Ammavaru Karthigai Brahmothsavam – Yanai vahanam 2021 @ Bairagi Mutt.

Ammavaru Karthigai Brahmothsavam – Yanai vahanam 2021.

@ Bairagi Mutt - Sri Prasanna Venkateswara swami gudi 

திருமலை என்பது அற்புத திவ்யக்ஷேத்ரம்  - திருமலை என்றால் அது உயர்ந்த ஏழுமலை திருவேங்கடமுடையான், கீழ்திருப்பதி கோவிந்தராஜர் மற்றும் திருச்சானூர்  ஸ்ரீபத்மாவதி தாயார் திருக்கோயில்களை உள்ளடக்கும்.  நமது சம்ப்ரதாயத்திலே பிராட்டிக்கு அற்புத இடமுண்டு.  எம்பெருமானுடன் எப்போதும்கூடஇருப்பவர்; பக்தர்களுக்கு புருஷகாரமாக அனுக்கிரஹம் பண்ணுபவள்.   . 'அகலகில்லேன் இறையும் என்று"    பெரியபிராட்டியார் நித்தியவாசம் செய்கின்ற திருமார்பினை உடையவன்  திருவேங்கடமுடையான்.

For a visitor – Sowcarpet area offers so many – marriage choultries, hotels, food joints, Gold and silver jewellery, traditional shops, fruit shops, wholesale market for garments, toys, electricals, electronics and more ..From NSC Bose Road, Flower bazaar PS to Elephant gate area, there are so many narrow lanes and bylanes in what is known as Sowcarpet, a sprawling neighbourhood, far different than the other parts of North Madras.  Here once existed Kothawalchavadi, the wholesale vegetable market

There are so many temples too - Of the many temples in that area which one could walk and have darshan attending marriage in those choultries would include :  Chennai PattnamKovil (Perumal Kovil and Sivan kovil adjoining), KandhaKottam, Ekambareswarar, Bairagi Mutt Balaji temple, Kalikambal temple, ChennaMalleeswarar, PavazhakkarantheruKrishnarKovil, many famous pillaiyar temples,  Sri VaradharajaManavalaMamunigal temple, Mulla sahib st Sri Ranganathar temple and more .. …   

அகலகில்லேன் இறையும் என்று அலர்மேல்மங்கை உறைமார்பா!

நிகரில் புகழாய்!  உலகம் மூன்றுடையாய்?  என்னை ஆள்வானே!

நிகரில் அமரர் முனிக்கணங்கள் விரும்பும் திருவேங்கடத்தானே!

புகல் ஒன்றில்லா அடியேன் உன்னடிக்கீழ் அமர்ந்து புகுந்தேனே.

சுவாமி நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி பாசுரம் :திருமலை எனும் திவ்யத்திருப்பதி எம்பெருமான் திருவேங்கடமுடையான் மஹிமைபற்றி :  எம்பெருமான் திருமலைவாழ் ஏழுமலையான் -  பெரியபிராட்டியார் சற்றுநேரமும் விட்டுப்பிரியேன் என்று நித்திய வாசம் செய்கின்ற திருமார்பினையுடையவன் ! ஒப்பில்லாதபுகழையுடையவன்! மூன்று உலகங்களையும் தனதாக உடையவன்; நம் எல்லாரையும் ஆள்கின்றவன். ஒப்பில்லாத நித்தியசூரிகளும் முனிவர்கள் கூட்டங்களும் விரும்புகின்ற திருவேங்கடத்தில் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கின்றவன் திவ்யசூரி -   அத்தகைய எம்பெருமானை விளித்து – ஸ்வாமி நம்மாழ்வார்,  வேறுகதி ஒன்றும் இல்லாத அடியேன் உனது திருவடியிலே பொருந்தி அடைந்தேன் என்கிறார்.

ஆழ்வார் ஆசார்யர் திருவடிகளை தொழுது, எம்பெருமானையே பற்றி அவனையே சேர்வோம்.  எம்பெருமான் உறையுமிடங்கள் சென்று தரிசித்து புண்ணியம் பெறுவோம்.

Lord Srinivasa   is likened to the  exceptionally shining divine lamp – He is primordial;   His consort Padmavathi ammavaru [Goddess Padmavathi – Sri Alarmelvallithayar] resides at Thiruchanur.The sacred and most reverred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak – Venkatachala hill of Tirumala.  The Lord stands tall as bestower of all boons and lakhs of people reach here to have a glimpse – a few seconds darshan of the Lord.  This beautiful temple in its present form owes a lot to the works of the greatest Vaishnava Acarya Swami Ramanujar.  To us ThirumalaThirupathi encompasses – the holy shrine atop the hills of Thirumala, KizhThirupathiGovindaraja swami and Thiruchanoor Sri Padmavathi thayar. 

Tirukkadavuru, AlarmelMangapuram, Tirusukanur, Vadirajapuram, Tiruchhikkanur, Tiruchanur, Ammavaruthirukovil,  call it by any name, goddess Padmavathi is always at the behest of her beloved devotees.  The sacred pilgrim town of Tiruchanoor  is the abode of the “Lotus-born” goddess Padmavathi, who is also known by the name of AlarmelMangai, and hence Alarmelmangapuram. Now is the time for Thirukarthigai Brahmothsavam for Sri Padmavathi thayarammavaru at  holy Thiruchanoor and at various places including the Bairagi Mutt at Sowcarpet.  On day 4 evening (4.12.2021) it was Yanaivahanam for Ammavaru.  

It is stated that more than  a couple centuries ago, here lived a devotee sanyasi by name Laldas, from some distant part of Northern India (some unsubstantiated reference in web to Lahore !)  who medidated on Tirupathi Balaji everyday.  With divine interference, he installed the idol of Lord Venkateswara in standing posture and this temple of Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal in General Muthiah Street is popularly known as   ‘Bairagi Mutt Balaji Mandir’.  The Mutt of Laldas reportedly more than 400 years old was a choultry with accommodation for yatris. Decades later, idols of Thiruvenkadavan with Sridevi & Bhoodevi were found in the garden and they too were installed in the sanctum sanctorum.  

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
6^th Dec 2021.

Thirukudai kainkaryam ~ Sri Padmavathi ammavaru Garudi vahanam at Bairagi Mutt

How good is your observation !  - the first photo was taken at Bairagi Mutt this evening and the next  2 photos are of grand purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni on Aippaisi Thirumoolam – Swami Manavala Mamunigal sarrumurai day !! 

 Lord Srinivasa [Elumalaivasa,, Govindha, Venkata ramana, Venkatesa, Thirumalesa,  Seshadri,  Bhaktavatsala, Bhagavatapriya, Nityanirmala,  Neelameghasyama,  Nandanandana,  Navaneeta Chora, Papavimochana, Durita Nivarana….. Sri Balaji]  is likened to the  exceptionally shining divine lamp – He is primordial;  He is the fullest nectar gotten from  all the divine Vedas; He is be blemishless Lord of Thiruvengadam – Thiruvengadam Udaiyaan Srinivasar, Balaji – and His consort Padmavathi ammavaru [Goddess Padmavathi – Sri Alarmelvalli thayar] resides at Thiruchanur.

For a Srivaishnavaite, visiting Temples, having darshan of Sriman Narayana at various Divyadesams, Abhimana sthalams and doing kainkaryam to Him is the desired way of life.       The place which historically was known as blacktown came to be known as George Town thereafter.  From NSC Bose Road, Flower bazaar PS to Elephant gate area, there are so many narrow lanes and bylanes in what is known as Sowcarpet, a sprawling neighbourhood, far different than the other parts of North Madras, primarily because of  sizable North Indian community living here.   

It is stated that more than  a couple centuries ago, here lived a devotee sanyasi by name Laldas, from some distant part of Northern India (some unsubstantiated reference in web to Lahore !)  who medidated on Tirupathi Balaji everyday.  With divine interference, he installed the idol of Lord Venkateswara in standing posture and this temple of Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal in General Muthiah Street is popularly known as   ‘Bairagi Mutt Balaji Mandir’.  The Mutt of Laldas reportedly more than 400 years old was a choultry with accommodation for yatris. Decades later, idols of Thiruvenkadavan with Sridevi & Bhodevi were found in the garden and they too were installed in the sanctum sanctorum.  

Now is the time for Thirukarthigai Brahmothsavam for Sri Padmavathi thayar ammavaru at holy Thiruchanoor and at various places including the Bairagi Mutt at Sowcarpet.  Today it was Garudi vahanam [feminine form of Periya thiruvadi Garudazhwar] – would post an article separately with more photos.  Being a purappadu inside the temple premises there was a single thirukudai.  

In every purappadu – there are so many attractions – Emperuman – arulicheyal goshti, sripadhamthangigal, Archakas (battacharyas) and many many kainkaryabarargal – one among them doing a tough kainkaryam are the bearers of Thirukudai (the white decorative parasol – umbrellas) for Emperuman.  Ever wondered how difficult it is ? .. ………… please ponder.   

சென்றால் குடையாம் இருந்தால் சிங்காசனமாம்,

நின்றால் மரவடியாம் நீள்கடலுள்,   

When Sriman Narayana  is moving, Thiruvananthazhwaan hoods him like a parasol,  when God sits, Seshan is  settee – the seat of comfort;  when Lord stands,  the snake serves Him as footwear ; in the Thiruparkadal where Lord reclines to take rest, he becomes the silken bed – he gleams with light and provides handrest too.   The serpentine Ananthazhwaan is ever at the service of the Lord in every possible manner.  

Life in a divyadesam is always exciting ! ~ it provides ample opportunities to be with Emperuman and do kainkaryam .. .. the primary challenge is one of involvement and being with Lord for long hours -  one can involve oneself in so many forms of Kainkaryams – there is the glorious Archaga kainkaryam, arulicheyal kainkaryam, sripadham kainkaryam, kainkaryam to bagavathas and those involved in service to Emperuman,  financial kainkaryam for specified projects, offering beautiful jewels, vasthrams,  doing service, providing floral garlands, providing fruits and offerings, cleaning, regulating, painting, and so many more avenues ~ some are physical and requires extraordinary commitment .. .. I have never tried this but have  always observed from close quarters wondering how difficult it is – ‘thirukudai kainkaryam’ – lifting the thirukudai is a massive effort – the weight is at the top as one controls and manages its weight (more so with wind blowing ferociously) as one walks closer to Emperuman covering Him !!  

There is more to thirukudai kainkaryam – during purappadu, they carry the thirukudai on madi (the thick cloth tightly worn around the waist) – and in vahana purappadu – thirukudaigal are placed on the sideboard of the vahanam and is held by Battacharyas.  Holding them is an art and is challenging too – it is tough but graciously done by Thirukovil Battacharyargal.  Now if you have not still visualized this – understand the kudai on the land (standing on the lengthy stem) is lifted first to waist height – then from one to another, dexterously lifted chin-high or more, over the shoulders  – almost over the head.  It would appear impossible to lift an object so elaborate and weighty at the top by holding the stem at the bottom and holding aloft of a few moments – then with subtle balance, gently place it on the pattarai (side board of the vahanam).  

Today was awe-struck to see so many divine images etched beautifully in the thirukudai  (at Thiruvallikkeni and in most other divyadesams, they are pure and simple white without any artwork on its body) and just as I was photographing them, a Sripadhamthangi (Sri Logesh ji) explained to me the significance – the same thirukudai had served Lord of Seven Hills Thirupathi Balaji in Brahmothsavam in 2014 & 2015 and has subsequently come here.  So fortunate to have darshan of this thirukudai [ Umbrella]  too as also Sri Padmavathi thayar in Garudi sevai at Bairagi mutt this evening. 

In our daily routine we fail to appreciate many things – and when Perumal comes on our Streets to give darshan – people still rush in their daily chores without realizing the effort and the kainkaryam of so many people around.  We bow obeisance to all those selfless souls engaged in the kainkaryam to our Emperuman.  

With reverence  to all the kainkaryabarars – appreciating your great committed kainkaryam.  Special thanks to Sripadhamthangi Sri Logesh for sharing Thirumala brahmothsava photos of 2014.  

~adiyen Srinivasa dhasan [Mamandur Veervalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar]
5^th Dec 2021. 

maampahi mam pahi Alarmelu mange !! - Karthigai brahmothsavam

 

Alamelu Manga Nee Abhinava Roopamu

Jalajaakshu Kannulaku Chavuliche Vamma

 

Day 5 of Karthigai brahmothsavam - darshan of Sri Padmavathi thayar at Sri  Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal in Sowcarpet  popularly known as   ‘Bairagi Mutt Balaji Mandir’. 

Vijayawada darshan ! ~ 'ஒன்றெனப்பலவென அறிவரும் வடிவினுள் நன்றெழில் நாரணன்"

Some places carry a wrong perception, primarily for the way they are portrayed in movies.  The temple city of Madurai is often portrayed in Tamil movies as violent city with gangsters walking with ‘aruvals’ clutched behind their necks inside their white shirts !  .. .. Vijayawada is another one !  “Bezjawada” produced by Ram Gopal varma and directed by Vivek Krishna hit the screens in 2011 and did not do all that well –  this Telegu film  was on  the Vijayawada Gang Warfare, featuring Naga Chaitanya and Amala Paul in the lead roles.  Later it was dubbed in Hindi as Hero: The Action Man   and also in Tamil as Vikram Dhadha.  No filmy review this ! 

In some legends, Vijayawada  is  referred to as Rajendracholapura as Virarajendra Chola won a battle against Chalukyas in 1068 and ruled over this place. The reason for the city acquiring the name Bezawada is that Goddess Krishnaveni (River Krishna) requested Arjuna to make a passage for her to merge into the Bay of Bengal. Arjuna made a bejjam (hole) through the mountains and the place came to be known as Bejjamwada which later changed to Bezawada. Other names of Vijayawada were being Vijayavata, Beejapuram, Kanakaprabha, Kanakapuram, Kanakawada, Jayapuri, Vijayapuri, Phalguna Kshetram and Jananathpura.   Bezawada (as Vijayawada was known then) was founded around 626 A.D. by Paricchedi Kings.   Bezawada (Vijayawada) was ruled by King Madhava Varma (one of the kings of Vishnukundina dynasty). Chinese Buddhist scholar Xuanzang stayed a few years in Bezawada around 640 A.D. to  study the Abhidhamma Pitaka. In the early 16th century, during the reign of Qutb Shahi dynasty (Golconda Sultanate), diamond mines were found near Vijayawada on the banks of Krishna River.  

Any traveller via Vijayawada cannot miss Prakasam barrage – over river Krishna. River Krishna,  is the fourth longest river which flows entirely in India, after the Ganges, Godavari and Narmada. One for sure would love to stand near the gate and view the  long bridge on this river nearer Bejawada [Vijayawada station].  Krishna River  flows  about 1,400 kilometres (870 mi), originating  at Mahabaleswar near the Jor village in  Satara District, Maharashtra  and meets  Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi  in Andhra Pradesh, flowing through Karnataka before entering Andhra.  The delta of this river is one of the most fertile regions in India and was the home to ancient Satavahana and Ikshvaku Sun Dynasty kings.   

Earlier known as Bezawada, Vijayawada is a Commercial city with a hot climate – you can feel the heat as the train enters this region ~ Indian Railways has assigned the station code - "BZA".  This politically active city is well connected by road, air and more specifically by rail.  It is a major Railway junction located in South Central Railway.  Trains from Tamilnadu towards Hyderabad pass through ~ trains to Howrah & beyond; the National Capital and beyond – all   pass through this Junction.  The station has 10 platforms and is one of the busiest with more than 250 express and 150 freight trains passing through it.  The station was constructed in 1888 when the Southern Maharatta Railway's main eastward route was connected with other lines going through Vijayawada. By some accounts, an average of 70,000 people board different trains each day and an equal number of commuters exit trains at the station.  

Vijayawada is a holy town – with the famous temple of Sri Kanaka Durgamma of Goddess Durga – Pushkaram on river Krishna occurs here once in 12 years.  It is also called Vijayavatika (land of victory in Telegu) where Goddess Durgamma killed demon Mahisashura, and resting at Indrakeeladri hill by the river side – establishing victory of good over evil and providing boons to all devotees.  

கவிச்சக்ரவர்த்தியின் கம்ப இராமாயணம் ஓர் அற்புத காவியம்.  உயர்ந்த இலக்கிய நடை, உன்னதமான பக்தி, அற்புதமான சொல்லாடல், அழகு பொங்கும் கருத்துகள் மிகச்சரியான உவமானங்களோடு .. .. இதோ இங்கே : கம்பராமாயணத்தின்  யுத்த காண்டத்தின்  ஆரம்ப பாடல் :  

'ஒன்றே' என்னின், ஒன்றே ஆம்; 'பல' என்று உரைக்கின், பலவே ஆம்;

'அன்றே' என்னின், அன்றே ஆம்; 'ஆமே' என்னின், ஆமே ஆம்;

'இன்றே' என்னின், இன்றே ஆம்; 'உளது' என்று உரைக்கின், உளதே ஆம்;

நன்றே, நம்பி குடி வாழ்க்கை! நமக்கு இங்கு என்னோ பிழைப்பு? அம்மா!  

மேலுழுந்தவாரியாக முதல் தடவை படிக்கும்போது - இந்த பாட்டு சற்று குழப்பமான அர்த்தங்களை தரலாம்.  எம்பெருமான் அளப்பிலரியன், அவன் எங்கும் உளன், அவனை பல ரூபங்களில் காணலாம் - எனினும் அவன் ஒருவனே எனும் பரமார்த்த தத்துவத்தை மிக எளிமைய விளக்கியுள்ளார் கம்ப நாட்டாழ்வார். கம்பன் வினவுவது :    ஒன்று என்று கூறினால் ஒன்றேயாகும்; பல என்று கூறின் பலவாகும்;  இத்தன்மை உடையதல்ல என்று கூறினால் அவ்வாறே ஆகும் ;  இன்ன   தன்மைதான்     உடையது  என்று  கூறினால் அந்தத்தன்மை உடையதாயிருக்கும்;  .. .. .. இப்படிப்பட்ட இறைவனது  நிலை  பெரிதாயுள்ளது;  அற்ப அறிவுடைய சிற்றறிவினராகிய நாம் இவ்வுலகில் இறை நிலையை அறிந்து உய்வு பெறும் வழி யாது?  

'உலகம்   யாவையும்  தாம்   உளவாக்கலும்,    நிலை பெறுத்தலும் நீக்கலும் நீங்கலா அலகிலா  விளையாட்டுடைய பரமன்  ஒருவனே ஆதலின் 'ஒன்றே என்னின் ஒன்றேயாம்'  என்றார். அந்த ஒரு பரம் பொருளே, 'திட விசும்பு, எரி, வளி, நீர், நிலம் இவை மிசைப்படர் பொருள்  முழுவதுமாய் அவை  அவை   தோறும்,  உடல்மிசை  உயிர்  என கரந்து எங்கும்  பரந்துள்ளதாதலின், "பல  என்று  உரைக்கில்  பலவே ஆம்"  என்றார். 'ஒன்றெனப்பலவென  அறிவரும்  வடிவினுள் நின்ற  நன்றெழில் நாரணன்"  என்று  திருவாய் மொழி இங்கு ஒப்பு   நோக்கத்தக்கது.     கண்ணுக்குப்      புலப்படாத  அவ்விறைவனைக் காணப்படும்  பரிதி, மதி போன்றவற்றைக் காட்டி   "இதுவல்ல,   இதுவல்ல"  என்று சுட்டி அறிவிக்க வேண்டியிருப்பதால் "அன்றே   என்னின்  அன்றே  ஆம்"  என்றார்.  அப்பரமனின்     இயல்பை !!     

எம்பெருமான் உறையும் திருக்கோவில்களுக்கு - திவ்யதேசங்களுக்கு, முக்கிய திருக்கோவில்களுக்கு சென்று - அங்கு அவ்விடத்திலே எம்பெருமானை தரிசித்து, கைங்கர்யங்கள் செய்து இன்புறுகிறோம்.  சமீபத்தில், பத்ரசாலம் ஸ்ரீராமபிரானை தரிசிக்க பயணித்தபோது, விஜயவாடா நகரத்திலே, கிருஷ்ணா நதி அருகிலே அமைந்துள்ள இந்த ஸ்ரீவெங்கடாசலபதி திருக்கோவிலில், எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீமன் நாரணனை :  திருப்பதி பாலாஜியாக, ஸ்ரீராமபிரானாக, சாரதா தேவியாக சேவித்து குளிர்ந்தோம்.  

On 4.11.2021 night after Deepavali, we proceeded on tour to Badrachalam, Mattapalli and other places – landed at Vijayawada railway station.  Morning started with bathing at Krishna river and darshan at Kanakadurgamma gudi.  Before that we took rest in a hotel nearer the railway station – Hotel Golden way Pingali Swamy Street,  Poornanandapet, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520003 – and very much infront of the hotel was this beautiful Srinivasa temple.  Some photos of the idols taken with their permission are posted here. 

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
3.12.2021.