Kapisthalam Seshadri Bhattar retires at 84

Tears after six decades of Kainkaryam

Started at a salary of less than Rs. 20 and retired six decades later at an unpaid monthly salary of Rs. 450!!!

After over six decades of unflinching selfless solo Bhattar Kainkaryam at a monthly salary that did not top Rs. 500 anytime in that phase, O.S Seshadri Bhattar has retired from service at the Moopanar administered Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kapisthalam at the age of 84. He started out at a monthly salary of Rs. 17 in the early 60s and ended up 60+ years later at a salary of Rs. 450!!! While devotees are constantly hitting out at the HRCE administration for their treatment of kainkaryaparas, this temple serves as an example of private administrators being no different in terms of treatment to archakas.

கூற்றமும் சாரா கொடுவினையும் சாரா

தீ மாற்றமும் சாரா

வகை அறிந்தேன்

ஆற்றங்கரை கிடக்கும் கண்ணன்

கடல் கிடக்கும் மாயன்

உரை கிடக்கும் உள்ளது எனக்கு

A highly respected Priest in the Kumbakonam region

In the second half of the previous century, Seshadri Bhattar was one of the most respected priests in the region for he had learned the Vedas and Agamas for a decade from the revered Oothukadu Sankara Ganapadigal at the renowned centuries old Raja Patshala in Kumbakonam.  He wanted to become a teacher and that may have given him financial stability in his life but the sudden death of his appa meant that the responsibility of the Divya Desam service came to him at a very young age when he was still in his teens.

That decade, in the 1960s, he ran a Patshala in Kapisthalam, a temple on the Northern Banks of the Cauvery, teaching over 20 students and creating the next generation of agama experts. Most of his students have done financially well in their lives but very few have come to serve their Guru or help him financially in his tough times.

Shockingly at the time of his retirement, his salary remained unpaid for several years. All through his service phase, he remained quiet bearing the pain of inhuman treatment without ever raising his voice against the high profile political figures, performing the archaka service at this Divya Desam all alone.

Legendary temple

The story goes that Vishnu devotee Raja Indirajimnan would be so immersed in his prayers that he often forgot the world around him. On one such occasion, he incurred the wrath of Sage Durvasa known for his instant anger by continuing to be in his prayers and making the Sage wait outside. He was cursed thus - “The fact that you are a great devotee has made you arrogant and you have disrespected a Sage, who has come to meet you. May you turn into a mad elephant.”

Realising his folly, Indrajimnan begged for forgiveness. The Sage who is also know for showing sympathy agreed to reduce the impact of the curse stating that he would continue to be devoted to the Lord as ‘Elephant Gajendra’ and that he would one day be relieved of his curse by Vishnu himself.

Another story goes that Asura Guhu once playfully pulled the legs of Sage Agastya while he was having bath. Angered at this act, the Sage cursed him instantly turning the Asura into a Crocodile.

Vishnu, on his Garuda Vahana rescued Elephant (King) Gajendra from the clutches of the Crocodile (the Asura) on the banks of the river by hurling his Chakra at the crocodile and killing it. Thus the king was rid of his curse and attained Moksham. This Gajendra Moksham episode is enacted here every year in Panguni (March-April). 

Severe Health Issues into his mid 80s

He had always taken happiness from the fact that he was blessed to be performing Kainkaryam in a Divya Desam with such a legendary tale. But the financial challenges and later on the physical state of his son took a heavy toll on him. 

Following his retirement and being away from Gajendra Varadar, whom he had served so devotionally for decades, has led to a deterioration in Seshadri Bhattar’s health. He had spent almost his entire life at the feet of Gajendra Varadar and the feeling of not being able to serve him anymore has left him emotionally drained leading to health issues. He was bedridden for a few weeks and is just in the process of recovering.

This year, his medical expenses has mounted and the financial scenario at home does not allow for such a huge cash outflow. He continues to sleep on a decades old cot under a decades old fan.

His wife had been a pillar of strength during his troubled times backing him to continue the Kainkaryam despite the low salary but she too has become immobile of late, while his son is physically challenged (can’t hear or speak). There is not too much of support around with the temple administrators turning a blind eye to his financial troubles. For many decades, he was the most recognisable face at the temple but the administrators have had the least sympathy for his current state of life of someone who had single handedly managed the temple since the 1960s.

Since the time he quit his service, many archakas have come and gone with the stint of each being quite short lived. He has not entered the temple for months for he is not wanted anymore by the administrators 

Way back in 1963, when he was just 21 years old, Thiru Kudanthai Andavan of Andavan Ashram conferred the title of ‘Mantra Mani' for his rendering of Vishnu Homam for 20 hours nonstop in Kumbakonam without a water or a toilet break. But financial rewards have eluded Seshadri Bhattar all through his life.

A 2007 photo taken by this writer that has Lakshmana Moopanar's name on the wall!!!

On this Monday afternoon, he has nothing left in him other than the tears that roll down his cheeks looking back at his six decades Divya Desam Kainkaryam. Outstation devotees who visit this temple continue to pay regards to him by visiting his home opposite the temple for he was the most recognisable face for so many decades and the one who was available to them any time of the day. His memory remains sharp and is able to recollect those glory days in his youth when there were sthaneegam, paricharakars and sthalathars at this temple but most of them left long ago and he has remained the sole kainkaryapara for decades. 

Unmindful of the personal challenges in his life, his has been a life of complete dedication to Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal of Kapisthalam. Seshadri Bhattar had been one of the very few Octogenarian priests performing Kainkaryam in a Divya Desam in Tamil Nadu. With the private administrators looking the other way, the pain had become too unbearable for him to continue. He now spends most of his time at home on the decades old cot remembering the glory days of his Kainkaryam to Gajendra Varadar.

One hopes that sometime in the near future, GK Vasan and co would at least pay him the salary dues that have been pending for years. And may be for the selfless solo archaka kainkaryam of 60+ years, they can surprise him with a bonus that will sustain him and his family for the rest of his life!!!

Seshadri Bhattar can be reached on: 9585085619

Sundara Perumal Koil Papanasam Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar is back at the Sundara Perumal Koil after several decades but like he was in London, he has become a Museum artefact with the HRCE locking him inside the temple and taking away the keys with them    

Will the HRCE Minister direct his staff to unlock Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and also hand back the Perumal Utsava Idol to the Sannidhi where he belongs - Priest's salary remains unpaid for months

Thiru  Mangai Azhvaar is back at the Sundara Perumal Koil after several decades but soon after his return, the Vaishnavite Saint Poet who sung over a 1000 verses of praise finds himself inside the locker room without a pooja and a week old flower garland. Just 10kms east, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar had dedicated an entire Prabhandham to the Lord of Thiru Kudanthai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/06/thiru-ezhu-kootrirukkai_22.html).

செல்வம் மல்கு தென் திருக்குடந்தை

அந்தணர் மந்திர மொழியுடன் வணங்க

ஆடு அரவு அமளியில் அறிதுயில்

அமர்ந்த பரம

ஜி

The newly appointed HRCE minister Ramesh made a big noise about securing the idol of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar that had been taken away to the overseas market long ago but a week after the idol made its way back to the temple with much fanfare and a procession around the streets of Sundara Perumal Koil, it lay idle inside the locker room at the temple with the keys taken away by the HRCE.

ஆளும் பணியும் அடியேனை கொண்டான் 

விண்ட நிசாசரனை 

தோளும் தலையும் துணிவெய்தச் 

சுடு வெம் சிலைவாய்ச் சரம் துறந்தான் 

வேலும் சேயும் அனையாரும் 

வேல்கணாரும் பயில் வீதி 

நாளும் விழவின் ஒலி ஓவா 

நறையூர் நின்ற நம்பியே 

Surely this cannot be the way the HRCE minister wants to treat an Azhvaar who went around temples of Tamil Nadu and outside to sing praise of Perumal in over 80 temples. During this week, the lone priest Aravamudhan has not been able to perform any pooja for the new entrant at the temple and he has not even been able to place a garland around the Azhvaar after the initial hype by the HRCE.

The huge posters in front of the temple make it seem that the new Government was instrumental in securing the idol back from London. Such credits they may take to showcase themselves in positive light but the HRCE minister should also ensure that proper treatment is meted out to the Azhvaar and at least a Thirumanjanam and Thaligai is performed every Karthigai on his monthly birthdays.

Perumal Utsavar too locked away in Kumbakonam

Interestingly, the utsava idol of Soundararaja Perumal too has been lying in safe custody in the lockers in a temple in Kumbakonam, over 10kms away from Sundara Perumal temple for the last many years with the young and enthusiastic priest invoking the blessings of the Moolavar Lord to secure the utsava idol too back into the temple so monthly utsavams can be organised at the temple. This will also help devotees come back to the temple in larger numbers.

                    2009 photo of Perumal utsavar inside the sannidhi

Just under two decades ago, this section had featured a story on the dilapidated state of the temple with the utsavams having long stopped and the consecration having been last performed in the first half of the previous century. The long standing priest who had served all alone passed away and the temple had been without a priest for a while. Way back in 2009, when this writer wrote the story on the temple, the photo records the presence of the utsavar but in the time that has passed by and post the consecration, the utsava idol has been taken to safe custody in Kumbakonam. 

The story goes that cursed by a rishi, Indra was struck with an illness. To relieve himself from the curse, he came here and undertook penance under the Vanni Tree in Sundara Perumal Koil. He was to donate pumpkins to Brahmins but when he could not find a Brahmin, it is believed that Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a Brahmin and appeared here before Indra.

Later, Lord Vishnu provided darshan to Indra as Soundara Raja Perumal and relieved him of his curse. In a thanking gesture, Indra installed the idol of Soundara Rajan and built this temple. Sundara Raja Perumal is believed to be the Abhimana Lord for Pulla Bhoothangkudi Rama, Lord of Azhagar Koil and Oppiliappan. 

துறப்பேன் அல்லேன் இன்பம் துறவாது 

நின் உருவம் மறப்பேன் அல்லேன் என்றும் மறவாது 

யான் உலகில் பிறப்பேன் ஆக எண்ணேன் பிறவாமை பெற்றது 

நின் திறத்தேன் ஆதன்மையால் திருவிண்ணகரானே 

Now the young Aravamudhan Bhattar, who received Samasrayanam from Periya Nambi Acharya of Srirangam, has displayed great interest in reviving the utsavams that had once been integral to the temple activities but without the utsava idol his hands have been tied. His salary too has not been paid for months.

With the return of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, it had been hoped that there would be some action around the Azhvaar’s monthly birthday but by locking him up in a room the HRCE is sending out a message that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar has only moved from a museum (in London) to another in the temple where he originally belonged.

It would be nice if the HRCE minister sends a direction to his staffers to unlock Thiru Mangai Azhvaar  and to organise poojas for him every month on his birthday on Karthigai. The minister should also direct his staff to hand back the utsava idol of Perumal to the temple so the priest can revive the utsavams at the temple. The electrical systems too are in a bad shape inside the temple and the HRCE should take a look at this aspect as well. The unpaid salary to the Bhattar is also a concern. At a time when there is a severe shortage of service personnel in temples, on the back of low salaries, HRCE's careless approach in not paying even the miniscule salary to the priest raises questions about the new ministry!!!

This section will track if the new HRCE minister takes positive action on this front.

Sundara perumal koil is 10kms West of Kumbakonam and 5kms East of Papanasam 

Singar Koil Srirangam Madapalli Venkatesan contract extension 2026

At a time when the HRCE is planning to run the Prasadam stall on its own at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, it has extended the madapalli contract of long standing cook Venkatesan at Singar Koil

While the HRCE continues to explore option to run the Prasadam stall on its own at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, on Friday (August 21) it awarded the madapalli contract at Singar Koil to long standing cook S Venkatesan. On Friday morning, soon after an hour long conversation with this writer, JC Sivaram Kumar made his way to the Ranga Vilas mandapam for the auction. An hour later, Maniyakarar and long time sole cook at the madapalli of Singar Koil received a call from the Ranganathaswamy temple to take a Demand Draft for just over Rs. 4 lakhs as part of the extension of his annual contract at the madapalli. There were no other tenders and as someone who had been taking care of the madapalli for over four decades, the JC decided that he should continue the good work he had been doing for long. Given the quality of his cooking, the expectations of the devotees and the shortage of personnel at madapalli including at the Ranganathaswamy temple, the JC took a call to hand over the contract to him at an increase of just Rs. 500 over the previous year.

It’s been a remarkable transformation at Narasimha temples over the last few years. Kaattu Azhagiya Singar Koil in the eastern outskirts of Srirangam too is riding on this devotional wave. The devotee crowd at Singar Koil has begun to like the sacred food he prepares each day and one finds long queues lining up in front of the madapalli especially on Pradosham and Swathi evenings in addition to Saturdays with Venkatesan preparing a wide ranging dish that is presented to Narasimha at 6.45pm every evening. Not just the devotees, the archakas too come into the madapalli once in a while to have a taste of Venkatesan's sacred food offerings.

A bleak scenario in the 1970s and 80s

This is a far cry from what the scenario was in the early 1980s when Venkatesan joined the Singar temple. It was dark around the temple and he would pick up some ghee and oil every morning to light the lamp at the temple. As with many other temples in the state, he would wait endlessly till noon for the next devotee but there were hardly any. There was absolutely no income and it was a financial struggle back then, Venkatesan told this writer a few years ago.

In addition to housing Lord Azhagiya Singar, the temple played home to venomous snakes, Udumbu and deadly big Scorpions. Cook Venkatesan had to contend with snakes that were an integral part of the dark prakaras in those decades. He has recalled many times to this writer as to how a venomous snake just missed biting him outside the madapalli when he was washing the vessels.

Till about a few decades ago, there were no houses in the area. The temple was flanked by a burial ground in the North and green fields in the East and South. There were no lights anywhere in the vicinity of the temple. The only noise came from the steam engines that passed through the Srirangam station. There were even skeletons seen around this ancient temple that pre dates the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam.

அங்கண் ஞால மஞ்ச அங்கு ஓர் ஆள் அரி ஆய்

அவுணன் பொங்க ஆகம் வள் உகிரால்

போழ்ந்த புனிதன் இடம்

பைங்கண் ஆனைக் கொம்பு கொண்டு பத்திமையால்

அடிக்கீழ்ச் செங்கண் ஆளி இட்டு இறைஞ்சும்

சிங்கவேழ் குன்றமே - Periya Thirumozhi - 1-7-1

Five decades ago, Venkatesan’s appa Srinivasan Iyengar had taken up the Madapalli cooking contract at an annual tender of Rs. 200, which was quite a sizeable amount in those days. Last decade, this had gone up to Rs. 1 Lakh. But with the ever increasing devotee crowd at this Narasimha temple, the tender amount had gone up to Rs. 4 lakhs last year. 

Solo Act for four decades

Venkatesan has been the sole man at the madapalli over the last many decades cooking in a traditional way with firewood. This has taken a toll on his health consuming the smoke emanating from the firewood every morning and evening. For some time now, he has been wondering as to how long he would be able to continue this kainkaryam given the fact that he has not even been able to take a day off to check his health. But with the JC insisting that he should continue this year, Madapalli Venkatesan has accepted the offer and much to the delight of the devotees at Singar Koil will be the one who provides them with the sacred Chakkarai Pongal in the evenings.

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

Devotional Message from his appa

All along this journey, Venkatesan has always remembered the great message from his appa. “While it may have been disheartening in that phase to not have devotees at the temple and to be endlessly waiting for the next outstation visitor, I always remembered my appa’s message to have a firm believe in Narasimha and to perform our duty with utmost sincerity. Despite the financially stressed life, my appa's consistent message to me throughout my childhood was to give positive messages to devotees who came to the Lord with problems and to create the belief in them that the Lord would take care of them if they invoked his blessings with sincere devotion. It is our duty to make them happy when they are here at the temple and that is what I have tried to instil in them all through the last four decades

” Venkatesan recalls on the most important message of his life.

That’s easily Venkatesan’s biggest differentiator. At a time when there are shortage of cooks at the madapalli even at Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu, Venkatesan has been a lone hand at Singar Koil having prepared the Thaligai each day of the year for over 40 years leaving long standing devotees bewildered at his devotional commitment.

That long standing unflinching faith of the now 63 year old Venkatesan in Lakshmi Narasimha is finally paying rich dividend. With the devotional wave striking TN temples and the ever increasing belief in Lord Narasimha as one who answers a devotee’s sincere prayers, Singar Koil has seen a remarkable turnaround with Pradosham and Swathi days every month seeing a high turnout of devotees. On Aani Swathi, the annual birthday of Periyazhvaar, the devotee queue extended to the main road with thousands of them lining up through the evening for a darshan of Lakshmi Narasimha. Similar is the crowd during the Saturdays of Puratasi. Each day of the year devotees are calling on him for presentation of sacred thaligai. That's a great reward for someone who for long has remained a great believer in the power of Narasimha of Singar Koil as a protector of the good. Devotees may come and go but one cannot disassociate Madapalli Venkatesan from his favourite Lakshmi Narasimha at Kaattu Azhagiya Singaperumal Koil.

The temple is open between 6.15am and 12noon and between 4.30pm and 8.30pm. Those interested to present Chakkarai Pongal and Ven Pongal Thaligai or Paanagam to Lakshmi Narasimha can contact Venkatesan @ 63792 77677. The sacred food will be distributed to devotees on a Thonnai after presentation to Narasimha.

Srirangam Temple Mobile Ban Sept 1

The ban on mobiles inside the Ranganathaswamy Temple comes into effect on Sept 1

This section expects chaotic scenes in the early phase since the moolavar darshan goes on till well past 9pm while the baggage, chappal and mobile phone counters close by 9pm

The most talked about topic this week in Srirangam is the ban on mobile phones inside the Ranganathaswamy temple that will come into effect from September 1. 2000 mobile storage boxes have been installed at the three entrance points – South, East and North Gates. This section had featured a story on the mobile ban that came into effect at the Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai in July 2018 (story link below at the end).

On this Friday (August 21) morning, soon after making his way to his office, JC Sivaram Kumar is presented with a sketch of how the counters and the entry path to the temple at the Therku Vaasal will look like but he is not happy with the design and the process.

தேட்டருந்திறல் தேனினைத் தென்னரங்கனை

திருமாதுவாழ் வாட்டமில் வனமாலை மார்வனை

வாழ்த்தி மால்கொள் சிந்தையராய்

ஆட்ட மேவியலந்தழைத்து

அயர் வெய்தும் மெய்யடியார்கள்

தம் ஈட்டம் கண்டிடக் கூடுமேல் 

அது காணும் பயனாவதே

Therku Vaasal - Baggage, Chappal and Mobile Counters

At the South entrance opposite the SBI Srirangam branch, there has been in place for many years a baggage cloak counter for a fee of Rs. 5 and a free chappal counter. These two counters work from 5am to 9pm. The issue that this writer has brought to the attention of the JC over the last two years has been the fact that while the counter closes at 9pm the devotees return from darshan at the Moolavar Sannidhi well after 930pm because the Ariya Bhattar Vaasal remains open till 9pm and devotees can enter this Vaasal till that time for darshan. But while they enter this point at 9pm, it could take them another 30 minutes to go through the free darshan queue to have darshan of the Lord in Sayana Kolam. On Fridays and over the weekend this could go up to even 945pm and sometimes to 10pm on really crowded days.

Chappals  at the counter thrown on to the street after 9pm!!!

Over the last couple of years, the devotees have found that the chappal they had lodged at the counter at the South entrance has been thrown on to the South Uthira Street and almost every night, it is a normal occurrence for devotees, especially the outstation ones, to search for their pair of chappals on this street. That went fine because the chappals were lodged free and the cost of the chappals may not have not been too high!!! But it may not be the same in case of mobile phones. 

What happens now - Mobiles lodged at 8pm but devotees return at 930pm

When devotees lodge their mobile phones at 8pm from September 1 and go inside for darshan of Thayar and Perumal, it is likely that they would not be able to return back to the mobile counter at the South entrance by 9pm. The staffers at these counters work only in two shifts - 5am to 1pm and 1pm -9pm. This writer posed the question to the JC as to what happens to those devotees who are able to have darshan at the Moolavar Sannidhi only after 9pm and return to the South counter at 930pm/945pm. At the moment with just over a week to go, there is no immediate solution on hand and the JC told this writer that he would take it as it comes after seeing the situation on the first few days.

Expect Chaotic scenes at the Therku Vaasal

This writer expects chaotic scenes at the counter starting September 1.  The cloak baggage boxes, the chappal counter and the mobile counter are going to be next to each other. The entry path to the temple from these three counters will be a narrow 6feet one. Another addition to complicate things is the online ticket booking counter (for entry and proof) that will also be housed in this same small complex.

With this work at these counters more than doubling from cloak room baggage and chappals to also include online ticket checking and mobile phones lodging, the issues are likely to complicate starting next week.  JC Sivaram Kumar told this writer that there will be over 10 HRCE staffers posted at these counters from Sept 1. 

But there is likely to be a scenario especially on Fridays and over the weekends when at peak darshan times, there will be well over 200 people depositing and waiting for collection of their mobile phones and chappals and their baggage all in the same complex at the same time. The place does not allow for such huge number of people to congregate at one location to deposit and collect. This will be further compounded by the fact that those depositing their mobile phones at 8pm on any evening could find the counter closed at 9pm while the actual darshan inside the moolavar Sannidhi goes on till 930pm or so. There is also a mangalaarathi darshan at 10pm every night at the moolavar Sannidhi. What happens to the mobile phones of those devotees who stay back for this darshan and return to the mobile phone counter at 10.30pm because the duty of the staff at these counters closes by 9pm!!

Expect a chaotic first few days especially at the south entrance of the Ranganathaswamy temple starting Sept 1.

Local devotees and their darshan

Murali will be touching 80 soon and he has been a daily devotee at the Ranganathswamy temple in Srirangam for the last 15 years residing here after his retirement. He cycles his way thrice each day - once to have darshan of Ramanujar and Chakkarathazhvaar, another time to the Thayar Sannidhi and finally just after 8pm for the third time in the day to have darshan of Ranganathaswamy. 

The mobile phones counter will start charging Rs. 5 for lodging of the phones. When a devotee like him comes thrice a day, it is likely that he will have to shell out Rs. 15 each day. JC Sivaram Kumar told this writer that for the local devotees he would try to have a one ticket a day that they could use for multiple visits in the day so they would not have to pay each time they lodge the mobile phone on the same day.

மெய்யில் வாழ்க்கையை மெய்யெனக்கொல்லும்

இவ்வையந் தன்னொடும் கூடு வதில்லையான்

ஐய்யனே அரங்கா என்று அழைக்கின்றேன்

மையல் கொண்டொழிந்தேன் எந்தன் மாலுக்கே

Devotees have already begun asking the question if the archakas, pandaris and other daily kainkaryaparas will be allowed to bring their phones inside the Sannidhi. One would have to wait and watch as to how that scenario unfolds.

Seen whichever way, the first fortnight of September will be interesting times for the Srirangam temple with the Satru Murai event of Pavitrotsavam set to take place late on Sept 1 evening, the day the mobile ban comes into effect. Will the devotees now not be able to take photos and videos of such utsavams and only a select Kainkaryapara group will have exclusive rights over this. Also, the Krishna Jayanthi and Uriyadi Utsavam processions will take place in the first week of September. How will the mobile phone lodging and collection be implemented when street processions and the utsavar’s return to the Sannidhi happens after 9pm by which time the mobile counters close!!!

At a fee of Rs.5, the mobile deposit could bring in around Rs.5lakhs a month of additional revenue. But during peak utsavam months, this could shoot up many times with devotee crowd of over 50000 a day.

It is really hot in Srirangam, end of August with outside temperature hovering around 40degrees. Come first week of September, it could get even hotter at the mobile counters. This section will track as to how the events unfold in Sept.

July 2018: Mobile ban at Meenakshi Amman temple- https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/meenakshi-amman-temple-cell-phone-ban.html

Thiruvanaikaval Aadi Amavasai Rishabham

fter a long debate and a signed written letter from the Pandithars, the Rishabham procession takes place on the Aadi Amavasai day from the Aasaariyar Mandapam but the return procession skips the fourth prakara in violation of the historic tradition

It was to be a big celebratory day at the Akiladeswari Jambukeswarar temple in Thiruvanaikaval, one built by Ko Chenganan Chozhan and praised by the Saivite Saint Poets. The Aadi Pooram utsavam for Akilandeswari had started last Wednesday with the flag hoisting that evening followed by a procession around the Ul Thiru Veethi. It was also the day when the legendary Saivite Saint Poet Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) received the Kailaya Kaatchi at Thiruvayaru with Swami providing darshan on the Rishabha Vahana. Historically, Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswari provided darshan on the Rishabha Vahana with a Pancha Moorthy procession around the four streets.

வெள்ளி வெற்பின் மேல் மரகதக் கொடி உடன் விளங்கும்  

தெள்ளு பேர் ஒளிப் பவள வெற்பு என இடப்பாகம்  

கொள்ளும் மா மலையாள் உடன் கூட வீற்று இருந்த  

வள்ளலாரை முன் கண்டனர் வாக்கின் மன்னவனார் - Appar

Will one procession be cut off 

As is the trend in recent times, one is seeing many twists to utsavams in temples. And there was to be one at this temple as well on this Wednesday. Even as the Aadi Pooram utsavam began last Wednesday, there were murmurs about the likelihood of the Aadi Amavasai procession.

The issue turned out to be this. When the flag was hoisted for Akilandeswari for the Aadi Pooram utsavam, could she go out on a street procession during the utsavam to celebrate another utsavam. There were two separate donor devotees for each of these utsavams – on this Wednesday evening, Akilandeswari was to go around the fourth prakara on the Simha Vahana but it has been a tradition for her and Jambukeswarar to go to the ‘Aasaariyaar’ mandapam south west of the temple near Bharathi street and to return to the temple on the Rishabha Vahana as part of the Pancha Moorthy procession.

ஆன செயலால் திருவானைக்கா என்று அதற்குப் பெயராக

ஞானம் உடைய ஒரு சிலந்தி நம்பர் செம் பொன் திருமுடிமேல்

கானல் விரவும் சருகு உதிரா வண்ணம் கலந்த வாய் நூலால்

மேல் நல்திரு மேற்கட்டி என விரிந்து செறியப் புரிந்து உளதால்

Big Day in the year for Aasaariyars

The aasaariyars of Thiruvanaikaval were given this land to work through the year on the wood work in return for which they were to host the Pancha Moorthies on this Aadi Amavasai day as their Ubayam. And that is a tradition that has been followed for over 150 years.

The question was raised that only one procession could take place on this day and a precedent to this had been set once just under ten years ago and also just over 25 years ago when Aadi Amavasai fell on the 8th day of the Aadi Pooram Utsavam, the more powerful donor had his way and the other procession was celebrated in ‘Aasthanam’ without the street procession.

The EO of the temple, Uma, who took over from Suresh earlier this year asked for the views of the Pandithars on this issue if the two processions could take place on this Aadi Amavasai day. She demanded for their views in writing and the Pandithars of Thiruvanaikaval handed back a signed letter confirming that the two processions could indeed take place on the same day with Ambal going out on the procession after the Uchi Kaala Pooja and returning back to the temple on the Rishabham before the Saayi Raksha Pooja.

And thus, Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswari left for the Aasaariyaar Mandapam near the Kallanai Road after the Uchi Kaala Pooja. An Abhisekam followed at this mandapam. With the Simha Vahana procession slated for 7pm from the Akilandeswari Sannidhi, the return Pancha Moorthy procession on the Rishabham was to start at 4pm from this mandapam after the ‘Aasaariyars’ mariyathai but even after 3pm, none of the Kainkaryaparas were seen at this mandapam.

No Kainkaryapara at the Aasaariyar Mandapam to watch over the Pancha Moorthies

Most shockingly, the Pancha Moorthy Idols were left to fend for themselves with not a single Kainkaryapara of the Thiruvanaikaval  temple at this mandapam. There were no Pandithars or Paricharakars or even the HRCE staffers at this mandapam till 3.20pm when the Jewel box arrived at the mandapam following which alankaram specialist Nagarajan Paricharakar too arrived at this location to decorate Swami and Ambal atop the Rishabham.

கடல்வண்ணன் நான்முகன் காண்பரியார்

தடவரை யரக்கனைத் தலைநெரித்தார்

விடமது வுண்டவெம் மயேந்திரரும்

அடல்விடை யாரூராதி யானைக்காவே-Appar

Past 4pm, the alankaram had been done but the full members of the Sripatham team were yet to arrive. It was past 4.45pm when the Pancha Moorthies began their procession back to the temple after mariyathai to the Ubayadarars and to the Adyayana Bhattar and the Othuvar.

Rishabham skips the fourth prakara

The controversies of the day was not yet done with. On the return procession, Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswari were to provide Rishabha Vahana darshan on this Aadi Amavasai day around the fourth prakara but this was compromised with both shortage of Sripatham personnel as well as time for there was a Simha Vahana alankaram and procession to be done in the evening for which the Saayi Raksha pooja had to take place. 

Hari Pandithar, one of the priests well verses in the technical pooja aspects at this temple told this writer that it was the norm for the Rishabham to go around the Ul Thiru Veethi and there was no question of discussing that point. He had assumed that the Rishabham would indeed go through the fourth prakara but that was not to be the case and he found that to be a violation of the tradition for a Rishabha Vahana procession of Swami and Ambal was not complete without them going around the sacred fourth prakara.

Sriram Pandithiar (left) and Hari Pandithar

நன்றும் இழைத்த சிலம்பி வலைப் பரப்பை நாதன் அடி வணங்கச் 

சென்ற யானை அநுசிதம் என்று அதனைச் சிதைக்கச் சிலம்பிதான்

இன்று களிற்றின் கரம் சுலவிற்று என்று மீள இழைத்ததனை

அன்று கழித்த பிற்றைநாள் அடல் வெள்ளானை அழித்ததால்

He did suggest to the Pandithar of the day, Sriram Pandithar, who quit his job at Sundaram Finance to take up this hereditary service, to get the Rishabham around the fourth prakara but the procession returned directly back to the temple through the west entrance.

Srivilliputhur Andal Aadi Utsavam 5 Perumal Mangalasasanam

Periyazhvaar provides Mangalasasanam to five Perumals on Monday morning on the occasion of the fourth day of the Aadi Pooram Utsavam 

Periyazhvaar

It is one of the special days in the year at the Andal Nachiyar temple in Srivilliputhur. Monday (August 10) morning marked the fourth day of the Aadi Pooram utsavam when Periyazhvaar presents Mangalasasanam to five Perumals in front of the Andal temple.

Devotees were arriving in good numbers from early morning ahead of the Mangalasasanam. Unfortunately in remotes temples as these, there is a severe shortage of kainkaryaparas. 

Four decades ago, there were very few devotees in temples especially in remote towns and the archakas would sit outside the Sannidhi waiting for the next devotee, a wait that often proved elusive. However things have turned around so dramatically that any number of kainkaryaparas are now finding it difficult to manage the Sannidhi and the utsavams that run alongside the daily poojas, given the ever increasing devotees thronging Divya Desam temples. 

On such big utsavam days, the shortage is felt acutely and the impact of this is on the devotees. 

பருப்பதற்கு கயல் பொறித்த 

பாண்டியன் குல பத்தி போல் 

திருபொலிந்த சேவடி 

என் சென்னியின் மேல் பொறித்தாய் 

மருப்பொசித்தாய் மல் அடர்த்தாய் 

என்றென்று உன் வாசகமே 

உருபொலிந்த நாவினேனை 

உனக்கு உரித்து ஆக்கினையே 

Delayed Alankaram of Periya Perumal

Veda Piran Bhattar who also now doubles up as the maniyakaarar at the temple had told this writer last week that the Mangalasasanam would start at 9am and run up to 1pm. On this Monday morning, he was seen scrambling around between Vadapadrasayee Sannidhi where the alankaram for Periya Perumal was taking place and Andal Sannidhi.  The Perumal Sannidhi was shut off after 8am with the bhattars getting into the alankaram of Periya Perumal. The devotees who arrived there after darshan of Andal were left wondering as to when the Sannidhi would open. 

Curt reply

When a devotee asked a Kainkaryapara who came from inside the alankara mandapam, she received a curt reply  that angered her and the devotees who were present there “Only the Bhattar knows when the alankaram would be complete. Just sit here and wait for the door to open” he told her rudely while going down the steps. These are the kind of remarks from traditional Vaishnavites that has been putting off devotees these days in temples. And so it turned out that the devotees stayed there till 10am waiting every minute for the door to open. With the sacred curtains around the utsavar, devotees should have been able to go and have darshan of the moolavar but it was not to be!!!

                                

From the Bhattar waiting for the next devotee to arrive way back in the 1970s and 80s, the scenario has turned so dramatically that the door is now shut on the huge number of devotees visiting historic temples as these. The alankaram has become grander, the flower garlands are the huge and Perumal is now back to adorning glittering jewellery at utsavam processions. And the archakas, especially the next gen, are particularly interested in decorating Perumal.

Periya Perumal

Glittering Periya Perumal but delayed Alankaram

When the door did open, the devotees were treated to a double bonanza being able to have darshan of the handsome Periya Perumal ready to head for the mangalasasanam and the varna kala moolavar Vadabadra Sayee. While the devotees had been waiting for over an hour to have darshan of the moolavar and hence a long line had emerged, there were the privileged ones who came in groups to have darshan through the wrong side, brought in by the kainkaryaparas angering the devotees who came in the queue. The new HRCE minister has repeatedly spoken over the last month about stopping of special treatment but the impact of that is not yet visible inside temples as these on such heavily crowded days.

Saathaatha Vaishnavas at Srivilliputhur

It is 10.15am and Periya Perumal makes his way down the steep steps from the Vadabadra Sayee Sannidhi. Periyazhvaar had by now arrived in front of the Andal Sannidhi and was waiting for Periya Perumal to arrive. Periya Perumal made his way through the towering Raja Gopuram, that now presents a faded look, to the Andal temple. 

The Vaishnava Saathaatha Dasa Nambis are the ones assigned the task of  accompanying Perumal/Andal Nachiyar on the procession. Vaishnava Saathaatha Santhanam is carrying the golden sacred stick  and leads each of the procession this morning ensuring the Lord and the Kainkaryaparas have a safe path forward by rendering Eth Sarigai thus informing them that they can proceed. 

Sathatha Vaishnava Daasa Nambi Santhanam

At Srivilliputhur, parrot holds a special significance. Andal Nachiyar used the parrot to send message to her beloved Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam to come fast and marry her. The Saathaatha Vaishnavas have the privilege of making and presenting the special parrot every evening to Andal Nachiyar for the Thiru Aradhana pooja at this Divya Desam. They are also bestowed with rights and responsibilities of taking care of the security of the room that houses Lord’s jewels – Karuvullam. Historically, they lived in the same street right next to the archakas, an indication of the high status given to them by Ramanuja.

Playing the Tamaanam with great devotion

Nambi is past 50 and he has been playing the Tamaanam for years. Through this morning, at the arrival of every Perumal, he displayed high devotion in beating the drum much to the delight of the standing who lined up either side of Perumal and Periyazhvaar. It is one of the instruments that is seeing a revival in temple utsavams. It is a highly devotional mood with nagaswaram artistes and the drums players playing non stop music in front of several hundreds of devotees. 

                                                 

The big moment of the morning had arrived as Periya Perumal took position opposite Periyazhvaar with devotees lining up both sides. For the next hour, the mangalasasanam event was played out with Periya Perumal presenting his Shatari, flower garland and parivattam to Periyazhvaar with the Bhattar making his way in a slow step by step movement to the beating of the drums. Watched from a distance by his appa Bala Mukundan Araiyar, Natha Muni Araiyar, who has just celebrated the birth of his third daughter, presented his Sevai with the cymbals in his hands even as the Bhattar presented shatari and tied the parivattam around Periyazhvaar’s forehead.

                                            

Playing the Kombuthaarai from his teens

A lot younger at 21, Nagulan (in the photo below) is just in the process of completing his collegiate education. Right from his schooling days, he has been interested in street processions of Perumal and Nachiyar and has been playing the Kombuthaarai from his mid teens. Through this entire session lasting well over 5 hours, he played the Kombuthaarai when Perumal made his way from the Andal temple for Mangalasaasanam and on his return trip to the alankara mandapam. He told this writer that he may go for a corporate job after his completes the Bio Tech degree he is pursuing but his heart will always be with Andal Nachiyar and Periya Perumal for he has thoroughly enjoyed playing this unique long instrument over the last many years.

Periyazhvaar went around his favourite Periya Perumal in a pradakshinam following which the Lord made his way to the Alankaram mandapam at the Andal temple through the Vanamamalai Mutt, Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi and Manavala Mamuni Sannidhis.

It was past 11am and the heat was being felt by everyone present but the Sripatham personnel did an excellent job in carrying perumal and periyazhvaar through this morning session with Sundararaja Perumal of Srivilliputhur and Srinivasa Perumal of Thiruvannamalai following Periya Perumal for the mangalasasanam event. 

The commentator whose presentation came out loud and clear on the huge speaker system introduced Sundararaja Perumal as Periyazhvaar’s Kula Deivam with the Azhvaar praising the greatness of Thiru Maliruncholai in three decads. 

எத்தனை காலமும் எத்தனை ஊழியும் 

இன்றொடு நாளை என்றே 

இத்தனை காலமும் போய்க் கிறிப்பட்டேன் 

இனி உன்னை போகலொட்டேன் 

மைத்துனன்மார்களை வாழ்வித்து மாற்றலர் 

நூற்றுவரைக் கெடுத்தாய் 

சித்தம் நின்பாலது அறிதி அன்றே 

திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலை என்றாய் 

After Sundararaja Perumal went back to the alankaram mandapam inside the Andal temple, Srinivasa Perumal of Thiruvannamalai, six kms north of Srivilliputhur Divya Desam, made his way and positioned himself opposite Periyazhvaar. Interestingly both with Sundararaja Perumal and Srinivasa Perumal, it was heartening to see that the next gen bhattars have taken over and are devotionally inclined to carry the Kainkaryam into the future.

Periyazhvaar going around Srinivasa Perumal 

சென்னி ஓங்கு தன் திருவேங்கடம் உடையாய் 

உலகு தன்னை வாழ நின்ற நம்பீ 

தாமோதரா சதிரா 

என்னையும் என் உடைமையையும் 

உன் சக்கரப் பொறி ஒற்றிக்கொண்டு 

நின் அருளே புரிந்திருந்தேன் 

இனி என் திருகுறிப்பே 

The clock had ticked well past noon and in the sweltering heat, the priest from the Namazhvaar Sannidhi in Srirangam arrives at the temple with his wife to experience the Mangalasasanam. It was now time for another Divya Desam Perumal to make his way to the Andal temple and the commentator alerts the devotees that it will take a while for the Lord to arrive for he has been stationed outside near the sacred tanks. 

                                 

                                     Thiruthangal Appan

Ninra Narayana Perumal of Thiru Thangal Divya Desam had started out on Sunday from his abode and reached Srivilliputhur in the evening after several mandagapadis on the way.  He had been at the mandapam north of the sacred tank and he began his procession to the Andal temple just after 12.30pm. The residents of the tank street came out of their homes to present thattu experiencing this once in a year presence of the Divya Desam Lord from Thiruthangal at their door step.

பேராணை குறுங்குடி எம்பெருமானை 

திருத்தண்கால் ஊரானை கரம்பனூர் உத்தமனை 

முத்து இலங்கு காரார் திண் கடல் ஏழும் 

மலை ஏழ் இவ்வுலகு ஏழ் உண்டு 

ஆராது என்று இருந்தானைக் கண்டது தென் அரங்கத்தே 

At the Sannidhi Street, the ladies presented Kolattam while the residents there too presented Thattu with the Nagaswaram and drum artistes continuing to play their music led by the temple event. 

It was past 1pm when Ninra Narayana Perumal finally made his way to the east side of the Andal temple to position himself opposite Periyazhvaar. For an hour, the shatari, parivattam process was played out following which Periyazhvaar went around the Divya Desam perumal from Thiruthangal. 

                          

Andal Nachiyar- Rangamannar

The devotees who had gathered at this location stayed put for four hours watching Perumal one after another arrive in front of Periyazhvaar for Mangalasasanam. And for the locals as well as the ardent devotees of Andal Nachiyar, she arrived alongside Rangamannar for the final Mangalasasanam of the day. By this time, Suresh Bhattar arrived from Koodal Azhagar Divya Desam in Madurai which is where Periyazhvaar rendered the first verses of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham praying for the well being of the Lord after having darshan of him in the sky atop the Garuda Vahana. It had been a very enjoyable morning for the devotees who had gathered from far and wide to watch this once in a gathering of five perumals. 

Suresh Bhattar from Koodal Azhagar

Aadi utsavam is always quite a tedious period for the Kainkaryaparas at the Andal temple in Srivilliputhur for it is physically tiring with procession going late into the late and different kinds of alankarams on different days. After a long first session, it was time for them to take a bit of a rest before they embark on to the Garuda Sevai alankaram in the evening with the five Perumals going around the streets of Srivilliputhur late into the night on Monday.

Srirangam East Gopuram reopening

After many years of Shut Down and devotee harship

The Damodara Krishnan Gopuram East of the Vellai Gopuram at the Ranganathaswamy temple will be reopened to vehicular traffic on Sunday morning

After many years of shut down, the Damodara Krishnan Gopuram on the eastern side of the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam is set to reopen to traffic tomorrow Sunday ahead of Aadi 28. This writer had featured a story in The Hindu in December last quoting Dr. Jayapal, the devotee donor who has been undertaking the extensive large scale restoration that the work was likely to be completed by March and that the gopuram would be opened to vehicular traffic but when this process was further delayed, this section featured another story in May this year on the delay after both the donor devotee Dr. Jayapal, who is also constructing the Raja Gopuram at Thiru Vellarai, had confirmed with greater confidence that the East Gopuram would be opened to traffic in Vaikasi. 

The story in May had suggested for the new HRCE minister Ramesh to direct the donor to hasten the pace of completion so the devotees and the residents of the eastern side are not put to further hardship(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2026/05/srirangam-east-gopuram-reopening-delayed.html).

பூ மன்னு  மாது பொருந்திய மார்பன் 

புகழ் மமலிந்த பாமன்னு  மாறன் அடிபணிந்து உய்ந்தவன்

பல்கலையோர் தாம்மன்ன வந்த ராமானுஜன் 

சரணாரவிந்தம் நாம்மன்னி  வாழ 

நெஞ்சே சொல்லுவோம் அவன் நாமங்களே 

Kainkaryaparas at the Thiruvellarai temple told this writer last month that the minister had had a ‘quiet’ word with the devotee donor to complete quickly the final stages of the Damodara Krishnan Gopuram. Sivaram Kumar, the JC of the Ranganathaswamy temple had told this writer  last month that he was keen for the reopening to take place in early Aadi but the work could not be completed.

இந்திரனோடு பிரமன்

 ஈசன் இமையவர் எல்லாம்

மந்திர மா மலர் கொண்டு

மறைந்து உவராய் வந்து நின்றார்

சந்திரன் மாளிகை சேரும்

சதுரர்கள் வெள்ளறை நின்றார்

காந்தியம் பொது இது ஆகும்

 அழகனே காப்பிட  வாராய்

Over the last fortnight or so, the workers at the Gopuram have been dismantling the bamboo sticks that had been in place on both sides of the Gopuram. On this Saturday morning, the workers were seen clearing the debris on the sides of the Gopuram with the HRCE staffers overseeing the debris clearance after it had been decided to reopen the pathway to traffic on Sunday morning.

The residents of Srirangam expressed happiness on hearing the news of the likely reopening. A lady who sells Dosai Batter on the east side of the Gopuram was relieved after having struggled over the last few years. She told this writer on Friday evening that it was such a tedious task to go to the bank on the east uthira street and to also have darshan of Perumal.

For the students of Srirangam Girls High School to, it will be a big relief come Monday morning as they will now be able to come through east uthira and chitra streets to their school through the Damodara Krishnan Gopuram. Also, the Kainkaryaparas as well as the devotees will now be able to make it through this Gopuram to the Kaattu Azhagiya Singar Koil east of the Srirangam Railway Station.

Minister Ramesh on Sunday morning 

Years ago, even as the work started, two wheelers and walkers were able to go through this Gopuram but on inspection the then collector directed the shutdown of this pathway fearing untoward incidents arising out of the likely falling of stones from above and thus this path has been shut down for years now causing great hardship.

Finally, the day is arriving when the vehicular traffic will be able to pass through the Damadora Krishnan Gopuram on the east side of the Ranganathaswamy temple.

Two years ago, the EO of the temple Venkatesan had told this writer that the breeze emanating from the East through this Gopuram contributed to a positive vibration. He and the scores of devotees coming and going through the eastern side of the temple will be able to experience that vibration from tomorrow (Aug 9).

Kudos to the new minister for hastening the final stages of this process and to getting this reopening in place. But he may have to watch his words in future when he reasons out temple issues. When asked on Sunday morning at the reopening event as to why this work was delayed, he said the previous government were sleeping over many issues without taking action. In this case, the entire responsibility was with Dr Jayabal as both the donor as well as the one undertaking the restoration work!!! On a few other questions too, he hit out at the previous ministry for their inefficiencies. He would do well to focus on the positive initiatives of his department instead of targeting the previous government on every issue.

Even as he left the event just after 9am on Sunday morning, he told the donor that he would like his support at other temple restorations as well.

தேட்டருந்திறல் தேனினைத், தென்னரங்கனை

திருமாதுவாழ் வாட்டமில் வனமாலை மார்வனை

வாழ்த்தி மால்கொள் சிந்தையராய்

ஆட்ட மேவியலந்தழைத்து 

அயர் வெய்தும் மெய்யடியார்கள்

தம் ஈட்டம் கண்டிடக் கூடுமேல் 

அது காணும் பயனாவதே

Next, this section will look to an update on the new model of the prasadam stall at the Ranganathaswamy temple that was to be set in place by the start of Aadi but has been delayed by almost a month now. This section hopes that the minister will also hasten the process to finalise the prasadam stall that will now be managed internally by the HRCE.

(The story has been revised on Sunday after the reopening event)