Avani Tiruvadhirai was on 8/9/2015 and at Kanchi Varadaraja temple special aradhana was performed to Bhaghavadh Ramanuja at his sannidhi housed in the outer prakaram of Varadaraja Perumal temple. In the morning tirumanjanam took place at the sannidhi.
In the evening at about 6.30p.m. we had the sukrutham of participating in the aradhana and goshti at Ramanuja’s sannidhi. As we entered the sannidhi we had a treat for our eyes and could not take our eyes from Bhaghavadh Ramanujacharya’s divyamangala vigraham. Ramanuja is closely connected with Varadaraja Perumal. It was through Tirukacchi nambi with whom the Lord talked that he found answers to six questions pertaining to Vishistadvaitha. This Lord with Perundevi in the guise of a fowler couple transported Ramanuja from the Vindhyas to Kanchipuram. Ramanuja did  ‘Theertha kainkaryam’ (fetching water for daily puja) for Varadan and again it was Varadan who gave Ramanuja to Srirangam. At Ramanuja’s behest Kurathazhwan prayed to Varadaraja who restored his sight. So Varada is The Bestower of ‘Boons’. Swami Desikan calls Him as ‘the giver of eyes(sight). At the feet of Ramanuja one gets to see Kurathazhwan (the shishya par excellence of Yathiraja). It was at Kanchipuram that Ramanuja took up sanyasa and was hailed as Yathiraja by Varadaraja.
As our thoughts travelled back in time we enjoyed the divya prabhandham and vedams rendered during aradhana and felt blessed to get theertham. Srisathari and prasadam (pulihore with pepper and mysore-pak).
When we went to the sanctum sanctorum we saw on the way captivating divyamangalamurthis of azhwars. Devotees visiting Kanchipuram on a Tiruvadhirai day should not miss this beautiful anubhavam.
These are the video clips and photos taken during the occasion…
 Writeup & Photography : Vyjayanthi & Sundararajan
