Srirasthu Srimathe satakopaya nama: Srimathe Varavara munaye nama:

Srimathe ramanujaya nama: Sri Sri Chinna Ramanuja Jeeyar Thiruvadikale Saranam

Sri Periyazvar (VishnuChitta, bhattar pirAn), Svami Nathamuni and Svami Vadakku Thiruveedhi pillai (Krishnapada) Thirunakshatram Mahotsavam
Sri Venkatesvara Lotus Temple, Fairfax, Virginia

Reported By: Sri Na:ra:yanan, Virginia, USA

Sri Periyazhwar, Svami Nathamuni and Svami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai Thirunakshatra Mahotsavam report

In Srivaishnavam all the months and stars have importance, for there are 10 Azvars, Andal, Madhurakavi azvar and numerous acharyas have blessed them by appearing in that particular month or star. Especially the month of Aani has a lot of importance. It is the birth month of Sri Periyazhwar, Svami Nathamuni and svami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai (Krishnapada). It is Sri Periyazvar overwhelming love (Pongum parivu) got him his name the biggest among Azvars. This concept of keeping the All Supreme Lord as the one to be protected and keeping the sentients (jeevatmaas) as the protectors is called Mangalashasanam which is the very essence of Sri Vaishnavam. If that is not enough it is also the birth month of Svami Nathamuni who retrieved the sweet outpourings of Azvars called 4000 divya prabhandams. This is also the birth month of another mahacharya Svami Vadakku Thiruveedhi pillai who wrote down 32000 Padi a magnum opus commentary by Svami Nampillai for Thiruvaimozhi, for the generations to come. He blessed the world with two illustrious sons Sri Pillailokacharya and Svami Azhagiya Manavala perumal Nayanar, who in turn blessed the world with magnum opus Srivaishnava concepts Srivachana Bushanam and Acharya Hrudayam. Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple in Virginia celebrated the Thirunakshatrams of Azvar and Mahacharyas on July 12th and 13th.

The day started with Suprabhatam and kalasandhi Thiruppa:vai goshti and Sattrumurai followed by Theertha goshti and Prasa:da Viniyogam.

After that Thirumanjanam to Sri Venkatesvara svamivaru with Milk, Curd, Honey started along with the chanting of Thaitteriya Upanishad. It was followed with Manjal Kappu (Turmeric) Sahasra Dharai Thirumanjanam of Peruma:l during which goshti chanted Purusha, Sri Sukthams. After that Iiravadai (Wet cloth of Peruma:l) theertham is done during which Goshti chanted Vennai Alaintha Kunungum… and the other Thirumanjana kaala paasurams.

The Curtain was drawn for Perumals Saththupadi (alankaram) and the Bagavata Gosti then started chanting Thirupallandu and Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 1^st and 2^nd centum. The 210 paasurams covered details of various deeds and gestures of Kannan which left the Gokulam mesmerized. If anyone had questions on why Sri PeriyAzhwar is considered the biggest azhwar, his outpourings in Periyazhwar Thirumozhi settles it. While all the other azhwars loved and cared for Perumal as he being the saviour, Sri Periyazhwar loved Perumal like Yasoda did, thus azvar himself becoming the saviour of the lord. Saathumurai consisted of last 2 paasurams from decad started as Atrilirundhu followed by Vaazhi Thirunaamas for Sri Periyazhwar Sri Natha Muni, Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai. Later, theertha viniyogam and prasa:da viniyogam took place.

The evening goshti started with Thirupallnadu followed by 3rd and 4th centums of Periyazhwar Thirumozhi paasurams starting from Thanneaayiram to Thuppudaiyarai. Saatumurai consisted of last two paasurams from Thuppudaiyarai decad followed by Vaazhi Thirunaamams of Svami Periyazvar, Svami Nathamunikal and Svami Vadakku thiruveedhippillai. Sri. TNC Narasimhan gave a little speech on Periyazhwar Vaibhavam..

The day started with Suprabhatam followed by Kalasandhi, Thiruppa:vai goshti and Sattrumura followed by Theertha goshti and Prasa:da Viniyogam.

Then the gosti chanted remaining 4 decads of Peiyazhwar Thirumozhi starting from Vaakkuth Thooymai. Periyazhwar Thirumozhi was followed by Kanninun Siruthambu, Koil Thirvaaimozhi and Iramanusa Nootrandhadhi. It was happy to note that there were so many bhaagavatas who were able to attend this celebration and chant the Holy Scriptures in unison. Saathumurai consisted of Senniyongu ten paasurams, last two paasurams from Thiruvaaimozhi and last three paasurams of Iramanusa Nootranthathi. Then arulappadu and maryathais to azvar acharyas to Swami Periyazhwar, Swami Nathamuni, Swami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai (perumal calling "Arulappadu nam bhattar piran", "Arulappadu Sriman Nathamunikal", "Arulappadu nam Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai") took place. Then Goshti chanted Thirunakshatra thaniyan (Sanskrit verses in praise of respective azvar acharyas to be recited on their birth month and star) and thiru Naal pattu (Tamil Verses of respective azvar acharyas to be recited on their birth month and star) of Swami Periyazhwar, Swami Nathamuni and Swami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai. Sri TNC Narasimhan gave a jist speech on vaibhavams of Sri Periyazhwar, Svami Nathamuni and Svami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai. After that a:sirvadham to the hosts Sri Ravi Aharam and Smt Vasanthi Aharam took place. All the bhaagavatas were honored with sesha pushpa maalai of perumal during the gosti. Dhivyaprabhanda gosti maryathais (honors) from the temple was received by Sri Narasimhan representing the Gosti. After that bhaagavatas were served with Prasadam of perumal.

Priests Sri SeethaRamacharyulu, Sri Krishna Bhattar had done beautiful Thirumanjanam Alankaram(saththupadi) to perumal. All the out of station Srivaishnavas were accommodated by local hosting swamis in their houses. Some of them who attended are Sri T.N.C.Narasimhan svami, Sri Padmanabhan Svami, Sri Narayanan svami, Sri Venu Svami, Sri Kazhiyur Raj Mannar svami Sri Madurai Manivannan svami, Sri Krishnswamy Rangan, Sri Ananth Isti, Smt Priya Rangarajan. Sri Raviji and Smt Vasanthiji managed the overall function with the dhivyagya from Peruma:l Azvar Acharya and sva:charya. With causeless grace from Peruma:l and Azhwar Acharyas, the Celebration concluded in a grand manner.
 

Jai Srimannarayana!

Azhvar Emperumanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadikale Saranam

Chinnajeeyar thiruvadikale Saranam

Sri Venkatesvara Lotus Temple, Fairfax, Virginia

PS: some pictures of the function can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/svlotustempleva/PriyazhwarSwamiNathamuniSwamiVadakku
ThiruveedhiPillaiThirunakshatra