Azagiya Manavalin in Sri Vaikunata Ekadeshi Mudal Thirunaal

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Dear members and friends,Mangalasanams.My Shastanga Namaskarams to our Ever Periya Perumal and Periya Pirattiyar Sri Ranga Nachiyar. This time of the year is the MOST auspicious time, the month being Margazhi (Dhanur) Month! This is the month when our beloved Andal gave us the most precious Tiruppavai and also merged in to Sri Ranganatha. Not just this, but as Krishna Bhagawan, in Bhagawad Geetha says, " Maasanaam Margasheershoham " ( I am the month of Margashirsha). This is the greatness of the month!! It begins on 18th of December 2009. As obvious as the greatness of the month is, the celebrations at Sri Rangam are beyond any doubt, pumped with most pomp and glory!! As though all this was not enough, the great day of Vaikunta Ekadasi falls in this month! It is the month for reaping the fruits of devotional service done all through the year! And the fruit - opportunity for more devotional service!!!

Waking up early in the morning, preparing pongal naivedhyam and reciting Tiruppavai is such a great feeling of bliss!!

 

This month is celebrated in Sri Rangam in two parts for 20 days - The first 10, called the " pagal patthu " (pagal meaning day and pathu meaning 10) and " ra patthu " (ra meaning night and pathu meaning 10).

The 2nd prakaram, which one enters through the NaazhiKetaan Entrance is called the Raja Mahendran street in memory of the Chozha king who built it. This prakaram also has the Kili (Parrot) Mandapam and the big Glass mirror, through which one can see the Lord when he comes out on procession.

During Pagal Patthu, Azhagiya Manavalan goes pradakshinam around the Pranavakara Viamana prakaram, with HIS Woiyyara nadai (gentle and subtle walk) and then reaches the kannadi arai. He looks at HIMSELF, HIS majestic appearance, the jewels that look much brighter and stunning being worn by HIM. HE moves on and goes to " Vruja Nadi " (A well called vruja nadi) and meets Senai Mudaliyar ( HIS personal secretory). From there, with the arayar swamis reciting divya prabandham, HE moves step by step in a rhythmic motion to the recitals and reaches Tulaka Nachiyar sannidhi where HE shows her HIS grandeur! From here, HE moves on to Arjunar Mandapam and enjoys the celebration along with all the 12 Azhwars.

These are HIS activities during pagal pathu.

The 9th day of this celebration is special - Mohini Alankaram. Our Azhagiya Manavalan is dressed up as Mohini, the female form of Sriman Narayana. As such, Nam Perumal is " alankara priyan " (loves being decorated). And in this form, HE is all the more interested in alankarams, as it is the female form!

The way HE comes as Mohini with the gracious walk, holding s parrot in the hand, is all a sight that having two eyes would never give us enough!!

The 10th day, end of pagal patthu is " Vaikunta Ekadasi " , which falls on the 28th of December 2009. On this day, Nam Perumal is all decked up and leaves on a procession through Paramapada Vasal (Vaikunta Dwaram) early in the morning and then reaches the 1000 pillar mandapam.

Devotees throng in lakes on the grand occasion, form all over the world! Nalayaira Divya Prabandham are recited non stop all day long. Devotees fast this day and spend the day and night drinking the nectar of HIS nama sankeertanam and dancing to the beat of the cymbals. It is such a grand sight that even the devas and Devathas would crave to be here. After all, Sri Rangam is nothing but the abode of Sriman Narayana, on earth, and is called as " Bhooloka Vaikuntam " . Moolavar, Periya Perumal is adorned in Rathna Angi.

It is an unmatched mercy that HE shows HIS devotees by giving this splendid darshanam. One must always pray to the HIM to bless with such a wonderful darshanam. Azhagiya Manavalan enjoys till late in the night with HIS devotees and gets back to HIS moola sthanam in Veena Ekantham - Veena instrument is played while HE is getting back.

Since not all the devotees can make it to SriRangam, HE, being the father and the mother of all of us, has been so merciful that He's giving us darshanam through all means that humans can think of. This is a classic example of HIS mercy. I hope all of you get this mercy through HIS photos attached herewith and I shall pray that all devotees get more mercy from HIM, for getting a chance to be physically present at Sri Rangam at least once in the whole life time and witness the grandeur and get HIS blessings.

As always, please forgive me for any faulty language or interpretations.

Adeyen Dhashan,Narasimha bhattar

 

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