vinayaka-7

உ 

LORD VINAYAKA-BESTOWER OF BOONS

PART-6

SRI.S.V.VARADHARAJAN

 On Vinayaka Chathurti day, in the houses and temples special poojas, decorations, and celebrations are conducted mainly using "arugampul"(a kind of grass), vanni leaves, Madar and Mandarai flowers. Variety of fruits, coconut and sweet dishes are offered as naivedhyam for the deity and worshipped by the devotees. Modhakam(ball-like sweet dish) is a favourite dish for Vinayaka and hence finds a place invariably in this pooja.

  Let us worship Lord Vinayaka with slokas and songs and get success in all our efforts by his grace.

vinayaka-6

உ 

LORD VINAYAKA-BESTOWER OF BOONS

PART-5

SRI.S.V.VARADHARAJAN

  This idol is also worshipped as "swetha pilliyar"which has the same meaning. Sitting majesticlly with His trunk twisted on the right side, this deity is not given any abhishekam. Only camphor is applied over the idol while doing pooja. Let us trace this deity's origin.

      Devendra and the devas were undergoing lot of hardship on account of asuras and so prayed for protection from Lord Vishnu. As advised by Narayana, they made preparations for obtaining the Nector from the milky ocean. They put into the ocean lot of herbal products,made the earth as the big container vessel, the giant sized serpent "Vasuki"as the rope, and the Manthra mountain as the churning rod. They made an agreement with the asuras for making a combined effort and began churning the ocean. Nector did not come up even after many years of toil. At that time, Lord Siva made his appearance there and told them that before starting any new work, Vinayaka pooja should be performed and His blessings obtained so that no hurdles would come in their way. Accordingly,Devendra meditated on Pilliar in his mind and begged for excuse.He wanted to make an idol of that deity for doing pooja. But out of what? Immediatly he thought of an idea. White foam in huge bunches was darting out of the ocean due to churning. He collected some of it and made a beautiful idol of Vinayaka for worship. With Vinayaka's blessings, the Devas were able to get nector from the ocean and their hardships were wiped out. The idol formed at that time got the name as "Swetha Pilliar" by virtue of its white colour. Though small in size its fame is great.
To be contonued 

vinayaka-5

உ 
LORD VINAYAKA-BESTOWER OF BOONS
 PART-5                             
SRI.S.V.VARADHARAJAN                                                                        


   He also said that Vinayaka would appear as a child in the residance of Parasara Muni and that at that time releif from the curse would materialize. Till such time, he should suffer in that form. As expected,Lord Vinayaka was born as a child to Parasara Muni. The sage knew that it was Lord Vinayaka's grace that he got such a divine child. At that time, a bandicoot which was Krounchan himself was loitering in the area troubling all residents. Vinayaka wanted to control the rodent and so threw up a long rope to bind the rodent and it was brought to Vinyaka's presence. The gracious Lord forgave its follies and converted the rodent as his vahana(vehicle) which was very rare opportunity given very gracefully to theking in therodent form by the Lord. At the same time Vinayaka vanquished an evil force named kalarupi which as creating trouble to all in that area. When it pleaded for pardon,Vinayaka told that it would be excused and that it should never trouble anybody who prayed to Him(Vinayaka). The Lord also told the evil force that as it for its sinful acts he would himself assume the title as "vigna" (which is thenameof that evil force) and that He would be  known as "Vigna Vinayaka" by the devotees. In the famous Valampuri temple at Pilliarpatti, hundreds of devotes gather and offer worship to the Lord. Vinayaka chathurthi and other chathurthi days are celebrated with grand rituals.                              


      Thirdly, we will see Thiruvalamsuzhi "Vellai Pilliyar" who is also in the form of Valampuri Vinayaka. The place is about 2 kms from Swamimalai in Tanjore district. The vinayaka in the temple in Thiruvalamsuzhi is supposed to be the idol prepared originally by Dhevendhra from out of foam(lather) formed in the milky ocean.                                                                                                                      
  To be continued                                                              
                                       ஓம்