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.