The Tamil month of Margazhi (also called Dhanur) is an auspicious one for the Hindus and for Sri Vishnu temples across south India in particular. Divinity is imparted to this month. as God Krishna himself said, ''I m Margazhi among 12 months''. There is no dearth of temple festivities in this month at Vishnu temples. Of particular interest is the age old tradition of performing devotional art form Ariyar Sevai - 21 day event for which Srirangam Ranganathar temple, Azhwar Thirunagari temple and Srivilliputhur Andal temple are quite well known.
The worship of Kothai Nachiyar or Sri Andal, adopted daughter of Periazhwar (Vishnu Chitta) in Margazhi becomes foremost with special festivities at Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, her birthplace. Here, the temple is dedicated to poetess Sri Andal and God Vishnu who is known as Rangamaner or Vadabadrasayee. This year a unique special Deepavali puja was performed to various deities Sri Andal, Rengamannar, Garuda, Sri Devi, Bhoomi Devi and Periazhwar at a time in the same place. This event takes place once in three years - Kaushik Amavasya, Telugu Varushaperappu (Ukadi) and Deepawali.
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| Seva to all deities, Andal temple TN Nov. 2021 dailythanthi.com |
The unique part of the temple festival protocol in Margazhi is the presentation of Araiyar Sevai, the trained and devoted Araiyars enacting the ‘Story of poetess Andal’ her childhood playful exploits while being brought up by her foster father Periazhwar, growing into a young beautiful girl, her overwhelming devotion to the lord through singing with matching abinaya. Pagal Pathu utsavam at Sri Andal Rangamannar Temple, normally is held in the Pagal Pathu Mandapam. Thiruvaradhanam will also place in this Mandapam. Late Shri Srinivasa Rangachariar (1930 - 2014) was a leading exponent of Araiyar Sevai at the temple of Andal for several years and made it an important and interesting temple ritual here. In recognition of his services to this dance form of bhakti, in 2014 Rangachariar got a posthumous Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His descendants are following his long cherished tradition and services to God with same dedication.
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| late Srinivasa, Rengachariar S.V.Puthur prttraveller.blogspot.com |
Included in the Arayar Sevai are Thiru Pallandu during the first day of Pagal pathu and soul-stirring Thiruppavai rendition a couple of days later and subsequently Nammazhwar devotional hymns on Thiru Venkatam and on the Lord of Azhwar Tirunagari. The latter will be in the early part of January. Nammazhwar moksham is the final event of the 21- day long Ekadasi festival comprising Pagal pathu (10 days) and rapathu (10 nights). Rendition of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham through a blend of music and dance by hereditary Ariyars, is part of Vaikunta ekadasi festival and this art form is about 1000 years old first introduced by saint Nathamuni. On specific days, Ariyars sing specific verses followed by an enactment of matching scenes from Hindu mythology; the themes may include the churning of the ocean, the birth of Andal, the slaying of Kamsa by Narasimha (Vishnu), et
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| Srivilliputhur Andal temple, TN.etemple.com |
Thrumanchanam (abhishekam) is done to Goddess Andal and God Sri Vatapatra Sai (Sri Vishnu) in Margazhi. The day one of this month - Pagal Pathu is considered holy and propitious when Andal and Vatapatra Shayee are taken in a special religious procession to the Thiru Maligai of Veda Piran Bhattar, the descendant of Periyazhwar. Here, the divine couple are given special gifts from father.
Yet another event celebrated with religious fervor is in the night, there will be a religious procession around the four Car streets with the lord on a Garuda Vahanam/mount and Periyazhwar on an elephant Vahanam in the midst of chanting of Pallandu’ verses.
Tit-bits:
In the Araiyar Sevai, the popular depiction of Pasurams - the art of enacting the Divya Prabandham- is a tough job and needs years of training, commitments and dedication. One has to become proficient in the understanding of pasurams, their oral presentation, abinayam with proper singing. Way back centuries ago the rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu provided patronage to the Araiyars and treated them with respect for their proficiency in this dance form and their scholarship. Obviously, they enjoyed a respectful status in the temple hierarchy and administration. What has saddened me is this age old bhakti tradition has been on the decline in the past decade for many reasons at Srirangam and more so at Srivilliputhur. A stage may come when it be lost to the world forever; redemption will be a tough one to keep this dance form alive for the future generation.
Quite deplorable is the news that the 400-year old house of Araiyar Swami on Periya Perumal West Mada Street in Srivilliputhur where the scholars reside /stay is not in good condition on account of lack of periodic repairs, upkeep, etc. Details about the house are not available, however, I understand that because of lack of patronage and interest, Ariyars who are instrumental in spreading bhakti among the people in the form of songs, dance and abinayam are not doing well financially. Risking their life during old age, they are living in a damaged residence that may cave in at any time.
Will the Tamil Nadu government or the Mutts come forward and restore the residence back to old charm and glory and help the Ariyars out of their financial woes? Already, we have almost lost the art of katha kalashebham or Upanyasam rendered by stalwarts like Sri Anantharama Dekshitar, Sri Embar, Vijayaraghavacharyar,Thanjavur Subramanya Bhagavathar(His Seetha and Radha kalyanam presentations were famous) and others. Ariyar sevai has to be preserved for the posterity.
Because of COVID -19 situation, all Hindu temples are facing restrictions. In the past two years Hindu temple events are limited to the minimum, thus reducing the crowds thronging the temples.
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2020/12/araiyar-sevai-unique-part-of-vaishnava.html
https://www.dailythanthi.com/News/Districts/2021/11/06015210/Andal-Temple.vpf
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