Srirangam Temple JC Mariappan

A HR & CE JC for whom there is no sleep!!!

It is 9pm on Thursday (Dec 19) evening. Most of the devotees have left the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam after darshan but for the Joint Commissioner J Mariappan work has just started. He is on rounds checking the infrastructure at the temple. Within months of removal of shops at the Ranga Vilas Mandapam and in front of Natha Muni and Chakrathazhvaar Sannidhi, development works have begun and are running at a fast pace (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/08/srirangam-temple-popular-shops-shut-down.html). The place where shops had been selling pooja items for decades has now been converted to a mother’s feeding room, legal dept and a library. The place around the Natha Muni Sannidhi will soon be home to Tulabaram.

Relocation of Tulabaram to Therku Vaasal

"Devotees wanting to present rice and jaggery found it challenging to carry the things all the way past Garuda Sannidhi to the Tulabaram room. Hence to make it easier for them, the Tulabaram center is being shifted to Therku Vaasal near the Natha Muni Sannidhi", the JC told this writer near the Garuda Sannidhi.

A bold step on Panguni Uthiram night

In March this year, for the first time in several decades he closed the ticket counter at 7.30pm on Panguni Uthiram day letting go of revenue with his sole focus being on getting the Chariot to start on time the next morning. For years, the Serthi Sevai continued late into the night delaying the Chariot procession. JC Mariappan took a strong call of foregoing ticket collection and getting the Thirumanjanam to start on time on the Panguni Uthiram night. 

Clarity on his role at the Srirangam temple

He speaks with a lot of clarity on what he sees as his role as the EO of this large temple “I am not here to fight and solve internal politics. I have been paid a salary for this role and I want to work as hard and as sincerely as possible to justify the salary. I want to look at key issues that devotees face at this temple and try to make it easy for them and a happy experience”, he told this writer.

This writer had met the JC for the first time on the Krishna Jayanthi and it was well past 9pm that evening as well when he was still deep into his work. With the additional responsibility now bestowed on him of managing the Thanjavur and Pudukottai temples, JC Mariappan’s days have been long and hard in the recent past but he sees it as his daily role to discharge his duty to the best of his ability. 

East Gopuram restoration progressing well

He is also keeping a close watch on the Eastern Gopuram on East Adayavalanjan street that had been severely damaged last year. He told this writer that the same devotee from Coimbatore building the Raja Gopuram at Thiru Vellarai Divya Desam is taking care of the restoration of this Gopuram as well. The road from the Srirangam railway station towards Vellai gopuram has been cut off at East adayavalanjan following the orders from the collector "It will take at least another year for the Gopuram to be restored given the extent of the damage to its structure.”

Tier 3 Raja Gopuram completed at Thiru Vellarai

JC Mariappan is happy that the Raja Gopuram work at Thiru Vellarai is moving a good pace (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/11/thiru-vellarai-new-raja-gopuram-by-end.html). “The third tier of the seven tier Tower has been completed and construction is progressing as per plan. The Raja Gopuram had seen a lot of hurdles and now that we have got all the approvals and the basic structure has been strengthened, we want to ensure that the entire construction is strong. It will take at least another year for it to be completed”, he said.

Anbil Consecration soon

The restoration of the Vadivazhagiya Nambi Divya Desam in Anbil undertaken by Venu Srinivasan has been completed (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/04/venu-srinivasan-anbil-nambi-temple.html). He is pleased with the way the temple has been restored to its historical best. "We have to finalise the date of the consecration and expect this to take place in February", JC Mariappan told this writer even as his staff are waiting near the Garuda Sannidhi for his next order late into this Thursday evening.

He tells them that he will be back at the temple the next morning at 8am for the Vaikunta Ekadasi related meeting with the Collector and asks the team to be on time. 

There are a number of internal challenges within the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam but JC Mariappan is unflustered about these. He focuses on developmental activities that will benefit the devotees at large. He has remained non-controversial over the last 15 months and says that he is not here to fight with activists or with the kainkaryaparas of the temple. 

"Till the time I am at this huge temple, I want to remain focussed on developmental activities and not on controversies" says the JC.

Will Venu Srinivasan be back as CBT

This writer had earlier this week written a story on the non appointment of trustees in TN temples including in Srirangam and asks the JC on the status “That’s for the Government to decide but we will welcome back Venu Srinivasan with both hands and this temple will benefit a lot if the TVS Chief agrees to the role again for he had played a remarkable part in the restoration earlier”, the JC tells this writer even as he rushes back to attend to his next work late on  Thursday night.

Will Venu Srinivasan, who had transformed the temple infrastructure with his restoration exercise a decade ago, don the role of CBT again(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/venu-srinivasan-srirangam-temple.html). 

This section will track the developments.

TN Temple Trustees Non Appointment

Temple Activist/President of Temple Worshippers Society TR Ramesh sends notice to TN Principal Secy and HRCE Commissioner on Trustee Appointment and Internal Audit issues in TN temples

It is Sunday (Dec 15) morning at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. All the hereditary priests of the temple have just received a letter from Joint Commissioner Mariappan allocating the archaka service duty for the month of Margazhi. The HR & CE has taken possession and the rights of archaka service from those hereditary archakas who had let go off their right towards the end of the previous century given the challenging scenario that prevailed at the temple at that time. With a sizeable number of days in each of the Sannidhis at this huge temple now under the control of the HR &CE, it is the JC of the Srirangam temple who decides as to how he allocates these services to the archakas. One look at the duty allocated for Margazhi (2024) will give a knowledgeable devotee an indication as to the basis on which he has made this allocation!!!

The Srirangam temple has been without a Board of Trustees for many years now after the term of Venu Srinivasan had come to an end. With a good understanding of temple administration and the financial management, the TVS Motors Chief had reigned in good control in the administration of this huge temple on behalf of the devotees (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/venu-srinivasan-srirangam-temple.html). But his departure from the role of the CBT has handed back full control to the HR &CE on most aspects of the administration of the Srirangam temple including the allocation of archakas for the Sannidhis every month from the above mentioned basket of days that HR & CE now have under their arms.

2021 - Judge Anitha Sumanth's order on EO's role

In November 2021, this section had featured a story on the Madras HC order paving the way for the phasing out of Executive Officers in HR & CE Temples and the appointment of Trustees to take over the management of the temple. On the role of EOs in TN Temples, Judge Dr. Anitha Sumanth had said in that order that with the elapsing of the tenure of the E.O (period of five years), he becomes functus officio. As per that order, the position of the Executive Officers in TN temples had become untenable and the temple administration had to be handed back to the hereditary trustees, or a new board of trustees that had to be constituted (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/11/tn-temples-hr-eos-out-trustees-back.html).

Display of Trustee's name and phone number

In September 2020, another Judge M.M. Sundresh had directed the name of the Trustees and their phone numbers to be displayed inside the temple as the trustees were doing a public duty and appointed as trustees of the named temples to take care of the interest of the  temples to which  they   are  appointed.  "Therefore, it is not only logical but also proper that their names along with their profession/ avocation will have to be  published  in such of those temples in which they are appointed and thereafter function as trustees. Their phone numbers also will have to be indicated so that a devotee can have access to them to redress his grievance on the functioning of the temple", the judge had said in his order.

Appointment of Trustees in TN Temples

In November 2020, Periya Nambi Acharya Narasimha Gopalan of Kulasekara Azhvaar Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Mannar Koil, Ambasamudram  reached out to the Court seeking the official direction for his appointment as a descendant of Periya Nambi as the hereditary trustee of the temple based on the 1000 year inscription, a copy of which he presented to the Court. The court had directed the JC to initiate action on this front but the appointment is still pending after four years with the JC court refusing to accept the centuries old inscription that points to the Periya Nambi clan as being the hereditary trustee of the temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/11/mannar-koil-narasimha-gopalan.html). 

Narasimha Gopalan had also questioned the transparency involved in the appointment of non hereditary Trustees in Temples. In a letter to the Commissioner of the HR & CE and to the Principal Secretary to the Govt - Religious Endowments Dept, he had requested to make public the qualifications and credentials of Trustees selected for the Temples in Tamil Nadu.  

For decades, most temples under the HR & CE administration have had no trustees and the activities of the temples have been administered by “Fit Person” appointed by the Government.  There are also cases in temples where the Fit Person and the EO are the same. In many cases, the application for funds is signed by the EO of the temple and the same individual approves the application and signs as the Fit Person.

TR Ramesh sends notice to Secy/TN Govt and HRCE Commissioner

On the morning when Srirangam JC Mariappan sent the archaka service break up to all the hereditary archakas for the month of Margazhi, a few hundred kms away in Mylapore Chennai, Temple Activist and President of the Temple Worshipper’s Society TR Ramesh has sent a notice to The Principal Secretary, TN Government Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment and The Commissioner HR & CE asking for detailed clarification on the pending appointment of Trustees (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/02/tr-ramesh-temple-activist.html).

Mandatory to appoint Trustees but HR & CE has failed

Accusing them of not appointing mandatory trustees, Ramesh has said in the notice that Trustees have not appointed to temples having non-hereditary Trustees for more than 10 years even though such appointments are mandatory requirements under Section 47 of the 1959 Act and that they have deliberately withheld appointment of qualified Hindu citizens as Trustees to Hindu Temples and Endowments  to ensure that these continue to be under the abject control of the Government.  Further he has said in his notice that despite being fully aware that while the full term of a properly appointed Board of Trustees is only two years they have continued with the “interim appointment” of Fit Person for more than 10 years i.e. the said interim period is more than 5 times the full term of properly appointed Board of Trustees.

Cites specific examples of wrongly presence of EOs

Citing the examples of Samayapuram Sri Mariamman Temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/12/samayapuram-mariamman-temple.html) and Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, Ramesh has said  in his notice that the EOs of these temples are  functioning there without any legally sustainable order of appointment but in each of these temples such illegally present person  is also made the “Fit Person” of the very same temple.

Suspension of Trustees and appointment of HRCE officials

Citing a few other specific cases, Ramesh says that at the Sri Madhava Perumal Bysani Trust and Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Pazhaya Seevaram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/12/lakshmi-narasimha-perumal-pazhaya.html), Hereditary Trustees have been suspended and the HR & CE official appointed as Fit Person.  At the Tiruporur temple, the trustee service of Sri Chidambara Swamy Mutt has been terminated and the Asst Commissioner has been appointed as the “Fit Person” in his place. 

Financial Mismanagement

While the lack of proper trustees impacts negatively the administration of temples, Ramesh has pointed out a deep rooted issue in this. Lack of professional internal audit services has led to the HR&CE not sending the audit reports are to the Trustees and only to their own EOs and JCs and the Commissioner leading to a lack of transparency in the financial management of temples in TN.

Summarising the points in the notice and demanding immediate action, Ramesh has requested the two of them to resolve and rectify audit objections that have been pending for decades, ensure no promotions and additional responsibilities are bestowed on HR&CE Officials against whom audit objections are pending in Audit Reports, ensure no HR&CE official is allowed to freely retire from service and reap retiral benefits without settling the audit objections pending against him  and without rectifying the defects disclosed in the audit reports.

Ramesh has asked them to respond to every point in the notice within the next three weeks failing which he has said that he would take to legal recourse.

This section will track the developments on this front.

Thirupaan Azhvaar Srirangam Birthday Celebrations 2024

On the occasion of his birthday - Karthigai Rohini – Thirupaan Azhvaar made a trip on Saturday morning to Periya Perumal and Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhis

On Saturday (Dec 14) morning, on the occasion of his birthday, Thiru Paan Azhvaar brought back memories of his unflinching devotion towards Ranganatha Swamy from the banks of the Cauvery and the way he was rewarded by Periya Perumal.

Great Devotional Message

The legendary tale of Thiru Paan Azhvaar’s devotional endeavour still holds good over a thousand years later. Over a 1000 years ago, Thiru Paan Azhvaar presented a great lesson for the devotee world to follow in their every day lives. His devotional way of life was clear. Being an outcaste, he was restricted from entering the Srirangam temple but he showcased to the world with his devotion that no matter who you are, if you show sincere faith in the Lord he will take care of you. 

The story of Thiru Paan Azhvaar is a classic illustration of the Lord sharing the pain with the devotee and being by the side of a devotee, when he needs HIM the most.

The Baanar community lived in Srirangam on the Cauvery river banks near Melur. The Baanars were well known for their special penchant for playing sweet music. Among them was one who developed a special affection for Lord Ranganatha from a very young age and who later went on to compose 10 beautiful verses - Amalanaathipiraan in praise of the Lord of Srirangam.

Prayers from the southern side of Cauvery

Being denied entry into the temple, this young man, Thiru Baanar (Thiru Paan Azhvaar), had only heard of Lord Ranganatha and had never seen him. Every morning, he would wake up early  and before dawn walk up to the banks of the Cauvery with a Veena in hand and facing the direction of the temple immerse himself in the thoughts of the Lord. This man would visualise the Lord, engage himself in deep conversation with the Lord day in day out and sing praises of the Lord as visualised by him in his thoughts.

Baanar pelted with stone

One morning, Sage Loka Saranga came to the banks of Cauvery to bathe and to then proceed to meet the Lord in Srirangam. Finding this man blocking his way, the sage indicated to him with a show of hands to move away from his path. Finding no reply, the sage lost his patience and mistakin this lack of reaction for arrogance, he threw a stone at the man. With blood oozing from his forehand, the man opened his eyes and found the sage behind him in an angry mood. The man soon realized that he had obstructed the path of the sage and had delayed the sage’s bath and his visit to the Lord Ranganatha temple. Immediately, he moved away from this place so the sage could carry on with his devotion to the Lord.

Lord Ranganatha bleeds - Shares pain with his devotee

After completing the formalities, the sage proceeded to the Lord Ranganatha temple. On reaching the sannidhi, he found to his shock blood from the fore head of Lord Ranganatha. That night, in his dream, he saw Lord Ranganatha unhappy with him and expressing his displeasure about the sage‘s treatment of the devotee who was immersed in his morning prayers. The Lord said ‘To those who show utmost devotion, I become one among them and share their pains. You have hurt Baanar, who despite not being able to visit me, has been relentless in his devotion from the Cauvery banks. I am today sharing the pains of Baanar.”

Sage Loka Saranga carries Baanar on his shoulder

Realising his folly, the sage pleaded with the Lord to forgive his actions and asked for a reprieve. The Lord wanted the sage to carry this devotee on his shoulder from the Cauvery river banks and bring him to his sannidhi. Obeying the Lord’s orders, the sage went to the southern banks of Cauvery the next morning where he found the man immersed once again in his prayers facing the direction of the Srirangam temple. Falling at his feet, the sage requested Baanar to allow him to follow the instructions of the Lord to carry him all the way to the Ranganatha temple.

Amalanaathipiraan- Verses in praise of Lord Ranganatha

The sage, accompanied by his disciples, carried him into the Ranganatha Sannidhi and for the first time Baanar entered the temple and found himself in front of the Lord who he had only visualised till then. So thrilled was Baanar at the sight of the Lord that he instantly showered verses of praise of Lord Ranganatha beginning with the loving legs of the Lord 

அமலன் ஆதிபிரான் அடியார்க்கு என்னை ஆட்படுத்த விமலன்

விண்ணவர்கோன் வீரையார் பொழில் வேங்கடவன்

நிமலன் நின்மலன் நீதி வானவன்

நீல் மதில் அரங்கத்தம்மா 

திருக்கமல பாதம் வந்து

என் கண்ணின் உள்ளன ஒக்கின்றதே

He ended his praise of the Lord with the words “En Amuthinai Kanda Kangal Matronrinai Kaanaathey”. Now that he had seen the Lord, he wanted nothing else in this life and wanted the Lord to take him along. The Lord was truly impressed with this composition and the devotion of Baanar that he took him in along with him. In front of a startled Sage and all his followers, Baanar merged with the Lord and attained moksham.

Birthday Celebrations on Karthigai Rohini

At 5am on Saturday, he made his way from his abode at the Southern entrance of the Ranganathaswamy temple to the Periya Perumal Sannidhi for Vishwaroopa Sevai. Five hours later, the bhagavathas had gathered in good numbers to carry Thiru Paan Azhvaar on the street procession around the four Chitrai Streets of Srirangam(the official temple Sripatham did not carry Azhvaar on this procession). The Vedic members were already presenting the sacred verses standing in front of Thiru Paan Azhvaar and they followed the Azhvaar on the two hour street procession.

The azhvaar who presented his only verses of praise on Lord Ranganatha is accorded a great send off from the Perumal Sannidhi with a Parivattam, Shawl and a Flower Garland. 

To Nam Azhvaar Sannidhi at 10.30am

His first stop on the procession was at the Nam Azhvaar Sannidhi. At the Therku Vaasal Gopuram, the Chief Priest of the Thiru Paan Azhvaar Sannidhi is presented with a flower garland that he drapes around his head. 

Ramanuja Nootranthathi - Prabhandham Ghoshti

The Prabhandham Ghoshti begin the recital of the Ramanuja Nootranthathi verses at the South Chitrai Street on this cloudy Saturday morning when the devotee crowd is relatively less at the temple. It is 11am when Thiru Paan Azhvaar makes his into the Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi. It is a special occasion for Thiru Paan Azhvaar for it is the only day in the year when he makes it to the Thaayar Sannidhi. Following Theertham and Shatari, Dhadhyonam is presented to the 50 odd devotees who have gathered in front of the Thaayar Sannidhi.

Thiru Paan Azhvaar had dedicated his entire life to the Divine Couple of Srirangam and there seemed to a happy smile when he entered the Thayar Sannidhi. The service personnel who carried the Azhvaar on the occasion of his birthday too sported a big smile through the entire procession.

கொண்டல் வண்ணனை கோவலனை வெண்ணை உண்ட வாயன் 

என் உள்ளம் கவர்ந்தானை 

அண்டர்கோன் அணி அரங்கன் 

என் அமுதினைக் கண்ட கண்கள் 

மற்றொன்றினைக் காணவே

The final stop at Ul Andal Sannidhi

It is noon when after going around the Chitrai Streets, he made his to the Ul Andal Sannidhi via the Therku Gopuram. He goes around the Andal Sannidhi as do the Prabhandham Ghoshti. After another round of Theertham and Shatari, Dhadhyonam is presented to those present before Thiru Paan Azhvaar headed back to his Sannidhi at 12. 30pm where the Prabhandham Ghoshti members presented the Satru Murai verses of the Ramanuja Nootranthathi following the completion of the sacred verses of the Vedic members bringing to end the annual utsavam on this Rohini day in Karthigai.

It had been over seven happy hours for Thiru Paan Azhvaar as he celebrated his birthday at the Ranganatha Swamy, Ranganayaki Thayar and Ul Andal Sannidhis while also providing darshan to devotees around the four Chitrai Streets. 

Srirangam Kaisika Ekadasi Rathna Kreedam after 200 years

A Kaisika Ekadasi Gift for Namperumal and Ranganayaki Thayar

TN CM’s Sambandhi presents Rs. 1.5crore Rathna Kreedam on Wednesday

It was meant to be a day of fasting and one renowned for the recital of Kasika Puranam, a legend relating to Nambaduvan and his unflinching devotion. But devotees at the Ranganathaswamy temple were in for a big surprise shortly after the 10am procession of Namperumal, the first of the two processions on this Wednesday.

Harish Bhattar, who had on the occasion of Panguni Uthiram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/03/srirangam-panguni-uthiram-2024.html) in March this year secured a Rs. 60lakhs Kili diamond necklace, has done an extraordinary two for Nampuermal in 2024. On Kaisika Ekadasi, he has secured a Rs. 1.50crore Rathna Kreedam that the processional deity adorned at 11.30am at the Santanu Mandapam just before the start of the Thirumanjanam.

The Rathna Kreedam for Namperumal is the first Kreedam for the utsava deity in 200 years after the Pandyan Kondai in the 19th century.

It was Harish Bhattar  who provided the measurements and saw through the entire process of making the Kreedam like he did in the case of the diamond necklace earlier this year.

The first procession on the Kaisika Ekadasi day began shortly after 10am with Namperumal reaching the Santanu Mandapam at 1030am. While the devotees eagerly gathered for the Thirumanjanam, they were surprised at this precious gift that Namperumal adorned ahead of the Thirumanjanam.

The Rathna Kreedam was presented this morning by TN CM’s son in law’s (Sabareesan) father Veda Moorthy to Mariappan, the JC of the temple with Murali Bhattar and his son Harish Bhattar taking possession of the Kreedam before they adorned it on Namperumal at the Santanu Mandapam.

For Harish Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/08/srirangam-harish-bhattar.html), it was  a morning of great satisfaction having played a role in two invaluable  ornaments for the deities at the Srirangam temple, both of which are likely to last for centuries.

While this Rathna Kreedam will be adorned on Ranganayaki Thayar, there is another similar priceless Kreedam in the offing that is expected to be placed on Namperumal over the next 12 months.

Pazhamuthir Cholai Arupadai Veedu

It was here that Lord Muruga came to rest after slaying the asura in Tiruchendur

Muthu Kumar Gurukal has been carrying on the archaka service handed by his forefathers

42year old Muthu Kumar Gurukal has been visiting the Arupadai Veedu Murugan temple in Pazhamuthir Cholai right from the time he was a young boy way back in the 1980s. He would often accompany his Thatha Karthikeya Gurukal on the long uphill path to the temple watching him performing the pooja with great devotion.

His Thatha had joined the temple in the 1960s and performed service for over three decades. A week after the now popular and grand Kanda Sashti Utsavam, Muthu Kumar Gurukal recounts the tales around the annual Kanda Sashti Utsavam that his Thatha had narrated to him during his school days “My Thatha would carry all the pooja items on his head ahead of Kanda Sashti Utsavam and walk all the way from his quarters in Azhagar Koil to Pazha Muthir Cholai at a time where there was no proper road and the entire hill was inhabited by wild animals. He also doubled up as the cook at the madapalli. There were not too many devotees in those time, very minimal thattu kaasu and it was financially very challenging for the family in that phase.”

As things improved slightly, his thatha began to cycle to the temple. With the passing of decades, the road has been well built and is relaid often enabling an easy passage for the priests of this generation. 

Financial Challenges didn't deter him

While he saw the financial challenges that his thatha and appa faced, it would have been normal for Muthu Kumar Gurukal to have taken the academics route to gain entry into the corporate world like many of his contemporaries but right from a young age his mind had been directed towards a devotional way of life and continuing the archaka service that he saw the two of them carry out during his childhood with great sincerity. 

Quits school, joins Allur Patshala

He quit academics after class VIII in the mid 1990s and joined the Veda Agama Patshala in Allur (Trichy) “I never visualised a college life or moving away from temple service to work in a company. The thought had been instilled in my mind at an early age that service at this Arupadai Veedu should be my way of life and I had no second thoughts on this.”

Soon after his Patshala education, at the turn of the century, he joined his appa in archaka service at Pazha Muthir Cholai.

A share in tickets and abhisekams

Contrary to what is the practice in most HR & CE temples now, Muthu Kumar Gurukal does not take a fixed monthly salary and continues the historical practice at Pazha Muthir Cholai. He has a percentage share in archanai, alankaram, abhisekam and ticket collection, in addition to the thattu kaasu.

Big Turnaround, Huge devotee crowd

After the Kumbabhisekam in 2014, fortunes have changed dramatically at the temple and with the gaining popularity of Aru Padai Veedu, much like Divya Desams and Paadal Petra Sthalam, devotees have been thronging Pazha Muthir Cholai in large numbers.

Muthu Kumar Gurukal says that even on normal days, the tourists have been visiting in good numbers so much so that he now has full time assistants for the sannidhis to support him daily as well as during the utsavams, a far cry from the decades when his thatha just had two watchmen for company. Over the last decade or so, there has also been a full time paricharaka at the madapalli to take care of the Neivedyam unlike the dark decades of the second half of the 20th century when Karthikeya Gurukal and later his son had to double up both as the priest and the cook at the madapalli.

Grand Utsavams and Vahana Processions

Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Karthigai, Kanda Sashti, Thai Poosam are all celebrated in a grand way with abisekam, alankaram and purapadu. 

Saivite Priests welcome Sundararaja Perumal

The Murugan temple in Pazha Muthir Cholai is also symbolic of the Saivite Vaishnavite unity as was seen last week on the Dwadashi day in Aippasi when Sundararaja Perumal from Azhagar Koil made his way to Noopura Gangai for Thailakkappu and Neeraattam utsavam. The priests from the Murugan temple climbed up the steep hilly path to present flower garland to Perumal on his way to Noopura Gangai.

Lord Muruga came here after slaying the Asuras

While the Azhvaars referred to the Perumal’s presence in Maaliruncholai Malai and the greatness of this hill (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/thiru-maliruncholai-periyazhvar.html), Saivite Poets referred to the presence of Murugan at Pazha Muthir Cholai Malai. It was here that he came to rest after slaying the asuras in Tirchendur. Silambaru, the sacred falls, that Sundararaja Perumal visits every year in Aippasi, is just a couple of hundred yards from Pazha Muthir Cholai temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/11/azhagar-koil-noopura-ganga-aippasi.html). Arunagirinathar has sung 15 verses of praise of the Lord of Pazha Muthir Cholai. He refers to Solai Malai being abound with mansions and mandapams and gopurams giving an indication that this would have been a beautiful temple town with people living a wealthy life. 

Maliruncholai Malai also finds a reference in the historic Paripatal (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/paripatal-on-vishnu.html).

Muthu Kumar Gurukal is delighted that he has been presented with an opportunity to perform archaka service at this abode of Lord Muruga. He says that the great devotion with which his thatha and appa performed service at this temple in those dark decades is now paying off with the revival of this historical temple and that the Lord has given him everything he could have hoped for in this life. As with many priests of this generation, he has had a late marriage and is hoping that he would be blessed with a son to continue the archaka service at Pazha Muthir Cholai.

The temple is open from 6.30am to 7pm on all days. A bus plies every 15minutes or so from Azhagar Koil to Pazha Muthir Cholai (ticket Rs. 10).

Pazha Muthir Cholai is about 2 kms uphill from Azhagar Koil Divya Desam

Azhagar Koil Noopura Ganga Aippasi Thailakkaappu Neerattam Utsavam

Sundararaja Perumal went up the steep ‘Victory Hill’ this Wednesday for the Thailakappu Neeraattam Utsavam on the occasion of Sukla Paksha Dwadasi in Aippasi

In the fourth canto of his Thirumozhi, Periyazhvar provides great insights into Thiru Maliruncholai and makes repeated references to Noopura Gangai and its greatness. He says that celestial maidens came all the way to bathe in the sacred falls that flowed down from the Thiru Malirun Cholai hills. He praises Noopura Gangai as producing sacred water. The Kalpataru flowers in heaven are filled with nectar like fragrance and he compares that to Noopura Gangai which he praises as having a similar fragrance

ஈட்டிய பல் பொருள்கள் எம்பிரானுக்கு அடியுறை என்று 

ஒட்டரும் தண் சிலம்பாறு உடை மாலிருஞ் சோலையதே

Legend has it that during his Trivikrama Avatara, Lord Narayana’s feet stretched to Brahmma Logam where a delighted Brahmma poured the sacred water on the Silambu / Noopuram worn by the Lord on his feet. This sacred water poured from the Lord’s feet to this place in Thiru Maliruncholai on Sukla Paksha Dwadasi in Aipasi. In celebration of this legendary episode, Lord Kallazhagar, the Utsava deity of Azhagar Koil, makes an annual trip up the hilly terrain to Noopura Gangai on this day every year for the Thailakappu and Neerattam Utsavam.

வானாட்டில் நின்று மாமலர்க் கற்பகத் தொத்த இழி

தேனாறு பாயும் தென் திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலையே

This event was enacted this Wednesday (Nov 13) at Thiru Maliruncholai Malai, a hill that Periyazhvaar refers to as one with thousands of lakes and flower groves and where the Lord is reclining with a thousand arms and a thousand crowns on the serpent with a thousand hoods. There is a rock carving atop the Nupura Ganga of the Lord in a Sayana Kolam on a huge Serpant.

ஆயிரம் தோல் பரப்பி முடி ஆயிரம் மின்னிலக

ஆயிரம் பைந்தலைய அனந்தசயனன் ஆளும் மலை

 ஆயிர  மாருகளும் கணைகள் பலவாயிரமும்

Kallazhagar (Sundararaja Perumal), the Utsava deity at the Azhagar Koil Divya Desam began a two hour procession from his abode at Azhagar Koil to the sacred Noopura Gangai Theertham atop Maliruncholai hills. Not so long ago, this trip used to take longer and Kallazhagar would reach the mandapam atop the hill only after 11.30am but with infra development has led to a great improvement facilitating a comparitively easier trip for the Sripatham.

Newly laid road up the Maliruncholai Hill

Till half a century ago, the procession took place through the hilly terrain, bereft of a proper road and the Sripatham Thangis along with Kainkaryapakas had to wade their way through bushes, tall trees and a rocky path uphill to reach Noopoura Gangai. Old timers recounted as to how they took to this arduous procession with great devotion keeping a close watch on wild animals along with the way. It was quite a strenuous trip up the hill with most of the Kainkaryapakas ending up with bleeding feet but in the decades gone by they did it all with devotion to the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai. With the gaining popularity of Pazhamuthir Cholai, one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, the tar road was relaid ahead of the utsavam paving way for a less strenuous procession. 

Periyazhvaar describes Thiru Maliruncholai as home to huge elephants that make their way into the forest in large numbers as a herd. The Wild elephants are seen chasing helpless cows into the forest of Thiru Maliruncholai. Even as late as the 1970s and 80s, the priests had such ‘wild’ experiences during this annual trip of the Lord in Aippasi.

Hundreds of devotees gathered at the temple early morning on Wednesday and led by the temple elephant and the white horse and to the tunes of the Nadaswaram, Kallazhagar began his procession going around the inner prakara before taking leave from the Lord protecting the temple at  Padhinettaam Padi.

Historical Inscription

An Inscription on the wall between the Perumal and Thayar Sannidhi of the Thiru Maliruncholai Divya Desam in the outskirts of Madurai refers to an undertaking during the coronation ceremony of Sundara Pandyan that he would continue the ‘Thalai Aruvi’ Utsavam and that if he did not it would amount to killing a 1000 sacred cows, testifying that the one of its kind festival at Nupura Ganga (Silambaru) is a historical one.

Periyazhvaar says that Pandya King Nedumaran of Koodal came to Thiru Maliruncholai in a thanking gesture to the Lord and to celebrate his victory. Those who visited the Lord at Thiru Maliruncholai and invoked his blessings before an event always returned with victory and came back to thank the Lord. And hence he describes it as a VICTORY HILL.

கொல் நவில் கூறவேற் கோன்

நெடுமாறன் தென் கூடற் கோன்

தென்னன் கொண்டாடும்

தென் திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலையே

Despite being a weekday, buses carried devotees in good numbers to Pazhamuthir Cholai making it a challenging procession for the Sripatham thangis as they had to make way for the vehicles plying up as well as coming down. 

Aru Padai Veedu Murugar Prasadam

Led by the Chief Priest Muthu Kumar Gurukal, the representatives of Murugan temple presented Mariyathai to Sundararaja Perumal while he crossed Pazhamuthir Cholai on this once a year Aippasi trip to Noopura Gangai for the Thailakkaappu utsavam.

Beautifully Decorated Noopura Gangai Mandapam

Hundreds of devotees had already stationed themselves in front of the mandapam at Noopura Gangai that was decorated with hundreds of apples and oranges to welcome Sundararaja Perumal. For over an hour, they were treated to a delightful Thailakkappu presentation by the popular and well known chief priest Ambi Narayana Bhattar. An ‘alankaram specialist’ he is continuing in the footsteps of his forefathers who presented this alankaram over the last century. After applying the sacred oil multiple times, he devotionally combed the Lord’s long hair sending the devotees into a trance. Following the Deepaarathanai, as expected there was a big rush to receive the sacred Thailam from the Bhattar. After a 90 minute presentation, it was commendable of him to patiently to reach out to every single devotee to present this oil to them.

The Eternal Spring

In line with Periyazhvaar’s praise of Silambaru as an ‘eternal water spring’, water gushes down the slope to Azhagar Koil from Nupura Ganga all through the year without a break, quite a unique feature of this location. It was 1pm when Sundararaja Perumal made his down the steps to Noopura Gangai after Mariyathai in front of Raakaayi Amman Sannidhi for a two hour bath after the Thailakkappu. This sacred moment of the Utsavam when Kallazhagar makes his way to Silambaru, where he has a ‘direct’ bath from the spring is the only one of its kind in a Divya Desam. 

Periyazhvaar says that devotees came from towns and villages to take a holy dip in Noopura Gangai in an effort to rid themselves of the sins. And when Ambi Narayanan Bhattar splashed this holy water on the devotees they were reminded of Periyazhvaar’s verse and their face brightened up and they seemed to be gripped with an elated feeling of devotion. For a couple of hours, devotees thronged the Noopura Gangai Theertham for a darshan of the Lord having bath, as well as to receive the blessings through the sacred water splashed on them by the Bhattar. There was great devotional fervour among the devotees as they lined up down the steps to have that once in a year darshan of the Divya Desam Perumal.

The Victory Hill -Thiru Maliruncholai

அலை வலைமை தவிர்த்த

அழகன் அலங்காரன் மலை

குல மலை கோல மலை

குளிர் மா மலை கொற்ற மலை

நில மலை நீண்ட மலை

திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலை யதே

Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan who has had a close devotional attachment with Azhagar Koil for many decades led Thirupathi Jeer to Noopura Gangai to receive a splash of the Noopura Gangai Theertham from the Bhattar. 

After a day long stay at Noopura Gangai, Kallazhagar made his way back to Azhagar Koil in the evening bringing to end the  Aippasi Thailakkappu- Neeraattam Utsavam.

Koodal Azhagar Aippasi Oonjal Utsavam 2024

The Utsava Deity went on a procession around the Prakara before resting himself for an hour long display on the Oonjal

Bhattars double up as Vedic Reciters during the Oonjal Utsavam

Around a hundred devotees watched the start of the three day Oonjal Utsavam at the Koodal Azhagar Divya Desam in Madurai on Wednesday (Nov 13) evening, a day when the Utsava deity at another Divya Desam, Azhagar Koil, not far from here went on a trip atop the Thiru Maliruncholai hills for Thailakkappu utsavam at Noopur Ganga. At 7.30pm, the utsava deity with glittering pathakam on his chest and seen in a grand white silk vastram went on a procession around the prakara with Sathatha Vaishnava, who continues to perform the Kainkaryam at this temple, leading the way.

The Greatness of this Divya Desam

It was after invoking the blessings of Koodal Azhagar that Vishnu Chittar arrived in the court of Vallabha Deva to present his views on 'Parathaththuvam'. His description of Lord Narayana as the Supreme Being and his narration of references from the Vedic Scriptures and the suggestion that worshipping him in one’s life time with devotion was the highest form of worship thrilled Vallabha Deva Pandya.Even as he was finishing his speech, the golden coins were showered on him for Vallabha Deva instinctively realised that he had found the ultimate solution.

It was then that Vishnu Chittar was conferred the title of ‘Bhattar Piran’ by Raja Simhan I (Vallabha Deva) with the king ordering a royal procession for Vishnu Chittar to be taken around the streets of Madurai. 

                                  

When Vishnu Chittar heard dissenting voices from his detractors asking him if he could show the Lord, Bhattar Piran, once again, invoked the blessings of Lord Koodal Azhagar. And shortly after, much to the delight of everyone there, Koodal Azhagar, appeared on his Garuda Vahana from above the Ashtanga Vimana along with Goddess Lakshmi.Worried that evil eyes should not fall on this beautiful Lord, Vishnu Chittar falling into a trance, showered verses of praise expressing concern for the Lord’s safety using the bell tied to the elephant as his Thaalam.

பேர் அணிந்த வில்லிபுத்தூர் ஆணி தன்னில்

 பெருந் ஜோதி தனில் தோன்றும் பெருமானே

முன் சீர் அணிந்த பாண்டியன் தன் நெஞ்சு தன்னில்

துயக்கற மால் பருத்து வத்தை திருமாசெப்பி

வானர மேல் மதுரை வளம் வரவே

வானில் கருட வாகனமாய்த் தோன்ற

வாழ்த்தும் ஈரணி  பல்லாண்டு முதல் பாட்டு

நானூற்று எழுவத்து ஒன்று இரண்டும் எனக்கு உதவு நீயே – Vedanta Desikar's praise of Periyazhvaar's Royal Procession

A beautiful alankaram

The devotees watched in awe the beautiful decoration of the Lord and even found a happy smile on his face as the priest moved the swing in a slow manner. Devotees, who also gathered in good numbers from the North, were particularly curious about the Muthu Kondai and posed queries about its significance.

Shortage of Vedic Scholars at this Divya Desam

While in the century gone by, there were Vedic Scholars presenting the Vedas during this utsavam, it is now left to the priests themselves to present the Vedas during the Oonjal. Following the Thiru Aradhanam, Balaji Bhattar along with his brother also doubled up as the Vedic Scholars to recite the Vedas.

By this time, the devotee crowd had gathered steam and they lined up the two sides of the Oonjal for the presentation of Theertham, Shatari and Prasadam. 

Shortly after 8.30pm, the Sripatham were back at the Oonjal to carry the Lord back to his abode bringing to end day one of the rather simple Oonjal Utsavam at this historical Divya Desam.

Sundara Perumal Koil wears a new look, Consecration after 80years

New look Raja Gopuram, Gold plated Vimanam, Repaired Vahanas but the HR & CE has taken back all the Utsava idols to Kumbakonam preventing the conduct of the processional utsavams!!!

Historical house of the priest has been brought down with plans to build a Kalyana Mandapam!!!

For a long time, Sundara Perumal Koil located about 10kms west of Kumbakonam had remained in a dilapidated condition. A few years ago, ‘Bhagavathar’ Aravamudhan took charge of the temple as the priest after quitting his corporate job. Since then, activities have heightened at the temple with the revival of utsavams and crowds coming back to the temple in good numbers especially during the mandalabhisekam phase.

The Raja Gopuram that had a dilapidated feel about it has received a fresh coat of paint and wears a new colourful look. The young priest managed to rope in a donor to gold plate the kalasam for the inner Gopuram and also a gold plate for the Perumal Vimanam.  Taking away the historical feel, the entrance to the Andal Sannidhi has been replenished with new marble flooring. 

A Priest who served for five decades

In October 2009, this section had featured a story on the handsome lord at Sundara Perumal Koil but after the passing away of Sundara Raja Bhattar who had served as the priest for five decades from the early 1960s, the temple had been without a priest for almost a decade before the young Aravamudhan took over.  In the century gone by, Perumal provided Garuda Sevai on Tamil New Year’s day. There were also processions on the occasion of Krishna Jayanthi and on the Kanu day in Thai. 10 day Navarathri Festival too was celebrated in a grand way with Horse Vahana Procession on Vijayadasami. There was a four kalam pooja every day with sacred food presentations to the Lord that included Curd rice, Sundal and Sweet Pongal. In the outer prakara was a huge Nandavanam that was filled with different varieties of Jasmine trees. The Lord and Thayar were draped with beautiful garlands especially on festive occasions.

When this writer visited the temple in 2009 to meet Sundara Raja Bhattar, he was residing in the first house opposite the temple on the Sannidhi Street. The Mei Kavalar resided in the next house. Unfortunately, both these houses have been brought down this year with plans to build a Kalyana Mandapam!!! One wonders as to why the houses that had historically been the residence of the priest and the Mei Kavalar will be converted to a Kalyana Mandapam.

A Grand Revival by a young priest

For the first time in decades, Perumal went on a street procession on the newly repaired Horse Vahana on the occasion of Vijayadasami earlier this month. Garuda Sevai also took place this year after several decades following the consecration. The priest, who also doubles up as the cook at the madapalli, has also managed to revive the Navarathri Utsavam for Thayar bringing in good crowd that had been hitherto missing. Thayar also presented Oonjal Sevai over nine days. He also organised the Anna Kooda Utsavam on a Saturday in Puratasi. The Thaligai presentation to Perumal too has been revived and during the utsavams this year, good quantity of Thaligai has been presented and distributed among the devotees, much to the delight of the local residents.

A devotee from Chennai has come forward to take care of the accommodation for the priest and his young family. The HR & CE too has almost trebled the salary of the priest this year.

Utsava Idols taken away to safe custody in Kumbakonam

However, the HR & CE has taken away all the utsava idols back to the Ramaswamy temple in Kumbakonam despite the presence of safety lockers at the Sundara Perumal Koil. This has meant that no processions can take place every month on sacred occasions and these are possible only when the idols are brought from Kumbakonam for select festivals.

After all the efforts to undertake the restoration efforts, this has come as a dampener to the residents as well as the priest. It is hoped that the HR & CE will hand back all the utsava idols to the temple so the processions can take place for Thayar, Perumal and Azhvaars and Acharyas.

Colourful Nandavanam

The nandavanam too is now abound with colourful flowers that are knotted and presented to the deities every day. However, the pathway around the outer prakara has been stopped half way by the HR & CE thus preventing the devotees from performing a pradakshina around the prakara. It is hoped that they will soon resume this work and complete the pathway.

Despite these challenges, good times are back at the historical Sundara Perumal Koil. And a lot of the credit for this revival should go to the young priest who has enthusiastically taken up the restoration work engaging with local residents, the HR & CE and the devotee donors.

Moolavar Sundara Raja Perumal is seen in a handsome standing posture.

How to reach

Sundara Perumal Koil is located 10kms West of Kumbakonam on the Thanjavur Highway near Papanasam. Buses between Kumbakonam and Thanjavur stop near the railway level crossing at Sundara Perumal Koil. Passenger Trains stop at Sundara Perumal Koil Railway Station. The temple is about half a km from the Railway station / Gate.

When here, visit Oothukadu Kalinga Narthana Perumal Temple (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/05/kalinga-narthana-temple-oothukadu.html) - 10kms from here.

Sarangapani Koil Vedantha Desikar Utsavam 2024

Cauvery Theerthavari in the morning rain, a vibrant Prabhandham Ghoshti at the Satru Murai event in the evening mark a celebratory day at Thiru Kudanthai

A feature of the annual Vedantha Desikar Utsavam at the Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai is that it starts on Puratasi Shravanam and runs for ten days. The Sannidhi archakar, Sudarshan Bhattar, who also doubles up as the Maniyakarar at the temple is at the Desikar Sannidhi at 8am. There is a small devotee crowd trickling in on this misty Monday morning that also turns out to be a muhurtham day. As is the case in temples in remote towns, the archakar has to wait for everyone to come in. The Nadaswaram player is missing as he is out at a wedding. 

It is past 9am when Vedantha Desikar starts on the procession through the western entrance of the temple.  The archaka and the Veda Ghosti personnel take to their two wheelers to ride their way to the Cauvery while the Kainkaryapakas who don the role of the Sripatham carry their Acharya from the temple to the Southern Banks of the Cauvery wading through the busy bazaar street and past the Chakrapani temple.

Grand Thirumanjanam

It is a once in a year event for Vedantha Desikar on the banks of the Cauvery and it really was a grand Thirumanjanam with the Vadakalai Acharya being anointed with fruits, honey and sandalwood. The Cauvery river bank reverberated with Vedic recital even as a few ladies who had gathered to watch the Thirumanjanam almost in happy tears watching their acharya's face and body turn from Turmeric paste to Sandalwood paste. It is past 10am and the slight drizzle has turned into a heavy rain but unmindful of this, the Kainkaryapakas bring several Kudams of water from the Cauvery for the Thirumanjanam.

Shortly after, scores of them make their way down the steps and enter the Cauvery in pouring rain for the Theerthavari. Devotees are excited to dip into the river in this Thula month on the auspicious occasion of their Acharya’s Theerthavari.

Following the Theerthavari, Sudarshan Bhattar along with Vedic Pundit Kesavan, also an alankaram expert, decorate the Acharya for half an hour following the Theerthavari. Kesavan's aged amma is caught in the rain and unable to leave the mandapam. She is 'happily angry' with her son as she remarks that he was unlikely to finish the alankaram soon as he gets himself lost when he is with the Acharya.

It is 11am when Vedantha Desikar makes his way back to the temple through the flooded streets with  the Sripatham showing great commitment to carry the Lord back in the rain that did not seem to relent.

Thiru Mangai's special love for Kudanthai Lord

For Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, Thiru Kudanthai was a location that seemed to be close to his heart. He found great joy in presenting a separate Prabhandham on Lord Aaraavamudhan at this temple and the Prabhandham Ghosti brought this to life with their presentation of Thiru Kurungthandagam, Thiru Nedunthandagam and Thiru Ezhu Kootrurukkai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/06/thiru-ezhu-kootrirukkai_22.html) with Vedantha Desikar seated in front of the Perumal Sannidhi and listening with joy to this rendition.

நால் திசை நடுங்க  அம் சிறைப் பறவை ஏறி

நால் வாய் மும் மதத்து இரு செவி

ஒரு தனி  வேழத்து அரந்தையை

ஒரு நாள் இரு நீர்மடுவுள் தீர்த்தனை

After Mangalasasanam at the Andal Sannidhi, Vedantha Desikar returned back to his abode near the eastern entrance of the temple where devotees were served with Chakkarai Pongal and Puliyotharai.

A Decoration that delights devotees

Past 1pm, Komalavalli Thayar and Sarangapani Perumal made their way to the Desikar Sannidhi bringing to end the morning event. After attending a wedding in the first half, Soundararaja Bhattar(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/02/thiru-kudanthai-soundar-bhattar.html), known for his great devotional attachment to Sarangapani Perumal, arrives at the Desikar Sannidhi and for the next three hours is involved in decoration of the Divine Couple and the Acharya.

By 5pm, devotees have gathered in front of the Desikar Sannidhi to have a first look at the alankaram. And they are not disappointed. None of them are able to take away their eyes from the delightful decoration of the Divine Couple who are to provide darshan for the next four hours at the Desikar Sannidhi.

Vibrant Prabhandham Ghoshti

At 6pm, the Prabhandham Ghoshti began their slow rendering of the tenth Canto of the Tiruvoimozhi followed by a fast paced presentation of Ramanuja Nootranthi. By 8pm, the devotees had flocked in good numbers ahead of the Satru Murai. By now, Karunakarachariar, who is closely associated with this temple, too joined the Ghoshti. 

ஆறாத அருள் அமுதம் பொதிந்த கோயில் 

அம்புயத்தோன் அயோத்தி மன்னற்கு அளித்த கோயில் 

தொலாத தனிவீரன் தொழுத கோயில் துணையான வீடணற்கு துணையாம்  கோயில் 

சேராத பயன் எல்லாம் சேர்க்கும் கோயில் 

செழுமறையின் முதல் எழுத்து  சேர்ந்த கோயில் 

தீராத வினை அனைத்தும்  தீர்க்கும் கோயில் 

திருவரங்கம் எனும் கோயில் தானே 

After Paatraachar presented Sarangapani Perumal’s parivattam to Vedantha Desikar, the Prabhandham recital reaches its peak with the Ghoshti members presenting Adikara Sangraham, Prabhandha Saaram and Pillayanthaathi in high pitched voice much to the delight of the devotees.

It had been a long day for the personnel at the madapalli. Accolades poured in from the devotees after they taste the multiple sweets, Kaaram, hot Pongal and Puliyotharai that is served to them at 10pm. 

Karunakarachariar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/09/karunakaran-swamy-president-award.html) is particularly happy at the way the Satru Murai of Vadakalai Acharya has been celebrated at the Sarangapani Koil. The decoration of Perumal, Thayar and Desikar, the presentation of the Prabhandham and Veda Ghoshti and the quality of the sacred food makes him feel good in the way tradition has been followed on this evening. He stays back till 11pm and as he walks alongside Komalavalli Thayar on the procession from the Desikar Sannidhi to her abode makes the remark that it is always the Thayar who makes her way back first. 

Mosquito Menace - A challenge for all

Late into the night, he is critical of the mosquito menace at the temple on this evening and bemoans the absence of the HR & CE EO at this grand celebration and the lack of steps to control the mosquitos that too were present in good numbers alongside the Kainkaryapakas and the devotees.

Sarangapani Perumal's return procession to his Sannidhi past 11pm marked the end of a celebratory day at Thiru Kudanthai. It had been a long day for the Kainkarayapakas but the devotees who had gathered at the temple to watch the events unfold on the Satru Murai day of Vedantha Desikar Utsavam seem to have enjoyed the celebration.