You are here: SriPedia - Oppiliappan - Archives - Apr 2008

Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00062 Apr 2008

 
Apr 2008 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


In the Hill Shrine, the utsava bera(or murthy) is 
called 'Malayappan', ranks next in importance to the Dhruva Bera so 
far as the devotees and pilgrims are concerned. But, in actual 
worship, however, the kautuka bera or Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy is more 
important than the utsava bera.
As the history of Tirumala Temple says, only after Malayappa Swamy 
included in the sanctum as utsava bera, the number of Festivals 
increased in the Hill Shrine. We have references in the early Tamil 
Classics and in the songs of Azhwars that the Vengadam Hill is known 
for its festivals. But the first festivals in the Hill Shrine, which 
are documented are the ones which were instituted in 614 A.D. by the 
Pallava princess, Saamavai. Brahmotsavams are one of the main 
utsavams, but, during and after the days of Yadava-raya kings, the 
number of festivals increased. Several new and colourful occasions 
were introduced like Kalyanotsavam, Dolotsavam, Teppotsavam, Parveta 
Utsavam etc.,
So Malayappa is kept busy thru out the year. It is this bera that is 
most often seen by the devotees. Naturally it is decorated 
elaborately with splendid ornaments of gold studded with diamonds, 
pearls, corals and other precious stones.
As the legend says, it was the Snapana Bera(or Ugra Srinivasa 
Murthy) that was used as the processional image, before the present 
Utsava bera Malayappa Swamy with two consorts found. There is also a 
practical consideration in this change. As the snapana bera is only 
one and a half foot tall, while the Utsava bera(Malayappan) is three 
feet tall, and therefore better suited for processions and public 
displays. And it is likely that before the Snapana bera was 
introduced, the kautuka bera might be used for the purpose, for the 
festivals were instituted at the same time as the kautuka bera was 
consecrated(614 AD). There's a provision for this in Vaikhanasa 
Agama, as we read in Bhrugu Samhitha-Yagnaadikaram, that when the 
utsava bera is not available, the snapana bera may be used for 
festivities; and when even the Snapana bera is not available, then 
the kautuka bera can be used.

There is a legend regarding the discovery and introduction of the 
utsava bera Malayappa Swamy in to the Shrine. In former days, when 
once the snapana bera was used as processional idol, was taken out 
on the streets of the temple, fire broke out frequently causing 
considerable damage and distress. It was then revealed by the Lord 
in the form of invoking in to one of an Archaka that this snapana 
bera was unsuited for the purpose of Utsavams, because of its 
ferocious nature(Ugra Svabhavam), and that a substitute idol would 
be found in a glen on the slopes of the hill. When a search was 
made, the present utsava murthy with consorts was found and that 
place is other wise called from then as Malayappa Kona(dense forest 
in Seshachalam Hills). Since then the snapana bera is confined to 
the sanctum, except for one day in a year i.e on the day of Kausika 
Dvadasi. It was in the year 1339 A.D., the consecration for 
Malayappa Swamy done.
The idols of Malayappa Swamy are made in panchaloham(an alloy of 
five metals, gold,silver,copper,lead,iron). Malayappa is 27 inches 
in height, and stands on a lotus pedestal which is 9 inches high. 
Sridevi stands to his right and is of 24 inches tall, standing on a 
pedestal 4 inches high. Bhudevi, who stands on the left side of 
malayappa is about the same size. The two consorts are each two 
armed, one of the hands being held in the kataka posture and the 
other hanging loosely and gracefully.
Malayappa is four armed, the two upper hands holding conch and 
discus and the two normal hands in the boon-bestowal(varada right) 
and the hip holding(katyavalambita) postures. He is not an exact 
replica of the main deity in the sanctum, as regards the ornaments 
and proportions. This idol appears to be an early ancient chola work.
(as far as silpa sastra is concerned). 



------------------------------------

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan
http://www.sadagopan.org Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:Oppiliappan-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    mailto:Oppiliappan-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list