At the historic birth place of Vaishnavite Acharya Manakkal Nambi, this archaka family continues to perform service with devotional commitment
It is 9am on the Rama Navami day (April 17). The Varadaraja Perumal temple in Manakkal wears a deserted look. There are no devotees in sight but inside the Sannidhi Rajagopalan Bhattar is all alone performing a Thirumanjanam with great devotional commitment. His appa Varadaraja Bhattar had served at the temple for several decades till his death in 2011. Most of the original inhabitants have left the Agraharam with Natarajan, formerly of Kothari Sugars and uncle of Sivakumar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/04/sivakumar-infosys-to-namasankeerthanam.html), one of the few remaining old timers in this historic temple town. It is he who has organised the Thirumanjanam on the auspicious occasion of Rama Navami.
Avathara Sthalam of Manakkal Nambi
It was here that Rama Mishrar was born. He went on to become one of the most prominent of the Sishyas of Uyyakondan of Thiruvellarai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/10/thiru-vellarai-divya-desam.html). When Uyyakondan’s daughters found it difficult to cross the path from Cauvery as it was soggy, Rama Mishrar lay flat and asked them to walk over him. So pleased was Uyyakondan with his service that he anointed him as ‘Manakkal’ Nambi and designated him as his successor.
Transforms Alavanthar
Similar to Kumudavalli transforming Thiru Mangai Azhvaar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/04/vedu-pari-thiruvali-thirunagari.html), it was Manakkal Nambi who reformed Yamunai Thuraivan. When Alavanthar immersed himself in his kingdom, it was Manakkal Nambi who resurrected him back to true the Vaishnavite way. When basking in power, Alavanthar refused him entry, Manakkal Nambi presented a special vegetable leaf to the kitchen. The food was so tasty that Alavanthar began to consume it every day. When Manakkal Nambi stopped this service, Alavanthar, on enquiry, came to know about the contribution of Manakkal Nambi and provided him a special entry anytime. It was then that Manakkal Nambi took Alavanthar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/07/kurugai-kaavalappan-koil.html) to Srirangam for a darshan of Ranganatha and transformed him providing him devotional enlightenment.
என்னுயிர் தந்த அளித்தவரைச் சரணம் புக்கு
யான் அடைவே அவர் குருக்கள் நினைவணங்கி
பின்னருளால் பெரும்பூதூர் வந்த வள்ளல்
பெரியநம்பி ஆளவந்தார் மணக்கால் நம்பி
நன்னெறியை அவர்க்கு உரைத்த உய்யக்கொண்டார்
நாதமுனி சடகோபன் சேனை நாதன்
இன்னமுதத் திருமகள் என்றிவரை முன்னிட்டு
எம்பெருமான் திருவடிகள் அடைகின்றேனே - அதிகார ஸங்க்ரஹம்
Avathara Utsavam on Maasi Magam
At the Varadaraja Perumal temple, the avathara utsavam of Manakkal Nambi is celebrated in a grand way on Maasi Magam with a Thirumanjanam and a street procession of Perumal and Manakkal Nambi. 10 day Gokulashtami is also celebrated at the temple.
Rajagopalan Bhattar has committed himself to continuing the archaka service that his appa and later his elder brother had performed at this acharya avathara sthalam. And that is commendable at a time when most traditionalists are moving away from ancestral locations to cities seeking greener pastures.
The temple is open from 8am-11am and 5pm to 8pm. Contact: Rajagopalan Bhattar @ 94883 91485
Manakkal is one km from Lalgudi on the Anbil route.
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