Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam

Renovation of the Damodara Narayana Perumal Divya Desam at Rs. 1 crore but Bhattar’s Salary remains in Three Digits

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 1000^th 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 

The mansions and the high walls as described above seem to be a thing of the past. There are no buses or any form of public transport to this Divya Desam. An auto from Azhiyur bus stop costs Rs. 50. 

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.

A Grand New Look

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.

Renovation at Rs. 1crore, Monthly Salary in the 100s- Why?

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 1^st half and 4+ hours in the 2^nd 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).