Thiruvanaikaval Akilandeswari Aadi Goratham Procession

Back to Old times

Two Bullocks pull the Goratham around the fourth prakara of Thiruvanaikaval on the 9th day of the Aadi Pooram festival

It was a one of a kind procession at the Jambukeswarar-Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval on Sunday (July 27) with two bullocks pulling Goddess Akilandeswari around the four Ul Thiru Veethi of the fourth prakara on the 9th day of the Aadi Pooram festival.  Following the Uchi Kaala pooja, Akilandeswari made her way from her Sannidhi around the third prakara to the Western entrance where the Sripatham personnel mounted her on to the Goratham. There is a surprise for the handful of devotees who have gathered in front of the Goratham. It is not they that will pull the chariot but two bullocks as their owners bring them and tie them up to the Chariot.

Othuvar’s Great Devotional commitment

It is noon when the Akilandeswari atop the Goratham made her way on to the North Ul Veethi. Othuvar Srinivasan Ramani, who has been the sole presenter of the Thevaram verses for over 25 years at this temple, has moved well ahead of the procession.  

நசையானை நால்வேதத் தப்பா லானை

 நல்குரவுந் தீப்பிணிநோய் காப்பான் றன்னை

இசையானை எண்ணிறந்த குணத்தான் றன்னை

 இடைமருதும் ஈங்கோயும் நீங்கா தேற்றின்

மிசையானை விரிகடலும் மண்ணும் விண்ணும்

 மிகுதீயும் புனலெறிகாற் றாகி யெட்டுத்

திசையானைத் திருவானைக் காவு ளானைச்

 செழுநீர்த் திரளைச்சென் றாடி னேனே – Thiru Gnana Sambandar

He told this writer that he has always seen it as a great blessing that he has been the exclusive Othuvar at this temple for well over two decades. “While it feels lonely once in a while, I have enjoyed the presentation of the sacred Thevaram verses reciting all alone in peace without much of an external noise. There is a certain peace in having the opportunity to render these verses on the Lord of Thirvanaikaval day in day out without the overcrowding of devotees that one sees elsewhere in other temples. In my youth, I would get all excited every morning at the prospect of reciting the sacred verses at every pooja kalam. And now almost three decades later, I still have that same blessed feeling that Jambukeswarar has chosen me to be the one to recite the verses in front of him and Goddess Akilandeswari every day of the year and on such occasions like the Goratham procession. ”

The Shiva Adiyars are a regular at all processions at Thiruvanaikaval and they follow the Goratham on the procession reciting the sacred verses. 

Goratham's top knocked off

As with many remote temples in TN, there is a serious shortage of service personnel at Thiruvanaikaval too and this resulted in lack of attention to minute details on this afternoon at the procession. No one noticed the overhead wire on the North Ul Veethi and the Goratham struck the wire and the top of the ratham came tumbling down much to everyone’s shock.  The procession moved on after a short break with a tanker pouring splashing water on the sacred streets on this hot Aadi afternoon. 

      Goratham at the start of the procession!!!

While the pulling of the goratham by the bullocks took one back in time to the good old days of the temple festivals, one did spot the discomfort in the two bullocks as they had to shoulder a lot of weight and it did not seem to be an enjoyable experience for them. A paricharaka who came along with the procession was kind enough to buy a few pieces of candies and handed these to the two bullocks. 

PM Modi watches the Goratham from his helipad

The Goratham moved quickly on to the East street where the procession had to be stopped for a brief period as the EB personnel began work on cutting the overhead wires only after the Goratham entered the East Ul Veethi, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew above on his helipad from Trichy to Gangai Konda Cholapuram on the occasion of the birthday celebration of Rajendra Chozha. It was another indication as to the kind of challenges temple authorities have to face in organising a festival such as this.

EB officials arrive late

More overhead wires had to be cut off on the South Ul Veethi as the Goratham made a fast paced return to the West street. It was a great effort on the part of the bullocks to carry Goddess Akilandeswari around the four streets  but it did take a lot of them and the service personnel presented both with a few more candies. 

Enjoyable experience for Shiva Adiyars

The few devotees and Shiva Adiyars who stayed through the procession enjoyed the darshan of Akilanda Nayaki and one could find see the happiness in them at having been part of this Aadi Pooram Goratham Utsavam. The two bullocks felt a sense of relief as they were unchained from the Goratham and taken back to their home.

கடல்வண்ணன் நான்முகன் காண்பரியார்

தடவரை யரக்கனைத் தலைநெரித்தார்

விடமது வுண்டவெம் மயேந்திரரும்

அடல்விடை யாரூராதி யானைக்காவே-Appar

Shortly after 12.30pm, the Sripatham personnel carried Akilandeswari back into the Western entrance where there were more hurdles. A transport vehicle had parked inside the temple and that had to be moved away before the Goddess could make her way back to her abode. 

It is not often these that devotees get to watch a temple festival with bullocks anchoring a procession. This Sunday afternoon at Thiruvanaikaval, the devotees were taken back in time to a village fest kind of feel as the two bullocks were the heroes of the day as they were blessed with the exclusive opportunity to pull Goddess Akilandeswari. 

Srirangam Koil Mahajanam Sudarshan

The 'Pineapple' choice - Temple over corporate

This once IAS Aspirant commits himself to a lifetime service at Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam

As a school boy in Tiruppur, he aspired to become an IAS officer. Not too far away from there – in Salem- was a school boy in the 1970s who aspired and went on to become one and is now an inspiration to the current generation (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/irai-anbu-ias_19.html). Into his mid and late teens, his focus shifted to become an auditor like his appa. But Ranganathaswamy of Srirangam had different plans for him and this 23 year old Madhwa has now committed himself to a lifetime of service at this Divya Desam. Here’s the story.

Academically Brilliant

VJ Sudarshan had a happy early childhood and was extremely proficient in academics. He would travel almost 15 kms every day from his village in Perumanallur to the world renowned garment town in Tiruppur for his schooling. Throughout that early phase, he aspired to become an IAS officer and believed that he had it in him to achieve that. 

He was a rank holder in Class X but the sudden loss of his appa (to a heart attack) when he was just 15 put paid to the IAS aspiration.  It looked like the world had come down on him for his appa taught him everything in life and he was to be no more there to support him. With no other source of income and also to overcome this tragedy, he wanted to move to Srirangam where his uncle resided but with his extraordinary academic performance, he had become a favourite of his teachers and the school authorities provided him with a meritorious scholarship and asked him to continue there. 

School topper in Class XII

Sitting at the Thayar Sannidhi on the auspicious Aadi Pooram day, he recounts that phase to this writer “I had finalised the plans to move to Srirangam but my school in Tiruppur would not let me go. They had high expectations of me in class XII and I did not let them down and topped the school in the Boards in arts.”

As a school topper, he received admission in prestigious colleges across the country but after having previously pulled back his decision to move to Srirangam, this time he was firm and joined B. Com at the Andavan College. “Amma was alone and I thought it was my duty to be with her and hence let go of the opportunity to join any of India’s top commerce colleges including one in Delhi”, he says on how he took a big call to let go off opportunities to graduate from the best of colleges in the country.

By this time, his ambition turned from an IAS aspirant to a professional auditor like his appa, two years after he lost him,

                         Chitrai Garuda Sevai

While he was a high scoring student throughout his school life, he had also developed devotional interest thanks to the inspiration from his uncle. "I would spend every summer in Srirangam at my uncle’s house and had experienced the famous Chitrai and Poochatru Utsavam right from my childhood."

It was on the back of that experience as a devotee in Srirangam that he joined the Vethal Group and performed the Sripatham service during his college years. He also performed Sripatham service during this phase at the Pundarikakshan temple in Thiru Vellarai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/03/thiru-vellarai-pundarikaksha-perumal.html) and the Kamalavalli Nachiyar temple in Uraiyur.  With each passing year, his devotional attachment to the Divine Couple of Srirangam was growing and he had begun to develop an extremely close bond with them.

Temple Kainkaryam Opportunity 

Having lost his appa early, the need for basic financial security led him to join an investment firm in Srirangam soon after his graduation. And then as he recounts, he secured a ten day kainkaryam at the Ranganathaswamy temple out of the blue that transformed his life from a IAS/CA aspirant to a temple Kainkaryapara “I cannot forget that morning. It was 1st January 2023. Namperumal was to provide darshan in Mohin Alankaram when I received a surprise call from the temple. The Koil Mahajanam, who was to be on duty, had to be away from the temple for the rest of the utsavam and I was asked if I could don the role of a substitute for the 2nd half of the Adyayana Utsavam.”

Maniyam Sridharan has played a role in the lives of many of the young Kainkaryaparas. “It was Maniyam Sridharan who took me first to the Kambathadi Anjaneya to invoke his blessings and then to the Moolavar Sannidhi before introducing me to JC Marimuthu. That was how I got the opportunity to perform the role of a Mahajanam” Sudharsan told this writer on how he got a divine kainkaryam opportunity out of nowhere, when he least expected it (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html).

“Those ten days gave me a great deal of satisfaction and I was delighted when the temple authorities asked me if I would be interested to continue the service as a Kainkaryapara. For six months, I performed the role without an appointment just as a Kainkaryam, alongside the official Mahajanam of the temple. It was a very enjoyable experience.”

                             Panguni Uthiram Serthi Sevai

In those six months, he also performed the role of ‘Perumal Sannidhi Vaasal’, involved in the management of the devotee crowd at the Moolavar Sannidhi.

While this was a Kainkaryam role, it demanded his presence at the temple during all the utsavams including the four Brahmotsavams starting Thai!!!!  This necessitated him to quit the well paying corporate job and in a matter of a few days he had turned himself into a full time Kainkaryapara. 

Having lost his appa early, responsibility had fallen on him to run the family and take care of his amma. By the end of those six months, he was beginning to get restless and jittery. He recalls that period as to how Ranganatha blessed him a second time answering his prayers immediately “I had performed service for almost six months without a salary. One day, I stood in front of Ranganatha and invoked his blessings. I was enjoying the Kainkaryam and it had been a great experience but without a regular fixed monthly income, I told the Lord (almost threatened him!!!) that I would have to consider a corporate job."

"Reconfirming His real presence, the Lord bound me to his service with the authorities  appointing me as a Koil Mahajanam within one week of my prayer. I was in tears realising how Perumal responds to a real prayer of a devotee.”

At the end of six months, the temple authorities called on him and informed him on his appointment as a Koil Mahajanam on a daily wage (temporary staffer as per HRCE rules) of Rs. 300!!!

In these two years, he has also been given the additional responsibility of ‘Sannidhi Vaasal’ at the Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi, one who is responsible for the management of the devotee crowd and their darshan.

Madhwas as the Koil Mahajanam 

This section had featured a story last decade on how Vaishnavite Saint Ramanuja assigned roles and responsibilities to people from different communities and got those from all walks of life to be engaged in Kainkaryam at this temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/01/srirangam-saathatha-raghuram.html). 

The Madhwas were assigned the role of Mahajanam Kainkaryam. It is they who inform the Sthalathars ahead of every procession of Namperumal and Ranganayaki Thayar and invite them by striking the ‘Saattai’ on the floor leading them to the Moolavar Sannidhi for purappadu Thodakkam. They also perform a similar role during Padi Erakkam and ahead of every Thirumanjanam. “We are the information giver to the Sthalathars of this temple on the timing update of procession and Thirumanjan” says Koil Mahajanam Sudharsan.

The Madhwas have also been involved in carrying the sacred Kudam from the Cauvery during the Jeshtabhisekam utsavam.

As a Mahajanam, he also performs the role at the Brahmotsavam and Jeshtabhisekam at Thiru Vellarai and during the processions at Uraiyur Divya Desam.

He is proud at the traditional way the Madhwas have lived “Madhwas have been known for sticking to tradition. Even when I was schooling in Tiruppur, I performed service at the Raghavendra Mutt and the Anjaneya Sannidhi and hence I got involved in temple related Kainkaryam early on in life.”

Koil Mahajanam Sudharsan did not visualise a life at Srirangam when he was a school boy. Even after the untimely death of his appa, he foresaw himself as an auditor carrying on in his appa’s footsteps. But him rejecting the seats in the most prestigious of colleges in the country and moving to Srirangam when he was just 17 transformed his life and led him into a path of temple kainkaryam. Having experienced this for a couple of years in his full time role as a Koil Mahajanam and Thayar ‘Sannidhi Vaasal’, Sudharsan has put behind his thoughts of a life in the corporate world even though he is just six months away from securing a professional MBA degree.

நம்பி பிம்பி என்று நாட்டு மானிடப் பேரிட்டால்

நம்பும் பிம்பம் எல்லாம் நாலு நாளில் அழுங்கிப் போம்- Periyazhvaar's naming a child

At a time, more and more Vaishnavites from the next gen are letting go of temple service to explore a career in the corporate world, Sudharsan, referred to in Srirangam temple circles as 'Pineapple' (in violation of Periyazhvaar's verses!!!), has taken a bold call to enter the temple kainkaryam space despite performing well in his academics and with him not getting a permanent posting yet (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/periyazhvar-naming-child.html)

At 23, he acts and speaks with clarity “As I look back, I feel greatly blessed at having taken the decision to move to Srirangam instead of joining a top college in the country. My MBA degree will always serve as a reminder to me that I consciously chose full time Kainkaryam as a way of life letting go of my early ambitions of reaching the top of the corporate ladder. And how only the chosen few are likely to perform service at the feet of this Divine Couple of Srirangam. ”

In this phase, Sudharsan has found and experienced a never before happiness in his life and sees this as his only way of life. He is devotionally committed to a lifetime of service at the Ranganathaswamy temple irrespective of the financial returns. With two and a half years of Koil Mahajanam service under his belt, it is hoped that the HR & CE would consider providing him with a permanent posting that would help him with long term financial security that a daily wage earner would not necessarily get.

This section will track the developments on this front.

Srivilliputhur Aadi Five Garuda Sevai

Through the night Five Hour Procession around the 8 sacred streets

Devotees thronged the streets around the Andal temple in large numbers on Thursday night at the five Perumal Garuda Sevai Procession

                    Glittering Thiruthangal Appan

It is a sign of the transformational devotional times we are in. Just past 8pm on Thursday (July 24), there are thousands outside the Andal temple in Srivilliputhur waiting to get inside for a first glimpse of the Five Perumals atop the Garuda Vahana but most are not allowed in. This is a far cry from just over a couple of decades ago when there were just the locals on this Garuda Sevai procession and devotees could walk in to the temple at any time on this day to have darshan of the Perumal who had come in from other locations.

Clock has ticked past ten pm and there are hundreds inside the temple complex.  Those that have managed to gain entry have darshan of the five Lords that arrived earlier in the day before they listen to the Prabhandham Thodakkam.

Periyazhvaar leads the procession out of the temple followed by Andal on Anna Pakshi Vahana. A lot of the devotees are glued to Ninra Narayana Perumal from Thiruthangal Divya Desam at the far end of the South Prakara of Andal temple.  Anantha Sayana Bhattar is engaged in conversations with a number of devotees. He recounts to this writer as to how things have transformed at the temple “Over two decades ago when I arrived at the temple, there were no Vastrams for Ninra Narayana Perumal and Thayar. And they would adorn the same vastram for several days. Now, devotees are standing in a queue to present ornaments to the deities.”

Thiruthangal Appan was glittering with gold kreedam and shining necklaces and devotees repeatedly came back for a darshan of this Divya Desam Perumal. It has been a complete transformation at Thiruthangal in recent years.

பட்டி மேய்ந்தோர் காரேறு பலதேவர்க்கு ஓர் கீழ்க்கன்றாய்

இட்டீறிட்டு விளையாடி இங்கே போதக் கண்டீரே

இட்டமான பசுக்களை இனிது மறித்து நீருட்டி

விட்டுக் கொண்டு விளையாட விருந்தாவனத்தே கண்டோமே Rang

amannar, Sundararaja Perumal of Kattazhagiya temple, Srinivasa Perumal of the hill temple at Tiruvannamalai

 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/07/thiruvannamalai-srinivasa-perumal.html) and finally Thiruthangal appan follow Periyazhvaar and Andal on the procession. There are several hundreds that have lined up outside the temple for that first glimpse of the Father- Daughter azhvaars and the five Perumals.

The entire South street is jam packed and there is no place for the devotees to move even as the volunteers keep shouting asking them to give space for the Lords to move forward. Bhagavathas are present in good numbers and through the night they present devotional songs in groups with each of them coming with their favourite Lords. 

Past 11pm and on the West street and things are no different. There are residents having darshan from the rooftop and from the first floor of their homes. Coconuts and flower garlands are presented in front of every house. 

Araiyar Bala Mukundan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/12/srivilliputhur-araiyar-natha-muni.html) who has spent his entire life in dedication to this Lord is leading the Prabhandham recital along side Periyazhvaar while the Vadakalai Prabhandham Ghoshti are following the Thenkalayars. It is a positive sign that the Thenkalayars and Vadakalayars continue to recite the sacred verses at this Divya Desam.

Veda Piran Bhattar, a descendant of Periyazhvaar is accompanying Andal and receiving the thattu presentations from the devotees (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/07/srivilliputhur-aadi-five-garuda-sevai.html)

With the special interest in the decoration of Thiruthangal Perumal, devotees are thronging the last of the Lords on this procession and he is lagging far behind the six other deities. 

There is a great festive feel around the Andal temple past midnight as the deities make their way in front the towering Raja Gopuram of Vadapatrasayee temple. As is usually the case on such occasions, the economy is thriving with street side vendors making good business and the demand for the Srivilliputhur famous Milk Kova running high. There is a devotional dance and legendary story presentation on a specially set up stage in front of the Andal temple and that has been going on through the evening, though the sound on the loud speakers was far too high for one’s liking. That programme too ended past mid night even as the deities made their way on to the East Chariot street. 

Those that have had darshan around the Andal temple making their way home many trying to catch late night moffusil buses to reach their destination. The Kainkaryaparas and the bhagavathas are the ones that stay back through the procession as the seven deities move on to the big Chariot streets. Past 1am, it has become lot quieter most of the outstation devotees having left the town. There are still those in front of their homes and shops with Thattu presentations. 

While it took almost three hours for the deities making it from inside the Andal temple on to the East Chariot street, it was a fairly fast paced procession around the four Chariot streets with the devotees having left after the darshan at the start of the procession. 

It has turned around finally for Bala Mukundan Araiyar after many decades of financial struggle. Despite health issues in the past, he is energetic through the procession and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the devotees at this Divya Desam. 

Sundararaja Bhattar of Azhagar Koil Divya Desam and the Priest at Vandiyur Veeraraghava Perumal temple in Madurai too is at the procession lending his on the ground physical support to the priests of Srivilliputhur. Without such external support, it is very difficult to manage such utsavams that are tiring on the body by the sheer physical effort that is required from morning through late in the night on the Garuda Sevai day.

It is a pretty long night for the police personnel too and they do a commendable job managing the crowd and the traffic, especially on the East Chariot street. 

It is past 2pm when the six deities making their way back into the Sannidhi Street and to in front of the Andal temple. Thiruthangal Appan is still enjoying himself on the North Chariot Street with the few devotees making their way out of their homes and in front of the shops to have a final look of the glittering Divya Desam Lord who made an almost 20 km trip earlier in the day from Thiruthangal to Srivilliputhur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/12/thiru-thangal-ninra-narayanan-temple.html). 

There is still devotional energy left in the Bhagavathas as a couple of their groups follow the Thiruthangal Lord continuing to present songs in praise. It is 2.15pm when Thiruthangal Appan joined the other deities in front of the Andal temple and the last remaining devotees bid goodbye for another year at this Five Perumal Garuda Sevai that has gained prominence over the last decade attracting huge number of devotees from across the state and outside.

Thiru Koshtiyur Aadi Garuda Sevai

One of a kind procession for a Divya Desam 

Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal go on a joint procession around the streets of Thiru Koshtiyur atop the Golden Garuda Vahana

It is just past 3pm on Tuesday (July 22) and the fourth day of the Aadi Pooram utsavam at the Sowmya Narayana Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Koshtiyur, one under the administration of the Sivaganga Samasthanam. Adyanana Bhattar, the renowned Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan has been anchoring the action plan for the Golden Vimana and on this afternoon he is overseeing the gold plating activity that is currently going there ahead of the consecration of the Golden Vimana. It has been close to two decades since the work started to gold plate the Vimana. Finally, there is a smile in Madhavan’s face with the work nearing completion. 

Finally the Golden Vimana- Feb Consecration

He told this writer on Tuesday afternoon that in phase 1, around 40 kgs of gold will be used for the Vimana and more will be added subsequently. The consecration event for the Golden Vimana has been fixed for the first week of February and Madhavan is confident that the work will be completed by then. There is a high profile devotee couple who arrive at the temple and he takes them around every Sannidhi providing them with historical insights into the greatness of the temple. It is a one of a kind of an experience on this Pradosham evening as he talks to them about the Shiva Sannidhi that has now been restored. 

Glittering Necklaces and Kreedam

The young next gen priest has been involved in the decoration of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal through the afternoon. The devotees have a first glimpse of them seen in glittering jewellery. Madhavan, who is very passionate about Thiru Koshtiyur, says that this is the only Divya Desam where Perumal and Andal go out on a joint Garuda Sevai procession.

It is past 4pm and a handful of Prabhandham members begin the recital of the fourth canto of Periyazhvaar’s Thirumozhi that includes a decad on the greatness of Thiru Koshtiyur and its original inhabitants. They follow Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi with the presentation of the fourth canto of Nam Azhvaar’s Tiruvoimozhi.

Following the Satru Murai, the devotees are presented with Puliyodharai, Sundal and Chakkarai Pongal. Hereditary priest Ramesh Bhattar recalls the period of his forefathers when 100s of kgs of prasadam was presented but almost all of the original inhabitants of Thiru Koshtiyur have left for bigger cities with only a few kainkaryaparas having stayed back.

காசின் வாய்க்கரம் விற்கிலும் கரவாது மாற்றிலி சோறிட்டு 

தேச வார்த்தை படைக்கும் வண் கையினார்கள் வாழ் திருக்கோட்டியூர்

கேசவா புருடோத்தமா கிளர்  சோதியாய்  குறளா என்று பேசுவார் 

அடியார்கள் எந்தம்மை விற்கவும் பெறுவார்களே- Periyazhvaar on Thiru Koshtiyur

During famine, grains sell at such a premium that even a handful of grains cost a gold coin. But even during these most testing of times, the people of Thiru Kottiyur, known for their extra ordinary generosity, feed the guests with honour as if everything was normal. They do not use such tough times to hide their stocks and claim shortfall to their guests. Would you not sell yourselves as bonded slaves to such high quality people, asks Periyazhvar.

In those few that have stayed back in this Divya Desam, this genorosity has not been lost for they invite visiting devotees for meals at the conclusion of the procession late in the evening and to stay back the night.

Devotees who have come in from other towns for this festive occasion enquire about the greatness and speciality of the temple even as they go around taking a look at the three tiered Ashtanga Vimana in the twilight of the setting sun. It was here that Vaishnavite Saint Ramanuja learnt the Thiru Mandiram on his 18th visit from Srirangam.

It is 7pm and all is set for the procession. The sripatham personnel have arrived and so have a small set of devotees. Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal have been mounted atop the Garuda Vahana. Soon after the Deeparathanai, as is now the trend in most remote Divya Desams, the utsava deities are moved on to the Wheeled vehicle for the procession. The shortage of service personnel in temples has meant that no more is the Lord carried on the shoulder like in the centuries gone by.

The prabhandham members begin the recital of Nanmugan Thiruvanthathi in front of Ramanuja Sannidhi to signal the commencement of the procession. Perumal and Andal leave the temple complex through the South gate instead of the Eastern Raja Gopuram. The Sannidhi Street is the one where traditional Vaishnavites lived till the second half of the previous century. 

நளிர்ந்த சீலன் நயாசலன் அபிமான துண்கனை நாள்தொறும் 

தெளிந்த செல்வனை சேவகங் கொண்ட செங்கண்மால் திருக்கோட்டியூர் 

குளிர்ந்துறை கின்ற கோவிந்தன் குணம் பாடுவார் உள்ள நாட்டினுள் 

விளைந்த தானியமும் இராக்கதர் மீது கொள்ளகிலார்களோ 

Periyazhvaar says that the nobility of the residents and the reverberations arising from the sacred recitals at Thiru Koshtiyur is such that even the asuras would not steal from this temple town.

All the streets are dotted with beautiful white pulli kolams. Some reconstruction has taken place on this street in line with the modern trend. G Madhavan Bhattar who has performing archaka service for over two decades at the Sundararaja Perumal temple in Kothankulam too has rebuilt his house on this street and let it out on rent. A big sized photo of his and his wife hangs outside this remodelled house opposite the South entrance of the temple(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/07/kothankulam-sikkal-kidaram-madhavan.html).

Residents present coconut and flowers as the deities stop almost in front of every house on this street. With the Vaishnavites having moved out, the South street has come to be occupied by others who with great devotion invoked the blessings of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal. 

The prabhandham members lead the procession as they move on the West Street, one that is now abound with shops. The procession stops in front of the Ahobila Mutt and then a few buildings after in front of Adyayana Bhattar Madhavan’s house for the sacred presentation to Perumal and Andal. Madhavan is a renowned and a well respected personality in Thiru Koshtiyur and almost everyone in the town reach out to greet him with warmth and engage in conversations with him.

An elderly devotee couple have made their way from Srirangam for the Garuda Sevai procession and they bid goodbye to the deities as they have to catch the 8pm direct bus to Trichy from in front of the temple. 

Devotees in good numbers have darshan of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal at the junction of West and North street. It is past 8pm when the procession reaches the Raja Gopuram on the East Sannidhi street in front of the hugely popular Theppakulam, where Perumal provides darshan to several lakhs of devotees during the Maasi Theppotsavam.

The Thiru Maligai of Koshtiyur Nambi, who was born here has been remodelled for visiting devotees to stay during the big annual utsavams (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/06/thiru-koshtiyur-nambi-avathara-utsavam.html).  The descendants come out to present their offering to Perumal and Andal. 

Ramanujam - Staying back in troubled times

A few yards away is the Thiru Maligai of Selva Nambi, the revered chief priest of the Pandya King in Madurai. Descendant Veda Vinnapam Bhattar Ramanujam is one of those few who chose not to leave this Divya Desam in troubled times back in the 70s and 80s and stayed back to perform Veda and Prabhandham Kainkaryam at this temple. Through the evening, he provided insights into the significance of the Ramanuja and Thiru Koshtiyur Nambi Sannidhis that he has been taking care of over the last four decades. 

There is an inspiring message for those who quit this temple town in the most challenging times in the 1970s and 80s. And a recital of this sacred verse of Periyazhvaar could lead them back to this legendary temple where Ramanuja was presented with the Ashtachara Mantra.

நரக நாசனை நாவில் கொண்டு அழையாத மானிட சாதியர் 

பருகு நீரும் உடுக்குங் கூரையும் பாவம் செய்தன தாங்கொலோ

Periyazhvaar says that those who were blessed enough to be born in Thiru Koshtiyur, if they did not spend their entire life time here to utter the Lord’s name, then the water he drinks and the clothes he wears must have sinned for him to be so!!!

It is almost 9pm when Sowmya Narayana Perumal and Andal made their way back into the Sannidhi Street to the temple through the South entrance. The prabhandham members presented the Satru Murai of Nanmugan Thiruvanthathi verses bringing to end the Garuda Sevai on this fourth evening of the ten day Aadi Pooram utsavam. 

Devotional commitment of Kainkaryaparas

It is a lot of work during such utsavams for the limited number of kainkaryaparas at the temple. From being present at the moolavar sannidhis for daily Thiru Aradhanam and devotee darshan to decorating utsava deities of Perumal and Andal for the morning and evening processions, cooking the sacred food for daily poojas as well as for the procession and seva kaalam, it is quiet a strenuous exercise.  But those that have stayed back for the kainkaryam have been doing it with great devotion. 

The good news is that a few of the next gen too have chosen to continue this kainkaryam at this Divya Desam and kudos to them for letting go of more financially lucrative opportunities in cities to continue to reside in this remote temple town to take over and continue the Kainkaryam.

நாவை காரியம் சொல்லிலாதவர் நாள்தோறும் விருந்தோம்புவார்  

தேவ காரியம் செய்து வேதம் பயின்று வாழ் திருக்கோட்டியூர் 

மூவர் காரியமும் திருத்தும் முதல்வனைச் சிந்தியாத 

அப்பாவ காரியங்களை படைத்தவன் எங்கனம் படைத்தான்களோ 

 "The people of Thiru Koshtiyur always spoke the truth. They welcomed guests with honour. They performed selfless services to the Lord. Youngsters learnt the Vedas all the time and tried to perfect it through their life time, such was their dedication."

These young Kainkaryaparas obviously have understood the significance of Periyazhvaar's message presented a 1000 years ago.....

Kothankulam Sikkal Kidaram Madhavan Bhattar

From a hand to mouth existence 20 years ago, he has seen a remarkable financial turnaround led by an unflinching belief in Sundararaja Perumal and Manavala Mamunigal

                   Madhavan Bhattar, Kothankulam

Just over two decades ago, Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan roped in his name sake G Madhavan from a temple in Bombay to perform archaka service at a temple in Kothankulam (Sikkal Kidaram), the birth place of Manavala Mamunigal. It was Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan who had restored this historic temple and he was looking to revive the temple to its old glory. Madhavan Bhattar had been struggling in life till that point of time and was facing severe financial challenges arising out of not having a secure job

Legendary temple town

The legend relating to (Kothankulam) Kotravan Kulam (Pandya Kings were referred to as Kotravan) dates back to the 13th and 14th Century AD. While Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, who reigned Madurai for a brief period after being handed over the Kingdom by the Pandya King, was on a procession on the elephant going around the streets of Madurai, Koora Kulothuma Dasa chanted loudly the Thiruvirutham verses of Nam Azhvaar. Stunned by these beautiful verses, Tiruvoimozhi Pillai asked him to provide more insights into these songs. As per the direction of Pillai Lokacharya, Koora Kulothuma Dasa brought Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to Sikkil Kadaram (now Kothan Kulam) to initiate him into Vaishnavism and spread the messages of Vaishnavism.The house of  the great Vaishnavite acharya Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, who learnt the 4000sacred verses here at Sikkil Kadaram, still exists here.

It is also the place where the renowned Vaishnavite Thennacharya Saint Manavala Mamunigal spent his early childhood days before moving to Azhvaar Tirunagari. Kothan Kulam is the home town of Manavala Mamuni’s mother.

Dilapidated Temple

Sikkil Kidaram was as remote as it could get for a temple in TN with very little activity of any kind at the beginning of this century. The fact that it was located in a dry belt in Ramanathapuram district about 30 kms South of Thiru Pullani did not help. The Sundararaja Perumal koil itself was in a dilapidated state as was the Thiruvarasu of Koora Kulothama Dasar, one of the disciples of Ramanuja, next to the temple.

Madhavan Bhattar trusted Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan on his word and moved to Kothankulam. But soon after he arrived here, Madhavan Bhattar found that he could not even make Rs. 10 a day from Thattu Kaasu for there were no devotees at all at the temple. Vanamamalai Mutt presented him with a monthly sambhavanai of Rs. 1000 that was his only source of income in that early phase. He began to perform daily Thiru Aradhanam living in a hut house in front of the temple. 

Unforutnately for him and as ill luck would have it, Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan was struck down with a life threatening injury and lay unconscious in hospital. This meant that he could not render the financial support that Madhavan Bhattar would have expected after his move to this remote village.

He looks back at that phase pointing to the faith one has to have in God “Sundararaja Perumal posed a big test to me and wanted to see if I would stay back in Kothankulam performing the daily Thiru Aradhanam or if I would abandon him and move away for there was no financial returns.”

Though there were severe financial challenges, never did I contemplate leaving the temple after having begun performing the pooja here, says Madhavan Bhattar. It was a very lonely feeling at the temple with absolutely no devotees, two decades ago. It was dark both inside the temple as well as in the Bhattar’s life. His daughter had her early education in a Govt school and his son went to a Patshala, so the educational expenses were minimal. He had to make do with ration food in that initial phase but he was confident that things would turn around for him. 

"I fully trusted Sundararaja Perumal and believed that in the long run he would take good care of me if I continued to perform archaka service there" Madhavan Bhattar told this Bhattar sitting inside the temple that he had opened this morning at 5.30am. That belief and devotional commitment reaped in big rewards for him as time passed by. 

Rs. 50 for a Homam event

He fouud a small light at the end of the tunnel and he hung on to that opportunity.  He was the only Brahmin in that entire region and the villagers reached out to him for house related functions.  He recalls those early days to this writer “I would go for a house warming event and be paid Rs. 50!!! But it was a big amount for me at that time. Those were the opportunities that helped me live on in that phase and helped me run a young family.”

The overall improvement of the economy combined with the devotional wave contributed to his financial turnaround. Residents of Kothankulam and all the nearby villages began looking to him for all events both at home as well in the local temples there. He started anchoring temple consecrations.

The Sambhavanai for homams that was just Rs. 50 in the initial years shot up to over Rs. 1000. The temple consecration events fetched him a lot of money with the villagers pooling in money to pay him his Sambhavanai.

Revival in his fortunes

Having built a trustworthy relationship with the villagers, he became their single point of contact for all sacred events. And they also began visiting the Sundararaja Perumal temple.  He started Thirumanjanam for Perumal on the Shravanam day every month. There was a three day Pavitrotsavam every year and he even managed to hold a Garuda Sevai procession in Kothankulam. Devotees thronged the temple on the four Saturdays in Puratasi and the Thattu Kaasu increased dramatically. By this time, the Vanamamalai Mutt increased the monthly sambhavanai to Rs. 5000.

                             Manavala Mamunigal

It was a financial turnaround he never visualised would happen. The rewards were so high that he bought both a high end car and a two wheeler. With the consecration of the Sundararaja Perumal temple and the Thiruvarasu of Koora Kulothama Dasar, he also renovated his house in front of the temple.  He also made enough money to send his son to an engineering college and married his daughter to one working in a company in Chennai. 

In 2014, this section had featured a story on this temple in Kothankulam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/04/manavala-mamuni-temple-kothankulam.html). Since then, over the last decade it has been a remarkable one of a kind turnaround for an archaka in a remote village in TN. From a hand to mouth existence at the turn of the century, 55 year old Madhavan Bhattar has moved into an upper middle class lifestyle, remaining committed to performing pooja at this remote temple. He credits the turnaround to his unflinching faith in Sundararaja Perumal and Manavala Mamunigal and says that hard work and perseverance will ultimately yield results in life.

Kothankulam is 40 kms from Ramanathapuram on the Thoothukudi highway. It is about 1kms South of Sikkil Kidaram and about 10kms from Ervadi.

Thiru Pullani Next Gen Anantha Narayana Bhattar

From the Corporate Sector to Archaka Kainkaryam at a Divya Desam

A Decade of fulfillment and Satisfaction for Anantha Narayanan Bhattar at Thiru Pullani

Anantha Narayanan Bhattar is completing ten years at the Aadhi Jagannathan Perumal temple in Thiru Pullani. He was not yet 30 when he decided to quit his high paying corporate job in the Middle East and made his way to this Divya Desam to perform kainkaryam as an archaka. His bosses in the Gas Firm tried their best to convince him to continue in the job where he was growing well but right from his childhood he had had a devotional attachment with Rama and he decided that he would spend the rest of his life performing service at this temple.

This section had featured a story in 2017 as to how the original inhabitants of Thiru Pullani had left this historic Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised temple town making their way to bigger cities in search of greener pastures even as devotee crowd dwindled at this temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/thiru-pullani-divya-desam.html). 

His Uncle initiates him into Agama Education

Anantha Narayanan belonged to a generation that had begun to focus on academics and getting into corporates as a way of life and for their career growth. His uncle, Varadarajan, was a Vaikanasa Agama Bhattar at the Mayakoothan Perumal temple in Perungulam, one of the Nava Tirupathi temples near Tirunelveli(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/11/mayakoothan-thiru-kulanthai.html).  He served as an early motivation to Anantha Narayanan after the sudden passing away of his appa in an accident when the latter was still in his early teens.

தன்னை நைவிக்கிலேன்  வல்வினையேன் தொழுதும் எழு

பொன்னை நைவிக்கும் அப்பூஞ் செருந்தி மண நீழல்வாய்

என்னை நைவித்து எழில் கொண்ட அகன்ற பெருமான் இடம்

புன்னை முத்தம் பொழில் சூழ்ந்து அழகாய புல்லாணியே

It was that drive that led him to quit academics after class X and join the Vaikanasa Agama Patshala in Nanguneri where he guided and mentored by the revered Agama expert Govindan. He also learned the agama from his Grand Father’s brother who was a Vaikanasa Agama vidwan at the Venkatachalapathy temple in Gunaseelam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/06/gunaseelam-pichumani-bhattar-hereditary.html) and at the Thanthorimalai temple in Karur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/08/thanthoni-malai-kalyana-venkatramana.html).

Overseas Corporate work after his graduation

During this phase of his life, he also graduated in Commerce and picked up a diploma in mechanical engineering. Soon after like many from his generation, he set foot into the corporate set up joining as a steno at a private bank in Karur. In the brief period that he worked there, he also performed the service as an archaka at the Kothandarama temple there. And then, he accepted an overseas engagement in a gas firm that took him to the middle east for around 8 years.

The Transformation at Thiru Pullani

His Vacation in 2016 led him to Thiru Pullani Divya Desam, one that transformed his life and turned him into a path of devotional archaka service at this temple. His Patshala mates Navaneeth and Sowmya

Presented to him the improved scenario at the temple and how his joining the temple would strengthen the archaka team.

He tested out  for ten days and decided immediately to join the temple. His bosses with whom he had built a good relationship were keen for him to return but he had made up his mind to spend the rest of his life in archaka kainkaryam. 

He joined at Rs. 1500 per month a miniscule part of the lakhs that he was earning in his corporate job. But he is unfazed at the financial aspect “My wife said that she would manage the household even if I brought in just Rs. 5000, such was her support”, he told this writer on Wednesday in between serving devotee couples who had come in with prarthana for child birth.

This prarthana for child birth is leading devotees to throng this temple. Even on weekdays there is a sizeable crowd a far cry  from the scenario that existed decades ago as experienced by the priests from the previous generation. 

Most of the senior priests have retired and it is interesting that at this Divya Desam, the priests are all young and in their 20s and 30s, bucking the trend in many perumal temples where the next gen has been looking elsewhere for their livelihood.

Anantha Narayana Bhattar says that he has kainkaryam all days of the month and enjoys sharing the work alongside three other priests between the Jagannatha Perumal, Darbha Sayana Ramar, Pattabhiseka Ramar and Padmasini Thayar sannidhis. 

Unmatched happiness and contentment

He says he has found great peace and satisfaction in performing Thiru Aradhanam at this temple. It is an unmatched happiness that lakhs of rupees every month in the corporate job did not give him. He is living a contented life and enjoying this service alongside his old Patshala friends.

Two years ago, this section had featured a story on another young priest joining this Divya Desam in his 20s. Balaji Neelamegham, son of Jayaraman Bhattar who had served for several decades, has taken over the archaka kainkaryam from his appa and is all excited to be serving alongside priests his age (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/10/thiru-pullani-next-gen-balaji-bhattar.html). His younger brother too, after completing his agama initiation, has begun supporting him at this Divya Desam.

                   Balaji Neelamegham Bhattar

With the devotional wave that is striking TN temples and crowds thronging places of worship, especially parikara and prarthana sthalams, it is hoped that more from the next gen like Anantha Narayana Bhattar will take to temple kainkaryam as there is currently a severe shortage of service personnel in most remote temples in TN. The presence of next gen priests will definitely help serve the devotees better as has been seen at the Aathi Jagannatha Perumal temple in Thiru Pullani.

Srirangam Veda Vyasa Aani Pournami Utsavam

Aani Pournami - A day to remember and celebrate the legendary Saint who gave the world the Vedas, Bhagavatham and the great epic Mahabaratha

It is just past 9am on this Thursday (July 10) morning. Sripatham Chief Chakrapani is busy at the Bhagawan Vyasa Sannidhi. When he is not discharging the duties at the procession of Namperumal, Chakrapani is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Kothandarama Sannidhi. Also, it is his responsibility to take care of the Veda Vyasa Sannidhi that lay hidden behind the Chandra Pushkarani.

Aani Pournami is the one big day in the year when this Sannidhi comes to life for its time to celebrated the legendary Veda Vyasa and his monumental contribution to this world.

Veda Vyasa, son of Sage Parasara, not only compiled the Vedas and authored the Bhagavatha Purana but also gave this world the great epic Mahabaratha. Invoking the blessings of Brahmma, he sought the services of Ganesha as directed by Brahmma to take down notes of the compilation of the epic that he had registered in his mind. 

He later shared the story of this epic with his son suka who in turn shared it with the Gandharvas and Rakshashas.

It was Vaisampayana, the chief disciple of Vyasa, who shared the story of the Mahabaratha with the world at large narrating this legend at the sacrificial event organised by Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit. Suta who heard this story then shared it with a set of rishis that was then passed on to posterity (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/04/mahabaratha-origin-of-rofl.html). 

Grand Celebration at Vyasar Sannidhi

By 10am, a few vedic members had arrived at the Vyasar Sannidhi to recite the Vedas during the Thirumanjanam. Unfortunately not too many even in Srirangam were aware of this once in a year event  and hence there were just a handful of devotees that had turned up for the celebration of this great sage. For these few, it was a morning to savour for it was time for them to recall the monumental contribution of Bhagawan Vyasa teaching us the dharmic way of life through the epic Mahabaratha.

Referring to a sanskrit verse of Veda Vyasa, Murari Bhattar, a priest at the Ranganathaswamy temple told this writer that it was Vyasar who foresaw the emergence of vaishnavite saint poets on the banks of Tamaraibarani, Cauvery and Palar (.https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/05/srirangam-murari-bhattar.html).

Devotees who visited the South facing Kothandarama Sannidhi came to the Veda Vyasa unaware of what was happening here but they said that they felt blessed to witness the Thirumanjanam of Vyasa Bhagawan. Those visiting for the first time also went behind the Vyasar Sannidhi to have darshan of Radhey Krishna and Venugopalan at the Sannidhi behind the Chandra Pushkarani. 

Puliyotharai, Sundal and Dhadhyonam in celebration of Veda Vyasa

Chakrapani told this writer that he had organised for a large quantity of Thaligai including Puliyodharai and Dhadhyonam ahead of this event (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/11/srirangam-sripatham-chakrapani.html). 

He said he wanted to celebrate this event in as grand a way as possible and organised for the full range of Thirumanjanam ingredients including a number of coconuts, honey, curd, milk and sandal. For well over half hour, devotees witnessed the Thirumanjanam with Bhagawan Vyasa being annointed with the sacred bath. 

Maniam of the Srirangam temple R Sridharan made a flying visit to the Sannidhi, passed on instructions to the service personnel and moved on for his other kainkaryam at the temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html). 

Following the Thirumanjanam, the priest of the day decorated Vyasar with a grand vastram and draped him in colourful flower garland.

It was almost 11am when the small set of devotees had a first glimpse of the beautifully decorated Vyasar. A Kainkaryapara, who has been performing service here for many decades from the time he was in his teens, was delighted with the alankaram and said that he felt Vyasa Bhagawan provided darshan like Yoga Narasimhar, such was the grandness of the alankaram. 

After the recital of the Vedic Verses and the Thiruppavai Satrumurai, Theertham and Shatari was presented to the devotees following which Puliyotharai and Sundal was distributed. The devotee donor of the day for whom an archana was performed felt happy at the Thirumanjanam and one could see delight in her eyes watching the beautiful decoration of Vyasar.  

Chakrapani sported a big smile at the end of the event and told this writer that he felt blessed with the opportunity to be the one organising the annual event to celebrate the great Vyasa Bhagawan. When he was working in a manufacturing firm just over a decade ago, he could not have visualised being an organiser one day of the Veda Vyasa Aani Pournami utsavam. It is a reward he has been bestowed with by Namperumal for his extraordinary commitment to Sripatham service. 

Usually there is a mad rush of devotees at the round the year utsavams at the Srirangam temple. This was one morning when a select set of devotees could enjoy the celebration of Veda Vyasa in quietness behind the Chandra Pushkaranai. The few devotees that stayed back till the end felt blessed that they were part of this exclusive once in a year event to remember and celebrate the legend of Veda Vyasa.

In the evening, devotees presented sahasranama parayanam in front of the Vyasar sannidhi.