Thiruvallikeni

[Guest guest]

Srirasthu,

Srimathe Ramanujaya nama:

 

Dear bhagavatas,

 

This was an article on the Hindu on Sri parthasarathy Swamy

devastanam and Sri Udayavar Kainkaryasabha located in Thiruvallikeini.

 

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/stories/2003041800981000.htm

 

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan,

Nallan chakravarthy Narashiman.

 

 

Golden padhuka for Udaiyavar

 

 

THOUGH SAINT Ramanuja, also hailed as "Udaiyavar," visited almost all

the Vaishnavite holy places, some of them such as Srirangam, Tirumala

(Tirupati), Thirukoshtiyur (near Sivaganga), Thirumaliruncholaimalai

(Azhagarkoil, near Madurai), Maduranthakam, Srivilliputtur and

Thirukurungudi were connected with one or more incidents in his life.

Though the Parthasarathy Perumal Temple in Thiruvallikeni in Chennai

does not fall in this category, according to Pillailokam Jeeyar's

Ramanuja Divyacharithai, the saint's father, Asoori Kesava Somayaji,

performed the "Puthrakameshti Yagna" on the banks of "Kairavani", the

holy tank in Thiruvallikeni, praying to Lord Parthasarathy to bless

him with a son and the Lord appeared in his dream informing him that

He Himself would be born as his son in order to highlight the

significance of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita by writing

Sribashya (commentary).

 

Hence it is no surprise that Ramanuja's shrine occupies a central

place in the Thiruvallikeni temple and commands special adoration as

the saint is accorded special privileges like the ten-day festival in

the Tamil month of Chithirai. During this period, Lord Parthasarathy

foregoes His monthly "Pancha Parva" procession and honours the saint

by offering His silk Vastram, garland and Satari (holy sandals). Sri

Ramanuja is offered a ceremonial bath and is treated to the

recitation of `Thiruppavai' and `Thiruvaimozhi' and is also offered

Mangalasasanam. Besides he has independent processions both in the

morning and evening and is housed in the Kannadi Arai (glass room).

 

When Thirukoshtiyur Nambi asked Ramanuja to come to him to learn

the "Rahasya Granthas" with his Pavithram (holy ring) and Tridandam

(holy staff) he took with him Koorathazhwan and Mudhaliandan saying

that they were his Pavithram and Tridandam. Mudhaliandan's impeccable

service to his mentor secured for him the status of being Ramanuja's

Padukas (sandals) and the position of the administrator of the

Srirangam Temple.

 

A new golden Mudhaliandan (Sri Yatiraja Paduka) has been made for the

Ramanuja's idol in the Thiruvallikeni temple by the Udaiyavar

Kainkarya Sabha. The golden sandals, made at a cost of Rs. 5.35

lakhs, are displayed for public view from March 30. Their

consecration took place on April 6 with traditional ceremonies. In

addition to conducting monthly and annual festivals of Ramanuja, the

Sabha has presented jewels like Karnapathram, Anjali Hastham,

Yagnopaveetham, Hasthi Kreedam, a gemset Tridandam and a plain one

besides a pearl Kondai for adorning Ramanuja's idol. It has also

presented various dresses and other materials for decorating the

palanquin and the small car in which the saint's idol used to be

carried during the Chithrai festival.

 

A souvenir containing articles on Ramanuja's life history, slokas and

80 photos was also released on the occasion. Further particulars can

be had from the Udaiyavar Kainkarya Sabha, 12, Arumuga Chetty Lane,

Triplicane, Chennai-600005 (phone no. 28440550).