Sri Villiputthur SamprOkshaNam kaimkaryam

[Guest guest]

Sri:

Srimathe Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya Namah:

 

Dearest BhAgawathas,

 

Sri villiputthur.. We are all aware of this great Divya Desam. This is the

sthalam, where Sri AndAL, and Sri VishNu Chitthar (PeriyAzhwAr) lived..

 

The Tamil Nadu state emblem is this Gopuram of Sri Villiputthur. The 196

feet tall tower can be seen even miles before entering into the town. Kamban

the great poet compared this Gopuram to Meru parvatham itself.

 

Though Divya Desam temple is Vadapathrasayee perumAL temple, there is a

great nice temple for Sri AndAL, which was Her residence.. The sculptures in

Sri AndAL’s temple are really superb.. Sri AndAL’s temple is also known for

the “kaNNaadi kiNaRu” (mirror well). This was where Sri AndAL used to watch

Her reflection every day after adorning Herself with thuLAsi garland, meant

for Sri Vadapathrasayi.

 

The water can be seen to be very clear and it clearly served the purpose of

mirror. The striking feature in this sthalam is Sri GarudAzhwAr and Sri

AndAL are in the same peetam as PerumAL. GarudA is given this unique

position here unlike other Divya Desams, because:

 

1. GarudA is PerumAL’s father-in-law here (PeriyAzhwAr is GarudA’s amsam).

As AzhwAr had to stay for some more years, (for our sake) singing in praise

of Lord, PerumAL had to be satisfied with actual GarudA Himself.

 

2. GarudA brought PerumAL on time very quickly so that Sri AndAL’s wedding

with PerumAL took place at the right time. Hence, the special position.

 

Yet another special feature is the special location of Uthsava moorthy of

Sri ANDAL. When Sri Ramajua read Naacchiyar Thirumozhi, “100 vessels of

akkaara adisil” we all have heard Sri Ramanuja, immediately arranged for

offering of 100 vessels of akkaara adisil. GodhA Piraatti was immensely

pleased at her dream becoming fulfilled. When Ramanuja came to Villiputthur

subsequently, after this offering of 100 vessels at ThirumaalirunchOlai, it

is told, AndAL came running with love and gratefulness, reportedly ran out

of joy, calling Emperumaanaar, “en aNNAvE!” (my elder brother), though She

appeared much earlier than Udayavar. That is the reason, in AndAL vaazhi

Thirunaamam, Sri AndAL is addressed as “Perumpudhur maamunikku pinnaanaaL

vaazhiyE..”

 

One another special feature that should not be missed in Sri AndAL’s temple

is the vaibhavam of Sudharsana AzhwAr in the prakaaram. This SudharsanAzhWar

was brought from Thiruvananthapuram. It is told that when the muslim

invasion took place, the Divya mangala vigrahams were taken to safe custody

in a Kerala temple. Sudharsana AzhwAr, who was there at Thiruvananthapuram

temple, (who was reported to be an ugra moorthy there), became very calm,

and composed when AndAl arrived there. After the invaders went back, the

Divya mangaLa vigrahams of AndAL and PerumAL were brought back, and

immediately, Sudharsanam wasa back in His fiery form.. Local people thought

that it is more appropriate for SudharsanaAzhwAr to be near Sri AndAL and

PerumAL at Srivilliputthur. On one side at this sthalam, we see Sri

Sudharsana Roopa Narayanan, while on the other side, we are blessed with

Sudharsana Roopa Narasimham. (Srivaishnavas- need not fear of this. For one,

Sri Chakram and Sri Narasimhan are Parama karuNAmoorthis. For two, Sri

Chakram is already adorning the shoulder of Srivaishnavas.)

 

In Adi maasam, there is nine day BrahmOthsavam. Simply fantastic uthsavam.

Every day mroning, Sri AndAL appears in Golden palanquin (thanga pallakku).

At night, one Vaahanam. On the fifth day, morning .. PeriyAzhwAr

MangaLaasaasanam. There are five ParumALs at the pandhal.

 

Sri Sudharabaahu (Kaattazhagar)- (to be considered as Emperumaan of

ThirumaalirunchOlai)

 

Sri Srinivasan (ThiruyvaNNaamalai) to be considered as

ThiruvEmkatamudaiyaan..

 

ThirutthaNkaalappan PerumAL

 

Periya PerumAL.. (Emperumaan of VadaperunkOil)

 

Sri Rangamannaar – Sri AndAL.

 

At night, all Five PerumALs – on Garuda vaahanam; AndAL on Hamsam;

PeriyAzhwAr on Kutti Hamsam. Great sight!

 

On the seventh night, there is a nearby KrishNan temple, (about one mile

from AndAL temple), where the sayana sEvai is famous.. Sri AndAL’s sitting

on the bed, and on Her lap, Sri Rangamannaar, placing His Thirumudi..

Divine Feast to the eyes!!

 

On the ninth day, ThEr.. Huge Chariot. It takes (I was told) sometimes, days

together to reach “nilai”.

 

Also, During adyayana uthsavam, AndAL, does not appear along with AzhwArs

and AchAryAs, but with PerumAL. Also, Swamy Desikan appears along with Sri

KooratthAzhwAn- It is a delight for adiyEn’s eyes..

 

In Maargazhi, last ten days, there is an oil bath (Thirumanjanam) uthsavam

for Sri AndAL. AdiyEn has never “sEvicchufied this. But, I was told, it is a

beautiful uthsavam. Like a small baby girl (of five ) taking the oil bath,

Sri AndAL’s Oil bath takes place. The archakar removes the “sidukku” from

hairs, (after bath), combs beautifully, places Soorya Chandra piRais, puts

thilakam, Navarathna raakkodi, Rathna jadai, etc.. slowly, and gracefully..

like a Patta mahishi, (Queen) is decorated. Patthi ulaatthudhal (walk),

Naval kalasam, Vedha Gosham, Manthra anusanthanam, along with all this, This

Thirumanjanam takes place.. Each day, one Vaahanam.

 

Once, I was told, (on the last day of Maargazhi), Sri ManavaaLa MaamunigaL

came to be blessed by GodhA PiraaTTi in this uthsavam. By the time he came

in, the uthsavam was over. No more.. only next year Maargazhi. Swamy became

terribly depressed and felt totally unfortunate. It appears Sri AndAL

commanded the archakas (priest) to continue for one more day, on Thai first

day for Sri Vara varamuni to enjoy. Even today it is continued and on that

day, Sri Manavala MaamunigaL is given maryaadhai ( respects) and given Sri

SaTagOpam on Thai first.

 

AndAL says in Naacchiyar Thirumozhi: Her eyes have only one desire, and that

is to be awake for ever seeing only the Divine Lotus Feet of the Lord Sriya:

Pathi Sriman Narayanan.

 

Please POUR IN YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR the samprOkshaNam celebrations

kaimkaryam, as appealed by Sri Venkat Iyengar. He has also created a web

site, for the same..

 

The URL is: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/7673

 

WHERE TO SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

*********************************

For Devotees in India and other Countries except USA/CANADA.

Donations/Contributions can be made by a CHEQUE or a DEMAND DRAFT

IN FAVOUR OF: "The Secretary and treasurer of Thiruppani committee"

PAYABLE: through the State bank of India OR Canara bank or Indian bank at

Srivilliputtur Branch (virdhunagar district)

 

AND CAN BE SENT TO

 

The Secretary and Treasurer

Sri Andal Temple Renovation Committee

Arulmigu Nachiar (Andal) Temple

SRIVILLIPUTTUR 626125

Virdhunagar Dist

INDIA

 

TAX EXEMPTION: Donations for the Renovation are exempt under Section 88(6)

of the Income Tax Act 1961

 

For Devotees in USA /CANADA :-

 

Contributions for this great Kaimkaryam will be collected through Sri

Vaishnava Seva Samithi.Please send your cheques payable to SMSA Inc (Tax ID:

75-2641081, Non-Profit 501 ©(3)) to Smt Nagu Satyan 7821,West Alder

Dr,Littleton CO 80128-5522.

Please identify in your cheque (in the notes area) "Srivillipuththoor Temple

Kainkaryam."

 

SrivishNuchittha kulanandana kalpavaleem Srirangaraaja harichandana yoga

drusyaam I

SakshAth KshamAm karuNayA KamalAmivAnyAm GodhAm ananya saraNa: SaraNam

prapathyE II

(Swamy Desikan’s GodhAsthuthi)

 

(Translation by Sri Sadagopan) ) : O GodhE ! I perform Prapatthi at Your

sacred feet

as one , who has no other recourse ! I have no one else to save me . You are

the Kalpaka creeper adorning the Lord standing as the auspicious

HarichandanA tree in the flower

garden of the Kulam of VishNuchitthA , your father. The darsanam of You

united with Your Lord tightly as the divine kalpakA creeper and the

celestial HarichandanA tree is a blessed sight to see . In Your infinite

patience with the aparAdhis , You appear verily like Bhumi dEvi and in your

limitless compassion , You resemble Maha Lakshmi Herself . I offer my

Prapatthi at your sacred , lotus feet as the one , who has no other means

 

Srimathyai VishNuchitthaaryamanO nandhanahEthavE/

nandha nandhana sundharyai gOdhaayai nithya mangaLam..// (Sri ManavaaLa

maamunigaL)

 

Sri AndAL ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

 

Regards

 

NarayananE NamakkE PaRai tharuvaan..

adiyEn..

____

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