Sri Varadharajar Sesha vahana purappadu 2026

 

Sri Varadharajar Sesha vahana purappadu 2026

Sri Devathi Rajar Brahmothsavam is grandly being conducted at Perumal Kovil (Thirukachi aka Kanchipuram).  Today 31.5.2026 is day 4 of the uthsavam – Sesha vahanam.  

Kanchipuram, is Saptapuri, one of the  seven holiest cities, - mokshapuri, the city of  salvation. One of the country’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Kanchipuram was called the city of a thousand temples, and it has more than a hundred even today. While it will take an eternity to explore all of Kanchi’s temples we would immediately tend to associate the city with Pallava kings.  

The Pallava dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a significant portion of southern India also known as Tondaimandalam. They gained prominence after the downfall of the Satavahana dynasty.   Most of the history that we read in schools was about   the reign of Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE).  During their reign, they remained in constant conflict with both the Chalukyas of Badami in the north, and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south. The Pallavas were finally defeated by the Chola ruler Aditya I in the 9th century CE. 

The Pallavas are famous for  their patronage of architecture, the finest example being the Shore Temple, and grand architectural masterpieces at Mamallapuram. Kancheepuram served as the capital of the Pallava kingdom. The dynasty left behind magnificent sculptures and temples, and are recognised to have established the foundations of medieval South Indian architecture. They developed the Pallava script, from which Grantha ultimately took form. This script eventually gave rise to several other Southeast Asian scripts such Khmer. The Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and extolled their  rule.  

Of the many temples of Kanchi, the  majestic Vaikunta Perumal Temple dedicated to  Sriman Narayana, is believed to have been built by the Pallava king Nandivarman II. What’s unusual about this temple is that there are three sanctums one on top of the other. Lord Vishnu is depicted in seated, reclining and standing postures in the lowest, middle and upper levels respectively.  The central shrine is surrounded by a passage whose walls are covered with incredible relief panels and inscriptions about the Pallava dynasty until the ascent of Nandivarman II to the throne, including the empire’s ongoing conflict with their rivals, the Chalukyas.  

Moving away from the History that was read in school books, here is something extracted from the book “Pallavas “ by G Jouveau – Dubreuil, Doctor of Univ of Paris,  Professor, College, Pondicherry, published in 1917 priced at Rs.2/-  .. .. … 

                      The record found at Mayidavou is written in Prakrit.  There are also 2 other records of same kind – but the other Pallava records are in Sanskrit.  One of these two records that of Hirahadagalli is dated in the 8th year of tehr eign of Sivaskanda varman, King of Kanchi, who is of the Pallava dynasty and Bharadvaja gotra and who by this document confirms a gift made by his father Bappa-deva.  

The Penugonda plates (GO no. 920, 4.8.1914) mention two Pallava kings Simhavarman and Skandavarman, but the age of these plates is not known.  Then there is the authentic Vayalur inscription which is engraved on a cubical pillar of the Pallava style and runs round it in the form of a helix.  It begins with the well known series of names : Brahma, Angiras, Brihaspati, Samyu, Bharadwaja, Drona, Asvathaman, Pallava, Asoka, Harigupta, Aryavarman and then two or 3 names hardly legible and then Kalinda, Byamalla, Ekamalla .. .. after this last name begins a series of 36 names.  

The last few names are too well known to us : Nandivarman, Simhavarman, Mahendravarman, Narasimha varman, Parameswara varman. The existence of a King called Virakurcha is proved by the plate discovered at Darsi.  The existence of a king by name Skandasishya is established by the Tirukkalukkunram inscription.  

Dr Fleet has assigned the date of about 500A.D to the Penugonda plates, which is the date we give to (26) Skandavarman, son of (25) Simhavarman who crowned King Madhava II alias Simhavarman.  The name Simhavarman given to a king of the Western Ganga dynasty shows that Aryavarman, who had been crowned by the Pallava king had married his daughter and his son Madhava II received the name of his grandfather, the pallava king Simhavarman.    The Vayalar inscription enables us to believe that Penugonda plates belong to 500 A.D.  

The Velurpalaiyam plates say of Simhavishnu – he quickly seized the country of Cholas embellishd by the daughter of Kavira [ie., the river Kaveri] whose ornaments are the forests of paddy (fields) and where (are found) brilliant groves of areca (palms).  From this it would appear that the Chola country did not belong to the Pallavas before Simhavishnu and it was he who conquered it.  

Moving away from the heavy dose of history, Sri Varadharajar uthsavam is on at Thiruvallikkeni too following Thirukachi and today is day 4 – there was Sesha vahana purappadu in the evening in which it was Nanmukhan thiruvanthathi of Thirumazhisai azhwar.  

எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீமன் நாரணனது பரத்துவத்தை அறுதியிட்டு உரைப்பவர் பக்திசாரர்.  இதோ இங்கே திருமழிசைப்பிரானின் நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி பாசுரம் :  

தமராவார்  யாவருக்கும் தாமரை  மேலாற்கும்

அமரர்க்கும் ஆடரவர்த்தாற்கும் - அமரர்கள்

தாள்  தாமரை  மலர்களிட்டிறைஞ்சி, மால்வண்ணன்

தாள்தாமரை   அடைவோமென்று. 

எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீமன் நாரணனே மிகவும் உயர்ந்தவன்.  அந்த கரியமேனியனான எம்பெருமானுடைய திருவடித் தாமரைகளில்  பல்வேறு மணம் கமழும் புஷ்பங்களை ஸமர்ப்பித்து வணங்கி  அத்திருவடித் தாமரைகளையே  அடைவோமென்று பக்தராயிருக்குமவர்கள் -  திருநாபிக் கமலத்திற் பிறந்த பிரமனுக்கும்,  ஆடுகின்ற ஸர்ப்பங்களை (ஆபரணமாக உடம்பிலே) கட்டிக் கொண்டிருக்கும் சிவனுக்கும், நித்யஸூரிகளுக்கும் மற்றுமெல்லார்க்கும்  மேற்பட்டவராவர். அத்தகைய எம்பெருமானை அனுதினமும் வணங்குவோர்க்கு எல்லா நலன்களும் தானே அமையும்.

Here are some photos of Sri Varadharajar Sesha vahana  purappadu on day 4 of Devathirajar uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni this day.

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
31.5.2026

PS: 2022 post of mine reproduced with photos of date

 

Grazing deer ~ Kannan Kuzhalinosai ... . Periyazhvaar pasuram

 

Grazing is primarily the practice where livestock (like cows, sheep, and goats) feed on wild vegetation, especially grass, in an outdoor area.  Deer also graze grass. Both deer and cattle are ruminants with four-chambered stomachs (rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum) and chew cud, but they differ significantly in dietary specialization and digestive efficiency: 

Deer's small rumen and faster digestive turnover mean fibrous grass doesn't stay long enough to break down completely. They need concentrated nutrients from browse and forbs, not the structural carbohydrates in mature grass. 

Cattle are built to extract nutrients from tough grass through longer retention and larger fermentation capacity, while deer are optimized for quickly processing high-quality, low-fiber foods. 

Moving away here is an interesting Pasuram from Periyazhwar Thirumozhi.

 

மேய்கை (Meykai) என்பது தமிழில் மேய்ச்சல் அல்லது grazing என்ற பொருளைத் தரும் சொல்லாகும்.

பெரியாழ்வார் தமது பிரபந்தம் - மூன்றாம் பத்து ஆறாம் திருமொழியில் தேவர்களுக்கெல்லாம் தேவனான கண்ணன் எம்பெருமான் வேணு கானத்தை இசைக்க, அதைக் கேட்டு பேரின்ப அதிர்ச்சியையும், பேரானந்தத்தையும் அடையும் தேவர்கள், முனிவர்கள், ஆயர்பாடி ஜனங்கள், பசுக்கள், பறவைகள், மரங்கள், எப்படி தன்னிலை இழந்து, தங்கள் தொழில்களையும், செயல்களையும் மறந்து செயலற்று பிரமித்து நின்றார்கள் என்பதை அத்யற்புதமாக விவரிக்கின்றார். 

 

திரண்டெழு தழை மழை முகில் வண்ணன்

செங்கமல மலர் சூழ் வண்டினம் போலே

சுருண்டிருண்ட குழல் தாழ்ந்த முகத்தான்

ஊதுகின்ற குழலோசை வழியே

மருண்டு மான் கணங்கள் மேய்கை மறந்து

மேய்ந்த புல்லுங் கடை வாய் வழி சோர

இரண்டு பாடுந் துலங்காப் புடை பெயரா

எழுது சித்திரங்கள் போல நின்றனவே

 

காளமேகம் போன்ற வடிவுடைய கண்ணபிரானின் குழலோசையைக் கேட்டதும்  மான் கூட்டங்கள் அறிவிழந்து மேய்ச்சலை மறந்தன.  மதிமயங்கி மேய்ப்பதை மறந்து, ஏற்கனவே வாயில் கவ்வின புல்லும் வாயின் ஓரமாக வெளியே நழுவி விழ, முன்  பின் பக்கங்களில் அடி வைத்து நகராமல், சுவரில் எழுதின சித்திரம் போல் அசையாமல் நின்றன! செயலற்று நின்றன என்கிறார் பெரியாழ்வார்.

 
Picture of grazing deer with grass in mouth !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
1.6.2026

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Varadhar Garuda Sevai 2026 ~ பிறவிக் கடலுள் நின்று நான் துளங்க

 

Thiruvallikkeni Sri  Varadhar Garuda Sevai  2026  ~ பிறவிக் கடலுள் நின்று நான் துளங்க

 

 

இப்பூவுலகத்திலே மானுடர்கள் : -  நான், என்னுடையது, எனது குடும்பம், எனது குழுமம் என ஸம்ஸார மண்டலத்திலே   கிலேசங்களுடன்  அலைகின்றனர்.  துக்கங்களை கேட்கும் போதெல்லாம்,  கஷ்டங்களை பார்க்கும்போதெல்லாம் என்னை யார் காப்பார் என புலம்புகின்றனர். 

How big is your World !!  - more of a mental perception than the vast expanse of physical Universe !!  For most, it would be :  “’ Me, My possessions, My family, My community”” – it could well be Me or Me& My family !!! 

Identity begins with “I.” The single word captures a lifetime of choices, memories, strengths, and limits. As an individual, I form habits, develop a moral compass, and choose goals that shape daily life. Self-awareness—knowing my likes, fears, and values—lets me act deliberately rather than simply follow others. For most, it is personal growth, amassing wealth and living happily with money in material World. 

My possessions are more than objects. They store memories and represent priorities. A childhood photograph, a worn book, or tools used for work can tell stories  yet as one grows, it is more of  what I own, I risk loneliness and insecurity.  It is collecting / amassing more and more money, wealth, house, property, vehicles, jewels and what not !!  

My family anchors identity in relationships. Family provides care, values, and a sense of belonging across generations. Within a family, roles shift over time – again, the well-being and wealth of one’s family is of utmost importance, and takes precedence over everything else in life. 

To most, my community does not exist or if all it is – a small group or a small extention of family.  People are not worried about how others live; want to live better than their circle of people.   Strong communities embrace diversity, include marginalized voices, and encourage mutual respect. 

The four layers—self, possessions, family, community—are interconnected. A balanced life recognizes their roles and limits.  One should learn to declutter with purpose,  keep what adds value, donate the rest.   Over the period of time, the killer roads  were affecting mankind in a big way – there were so many road accidents – killing and maiming people.    

Then on Mar 9, 2020,  media  reported that a 45-year-old man tested positive for Coronavirus -  making him the first person in Tamil Nadu to be reported of having the disease.  He was a resident of Kancheepuram, and  had returned to India from Oman.  His symptoms included a fever and cough.  His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing soon after and the results confirmed him to be a Corona victim.  .. .. and from that day World changed !!  (of course in China it had appeared much earlier and was slowly making its presence globally) 

The Corona Virus Covid 19 held sway for almost two years, killing millions, changing the perception and life of people.  People were forced to remain indoors and not entertain everybody – the fear was killing more 

In some ways for us the virus started from the temple town of Kanchipuram !!  Having once served as the capital of notable dynasties like the Pallavas – it is a city known for Temples and weaving.  Like everything else, the Kanjeevaram silk also has legends woven around it. The vivid colours, opulence and sartorial elegance, its richness still holds fort as one of the top choices for the bridal ensemble.   Dotted with magnificent shrines, intricate stone carvings and rich history, the extraordinary temples of Kanchipuram are absolute wonders.  The lockdown reportedly left jobless some 30,000 skilled weavers who make the iconic silk saris of Kancheepuram. 

Life certainly became difficult of humans – even Temples were closed, no Uthsavams and even worship was not allowed for few months – slowly, very slowly the World limped back to normalcy … and now perhaps people have forgotten the dreaded Corona !!  

Like a ship caught in stormy ocean signalling in distress, I stood shivering in the ocean-of-birth and was lamenting and crying towards God. With exceeding grace and divinity, HE  heard me and came to me, with a conch and discus in hand and became one with me.  .. He is my eternal saviour says Swami Nammalwar.

 

In the grand Brahmothsavam, each Vahanam, every purappadu has its  own charm, yet, if one were to ask the most majestic and most crowd-pulling ones,  it would be Thiruther and Garuda vahanam. !!  .. .. ..  The Brahminy kite  is considered to be the contemporary representations of Garuda.  The annual brahmothsavam of Sri Varadharaja Swami occurs in Vaikasi every year. At Thiruvallikkeni, there would be purappadu once a day only -    day 3 is   the famous Garuda Sevai – when Lord is taken in procession on vahanam of Garuda also known as Periya Thiruvadi.  The very darshan of Lord Varadha Rajar on Garudan will rid us of all evils.  The glorious darshan would provide us immense confidence to fight everything  be it Corona or mental stress – here are some photos of Varadhar Garuda Sevai on  30.5.2026

 

ஆவாரார் துணையென்று   அலைநீர்க்கடலுள் அழுந்தும்

நாவாய் போல்,  பிறவிக் கடலுள்  நின்று நான்   துளங்க,

தேவார் கோலத்தொடும்   திருச்சக்கரம் சங்கினொடும்,

ஆவாவென்று   அருள்   செய்து   அடியேனொடுமானானே.

 

கஷ்டங்களில் இருந்து என்னை காப்பாரொருவருமில்லையேயென்று கதறிக் கொண்டு, அலைகள் ஆர்ப்பரிக்கும்  கடலினுள்ளே அமிழ்ந்துகிற சிறு படகு போல  நானும்  சம்ஸாரக்கடலினுள்ளே சிரமப்படும் வேளையில்  - எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணன்  தனது, திவ்யமான வடிவோடும், திருவாழி திருசங்குகளோடும்கூடி எனக்கு அருள் செய்து   என்னோடும் கூடினான்.  இவ்வளவு எளிமையான எம்பெருமான் எனக்கு துணை இருக்கும் போது - அவனது பக்தர்கள் ஏன் கவலைப்பட வேண்டும் !  ~ என வினவுகிறார் ஸ்வாமி நம்மாழ்வார். 

adiyen Srinivasadhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar

 

Swami Nammalwar Sarrumurai purappadu 2026

 

 

 

Today is Vaikasi Visakham – Swami Nammalwar thiruvavathara thina purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni divaydesam 30.5.2026

 

வைகாசி விசாகம்  வேதந்தமிழ்செய்த மாறன் திருவவதார தினம் 

மேதினியில் வைகாசி விசாகத்தோன் வாழியே !.. …

மகிழ்மாறன் சடகோபன் வையகத்தில் வாழியே !