Thiruvallikkeni Ratha Sapthami - Surya Prabai Purappadu: 2013

Thiruvallikkeni Ratha Sapthami - Surya Prabai Purappadu 17^th Feb 2013

Today – 17^th Feb 2013(5^th  day of Masi masam in Tamil calendar)  is a very auspicious day – Ratha Sapthami.  Ratha means chariot. Sapthami is a thithi in a lunar month falling on the 7^th  day of both sukla and Krishna paksha.   Ratha Sapthami also Surya Jayanthi is celebrated on 7^th day after Thai Amavasai-  Shukla paksha (waxing phase of moon)  dedicated to God Surya.   It is believed that earth’s inclination towards the sun is the steepest on the day. Special bathing rituals are observed in some regions today.  Surya (Sun) worship is deep rooted in the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures.  Today  celebrated as the birth of Surya to Sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi and celebrated as Surya Jayanthi in many parts. Legend has it that the greatest warrior Bhishma breathed last the day after the Ratha Sapthami day.  The Pithamaha is one the greatest characters in the Epic Mahabaratha and the asthami is revered as “Bhishmaashtami”.

The charioteer of Surya is Aruna, who is also personified as the redness that accompanies the sunlight in dawn and dusk. The sun god is driven by a seven-horsed Chariot depicting the seven days of the week.   Going by Upanishad, their names are : Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. 

Uttarayana is the six month period between Makara sankranti (Jan 14) and July 14 when Sun travels towards North in the celestial sphere. Ratha saptami marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara).  A journey from makara rekai to kadaka rekai – Capricorn to Cancer. Today symbolically represents the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (chariot) drawn by seven horses towards northern hemisphere in a north-easterly direction.

Traditionally in villages, Rangoli kolam is drawn with coloured rice powder depicting Chariot drawn by horses. From today, the days would get warmer, especially in South India. This is an important annual festival at Vaishnavaite temples.  Today, it was celebrated grandly in Thiruvallikkeni also. Early morning, Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman  had purappadu on Surya prabhai with 7 horses drawing it. . 

In Greek mythology, Helios is the personification of Sun, imagined to be handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the Sun.

It has been raining in Chennai, quite unusual in the month of February.  Though Purappadu started in the usual way, it had to be curtailed due to downpour.  Here are some photos of today morning purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi Perumal in Thiruvallikkeni.

Ratha Sapathami is a grand occasion at many other divyadesams and here are couple of photos of Lord Devathirajar [Varadarajar] at Perumal Kovil, Thirukachi... [courtesy my friend Sri VN Kesava Bashyam]

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

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 At Kanchipuram - Sri Varadharajar

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

Sri Namagiri Thayar and Naraismhar at Namakkal

Recently visited  the motor town of Namakkal on a different mission and had posted about the “18 feet tall, majestic Viswaroopa Anjaneya”.  In the town of Namakkal,  known for the  flourishing trade of  the body building for all types of trucks is the  Rock Fort, a special feature of the Town. The Fort covers an area of one and half acres of flat surface and is accessible from South-West by a flight of narrow steps.   The famous Anjaneyar stands tall looking straight in to the feet of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, situated not far away. It is believed that this temple is more than 1000 years old and that Lord Anjaneya is guarding the fort of Namakkal.

Narasimha was the specific avathar for slaying Hiranyakasipu, who gained the boon  that he will never meet the death by human beings, animals, earth and sky, by any instruments in and out of the houses  and more.  Lord Narasimha came out of the pillar that was smitten by Hiranyakasipu. 

Periyalwar  in his Periyazhwar Thirumozhi says “ அளந்திட்ட தூணை அவன் தட்ட  ஆங்கே வளர்ந்திட்டு வாளுகிர்ச் சிங்கவுருவாய்”.  Lord Narasimha came out of the very same pillar roaring and slayed the demon.  It is believed that Sri Hanuman brought a Saligramam and performed ‘santhiyavanthanam’ at the tapovanam with a big holy tank named Kamalalayam.  In the place where Hanuman kept the Saligramam, Lord Narasimha chose his abode in the rocky hill, the present day temple at Namakkal.  

Sri Mahalakshmi prayed and made Ugra Narasimha calm and here the Thayar is the most benevolent Sri Namagiri Thayar, and the town also got the name from the Thayar being known as Namakkal.  There is the Thayar sannathi on the left hand side of the temple as one enters inside.  To the right of the sannadhi, is that of Lord Narasimha.  The Sanctum Sanctorum [Garbagraham] is inside the cave and the Lord is in sitting posture with the sages Sanaka, Sanandana [the sons of Brahma]  Suryan and Chandran [Sun and Moon] doing chamaram service [fly-whisk made from tail of a type of deer] and there is also  Lord Siva and Brahma praying to Him.

Here are the photos of temple, photo of Lord Narasimha [of a painting inside the Hanumar temple] and the Uthsavar Lord Lakshmi Narasimha of bountiful divinity and blessing.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Namakkal Viswaroopa Aanjaneyar Darsanam

Recently visited  the motor town of Namakkal on a different mission; had the fortune of worshipping the 18 feet tall, majestic Lord Anjaneya

“”yathra yathra raghunatha keerthanam thathra thathra kruthamasthakanjalem; pashpavari paripurna lochanam maruthim namatha rakshasanthagam””

It is stated that Lord Anjaneya, also known as Maruthi  (Son of Vayu, the Wind God), who is considered a  terror to demons (Rakshasas) is present wherever people sing in praise of Lord  Rama, presenting himself with joyous tears in His eyes and folded hands over His head. And to that Anjaneya, We  offer our salutation.  Namakkal – the motor hub,  is a place known for body building of vehicles. Here is the temple of Lord Anjaneya, the 18 feet tall ‘Viswarupa Anjaneya’ the epitome of virtues – known for his knowledge, steadfast faith on Lord, doing things even before ordained,  the  most trusted aide of Lord Rama. Hanuman is embodiment of discipline, devotion to His Master and one known for giving boons to all bakthas.

The town of Namakkal, has flourishing trade of  the body building for all types of trucks. Goods transportation and trucks have become the main stay of economics in these areas. Namakkal is a part of Kongu region of Tamil Nadu which was hotly contested and ruled by the ancient Pallavas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and also ruled over  by later  day Adhiyamans. The Rock Fort in Namakkal is a special feature of the Town. The Fort covers an area of one and half acres of flat surface and is accessible from South-West by a flight of narrow steps. 

At Namakkal is  famous temple of Lord Anjaneya at Namakkal. This is not a divyadesam (not the place sung by any of the Alwars) – still a puranic temple hailed as a ‘abimana sthalam’. Lord Hanuman in viswaroopam of 18 ft is standing and looking straight in to the feet of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, situated not far away. It is believed that this temple is more than 1000 years old and that Lord Anjaneya is guarding the fort of Namakkal. Lord is believed to be ever-growing and hence there is no roof over the idol.

Anjaneya, Lord Hanuman is most powerful and yet embodiment of humbleness and dedicated Service to His Lord.  He thought of none else than Lord Rama and served His Master.   Lord Anjaneya is known as ‘Vayu Puthiran / Anjani Mainthan’ as he was born to the beautiful Apsaras Anjana and Vayu bhagwan.  Even as a child, Anjaneya was powerful, and flew towards the Sun in an attempt to consume.  Indra, was angered by the sight of Anjaneya flying towards the Sun; he aimed his thunderbolt at the child; Hanuman had his cheek bone broken out of the fall.  Read that the  Sanskrit word for cheek is hanu. Hence Anjaneya came to be known as Hanuman.  Lord Anjaneya is all powerful, yet demonstrated all his prowess in the Name of Lord Rama only. 

Here are some photos the Temple and 18 ft idol of Lord Aanjaneya of Namakkal

the moolavar [above] and Uthsavar [below]

With regards – S. Sampathkumar                                                              10^th Feb 2013.

Thiruvarangam Thai Thiruther Thiruvizha 2013

Thiruvarangam Thai Thiruther Thiruvizha 2013

Azhwars went places and on their sojourn sang about Divyadesa Emperuman, the presiding deities at such places visited by them.  They extol the beauty of the Vigrahams, the Temples and the surroundings as seen by them at that time and that provides interesting details of the historical facts associated with these temples.

Can you imagine the Temple, which has been variously described by Nammalwar as “ சேல்கொள்தண் புனல்சூழ் திருவரங்கத்தாய்;  தண் புனல்சூழ் திருவரங்கத்துள்ளாய்!” ~  the Lord surrounded by beautiful ponds which had fishes in abundance; the Lord residing in the place which is surrounded by cool rivers.  Thondaradipodi Azhwar in his “Thirumalai” describes the place as that of a great orchard which has bumble bees humming melodious songs; grove where peacocks were always dancing; where cuckoos coo showing their love and affection; the place where the King of all Devas rests …………………..

“வண்டின முரலும் சோலை மயிலினம் ஆலும் சோலை*

கொண்டல் மீதணவும் சோலை குயிலினம் கூவும் சோலை*

அண்டர்கோனமரும் சோலை அணிதிருவரங்கம்…..”

no clues required ………… and no prize for guessing….. it is indeed the Great Thiruvarangam known as Srirangam, the most sacred place referred as “The Kovil” by the Srivaishnavaites ~ the coolest and most sacred of places, in fact a small island formed by river Kaveri and its tributary Kollidam (Coleroon).  It is here that Lord Ranganathar [Thiruvarangar / Arangar] rests in reclining form. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (6,31,000 m²) with a perimeter of 1,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India.

While it is a Great Temple for all of us, it in fact was a Kingdom with a civilization dating back thousands of years.  This temple was patronized by many Kings of different dynasties, Pandyas, Pallavas, Hoysalas and Cholas contributing significantly. The place was raided by mohammedans and thousands lost their lives to protect their Ultimate Emperor Thiruvarangar.

The present day Srirangam still looks a solid Fort with its imposing tall walls [மதில்கள்]; one can easily get lost within the Temple complex itself as it so big and complexing.  Lord Arangar was first worshipped by Brahma; handed over to King Ikshvahu, handed over to the generations of Sooriya; gotten by Vibishina who later placed Him here in the place surrounded by river Kaveri, which is considered more sacred than the sacred Ganges itself.  There exists the beautiful Temple where Lord Ranganathar in reclining posture provides all goodthings to his devotees.   ‘அணியினார் செம்பொனாய அருவரை அனைய கோயில்’ என்னும் நம்பெருமாள் இனிதுறையும் ‘பெரிய கோயில்’

This is a Temple sung by all Azhwars [excepting Madhurakavigal, who did not sing of any divyadesam]; our Greatest Acharyar Sri Bhagawath Ramanujar lived here, did yeoman service at this divyadesam and codified the religious rituals.  In this great place lived Great Acharyars including Periya Nambigal, Battar, Nampillai, Pillai Logachariyar and more…. It was at this Temple that Manavala Mamunigal rendered discourse on Thiruvaimozhi and Namperumal Himself concluded it with His Thaniyan.  There is also the most intricate hall of 1000 pillars [called Aayirankaal mandapam] which actually has 953 dating back to Vijayanagara era. 

As the Temple is a massive structure enclosed by seven prakarams [mathils / concentric walls], the Ther Thiruvizha [Car festival] occurs at different prakaram on different time.   In the tamil  month of ‘Thai’ – the Ther festival is held in Uthara veethi; the Chithirai Thiruther occurs in ‘chithirai veethi’.  On 19th Jan 2013, was fortunate to have darshan at Thiruvarangam.  As part of Thai Thiruther celebrations, Uthsavar Num Perumal is placed at different mantaps and on that day, He was at the mandapam before Lord Ranganayaki Thayar providing darshan to His devotees. 

Here are some photos of Lord Ranganathar; Thayar sannathi; 1000 pillar mantap, [all taken by me] Thai thiruther of last year sent by a friend of mine.

With regards – Srinivasan Sampathkumar.

 Thayar sannadhi where Nam Perumal gave darshan on that day

1000 pillar mantap [aayirngal mandapam]

 base of Thai Thiruther above  and the grand one on Celerbation day below