Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai Uthsavam at Thirumala 2013

திருமலையில் சிறப்பு வைபவம் - 

திருமலை அனந்தான்பிள்ளை திருவவதார மகோத்சவம் :  

Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai Uthsavam at Thirumala 2013

Fortunate to attend the 959^th Thiruvavathara Uthsvam of Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai held at Thirumala Tirupathi on 3^rd March 2013.

Thirumalai Ananthalwan, a great Acharyar did great service for Thiruvengadamudayan, about 1000 years ago.  Sure you would have had darshan of Lord Venkateswarar – Tirupathi Balaji so many times – have you not noticed the ‘crowbar’ kept at the Main entrance to the temple and do you know its legend.  If not, do observe and bow obeisance the next time, you enter the Holy entrance at Thirumala.

Of the many divyadesams sung by Azhwaargal, Thirumala occupies a very prominent position.  Our Acharyan Emperumanaar (Udayavar, Ramanujar, Bashyakarar……….) did many service to the Lord here and Udayavar was instrumental in many of the religious practices being established in Thirumala.  One of his disciples is ‘Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan’ who was very attached to Ramanujar.  Ananthazhwaan was born in 1053 near Mysore in a village called ‘siruputhoor’.  When Udayavar was rendering kalakshepam on Thiruvaimozhi, (the verse – sindhu poo magizhum Thiruvengadathu – meaning the place replete with flowers), Udayavar asked whether anybody would do the pushpa kainkaryam at Thirumala.  Remember, Tirupathi was a very dense jungle ridden with wild animals with adverse weather.  Ananthazhwaan readily came forward and said that he would go, if Udayavar so desires.  Udayavar was so elated that he praised Ananthazhwaan as the real man and till date, his descendents have the name ‘Thirumalai Ananthanpillai’ meaning manly. 

Legend has it that Ananthazhwaan was organizing ‘a flower garden’ – he was constructing a lake for supply of water on the hills – an extremely arduous work.  Lord Balaji in one of His Thiruvilayadals, came to the place and tried helping him.  Wrongly assuming the person as hindering the work, Ananthazhwaan threw the crowbar at the Lord (without knowing Him); later realised his folly and got the Divine Blessings of Lord.  This is the crowbar now seen at the entrance of the Temple of Supreme Lord Thiruvengadam Uaiyaan.

Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan continued his floral and other services to Lord Srinivasar for many years. He was so devoted in his service ordained by Ramanujacharya that for him, it was service that was of primary importance, even when compared to God.     The Vigraham of Sri Ramanujar that we worship inside the Sri Vari Temple was installed by him. 

The garden created by Ananthazhwaan is now known as ‘Puraisaivari Thottam’.  It lies on the back side of the temple near Chinna Jeeyar Mutt and one can reach this place through the Thirumala Library also.    Now there is a beautiful brundavanam at this place maintained by the descendents of Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan.  The lake created by him now stands majestically as ‘Ramanuja lake” replete with water on the hill !!   Twice in a year,  Sri Malayappar visits this place and honours Ananthazhwaan now in the form of Magizha maram.  ‘Sri Venkatesa Ithihasa maala’ is considered the best amongst the many works of Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan

For the past few years, anniversary Uthsavam of Sri Ananthazhwaan is being celebrated at his place at Thirumala.   It is being organized by his descendents, well supported by Thirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, through its ‘Alwar Divya Prabandha Project’.   Almost a decade back, when it was organized for the first time, the place wore not so great looks, but over the years has been improved and maintained so well that it is a fitting tribute to Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan who did yeoman service to Lord Srinivasar. 

This year it was 959^th Birth day celebrations very well organized.  His Holiness Thirumalai Periya Kelviappan Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Periya Jeeyar Swami,  His Holiness Thirumalai Ilaiya Kelviappan Sri Govinda Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar  Swami,  His Holiness Sriperumpudur Embaar Jeeyar Swami,  presided over the divyaprabandha goshti. There were hundreds of Kalakshepa Athigarigal,  Athyapakars from various divyadesams, Ubaya Vedantha periyavargal and many youngsters who participated in the ‘Thiruvaimozhi Goshti’. 

There were kalakshepams by renowned scholars starting with Dr MA Venkatakrishnan Swami,  Sri PB Rajahamsam Swami, Sri KB Devarajan Swami and many others.

Let us worship the feets of Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan who was renowned for his knowledge, devotion, steadfastness and more good qualities. Some photos taken during the celebrations are here  :

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. 

the magizha maram - Acharyar himself and his statue below

the story of Acharyar Ananthazhwan

Swami Udayavar Ananthazhwanai niyamithal

Ananthazhwar doing kainkaryam to Thiruvengadamudaiyan

Swami Emperumanar sannathi inside Thirumala Temple

Srinivasar purappadu to thiruvarasu of Ananthazhwar and mariyadhai

thiruvaimozhi goshti on the occasion

Sri Ramanujar pushkarini at purasaivari thottam

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi Thavana Uthsavam 2013

Thiruvallikkeni is replete with Festivities.  After the Theppothsavam, comes the Thavana Uthsavam.  It would amaze one to understand the significance of each Uthsavam and the care with which our elders have designed them.  There are palaces [bungalows] specially built for providing rest to Perumal on different occasions ~ at Thiruvallikkeni, there is Thavana Uthsava Bungalow situated in Thulasinga Perumal Koil Street, Komutti Bungalow in Peyalwar Koil Street and Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in Venkatrangam Street ~ sad that the big spacious sprawling premises of Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow is no longer there……..

Perumal coming out of Thavana Uthsava Bungalow

Thavana Uthsava Bungalow derives its name from the Thavana Uthsavam that occurs for 5 days starting Masi Krithikai. This Bungalow as I could recall from my young days, had a big well with steps inside,  trees of rose Nerium Oleander [Arali] and a differently looking  structure having two ‘goris’ [minars] ~ one can reach the top of the minars through the steps provided one is not afraid of bats.  Enthusiastic residents would draw water from the well, sprinkle on the sands that surround the raised structure, colourful kolams will be drawn adding to the religious atmosphere. 

During this Uthsavam, Perumal takes rest under the roof made of thavanam – an aromatic herb.   Dhavanam (Tamil: தவனம்) [Artemisia pallens], is an aromatic herb, in genus of small herbs or shrubs, xerophytic in nature.  This herb pervades great aroma and provides coolness.  Now a kooralam [roof] made of Dhavanam is set up over the resting place of the Lord.

Sri Parthasarathi reaches the Bungalow in the morning, has Thirumanjanam inside the premises, has purappadu inside the Bungalow in the evening and then has ‘periya maada veethi purappadu’. 

Here are some photos taken during the Thavana Uthsava purappadu today at Thiruvallikkeni

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

19^th Mar 2013

Sri Varadhar Theppam - Gajendra Varadar Thirukolam

Triplicane is abuzz with the festivities of Float [theppam] and Sunday 17^th Mar 2013 marked the last day of the annual float festival.  Today it was Sri Varadha Rajar.  In the sacred divyadesam of Thiruvallikkeni, the Emperuman is in five roopams – Lord Parthasarathi (Lord Venkada Krishnar is the Moolavar); Lord Azhagiya Singar; Lord Rama, Lord Ranganatha and Lord Varadharaja.  The moolavar of  Varadharajar  is depicted as on “Garuda vahanam” which is very unique.

Sure you know the puranic legend of ‘Gajendra moksham [salvation of elephant Gajendra]’ ~ when   Lord Maha Vishnu Himself  came down to earth to protect Gajendra(elephant) from the death clutches of Makara (Crocodile).  Gajendra the King of elephants, was attacked and caught by a crocodile and death seemed imminent.  Gajendra had been rendering service to the Lord by offering Lotus and when he appealed to God to protect him, Maha Vishnu appeared on Garuda vahanam and saved the elephant by killing the crocodile with his ‘Chakram’.   It also explains that one who falls under the divine feet of Lord seeking salvation will surely be taken care of.

The reenactment of Gajendra moksha takes place during the full moon in the month of Aadi.   The Sarrupadi [alankaram] for Lord Varadhar for theppam was ‘Gajendra moksha thirukolam’.   Lord Varadhar appearing in the form whence he saved  the devoted elephant from the savage attack of the mugger crocodile.  It was the posture of Lord having released his chakra to save the elephant;   One of the arms was in prayoga posture, having released the chakra – holding the azhi [the sangu / conch]  in the other, holding Gatha in one and abhaya hastham on the fourth thirukaram.  It was indeed a great darshan of the Lord. 

Appropriate to recall the Thirumozhi pasuram of Thirumangai Mannan on Lord Varadharajar.

மீனமர் பொய்கை நாண்மலர் கொய்வான் வேட்கையினோடு சென்றிழிந்த,*

கானமர் வேழம் கையெடுத் தலறக் கராவதன் காலினைக் கதுவ,*

ஆனையின் துயரம் தீரப்புள்ளூர்ந்து சென்று நின்றாழிதொட் டானை,*

தேனமர் சோலை மாடமாமயிலைத்  திருவல்லிக்கேணிக் கண்டேனே.*

The elephant Gajendra had entered the beautiful pond where new flowers were available; the crocodile made a beastly attack.  Elephant lifted its trunk and trumpeted seeking the help of God; who immediately came to its help astride the bird [Garudan]; that God who used his Chakra for assuaging the elephant  is seen at Thiruvallikkeni, the place having well built houses and densely surrounded by pleasant fruit bearing trees.

Here are some photos depicting the Theppam, Thirukolam and one taken during the hastham purappadu earlier to make you experience the thirukolam better. 

the most beautiful rose garlands...

Varadhar entering theppam ~ without kedayam

inside the Theppam

Sri Varadhar ~ photo taken on hastham purappadu in Jan 2011

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

Sri Ramar Pattabishekam - Allikkeni Theppam 2013

Mere chanting of the name ‘Sree Rama’ would provide everything to us ~ he is the greatest benefactor ~ the Maryadha Purush ~ the greatest epitome of all virtues Lord Rama. It is our total belief that by listening to the highly meaningful and auspicious poetical composition of Sri Ramayana, a person gets family-prosperity, augmentation in money and grain, superior quality of life, peace of mind,  exquisite happiness and all the acquisition of wealth on this earth.

In Ramayana, at the time of meeting Lord Sri Rama, Sugreeva has lost everything- power, prowess, kingdom, wife, honour; association with Lord Rama restores him everything. Ravana, on the other hand, has everything in the beginning; is the most powerful emperor in his own land secluded from any competition; he loses everything one by one and is finally destroyed too.

The most complete picture of Sri Rama that one can ever dream of is that of Sri Rama Pattabishekam ~ the eternal state of bliss, the state where all of his subjects were totally happy ~ a picture of the most Noble Sri Rama seated on the throne with Sitadevi – with Lakshmana, Baratha, Satrugna doing service to Him, Sri Hanuman seated near his legs, Sugriva, Angatha, Zambavan and more – all happy.  -  one having darshan of Lord Rama pattabishekam sure would have all wealths in life.  

At Thiruvallikkeni, Thirumangaimannan describes Rama as one with his family of Barathan, Satrugnan, Ilakkuvan and Mythili – the one who destroyed Ravana [Ravananthakan] – the most cheerful and calm Rama blessing all his devotees.  Today, 16^th Mar 2013, it was Theppothsavam of Lord Rama – and it was the most beautiful sarrupadu [alankaram] as ‘Pattabisheka Ramar’ – Lakshmana holding the umbrella and Sita seated on His left.  One can also have darshan of ‘siriya thiruvadi’ [Lord Hanuman] near his Lotus feets.

A photo of Sri Ramar taken during purappadu on another day is also posted – just to make you experience of the beautiful sarrupadi of ‘Pattabisheka Rama’

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

coming out of 36kaal mandapam

before Sri Nammalwar sannathi

Pattabisheka Ramar - backdrop of Gopuram

Kairavini kulakkarai veethiyile

Siriya Thiruvadiyam Hanuman

Anjaneyar ~ [this photo courtesy Thirumazhisai Kannan]

 before Thiruvadi Kovil - see the Temple gopuram in the backdrop

inside the float - theppothsavam

Allikkeni Azhagiya Sree Ramar - Kothandapani