Kumbakonam Railway Station Veg Food Stall

Round the clock friendly service 

Idly, Poori and Dosai is available on Platform 1 till after 1am, and Hot Pongal - Vadai and 'Kumbakonam Special' Coffee for the early morning Chendur and Uzhavan Express Passengers

The light vegetarian stall on Platform 1 at the Kumbakonam Railway station has a unique feature. It is about the only shop in a station in Tamil Nadu that is open round the clock, almost. And easily it has got one of the most friendly staffers.

For the early morning Tiruchendur Madras Express and Uzhavan Express, the stall offers hot Idly and Pongal with Chutney and Sambar. A few hours later for the Chozhan Express, the stall is fresh with Lemon Rice, Sambar Rice and Curd Rice. When the Jan Shatabdhi arrives just after 3pm from Mayiladuthurai, the light Veg refreshement stall run by Raman is back with Poori, Idly and Dosai. 

Late Night Hot Dosai

And for the night trains starting Mayiladuthurai Mysore Express and running through till 1am after the arrival of Rameswaram Madras Express, a hot idly is always on offer. Plain Dosai is made hot and fresh right in front of the Passenger’s nose through the evening.

The Kumbakonam famous coffee is a big hit through the day and night with the passengers.

The service is always with a smile. Never in a decade has the staff refused change when a big currency has been handed to them. Hygiene is also maintained well. All the items are reasonably priced with three idlies costing Rs. 20 and a Plain Dosai Rs. 15.

Pasupathi Koil Kettai Temple

Kettai Star Parikara Sthalam

77 year old Vijayaraghavan Archakar has helped transform the once dilapidated temple at the Periya Nambi Thiruvarasu into a vibrant one with devotees thronging in thousands on Margazhi Kettai 

In the 1980s, the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Pasupathi Koil, the location of Periya Nambi Acharya’s Thiruvarasu was in a dilapidated state. The Thayar Sannidhi had sunk beneath. There were no devotees at the temple. Traditional residents at nearby Ayyampettai had left seeking greener pastures in cities and the vibrant Vaishnavite Agraharam had become a thing of the past. Samprokshanam had not been performed for several decades. The outer walls had broken off. The Moolavar idol was alone intact.

K. Vijayaraghavan, a resident of the Ayyampettai Agraharam, belonged to a Weaving family from the Pattu Saaliyar Community. His appa Krishnaswamy had been a weaver all his life. Vijayaraghavan was a devoted boy right from his childhood. He would present bhajans at the nearby Venkateswara Gana sabha. He was also part of the Ramayana drama that was presented in Ayyampettai. 

Takes over as archaka of a Dilapidated Temple

It was in the late 1980s that the community came together to restore the temple. Vijayaraghavan archakar recalls the first donation from Thiruvallikeni “Kuppu Ranga Das ran a Vessels shop in Thiruvallikeni and sent  Rs. 500 for the temple. That was the first step towards the restoration of the temple.”

Vijayaraghavan was appointed as the archaka in 1990 aged 46. However, with absolutely no income at the temple and with no devotees at that time, the Pattu Saliyar Community that managed the temple offered him no salary but said that he could take all the Thattu Kaasu that came his way “There was no Thattu Kaasu at all but it was a great blessing to be serving the Lord at the Periya Nambi Thiruvarasu.”

For five years, he worked towards the development of the temple and a consecration was performed for possibly the first time in the 20th century.  The Thayar Sannidhi was restored. He recalls how the residents reacted to his taking over as the archaka “We did not have a child. Hence people would often comment that I could afford to perform archaka service at zero salary and without thattu kaasu. But I was committed to restoring the temple.”

He would perform morning Thiru Aradhanam and present Thaligai to Varadaraja Perumal. By 1995, he had shut down his weaving unit and has spent the last 25years dedicating himself fully to the Lord at Pasupathi Koil.

Being a temple at the Periya Nambi Thiruvarasu, he began to draw devotees on the occasion of Kettai Star. By the turn of the century, around 50 devotees began making their way to the temple on the Monthly Kettai Star. Also, every Saturday, he performed Thirumanjanam in the morning and distributed Puliyotharai to the devotees. 

With the initiatives from the devotees, new sannidhis for Anjaneya and Chakkarathazhvaar were constructed in the last decade. The outer wall that had fallen off had been reconstructed by the turn of the century. Having brought in more devotees to the temple, Vijayaraghavan Archakar introduced Hanuman Jayanthi, Ramanuja Jayanthi and Thirumanjanam every Shravanam.

The biggest turnaround he has initiated in the last three decades is the interest among on the Margazhi Kettai day every year, organizing celebrations in memory of Periya Nambi. This has caught on so well that a thousand devotees throng the temple every year on this day. Divya Prabhandham presentation by Bhagavathas, bhajans and Thaligai for the 1000 devotees is organised on this day. 

Transforms Temple in three decades

Similar to the Navagriha temple, the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Pasupathi Koil has grown in popularity as a Kettai Parikara Sthalam. The temple itself now wears a completely transformed look compared to what it was three decades ago. There is a breath of fresh air and a positive vibration has been created at the temple. From no aradhanam in the 1980s, he initiated a one-time pooja in the early 90s. Now he is present both in the morning and evening. Bhagavathas visit the temple on special occasions every month and recite the Divya Prabhandham. 

31 years after he took over as the archaka, the now 77year old Vijayaraghavan continues to serve without a salary depending solely on the Thattu Kaasu. Unmindful of the lack of income, he is happy and contented ‘I am happy that I have played a part in the transformation of this temple. Devotees come asking for Kettai Parikaram pooja and their lives have seen a positive change. That has given me the greatest satisfaction in these three decades.”

A Kettai Parikara Sthalam

In the 1980s, the descendants of Periya Nambi (Mannar Koil Periya Nambi Acharya) came here looking for the Thiruvarasu. In 30 years, this has become a popular destination for Kettai star devotees. And Vijayaraghavan archakar can take almost the entire credit for this transformation. With age catching up with him, he now has Narayanan Bhattar, aged 59, as an assistant, so he can take over from him at some point in the future.

Vijayaraghavan archakar is now happily looking forward to this Saturday when he expects 1000s of devotees from across the state and outside to visit the temple on the occasion of Margazhi Kettai when the temple will be open through the day. Devotees also visit the temple after the Garuda Sevai darshan  at Thiru Mandangudi (Thondarapodi Avathara Utsavam) on Margazhi Kettai. The annual Kettai utsavam will be celebrated this Saturday (Jan 1).

Pasupathi Koil is 10kms East of Thanjai Maa Mani Koil Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/08/thanjai-maa-mani-divya-desam.html) and South of Kapisthalam Divya Desam (Kapisthalam Seshadri Bhattar).

Vijayaraghavan Archakar can be contacted on 88707 48606

Sarangapani Koil Thirumangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal

In Recognition of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's Contribution to Thiru Kudanthai

The Final Day of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam saw the enactment of Thirumangai Azhvaar falling at the feet of Lord Sarangapani in Total Surrender

In the early days, Vedic Recital was a prominent feature in the month of Margazhi. It was Thirumangai Azhvaar who wanted the Utsavam to be a Tamil Divya Prabhandham festival as against just the Vedic recital that existed before his time. The 10-day ‘Era Pathu' Festival called ‘Thiruvoimozhi Thirunaal' was specially created for the Lord to listen to the beautiful compositions of Nam Azhvaar and thus began the 10 day Divya Prabhandham Adyayana Utsavam. The first ten days of the Adyayana Utsavam -Pagal Pathu - was added later when Nathamuni wanted to create a festival for Thiru Mangai Azhvaar to recognise his contribution to the Divya Prabhandham.  

Thirumangai Azhvaar had a special liking for Thiru Kudanthai and he went on to present a separate Prabhandham on this location. In Thiru- Ezhu- Kootriru-Kai, he created a 7 tiered structure in the form of a chariot where one could arrange the contents of the composition in line with this structure. In this composition, he praises the many great qualities of the Lord from his various Avataras. Thiru Mangai Azhvaar provides a beautiful description of the Lord mounted on the Garuda to save the elephant.  He praises the Lord as being so powerful that when he rode on the ‘Beautiful Feathered'’ Garuda to save the Elephant Gajendra.

நால் திசை நடுங்க  அம் சிறைப் பறவை ஏறி

நால் வாய் மும் மதத்து இரு செவி

ஒரு தனி  வேழத்து அரந்தையை

ஒரு நாள் இரு நீர்மடுவுள் தீர்த்தனை

In the last ten lines of this pictorial composition, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar specifically showers praise on Lord Aravamudhan of Thiru Kudanthai. He gives us a glimpse of what Kudanthai looked like during his time. Referring to the reclining posture of the Lord, he says that the temple was surrounded by huge flower groves that seemed to give out nectar. There were betel creepers that seemed to produce a special fragrance through the year, thanks largely to being watered by the sacred Cauvery. Also the lands in Thiru Kudanthai were fertile with greenery all around. He praises Thiru Kudanthai as a place that had high mansions and it looked as though they were touching the moon.The entire place was filled with Vedic Seers and recital of Vedas was a regular feature here. It seemed to have a reverberating positive effect on the people.

குன்றா மது மலர்ச் சோலை வண்கொடிப் படப்பை

வரு புனல் பொன்னி மா மணி அலைக்கும்

செந்நெல் ஒண்  கழனித் திகழ் வனம் உடுத்த

கற்போர் புரிசைக் கனக மாளிகை

நிமிர் கொடி விசும்பில் இளம் பிறை துவக்கும்

செல்வம் மல்கு தென் திருக்குடந்தை

அந்தணர் மந்திர மொழியுடன் வணங்க

Recognising Thirumangai Azhvaar's Contribution

In recognition of Thirumangai Azhvaar’s contribution to this Divya Desam, a special one of its kind event takes place on the tenth and final day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam at the Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai. The Utsavam that begins every year on the first day of Margazhi runs for 22 days with the flag hoisting for the Thai utsavam on the last day (Jan7, 2022). On Saturday (Dec 25), the Utsava Deity, Sarangapani, decked in a beautiful light blue vastram was at the 100 pillared Mandapam by 1pm along with all the Azhvaars and Acharyas. The entire Mandapam had been beautifully decorated. There were a few local residents who sat by to the listen to the final cantos of Thirumozhi. 

By 1.30pm, the Prabhandham members were ready to begin the 9th Canto of Periya Thirumozhi verse on Thiru Kannangudi. With the Vedantha Desikar temple in Mylapore (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/01/vedantha-desikar-srinivasa-perumal.html) seeing a ‘silent’ period this month and with this special event falling on a Saturday this year, many members of the Prabhandham team from Mylapore made their way to the Sarangapani temple for the Pagal Pathu Satru Murai and the presentation of Thirumangai Azhvaar's verses. There were also many service personnel who had turned up on this day to help out with the grand celebration that was to take place over the next 9hours.

Unlike most other Divya Desams, a feature at the Sarangapani Koil has been the very slow presentation of the Divya Prabhandham during the Adyayana Utsavam. On each of the days of Thirumangai Azhvaar’s Periya Thirumozhi (day 6 to 10 of the Pagal Pathu utsavam) presentation, the Prabhandham members led by Patrachar recited each Canto over a 90 minute period and the final day was no different. 

Thirumangai Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal

Having started at 1.30pm on this Saturday afternoon with the presentation of the 9th, 10th and 11th Cantos of Thirumozhi, the clock had ticked almost to 6pm when the Prabhandham members began the Satru Murai verses of Periya Thirumozhi. The crowd had swelled to over a hundred to witness this grand celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar falling at the feet of Sarangapani.

In conclusion in his 47 line Prabhandham on Thiru Kudanthai, Thirumangai Azhvaar invokes the blessings of Lord Aravamuthan to get rid of his past karmas and to bring an end to his worldly life and praises the Lord as the only one who can do this. He asks for permission to perform daily service to the Lord here at Thiru Kudanthai.  

நின்  அடி இணை பணிவன்

வரும் இடர் அகல மாற்றோ வினையே

Even as the members began the slow rendition of the final decad of Thirumozhi verses, Thirumangai Azhvaar made a slow walk towards Lord Sarangapani at the 100 Pillared Mandapam and much like popular Nam Azhvaar Moksham in Srirangam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/12/nammazhvaar-moksham-in-srirangam.html), Thirumangai Azhvaar, in a devotional moment, fell at the feet of Sarangapani in absolute surrender to the Lord. Chakravarthy Bhattar presented the Thiru Aradhanam and a Parivattam to Thiru Mangai Azhvaar.

                  

The Pagal Pathu Utsavam came to an end with the presentation of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Thiru Kurungthandagam and Thiru Nedunthandagam. As is now the trend in most temples, the devotee crowd more than doubled by 830pm when it was time for the presentation of Thaligai.

Sarangapani heads back at 10pm after a long day

It had been a day of great celebration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on this 10th and final day of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam at the Sarangapani Koil. While most of the Mylapore Prabhandham members had left for the day, Prasanna (popularly referred to as ‘Dollar’), for whom this is a favourite temple, stayed back for the return trip at 10pm of Sarangapani (after all the Azhvaars and Acharyas had made their way to their respective Sannidhhis) to the Moolasthanam donning the role this time of the drum beater watched by a few local devotees late on Saturday evening.

It had been a long Saturday for the priests at the temple with the day having started for them with Margazhi morning sevai at 5am. Soundararajan Bhattar (Thiru Kudanthai) was the lone man at the Komalavalli Thayar Sannidhi waiting for Lord Sarangapani to return to his abode with Naana Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/02/sarangapani-koil-naana-bhattar.html) leading the way from the 100 Pillared Mandapam.

The Era Pathu Utsavam commences on Sunday evening at 7.30pm with Nam Azhvaar Thiruvadi Thozhuthal event enacted on the fifth day of the utsavam (Dec 30). 

Thenthiruperai Ananthu Bhattar

In Silent Service of Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan

He joined the Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam in Puratasi 1999 at a monthly salary of Rs. 200. 22 years later, he gets Rs. 950 with his salary having remained static at this level for 16years

As known to the regulars at the Nava Tirupathi temples, Ananthu Bhattar has not raised the issue of his financial challenges with the HR & CE, TVS’ Chairman Venu Srinivasan or with any devotee in the last two decades

Hailing from the Tiruvoimozhi Pillai clan, 47 year old Thiru Venkatam (Ananthu) Bhattar is acknowledged widely across the Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam as the most sincere and devotionally committed priest in that region. After 22 years of archaka service at this renowned Divya Desam, he still has not got an official posting with the HR &CE and his life as an archaka has been hanging in the balance for over two decades. Many service personnel have come after him in Nava Tirupathi at a much higher remuneration but this priest has remained a 'Silent Archaka' focusing on performing his duty and leaving the rest to Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathar.

வெள்ளைச் சூரி சங்கொடு ஆழி ஏந்தி 

தாமரைக்கு கண்ணன் என் நெஞ்சினூடே 

புன்னைக் காடாகின்ற ஆற்றைக் காணீர் 

என் சொல்லிச் சொல்லுகேன் அன்னைமீர்காள் 

வெள்ளச் சுகம் அவன் வீற்றிருந்த 

வேத ஒலியும் விழா ஒலியும் 

பிள்ளைக குழா விளையாட்டு ஒலியும் ஆறாத் 

திருப்பேரெயில் சேர்வான் நானே 

The Lord (Makara Nedun Kuzhai Kaathan) who is seen with a crown, conch and discus was so happy on hearing about the happy and playful state of the children that he asked Garuda to move to his left so he could watch their games. To this day, Garuda is seen away from the line of the Lord, a unique feature of this Divya Desam.

Well Versed in the Agamas

As a youngster, he had been initiated into the daily Thiru Aradhanam process by Periya Thiruvadi Bhattar of Srivaikuntam Divya Desam (Kallarpiran Temple). In the 1990s, he learned the Pancharatra Agama for four years from Varada Ramanujam, Retired Principal of Tirupathi Patshala. He came back from Tirupathi to his native Azhvaar Tirunagari and served as a Paricharaka for three months at Sri Vaikuntam Kallarpiran Divya Desam. 

Joins Thenthiruperai at Rs. 200!!!

He was to be appointed as the Archaka at Kallarpiran temple in Srivaikuntam when almost on the eve of his appointment, the archaka at Thenthiruperai quit and he was asked to take charge at Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan Divya Desam on the first day of Puratasi in 1999 at a monthly salary of Rs. 200. 

He performed 15days archaka service at the Moolavar Sannidhi while for rest of the month, he performed Thiru Aradhanam at the Thaayar Sannidhi. In 2002, the other archaka (Raja Mannar Bhattar) at the temple quit and Ananthu Bhattar was left all alone to serve at the Divya Desam including taking care of all the utsavams through the year.

Salary remains static at 944 for 16years!!!

Six years after he joined Thenthiruperai, his monthly salary was increased to Rs. 950 in 2005. His wedding took place three years later in 2008 and he now has two school going daughters. However, for the last 16 years, the salary has remained static at that same level, quite unthinkable in any other service.

Margazhi in Thenthiruperai

Margazhi was a special month for the residents of Thenthiruperai. On each of the 10 first days of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam, the Lord would go to the Thayar Sannidhi in the South and a parvam (phase of life) of the Lord would be narrated as a tale through the pillai songs of Periyazhvaar.

On the 2nd set of 10 days, the Lord would go the Thayar Sannidhi in the North (Thiruperai Nachiyar).

Silent Service has been his way of life

As is known to anyone who has visited Nava Tirupathi, he has not raised a word on this issue in these two decades including to the TVS officials, who have been paying Sambhavanai to the service personnel of all the temples in the region. Unlike many priests of Divya Desams in the Chozha region, Ananthu Bhattar has also not pursued activities such as temple consecration events that would been a source for some additional income and has instead stuck to archaka service at the Divya Desam. In the two decades of his service, he has rarely gone outside the Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam either to support utsavams in other temples or even on personal visits to temples, such has been his devotional commitment to Lord Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan. His long standing devotional dream has been to visit Badri Divya Desam but his life has been such that he has not been able to make time for his devotional endeavour. He is hoping that one day in his life he would be able to visit the historical Divya Desams including Naimisaranyam.

Over the last two decades, he has also performed Kainkaryam during utsavams in Vaitha Maa Nidhi Divya Desam in Thiru Kolur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/09/thiru-kolur-vaitha-maa-nidhi-perumal.html) and at Periya Nambi (Periya Nambi Mannar Koil) and Koorathazhvaan Sannidhis in Azhvaar Tirunagari but each of these as a non financial service. His services are also sought at Thiru Venkatamudayan Sannidhi (a private temple run by Tiruvoimozhi Pillai clan) in Azhvaar Tirunagari where too he performs Kainkaryam without any financial returns.

TVS  presented him with a monthly Sambhavani of Rs. 2000 in 1999 which was increased to Rs. 3000 in 2007.

Anchoring the Big Utsavams

Over the last two decades, he has been the one who has anchored the annual Brahmotsavam as well as all the major Utsavams at the Thenthiruperai Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/09/thenthiruperai-divya-desam.html). During the Brahmotsavam, since he is also the alankaram specialist, he has stayed back late into the night after the evening procession for the next morning’s vahana procession alankaram. It is known to most in this temple town that he does not return home in the nights to Azhvaar Tirunagari during the period of the Brahmotsavam.

Last decade, he had Krishnaswamy Bhattar (AK), who joined the Divya Desam after retirement from his corporate service, for support. In the last month or so, AK too has returned to Kanchipuram after facing health challenges during the Pandemic. In the last couple of years, he has been joined by the young Venkata Srinivasan (Rahul) Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/10/thenthiruperai-rahul-bhattar.html), whom he has been mentoring at this Divya Desam. 

It is unlikely that a corporate staffer at any level would remain silent if his salary remained static for 16years and also if he did not receive a confirmation of his posting after two decades of every day service. But Ananthu Bhattar is one of a kind Bhattar. He has not raised the financial issue with the HR & CE, TVS’ Chairman Venu Srinivasan or with any devotee in the last two decades. He has accepted life’s offerings and performed archaka service as best as he could at this Divya Desam. 

Government Rules - For its workers

Those that have served a HR & CE temple for over 5 years have to get a confirmation and a Government posting as per the rules. Many EOs have come and gone in the last 22 years but not one has been able to get Ananthu Bhattar a confirmation of his job and he continues to serve almost as a temporary staffer without the Government staffer benefits. Whenever he gets (if he ever gets) the confirmation order as the official archaka of Thenthiruperai Divya Desam, one wonders if the 22 years (and more) of service will be taken into consideration for Pension and other benefits that accrue to a Government staffer for he has officially served at this Divya Desam since 1999.

Venu Srinivasan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/07/venu-srinivasan-historical-temples.html) has made many trips in the last two decades to the Nava Tirupathi temples and there have been several archakas and service personnel who have placed requests before him that have been acceded to but not once has Ananthu Bhattar brought his precarious financial situation before the man who restored the entire Nava Tirupathi Divya Desams in the second half of the 1990s. And thus it has largely remained unattended to.

Firm Faith in the Doctrine of Bhagavad Gita

This writer has known Ananthu Bhattar for over 20 years and during this long period he has rarely spoken about the financial challenges in his life or the issues at the Divya Desam. When he came back from his agama initiation in the late 1990s, he had an option to go to Thiru Mogur Kaalamegha Perumal Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/07/thiru-mogur-kalamegha-perumal.html) where his cousins were performing service but decided to stick to his home town of Azhvaar Tirunagari and headed back to Nava Tirupathi soon after his agama initiation at Tirumala. When the opportunity came to perform archaka service at Thenthiruperai, he had no second thoughts even though it came at a monthly salary of Rs. 200!!! If ever there is to an example in TN Divya Desams of ‘Serving in Silence’, Ananthu Bhattar would fit that bill.  

Placing Utmost faith in Thenthiruperai Lord

His wife of the last 13years has been supportive playing a role of mental strength in the background. She too has placed her entire faith in Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan. It has been a long wait for the archaka service confirmation order from the HR & CE and for several years he has lived in the hope that the coming year would be the one when he gets that order from the HR &CE. But that has remained elusive todate. As another calendar year turns around, Ananthu Bhattar lives to serve another year with that same hope. It’s likely that one day the Lord of Thenthiruperai Divya Desam will open his eyes and shower his ‘financial’ blessing on Ananthu Bhattar. Till then, he will continue to follow the doctrine prescribed by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita of ‘Do your work as sincerely as possible without expecting results’.

Ananthu Bhattar can be reached on 96889 51429/ 93605 53489

Kapali Temple Aruthra Utsavam

Saturday evening marked the First Big Street Procession in the city in 9months

On the eve of the Aruthra Utsavam, the Pancha Moorthy Procession on the four Mada Streets around the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore delights devotees

This could pave the way for the resumption of street processions in other temples 

It’s just past 7pm on Saturday (Dec 18) evening. Othuvar Sathgurunathar, with Othuvar Vageesan by his side, is all set to present each of the verses of Manickavachakar’s Thiruvembavai on the third and concluding day of the Oonjal Utsavam in front of the Navarathri Mandapam at the Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple. 

It is a fairly sizeable crowd that has gathered either side of Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal to listen to Othuvar’s devotional presentation of Pon Oosal verses of Manickavachakar’s praise of Utharakosamangai, a Paadal Petra Sthalam near Ramanathapuram.

The First Big Street Procession in Madras since March

Over an hour later, it’s time for the Pancha Moorthy Procession on the eve of the Aruthra Utsavam at the Kapaleesawarar temple. Very few devotees are aware that this will be a procession around the four Mada Streets for the temple authorities had not let this news out. The permission from the Corporation had been secured by them and it is a very big moment for it is the first big Temple street procession in the city in nine months. Restrictions had been placed on street processions in the state since the breakout of the second wave of Covid 19.

The conches blow, the beating of the drums leads the procession and as is the norm these days, the cell phones rise high above the head to capture the deities. 

A Sacred Moment at the Raja Gopuram

The Deepa Aradhanai at the Raja Gopuram is a sacred moment and the hundred odd devotees who have gathered there are all excited as the Lord turned towards the 16 Pillar Mandapam. Since March this year, it had only been processions inside the temple. More devotees join in to watch the snake dance presentation by the Sri Patham in front of the Raja Gopuram. A devotee enquires as to why he had not been alerted earlier regarding the street procession.

The shop owners on the East Mada Street are all delighted to welcome Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal at their door step. Devotees who are shopping at the South Mada Street are quite surprised to see a procession of Lord and Ambal, for no one has been a witness to a temple street procession for a major part of this year. They are even more surprised to hear that this is part of the Aruthra Utsavam celebrations for they are of the view that Margazhi Thiruvathirai falls on Monday with the celebration at the Chidambaram Sabha Nayakar temple slated for that day. She is told that it is a day earlier at the Kapali temple as was also seen with the opening day of Margazhi which was celebrated on Dec 15.

It is a fairly quick procession around the four streets and the deities are back at the 16 pillar mandapam in an hour. The Sripatham perform another dance in front of the Pillayar Sannidhi following the presentation of Neivedyam. 

Nataraja and Sivakami to the Thiru Kalyana Mandapam

None of the regulars leave the temple for it is just the start of the night long celebration.  Shortly after 10pm, the Pancha Moorthy idols are back and once the Artha Jaama Pooja is done with at the Swami Sannidhi, it is time for Nataraja and Sivakami to make their way to the Thiru Kalyana Mandapam at the East end of the temple.

An enjoyable late evening procession

It is a slow paced and beautiful step by step half hour procession inside the temple with Nataraja showcasing to the devotees his dancing skills to the tune of the music that is being played out. There are at least a hundred devotees in front of the Saneeswarar Sannidhi watching another presentation of the Snake dance. It is well past 10.30pm when Sivakami, followed by Nataraja enter the Thiru Kalyana Mandapam with hereditary priest Balaji Gurukal welcoming the couple for the Alankaram ahead of the midnight Abhisekam.

It had been a devotionally exciting four hours at the Kapaleeswarar temple and the Pancha Moorthy Procession on the four Mada Streets has given the devotees in the city the hope that this will be start of resumption of street processions in all temples in the city.

Aruthra Sunday Morning Procession

After the mid night Abhisekam and the early morning Deepa Aradhanai, Nataraja, with a grand large flower garland and Sivakami went on a procession, anchored by Kapali Vaidhyanathan Gurukal, around the Mada Streets starting at 9am on Sunday (Dec 19) morning. Through the procession, devotees presented large garlands to Nataraja. 

Sunday Morning Nataraja and Sivakami- Kapali Temple

Following the Saturday evening Pancha Moorthy Procession at the Kapaleeswarar temple, Nataraja and Sivakami of Velleeswarar temple too went on on a procession on Sunday morning around the Mada Streets. At the Theradi on East Mada Street, both the Natarajas and Sivakamis, of Kapaleeswarar Temple and Velleeswarar temple met on Sunday morning!!!

It is the return of street processions in the city.

Mangai Nallur Temple Priest Veda Narayanan

The Priest has been serving at the ancient HR & CE temple for the last 35years – Currently at a Monthly Salary of Rs. 800

He has been planting two saplings everyday for the last three decades 

In 1985, Veda Narayanan was just 13years old and studying in his home town in Thiru Indhalur, a Divya Desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi (Indhalur). His appa Krishnaswamy Iyengar used to recite Divya Prabhandham at this temple. It was a time when the centuries old Varadaraja Perumal temple in Mel Mangai Nallur, a town about 5kms West of Sirupuliyur Divya Desam(Sirupuliyur Srikanthan) and 7kms East of Therazhundur Divya Desam was without a priest. His grandfather and grand uncle had been associated with the Aamaruviappan temple in Therazhundur Divya Desam and were also taking care of the temple in Mel Mangai Nallur. 

They wanted the next gen to take over and along with the Pannayaar Maami, a long time resident of the agraharam, convinced Veda Narayanan, who was still a teenager and brought him from Thiru Indhalur to Mel Mangai Nallur to perform archaka service at this temple. Since then, for the last 35 years Veda Narayanan has been performing service at the HR & CE administered Varadaraja Perumal temple except for a brief phase when Sridhar Dikshithar (father of Prasanna Dikshithar of Mannargudi) took him to the Balaji Temple in Banaswadi for service there (Veda Narayanan had been married into a Mannargudi Dikshithar family).

He learned the basic lessons for archaka service from Kannan Bhattar (father of Vasan Bhattar) of Therazhundur Divya Desam. But he did not go deep into the agamas and restricted himself to a simple archaka work model.

Serving at a Monthly Salary of Rs. 800 

For the last couple of decades, he has been performing service at this HR & CE administered temple at a monthly salary in the hundreds, with his latest salary being at Rs. 800. In the 20th Century, the income that was generated from the One Veli land that belonged to the temple and paddy from the harvest used to be handed to the priest for the temple expenses as well as his salary. But that was a story from decades ago. No more does any income accrue from the temple land. Only a big notice remains at the temple with a direction to the tenants to pay up the dues from the land.

No Processions

Street Processions or even inside processions have not taken place at the temple in decades for the utsava idol has been kept in safe custody at the Veeratana Kshetram of Vazhuvur. 

Like Vasan Bhattar of Therazhundur Divya Desam (Therazhundur Vasan Bhattar) did many years ago, Veda Narayanan Bhattar too pays the electricity bill at the temple!!!

A Special Feature - Presence of Vibheeshna

The presence of an idol for Vibheeshana at the Rama Sannidhi is particularly satisfying for Veda Narayanan Bhattar. There are only a few temples with Moolavar Idols of Vibheeshana including one in the nearby Thiru Kannapuram Divya Desam. “You do not find idols of Vibheeshana in most temples. To be performing pooja for him is a blessed feeling” says Veda Narayanan Bhattar.

As with many other priests in remote temples in Tamil Nadu, including as seen recently with Sowri Rajan Bhattar at Pinna Vasal (Ayyur Temple), Veda Narayanan too began performing pooja in nearby temples for additional income. 

Service at multiple village temples

He also goes on a two wheeler to the privately managed Veda Narayanan temple in Kappur on the banks of Veera Chozhan River. His appa had performed kainkaryam at this temple “I was born at Kappur and hence was named after the Lord there as Veda Narayanan.”

In addition, he has also been performing Thiru Aradhanam at the Lakshmi Narayanan Sannidhi in Velakudi (2kms from Manga Nallur) and Rajagopalan Perumal Temple in Komal, a temple visited by renowned Upanyasakar Krishnapremi and referred to as Ashta Gopala Puram in the centuries gone by. This is also the Abhimana Perumal for Therazhundur Aamaruviappan Divya Desam. The Moolavar at the Komal Perumal Temple too is Varadarajar.

Hastham Parikaram Temple, Komal

The nearby Shiva (Annapoorani) temple in Komal is seen as a Parikara Sthalam for devotees with Hastham star and hence this temple attracts those with Hastham star. The temple was also visited by High Court judge Indira Banerjee (Hastham star).

Over the last ten years, he has been performing daily pooja at the Chozha Period Ulagandha Easwaran temple, another HR & CE temple located a few 100 yards from the Varadaraja Perumal temple. Both these temples are said to date back to the Chozha Period going by the Karungal Constructions. There are also several historical inscriptions at the temple.

It is really the contribution from the agraharam residents in Mel Mangai Nallur and the trust relating to the Komal temple that have helped him financially with their Sambhavanai being  significantly higher than that paid by the HR & CE. 

His brother Sri Rangan has been performing Thiru Aradhanam at the Nara Narayanan Perumal temple at Thiru Nallar. A few years ago, he initiated his son into the Vedas by sending him to the Patshala in Thiru Nangur. He is hopeful that once he graduates from the Patshala he will be able to remain financially independent. Interestingly, against the current trend, he has just finalized for his daughter a groom who is into temple service “My daughter has agreed to marry one who is associated with temples and I am happy about that”, he told this writer this week.

Without any publicity, he has been planting two saplings everyday for the last three decades in a street in TN, depending on where he is on that particular day. Many of the trees that one sees today on the Mayiladuthurai Thiruvarur highway are those planted by him three decades ago. He himself waters those plants till they grow up.

A Contented Lifestyle

Veda Narayanan Bhattar says that despite all the financial challenges, he has no complaints in life. He has lived a contented life serving at the feet of the Lord for the last 35years. He visits multiple village temples each day of the year. In Margazhi, he starts very early and goes around from temple to temple to light the lamp and present the early morning Thaligai. The Consecration of the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Mangai Nallur took place in 2016 but his salary has remained static in three digits. He is unfazed by the financial challenges that he has seen in his life. ‘I have been blessed to perform archaka service. That is what has given me the biggest satisfaction” says Veda Narayanan Bhattar.

How does a Village Priest in an ancient temple live a family life with an official salary of Rs. 800 and minimal thattu kaasu. Veda Narayanan Bhattar has showed the way to devotional commitment in the last 35years. Truly a Committed and Devoted Village Priest.

Veda Narayanan Bhattar can be reached on 94440 19031.

Othuvar Tiruttani Swaminathan

His great interest in the Sacred Verses of the Saivite Saint Poets from his teenage years has led him to sing 'Thevaram' for the last six decades

Thiruvachakam remains one of his favourites

As a young boy, Swaminathan (he belonged to a Vaishnavite family and his original name was Sarangapani), who hailed from Alathur Village in Thiru Karugavur, was a big Perumal devotee of the temple in Papanasam. It delighted his appa Nagarathinam, a farmer in the village, that his son was blessed with devotion even as early as when he was 7years old and he was keen to explore and progress the devotional intent of his son. He saw in his son something that was special and a life attached to God. 

When Madurai Somu (his father in law belonged to Thiru Karugavur) came to the Papanasam temple for the Aadi Ubayam and presented nonstop Kutcheri through the night,  Swaminathan's appa took the young boy to the music legend and expressed the state of mind of the boy. 

Swaminathan, now 76, recalls the moment from that night in 1954 “It was late into the night. Madurai Somu had sung and enthralled the audience till 3am.As I stood before him, he asked me to sing a few lines. At that time, ‘Sinthanai Sei Manamey’ was my favourite and I presented that. He immediately told my appa that I had a great voice as well as devotion and asked him to initiate me into a voice related activity.”

And that’s how his appa put him into the Thiru Kadavur Patshala where he learned the Thevaram Verses for five years. Following this, he went to the Dharmapuram Atheenam and was initiated there for another two years. He says he has the greatest respect for his teacher Dharmapuram Swaminathan from whom he learned a great deal about the Thevaram Verses.

All his interest lay in the Thevaram Verses

Even as a teenager he had transformed himself from being a normal academics student to one with a great interest in Thevaram songs. And thus at the Dharmapuram Atheenam, he converted himself to a Saivite and changed his name from Sarangapani to Swaminathan. For the last six decades, his life has been all about Thevaram songs.

At the age of 17, he joined the Kunrakudi Devakottai Atheenam as an Othuvar at a salary of Rs. 75. A few years later, he moved to Thirumangalam near Lalgudi and joined there as Othuvar at a salary of Rs. 125 and 2 Kalam Paddy.

The Brand 'Tiruttani Swaminathan'

The biggest turnaround in his life happened in 1975. When the HR & CE called for an Othuvar for the Tiruttani temple, he applied and with his experience of over a dozen years, he was found to be suited for the post. He served there for 26years and with that came the brand tag of ‘Tiruttani Othuvar Swaminathan’ at a salary of Rs. 750. “I have been financially self sufficient but all my life I have seen Othuvar as a service singing praise of God and out of my interest in singing these devotional verses of the Saint Poets. And it has been rewarding in every way.”

“HR &CE Commissioner Uthanda Ramar, IAS, encouraged Thevaram songs in temples in the 1950s. That was a boost to the Othuvars” he recalls the promotion of the sacred verses in an important phase in his life.

During this period, he travelled around the world on invitation from temples in Malaysia (Navarathri), South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland and Sri Lanka. With the head of the Thirupananthal and Dharmapuram Atheenam, he also went overseas to present the Thevaram verses. 

He has bagged several coveted awards in his lifetime including the Kalaimaamani, Thirumurai Kalanidhi and Pannisai Peraringnar as well as Thiru Murai Rathna in Malaysia. He has released 50 CDs on Thevaram verses. He has also presented the sacred verses in big Kumbabhisekams including in Palani, Tiruchendur and Madurai. He is also an ‘A’ grade with the AIR.

A big highlight of his life

One of the big moments of his life was when he was invited for the Appar Kailaya Katchi on the Aadi Amavasya day at the Thiruvayaru temple in the 1970s. For over four decades, he has been presenting the Thevaram verses at this temple on this day every year "I feel blessed to have sung the verses of Appar on this most sacred day at Thiruvayaru for such a long time." 

                                                     Appar

After his retirement from the Tiruttani temple, he joined VS Trust Patshala in Chidambaram as a teacher and rolled out students who are now in Swami Malai, Thiru Nallar and Thiruvotriyur. “It has been a great feeling to create the next generation of Othuvars. I have tried to pass on my knowledge to the youngsters and many of them have taken to it with great interest.” 

He teaches around 30 students at the Dharmapuram Atheenam Patshala where he has been for the last decade the greatness of the 63 Nayanmars, the legends of Paadal Petra Sthalams and the significance of Thevaram Songs in addition to helping them learn the sacred verses. 

“I was blessed with voice and devotion at a young age and the inspiration from Madurai Somu turned my life forever in the path of praising the Lord. And I have remained blessed throughout my life as I have been able to sing the verses for six decades without a break. Till my voice remains intact, I will continue to sing the sacred verses and initiate youngsters into this service.”

From the time he was 17, his life has centered around the Thevaram Verses, singing praise of the Lord each day of the year. Wherever there is a recital of the sacred verses, he stands by and listens to the presentation for that is what has given him the greatest satisfaction in life. At 76, he is now a frail figure and could have chosen to lead a quiet retired life. Instead, he has decided to continue to sing and teach the verses till the time his voice permits him to. And he continues to spend a lot of his time in creating the next generation of Othuvars. 

Sarangapani Koil Pagal Pathu Utsavam

Every year, Margazhi 1 marks the beginning of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai with Pallandu Thodakkam and the first two Cantos of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi taking place right in front of Lord Aaraavamudhan

This is a particularly special day in the year as all the Azhvaars and Acharyas make their way to the Thirumaamani Mandapam to position themselves in front of the Moolavar Lord  

                       Nam Azhvaar and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

It (Dec 16) is the first day of Margazhi and that is a special one at the seven Azhvaars praised Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai. Special not just because of the birth of the sacred month of Margazhi, but every year, day one of Margazhi marks the beginning of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam. It is a unique historical tradition  based on the Sri Prasanna Samaitham,. While most other temples follow Vaikunta Ekadasi as the primary date for the Adyayana Utsavam with 10 days prior being the Pagal Pathu Utsavam and the following 10 days being the Era Pathu Utsavam, at the Sarangapani Koil it has been a centuries old tradition to start the Pagal Pathu Utsavam on the first day of Margazhi based on the above Samitham. While almost all the temples have created a Paramapada Vaasal opening for the Vaikunta Ekadasi Utsavam in the recent century, there is no Paramapada Vaasal at the Sarangapani Koil and the temple’s speciality is marked by the entrance from the South and North, coinciding with the Dakshinaya Punya Kaalam and Utharaayina Punya Kaalam.

The Adhyayana Utsavam is a 22 day event at the Sarangapani Koil with the conclusion marked by the presentation of Desikar Prabhandham. This utsavam will be immediately followed by the Thai Brahmotsavam with Dwajarohanam on the 22nd day of Margazhi.

The 10 day Oonjal Utsavam, celebrated in the evening, had just concluded the previous day. Soundara Raja Bhattar is one of the well respected Bhattars in the region for he is well versed in the agamas having learned from the then revered Raghunatha Sharma in Thiru Kudanthai. The Bhattar has performed Thiru Aradhanam at this temple for over three decades counts. His father L Srinivasa Bhattachar (Chellappa) too had performed selfless service at this temple for almost three decades including through the Challenging decades of the 1960s and 70s without a salary before collapsing one day at the Chakrapani Sannidhi and meeting with an untimely death when Soundara Raja Bhattar was just 9 years old. 

He is up at 3.45am at the temple on Thursday morning for the Vishroopam on day one of Margazhi and his morning session extends right up  to well past 1pm. There is an Margazhi Upanyasam slated for the evening at the Andal Sannidhi and he readies the huge garland for the Saint Poet.

Back at the Aaraavamudhan Sannidhi, all the azhvaar and acharya idols are being brought from their respective Sannidhis at the Eastern Entrance of the temple all the way to the Thirumaamani Mandapam by the service personnel of the temple. Just on day one of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam, the Thodakkam of the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham takes place in front of the Aaravamudhan Moolavar Sannidhi while on the rest of the days of the Utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal makes his way to the 100 Pillared Mandapam at the Eastern Entrance to listen to the Prabhandham presentation.

Desikar Archakar as Paricharakar and Sri Patham!!!

It takes a lot of physical effort on the part of these limited service personnel of the temple to make almost 15trips back and forth to place the Azhvaars and Acharyas at their respective places at the Thirumaamani Mandapam. Starting at 11am, it is an exercise that takes well over an hour.  The temple is so short on service personnel that the recently appointed archaka of the Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi, Sudarshan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/09/sarangapani-koil-desikar-sannidhi-new.html), not only doubles up as the temple Paricharaka, but also performs the role of a Sri Patham on this day.

                          Vedantha Desikar

By 12.30pm, there is a certain vibrancy in front of the Aaravamudhan Sannidhi with devotees to the Sannidhi having a once in a year darshan of all the Azhvaars and Acharyas at this mandapam. It is also the only day when they can go around all the Azhvaars and Acharyas in a Pradakshinam at this Sannidhi.

It is past 1pm when Soundara Raja Bhattar is able to lock the Moolavar Sannidhi having arrived there over 9 hours earlier!!!

Selfless Service of the Lone Madapalli Cook

It is a very long day and probably one of the most tiring for the temple’s lone cook Sudarshan. Paid a meager monthly salary for his tireless service by the HR &CE, Madapalli Sudarshan has been up at 3am this morning for the early morning Thaligai. He doubles up as the Sri Patham to carry the Azhvaars and Acharyas from their Sannidhis to the Thirumaamani Mandapam. He leads the presentation of the Uchi Kaalam Thaligai. In between he is also seen cleaning all the sacred vessels all by himself. He also has to anchor the Thaligai for the Pagal Pathu Thodakkam that is slated for 3pm. He has very little rest on the day. 

Pagal Pathu Pallandu Thodakkam

Shortly after 2.45pm, the Prabhandham Scholars arrive one by one at the temple each one of them decked in a Panchakacham. Kumar Bhattachar, who is playing the anchor for the Pallandu Thodakkam reaches the Sannidhi at 3.30pm.  There are a few traditional ladies of Thiru Kudanthai Divya Desam who are there for this sacred moment.

Just around 4pm, Kumar Bhattachar presents the Shatari to each of the Azhvaars and Acharya and after the introduction of each of them by Patrachar of Thiru Kudanthai, he begins the recital of Pallandu along with around 15 Prabhandham members. 

Unlike most other occasions in the year, the Adhyayana Utsavam is marked by a presentation at a very steady pace. It takes over an hour to present the first hundred verses of the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham. Many outstation devotees who reach the temple at 5pm are in for a surprise for they are not aware of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam starting here on day one of Margazhi. They are delighted to have darshan of all the Azhvaars at this mandapam along with the darshan of Lord Aaravamudhan, seen in a Uthaana Sayana Kolam.

Krishna's Childhood activities - Neighbours/ Gopikas complain

It is 6.30pm when the second Canto of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi is nearing its completion with the members presenting in a slow and loud chorus the Vennai Vizhingi set of verses where child Krishna’s neighbours complain about his various misdeeds to his mother. Around a hundred devotees have congregated inside the Thirumaamani Mandapam(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/krishna-neighbours-complain.html). 

வெண்ணெய் விழுங்கி

வெறுங் களத்தை வெற்பிடை இட்டு  கேட்கும்.......

...... புண்ணில்  புளிப் பெய்தா லொக்கும் தீமை

It is a once in a life time opportunity for these outstation devotees to both have a darshan of all the Azhvaars at this mandapam as well as to listen to the devotional presentation of  Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi narrating Krishna’s childhood activities.

Satru Murai in front of 100s of devotees

15 minutes later, the scholars present each of the Vedas followed by the final decad of the Second Canto of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi. In the previous decad, the neighbours had complained about the misdeeds of Child Krishna. And now in this Satru Murai decad on the first evening of Pagal Pathu Utsavam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/krishna-gopis-complain.html), the members present the complaints of the Gopikas.

ஆற்றில் இருந்து விளையாடு வோங்களைச் சேற்றால் 

எறிந்து வளை  துகில் கைக் கொண்ட

Damodara Dikshithar's Presence on Pagal Pathu Evening

It is well past 7pm and it has been a highly devotional 3hours at the Thirumaamani Mandapam. Madapalli Sudarshan makes an announcement to the Prabhandham members to head to the madapalli for ‘Arisi Upma’ Thaligai. The day’s Ubayadharars have a special darshan at the Moolavar Sannidhi while the hundred odd devotees finally manage a darshan of Lord Aaravamudhan having enjoyed the final couple of decads of the Prabhandham over the previous hour. Damodara Dikshithar too makes his way to the Moolavar Sannidhi on this first evening of Pagal Pathu Utsavam and is welcomed by Soundararaja Bhattar with his differentiated and unique presentation of the archanai praising Lord Aaravamudhan. He explains to the Dikshithar the legend of the Lord and his special sleeping posture acceding to the request of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar. 

At 8pm, the Sri Patham Thangis, the service personnel at the temple, are back to carry all the Azhvaars and Acharyas back to their respective Sannidhis.The long day for Soundara Raja Bhattar ends shortly after 9pm with a visibly tired looking Madapalli Sudarshan, who has been working nonstop for over 15 hours, bringing in the Sayana Thaligai. Both of them sign off with the message that they will be back early morning for day two of Margazhi!!! 

The rest of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam will take place at the 100 Pillared Mandapam with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Thirvadi Thozhuthal slated for Saturday Dec 25 on the 10th day of the Utsavam.

When in Kumbakonam, visit these Divya Desams:

https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/06/divya-desams-around-kumbakonam.html

Aravoor Karkodakeswarar Temple

Sarpa Dosha Nivarthi

The Centuries old temple with brick constructed outer walls has been in a dilapidated state for a long time - Kumbabhisekam has not taken place in a century

The HR & CE, which is trying to force its way into the temple, has issued a show cause notice to the private trustees and has called for a meeting on Dec 14 to discuss the take over of the temple

In the first week of October this year, this section had featured a story on the dilapidated state of the HR &CE administered Varadaraja Perumal temple in Ayyur near Katchanam, Tiruvarur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/10/pinna-vaasal-sowri-rajan-bhattar.html).  This story is about a private trustee run temple in ruins. In the last couple of months, the Varadaraja Perumal temple has seen improvements with immediate action initiated by the HR & CE and devotees alike. 

The Mangalambika Samedha Karkodakeswarar temple in Aravoor, 4kms East of Nidamangalam has not seen a Kumbabhisekam over the last century, almost similar to the scenario that existed at the Ayyur temple. The private trustees, who were also Zamindars in Aravoor, have been managing the temple through the 20th Century. Over the last fortnight or so, the HR & CE has issued a show cause notice to the trustees and a meeting has been fixed for next Tuesday (Dec 14) at the temple where the JC is expected to have a discussion with the owners on the take over of the temple by the HR & CE.

The temple has centuries old inscriptions both at the Mangalambika and Swami Sannidhis. Thiru Gnana Sambandar is believed to have visited the temple on his way from Nidamangalam to Alangdi but did not sing a verse of praise on this Lord. 

Interestingly, there are also idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman inside this temple. Historically there seemed to have been a perumal temple as well in Aravoor as was the tradition in the centuries gone by but the dilapidated state of the perumal temple seems to have led the idols into the Karkodakeswarar temple. 

Sarpa Dosham Parikara Sthalam

Karkodakeswarar is East Facing while Mangalambika Sannidhi is South facing. There are also separate sannidhis for Pillayar and Murugar on the Western side of the temple. As the name of the Swamy suggests, this is a parikara sthalam for Sarpa Dosham. The village is named as Aravoor (aravam for snake in tamil).

There is a strong belief that sincere prayers at this temple will relieve one of Kaala Sarpa Dosham. There are devotees who visit the temple on Pradosham, Sangaabhisekams on Karthigai Mondays, Aipasi for Anna Abhisekam. On Fridays, devotees from the village come to light the lamp and on Pradosham evenings they turn up to watch the abhisekam. 

Owners of the Temple

The temple was owned by Rathna Sabhapathi Udayar and then passed on to his sons Ramalinga and Panchapakesan Udayar. From them, it has now passed on to their sons who are currently responsible for the upkeep of the temple. The forefathers of the current trustee had owned almost the entire village in the century gone by. They were not just owner of the temple but of the entire Aravoor Village, says Mayil Udayar Santhanam, whose team has taken up restoration work of several temples in the Nidamangalam region in the last many years.

Current State of the Temple

The temple is currently in a dilapidated state and has been in a neglected state for a while. The outer walls of the temple are in bad shape. There is no electricity inside the temple and hence it is a challenge to visit the temple after 6pm. The Vimanam of Ambal and Swami Sannidhis have had trees atop that only recently were cut. The Pillayar and Murugar Sannidhis on the Western side too are in a bad state. There are huge bushes across the prakara similar to the one seen at the HR &CE administered Ayyur Varadaraja Perumal temple  a couple of months back. The madapalli has been dysfunctional for decades and is in ruins now. The worst of the lot is the big tank at the East end with even the pathway to it being cut off with the presence of huge bushes. Thick shrubs, bushes and trees inside the temple puts safety of the priest at peril. Both inside the temple and near the tanks, there is the risk of snakes making this their home. Of course this is a temple relating to relief from Sarpa Dosham.The consecration of the temple has not taken place in a century.

          Madapalli in Ruins

Mayil Udayar Santhanam, who belongs to a team of Temple Service Personnel under the leadership of former Chief Election Commissioner Gopalswamy, has restored a 100 temples in the region and is currently pushing the owners to hand over the restoration exercise to his team. It was this team of service personnel that had supported and undertaken the renovation exercise at the Santhana Ramar temple in Nidamangalam where the consecration took place in 2006 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/12/nidamangalam-santhanaramar-temple.html).

  Mayil Udayar Santhanam

A devotee whose Kaala Sarpa Dosham was relieved after invoking the blessings of the Lord at this temple offered to take up the entire restoration exercise but Mayil Udayar Santhanam says that the owners did not agree to it. He says that HR &CE is now pushing hard to force the transfer of ownership from the private trustees. For the moment, the owners are hanging on. Santhanam feels that the temple is better off in private hands but is keen that the current trustees take up the immediate restoration for its been delayed for far too long.

Five Decades Serving Santhanam Gurukal

G Santhanam Gurukal is 68 years old and has been serving as an archaka at the temple for the last five decades. His father Ganesha Gurukal, who passed away in the late 1960s, had served at the temple for several decades and prior to that his grandfather as well. 

    G Santhanam Gurukal

Santhanam Gurukal, who hails from Aravoor, studied till class VI at the school in Nidamangalam. He then learned the temple related archaka work from his uncle and joined the temple in 1970. Santhanam Gurukal also performs archaka service at two other village temples – Mariamman temple in Kiliyur and Pillayar temple in Vadamangalam for some financial returns. His relatives have been asking him to move to the city but he says that if he was motivated financially, he would have made the move decades ago. He says he feels blessed to be handed the task of archaka service through his forefathers at this temple and he is keen to continue for as long as possible. 

Historically the priests were handed paddy for their service. About three decades ago, Santhanam Gurukal was handed over a large tract of land by the Trustees in lieu of the Paddy that his forefathers were given during their service. No more does he get Paddy for his monthly service. Thattu Kaasu is almost non-existent at the temple. He rides a TVS 50 to the other two temples for daily pooja. He and his wife live in a small self constructed house opposite the temple.

He says that there is a lot of investment that needs to be made for him to generate income from the farming land. “Without periodic investment, one cannot get returns.”

Mayil Udayar Santhanam has been talking to the owners regarding the restoration exercise but has not got positive feedback yet. He wonders as to why such an aristocratic family would not perform periodic Kumbabhisekams at the temple. Both the owner descendents confirmed to this writer that the HR&CE had indeed sent them a notice indicating its intention to take over the temple.

There are two big tasks on hand for the owners - One, they would have to organize, quickly, a restoration exercise and prevent further ruins. Two, they have to keep the HR & CE away from the temple. 

While the HR & CE take over is a real threat to this privately managed temple, Temple activist and President of the Temple Worshippers Society TR Ramesh had a question for the HR &CE officials “If the dilapidated state of the temple is the reason for the private trustees to be sent out of the temple, then should the HR & CE not get out of the Ayyur Varadaraja Perumal Temple (managed by the HR & CE) that too had been in a dilapidated state for decades. And several other HR & CE administered temples that are in a state of ruins.”

The meeting between the HR &CE and the Private Trustees on Tues Dec 14 will give an indication on the likely next steps at the temple. Either way, this temple requires an immediate restoration exercise and that cannot wait any longer.

Aravoor is four kms North East of Nidamangalam off the Tiruvarur highway. There are very limited buses to Aravoor and access to the temple is not easy. An auto from Nidamangalam costs Rs. 150.  One can call Santhanam Gurukal on @ 88705 60573 before visiting the temple.