Sri Andal temple, Srivilliputhur and Vaikunta Ekadashi festival of 2023

Among the rituals associated with Vaikunta Ekadashi festival (that falls in December- January every year) at Sri Vishnu temples, Araiyar Sevai, a Tamil performing arts form dedicated to presentation of Nalayira Divya Prabandham through music and dance, is a fascinating one. It is performed only by hereditary performers before the festival deity of the temple

The 1,000 plus years old art of Araiyar Sevai, temple inscriptions suggest was once performed across Divya Desams. However, in the past decade it has declined and now it is performed only in Srirangam Ranganathar temple, Srivilliputhur Andal temple,Azhwar Tirunagari Azhagia Manavala perumal temple and at Melkote (Thiru Narayanapuram). In the latter, it is said, Araiyar sevai is limited to rendition of devotional hymns only.

Srivilliputhur Andal temple Raja gopuram, TN tamil.oneindia.com

In order to preserve the divine hymns of Nalayira Divya Prabandham and the bhakti tradition of singing the devotional hymns, the great Vaishnavite Savant Nadhamuni, (9th-10th Century A.D) introduced Araiyar Sevai at Divya Desams. With help from his his nephews, Keezhaiyagath Azhwar and Melaiyagath Azhwar, Nadhamuni created special ragas and talas for the pasurams. It is mentioned god Ranganatha of Srirangam is believed to have gifted the Araiyars (Kings of Music) the cone-like cap, two cymbals and a sacred garland to be worn around their neck when performing.

.Swarga vassal thirappu, Andal temple,Srivilliputhur.
maalaimalar.com

Araiyar sevai is an exciting event during the Tamil month of Margazhi at the Andal Divyadesam in Srivilliputhur, one anong a few Divyadesams in Tamil Nadu where Araiyar Sevai is still being performed. during Vaikunta Ekadashi.

old image Srivilliputhur Andal temple Vaikunta ekadashi. maalaimalar.com

Perumal. (Vishnu) Srivilliputhur Mural art. agefotostock.com

The trained and devoted Araiyars 'll enact through singing with matching abinaya the ‘Story of poetess 'Andal’ her childhood playful exploits, pranks, etc while being brought up by her foster father Periazhwar and her overwhelming devotion to the lord as a grown up woman.

This year Pagal Pathu will start on Dec.13; Swarga vassal Thirappu is on Dec. 23 and Nammazhwar moksham (last event) will be on 3or 4 January, 2024 after completion of Raa Pathu events.

The day one of this month - Pagal Pathu is considered holy and propitious when festival idols of Andal and Vatapatra Shayee (Vishnu) are taken in a special religious procession to the house of Vedapiran Bhattar ( the descendant of Periyazhwar) in the evening 5 pm to accept the gifts from his father-in law. It is the place where Perazhwar's adopted daughter Sri Andal or Kothai was brought up. The lord received different kinds of vegetables (''pachai parappu'') as part of gifts. After the ritual idols of Rangamannar (Vadapatra Sayana Perumal) were taken back to Pagal pathu mandapam where the ''ariyar seva, 10 - day Pagal pathu event begins with religious fervor. Besides recitation of pasurams,

As part of the Pagal Pathu and Raa Pathu Utsavam, the Araiyars will sing the 4,000 sacred verses over the 21-day period. The presentation includes Vyakyanam and Abhinayam of Thiru Pallandu during the wee hours of the night - First day of Pagal Pathu), Thiruppavai (composed by poetess Andal), rendition, Nammazhwar verses on Thiru Venkatam and on the Lord of Azhwar Tirunagari. It may include several annotations, themes like the Churning of the ocean ('Amirtha Mathanam’ or slaying of Kamsa by Narasimha on the final day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam

Yet another holy event is held in the night.in which 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. Thirumukkulam ennaikappu and Margazhi Neeradu vizha ( special herbal (ennai / thaila kappu) oil will be applied on the moolavar idols.

On the vaikunta Ekadashi - Swarga vassal day, Periya perumal, Rangamannar and consort Andal adorned with pleasing alangaram will emerge from the Swarga vassal. Azhwars will offer Eathir sevai (formal traditional reception) to the deities.. Later, the deities will be taken to the Rapathu Mandapam at Sri Vadapathira Sayi shrine. This will be followed by mangalasasanam vaibhavam, Bhakti uklavutha and other events like araiyar sevai, etc in the Raa Pathu mandapam.All the 12 Tamil Vaishnava saints - Azhwars did Mangala Sasanam to the perumal here. So, Sri Andal temple is an important one among the 108 Divya Desam shrines.

During Raa pathu, daily around 7 pm the festival idol of Sri Andal from the sanctum will be taken out in a religious procession around the Car streets to bless the devotees, On return to the temple, goddess Andal will be kept in the Periya perumal shrine for darshan. There Thiruvaradhanam, Ariyar Vyakyanam panchangam vasithal will be held all through Raa Pathu. Special event during this period is Margazhi Thaila kappu for 8 days to sri Andal and she will give darshan at 10 am at Ennai kappu mandapam, Around 3 pm there will be Ennai kappu Sevai.

Srinivasachariar of Srivilliputhur, for about 8 decades performed Araiyar Sevai with the same devotion and commitments with which he started way back in 1943, when he was just 13 years old, It will be quite appropriate to recall his services to keep the araiyar sevai alive despite odds and pay our respect to him.

Tit-bits:

The following are important events during the Ekadashi festival at Vthe Andal temple, Srivilliputhur:

Thiru Adhyayana Utsavam

Pagal Pathu for 1o days

First Day: Pachai Parathal

Thiru Pallandu Thodakkam

Tenth Day: Amirtha Madanam

Daily Arayar Seva

Rap – Pathu Utsavam for 10 days

First Day : Vaikunda Ekadasi

Opening on Parama Padam

Tenth day: Nammazhvar Moksham