 |
| Varagur Srinivasa Perumal with Mahalakshmi |
South Indians are known
for their tradition and culture as well as the customs and cultural practices
we keep up especially when it comes to something which is followed from our
ancestors, then however and wherever we are, we strive for completing the
traditional practices and duties first rest comes after our tradition only,
whatever it may be.
I'm proud that I'm a
south Indian, especially to have this
blessings to witness various spiritual and traditional events like Varagur Uriyadi,
to be a part of satsangam and to do services at temples.
 |
| Vasudeva Carrying Balakrishna with Adisheshan at the back, Govindapuram |
On the special occasion
of Gokulashtami, I've been to Govindapuram Sri
Vittaldas Maharaj's 'Vittal Rukmini Samastan' which is located next
to Thiruvidaimarudhur which is just 25-30 minutes away from Kumbakonam, on
the way towards Mayiladuthurai and to Varagur which
is just 14 kms away from the main city of Thanjavur, located near the
Vennar-Vettar regulator dam, Thenperambur.
 |
| Sri Vittal Das Maharaj's Bhajan, Govindapuram |
To be there at Varagur, on
the occasion of Uriyadi, is a golden opportunity for me and to
witness Thamizh Brahmins all over the Agrahaaram roaming from their houses to
temple to the mandapam where the hero of the occasion Krishna(utsava moorthy)
getting ready for Thirumanjanam(abhishekam) after getting a lot butter offered
by the Agrahaaravaasis'.
 |
| Nandi at Thiruvidaimarudhur Temple |
This golden opportunity
for me was availed because of Jayaram uncle who came from Delhi for this
special occasion. Jayaram uncle is also my first friend whom I interacted at
SVSS, Delhi. As I was there at Thanjavur on the occasion and literally doing
nothing. He called me and informed me about the programs, so I joined
him.
 |
| With Jayaram Uncle at Varagur |
Initially I'm going to brief
about the places I went before going to Varagur, then I'm going to write about the
history of Varagur temple and uriyadi celebrations.
 |
| Govindapuram Temple |
Day 1
Janmashtami was
celebrated on 2nd September, 2018 (3rd for Northern part of India). After
completing Poojas at my home, I had lunch and left for picking Jayaram uncle at
Kumbakonam railway station. We both then went to meet Jayaram uncle's guru who
is living at Kumbakonam. After having a cherishing conversation at his house,
we then left for Govindapuram where Sri Vittaldas
Maharaj's 'Vittal Rukmini Samastan' is located. On the way we decided
to go to 'Thiruvidaimarudhur Mahalingaswamy temple'. To our
fortune we went at the time of evening arathi. At that time one person named
Arunagiri met us and luckily explained all the specialties and history of the
temple.
 |
| Varagur temple |
After having a blissful
dharshan of Mahalingeshwarar and Brihadsundaragujambigai, We
reached Govindapuram temple. There Jayaram uncle have made arrangements for our
stay through ShriKrishnan Venkatraman who left his high paying banking job and doing
services with Vittaldas Maharaj Bhajan group.
After that we got
refreshed then we went have dharshan of Vittal and Rukmini. Just within 250mts,
there are many other temples in the lane. You can find Chaithanya Kutiram
of Shri Krishna Premi Swaamigal, Bodhendra Saraswati Swamy Peetam, Rettai
(Twin) Hanuman temple, Perumal temple, Swamy dayananda dhyana peedam and Maha
periyava's Thapovanam.
(To talk
about Govindapuram, having such vibrant temples, dhyanapeetams
and thapovanam, one can truly forget all the problems with immense
devotion. Rukmini Vittal Samasthan itself has a 'Goshala' having more
than 200 cows brought from Krishna Janmabhoomi 'Mathura', Vrindavan and
from Dwarka also.)
 |
| Varagur people offering butter to MrMakhan Chor |
They've a whole week
celebrations planned for the Janmashtami from Radha kalyanam, Vennaithazhee utsavam and upanyasam etc.,
we just went there for an evening and enjoyed the bhajan by Sri Vittaldas
Maharaj. To be there among some 1000 people and having dharshan of Rukmini and
Vittal, and singing bhajans will make you tranquil. The bhajan got over with
the Arathi followed by prashadham distribution. After getting prashadham, we
went back to our room and slept till 4:45am.
 |
| Devotees lifting Balakrishnan and helping to collect butter |
Day 2
We got up early morning
and got ready. I brought Jayaram uncle to my home. We had breakfast and went to
Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple at Naalu Kaal mandapam. Having dharshan of
Perumal we then left for Varagur.
 |
| Baby Krishna's Lotus feet |
I've been there just for
the very first time and really amazed to see such unity among a huge group of
people. I got the opportunity to lift the pallaku of Lord Krishna and felt blessed.
 |
| Whatta blessing to be a part of this vaibhavam |
About Varagur
Varagur's history dates
back approximately 200 - 250 years back. This place and the temple came to
limelight after getting discovered by the great saint Narayana Theertha Swamigal
(Yadindhrar). Whereas the Venkatesa Perumal temple history dates back during
Chozha period and is one of the best fine example of Chozha's art. Lord Venkatesa
here is with Shri Mahalakshmi on his left lap.
 |
| Cute little service |
Varagur which was actually known as Bhoopathi Rajapuram located at the district
of Thanjavur, in the bank of the river Kudamuruti (tributary of the Cauvery River). The
main deity of the village is Sri Venkatesa Perumal. Per archaeological
researchers, this deity was originally instituted as Sri Lakshmi Narayana by
the Paranthaka Chozha King also known as Veera Narayanan. Bhoopathi Rajapuram
also got its name based on the King Bhoopathi Rajan, Chozha king, who was the
then king of the present Thiruvaiyaru Taluk.
After getting deeksha
Sri Narayana Theertha Swamigal travelled towards south as per the directions
that he hears through a mystical voice of Bhagavan. Due to severe stomach ache
he decides to stay at Nadukkaveri village as it got late at night. While sleeping
Lord Vishnu appeared in his dreams and tells him to follow a pig (varaham)
which will help his stomach ache to vanish.
 |
| Bhajans happening simultaneously with Vennaithaazhee utsavam |
When Narayana Theerthar woke up
in the morning he saw a white pig. Seeing a pig soon after getting up is not a
good omen. However, obeying Lord Vishnu's order he follows the pig. The pig
lead him to a temple located at the Bhoopathi Rajapuram and suddenly disappeared. Narayana Theerthar
shocked and confused, at the time he heard the voice of Lord Vishnu saying not
to search for the pig (which is himself). From then the place was also famously
known as "Varahapuri". The Sanskrit name of pig is
Varaham. The temple at which the pig stopped was the temple of Lord
Srinivasa.
 |
Krishna settled at the mandapam
after collecting butter |
Narayana Theerthar lives
there till he attains mukthi after getting Vishwaroopa dharshan of Lord Krishna
himself. During his life at Varagur, He sang "Sri Krishna Leela
Tharangini", while singing Lord Krishna along with Rukmini and Radha
dances immortally and also the anklets sounds are heard.
There were about 100-150
houses in that Agrahaaram at that time. To the irony now only 35-50 houses left
who were the real inhabitant of such divine place.
Also Narayana Theertha
Swami celebrated Krishna Jayanthi during his life at Varagur for 10 days,
starting from the next day (Gayathri japam) of Yajur Upakarma (Avani Avittam)
till Krishna Jayanthi. Later the inhabitants of Varagur also celebrating the
Janmashtami in the same way that Narayana Theerthar used to celebrate. During
this festival, those who hails from Varagur and whose forefathers worshiped
Lord Srinivasa there, comes without fail even though they have moved to urban
areas and different countries. Not only just coming to Varagur, but also
devoting their best throughout this festival forgetting their machine life for some
time. Also the inhabitants of Varagur, dedicates their first earning totally to
Lord Venkatesa.
 |
| Treat |
During these 11 days
festival, Lord Venkatesa will be in different alangaram (decorations). Wrapping
up the grand festival of Krishna Jayanthi with Anjaneya Utsavam. There are
various art programs, discourses and Bhajans by great personalities of
Bhagavathals. Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana Veda recitals also carried out by
learned Vedic scholars.
Despite of these temple
related wonder festivals, the residents of Varagur also accommodates some of
their friends inviting them to witness such grand spiritual event and get
blessing of Lord Venkatesa. Also out of the temple's earning people here serve
food for more than 1000's of people who visits Varagur on the occasion.
 |
| Uriyadi maram |
Uriyadi being the
highlight of the 11 days festival, It's very energetic for the devotees too, to
witness 10-20 people trying to get to the top of the Vazhukka maram while some
people splashing water on them. People also offer their prayers by doing
Angapradhakshanam for at least a half kilometer distance. Those who are unable
to do Angapradhakshanam, they offer their prayers by doing Sappani (sitting)
pradhakshanam.
 |
| 126 devotees doing Angapradhakshanam |
One of the important specialty of this temple and celebration is
that the abhishekam of Lord Vishnu along with Bhoo Devi and Sridevi happens
while reciting Rudram chamakam and namakam. None other temple does abhishekam
to Lord Vishnu by reciting Rudram.
 |
| Krishna coming to temple after abhishekam |
 |
| Energetic Tambrahm Youngsters climbing Vazhukkai Maram |
 |
| Sri devi Bhoo devi sametha Sri Srinivasa Perumal |
 |
| Sappani Pradhakshanam |
People from their core
of the heart chanting "URIYADIYOO!!! GOVINDAA!!!" literally gave me
goosebumps. I felt proud as I was blessed to be a part of such divine event.
According to me, it’s an event which should be witnessed by everyone at least
for once during their lifetime.
I've
written about Varagur this much with the help of Murali Sastrigal, inhabitant
of Varagur, who helped me by briefing about the history of this place and
traditional practices. His eyes dwelled up with joyful tears while telling me
the significance and bond that Varagur people share with this temple, practices
and duties. This purely reflects how pure the bond is and how blessed the
people feel to be associated with this temple and doing services.
Ending this post about
devotional event.
Yours East
Gaterr
