Celebrating the Saint's Birthday
Tirunakṣatram (Tamil: tiru = sacred + nakṣatram = star/asterism; 'the sacred star [birthday]') is the annual festival celebrating the birth of an Āzhvār, Ācārya, or other revered figure on the lunar calendar day (nakṣatra) of their birth. In Śrī Vaiṣṇava communities, these celebrations are major occasions for collective worship, recitation of the saint's works, and community gathering.
Significance
Celebrating a saint's tirunakṣatram expresses ācārya-abhimānam — honoring the Ācārya's grace and presence in one's life. Since the Āzhvārs and Ācāryas are the Lord's direct representatives through whom His grace reached us, their birthdays are occasions of gratitude equal to or exceeding other festivals.
Major Tirunakṣatrams
Key tirunakṣatrams in the Śrī Vaiṣṇava calendar:
- Nammāzhvār — Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī (Mōkṣadā Ekādaśī) in Mārgaḷi
- Rāmānuja — Tiruvadhirai (Ārdrā nakṣatram) in Cittirai
- Maṇavāḷa Māmunigaḷ — Mūlam in Āippasi
- Āṇḍāḷ — Purattāsi Pūram