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)

Azhagar Koil Aadi Chariot Fest Eve Horse Vahana

8th Day Aadi Utsavam - A new JC, Zamindar's first rights, Prabhandham Ghoshti's Periya Thirumozhi, 'Aadi Prakara' Procession and the fight over the 'Bull' rights at 18 Padi

It is under 12 hours to go for the Aadi Chariot Festival at the Sundararaja Perumal temple in Azhagar Koil praised as Thiru Maliruncholai by the Azhvaars. Three years ago, Hariharan had taken over as a stand in EO just ahead of the Panguni Utsavam, the biggest of the year at the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore following the death of the then JC Kaveri. It was a great challenge for him and he handled the festival as professionally as any had at that temple. He was then subsequently transferred to Vadapalani Murugan temple after the appointment of a full time JC. 

He has recently moved into Azhagar Koil on a promotion as a JC and is in the thick of things on this Tuesday evening orchestrating the arrangements ahead of the Chariot festival. There are HRCE staffers, volunteers and Kainkaryaparas listening to his instructions. Right from Appan Tirupathi, located a few kms South of Azhagar Koil, there are streams of devotees making their bare foot from the neighbouring villages. The main gate at the South Entrance is shut for incoming vehicles and even two wheelers are not allowed inside.

                           New JC Hariharan, Azhagar Koil

JC Hariharan tells this writer that he is doing his best to make this an enjoyable experience for the devotees on Wednesday on which several thousands are expected to attend the Chariot Procession.

Back inside the temple, Sundararaja Perumal is atop the Golden Horse Vahana for the procession on the 8th evening of the Aadi Utsavam. Shortly after 8pm, Kallazhagar has made his way out of the Alankara mandapam to provide darshan to the hundreds of devotees waiting for the first glimpse of the Lord atop the Golden Horse.

Gypsies play the catapult

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his praise of Thiru Maliruncholai refers to the mountain streams (Nupura Gangai) washing Sandalwood and gems in the fragrant groves. He says that the bees collect honey from the mountain flowers. There is honey flowing everywhere. It is a temple surrounded by Vengai trees that give an indication of the season of the year.

பிணிவளர் ஆக்கை நீங்க நின்று ஏத்த 

பெருநிலம் அருளின் முன் அருளி 

அணிவளர்குறள் ஆய் அகம் இடம் முழுதும் 

அளந்த எம் அடிகள் தம் கோயில் 

கணி வளர் வேங்கை நெடு நிலம் அதனில் 

குறவர் தம் கவணிடைத் துறந்த 

மணி வளர் சாரல் மாலிருஞ்சோலை 

வணங்குதும் வா மடநெஞ்சே 

Interestingly, he refers to gypsies hurling gem stones from their catapult, a game that was played in the villages of TN even as late as the previous century, though one does not find that anymore.

Dark monsoon clouds rise from the ocean and roar in the sky. Lions mistaking the roar for the elephant strike back in anger!!! Amid the sandalwood groves, the women of Thiru Maliruncholai go for cover under low canopies and chant the sacred verses every day.

Balaji Bhattar, one of the two hereditary priests at the temple, is at the procession, with Ambi Bhattar taking over the next morning for the Chariot Procession. Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan, the Adyayana Bhattar, is leading the Prabhandham Ghoshti who have just begun the recital of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Periya Thirumozhi.

               Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan in the middle

Aadi Street inside the temple complex

After a couple of mandagapadis inside the temple, Sundararaja Perumal makes his way to the house of Ambi Bhattar on the South Prakara before heading to the Aadi Utsavam Prakara. Perumal makes his way around this beautiful prakara filled with trees during the Aadi Utsavam. It is big 24 hours in the year for the Zamindar who is clad is a majestic suit and a turban. He is the  man with the rights of the Aadi Chariot Festival and only after he flags off does the procession start. He too comes around the Aadi Utsavam Prakara named as 'Aadi Street' along with the Lord carried by a sizeable number of Sripatham Personnel. 

                Zamindar who will flag off the Chariot on Wed morning

The crowd is increasing all the time late on this Tuesday evening. There is not an inch of space inside the temple.

Sundararaja Bhattar of Vandiyur Veera Raghava Perumal temple has been performing Paricharaka Kainkaryam here at Azhagar Koil for three decades and he is presenting Theertham patiently to all the devotees, a very rare scenario these days in Divya Desams. His Uncle, Nambi, is presenting Shatari to the devotees alongside Sundararaja Bhattar. Near the Uriyadi Mandapam, the Prabhandham Ghoshti are presented with Shatari and Theertham following which they stay back inside the temple and continue the recital of the Periya Thirumozhi verses at the Ramanuja Sannidhi (.

A most important landmark at this temple is the 18th Padi karuppanswamy Sannidhi at the Eastern Raja Gopuram. There is a huge crowd waiting for darshan of Sundararaja Perumal and there is the first argument of the evening between a Policeman and the Sripatham Personnel on the entry into the 18 Padi Sannidhi. It spoils the festive mood for a moment with attention shifting to the vocal argument between the two sides.

Periyazhvaar in his Thirumozhi refers to celestial women coming to take a bath at Nupura Ganga. The sacred verse of Pallandu reverberates all over Thiru Maliruncholai. Nectar from Kalpaka flowers flow down the hills of Maliruncholai as Nupura Ganga. It was here that Pandya king of Kudal Nagar Nedumaran celebrated his victory. Bumble bees wake up early in the morning and chant the Lord’s 1000 names. He finds Konrai, Punnai, Serundi, Vengai and Kongu trees in large numbers in the hills of Thiru Maliruncholai.

Periyazhvaar refers to Thiru Maliruncholai as the beautiful hill, the cool hill, the victory hill, the firm hill and the tall hill.

Clock has ticked past 9.30pm when Sundararaja Perumal made his way to the Maangulam Villagers Mandapam near the Hiranyan Fort gate. After the mariyathai at this mandapam, the Sripatham mount Sundararaja Perumal on to the Wheeled Vehicle that carries straight through the Middle street!!! On this entire Middle Street, there are street vendors who have laid out their wares for sale with devotees already buy items of their interest but the best of the sales will take place on Wednesday morning when Kallazhagar is out on the Chariot. The Zamindar who accompanies the Lord now retires to his bungalow on the middle street with Perumal heading on the Azhagar Koil highway and to the Melur Road for Mandagapadis. There are six such mandagapadis on the highway before he makes his way back through the Southern Mottai Gopuram. 

Sundararaja Perumal now goes through the eastern street and returns via the middle street to near the colourfully decorated chariot. There is a play going on at the west end watched by several hundreds of devotees who will stay back through the night to be ready for the Chariot procession the next morning. The Sripatham present a Voyali in front of the Chariot before Deeparathanai is presented to Perumal from atop the Chariot wishing him well for Wednesdays’ procession. An astro devotee has made his way all the way from Anna Nagar on the eastern side of Madurai. He is 56 and has seen the Aadi Ther from his childhood.

Moopanar Community pitches for the 'Cow Mariyathai' at 18 padi

He recalls the mud and stone filled street back in those decades when the Chariot would get stuck. There were occasions when the Chariot returned after three days. He says that these are happy days now with tar roads built in recent decades and Sundararaja Perumal makes his way on the same day, a far cry from what he experienced in his youth!!! 

Clock is ticking to 11pm and Sundararaja Perumal has made his way back to 18Padi but lo, it is not what you think it is …in big utsavams in small towns, however historic the town may be and a Divya Desam!!! The Moopanar community have gathered in huge numbers in front of the Karuppana Swamy Sannidhi and would not allow Sundararaja Perumal into the Sannidhi unless their claim of giving their cow the historic Shatari Mariyathai is adhered to. 

விடம் கலந்து அமர்ந்த அரவணைத் துயின்று 

விளங்கனிக்கு இளங் கன்று விசிறி 

குடம் கலந்து ஆடி குரவை முன் கோத்த 

கூத்த எம் அடிகள் தம் கோயில் 

தடங் கடல் முகுந்து விசும்பிடைப் பிளிறத் 

தடவரைத் களிறு என்று முனிந்து 

மடங்கள் நின்று அதிரும் மாலிருஞ்சோலை 

வணங்குதும் வா மடநெஞ்சே 

Repeated attempts requesting them to move off to give way to Perumal to make his way back to the temple failed as each time their angry roar increased much like Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s reference to the Lion mistaking the dark clouds for the elephant, referred in the verse above.

Aadi Ther on Pournami

Periyazhvaar refers to the Lord as one with 1000 arms, 1000 crowns reclining on a snake with a 1000 hoods.  The Cobra raises its hood and licks the cool full moon with its red tongue!!! 

கஞ்சனும் காளியனும் களிறும் மறுதும் எருதும் 

வஞ்சனையில் மடிய வளர்ந்த மணிவண்ணன் மலை 

நஞ்சுமிழ் நாகம் எழுந்து அணவி நளிர் மா மதியை 

செஞ்சுடர் நா வளைக்கும் திரு மாலிருஞ்சோலையதே 

He says that the whole world comes in a pilgrimage to take a holy dip. Repeatedly, he refers to Silambaru Nupura Ganga rushing down the slopes throwing precious jewellery at the Lord’s feet.

Ambi Bhattar with his son in the background

The Bull Fight ends

Well over half an hour later, they were finally pacified with the Kainkaryaparas educating them that this was not a historic centuries old traditional practice and may have taken place for a few years in the past on an adhoc basis. The Prabhandham Ghoshti members at the Ramanuja Sannidhi have moved on to the 6th Canto of Periya Thirumozhi in the three hours of the procession. It was close to midnight when Sundararaja Perumal finally made his way back to his abode with Ambi Bhattar waiting there to take over charge for the big action on the Aadi Pournami on Wednesday. Such is the respect he has earned over the last four decades that hundreds of devotees fall at his feet seeking his blessings and prayers!!!

Azhagar Koil Ambi Bhattar: https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2026/06/azhagar-koil-ambi-bhattar.html

Vandiyur Sundararaja Bhattar: https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2026/06/vandiyur-veera-raghava-perumal.html

Thiru Kannamangai Bhakthavatsala Perumal Jeshtabhisekam Garuda Sevai

Next Gen Srivathsan Bhattar anchors the Jeshtaabhisekam and Garuda Sevai on the occasion of Aadi Ekadasi

It is one of the biggest days in the year at the Bhaktavatsala Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Kannamangai, a temple praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, who says that he found the mighty ocean, the powerful bull, the penance of the rishis, heap of pearls, the soul of devotees, the love of his heart and the sweet sugarcane - all at Kannamangai.

பெரும் புறக் கடலை அடல் ஏற்றினை 

பெண்ணை ஆணை 

எண் இல் முனிவர்க்கு அருள் தரும் தவத்தை 

முத்தின் திரள் கோவையை 

பத்தர் ஆவியை நித்திலத் தொத்தினை 

அரும்பினை அலரை அடியேன் மணத்தாசையை 

அமுதம்  பொதி இன் சுவையை 

கரும்பினை கனியை சென்று நாடி

கண்ணமங்கையுள்  கண்டு கொண்டேனே - Periya Thirumozhi 7-10-1

Ramaswamy Bhattachar's Inspiration

The occasion is Aadi Ekadasi and the annual day of Jeshtabhisekam for the tall standing Moolavar Perumal. For several decades, PK Ramaswamy Bhattachar, who passed away last year, had been the face of the temple for all the devotees with his unflinching devotional commitment in the most challenging of times in the second half of the previous century. While he had physical age related challenges past 80, he continued to be a great source of strength for his son Pakshirajan Raju Bhattar who quit his job to take up the archaka kainkaryam last decade. He would come to the temple in the morning and sit at the mandapam overseeing the Kainkaryam of his son. 

When his grandson Srivathsan Bhattar took over charge as the archaka a couple of years ago immediately after completing his agama education at the Kudavasal Patshala, it was a great moment for him. One generation had suffered in the aftermath of political intervention in temples and Ramaswamy Bhattachar was delighted when his grandson decided to continue the archaka service at this Divya Desam.

Srivathsan had told this writer in January 2022 while he was still undergoing his agama initiation that his Thatha was the real inspiration behind his decision to join the temple even though there was going to be not much money on offer as salary from the HRCE “Even when I was in class III, I was present for the entire Brahmotsavam along with my Thatha. He had created such an interest in me in Divya Desam Kainkaryam that my interest was to be at the temple all the time. I would get away from the class and support my Thatha on the Brahmotsavam days."

While Ramaswamy Bhattachar passed away last year, for the young Srivathsan Bhattar, in his 20s, this was an important day to showcase to his Thatha, who was watching him from above, that he could take up the huge responsibility of conducting the Jeshtabhisekam and make it a success.

In the evening, even while a Kutcheri was being presented in the Prakara, Srivathsan Bhattar got down to decorating Bhakthavatsala Perumal atop the Garuda Vahana. While he had learnt the agama and has now begun to handle the Brahmotsavam as well on his own, he has taken a liking to decorating the Lord. It is 6pm and he has draped the red coloured vastram around the Lord’s vehicle- Garuda. 

After mounting Bhakthavatsala Perumal atop the Garuda, for almost two hours, he undertook the process of presenting his favourite Perumal with a beautiful alankaram. 

A good sized devotee crowd had gathered in the North Prakara to listen to the Kutcheri and they were eagerly awaiting the opening of the screen to have a first glance at the Perumal providing Garuda Sevai. And much to their delight, they saw a grand alankaram of the handsome looking Bhakthavatsala Perumal with colourful flower garlands, glittering jewellery and a crown.

எங்களுக்கு அருள் செய்கின்ற ஈசனை

வாச வார் குழலாள் மலை மங்கை தன் பங்கனைப்

பங்கில் வைத்து உகந்தான் தன்னை

பான்மையை பனி மா மதியம் தவழ் 

மன்குலை சுடரை  வட மா மலை உச்சியை

நச்சி நாம் வணங்கப்படும் கங்குலை

பகலைச் சென்று நாடி

கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேனே

As the clock ticked to 9.30pm on Saturday, following the presentation of prasadam to the devotees, the Sripatham Personnel carried the Perumal to the Eastern entrance where they mounted him on to the wheeled vehicle. All around the four streets, residents came out of their homes to present Thattu and seek the blessings of the Lord atop the Golden Garuda Vahana. For Srivathsan Bhattar, it had been a long day but unmindful of the tiredness he was the one who came with the Perumal on the procession patiently receiving the Thattu from the devotees and presenting the deeparathanai in front of every home.

Pattu is past 60 and has been the one carrying the Theevatti at the processions of Bhakthavatsala Perumal. She is a weak figure but the devotional strength is high and for an hour and a half she was the one lighting up the camphor for the deeparathanai. She doesn’t get any financial returns for her service but that does not deter her from doing what she likes and considers it a blessing to be carrying the Theevatti on such an auspicious occasion.

After mounting the Perumal on to the tyred vehicle, the focus light facing the devotees was turned on. Unfortunately, this proved as a distraction to the devotees as it hit them in the eyes. As the procession moved on to the South Street, the Sripatham member had an interesting answer to the devotees who raised this issue “It is okay if you are finding it a challenge to see the Lord. It is important for him to see you and that is the purpose of this procession”, he told them!!!

Goddess Lakshmi performed penance here to attain the Lord. It is believed that the Thirupaarkadal Lord called in his security Vishwakshena and asked him to suggest a good day for their wedding. Legend has it that all the Devas congregated here to witness the wedding. They were so overwhelmed on seeing the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi together that they took the form of bees and decided to stay here ever after. To this day, one can find the bees in the Thaayar Sannidhi - a unique feature of this Divya Desam.

திருத்தனை திசை நான் முகன் தந்தையை 

தேவ தேவனை மூவரில் முன்னிய விருத்தனை 

விளங்கும் சுடர் சோதியை 

விண்ணை மண்ணினை கண்ணுதல் கூடிய அருத்தனை 

அரியை பரி கீறிய அப்பனை 

ஆப்பிலார் அழலாய் நின்ற கருத்தனை 

களி வண்டறையும் பொழில் 

கண்ணமங்கையுள்  கண்டு கொண்டேனே

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar described the Lord as being surrounded by bee humming groves. Late into the night, one could not hear the humming of the bees, but the tall trees around the temple did flutter in the breeze in happiness of Bhaktavatsala Perumal's Garuda Sevai giving the Kainkaryaparas relief from the sweltering heat that had hit them earlier in the day. While the Prabhandham Ghoshti members were not present, the Nadaswaram artistes played the devotional tunes through the length of the processions around the four streets. It is almost close to 11.30pm when Bhakthavatsala Perumal made his way back to the temple via the Eastern Raja Gopuram. For his devotees, it had been a most enjoyable day having first experienced the Jeshtabhisekam and with this sacred day ending with the Garuda Sevai. 

                            Pakshirajan (Raju) Bhattar

"In a world where the next gen has been moving into cities to work in the corporate space, my  grandson Srivathsan has taken a great devotional interest in Divya Desam Kainkaryam. Given the scenario that existed then back in the 1970s and 80s, my two sons were not able to get into Patshala education and I was keen very early on that the new gen should continue and take forward this Divya Desam service”, Ramaswamy Bhattachar had told this writer in 2022. Late into Saturday night, his son Pakshirajan Raju Bhattar sported a big smile and there was delight in his face and a great satisfaction having watched the young 26 year Srivathsan Bhattar handle this mega event and taking ownership and responsibility for the festival on Saturday. And that augurs well for this remote Divya Desam.