Thiru Indhalur Parimala Ranganathar Consecration 2026

This Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Divya Desam is at its best in many decades following a mega restoration exercise over the last few years

It has been a long time coming. Two decades after the previous consecration, the Parimala Ranganatha temple in Thiru Indhalur (Mayiladuthurai), praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, is wearing a new look on a back of a Rs. 1.5crore renovation exercise. Amid the controversies over the last many years surrounding the suspension of a couple of the priests who had been performing service for decades, the consecration earlier this month comes as a breath of fresh air, especially ahead of the Brahmotsavam that will take place next month. It is easily the best that this temple has looked in the last many decades.

எந்தை தந்தை தம்மான் என்றென்று

எமரேழ்  ஏழளவும்

வந்து நின்ற தொண்டரோர்க்கே வாசிவல்லீரால்

சிந்தை தன்னுள் முந்தி நிற்றீர்

சிறிதும் திருமேனி

இந்த வண்ணம் என்று காட்டீர் இந்தளூரீரே- Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Elastromeric Painting for the first time

A well networked sripatham team along with Sridhar Bhattar and the Sthalathars have worked together in this large scale exercise. The outcome is for all to see and the first fortnight after the consecration has been one of positive feedback from long standing devotees. 

The painting work has been outstanding. One of the sripatham members who runs a tech firm in Mayiladuthurai told this writer that Elastomeric paint was used in this renovation exercise to provide it an everlasting strength.

The entire electrical connection has been redone to match with the new technology. The entire temple complex now shines bright with LED lights, quite contrasted with the darkish zone in the past. 

The roof above the Moolavar Sannidhi has been strengthened to prevent leaks during the rains which the temple experienced in the past. The flooring around the prakara too wears a new look. It is the cleanest that the temple has been in years. The external walls had been in bad shape with broken pieces. These too have been completely repaired and the temple complex presents a bright picture.

The Vaikunta Ekadasi, Panguni Uthiram and Vahana Mandapams had all been in damaged condition and each of these has been repaired.

Chandran’s Curse 

The story goes that Chandran (Moon God) fell in love with his preceptor Brihaspati’s wife Tara and eloped with her, in the absence of his Guru. When Brihaspati found his wife missing, he sought the help of Brahmma who asked Tara to return to her husband. Later, when Tara’s pregnancy came to light, a furious Brihaspati cursed Chandra to deformity saying that the biggest sin of life is to caste one’s eyes on another’s spouse and that Chandran would have to undergo the full severity of the curse for having cast his eyes wrongfully on another's wife.

Another story goes that Dakshan was so taken in by Chandran’s handsome features that he decided to make him the suitor for his 27daughters. However, Chandran was interested only in one of the daughters, Rohini and mockingly ignored the others. Dakshan found that the handsome looks had made Chandran too arrogant and cursed him to immediately lose his youth and his strong luring features.

Repenting for wrongly casting his eye on another man’s wife, Chandran requested Brihaspati to provide him an opportunity for performing parikara that could help him cleanse his grave sins.

3Phased Parikara

As part of the 3 fold parikara, Chandra undertook penance here at Thiru Indhalur after bathing at the sacred Theertham, invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Answering his prayers, Lord appeared before him and agreed to liberate him from part of the sins.(The story goes that Chandran went to Thalai Changa Naan Mathiyam, another Divya Desam about 15 East of Thiru Indhalur, where he was fully liberated from his curse and dosham).Pleased with being partly liberated from his curse, Chandran (another name of Chandran is Indhu) requested that this place be called Indhalur in his memory.

Restoration of the Madapalli

The madapalli had been in a bad shape in the past. This too has received a facelift with new flooring. At a time when historical temples are facing challenges relating to the presence of a full time madapalli cook, Kumar has been a strong presence at the Madapalli over the last dozen plus years. Hailing from Thiru Nangur, he had been initially supporting the temple during the big utsavams in Panguni and Aippasi. Impressed with his commitment, the temple roped him for a full time role at the Madapalli. He has learned on the job and now makes a wide ranging variety of sacred food during the big utsavams in addition to the Thaligai each day of the year. 

He told this writer that he is happy that he has been blessed with a Divya Desam Kainkaryam. From a monthly salary of under Rs. 1500 over a decade ago, he now receives a sizeable salary much to his delight. He resides in a temple quarters opposite the temple which is another positive as there is no travel time involved in arriving at the temple on important festive occasions.

Argument between Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Lord Parimala Rangan

When ThiruMangai Azhvaar reached Indhalur, Lord Parimala Rangan shut the door on him reasoning that he was late. Upset at this, ThiruMangai Azhvaar argued vehemently Parimala Ranganatha. When a friend keeps a thing that we want and does not want to share with us, we typically say ‘Keep it to yourself’ in jest. Similarly, here, with the Lord not allowing Thirumangai Azhvaar an entry into the temple, the Azhvaar asked Parimala Rangan to keep all his beauty to himself and to enjoy it on his own.ThiruMangai Azhvaar goes on to argue that the world would talk about the Lord in bad light as he shut the door on the Azhvaar.

Despite repeated attempts to impress the Lord to allow him an entry, Parimala Rangan maintains his silence. A dejected and frustrated Thiru Mangai Azhvaar decided that he would leave the place as the Lord was stubborn at not allowing Darshan to the Azhvaar.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar says ‘வாசி வல்லீர் இந்தளுரீர் வாழ்ந்தே போம்நீரே….’ to mean that ‘I am leaving, you yourself live here and enjoy life’.

Sensing that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar would actually leave the place without praising him enough, Lord Parimala Rangan tries to prolong the argument and asks him to sing praise of him. Thiru Mangai Azhvaar replies saying “How can I shower praise on you when you do not allow me to see you”. Lord Parimala Ranga says “You who have sung praises of other Lords, sitting in your place, do sing praise of me too so I can happily listen to your sweet songs.” ThiruMangai Azhvaar finally fell for it and composed verses of praise on Parimala Rangan.

In this new phase for this Divya Desam, R Parimala Ranganathan (Sukumaran) Dikshithar from Mannargudi who had been away in Bombay and other temples across the country for three decades has made his way back to Thiru Indhalur and well into his 70s now shares the monthly service with Sridhar Bhattar, who had played second fiddle to Ranga Mapillai Bhattar and Muralidhara Dikshithar for many years.

சொல்லாது ஒழியகில்லேன் அறிந்த சொல்லில்

நும்மடியார் எல்லோரோடும் ஓக்க எண்ணியிருந்தீர் அடியேனை

நல்லார் அறிவீர் தீயார் அறிவீர்

நமக்கு இவ்வுலகத்து எல்லாம் அறிவீர்

ஈதே அறியீர், இந்தளூரீரே

Two Priests carrying this temple in its new phase

Sukumaran Dikshithar underwent agama initiation at Tirupathi and Srirangam Patshalas before learning the practical lessons from the revered Kannan Bhattar (Vasan Bhattar’s appa) of Therazhundur Divya Desam. Following these, he joined Thiru Indhalur Divya Desam in 1969 a couple of years after the Samprokshanam and performed archaka service for close to 25years. In the early 1990s, given the extreme financial challenges at this Divya Desam, he moved to Thiruchanur to perform service there and then later performed service at Andavan Ashramam administered temples in Bombay, MP, UP and Bihar and was thus away from this Divya Desam for over 25years before his return to Thiru Indhalur following the suspension of his nephew Muralidhara Dikshithar last decade. 

Hailing from Thiru Nangur, Sridhar Bhattar too went to the Patshala in Srirangam and Kanchipuram to learn the Pancharatra Agama. While he had remained in the background for a long time, his many years of quiet and selfless service is now paying rich dividend and he now plays a lead role at the temple along with Sukumaran Bhattar.

These two priests are now taking this temple into this glorious phase where the temple is seeing a positive revival both in terms of infrastructure as well as devotee support.

Parimala Ranganatha temple is located 2kms North of the Mayiladuthurai bus stand on the Northern banks of Cauvery. This is a Pancha Ranga Kshetram where the Lord is seen in a grand Veera Sayana Posture displaying his four hands. The other Pancha Kshetrams are Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangapatnam Ranganatha, Koviladi Appaala Ranganatha and Kumbakonam Madhya Rangam (Sarangapani temple).

An Auto from the bus stand will cost Rs. 80/- and from the Railway station, the usual charge is around Rs. 120. Contact:8122235403

Cab around Mayiladuthurai divya desams: jayaraj@ 97887 76365

Patteeswaram Durgai Siddhanatha Gurukal

A story of how high Devotional Commitment pays off in the long run

65year old Siddhanatha Gurukal is the senior most at the Thenupureeswarar temple in Patteeswaram, now popular and renowned for the Durgai Sannidhi. His forefathers had been performing archaka service for centuries but the phase that he grew up as a child in the 1960s abd 70s turned out to be one of the most challenging for the family. Mass exodus of the original inhabitants from this historic temple town led to a dwindling of devotee crowd. The annual Brahmotsavam had come to a halt and Thattu Kaasu for archakas became almost non existent.

He quit school after class X and learned the Saiva Agama and Vedas. Following a formal certificate from the Dikshithars, he joined the temple just over four decades ago when the scenario was still bleak , a far cry from what it is on this Rahu Kaalam morning at the Durgai Sannidhi on Friday (Feb 13).

Chozhas' Durgai Devotion

The Great Chozha kings including Raja Raja Chozha I had great respect for Durgai and the Goddess acted as the security guard for them. Both before their departure for any battle and on their return, the Chozha kings would invoke the blessings of Durgai. At this temple, Durgai, with Simha Vahana to her left, is seen in a cool form with eight hands and lacks the typical aggressive looks.

Sitting at his home opposite the North Gopuram, he recounts his chequered childhood “See the number of vehicles parked outside the North Gopuram in front of the Durgai Sannidhi and the several 100s of devotees lining up for Rahu Kaalam darshan of Durgai. During my school days, there would not be more than 25 devotees on any day. If my appa came back with Rs. 10 at the end of the day, he would say with delight that there was a big crowd that Friday.”

The family members had to wait for his appa to come home from the temple with Pattai Saatham for their first meal of the day. “My breakfast on most days during my schooling was the previous night’s Sambha from the temple. All through that decade, we asked as to why Deepavali arrived for we neither bought new clothes nor crackers.We would buy just one cracker and keep it for 5 days postponing the bursting each day and finally we would postpone it to Karthigai."

It was a phase when devotion was crushed by the forces that be. Devotees were apprehensive about entering temples. “My own prayer in those early decades to Thenupureeswarar was that they should all get back the devotion.”

Towering Raja Gopuram

The Thenupureeswarar temple has 5 towering Gopurams including the 7 tier Rajagopuram. When Parasakthi undertook penance here invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva, the sacred cow Kamadhenu sent her daughter Patti to support the penance. Pleased with Parasakthi’s prayers, Shiva appeared here with his long uncombed hair (Sadai Mudi) and provided darshan.As Patti played an important role in the success of Sakthi’s penance, this place came to be called Patteeswaram.

மறையனொலி கீதமொடு பாடுவன பூதமடி மறுவி விரவார்

பறையனொலி  பெறுக நிகழ் நட்டம் அமர் பட்டிசர மேயபனிகூர்

பிறையினொடு மறுவியதொர் சடையினிடை யேற்றபுனல் தோற்ற  நிலையாம்

இறைவனடி முறை முறையின் ஏத்துமவர் தீத்தொழில்கள் இல்லர் மிகவே

1987 - The Transformational Sankalpa archanai

Into his teens, the future had looked uncertain and bleak. Most temples had not seen consecration for several decades and lay in a dilapidated state. We did not know if we would get the next meal. It was a poverty stricken life. A decade long sankalpa archanai proved transformational “In august 1987, we began a Nava Koti Archanai for the welfare of devotees. It went on for a decade. We also performed a Koti Archanai for Periyava on his centenary. Following this, Durgai became prominent at the national level”, recounts Siddhanatha Gurukal of how things turned around.

The Grand Aani Festival to celebrate Gnana Sambandar

The legendary event of Thiru Gnana Sambanthar's entry into Patteeswaram is celebrated in a grand way in Aani. When the Saivite Poet, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, had finished invoking the blessings of the Lord at Thiru Sakthi Mutram and began his long walk, along with his disciples, to have darshan of the Lord at Patteeswaram, a severe heat wave swept across the region.

Thenupureeswarar feared that the heat would take a toll on the great poet and in an effort to not miss out on Gnana Sambanthar’s praise of him, the Lord directed the Devas to carry a special ‘Pearl Canopy’ to protect him from the sweltering heat.  And much to the Saint Poet’s surprise he found a beautiful ‘Flower Top’ providing him the much needed relief from the burning Sun.

When the Saint Poet was about to enter the temple at Patteeswaram, so eager was Dhenupureeswarar to watch his grand entry in the Pearl Canopy that he asked Nandi to move a bit so as to give way to Thiru Gnana Sambanthar, thus allowing him to have darshan of the Lord right from the entrance. To this day, the Nandi at the temple is seen slightly to the left and not directly opposite Dhenupureeswarar.

As he watched the Lord in awe from the entrance of the temple, Thiru Gnana Sambanthar let out his first verse of praise on the Lord of Patteesaram.

பாடல் மறை சூடன் மதி பல் வளையொர் பாகமதில் ........

மாட மழை பாடி யுரை

பட்டிசரம் மேயகடி

காட்டரவினார்

வேடநிலை கொண்டவரை

வீடுநெறி கட்டிவினை வீடுமவரே

Archaka Kainkaryam - A week in each Sannidhi

Siddhanatha Gurukal and his cousins have a week each of service at the temple and they alternate between Swami, Ambal, Durgai and Pillayar Sannidhis.  He laughs at the transformational scenario. In the 1970s ad 80s, just one archaka was enough for the entire temple and even he did not have even activity for there were no devotees. But that has changed now and from a time when they waited endlessly for the next devotee to arrive, it has now become a new challenge to manage the devotee crowd. "Today we are 10 of us pooled together but it is still not enough to manage and serve the devotee crowd that goes up to 15000 on a Friday.", says Siddhanatha Gurukal.

Stuck to temple service in challenging phase

Even in the dark phase, he did not leave this temple town and that he counts as a great blessing “Swami decided that I should be devotionally attached to him even in the most challenging phase and kept me bonded to him.” He recalls the most important message of his life passed on from his thatha to appa and then to him when he was getting into temple service “God will decide when he should reward you with monetary benefits. Till then, keep serving  him with the fullest devotion, unmindful of the returns.”

“More than anything else, God gave me the right mindset that led me to focus all my energy on him instead of looking outwards and getting angry and frustrated at the lack of income.”

                                       

Siddhanatha Gurukal's prayer from the 1970s and 80s that people should get back their devotion seemed wishful at that time but has become a reality over the last couple of decades with devotees back at the Thenupureeswarar temple in a big way. Over the last few years, consecrations have increased dramatically and that has been good news for him. He has participated in over 500 Kumbabhisekams including leading and anchoring quite a few of these. 

The devotional wave that has been striking TN temples has resulted in a big financial turnaround for archakas. Siddhanatha Gurukal’s son Gurumurthy is an Engineering Grad and has a Masters degree as well but with devotees thronging the Durgai Sannidhi like never before, he has come back to continue the archaka service.

It is well past 11am on this Friday morning and its time for the happy looking and cheerful Siddhanatha Gurukal to join his son at the Ambal Sannidhi to manage and serve the overflowing crowd. He leaves with a caution for all the next gen archakas who are now getting back into temple service 'While there is financial returns beyond one's imagination in this current phase, we have to remember that our sole duty is to serve the Lord with unflinching devotion and not be lured by at the attraction of the seemingly over flowing money even as devotees are pouring money into temples. If we fail in this blinded by the monetary desire, each one of us will have to pay a heavy price for moving away from our devotional Kainkaryam as our only focus."

Nathan Koil Revival Next Gen Raghavan Bhattar

This Next Gen Bhattar is driving the revival at  Nandipura Vinagaram that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised as being beyond compare

Built by the Pallava King Nandivarma, the Jagannathan perumal temple in Nathan koil is in the Shenbakaaranya Kshetram, which runs from here up to Mannargudi and was praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar as a location that has no equivalent. But for a long time over the last few decades, this Divya Desam on the southern outskirts of Kumbakonam near Korukkai had remained deserted with very few devotees visiting the temple while most of the other Divya Desams in this region had seen a turnaround. Finally with the arrival of a next gen priest, there seems to be a ray of hope and a revival in fortunes is around the corner.

எண்ணில் நினைவு எய்தி இனி இல்லை

இறை என்று முனி யாளர் திருஆர்

பண்ணில் மலி கீதமொடு பாடி அவர்

ஆடலோடு கூட எழில் ஆர்

மண்ணில் இது போல நகர் இல்லை என

வானவர்கள் தாம் மலர்கள் தூய்

நண்ணி உறைகின்ற நகர் 

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

 

Till the turn of the century, the priests of Nachiyar Koil Divya Desam had been the ones who had performed archaka Kainkaryam at this Divya Desam as well. However, when they let go of this temple, there was darkness here with not too many service personnel ready to take up Kainkaryam here given the deserted scenario and the remoteness of the location. There was no public transport to this Divya Desam (there still isn’t) devotees were few in number resulting in minimal thattu kaasu for the service personnel.

The Srinivasa Perumal temple in Thiru Naraiyur praised by a century of verses by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar itself had been in a bad shape till the 1990s. It was then that the priests of the temple thought of an innovative idea to draw devotees to the Divya Desam. A 7week Prarthana pooja for Kal Garuda was introduced and that has driven a massive turnaround at the temple with Kal Garuda now almost becoming the lead idol at Nachiyar Koil!!

Next Gen Bhattar excited at Divya Desam Kainkaryam

Raghavan Bhattar hailed from Nemmili near Nannilam where his forefathers performed at the Lakshmi Narayanan Perumal temple. After class X, he joined the Vaikanasa Agama Patshala in Kudavasal following which he was under the tutelage of Sampath Bhattar at the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Konerirajapuram. He participated in many consecrations after the completion of his patshala education. He was in his mid20s a few years ago when he came to Nathan Koil to participate in the Kalyana Utsavam in Vaikasi as a one off event. He had also been here earlier to serve at the Pavitrotsavam and Brahmotsavam. So impressed was Agent Mahalingam with his service that he asked if he could join full time as an archaka.

Vishnupathi punya kaalam!!!

It is the morning of the first day in Maasi and there is a ‘never before seen’ crowd at Nathan Koil. The new wave around Vishnu Pathi Punya Kaalam is driving devotees into Perumal temples and Nathan Koil is also benefitting from this wave. Four times in a year on the occasion of Vishnu Pathi Punya Kaalam, he performs a Maha Shanthi Homam as per Vaikanasa process. It is also a Friday and Raghavan Bhattar has initiated a Sri Suktham Homam for Thayar. With the combination of these two, there are hundreds of devotees on this Friday morning with the temple opening at 6am!!!! Devotees are seen going around the prakara 27 times invoking the blessings of Jagannathan Perumal.

Long Standing Agent Mahalingam (left) and Sriram Bhattar

Accepting Divya Desam against all odds

Sitting in the prakara, Raghavan Bhattar recounts as to how he accepted the offer to perform Kainkaryam at this temple “Till about 3-4 years ago, I was involved in homam and consecration events. When this offer came from Nathan Koil, I was devotionally excited but most of my friends were apprehensive about the low salary and the minimal number of devotees who were visiting the temple at that time.”

“But I saw this offer as a God sent opportunity to perform kainkaryam at a Divya Desam. Not many are blessed to perform service at an Azhvaar praised temple and this came my way on its own and accepted it.”

The Name- Nandipura Vinnagaram

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

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

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

எண்ணில் நினைவு எய்தி இனி இல்லை

இறை என்று முனி யாளர் திருஆர்

பண்ணில் மலி கீதமொடு பாடி அவர்

ஆடலோடு கூட எழில் ஆர்

மண்ணில் இது போல நகர் இல்லை என

வானவர்கள் தாம் மலர்கள் தூய்

நண்ணி உறைகின்ற நகர் நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

Kothandaraman Bhattar - Kainkaryam when none came forward

Raghavan Bhattar joined the now 70year old Kothandaraman Bhattar who had been serving at the temple over the previous two decades with the understanding that the latter would take care of the Thayar Sannidhi.

Kothandaraman Bhattar had no formal agama initiation and did not have any prior temple experience when Agent Mahalingam roped him to this Divya Desam. His forefathers had performed pooja at a remote village temple in Vishnupuram on the Nachiyar Koil Poonthottam route. He lost his appa when he was just 7 years and the resulting financial challenges led him to discontinue studies when he was not yet 15.

He worked in multiple organisations before this temple opportunity came out of the blue. It was when he visited Nachiyar Koil that his temple interest was rekindled by the priests there. “They asked me as to why I was not continuing the archaka kainkaryam that my forefathers had performed.”

Kothandaraman Bhattar

Three were no priests at Nathan Koil just over 15 years ago and there was an opportunity for Kothandaraman Bhattar to join there as an archaka. “I had no agama learning but I was keen to get into temple service following in the footsteps of my forefathers and joined the Jagannatha Perumal temple at a monthly salary of Rs. 1500.”

Kannan, the long standing madapalli paricharakar who had been the smiling face to devotees in that phase, passed away a few years after he joined. There have been other priests who have come and gone for the income is not enough to run a family. After almost two decades, his monthly salary has risen to just Rs. 5000 but with the arrival of the more qualified next gen priest, activity has gone up with some innovations. 

Ashtami Homam

Goddess Lakshmi wanted to reside in the heart of Lord Vishnu and undertook a penance at this place facing East. It is said that the Lord appeared before her (facing west) on the 8th day of Aippasi and accepted her wishes. There is now a homam every Valarpirai Ashtami, when 25kgs of Thaligai is presented with over 250 devotees participating.

There is also a homam and thirumanjanam every Friday with a inside prakara procession of Thayar. Now there are five Thirumanjanam for Perumal annually. This is driving up the Sambhavanai for the Kothandaraman Bhattar as well.

Earlier this month, on the occasion of Thai Amavasai, there was a Udaya Garuda Sevai with Jagannatha Perumal providing darshan around the streets of Nathan Koil. Pavitrotsavam and Adyayana Utsavam have been revived albeit on a small scale with two day events. On the occasion of Chitra Pournami, Perumal goes to Theradi to see the ‘Full Moon’.

The Consecration in 1992 after 150+ years

Srinivasan has been at the temple for over four decades as the Maniyakarar. He has seen the temple at its low point in the 1980s. He too was keen to get into the corporate space and had joined the telephones in the late 70s but his amma directed him to continue the hereditary service that his forefathers had performed at this Divya Desam. His grandfather and father had received paddy for their services but given the deteriorating state of the temple, Maniyam Srinivasan did not receive a salary during the first decade of his service when the physical infrastructure too went down and the temple was in a dilapidated state with consecration not having taken place for over 150 years.

Thick big bushes had grown around the temple complex with the Raja Gopuram itself in a bad shape. With Jayalalitha taking over as the CM, the temple received an unexpected gift when she allocated a whopping Rs. 5lakhs for the repair works and restoration of the temple. Maniyam Srinivasan recalls a devotee from Coimbatore contributing Rs. 3lakhs that saw the Raja Gopuram regain its lost glory.

It was after the consecration in 1992 that he was paid a monthly salary of Rs. 250. He says that the temple has over 100 acres of land and collection of proper rent would make the temple self sustaining. 

Ramayana and Mahabharata reference to the Lord 

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar refers to the Ramayana and Mahabaratha legends in his verses of praise.

தம்பியொடு தாம் ஒருவர் தம் துணைவி காதல்

துணையாக முன நாள்

வெம்பி எரி கானகம் உலாவும் அவர்

தாம் இனிது மேவும் நகர் தான்

கொம்பு குதி கொண்டு குயில் கூவ மயில் ஆலும்

எழில் ஆர் புறவு சேர்

நம்பி உறைகின்ற நகர் நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

Raghavan Bhattar has been joined at this Divya Desam by his brother Sriram and his appa and the three of them are together paid a monthly salary of Rs. 15000.  To draw devotees into the temple, he has started a parikara pooja every Revathi star in the month with a Sahasranama archanai for Perumal. On the four Saturdays of Puratasi last year, Perumal was seen in four different alankarams with the temple being open from 4.30am to 9pm with anna dhanam presented to all visiting devotees. 

Darshan of Lord's feet

On the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi, he organised for the ‘feet’ darshan of Moolavar Srinivasa Perumal, seen in a majestic seated posture, for the only time in the year much like Thadalan Divya Desam in Sirkazhi. This drew devotees in several thousands that day driving up the Sambhavanai for the service personnel. 200 kgs of Upma was presented on the occasion, an indication of the size of the devotee presence.

Revival of Utsavams

In Vaikasi this year, Raghavan Bhattar is hoping to revive the Vasantha utsavam with Santhana Kaappu and Vetti Ver Alankaram, Thirumanjanam and a procession. 

Just over a fortnight from now, he is planning to revive the Maasi Magam utsavam. His vision is to kick off the Theppotsavam on that day but with the time being short and if devotee donors are not forthcoming, he also wants to organise a street procession for Jagannatha Perumal on that day.

பிறையின் ஒளி எயிறு இலக முறுகி எதிர் பொருதும் 

என வந்த அசுரர் 

இறைகள் அவை நெரு நெரு என வெறிய அவர் வயிறு அழல 

நின்ற பெருமான் 

சிறை கொள் மயில் குயில் பயில மலர்கள் உக அலி முரல 

அடிகொள் நெடு மா 

நறைசெய் பொழில் மழை தவழும் 

நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே 

High Devotional Energy

Another developmental initiative Raghavan Bhattar has started is the setting up of a Kannadi Palliyarai where perumal can be placed during the big utsavams. This is likely to be ready in the next couple of months. His big idea for this temple is to have utsavams every month of the year. He has now started the six kaala pooja at the temple. The temple wears a fresh look with the consecration having taken place a couple of years back.

While there were apprehensions all around about his joining a remote temple that had very minimal devotees and many dissuaded him from this decision, the 31 year old Raghavan Bhattar has showcased that with high devotional energy and proactive initiatives, the fortunes of a temple can be turned around quite quickly, especially at a time like this when there is a big devotional wave striking TN temples. Against the current trend, his wife, an IT professional, is standing strong by him and supporting his developmental initiatives at this Divya Desam. By the same time next year, it is likely that he would have revived all the historical utsavams that had once been celebrated in this legendary temple and that the vibrancy can be experienced like it once was during the time of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar.

Nathan Koil is located under 10 kms South of Kumbakonam off the Korukkai- Patteeswaram road. An auto from Kumbakonam station will cost Rs. 200.

The temple is open from 730am to noon and from 4.30pm -8pm. 

Those interested to contribute to the revival of the utsavams including the Maasi Magam later this month can contact Raghavan Bhattar @ 76398 49242

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.