#AithiyaMaala #ViwamangalamSwamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar is one of the most revered saints in Kerala's history. He was famous as one of the few who could see Gods, Goddess, Celestial beings in their flesh and blood form. Thread below about his mahima

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1. Vaddakkumanathan Temple

During Vrishchikka masa, Karthika star day is considered to be the birthday of Karthiayani devi in Kumaranallur.

On this day, Swamiyar visited the temple to offer his prayers, but doesn't find the lord in garbha griha

PC: Google

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After searching all around, he observes Mahadeva sitting on the southern compound wall and watching something in distance.

Swamiyar asks, "Oh lord ! Why are you sitting here"

Mahadeva says "I am watching the Aarattu (ceremonial bathing during festival) of my consort"

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Swamiyar says, "In that case, let me not disturb you".

He bows and immediately goes to the temple authorities and describes what transpired.

Immediately, a priest performed a pooja at the southern compound wall which continues till date on that specific day

🕉️

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2. Vaikkom Temple

Vaikkasthashtami Festival (was on 8-Dec this year) is one of the major festivals in this majestic Shiva kshetrams. Swamiyar visited this temple and went to worship the lord, but as usual, he didn't find the Bhagwan

PC: TOI

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He searches everywhere and comes to Chuttambalam where devotees were enjoying their lunch.

Swamiyar's eyes fall on an old Brahmin near a pillar in the northern corridor & immediately identifies Mahadeva. He goes and bows down to the almighty

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Soon news spread thick and fast. From that day, a lamp is lighted near the pillar in the northern corridor.

Even till today, on the festival day, all dishes are served on a plantain leaf and offered in front of the lamp.

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Devottees of Vaikkathappan consider it auspicious & privilege to sit in the northern corridor during the Asthami festival time.

🕉️

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3. Ambalappuzha Temple

Before we embark on this journey, it's important to note that Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar used to interact with Krishna in Bala Krishna form.

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Kshetram is very famous for it's temple & grand festivities

PC: Google

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Once Swamiyar visited the temple, proceeds to Sopanam only to find Sree Krishna not in his designated place.

After searching all around he comes to Chuttambalam. In the meantime, the feast for Marars (Traditional Drummers) was ongoing at Natakasala

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Swamiyar comes to this hall to find Sree Krishna in the form of a cook serving Payasam to Marars.

When Swamiyar inquires, Krishna says " I enjoy serving Marars as they toil hard and make my festival very grand.

Every year I come to serve them"

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This news spread very thick and fast.

Till date, Marars feast is considered to be one of the biggest events of the festival, with devotees thronging to experience the divinity in the Natakashala

🕉️

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4. Chertala Karthiayani Devi Kshetram

Once Swamiyar was passing through a village when he comes across 7 ladies bathing in a stream. Upon looking at them, he immediately identifies that these were celestial beings i.e. Goddess

PC: Google

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Upon watching Swamiyar, the ladies try to flee. There would 7 large ponds in nearby area. The ladies jump into these ponds to escape Swamiyar.

Swamiyar dives into each ponds and retrieves the devi and consecrates them in nearby villages.

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The last devi was covered by mud and hence, got installed as Chertala Karthiayani. Cher in Malayalam means mud.

When Swamiyar was retrieving her out of the pond, he lovingly admonishes her with filthy language.

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Hence, even today, on festival day, apparently lyrics have some filthy words which is enjoyed by Devi.

P.S: I don't have personal experience on this aspect only.

🕉️

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Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was instrumental in consecration of many deities like
- Thiruvananthapuram Sree Padmanabha Swamy
- Tiruvarppu Sree Krishna
- Ettumanur Shiva
- Chertala Karthiayani

and many more..

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Vilwamangalam Swamiyar lived very long before mukti. However, his end is also very interesting.

He meets Thalakkulathur Bhattathiri a famed astrologer of those times. Upon the request of Swamiyar, he says that Swamiyar would have 3 more births: Rat Snake, Bull & Tulasi

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Bhattathiri also says that he would meet Swamiyar in all his 3 births.

In the 3rd birth, he would be born as a Tulasi plant in drainage channel of sanctum sanctorum of a vishnu temple. Everytime abhishekam was performed, water would touch the Tulasi plant on it's way out

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Once it so happens that there is no Tulasi. The priest would be looking around and his eyes fall upon this Tulasi plant. He tries to pick a couple of leaves, but whole plant comes out.

A brahmin sitting nearby says "Use the full plant for worship"

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When the priest took the plant to sanctum sanctorum, the Tulasi plant merged with the lord's greenstone idol (Anjanashila), indicating Swamiyar's moksha.

The brahmin who suggested to take full plant was Bhattathiri in one of his births as promised

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Ref: Aithiyamaala by Kottarathil Sankunni

Hope you enjoyed this thread.

🙏🕉️🙏

More from GunduHuduga| ಗುಂಡು ಹುಡುಗ|🕉

#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

In the past, we had a glimpse of Lakshmana's devotion towards Sri Rama, his brother and father figure.

However, it is interesting to note his unique relationship with Sita, especially as seen by from her perspective.

Thread below

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We all know about the Golden Deer / Maricha incident and the way Sita influences Lakshmana to go in search of his brother.

Personally, I am unable to get 2 strong emotional points in one thread and hence, I will skip this incident for today.

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In Sundara Kanda, when Hanuman meets Sita, she says the following

सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शिनः।
पितृवद्वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरन्।।

Lakshmana, who has lionshoulders and strong arms, who is handsome, who takes Rama as his father & treats me as his own mother

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ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः।
वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवान् शक्तो न बहुभाषिता।।

Heroic Lakshmana, did not know while I was borne away. He is prosperous, foremost in serving elders. He is energetic and reserved in his speech like my father-in-law ..

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He is a prince dear (to his brother).

These are from Sarga-38, shlokas 60 and 61.

There are 3 distinct points which I want to draw the attention of the reader to.

1. She also compares Lakshmana to Dasaratha much like how Rama did when he constructed the hut in panchavati

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#BookExcerpts #Venkateshwara #Balaji

I will write a 3 part thread series with some interesting points from this book.

Part-1 : History of Tirumala & Venkateshwara Swamy
Part-2: Rituals & Prasada Procedure
Part-3: Historical records

Part-1 thread below

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Venkatachala Hill

Maha Vishnu wished for the mountain Krida / Krida Parvatham / Kridhachalam from Vaikunta to be brought to the earth for his avataram.

This was brought to earth by Garuda and Ananta & placed it on banks of river Swarna Mukhi

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This is where current Tirumala temple is located. The fact that this was transported from Vaikunta is apparently a scientifically proven fact.

The scientific dating of the sedimentary rocks have confirmed the date to be around 120 million years ago..

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This timeline coincides with Swayambhu Manu manvanthara of the Sweta Varaha Kalpa which is the time when Swamy descended on earth in the form of Venkateshwara Swamy.

From a survey of flora and fauna, they have found rare species of plants & animals like golden gecko..

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that are exclusive to this hill range only and not found anywhere else in the world.

Tirumala hills are a range of 7 hills
1. Seshachala
2. Vedachala
3. Garudachala
4. Anjanachala
5. Vrishabhachala
6. Narayanachala
7. Venkatachala --> Where temple is present

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