Thiruvallikkeni Sri Alawandhar sarrumurai 2026

 

Swami Aalavandhar Thiruvallikkeni

Sarrumurai purappadu 30.7.2026 – hazy cloudy view of gopuram after rains !

Sri Parthasarathi Jyeshtabhishekam 2026

 

Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman jyeshtabishekam thirumanjanam today

photo of Emperuman purappadu to Garuda vahanam for Gajendra moksham

on 29.7.2026

Gajendra moksham @ Triplicane Kairavini pushkarini

 

Enactment of  the puranic legend of ‘Gajendra moksham [salvation of elephant Gajendra]’ ~ whence   Sriman Narayana  Himself  came flying down to earth to protect Gajendra (elephant) from the death clutches of Makara (Crocodile). 

 

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi Thirukkovil – Kairavini Pushkarini

: https://youtu.be/H96hFEbyQds

 

 

Thiruvallikkeni Anjuvai Amudham

 

Anjuvai amudham !  Thiruvallikkeni Garuda sevai

[an amateur attempt in collage] – repost of 2020

condemning the show on VoC ~ corridors of Tirunelveli Temple

 

Humour is the quality of things that make people laugh, smile, or feel amused.  But what got circulated about a  show in Aaditya TV is beyond comprehension. One cannot even say it is the - worst or "lowest" form of humour.  Something on a great patriot cannot be considered humour – its perpetrators must be punished ! 

Those who acted in such a poor taste for sure do not know anything about the Nation and freedom struggle.   He was among the  great patriots who underwent untold sufferings at the hands of British… more than a century ago, his speech at Thai Poosa Mantapam in the bed of river Thamirabarani at Tirunelveli [on the night of 9th  March 1907] sent shivers and he was convicted under sections 124A & 153A of Indian Penal Code by the Bench consisting of CA White & Miller. In that famous speech, he had thundered "As soon as the English people set foot in India, poverty also made its appearance in the country. So long as the foreign Government exists we shall not prosper. So long as we continue to be the servants and slaves of foreigners we shall have to endure hardships.

 

                             The Great man is - Vandanam Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai ~ more famous as VOC or Kappolottiya thamizhan

 

Though starting with this, this is a post on the place where he made that speech – Thiruvelveli.  Tirunelveli locally Nellai and historically (during British rule) as Tinnevelly, is a major city in  Tamil Nadu.   Tirunelveli is located 700 km (430 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai, 58 km (36 mi) away from Thoothukudi and 73 km (45 mi) from Kanyakumari. The downtown is located on the west bank of the Thamirabarani River; its twin Palayamkottai is on the east bank.  .. .. Thirunelveli, famous for temples is also known for halwa, a sweet made of wheat, sugar and ghee.  

The temple that gave the place its name is the famed Nellaiyappar thirukkovil. This is a beautiful example of the architectural grandeur of the Sri Nellaiyappar – Gandhimathi Ambal Temple, one of the largest and most historically significant temples in Tamil Nadu.   Here is a photograph capturing one of  the pillared corridors leading to the shrine (sannathi) of Goddess Gandhimathi Amman, the divine consort of Lord Nellaiyappar (Shiva).

                    Every granite pillar is a masterpiece of Dravidian craftsmanship, adorned with exquisitely carved yalis, deities, dancers, and mythical motifs. The perfectly aligned rows of pillars create a striking perspective, drawing the devotee's gaze naturally towards the sanctum, symbolizing the spiritual journey from the material world to the Divine.

 

The temple  has a history spanning nearly 1,400 years, with the earliest structures attributed to the Early Pandyas (7th century CE). Over succeeding centuries, the Later Pandyas, Vijayanagara rulers, and Nayaks expanded it into the magnificent complex seen today. The corridors and mandapas, particularly around the Amman shrine, are renowned for their finely sculpted monolithic pillars and harmonious proportions. 

A few interesting architectural observations in this  photograph:

•       Perfect axial symmetry: The corridor is laid out on a precise east-west axis, a hallmark of temple planning.

•       Yali brackets: Many pillars feature imposing yali (mythical leonine creatures), believed to symbolize strength and the protection of the sacred precinct.

•       Monolithic granite construction: Most of the structural pillars were carved from single blocks of granite, demonstrating the engineering skills of medieval South Indian artisans.

•       Natural lighting: The shafts of daylight entering through the openings in the roof gently illuminate the stone floor and pillars, creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. This subtle lighting effect changes throughout the day and enhances the spiritual ambience.

•       Visual perspective: The diminishing rows of pillars produce an almost infinite sense of depth, making this one of the temple's most photogenic corridors. 

It was very attractive from a photo perspective with strong lead lines, repeated  sculptural patterns, balanced symmetry, controlled natural light and exceptional texture in the granite carvings.  It conveys not just the scale of the temple but also the serene atmosphere experienced by devotees as they approach Sri Gandhimathi Thayar. 

It is a fine architectural study of one of the finest Pandya–Nayak temple corridors still preserved in South India.

 
Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
28.7.2026

Thakkankulam Sri Varadharajar muthangi Samarpanai

 

Muthangi Samarpanai for Sri Varadharajar @ thakkankulam, Sholinghur

 

புகழ்பெற்ற திவ்யதேசங்களிலே சோழசிம்ஹபுரம் [எனும் ஷோலிங்கர்]  ஒரு அற்புத திவ்யதேசம்.  இது மலைகளில் அமைந்துள்ளது.  கடிகாச்சலம் என பெயர் பெற்ற இந்த திவ்யதேசத்தில் ஒரு நாழிகை வாழ்ந்தாலே எல்லா நன்மையையும் பயக்கும்.  பெரிய மலையில் (சுமார் 1300 படிகள் மேல் ஏறிச்சென்று சேவிக்க வேண்டும்) எம்பெருமான் - சங்கு சக்ரதாரியாக யோக பீடத்தில் யோக ந்ருஸிம்ஹனாக சேவை சாதிக்கின்றார்.  சிறிய மலையில் யோக நிஷ்டையில் சிறிய திருவடியும் ஆஞ்சநேயர் எழுந்தருளியுள்ளார்.  உத்சவர் அக்காரக்கனி எம்பெருமான் (ஸ்ரீ தக்கான்) கொண்டபாளையம் ஊரில் அமர்ந்துள்ளார்.

இவ்வூரில் மலை அடிவாரத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள  தக்கான் குளம் மிகவும் பிரசித்தி.  ஸ்வாமி முதலியாண்டான் திருவம்சத்தில் அவதரித்த ஸ்வாமி ஸ்ரீ தொட்டையாச்சார்யார் இந்த திருத்தலத்தில் அற்புதமான கைங்கர்யங்கள் செய்து வந்தார். திருக்கச்சி ஸ்ரீதேவப்பெருமாளிடம் ஆழ்ந்த பக்தி கொண்டிருந்த இவருக்கு, ஒரு சமயம் - திருக்கச்சி தேவாதி ராஜனே கருட வாகனத்தில் பறந்து வந்து இங்கேயே காட்சியளித்தது சிறப்பான வைபவம்.   

திருக்கச்சி ப்ரஹ்மோத்சவ வைபவத்தில் மூடிய கதவுகளுக்குப் பின்னால் கருட சேவையில் இருந்த பெருமாள் அப்படியே சோளிங்கருக்கு எழுந்தருளி தொட்டாச்சார்யாருக்குக் காட்சி கொடுத்த வைபவம் - ஸ்வாமி தொட்டாச்சார்யார் சேவை என்று சிறப்புற  வழங்கப்படுகிறது. சோளிங்கபுரத்தில் காட்சி அளித்த பெருமாள், தக்கான் குளக்கரையில் கருட சேவையிலேயே கோவில் கொண்டுள்ளார். இக்கோவில் விமானத்திற்குப் புண்ணிய கோடி விமானம் என்று பெயர். மூலவரின் திருநாமம் ஸ்ரீவரதராஜப் பெருமாள். பெருமாள் தன் ஒரு கையில் சக்கரமும், மறுகையில் சங்கும், மூன்றாம் கையில் தாமரையும் நான்காம் கையில் கதையுடனும் கருட வாகனத்தில் மூலவராகவே காட்சி அளிக்கிறார். அவசர அவசரமாகத் தனது பக்தன் தொட்டாச்சார்யாருக்குக் காட்சியளிக்க வந்ததால், ஒரு திருவடி கருடன் தோளிலும் மறு திருவடி கருடனின் கையிலும் இருக்கும்படியாகக் காட்சியளிக்கிறார். எம்பெருமானின் வாகனமான பெரிய திருவடி கருடாழ்வார் 'ஸ்ரீமன் நாரணனே' பரம்பொருள் என விளக்கும் ஞான முத்திரையோடு எழுந்தருளியுள்ளார்.  இப்பெருமாளை வணங்கினால் சகல விதமான ஐஸ்வர்யங்களும் கிடைக்கும்  

மூலவராக இருக்கின்ற கருடன் உடலில் எட்டு நாகங்களை ஆபரணமாய்க் கொண்டு காட்சியளிக்கிறார். கருடாழ்வாரின் தலைக்கு மேலொரு நாகம், காதிற்கு ஒன்று வீதம் இரு நாகம், இரு கையிலும் வளையலாக இரண்டு, மார்பில் ஒன்று, தொடையில் ஒன்று பாதத்தில் ஒன்று என மொத்தம் எட்டு நாகங்கள். காலையில் கருட வாகனத்துடன் பெருமாளைச் சேவித்தால் சகல விதமான ஐஸ்வர்யங்களும் சித்திக்கும் என்று புராணம் கூறுகிறது.  இத்திருக்கோயில் சோளிங்கர் தக்கான் குளக்கரையில் அமைந்துள்ளது.

இந்த திருக்கோவில் நம் தொட்டையாச்சார் பரம்பரையினரால் சிறப்புற கைங்கர்யங்களுடன் மிளிர்கிறது.  சில ஆண்டுகள் முன்னர் நம் ஆச்சார்யரால்    இந்த திருக்கோவிலில் புனருத்தாரணம் முடிந்து ஸம்ப்ரோக்ஷணம் சிறப்புற நடைபெற்றது.  ஸ்ரீ உ.வே. கோவில் கந்தாடை சண்டமாருதம் தொட்டையாச்சார் சுவாமி வம்சத்தினரே இத்திருக்கோவிலின் பரம்பரை  ஆதீன  அறங்காவலர்கள்.

இந்த திருக்கோவிலில் எழுந்தருளி இருக்கும் உற்சவருக்கு அழகான வேலைப்பாடுகள் கொண்ட  முத்தங்கி, இன்று (25.7.2026)   திரு கோபி குடும்பத்தினரால்   நமது ஆச்சார்யர் மூலமாக சமர்ப்பணம் செய்யப்பட்டு, சகஸ்ர தீப அலங்கார சேவை மிக சிறப்புற நடைபெற்றது.  இந்த வைபவத்தின் சில படங்கள் இங்கே

ஆழ்வார் எம்பெருமானார் ஜீயர் திருவடிகளே சரணம் !

நம் ஆச்சார்யன் திருவடிகளே சரணம் !! 

 

adieyn  Srinivasa dhasan. 
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar

 

 

Thirumylai yagasalai 2026

 

Thirumylai Sri Madhava Perumal Pavithrothsavam 2026 – yagasalai

Aadi Ekadasi Sri Parthasarathi Perumal 2026

 

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman Aadi Ekadasi 25072026

Thirumylai Sri Madhava Perumal Pavithrothsavam 2026

 

Pre-script:  though a long winding post starting with battlefield of 1746 – No war post this !! 

 

A war nearer home ! centuries ago – ramification of ‘War of Austrian Succession’  - stop Madras to Austria – crossing seas and multiple continents – approx 7000 km away .. and a war fought between British East India Company and French East India Company !!  

According to historians, French reinforcements from Pondicherry did not sail into Madras harbour. Instead they landed on the open coast near present-day Thiruvanmiyur/Besant Nagar, where the surf permitted boats to land troops. They numbered approximately: 300 French, 700 Indian sepoys commanded by Louis Paradis. From the beach the troops marched north-west.  There was no Marina Beach as we know it.  Instead there were – sand dunes, scrub vegetarion, marshes, tidal channels and a wider river (Adyaru). 

Their rivals the British with Nawab's Army blocked the crossing. The Nawab's son Mahfuz Khan understood the French had to cross the river. He therefore deployed nearly 10,000 cavalry and infantry on the north bank of the Adyar, stretching from San Thome toward what is now Quibble Island, with artillery covering likely crossing points. 

So a battle of Adyar occurring somewhere nearer Mylapore !!   The French did not build a bridge. They crossed the shallow estuary at low tide, wading through water while maintaining disciplined formations. Contemporary re-enactments place the crossing in the coastal strip between today's Adyar Estuary and Elliot's Beach.  History records that in  September 1746 the French fleet under La Bourdonnais captured Fort St. George from the British. 

The Nawab of Arcot, Anwar-ud-din Khan, objected because neither European company technically owned Madras outright; they held it under the Nawab's authority. He ordered the French to hand over Madras. The French refused. That refusal led directly to the Battle of Adyar.  French commander Louis Paradis marched from  mylapore area  toward Madras. Instead of remaining on the defensive, he crossed the Adyar River and attacked. The disciplined French infantry advanced in compact formations supported by well-drilled artillery. The Nawab's forces, although vastly superior in numbers, fought largely in traditional cavalry formations that proved ineffective against concentrated musket volleys and field artillery. Within a short time, the Nawab's army broke and retreated. French casualties were remarkably light, while the Nawab suffered much heavier losses.  

Many historians consider the Battle of Adyar one of the most significant military engagements in early colonial India.  It demonstrated European military superiority. The battle proved that disciplined infantry using coordinated musket fire and artillery could defeat armies many times their size. The French victory relied not only on Europeans but also on Indian soldiers trained in European tactics. The British quickly learned the same lesson and later developed their own large sepoy armies.  

Strangely the loss in war paved the way for British expansion as they invested on Indian sepoys to defeat their own Nation and keep parts of India unified under their control.  Much of the original battlefield has since been urbanised, and the river's course has changed somewhat over nearly three centuries.  

Today’s post is on this Thirumylai and an important uthsavam at this temple in the centre of Mylapore.

 

In the capital of Tamil Nadu is the pristine Temple of Sri Parthasarathi Swami at Thiruvallikkeni.   Though not the earliest British settlement in the Indian Peninsula, Madras possessed a peculiar interest as constituting, with the exception of the insignificant site at Armagon, the first territorial acquisition by the English in Hindustan.    It is a place that predates British rule by several centuries; it was occupied by the Portuguese in 1523, which  lasted until 1749, later falling  into the hands of the British East India Company.   It is “Mylapore” [Thiru Mayilai],  a cultural hub; one of the oldest residential parts of the city, also known as VEdapuri and Mayurapuri ~    Thirumayilai has the avathara sthalam of Sri Peyalwar at Arundale Street – nearer is Sri Madhava Perumal thirukovil.  Mylai is famous for Sri Kapaleeswarar temple which is connected with the S'aivite Nayanmars.   

Now is the time for Thirupavithrothsavam for Sri Madhava Perumal – this morning there was yaga salai and goshti of Thirupallandu, Thiruppavai and 5^th and 6^th decads of Swami Nammalwar’s Thiruvaimozhi. Here are some photos of most beautiful Sri Madhava Perumal at Thirumylai taken during His pavithrothsavam. 

adiyen Srinivasadhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathukmar
26^th July 2o26.

 

 

Sri Parthasarathi Kodai uthsava Sarrumurai 2026 - collage

 

Sri Parthasarathi Perumal Kodai Uthsava Sarrumurai 21072026

Sigathadai kondai during purappadu &

Poocharru kireedam for thirumbukal from Vasantha uthsava bungalow

 

Here is a collage – first of Sri Parthasarathi on His purappadu to Vasantha bungalow (Periya mada veethi – gate aam – kulakkarai – Vasantha bungalow) – at VB – He has Oonjal -  thiruvaradhanam – poocharru – the Second is the photo of His thirumbukal purappadu ?

 

Did you notice distinct changes in sarruppadi (alankaram) ! [during Kodai Uthsavam Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman and Ubayanachimar have purappadu in separate kedayams] 

Though most ardent devotees of Thiruvallikkeni know and notice this distinctly – it is easier to identify and worship through this collage.  The two photographs capture these two sacred moments of the same utsavam.

 

•       Kireedam (floral crown): This is the most obvious change. The first has the traditional gem-studded royal crown with a jasmine floral wrapping known as Sigathadai,  with Thura pathakkangal - the second is  an entirely floral kireedam with a central red rose motif.

•       Thirumugam (divine face) may look slightly different as karna pathakkangal have changed

•       Abhaya Hastam: In the first alankaram the hand is fully gem-studded, while in the second it is golden appearance of hastham with decorative stones in the middle only.  

•          Kaumodaki Gadai (mace): The mace in the first is richly jewelled from top to bottom, with hastham too having diamonds – the second is the pure koal (parralar veeya koil kaiyil konda Piran) – the hastham with simple golden kavacham.    

•          Thiruvabaranams on Thirumarbu (ornaments on the chest): The first has a far more elaborate arrangement of necklaces, pendants and gem-studded kavacham. The second is intentionally less ornate with a single Navrathna malai.

•          in the second the vaitheeka veshti in the manner of panchakavacham is evident

·        The anklets in the leg are different

•          Garlands: Although both use jasmine with red and purple bands, the way way they are draped is different.

·        Thiruvadi – thiruthuzhai in the second 

•          Overall mood: The first is unmistakably a Raja Alankaram—majestic and jewel-dominant. The second draws the eye first to the pushpa alankaram (flower adornment), making it feel gentler despite being the same deity. 

Those who are closely associated with temple traditions—archakas, kainkaryaparars, regular utsava followers, photographers, or devotees who attend every day's alankaram—tend to notice these nuances immediately. For them, each alankaram tells a story.

The photos evidently portray the subtle differences as both are taken from almost a similar frontal angle, show Emperuman ‘Pathathi Kesam’ [feet to Crown]; in good resolution and details are preserved.  

 
adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
21.07.2026

'Mahalakshmi Jaganmata' - Sankarabaranam rendition !

 

It was just another day at Thirumylai (not exactly) – evening time – Sannathi thiruvarathanam – not many people around – and there was this beautiful rendition in Nadaswaram by Thiru Mohanraj ensemble.  Purely divine, not performed for any audience, solely for  Thirumylai Sri Madhava Perumal.  :  https://youtu.be/8UjrBwbavNc

 

Think this  kriti to be : “Mahalakshmi Jaganmāta” -  popular composition  by Papanasam Sivan, in rāga Śankarabharanam and miśra cāpu tāḷa. One well-known rendition is by N. C. Vasanthakokilam, often listed simply as “Mahalakshmi – Sankarabharanam” in recordings. 

mahAlakṣmi jaganmātā

manamirangi varamaruL

anupallavi

mahā viṣṇuvin mārbenum

maṇi pīṭhamadanil amarndaruL... 

“mahālakṣmī jaganmātā manamirangi varamaruḷ” – addressing Mahalakshmi as the mother of the universe, bestower of grace. Śankarabharanam (Dhīraśankarabharanam) is the 29th melakarta rāga in Carnatic music.       Its scale corresponds to the Western major (Ionian) scale, which is why it feels very “śuddha” and expansive, suiting a māṅgalya/maṅgala goddess like Mahalakshmi.

 

•       Arohana: SR2G3M1PD2N3SSR2G3M1PD2N3S

•       Avarohana: SN3D2PM1G3R2SSN3D2PM1G3R2S

 

          Śankarabharanam is a very śānta, full-bodied rāga, foundational in Carnatic, often chosen for major deities and weighty compositions, yet capable of bhakti-laden sweetness, aptly for Mahalakshmi, whose bhāva combines śrī (prosperity), karuṇā (compassion) and jaganmāta–swaroopa   

A video taken by me on 23.7.2026  … since am sub-zero in Carnatic music, inputs searched in web with the help of ChatGPT.

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
25.7.2026
 

Naimisaranyam divyadesam ~ *நைமிசாரணியத்துள்* எந்தாய் !!

Naimiṣāraṇya (Sanskrit: नैमिषारण्य),   lit. 'Naimisha forest', also referred as Naimisha (Sanskrit: नैमिष) or Nimkhårvan  is a sacred forest  mentioned in Puranic literature, as well as both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is regarded to be the place where the Puranas had been narrated for the first time, before a large gathering of sages.  The ancient forest corresponds to modern day Nimsar, situated along the Gomati river in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. 

நெஞ்சினால், நினைந்தும், வாயினால் மொழிந்தும் - நீதியல்லாதன செய்தும் .. ..

வந்துன் திருவடியடைந்தேன் *நைமிசாரணியத்துள்* எந்தாய்  !!

 

Throughout my life - thinking wickedly, speaking in harsh tones, doing many acts against Dharma, have committed many sins – now am falling at your feet

O the Lord at Naimisaraniyam 

Revered as a sacred Tapovanam, it is believed Sriman Narayana  manifests here as the entire forest. It is the legendary site where 88,000 sages gathered and Sage Sutha narrated the Puranas. There are 9 tapovams. They are Dandakaranyam, Saindhavaranyam, Jambhukaranyam, Pushkararanyam, Utpalaranyam, Badrikaranyam, Gurujangalaranyam, Aruputharanyam and Naimisaranayam.  Naimisaranyam is regarded as a holy forest – Emperuman himself  is in the form of forest. 

Naimisaranya is located at the junction of the roads from Sitapur and Khairabad, 32 km from Sitapur and 42 km from the Sandila railway station, 45 miles north of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Naimisaranya is also known as Nimsar or Nimkhar and is located on the left bank of the river Gomati.  The famous poet, Surdas resided here. Maharishi Suta, the author of 18 puranas is believed to have lived here and presented his sayings to the sages. 

Pic taken couple of years ago !

 

Aadiyen Srinivasa dasan

Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar

24.7.2026

Thiruvallikkeni battargal - 2017 purappadu

 

Thiruvadipuram Amavasai purappadu Thiruvallikkeni  2017.  

Triplicane kolangal 2018

 

Kolangal  ~  welcoming Emperuman

Thiruvallikkeni  2018 photo