Tirumala Temple

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: RANGARAJ RAMASWAMY <rangaraj_ramaswamy@yahoo.co.in>
To: sabha <rangaraj_ramaswamy@yahoo.co.in>
Sent: Thursday, 29 September 2011 10:35 PM
Subject: GARBA GRUHA - LORD SRI VENKATESHWARA TIRUMALA 

The Garbha Gruha or sanctum is where the main idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara resides. The idol stands majestically in the Garbha Gruha, directly beneath a gilt dome called the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana. This exquisitely-wrought idol called the Mulaberam, is believed to be self-manifested, as there has been no known sculptor possessing the capability to sculpt idols so proportionately and beautifully. Further, no human being is known to have installed it in the shrine. Ordinarily, the Lord wears a gold kiritam which has a large emerald embedded in front. On special occasions, he is adorned with a diamond kiritam. On his forehead, the Lord has a thick double patch of upwrought namam drawn with refined camphor, which screens his eyes. In between the two white patches is a kasturitilakam. His ears are bedecked with shining golden makara kundalas. The fist of His raised right hind hand is implanted with a gem-set chakra, and the corresponding left fist with the sankhu. The slightly outstreched front right hand, has its fingers pointing to His lotus feet, as the only recourse to His devotees to attain oneness with Him and enjoy eternal bliss. His front left hand is akimbo to assure His devotees of protection, and to show that the samsara sagara is only hip-deep if they seek His refuge. His body is clothed with a pitambaram tied with gold string, and a gold belt to which are attached tiny, jingling gold bells. He is adorned with precious ornaments. He has a yajnopavita flowing down cross-wise from His left shoulder. He bears Sri Lakshmi Devi on His right chest and Sri Padmavathi Devi on His left chest. He bears Nagabharanam ornaments on both shoulders. His lotus feet are covered with gold frames and decked with clinging gold anklets. A strong curved belt of gold encompasses his legs. During Abhishekam, we can have darshan of Goddess Lakshmi. The Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana was covered with gilt copper plates and surmounted with a golden vase, in the thirteenth century, during the reign of the Vijayanagara king, Yadava Raya. Pilgrims are not allowed to enter the Garbha Gruha (beyond Kurasekara path)

Courtesy – TTD Devastanam

Srimad Andavan's Tour programme- a change

                                 Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha
Please be informed that there is a small change in the Tour programme. Visit to Tiruvarangam, located near Tirukkoyiloor is cancelled and His stay in Tiruvaheendrapuram is extended. H.H. arrives Perungalathur directly from Tiruvaheendrapuram on the evning of 28th September,2011 and the programme their continues till Nanganallur.
After completing Nanganallur Aaraadanam on Vijayadasmi day, Purattasi Sravanam, 6th October, that evening H. H proceeds to Tiruneermalai Swamy Desikan Sannathi of our Ashramam and particpates in Tirunakshatram function of Swamy Desikan and saathumurai there that evening, before arriving Alwarpet Ashramam premises that night.

Daasan,
R Srinivasan

Kanchipuram Sri Deva perumal Temple Pavithrothsavam-17/09/2011

                                    Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha
Please find below the link for Kancipuram Sri Deva Perumal Temple Pavithrothsavan youtube movie links taken on the evening of 17th september, 2011, incuding Poornaahuthi and Veda Parayanam on that day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf6e86ToW0k

Daasan,
R Srinivasan

Srimath Andavan Tour Programme upto 6th October,2011

Srirangam Srimath Andavan Ashramam calendar for Aavani & Purattasi Months

13 Sept 2011 Tue Maalaya Paksham Begins. Srimath Andavan Sankalpam ends , Uththanam today.

15 Sept 2011 Thu Thenpirai Andavan Tirunakshatrm, Srimath Ranganatha Mahadesikan Aavani Revathi

17 Sept 2011 Sat Aavani 31st. But Purattasi Maasa Pirappu -- Tharpanam-- Mahabarani

18 Sept 2011 Sun Purattasi 1st

20 Sept 2011 Tue Madhyashtami

23 Sept. 2011 Fri Sarva Ekadasi

24 Sept. 2011 Sat Dwadasi, Sanyastha Mahalayam

25 Sept. 2011 Sun Mahapradosham

26 Sept. 2011 Mon Bodayana Amavasai

27 Sept. 2011 Tue Mahalaya Amavasai

28 Sept.2011 Wed Navarathri Uthsavam Begins

05 Oct. 2011 Wed Saraswati Puja, Maha Navami

06 Oct 2011 Thu Vijya Dasami, Swamy Desikan Tirunakshatram, Sravana Vratham, Srimath Andavan returns to Chennai Ashramam

07 Oct.2011 Fri Sravanam, Sarva Ekadasi

09 Oct. 2011 Sun Maha Pradosham

11 Oct.2011 Tue Srimath Aakkoor Andavan Tirunakshatram

Srimath Thembarai Andavan- Aavani Revathy, 15 Sept.2011

Thembarai Andavan:- Thirunakshatram: Avani Revathi

This year Srimath Andavan is camping in Thembarai and celebrating Tirunakshatram function at the birth place of Sri Ranganatha Mahadesikan, popularly known as Thembarai Andavan
  

Thanian:

Srimath VEdha vathamsa lakshmana munehe praapthaaga maantha dvayam

ThEna Sri raghu punga vangri yugaLe nyasthaathma Rakshaambharam

Srimath Srinidhi yogivarya karuna labdaabhja chakraangkanam

Vande shaanthi virakhthi poornamanagham Sri ranga naatham Gurum

Srimath Thembarai Andavan Sri RanganAtha MahA dEsikan adorned Acharya peetam as the 8th Andavan in the Andavan Periashramam Munithraya Sampradayam AchArya Lineage. .

Thembarai is a beautiful serene village situated on the banks of river pAmani .He was born to Sri. U.Ve. Vangeepuram SeshAdriyAchAr in then year 1886 VIYA varusham in the month of Avani with Revathy as birth star(19-08-1886).His poorvasirama name was venkataraghavan. (His father gave him excellent education in his younger days.)

The Astrologers who looked at the horoscope of swAmi predicted that he would become a sanyAsi and a parama virakthA,unparalleled. After undergoing samskArams at the right age, swAmi performed adhyayanam of sAma sAkhA and became an exponent. He underwent rigorous training and mastered sanskrit, and Kavya sAstrAs along with other vEda sAkhAs in Thirukkudanthai Sanskrit College. He went to Rajamannar koil nd mastered vyAkaraNa sAstrAs under the tutelage of Sri. U.Ve. RangachAr swAmi (This mahAn later became the 39th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt as Sri Parankusa SatakOpa yatheendra mahA dEsikan). Later he went to viLAkkudi to learn tharka sAstrAs under the eminent guidance of “ThArkika simham” Sri. U.Ve. SrinivAsachariAr swAmi. Having completely learnt tharka sAstrAs, swAmi learnt and mastered MeemAmsa sAstrAs under the guidance of MahA mahOpAdhyAyA Brahmasri KuppuswAmi SastrigAL and Brahmasri ChinnaswAmi SastrigAL.

Marriage

In the year 1908, swAmi was married to Srimathi Vijayavalli Ammal. Immediately after the marriage, swAmi took the VaisvadEva upadEsam from his paternal uncle, Maha vidwAn Brahmanidhi Sri. U.Ve. RamabhadrAchAr swAmi. During his GruhasthAsramA, swAmi observed panca kAla anushtAnams in an austere and rigorous way. Later, swAmi served as a religious teacher in a national high school. . During this time swAmi served as an examiner for sanskrit competitions conducted Sri kanchi kAmakOti matam. Sri SankarAchArya (paramAchAryA) had utmost respect for swAmi’s pAndithyAm.

SwAmi followed Sriman nigamAntha mahA dEsikan in observing ‘Unccha vrutthi’. Such was the vairAghyam swAmi possessed in renouncement all the materialistic lifestyle and observance of severe austerity. c.. SwAmi underwent grantha chathushtya kAlakshEpams under Srimath NammAndavan. In the kAlakshEpa goshti, swAmi used to listen to kAlakshEpam with rapt attention and full concentration.
Srimath NammAndavan performed panca samskAram to swAmi in his younger days and later performed bharasamarpanam at the lotus feet of vaduvoor (Lord Sri Rama). In the year 1922, in Mannargudi,Sri Ramanaya upanyasam of swAmi was arranged by Sri. U.Ve. vidwAn Rama swAmi Iyengar and Sri. U.Ve. KrishnamAchAriAr,which went on for over two months.
While swAmi was undertaking kAlakshEpams from His Holiness Srimath NammAndavan ,Srimath Andavan adorned ThirunAdu unexpectedly in Kanchipuram. Srimath Akkur Andavan succeeded NammAndavan to adorn the AchArya peetam. Thembarai swAmi continued his kAlakshEpams under Srimath Akkur Andavan.
Guna seelA
From his younger days, swAmi was a puritan filled with all satva gunAs .. Simplicity, honesty, purity, veracity, courage, equality, renunciation, lucid and profound
sampradayic knowledge were hallmarks of swAmi’s gunAs. One could see simplicity all the way in the clothes he wore, the food he ate or the lifestyle he led. SwAmi was such a down-to-earth person who won the respect of many of his admirers SwAmi had no desire to save money for his family. The amazing virakthi swAmi possessed is attributed to his profound knowledge of our siddhAnta and total belief in it. Even during the sadas when sambhavana was offered to vidwAns, swAmi would do his best to avoid taking up sanmAnam.

SanyAsa sweekAram
Swami was doing kainkaryam to Srimath Akkur Andavan, continuing to undertake kAlakshEpams under His Holiness. Srimath Andavan was immensely pleased with our swAmi’s GnAna, vairAghyA and AnushtAnams and felt that our swami was the right person to be adorned as ‘sampradAya pravarthakA’ of periAsramam after His time.HE WAS very confident our swami would carry Asramam’s growth to heights of glory. Accordingly HH did upadEsam on prapatti proyOgA and prEsha manthram to our swami.

In the meantime, swAmi’s dharma patni attained AchAryan thiruvadi in the year 1946. Srimath Akkur Andavan was also becoming weak because of age. Swami after long thoughts decided to take up sanyAsam and hence went to Srimath Andavan and prayed to HH and sought his blessings for the sanyAsam. Srimath Andavan was extremely pleased by swAmi’s decision and ordained His sishyAs to make arrangements for the Holy ceremony.

In the year viya in the month of Aippasi on the 21^st day i.e. on 6-10-1946 in the presence of several Andavan Thiruvadis, Srimath Akkur Andavan gave the holy sanyAsam to Sri. U.Ve. Brahmaniddhi Thembarai VenkatarAghavAchAriar swami. He was given the title as ‘Sri RanganAtha mahA dEsikan’ and was fondly called as Thembarai Andavan. Srimath Akkur Andavan lived for 5 more months after that and adorned ThirunAdu on 19-3-1947 on a krishna paksha dwAdasi day ( in the month of Panguni, viya year).

Because of the sanyAsa sweekAram, swami's lifestyle did not change a bit at all as he practiced a life of sanyAsi even before that with rigorous anushtAnams and extreme vairAghyam having completely renounced worldly comforts.
The daily chores of Asramam was maintained the same way as it was done from Srimath PeriAndavan's period. Srimath Thembarai Andavan would wake up before 4 AM in the morning and would perform avagAha snAnam immediately thereafter. SandhyAvandhanam, japams would be done after that followed by bhagavath ArAdhanam and purvAchAryAs' pAdukA ArAdhanam. This was followed by distribution of perumAl and pAdukA theertham. . Later, Sri bhAshya, geethA bhAshya, bhagavath vishaya kAlakshEpams would by rendered by His Holiness after which vaidheeka karmas such as samAsrayanams and bharanyAsams would be performed for the bhAgavathAs for the day.
In the evenings, kAlakshEpams on divya sookthis such as Srimath RamAyanam, nyAya siddhAnjanam. AdhikaraNa sArAvaLi would happen besides other anushtAnams. Srimath Andavan would consume very little food once a day in the mornings.
During swAmi's time as AchAryA, Sri. U.Ve. Chakravarthi KrishnamAchAriar swAmi, Sri. U.Ve. V.K. SrinivAsAchAriAr swami and later Sri. U.Ve. SrinivAsa rAghavAchariAr swami ( Kannan swami – later Srimath Thirukkudanthai Andavan) served as Sri Karyams of Asramam at different periods.
As per the holy order of His Holiness, a monthly magazine called 'Sri Ranganatha Paduka' was started in the year 1955 in the month of October ( Manmatha Varusham in the month of Ippasi) to bring a connection between the asramam and the andavan sishyas.
Srimath Thembarai Andavan became weaker as the days passed by due to rigorous anushtanams, meagre intake of food and also due to breathing related health issues. His Holiness gave upadEsam on “PrEsha manthram” and “MOkshAsrama Ahnika AnushtAnam” to three vidwAns of the Asramam - U.Ve. Sri. Kannan swAmi, U.Ve. Sri. Mysore GopAlAchAr swAmi(who later on became Srimath Mysore Andavan in the late 80s) and Mannargudi GanapAdi vidwAn U.Ve. Sri. NarasimhAchArya swAmi for them to be ready and take up sanyAsam any time when called.

In April 1963, Srimath Andavan’s health was extremely affected and with great difficulty His Holiness was performing his nithya karma anushtAnamOn April 4th 1963, Srimath Andavan's condition became worse and most of the sishyAs were informed. Sree kAryam Sri. U.Ve. kannan swAmi was also informed of Srimath Andavan’s health and . On His arrival, arrangements were speeded up for Sri kannan swAmi's thureeyAsrama sweekAram. Early morning the next day i.e. on 5th april, 1963 (Friday, sukla dwAdasi, makam star), in the presence of sishyAs, His Holiness Srimath Thembarai Andavan ordained the ascetic order to Sri U.Ve. Kannan SwAmi who was named as Srimath vEdAnta rAmAnuja mahA dEsikan. and within few hours on the same day (April 5th 1963) He adorned Thirunadu satisfied with having found His worthy successor.

Srimath Andavan Thiruvadi
Perungadambanur Parthasarathy Sreenivasan

Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

In continuation to my earlier e mail on the report from Therazhundur, please find attached youtube movie links of Aavani Poorattaathi Tirunakshatram functions of Srimath Vazhuthur Andavan and Srimath Therazhundur Andavan held in the Divyadesam Therazhundur, on the concluding day of 23rd Chaaturmaasya Sankalpam of Srimath Aandavan Sri RangaRamanuja Mahadesikan.. Video clips cover the Tirumanjanam of Sri Amaruviappan along with Ubhaya Naacimaars,Thaayaar, Sri LakshmiHayagreevar, Azhwar and Swamy Desikan.

On conclusion of The Sankalpam, H.H has departed on Uththaanam day of 13th Sept.2011 to Thenbirai, which is the Avathaara Sthalam of srimath Thenbirai Aandavan and whose Tirunakshatram is coming of on Aavani Revathi,15th Sep 2011.This function will be celebrated there on that day. Devotees are invited to attend the function at that place.

Daasan,

R Srinivasan

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJcUSJ7LW-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C5kWfUGRgU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YvvzQLbuNg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOs4IpQ8Pms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr318PcJRgs

Therazhundur Tirunaksharams photos

Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Tirunakshtram functions of two of our Poorvaachaariars went off well in Therazhundur on 12th September, 2011, which was also the concluding day of H.H. 23rd Chaturmasya sankalpam. As ususal, there was a large gathering of devotees on that day and obtained the blessings from H.H.

To mark this occasion,Ashramam has sponsored Tirumanjanam at the Divya Desam Temple of Sri Varadarajar also known as Sri Gosakan or Sri Amaruviappan.

I am giving below the picasaweb links of the photographs taken on the occasion.

Video clips are also under compilation and will be posted in my next mail.

Enjoy viewing.

Daasan,

R Srinivasan

https://picasaweb.google.com/113272891841483968193/TherazhundurAshramam These pictures taken on the morning of 12th Sept., 2011, the day of Srimath Therazhundur Andavan and also of Srimath Vahuththoor Andavan's Tirunakshatram. The day was Aavani Poorattathi.

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/113272891841483968193/TherazhundurTemple Some clips taken during Tirumanjanam as well as Saathupadi alankaaram after Tirumanjanam

Srimath Therazhundur Andavan Tirunakshatram, 12th Sept.2011

                              Srimathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha
Life history of Srimath Veadantha Ramanuja Mahadesikan, popularly known as Nammandavan as well as Srimath Therazhundur Andavan. this Acharyan's this year's Tirunakshatram is being celebrated along with Srimatha Vazhuththoor Andavan's Tirunakshatram at the Divyadesam Therazhundur, near Mayiladuthurai, on Aavani Poorattathi day,that is 12th September,2011.  You are all invited to particpate in the function and get thye blessings of our Acharyas. We give below His Thanian as well as life history, taken out from web site, www.andavan.org

Srimath Nammandavan- Srimath Vedantha Ramanuja Mahadesikan-- Srimath Therazhundur Andavan

Thirunakshatram: Avani PoorattAdhi

Thanian:

Srimath Srivasa yogeeshwara padhavinatham labdha vEdhaantha yugmam

Sri paadooSEvi raamaanuja munithilakaath thathpadha nyastha Baaram

Srimath Srivasa raamaanuja munimaNEr labda mokshaasramam tham

Srimath vEdhaantha raamaanuja yathi nrupathim sumsrayE gnyana vaardhim

Avani poorattadhi is the thirunakshatram of Srimath ThErazhundur Andavan Sri Vedhantha Ramanuja Mahadesikan. His poorvashrama Name was Sri Varadhachar. Sri Varadhachar Swami was born in the year Prajothpathi (1871) in the month of AvaNi in ThErazhundur village in Tanjore district in Tamilnadu. He belonged to Eyunni vamsam and Bharadwaja Gothram. At very early age, he was trained at vedha adhyayanam, kavyam and nataka alankaram at his birth place. To learn TharkA, vyAkaranA, and meemAmsA he went to Srirangam, offered his obeisance at the feet of PeriAndavan who in turn blessed Sri VaradhAchar swami with pancha samskaram and manthra upadesam. Sri VaradAchAr swami learnt Tharka and nyAya sAsthrA from the great scholar Vilakkudi Vedhanthachar swAmi. He under went intensive training under the great pandit pudhu-agrahAram Brahmasri Kuppuswami sastrigal in meemAmsA and vyakaranA. He had performed Atma samarpanam at the holy feet of Nam Perumal by Srimath ChinnAndavan - Srimath Paduka Sevaka Ramanuja Maha Desikan.

He was married at the age of 18 years to Sowbhagyavathi Sengamala Ammal, daughter of Sri Annasami Ayyangar of Thirukkudanthai Ayyangar street . Sri Varadhachar swami became a disciple at the holy feet of Srimath ChinnAndavan - Srimath PAdukA Sevaka Ramanuja Maha Desikan and learnt kalakshEpa grantha chathushtyams from His Holiness, His Holiness Srimath Chinnandavan who was very much impressed with Sri VaradhAchar Swami called him one day and told, "You are going to be the Sampradhaya Pravarthaka of this Asramam" . When Srimath Chinnandavan's health was affected, he longed for a successor for this sampradhaya. Sri VaradAchAr swami, at that young age readily offered himself for the ascetic order. But some concerns were raised from very close circle of Varadhachar swamy. HH adorned thirunadu in Vijaya varusham (1894) in the month of thai without appointing a successor to Asramam. Sri VaradAchAr swami, after completion of Chinnandavan's kainkaryams, purchased a house at Srirangam and lived there with his parents and wife. He visited the Brindavanam of asramam daily, performed ThiruvArAdhanam, and pAdukArAdhanam in morning and offered ThiruviLakku at evening and after all kainkaryams, he used to return home only at night.  

This was his daily activity for 11 long years from Vijaya varusham 1884 Thai month to Visuvavasu-Avani -1905, when 76 years old Kadanthethi SathavadhAnam Varadha vEdhanthAchAr swami, a disciple of PeriAndavan, was requested by all Andavan Ashramam sishyas and other bhagavathas to take up sanyasam from Thirukkudanthai Srimath Azhagiya singar. . Accordingly Srimath Srinivasa SatakOpa Yatheendra Maha Desikan (38th Jeer of Sri Ahoibila Mutt) who was camping at Nrusimhapuram gave thureeyAsramam to Kadanthethi swAmi in presence of a large Srivaishvaite gathering. Thus 76 year old KAdanthethi swami became the Asrama Head of Srimath Andavan periAsramam as Srinivasa RAmAnuja MahA DEsikan.

The health of KAdanthEthi Andavan deteriorated during 1905 and all asramam sishyas immediately rushed to Sri VaradAchar swami and requested to take up sanyasam from KAdanthEthi Andavan. Sri VaradAchAr swAmi readily acceded to their request by leaving the family to take up ascetic orders. He received thureeyAsramam from the holy hands of KadanthEthi Andavan Srinivasa Ramanuja Maha Desikan in the year KEELAKA VARUSHAM- AVANI MADHAM (sep-oct ,1908 ) and was named Sri VEdAntha RAmAnuja MahA dEsikan- also known as & ThErazhundur Andavan. And NammAndavan. Both AchAryAs were together for a period of 6 months. Srimath KadanthEthi Andavan attained thirunAdu in Keelaka varusham-masi madham-krishnapaksham-dwadasi thithi (17.02.1909).

Ever since Srimath NammAndavan took up sanyasam, His Holiness had assimilated in himself strict austerity, extreme rigid and rigorous routines of a sanyAsi, leading a highly puritan's life of his poorvacharyas, rejecting all luxuries and conveniences. He travelled by walk only like his predecessors observing " pAdhayAthra" to visit holy shrines. Good personality, majestic look, pleasing voice, convincing talk etc were his great traits. His discourses were full of humor , with penetrating perception of holy life of sages Alwars and ArchAvathAras. He attracted all sections of vaishnavite community, vedic scholars and VEdhAnthis, by his philosophic lectures. His deliverance of Sri BAshyA, Bhagavath vishyam and other granthAs, were with such ease and perfection, that they attracted a large gathering around him, wherever he lectured. People in those days used to say that, Peria perumal is namm Perumal, jewel among alwars - is nammAlwAr and jewel among acharyas- is NammAndavan .

Some of the great scholars who studied, swaroopa granthas under His Holiness srimad NammAndavan were:-

Sri U.Ve. Rangachar swami (who became Akkur Andavan-Srinivasa Maha Desikan later)

Sri U.Ve.Tenpirai Venkata Raghavachar swami( who became Thenbarai Andavan-Sri RanganAtha Maha Desikan later)

Dimmakudi sri U.Ve .Srinivasachar (Sri Ramanja Yatheeswarar)

Thirukkudanthai Vairakya Nidhi Sri U.Ve. Rajagopalachar ( Sri Narayana Yatheeswar)

Rayampettai GanapAdi Vidwan Seemachar ( Sri Srinivasa Ramanuja Maha Desikan ) and many others.  

His holiness adorned thirunAdu in PRAJOTHPATHI year (1931)-Aadi -Poorattadhi Krishna panchami day,that was on 03.08.1931 at the age 59 years and 11 months shortly before celebrations of His shashti-abtha-poorthi.

Srimath Andavan Thiruvadi

Perungadambanur Parthasarathy Sreenivasan

(of Besant Nagar,Chennai)

Vazhuththoor Andavan Tirunakshatram

 வழுத்தூர் ஆண்டவன் ஸ்ரீமத் வேதாந்த ராமானுஜ மஹா தேசிகன்

 ஆவணி பூரட்டாதி , 12th செப்டம்பர் ,2011
Vazhuthur Andavan-VEdhantha Ramanuja Maha Desikan
Thirunakshatram: Aavani PoorattAdhi

Thanian:

GOpaala dEsika pathaabhja madhuvrathasya
Pragnyaa virakhthi karuNaa muKHa sath guNaabhDHe:
VEdaantha lakshmana munE sritha BHaagha DHEyam
Paadhaara vindha yugaLam sharanam prapadhyE


Vazhuthur Andavan - was born in the month of Avani with Pooratadhi as his nakshathram in the tamil year Rudrothkari ( 1744-1745 AD) to Srinivasachar in Vazhuthur.

He took sanyAsam from the then Paduka Sevaka Ramanuja Maha Desikan, and became a fitting successor to Sri Thirukkudanthai Desikan with the name Srimad VEdhantha Ramanuja Maha Desikan also called as Vazhuthur Andavan and lived in a small hut on the southern bank of coleroon doing sidhantha pravachanam at srirangam.



Many bhagavathas became sishyas of Srimath Vazhuthur Vedhantha Ramanuja Maha Desikan during these pravachanams. It is told that Sri Gopalarya Maha Desikan blessed Vazhuthur swamy that "Neeray num sampradhaayathai Aala vandha Andavan" meaning you alone are going to guard, rule and spread our sampradhaayam". From that day he was known to be called as Vazhuthur Andavan and sampradhaayam was called as Srimath Aandavan Asramam Sampradhaayam.

From Him, sampradhaayam spreaded through his disciples to many branches. Prominent among them are as follows:

1. Srinivasa Ramanuja Maha Desikan - Thiruthuraipoondi Andavan also known as Vilakkudi andavan (Andavan asramam)
3. Annarya Maha Desikan - also known as Navalpakkam Swamy who was in gruhasthasramam spreading sampradhayam at Thirukkudanthai, Thiruvaheendapuram and Navalpakkam.
5. Vangipuram Vedhantha Ramanuja Maha desikan (Aandikadu Swamy in Srirangam)

Through these 3 acharyas who were sishyas of Srimath Vazhuthur Andavan, the sampradhaayam has spread to a very great extent like a big banyan tree. In the next Chapter, adiyEn will continue with the history of achAryAs starting with Srimath Thirutthuraippoondi Andavan.

Srimath Andavan Thiruvadi

Perungadambanur Parthasarathy Sreenivasan

(of Besant Nagar,Chennai)

Invitation to Therazhundur

ஸ்ரீமதே ரங்க ராமானுஜ மஹாதேசிகாய நம:

ஸ்ரீ: ஸ்ரீமதே வேதாந்த ராமானுஜ மஹாதேசிகாய நம: ஸ்ரீமதே ரங்கராமானுஜ மஹா தேசிகாய நம: தாஸஸ்ய விக்ஞாபனம். அடியவர்க்கு எளியனான எம்பெருமான் தன் ஸங்கல்பத்தாலே பல திவ்யதேசங்களில் எழுந்தருளியிருந்தாலும் அவை மேலும் ஏற்றம் பெறுவது ஆச்சார்யர்களின் அவதாரத்தாலே என்பது பெரியோர்களின் வாக்கு. சோழ நாட்டு திவ்யதேசமான தேரழுந்தூரில் அவதரித்ததனால் ஸ்ரீமத் தேரழுந்தூர் ஆண்டவன் எனவும் சிஷ்யர்களிடத்தில் அபரிமிதமான கருணையுடன் விளங்கியதால் ஸ்ரீமத் நம்மாண்டவன் எனவும் ப்ரசித்தி பெற்ற ஸ்ரீமத் ஆண்டவனின் பெருமை அளவிடற்கரியது. வருகிற 12/09/11 திங்கள் அன்று ஸ்ரீமத் நம்மாண்டவனின் திருநக்ஷத்ரம் ஆவணிப் பூரட்டாதி தேரழுந்தூர் திவ்ய தேசத்தில் ஸ்ரீமத் ஸ்ரீமுஷ்ணம் ஆண்டவன் 23 வது சாதுர் மாஸ்ய ஸங்கல்பம் அனுஷ்டிக்கும் சந்தர்பத்தில் மிகவும் விசேஷமாக உபய வேத பாராயணங்களுடனும் ஸ்ரீபெருமாள், தாயார், ஆழ்வார், ஸ்வாமி தேசிகன் திருமஞ்சனதுடனும் ஸ்ரீமத் ஆண்டவன் மங்களாசாஸனத்துடன் கொண்டாடப்படவிருக்கிறது. அனைவரும் எழுந்தருளியிருந்து ஸ்ரீமத் ஆண்டவன் க்ருபைக்கு பாத்ரராகும் படி ப்ரார்த்திக்கிறோம். சித்ரகூடம் ரங்க நாதன்.

Srirangam Temple, Specialities

 ஸ்ரீரங்கம் --- Thiruvarangam

SPECIALITIES OF THE TEMPLE

1. Thiruvarangam is the only Divya Desam about which eleven Azhwars have composed Pasurams.

2.“Kovil” by itself refers only to Thiruvarangam Temple.

3. Periya Kovil, Periya Perumal, Pirattiyar, Periya Mandapam, Periya Jeeyar are the names exclusively associated with Thiruvarangam Temple.

4. The tallest and the biggest Moolavar Vigraham of Garudalzhwar(Periya Thiruvadi is in the midst of a grand Mandapam popularly known as Garuda Mandapam.

5. Dhanvanthri, the physician-incarnation of Srimannarayana, has a separate Sannidhi only in Thiruvarangam Temple.

6. There is a Annamoorthi, God for Food, present in the entrance of Thirumadappalli(The Divine Kitchen).

7. There is a practice of offering Roti and Dhal to Lord Ranganatha during Morning Thiruvaaraadhanam, perhaps as a reverence to Thulukka Nachiayar, a moghul prince and a dedicated devotee of Lord Ranganatha.

8. There is a “Five Pits and Three Ways”(Aindhu Kuzhi Moondru Vasal) nearer to Thayar Sannidhi. While the Five Pits represent the Pancha Bhuthams, the Three Ways represent the paths to Salvation. This unique feature symbolizes the attainment of Salvation by controlling the mechanism of Pancha Bhuthams in our body and taking any of the three modes, Bhakthi,Gnaanam and Vairaaghyam. The way leading to Paramapadhavasal(supposed to have had 1 step) represents Bhakthi; the way leading to Thayar Sannidhi(supposed to have had 2 steps) represents Gnanam; the way leading to Thirumaamani Mandapam(supposed to have had 7 steps) represents Vairaghyam.

9. It is in Thayar Sannidhi, on the day of Panguni Uththiram, Bhashyakarar recited Gadhya Thrayam comprising of Charanagathi Gadyam, Sriranga Gadyam and Srivaikunda Gadyam in front of Thayar and Perumal(Serthi) invoking their Grace for Moksha.

10. It is in Thiruvarangam Temple, the leading acharyas of both the subsects of Vaishnavism had the divine grace of having a fitting title for their contributions for the development of Vaishnava Sampradhayam. While Swamy Desikan was titled as “Sarvathanthra Swathanthrar” by Periya Pirattiyar, Lord Ranganatha graced Manavala Mamunigal with “Srisailesa Dhayapathram........”.

11. It is in this temple, Swamy Desikan composed overnight “Padhuka Sahasram" comprising of 1008 Slokas in Praise of Padhuka Devi (Sandals of Lord Ranganatha). Swamy Bhashyakarar’s Thirumeni, reverentially referred to as “Thaanana Thirumeni” (physical form) is being preserved in the Vasantha Mandapam of Namperumal as ordained by Lord Ranganatha. A paste of saffron and pachaikarpooram is being applied over the Thirumeni of Bhashyakarar in the month of Chiththirai and Aippasi during the Thirunakshathiram festival.

12. The Thousand Pillar Mandapam with Thirumaamani Mandapam in its center, an architectural wonder, is the replica of Paramapadham.

13. Just opposite to Periya Pirattiyar Sannidhi, we have Karuththurai Mandapam, from where it is believed that Lord Ranganatha exchanges views(karuththu) with Thayar on all the happenings.It is also in this Mandapam the Sthalaththars, who manage the functioning of the temple routine, exchange views and ideas about maintenance of the temple.

14. The Rajagopuram of Thiruvarangam built by the 44th Pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt is the tallest tower in Asia.

(from the net)

--

R.Vijayaraghavan

Tomorrow's (9th Sept,2011), events.
Aavani Thiruvonam-
Sri Hayagreevar Jayanthi--
Sravana Dwadasi Vratham,
Maha Pradosham

From: VijayaRaghavan R <vijiranga@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, 8 September 2011 12:21 PM
Subject: Harikatha Kalakshepam-Good news to Chennai Asthikas

U.Ve.Kalaimamani Kalyanapuram Aravamudachari swamigal will perform Harikatha Kalakshepam

on the topic of "RAMAYANA KATHAPAATHRANGAL" from 29th sep to 5th Oct 2011.

Please diarise these dates and make it a point to attend without fail,

to receive the Grace & Anugraham of Lord Rama and Thayar Seetha piratti.

Harikatha Kalakshepam of U.Ve.Kalaimamani Kalyanapuram Aravamudachari swamigal
Date	Topic	Venue
29.09.2011 To 5.10.2011	"RAMAYANA KATHAPAATHRANGAL	Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet Chennai

Regards,

Dasan,

R.Vijayaraghavan

8th Sept.2011 This Day's  panchaangam -- Sarva Ekaadasi

Srimath Kadanthethi Andavan's Tirunakshatram

Sreemathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha.
Today is Aavani Moolam. Srimath Kadanthethi Andavan's Tirunakshatarm.
Please find below His Thanian and life history.
Daasan,
R Srinivasan

Srimath Kadanthethi Andavan

Thirunakshatram:

Aavani-Moolam

Thanian

Srimath Srivasa yogi pravarasa kaaruNa paanghasanghaadha BHangaath
VEdhaantha dvandva vidhya madhu rasa lahari chchanchari kaayamaaNaha
THEnaachaaryENa ranga prabhu charaNa yugE daththa rakshaa BharaSri:
Srimath Srivasa raamaavaraja muNimaNis santhatham srEyasE syaath

Srimath KAdandhEthi Andavan was born in the Avani month of Virodhi varusham (1829 A.D) in Moolam nakshatram in a village just south of river KAveri called KAdandhEthi to Srimathi Janaki Ammal and Sri RaghunAthAchar. Sri RaghunAthAchar was performing kainkaryam to Srimath Thiruthuraipoondi Andavan, the second Andavan of Srimath Andavan Ashramam. The child was named Sri Varada VedAnthAchAriAr. He was initiated into Brahmacharyam with upanayanam at the prescribed age and was taught vEdAs and upanishads. He learnt Tharka ShAstras in ,RajamannAr Koil under the tutelage of Sri U.Ve. SamiyAchchAr swAmi.

In his young days itself Sri Varada VedAnthAchAriar, with sincere devotion and strong vairAgyam meditated on the sacred Moola manthram, AshtAkshara manthram and gAyathri manthram vigrorously and attained manthra sidhdhi and power. Later he visited Mysore Asthanam and further mastered in tharka shAstrAs from Mysore samasthAna vidwan named Aakki Azhwan. During this period he also received Sri Hayagreeva ManthrOpadEsam from Sri Parakala Jeeyar Swami and Sri Nrusimha ManthrOpaDesam from Sri Ahobila Matam Azhagiyasingar. Thus he attained various manthra sidhdhi and SathAvadAna shakthi at a very young age as a bramhachAri. He mastered the four shAstras and also had poetic prowess as an "Aasu Kavi".

Sri Varada VedAnthAchAriar was married at the age of 35. Immediately after his marriage, he started on a yathra and visited various samasthAnams.

At Nagapattinam ,a request from the town’s Tashildar Sri Rangaswami Nayakkar, Sri Varada Vedanthachariar swami displayed his Satavadhana skills in Vellipalayam Krishna Sannidhi. (Sathavadanam is a skill where the person performing this skill will tackle 100 questions or acts at the same time). The people were awed by this display. At the end, he asked a palanquin to be brought and he got into the palanquin. He asked it to be lifted only in the back of the palanquin. With his manthra sidhdhi he went on a procession in the palanquin, with no one lifting the front side of the palanquin.

At Thirumala, he was gifted an ivory Planquin as a sanmAnam on one occasion. He later donated this palanquin to Swami Desikan Sannidhi at Thirucherai. He stayed in Thirupati till he completed 60 years.

At Thirukkudanthai

After celebrating his sasthiabdapoorthy at Tirumala, he desired to come and live in Thirukkudanthai. He sold his properties at Tirupathi and came to Thirukkudanthai. He purchased a house in Sri Aravamdhan Sannidhi Street and stayed there. He did many kainkaryams and ubhayams at the sannidhi of Sri Aravamudhan. He was very much devoted to Sri Komalavalli Thaayar and donated a Simha Vahanam for Komalavalli ThAyAr.

Swami’s Compositions

Adbudha vAmanam". Aaraat Prabhandham Swapna Sathakam" When his eyesight had weakened considerably due to his old age, he composed a grantham called "Sri Komala Dandakam" on Thirukkudanthai Komalavalli Thayaar. . By reciting this wonderful grantham he regained his vision completely. HH Kadenthethi Andavan had a special attachment to Komalavalli Thayar.He has given a Gold Karai ( Jewel ) and a Silver Simha vahana to Thayar

Srimath Chinnandavan attained Thirunadu at the age of 68 leaving behind grieving disciples in the year Vijaya (1895), on the sukla sapthami thithi in the tamil month of Thai.. In 1905 after 11 years without acharya, Andavan sishyas went to Thirukkudanthai. Having known the greatness and gnana, anushtana and vairagyam of Sri Varada Vedanthachariar, Andavan Ashramam sishyas went to Thirukkudanthai and requested him to become their Acharya , to continue the Andavan Sampradhayam.

Sri Varada Vedanthachariar was already 76 years old then. He decided to accept the sanyasa ashramam with the intent of satisying the longing of Andavan sishyas for an Acharya and also with the intent of appointing Therezundur Varadachariar as the next Andavan at an appropriate time.

38th pattam Thirukkudanthai Azagiyasingar

He approached 38th pattam Azhagiyasingar Srimath Srinivasa Sadagopa yatheendra Mahadesikan (Thirukkudanthai Azagiyasingar) with other Andavan sishyas and requested him to give sanyasa ashramam to him. Sri Varadha Vedanthachariar accepted the Preksha manthram and sanyasa ashramam from Srimath Azhagiyasingar and became the 6th Andavan of Andavan Ashramam in Avani month of 1905 (Tamil year Visvavasu) at Nrusimhapuram in front of hundreds of sishyas of Andavan Ashramam, Ahobila Matam and srivaishnavas of Tirukkudanthai. He was given the name "Srinivasa Ramanuja Mahadesikan" and was called as Thirukkudanthai Andavan and also as Kadandethi Andavan. An Andavan thiruvadi, Tiruvaheendrapuram Ashtavadani Sri Anathachariar composed and offered the tanian "Srimath SrivAsa yOgi.." for Kadandethi Andavan at the sannidhi of Sri Ranganatha Perumal. But due to his old age, Srimath Andavan used to faint and lose conciousness during pravachanam.