Brahmotsavam - Yali VahanamNamaskaram to All, @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

Friday (16^th) evening would be a true out of the world experience in perumal kovil.

 

Before describing purappadu, I would like to plant some thought so that they could start germinating. Our Perumal is known by various beautiful names like Devathirajan, Tepperumal, Athiyooran, Imayorthalaivan and many many more. One very apt name is Thyagarajan. Varadar by granting the wish of Periya nambi, sacrificed his jewel (Ramanujar) to Srirangam. This enabled establishment / strengthening of our Sampradayam. Additionally, Perumal kovil is also known as Thyaga bhoomi, how else to address the ruler of this bhoomi.

 

Today our Lord would ride on Yali vahanam. Yali, is a combination of animal & reptile. It has body and head of a lion with a trunk of an elephant and serpent like tail. This creature was supposed to be as ferocious as a lion, as strong as an elephant and would send shiver down the spine with the presence of the serpent. Good for all of us that this creature is not visible and exists within the realm of imagination.

 

As per shilpa shastra having this creature in the door way would ward off evil thoughts. That is the main reason you would see them sculpted mainly on the door ways. This creature is also one of the favorite for sculptures as they can let their imagination go wild while carving.

 

Devathirajan is the right person to ride this vahanam as he has also appeared in such unique combination of man & lion to protect his dear devotee.

 

Periyalwar's thirumozhi would be recited in today's purappadu. The pasurams recited would be those pertaining to Divya desams in jungles or mountains as we would have more chances of sighting yali in these regions. The divya desams covered would be Badri (958 ~ 986), Naimisaranyam (998 ~ 1007), Sengavelkundrum (1008 ~ 1017), Thiruvenkatam (1018 ~ 1057) and Tirumaliruncholai (1818~1827).

 

Adiyen would give the live telecast of next purappadu (Venugopala Thirukolam) from Thyaga Bhoomi.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The pictures attached are file photos and courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.

Brahmotsavam - Yali VahanamNamaskaram to All, @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

Friday (16^th) evening would be a true out of the world experience in perumal kovil.

 

Before describing purappadu, I would like to plant some thought so that they could start germinating. Our Perumal is known by various beautiful names like Devathirajan, Tepperumal, Athiyooran, Imayorthalaivan and many many more. One very apt name is Thyagarajan. Varadar by granting the wish of Periya nambi, sacrificed his jewel (Ramanujar) to Srirangam. This enabled establishment / strengthening of our Sampradayam. Additionally, Perumal kovil is also known as Thyaga bhoomi, how else to address the ruler of this bhoomi.

 

Today our Lord would ride on Yali vahanam. Yali, is a combination of animal & reptile. It has body and head of a lion with a trunk of an elephant and serpent like tail. This creature was supposed to be as ferocious as a lion, as strong as an elephant and would send shiver down the spine with the presence of the serpent. Good for all of us that this creature is not visible and exists within the realm of imagination.

 

As per shilpa shastra having this creature in the door way would ward off evil thoughts. That is the main reason you would see them sculpted mainly on the door ways. This creature is also one of the favorite for sculptures as they can let their imagination go wild while carving.

 

Devathirajan is the right person to ride this vahanam as he has also appeared in such unique combination of man & lion to protect his dear devotee.

 

Periyalwar's thirumozhi would be recited in today's purappadu. The pasurams recited would be those pertaining to Divya desams in jungles or mountains as we would have more chances of sighting yali in these regions. The divya desams covered would be Badri (958 ~ 986), Naimisaranyam (998 ~ 1007), Sengavelkundrum (1008 ~ 1017), Thiruvenkatam (1018 ~ 1057) and Tirumaliruncholai (1818~1827).

 

Adiyen would give the live telecast of next purappadu (Venugopala Thirukolam) from Thyaga Bhoomi.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The pictures attached are file photos and courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.

Brahmotsavam - Nachiyar Thirukolam @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

Friday (16^th May) morning would be a visual treat in Perumal kovil. Our Varadar would adore all the thiruabarhnam of our thaayar while trying to attract Thayaar rasikars to his side.

 

As always let's touch upon the origin of this thirukolam. Once sage Durvasa offered the garland of Mahalakshmi to Indira, who was riding on his elephant. Indira accepted the garland and placed it in his elephant. The elephant, irritated by the smell of the garland, threw it to the ground. This action enraged the sage, who is legendary for his temper, as the garland was a prasadam from Mahavishnu's consort.

 

Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be devoid of all strength, energy and fortune. Knowing this asuras wagged war against the devas. In the battle devas were routed by asuras and devas as always sought the help of Mahavishnu. Mahavishnu advised the devas that they should churn the milky white ocean, with the help of asuras, and from which the nectar of immortality would be obtained.

 

Devas and asuras started churning with mount Mandara as the dasher and snake Vasuki as the rope. As the churning continued Kautubha ratnam, Kamadhenu, Kalpavriksham, Sharangam and Lakshmi herself emerged followed by various other celestial items. Finally the nectar of immortality, amirtham, emerged and immediately devas and asuras started fighting for it. Mahavishnu took the form of a lady (Mohini), who was the most beautiful lady that the assembled gods, devas and asuras have ever seen. Mohini distributed the amirtham to devas, who vanquished the asuras.

 

There are small variations in this story between the puranas, but one thing that is common among all the puranas is the beauty of the lord when he took the form of Mohini.

 

Likewise the beauty of Varadar would get exponentially increased in this thirukolam. There could be many reasons for Varadar's incomparable beauty in this thirukolam, but I would attribute the beauty to Varadar's most compassionate consort, Perundevi thayar. Varadar has borrowed all the thiruabhardanam of Thayar, he has even let go his unique kadukan (ear ring) and adored Thayar's ear ring. Varadar, to complete his looks, even swap both his weapons (Shunkam & Chakram) for a pair of lotus, that too similar to the ones held by Perundevi thayar.

 

We all (some of us) might have committed many sins, so much so we get a place in hiranyakashipu's ghosti. The comforting factor in this thirukolam is we would not be punished as Perumal doesn't have his discus and also all the thiruabharnams of Thaayar would make him as compassionate as our jagan matha (Perundevi Thaayar). This is the reason adiyen feel very safe in this thirukolam.

 

I would request if anyone can capture the picture of our lord holding the kamalam, instead of shunkam & chakram.

 

During the purappadu, the ghosti would recite Thirupallandu, Thiruppavai in addition to Periya thiruvanthathi & thiruviruththam.

 

In the next mail, we would touch up on the vahanam that exist only in our imagination.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The pictures attached are file photos and courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.

Brahmotsavam - Chandra Prabhai @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

Tomorrow (Thursday 15th) evening would be one of the coolest evening in Kanchipuram. The radiance of perarulalan in Chandra prabhai would make you wonder if it is full moon day today.

 

In my last mail, I had mentioned that our naachimaar being unique. So before I continue with the purappadu let me share the details. As I had mentioned before, many of you might have seen / enjoyed this before, this is for the few who might have missed the uniqueness.

 

In our temples Ubhaya naachimar have a very special significance. The utsava moorty of Perumal is flanked by Sridevi (on right side) and Bhudevi (on left side). In all the temples the naachimaar would be standing with the exception of Srirangam, where they are seated. In general Sridevi would be seen holding lotus in her left hand and Bhudevi would have the lotus in her right hand and with reference to Perumal both of them would be symmetrical. In Perumal kovil our Ubhaya naachimaar are different. Here both Sridevei and Bhudevi have the lotus in their right hand and the left hand hangs loosely. Ubhaya naachimaar of Ashtabhuja perumal (Kanchipuram) and Thirunarayanapuram have the same pose.

 

Varadar in Bhagavad gita says "Nakshatranam aham sasi" – "Of Stars, I am moon" and during the purappadu chandran gets the honor of presenting Devathirajan to us.

 

Chandaran is required to protect and preserve the medicinal herbs. We cannot imagine a life without medicines. Watching this purappadu is the one stop solution for all our karmic illness. Like the lilies and ocean, which come to life with the sight of moon, the devotee's hearts would swell with happiness. Devathirajan is able to do all this in-spite of his avirbhavam from sacrificial fire.

 

In my next mail I shall reveal the reason as to why adiyen feel safe when Perarulalan comes on Thanga pallaku in nachiyar thirukolam.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The pictures attached are file photos and courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.

Brahmotsavam - Sesha Vahanam @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

It gives me immense pleasure to scribble couple of words about the most artistic vahanam of the Brahmotsavam.

 

Tomorrow (Thursday 15^th) morning after a short (long) gap we would have dharshan of our ubhaya naachimaar's when Devathirajan in Paramapatha nathan thirukolam riding majestically on sesha vahanam.

 

This purappadu is the trailer of what we could expect when we reach srivaikuntam, when we leave our current body. This is the way our Perarulalan is waiting for us.

 

To truly appreciate today's vahanam and the significance to the present yugam (kali) we need to have a quick preview into the sthala puranam. I know many of you may be aware but for the benefit of new readers, kindly bear with me, I would try and keep it short.

 

Varadar came down to kanchipuram, also known as Sathya Vratha Kshethram, during Kritha yugam (the first of the 4 yugam) to give Brahma  the dharshanam of Brahmam, when Brahma was performing the aswametha yagam. On Brahma's request, Varadarajar continued to stay on top of Hasthigiri and continued to bless the devotees in that yugam. In Treta yugam(second of the 4 yugam), Varadar was worshiped by Gajenderan, yes the same elephant who was rescued from the clutches of the crocodile. Brahaspati, deva's guru worshiped Varadar in Dwapara yugam. Currently in Kali yugam our Varadar is being worshipped by Anathan. The present day archakas are carrying out the service on behalf of Adisheshan, the king of snakes.

 

When our Perarulalan ascents the sesha vahanam, he is honoring his archakas of the current yugam.

Devathirajan would be decked with Thanga thiru abishekam. Perarulalan would also adore the kanti presented by Robert clive! Hold on for a couple of days for more details.

 

During today's purappadu Naanmugan thiruvandhadhi would be recited, that beyond doubt establishes our Lord's supremacy.

 

In the next mail, would try and share some more interesting / unique facts about our ubhaya naachimar's, while describing the Chandra prabhai.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The pictures attached are file photos and courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.

Brahmotsavam - Hanumantha Vahanam (Day 3 Evening) @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

Tomorrow evening would be an interesting purappadu as we would get to see an unusual combination.

 

Hanuman being Siriya thiruvadi has been waiting for Periya thiruvadi to finish his task and would immediately grab his chance to bring Varadar to our doorsteps.

 

The take away from Hanuman is not just steadfast service to the Lord but Only to his Lord, Lord Rama.

 

At the end of Ramaavataram when Lord Rama was sending all present across River Sarayu to proceed towards Sri Vaikuntam, he also wanted Hanuman to come along. Hanuman enquired if he could be with Lord Rama in Sri Vaikuntam, Lord Rama answered in negative and told him he would have to be with Varadar in Sri Vaikuntam. Hanuman felt dejected and decided to stay back in boolokam as Lord Rama was his all in all.

 

The temptation of the wonderful nectar, Varadar, is so irresistible that tomorrow our Hanuman would decide to have a mouthful and is also lovingly sharing it with all of us. 

 

During the purappadu our Perumal would adore muttu toppa haaram.

 

Divya prabhandam ghosti would recite Periyazvar moonraampaththu during the purappadu. The following pasuram is so apt for the purappadu.

 

padangaLpalavumudaippaambaraiyan padarboomiyaiththaangikkidappavanpOl
thadangaiviralaindhummalaravaiththuth thaamOdharan_thaanguthadavaraithaan
adangachchenRu_ilangaiyaiyeedazhiththa anumanpukazhpaadiththamkuttan_kaLai
kudangaikkoNdumandhikaLkaNvaLarththum gOvarththanamennumkoRRakkudaiyE.

 

In the next mail, would try and share some more interesting / unique facts about our ubhaya naachimar's, whom we have next seen for some time, while describing the Sesha vahanam.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The file photos are courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.

Brahmotsavam - Garuda Sevai (Day 3 Morning) @ Kanchipuram Varadarajar Kovil

Namaskaram to All,

 

It gives adiyen immense pleasure to scribble about the most famous / attractive vahana purappadu of brahmotsavam, yes the Garuda Sevai. This would start very early tomorrow (Wednesday 14th) morning. In Perumal kovil, Namazhwar sattumurai is on 11^th June followed by Narashima jayanthi on 12^th June this year, generally these two events would coincide with Garuda sevai.

 

Garudan is addition to performing his kaimkaryam as Emperuman's vehicle is also known as veda swaroopam. Swami Desikan had prayed to Garudan in Aushada giri in Thiruvendhipuram, who gave the Swami the moola mantharam and the deity of Lakshmi Hayagrivar.

 

Before our Varadar flies out from the kovil to bless us, at the main gopuram, our Lord is shielded from our views for a short while with two kodai's. This is known as Doddayacharya sevai. To understand / enjoy this we need to go back in time.

 

Some 450 years back, one devotee by name Doddayacharya lived in the temple town of Sholingar and was engaged in kaimkaryam to Lord Narashima. He was very attached to Varadar of Kanchipuram. He never used to miss the Garuda sevai of Devathirajan during brahmotsavam. One year due to advanced age was not able to make the trip to kanchipuram. He was disturbed and on the day of Garuda sevai while having his bath in Thakkan kulam (local pond), early morning, he expressed his inability of not being perumal kovil and felt dejected.

 

At that time in kanchipuram our Perumal was about to leave the kovil. On not seeing his devotee amongst those assembled, our lord expressed his desire to leave kanchipuram to give his dharshanam in sholingar. Upon receiving this divine message, priest shielded our lord with the kodai's. At this very moment the acharyan, in sholingar, had the vision of Varadar in Garuda sevai in all its glory.

 

To commemorate this event, even today, our lord is hidden from public view for a short time. Later a temple was built on the banks of thakkan kulam, which is being maintained by his descendants even today. Make a note to take their blessings the next time you visit Sholingar.

 

The kreedam adorned by Devathirajan during Garuda sevai is called thanga toppagaram. This thiruabarnam gets to adore our Lord only once a year. If not for anything, utleast for this we need to be there. Varadar after the ride is also attached to enhance your pleasure.

 

Vardar performed a miracle during one of the Garuda sevai purappadu and was witnessed by none other than Robert clive, details in another appropriate time.

 

During the purappadu, prabhanda ghosti would recite moonraam thiruvanthaathi.

 

In my next mail I would try to share the little things I know when our lord would bless us as Rama.

 

Andavan thiruvadiya charanam

Perundevi sametha Devathirajan thiruvadiya charanam

 

Dhasan,
Kausik Sarathy

 

Note : The pictures attached are file photos and courtesy Sri. Kesavabashyam.