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Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
Godankitavadhanam marks Goda Devi Avatarotsavam
Tirupati: Celebrating Goda Devi Avatarotsavam, the Department of Telugu Studies at Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), in association with the Tirupati Sri Krishnadevaraya Satsang, organised a special Godankitavadhanam event on Monday. The event was held to commemorate Goda Devi, also known as Andal or Nachiyar, a revered female saint who is considered an incarnation that descended in the Kali Yuga to exemplify supreme devotion to Lord Vishnu. Known for her divine association with the Lord, Goda Devi is praised for adorning the deity with the very garlands she first wore herself, symbolising her deep spiritual bond and eternal connection with the divine. Godankitavadhanam was performed by renowned Sahasravadhani Dr Medasani Mohan. Demonstrating his exceptional skill, Dr Mohan answered every question posed by the Pcchakas with precision and eloquence, captivating the audience. The Pcchakas (questioners) in the programme included Prof C Lalitha Rani, Dr Yuvasri, Dr Y Subhashini, Dr C Latha, Dr C Swarajya Lakshmi, Dr Jayamma, Dr G Suhasini and Dr B Krishnaveni. Earlier addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor of SPMVV Prof V Uma expressed her delight that the event was conducted entirely by women scholars and practitioners, reflecting the university's commitment to empowering women in all spheres, including classical literature and spiritual traditions. Programme Director Prof Kolakaluri Madhu Jyothi highlighted that Goda Devi's devotional verses, the Pasurams of Tiruppavai, are still sung in temples during the auspicious month of Dhanurmasam, with a tradition of singing one Pasuram each day. There is also a popular belief that girls who participate in this practice are blessed with early and happy marriages. Prof Nirmala Thammareddy and Immani Deepa Venkat also spoke.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Huge turnout for Aadi Pooram car festival at Andal temple
Despite the hot sunny day, thousands of devotees thronged the Andal Temple here to participate and witness the car festival conducted on Aadi Pooram on Monday. All the four Car Streets were teeming with devotees, who had flocked to the temple from far and near. While the most enthusiastic devotees turned up early to pull the vadams (ropes of the car), others lined up along the Car Streets to see the beauty of the colourful decorations as the car moved. They also offered prayers to the urchava moorthi of the presiding deities, Andal and Lord Rengamannar, kept atop the temple. Earlier, the deities were brought to the car after special puja and deeparathana. Pujas were performed at the top of the car also. Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Virudhunagar Collector N.O. Sukhaputra, MLAs, A.R.R. Srinivasan and S. Thangapandi and Sivakasi Mayor I. Sangeetha, were among those who pulled the car when the event started at 9.10 a.m. Chanting slogans of Govinda Gopala by the devotees enthused the large gathering in pulling the huge wooden car. Several groups of men and women performed kolattam and sang the pasuram ahead of the car. The crowd kept pouring in from all sides to the Car Streets throughout the event unmindful of the sweltering weather. However, with a set of workers involved in putting the wooden logs to stop and steer the car at the turnings, led to slowing down of the car pulling event. The car finally reached its parking lot on East Car Street after going around the temple at 1 p.m. Devotees queued up in large numbers to offer darshan after the car reached its parking lot. Later, the deities were taken into the temple. A large number of police personnel, led by Superintendent of Police D. Kannan, were deployed to regulate the crowd.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Andal Jayanti 2025: Date, Puja Rituals and Significance of Aadi Pooram
Andal Jayanti 2025: The auspicious day of Aadi Pooram, also called Andal Jayanti, honors Goddess Andal, who is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. Andal Jayanti is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi and is observed under Pooram Nakshatra, one of the 27 Nakshatras. Andal Jayanti is being observed today, July 28, 2025, this year. Andal Jayanti 2025: Significance The Tamil community holds a great religious significance of Andal Jayanti. The Goddess Laxmi is honored on this day. Shakti, or divine energy, is the only focus of the month of Aadi, and it is a unique and potent energy. In order to bless her followers, the goddess also comes to earth. It is believed that Andal is a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi. Andal refers to a young girl who became a saint by making the Lord (Vishnu) her lover. In South India, this event is primarily observed during Pooram Nakshatra. With great fervor and commitment, devotees pray to Goddess Andal. She is a manifestation of Goddess Laxmi, and Tamil Nadu's Lord Vishnu Temples celebrate the festival of Aadi Pooram. Goddess Andal became the wife of Lord Shri Ranganatha after years of worshiping him and pleasing him with her devotion to him, Andal Jayanti is celebrated at Shri Ranganatha Temple. This temple receives a lot of devotees who come to pray to the Goddess. Andal Jayanti 2025: Story Scripture states that there once was a saint by the name of Periyalwar of Srivilliputhur who was childless. He prayed to Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Laxmi for the child because he was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. After a while, he discovered a young girl as he was plow-ing the land, and Goddess Laxmi emerged as a child. He saw the child as a gift from God. Since this happened during the month of Aadi on the day of Pooram, it is known as Aadi Pooram. He never ceased to worship the Lord with all of his heart and soul. In order to present Shri Ranganatha with a garland made of Tulsi leaves, her daughter Andal would first wear it in secret. Periyalwar once reprimanded his daughter for wearing the garland covertly before presenting it to the Lord. After making another new garland for Shri Ranganatha, he offered it to the Lord, but it kept falling off his neck despite his repeated attempts. After he prayed to the Lord, Lord Ranganatha appeared before him and clarified that Andal is a manifestation of the Goddess Laxmi, and that he would only wear the garland if Andal would wear this . Goddess Andal wrote a great deal of music for Lord Ranganatha. Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi are two well-known pieces. Andal Jayanti 2025: Celebration Many followers travel to different temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and this festival is celebrated with a lot of fanfare. Srivilliputhut in the Virudhunara District hosts the car festival, which is regarded as a significant occasion. Additionally, devotees worship Goddess Aandal at the Shri Ranganatha temple. Along with other offerings, they also serve coconut and bhog prasadam. Mantra Om Mahalaxmi Namo Namah..!! Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaye..!!
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Efficacy of Adi Puram
Andal or Goda manifested in the Tamil month of Adi, under the Pooram star, in Srivilliputtur, in the tulasi garden of Vishnu Chittar, also known as Periyazhwar, who was devoutly serving the resident deity, Vatapatrasayi. Andal composed the Tiruppavai (30 verses) and Nacchiyar Tirumozhi (143 verses). Andal's Tiruppavai has the essence of all the Vedas, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh. It highlights the importance of surrendering to Bhagavan, singing His divine names, and being subservient to the devotees of the Lord. Just as Krishna's discourse is called Gitopanishad, Andal's Tiruppavai is revered as Godopanishad (the Upanishad of Goda). The great preceptor Ramanuja always used to chant Tiruppavai and hence came to be renowned as Tiruppavai Jeeyar. The verses of Tiruppavai played a vital role in helping Ramanuja explain the tenets of Visishtadvaitam to disciples. Growing up, Andal expressed her devotion to Lord Vatapatrasayi by adoring herself with the garland meant for the deity, before it was offered to Him. When Periyazhwar found out, he admonished Andal and did not offer any garland to the deity on that day. However, that very night, Perumal appeared in Periyazhwar's dream and demanded to know why He was not offered the garland. When Periazhwar explained that it was desecrated because his daughter wore it, Vadapatrasayi said, 'It is consecration, not desecration,' and sought the Andal-worn garland as a daily offering. When Perumal manifested as Varaha and retrieved Bhu Devi, She asked Him, 'You have saved me. What about countless humans who need to be ferried across the ocean of births?' He informed Bhu Devi that She would appear on Earth as Goda and teach devotees the importance of praying to God with flowers and verses at a very young age, and surrendering to Him. He also affirmed that whoever served Him in such a manner would receive His protection, even if the devotee were to forget to do so in later years due to approaching old age. When Andal reached a marriageable age, and insisted upon marrying Rangamannar, the archa murti at Srirangam asked Periazhwar to bring her to His sanctum, wherein She attained eternal service at His lotus feet.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pennington Library: A 150-Year-Old Treasure for Rural Readers in Tamil Nadu Faces Uncertain Future
The 150year-old Pennington Library in Srivilliputtur — home to more than 80,000 books, haven to over 3,500 rural readers — is now on shaky ground amid govt plans to relocate the market that sustains it. Photo by K Antony Xavier Beyond the famed gopuram of Srivilliputtur's Andal temple in Virudhunagar (a symbol featured in the state govt emblem) and its iconic GI-tagged palkova lies a library, little known to the rest of Tamil Nadu , but one that has long nurtured local readers. Established in 1875, the Pennington Public Library marks its 150th anniversary this year. Tucked away in a narrow bylane of Library Street, its facade is covered by trees, under which readers, mostly women, eat their lunch. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai 'This library gives me the calm and resources I can't find at home,' says Akshaya, who travels from Kallupatti, an hour away, to prepare for the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission exams. Many like her flock to the library from rural pockets of Sivakasi, Rajapalayam and beyond. India has a long history of public libraries, the earliest ones established by the British in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Among them are the Madras Literary Society, established in 1818, and the Connemara Library, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2020. Founded in 1890, it was opened to the public in 1896. Pennington Public Library is the state's oldest 'private' public library. The 1860 Societies Registration Act gave people the right to form associations and participate in local governance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo In 1875, public-spirited citizens — A Ramachandra Rao, T Ramasamy Iyer, T Krishna Rao, Muthu Iyengar, T Saravana Muthu Pillai and P Muthusami Pillai — used this provision to set up a library with the support of Tirunelveli collector J B Pennington (1880-1883). Over time, the founding group became known as the Pennington Committee. 'Pennington helped identify land and do the construction. That's why the founders named the library after him,' says V Muthu Battar, the committee's vice-president. To honour Pennington's legacy, the Virudhunagar collector continues to serve as an ex-officio committee member. Today, the committee has 12 members. To ensure financial independence, Pennington also acquired land near the library and developed it into a market complex. Today, the Pennington Market, which houses 150 shops on both sides of Rajaji Road, supports the library. With more than 80,000 books and 190 periodicals, it is accessed by about 400 people every day. It has more than 3,500 members. It also has a separate section for children. All nine employees here are women. About ₹2 lakh is allocated annually to buy books (usually from the Chennai Book Fair). 'It is one of the few libraries in the state that has state gazettes published from 1953,' says librarian R Jeya Kiruba. To preserve its books, the library makes its own herbal powder, a mix of pepper and clove, to keep insects away. Personalities who visited the library include former President A P J Abdul Kalam . The library played a vital role in the formative years of Kariamanikkam Srinivasa Krishnan, co-discoverer of the Raman Effect (which won his mentor C V Raman the Nobel Prize in 1930). However, recent developments around the market have cast a shadow on the library's future. The market complex, near Srivilliputtur bus stand, has been earmarked for relocation by the municipality to ease traffic congestion. The district administration plans a rent hike, eviction of defaulters and demolition of 'dilapidated' structures in the market. Committee members say they have got a stay order from the Madras high court. This is not the library's first legal hurdle. Over the years, many tenants have defaulted on their rent, resulting in several civil suits, some of which are still pending. In 2009, the municipal department demanded 15% of the market's gross rental income. The committee sought a waiver, stating that the funds were used in the public interest. In 2017, the Madurai bench of Madras HC ruled in the library's favour. Besides maintaining the library, the Pennington committee also runs Pennington Public School for classes I to V, says Muthu Battar. 'We have plans to open an IAS academy and to digitize the collection of books.' Even after 150 years, the committee has yet to find a photograph of Pennington, the man whose name the library bears. 'Pennington appears to have shunned publicity. We tried to trace his descendants in England but found nothing,' says Battar. 'Even if a library is privately owned, if it is open to all, it is a public library. The govt should not interfere with a self-sustaining institution that is serving the people,' says writer and library activist Ariaravelan. 'A library, after all, is defined by its access, not ownership.' Email your feedback with name and address to Pennington, the people's collector J B Pennington served as Tirunelveli collector for three terms: first, between Oct 6, 1868, and Oct 20, 1868; second, between May 25, 1877, and March 17, 1880; and third, between June 18, 1880, and June 28, 1883. Besides the library, Pennington also showed a great interest in launching St John's Orphanage in 1878, which is now in Tuticorin. During his period, the British proposed building reservoirs at Srivaikuntam and the Papanasam lower hills to control floods in the Tamirabharani River. 'Penningon proposed increasing the capacity of the existing tanks and constructing new tanks for protecting the valley from drought,' writes Arivalagan Murugeshapandian, assistant professor, department of folklore, St Xavier's College, Tirunelveli, in his book 'Signs of Water'. In the 1881 Proceedings of the Madras govt, Pennington said, 'The district had the extraordinary enterprise of the people: only provide water and the people will do all the rest. There is no fear of them declining it or failing to utilise every drop.' In 1904, he called for an end to the salt tax imposed by the British, after demonstrating a possible link between salt deficiency and plague. He said the monopoly deprived people of a valuable industry, led to the destruction of naturally abundant resources, and resulted in excessive taxation on a vital necessity. Tamil Nadu's oldest public libraries Saraswathi Mahal Library, Thanjavur – (established 16th century) Built by Thanjavur Nayak kings, it has more than 60,000 palm leaf manuscripts Govt Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Centre, Chennai (1869) – it has more than 50,000 palm leaf manuscripts and 20,000 paper manuscripts Goschen Library, Chennai (1926) – Once a public hall set up by Sri Vijayaraghavulu Chetty, it is one of the earliest private public libraries in Chennai
