Therazhundur Samprokshanam 2026 Garuda Sevai

Vasan Bhattar anchors a Grand Consecration on Friday 

Srikanthan Bhattar the alankaram expert, Venkatesh Bhattar - the man for all seasons and the allrounder and Hari Sundar Bhattar, the Sthala Puranam expert turn able lieutenants

Aamaruviappan, in glittering jewellary and golden crown, provides all night Garuda Sevai around the streets of Therazhundur

Vasan Bhattar - 1.30am on Friday night at the street procession

Just over two decades ago, Vasan Bhattar had a worried look on his face. The electricity connection had been cut off at the Aamaruviappan temple in Therazhundur for non-payment of dues. The temple had gone through a challenging phase in the previous couple of decades with most of the original inhabitants having left their ancestral homes seeking greener pastures elsewhere. The kainkaryaparas too had left the temple with Vasan Bhattar and his appa, the revered Kannan Bhattar (who passed away a few years ago) being the lone hands at the temple. In the first decade of his archaka kainkaryam from the early 1980s, Vasan Bhattar experienced the dark side of temple service with no devotees in sight and no donors to fund the maintenance and improvement.

Late on Friday night, Vasan Bhattar, who celebrated his 60th birthday last year, enjoyed a quiet smile to himself. He had just anchored a second consecration in the morning, following a mega one a dozen years ago. Only last month, he had a fall at the temple dislocating his right hand and he could not even move the hand to present a shatari. Not many among the 200 + Kainkayaparas he had pooled in for the event knew that he was going through unbearable physical pain and could barely move his right hand. But all through the pain he reminded himself of the message from his appa in the early 1980s when he was taking over the archaka service at this Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Divya Desam “Perform kainkaryam as best as you can and as devotionally as you can and leave the rest to Aamaruviappan” he tells himself each day of his life and that has helped him overcome all pains.

A renovated outer prakara- Madal Prabhandham Ghoshti

The donors, who had been missing in the 1980s and 90s, had all come back contributing their might to the repair works that took place over the last 9 months. The Ahobila Mutt too supported the renovation exercise in a big way with Azhagiya Singar surprising Vasan Bhattar at the street procession presenting a cheque for a hefty amount for the archakas who had supported Vasan Bhattar around the consecration efforts.

Over 200 kainkaryapas were present each day of this week for different kind of service ahead of the consecration and on this Friday morning. There were over 30 Kundams at the Yaaga Saalai. He spoke to Mylapore Vedantha Desikar temple’s Prabhandham member Bharath to rope in 15 Adyapakas to present the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham. Veda Ghoshti came each day from Thiruvahindrapuram. 

Prabhandham Bharath from Mylapore

Vasan Bhattar’s long standing team of Venkatesh Bhattar of Thiru Cherai, Srikanthan Bhattar of Sirupuliyur and his own son Hari Sundar Bhattar had very little sleep over the last 4-5 days working tirelessly to make this event successful. Thaligai was presented in sumptuous quantity during the period of the Yaaga Salai Poojas and on the consecration day.

The entire flooring around the prakara has been redone. The temple tank has been refurbished and repair works took place on the vahanas. A new Nandavanam is likely to come up at the outer prakara where Thayar is to make a procession this evening.

செங்கமலத் திருமகளும் புவியும் செம்பொன் 

திருவடியின் இனைய வருட முனிவர் ஏத்த 

வங்கமலி தடங் கடலுள் அனந்தன்  என்னும் 

வரி அரவிந் அணைத் துயின்ற மாயோன் காண்மின் 

எங்குமலி நிறை புகழ் நாள் வேதம் ஐந்து வேள்விகளும் கேள்விகளும் இயன்ற தன்மை 

அம் கமலத்து அயன் அன்னையார் பயிலும் செல்வது 

அணி அழுந்தூர் நின்று உகந்த அமரர் கோவே 

It is ticking to 7pm and Shengalama Valli Thayar is atop the Golden Yaanai Vahana for a procession around the prakara. The Prabhandham members, who present the two Madals of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, are joined by the Head of the Poundarika Ashram on this procession. Devotees are all congratulating Vasan Bhattar for a grand consecration event at the Thayar procession.

Srikanthan Bhattar with Vasan Bhattar

A beautiful alankaram

The one-legged Srikanthan Bhattar, who lost a leg in a road accident a decade ago, is the alankaram experts, Vasan Bhattar tells this writer on the five hour long late night street procession as to how unmindful of his physical challenges, Srikanthan Bhattar is there for him whenever he needs him “Despite the challenges he has in his leg, he decorated Aamaruviappan atop the Garuda Vahana. He is an alankaram role model for all the young archakas in this region and he performs his alankaram service with the greatest of devotion every time he is assigned this responsibility.”

After exchanging garlands with Perumal, Shengamala Valli Thayar returned to her abode following the Madal Satru Murai in front of her sannidhi.

A 5 hour long street procession

It is past 9pm when Devathirajan atop the Garuda Vahana, Rama on the Hanumantha Vahana, Andal on the Hamsa Vahana and Vedantha Desikar make their way out of the Thiru Mangai Mannan Vahana Mandapa. As described by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, devotees line up on the North street next to the Vasantha Mandapam to present fruits and flowers to the processional deities. 

ஊடேறு கஞ்சனொடு மல்லும்வில்லும் 

ஒண்கரியும் உருள்சகடும் உடையச்செற்ற 

நீடேறு பெரு வலிதோள் உடையவென்றி 

நிலவு புகழ் நேமி அங்கை நெடியோன் காண்மின் 

சேடேறு பொழில் தழுவும் எழில் கொள் வீதி  

திருவிழவில் மணி அணிந்த திண்ணை தோறும் 

ஆடேறு மலர்க குழலார் பயிலும் செல்வத்து 

அணி அழுந்தூர் நின்று உகந்த அமரர் கோவே 

Vasan Bhattar's brothers

At the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi on the Sannidhi Street, Azhagiya Singar is waiting with his disciples to receive the deities. Raman Bhattar, the elder brother of Vasan Bhattar and a Pancharatra Agama expert, presents Shatari to the Pontiff His Highness the 46th Jeer of the Ahobila Mutt even as the Prabhandham members begin the recital of the Divya Prabhandham.

Vasan Bhattar shares with delight to this writer as to how the Jeer surprised him with a big sized cheque for the archakas after experiencing their selfless Kainkaryam through this week. “It is a satisfying moment when the head of the Ahobila Mutt recognises your service and the effort put in by the archakas over the last few days.” 

Following the Prabhandham Thodakkam in front of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi, HH Azhagiya Singar welcomed the deities in front of the Ahobila Mutt on the Sannidhi Street. 

Balaji Bhattar has made it here all the way from Thiru Ninravur Bhakthavatsala Perumal Divya Desam. He hails from Therazhundur and he told this writer that this week’s service around the consecration event was a great blessing for him to be associated with Aamaruviappan and to also be able to add strength to Vasan Bhattar’s team.

Snakes taken out of the temple prakara!!!

Clock has ticked past midnight with the Prabhandham Ghoshti leading the procession on to the West Street. Vasan Bhattar recounts the challenges around the 9month renovation exercise “The outer prakara was thick with bushes and was home to dangerous snakes. He had a man assigned for this service as well. The Palavelai person is a master at handling snakes and he took every snake by hand and out of the temple. The entire outer prakara has been cleaned up and we are hoping to have a Nandavanam there.”

Devotees come out of their homes on the West street to have a darshan and to invoke the blessings. Vasan Bhattar and his nephew Sriniketan are there all through the long procession.

Glittering Jewellery

Two decades ago, there was minimal jewellery. On this consecration day, the deities were seen at their resplendent best, courtesy the devotees of Devathirajan who are now making up for the dark decades of the 70s and 80s.

Vasan Bhattar tells this writer as to how original inhabitants of Therazhundur have come forward to support this temple over the last decade or so "Those that hailed from Therazhundur have been most forthcoming in terms of giving back to Devathirajan. The moolavar has been anointed with grand golden ornaments over the last decade. The golden crown and the shining golden necklaces that Aamaruviappan displayed during this procession too have been presented by devotees who wanted their Perumal to be back at his glorious best."

Venkatesh Bhattar with his mentor

Venkatesh Bhattar of Thiru Cherai had a week long Brahmotsavam service at a Rama temple in Rajasthan that he performed in freezing cold when the temperatures went down to almost zero degrees. To support his mentor Vasan Bhattar, he has been here all week working day and night to make the consecration event a success. Past 2am, he is at the vahana mandapa to get Perumal off the Vahana and for the Ekantha Sevai procession back to the Sannidhi.

He says he owes everything he is today for the mentoring that Vasan Bhattar and his now late appa Kannan Bhattar initiated during his teenage phase when he spent a lot of time at Therazhundur under their tutelage.

The Sripatham members did a great job staying awake all through the night and Vasan Bhattar presented each member with a Sambhavanai for their effort. And they are handed a wide ranging prasadam for they had started their work at 7am with the Thayar purapadu.

It is past 3.30am on Saturday morning. The consecration event exercise had started on Monday and Vasan Bhattar and his team members have had very little sleep this week. But they are a happy lot having seen through a high-profile event with this renovation and event exercise costing almost Rs. 2crores. There is not much time left for the Vishroopam and Vasan Bhattar goes in for a well earned rest. But he hastens to add to this writer that his rest is likely to last only a couple of hours for he will be anchoring the consecration exercise at the Perumal temple in nearby Komal where the event starts at 8am on Saturday.

Hari Sundar Bhattar 

It has been unbelievable turnaround in the life of Vasan Bhattar and this Divya Desam. Soon after he joined the temple service in the early 1980s, his appa handed him a message that has stood with him to this day. Every night before he goes to sleep, that is the message Vasan Bhattar reminds himself of – to be able to perform this Kainkaryam in the same way he did four decades ago when he started off. From the time he waited endlessly for the next devotee, one that proved futile on most days in the 1980s, Vasan Bhattar has come a long way. This consecration was yet another testimony to how God rewards those who perform service with the greatest commitment. His team members - Srikanthan Bhattar, Venkatesh Bhattar and son Hari Sundar Bhattar- are all near him at 4am as they head into the late night sleep. 

Hari Sundar Bhattar is the Sthala Puranam expert. A decade ago, following the day long Garuda Sevai procession at Vaduvur, where too he has hereditary service, he stunned the visiting devotees with the description of Perumal and his greatness. All through the day following the consecration, it was he who delighted the devotees narrating the legendary tale of Devathirajan. 

Tail Pieces

A highlight of the late night street procession was the commendable highly devotional presentation of the Vedas by the members who had come in from Thiru Vahindrapuram. As described by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, it seemed that their high decibel chorus presentation rose like waves in the ocean even as they followed Aamaruviappan through the procession.

நிலை ஆளாக என்னை உகந்தானை 

நிலமகள் தன் முலையாள் வித்தகனை 

முது நான்மறை வீதிதொறும் 

அலைஆர் கடல்போல் முழங்கும் 

தென் அழுந்தையில் மன்னிநின்ற 

கலைஆர் சொற்பொருளை

கண்டுகொண்டு களித்தேனே 

They were vocal and their voices did not drop any time of the procession. Past 2am they had a darshan of the Moolavar deity decked in glittering jewellery. And they then headed back in multiple vehicles to Thiru Vahindrapuram. The Vedic Presentation delighted Vasan Bhattar and he congratulated and thanked each of the members for their recital.

A unique feature of this HRCE administered temple is that the EO of the temple, Sundararajan, is a Vaishnavite!!! Hailing from Madurai and with a law degree on hand, he is keen to be associated in temple service and administration. His presence at this Divya Desam for almost the last four years has been a great asset to Vasan Bhattar to carry out his activities without any external hinderance. 

Srikanthan Bhattar : https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/08/sirupuliyur-divya-desam.html

Venkatesh Bhattar: https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/08/thiru-cherai-venkatesh-bhattar-next-gen.html

Therazhundur in the century gone by : https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/10/therazhundur-divya-desam.html

Thanthonimalai Kalyana Venkatramanaswamy Consecration

From being a deserted temple in the past, devotees have been thronging the temple in large numbers

Rs. 5 crores spent on Golden Vimana and renovation works leading to the Consecration event this Wednesday

When this section featured a story on Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy temple in Thanthonimalai just under 15 years ago, there was minimal crowd at the temple with devotees visiting the temple for specific Prarthana and on select days. The forefathers of hereditary priest Harish Bhattar, now 42 and with 15 days archaka service in a month, had performed service at the temple during challenging times when Thattu Kaasu was minimal. Given the dark decades from the second half of the previous century, he had taken to MBA in Trichy and was planning to get into the corporate space when his thatha was undergoing health challenges. His appa had passed away earlier. This family scenario led him to rethink his plans to join the corporate space and about two decades ago, he decided to join the temple and continue the hereditary service that his forefathers had been performing for six generations and more.

From no income at the temple, only local devotees and minimal thattu kaasu in the not too distant past, a devotional wave has struck the temple over the last decade culminating in a grand consecration this Wednesday (Jan 28) that saw a huge devotee crowd. The poojas that take place as per Vaikanasa Agama saw Gopinathan Bhattar come all the way from Nachiyar Koil Divya Desam ahead of the consecration to decorate the deities for the event (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/08/nachiyar-koil-gopi-bhattar.html). The renovation works that started last year in Avani saw the Vimana turn Gold. The repair works, that also involved expanding the madapalli, were undertaken at a whopping cost of Rs. 5crores.

Maasi and Puratasi Brahmotsavams

Two Brahmotsavams every year - one in Maasi with Chariot procession on Magam and Theppam two days after and the other one in Puratasi with Chariot procession on Shravanam have also attracted devotee donor interest in a big way. The Chariot and temple tank too were refurbished as part of the consecration event ahead of the Theppam and Chariot procession in Maasi. Pavitrotsavam takes place in Avani. 

Street Processions

Srinivasa Perumal comes out on a procession and provides darshan on the occasion of Sankaranthi, Sri Jayanthi, Karthigai, Thai Ratha Sapthami and on the first day of Panguni and Chitrai. 

Daily Kalyan Utsavam and Thirumanjanam

Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is a special feature at this temple and takes place every evening between 4pm and 5.30pm. There is also a Thirumanjanam every day for the Moolavar.

Majestic Standing Posture of the Moolavar

The majestic 10feet Swayambu Moolavar Kalyana Venkatramanaswamy is seen in a West Facing Standing Posture with Mahalakshmi on his chest. There are over 15 specially carved sculptures inside the Sannidhi.

Piece of Rock falls at Thanthoni Malai

When a fight broke out between the Serpent King Adhisesha and the Wind God Vayu as to who was stronger and played a more important role, Lord Vishnu asked Adhisesha to hold on to the Tirumala Hills and Vayu to try and remove the hills from the clutches of the Serpent Lord. In the ensuing fight, one of the pieces of the rock fell at Thanthoni Malai with Perumal providing darshan here as Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy, says hereditary priest Harish Bhattar. Devotees have to climb 36 steps to reach the Sannidhi. As part of modern technology, there is also lift to reach the temple.

6Generations of Hereditary Archaka service

Harish Bhattar learned the Vaikanasa agama from his grandfather and father following which he has been performing service at this temple over the last two decades. He has service for 15 days every month at the Perumal Sannidhi and for the balance 15 days in the month he performs service at the Abaya Pradhana Ranganatha Perumal temple in Karur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/08/abhaya-pradhana-ranganatha-temple-karur.html). There are three other priests who perform service in the other fortnight every month. The madapalli too has traditionalists preparing the sacred food and presenting to Perumal.

He proudly says that his father and grandfather had performed service at this temple during a challenging phase when there were very few devotees but they focused on selfless service at the feet of Kalyana Venkatramana Perumal as a way of life and lived with great contentment. His grandfather had performed archaka service at this temple for over six decades. And he was an inspiration for him to continue this hereditary service.

He says that there has been a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the temple since the previous consecration in 2014. On each of the Saturdays in Puratasi, the temple sees a devotee crowd of over 5000. This consecration too has found great support from devotee donors.

The temple, located 4kms from Karur on the Dindigul highway, is open from 6am-1pm and 4pm-8pm. 

Nachiyar Koil Thirumangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal

Pagal Pathu Utsavam - Celebrating Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s century of verses on Thiru Naraiyur Nambi

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar composed over a 1000 verses in the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham. Out of these, he accorded a 100 or more verses only to two temples one of which was Nachiyar Koil. An Acharya is referred to as Nambi and since Thiru Naraiyur Lord initiated the Pancha Samaskaram to Thiru Mangai Mannan, he became the Achaarya of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and hence the Azhvaar referred to him as ‘Thiru Naraiyur Nambi’ in many of his decads. 

Both the Madals – Siriya and Periya Thiru Madal are also dedicated to the Lord of Thiru Naraiyur. So pleased with Lord Ranganatha with the efforts of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in constructing the huge walls of Srirangam that he wanted him to praise him with the Madal as well - Love Letters to the Lord. However, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar told Ranganatha that the Madal was dedicated solely to the Naraiyur Lord: “Mathil Inghe, Madal Anghe” meaning ‘Wall in Srirangam” and “Letters in Thiru Naraiyur” and he went on to compose two Madals - Periya Thiru Madal and Siriya Thiru Madal dedicating those to the Lord of Thiru Naraiyur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/10/thirumangai-azhvaars-madal.html).

In his verses of praise, he described Thiru Naraiyur and its people as it was during his times, the festivals, the greatness of the Lord and compared the temple with other temples such as Srirangam. He says he saw the Lord at Thiru Naraiyur as the one he had seen in a handsome standing posture at Thiru  Venkatam.

வம்பு அவிழும் செண்பகத்தின் வாசம் உண்டு

மணி வண்டு வகுளத்தின் மலர்மேல் வைகு

செம்பியன் கோச் செங்கணான் சேர்ந்த கோயில்

திருநறையூர் மணிமாடம் சேர்மின்களே

A speciality of the 100 verses in the Periya Thiurmozhi is a decad dedicated completely to Ko Chenganan Chozhan in recognition of the beautiful construction of the first Mani Mada Koil, construction preventing the entry of elephants near the sanctum, in a Perumal temple after having completed the construction of 70 such Saivite temples (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/ko-chenganan-and-nachiyar-koil-divya.html).

Round the Year Festivals

Thiru Naraiyur was a place where there were endless festivities all through the year.  Thiru Mangai Azhvaar makes a specific mention of the festivals there. He praises Thiru Naraiyur as a place where one heard festive sounds emanating from the temple every day of the year and the Lord enjoying the festive beats on the streets. He says that Thiru Naraiyur was a place of ‘endless’ festivals.

வேள்வும் விழவும் வீதியில் என்றும் அறாத  ஊர்

நாளும் நறையூர் நாம் தொழுதும் எழு நெஞ்சமே

Reviving Adyayana Utsavam

The annual Adyayana utsavam in Thiru Nariayur had historically been taking place starting the day after Thai Amavasai. However, the slowdown in the 2nd half of the previous century had brought a halt to this utsavam for a few decades. Following the consecration a few years back, this utsavam was revived through the efforts of Gopinathan Bhattar, though there had been apprehension if the street procession of all the azhvaars and acharyas would be practically possible in such a remote temple town. As he has shown on many other occasions, Gopi Bhattar showcased to his detractors that with devotional commitment, even the most challenging of historical utsavams can be revived. And so he did, despite being at the consecration earlier in the morning at Kalyana Venkatramanaswamy temple in Thanthonimalai (Karur) where he was invited as a Vaikanasa Agama archaka (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2026/01/thanthonimalai-kalyana.html)

Recognition of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Wednesday (Jan 28) marked the culmination of the Pagal Pathu utsavam with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's contribution to Thiru Naraiyur celebrated in a grand manner. Starting last Saturday, the sacred verses of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar were presented in front of the Thiru Venkatamudayan Sannidhi where Srinivasa Perumal, Vanjulavalli Thayar and all the Azhvaars and Acharyas gathered every evening of the Pagal Pathu utsavam.

It had been decided that the Prabhandham Ghoshti would commence half hour early on this evening and so the members gathered ahead of time. The members comprised of the former maniyakaarar of Sarangapani Koil, the Theerthakarar of Oppiliappan Koil and a CUB staffer as well as an Aussie IT staffer currently in Thiru Kudanthai on a WFH model. 

Gopi Bhattar drove back from Thanthonimalai to be in time for the start of the proceedings on this big evening for Thiru Mangai Azhvaar. The prabhandham members gathered in good numbers to present the 10th and 11th cantos of Periya Thirumozhi. Even as the members were completing their presentation, Gopi Bhattar was making calls to get the sripatham personnel on time for the commencement of the procession.

It is almost 6pm when the Prabhandham members finish the 7th decad of the 11th canto. Sripatham Personnel comprising of elders and young kids gathered near the Dwajasthambam. Gopinathan Bhattar unveils a new golden crown for Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjuvalli Thayar ahead of the procession. 

Karunarachariar, a Theerthakarar at the temple, insisted on Thodakkam of Desikar Prabhandham after Shatari and with a few of the prabhandham members carrying Vedantha Desikar on their shoulders.

It is a grand one of its kind street procession at Nachiyar Koil with all the Azhvaars and Acharyas coming out of the temple along with Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjuvalli Nachiyar around the Mada Vilagam. There are three stopovers during the 90minute procession - at Nadathur Ammal's Thirumaligai, Andavan Ashramam and Ahobila Mutt with mariyathai presented to the divine couple and to the Azhvaars and Acharyas at each of these locations. 

Even as the procession was heading back into the temple, Gopi Bhattar was handing out instructions to his team members to get the vastrams ready and for the moolavar sannidhis of Azhvaars and Acharyas to be opened. Following the mariyathai to the moolavar idols and the satru murai of Pillaiyanthaathi verses, Srinivasa Perumal and Vanjulavalli Thayar headed back to the Thiruvenkata Mudayan Sannidhi where Prasanna Bhattar got Srinivasa Perumal ready for the big event of the evening. 

Interestingly, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar saw Srinivasa Perumal as the Lord he had seen in Thiru Venkatam as seen in his praise of Thiru Naraiyur Nambi.

மான் கொண்ட தோல் மார்வின் மாணிஆய்  

மாவலி மண் தான் கொண்டு தாளால் அளந்த பெருமானை 

தேன் கொண்ட சாரல் திருவேங்கடத்தானை 

நான் சென்று நாடி நறையூரில் கண்டேனே 

As the clock ticked to 9pm, Gopi Bhattar and Prasanna Bhattar carried Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in a step by step walk to the recital of the 8th decade of the 11th canto of Periya Thirumozhi and by the end of that presentation, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar surrendered himself to his acharya, Thiru Naraiyur Nambi. 

The Prabhandham members presented the final verses of Thiru Kurunthandagam and Thiru Nedunthaandagam before a wide ranging prasadam was served to the Kainkaryaparas and the devotees bringing to end the grand celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal on this final evening of the Pagal Pathu utsavam at Nachiyar Koil. It was a big relief for Gopi Bhattar to have pulled off the street procession event of azhvaars and acharyas that had been revived only last year bringing together the archakas, prabhandham ghoshti members,  the sripatham personnel and the HRCE, creating delight for devotees((https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/08/nachiyar-koil-gopi-bhattar.html).

Tailpiece

In remote temples as these, the Bhattars have had to don multiple roles. Gopi Bhattar supports the Madapalli cook by making Dosais when there are wide ranging prasadams to be prepared such as on this Thirumangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal day. With the shortage of sripatham personnel, Prasanna Bhattar turned a Sripatham at the end of the procession carrying the Azhvaars on his shoulder, such is the devotional commitment of the priests of Nachiyar Koil.

Thiruvanaikaval Akila Elephant Mahut Arjun

Elephant's Love for Jambukeswarar at Ko Chenganan's Mada Koil

Four decades long devotional attachment to two elephants at the Akilandeswari temple

It is the flag hoisting event ahead of the Thai Theppotsavam at the Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval on Wednesday evening.  45 year old Mahut Arjun has been at the Thai Utsavam for over four decades from the early 1980s and he was there in front of the Dwajasthamban with Elephant Akila, who is all excited to see the flag going up to the beating of the drums. For the next ten days, she will go around the four sacred streets every evening, leading the Pancha Moorthy during the procession, something that she loves.

Mahut Arjun has spent almost all his life with elephants at the Thiruvanaikaval temple built by Ko Chengan Chozhan as his first Mada Koil, paradoxically one where the elephant cannot enter the sanctum (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/03/thiruvanaikaval-ko-chenganan-maasi.html).

அம்பரமும் பெருநிலனும் திசைகள் எட்டும் 

அலைக்கடலும் குலவரையும் உண்டகண்டன் 

கொம்பமரும் வடமரத்தின் இலைமேல் பள்ளி கூடினான் 

திருவடியே கூடாகிற்பீர் 

வம்பவிழும் செண்பகத்தின் வாசம் உண்டு 

மணி வண்டு வகுலத்தின்  மலர் மேல் வைகு 

செம்பியன் கோச் செங்கணன் சேர்ந்த கோயில் 

திருநறையூர் மணிமாடம் சேர்மின்களே -Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

The Jambukeswarar temple in Thiruvanaikaval is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams, where Lord Shiva manifests himself as ‘Water’ (among the five elements). Hence this is referred to as a ‘Neer’ sthalam (‘Appu’ in Sanskrit). Thiruvanaikaval is home to Nava Theertham and the belief is that those who bathe in the Nava Theertham on Chitra Pournami and invoke the blessings of Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswari are said to attain Mukthi.

The temple dates back to the 5th century AD to the rule of Kochenganan Chozhan who ruled from Uraiyur and is an architectural marvel with high roofs, five huge prakaras south of the Coloroon, towering Gopurams in the East and the West and Nava Theerthams.

Shivaji Ganesan gifts Elephant Shanthi

Even while at school, he spent all his free time with Shanthi, an elephant presented by legendary actor Shivaji Ganesan to this temple in 1962. Mahut Arjun recounts as to how his appa Bhasakara Nair came along with the great actor’s gift to the temple “My appa hailed from Kerala and when Shivaji Ganesan picked up elephant Shanthi during an event there, he was taken along as the Mahut to the actor’s house in Chennai. And then later, when Shivaji Ganesan who had taken a liking to Jambukeswarar temple wanted to gift the elephant to the temple, he laid a pre-condition that it will have to be my appa who has to be the lifetime Mahut to take care of Shanthi. And that’s how our family came to Thiruvanaikaval in the early 1960s.”

With Elephant Shanthi from his school days

Mahut Arjun developed a close relationship with elephant Shanthi and treated her with great affection and like a close family member. He was destined to be with the Thiruvanaikaval elephant all his life for he was born in the elephant shed!!! As a young school boy, he would walk behind her to wedding events only to be found out by his appa. “Shanthi was invited to weddings in those days and would go on a long walk from the temple to the wedding hall. I spent all my time with her and I too would walk behind here without my appa noticing. Most of the time, he would catch me red handed but seeing the affection Shanthi and I had for each other, he would lift me and have me seated atop Shanthi. It would be a grand procession for me talking to her through that long walk" recalls Mahut Arjun.

Arjun's appa with Elephant Shanthi 

Having developed a close relationship with elephant Shanthi, Arjun did not focus on academics and was seen all the time with the temple elephant. He quit academics early when he was still in his early teens and began full time association with the elephant at the temple. 

 

10+kgs on his shoulder to feed Shanthi

As a teenager, Arjun would carry heavy weight on his shoulder bringing the food for Shanthi each day of the year such was his passion.  Her food in large quantities comprised of Kondai Kadalai, Paasi Payiru, Grass, Raw Rice and Karupatti Vellam, among others!!! Right from his school days, he would go on all street processions alongside Shanthi Elephant. He recalls enjoying those years when the temple environs was quiet and it was a peaceful atmosphere within the temple complex and outside.

Following the death of his appa, Arjun’s elder brother Jambunathan began taking care of Shanthi. Arjun says that his anna has been his mentor guiding him during his teenage phase on the ways of taking care of the elephant. He also learned the daily as well as the utsavam processes through practical experience also watching his elder brother handle Shanthi during the 1990s.

One of his saddest days of his life was when Shanthi passed away in 2010 for he had been engaging with for almost 30 years at that time and he had cherished his long and close relationship with her. And then over the last 15 years or so, he has had Elephant Akila for company. The two have become best friends during this period and Arjun is constantly seen talking to her directing her on her next actions. 

A close bonding with Akila

He says that like Shanthi, Akila too has been a very loveable elephant and was very quick to grasp the specifics relating to utsavams and her responsibilities during the events. Following the two hour long street processions, she sleeps well and long to be in good shape and fresh ahead of the next event.

Mahut Arjun has known very little in life outside of his love for Elephants Shanthi and now Akila. Through the day and night, he is always thinking of her and showering his love on her. And Shanthi, earlier, and Akila, now, too have been reciprocating their love and one can see the happiness on Akila’s face when he is next to her. 

கடல்வண்ணன் நான்முகன் காண்பரியார்

தடவரை யரக்கனைத் தலைநெரித்தார்

விடமது வுண்டவெம் மயேந்திரரும்

அடல்விடை யாரூராதி யானைக்காவே-Appar

And on this Wednesday evening, there was a twinkle in her eyes when Othuvar Ramani Srinivasan sang verses of praise on the greatness of Thiruvanaikaval and as the flag went up to signal the commencement of the ten day Thai Utsavam. And so too in Mahut Arjun’s face. The moment he sees her happy, there is a smile in his face as well!!!

Kozhikuthi Vaanamutti Perumal Varadaraja Bhattar

The 50 year old Bhattar anchors a grand revival of utsavams at this historic Chozha Period Temple

Devotees throng to have darshan of 'Athi Varadar'

Till the turn of the century, the now 50 year old Varadaraja Bhattar was spending time at Tiruvottiyur in North Madras alternating between archaka service in a local temple there and pursuing his astrological interests. And then a phone call from his ancestral temple town transformed his life.

Dilapidated state two decades ago

The historical 12th century AD Chozha Period Vaanamutti Perumal temple in Kozhi Kuthi, 5kms west of Mayiladuthurai had been in a dilapidated state in the second half of the previous century. Except for the tall standing Moolavar idol, most of the temple lay in a damaged condition. There was not much of an income at the temple for the salary to be paid to the then priest who had been taking care of the temple. All the utsavams had come to a halt. Only one time pooja was being performed every day. 

Chozha Period Inscriptions

There are three separate inscriptions inside the temple. One of the inscriptions refers to the process of liberation from Sani Dosham detailing the presentation of Anna Dhanam to 10Brahmins on 51 Saturdays. The process details having a head bath, presenting Nallennai in a bronze vessel with four vegetables and one green (Keerai) vegetable.

Relief from Skin Diseases

This temple is a Parikara Sthalam for liberation from Skin Diseases. Belief is that if one visits the temple, has bath at the Vishwa Pushkarani and offers his sincere prayers to Vaanamutti perumal, he will be relieved from any kind of skin disease.

The priest of the time decided to let go of his services and quit the temple. It was then that the services of Varadaraja Bhattar was sought. His forefathers had performed archaka service in the past and his appa was keen for him to return to the temple. 

It is Thai Amavasai and Varadaraja Bhattar is at the temple early on Sunday (Jan 18) morning to decorate Abaya Srinivasa Perumal, the utsava deity, atop the Hanumantha Vahana ahead of the street procession on this third day of the Thai Brahmotsavam. After anointing Perumal in the Ramar Thiru Kolam, he sat down to recall that phase when he took the call to return to Kozhukuthi “I had not visualised a life of temple service in this remote town but Vaanamutti Perumal decided otherwise. My appa was keen for me to continue the Vaikanasa Agama Kainkaryam and that led me to return to Kozhi kuthi.”

Restoration Exercise

The temple was being rebuilt from scratch and his first challenge was to rope in devotee donors to complete the construction of the temple. Except for the sanctum, there was work to be done everywhere. A Raja Gopuram was built at the Eastern entrance as was the flag post. A maha mandapam, madapalli and the outer walls too were newly constructed. The restoration exercise had taken a few years and the consecration was performed in 2007.

Having got the basic physical infrastructure of the temple in place, he went about reviving the utsavams. Three day Pavitrotsavam in Avani, five day Brahmotsavam in Thai, Inner Prakara procession on the occasion of Vijayadasami and Vaikunta Ekadasi and Thirumanjanam every Shravanam of the year were all revived. 

Varadaraja Bhattar went back to historical donors who had been contributing to some of these utsavams and checked their interest to be part of the revival. He also reached out to new devotee donors for the other utsavams. He built new vahanas for the street processions during the Brahmotsavam.  

Darshan of Athi Varadar

The Moolavar, a Mooligai Varna Kala idol, is seen in a gigantic 14 feet standing posture. Over the last two decades, the temple has seen a remarkable transformation. The revival and a new vibrancy was further driven by the renewed interest in Athi Varadar. “Those who could not make it to Kanchipuram came here to have darshan of the one of its Kind Athi Varadar” says Varadaraja Bhattar. 

In 2022, he performed another consecration following the laying of a Karungal Prakara and painting of the temple complex. 

Legendary Tale

King Nirmalan, who ruled the Kodagu hills, developed a certain skin disease with rashes all over his body. The king moved out of the kingdom to find a solution to his troubles. Narada Rishi took the form of a hunter, met the king and explained the sins of his previous births.  In one of his previous births, as a Brahmin, he had not performed the Pitru Karma and had hence developed the 'Go-Hathi' Dosham.

Narada directed the king to undertake penance at the foot of the Kodagu Hills.  Later, an invisible voice asked him to move from the foot of the hills to bathe along the banks of the Cauvery.

When he reached Moovalur, 2kms South of here, and had bath in the Cauvery, Lord Shiva provided darshan and asked him to go North and undertake penance to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu. As Shiva directed and showed the King the way to cleanse himself from his sins, the Lord at the temple in Moovalur is referred to as Maarga Sahaya Vazhikaattum Nathan.

When King Nirmalan continued his penance here, Pleased with his penance,   Lord Vishnu appeared before the king in a form of a fig tree and provided darshan from the middle of the tree on the Shravanam Amavasya day in Thai. The four leaves became the four hands of the Lord and another set of leaves turned into an umbrella with the root of the tree being the feet of the Lord.

With King Nirmalan touching the root of the tree - the feet of the Lord, the place to the East of where the temple is currently turned into a Vishwa Pushkarani, the sacred tank. After having bath here at the Pushkarani, he was liberated from Pitru Sabham and was relieved from his skin disease.

Having had darshan of Lord Vishnu and Mahalakshmi Thaayar, King Nirmalan became a rishi and undertook penance on the banks of the Cauvery. Staying here, Pippalla Maha Rishi composed a sloka on liberation from Sani Graha Dosham

Later he attained Moksham at this place. To this day, in memory of this event, one can see a mandapa of Pippalla Rishi.

The Name of this place

As he was also liberated from Kodi Hathi Dosham, this place came to be referred to as Kodi Hathi Paapa Vimochana puram which in course of time became Kozhi Kuthi, the name by which this place is referred to now.

Rejects lucrative overseas offers

Varadaraja Bhattar had learned the Vaikanasa Agama from Kaladi Bhattar in Tiruvottiyur as well as his appa at Kozhi Kuthi. There had been several lucrative overseas offers over the last two decades of his service at the Vaanamutti Perumal temple but Varadaraja Bhattar rejected it all “I did not return to Kozhu Kuthi for money. It was a Vaikanasa Agama temple and I wanted to continue the kainkaryam when no other priest was ready to take up service at this temple. Hence, I let go off the financial temptations and focused on how I could create an interest for devotees at this temple.”

Given the low salary on offer, the paricharakars and other service people who had been part of the temple in the past too have quit the temple and Varadaraja Bhattar is all alone at the temple doubling up as the priest and the cook at the madapalli. His elder son, who is completing his Class XII this year, has learnt the Vaikanasa Agama and pooja krama from him and supports him at the utsavams. He is particularly interested in decorating Perumal and pays attention to detail in his alankaram as was seen this morning ahead of the Hanumantha Vahana procession.

Thai Brahmotsavam - Hanumantha Vahana

By 11am, the homam for the morning is complete and Abhaya Srinivasa Perumal is ready for the procession around the four sacred streets of Kozhi Kuthi. The sripatham personnel have gathered in good numbers and they mount the perumal on to the wheeled tyres. Residents await in front of their homes with coconuts, fruits and flowers and they present it to Srinivasa Perumal. Varadaraja Bhattar’s two young sons don the role of the archakas during the procession and they present karpoora aarathi at each of these stop overs around the four streets. 

After an hour’s procession, Srinivasa Perumal is back at the eastern entrance where the sripatham personnel perform the Voiyali much to the delight of the devotees present on the occasion. They present another Voiyali inside the temple complex before the morning’s events come to a close. 

Varadaraja Bhattar has a wide variety of prasadams for the devotees, ubayadarars of the day and for the sripatham personnels and this is distributed to all of them.  There are happy set of faces all around something that did not seem possible a couple of decades ago when the temple had been in a dilapidated state. But Varadaraja Bhattar’s devotional commitment has led to a grand revival in this remote temple town. From the time, the only vastram for the Lord was torn and there was no oil or ghee to light the lamp, he says that there are silk vastrams for Perumal and he is decked with glittering jewellery during the utsavams. He is also happy that his two sons have shown early interest in Kainkaryam to Perumal. For the moment, his attention shifts back to his service ahead of the Yaanai Vahana procession and Maalai Matral event in the evening. 

It is thanks to those like Varadaraja Bhattar that temples in remote towns have survived the test of times.

Tail Piece

For a change, devotees did not pull out their phones on the opening of the screen for photo and video shots of Perumal atop the Hanumantha Vahana (Photo above) and each one of them was seen with folded hands invoking the blessings of Srinivasa Perumal.

The temple is open from 8am-12noon and 430pm-8pm. Contact  Varadaraja Bhattar @ 97872 13226

How to reach

From Mayavaram Bus Stand, drive on the Kumbakonam Highway, take a right at Moovalur (2kms from Railway station) and drive North 2kms to reach Vaanamutti Perumal temple in Kozhi Kuthi. Alternately, from Mayavaram take the Poompuhar- Kallanai road (North of Railway station) to take a right at Chozhapettai to reach Vaanamutti.  Auto from railway station to the temple will cost Rs. 180.

Sarangapani Koil Kanu Utsavam

For the only time in the year, Vijayavalli Thayar, Sita Thayar and Komalavalli Thayar provide joint darshan at Thiru Kudanthai on the occasion of Thai Kanu

Sita Thayar

It is just past 6.30pm on Friday (Jan 16) and devotees in hundreds have taken their seat opposite the Ramar Sannidhi ahead of the Kanu Utsavam at the Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai Divya Desam. It was Sita Thayar from Ramaswamy temple dressed in a beautiful yellow saree who first made it to the Sarangapani Koil through the Western entrance. Shortly after Komalavalli Thayar joined her opposite the Ramar Sannidhi. It is 7pm when Vijayavalli Thayar from Chakrapani temple too made it via the deserted Bazaar street.

ஆரா அமுதே அடியேன் உடலம்  நின்பால் அன்பாயே

நீராய்  அலைந்து கரைய உருக்குகின்ற நெடுமாலே

சீர் ஆர் செந்நெல் கவரி வீசும் செழு நீர் திரு குடந்தை

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

                                         

Vijayavalli Thayar

Thirumanjanam and Theerthavari

For over 30 minutes, they witnessed Thirumanjanam by Kannan Bhattachar anointing Thayars with coconut water, manjal, sandalwood paste and a wide-ranging fruits. This was followed by Theerthavari. Soundar Bhattar, Naana Bhattar and Kannan Bhattar then presented Kanu to each of the Thayars in front of the disciplined devotee crowd who sat unmoved through this one hour event. While the local devotees witnessed the Thirumanjanam and Theerthavari, there continued to be a long queue at the moolavar sannidhi. The Northern entrance had been opened a day earlier and devotees thronged the sannidhi for a darshan of Aravamudhan, seen in a Uthaana Sayana posture.

Three Thayars Joint Procession

It is 8.15pm when the three thayars began a joint procession around the temple prakara before positioning themselves in front of Vedantha Desikar for mariyathai to the Vaishnavite Acharya. The huge crowd made their way back after thoroughly enjoying the one of its kind Kanu Utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai collecting prasadam from Soundar Bhattar at the Eastern entrance of the temple. Vijayavalli Thayar and Sita Thayar bid goodbye to Komalavalli Thayar after providing a two hour joint darshan and headed back to their respective temples. 

மாமலர் மன்னிய மங்கை மகிழ்ந்து உறைமார்பினன் தாள் 

தூ மலர் சூடிய தொல்லருள் மாறன் துணை அடிக்கீழ் 

வாழ்வை உனக்கும் இராமானுஜ முனி வன்மை போற்றும் 

சீர்மையன் எங்கள் தூப்புல் பிள்ளை பாதம் என் சென்னியதே

But there was a lot more to come on this Friday evening at the Sarangapani temple. The Prabhandham Ghoshti presented Thiruppavai verses in front of Komalavalli Thayar before she made her way back to her Sannidhi. This was the final day of the Thai Utsavam and while the Kanu Utsavam was on for Thayar, Sarangapani Perumal had been decorated at the Kannadi Arai ahead of the last procession.

It is almost 9.30pm when he made his way to the eastern entrance where the Prabhandham members began the presentation of Ramanuja Nootranthathi. While they continued their recital after the Thodakkam sitting in front of the Dwajasthambam, Sarangapani Perumal made his way on a quiet procession in contrast with the Chariot procession the previous day and the noisy events filled Garuda Vahana procession last Saturday. A few local residents came out of their homes to present coconut and flowers.

The young Maniyakarar of the temple, Sudarshan, who also doubles up as the archaka at the Desikar Sannidhi, went ahead of the procession to open the Ramanuja temple west of the theppakulam. Sarangapani made a brief half here even as the Sripatham members brought the utsava deity of Ramanuja from inside the temple to the Bazaar street for mariyathai before he continued on to the Big Street.

செழுந்திரை பாற்கடல் கண் துயில் மாயன் 

திருவடிக்கீழ்  விழுந்திருப்பார் நெஞ்சில் மேவு  

நல் ஞானி நல் தேவியர்கள் 

தொழும் திருப்பாதன் ராமானுஜனைத் தொழும் பெரியோர் 

எழுந்து இறைத்து ஆடும் இடம் அடியேனுக்கு இருப்பிடமே 

10pm on Friday and the streets around the Sarangapani temple reminded one of Thiru Kudanthai in the decades gone by – silent with most residents having gone to sleep. Back at the temple, the Prabhandham members presented the Satru Murai verses of Ramanuja Nootranthanthi. While the utsava deity Sarangapani was enjoying the final verses of these verses of Thiru Arangath Amuthanar, back at the Moolavar Aravamudhan Sannidhi, Soundararaja Bhattar, along with his young son who will soon be completing his Vedic and Agama studies, were busy putting Perumal’s jewellery back in the security box.

It is a long tradition for the greatness of the Utsavam to be read out on this final day of the ten day Thai utsavam. Late on Friday evening, Kannan Bhattachar presented ‘padippu’ detailing the events during the utsavam recalling how Sarangapani perumal had provided darshan in different vahanas through this festival following which the flag was brought down bringing to end another edition of the Thai Utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai. 

Singar Koil Srirangam Maniam Cook Venkatesan

One of a kind Madapalli Cook

For over 40 years, Venkatesan has been the sole man preparing the sacred food for Lakshmi Narasimha at Kaattu Azhagiya Singar Koil Madapalli 

It is ticking to 4am on this Pongal (Jan 15) morning and it is another chilly morning in Srirangam. For the 31st day in a row, S Venkatesan, the Maniyakaarar and Chief Cook at the Madapalli at the Kaattu Azhagiya Singar Koil in Srirangam, is at the temple for the final Thaligai of the month. With Andal’s Thiruppavai playing on the temple’s loud speakers around the temple complex, Venkatesan, as the lone man at this hour at the temple madapalli, is preparing ‘Paal Payasam’ as the final sacred food for Narasimha in this Margazhi month. Through each day of Margazhi, he has woken up at 2.30am and been at the temple madapalli at this early hour to prepare the sacred ‘Thirupalliezhuchi’ food for Lakshmi Narasimha presented just after 6am each morning of the month. 

Rains over the past few days meant that it took longer for the firewood to heat and that added to Venkatesan’s early morning challenges this Margazhi. But he has always been one with patience and he demonstrated that in adequate quantity during the rainy days as well. 

He has been the sole cook at the Singar Koil for over four decades and has set expectations so high with the quality of his Ven Pongal and Chakkarai Pongal that there was a long queue each morning of the month to taste the sacred delicacy just after it’s been presented to the Lord. Many of the devotees came back a second time in the queue to pick up another ‘Thonnai’ of the hot and tasty Pongal.

Maniam Venkatesan had to stay back for uchi kaalam preparation and headed back home only past noon each day of Margazhi to come back in the evening for another round of sacred food preparation for Lord Narasimha.

This is a far cry from what the scenario was in the early 1980s when Venkatesan joined the Singar temple. He looks back at those dark early years of his association with this temple “It was really dark around the temple and inside as well. I would pick up some ghee and oil every morning to light the lamp at the temple. We would wait endlessly till after noon for the next devotee but there were hardly any. There was absolutely no income.”

Dark decade - The 1980s

As the Maniyakaarar in charge of the temple service and poojas, Venkatesan was not able to give even 25paise a day to the archakas for their service in those early days, such was the financial state of the temple. 

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

அங்கண் ஞால மஞ்ச அங்கு ஓர் ஆள் அரி ஆய் 

அவுணன் பொங்க ஆகம் வள் உகிரால் 

போழ்ந்த புனிதன் இடம் 

பைங்கண் ஆனைக் கொம்பு கொண்டு பத்திமையால் 

அடிக்கீழ்ச் செங்கண் ஆளி இட்டு இறைஞ்சும் 

சிங்கவேழ் குன்றமே - Periya Thirumozhi - 1-7-1

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

Devotional Commitment - The Saviour

For over a dozen years, it was a very challenging life for Venkatesan as there were ' No devotees- No income' and it had become a way of everyday life in that early phase. While it may have been disheartening, I always remembered my appa’s message to have a firm believe in Narasimha and to perform our duty with utmost sincerity” Venkatesan recalls on the most important message of his life.

“Despite the financially stressed life, my appa Srinivasa Iyengar’s consistent message to me throughout my childhood was to give positive messages to devotees who came to the Lord with problems and to create the belief in them that the Lord would take care of them if they invoked his blessings with sincere devotion. It is our duty to make them happy when they are here at the temple and that is what I have tried to instil in them all through the last four decades” says Venkatesan.

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

Devotional Wave - Surge in 'Narasimha' belief

With the devotional wave striking TN temples and the belief in Lord Narasimha as one who answers a devotee’s sincere prayers, Singar Koil has seen a remarkable turnaround with Pradosham and Swathi days every month seeing high turnout of devotees. On Aani Swathi in 2025, the annual birthday of Periyazhvaar, the devotee queue extended to the main road with thousands of them lined through the evening for a darshan of Lakshmi Narasimha. Similar was the crowd during the Saturdays of Puratasi. 

From a time when he awaited the next devotee to present his Thaligai, it has reached a phase now when devotees have to return disappointed without tasting Venkatesan’s Pongal. On days such as Swathi, Venkatesan prepares multiple dishes including melagorai, kesari bath and dhadhyonam. Paanagam is another hit among the devotees on Pradosham days.

பள்ளியில் ஓதி வந்த தன் சிறுவன்

வாயில் ஓர் ஆயிற நாமம் 

ஒள்ளியவாகிப் போதவாங்கதனுக்கு ஒன்று மோர் பொறுப்பிலனாகி

பிள்ளையை சீறி வெகுண்டு தூண் புடைப்ப

பிறை எயிற்றின ல் விழிப்பேழ்வாய்

தெள்ளிய சிங்கம் ஆகிய தேவை 

திருவல்லிக்கேணி கண்டேனே - Periya Thirumozhi - 2.3.8

 

It is past 7.30am on this Thursday morning and one can see the joy and a bit of relief in Venkatesan’s face having successfully prepared the sacred food each morning of Margazhi and to have satisfied the taste buds of the devotees.  Almost all the devotees wondered this morning as to how he has been able to do it all alone through each morning of the month when the weather is quite chilly. Forty years ago and now, his answer has always been the same. It is Lord Lakshmi Narasimha who is his sole guide and the one who has helped him wade through the most challenging times at the temple instilling in him the belief that there will be a big turnaround one day in his life provided he serves the Lord with sincerity each day of his life.

As one goes around Perumal temples in Tamil Nadu, one finds the priests struggling to find those for the Madapalli and there are many temples where the priest doubles up as the madapalli cook as well. At Kaattu Azhagiya Singar Koil, Venkatesan has been the most striking and familiar face to a large number of Narasimha devotees.

While the traditional madapalli service is continuing to be deserted in an increasing number of perumal temples with the next g looking at the corporate space or the private catering service, Venkatesan is one who has taken forward the service from his appa and after over 40 years remains devotionally inclined to preparing the sacred food each day of the year. He reminds himself every morning when he enters the madapalli of Singar Koil as to how blessed he has been to be the one to prepare and present the sacred food at the feet of Lakshmi Narasimha at Singar Koil for such a long time when most others have looked elsewhere for more lucrative opportunities.

The temple is open between 6.15am and 12noon and between 4.30pm and 8.30pm. There are special poojas and Thirumanjanam organised every month on the Swathi Nakshatram and Prathosham days. Also, Saturday is an auspicious day to visit this temple.