After having heard the Divya Prabandam recited by Thirumangai alwar the Lord felt he had been reciting for a long time and his throat may be aching so he orders the temple priest to smear what is left of the oil used for his divine bath on to the throat of Thirumangai alwar. also once when it was not possible for perumal to enjoy his annual ceremonial bath he ordered the retenue to bathe Tirumangai alwar instead. The story of the Lamp lighter requesting Perumal who was keenly listening to Nampillai religious discourse, to get back into the Garbha griha where he belonged is too well known. also how Divya prabandha got an equal status to the vedas is the reason Tirumangai alwar is the hero of Adyanutsavam to this day.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
The reason for being called Sowriraja Perumal
God with long hair. Once Ranga Bhattar promised the Chola King that he would show that God grew and had a long hair. Now the Lord did not want to let his devotee down he is reported to have suddenly grown long tresses as promised by the priest. thence forth he came to be known as sowriraja perumal. the Kainkaryam of getting the Lord to rest for the night is another beautiful happening that goes on in all temples. I was fortunate enough to watch one such a long time ago. just as the Lord is donned with the different alankarams and aarthi is held so too when the Lord is prepared for the rest each item of finery when discarded is done so beautifully and aarthi is held the tresses are opened oil is applied a nice massage is given mirror is shown after all he wears the heavy crown the whole day. must be such a relief to get that crown down and imagine the heavy flowers decoration nice for us to see but it must be hurting him especially the flower is turned outwards and he is made to face the stalk and may be thorn too. one extra dress to wear and we feel the burden imagine the goddess too resting on his chest. and the Lord gets just a few hours of relief from all this. We can convince ourselves that he does not feel like us but then the hot milk when cooled and offered was so pleasing to him. thus too if he is put to sleep on a nice soft mull cloth for the few hours of rest. some north Indians do this to their lord each day. it must be so satisfying. another way of worship. remember the good old days when our cook at home used to have Takhur ji and he would every day dress the lord with finery and offer food and put the lord to sleep we have spent hours watching him it seemed a toy story an adult was performing. we used to choose the dress etc. Mondays were his Not speaking days and we enjoyed that day the best. Every thing revolved round pooja and gifting prasad plates to decorate and gift. The car rides the mill the music sessions the cousins the long holidays the fixed time for play and work the Friday prayers. wonder if i can keep quiet for atleast half a day like my friend does on Monday mornings. a must try on the wish list.
An interesting inscription in the North corridor of the temple there is an entry during the chola king Rajaraja III registering a lease of land in the street called Saveripperumal Perunderuvu for building shops and houses thereon for certain merchants with a stipulation that they should pay certain taxes on their goods to the temple. this order is said to have been issued in the presence of the God himself when he was seated with his consorts on the seat Nambikaliyan under the canopy of pearls called Ravna antakan in the Niravi mandapa. The leasing merchants were to engage themselves in the trade of gold and bell metal fabrications and they were allowed to fix forthemselves the rate of tax to be paid to the temple. On the fifth day of the Kalyana utsavam in the month of Chittirai this lease was said to be announced while the God was listening to the hymns of Satagopan. another inscription giving four villages free of all taxes 70 velis of land for worship and repairs in the temple. a gift of 1000 kasus by one lady called Idaiyarrukkudi towards lighting of lamp in the temple. gift of land to grow red lotuses for the temple gift of land towards feeding the Vaishnavas during the festivals this Matham was called Suchaker Karunakaravirar matham. Land for weavers 20 families four from the five specified villages who migrated to Tirukkanapuram for favor granted to them etc. This comunity of weavers were known as Ayogavas they were a mixed class it seems the society took upon itself to provide for all category of people thus engaging every one irrespective of any divisions to serve the Lord. they were suppliers of the Banners used by the temple. A gift of land was made as Archana Boga to construct a shrine for Thirumangai alwar in the west street. lands donated for growing coconut and to supply the same from the sixth year of granting the lease. a jewel belonging to the Virarajendra chola padakam was melted and converted to 5350 kasus towards the payment for silver vessels utensils and lamps for the use of the Lord. Even in those days a management body of Vaishnavites were consulted before accepting and forming grants for the upkeep of the temple.
An interesting inscription in the North corridor of the temple there is an entry during the chola king Rajaraja III registering a lease of land in the street called Saveripperumal Perunderuvu for building shops and houses thereon for certain merchants with a stipulation that they should pay certain taxes on their goods to the temple. this order is said to have been issued in the presence of the God himself when he was seated with his consorts on the seat Nambikaliyan under the canopy of pearls called Ravna antakan in the Niravi mandapa. The leasing merchants were to engage themselves in the trade of gold and bell metal fabrications and they were allowed to fix forthemselves the rate of tax to be paid to the temple. On the fifth day of the Kalyana utsavam in the month of Chittirai this lease was said to be announced while the God was listening to the hymns of Satagopan. another inscription giving four villages free of all taxes 70 velis of land for worship and repairs in the temple. a gift of 1000 kasus by one lady called Idaiyarrukkudi towards lighting of lamp in the temple. gift of land to grow red lotuses for the temple gift of land towards feeding the Vaishnavas during the festivals this Matham was called Suchaker Karunakaravirar matham. Land for weavers 20 families four from the five specified villages who migrated to Tirukkanapuram for favor granted to them etc. This comunity of weavers were known as Ayogavas they were a mixed class it seems the society took upon itself to provide for all category of people thus engaging every one irrespective of any divisions to serve the Lord. they were suppliers of the Banners used by the temple. A gift of land was made as Archana Boga to construct a shrine for Thirumangai alwar in the west street. lands donated for growing coconut and to supply the same from the sixth year of granting the lease. a jewel belonging to the Virarajendra chola padakam was melted and converted to 5350 kasus towards the payment for silver vessels utensils and lamps for the use of the Lord. Even in those days a management body of Vaishnavites were consulted before accepting and forming grants for the upkeep of the temple.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Madhava advises Shiva.
Thirunangoor.
Lord Shiva was worried as he was suffering from Brahma hati dosha. Madhava advised him to go to go to Nagapuri which was to the north of Kaveri , south of Nupura Nadhi, and west of Swetaranyam. he also told he must manifest as 11 forms and perform the Aswameda Yagam. This explains the 11 Shiva temples around Thirunangoor. Shiva did as advised and the Lord Madhava appeared along with Bhoodevi and Neela devi who were worshipped by Brahma and other devas appeared before Shiva in his Pranava chariot with the Vedas as his horses. the Sun and Moon as the two wheels of the chariot having Brahma as sarathy gave Shiva his abhaya. which was accepted by the Lord Shiva who requested Mukundan to shower his kindness to other devotees as well and that perumal too should manifest himself in 11 avtaras and stay there assisting the devotees an easy access. this explains the 11 archa forms of Vishnu in and around Thirunangoor.
Lord Shiva was worried as he was suffering from Brahma hati dosha. Madhava advised him to go to go to Nagapuri which was to the north of Kaveri , south of Nupura Nadhi, and west of Swetaranyam. he also told he must manifest as 11 forms and perform the Aswameda Yagam. This explains the 11 Shiva temples around Thirunangoor. Shiva did as advised and the Lord Madhava appeared along with Bhoodevi and Neela devi who were worshipped by Brahma and other devas appeared before Shiva in his Pranava chariot with the Vedas as his horses. the Sun and Moon as the two wheels of the chariot having Brahma as sarathy gave Shiva his abhaya. which was accepted by the Lord Shiva who requested Mukundan to shower his kindness to other devotees as well and that perumal too should manifest himself in 11 avtaras and stay there assisting the devotees an easy access. this explains the 11 archa forms of Vishnu in and around Thirunangoor.
Rama Performs the Goprasavam
Hema Ranga Puri very interesting stories connected to this place one such one reproduced below.
Sri Rama decided to do a yagam to rid himself of the sin of having killed Vali. But when he started the homam he did not perform the pooja to Visvaksenar. the yagam could not be completed. Sri Rama realised his fault and did pooja to Visvaksenar who accepted his apology and gifted him Sahkha Nidhi and Padma Nidhi using these two SriRama was able to complete his Yagam. This yaga was performed near the Sem Pon Sei Kovil on the banks of the temple tank of Thiru Nangoor. the waters in this tank are till date ash colour as proof of the yagam performed. There is a Vinayaka idol who is known as Naalaayirathil Oruvar on the banks of the tank.
After the successful completion of this yagam. Rama was advised by a famous sage Druda netra who was the son of Kousika Maharishi living in Swetaranyam to perform the Goprasaam ceremony. This religious function required a huge image of cow to be made out of Gold. Sri Rama stayed inside the image of the cow for four days o the fifth day he came out and gifted the cow to the brahmins. it is said that the gold was used by the holy people to renovate the temple tower, mandapam and Garuda Sannidhi. thus the Sem Pon Rangar temple got the name Hema rangaPuri. Hema in Sanskrit means Gold.
Thirumangai alwar has sung 10 verses on the Lord here their meaning goes (4-3-1 Peria Thirmozhi.) All the people in the world worship Him by chanting His 1008 names Sahasranamam. He is known as Perarulalan, he is spontaneously generous to his devotees.
When i see him standing along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi at Sempon sei kovil he is as enchanting and captivating as if a dark rain bearing cloud is standing there. I worshiped that perumal and am the lucky recipient of His benevolent good wishes.
Sri Rama decided to do a yagam to rid himself of the sin of having killed Vali. But when he started the homam he did not perform the pooja to Visvaksenar. the yagam could not be completed. Sri Rama realised his fault and did pooja to Visvaksenar who accepted his apology and gifted him Sahkha Nidhi and Padma Nidhi using these two SriRama was able to complete his Yagam. This yaga was performed near the Sem Pon Sei Kovil on the banks of the temple tank of Thiru Nangoor. the waters in this tank are till date ash colour as proof of the yagam performed. There is a Vinayaka idol who is known as Naalaayirathil Oruvar on the banks of the tank.
After the successful completion of this yagam. Rama was advised by a famous sage Druda netra who was the son of Kousika Maharishi living in Swetaranyam to perform the Goprasaam ceremony. This religious function required a huge image of cow to be made out of Gold. Sri Rama stayed inside the image of the cow for four days o the fifth day he came out and gifted the cow to the brahmins. it is said that the gold was used by the holy people to renovate the temple tower, mandapam and Garuda Sannidhi. thus the Sem Pon Rangar temple got the name Hema rangaPuri. Hema in Sanskrit means Gold.
Thirumangai alwar has sung 10 verses on the Lord here their meaning goes (4-3-1 Peria Thirmozhi.) All the people in the world worship Him by chanting His 1008 names Sahasranamam. He is known as Perarulalan, he is spontaneously generous to his devotees.
When i see him standing along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi at Sempon sei kovil he is as enchanting and captivating as if a dark rain bearing cloud is standing there. I worshiped that perumal and am the lucky recipient of His benevolent good wishes.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
21 yet rearing.
- Sriranga Mangalasasanam by all Alwars except Madhur kavi.
- Thirukkannapuram Nammalwar, Perialwar,Kulashekar alwar,Andal and Thirumangai alwar.
- Thirukkannangudi Thirumangai alwar
- Thirukkudanthai (Kumbakonam) Nammalwar, Pootattalwar, Peyalwar, Thirumazhisai alwar,Peri alwar, Andal and Thirumangai alwar.
- Thrusirupuliyur Thirumangai alwar
- Thirunangur (11 Garuda sevai) Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Manimadakoil Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Vellakkulam Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Kavalambadi Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Thetriyambalam Thirumangai alwar
- Thiruvanpurushothaman Thirumangai alwar
- Thiruvaikundha Vinnagaram Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru semponsainangur Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Manikkoodam Thirumangai alwar
- ThiruParthanpalli Thirumangai alwar
- Thirudevanar Thohai Thirumangai alwar
- Thirukazhiseeramannagaram (Sirkazhi) Thirumangai alwar
- Thiruvaliyum Thirunagariyum Thirumangai alwar
- Thiru Indalur Kulasekhar alwar, Thirumangai alwar
- Thirukkandiyur Thirumangai alwar.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
old sanskrit books.
Sesha dharma; Vamana Puranam; Sri Aravamudha Vaibhavam; Kumbakonam Mahatmyam; Thiruvinnagar Mahatyam;Thirucherai Mahatmyam; Vanamalai Mahatmyam; Nandhipura Vinnagara Mahatmyam; Vanamamalai Mahatmayam; SrimushanaMahatmyam.
Bharatha natyam dance mudras depicted in the temple.
147 feet tall Gopuram the tallest temple tower in the pilgrim city of Kumbakenam is the one at Sarangapani temple. it is a 11 storied gopuram and around the outer walls are figures depicting images in sequence the puranic story of the avtaras of Lord Vishnu and that of other Gods and Goddesses. on the first tier one can see all around in granite108 dance forms. establishing the marvel of architechtural skill. above each picture is inscribed in Sanskrit the respective name of the mudra shown in the picture. this marvel must be seen to be believed.
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