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In the 12th century, the famous Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, stayed at Melukote for about 12 years.
Names in Different Yugas
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http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Melkote
In the 12th century, the famous Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, stayed at Melukote for about 12 years.
Names in Different Yugas
- As the town was closely associated with Lord Narayana it was called ‘Narayanadri’ in Krutha Yuga.
- It was known as ‘Vedadri’ in Tretha Yuga as Lord Dattatreya preached the Vedas and other scriptures in these mountains to Medhaathithi
- This place was called ‘Yadavadri’ in Dwapara Yuga, as Yadavas came down here to worship Lord Narayana.
- Sri Ramanuja, propagator of Srivaishnavism, rebuilt the temple and revitalized this Kshetra in Kali Yuga and therefore it was named ‘Yatishaila’.
it is called ‘Tottila Madu Jathre’.
https://8nar.blogspot.com/search/label/YadavaGiriSapthaKshetraAshtaTirtha
Ramanuja ran short of the white mud (Tirumann) required for applying on the forehead (Naamam). On that night Sri Tirunarayana appeared in his dream and informed him that he was buried in an anthill in Melukote and gave him the directions to reach there.
Ramanuja immediately departed for Melukote, following the route flanked by Tulasi plants. On his arrival he bathed in Kalyani, marked his forehead with Tirumann Naamam and got ready to locate the anthill.
With the help of the local people, he washed the anthill with milk and water from Kalyani. When the hill was totally dissolved, he saw the divine, spiritual, glittering sculpture of Tirunarayana. He reinstalled the idol in the temple, built the sanctum sanctorum and Shukanasi. Melukote, which had turned into a desolate town, was revitalized.
Sri Ramanuja arrived in Melukote on Makara Shukla, Punarvasu day, nearly nine hundred years ago. Even now that event is celebrated in Melukote as ‘Punarvasu Utsava’ in a magnificent manner.
The locals, who were all Harijans and tribal, helped Ramanuja Acharya in all his endeavors. Ramanuja removed caste barriers and honored them as upper caste people, calling them ‘Tirukulatthar’. They were permitted to enter the temple and offer prayers. Even now they have special convenience for offering Pooja, during Vyramudi and Chariot processions. Ramanuja was the pioneer to recognize the Harijans and tribal people and give them respectable recognition, in a move to eliminate untouchability.Ramanuja revitalized the town and made arrangement for everyone to pay obeisance in the temple irrespective of their caste or creed. People of all castes are employed in the temple. The bugle player during Utsava is a Harijan Chluvayya.
He made arrangements in the temple for performing daily Pooja with discipline and to set timetable. For this purpose he brought well-experienced Archakas from Pancharatra town near Srirangam and fifty two (Aimbattiruvar) people for other services. They were divided into four groups as
Travel for Utsava Murthy
Everything was well organized. Acharya now realized the absence of Utsava Murthy (Idol for procession) for Brahma Utsava celebrations and wondered how he can get one.
He had a vision in his inner eye (Gnana Drushti) that a suitable idol was in Delhi. He went to Delhi, met the Badshah ruler there and asked him for the idol. He displayed a large number of idols lying in his museum. Acharya could not find the idol of Ramapriya among them.
He learnt that the princess was playing with one of the idols, in her chambers. She kept it with her always, as it was very beautiful. She was not home when Acharya visited them. He asked the king to give him that particular idol. King asked him to take it if he can.
Then on he came to prominence as ‘Yathiraja Sampathkumara’. Sampath means wealth, for Yathiraja he is all the wealth. Ramanuja happily returned to Melukote, with the idol. Thus arrived Utsava Murthy Selvapillai in Melukote on Jeshta star in the month of Magha. Presently that day is celebrated as ‘Delhi Utsava’.
Merging of a Muslim princess - Bibi Nachiyar
https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=600&q=Bibi+Nachiyar
The princess in Delhi felt very sad, not finding her favorite toy. Learning of Ramanuja having taken it to South, she followed him to Melukote with her entourage. She was not allowed into the temple. Therefore she amalgamated with the Lord and now she sits at the feet of Cheluvaraya as ‘Varanandi’. The princess came to be known as ‘Bibinachiyar’.
Ramanuja ran short of the white mud (Tirumann) required for applying on the forehead (Naamam). On that night Sri Tirunarayana appeared in his dream and informed him that he was buried in an anthill in Melukote and gave him the directions to reach there.
Ramanuja immediately departed for Melukote, following the route flanked by Tulasi plants. On his arrival he bathed in Kalyani, marked his forehead with Tirumann Naamam and got ready to locate the anthill.
With the help of the local people, he washed the anthill with milk and water from Kalyani. When the hill was totally dissolved, he saw the divine, spiritual, glittering sculpture of Tirunarayana. He reinstalled the idol in the temple, built the sanctum sanctorum and Shukanasi. Melukote, which had turned into a desolate town, was revitalized.
Sri Ramanuja arrived in Melukote on Makara Shukla, Punarvasu day, nearly nine hundred years ago. Even now that event is celebrated in Melukote as ‘Punarvasu Utsava’ in a magnificent manner.
The locals, who were all Harijans and tribal, helped Ramanuja Acharya in all his endeavors. Ramanuja removed caste barriers and honored them as upper caste people, calling them ‘Tirukulatthar’. They were permitted to enter the temple and offer prayers. Even now they have special convenience for offering Pooja, during Vyramudi and Chariot processions. Ramanuja was the pioneer to recognize the Harijans and tribal people and give them respectable recognition, in a move to eliminate untouchability.Ramanuja revitalized the town and made arrangement for everyone to pay obeisance in the temple irrespective of their caste or creed. People of all castes are employed in the temple. The bugle player during Utsava is a Harijan Chluvayya.
He made arrangements in the temple for performing daily Pooja with discipline and to set timetable. For this purpose he brought well-experienced Archakas from Pancharatra town near Srirangam and fifty two (Aimbattiruvar) people for other services. They were divided into four groups as
- Tiruvananthapuradasar,
- Maalaakaaradasar,
- Tirukkurunkudidasar and
- Yatirajadasar and allotted them work accordingly.
Travel for Utsava Murthy
Everything was well organized. Acharya now realized the absence of Utsava Murthy (Idol for procession) for Brahma Utsava celebrations and wondered how he can get one.
He had a vision in his inner eye (Gnana Drushti) that a suitable idol was in Delhi. He went to Delhi, met the Badshah ruler there and asked him for the idol. He displayed a large number of idols lying in his museum. Acharya could not find the idol of Ramapriya among them.
He learnt that the princess was playing with one of the idols, in her chambers. She kept it with her always, as it was very beautiful. She was not home when Acharya visited them. He asked the king to give him that particular idol. King asked him to take it if he can.
Ramanuja called Ramapriya
“ Yatiraja Sampathkumara, my dear Selvapillai come to me, come running”.
As soon as Ramanuja called him with love and affection, the idol danced up to him, to the clinking sounds of his anklets. He walked and sat on Acharya’s lap.
Then on he came to prominence as ‘Yathiraja Sampathkumara’. Sampath means wealth, for Yathiraja he is all the wealth. Ramanuja happily returned to Melukote, with the idol. Thus arrived Utsava Murthy Selvapillai in Melukote on Jeshta star in the month of Magha. Presently that day is celebrated as ‘Delhi Utsava’.
Merging of a Muslim princess - Bibi Nachiyar
https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=600&q=Bibi+Nachiyar
The princess in Delhi felt very sad, not finding her favorite toy. Learning of Ramanuja having taken it to South, she followed him to Melukote with her entourage. She was not allowed into the temple. Therefore she amalgamated with the Lord and now she sits at the feet of Cheluvaraya as ‘Varanandi’. The princess came to be known as ‘Bibinachiyar’.
She has important role in folklores. There is an abode for her in the hill. It is known as ‘Horagammana Gudi’ (Temple for outside lady). Once a year, villagers from around the villages, hold a grand carnival in her honor. Villagers sing many lilting folk songs in her praise. The merging of a Muslim princess with a Hindu god shows the emotional unity of the communities.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Horagammana
Although the Acharya was a Sanyasin, he managed all these so meticulously that he came to be known as Yatiraja (King of saints).
More
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melukote
http://melukotetemple.kar.nic.in/
Although the Acharya was a Sanyasin, he managed all these so meticulously that he came to be known as Yatiraja (King of saints).
More
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melukote
http://melukotetemple.kar.nic.in/
