Thiruther

On seventh day of the Brahmotsavam our Varadar comes round the main streets of Kanchipuram in the Thiruther.

As per shastharam, perumal should climb on to ther thattu within the same muhurtham of him leaving is asthanam. The ther is parked / stationed very close to the temple, in all the temple so this is condition / clause is not an issue or concern. However, in our kovil the ther is stationed about 3 kilometers from the temple.

This year the muhurtham started at 3 in the morning. Perarulalan left the kannadi aria at three in the morning and came to vahana mandapam. Once the alankaram for his purappadu was complete, he left the vahana mandapam at 03:30. Forget the speed of express train or even the speed of bullet train, you need to define the term speed on the speed at which our Perarulalan proceeds towards the ther. Perarulalan once he leaves the vahana mandapam would stop only when he reached the Hanumar kovil next to the ther. He doesn’t even stop for mounting the kodai or for rest to the sripadam thangies. It is a wonderful sight to watch how the huge kodais are mounted when our Perarulalan is running at this great speed. Even this year he covered the distance of about 3 kilometers in 15 minutes. Hanumar kovil after having upkarams like vastharam and pushpam and mariyadai including ghosti he got on the ther thattu before 4:30.

Thanks to thousands of devotees our Perarulalan finished his thiru veedi ulla and came back to Hanumar kovil.

As per our shastharam, when ever we go out we need to cleanse ourselves before we enter our house. In the same way Perarulalan when he gets down from ther, he proceeds to a mandapam near the Hanumar kovil, where he has his thirumanjanam. After the thirumanjanam, he has his unjal.

The thirumudi alankaram is known as red sikkuthadai, this type of alankaram is quite unique for Perarulalan, and this alankaram is done during all his adventurous trips. The other wonderful abharnam is the Robert Clive khand (necklace), adiyen shall explain later.

Yanai Vahanam

On sixth day evening during Brahmotsavam our Varadar blesses us all in one of his favorite Vahanam, Yanai.

Perarulalan is closely associated with yanai. Varadar resides on top of Hasthigiri. Hasthi, in sansrit means elephant. Some say that Iravadam, elephant of Indira that appeared during the churning of the milky ocean, took the form of the hillock. It was our Varadar, who rushed to save Gajendaran (king of elephant) from the claws of the crocodile. It is only appropriate for our Varadar to ride on the elephant that he has rescued.

The yanai in the vahanam is very unique. You would only see the elephant from his thy upwards, in all other temples you could have the gimps of the complete leg of the yanai, as the lower parts of the legs are under water. Unfortunately, my friends were so engrossed with Varadar’s beauty that they have not captured the elephant. adiyen have requested for the picture and shall post it later. In the meantime if any of the readers have the picture, request you to share the same with us. Perarulalan’s beauty in this Vahanam is unparallel. Swamy Desikan in his Thiruchinamaalai has praised the beauty of this Vahana purappadu by saying “Aanai pari mel Azhagar Vanthar”. This being the case with Swamy Desikan you can imagine how my friends would have been mesmerized with his beauty.

Sri Parasara Bhatter in his famous commentary on Sri Vishnu Sahasranama popularly known as ‘Bhagavatguna Darpana' faithfully reflects the greatness and grandeur of the Lord's traits.

The following 34 namas (912-945) refer to the Gajendra Moksha episode. (Most of the quotations used by Bhattar to drive home the appropriateness of the namas are from the Gajendra episode in Vishnu Dharma which are not given here for the sake of brevity). Courtsey Sapthagiri magazine.

912. Sabdasahah - He who takes heed of the indistinct cries of distress of bipeds and quadrupeds even.

913. Sisirahv - He who rushed post-haste on hearing the sound of distress, 'Srutva cakra gadadharah sannidhyam Kalpayamasa tasmin sarasi'. Immediately on hearing the painful cry (of Gajendra), the Lord armed with the discus and the mace sped through at supersonic speed and stood on the bank of the lake. (Painful cry to whom it was painful? Was it for Gajendra? Or for the Lord? Obviously the latter who made a dash).

914. Sarvari Karah - He who had the lethal weapons in His hand when he went to the rescue of Gajendra. The Lord had, in His hands, the five principal weapons Sankha Chaka, Gada, Sarnga and Nandaki.

915. Akrurah - He who was not cruel. Far from being cruel towards the crocodile despite the havoc wrought by it to Gajendra. He was of tender solicitude.

916. Pesalah - He who was charming even when His garlands, ornaments and raiments were thrown into disarray due to the terrific speed with which He hurried down to the trouble spot to rescue Gajendra (Sragbhusambara ramaniyah - pesalah).

917. Dakshah - He who moved promptly that very moment He heard the cry of the elephant.

918. Dakshinah - He who was courteous to the aged, comforting the elephant in distress with soothing words even apologising in such terms as 'Fie upon me that I was far away from you when you were engaged in a titanic struggle with the bloody crocodile'.

919. Kshaminam varah - The Foremost whose very presence made the situation bearable for the elephant.

920. Vidvattamah - He gave yogic treatment to the elephant, healing it of its wounds by His mere touch.

921. Vita bhayah - He who dispelled the fear of Gajendra that very moment He came in his presence.

922. Punya Sravana Kirtanah - He who has imparted sanctity to the very narration and listening to this episode of Gajendra's rescue by Him. "O, the best of Kurus, a person who hears, thinks or talks about the episode of Gajendra's rescue by the Lord, is at once rid of all his/her sins." (Vishnu Dharma)

923. Uttaranah - He who lifted up both the elephant and the crocodile from the lake.

924. Duskritiha - The slayer of the evil doer. Having brought both the elephant and the crocodile on to the land. Madhava slew the crocodile with the discus.

925. Punyah - He who sanctifies even us who recall the episode of Gajendra Moksha.

926. Dussvapna Nassanah - How does He purify us as stated in the previous name? It is by cutting out the evil dreams. The passage in Vishnu Dharma 69 reads - mere recollection of the episode of the Gajendra Moksha is potent enough to allay (upasamayalam) the effects of bad dreams.

927. Viraha - He who exterminated the powerful adversary of Gajendra.

928. Raksanah - Bhagavan saved the elephant by gently placing His hand on it, embracing it and addressing soothing words of solace.

929. Santah - He who exists (for His devotees) or He who grants the devotee's desires (being the past participle of verb sanoti bestows) or He who increases the progency of the pious.

930. Jivanah - He redeemed even the crocodile through its regeneration into its former state as a Gandharva, duly rid of his curse. Huhu the Gandharva had been transformed as a crocodile due to the curse of sage Devala. Later, when the crocodile got slain by the Paramatma. He went back to swarga in the regenerated form (Vishnu Dharma 69).

931. Paryavashitah - He who enveloped Gajendra affectionately 'Pritiman Pundarikaksha! Saranagatha vatsalah (Vishnu Dharma). The lotus eyed Lord is affectionate towards those who seek refuge in Him.

932. Anantarupah - In such instances as this. He assumes innumerable forms at His volition to suit the needs of the occasion such as fish for saving the Vedas, tortoise for saving the Mantara mountain, Narasimha for saving Prahlada etc.

933. Anantasrih - He of interminable (unlimited) wealth all of which are meant to be bestowed on His devotees, Gajendra attained a divine body and left for the supreme abode.

934. Jitamanyuh - He who has conquered anger (keeping it under restraint, invoking it only for the nonce to quell the enemies of the devotee). In this particular context, He kept under restraint, His anger against the crocodile once the work was over.

935. Bhayapah - He who dispels the fear of the devotees. By virtue of His proverbial love for His devotees, Janardana could always be relied upon by them, as their unfailing saviour who would surely get rid of their fear (of Samsara). A true devotee has therefore no reason to feel lonely and helpless.

936. Chaturasrah - He who is adept in fulfilling the desire of His devotees (like Gajendra for whose rescue He dashed forth).

937. Gabhiratma - He of deep and profound nature. Even as He is easy of access to devotees as above. He is hard to get for others like Brahma etc.

938. Vidisah - He who is out of reach in all directions to their words of entreaty (for those as in previous nama 937).

939. Vyadisah - He who assigns duties to the respective functionaries in the divine heirarchy as above.

940. Disah - He does not treat Brahma and other functionaries who function as His subordinates in the governance of the sprawling universe with the same degree of intimacy and affection shown by Him to Gajendra, but issues commands to them.

941. Anadih - Bhagavan places Himself unreservedly in the hands of His devotees even though they are mere animals like Gajendra. He, however,, grants only fruits of lower order to Brahma and others because they do not consider Him as their foremost.

942. Bhur bhuvah - If a person has the correct knowledge of his essential nature that he is the servant of the Lord who is the Sole Master, then only he is said to exist. Bhur in the real sense. For that person (bhu) Bhagavan becomes the abode (bhuvah). That is why He assured Gajendra 'Nivasisyati mayyeva ata urdhvam na samsayah'. (Hereafter, you will live in Me alone. There is no doubt about it).

943. Lakshmih - The wealth. He alone is the aggregate of all riches for His devotees. Sarva Sampacca. My kingdom, my life and my happiness are all centered in you. (Ramayana, Yuddha Kaanda 99.5). For the Pandavas. Lord Krishna was everything (Krsnsrayah krsnabalah krsnanathasca pandavah).

944. Suvirah - He who possesses great valour. (it is by virtue of peerless valour, He retrieves His devotees from downfall and resuscitates them).

945. Ruchirangadah - He who exhibits His lovely form (unto devotees like Gajendra)

Venugopalan Thirukolam

On the sixth day morning of the Brahmotsavam our Varadar blesses us all in Venugopalan Thirukolam.

This Thirukolam is one of the most beautiful thirukolam. In this thirukolam, Varadar plays the flute and mesmerizes all of in addition to the cow and calf. The Thiruvadi are placed in an artistic fashion, portraying a relax person enjoying the venu ganam of his flute. The flute is similar to the shankam as they both have sambhandam with Thiru adharam. I have no words to describe the pin azaghu, particularly, in this thiru kolam, adiyen would leave you to enjoy the beauty.

Varadar has decorated his sowri with a little peacock feather and this would sway as he moves around, that is a wonderful sight. On the third day of Davana utsavam also, Varadar, in the evening would be in Venugopalan thirukolam, only exception is that then the cow and calf are not by his side. Adiyen had the baghyam to witness the thirumanjam and the purappadu, the pictures are available for your viewing pleasure at http://picasaweb.google.com/vishvagesh/VaradarDavanaUtsavam?feat=directlink

Yali Vahanam

On the fifth day evening Devathirajan had his purappadu in Yali Vahanam.

Yali is a mythical creature, you might have a see them sculpted on temple pillars. This creature is a combination of animal and reptile. It has the head of a lion with tusk of an elephant and the tail of a serpent. This creature is as ferocious as a lion, as strong as an elephant and would be sending shiver down the spine due to the serpent. This is also the reason you would see this creature sculpted on the entrance walls.

Devathirajan had also in Narasimha avatharam appeared in a unique combination of man and lion to protect his dear devotee. It is only appropriate that Devathirajan tamed this beast and ride on that to our pleasure.

It is indeed a wonderful sight to see our Devathirajan sitting majestically.

Mohini Alankaram

I consider my great baghyam to describe about the Mohini Alankaram purappadu of Varadar of Kanchipuram on the fifth day of the Brahmotsavam.

In Mohini Alankara thirukolam, as the name suggest our Varadar is dressed as a lady, as he is embodiment of all beauty he transforms himself into a beautiful lady.

Let me 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 on 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 Mahalakshmi. Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be devoid of all strength, energy, and fortune.

In the battles that followed devas were routed by the asuras and devas as always sought help from Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu advised that devas should churn the milky white ocean, with the help of asuras, from which 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 the following emerged, Lakshmi Vishnu's consort, Kaustubha ratnam, Kamadhenu, Kalpavriksham, Sharangam and various other celestial items. Finally the nectar of immortality, Amirtham, emerged and immediately devas and asuras started fighting for its passion. Maha Vishnu took to form 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 then vanquished the asuras.

There are small variations in this story between the purans, but one thing that is common among all the purans is the beauty of the lord when he took the form of Mohini. Likewise the beauty of Varadar is available for us all to cherish.

There could be many reasons for Varadar’s incomparable beauty in this thirukolam, but according to adiyen’s little knowledge it is all because of Varadar’s most compassionate consort, Perundevi Thayaar. In my earlier mail I had mentioned about the unique kadukan (ear ring) of Varadar, if you notice in this thirukolam he adores an ear ring that is similar to thayaar, that is one of the reason for his eye capturing beauty.

Chandra Prabhai

When Varadaraj returned from the Sesha Vahanam, thirumanjanam was performed. In the evening our Varadar along with Ubhaya Nachiyar’s got on the Chandra Prabhai for their evening purappadu on the fourth day.

Inspite of his avirbhavam from the sacrificial fire, he energizes all of us with his compassion, more particularly when he is on Chadra Prabhai. The atmosphere, as I understood, was so soothing and wonderful as the gathered devotees felt that the chandran has descended on Kanchipuram and was walking in the streets.

Sesha Vahanam

It gives me great pleasure to narrate about the most artistic Vahanam of the Brahmotsavam. This pose / alakanram of Devathirajan is most unique and by far the best of the alankaram so far.

During Sesha Vahanam, Devathirajan shows us the alankaram with which he is waiting for us in Srivaikuntam. This Purappadu is unique because we get to have a glimpse of Perarulalan in his natural pose

This alankaram is the most intricate of all the alankarams.

Hanumantha Vahanam

After Devathirajan reached kovil on Garuda Vahanam, there was thirumanjanam on the occasion of Narasimha jayanthi. The thirumanjanam took place in front of the Kannadi arai. After that in the evening he left for the Vahana Mandapam to mount the Hanumantha Vahanam.

This is one of the large vahanam next only to the simha vahanam.

Garuda Sevai

By 00:30 the Suprabhadam, Tirupalliezhuchi, Tiruppavai, and Pallandu Ghoshti started. For one day our Devathirajan has excelled Lord Srinivasa of Tirumala, for whom the Suprabhadam starts by 02:30.

At 00.45am , it was the Thayaar's Ghoshti. Then Devathirajan at 1.30 AM, marched out majestically to Desika Sannadhi.This year , the Kerala Vadya Ghoshti with about 20 members gave vibrant "Kottu melam" in front of the "Kodi maram "At 2.30 AM, Devathirajan apppeared on Garuda. At 5 AM.

Devathirajan stepped out of the temple main gate,Gave darshan to "Doddacharya" with the tilted Kodai.just after the 16 pillar mandapam, a pair of Kodais were offered to Devathirajan.

Surya Prabhai

On the second evening of the Brahmotsavam Devadhirajan left the Kannadi Arai towards the Vahana Mandapam to grace us all in Surya Prabhai vahanam. It was a wonderful sight to see Perarulalan standing majestically.

By the time Perarulalan left the raja gopuram the sun had gone hiding shying away and Devathirajan was shinning as bright as the sun. The day dint seem to end as in Kanchipuram they had sun shine for the full day, with the only exception that the sun in the second half was pleasant and soothing.

Hamsa Vahanam

Very early in the morning Devathirajan left the Vaha mandapam on the Hamsa Vahanam.

Coming back to today’s events. Devathirajan literally flew in the Hansa Vahanam today morning and was in full control. Let me elaborate, the shear speed Devathirajan made the sri padam thangies move is second only to his Garuda Vahanam (which is scheduled for tomorrow morning). When I mentioned about control, I meant it literally, watch the pictures closely and you would notice that our Devathirajan has got the lagan (reins) of the Hamsam in his left hand.

I would not do justice to Hamsa Vahanam if I don’t mention about Perumal’s Thiruvadi. In this vahanam, perumal is seen wearing a decorative joothi. He is dressed as a warrior, as he fought on back of hamsam to retrieve the Vedas. Was it not these feet that walked with the Jagat Acharyan all the way from the Vindya mountains to Kanchipuram in one night.

Simha Vahanam

On the evening of the first day of Brahmotsavam Perarulalan left the kannadi arai leaving the ubaya nachiyar’s behind with the Thalukku kondai, as you would recall in the morning he wore the Venkatadri kondai during the Thanga Chaparam purappadu.

Kanchi Varadar Kovil is famous for so many things, like Perumal, Thayar, Kuzhal idli, Golden lizard, Silver lizard, Nammazhvar, Thirukkachi Nambigal, Ramanujar, Swami Desikan, Chakrathalvar……… the list Is endless. Kanchi Kodai is also one among the list as this is the widest Kodai. Every year Perarulalan gets new set of Kodai during the Brahmotsavam. This year also one devotee has done this kainkaryam.

This Kodai’s service for Perarulalan starts from his Purappadu in Simha Vahanam in the evening of the first day. There is no Kodai in the morning in Thanga Charpam as the charpam itself is the cover.
As Devadhirajan, is the king of all Devas aptly for him, he is majestically seated and comes around in the tallest of his Vahanas, Simha Vahana.

Thanga Chappram

This is the first purappadu for our Devathirajan during this years Brahmotsavam.

Devathirajan and ubaya nachiyars are under a Charpam (Canopy), which is richly decorated.

The kridam worn by Devathirajan and ubaya nachiyars is called Venkadathri kondai. This is the kridam worn on first day of all utsavam. Interesting information about the alankaram. There was a devotee by the name Venkathadri who wanted to present a kridam for to Devathirajan. He had no means to do that and the only way was to set aside a portion of his earning everyday till he had accumulated enough money. He was so involved in his kaimkaryam that if for some reason his daily wage was not enough money, he would forgo his food and keep the money for the kaimkaryam. Thus he got the kridam done and presented to Devathirajan on a Panguni uthram day. Devathirajan from that day onwards has made it a point to wear this alankaram on the first day of utsavams.

Dwajaaarohanam

Today early in the morning, Perarulalan left his asthanam with ubaya nachiyars and reached the vahana mandapam.

Perarulalan got on in the Thanga Charpam (Golden canopy) which was richly decorated, the lotus bud malai was icing on the cake.

Yesterday one Bhatter was nominated to officiate the Brahmotsavam and as a sign got Rakshaa Bhadhanam, the person is choosen by rotation (morai). This nominated person got the mariathai (Sri sadari and mali) from Perarulalal and proceeded towards the Dwajesthambham and hoisted the garudan flag. The hoisting of the flag (Dwaja aarohanam) markes the official beginning of the Brahmotsavam.

Alwar Thirunal

Today Vishvaksenar went around the entire route that Perumal would visit during his procession during the Brahmotsavam. He is Commander-in-chief of Perumal's army. By his visit he oversees all the alakarams and the readiness of the Raja veedhis.

Our Devathirajan, as the name implies is the king of all the Devas, that is reason the veedhis (street) that he travels is also called Raja veedhies.

Once Vishvaksenar came back inside the temple he proceeded to the yaga shaala, where he was received with poorna kumbham honor. During Brahmotsavam, Vishvaksenar is the pradhana yajaman (chief conductor) of yagnam.

With this the Brahmotsavam is all set to start, tomorrow morning the dwaja aarohanam (hoisting of the Garuda flag) will be done.

Brahmotsavam Schedule

The wonderful Brahmotsavam for Devathirajan of Kanchipuram is scheduled to start on 25th May 2010 and would last for 10 glorious days.

The schedule is:

Day	Date	Morning	Evening
1	25-May	Thanga Charpam	Simha Vahanam
2	26-May	Hamsa Vahanam	Surya Prabhai
3	27-May	Garuda Sevai	Hanumantha Vahanam
4	28-May	Sesha Vahanam	Chandra Prabhai
5	29-May	Mohini Avatharam	Yali Vahanam
6	30-May	Charpam (Venugopalan Thirukolam)	Yanai Vahanam
7	31-May	Thiruther	-
8	01-Jun	Totti Thirumanjanam	Guthurai Vahanam
9	02-Jun	Alla mel Pallakku	Punyakoti Vimanam
10	03-Jun		Vettiver Charpam

Kadai Velli

Our Perarulalan is getting ready to shower his grace on us during his Brahmotsavam, which is starting on 25th May 2010.

There are no words to describe the compassion of Perundevi thayaar, who wants to shower all her compassion by showing the refuge for all of us on the Friday before the Brahmotsavam.

On the last Friday before Brahmotsavam, (known as Kadai Velli)Thayaar during her purappadu in the evening would let us all have the glimpse of her thiruvadi. It is indeed a very rare sight as we could only have this dharshan only for a couple hours in a year, even during thirumanjanam, thayaar’s thiruvadi are always covered.

For more pictures of the purappadu please follow the link in 'Picasa Photostream'