The significance of Krishna jayanthi Utsavam at Srirangam

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Srimathe Ramanujayanamaha:

Siginificance of ShriJayanthi Festival at Srirangam

 

At Srirangam Namperumal is takenn on procession from the Sanctum Sanctorum to

the Sri Pandaram on the Panchrathra SriJayanthi day. Namperumal moves to the

temple kitchen(madapalli) itself to have first hand information of Appam,

Seedai, Murukku etc. At SriPandaram, Thirumannjanam is performed while Araiyar

will be reciting Periyazhavar Thirumozhi .It is Periyazhavar who in his

Periyazhavar Thirmozhi brings out the Lord Krishna"s Pranks from the time of

incarnation . Hence Araiyar 's recitation of Periyazhavar ThiruMozhi . In

the night the Krishna 's Vigraha in the Kannan's sannathi will be given milk in

a white conch . This temple of Lord Krishna was built in the year 1232 by one

Uma Devi, the queen of Veera Vallaladeva, The Donar lived in the time of

NarahariBhupala known as Veera NarasimhaII, a Hoysala King .The Hoysalas were

camping at Kannanur now called Samayapuram and were assisting the Cholas who

were very weak then and were guarding from any possible attack from the

Pandiyas. This Deity was named Tirukkuzhaluudina pillai (Krishna ) She created

Endownments to offer to Lord Krishna curd and Ghee in pots with special cakes

everyday.This sannathi is near Kilimandapam at Srirangam.

 

As for as Srirangam is concerned this is the third Vibuthi not fitting into

Leelavibuthi on Nithyavibuthi . It is a firm belief of Mudaliyandan the great

Acharya who was supervising the Administration of the Srirangam Temple

during the period of Sri Ramanuja that it is Lord Ranganatha who is in

Paramapatham and not the other way. It is Lord Ranganatha who incarnated as

Lord Krishna or Sri Rama. Hence all the Honours at Srirangam on SriJayanthi

day is for Lord Sriranganatha. On the next day after Srijayanthi Krishna moves

around the streets of Srirangam in a Pallaku and drops of Gingely oil is

offered to Devotees . This is called "Yennaivilayattu". Then Lord Ranganatha

with his consorts moves on a procession to Yadava Mandapam near Thirumanjana

cauveri . In the evening Namperumal adorned with Kilimalai( a garland with

lot of of parrots made out of green leaves. He wears this Kilimalai on a

very few occassions only, like Vaikunta Ekadasi day. The Sathatha Vaishnavas

who hold the heriditary rights who offer this type of garland and in return

offered a ride in the temple Elephant . This is an unique honour conferred

on any kainkaryaparas other than the Brahmins)

 

In the evening Lord Krishna will be leading the procession followed by

Namperumal with Upayanaachimars. After going around the Chitra streets the

procession will reach southern entrance near Pathala Krishnan sannathi where

Lord Krishna will break the pots containing Milk curd and turmeric water. This

is called "Uriyadi". After this Namperumal and Lord Krishna will reach the

Sanctum Sanctorum. Namperumal will order through the utterances of Sthanika to

leave the sathhani at his house in the temple elephant as an honour. With this

the Utsavam comes to an end.

 

P.S.Probably the practice of Lord Krishna leading the procession and performing

the Uriyadi might have come in to existence in the year 1232 when Krishna's

temple was consecrated.Till that period only Namperumal with his consorts might

have performed the above said utsavam.