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Saturday, March 28, 2015

Manmatha Varusha Panchangam release : Brahmin Welfare Association, Triplicane

Manmatha  Varusha Panchangam release :
Brahmin Welfare Association, Triplicane

14th Apr 2015 would mark the starting of Tamil new year ‘ Manmatha Varusham’ – which promises to be bountiful...  Do you know …: “Parthiva, Vyya, Sarvajithu, Sarvadhari, Virodhi, Vikruthi, Kara, Nanthana, Vijaya, Jaya  …………. On Sunday, 22nd Mar 2015, it was a grand gathering at Gangai Kondan Mandapam in Thiruvallikkeni…….. reason… ‘Panchangam release of ‘Brahmins Welfare Association’, Triplicane and Yours Truly was on stage compering.

In the ‘Vaivasvatha Manvantharam, after passage of 27 Maha Yugas ~ now in the 28th Mahayuga – after passage of 3 Yugas ~ in the Kali Yuga – after passage of 4 lakh 28 thousands of years – in the year 5116~ Salivahana Saha  1937…… should go the lengthy introduction exactly describing the day on which the Jaya Varusha Panchanga release function was held’.

A panchāngam (பஞ்சாங்கம்) is a Hindu calendar and almanac, which follows traditional units of Indian timekeeping, and presents important dates and their calculations in a tabulated form. Panchāngams are published in India by many learned authors, societies, academies, and universities. Different publications differ only minutely, at least for a casual or un-trained reader. They forecast celestial phenomena such as solar eclipses, forecast weather (rain, dryspells) as well as more mundane occurrences. The study of Panchāngams involves understanding Rasi phalan, the impact of the signs of the zodiac on the individual. Astrologers consult the Panchāngam to set auspicious dates for weddings and the like. 

Panchangam literally translates to having five parts [angas].  They are :
•        Tithi - Ending Moment (EM) of elongation of the Moon, the lunar day, the angular relationship between Sun and Moon
•        Varam – the weekday ~ the seven days of the week
•        Nakshatra - the stellar mansion in which Moon is located for an observer at the center of the Earth. There are 27 Nakshatras.
•        Yoga - EM of the angular relationship between Sun and Moon
•         Karana - EM of half of a Tithi. One Karaa equals 6 degree difference between Moon and Sun.

At Thiruvallikkeni Gangai Kondan Mandapam, it all started with the group singing by Nama Sankeerthanam Krishnapuram Ramasubramaniam and his troupe.  Kadalur Gopi bagavathartoo joined them ~ the performance rendered, kept the audience totally immersed in singing the names of Lord Sriman Narayana.

At 06.00 the function started with prayer ‘Vethathai Vethathin Suvaipayanai’ sung by Yours Truly, accompanied by Sri VB Mukundan [Kanchi Krishna] . On the podium were

The Chief Guest :
His Holiness Pujyasri Sri Sri Vidhyatheesha Theertha Swamiji, Head Pontiff, Sri Palimar Mutt, Udupi and
His Holiness Pujyasri Sri Sri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji, Incumbent Pontiff Sri Adamaru Mutt, Udupi

Other Special Guest :

Dr V V Subramanian [popularly Va Ve Su], former Principal of Vivekananda College. 

In the function, ‘Manmatha varusha Panchangam’ was released by the Chief Guest .  It is not simply a vedic almanac, this Panchangam contains amongst other things : the important uthsava details of Sri Parthasarathi swami temple; important days of Sri Ahobila Mutt, Sri Utharathi Mutt, Azhwargal Acharyargal Thirunakshathirangal, dos and donts, Parayana slokas, Avani avittam sangalpam, tharpana sangalpams, host of significant details of hindu religious practices; telephone nos. of Thirumana mantaps at Thiruvallikkeni, contact details of Prahaspathigal and more…… no doubt a very useful book for every Brahmin – a must have at home. 

The Saints were honoured with ‘Kovil mariyadhai’ from Sri Parthasarathi Swami Thirukovil brought by Sri Sesha Battar and Sri Rangaswamy battar.  The Panchangam was released and the ‘anugraha sandesham’ of  HH  Sri Vidhyatheesha Theertha Swami, followed. Swami blessed all those present at the venue.  Swami’s speech was translated by Sri AP Vijayendran a practising CA and a Sanskrit scholar who has 13 degrees.  It was indeed a great occasion to be there at a place where the great Matapathis were present and blessing..

Udupi, on the western coast is  known for the Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna) and as the native place of the saint Shri Madhvacharya, who founded the [dvaita] sect of vaishnava hinduism and the Udupi Krishna Mutt (in the 13th century).  The Tulu Ashta Mathas of Udupi are a group of eight mathas or Hindu monasteries established by Madhvacharya. For each of the eight mathas, Madhvacharya also appointed one of his direct disciples to be the first Swami, head of the matha.

His Holiness Pujyasri Sri Sri Vidhyatheesha Theertha Swamiji, is the Head Pontiff of Sri Palimar Mutt.  Read that the idol of Kodanda Rama with Lakshmana and Sita  was gifted by the Acharya Madhva to the first pontiff.  The idols of Rama and Lakshmana have bows and arrows in hands whereas that of Sita has lotus in hand.

His Holiness Pujyasri Sri Sri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji, is the Pontiff of Sri Adamar Mutt that worships the idol of Kalingamardana Krishna gifted by the Madhvacharya.  This  Krishna  has  four arms -  one leg on the serpent; other lifted up in a dancing pose. One hand is bent in a dancing pose and the other is holding the tail of the serpent. The other two hands are decorated with conch and the chakra.

Sri Va Ve Su, former Principal of Vivekananda college is no stranger to Triplicane.  He is the Director of Phyco Spectrum Consultants and is a great scholar.  A popular public speaker in  Tamil and English, he participates regularly in many Academic, literary and cultural programs.  He has delivered  talks on religious and spiritual subjects.  As President of Vanavil,  he has been propagating the ideals of Mahakavi Subramaniya Barathiyar and conducting 3-Day Annual festival Of Bharathi at Bharathiyar Illam.  He has written poetries, dance dramas, and has been a motivational speaker.  He has been conferred– Kavimamani(1987),Thirupugazh Mamani (1999 )Bharathi Award by DAWN ( 2001) and more.  He spoke at length on following those ordained for Brahmins and in leading life that will be sacred and useful to others.  His speech left a deep impact on all those present.

While it is Day : 24 hours : 60 Minutes : 60 seconds ….. the calculations are much more minutely accurate in Vedic and computation of Panchangam ~ it is 48 minutes = 1 muhurtham; 24 minutes = 1 nazhigai; 60 nazhigai = 1 day; 2 ½ nazhigai = 1 hour…….. 15 days is = 1 paksham; 2 months = 1 ruthu;….and minutely …. 1 Paramaanu = 0.0002 seconds  … Kanchi Krishna, Secretary was honoured on the dias for preparing this panchangam. Sri Anand, who helped in the presence of the Peethapathis was honoured on stage.   In all, it was a grand show organized by Brahmin Welfare Association of Triplicane.  Copies of the  panchangam were distributed to all those present at the mantap.  

The list in the starting para gives  the names of the 10 years that preceded ‘Manmatha varusham’  Here are some photos of the function.
  

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.










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