperity, augmentation in money and grain, superior quality of life, peace of mind,  exquisite happiness and all the acquisition of wealth on this earth.

Today, the Lord treated his devotees – a fascinating depiction of  Sitadevi seated along Lord Sri Rama with the valiant Lakshmana holding the umbrella and Sri Hanuman doing service at the lotus feet of the Lord.  Today, 13^th Mar 2016, it was Theppothsavam of Lord Rama – and it was the most beautiful sarrupadu [alankaram] as ‘Pattabisheka Ramar’.  Here are some photos of the grand celebrations at Thiruvallikkeni.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Thavana Uthsava Bungalow ~Sri Parthasarathi Nachiyar Thirukolam 2016

At Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, Theppothsavam [float] is now on and immediately after, comes Thavana Uthsavam starting on 15^th Mar 2016.

Visitors to Chennai should not visit the grandeur of the stately building complex in which Madras High Court is located.  Read that the  Supreme Court of Madras was situated in a building opposite Beach railway station.  In July 1892, Court moved to the present building,  inaugurated by the then  Madras Governor, Beilby Lawley.  Chennai, houses more than 2000 heritage building, some of them are around 200 years and more old, many of them are in dilapidated  condition and slowly vanishing.  In the bustling mada veethis of Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, which has apartments built wall to wall – lies this structure, now looking new but carrying tales of centuries.  Often there are references to   Indo-saracenic architecture, a  "stylistic hybrid"  architecture, combining traditional indian architectural elements, like scalloped arches and onion domes, with traditional british architecture.

Not sure whether it would fall under such classification, and seemingly this building is not a heritage building – called bungalow, this one has undergone some structural changes over the years………. earlier it had two ‘goris’ [minars] ~ one can reach the top of the minars through the steps provided one is not afraid of bats.  Cricket was played in the sands before the moat.  When it was the time of Perumal’s visit, enthusiastic residents would draw water from the well, sprinkle on the sands that surround the raised structure, colourful kolams will be drawn adding to the religious atmosphere.  A couple of decades ago, one of those gories fell down, the other one remains – the building  structure stands reconstructed -  the enthusiasm  remains.

Thiruvallikkeni is replete with Festivities.  After the Theppothsavam, comes the Thavana Uthsavam.  It would amaze one to understand the significance of each Uthsavam and the care with which our elders have designed them.  There are palatial buildings [bungalows] specially built for providing rest to Perumal on different occasions ~ at Thiruvallikkeni, there is Thavana Uthsava Bungalow situated in Thulasinga Perumal Koil Street (the one described in earlier paras), Komutti Bungalow [Saraswathi Bandaram place] in Peyalwar Koil Street and Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in Venkatrangam Street ~ sad that the big spacious sprawling premises of Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow is no longer there……..

During the ThavanaUthsavam, Perumal takes rest under the roof made of thavanam – an aromatic herb.   Dhavanam (Tamil: தவனம்) [Artemisia pallens], is an aromatic herb, in genus of small herbs or shrubs, xerophytic in nature.  This herb pervades great aroma and provides coolness.   During the Uthsavam, a kooralam [roof] made of  Dhavanam  is set up over the resting place of the Lord.

There is annual Thavanauthsavam for various Emperumans ~ further on Ekkattuthangal day, day 5 of Brahmothsavam,  Sri Rama Navami occasions, Perumal visits this place.

4^th Feb 2o16 was day 5 of Sri Parthasarathi brahmothsavam - the most beautiful Emperuman enraptured us  in “Nachiyar Thirukkoalam” – dressed as Ezhilmigu Thayar in a grand sitting posture.....here are some photos taken on that day at Thavana uthsava bungalow.

AdiyenSrinivasadhasan.

12^th Mar 2016 

Sri Ranganathar Theppam at Thiruvallikkeni 2016

மெய்யில் வாழ்க்கையை மெய்யெனக் கொள்ளும்*

இவ் வையந் தன்னொடும் கூடுவதில்லை யான்*

ஐயனே அரங்கா என்றழைக்கின்றேன்*

மையல் கொண்டொழிந்தேனென்றன் மாலுக்கே*

For Srivaishanavaites,  “Kovil” denotes Thiruvarangam ~ the sacred abode of Lord Ranganatha in reclining posture.  The enormous temple spreads 156 acres having Seven prakaras.   At Thiruvallikkeni is the sannathi for Lord Ranganatha and Sri Vedavalli Thayar, considered to be the most ancient.

Kulasekara Azhwar in his Perumal Thirumozhi vows not to be in the group of ordinary morals who believe this unreal life to be true – one should only utter with conviction the name of our Lord Arangan and be obsessed towards that Thirumal.

At Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam today [12^th Mar 2016] it was theppothsavam for Lord Ranganatha.  Inside theppam, Perumal Thirumozhi was rendered and then in the periya mada veethi purappadu,  Thiruvirutham was rendered in goshti.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. 

Sri Azhagiya Singar Theppam at Thiruvallikkeni 2016

Today 11^th  March 2016  is the Fourth  day of Theppothsavam – the first three days were dedicated to Sri Parthasarathi. 

theppam photo of 2013

Today  it was Sri Azhagiya Singar, the most beautiful form Lord Narasimha  who had theppothsavam.   Here are some photos taken during periya mada veethi purappadu.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan