ALL ABOUT ALWARS

Alwars, who are said to be the Hamsam of Sriman Narayanan, have dedicated their lives towards the Emperumaan and they led their life by praising and doing Mangalasasanam on Sriman Naryanan. These Alwars are 12 in Number and out of which one is Sri Andal, who is a woman.

These Alwars were born in various parts of our country but they were all united in a common subject, ie dedicating their lives and praising the Lord.

Poigai Alwar, Bhoodath Alwar and Pei Alwar are collectively called as "Mudhal Alwars" were found in the same period of time.

Thirumazhisai Alwar, who thought the Perumal as his friend and has sung Mangalasasanam on Perumal.

Thirumangai Alwar, who was a great king in his starting of life but later, changed his life to work for the Perumal and for his bhaktaas.

Thondaradippodi Alwar, who is also named as "Vipra Narayanar" led his life as the slave to the Perumal and worked for the Perumal by dedicating him with Garlands.

Thiruppaan Alwar, who belonged to the Paanar family, praised the Perumal through his beautiful songs and Paasurams.

Periyalwar, is considered as the Mother, Father for Sri Andal and Father-in-Law to Perumal has sung 

Sri Andal, who is also called as "Soodikkodutha Sudar Kodi" is said to be the daughter (brought up) of Periyalwar has created "Thiruppavai" in which she considersSriman Naryanan as her husband. She is the only lady alwar.

Nammalwar, who sat below the Tamarind tree without having any food and sleep got Gnana and has sung Mangalasasanam on Perumal and he has worked hard to spread Sri Vaishnavam

Madhurakavi Alwar, who is said to be the Sishyan (Student) of Nammalwar is also one among 12 Alwars.

Kulasekara Alwar, have a great bhakti towards Sri Ramar have also done Mangalasasanam on the Perumal particularly in Malayala Naatu thriuppathigal

Periyalwar Place Srivilliputhur Month Aani Star Swathi (Swaathee)

The Avathara sthalam of Periyalwar is Srivilliputhur. He was born to Mukunda bhattar and Paduma valli, who belong to veyar family. He was born in Aani month - Swathi nakshathram - krothana year - Ekadesi Thithi - Sunday as the hamsam of Garudalwar. His parents kept him the name as "Vishnu Siththar". He heard lots of stories of Sri Kannapiran from his parents and because of this, he got attracted towards Sri Vishnu. In the early days of his life, he learnt all the Vedams, etc. Both of his parents were also had a great bhakti towards Sriman Narayanan. And like them, Vishnu siththar was also very much attracted by Sriman Narayanan and his Gunams. So, he started to dedicate his life to Sri Vishnu. He selected to dedicate Garlands and flowers to the Perumal. He considered Sri Vadabhadra Saayee Perumal as "Sri Kannan" and started to perform Nandhavana (flower park) Kainkaryam for him. During the time of Periyalwar, Madurai (belonged to Pandiya Kingdom) was ruled by the king named Vallabha devan. He conquered lots of kingdoms in North and the chozha kingdom also. As a routine, he dressed in another way to find how is ruling and how are the people of his kingdom. While passing through a house, he saw an elderly person sitting in front of the house. The king had a great doubt (i.e.) how to overcome this birth and what to be done to be good in the next generation. As the person in front of the house seemed to be brighter, the king thought he is the right person to be asked and he can find the solution from him. The King asked the Andhanar about him. The Andhanan answered that he comes from the north after having the sacred bath in Ganga River and now he is traveling towards Sethu River. Hearing this, the king bow down towards him and asked what is the best way to be happy in the next jenmam (or) piravi and for what should be done in this jenmam. The Andhanan said and explained the following slokam:- "Maariyin kaalam thThiruyppaan matru illa kaalaththu eettum Kooriya Irulil theriyppaan kozhum sudar pagalil eettum Seeriya illamai thannin Moopukku Sirappaal eettum Aariyalbhu adhanaal immai thanniley marumaikku eettum". The explanation:- The necessary things for the night, should be found and searched in the day time, The thing for the rainy season, had to be found and saved during the sunny seasons; thing needed for the older age should be saved in the younger age itself; like that, to be good in the next jenman, we should be good in at present jenman (i.e.) help others, follow our rules and regulations etc. If we are good and follow the said rules according to our religion, one can attain all the things what he wanted in the next jenman". After hearing this, the king wanted to know what is the thing he wanted to perform for the betterment of his next jenmam. Selva Nambi worked as a prohithar in his kingdom and said one has to explain that the person has to explain the Vedanta parathuvam. On hearing this, the king ordered to tie a silk cloth which had lots of precious ornaments, jewels etc which will be given to the person who explains the Parathuva siddhantham. Sri Vishnu and Vishnu siththar:- During that time, Sri Vishnu emerged in the dreams of Vishnu siththar and asked him to go to the palace of pandiya kingdom and explained the truth for paraththuva siddhantham. As said by Sriman Narayanan, he marched towards Madurai and reached the palace. Selva Nambi could see the glow on the face of Vishnu siththar so he went towards him and greeted him. Then, he started to explain about Paththuvam and he said that for every action to be perform, there is and should be a reason. The entire world to lead its life is god; and the paramporul the Paramathma is Sriman Narayanan and we can attain him only through our dedicated bhakti; the final step of bhakti is "Saranagathi". So, if one surrenders all of his ego, wealth, anger and dedicates bhakti means he is getting Saranagathi towards Sri Vishnu which is the only way to get out of all sins and attain Mukthi". Om hearing this, all the great people who were in the palace and even the Pandiya king fell towards Vishnu sittar and gave the prize money to him. After this, the king himself wore the silk cloth on him and gave him the special name "Pattarbiran". Pattarbiran dedicated the precious ornaments got from the Pandiya king towards Sriman Narayanan and started his routine work of Nandhavana Kainkaryam. He not only dedicated the poo maalai (garland) for the perumal but also the Paa maalai (explaining the greatness, the beauty etc) of the perumal. His master pieces includes:- His great works : Thiru Pallandu Periya Azhwar thirumozhi