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 on 16 th of September 2023
This grand festival is being celebrated for 5 days 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
videos : Social media
