WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ? part- 3

Srimathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha:

WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ?

part- 3

by Dasan Kudanthai Amudhan

Chandran in Jyotisham –

Chandran owns kataka rassi, a watery sign.He gets exalted in the second sign of zodiac,rishaba rassi. Sun denotes Athma, while Moon signify mind.Sun denotes prana (life force) Whereas moon signify the body.Sun is represented as father whereas moon is indicated as mother.Hence our rishes placed both Sun and moon signs adjacently together as pair on three sides of the horoscope chart with Mesha and Vrishabha signs for uccham , Simha and Kataka signs for ownership, and Vrichika and Tula signs for neecham.On the first two sides ,moon is given favourable right signs adjacently to the signs meant for Sun,relatively with the right hand curve of moon (benefic).But on the bottom of chart,Moon is given a neecha sign of vrichika unfavourably on the left side to Tula, a neecha sign of Sun ,relatively with the left hand curve of moon (malefic).

Chandran is the karagha for cow/bull ( Rishabha), femininity (Kanya),Crab (Kataka) and Fish( Meena).Hence his influence is indicated in above rassis, whose lordships are Sukran, Bhudan,Moon and Guru respectively.All above natural benefics are interchangingly exchanged among themselves by attaining ucchem (exalted) in above rasis with Moon in Rishbham, Bhudan in Kanya,Guru in Kataka and Sukran in Meena respectively. Chandran is important in predictive techniques of astrology for marriage matching as they are based on stars ruled by him.The auspicious timings/ days are fixed by Star,yogam,thithi,karnam,yoga ect as per the transit of Chandran. Predictive techniques are based on dasa period of a native birth star ruled by moon and also based on Gochara transit of all grahas with respect to Moon sign.

Maximum life span of a human being fixed at 120 years is the total sum of dasa periods of all grahas.This is arrived on basis of fixed Sun and revolving Moon as athma and mind respectively ,wherein moon (mind) takes one month to go around the orbit of earth (body) while taking 12 Solar months to complete the rotation around the Sun along with earth as its satellite (symbolically here Body and Mind revolve around athma ).Hence chandra dasa period of 10 years multiplied by 12 times will give 120 years.This can be seen that Dasa period of each graha is exactly 12 times more than that of respective grahas bukthi period coming under Chandra dasa.For an example, Suriya bhukthi of 6 months under Chandra dasa indicates Suriya dasa of 6 years (12 times of 6 months) and so on for rest of all nine grahas.Also number 12 is identified here as 12 adhtiyas of Sun and 12 degrees gap between moon and sun in the sky to be freed from combustion and 12 signs of zodiac.It is said that Lord Krishna stayed in our punniyabhumi for 120 years,the maximum period arrived on basis of Chandran,in whose star Sri Krishna took avatar.

Chandran is the lunar deity of soma, the nector (amrita).Chandran rejuvenate demi-gods with Soma to appear young and strong always.Hence in astrology,Moon is the planet to give life to neecha grahas. If any neecha graha is placed in angular (Kendra) signs ( 1,4,7,10) to chandran in a chart,its neecham will get cancelled and neecha graha will get back its original power- a yoga called by name as Neecha bhanga yoga.Similarly if guru is in a Kendra to chandran,it gives Gaja kesari yoga and Hamsa yoga. In conjunction with chevvai (mars) Chandran gives a yoga by name Chandra mangala yoga.If sukran is in Kendra to chandran, its gives Malavya yoga and same way with Sani, it gives Sasi yoga. If all natural benefics are in 6,7,8 to moon, it gives a powerful Adhi yoga.It gives Bhadra yoga with budhan. Moon gives Amla yoga if placed in a Kendra. if Chandran is placed in Lagna, it gives samara yoga. All benefic yogas are formed with respect to Chandran sign only.Hence Chandran is the giver of life by carrying the amrita in a vessel to devas and grahas in the sky.

Chandran has 16 kalais (supernatural amrita kiranas) from which nector is emitted as Somas (amrita).Out of this, 16^th kalai is beyond our visibility during amavasya since moon is combusted by Sun due to its closeness, when we can not see the moon on this day.During Krishna Paksha,Devas partake soma everyday each kalai for 14 tithis to consume 14 kalais in phases to reduce the illuminary portion of Moon. Finally on Amavasya day, Pitrus are allowed for partaking the soma on its 15^th kalai when moon is closer to Sun, the pithru karaghan,leaving behind the final constant 16^th absolute constant kalai of Chandran.During Sukhla paksha, Chandran regains every day one kalai due to the grace of Suriyan who illuminate it in every tithi and finally makes it shine in splendour on Pournami day.On this day, full Moon is with all 16 kalais when all devas are fed on Soma. During this day, Chandran is over the midsky to spread his Kiranas (rays) to all living beings, plants,herbs,trees,and vegetation ect in bhumi. Full moon is the only day, moon can be seen in the mid sky at the center during midnight with its snowy beams.Hence in Bhagwath Gita,Lord Krishna told in chapter 10 ‘ I am the soman (sasi) among the stars (nakshatras).This tells the importance of Chandran. .

Why Chandran is dearer to Lord Vishnu-

Chandran Stars are Rohini, Hastham and Sravanam.These auspicious stars are the avatara Stars of Lord Krishna, Lord Varadhan and Lord Srinivasar respectively.Lord Vishnus other avatar of Hayagrivar also took place in Sravana star.Also Lord Ramas birth star Punarvasu- 4th is in Kataka Raasi owned by Moon in addition to the Same sign being his lagna in rassi and amsam also.Lord Rama and his brothers were born after their mothers consumed divine Payasam that gave them fertility to conceive. Fertility and nectar are denoted by Chandran.Also Lord Ramas brothers Bharthan and lakshmanan birth stars are pushyam and ayuliuam in Same Kataka rassi.Hence becouse of above Suriya kula princess were born in Kataka Raasi owned by Chandran, Lord Rama is called as ‘Ramachandra’.Lord Rama possessed 16 gunas and reflected the beauty of Chandran with his coolness in mind.Lord Rama listened to his own story Ramayana from his sons Lava and Kusa for 27 days,a full Nakshatra mandalam transited by Moon.Due to his birth in watery sign of kataka, Lord Ramachandra had to cross sea water to Lanka since moon denotes ocean.Similarly Lord Krishna who took avatar in Rohini star of Moon in its exalted sign, had 16 kalas like moon.Hence Lord Krishna had to shift his base to Dwaraka, a sea coast town created for him by vishwakarama out of a reclaimed land from the Sea ocean.Also Lord Krishna after staying in our puniya Bhumi for 120 years left for Vaikuntam from prabha Kshetra sea coast near somanath a Chandra sthalam during his last dasa period of moon. Informatively even now a Creasent moon sign is present in a green flag flying in the complex of Madura janmabhumi, the birth place of Lord Krishna . (on top of a disputed unused mosque situated in the janmabhumi complex).Lord Rama and Sri Krishna avatars are connected to Chandran due to their garbhavasam.

Among the above three moon stars, each will end up at being the 10^th star from each other if counted.Hastham is the 10^th star starting from Rohini and similarly Sravanam is the 10^th star counting from Hatham and so on.This shows Symbolically the dasa avartars (10 avatars) of Lord Vishnu besides also 10 years dasa period of moon.Same way, above stars owned Vrishaba, kanya and Makara rassis will end up at being the 5^th sign to each other counting from subject preceeding rassi.This explains the five aspects of Lord Vishnu (Para,,Vyuha,Vibhava, Antharyami and archa) in addition to the five elements.The second one Vyuha is the form of Sriman Narayana in Thiruparkadal which is said to be resting in KATAKA RASSI, from where moon emerged along with Sri Mahalaskhmi. Hence she is called as ‘chandravadana’ and ‘chandraprabha’ in her ashtosthra slokas.Sriman Narayanan has a meaning of ‘Water’ for ‘Naara’ and as “Abode” for ‘Ayana’. Becouse of Sri Vishnus second aspect Thiruparkadal is in Kataka Raasi, a watery sign owned by Chandran,water has influence in both srishti and pralayam.Sri Vishnus avatars of Matsya, Kurma, Mohini and Krishna are connected to Chandran in his Karagathvam like fish, turtile (also both in ocean ) femininity holding soma ( amrita) and beauty (Rohini star of venus sign) respectively.Sri Ranganathar birth star is Revathi in Meena (fish) sign is connected to Chandran karagathvam.Chandra pushkarini is inside Srirangam koil.

Vedas glorify Chandran is the left eye of Sri Vishnu.Puranas say that Chandran came out from the mind of Lord Narayana.Hence Sri Andal in her Thirupaavai very first pasuram first line,had mentioned”Margazhi Thingal mathi Niraintha Nannalal’ hinting the auspicious beginning of pournami day for margazhi Masam and ending her 30^th pasuram with ‘Thingal Thirumukathu’ after making reference in the first line about churning of ocean from where moon emerged.This remind us the practice followed in dravida desam during Sri Andal period adopting lunar calendar ever since practiced and still followed in majority of other states except in tamilnadu, Bengal, Punjab ect which go by solar almanac. Let us see how chandran is linked with azhagar and his abode Thirumaliurmcholai from our last issue (8^th point)

9) Chandran receive hot rays from Suriyan during day time which appears like yellow colour but reflect the Sun light as cool rays in white colour during night..Jyothiskudi a small village nearby to azhagarkoil got the name derived due to Jyothi virukshams which were filled in here once upon a time.This is the place where Pillai Lokachariyar breathed his last.AzhagarKoil has Sthala vrikshams of Jyoti and Sandal wood which are found all over the hill outside the koil.This Jyoti Vrikshams are located on top of the hill further above Noopura Ganga theertham.This tree leaves shines and glows in fluorescent During night in monsoon.Hence this rare divine Vriksham is called as Jyoti,which means flame or light.In north they call as Jyotivanti. Similarly Sandalwood is the another Sthala Vriksham of azhagarkoil found all over this hill.This is the tree of Chandran. Sandalwood means ‘Chandan’ in Sanskrit that gives cool and fragrance smell to please our mind.Sandal paste water is smeared on the front main gopura doors of ‘pathinettam Padi’ everyday as prarthanai by devotees.Thirumanjanam to Lord Kallazhagar is done on Sandal paste water of Noopura ganga. Also Chandran flowers are white water Lilly and mullai (Lilly). Noopura ganga is located in Madhavi mandapam ( jasmine flower pandhal ) which name has been in existence ever since this place was having many creepers of white Lilly flowers long ago once upon a time.During Chitrai thiruvizha, Lord Kallazhagar goes to Madurai, the city of Jasmine flowers.Thus Chandran connection is denoted through this Koil Sthala Vrikshams and jasmine flowers. Suriyan and Chandran are in jyoti svarupam.Namazhwar describe this

பரஞ்சோதி நீன்னுள்ளே படருலகம் படைத்த எம் பரஞ்சோதி!

கோவிந்தா! பண்புரைக்க மாட்டேன ! (3- 1 திருவாய்மொழி)

10) Grains,cereals, vegetables, herbs, legumes and seeds are associated with moon as they symbolize resurrection in a profound way as seeds are replanted due to its potency of fertility.Grains are the literal life for the mortal population in the form of necessary foodstuff obtained from cultivated crops in mother earth. Lord Krishna in Bhagwath gita ( 15-13) said “ I become the moon thereby supply the juice of life to all vegetables “.While Sun helps the formation of cells, it is the moon that becomes the source of nectarine coolness to influence the growth and give taste to food grains. Upanishads say that athmas which are to return to the earth, fall from upperworld get identified in a subtle manner by their subtle bodies enter through air,rain,clouds and gets in to the grains in earth as foodstuff consumed by male genders.When they are united with females,it enters in to womb in the formation of their fertility to get rebirthed again. Water and grains which are under the karagathvam of Chandran thus play an active role in rebirth. when lord Kallazhagar goes to Vaigai river on Chitra pournami day, the crowd would be more eager to see the attire adorned by the lord on his horse vahana (Parimael azhagar) since the color of the draping would indicate to the farmers the prospects of next harvest season of agriculture crops.This is the age old belief of people to plan for their next crops. Also azhagar koil has two granaries (kottarams) similar to Srirangam temple.These were earlier used for storing the grains and legumes given by the farmers as a token of gratitude towards the Lord for blessing them with agricultural prosperity.Currently they are used for storing Silambaru water due to its unworthy condition to store grains.Yet grains and legumes given as ‘kannikai”by farmers are only used for making the famous ‘dosa’ Prasadham of azhagarkoil which are made out of all mixed grounded grains irrespective of its variety.

11) Chandran denotes providing of food, supply of food related items ,serving of food and water to guests and annadhanam ect Caring soft mind is required for a person to give annadhanam. Its related industries like catering, delivery of food and water besides its providers are signified under his karagathvam.Traditionally it is the customary practice of mother to feed the child with annam (food) by showing the moon in the sky.Western people take food under moon light as ‘Moon light dinner”.It is believed that taste is imparted to food due to moons amirta kiranas. when Sri Andal came to azhagar koil with Periazhwar,she was attracted by the beauty of Lord azhagar and prayed to this lord for getting the hand of Lord ranganathar.During her stay here, she made a promise to submit 100 tadas of butter and 100 tadas (vessels) of akkaravadisal to Lord azhagar once her desire to marry Sri Rangan is fulfilled.But she could not fulfill her promise since she was merged with the lord at Srirangam.It is said that Sri Ranganathar himself guised and posed as Lord azhagar and married her at srirangam.However Bhagavath Sri Ramanujar came to Thirumaliurmcholai and fulfilled her promise by submitting the above food items to Lord azhagar on her behalf. Sri andal in naachiyar thirumozhi - 9 mention about her promise to azhagar as-

நாறுநறும்பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான்

நுறுதடாவில் வெண்ணெய் வாய்நேர்ந்து பராவி

வைத்தேன் , நூறு தடாநிறைந்த அக்காரவடிசில்

சொன்னேன்,ஏறுதிருவுடையான் இன்றுவந்து இவை

கொள்ளுங்கொலோ!

Kouthuka or srinivasar, one of the four utsavars is mentioned here as “ஏறுதிருவுடையான்” in this pasuram . Chandran has influence in Sri andals unfulfilled promise made to Lord azhagar later got executed by Sri Ramanujar who is hence called as ‘Kovil annan” due to this episode.This is the only Kshetram where Sri andal ursavar idol can be seen in sitting posture.The tradition of Sri ramanujar in presenting butter and akkaravadisal is carried out every year.

12) Chandran denotes giving shelters,hosting guests, giving asylum ,hospitality and caring for others ect.Hence its related industries like guest house,hotels,motels, healing places,public shelters ect are indicated as moons karagathvam. Atithi means guest who comes anytime without seeing ‘Tithi”(moon phase).The idol of Lord Namperumal of Srirangam during the invasion of mughal army, was brought to this kshetram and kept inside a well at azhagarhill called as ‘ azhagiya manavala kinaru’ (well) for some time till invaders were driven away by then nayaka rulers. Well and water are signified by chandran.Later on another occasion Sri koorathazhwan took shelter at azhagar koil and stayed here for some time to escape from the wrath of Saivite fanatic kirumi kanda chozhen.Azhwan who lost his both eyes visualized the beauty of Azhagar, worshipped the Lord in mind and composed a work “Sundrabhu Sthavam’on Lord. In Mahabharatha,it is said in Vana Parva that Yudisthira and Arjuna stayed in Vrushabadri hills for some time during their 12 years exil in forest.Lord Kallazhagar visit every year during Chitrai Thiruvizha to Madurai in pallakku visiting many villages on the bank of Vaigai river for five days.During this period,Lord stays in many mandapams for mandakapadis alongside the road enroute to Madurai with his entourage following the procession.One could see many Open Mandapams built by early rulers of pandiya Nadu on both sides of the road leading to Azhagar koil from Madurai.During normal days these open Mandapams serve as shelters for devotees going on pilgrimages.Azhagar has given shelters to many devathas (demi-gods) in this hill who all stay here worshipping him.This signify the karagathvam of chandran with this Lord and his abode.

!!OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!

WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ?-part-2

Srimathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha:

WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ? part-2

by Dasan Kudanthai Amudhan

Origin of Chandran and his emergence from Thiruparkadal.

Chandran was born to maharishi Athiri and Anusuya. When he was young, he did penance in the forest praying to lord Vishnu with a desire to get boon for serving all seven types of beings like devas, rakshas, yakshas, gandharvas, nagas, pitrus and manushas without any discrimination. Pleased with his social outlook, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and directed Chandran to perform a Rajasuyaa yagam.. Accordingly, after marrying 27 daughters of Dakshan, chandran performed a grand yagam attended by devas and apsarus. Tara, the lovely wife of Brahaspati also came on this occasion.She was attracted by the beauty of Chandran and courted with him to get a Child later named as ‘Budhan”.After some time ,Tara left for her place leaving the child under the care of Chandran who entrusted Budhan to his wifes to look after him. But only Rohini was affectionate with this child and took care of him.Hence Chandran was more in proximity to Rohini ignoring other wifes which irritated and made his father-in-law Dakshan to curse Chandran to lose his beauty (kalai ) everyday to meet his end.

Hence Chandran who was initially gifted and blessed with 16 kalais started losing everyday his beauty.After having virtually lost all his kalais but only two kalais balance to lose his life due to the curse of Dakshan,immediately took shelter in Thiruparkadal and surrendered to Lord Vishnu residing over there.Relatively in an another episode, Sage Durvasar cursed indran and other devas to lose their wealth and power due to their arrogance.This resulted in Sri Mahalakshmi to leave them and take shelter at Thiruparkadal. Sriman Narayanan who was waiting for this opportunity took Kurma (Turtle) avatar to bring back Sri Mahalakshmi from the milky ocean as well as to give immortal nector (amrita) to devas ,since entire universe went in to darkness without Sri lakshmi.After Churning the ocean for few days, first appeared was Halahal venom which toxicity was so dreadful, both devas and asuras could not withstand.Hence all devas prayed to Shiv dev who came from mount kailash feeling pity on them to save them from disaster.So Shiv dev swallowed the Halahal Venom.This occasion is celebrated as Pradosham on 13^ththiti of trayodasi sandhi kalam in thei pirai.

The Potency of Poison scorched so much to shiv dev,parvathi devi stopped the passage of Venom at his neck by tieing up with a snake and prayed Sri Vishnu to ward off the evil effects on her husband.Sri Vishnu in his Kurma avatar, ordained Chandran to act accordingly who in turn emerged from the milky ocean and adorned on top of the matted locks of shiva to cool his body from the scorching heat ( symbolically here a wanning moon (thei pirai) with left curve appeared on the head of Shiva as he was only with two kalais).This occasion is celebrated as Maha Shivrathri on 14^th day chaturdasi night before new moon day when shiv dev along with parvathi performed cosmic dance in joy after getting relief in cool rays emitted by Chandran.

Shiv dev thus pleased with the timely action of Chandran,unable to reverse the prajapathi Dakshans curse fully,had blessed Chandran with a relief of having to undergo waxing and wanning in the sky every 15 days in two pakshams in a month by visiting the mansions of all his 27 wifes in their form as Stars.Thereafter shiva and parvati left for mount Kailash.During churning of ocean,many Rathnas came including Sri dhanvantri holding the amrita.On the day of 15^th New moon,Sri Lakshmi came finally from Thiruparkadal to be reunited with Emperuman.Thus Sri Lakshmi has become the brother of Chandran as both reappeared from milky ocean.

Hence Dippawali is celebrated at the fag end of chaturdasi tithi in dark before the advent of new moon by lighting the houses, based on belief this was the end of the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodiya after 14 years exile.Similarly Sri Lakshmi puja is done in the evening of dippawali on new moon day conciding with the occasion of her emerging from milky ocean.Therefore number 14 is important to KATAKA RASSI because 14 Rathnas came from Thirparkadal, Sri Rama who was born in Kataka rassi returned to Ayodiya after 14 years, there are 14 manvantras in a kalpam,there are 14 lokas created by Brahma.On 14th day Chandran emerged from the milky ocean to traverse in the Sky from next day new moon onwards going by a cycle of phases for every 15 days by the grace of Lord Vishnu to whom Chandran surrendered at thiruparkadal to escape the virtual destruction by the curse of dakshan.

Since then Chandran with his 2 kalais at the end of 14^th tithi of wanning moon goes to Sun,the pitru Karaghan on new moon day, shedding one kalai to pitrus holding his only one constant kalai (16th) being the absolute, pray to Agni deva, at the center of Suriya mandalam to get purified of all his doshams.This coincide in reality with moon getting combusted with Sun at zero degree conjunction,when one can not see the moon in the sky on 15^th tithi Amavasya.Moon start waxing from next day onwards going by a cycle of Phases endlessly by the grace of Suriya Narayana who gives life and light to Chandran.

During Vamana avatar,when Lord Vishnu manifested as Thirivikrama,his Lotus feet was washed by brahma in sathya loka from the water in his kamandalam.This fallen theertham first flowed down to Duruva mandalam and later to Chandra mandalam from where it fell on the matted locks of Shiva dev in Kailash.This Theertham finally tricked down to our puniya bhumi assumed as river ‘Ganga’ from the matted locks of shiva as per the prayer of King Bhagiratha to him for properly receiving this sacred water in earth.Thus by receiving the sripatha theertham of Lord Vishnu first in its mandalam, Chandran also mitigated the powerful force of Ganga water that would have otherwise caused dreadful effects on the matted locks of Shiv dev.Moons deep craters on its surface filled with ice and water beneth as per recent findings are believed to have been created due to the powerful force of ganga water that fell from Sathyaloka on moon.Since Chandran got the boon from Lord Vishnu to serve all class of beings with his social objective outlook without any discrimination,the core essence of Vaishnavam, Chandran is most dearer to Sriman Narayana. Chandran washed his Dosham by receiving the sripatha theertham of SrI Vishnu,besides making agni pravasam to Suriya mandalam on every new moon day in order to pray agnideva to purify himself.Let us see his connection with this Kshetram and its lord azhagar.

5) Chithirai Thiruvizhaa,the full moon water festival of madurai –Kallazhagar every year set out for jasmine city Madurai on the fourth day of chitthirai festival.Later the Lord makes an entry in to Vaigai river on chitra pournami day, when sun is transiting in mesha, its uccha rassi.On this day moon is at Chitrai star of tula rassi in opposite 7^th place from mesha. Hence moon receive maximum splendour of radiation from exalted Sun .So blazing moon is able to reflect its peak soft,bright and snowy beams of rays on this day.Chandran denoting conch (sangu) in the transit at the constellation of Chitrai star is significant as this is the birth star of Thiruvazhiazhwan (chakram).This day is also important due to the birth of Chitra gupta,the recording celestial assistant to Yama dharma raja on whose request,Lord Brahma created him out of a chitram (picture drawing) to assist Yama maintains Dharma by keeping proper records of our deeds.Later on Chitra gupta took birth to Kamadhenu, the celestial cow as a child for childless indran and indrani.Hence Chitra gupta is closely connected to Vrushabhadri hill ( azhagar hill) as he was created for dharma devan as per his wish and later through Kamadhenu, the celestial cow that came from Thiruparkadal. Vrushabhadri denotes dharma in the form of Yama dharma rajan, on whose request Lord Soundrarajar came in to being at azhagar koil.Also this kshetram itself is considered as thiruparkadal from where chandran emerged. Hence kallazhgar stepping in to Vaigai river on Chitra pournami,the birth day of Chitra gupta is important.Moreover the highlight of this celebration on this day is about re-enacting the puranic episode of manduka rishi who is relieved of his curse and given moksham by the Lord here. This story goes with when a sage by name Sudabha was in deep penance immersed in the water of silmabaru flowing down in this hill, durvasar muni along with his disciples came over here.Upon finding no response from sage Sudabha who was deep inside the water, to the call of durvasar muni for long time, the furious muni cursed this sage to be a manduka ( frog) that dwells in water always.Hence Kallazhgar stepping in to this river to give moksham to sage sudabha in puranic episode is re-enacted every year to remind us the kind mercy of emperuman to those who surrender to him.This chithirai thiruvizhaa is considered as a ‘water festival’ because Lord Kallazhagar stays on the banks of Vaigai river for 4 days travelling to many villages situated along the river.Apart from this fact, devotees used to sprinkle water drawn from Sacred rivers stored in mobile tankers through the hoses and pipes continuously on the idol of Kallazhagar besides on vahanas and on the people accompanying procession enroute to Madurai.This reminds us the celebration of holi festival of north.On this occassion,Lord kallazhagar receive a garland of Sri andal from Srivalliputtur brought in a grand procession.Lord Kallazhagars kalyana guna of sausilyam is glorified in following pasuram of Bhoothathazhwar-

வெற்பென் றிருஞ்சோலை வேங்கட மென்றிவ்விரண்டும்,

நிற்பென்று நீ மதிக்கும் நீர்மைபோல் – நிற்பென்று,

உளங்கோயில் உள்ளம் வைத்துள்ளினேன் வெள்ளத்,

தினங்கோயில் கைவிடேலென்று!-பூதத்தாழ்வார் திருவந்தாதி(2- 54)

Thus this Chithirai thiruvizha is connected closely to the karaghathvam of Chandran on its re-enacting the episode of giving moksham to frog (manduka rishi), water splashing, Stepping in to the river and staying along the river bank for four nights and the day of pournami thiti choosen for this festival as frog,water and staying in riverbank,full moon are denoted by chandran.Informatively all over south east asian countries like vietnam,myanmar thailand,Cambodia ect witnesses similar type of water festivals during this same period of april month coinciding with their new year festival similar to the rituals of chithirai thiruvizha.Same way they celebrate on full moon day during august (kataka- aadi )to glorify moon(water god) as full moon water festival.

6) Chandran lineage starts with his son Budhan whose clan grew in chain like Budhan-pururavas-indrathyumnan-malayadwajan-soundra pandian ect They were the rulers of pandiya desam as part of early clan of chandra vamsam.The celebrity king Malayadwajan was ruling pandia nadu spread out from meru hills to down south, holding the flag with the image of ‘fish’ that reminds us the very first Vishnu avatar.He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and was traversing everyday to Gaya Kshetram for taking holy bath in a Pushpak vimana gifted to him by sage agasthyar.One day when he was passing through azhagar hills over the sky, his pushpak vimana could not fly over further but descended on this hill. Then king heard an aerial divine voice directing him not to take the trouble of going to far away Gaya kshethra but to take holy bath in Noopura gangai in this hill itself, which is more divine and sacred than ganga.The divine voice of Emperuman reminded him about his father indrathyumnan penance at this hill and his devotion to this theertham of Noopura gangai for taking holy bath which rendered the birth of malayadwajan as his son. Upon hearing his fathers great devotion to azhagar, the king was so pleased with the divine direction of emperuman, did great services and kainkariyams to Lord soundrarajar.He also built this koil in the present form.This shows the influence of chandran through his lineage of kings and their kainkariyams to azhagar koil.The flag of pandiyan kings with the image of ‘ fish’ also shows the influence of moon which denotes fish, turtile,crab ect.

7) Chandran is called as ‘Soma Oushadhinaam Adhipathi” as he controls all medicinal herbs ( oushadh) which are regulated by moon whose cycle of phases are associated with the growth of new plants.Herbs and Creepers are regarded as amrita (ambrosial).The flowers are also associated with Moon as it aesthetically please the eyes and its appeal to the sense of smell by imparting pleasant fragrance gladden the mind.Hence the derivation for flower in Sanskrit synonym as “Suman” meaning which delights the mind.Sri Dhanvantri Bhagawan emerged from Thiruparkadal along with Chandran among 14 Rathnas during Samudra manthan holding in his four hands Sanghu,pot filled with amrita,Herbs and Leech.These items are all connected with Moon.Sri Krishna said in Bhagwath gita ( 9-18) “ I am the medicinal herbs among the plants’ and also in B G (10-21) “ I am the soma among nakshthras”.Six azhwars rendered many pasurams about Thirumaliumcholai as a divine hill with dense forest of herbal plants, rare fragrant trees,flowers, gems, streams,rivulets bringing down water with natural minerals and herbal properties. Foremost among 18 siddhas, Boga siddhar had written a beautiful poem on Silambaru,azhagar hills and Its Lord Kallazhagar.Many Siddhars like Idaikaadu and Ramadevar lived in this hill.some of them attained jeeva mukthi here after spending their life on research of medicinal herbs and rare trees in this hill.True to the pasurams of Azhwars, even now this hill is the most favourite place for many researchers of medicinal herbs and trees.Azhagar hills has a tropical dense reserved forest with high bio-diversity value known for its medicinal herbs.Hence Our forest department maintains a big herbal garden (muligai vanam) in this hill restricted only to Siddha research scholars and this garden is irrigated by a natural spring.This hill itself is described as thiruparkadal, in a azhwar pasuram ,from where Chandran emerged whose Karagathavam is closely connected to this Kshetram.

“ திங்கள்நன் மாமுகில்சேர் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்ற

நங்கள்பிரானை இன்றுநணுகுங்கொல்! என்நன்னுதலே !

8) Aadi Brahmotsavam celebrated as a big festival in this Temple for 10 days is closely connected to Chandran.Aadi is known as Kataka masam because Sun is transiting in Kataka rassi, owned by Moon.Car festival celebrated on 9^th day glorify Suriyan who gives light and life to Chandran.Ther is the vahana of Suriyan.Lord Kallazhagar with his consorts take procession in a Chariot around the main streets on Aadi pournami.Lord Soundrarajar is delighted to be seated in Ther Vahana on this full moon day when Chandran receive maximum light from Suriyan transiting in moon sign.During the first 8 days of this Brahmotsavam,Chakrathazhwar is taken out through the main gopura entrance of ‘pathinettam padi’ for veethi purappadu of azhagar and brought back when these doors will be opened only at that time for entry to Azhwan.Even Lord kallazhagar do not go via this entrance but always use only the side entrance known as “vandi vassal“.Otherwise this doors are permanently kept closed because it is believed that Krishna Putra is manifested on this 18 steps and hence none is allowed inside to go. Suriyan is the embodiment of Chakram.Periazhwar describe Chandran as -

“நஞ்சுமிழ் நாகமெழுந்தணவி நளிர்மாமதியை,

செஞ்சுடர் நாவளைக்கும் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலையதே ! (4- 3திருமொழி)

Azhwan passing through 18 steps at the Main entrance doors is important as number 18 is closely linked to Chandran. Moons yantra in silver plate charged with mantras on its numerical side has total 18 in each horizontal row and vertical column with a geometrical image of Moon engraved on its reverse side.This Symbolically represent in reality that east facing Garbhagraham of Lord Paramaswamy,the moolavar of this koil, Panchaloka idol of Kallazhagar and Silver idols of other three utsavars are placed under Soma Chanda Vimanam similar to the Shape of Moon, facing the entrance of 18 steps on the main gopura vassal.Informatively Tickets are issued for Rs 54 as “padikatanam”to permit devotees seeing the 18^th steps through a small opening.This odd figure happens to be the combined numerical number of Chandra yantra ( 18 x 3 col/row). Aadi amavasya is important due to Garuda seva on this day. 18^th pathinettam peruku is celebrated here in festive mood as water signify the karaghathvam of Chandran.Aadi Peruku is exactly on 18^th day of sun transiting in Kataka sign based on Solar calendar linked to the festival of swelling of rivers mainly along the rice cultivation belt as rice is the daniyam of Chandran.Same way,in Lunar calendar,18^th tithi falls as akshaya trithya valar pirai in chitrai masam when sun and moon are exalted in mesha and vrushaba signs respectively.The purchase of white metals like silver and platinum are made as an auspicious on this day,since Moon signify silver/white metals.Jasmine flowers blooming during chittrai month coinciding with this festival timing is due to moons karagathvam.

!!OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!