Godankitavadhanam marks Goda Devi Avatarotsavam
The event was held to commemorate Goda Devi, also known as Andal or Nachiyar, a revered female saint who is considered an incarnation that descended in the Kali Yuga to exemplify supreme devotion to Lord Vishnu. Known for her divine association with the Lord, Goda Devi is praised for adorning the deity with the very garlands she first wore herself, symbolising her deep spiritual bond and eternal connection with the divine.
Godankitavadhanam was performed by renowned Sahasravadhani Dr Medasani Mohan. Demonstrating his exceptional skill, Dr Mohan answered every question posed by the Pcchakas with precision and eloquence, captivating the audience.
The Pcchakas (questioners) in the programme included Prof C Lalitha Rani, Dr Yuvasri, Dr Y Subhashini, Dr C Latha, Dr C Swarajya Lakshmi, Dr Jayamma, Dr G Suhasini and Dr B Krishnaveni.
Earlier addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor of SPMVV Prof V Uma expressed her delight that the event was conducted entirely by women scholars and practitioners, reflecting the university's commitment to empowering women in all spheres, including classical literature and spiritual traditions.
Programme Director Prof Kolakaluri Madhu Jyothi highlighted that Goda Devi's devotional verses, the Pasurams of Tiruppavai, are still sung in temples during the auspicious month of Dhanurmasam, with a tradition of singing one Pasuram each day. There is also a popular belief that girls who participate in this practice are blessed with early and happy marriages. Prof Nirmala Thammareddy and Immani Deepa Venkat also spoke.
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Hans India
2 days ago
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Godankitavadhanam marks Goda Devi Avatarotsavam
Tirupati: Celebrating Goda Devi Avatarotsavam, the Department of Telugu Studies at Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), in association with the Tirupati Sri Krishnadevaraya Satsang, organised a special Godankitavadhanam event on Monday. The event was held to commemorate Goda Devi, also known as Andal or Nachiyar, a revered female saint who is considered an incarnation that descended in the Kali Yuga to exemplify supreme devotion to Lord Vishnu. Known for her divine association with the Lord, Goda Devi is praised for adorning the deity with the very garlands she first wore herself, symbolising her deep spiritual bond and eternal connection with the divine. Godankitavadhanam was performed by renowned Sahasravadhani Dr Medasani Mohan. Demonstrating his exceptional skill, Dr Mohan answered every question posed by the Pcchakas with precision and eloquence, captivating the audience. The Pcchakas (questioners) in the programme included Prof C Lalitha Rani, Dr Yuvasri, Dr Y Subhashini, Dr C Latha, Dr C Swarajya Lakshmi, Dr Jayamma, Dr G Suhasini and Dr B Krishnaveni. Earlier addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor of SPMVV Prof V Uma expressed her delight that the event was conducted entirely by women scholars and practitioners, reflecting the university's commitment to empowering women in all spheres, including classical literature and spiritual traditions. Programme Director Prof Kolakaluri Madhu Jyothi highlighted that Goda Devi's devotional verses, the Pasurams of Tiruppavai, are still sung in temples during the auspicious month of Dhanurmasam, with a tradition of singing one Pasuram each day. There is also a popular belief that girls who participate in this practice are blessed with early and happy marriages. Prof Nirmala Thammareddy and Immani Deepa Venkat also spoke.
Time of India
3 days ago
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Andal Jayanti 2025: Date, Puja Rituals and Significance of Aadi Pooram
Andal Jayanti 2025: The auspicious day of Aadi Pooram, also called Andal Jayanti, honors Goddess Andal, who is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. Andal Jayanti is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi and is observed under Pooram Nakshatra, one of the 27 Nakshatras. Andal Jayanti is being observed today, July 28, 2025, this year. Andal Jayanti 2025: Significance The Tamil community holds a great religious significance of Andal Jayanti. The Goddess Laxmi is honored on this day. Shakti, or divine energy, is the only focus of the month of Aadi, and it is a unique and potent energy. In order to bless her followers, the goddess also comes to earth. It is believed that Andal is a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi. Andal refers to a young girl who became a saint by making the Lord (Vishnu) her lover. In South India, this event is primarily observed during Pooram Nakshatra. With great fervor and commitment, devotees pray to Goddess Andal. She is a manifestation of Goddess Laxmi, and Tamil Nadu's Lord Vishnu Temples celebrate the festival of Aadi Pooram. Goddess Andal became the wife of Lord Shri Ranganatha after years of worshiping him and pleasing him with her devotion to him, Andal Jayanti is celebrated at Shri Ranganatha Temple. This temple receives a lot of devotees who come to pray to the Goddess. Andal Jayanti 2025: Story Scripture states that there once was a saint by the name of Periyalwar of Srivilliputhur who was childless. He prayed to Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Laxmi for the child because he was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. After a while, he discovered a young girl as he was plow-ing the land, and Goddess Laxmi emerged as a child. He saw the child as a gift from God. Since this happened during the month of Aadi on the day of Pooram, it is known as Aadi Pooram. He never ceased to worship the Lord with all of his heart and soul. In order to present Shri Ranganatha with a garland made of Tulsi leaves, her daughter Andal would first wear it in secret. Periyalwar once reprimanded his daughter for wearing the garland covertly before presenting it to the Lord. After making another new garland for Shri Ranganatha, he offered it to the Lord, but it kept falling off his neck despite his repeated attempts. After he prayed to the Lord, Lord Ranganatha appeared before him and clarified that Andal is a manifestation of the Goddess Laxmi, and that he would only wear the garland if Andal would wear this . Goddess Andal wrote a great deal of music for Lord Ranganatha. Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi are two well-known pieces. Andal Jayanti 2025: Celebration Many followers travel to different temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and this festival is celebrated with a lot of fanfare. Srivilliputhut in the Virudhunara District hosts the car festival, which is regarded as a significant occasion. Additionally, devotees worship Goddess Aandal at the Shri Ranganatha temple. Along with other offerings, they also serve coconut and bhog prasadam. Mantra Om Mahalaxmi Namo Namah..!! Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaye..!!
The Hindu
3 days ago
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Efficacy of Adi Puram
Andal or Goda manifested in the Tamil month of Adi, under the Pooram star, in Srivilliputtur, in the tulasi garden of Vishnu Chittar, also known as Periyazhwar, who was devoutly serving the resident deity, Vatapatrasayi. Andal composed the Tiruppavai (30 verses) and Nacchiyar Tirumozhi (143 verses). Andal's Tiruppavai has the essence of all the Vedas, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh. It highlights the importance of surrendering to Bhagavan, singing His divine names, and being subservient to the devotees of the Lord. Just as Krishna's discourse is called Gitopanishad, Andal's Tiruppavai is revered as Godopanishad (the Upanishad of Goda). The great preceptor Ramanuja always used to chant Tiruppavai and hence came to be renowned as Tiruppavai Jeeyar. The verses of Tiruppavai played a vital role in helping Ramanuja explain the tenets of Visishtadvaitam to disciples. Growing up, Andal expressed her devotion to Lord Vatapatrasayi by adoring herself with the garland meant for the deity, before it was offered to Him. When Periyazhwar found out, he admonished Andal and did not offer any garland to the deity on that day. However, that very night, Perumal appeared in Periyazhwar's dream and demanded to know why He was not offered the garland. When Periazhwar explained that it was desecrated because his daughter wore it, Vadapatrasayi said, 'It is consecration, not desecration,' and sought the Andal-worn garland as a daily offering. When Perumal manifested as Varaha and retrieved Bhu Devi, She asked Him, 'You have saved me. What about countless humans who need to be ferried across the ocean of births?' He informed Bhu Devi that She would appear on Earth as Goda and teach devotees the importance of praying to God with flowers and verses at a very young age, and surrendering to Him. He also affirmed that whoever served Him in such a manner would receive His protection, even if the devotee were to forget to do so in later years due to approaching old age. When Andal reached a marriageable age, and insisted upon marrying Rangamannar, the archa murti at Srirangam asked Periazhwar to bring her to His sanctum, wherein She attained eternal service at His lotus feet.
