Tirumala Traditions - 2

[Guest guest]

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Re. thomala sevai, there is one exception on Thursdays.

On Thursdays, the Lord gives us the great bhagyam of

poolangi sevai - On Thursday evenings, before Thirumangai

alwar’s Vadamarudidai, I am told that his ‘Oonvada

unnadhu’ is also recited.

 

3. Sathumurai.

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Historical accounts indicate that this practice was

re-established by Bhagavad Ramanuja as part of

administrative measures. During Sathumurai, the Periya

Jeeyar hands over thulasi to the archaka. In the absence

of Periya Jeeyar, Chinna Jeeyar (of Tirumalai - not to be

confused with our Naryana Jeeyar swamy varu) and in the

absence of both of them, the ekangi swamy performs this

function. After sathumurai pasuram, thiruppallandu, the

vazhi tirunamam of Manavala mamunigal are recited.

 

After this, theertham and sadari is given in the

following order :

1- Pedda Jeeyar Swamy

2- Chinna Jeeyar Swamy

3- Ekangi Swamy

4- Tholappachariar

5- Representative of Ananthanpillai vamsham

6- Rep. of Kandadai vamsham

7- Rep. of Prathivadi Bhayankaram

8- Rep. of Veeravalliyar vamsham

9- Rep. of Dharmapuriyar vamsham

10- Followers of Paravastu Pattar Piran Jeear.

 

Many srivaishnavas consider it a great privilege to

attend the morning sathumurai. These days, the number of

people thronging to sathumurai is consistently very high

and the attraction of the Lord is so powerful that

inadvertently many a Srivaishnava react in a way without

realising what they are doing (e.g., pushing, blocking

others). Some think that there is a need for discipline.

However, an over-crowded sathumurai is a better bet for

preserving the tradition than one where there are hardly

any people. That does not absolve us from behaving

responsibly and with consideration to other srivaishnavas

attending the sathumurai. (After a few attempts, I have

learnt ‘the’ trick - Do not be distracted by the

behaviour of others but just focus on the Lord even if

you are able to get just one glimpse and not the darshan

of full tirumeni.).

 

4. Purattasi Brahmotsavam..

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There are various other matters to be presented. But as

the Brahmotsavam is approaching, I thought this info.

will be timely. (I beg Sriman V. Sadagopan or Sriman

Varadan or Sriman Anand Karlapakkam to correct me ).

 

This year the Brahmotsavam is scheduled to start on

September 23 Wednesday. Garudasevai should be on

September 27; Rathotsavam on September 30 and

Avabhruthasnanam/ Thherthavari on the Sravanam star i.e.,

October 1.

 

Details of Vahanams and Divyaprabandham that will be

recited on each day :

 

Day 1 :

-------

Morning - Ankurarpanam/ Dhwajarohanam - -----

Evening- (Periya/Pedda) Sesha vahanam -

Mudal Tiruvandadi

(Malayappa in Vaikunthanathar’s posture;

Sridevi and Bhoodevi accompany)

 

Day 2 :

-------

Morning - Chinna Sesha Vahanam

Irandam Thiruvandadi

Evening - Hamsa vahanam -

Irandam thiruvandadi

(Malayappa with veena )

 

Day 3 :

-------

Morning - Simha vahanam

Moondram Thiruvandadi

 

Evening - Muthu (Pearl) Pallaku / Muthyala Pandiri -

Moondram Thiruvandadi

(Malyappa in the posture of Krishna during

Bakasura vadha -- ‘pullin vai keendanai...’ ;

Sridevi and Bhoodevi accompany)

 

Day 4 :

-------

Morning - Kalpaka vriksham -

Nanmugan Thiruvandadi

(Sridevi and Bhoodevi accompany)

 

Evening - Sarvabhoopalam

Nanmugan Thiruvandadi

(Malayappa in ‘Kaalinga Narthana’ posture;

Sridevi and Bhoodevi accompany)

 

Day 5 :

-------

Morning - Nachiyar Thirukkolam (Mohini avatharam)

Tiruviruttam

(On this day, while Malyappa is dressed as

nachiyar, he is accompanied in a separate

pallaku by Navaneetha Krishna Swamy i.e.,

Krishna with a ball of butter in one

hand)

 

Evening - Garudotsavam

Tiruviruttam

(Needless to say, on this occasion alone,

Malayappa wears the Makara kanthi and

Sahasra nama malai and Chaturbhujalakshmi

haram which normally adore the Moolavirat and

brings them out in the open).

 

Day 6 :

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Morning - Hanumantha Vahanam

Periya Thiruvandadi

 

Evening - Vasanthostsavam (No recitation)

(For this, Malayappa is decorated with muthu

pandian kondai; Sridevi and Bhoodevi nachimars

accompany).

 

Night - Gajavahanam

Periya Thiruvandadi

 

Day 7 :

------

Morning - Surya prabha

Periya Thirumozhi

 

Evening - Chandra Prabha

Periya Thirumozhi

 

Day 8 :

-------

Morning - Rathotsavam

Periya Thirumozhi

 

Evening - Ashwa vahanam

Nachiyar Thirumozhi

 

Day 9 :

------

Morning - Pallaku

Perumal thirumozhi

(Though this is called Pallaku, I was surprised

not to find any pallaku. Malayappa

accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi nachimars

is taken on procession to the Adi Varaha Swamy

temple mandapam).

 

Morning (cont.) Churnabhishekam -

Thiruchandaviruttam and kanninun

chiruttambu

 

Night - Dhwaja avarohanam -

Ramanuja nootrandadi (?? not sure)

 

 

On each occasion on these 9 days (with the exception of

8th and 9th days) Sathumurai and Vazhi thirunamam is held

at the Ramanuja’s sannidhi. On the 8th day, sathumurai

is held at the base of the Ratha - I am told that in

addition to other hymns, Periya Thirumadal and Siriya

Thirumadal is also recited. On the nonth day morning,

sathumurai takes place in the Varahaswamy temple itself.

The (bonus) special event is on the evening of 9th day

when Malayappa and Ubhaya Nachimar will be in the

fore-court (mandapa) in front of Dwara palakas and will

be seated facing Bhagavad Ramanuja - as a token of

gratitude to Ramanuja for conducting the Brhamotsavam.

 

Since the matter came up, it is not clear where and how

Dwadasa aradhana (on the tenth day) takes place.

 

However, I can recommend a place the all srivaishnavas

must (I repeat, must) visit to enjoy a superb Dwadasa

Aradhana (after an equally wonderful brahmotsavam). It is

the Vaikuntha Nathar Temple in Calcutta - founded under

the guidance of H.H. Ahobila mutt Jeear Swamy (I learnt).

This temple (though based in Calcutta) is run according

to Divyadesa sampradyam and in fact a team of 16 veda

pandits including the head priest for the temple are

recruited from Kanchipuram, Mannargudi etc.

 

Adiyen, srivaishnava dasan

PB Anand

 

 

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