NAMASKARAM!
Let’s continue our journey of Virtual tour to Srirangam.
We are heading towards the 5th Praakaara (Mela Uttira Veedhi) from 7th Praakaara (Amma Mandapam Road) which has the South RaajaGopuram (Therku RaajaGopuram),which looks like this.
7th Praakaaram :
This is the RaajaGopuram (Southern Side RaajaGopuram, 7th Praakaara).
Let’s first head towards to SRI MANAVALA MAMUNIGAL MUTT.
This the route that we are going to follow–
1.Head straight from the AmmaMandapam Road, South Rajagopuram (Therku rajagopuram).
2. You will cross the 6th prakara gopuram after the Rajagopuram.
6th Praakaara Gopuram
3. Continue straight and you will see the 5th praakaara Gopuram.
4. Go straight, beyond the 5th Praakaara Gopuram, take the immediate right.
5. Continue straight.
5th Praakaara Gopuram.
6. Continue further straight and on your right side, you will find Sri Manavala Mamunigal Mutt.
We can take an auto-rickshaw via Ola, Uber or from the stand.
I would suggest that walking would be better, but for the elderly, taking an auto would be more convenient. Walking is suggested for two reasons-
1. As an exercise
2. Only when walking we can admire the beauty of these Gopurams.
All those who are traveling by transport, there are chances that you have reached early so please wait for those who were coming by walk to reach.
For people coming along with me by walk… We are heading towards 6th Praakaaram.
Now, we are very close to the Chithirai Veedhi Gopuram, 6th Praakaaram.
6th Praakaara, Chithirai Veedhi Gopuram
The other side of the Gopuram will be like this…
Backside of Chithirai Veedhi Gopuram
5th Praakaaram –
The next gopuram, that we will cross is the 5th Praakaara Gopuram.
5th Praakaara Gopuram
Let’s admire this gopuram first.
We can find Garuda and Hanuman on either side of the gopuram.
There is Swaami Manavala Maamunigal statue on the right side of the gopuram.
This Praakaara is called as Thiruvikraman Thiruchuttru or Uttirai Street.
We are heading straight towards Ranga Ranga Gopuram.
Now, we are going to take a right here, before the Ranga Ranga gopuram. On your left, you will find Sri Aranganathar Cool Drinks Shop. I guess we can stop here for a couple of minutes and refresh with a drink or just water from your water bottle if you have. Else you can get it from here. And, you can also find ATM here. If anyone of you wants to withdraw money, you can use this time to do that.
Relax….. Readers can take two mins to relax and take a deep breath.
We continue straight onto this road. We can find SBI bank here on your right, continue further straight and you will find the Manavala Mamunigal Mutt on your right side.
Manavaala Maamunigal Mutt :
This is how the mutt looks like-
Now, we shall go inside the mutt.
And, in one of the pillars on your right, you will find Bhagavat Ramanuja in the sitting posture. That is the place where Bhagavat Ramanuja had undergone Akshara Abhyasa (learning letters).
Manavala Maamunigal
Manavala Maamunigal Life History :
Let’s have a gist about Swami Manavala Mamunigal life history.
Manavala Mamunigal is the incarnation of Bhagavat Raamaanujaa. Swami Manavala Mamunigal was born to Thigazhaai-kidanthaan Thirunaa-veer-udaiya Piraan Daasar Annaar (Father) and Sriranga Naachiyaar(mother) (The above name is split, for easy reading).
The father’s name of Swaami Manavala Mamunigal is to be read as Thigazhaaikidanthaan Thirunaaveerudaiya Piraan Daasar Annaar.
Swaami was born in the year 1370, Aippasi Month, under the Moolam star constellation at Aazhwar Thirunagari.
His parents named Swaami Manavala Mamunigal as Azhagiya Manavala Perumaal Naayanaar, meaning beautiful groom, named after Lord Ranganatha.
Swaami Manavala Mamunigal was given the thaniyan(glorified verse) Srisailesha Dhayaa Paathram by lord ranganaathaa himself .
Swami lived up to. approx.73 years. Swaami Manavala Mamunigal reached the Abode of Lord Ranganaathaa in the year 1443(approx.)
SRISAILESHA DHAYAA PAATHRAM DHEEPAKTHYAADHI GUNAARNAVAM|
YATHEENDRA PRAVANAM VANDHE RAMYAJAAMAATHARAM MUNIM||
Meaning- I (lord Ranganathan) bow down in front of Swami Manavaala Maamunigal,who is the mercy of the great revered Aachaarya (Spiritual master),Thiruvaaimozhi Pillai; who(Manavala Mamunigal) is an ocean of Bhakti,Gnyaanam ,Vairaagyam,etc.., and, one who is an adherent devotee of Bhagavat Raamaanujaa.
Manavala Mamunigal has written granthams like Sri Vachana Bhushanam,Mumukshupadi,tattvathrayam,etc.
Yes, we are going back to our home or hotel.
Hope all had a nice experience of visiting Sri Manavala Mamunigal Mutt.
Inform once you reach home.
Stay safe.
Will meet tomorrow near the same South Rajagopuram, that we met today.
Tomorrow,we are going into the 4th Prakara.