This Octogenarian Priest is still active with his Kainkaryam and was recently at the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam at the Devathirajan Sannidhi in Therazhundur
Lakshmana Dikshithar, popularly known as Babu Dikshithar, is well into his 80s but unmindful of his age, he made a trip recently from his home town of Mannargudi to Therazhundur on the invitation of his son in law, Vasan Bhattar for the Vaikashi Brahmotsavam. While his two grandsons support their appa Vasan Bhattar at the Brahmotsavam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/09/therazhundur-vasan-bhattar.html), Babu Diskhithar is the one who was at the Devathirajan Sannidhi helping out devotees with the darshan of the Moolavar. He has seen Therazhundur from a very young age and recalls Chimney lamps burning all over this historical temple town in those years in the 1950s and 60s.
Trained under Shona Dikshithar
He quit school after class IV and pursued Patshala education at Singam Iyengar’s patshala in Srirangam where he learnt Kaavyam. He then learned the agama from Shona Dikshithar for a decade. With only 16 days Archaka Kainkaryam at the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi and 22 days in the Ramar temple in Vaduvur, Babu Dikshithar also performed Sripatham Kainkaryam, Sannidhi Paricharakar and Madapalli service in Mannargudi, in the decades gone by to keep his engagement with the temple right through the year.
A contented life
He is philosophical about the way this life has gone for him. He told this writer at the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/03/mannargudi-rajagopalaswamy-panguni.html) in September 2021 about the contentment he has had in life "Whatever is required to lead a peaceful and happy life, God has given me. Rs. 10/- to Rs. 15/- was big money in those days and we were happy with that.. We depended on Thattu Kaasu but we led a contended life performing service to the Lord accepting whatever Rajagopalaswamy and Shenbagavalli Thaayar gave us. I never asked a single devotee to place any money in the Thattu. I learned early on in life that God will make the decision for you and will present to you what you require in life.”
Will be at Ahobilam for Jeer's Birthday Celebrations next month!!!
His commitment and devotional service came in for special praise from the Jeers of Ahobila Mutt and successive heads of this Mutt have had great regard for him. A month from now he will be at Ahobilam on the special invitation of Azhagiya Singar for the latter’s birthday celebrations in the ancient Divya Desam. He is not sure if son in law Vasan Bhattar would like his travelling all the way to Ahobilam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/10/singavel-kundram-ahobilam.html) at this age but he says he has to respect the personal invitation of the Jeer and make it to the Mutt headquarters in the second week of July.
During the Brahmotsavam at Therazhundur, there were scores of devotees visiting the Moolavar Sannidhi through the morning and evening. Babu Dikshithar displayed great patience to serve each of these devotees presenting the Sthala Puranam of this Divya Desam, describing each of the idols inside the Sannidhi and answering their queries with great patience, much to their delight.
His grandsons come to the Sannidhi at the turn of the hour to check if all was well with their Thatha only to be sent away asking them to focus on the utsavam. He inspired confidence in them that he would take good care of the devotees at the Sannidhi.
His has been a tale of unflinching devotion despite financially challenging times for several decades in the previous century. He believes that Shengamala Thayar resides in him and she gives him the strength and confidence to perform this devotional service even at this age. Truly Babu Dikshithar is an inspiration to all the young Bhattars on keeping one’s Kainkaryam going through an entire lifetime.