Tribute to Tirumangai Azhwar
PROCESSION: The Lord on Garuda mount, from 22 temples.
"My lord is the only kith and kin.
He is the one who rid the world of the rakshasa menace.
I prayed to him in his temple in Thanjavur — a temple of fine walls and pleasant flower groves.
Believe me devotee! His name, `Narayana' is the only Mantra you need."
Periya Thirumozhi 1:6.
The bandit-turned-saint Thirumangai Azhwar's love for Vishnu is honoured when the deities of 12 temples congregate for him astride their Garuda vehicles.
A lesser-known but equally beautiful festival is that of the deities of the 22 Vishnu temples in Thanjavur parading down the streets of the city on the Thiruvonam Star (Vishnu's star) day of Vaikasi (April-May) on their Garuda mounts. Tirumangai Azhwar image leads the procession. The festival concluded recently. Beginning with the recitation of his songs in the Narasimha Perumal temple the previous day, the next day all 22 deities and Azhwar, pass through the main streets of Thanjavur in the morning, accompanied by music and recitations. The next morning sees nine of the deities dressed as Navaneetha Krishna, a frequent subject of Thanjavur paintings in procession. The festival closes the next day with the Azhwar bidding goodbye to the divine visitors. Though well known within the district, the festival is not well known elsewhere, perhaps because of this being in vogue only for the past 71 years. The Sri Ramanuja Dharshana Sabha (1291 - West Street, Thanjavur) or the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam can be contacted for more details.
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