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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2003/03/28/stories/2003032801220600.htm)

 

 

A dream wedding enacted

 

 

 

The celestial wedding of Sri Andal and Sri Rangamannar took place at

Srivilliputtur on March 18. T. A. SRINIVASAN captures glimpses of the divine

event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCORDING TO legend, when Andal's foster father, Periyazhwar, the then Pandya

king in Madurai and others who accompanied him, took the young girl in a

palanquin to Srirangam for giving Her away in marriage to Lord Ranganatha and

when they were passing through the Cauvery She disappeared from their midst and

was later found along with the Lord in the Srirangam temple. The Lord asked them

to go back to Srivilliputtur assuring them that He would come there and accept

the hand of Andal in the marriage ceremony to be performed there on the Panguni

Uthiram day. Ever since the celestial wedding of Andal with Rangamannar is being

celebrated not only in Srivilliputtur, but also in the Madurai Koodal Azhagar

temple, Azhagarkoil Kallazhagar temple, Thirumohur Kalamega Perumal temple and

in almost all holy places. This year's Panguni Uthira Thirukkalyanam took place

on March 18.

 

Two important events took place when Andal was being taken to Srirangam from

Srivilliputtur, according to folk belief. One was Her night halt at the Prasanna

Venkatesa Perumal Temple in Tallakulam, Madurai, and Her taking bath in a tank

there. The tank hence came to be known as "Thirumukkulam." Incidentally, the big

tank in Srivilliputtur where Andal bathed before performing "Pavai Nonbu" in the

Tamil month of Margazhi is known as Thirumukkulam.

 

When Andal reached Azhagarkoil, whose Lord has been hailed by Her as "Vallal

Maalirunjolai Manaalanar", She was said to have refused to leave the place as

She was greatly enchanted by the beauty of the idol. After a lot of cajoling by

Periyazhwar and others, She accompanied them on their onward journey. The Utsava

idol of Andal in Azhagarkoil is therefore found in sitting posture unlike in

other places, including Srivilliputtur, where She is worshipped in standing

posture. On March 18, during the celestial wedding of Andal with Rangamannar,

which is celebrated only in the night of the Panguni Uthiram day unlike in other

places where it is celebrated during day, Lord Rangamannar, with the sceptre in

His hand and a pearl umbrella over His head, left the temple in the evening on

"Kasi Yathirai" accompanied by a small band of devotees. He went round the four

Nachiar Mada Streets and when He reached the East Mada Street in front of the

temple, Periyazhwar received Him and request!

ed Him not to go to Kasi but accept the hand of his foster daughter in marriage.

 

The Lord accepted the offer and Periyazhwar washed His feet as is the custom in

Hindu marriage functions. He later reached the marriage hall in the temple,

which is known as "Muthudaithamam Niraithazhntha Pandal" or to be short "Muthu

Pandal" as described by Andal in Her song. He was adorned with a pearl crown and

necklaces.

 

The temple has been built over the house in which Periyazhwar and Andal lived in

times of yore and each portion of it has been named as described by Andal in Her

poems, for instance, "Muthu Pandal" and "Maadhavi Pandal".

 

Even the "Kannadi Kinaru" or the well whose water was crystal clear in those

days (though it has gone dry now), in which Andal used to see Her image after

adorning Herself with the garlands made by Periyazhwar for being presented to

Lord Vatapatrasayee, is found inside the temple.

 

Andal, in a bridal attire and the golden parrot in Her left hand (She is adorned

with a parrot made of leaves and flowers on other days), accompanied by a big

retinue of devotees, later left the temple and went round all important streets

before reaching the Muthu Pandal.

 

The Lord came out and garlands were exchanged by priests, representing them,

carrying them over their heads and walking to and fro between the Lord and Andal

to the accompaniment of lilting Nadaswaram music.

 

As soon as this was over "Oonjal" and "Nalangu" songs were recited. Then the

two idols were taken to the Kalyana Mandapam with Periyazhwar's idol kept to

their left. The Kalyana Mandapam's ceiling is covered with the paintings

depicting the Ramayana although they have faded now due to long years of

neglect. The important feature about these paintings is that in the Sita

Kalyanam scene one can find the images of Andal instead of Sita and Rangamannar

instead of Rama.

 

All the preliminary Vedic rites held in connection with marriage, as described

by Andal in Her poems, were performed by Sri Vijaya Bhaskara Bhattar, priest of

the Andal temple. Andal has described all the rites, as She dreamt of them,

except the tying of Thirumangalyam, perhaps as She wanted it to be done actually

by the Lord.

 

Both the idols of Andal and Rangamannar were bedecked with all the jewels gifted

by the rulers in the past. After "Sri Suktam" was recited to sanctify the

Thirumangalyam, Andal was adorned with it.

 

Then other rites like "Lajwanthi" and "Sesha Homam" were performed. In the

night, the Lord mounted on Yaanai Vaahanam and Andal in a flower palanquin were

taken round the main streets in "Pattinapravesam" and the idols reached the

temple in the early hours of the next day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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