04 December 2021, Plava varusha, Karthikai -18, Saturday ;
In Srirangam, Adhyayana utsavam commenced on 03 December 2021. In Srirangam, this utsavam is celebrated for 22 days. Once, Thirumangai Azhwar, after having darshan of thirumanjanam of Namperumal and His consorts, sang Thirunedundandakam. Much pleased by that, SriRanganathar, asked Thirumangaiazhwar, whether he had any wish to be fulfilled. At that time, he requested for equal status of Nammazhwar’s Thiruvaimozhi  to that of Vedas. Perumal agreed to this and from then, this utsavam is celebrated.
On 03 November 2021, Thirunedundandakam was sung in “Santhana Mandapam”and vyakyanam was given in front of Namperumal as a part of commencement of Adhyayana Utsavam.
For the first ten days, pagal pathu, First and Second 1000 pasurams would be sung, and for the next ten days, Thiruvaimozhi 1000 pasurams, Third 1000 pasurams would be sung on the final day.
Araiyar Swamigal, who are descendants of Sri Nadhamunigal, perform music, thalams, which they usually hold in their hands, and sing thirunedundandakam on the first day utsavam in front of Sri Ranganathar. The two thalams in Araiyar Swamigal hands are named as Nammazhwar, Nadhamunigal.
During this utsavam, it reveals the respect given by Namperumal for 4000 Prabhandams, and it’s an exclusive utsavam celebrated for 4000 Pasurams, between Perumal and Azhwars, which is potrayed in the form of Music, Mudhras and thalams by Arayar Swamigal. This utsavam is performed in Arjuna Mandapam.
Namperumal dressed in silk garments, and in white flower garlands. Arayar will be felicitated by the Archakas of Thirumangai Azhwar Sannidhi. After Neivedhyam, a portion of prasadam would be sent to thirumangai azhwar sannidhi first, following which it would be distributed to all the devotees along with theertha prasadam.
All the devotees are awaiting for this utsavam every year.
Photos taken during the event can be viewed below:
03 December 2021
04 December 2021
Photo courtesy: Sri Parthasarathy Govind
