Oothukadu Kalinga Narthana Next Gen Sundar Bhattar

This Young Vaikanasa Agama Priest is following in the footsteps of his father and great grand father committing to a lifetime archaka service at this historic temple for Kalinga Narthana

The Perumal temple at Oothukadu is a legendary and one of its kind temple dedicated exclusively to Kalinga Narthana, located just under 15kms from Kumbakonam off the Avoor – Melattur- Thittai Highway. It was here that Venkatakavi composed many of his memorable compositions.

Legendary Tale

Legend has it that this was once a Pushpa Vanam. Residing at the Kailasanatha temple in Aavoor, Nandini and Patti, the children of Kamadhenu, were providing milk to the Lord. Every morning, the two would also graze across to the nearby Oothukadu Village (2kms away) and collect flowers for the Lord from the Pushpa Vanam.

On one such occasion, the two little ones listened to Sage Narada’s narration of the story of Lord Krishna and his Kalinga Narthana. Hearing the story of the five year old (Child) Krishna taking on the poisonous asura snake (Kalinga) and performing the Kalinga Narthana, Nandini and Patti are said to have broken out into tears for the hardship and the onerous task imposed on the little boy Krishna.

Worried about her children, Kamadhenu approached Krishna at Vaikuntam seeking a solution to her children’s shocked state of mind. Responding to her request, Krishna appeared here at the Pushpa Vanam at Oothukadu and performed yet again, with ease, the Kalinga Narthana in front of a delighted Nandini and Patti thus convincing them that this was a child’s play for him.

Wanting all the devotees to enjoy this unique form of Krishna, Narada requested the Lord to be present here at Oothukadu as Kalinga Narthana. Narada is believed to have installed the idol of Krishna as Kalinga Narthana with Nandini and Patti standing on either side of the Lord in front of him and referred to this place as ‘Then Gokulam’.

Dark Years

In the 1990s, when Jayaraman Bhattar took charge as the archaka of this historic temple at a monthly salary of Rs. 37, it was in a terrible state. He recounts to this writer on his early experience at such an historic temple “There were no devotees at the temple, no thattu kaasu and no salary to the priest in the 1980s and the early 90s. Multiple priests had come and gone. My Thatha had performed Thiru Aradhanam at this temple before the temple turned for the worse in the 2nd half of the previous century. The outgoing priests were keen for me to take up the archaka service but I was hesitant given the state of the temple at that time.”

Jayaraman Bhattar had been working in the corporate space for a few years when a Kainkaryam message from his appa was to transform his life towards devotional service at the feet of Kalinga Narthanar, for ever.

Perform Archaka Service, Not my final rites!!!

“The scenario at the temple was bleak and it had been locked for a few months with no archaka forthcoming to perform service. When my appa heard this news, he asked me to quit my job and take up archaka service at Oothukadu. I repeatedly refused citing the poor financial scenario at the temple and the lack of devotees.”

“Finally he came up to me and said that Kalinga Narthana Perumal had fed the family for several decades through the service of his appa. And that it was okay even if I did not perform his final rites but that I should take up a lifetime of Kainkaryam at the Oothukadu Perumal temple. He said that I could forego anything in this life but not the Kainkaryam to Kalinga Narthanar.”

Unique Posture of the Lord

An interesting feature at this temple is the posture of Kalinga Narthana - his left leg is seen on top of the Asura Snake but not touching the snake. His left thumb alone is holding the tail of the snake with none of his other four fingers in contact with the tail!! His right leg is seen above the ground in a dance posture. On a close look, one can find the scars on his leg below the knee, the result of his fight with Kalinga.

That message turned out to be transformational as Jayaraman Bhattar quit his job and joined the temple as an archaka at a monthly salary of Rs. 37!!! But as the Bhattar recalls, his appa made a futuristic financial commitment to him “He told me and my brother that if I take up this temple service during the dark years at the temple he would give me additional assets whenever his savings was split between my brother and me, sometime later in life.”

His appa passed away a couple of months ago at the age of 97 but as committed, he did provide an additional share to Jayaraman Bhattar for his selfless kainkaryam during the bleak period at the temple.

In that early phase, he also received a sambhavanai from the Venkatakavi Trust in Mylapore.

The great Venkata Kavi lived here

The Kalinga Narthana temple at Oothukadu has a significant connection with the music world. It was living here in Oothukadu that Venkata (Kavi) Subba Iyer composed many of his memorable and to-date unforgettable songs on Krishna including specific ones on Kalinga Narthana of Oothukadu.

Jayaraman Bhattar recounts the first day he entered the Sannidhi as an archaka just over three decades ago “There were cobwebs, rats and cockroaches inside the sanctum. There was no oil to light the lamp and I would light one ‘agal vilakku’ and use that to present at all sannidhis and then switch off so that I could use it again the next day. The vastrams of the deities were torn. The temple was dark after 6pm. And there were no devotees or thattu kaasu. Thirumanjanam had long stopped. And utsavams too.”

Luring Devotees Back 

All these saddened him and having taken the decision to perform the Kainkaryam, he took to reviving the temple. The madapalli was in a terrible state and he made ven Pongal from his house in Haridwara Mangalam and presented it to Perumal at Oothukaadu. He describes at the way he went about it “The most important aspect at that stage was to get devotees back into the temple. And I thought about how I could do that. I approached prominent astrologers across the state and requested them to direct their customers to this temple. I went to multiple cities in the state and met the owners of temple travel agencies and asked them to consider including Oothukadu in their Chozha temple trip schedule.”

He was buoyed by the fact that devotees actually went back and wrote postal letters as to how a wedding had taken place when it had earlier seemed unlikely and how there was childbirth in their house after sankalpa archanai at the Sannidhi. “Only then I realised the greatness of Kalinga Narthana and what a blessed state I was in to be performing Thiru Aradhanam at this temple” says Jayaraman Bhattar sitting at his house that he rebuilt last decade.

These two initiatives led devotees to visit the temple. When devotees reaped success from the sankalpa archanai, they spread the word to other devotees. And thus by the turn of the century, a regular stream of devotees began visiting the temple. It also coincided with the devotional wave that was striking TN temples.

For the visiting devotees, his wife cooked homely food and served lunch as this was a remote temple and there were no restaurants available in the near vicinity in those days. This friendly initiative too struck a chord with the devotees.

Getting Ubayadarars back - Revival of Utsavams

He then looked at the list of historical Ubayadarars who had been associated with the temple during his Thatha’s Kainkaryam days and tried to reach out to them. Many of them were now in high paying jobs and they expressed happiness to be reassociated with the temple.

Monthly Thirumanjanam began to become a regular feature. He then went about reviving the Krishna Jayanthi utsavam starting off on a small scale. Following this, he revived the Uriyadi utsavam bringing the local community together for the event.

During the dark years at Oothukadu and after seeing him perform kainkaryam at this temple, there were overseas archaka service offers for Jayaraman Bhattar but having committed to his appa to a lifetime service to Kalinga Narthanar, he rejected those lucrative offers.

In the initial phase of his temple kainkaryam, he would cycle 12 kms from Haridwara Mangalam, where his appa resided performing Kainkayaram in the Varadaraja Perumal temple there “In that period, when the cycle tyre punctured, I did not have money and paid the shop in instalments. Such were the financial challenges at that time.”

Massive Restoration Exercise

Having fully entrenched himself into the temple activity, he decided to take up the renovation work at the temple. The physical infrastructure at the temple had been poor for a long time and he began reaching out to devotees to contribute to the renovation exercise. And the ensuing consecration just over a decade ago saw a remarkable transformation of the temple with a beautiful Sannidhi for Venkatakavi, a stage for musicians and dancers to showcase their artistic skills, depicting Krishna’s legendary childhood tale in the form of painting around the Sannidhi (a story on this by this writer featured in The Hindu Friday Review at that time).

The Krishna Jayanthi Utsavam has now turned into a grand celebration with annadhanam for several hundreds of devotees. Every Rohini, there is a Thirumanjanam. The devotee numbers have shot up as well since the consecration. This margazhi devotees have come in good numbers early in the morning to recite Thiruppavai and for the Pongal from the now restored Madapalli.

Prarthana Sthalam

This temple is believed to be a Prarthana Sthalam for upcoming music and dance artistes. Kalinga Narthana is said to fulfill all their prayers and bring them success in their art. This is also believed to be a Prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried as well as childless couples. A visit to the Kalinga Narthana temple will liberate one from Rahu and Kethu doshams and Sarpa Dosham as well.

While Jayaraman Bhattar himself was a reluctant entrant into the temple in the early 1990s, having experienced Kalinga Narthanar, he was keen for his son to follow in his footsteps and moved him into the Madurantakam Patshala/Oriental school after his class V. And then for a brief period to the Dayananda Saraswathi Vaikanasa Agama patshala in Kudavasal. But the most important agama and life lessons came from his thatha as the now 32 year old Sundararaman Bhattar recounts “My thatha (Rajam Bhattar) was a Vaikasana agama expert and he was renowned for the way he performed consecrations in the traditional way. I was blessed to have been personally initiated into the agama by him through a Gurukulam model of learning. He knew the sastras inside out, believed, practiced and shared it with those following the Vaikanasa agamas.”

While he went out for consecration, Brahmotsavam, Pavitrotsavam and homam events over the last decade, he has now committed himself to being full time as an archaka at the Kalinga Narthana temple following in his appa’s and great grand father’s footsteps. There was money to be earned in those events outside but he has put those aside now to focus all his devotional energy on Kalinga Narthana even though his monthly salary is only Rs. 1000!!! Even that was possible only due to the efforts of the then EO Prabhakar, now at Nachiyar Koil.

His devotional attachment with Kalinga Narthana Perumal led him to go deep into the scriptures on Vyasa’s teachings and based on his research, he has now got into Pravachanam on the legendary tales of Radha and Krishna through his youtube channel – Krishnanandham.

Unfortunately, there is a lingering issue for those like him in remote temple towns, one that does not seem to have an immediate solution. Parents of prospective brides are not coming forward to hand their daughters to priests who are committing a lifetime service to historic remote temples. While his parents have cast their net wide, daughters of priests and even his own relatives are unwilling to take this positive step forward.

Sundar Bhattar is unmindful of this and says his focus is on performing Kainkaryam at the feet of Kalinga Narthanar all through his life. And that’s great commitment from a youngster at a time when those even in Divya Desams are heading Northwards into the corporate space and away from temples.

How to reach Oothukadu

Buses every half hour between Kumbakonam and Aavoor. The temple is about 2kms from Aavoor. Auto from Kumbakonam Railway Station/Bus stand costs Rs. 500.

Sarangapani Koil Namazhvaar Moksham 2025

The legendary event of Namazhvaar attaining Perumal's feet was enacted at the Sarangapani temple on Tuesday evening to the recital of the Aravamuthey verses on the 5th day of Era Pathu Utsavam 

It is a one of its kind coincidence. The fifth day of the Era Pathu Utsavam was celebrated at the Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi on Thursday (Dec 30) evening. 

A unique feature of the Adyayana Utsavam at Sarangapani Koil is that the Pagal Pathu Utsavam starting every year on the first day of Margazhi. This year, Thirumangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal took place last Thursday (Dec 25). And thus, this Tuesday marked the fifth day of the Era Pathu Utsavam. In all other Divya Desams, the pagal pathu utsavam ended on Monday evening with Perumal in Mohini Alankaram and the Paramapada Vaasal opened this morning (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/12/sarangapani-koil-pagal-pathu-utsavam.html).

The fifth day of the Era Pathu utsavam at Sarangapani Koil is a special occasion for in the fifth canto of Thiruvoimozhi, Namazhvaar has praised the greatness of Aravamudhan, the moolavar deity at Thiru Kudanthai. It is the day when the Namazhvaar Moksham episode is enacted at this temple to go with the presentation of the Aravamuthey verses.

While Sarangapani Perumal had made it to the 100 pillared mandapam in the afternoon, he went on a procession inside the temple early in the evening as it was the Ekadasi day. And then he made his way back to the mandapam. On the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi, there was a huge crowd to have darshan of the Moolavar deity and the crowd stretched to the Chariot at the east end of the Sannidhi street. 

Just after 7.30pm, seated in a majestic posture atop the Sesha Vahana, Sarangapani listened to the start of the first decad of the fifth canto of Tiruvoimozhi. The traditionalists of Thiru Kudanthai who had been at the prabhandham recital through the Pagal Pathu utsavam were present for the Thodakkam while a majority of the devotees were in the long queue for moolavar darshan.

After the presentation of the first seven decads of the fifth canto, there was a break as more devotees gathered at the 100 pillared mandapam to watch the magical moment of Namazhvaar attaining Sarangapani’s feet. 

Namazhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal

Soon after Soundar Bhattar gave the nod, the prabhandham members began the recital of the Aravamuthey verses with Patrarchars carrying Namazhvaar towards Sarangapani Perumal. It was a step by step movement even as the members continued the sacred verses of Namazhvaar on the Lord of Thiru Kudanthai. While there continued to be a long queue for darshan of the moolavar, the HRCE staffers made repeated announcements on crowd management even as these sacred verses were being presented much to the annoyance of Soundar Bhattar who made his displeasure known to them.

 

ஆரா அமுதே அடியேன் உடலம்  நின்பால் அன்பாயே

நீராய்  அலைந்து கரைய உருக்குகின்ற நெடுமாலே

சீர் ஆர் செந்நெல் கவரி வீசும் செழு நீர் திரு குடந்தை

ஏர் ஆர் கோலம் திகழ கிடந்தாய் கண்டேன் எம்மானே  - Thiruvoimozhi (5-8-1)

As the members moved into the final verse of the 8th decad, Namazhvaar was placed at the feet of Sarangapani Perumal with Soundar Bhattar following it up with placing Tulasi on the body of Namazhvaar. Devotees who made their way after the darshan of Moolavar Aravamudhan felt blessed to have witnessed the enactment of Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal event.

வாரா வருவாய் வரும் என் மாயா மாயா மூர்த்தியாய் 

ஆரா அமுதாய்  அடியேன் ஆவி அகமே தித்திப்பாய் 

தீரா வினைகள் தீர என்ன ஆண்டாய் திருக்குடந்தை 

ஊரா உனக்கு ஆள் பட்டும் அடியேன் இன்னம் உழல்வேனோ 

After almost three decades, Soundararajan Bhattar continues to be greatly attached to his ‘Perumal’ and it was a delight for the devotees to watch him perform the Thiru Aradhanam with such devotion (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/02/thiru-kudanthai-soundar-bhattar.html).

The clock had ticked to ten pm when the Vedic members recited the Vedas that was followed by the presentation of the final decads of the fifth canto of Tiruvoimozhi. Devotees continued to head to the 100 pillared mandapam after the moolavar darshan late into the evening.

There was a wide ranging prasadam presented to the Lord on the occasion of Namazhvaar Moksham and this was distributed to the devotees. 

It was almost 11pm when the devotee donors of the day made their way to the 100 pillar mandapam for a close darshan of Sarangapani perumal bringing to end this fifth day of the Era Pathu Utsavam.

This Saturday evening on the 9th day of the Era Pathu Utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal and Komalavalli Thayar will provide Maatru Sevai darshan to devotees with Perumal presenting himself as Thayar, and Thayar likewise as Perumal, at the 100 pillared mandapam.

Gopurapatti Adhi Nayaka Perumal temple HRCE takeover

The temple where Namperumal had resided during the Muslim Invasion has now been taken over by the HRCE after the Chief Priest of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple restores and performs two consecrations

Murali Bhattar, the Chief Priest of the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam was saddened by the plight of Adhi Nayaka Perumal when he visited Gopurapatti just under a couple of decades ago. The temple was in ruins with the moolavar deity in a damaged condition. There were heavy bushes and snake pits inside the temple complex. The significance of Gopurapatti dates back to the Muslim Invasion of the 14th century when Namperumal stayed here before returning to Srirangam. 

He organised the restoration of the temple at a cost of around Rs. 1crore though the original plan was to organise repair works for around Rs. 20000. Just over a dozen years ago, the temple had been completely turned around with a restoration exercise anchored by Murali Bhattar. The temple complex wore a new look and this writer had featured a story in The Hindu Friday Review on the facelift the temple had received. 

He organised a priest for the initial phase as well as secured the services of a devotee donor for the maintenance of the temple. Vahanas too were built for processions to be revived.

In 2018, he roped in KS Abiraman of Manachanallur as the priest and he has been performing daily Thiru Aradhanam over the last 7 years and has been instrumental in the devotees coming back to the temple in good numbers especially during Puratasi and Margazhi. 

And recently, Murali Bhattar also organised a 2nd consecration and expressed happiness at not only having restored the temple from a dilapidated state but also at being able to perform consecration twice in the space of 12 years. 

The Villagers have been managing the temple activities and the utsavams collecting funds from donors since the restoration of the temple.

HRCE takeover

And now, the HR & CE has taken over the administration of the temple. They have placed a banner inside the temple to inform the devotees as to who will be administering the temple from now on. Murali Bhattar feels blessed that he has been able to play a role in the restoration of a historic temple where devotees continue to perform tharpanam on Aadi Amavasai for the forefathers who passed away in the Muslim Invasion.  But he says that he will be taking a back seat for now with the taking over of the temple by the HR & CE. Murali Bhattar had been paying the salary of the priest since the restoration and also been doing his bit for the maintenance of the temple and has been responsible for the complete makeover of the temple but with this takeover, one will have to wait and watch as to how things pan out at the  Adhi Nayaka Perumal temple in Gopurapatti.

Nachiyar Koil Kal Garuda Sevai December 2025

Huge crowd, beautiful alankaram, glittering jewellery and tireless effort from the sripatham personnel mark the Garuda Sevai on Friday evening but Theppotsavam at the end of this margazhi festival remains a question mark with sewage water seeping into the sacred tank

Will the HRCE Minister take corrective steps before the Panguni Utsavam Theerthavari???

Gopinathan Bhattar, who has been at the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Nachiyar Koil in Thiru Naraiyur for the last three decades, makes repeated announcements that this is a one of its kind Kal Garuda Sevai on Friday evening for it was the third one in 2025 following the ones in early January and during the Panguni Brahmotsavam.

High Devotional Vibrancy on Garuda Sevai evening

Prabhakaran, the Executive Officer of the temple, finds it hard to believe that the crowd has increased so dramatically. He was very happy in January this year on the Kal Garuda Sevai evening when this writer met him at exactly the same time – 10pm soon after Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjulavalli Thayar had made their way out of the Eastern Raja Gopuram for the through the night street procession. Watching the crowd swell to several thousands on this Friday evening, there is tears in his eyes for he had seen some earlier photos of the temple in the years gone by when there were very few devotees.  The entire temple complex was jam packed through the evening till the start of the procession.

As the clock ticked to 11pm, Srinivasa Perumal atop Kal Garuda and Vanjulavalli Thayar on the Anna Pakshi vahana mounted on to the Ther like Chapparam. Devotees came out of their homes with flower garlands and coconuts and invoked the blessings of the divine couple of Thiru Naraiyur Divya Desam. 

Prabhakaran makes it to the South street where Gopinathan Bhattar presents special mariyathai to the police personnel. It required a humungous effort from the police to manage the huge crowd ahead of the procession of Kal Garuda from his abode to the alankara mandapam. To make sure that the procession was in order, the EO makes another visit at 1am this time to the West street. There are the usual issues like the protruding of trees blocking the path of the Chapparam and a Kainkaryapara climbs the tree to cut the branches. There are some overhead wires to be avoided as well as pits on the streets. 

It is past 2am when Srinivasa Perumal makes his way through the North Bazaar Street. In front of the Chariot at the east end of the temple, Gopinathan Bhattar presents mariyathai to the personnel who ensured that the chariot ran smooth and safe with the clock having ticked to 3.30am, a good 5 ½ hours after the procession began. 

மாண் கொண்ட தோல் மார்வின் மாணியாய் 

மாவலி மண் தான் கொண்டு தாளால் அளந்த பெருமானே 

தேன் கொண்ட சாரல் திருவேங்கடத்தானை  

நான் சென்று நாடி நறையூரில் கண்டேனே 

Devotees stayed back in good numbers through the night long procession to pull the Chapparam Chariot to the East street of Nachiyar Koil. Gopinathan Bhattar wears a happy look at having organised yet another Kal Garuda procession. He repeats once again that this has been the third one in 2025 with this seeing the biggest crowd of all, in the three decades he has been involved in this archaka kainkaryam. 

It has been a big revival on the back of a huge devotee following for Garuda. Thursdays have been witnessing big crowds at this temple with the devotees believing a prarthanai sankalpa archanai on this day every week will help fulfil all their wishes.

                                                 

Sewage Water into the Sacred temple tank

Thus far, it has been all positive at this Margazhi utsavam. Huge crowd, beautiful alankaram, glittering jewellary and tireless effort from the sripatham personnel. Unfortunately there has been a serious issue that has been bogging the temple for the last many years with EO Prabhakaran taking serious cognizance of the events from the past.

The last day of this utsavam marks the Theerthavari followed by Theppotsavam in the evening. While the temple tank itself was refurbished with Neeraatti Mandapam restored to its old glory as part of the Thiruppani works that took place a couple of years ago that culminated in the grandest of consecrations at the Nachiyar Koil. However, this historic temple has been fighting a battle with the Governmental authorities on the issue of sewage water that has been entering the temple tank for many years.

Of course, in the decades gone by, the state of the temple tank was deplorable and the restoration has revived the tank and the mandapam inside and there was hope that Theppotsavam would be conducted inside the tank that is North of the temple complex. 

This section had featured a story on the Theppotsavam in December 2018 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/12/thiru-naraiyur-nachiyar-koil-utsavam.html). Once Prabhakaran took over as the EO, he has remained firm that he will administer the temple in a Dharmic way and that he would not do anything that goes against the sanctity of the temple and its utsavams.

முருகிலங்கு கனிதுவர்வாய் பின்னை கேள்வன் மன்னெல்லாம்  முன்னவியச்சென்று 

வென்றிச் செருக்கழுத்துத் ததிறலழிய செற்ற வேந்தன் சிறந்துணிந்தான் திருவடினும் சென்னிவைப்பீர் 

இருக்கிலங்கு திருமொழி வாய் எண்தோள் ஈசற்கு எழில் மாட எழுபதும் செய்து உலகமாண்ட 

திருகுலத்து வளச்சோழன் சேர்ந்த கோயில் திரு நறையூர் மணி மாட சேர்மின்களே 

Construction of public toilets near the temple complex has led to drainage water being let into the temple tank. Despite the issue being taken up at the Collector level, this issue has remained unsolved in the recent past. While the sacred tank is brimming with water and it would be a delight to watch the Theppotsavam at the end of the Brahmotsavam next week, the EO has taken a bold call that he would not approve of the Theppotsavam until the sewage water flowing into the tank is stopped permanently. And so next week too,  the Theppotsavam will not take place in this sacred tank and even the Theerthavari will take place inside the temple at the Vasanthotsavam tank.

HRCE Minister promises corrective steps

While as the HRCE’s representative, the EO of the temple has ensured restoration of the tank complex, he has been helpless with the lack of response from the local authorities who have not taken steps to streamline the drainage system in the streets around the temple complex.

BJP’s H Raja visited the temple on the Kal Garuda Sevai day on Friday and has threatened serious action if the Governmental authorities in Nachiyar Koil do not find a permanent solution redirecting sewage water appropriately away from the tank before the Panguni Brahmotsavam when Theerthavari is slated to take place inside this sacred temple tank.

While EO Prabhakaran looks back with great delight at the Thiruppani works and the consecration and the huge crowds during the Kal Garuda Sevai, he is pained at the unresolved issue relating to the temple tank.

This writer spoke to the HRCE minister Sekar Babu late on Friday night and he has promised to look into this issue and to resolve this at the earliest. While the minister has claimed credit for thousands of temple consecrations in the last few years, this seeping of sewage water into the sacred tank in a historic Divya Desam, one where Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sang a 100 verses of praise will be a black mark in his books. It is hoped that he will personally oversee the corrective steps and ensure that the sacred temple tank in Nachiyar Koil is clean and free from sewage water before the Panguni Utsavam’s Theerthavari.

Sarangapani Koil Pagal Pathu Thirumozhi Thirunaal 2025

Thirumangai Azhvaar in Nayaki Thiru Kolam  

It is past noon. And it is no surprise that Sarangapani Koil Maniam and Desikar Sannidhi Archaka Sudarshan is running around. He is overseeing the procession of the Azhvaars from their Sannidhi to the Thirumaa Mani mandapam. He is also there to anchor the procession of Sarangapani Perumal from his Sannidhi to the Adyayana Utsavam mandapam. He also doubles up as the Sripatham for there is severe shortage of service personnel at this historic temple.

It is the third day of the Thirumozhi seva kalam and the 8th day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam. Unlike most other divya desams, here the adyayana utsavam starts every year on the first day of margazhi. And while in other perumal temples, it is the 3rd day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam, Sarangapani has already moved on to the 8th day. 

There are some late comers who want to have darshan of the moolavar but this is margazhi and the temple that opens two hours earlier than the other months of the year shuts for moolavar darshan at noon. They satisfy themselves with a darshan of the dwajasthambam and leave the temple.

Close to 1.30pm, the Prabhandham members start arriving one by one. The Adyayana utsavam is a celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Nam Azhvaar with the former having created the Era Pathu utsavam for Nam Azhvaar’s great contribution and the Pagal Pathu utsavam being a recognition of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and his sacred verses after having visited over 80 temples. Hence it is one of the most significant festive occasions for the Prabhandham members who recite the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham and Desikar Prabhandham over the 21 days of the Adyayana Utsavam.

About 10 kms West of Sarangapani temple is the Valvil Ramar Divya Desam at Pullam Bhoothangudi. As the clock ticks to 2pm on Tuesday (Dec 23), the prabhandham members begin this 8th day’s presentation with the verses of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on the Jatayu Moksha sthalam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/05/pullam-bhoothangudi-divya-desam.html).

அறிவது அறியான் அனைத்து உலகும் உடையான் 

என்னை ஆள் உடையான் 

கூறிய மாணி  உரு ஆய கூத்தன் மன்னி அமரும் இடம் 

நறிய மலர்மேல் சுரும்பு ஆர்க்க 

எழில் ஆர் மஞ்சை நடம் ஆட 

பொறி கொள் சிறை வண்டு இசை பாடும்

புள்ளம் பூதங்குடி தானே 

Nayaki Thiru Kolam 

In the fifth decad of the fifth canto praising the Lord of Srirangam, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sees  his daughter in love with Ranganatha and how this handsome Lord has taken over her life. On this day when the 5th decad is presented, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar provides darshan in a Nayaki Thiru Kolam, a special feature of the pagal pathu utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai.

வாராளும் இளங்கொங்கை வண்ணம்

வேறாயின வாறுஎண்ணாள் * எண்ணில்

பேராளன் பேரல்லால் பேசாள்

இப்பெண் பெற்றேன் என் செய்கேன்நான்? *

தாராளன் தண் குடந்தை நகராளன்

ஐவர்க்காய் அமரிலுய்த்த

தேராளன் * என் மகளைச் செய்தனகள்

எங்ஙனம் நான் செப்புகேனே

Praising Thiru Naraiyur's greatness

It is the first day of the Margazhi Brahmotsavam at the Srinivasa Perumal temple in Thiru Naraiyur, a Divya Desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar with a century of verses one of the only two temples to be praised by with 100 verses. A few hours ahead of the Surya Prabhai procession at Nachiyar Koil, the prabhandham members presented Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s verses on Thiru Naraiyur. It was the place where Thiru Mangai Mannan was initiated the ‘Pancha Samaskaaram’ by Thiru Naraiyur Nambi.

As the recital moved into the 6th decad and the reference to Ko Chenganan's construction of the first Mada Koil for Perumal, the prabhandham members slowed down the pace and went almost in a vyakyanam mode of description of these great verses of praise of a Mada Koil where an elephant cannot enter (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/ko-chenganan-and-nachiyar-koil-divya.html).

அம்பரமும் பெருநிலனும் திசைகள் எட்டும் 

அலைக்கடலும் குலவரையும் உண்டகண்டன் 

கொம்பமரும் வடமரத்தின் இலைமேல் பள்ளி கூடினான் 

திருவடியே கூடாகிற்பீர் 

வம்பவிழும் செண்பகத்தின் வாசம் உண்டு 

மணி வண்டு வகுலத்தின் மலர் மேல் வைகு 

செம்பியன் கோச் செங்கணன் சேர்ந்த கோயில் 

திருநறையூர் மணிமாடம் சேர்மின்களே

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's liking for Thiru Kudanthai

Thiru Kudanthai held a special place for Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. While he went around temple towns praising the Lord and the location most with a decad or two and Thiru Kannapuram and Thiru Naraiyur with a century, he chose to dedicate an entire prabhandham to Thiru Kudanthai. 

As the name suggests, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar created Thiru- Ezhu- Kootriru-Kai in a 7 tiered structure and is in the form of a chariot. One can arrange the contents of the composition in line with this structure. It is only a small 47line composition but is very significant for it is here that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar offers his absolute surrender to Lord Aravamudhan stating that he has had enough of worldly life and seeks refuge in the Lord.

In the last ten lines of this pictorial composition, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar specifically showers praise on Lord Aravamudhan of Thiru Kudanthai. He gives us a glimpse of what Kudanthai looked like during his time. Referring to the reclining posture of the Lord, he says that the temple was surrounded by huge flower groves that seemed to give out nectar. There were betel creepers that, seemed to produce a special fragrance, through the year, thanks largely to being watered by the sacred Cauvery.

செல்வம் மல்கு தென் திருக்குடந்தை

அந்தணர் மந்திர மொழியுடன் வணங்க

ஆடு அரவு அமளியில் அறிதுயில்

அமர்ந்த பரம

Also the lands in Thiru Kudanthai were fertile with greenery all around. The entire place was filled with Vedic Seers and recital of Vedas was a regular feature here. It seemed to have a reverberating positive effect on the people.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar also praises Thiru Kudanthai as a place that had high mansions and it looked as though they were touching the moon.

நின் ஆதி இணை பணிவன்

வரும் இடர் அகல மாற்றோ வினையே

In conclusion, he invokes the blessings of Lord Aravamuthan to get rid of his past karmas and to bring an end to his worldly life and praises the Lord as the only one who can do this. He asks for permission to perform daily service to the Lord here at Thiru Kudanthai. 

Back at the Thiru Maa Mandapam, the recital of the sacred verses is slow paced with the prabhandham members taking over an hour for the presentation of the fifth canto of Periya Thirumozhi and so too the first 80 verses of the sixth canto. 

An IT staffer graduates to an Adyapaka

An interesting addition this year at the Seva Kaalam is Sarangaraja, a youngster who has completed his formal learning of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham and Desikar Prabhandham. He is all excited to be presenting the 5th and 6th cantos without the help of a book. Working for an Aussie firm in a Work from Home IT model from Thiru Kudanthai, he is now an integral part of the Seva Kaalam team at this utsavam.

It is well past 4pm when 180 verses are presented. The Popular Soundar Bhattar pays a flying visit to the Thiru Maa Mani mandapam. His service at the Sarangapani temple runs through the first five days of the Tamizh month and he has moved on to the Ramaswamy temple this week. He has a divine connect with Sarangapani Perumal and he takes a close look at the alankaram (unfortunately the Sarangam is missing on Sarangapani Perumal!!!!)

For almost half hour, the archaka (Chakrapani Bhattar) waits for the Thaligai and other ‘essentials’ for the Thiru Aradhanam ahead of the Satru Murai verses. By 5pm there is a sizeable crowd when the Prabhandham members present the tenth decad of the sixth canto of Periya Thirumozhi. Maniyam Sudarshan is back for the distribution of prasadam after shatari presentation to the prabhandham members. It is close to 6pm when devotees have another close look at Sarangapani Perumal and the Azhvaars and Acharyas before they back to their abode for a well earned rest on this 8th day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai.

Sarangapani Koil Oonjal Serthi Sevai

Sporting glittering jewellery and following a beautiful alankaram, Komalavalli Thayar and Sarangapani Perumal provided Serthi Sevai on the Kannadi Oonjal on Monday evening on the final day of the ten day Oonjal Utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai

On the tenth day of the Karthigai Oonjal utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal and Komalavalli Thayar provided Serthi Sevai darshan to devotees on Monday evening at Thiru Kudanthai Divya Desam. On the first five days of the utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal had provided darshan on the Kannadi Oonjal while for the next four days, Komalavalli Thayar presented Oonjal Sevai.

It is the Ekadasi day and also the final day of Karthigai with Pagal Pathu utsavam set to begin the next morning. It is past 6pm and the popular face of the temple Soundararaja Bhattar is sitting in front of the Thayar Sannidhi waiting for the Sripatham personnel to arrive. Komalavalli Thayar leaves first for the alankaram mandapam followed by Sarangapani Perumal.

Devotees have by now gathered in good numbers ahead of the serthi procession. Soundar Bhattar, along with his team members gets working on the alankaram of the divine couple. The Ubayadarar of the day too has arrived along with his family. It is well past 7pm when a beautifully decorated Perumal and Thayar are ready for the procession. In front of the Oonjal Mandapam, the nadaswaram artistes present their welcome devotional music even as devotees take a close look at the alankaram. The necklaces are glittering and the flower garlands are huge.

Following the nadaswaram presentation, the prabhandham members begin the recital of Vedantha Desikar’s Pillayanthathi. 

மாமலர் மன்னிய மங்கை மகிழ்ந்து உறைமார்பினன் தாள் 

தூ மலர் சூடிய தொல்லருள் மாறன் துணை அடிக்கீழ் 

வாழ்வை உனக்கும் இராமானுஜ முனி வன்மை போற்றும் 

சீர்மையன் எங்கள் தூப்புல் பிள்ளை பாதம் என் சென்னியதே

 

Perumal and Thayar wait at multiple locations around the prakara listening to the Nadaswaram troupe’s rendition including in front of Andal Sannidhi. Devotees walk along with the divine couple, a few listening the Desikar Prabhandham and others to the Nadaswaram while a few others continue to stay glued to the alankaram.

Following the satru murai of the Pillayanthanthi verses, Deeparathanai takes place in front of Azhvaars Sannidhi and Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi.

It is 8pm when Komalavalli Thayar and Sarangapani reach the Kannadi Oonjal. The Vedic members present the Vedas. By now, around 100 devotees have gathered in front of the oonjal and for the next half hour, they enjoy the presence of the Divine Couple on the swing. A devotee presented Kunguma Chimizh to the Thayar and Perumal on the occasion.

Soundararaja Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/02/thiru-kudanthai-soundar-bhattar.html) has remained unchanged in his devotional presentation over the last 25 years and for yet another time he presented his Thiru Aradhanam skills on the occasion of the Serthi Sevai much to the delight of the devotees. Even as the devotees enjoyed the Oonjal, he fanned the Divine Couple with great devotion.

Dressed up in a princely attire, Madapalli Paricharakar Sudarshan presents the Thiru Aradharana items to Soundar Bhattar.

It is past 9pm when the Ubayadarars had a close darshan of Thayar and Perumal and are presented with the flower garlands that Perumal had adorned over the previous couple of hours following which the Kainkaryaparas were presented with Thaligai. Devotees who had gathered on the occasion continued their discussion on the finer points of the alankaram while the Bhattars chatted up on the plan for the next morning when the temple is to open at 5am for the first day of Margazhi. They also discuss the schedule for the first day of the Pagal Pathu when the Prabhandham members will present the first two cantos of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi on Tuesday afternoon.

அருள் தரும் ஆரண தேசிகனே எங்கள் தூப்புல் தேவே 

வறுகவி தார்க்கீகசிங்கமே வாதியர் வாழ்வறுத்தாய் 

இருக்கையும் கூப்பி உரைக்கும் இவ் விண்ணப்பம் ஒன்று கேளாய் 

உருவ எனக்கு அருளாய் என்னும் உள்ளம் உன் தொண்டரையே  

It is 9.30pm when Komalavalli provided Ekantha Sevai making her way back to her Sannidhi and as the clock ticked to 10pm, Sarangapani too returned to his abode bringing to end the ten day Oonjal Utsavam.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal event takes place on December 25 on the final evening of the Pagal Pathu utsavam.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Utsavam Dasavatharam temple Srirangam

A Day to Celebrate Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's contribution to Srirangam

In a once in a year procession, the 'Azhvaar with a Spear' presents darshan around the Chitra Streets and at the Ahobila Mutt and Poundarikapuram Ashram 

It is the big day in the year at the Dasavatharam temple when it comes alive with the celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and his contribution to Srirangam. Priest Sudarshan of Dasavatharam Sannidhi in Srirangam, one administered by the Ahobila Mutt, woke up early on Thursday (Dec 4) morning and much to his delight, the sky had cleared after heavy rains the previous day. He had been apprehensive the previous night on whether the rains would continue and disrupt this annual procession of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on this Karthigai day in Karthigai.

Thirumangai Azhvaar’s Dasavathara praise
Located on the banks of Coloroon half a kilometer North West of Lord Ranganatha temple is the historical Dasavatharam Sannidhi in Srirangam. Thirumangai Azhvaar has made a specific mention of the Dasavatharam Lords in the sixth decad of the fifth canto of Periya Thirumozhi. Pleased with Thirumangai Azhvaar’s efforts in constructing the huge walls, Ranganathaswamy is said to have granted his wish of displaying the 10 Avataarams all at one place. Accordingly, the Lord displayed all his 10 prominent Avatars including the Kalki Avataar.

ஏனாகி உலகிடந்து அன்று இருநிலனும் பெரு விசும்பும்
தானாய பெருமானை தன்னடியார் மனத்தென்றும்
தேனாகி அமுதாகித் திகழ்ந்தானை
மகிழ்ந்தொருகால்
ஆனாயன் ஆனானை கண்டது தென் அரங்கத்தே- 5.6.3

Thirumangai Azhvaar had two other wishes - for Namperumal to provide darshan to all those who helped him build the huge walls of Srirangam and for Him to come on special street processions via the Southern banks of Coloroon.

Shortly after 6am, Sudarshan Bhattar had moved into the final decoration process of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. By 7am, there were more happy faces with the arrival of Prabhandham and Vedic members as well as the Sripatham personnel. 

After Mangalasasanam at the Perumal Sannidhi, Desikar and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi, the procession began around the Chitra streets. Residents of Dasavatharam Sannidhi street lined up in front of their homes to present coconut, fruits and flowers to Kaliyan on his birthday.                          

At the North Chitra Street, with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar facing the North Tower, the Prabhandham members presented the sacred verse from Sri Stuti. Veenai Srinivasan, who will be seen in action at the Veenai Ekantham later this month as part of the Era Pathu Utsavam at the Ranganathaswamy temple, had darshan of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in front of his home on East Chitra street.

It was 8am when Thiru Mangai Azhvaar who presented 50 verses of praise on the Lord of Srirangam, entered the Ahobila Mutt on East Uthira Street for Mangalasasanam at the Lakshmi Narasimha Sannidhi with the presentation of the Narasimha verse relating to Thiruvallikeni Divya Desam.

பள்ளியில் ஓதி வந்த தன் சிறுவன்

வாயில் ஓர் ஆயிற நாமம் 

ஒள்ளியவாகிப் போதவாங்கதனுக்கு ஒன்று மோர் பொறுப்பிலனாகி

பிள்ளையை சீறி வெகுண்டு தூண் புடைப்ப

பிறை எயிற்றின ல் விழிப்பேழ்வாய்

தெள்ளிய சிங்கம் ஆகிய தேவை 

திருவல்லிக்கேணி கண்டேனே

The service personnel were presented with Thaligai following which Thiru Mangai Azhvaar made his way through the Chitra Streets listening to the Prabhandham and Vedic recital.

At the South Chitra Street, with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar facing Periya Perumal, the Prabhandham members presented the sacred verse of Vedantha Desikar on the Lord of Srirangam.

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- Athikara Sangraham

                                      

The Azhvaar with a spear

It was at Sirkazhi that the Saivite poet Thiru Gnana Sambandhar met with the Vaishnavite saint poet Thiru Mangai Mannan and engaged in a debate.

After visiting Thiru Chitrakoodam (Chidambaram), Thirumangai Mannan was on his way to Sirkazhi. All the way his subjects sang praise of him uttering different names of Mangai Mannan. The praise of Thirumangai Mannan by his subjects angered the disciples of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They blocked Thirumangai Mannan and asked his followers not to shout praises of Thiru Mangai Mannan in this birthplace of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They wanted Thirumangai Mannan to engage with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar in a discussion and win over him before continuing with their praise of Thirumangai Mannan.

Debate between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

In the first meeting between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Vaishnavite poet answered fluently each of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar’s questions and let out 10 verses of praise in the name of Vishnu.

“ஒரு குறளாய்  இரு நிலம் மூவடி மண் வேண்டி 

உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒடுக்கி ஒன்றும் தருக

ஏனா மாவழிய சிறையில்  வைத்த 

தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர் 

தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்

திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி ஐந்தும்

அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்

தெருவில் மலி விழா வளமும் சிறக்கும்

காழிச்சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”- Periya Thirumozhi 3.4.1

Pleased and impressed with Mangai Mannan’s knowledge and the sweetness in his praise and description of the different forms of Vishnu, a spell bound Thiru Gnana Sambandhar acknowledged the greatness of Thirumangai and crowned him as ‘Mangai Azhvaar’ and presented him with the ‘Vel’(spear). Among the Azhvaars, Thiru Mangai is the only one who has been crowned with the ‘Vel’.

Thirumangai Azhvaar’s favourite idol Lakshmi Narayana is the Utsava deity at this temple. He is seen with his left hand around Thaayar. On the pedestal of the Utsava deity is Garuda who is surrounded by 8 different statues. Lord Krishna is seen as Navaneetha Natya Kannan holding butter in one hand. One of his legs is seen grounded while the other is up in a dance posture.

The walls of the Dasavatharam Sannidhi, the Prakarams and the structure of the tower are an indication of the history of this temple. The rectangular shaped Vimanam at the Dasavatharam temple is special. Also, there are 10 Kalasam for the 10 Dasavatharam Idols, another unique feature at this temple.

வளர்ந்தவனைத் தடங்கடலுள் வலியுருவில் திருசகடம்

தளர்ந்துதிர உதைத்தவனை தரியாது அன்று இரணியனை பிளந்தவனை

பெருநிலம் ஈரடிநீட்டி பண்டொருநாள் அளந்தவனை

யான் கண்டது அணிநீர்த் தென்னரங்கத்தே - 5.6.4 - Periya Thirumozhi

With clock ticking to 9am, the procession had moved to the Desikar Street, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar made his way to the Poundarikapuram Ashram where the Pontiff welcomed him. After presenting parivattam and flower garland, the head of the Ashram directed the Prabhandham members to present the verse on Therazhundur on the occasion of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s birthday. As Kaliyan made his way back from the Ashram, the acharya turned a Sripatham and carried the birthday boy on his shoulder.

87 year old Mukkoor Srinivasan, who had performed archaka kainkaryam at the Dasavatharam Sannidhi in the years gone by,  was delighted to welcome Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in front of his house and then joined the Satru Murai verses in front of the Easter Tower of the temple.

It was almost 10am when Thiru Mangai Azhvaar made his way back to the Dasavatharam temple, where renovation works have been going on for the last year. The young Sripatham personnel were energetic during the two hour procession and felt blessed to carry Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on this once in a year procession on the occasion of his annual birthday.

Andavan Ashramam Brindavan Patshala Students

Ramesh Narayanan - Global Corporate Training to Shaping Patshala students in Brindavan

He has carved a Thiru Aradhanam programme for a set of students from the Patshala at Andavan Ashramam Brindavan and wants them to get into Temple Utsavam/Events Management Training next year

               Brindavanam Patshala students in Srirangam

Its 11am on Wednesday (Nov 26). The excitement is palpable among the 15 students who have arrived from Andal Nachiyar praised Brindavan Divya Desam. They have just had darshan of Periya Perumal and Ranganayaki Thayar in Srirangam, their first visit to such a historic temple. Their leader, Ramesh Narayanan, gets them in front of the Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi and recites a verse from the Desikar Prabhandham. 

The Vaishnavite Acharya had praised the Lord of Srirangam as one who solves every problem of a devotee who seeks his blessings. They are here in Srirangam to seek the blessings of the first Archa Avatharam Moorthy ahead of their 45 day course on Thiru Aradhana Kramam.

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 -Athikara Sangraham

Global Corporate Training to Patshala Students Training

It is five years since the passing away of Ramesh Narayanan's amma. It was her final wish that he should let go of the corporate life and follow the instructions of his acharya Srimad Andavan Srivaraha Mahadesikan. It was also a phase when wave 1 of the Pandemic led to his corporate clientele pulling back their investments in training that resulted in a slowdown in the corporate training business that he was running at that time. The business slowdown coupled with his amma’s message took Ramesh Narayanan from global training to Vaishnavism in Brindavan, an unlikely destination for someone who had spent a couple of decades in London working for the likes of Hinduja and in firms such as Air India and Fujitsu. His Acharya directed him to go to Brindavan for just 3 months but its now five years and he has become highly attached to temple town.

Kallidaikurchi-London- Brindavan

Ramesh Narayanan, who hails from Kallidakuruchi, a town renowned for the Varaha Perumal temple, had led a high-profile life in London (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/09/kallidaikurichi-aadhi-varaha-perumal.html) through the late 90s and early 2000s. And here he was in a historic remote temple town where the Andavan Ashram was in a dilapidated state, almost in a state of ruin, as he recalls to this writer at an apartment in West Adayavalanjan where he stays whenever he comes to Srirangam “There were just the priest and the cook in 2020. I was keen to make this a vibrant place that reverberates with the sacred sound of Vedic and Prabhandham recital. I wanted the noise of Kainkaryam all around the Ashramam Sannidhi. I seeded the idea with my acharya and immediately got his approval but he cautioned me to tread carefully and start slow.”

As a first step, he completely renovated the Ashramam with funds pouring in from all quarter through his worldwide network that he had built in the previous decades.

He then launched the Andavan Ashramam Veda Patshala in Brindavan with around 10 students. This number has shot up to 40. "It has been a unique experience for me starting off with students from financially challenged background and crude in conduct. The biggest satisfaction in this engagement has been shaping their character and training them on the Vaishnavite way of life. They are now completely polished and refined."

He says that if the 45 day Thiru Aradhanam training course goes off well, he will follow it up with courses on Sannidhi Management, Utsavam processes, Brahmotsavam management, mini samprokshanam management and then handling the pooja process during big consecration events. “Our Acharya wants to see these students as allrounders with the ability to manage sannidhis and temples utsavams and events. ”

Alongside the Vedic and Prabhandham initiation, these students are also into academics. One of the students who is completing class XII is being given multiple option to choose from including staying in Srirangam and pursuing a Sanskrit course at the Andavan College here. 

Andavan Ashramam runs six Veda Patshalas, one college in Srirangam with over 3000 students, Goshalas with 300 cows and one school with 600 students. 

காட்டை நாடித் தேனுகனும் களிறும் புள்ளும் உடன் மடிய

வேட்டையாடி வருவானை விருந்தாவனத்தே கண்டோமே

Nachiyar Thirumozhi and way of life at Brindavan

In the 14th decad of the Nachiyar Thirumozhi, Andal showcases the great childhood qualities of Lord Krishna. She says that the ordinary mind cannot grasp him quickly. Through these verses, Andal presents the message to the true devotees that the Lord seen with a white conch and chakra and sporting a yellow robe has compassionate qualities and blesses the faithful with everything in life and that he is a pure one who takes care of the Noble. After testing her out repeatedly on her true devotion, the Lord finally provides darshan at Brindavan sending out the message that those who have unflinching faith in him will be able to experience him.

வெளிய சந்கோன்ருடையானைப் பீதக வாடை யுடையானை

அலி  நன்குடைய திருமாலை ஆழியானைக் கண்டீரே

In the five years of his devotional engagement with this Divya Desam, Ramesh Narayanan too has found this alluring feeling about Brindavan. He is delighted that that so many people from various walks of life have let go their monetary interests to surrender to Krishna at Brindavan and each of them has found a devotional charm about this ancient temple town that Andal so loving praised. ‘That’s the devotional pull of Lord Krishna. People’s joy and an enjoyable relationship is more relishable than all kinds of luxury and that higher taste is seen everywhere in Brindavan. Since the time the first set of udents joined at the Andavan Ashramam in Brindavan, I wanted to shower love and affection on them while at the same time instilling a sense of discipline’, he tells this writer.

59 year old Ramesh Narayanan has a luxurious mansion in Surat but says he is always reminded of the final message from his amma that life is no more about luxury and the purpose now is to attend to acharya’s calling. That is took him to Brindavan in 2020 and it has been an unforgettable experience for him over the last 5 years there. The students see him as their own appa and the bonding between him and the students is like one within a close knit family.

As he heads off with his students to Coimbatore to seek the blessings of Andavan Swami, he leaves with the message that he is keen for those trained in Vedas and Prabhandam to have a strong moral grounding that will help them follow the path of Dharma. "The most important aspect is character building and those that are equipped with that will be much better in career as the Vaishnavite Characteristics will be inbuilt where ever they go."

For these 15 students, it is the start of a new phase in their lives. From having learnt the Vedas in the last few years, they are now moving into learning the sacred pooja processes and managing the utsavam. One day in the near future, each of these students is likely to don the role of an archaka in one of the ancient temples in India. 

Kallidaikuruchi: https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/02/ks-viswanathan-tnca-bcci-ipl.html