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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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)](jpgvYGuH71HgI.jpg) |
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. |
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. |
![ranganata2.jpg (90507 bytes)](jpgrKKC9M2IIi.jpg)
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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 . |
![ranganata12.jpg (12116 bytes)](jpgsClqllxjaL.jpg)
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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)
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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)](jpgqIkK64NQwc.jpg) |
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. |
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)](jpgcbBLo9usjx.jpg) |
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.
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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)](jpgQ1UssQ39ap.jpg) |
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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![vatapatra2.jpg (47893 bytes)](jpgGpWCLWC9l4.jpg)
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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. |
![andaal2.jpg (50567 bytes)](jpg1Jg5is5Ma1.jpg)
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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'. |
![rangaman2.jpg (57800 bytes)](jpgy4EFnGA5uJ.jpg)
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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.
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![tiukovilur2.jpg (34796 bytes)](jpgA7ymgsyybA.jpg) |
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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