Sundara Perumal Koil Papanasam Restoration

The temple is seen in a dilapidated state

No Full Time Priest, Restoration Efforts have hit a roadblock, All Utsavams have been stopped

Raja Gopuram sports a worn out look with the last renovation having taken place in 1939

The centuries old HR & CE administered Abhimana Sthalam at Sundara Perumal Koil, where Sundara Raja Perumal is seen in a handsome standing posture, has been in a discarded state for many years. Long time residents of the town who had seen Grand Utsavams in the decades gone by say that the last Samprokshanam was performed 80 years ago in 1939. 

Long Serving Priest

Sundararaja Bhattar had served at the temple as the priest for 50 years from the early 1960s. For decades, he was paid a salary of just Rs. 300 which at the time of his death in 2014 had gone up to Rs. 1200 per month. That salary too remained unpaid for several months on the grounds of lack of income from the temple. Sundararaja Bhattar served at the temple with great devotional commitment even in the decades when there was no power connection in his house and when Rs. 200 was deducted from his salary as house rent.

Once Vibrant Utsavams

In the decade that Sundararaja Bhattar joined the temple, the agraharam was vibrant. Festivals were a regular feature including Garuda Sevai on Tamil New Year’s day. 

There were also processions on the occasion of Krishna Jayanthi and on the Kanu day in Thai. 10 day Navarathri Festival too was celebrated in a grand way with Horse Vahana Procession on Vijayadasami. There was a four kalam pooja every day with sacred food presentations to the Lord that included Curd rice, Sundal and Sweet Pongal. In the outer prakara was a huge Nandavanam that was filled with different varieties of Jasmine trees. The Lord and Thayar were draped with beautiful garlands especially on festive occasions.

Current Scenario

Since the passing away of the long serving priest, the temple has seen a drastic deterioration with all the utsavams coming to a halt, with the utsava deities having been moved to ‘safe custody’ in Kumbakonam. Balalayam had been performed 7 years ago and repair works began. However, it came to an abrupt halt with only a couple of Vimanams and the outer walls being painted. The Raja Gopuram at the Eastern Entrance wears an old worn out look, having not been painted for 80 years. The Nandavanam that also had mango and coconut trees is almost non-existent now. 

With the salary being at an abysmally low level, the descendants of Sundararaja Bhattar were not keen on continuing the services at the temple. For the last seven years, Kalyanasundaram, a Saivite has been performing a onetime pooja every day initially starting off with a salary of just Rs. 1000 a month. This has since been increased to Rs. 1500. The security is paid a salary of just Rs. 900 per month. Asks Kalyanasundaram, “How can one run a family with a salary of just over Rs. 1000. Expenses are mounting but the salary is just too low for a priest here.” He comes once a day for about an hour or so. 

Madapalli Shut, No Theertham,Thaligai

There is darkness inside the temple with the old electrical wiring not having been upgraded for several decades. The Vahanas are in dilapidated condition and need to be repaired. For the last 7 years, there have not been any processions at the temple. The temple well is dirty and needs to be refurbished. With no water available at the temple, the madapalli has remained shut with the Lord not having been fed for many years. With the well in an unusable state, there is no ‘Theertham’ to perform the daily poojas. 

There are separate sannidhis for Soundara Valli Thaayar, Vishwaksena, Yoga Narasimha, Kannan, Anjaneya and Azhvaars at the temple.

It is hoped that the HR & CE will take immediate steps to restore the temple to its ancient glory. Devotees also hoping that the HR & CE will pay a fair salary in line to the priest and the security. A cook has to be appointed for the madapalli. Vahanams have to be repaired and the historical utsavams revived. But for this to happen the HR & CE has to take steps towards performing the Samprokshanam that has been pending for a long time.

How to reach

Sundara Perumal Koil is located 10kms West of Kumbakonam on the Thanjavur Highway near Papanasam. Buses between Kumbakonam and Thanjavur stop near the railway level crossing at Sundara Perumal Koil. Passenger Trains stop at Sundara Perumal Koil Railway Station. The temple is about half a km from the Railway station / Gate.

When here, visit Oothukadu Kalinga Narthana Perumal Temple (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/05/kalinga-narthana-temple-oothukadu.html) is just over 10kms from here.

The Scenario a few decades ago

Garuda Sevai on Tamil New Year

Horse Vahana on Vijayadasami

Grand Navarathri Utsavam

Daily Food presentations to the Lord

Restoration Needs

Repairs to the Vahanams

Introduce New Electrical System

Refurbish the Temple Well

Paint the Raja Gopuram

Recreate the Nandavanam by planting sacred saplings

Appoint Full time priest and cook at a fair salary
Bring the Utsava Idol back to the temple/ Revive the Utsavams