Kutralanathar Temple Hereditary Priests

Originally a Vishnu temple, this was transformed into the Kutralanathar temple by Sage Agasthya after he placed his hand on Vishnu converting the idol into a Shiva Lingam

The hereditary priests at this remote temple on the foot of the Pothigai Hills have been having a glorious run with the temple being one of the richest in the state

This section had earlier this month featured stories on two remote temple priests continuing to serve with the greatest devotional commitment even at very minimal salary for three decades (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/07/thiru-pudai-maruthur-kannan-bhattar.html). This story is about another very remote temple that dates back over a 1000years but interestingly this is one of the richest temples in TN and the four hereditary priests have been having a glorious run, financially.

(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/07/attalanallur-raman-bhattar.html)

The Greatness of Kutralanathar 

Sankara Narayana Othuvar is just 34 years old and has been performing service at the Kutralanathar temple for the last 8 years. Hailing from this historical temple town now famous for the Courtallam falls, he is also working on in-depth research on the temple trying to trace out the historical scriptures relating to the legend of the temple. 

He is devotionally attached to this temple and extols with great clarity the legend relating to this temple "When Sage Agasthya was not allowed inside the Vishnu temple, he went to Ilanji, near Kutralam, and created a Shiva Lingam with sand and performed pooja. He then took the form of a Vaishnavite, entered what was then a Perumal temple and placed his hand on the Moolavar idol and transformed it to a Shiva Lingam with his powers. To this day, one can see the marks of Agasthya’s hand on Kutralanathar. He also transformed Sridevi to Kuzhalvai Mozhi Amman (Parvathi) and Bhoodevi took the form of SriChakra (Sakthi). Agasthya had darshan of Kalyana Thiru Kolam of Shiva and Parvathi."

He says that in memory of this episode, the Thiru Kalyana Vaibhavam is played out in front of Agasthya Sannidhi on Aippasi Pooram and is an event that the devotees should not miss.

The temple is in the shape a Conch. Five Chariots and Five Theerthams are special features of this temple. The Chariot runs on the 5th day of the Chitrai and Aippasi Utsavams. The Chariot also runs in Margazhi carrying Lord Nataraja on the occasion of Arudhra.

Lord Muruga is in the form of performing pooja to Lord Shiva and Parvathi with a flower in his hand. Arunagirinathar has praised this temple in three verses in his Thiruppugazh.

Gnana Sambandar’s praise of the Sthala Vriksham

In a special rendering, Thiru Gnana Sambandar praises the Sthala Vritcham of the temple in his Thiru Kurumbalam pathigam with the leaves, fruits and branches seen as the four Vedas and Shiva Lingams such is the greatness of the Sthala Vritcham here.

Praying for a day at Kutralanathar temple

Othuvar Sankara Narayanan says that a most significant feature for devotees is that as per the legend a day’s prayer at the Kutralanathar temple has the positive effect of doing pooja for a 1000years at a Shiva temple. This is as compared to a year’s pooja at Kasi, 6months pooja at Thiruvannamalai, 3 months pooja at Thiruvarur, 2months at Kedarnath, 1 month at Gokaranam and 1 week at Nellaiappar. Such is the speciality of this temple.

How should one invoke the blessings here

The sthala puranam comprising of 33 sargams narrates as to how one should do shiva pooja, where and what to do at this temple. He is delighted that this is one temple where the legend has laid out a process for the devotees to invoke the blessings of the divine couple. 'One has to first have bath at the sacred falls, then go around the Conch shaped sacred streets before invoking the blessings of Kutralanathar and Venuvaarvaathini amman. Such a devotee will have the blessings of a lifetime."

There are a lot of inscriptions both inside the temple dating back to the Pandya Period and at the Chitra (Oviam) Sabhai dating back to the Nayak rule. Inscriptions also relate to the rule of the Cholas and Cheras.

A special deeparathanai in margazhi

Deeparathanai is special at this temple, says the Othuvar, who also doubles up as the Maniyakaarar of the temple. "During the Margazhi utsavam, Thandava Deeparathanai is presented for 45 minutes with all the ubacharams, a delight to the devotees’ eyes."

The Hereditary Priests

46year old Kannan Bhattar has been at the temple for over two decades. His appa and thatha had served at the temple for over 70years prior to his taking over. As with most temples in TN, the period of his appa’s service was marked by a ‘slowdown’ and that prompted him to push his son into academics.

With a cool sprint shower striking Courtallam in the evening, Kannan Bhattar, sitting in front of the Ambal Sannidhi, told this writer as to how his appa wanted him to focus on academics “He wanted to me to get into Polytechnic but I joined the Patshala in Pillayarpatti and learned the agamas for 7years. My mind was focused on continuing the hereditary service.”

He joined the temple at the turn of the century and has been performing archaka service ever since. Interestingly, he has let out a property south of the Kasi Viswanathar temple in Tenkasi and gets big rental income from that.

Ganesan Bhattar, now 55, is one of the four hereditary priests. He too studied the agamas at the Pillayarpatti Patshala after completing his Class X at Tenkasi Easwaran Pillai School. Right from a young age, he had been supporting his appa during the utsavams at the Kutralanathar temple. He also performed one kalam archaka service at 10 small temples around Tenkasi while his appa was still performing service at the Kutralanathar temple.

While he joined at a monthly salary of Rs. 250, it has shot up to over Rs. 30000 now on the back of the huge income that the temple has been able to generate because of the rental income from its properties.

Parasakthi's Powers

He has been residing in Tenkasi and making four trips back and forth between his home and the temple every day. He is happy with the financial stability that this temple service has provided him. On this Tuesday evening in July, he is at the Parasakthi Sannidhi and recounts to this writer as to how devotees have regained their lost speech after invoking the blessings of Sakthi “There have been many instances where physically challenged children who could not speak have regained the voice after invoking the blessings of Parasakthi.” 

In memory of this episode, one still finds a separate Sannidhi for Perumal and Agasthya inside the temple complex.

He feels blessed to be performing pooja in a temple that is home to one of the five Sabhas in TN temple “North of the temple is the Chitra Sabhai with Mooligai Paintings. There are five Chariots and a big temple tank where the Theppotsavam takes place on Thai Magam. It is also a great devotional feeling to be performing Abhisekam with the ‘Aruvi’ Theertham from the Kutralam falls.”

Jayamani Sundaram Bhattar is 50 years old. He completed his Class X at Ilanji School and like the above two priests went to Pillayarpatti for initiation into the agamas at the Patshala there.  

After completion of the course, he engaged himself in consecration and homam events before joining the Kutralanathar temple 15 years ago.  “My appa – Krishnamurthy Bhattar – served here for 35 years and my son too has joined the Patshala in Thiruparakundram after Class XII. I am hoping that he will continue the hereditary service.

With tourists thronging the waterfalls in Courtallam, the temple too has experienced a surge in devotee crowd. And with that the Thattu Kaasu too has gone over the roof as has the salary of these hereditary priests.

Each of these priests have service at the temple each day of the month alternating between different sannidhis. Unlike those in remote temples in TN, these priests at the Kutralanathar temple have been having a great time, financially. As the devotional wave continues unabated in TN temples, the future looks bright for these priests with devotees coming in large numbers for Parikara and Prarthana pooja.

With the passing of time, many of the Othuvars in remote towns in TN have made their way out of temples. But Othuvar Sankara Narayanan has a great devotional attachment to Kutralanathar having experienced him right from his childhood.  At this young age, he is focusing on deep research on this Lord and is hoping to secure all the historical records about the temple that would have even greater insights into the temple and those that have gone missing. He is keen to dedicate his life in service to the Lord of Courtallam singing the sacred verses of the Saivite Saint Poets each day of the year.

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Attalanallur Raman Bhattar

This 50year old priest has had a long and lonely 3decades devotional engagement with Gajendra Varadar performing Thiru Aradhanam and preparing the Sacred Thaligai all alone at this historical temple in Attalanallur

Hailing from Sri Mushnam, Raman Bhattar moved to Thiru Kurungudi (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/thiru-kurungudi-divya-desam.html) as a school boy. His appa performed archaka service and madapalli Kainkaryam at Sri Mushnam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/04/bhoo-varaha-swamy-sri-mushnam.html) in addition to taking care of the administration of the Uthirathi Mutt there. After his graduation at Valliyur and having done a computer course at Aptech, he worked in Tirunelveli for a brief period.

Raman Bhattar, who belongs to the Swayam Acharya clan and a descendant of Natha Muni, has lived a traditional way of life right from his childhood.

A Historical Temple

The Gajendra Varadar temple in Attalanallur on the banks of Tamaraibarani is one associated with the Gajendra Moksham episode. A rock inside the temple tank referred to as the Elephant Rock, there is reference to the Gajendra Moksham episode having taken place in the foot of the Pothigai hills and the presence of Sage Agastya inside the moolavar sannidhi. As per inscriptions inside the temple that date back a 1000years, this place was referred to as Athaani Nallur (Athaani = Elephant), another indication for the elephant episode connection to this temple. 

Sitting in front of the towering presence of Aathi Moolam, seen in a standing posture, on a quiet Tuesday morning, Raman Bhattar told this writer that he quit his marketing job in Thalayathu and came here to Attalanallur to settle here for ever “My uncle was performing archaka service. Over the last century, my relatives have been performing archaka service at this temple and hence him joining was a natural extension. I would often come to Attalanallur to support him and that’s how my association began with this temple in the 1990s. In 2001, during the Samprokshanam, I was assigned the task of taking care of the jewels. Following this, during the 48 day mandalabhisekam, I stayed back and supported the daily Thirumanjanam. The then archaka was getting on in age and asked if I could support him daily.”

"For a decade, I worked alongside the senior archaka at a HRCE salary of Rs. 1000."

He has also doubled up as the cook at the Madapalli at no extra salary!!! 

Similar to Thiru Pudai Maruthur, there was a vibrant smartha agraharam here too till the middle of the 20th century. There was a Brahmotsavam too once upon a time. Almost all the Brahmins have left this town and many of the utsavams have become a thing of the past.

A beautiful Nandavanam

A 1000 years ago Special Initiatives were taken to maintain a beautiful Nandavanam to ensure the presentation of Flower Garlands for the Lord every day and even Gardeners were provided for at the temple and their interests taken care of. Nandanavam seems to have been given great importance during ancient times at this temple as seen from the different flower gardens referred in the inscriptions, the appointment of gardeners to maintain the garden and initiatives to take care of them. 

There was a gift of prasadam to two gardeners for rearing the flower garden called Ramanuja Thiru Nandavanam during the rule of Kulasekara Pandya. They were exempted from tax and they were to grow flowers, pick them and string them together into garlands. There was a gift of Kadamai on certain lands by the temple for providing maintenance of gardeners of the Iladaraiyan flower gardens.

There was a gift of tax free land for flower garden called Tambikku Nallan Thiru Nandavanam during the rule of Vira Pandyadeva Pandya.  On the north wall of the temple is an inscription dating to the rule of Jatavarma Pandya that refers to gift of land to the temple by a big army with 10 commands for maintaining the garden. There is also a record of a sale of garden lands.

There was also a gift of one kalam of food by the temple for feeding the men in charge of Ramanuja flower garden.

During the rule of Kulotunga I (1100AD) a portion of fields of Athalanallur was separated and granted as a tax free Devadana land. During that period, Athalanallur was referred to as a hamlet of Cheran Maha Devi and the Gajendra Varadar temple was referred to as ‘Moymam Pooumbolil’ Azhvaar temple.

During the rule of Jatavarama Srivallabha Pandya there was a gift of land for conduct of worship on Puratadhi day at Athalanallur. The queen of the place has been mentioned as Uagamuludu Mudaiyaal.

Remains Single, Refuses the 'City Life' call!!!

For the last dozen years, he has been all alone at the temple performing both archaka service and madapalli kainkaryam without any support. Despite a long search, no girl was ready to accept his traditional ways and settle in this remote temple town with minimal facilities.  And thus at 50 he has remained unmarried “My brothers have been trying to persuade me to move to Chennai where they are well settled in the corporate sector.  Also, there is an open invitation to move back to my home town (Sri Mushnam) to perform kainkaryam there but I have told them that my devotional engagement is with Gajendra Varadar and refused to move out of Attalanallur.”

He rarely moves out of this temple town and has not attended even his family functions for he is all alone at this temple.

Select Grand Utsavams

The Puratasi Saturdays are a grand affair at this temple with devotees thronging in several thousands. Garuda Sevai takes place on Vaikasi Uthiradam, Aani Swathi, Puratasi Thiruvonam and Thai Poosam. Aadi Pooram, Chitra Visu and Pournami are the other celebratory occasions at this temple. As part of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, he presents Gajendra Varadar in a special Thiru Kolam with Thirumanjanam, six Thiru Aradhanam and six Thaligai.

Five Sacred offerings every day

There were five sacred offerings to the Lord each day as organised by the assembly of Cheran Maha Devi during the rule of Maravarma Pandya. One of the inscriptions refers to the land originally held by the temple for this purpose as lying waste due to petty quarrels. There is also a record of gift of one achchu by Emberumanar Ammai for providing offering to the God and providing from that prasadam to the servants and worshippers of Emberumanar in the temple. The Vaishnavas in the temple received the achchu and agreed to maintain the charity. There was a grant of prasadam to a certain Ramanuja Jeer for a quarter Annai achchu which the vaishnavas had received from him.

Raman Bhattar keeps himself busy everyday performing the Thiru Aradhanam and the sacred cooking morning and evening. He has no time to think as to what life could have been had he moved to a city life. He has no second thoughts other than that of presenting aradhanam to Gajendra Varadar. He has had a very close long standing association with devotees in and around Attalanallur. He does not see a life for himself outside of Gajendra Varadar and even as he turns 50, he is clear that he wants to spend the rest of his life at the feet of the Lord of Attalanallur. Raman Bhattar  continues to be paid a salary of Rs. 1000 but he is not here for the salary, for his mind is firmly settled on the eyes of  Perumal Aathi Moolam with whom he has had a long three decades engagement. He requires no other motivation and inspiration than the blessed feeling of serving each day of his life at his feet. And no temptation can take him away from Gajendra Varadar.

Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal temple in Attalanallur is located 10kms North East of Ambasamudram and about 25kms from Tirunelveli amidst green fields on the Eastern Banks of  over flowing Tamaraibarani. The temple is open from 7am-11am and 430pm-730pm. Contact Raman Bhattar @ 9566339717.

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Thiru Pudai Maruthur Kannan Bhattar

Parikaram for Relief from Brahmma Hathi Dosham, revival of 63 Nayanmar procession last week after 4decades

From the financially challenged scenario in the 1970s and 80s and having let a lucrative overseas opportunity in the 1990s, Kannan Bhattar has single handedly turned around the fortunes of this historical temple over the last three decades

The Narambu Nathar temple is housed on a huge complex right on the banks of Tamaraibarani in the historical temple town of Thiru Pudai Maruthur. Till about 50 years ago, there were 100s of Brahmin families in the Agraharam and a strong team of service personnel but with almost everyone leaving this historical temple town in search of jobs elsewhere, Kannan Bhattar has been left all alone taking care of the archaka service as well as doubling up as a cook at the madapalli. His grandfather Maharaja Bhattar as well as his appa Sankara Krishnan Bhattar had served as archakas for four decades each.

During the period of his Thatha’s service, the agraharam had been vibrant in line with what was once a Chaturvedi Mangalam, a town full of Vedic Scholars and Dikshithars.

A Grand Revival of the 63 Nayanmar Utsavam

47year old Kannan Bhattar is all smiles for he has just revived last Friday (July12) the 63 Nayanmar Utsavam after four decades with great support from Justice Ratnavel Pandian and his brother District Judge Subramanian who hailed from this town. After decades of doing it all alone, he has now roped in his cousin as a temporary daily wage archaka to support him in his service.

Sitting in front of the Ambal Sannidhi, he looks back at his financially challenged childhood “At the peak of my appa’s service, there were no devotees at all at the temple. There was no oil to light the lamp and most of the time, black oil was used to light up the Sannidhis but there was no choice as there was no income. My appa was paid a maximum salary of Rs. 170 for a major part of his service. He was provided some rice and it was with that we survived and had our daily food.”

Quits School, Joins Pillayarpatti Patshala

Given the financial challenges, he could only afford a Govt school and he completed his class X at the school in Veeravanallur. He recalls the devotional message from his appa during those tough times when this family was the only Brahmin family left in the town “We were hard pressed for money but my appa’s message was always for me to continue the hereditary service. I was interested in academics but when I was 15, he sent me to the Patshala in Pillayarpatti where I learned the Saiva Agama and the Koil Pooja Krama.”

During that dark phase for the temple in the 1970s and 80s, almost all the utsavams had come to a halt except the ever popular Thai Poosam utsavam. But right from his childhood, the unique image of Lord Narumbu Nathar seen slightly tilted with scars on his head is ever in the minds of Kannan Bhattar.

Tale of Lord’s tilted posture

Karur Siddhar, one of the 18 renowned Siddhars, reached this location after meeting Sage Agastya at Papanasam, at the foot of Pothigai Hills. When he reached the river bank, he was welcomed by flash floods in the Tamaraibarani. Seeing a temple of Lord Shiva and not knowing his name at this temple, he wondered how he could have darshan but was moved by the fragrance of ‘Maruthai’ flowers. Seeking darshan, he called out for him 'Poovin Manathil Naduvil Nirkum Naathaney' ‘Narumbu Naatha Nalam Tharuvaayo.’ Moved by his devotion, the Lord moved a bit and is said to have looked out for the devotee who was reaching out to him. An invisible voice directed him to cross the river and come over. Much to his delight, the river gave way and allowed him to cross.

When he came here and asked as to why his face was tilted, the Lord said that he was moved by his devotion and wanted to see who this devotee was. The Siddhar prayed that the Lord remain so ever after to provide darshan to all devotees in the same tilted posture.

This legend has instilled the confidence in Kannan Bhattar that God listens to the devotee's voice and it is that belief he has tried to create in the minds of devotees towards offering their sincere prayers to Narambu Nathar.

Cut on the Lord’s head

When Veera Marthanda Pandya reached here on a hunting expedition, he found a scared deer hiding at the foot of the tree. He directed the cutting of the tree with a sickle. To his shock, he found a Shiva Lingam coming out of the Marutha Tree with a cut in the head and a deer form on his chest. Apologising for his action, he built the temple that one finds in its current form and structure today. To this day, the Lord is seen with a cut in the head and with a deer mark on his chest. 

The Triangle

'Thalai Maruthur' Mallikaarjuna at Srisailam, Idai Maruthur Mahalingeswarar at Thiru Idai Maruthur  (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/12/thiruvidaimaruthur-mahalingam-temple.html) signifying the mid part and Pudai Maruthur Narambunathar, signifying the ‘patham’ sthalam are three temples seen in an equidistant triangle.

Brahmma Hathi Dosham Relief

Indra was inflicted with Brahmma Hathi Dosham for having ignored his original Guru and then later having killed his 'adopted' asura Guru. Indra and his wife had bath in the Surendra Theertham and undertook penance to be liberated from the dosham. He had darshan of Lord and Ambal in Kalyana Kolam.  In memory of this episode, Thiru Kalyanam is celebrated on Aippasi Visu. The temple is also abound with historical inscriptions dating back several centuries.

Reminding the devotees of this legend, Kannan Bhattar says that they now have belief that this is a temple for relief from Brahmma Hathi Dosham and Manthi Parikaram. Crowds have started coming in good number to perform this parikara pooja.

Triveni Sangamam

This is a Triveni Sangamam with Tamarai Barani, Manimutharu and Kadana rivers meeting near here. There is an old world feeling about this historic location with green paddy fields all along the road from Mukoodal which is 4kms away. The greenery continues off the Thirupudaimaruthur- Attalanallur road as well with banana plantations in large numbers.

Lets go Overseas Opportunity

He says that his Vathyar at Pillayarpatti had asked him to go to Malaysia where there was a lucrative opportunity waiting for him but his appa’s health had deteriorated and the responsibility to manage this temple had fallen on him. “I remembered my appa’s early advice to never leave this temple irrespective of the financial scenario and hence I said no to my acharya”, says Kannan Bhattar

Big Support from Justice and District Judge

In an important phase in his life when he was all alone at the temple, Justice Ratnavel Pandian and his brother District Judge Subramanian supported him financially and encouraged him to continue his archaka service and to revive utsavams. 

The Kumbabhisekam in 1995 brought back crowd into the temple. Soon after he took over after the passing away of his appa, Kannan Bhattar promoted this temple as a parikara sthalam for the unmarried and childless.  Over the last decade or so, he has organised celebrations for Pradosham, Thei Pirai Ashtami and Pournami Vilakku Pooja and these have attracted good crowd. He has also revived the Vinayaka Chathurthi utsavam and Sahasranama archanai during Navarathri. The  annual 12 day Thai Poosam utsavam sees a grand celebration including the Chariot procession on the 9th day.

The daily neivedyam presentation to Narambu Nathar is one thing that he has ensured each day over the last three decades. Right from the time he took over in the mid 1990s, he has asked the HR & CE to not reduce their contribution of rice towards this daily Neivedyam. He says he has been lucky that through this entire period, they have provided the provisions towards this Neivedyam for the Lord.

Alone with the Lord and Happy

For a long time, it has been a lonely journey for Kannan Bhattar who started off at a salary of just Rs. 175 in the 1990s!!! But he has shown that performing pooja with sincere commitment will pay off in the long run and that God will always reward a sincere archaka. He is now much better off financially with crowds returning to this historic temple on festive occasions. His 10 year old son has already begun supporting him at the temple and Kannan Bhattar is hopeful that his son too would continue the archaka service that several generations of his family have performed at this temple.

He has found great happiness in performing archaka service and continuing this tradition that his forefathers had undertaken albeit all alone during a major part of these last three decades. For the moment, he is on a devotional high having revived the 63 Nayanmar Utsavam and seeing it become a big success with big devotee participation in the procession last Friday. It is probably one of his biggest achievements in his three decades service as an archaka to pull off such a large procession in a remote temple town and to create that excitement among the devotees.

He is also a standing example of priests in remote temples in Tamil Nadu continuing hereditary archaka service even if its not that financially lucrative all the time.

How to reach

An auto from Mukoodal (4kms) will cost Rs. 120. One can also reach the temple from Veeravanallur (auto Rs. 150). Contact numbers: 96295 42614 / 94427 14547

The temple is open from 6am to 11am and from 430pm to 8pm. Contact: S Kannan Gurukal @ 96262 90350

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Tenkasi Kasi Viswanathar Temple Gurukals

Shortage of Brahmin Priests in Remote Temples

With the impending retirement of Kailasa Gurukal, the huge Pandya Period temple will be left with just Senthil Bhattar as the only Priest with the responsibility of managing all the Sannidhis

 60 year old Kailasa Gurukal- Served for 3 decades

One of the two Chief Priests who is currently managing the pooja at the huge Kasi Viswanathar temple in Tenkasi is touching 60 and due for retirement in a few months. Kailasa Bhattar, who began his association with the temple in the early 1990s as a support priest, has expressed his intent to not continue his service after retirement given the souring relationship with EO Murugan and the other Chief Priest Senthil Bhattar.

Till the construction of the tall Raja Gopuram, priests from the Kutralanathar temple and the Kasi Viswanathar temple jointly managed the pooja kramas at the two temples amongst themselves but the services in the two temples were split and separated following the consecration. In the not too distant past there were four  priests at the Kasi Viswanathar temple but this has now halved this year. With Kailasa Gurukal's non inclination to continue after retirement, there will be just the one Chief Priest at this Pandya Period temple in the heart of Tenkasi. Despite a booming devotee crowd and an ever increasing Thattu Kaasu, not many young agama graduates are ready to take up service as archakas in remote temples administered by the HR & CE. And that is not a healthy sign going forward.

Legend

When Pandya King Parakrama wanted to construct a temple and brought a lingam from Kasi, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him to follow the ants and build the temple where the ants finally rested. He felt blessed to build this temple dedicated to Kasi Viswanathar and Ulagammal at Tenkasi.  There was a Perumal Sannidhi in between the two but with the differences between the Saivites and Vaishnavites, this was taken out and installed in a separate temple South of the Kasi Viswanathar temple. It is there that one now finds the Murugar Sannidhi.

Celebrations are now grand at this temple with Thiru Kalyanam on Aippasi Uthiram, Brahmotsavam in Maasi and Theppam on Avani Moolam. Contrasted with the quiet period in the 1970s and 80s, huge crowds now throng the temple on these festive occasions.

From Bangalore to Tenkasi

Interestingly, both these priests do not have any historical connection with the Kasi Viswanathar temple.  Senthil Bhattar, who will be the sole Priest at this temple after Kailasa Gurukal's retirment, had for long been associated with the Kailasa Ashramam performing Sri Chakra pooja at the Raja Rajeswari temple in Bangalore in the 1990s. He had also been at an overseas temple for a brief period. After completion of class V, he joined the Dharmapuram Atheenam Patshala where he learnt the Agamas.

His appa was instrumental in the development of the Pillayar temple in NGO Colony, Tirunelveli making it a popular temple among the residents of that town in the second half of the previous century.

                          Senthil Bhattar - Now in his late 40s

When the HR & CE called for applications for the post of a priest at the temple in Tenkasi just under a couple of decades ago, his appa keen for him to return to TN so as to be nearer to him, directed Senthil Bhattar to apply and thus he made his way to the Kasi Viswanathar temple as an archaka in 2006.

Military School hopes dashed, joins Agama Patshala

Sitting at the Kulasekara Nathar temple, a sub temple of Kasi Viswanathar temple where he is the Raksha Bandhanam priest for the Kumbabhisekam, 46year old Senthil Bhattar recalled to this writer earlier this week as to how his childhood plan was to get into a military school but things turned out otherwise “I had learned spoken English and was to get into a military school, but even before the results, my appa got me enrolled into the Patshala so I could continue the archaka service. Ever since my graduation from the Patshala, I have been involved with temples over the last three decades.”

Having joined the temple at a salary of around Rs. 2000 in 2006, he now gets close to Rs. 20000 “I never thought I would be performing archaka service in this huge temple but from out of nowhere, Kasi Viswanathar brought me here and has taken good care of me financially over the last two decades” says Senthil Bhattar, happy at the way things have turned out for him in his life.

He is also the one who is accompanying EO Murugan seeking donor support for the Thiruppani works at the Kasi Viswanathar temple. He continues to be associated with the Kailasa Ashrama that had given him the break in the 1990s.

His 16year old son is learning the agamas at the Patshala in Thuthukudi and he is hopeful that he too would continue in this traditional line of service.

Kailasa Gurukal’s surprise entry in the 1990s

Hailing from Papankulam, about 25kms from Tenkasi, Kailasa Gurukal completed his class X from a school in Pathamadai, where at the Shiva temple his appa performed archaka service at a miniscule salary. 

It is Manickavachakar’s Guru Pooja evening and its Kailasa Gurukal’s day of duty at the Swami Sannidhi. After completing the evening pooja and sitting in front of the Durga Sannidhi, he told this writer as to how financially challenging his life had been in his childhood “My appa moved from one temple to another in the Tirunelveli region in the hope of higher salary but all through my childhood while he performed service in many temples, the salary remained low and we had a tough time in the 1970s.”

This Archaka gets daily wages of Rs. 30!!!!

Given this background, he made his way away from temple service into the corporate world working in Chenganacheri for a brief period and then in the fertilizer sector till the early 1990s. In a surprise turnaround, Chidambareswarar Bhattar, the Sthaneegam asked him to provide support service at the at the Kasi Viswanathar temple “I came to this temple in 1993 and performed archaka service assisting him till 1999 when he passed. And then as a replacement to him, I worked at a daily wage of Rs. 30.”

Goes to Court to secure appointment order

Though he had played the role of a support priest for six years and then donned the role of a temporary priest on daily wages for seven years, the permanent order was not forthcoming “I was a strict priest who followed the processes and this did not go well with the EOs of the time. When I went to court and secured the High Court order for my appointment, they deliberately posted me at the then dilapidated Kulasekara Nathar temple. HR & CE expected me to leave after sending me to a deserted temple. There were no devotees and no thattu kaasu at that time and it was financially very challenging in that early phase but that direction to the dilapidated temple turned out to be a blessing in disguise as for the first time in several decades, a devotee from Chennai came forward to undertake all the repair works at a cost of Rs. 1crore all by himself and consecration of the temple took place during my service there. I look back with great pride that the vibrant temple that one sees today and the overflowing crowd at that temple is a direct outcome of the Kumbabhisekam I performed at that temple.”

“Following the successful consecration, when a new EO took charge at the Kasi Viswanathar temple, he learned about my initiatives at the Kulasekara Nathar temple and finally provided me the permanent appointment order at this huge temple.”

Salary Increase pending for several years

The 7th pay commission salary has been due for several years but his salary has not been revised and remained at Rs. 8000. But he is happy that he has been able to give a financially secure childhood to his two daughters, something that he himself had not enjoyed during his schooling days. 

In the current Thiruppani works taking place at the Kasi Viswanathar temple, he has refused to make his way out of the temple on tours across TN with the EO of the temple to reach out to devotees to secure donor support. And that has not gone well with the EO Murugan. 

Kailasa Gurukal says that he has enjoyed a glorious three decades of temple service in Tenkasi having been personally roped in by the then popular Chidambareswarar Bhattar to perform service here "I am not seeking extension and will retire soon in a happy state having served with distinction earning a good name with the devotees as a committed priest."

For long, there has been demand for him to perform consecrations and homams elsewhere. After his retirement this year from the Kasi Viswanathar temple, he is confident that the God will show him the way towards anchoring consecrations in temples in TN. 

Challenging times for remote temples

But for the Kasi Viswanathar temple, there may be challenging times ahead unless the EO is able to convince Kailasa Gurukal to continue his archaka service. There are not Brahmin Priests forthcoming to take full time charge even though the huge devotee crowd is thronging this temple and unlike the past, there is good thattu kaasu on offer to the priests. Senthil Bhattar will have to shoulder a huge responsibility of managing the temple all alone with 'outsourced' priests to assist him, especially in a phase where the Thiruppani works are on and Kumbabhisekam is likely to take place next year.

The current trend is for those that have learned the agamas to explore opportunities in consecration events in temples as against taking up full time archaka service in remote temples that is likely to leave a severe shortage of Brahmin Priests in remote temples in the decades ahead. It is unlikely this trend will reverse as there is big money on offer for 2-3 days of Kumbabhisekam even in remote temples in TN and young agama grads are happy doing a few such events every month rather than 10 hours of daily service at the temple.  

Auto from Tenkasi station : Thirumalai @ 8903787976

Chidambaram Aani Thirumanjanam 2024 Kanakasabhai Devotees

Misleading news reports forces Pothu Dikshithars to throw open the Kanakasabhai

Unless the reporter/media house has an anti Hindu agenda  or  they are stooges of the HRCE, one would NOT stoop so low to completely twist Court orders and make false news stories concerning ancient  Hindu Temple communities – Temple Activist TR Ramesh

Exactly a year ago (July 12, 2023!!!!), this section had featured a story relating to the issue of allowing devotees into the Kanakasabhai at the Sabanayakar temple in Chidambaram that had, except for a brief period a few years ago, been a restricted space (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/07/chidambaram-dikshithars-hrce-battle.html). A High Court order had in the past directed the HR & CE (Petitioner) to hold talks with the Secretary of the Pothu Dikshithars regarding this issue. When the case came up for hearing at the Madras High Court this week, the Judge noted that the Petitioner had not held talks with the Pothu Dikshithars as per the previous direction of the court and that they should first hold the talks before coming to the court.

However, TV Channels and Print media have in the last 24 hours or so put out stories leading the public to believe that the Court has directed the opening of the Kanakasabhai and that action would be taken against the Pothu Dikshithars if they refuse to do so during the Aani Thirumanjanam.

Senior Priest Sivaraja Dikshithar told this writer on Friday morning that believing the false news put out on TV channels and fearing police action against them, they have opened up the Kanakasabhai this morning and plan to have a 2km long queue for devotees to have darshan today and tomorrow as part of the Aani Thirumanjam utsavam. "With so much of work to do leading to the Thirumanjanam, we did not have much time to fight against this misleading news. However, we will fight this case in the court and are confident that the Pothu Dikshithars would secure a permanent order restricting the entry of devotees into the Kanakasabhai", he said.

Activist hits out at the media for false stories

Temple Activist and the man who secured the temple back for the Pothu Dikshithars a decade ago, TR Ramesh (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/02/tr-ramesh-temple-activist.html) has hit out at the media this morning. In a hard hitting post on X, he said, in the last two days TN media was abuzz with false stories concerning Chidambaram Sri Nataraja Temple where a major festival is now taking place. 

"Media reported as if Madras High Court authorised  the HRCE and the Police through an order to take action against Podu Dikshitars if darshan was not allowed. 'Punish those who prevent Kankasabhai worship" is what the media wrote of the order"

Ramesh clarified that the Division Bench passed NO such orders and the order only asks the Petitioner to make a representation to Podhu Dikshitars.

He also said that the Division Bench did not ask for any report in this regard as reported by the media "I do not know how media can twist the truth like this. In my opinion, unless the reporter/media house has an anti-Hindu agenda  or  they are stooges of the HRCE, one would NOT stoop so low to completely twist Court orders and make false news stories concerning ancient  Hindu Temple communities” said a furious Ramesh on his twitter post. 

Pothu Dikshithars and TR Ramesh v HRCE 

This has been a long standing battle between the Pothu Dikshithars (with great support from Ramesh) and the HRCE. In May this year, this section featured a story on the efforts of the HRCE to organise the annual Brahmotsavam at the Govindaraja Perumal temple housed inside the same temple complex, one that had not been held for over 150 years. The HRCE had gone to the extent of fixing tentative dates for the utsavam in Vaikasi but once again the Court directed that such an utsavam could not be held without a discussion with the Pothu Dikshithars and thus the revival of that utsavam has been on hold for now (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/05/chidambaram-divya-desam-brahmotsavam.html). 

TR Ramesh had fought tooth and nail for a few years to secure the historical rights for the Pothu Dikshithars a decade ago. Now, he is on to another big battle against the HRCE - that of restricting entry into the Kanakasabhai and preventing the Brahmotsavam at the Divya Desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Kulasekara Azhvaar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/chidambaram-thillai-thiru-chitrakoodam.html). 

HRCE Minister PK Sekar Babu on his part is eager to take control of the Sabanayakar temple, for this is the only big temple in TN that is out of HRCE's control.

For the moment, the false media reports has meant that the Pothu Dikshithars have been over powered and forced into submission allowing thousands of devotees for a darshan inside the Kanakasabhai today and tomorrow but it is unlikely that Ramesh, whose heart is very close to Sabayanakar and who is currently boiling with anger, will take this false publicity and misleading the Dikshithars, too  kindly.

This section will track the developments.

Tenkasi Kasi Viswanathar Temple Restoration

EO Murugan is fighting all odds to get the Pandya Period temple to its historical glory

He is replacing all the Mosaic stones with traditional Karungal, removing additional stones that raised the floor level up by almost five feet, installing two new Kodi Marams

The huge temple has exquisite sculptures and historical inscriptions 

While there has been an aggressive campaign against the HR&CE over the last decade that has been unsettling for those administering the temples, there are certain Executive Officers at some of the large temples who are trying their best to initiate positive developments in their limited time at these temples. This section featured a story in May this year on EO Sivaraman undertaking positive steps at the Ramanathaswamy temple in Ramanathapuram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/05/dhanushkodi-rama-temple-shiva-lingam.html) and another one about JC Mariappan during the Panguni Utsavam in March this year at Srirangam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/03/srirangam-panguni-chariot-festival-2024.html). This one is about EO Murugan, who against all odds is undertaking a restoration exercise at the Pandya period Kasi Viswanathar temple in Tenkasi.

It has been 18 long years since the previous Kumbabhisekam at this temple. The previous EOs at this temple could neither get the necessary approvals nor the required support from the priests. When Murugan took over as the EO, he was determined to restore the temple to its historic past taking it back to the days of the Pandya rule by removing all the additional and new constructions that had taken place in the decades gone by.

Like at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/venu-srinivasan-srirangam-temple.html), successive renovation works had led to the raising of the floor level inside the temple. Soon after having his late lunch on the occasion of (Manickavachakar) Guru Pooja on Aani Magam, Murugan pointed this writer to the burying of historical inscriptions inside the temple “We have removed a few feet of additional flooring that had come up in the previous renovations and found there were many inscriptions dating back several centuries. Not just inscriptions, beautiful stone sculptures lay hidden because of the raised flooring. Now both the inscriptions and the sculptures are fully visible in front of the entrance to the Swami Sannidhi”, he told this writer in front of the Swami Sannidhi.

Removing Mosaic Flooring- Music Pillars back to its original sound

As has been the case in many temples in Tamil Nadu, mosaic flooring has become part of renovation exercises and it has been no different at the Kasi Viswanathar temple. Swami Sannidhi, Ulaga Amman Sannidhi, Murugan Sannidhi and others had all been replaced with mosaic stones. A great believer in sticking to traditions, EO Murugan took a bold step in removing the entire mosaic flooring and is particularly delighted at the musical pillars producing sound in the way it was originally intended “The traditional Karungal stones has led to the musical pillars presenting sound like from the past. That has given me a great bit of satisfaction.”

The Murugan Sannidhi will see additional stones and structures being removed one feet to get it back to its traditional past. 

The roof above the Swami Sannidhi had seen poor renovation. EO Murugan is restoring that as well to its historic past removing the entire stones from the past renovations.

Anti EO Movement 

No one gave him the slightest chance to replace the two damaged Kodi Maram (Swami and Ambal) but he has managed to make good progress on that as well. When the ground was dug for the replacement, there were some historical coins found underneath. He bemoans the way wrong information has been spread around to try and pull him down “News went around that huge quantities of Gold were found below the old Kodi Maram. Every part of this restoration has been captured and recorded and is there for all to see.”

He has the fullest faith in Kasi Viswanathar and believes that the Lord will keep him away from such distractions and help him focus on his goal to get the temple back to its historical best in terms of the structures.

Refurbishing the Raja Gopuram

Once again, like in many other temples, shrubs have grown in the tall 180 feet Raja Gopuram on the Eastern side. There are other challenges he has had to face in the repair works of the Tower "Severe winds in this time of the year in this region has led to a temporary halt in the repair works and painting of the Raja Gopuram. While all other repair works are going at full speed, the work on the Raja Gopuram is likely to be a bit slow for the next few months till the wind speed reduces" says EO Murugan. 

No Proactive support from the priests in reaching out to donors

There are only two priests at this huge temple with multiple sannidhis. Both these priests (this section will feature a separate story on them soon) have refused to proactively engage with devotee donors to fund this restoration exercise. But EO Murugan is unfazed with the lack of support. In the limited time he is likely to be at this temple, he hopes to go the full distance in making this restoration exercise a success “I am trying to reach out to the network of devotees I had built during my earlier stints including at the Tiruchendur temple seeking their support. While it is challenging without priests’ proactive support, devotees have come forward in good numbers so far in taking this temple back to its traditional structures within the huge complex.”

This writer has expressed many times in the past to priests across TN temples as to why they should travel extensively seeking donor support leaving aside their daily pooja but EO Murugan asks if devotees will be ready to meet him without the presence of the priests when it involves high donations. 

Even as a large number of devotees are reciting the sacred verses of Manickavachakar on the occasion of Aani Moolam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/11/thiruvathavur-thirumarainathaswamy.html), he takes this writer to one part of the outer prakara that has been dug up five feet and shows the depth of additional construction “The lower walls in the outer prakara contain so many inscriptions that are currently hidden. We would require close to Rs. 50Lakhs to remove the entire additional stones had been built in the previous decades and the century gone by to get this prakara to its original form and structure. Kasi Viswanathar has blessed me thus far in identifying devotees and I am confident that he will show me the way in restoring this prakara too to its historic past. I am keen that all the inscriptions inside the temple are visible to the devotees for them to know the greatness of this temple.”

On the Southern side, there is a beautiful long nandavanam with beautiful flowers that are presented every day to Swami and Ambal. 

Other works to be undertaken include a new underground drainage system and rain water harvesting system.

Temple Legend

When Pandya King Parakrama wanted to construct a temple and brought a lingam from Kasi, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him to follow the ants and build the temple where the ants finally rested. He felt blessed to build this temple dedicated to Kasi Viswanathar and Ulagammal at Tenkasi. A lot of the inscriptions that EO Murugan spoke about and pointed to date back to the 14th and 15th century AD.  

There are beautiful sculptures at the Eastern Entrance, many of these are similar to those found in Krishnapuram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/07/non-divya-desam-temple-tale.html) and Srivaikuntam Divya Desam and the exquisite ones at the Kailasanathar temple in Brahmma Desam, near Ambasamudram(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/12/brahmmadesam-kailasanathar-koil.html). These are a real delight to the devotee eyes. 

It is likely that the restoration exercise will be completed over the next 12 months and consecration could take place sometime in 2025. One is not sure if EO Murugan will be at this temple till then but when the Kumbabhisekam does take place, a lot of the credit is likely to go to his tireless efforts in getting this several centuries old temple to its historic glory in terms of structure. 

The temple is open from 6am to 12noon and 4pm to 8:30pm

Auto from Tenkasi station : Thirumalai @ 8903787976  

Thottiyam Thiru Venkatam Bhattar

Now touching 60, this Bhattar has performed Kainkaryam at the Veda Narayana Perumal temple for over four decades from the early 1980s 

Unmindful of the low salary in the 80s and 90s, he performed archaka service with great devotional commitment and is looking to serve the Lord for the rest of his life

S Thiruvenkatam was roped in by his uncle Lakshmana Bhattar to the Veda Narayana Perumal temple in Thiru Narayanapuram, 4kms from Thottiyam when he was just 15 years old having just completed his class X at Musiri. In the 1980s, he learned the Pancharatra Agama from Rangaraja Bhattar of Srirangam and the temple pooja kramas from his uncle, under whose tutelage he started out at this temple. 

Once upon a time this temple had been vibrant with Sripatham personnel coming from the Ranganathaswamy temple for the big utsavams but that has now become history. So too have many of the processions that were integral to this temple. There were processions on the occasion of Amavasya, Shravanam and Ekadasi but with the dwindling crowd and with most of the original inhabitants having left the town these have come to a halt.

The few Brahmin families that resided here left this temple town to larger cities in the 1970s and 80s and thus it was a difficult time for the archakas during the phase he joined. There were neither devotees nor much of a Thattu Kaasu in that earlier period of his service at this temple. There was no salary too when he came here to support his uncle in archaka service. It was only in the mid-1980s was he paid a salary of Rs. 300 per month. He stayed at his uncle’s house just opposite the temple on the South Street.

The serene village amidst a lot of greenery attracted the young boy and he has remained here serving Veda Narayana Perumal for over four decades. Unmindful of the financial challenges, it has been Thiruvenkatam Bhattar who has managed the temple for a large part over the last four decades. Performing homam and wedding activities, he managed to secure some additional income needed to run his family.

He is now touching 60 and it will be time for retirement soon but its unlikely the HR&CE will let go of his services for there may not be many who would be interested to perform such Kainkaryam in a remote temple. He told this writer on a quiet Thursday morning at the temple last week that he feels blessed to have got such an opportunity to serve at a historical for four decades without a break “When I was studying in school, I did not visualise that I would be performing archaka service for such a long time in such a historical temple where Veda Narayana Perumal is seen in a unique Sayana Kolam with the four Vedas by his side and the presence of 3 year old Prahalada in a standing posture at his feet. It is really a blessed feeling to have performed Kainkaryam every day for 40 years at this temple.”

Vedic Initiation to Brahmma

Brahmma once turned arrogant as he was the only one who could ‘create’ things in this world. Wanting to teach him a lesson, Lord Vishnu created a unique idol that left Brahmma wondering about its creator. When asked, Lord Vishnu feigned ignorance saying that Brahmma was the only one bestowed with the rights of creation. While agreeing to this, Brahmma questioned the Lord as to who could have created this image and how this could have appeared without his knowledge and approval.

Lord Vishnu brought the truth before Brahmma and a message to the people at large saying that we should do what is expected of us. However, we should not become arrogant as a result of the exclusive/ special powers given to us. Realising his folly, Brahmma requested the Lord for the initiation of the Vedas. As he initiated the Vedic lessons to Brahmma, the Lord is referred to here as ‘Veda Narayanan’. 

Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar Abhimana Kshetram

Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar came here with his wife and 6 children in the hope of finding Moksham. One night, the leaves from the palm tree at the temple caught fire. Shocked at seeing this, Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar immediately threw his 6 children towards the Lord as a cover for him and to protect him from the raging flames. Unfortunately, the Lord continued to burn. Araiyar then threw himself into the flames and hugged the Lord so the fire would not touch his favourite Lord.

Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him and granted moksham to the entire family of the Araiyar. Hence, this place came to be called Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Abhimana Kshetram.

Festivals- Chariot Procession attracts the biggest crowd

11 day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi with the Chariot procession on the 9th day, 21 day Adyayana Utsavam in Margazhi and  Navarathri Utasavam in Puratasi take place at this temple. He says that the biggest crowd is seen during the Chariot procession and on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day “On most other days in the year crowd trickled in only in small numbers during the 1980s and 90s. It was only after the Samprokshanam in 2000 did we see the devotee crowd increase. The good news in recent times is that devotees have been visiting for prarthanai for education, wedding and also to have darshan of Anjaneya.” 

As Brahmma himself was initiated with Vedic Education, this is a special temple for those seeking success in education. Students who visit this temple offering their sincere prayers and place their books at the feet of Veda Narayanan are believed to come out with flying colours in their education. This belief is driving a bit of devotee crowd to this temple. 

Despite the challenges faced by him, he has got both his sons to be in the traditional space “My elder son performs archaka service in a temple in Coimbatore while my younger son is into Veda Parayanam in Chennai.”

Mei Kavalar Family for over 30 years

60 year old M Ganesan is now one of the Mei Kavalars at this temple and takes care of the security service. His appa had performed this service for three decades at a salary of Rs. 150 and Ganesan has now taken over after the death of his appa.

Ganesan has pleasant memories of this temple from his childhood days “There is a lot of land for the temple and the income was big in those days in my childhood. Processions were grand with devotees participating in good numbers. There were 35 people working at this temple such was the vibrancy. Madapalli too functioned with the cooks preparing delicious food. Devotees gathered in large numbers for the prasadam.” 

He says that in later years because of the low salary, most of the workers left the town and that led to many utsavams coming to a halt. He continues to live in a hut house and some how manages to run the household at this low salary of Rs. 900 per month.

For Thiruvenkatam Bhattar, the happiness of performing the Kainkaryam at the Veda Narayana Perumal temple is what counts and that is what has kept him going over a long 40 year period. He sees himself continuing to perform the archaka service at this temple for the rest of his life and lives in the hope that one day the devotee crowd will return in large numbers and temple will regain its vibrancy!!!

The temple is open from 730am -1130am and 430pm-8pm. Contact : Thiruvenkatam Bhattar @ 99766 11898