Other utsavams in thiruvallikeni

Sri Parthasarathi thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad Vara Vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE Namaha

It’s well known to us that, Sri Ramanujar used to call Sri Mudaliyandaan and Sri Koorathazhvan as his Dandam and pavithram. This demonstratres the attachment, these two sishyas had, to Udaiyavar. Sri Mudaliyandaan is also related to Sri Ramanujar in his Poorvashramam. Sri Udayavar was his maternal uncle. Sri Mudaliyandaan was born in the star Punarvasu in the place Pettai (Naserat pettai) very near to Poondamalli in Chennai.

On the day of Sri Mudaliyandan’s thirunakshatram, In Thiruvallikeni, this poorvacharya has Thirumanjanam in the morning, along with his Acharyan Sri Ethirajar (Vidhayarthi Utsavam) and Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman. In the evening Sri Mudaliyandan has veedhi purappadu along with Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman. After returning back there will be Sattrumarai ghosti. During the ghosti, Sri Mudaliyandaan will be accompanied by Sri Emperumanar, Sri Embar and also Sri Kulasekarazhvar (who share the same Thirunakshatram). Finally Sri Mudaliyandaan gets his blessings from Sri Parthasarathi.

Now that, we have seen till now about the two major Utsavams, i.e, Sri Parthasarathi Brahmotsavam and Sri Udayavar Utsavam I will now proceed to give a jist of all the other utsavams in Thiruvallikeni in the various months.

In the month of vaikasi, there are 3 utsavams, namely The Vasantha Utsavam (of Sri Parthasarathi and also of Sri Mannathan and Vedavalli), Sri Nammazhvar Utsavam and Sri Gajendra varadar Utsavam.

During the vasantha utsavam of Sri Parthasarathi, he goes to the vasantha utsava bungalow (where, he used to have Thirumanjanam etc over there earlier and stay for the whole day. But now, due to security reasons and the condition of poor state of the Bunglow, he visits only in the evening for a short period of time and the other rituals are performed in the temple itself. In case of Sri Ranganathan and Sri vedavalli Thayar, since Thayar is Padi Thandha Paththini both of them have vasantha utsavam in the madapam opposite to the Narasimhar Dvajastambam.

Sri Nammazhvar utsavam is done for 10 days. But there is no purappadu for Nammazhvar except on the day of sattrumarai along with perumal and there will be Thirumanjanam and ghosti on all days, in the Nammazhvar mandapam (otherwise called as the Vahana Mandapam). Since Sri Gajendra Varadan doesn’t have Dvajastambam his utsavam is not so grand but still he has Thirumanjanam all ten days and purappadu in the evenings in various small vahanams. Only on the Garudasevai day Sri Gajendra Varadar gives darshan on the Garudan early in the morning. Great alankaram is done to Sri Varadar on these days.

In the month of Aani, the main utsavam is Sri Azhagiya Singar Brahmotsavam. All occasions, which I have explained earlier in Sri Parthasarathi Brahmotsavam will follow suite for Sri Azhagiya Singar Brahmotsavam also. But instead of Simha Vahanam (since he himself is a simham) Sri Azhgiya singar used to give darshan on Yali (Yali Vahanam). Sri Azhagiya singar gives divya sevai as lakshmi Narasimhar on the 8^th day instead of Vennai Thazhi kannan kolam for Shri Parthasarathi. And on Theertha vari day Sri Azhagiya Singar has Thirumanjanam in the Anjeeneyar temple on the other side of the Kairavini Pushkarini unlike Sri Parthasarathi who has Thirumanjanam in Andal Neerata Mandapam. And during the utsavam in Aani Swathi, Sri Periyazhvar Sattrumarai is also done.

In the month of Aadi, there are 2 Utsavams, namely Sri Aalavandar Utsavam and Sri Andal Aadi Poora Utsavam. Again, for Sri Aalavandar Utsavam there is no purappadu but Thirumanjanam and Ghoshti will be there. In the purappadu on day of the Sattrumarai, Sri Parthasarathi will be dressed as Gajendra Varadar and he releases Gajendran from the clutches of the crocodile. This event is performed at the pushkarini where a photo of a crocodile catching Gajendra is placed in the NeerAazhi Mandapam and a Rocket sort of Cracker is sent from one end where Sri Parthasarathi stands to the crocodile. The beauty of Sri Parthasarathi in this Alangaram definitely cannot be explained by words.

Then comes the Aadi Poora utsavam, which will be celebrated for 10 days. Sri Andal has purappadu and after returning, she undergoes Malai Maatthal with Sri Parthasarathi who is eagerly waiting for her at the Mandapam. Then she enters the mandapam and joins in the Oonjal with Sri Parthasarathi. On the Aadi Poora day a grand Kalyanam is done to Sri Parthasarathi and Andal and this Utsavam ends with the Serthi Sevai similar to that of Panguni Utthira Kalyanam of Sri Mannathan and Sri Vedavalli Thayar. From this day till the next pooram Sri Andal stays in Sri Parthasarathi sannadhi itself. Only on the next pooram she returns back to her Sannadhi.

In the month of Aadi one other important occasion is the Jheshtabheshekam for the various perumals. Starting with Sri Parthasarathi Jheshtabheshekam on Aadi Thiruvonam, consequently all other Emperumans have their Jheshtabheshekams on their respective stars (Sri Ranganathar-Revathi, Sri Ramar-Purnarpoosam, Sri Azhagiya Singar- Swathi). Sri Varadharajar doesn’t have a kavasam and hence no Jheshtabishekam. Only recently a Silver Kavasam has adorned Sri Varadhar. The day following parthasarathi jheshtabhishekam is thiruppavadai.

In Aavani we have the Pavithrotstavam for 7 days and Sri Jayanthi will be celebrated. The next day of the Sri Jayanthi is the Vuriyadi Utsavam.

In Purattasi, the main Utsavam is the Navarathri Utsavam of Sri Vedavalli Thayar. Thayar’s beauty and charm in the various Alangarams on each day Is out of the world. And the highlighting feature of this utsavam is the Madal Ghosthi in the evenings. In other places of the city on Navarathri days, ladies and girls dress themselves beautifully and visit their friends and relatives to call them to their houses for golu. But in Thiruvallikeni first preference is only to Vedavalli Thayar’s purappadu. Only after this they fix their timings to visit others houses. It is admirable to see such a crowd enjoying the amazing beauty of Sri Vedavalli. On the mahA navami day, the Navaratri Utsavam comes to an end and that day night Sri Vedavalli gives Vettrilai paaku for all. Getting the ‘Vettrilai Pakku’ from Thayar is regarded as the most auspicious event. The next day is Vijaya Dasami. On this day, Sri Parthasarathi goes round Thiruvallikeni in his horse and visits many other streets, other than the Mada streets to give joy to all those bhakthas also. Then, when he returns to the Thulasinga Perumal Street, he is joined by Sri Vedanthachariar, who’s Thirunakshatram also falls on the same day, usually. Returning back, Sattumarai is done to Sri VedantaChariar.

In Iyppasi we have Sri Manavala Mamunigal’s Utsavam for 10 days. Like Sri Ramanujar, Sri Manavala Mamunigal also goes to every sannadhi to do Mangalasasanam on all the days of the utsavam. On the final day a very special Sevai awaits all the devotees. Emperuman originally starts in Kaithalam towards Sri Mamunigal to give him Divya Darshanam. We being sishyas of Mamunigal are graced with the same Darshan. By this Sri Parthasarathi proves that if his Bhakthas take one step towards him he takes 10 ten steps towards us. Also, for a prapannan there is no other great gift than the sevai of Emperuman. So as Sri Ranganatha gave Darshan to Sri Udayavar in Kaitalam and Sri Sourirajan of Thirukannapuram gave Darshan to Sri vibheshanazhvan in Kaitalam, here Sri Parthasarathi shows his Kaitala Sevai to Mamunigal on his Thirunakshatram. This is a rare sevai only on this day.

Then this is the month in which the Mudhal Azhvargal took birth and hence the Thirunakshatrams of all the 3 Alwars are celebrated. Since Peyazhwar was born in Thiruvallikeni/Thirumayilai, here there is a ten-day Utsavam for Peyazhwar. But, again there will be no purappadu; there will be only ghosthi and Thirumanjanam. On the Sattrumarai day, Sri Parthasarathi visits the peyazhwar Sannadhi (located in the chinna Mada Veedhi outside the temple) and has Thirumanjanam over there with Peyazhwar. One beautiful sight is on the Poigai Alwar sattrumarai purappadu. On this day in front of Sri Parthasarathi we can see Sri Poighai Alwar, Sri Pillai Lokacharya (who was also born on this day) and Sri Manavala Mamunigal (vidayarthi poorthi) all in a line. These are rare sights, which are feast for our eyes.

The Deepavali day in Thiruvallikeni is a day of enjoyment. In every other place everyone celebrates Deepavali early in the morning. But in Thiruvallikeni, the main enjoyment is reserved for the night when Sri Parthasarathi joins with all the young folks to celebrate. The number of 10,000 vallas (The string Cracker) is increasing year after year. All the people join together irrespective of friends or relatives and enjoy the Deepavali in unison with the Emperuman. It is really a great enjoyment. The day following deepavali is celebrated as annakoota utsavam (remembering govardhana pooja done in gokula by the gokula vasees)

And on the Kaisika dvadasi day, Kaisika Purnam is read in front of Sri Parthasarathi and vanabhojana utsavam is celebrated.

In karthigai, we have the karthigai deepam. After the Thirumangai Mannan Sattrumarai Thailakappu is done to all the Moolavars. Again Thirumangai mannan has 10 day Utsavam here with ghosti and Thirumanjanam and purappadu only on the last day along with Sri Parthasarathi. The next is Thirupannazhwar sattrumarai. No purappadu is performed if it occurs during Thailakappu.

In Marghazi, we have the Pagal Pattu and Rapattu utsavam. On the Vaikunda Ekadasi day there is a very heavy crowd and Sri Parthasarathi early in the morning gives darshan to Sri Nammazhwar in the Vaikundha Vaasal. In the pagal pattu utsavam Sri Parthasarathi’s alangarams are extraordinary. You could have never seen such beauty in any other divya desam. I stop with saying this since I feel it is beyond my capacity to really explain about this utsavam.

Next is Sri Andal Neeratam for 10 days. Sri Andal goes to her Neerata Mandapam and undergoes Neeratam. The way the archakas put thailam to Sri Andal’s hair and then comb it etc should be seen in person. No words can give the real joy. This Utsavam actually ends with the Bhogi Kalyanam. On this day marriage is done for Sri Parthasarathi and Sri Andal and then Serthi Sevai and then Sri Andal remains in Sri parthasarathi Sannadhi for a month just like Aadi poora kalyanam. Oorgola utsavam is done on sankaranthi day. On the Kanu day, Sri Andal first keeps the Kannu pidi inside kairavini pushkarini and only seeing her do so the other ladies in Thiruvallikeni follow her in their houses.

In Thai, we have Thirumazhisai Alwar Utsavam for 10 days. And on the sattrumarai day, Thirumazhisai Alwar has purappadu with Sri Parthasarathi. Embar Sattrumarai and Thai poosam are other important days in Thai. On the Thai poosam day Sri Parthasarathi goes to the Big Street in Thiruvallikeni to cut the new ripe grains.

Then Sri Koorathazhwan sattrumarai is done on Thai Hastam day. Then Sri Parthasarathi visits Ekaduthangal in Thai month. This is a place, which is very far from Thiruvallikeni, but it is supposed to have been the property of Sri Parthasarathi, which he visits once a year even now.

In Masi, on the Ratha saptami day, Sri Parthasarathi gives darshan on Soorya Prabhai and chandra prabhai in the morning and evening respectively. On Masi Makam Sri Parthasarathi goes to the beach on garuda vahanam and has Thirumanjanam over there. The chakrathazhwar makes a holy dip in the seawater on behalf of the Emperuman. And in this month Thirukkachi Nambi Sattrumarai and Kulasekaraalwar sattrumarai are also done.

The next Utsavam in this month is the Dhavana utsavam. During this utsavam Sri Parthasarathi goes to the Dhavana utsava Bunglow where the mandapam is decorated with Davanam.

On Masi Dwadasi day, Kalyana utsavam for Sri Mannathan and Sri Vedavalli Thayar is done.

Then the next Utsavam is the Theppotsavam, which continues for 7 days in which, 3 days are for Sri Parthasarathi, then one day each for Sri Azhagiya Singar, Sri Ranganathar, Sri Ramar and Sri Varadharajar respectively.

In Panguni there is an important occasion. The Pallava Utsava followed by the panguni Uthiram. This is where, I started my postings and probably Sri Parthasarathi wants me to end with the same. The last Utsavam in Panguni is the Sri Rama Navami Utsavam.

With this I conclude my postings on the utsavams in Thiruvallikeni.

Adiyen Ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan 

Acharya Utsavam in thiruvallikeni

Sri Parthasarathi thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad Vara Vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE Namaha

Pranams,

As per Lord Parthasarathi’s wish I now conclude my anubhavams about Sri Parthasarathi Brahmotsavam. Let us now enjoy the excellent Utsavam of one of the incarnation of Sri Parthasarathi himself “Sri Acharya Ramanuja”.

Before going to the subject of Swamy Utsavam let us bring to memory some important facts about Swamy, which make him our ParamAcharya. Our Acharya Paramparai actually starts with Sriman Narayana, followed by Piratti, then followed by Vishvakshenar and subsequently by Nammazhvar. After Sri Sadagopan, Nadamunigal leads the Acharya list. Then why do we regard Sri Ramanuja to be our paramAcharya? It is because of the wish of the Bhagavan himself. There is one Iythiham in the Guru parampara that, when Madurakavi Azhvar tried to make the vigraham of Nammazhvar using the Tamaraparani river water, he found that the vigraham which came out was not of his Acharya but someone else. When he asked his Acharya (Sri Nammazhvar) about it, Nammazhvar told him that it was the vigraham of the BhavishyadhAcharyan (Sri Ramanujan) about whom he has said in his ‘Poliga Poliga’ Pasuram. This vigraham got passed on through the various Acharyas of Guru paramparai and today we can have the darshan of the same, in Alwar Thirunagari. Nammazhvar visits this sannadhi once during the Vaikasi Utsavam and has Thirumanjanam with the BhavishyadhAcharyan. So it is an accepted fact that even Sri Sadagopan accepted Sri Ramanuja as a great Acharya who will take birth to remove the sins of the kali yuga as he says ‘Kaliyum kedum kandu konmin’.

There is one saying in our sampradhayam that all the Acharyas before Sri Ramanuja attained Emperuman’s feet by the head of this great Acharya Sri Ramanuja and those after him by his feet. In our Guru parampara all Acharyas before Sri Ethirajar are called as ‘Anuvritti prasannAcharyas’ i.e, they passed on the excellent meanings in our sampradhayam to their sishyas only after checking the capability of the sishyas, that they are really eligible. Even Acharya Ramanuja had to go 18 times from Srirangam to Thirukottiyur to get the great Rahasya arthas from Sri Thirukottiyur Nambi. And he instructed Sri Ramanuja not to give the meanings to anyone.

But Sri Ramanuja due to his apara kArunyam climbed on top of the Thirukottiyur Gopuram and gave the meanings of charama slokam to all who were interested. That is why Sri Manavala Mamunigal in his UpadesaRatnamalai says “Asai Vudayorkku Ellam Ariyarkal Koorumendru Pesi Varambaruthar Pin”(Sri Ramanuja broke the tradition of “Passing the RahasyArthas only to qualified disciples” by giving the meanings to all who were interested). Hence, all the Acharyas who came after Sri Ramanuja were called “Krupa Mathra PrasannAcharyas”. They don’t expect our eligibility to give the divine meanings. So in Ramanuja Sampradhayam ‘interest in Bhagavat Vishayam’ is the only eligibility for a disciple to get the meanings from his Acharya. When we say Ramanuja Sampradayam it doesn’t mean that Vishistadvaitam was invented or created by Sri Ramanuja. It is actually a Vaidika Madam, which Sri Ramanuja brought to light.

Sri Ramanuja was a born intellect. He gave arthas to the Vedic verses even when he was a student. You may ask me then why did he learn things from 5 Gurus. This can be explained by the verses of Sri Thirukottiyur Nambi to Sri Thirumalai Andan. He says don’t think Ramanuja to be your disciple but think him like Sri Rama to Vashista and Sri Krishna to Sandeepini. Though Rama and Krishna were the gods themselves they did do their Gurukulavasam under the respective Gurus. Similarly Sri Ramanuja learnt the sastras and sampradhaya granthas from 5 disciples of Sri Alavandar.

There is one more interesting story, which highlights the fame of Swamy. When Sri Ramanuja went to have the darshan of Thirukurungudi Nambi, Nambi asked him how is that he has so my disciples for his credit and how he is able to change the samsaris to Bhagavatas so easily when he himself couldn’t succeed inspite of taking so many avataras and also giving the Bhagavat Geetha. Swamy then replied that it was a great secret and if Nambi really wanted to know he has to give Sri Ramanuja the Acharya padhavi and Nambi has to become his disciple. So the lord Sri Thirukkurungudi Nambi sat under the Acharya and requested him to give the secret and Swamy whispered the Thirumandram in the ears of Nambi and declared that only by the greatness of this Mantra he was able to change the people to Bhagavatas. It is usual that no one accepts the greatness of a person if he talks about himself, but if someone else says about his greatness, then the others believe him to be great. Bhagavan showed himself and said ‘Mam Ekam Sharanam Vraja’ but the Swamy showed the divine feet of the Emperuman and instructed everybody to fall to His feet. People seeing the greatness of Swamy believed his words and fell under the feet of Sriman Narayana. Swamy sannadhi in Thirukkurungudi where he became the Acharya of Nambi himself is really superb. We feel as if Swamy is live in front of us when we see the beautiful moolavar there. Though the sannadhi is little away from the main temple, it is a sannadhi, which any Ramanuja Dasan should visit.

Till now I just tried saying a few things to remind us the greatness of our Swamy, but there are lot more instances which I have left out. As you all know our Swamy was born in Sri Perumbudur. Let me first tell you his avatara Rahasyam. He is supposed to be an incarnation of Adishesha who came to earth to uplift all of us to the divine feet of the Emperuman. There is one more event in the life history of Sri Ramanuja, when I tell this you all will understand the importance of Ramanuja Utsavam in Thiruvallikeni. Acharyan's parents Sri Kesava somayajulu and Sri Gandhimati Ammal didn’t have a child for long. So they did a yagam in Thiruvallikeni after taking bath in the Kairavini Pushkarini. That night, Sri Parthasarathi came in the dreams of Sri Keshava Somayajulu and told him that he himself will be born as a child to them. The couples were very happy. As per the word of Bhagavan, Sri Ramanuja was born to the couples. He was named Elaiyazhvar. So Sri Ramanujar is considered as an incarnation of Thiruvallikeni Sri Parthasarathi Perumal. So in Thiruvallikeni Swamy Utsavam is celebrated in a grand manner for 10 days. Usually in Thiruvallikeni no alwar or Acharya has a separate veedhi Purppadu. They go in front of Perumal facing the Perumal with hands folded. But since Ramanuja is considered as the incarnation of Sri Parthasarathi, he has a separate purappadu. These are the specialities found only in Thiruvallikeni and Ramanuja is the only Acharya who shares the Kannadi Arai with Sri Parthasarathi. During the 10 day thiruveedhi purappadu swamy also rests for a while at gangaikondan mandapam similar to Sri Parthasarathi brahmotsava happening.

All the ten days Swamy goes round the temple and does Mangalasasanams to all the deities in various sannadhis. When Swamy starts from his sannadhi the ghosti starts reciting the ‘Dhadee Panchakam’ (sloka about the Acharya composed by Sri Koorathazhvan and others), then they continue with first few strotras in Sri Alavandar’s Strotra Ratnam and then finally Sri Manavala Mamunigal’s Yathiraja Vimsati and complete it in front of the Thayar Sannadhi. It is really great to enjoy Swamy amidst the chanting of Yathiraja Vimsathi lingering in the air. He marches forward hearing the strotra of his disciple Sri Manavala Mamunigal (Considered to be rebirth of Sri Ramanuja). Swamy starts his Mangalasasanam from the Vedavalli thayar sannadhi, gets the blessings of the thayar and then proceeds to the Varadhar Sannadhi (We should remember here that in Gadya Trayam also the Acharya starts only with his salutations to the Thayar and he did Theertha Kainkaryam to Kanchi Varadhar for many years before he went to Srirangam as per thayar's wish).

Then Swamy proceeds to the Thirumazhisai Alwar sannadhi and gets the blessings of the Alwar. Then he goes to the Azhagiya singar sannadhi and then to meet his beloved sister Sri Andal who regarded Ramanuja as her brother and called him as ‘Nam Koil Annan’. From there Sri Ramanuja gets the Blessings of his paramAcharya, Sri Alavandar (Ramanuja considered himself to be Ekalavya for Sri Alavandar). Then finishing his mangalasasanam to Sri Parthasarathi he goes to get the blessings of Sri Nammazhvar. We all know that the thiruvadi of Nammazhvar is called as ‘Ramanujan’ in Alwar Thirunagari and in other places ‘Madura Kavi’

Thiruvarangathu Amudhanar in his Ramanuja Nootrandhadhi says,

“Poomannu maadhu porundhiya maarbhan

Pugazh malinda paa mannu maaran adipaninduindhavan PalgalaiyOr thAm manna vandha eRamanusan Charanaravindham nam manni vazha Nenje solluvOm avan NAmangale”

Here Amudhanar explains that Sri Nammazhvar has glorified the fame of Sriman Narayana and Sri Ramanuja followed the footsteps of Nammazhvar and for us to live, oh my mind! let us tell the names of Sri Ramanuja.

After getting the blessings from Nammazhvar, Swamy gets into the vahanam and gets ready for the Veedhi Purappadu.

Every afternoon Thirumanjanam to Swamy is done and the kattiyam delivered during this time will be excellent. Nalayira ghosti is chanted these ten days and on the tenth day sattrumarai is done. On the Thirunakshatram of Swamy special thirumanjanam is done for him along with Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman, Nineth day evening Swamy gives divine darshan in the small chariot (Chinna ThEr) and followed by a grand Satrumarai on the next day. Day after thirunakshatram gandhapodi utsavam is celebrated in the morning.

After the ten day Swamy Utsavam Vidhayarthi is done for 3 days.

Adiyen Ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan 

Theerthavari and mattaiyadi utsavam

Sri Parthasarathi Thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad vara vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE Namaha

Pranams,

Let us now continue with the various celebrations during the Brahmotsavam of Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman. On the seventh day is the Ratha utsavam, where Sri Parthasarathi is seen on the big Ratam. On this day, Sri Parthasarathi, after going through the four-mada veedhis of Thiruvallikeni in the ratam, remains in the ratam itself till the end of the day and gives darshan to the bhakthas. So he doesn’t have the usual utsava Thirumanjanam that he has on the other days. In the evening he gets down from the ratam and gets himself dressed and then has a small walk around the ThEr mandapam. Then he goes to the vasantha Utsava Bungalow to have his thirumanjanam over there. The vasanta utsava bungalow was earlier a place, where a mandapam used to be surrounded throughout, by a beautiful garden with a pond. Today none of its beauties remain but still the mandapam exists. So emperuman goes there and has his thirumanjanam. By the time the thirumanjanam starts, it will be very late. This is called THOTA THIRUMANJANAM.

The next day Sri Parthasarathi gives darshan to all his bhakthas as a small innocent kid with a vennai thazhi in his hand. This is to remove the fear of bhakthas, who after seeing him on the ratam, the previous day, may think him to be a great lord and that he cannot be approached by samsaris like us. He now shows his sowlabyam. Though he is the paradaivam, he gets controlled by the love of his bhakthas. He stoops himself down to such low levels that his bhakthas can even tie him with a rope like Yeshodha.

Yeshodha was an illiterate female, who neither knew sastram nor sampradhayam but still Sri Krishna wanted to be under her control because of the deep love she had for him. So Sri Parthasarathi not only possess paratva but he is also filled with kalyana gunas like sowlabhyam(though a big person easily available to his bhakthas), sauseelyam(he is simple and easy going), Apaara kaarunyam, Dhayai , bhaktha vatsalam etc. On this day he goes to visit not only the mada veedhis but also goes to some other small streets, which were earlier filled with gopis. He being a cowboy himself goes and visits the people in his lineage.

On the eighth day evening as I have already explained emperuman gives darshan on the horse and Yesal takes place in car street. As we have already seen about Thirumangai Alwar coming to steal perumal and losing his heart to Sri Parthasarathi I am not going to elaborate them again. After this, emperuman returns to the temple very late. This gets him to trouble. We will see what sort of trouble he gets into and how he solves it.

Emperuman on the ninth day morning finds that he has lost his ring somewhere during previous day’s celebration. So afraid to see the nachiyars without the ring he covers himself with different color of cloth (porvai) and sets to hunt for the ring in his palanquin. When he reaches the spot where yesterday the dialogue between him and Thirumangai Alwar happened he goes in circles like searching the place. Every time, when he completes a circle, one of his porvai is removed and kalpura harati is done. This is called PORVAI KALAYAL. Then without any result Sri Parthasarathi returns back home.

When he tries to enter the entrance of the temple, the nachiyars at the other end, angry with him for coming late yesterday and also losing the ring, close the door of the temple not letting him inside. This is done three times. Sri Parthasarathi with long steps will try to enter the temple, but when he approaches the entrance the door will be banged on him and so he will return with a sorrow face. We can see the face of Parthasarathi given the sorrow expression and we will feel sorry for him.

After this there will be a long dialogue between perumal and the ubayanachiyars. The archakas recite the dialogue on behalf of the perumal and thayars. The nachiyars blame him to have stayed with some other women the previous night. They show him the changes in his body and say they cannot accept him. Parthasarathi tries to argue that he has gone only for hunting and since it became late there, he missed them a lot and hence he embraced the bushes and other plants in the forest which have created scratches in his body. But still the nachiyars don’t believe him. Then emperuman tries to make promises on the sun moon etc. But the nachiyars disagree for this also as they all (sun moon etc) are all under his control so they cannot believe them too. Then emperuman says he was born as Rama and so never lies. For that the nachiyars reply that he was also born as Krishna who knew nothing but lie. The dialogue is really superb. It has to be heard with Sri Parthasarathi and Nachiyar facing each other. We will really feel that they are talking to each other. Finally Parthasarathi unable to justify himself gets help from Nammazhvar. Then Nammazhvar comes and talks to the nachiyars in favour of Sri Parthasarathi.

Finally, the nachiyars say that though they don’t believe him, for the sake of our Maran, Sadagopan we forgive you. So now the perumal and thayar play with a flower ball to show their unity. With one archaka on each side, stand and play with the flower ball on behalf of the perumal and thayars. Then the ubayanachiyars go to the side of Sri Parthasarathi and they go into the temple together. This is called as MATTAYADI UTSAVAM. The dialogue between perumal and thayar is simply excellent, worth listening.

After going to the temple Sri Parthasarathi then goes to the neerata mandapam for theerthavari. The neerata mandapam where Andal neerata utsavam occurs is located near the kairavini pushkarini. Sri Parthasarathi stays in the neerata mandapam and theertavari is done to chakrathazhvar. Earlier, the theerthavari was usually done, by dipping the chakrathazhvar in the holy kainravini pushkarini. Since now there is no good water there, the theertavari is done by dipping chakrathazhvar in a big vessel containing water on the pushkarini steps, and the water is splashed on all the bhakthas. Then after thirumanjanam in the neerata mandapam Sri Parthasarathi returns back to the temple. It is peak summer and it will be noon when perumal returns back. The sripadam thangigal, walk, carrying the perumal with bear legs in the hot sun. Hats off to their kainkaryam.

The next day is Saptha varanam and Dvadhasa Aradhanam about which I have already given a detailed explanation. With this ends the Parthasarathi Brahmotsavam. Following these ten days is vidAiyarthi utsavam, which was also already explained.

In the next posting I will write about Acharya Ramanuja Utsavam in Thiruvallikeni, which is at present going on. This year the satrumarai of Ramanuja utsavam falls on April 18^{th 2002}. Though we miss the utsavam in reality let us atleast think of the utsavams and the greatness of our acharya.

Adiyen Ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan.

Ekantha Sevai and SoornAbhishekam

Sri Parthasarathi thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad Vara vara munayE namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE namaha

Pranams,

In this posting let us see the other celebrations during the brahmotsavam.

As we have seen in the previous postings Garuda sevai has its special importance. Garuda Sevai, which is a very important event in Kanchi during the brahmotsavam is celebrated as a special event in Thiruvallikeni also. People prepare sweets in their houses on the days of Garuda sevai and thEr as the brahmotsavam is considered as a function at each house in Thiruvallikeni.

So now let us see how Parthasarathi gives darshan on top of the garuda Vahanam. Sri Parthasarathi today gets into this vahanam inside the temple itself, and gets ready to give darshan to all his bhakthas, who are waiting eagerly at the temple main gate. As soon as emperuman approaches the entrance the gate is opened and kalpura arathi is performed and the divine beauty of the lord is highlighted. Then the emperuman’s purappadu starts. You know why he comes out on the streets? It is to give darshan to the sick and the old who are unable to come to his doorsteps but very much want to see him in the Garuda Sevai. This shows the apara kaarunyam of the emperuman. Today in one of the mada streets (Thulasinga perumal street where the entrance for Narasimhar sannadhi is present) Yesal is performed. You may wonder what Yesal is? After finishing his initial routine of going through the street, collecting all the offerings of the bhakthas and giving his blessing to them, Sri Parthasarathi goes back and forth three times in the same street. The first two times he comes back after traveling half the street the last time he goes till the start of the street and then he walks slowly dancing from one end to other. This is really a great sight to see. It will look like Sri Parthasarathi is full of joy, seeing all his bhakthas enjoying his darshan, and so he is dancing and jumping to show his ecstacy. And when he comes to the middle of the street he will walk fast (almost like running) thereby showing his bhakthas his various styles of walking. This is called Yesal. The highlighting part is the music, the Yesal beat, to which Sri Parthasarathi paces his walk.

Then he rests for sometime in the gangai Kondan mandapam(commonly called ganganamandapam by the Thiruvallikeni vasees). From there he starts and finishes his visit to the rest of the streets and returns back to the vahana mandapam. We can have Yesal sevai three times during the brahmotsavam. In

Garuda vahanam(3rd day morning), Yaanai vahanam(6^th day night) in T.P.Koil Street and Gudirai vahanam(9^th day night ) in Car street. All 3 Yesals are similar as mentioned above.

After the garuda vahanam purappadu there is a special sevai called the EKANTHA SEVAI. Sri Parthasarathi gets out of the garuda vahanam and he gets dressed with a lot of jewels and with a single beautiful rose (light pink) garland. I am sorry to say, though I want to explain more about the dressing and beauty of Sri Parthasarathi during the ekantha sevai, I am really unable to find any suitable words to describe. So I simply stop by saying that it is an excellent sight. During the Ekantha sevai Sri Parthasarathi walks very slowly from the vahanana mandapam to the Thiruvaimozhi mandapam. Offerings are made to him at almost every step he makes forward. So by the time he reaches the thiruvaimozhi mandapam it will be noon. The Ekantha sevai prolongs for 1 to 2 hours. Then on approaching the mandapam, Sri Parthasarathi dances and he leaps forward and gets settled in the mandapam for his routine thirumanjanam. On these days the archakas find hardly any gap since there are proceedings one after the other. The dedication of the archakas should be brought to mind at these points. Their kainkaryam to make the various alangarams to emperuman only gives various sevais to all of us. I would like to make a request to the bhakthas who are reading these postings. When you visit a temple in India, please put your offerings (money) in the plates brought by archakas inside the sannadhis. Because when we put them in the Hundhis it goes partially to the Government and it is of no use to the temple and emperuman. If you put it in the plates it goes atleast to the archakas who are doing kainkaryam to the emperuman. It also becomes a bhagavata kainkaryam.

SOORNABHISHEKAM

On the sixth day morning before emperuman starts for the purappadu in punniya koti vimanam one ritual called soornabhishekam is done. In this, emperuman is decorated with a soornam (scented powder with turmeric and other ingredients). The soornam is prepared in front of bhagavan with recitation of specific mantras. This event is done as a auspicious ceremony (mangalArtham) before the Lord gets into His chariot the next day. The divine powder is given to all during the purappadu as a prasadam from emperuman.

This celebration recalls the first Krishna Janmashtami utsavam in gokulam by the Aiypadi people. As periyazhvar in his pasuram(Periyazhvar Thirumozhi1-1) says “ yennai chunnam aedir aedir thoovida kannan mutram kalandu alarayitrae” . Same celebration of the gopis with oil and turmeric powder is also mentioned in the Bhagavata puram. So to show their happiness and prayer of welfare for the new born child the gopikas played with oil and turmeric powder similar to holi in north India. Now as part of getting ready for next day rathOtsavam soornAbhshekam is done.

There the people of Aiypadi were illiterate (blessed souls) and didn’t see any aachaaram or anushtanam so they played spraying oil and powder on each other but we, reserve some restrictions among us, so in our temples the powder is only given in our hands as bhagavat prasadam.

There are more interesting things like Thotta thirumanjanam, Porvai kalayal, Mattayadi utsavam etc.

We will see them in the next postings.

Adiyen Ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan

Various vahanams during Brahmotsavam

Sri Parthasarathi Thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya namaha

Srimad vara vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala maha munayE Namaha

Pranams,

In this posting let us see the various vahanams/events on which Sri Parthasarathi gives sevai(darshan) on the brahmotsavam days.

DAY	MORNING	EVENING
FIRST	dharmAdhipeedam	Pinna Kalai Vahanam
SECOND	Sesha Vahanam	Simha Vahanam
THIRD	Garuda Sevai	Hamsa Vahanam
FORTH	Soorya Prabhai	Chandra Prabhai
FIFTH	Nachiar Thirukkolam	Hanumantha Vahanam
SIXTH	Punniyakoti Vimanam	Yaanai vAhanam
SEVENTH	Ther(Chariot)	Thotta (Garden) thirumanjanam
EIGHTH	Vennai Thazhi Kannan	Gudirai vahanam
NINTH	Theertha Vaari, AlmEl pallakku	Kannadi pallaku
TENTH	Saptha Varanam	DvadasaAradhanam,VettivEr sapparam

After this the next ten days will be vidaiyArthi utsavams. After the tiring sessions of utsavams Sri Parthasarathi now relaxes. There is no purappadu during these days. Every day there will be Thirumanjanam and in the evenings Sri Parthasarathi dresses himself simply, but beautifully and then listens to sweet music in the Thiruvaimozhi mandapam. All great singers and instrumentalists wait eagerly for exhibition of their talents in front of Parthasarathi emperuman. So now Emperuman and the Thiruvallikeni vasees enjoy the sweet carnatic and devotional music as concluding part of the Brahmotsavam. On the last day of the Vidaayarthi utsavam Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman gives darshan in pushpa pallaku, one more excellent scene that needs thousands of eyes (not exaggerating but Parthasarathi’s alangaram on this day cannot be really explained by words)

With this ends Parthasarathi Brahmotsavam leaving all the Bhakthas in sorrow that all the joy of utsavam has come to an end.

I will now explain the meaning of the song I have posted in the previous postings.

I stanza - The Brahmotsavam occurs in the month of chitirai and the bhakthas who are lucky to see it are filled with joy. Whoever comes here with full desire, have their lives filled with happiness everyday.

II stanza – Celebrations start grandly with selvar koothu; Senai mudaliyar/vishvaksenar leads the angurarpanam and after thirumulai the next event on the first day is kodi yEtram followed by dharmAdhipeedam indicating the lord protecting dharma;

III stanza - This stanza gives the various vahanams in which parthasarathi gives darshan as listed above punnai vahanam (This is a vahanam which has a pinna kalai inside. Sri Krishna is supposed have liked the punnai tree under which he used to stand in brindavanam with a flute in his hand during the Krishna avatara. (That’s how Sri Parthasarathi also gives darshan on the first day evening of the brahmotsavam with a flute in his hand and under the pinnakalai in the vahanam). Then comes the sesha vahanam on the second day morning. As per the azhvar pasurams adishesha is one nitya soori who likes to do kainkaryam to lord in various forms at various times. When the lord walks, he becomes an umbrella protecting the lord from sun and rain and when the lord wants to sit, he becomes his simhasanam. In the divine abode of the lord srivaikundam the lord is seen sitting on the adisesha. And that is what the second day utsavam signifies. We samsarees cannot get the darshan of sriman narayana in srivaikundham. So to give us that experience, on the second day morning of the brahmotsavam, Sri Parthasarathi emperuman, by his divine grace comes in purappadu through the Thiruveedhis in vaikundanathar thirukolam on the sesha vahanam. On the same day evening, the lord gives darshan in simha vahanam. In Bhagavat Geetha Sri parthasarathi says that “ Iam the king of animals (the lion or simham) among the animals” But now to show that he is more than that, he is a king to the ‘king of animals’ he rides over the simham. It can also be said that the simha vahanam signifies that Sri parthasarathi is none other than Nara-Simham.

Next is the most important vahanam. On the third day morning little early than all other purappadu we can see Sri Parthasarathi in Garuda vahanam. Today the lord gets into his vahanam not at the vahana mandapam as usual, but he gets ready inside the temple itself and the temple door opens when he approaches the gopura vAsal. This is one of the important darshans, for any srivaishnava. The gopura vAsal darshan of Sri Parthasarathi in garuda sevai removes all sins from us. Garuda is the official vahanam of perumal and hence garuda sevai has this speciality. So in my next posting I will write more in detail on the garuda sevai and ekantha sevai of emperuman. And the third day night emperuman reminds us about the hamsa avatara he took to save the Vedas and give it to Brahma (the creator). So he comes in Hamsa Vahanam. To have darshan of Sri Parthasarathi in all these vahanas we really need eyes full of love for the divine emperuman.

IV stanza - This stanza proceeds with the other vahanams. In the morning (fourth day), the sun becomes Parthasarathi’s vahanam(sooryaprabhai) and in the evening the moon becomes his vahanam. All these signify that all the sun,moon etc are under the emperuman and sriman narayana is the sole governing authority. On the fifth day, Sri Parthasarathi is dressed like a nachiyar(lady). He wears the jewels of Andal and he has a parrot in his hand and resembles a nachiyar. Actually any new person will surely not believe that it is Sri Parthasarathi dressed like that. He actually looks so beautiful that he absolutely looks like a nachiyar. During this purappadu emperuman due to his divine grace halts at some extra places other than his usual, to give darshan to his bhakthas. On special mandagapadi(halt) is at the Yethiraja Jeeyar madam in tank square street. Emperuman, during the incident of churning of the parkadal was forced to take mohini avatara to get the amrudha kalasa from the asuras, who cheated the Devas and ran away with it. Seeing the beauty of emperuman in Mohini Avatara, even Parameshvaran who is supposed to have burnt kama to ashes, lost his heart and went at the back of Mohini. Since we have missed the charm and beauty of Mohini at that time, Sri Parthasarathi gives us the darshan now in nachiyar thirukolam during his brahmotsavam.

V stanza – Then on the fifth day evening Sri Parthasarathi proves that even though he is regarded only as Krishna by his beloved Krishna bhakthas he is also Rama for Rama bhakthas. So he gives darshan on Hanuman, who is an ardent devotee of Sri Rama who even refused going to Vaikuntha because there he could see only Sriman Narayana and not Sri Rama. But now Hanuman has become a vahanam of Sri Parthasarathi showing that Sri Parthasarathi is his lord Rama himself. Next day emperuman gives darshan on the punniya koti vimanam. Whoever sees emperuman, Sri Parthasarathi under this vimanam gets relieved from all their sins and also gains a lot of punniyam (Hence the name Punniya Kodi (Crores of Punniayam). On this day a special ritual called ‘Soornabishekam’ is done before the purappadu. I will write about this also in the next posting.

VI stanza – Everyone knows the Gajendra Moksha story. Emperuman came running to the call of his devotee Gajendra, saved him from the clutches of the crocodile and also accepted his strotras and offerings. It is normal for any king to come on top of an elephant and now Gajendra, a great bhaktha of Emperuman wants emperuman the Raja of Thiruvallikeni (and the whole universe) to ride on him and thus Sri Parthasarathi gives darshan in Yanai vahanam. Then comes the Rathotsavam on the seventh day morning. Parthasarathi as the name suggest was sarathi of Parthan(Arjuna,one among the Panja Pandavas). He now shows us how he rode the ratam (chariot) of Arjuna in the battlefield in Kurukshetra. Early in the morning he marches from his temple to the ratam and this march is called ‘ThEr Nadai’. It is really an excellent site, early in the morning among the beats, to see Parthasarathi marching in the streets of Thiruvallikeni to get into the ratam. Then he shows his bhakthas his talent in riding the big ratham in the streets of Thiruvellikeni. Then he stays in the ratam for rest of the day giving darshan to his bhakthas.

VII stanza – In Krishna avatara when the lord resided in Gokulam, the most important leela, really enjoyed by all the Krishna bhakthas is the navanitha choram(the leelas of Krishna stealing butter). Sometimes Krishna begs the gopikas for butter. He will ask the gopi’s that he wanted butter. Though they wanted to give everything to him, just to enjoy him more they ask him to dance. So for getting the butter from them he used to dance and hence he is called ‘vennaiku aadum pillai’. After dancing, the gopi’s will give him the butter, but he being not satisfied with little butter he had got, will take away the whole vessel and run off. So now he gives darshan holding a vennaiThAzhi(pot full of butter) in one hand and with butter in the other. So now the kid who danced for getting the butter has become the kid with the vennai thazhi. That’s what the first line in this stanza actually means.

And in the night he comes on a horse dressed as a king (warrior). Now the emperuman is full of jewels so a thief robs him and do you all know who the thief is? Can any one other than his bhaktha rob emperuman? Yes it was Thirumangai mannan, who belonged to the kallar kulam. No one can rob emperuman but emperuman likes to play leelas with his bhakthas and so he acts like he is incapable of preventing the robbery. Then emperumans soldiers catch the thief and bring him to emperuman. This festival is done in front of the gudirai vahana mandapam, located in car street, one of the mada veedhis of Thiruvallikeni. First Sri Parthasarathi shows His charm and nadai azhaghu (gudirai vahana Easal) while thirumangai mannan hides himself under a tree and robs the Lord and walks with pride in front of parthasarathi and perumal’s thalayari (Person incharge of Perumal’s Security) commands Thirumangai alwar to return all the jewels and things he has stolen from the emperuman and his parivaram. (Sri M.A.VenkataKrishnan swamy on behalf of Perumal’s thalayari renders the kainkaryam of reading the commands). Then by Perumal’s divine grace, alwar realizes his mistake and returns all the things and he starts singing “vadinen vaadi varundhinen’(Periya Thirumozhi). After this, alwar is gifted with Perumal’s maalai(garland), parivattam and Sri Sadari. He then, comes around emperuman three times along with the recitation of the first 10 paasurams of Periya Thirumozhi along with the Ghosti. After this event, thirumangai azhwar returns to the temple. Thus this stanza explains how Sri Parthasarathi stole the heart of the thief Thirumangai Azhwar who actually came to steal the possessions of Sri Parthasarathi.

Since this is the last vahana purappadu the ghosti sits there and Parthasarathi after listening to rest of the Nalariya divya prabhandam chanting, returns to his divine temple. Actually beginning from the first day’s purappadu of Brahmotsavam, till today the ghosti would have completed three thousands of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandams. Thiruvaimozhi which is not to be recited in the streets (as it is regarded as tamil vedam) is recited inside the temple on the sapthAvaranam day. All 1000 paasurams are recited on a single day in front of all the emperumans in thiruvallikeni.

 VIII Stanza – On the day of theerthavari, first event is pOrvai kalaidhal (emperuman searches for a lost ring) followed by Mattaiyadi utsavam (facing the wrath of ubhaya nachiyars for returning without the ring). Evening emperuman gives darshan on the kannadi pallaku (palanquin decorated with colourful mirror) and the next day the whole celebrations end with the thiruveedhi ula in vetti vEr sapparam;

Now I will end this posting. In the next I will write about all the other rituals and celebrations which occur during the brahmotsavam.

Adiyen Ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan

Thiruveedhi Purappadu

Sri Parthasarathi thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya namaha

Srimad vara vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE Namaha

Pranams,

Now Shri Parthasarathi is ready for the Thiru veedhe purappadu. The first dol (beat of the drum) is given. This is to indicate that the purappadu is going to commence shortly. Then the second dol is given and then the screen in the vahana mandapam opens giving us the beautiful site of Sri Parthasarathi on the vahanam. Then the band starts and the sripadhathangigal get ready to lift the emperuman. Coming out of the vahana mandapam the ayakKal (the stand on which emperumans vahanam is placed during the purappadu) is tied with the thandu (block of wood used to carry emperuman) and then the umbrella on both sides are taken up to the vahanam and the archakas does this kainkaryam of holding this heavy kodai through out. Now the emperuman is fully ready for the Purappadu.

After this the Divya Prabhandha ghosti starts. Anyone new to Thiruvallikeni will be astonished to see so many people in the ghosti. When emperuman goes on the thiruveedhi we will find half the veedhi full of ghosti. I have heard elders say that in no divya desam a person can see such a massive ghosti. One may see in some places during special occasions big ghostis but in those ghostis we will find people from different places who have come there just for the occasion but Parthasarathi has such a big ghosti just for himself and he does lend some of the ghosti members to other perumals when required.

The chief adyapaka, Mudhal Theerthakarar (experienced ghosti members are called adyapakas) of that day starts the ghosti pasuram and the others follow him. The archaka takes the Sri Sadagopan (sadari) from the feet of emperuman and places it on the heads of the ghosti members. The emperuman blesses the devotees for the kainkaryam rendered by them. Then the purappadu starts with the Iyal (prabhandha) ghosti in front and the Veda ghosti at the back. Parthasarathi being the geethacharyan has a big veda ghosti also to his credit. But here we have to note one thing. The purappadu of emperuman itself shows the highness of the alwar’s prabhadams. Emperuman who is so impressed by the amudha mozhi (sweet language) of the alwars follows at the back of the prabhandha ghosti and the Vedam, which is trying to show the emperuman to the world, is following him.

The Band and other instruments are played in front of the emperuman. I remember when I was young the purapadu of Sri Parthasarathi. It will be like a raja coming through the streets. A flag will be held first across the streets. Then there will be a horse, an elephant, a cow, then the vehicle bearing the murasu then the prabhandha ghosti, then perumal then the veda ghosti and the whole street will be full. Though a lot has changed now but still the purapadu of Sri Parthasarathi even today gives us a divine experience.

During these utsavams the archakas have a hectic time. They rarely have time to sleep or eat. One after another there is something to be done. The dedicated archakas in Thiruvallikeni have to be given a great credit. The dedication they show while doing the alankaram to the bhagavan is extraordinary.

There is one more important thing which will make us awe struck during the purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi. At the back of the veda ghosti we will find so many small prototype perumals in purappadu which we call kutti perumals there. The small kids in thiruvallikeni decorate their perumals in various vahanams and bring the perumals along with the original Parthasarathi purappadu. Really the dedication of the kids, what shall I say about it. One can see 4 or 5 kutti perumals all so nicely decorated. Sometimes, we enjoy these perumals more. Fortunately parthasarathi utsavam falls in the summer holidays and Thiruvallikeni kids spend their time making kutti vahanams and decorating their perumals. It is an excellent site to see. My father used to say that this is a practice, which is being followed generation after generation. He says when we were young we did the same and now the next generation is doing. The whole world may change to software field, but there is one place, which still maintains the old traditions-Thiruvallikeni. The enthusiasm of the kids has to be surely appreciated and with that the support given to them by their parents should also be appreciated. The parents are actually happy seeing their kids involved in bhagavat kainkaryam more so the grand parents who are really in a state of ecstasy to see their grand children involved in kainkaryam.

So now Sri Parthasarathi finishes his Thiruveedhee purapadu through the main Maada veedhees and returns back to the vahana mandapam. The ghosti satrumarai is done and perumal is taken out of the vahanam and goes into the temple again and the day’s festival comes to an end.

Actually I planned to say about the various vahanams also in this posting but since it has already become a big posting I stop now and let us continue in the subsequent postings.

Adiyen Ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan

Thirumanjanam and paththi ulAththal

Sri Parthasarathi thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad vara vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE Namaha

Pranams,

Let us now proceed with the happenings during the brahmotsavam.

THIRUMANJANAM (Divine bath)

Sri Parthasarathi in his white dress gets ready to take his mangala snanam or undergo thirumanjanam. But, before this occasion there will be a kattiyam delivered in front of Him. This kattiyam actually explains the beauty of Sri Parthasarathi from his divine feet through his divine head (that is his whole body) and then it asks emperuman whether he is satisfied with all the arrangements made for the thirumanjanam and also requests him to proceed, in taking the divine bath.

Once these paraphernalia are over, the thirumanjanam starts. After completion of the initial procedures (shOdasa upacharams) like cleaning the thiruvaai(mouth) of emperuman, fanning him with samaram and showing him his beauty in the mirror etc, the archakas proceed with Milk thirumanjanam. They then clean the thirumeni with water and then proceed with the curd thirumanjanam. After this is performed they continue with the honey thirumanjanam and finally with coconut water. Once all of these are completed, the archakas apply turmeric paste to the chest of the bhagavan and then again thirumanjanam is done. Then the lord is decorated with sandal paste and tulasi garland and he gets ready for the sahasradhArai thirumanjanam, which is the most important in the divine bath. Before the big or sahasradharai thirumanjanam one more kattiyam is delivered. It is a smaller kattiyam. It is framed like asking Parthasarathi himself for what, this thirumanjanam is done? Is that to get relieved from the sweat that got generated due to the various leelas during the various avataras, mainly the Krishna avatara? And finally the kattiyam ends as a mangalasasanam to the bhagavan stating that you are taking this bath for cooling the whole universe so that you live for long long years and please accept this thirumanjana kainkaryam offered to you by we bhakthas. Many of you Who haven’t witnessed a thirumanjanam or divine bath would be wondering what sahasradharai thirumanjanam means. Let me put it in simple modern words. It is nothing but our shower bath.

Parthasarathi takes a shower bath. One archaka holds a plate with number of minute holes on the top and 2 other archakas pour the water to the divine thirumudi of the bhagavan with sanka and chakra shaped vessels. Since water comes from number of holes from the plate this thirumanjanam is called sahasra(actually means 1000 but here signifies ‘number of’)-dhArai (flow).That is water flows through number of holes so called sahasradharai thirumanjanam.

After this event, the Thirumanjanam comes to an end. Thirumanjana theertham is given to all devotees with the wet dress of bhagavan itself. Then the lord changes to dry clothes and he goes to the kannadi arai (the room which is full of mirrors). Here, in whichever direction we see, we find the image of Sri Parthasarathi. This is one of the excellent darshan one can get, only during these 10 days and few other rare occasions. The lord rests in the kannadi arai till the evening. After which he comes to the mandapam for getting dressed for the evening utsavam (kolakalam).

PATHTHI VULATHAL

In the evening, archakas do divya alankaram to the emperuman with various jewels and flowers which varies from one utsavam to the other. Sri Parthasarathi is seen in different postures to suite the vahanam in which he is going to give darshan that evening. Before emperuman goes to the vahana madapam he has a small walk in the paththi vulaththal mandapam. The emperuman walks slowly showing his charms and seeing side to side his bhakthas eagerly waiting to enjoy his divine beauty. At one end of the mandapam there is a oonjal (swing).This swing is fully decorated with all type of flowers. One can really visualize the bhakthi of the thiruvallikeni vasees who take it as their prime duty to decorate the swing with so many beautiful flowers almost covering the whole swing. I am really happy to say I was one among them who used to run to the flower market to get the flowers every morning during the utsavam and a group of us used to tie the flowers together and decorate the swing. Those 10 days we had no other thought other than Sri Parthasarathi and his kainkaryam. Unfortunately this year I will miss all these kainkaryams. There is one more wonder, which we can see when we approach the swing!! What’s that? It is the beautiful drawing of the emperuman in that day’s alankaram with alwars and acharyas on the swing. If anyone sees the drawing actually done with rangoli powders they even forget the lord who is approaching the swing. Hats off to Sri Sarathy who is doing this kainkaryam with full shradhdhai.

I have seen him come running from his office to decorate the swing with his drawing and sometimes even going back to complete his office work not even staying for rest of the paththii vulaththal . This I have mentioned here to show how much regard the thiruvallikeni vasees have for Parthasarathi and his kainkaryam. Each utsavam in the parthasarathi temple is like a function in every home in Thiruvallikeni. Then emperuman enjoys the comforts of the swing, he takes rest and also something to eat and then continues with his walk in the other part of the mandapam and finally he reaches the vahana mandapam. Then he gives darshan and blessings to Sri Nammazhvar whose sannathi is there inside the vahana mandapam.

One important feature during Parthasarathi’s paththi vulaththal is the sweet music of the nadaswaram to which Parthasarathi walks. It is really a joy to see

Parthasarathi walking in synchronization to the music, with great charm and beauty. The foremost joy we will experience when the song ’Kurai ondrum ellai ‘ is played and when we see the lord with the music lingering in our ears we tend to get the ultimate goal and those bhakthas who have really got this enjoyment really feel that they have no worries what so ever nor will they have any in the future. The lord after the walk now dances to the fast beat of the notes played by the nadaswara vidvan and he with full joy and putting all the bhakthas to the ultimate joy goes into the vahana mandapam. Here I shouldn’t forget to give the credit to the Sri Paadha thangigal (the devotees carrying emperuman) who do great service in order to show the beauty in the walk and dance of emperuman. In Thiruvallikeni the Sri Padha Thangigal Sabhai is doing a lot of devoted service to the lord. It is full of enthusiastic youngsters who will do anything for the sake of Parthasarathi. The one-day Nalayira Divya Prabhanda ghosti organized by this sabha is found in no other divya desam. This is a utsavam once in a year away from the temple utsavam. I will write about it in detail in another posting.

Now the emperuman has to get into the vahanam .Let him get ready for the vahana sevai till then we will take a short break. Actually even in Thiruvallikeni people go back to their houses to decorate the thiruveedhees full of big kolams for the emperuman’s purapadu and eagerly wait for him with things they want to submit to the bhagavan like fruits, coconut etc. We will also decorate our hearts and wait till the next posting to enjoy the vahana sevai of Sri Parthasarathi.

Adiyen ramanuja dAsee

Sumithra Varadarajan.

Kodi yEtram

Sri Parthasarathi thunai

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad vara vara munayE Namaha

Sri vAnAchala mahA munayE Namaha

Pranams,

Let us now continue enjoying the brahmotsavam of Sri Parthasarathi. The first day is the kodiYetram. It is excellent to see Sri Parthasarathi in divya alankaram in the early morning of this day. Once he comes to the mandapam opposite to the dvajastambam, the festival starts. Homam is started in the yaaga salai and kodiyetram is done under the divine presence of Sri Parthasarathi by the archakas.

The kodi of emperuman is called GARUDA KODI. Let us see how Garudan (the vahanam of emperuman) got the place in his flag. Vinatha was the mother of Garudan (that is why he is called vainatheyan) and kadru his stepmother. Vinatha was elder than kadru. Kadru’s creation or her sons were the nagas. Once after the amrutha madana leela of emperuman there was a debate between Vinatha and kadru about the tail’s colour, of the horse (vuchaishravasu), which came out from the milky ocean. Vinatha said that the colour of the tail was also white as it is a white horse. But Kadru argued that it was black in color. The debate became a challenge. Both of them agreed to be the others slave if what they said were wrong. Kadru very well knew that the tail color was white only but she wanted to make Vinatha her slave so she wantedly called Vinatha for this challenge. Then she asked her sons, the black snakes to go circle the horse’s tail. Since both Vinatha and Kadru saw the horse only from a distance it appeared to be black and so from that day Vinatha became a slave of kadru. After some years when Garuda became big he enquired to his mother why she being elder to his stepmother still was doing service to her. Vinatha told her son about the above story and how she became a slave to Kadru. Then Vainadheya went to his stepmother Kadru and politely enquired what he has to do to release his mother from slavery. She said get me the amrutham which came out of the parkadal then I will release your mother. So Garuda went and took the amrutha kalasam and while he was returning back, he was duly stopped by the Devas in the middle. A big war broke out between Garuda and the Devas. Garuda was so strong that without any weapons only with his wings (Garuda paksham) he trashed all the Devas down. Then the Devas went to Sriman Narayana and surrendered to him. Then, Sriman Narayana came and asked Garuda to return the amrutha kalasam, as it rightly belonged to the Devas. Garuda said according to kshatriya dharma (he is pakshi raja) he has shown his power and taken it from the Devas, and hence, if Narayana wants to take it back from him, he can do so after having a combat with him. But Narayana didn’t want to fight with him and so he said that he wanted to become Garuda's friend and so he put his hands on his shoulders. It was so heavy that, Garuda couldn’t even bear it. Garuda accepted the friendship and so Narayana was pleased and asked him what boon he wanted. Garuda said he wanted the strength to carry lord Narayana and so Narayana granted him that power and said that garuda will remain as his vahanam from now on. Then Garuda requested that, now that I have become your vahanam I will stay under you, but I would also like to be on top of you. So emperuman granted him the boon that he can stay on top as his flag. This is the reason why emperuman’s kodi is called Garuda kodi. Then when Garuda told emperuman that if he returns the amrutha kalasa as emperuman requested he cannot release his mother from slavery but then perumal told him the fact that the horse really has only white tail and what his mother said was right and there was no need for her to be a slave of kadru. So Garuda returned happily and told both his mother and also Kadru who accepted her mistake.

This is the story how Garudan became both the vahanam and kodi of emperuman

So at the start of all brahmotsavams, the Garuda kodi is first hoisted on the dvajastambam. After that Sri Parthasarathi gets into his dharmAdhipeedam and then has veedhi purapadu .On the first day and the last day Anandan, Garudan, Vishvaksenar, Chakrathazhvar all go along with the emperuman. In different corners of the thiruveedhees, bali is offered, that is like offering food to the various devathas who have been assigned for security in those corners. On the last day again, they will be released from their assigned positions. Then after the purapaadu, emperuman comes into the temple and kodi theertham is given to all. This theertham is supposed to be very sacred.

There are some things, which are done on all the ten days of the utsavam. Let us see them one by one. On all days Parthasarathi has thiruveedhi purapadu in different vahanams in the morning and in the evening. After returning from the morning purappadu, and after Iyal sAttu, perumal in kedayam reaches the thiruvaimozhi mandapam.

Then emperuman has thirumanjanam and after that he stays in the kannadi arai adjacent to the thiruvaimozhi mandapam. We will see about Parthasarathi’s thirumanjanam and the other proceedings of the utsavam in the next postings.

Adiyen ramanuja dAsee,

Sumithra Varadarajan.