Andal Kalyanam - Goda parinaya champu

[Guest guest]

Andal Kalyanam

The dais was studded with rubies and was given a wash with

sandalwood paste and water and bedecked with streamers of gems and

pearls. Silk flags were raised everywhere. Sweet smelling divine

incense was smoldering everywhere. Hundreds of lamps were lighted.

Banana trees with fruits and flowers were erected. Auspicious

`kalasas' adorned the vivaaha mantap. Paalikas and `kaappu' strings

were kept over pots. Gorgeous murals were drawn on walls. Strands of

pearls were added as streamers over the `pandal'. The wedding hall

was beautifully decorated.

Relatives who were living far and near were invited and brought to

the venue of the wedding. Those relatives who were always up to

mischief and gossip were pacified! Nadaswaram, dundubhi and conches

were blown. Flutes were played. Excellent concerts of music and dance

took place.

Poojas for the wedding were performed. Brahmanas were fed with

delectable dishes. Astrologers awaited the auspicious muhurtham with

great expectations. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the path by which the

groom would be arriving. All those were present were going hither and

thither with joy. In short, Periyazhvar's palace was filled with the

commotion of the celebrations.

Maidens with beautiful eyes bedecked the Andal with exquisite jewels

and cosmetics. The lovely bride wore `sindur' at the parting of her

hair and `thiruman' kappu on her forehead. Her dark eyes were bordered

with `mai'. Her naturally red lips were darkened further by red

colour. She wore jewels made of ruby in her hair and her face was

rendered more beautiful by her `tilakam'. She wore gold bangles on her

upper arms, gem studded belt, and pearl anklets. Her natural blue

complexion took the hue of clouds, rainbow and lightning.

Andal was ready, but the Groom was late - her father was worried. The

assembled Purohits were ready with darbhas, grass, ghee, sand and

puffed rice.

And then, Shri Ranganathan arrived on Garudan, resplendent in jewelry

and gorgeously dressed as the groom! It was like a green hill was

arriving on a golden mountain!

Goda's maiden friends performed `Harathi' with camphor. All those who

were assembled were immensely pleased to see him.

As Azhakiya Manavaalan sat on the vivaha mantap, Purohits tied the

golden Kappu in his hand that wore bangles of pearls and gems.

Periyazhwar bathed his feet with cool milk, held his daughter by the

hand and said, "Ranganatha! She has been brought up just for you.

Accept her hand!" The beautiful bride met her beloved's eyes.

Then the vivaaha homams were performed as described in the Vedas.

Ranganathan held Goda's feet and made her step on the gem studded

golden stone (ammi). Goda remembered her dream and smiled. It had

come true! Then they performed `lajahomam'. The puffed rice fell

from Goda's hands onto the fire like pearls on a forest of corals.

Due to the smoke and the stress of the heat, Nachiyar's face was a

little tired.

After the sacred rites were over, the newly married couple sat on a

throne and all the sadhus showered them with `Akshatai'. Then, both of

them sat on an elephant under a pearl umbrella and went on a

procession with all kinds of musical instruments playing along with

them. They were fanned by snowy white fans from both sides. Every

home in shrivilliputtur honoured them with lighted lamps,

Purnakumbham, rose water and sandalwood. The lovely maidens of

shrivilliputtur showered them with flowers, puffed rice and yellow

rice from the porches of their houses.

After sunset, both of them were seated on a swing and all the women

sang lali songs. Thus, the sacred rites of the wedding went on for

five days. Then, Periyazhvar requested Ranganathan to live in

Shrivilliputtur according to the citizens' wishes. Even though

Ranganathan liked to stay in Srirangam, he agreed.

`Garuda!' said Shri Ranganathan "please be seated with us" and

granted him a place next to them.

Periyazhvar worshipped his son-in-law and daughter with flowers,

clothes, jewels and of course, poetry!

 

 

Shubha