A rare phenomenon

Sri Andal Nachiyar

FROM TIME immemorial, Sri Andal Nachiyar at Srivilliputhur will be adorned daily with a new parrot made out of leaves of a particular tree. During the Brahmotsavam at Tirumalai-Tirupati on the `Nachiyarkolam day' this parrot, made out of leaves, is brought along with the floral garland from Srivilliputhur and placed at the hands of Lord Srinivasa as also in the Brahmotsavam of Sri Varadarajaswami temple in Kanchipuram and given the same honours.

For the temple at Tirupati there is a verse in the introductory Paasurams of `Thiurppavai' as follows:

"Annavayal puduvai Andal Arangarkkup

Pannu Thiruppavai Palpathiyam - Innisaiyal

Padikkoduthall Narpaamaalai Poomalai

Choodikkoduththalaichollu

Choodikkodutha Sudarkodiye Tholpavai

Padiyarulavalla Palvalaiyai - Nadi Nee

Vengadavarkku Yennaividhi Yendre Immatram

Nam Kadavavanname Nalgu".

In the eighth paasuram of Thiruppavai the following could be seen.

"Kizhvaanam Vellendru Erumaisiruveedu

Meivan Paranthanakann Mikkullapillaigalum

Povan Poginrarai Pogamal Kathu Unnai

Koovuvan Vandhu Ninrom Kothu Kalamudaya

Pavaai! Ezhundirai Padipparaikondu

Maavaai Pilanthanai Mallarai Mattiya

Devadhi Devanai (Sri Varadarajanai) Sendru Naam Seviththal

Aavaavendru Aaraintharulelorembavai."

Thanks to the efforts taken by Rtn. C. S. Vijayaraghavan (Raghu) and the Trustees of Sri Varadarajaswami temple at Arcot, for, on the First Saturday of Purattasi last year (September 18, 2004) special arrangements were made to bring the `Kili' from Srivilliputhur and this was organised by the special committee formed.

Sri Rengaraja Battachar from Srivilliputhur brought the `Kili' with flower garlands on the afternoon of September 18, 2004, and at the Mini auditorium of TSR Chari Mills, near the temple, a special Aaradanai was performed and after the recitation of Sri Andal's Tiruppavai, Sri Rengaraja Bhattachar explained about the temples at Tirupati and Kanchipuram where the `Kili' is placed at the hand of the Lord Srinivasa and Lord Varadarajaswami respectively blessing the devotees.

Thousands of devotees had gathered to witness the ritual when the specially made `Kili' and the garland were taken in a procession to Sri Varadarajaswami temple situated on the Southern banks of River Palar where it was received with due honours.

The Brahmotsavam of centuries-old Sri Varadarajaswami temple at Arcot is celebrated every year when this rare occasion is organised at Sri Varadarajaswami temple at Kanchipuram.

After the Samprokshanam of this temple special sannidhi was constructed for Lord Rama. A Mirror room (Kannadi aria) is also there and at all important festivities Sri Varadarajaswami with His Consorts Sri Bhoomadevi and Sri Perundevi Thayar is brought to the `Kannadi Arai' for the devotees to have darshan.

On the First, Third and Fifth Saturday in the month of Purattasi devotees throng the temple in thousands from nearby towns of Ranipet, Walajapet and other villages to have darshan.

AMUTHAN RAMASWAMI

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