On December 13, 2013; Vijaya Varusha Karthigai Ashwini, Kaisika Ekadasi was celebrated in a grand manner at Thiruadhanoor Divya Desam. There was special thirumanjam for Sri Ranganathan Perumal along with ubhaya nachiyars. Utsavar adorned nuthana Rathangi and blessed with Thayar in Nuthana Kannadi Arai. In connection with this festival, Nuthana Thiruvaasi was made to Sri Kamalvasini Thayar. ThiruAdhanoor is one of the Divya Desams near Kumbakonam sung by Thirumangai Azhwar. This temple is managed by Sri Ahobila Mutt.
The following are some of the photographs taken on the occasion…
Courtesy: Vijay
About the temple:
Located about 10 km from Kumbakonam off Swami Malai on the ThiruVaikavur Road are two ancient Divya Desams next to each other – Pullambhoothangudi that dates back to Ramayana – Jatayu Moksham and Adhanur that is said to pre-date Srirangam Ranganatha temple and one that finds a reference in the Brahmanda Purana. To get to this Divya Desam, buses are available every half-an-hour from Kumbakonam and Swami Malai to Thiruvaikavur. Autos are also available from Kumbakonam to and fro.
Thirumangai Azhwar was short on construction items and funds to complete the construction of the big walls of the Srirangam temple. He was asked to go to Adhanoor for help. Once here, he found a business man coming towards him with an empty Marakkal (a measuring bowl) in his hand. When asked why he was carrying an empty measuring bowl with him, the business man answered that he was a messenger of Lord Ranganatha and that he would get what he wanted if he held the empty bowl in his hand and recited thrice the name of his favourite Lord. Thirumangai Azhwar agreed and asked for wages for all those working here. The business man laid a condition. For all those who worked sincerely here, the sand would turn to Gold. For those who were lazy and insincere, the sand would remain as is. To Thirumangai Azhwar’s shock, a majority of the sand that was measured with the empty bowl remained sand and did not turn to gold. Wondering who this person was, he gave him a chase (as the man had begun to leave). After a long chase, he found in front of him his very Lord providing him darshan with the Marakkal.
Lord Aandalakkum Aiyan is seen in an Anantha Sayanam posture with Marakkal on his right side, a writing pad made of leaf on his left and with a writing pen. Along side him are Brighu Rishi, Agni (Lord of Fire) and Kamadhenu
Brighu Rishi, who made a trip to Vaikuntam, was given a flower garland by Goddess Lakshmi. Taking this to the abode of Indra, he handed it to him, who gave this to his elephant Iravathan. Much to the Rishi’s ire, he found that the elephant crushed the garland under his feet. An angry rishi cursed Indra to lose all his wealth. Repenting for his unreasonable act and seeking liberation from the Rishi’s curse, Indra undertook penance at Adhanoor. Indra was liberated from the curse when Goddess Lakshmi, who was born here as Bhargavi, Brighu Rishi’s daughter, married Lord Vishnu and provided darshan to him. Brighu Rishi is believed to have installed the archa-vigraha.
Another story goes that Shiva, who had Brahmahathi Dosham, looked up to Agni to liberate him from the curse. However, he only managed to pass on this Dosham to Agni too who then undertook penance here and invoked the blessing of Vishnu to get liberated from this.
Seeking presence in Vaikuntam, Kamadhenu undertook penance here at Adhanoor. Hence, one finds the archa-vigrahas of Kamadhenu and daughter Nandini at this Divya Desam.
Thirumangai Azhvaar’s only Paasuram found in the Periya Thirumadal refers to the Lord of Thiru Moozhikalam along side Aandalukku Aiyan.
Ennai Manamkavarntha Eesanai, Vaanavartham
Munnavanai Moozhikalathu Vilakkinai
Annavanai Aadhanur Aandalukku Aiyanai
என்னை மனம்கவர்ந்த ஈசனை, வானவர்தம்
முன்னவனை மூழிகளது விளக்கினை
அன்னவனை ஆதனூர் ஆண்டாளுக்கு ஐயனை
Adanur is one of the only two divya desams (the other being Srirangam) where one finds the special Thirumana Pillar on either side of the Lord inside the sanctum.
Moolavar : Sri Andalakkum Aiyyan East Facing Anantha Sayanam
Utsavar: Sri Ranganayaki Sametha Sri Ranganathan
Thayar: Sri Kamalavasini Thayar
Azhwar: Thirumangai Azhwar (1 pasuram)
Temple Time: 7:30am-12:30pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm
The key festivals at this temple are the 10-day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi, 3-day Pavitrotsavam in Avani, Thiru Aadi Pooram with Andal-Perumal purappadu in Aadi and Ranganayaki Thaayar purappadu on Thai Fridays.
Writeup Courtesy: Sri Prabhu
