Kanchipuram Divya Desams Renovation works

Pandava Dhoothar Divya Desam saw support from Kanchi Periya in the 1980s in its previous large scale renovation exercise but repair works have remained 'in plans' for many years now

Its well over a century since full fledged repair works took place at the Pavala Vannan Divya Desam and Pachai Vannan Temple

Brahmotsavam has not taken place at Pavala Vannan Divya Desam for over five decades while at the Pandava Dhoothar Divya Desams it has been over 30 years since the last Brahmotsavam

Shops that have sprung up in recent decades now form the outer wall of the Pachai Vannan Temple

It has been a hard grind as far as renovation work is concerned for several Divya Desams in Kanchipuram. Many of the temples have found it difficult to even start the repair works for want of funds.  Unlike in the past, when renovations used to take place in a haphazard manner, the temples now have to go through the stringent process of securing the approval from the court directed screening committee. It has been three decades at Pandava Dhoothar Divya Desam and over a century at Pavala Vannan Divya Desam and Pachai Vannan Temple since they saw any large scale repair works.

In light of this, renovation, after almost two decades, at the Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal temple in Thiru Vekka, Kanchipuram, a Divya Desam praised by NamAzhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, Poigai Azhwar, Peyazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar, assumes significance.

The story of Lord’s Maaru Sayanam

Thirumazhisai Azhwar came here and performed service to Lord Yathokthagaari with the assistance of his disciple Kanikannan. When the ruler ordered Kanikannan out of the kingdom for failing to sing praise of him, Thirumazhisai Azhwar too followed suit taking along with him the Lord of Thiru Vekka plunging the whole place into darkness.  Realising his folly, the king apologised and requested them to return to Kanchi. As an indication of his departure from the temple and his subsequent return, the Lord is said to have slept in the opposite direction. This Maaru Sayanam of the Lord sleeping from South to North is a special feature of this Divya Desam.

As the Lord acceded to the request of Thirumazhisai Azhwar, he came to be called as ‘Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal’.

This episode of the Lord leaving the temple along with Thirumazhisai Azhwar is enacted every year on Thai Magam on the occasion of Thirumazhisai Azhwar’s birthday with a trip to the Palar. Later in the day, the garland worn by Thirumazhisai Azhwar at Thiru Vekka is sent to his avathara sthalam at Thirumazhisai for the evening festivities at the Jagannatha Perumal temple there.

Phase 1 of Renovation

Repair works undertaken at the Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal Koil over the last 8 months at a cost of around Rs. 50Lakhs have been completed. In recent times, during monsoon rains, water had been seeping into the temple complex. 

The roof of the Perumal Sannidhi complex has been completely revamped using 12000 new tiles to prevent water leaks.  This has been the biggest repairs that the temple has seen as part of the current renovation efforts.

A new electrification system is being put in place. In the past the temple had been poorly lit. For the first time, new LED lights are being installed to illuminate the pathway around the prakara.

The entire phase 1 of the renovation has been fully funded by donors.

Phase 2 over the next six months- Refurbishing the Tank

Poigai Kulam, the sacred tank North of the temple has been in a dilapidated state and is being completely refurbished. 

The Neerazhi Mandapam in the middle of the tank had fallen apart. This is being fully rebuilt now from scratch. New compound wall will also be constructed. Given the enormity of the work involved, this will be taken up in phase two of the exercise over the next six months. The repair works at the tank is likely to cost another Rs. 50 lakhs.

  

The temple is open between 8am-11am and 5pm-8pm

Pandava Dhoothar

It is 30 years since the last Samprokshanam at Pandava Dhoothar Divya Desam in Thiru Paadagam, a temple praised by four Azhwars. It was with the full financial support of Sri Maha Periyava of Kanchi Mutt that the previous large scale renovation works spanning a period of 5 years from 1984 had been undertaken. 

The Raja Gopuram now wears a faded look. There are shrubs atop the Perumal Vimanam. The tank too needs sprucing up. Flooring in the entire complex has to be repaired.  The outer wall of the temple complex needs to be strengthened. Brahmotsavam has not taken place in three decades. Vahanas have to be repaired whenever the Brahmotsavam is revived. A full fledged renovation is expected to cost upwards of Rs. 50 Lakhs and the temple is looking to have the donors in place for the entire work before embarking on the renovation exercise. Those interested to contribute may contact Trustee TV Rajakumar on 044 27231899.

A Couple of kms away from the above temple is the Pavala Vannan Divya Desam praised by Thirumangai Azhwar in his Thiru Nedunthaandagam. This temple too is in dire need of a restoration exercise for there has not been a full-fledged large scale repair works for over a century. It is saddening to see the sacred tank in front of the temple filled with debris. The Raja Gopuram, Vimanams have not been painted for several decades. The madapalli too is in a bad shape. Brahmotsavam has not taken place for over five decades. 

At the Pachai Vannan Temple half a km from this Divya Desam, multiple shops that have sprung up in recent decades serve as the outer wall of the temple. On top of this, there is a battle brewing between the trustee and the HR & CE, which is looking to take over the two temples citing mismanagement. Any renovation work is likely to commence only after this dispute is sorted out.