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| Saint Sridhra Ayyaval of Thiruvisanallur, TN, vikatan.com |
Centuries ago in the propagation of Bhakti through sangeetha (Bhajana) Samprathaya in the delta and adjacent districts of Tamil Nadu three great holy persons come to our mind. They are Sri Sridhara Venkatesha Ayyaval, Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra swamigal and Sri Marudanallur Sadguru swamigal. Sridhara Ayyaval, among them, gave much emphasis to Naama-prachaara' movement. As a matter of fact he holds an immortal status in ''Dakshina Sampradaya Nama Sankirthanam.'' Sadashiva Brahmendra's song ''Tunga Tarange Gange'' was written on Ayyaval who brought the Ganges to his place. Sadashiva Brahmendral, was the 59th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. His ''Athishtanam'' is in Govindapuram village near Aduthurai and is being visited by lots of devotees. The Bhakti movement through songs and prayer empowered every body regardless of caste to engage in Bhakti and provided needed impetus for its growth. Indirectly it saw the growth of vernacular literature covering various forms of devotional hymns.
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| Bodhendral, Ayyaval and Sadguruswamigal.satguruseva.org |
Native of Thiruvisanallur village , close to Veepathur village and Karuppur, 10 km from the temple city of Kumbakonam, Sri Ayyval, as he was called respectfully, resided in an Agraharam established by the then Maratha ruler Shahuji. His devotion was so overwhelming and profound, devotees here told me on my last visit several years ago that ''every inch of this place where Ayyaval had set his holy feet is sanctified''.
The small mutt established here long ago has grown fairly big through the kaingarya of many patrons who never fail to visit this quiet village close to the Cauvery river when they chance to visit Kumbakonam. The mutt run by a charitable trust is managing the religious activities.
The holy mutt is abuzz with daily (nithya) pujas, Naama Sankeertanam, Paaraayanam, etc. Apart from routine daily activities like Prabodhanam, Paaraayanam, Nitya Pooja, Naama Sankeertanam & Dolotsavam. There are monthly functions like Sri Mahanyasa Rudrabhishekam on Amavasyas, the Ekadashi Divyanamam Bhajan, etc. The former gains much importance in the Tamil month of Karthikai.
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| Thiruvisanallur yoganadeswar temple, en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: In the Yoganandeswarar temple at Thiruvisanallur Shiva is in the form of a lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangala Nayagi. The presiding deity is glorified in Tamil cannonical devotional work Tevaram (7th Century) in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil Saivite saints Tamil poet saints Nayanars. Hence it a Paadal Petra Sthalam...................
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| Miracle well and Thiruvisanallu. in.worldorgs.com |
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| .Location Thiruvisanallur, near Kumbakonam, TN besoccer.com |
On Kathkai Ammavasya day the mutt offers free food Annadhanam to thousand of devotees irrespective of caste creed, etc., a tradition that must be appreciated.
It is said in the later years Sri Ayyaval visited the near-by Mahalingeswarar Kovil, Thiruvidaimaruthoor where he merged with the lord in the garbagriha/srikovil. Nowadays on this day unmanageable devotees visit this holy place on the Karthkai Ammayasya day. However, I understand, in the last two years precautions are taken against COVID -19 pandemic and people are strictly advised to follow the safety protocol issued by the government.
Generally, in the Mutt puja and monthly rituals are conducted with religious fervor and intense devotion, thus keeping the long-held traditions of this old mutt alive. Sri Ayyaval had realized the God in a different way and seen the almighty in every living thing including small creature.
''He who beholds with affection the eternal Lord Vaasudeva, pervading all living beings, is the best among bhaagavatas" (Vaishnava Samhitaa of Sri Krishnapremi Swamigal, Chap 13, Shloka 1).
On this day every true devotee is under a bounden duty to remember this great soul who considered all humans are the children of god and must be given equal respect without giving room to ego and arrogance.
https://www.sriayyaval.org/songs.html
