Prabhakara Bhattar's devotional commitment keeps him all alone at the Thiru Manai Azhvaar praised temple near Nagapattinam
Not too long ago, the Damodara Narayana Perumal Divya Desam
in Thiru Kannangudi praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar was in a dilapidated
condition. The Thiru Madaipalli was crumbling down as was the Azhvaar Sannidhi.
The worst of the lot was the Ramanuja Sannidhi at the Eastern Entrance of the
temple. Ahead of the 1000th year, the sannidhi lay in a completely
damaged condition with the entrance to the sannidhi dug up. Conflicts between
HR & CE, donors and the general public delayed the renovation efforts. Just
a couple of years ago, one wondered if the renovation would see the light of
the day such was the scenario then.
Praises the Divya Desam as one with Mansions and High Walls
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised the Lord as on in a Standing Posture before whom Vedic Seers chanted the sacred mantras. The temple during this period was surrounded by high walls and mansions, paddy fields and water tanks where different coloured lillies and lotuses were seen in large numbers.
வங்க மா முந்நீர் வரி நிறப் பெரிய
வாள் அரவின் அணை மேவி
சங்கமார் அம் கைத்தட மலர் உந்தி
சாம மா மேனி என் தலைவன்
அங்கம் ஆறு ஐந்து வேள்வி நால் வேதம்
அருங் கலை பயின்று எறி மூன்றும்
செங்கையால் வளர்க்கும் துளக்கம் இல் மனதோர்
திருக்கண்ணங்குடியுள் நின்றானே
Bananas, Jack Fruits and Mangoes were found among the numerous trees around the temple where peacocks danced happily to the tunes of the bees.
கான் உலா மயிலின் கணங்கள் நின்று ஆடக்
கண முகில் முரசம் நின்று அதிர
தேன் உலாம் வரி வண்டு இன் இசை முரலும்
திருக்கண்ணங்குடியுள் நின்றானே
While the major repair works were delayed for many years, the Raja Gopuram was painted as were the Vimanams.
And yet other sannidhis remained in dilapidated state. Subsequently, caught in the middle of this fight and unable
to proceed with the consecration, the then EO of the temple quit the Divya
Desam. Twice Samprokshanam date had been fixed but was postponed. The priest
remained a silent spectator amidst all this drama with his views on agama and
the need for consecration falling on deaf ears. Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan had taken up the renovation at the
Divya Desam but there was opposition to his continuing the service. This too
delayed the repair works. By this time, the paint in the Raja Gopuram had faded and wore an old look!!!
Finally, earlier this year, the temple authorities decided
to speed up the final phase. And Samprokshanam was performed last month after almost
two decades.
The temple now wears a never before seen fresh look. The
Raja Gopuram and the Vimanams have been repainted. The previously damaged sannidhis have been
restored to old glory. It is the best this temple has looked for many decades.
There is a certain positive vibration inside the temple especially watching the
devotional commitment of Prabhakara Bhattar who has been managing the aradhana
and utsavams all alone for the last 10 years.
As is the case with many Divya Desams, despite this renovation
of the temple complex and the sannidhis at a cost of almost Rs. 1 crore, the
salary of the priest remains in three digits. How would a single Bhattar manage
an entire Divya Desam and multiple sannidhis all alone at a three digit monthly
salary?
He is now in the middle of the 48 day mandalabhishekam. For
a fortnight now, he has been having his first meal of the day at 2pm but no one
really cares. Devotees are impatient and want a quick darshan of Perumal and Thayar for they are
keen to move on to the next Divya Desam.
HR & CE officials have done the renovation
work through the donors and they are basking in glory of the new look. New hundials
have been placed all along the Perumal Sannidhi.
Long Hours at the Temple at minimal salary
6 hours in the 1st
half and 4+ hours in the 2nd half, day in day out through the year
without any substitutes and all for a few hundred rupees. That's the life of Prabhakara Bhattachar at the Kannangudi Divya Desam. For one who had previously served at the Nandipura Vinnagaram Divya Desam at Nathan Koil for a decade, it is all down to the presentations in the Thattu by devotees to help him see through each day.
How to reach
Thiru Kannangudi is just under 10kms from Nagapattinam off the Tiruvarur Highway. Get down at Azhiyar to reach the temple (2kms) by auto or walk. When here, also visit Pancha Narayana Kshetram (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/08/anantha-narayana-perumal-aabaranadhari.html).
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