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Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Wazirabad (Vadapalle)

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This article is on – Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Vadapalle(Wazirabad)

Lord Narasimha

Lord Narasimha is the most revered God of the people of Andhra. Several famous temples of Lord Narasimha make their presence felt throughout Andhra Pradesh. Of many temples of Narasimha spread all over, the five temples are very important.

5 Divine Temples

The five divine temples are situated at

  1. Mangalagiri,
  2. Vedadri,
  3. Mattapalli,
  4. Vadapalli, and
  5. Kethavaram.

These temples which are along the banks of river Krishna are so great that whoever serves, visits, performs adoration and just thinks of them gets their fears, omen from planets, sins from several births removed and they are blessed by the Lord with health, wealth and prosperity.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Vadapalli (Wazirabad)

Vadapalle (Wazirabad)

Lord Narasimha Swamy is named “Deepalayya” at this place.

Click here for the location of the temple on Google Maps

In Aeon, it was told that Agastya muni keeping Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu in a kavadi (a balance for carrying people/pots) was searching for a holy place to establish them. By the time, he reached the place, Vadapalli, it was evening and he was required to perform the Sandhya vandanam (prayers at evening dawn)

. He found a boy there. He called the boy and kept the kavadi on his shoulders and told him not to keep it on the ground till he came after offering the prayers.

Since the boy could not bear the weight even after waiting for long for the muni, the boy kept the kavadi on the ground there. Agastya tried his best to lift it from the ground. At that point of time, he heard a divine message which told him that it was the best place for them.

Agastya obeying the words, established, Sri Laxmi Narasimha Swamy, and Sri Agasteswara Swamy (Temple Location) with his consort, Meenakshi in Vadapalli and offered prayers at this place. In the times that passed by thereafter, the idols got immersed in the sand. They were discovered during the times of the “Reddy dynasties” when they were digging the land. They constructed the temples and started offering prayers.

Vadapalli is a place where the Moosi River converges with the Krishna River. The temple of Sri Laxmi Narasimha at this place is south-facing. The main temple has an entrance gate, main gate, sanctum, sanctorum and in sub temple is Alwars.

Lord with his four attributes Shankam, Chakaram and his consort Laxmi on his left lap is prayed by the devotees. Normally when the Lord is along with Laxmi is always seen in a peaceful appearance, but here Swamy is seen is a fearful posture.

Deepalayya

Two lamps placed nearer to the Lord are always lit. Surprisingly, it can be noticed that either of the lamps always oscillates even if there is no breeze from the area in the vicinity. It is believed that the lamps oscillate because of the inhale and exhale of breath by the Lord.

For this reason, Swamy is called, “Deepalayya”. In the temple yard, Sri Adilaxmi is offered prayers. On the temple premises, one can find divine trees, Anjaneya Swamy, and Stone inscriptions. Devotees can also pray for Sri Meenakshi Agasteswara in a temple on the banks of the Krishna River.

Mattapalli – Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

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This article is on – Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Mattapalli

Lord Narasimha

Lord Narasimha is the most revered God of the people of Andhra. Several famous temples of Lord Narasimha make their presence felt throughout Andhra Pradesh. Of many temples of Narasimha spread all over, the five temples are very important.

5 Divine Temples

The five divine temples are situated at

  1. Mangalagiri,
  2. Vedadri,
  3. Mattapalli,
  4. Vadapalli, and
  5. Kethavaram.

These temples which are along the banks of river Krishna are so great that whoever serves, visits, performs adoration and just thinks of them gets their fears, omen from planets, sins from several births removed and they are blessed by the Lord with health, wealth and prosperity.

Mattapalli

Mattapalli is a divine place where the Lord himself incarnated with Dakshinavruta Shankam (Conch turned south). He is popularly known as “Annalayya” as he removes the hunger of people the moment they pray to him.

Click here for the Temple location on Google Maps

In the times of yore, Bharadwaja had visited several places but established an ashram (hut) on the banks of river Krishna and started meditating at this place. Narasimha Swamy appeared by him in the nearby cave and thence, the rishi started offering prayers to him. Lord later appeared in the dreams of one person named Machireddy belonging to Thangedu village and advised him of his presence in the cave.

Machireddy followed by his villagers searched for the Lord as per directions given by the Lord in his dreams. The glowing Lord Narasimha was noticed by them. Those people cleaned the entire area and made arrangements for offering prayers. Thus the story tells that the Lord set his place in Mattapalli Village.

The temple is opposite to Krishna River. A temple has been constructed based on the cave and in the temple Sri Godadevi, Sri Vaikhanasa Maharshi, Mirror Hall have been built. Lord Narasimha with his four hands attributed with Shankam, Chakram and hands blessing and providing peace and wearing a diamond on the chest, seated with Rajyalaxmi devi blesses the devotees. Prahlada is seated nearer to the Lord.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Annalayya - Mattapalli

Annalayya

The Dakshinavruta Shankam can also be seen there. A divine sound is generated from this. Those devotees who serve the Lord with devotion will never starve. Even though the place is very small, it is a wonder that there are many food serving centres in this place. The food is served throughout the day and hence the Lord here is called, “Annalayya”.

There is a tunnel in the Sanctum which leads to the river Krishna. When Krishna is flooded, the water flushing through the tunnel touches the holy feet of the Lord. The consort of Lord, Sri Deveri seated nearby receives prayers from the devotees.

Opposite the temple, Sri Anjaneya Swamy is seated and opposite to this is a tree called, “Aare”. Lord offered prayers with the leaves of this tree. There are bathing places named after Prahlada and Markandeya on the banks of the Krishna River.

Sri Yogananda Narasimha Swamy, Vedadri

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This article is on – Sri Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Vedadri

Lord Narasimha

Lord Narasimha is the most revered God of the people of Andhra. Several famous temples of Lord Narasimha make their presence felt throughout Andhra Pradesh. Of many temples of Narasimha spread all over, the five temples are very important.

5 Divine Temples

The five divine temples are situated at

  1. Mangalagiri,
  2. Vedadri,
  3. Mattapalli,
  4. Vadapalli, and
  5. Kethavaram.

These temples which are along the banks of river Krishna are so great that whoever serves, visits, performs adoration and just thinks of them gets their fears, omen from planets, sins from several births removed and they are blessed by the Lord with health, wealth and prosperity.

Sri Yogananda Narasimha Swamy, Vedadri

Vedadri

Vedadri is in Jaggayya Peta Mandal in Krishna District. It is 15 Km from Muktyala, 18 Km from Jaggayyapeta and 10 Km from Chilakallu.

Vedadri is a great place where Sri Narasimha Swamy is named as “Snanalayaa” (who takes a whole bath) as the Lord blesses all those who take a bath in the holy river Krishna as if they have taken bath in the river along with the Lord himself. (click here for the temple location on Google Maps)

At the beginning of the creation of this universe, a demon named, “Somakasura” stole the Vedas and hid at the bottom of the Ocean. Lord Vishnu incarnated as a “fish” (matsyavataram), killed the demon and saved the Vedas from destruction.

All divine people representing the Vedas prayed to the Lord to bless them with a boon of honour to remain attached to the Lord all the time, which the Lord declined at that stage and however blessed them that their desire shall be fulfilled in later years and till that time, he advised them to take the shape of “Salagrama” (a revered stone form) and remain in the river Krishna.

In the later period, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narasimha demolished Hiranya Kasipa and as per word given to the men of Vedas, seated there as “Jwala Narasimha Swamy”.

Lord Brahma took Jwala Narasimha to his abode, Satya Loka, and immediately the entire Satya Loka was demolished of fire. He then carried him into river Krishna and established him on the “Salagram hill”. The great rishis like Rishyasringa, kings and men prayed to the Lord who later set himself as “Yogananda Narasimha Swamy”.

Pancha Narasimhakshethra

The temple history further narrates that, the Lord incarnated in a temple, approximately five Kilometer to the east, as “Veera Narasimha Murthy” when “Garutmantha” requested and as “Laxmi Narasimha” on the request of forest gods.

Thus Vedadri has the distinction of being adored as “Pancha Narasimhakshethra” (a place where five temples of Narasimha at one place) as Laxmi Narasimha named as Jwala, Salagrama, Yogananda, Veera, Laxmi Narasimha incarnated at one place.

Many munis heard the dictum of the Lord from words emanating from the sky in Kaliyuga and started praying to the Lord at this place. Later, village people started offering prayers to the Lord here.

The main temple is facing west in Vedadri. The temple has Sanctum and Sanctorum and Sri Yogananda Narasimha Swamy occupies this temple.

Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy, Mangalagiri

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This article is on – Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy – Panakalarayudu

Lord Narasimha

Lord Narasimha is the most revered God of the people of Andhra. Several famous temples of Lord Narasimha make their presence felt throughout Andhra Pradesh. Of many temples of Narasimha spread all over, the five temples are very important.

5 Divine Temples

The five divine temples are situated at

  1. Mangalagiri,
  2. Vedadri,
  3. Mattapalli,
  4. Vadapalli, and
  5. Kethavaram.

These temples which are along the banks of river Krishna are so great that whoever serves, visits, performs adoration and just thinks of them gets their fears, omen from planets, sins from several births removed and they are blessed by the Lord with health, wealth and prosperity.

Mangalagiri – Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy

Mangalagiri is where Lord Laxminarasimha made his abode, which is called “Panakalarayudu” (panakam is jaggery water). The greatness of this temple is that whatever quantity of Panakam is offered to the Lord whether it is full of a pot or even a spoon, he swallows half of the content and leaves the remaining as prasadam to the devotees.

click here for the Temple location on Google Maps

Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy, Mangalagiri

Legend

In the times immemorial, this area was ruled by a king named Pariyathra. “Hraswasringi” was born to Pariyathra and his wife Susila. The boy who was born physically impaired and with several diseases, parents felt that if he visited several divine places, he may get rid of these fateful features of his body. While visiting many places, he arrived at this place. He meditated there for a long period.

Having found that his son did not return from his pilgrimage, his father Pariyathra went in search of his son and reached Mangalagiri and found his son meditating there. He requested his son to stop his meditation and return to the kingdom. Agreed to the request of his father, he prayed to God and turned himself into an Elephant first and later into a hillock.

The hill, which represents the form of an Elephant, has become the abode of Sri Narasimha Swamy. Another narration reads that Narasimha after killing a demon named “Samuchi” stayed back on this hill.

2 temples in Mangalagiri

There are two temples in Mangalagiri, one on the hill and the other in the village. The temple on the hills is the abode of Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy. There is a ghat road leading to the main temple or one can climb around five hundred steps to reach the Sanctorum. The temple on the hill has a main entrance and a Sanctum. The Lord in the Sanctorum is facing the west side. The Lord will be seen leaning to the wall with his mouth wide open.

The devotees offer Panakam to the Lord. He accepts half of what has been offered to him and leaves the remaining which shall be taken as Prasadam by the devotees. The temple is open up to noon. There is a strong belief that the Lord is served by Devatas and Munis thereafter.

The temple in the village is special and attracts many devotees. The main entrance faces east has 11 stairs and is about 153 feet in height. Lord Laxmi Narasimha attributed with Conch, Chakra (wheel), Blessing palm, Goddess Laxmi seated on his left lap provides Darshan in a peaceful posture.

It is believed that this statue has been installed by Dharmaraja in Dwapara yuga. The divine consort of the Lord, Goddess Rajya Laxmi is adored in a separate temple therein. In the sub-Sanctum of the temple, Lord Sita Rama Laxmana bless the devotees. Sri Laxmi Pushkarini (a pond of water) and Prapatti Anjaneya Swamy also bless the devotees in nearby temples.

Pillai Urangavilli Dasar (Dhanurdasa)

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Pillai Urangavilli Dasar (Dhanurdasa)

Pillai Urangavilli Dasar, called Dhanurdasa, was a native of Uraiyur, near Tiruchirappalli and he was a renowned Gymnast. He was born in the Tamil month Masi, in Ayilya Star. He was a fine archer belonging to the Malla caste. He was one among the three Villis serving King Akalanka Chola in Urayiur.

Pillai Urangavilli Dasar wrote a Tanlyan for Iyal Sattu which pays encomium to Sri Ramanuja. This is being recited at the end when Sri Vaishnavites complete the four thousand hymns of Alwars. His annotations for Alwars hymns, particularly Nammalvar’s Tiruvoymozhi are very familiar and recorded in the Edu commentary.

Pillai Urangavilli Dasar (Dhanurdasa)

Marrying Kanakangi

He married a very beautiful girl by the name of Kanakangi whose eyes, he considered, more beautiful than the lotus. He never left her side for a moment and never took his eyes off her moon-like face.

At one time, when he was en route to Tiruvellarai, in the mid-noon, on the Kaveri river sand, he was assisting his wife who suffered in the scorching sun. Sri Ramanuja, noticed this loving pair, particularly Dhanurdasa’s intense care for his beloved’s eyes by holding an umbrella to avoid the scorching sun. He called him and asked him for this doing.

Sri Ramanuja's Service
Sri Ramanuja

He said that he was very much attached to her beautiful eyes which should not fade. Sri Ramanuja told him that there are eyes more beautiful than his wife’s. He took the unbelieving Dhanurdasa to the temple of Lord Ranganatha and showed him the Lord’s bewitching eyes.

Dhanurdasa realized his ignorance and he gave up his food, slept from that day, and daily found in the temple, looking at Lord Ranganatha’s beautiful eyes. He became the disciple of Sri Ramanuja. He gave away all the wealth that he earned as Chief of Malla in Chola Raja Palace, Uraiyur, to Sri Ramanuja Mutt. He used to wake all through the night and do service to the King and daytime without sleep did kainkarya in Sri Ramanuja’s Mutt.

Like Lakshmana, he became Urangavilli and earned the name Urangavilli Dasar. His wife Kanakangi excelled her husband in wisdom and all other spiritual perfections, due to the wonderful grace of Sri Ramanuja. He used to march before the Utsavamurti Namperumal of Srirangam with a sword to safeguard the deity, from any untoward incident.

If anything untoward happened, he wanted to kill himself with that sword. This is explained by Mamunigal in the commentary for Pillai Lokacharya’s Srivachana Bhushanam Sutra 46. Such is the intention of Dhanurdasa being a devotee of Lord and Sri Ramanuja having known the harmonious way of life learnt from Sri Ramanuja.

Kanakangi – extraordinary devotee of Sri Ramanuja

Kanakangi, though belonging to a low caste, proved herself an extraordinary devotee of Sri Ramanuja. At one time, Sri Ramanuja’s disciples asked him if there were many Acharyas, whom they should consider true saviours. He asked them to ask Kanakangi. They approached her and expressed their doubt as to who they should look up to as their true saviour when there are many Acharyas. With all humility, she told them that only Sri Ramanuja could answer this.

They went to Sri Ramanuja and asked him. He asked them what she was doing when they entered her house. They told that she was gathering her hair to gather into knot, tied it up with a red thread and kept silent. Then Sri Ramanuja interpreted this incident as follows: the countless black hairs signified many teachers and the red thread indicated only one saviour that is Sri Ramanuja. Then the disciples were surprised at her steadfastness and fidelity to Sri Ramanuja. They went to her house to compliment her spiritual excellence.

At one time, Lord Ranganatha’s festival was coming to an end. Sri Ramanuja, while going to take a path, held the hand of Acharya Mudaliyandan and after taking bath, he held the hand of Pillai Urangavilli Dasar. Sri Ramanuja feels that holding his hand is the more mental object of contemplation than the complete purification of taking a bath in the Kaveri River.

It is said that Sri Ramanuja felt that like the iron with the touch of the art of alchemy made into gold, the selfishness that came from his upper caste would be redeemed by holding Pillai Urangavilli Dasar’s hand.

In the commentary of Manavala Mamunigal on the Sutra 85 of Acharya Hridya, it is said that Sri Ramanuja before doing Tiruvaradhanam (performing Puja to his Mutt deity) used to purify himself by touching Pillai Urangavilli Dasar. Hence, Dasar is well known as Ramanuja Sparsavedhi. There was a dispute among his disciples for Sri Ramanuja giving much importance to Pillai Urangavilli Dasar. He played a drama to rectify their intentions.

Sri Ramanuja Trekking with Knees to Tirumala
Sri Ramanuja Trekking with disciples on Knees to Tirumala

On another occasion, also Sri Ramanuja made his sceptic disciples realize the detachment of Kanakangi. Sri Ramanuja asked somebody to tear out the clothes of his disciples without knowing them. Having seen this, they were very much angered and blamed those who did this. On the same night, Sri Ramanuja asked some disciples to bring the jewels from the body of Kanakangi when she was sleeping.

While they were taking away the jewels from her body, she noticed and kept quiet till they took away one side jewel by dissimulating herself in sleep. Then she rolled down the next side to give an advantage to them to take away from another side. They thought that she woke up from sleep and ran away from her place. They handed over the jewels to Sri Ramanuja.

After his return from the service in the Palace, Dasar came to his house and having known the news, he blamed his wife Kanakangi for not keeping quite like a stone to take away the jewels from the other side also by them.

He prayed to Sri Ramanuja to give punishment to her. The disciples who witnessed this head down before Sri Ramanuja and informed them of the drama played by him. Then he returned the jewels to her.

He had two nephews viz. Vandavilli and Sendavilli. Both became the disciples of Sri Ramanuja and Sri Ramanuja named them Vandalankara Dasar and Sendalankara Dasar. They stayed in Srirangam by doing service to his Acharya Sri Ramanuja, besides working in the Palace at Uraiyur. He used to give the salary earned by their service at the Palace, to Sri Ramanuja, who accepted it and utilized it for the kainkarya.

Bhashyakara Utsavam

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Bhashyakara Utsavam / Bhashyakara Jayantotsavams / Bhashyakara Arudranakshatrotsavams

The celebrations of Bhashyakara are being organized grandly, especially ten days before Arudra star during Mesha masa i.e., Vaisakhamasa every year. During these ten days, after completing Lord Sahasra Venkateswara’s deepalankarana Seva, Bhagavad Ramanuja on his own ‘Peetham’ moves along the mada streets of Tirumala facing Sri Malayappa Swami in a procession. After the procession, ‘Asthanam’ will be held in the presence of ‘Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu.’

Bhashyakara Utsavam or BHASYAKARULA UTSAVAM

 

Later, Naivedyam’ will be offered. After ‘Nalvedyam’ the garlands worn by Srivaru will be offered to Bhashyakarulu. Later, Srivari ‘Harati’ will be given to Sri Ramanuja. This ‘Harati’ is called ‘Sesha Harati’. After the routine rituals L.e., ‘Sethaarl Maryadalu’, done to Ramanuja Moola Murti and Utsava Murties, prasadam will be distributed among the devotees. The Arudra nakshatrotsavam or Bhasha kara jayantyutsavam will come to an end when Srivaru enters the Anandanilayam.

Based on the Vishistadwaita theory, Bhagavadramanujacharya wrote a remarkable commentary on Mimamsa titled ‘Sri Bhashyam’. So he became famous as ‘Sri Bhashyakara‘. He was born in the Telugu year ‘Pingala’ in the month of ‘Vaisakha’ in ‘Arudra’ star, a thousand years back i.e., in 1017 as an incarnation of Adisesha in Perumbudur.

He regulated the procedures of worship as per the ‘Agama shastra’ which were in utter chaos and confusion in the past and established a systematic procedure of worship in temples. It is a known fact that Sri Ramanuja visited Tirumala thrice during his long lifetime of one hundred and twenty years between 1017 and 1137.

Anandanilayam of Tirupati Balaji Temple

Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu

He appointed great spiritual personalities like Tirumalanambi and Ananthalvar to conduct more privileged services and utsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. He offered his stone idol to his dear disciple Ananthalvar. That stone idol in the Tirumala temple is called “Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu”. From that time, utsavams are being conducted to Bhagavadramanuja at Tirumala.

Since the birth star of Bhagavadramanuja is Arudra, every month on the day of Arudra star Masotsavam and in the Vaisakha month of every year Bhashyakara utsavams are being performed. Every month in Arudra star, Sri Malayappa Swami participates along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in Sahasradeepalankarana Seva at Tirumala.

Sahasra Deepalankarana -
Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva

Meanwhile Bhagavadramanuja on his own ‘peetham’ move in the Mada streets of Tirumala in a procession facing Sri Malayappa Swami. This is ‘Bhashyakara Utsavam’ which is held during Arudra Star every month. These utsavams are called ‘Bhashyakara Arudranakshatrotsavams’ or ‘Bhashyakara Jayantotsavams’.

The Privilege of Kulasekhara Alwar

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Kulasekhara Alwar

Kulasekhara Alwar wrote in Sanskrit called ‘Mukundamala’, a garland of poems in praise of Lord Krishna. He was also a staunch devotee of Lord Rama and his eleven Pasurams on the Lord of Seven Hills reflect his ‘Saranagati’ to Lord Venkateswara.

His pasurams dedicated to Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala Hills are to be read by everyone to finally seek the grace of Lord Srinivasa. His poems on Vengadam are exceedingly moving and of a very high literary merit.

Tirumala and Tirumala temple

The glorious Tirumala Temple, located on Tirumala Hills, has been an ancient and historically famous temple for centuries. The God Venkateswara is known as the incarnation of Sri Mahavishnu and descended to earth to save His devotees from the evil acts of Kaliyuga and protect Dharma, whenever it is in danger. He is fulfilling the wishes of His devotees. He is being worshipped with prayers and rituals in a systematic method as mentioned in Vedas and Agamas.

Impressed by this, several saint poets and musicians contributed their creative works in Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu languages for future generations. We are fortunate enough to have this rich literature with us today as hereditary property with the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.

Tirumala Hills - Tirupati Balaji Temple

12 Alwars

The Tamil saint poets called as Alwars are twelve in number- (Poigai alwar, Pudatt alwar, Peyalwar, Tirumalisai alwar, Madurakavi alwar, Tiruppanalwar, Tondaradipodi alwar, Tirumangai alwar, Kulasekhara alwar, Periyalwar, Nammalwar, Andal). They belong to the Vaishnava cult.

The Nalayira Prabandham, a collection of four thousand hymns, was sung by the famous twelve Vaishnavite alwars of South India in praise of Vishnu and His Avataras. Of the twelve alwars only two Madurakavi and Tondaradipodi have not sung of Tirupati.

The hymns of the remaining ten alwars have reference to Vengadam and its Lord. Kulasekhara alwar is one among them. The alwars dived deep into the ocean of devotion and they immersed in the Lord. Their poetic outpourings laid a mystic experience to the Lord.

Kulasekhara alwar was a king, who ruled the prosperous Chera kingdom of Malai Nadu during the Post Sangam period (around 7th – 9th century A.D.). He was a devotee of Lord Sri Rama, at an early age. He became not only a great king but also an ardent follower of Vaishnavism.

He expressed his desire to be born on Tirumala Hills as a bird or a beast, a fish in the holy tank or a tree, or be a stream or stone, a post or a statue in preference to all earthly riches and kingdoms so that he can stay much closer to the Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala. Lord Vengadavan is venerated as one who could free human beings from all sins.

Kulasekhara Alvar / Kulasekhara Alwar- An Avatar of Kousthubham

Kulasekhara Padi

The Kulasekhar alwar devoutly prayed to be at least a step on the sacred hills.

“Oh!Tirumal who is capable of freeing me from all sins, Universal Lord, Lord of Vengadam! I would like to be feasting at the sight of your coral-like lips even if I could get the form of a stone step in front of your temple at whose doors your devotees, gods and celestial nymphs crowd to worship you”.

In Tirumala temple, the step leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum is called “Kulasekhara Padi” (Kulasekhara’s step).

Kulasekhara Alwar in his “Perumal Tirumozhi” contributed 105 stanzas to the Nalayiram, divided roughly into ten sections, trace in one sense the growth of religious consciousness. In that, he speaks about the interest created in the matter of love towards God.

His devotion did not just stop with following Vaishnavism, but also by showing extreme respect and affection to all Vishnu Bhaktas. He considered them as images of the Lord Himself and treated them with due diligence. All Vishnu Bhaktas, who entered his kingdom were looked upon with great favour and found resource in his palace. However, his growing fondness for the Vishnu Bhaktas did not go well with his ministers. They plotted to ruin the reputation of the devotees in the eyes of their king.

Given this, they stole the Lord’s divine ornaments and blamed the devotees for the same, as they had free access to the Lord’s Sanctum Sanctorum. The king, when apprised of the situation, didn’t accept the accusation and wanted to prove to all that Vishnu Bhaktas would never resort to such tactics. He called for a pot filled with venomous snakes and declared that if the Vishnu Bhaktas had indeed committed the crime, then the snakes would bite him.

Else, he would remain unharmed. In front of all, a pot of snakes was brought and the king put his hand in the pot. Much to the chagrin of his ministers, he wasn’t bitten by snakes. Kulasekhara Alwar considered this as divine providence and felt ecstatic that he was able to prove the innocence of the Vishnu Bhaktas. This incident is just one of many that stand out to prove not only his stead fast devotion to Lord Sri Rama but also his belief in the Vishnu Bhaktas and his reverence of them.

Final Word

Due to his pious devotion, he became the Sixth Alwar and the only royal born to attain such spiritual heights. He is also the only alwar to have the distinction of being called “Kulasekhar Perumal”.

Surya Jayanthi

Surya Jayanthi

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Surya Jayanthi / Rathasapthami

Rathasapthami is also known as ‘Surya Jayanthi’ because it celebrates the power of the Sun God who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Surya is considered Lord Vishnu and hence called Suryanarayana or Pratyaksha Daivam.

Rathasapthami is the festival that falls on the Seventh day of the bright fortnight after the new moon day, in the month ‘Magha’.

Rathasapthami is especially auspicious if it falls on a Sunday. This is a special writeup on the significance of Rathasapthami and How it is celebrated in Tirumala Hill Shrine. It is a festival in which the Sun god (in the form of Surya Narayana) is worshipped. It is also celebrated as the birthday of Sun God as the season changes from this day.

Surya Jayanthi or Rathasapthami

Kumbha Sankramanam

The importance of this Rathasapthami is that the sun is moving from the Makara Rasi (i.e. Capricorn) to the Kumbha Rasi (i.e. Aquarius) known as ‘kumbha sankramanam’.

The charioteer, Aruna, has his feet deformed. Aruna means the dawn. On this day some people go to take a bath in the river before dawn carrying a lamp on their head. Then in the courtyard in front of the house, the sun is worshipped. A picture of the chariot and the seven horses is drawn on the ground. On the four sides ‘rangoli’ is made (designs made with powders) and in the centre, cow dung is burnt.

Then the milk is boiled in earthen vessels while facing the Sun. When the milk boils it is believed it reaches the Sun.

Story of Aruna, the Charioteer of Lord Surya

Rishi Kasyapa had two wives; Kadruva and Vinata (daughter of Daksha). The first wife became the mother of a thousand snakes (Nagas), while the second wife, Vinata gave birth to two eggs, one of which was very late in opening. Therefore, she hastily broke the eggshell because of this a handicapped child (without legs) was born. The loving parents named the child ‘Aruna’.

The second egg opened naturally and ‘Garuda’, the bird with large wings, was born.

Aruna, even though disabled, rose to an exalted position as the charioteer of the Sun-god, Surya. Since ancient times, he continued to spread the Sun’s energy daily around the world, sustaining us with vital nourishment without which life would be impossible. His brother Garuda, also known as Vainateya, became the Vahana (vehicle) for Lord Vishnu.

Early in the morning every day, all living beings look eagerly to the eastern sky awaiting the arrival of Aruna; he does not fail them even a single day. He is ever punctual and appears with his master, Lord Sun, brilliantly painting the sky red (Aruna also means red). Riding majestically across the sky, he guides the seven horses in their majestic travel towards the Western horizon. No wonder that the ancients gratefully named sun-rise after him as Arunodaya, the appearance of Aruna!

Lovingly, his master Surya, the Sun-God, identified himself closely with his devoted charioteer and wanted himself also to be known as Aruna!

Then an offering of ‘khir’ made of wheat is shown to the Sun. In the ‘sup’ (basket for sifting corn) twelve heaps of grain are offered to the sun, the number corresponding to the twelve constellations through which the sun goes. Grain is offered to the Brahmins. Some people show their respect to the sun by bowing twelve times every day to the sun (Surya Namaskar).

Surya Temples

The Sun temple at Konark in Orissa is a famous and ancient temple dedicated to the Sun god. One of the beautifully stone-carved temples at Lakkundi, Gadag District of North Karnataka, built by the Chalukyas in the 10th century, is dedicated to Lord Suryanarayana.

Puranas

The worshipping sun god is nothing new, our Puranas have many instances of it. Lord Sri Rama worshipped the sun god before going for the battle against the King of Lanka, Ravana (also known as the king of Asuras i.e. Rakshasas). King Satrajit also worshipped the sun god and got a gem from him called the Samanthakamani, which is the cause of prosperity, which later on was given to Lord Krishna along with Satyabhama in marriage.

In Tirumala, Rathasapthami figures as one of the important festivals of the year. A one-day Brahmotsavam is held and the Utsava Murthi is carried out in seven vahanams around the main temple precincts during the day.

On Rathasapthami day a special bath is taken with seven yekka/arka/calotropis procera leaves along with ‘Mantrakshathas’ (Rice mixed with Turmeric). One leaf is kept on the head, 2 on the shoulders, 2 on the knees and 2 on the foot while having a bath.

The following mantra on the Sun god is chanted while taking a bath.

“Saptha Saptha Maha Saptha |
Saptha Dweepa Vasundara |
Sapth Arka Parna Madaya |
Sapthamyam Snana Machareth ||”

The Festival performed in Tirumala / Rathasapthami at Tirumala

Rathasapthami or Surya Jayanti is a festival at Tirumala and is a celebration of the Lord as Surya Narayana. Aruna Prasnam, katakam are recited.

As the Sun moves from Dhanur raasi to Makara raasi, the days get warmer. In this important annual festival at Tirumala, Sri Malayappa Swami with Ubhaya Naacchiyars are taken around the four Mada streets on seven different Vahanams from Sunrise to Sunset.

‘Sapthami’ denotes the number ‘7’, So Lord Malayappa Swami is taken for a procession around four mada streets in 7 Vahanams in a single day.

Surya Prabha Vahanam during Rathasapthami / Surya Jayanthi
Surya Prabha Vahanam on the day of Rathasapthami

The 7 Vahanams in the order of usage

  • 1. Surya Prabha Vahanam
  • 2. Chinna Sesha Vahanam
  • 3. Garuda Vahanam
  • 4. Hanumanthavahanam & Chakra Snanam
  • 5. Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam
  • 6. Sarva Bhupala Vahanam
  • 7. Chandra Prabha Vahanam

In the middle of the Utsavam Chakra Snanam is grandly conducted at Swami Pushkarini.

Origin of Swami Pushkarini at Tirumala

Laghu Brahmotsavam

Rathasapthami is celebrated as the Surya Jayanti festival at Tirumala. So it is called a ‘Laghu Brahmotsavam’. Lord Malayappa Swami splendidly adorned with precious Jewels and ornaments will come out for a procesion on Surya Prabha Vahanam from 5:30 AM to 8 AM.

The Procession stops near Nairruti side (South-West Corner) and waits until the Sunrise (Calculated according to Local Sunrise) as soon as the Sun rises, Lord Malayappa Swami in the Surya Prabha Vahanam is offered with Karpoora Harathi (camphor) who bless us in Surya Narayana form and offered with ‘Bakala Bath’ (Curd Rice) Naivedyam. Now the procession reaches the Vahana Mandapam.

  • Lord Malayappa Swami is now seated on the Chinna Sesha Vahanam, and again Visesha Samarpana is performed. He now blesses the devotees in this Vahanam from 9 AM to 10 AM.
  • The next Vahanam is the sacred Garuda Seva. This is the only time the devotees can view the Garuda Vahanam in the Morning, which is a very nice divine experience. This procession goes from 11 AM – 12 NOON.
  • Now Lord Malayappa Swami is taken for a procession on the sacred Hanumantha Vahanam from 1 PM – 2 PM. Lord Malayappa Swami is taken back to Sannidhi.
  • At 2 PM, to perform the Chakra Snanam, Sri Sudarsana Chakram is brought from the Sannidhi and is given a holy dip in the Swami Pushkarini.
  • The Madhyahnika Aradhanam is performed to the Lord now in Sannidhi. Second Bell and Bali are performed.
  • After the Second Bell, Lord Malayappa Swami now blesses devotees along with Consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, in Kalpa Vriksha Vahanam from 4 PM – 5 PM.
  • Sarvabhupala Vahanam is the next one, where Sri Malayappa Swami again comes out for procession with Thayars from 6 PM – 7 PM.
  • The last one and the coldest one, Chandraprabha Vahanam is from 8 PM – 9 PM, after which Lord Malayappa Swami will return to Sannidhi for Night Kainkaryams.

It is spectacular to watch Lord Malayappa Swami on this Rathasapthami day, with 7 Vahanams. Those who miss Brahmotsavam, those who wish to cherish the divine bliss of Brahmotsavam again, can enjoy the divine ecstasy on a single day.

There is also an account stating that in the era of Kings, Brahmotsavams were conducted every month and over time this procedure went out of practice. Now, the remaining Utsavams are conducted on a single day. That is the reason Chakra Snanam is also conducted during Rathasapthami at Tirumala.

Sri Andhra Mahavishnu Temple, Srikakulam

Sri Andhra Mahavishnu Temple, Srikakulam

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Srikakulam Andhra Mahavishnuvu Temple, Srikakulam

Sri Andhra MahaVishnu temple on the banks of Krishna river is located in Srikakulam of Krishna district. Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu told Sri Krishnadevaraya to compose the story of his wedding with Andal at Srirangam. He also ordered the Emperor to tell the story in the Telugu Language.

The Emperor was obliged to compose Amukta Malyada, which is one of the most famous poetic works in Telugu literature.

How to Reach Temple

Srikakulam is located at a distance of 80 Kms from Visakhapatnam and 720 Kms from Hyderabad. Devotees can visit this sacred temple and seek the blessings of Lord Maha Vishnu.

Vishnu – Being the Most Popular Name

Of the limitless holy names of Sri Maha Vishnu, the name ‘Vishnu’ is the most popular sacred name, and Vishnu means one who pervades the whole Universe, and who resides in every animate and inanimate object. The first holy name that occurs in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama is Viswam, meaning the Universe, and the second name is Vishnu and both these sacred names perfectly define the all-pervasive nature of Sri Maha Vishnu.

Of the five forms that the Lord has chosen to bless His devotees, viz., Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Antaryarmi and Archa, the last form Archa is the most popular and easily approachable form. Lord Maha Vishnu resides as Archa Murthi (the vigraha in the temples) in the thousands of shrines found not only through the length and breadth of our country but in overseas lands also.

Most Popular Vishnu Temple

In all these places He is hailed by one of his infinite holy names.

For example,

  • He is Sri Srinivasa in the holy Tirumala Hills,
  • Sri Ranganatha in Sri Rangam,
  • Sri Varadaraja in Kanchipuram

there is a temple in Andhra Pradesh where the Lord is known Maha Vishnu, and as the temple is in Andhra He is known Andhra Maha Vishnu.

12 Alwars

Of the twelve Alwars Perialwar was born as the manifestation of Garuda in Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu and he was blessed by the Lord with a girl who was found under a Tulasi plant. She was named Goda Devi and brought up by the Alwar. Goda Devi popularly known as Andal dedicated her life to the service of Lord Ranganatha and yearned to join Him in the holy wedding.

Lord Ranganatha overwhelmed with her unsullied devotion took her as his Devi. Separate shrines for Sri Goda Devi in Vishnu temples stand testimony to her bhakti. Tiruppavai is the name of the popular Tamil work containing thirty beautiful verses composed by her. Tiruppavai verses are very popular in all the Vishnu temples. The holy verses are sung in Tirumala temple during Dhanur (Margazhi) month.

Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu Temple at Srikakulam set the stage for the king to compose his work Amukta Malyada. The temple is replete with puranic legends and historical incidents to its credit.

Lord Brahma who was much vexed with people of Kali Age steeped in vices and sins, came down to Srikakulam on the banks of Krishna river and performed a severe penance towards Lord Vishnu. The words “Ka” (Brahma) and “aakulam” (mental agony) give the name Srikakulam to this place. Impressed with the penance of Brahma Sri Maha Vishnu appeared before him and removed his misery.

Sri Andhra Mahavishnuvu Temple

Brahma Installing Sri Vishnu

Brahma installed Sri Vishnu in this holy place and worshipped Him. It is believed that even before the advent of the Satavahana dynasty in Andhra Pradesh, which lasted for nearly four centuries until 220 AD, one Emperor Andhra Vishnu ruled this area and in memory of his name this temple was constructed.

This Andhra country is nestled inside the area with three historical and legendary Siva temples situated on its perimeter viz., Srisailam on the west, Bheemeswaram on the south and Kaleswaram on the north sides.

Thrilinga Kshetra

As Andhra is located at the centre of these three Siva (linga) kshetras, the land was called “Thrilinga Kshetra”. The word thrilling became “Telugu” and gave the name to the language also. Legend says that Emperor Andhra Vishnu built a massive fortification enclosing all these three temples! People hailed him as an incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu and called him Srikakulandhra Vishnu.

Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu temple is considered one of the oldest in the country. Here the Lord is called, Srikakuleswara, Andhra Nayakudu (Lord of Andhra), Telugu Vallabudu and Srikakula Devudu.

When the Vijayanagar king Krishna Devaraya during his Kalinga campaign happened to travel through Srikakulam in 1515 he visited Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu temple. When the king was observing Ekadasi fast staying at the temple, Srikakuleswara appeared in his dream and commanded him to compose the story of Goda Devi in the Telugu language.

Well versed in Telugu language and literature the king with the divine assistance of the Lord composed his work Amukta Malyada which is hailed as one of the beautiful literary pieces in the language. The Mandapam where Krishnadevaraya sat and composed the story of Goda Devi was dilapidated during the later centuries.

In the temple of Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu, there are 32 epigraphs of different kings, including those of Krishna Devaraya’s reign. From these, researchers have concluded that this temple might have been here as early as 1010 AD. The temple during the following centuries lost its majesty and significance and during the rule of Chola Kings, they carried out extensive renovation works to the temple, retrieved the vigraha of Sri Mahavishnu from the banks of the Krishna river and reinstalled it in the temple.

Sri Andhra Mahavishnu Temple, Srikakulam

Inside Temple

The main entrance of Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu temple is adorned with a five-tier Rajagopuram and very next to this, Ranga Mandapam and Antharala are located in Sanctum Sanctorum. It is believed that this Ranga Mandapam was famous during the rule of Kakatiya kings.

The pillars of Ranga Mandapam are replete with finely Chiselled figures from Kakatiya and Vijayanagar reigns. Andhra Maha Vishnu with His consorts Rajyalakshmi and Baghyalakshmi have separate sannidhis which were created during Kakatiya rule.

Dwarapalas Jaya and Vijaya stand guard at the entrance of the Sanctum and near them we see the bass relief sculptures of Poorna Kumbas. The garbagriha is known as Bhadra Kodi Vimanam where Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu in his majesty and splendour blesses his devotees. Generally in the idols of Sri Vishnu the rear right and left hands are shown to hold Sudarsana and Shanka (conch) respectively. But Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu holds the Chakra in his left hand and the Conch on the right.

The change is attributed to a fascinating legend. As the Lord chose to reside in this temple as soon as he gave Moksha to the elephant king Gajendra by killing the crocodile with Sudarsana chakra, he shifted his chakra weapon to his left hand, and it is believed that Gajendra Moksham was held in this place, once a dense jungle on the banks of Krishna river. The Lord holds the Padmam (lotus flower) in the front right hand and Gatha on the left.

Finely sculpted Dasavatar Murthis adorn the Prabhavalli around the 12-foot-tall idol of Sri Maha Vishnu. At the base of the Prabhavalli on both sides, we see the idols of Sri and Bhu Devis. Nearby we also see the Utsava idol Sri Chenna Kesava and it is notable that He also wields the Shanka and Chakra in the reverse order.

On the southern prakara of the Sanctum, there is the mandapam where Nithyagni hotram is held. It is said that such a Nithyagni hotra mandapam is in this temple alone in the State. This holy place is believed to have been populated once by Nithya Agni Hotris (vedic scholars who performed agnihotra every day).

In the Dasavatara Sannidhi, the idol of Sri Krishna is missing and it is said that Sri Andhra Maha Vishnu Himself has manifested as Lord Krishna. In the centre of Alwar Acharya Sannidhi, we have the darshan of Lord Ramachandramurthi sitting in Virsana with Sita Devi on his left lap. It is fascinating to see Lord Rama sporting a moustache.

There is also an idol of Sri Mahalakshmi. In the prakara there is a niche where Hanuman and Vishnu idols are installed. In this Vishnu idol also the weapons are seen swapped.

Rathotsavam in the temple is held on Vaisaka Pournami. Sri Ekarathri Prasanna Mallikarjuna Swami enshrined in a separate temple in Srikakulam is adored as the Kshetrapala of the place.

Sri Suryanarayanaswami Temple

Sri Suryanarayanaswami Temple in Arasavalli, part of Srikakulam town, Sri Mukhalingam on the banks of Vamsadhara river at a distance of 48 Kms from Srikakulam and Srikurmam where the rare Kurmavathara temple is located at 18 Kms are some of the ancient and famous temples around Srikakulam.

Naivedhya

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Naivedhya – Food Offered as part of worship

In Hinduism, worship is a ritual of religious devotion directed towards God. Worship is done in different forms or various methods depending upon the groups. It is the essence of loving and being in love with whatever God they adore. One of the steps is to offer Naivedhya to the deity.

Naivedhya, a Sanskrit word meaning supplication, is food offered as part of worship. The Ambrosia is placed before a deity and prayers are offered.

Idol Worship in Hinduism / Naivedhya

The following is the common Mantra recited while offering Naivedhya to the Deity.

“Om bhur bhuvasuvaha,
tat savithur varenyam,
bhargo devasya dhimahi,
dhiyoyo nah prachodayat.
Deva savitah prasuva,
Satyam tvartena parishinchaami,
Amrutah opatarana masi,
Om Pranaaya swaha,
Om Apaanaya swaha,
Om Vyaanaya swaha,
Om Udaanaya swaha,
Om Samaanaya swaha,
Om brahmaney swaha,
Om(name of the God ) namah,
naivedhyami ”

The Naivedhya is then distributed among the devotees or consumed by the households as Maha Prasadam. The offerings may include cooked food, sugar cane, and fruits.

The Naivedhya depends on the Deity worshipped.

For example,

  • Jaggary, Vundrallu (rice laddu) or
  • Banana is generally offered to Lord Ganapathi.
  • Payasam ( rice with milk) Daddojanam (rice with curd preparation) or Chakra Pongal (rice, sugar and milk preparation) are offered to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
  • Hanuman is offered Vada.
  • Santhoshi maa is offered Bengal gram, with jaggary and panakam (jaggary water) to Narasimha, and so forth.

Irrespective of the deity and the method of Puja, Maha Yagnam or Vratam, the most acceptable Naivedya is offering two important fruits, namely, Coconut and Banana as they are perceived as divine or sacred fruits. Some religious stories are attached to these fruits which further signify their importance in offering them to any deity.

A Puja to a deity should normally be done in sixteen steps, called “Shodashopachara Puja”.

Coconut

Sage Viswamitra was the creator of this holy fruit. Trishanku, the Son of Prithu was a king of the Solar Dynasty. His original name was Satyavrat. He served sage Viswamitra with sincere devotion and was pleased with the servitude the sage adored him with a boon. Satyavrat expressed his desire that he should be sent to heaven in the mortal body.

Viswamitra wanted to exhort his ability to defame sage Vasishta and by his extreme powers sent the king to heaven in the physical form of a human being.

No ritual will be complete without breaking a Coconut, symbolising breaking the ego of the person by surrendering completely to the divine. The closely knitted outer fiber represents lust, greed, selfish and jealous nature of human beings and being so, will be immediately peeled out after breaking the same i.e. the ego of the person.

Trishanku Swargam

Indra, Lord of Heaven, bewildered by human beings entering the heaven with mortal bodies, kicked and threw him out of the heaven. Having noticed this with anguish, Viswamitra ordered Satyavrat to hang in between and contrived heaven for him, which is popularly known as Trishanku Swargam (heaven of the Trishanku).

Subsequently, Viswamitra realised that Trishanku falters hanging between Heaven and Earth forever and was supposed to have supported him with a long pole and his head resting on the top of the prop. The pole or prop is termed the Coconut Tree.

Poorna Kalasam

Coconut is known as the “Satwik” fruit and is also termed “Narikela”, “Shrifal” and “Mahafal”. This is a very auspicious fruit as it will adore the vessel for “Poorna Kalasam” (complete vessel) in all functions. Three distinct eyes on the Coconut symbolise the trinity of evolution, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara, the Creator, Preservator and the Desolator.

They also represent human eyes, two apparent and the third one being the eye of knowledge (Gnananetra).

Naivedhyam

BANANA

Kadali was wife of Sage Doorvasa. Once the sage went into a deep sleep and did not get up for his evening Sandhya Vandana (dawn invocation). Unable to decide whether she should wake up the sage to perform the prayer or should not disturb him in deep slumber as it is against the dharma, she preferred the former and woke him up because she was aware that one should not miss the daily invocations.

Having woken up from sleep, Sage in trice cursed Kadali in a daze to become a plant on the earth. She pleaded mercy and requested him to turn her into such a plant, that the leaves, fruits and each part of the plant are useful to serve God. The plant turned out to be Kadali Tree (Banana tree) and the fruit of it is called after her name as Kadaliphal.

Lord Krishna said in Bhagavad Gita, “patram pushpam phalam toyam, yo me bhaktya prayacchatitad aham bhaktyupahrtam, asnami prayatatmanah”

(If one offers Me with Love and Devotion a Leaf, a Flower, a Fruit or Water, I will accept it.)

Here the phalam means the fruits of our success, happiness, love, joy and wealth we derived through the blessings of the Lord in our lifetime.

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