the invite

 

 Thiru Karthigai in Srirangam is presided by Uthama Nambi family as they used to be the administrator in olden times. Uthama Nambi family members will be invited to temple from their house with vadyam. Swamy will light the lamp from madapalli and place it near moolasathanam.

Namperumal will then start in sengazaneer flowers decorated tollukuiniyan to witness lighting of sokkapanai.

Thiru Karthigai day in Srirangam has 3 occasions:

 

Many may not be aware that 1st Thirukaithala sevai (carried by archakars in hand) happens in night of Karthigai. 2nd kaithala sevai happens for namazhwar on 7th day of rapathu which is well known.

Thiru Adyana utsavam was started by none other Kaliyan (Thirumangai Azhvar) himself.

Once kaliyan (thirumangai azhavar) recited thiruvaimozhi pasumrams in front of namperumal on thirukarthigai day. After completing the pasurams thirumangai azhvar made a request – we have to conduct a big festival for our Nammazhvar’s Thiruvaimozhi. In addition to that Nammazhvar vigraham in azhvar thirunagari should also be present for this 10 days tamil veda festival.

Namperumal was so happy post listening this and said granted.

Namperumal, Nammazhvar, Namjeeyar, Nampillai are popular due to their magnanimity –  upadesa rathinamalai of Manavalamamuni

Namperumal seated on cheran pandiyan simmasanam in santhana mandapam under the pearl studded umbrella will give the below invite:

Sandalwood paste applied on tirumeni , utreyam and garland of Namperumal with that invitation letter in Palm leave will be given to sthalatar Vadoola desikar. Once given Vadoola desikar, sripadam thangigal,  kodavar, kovalar and tamil singer (reference to aryars) will go towards Azvhar thirunagari to come back with Nammazhvar.  

Srirangam Nammazhwar receiving the invite for Tamil vedam festival:

When Tirumangai azhvar started the utsavam it used to be celebrated only for 10 from Vaikunda ekadesi day. In olden days to 220 km it will take 25 / 30 days for the invite to go and Nammazhvar to reach back Srirangam on Dasami (1 day before Vaikunda ekadesi). Nammazhvar of Azhvar Tirungari used to stay in Thirukuralapan sannidhi that is near Rajagopuram.

During later period Azhvar tirungari Nammazhvar coming to srirangam got stopped. Utsavam used to still happen without Nammazhvar. During Nathamuni days Divya prapandams recitation was given musical touch. Till day his family members called as aryars are reciting divyaprapandams with music and dance.

Swamy Ramanujar structured this utsavam to be 20 days. first 10 days for 2000 pasurams of other azhvars and last 10 days for Tiruvaimozhi. Ramanujar also installed a new Nammazhvar vigraham who started participating in this tirunal.

These days once the invitation is issued by Namperumal the same will be submitted to nammazhvar whose sannidhi is in garuda mandapam.

After invitation is sent out Namperumal will become very excited and he will go into moolasathanam in hands of Archakar (Thiru kaithala sevai). This happen today on Thiru karthigai day in the excitement of going to see Nammazhvar.

One more time Namperumal will get excited on 7th day of Rapathu and will demonstrate Thiru Kaithala sevai (2nd time) for Parankusa Nayaki (Nammazhvar in female alankaram) for recitation of “Kangulum pagalum“ pasuram.