Nachiyar Tirumozhi Archives - Tirumala Tirupati Yatra

Everything about the Tiruvadipooram Festival

Sri Maha Vishnu liberated Sri Bhu Devi who was kept under the ocean by the Hiranyaksha. Sri Bhu Devi was quite relieved and prayed to God to pronounce the method by which people, who were suffering in the miserable world, could be liberated from the Ocean of Samsara (just like She was liberated from the Deep Ocean).

Lord Vishnu said, “If one surrenders to Him with deep faith, He will liberate and lead him to His permanent abode, Vaikunta, where there will be only everlasting delight and happiness.” These words prompted Sri Bhu Devi to incarnate Herself in this world, as Sri Goda Devi otherwise called Sri Andal and propagate the theme of ‘saranagati’ or self surrender through her two works of Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi and by Her devotional performance.

Twelve Alvars

The twelve Alwars are divine saints, blessed by the Lord, who took ‘avatars’ in the world to spread ‘bhakti’ and ‘saranagati’ cults in this world. Among them, Sri Vishnu Chittar who came to be known as Periyalvar is a significant Alwar and whose works are the first ones to be incorporated in Nalayira Divya Prabandham in the Mudalayiram part.

He was born in Sri Villiputhur in the southern part of India. He was doing ‘Maala Kainkaryam’ to the Lord in the temple of Sri Vatpatrasayee. He was looking after the garden of the temple, cultivating fragrant flowers and Tulasi in particular. By the grace of the Lord, He found a female child in the Tulasi garden and brought her to his home.

He named her Goda (a beautiful garland) and brought her up well, teaching the stories of Srimad Bhagavatam. She grew up with deep devotion to Lord Krishna. She was none other than the incarnation of Sri Bhu Devi. It may be noted that Sita Devi (incarnation of Sri Devi) was also found while tilling the ground by King Janaka to construct ‘yagasala.’

Similarly, Goda Devi was also found in the Tulasi garden. Both of them were born divine. The day on which Sri Goda Devi was found and adopted as the child of Sri Periyalvar, is in the month of ADI (Tamil month corresponding to July-August) with the star POORAM (Pubba) and is considered a very auspicious day and is celebrated as ‘Tiruvadipooram’.

Sri Goda Devi / Sri Andal

Sri Goda Devi has come to be known as Sri Andal. Lord was very much pleased with Her deep devotion and even preferred the garland already worn by her. Swami Desikan opines that Sri Vishnu Chittar became Periyalvar as he offered the garland to the Lord worn by Sri Goda Devi.

Sri Andal authored two Prabandhams. In her Tiruppavai which contains thirty pasurams, she converts herself as a cowherd and expresses her love to Lord Krishna and finally surrenders to Him. This Prabandha is considered to be ‘saranagati’ Veda.

In her other Prabandham Nachiyar Tirumozhi, which contains 143 pasurams, she expresses her devotion to the Lord, particularly to Archavatara (idol form) – Srirangam, Tirumala, Azhagarkoil, Tirukudanthai, Tirukkanapuram, Madhura, Brindavan etc.

In one of the decads she reveals a dream that she had, wherein she is getting married to the Lord – called Varanamaayiram, which is chanted during every marriage function in Sri Vaishnavaite homes and Sri Vishnu temple even today.

As desired by her, Sri Periyalvar got married to Lord Sri Ranganathan of Srirangam. Sri Goda Nachiyar as she is called is enshrined in almost all Sri Vishnu temples and the Tiruvaadippooram festival is celebrated grandly. Tirukalyana Utsavam is performed for Sri Andal with the presiding deity on that day, with pomp and pleasure.

The Tiruvadipooram Utsavam in Sri Villiputtur is unique and fascinating

Srivilliputtur situated in South India is famous, for having shrines for Sri Vatapatrasayee and Sri Andal-Rangamannaar (two different temples side by side). This temple town has a reference in Sri Varaha Purana. It is also known as Varahakshetram, then Puduvai (as referred by Sri Periyalvar in his works) and Dhanvapuri etc. The temple boasts itself with a very big Gopuram.

The shrine of Sri Vatapatrasayee, the birth place of Sri Andal can be seen and worshipped. The Tiruvadipooram festival in Sri Villiputhur attracts thousands of devotees and is celebrated for about ten days. Sri Andal was grand in appearance because of different types of beautification.

The ‘alankarams’ of the Lord keeping His head on the lap of Sri Andal are famous in the world. During the ‘utsavam,’ on a particular day, five gods from nearby towns come to Srivilliputtur to join the festival in Garuda Vahana, when devotees throng there in thousands. The Rathotsavam is the most fascinating festival for which devotees come in thousands to witness and get the blessings of the divine couple Sri Andal and Sri Rangamannar.

Sri Andal blesses everyone with peace and prosperity who visits her. Andal is said to bless marital bliss between the couple and also grants quick marriage who aspire for it.

In Tirupati

In Tirupati, Sri Andal has a separate ‘sannidhi’ in Sri Govindaraja swami temple. Here also the Tiruvadipooram festival is celebrated with religious fervour. Grand Abhishekam to Sri Andal is performed. She was adorned with new silk ‘vastrams’. The sacred idols of Sri Govindarajaswami and Sri Andal are taken in procession round the temple. The festival concludes with Tiruppavai Sattumurai.

Sri MalyappaSwamy Decorated as Goda Devi — Sri Malyappa Swamy Decorated as Goda Devi

Final Word

Let us invoke the blessings of Sri Goda Devi on Her Tirunakshatram. Sri Andal’s Tiruvadipooram, utsavam will start on 29th July and end with Sattumurai on 7th August this year (2024).

Article by – Sri Anantha Madabhooshi

Divya Prabandha Ghoshti

The annual 9-day festival originally believed to be initiated by Lord Brahma Himself aeons ago, the Tirumala Brahmotsavam, continuously gets better in execution year after year. This festival is not like any other festival held in Tirumala for Lord Malayappa Swami.

What makes this unique is the fact that this is open to all who can visit Tirumala during those nine days and that throws a huge challenge in terms of managing lakhs of devotees who throng to have a glimpse of the Lord on 15 celestial vahanas bedecked with jewels.

The other great aspect is continuation of the codified tradition established by Sri Ramanuja almost a thousand years ago on what divine songs of Alwars to be recited and when the 2 Jeeyangars or the pontiffs, who are called H H Periya Koil Kelvi Appan and H H Siriya Koil Kelvi Appan, lead the holy congregation called ‘Divya Prabandha Ghoshti‘ who could sing the Divya Prabandham, all of 4000 hymns, recalling from their memory without any written aid.

Another striking aspect, as in other Vishnu temples also, is this Ghoshti leads the procession of the Brahmotsavam and it is established that the Lord follows this Ghoshti in an attempt to relish this Divine nectar of Divya Prabandham.

Now, let us get into the details of the recitation practice established and followed in Brahmotsavams.

Mudhal Thiruvandaadi

In the evening of the first day Lord along with His Consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, take the Pedda Seshavahanam. The Lord and His Consorts eagerly wait till they arrive at Tirumalai Nambi Sannidhi on South Mada street, to follow the Ghoshti. The Ghoshti begins with the first-ever Prabandham of the first Alwar called Poigai Alwar.

The jeeyangars lead the Ghoshti in reciting ‘Mudhal Thiruvandaadi‘ which has 10 hymns out of the full 100, dedicated to Lord Srinivasa. The next day morning, Lord Srinivasa, takes a small Sesha vahana, in memory of Lord Namperumal [Utsava vigraha of Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam], who stayed in Tirumala for nearly 40 years way back in the 13th century.

Irandam Thiruvandaadi

In the evening, the Lord adorns the decoration of Saraswati devi and a procession is held on Hamsa vahana. Bhoothathalwar’s ‘Irandam Thiruvandaadi‘ is recited in both the sessions.

Moondram Thiruvandaadi

Simha Vahana and Muthyapu Pandiri vahana are scheduled for 3rd day’s morning and evening sessions respectively. The Ghoshti recites the 3rd Alwar, Peyalwar’s ‘Moondram Thiruvandaadi’.

This Alwar has dedicated 19 songs in praise of Lord Srinivasa in his 100 songs.

Nanmugan Thiruvandaadi

Devotees witness Lord’s procession on Kalpaka Vruksha Vahana in the morning and Sarvabhupala Vahana in the evening session and as befitting it may for Sarvabhupala Vahana, the Ghoshti recites ‘Nanmugan Thiruvandaadi’ which establishes unequivocally the Lord’s Lordship above every other deity.

Thiruviruttam of Nammalwar

This special day paves the way for lakhs of devotees to worship Lord Malayappa in Mohini avataram in a special palanquin followed by Lord Sri Krishna beside the palanquin. Lord Krishna is given higher precedence over Lord Malayappa in Mohini avataram in offering the Harathi while this procession is going on.

In the evening Lord Malayappa rides on His primary Vahana, Garuda. Jeeyangars lead the Ghoshti by reciting the ‘Thiruviruttam of Nammalwar’.

Periya Tiruvandaadi

Lord Malayappa is decorated as Rama and He rides on the back of Hanuman in the morning and in the evening He takes Gaja vahana. ‘Periya Tiruvandaadi’ of Nammalwar is recited by the Ghoshti.

Day 6 also marks the Lord and His consorts riding an opulent Golden Chariot as part of Vasanta Utsavam in the evening before Gaja Vahanam. No recitation takes place while the Lord moves on the Golden Chariot.

Golden Chariot - Tirumala Temple — Golden Chariot – Tirumala Temple

On all these 6 days, for the rest of the distance Lord covers to return to the temple. After finishing off the respective Divya Prabandhams, the Ghoshti will recite Periyalwar’s Tiruppallandu and Periyalwar Tirumozhi also.

Periya Tirumozhi

Vedas and Puranas proclaim Lord Narayana as the one residing in the abode of Sun [Surya mandala madhyavarthi]. Lord Malayappa, who is none other than Lord Narayana Himself, takes the seat amidst the Surya Prabha in the morning and further, He traverses amidst the Chandra Prabha in the evening.

surya-prabha-vahanam - rathasaptami — Surya Prabha Vahana Seva in the morning

The morning session marks the beginning of the recitation of Tirumangai Alwar’s magnum opus, ‘Periya Tirumozhi’ by the Ghoshti. It is continued in the evening also.

Periya Tirumozhi & Nachiyar Tirumozhi

Lord Malayappa Swami accompanied by His two consorts takes a tall chariot and ‘Periya Tirumozhi’ is continued for the morning session while the chariot navigates through the streets around the temple. In the evening, Lord Malayappa rides a brisk Horse, Aswa vahana. Ghoshti recites Andal’s ‘Nachiyar Tirumozhi’ during this session.

Final Day

The final day coincides with Sravana star of Purattasi month. This is the avatara star of Lord Srinivasa. On this day in the morning, Churnabhishekam will be held and the Ghoshti will recite the remaining prabandhams like Perumal Tirumozhi, Tirucchandaviruttam, Tirumaalai, Amalanadhipiram.

Thereafter, the Lord with His consorts and Sudarsana Alwar are taken to Sri Varahaswami temple on the banks of Swami Pushkarini and Tirunedunthandakam of Tirumangai Alwar is recited.

After the Thirumanjanam and Chakrasnanam, Theertha prasada will be distributed to the Ghoshti. During the Tiruvaaradhana, Ghoshti recites Tiruppalliezhuchi, Tiruppavai, Tiruppalandu, Kanninunsiruththambu, Koil Tiruvoymozhi, Ramanuja Nootrandadhi and Upadesarathnamala of Swami Manavalamaamunigal.

Brahmotsavam concludes

Brahmotsavam concludes with the evening session of Dhwaja Avarohanam event which is followed by a recitation of Ramanuja Nootrandadhi and Upadesarathnamala. Navarathri Bramhotsavam which happens once in 3 years also follows the same recitation pattern.

It is Sri Ramanuja who established rituals and practices in Tirumala. It is a miracle that tradition is still exists and followed without any compromises even after 1000 years and TTD plays a major role in continuing the legacy.

Tag: Nachiyar Tirumozhi

The Tiruvadipooram Festival