Kapali Theevatti PMO Consultant V Ramkumar

Mannargudi boy makes it to the PMO

From World Bank Consultant to Sanyasi and Torch Bearer at Kapali Temple, Ramkumar has now landed up a Consultancy Role with the PMO and is looking at complete transparency in the Temple Space through the eGovernance model

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Exactly a year ago, this section featured a story on former World Bank Consultant V Ramkumar, the man from Mannargudi, turning to a Sanyasi and dedicating himself to service at Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/07/kapali-v-ramkumar-world-bank-to-sanyasam.html). Starting with the Vasantha utsavam last year, he began to play the role of the torch bearer at processions carrying the Theevatti end to end. In the Panguni Utsavam this year, he was there every session most times leaving the temple after 1am and returning at 3.30am.

Hailing from Mannargudi, he has also been a big devotee of Rajagopalaswamy (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/09/mannargudi-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html?m=1). This section has featured has featured a few stories on Mannatgudi boys making it big in life. In cricket, R Madhavan was on the verge of playing for India in 1984 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/10/r-madhavan-tn-cricketer-1980s.html?m=1) while polio hit S Venkatesan made it to the Board of NBFC as the CFO of Sundaram Finance (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/09/venkatesan-s-sundaram-finance.html?m=1). But this one is the biggest. 

The Processional Torch Bearer

Come this Vasantha Utsavam, his 2nd as the Theevatti carrier for the entire utsavam, he received a surprise call that left him completely stunned. Right from his teenage days in Thillai Nagar, Tiruchirappalli, he had been associated with societal service working for the VHP. But this invitation was quite out of the blue though right from his childhood, his parents instilled in him the thought of protecting ‘Bharat’ and doing everything in one’s fold towards keeping up our traditions. His grandfather had been a freedom fighter and had walked along with Rajaji on the Salt Satyagraha.

eGov - Consultant to the PMO

He has just been appointed as the Consultant to the PMO to work on a prestigious project that is very close to the PM’s heart. Having taken to the Sanyasi path, he was hesitant to take this up and wondered if he would get entangled again in a World that he had proactively chosen to given up but he was talked into by the powers that be who convinced him that his would be a significant role in this project and an invaluable contribution to the Society. 

As early as 1988 when he was just into his mid-teens, he had begun collecting money – Rs. 1.25 from individuals for the Ram Janmabhoomi project and surprised everyone with the amount he managed to pool in a short period of time. He was an extrovert right from those days and extremely articulate in his communication.

‘Sanyasi’ Ramkumar will be working on ideating and implementing eGovernance on a large scale in the country. He sees a big transformation on this front in the coming years.

eGov Model a real Game Changer in the temple space

Clad in his now traditional Kaavi Veshti and sitting in front of three beautiful photo frames of his acharyas at his home in Rangarajapuram, Ramkumar told this writer that every citizen would be brought on record under the eGovernance model

He has already begun work on mapping assets relating to temples “60 years ago, the assets of our temples in TN was mind boggling. Do these feature on the temple websites. We have to look into the lost properties over the last three decades and get them back. Similarly the monuments within the temple have not been mapped. It is important to protect what is available today and for that to happen, the first step is map these assets. We also have to map every stone and pillar in our historical Palaces.”

Ramkumar is high on documentation and it was a role he specialized in at World Bank where his project reports comprised several hundreds of pages. In the coming months, one can expect a marked improvement in the eGovernance model in temples.

Another area of specializing is writing tender documents and he will working on these as well. 

Historical temples to come under ASI?

One of his thoughts is to bring the 100+ year old temples into archeology and he believes that we will not be far away from that. Of course, in the past, there have been issues relating to the staff strength at ASI and their ability to monitor a huge number of temples. 

Idols - From Icon Center back to Temples

One of the other goals that he has set for himself on the governance relating to temples is to track and record the idols and get them back into the temple complex “What are the idols doing in Museums and icon centers. They have to be provided adequate security at the temple”, he says.

He sees eGovernance playing a dominating role in the future “Every citizen will be watched from the richest to the poorest. We will soon be a beggar free Republic. The days of bad Governance will come down.”

Digi attendance model for Priests

Earlier this month, this section had featured a story on temples moving into digital attendance model for priests and service personnel (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/07/tn-temples-priest-selfie-photograph.html?m=1). This Facial Recognition System (FRS) too is part of the eGovernance model that is now being taken up aggressively. 

Having given up his corporate role and moved into the Sanyasi role over the last year or so, Ramkumar is now back into his much familiar Consultancy role. He is now spending at least six hours each day on the eGovernance work including video calls with the PMO. He has already made a couple of trips to Delhi for face to face discussions with the top officials at the PMO. 

Protecting our Sanathana Dharma through his Vedantha Classes

In line with his traditional outlook, he is now educating devotees worldwide on Vedantha, taking classes online. Of course, he continues to be the torch bearer at processions at the Kapaleeswarar temple in addition to initiating youngsters on the devotional path by presenting them with Saligramam stones, devotional books and Rudrakshams.

Ramkumar is a no nonsense man and usually goes the full hog to achieve his goals. It will be interesting to see how he progresses in his endeavor towards eGovernance of temples moving these institutions and the personnel there towards a state of complete transparency.

Tail Piece: A big surprise in the coming phase for temple priests could be a move towards digital payment of ‘Thattu Kaasu’ and if that happens it will be one of the biggest transformations in the temple space

Mannar Koil Salary Case Stayed Madurai High Court

Setback for Periya Nambi Narasimha Gopalan

After a breakthrough order this April directing the HRCE to pay Salary as per minimum Wages Act, a bench of the Madurai High Court has now stayed the order leaving the priest disheartened

After receiving around Rs. 200 for several years, Periya Nambi Narasimha Gopalan, the priest at Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Azhvaar temple in Mannar Koil, was slated to receive just over Rs. 15000 per month as salary following the Madurai High Court's order in April this year to pay him salary as per the Minimum Wages Act. He though it was a battle finally won. But he was in for a shock on Thursday when the Court stayed, indefinitely, the April order without posting the date of the next hearing. 

If we pay him, then every priest will ask for similar salary - HRCE Minister

When the order was secured in April, it seemed that it would be an irreversible one and a major victory for the priest at Mannar Koil. However, in the two exclusive meetings this writer had with PK Sekar Babu, the HR & CE minister at his office in May and earlier this month, he categorically said that they HR & CE would not pay the salary as per minimum wages act though he personally was interested to consider the salary for this priest after having seen him and the way he had maintained the temple when he visited the temple earlier this year. 

Within a day of that conversation with the minister, the HR &CE went on appeal against the order asking not just for a stay but pleading for the order to be dismissed.

Why is this STAY so disheartening for Narasimha Gopalan

The HR & CE once again went with the same argument that the salary of the priest and the service personnel cannot be paid from the income generated by other cash rich temples and that each temple is an institution by itself. 

Despite presenting the facts – the review appeals of HR & CE had already been dismissed by the Bench earlier and the order in April was made after studying those dismissals; the temple did not generate enough income to pay an increased salary was already taken into account before the April order; the Commissioner’s salary, the cars of HR & CE officials and the salary to the drivers were all paid from the common fund taken from cash rich temples was also well known, the two judge bench has directed an indefinite stay without providing the date for the next hearing leaving Narasimha Gopalan Acharya completely disheartened leaving him sleepless on Thursday night.

Monthly Salary of Rs. 155 -  Rs. 250- Rs. 750 over two decades!!!

For the record, he was paid Rs. 155 as monthly salary when he took over from his appa just under two decades ago. This went up to Rs. 750 after a decade and then to just over Rs. 3000 now. Unfortunately the two service personnel who work with him at the temple are still paid a monthly salary of Rs. 300!!!

He told this writer on Friday morning that it has been the cruelest shock of his life. “After having slogged since 2017 fighting for the rights of the priests and service personnel in temples and securing an order in April this year, this was quite unexpected especially as we had provided all the legal facts that led to the final order”, he said.

Will not be Cowed down

Though it is definitely a setback, having fought this hard, Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar is not going to be bogged down and  will continue to fight tooth and nail to get the stay vacated and the appeal dismissed as he says that two previous review appeals of the HR & CE had already been dismissed by the bench of the Madurai High Court prior to the April order.

It was Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar who single handedly anchored and performed the Thiruppani works and a grand consecration in 2010 after a few hundred years at Mannar Koil. In March this year he performed another grand consecration of the temple, once again through his own personal initiative without any physical or financial support from the HR & CE. The temple also featured on the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat programme for the priest's commitment to keep the historic tradition going in TN temples but all that counts for nothing now as his immediate hopes of an increased salary has been dashed.

He has seen many a battle over the last couple of decades at this historical Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Azhvaar temple but this one, to him, has been the most shocking and the hardest to take. After a long five year case in the Madurai High Court, he finally won the order securing an increased salary for himself and his two service personnel as per the Minimum Wages Act. This section has featured two stories since that order in April stating that the order was secured after the judge took into account the income generated by this temple as well as previous review appeals of HR & CE that were dismissed by the Bench of the Madurai High Court. But with this stay, he has to now go back to the Court fighting once again to get the stay Vacated and the HR & CE's appeal dismissed. 

A Sad Reflection on the HR & CE

The HR & CE is not paying him the 'minimum wages' salary anytime in the near future and they will use as much of the temple funds as needed to take their appeals to the court in an effort to delay the payment of the increased salary to this priest whose family has served at this temple for several decades. And that is a sad reflection on the attitude of the HR & CE .

Kariya Manikkam Perumal Tirunelveli Vijayaraghava Bhattar

This family has served at this ancient temple for a 100 years; The next gen is now taking forward the archaka service despite a low salary

Vijayaraghava Bhattar served at the Kariya Manikkam Perumal temple in Tirunelveli for 45years. After learning the Vaikasana Agama from Alankara Bhattar of Srivilliputhur, he joined the temple in 1975 at a salary of Rs. 45 and performed Thiru Aradhanam for 45years till the Pandemic. It was challenging times for temples in TN in that phase and the Bhattar found the going tough financially. But he fought through the times with devotion and served till his retirement when his salary had gone up to Rs. 2600 though it too had remained unpaid for many years. After all the decades of service, there is no pension too for the Bhattar and his son in law, Raghuraman Bhattar who has taken over now is hoping that they would be able to recover that from the HR & CE someday in the future. 

Utsavams

His appa had served at the temple for six decades till the time he was 80. In those decades, the Panguni Brahmotsavam was grand, recalls Vijayaraghava Bhattar, who at 67 is now hard of hearing. There had been a Laksharchanai in Thai on the Varushabishekam day when Kariya Manickam Perumal also provided Garuda Sevai darshan. Also on the Fridays in Thai, Perumal and Thayar provided Sevai on the Oonjal. On Puratasi Saturday too, there had been a Garuda Sevai.

Into his 60s, Vijayaraghava Bhattar faced health challenges and wanting the hereditary service to continue, he roped in his son in law who was serving at a temple in Coimbatore. 

Perumal provides darshan in 3Kolams

This section had featured a story on the temple in December 2009 when it still sported a fresh look following the consecration in 2006. The Lord is seen in three different postures- Neela Mani Nathar in East Facing Standing Posture, Lakshmi Narayana in South Facing Kalyana Thirukolam and Anantha Padmanabha Perumal in an Uthara Sayana Kolam.

Prarthana Sthalam

Being a temple that has the name of both Saturn and the Sun God- Kari (Sani- Saturn) and Manikkam (Aditya- Sun God) - it is believed that this temple is a Prarthana Sthalam for liberation from all curses/doshams. Belief is also that the Lord answers the prayers of devotees who have problems with eye sight/vision.

NamAzhvaar in his Pasuram refers to Kariya Manikkam Perumal

ஒண் சுடரோடு இருளுமாய் நின்று ஆறும்

உண்மையோடு இன்மையை வந்து

என் கண் கொளாவகை நீ கரந்து

என்னைச் செய்கின்றன

என் கொள் சிந்தையுள் நைகின்றேன்

என் கரிய மாணிக்கமே என் கண்கட்குத்

தின் கொள்ள ஒரு நாள் அருளாய், உன் திரு உருவே

Historical reference

The Padmanabha Theertham of this temple finds a mention in the second Adhyayam of the Tamaraibarani Mahatmiyam. Hence, this temple's idol and Theertham are said to be at least 5000 years old, while the construction of the temple complex is believed to have been completed at least 1500years ago. Later, Pandya Kings are said to have made contributions to improvements in the temple.

Repair works after 17years

The previous consecration had taken place in 2006 and it’s been 17 years now. Finally the repair works are under way including some relocation of sannidhis as per the agama. Currently the Brahmotsavam and Puratasi Saturdays are the only income generating utsavams at the temple. However, following the consecration that should take place soon, there is hope that more utsavams will be revived and the salary of the priest too will be revised upwards in line with the current cost of living.

Vijayaraghava Bhattar has served devotionally at the temple for close to five decades and he continues to make his presence felt at the temple even though he has handed over the official reigns to his son in law for him to take forward the service into the next phase of development. 

The temple is open from 7am-11am and 530pm-830pm. Raghuraman Bhattar can be reached on 9840515141

When here, visit :

Nellaiappar temple (1/2 km East) - https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/nellaiappar-koil-tirunelveli.html

and 

Thiruvenkatanatha Puram temple - https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/thiru-venkatanathapuram-near.html

Mangai Madam Veera Narasimha Perumal Brahmotsavam Garuda Sevai

On the first Aadi Velli evening, Ranganatha Perumal, atop the Garuda Vahana, and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar provide darshan around the four big streets of Mangai Madam

Balaji Bhattar, who let go lucrative opportunities in Chennai to move to this remote temple, is now initiating his young son into Vedas, Agamas and Prabhandham

Earlier this week, this section featured a story on the extraordinary commitment of the Priest in South TN(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/07/mannar-koil-narasimha-gopalan-solo-act.html?m=1). This one is about a priest, almost the same age and just as remote, in the Chozha region. Soon after completing his agamic education, Balaji Bhattar had offers from Madras but he refused each of those and move back to his hereditary location in Thiru Nangur. And within this Divya Desam, he had an offer to take over at the Madhava Perumal temple in Annan Koil but he refused this too instead choosing to don the role of the archaka in the remote Pancha Narasimha Sthalam at Mangai Madam, where Thiru Mangai Azhvaar presented Thathiyarathanai to 1008 Vaishnavites.

From what it was a couple of decades, the Veera Narasimha Perumal temple has been completely transformed solely due to the efforts of Balaji Bhattar. On Friday night, it is well past 10pm on the Garuda Sevai night and a few hundred devotees were waiting at the Eastern entrance to receive Ranganatha Perumal, the utsava deity at the temple and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar from their two hour long procession around the rather dark streets of Mangai Madam. Soon after the procession, he feeds the few hundred devotees to a sumptuous meal similar to Thiru Mangai Azhvaar feeding the devotees all those centuries ago. It is almost 11pm when all the devotees come up to him to thank him for the grand Garuda Sevai procession and the stomach filling dinner. 

Earlier in the day, Balaji Bhattar began working on the alankaram for Ranganatha Perumal and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar shortly after 3pm. He roped in his name sake (Balaji) from Erode’s Srinivasa Perumal temple for support. 

By 6pm, local residents began decorating the temple complex with white pulli kolam and the Theevatti person too arrived. Ranganatha Perumal was seen glittering with jewels after the two priests spent almost three hours in decorating the Lord and Thirumangai Azhaar focusing on minute details. Just after 6.30pm, Balaji Bhattar faced an issue, not totally unexpected. It was the first Aadi Velli evening and the garland maker was difficult to get. When demand overshoots supply, such service personnel cash in and their expectations suddenly change. While it is a practice for the garland maker to hand over the garlands at the temple well ahead of the  procession during the Brahmotsavam and it was a special set on Friday evening being the Garuda Sevai day, he demanded for the bhattar to send in his person to collect. Even more frustrating for the Bhattar was the fact that the big Thindu Maalai for Perumal was not yet ready. After several follow up phone calls, it finally arrived at 8pm. 

Sripatham personnel comprising of several young boys were already present and raring to go. Their decibel levels were high even as the Nagaswaram continued to play inside the temple.

Through the dark streets led by Theevatti Ghee lit lamp

The procession began just around 8.30pm with the few Prabhandham members presenting Nanmugan Thiruvanthathi. At the entrance, Sripatham who carried Ranganatha Perumal around the prakara on their shoulders mounted the Lord on to the wheeled cart as is the case in most remote temples these days. The Eastern Street at the far end was pitch dark and it took one back to historical times when processions took place with the Ghee lit Theevatti as the source of light. The Theevatti personnel played an important role on the night as they led the Prabhandham member at the top of the procession and then also paved the path for Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Kumudavalli as well as for Ranganatha Perumal on the Garuda Vahana to make their way without any hitches.

On to the South and West streets, a number of devotees welcomed the Lord in front of their homes presenting coconut and fruits. It was one of the big days in the year for the residents of Mangai Madam with Perumal providing Garuda Sevai darshan. The decibel levels of the Sripatham was high throughout the procession as they shouted out the names of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Perumal.

On to the North Street, Satish Bhattar from Narayana Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Nangur joined in to support Balaji Bhattar on the procession receiving the Thattu from the devotees. 

As the Lord made his way back into the temple, there were over a hundred devotees waiting to have darshan of the Lord on the Garuda Vahana and to listen to the Prabhandham Saatru Murai. 

Large quantities of Prasadam

Prasadam presentation at the end of a long two hour procession is a feature at remote temples and hundreds of devotees sat on the prakara to taste the Sweet, Puliyodharai and Dhadhyonam served on the traditional plantain leaf.

While the devotees made their way out by 11pm chatting amongst themselves about the tasty prasadam, there was another hour to go for Balaji Bhattar as he and his guest priests had to get the utsava deities back to their abode after removing the jewels and the special alankara of the evening.

                       BALAJI BHATTAR

It was a devotionally fulfilling evening for Balaji Bhattar as sitting in faraway Mangai Madam, he has been able to anchor a physically tiring Garuda Sevai day and delight the devotees with the alankaram and serving them with a sumptuous prasadam late in the night. 

Young Boy takes the traditional route

A few kms away from Mangai Madam is Thiruvali - Thirunagari Divya Desam. This year, the son of the priest at the Thirumangai Azhvaar temple joined a multinational firm after completing his professional degree. Another from the next gen has moved away from a historical Divya Desam and into the corporate world. 

But Balaji Bhattar is totally inclined towards devotion and temple service. He has always been of the view that only a few in this world are blessed to have the opportunity to serve the Lord each day of their life and that one cannot substitute this service with any other high paying job. That was the reason he refused the offers from larger cities a couple of decades ago and chose to stay back in this remote temple town of Mangai Madam. Now, he is initiating his 12 year old son Lakshmipathy into a traditional way of life.

Day starts at 4am!!!

The young 7th class student revealed his daily schedule to this writer just ahead of the Garuda Sevai procession on Friday evening “I go to the Nangur Patshala every morning at 4am for the Vedic class. This is followed by Prabhandham and Agama class that go on till 7.30am. After a quick breakfast, I leave for my school at 8am and come back around 4pm. After finishing my homework, I practice what I learnt at the Patshala to be prepared for the next morning’s class.”

Like his appa, Lakshmipathy seems to have taken a special liking to the Vedic and Prabhandham learning. At 12, he has completed learning a majority of the Iyarpa verses. He is now looking forward to start learning the Mudalayiram verses in the coming months. At this age, a lot of his life centers around his appa’s favourite Veera Narasimha Perumal and he is there every evening for the street procession. There is a certain delight in his eyes when he talks about the agamas and a joy in reciting the prabhandham.

Revives Utsavam, Goshala

Over the last nine months, Balaji Bhattar has begun reviving the Pancha Parva processions at Mangai Madam starting with the Pournami celebrations as well as a Uthiram Thirumanjanam for Thayar every month through a NBFC corporate chief. Also, through his own initiative, the Bhattar has added a few cows at the temple, the milk from which is presented every morning to Veera Narasimha Perumal. Balaji Bhattar told this writer late on Friday evening that to go with the Garuda Sevai procession, one of the cows delivery a Kannu Kutti just ahead of the procession.

The water has dried up at the temple well and on this busy Garuda Sevai evening, Balaji Bhattar is also seen in a conversation to revive the well and its fortunes.

There are still a few priests in remote towns in TN who are keen for their sons to take to temple service. Balaji Bhattar is one such. Not only has he turned around the fortunes of this temple dating back to the legend of Thiru Mangai Mannan’s transformation into a Saint Poet, by anchoring Thirupanni works and consecrations twice, he is also now creating an early interest in his son towards the traditional way of life and initiating him into temple service.  And that is highly commendable.

CM's Wife a regular here

It is a temple that the current TN CM's wife visits regularly as a devotee. It is hoped that she would inform the authorities to build a proper road around the temple where the utsavam deity goes on a procession every month as part of the Pancha Parva Utsavam.

Mannar Koil Narasimha Gopalan Solo Act

Two Consecrations on his own without HRCE support, Biggest Goshala in the region, Wins Priest Salary case without any other priest support, Maintains the 5acre temple and Revives Utsavams 

In March this year, for the second time in the last dozen years, PS Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar (Periya Nambi Acharya), the sole priest at the huge three tiered Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Azhvaar temple in Mannar Koil, near Ambasamudram single handedly organised a grand consecration of the temple following extensive Thiruppani works. He did not take a single rupee from the HR & CE for the renovation works or the consecration event and conducted the entire works on his own through devotee support. 

Two Solo Consecration exercises

At a time, when most temples are awaiting approvals for a long period from various renovation committees of the HR & CE, this priest’s determination to conduct consecration as per the timeline meant that he secured all the approvals on time and the Thiruppani went as per plan, a rarity for a HR & CE temple. Just as an example, the Kailasanathar temple in Brahmma Desam, 2kms East of Mannar Koil and the Thennazhagar temple in Kovilkulam, 4kms from Mannar Koil have been waiting for a long time for the Thiruppani works to get started despite getting an allocation of Rs. 7.5crore and Rs. 1.25crores respectively. But Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar organised this Thiruppani and consecration at a cost of Rs. 75lakhs (the previous Thiruppani and the Consecration in 2010 - that had come after over a century- had cost Rs. 1.25crores which too the priest organised on his own through devotees)

Spread over 5 acres, this historical temple in Mannar Koil, where Kulasekara Azhvaar spent the final years of his life, wears a fresh look and is now attracting devotees in much larger numbers than ever before. It is easily the best transformational exercise in a remote temple in Tamil Nadu over the last decade and all anchored by a single individual (the priest). 

Inside the Moolavar Sannidhi a ghee lit lamp burns bright. Narasimha Gopalan is proud that he has stuck to traditional methods from the day he took over “On the first morning when I took over just under two decades ago, the first thing I did was to break the LED light that was inside the Moolavar Sannidhi. With support from a former MD of a large media house, the traditional lamp burns all through the day, now.”

Features of the Temple

The three tiered Kulasekara Azhvaar Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannar Koil is located 5kms from Ambasamudram off the Tenkasi highway. The temple is  named after Kulasekara Azhvaar who spent the last years of his life here performing service and attained Moksham. There is a separate Flag Post for the Kulasekara Azhvaar Sannidhi. 

The Lord is seen in three forms - standing posture at the ground level, sitting posture in tier 1 and in a Sayana Kolam in Tier 2 under the Ashtanga Vimana. In recognition of Rajendra Chozha’s big contributions to this temple, this place was referred to as Rajendra Vinnagaram. Inscriptions refer to Rajasimhan donating several pieces of land and Jatavarma Chozha Pandya as well as Nayak kings making contributions to the temple.

Nandavanam abound with sacred flowers

The huge Nandavanam is full of flowers including Shenbagam that he presents daily to the Lord. There are only a couple of staff to support him in the maintenance of this huge temple but each day of the year the prakaras are clean and one finds the entire temple complex spick and span. The personal interest he takes in maintaining the temple has meant that the prakaras are clean and the Nandavanams are green and beautiful, with several peacocks as described in the historical sacred verses of the Azhvaars enjoying the quite peace of this temple. The maintenance of the Nandavanam costs Rs. 50000 every year. 

Initiating youngsters into the sacred verses

In recent times, he has been initiating Kulasekara Azhvaar’s Mukunda Maalai to young boys in Mannar Koil. Close to 50 young kids are now well versed in this popular ancient verse and can recite by heart without the support of a book.

IT Corporate Chief from Tenkasi, who was so impressed as a devotee, with the selfless service of Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar has now begun to associate himself with the improvements in the temple. So have the original inhabitants and the scores of disciples of Periya Nambi.

Over the last decade, he has revived the Theppotsavam, Rama Navami and Pavitrotsavam and is now planning to organize street processions on the star days of acharyas and azhvaars starting with Aadi Pooram and Aippasi Moolam.

The Biggest Goshala

In the last five years, Narasimha Gopalan Acharya, a descendant of Periya Nambi, has set up the biggest Go-Shala in the entire Tirunelveli region taking care of close to 50 cows. Historically Narasimha Gopalan has had a couple of cows at home as was the tradition in temple towns. But for a few years from 2002, due to financial constraints he had to make do without any cows. This sudden large scale expansion came about by chance as he explains “ Venkateswaran, the EO of Kasinathar temple received a few cows as donation who inspired me to accept those cows and take care of them. I was hesitant in the beginning as it was likely to be a very costly exercise but he gave me the confidence that I would be able to do it. And hence I added those three cows. And very soon, even before I realized, this had grown into a large Goshala.”

The Mannar Koil bhattar who also doubles up as an Acharya, ( he had performed over a 1000 samaashrayanams for Sishyas) converted the back side of his house into a Goshala. A devotee from Thiruvallikeni came forward on his own to build the roof for the Goshala. With Cow Food becoming expensive, he was finding it difficult to maintain the Goshala. And then all of a sudden, the corporate chief from Tenkasi approached him and offered to fund a large part of cow food. From the income that he is generating of the cow milk, he pays the salary of a man who he is employing exclusively for the Goshala. A seven decades old NBFC financed a tractor for the Goshala. He presents the milk from the Goshala every morning to Rajagopalaswamy. For him, this is a great devotional exercise. 

While the HR & CE does not pay the two staffers much of a salary (Rs. 500 to each of them every month after over two decades of service!!!), he has been able to run and maintain the temple all on his own through the income from the Goshala and with support from devotees. Every quarter, the temple is cleaned end to end including removing the cobwebs in every corner. Over the last decade, it is he who has also been paying the electricity bills of the temple!!!! He also bought a tractor for the Goshala through a loan from a NBFC.

Organic Farm in Ambai - Cow Dung from this Goshala

The Cow Dung too is used in a traditional way. He has been handing this to a local resident who has now turned an entrepreneur by launching an organic farm in the area. He uses no chemicals and instead has been using cow dung in his farm.  The new entrepreneur has within a couple of years expanded his farm from 1acre to 5acres!!!

Wins Salary Case but HRCE refuses to pay even Minimal Wages

In April this year, he won the Temple Salary Case after a five year battle in the Madurai High Court. The HR & CE has been directed to pay a salary that at least equals an amount as directed by the minimum wages act. The High Court order came after taking into account HR & CE’s contention that there is not much income from this temple to pay a higher salary to the Priest and to the two service personnel. The Court dismissed those arguments of the HR & CE and said that irrespective of the fact that there is no adequate income generated by the temple, Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar has to be paid at least a ‘Minimum Wages Act’ salary. At the time he joined the temple after the death of his appa, he was paid a monthly salary of Rs. 250 that over the years went up to Rs. 750. 

Following the various cases that he filed, this has gone up over two decades to just over Rs. 3000. He is the sole priest at the temple and he takes care of this special three tier temple where Perumal in the first Tier and second Tier are seen in Sitting and Sleeping Postures similar to the one in Koodal Azhagar temple in Madurai. There are no substitutes available and hence he has almost never crossed Tirunelveli in the last two decades since he took over as the priest.

Minister considers, but his team worried about other priests

When this writer met the HR & CE minister PK Sekar Babu in May this year, the HR & CE department were keen to go on appeal against the Madurai High Court on the grounds of the temple not having enough income though the order itself was secured after taking into account this fact. But last week, when this writer once again met the minister at the HR & CE Headquarters to check if they would consider adhering to the Court Order, he told this writer that he would ask the Commissioner to consider.. However, he did say that a big worry for the HR & CE department to pay the increased salary was the possibility of several other remote temple priests seeking similar recourse. Not surprisingly, this week the HR & CE Commissioner has gone on appeal against the salary case order at the Madurai High Court holding to the argument that there is no income at the temple.

One of a Kind Priest

Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar is unfazed with this development and is not surprised at this action of the HR & CE. He says he will file a counter at the Madurai High Court against the HR & CE's argument that the temple does not generate enough income as that (argument) has already been dismissed by the court. 

This priest has delivered far beyond what any devotee could expect from any priest in a most remote temple in TN – He has undertaken two large Thiruppani works and consecrations all on his own without any support from the HR & CE; He runs the largest Goshala in the region and again manages it on his own including sometimes by placing the family jewels with the pawn broker; He fights for a reasonable salary for all temple priests in the Courts, once again without support from a single other priest in the state; He takes care of the entire maintenance of the temple and the conduct of the Utsavams without any financial support from the HR & CE. He has never had a mobile phone, does not use the phone inside the temple and as per traditional practices has not spoken a word to anyone in the last two decades during the daily Thiru Aradhanam time.

He truly is a one of a kind archaka in Tamil Nadu. It is hoped that more devotees will visit the temple and feel the positive vibration at Mannar Koil. 

The temple is open between 7am-10.30am and 4pm-7.30pm.Narasimha Gopalan Bhattar can be reached on 04634 252874

Krishnaswamy Koil Ambai Krishnan Archaka

Burned Feet, Rs. 1050 month salary after 30 years but this archaka carries on devotionally

The feet of 58 year old G Krishnan, the archakar at the ancient Krishnaswamy Temple located on the Northern banks of Tamaraibarani in Ambasamudram, are burned after the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam took place in peak summer but unmindful of the pain, he continues his service devotionally. He began to support his appa and uncles in temple service in the 1990s and has been the sole archaka at the temple over the last couple of decades.

At the Entry Point into Ambai

The temple where Markandeya Rishi is believed to have performed penance is the oldest Perumal temple in Ambai and is right at the entrance of this town. For most devotees, the Krishnaswamy temple is the starting point of their trip to Ambasamudram.

Devotee Support

The  scenario at the temple was quite bleak in the 1970s and 80s. Krishnan's appa performed Madapalli service for decades before taking up the role of an archaka in the 90s.While it was financially challenging, he says devotees always came forward from somewhere to help the family “It was with devotee support that I managed to complete my post-graduation in economics in the 1980s. I had also done shorthand and typewriting and took up a job in Delhi for a few years in the late 1980s. ”

He quit his job and came back in the early 1990s to support his appa at the temple performing paricharaka service. 

Revival of Utsavams

Being a particularly popular temple, this was the first of the block in terms of revival when the devotional wave hit TN temples at the turn of the century. The Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi with Theerthavari on Visakam attracts a reasonable crowd. Devotees have been thronging the temple in good numbers on Puratasi Saturdays, Thai Fridays and Sri Jayanthi much to his delight. On Vaikunta Ekadasi, the Lord presents himself in a Sayana Kolam in the morning and Paramapada Kolam in the evening. It is with devotees' support that he has been able to present different alankarams for the Lord during the Brahmotsavam and other festivals.

                                                

The Theppam on Aadi Rohini (will take place on August 10 this year) has also become a popular event at the temple.

For Krishnan Bhattar, the Krishnaswamy temple has always close to his heart. Even when he has gone away for Homams to support his financial needs, his thoughts centered around ‘Saligramama’ Krishnan “Right from my childhood, he held a special place in my heart and whenever I went away from Ambai, I missed my Lord and he called me back.”

There were really challenging times in the past but full faith in Saligrama Krishnan has helped the family overcome all hurdles in life. After three decades, Krishnan Bhattar now paid a salary of Rs. 1050 and handed some paddy every month that is paid once a quarter. While the salary from the temple is not enough given today’s cost of living, the devotee support has kept him going devotionally.

Whenever he is at the temple, he is reminded of his appa’s message to him “For financial rewards, do not ever move away from our Krishnaswamy Koil. When I was growing up, I was taught that ‘service’ to the Lord is the most important part of our lives. And I have found contentment and happiness performing service at this temple. There is a certain love that the devotees pour that keeps me at peace every night when I return home.”

Thiru Kurungudi Pakkam Ninnaar Shiva Sannidhi Restored

After almost 20 years, the idol of Shiva has been brought back to 'Pakkam Ninnaar' 

Shiva Sannidhi had been demolished on a single night in May 2004. Following a court order, the Sannidhi has been rebuilt at the same original location with traditional stones and consecration performed in June 2023

After almost two decades, the idol of Shiva that had been shifted out from its historical sannidhi to a new location within the Nambi Temple at Thiru Kurungudi, has been moved back to its original location. A new sannidhi has been built at the original 'Pakkam Ninnaar' location with traditional Karungal. Following the consecration,  the Consecration event took place last month in the presence of the Pontiff of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt Sri Perarula Ramanuja Jeer.

Vishnu and Shiva praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Thiru Kurungudi is one of the very few Divya Desams that houses both Perumal and Shiva within the same complex.  Rare is a praise by an Azhvaar of both the deities in a single verse. In the opening verse of the 6th Decad of the 9th Canto, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar refers to the Lord of Thiru Kurungudi as one in a standing Posture with the skull and tiger skin bearing Shiva by his side. Perumal and Shiva cannot be separated at this temple as is seen from the sacred verse. Abhiseka Theertham, Thaligai and Aradhanam are all the same for both of them.

அக்கும் புலியின் அதளும்  உடையார்

அவர் ஒருவர் பக்கம் நிற்க  நின்ற 

பண்பர் ஊர்போலும்

A One Night Demolition Act

In May 2004, almost out of the blue following a series of Prakshnam by the Namboodaries of Malai Naadu, the Shiva Sannidhi, referred to as Pakkam Ninraar by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse, was brought down within a single night at the Nambi Temple in Thirukurungudi. A separate sannidhi was built for Shiva in the Eastern side and the idol was moved into this newly constructed sannidhi.

Mannar Koil’s Periya Nambi Narasimha Gopalan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/03/periya-nambi-narasimha-gopalan-acharya.html) is all smiles at the consecration of the Shiva Sannidhi at the Pakkam Ninnaar location. He recalls the phone call from his uncle in Thiru Kurungudi that morning end of May 2004 “My appa's brother called and he asked me to give the phone to my appa (he passed away a year later). After the call, my appa was aghast – he told me that the Pakkam Ninnar Sannidhi had been demolished in one night. The Sannidhi was intact at the time of Artha Jaama Pooja the previous night but the next morning when my brother went to the temple, the Shiva Sannidhi was missing. My appa asked me to call Krishnamachari of Srirangam to inform him of this and it was then that the current Jeer who was then working in Cuddalore filed the case against the demolition.”

This move faced stiff opposition from the public. Soon after, a petition was filed in the court. Initially the Nanguneri court directed the idol to be taken back to its original location. Later on appeal, the case was heard at the Madurai HC where too the judge upheld the Nanguneri court's verdict. But the temple authorities went on appeal and this issue had dragged on for almost two decades.

In 2017, this section featured a story on how the residents of Thiru Kurungudi had been unhappy with the demolition and that they had wanted the Shiva Idol to be reinstalled at its original location. Six years ago, Sri Perarula Ramanuja Jeer had told this writer that they would ‘soon’ relocate the Shiva idol at its historical location but it’s taken another six years for the temple authorities to initiate action on this front though a lot of the other renovation work had been completed during this peri od.The Mutt that had gone on appeal at the Supreme Court seeking solo and exclusive rights over the temple has secured an order to that effect.

A Special Divya Desam

When Thirumangai Azhvaar sought Moksham, Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam directed him to visit his ‘Southern Home’ at Thiru Kurungudi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/06/thirukurungkudi-divya-desam.html). Accordingly, Thirumangai Azhvaar came to this Vamana Kshetram and performed service invoking the blessings of Lord Azhagiya Nambi and attained moksham here. Hence, it is believed that ‘Vaikuntam’ (the ultimate destination for Vaishnavites) is in ‘calling distance’ from the Lord’s Southern Home at Thiru Kurungudi.

Thiru Kurungkudi is also the home to the Vaishnava tradition of ‘Kaisika Ekadesi’, one of the big festive occasions here. Kaisika Natakma, the story of Kaisika Puranam, is a form of worship of the Lord through dance, music and drama and is presented on the night of Kaisika Ekadesi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/12/kaisika-puranam-in-thirukurungudi.html). The over 1000 years old art of Araiyar Sevai originated at Thiru Kurungkudi and was first introduced by Natha Muni. Legend has it that Lord Nambi, hiding behind a wall in Bashyam Street (now South Mada Street), used to watch the young Araiyars practice for hours this difficult art form. Hence, the Lord here is also referred to as ‘Gaana Priyan’ (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/12/araiyar-sevai-saving-rare-art.html).

Periya Thirumozhi Praise of Thiru Kurungudi

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verses refers to Peacocks dancing in the groves and Parrots speaking like the beautiful girls of Thiru Kurungudi, streams in full flow washing aside precious gems, Mullai Flowers seen in the groves with dripping nectar, swans playing in groups in the cool lakes that are abound with lotuses. He finds Kuravu trees all around Thiru Kurungudi. There were mansions so tall that they seemed to touch the moon.

  

Former Maniam opposed the demolition 

In 2017, 86 year old Periya Nambi K Srinivasachariar (PKS), the son of the 47th Jeer of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt at Thiru Kurungudi who had served at the temple as a Maniam, told this writer that the demolition of the Shiva Sannidhi was one of the saddest moments in his life. Ever since its demolition, he was keen for it to be brought back to its original location and he pressed many times for it. Unfortunately he did not live long enough to see the consecration for he passed away a couple of years ago. He would have been delighted to have seen the Shiva Sannidhi restored to its ancient glory.

Narasimha Gopalan’s uncle PKS is no more. His appa, who actively opposed the demolition on the morning after the demolition, too has passed away. Almost 20 years after the demolition, Periya Nambi Narasimha Gopalan, who has been fighting for the Vaishnavite cause and also for the archakas and service personnel at TN temples, told this writer on Sunday that he is very happy about the restoration of the Shiva Sannidhi and feels that this will do the temple a lot of good in terms of bringing back positive vibration into the Sannidhis.

In April this year, Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan, who too vehemently opposed the demolition and insisted the construction of 'Pakkam Ninnaar' Sannidhi with the same traditional stones told this writer during the Brahmotsavam procession at the Parthasarathy temple in Thiruvallikeni that a long battle had finally been won and that he was happy that the traditional architecture remained intact in terms of  the revival of the Pakkam Ninnaar Sannidhi.

Kovilkulam Thennazhagar Temple Dilapidated Condition

The Bhattar family has served for close to a 100 years with the current archaka receiving Rs. 2000 as salary after close to three decades of service

HR & CE minister assures of a Grand Renovation of the temple

                          Manikandan Archakar

In 2014, this section had featured a story on the Thennazhagar Koil in Kovilkulam, a couple of kms North of Ambasamudram. Even at that time the temple had been in a bad shape and the priest had not been paid regular salary. Almost another decade has passed and there has still been no improvement whatsoever at the temple. The temple remains in the same dilapidated condition. 

Glory Days in the Centuries gone by

Thennazhagar is seen in a grand standing posture alongside Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar. In the 10th Century AD, there were several contributions towards maintenance. Monthly festivals were once celebrated in a grand manner but the temple is in a terrible condition now with the last renovation having taken place over 150years ago.

Burning Perpetual Lamp

During the rule of Sadaya Maran Pandyan (Raja Simhan II), there was a gift of 25sheep for lamp to be burnt by Kadan and his wife Narachey Nokki in 905AD. In centuries gone by, this temple was referred to as Thiru Podhigai Vinnagaram. In 925-926AD, there was a gift of sheep made by one adigal for burning a lamp at the temple.

Shravanam Festival every month

During the rule of Jatavarma Pandya Kulasekara Deva in 1203AD, there was a gift of money for a festival to be celebrated each month on Shravanam in the temple of Sripati Vinnagaram- Emberaman. In 1293 AD, during the reign of Vikrama Pandya Deva there was a gift of money for the Sundararaja Perumal temple by Sundarattol Korriyammai. Earlier in 1287AD, there was a gift of money for temple by a resident of the fourth hamlet of Raja Raja Chaturvedi Mangalam. During the rule of Vikrama Pandya, there was also gifts of money to development and improvement of the temple. There was a gift of land by Koneri Mel Kondan for offerings to Sripati Vinnagara Azhvaar.

It is no surprise that the temple tank is almost non-existent. There are minimal devotees who make their way to the temple on some special days in the month. During Puratasi Saturdays, there are a few more. But overall, the temple has lost its glory and remains in a dilapidated state. 

HRCE Minister's assurance on Thiruppani works

The good news though is that as part of this Government’s endeavor to renovate 1000 year old temples, the Thennazhagar Koil too has received a formal allocation. HR & CE Minister PK Sekar Babu told this writer that they are focusing on restoring all the 1000+ year old temples in TN. “Significant allocations have been made for Thiruppani works. The temples under this programme will all see large scale renovation soon.”

As part of their aggressive focus on renovation of ancient temples, the HR & CE has set aside Rs. 1.25 crores for the complete restoration of the temple with the authorities also exploring options to build a new small chariot. 

Will the Young EO take initiative?

There is an enthusiastic young EO at the temple. Ganesh Kumar, who only recently oversaw the Thiruppani at the Purushottamar temple on the banks of Tamaraibarani, told this writer that with the support of the donor they were able to complete the renovation works within three months there. He says he is confident that the Thennazhagar temple too will see a similar transformation and the temple will wear a fresh new look in the near future.

This Priest family has performed service for a 100 years

Manikandan has been donning the archaka role for the last three decades carrying forward the legacy of his appa, Gopalan Iyengar, who performed Thiru Aradhanam at this remote temple for four decades. His grandfather Ayyathurai Iyengar too had served Thennazhagar for 20 years. Gopalan Bhattar had served as an archaka at Rs. 300. During those decades, there were three big utsavams including 10day Aadi Pooram Utsavam. On the fourth Saturday of Puratasi, Thennazhagar provided Garuda Sevai darshan around the streets of Kovilkulam. 

Amma sells jewels to educate children

Manikandan recounts the financial challenges during his childhood “My appa was paid minimal salary over the many decades of his archaka service. My amma sold jewels to educate her children.”

After the family’s archaka service for close to a century, Manikandan is now paid a salary of Rs. 2000 having started having started out at Rs. 275 almost three decades ago. The family still in bad shape financially. His amma went through severe health challenges during the Pandemic and expenses are mounting.

EO Ganesh Kumar says that he is working towards securing a permanent posting for Manikandan.

At the moment, the scenario at the temple is pretty bad. But for Manikandan, all hope is not lost. The Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannar Koil and the Purushottamar Koil in Ambasamudram have seen consecrations this year and both these temple are now sporting a new look. If the HR & CE’s plans on a full scale restoration of the Thennazhagar temple goes through and if the utsavams are revived, Manikandan may finally see some real financial remuneration as a reward for his forefathers having served at the temple with such sincerity. Till then, he will have to continue to wait in the way he has over the last three decades.

Veera Raghava Brahmma Desam Rig Veda Ganapadigal

Creates next gen of Vedic Pundits from the Patshala in Brahmma Desam

At 70, his is a frail body now but behind that is a wealth of knowledge that created a number of top notch Vedic Students who are carrying forward the Vedic tradition across the country. Way back in 1978, the then 25 year old Veera Raghava Ganapadigal was instructed by Maha Periya to go to Brahmma Desam to initiate Rig Vedas to a bunch of students. It was quite a remote location and the original inhabitants were beginning to leave this ancient temple town. The Ganapadigal, who hailed from Valanadu near Tirunelveli, had himself undergone Vedic Education for over 10 years at the Patshala in Kambarasampettai. For the next few decades, he went about creating the next generation of Rig Veda Pundits at the Patshala on the South Street in Brahmma Desam a couple of hundred yards from the ancient Kailasanathar temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/12/brahmmadesam-kailasanathar-koil.html).  

Till the original inhabitants began leaving this historical temple town, the agraharam was vibrant with over 400 Brahmin families residing around the Kailasanathar temple that is replete with exquisite sculptures.

For many decades, Veera Raghava Ganapadigal also performed daily Thiru Aradhanam at the Krishnan Koil on the South Street in Brahmma Desam before handing over the reigns to his elder son.

Brahmma Desam- Renowned for Vedic Recital

Referred to as Raja Raja Chaturvedi Mangalam, Brahmma Desam was historically renowned for Vedic Scholars reciting the four Vedas through the day. There was such vibrancy in the region brought about by this nonstop chanting that Raja Raja Chozha donated the entire temple town to the Vedic Scholars so they could focus on the recital. Veera Raghava Ganapadigal is now 70 years old and has had health challenges in the recent past but he remembers vividly those glory years of Vedic initiation to a set of highly dedicated students “This temple town was renowned for Vedic Scholars and Periyava specifically chose this location for a Vedic Patshala. I had secured certificate from the Sankara Mutt after almost a dozen years of Vedic Education. He called me and directed me to Brahmma Desam asking me to initiate Rig Vedas to a set of students. Periyava wanted the students to come out with flying colours and it was a glorious phase for me spending time with these young students over several years.”

Creates Next Gen of Vedic Scholars

Looking back at those decades till the end of the previous century, Veera Raghava Ganapadigal is proud that he was able to create Vedic Scholars in exactly the way Periya wished. One of his first students is now the Adyayana Bhattar at the Palani temple. Many other students are performing service in other temples across the country and he is delighted that at a time when the Vedic interest was dwindling 3-4 decades ago, he was able to create students well versed in Vedas who are now well respected in the Vedic world.

Rajkumar Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/07/brahmma-desam-kailasanathar-koil.html), the hereditary priest at the Kailasanathar Koil, too credits Veera Raghava Ganapadigal for initiating him into the Vedas “Even as a young boy, I spent a lot of time with him learning the Vedas under his guidance. If today that knowledge is playing a vital role in carrying out my duties inside the temple and during utsavam, the credit for that goes to my Vedic Acharya.”

Both sons take to Vedic Tradition

While a lot in the next generation have moved into academics and subsequently into the corporate world, he was keen for both his sons to take to Vedic Education. His elder son, who has learned the Agamas from the Pillayarpatti Patshala Acharya, has followed in the footsteps of his appa and now performs Thiru Aradhanam at Krishnan Koil in Brahmma Desam. His younger son who spent 8 years learning the Vedas too has taken to the Vedic line as his way of life.

They have resisted the temptation to move to cities in search of lucrative engagements and have been residing in the same old house on South Street in Brahmma Desam and are continuing to spread the Vedic messages from this remote temple town.

A forgotten Acharya

Unfortunately the Sankara Mutt has forgotten his decades long contribution. He served at a not so great financial remuneration. Throughout his life, he cycled his way to Ambasamudram even for basic provisions. It would have nice of the Mutt to have taken care of him financially in his post retirement days but it was not to be proving once again that Mutts are no different from the HR&CE in terms of treating the selfless service personnel.

Wants to see the Chariot run again

Veera Raghava Ganapadigal is soft spoken and modest and downplays his achievements but quietly from this almost forgotten temple town, he has single handedly provided to the Vedic World students who are carrying forward the wishes of Maha Periyava. His one wish is to rebuild the once famous Chariot of the Kailasanathar Koil and he wants to see the new Chariot run on the streets of Brahmma Desam as part of the Panguni Brahmotsavam.