Sarangapani Koil Namazhvaar Moksham 2025

The legendary event of Namazhvaar attaining Perumal's feet was enacted at the Sarangapani temple on Tuesday evening to the recital of the Aravamuthey verses on the 5th day of Era Pathu Utsavam 

It is a one of its kind coincidence. The fifth day of the Era Pathu Utsavam was celebrated at the Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi on Thursday (Dec 30) evening. 

A unique feature of the Adyayana Utsavam at Sarangapani Koil is that the Pagal Pathu Utsavam starting every year on the first day of Margazhi. This year, Thirumangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal took place last Thursday (Dec 25). And thus, this Tuesday marked the fifth day of the Era Pathu Utsavam. In all other Divya Desams, the pagal pathu utsavam ended on Monday evening with Perumal in Mohini Alankaram and the Paramapada Vaasal opened this morning (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/12/sarangapani-koil-pagal-pathu-utsavam.html).

The fifth day of the Era Pathu utsavam at Sarangapani Koil is a special occasion for in the fifth canto of Thiruvoimozhi, Namazhvaar has praised the greatness of Aravamudhan, the moolavar deity at Thiru Kudanthai. It is the day when the Namazhvaar Moksham episode is enacted at this temple to go with the presentation of the Aravamuthey verses.

While Sarangapani Perumal had made it to the 100 pillared mandapam in the afternoon, he went on a procession inside the temple early in the evening as it was the Ekadasi day. And then he made his way back to the mandapam. On the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi, there was a huge crowd to have darshan of the Moolavar deity and the crowd stretched to the Chariot at the east end of the Sannidhi street. 

Just after 7.30pm, seated in a majestic posture atop the Sesha Vahana, Sarangapani listened to the start of the first decad of the fifth canto of Tiruvoimozhi. The traditionalists of Thiru Kudanthai who had been at the prabhandham recital through the Pagal Pathu utsavam were present for the Thodakkam while a majority of the devotees were in the long queue for moolavar darshan.

After the presentation of the first seven decads of the fifth canto, there was a break as more devotees gathered at the 100 pillared mandapam to watch the magical moment of Namazhvaar attaining Sarangapani’s feet. 

Namazhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal

Soon after Soundar Bhattar gave the nod, the prabhandham members began the recital of the Aravamuthey verses with Patrarchars carrying Namazhvaar towards Sarangapani Perumal. It was a step by step movement even as the members continued the sacred verses of Namazhvaar on the Lord of Thiru Kudanthai. While there continued to be a long queue for darshan of the moolavar, the HRCE staffers made repeated announcements on crowd management even as these sacred verses were being presented much to the annoyance of Soundar Bhattar who made his displeasure known to them.

 

ஆரா அமுதே அடியேன் உடலம்  நின்பால் அன்பாயே

நீராய்  அலைந்து கரைய உருக்குகின்ற நெடுமாலே

சீர் ஆர் செந்நெல் கவரி வீசும் செழு நீர் திரு குடந்தை

ஏர் ஆர் கோலம் திகழ கிடந்தாய் கண்டேன் எம்மானே  - Thiruvoimozhi (5-8-1)

As the members moved into the final verse of the 8th decad, Namazhvaar was placed at the feet of Sarangapani Perumal with Soundar Bhattar following it up with placing Tulasi on the body of Namazhvaar. Devotees who made their way after the darshan of Moolavar Aravamudhan felt blessed to have witnessed the enactment of Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal event.

வாரா வருவாய் வரும் என் மாயா மாயா மூர்த்தியாய் 

ஆரா அமுதாய்  அடியேன் ஆவி அகமே தித்திப்பாய் 

தீரா வினைகள் தீர என்ன ஆண்டாய் திருக்குடந்தை 

ஊரா உனக்கு ஆள் பட்டும் அடியேன் இன்னம் உழல்வேனோ 

After almost three decades, Soundararajan Bhattar continues to be greatly attached to his ‘Perumal’ and it was a delight for the devotees to watch him perform the Thiru Aradhanam with such devotion (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/02/thiru-kudanthai-soundar-bhattar.html).

The clock had ticked to ten pm when the Vedic members recited the Vedas that was followed by the presentation of the final decads of the fifth canto of Tiruvoimozhi. Devotees continued to head to the 100 pillared mandapam after the moolavar darshan late into the evening.

There was a wide ranging prasadam presented to the Lord on the occasion of Namazhvaar Moksham and this was distributed to the devotees. 

It was almost 11pm when the devotee donors of the day made their way to the 100 pillar mandapam for a close darshan of Sarangapani perumal bringing to end this fifth day of the Era Pathu Utsavam.

This Saturday evening on the 9th day of the Era Pathu Utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal and Komalavalli Thayar will provide Maatru Sevai darshan to devotees with Perumal presenting himself as Thayar, and Thayar likewise as Perumal, at the 100 pillared mandapam.

Gopurapatti Adhi Nayaka Perumal temple HRCE takeover

The temple where Namperumal had resided during the Muslim Invasion has now been taken over by the HRCE after the Chief Priest of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple restores and performs two consecrations

Murali Bhattar, the Chief Priest of the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam was saddened by the plight of Adhi Nayaka Perumal when he visited Gopurapatti just under a couple of decades ago. The temple was in ruins with the moolavar deity in a damaged condition. There were heavy bushes and snake pits inside the temple complex. The significance of Gopurapatti dates back to the Muslim Invasion of the 14th century when Namperumal stayed here before returning to Srirangam. 

He organised the restoration of the temple at a cost of around Rs. 1crore though the original plan was to organise repair works for around Rs. 20000. Just over a dozen years ago, the temple had been completely turned around with a restoration exercise anchored by Murali Bhattar. The temple complex wore a new look and this writer had featured a story in The Hindu Friday Review on the facelift the temple had received. 

He organised a priest for the initial phase as well as secured the services of a devotee donor for the maintenance of the temple. Vahanas too were built for processions to be revived.

In 2018, he roped in KS Abiraman of Manachanallur as the priest and he has been performing daily Thiru Aradhanam over the last 7 years and has been instrumental in the devotees coming back to the temple in good numbers especially during Puratasi and Margazhi. 

And recently, Murali Bhattar also organised a 2nd consecration and expressed happiness at not only having restored the temple from a dilapidated state but also at being able to perform consecration twice in the space of 12 years. 

The Villagers have been managing the temple activities and the utsavams collecting funds from donors since the restoration of the temple.

HRCE takeover

And now, the HR & CE has taken over the administration of the temple. They have placed a banner inside the temple to inform the devotees as to who will be administering the temple from now on. Murali Bhattar feels blessed that he has been able to play a role in the restoration of a historic temple where devotees continue to perform tharpanam on Aadi Amavasai for the forefathers who passed away in the Muslim Invasion.  But he says that he will be taking a back seat for now with the taking over of the temple by the HR & CE. Murali Bhattar had been paying the salary of the priest since the restoration and also been doing his bit for the maintenance of the temple and has been responsible for the complete makeover of the temple but with this takeover, one will have to wait and watch as to how things pan out at the  Adhi Nayaka Perumal temple in Gopurapatti.

Nachiyar Koil Kal Garuda Sevai December 2025

Huge crowd, beautiful alankaram, glittering jewellery and tireless effort from the sripatham personnel mark the Garuda Sevai on Friday evening but Theppotsavam at the end of this margazhi festival remains a question mark with sewage water seeping into the sacred tank

Will the HRCE Minister take corrective steps before the Panguni Utsavam Theerthavari???

Gopinathan Bhattar, who has been at the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Nachiyar Koil in Thiru Naraiyur for the last three decades, makes repeated announcements that this is a one of its kind Kal Garuda Sevai on Friday evening for it was the third one in 2025 following the ones in early January and during the Panguni Brahmotsavam.

High Devotional Vibrancy on Garuda Sevai evening

Prabhakaran, the Executive Officer of the temple, finds it hard to believe that the crowd has increased so dramatically. He was very happy in January this year on the Kal Garuda Sevai evening when this writer met him at exactly the same time – 10pm soon after Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjulavalli Thayar had made their way out of the Eastern Raja Gopuram for the through the night street procession. Watching the crowd swell to several thousands on this Friday evening, there is tears in his eyes for he had seen some earlier photos of the temple in the years gone by when there were very few devotees.  The entire temple complex was jam packed through the evening till the start of the procession.

As the clock ticked to 11pm, Srinivasa Perumal atop Kal Garuda and Vanjulavalli Thayar on the Anna Pakshi vahana mounted on to the Ther like Chapparam. Devotees came out of their homes with flower garlands and coconuts and invoked the blessings of the divine couple of Thiru Naraiyur Divya Desam. 

Prabhakaran makes it to the South street where Gopinathan Bhattar presents special mariyathai to the police personnel. It required a humungous effort from the police to manage the huge crowd ahead of the procession of Kal Garuda from his abode to the alankara mandapam. To make sure that the procession was in order, the EO makes another visit at 1am this time to the West street. There are the usual issues like the protruding of trees blocking the path of the Chapparam and a Kainkaryapara climbs the tree to cut the branches. There are some overhead wires to be avoided as well as pits on the streets. 

It is past 2am when Srinivasa Perumal makes his way through the North Bazaar Street. In front of the Chariot at the east end of the temple, Gopinathan Bhattar presents mariyathai to the personnel who ensured that the chariot ran smooth and safe with the clock having ticked to 3.30am, a good 5 ½ hours after the procession began. 

மாண் கொண்ட தோல் மார்வின் மாணியாய் 

மாவலி மண் தான் கொண்டு தாளால் அளந்த பெருமானே 

தேன் கொண்ட சாரல் திருவேங்கடத்தானை  

நான் சென்று நாடி நறையூரில் கண்டேனே 

Devotees stayed back in good numbers through the night long procession to pull the Chapparam Chariot to the East street of Nachiyar Koil. Gopinathan Bhattar wears a happy look at having organised yet another Kal Garuda procession. He repeats once again that this has been the third one in 2025 with this seeing the biggest crowd of all, in the three decades he has been involved in this archaka kainkaryam. 

It has been a big revival on the back of a huge devotee following for Garuda. Thursdays have been witnessing big crowds at this temple with the devotees believing a prarthanai sankalpa archanai on this day every week will help fulfil all their wishes.

                                                 

Sewage Water into the Sacred temple tank

Thus far, it has been all positive at this Margazhi utsavam. Huge crowd, beautiful alankaram, glittering jewellary and tireless effort from the sripatham personnel. Unfortunately there has been a serious issue that has been bogging the temple for the last many years with EO Prabhakaran taking serious cognizance of the events from the past.

The last day of this utsavam marks the Theerthavari followed by Theppotsavam in the evening. While the temple tank itself was refurbished with Neeraatti Mandapam restored to its old glory as part of the Thiruppani works that took place a couple of years ago that culminated in the grandest of consecrations at the Nachiyar Koil. However, this historic temple has been fighting a battle with the Governmental authorities on the issue of sewage water that has been entering the temple tank for many years.

Of course, in the decades gone by, the state of the temple tank was deplorable and the restoration has revived the tank and the mandapam inside and there was hope that Theppotsavam would be conducted inside the tank that is North of the temple complex. 

This section had featured a story on the Theppotsavam in December 2018 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/12/thiru-naraiyur-nachiyar-koil-utsavam.html). Once Prabhakaran took over as the EO, he has remained firm that he will administer the temple in a Dharmic way and that he would not do anything that goes against the sanctity of the temple and its utsavams.

முருகிலங்கு கனிதுவர்வாய் பின்னை கேள்வன் மன்னெல்லாம்  முன்னவியச்சென்று 

வென்றிச் செருக்கழுத்துத் ததிறலழிய செற்ற வேந்தன் சிறந்துணிந்தான் திருவடினும் சென்னிவைப்பீர் 

இருக்கிலங்கு திருமொழி வாய் எண்தோள் ஈசற்கு எழில் மாட எழுபதும் செய்து உலகமாண்ட 

திருகுலத்து வளச்சோழன் சேர்ந்த கோயில் திரு நறையூர் மணி மாட சேர்மின்களே 

Construction of public toilets near the temple complex has led to drainage water being let into the temple tank. Despite the issue being taken up at the Collector level, this issue has remained unsolved in the recent past. While the sacred tank is brimming with water and it would be a delight to watch the Theppotsavam at the end of the Brahmotsavam next week, the EO has taken a bold call that he would not approve of the Theppotsavam until the sewage water flowing into the tank is stopped permanently. And so next week too,  the Theppotsavam will not take place in this sacred tank and even the Theerthavari will take place inside the temple at the Vasanthotsavam tank.

HRCE Minister promises corrective steps

While as the HRCE’s representative, the EO of the temple has ensured restoration of the tank complex, he has been helpless with the lack of response from the local authorities who have not taken steps to streamline the drainage system in the streets around the temple complex.

BJP’s H Raja visited the temple on the Kal Garuda Sevai day on Friday and has threatened serious action if the Governmental authorities in Nachiyar Koil do not find a permanent solution redirecting sewage water appropriately away from the tank before the Panguni Brahmotsavam when Theerthavari is slated to take place inside this sacred temple tank.

While EO Prabhakaran looks back with great delight at the Thiruppani works and the consecration and the huge crowds during the Kal Garuda Sevai, he is pained at the unresolved issue relating to the temple tank.

This writer spoke to the HRCE minister Sekar Babu late on Friday night and he has promised to look into this issue and to resolve this at the earliest. While the minister has claimed credit for thousands of temple consecrations in the last few years, this seeping of sewage water into the sacred tank in a historic Divya Desam, one where Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sang a 100 verses of praise will be a black mark in his books. It is hoped that he will personally oversee the corrective steps and ensure that the sacred temple tank in Nachiyar Koil is clean and free from sewage water before the Panguni Utsavam’s Theerthavari.

Sarangapani Koil Pagal Pathu Thirumozhi Thirunaal 2025

Thirumangai Azhvaar in Nayaki Thiru Kolam  

It is past noon. And it is no surprise that Sarangapani Koil Maniam and Desikar Sannidhi Archaka Sudarshan is running around. He is overseeing the procession of the Azhvaars from their Sannidhi to the Thirumaa Mani mandapam. He is also there to anchor the procession of Sarangapani Perumal from his Sannidhi to the Adyayana Utsavam mandapam. He also doubles up as the Sripatham for there is severe shortage of service personnel at this historic temple.

It is the third day of the Thirumozhi seva kalam and the 8th day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam. Unlike most other divya desams, here the adyayana utsavam starts every year on the first day of margazhi. And while in other perumal temples, it is the 3rd day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam, Sarangapani has already moved on to the 8th day. 

There are some late comers who want to have darshan of the moolavar but this is margazhi and the temple that opens two hours earlier than the other months of the year shuts for moolavar darshan at noon. They satisfy themselves with a darshan of the dwajasthambam and leave the temple.

Close to 1.30pm, the Prabhandham members start arriving one by one. The Adyayana utsavam is a celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Nam Azhvaar with the former having created the Era Pathu utsavam for Nam Azhvaar’s great contribution and the Pagal Pathu utsavam being a recognition of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and his sacred verses after having visited over 80 temples. Hence it is one of the most significant festive occasions for the Prabhandham members who recite the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham and Desikar Prabhandham over the 21 days of the Adyayana Utsavam.

About 10 kms West of Sarangapani temple is the Valvil Ramar Divya Desam at Pullam Bhoothangudi. As the clock ticks to 2pm on Tuesday (Dec 23), the prabhandham members begin this 8th day’s presentation with the verses of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on the Jatayu Moksha sthalam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/05/pullam-bhoothangudi-divya-desam.html).

அறிவது அறியான் அனைத்து உலகும் உடையான் 

என்னை ஆள் உடையான் 

கூறிய மாணி  உரு ஆய கூத்தன் மன்னி அமரும் இடம் 

நறிய மலர்மேல் சுரும்பு ஆர்க்க 

எழில் ஆர் மஞ்சை நடம் ஆட 

பொறி கொள் சிறை வண்டு இசை பாடும்

புள்ளம் பூதங்குடி தானே 

Nayaki Thiru Kolam 

In the fifth decad of the fifth canto praising the Lord of Srirangam, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sees  his daughter in love with Ranganatha and how this handsome Lord has taken over her life. On this day when the 5th decad is presented, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar provides darshan in a Nayaki Thiru Kolam, a special feature of the pagal pathu utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai.

வாராளும் இளங்கொங்கை வண்ணம்

வேறாயின வாறுஎண்ணாள் * எண்ணில்

பேராளன் பேரல்லால் பேசாள்

இப்பெண் பெற்றேன் என் செய்கேன்நான்? *

தாராளன் தண் குடந்தை நகராளன்

ஐவர்க்காய் அமரிலுய்த்த

தேராளன் * என் மகளைச் செய்தனகள்

எங்ஙனம் நான் செப்புகேனே

Praising Thiru Naraiyur's greatness

It is the first day of the Margazhi Brahmotsavam at the Srinivasa Perumal temple in Thiru Naraiyur, a Divya Desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar with a century of verses one of the only two temples to be praised by with 100 verses. A few hours ahead of the Surya Prabhai procession at Nachiyar Koil, the prabhandham members presented Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s verses on Thiru Naraiyur. It was the place where Thiru Mangai Mannan was initiated the ‘Pancha Samaskaaram’ by Thiru Naraiyur Nambi.

As the recital moved into the 6th decad and the reference to Ko Chenganan's construction of the first Mada Koil for Perumal, the prabhandham members slowed down the pace and went almost in a vyakyanam mode of description of these great verses of praise of a Mada Koil where an elephant cannot enter (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/ko-chenganan-and-nachiyar-koil-divya.html).

அம்பரமும் பெருநிலனும் திசைகள் எட்டும் 

அலைக்கடலும் குலவரையும் உண்டகண்டன் 

கொம்பமரும் வடமரத்தின் இலைமேல் பள்ளி கூடினான் 

திருவடியே கூடாகிற்பீர் 

வம்பவிழும் செண்பகத்தின் வாசம் உண்டு 

மணி வண்டு வகுலத்தின் மலர் மேல் வைகு 

செம்பியன் கோச் செங்கணன் சேர்ந்த கோயில் 

திருநறையூர் மணிமாடம் சேர்மின்களே

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's liking for Thiru Kudanthai

Thiru Kudanthai held a special place for Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. While he went around temple towns praising the Lord and the location most with a decad or two and Thiru Kannapuram and Thiru Naraiyur with a century, he chose to dedicate an entire prabhandham to Thiru Kudanthai. 

As the name suggests, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar created Thiru- Ezhu- Kootriru-Kai in a 7 tiered structure and is in the form of a chariot. One can arrange the contents of the composition in line with this structure. It is only a small 47line composition but is very significant for it is here that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar offers his absolute surrender to Lord Aravamudhan stating that he has had enough of worldly life and seeks refuge in the Lord.

In the last ten lines of this pictorial composition, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar specifically showers praise on Lord Aravamudhan of Thiru Kudanthai. He gives us a glimpse of what Kudanthai looked like during his time. Referring to the reclining posture of the Lord, he says that the temple was surrounded by huge flower groves that seemed to give out nectar. There were betel creepers that, seemed to produce a special fragrance, through the year, thanks largely to being watered by the sacred Cauvery.

செல்வம் மல்கு தென் திருக்குடந்தை

அந்தணர் மந்திர மொழியுடன் வணங்க

ஆடு அரவு அமளியில் அறிதுயில்

அமர்ந்த பரம

Also the lands in Thiru Kudanthai were fertile with greenery all around. The entire place was filled with Vedic Seers and recital of Vedas was a regular feature here. It seemed to have a reverberating positive effect on the people.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar also praises Thiru Kudanthai as a place that had high mansions and it looked as though they were touching the moon.

நின் ஆதி இணை பணிவன்

வரும் இடர் அகல மாற்றோ வினையே

In conclusion, he invokes the blessings of Lord Aravamuthan to get rid of his past karmas and to bring an end to his worldly life and praises the Lord as the only one who can do this. He asks for permission to perform daily service to the Lord here at Thiru Kudanthai. 

Back at the Thiru Maa Mandapam, the recital of the sacred verses is slow paced with the prabhandham members taking over an hour for the presentation of the fifth canto of Periya Thirumozhi and so too the first 80 verses of the sixth canto. 

An IT staffer graduates to an Adyapaka

An interesting addition this year at the Seva Kaalam is Sarangaraja, a youngster who has completed his formal learning of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham and Desikar Prabhandham. He is all excited to be presenting the 5th and 6th cantos without the help of a book. Working for an Aussie firm in a Work from Home IT model from Thiru Kudanthai, he is now an integral part of the Seva Kaalam team at this utsavam.

It is well past 4pm when 180 verses are presented. The Popular Soundar Bhattar pays a flying visit to the Thiru Maa Mani mandapam. His service at the Sarangapani temple runs through the first five days of the Tamizh month and he has moved on to the Ramaswamy temple this week. He has a divine connect with Sarangapani Perumal and he takes a close look at the alankaram (unfortunately the Sarangam is missing on Sarangapani Perumal!!!!)

For almost half hour, the archaka (Chakrapani Bhattar) waits for the Thaligai and other ‘essentials’ for the Thiru Aradhanam ahead of the Satru Murai verses. By 5pm there is a sizeable crowd when the Prabhandham members present the tenth decad of the sixth canto of Periya Thirumozhi. Maniyam Sudarshan is back for the distribution of prasadam after shatari presentation to the prabhandham members. It is close to 6pm when devotees have another close look at Sarangapani Perumal and the Azhvaars and Acharyas before they back to their abode for a well earned rest on this 8th day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai.

Sarangapani Koil Oonjal Serthi Sevai

Sporting glittering jewellery and following a beautiful alankaram, Komalavalli Thayar and Sarangapani Perumal provided Serthi Sevai on the Kannadi Oonjal on Monday evening on the final day of the ten day Oonjal Utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai

On the tenth day of the Karthigai Oonjal utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal and Komalavalli Thayar provided Serthi Sevai darshan to devotees on Monday evening at Thiru Kudanthai Divya Desam. On the first five days of the utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal had provided darshan on the Kannadi Oonjal while for the next four days, Komalavalli Thayar presented Oonjal Sevai.

It is the Ekadasi day and also the final day of Karthigai with Pagal Pathu utsavam set to begin the next morning. It is past 6pm and the popular face of the temple Soundararaja Bhattar is sitting in front of the Thayar Sannidhi waiting for the Sripatham personnel to arrive. Komalavalli Thayar leaves first for the alankaram mandapam followed by Sarangapani Perumal.

Devotees have by now gathered in good numbers ahead of the serthi procession. Soundar Bhattar, along with his team members gets working on the alankaram of the divine couple. The Ubayadarar of the day too has arrived along with his family. It is well past 7pm when a beautifully decorated Perumal and Thayar are ready for the procession. In front of the Oonjal Mandapam, the nadaswaram artistes present their welcome devotional music even as devotees take a close look at the alankaram. The necklaces are glittering and the flower garlands are huge.

Following the nadaswaram presentation, the prabhandham members begin the recital of Vedantha Desikar’s Pillayanthathi. 

மாமலர் மன்னிய மங்கை மகிழ்ந்து உறைமார்பினன் தாள் 

தூ மலர் சூடிய தொல்லருள் மாறன் துணை அடிக்கீழ் 

வாழ்வை உனக்கும் இராமானுஜ முனி வன்மை போற்றும் 

சீர்மையன் எங்கள் தூப்புல் பிள்ளை பாதம் என் சென்னியதே

 

Perumal and Thayar wait at multiple locations around the prakara listening to the Nadaswaram troupe’s rendition including in front of Andal Sannidhi. Devotees walk along with the divine couple, a few listening the Desikar Prabhandham and others to the Nadaswaram while a few others continue to stay glued to the alankaram.

Following the satru murai of the Pillayanthanthi verses, Deeparathanai takes place in front of Azhvaars Sannidhi and Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi.

It is 8pm when Komalavalli Thayar and Sarangapani reach the Kannadi Oonjal. The Vedic members present the Vedas. By now, around 100 devotees have gathered in front of the oonjal and for the next half hour, they enjoy the presence of the Divine Couple on the swing. A devotee presented Kunguma Chimizh to the Thayar and Perumal on the occasion.

Soundararaja Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/02/thiru-kudanthai-soundar-bhattar.html) has remained unchanged in his devotional presentation over the last 25 years and for yet another time he presented his Thiru Aradhanam skills on the occasion of the Serthi Sevai much to the delight of the devotees. Even as the devotees enjoyed the Oonjal, he fanned the Divine Couple with great devotion.

Dressed up in a princely attire, Madapalli Paricharakar Sudarshan presents the Thiru Aradharana items to Soundar Bhattar.

It is past 9pm when the Ubayadarars had a close darshan of Thayar and Perumal and are presented with the flower garlands that Perumal had adorned over the previous couple of hours following which the Kainkaryaparas were presented with Thaligai. Devotees who had gathered on the occasion continued their discussion on the finer points of the alankaram while the Bhattars chatted up on the plan for the next morning when the temple is to open at 5am for the first day of Margazhi. They also discuss the schedule for the first day of the Pagal Pathu when the Prabhandham members will present the first two cantos of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi on Tuesday afternoon.

அருள் தரும் ஆரண தேசிகனே எங்கள் தூப்புல் தேவே 

வறுகவி தார்க்கீகசிங்கமே வாதியர் வாழ்வறுத்தாய் 

இருக்கையும் கூப்பி உரைக்கும் இவ் விண்ணப்பம் ஒன்று கேளாய் 

உருவ எனக்கு அருளாய் என்னும் உள்ளம் உன் தொண்டரையே  

It is 9.30pm when Komalavalli provided Ekantha Sevai making her way back to her Sannidhi and as the clock ticked to 10pm, Sarangapani too returned to his abode bringing to end the ten day Oonjal Utsavam.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal event takes place on December 25 on the final evening of the Pagal Pathu utsavam.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Utsavam Dasavatharam temple Srirangam

A Day to Celebrate Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's contribution to Srirangam

In a once in a year procession, the 'Azhvaar with a Spear' presents darshan around the Chitra Streets and at the Ahobila Mutt and Poundarikapuram Ashram 

It is the big day in the year at the Dasavatharam temple when it comes alive with the celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and his contribution to Srirangam. Priest Sudarshan of Dasavatharam Sannidhi in Srirangam, one administered by the Ahobila Mutt, woke up early on Thursday (Dec 4) morning and much to his delight, the sky had cleared after heavy rains the previous day. He had been apprehensive the previous night on whether the rains would continue and disrupt this annual procession of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on this Karthigai day in Karthigai.

Thirumangai Azhvaar’s Dasavathara praise
Located on the banks of Coloroon half a kilometer North West of Lord Ranganatha temple is the historical Dasavatharam Sannidhi in Srirangam. Thirumangai Azhvaar has made a specific mention of the Dasavatharam Lords in the sixth decad of the fifth canto of Periya Thirumozhi. Pleased with Thirumangai Azhvaar’s efforts in constructing the huge walls, Ranganathaswamy is said to have granted his wish of displaying the 10 Avataarams all at one place. Accordingly, the Lord displayed all his 10 prominent Avatars including the Kalki Avataar.

ஏனாகி உலகிடந்து அன்று இருநிலனும் பெரு விசும்பும்
தானாய பெருமானை தன்னடியார் மனத்தென்றும்
தேனாகி அமுதாகித் திகழ்ந்தானை
மகிழ்ந்தொருகால்
ஆனாயன் ஆனானை கண்டது தென் அரங்கத்தே- 5.6.3

Thirumangai Azhvaar had two other wishes - for Namperumal to provide darshan to all those who helped him build the huge walls of Srirangam and for Him to come on special street processions via the Southern banks of Coloroon.

Shortly after 6am, Sudarshan Bhattar had moved into the final decoration process of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. By 7am, there were more happy faces with the arrival of Prabhandham and Vedic members as well as the Sripatham personnel. 

After Mangalasasanam at the Perumal Sannidhi, Desikar and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi, the procession began around the Chitra streets. Residents of Dasavatharam Sannidhi street lined up in front of their homes to present coconut, fruits and flowers to Kaliyan on his birthday.                          

At the North Chitra Street, with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar facing the North Tower, the Prabhandham members presented the sacred verse from Sri Stuti. Veenai Srinivasan, who will be seen in action at the Veenai Ekantham later this month as part of the Era Pathu Utsavam at the Ranganathaswamy temple, had darshan of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in front of his home on East Chitra street.

It was 8am when Thiru Mangai Azhvaar who presented 50 verses of praise on the Lord of Srirangam, entered the Ahobila Mutt on East Uthira Street for Mangalasasanam at the Lakshmi Narasimha Sannidhi with the presentation of the Narasimha verse relating to Thiruvallikeni Divya Desam.

பள்ளியில் ஓதி வந்த தன் சிறுவன்

வாயில் ஓர் ஆயிற நாமம் 

ஒள்ளியவாகிப் போதவாங்கதனுக்கு ஒன்று மோர் பொறுப்பிலனாகி

பிள்ளையை சீறி வெகுண்டு தூண் புடைப்ப

பிறை எயிற்றின ல் விழிப்பேழ்வாய்

தெள்ளிய சிங்கம் ஆகிய தேவை 

திருவல்லிக்கேணி கண்டேனே

The service personnel were presented with Thaligai following which Thiru Mangai Azhvaar made his way through the Chitra Streets listening to the Prabhandham and Vedic recital.

At the South Chitra Street, with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar facing Periya Perumal, the Prabhandham members presented the sacred verse of Vedantha Desikar on the Lord of Srirangam.

ஆறாத அருள் அமுதம் பொதிந்த கோயில்

அம்புயத்தோன் அயோத்தி மன்னற்கு அளித்த கோயில்

தொலாத தனிவீரன் தொழுத கோயில் 

துணையான வீடணற்கு துணையாம் கோயில்

சேராத பயன் எல்லாம் சேர்க்கும் கோயில்

செழுமறையின் முதல் எழுத்து சேர்ந்த கோயில்

தீராத வினை அனைத்தும் தீர்க்கும் கோயில்

திருவரங்கம் எனும் கோயில் தானே- Athikara Sangraham

                                      

The Azhvaar with a spear

It was at Sirkazhi that the Saivite poet Thiru Gnana Sambandhar met with the Vaishnavite saint poet Thiru Mangai Mannan and engaged in a debate.

After visiting Thiru Chitrakoodam (Chidambaram), Thirumangai Mannan was on his way to Sirkazhi. All the way his subjects sang praise of him uttering different names of Mangai Mannan. The praise of Thirumangai Mannan by his subjects angered the disciples of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They blocked Thirumangai Mannan and asked his followers not to shout praises of Thiru Mangai Mannan in this birthplace of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They wanted Thirumangai Mannan to engage with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar in a discussion and win over him before continuing with their praise of Thirumangai Mannan.

Debate between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

In the first meeting between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Vaishnavite poet answered fluently each of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar’s questions and let out 10 verses of praise in the name of Vishnu.

“ஒரு குறளாய்  இரு நிலம் மூவடி மண் வேண்டி 

உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒடுக்கி ஒன்றும் தருக

ஏனா மாவழிய சிறையில்  வைத்த 

தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர் 

தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்

திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி ஐந்தும்

அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்

தெருவில் மலி விழா வளமும் சிறக்கும்

காழிச்சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”- Periya Thirumozhi 3.4.1

Pleased and impressed with Mangai Mannan’s knowledge and the sweetness in his praise and description of the different forms of Vishnu, a spell bound Thiru Gnana Sambandhar acknowledged the greatness of Thirumangai and crowned him as ‘Mangai Azhvaar’ and presented him with the ‘Vel’(spear). Among the Azhvaars, Thiru Mangai is the only one who has been crowned with the ‘Vel’.

Thirumangai Azhvaar’s favourite idol Lakshmi Narayana is the Utsava deity at this temple. He is seen with his left hand around Thaayar. On the pedestal of the Utsava deity is Garuda who is surrounded by 8 different statues. Lord Krishna is seen as Navaneetha Natya Kannan holding butter in one hand. One of his legs is seen grounded while the other is up in a dance posture.

The walls of the Dasavatharam Sannidhi, the Prakarams and the structure of the tower are an indication of the history of this temple. The rectangular shaped Vimanam at the Dasavatharam temple is special. Also, there are 10 Kalasam for the 10 Dasavatharam Idols, another unique feature at this temple.

வளர்ந்தவனைத் தடங்கடலுள் வலியுருவில் திருசகடம்

தளர்ந்துதிர உதைத்தவனை தரியாது அன்று இரணியனை பிளந்தவனை

பெருநிலம் ஈரடிநீட்டி பண்டொருநாள் அளந்தவனை

யான் கண்டது அணிநீர்த் தென்னரங்கத்தே - 5.6.4 - Periya Thirumozhi

With clock ticking to 9am, the procession had moved to the Desikar Street, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar made his way to the Poundarikapuram Ashram where the Pontiff welcomed him. After presenting parivattam and flower garland, the head of the Ashram directed the Prabhandham members to present the verse on Therazhundur on the occasion of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s birthday. As Kaliyan made his way back from the Ashram, the acharya turned a Sripatham and carried the birthday boy on his shoulder.

87 year old Mukkoor Srinivasan, who had performed archaka kainkaryam at the Dasavatharam Sannidhi in the years gone by,  was delighted to welcome Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in front of his house and then joined the Satru Murai verses in front of the Easter Tower of the temple.

It was almost 10am when Thiru Mangai Azhvaar made his way back to the Dasavatharam temple, where renovation works have been going on for the last year. The young Sripatham personnel were energetic during the two hour procession and felt blessed to carry Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on this once in a year procession on the occasion of his annual birthday.