Chitra Pournami - A blend of both Saivism and Vaishnavism. When AaNdaaL sets out from Srivilliputtur to Srirangam to marry Lord Ranganatha, she stops by at Kallazhagar temple and prays that if her wish was fulfilled, she will offer 100 pots of sweet pongal and 100 pots of butter. This has been described in her Nachiar Tirumozhi.(#9). Starting with describing the beauty of thirumaliruncholai Lord.
சிந்தூர செம்பொடிப்போல் திருமலிருஞ் சோலையெங்கும்
இந்திர கோபங்களே எழுந்தும்பரந் திட்டனவால் மந்தரம் நாட்டியன்று மதுரக்கொழுந் சாறுகொண்ட சுந்தர தோளுடையான் சூழலையினின் றுய்துங்கொலோ
This pasuram is in 9.1. It is interesting to note that in this shrine AaNdaaL is in sitting position as against standing position in most of the temples.AaNDaaL's 9.6 pasuram explains her prayers to Lord Sundarajara PerumaL. Knowing Krishna is fond of butter, she feels if the food is offered, HE might come and she will have a change to meet the Lord.
நாறு நறும்பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான் நூறு தடாவில்வெண்ணெய் வாய்நேர்ந்து பரவி வைத்தேன் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன் ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்திவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ
Oh Lord of Thirumaliruncholai which has so fragrant flower gardens, I give my word that I will offer 100 pots of butter and sweet pongal. Will the Lord who holds Lakshmi come and accept my offering?
But, AaNdaaL could not fulfill her promise as she was invited by Ranganathar to join him in Srirangam. This happened around 8th century.
Ramanujar who is also refered to as UDayavar, decided to fulfill this promise himself by offering them to Lord at Thirumaliruncholai a couple of centuries later. When he went to Srivilliputtur after this offering, it is said that AaNdaaL came out of the shrine and called him as "en Anna" (my brother who fulfilled the promise) in view of his love for her.
Of course, the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar in Madurai as part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha.. People from Madurai are blessed to witness this festival.People welcome Lord Kallazhagar as he enters Madurai. This is called as Edhir-sevai.
It is said that KaLLazhagar wanted to witness his sister(Meenakshi)'s wedding with Sundareswarar and by the time he reached the Vaigai river, he is informed that the wedding is over. Knowing this, he gets upset and stops at Vaigai. Meenakshi and Sundareswarar on hearing this, visit the Vaigai river to pacify him. Saddened and angered that he could not witness the wedding, he enters in to Vaigai river and hands gifts and goes back to Azhagar Kovil in palanquin decorated with flowers without visiting Madurai.
There is another story on Mandooka rishi was cursed by Durvasar and he got his curse relieved by praying in Azhagar Kovil. Sage Durvasa cursed him to be a frog. Impressed by his prayers, Lord of Tirumaliruncholai comes to relieve the curse.
Although this festival was intiially done in Jan (thai month in tamizh), they needed people to pull the chariot. Thai month being a harvest month, the festival did not see much crowd. Hence, it was shifted to Chitirai (Apr- May). (as heard). The water splashing event is also a form to combat the heat during April.
Hope to visit this shrine soon!. For those, who would like to know how akkara-adisal is being made, please visit Akkara-adisal
சிந்தூர செம்பொடிப்போல் திருமலிருஞ் சோலையெங்கும்
இந்திர கோபங்களே எழுந்தும்பரந் திட்டனவால் மந்தரம் நாட்டியன்று மதுரக்கொழுந் சாறுகொண்ட சுந்தர தோளுடையான் சூழலையினின் றுய்துங்கொலோ
This pasuram is in 9.1. It is interesting to note that in this shrine AaNdaaL is in sitting position as against standing position in most of the temples.AaNDaaL's 9.6 pasuram explains her prayers to Lord Sundarajara PerumaL. Knowing Krishna is fond of butter, she feels if the food is offered, HE might come and she will have a change to meet the Lord.
நாறு நறும்பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான் நூறு தடாவில்வெண்ணெய் வாய்நேர்ந்து பரவி வைத்தேன் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன் ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்திவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ
Oh Lord of Thirumaliruncholai which has so fragrant flower gardens, I give my word that I will offer 100 pots of butter and sweet pongal. Will the Lord who holds Lakshmi come and accept my offering?
But, AaNdaaL could not fulfill her promise as she was invited by Ranganathar to join him in Srirangam. This happened around 8th century.
Ramanujar who is also refered to as UDayavar, decided to fulfill this promise himself by offering them to Lord at Thirumaliruncholai a couple of centuries later. When he went to Srivilliputtur after this offering, it is said that AaNdaaL came out of the shrine and called him as "en Anna" (my brother who fulfilled the promise) in view of his love for her.
Of course, the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar in Madurai as part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha.. People from Madurai are blessed to witness this festival.People welcome Lord Kallazhagar as he enters Madurai. This is called as Edhir-sevai.
It is said that KaLLazhagar wanted to witness his sister(Meenakshi)'s wedding with Sundareswarar and by the time he reached the Vaigai river, he is informed that the wedding is over. Knowing this, he gets upset and stops at Vaigai. Meenakshi and Sundareswarar on hearing this, visit the Vaigai river to pacify him. Saddened and angered that he could not witness the wedding, he enters in to Vaigai river and hands gifts and goes back to Azhagar Kovil in palanquin decorated with flowers without visiting Madurai.
There is another story on Mandooka rishi was cursed by Durvasar and he got his curse relieved by praying in Azhagar Kovil. Sage Durvasa cursed him to be a frog. Impressed by his prayers, Lord of Tirumaliruncholai comes to relieve the curse.
Although this festival was intiially done in Jan (thai month in tamizh), they needed people to pull the chariot. Thai month being a harvest month, the festival did not see much crowd. Hence, it was shifted to Chitirai (Apr- May). (as heard). The water splashing event is also a form to combat the heat during April.
Hope to visit this shrine soon!. For those, who would like to know how akkara-adisal is being made, please visit Akkara-adisal
