Tag: Sri Andal

The Tiruvadipooram Festival

The Tiruvadipooram Festival

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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.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram

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’.

The Tiruvadipooram Festival or Tiruvaadippooram Festival

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.

Tirumala Temple
Front View of Tirumala Temple

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.

Srirangam Gopuram
Srirangam Gopurams

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).

Andal Thiruvaadipooram

Andal Thiruvaadipooram

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Andal Thiruvaadipooram (Birthday of Andal or GodaDevi)

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Goda Devi – Incarnation of Bhumi Devi

Goda Devi, hailed as Sri Andal is an incarnation of Bhumi Devi. She was bought up by Perialwar named Vishnuchittar in the temple town of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu. She is considered one of the 12 Vaishnava Saints known as Alwars who are devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Click here for the Google Maps Location of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu

Adding auspicious to Aashada month, she came to earth as a cute baby girl lying near the Tulasi plant. Perialwar was extremely happy to get the girl and brought up with care. She was raised like a Gopika of Vrindavan.

 

Andal Thiruvaadipooram – Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star

In Tamil, the birthday of Goda Devi is celebrated as “Thiruvaadipooram” means “Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star”, this little superstar was born to eradicate all our ignorance in our lives.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram is celebrated by walking up early in the morning, cleaning the house, putting nice kolams, decorating that with flowers, and then taking a holy bath.

Clean the puja room and decorate it with flowers. Sri Andal is decorated with a new dress especially green as she is Mother Earth, offering flowers Sandal Paste and Scented water. As Andal has lengthy hair, the hairdressing for Andal is made in a style.

She also carries a parrot in hand, so one can make a parrot out of leaves to decorate her. Then, offer her with bangles and donate to women. Fortunate to get those bangles as they give prosperity, a good family, good progeny, health and blessings.

Andal Thiruppavai & Goda Stuti

“Kalkandu Rice”, sugar candy rice can be prepared to be offered to Goddesses and distributed to devotees. “Andal Thiruppavai”, “Goda Stuti” etc can be recited. Young girls dress up like Andal and perform “Kolaatam” with sticks and dance with garlands in praise of Lord Krishna and Sri Andal.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram
PC – Sapthagiri Magazine published by TTD

Sri Villiputtur, Sri Rangam and many Vishnu Temples celebrate with pomp and glory.

One Among 12 Alwars

“Thiruppavai” and “Naachiyaar Thirumoli” sung by little Goda Devi were the essence of all the philosophies to attain Lord Krishna. Eleven Alwars were men, but Sri Andal was the only girl Sri Vaishnava Saint who surpassed all of them as her songs reached out even to the common people.

The simple style and positivity of the verses boost our minds with more self-confidence, energy and enthusiasm. That is the reason, “Thirupaavai” is famous and recited by all of them.

It is a known incident, where Goda Devi used to decorate herself as a Gopika and wear the garland that is meant for “Vatapatrasayee Perumaal”. When Vishnuchittar found this, he was very much upset.

But Lord himself told, that he loved the garland that is worn by Sri Goda Devi. She is hailed as “Andal” because she ruled the Lord. She decided not to get married to a human and started observing “Kartyayani Vrata”.

Thiruppavai

“Thiruppavai” has 30 songs that talk about the Vrata, way of living, hails Lord Vishnu and his incarnations, prosperity of the mother earth, how one should always be united and the blessings to be celebrated in groups highlighting the “Bhaagavatha Sangamam” – “Union of Satsang -the wise”.

The second set of Paasurams is “Naachiyaar Thirumoli”, where she talks about the Lord’s beauty, the weapons of the Lord, the Divine Marriage through a dream, Vrindavan’s infant-Little Krishna, the messenger, the Divya Desams etc.

As she is the incarnation of Mother Earth – Bhumi Devi, always wanted the residents of Earth to be happy. She was born to show us how easily one can get the blessings of the Lord. In Varaha Avatara, Bhumi Devi gets a promise from the Lord Varaha that he should always bless the devotees despite their time. Thus, is the affection shown by Bhumi Devi to her children.

Goda Devi or Andal

Paasuram’s of Andal talks about

The paasuram’s of Andal talks about the Supreme Lord who prevails everywhere. Hence, all are prosperous, and she prays for the well-being of all. The verses say about the good rain which makes the crops grow healthily, ultimately fills the fields with plants where humans are hunger-free, and the animals and birds enjoy nature flooded with food which finally leads to a healthy environment.

The animals serve humanity by giving good milk in terms that give more health. She says, getting up early in the morning is good. Taking a bath early in the morning is good. Doing good things with friends, and teaching friends all good things that each of us knows leads to a healthy society.

She describes the beauty of nature, flowers blooming, flooded rivers, clear waterfalls, honey overflowing, cows milking themselves without a milkman, crops growing tall, churning of buttermilk, and temple bell sound during naivedhyam.

To complete the Vrata, she says, she will dress up nicely, decorated with flowers, adorned with ornaments and will eat jaggery rice filled with ghee flowing from her hand to elbow. She enjoys going with her friends and calves to the forest to graze cows, shares food with her friends, and prays to Lord Krishna to be with her always.

She proudly says that she is the daughter of Vishnuchitta and as per his guidance (as Guru), she overcame this mundane life. Thus, Goda Devi talks only about the positivity that is needed for today’s life to come out of depression.

Final Word

As per Sri Andal’s wishes, let this World be filled with Joy, let this World be filled with prosperity, let this World be filled with Devotion, let this World be filled with Peace and Harmony.

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

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Thiruvaadipooram (Birthday of GodaDevi)

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Goda Devi – Incarnation of Bhumi Devi

Goda Devi, hailed as Sri Andal is an incarnation of Bhumi Devi. She was bought up by Perialwar named Vishnuchittar in the temple town of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu. She is considered one of the 12 Vaishnava Saints known as Alwars who are devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Click here for the Google Maps Location of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu

Adding auspicious to Aashada month, she came to earth as a cute baby girl lying near the Tulasi plant. Perialwar was extremely happy to get the girl and brought up with care. She was raised like a Gopika of Vrindavan.

Goda Devi or Andal

Thiruvaadipooram – Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star

In Tamil, the birthday of Goda Devi is celebrated as “Thiruvaadipooram” means “Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star”, this little superstar was born to eradicate all our ignorance in our lives.

Thiruvaadipooram is celebrated by walking up early in the morning, cleaning the house, putting nice kolams, decorating that with flowers, and then taking a holy bath.

Clean the puja room and decorate it with flowers. Sri Andal is decorated with a new dress especially green as she is Mother Earth, offering flowers Sandal Paste and Scented water. As Andal has lengthy hair, the hairdressing for Andal is made in a style.

She also carries a parrot in hand, so one can make a parrot out of leaves to decorate her. Then, offer her with bangles and donate to women. Fortunate to get those bangles as they give prosperity, a good family, good progeny, health and blessings.

Andal Thiruppavai & Goda Stuti

“Kalkandu Rice”, sugar candy rice can be prepared to be offered to Goddesses and distributed to devotees. “Andal Thiruppavai”, “Goda Stuti” etc can be recited. Young girls dress up like Andal and perform “Kolaatam” with sticks and dance with garlands in praise of Lord Krishna and Sri Andal. Sri Villiputtur, Sri Rangam and many Vishnu Temples celebrate with pomp and glory.

One Among 12 Alwars

“Thiruppavai” and “Naachiyaar Thirumoli” sung by little Goda Devi were the essence of all the philosophies to attain Lord Krishna. Eleven Alwars were men, but Sri Andal was the only girl Sri Vaishnava Saint who surpassed all of them as her songs reached out even to the common people.

The simple style and positivity of the verses boost our minds with more self-confidence, energy and enthusiasm. That is the reason, “Thirupaavai” is famous and recited by all of them.

It is a known incident, where Goda Devi used to decorate herself as a Gopika and wear the garland that is meant for “Vatapatrasayee Perumaal”. When Vishnuchittar found this, he was very much upset.

Sri MalyappaSwamy Decorated as Goda Devi

But Lord himself told, that he loved the garland that is worn by Sri Goda Devi. She is hailed as “Andal” because she ruled the Lord. She decided not to get married to a human and started observing “Kartyayani Vrata”.

Thiruppavai

“Thiruppavai” has 30 songs that talk about the Vrata, way of living, hails Lord Vishnu and his incarnations, prosperity of the mother earth, how one should always be united and the blessings to be celebrated in groups highlighting the “Bhaagavatha Sangamam” – “Union of Satsang -the wise”.

The second set of Paasurams is “Naachiyaar Thirumoli”, where she talks about the Lord’s beauty, the weapons of the Lord, the Divine Marriage through a dream, Vrindavan’s infant-Little Krishna, the messenger, the Divya Desams etc.

As she is the incarnation of Mother Earth – Bhumi Devi, always wanted the residents of Earth to be happy. She was born to show us how easily one can get the blessings of the Lord. In Varaha Avatara, Bhumi Devi gets a promise from the Lord Varaha that he should always bless the devotees despite their time. Thus, is the affection shown by Bhumi Devi to her children.

Paasuram’s of Andal talks about

The paasuram’s of Andal talks about the Supreme Lord who prevails everywhere. Hence, all are prosperous, and she prays for the well-being of all. The verses say about the good rain which makes the crops grow healthily, ultimately fills the fields with plants where humans are hunger-free, and the animals and birds enjoy nature flooded with food which finally leads to a healthy environment.

The animals serve humanity by giving good milk in terms that give more health. She says, getting up early in the morning is good. Taking a bath early in the morning is good. Doing good things with friends, and teaching friends all good things that each of us knows leads to a healthy society.

She describes the beauty of nature, flowers blooming, flooded rivers, clear waterfalls, honey overflowing, cows milking themselves without a milkman, crops growing tall, churning of buttermilk, and temple bell sound during naivedhyam.

To complete the Vrata, she says, she will dress up nicely, decorated with flowers, adorned with ornaments and will eat jaggery rice filled with ghee flowing from her hand to elbow. She enjoys going with her friends and calves to the forest to graze cows, shares food with her friends, and prays to Lord Krishna to be with her always.

She proudly says that she is the daughter of Vishnuchitta and as per his guidance (as Guru), she overcame this mundane life. Thus, Goda Devi talks only about the positivity that is needed for today’s life to come out of depression.

Final Word

As per Sri Andal’s wishes, let this World be filled with Joy, let this World be filled with prosperity, let this World be filled with Devotion, let this World be filled with Peace and Harmony.