Thadikombu Soundararaja Perumal Next Gen Bhattars

Bhattars’ devotional commitment of several decades in challenging times finds reward for the Next Gen Priests as the temple sees a remarkable turnaround in its fortunes with devotees now swarming the temple in large numbers for Prarthana Pooja

                         Badri Jagannathan Bhattar

83 year old Seshadri Bhattar is at the Soundararaja Perumal temple at Thadi kombu on this auspicious Thursday (Aug 7) evening when the Thiru Kalyanam event was being celebrated as part of the Aadi Brahmotsavam. Ahead of this event, there are devotees trickling into the temple right from 4pm. There are multiple sannidhis at the temple with an archaka manning each of these. Being a Thursday, devotees have darshan of Hayagriva on the South side and then perform archanai at the Bairavar Sannidhi in the North. Seshadri Bhattar sits in front of the Thayar Sannidhi and reminisces the dark days of his life when his wait for the next devotee almost always turned elusive and how things have now finally turned around at this temple.

The annual trip to Dindigul in Chitrai

Aadi Brahmotsavam was one of the only two utsavams in the year till not so long ago. Even during the Aadi Utsavam there was no crowd and there were no flower garlands on most days but it is different now and the crowd brings a smile in Seshadri Bhattar, for he had experienced nothing like this in his decades as a priest at this temple.

Seshadri Bhattar joined his thatha and uncle at the temple in the late 1950s when he was still in his teens having quit academics  after class VII. He would walk along with them in the long Chitrai procession of Soundararaja Perumal to Dindigul and that’s how he got interested very early in his life in temple kainkaryam. The Sripatham personnel carried Perumal on their shoulder on this trip.

Similar to Kallazhagar of Azhagar Koil making a 20 kms trip to Madurai on Chitra Pournami day(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/05/azhagar-chitrai-festival-2009.html), Soundararaja Perumal of Thadi Kombu too makes a 20kms trip to Dindigul on the same day.  It was with the collection from that annual trip in Chitrai that the expenses of the entire year was taken care of in the second half of the previous century.  The Hundi collection did not exceed Rs. 1000 for the entire year !!!

The period in the late 1950s and 60s was terrible for the Kainkaryaparas at this temple. He remembers that phase vividly “There was no electricity at the temple. The sannidhis and the prakara was dark after 6pm and the huge number of bats inside the temple sannidhis scared me as they outnumbered the humans."

                                                         Seshadri Bhattar

The archakas of the time would cycle to Dindigul to get oil and with that limited quantity would light the lamp at the Perumal and Thayar Sannidhi. 

He recounts the poverty stricken life from his early years "I did not have breakfast or dinner on any day during my childhood. The first and only meal of the day was the neivedyam prasadam after 12.30pm. Rava Upma was what we had on many days. And on other days, it was rice mixed with oil for food!!! We considered it a great blessing if we got to have ‘pala-aagaram’ on Amavasai day but on most occasions we did not have money even for that. It was a financially challenged phase."

"We would come to the temple in the morning and wait till noon for devotees to arrive but on most days that wait proved elusive."

Being a remote temple town, there was no activity in this region except for the temple. He joined at the temple at a salary of Rs. 11 that went up to Rs. 1200 at the time of his retirement several decades later. Most of the service personnel had left the temple seeking greener pastures elsewhere with the archaka families, Melam, Pala Velai and Mei Kaval being the only ones that remained in those dark decades. Even on Puratasi Saturdays and on Vaikunta Ekadasi, there was no crowd and the temple was deserted.

Historic Temple

This location was historically referred to as Thaalai Vana Kshetram (reference to the number of palm groves surrounding the Soundararaja Perumal temple). With the congregation of a huge Telugu population in this area, over time, this region came to be named as Thaadi Kombu (the place of palm trees).

Having been turned into a frog, Manduga Rishi was undertaking penance here on the banks of Kumba River to relieve himself of his sins. Attacked by Asura Thalasuran, Manduga Rishi sought the help of Lord Soundararajan of Azhagar Koil who answered the Rishi’s prayers by killing the Asura. A happy Manduga Rishi who got back his human form requested the Lord to provide darshan to everyone in the same form here at this place. As the Lord acceded to his request, this temple is said to be the Northern Home of Thiru Maaliruncholai Azhagar. There is a record that once upon a time there had been prabhandham recital at this temple with kainkaryaparas from Srirangam and Thiru Maliruncholai coming here to perform service.

One finds reference to the Northern House at Thaadi Kombu in inscriptions relating to Pandya kings who ruled Madurai in the 9th-12th Century AD, an indication that this temple dates back to a time prior to that period and is well over a 1000 years old.

Inscription within the temple makes this reference - 

“……சுந்தர பாண்டிய மண்டபதிலே நானும் நம் பெண்டுகளும்

மூலகமா இறுகலில்

நமக்கு வடக்கு வீடான

திருமலை தாடி கொம்பு அழகர் ….”

Capital of Dindigul

The British who captured Dindigul in 1801 made Thaadi Kombu the first capital of Dindigul. The Dindigul Collectorate is still located just a few kms before Thadi Kombu on the Dindigul Karur National Highway.                                   

The next gen priest- Badri Jagannathan Bhattar

Seshadri Bhattar retired over a decade ago handing over the reign to his son but continues to be at the temple each day of the year for he knows nothing other than serving the Lord of Thadi Kombu having spent his entire life here. He is delighted at the unimaginable transformation that this temple has seen.

Badri Jagannathan Bhattar is in his early 30s and is at the Bairavar Sannidhi this week. This nephew of Seshadri Bhattar has been an archaka at the temple for the last 15 years or so having come into this temple when things were just turning around for the better. His family and his uncle’s alternate every month between the Perumal/Thayar Sannidhi and the prakara sannidhis. 

Sitting at the Bairavar Sannidhi where there is a steady flow of devotees on this Thursday evening ahead of the Thiru Kalyanam event, he looks back at how his life unfolded in the teenage phase “I was enjoying my school life till Class X when my appa (Rajappa Bhattar) decided to pack me off to Srirangam for agama initiation at the Patshala. I had seen the struggles of my appa and uncle and wanted to continue my school education but that was when my appa gave me a lifetime message that has stood with me everyday of my life over the last two decades.”

From Thiru Vellarai to Thadi Kombu for Kainkaryam

This section had featured a story a decade ago as to how there were over 3000 Vaishnavites at Thiru Vellarai and it was from there that the original inhabitants moved to perform temple Kainkaryam across the state and beyond(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/10/thiru-vellarai-divya-desam.html).

This family too is one such. Disciples of Periya Thirumaligai of Thiru Vellarai Divya Desam, his forefathers had made their way to Thadi Kombu to perform Kainkaryam here. After performing yet another archanai, Badri Jagannathan Bhattar goes on to narrate as to how his appa seeded the thought in him on the importance of temple Kainkaryam “We were blessed to be ones to be performing archaka service in this centuries old temple and come what may, we should dedicate our entire lives in service to Soundararaja Perumal. He will always take care of us” he recalls his appa telling him  that day before sending him to Srirangam for his Pancharatra Agama studies.

Badri Jagannathan Bhattar with appa Rajappa Bhattar

Prarthana Sevai wave leads the temple turnaround

The turn of the century saw a devotional wave hitting TN temples with devotees coming back into temples in good numbers after the quiet phase of the previous decades. Prarthana sevai was taking off in a big way and the Soundararaja Perumal temple turned out to be one in the right place to cater to this requirement with each Sannidhi inside the temple solving a specific problem of the devotee.

A Special Pooja is performed at the Dhanvantri Sannidhi on No Moon day to relieve one of any health problems. A visit to the Lakshmi Narasimha Sannidhi on full moon day is said to help solve finance related issues. Special Pooja on Thursdays at the Rathi- Manmatha Sannidhi relieves couples of problems in their married life. A pooja during Rahu Kaalam on Sunday at the Swarna Aakarshana Bairavar Sannidhi helps one recover from financial losses and bad debts.

Hayagriva and Bairavar Sannidhis took off as did the Perumal Sannidhi with each meeting a specific prarthana of the devotees. 

From one or two devotees a day for many decades, the temple suddenly witnessed a huge influx of devotees from across the state. And this increased the need for more service personnel leading to Badri Jagannathan Bhattar cutting short his stint at the Patshala and returning full time to Thadi Kombu to support his appa and uncle. 

Devotional Commitment to Soundararaja Perumal

In the initial phase, he only performed support service helping them out without an official appointment. It was only after a few years that he got a daily wage assignment and then moved on to permanent appointment only much later. He experienced financial challenges in his childhood and was fully aware of the scenario at the temple but after his appa's devotional message to him, Badri Jagannathan Bhattar's only focus in life was to serve at the feet of Soundararaja Perumal and his thoughts stayed away from the financial aspects. This was also a reason for him to resist the temptation to go for outside events and homams "My appa told me very early on that there could be a lot of money made out of homams outside the temple but it will result in our mind going away from Soundararaja Perumal and towards making more money. Hence, I declined all offers to perform outside events" says Badri Jagannathan Bhattar proud of the fact that even as a teenager his mind had become completely attached to the Lord of Thadi Kombu.

                               

Consecration after a Sudarshana Homam

This temple had originally been a hereditary temple but the trustees of the time handed this over to the HR & CE in the 1960s, given the challenges in running the temple. There had been no consecration after 1965 till the late 90s. With the poor financial situation at the temple in those decades, the consecration had to be postponed indefinitely. 

Badri Jagannathan Bhattar was still a young boy at school when a grand Sudarshan Homam was organised with the only Sankalpam being to seek the blessings of Soundararaja Perumal to perform the consecration without any further delay. And within a year, it happened with the owners of SSN Mills almost fully undertaking the expenses, says Badri Jagannathan Bhattar with a twinkle in his eyes. And they committed to supporting the temple in every way from then and have been doing so till now. Since then, with the blessings of Soundararaja Perumal, the Mill Owners have expanded their business in a big way and the temple has grown leaps and bounds with devotees thronging the temple in large numbers all through the year for Parikara and Prarthana pooja.

 

In the decade and a half he has been here, he has seen a huge transformation at the temple. In addition to the Mill owner, the devotee donors who had forgotten this temple in the financially challenging times are now queuing up seeking mandagapadi at the utsavams. From just the two utsavams in Chitrai and Aadi till the end of the previous century, there are now round the year utsavams with a big event taking place almost every month.

Exquisite Sculptures

A big feature at this temple is the beautifully crafted sculptures on the Southern side of the temple similar to the one at Krishnapuram near Tirunelveli - 14 in all including Anjaneya carrying Rama on his shoulder, Vaikuntanathan sleeping atop Adhiseshan, Maha Vishnu mounted on Garuda, Battle with Hiranya and ‘Hiranya Samhaaram’ - quite a difficult one to carve.  There are also 7 musical pillars at the temple. Another unique feature is the presence of a standing Pillayar and Vishnu Durgai. 

The temple was renovated by the Vijayanagar kings, Achudeva Raya and his brother Ramadeva Raya in the 16th Century AD. Thirumalai Nayakar was responsible for the exquisite sculptures.

Next Gen take over

As the clock ticks past 5pm, Seshadri Bhattar sits in front of the Thayar Sannidhi and watches his son Venkatraman (Ramamoorthy to those in the temple circles) perform the Thiru Kalyana pooja. He expresses happiness to this writer at how the family’s devotional commitment of several decades is now finally paying off. We did not leave the temple when the scenario was at its worst and lived a poverty stricken life as all of us believed in the Lord and knew that someday in life there would be a positive turnaround. The transformation has been quite unbelievable and the next gen priests are well off with God giving them all that they could ask for. After not having any money to even have 2-3 meals a day, this octogenarian is now receiving pension of Rs. 4000 every month. He sees that as a reward from God for the service he rendered in the second half of the previous century without any expectation. He looks back at the decades in the 1960s and 70s as a life of the worst kind, financially, but says that he never got angry even on a day when not a single devotee turned up at the temple. He saw as his role performing Kainkaryam at the feet of Soundararaja Perumal and hence he never wavered from those thoughts.

His grandsons too are undergoing Patshala education and he is hoping that they too would join the temple kainkaryam one day in the future. Badri Jagannathan Bhattar has spent almost all of his last 15 years at this temple. He sees the Kainkaryam at this temple as his only way of life and is hoping that more such would take to temple service as there is shortage of service personnel. 

Azhagar Koil Aadi Garuda Sevai

An Eventful Monday evening at Thiru Maliruncholai

Rain Showers, Commotion on First Rights, Prabhandham and Vedic Recital mark Sundararaja Perumal's Aadi Garuda Sevai 

It is a big festive week in the year at the Sundararaja Perumal temple in Thiru Maliruncholai, 20 North of Madurai. It is one of the few days in the year that the 18 Padi Karuppanaswamy Door opens. It is early evening on Monday (August 4) and there is already a sizeable crowd that has walked into the temple from the villages around Azhagar Koil. Many of them have made their way to the Karuppanaswamy Sannidhi, while others have gone for a quick darshan of Moolavar Paramaswamy.

அலை வலைமை தவிர்த்த

அழகன் அலங்காரன் மலை

குல மலை கோல மலை

குளிர் மா மலை கொற்ற மலை

நில மலை நீண்ட மலை

திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலை யதே - The Great Hill - Thiru Maliruncholai

The Vedic members have been presenting the Vedas on the mike through the evening in front of the Moolavar Sannidhi while the Prabhandham members presented the fourth and fifth cantos of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi and the fifth canto of Namazhvaar’s Thiruvoimozhi sitting in front of Sundararaja Perumal atop the Garuda Vahana.

The grand alankaram has already been done for the utsava deity and he is decked with huge colourful flower garlands. But suddenly the sky has gone dark with a thick cloud line that sends heavy and unexpected showers in early August. Devotees scatter around to find cover under a tree or a mandapa while the prabhandham members continue their recital.

Past 6pm, there is commotion in front of the Vahana Mandapam. If one thought that the Vaishnavite clash between Vadakalai and Thenkalai was unmatched, the villagers who claimed the first rights on this big Garuda Sevai evening showed that they were no less on this front. Two groups had differing opinions with respect to the first rights with one arguing that no individual could be given the first rights to the shatari while the other wielded the rights referring to the previous year’s protocol.

The Chief Priest of the temple, Narayanan Bhattar, very popular and respected in this region wasn’t bemused at the turn of events on this evening as both sides presented their arguments to him on how the event should proceed. For a change, the villagers got the media photographers to take a back seat and asked them to push back so the village folks could record the event on their phone camera for future reference.

By this time, the Prabhandham members had regrouped to present the decad from the 10th canto of the Thiruvoimozhi praising the greatness of Thiru Maliruncholai. Wide ranging Thaligai was distributed to the Prabhandham members and then to the devotees.

The top members from the villages were presented with Parivattam with the villagers recording every minute of this action even as Sundararaja Perumal sported a smile from atop Garuda watching this battle amongst the villagers on their first rights!!!

While the Sripatham members were readying the Lord for the procession, Narayana Bhattar then sat behind to present betel leaves and nuts to the Village chiefs. It was past 8pm when the Prabhandham members gathered once again, this time for the start of the procession with the recital of Naanmugan Thivanthathi on this fourth day of the Aadi Pooram utsavam.

The Bhagavathas were dancing in a trance even as Sundararaja Perumal made his way to the 18 Karuppanna Swamy Sannidhi to announce his departure for the procession. Soon he was mounted on to the wheeled tyres and after all the noise at the Vahana Mandapam the procession moved swiftly. There were no Thattu presentation and led by the temple elephant and the prabhandham members, Sundararaja Perumal made his way around the four streets before returning to the Vahana Mandapam.

On this Monday evening at Azhagar Koil, there was action of all kinds. Devotees thronging the Karuppanna Swamy Sannidhi, Vedic members sitting in a peaceful atmosphere in front of the Moolavar Sannidhi reciting the Vedas, the prabhandham members presenting the sacred verses of the Azhvaars behind closed screen with the devotees only being able to hear their voices, the relentless arguments among the villagers on the first rights in front of Garuda, Narayana Bhattar sporting a smiling face amid the commotion and the surprise heavy showers in early August.

By 9pm, a lot of the crowd had dispersed as had the rain showers even as Sundararaja Perumal made his way back to the Vahana Mandapam.

For auto around Madurai temples, call Somasundaram: 99652 44904

Tarika Ram Happiness Exhibition August 2025

Happiness Exhibition

After three solo abstract painting exhibitions on the Thirukural in the last couple of years, this 18 year old will be showcasing around 30 works on the complex topic of 'Happiness' at her fourth solo exhibition, later this month

Tarika Ram

In January 2023 this section had featured a story on Tarika Ram’s debut solo art exhibition at Chola Art Gallery where she had presented her interpretations of around 25 verses from the Thirukural in the form of abstract paintings. 2 ½ years later, this 18 year old will be showcasing her art talent later this month presenting around 30 works centered around a quite complex theme - ‘Happiness’. While she had started out with her passion for art through paintings, she has since expanded her portfolio to include tapestry, digital art, clay sculpture and installation.

A decade long engagement with Art Mentor

Art teacher Diana Shatish is deeply committed to fostering community connections through art and has an experience of close to 25 years as an art teacher. She has collaborated with children from diverse ethnic backgrounds and runs a weekend studio offering a non- judgmental space to explore art with freedom. She has been involved with Tarika for close to a decade having started out when the latter was just 9 years old and has played a significant role in laying a strong foundation in visual arts and shaping Tarika's steady growth as an artist through her teenage years.

Looking back on the first phase of her association, Diana told this writer that while Tarika began by creating simple compositions experimenting with basics of line, colour and composition using a variety of art materials she was quick to grasp the concepts and visualise the scenario. "We began with exploratory activities like drawing and painting, doodling, breathing exercises while painting, scraping, using various tools to create textures. Even in that early phase, I noticed that she used unique colour combinations such as pink and brown which was beautiful" says Diana. 

Nava Golu Installation at 11

Even before she moved into her teens, Tarika' s interest in arts deepened through structured projects. "She began to display improved control over mediums, learning perspective and colour theory, combining materials like fabric and paint and produced complex pieces including a large room size installation for Navarathri Golu when she was just 11. She developed a mature, self-driven approach, creating a portfolio reflecting her unique style" says Diana on Tarika seemed to have a natural talent for arts even at that young age.

Indepth into the Thirukural Sonnets

Tarika, a resident of Prithvi Avenue, Abhiramapuram, credits her parents (Srivats and Aruna) for her early interest in Thirukural and for seeding the thought in her to do a project on Thirukural. This led her to go deep into this subject and she began exploring the Thirukural reading the translated version of Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Picking up around 25 of the Saint Poet’s sonnets, she spent hundreds of hours understanding the significance of the messages and then went about translating them into abstract expressionist paintings. As she began reading the verses from the Kural, the messages of Thiruvalluvar captivated her mind. “I learnt the first kural as a teenager and decided to paint my interpretation of it. My appa and my art mentor Diana (madam) suggested to me to do abstract paintings on canvases of different sizes. I first started with smaller canvases and have since moved to larger ones.”

Three Solo Exhibitions on Thirukural

She says that her interest in Thiru Kural has grown over the years “My three solo exhibitions were all based on the Tirukkural. It was an exciting early experience for me as there were many visitors at the exhibitions at Cholamandalam Art Gallery and Alliance Francaise and I enjoyed interacting with them and presenting the thought process behind the paintings. The positive feedback was very encouraging and spurred me into the next phase” Tarika told this writer.

She also found the concert at the exhibition by the renowned Sikkil Gurucharan based on the Kurals she had painted very motivating and says that she was particularly touched by the weaving together of the three art forms - poetry, music and painting.

Tarika is all praise for her art teacher for providing her a lot of exposure to a gamut of  techniques and materials that has helped build her confidence in wide ranging areas. She is particularly pleased for introducing her to the Indonesian Batik techniques.

From Thirukural to Happiness

Having presented three solo exhibitions on the sonnets from Thirukural in the previous couple of years, Tarika took on a very challenging engagement for her next one that even left her art teacher stunned. Happiness is a state of mind that everyone is trying to reach and one that most are grappling with. Tarika found this interesting and decided to present an artist’s interpretation on this most talked about aspect in life. 

Diana couldn't believe it when Tarika brought to her the concept of Happiness as a theme for her next exhibition "I was delighted to see a teenager get deep into even the sub branches of Happiness like thought, flow, gratitude, music, colour, purusharthas, ikigai, toxic positivity and forgiveness. It was so complicated to even comprehend these topics in a non-representational way." 

Her Inspirations

She has drawn inspiration from Brazilian artist Beatrize Milhazes and French Visual artist Henri Matisse. The traditional art form from Maharashtra, Warli Art, is also something that she has looked up to. In addition to her mentor Diana Shatish, she says that two Chennai artists, Rvindran and Kalyani Pramod have guided her along the way. Specifically on Tapestries, she says that she drew inspiration after visiting a show in Chennai called Jarracharra  based on Australian Aboriginal art.

Tarika says that this was a well thought out idea and believes this concept to be relevant to everyone "I chose happiness because everyone wants to be happy and it’s a universal emotion. Yet, some people struggle to achieve an optimal state of well-being. Further, this is a topic that can be conveyed through abstract art and that's the reason I was confident that I could take this up and present."

                         Tarika with Art Teacher Diana

Diana provides insights into how the two of them went through this process of presenting Happiness in an art form "We de-coded these complex topics through positive psychology and decolonial lenses using Tapestries. She has weaved, painted, coloured, sewed, used collage and dyed one's own cloth using natural dyes, fostering emotional depth in tapestries."

Tarika was quick to grasp these aspects and offered mind blowing ideas such as vibrant dye palettes and suggesting rhythmic patterns, sparking innovative designs for harmony refining her art mentor's approach to joy. "This meant that I could quickly move Tarika onto cohesive series design and planning this exhibition which will be all about tapestries and textile" says Diana.

While her appa Srivats will be at several important Board Meetings this fortnight with this being a peak season to announce the first quarter results, Tarika will be at work on another kind of 'Board'. She is in the process of giving the final touches to her 30 works on 'Happiness' that she will present in a week long exhibition end of this month. 

Her passionate interest in art over the last decade has driven her to take this up as a full time career and the exhibition this month will be an important milestone in this art journey of hers. 

Thiruvanaikaval Akilandeswari Aadi Goratham Procession

Back to Old times

Two Bullocks pull the Goratham around the fourth prakara of Thiruvanaikaval on the 9th day of the Aadi Pooram festival

It was a one of a kind procession at the Jambukeswarar-Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval on Sunday (July 27) with two bullocks pulling Goddess Akilandeswari around the four Ul Thiru Veethi of the fourth prakara on the 9th day of the Aadi Pooram festival.  Following the Uchi Kaala pooja, Akilandeswari made her way from her Sannidhi around the third prakara to the Western entrance where the Sripatham personnel mounted her on to the Goratham. There is a surprise for the handful of devotees who have gathered in front of the Goratham. It is not they that will pull the chariot but two bullocks as their owners bring them and tie them up to the Chariot.

Othuvar’s Great Devotional commitment

It is noon when the Akilandeswari atop the Goratham made her way on to the North Ul Veethi. Othuvar Srinivasan Ramani, who has been the sole presenter of the Thevaram verses for over 25 years at this temple, has moved well ahead of the procession.  

நசையானை நால்வேதத் தப்பா லானை

 நல்குரவுந் தீப்பிணிநோய் காப்பான் றன்னை

இசையானை எண்ணிறந்த குணத்தான் றன்னை

 இடைமருதும் ஈங்கோயும் நீங்கா தேற்றின்

மிசையானை விரிகடலும் மண்ணும் விண்ணும்

 மிகுதீயும் புனலெறிகாற் றாகி யெட்டுத்

திசையானைத் திருவானைக் காவு ளானைச்

 செழுநீர்த் திரளைச்சென் றாடி னேனே – Thiru Gnana Sambandar

He told this writer that he has always seen it as a great blessing that he has been the exclusive Othuvar at this temple for well over two decades. “While it feels lonely once in a while, I have enjoyed the presentation of the sacred Thevaram verses reciting all alone in peace without much of an external noise. There is a certain peace in having the opportunity to render these verses on the Lord of Thirvanaikaval day in day out without the overcrowding of devotees that one sees elsewhere in other temples. In my youth, I would get all excited every morning at the prospect of reciting the sacred verses at every pooja kalam. And now almost three decades later, I still have that same blessed feeling that Jambukeswarar has chosen me to be the one to recite the verses in front of him and Goddess Akilandeswari every day of the year and on such occasions like the Goratham procession. ”

The Shiva Adiyars are a regular at all processions at Thiruvanaikaval and they follow the Goratham on the procession reciting the sacred verses. 

Goratham's top knocked off

As with many remote temples in TN, there is a serious shortage of service personnel at Thiruvanaikaval too and this resulted in lack of attention to minute details on this afternoon at the procession. No one noticed the overhead wire on the North Ul Veethi and the Goratham struck the wire and the top of the ratham came tumbling down much to everyone’s shock.  The procession moved on after a short break with a tanker pouring splashing water on the sacred streets on this hot Aadi afternoon. 

      Goratham at the start of the procession!!!

While the pulling of the goratham by the bullocks took one back in time to the good old days of the temple festivals, one did spot the discomfort in the two bullocks as they had to shoulder a lot of weight and it did not seem to be an enjoyable experience for them. A paricharaka who came along with the procession was kind enough to buy a few pieces of candies and handed these to the two bullocks. 

PM Modi watches the Goratham from his helipad

The Goratham moved quickly on to the East street where the procession had to be stopped for a brief period as the EB personnel began work on cutting the overhead wires only after the Goratham entered the East Ul Veethi, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew above on his helipad from Trichy to Gangai Konda Cholapuram on the occasion of the birthday celebration of Rajendra Chozha. It was another indication as to the kind of challenges temple authorities have to face in organising a festival such as this.

EB officials arrive late

More overhead wires had to be cut off on the South Ul Veethi as the Goratham made a fast paced return to the West street. It was a great effort on the part of the bullocks to carry Goddess Akilandeswari around the four streets  but it did take a lot of them and the service personnel presented both with a few more candies. 

Enjoyable experience for Shiva Adiyars

The few devotees and Shiva Adiyars who stayed through the procession enjoyed the darshan of Akilanda Nayaki and one could find see the happiness in them at having been part of this Aadi Pooram Goratham Utsavam. The two bullocks felt a sense of relief as they were unchained from the Goratham and taken back to their home.

கடல்வண்ணன் நான்முகன் காண்பரியார்

தடவரை யரக்கனைத் தலைநெரித்தார்

விடமது வுண்டவெம் மயேந்திரரும்

அடல்விடை யாரூராதி யானைக்காவே-Appar

Shortly after 12.30pm, the Sripatham personnel carried Akilandeswari back into the Western entrance where there were more hurdles. A transport vehicle had parked inside the temple and that had to be moved away before the Goddess could make her way back to her abode. 

It is not often these that devotees get to watch a temple festival with bullocks anchoring a procession. This Sunday afternoon at Thiruvanaikaval, the devotees were taken back in time to a village fest kind of feel as the two bullocks were the heroes of the day as they were blessed with the exclusive opportunity to pull Goddess Akilandeswari. 

Srirangam Koil Mahajanam Sudarshan

The 'Pineapple' choice - Temple over corporate

This once IAS Aspirant commits himself to a lifetime service at Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam

As a school boy in Tiruppur, he aspired to become an IAS officer. Not too far away from there – in Salem- was a school boy in the 1970s who aspired and went on to become one and is now an inspiration to the current generation (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/irai-anbu-ias_19.html). Into his mid and late teens, his focus shifted to become an auditor like his appa. But Ranganathaswamy of Srirangam had different plans for him and this 23 year old Madhwa has now committed himself to a lifetime of service at this Divya Desam. Here’s the story.

Academically Brilliant

VJ Sudarshan had a happy early childhood and was extremely proficient in academics. He would travel almost 15 kms every day from his village in Perumanallur to the world renowned garment town in Tiruppur for his schooling. Throughout that early phase, he aspired to become an IAS officer and believed that he had it in him to achieve that. 

He was a rank holder in Class X but the sudden loss of his appa (to a heart attack) when he was just 15 put paid to the IAS aspiration.  It looked like the world had come down on him for his appa taught him everything in life and he was to be no more there to support him. With no other source of income and also to overcome this tragedy, he wanted to move to Srirangam where his uncle resided but with his extraordinary academic performance, he had become a favourite of his teachers and the school authorities provided him with a meritorious scholarship and asked him to continue there. 

School topper in Class XII

Sitting at the Thayar Sannidhi on the auspicious Aadi Pooram day, he recounts that phase to this writer “I had finalised the plans to move to Srirangam but my school in Tiruppur would not let me go. They had high expectations of me in class XII and I did not let them down and topped the school in the Boards in arts.”

As a school topper, he received admission in prestigious colleges across the country but after having previously pulled back his decision to move to Srirangam, this time he was firm and joined B. Com at the Andavan College. “Amma was alone and I thought it was my duty to be with her and hence let go of the opportunity to join any of India’s top commerce colleges including one in Delhi”, he says on how he took a big call to let go off opportunities to graduate from the best of colleges in the country.

By this time, his ambition turned from an IAS aspirant to a professional auditor like his appa, two years after he lost him,

                         Chitrai Garuda Sevai

While he was a high scoring student throughout his school life, he had also developed devotional interest thanks to the inspiration from his uncle. "I would spend every summer in Srirangam at my uncle’s house and had experienced the famous Chitrai and Poochatru Utsavam right from my childhood."

It was on the back of that experience as a devotee in Srirangam that he joined the Vethal Group and performed the Sripatham service during his college years. He also performed Sripatham service during this phase at the Pundarikakshan temple in Thiru Vellarai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/03/thiru-vellarai-pundarikaksha-perumal.html) and the Kamalavalli Nachiyar temple in Uraiyur.  With each passing year, his devotional attachment to the Divine Couple of Srirangam was growing and he had begun to develop an extremely close bond with them.

Temple Kainkaryam Opportunity 

Having lost his appa early, the need for basic financial security led him to join an investment firm in Srirangam soon after his graduation. And then as he recounts, he secured a ten day kainkaryam at the Ranganathaswamy temple out of the blue that transformed his life from a IAS/CA aspirant to a temple Kainkaryapara “I cannot forget that morning. It was 1st January 2023. Namperumal was to provide darshan in Mohin Alankaram when I received a surprise call from the temple. The Koil Mahajanam, who was to be on duty, had to be away from the temple for the rest of the utsavam and I was asked if I could don the role of a substitute for the 2nd half of the Adyayana Utsavam.”

Maniyam Sridharan has played a role in the lives of many of the young Kainkaryaparas. “It was Maniyam Sridharan who took me first to the Kambathadi Anjaneya to invoke his blessings and then to the Moolavar Sannidhi before introducing me to JC Marimuthu. That was how I got the opportunity to perform the role of a Mahajanam” Sudharsan told this writer on how he got a divine kainkaryam opportunity out of nowhere, when he least expected it (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html).

“Those ten days gave me a great deal of satisfaction and I was delighted when the temple authorities asked me if I would be interested to continue the service as a Kainkaryapara. For six months, I performed the role without an appointment just as a Kainkaryam, alongside the official Mahajanam of the temple. It was a very enjoyable experience.”

                             Panguni Uthiram Serthi Sevai

In those six months, he also performed the role of ‘Perumal Sannidhi Vaasal’, involved in the management of the devotee crowd at the Moolavar Sannidhi.

While this was a Kainkaryam role, it demanded his presence at the temple during all the utsavams including the four Brahmotsavams starting Thai!!!!  This necessitated him to quit the well paying corporate job and in a matter of a few days he had turned himself into a full time Kainkaryapara. 

Having lost his appa early, responsibility had fallen on him to run the family and take care of his amma. By the end of those six months, he was beginning to get restless and jittery. He recalls that period as to how Ranganatha blessed him a second time answering his prayers immediately “I had performed service for almost six months without a salary. One day, I stood in front of Ranganatha and invoked his blessings. I was enjoying the Kainkaryam and it had been a great experience but without a regular fixed monthly income, I told the Lord (almost threatened him!!!) that I would have to consider a corporate job."

"Reconfirming His real presence, the Lord bound me to his service with the authorities  appointing me as a Koil Mahajanam within one week of my prayer. I was in tears realising how Perumal responds to a real prayer of a devotee.”

At the end of six months, the temple authorities called on him and informed him on his appointment as a Koil Mahajanam on a daily wage (temporary staffer as per HRCE rules) of Rs. 300!!!

In these two years, he has also been given the additional responsibility of ‘Sannidhi Vaasal’ at the Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi, one who is responsible for the management of the devotee crowd and their darshan.

Madhwas as the Koil Mahajanam 

This section had featured a story last decade on how Vaishnavite Saint Ramanuja assigned roles and responsibilities to people from different communities and got those from all walks of life to be engaged in Kainkaryam at this temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/01/srirangam-saathatha-raghuram.html). 

The Madhwas were assigned the role of Mahajanam Kainkaryam. It is they who inform the Sthalathars ahead of every procession of Namperumal and Ranganayaki Thayar and invite them by striking the ‘Saattai’ on the floor leading them to the Moolavar Sannidhi for purappadu Thodakkam. They also perform a similar role during Padi Erakkam and ahead of every Thirumanjanam. “We are the information giver to the Sthalathars of this temple on the timing update of procession and Thirumanjan” says Koil Mahajanam Sudharsan.

The Madhwas have also been involved in carrying the sacred Kudam from the Cauvery during the Jeshtabhisekam utsavam.

As a Mahajanam, he also performs the role at the Brahmotsavam and Jeshtabhisekam at Thiru Vellarai and during the processions at Uraiyur Divya Desam.

He is proud at the traditional way the Madhwas have lived “Madhwas have been known for sticking to tradition. Even when I was schooling in Tiruppur, I performed service at the Raghavendra Mutt and the Anjaneya Sannidhi and hence I got involved in temple related Kainkaryam early on in life.”

Koil Mahajanam Sudharsan did not visualise a life at Srirangam when he was a school boy. Even after the untimely death of his appa, he foresaw himself as an auditor carrying on in his appa’s footsteps. But him rejecting the seats in the most prestigious of colleges in the country and moving to Srirangam when he was just 17 transformed his life and led him into a path of temple kainkaryam. Having experienced this for a couple of years in his full time role as a Koil Mahajanam and Thayar ‘Sannidhi Vaasal’, Sudharsan has put behind his thoughts of a life in the corporate world even though he is just six months away from securing a professional MBA degree.

நம்பி பிம்பி என்று நாட்டு மானிடப் பேரிட்டால்

நம்பும் பிம்பம் எல்லாம் நாலு நாளில் அழுங்கிப் போம்- Periyazhvaar's naming a child

At a time, more and more Vaishnavites from the next gen are letting go of temple service to explore a career in the corporate world, Sudharsan, referred to in Srirangam temple circles as 'Pineapple' (in violation of Periyazhvaar's verses!!!), has taken a bold call to enter the temple kainkaryam space despite performing well in his academics and with him not getting a permanent posting yet (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/periyazhvar-naming-child.html)

At 23, he acts and speaks with clarity “As I look back, I feel greatly blessed at having taken the decision to move to Srirangam instead of joining a top college in the country. My MBA degree will always serve as a reminder to me that I consciously chose full time Kainkaryam as a way of life letting go of my early ambitions of reaching the top of the corporate ladder. And how only the chosen few are likely to perform service at the feet of this Divine Couple of Srirangam. ”

In this phase, Sudharsan has found and experienced a never before happiness in his life and sees this as his only way of life. He is devotionally committed to a lifetime of service at the Ranganathaswamy temple irrespective of the financial returns. With two and a half years of Koil Mahajanam service under his belt, it is hoped that the HR & CE would consider providing him with a permanent posting that would help him with long term financial security that a daily wage earner would not necessarily get.

This section will track the developments on this front.

Srivilliputhur Aadi Five Garuda Sevai

Through the night Five Hour Procession around the 8 sacred streets

Devotees thronged the streets around the Andal temple in large numbers on Thursday night at the five Perumal Garuda Sevai Procession

                    Glittering Thiruthangal Appan

It is a sign of the transformational devotional times we are in. Just past 8pm on Thursday (July 24), there are thousands outside the Andal temple in Srivilliputhur waiting to get inside for a first glimpse of the Five Perumals atop the Garuda Vahana but most are not allowed in. This is a far cry from just over a couple of decades ago when there were just the locals on this Garuda Sevai procession and devotees could walk in to the temple at any time on this day to have darshan of the Perumal who had come in from other locations.

Clock has ticked past ten pm and there are hundreds inside the temple complex.  Those that have managed to gain entry have darshan of the five Lords that arrived earlier in the day before they listen to the Prabhandham Thodakkam.

Periyazhvaar leads the procession out of the temple followed by Andal on Anna Pakshi Vahana. A lot of the devotees are glued to Ninra Narayana Perumal from Thiruthangal Divya Desam at the far end of the South Prakara of Andal temple.  Anantha Sayana Bhattar is engaged in conversations with a number of devotees. He recounts to this writer as to how things have transformed at the temple “Over two decades ago when I arrived at the temple, there were no Vastrams for Ninra Narayana Perumal and Thayar. And they would adorn the same vastram for several days. Now, devotees are standing in a queue to present ornaments to the deities.”

Thiruthangal Appan was glittering with gold kreedam and shining necklaces and devotees repeatedly came back for a darshan of this Divya Desam Perumal. It has been a complete transformation at Thiruthangal in recent years.

பட்டி மேய்ந்தோர் காரேறு பலதேவர்க்கு ஓர் கீழ்க்கன்றாய்

இட்டீறிட்டு விளையாடி இங்கே போதக் கண்டீரே

இட்டமான பசுக்களை இனிது மறித்து நீருட்டி

விட்டுக் கொண்டு விளையாட விருந்தாவனத்தே கண்டோமே Rang

amannar, Sundararaja Perumal of Kattazhagiya temple, Srinivasa Perumal of the hill temple at Tiruvannamalai

 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/07/thiruvannamalai-srinivasa-perumal.html) and finally Thiruthangal appan follow Periyazhvaar and Andal on the procession. There are several hundreds that have lined up outside the temple for that first glimpse of the Father- Daughter azhvaars and the five Perumals.

The entire South street is jam packed and there is no place for the devotees to move even as the volunteers keep shouting asking them to give space for the Lords to move forward. Bhagavathas are present in good numbers and through the night they present devotional songs in groups with each of them coming with their favourite Lords. 

Past 11pm and on the West street and things are no different. There are residents having darshan from the rooftop and from the first floor of their homes. Coconuts and flower garlands are presented in front of every house. 

Araiyar Bala Mukundan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/12/srivilliputhur-araiyar-natha-muni.html) who has spent his entire life in dedication to this Lord is leading the Prabhandham recital along side Periyazhvaar while the Vadakalai Prabhandham Ghoshti are following the Thenkalayars. It is a positive sign that the Thenkalayars and Vadakalayars continue to recite the sacred verses at this Divya Desam.

Veda Piran Bhattar, a descendant of Periyazhvaar is accompanying Andal and receiving the thattu presentations from the devotees (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/07/srivilliputhur-aadi-five-garuda-sevai.html)

With the special interest in the decoration of Thiruthangal Perumal, devotees are thronging the last of the Lords on this procession and he is lagging far behind the six other deities. 

There is a great festive feel around the Andal temple past midnight as the deities make their way in front the towering Raja Gopuram of Vadapatrasayee temple. As is usually the case on such occasions, the economy is thriving with street side vendors making good business and the demand for the Srivilliputhur famous Milk Kova running high. There is a devotional dance and legendary story presentation on a specially set up stage in front of the Andal temple and that has been going on through the evening, though the sound on the loud speakers was far too high for one’s liking. That programme too ended past mid night even as the deities made their way on to the East Chariot street. 

Those that have had darshan around the Andal temple making their way home many trying to catch late night moffusil buses to reach their destination. The Kainkaryaparas and the bhagavathas are the ones that stay back through the procession as the seven deities move on to the big Chariot streets. Past 1am, it has become lot quieter most of the outstation devotees having left the town. There are still those in front of their homes and shops with Thattu presentations. 

While it took almost three hours for the deities making it from inside the Andal temple on to the East Chariot street, it was a fairly fast paced procession around the four Chariot streets with the devotees having left after the darshan at the start of the procession. 

It has turned around finally for Bala Mukundan Araiyar after many decades of financial struggle. Despite health issues in the past, he is energetic through the procession and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the devotees at this Divya Desam. 

Sundararaja Bhattar of Azhagar Koil Divya Desam and the Priest at Vandiyur Veeraraghava Perumal temple in Madurai too is at the procession lending his on the ground physical support to the priests of Srivilliputhur. Without such external support, it is very difficult to manage such utsavams that are tiring on the body by the sheer physical effort that is required from morning through late in the night on the Garuda Sevai day.

It is a pretty long night for the police personnel too and they do a commendable job managing the crowd and the traffic, especially on the East Chariot street. 

It is past 2pm when the six deities making their way back into the Sannidhi Street and to in front of the Andal temple. Thiruthangal Appan is still enjoying himself on the North Chariot Street with the few devotees making their way out of their homes and in front of the shops to have a final look of the glittering Divya Desam Lord who made an almost 20 km trip earlier in the day from Thiruthangal to Srivilliputhur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/12/thiru-thangal-ninra-narayanan-temple.html). 

There is still devotional energy left in the Bhagavathas as a couple of their groups follow the Thiruthangal Lord continuing to present songs in praise. It is 2.15pm when Thiruthangal Appan joined the other deities in front of the Andal temple and the last remaining devotees bid goodbye for another year at this Five Perumal Garuda Sevai that has gained prominence over the last decade attracting huge number of devotees from across the state and outside.

Thiru Koshtiyur Aadi Garuda Sevai

One of a kind procession for a Divya Desam 

Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal go on a joint procession around the streets of Thiru Koshtiyur atop the Golden Garuda Vahana

It is just past 3pm on Tuesday (July 22) and the fourth day of the Aadi Pooram utsavam at the Sowmya Narayana Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Koshtiyur, one under the administration of the Sivaganga Samasthanam. Adyanana Bhattar, the renowned Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan has been anchoring the action plan for the Golden Vimana and on this afternoon he is overseeing the gold plating activity that is currently going there ahead of the consecration of the Golden Vimana. It has been close to two decades since the work started to gold plate the Vimana. Finally, there is a smile in Madhavan’s face with the work nearing completion. 

Finally the Golden Vimana- Feb Consecration

He told this writer on Tuesday afternoon that in phase 1, around 40 kgs of gold will be used for the Vimana and more will be added subsequently. The consecration event for the Golden Vimana has been fixed for the first week of February and Madhavan is confident that the work will be completed by then. There is a high profile devotee couple who arrive at the temple and he takes them around every Sannidhi providing them with historical insights into the greatness of the temple. It is a one of a kind of an experience on this Pradosham evening as he talks to them about the Shiva Sannidhi that has now been restored. 

Glittering Necklaces and Kreedam

The young next gen priest has been involved in the decoration of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal through the afternoon. The devotees have a first glimpse of them seen in glittering jewellery. Madhavan, who is very passionate about Thiru Koshtiyur, says that this is the only Divya Desam where Perumal and Andal go out on a joint Garuda Sevai procession.

It is past 4pm and a handful of Prabhandham members begin the recital of the fourth canto of Periyazhvaar’s Thirumozhi that includes a decad on the greatness of Thiru Koshtiyur and its original inhabitants. They follow Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi with the presentation of the fourth canto of Nam Azhvaar’s Tiruvoimozhi.

Following the Satru Murai, the devotees are presented with Puliyodharai, Sundal and Chakkarai Pongal. Hereditary priest Ramesh Bhattar recalls the period of his forefathers when 100s of kgs of prasadam was presented but almost all of the original inhabitants of Thiru Koshtiyur have left for bigger cities with only a few kainkaryaparas having stayed back.

காசின் வாய்க்கரம் விற்கிலும் கரவாது மாற்றிலி சோறிட்டு 

தேச வார்த்தை படைக்கும் வண் கையினார்கள் வாழ் திருக்கோட்டியூர்

கேசவா புருடோத்தமா கிளர்  சோதியாய்  குறளா என்று பேசுவார் 

அடியார்கள் எந்தம்மை விற்கவும் பெறுவார்களே- Periyazhvaar on Thiru Koshtiyur

During famine, grains sell at such a premium that even a handful of grains cost a gold coin. But even during these most testing of times, the people of Thiru Kottiyur, known for their extra ordinary generosity, feed the guests with honour as if everything was normal. They do not use such tough times to hide their stocks and claim shortfall to their guests. Would you not sell yourselves as bonded slaves to such high quality people, asks Periyazhvar.

In those few that have stayed back in this Divya Desam, this genorosity has not been lost for they invite visiting devotees for meals at the conclusion of the procession late in the evening and to stay back the night.

Devotees who have come in from other towns for this festive occasion enquire about the greatness and speciality of the temple even as they go around taking a look at the three tiered Ashtanga Vimana in the twilight of the setting sun. It was here that Vaishnavite Saint Ramanuja learnt the Thiru Mandiram on his 18th visit from Srirangam.

It is 7pm and all is set for the procession. The sripatham personnel have arrived and so have a small set of devotees. Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal have been mounted atop the Garuda Vahana. Soon after the Deeparathanai, as is now the trend in most remote Divya Desams, the utsava deities are moved on to the Wheeled vehicle for the procession. The shortage of service personnel in temples has meant that no more is the Lord carried on the shoulder like in the centuries gone by.

The prabhandham members begin the recital of Nanmugan Thiruvanthathi in front of Ramanuja Sannidhi to signal the commencement of the procession. Perumal and Andal leave the temple complex through the South gate instead of the Eastern Raja Gopuram. The Sannidhi Street is the one where traditional Vaishnavites lived till the second half of the previous century. 

நளிர்ந்த சீலன் நயாசலன் அபிமான துண்கனை நாள்தொறும் 

தெளிந்த செல்வனை சேவகங் கொண்ட செங்கண்மால் திருக்கோட்டியூர் 

குளிர்ந்துறை கின்ற கோவிந்தன் குணம் பாடுவார் உள்ள நாட்டினுள் 

விளைந்த தானியமும் இராக்கதர் மீது கொள்ளகிலார்களோ 

Periyazhvaar says that the nobility of the residents and the reverberations arising from the sacred recitals at Thiru Koshtiyur is such that even the asuras would not steal from this temple town.

All the streets are dotted with beautiful white pulli kolams. Some reconstruction has taken place on this street in line with the modern trend. G Madhavan Bhattar who has performing archaka service for over two decades at the Sundararaja Perumal temple in Kothankulam too has rebuilt his house on this street and let it out on rent. A big sized photo of his and his wife hangs outside this remodelled house opposite the South entrance of the temple(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/07/kothankulam-sikkal-kidaram-madhavan.html).

Residents present coconut and flowers as the deities stop almost in front of every house on this street. With the Vaishnavites having moved out, the South street has come to be occupied by others who with great devotion invoked the blessings of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal. 

The prabhandham members lead the procession as they move on the West Street, one that is now abound with shops. The procession stops in front of the Ahobila Mutt and then a few buildings after in front of Adyayana Bhattar Madhavan’s house for the sacred presentation to Perumal and Andal. Madhavan is a renowned and a well respected personality in Thiru Koshtiyur and almost everyone in the town reach out to greet him with warmth and engage in conversations with him.

An elderly devotee couple have made their way from Srirangam for the Garuda Sevai procession and they bid goodbye to the deities as they have to catch the 8pm direct bus to Trichy from in front of the temple. 

Devotees in good numbers have darshan of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal at the junction of West and North street. It is past 8pm when the procession reaches the Raja Gopuram on the East Sannidhi street in front of the hugely popular Theppakulam, where Perumal provides darshan to several lakhs of devotees during the Maasi Theppotsavam.

The Thiru Maligai of Koshtiyur Nambi, who was born here has been remodelled for visiting devotees to stay during the big annual utsavams (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/06/thiru-koshtiyur-nambi-avathara-utsavam.html).  The descendants come out to present their offering to Perumal and Andal. 

Ramanujam - Staying back in troubled times

A few yards away is the Thiru Maligai of Selva Nambi, the revered chief priest of the Pandya King in Madurai. Descendant Veda Vinnapam Bhattar Ramanujam is one of those few who chose not to leave this Divya Desam in troubled times back in the 70s and 80s and stayed back to perform Veda and Prabhandham Kainkaryam at this temple. Through the evening, he provided insights into the significance of the Ramanuja and Thiru Koshtiyur Nambi Sannidhis that he has been taking care of over the last four decades. 

There is an inspiring message for those who quit this temple town in the most challenging times in the 1970s and 80s. And a recital of this sacred verse of Periyazhvaar could lead them back to this legendary temple where Ramanuja was presented with the Ashtachara Mantra.

நரக நாசனை நாவில் கொண்டு அழையாத மானிட சாதியர் 

பருகு நீரும் உடுக்குங் கூரையும் பாவம் செய்தன தாங்கொலோ

Periyazhvaar says that those who were blessed enough to be born in Thiru Koshtiyur, if they did not spend their entire life time here to utter the Lord’s name, then the water he drinks and the clothes he wears must have sinned for him to be so!!!

It is almost 9pm when Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal made their way back into the Sannidhi Street to the temple through the South entrance. The prabhandham members presented the Satru Murai of Nanmugan Thiruvanthathi verses bringing to end the Garuda Sevai on this fourth evening of the ten day Aadi Pooram utsavam. 

Devotional commitment of Kainkaryaparas

It is a lot of work during such utsavams for the limited number of kainkaryaparas at the temple. From being present at the moolavar sannidhis for daily Thiru Aradhanam and devotee darshan to decorating utsava deities of Perumal and Andal for the morning and evening processions, cooking the sacred food for daily poojas as well as for the procession and seva kaalam, it is quiet a strenuous exercise.  But those that have stayed back for the kainkaryam have been doing it with great devotion. 

The good news is that a few of the next gen too have chosen to continue this kainkaryam at this Divya Desam and kudos to them for letting go of more financially lucrative opportunities in cities to continue to reside in this remote temple town to take over and continue the Kainkaryam.

நாவை காரியம் சொல்லிலாதவர் நாள்தோறும் விருந்தோம்புவார்  

தேவ காரியம் செய்து வேதம் பயின்று வாழ் திருக்கோட்டியூர் 

மூவர் காரியமும் திருத்தும் முதல்வனைச் சிந்தியாத 

அப்பாவ காரியங்களை படைத்தவன் எங்கனம் படைத்தான்களோ 

 "The people of Thiru Koshtiyur always spoke the truth. They welcomed guests with honour. They performed selfless services to the Lord. Youngsters learnt the Vedas all the time and tried to perfect it through their life time, such was their dedication."

These young Kainkaryaparas obviously have understood the significance of Periyazhvaar's message presented a 1000 years ago.....