Tag: goda devi

Goda Devi's Marriage

Goda Devi’s Marriage

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On the day of Bhogi which is the last day of Dhanurmasa, the marriage of Goda Devi is celebrated. As soon as the Sun god enters Dhanushrasi, the month of Dhanurmasa commences. The Dhanurmasa remains up to Bhogi. In all temples of Vaishnavaites, the pasurams of the Divine known as TIRUPPAVAI are recited in the early mornings during this Dhanurmasa.

No Suprabhatam during Tiruppavai

In this month, the recitation of Suprabhata is not conducted, instead, Tiruppavai is sung. Godadevi, one of the twelve Alwars Composed this Tiruppavai.

Vishnuchitta

Sri Villiputtur is a village 60 kilometers away from Madurai in Tamilnadu. Therein 725 AD, Bhattanadha was born to the humble parents Mukundacharya and Padmavati, Later Bhattanadha was called “Vishnuchitta”.

Every day, he used to worship God with Tulasi, flower garlands, and offered pujas by composing and reciting Tiruppaland dedicating to Vatapatrasai. As a result, Vishnuchitta was named “Perialwar” which means a great devotee.

Vishnuchitta finding a baby

Once Vishnuchitta discovered a beautiful baby in his grown Tulasi garden felt elated as if goddess Sita was found in the garden. Hence, Vishnuchitta named her “Kodai” in the sense of garland. Over time, she was called “Godadevi”.

Godadevi just like her father nourished and nurtured extreme devotion towards Lord Krishna and at times observed herself in a state of bliss by culminating herself at the feet of Lord Krishna.

Sometimes, she felt ecstatic, when her father made her listen to the divine dispensation, involved herself as a gopika, and loved Lord Krishna as Gopika did in Nandanavana. She also treated him as her husband. She used to garland herself decorated by her father to Lord Krishna.

Story behind Garlands

In addition, she became jubilant by seeing her reflections. Adorning herself with valuable jewels, flowers, and dress, she tried to feel whether she deserved to be beloved of Lord Krishna, questioning herself in her heart of hearts. Noticing this, her father became angry and decided not to garland Lord Krishna which was worn by his daughter.

But one day, Lord Krishna appeared in his dream and told him that she was born virtually as an incarnation of the Goddess of Earth (Bhoodevi), and took birth on the earth to compose hymns in praise of the Lord. Her worn garlands would lend charm and fragrance to Me said Krishna, emotionally moved by this dream Perialwar fondly called her “You are Andal” shedding tears with happiness. Andal means the savior.

Sri MalyappaSwamy Decorated as Goda Devi
Sri MalyappaSwamy Decorated as Goda Devi

Goda devi – Katyani Vratha

Such Godadevi worshipped Lord Krishna to be her husband and performed Katyani Vratha in Dhanurmasa. After some time, Sri Ranganadha, the presiding deity of Srirangam, appeared to Perialwar in a dream and ordained him to see her reach His shrine. At last, Goda Devi married Sri Ranganadha and sublimated herself in the Lord.

Dhanurmasam in Tirumala

That very day is regarded as Bhogi, the last day of Dhanurmasa. As a symbol, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams grandly celebrate Godadevi’s marriage. It is popularly believed those who witnessed this holy marriage would get married soon as well and it strengthens the marital bondage between the couple and women’s chastity would last long.

Dhanurmasa concludes on the day of Bhogi. Goda Kalyanam is celebrated on this day in grandeur. It is performed in the Andal Sannidhi of Sri Govindaraja Swami Temple, Tirupati. On that day the garlands from this Andal Sannidhi are sent to Tirumala temple to adorn them on the Main Deity.

Story of Goda Devi (Andal)

Story of Goda Devi (Andal)

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Born of Goda Devi

Vishnuchitta was born in Sri Villiputtur, in the Sanctum of Vatapatra Sai. He found a baby, in the garden of Tulasi. He named her “Goda” – which means a garland.

Preparing Garlands for Lord

Goda used to prepare the garlands that her father carried to the temple to decorate the Lord. Once she prepared the garlands, she would try them on herself to make sure that they look beautiful and then used to give them to her father for an offering. Unaware of this, Vishnuchitta carried on offering them to the Lord.

One day, he found some hair in the garland. He realized the reason and was worried about the sacrilege committed. But that night the Lord appears in his dream and tells him that he prefers the ones worn by Goda.

Marrying Sri Ranganatha

Vishnuchitta brought her up in an environment of love and devotion towards the Lord. The intensity of her love and dedication towards the Lord grew so much that she decided to marry Sri Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu.

When Andal was nubile, the Alwar began looking for a groom. But Andal insisted that she marries none other than Lord Ranganatha. Vishnuchitta takes Andal to Srirangam.

At the auspicious moment, the Lord marries Andal then she merges with the Lord.

Thus Goda became “Amuktamalyada” Mukta – worn and removed, mala – garland, da – one who gives.

Goda’s Marriage

Goda Kalyanam is performed in all Vishnu temples on Bhogi day with fervor and devotion, especially in the South.

Sri Krishnadevaraya, the famous king of the Vijayanagara empire (16th century) authored “Amuktamalyada”, a prabhanda, based on Goda Devi’s story.

He introduces the legends of Vishnuchitta, Yamunacharya, Khandikhya, and Kesidwaja to establish the philosophy of Vishistadvaita.

Dhanurmasam At Tirumala

Dhanurmasam At Tirumala

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Dhanurmasam

‘Dhanurmasa’ is considered as highly auspicious for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. The beginning of Dhanurmasa is marked by the transit of the Sun into ‘Dhanur ’ rasi.

This is also called ‘Dhanus Sankramana’. According to Sanatana Dharma, Devas wakeup early in the morning during this month. They perform special prayers to Sri Maha vishnu during the auspicious period of ‘Bramhi Muhurtha’, which is one and a half hours before sunrise.

Srikrishna in Bhagavad Gita says – ‘Maasaanaam Maarga Seershoham….’ – ‘I manifest more in Margashirsha Masam among the different months of the year ’.

Worshipping Lord Vishnu on a single day during Dhanurmasa is equal to worshipping Vishnu with devotion for 1000 years. Special worship is conducted in all ancient Vishnu shrines throughout South India and some parts of North India.

The holy festival ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ is celebrated on an Ekadasi during the bright half of Dhanurmasam.

Worship of Lord Srinivasa – Dhanurmasam

Naivedyam

During the Dhanurmasa Naivedyam, special food offerings like Jaggery Dosa, Mudgannam (Katte Pongali), Sundal, Seera are offered every day to Lord Srinivasa.

Goda Kalyanam

The holy month of Dhanurmasa concludes with the Bhogi festival on the 30th day and Goda Kalyanam ritual is performed in Tirupati Sri Govindaraja Swami temple Andal Sannidhi.

Also, flower garlands from Sri Andal Sannidhi are sent to Tirumala and are adorned on the Dhruva Beram of Srivaru, during Madhyamika Aradhana.

Those who worship Lord Vishnu in this holy month of Dhanurmasa will be conferred with the choicest blessings of Lord Srinivasa and by his eternal grace, devotees are blessed with health, wealth, peace and prosperity in this world and attain Vishnu Loka prapti at the end of their lives.

Vaikunta Ekadasi

During the Dhanurmasam, Margasira Sukla Ekadasi, or Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated with religious fervor.

Adhyayanotsavam

The annual Adhyayanotsavam celebrations are observed for 23 days during Dhanurmasam. ‘Adhyayana’ in Sanskrit means practice and is synonymous with repetition, or recitation of any subject matter.