"Singing and Dancing, Crying Out 'Arangavo!' – The Sacred Dust of Devotees"
"Singing and Dancing, Crying Out 'Arangavo!' – The Sacred Dust of Devotees" Kulasekara Azhwar’s pasuram vividly portrays the depth of devotion toward Lord Ranganatha and the unique sanctity of Srirangam’s Manalveli. In his beautiful verse, Azhwar expresses his heartfelt desire to roll in the sand, soaked by the joyful, bhakti-filled tears of devotees witnessing the Lord’s divine beauty. The Manalveli becomes a sacred space where the very essence of devotion—bhakti rasam—permeates the ground. For Azhwar, this sacred dust, touched by the tears of Lord Ranganatha’s devotees, is holier than the waters of the Ganges itself. Kulasekara Azhwar’s devotion to Lord Ranganatha was so profound that his desire to be immersed in the Lord’s presence became an eternal bond with the Manalveli. It is believed that due to this intense devotion, Kulasekara Azhwar is enshrined in the Kondandarama Sannadhi, located within the Manalveli itself. This sannidhi holds a special place in Srira...