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Thenthiruperai Kailasanathar Koil

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The 7th among the Nava Kailayam Temples, the Kailasanathar Temple is referred to as Budhan Sthalam

Thiru Kalyanam of Kailasanathar and Azhagiya Ponnammal takes place in Aipasi

Venu Srinivasan’s Trust has been supporting the Gurukal with monthly Sambhavanai and the temple with oil to light the lamps 
Located half a km east of the Nigaril Mugil Vannan Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/09/thenthiruperai-divya-desam.html) is the Kailasanathar Koil in Thenthiruperai, the 7thamong the Nava Kailayam Temples on the banks of Tamaraibarani. While the Divya Desam is referred to as a Sukra Sthalam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/09/then-thiruperai.html), the Kailasanathar temple is a Budhan Sthalam. Hence, with this combination of Sukran and Budhan, Thenthiruperai is seen a Princely Town. Given this, Nandi is always seen with a ‘Raja’ Kreedam.

Romasa Rishi’s penance – Tamaraibarani banks
Seeking Mukthi, Romasa Rishi, the disciple of Agastya, went to his preceptor who was performing penance at the Pothigai Hills and asked for the way to attain this. Agastya picked up 9 Lotus buds from his Kamandalam and let them down. He asked Romasa Rishi to install a Shiva Lingam at each of the places where this bud rests and to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva at each of those places. It was here on the Southern banks of Tamaraibarani at Thenthiruperai that the 7th  lotus bud stopped.

One finds a number of inscriptions on the walls of the temple.
Sivakaminathan Gurukal took over last year with a single minded devotion to get the Aradhana and Pooja patterns back on stream. He is also keen to revive the Brahmotsavam that has come to a half for lack of funds. That is likely to cost at least Rs. 2.5Lakhs and there are not enough donors at the moment.

Venu Srinivasan’s Trust has been supporting him with a reasonable Sambhavanai and oil to light the lamps each month. But a lot more is required. At least 7 litres of oil is required just for Abhishekam.

Revival of Festivals
The Gurukal has revived some of the historical utsavams.  Thiru Kalyanam takes place in Aipasi when Lord and Azhagiya Ponnammal are seen in special attire. Anna Abhishekam is organized on Chitrai and Aipasi Visu and on the full moon day in Aipasi. The Navarathri is celebrated in a grand manner with the Gurukal decorating Ambal with a special alankara on each of the 9 days. The Thiruvathirai Festival for Lord Nataraja is also a grand ustsavam here.

On the Rohini star in Thai, Varsha Abhishekam is organized. 
Prasadam for the Lord
Every morning, curd rice is presented to the Lord while every evening a specific variety of Sundal is presented.

The temple is open between 630am-1130am and 5pm-730pm. Contact Sivakaminathan Gurukal @ 97883 64793.

The Nava Kailayam Temples West of Tirunelveli are Kodaganallur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/08/kodaganallur-kailasanathar-temple.html), Cheran Maha Devi  (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/cheran-maha-devi-amma-nathar-koil.html) and Papanasam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/papanasam-nava-kailayam.html)

Srivaikuntam Kailasanathar Koil

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A Six Day Badra Kaali Amman Utsavam was followed by a Grand 10 day Brahmotsavam in Chitrai
Bhootha Nathar Vahana Procession on the 3rd day is a speciality at this temple

Several Exquisite Sculptures dating back to the Pandya and Nayak Period are seen inside the temple 
The Kailasanathar temple in Sri Vaikuntam, the 6thamong the Nava Kailayam temples is replete with beautiful sculptures just as the Kallarpiran Divya Desam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/05/srivaikuntam-vaikunta-nathan-divya.html), a few hundred yards west.

As one enters the temple from the Eastern Entrance (and it is possible now unlike in the past), one finds two beautifully sculpted Yaali at the Alankara Mandapam. It is here that Kailasanathar and Sivagami Ambal are decorated prior to the Utsava procession.

All around this mandapam, one finds exquisite depiction of historical episodes. The 10 headed Lankan King Ravana is seen playing the Veena, something that he was renowned for. The artiste has paid special attention to featuring his 20 hands that stands extended on both sides.

Opposite this sculpture is another beautiful one of Koothapiran seen in a ‘Koothu’ posture with Nandi beating the drums, Banasura playing the Pancha Vathyam and Karaikkal Ammayar presenting the Thalam. Pathanjali Rishi is seen in a posture of invoking the blessings of the Lord. 

Another marvellous depiction is that of Veerabhadrar, seen with his right leg lifted up and the left leg placed on Dakshan, with his tail swirled around his neck.
A festival for Badra Kali Amman – The Security Guard
Historically, the Brahmotsavam and the events leading up to it were celebrated in a grand manner. Prior to the flag hoisting signaling the commencement of the Brahmotsavam, there was a six day Utsavam for Badra Kali Amman, the security guard of the temple. A seppu idol of Badra Kali Amman was taken from the Kailasanathar Temple to the Badra Kali Amman Temple, located in the middle of lush green fields North West of the temple.  After aradhana at the temple there, it was brought back to the Kailasanathar temple. On succeeding days, an utsavam was organized for Pillayar, Murugan and the three great Saint Poets. Only after this series of events was the flag hoisted for the Brahmotsavam.
However, in recent decades, the Badra Kali Amman Utsavam leading up to the Brahmotsavam has been reduced to a single day utsavam!!!

Bhootha Nathar – The Speciality of Srivaikuntam
Like the Horse Vahana of Azhagar Koil, the Kailasanathar Koil in Srivaikuntam has come to be renowned for the Bhootha Nathar Vahana. The story goes that unprecedented floods in the Tamaraibarani in the early 18th century wiped out the entire Sepparai temple, west of Srivaikuntam. The Bhootha Nathar Vahana with an inscription on it was washed ashore at Sri Vaikuntam near the Kailasanathar temple.
The entire village of Sepparai accepted the episode as Lord’s wish of handing over Bhootha Nathar Vahana to the Sri Vaikuntam temple. From that day, this Vahana has been seen as God’s gift to Sri Vaikuntam. The 4 ½ feet tall Bhootha Nathar is seen with a big moustache with his two hands facing the sky. It is only after the presentation of respects to Bhootha Nathar, Brahmotsavam begins at this temple. A garland of Vadai and Puliyotharai is presented to Bhootha Nathar. One of the special features is that Bhootha Nathar is seen in a separate sannidhi, such is the importance accorded to him at this temple.

On the third day of the Brahmotsavam, the Lord goes on a grand street procession atop Bhootha Nathar.

Moolavar Vimanam
Past the Artha Mandapam too one finds several beautiful sculptures typical of those seen in this region including at the Divya Desam in Sri Vaikuntam. Atop the Moolavar sannidhi is a 14 feet high Vimana that dates back to the period of the Pandyas.
The Posture of Ambal
Facing South Sivagami Ambal provides darshan in ‘Thiribaangi’ Posture holding a flower in one hand.

Veera Pandya Kattabomman and Sri Vaikuntam
The temple whose legend dates back to Sage Agastya and his disciple Romasa Rishi has seen renovation and several improvements during the Pandya and Nayak periods. During the British rule, it was here in Sri Vaikuntam that the entire paddy collected from the region as tax was stored.  Veera Pandya Kattabomman’s team picked up the stored paddy as a mark of protest against the British tyranny in collecting tax from the TN farmers.

The Pillais of Srivaikuntam
Over 600 years ago, the Pillais of Ramnad made their way to Srivaikuntam and built a large fort near the temple. For six centuries, this had remained a strong fort until it was converted to a housing unit recently. Their descendants continue to contribute to the grand conduct of the festivals both at the Divya Desam and Kailasanathar temple in Srivaikuntam.

Safety of Women 
A unique rule  that was in force through out that period was that the women would not go out of the fort. Similarly no outside boy, aged above 5 was allowed inside the fort.

Past the Alankara Mandapam, one finds another set of exquisite sculptures at the Mani Mandapam - dedicated to Nandi, Suryan and Chandran. 
Daily Sacred Water from Tamaraibarani
Similar to the tradition at the Ranganathaswamy Divya Desam in Srirangam of water being brought for the Lord from the sacred river, water is brought every day from the Tamaraibarani to the beating of drums for Uchchi Kala Abhishekam.

The Big Eastern Entrance
Typical of many temples in remote locations (Nava Tirupathi is an exception) several of the historical events have come to a halt in recent decades.

The huge entrance door in the East had remained in a dilapidated condition for long and shut for several decades, except at the time of the big festival. This was restored only during the recent Kumbabhishekam in 2014, thus paving the way for the reopening of the Eastern entrance which has traditionally been the entrance to the Kailasanathar Sannidhi.

Defunct Chariots
Historically there were two chariots including one for Ambal. The Chariot Festival was part of the grand Chitrai Brahmotsavam. The Ambal chariot has remained defunct for decades while the one dedicated to Kailasanathar has also now become dilapidated and unfit to run.

Festivals
Theerthavari on Chitrai Day in Chitrai
7th day Nataraja is seen in Red attire while on the 8th he sports Green

Ambal goes on an inner prakara procession on each of the days of the Navarathri Utsavam in Puratasi
10 day Thiru Kalyanam Utsavama in Aipasi with the Lord providing darshan on the Theppa Kulam Stree on the 11th day

Nava Kailayam Legend


In memory of the legendary episode relating to this Nava Kailayam temple, an idol of Romasa Rishi, who installed the Lingam of Lord Kailasanathar at this place on the banks of Tamaraibarani, is also seen inside the temple.

Historical Inscriptions dating back to the 15th Century
There are several inscriptions seen on the walls of the temple dating back several centuries. These provide insights into festivals, contributions to the temple.

An inscription dating back to Veera Pandyan II to 1443 refers to contributions pooled together by the people of Sri Vaikuntam, a fund that was to be used for renovations and for Thaligai for the Lord.

Tax free Lands were donated in Varagunamangai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/08/varagunamangai-divya-desam.html),  a km east of the temple, income from which was to be used for the maintenance of the temple

An inscription dating to 1438AD records that tax free lands were donated in Varagunamangai to provide for rice (for Thaligai), flower garlands and sandal for ‘Daily Saathupadi’ for the Lord (to facilitate the beautiful alankaram).

Inscriptions from that period refer to this place as Rajendra Chaturvedi Mangalam and the temple as Kailasa Nayanar Koil.

Another inscription records the presentation of 4 Naazhi rice each to the priest and to his son for the performance of their service at the temple.

The temple is open between 630am-1230pm and 430pm-8pm. Contact K Gurunatha Bhattar @ 97917 64392 / 04630 256492

Srirangam Prasadam Stall

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HR & CE has converted ‘Food’ into a lucrative business inside the temple complex

Food Counter auctioned for around Rs. 1crore at the Srirangam temple, that’s a mind boggling Rs. 30000 a day

Food made outside the Madapalli and not presented to the Lord is wrongfully sold as ‘Prasadam’
Till the 1970s, devotee crowd was minimal and restricted to the respective local town. The devotees looked for Theertham and Shatari in Vaishnavite Temples as the blessing from the Lord. At the Saivite temple, sacred ash and kungumam were considered as the blessing for the day. The food presented to the Lord was distributed amongst the devotees present based on the quantity available.

It has been historical tradition and belief that prasadam of the God is to be consumed in minimal quantity and devotees typically shared even this minimal quantity handed to them with other devotees who missed out.

But like so many other twists that have happened inside temple in recent decades, the concept of prasadam and the way it has been positioned and now viewed too has undergone a dramatic change. The new wave of devotion that has struck devotees has seen them buy food from the so called prasadam stalls. It may have nothing to do with the historical concept of prasadam and how it is to be consumed. The new set of devotees – and they are in huge majority- is comfortable buying and eating food inside the temple. In most case, a temple trip is incomplete without the consumption of the now popular delicacies of the respective temple.

The Srirangam Temple
Till the 1970s, paniyaram at the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam was presented to the Lord and brought to Sri Pandaram, where it was sold to devotees. It was on a very small scale. The traditionalists who understood the process waited near the flag post at the Ariya Bhattal Vaasal and picked up the real ‘hot’ prasadam.

It was a period when Trustees held a strangle hold on the temple and its functioning. The trustees ensured that the temple activities were performed in an orderly manner. HR & CE played less of a role.

However, with HR and CE gaining dominance in the 1970s and in the subsequent decades, things began to turn hugely commercial. The focus shifted to generating revenue out of the open spaces in the temple. Out of nowhere, a small 200 feet space opposite the Garuda Sannidhi was converted to a food counter disguised as a Prasadam stall.

But even the HR and CE would not have visualized the potential of this new revenue model, one that was to turn into a big money spinner for them across the large temples in Tamil Nadu. 
Prasadam - The Food presented to God?
Prasadam is food made at the Madapalli in a pious way and presented to the Lord / Thayar/Ambal and distributed to the devotees in small quantity. It is not something that is to be ‘sold’ for a price.

However, in the new few decades old model, food is made far away from the Madapalli and is even brought in many temples from outside the temple complex.  It is also food and snacks prepared by non-traditional people. And yet the foolhardy devotees have fallen for the ‘devotional quotient’, for the HR & CE sold this as ‘Prasadam’, the sacred food of the Lord when there was very little element of sacredness about the food.

As decades passed by, the value of the stall went through the roof. Driven by the physical hunger (after having been inside the temple for a couple of hours) and a belief that they were consuming Godly food within the temple, devotees queued by in large numbers through the day to pick up different varieties that was on offer at the food counter.

Delicious Menu on Offer
The menu on offer had a luring element to it, so as to entice the devotees into believing that this was from the God. And the devotees fell for it, the young and old, the modern and the traditionalist. Laddu, Athirasam, Chakkarai Pongal, ‘Mysore’ Paakku and Puliyotharai gave devotees the feel that it was Prasadam. Little did they know that this was food that was neither made at the Madapalli nor presented to the Lord. 
From the Past - The Unofficial Kitchen at the Srirangam Temple

Demand drives Combo Offers
Encouraged by the huge demand, the food stall put together combo offers which included a variety of snacks packed in a cotton bag that devotees took back home. Sales sky rocketed and the HR and CE cashed in heavily on this opportunity to bolster its income from the temple. The annual price (that the franchise had to pay the HR & CE) of the small food stall is said to have gone up to a mind boggling Rs. 1 crore, amounting to roughly Rs. 28000 a day. It had now become a full fledged business inside the temple. Give this huge tender price, one can imagine the sales that one has to generate each day to recover this money and run as a profitable business.

Over a 3-4 decade period, HR and CE, across all temples in Tamil Nadu, coined the vulgar title of ‘Prasadam’ stall misguiding devotees to consume outside made eateries as the Lord’s Prasadam.

One of the Sthalathars of the Srirangam Temple was a little more forgiving. "When devotees now enter the temple, their mind is on the food / prasadam. The food made at the madapalli is just not enough to distribute to the devotees. It is better to eat something inside the temple complex than consuming food  in a restaurant outside, though I am not fully defending what is happening inside the temple."

When Chairman, Board of Trustees Venu Srinivasan tried to shift the older and the smaller of the stalls from the Sri Pandaram, as part of the temple restoration exercise, he faced stiff resistance on the grounds that he was hitting at the very survival of a Sri Vaishnavite family.

To shift the more recently and just a few decades old official food stall of the temple will be an onerous task if not near impossible for it generates huge revenue for the HR & CE.

One of the members of the Temple Worshippers Society filed a case against the sale of food at the Chidambaram temple. 

Prasadam is to be distributed, 'Not Sold'
Temple Activist TR Ramesh, who played a significant role in securing the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple back for the Dikshithars a few years back, refers to an ancient verse relating to the temple that food is to be 'distributed'. He is not happy that food, even though prepared at the Madapalli, is ‘sold’ for a price. 

First the Devotional Wave, Now the Food Wave
Wrongs over several decades have now been formalized as the rights of the temple and have become part and parcel of the system, misguiding the devotee in the process. A long distance has been travelled since the 1970s and it will require a herculean effort to undo the wrongs that have now come to be part of everyday life at the temples in Tamil Nadu. 

The devotees, on their part, can resist from ‘buying’ and consuming food wrongfully sold in the name of Prasadam. However, it seems that it does not matter to the devotee anymore as the taste buds have succumbed and given way to temptations even inside the temple, a place where God expects devotees to ‘Give-Up’. And it is this temptation that HR and CE has cashed on, in a vulgar way. They have understood the mood and requirement of a devotee after darshan and have catered to that need. 

Delicious food, call it by what name, is difficult to resist for the normal human mind even in a sacred zone like the temple complex. Chakkarai Pongal at the Parthasarathy Temple in Thiruvallikeni Divya Desam, Panchamirtham at the Murugan temple in Palani and Athirasaram at Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple are all made outside of the madapalli through auctioned contracts.

Devotees are now well entrenched in a cycle that ends with consumption of food from the official stall outsourced by the HR & CE. They are happy to ignore the truth that there is no sacred element to the food. Just like the new devotional wave that swept the state over the last decade and a half, the food wave inside the temple is unlikely to subside anytime soon. 

Rajapathy Nava Kailayam

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A Huge Modern Kailasanathar Temple has been constructed at the original location of this Nava Kailayam Sthalam

The historical temple was washed away Centuries ago in the floods that struck Tamaraibarani
13 day Brahmotsavam in Chitrai, Street Procession through the month of Margazhi

Work is under way to construct the tallest Raja Gopuram in the region

A few centuries ago, the floods in the Tamaraibarani that had destroyed the Sepparai Temple near Srivaikuntam also brought to ground the Kailasanathar temple in Rajapathy, the 8th among the Nava Kailayam temples. Nothing was left except a small symbolic stone, depicting the presence of the temple, 4 kms East of Thenthiruperai  Nava Kailaya Sthalam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/09/thenthiruperai-kailasanathar-koil.html).

For centuries the temple had remained in ruins. A decade ago the devotees came together to rebuild the temple, from scratch with large sannidhis for Kailasanathar and Soundarya Nayaki. Today, what one finds is a truly modern temple positioned to the devotees as ‘Then Kalahasti’!!!

Everything about the temple is grand from the flooring to the prakaram, symbolic of modern construction. A seven Tier 150 feet high Raja Gopuram, the tallest in the region, is under construction and is likely to be completed next year. Work is also on to complete the idols for the 63 Nayanmars and the 4 Saint Poets.

The legend relating to Nava Kailayam has it that Romasa Rishi, the disciple of Agastya, went to his preceptor who was performing penance at the Pothigai Hills seeking Mukthi. Agastya picked up 9 Lotus buds from his Kamandalam and let them down. He asked Romasa Rishi to install a Shiva Lingam at each of the places where this bud rests and to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva at each of those places.  The 8th among those came to a halt here at Rajapathy on the banks of Tamaraibarani. 
Festivals
The annual Brahmotsavam has been revived with a 13 day utsavam in Chitrai.

Monthly utsavams too have been started including Aani Magam Utsavam, Aani Uthiram Utsavam and Natarajar Abhishekam. 

Street procession of the Lord through the entire month of Margazhi too has been revived. Classes educating devotees on Saivite Siddhantham are conducted on all the days of Margazhi.


The temple is open between 7am-12noon and 4pm-8pm. Contact C Lakshmana Sivachariyar @ 97873 82258.

Pazhur Patshala Revival

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30 year old Neelakantan rejects lucrative offers, moves to the once renowned Pazhur Patshala, aims to create students as 'iconic' examples in Dharma Sastras

He has created a corpus using OCR technology and has an instant resource base of 2100 books on Sastras
A young 30 year old has just begun a long journey in his quest to protect the Sastras. R Neelakantan has quit a high paying job at a Vedic Patshala in Madras and moved to Pazhur, a remote town on the Western outskirts of Tiruchirapalli in an effort to revive the once renowned Patshala.

Not so much in the distant past, the entire town of Pazhur was filled with Vedic Vidwans and the streets reverberated with Vedic recital. For almost half a century, the patshala in Pazhur ranked among the best in the State. Angarai V Krishna Ganapadigal served there as a teacher for 45years and produced several eminent Vedic scholars. His son, popularly referred to as Matunga Ganesh Vadhyar, is said to be the Number One Vedic Teacher in Bombay.

Just under a century ago Ramachandra Iyer, the then collector of Karur, with an intention to protect Vedantham created a Vedic Patshala in Pazhur. He created a trust, allocated lands in the town and directed that the income from the lands be handed over to the Vedic Trust to run the Patshala. The Trust still owns 4 houses in Pazhur.

This was one of the only three Brahmin run Patshalas in the State, the others being the ones in Thiruvidaimaruthur and Manakkal, near Tiruvarur.

Quality of Pazhur Patshala
The story goes that the Chettiar Patshalas that were in dominance in Tamil Nadu would not accept any break away students from the Pazhur Patshala. The view was that those who could not survive Pazhur were unlikely to survive elsewhere such was the parental guidance of the Acharyas at Pazhur.

It was one of the few Patshalas in the previous century that combined both Vedas and Sastras. However since the 1980s, the Patshala saw a downturn coinciding with the trend of the traditionalists moving away into full time academics.

Neelakantan, who belongs to the fifth generation of Vedic Scholars, has set out on an onerous task of reviving the century old patshala. He studied only till class 2 in a formal school and moved to the Raja Patshala in Kumbakonam for Vedic Education at the age of seven. Later he completed class X, Class XII and MA through the Open University Model (NIOS).  After 8 years at the Raja Patshala, he learnt Sanskrit from Mullai Vasal Krishnamurthi Sastrigal.

Neelakantan then moved to Pune where for 5 years he was under President awardee Devadutta Gannda Patil. He learnt Nyaya Sastras and Meemaamsa Sastras at the Sanskrit College in Madras.

After his five year initiation at Pune, he became a guest lecturer at Venkateswara Vedic University in Tirupathi. Over the last three years, he taught Sastras at Jagath Guru Vidya Bhavan, Ambattur. However, he was keen to move away to a traditional location away from the distractions of a city life.

The wife's supportive role
He was already earning a high salary in Madras  and his friends and relatives warned him about the likely lifestyle changes in a remote location such as Pazhur, and discouraged him from the move. But Neelakantan was not to be undone by such comments. His young wife, much against the current trend has supported him in his decision and happily moved to Pazhur in June this year with their two daughters. His wife also doubles up as a full time cook for the entire bunch of students at the Patshala. For the last four months, she has been waking up early morning and taking care of the entire requirements of the students including cooking for all them, in addition to taking care of her two young daughters. Neelakantan has already undertaken an oath that he will get his two daughters married only to Vaideehas, so this tradition continues.

Besides being a full time Guru at the Pazhur Patshala, he also teaches at the Madhwa Patshala in Srirangam and at the Sankara Mutt Patshala in Thiruvanaikaval. His brothers, Vyakarana Ratnam Manikanda Ganapadigal and Nyaya Ratnam Veda Vachaspathy Brahmashree Subramanya Ganapadigal run the Patshala in Thiruvanaikaval and support him at the Pazhur Patshala as guest lecturers.

Gurukulam Model
He has clear views on how a Patshala should be run in the current scenario “Each student has different capabilities and interest. The absorption ability too is different for different students. One has to understand this. Thus he has devised a customized model that takes into account the capabilities of each student. Such customization is not possible in universities or in large institutions and is a viable option only in a Gurukulam model of education.” He talks personally each day to each of his students to create and sustain their interest in Vedas and Sastras. And the result, even at this very early stage is there to see. The students seem to have bonded really well with the Guru and are with him all the time discussing very issues relating to the Vedas and Sastras. It is a vibrant environment at the Patshala and there is chanting all through the day. 

Neelakantan conducts a surprise inspection at 3pm with one of his students to see where he has reached that day. And tells him in a friendly tone that he will do another re-check later in the evening on the progress made.  That's truly inspiring for any student, for a Guru to pay such personalised attention through the day. 

Shortage of Experts on Sastras
There are serious issues relating to protection of Vedas and Sastras. He bemoans the fact that in the last few decades only five students have completed both Vedas and Sastras in the entire State. In the century gone by, when there were doubts on Sastras, there were real experts who would come out and clarify. Currently, if there are serious doubts on any issues relating to the 18 Puranas, there is none to look up to. There are no experts on Dharmas Sastras.

At the Thiruvanaikaval Patshala, in the last 35 years, prior to its revival in 2012, only two students had appeared for the Vedic Examination. Since the time his brothers took charge of the Patshala in 2012, 8 students have already presented the examination, a dramatic transformation indeed. 

Neelakantan's focus at the Pazhur Patshala is primarily on Sastras, with an eye on developing the analytical ability of the students. He encourages his students to debate on issues relating to the Sastras. As one watches him from a corner at the Pazhur Patshala, one can sense the great relationship that he has forged with his students. Each of them is seen listening to him with great interest. A couple of them are seen engaged in a heated debate with the teacher on issues relating to Ekadasi and Dwadasi and the process to be followed on these days by Vaishnavites, Saivites and others.

He has been practicing Dharma Sastras for the last 6 years.


Using Technology to Protect Sastras
From a young age, Neelakantan was interested in technology and took an oath to protect the Sastras through effective use of technology. He has been constantly exploring ways to use technology to improve the traditional way of life and as a tool in everyday life to protect our Sastras.

As the first step in this direction, he sourced an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for Sanskrit from Germany and has created an offline corpus that now includes 2100 Sanskrit books with indepth insights into our Sastras. Within a few minutes, he can now get reference to any content from these 2100 books which was hitherto not possible. It is to be remembered that Dharma Sastras require proof to be told for every query unlike the Vedas which focuses purely on recital.

On the anvil is an exclusive Vaideeha magazine to support the Vaideehas across the country. He has created an online Vaideeha group comprising of 130 people across TN to exchange thoughts on Sastras.

Just a Book Keeper of Sastras
Neelakantan exhibits great sense of modesty for his age. His phone does not stop ringing as I sit near him through the day. Many Vaideehas from across the country seek free solutions from him as an expert on critical issues relating to Dharma Sastras. They take forward his solutions with their customers and make money out of it. But Neelakantan remains unflustered for he sees himself as just a book keeper who God has assigned to protect and safe guard the Dharma Sastras. He is happy doing that irrespective of the financial challenges he faces now after the move to a remote location such as Pazhur.

Rejecting Lucrative Offers
Lucrative offers came his way from across TN as is the trend these days (the immediate rush to capture those that are good) but he has resisted the temptation to go after money. While monetary compensation is important, he believes that doing good, teaching and passing our historical traditions to others are just as important. Spreading knowledge is ultimately good. Everything reduces after you have given, but his knowledge seems to grow after every such conversation and dissemination, is his view.

He is keen to stay put at Pazhur and churn out a bunch of students who are well versed in both Vedas and Sastras. Currently he finds them sitting in two unaligned corners. His ultimate goal is to bring the two together and is hoping that he will be able to take some steps in this direction in the next 10 years. He is looking to develop the students at the once renowned Pazhur Pathshala as iconic examples in Sastras.

As is the case with such stories, the financial remuneration to him is very minimal. The physical pressure on the wife is very high, having to cook for the entire bunch of students, day in day out. There is little financial incentive or premium attached to a young scholar who has chosen to create the NextGen after rejecting other lucrative offers away from teaching. 

But Neelakantan is unmindful of these challenges and is determined to help protect the Sastras.

Uthamar Seeli Venugopalan Temple

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Will processions be revived at this historical Chozha period temple now administered by the HR & CE

The handsome Utsavar Idol has been in lock and key at the Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval for Several Decades – The last horse vahana purapadu took place way back in 1956 a few year prior to the huge floods in the Cauvery

Efforts to conduct a Garuda Sevai this year failed, with the HR & CE refusing to release the Utsava Deity in the current heated environment 
It is an ancient temple but forgotten for all accounts by the HR & CE who are playing it safe. Four decades ago, the road from Srirangam to Koviladi via Kallanai along the banks of the Cauvery was a dark narrow stretch with no street lights along the 25km path. The  road was full of pits right through to Appakudathan despite this serving as the shortest route to Kumbakonam from Srirangam via Thiruvayaru. The most popular temple on this route was the Appakudathan Divya Desam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/11/108-divya-desam-koviladi-appakudathaan.html), 10kms West of Kallanai, but that too lay in complete darkness for a long period of time.

Even as one passed Thiruvanaikaval on to the Kallanai Road, one found greenery all around on the Northern side with the Cauvery running along the Southern stretch.

Rarely did devotees stop by for any temple on this route till they reached the Appakudathan Divya Desam in Koviladi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/11/thirupper-nagar-koviladi-divya-desam.html). One of the ancient temples that got the slip each time was the Venugopalan Temple in Uthamar Seeli, a few kms East of Kallanai.

However, this entire stretch from Srirangam to Koviladi has seen a dramatic infrastructure improvement in recent times. Street lights now glow bright through the 25 km route along the Cauvery banks and the road has been widened beyond one's imagination.

Uthamar Seeli and the worst floods in half a century
Just over 50 years ago, when the Srirangam belt saw its worst floods in almost 75years, it was this village of Uthamar Seeli that bore the brunt, for the excess water from the Cauvery was let out into this village to prevent flooding along the banks on this stretch. Thankfully the large temple believed to have been constructed in the grand old period of the Chozhaz remained strong and safe.

Muslim Invasion and the Uthamar Seeli Temple
Seven Centuries ago, when the Muslim invaded this region and the Srirangam temple was affected, this temple too felt an impact. The Moolavar idol dating back to that period was damaged but was protected. To this day, one finds within the temple complex that ancient idol with a broken hand.

The Handsome Standing Posture
The handsome Venugopalan, seen in a tall standing posture is playing the flute flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi Thaayar. There is a separate sannidhi for Aravinda Nayaki Thayar. Within the surprisingly huge temple complex, one finds a beautiful nandavanam with tall trees forming part of the outside prakaram, leaving devotees surprised at the existence of such a large temple on the banks of the Cauvery, near Srirangam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/09/108-divya-desams-srirangam-lord.html).

No Procession in 60 years
The beautiful utsavar deity of Venugopalan has been placed in security at the Jambukeswarar temple in Thiruvanaikaval (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/thiruvanaikaval-jambukeswarar.html). Efforts were made to secure release of the processional deity for a Garuda Sevai this year but given the issues relating to theft of idols across HR & CE administered temples the department refuse to release the idol from their custody, leaving the devotees to wonder the purpose behind having a processional idol when an ancient temple is not able to conduct utsavams and street processions for them to have darshan. 
The temple comes under the administration of Uthamar Koil Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/05/108-divya-desam-uthamar-koil.html).

Three Generations of Service but at no Salary from the HR & CE
The Parijarakar, who also doubles up as the Bhattar, has been here for three generations with his father and grandfather too having donned the role at this temple. The villagers are hopeful that in the current environment where one is seeing a devotional wave across temples in Tamil Nadu the historical utsavams will be revived at this temple by the HR & CE.

It is the same story relating to the salary of the priest as well. For decades, the priest/parijaraka has not been any salary by the HR & CE that is worth mentioning. Over the last 10 years, devotees have come together to contribute a reasonable amount for his daily survival and that is how this temple has seen at least some maintenance on a daily basis.

Previous Horse Vahana Purapadu in 1956
Prior to the huge floods in the early 1960s, Horse Vahana Purapadu was a regular feature at this temple in Chitrai, with devotees from all the nearby villages up to Kallanai gathering here to witness Lord Venugopalan on the Horse Vahana. The last of this procession took place in 1956. For the last 60 years, the HR & CE have consistently refused to release the utsava deity on the pretext of safety issues at the temple. The Horse Vahana, with a broken front leg, is still seen inside the temple complex. 
The general view is that it is pointless to have a processional deity locked up 15kms away in another temple thus preventing processions of the Lord both inside the temple and outside. Devotees were keen to revive the procession on the occasion of Krishna Jayanthi this year but that too died down without hope for the same reason.

Once in a while, Thirumanjanam takes place for the Lord but that is all there is at the moment in terms of celebrating the Lord with the current generation of devotees not having seen the Utsava deity at all at this temple.

The Utsava Deity should remain at the same temple
It is this attitude of the HR & CE that prompted Narasimha Gopalan Acharya of Mannar Koil, near Ambasamudram to file a case in the High Court asking for the respective temples to house the Utsava deity in its own complex as against HR & CE’s practice of keeping it locked far away in a more popular temple, thus preventing processions that are sacred to a temple’s annual exercise. 
Time will tell if the HR & CE officials at Uthamar Koil (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2011/12/tri-murthy-utsavam-in-uthamar-koil.html), where the annual Tri Murthy Utsavam takes place in Karthigai with a grand purapadu, will release the Utsava Idol and house it back at Uthamar Seeli that will allow for the first procession of the Lord in over 60 years.

One will have to wait and watch.

The temple is open between 730am and 12noon and between 4pm and 7pm. Contact Sridhar Bhattar @ 97502 52299.

Uthamar Seeli is about 10kms from West of Thiruvanaikaval on the Northern banks of Cauvery along the Kallanai Road. Buses ply frequently between Chatiram bus stand and Kallanai.

Shozhanganallur Gopalakrishnan Temple

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84 year old Sethuram Iyengar rides a TVS motorcycle every morning from Killiyanallur to light the lamp and perform pooja but HR & CE has completely ignored this ancient temple that is lying in dilapidated condition for several decades

Snakes and Bats welcome him inside the dark temple  but his devotion has led him to fearlessly perform pooja

Growth of trees around the Vimana has led to the ancient stone structure falling off 

The Utsava Idol has been in safety locker at the temple in Kodiyalam on the Southern Banks of Cauvery 

It is one of those temples that  not been benefited by the overall infrastructure development and lays in a dilapidated condition in a remote location in the midst of large barren piece of land.

The Centuries old Gopalakrishnan Temple in Shozhanganallur, about 5kms North of Sirugambur near Mukkombu is reminiscent of the state of many of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu in the 1970s and 80s. While many, especially the Azhvaar praised Divya Desams, saw a restoration starting from the 1990s, this one remains ignored. With restoration in mind, Balalayam was done 50years ago but the repair works haven’t even started in the five decades that has passed.

84 year old Sethurama Iyengar stays in Killiyanallur (on the Trichy – Namakkal highway) about  10kms from the temple. His forefathers had performed pooja at this temple for many years in the 20thcentury. His grandfather walked all the way bare footed from Killiyanallur in the hot sun to perform pooja at this temple. There was a Madapalli too in those decades that was fully functional. ‘Amuthu Parai’ stands as proof of the existence of the Madapalli at this temple. 

In the later part of the 20th Century, the temple found no takers and remained in a locked condition for several years till finally the Villagers joined hands and approached Sethurama Iyengar to take care of the temple.  Over two decades ago, he re-opened the temple and has been performing pooja every day.

Notwithstanding his old age, he starts his TVS XL motor cycle (gifted to him by his son!!) and rides through the pit filled road via Sirugambur to reach the temple every morning to light the lamp.
Similar to what happened in many temples (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/02/erettai-tirupathi-transformation.html) in the dark days of the 70s and 80s, Sethurama Iyengar enters the temple cautiously watching out for the snakes that have been crawling around in the corner. Every morning, he has to undergo this trauma. He says that there were times when the snake would hiss when he entered. For a while he has not heard that hiss but is always worried that it might turn up one morning in that dark little sannidhi. There are bats as well. It is truly scary to enter the temple even during the day.

His daily route includes lighting the lamp and presenting an arathi to Lord Gopalakrishnan. If there are devotees coming the way of the temple, he stays back. Else, he returns carefully maneuvering the two wheeler through pits along the muddy road to Sirugambur.

There was a sacred well as well inside the temple complex but that too has remained untouched for decades.
As seen in the story on Uthamar Seeli (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/10/uthamar-seeli-venugopalan-temple.html), the processional deity here too has been kept away at the Perumal Temple Kodiyalam for several decades. The moolavar deity, Gopalakrishnan, looks handsome but has been left alone in this remote village in the company of snakes and bats. 


Historically, he says that the Lord of Shozhanganallur used to send annual gifts to Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam and that the service personnel at this temple used to carry the gift on a long 20km trip, with a couple of the personnel holding the Theevatti in the front to light the path. But that was a thing from the past.

Dilapidated State
The temple is currently in a badly damaged condition now. The path leading to the temple is full of thorns. Every devotee who enters the village is welcomed with the same message “Will the temple finally see the light.” But the villagers point out that the talk of renovation and restoration of the temple has been going on for several years and that they don’t believe this story any longer. The prakaram is full of sharp stones. The roof is in danger of falling any time. The outer wall is broken. The entrance to the temple is bereft of any wall. Utsavams have not taken place for several decades, with the processional idol in safe custody at Kodiyalam on the Southern banks of Cauvery. The Vimana is surrounded by a thick growth of trees that has caused damaged to the ancient stone structure, that is now falling off .
There is even talk of ASI taking over this heritage structure.

The temple is administered by the HR & CE but as is the case with ‘revenue-less’ temples, the department is not too eager to undertake any repair works.  The Villagers are hoping that some enlightened soul will turn up one day and restore this small temple. 

Sethurama Iyengar @ 97875 72556 is readily available through the day to take the 10 km ride to showcase the state of the temple to any interested devotee.

Kaalayar Koil Kaleeswaarar Temple

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Thiru Gnana Sambanadhar praises the Lord of Kaanapper as one who provides peace of mind and happiness to true devotees

The 155 feet Raja Gopuram is one of the tallest in the region 
The 200th Thevaram Sthalam at Kaalayar Koil, praised by Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar, is unique in that there are three temples for Lord Shiva and Ambal inside the temple complex. It is one of the biggest managed by Sivagangai Rani. The temple tank – Gaja Pushkarani - too is huge and is associated with a legendary tale relating to Indra’s elephant.

Raja Gopuram
While the historical entry to the temple was through the 90 feet Raja Gopuram for Kaleeswarar built by Maara Varma Sundara Pandyan in the 7th Century AD, the current entry point to the temple is through  a more recent 155 feet Raja Gopuram South of the old Gopuram for Someswarar built by Maruthu Pandyan, in the 18th Century.  This again is one of the tallest in the region.

While Kaleeswarar was the original temple at Kalayar Koil, the Sundareswarar temple and the 100 pillared mandapam were later additions and built by Varaguna Pandya. It is at this mandapam that alankaram for the deities, music and dance events and sacred discourses take place.

Gaja Pushkarani and the Float Festival
Legend has it that Airavatham, the famous elephant of Indra, flung a flower garland presented by a rishi, as a result of which he was cursed by which a man’s eyes were not to fall on the elephant. When the elephant came here to Kalayar Koil for liberation from the curse, a man looked at the elephant instantly sending the latter down below in the earth. In the thundering force of breaking through the earth, water gushed out and turned up as ‘Gaja-Theertham’ (referred to popularly as ‘Yaanai- Madu’) at this temple. 
It is believed the Lord Rama had bath at this Theertham to liberate himself from Brahmma Hathi Dosham after defeating Lankan King Ravana.

The float festival is celebrated in Vaikasi at this Pushkarani. There was a period in the previous century when devotees used to go by boat to have darshan of the Lord and Ambal in the middle of the tank. However, there has been no water in the Pushkarani for over a decade now.

Special Path laid for Sundarar
When Saint Poet Sundarar reached the entry point of this temple town after having had darshan of Thiru Meni Nathar at Thiru Chuzhi, he visualised the path leading to the temple as filled with Shiva lingams and wondered as to how he could place his feet on the Lord. Pleased with the devotion, it is believed that the Lord sent his sacred cow (Kaalai) and created the path for Sundarar to make his way to the temple. An invisible voice asked him to walk along the path specially made for him by the cow to reach the temple. In memory of this episode, the temple came to be referred as Kaalayar Koil.

In memory of this episode, every morning, a flower garland initially presented to the Lord at the Golden Palliyarai is then handed to Sundarar. 
Gnana Sambanthar’s Praise
In his praise of the Lord of Kaanapper, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar says that those who invoke the blessings of the Lord offering their sincere prayers will find peace and happiness in life. Historically, this place was referred to as Thiru Kaanapper as is seen from the verses of the Saint Poet. 
Freedom Struggle at Kaalayar Koil
In the first of its kind battle against the British in this region, the then leader of the Sivagangai Samasthanam Muthu Vaduka Naatha Periya Udaya Devar, who ruled here for 22 years between 1750 and 1772 fought out a heroic battle at Kaalayar Koil before being struck down by the bullets of the hidden soldiers. In memory of this battle, the stone sculpture of the brave warrior is seen at the entrance of the temple. 
Vedic School
In the century gone by, there was a popular Vedantham Mutt near the temple. Several scholars graduated from here. This was one of the most vibrant locations for Vedic Education in the state.

50 Vaishnavite families lived in harmony with 200 Dikshithar familes in the first half of the 20thCentury in Kalayar Koil. There were around 60 service personnel  to take care of the different functions at this huge temple but this has come down dramatically to just a few in the last few decades.

Three Grand Festivals
Annual Festivals are celebrated in a grand way for each of the three deities with the Chariot Festival on Thai Poosam for Swarna Kaleeswarar, on Vaikasi Visakam for Someswarar and on Aadi Pooram for Swarna Valli Amman.
The temple is open from 6.30am- 12.30pm and 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Contact Rathna Kaleeswaran  @ 70945 12412 / 04575 232516. 

Kanchipuram Divya Desams Delayed Renovation works

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The only set of Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu where the old black and white Raja Gopurams and Vimanams remain
Will the temple authorities and Venu Srinivasan come to an agreement on the restoration exercise at the Varadaraja Perumal temple ahead of Athi Varadar Utsavam in 2019
There are around 10 stand alone ( a few of them are housed inside larger temple complexes) Divya Desams in Kanchipuram praised by Saint Poets – Azhvaars. Each of these are at least a 1000 years old. The Azhvaars provide insights into how these temples were in the period all those centuries ago. The verses also describe in-depth the physical features of the Lord in these temples. Vedanta Desikar in his Prabhandham has showered praises on the Perarulaalar of Thiru Kachi Athigiri. However, sadly, unlike the Divya Desams in the Pandya and Chozha regions, the ones here in the erstwhile Pallava region have remained largely ignored on the renovation front.

It is only here in Kanchipuram among all the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu that one still finds the historic ‘black and white’ Raja Gopurams and Vimanams. The modern colour coating has engulfed all the other Divya Desams in the State over the last two decades.

While a large temple like Srirangam saw renovation and restoration costs go up to around Rs. 25      crores in the exercise that was undertaken a few years ago, most of the other temples have seen renovation expenses in the order of a few crores over the last decade, almost all of which has been funded by the donors. It has become an unwritten policy for the HR & CE to not spend on renovation from the income generated at the temple with the priests in recent times doubling up as marketing agents sourcing the requisite funds from the devotee donors from across the globe.

It has been the practice in Vaishnavite temples to perform Samprokshanam once in 12 years, though the Agamas do not prescribe this. Historically, repair works used to be a continuous process but in recent decades, renovations have become a mega exercise and Samprokshanams have been conducted once in 12 years. In fact, it has been a big income source Bhattars that has provided the much needed financial assistance to a number of them across the state especially in the Chozha region for their daily sustenance over the last couple of decades.

Pandava Thoothar
Going by this timeline followed in most Divya Desams, it should have been time now for the 3rd Samprokshanam at Pandava Dhoothar temple in Thiru Paadagam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/10/108-divya-desam-thiru-paadagam.html) since 1984. But the trustee managed Divya Desam has found the going tough all around.  For the conduct of the utsavams, the cost of the Sri Patham has shot up dramatically forcing them to abandon the Brahmotsavam. It has been over 15 years since the last Brahmotsavam was seen at the temple and over three decades since any large renovation exercise has been undertaken here. 
There are no more grand street processions at this Divya Desam. Even more challenging has been the effort to organize the finances for the renovation at the temple. The Raja Gopuram and the Vimanams wear an old look and the huge Lord, whose legendary tale dates back to the Mahabaratha has been waiting for a long while to see if any like minded devotee would turn up to take up the restoration of the temple and its utsavams to its glorious past. But thus far it has remained largely elusive.
Pachai Vannan Pavala Vannan
Just a few kms North lie two temples, a few hundred yards of each other – Pachai Vannan and Pavala Vannan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/10/108divya-desam-kanchipuram-pavalavannan.html), praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. The Vimanams and Raja Gopuram at Pavala Vannan temple makes one wonder as to why devotees go for construction of new temples when Azhvaar praised temples remain in such state. The madapalli wears an old world look. The previous samprokshanam took place well over two decades ago.
Here too the Street Processions have come to a grinding halt as the exorbitant Sri Patham cost has become too much to bear - the costs have more than trebled from the past.  The priest who has been there for almost three decades at this ancient Divya Desam is paid a monthly salary of just over Rs. 1000 leaving one to wonder as to how one could survive with this kind of low monthly remuneration. The only reason why such priests continue to remain is for historical, hereditary reasons – to  not let go the service to the Lord that their forefathers had rendered at the temple through the 20th century. 
வங்கத்தால்மாமணிவந்துஉந்துமுந்நீர்மல்லையாய்
மதில்கச்சிஊராய்பேராய்
கொங்கத்தார்வளங்கொன்றைஅலங்கல்மார்வன்
குலவராயன்மடப்பாவைஇடப்பால்கொண்டான்

பங்கத்தாய்பாற்கடலாய்பாரின்மேலாய்
பனிவரையின்உச்சியாய்பவளவண்ணா

எங்குற்றாய்எம்பெருமான்உன்னைநாடி
ஏழையேன்இங்ஙனமேஉழிதருகேனே - Thiru Nedunthandagam

The sacred tank outside the Pavala Vannan temple also presents a deplorable picture.
Paramechura Vinnagaram
At the monumental ASI maintained heritage temple of Parameswara Vinnagaram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/10/108-divya-desams-kanchipuram-thiru.html) so highly praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi, many of the ancient sand stone sculptures are in dilapidated state. While many improvements in the outer prakara are being undertaken including the installation of LED lamps around the temple zone, the historical sculptures have undergone erosion over the last 50 years that are now beyond repair. Thus using chemical wash, these are being maintained to the extent possible without further deterioration.
தூம்புஉடைத்தின்கை  வன்தாள்களிற்றின்
துயர்தீர்த்து  அரவம்வெருவமுனநாள்
பூம்புனல்பொய்கைபுக்கான்அவனுக்கு
இடம்தான்தடம்சூழ்ந்தஅழகாஆயகச்சி

தேம்பொழில்குன்றுஎயில்தென்னவனைத்
திசைப்ப  செருமேல்வியந்துஅன்றுசென்ற
பாம்புஉடைப்பல்லவர்கோன்பணிந்த
பரமேச்சுர  விண்ணகரம்அதுவே - Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Such Bhattars do still exist - Trivikrama Perumal
At the Ulagalandha Perumal Divya Desam, the Dharma Kartha and Head Priest Kannan Bhattar provides a truly refreshing experience to devotees who throng the temple to take a look at Maha Bali, seen crushed on the ground under the foot of the gigantic Trivikrama “No amount of money can satisfy us. We always want more” is how the head priest addresses the long crowd of devotees on a Friday morning at the temple.  He goes on "you are so lucky to have such a peaceful darshan today for on most other Fridays especially the ones just passed by in Puratasi there would be queue that stretched far to the entrance of the temple".

“Let us just surrender to him without asking for more and more monetary returns” says the priest as he calls out for the service personnel at the temple and hands them a share of the morning Thattu Kaasu, leaving them a delighted lot.

Restoration Exercise at Varadar Temple
At the biggest Perumal temple in the region, the Varadaraja Perumal Divya Desam in Chinna Kanchipuram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/11/108-divya-desam-thirukachi-athigiri.html), a temple praised in several verses by Vedanta Desikar,  the once in a 40 year Athi Varadar event is just 9 months away. The temple authorities are keen to refurbish the Potramarai Kulam at the Eastern entrance of the temple that has been crying for help for decades. All the hotels and guest houses have already been book almost a year ahead of the event. Lakhs of devotees are expected to take part in the event. There are many zones in the temple that are in terrible shape. The area around the Davana Mandapam, where the Lord makes an annual trip for the Davana Utsavam is thick with bushes. 
The huge area around the Potramarai Kulam is dense with thick bushes and is abound with large snakes. There are other areas  in the temple including the tank at the Western entrance that require restoration. The Eastern entrance to the temple has remained shut for historical reasons.

Temple authorities are keen to secure the assistance of Venu Srinivasan to restore the temple ahead of  the Athi Varadar Utsavam but the modalities have not yet been worked out with the temple also being caught recently in a sea of  Vaishnavite Sect fights with matters being taken to court. Time is running out. There is an opportunity for the temple to be seen in good positive light in terms of restoring it to old glory across the entire temple complex, come next June/July.

வம்மின்புலவீர்அருளாளப்பெருமாளென்றும்
அருளாழிஅம்மானென்றும்
திருமகளைபெற்றும்என்நெஞ்சம்
கோயில்கொண்டபேரருளாளரென்றும்

வியப்பாவிருதுஊதும்படி
கரைபுரண்டகருணைகடலை
எவ்வண்ணம்பேசுவீர்,
ஈதென்னபாங்கே - Athigiri Mahatmiyam, Vedanta Desikar

There is a donor with a proven track record of 25 years willing to contribute to the restoration, though he is known to work on his own terms that is resented by a few. Some voices of dissent is heard within the temple.

If the authorities do not act fast, time may run out and many of the current infrastructural issues may continue to remain at the time of the huge utsavam next year. As seen above with so many other Divya Desams in Kanchipuram, there may not be too many others easily willing to give time, effort and money into renovation exercise to get these ancient temples back into shape. 
The Athi Varadar Utsavam presents itself with an opportunity to spruce up a number of the ancient Divya Desams in Kanchipuram. It is unlikely that Pandava Dhoothar, Pachai Vannan and Pavala Vannan will see light before the utsavam but there is a credible donor waiting to contribute to the restoration of the Varadaraja Perumal Temple. It would make sense for the trustees of the other Divya Desams in Kanchipuram to see if it is possible for Venu Srinivasan and his trust to also restore those temples prior to the mega event in Kanchipuram next year.

One has to wait and watch as to how this story pans out over the next few months.

Kanchipuram Varadar Utsavam

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87 year old descendent of the Thathachariar clan has compiled over 40 verses as ‘Shobhana’ songs  that were sung a century ago at the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam in Kanchipuram
He continues to presents Kattiyam all through the year at the Varadaraja Perumal temple 
சாரநாதன்ஏள்ளியிருக்கும்திருச்சேறை
திருப்புல்லாணியில்சேதுக்கரை
திருக்கோவிலூரில்ஆற்றங்கரை
வேதபிரபந்தசாற்றுமுறை

Ghanta Venkata Varadar Thathachariar is 87 years old and a lean figure but his memory remains very sharp.  He recounts the days way back in the 1940s, when he along with 15 others were initiated into Vedic Education under the tutelage of Vellunur Ramanujam and Kolathur Vijayaraghavan at the Gujarathi Patshala in Kanchipuram (the Patshala does not exist anymore) on the banks of the Vegavathi river. Two of his classmates, both in their 80s, still reside in the street adjacent the Western Raja Gopuram of the Varadaraja Perumal Divya Desam.
82 year old Raju, Varadar's Patshala Class mate

Venkata Varadar learnt Divya Prabhandham from his father Sudarshan Thathachar who had served the temple for over two decades as a honorary trustee. His father had managed the Desikar Utsavam for several years.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Venkata Varadar has for several decades now been presenting daily the Kattiyam at the temple with utmost devotion, unmindful of his old age. He presents the Alankara Thirumanjanam Kattiyam and the Vedic Chant during Thiru Aarathanam every day. He also presents the Sri Bashyam Sutrams twice a day during Mantra Pushpam.
ஸ்நானம்பண்ணினால்தாமஸம்
தந்திஅடித்தால்சீக்கிரம்
கும்பல்கூடினால்துவம்சம்
வரதர்ஏள்ளும்ஹம்சம்

Each day of the annual Brahmotsavam, both in the morning and the evening, Ghanta Venkata Varadar is seen walking all the way from the Varadaraja Perumal temple to the Gagana Mandapam, 6kms west of the temple along with the Lord chanting the Vedas.

The famous Garuda Sevai
Venkata Varadar remembers the days of the annual Garuda Sevai when devotees would throng the temple from across the state. Over 50 scholars would chant the Vedas through the long procession of the Lord. 
கல்யாணம்பண்ணிக்காதவன்முரடன்
கண்ணுதெரியாதவன்குருடன்
வழிமறித்துஅடிப்பவன்திருடன்
வரதர்ஏள்ளும்கருடன்

For a large part of the 20thCentury, there were at least 20 houses in the agraharam with the Thathachar descendents lining up on both side of the Western Raja Gopuram till the 16 Pillared Mandapam. Each of the houses had a specific name denoting the hereditary location of the resident. There was the Kondangi house, the Karikiri house, the Melpakkam family and the Raya Durga among others.  There was the Perungattur family on the North side of the agraharam.

The Vaikasi Utsavam
Over a 100 years ago, his grandma and other elderly ladies in the agraharam sang praise of the Lord welcoming him out of the temple on to the streets on the occasion of the big utsavams.

குட்டைகுலத்திலேபாசி
கோவிலில்ஆடுபவள்தாசி
வடக்கேபோனால்காசி
வரதர்உத்ஸவம்வைகாசி 
Into his 80s, Venkata Varadar has put together a beautiful compilation of over 40 such songs that connects the Lords from different Divya Desams that he hopes will be sung on the streets during the utsavams in memory of the ancient utsavams in the way it was conducted in the centuries gone by.

Lakshmi Narasimhan quits Srirangam Madapalli

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Citing shoulder problem, he had taken leave of absence for a few days in early September but has not returned to the Madapalli till date and has not communicated his whereabouts and activities to the temple authorities for over a month

Srivatsan, the  first entrant from the IT industry to the Srirangam Madapalli has now convinced a corporate executive from the Amalgamations Group to join him at the Madapalli
The issues relating to HR & CE not providing adequate appointments in temples has come to the fore again, this time at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. It has been almost two years since Srivatsan quit a lucrative career in the IT industry to join the Madapalli at the Srirangam temple. Several months later Lakshmi Narasimhan too joined him at the Madapalli. Despite continuous reminders to the Joint Commissioner Pon Jayaraman over the last year or so, the two had remained on contract service with Sambhavanai coming from Venu Srinivasan, also the Chairman, the Board of  Trustees of the temple.

The vacancies have existed for long but the HR & CE has refused to fill in the slots, leaving private individuals and trusts to fund even the most important service personnel in terms of monthly remuneration.

Not informed the JC
With Lakshmi Narasimhan (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/srirangam-madapalli-transformation.html) remaining absent for almost two months now from the Madapalli, the Joint Commissioner of the temple has been clueless on his absence repeatedly confirming  over a two month period that he has had a shoulder problem and that he would be back at the Madapalli in the next few days. With Lakshmi Narasimhan not being a HR & CE appointee, it is difficult for the JC to even question such absence. Nor is there a responsibility on the part of the personnel (in this case- Lakshmi Narasimhan) to update the JC for they are not a HR & CE appointed staffers.

Notwithstanding this issue of lack of a permanent appointment order from the HR & CE to the new entrants at the Madapalli, the general view at the temple has been one of extreme disappointment about the way Lakshmi Narasimhan has quit the Madapalli under the pretext of a shoulder problem after having informed the top authorities that he would return in a few days. The wait has continued for two months with no sign of return as rumours have started spreading across the service personnel at the temple on the whereabouts of Lakshmi Narasimhan.

Even as of last Monday, Pon Jayaraman continued to hold his previously stated position of Lakshmi Narasimhan having a shoulder problem and that he was likely to return soon, this a full two months after he left the Madapalli. Other Personnel who have known Lakshmi Narasimhan during the period of his stint at the temple say that he has joined a service organization and has been at work there. And that he has been in Madras during the period of his absence from the temple.

How is it that a person who expressed dedication of his life and service to the Lord of Srirangam has not been at the temple even once over the two month period even if the shoulder is not alright. Could he not come and enquire as to how the Madapalli was functioning in his absence, since it is only a shoulder problem. Since he had said that he was mentoring the Madapalli team, could he not have come and mentored them on important utsavams, more so when his sole intention in life was to be of service to the Lord at the Srirangam temple.

During the first eight months of the year, the temple authorities had supported him / the madapalli like never before, listening to his complaints and taking corrective action possible at every instance.

Senior authorities at the temple said that his family wanted him back, away from the temple, and that was the reason he had quit the Madapalli and that he has not been in touch since the initial piece of communication ( i.e for almost two months now) and that there has not been even a single message with an update on his health, the treatment he was taking and the timing of his recovery during this period of well over a month.

Traditional way at Madapalli
In the period that Lakshmi Narasimhan was at the Madapalli, he had shaken the entire place instilling a sense of tradition there. Having come from the IT industry, he was very high on communication and kept the Joint Commissioner updated on every development and new initiatives at the Madapalli almost on a daily basis, with the JC acting immediately on his recommendations, offering full support to Lakshmi Narasimhan on the transformation of the Madapalli back to the old traditional ways. If this were so, it is quite shocking that there has been no communication between the two over the last two months.

After having stated, to this writer, a devotional long intent of serving the Madapalli, Lakshmi Narasimhan is said to have quit the Madapalli in quite mysterious circumstances with no one in the temple aware of his whereabouts in the two months that has passed. 

Since September, the Joint Commissioner Pon Jayaraman has held that Lakshmi Narasimhan has a shoulder problem and that he is undergoing recuperation and was likely to be back soon. He had told the time keeper of the temple in September at the time of leaving that he would be away for 3 days.

Contrary to what Lakshmi Narasimhan had told the Manian, JC informed in September that Lakshmi Narasimhan would be away for 15 days and that he would be back after a leave of a fortnight. A month later, Pon Jayaraman stuck to the same position that Lakshmi Narasimhan would be back soon.

In a face to face meeting last Monday, Pon Jayaraman after almost 2 months of Lakshmi Narasimhan’s absence still stuck to the same stated position that he was recovering from his shoulder problem and that it was likely that he would be back soon!!1

Various service personnel in the temple directly involved with or connected to the Madapalli in terms of daily activity had different and varying account of the current scenario with a few saying that they heard that he was working elsewhere.

Even Head Archakar not clued in
In a telephonic conversation with this writer just a fortnight ago, the Head Archakar of the temple Murali Bhattar asked me to check with Lakshmi Narasimhan on a particular issue specifically relating to the Madapalli when the latter had not reported to work for almost 45 days, making one wonder if even the Head Archakar was not clued in on the real status. It seemed he too was under the impression that Lakshmi Narasimhan was still in service.

Lakshmi Narasimhan and his interest in Jeer Post
A few months ago, after the death of Ranganatha Jeer, Lakshmi Narasimhan had expressed officially interest to the temple authorities in the post of the Jeer. Both at the time of me writing the story on IT to Madapalli as well as at the time of his expression of interest to take up the post of Jeer, it was clear that he had taken the permission of his family on this front, both relating to the Madapalli as well as his interest in the Jeer’s post, for how else can one officially express his intent to be a Jeer without letting go of the family. 

The temple did not seem to consider his interest in the Jeer's post in a positive way.

One of the official views from the temple authorities is that 'family pressure' has taken him away the temple service and that he was not likely to return anymore to the Madapalli service. In any case, he was not an appointee of the temple (by the HR & CE).

During the period of his stint at the Srirangam temple, he had shaken up the entire place pushing everyone to do things as per the traditions and had the entire service personnel at the temple on their toes. Even the slightest deviation by anyone from the traditions would immediately be brought to the notice of the authorities by Lakshmi Narasimhan. At that time, he was in constant touch directly with JC Pon Jayaraman, sometimes almost on a daily basis updating him both the positives and the challenges at the Madapalli. In light of such communication, it is shocking that the JC has stuck to the same stated position for two months.

Madapalli driven by Venu Srinivasan's Sambhavanai!!!
It is one thing for Venu Srinivasan and his trust to provide Sambavanai to secured HR & CE staffers who perform service at the temple. But it is quite another for his contribution to be the only source of monthly income, as in the case of Srivatsan now and Lakshmi Narasimhan earlier (it is another matter that Lakshmi Narasimhan had held through the time of his service that he had completely let go of financial interests in life and that his only way forward was to serve the Lord with the utmost devotion and that nothing else mattered to him in life).

A new entrant joins Madapalli from Amalgamation Group
Meanwhile in a separate development, unconnected with the above, Srivatsan (photo below), the first entrant from the IT industry to the Madapalli at Srirangam, has quietly continued his devotional way of service and has also roped in another corporate executive from Madras into the Madapalli, once again on Sambhavanai terms.
He has managed to pursue a corporate executive in his 40s to join the Madapalli. Venkatesan, the new entrant again on TVS Sambhavanai, who has had over two decades of experience in a traditional industry and worked for the Amalgamations Group in Madras has quit his job and has been at the Srirangam Madapalli for a month now.

Venkatesan says that it took a lot of constant persuasion from Srivatsan over a period of time for him to take this big decision to move away from the corporate life in Madras to full time service at the Madapalli.

Srivatsan’s case of temple appointment is still pending with the HR & CE. It is not known as to when he will receive the confirmation order from the HR & CE. The JC has over the last one year repeatedly said that it will all happen very soon / within the next month or two but here too the stated position on the appointment has remained unchanged over a long period of time leaving Srivatsan wondering if he would get the appointment order that would provide the much needed security to him in terms of his service at the temple.

Lakshmi Narasimhan’s presence at the Madapalli was a big driver for the transformation there for he was vocal and brought about traditional changes. If he is not to come back, it will be a setback for the temple. What however is disappointing is his lack of communication to the temple authorities on his long absence from service. His sudden disappearance and the completed absence of updates to the Chairman, Board of Trustees, who provided the Sambhavanai ( Salary) to Lakshmi Narasimhan does not seem to be in line with his repeated communication of dedicating his life in service to the Lord at the Srirangam temple.

It is hoped that Srivatsan will continue with the transformation of the traditional way of service at the madapalli that he has been undertaking for the last two years. And it is also hoped that Pon Jayaraman will initiate the process of providing both Srivatsan and Venkatesan with the official service appointment order from the HR & CE.      

Thiruvathavur Thirumarainathaswamy

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Birth Place of Saint Poet Manickavachakar
Thirumarainathaswamy is said to cure sincere devotees from Joint Pain, Bone Diseases and muscle related issues - It was here that Saneeswarar was liberated from Arthritis 
Once upon a time this was a much celebrated temple town in the Pandya Kingdom near Madurai and the birth place of one of the famous four Saivite Saint Poet. Given the infrastructure development of the 20thcentury, this has become a remote location off the Madurai Melur highway. Located just under 10kms South of Melur, the Thirumanathaswamy temple in Thiruvathavur, a temple that predates the Meenakshi Amman temple, is big with a towering Raja Gopuram in the East. There are seven sacred tanks at the temple. 
It was after invoking the blessings of the Lord Thirumarainathaswamy of Thirvathavur that the famous Saivite Saint Poet Manickavachakar was born. In a thanking gesture, his parents named him as ‘Vathavooraar’. He grew up here into a bright young boy. So impressed was the Pandya King with his abilities that he appointed him as a minister in his kingdom.  He was also anointed with the title of ‘Thennava Brahmma Raja”. He later went and built a temple in Avudayar and began singing praise of the Lord in temples. Lord was so pleased with his songs that he agreed to write for him, which later became the famous verses of Thiruvachakam. It is said that one who is not moved by the verses of Thiruvachakam cannot be a true devotee of Lord Shiva, such is the greatness of Manikavachakar’s presentation.

There is an exclusive temple dedicated to Manikavachakar opposite the Thirumarainathaswamy temple. 
Liberation from Body Pain, Joint Pain and Arthritis
To liberate himself from the curse inflicted on him by Mandava Rishi for having disturbed the Rishi’s penance, one that gave him severe arthritis, Saneeswarar invoked the blessings of Lord Badapureeswarar here at Thiruvathavur. Belief is that those who perform oil abhishekam here and apply that oil on their legs will be relieved from arthritis. Hence this is said to be a temple that liberates one from bone related diseases, Joint Pain and muscular issues. 
Bairavar without the Dog
When Bairavar ignored the presence of the Lord and walked past in arrogance, the Lord in an angry gesture decided to deny him the status with the dog. To repent from his mistake, it was here that Bairavar performed pooja to invoke the blessings of the Lord to get back his full form. In memory of this episode, Bairavar is seen without the dog at this temple.

Brahmma’s penance
Pleased with Brahmma’s Yagna at this place seeking the continuation of his ‘creative’ abilities, Ambal appeared from the fire providing darshan to him and blessing him with the fulfillment of his Yagna. Hence she is referred to as ‘Aaranavalli’. 
Inscriptions dating back a 1000 years record this place as one of ‘Sangam Tamizh’, indicating its historical nature.

This is also the birth place of the famous Tamil Scholar Kapilar.

Festivals
10 day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi with the Chariot festival on Visakam
Anna Abhishekam in Aipasi
12 day Utsavam in Avani
Thiruvachakam is recited every month on Magam
Aani Magam – Manickavachakar Mukthi Pooja
10 day Pidari Amman Utsavam in Chitrai 
The temple is open from 6am-12noon and 4pm-8pm. M Ganapathy Bhattar @ 84897 04093 belongs to the third generation to perform at this temple. He has been at this temple for the last 41years having joined here in 1977.

How to reach
One can reach Thiruvathavur via Othakadai and Thiru Mogur. Bus Number 66 runs from Maatuthavani bus stand to Thiruvathavur every 15-20 minutes through the long winding newly laid Tar road.  Share autos also ply between Thiruvathavur and Maatuthavani bus stand.

One can also reach the temple from Melur. Bus No. 7 every half hour from Melur Bus Stand.

Umpire Ravi quits RBI

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After serving RBI for three decades, ICC Elite Panel Umpire quits in Controversial Circumstances, with the bank finding a loophole in the rules to deny him Leave and Promotion to the Officer Cadre
RBI playing by the 'words' in the rule book leaves a poor taste among the cricketing fraternity
Top ICC Elite Panel Umpire S Ravi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/08/s-ravi-set-for-umpiring-test-debut.html) has quit RBI in quite controversial circumstances after serving the bank for three decades.

In June 2015, Ravi became the first Indian umpire after S Venkataraghavan to be inducted into the. ICC Elite Panel of umpires, a rare honour. And he has been there as one of the top Elite Panel Umpires ever since. 

Congrats note from Raghuram Rajan
Soon after the story on his induction into the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/06/ravi-to-umpire-ashes-series.html) in June 2015, the then Governor of the RBI Raghuram Rajan sent Ravi a personal congratulatory letter on his nomination into the prestigious Elite Panel. Following his inclusion into the Elite Panel, Ravi was permitted to go on EOL (Extraordinary Leave) without pay for 2 years, with support from the RBI Governor.

When Ravi’s contract was extended for a third year in a row in the ICC Elite Panel(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/umpire-s-ravi.html) last year, Ravi requested for extension of his EOL and the bank sanctioned immediately, given his credentials and the glory he was bringing to the bank as one of the best umpires in the World. Last year, he was also included in the MCC Laws Sub Committee, a significant achievement for an Indian umpire (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/umpire-s-ravi.html).

In May this year, following his terrific performance over the last three years, the ICC extended his contract in the Elite Panel for another year. This year, Ravi became the second most capped Indian Umpire after Venkataraghavan, going past VK Ramaswamy.

Playing by the Rule Bank 
Much to his shock, the RBI rejected Ravi’s request for EOL without assigning any reason. Despite Ravi being a top umpire in the ICC Panel through this decade and an Elite Panel umpire for more than three years now, he was also not promoted as an Officer, which should have been an automatic deal for a staffer with such an achievement in the sporting field. However, the bank found a loophole in the system to deny him the promotion to the officer rank.
Sources within the RBI say the rules pertaining to EOL and promotions deal with ‘players’ and that Ravi as an umpire
(even if he was the best in the World) did not fall within the definition of ‘players’ and hence both his leave (EOL) as well as his promotion to Officer’s Cadre was rejected this year.

Ravi even tried representing his case with the Governor of the RBI but to no avail.  

Finally with leave not granted and having to decide between RBI and Umpiring on the Elite Panel, Ravi decided to put in his papers and has now officially resigned from the RBI, his employer for three decades.

At a crucial decision making time, RBI chose to go strictly by the words in the rule book. It would have been in the spirit of things to have included match officials within the definition of players. But the Bank stood firm to play by the dictionary definition of 'Players'.

Ravi had always enjoyed extremely close friendship with his team mates even as a youngster much before the current glory of an international umpire. He was a favourite with most of the team members, especially for his knowledge of the laws of the game. It was always Ravi’s plan to continue at RBI till the end of his career. But the sudden turn of events has forced him to quit the bank that gave the foundation and career security early on in his life.

A With RBI and its Governor the cynosure of all eyes in the recent past with the financial issues relating to the NBFCs, this resignation of the world’s top umpire from their services is another black mark on the bank. And leaves a poor taste among the cricketing fraternity, especially in a year when a couple of the top cricketers have been directly given an Officer's posting at the bank with very minimal working presence.

Sadly, Ravi believes that this whole episode relating to cricket would have been handled very differently had Raghuram Rajan been there!!!

RBI Madhavan Leg Spinner

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He debuted with an 8 wicket haul in Ranji Trophy but let go a prospective cricket career within a few months of his Ranji Debut as a result of his father’s postal letters!!!

Srikkanth praised him as a great bowler but never stood by him when it came to TN selection in the 1980s 

At 63, into his 47th year in league cricket, Madhavan just landed up yet another five wicket haul in the TNCA league
I was at the Pachaiyappas College ‘B’ ground for the early season clash in the TNCA first division league in 1987. A high profile Alwarpet that included K Srikkanth (just a few months away from the World Cup) took on RBI, a team of well settled bankers. His clash with the leggie of RBI was an eagerly awaited clash on the opening day. Srikkanth did not open the batting and came to bat in the 2nd half of the day. Just 18 months prior, he had smashed an international leggie from Australia all over the park. Hence, the onlookers were keen on how this local leg spinner would handle the star player (those days, crowds thronged wherever Srikkanth played, even if it was just a local league match).

But it was a day that left them disappointed as the leggie got him almost immediately sweeping a big turning leg break into the hands of deep square leg. Later that day, at the tea break, Srikkanth in his typical flamboyant style yelled out in Tamizh at the leg spinner ‘Payithiyam da nee. Moolaiye Illai. Zonal Cricket and India Aadeerkalam. Athai Vittutu, inga vanthu RBI Ku aadeendirukka, finding happiness in getting me out in this match (You are mad with no brains. You could have played for Central Zone and India. Instead you are playing a local league match here)

That’s how Srikkanth addressed S Madhavan after congratulating him on his wicket in front of all those who had gathered around the Indian star that day. Srikkanth felt that it was a big mistake on the part of Madhavan to have quit a Railways job that took way an opportunity to continue to play for them in the Ranji Trophy and to figure in the Zonal team. Well over 30 years ago, Srikkanth had felt that had Madhavan continued with the Railways, he would have given himself a great chance to play for India, for he was amongst the wickets in almost every match with his big turning leg breaks and the googlies.

It was a series of letters that led him to his sudden resignation from ICF to join a rather cricket un-fancied RBI. And that spelt death knell for him in terms of growth in his cricket career. As sudden as this decision was also his transformation, a few years earlier, into a leg spinner.

Humble beginnings at Somasundaram Ground
Madhavan belonged to a middle class family. His father was far away from cricket and did not understand even the basics of the game. As was the case in those days, the ‘order’ was to not spend too much time on the cricket field. A student of RKM North, Madhavan spent the evenings at Somasundaram ground watching the nets organized by ‘YSCA’ Gurumurthy. He was already playing for his school as a wicketkeeper batsman along with NP Sridhar (elder brother of NP Madhavan).

Seeing his height and interest in cricket, Gurumurthy asked the young boy to bowl in the ‘cricket ball nets’ (there was also a younger group that played tennis ball but Madhavan was taken straightaway into the cricket ball nets) alongside TA Sekar.

Accidental move into a leg spinner
One of those days, he struck Gurumurthy twice on the arm with fast paced balls leaving him furious at this school boy. Having to strictly follow the directions to bowl a little slow, Madhavan just tried a leg break from a few steps. The ball pitched and turned square beating Gurumurthy all ends up leaving everyone stunned. And there was no looking back since. A new leg spinner had been born that day, in rather accidental circumstances.

So impressed was Gurumurthy that he included Madhavan in the Rising Stars league team within a few months. That was a big boost for the teenager. During that phase, he played three years in a row for TNCA Colts, a very popular team - comprising of the best of league players- that made an annual outstation trip to another city to play a Colts team from another State.

A pleased father
His performances at Guru Nanak College helped him secure a Quasi Governmental job at Food Corporation of India where he played alongside Ramdayani, Jillu Ramesh and ‘Bond’ Venkatasubramaniam. It was during one of those inter zonal matches at FCI that his father came to know of him as a cricketer. After he taken 6 wickets against the East Zone team of FCI, Madhavan led the team back with the ball held in his hand. His father enquired as to why he was coming ahead of all other players and the reason for holding the ball high and showing to all. It was only then that his father knew that his son was a performer on the cricket field though, unfortunately, that was not going to be enough convincing as Madhavan found out a few years later in his life.

Find of the Season at Alwarpet
In 1977, Alwarpet was looking for a wicket keeper batsman. Scouting for talent, VAP and P Mukund turned up at the Somasundaram Ground and were in for a surprise. Instead of the keeper their eyes fell on a big turning leggie whose every ball landed on the spot. At the official trials at the Union ground, it took just 3 balls at the nets for Satwendar Singh to declare him as the ‘Find of the Season’ for the team.

Extraordinary Ranji Debut this month 37 years ago
Impressive performances for Alwarpet especially in the Buchi Babu Tournament led to ICF offering him a clerical post. ICF was also in the first division in that period and he quit FCI. This move opened an unexpected door for him. While the Ranji squad had already been finalized (without much of a formal selection process – the Railways was a huge national institution and selection of players from across the country was always a tedious process), Railways captain Hyder Ali chanced upon Madhavan in the nets and within minutes of watching him bowl wanted him in his team.

It was 37 years ago this week that he debuted in Ranji Trophy. In the very first innings, he had a 5 wicket haul and ended with 8 wickets on his debut against Vidarbha end of November 1981. In a year that Vidarbha won the Ranji Trophy, Madhavan has pleasant memories of that debut against them “I picked 8 wickets against them in my very first match. My captain Hyder Ali was very impressed with my performance and he had a lot of confidence in my abilities.”

“In fact, that season, when I was sleeping on the floor in a curled way in shivering cold, Hyder came up to me and asked if I had had dinner. When I told him, I had Curd rice, he was red with anger. A bowler has to eat better and he dragged me to a restaurant and got me chappatis. He wanted me to be a match winner and took special care of me” says Madhavan of the way the highly respected figure of Hyder Ali took care of this ‘boy’ from Madras.

An Obedient son lets go a Cricket Career
He followed this with a 4 wicket haul in the very next innings and performed creditably in the Ranji Season. He was in contention for the Central Zone team that played the touring English team in January 1982 and given the English team’s struggle against leg spin that season, was considered a certainty for that match. But a dramatic turn of events completely took even Madhavan by surprise. During the period of his star performances in the Ranji Trophy that season, he received a series of postal letters from his father, who retired later from Caltex India.

The content in each of the hand written letters was rather similar. His father wanted him to return to Madras and join RBI. While he knew his father’s lack of interest in cricket, he just could not understand this approach of his father, especially at a time when he was in his best phase of his cricket career. But like an obedient son he put in his papers with the Railways all of a sudden, in the middle of a great season leaving Hyder Ali stunned.  The Ranji Knock out was to soon follow and he was all excited to bowl to Botham and Co in the tour match end of January 1982. But his enthusiasm was killed in the bud and he returned to Madras.

Within a few days, the cricket life turned gloomy. The decision sounded death knell for his growing cricket career. He was at the peak of his prowess. His father was not convinced about prospects in cricket and wanted him to settle down in a secure ’10 to 5’ Bank job. In those days, RBI was considered a high profile institution as compared to other banks.

From taking on Botham on-field to ‘Net Bowler’ for England
By the time England toured India again 3 years later, life had turned a full cycle for Madhavan. He was now asked by the TNCA to be a net bowler for England on a request by the touring team to improve their skills against leg spin (they had struggled against LS in the first two tests of the series). From a leggie who was all excited to challenge Gatting and Botham ‘on the ground’ a few years ago, he was now a net bowler at Chepauk bowling to the same set of batsmen.

Madhavan remembers that day when even David Gower struggled against his googlies in the nets “The English team asked their manager Norman Gifford to check as to ‘I had in my hand that I was weaving such magic on them in the nets’ as their left handers repeatedly were left stranded by my googlies.”

He continued to play for RBI in the first division league in Madras and kept taking lots of wickets every season. But selection in the TN squad remained elusive. He has picked up 8 wickets in an innings on over 10 occasions  and countless five wicket hauls that took his league teams to victory.

Off Spinner NS Ramesh, who joined RBI exactly a month before Madhavan, was an integral part of the team through the 1980s. He says that it was a delight to watch top ranked batsmen with India credentials struggle against him, most times unable to even read him.

Having seen Madhavan’s spell and worried that the Englishmen would be better prepared against LS at Chepauk, the Indian officials that evening asked Madhavan to bowl short and full tosses the next day so as to not get the Englishmen equipped against leg spin. A furious Madhavan refused and walked out of that as well (England amassed a huge total in that test)!!!

Opposition feared the potent spin combination of Sri Krishna and Madhavan and rarely did they get to play on turners.

Ramesh says that Madhavan was easily much better than all of the current day leg spinners ‘PUT TOGETHER’, such was his class “The selectors simply lacked insight and failed to recognise the brilliance of Madhu.”

‘Bond’ Venkatasubramaniam used to keep wickets in the 70s to Madhavan with a piece of stone place on either side of the pitch. He was the one who encouraged Madhavan to bowl the leggies and googlies on a particular spot. So brilliant was Madhavan and so interesting was he with his variations, that we would continue this model for hours together each day of the year, says Venkatasubramaniam looking back at those days before Madhavan became a first division cricketer.

Venkatasubramaniam who kept to the legendary Venkataraghavan for four years at India Pistons is vocal on how LS was projected and promoted ahead of Madhavan “Immediately after he returned from a successful Ranji season, the TN selectors completely ignored him for they were focused on promoting LS, despite the fact that LS rarely took big wickets in the local league and subsequently even quit bowling.” 
Did not belong to a ‘Big Club’
The scenario that decade (it hasn’t changed much since) was that it was difficult for players from lower ranked team to figure in state squads. In a TNCA Express one day tournament in the 1980s, there were only 11 players in a particular match (Srikkanth and CS Suresh did not play that match). And yet Madhavan was not included and replaced at the last moment in the playing XI by a player who did not find a place in the original squad and who was even present at the ground at the time of the toss.

A frustrated Madhavan walked out on captain TE (Srinivasan) and reached the bank. CB Selvakumar was shocked to see Madhavan in office when his match was on. It was one of those days when Madhavan felt really insulted at the way things were run “Not belonging to a top corporate team proved to be a clear drawback. But I could do little about it. I sought the support of Shri Somasundaram, the then Sports Secretary to get fair treatment for RBI’s players. He was such a gem of a person. He asked me to just keep performing on the field and get selected based on my performance.”

“While I was angry that morning with the sports secretary for being silent in the wake of such injustice, looking back, I feel really happy that he wanted the performance to speak for each player and not support from clubs and secretaries.”

In the final of the Buchi Babu tournament played on a turner at Chepauk, Captain Srikkanth once again overlooked Madhavan, when it would have been ideal to have played him. These left a bitter taste on Madhavan on the way team selections were managed in those days.

TA Sekar, with whom Madhavan bowled at the nets at the Somasundaram ground as a teenager, says that if Madhavan had played for a big team in the first division league, he may have had a better chance to get into the State team. 
In those days, given the batting strength of RBI, it was not always that the bank team bowled twice in a league match, especially against top teams.

ICC Elite Panel Umpire S Ravi who has known Madhavan from the days at Somasundaram Ground and who has seen him very closely says that Madhavan never missed a single practice session and that he would bowl long spells at the nets trying a lot of variations that then reflected during his spells in matches “While both as a person and a cricketer he was always confident and had lot of self belief and should have definitely played higher level, in sports, it is important to be at the right place at the right time. And maybe he was not.”

One of the Best Leggies 
Former Ranji Trophy winning captain S Vasudevan, who was with Alwarpet when Madhavan joined the team in the late 1970s rates him as one of the best leggies he has seen and calls it ‘unfortunate’ that he did not get to play for the state.

It was not a phase when youngsters overruled their parents, especially in matters relating to career. In Madhavan’s case, he simply accepted the directions of his father and quit Railways right in the middle of a successful debut season to join RBI, leaving by the way side his cricket career. With Venkat and Vasudevan still an integral part of the TN team and with LS the rising star of TN cricket, it was always going to be an uphill task for Madhavan to breakthrough into the team. He remained hopeful through the decade but the opportunity remained elusive and forever it was a distant dream for Madhavan.

He, however, does not regret taking the ‘father’s call’ to move to RBI. The team had a terrific spin attack and he enjoyed bowling out stronger opposition time and again in the TNCA first division league. He forged great long term friendship with a number of teammates. He has been able to develop his interest in singing and now presents light music concerts.

But when it came to cricket and opportunities in Tamil Nadu, while there was all round appreciation of his talent including from the likes of Srikkanth, when it finally came to the Selection process, they give his name a miss when he was at his peak in the 1980s.

A Five Wicket haul at 63!!!!  Close to 5 decades in the TNCA league
This year marks the 47th year of his non-stop presence in the TNCA league having begun in 1972-73. No player in the history of the league would have played this long with the passion he has displayed over such almost five decades. Aged 63, he recently grabbed the headline with a 5 wicket haul in the league. His hand and shoulder have become weaker with age and the ball is a lot slower in the air but he still manages to produce the big turning leg break and the googly to fox the young batsmen. He continues to turn up at the ground at 8.15 am on the day of the league match much ahead of all other players in the team and bowls with the mind of a young boy wanting to beat the batsman and get his wicket leaving both his own teammates as well as the opposition dumbfounded at his eagerness to take wickets.

It is unlikely he will retire anytime soon and only an age clause can get anyone to keep the red cherry away from Madhavan.

Bhattars Gurukals move away from Temples

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NextGen Priests find Greener Pastures in the Corporate World
The 1960s-80s was one of the most difficult periods for priests and service personnel across temples in Tamil Nadu. The changing political climate in the State and the gaining dominance of the HR and CE spelt death knell for the archaka community. Initially, driven by the land ceiling act, the traditional inhabitants began leaving their ancestral homes in search of jobs in bigger towns and cities, thus reducing the devotee crowd in temples. Much later, the introduction of hundials took away an important component of their income – ‘Thattu Kaasu’ dwindled as devotees were lured to deposit into the Hundis that surfaced at different points within the temple complex. As income dried, the priests began selling their hereditary lands. The then existing Bhattars and Gurukals bore the brunt, silently as they were keen on continuing the hereditary service that their forefathers had performed for centuries. However, the deteriorating scenario took a heavy toll on them.

The outcome of this frustrating life reflected in the way of life of the NextGen. The disgruntled lot of priests from that period ensured that their children focused on academics. The NextGen from the historical Divya Desams and Thevaram Sthalams took to Engineering that had become an attractive option in the State in the 1990s.

Instead of being initiated into the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, Thevaram verses and the Vedas, the NextGen spent time trying to understand the nuances of IT.

Friday Review takes a look at a few of them and how their financial struggles in the second half of the 20th century turned their children away from the temples, that their forefathers had served for long, into a life in the corporate world.

Never saw a rupee note at Thiru Mogur
For 42 years, R Ramakrishna Bhattar at the Kaalamegha Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Mogur has been taking care of the daily aradhana to the Lord. When he joined the service, there was hardly any income as even the annual Brahmotsavam did not see big crowds. The Veda Parayanam and Prabhandham Ghosti had become a thing of the past. 

He did not see a ‘rupee’ note at the temple for a long time. There was no salary as well from the temple as he belonged to Mirasu service. Every day, he would wait in front of the Sannidhi looking for that elusive devotee. Typical of people of those days, he lived within his means and led a contended life.  However, this did not go down well with his family. Consistently during the period, he would hear whispers from other members to his two young sons to not get into temple service as they did not want the NextGen to go through the same financial struggles. This constant initiation of ‘temple service does not help in a secure life’ in the young minds led them to become academically proficient and thus two Vaishnavites who should have had leanings towards Kaalamegha Perumal have been lost to the IT world.

Decades of standing in different Sannidhis each day for long hours have taken a physical toll on Ramakrishna Bhattar, now past 60. The physical strength in his legs is gone, though he continues to perform service to the Lord with the same extreme devotion that he has shown in the decades gone by. However, the not so good news is that his sons have been lost to the temple as a result of what the family had gone through in those decades.
  
Thiru Kannapuram - Even the Pension dues have not been registered
At the Sowri Rajan Perumal Temple in Thiru Kannapuram Divya Desam, 81 year old Koora Kulothama Dasa, a descendent of one of the 74 disciples of Ramanuja and a sthalathar, bemoans that there aren’t enough Brahmins to even carry the dead to the burial ground. He says that during his childhood all the four Mada Vilagams were brimming with Vaishnavites chanting the Divya Prabhandham and the sacred Vedas. There was a devotional fervour around the  temple“Things changed for the worse in the 2nd half of the last century.  In the new political climate, proceeds from the 30 Veli of leased out temple lands came down significantly. This changed the face of temple life. The drop in a huge source of income for the temple led to a negative impact on the entire community at Thiru Kannapuram."
Today there are less than 10 Brahmin families in Thiru Kannapuram, one that was praised as a vibrant location in a 100 verses by Thirumangai Azhwar.

Having joined the temple as an adyapaka in 1955 at a salary of Rs.12, Kulothama Dasa retired 40 years later at a salary of just a few hundreds but his pension dues have not been registered in the last two decades. And there is no answer from the HR & CE. Araiyars too were popular here. Their house still exists but their descendents have stayed away from the traditional art. Once a year, in Maasi, the Araiyar from Srivilliputhur makes his way here to present Araiyar Sevai at the temple, serving as a reminder of its historical past.

Sowri Raja Bhattar, who is considered an expert in agamas and in conducting Samprokshanams, took over as the priest at Thiru Kannapuram at the age of 18, way back in 1968. His forefathers for well over a century had been the Sthaaneegam at the temple. At his peak, he too just received a few hundreds as monthly salary. Running a family was a big challenge and it has largely been a financial struggle throughout the last five decades. His elder son took to Engineering and is now in the financial services space in Chennai, far away from temple service.

Araiyar Sevai for over 50 years without a salary
64 year old Bala Mukundan Araiyar, one of the few remaining Araiyars in Divya Desams, began presenting Araiyar Sevai at the Srivilliputhur Divya Desam well over 50 years ago when he was still a young boy. He has not received a single rupee from the temple. The only time he received any money was from devotees during the Adyayana Utsavam in Margazhi but even that was nothing much to write home about. 
For a major part of his life, he has lived in an old historical house where the roof posed a perpetual threat.  The Araiyars of Srivilliputhur have Kainkaryam at the temple every day of the year. However, for half a century, there has been very little financial support from any one including the Government to support the families of those who are continuing this service. It was this financial frustration that led him as well to get his son to pursue academics, funding his son’s education with high cost loan. The Engineer son is now employed full time at a large private bank in Tuticorin and performs the Araiyar Sevai on the big festive occasions.

12 hours each day in severe heat
The situation is no different at the Thevaram Sthalam at Thiruvanaikaval. 66 year old ST Subramaniam (STS to everyone at the temple) Pandithar has been performing aradhana for Lord Jambukeswarar and Ambal Akilandeswari since the early 1980s. His grandfather and father had performed service at the temple for over 8 decades. He says that the archakas were well respected in those times “Each day of the year, they were presented with food that was rich in quality, and high in quantity.” 
Only after the political change in the 60s and 70s when the anti Brahmnical wave swept the State did the scenario inside the temple take a severe beating. He says that in the centuries gone by, the traditional convention was that any payment from the Kodi Maram to Moolasthanam belonged to the archakas.

The HR & CE placed hundials at key locations to take the devotees’ contributions away from the archakas’ kitty. Even the little Thattu Kaasu moved away to the Hundis.  The Neivedyam for the Lord and Ambal too has come down dramatically in recent decades. Archakas received well below one fourth of what they used to receive half a century ago in terms of daily prasadam. Both the quality and quantity has gone down taking away an important component from the archaka.

The greatest setback, though, to the archakas in recent times has been the difficulty in finding brides within the community, leaving them in the lurch. Only married men have the archaka rights at the temple. STS says with a tinge of sadness that girls of Thiruvanaikaval are not ready to marry local Brahmins as they do not see the services of archakas as a positive story.

STS’ son learnt sukthas at the nearby Sankara Mutt during his school days. However, having seen all the humiliation that his father had to endure for very little financial returns, his son developed an aberration from an early age. STS had to perform under severe heat and still show patience for 12 hours a day. It was unbearable conditions physically and mentally.  After performing service for almost four decades, his energy is completely drained and has nothing left to fight.

STS’s son like many of his generation decided early on to move away from this service and is now in the IT world in Bangalore in the air conditioned comfort far away from the world of his father who continues to perform service at the temple from 6am in the morning sweating it out showing great amount of patience while facing different kinds of emotions from the devotees, VIPs, Politicians and the HR & CE officials.

The result of the decades of struggle is that in a majority of historical temples one finds a single priest managing multiple sannidhis as well as taking care of the madapalli and thus serving very long hours. Everyone is hopeful that one day the priests and the traditional service personnel will come back to the temple. But that may still be a far way off as the NextGen is now well entrenched in the comforts of the corporate world enjoying the luxuries of a city life that come along with it. For now, an entire generation of priests and service personnel has been lost to the corporate world driven away by the treatment meted out to the previous generation.

( A version of this story featured in The Hindu Friday Review on Nov 23)

Thiruvanaikaval Othuvar Srinivasan

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Let go lucrative offers to sing verses in Praise of the Lord of Thiruvanaikaval

One of a kind Brahmin Othuvar has dedicated his entire life to the presentation of Thevaram Verses seeking liberation from the cycle of births 
41 year old R Srinivasan (Shiva Jagan) is a remarkable Othuvar. A Saama Veda Brahmin by birth, he holds a Masters degree in Chemistry and is a University rank holder. His parents wanted him to take the corporate route to career growth and lead a normal family life but the young man’s mind lay firmly entrenched with the Lord of Thiruvanaikaval for even as a young teenager, his mind had set on the recital of the Thevaram verses as a way of life having imbibed the interest from his uncle.

Two Lucrative Offers immediately after his Masters
Soon after his Master’s degree, he received a lucrative R& D job offer from a firm in Bangalore that entailed a monthly salary of Rs. 1Lakh. He was also offered a college lecturer post that would have been financially rewarding in the long run. He rejected both and began reciting the sacred verses at the Jambukeswarar temple as a devotee.

Born in Thiruverambur, Srinivasan spent his childhood at the RS Krishnan School inside the BHEL complex. His father, V Ramani, worked at the PSU. When he was in class VI, his parents initiated him into Bala Vihar to learn Carnatic Music from Guru Cheran Maha Devi Somayajalu. He used to sing film songs well at that time. Within three years, he had progressed so well that his Guru organized the Arangetram for Srinivasan.

Uncle’s influence on the young mind
His uncle who was deeply into Thirumurai and the Thevaram Verses printed the invitation that had Sundarar’s Verses – ‘Ezh Isaiyai Isai Payanai’- as the headline. It had a big impact on the young boy. His uncle regularly recited Thiru Gnana Sambandar’s 11 verses – Kan Kaattum Muthalaano – in praise of the Lord of Thiruvengadu. His uncle used to also recite Periya Puranam and the teenaged Srinivasan listened to those verses with a great deal of interest. From the sacred verses of the Saint Poets, he realised that the purpose of life was to liberate oneself from rebirth. To that end, one had to dedicate the mind, thought, body and talks in service to the Lord. Thiru Gnana Sambandar in his praise says that for those who believe in the Lord of Thiruvanaikaval, no other security is required in life. This had a positive impact on his life and he began pursuing that as a way of life right from his college days.

He also found from the verses of Appar that one had to take an oath in life to praise the feet of the Lord at every given opportunity.Sundarar has in his praise of the Lord of Thiruvanaikaval says that he bows before those who invoke the Lord here while Thiru Gnana Sambandar says that those who believe in Jambukeswarar and invoke him with unconditional surrender for them there is no security required and will remain protected for ever.
Learning Sundarar’s 1000verses in 10months
He had no formal initiation into the Thevaram verses. Out of the 12 Thirumurais, he was keen to make at least one his own. In 1999, through sheer hard work and perseverance, he learnt over a 1000 verses of Sundarar from the 7th Thirumurai within a period of 10 months. When he was once reciting the verses at the Oonjal Mandapam at Thiruvanaikaval, the temple authorities, impressed with his devotional rendition, asked if he could present the verses as an Othuvar at the Kumbabhishekam that was just coming up in mid 2000. 

Othuvar role for 12years at daily wages of Rs. 50!!!
He happily agreed and has ever since been performing the role of an Othuvar at the Thiruvanaikaval temple. For a dozen years from 2000, he was paid a daily wage of just Rs. 50!!! Only subsequently was he given the official appointment order as an Othuvar by the HR & CE.

As foreseen by his parents, he has remained single for no woman was ready to come forward to marry a Brahmin Othuvar. But he had mentally tuned himself to this way of life right when he decided to let go the tempting R & D offer. Everyone thought that he would go the corporate route to career growth for he was a Brahmin and hence not into traditional service of Othuvars. But he has stayed away from the corporate lure despite being a University rank holder in Chemistry. 

The way of life is showcased beautifully in the verses of the Saint Poets, he says, but we rarely follow it lured towards financial rewards and other monetary desires ‘The verses of the Saint Poets have given me the direction in life. How to invoke the blessings of the Lord and the real definition of a true devotee is contained in these verses. Once you are aware of the purpose of life, what is the use of going after monetary benefits. I have tried my best to follow the verses in my daily life. My only interest in life is to serve Lord selflessly and to gain knowledge through devotional experience.’

He never went after awards but many prestigious ones have come his way in recent years. He has accepted these as God’s gift. 
A full cycle at Thiruvanaikaval
Srinivasan Othuvar, who lives in an agraharam house in Thiruvanaikaval, says that in these two decades it was likely he would have earned a lot of money had he joined the corporate life but no amount of financial reward could have equaled the joy and satisfaction of standing and singing the sacred verses in front of the Lord and Ambal ‘There is an inexpressible feeling of singing with devotion at the Thiruvanaikaval temple. Till my last breath, I want to sing the Thevaram verses.’

He is now looking forward to rendering the sacred verses during the Kumbabhishekam that is coming up over the next fortnight (December 12) for it was the one 18 years ago that provided the platform for him in his journey towards seeking liberation from rebirth.

Thiruvanaikaval Kumbabhisekam 2018

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Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Kumbabhisekam is slated for next Wednesday, the morning of December 12

With the slowdown in Thiruppani approvals by the HR & CE, only part of the repair works have been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 1.1 crores, funded by donors - More than half the work remains unfinished
The first phase of renovation is nearing completion at the legendary Jambukeswarar – Akilandeswari temple at Thiruvanaikaval (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/thiruvanaikaval-jambukeswarar.html), one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams, where the Lord manifests himself as ‘Water’ (Neer Sthalam). Located on the Northern banks of Cauvery, the temple was the first ‘Maada Koil’ built by Ko Chenganan Chozhan who went on to build 70 more including the Divya Desam at Nachiyar Koil.  The Thevaram Sthalam has been praised by Thiru Gnana Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavachakar.

Only Minor Works Completed
With a stringent approval process laid out by the Madras High Court for renovation of temples, only minor works have been undertaken in this phase. The previous renovation exercise had been undertaken almost two decades ago with the Kumbabhishekam having taken place in 2000.

The towering Gopurams in the East and the West wear a fresh bright look after a new coat of painting. Most of the mandapams and pillars have been water washed. The Jambu Theertham, one of the Nava Theertham, has received a new fencing. 
Revamp of Electrification System after 80 years
Despite its historical nature, the 1000 pillar mandapam, one of the few in TN, had remained a dark zone. As part of this renovation exercise, extensive lighting has been provided at this ancient mandapam that will allow the devotees to explore this special area within the temple complex.

For decades, wires had been hanging dangerously all over the temple. For the first time, in almost 80 years, the entire temple complex has seen a complete revamp of the electrification system with the installation of the duct system.

New Vahanas
New Sesha and Yaanai Vahanas will carry the Lord on the annual Brahmotsavam. A few more vahanas will see repair works in the second phase.

The first phase of renovation has been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 1.1 crores, funded by the donors.

Toilet Complex inside the Temple
The temple had made plans to take the toilets outside the temple complex but the authorities have not found a convenient location around the temple. Thus the relocation plan is on hold for the moment and the toilet will continue to remain inside the temple complex, much to the disappointment of the devotees. 
Renovation Plans for 2019
The renovation leading to the Kumbabhisekam marks only the first part of completion of the repair works. The bigger restoration projects are still pending and works will continue into 2019 after approval from the renovation committee.The huge granary opposite the Akilandeswari Sannidhi remains in a dilapidated condition and repair works are likely to take only next years. Similarly, the Theppa Kulam - Rama Theertham, off the Srirangam road where the Thai Poosam festival is celebrated in a grand way requires refurbishing.  This too requires approval from the HR and CE headquarters.

Plans are afoot to set up a special water treatment plant to redirect the abhisekam water on to the newly planned Nandavanam.
Huge Nandavanam to come up on the Eastern side
The big highlight of the post Kumbabhishekam plan is the conversion of the area either side of the Eastern Raja Gopuram into a huge Nandavanam. Hundreds of saplings will be planted soon after the Kumbabhishekam and within the next few years one is likely to see tall trees comprising of Aththi, Vilvam, Izhuppai, Vaazhai and Naaval, among others, that will provide a refreshing look to the Eastern side of the temple complex.

Kumbabhishekam is slated for December 12 between 6am and 7.15am.

Brahmmadesam Kailasanathar Koil

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Pancha Lingam Kshetram
The largest temple in the region has the most exquisite stone sculptures
The Gurukal has single handedly revived the historical Theppotsavam though the Brahmotsavam has not taken place for four decades

A single archaka has been managing the huge temple all alone at just a three digit salary 
Referred to as Raja Raja Chaturvedi Mangalam, Brahmma Desam was historically renowned for Vedic Scholars reciting the four Vedas through the day. There was such vibrancy in the region brought about by this nonstop chanting that Raja Raja Chozha donated the entire temple town to the Vedic Scholars so they could focus on the recital. Till very recently, Vedic Education and Recital was an integral part of Brahmma Desam. Rig Veda was initiated to students and only the dwindling interest and moving away of the traditionalists away from such remote locations prompted the conversion of the Vedic school to an academic school on the South Street a couple of decades back.

The temple town referred to as Ayaneeswaram signifying the presence of Brahmma and Shiva at the temple is home to Kailasanathar and Brihantha Nayaki. Reference to Ayaneeswaram is made in the 8 song of the 6th Thirumurai Adaivu Thiruthandagam.

Located 4kms  East of Mannar Koil (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/11/kulasekara-perumal-koil-in-mannar-koil.html) off the Mukoodal Highway, the huge 2000 year old temple is surrounded by lush green paddy fields, banana plantations and coconut groves. The Gadana River runs right near the temple from South to North. The towering 7 Tier Raja Gopuram at the Eastern Entrance casts its shadow on the big temple tank, just North of the tower.  
Legend has it that Brahmma came here, created the Theertham, had bath and undertook penance repenting for his sin of having insulted Lord Shiva in Dakshana’s Yagna.  Brahmma’s grandson Romasa Rishi too performed pooja at this place.

Pancha Lingam Kshetram
The temple is unique in that there are five Separate Sannidhis for Lord (and Ambal) with a separate Vimanam and Nandi. These include Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Ammai, Madurai Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, Ilaintha Adi Nathar and the Moolavar of this temple Kailasanathar, flanked by Brihandha Nayaki in a separate sannidhi. Hence this is referred to as Pancha Lingam Kshetram.

Ilanthai Adi Nathar (Badarivaneswarar), a Swayambu idol, is the original deity at this temple. One finds an Ilanthai tree as the Sthala Vriksham.

This is the birth place of the second Acharya of Kanchi Mutt Sarvagna Atmendra Saraswathi Swami.

Architectural Glory
The Cheras and Chozhas created one of the most incredible pieces of sculptures at this temple. Credit goes to the Pandyas for the construction of all the Mandapams, while the towering Raja Gopurams and the huge outer walls were built by the Nayaks.

Exquisite unseen Sculptures
The temples along the entire Tamaraibarani stretch have exquisite stone sculptures as exemplified by the ones in Srivaikuntam and Krishnapuram, among others. At the Kailasanathar temple in Brahmmadesam, the Cheras created  sculptures that will remain etched in one’s memory for ever.
The Bikshaada Nathar Sabha is a distinctive Sannidhi where one finds one of a kind of images not found in any other temple in Tamil Nadu. The seven feet tall Lord Shiva presents himself as Bikshaada Nathar without a peedam standing tall like a human being. He is seen with a Bhootham Vadhyam in a typical posture of going out for Bikshai.

Around him are carvings of Brahmma, Vishnu, Muruga, Pillayar, Ashta Dhik Baalakars, Surya, Chandra, Kinnarar, Kim Purushar, Agastyar, all seen in their respective Vahanas offering worship to Bikshaada Nathar. Seen above the Lord are two Apsara Kannis sculpted on a single stone, yet another marvelous piece. Below the Lord are three Apsaras in three different postures including one in a Sayana Kolam.
‘Punugu’ Nataraja
Yet another special feature at this temple is the presence of Lord Nataraja with Sivagami, Karaikal Ammayar and Pathanjali Vyaakra Paatha Muni. In centuries gone by, the Lord was provided a grand Punugu bath once a year on the eve of Margazhi Thiruvathirai and was referred to as ‘Punugu Sabaapathi’. But in recent decades, given the financial state of the temple, the Lord is given a sandal pasting on that day and remains so through till the next Margazhi. 
In the outer prakaram, one finds a separate sannidhi for Brahmma and Indra. Being a ‘Brahmma’ Desam, there is also a separate Sannidhi for Saraswathi with a Vimanam.

Right next to this on the pathway is a Lotus Petal in stone. It is the only from this location can one see all the three Raja Gopurams and the seven Vimanams.

The stone roof near the Eastern Raja Gopuram is yet another feature at this temple. While this is similar to structures seen in temples in Kerala, this one is fully in stone.

Dakshina Murthy is seen with a folded right leg and the left leg placed down, in contrast to the usual posture of the right leg being down.

Koorma Aasana – Soma Vaara Mandapam
Out of the five Aasanaas of the Lord, the one at this temple is in the form of Koorma Aasana. This exclusive piece of architecture is seen at the Soma Vaara Mandapam near the Ambal Sannidhi with the mandapa built atop Koorma. It is here that historically music and dance festivals used to be organized. Lined up on the row of pillars in this stretch are historical characters including those of Duryodhana, Yudhistira and Bheema, in addition to those from the Ramayana. 

Huge Nandikeswarar on Stone
The Nandi near the Kodi Maram, the biggest in the region and sculpted on a single stone, is another example of the outstanding architecture seen inside the temple. He is seen with a bell, jewels and anklets. The posture is similar to that a cow in a sitting posture.
War Time Invocation by the Kings
During war time, the kings used to visit the temple to invoke the blessings of Naalayirathamman (Sahasrambikai), a Kaali Roopam and they would return to the temple in a thanking gesture at the end of the war. In memory of this historical event, a grand ‘Thiru Kudai’ Thiruvizha in Thai was part of the temple’s annual festival calendar, this one strung together by different communities in the temple town. This too has come to a halt in recent decades. The moolavar idol of Naalayirathamman is on the banks of the Gadaga river in a separate temple dedicated to her.

Brahmotsavam- A thing of the Past?
Historically, the 10th day of the Brahmotsavam on Panguni Uthiram saw a procession of Lord Kailasanathar on a Rishaba Vahana with Brihandha Nayaki around the streets of Brahmma Desam, the largest temple in the Ambasamudram region after celebration of the Theerthavari Utsavam in the morning. For centuries, this was the grandest of the festivals at this temple. But for almost half a century, the Brahmotsavam has become a ‘festival of the past’. And this in a temple that is the largest in the region with three towering Gopurams and seven Vimanams, has the most exquisite stone sculptures and was once a War Temple offering protection to the people.

Revival of Panguni Hastham Theppotsavam
The Theppotsavam was celebrated on Hastham, the day after Panguni Uthiram and on the 11th day of the Brahmotsavam. Thanks to the efforts of Raj Kumar Bhattar, who took over from his father a decade ago, the theppotsavam has now been revived in all its ancient glory. With the help of donors, the entire tank was refurbished over a two month period a few years back. 
For the last three years, the theppotsavam has been conducted following the full agama (the temple follows Kaamiga Agamas – one of the 28 agamas) ritual including performing the homam on the Hastham day. Melam, Vedic Chants, recital of Thirumurai, Bharatanatyam and procession around the Ratha Veethi are now part of the Theppotsavam celebrations.

There was a Chariot Festival too around the Ratha Veethi but with the Brahmotsavam having come to a halt, the Chariot has remained in a dilapidated condition at the far Eastern end of the Sannidhi Street.
To this day, one finds the ancient Vasantha Mandapam, where Vasanthotsavam was once celebrated in a grand manner.

The Gurukal has revived celebrations of occasions such as Pradhosham, Thei Pirai Ashtami Pooja, Chitrai Visu, four time pooja on Sivarathri and Margazhi Thiruvathirai. He has begun a Vilakku Pooja in the evening on the first day of the Tamil month.

Huge Granite Stones for Lord’s Pandal
An interesting facet of the Utsavams was that there were big granite stones to the North of the Eastern Raja Gopuram on which big Pandal was placed during big festive occasions for the Lord would take shelter beneath this at the start of processions.

100 Pillar Mandapam  
The 100 pillared mandapam at the Eastern entrance is probably the best depiction of the architectural greatness of the times gone by with each pillar showcasing the skills of the artisans. In one of the pillars is depicted the fight between Vaali and Sugreeva. A couple of rows way is one of Rama standing in a posture of striking the arrow in the direction of Vaali. What is amazing is that one is able to see the fighters from Rama’s pillar but one is not able to sight Rama from the ‘fighting’ pillar, truly symbolic of the hidden state of Rama in that episode. No pillar has been moved or is out of place to create this hidden state of Rama.

A War Temple – Blocking an Elephant
In those early centuries, this was a war temple. People from the entire region used to take shelter within the temple when the war broke out and the huge temple door at the Eastern Raja Gopuram was shut. The opposition used the elephant force to try to break open the door but failed as the entire door was filled with sharp edged nails that caused the elephant to bleed each time it tried to push the door. 
The outer walls too were built in such a way that local forces could watch the movements of the opposition warriors. The towering Raja Gopuram was also used as a ‘weapon’ to identify the whereabouts of the opposition troupe.

Where the Paddy was ground
Just outside the temple at the Eastern Entrance is the Nellu Kuthu Thirai, an area where paddy was ground and later presented to the Lord. This was also the zone where paddy was stored to serve the entire village during floods, famines and during war time. Unfortunately over the last half a century since the arrival of the HR & CE in its full steam, the paddy inflow into the temple from the lands belonging to the temple has completely stopped both for the Lord and the temple personnel.

Meagre income for the Gurukal
This story is being written on a day when the petition for reasonable salary for priests is coming up in the Madurai High Court, a case filed by the Head Archakar of Rajagopalaswaamy Kulasekara Azhvaar temple in Mannar Koil, just a few kms from Brahmmadesam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/04/mannar-koil-bhattar-priest-salary-case.html). 

The Brahmmadesam temple is no different in this regard. 

Raj Kumar Gurukal joined the temple a decade ago at a monthly salary of Rs. 215 which has since been doubled to Rs. 500. His father N Kulathu Bhattar performed pooja at the temple for over four decades, first at a salary of Rs. 65 per month and then later at Rs. 165.  It has generally been a huge struggle to sustain themselves with the HR and CE citing the lack of income at the temple as a reason for the ridiculously meager salary to the archaka who is now managing the huge temple all alone without any support. 

While there were a dozen people at the temple till the 1980s, he has only the ‘Pala Velai’ person, who himself is paid only Rs. 300 per month, as the only companion at the temple over the last decade.

Unflinching Devotion to the Lord
During his over four decades service at the temple, his father used to bring water from the well each day for abhisekam at each of the Sannidhis. In the early part of the 20th Century, his grandfather Natesa Bhattar would walk all the way to the river to bring water for Abhishekam, such was his devotional commitment.

Revival of the Brahmmotsavam is a distant dream given the current working of the HR & CE though Raj Kumar Bhattar is hopeful he will be able to achieve this in his life time. As a precursor, he has brought back into great shape most of the historical Vahanas that were once used for the Brahmotsavam purapadu.
                 Koorma Aasana - Soma Vaara Mandapam
Repair Works at the temple
It is almost 15years since the previous Kumbabhisekam. There are cracks on the Eastern Raja Gopuram. The ASI has inspected and cleared the repair works to be undertaken to fix the cracks. Several of the beautiful sculptures on the Raja Gopuram need immediate repair works. But as has been with so many ancient temples, the temple is awaiting approval from the HR & CE headquarters. As is happening in several other temples, the inordinate delay in the approval process is creating frustration among donors.

It is easily the biggest temple in the region with three Raja Gopurams and Seven Vimanams. The entire temple is managed by a single archakar who works at a miniscule Rs. 500 a month salary. It is hoped that sometime in the near future, HR & CE will take steps to staff such ancient temples adequately and compensate the archakas and other temple personnel appropriately so they can carry out their duties without the financial worry.

Temple Time
The Temple is open between 730am and 10am in the morning and between 530pm and 730pm in the evening. Contact: Raj Kumar Bhattar @ 94428 94094.

How to reach
Auto from Ambai Bus Stand to the temple will cost Rs. 70. Local town buses every half hour from Ambai Bus Stand. 

Thiru Pudaimaruthur Naarumbu Nathar

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Lord Naarumbu Nathar is seen in a tilted posture listening to the devotional rendition of a devotee

One finds a cut on his head in memory of the historical episode relating to Pandya King slashing the sickle on a hidden deer

Kannan Gurukal remains the only traditionalist in this temple town that not so long ago had 350 of them residing in the agraharam
It is 515 am on a Tuesday morning in Karthigai with a slight drizzle around the corner.  It is still quiet at the Tamaraibarani. The villagers are just beginning to turn up for their morning bath at the various ‘padi thurai’ along the banks. S Kannan Bhattar (Gurukal), who has been performing aradhana and also managing the madapalli at the ancient Narumbu Nathar temple in Thiru Pudai Maruthur since 1995 at just Rs. 175 per month is already up and getting ready for the morning pooja. His father had performed service for 4 decades while his grandfather was there for 45 years. They rarely complained about the low income and simply performed their duty at this big temple of serving the Lord.

Till about four decades ago, the agraharam was home to 350 traditionalists with Vedic Chanting being an integral part of the temple. Today, the Gurukal remains the only Brahmin family in the village.

The Eastern entrance remains a Mottai Gopuram. 

Unique Idol
The image of Lord Narumbu Nathar is unique in that he is seen slightly tilted trying to hear the voice of his devotee with scars on his head, an indication of the legendary episode relating to the temple.

Legendary tale of Lord’s tilted posture
Karur Siddhar, one of the 18 renowned Siddhars, reached this location after meeting Sage Agastya at Papanasam, at the foot of Pothigai Hills. When he reached the river bank, he was welcomed by flash floods in the Tamaraibarani. Seeing a temple of Lord Shiva and not knowing his name at this temple, he wondered how he could have darshan but was moved the fragrance of ‘Maruthai’ flowers. Seeking darshan, he called out for him 'Poovin Manathil Naduvil Nirkum Naathaney'‘Narumbu Naatha Nalam Tharuvaayo.’ Moved by his devotion, the Lord moved a bit and is said to have looked out for the devotee who was reaching out to him. An invisible voice directed him to cross the river and come over. Much to his delight, the river gave way and allowed him to cross.

When he came here and asked as to why his face was tilted, the Lord said that he was moved by his devotion and wanted to see who this devotee was. The Siddhar prayed that the Lord remain so ever after to provide darshan to all devotees in the same tilted posture.

Cut on the Lord’s head
When Veera Marthanda Pandya reached here on a hunting expedition, he found a scared deer hiding at the foot of the tree. He directed the cutting of the tree with a sickle. To his shock, he found a Shiva Lingam coming out of the Marutha Tree with a cut in the head and a deer form on his chest. Apologising for his action, he built the temple that one finds in its current form and structure today. To this day, the Lord is seen with a cut in the head and with a deer mark on his chest. 
The Saivite Triangle
'Thalai Maruthur' Mallikaarjuna at Srisailam, Idai Maruthur Maheswaran at Thiru Idai Maruthur  signifying the mid part and here Pudai Maruthur Narambunathar, signifying the ‘patham’ sthalam are three temples seen in an equidistant triangle.

Indra was inflicted with Brahmma Hathi Dosham for having ignored his original Guru and then later having killed his 'adopted' asura Guru. Indra and his wife had bath in the Surendra Theertham and undertook penance to be liberated from the dosham. He had darshan of Lord and Ambal in Kalyana Kolam.

This is a Trimeni Sangamam with Tamarai Barani, Manimutharu and Kadana rivers meeting near here. There is an old world feeling about this historic location. One finds green paddy fields all along the road from Mukoodal which is 4kms away. The greenery continues off the Thirupudaimaruthur- Attalanallur road as well with banana plantations in large numbers. 
 It was here that Maha Periyava received Deekshai.
  
The temple is abound with inscriptions.
Festivals
10 day Brahmotsavam in Thai with Theerthavari on Poosam

The temple is open from 6am to 11am and from 430pm to 8pm. Contact: S Kannan Gurukal @ 96262 90350.

Thiru Naraiyur Nachiyar Koil Utsavam

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A rare coming together of Saivite and Vaishnative Lords at an ancient Divya Desam
The Divine Couple of Thiru Naraiyur in Rishabha Vahanams make a trip to Nachiyar Koil to meet their daughter and son in law
At most ancient locations, with the passing of time, the historical meeting of the Lord of ‘Divya Desam’ with the Lord of ‘Padal Petra Sthalam’ has sadly been done away with. However, one finds an exception in the twin temple town of Nachiyar Koil and Thiru Naraiyur for on the day after Vaikunta Ekadasi, Lord Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal of Thiru Naraiyar make their way on separate Rishabha Vahanams to the sacred tank at Nachiyar Koil, when Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar welcome them from the Theppam.

It is just after 5pm on the tenth day of the Margazhi Brahmotsavam at Nachiyar Koil that also included the Kal Garuda Sevai Utsavam. Gopinathan Bhattar, who also doubles up as HR & CE’s unofficial marketing executive at the temple getting them the donors for all the utsavams in the year, has begun a two hour alankaram of Lord Srinivasa and Vanjula Valli Thayar at the Vahana Mandapam. 
Interestingly, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his century of verses refers to the Lord residing in Thiru Naraiyur.
வம்பு அவிழும் செண்பகத்தின் வாசம் உண்டு
மணி வண்டு வகுளத்தின் மலர்மேல் வைகு
செம்பியன் கோச் செங்கணான் சேர்ந்த கோயில்
திருநறையூர் மணிமாடம் சேர்மின்களே
A couple of kms away at Thiru Naraiyur, Gurunatha Gurukal has roped in a couple of young Gurukals from the Kumbeswarar temple in Kumbakonam for the alankaram of Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal, both mounted atop Velli Rishabha Vahanam. A couple of hours later, the Lords and Goddesses had no resemblance to what they were a little while earlier such was the work of the priests.

The Lord and Thayar of Nachiyar Koil began their 90 minute procession around the Big Madivilagam on a simple pallakku around 8pm. At 930 pm, both of the deities got into the beautifully lit Float for the first of the three rounds inside the huge tank, North of the temple. The Theppotsavam took one back to the olden days when the entire village congregated at the temple in large numbers.

Economic Driver
It served as a big boost to the local economy. From chats to candies, balloons to bangles, ice creams to drawing books all the vendors made brisk business through the evening. Many other temporary stalls had made its way North of the tank. Several hundreds of young children got a first hand experience of a 'Unified' Utsavam in a temple town.

Lets go slow on the Theppam
The story goes that Vanjula Valli Thayar asks the Lord to go slow as she hears that her parents are on the way from Thiru Naraiyur to witness the Utsavam here and hence the reason for the slow movement of the Float over the first two rounds. 
Nadaswaram, Udal, Rishabha Vahanams at Naraiyur
For the Thevaram Sthalam praised by the famous three Saint Poets, it was one of the grandest days of the year. By 7pm, the Lord and Ambal looked at their resplendent best on their Silver Rishabha Vahanams. The devotees were delighted at the grand alankaram with both the Lord and Ambal seen with large flower garland and glittering jewelry with every visitor conveying their congratulations to the two young Gurukals. An hour later, a grand beautifully lit giant backdrop was added to the Rishabha Vahanams.

By 8.30 pm, the Lord and Ambal were ready to leave the temple on a 2 hour procession from the Padal Petra Sthalam of Thiru Naraiyur to the Divya Desam at Nachiyar Koil led on a ‘tractor’ by a nadaswaram troupe followed by the loud beating of ‘Udal’, the sacred drum by a group of teenaged boys. All the streets of Thiru Naraiyur were dotted with white pulli kolams with each of the households welcoming the divine couple to their homes with presentations to the Lord. 
It is 1045 pm when the divine couple of Thiru Naraiyur entered Nachiyar Koil for the only time in the year to the delight of 100s of devotees who had gathered around the tank. By 11 pm, Son in Law Srinivasa Perumal and Daughter Vanjula Valli Thayar had completed their second round in the theppam and stopped in front of Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal to seek their blessings. One could spot a happy smile in the face of the daughter on seeing her parents.

A simultaneous aarathi was presented with the Gurukal lifting high in a gesture of showering the blessings on the young couple. Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal presented their gifts to their daughter and son in law. 
Naraiyur's Legend
The Saivite Legend has it that pleased with the prayers of Medhavi Maha Rishi, Goddess Lakshmi was born in the middle of the tank at Thiru Naraiyur as a small child inside the lotus, in a green pavadai and a beautiful rose top. When ‘Nachiyar Amman’ grew into a beautiful young girl, Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal gave her in marriage to Srinivasa Perumal of Nachiyar Koil.

Every year on the Dwadasi day in Margazhi, the Divine Couple from Thiru Naraiyur on a Rishabha Vahana go on a grand procession to witness the Theppam at Nachiyar Koil. Belief is that Shiva and Parvathi hand over their daughter in a Kanya Dhanam to Srinivasa Perumal of Nachiyar Koil.

It is the one day in the year when Vaishnavites and Saivites of Nachiyar Koil and Thiru Naraiyur stood next to each other enjoying the rare meeting of the Saivite and Vaishnavite Lords.

Having blessed the young couple, Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal make their way back to Thiru Naraiyur well after midnight bringing to end an annual utsavam that signifies the unity that existed in the centuries gone by between the Saivites and Vaishnavites.

Sun’s rays on Siddhanatha Swamy
On 5 days in Maasi (16th to 20thday of the Tamil month), the sun’s rays fall directly on the Lord in the evening between 5.45pm and 615pm. On these days the lights at the temple is switched off in the evening and the entire Moolavar Sannidhi is lit with the Sun’s light. On the fifth evening, the Lord is seen in a grand flower decoration in a thanking gesture to the Sun God. 
The presence of three Dakshinamurthy Sannidhi is a special feature at the Siddhanatha Swamy temple. There are many other beautiful sculptures at the temple including one indicating the penance of Medhavi Maha Rishi here in Thiru Naraiyur.

Mapillai’s Gift to his in-laws
On the Thiruvathirai day in Margazhi, Nataraja and Sivagami, within a few days of the trip of Siddhanatha Swamy and Gomathi Ambal make a trip to Nachiyar Koil Divya Desam to present vastram to the Lord and Thayar who in return present the Tulasi Garland to the Lord. The priest of Nachiyar Koil then makes a trip to Thiru Naraiyur to present gifts from the Mapillai’s side. 
Selfless Service for Decades
80 year old Gnana Sundara Gurukal is fragile. He has served the temple for over six decades at two and three digit monthly salary. When he sets his sights on the Lord and Ambal, his eyes lit up with happy tears rolling down his cheeks. His son Gurunatha Gurukal has been at the temple for over two decades at a monthly salary of around Rs. 600!!! But in the father and son, there is total commitment to the Lord and Ambal. They see this as an engagement with God and they have been performing service without battling their eyelid over several decades despite it not being financially remunerative. The story is similar to one finds in several of the ancient Padal Petra Sthalams – that of Gurukals performing service at meager salary far below even the minimum wages payable as laid out in the constitution.

The temple is open 8am - 12.30pm and 4pm - 8pm. Contact Gurunatha Gurukal @ 99443 79140.
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