Andal, the One-of-a-Kind Azhwar!

Someone who is engrossed in bhakti with the omnipresent one is termed as Azhwar in Tamil. Among the 11 male azhwars, she is the only one who is female.

Background: Andal, also known as "Godai" or "Mother Earth's Gift," was discovered by a pious brahmin named Vishnucittar, who lived in Villiputtur, a town near Madurai, while doing his daily chores of procuring flowers for the Lord's devotion at the local temple.

"Godai" grew up in a loving and devotional home. Godha grew up listening to Krishna's stories and participating in all of her father's pastimes, such as collecting flowers, Tulasi, and weaving magnificent garlands for Vatapathrasayee, the Lord of Villiputtur.

Her head was full of Krishna-related thoughts from the beginning of her developing stage, and she was completely enamored with him.

She made up her mind to marry Vatapathrasayee even as a youngster, refusing to think of any other human being in the same way. She envisioned what it would be like to be His spouse, playing the role of His beloved and enjoying His presence, such was her love for the Lord.

AKASA GANGA THEERTHAM - Tirumala, Tirupati

Akasa Ganga Teertha, is around 5 km from the Tirumala main temple, the Holy Water comes out as a natural stream between hill rocks.

This sacred water is used for Srivari's daily abhishekam.

Devotees have to climb down the steps to reach this holy stream.

In the olden days, the priests took turns to carry this holy water all the way from this part of jungle to the temple, but, now TTD has laid water lines into the temple and thus simplified the process.

This Holy Teertha is also mentioned in the Vedas.

It is commonly believed that this Akasa Ganga originates from the Lotus feet of the main deity Sri Venkateshwara Swamy in Ananda Nilayam.

AKASA GANGA THEERTHAM STATED IN PURANAS:-

On the day the Lord had made Akasa Ganga appear in the hills the descendants of Tirumala Nambi perform Abhisheka (bathing) of the Lord with water from Akasa Ganga. This is continued even today.

A holy dip in this sacred stream provides the merit equivalent to performing hundred rituals.
Marriages can be performed here at this holy place.

Donation of Gold is recommend at this Teertha to get auspicious benefits.

Sri Garuda's Blessing to Swamy Desikan.

It is said in Scriptures that the Garuda is Veda swaroopi.

Sri Appullar taught the sacred Garuda mantra to Swamy Desikan.

Swami Desika wanted to chant the Garuda mantra taught to him for many days without food and sleep to receive the blessings of the divine bird Sri Garuda.

He went to Thiruvahendrapuram and climbed the small hill there and started chanting the mantra.

Sri Garuda was pleased with the devotion of Swamy Desikan and blessed him with Sri Hayagreeva mantra and instructed him to chant it continuously to receive the blessings of Lord Haygreeva.

Then Lord Hayagreeva appeared before Swamy Desikan and blessed him with the nectar flowing from HIS mouth.

Lord Hayagreeva took the seat of Swami Desika’s tip of the tounge as prayed by him.

Also Sri Hayagreeva gave an idol of Himself for Swamy Desikan’s daily worship.

This idol or vigraha is still being preserved in the Devanatha temple in Thiruvaheendrapuram.

Swami desikan composed a lot of famous slokas like Haygreeva stotram, Devanayaka panchashat in Sanskrit and Achchutha shatakam in Prakriut & Mummanikkovai & Nava mani maalai in Tamil.

#NamaBengaluru

There's no other way to explore the flavors of a city through a walk with our favorite drink in hands. Experiencing the hot spots, indulging the local cuisine and bargaining with street vendors makes us one with the locals. One such hot spot is SHIVOHAM TEMPLE.

Located at Old Airport Road of Bangalore, this was built in '95 that features a giant 65'Feet Shiva statue.

The unique modern-day architecture is to be applauded as the entire place is encircled within a small mall. The entrance to the almighty is like the journey through the caves which has the jyotirlingas in respective miniature versions. We are taken a back when we see lord Shiva

in his meditative posture with his damaru and trishul also depiciteing the holy river Ganges flowing out of the locks on the other side. The miniature amaranth type shiv linga Is crowd's favorite apart from the 35'Feet Ganapathy Statue as well.

Though the over the period of years this place has turned into a commercial zone like a theme park but this definitely is one of the go to places in nama Bangalore as the surrounding areas and the local flavour we get to see is abundant.

Today Panguni Uththiram🙏😇🥰
Panguni Uthiram and Serthi Sevai:
On the day of Panguni Uthiram, Ranganathar starts to Ranganayaki Thayar sannidhi to wish on her birthday and he doesn't know what is waiting for him.

On the way he remembers that he left his ring at Uraiyur and buy another ring by collecting funds from his devotees.
When he reaches the Thayar sannidhi and attempts to go inside, the doors are shut and the Lord is not allowed inside.

Lord fails in repetitive attempts to enter into the sannidhi. Mean while, butter, fruits and garlands are thrown on to the lord by Thayar parivaram from other sides in anger. There will be almost 2 hours aggressive debate between both.

Seeing all this, Namazhwar requests Ranganayaki Thayar to allow her husband inside sannidhi. Listening to Namazhwar, Thayar allows Ranganathar to meet her. There after they both gives darshan together for the devotees.

Saint Ramanujar who was overwhelmed to see the couple together, wrote three gadhyas called "Gadhya Thraya" praising them. Thousands of devotees visit Sreerangam and Uraiyur for being part of these festivals🙏‍

Sri Trinethra Dasabuja Anjaneyar, Anantamangalam, TN.
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Ananthamangalam is known for the temple housing Anjaneya Swami, having three eyes and ten arms holding different armament.

Legend of the temple:
Post war while leaving back to Ayodhya with sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, rama was warmly welcomed by Sage Bharadwaj to his ashram, and offered food and rest.
While he was eating, Sage Naradar came there to meet him. He had some news to share.

Naradar mentioned that although Ravana, and his army were killed in the war, there were still scions of the family who were planning revenge.
Two asuras, by name Rakha Bindu and Raktha Rakshagan were meditating under the sea,

to acquire special powers and they must be stopped immediately and only Rama could do it.

Rama understood the threat but was in a hurry to get back to Ayodhya, as his brother Bharata had vowed to enter the fire, if his brother did not return within a particular time.
So, he instructed Hanuman to slay the two Asuras and join him at Ayodhya.

அனைவராலும் “ஆறு வார்த்தைகள்” என்று பிரபலமாக அழைக்கப்படும் (ஆறு கட்டளைகளை) நம்பிகள் வாயிலாக இளையாழ்வாருக்கு அனுக்கிரஹித்தருளினார். அவைகள்:

1.அஹமேவ பரம் தத்வம் – நானே எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் மேலான மெய்ப்பொருள்

2.தர்சனம் பேத ஏவ – ஜீவாத்மாக்களும்/அசேதனங்களும் என்னிலிருந்து வேறுபட்டவை (அவை என்னுடைய சரீரமாக விளங்குபவை)

3.உபாயம் ப்ரபத்தி – “என் ஒருவனையே தஞ்சமாகப் பற்றுவாய்” என்னிடத்தில் சரணம் அடைவது ஒன்றே என்னை அடைவிக்கும் வழி.

4.அந்திம ஸ்ம்ருதி வர்ஜநம் – தங்களின் மரணத்தருவாயில் இருக்கும் சரணாகதர்களுக்கு, என்னைப்பற்றிய சிந்தனை கட்டாயமில்லை. வராஹ சரம ஸ்லோகத்தில் நானே அறிவித்தது போல, உன்னுடைய அந்திம காலத்தில் நானே உன்னைப்பற்றிய சிந்தனையை ஏற்கிறேன். (நம் ஸம்ப்ரதாயத்தில் ஆசார்யர்கள் நமக்கு )

காட்டிச்சென்ற இனிமையான பாதை – நாம் எல்லா நேரத்திலும் நம்முடைய ஆசார்யரைப் பற்றியே சிந்தித்தபடி இருக்கவேண்டும்

5.தேஹாவஸானே முக்தி – சரணாகதர்கள் தற்போதுள்ள தங்களுடைய இந்த சரீரத்தின் முடிவிலேயே முடிவில்லாத பரமாத்மாவிற்கு கைங்கர்யம் செய்வதற்கான பரமபதத்தை அடைவர்

திருஎழு கூற்றிருக்கை - திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்
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"திரு எழு கூற்றிருக்கை" என்பது தமிழ் யாப்பு வகைகளில் மிகக் கடினமானது.

இதைச் "சித்திரகவி" என்றும் அழைப்பர்.

கவிதை முழுக்க முழுக்க திருக்குடந்தைப் பிரானின் பெருமையையும் குடந்தையின் இயற்கைக் காட்சிகளையும் காணலாம்.

பக்தியை எண்களில் வடித்து வெளிப்படுத்த முடியும் என்பதற்கு இப்பாசுரம் ஓர் எடுத்துக்காட்டு.

"செல்வம் மல்குதென் திருக்குடந்தை
அந்தணர் மந்திர மொழியுடன் வணங்க
ஆடு அரவு அமளியில் அறிதுயில் அமர்ந்த
பரம! நின் அடியிணை பணிவன்
வரும் இடர் அகல - மாற்றோ வினையே"

(அரவு அமளி = பாம்புப் படுக்கை)

என்று துன்பங்களைக் களைந்து அருள் தரும்படி பாசுரம் நிறைவு பெறுகின்றது.

Saint Gyandev, a 13th-century poet, wrote a children's play called Moksha Patam. Instead of the original Moksha Patam, the British renamed it Snakes and Ladders and degraded the entire knowledge.

The 12th square on the original one hundred square game board represented confidence, the 51st square reliability, the 57th square generosity, the 76th square wisdom, and the 78th square perseverance. These were the squares with ladders and where one could move swiftly.

The 41st class was for disobedience, the 44th class was for vanity, the 49th class was for rudeness, the 52nd class was for stealing, the 58th class was for lying, the 62nd class was for drunkenness, the 69th class was for debt, the 84th class was for anger,

the 92nd class was for greed, the 95th class was for pride, the 73rd class was for murder, and the 99th class was for lust

These were the squares that were waiting for the snake's mouth to open. Nirvana, or Moksha, was represented by the 100th square.

Significance of offering vada mala to Lord Hanuman:

When Hanuman was a child, he took a liking to look at the Sun blazing in the Sky. He didn't stop with that. He went on to catch the Sun with his hand.

At the same time, 'Rahu Devatha' was also racing to catch the Sun God to eclipse the Sun.

In the race between Hanuman and Rahu, Hanuman, being the Son of Vayu, the Wind God (Vayuputhra) won with ease.

In appreciation of Hanuman's valor, Rahu Deva sanctioned a boon in whoever worshiped Hanuman with a food item made of Urad Dal, will get relieved from 'Rahu Dosha' or that Rahu Graha will not trouble them anymore.

Further the item offered to Hanuman should be in the form of a garland or bent like a serpent which is how 'Rahu God' appears.

Rahu also admitted that Urad Dal is his favorite cereal and food item prepared with Urad Dal is to his immense liking.

Sri Vanamutti Perumal, Kozhikuthi, Mayiladuthurai, TN.

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Idol of Lord is made of Athi wood (15 feet tall in the Athi tree with its roots and is more than 800 years old).

King Serfoji of Thanjavur prayed to Lord to save him from Yuddha dosha (trouble of wars).

Perumal granted darshan to the king in this tree.

The king desired that every one should have this benefit and made the idol of this tree wood scaling 15 feet.

Lord appears standing majestically with His discus, conch, Mother Mahalakshmi on His chest and Abhaya Hastha-hand promising boons to devotees.

As the posture is tall, He is named Van-Sky, Mutti-Hitting, Perumal – Van Mutti Perumal.

No abishek is performed on Perumal as the idol is of wood, only Thaila Kappu is done.

Aanmeegam.
This can be classified as Religion & Spirituality. To understand Aanmeegam (the literal translation is Spirituality) we need to identify the difference between REligion and Spirituality. I have tried to do that here. This is part 1. 1/

4 millenniums, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth —d ultimate answers to life and the universe. This perennial knowledge constitutes the answers to what are often called the soul questions:
•Who am I?
•What do I want?
•What is my purpose?
What's d meaning of life?
2/

In Japanese, they term it as IKIGAI and are also used in Modern Management schools. Historically, from the outlook of the soul, there have been two foundational paths to discover these truths: religion and spirituality. 3/

One might have heard—or even used—the terms religion and spirituality interchangeably. Are they the same or are they different? If there is a difference between spirituality and religion does it mean they do contradict each other? 4/

5/ However, while they aren’t diametric opposites, neither are they the same.

Sri Veera Anjaneyar Temple in the village of Pudupakkam is 5 km from Kelambakkam, on the road towards Vandaloor, near Chennai is the beautiful small temple situated atop a hill called Gajagiri hills.

The temple is told to have a strong connection with the Nithiya kalyana Perumal Temple in Thiruvidanthai, next to Kovalam in ECR.

The temple is on a hill with 108 steps. Lord Sri Rama with Mother Sita and brother Lakshmana graces the devotees from his shrine opposite the sanctum sanctorum.

6 feet tall Sri Veera Anjaneya appears majestically in standing posture, just ready to fly, with his face towards North where stood the Sanjeevi Mount, while the body faces east.
His right leg is firm on the ground while the left is ready to fly.

One of hands shows the Abhaya Mudra – assuring protection to the devotee. The left is on the hip. There is a bell at the end of the tail raised above the head. There is the Lotus symbol on his Naval.

SRI PRASANA VENKATESH WARA SWAMY.
TIRUPATI APPALAYAGUNTA.. JOURNEY...
ORIGINAL PICTURE....
OM NAMO VENKATESHAYA....

Appalayagunta is a small town in puttur taluka, chittoor. Per legends Lord Venkateshwara married thaayar padmavathy in Narayanavanam and moved to Tirumala. On the way to Tirumala he visited shiv temple @ kailasanatha kona & blessed the saints. He then left for Vemula konda

& to fulfil the siddheswara muni’s wish, Sri Venkateshwara promised that he will stay and bless the devotees.
Siddheswara muni placed lord’s idol down the hill and built a temple & named it as “PRASANA VENKATESH WARA SWAMY”

There’s a cave in siddheswara hill, long back king karveti nagara was hiding in the cave during invader’s attack & since then it came to be known as “Doralu Dagina Konda” (Kings hiding cave). Currently per the locals there is a sword inside the cave and no matter how much effort

we put it’s unable to pull the same. Till date many utsavam are being conducted for this fascinating sword.

Amalaki Ekadashi

The Ekadashi of the Phalguna month, Shukla Paksha (The waxing phase of the moon) is called Amalaki Ekadashi. In Odisha, it is known as Sarbasammat Ekadasi is celebrated in Jagannath Temple & Lord Vishnu Temple. next day of Amalaki Ekadashi is Govinda Dwadashi.

Significance –

Once happened to be there a king whose names goes “Mandhata” – he once said to Vasishta muni, let me know a holy fast that will benefit me eternally. Muni then replied to him do listen to me and goes on saying that Amalaki Ekadasi is the best.

Who ever observes a fast on this ekadesi day obtains enormous wealth, gets free from effects of Sin & attains liberation.

The Kingdom of Vaidisha –

There was a kingdom named Vaidisha, wherein all the brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras were equally gifted with Vedic knowledge, great bodily strength, and intelligence. And the king who happened to rule was Pashabinduka a member of dynasty

soma (The Moon). He was religious & truthful. He was better known as Chitraratha – he had a strength of 10000 elephants & was wealthy & also knew vedics thoroughly.

கர்ம வினைகள் நீக்கும் தானங்கள் !!!

அமாவாசை திருநாளில் தானங்கள் செய்வோம். நமது கர்மவினைகளை தூள் தூளாக்குவோம்.

பொருட்கள் - தானம் செய்வதால் ஏற்படும் பலன்கள்

அன்னம் - வறுமையும், கடனும் நீங்கும்

துணி - ஆயுள் அதிகமாகும்

தேன் - புத்திர பாக்கியம் உண்டாகும்

தீபம் - கண்பார்வை தெளிவாகும்

அரிசி - பாவங்களை போக்கும்

நெய் - நோய்களை போக்கும்

பால் - துக்கம் நீங்கும்

தயிர் - இந்திரிய சுகம் பெருகும்

பழங்கள் - புத்தியும், சித்தியும் உண்டாகும்

தங்கம் - குடும்ப தோஷங்களை நீக்கும்

வெள்ளி - மனக்கவலை நீங்கும்

பசு - ரிஷி, தேவர், பிதுர் கடன்கள் அகலும்

தேங்காய் - நினைத்த காரியம் வெற்றியாகும்

நெல்லிக்கனி - ஞானம் உண்டாகும்

பூமி தானம் - ஈஸ்வர தரிசனம் உண்டாகும்

மேற்கண்ட அட்டவணையில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ள பொருட்களை தானம் செய்வது சிறப்பு.

திருப்பல்லாண்டு - 5

ஸ்ரீமதே இராமானுஜாய நம:
ஸ்ரீமத் வரவர முநயே நம:

உலகினுக்கெல்லாம் தலைவனாய், அவற்றை நியமிக்கும் பகவான், புதரினைப் போல் நெருங்கிய அசுரர் மற்றும் அரக்கர்களை வேரோடு அழித்தான். இந்திரியங்களுக்குத் தலைவனான இருடீகேசனுக்குத் தொண்டு புரியும் குலத்தில்

இருப்பீர்களாயின் எங்களுடன் சேருங்கள். பகவானின் திருவடித்தாமரைகளை தொழுது அவனின் திவ்யமான ஆயிரம் நாமங்களையும் கூறுங்கள். பயன் கருதிவாழ்ந்த முந்தைய வாழ்க்கையை விட்டு நீங்கி, குலப்பெருமையை விட்டு நீங்கிப் பகவானுக்குப் பல்லாண்டு பாடுங்கள்.

ஸ்ரீபெரியாழ்வார் திருவடிகளே ஸரணம்.

ஆழ்வார் எம்பெருமானார் ஜீயர் திருவடிகளே ஸரணம்.

A Look at #Puratassi Month –
Each month has a unique theme and special festivities. Puratassi, in comparison to the other months, is the one that demands more attention. This month, according to folklore, a significant cosmic event occurs

Today, the Sun, the king of the planets, enters Kanya Rasi, & this month is known as Kanya Masam, or Puratassi (Purushottam Month) per the Tamil calendar because the entire month is dedicated to worshipping Shri Hari, who is manifested as Venkateshwara Swamy or Balaji of Tirupati

Special:
Purattasi Saturdays, Maavilakku, Mahalaya Amavasya, and Durga Navarathri are all prominent festivals throughout this month. Lord Venkatajalapathy is said to have arrived on Earth this month. At Tirupathi Hills, special prayers are offered.

Saturdays are said to be highly auspicious. Lord Venkatachalapathy is worshipped with fasting on Saturdays throughout the month of Purattasi, as it is the lord's favorite day.

At the top of the hills of Kottaimalai, near Vellore, is a Vishnu temple called Padavedu Kottaimalai Sri Venugopalaswamy temple, which is only open on Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.

How did he manage to feed?

The war is declared. Both the parties are busy wooing supporters from all over the country. Every ruler was aware that this war will bring nothing but destruction. Whether you like it or not, they were forced to support either of the parties.

Mahabharata as such has many short stories with morals but as usual, we hung on to the main story & not the morals.

two sides call for armies to their help and lined up at Kurukshetra. The Kingdoms of Panchala, Dwaraka, Kasi, Kekaya, Magadha, Matsya, Chedi, Pandya (Malayadwaj) and the Yadus and some other clans like the Parama Kambojas were allied with the Pandavas.

The allies of the Kauravas included the kings of Pragjyotisha, Anga, Kekaya, Sindhudesa, Mahishmati, Avanti in Madhyadesa, Madra, Gandhara, Bahlikas, Kambojas and many others.

Udayan Cheraladan, the Chera King did not want war. He wanted to support neither Pandavas nor Kauravas. He came out with an amicable option that was acceptable to both Duryodana and Yudishtir.