As part of the ongoing Brahmotsavam at Sri Varadaraja Perumal Thirukkoil, Kanchipuram, purappadu of utsavar Sri Devaperumal in Nachiyar Thirukolam took place today morning (May 26th, 2013; Sunday).
Sunday morning was a visual treat in Perumal kovil. Our Varadar adorned all the thiruabarhnam of our thayar.
As always lets touch upon the origin of this thirukolam. Once sage Durvasa offered the garland of Mahalakshmi to Indra, who was riding on his elephant. Indra accepted the garland and placed it in his elephant. The elephant, irritated by the smell of the garland, threw it to the ground. This action enraged the sage, who is legendary for his temper, as the garland was a prasadam from Mahavishnu’s consort. Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be devoid of all strength, energy and fortune.
In the battle that followed devas were routed by asuras and devas as always sought the help of Mahavishnu. Mahavishnu advised the devas that they should churn the milky white ocean, with the help of asuras, and from which the nectar of immortality would be obtained.
Devas and asuras started churning with mount Mandara as the dasher and snake Vasuki as the rope. As the churning continued Kautubha ratnam, Kamadhenu, Kalpavriksham, Sharangam and Lakshmi her self emerged followed by various other celestial items. Finally the nectar of immortality, amirtham, emerged and immediately devas and asuras started fighting for it. Mahavishnu took the form of a lady (Mohini), who was the most beautiful lady that the assembled gods, devas and asuras have ever seen. Mohini distributed the amirtham to devas, who vanquished the asuras.
There are small variations in this story between the puranas, but one thing that is common among all the puranas is the beauty of the lord when he took the form of Mohini.
Likewise the beauty of Varadar would get exponentially increased in this thirukolam. There could be many reasons for Varadar’s incomparable beauty in this thirukolam, but I would attribute the beauty to Varadar’s most compassionate consort, Perundevi thayar. Varadar has borrowed all the thiruabhardanam of Thayar, he has even let go his unique kadukan (ear ring) and adored Thayar’s ear ring. Varadar, to complete his looks, even swap both his weapons (Shankam & Chakram) for a pair of lotus, that too similar to the ones held by Perundevi thayar.
We all (some of us) might have committed many sins, so much so we get a place in hiranyakashipu’s ghosti. the comforting factor in this thirukolam is we would not be punished as Perumal dosent have his discus and also all the thiruabharnams of Thayar would make him as compasspnate as our jagan matha (Perundevi Thayar). This is the reason I feel very safe in this thirukolam.
During the purappadu, the ghosti recited Thirupallandu, Thiruppavai in addition to Periya thiruvanthathi & thiruviruththam.
The following are some of the photographs taken during the utsavam today morning…
In addition to Divya Prabhandam and VedaPaaraayanm, Sthothrapatham is also recited during the return from Gangai kondan Mandapam. This is one of the six days(if I remember correct?) when Sthothra patam Goshti chanting Sanskrit slokas including that of Swami Desikan and the Thathacharyas have the unique honour of Satari a the end of the Sthothrapatam .