Swamy Mudali Andan was the foremost disciple of Jagatha Acharyar Swamy Ramanuja . AndAn was sad that he did not have a male heir to continue the kainkaryam of Lord Ranganathar at Srirangam.
Lord out of abundant mercy enacted a divine play . Inside the temple at the same time , Swamy Ramanuja received prasadam from the temple priest which was covered with a garment (Kandadai- Kandal Gandam + aadai – a piece of cloth with fragrance) worn by Lord ( Lordships ).
Swamy Ramanuja indicated to Andaan about the auspicious happening and told him he will be blessed with a son soon. As per the divine will , during the tamil Masi Month , Poonarvasu thirunakshatram , Swamy Mudali AndAn was blessed with a child with divya thEjas.
Mudaliandan took the young boy wrapped in the cloth that was used to dry periya perumal after his ritual bath . The torn cloth was smelling of gandham ( sandal ) . Swamy Ramanuja took the little boy and blessed him . and said he came in a torn cloth, but he shall be with a golden heart and spread Sriman narayana’s moola mantram to the world and hence will be called Kandhadai .
Years passed , the child grew up and came to be known as KanthAdai AndAn . KanthAdai AndAn was just 28 years old when his father Swamy MudaliAndaan reached Srivaikuntam .
Swamy Ramanujar consoled him, took him to NamperumAls Sannidhi and gave him the duties and responsibilities performed by his father Mudali AndAn .
KanthAdai AndAn also discharged the responsibilities like his father . Among this great lineage another great Acharyar Swamy Appachiaranna appeared .
Swamy Appachiaranna was the direct descendant of Swamy Mudaliandan Swami and occupies the nineth (9) position in the legacy .
Appachiaranna was addresed by Swami Manavala Mamunigal as “Nam Appachiarannao”. Swamy Manavala mamunigal out of abundant compassion gifted two similar deities of himself to Appachiaranna (one for the worship of Sri Appachiaranna Swamy himself and the other for Swamy Vanamamalai jeer Swami, the Acharya of Appachiaranna) , made from the theerthapathram used by Swamy Ramanujar received by Swamy manavala mamunigal which was in a poor condition and later named as ‘RAMANUJAN’.
Swamy Manavala Mamunigal also gave Appachiaranna the deity of ” Lord Teemanam Keduthar”, the Perumal worshipped by Sri Atkondavilli Jeer.
As directed by Swami Manavala Mamunigal, Appachiaranna lived at Kancheepuram at Swamy Mudaliandan thirumaligai performing Nithya Thiruvaradhanam to “Sri Azhaithu Vazhivithavar” (the Lordships given to kandhadai thozzappar by ( Lord Varadarajar) Perulala perumal himself) one among the shad bheras of Kanchi Perarulalan .
In the foot steps of Swami Ramanuja, Appachiaranna also spent his life time doing the Salaikinaru Kainkaryam for the ( Abhishekam ) thirumanjanam of Perarulalan and Perundevi Thayar.
Swamy Appachiaranna’s thirunakshatram is Avani Hastham falls on25th of August 2017.
This grand festival is being celebrated for 5 days from August 21st 2017 , at Sri Sri Mudaliandan Swami Thirumaligai , Singaperumal Koil, Thirunarayanapuram & Srirangam .
On this grand occasion, Chellapillai Perumal and Swami Ramanujar grace Swamy Mudaliandan Thirumaligai at Thirunarayapuram ( Melkote) to bless all Sishyas and abhimanis. This grand festival is taking place for many years as practiced by our Poorvacharya’s.
Shreemadh vaana mahaashaila raamaanuja munipriyam |
Vaadhoola varadhaachaaryam vandhe vaathsalya saagaram ||
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics credits : mudaliAndan.com website
kazhiyur varadan's blog 
Reblogged this on kazhiyur varadan's blog and commented:
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
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Thank you Varadhan Swami for your illuminating write-up on Appachiaranna! Though he belongs to the Mudaliyandan dynasty, very few people seem to know about this Savant. U have done a good service by bringing forth his lineage and Kainkaryam.
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Thanks for sharing the Swami Appachiaranna Avani Hastam. Let the Perumal bless all who are visited the site.
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Hari Om!
Very Greatful to you Varadan, to have made me receive Blessings from Appachiaranna being his Tirunakshatiram today. Asheervadams that too from Mahans play a vital role in one’s life like the positive thoughts! Because these Mahans have nothing in their mind other than positivity, Perumal & His Kaingaryam .
Adiyen Rmanuja dasan -Jai Sriman Narayana!
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