Thiruvaranga Maligaiyar

Srirangam Utsava Moorthy (Azhagiyamanavalan) is commonly known as "Namperumal." Let's understand why he acquired this name, although he is also referred to as Azhagiyamanavalan.

When you observe photos of Srirangam Periya Perumal, you will notice another Utsava Moorthy on the right side, near the Lord's foot (thiruvadi). During the utsavams (festivals), this Utsava deity will be present in the Yagasalai (sacred fire altar).

He is known as Thiruvarangamaligayar. In Vaishnava temples, there is usually a smaller Utsava Moorthy referred to as Yagaberar, who oversees the homams (rituals) during the utsava time to ensure they proceed smoothly without any hindrances. However, in this case, Thiruvarangamaligayar is of the same height as Azhagiyamanavalan (Namperumal).

During the Islamic invasion of Srirangam in 1323, 12,000 Srivaishnavas sacrificed their lives to protect the temple. Srirangam Periya Perumal was hidden by constructing a stone wall before him. At that time, Swamy Pillailokachariyar took Azhagiyamanavalan and his Ubaya Nachimars (consorts) and traveled towards the southern direction to safeguard the Perumal. However, he attained Moksham in Jothishkudi near Madurai.

Azhagiyamanavalan continued his journey further south to Madurai, then to Kerala, Thirukanambi near Mysore, Chandragiri forest, and finally reached Tirumala. He further traveled to Gingi (near Tiruvannamalai) and returned to Srirangam, completing his journey. Perumal started from Srirangam in the year 1323 AD on the 8th day of Panguni Utsavam and returned after 48 years in 1371 AD on the 17th day of the Tamil month Vaikasi.

Goppana, a chieftain, brought the images of Perumal and Ubaya Nachiyar from Singapuram (Gingee) and reinstalled them in Srirangam on the 17th day of Vaikasi in the year Paridapi, Saka 1293.

Most of the Srirangam residents were killed during the 1323 invasion, and the remaining few sought safety elsewhere, leaving Srirangam deserted for 40 years. When Azhagiyamanavalan (Utsava Moorthy) returned after 48 years, the Srirangam residents were unaware that he was the original Utsava Moorthy taken away from the temple.

During this time, as the residents were not aware of what happened to the old Utsava Moorthy, they installed a new Utsavar after a few years when the temple was revived. This new Utsavar was named Thiruvarangamaligayar.

When the old Azhagiyamanavalan returned, the Srirangam residents were still unaware of his identity, and they were unable to differentiate between the two Utsavars as they looked similar. Both Thiruvarangamaligayar and Azhagiyamanavalan were of the same height, had the same prayoga chakra, right hand and fingers, and their posture was similar. Their left hands held the Ghadaha, and the peetam for fixing Perumal during processions on the vahanams (vehicles) were exactly the same. Even their Thirumukams (crowns) were similar.

To find out if there was anyone who remembered how the old Azhagiyamanavalan looked before 1323 AD, the temple authorities searched for such a person in Srirangam and fortunately found a 90-year-old washerman who claimed to have seen the original Azhagiyamanavalan. Unfortunately, he was blind due to old age and couldn't see or differentiate the idols. However, he mentioned that he had washed Azhagiyamanavalan’s vasathrams (clothing) many times and had sipped theertham (holy water) from Azhagiyamanavalan’s wet vasathram, known as eeradai or eeravadai theertham.

A plan was devised wherein both Utsavars would undergo thirumanjanam (divine bath), and afterward, the washerman would be provided with eeravadai theertham. As soon as the washerman had the eeravadai theertham of the old Azhagiyamanavalan, he screamed in joy, exclaiming "Namperumal," which means "our lord."

From that day onwards, Azhagiyamanavalan came to be known as Namperumal. Since the new Utsava Moorthy was occupying "Thiruvarangam," he was named Thiruvarangamaligayar (occupant of the palace of Srirangam) and is still worshipped inside the sanctum as the Yagaberar. The name of the old washerman is mentioned as Rajakanda Gopalan in various references.

                                                                        Azhagiyamanavalan    

           

Thiruvarangamaligayar 

Namperumal hastam

Namperumal thiruvadi

During thirumanjanam