Sadayavaraman Sundara Pandiyan and Ranganathar

Jatavaraman Sundara Pandiyan -1, also known as Sadayavaraman Sundara Pandiyan -1, was a Pandiya king. His name is the only one used daily during thiruvaradhanam (ritual worship) of Perumal.

He lived during the period of 1250 AD to 1284 AD and was one of the most powerful Pandiya kings. Many believe that some of his works for the temple were so widespread that Muslim rulers from the north came to plunder the temple of its wealth.

During thiruvaradhanam, Ranganathar hears only one human name, and that is the name of King Sundara Pandiyan. The phrase "Sundara Pandiyan Pidithen" (Holding Sundara Pandiyan) is used twice during his thiruvaradhanam.

When the mirror is shown to Perumal during his brushing of teeth, it is like a silver plate and not an actual mirror. Similarly, while giving argyam (water for washing hands) and padyam (water for washing feet), a vessel is used for Lord's Thiruvaradhanam.

To witness and hear these happenings, one must be present during thiruvaradhanam when Namperumal is outside in the mandapams like Poochartu Mandapam, Pavithra Mandapam, Onjal Mandapams, etc., as the daily thiruvaradhanam takes place in the sanctum behind closed screens.

The reason why Sundara Pandiyan's name is called during thiruvaradhanam is as follows:

Once, during thiruvaradhanam, Sundara Pandiyan -1 was having a sevai (divine service) of the Lord. The kainkaryapara (attendant) for this job had forgotten to bring the Padikam (vessel to collect water used in Perumal's thiruvaradhanam). When the bhattar (priest) was about to pour water, there was no vessel available. King Sundara Pandiyan immediately removed his crown and inverted it to collect the water of Perumal's thiruvaradhanam. From that day, this vessel is called Sundara Pandiyan.

Among the many kainkaryams (services) of Sundara Pandiyan, an important one is the gold plating of the Pranavakara Vimanam. Hence, he was also called "Ponveintha Perumal Sundarapandiya Thevar."

Pranavakara vimanam