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Sri Periyazvar, Svami Nathamuni and Svami Vadakku-thiru-veedhi pillai
varusha Thirunakshatram celebrations in Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple, Fairfax, Virginia

Reported by: Sri: Na:ra:yanan Swa:mi, Virginia

The month of Aani boasts of the star birthday of the Alvar Sri Bhattar piran in Srivillipuththur and Bramhotsavam of Lord Sri Thelliyasingar in Thiru Alli Keni. Alvar Sri Bhattar piran is called Periya Azvar (the biggest among the immersed). The name “periya” or “Biggest” is given to him not because of the physical appearance nor because of the amount of dhivya prabhandams he sang in praise of perumal. It was given to him because of the huge amount of imense love he had for perumal. The love of svami Periya alvar was so huge to the extent that he forgot that perumal is the one who is the protector and thought perumal is the one who must be protected. This concept is called Magalasasanam in our Srivaishnava sampradayam.

Along with Sri Periyazhwar we will also celebrate the Thirunakshatrams of great acharya Swami Nathamuni and Vadakku Thirveedhipillai whose birth stars fall in the month of Aani. If Azvars gave us the dhivya prabhandams Svami Nathamuni is the one who retrived them when the dhivyaprabhandams were lost. Without him we wont even be chanting them today. He was also instrumental in setting the dhivya prabhandams in music using divine cymbals. Araiyars are descendants of Svami Nathamunikal. Araiyar sevais during pagalpaththu and raapaththu (Thiru Adhyayana utsavam) are famous in Srirangam, Srivilliputhur, Azvar Thirunagari and Thirukurungudi. Acharya Svami Vadakku Thiruveedhi pillai’s glory cannot fit into this paragraph. He was the foremost disciple of Svami Nampillai who gave 32000 padi vyakyanam (commentary) for 1000 verses of Thiruvaimozhi by Svami Satakopa. He was instrumental in writing down the whole 32000 padi for the future generations.

In Lotus temple we celebrate the varusha Thirunakshatrams (yearly birth star day) of all Azvars by chanting the dhivya prabhandam they have gifted us. Especially Sri Periyazvars paasurams are like nectar, since he sang most of the paasurams in praise of krishnas childhood chestithams. This year the yearly star birthday of Periyazvar falls on July 11th. By the causeless mercy of Perumal, Azvars and Acharyas we will be celebrating the birth star day by chanting Periyazvar thirumozhi over three days (July 11th, 12th, 13th). The agenda and the chanting schedule is attached herewith.

All are welcome to chant the holy scriptures and let us all celebrate the birth star day of the biggest alvar and two great Acharyas. Bring your family and friends and learn about this azvar and Acharyas.

Friday Evening: Thiruppallandu
Upadesa Rathinamalai 16-20 ....manavala ma muniye innumoru nootrandirum, periyazvar Vaazhithirunaamam and Vadakku Thiruveedhipillai Vaazhithirunaamam

Saturday Morning
Nithyapadi (thirupallandu, thirupalliezuchi, thiruppavai)
Thirumanjanam to Perumal.
During thirumanjanam we will chant Vennai Alaintha, Poochadal Kappidal(and regular thirumanchana Paasurams like munbola Iravananan.. thinnar Vensangudaiyai) and Seekshavalli. Thirumanchanam for Azhwar/Acharyas and Kannan/Andal.

During alankaram Thiruppallandu
Periyazvar Thirumozhi Vannamaadangal to Arrilirunthu
Last two paasurams of Arrilirunthu for sattrumurai

Saturday Evening Thiruppallandu thannErAyiram to thuppudaiyArai Last two paasurams of thuppudaiyArai ten for Saatrumurai

Sunday Morning Thiruppallandu Upadesa Rathinamalai 16-20 vAkkuth-Thuymai to thukka-s-suzhalaiyai
Kanninun Siruthambu
Koil Thiruvaimozhi Iramanusa Nootrandhadhi Munnadi Pinnadi
Sennniyongu and last 2 paasurams of Muniye Naanmugane for Saatrumurai Periyazvar Vaazhithirunaamam, Sri Naathamun'si Vaazhithirunaamam Arulappadu maryathai.

Azvar emperumanaar jeeyar thiruvadikale saranam
Chinna jeeyar Thiruvadikale saranam