Found Site : saranagathi.org

Another gem of a Sri Vaishnava site. Something really close to the ideal Sri Vaishnava home in the Virtual World. Saranagathi.org has lots of content including a Learning Section on Sri Vaishnavam, along with the usual categories of Audio, Video and Books. But the most interesting & appreciable feature is the Social Networking feature of the site. You can join as member in the site, create your own blog and interact with other members too. Probably it is the only Sri Vaishnava site offering robust Social Networking features. Members include Sri Velukkudi Swami & Sri AnanthapadmanbaChary swamy themselves (a little difficult to believe though).

Sri Velukudi Swami on Saranagathi.org

These are some of the sections and their contents in the site.

Videos : Upanyasams from eminent swamis like Srimad Azhagiyasingar, Srimad Aandavan swami, Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami, Sri Ananthapadmanapacharya swami and Sriman Akkarakani Srinidhi swAmi. Discourses include Azhwargal Vaibhavam by Velukkudi Swami, Dhinam oru Dhivya Naamam by Sri Ananthapadmanapacharya swami, Thirupaavai Upanyasam by Srimad Azhagiya Singar swami and much more.

Audios : Has a large collection of Velukkudi Swami’s upanyasams, Divya Prabhandam chanting by Sri Sevilimedu swami, Sri Annamacharya Kirtis by M.S. Subbulakshmi, Malladi Brothers, Nitya Santhoshini & Unnikrishnan.

Learning : Article to get a clear understanding of what Sri Vaishnavam. Sri Vaishnavam Basics and Principles, Samasrayanam, Bhakthi and Prapatti, VishistAdvaitham Tutorial are some of the articles under Must Read Section. Links for lectures in other sites can also be found in this page.

Books : Sri Vaishnava e-books include Srivaishnava Dhinasari, Prahalada Stotram, Sri Stuti, Bhu Stuti, Godha Stuti, Hayagriva Stotram, Thiruchinna Malai. Links for more e-books in other sites are also available.

Sri Vaishnava Calendar :  Unfortunately inspite of many Sri Vaishnava sites that are available, Sri Vaishnava Calendars in many sites aren’t updated regularly (Our blog is no exception too. We regret it.). But the calendar in saranagathi.org is regularly updated and contains dates for major Srivaishnava events such as Perumal, Alwars, and Acharyas thirunakshatrams and other important festivals celebrated by Srivaishnavas.

Visit the site and you are most likely to find lots of really useful information and links. 

AhobilaMutt.org – A valuable site on Sri Vaishnavam

Recently we had a post on Sri Ahobila Mutt, following which now we have a little post on their website – AhobilaMutt.org. One look and anyone can say that the site is regularly updated, has lot of information and yet, very neatly designed and put together. The site is the best place for those looking for some basic information about the Mutt as well as for those ardently following their Acharya {Azhagiya Singar} and the Mutt. The home page is updated with the latest happenings at the Mutt and the sancharams / journeys of Jeeyar Swamy {Azhagiya Singar}.

Apart from news & information about the Ahobila Matam, the site also has a library of articles of the mutt & many Sri Vaishnava audio & text downloads. Text downloads include the 4000 Divya Prabhandams, Sri Ramanujars’ Sriranga Gadyam, Sri Vaikunta Gadyam, Saranagathi Gadyam and Alavandar’s Chatussloki and Sthothrarathnam. Ahobila Mutts’ publications can also be ordered through the site bookstore. There is also a Quiz page where you can test your Sri Vaishnava knowledge, selecting from the Basic, Intermediary, Advanced levels. Ekadashi & Amavasya calculators for the western visitors. The site also offers a Matrimonial service for Sri Vaishnavas.

Sri Ahobila Mutt – The incredible journey

After Sri Ramanuja, Sri Manavalamamuni and Sri Vedantha Desika are considered the 2 important acharyas of Sri Vaishnavam, followed by 2 different sects of Sri Vaishnavas. There are many Mutts / Organisations of both the sects. Among the Mutts that follow Sri Vedantha Desika are Sri Parakala Matam, Srimad Ahobila Matam, Sri Powndareekapuram Andavan Ashramam and Sri Srirangam Andavan Ashramam. Among these, the oldest is Sri Parakala Matam and then Sri Ahobila Matam is the second in this line. Sri Ahobila Mutt is considered one among the very important organisations of Sri Vaishnavism. It was established 600 years ago in a place called Ahobilam by Srimad Athivan Satakopan.

Srimad Athivan Satakopan was originally known as Kidambi Srinivasachar. He was a student under Gadikasadam Ammal in Kanchipuram. One day, the Lord of Ahobilam, Sri Lakshminrisimha, appeared in Srinivasachar’s dream and instructed him to come to the temple town of Ahobilam. After consulting with his Acharya, he proceeded to Ahobilam.

At Ahobhilam, the Lord Malolan {one of the nine Nrisimhas of Ahobilam} himself, jumped into the hands of Athivan Satakopan and ordered him to travel the length and breadth of the country. Thus began the institution called Sri Ahobila Matam and the travels of Lord Malolan to village after village, town after town, so that devotees get a chance to undertake Panca Samskaram and perform Bhara Nyasam at the lotus feet of the Lord.

To this day, all the Jeeyars of the Ahobila Mutt {known as Azhagiya Singar} carry with them the Lord Malolan to every place they travel. This tradition of carrying the Lord to the people has been continuing for 600 years – ever since the Mutt was established. The Jeeyars travel for most part of the year. The incredible fact in this journey is that, the Lord is taken with his Mandapam {shrine}, all the deities, and sculptures of all the past jeeyars of the Mutt. The deities include those worshiped by Sri Ramanuja & Sri Alavandar themselves. Thiruvaradhanam {Pooja} is done to all the deities every day. Recently I was blessed with an opportunity to see the Lord Malolan and the present Jeeyar. Seeing such an incredible journey, such an tradition is really an wonderful feeling. The travel itinerary of the present Jeeyar can be viewed here.

The Golden mandapam of Lord Malolan. The present (45th) Jeeyar of the Mutt.

Finally, this incredible journey is just another reminder that the Lord takes every effort to relieve us – his children, from this materialistic world. All we need is to believe and surrender to him.

English translation of Sri Velukkudi Swami’s Gita Upanyasam

There is no doubt that there are a lot of wonderful Sri Vaishnava Websites & Blogs on the net. We found another such wonderful blog. The blog created by Sri TG Saranathan of Sri Rangam contains translation of Sri Velukkudi Swamy’s Geeta Upanyasam that is telecast daily as Kannanin Aaramudhu in Podhigai TV. Swami’s Upanyasam is easy and simple to understand for everyone. But for people who do not know Tamil this is a wonderfulplace to look for Swami’s Upanysams. The translations are posted almost everyday, so anyone who has missed out to see the Upanyasam on TV can catch-up on this blog.

The Blog – www.saranathantg.blogspot.com

Thirupaavai translation

Its the auspicious month of Marghazhi when we recite Sri Andal’s Thirupaavai every day. But not all can understand the meaning of the pasurams and enjoy them. You need not look the whole net for the translations. Here’s a blog where the translations of the pasurams will be posted daily – 4krsna.wordpress.com