Alavanthar ‘misses
the bus’, Vaishnavites lose the ‘Yoga Rahasya’ for ever
This 'non event' turns out to be a big curse for the Vaishanava Sampradaya
This 'non event' turns out to be a big curse for the Vaishanava Sampradaya
Kurugai Kaavalappan/Natha Muni/Alavanthar
Located
1km West of Gangai Konda Chozhapuram is an ancient temple named after Kurugai
Kaavalappan, one of the disciples of Natha Muni. The significance of the temple
relates to a historic ‘non-event’ that turned out to be a big loss for the Vaishnavites.
Alavanthar,
the grandson of Natha Muni, came here to this place as directed by his
preceptor Manakkaal Nambi seeking initiation of Yoga Rahasya from Kurugai
Kaavalappan.
Yoga Rahasya is a secret mantra
that empowers one to experience the Lord at Vaikuntam.
When he
reached here, Kurugai Kaavalappan was in a yogic state sitting at the
Brindavanam in the North East corner of the temple. Not wanting to disturb him,
Alavanthar stood outside, but to his surprise Kurugai Kaavalappan asked if someone
from the ‘Sottai clan’ (Alavanthar belonged to this clan) had come there. Kurugai
Kaavalappan explained that the Lord tried to glance through his shoulders and
hence he realised that it had to be someone from Natha Muni’s clan for the Lord
to show such interest.
Kurugai
Kaavalappan asked Alavanthar to re-visit on full moon Poosam day in the Tamil
calendar month of Thai for initiation of the Yoga Rahasya as that was the day the
former was to attain the Lord’s feet.
Alavanthar’s Ananthapuram trip
and missing out on his appointment with Kurugai Kaavalappan
During
this period, Alavanthar went to Srirangam to witness Araiyar Sevai that had
been started there by his Grand Father. At the Ranganathaswamy temple, he listened
to the presentation of Anantha Pura Nagar Paasuram during the Era Pathu
Thiruvoimozhi festival. An excited Alavanthar moved on to visit Anantha
Padmanabhaswamy at Thiruvananthapuram.
It was
there that he realised that it was the day of his scheduled appointment with
Kurugai Kaavalappan for the initiation of Yoga Rahasya. Alavanthar wondered if he could get a Pushpaka
Vimana like Lord Rama to immediately land at Kurugai Kaavalappan Koil. But
alas, it was not to be.
Thus he
lost out on an important meeting with Kurugai Kaavalappan. This turned out to
be a significant ‘non-event’ in the history of Vaishnava Sampradaya as Yoga
Rahasya (that was only with Natha Muni and Kurugai Kaavalappan) was lost to the
future generations and went into oblivion.
The Name
As Kurugai
Kaavalappan was the only disciple to be initiated with Yoga Rahasya by Natha
Muni and was seen here at this place in a Yogic State, both the village and the
temple came to be named after him as Kurugai Kaavalappan Koil. Over time, the
place has come to be referred to as Kuruvaalappan Koil.
Deities
The
handsome 11feet Moolavar deity Veera Narayana Perumal (similar to the one at Kaatu
Mannar Koil, the avathara sthalam of Natha Muni) is seen in a grand standing
posture along with Sri and Bhoo devi.
In
memory of the legend relating to this temple, there is a separate sannidhi
where Natha Muni, Alavanthar and Kurugai Kaavalappan are seen together facing south.
Festivals
Earlier
festivals were celebrated in a grand manner at this temple. The plan is to
revive all the festivals that were once celebrated here including the annual
Brahmotsavam and the Float Festival. Currently,
Maasi Magam, Vijayadasami, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Puratasi Saturdays are
celebrated at the temple.
Architecture
There
are two Rajagopurams at the Eastern Entrance. Alavanthar is believed to have
built the sanctum while the architecture in its current form- with huge outer
and inner walls - is a mix of granite and brick construction dating back to the
11th century AD and the Chozha period.
Quick Fact
Moolavar: Veera Narayana Perumal
in an East Facing Standing Posture
Thaayar : Maragada Valli Thaayar ( Separate Sannidhi)
Utsavar : Dwarakanath
Time : 7am-11am and 5pm-730pm
Contact : Rangaraja Bhattar @ 98403 69793 / Rajamani Bhattar @ 80723 28426/ Asokan office @ 99949 57495
How to reach
Kurugai
Kaavalappan temple is about 1km North West of Gangai Konda Chola Puram. Buses ply
every 10minutes from Kumbakonam and Jayakondam.
Auto from Gangai Konda Chola Puram Cross Road (Kumbakonam-Chennai NH)
will cost Rs.40.
By
train, one can get down at Kumbakonam and take a 45minute bus to Gangai Konda
Chola Puram.
Also,
one can get down at Vriddachalam Station and reach the temple via Jayakondam.
6 comments:
Prabhu sir...
keep it up
nice Article and very informative.
Om noma Narayanaya......
Thank You for the kind words
Prabhu
Adiyen Dhasan
Swami kuragaikavalappan brindhavanam is there in which place swami pls tell adiyen dhasan????????????
Must be brindha vanam, thulasi thottam he had during his place in his stay around itself. Not exactly any brindavanam he means as u guess like ragavendrar brindavanam
Very useful and informative post. Thank you.
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