Tag: Divya Desam

A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples that is mentioned in the works of the Alvars, there are total 108 Divya Desams.

Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple (Thirucherai) - 108 Divya Desams

Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple (Thirucherai) – 108 Divya Desams

Posted on by

Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple (Thirucherai)

Thirucherai and Thirukkannamangai divya desams are approximately 110 km east of Srirangam and just south and southeast of the temple town of Kumbakonam. Both are located in small villages about 20km apart.

Location

This village is located just north of Kudamuruti river just south of Kumbakonam and Natchiyarkoil.

Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple – Google Maps Location.

Sthalapuranam

Lord Brahma was concerned during pralaya about saving the Vedas and all other things required to restart creation. He prayed to Lord Vishnu about it. He was told to make a strong earthen pot and store all his needs in it. It was the earth he found at Thirucherai that proved to be strong and good.

Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple (Thirucherai)

Saranathan – Saranayaki – Sara Theertham

Due to his role in saving all this,

  • the Lord is known as ‘Saranathan’,
  • the universal mother is ‘Saranayaki’, and
  • the place is ‘Sarakshetram’ (Panchasara kshetram).

The temple pond is called ‘Sara Theertham’.

When asked which was the best of rivers, Lord Brahma informed Kaveri that since he washed Trivikrama’s feet in the waters, the Ganges is the most superior of all rivers. Kaveri desiring the same status did penance for Lord Vishnu who granted her wishes – to remain in Thirucherai always and that during Tula month (Oct-Nov) she would be deemed the best of rivers.

It is also said that the temple was built by one of the ministers of Naik kings who secretly constructed it using material meant for Rajagopalaswamy temple at Mannargudi. An angered king visited to inspect and found a Rajagopalan shrine which appeased his anger.

Special features

The temple is from the middle chola period and there is a mention of this temple in ancient writings from 6th century of the current era. Since the Lord appeared as a child to Kaveri to test her devotion, she is seen in this temple as a mother with a child in her lap. Here the Lord is seen holding a Padmam (Lotus) in his hand which is a posture associated with Paramapadham.

Mangalasasanam

As in quite a few cases, Thirumangai Alwar is the only one who has done mangalasasanam at this temple. Thirumangai Alwar says that whoever sees the Lord in Thircherai and appreciates that he is just as he is in Paramapadham with his dark cloud-like form with buzzing bees around him will always have his attention also.

He identifies the bhaktas as those who worship the Lord at Thirucherai as the bhaktas of the Lord who drew the life out of Puthana and made her fall dead on the ground; the same Lord who has the flower-eyed and flower resident Mahalakshmi on his chest; the same Lord as the one who in Rama avatar chopped the nose and ears off cruel Soorpanakha.

Only a sample of thirteen pasurams is presented here.

CLICK HERE for the list of 108 Divya Desams.

Sri Oppiliappan Temple - Thirunageswaram (Thiruvinnagar) - 108 Divya Desams

Sri Oppiliappan Temple – Thirunageswaram (Thiruvinnagar) – 108 Divya Desams

Posted on by

Sri Oppiliappan Temple – Thirunageswaram (Thiruvinnagar)

Thiruvinnagar, more popularly known as Oppiliappan Koil is an unusual temple. On the southern bank of the Kaveri River, it is also very well connected by all forms of road transport. This was constructed during the mid chola period in the 8th century with additions by Nayaks later. The exact date of origin of the temple is not known.

Location

Kumbakonam is about 83 km due east of Srirangam between Kaveri and Nattar rivers. Thiruvinnagar or Oppiliappan temple is seven km further east of Kumbakonam.

Click here for Google Maps location – ( Arulmigu Sri Oppiliappan Temple)

Sthalapuranam

It is said Tulasi once prayed to Lord Narayana to be as close to Him as Mahalakshmi is to Him. The Lord told her that Mahalakshmi would be born under a Tulasi bush. He also promised Tulasi that garlands made of her flowers and leaves would always remain special to Him. When Mahalakshmi was found under the Tulasi bush, she was raised as the daughter of Markandeya Maharishi as Bhumi Devi.

Once she reached the age for marriage, during the month of Panguni on Thiruvonnam star on Ekadashi tithi, Lord Narayana decided to test Markandeya further and came up to him in the disguise of a very old man and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

Not realizing what was happening, Markandeya said you are old, my daughter is young and so this is not proper to ask. The old man replied that he was old only in appearance and that he was young at heart. He also sat down and refused to move unless Markandeya agreed to give his daughter in marriage.

Markandeya said she is inexperienced. She may serve you food mistakenly cooked without salt. You will get angry with her as a result. The old man said your daughter’s salt-less food is what is the best food for me. I will not move till you agree.

Panicking, Markandeya prayed to the Lord for guidance on the issue. The Lord appeared before his mind’s eye. When he opened his eyes, the same Lord was in front of him. Markandeya realized that the old man was Lord Narayana. He married off his daughter to the Lord and made the Lord his son-in-law. Thus, the place is called after the Lord who eats only salt-free food ‘Uppiliappan’.

Another interpretation of the name derives from the aneesa or the incomparable nature of the Lord. In Tamil Oppilla means ‘without equal’. The Lord Narayana is considered a father without equal or Oppilla-appan. (Please see Nammalwar’ s mangalasasanam below).

Sri Oppiliappan Temple - Thirunageswaram (Thiruvinnagar) Deities

Special Features

As mentioned earlier, all prasad in this temple is salt-free. It is considered a sin to bring salted food into the temple from the outside. This is the only temple where this restriction is honored totally.

  • The Moolavar (main deity) and Utsavar (processional deity) both carry the same names.
  • The Lord is Oppiliappan or Srinivasan.
  • The mother of the universe is Bhumi Devi.

The moolavar (main deity) is seen in a standing posture with Bhumi Devi seated in front on his right along with Markandeya Maharishi seated on His left in the sanctum in Kalyana Thirukkolam. The vimana is Suthananda vimana – one that always gives happiness.

Ahoratra Pushkarani

The temple tank is called ‘Ahoratra Pushkarani‘ as one can bathe in it round the clock, even at night. This place is considered the equivalent of Tirupati.

Akasanagari

Lord Oppiliappan is considered the elder brother of Tirupati Lord Srinivasan. This sthalam is considered the equivalent of Sri Vaikunta and is referred to as Akasanagari. The Lords of various temples went to Alwar Thirunagari to give Archa-rupa darshan to Nammalwar so that he may sing about them.

Five Forms

Lord Oppilliappan gave darshan in five forms –

  1. Ponnappan,
  2. Maniyappan,
  3. Muthappan,
  4. Ennappan, and
  5. Thiruvinnagarappan.

Mangalasasanam

In Thiruvaimozhi, Nammalwar dedicates 11 pasurams (3249 to 3259) on seeing the Lord in Thiruvinnagar. He joyously claims to have seen the Lord at Thiruvinnagar as the Lord came to him and claimed Nammalwar as his very own. In these eleven pasurams he goes on to point out that the Lord showed him five forms –

  1. Ponnappan,
  2. Maniappan,
  3. Muthappan,
  4. Thiruvinnagarappan, and
  5. finally Ennappan or my father!

It is the Lord who gave him salvation in the shade of His divine feet.

As the decade ends he says those who worship the Lord at Thiruvannagar and have read and understood these eleven pasurams by Satagopa will surely reach the status of Nitya-suris in the eternal service to Him.

In Peria Thirumozhi, Thirumangaialwar (1448 to 1477) questions the Lord why He has abandoned him in samsara just to experience archa rupa in various sthalams. He says “To save Indra and devas, you went begging. Then you also churned the ocean so that they will consume nectar and live forever. You solved Rudra’s problem by cleansing him so he could acquire fame. I don’t need any of these.

All I ask is salvation to Paramapadham. You are capable of putting together things that cannot be put together.

With that ability why are you not helping me? You alone have that right as all of creation resides in You.” Like this, Alwar poses arguments on why the Lord should grant him salvation and how such an act by the Lord is justified based on other actions of the Lord. This interchange is carried on in thirty-four pasurams. He ends by compelling the Lord and the Divine Mother (at Thiruvinnagar) that they need to tell him the time at which they will grant him his salvation.

Further in Thirunedunthandagam (2080), Thirumangai alwar calls Thiruvinnagar the place where the Lord resides. He identifies the Lord as the one who churned the ocean of milk, who damned the salty sea, and who won over Nappinnai in Krishna’s avatar.

Samudra-Manthan-The-Churning-of-the-Ocean-of-Milk
The asuras (left) and devas (right) churn the Ocean of Milk.

 

Peyalwar in Moonraam Thiruanthathi (2342) refers to Thiruvinnagar as one of the great locations where the Lord appeared eternally young to make his bhakta his very own. In the very next pasuram he refers to many sthalams and lists Thiruvinnagar amongst them as the place where Thiruvikrama who accepted water from Mahabali’s kamandalu (to make all that was Mahabali’s his very own), stood.

Om Namo Narayanaya

Thirukkudanthai - Kumbakonam (108 Divya Desams)

Thirukkudanthai – Kumbakonam (108 Divya Desams)

Posted on by

Thirukkudanthai – One of 108 Divya Desams

The town of Kumbakonam or Thirukkudanthai is renowned as a center for Vaishnavaite and Saivite culture and many temples of both faiths dot the landscape. Historically it has been around since the early Chola period. Since sangham period it has been ruled by Early, mid, and later Cholas, Pandya, Vijayanagar, and Nayaks.

It has been known for long as a center of Hindu cultural learning. We will focus only on the Srivaishnavaite aspect of Thirukkudanthai with particular emphasis on Sri Sarangapani temple. Many regard the shrine as one of the most important Srivaishnavaite temples along with Srirangam, Tirupati, Kanchipuram, and Thirumaliruncholai.

Location

About 85km due east of Srirangam along the southern bank of the Kaveri River, is Kumbakonam or Thirukkudanthai in Tamil Nadu in South India.

Sthalapuranam

The Sage Brighu went to Sri Narayana’s abode in Ksheera sagar to test the Lord’s patience. Unhappy with the attention being not given to him, Brighu kicked the Lord in his chest. Mahalakshmi who always resides the Lord’s left chest got angry (because Sri Narayana did not chastise Brighu for kicking where she resides) and left Sri Vaikunta. Vishnu followed her to earth and but she remained angry with him. It is said that he lived below ground as Patala Srinivasa till her anger cooled down.

Then sage Brighu apologized and was reborn as Hemarishi who prayed that Mahalakshmi should be born as his daughter. Mahalakshmi emerged from the Potramarai tank amidst lotuses as the daughter of Hemarishi. Hence the name Kamalavalli.

Vaidheeka vimana

The Lord, in a reclining posture, descended from Sri Vaikunta in a chariot drawn by horses and elephants. That is why the sanctum of Sri Araavamudha (ever-sweet nectar) is shaped in the form of a chariot drawn by horses and elephants. There are two entrances to the sanctum – Dakshinayana and Utharayana entrances. The vimana is called Vaidheeka vimana.

The temple pond is Hemavalli Pushkarani. It is said that the Vaidheeka Vimana and Pranavakruthi Vimana are two parts of a whole. The Lord arrived under Vaidheeka Vimana on Makara Sankranthi day to wed Kamalavalli.

Thirukkudanthai - Kumbakonam (108 Divya Desams)

Special Features

When Thirumazhisai Alwar reached this temple during his wanderings, he is said to have asked the Lord if after walking so much in Rama avataar and measuring it as Vamana, after picking up mother earth in Varaha avataram, is he shaken and tired? Can he not rise and receive the Alwar who is his guest? On hearing this Sri Araavamudha got ready to rise.

Shaken by the Kindness of the Lord in listening to his devotee, Thirumazhisai Alwar requests him…please remain as you are. The Lord freezes in the half-arisen posture. It is known as udhdhana sayi in Sanskrit and Sarangapani temple is the only place in the world where the Lord can be seen in this posture.

One version of the story goes that Sri Nathamuni while worshipping Sri Araavamudha heard a few devotees recite some Tamil pasurams ending with the line “These ten of the thousand that Satagopa wrote”. When he enquired, he was told that they knew no more and maybe he should enquire in Alwar Thirunagari with the descendants of Madurakavi Alwar. Thus began the search which ended with the grace of Nammalwar in reestablishing the four thousand pasurams in current use. The Lord is referred to as ‘Sri Araamudhalwan’.

This temple has no Sorga Vaasal as one worships the Lord in his chariot arriving from Sri Vaikunta. Any darshan of the Lord here results in salvation.

Since this is the birthplace of Kamalavalli, the Lord is considered to be the in-house son-in-law! The priority of worship goes to the mother of the Universe whose natal home is this.

The main deity (Sri Aravamudan) and processional deity (Sri Sarangapani) are treated with equal regard here. Consequently, the temple is referred to as Ubhaya Pradhana Divya Desa. A devotee of the Lord who served him died on Diwali day issueless. Before death, he requested the Lord to arrange for someone to perform his last rites.

To this day, every Diwali day the Lord performs (through the priest or Archaka) the annual shradh ceremony in strict privacy at the sanctum.

Mangalasasanam

There are 52 pasurams by seven Alwars about this temple. Amongst the 108 Divya Desam, this temple is the sixth most sung-about temple.

In Irandaam Thiruvandadhi, Bhoothatalwar (2251) says the Lord resides in many places including Thirukkudanthai. In another pasuram (2278) he says the Lord of Nityasuris has taken up residence in Thirukkudandhai on the bed of many hooded Adhisesha.

In Mundraam Thiruandadhi, Pey Alwar, says (2311) that places such as Ksheera Sagar, Paramapadham, Vengadam, and Thirukkudanthai are the places where it pleases the Lord to reside. In another pasuram (2343) he calls Thirukkudanthai the center of the world and says this is where he who accepted water from Mahabali Chakravarthy in the gifting ritual lives.

In Naanmugan Thiruandadhi, Thirumazhisai Alwar (2417) lists the shrines such as Thirukkudanthai where the Lord is resting on Adhisesha and says he rests purely to enter the hearts of his devotees. In Thiruchandaviruttam, he refers to the Lord as the one who is resting (807) in Thirukkudanthai after severing the ten heads of Ravana. He refers to incidents in the Rama avatar and Krishna avatar in the next few pasurams (807-812) and ends by asking the Lord after all this walking in the Rama avatar, after picking Bhumi Devi in the Varaha avatar, are you so tired that you are unable to rise to receive me, your guest.

Perialwar in Perialwar Thirumozhi (188) refers to the Lord of Thirukudanthai as he who split the chest of Hiranyakasipu into two.

Andal in her Natchiyar Thirumozhi (628) claims to have fallen under the spell of the Lord resting on a tender banyan leaf. She refers to him as he who is resting in Thirukkudanthai and asks that his basil leaves be brought over and applied to her hair.

Nammalwar in his Thiruvaimozhi (3194-3203) refers to Aramudhan as the sweet-tasting nectar that has taken residence in his heart. He also refers to him as he who has taken up residence in Thirukkudanthai.

Thirumangai Alwar in Thiruvezhukuttrirukkai, (2672) (inscribed on the wall near the entrance to the temple) towards the end refers to Thirukkudanthai as the place where the brahmins utter veda-suktas in the presence of the lord who rests on Adhisesha.

Finally, the best reference to the Lord of Thirukkudanthai is by Nammalwar, the one pasuram (amongst ten) (3203) which centuries later led to the revival of Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Nammalwar welcomes the Lord into his heart as the handsome one who is named and is Araamudham and being the sweet nectar, he fills his devotees with sweetness. He is also one who will cut the bond to samsara and rule over the devotee. The name of the Lord says it all – Aaraa Amudhan!! Only a sample of fifty-four pasurams is presented here.

Om Namo Narayana

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple (Divya Desam)

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple (Divya Desam)

Posted on by

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple

Thirunaraiyur or Thirunariyur or Natchiarkoil or Natchiyar Koil (temple) is located in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. It has many unusual features associated with it such as Universal Mother having priority over the Lord and Kal Garudan.

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple – Location

The village is located a dozen kilometers to the south and east of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. The area is rich in important temples of Vishnu. It is believed to have been constructed in the 3rd century with additions by later Cholas and Vijayanagar kings.

Click here for the map’s location.

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple – Sthalapuranam

Medhavi Rishi prayed here to receive Lakshmi as his daughter. Consequently, Neela Devi was found by Medhavi below the maghizham tree, hence the name ‘Vanjulavalli’. The Lord came down in his Vyuha form and married her.

The Lord is known as ‘Thirunaraiyur Nambi’, Srinivasa, Vyuhavasudevan (as opposed to Paravasudevan in Srirangam), and Suganthavananathan. The Universal Mother is known as Vanjulavalli, Nambikkai Natchiyar. Both the moolavar and utsavar carry the same names.

Both the Lord and the Universal Mother give darshan in their Kalyana Thirukkolam. They both gave darshan to Medhavi Rishi, Brahma and other deities who came to attend the wedding. It is said that the Lord holds the conch and discus in the same manner in which he did Panchasamskara to Thirumangai Alwar. This is also where Alwar wrote ‘Siriya Thirumadal‘ and ‘Periya Thirumadal‘.

At one stage Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam asked Thirumangai Alwar for a madal in Srirangam also. Alwar replied that Madal was for Natchiyar Koil and Mathil was for Srirangam since he had already built the compound wall for the Srirangam temple.

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple – Special Features

This temple is the object of praise of the fifth largest collection of (110) pasurams sung by one of the Alwars. In this shrine, the primacy is accorded to the Universal mother. Natchiyar has the first offering of all food items and then only the Lord receives it. To indicate this Natchiyar is a little bit ahead of the Lord in the sanctum.

The Lord also holds the Sudarshana and Panchajanya slightly forward as if ready to do Panchasamskara.

Kal Garuda - Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple

This is where the Lord initiated Thirumangai Alwar into Panchasamskara to initiate him into Sri Vaishnavism. This was one of the demands by Kumudavalli to marry Thirumangai alwar. This is the only place where the Lord has initiated Panchasamskara for anyone. Kal Garuda feels heavier as one carries him further away from the shrine and lighter as one approaches the shrine. The Garuda seva with Kal Garuda as a vehicle for the Lord is very famous. Srirangam is known for Mahalakshmi.

Srivilliputtur is known for Bhumi Devi. Similarly, this shrine is known for Neela Devi. Besides Tiruvallikenni (in Chennai) this is the only other temple where the Vimana above the sanctum is shaped like a gopuram (tower).

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple – Mangalasasanam

This temple is sung by Thirumangai Alwar primarily. When Kumudavalli made it a condition of the marriage that he should become a Srivaishnavaite, Alwar requested and received Panchasamskaram from the Lord at this temple. This can be seen even today at the sanctum.

Consequently, all the pasurams about this temple are by this Alwar only. All 110 pasurams fall into one of two categories. Some are in praise of the Archa avatar of the Lord at this temple. The rest are in the Nayaka–Nayaki bhava expressing his unending love for the Lord.

Either way, it is a running conversation where the Alwar keeps asking for salvation. The Lord liking the Alwar’s pasurams replies in such a way as to receive yet another pasuram from Alwar.

In Peria Thirumozhi, Thirumangai Alwar identifies this temple where one can worship the Lord who was born as Krishna and who destroyed Asuras. He asks the Lord for entry to Srivaikunta and the Lord says only after death. So Alwar immediately sang asking us to worship the Lord at Thirunaraiyur till we die. Alwar also points out that this is the place where the Lord rests.

This is the same Lord who churned the ocean to obtain nectar and eliminate the suffering of Devas, holding sudharshana in his right hand and Panchajanya in his left. He also identifies the Lord of Naraiyur as the one who came in Narasimha form to help Prahalada (who was born in an asura family) at the mere mention of the Lord’s name.

Alwar indicates that despite considering himself as Nayaki and the lord as Nayaka, the Lord has not showered his grace on him.

By writing the two Madal (Siriya Thirumadal and Periya Thirumadal) poems he threatens to make public the neglect by the Lord. Madal-Oorthal is an ancient custom of making public the neglect of a lover by the loved one. Only a small sample from the 110 pasurams are cited here.

Click here for more details.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam (Divya Desam)

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam (Divya Desam)

Posted on by

Srirangam is an island with the Kaveri River on the south and the Kollidam distributary on the north. The Kaveri River divides into two west of the island and combines east of the island. The temple is in the midst of the island and the newly built Raja Gopuram can be seen from miles away as one approaches.

The Lord is ‘Ranganatha’ resting on Adi Sesha; the Mother Goddess is ‘Ranganayaki Thayar’. The vimana is Pranavakruthi Vimana with ‘Chandra Pushkarani’ as the temple pond.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Sri Ranganatha Swamy – Location

The town of Srirangam is about 10 km due north of Tiruchirappalli railway junction in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu on the National highway 320 km south of Chennai. It can be reached by air (Trichy airport), by train (Srirangam and Tiruchirappalli junction) and by road using the National Highway (NH).

Click here for Google Maps Location

Sri Ranganatha Swamy – Sthalapuranam

Maharishi Valmiki in his Adi kavya, Ramayana, clearly states in the 128th sarga in Yudhdha kanda that Lord Rama gifted the titular deity of the Ikshvaku clan (earlier said to be worshipped by Lord Brahma in Satyaloka) to King Vibheeshana. This very same idol was received by King Ikshvaku (ancestor of Rama) from Brahma at his request after severe tapas.

The King of Lanka carried the idol south from Ayodhya and paused to rest on Kaveri River Island and set the idol down. Liking the locale, the Lord decided to stay there and told the Lankan king that he will face south towards Lanka. Thus, came into existence the temple and later the town of Srirangam.

This idol in the temple is associated with Rama Avatara of Vishnu and there are references to this idol in Silapadhikaram which is 2000 or more years old.

Srirangam Gopuram

Sri Ranganatha Swamy – Special features

It is said that Goddess Lakshmi comes to the temple daily to worship. Vibheeshana also visits regularly to worship the Lord. Kamba Ramayana was launched first in the four-pillared mandapam near the Ranganayaki Thayar’s shrine. Alavandar spent many years of his life in Srirangam and was instrumental in bringing Ramanuja to life in Srirangam.

Ramanuja resided in Srirangam for a major part of his life and completely systematized the procedure of temple management and worship here. It still bears his stamp today.

Part of his codification of temple rituals led to the preservation of Divya Prabhandams. He wrote the three Gadyams here in Srirangam and sang them in the presence of the Divine couple. Some say that the Lord and His Consort were in open conversation with Ramanuja during the recital of the Gadya Traya.

There is a legend that his sareera is still preserved in the Vasantha mandapam where it was laid to rest after Ramanuja ascended to Srivaikuntam at the end of his mortal existence. The Arayar seva where the hymns (pasurams) are set to music and dance is a very famous feature of this temple and can be witnessed even today.

The Paduka sahasram was compiled by Vedanta Desika in Srirangam in one night. If one goes for a walk around the many concentric streets, it is easy to spot the residences of these Acharyas or preceptors even today. Among the kings and dynasties who supported this temple with gifts of buildings, jewelry, and money were the kings of Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagar, Hoysala, Ganga, and the Nayak dynasties just a few who can be readily named.

The chariot festivals and golden and silver Garuda Vahanam festivals are justly famous in January and April. The horse vahanam and the popular highspeed dash (vayyalli) are eagerly watched by all devotees. The opening of Paramapada Vasal in December- January of every year is very well known.

The grace of Ranganatha and Ranganayaki is so all-encompassing that anything a devotee prays for is granted by them.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy – Mangalasasanam

All but one of the Alwars have sung in praise of the Lord. All the alwars at one time or the other during their lifetime visited Srirangam and many lived there. Kulasekhara Alwar opens his Perumal Thirumozhi by saying that the gentle waves of river Kaveri caress his divine feet as the gem of a divine form rests on Adisesha.

Andal who started her life in Srivilliputtur finally realized her heart’s desire by merging with Lord Ranganatha making her father Perialwar the Lord’s father-in-law. Perialwar summarises Lord Ranganatha best when he says that the Lord is resting head to the west, feet to the east, back to north and facing South. Seeing Him, Alwar helplessly melts out of love and surrenders.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam (Divya Desam)

Perialwar was addressed as the father-in-law and was told by the Lord to return to Srivilliputtur after his daughter Andal merged with Ranganatha at the end of her wedding. Thondaradipodi Alwar maintained a garden to supply flowers to the temple.

This Alwar sang the pasuram (called Thirupalliezhuchi) which is used to awaken the Lord not only in Srirangam but also in all the Vishnu temples. He also wrote the pasuram that said “Your form is like an emerald mountain, your lips choral red, your eyes like lotus and said even if I get the chance to be the king of celestials, I would not want it when compared to the pleasure of seeing you and singing about you Oh Lord of Srirangam.”

Thiruppaan Alwar sang ten pasurams (Amalan-adhi-piran) describing the Lord from thiru-adi to his thiru-mudi upon seeing Lord Ranganatha for the first and final time as he merged with the Lord at the end of the tenth pasuram.

The wall surrounding the temple was built by Thirumangai Alwar who resorted to any means to fund the building. There are many legends narrating these incidents of fund collection. One of these events (Vedupari) is celebrated as a festival in December-January every year.

Thirumangai Alwar says that one look at Ranganatha and his sins evaporate like water on hot iron (Thiruvezhukutrirukkai)!

There are 247 Pasurams about Sri Ranganatha with direct reference and many more referring to the Lord indirectly. It is ‘The Temple’ (Peria Kovil), Ranganatha is ‘The Lord’ (Peria Perumal) and Ranganayaki is ‘The Universal Mother’ for all the bhaktas.

108 Divya Desams – Home Page