Death as Arrival
Tirunādu alaṅgarittār (Tamil: tiru nāḍu = the sacred realm/Vaikuṇṭha + alaṅgarittār = adorned/graced; 'they adorned the sacred realm') is the Śrī Vaiṣṇava expression for a devotee's passing. Rather than saying someone 'died,' the tradition says they 'graced the sacred realm' — expressing the theological certainty that a prapanna (surrendered devotee) attains Vaikuṇṭha at the end of their present life.
Theological Basis
The expression flows from the doctrine of prapatti: once a soul has surrendered to Bhagavān through the Ācārya's grace, liberation (mokṣa) at the end of the current life is certain. Death is not an ending but an arrival — the soul has 'adorned Vaikuṇṭha' by its presence there. The heavenly realm (tirunāḍu) is more beautified by the arrival of this devoted soul.
Community Practice
Using tirunādu alaṅgarittār at the passing of a Śrī Vaiṣṇava is both an act of faith and a comfort to the bereaved — it affirms the scriptural promise and honors the departed devotee's ultimate attainment.