After several decades, the Pancha Parva Utsavam on Pournami was revived today with a Thirumanjanam, Perumal Procession and Thaligai presentation
For the first time in several decades, the Pournami celebration of utsava deity Ranganatha at the Veera Narasimha Perumal temple at Mangai Madam took place on Thursday (Dec 8) on the occasion of Karthigai Pournami. Interestingly, this has been revived exactly a day after the birthday of the last of the Vaishnavite Saint Poets Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. On Wednesday, on the Karthigai day in Karthigai, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s avathara utsavam was celebrated in the Thiru Nangur region.
A devotee currently based in Madras has initiated the revival of Thirumanjanam and the Procession every Pournami as part of the monthly Pancha Parva Utsavam.
On Thursday, Thirumanjanam was performed which was followed in the evening with a procession of Ranganatha in the presence of around 50 devotees who were then presented with the sacred food.
The Veera Narasimha temple in Mangai Madam whose legend is connected to Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s transformation from a King to a Saint Poet had been in a dilapidated state with broken floors, damaged outer walls and falling roof not so long ago.
Long ago, Thirumanjanam had taken place for Thayar every Uthiram with a presentation of Thaligai but with the dilapidated state at the end of the previous century this too had come to a halt. The devotee is also looking to revive the Thayar utsavam every Uthiram.
Bhattar's transformational exercise
Balaji Bhattar, who had his Vedic and Agama initiation from the renowned Lakshmana Dikshithar of Parthan Palli Divya Desam, was just 20 when he decided to return to his hereditary location from Mylapore rejecting several lucrative offers in Madras. He was keen to dedicate himself to a lifetime service at this remote temple, one of the Pancha Narasimha temples of Thiru Nangur. It was here that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar had performed the Thathiyeeraadhanai for 1008 Vaishnavites as per the condition laid by his beloved Kumuduvalli Nachiyar of Annan Perumal Koil, one that was intended to transform him to traditional ways.
உண்மை மிகு மறையொடு நல் கலைகள்
நிறை பொறைகள் உதவு கொடை என்று
இவற்றின் ஒழிவு இல்லாப் பெரிய வண்மை மிகு மறையவர்கள்
மலிவு எய்து நாங்கூர்
வைகுண்ட விண்ணகரம் வணங்கு மட நெஞ்சே- Thiru Mangai Azhvaar
Residing near Sempon Sei Koil, Balaji Bhattar is now anchoring the transformation of the Veera Narasimha temple and with his dedicated service over the last two decades has managed to create a loyal set of devotees at this temple. He has come to be recognised as one of the enterprising bhattars in the Nangur region. Only last month, he led the Samprokshanam of the temple that came after two decades. The consecration event was well attended. The revival of Pancha Parva Utsavam on Pournami is a significant milestone for the temple. Today's event is yet another step towards the revival of the traditional practices that Balaji Bhattar has set his eyes on.
As part of the now popular 11 Garuda Sevai Utsavam in Nangur, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar from Thirunagari makes a trip to this temple in Thai.
சீர் அணி மாட நாங்கை நல் நடுவுள்
செம்பொன் செய் கோயிலினுள்ளே
கார் அணி மேகம் நின்றது ஒப்பானை
கண்டுகொண்டு உய்ந்தொழிந்தேனே
The revival on Karthigai Pournami augurs well for this remote temple near Thiru Nangur and it is hoped that the temple will be back to its historical glory. For most in the next gen, this was a new devotional experience for they had not seen the Pancha Parva utsavam to-date on the Pournami day. And now they can look forward to this event every month.
A devotionally committed bhattar has proved that remoteness is not a hindrance. Despite the threat of the Cyclone, the Pournami event that had seemed to have become a forgotten tradition at Mangai Madam was revived today.