Nathan Koil Jagannathan Perumal Brahmotsavam Garuda Sevai

A Grand Alankaram, Wide Ranging Prasadam, Local Residents' Participation

The new archaka team at this Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Divya Desam named after Nandi is reviving the utsavams to its old grandeur

It is a Divya Desam par excellence as praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi, one where Nandi performed service. Built by the Pallava King Nandivarma, the Jagannathan perumal temple in Nathan koil is in the Shenbakaaranya Kshetram, which runs from here up to Mannargudi and was praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar as a location that has no equivalent. He praises this historic temple town as one where the distant beat of the festival drum sounds like monsoon clouds and the peacocks begin to dance in delight in the surrounding groves. 

தந்தை மனம் உந்து துயர் நந்த இருள்  வந்த விறல்

 நந்தன் மதலை 

எந்தை இவன் என்று அமரர் கந்த மலர் 

கொண்டு தோழ நின்ற நகர் தான் 

மந்த முழவோசை மழையாக ஏழுகார் 

மயில்கள் ஆடு பொழில் சூழ் 

நந்தி பணிசெய்த நகர் 

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே 

That was over a 1000 years ago. But for a long time over the last few decades, this Divya Desam on the southern outskirts of Kumbakonam near Korukkai had remained deserted with very few devotees visiting the temple while most of the other Divya Desams in this region had seen a turnaround. Finally with the arrival of a next gen priest, there seems to be a ray of hope and a revival in fortunes seems to be around the corner with his positive energy and a devotional determination to bring back devotees to the temple.

The young Raghavan Bhattar, along with his appa and brother, took charge of the Jagannathan Perumal temple a couple of years ago and has since been trying to revive the utsavams to some form of its old grandeur.

தீதறு நிலத்தொடு ஏரி காலினொடு 

நீர் கெழு விசும்பும் அவையாய் 

மாசறு மனத்தினொடு உறக்கமொடு இறக்கை

அவையாய பெருமான் 

தாய் செற உளைந்து  தயிர் உண்டு குடம் ஆடு  

தட மார்வர் தகை சேர் 

நாதன் உறைகின்ற நகர் 

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே 

Alankaram Expert from Nachiyar Koil

It is 3pm on Tuesday (June 2). Raghavan Bhattar has roped in Gopinathan Bhattar from Nachiyar Koil Divya Desam about 10 kms east of Nathan Koil for the alankaram of Jagannathan Perumal atop the Garuda Vahana. Historically, the priests of Nachiyar Koil had been performing archaka service at Nathan Koil but shortage of priests even at Thiru Naraiyar combined with an issue relating to an archaka brought an end to their archaka kainkarayam at Nandipura Vinnagaram a couple of decades ago.

                            Gopinathan Bhattar, Nachiyar Koil

Devotees thrilled at the alankaram

For over two hours, Gopi Bhattar does what he likes best. It is he who has been decorating Srinivasa Perumal atop Kal Garuda ahead of the now popular Kal Garuda Sevai at Thiru Naraiyur where he has been performing archaka service since the early 1990s. And when Raghavan Bhattar offered him the alankaram opportunity to present Jagannathan Perumal in a grand manner, Gopi Bhattar could not say no and he along with his Patshala going son, got down to minute details of the alankaram. After the completion of the alankaram, so satisfied was Gopi Bhattar with the decoration and the grandeur of the colourful silk vastrams on Garuda and Perumal that he could not take his eyes off Jagannathan Perumal but it was time for him to head back to Nachiyar Koil and he bid adieu to Raghavan Bhattar thanking him for this blessed opportunity.

New Lease of life for Nathan Koil

A couple of decades ago, Nathan Koil was in a sad state. Minimal devotees, dearth of kainkaryaparas led to a slowdown in utsavams. Multiple archakas had taken charge after the exit of those from Nachiyar Koil but not many survived the slowdown and frustration led by lack of devotees. But the temple has received a new lease of life under the leadership of Raghavan Bhattar who has been initiating activities that will drive devotees back to the temple.

பிறையின் ஒளி எயிறு இலக முறுகி எதிர் 

பொருதும் என வந்த அசுரர் 

இறைகள் அவை நெரு நெரு என வெறிய அவர் வயிறு அழல 

நின்ற பெருமான் 

சிறை கொள் மயில் குயில் பயில மலர்கள் உக அலி முரல 

அடிகொள் நெடு மா 

நறைசெய் பொழில் மழை தவழும் 

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே 

The Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi is one where he was keen for the alankaram to be grand and for wide ranging prasadams to be prepared and presented in large quantities. Past 6pm, devotees began to trickle in to have a first glance of Jagannathan Perumal atop the Garuda Vahana after the screen opened. Devotees were thrilled to see their perumal in such a grand alankaram decade with colourful tall flower garlands and glittering jewellery shining across his chest. To those coming in early, Kathamba rice was presented.

எண்ணில் நினைவு எய்தி இனி இல்லை

இறை என்று முனி யாளர் திருஆர்

பண்ணில் மலி கீதமொடு பாடி அவர்

ஆடலோடு கூட எழில் ஆர்

மண்ணில் இது போல நகர் இல்லை என

வானவர்கள் தாம் மலர்கள் தூய்

நண்ணி உறைகின்ற நகர் 

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

While Raghavan Bhattar was overseeing the alankaram and the Yaaga Salai pooja, his 68 year old appa Lakshmi Narasimhan was delighting devotees at the Moolavar Sannidhi with his  loud and clear archanai explaining to them the special features of the presence of Nandi inside the Moolavar Perumal Sannidhi as a differentiator at this Divya Desam.

Legendary Tale of Nandi's service

Legend has it that Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva, wanted to meet Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntam and entered without securing the permission of the security guards (Dwarapalakas) of Vishnu. This angered the Dwarapaalakaas who cursed the Nandi.

Nandi looked up to Lord Shiva for solution, who wanted him to undertake penance at the place, which was South of Kumbakonam, North of Mannargudi, West of OppiliAppan (Vinnagar) and East of Srirangam, one where Goddess Lakshmi herself had undertaken penance previously.

Accordingly, Nandi undertook penance here to seek atonement for insulting the Dwarapaalakaas. Pleased with the prayers, Vishnu appeared before him. Nandi requested Lord Vishnu that this place be named after him and as can be seen from the verses of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, this place came to be known as Nandipura Vinnagaram. An image of Nandi can be seen on the south wall inside the Sanctum just next to the Moolavar.

Committed Prabhandham members

It was a very hot day in Kumbakonam and as a relief to the Kainkaryaparas there were thick clouds above but it also left Raghavan Bhattar a bit worried about the possibility of the rain that could potentially play spoilsport to the much awaited Garuda Vahana procession.The Kainkaryaparas presented Kattiyam and the Prabhandham members who had begun the fourth canto to Namazhvaar’s Tiruvoimozhi earlier in the evening presented the satru murai verses on the Lord of Thiru Kurugur. 

தம்பியொடு தாம் ஒருவர் தம் துணைவி காதல்

துணையாக முன நாள்

வெம்பி எரி கானகம் உலாவும் அவர்

தாம் இனிது மேவும் நகர் தான்

கொம்பு குதி கொண்டு குயில் கூவ மயில் ஆலும்

எழில் ஆர் புறவு சேர்

நம்பி உறைகின்ற நகர் நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

The Agent of the Vanamamalai Mutt that administers the trust arrived as did the Ubayadarars of the day. Following the mariyathai and sundal and puliyotharai prasadam distribution, it was time for the procession to start.

Archaka Kainkaryam at 70!!

70 year old Kothandaraman Bhattar takes care of the Thayar Sannidhi at the temple and he is the one accompanying Perumal on the Garuda Vahana Procession presenting Deeparathanai at every stop and handing back flowers with blessings to every resident of Nathan Koil.

An excited Sripatham team

The sripatham are all local residents including many young boys. As seen at the Jagarathrakshagan Perumal temple in Thiru Koodalur last week, they are all excited to be the ones accompanying Jagannathan Perumal on this Garuda Vahana procession. . There is a buzz around the streets of Nathan Koil that is otherwise missing all through the year. The Prabhandham Members beginning the recital of the sixth canto of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Periya Thirumozhi praising the Lord of Thiru Vinnagar. Being senior citizen members, they stay back at the temple to continue the recital while Perumal made his way on to the West street. 

உய்யும் வகை உண்டு சொன செய்யில் 

உலகு ஏழும் ஒழியாமை முன நாள் 

மெய்யின் அளவே அமுது செய்யவல 

ஐயன் அவன் மேவும் நகர் தான் 

மைய வரி வண்டு மது உண்டு 

கிளையோடு மலர் கிண்டி அதன்மேல் 

நைவளம் நவிற்று பொழில்  

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

White Pulli Kolam filled streets

All the streets are dotted with beautifully laid out white pulli kolam and residents of every home come out with flowers, fruits and coconuts seeking the blessings of the Lord for the year ahead. On the North Sannidhi street, the residents are still financially backward and continue to live in hut houses while those in East and South streets bear resemblance to Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s praise of mansions that seemed to touch the Moon. The clouds had scattered and the moon, two days after Pournami was shining bright. 

                                      Raghavan Bhattar

A satisfying evening for Raghavan Bhattar

Clock had almost ticked to 10pm when Perumal made his way back to the temple where the prabhandham members presented the ‘Om Namo Narayana’ satru murai verses on Nachiyar Koil, on an evening when Thiru Naraiyur’s Bhattar delighted the devotees with his alankaram. The sripatham boys have a satisfied look on their faces having performed this service while Raghavan Bhattar and his team are pleased to have got a bit of the grandeur back to the Brahmotsavam though the original inhabitants of Nandipura Vinnagaram are still missing. In remote Divya Desams such as these, the outstation devotees continue to give these utsavams a miss and it is through the individual efforts of Bhattars like Raghavan that the local residents get a flavour of historical utsavams as these. For these local residents around the four sacred streets, the Garuda Sevai during the Brahmotsavam is an important day in the year for they see a darshan of Perumal atop the Garuda Vahana as a great blessing to them that gives them the hope that the financial challenges will be overcome in the year ahead.

Late into the night after unmounting Jagannathan Perumal from the Garuda Vahana, Raghavan Bhattar heads back home with his appa and brother satisfied at the efforts of the evening having brought smiles in the faces of the devotees of Nandipura Vinnagaram. 

Thiru Kannapuram Brahmotsavam Shiva Thiru Kolam

Sowri Raja Perumal provides darshan in a Once in a Year 'Shiva Thiru Kolam' this Saturday morning

The 7th day of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam is a special one at Thiru Kannapuram Divya Desam for Sowri Raja Perumal provides darshan as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in three different processions.

It is 10.30pm on Friday May 29. There are no devotees inside the temple but the entire complex is abuzz with young sripatham boys carrying Sowri Raja Perumal on their shoulder with great excitement around the prakara. Having provided darshan earlier in the evening as Brahma, the Lord with his differentiated Sowri is in his usual Vishnu Thiru Kolam for this second procession of the evening. On the North Tank street, the prabhandham members are ready to start the recital of Periya Thirumozhi with the sacred verses on the Lord of Thiruneermalai. 

Residents of every home on the tank street come out to welcome the Lord. Close to 11pm, he is at the East street where a set of sripatham members await the arrival of Sowri Raja Perumal for them to mount him on to Periya Thiruvachi. A set of devotees have also gathered to pull the rope around the four long streets of Thiru Kannapuram. 

As the procession moved into the West street, the prabhandham members began the recital of the third canto of Periya Thirumozhi. It is a peaceful quiet procession with the resident devotees enjoying darshan of Sowri Raja Perumal in an unhurried darshan. Unlike till a decade ago, the roads have been relaid and it’s a smooth pulling of the rope. 

As the Periya Thiruvachi reached the end of the North street (that then extends itself to Thiru Marugal road), the power went off in Thiru Kannapuram allowing for an old fashioned traditional darshan with the entire street in darkness and the almost full moon right above the Lord lighting up the street along with the Ghee lit Theevatti.

Back near the chariot on the East street, the sripatham unmount Sowri Raja  Perumal from Periya Thiruvachi and carry the Lord on their shoulders.

At the South Tank street, 85 year old Koora Kulothama Dasa is still awake  and presents Thattu in front of his newly rebuilt house that looks like a mansion as described by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in the Periya Thirumozhi.

அரிவரவு முகில் கணத்தால் 

அகில் புகையால் வரையோடும் 

தெரிவு அரிய மணி மாடத்

திருகண்ணபுரத்துறையும் 

வரி அரவின் அணைத் துயின்று 

மழை மதத்த  சிறு தரு கண் 

கரி வெருவ மருப்பு ஒசித்தாற்கு 

இழந்தேன் என் கன வளையே   

Clock has ticked to midnight when Sowri Raja Perumal made his way back through the Eastern Raja Gopuram that is now covered for renovation works. The consecration was slated for Avani but a case filed in the court and a subsequent stay order has meant that this could be postponed. 

Devotionally committed Prabhandham Members

The Prabhandham members comprising of adyapakas from Thiruvallikeni and Kesava Perumal temple in Mylapore present the Satru Murai of Arimeya Vinnagaram verses. It is almost 12.30am when Sowri Raja Perumal is back at the alankara mandapam. The Sripatham personnel are presented with hot puliyotharai for their service and they take this back home for dinner. There are a few more service personnel left for whom rice is being boiled and they get their share of hot and fresh Puliyotharai at 1am.

Following in appa's footsteps

45 year old Murali Bhattar is following in the footsteps of his legendary appa Sowri Raja Bhattar and is all set for the differentiated alankaram of Sowri Raja Perumal as Lord Shiva. Having almost worked non stop for 24 hours, he is visibly tired with red eyes but one could catch a glimpse of happiness at the satisfaction of having decorated his favourite perumal in the Shiva Thiru Kolam at 3.30am on Saturday morning as he takes one final close look at the perfection of the alankaram.

He tells this writer  as to how the round chandanam on the forehead, the long white flower garland and white vastram are special features of this alankaram. His 15 year old son is learning the agama and pooja krama from Sowri Raja Bhattar while also focusing on academics.

Early morning Shiva Thiru Kolam Darshan

By 4am Kainkaryaparas and devotees start trickling in. Each of the Kainkaryaparas take up one instrument as they present devotional music with the beating of the drums and the big dumb bells  creating a positive vibration inside the temple at this early hour in the morning. As the clock ticks to 5am, the big door opens and the devotees have a first glimpse of Sowri Raja Perumal in the Shiva Thiru Kolam as the Sripatham make their way out of the Sannidhi presenting the Voyali that is so popular at the Kapaleeswarar temple during the Panguni Utsavam. 

Love filled devotees of Kannapuram

இணை மலி மருது இற  எருதினோடு  இகல் செய்து 

துணை மலி முலையவள் மணம் மிகு கலவியில் 

மணமலி விழவினொடு அடியவர் அளவிய 

கணமலி கணபுரம் அடிகள் தம் இடமே  

The 50 odd devotees who have gathered at the temple at this early hour enjoy both the voyali and the beating of the drums. In front of the Vibheeshana Sannidhi, the prabhandham members present Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Siriya Thiru Madal while the devotees have a close look at this once in a year Thiru Kolam of Sowri Raja Perumal and chat amongst themselves on the special features of the alankaram.

After 20 minutes of providing darshan in the Shiva Thiru Kolam, Sowri Raja Perumal made his way back to the alankara mandapam with the devotees expressing a blessed feeling at having had the opportunity to have darshan of their Perumal in this Thiru Kolam.

Unmindful of his recent ill health, 76 year old Sowri Raja Bhattar who has been performing archaka service for over six decades at this Divya Desam has stayed awake through the night supporting his son Murali Bhattar and overseeing the alankaram. He had been the one decorating his favourite Sowri Raja Perumal for many decades with this Shiva Thiru Kolam and is delighted and sports a smile on seeing his son take  the mantle of the alankaram expert (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/11/thiru-kannapuram-sowri-rajan-bhattar.html).

Srirangam East Gopuram Reopening Delayed

Shut down for years- Devotees put to great hardship in Srirangam

Will the new HRCE Minister initiate steps to hasten the reopening process

When the residents of Srirangam came on to the streets opposite the Damodara Krishnan East Gopuram late last year, the JC of the Ranganathaswamy temple, Sivaram Kumar, assured them that the gopuram will be reopened by March this year. When this writer wrote a story for The Hindu in December last, the devotee donor Dr. Jayabal from Coimbatore who is also building the Raja Gopuram in Thiru Vellarai said that the gopuram will be opened in May this year. 

Last month, when this writer met the JC, he confirmed that the Gopuram will be reopened to traffic this month. The residents of Srirangam were eagerly looking forward to the reopening for they had been put to a great hardship over the last few years with the complete shutdown of this gopuram with residents not even allowed to walk through this passage (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2026/04/srirangam-jc-sivaram-kumar-2nd-panguni.html).

Many thought that this would indeed be opened in May this year but unfortunately the completion of the strengthening process is taking extra time and the reopening has been postponed by at least another two months. “The work is likely to take another 45-60 days” Jayabal told this writer on Thursday.

With the Srirangam constituency winner becoming the HRCE minister, the residents are hoping that he will take this issue as a priority and push the JC and the devotee donor to complete the final leg of the strengthening process quickly.

Autos have had to take a detour while coming from the eastern side of Srirangam from locations such as Kaattu Azhagiya Singar temple and the Girls High School. For a few years now, devotees have missed the straight road from the East to reach the White Gopuram which they had over a long period of time. Unfortunately, the residents on the eastern side including many shops there have lost hope after multiple postponements and have been frustrated with the non opening of this important pathway to the Ranganathaswamy temple from the East.

Will the new HRCE minister Ramesh initiate immediate steps to hasten the completion process and put a strict deadline to this for there has been an inordinate delay in the completion and the reopening has been put off a few times including the proposed reopening, first in March this year, and then the targeted reopening this month.

This section will continue to track the developments.

Thiru Koodalur Jagathrakshagan Vaikasi Brahmotsavam Revival

Kasturi Rangan Bhattar performs a solo act in reviving and organising the annual Brahmotsavam bringing together local boys and getting them to perform the Sripatham Service for the Vahana Processions

It is over 25years since Kasturi Rangan Bhattar began his Kainkaryam at the Jagathrakshagan perumal temple in Thiru Koodalur, one praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. For much of this phase, he has been all alone performing archaka kainkaryam having initially begun his service as a teenager supporting his ‘blind’ appa Muthu Krishnan Bhattar (who had lost his eyesight in an accident) and then officially taking over in 2007. He was inspired by the story of his grandfather Srinivasa Raghavan who had performed Thiru Aradhanam at the temple for several decades till 1980 at a salary of just Rs. 13!!! With the exodus of the original inhabitants and shortage of Kainkaryaparas combined with the slowdown in the devotional movement, most of the utsavams had come to a halt in the second half of the previous century.

He had tried to revive the Brahmotsavam in the decades gone by but the vahanas were big sized and heavy. Jagatharakshagan Perumal had provided darshan around the four streets atop different vahanas in the glory days of the temple as part of the Brahmotsavam but with the shortage of Sripatham personnel, these could not be used anymore. Kasturi Rangan Bhattar saw the renovation works as a good opportunity to build new smaller vahanas so the Brahmotsavam with vahana processions could be revived. 

The consecration of the temple that took place a few years ago was a good time to kick start the Brahmotsavam with vahana processions once again. He pooled together young school going boys and inspired them to take to this service. He motivated and trained them in this process. Surprisingly, the young ones, some of them not yet into their mid teens took to this with great delight seeing this as an opportunity to spend quality time with their friends during the summer vacation. 

தாம் தம் பெருமை அறியார்

தூது வேந்தர் காய வேந்தர் ஊர் போல்

காந்தன் விரல் மென் கலை நன் மடவார்

கூந்தல் கமழும் கூடலூரே -Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Legendary story

Legend has it that the Devas came together at Thiru Koodalur invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu requesting him to kill Asura Hiranyaksha. As all of them came together at this place invoked the blessings of the Lord requesting for protection, this place has come to be called Koodalur (where people come together). The Lord who protected the village from the Asura has come to called Jagath Rakshagan - One who protects the World and the moolavar as Vaiyam Kaatha Perumal.

Through the year, Kasturi Rangan Bhattar also doubles up as the cook but for the Brahmotsavam he has roped in two Kainkaryaparas to perform madapalli service over the ten days of the utsavam. A team from Chennai has taken turns to present the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham during the festival.  He also brought in a couple of his relatives to support him in archaka service. 

Silk vastrams for the procession

It is Tuesday (May 27) evening and the fifth day of the Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi. Proactively particiapting in the revival, once India’s fastest bowler and the architect of the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, TA Sekar along with his wife offered to present vastrams as early as February of this year and later organised silk vastrams for the street processions on hearing of the revival of the Brahmotsavam. Pleased with the arrival of these new vastrams ahead of the Brahmotsavam, Kasturi Rangan Bhattar  got down to draping Hanuman and then Jagathrakshagan early in the evening. By 5.15pm, he had done with the alankaram with Perumal looking bright decked with shining jewellery. 

Taking care of education costs

Like this former India cricketer, a founder of a Mylapore, Chennai headquartered IT company, who was also a class mate of Sekar, is supporting the education of the priest's school going daughter that acts as a great financial security to him for the HRCE pays him a lowly salary that has remained stagnant during the decades of his service. The paddy that was historically paid to priests at this temple has also been due for two decades and that amounts to a few lakhs. 

In his praise, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar says that the Lord resides at Thiru Koodalur where bees drink the fragrant nectar and sing the Kurunji songs.

செரும் திண் திமில் ஏறு உடைய பின்னை

பெரும் தண் கோலம் பெற்றார் ஊர் போல்

நறும் தண் தீம் தேன் உண்டு வந்து

குறிஞ்சி பாடும் கூடலூரே

The outstation devotees are unfortunately absent at the Brahmotsavam. Even the ubayadarar on this fifth day has not been able to make it for he is in Australia. Kasturi Rangan Bhattar says that he keeps informing devotees ahead of time but most of them don't make it even to this annual utsavam that has been revived with the historic Vahana processions around the streets of Aduthurai Perumal Koil.

Solo Recital of Tiruvoimozhi

Sridharan, the sole prabhandham member has made it from Chrompet, Chennai and he begins the recital of the fifth canto of Tiruvoimozhi sitting in front of the grand looking Jagathrakashagan even as the two madapalli cooks start the preparation of the prasadam for the evening. There is buzz inside the temple complex as around 25 of the Sripatham boys arrive just after 6.30pm. Kasturi Rangan Bhattar has all of them under his mentorship and they are eager to learn.

After the evening pooja, he directs the sripatham boys to get ready for the start of the procession. About 10 of them carry Jagathrakshagan from the alankara mandapam to the wheeled vehicle. A couple of the sripatham boys go to the corner of the temple to light up the fire crackers to signal the start of the procession so the residents of Aduthurai Perumal Koil, the name by which this location is referred to can get ready to welcome the Lord into their homes. 

Jagathrakshagan in a shiny pink silk vastram atop Hanuman in a green silk vastram make their way through the eastern raja gopuram where the solo prabhandham members begins the recital of Namazhvaar’s Tiruviruttam verses.  The lights go up in front of the Lord making him look even brighter.

In another of his ten verses on Thiru Koodalur, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar found raw mangos falling from the trees ripen in the (Cauvery) river.

தக்கன் வேள்வி தகர்த்த தலைவன்

துக்கம் துடைத்த துணைவர் ஊர் போல்

எக்கலிடு நுண்மணல் மேல்

எங்கும் கொக்கின் பழம்வீழ் கூடலூரே

When he was here  as part of his devotional journey, he saw the sapling of Mullai creepers climbing over the tall Kurundu tree and coconut branches hanging low on trees over the leaves of the betel creepers that were surrounding it. 

Another story relating to this historic temple goes that Raja Ambarishi was so pious that he even let go his kingdom to continue his penance. Sage Durvasa, renowned for anger, once visited Ambarishi. With the king in deep penance, Durvasa, in his typical style, lost patience and cursed Ambarishi to lose the power of his penance. The staunch devotee that Ambarishi was, he continued to be lost in thoughts of the Lord. Coming to the aid of his devotee, Vishnu threw his Chakra at Sage Durvasa, who immediately begged the Lord for forgiveness. Hence, one can find the Utsavar at this temple-JagathRakshagan- with the Chakra in his hand.

Pleased with Ambarishi’s penance, it is here that Vishnu gave him Darshan in his full Divine form. Delighted at having seen the Lord in his divine form, Ambarishi built this temple. It is believed that this temple was washed away later with floods in the Cauvery. The temple that exists now in its current form was built later by Rani Mangammal of Madurai.

Sridharan, Prabhandham Member (l) with Sudarshan, Sarangapani Koil Maniam

On to the South street, there is a surprise visitor to the utsavam. Sudarshan, the Maniyakarar of Sarangapani Koil, welcomes Jagathrakshagan to his home presenting flowers and has darshan of the Lord along with his parents. The Maniyakarar hails from Thiru Koodalur with his forefathers having resided on this South Street. 

The residents of Thiru Koodalur are delighted with the revival of the Brahmotsavam and each one of them come out of their homes along with the family members to present Thattu. There are happy faces all around for they see this revival as a positive sign for this historic temple town praised over a thousand years ago by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. 

Past 8pm, Jagathrakshagan is in the final stretch having reached the Eastern end of Aduthurai Perumal Koil. Provision shop owners and tiffen centers too come out to present flowers and have darshan of Perumal atop Hanuman.

A third story relating to the temple has it that River Cauvery, now completely dry a few hundred yards South,  displayed her grief to the Lord that all the impurity/sins was being washed at the river and that she was feeling that the river here was becoming impure and unclean. Answering her prayers, it is believed that Cauvery regained all her glory at this place.

Voyali right at the end

The Sripatham boys are enjoying this experience engaging with the devotee residents at every stop. The sole prabhandham member recites Namazhvaar’s Tiruviruttam verses through the street procession. Close to 9pm, Vaiyam Kaatha Perumal is back at the temple through the recently consecrated Eastern Raja Gopuram. The Sripatham personnel carry the Lord on their shoulders back to the alankara mandapam from where they had started just after 7pm. And they perform Voyali much to the delight of the 50 odd local residents who have gathered at the temple for the closing events of this fifth day. Kasturi Rangan Bhattar performs the Deeparathanai and shortly after prasadam is distributed in good quantities to each of them. 

Kasturi Rangan Bhattar (l) with his two team members

Devotional commitment to revive utsavams

It takes a great devotional commitment to stay back at a remote temple as this and perform daily Thiru Aradhana all alone for two decades. It is even more challenging to revive and organise a ten Brahmotsavam with processions both in the morning and evening without any physical support on the ground.  But the 43 year old Kasturi Rangan Bhattar who has been here from his teenage years has built a great relationship with the locals and the sripatham boys provide him with great strength and cheer. They listen to his directions and follow his instructions understanding each step in the process. For them, it is a great way to spend the summer vacation and this experience will hold them in good stead into the future. For the Bhattar, he is looking forward to participation from more Kainkaryaparas at this Vaikasi Brahmotsavam and also for them to support the utsavam financially so it can return to its old grandeur.

Also, it is hoped that the new HRCE minister Ramesh will look into the issue of low salary and initiate action to both increase the priest's salary as well as close out the dues, that have been pending for decades.

Achalpuram Vaikasi Brahmotsavam Revival after 60 years

Following the recent consecration, Brahmotsavam has been revived this month at the Shiva Loga Thyagaraja temple much to devotees' delight

81 year old Mythili is devotionally excited on Sunday evening for the revival of the Brahmotsavam this week at the Shiva Loga Thyagaraja Swamy temple in Achalpuram, one where Thiru Gnana Sambandar married and attained Mukthi, has evoked happy memories from her childhood years in the 1950s and 60s.

Her family has just come together in good numbers for ten days at the centuries old house on North Sannidhi street where they have been celebrating the Rama Navami utsavam. It had been a hut house all through her childhood when she went to school here at Achalpuram. A couple of decades ago, the family decided to build walls inside the house but she was keen for the traditional look to be maintained and thus the beautiful long Thinnai in front of the house was kept as is. Most of the traditional old styled houses are gone in the street with the original inhabitants having sold off their homes but there are a couple of them on the street that still have an old fashioned look like this North facing house on that street.

A traditional experience from the past

Sitting on this Thinnai, she recounted her childhood memories to this writer a couple of hours before Thyagesa Swami and Thiru Venneerutru Umaiammai Ambal were to come out on a street procession on the Bootha Vahana. There were a number of Gurukals in those years in the 1950s "I was a young school girl and they would lift me and make me sit in the Chariot as it went around the streets of Achalpuram during the Brahmotsavam. It was a thrilling and unforgettable experience to be amidst the devotees during the Brahmotsavam."

She experienced the Brahmotsavam through the 1950s with the North Street filled with traditional residents. And even as some tears roll down her eyes, she recalls that year in the 1960s when she was blessed to witness the final year of the Brahmotsavam before it came to a halt. She had moved out of Achalpuram in 1962 after her marriage but came back a couple of years later to experience a magical ten days. “I was pregnant with our first child and made my way back to Achalpuram from Chennai. I still remember Thyagesa Swami coming out of the temple providing darshan in a different vahana each day during the Brahmotsavam. Unfortunately, 1964 was the last year the Brahmotsavam took place. The financial situation had deteriorated at the temple and the historic utsavams came to a halt one by one. And finally the Brahmotsavam too was stopped for they could not afford to conduct the utsavam anymore much to my disappointment”, she tells this writer.

And as decades passed by, the original inhabitants left this historic temple town seeking greener pastures in cities. Given the slowdown in temples, the next gen priests too moved away from service at this temple. The income to the temple dwindled. All these meant, the Brahmotsavam did not take place for six decades.

Consecration leads to Brahmotsavam revival

With the return of the devotional wave that is now sweeping temples in TN, a grand consecration took place last year, one that also spurred the revival of the Brahmotsavam. As part of the renovation works, all the vahanas were spruced up. Earlier this year, a call was taken to revive the Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi with one community taking up each day’s utsavam. 

Thiru Gnana Sambandhar sang the last of his Thevaram verses on the Lord of this temple.  He made 7 long trips from Sirkazhi and back. It was on the 7th trip that he reached Achalpuram. In his verses, he refers to himself as being from Sirkazhi and assures the devotees that their sincere prayers at Nallur Perumanam (the ancient name of this place) will see them being liberated from their sins. In another verse, he specifically refers to the names of both the Lord and Ambal.

கல் ஊர்ப் பெரு மணம் 

 வேண்டா கழுமலம்

பல் ஊர்ப் பெரு மணம் 

 பாட்டு மெய் ஆய்த்தில?

சொல் ஊர்ப் பெரு மணம் 

 சூடலரே! தொண்டர்

நல்லூர்ப்பெருமணம் 

 மேய நம்பானே! - Thiru Gnana Sambandar

Happy Octogenarian returns for the Revival

Hearing news of the revival, Octogenarian Mythili has made it to Achalpuram this week specifically to enjoy the experience of the Brahmotsavam, one that has kindled memories from her childhood. She misses the morning procession that used to be an integral part of this utsavam during her schooling years in the 1950s but is happy that Swami and Ambal are providing darshan every evening in a Vahana.

Teenager manages the Yaaga Salai

Back at the temple, a few young patshala students have made it to Achalpuram this week to decorate the Pancha Moorthies atop different vahanas and they have been at work through the evening to get the deities ready for the street procession. There is a shortage of kainkaryaparas at the temple and when big utsavams such as this are revived, those from outside have to be roped in for support.

18 year old Ashwin is in his final year of Saiva Agama and Vedic studies and has been here at Achalpuram to put that initiation into practical use taking care of the Yaaga Salai pooja during the utsavam. His appa is a priest at Thiru Kadaiyur and he hopes that one he would be able to continue the archaka service. It is 6pm and he heads to the Yaaga Salai for a couple of hours of pooja in the midst of smoke.

The sripatham personnel numbering 70 have to come from Sirkazhi, about 15kms from here. Balaji Gurukal is now into his 40s and he is the go-to-man for the Atheenam. Through the evening, he gets non stop calls asking for updates at the temple ahead of the street procession and he patiently answers the superintendent each time providing him feedback on the arrival of the flower garlands to the opening of the Sannidhi.

It is a big Sunday evening at Achalpuram for it’s the first weekend in six decades when a Brahmotsavam procession is to take place. Past 6pm, devotees began to trickle in even as the young patshala students were giving the final touches to the alankaram. Huge vessels arrive with different varieties of food that is to be distributed to devotees after the start of the procession. 

Anchoring the Overall Management

Mahesh has seen the temple from close quarters through the three decades of his life. He had managed all the activities at the temple in earlier years and then moved to Chennai where he runs a production firm handling advertising, outdoor hoardings and the like. Balaji Gurukal has roped him for support during these ten days and he is the one who is shouldering responsibility for the overall management of the utsavam. The young patshala students have been at alankaram work for several hours and he calls them in one by one for dinner at the Madapalli ahead of the procession. 

He is delighted that the Brahmotsavam has been revived this year soon after the consecration and believes that this will lead to a turnaround in the fortunes of the temple. He is confident that the scale of the Brahmotsavam can become bigger and is open to roping in Ubayadarars for different activities if the Atheenam gives him a free hand and that responsibility. He has not had a minute’s rest through this Sunday evening and has been in the thick of action co-ordinating different activities even as Balaji Gurukal ensures that the alankaram is completed in time.

The Ubayadarar on this evening is the Vanniyar community and past 7pm they have arrived in good numbers. It is a big festive occasion at this historic temple where the legendary Saivite Saint Poet married and soon after attained Mukthi by merging with the Lord here. Several hundreds of devotees have gathered at the temple and are ready for the Deeparathanai. 

The Nadaswaram artistes have been playing devotional music with devotees sitting around them. The now popular Udal players comprising of highly devoted youngsters enter the temple through the Eastern Raja Gopuram and their entry signifies that the start is around the corner. The rockets go up in the sky and sharp at 8pm, the Gurukal presents the Deeparathanai and the Ubacharam for Thyagaraja Swami.

The Pancha Moorthies begin the procession around the prakara making their way to the Yaaga Salai on the North East corner where there is a pooja and Deeparathanai. Sripatham carry the deities on their shoulders through the Raja Gopuram and mount them on to the wheeled vehicles. Prasadam is distributed in large numbers to the devotees and there are happy faces all around.

It is 9pm and rockets and fire crackers continue to go up. The temple complex as well as the streets of Achalpuram wear a colourful look with special lights donning this historic temple town on this Brahmotsavam evening. Mythili is ready at the North Car street with her brother to present coconut, fruits and flowers to Shiva Loga Thyagaraja Swamy and Thiru Venneerutru Umaiammai Ambal. It is a big moment in her life for when the Brahmotsavam stopped six decades ago, she did not know if and when it would be revived for things were bleak at the temple that decade. 

Into her 80s, she is happy that the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam has been revived in her time and that she has been able to witness the vahana processions once again, something that was so integral to her life during her childhood. The beating of the drums and the music resonating from the Nadaswaram would stir up her devotional emotions. After darshan of the divine couple atop the Bootha Vahanas on this late Sunday evening, she heads back home thrilled at this experience of enjoying the Brahmotsavam once again and chatting about the good old childhood days. 

This has been a start and going by the response from the devotees on this Sunday evening, this annual Brahmotsavam can only become bigger.

https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/03/achalpuram-shiva-loga-thyagaraja-temple.html

Thiru Gnana Sambandar Mukthi Utsavam

https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/06/thiru-gnana-sambandar-mukthi-utsavam.html

Nachiyar Koil Vaikasi Vasanthotsavam

A Grand Revival of the Summer Festival

Following the restoration of the Nandavanam and the consecration of the temple, the Vasanthotsavam has been revived at the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Nambi temple in Thiru Naraiyur

It is a Thursday (May 21) evening in May and one of the hottest summer days of the year. Contrasted with the scenario just over two decades ago and unmindful of the scorching heat, there are scores of devotees walking into the Srinivasa Perumal temple in Nachiyar Koil, a divya desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. Praising the Lord here as Thiru Naraiyur Nambi, he was so impressed with his location and the positive vibration that residents here brought with their devotion that he sung 100 verses of praise, one of the only two temples to be bestowed with a century of verses. 

Into the 1990s, when the scenario at the temple was bleak, the Prarthana sevai archanai spanning over 7 weeks was kicked off as part of the effort to bring devotees back into this Divya Desam. This seven week Prarthana sevai for Kal Garuda every Thursday has become hugely popular and there is a mind boggling 750 archanais every Thursday for Kal Garuda. 

Revival of Vasantha Utsavam

As part of this devotional wave, the Vasantha Utsavam that had come to a halt in the 2nd half of the previous century has been revived. There are three Murai archakas currently at this temple sharing the service equally every month. However, on Thursdays all the three are at work to manage the devotee crowd that has been thronging the Kal Garuda Sannidhi for archanai. 

This Thursday marked the beginning of the tenday Vasanthotsavam when Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjuvalli Thayar make their way every evening to the Vasantha Mandapam on the western side of the temple. While Vasu Bhattar with a couple of young relative boys, who have turned up at Thiru Naraiyur for the annual vacation, is manning the Kal Garuda Sannidhi, Gopinathan Bhattar with his son is decorating the divine couple at the Kannadi Arai. There is a severe shortage of Kainkaryaparas at remote temple towns as these and Gopinathan Bhattar along with Theerthakarar Kumar have to get the Pallakku ready for the procession. 

Happy Kal Garuda devotees 

Prasanna Bhattar, who has been at the temple from his teens has also walked in to service the devotees who continue to throng the Kal Garuda Sannidhi through the evening. A happy devotee couple have organised for Chakkarai Pongal Thaligai and they have begun distributing this past 6pm. He has seen it all over the last three decades and is thrilled at the way the crowd has increased manifold on Thursdays with Kal Garuda fulfilling the Kalyana Prarthana of devotees There are devotees coming back to the temple with huge flower garlands and silk vastrams in happiness of their wishes being taken care of by Kal Garuda.

EO Prabhakaran's proactive initiatives

There are some Executive Officers in the HRCE regime who have gone out of the way to take interest in the activities of the temple inspiring and motivating the kainkaryaparas to revive the historic utsavams and organise it in a traditional way. This section had earlier this month featured a story on EO Prabhakaran, who has been at the Nachiyar Koil Divya Desam for the last four years, restoring the Thoppu South of the temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2026/05/nachiyar-koil-srinivasa-perumal-thoppu.html). Since his childhood, he had committed himself to protecting the nature and has been planting saplings over the last two decades across the chozha region and in recent years at the temples where he has been the EO. It is also the audit phase at the temple and EO Prabhakaran brings in the auditor to have darshan of Kal Garuda and Moolavar deities.

New HRCE Minister and EO transfers

It is also the day when the new young HR & CE minister hailing from Srirangam has been anointed with this responsible post. The EO of Nachiyar Koil, Prabhakaran, has been here for four years and has seen the biggest of consecration, the revival of utsavams and restoration of large parts of the temple during his tenure. The sacred temple tank North of the temple is the one issue that he has been fighting for over the last 1-2 years with polluted water entering the tank from the public space. With the new HRCE ministry in place, he wonders as to where his next tenure would be for he has completed his typical stint of three years in one temple here at Nachiyar Koil. There is need for restoration at the Sarangapani Koil, not far from here and another temple that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar held close to his heart. Will he able to make it to the Aravamuthan Perumal temple in Thiru Kudanthai for his next transformational change exercise. Only time will tell. Like many of the prarthana devotees of Kal Garuda, EO Prabhakaran too has had a prarthana and sported a new look on this Thursday evening having presented the hair on his head to the Goddess. 

Back at the Kannadi Arai, Gopinathan Bhattar is pleased with the Sandalwood paste alankaram of Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar. His son provides the final touches decking the divine couple of glittering jewellery. After retiring as a dean at a University in Kanchipuram, one of the stathalathars has settled down in Nachiyar Koil and presents Nithyaanu Santhanam verses every evening. After finishing the recital along with Theerthakarar Kumar, he distributes hot Dhadhyonam to devotees returning from the Kal Garuda Sannidhi.

The restoration of the Nandavanam that had been initiated by Gopinathan Bhattar in the 2nd half of the previous decade and completed during the consecration phase earlier this decade has led to the revival of the Vasantha Utsavam with Srinivasa Perumal making his way every evening through the Nandavanam to the Vasantha Mandapam for 10 days in Vaikasi. 

It is 6.30pm when Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar make their way from the Kannadi Arai for the procession to the Vasantha Mandapam. Mariyathai is presented at Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Ramanuja Sannidhi before they make their way through the restored beautiful looking Nandavanam on the South Prakara. The usual sripatham personnel who carry the Lord on street processions haven't arrived at the temple for they are all still at work and hence the temple Kainkaryaparas themselves carry the Divine Couple to the Vasantha Mandapam.

The Endless Round the year festivals at Thiru Naraiyur

In different decads, he praises different aspects of the joy he found at Thiru Naraiyur. From the tall trees to the huge banana plantations, from the buzzing bees to the swans, the round the year utsavams that provided a festive atmosphere all through the year, the unmatched greatness of Nambi, the huge temple built by Ko Chenganan Chozhan and the Vedic Chants that reverberated the streets of Thiru Naraiyur, he was thrilled with everything he saw at Thiru Naraiyur.

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 

He says that the streets were filled with devotional people who listened to the never ending beating of the drums during the 'all the year' utsavams that never seemed to cease. 

வாள் ஒண் கண் நல்லார் தாங்கள் மதனன் என்றார் தம்மை

கேள் மின்கள்  ஈளையோடு ஏங்கு கிழவன் என்னாதமுன் 

வேள்வும் விழவும் வீதியில் என்றும் அறாத ஊர் 

நாளும் நறையூர் நாம் எழு நெஞ்சமே 

This round the year festivals as described by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar had come to a halt in the second half of the previous century following a slowdown in devotion and a mass exodus of the original inhabitants of Thiru Naraiyur. The physical infrastructure of the temple too saw a deterioration over the decades with the temple sporting a worn out look in the 1980s and 90s.

In the outer prakara there was a beautiful nandavanam and this too had become a discarded part of the temple complex even as kainkaryaparas dwindled in numbers. Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praises Naraiyur as one where groves flow with nectar and cranes frequently visit the watered fields. In another verse, he praises the Lord as 'Lord of Groves' Naraiyur.

பாறை ஊரும் பாரம் தீரப் பார்த்தன் தன் தேரை ஊரும் 

தேவதேவன் சேரும் ஊர் 

தாரை ஊரும் தண் தளிர் வேலி புடை சூழ 

நாரை ஊரும் நல் வயல் சூழ்ந்த நறையூரே 

The western entrance to the temple where the Vasantha Mandapam was located too was shut down and continues to be. Hopefully, one day into the future, this western entrance will be reopened and devotees can enter the temple through this Gopuram like they once used to. 

The Vasantha Mandapam itself was in a damaged condition with decades of stoppage of the Vaikasi Utsavam. But this has been restored to its old grandeur. Colourful lighting and a pool of water around the mandapam adds to the grandeur. The divine couple have positioned themselves in the oonjal. The devotees are directed to the Vasantha Mandapam after their prarthana pooja at the Kal Garuda Sannidhi and they trickle in over the next hour and a half to have darshan of the utsava deities.

The Panguni Brahmotsavam that includes the now popular Kal Garuda Sevai took place in sweltering heat with street processions both in the morning and evening. The Vasantha Utsavam spread over ten days allows Srinivasa Perumal to cool himself amidst the fluttering breeze from the tall trees in the Nandavanam. With the scorching summer heat, the Vasantha Mandapam is where Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar cool themselves amidst the breeze from the tall trees in the West Prakara of the temple. The revival of the Vasantha Utasvam in its traditional way is an important milestone in the revival in fortunes of the Nachiyar Koil Divya Desam.

Indeed, the tall coconut trees and the banana plantations in the nandavanam provide a relief to the devotees and they could spot a smile on the faces of Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar spending this first evening of the Vasanthotsavam at this mandapam.

The Ubayadarar of the first day arrives at 8pm and Prasanna Bhattar who is renowned at this Divya Desam for his devotional rendition of the archanai presents one much to the delight of the devotees present on this evening. Hundreds of devotees who visited the Vasanthotsavam on this evening found a cooling effect going around the mandapam that was filled with water. The EO of the temple has presented his Sambhavanai to Prasanna Bhattar for this utsavam and the priest immediately hands it to the Sripatham Personnel to organise flower garlands for the second day of the utsavam on Friday evening.

On arrival at the mandapam, Jack Fruit was presented to all the devotees soon after the divine couple mounted on the oonjal. For the fourth time this evening, ahead of the return procession, yet another prasadam was handed out to the devotees - this time it was Puliyotharai. 

Gopinathan Bhattar and his social media devotee fans

It is social media phase and temple kainkaryaparas have been leveraging this platform to gain visibility for their respective temples. Gopinathan Bhattachar has a huge devotee base and he arrived at the Vasantha Mandapam to provide LIVE video feedback to his devotee base across the world explaining the highlights of the Vasantha Utsavam and benefits of having darshan of this Lord on this occasion. He says as to how the sandalwood paste has a cooling effect not just on the Divine Couple but also on those who have darshan of the Chandana Kaappu alankaram.

மாண் கொண்ட தோல் மார்வின் மாணியாய் 

மாவலி மண் தான் கொண்டு தாளால் அளந்த பெருமானே 

தேன் கொண்ட சாரல் திருவேங்கடத்தானை  

நான் சென்று நாடி நறையூரில் கண்டேனே 

While Kal Garuda Sevai has become a big differentiator at this temple, this above verse of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praising Thiru Naraiyur Nambi as the Lord he had seen at Tirupathi is one that Gopinathan Bhattachar once again referred to in his LIVE feed to the devotees creating the devotional feeling in them that having darshan of Srinivasa Perumal is equivalent to having darshan at Tirumala for Thiru Mangai Azhvaar himself said so. 

It is 8.45pm when Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar began their return procession via the North prakara of the nandavanam led by the ghee lit Theevatti. This first day of the utsvam coinciding with the Thursday evening Prarthana Kal Garuda Sevai meant that the revived festival got off to a happy beginning with a sizeable number of devotees visiting the Vasantha Mandapam to enjoy the cool breeze from the tall trees at the Nandavanam. There are still a handful of devotees who are back after the Kal Garuda sevai and they are seen with folded handed hands invoking the blessings of Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjula Valli Thayar as they make their way back through the Nandavanam. 

By 9pm, the divine couple were back at the Kannadi Arai bringing to end the first day of the Vasanthotsavam.

Nachiyar Koil - A peek into the past

https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/12/nachiyar-koil-divya-desam.html

Gopinathan Bhattachar

https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/08/nachiyar-koil-gopi-bhattar.html