Tirumurai Festival, 2009

Saivites are grateful to Pujya Sri Swami religious cum spiritual vibrations. Well Dayananda for the keen interest known and well respected pontiffs of he displays towards the propagation of the Adheenams and Matathipadhis delivered Tamil Tirumurais. Every year the soul-uplifting and benedictory lectures. Tirumurai Festival is conducted by him Acknowledged authorities of Saivism under the auspices of Arsha addressed the gathering of devotees. Gurukulam, Anaikatti, Coimbatore. In this Inspiring hymns of the Tirumurais were connection the help rendered by Arutselvar rendered by a good many Oduvars, Dr. N. Mahalingam is noteworthy. On this individually and in groups during the two- occasion, every year eminent Oduvars are day festival. invited to render the hymns in the traditional manner. Substantial cash awards Everyone in the audience was thrilled to are presented to senior Oduvars in hear in profound silence the Tirumurai appreciation of their sustained service over anjali in which more than a hundred the years. Oduvars participated and rendered the Tevara patikams relating to the shrine of The Tirumurai Kudabvayil and also ther pancha puranam Festival for the year in the hallowed sannidhi of the Magna 2009 took place in the Mater who bears the salvific name Brahan holy shrine of Sri Nayaki. The rendering was characterized Koneswaraswamy, by flawless harmony. This took place in the presiding deity of conformity with the with the wish of Pujya Kodavasal in Swamiji. This is proof positive of the fact Tiruvarur District on that the Magna Mater actualizes the wish the 18th and 19th of of a selfless . During the time of the June 2009. The entire Emperor , devotees were blessed atmosphere was to hear the concordant singing of Tevaram surcharged with hymns by a group of 48 Oduvars. Devotees

6 Arsha Vidya Newsletter - July 2009 presentr in the sannidhi of Periyanayaki hymns in the Natarajar sannidhi of the recollected the performance of the Oduvars Perur shrine. a millennium ago. Sekkhizhaar Adi-p-podi Dr. T.N. On the first day, the invocatory hymn was Ramachandran spoke on ‘Ezhutu Marai’ melodiously recited by Vaiyachery Sivasri (Indited ) highlighting the Vedic Balasubramaniya Iyer. After this, the import of the Tirumurais in general and the festival was inaugurated by Pujya Sri Tevaram in particular. Chhandakkavi V.S. Swamiji. During the festival inspiring Ramasamy spoke on Chhandas as in the lectures were delivered by His Holiness Vedas and the Tirumurai. Sivasri V. Sivaprakasa Desika Paramacharya Swamigal Ramanan delivered a soul-stirring speech on of Tiruvavaduturai Adheenam, Sri La Sri the woman characters of the Periya Yajaman Swamigal of Tiruppanandal Kasi Puranam. Matam, Sri La Sri Elavarasu Swamigal Sundarmurthy Tampiran of Kasi Matam, Archaeologist Sri K. Sridharan spoke on the Thavathiru Nachiyappa Jnanadesika history of the temple at Kudavayil. Swamigal of Koviloor Adheenam, Sri La Sri Kudavayil Dr. M. Balasubramanian Kumaragurupara Swamigal of Kaumara discoursed on the architectural and cultural Matam, Srimad Sivalingeswara Swamigal of opulence of the Tevaram. This was a Kamatchipuri Adheenam, Srimad Sivajnana demonstrative lecture in which the power- Desika Swamigal, Matam, point medium was used. Ulundurpet and Sri Ooran Adigal. Cash awards were presented to the Oduvars Arutselvar Dr. N. Mahalingam was all by Pujya Sri Swamiji. appreciation of the festival. In his inspiring speech, he was pleased to announce that in Pujya Sri Swamiji, it is acknowledged by all, the ensuing year, he would conduct the is doing his best to revive the traditional Tirumurai festival at Pollachi, invite as singing of the Tirumurais in all possible many Oduvars as possible and present each shrines. Devotees fervently pray to one of them with a good cash award. He Ammaiappar for Pujya Sri Swamiji’s health also added that arrangements would be and long life. made by him for a group singing of the Report by Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian

Arsha Vidya Newsletter - July 2009 7 Arsha Vidya Newsletter Rs. 15/-

“Tirumurai Festival, 2009 held on the 18th and 19th of June 2009 at Sri Koneswarar Swamy Temple, Kodavasal, Tiruvarur Dist.

Vol. 10 July 2009 Issue 7 Tirumurai Festival, 2009 REGISTERED REGN. NO. TN / CHC / 175 / 09-11 Date of Publication : 30th of every month LICENSED TO POST WITHOUT PRE-PAYMENT OF POSTAGE WPP - 286 / 2009-2011

Tirumurai Festival, 2009

“Venue of the Festival: Sri Koneswaraswamy Temple, Kodavasal”