Bangaru Baavi (Golden Well) – Inside Tirupati Balaji Temple

Bangaru Baavi (Golden Well)

There is a well by the side of Lord’s chief kitchen. This well is known as Bangaru Baavi (Bangaru means gold in Telugu. Baavi means well).

When devotees come out through the Golden door after having the darshan, a path leads to the chief kitchen opposite the Golden door. Adjacent to the steps leading to the kitchen you will find a well. This well has a circular ring of stones from the ground level. This stone construction has Gold plating.

Because of this gold plating people call it Bangaru Baavi i.e., Golden well.

Bangaru Baavi
46 – Bangaru Baavi (Golden Well)

Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Location (Google Maps location)

Sundara Swamy Baavi

It has two other names: ‘Sri Theertham’and ‘Sundara Swamy Baavi’ (well).

History of Bangaru Baavi

This well has its history.

Sri Theertham / Lakshmi Theertham / Bhootheertham

Along with His two Consorts, Lord Vishnu assuming the human form descended to the earth from Sri Vaikuntam. He preferred to stay in Venkatachala Kshethra, known as Vykunttam (vaikuntam) on earth. When they were wandering in Venkatachala Kshethra for cooking food Sri Maha Lakshmi created a well. This well got the name of Sri Theertham. Some even call it as ‘Lakshmi Theertham’.

Similarly, even Bhoo Devi created a well that got the name of Bhootheertham. Over a while these two wells disappeared. After a long period to assist Gopinath who used to perform poojas according to Vykhanasa Agama Shastras, Ranga Dasu came down to Tirumala. To meet the flower needs of Lord Venkateswara he thought of having a flower garden.

Ranga Dasu – Finding the Wells

To water the plants he dug two wells. In the spot where digging was going on, the two wells that had disappeared appeared again. After the demise of Ranga Dasu these two wells once again got decayed.

Ranga Dasu –> Thondaman Chakravarthy

The legend has it that Ranga Dasu who served God with beautiful flower garlands was reborn as Thondaman Chakravarthy. He once again started offering his services to the Lord. Lord Venkateswara was immensely pleased with the selfless services offered by Thondaman Chakravarthy. Lord briefed Thondaman Chakravarthy about his previous birth as Ranga Dasu.

Sri Sridevi Bhudevi Sametha Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy, Thondamanadu
Sri Sridevi Bhudevi Sametha Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy, Thondamanadu

Lord ordered Thondaman Chakravarthy to get Him a place of dwelling i.e., a temple with gold-plated vimana. He further ordered him to reactivate decayed wells Sri Theertham and Bhootheertham. Thondaman Chakravarthy was pleasantly surprised when Lord Venkateswara told him about his previous birth and the services rendered to the Lord in that birth. He got Sri Theertham well reactivated.

He constructed a ring-like stone structure from ground level to stop the caving of the earth and covered the stone walls with gold plates. From that day onwards, the well got the name Bangaru Baavi. Similarly, for Bhootheertham which was much below the ground level, he constructed steps to step down. This well is known as ‘Poola Baavi’ i.e., Flower well.

Over the years Sri Theertham acquired greater importance as its water is religiously used for Prasadam preparation and other Archanas of Lord Venkateswara.

Tirumala Nambi / Tirumala Thathacharya – Maternal Uncle of Sri Ramanujacharya

To the Chief Idol of Lord Venkateswara every Friday Abhishekam i.e., Holy Bath is performed. For this Abhishekam Tirumala Nambi of the 11th century used to bring water from Papavinasanam. This Tirumala Nambi happened to be the ‘Guru’ of Bhagavad Ramanujacharya.

Sri Ramanuja's Service

In addition to being a Guru, he was also a maternal uncle of Sri Ramanujacharya. This Tirumala Nambi has another name. He was also known as Tirumala Thathacharya. Once during the days Tirumala Nambi was serving Lord Venkateswara, his Guru Yamunacharya visited Tirumala to have the darshan of Lord Venkateswara. As it was continuously raining heavily Tirumala Nambi could not fetch water for Lord’s Abhishekam.

Sundara Swamy Koopam

Then Yamunacharya who wanted an uninterrupted water supply throughout the year whether it rains or shines appealed to Sri Maha Lakshmi. He told her: “Oh! Mother! The water from Sri Theertham, the well which you created is more sacred than any other water. Therefore please bless this water so that it can be used for Lords Abhishekam”.

Further, he named that well “Sundara Swamy Koopam” (well) as it happens to be one of the forms of Lord Venkateswara. Tamilians call this well as Alagappinaar Kinar (Sri Sundara’s Kinaru i.e., well).

Ramanujacharya visited Tirumala. He came to know about the Sri Yamunacharyas incident. He was immensely happy to know about Yamunacharya’s appeal to Sri Mahal Lakshmi. On the spot, he took a decision. He directed his disciples to use water, for Fridays Abhishekam as well as daily Abhishekam of Bhoga Srinivasa, from one of the three sources i.e., water from Papanasanam Theertham or water from Akasa Ganga Theertham or Sri Theertham only.

Akasa Ganga Theertham
Akasa Ganga Theertham

From that day onwards water drawn from “Bangaru Baavi” is being used for the preparations of prasadams and to the Abhishekams. In the olden days, water drawn from Bangaru Baavi used to directly reach the chief kitchen through a canal which was there on a 15-foot high wall from ground level.

This system researchers say was in vogue in Hampi during Vijayanagara rulers. Till recently the kitchen staff used to draw water through pots and empty those pots in the canal. Considering the ever-growing demand for various types of preparation they have some 20 years back installed electrical pump to draw water from the well.

Chatrasthapanotsavam in Tirumala

On this occasion, the Archakas will offer Tirumanjanam to Srivari Padalu located in Narayanagiri Mountain, considered the highest range in Seshachala Hills. As part of this customary festival, a new umbrella will be installed in that sacred place and special pujas will be offered.

Puranic Importance

Narayanagiri Ranges are believed and worshipped as the peak where Srivaru first stepped His divine feet before making Tirumala His permanent residence. Commemorating the occasion, Chatrasthapanotsavam will be observed in Tirumala as an annual festival on the auspicious day of Shravana Suddha Dwadasi.

On this day, the Archakas collect water from Bangaru Baavi located inside Tirumala temple reach this place amidst Melam and Veda Mantras and perform Tirumanjanam to the Sacred Feet of Srivaru located here with these holy waters, perform puja and recite Prabandha Sattumora and return to the temple.

Final Word

This Bangaru Baavi has a sacred history. It is associated with great people like Thondaman Chakravarthy who was Ranga Dasu in his previous birth, and Tirumala Nambi who was addressed as ‘Thatha’ (Grandfather) by Lord Venkateswara Himself.

Yamunacharya requested Sri Maha Lakshmi to sanctify the water of Sri Theertham, Sri Ramunajacharya who gave orders for the use of water drawn only from three sources. Let us bow before Bangaru Baavi i.e., Sri Theertham or Sundaraswamy Baavi.

Exemplary Disciples of Sri Ramanuja

Disciples of Sri Ramanuja

Sri Ramanuja had a glorious convention of highly celebrated ‘gurus’ (Teachers) and deeply devoted ‘sishyas’.

Ananthazhwar / Ananthalwar / Ananthalwan

Ananthalwan, a native of Kirangur, near Panavapura in Karnataka, an ardent disciple of Sri Ramanuja, at the benign order of Sri Ramanuja, settled in Tirumala in the service of Lord Srinivasa.

Once he began excavating a small reservoir for water required for his flower garden. A ‘brahmachari’ came to assist him. He refused to accept his service. His wife who was pregnant was advised to assist him. The brahmachari again assisted his wife.

Ananthalwan was surprised at his wife emptying the mud basket so fast and came to know about the Brahmachari assistance. He hit the brahmachari under his chin in a fit of anger. The Brahmachari ran away.

Ananthazhwar / Ananthalwar

But the authorities of the temple found Lord Srinivasa bleeding in his chin. Ananthalwan realised that the Brahmachari was none other than Lord Srinivasa. The authorities of the temple stuffed the wound with camphor and this became a custom even today. The crowbar that was used to hit the Lord, as advised by the Lord Srinivasa, is adorned on the right side of the inner Gopuram wall still for a glimpse to the devotees when they enter the temple.

Once Ananthalwan was visiting his native land. On the way from Tirumala, he opened the lunch box and found some ants in it.

He said to himself “What a sin I have committed! These holy ants have desired to live in the holy Tirumala and I have deprived them of their holy abode.” Immediately he went back to Tirumala and released them carefully on the hill.

Ananthalwan was a saintly disciple of Sri Ramanuja who witnessed God in everything.

Kureshan (Koorathalwan / Koorathalvar)

There is no Acharya like Sri Ramanuja and no disciple like Koorathalwan. His real name was Srivathsanka Misra. He was renowned as Kuresan or Koorathalwan as he was the chief of Koora Agrahara, near Kanchi.

Kuresan was born into a rich Brahmin family. When Sri Ramanuja embraced Sanyasa Ashram, Kuresa sacrificed all his riches. He went to Srirangam and stood by the side of Sri Ramanuja till his last breath. He lived for one hundred and eight years and left for his heavenly abode during Sri Ramanuja’s lifetime only. No one can assess Koorathalwan’s tremendous jnana, ‘vairagya’ and ‘bhakti’.

Disciples of Sri Ramanuja - Kureshan (Koorathalwan / Koorathalvar)
Kureshan (Koorathalwan / Koorathalvar)

He did not hesitate even to pledge his life at the hands of the cruel caste-concentrated King of Chola to safeguard his Acharya. In the process, he was forced to sacrifice even his eyes. Koorathalwan was gifted with a talent for sharp memory whatever he read or listened to once.

When the scholar Sarada Shrine at Kashmir rejected to lend the great work Bhodayana Vrithi to Sri Ramanuja for some time, Koorathalwan glanced at the whole work once overnight and helped Sri Ramanuja a lot during the composition of the celebrated work Sri Bhasyam.

Koorathalwan is one of the greatest expositors of Visishtadvaita Vedanta. For him, Visishtadvaita is the final word of Vedanta and Sri Ramanuja’s Sri Bhashyam is the final statement of it.

Koorathalwan has composed the celebrated Pancha Stava:

  1. Sri Vaikunta Stava,
  2. Athimanusha Stava,
  3. Sri Varadaraja stava,
  4. Sri Sundarabahu Stava, and
  5. Sri Stava besides Kooresa Vijaya.

Sri Ramanuja prayed to the Lord to give back Kuresa’s eyesight. Kuresa got the eyesight. After seeing the Lord and his Acharya, he decided not to see this corrupt world again.

Sri Ramanuja Trekking with Knees to Tirumala

Dasarathi

Dasarathi was the nephew of Sri Ramanuja. He was also a gem among Sri Ramauja’s disciples. Once Mahapurna’s daughter Athulay had a problem in her mother-in-law’s house. Athulay had to bring water for cooking from a far-off river where the area was unsafe. She found it very difficult and told her mother-in-law about this.

Her mother-in-law taunted her to get servants from her parents. The daughter approached her father who directed her to Sri Ramanuja. Sri Ramanuja heard her grievances and sent Dasarathi with her. Dasarathi without a word engaged himself as a servant in the house of Athulay.

The relatives of Athulay asked Dasarathi why he performed these duties. He said that he obeyed his ‘guru’ and discharged the jobs sincerely and they might get the answer from his teacher. They met Sri Ramanuja and enquired about Dasarathi.

Ramanuja replied to Athulay’s mother-in-law who demanded a servant from Athulay’s parents. He said that his acharya’s problem was his problem so he sent Dasarathi. Athulay’s mother-in-law requested Sri Ramanuja to take back his disciple and Dasarathi returned after fulfilling the assignment given by his ‘guru’ successfully.

Pattini Perumal

Pattini Perumal was a disciple of Sri Ramanuja who belonged to a low caste. He always immersed himself in the joy of singing the hymns of the Alwars. Sri Ramanuja while returning to the temple after his bath at the Kaveri heard the songs and entered the hut of the low caste but spiritually enlightened Pattini Perumal and blessed him.

Thus the community of Srivaishnavism was not confined exclusively to the Brahmins. It took every man and woman in its fold regardless of caste, creed, colour or sect. Sri Ramanuja had seven hundred Yatis, seventy-four Acharya Purushas and countless others as his followers.

Swami Vedanta Desika

The galaxy of his followers will be incomplete if a mention is not made of Swami Vedanta Desika. Born two hundred years after Sri Ramanuja, Swami Vedanta Desika achieved so much even a university cannot achieve. He defended Ramanuja Siddhanta by the fire of his heart. He wrote excellent commentaries on all the works of Sri Ramanuja.

Vedanta Desika with Brahmatantra Svatantra Jiyar and Kumara Varadacharya
Painting of Vedanta Desika (centre) with Brahmatantra Svatantra Jiyar and Kumara Varadacharya

He pictured Ramanuja Siddanta beautifully in a play called Sankalpa Suryodaya. He portrayed Sri Ramanuja’s sacred principles in his most melodious verses. It is certainly the tremendous effort of Swami Vedanta Desika to understand and appreciate the divine principles of Sri Ramanuja for the present humanity.

 

Sri Ramanuja Jayanti 2024

Sri Ramanuja Jayanti

Sri Ramanuja, the Vaishnavaite philosopher, was born in Sriperumbudur near Chennai. He spent his life between Kanchipuram, Srirangam and Melkote. A significant portion of his time was spent travelling around India. Amongst the many places where his influence has been felt is Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara.

He was not just a philosopher and teacher but a brilliant manager too. Wherever he went he helped stabilise temple rituals according to the agamas. Many of these temples follow his instructions even today. He improved the conditions he found, organised them better and made it easier for devotees to show their affection and devotion to God.

In the case of Tirumala, his contributions are well documented in the temple’s history. Here are some of his key contributions to Tirumala.

Sri Ramanuja Jayanti on 12.05.2024

Establishing Mada Veedhi (Mada Streets)

Today we have the four mada streets around the Tirumala temple. But it was not so in Sri Ramanuja’s times. At that time, the Brahmotsavams were being held at Tiruchanoor. Sri Ramanuja established the four mada streets around the temple so that the standard route was available for the celebration.

From the very next year, the utsavams were shifted to Tirumala where they have been happening ever since.

West Mada Street
Tirumala Mada Streets (Procession of Chariot during Brahmotsavams)

Institutionalised the recitation of Tamil Divya Prabhandams

The ‘Nalaayira Divya Prabhandam’ is a compilation of the verse outpourings of the Alwars. Of the four thousand verses, more than two hundred were sung exclusively about Tirumala and the Lord at Tirumala.

Tirumala is the second most sung-about temple, next only to Srirangam.

Sri Ramanuja institutionalised the recitation of Nalaayiram. Since then, these sacred verses have become part of the daily worship of the Lord. During abishekam to the Lord, Nachhiyar Tirumozhi is recited.

According to the Venkatachala Itihasa Mala, Sri Ramanuja arranged for adhyayana to be performed every day by first reciting the verses from Perialvar and then hymns of the other Alvars.

Ramanuja's Service

Sri Ramanuja Rituals

Several rituals are ascribed to Sri Ramanuja. These include the Friday Tirumanjanam (ritual bath with milk and water), the application of an upward mark made of (swetha mrutthika) earth to symbolize His Eternal Connection to us, first aradhana to the Lord’s divine weapons and conducting temple festivals with the processional image of the Lord for his devotees to celebrate and Sayanotsavam to Lord Krishna during Dhanurmaasam.

The Lord’s Adornments

Tirumala Tirupati is well known as pushpa mandapam because of the Lord’s love for flowers. Once a week, on Thursdays, the Lord is fully adorned only with flowers but, as instructed by Sri Ramanuja, the namam is made of ornaments. It is said that the original naga-abharana on both hands of the Lord was offered by Akasa Raja himself but has been lost in the mists of time.

Subsequently, it is believed that Gajapathi Veeranarasimha Deva, a Vijayanagara king, offered the naga-abharana on the Lord’s Vaikunta hastham or the hand that points to his feet as a means of salvation. Seeing the single jewel, Sri Ramanuja is said to have offered its pair on the other hand.

Similarly, there was a time when the Lord is said to have offered his Sudharshana and Panchajanya to help Thondaman Chakravarthi. After that battle, the king requested the Lord not to wear them as a sign of how helpful he is to his devotees. The Lord agreed.

However, during the lifetime of Sri Ramanuja, a dispute arose as to the identity of the Murthy in the temple. Sri Ramanuja had the Sudharshana and Panchajanya made and left before the Lord overnight praying to the Lord to wear them. They locked up the sanctum and the next morning when the doors were opened, the Lord was found wearing them.

Tirupati

Creating Tirupati

In 1130, Sri Ramanuja is believed to have built a temple at the foot of the Tirumala hill with the help of a Yadava king and installed Sri Govindarajaswamy there. He also created a town around the temple called Govindaraja Pattana (also referred to as Govindapattinam), later known as Ramanujapuram and known as Tirupati from the 13th century.

Though there were many changes brought in the Tirumala temple activities due to changes in time, the principal tenets, sevas, rituals, and regulations for the smooth run of temple affairs brought by Srimad Ramanujacharya are continuing even today in Tirumala temple without any deviation.

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple – Kanchipuram (108 Divya Desams)

Kanchipuram – Location

The famous town of Kanchipuram or Kanchi or Thirukachchi is located 75km due west and a little south of the capital city of Chennai in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Since the Chennai Bengaluru highway goes right by the town, connectivity is no problem.

Kanchipuram – Google Maps Location

There is ample bus and train connectivity as well. The nearest airport is Chennai airport. Kanchi is a significant pilgrim centre to personify Hinduism in all its diversity. All religions flourish. Even today one can identify areas labelled as Vishnu Kanchi, Saiva Kanchi, and Jeena Kanchi.

The great poet Kalidasa wrote:

“Pushpeshu Jati. Purusheshu Vishnu. Nareeshu Rambha. Nagareshu Kanchi”.

Of all cities, he judged Kanchi as the best. At any time, some three or four religions flourished. It was also a centre of learning. It was referred to as Gatikasthan, the Seat of Knowledge. Persons such as Sri Ramanuja spent their formative years in and around Kanchi. At least as far as Srivaishnavism is concerned the list of eminent scholars contributed by this town is endless.

Sri Ramanuja, Sri Kuresa, Sri Kanchipurna, and Sri Vedanta Desika are just the stalwarts that readily come to mind. It has contributed two Alwars from its environs namely Thirumazhisai Alwar and Poigai Alwar. The latter was born at Kanchi in the Yatokthakari temple area.

Ramanuja's Service

The first three or four Alwars were the starting point of the Bhakti movement. A few towns in India can claim this kind of contribution. For the most part, at least three out of every five eminent personalities in Srivaishnavism were from Kanchi within a radius of fifty km around the town. It is almost as if God made Kanchi for learning and teaching.

15 Divya Desams in Kanchi

As far as temples are concerned, there is no street in Kanchi that has no temple. Taking a few of the major religions like the Srivaishnavism, and the Shaivism there are more than thirty-five major temples. It is estimated that there are fifteen ‘Divya Desams’ in Kanchi alone. It is also said that there are more than a hundred Shiva temples.

At one stage it came heavily under the Pallava influence. They ruled the area between 200 CE to 900 CE approximately. Their influence can be seen in Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram on the coast. They supported the construction of many temples in their kingdom.

Explore more about Kanchipuram

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Sthalapuranam

Legend has it that Lord Brahma tried to perform a ‘yajna’ without his wife Saraswati. She got angry and She tried to attack the place of ‘yajna’ so that the ‘yajna’ would remain incomplete. She sent darkness which Lord Vishnu nullified in the form of a lamp. Hence it is Deepa Prakasar (Thoopul Temple). Then She sent an eight armed Kali to destroy the place. The Lord took the form of eight-armed Nrusimha and overcame Her. Hence it is Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple.

Google Maps Location – Arulmigu Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Then She became a river in flood called Vegavati and wanted to fill the ‘yajnasala’ with a terrible flood. The Lord rested in the path of the river (Yatokthakari Temple – Vegasethu) like a dam. She went underground to avoid coming into contact with Him.

Finally, the Lord rose completely in the Punnyakoti Vimana as the ultimate King of Boons (Varadharajan) from the ‘yajna’ flames. The marks of the fire can be seen on the face of the ‘utsava idol’ even today.

In Tirumala and in Srirangam, the Moolavar or main resident idol is ‘Swayam Vyakta’ (Self-Manifest).

Touching Lizards

In Kanchipuram, the ‘utsavar’ (idol seen outside the temple by all) is ‘Swayam Vyakta.’ Just outside the sanctum are two lizards made of precious metal. Legend is that if one touches them and then has the ‘ darshan’ of the Lord, they will be cured of all ills.

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Kanchipuram gold and Silver Lizards

Legend is that Rishi Sringibhera had two sons who were cursed by their teacher Gautama to become lizards. They were released from their curses by Sri Varadaraja and attained ‘moksha.’

Perundevi Thayar Shrine and Nrusimha Shrine

The Yoga Nrusimha shrine below Hastigiri Hill facing east is considered by many to be the original shrine in this temple. Many will first worship at Perundevi Thayar and Nrusimha shrines before worshipping Sri Varadaraja at the main sanctum.

Special features

The Lord is called Devadhirajan or Perarullalan or Theperumal or Varadharajan or Varadhan or Athiyuraan or Pranatharthiharan. The Lord is deemed to be a local king and is given all the appropriate honours. He has many other names. The universal mother is known as Perundevi or Mahadevi. She does not come out of the temple (Padi Thandaa Patni).

The temple tank is Ananthasaras. The Vimana above the Lord is Punyakoti and the one above the Universal Mother is Kalyanakoti. The place is known as ‘Satyavrata Kshetram.’

The original main (Moolavar) idol of Sri Varadharaja was made of Athi wood. It is now kept underwater in the Ananthasaras temple tank and brought out for display and worship only every forty years. During that time, for twenty-four days he will be in standing posture or ‘nindra thirukkolam.’

Then another twenty-four days he will be at rest or ‘sayana thirukkolam.’ After the forty-eight days, He returns to His underwater abode in the Anantasaras for the next forty years.

Seevaram Paarvettai

One legend is that the present idol which is made of stone from a nearby (about 20km away due east) village called Pazhaiyaseevaram on the banks of the river Palar. To honour this, the Lord visits the village every year on the day after Sankranthi. He is carried on foot by bearers along the north bank of the river on the way out and then along the south bank of the river on the way back.

The Lord visits most villages along the banks of the river. This festival is known as Seevaram Paarvettai.

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Kanchipuram (108 Divya Desams)

Sri Ramnuja & Sri Kanchipurna

Sri Ramanuja was saved from being lost in the forest by the Lord and Mother who appeared before him as a hunter couple and guided him back to the temple. For many years Sri Ramanuja used to bring water for the Lord’s daily Thirumanjanam.

Sri Ramanuja asked Sri Kanchipurna to obtain answers to six questions which Sri Varada answered through Sri Kanchipurna. These six questions are very important to every Sri Vaishnava. They relate to the relationship between the Jeevatman and the Paramatman and the manner of attaining ‘moksha.’

It is Sri Varadan who gave Sri Ramanuja to Srirangam when Sri Periya Nambi appealed to him. Since the Lord gave up Sri Ramanuja to Srirangam, this temple is known as ‘Thyaga Mandapam.’

Gayatri Mantra

Sri Ramanuja bathed in Ananthasaras before taking ‘sannyasam’ and then worshipped the Lord in the sanctum. The climb up Hastigiri consists of twenty-four steps which is the same as the number of syllables in Gayatri Mantra. They are called Gayatri Steps.

PERUMAL KOIL

While Srirangam is referred to as simply “KOIL”, Tirumala as simply “TIRUMALAI”, Sri Varadharajaswamy temple is known simply as “PERUMAL KOIL”. Whenever the Lord is carried out of the sanctum, He is accompanied by Veda ‘parayanam’ and Prabhanda ‘parayanam.’

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple 100 Pillared Temple- Kanchipuram (108 Divya Desams)
Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple – 100 Pillared Hall – Kanchipuram (108 Divya Desams)

100 Pillared Hall

The carved single-piece stone chains hanging from the hundred-pillared hall are exquisite examples of the artisan’s skill. The Garuda Seva that happens every year on Vaikasi Visaka is very famous and attracts thousands of devotees. The same can be said of the Chariot Festival that happens a few days later.

This festival, conducted during Vaikasi, known as The Brahmotsavam, attracts thousands of devotees to the temple.

There are two gateways to the temple. The western entry and exit is the one in common use and the road leading to it is known as Sannidhi Street.

Mangalasasanam

In Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi, Sri Bhoothath Alwar speaks of this Lord in the 95th and 96th pasurams (2276 – 2277). He says He is the Lord who tore open Hiranyan’s chest. He has the colour of a blue gemstone. He has been around for a long time. He created time and other things required by us. He resides resting at Thirupaarkadal and He is always available for us in the temple on Athiyur. Athiyur is another name for the area of Kanchi where the temple is located.

In the next pasuram, the Alwar says He is the Lord who has Garuda as His vehicle. He also rests on top of Adhisesha. He is worshipped with the three fires and is praised in the Vedas. He is also the Lord for Rudra who ate the poison which came out of Thirupaarkadal during the churning to help the Devas. He is the Lord who resides on Athigiri.

In Pasuram 2307, Sri Pei Alwar in his ‘Moondram Thiruvandhadhi’ refers to the Lord of Kanchi as He who wears the Tulasi garland. He resides eternally in the temple and in the Alwar’s heart.

Sri Vedanta Desika wrote wonderful poetry about Lord Varadaraja in Tamil and Sanskrit. Sri Kuresa in his opening two stanzas of Sri Varadarajastavam has the best description of Sri Varadarajaswamy and Sri Perundevi Thayar.

May the Lord Pranatharthiharan standing on top of Hasthigiri as its AabhraNam confer on me all auspiciousness always! May that Lord, who has been described as the Supreme One without equal or superior by the Upanishads shower me with mangaLams always!

Adiyen seeks refuge at the lotus feet of the Lord of all devas, who is the possessor of the wealth of Daya, and who always thinks of the wellbeing of His creations. He has taken the vow to bless all of His Bhakthas, who seek Him with the boons of Purusharthams. He is like a limitless mine of auspiciousness. He is also the wealth principle for the Sarva Mangala SvarUpiNi, PerumdEvi ThAyAr” Herself.

– Translation from Sanskrit original by Oppiliappan Koil Sri Varadachari Satagopan.

Sri Perundevi Nayika samedha Sri Varadaraja Parabrahmane Namaha!.

Om Namo Narayanaya !

Meaning of “Singan Murai” and “Jeeyar”

Singan Murai

Singan was a devotee who used to supply wood for the temple kitchen service. Intending to show his service to Him with devotion, Tiruvenkatamudayan sent wood for his cremation when he died.

This kind of kainkaryam by supplying wood to the Sannidhi kitchen Singan is even now called “Singan Murai”. Murai means “doing agreeable service”.

Jeeyar

The word “Jeeyar” means Swami. This is stated in Jeeyar Padi of Sri Vachana Bhushanam commentary.

The Itihyam in the Sannidhi of Tiruvenkatamudayan in Tirumala and the Sannidhi of Govindaraja Swami temple in Tirupati is as follows:

The reason for not having Divya Prabandha Anusandham on the morning of the first day during Brahmotsavam is as follows –

According to Sri Vaikhanasa Agama Samhita, on the first day of Dwajarohana Utsavam, in the evening Yagasala is arranged with Kalasa and Avahanam of Devas and then Aradhanam is done. Next Vedaparayanam begins as stated in the Samhita “vedarambam chareth vidwan vishnoryagan thathachchareth”.

Dravida Veda which is equal to the Vedas begins next and hence in the night when Malayappa swami goes around up the streets in Sesha Vahanam, the recitation of Dravida Veda begins. This is the order of Sri Ramanuja as said by elders in Tirumala.

Ramanuja - Jeeyar

In such a case, why Tiruvoymozhi is not recited first or other Prabandhams are not recited first, but a recitation of Iyarpa is done? The reason for this custom is that Sri Ramanuja ordered with contemplation to recite first Iyarpa as said by Periyavachchan Pillai in his text Kaliyan Arulappadu Rahasya.

Sri Ramanuja

Sri Ramanuja – Great Personality

Sri Ramanuja was born to Kesava Somayaji – Kanthimathi couple in the year 1017 A..D in Pingala Year, Chitra Month, Mesha Raasi, Thiruvadhira Nakshatra at Sriperumbudur near Kanchipuram.

Glow and Appearance

His maternal uncle Tirumala Nambi (Sri Saila Purna) came from Tirumala to Sri Perumbudur, looked at the child, and was astonished by his divine glow.

Ramanuja - Jeeyar

 

He named him “Ilaya Azhwar – Ramanuja – Lakshmana” due to his divine glow since it resembles the appearance as described in the sloka: “Lakshmano Lakshmi Sampanna”.

While he was learning Vedanta under Yadava Prakasha in Kanchipuram, Sri Yamunacharya heard about his wisdom and was impressed by it. He wanted to see Sri Ramanuja at the earliest.

Well-built Person

When Yadavaprakasa along with his disciples was circumambulating Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Sri Yamunacharya asked his disciple Thirukkachi Nambi (Kanchi Purna) “Who is Sri Ramanuja among them?” Thirukacchi Nambi replied “Aayathascha Survruthascha Bahavaha,” meaning the well-built man at the centre.

Dhanurdas a disciple of Sri Ramanuja also described the beauty of Sri Ramanuja’s eyes. All these incidents indicate he is a WELL-BUILT person.

Extraordinary Talent

While learning Vedanta under Yadava Prakasa, he used to observe the meaning of certain Upanishad slokas.

At times, when Yadava Prakasa explanations are not apt, Sri Ramanuja used to give correct explanations whereas Yadava Prakasa used to disagree with Sri Ramanuja and get angry on him.

On a particular occasion, while describing “Paramatma” in Chandogya Upanishad the sloka “Ya Yeshontharaditye Hiranyaha Purushodrishyate Tasya Kapyasam Pundairkamevamakshini” was under discussion.

For the word Kapyasa, Yadava Prakasa explained it as follows “Paramatma has red lotus eyes which resemble the red butt of the monkey”.

Ramanuja refuted the meaning with tears flowing down his cheeks. He compared the eyes of Lord with a Red Lotus-born in a pond filled with water, having a strong stem and made to bloom by the rays of the sun.

Maladhara (Thirumalaiandan), is one of the five acharyas of Sri Ramanuja. He learnt Nammazhwar’s Thiruvaimozhi from Thirumalaiandan. At times, his explanations were more meaningful and apt compared to Thirumalaiandan’s explanations.

Such incidents reveal his EXTRAORDINARY TALENTS of him.

Sri Ramanuja Jayanti

Born in Sriperumbudur, Sri Ramanuja (1017-1137) was the nephew of a great Ramayana scholar, the venerable PeriaTirumalai Nambi. He studied under illustrious Acharyas and succeeded Sri Alavandar as the spiritual head of Srivaishnavas.

Ever since Nathamuni had codified the Tamil hymns of the Alwars into NalayiraDivyaPrabandham and given them a scriptural status by having them recited in the Srirangam temple, Srivaishnavism began to grow rapidly among the devout. According to this creed, also known as Ubhaya Vedanta, both Sanskrit (Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasas) and Tamil hymns become the twin approaches to the Supreme.

Tradition assures us that Sri Ramanuja established that the image of Sri Venkateswara in Tirumala is of Lord Narayana who holds the conch and the discus in his hands. As he did with the other temples like Srirangam and Melkote, Sri Ramanuja streamlined the rituals of the Sri Venkateswara temple.

Sri Ramanuja Jayanti

He settled Ananthalwan in Tirumala to create a garden to grow flowers exclusively for the use of Lord Venkateswara. He also instituted the Tirupati Jeeyar Mutt that has been in charge of the proper conduct of rituals in the temple.

Apart from the DivyaDesas beginning with Srirangam, there are innumerable temples in town and village, city and the hills. It could be a tiny hamlet in Tirunelveli with an ancient temple or the grand Sri Ramanuja Mani Mandapam in Salem or the elegant Sri RamanujaKoot in Jodhpur; the celebrations mark our reaffirmation of Sri Ramanuja’s message: compassion for all living beings.

Also, we should remember the gift of Tiru-aradhana karma that he gave us in the important work, NithyaGrantha where the ritual worship of the Lord is given in detail. This was Sri Ramanuja’s way of inculcating discipline in our everyday life. It is heartening to note that the younger generation is turning to such ritual worship not only as an offering of bhakti but also as a matter of achieving discipline in one’s life every day.