Bhootha Nathar Vahana Procession on the
3rd day is a speciality at this temple
Several Exquisite Sculptures dating back
to the Pandya and Nayak Period are seen inside the temple
The Sambavanai support provided by Venu Srinivasan's Trust to the Archakar, Paricharakar and service personnel over the last decade is five times the salary paid by the HR &CE!!!
The Sambavanai support provided by Venu Srinivasan's Trust to the Archakar, Paricharakar and service personnel over the last decade is five times the salary paid by the HR &CE!!!
The Kailasanathar temple in Sri Vaikuntam, the 6th
among the Nava Kailayam temples is replete with beautiful sculptures just as
the Kallarpiran Divya Desam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/05/srivaikuntam-vaikunta-nathan-divya.html),
a few hundred yards west.
As one enters the temple from the Eastern Entrance
(and it is possible now unlike in the past), one finds two beautifully sculpted
Yaali at the Alankara Mandapam. It is here that Kailasanathar and Sivagami
Ambal are decorated prior to the Utsava procession.
All around this mandapam, one finds exquisite depiction of historical episodes. The 10 headed Lankan King Ravana is seen playing the Veena, something that he was renowned for. The artiste has paid special attention to featuring his 20 hands that stands extended on both sides.
Opposite this sculpture is another beautiful one of
Koothapiran seen in a ‘Koothu’ posture with Nandi beating the drums, Banasura
playing the Pancha Vathyam and Karaikkal Ammayar presenting the Thalam.
Pathanjali Rishi is seen in a posture of invoking the blessings of the Lord.
Another marvellous depiction is that of Veerabhadrar,
seen with his right leg lifted up and the left leg placed on Dakshan, with his
tail swirled around his neck.
Historically, the Brahmotsavam and the events
leading up to it were celebrated in a grand manner. Prior to the flag hoisting
signaling the commencement of the Brahmotsavam, there was a six day Utsavam for
Badra Kali Amman, the security guard of the temple. A seppu idol of Badra Kali
Amman was taken from the Kailasanathar Temple to the Badra Kali Amman Temple,
located in the middle of lush green fields North West of the temple. After aradhana at the temple there, it was
brought back to the Kailasanathar temple. On succeeding days, an utsavam was
organized for Pillayar, Murugan and the three great Saint Poets. Only after
this series of events was the flag hoisted for the Brahmotsavam.
However, in recent decades, the Badra Kali Amman
Utsavam leading up to the Brahmotsavam has been reduced to a single day
utsavam!!!
Bhootha
Nathar – The Speciality of Srivaikuntam
Like the Horse Vahana of Azhagar Koil, the
Kailasanathar Koil in Srivaikuntam has come to be renowned for the Bhootha
Nathar Vahana. The story goes that unprecedented floods in the Tamaraibarani in
the early 18th century wiped out the entire Sepparai temple, west of
Srivaikuntam. The Bhootha Nathar Vahana with an inscription on it was washed
ashore at Sri Vaikuntam near the Kailasanathar temple.
The entire village of Sepparai accepted the episode as Lord’s wish of handing over Bhootha Nathar Vahana to the Sri Vaikuntam temple. From that day, this Vahana has been seen as God’s gift to Sri Vaikuntam. The 4 ½ feet tall Bhootha Nathar is seen with a big moustache with his two hands facing the sky. It is only after the presentation of respects to Bhootha Nathar, Brahmotsavam begins at this temple. A garland of Vadai and Puliyotharai is presented to Bhootha Nathar. One of the special features is that Bhootha Nathar is seen in a separate sannidhi, such is the importance accorded to him at this temple.
The entire village of Sepparai accepted the episode as Lord’s wish of handing over Bhootha Nathar Vahana to the Sri Vaikuntam temple. From that day, this Vahana has been seen as God’s gift to Sri Vaikuntam. The 4 ½ feet tall Bhootha Nathar is seen with a big moustache with his two hands facing the sky. It is only after the presentation of respects to Bhootha Nathar, Brahmotsavam begins at this temple. A garland of Vadai and Puliyotharai is presented to Bhootha Nathar. One of the special features is that Bhootha Nathar is seen in a separate sannidhi, such is the importance accorded to him at this temple.
On the third day of the Brahmotsavam, the Lord goes
on a grand street procession atop Bhootha Nathar.
Moolavar Vimanam
Past the Artha Mandapam too one finds several beautiful sculptures typical of those seen in this region including at the Divya Desam in Sri Vaikuntam. Atop the Moolavar sannidhi is a 14 feet high Vimana that dates back to the period of the Pandyas.
Past the Artha Mandapam too one finds several beautiful sculptures typical of those seen in this region including at the Divya Desam in Sri Vaikuntam. Atop the Moolavar sannidhi is a 14 feet high Vimana that dates back to the period of the Pandyas.
The Posture of Ambal
Facing South Sivagami Ambal provides darshan in ‘Thiribaangi’ Posture holding a flower in one hand.
Veera Pandya Kattabomman and Sri Vaikuntam
The temple whose legend dates back to Sage Agastya
and his disciple Romasa Rishi has seen renovation and several improvements
during the Pandya and Nayak periods. During the British rule, it was here in
Sri Vaikuntam that the entire paddy collected from the region as tax was
stored. Veera Pandya Kattabomman’s team
picked up the stored paddy as a mark of protest against the British tyranny in
collecting tax from the TN farmers.
The Pillais
of Srivaikuntam
Over 600 years ago, the Pillais of Ramnad made
their way to Srivaikuntam and built a large fort near the temple. For six
centuries, this had remained a strong fort until it was converted to a housing
unit recently. Their descendants continue to contribute to the grand conduct of
the festivals both at the Divya Desam and Kailasanathar temple in Srivaikuntam.
Safety of Women
A unique rule that was in force through out that period was that the women would not go out of the fort. Similarly no outside boy, aged above 5 was allowed inside the fort.
Past the Alankara Mandapam, one finds another set of exquisite sculptures at the Mani Mandapam - dedicated to Nandi, Suryan and Chandran.
Daily Sacred
Water from Tamaraibarani
Similar to the tradition at the Ranganathaswamy
Divya Desam in Srirangam of water being brought for the Lord from the sacred
river, water is brought every day from the Tamaraibarani to the beating of
drums for Uchchi Kala Abhishekam.
The Big Eastern Entrance
Typical of many temples in remote locations (Nava
Tirupathi is an exception) several of the historical events have come to a halt
in recent decades.
Defunct Chariots
Historically there were two chariots including one
for Ambal. The Chariot Festival was part of the grand Chitrai Brahmotsavam. The
Ambal chariot has remained defunct for decades while the one dedicated to
Kailasanathar has also now become dilapidated and unfit to run.
Festivals
Theerthavari on Chitrai Day in Chitrai
7th day Nataraja is seen in Red attire
while on the 8th he sports Green
Ambal goes on an inner prakara procession on each
of the days of the Navarathri Utsavam in Puratasi
10 day Thiru Kalyanam Utsavama in Aipasi with the
Lord providing darshan on the Theppa Kulam Stree on the 11th day
Nava Kailayam Legend
In memory of the legendary episode relating to this Nava Kailayam temple, an idol of Romasa Rishi, who installed the Lingam of Lord Kailasanathar at this place on the banks of Tamaraibarani, is also seen inside the temple.
Historical
Inscriptions
There are several inscriptions seen on the walls of
the temple dating back several centuries. These provide insights into
festivals, contributions to the temple.
An inscription dating back to Veera Pandyan II to
1443 refers to contributions pooled together by the people of Sri Vaikuntam, a
fund that was to be used for renovations and for Thaligai for the Lord.
Tax free Lands were donated in Varagunamangai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/08/varagunamangai-divya-desam.html), a km east of the temple, income from which
was to be used for the maintenance of the temple
An inscription dating to 1438AD records that tax
free lands were donated in Varagunamangai to provide for rice (for Thaligai),
flower garlands and sandal for ‘Daily Saathupadi’ for the Lord (to facilitate
the beautiful alankaram).
Inscriptions from that period refer to this place
as Rajendra Chaturvedi Mangalam and the temple as Kailasa Nayanar Koil.
Another inscription records the presentation of 4
Naazhi rice each to the priest and to his son for the performance of their
service at the temple.
Venu Srinivasan's support to Nava Kailayam Temples
As with Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam Temples, Venu Srinivasan's Trust has been supporting the Archakar, Paricharakar and service personnel of this temple with monthly Sambhavanai for well over a decade. Interestingly, the Sambhavanai is five times the salary given by the HR & CE to the Archakar!!!
The temple
is open between 630am-1230pm and 430pm-8pm. Contact K Gurunatha Bhattar @ 97917
64392 / 04630 256492
1 comment:
Reading this excellent article decided me to visit this temple asap
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