Today Vijaya Aadi Punarvasu (August 5, 2013) HH 46th Srimath Azhagiyasingar Srivan Sathakopa Sri Ranganatha Yathindra Maha Desikan observed the 15th day of Chaturmasya Sankalpam.
Punarvasu is the nakshatram which was blessed by Perumal’s Sri Ramavatharam. In Srirangam temple, there are many Sri Rama sannidhis surrounding SriRanganatha and here Rama is the worshiper of Ranganatha, that is why He is known as Periya Perumal. At Dasavathara Sannidhi, He can be seen with His bow flanked by two Ramas viz Parashurama and Balarama. Inside the Swarna mandapam, Seetha Lakshmana Sametha Sri Rama is present. Swami Desikan calls Him as Karuna Kakutsa in Sri Dasavathara Stotram.
Srimath Azhagiyasingar’s Abhigamanam and theertha sathari vinyogam was over at the usual time. Today fruits and Dadiyonnam was the prasadam. After Abhigamanam, Samashrayanam and Bharanyasam, Srimath Azhagiyasingar, returned to His ashram to the accompaniment of vadyam. The aradhakar on murai took Srimath Azhagiyasigar’s niyamanam for starting Ijyai Aradhanam. For Ijyai, Srimath Azhagiyasingar’s “Swarchai” Perumal was present. Each Srimath Azhagiyasingar brings a Saligrama murthi from purvashramam when He accepts Sanyasam. This Srimurthi remains in the sannidhi till Srimath Azhagiyasingar is called to SriVaikuntam. This Srimurthi is placed on HH divine crown when He enters His Brindavanam.
When it is time for Ijyai Nivedanam, Swarna Narasimhar went to the Madapalli and accepted all the Thaligai. Then, Perumal Theertham was taken to Ashramam for Srimath Azhagiyasingar. After Srimath Azhagiyasingar has accepted “Theetham” the goshti got “Theertham”. This was followed by Thadhiaradhanam. Usually, there are about 70 people for thadhiaradhana, which swells to 500 on Dwadasis and on Thirunakshatram days it may even reach 3,000.
Meanwhile, Srimath Azhagiyasingar was ready for Bhiksai. His Swarchai Perumal was in the Ashram and accepted Nivedanam from the banana leaf of Srimath Azhagiyasingar. By the time Srimath Azhagiyasingar’s Bhiksai was over, the Thadiaradhanai was also over and devotees reached the ashram. Panchaathi was said and sandalpaste was distributed as also betel leaves and betel nuts. Srimath Azhagiyasingar showered akshatai on the prostrating devotees and the afternoon activities came to and end. Usually, it finishes is about 1.30 pm but on special occasions it may stretch to even 4.30 pm.
Sri Malolan’s prasadam is awesome and many devotees have been cured of their ailments. Devotees taking part should bring their drinking water tumblers preferably silver or brass or copper. Plastic should be strictly avoided. Atleast the bottled water should be poured into drinking glasses when sitting together for Thadiaradhanai. Also women should come forward in removing the leaves and in cleaning the place with cowdung. Though there are kainkaryaparas for this, it is an opportunity for women to do some kainkaryam.
The following are some of the photographs taken earlier today…
Courtesy: Vyjayanthi and Sudararajan
