THRISSUR VADAKKU*NNATHAR TEMPLE

    THRISSUR VADAKKUNNATHA TEMPLE

Friends,

Getting good response for my article on Lord SHREE KIRATHA MOORTHY OF PALLASSANA VILLAGE, I venture of writing about LORD VADAKKUNNATHAN (वृषभेश्वर IN SANSCRIT). The Name VADAKKUNATHAN came from VADAKKU - North NATHAN denotes The Kailasa which is the abode of LORD SHIVA and which is the northern boundary of Bharatha Desa, The word THRISSUR is the short form of T HIRU SHIVA PERUR. Why He is known as VRISHABHESHWARA is because of VRISHABHA the Lord’s vehicle and body guard, which is on the mound (or KUNNU in Malayalam) . The KOOTHAMBALAM or the dancing hall of the Temple is said to have been constructed by PARACHCHI PETTA PANTHRRUKALAM FAMOUS PERUMTHACHCHANN of 7^th century. It is also corroborated by the story of Adi Shankara who was born after 41 days Bhajan by his father, SHIVA GURU with his wife ARAYAMBA to beget a good and intelligent Son whi is short-lived, some-where during the said period in this temple  It is also said that Adi Shankara built the famous  EDAYIL MATHOM, NATUVIL MATHOM, THEKKE MATHOM AND VATAKKE MATHOM In Thrissur . Inside the temple one can see the Adi Shankara’s place of death.( SAMADHI STHALAM ) also.In Kancheevaram it is sad that AADI SHANKARA went on SAMAADHI. The Shiva Linga is said to be under a huge BANYAN TREE ( ALMARATHTHIN KEEZHIL by LORD PARASHU RAMA under advise of Lord Subrhamania , Goddess Parvathy etc The then Maharajah of Cochin under whom Thrissur also included wanted to build a temple for lord , decided to remove the Linga and place it in the Sanctum of the newly constructed building. From the MOOLA STHANA, (ORIGINAL PLACE) But there was a doubt of falling a branch of the Banyan tree and Hence he decided to cut the branch which was big. he summoned a well-kown YOGATHIRIPPAD who after taking proper precautions asked to cut the brances and then to remove SHIVA LINGA from its MOOLASTHANA which was carried out. It so happened 0nce VILWAMANGALATHTHU SWAMIYAR who is well known to all Keralites and who could see with his eyes all Hindu Gods and Goddesses went to pay obeisance to the Lord could not see HIM any- where in the sanctum went on PRADIKSHANA and to his dismay saw  LORD SHIVA sitting on the perimeter wall on the  southern side. After paying his obeisance to the LORD he asked the LORD as to why HE was saitting on the wall The LORD replied that it was time of his dearest dame Kumaranelloor  KAATHYAAYANI Bhagavathi,  coming with all pomp and to see HER coming HE was sitting there. This happened on the moth of VRISCHIKA ( SORPIO ) in KRITHIKA STARDOM A pooja to LORD in the morning hours started from  that day. Even now one can see it being conducted.

Lord Shiva is also known as ARDHA NAREESWARA ( in Tamil அம்மயப்பன் ) since HE is the LORD OF DANCE FORMS in ladies form He depicts PARVATHY DEVI who taught to USHA, Daughter of Banasura who taught this form to the women of DWARKA. Parvathy is SHAKTHI. Without SHAKTHI

ONE CANNOT IMAGINE Lord SHIVA and with-out Lord Shiva there is no Shakthi. He Himself assumed  the form of KIRATHA and the Left side very fair and the rightside with JATA,  and with Ganga and also black in color. LORD SHIVA taught this art to THANDU.It is possible that Lord Shiva and Godesses Parvathy are in the same shrine one towards west and the  other  towards east respectively. Lord Sree Rama is facing west is located in the two-storied  shrine can be seen in the southern side and between these two shrines we can see Lord SHANKARANARAYANA facing west.  These are the Mukha Mandapams.

“A fairly large white bullock on the verandah of the Nalambalam is worshipped as Nandikeswara. In the temple quadrangle.

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Lord Ganesh in the temple is positioned facing the temple kitchen and offering of Appam (sweetened rice cake fried in ghee) to Mahaganapathy is one of the most important offerings at Vadakkunnathan temple. Propitiating Ganapathy here is believed to be a path to prosperity and wealth”.

In this temple MAHA SHIVARATHRI when Lord Shiva is taken in precession and Aanayoottu are the temple’ s big festvals.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS

3AM to 10.30 AM IN THE MORNING HOURS

4 PM TO 8.30 PM

THRIPPUKA (THE LST RITE OF LORD VADAKKUNNATHR ) 8.30 PM EVERY DAY,THRIPPUKA is known as THRIPPA ( திருப்புகை ) It  is a custom when there is a connection with GOD we use THIRU as in the case of ATHIRA or ONAM, THIRU-ANANTHA PURAM, THIRU-SHIVA – PERUR.THIRU is only a word which denotes respect, to the GODS.

This essay cannot be complete without  telling about THE FAMOUS THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVALWHICH IS FAMOUS THROUGHOT THE WORLD. .Money is collected from all shop keepers irrespective of what religion they belong and the function is conducted. Small POORAMS to meet L/ORD  From THIRU-AMBAADY(திருவமம்பாடி)LORD SREE KRSHNA temple side KANNIMANGALAM (கண்ணிமன்கலம்) Lord SHAASTHA Pooram comes first to meet HIS FATHER i.e LORD SHIVA known as VADAKKUNNATHAR and thereafter comes  LAALOOR BHAGAVATHI, KATHYAAYANI of AAYAMTHOLE, NELLIKKAVI BHAGAVATHI, and from PAARAMELKKAVU side CHEMBUKKAVU BHAGAVATHI,PAANAMUKKUMPALLYALLY SHASTHA.CHOORAKKOTUKAVU BHAGAVATHY, KARAMUKKU BHAGAVATHY of POOKAAATIKKARA, and then comes the MAIN POORAMS are PARAMELKAVU BHAVATHY TEMPLE AND THIUAMBAADY SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE .The PANDAL decoration is looked after by the Muslims.

 It is said that once ceremonial flag hoisting (കൊടിഏറ്റം) is done  NADUVILAL and NAIKKANAL before seven days of actual POORAM FESTIVAL which starts on POORAM  STARDOM i.e POORVAASHADA STARDOM in Malayalam month of MEDHOM. Those  who reside in THRISSUR permanently should not leave the place or even if leave the place of residence, they should return on the same day. I feel this is because of lot of friends and relatives  are expected to go to their recidence to see THRISSUR POORAM. I opine this because of the saying ATHITHY DEVO BHAVA (अतिथि देवो भवः)

People from all walk of life goes to see MADHOTHIL VARAVU. Mpre than 200 artists play PANCHA VADDYAM consists of mainly five instruments called THIMILA, MADAALAM ( different types 0f drums in Malayalam Language ),TRUMPETS,( piped music) EDAKKA and KAI MANIKAL ( CYMBALS ).This

Ceremony denotes the stepping out of THIRUVAMBAADY KRISHAN AND DEVI frim their respective abodes to BRAHMASWAM DEVASTHANAM temporarily, to VADAKKUNNATHER TEMPLE TO MEET LORD SHIVA which is the MAIN TEMPLE.

The second Main attraction is ILAMHITHTHARA MELAM (ഇലഞ്ഞിത്തറമേളം) more than 250 artists take part which is also known as Paady Melam (പാണ്ടിമേളം) starts atabout 2.30 PM at the place where Paramelkkavu Bhagavathy sat on a Stone under an Ilanji Tree (बोकुल्, மகிழ மரம், ഇലഞ്ഞി മരം & Botanically known as MIMUS ELANGI ) before reaching HER present abode. This is a popular belief among the people of Thrissur and the Melam performed to commemorate HER taking REST at this place. This goes on for about 4 hours.

The next attraction but not least of THRISSUR POORAM is changing of umbrellas by the main two temples i.e. SREEKRISHNA temple of THIRU AMBAADY (തിരുവമ്പാടി) and PARAMELKKAVU (പാറമേല്‍ക്കാവു.People from all over India and foreigners throng the entire area to witness this wherein 25 fully decorated elephants from each side stand in one line. While Paramel Kkavu elephants stand on the road opposite THEKKIN KADU MAITHAN തേക്കിന്‍ കാടു മൈതാനം,

and.  after paying obeisance to Shakthan Thampuran’s Statue .the other enter through the western gate of SRI. VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE and come out through the southern gate and line up on the Thekkin kaadu Maithan itself opposite of PARAMELKKAVU elephants The fans for the GOD AND GODDESS called ആലവട്ടം & വെണ്‍ചാമരം throng the entire area to see the changing of umbrellas of different colors and shapes with golden borders which are feasts for the people’s eyes. Whenever the umbrella is changed the Aalavattam & Vencamamaram are shown to the GOD and GODESS. This function of POORAM festival goes on for about 2 to 21/2 hours.

Display of fire-works with in THEKKIN KADTU MAITHAN at about  2 AM on the next day by Shree Krishna Temple and Paramel Kavu temple competing each other provide the crowed with the most unexected and the best performance of THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL..Both sides start their fire- works one by one.  While PARAMEL KAVU starts first with a കതന വെടി (a type of cracker generally cracked in Temples of Kerala ) After they finish, The THIRU AMBAADY side starts with bursting of കതന.  This lasts through-out night.

The seventh day of POORAM FESTVAL which is called as DAY TIME POORAM ( പകല്‍ പൂരം ) by the locals is bidding farewell by the two sides i.e PAARAMELKAVU & THIRU AMBAADY sides where in the two sides Elephants (ONE EACH).  This is a touching

scene where they bid farewell by shaking their trunks i.e.twisting of their trunks.Most probably the meaning is that they will meet each other during next year. 

Despite being a Hindu festival, the Thrissur pooram is attended by different sections of the Kerala society.

During thisa perid the Sanctum of Vadakkunnatha Temple is closed and will be opened only after SHUDDI KALASHAM ( ശുദ്ധികലശം ), for pooja ,since many people from different Religions enter the temple premises.

Friends, this is only a short history in which I might have ommitted many items.

REGARDS TO ONE AND ALL,

P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN 

PALLASSANA KIRATHA MOORTHY TEMPLE

                      TEMPLE OF KIRATHAMOORTHY, PALLASSANA

Friends,

Probably many people knows only MEEN KULATHTHI  KAVU(TEMPLE) of Pallassana because of it is made famous by Tamilians and others who goes to the temple especially to ward off enemies, frequently. However the are many more temples in the small and less famous place of PALLASSANA in Palghat District of KERALA STATE For example there is one temple called PUTHIYA KAVU mostly frequented by NAIR CASTE people, LORD SHIVA TEMPLE of KIZHAKKE GRAMAM ( EAST VILLAGE ) , LORD SANTHANA GOPALA KRISHNA SWAMY TEMPLE OF PATINHERE GHRAMAM (West Village) , both manned by Tamil Brahmins where NATTI AMMAN is also placed. As far as NAATTI AMMAN is concerned, I do not know about the origin. I feel it  was worshipped by original inhabitants of PALLASSANA who worshipped  this deity which brahmins also worshipped due to fear or they brought this deity after proper AAVAAHANA of their family deity (KULA DAIVAM) who must be MOOKAAMBIKA or some other deity. I leave it to experts on the subject. There is also a famous temple called KIRATHA MURTHY TEMPLE which is mostly frequented by NAIRS of the locality on whom  I am writing this essay.  KIRATHA MURTHY IS BLACK IN colour which form is only black of LORD SHIVA. The story can be seen IN KIRAATHAARJUNEEYAM in MAHABHARATHA.  In this one will find LORD SHIVA taking the AVATHAARA of a hunter and blessing Lord ARJUNA with PAASUPATHA who became the devotee of SHIVA . The Idol is facing towards east and thrikala Pooja (3 times Pooja) is conducted. At this temple.    There is a common belief that if we are successful in getting a work done 1200 coconuts are broken to KIRATHA MURTHY, The UPADEVATHAS are VIGNESWARA and KAATTIL BHAGAVATHI i.e. NANDA DURGHA  There is  peculiar  custom in this temple. The children who attain 5 years old on THIRUONAM day are brought to the temple and made to stand before the deity and made to beat each other ones which will be witnessed by the MOOSAD who is the PALLASSANA’S HEAD at 2 O’clock in the afternoon. The festival  of the temple starts on the month of MESHA months 10^th day.The PALAKKADs famous KNYAR KALI is performed. On first 4 days it is performed in the house of PATHYYATTIL MOOSAD’ S ILLAM (HOUSE). This temple was once  owned by eight caste people. They are CHERUMAN, ANDI , KURAVAN, MANNAN, POOSHAARI,CHAKKILIAN, VALLON(MALAYAN), and PARAYAN . Now there are 99 Nair families and Moosad’s house around the temple which is nearby PUTHTHJEN KAVU which is  owned by the NAIRS. This BHAGAVATHI is said to be related to KOTUNGALLUR BHAGAVATHY. 

Regards to one and all,

RADHAKRISHNAN PALLASSANA

MANNARASSALA TEMPLE AITHIHYAM

    MANNARASSALA TEMPLE   AITHYHYAM

 

Friends,

When I used to go on Holy Shabari Malai Trip every year, on my way back occasionally , I used to visit MANNARASALA also which is about 3 KM from HARIPAD BUS STAND on north westerly direction HARIPPAD is in ALAPPUZHA District Of Kerala.   One can notice the gate with Serpant’s Idol  on the left side of the road when we go towards north from Harippad  bus stand. There was once an ILLAM (Namboothiri’s House) which was very old and dilapidated which was called ERINGATAPALLY MANA (எரிங்காடபள்ளி மனை, എരിങ്ങാടാപള്ളി മന) which has been now re-built as a palatial Bangalow with a SNAKE TEMPLE behind it.  This is the place which was once lived by the Naboothiri who was blessed by Lord PARASURAMA. I wonder whether many of us who visit this place have ever noticed this. “ ll वरिष्ठमेवं शिष्येषु, वासिष्ठम् वासुकेरिह , सानुष्ठानसपर्यासु, निष्ठितम् निर्दिदेश सः ll “ This is what what is written  about this BRAHAMANA SHRESHTA .  Meaning is that Lord Parasurama entrusted to perform POOJA and other ANUSHTAANAS to the best among his disciples. It is also stipulated that those belonging to this family has to perform pooja and other connected duties after his death  by his successors only. The Story of Parasurama goes like this.

LORD PARASURAMA wanted to get rid of the sin which he committed.  Hence he wanted to give some land to the Brahmins. He called the Tamil Brahmans, Kannada Brahmans and Andhra Brahmans to take a piece of land which he recovered from the Arabian Sea by throwing his axe. This Land extends from GOKARNA to KANYAKUMARI as per the legend. But these Brahmins refused to take a sinister’ s Land and hence he brought the Namboothiri Brahmins from the north who readily accepted the land but since salt had entered from the sea to the land they approached again Lord Parasurama and told him that he had given the land which was barren due to salt entering the land and unless it was purified they would return the land which he had given.  Lord Parasurama after a long penance pleased the Lord OF Snakes,  Anantha, who asked the King of snakes called VASUKI

ll अनन्तस्चास्मि नागानां, सर्प्पाणां अस्मि वासुकिम् ll  ( they are both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva ) The Lord of Mannarasala is Hari Swaroopi and Sivathmaka . This place was known as MANDARA SAALA (मन्दारशाल ,மனதாரசாலை, മന്താരശാല) This word was polluted as Mannarashaala( मणंणारशाल, மண்ணாறசால, മണ്ണാറശാല ). This was originally called as MANDARASLA because from the lot of Mandaram (  Bauhinia Acuminata trees or plants )

 

 From this MANA if one further walk towards north, the road will split into two and if one turns to the left side road and go further towards westerly direction one can find this temple.  This will look like a forest with lot of NAAGA PRATHISHTA which gives a fierce look. The forest is full of very old bamboo trees which attract the snakes.

 

There is a place called Appoppan Kaavu ( அப்பூப்பன் காவு, അപ്പൂപ്പന്‍കാവ്) which is created in Memory of Lord Anantha’ son who was born as the elder among the twins the elder as snake and the younger as a male child of VASUDEVAN NAMBOOTHIRI AND SRIDEVI ANTHARJANAM who after a long time became the head of the family.    Friends, PRIESTHOOD conferred on ANTHARJANAMS is very rare Among NAMOOTHIRI BRAHMANS . However MANNARA SHAALA TEMPLE is an exception to this.    I do not know even now except what I read in the MANNARASHAALA HISTORY produced by the Illam, since the ladies called ANTHARJANAMS were not allowed to go out and mingle with others . Even if they are to go out they used to keep an Umbrella called OLAKKUDA (பட்ட குடை, ഓലക്കുട) and a servant maid used to accompany them. However there is a story   this mini-forest once caught fire and the residents tried their best to extinguish the fire but many of the snakes were injured VASUDEVA NAMBOOTHIRI and his WIFE SRIDEVI ANTHARJANAM provided them medicines and personal touch  and love. The serpents were fully cured & recovered . Due to the blessing of Lord Anantha  these NAMBOOTHIRI BRAHMIN COUPLE GOT TWINS . Out of these one was a SERPENT and the other was born as a male human child. As yeas passed the male human child got married and had many children and grand-children. The Serpent also grew old and started to live in the nearby forest and he is called as grand father (தாத்த, മുത്തശ്ശന്‍  ) even now. When it was time for him to retire he retreated to a big room called NILAVARA ( நிலவரை, നിലവറ) where no one was allowed to enter except the BIG MOTHER (பெரியம்மை, വലിയമ്മ) to offer Pooja  as told by MUTHTHASSAN and NONE ELSE WAS ALLOWED TO GO INSIDE THE NILAVARA. As Ananthan’s son told the senior most lady of the family shoud be the POOJAARI.  Even to-day this custom is followed .  She lives in a small Room next to NILAVARA and always in prayer.SHE LEADS a PURE SANYASIN’ LIFE observing BRAHMACHARYA in thoughts and deeds including  abstinence from sexual feelings as ordained by the GRAND FATHER. Friends, I have seen only the second VALIA AMMA, SMT. UMA ANTHARJANAM. The First Valiamma died (SAMADHI) at a ripe age of 91 Years.

 

 This essay will be incomplete if I do not say about the offerings which one can offer in this temple :-

 

For Getting wealth, health and enjoyment of life Please offer a small pot full of gold.

 

To learn, to have everything including praise by people  : Offer Silk, grains and golden wares. 

 

In order to regain health : SALT.

 

For getting rid of poison : Turmeric (Curcuma aromatic) மஞ்சள், മഞ്ഞള്‍

 

FOR SARPPA DOSHA : Egg of Snake, Snake Pit, Earth, Plant etc. made of Gold.

 

For a long life : Ghee

 

To get the wish : Milk, Kadali Fruit , & Nilavara PAAYASAM.

 

To get Children : AN URULI (A POT)  used for making NOORU And MILK.

 

To get more and more vegetables : Cut pieces of Vegetables except roots.

 

To get rid of SARPA DOSHA :  SARPPA BALI, NOORUM PAALUM. MILK AND PLANTAIN FRUITS, PUDDING MADE OF MILK, Tender Coconut, Etc.

 

Generally I find people suffering with skin diseases go to this place and offer NOORUM PAALUM for which we can pay money and get the receipt.( Skin diseases like Psoriasis, etc. for which there is no medicines.

 

Friends, If I say this place is like a jungle with lot of snakes, that will not be a wonder. It makes one to be frightened.

 

Regards and Namaskarams,

P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN  

SMARTHA BRAHMINS

              SMARTHA BRAHMINS

Friends,

I heard the word SMARTHA first when I started reciting SANKALPA wherein I used to chant गौडस्मार्थ विहितह........I feel  the word SMRTHA might have derived from SMRUTHY. I feel it is so called because

It allows us to pray GOD in any shape i.e. in the shape of LORD SHIVA, LORD VISHNU or Goddess SHAKTHI,Etc.  as the Supreme being. In other words , SMARTHA MEANS VRIDHY.

SMARTHAS therefore evolved a POOJA called PANCHAYATHA POOJA, wherein they  performed pooja to FIVE DEITIES called as THE SUN GOD, LORD SHIVA, LORD VISHNU, LORD GANESHA and GODDESS SHAKTHY, OR DEVI. THE ARE PLACED ON A ROUND PLATE CALLED THAAMBAALAM (தாம்பாளம்) called पञ्चायतन with the Chief deity in the middle.  Some also keep Lord MURUGA as the sixth deity . In temples of medieval ages we can see this arrangement.  In other cases they worship only Lord SIIVA, LORD VISHNU/LORD KRISHNA or GODDESS SHAKTHY. ADI SHANKARA believed in SHANMATHA and is called SHANMATHA STHAPAKA. SMARTHAS ORDER OF ROUTINE is after ablution & bath on early morning of the DAY they are to perform SANDHYA VANDAN, JAPA. PANCHAYATANA POOJA, AUPAASANA, AGNIHOTRA etc. While brahmacharis (bachelor Brahmins wearing sacred thread perform AGNIKAARYAM. AGNIHOTRA  and AUPAASANAM are to be performed by married SMARTHAS ONLY. SMARTHAS TO BE SAATVICS TAKE ONLY Vegetarian diet.

Smarthas are to perform marriages as per the prescription of VEDAS only. Once a girl is married she has to change her lineage  called GOTHRA and smarthas are prohibited to marry a girl or boy of the same GOTHRA. They adhere to the system prescribed in POORVA MEEMAAMSA.

Regards to one and all and Namskarams,

P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN

ADVAITHA

                                                ADVAITHA VEDANTHA

Friends,

In this, I would like to try my hand on ADVAIDA SIDDANTHA. There are three PARAMPARAS who taught ADVAITHA.

(1)  DAIVA PARAMPARA (2) RISHI PARAMPARA (3) MAANAVA PARAMPARA

This can be found out from  "नारायणं पद्मभुवं ( DAIVA PARAMPARA) वसिiष्ठं शक्तिं च तत्पुत्रं पराशरं च व्यासं शुकं (RISHI PARAMPARA) गौडपादं महान्तं गोविन्दयोगीन्द्रं अथास्य शिष्यम्
श्री शंकराचार्यं अथास्य पद्मपादं च हस्तामलकं च शिष्यम् तं तोटकं वार्त्तिककारमन्यान् अस्मद् गुरून् सन्ततमानतोऽस्मि.” ( MAANAVA PARAMPARA)

Here we may call NAARAAYANA as Lord Mahavishnu, PADMABHUVAM as LORD BRAMHA since he was born in Lotus which came out from the naval of Mahavishnu – DAIVA PARAMPARA others VASISHTA, SHAKTHI, PARAASHARA, VYAASA, and SHUKA as RISHI PARAMPARA AND GAUDAPAADA, GOVINDA AND SHANKARA, PADMAPAADA, HASTHAAMALAKA as MANAVA PARAMPARA who propagated ADVAITHA.

Now I shall try to say what is ADVAITHA.  Before I say about Advaitha, I like to say that I am not a student of Philosophy but a Political Science Post Graduate.  Kinly excuse me if you find any mistake.  ADVAITHA PHILOSOPHY SHOW HOW APPARENT DUALITY IN REAL FORM IS NON DUALITY I.E. JEEVAATHAMA AND PARAMAATHMA ARE ONE AND THE SAME. THERE IS NO DEATH TO JEEVAATHMA. AS BHAKTHA KABIR PUT IT when the cloth becomes dirty as we change it, the body is also changed to a new form.

Now Let us see what is Brahmam. “BRAHMAN is “the impersonal, supreme and uncognisable Principle of the Universe from the essence of which all emanates, and into which all returns … is incorporeal, immaterial, unborn, eternal, beginningless and endless. It is all-pervading, animating the highest god as well as the smallest mineral atom.”

 

PARABRAHM is “The Supreme Infinite Brahman. ‘Absolute’ – the attributeless, the secondless reality. The impersonal and nameless universal PRINCIPLE.”

What is Advaitha Vedantha? “Vedanta contends that ours is a non-dual reality in which everything that exists is the self, including everything that seems to be ‘not me,’ meaning everything experienceable. If this is true then any and all experience is already the self. From this standpoint the Yoga doctrine that one needs to engage in certain practices like arresting the thoughts to produce a ‘self’ experience or ‘enter the state of the self’ is unnecessary and, in fact, redundant.” - James Swartz

Now Let us find out what is Vishistaadwaitha : VISISHTAADWAITHA IS QUALIFIED NON DUALISM in which LORD VISHNU IS THE ULTIMATE AND HE POSSESSES ALL GOOD QUALITIES. While in SOUTH INDIA it is propagated by H.H. RAMANUJA in NORTH INDIA BY CHAITHANYA MAHAPRABHU. Most probably Worship of Phallus as GOD was not liked by them.

While HH. Adi Shankara  propagated ADAITHA as  Given in SWETHASWATHARA UPANISHAD and other Upanishads in saying that BRHMAN is ABSULUTE who is Omni-present. Omni-potent, omniscient , and also  “SAKSHEE CHETHO KEVALO NIRGUNASCHA”. For him BRAHMAN is a WITNESS TO ALL ACTIONS BY ALL  but without GUNA (THRIGUNAS)i.e. SATHWA (PURITY, LOVE, BENEVOLENCE AND KNOWLEDGE). RAJAS. (ACTIONS SUCH AS BRAVERY and MATERIAL RESULT ORIENTED ACTION etc.), THAMAS ( The correct meaning is DARKNESS However we can say LAZINESS, INERTIA AND DULLNESS) AND ALSO HEADS ALL ACTIONS. 

BUDDISM IS NOT ATHEISTIC.  However they avoid the Word GOD and it Identifies the Universe as GOD. Buddist avoid the term GOD   

“ Jnana or awareness without conceptual constructions is declared to be Brahman. This awareness is unborn, without sleep or dream, without name and form and is omniscient. When there are no thoughts about objects, awareness rests in itself and attains equanimity. This is called contactless concentration or asparsha yoga and even the yogis are afraid of it “.As per DALAI LAMA the HEAD OF BUDDIST PRIESTS OF TIBET, "The purpose of the Buddha coming to this world was not to measure the circumference of the world and the distance between the earth and the moon, but rather to teach the Dharma, to liberate sentient beings, to relieve sentient beings of their sufferings." The FAITH is the THRIGUNAS “a. Uncritical faith: motivation is for no apparent reason b. Longing faith: motivation is led by an emotionally unstable mind c. Conviction: motivated by sound reasoning

In fact H.H. GAUDAPAADA the preceptor of the preceptor of  HH . ADI SHANKARA, called HH.GOVINDA has taken the BUDDIST THEORY in ADVAIDA PHILOSOPHY As per Wikipedia “Gaudapda took over the Buddhist doctrines that ultimate reality is pure consciousness (vijñapti-mātra) and "that the nature of the world is the four-cornered negationGaudapada "wove [both doctrines] into a philosophy of the Mandukaya Upanisad, which was further developed by Shankara". At the same time, Gaudapada emphatically rejected the epistemic idealism of the Buddhists, arguing that there was a difference between objects seen in dreams and real objects in the world, although both were ultimately unreal. He also rejected the pluralism and momentariness of consciousnesses, which were core doctrines of the Vijnanavada school, and their techniques for achieving liberation.

Gaudapada also took over the Buddhist concept of "ajāta" from Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka philosophy, which uses the term "anutpāda". "Ajātivāda", "the Doctrine of no-origination or non-creation, is the fundamental philosophical doctrine of Gaudapada

 Śaṅkara Bhagavatpādācārya or Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, synthesised and rejuvenated the doctrine of Advaita. He consolidated the Advaita Vedanta, an interpretation of the Vedic scriptures that continued the line of thought of some of the Upanishadic teachers, Shankara's teacher Govinda Bhagavatpada, Govinda's teacher Gaudapada, and Gaudapada's teacher Ajativada. His interpretation, including works ascribed to him, has become the normative interpretation of Advaita Vedanta.”.

Shri Gaudapadacharya Math

Shri Gaudapadacharya Math

Around 740 AD Gaudapada founded Shri Gaudapadacharya Math, also known as Kavaḷē maṭha. It is located in Kavale, Ponda, Goa, and is the oldest matha of the South Indian Saraswat Brahmins Unlike other mathas, Shri Gaudapadacharya matha is not a polemical center established to influence the faith of all Hindus, its jurisdiction is limited to only Dakshinatya Saraswat Brahmins.”.

It was HH Adi Shankara who Systematised and incorporated the BUDDIST THEORY In his “VIVEKA CHUDAMANI”. ADI SHANKARA WAS A HINDU PHILOSOPHER OF 8^TH CENTUARY OF CE according to majority of writers.

According to this “BRAHMAM IS ONLY THE REAL AND THE WORLD IS ONLY AN ILLUSION AND THE INDIVIDUAL (SELF) IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM BRAHMAM

SRINGERI MUTT , ONE OF THE MUTTS ESTABLISHED BY ADI SHANKARA has given a short summary of the above as “The eternal, impersonal, consciousness Absolute is the Brahman, the one without a second”.

At a time when BUDDHISM was getting popular and popular with the masses, this synchronisation was essential since HINDUISM was about to be extinguished.

Regarding the GAUDA SARASWATH BRAHMINS, they had no institutions to propagate their religion till perhaps the 5^th Century after the death of Christ. Only after H.H. Gaudapadacharya established KAVALE MUTT in GOA they got a mutt. This was the only MUTT for the entire GAUDA SARASWAT BRAHMINS for more than 100 years or so. Till such a period all GAUDA SARASWATH BRAHMINS were SMARTHA BRAHMINS. 

I feel I may not be justified, if I do not give about THENKALAI, and VADAKALAI SECT of Iyengars. It appears to me since I am not an Iyengar born , Thenkalai Iyengars are thefollowers of  VANAMAALAI MUTT of the famous SIRIPERUMBADUR MUTT, THIRUKOOILR MUTT In VILIIPURAM AND KANCHI DISTRICTS of the present TAMIL NADU. JEEYAR SWAMY MUTT OF TIRUPPATHY, and YATHIRAJA MUTT OF MELKOTTE, MAANDYA DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA, NUNGANERI OF THIRUNELVELLI OF TN. 

VADAKALAI AYENGARS have their Mutt as AHOBILA MUTT, PARAKALA MUTT, SRIRANGAM ANDAVAN ASHRAMAM Etc.Whiile VADAKALAI IYENGARS follow H.H. RAMANUJA, and VEDANTHA DESIKA,  who sport “U” Naamam  which according to the is symbolicism of Lord Vishnu’ s Right foot which they consider as origin of the HINDU RELIGIOUS RIVER THE GANGES, the other section who believe in MANAVALA MAMUNI as their Head, wear “Y” type oordwha Pundram where in the central mark which they call as SRICHURNAM represents GODDESS MAHA LAKSHMI who is the wife of LORD MAHA VISHNU. PROBABLY HH.MANAVALA might be thinking of giving equal rights to women. HH. RAMANUJA was the founder of VISHISTA ADVAITHA who did not like the worship of LINGA and hence called the GOD as LORD VISHNU instead of SHIVA LINGA. This is the only the Main difference between ADVAITHA of H.H. ADI SHANKARA AND H.H. RAMANUJA founder of VISHISHTA ADAIDA IN SOUTH INDIA.

HH MADHWACHAR OR POORNA PRAJNA OR ANANDA MURTHY propounded DUALISM in which the Main Difference is that ATHMAN AND PAMATHMAN ARE DIFFERENT WHILE HH ADI SHANKARA AND   HH. RAMANUJA said that ATMA & PARAMATMA are not different but one and the same. The philosophy is depicted by AHAM BRAHMASMI meaning I am the Brahma. While for Adi SHANKARA the PARABRAHMAM is NIRGUNA FOR HH.  RAMANUJA PARABRAHAMAM is SAGUNA.

I am giving the differences between HH. ADI SHANKARA’s TEACHINGS and HH. RAMANUJA’S TEACHINGS Which I have taken from HINDU BLOG.

 QUOTE  “Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Ramanujacharya are two of the most important saints in Hinduism. They are the fountainhead of two different schools of thought that helps devotees in the path of Moksha. Here is a comparison of the teachings of Adi Shankara and Sri Ramanuja. This is just an attempt to learn the teachings of the two of the greatest teachers.

The teaching of Adi Shankaracharya is generally referred as Advaita Philosophy

The teaching of Sri Ramanujacharya is generally referred as Visishtadvaita Philosophy

Adi Shankara teaches Advaita or oneness of God (Brahman)

Sri Ramanuja teaches Visishta Advaita or oneness of God (Brahman) with attributes.

Adi Shankara – Brahman only exists. Manifestations are temporary. They are the result of ignorance. When ignorance is removed there is no second.

Sri Ramanuja – Brahman exists and his manifestations or attributes are real. Attributes (living and non living) are real but are controlled by Brahman.

Adi Shankara – Moksha or liberation is merging with the Brahman

Sri Ramanuja- Moksha or liberation is residing in Vaikunta near the feet of Srihari Vishnu

Adi Shankara – The world is real until knowledge dawns. To a realized soul the world is unreal.

Sri Ramanuja – The world is real and is connected to the Supreme Truth

Adi Shankara – Individual soul is real until knowledge dawns.

Sri Ramanuja– Individual soul arose from the Brahman and remains forever.

Adi Shankara – Soul merges with Brahman. Through self realization one attains bliss.

Sri Ramanuja – Final destination of soul is Vaikunta. This is attained through devotion and self sacrifice.  

Adi Shankara – Pleasure or pain is the result of Avidya. When knowledge dawn one merges in the ocean of bliss (Brahman)

Sri Ramanuja – Pleasure or pain is the result of the karma of the individual soul.” UNQUOTE

I conclude by quoting from SWETHASWATHAROPANSHAD Thus :-

         QUOTE “  ll  एको देवःसर्वभूतेषु गूडः सर्वव्यापी सर्व भूतान्तराऽत्मा

                                       कर्माद्ध्यक्षः सर्वभूताधिवासः साक्षी चेता केवलो निर्गुणश्च  ll  “ UNQUOTE

                                      -  ST UPANISHAD CHAPTER VI VERSE 11

Regards and Namaskarams,

P.R. RADHAKRISHNAN