Today, November 18, 2013; Vijaya Varusha Karthigai Karthigai (2am naal), Thirukarthigai was celebrated in a grand manner at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Divya Desam. Among all the festivals celebrated at Srirangam Divya Desam, Thirukarthigai scores much attention. The following events takes place on Thirukarthigai…
- Thirumanjanam for Namperumal At Santhanu Mandapam
- Commencement by Uthamanambi as in-laws family of Namperumal.
- Namperumal sign-up the invitation to Namazhwar for Thiruvaimozhi Thirunaal.
- Senkazuhuneer Thiruvasi Sevai
- SokkapAnai Kandaruliya Sevai
- Namperumal Kaithala Sevai
- Namazhwar Kaithala Sevai
- Namperumal wait begins for Namazhwar’s arrival
Morning Purppadu & Thirumanjanam: In the morning, purappadu till Santhanu Mandapam where Thirumanjanam for Namperumal takes palce. “Agni Pradhishtai”, ignition of Agni is made at Thirumadaipalli (Kitchen) thereafter.
Uthamanambi ThiruVilakku Kainkaryam – BrahmaRatham: A convoy from the temple is sent to Uthamanambi’s Thirumaligai (house) to invite Him for commencing the Thiruksrthigai at the temple. Maniyakarar (Temple Keeper) takes him to Thirumadaipalli. There he will be handed over with the lighted Silver lamp and 8 other Agal Vilakku (mud-pot lamps). He along with family heirs of Veda Vysya Battar, Rengachar (Vadula Desikar), Amudanar and Azhagiya Manavalan Sabhyar will take them to Namperumal’s Sanctum Sanctorum. Archakar will show those lighted lamps to Namperumal’s view and the eight Agal Vilakkus will be placed on a paddy matt facing four directions with two for each direction.
Uthamanambi is offered BrahmaRatham on the way back to His house. (Uthamanambi alone enjoys the privilege of getting Koil’s convoy for to and fro to the temple). Since Uthamanambi hails from PeriyAzhwar‟s clan, he is treated as equal to a brother-in-law to Namperumal due to Andal’s relationship. Hence Namperumal smartly uses this opportunity socialise this festival through Uthamanambi.
SenkaZhuneer ThiruvAsi Sevai and SokkapAnai: Namperumal now gets ready for the second PurappAdu in SenkaZhuneer Thiruvasi, which is a one time event in a year. Namperumal reaches Chakkarathzhwar Sannadhi and stops a while facing SokkapAnai. (A structure built out of palm leaves to a height of a coconut tree in the open space before the Karthigai Tower). Due offerings are made from Namperumal to Thirusutrukaaran (Guy who is used to lit the SokkapAnai) and instructed to lit the SokkapAnai. He claims inside the structure and set the SokkapAnai to flames from the top. SokkapAnai sets to flames which reach to greater heights. A scene comparable to Ullaganatha Perumal‟s manifestation.
Kaliyan Pattu and Kaithala Sevai: Namperumal enters and rests at Santhanu Mandapam after completing the Thiruvanthikaappu at Thayar Sannadhi. Arayar recites the ‘VAdinen VAdi…’ pasuram as Kaliyan Pattu. After that, when Sthaneegar calls the Kannaku Pillai (Temple Accountant) and informs Namperumal. Now the Archakar recites the words of Namperumal as:
“Yedath Therailogya Nirmaanathraana Samhara Kaarinam
Srimath Sriranganathasya Sasanam Sasvatham Param” …
“Karthigaku Karthigai, Thirukarthigai Nalandru Naam Purapattrauli, Nam Azhagiya
Manavalan ThiruMandapathil, CheraPandyan Simhasanathil, Sundara Pandyan
Thirumuthupandalyn keizh, Harihara Rayan ThirupallikattilynMel Ezhunthurauli Nam
Kaliyan Pattu KellaNirkaiyil, Kovanavar, Kodavar, Koduval Edupar, Aaduvaar,
Paaduvar, Thazhaieduvar, matramulla Nam Adiyargalellam, „Nam Sadagopanuku
Mun Petra Perum Petrai Tharavenum‟ ena Kella Nirkaiyil, Namum Nam
Sathikalaintha Santhanamum, SudiKalaintha Suganthamum, Uduthikalaintha
Oliyanum Nam Thazhiyiduvan Kaiyil Koduthu Anupinom” says as NAMPERUMAL.
(Meaning:- During the Festival of karthigai, in the month of karthigai, when I was in Azhagiya Manavalan Court, sitting in the throne gifted by the King CheraPandyan, under the Pearl ceiling gifted by the King SundaraPandyan, over the couch gifted by the King HariHara Raya and listening to the songs of our Kaliyan (ThirumangaiAzhwar), MY court caretakers, court dancers, court singers and other devotees pleaded as “Please bless us by demonstrating the form and way how Namazhwar attained eternal bliss”. Hence, I am sending MY daily wearing Sandal paste, Garland and MY clothes (as signatory proof /digital signature) along with the bearer of this letter.)
Namperumal then enters Sanctum Sanctorum by Kaithala Sevai by Three Archakar in the midst of devotees around him.
VAdula Desikar Kainkaryam – BrahmaRatham: After this, Koil attendees will invite Vadula Desikar to the Temple. He is offered with Namperumal’s MariyAthai and then he visits SEnnai Muthaliyar Sannadhi.
By the time, Vadula Desikar’s disciples are ready with the letter dictated by Namperumal erstwhile ago through Archakar at Santhanu Mandapam. Namperumal’s letter is handed over to Vadula Desikar along with HIS Malai (garland) and Clothes. He takes the same to Namazhwar Sannadhi. Namazhwar is taken by Kaithala Sevai and the letter is handed over to Him. Vadula Desikar is offered with BrahmaRatham for his Kainkaryam.
Namperumal’s Karthigai Celebration gets completed by this BrahmaRatham and his wait for Namazhwar’s arrival to ThiruVaimozhi Thhirunaal starts….
One need nearly 6 hours on Karthigai to be part of these wonderful events.
There is one local phrase …
KArthigaikku KArthigai .. Namperumal..,
“Nadanthathu – Senkauzuhuneer Thiruvasiyul
Valaranthathu – Vamananai Sokkapanaiyul
Amarnthathu – Sundarapandya MuthuPandalul
Ezhunthathu – Archakar Kaithalathul
Paduthathu – Namazhwan Nenaipiley’
The following is the detailed schedule in tamil followed by the photographs taken earlier today….
Write-up courtesy: Sri Narasimha Bhattar
கார்த்தால எழுந்த உடனே ‘அனுதினம்’ பார்க்க மனதுக்கு சந்தோஷத்தைக் கொடுக்கிறது. ரொம்ப நன்றி திருக்கார்த்திகை படங்கள் பிரமாதம்.