Varagur Uriyadi Utsavam

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