"Singing and Dancing, Crying Out 'Arangavo!' – The Sacred Dust of Devotees"

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"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 Srirangam, as it is where the Azhwar, in the form of his statue, remains in the company of Lord Rama


Kulasekara Azhwar's connection with Lord Rama is well known through his Perumal Thirumozhi, where he sings praises of the Ramayana. The presence of his shrine in the Manalveli—the very place where he desired to be covered in the sacred, bhakti-filled dust—symbolizes the fulfillment of his deepest wish, eternally tied to the devotion of the Lord's devotees.


For those who visit the Manalveli, this place becomes not only a reminder of Perumal’s beauty and kindness but also a chance to immerse oneself in thondar-adi- podi ( Adiyargal's dust) sacred space where the Azhwar’s devotional spirit continues to inspire and bless the devotees who come seeking Perumal’s grace.


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