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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. |
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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@computer.net Those who wish to contribute in Indian
currency are requested to contact Dr.M.A.Alvar at alvar@vsnal.com.
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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