Irapathu day 4 - Sankranthi Oorgola Uthsavam ~ Hanumath Jayanthi - 2014

Today, (14th Jan 2014) is the 4th day of the ongoing Irapathu Uthsavam…. Today is Sankranthi and hence Sankranthi Urgola Uthsavam and today is Hanumath Jayanthi too…..

After Bhogi Thirukalyanam, Sri Andal and Sri Parthasarathi usually will have purappadu in a special open palanquin [one that had no roof known as kooralam] ~ today it was Perumal with Ubaya Nachimar in a Kedayam and Sri Andal by the side of Perumal.  There was Swami Nammalwar and Sri Baktha Aanjaneyar too… a glorious purappadu.  Today too,  Sri Parthasarathi adorned the Crown [Sigathadai]; Sri Andal was in a beautiful sitting posture.  It was a great occasion to have darshan of The Divine Couples [Divya Thampathi].  

Think about Hanuman…..

and what comes to mind is his unparalleled devotion for Lord Ram and unrivalled physical strength. Perhaps this is one reason why Hanuman is quite often associated with celibates, wrestlers and bodybuilders. Hanuman is also noted for his spirit of self service, which was rewarded by Lord Ram by stating that ‘whenever I am remembered, people will remember you too.’ Hanuman Jayanthi is observed during various time of year in different places. Some observe it in Chaitra month. In Thiruvallikkeni temple, it was celebrated yesterday.

In this sthalam, right in front of the Sri Ramar Sannathi, Sri Aanjaneya resides. Once in a year, there will be purappadu for this Utsavamurthy and yesterday Sri Parthasarathi Perumal, Sri Andal;  Sri Hanumar and Swami Nammalwar had purappadu. There is another Anjaneyar temple at East tank Square street too….

In Periyazhwar Thirumozhi, in the hymns celebrating the power of Govardhana Giri, Azhwar says  that in the Greatly reverred hill, female monkeys in singing lullabies to their kids, mention the heroic deeds of Hanuman, whose valour completely destroyed the city of demons – the  Lanka.**அடங்கச்சென்று இலங்கையையீடழித்த அனுமன் புகழ்பாடித் தம்குட்டன்களை* ……..

It is widely believed that Lord Hanuman is present wherever the story of Lord Ram is recited.  Let us prostrate  at the feet of  Jai Hanuman ~  here are some photos of the purappadu.

Here are some photos taken during today’s purappadu.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

14^th Jan 2014.

Sri Villiputhur Andal neeratta Uthsavam 2014

I have been posting about the Neeratta Uthsavam at  Thiruvallikkeni…. Sri Andal’s  birth occurred in the 98^th year of Kali Yuga – Andal  was found in a thulasi garden at Sri Villiputhur by Vishnu Chithar [Periyazhwaar]. 

In Tamil Nadu, most Temples have beautiful and majestic Gopurams and at Sri Villiputhur, the birth place of Sri Andal it is a 11 tiered structure of about 192 feet high. The famous Gopuram  dates back to  Sri Periyazhwaar.  Srivilliputhur, with its twin temples, dedicated to the deities Vadaabadrasayee and Andal-Rangamannar, is a place of high religious importance. The tall towers, massive car, huge tank, sculpted pillars, ancient Ramayana frescoes and modern wall paintings depicting the Lords of 108 Divyadesams, numerous inscriptions dating back to the rule of Pandya kings, fine rectangular hall with a wooden roof and above all its unique "Thiruppavai Vimanam" speak volumes of their rich architectural heritage. The majestic Gopuram of the West tower of the Sri Villiputhur divyadesam is the emblem of State of Tamil Nadu. 

Kothai Piratti  [Andal] represents   the most unique combination of divine wisdom coupled with devotion non-pareil.  A paragon of virtues - supreme example of single-minded devotion in serving the Lord, as clearly brought out in her great prabandham of 30 hymns "Thiruppavai".  Andal’s  philosophy is clear and unmistakable.  She says ‘immaikkum ezhezhu piravikkum patraavan, nammaiyudaivan Narayanan nambi’  -  "Sriman Narayana is our refuge now and forever and He will not let us down, for we are His possessions".  In Nachiyar Thirumozhi, she says

“தொழுதுமுப்போது முன்னடி வணங்கித் தூமலர் தூய்த்தொழு தேத்துகின்றேன்*

பழுதின்றிப் பாற்கடல் வண்ணனுக்கே பணிசெய்து வாழ” ~ to her kainkaryam to Sriman Narayana is throughout the day as she does matchless service with flowers ~ to Her the very reason of birth is to do service to the Lord of Thirupparkadal. 

My brother S. Sundararajan visited this divyadesam recently  and here are some photos taken by him during the Uthsavam at Sri Villiputhur. 

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

14^th Jan 2014.

Irapathu Uthsavam day 2 at Thiruvallikkeni 2014

Thiruvallikkeni - Iraapathu Uthsavam 2 – 12.01.2014  - 

திருவல்லிக்கேணி இராப்பத்து  உத்சவம் 

Today, Sri Parthasarathy shone in radiance  as ‘Sri Venugopalar ‘ – the cowherd - -  one with the Flute and Cows.  Here are some photos of Perumal taken during today’s evening purappadu. 

Adiyen Srinivaadhasan

Koodarai vellum Seer Govindha - Andal Neeratta Uthsavam day 7 (2014)

11^th Jan 2013 – it is the day of Vaikunda Ekadasi and  7^th day  of  Andal Neeratta uthsavam.  Sri Andal was exquisitely draped in green and blue silk and gave darshan in a grand sitting posture. 

In hymn no. 28 Sri Andal sings the glory of being the cow, reaching to forest on their trail and the significance of total surrender…… it reminded us of ‘கறவைகள் பின்சென்று கானம்சேர்ந்து உண்போம்’ – the day pasuram was of great significance……….. it was “Kudarai Valli” –  a day, when the sweet pongal [made of jaggery with ghee flowing] is offered to God and then shared with all near and dear..   it is ‘Koodarai vellum seer Govindha”…

The true quality of Sri Vaishnavaite is to renounce everything, fall at the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana and feel happy of the fact of being his  eternal follower, allowing the Master to decide, determine and dictate the future. The best of wealth that one can get is the chance to do kainkaryam (service) to the God Himself and to Bhagavathas (His followers)

கூடாரை வெல்லும்சீர்க் கோவிந்தா உன்றன்னைப்*

பாடிப் பறைகொண்டு யாம்பெறு சம்மானம்*

நாடு புகழும் பரிசினால் நன்றாகச்*

சூடகமே தோள்வளையே தோடே செவிப்பூவே*

பாடகமே என்றனைய பல்கலனும் யாமணிவோம்*

ஆடை உடுப்போமதன்பின்னே பாற்சோறு*

மூடநெய் பெய்து முழங்கை வழிவாரக்*

கூடியிருந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோரெம்பாவாய். 

In this pasuram, Kothai Piratti expresses her great joy over the acquirement of the boons that she and her friends entreated Lord Krishna to grant them. To celebrate, She calls beating the drum, wearing new clothes describing all the ornate ornaments that are to be worn and eating sweet rice prepared in milk with ghee overflowing. In the early pasurams of Thiruppavai, it is the Paavai Nonbu – now it is nearing completeion and is the time for sanmanam from the Lord for those who observed the vratham.  The Pasuram starts with “Koodarai Vellum Seer” – which speaks of His greatest Quality of winning the hearts of even those who want to fight against Him.

To us, the bakthas, it is not only of getting that much sought benevolence of God but more of sharing them with all bhakthas ‘koodi irunthu kulirnthu’. Thiruppavai is also about Govindha Naama Sankeerthanam which reaches its peak in the concluding verses where She ponders ‘kurai ondrum illatha Govinda’. The myriad meanings of Thiruppavai are detailed in many many discourses of Sri Vaishnavaite Periyavars, especially during this month.

Here are some photos taken during the morning purappadu.

Sri Andal thiruvadigale saranam.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

12^th Dec 2o13.