Akshaya Tritiya ~ The Auspicious Day

Akshaya Tritiya, is considered to be a highly auspicious day in the Vedic Calendar which falls on the 3rd day of the new moon month [third Tithi of Sukhla Paksha] of Hindu month of Vaisakha [April – May]. Akshaya Trithiya is also known as Akha Teej festival. 

MahaVishnu

According to Hindu astrology it is said that there is no need to check for any good ‘muhurat’ or ‘muhurtham’ on Akshaya Tritiya as every second of Akshaya Trithiya day is favorable. In 2012, Akshaya Tritiya date is on Tuesday the 24th April 2012.

The word "Akshaya" , a Sanskrit word, literally means “imperishable” or “eternal” [one that never diminishes]. “Tritiya” stands for third day. On this day, the Sun and the Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. It is believed starting a new activity or buying valuables on this day is considered to bring good luck, eternal prosperity and success. It is one of the most popular dates in Hindu calendar for marriages, for beginning new ventures, for investing and for purchasing valuables like gold and diamond. Marrying on Akshaya Tritiya brings good fortune, prosperity and longevity to the couple.

Myths and  Legends

There are several reasons for Akshaya Tritiya being considered auspicious. The birthday of the Hindu sage ‘Parasurama’, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls on this day. According to Hindu Mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began while 'Dharmasindhu' mentions this is the Adi Tithi of Sata Yuga. The river Ganga, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven on this auspicious day.. Shri Balarama Jayanthi [birthday of Lord Sri Balaram] is also celebrated on the day of Akshaya Tirtiya. Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Balarama is also referred as one of the Dasavatara, ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Sudama or Kuchela visiting Lord Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of beaten rice [poha or aval].

Veda Vyasa and Lord Ganesha initiated writing of "Mahabharata" on the day of Akshaya Tritiya . It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that decided their victory over the Kauravas. Also, it is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed Asura on this day. Lord Kubera, considered to be the lord of wealth. According to puranas Lord Kubera himself pray to Goddess Lakshmi on this day. For the Jains, it is a special day. Bhagvan Rishabhdev, the first ‘tirthankar’ broke his fast with sugarcane juice after fasting for whole year. Following his example, Jains celebrate this day by fasting. Temples for the pilgrims of Badri Kedar Yatra or the Char Dham Yatra, opens on the Akshaya Tritiya.

The Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram [bowl] from Lord Krishna [in the Mahabharata] on this day. The food came in abundance, when they were in the forest. Due to this reason, people believe that anything that is acquired on this day will be replenished. This day is specially important as on this day any thing you donate is akshaya or never ending.

Sri Maha Lakshmi

Celebration on Akshaya Tritiya

Lord Vishnu and his incarnations are worshipped on the day. People also conduct Lakshmi puja on Akshaya Tritiya. A dip in the Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious. Buying gold on this day signifies never-diminishing money or wealth for the whole year. It is the best day to make auspicious beginnings so that they produce imperishable results.

The selfless act of daanam.

Things to do on Akshaya Tritiya

On this day, we have to perform Madhusudhana Puja  with Thulasi Archana chanting Vishu Sahasranaamam .  Besides this, some other Daanams are suggested on this day, as listed  below:

• 1.      Jala Daanam [ Water Daanam to Brahmin with betul nut and dakshina – For Wealth.
• 2.      Shyana Daanam [ giving bed] – It gives all happiness.
• 3.      Vasthra Daanam [ giving clothes] – Ayushyam –long life.
• 4.      Kunkum Daanam – It gives good position  in life and also long life for husband.
• 5.      Chandana Daanam – It avoids from Accidents.
• 6.      Thamboolam – It makes a man as ruler of the nation.
• 7.      Naarikela Daanam [Coconut Daanam] – Out last 7 Pithrus will get relief from Naraka.
• 8.      Butter Daanam – It is for Vidhya Praapthi.
• 9.      Udakumbha Daanam –Giving water in Bronze/Silver vessel –filling water with pacha Karpooram,saffron and thulasi, together with Betul nut and dakshina.  This gives Gaya Shrarddham phalan[benefit].  This is one of the most important daanam for those who wish to be married, people who want to get relieved off pithru saabham[curse], and also for those people who wish to be bestowed with a child.
• 10.  Padaraksha Daanam[Slippers] – This Daanam will avoid us from entering into Naraka.
• 11.  Chatra Daanam [ Umbrella] – This Daanam removes many obstacles in life.

Most of all this, we have to take bath in Mahanadhis i.e. Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sindhu, Saraswathi, Narmada, Krishna, Bheemaradhi, Phalgu, Sarayu, Gandaki, Gomathi, Kauveri  before sunrise.  This gives immense Phalan[benefit].

One more Daanam is suggested on this day – Wheat Daanam – This is for the satisfaction of Indra.  Indra [Goddess] is the reason for getting rain and for growing many eatables on earth.  

That is why, Veda Mantra says:

“ Indra Shrshtaani Draveenani dehi shittim Dhakshasya Subhagathva masmey

Posham Rayeenaam  arishtim thanoonam Vachah Sudhinathva manham".

So, you may choose any Daanam or if possible give all Daanams to wash  our bad karmas.  

அட்சயதிருதியை சிறப்பு

வைகாசி மாத சுக்கில பட்ச திருதியையே அட்சய திருதியை. இந்த நாளுக்கு உரிய கடவுள் மஹாவிஷ்ணு

மஹாவிஷ்ணு

பரந்தாமன் பரசுராம அவதாரம் எடுத்தது அட்சய திருதியை நாள் ஒன்றில்தான். அட்சயதிருதியை தினம் ஒன்றில்தான் திரேதா யுகம் 

தொடங்கியதாகப் புராணங்கள் சொல்கின்றன.

புண்ணிய நதியான கங்கை சொர்க்கத்திலிருந்து பூமிக்கு வந்ததும் இந்நாளில்தான். சமணர்கள், ரிஷபதேவர் எனும் தீர்த்தங்கரரின் நினைவு 

நாளாக இதனை அனுசரிக்கின்றனர்.

"அக்ஷ்யம்" எனும் வடமொழிச் சொல்லுக்கு எப்போதும் குறையாதது என்று அர்த்தம்.  

அட்சயதிருதியை தினம் விலை உயர்ந்த ஆபரணங்கள், பொருட்களை வாங்க மட்டுமன்றி, வணிகத்தினைத் துவங்குதல், பூமி பூஜை போடுதல்,

புதிய கலையினைக் கற்க ஆரம்பித்தல் போன்றவற்றுக்கும் உரியதாகக் கருதப்படுகிறது.

அட்சய தினத்தன்று ஆலிலையில் மிருத்யுஞ்சய மந்திரத்தை ஜபித்து, தலையணை அடியில் வைத்தால், நோய்களின் கடுமை குறையும்.  

குழந்தைகளீன் படுக்கை அடியில் வைத்தால் கண் திருஷ்டி கழியும், பயங்கள் போகும். பூஜை அறையில் அல்லது வியாபார தலத்தில் 

வைத்திருந்தால் எதிரிபயம் விலகும்.

ஸ்ரீ மஹாலக்ஷ்மி

இந்த நாளில், குபேரபூஜை, லக்ஷ்மி நாராயண பூஜை, சிவ பூஜை, மஹாலக்ஷ்மி பூஜை போன்றவற்றைச் செய்வது நற்பலங்களைத் தரும்.

அட்சய திருதியை நாளில் இயன்ற அளவில் தானம் செய்வது மிக மிகச் சிறந்தது. இந்நாளில் செய்யப்படும் தானங்கள், பல மடங்கு அதிக 

நன்மை தரும்.  

 

பித்ருகளை வணங்கவும், அவர்களுக்கு உரிய நீத்தார் கடங்களை செய்யவும் உருய நாள் இது. இதனால் கிட்டும் முன்னோரின் ஆசி

மூவாயிரம் மடங்கு நற்பலனைத் தரும் என்பது ஐதீகம்.  

எல்லாவற்றையும் விட மிகமிக முக்கியமானது அட்சய திருதியை நாளில் உப்பு வாங்குவதுதான். அட்சய திருதியை நாள் ஒன்றில்தான் 

கடலில் இருந்து மஹாலக்ஷ்மி வெளிப்பட்டாள் என்றும், அந்த சமயத்தில்தான் உப்பும் தோன்றியதாகவும் சில புராணங்கள் சொல்கின்றன.  

விலை மலிவானதாக இருந்தாலும், உப்பு மஹாலக்ஷ்மியின் அருள் நிறைந்தது. அட்சய திருதியை நாளில் பொன், வெள்ளி, வைரம்,

இதெல்லாம் வாங்கித்தான் ஆகவேண்டும் என்பதில்லை.  

தானதர்மங்கள் செய்தல்

எளிமையானதும் லக்ஷ்மிகரமானதுமாகிய உப்பினை வாங்குங்கள். உங்கள் வசதிக்கு ஏற்றபடி அன்னதானம், ஆடை தானம், கல்வி உதவி, 

மருத்துவ உதவி, என்று ஏதாவது தானம் இயன்ற அளவில் செய்யுங்கள். பார்வதி, குபேரன், என்று உங்கள் மனதிற்குப் பிடித்த கடவுளை

மனதாரத் துதியுங்கள்.

அஷ்டலக்ஷ்மியர் அருளால் உங்கள் வீட்டில் அட்சயமாகச் சேல்வம் வளரும், நிலைக்கும். கர்நாடக மாநிலத்தில் அட்சய திருதியை தினத்தன்று

பெண்கள் ஒரு கலசம் வைத்து அதில் கௌரியை எழுந்தருளச் செய்து, சொர்ண கௌரி விரதம் கடைப்பிடிக்கின்றனர். இதன் மூலம், 

பார்வதி தேவி தங்கள் வீட்டுக்கு வருவதாக நம்புகிறார்கள். மணப்பேறு, மழலை பாக்கியம், சுமங்கலித்தன்மை, குடும்ப ஒற்றுமை, எல்லோரின்

உடல் நலம் ஆகியன வேண்டி அவர்கள் இந்த விரதம் இருக்கிறார்கள். விரத முடிவில் இயன்ற அளவில் தானமும் வழங்குவர்.

அட்சய திருதிய நாளில் புதங்கிழமையும் ரோகிணி நட்சத்திரமும் சேர்ந்து வருவது கூடுதல் சிறப்பு. அப்படி வரும் நாளில் செய்யப்படும்தானதர்மங்கள் பலகோடி மடங்கு பலன் தரும்.  

அட்சய திருதியை விரதத்தினை முதன் முதலில் அனுசரித்தவன் மகோதயன் எனும் வணிகன். வறுமையில் வாடிய அவன் மனைவிதடுத்ததையும் பொருட்படுத்தாமல் அட்சய தினத்தன்று விரதம் இருந்து, தன்னிடம் மீதமிருந்த செல்வத்தையும் தானமாக அளித்தான்.  

அதனால் அவனது தான பலன் பெருகி வளமை சேர்ந்தது. அஷ்டலக்ஷ்மி கடாட்சம் நீங்காமல் நிலைத்தது. மறுபிறவியில் அவன்அரசனாகப் பிறந்து கொடை வள்ளலாகத்திகழ்ந்தான் என்கிறது பவிஷ்ய புராணம்.

Temples in and Around Trichy - Thirukkozhi Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple- Uraiyur

Temple Location :


Located within Tiruchirapalli city in central Tamil Nadu, India, this temple is one of the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams and also the birthplace of Sri ThiruppAn AzhwAr, one of the twelve AzhwArs.


A very compact temple, it houses separate sannidhis for Sri ThiruppAn AzhwAr, Sri NammAzhwAr, Sri VishvaksEnar and Sri Raamanujar. 

Access: 

Since Uraiyur is part of Tiruchirapalli [Trichy for short] city, it is easily accessible. The name ThirukkOzhi is virtually unheard of today, and the place is referred to as Uraiyur or Nachiyar Koil by local people. Visitors may stay at Trichy and cover Uraiyur along with other Divya Desams in and around Trichy, which include Sri Rangam, Thiruvellarai, Uthamar Koil, Thiru Anbil and Koviladai [a.k.a Thiruppaer Nagar]. From within Trichy city, Uraiyur can be reached by public transport buses or auto. Those who wish to cover all the six Divya Desams in and around Trichy can hire call-taxis and cover all the Divya Desams in 1-2 days.  

Legends and History:


Sri Kamalavalli Thayar is said to have incarnated as the daughter of the local Chozha king and later married Sri Perumal. The Chozha king built the temple to commemorate the divine wedding. Hence Perumal is known as Azhagiya MaNavALan which literally means “The handsome bridegroom”. On the day preceding Pankuni Uthiram, the uthsavar of Sri Ranganatha [NamperumAL] is brought from Sri Rangam and a Kalyana Uthsavam is celebrated with the Thayar here. Since ThayAr has a lot of importance here, the temple is referred to as “nAchiyAr koil” by local people.


Historically, Uraiyur was the capital of the Chozha kings at one point of time. Later the Chozhas shifted their capital to Pazhaiyarai near Kumbakonam and then later to Thanjavur. 

Thirukkozhi Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple

Sthala Puranam:

Once upon a time, there was a discussion among the great rishis that among Trimurthies, who is the greatest. But in that discussion also, they could not come to a conclusion that who is great amongst the Trinity. Finally, all the rishis thought it would be helpful for them to find the answer for this if they could get the sugesstion from the great muni, Brighu. They all explained about the discussion they had among them and said he is the right person to find a solution for this and clear their doubts of what is there in their minds. Brighu muni also accepted their word and told them he would give an answer that would clear all of their doubts.

View of the Temple Gopuram - Thirukkozhi

First, he went to Kailasam where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi reside. But, in the entrance itself, Brighu muni was stopped by the Dwara Balakaas as the residing deities are all alone and doesnt want them to get disturbed. As he got this kind of answer in Kailash, he thought he could not be the right person who might help his devotees as ha was not easy to talk with. As he was disappointed by this activity, he then left to Sathya Lokam where Lord Brahma and Godess Saraswathi reside.

There also he could not meet Brahma devan and he began to think what he thought when he went to Kailasam. Finally, he went to Sri Vaikuntam where Sriman Narayanan and Godess Sri Laksmi reside. As Brighu muni enetered Vaikuntam, he was greeted in a good manner and this first action made him to think that Sriman Narayanan is the right person to whom all persons and rishis can seek help and can have a direct approach towards him. Sriman Narayanan offered him with the seat and did the Paadha Pooja for him. But this action of Sri Vishnu made Sri Lakshmi to think bad and asked Him not to catch hold of his feet. But, this action of Sri Lakshmi made Brighu muni to get angry and cursed Her that she would born in the world as an ordinary human. But Sri Lakshmi felt very sad for the Curse she got from Brighu muni but Sriman Narayanan said that all the actions are happening according to their fates only and added that he will follow Her soon towards the earth.

Beautiful Architecture of the Temple Corridor - Thirukkozhi

At the same time in the earth, a king by named Dharma Varman lived in Kumbakonam, Chozha Naadu. Once he went out for hunting and found that the rishis were being distressed by some demons and sought help from the king. Dharma Varman said that he will help them from the demons by killing them and he stayed in the forest for sometime. The King was happy for all the reason but only one thing made him worry and disappoint and that is he had no children. He seeked the help of the rishis to hep him out to get a child. So, to help the king, all the rishis did a Yagam to get a child for the king. At that time, an Asareeri stated that if he want to get a child he should pray towards Sri Lakshmi and as a result, Sri Lakshmi itself will be born as a child to him. Hearing this, he started to pray towards Sri Lakshmi and finally, a female child was born to him and was kept a name as “Vara Lakshmi”.

As the days went on, Dharma Varman started to seek a perfect groom for his daughter and announced a Swayamvaram for that. Lots of kings came for this and at the same time, Sriman Narayanan also came there as one among the grooms. In that hall, when Sri Lakshmi came, she had a look at all the members in the hall and at the same time, she also noticed Sriman Narayanan and went straight towards Him without any delay and Garlanded him. All the persons saw this wedding of Sri Vishnu and Sri Lakshmi and the king raised a temple for Sri Ranganathar in Kalyana Thirukkolam.

Thirukkozhi Thhertham Tank and the Vimanam 

In this sthalam, Periya Pirattiyar is giving her seva in two different ways. One is Irundha seva and the other one is Kidantha seva. Combining these both sevas, she is giving the seva “Urayum” [from sitting seva to sleeping seva] seva, this temple is called “Thiru Urayoor”.

The Utsavam done here starts on Aayilya Nakshathiram in Panguni month that lasts for 10 days. On the first day of Panguni Uthiram, Sri Ranganathar comes from Sri Rangam and stay in Urayoor. And on Panguni Uthiram, he marries Kamalavalli Naachiyar and give his Kalyana Kola Seva to his Bhakthas. Only Moolavar is found in this sthalam. There is no Utsavar here. Since Arangan married Kamalavalli Naachiyaar, Utsavar of Srirangam is said to be the Utsavar for this Thirukkozhi sthalam too.

Azhagiya Manavala Perumal - Thirukkozhi

Thaayar Sri Kamalavalli Naachiyaar - Thirukkozhi

There is no Brahmotsavam conducted in this divya desam.


Other Utsavams:

• Kodai Utsavam – Vaikasi/Aani – 10 days
• Vasantha Utsavam – Vaikasi/Aani – 7 days
• Navarathri Utsavam – Purattasi – 9 days
• Dolothsavam – Kaarthigai – 7 days
• ThiruAdhyayana Utsavam – Thai/Maasi – 11 days
• Theppa Utsavam – Maasi – 7 days
• Sri Kamalavalli Naachiyar – Sri Azhagiya Manavalan Serthi – Panguni Aayilyam – 1 day.

Noted Facts:

Avathara Sthalam of Sri Thiruppaanazhwar – Nakshathiram – Kaarthigai – Rohini – 11 days Utsavam is perform in a grand manner. Apart from this 11 days Avathaara Uthsavam for Sri Thiruppaanaazhwar, Sri Azhwar will have Thirumanjanam and Kannadi Arai Sevai on every month rohini. Kalyana Utsavam is done during Panguni Utthiram.

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Azhagiya Manavaalan. Srirangam Uthsavar, Namperumal, gets the name Sri Azhagiya Manavalan when he comes to Uraiyur. He is found in Standing position (Nindra thirukkolam), facing his thirumugham towards North direction along with “Prayoga Chakkaram”. Prakthyaksham for Ravidharman and all Devars [330 crores].


Thayaar:
The Thayaar of this Sthalam is Sri Kamalavalli Naachiyaar [Vaasakshmi]. Also named as “Uraiyur Valli”. She is found in Sitting position[Veetrirundha Kolam] facing North direction. The Position of the Thaayar is similar to position of a Bride who sits along with the Groom during marriage. The above positions are called as “Thirukalyana Avasaram”.
Uthsavar Thaayaar: Sri Kamalavalli Naachiyaar [Sri Vaasa Lakshmi] and Thaayar Thirunakshatram – Aayilyam [Panguni]
Sannadhis: Special sannadhi for Thiruppaan Alwar.

Thirumangai Alvar and Kulashekhara Azhwar have sung in praise of the Perumal in this temple with 1 Pasuram [Hymn] each:

Paasurams of Kulasekara Alwar and Thirumagai Alwar

Pushkarani:

1. Sri Kamala Pushkarani
2. Kalyana Pushkarani
3. Surya pushkarani
4. Kudamurutinadhi Pushkarani

Vimanam:
The Vimanam is Kalyana Vimanam.