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Title: 108 Shrines
SrI:
 
Dear BhakthAs :  Both Sriman Alwar and myself have completed and released
the First Volume of AzhwAr CD ROM covering the Vaibhavam and Dhivya Prabhandhams
of 7 AzhwArs and trhe dhivya dEsams that they performed MangaLAsAsanams.
The recordign of their dhivya prabhandhams as recited by the Melkote dhivya
Prabahndha adhyayayana ghOshti is also in included in this multimedia CD ROM
with outstandign graphics . We are ready to start the work on Volume II that
would cover the Vaibhavam of Swamy NammAzhwAr , Madhura Kavi , Thirumazhisai
AzhwAr , KulasEkharar and Thirumangai AzhwAr . More than half of the dhivya
Prabhandha Pasurams are from Swamy NammAzhwAr & Thirumangai . Hence 
the volume II about the 5 AzhwArs and their 14 Prabhandhams would be a treat 
for the Sri VaishNavite Families to enjoy .
 
We need your help to raise $2,000 to cover the expenses of the Volume II
creation . AaasthikAs have helped us with raising $620 of the needed $2,000
sofar . Only $ 1,3890 needs to be raised to start the Volume II creation at
Bangalore . Please let me know if you wish to support this important educational
project . It would eb my pleasure to send you volume I of the Azhwar CD ROM .
 
Please enjoy the short write up below on the AzhwArs and the dhivya dEsams
that they sang about .
 
NamO NaarAyaNAya ,
V.Sadagopan
   

 

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The 108 Dhivya Deshams

Azvars immersed in the eternal beauty and effulgence of the Supreme Lord enshrined in holy places and merged in ecstasy in his entrancing charm. Known as Dhivya Desams a total of 108 are such shrines that have been hymned by them. These shrines are spread over from the southern most tip of India to the vast Himalayan mountains. A life time ambition of a Srivaishnava is to visit all these 106 holy shrines with the exception of Srivaikuntam and Thiruparkadal.

intro2.jpg (15872 bytes) The 'Life and works of Azvars' CD-ROM contains information on all these 108 shrines besides the life and prabhandhams of the 12 Azvars. Beautiful pictures of deities enshrined, legends associated, the Dhivya prabanda hymns  dedicated to, road maps and other information provided make it a treasure to possess. This page contains pictures and information about some important shrines. Please support and acquire the CD-ROM to enjoy all the shrines and the divine message of Azvars.
Here is a chance to participate in a once-in-life time opportunity. You can sponsor your favorite dhivya desham/Azvar/Dhivya Prabhandham by helping with a contribution ( $50 - $100) for covering the development expense of this CD-ROM. You will be sent a copy of the CD ROM in a few months time when the CD is released. Your name will be added to the roster of sponsors. Please send your conformation by mail to Dr.V.Sadagopan -  sgopan@xxxxxxxxxxxx  Those who wish to contribute in Indian currency are requested to contact Dr.M.A.Alvar at alvar@xxxxxxxxx. We will cover five of the 108 Dhivya Deshams in this Page.
Thiruvarangam Thiruvenkadam Thirukachi Thiruvinnagar Thiruvilliputtur Thirukovaluur

Sri Rangam (Thiruvarangam)

Eulogized as 'bhuuloka vaikuntam' the paradise in earth, this Dhivya Desham stands atop of all. Hymned by the ten Azvars and Andal who wed Sri Ranganata, this place is unique. It is a fact that no kshetradanam of any Bhakthan is complete with out a visit to Srirangam. One may have missed a shrine and another included yet another, but none have missed Sri Rangam, the divine abode of Sri Ranganata.

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Garlanded by the golden river Kaveri, amidst green fields, the recently erected Raja Gopuram pierces the clouds and proclaims its glory to the celestial beings. As we pass through the seven surroundings and enter the divine abode, the spiritual fragrance uplifts us to a state of transcendental bliss.What a splendid sight that we see, under the shade of the golden Pranavakara Vimana lies Sri Ranganata (namperumal) on Sesha Paryankam in Ekanta Shayanam supporting his head on his arm .

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The festival deity with his golden  hued form, wielding his discuss and conch, bearing the celestial weapon Kaumodaki and ensuring fearlessness with his abhaya mudra, indeed melts our hearts. Sri Ranganayaki his divine consort is enshrined separately. Bearing lotus on her tender golden palms, removing all fear and showering auspiciousness, she glances at her children with compassion filled lotus eyes. This alone would account for 'sarva sampath samruddhi'.
Handed over to Manu by Brahma, Sri Ranganata was the kuladhanam of Ishvaku kulam, the celestial dynasty in which Sri Rama was born. Marked as 'bruhataayatanam' in Ramayana, Sri Rama presented it to Vibhishana after His grand coronation. The lord descended in Sri Rangam at the request of Dharma varma before Vibhishana could reach Sri Lanka and is seen facing south to bless Vibhishana and all who seek him. Indeed there is little surprise that Tondaradipodi Azvar addresses Ranganata and firmly declines any boon, not even the kingship of heaven, other than this blissful joy of looking again and again at his coral lips, lotus eyes, sing 'achuta, a bull among the celestial, the tendril shoot of cowheards'. 

Sri Venkatam (Thiruvenkadam)

The emperor of all Dhivya Deshams Sri Srinivasa has his abode in Thirumalai. A range of seven hills namely Venkadari, Seshadri, Vedadri, Garudari, Rrishabadri, Anjanadri and Aanandadri leads us to the pilgrim center where millions flock daily to have a glimpse of the lord's divine beauty. These hills are compared to a recumbent serpent. It is a practice to have darshan of Adivarahar Swami, the ancient resident of   this place before visiting Srinivasa.

thirupati2.jpg (28604 bytes) As we climb through the steep steps to Kali Gopuram, crossing the chasm and climbing again to Muzangal murichchaan and have a long walk towards the temple, the sight of  the golden glittering Vimanam of the lord showers rejuvenating ambrosia. The resonating cries 'Govinda, Venkataramana' fill the air as we enter the sanctum. Kulashekarazvar begs the lord at this shrine to allow him to be a door step as to feast his eyes permanently on the lotus face of the lord.
Venkatachalapati (Thiruvengadamudayan), the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum is about five feet tall, seen in a standing posture wielding the conch (Panchajanyam) and discus (Sudharshanam) in two hands and showering bliss through the third, while the fourth is held on the hip in katyavalambaita posture. Right from the diamond crown, Ashtottara Lakshmi mala, Salgrama Mala, Dashavatara odyanam, a golden sword that hangs from this belt, two golden plaques of Lakshmi and Padmavathi on his chest and all that we see is a glitter of spiritual ecstasy and the personification of perfection. Indeed it's a glory that we are able to feast on the beauty of the lord. Malayappa Swamy or Srinivasa is the processional deity. He too is seen in a standing posture again as a replica of the mula vigraham. He is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. Everyday is a festival day for Him. The nine-day Brahmotsava festival is indeed a divine splendor when the lord is richly dressed and carried on various vehicles day and night. Sri Padmavati (Alarmelmangai) is the consort of Sri Venkatesa. She is enshrined in a separate temple at Thiruchanur.

 

Kanchipuram (Thirukachi)

As the lord revealed himself and blessed Brahma in Kanchi, he is known as Varadan. This deity is stationed here in all the four yugas. Brahma worshipped him in Krita yuga, Gajendran in Treta, Bhrihaspati in Dvapara and Adiseshan in Kali. The mortal coil of Iravadam is seen as Hasthigiri on which Devadirajan is enshrined under Punyakoti Vimanam facing west. He is as majestic as Thirumala Srinivasa and bears the celestial conch (Panchajanyam), discus (Sudarshanam) and gada while the fourth palm is held in abhaya mudra.

Varadarajan2.jpg (32425 bytes) The elegant smile of the lord indeed captures our hearts.   The festival deity Yagna Varadarajan is said to have manifested from the fire sacrifice of Brahma. Sri and Bhu Devi on his sides both bearing flower-cluster on their right hand is a unique sight to see. Maha Devi or Perundevi Thaayaar is the goddess. She is housed in a separate temple within the complex.The wooden Varada, Attivaradan, is lying submerged in the sacred tank Amruta saras is taken out only once in 40 years, kept outside for 40 days for worship and again returned to His watery abode.
Garuda seva of Varadan is a  famous event  that attracts pilgrims from far and wide. To the east of the holy tank is a Sannidhi for Sundarshana.The vast temple campus is an amalgamation of architectural beauty created by rulers of several eras. The hundred-pillared hall by the side of the temple tank is indeed an epitome of architecture. Peyalvar, Alavandar, Tirukachi Nambi, Ramanuja, Kurathazvan, Vedanta Deshika, Manavala maamuni and Thirumangaialvar have composed hymns for this lord. The history of Sri Vaishnavisum owes a lot to this lord for blessing both Ramanuja and Vedanta Deshikar to become two of the main Acharyas.

Tulasivanam (Thiruvinnagar )

What a splendid sight that we see in Thiruvinnagar. Oppilaa appan, a grand figure towering twelve plus feet, adorned with salagrama mala, dashavatara odyanam and other celestial ornaments glitters with eternal youth and charm. Bhumi Devi the young maiden kneels in front, while Markandeya offers her in marriage.

Legends proclaim Him as the elder brother of Thirumalai Srinivasan.

Thirumangai alvar, Nammalvar and Peyalvar have sung in praise of this deity. Nammalvar perceives this wonderful lord as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Muttappan, Ennappan and Vinnagarappan in accordance with his five fold nature.

oppili2.jpg (29854 bytes) In response to the penance of sage Markandeya, Vasumati (Bhudevi) manifested as his daughter in this Tulasi vanam (Thiruvinnagar). When she was six, a tottering grand old man came by and asked Markandeya for her hand. With much difficulty Markandaya tried to dissuade the old man. But the old man could not take no for an answer. Unable to tackle, Markandeya cried, 'Behold O! Old man, my daughter does not even know how to mix the appropriate measure of salt in food, how do you expect such an young girl to serve you'. The old man vanished and there stood Sriman Narayana wielding his discuss and conch with unmatched splendor. The celestial wedding between the divne couple took place in the month of Iypasi in Shravana star.

Dhanvipuri (Thiruvilliputtur)

The birth place of Thirupaavai t and that of Andal and Periyazvar is Srivilliputtur. Vatapatra Shayi is the main deity here. He is seen in bujanga syananam facing east under a banyan tree, flanked by Sri devi, Bhu devi , Brahma, Surya, Brugu, Markandeya, Villi and the divine weapons of the lord. He was a child to Periyazvar who approached him with vatsalya bhakti and the dear love of Andal who fused into the supreme in Nayaki Bhava. Glittering icons of Rangamannar, Andal and Garuda are seen in the sanctum. Unparalleled is the beauty of the Processional deity in this Shrine

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Villiputtur- named after the hunter Villi, who founded this city at the command of the lord; to add to its glory Adivaraha has rested in Srivilliputtur for a while. Vishnu Chittar (Periyazvar) tended a flower garden here and made garlands for Vatapatrashayi every day. It is in this garden that he found a child who became the beloved of Ranganata. This was Andal whose songs are unrivaled in devotion and fervor to the lord. She used to deck herself with the garland created for the lord and enjoy the sight in reflection. Shocked was Periyazvar when he saw that accidentally, but the lord insisted in wearing only those garlands. Later at the behest of Ranganata, she was brought to his sanctum by Perivazvar, and she merged in to the lord.

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Including the Panguni uttaram marriage celebrations, all festivals are of grand scale here. The Shayanotsavam in which Sri Rangamannar rests on the lap of Andal is indeed a sight to see. Arayar sevai, a form of ritual dance is enacted here as in Srirangam and Azvar Thirunagari.Ramanuja held Andal in high esteem and it is said that when he visited this shrine, she came seven steps forward addressing him as 'Elder brother'.

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Gopalakshetram (Thirukovalur)
The garden where the flower of Vaishnavam blossomed is Thirukovalur. It was heavily raining when the first three Azvars met here. A small corridor was provided for shelter when Poygaiyazvar approached. When another devotee knocked seeking space, he was also let in. When yet another joined, there was barely space for one more to stand. They spent time in singing praises of the lord, and to their surprise felt yet another person squeezing them. That was none other than the lord who wanted to enjoy the company of his devotees.

Thirivikraman who measured the entire universe in two steps is the main deity here. Indeed we have the darshana saubhagyam of a huge icon with one leg lifted up piercing the sky and the other on the head of Mahabali. Decorated with celestial ornaments, the lord bears conch in his right hand and the discuss in the left contrary to the customary pose.

tiukovilur2.jpg (34796 bytes) The main deity Thrivikraman is made of wood. Pungoval Nacchiyar is the goddess here.Thirukovallur is one of the five Krishnaranya Kshetrams. Gopalan is the festival deity falnked by Rukmani and Satyabhama.   Mudalazvars, Thirumangai azvar, Vedanta deshikar and Manavala Mamuni have offered their eulogized hymns to the lord in this Dhivya Desham.
 
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