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.

Nellaiappar Aani Rishabham

Celebrating Rishabham and Arubathimoovar 

Devotees turn out in large numbers to watch the Rishabha Vahana and Arubathimoovar procession around the four Chariot streets in Tirunelveli as part of Aani Maha Utsavam

It is 8pm on Thursday (July 3). A sea of devotees gathered at the South Prakara leading to the Ambal Sannidhi. It looks like the entire Tirunelveli town has congregated at the Nellaiappar temple this evening ahead of the Rishabha Vahana procession on the fourth day of the Aani Maha Utsavam.

The all night Rishabham as part of the Panguni utsavam is a very popular procession at the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore with a huge devotee crowd eagerly awaiting the Gopura Vaasal Deeparaathanai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/03/kapali-devotee-aparna-panguni-utsavam.html). This one at the Nellaiappar temple was special for its  grandeur - alankaram with huge flower garlands, the beating of the Udal, Thevaram recital by Othuvar and the devotees, Kolattam by young kids and the huge devotee turnout. 

A Grand Alankaram atop the Rishabham

Radha Karthik Bhattar has been at the temple for over 15 years having taking over this hereditary archaka service after completing agama education at the Patshala in Pillayarpatti. He has a total of six days service every month - 3 each at Swami and Ambal sannidhis. On this fourth day, he was at the procession both in the morning and evening. He arrived at the temple at 4.30pm for the grand 3 hour alankaram. Joining him was the senior priest Moorthy Gurukal. Thursday evening is usually not a crowded day at the Nellaiappar temple but this day was special and devotees thronged the temple as early as 6pm to have darshan of the Moolavar deities of Nellaiappar and Gandhimathi.

And soon the entire outer prakara of Nellaiappar Sannidhi was jam packed with devotees sitting on the floor in a very disciplined manner even as the priests were decorating Swami and Ambal atop the Rishabha Vahana. As the clock ticked past 7pm, there was no more place to sit and devotees stood in every corner of the South Prakara ahead of the Deepaarathanai.

For half an hour, the traditional upacharam is performed for Swami and Ambal with Othuvar presenting the sacred verses and the vedic members presenting the Vedas. By this time, a young udal contingent of around 15 members had arrived at the temple. So had young kids who were to present Kolattam through the procession around the four Chariot streets. While there was action on this South Prakara, several hundreds had gathered at the Eastern Raja Gopuram and on the East Chariot Street. 

The Chairman Board of Trustees, who runs a transport firm, of the Nellaiappar temple was present on the occasion and soon after he arrived, Swami and Ambal made their way to the East Prakara. After the Yaaga Saalai pooja, sacred flowers were brought and presented to the divine couple making way for the start of the street procession.

Nellaiappar first made his way out of the Raja Gopuram to the loud beating of the Udal with devotees enjoying the Deeparathanai at the Eastern entrance of the temple. Soon, Gandhimathi too made her way out on to the East Chariot Street. 

Arubathimoovar Procession

A special feature of this fourth day procession at the Nellaiappar temple is that the Rishabha Vahana procession of the divine couple is led by the 63 Nayanmars. While there is a separate procession of the arubathimoovar at the Kapaleeswarar temple, here at this temple, they lead the procession on the fourth evening of the Aani Utsavam.

For the next three hours, the Othuvar present the sacred verses standing in front of Nandeeswarar, Appar, Thiru Gnana Sambandarar and Sundarar around the four Chariot streets. There is a festive atmosphere all around with residents including shop owners presenting rose water, flower garlands. It is past 10pm when Nellaiappar and Gandhimathi turn on to the South Rathi Veethi that is now full of shops.

Adyayana Bhattar for 5decades

65 year old Kannan Sastrigal makes his way on to the West Street with the clock ticking past 11pm. He is one of couple of Adyayana Bhattars that still perform Kainkaryam – archanai, kaala sandhi pooja, jabam and any parikaram poojas at this temple. He learned Rudram and Suktas from Theneerkulam Patshala and began performing Kainkaryam at this temple from the 1970s that has continued for five decades. He is greeted with respect by those that see him. He recalls to this writer the life at the temple and around the four Chariot streets back then “There were around 600 traditional families around the temple during my early schooling days that has reduced to just 15 in the entire town now. We were given rice every day for our Kainkaryam and had a share of the Neivedyam Kattigal on special festive occasions. We also received Bakshanams during the Pavitrotsavam for our Kainkaryam. Neivedyam too has reduced on quantity from what was done in those days fifty plus years ago.”

“On the occasion of Thai Amavasai, over a 100 vedic members used to recite Rudram inside the temple for it was considered the annual parikaram day and they used to be presented with prasadam all through the day for their recital.”

“Just in the East Chariot Street, there were 20 families. The archakas performed service in large numbers in those days but that has shrunk now and there is a shortage of service personnel now. Swami gave us everything and for that reason I continue to live in the traditional house on East Street, one where my forefathers spent their entire lives. I consider it a great blessing to be living each day of my life right opposite this legendary temple and receiving the divine couple into my home during each of the street processions.”

He recalls over 50 children following the Divine Couple reciting the Thevaram verses. Interestingly, on this night, there were an equal number of devotees, though not youngsters, presenting the Thevaram songs right through the procession walking behind Swami and Ambal.

Torch Bearer at Rishabham

Another devotee has come all the way from Papanasam on this special fourth day procession and carries the Thee Pandham all through the procession much like Ramkumar, the former World Bank and PMO consultant, did at the processions of Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/07/kapali-theevatti-pmo-consultant-v.html). Muthuvel says that he carries the Thee Pandham at street processions at different Paadal Petra Sthalams and is hoping that God will enlighten and bless him with good thoughts.

The owners of the jewellary shops on the West Streets stay back well past 11pm to present Thattu. The Rose Water that the devotees have been continuously presenting through this long procession sends sweet fragrance all around. The Tar on the West Street has been dug up for rebuilding of the road ahead of the Chariot Festival next week. It is a challenging walk for the Kainkaryaparas as the sharp stones strike their feet.

A long day for the Chief Priest 

Moorthy Gurukal sports a long smile at every stop receiving the Thattu from the devotees and presenting them with flowers.  There are a few young Kainkaryaparas at this procession alongside this senior Gurukal. 24 year old Raghavan Gurukal is manning the Gandhimathi Ambal Sannidhi on this day. He has a year to go at the agamic initiation he is undergoing at the Pillayarpatti Patshala and is hoping to get into full time archaka service to continue the hereditary Kainkaryam that his forefathers have performed here (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/nellaiappar-koil-tirunelveli.html).

Both Moorthy Gurukal and Radha Karthik Bhattar had been at the morning procession as well when Nellaiappar atop vahana and Gandhimathi atop Kamadhenu vahana provided darshan around the four streets starting 1030am!!! Devotees come up with interesting questions to Radha Karthik Bhattar on this utsavam and he answers them patiently providing them with great insights on Manonmani Ambal and how she provides exclusive darshan during the Thiruvathirai utsavam in Margazhi.

A disturbing fact and probably a likely trend for the future of the morning procession was the fact that the official nadaswaram vidwans presented their recital wearing chappals at the entire street procession.

Othuvar feels blessed at Nellaiappar temple

Othuvar who has been at this temple for close to a decade tells this writer that though there are a great many temples in the Chozha region and he could have opted for one of them after completing his initiation of the sacred verses at the Dharmapura Atheenam Patshala in Mayiladuthurai, he finds it a great blessing to be an Othuvar at this historical temple house on a 14 acre complex with festivals every month of the year. 

Even as he walks with the Swami and Ambal during the procession, Kannan Sastrigal remembers the fourth evening of this utsavam when thousands visited the temple from all the villages around Tirunel veli for a darshan of Rishabham. Most traditionalists may have left this temple town seeking greener pastures in bigger cities but on this evening, a few vedic members recited the Vedas ahead of the procession. Devotees from all walks of life turned up in large numbers and there was devotional reverberation inside the temple as well as around the four Chariot streets. 

It is midnight when the owner of the decades long Rajalakshmi stores on North Chariot street presents Thattu in front of his shop. Shortly after Swami and Ambal made their way back to the East Street opposite the Raja Gopuram, devotees that stayed back late into the night were provided with Puliyodharai and Chakkarai Pongal.

It had a very long day for the service personnel at the Nellaippar temple with the Horse and Kamadhenu Vahana procession in the hot sun in the morning and the highly popular Rishabham late in the evening. The devotees that thronged the temple seemed to have enjoyed darshan of Rishabham and Arubathimoovar with a few senior citizens recalling this evening from the decades gone by to their grandchildren. 

Kannan Sastrigal has the last word on this. There may be talks of the non believers trying to cut Bhakthi but as could be seen on this night, devotees are now thronging the temples and experiencing the utsavams in very large numbers though for most the lifting of the phones and taking photos and videos of the Divine Couple may be the first action these days. Nevertheless, it looks like one cannot keep devotees away from temples and festive occasions such as this Rishabha Vahana procession.

Thiru Vellarai Thirumanjanam Hot Water Tradition Revival

7 years after

Srirangam Maniyam Sridharan revived the Thirumanjanam tradition of ‘Hot Water’ upacharam for Pundarikaksha Perumal in 2018 that has continued to this day

R Sridharan, the Maniyakarar of the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, faces challenges every day in this coveted  and a highly responsible role but over the last decade or so, he has taken on the challenges head on talking straight to those who raise issues and providing historical references to endorse his views.

Seven years ago this week, he was transferred for a brief period  as the Maniyam of the Pundarikaksha Perumal temple in Thiru Vellarai before coming back to Srirangam at the end of 2018. He has always held the view with this writer that he has accepted every new assignment in his life as a fresh experience and accepted this transfer to Thiru Vellarai too whole heartedly. In the second half of that year, he made daily trips from Srirangam to Thiru Vellarai every day for almost six months starting July 1, 2018.

Hot Water Upacharam done away with

After he took over as Maniyam at Thiru Vellarai, he found on the Ekadasi day that the historical tradition of ‘hot water’ (Venneer) presentation to Pundarikaksha Perumal did not take place during the Thirumanjanam on the Ekadasi day. When he enquired, he received differing views from the Kainkaryaparas at the temple.  There were those that said that this was not a tradition at that temple and there were others who accepted it as a tradition but could not implement it as there was a shortage of service personnel.

It is well past 10pm at the Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi at Srirangam. Maniyam Sridharan looks visibly tired after a long evening. This writer brought up the issue of how he had to face every day challenges from different sections of the Kainkaryaparas and complimented him for managing each of those with a smile rarely losing his temper. 

In the past this section had featured a story on how Maniyam Sridharan had revived the Kaisika Ekadasi padippu at the Sundararaja Perumal temple in Anbil. 

This story is about a historical tradition that had been discarded for several years at the Pundarikaksha Perumal temple in Thiru Vellarai and how Sridharan stood firm to revive that tradition in his role as the Maniyam of that temple exactly 7 years ago.

He told this writer that his raising the issue of hot water upacharam did not go well initially with the archakas of Thiru Vellarai but he says he understood their issue of shortage of Kainkaryaparas. On the first occasion, he directed the cook at the Madapalli to provide him with hot water but the archaka of the day refused to accept it on the grounds that it was not a tradition they had followed in the preceding years. 

There is almost tears in Maniyam Sridharan’s eyes as he recounts the event that unfolded that day at Thiru Vellarai seven years ago “I had just taken over the Maniyam at that temple and was not keen on forcing the issue. After the Thirumanjanam, I went to the Moolavar and told him that I had done my duty of getting the hot water and it was then up to the Lord to accept the upacharam.”

Soon after he came down from the Moolavar Sannidhi, the Sthalathars of Thiru Vellarai questioned the Maniyakarar as to why he did not use his power to force the issue on the archaka of the day “I requested them for a month’s time and assured them that this tradition will definitely be revived at the temple. At that moment, they did not seem convinced but took my word for it.”

At the next Thirumanjanam, he once again went to the Madapalli to ask the cook to prepared hot water for the Lord. Much to his shock, the cook refused saying that it was not a tradition for him to boil water ahead of the Thirumanjanam. “This time, I used my discretion as the Maniyam and directed him to follow what he said.”

When Maniyam Sridharan brought the hot water himself from the Madapalli to the location of the Thirumanjanam, he asked once again the archaka of the day if he accepted the hot water upacharam as a tradition at this temple and if he would present it to Pundarikaksha Perumal. The archaka accepted this time much to the delight of the Sthalathars.

Something else happened on this day standing as testimony to Maniam Sridharan’s belief that Perumal will answer your prayers if your devotional conduct was of the highest order. He says that the disciples of Mudaliandan were present on this day and the elderly member of the family educated his grandson as to how Perumal was experiencing the ‘Venneer Upacharam’. 

So happy was the disciple at this revival that he presented a high Sambhavanai to the archaka.

Devotional commitment pays dividend

Maniam Sridharan recalls telling the Sthalathar that not only has the tradition been revived but also it has been done in the presence of the disciples of Mudaliandan and that it was not up to the Sthalathars of Thiru Vellarai to continue this tradition at every Thirumanjanam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html).

He proudly states that seven years after this tradition has continued to this day with the Sthalathars ensuring that the hot water upacharam takes place during the Thirumanjanam at Thiru Vellarai Divay Desam.

Kudos to Maniam Sridharan for yet another revival of a lost tradition.

Thiru Kolur Vikanasa Bhattar Next Gen Priest

Following in Thenthiruperai Rahul Bhattar's footsteps, this 21 year old Bhattar has resisted tempting offers to join a remote Divya Desam in Nava Tirupathi where his appa has served for over two decades

The combination of two young highly devoted Bhattars augurs well for the Vaitha Maa Nidhi Perumal temple in Thiru Kolur

Four years ago, this section had featured a story on a 23 year old who after completing his Vedic and Agama education declined lucrative offers from the city to move back to his hereditary town in one of the Nava Tirupathi temples to join as an archaka at a Divya Desam. Rahul Bhattar has since been an integral part of Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan temple in Thenthiruperai. Much against the current trend, he also found a life time partner in the daughter of the Maniam of Thiru Kurungudi Divya Desam(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/06/thiru-kurungudi-maniam-ramanujam.html). 

About six kms West of Thenthiruperai and in one of the Nava Tirupathi temples, a 21 year old has just joined the Nam Azhvaar praised Vaitha Maa Nidhi temple in Thiru Kolur, once again refusing tempting financial offers from the Chozha region soon after completing his Vedic and Vaikanasa Agama initiation (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/09/thiru-kolur-vaitha-maa-nidhi-perumal.html).

வைத்த  மா நிதியாம் மதுசூதனையே அலற்றி 
கொத்தலர்  பொழில் சூழ் 
......
அவன் சேர்  திரு கோலூற்கே 
சித்தம் வைத்துரைபார் நிகழ் பொன் உலகாழ்வாரே

Amid a lot of controversies surrounding the Thiru Kolur Divya Desam, Vikanasa Bhattar has been donning the role of an archaka with 15 days service at the Perumal Sannidhi and another 15 days at Madhura Kavi Azhvaar Sannidhi. 

Quits school early to join Patshala

Vikanasa quit school after class VII and moved to Srirangam for Vedic Education at the age of 12.  Though his amma was not keen on the prospect of him being away from home for many years in a patshala, he himself did not feel out of place in a patshala and enjoyed the traditional way of life. 

At the Srirangam Patshala, he says he became frustrated with those in power forcing him to perform samasrayannam “I did not like the fact that I was forced into something like that and hence quit the patshala. There were other subdued friends of mine who underwent samasrayanam after being forced by the Patshala head.”

After being initiated into the Krishna Yajur Veda, he moved to Senkalipuram to learn the Vaikanasa Agama. Even as he was undergoing the Agama education, he gained practical experience participating in homams and consecrations alongside his Guru. He also performed pooja at the Parimala Ranganathar temple in Senkalipuram in that phase (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/08/senkalipuram-perumal-temple.html). 

Vikanasa Bhattar can converse in Sanskrit and has found a liking for the language. After completing class XII in NIOS, he is hoping to do BA Sanskrit to further his interest in the language.

Resists Lucrative Offers

Impressed with his devotional commitment, he was offered a highly lucrative offer to perform archaka service at the flourishing Govindapuram Vittal temple and the prospects elsewhere in the Chozha region were bright as well but his mind was all with Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan. As with Rahul Bhattar, those around him did not think going to a remote temple rejecting a safe, secure and a financially high returns service in the Chozha region was a good idea (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/10/thenthiruperai-rahul-bhattar.html).

     Rahul Bhattar, Thenthiruperai

He is saddened at the trend of many parents in remote towns not wanting the next gen to get into temple service. They feel that the future is uncertain. In addition the fact that parents with girl children are not anymore keen to hand their daughter to a Bhattar family is serving as a deterrent to the next gen entering temple service. 

Interestingly and much against the larger trend, Vikanasa Bhattar wanted to continue the Divya Desam Kainkaryam that his appa Srinivasan Bhattar had performed for a couple of decades. He told this writer on a quiet Monday morning sitting peacefully in the prakara of the Vaitha Maa Nidhi Perumal temple “My appa performed service when there was not much of a devotee crowd and the salary as well as Thattu Kaasu was minimal. There were financial challenges at home but appa stuck to temple kainkaryam. Not many get this opportunity to perform Divya Desam Kainkaryam and I see this as a great blessing that has come my way.”

                   Appa Srinivasan Bhattar, aged 61

For a 21 year old, Vikanasa Bhattar has great clarity on where temple Kainkaryam is headed currently “Those that have been initiated into the Vedas and Agamas and have had a solid foundation are going North in the direction of Homams and Consecrations where there is good money to be made. And those that have not mastered these are coming to temples as a last resort!!! My friends too told me that after having learned both the Veda and Agama, I should not be going to a remote temple as it would be struggle for me both physically (shortage of service personnel) and financially.  But I have seen with my own eyes as to how Vaitha Maa Nidhi Perumal has taken care of our family and I do not want to do anything other than perform archaka kainkaryam here at this Divya Desam.”

High on Devotional Confidence

He exhibits extreme confidence in his abilities and says that he has several options in front of him. "I taught younger students while I was still at the Patshala and enjoyed the teaching experience. I am confident in performing service at consecration events and with the big opportunities on that front, that is always an option I can consider. There are also vedic events that I can be part of. But my only focus at the moment is to be a full time archaka at this Divya Desam performing service at the feet of Vaitha Maa Nidhi Perumal", he told this writer even as a few devotees make their way to the temple.

After almost 25 years of his appa's kainkaryam at the Thiru Kolur Divya Desam, the family is still living in a rented house. "15 years ago  there was minimal income at the temple and even Rs. 10 in Thattu was a big thing in those days when I was a young boy. Despite this, my appa has been repeatedly conveying the message that it has been this temple that has provided taken care of the family for the last 25 years and hence whatever be the financial repercussions I should not leave the archaka service at this Divya Desam.

Isssues galore at Thiru Kolur

Vikanasa Bhattar is devotionally excited at the prospect of performing archaka service at the Thiru Kolur Divya Desam. But he has entered the temple in a controversial phase with long serving Balaji Bhattar, son of the late Seshamani Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/02/seshamani-bhattar-erettai-tirupathi.html), who had been the face of Thiru Kolur temple to all devotees being packed off to Erettai Tirupathi following some issues at this temple and the young Balu Bhattar moving into this temple alongside Vikanasa Bhattar . Questions hang in the balance if Balaji Bhattar will make efforts to come back to Thiru Kolur for this has now gained popularity as a Kubera sthalam and devotees are thronging in for Prarthana and Parikara Sevai. There is also the over hanging pressure of Bhattars having to secure additional contributions from devotees for the utsavams (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/01/erettai-tirupathi-sundara-rajan-bhattar.html).

              Sundara Rajan (Balu) Bhattar

Lifetime commitment to Thiru Kolur Divya Desam

Its been three months since Vikanasa Bhattar joined the temple but there is still no update on his appointment as an archaka and he is there only as a support priest helping out his appa at the Thiru Kolur Divya Desam.  He says that the Vaitha Maa Nithi Perumal has served as an inspiration to him all through his teenage years. Every moment he remembers his appa's message that this is the Perumal that has taken care of them in the most difficult of phases in their life. 

The combination of two young highly devoted archakas – Balu Bhattar and Vikanasa Bhattar- augurs well for the Vaitha Maa Nidhi Perumal temple and the long term future looks good though one hopes that Vikanasa Bhattar will get his official archaka posting from the HRCE sooner than later for he has committed himself to dedicating his entire lifetime in archaka kainkaryam at this Divya Desam resisting the temptations of many other financially lucrative offers.

Thiru Kurungudi Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Moksham

Restoration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's Moksham Sthalam is drawing devotees to this Sannidhi

Set against the beautiful Western Ghats in the background and with green paddy fields all around is the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi in Thiru Kurungudi, where he attained Moksham.

Kurungudi – Therku Veedu

When Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sought Moksham at the feet of Ranganathawamy of Srirangam after having undertaken the construction of the huge walls around the temple complex, he was directed to the Lord's Southern Home in Thiru Kurungudi.

As per the Vaishnavite Sampradayam, Thiru Kurungudi is said to be the ‘Southern House’ of Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is believed that ‘Vaikuntam’ (the ultimate destination for Vaishnavites) is in ‘calling distance’ from Thiru Kurungudi (Thiru Narayana Puram is the ‘Mela Veedu’, Kanchipuram the ‘Keezha Veedu’ and Srirangam ‘The Veedu’)

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Moksha Sthalam

For a long time, the Moksham Sthalam at Thiru Kurungui north of the Azhagiya Nambi temple lay in a dilapidated condition until the restoration undertaken by TVS’ Venu Srinivasan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/07/venu-srinivasan-historical-temples.html). In the decades gone by, this historic Sannidhi had remained unknown and deserted. But the restoration that coincided with the devotional wave at TN temples is now bringing in devotees to this temple. 

தவள விளம்பிறை துள்ளுமுன்னீர் தண்மலர் தென்றலோடு 

அன்றிலொன்றித் துவள 

என் நெஞ்சகம் சோர ஈறும் சூழ்ப்பணி நாள் துயிலாது இருப்பேன் 

இவளும் ஒர் பெண்கொடி என்று இரங்கார்

எண்ணலம் ஐந்து முன் கொண்டுபோன 

குவளை மலர் நிற வண்ணர்மன்னு

திருக்குறுங்குடிக்கே  என்னை உய்த்துடுமின் 

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar is seen in an interesting posture at this Sannidhi – with his hands folded and invoking the blessings of Nambi of Thiru Kurungudi. It is here at this location that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar attained Moksham.

Maniam Ramanujam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/06/thiru-kurungudi-maniam-ramanujam.html) took charge of this Sannidhi and is excited that the devotees are keen to know its historical relevance. It is he who is taking these devotees to the Sannidhi, a km North of the Nambi temple. He told this writer that till a couple of decades ago, no visiting devotee had any insights into this Sannidhi and it had remained locked. He credits Venu Srinivasan for the huge interest that has been created in this Divya Desam "Following the restoration, the devotee crowd has increased manifold and there is great traction in all the Sannidhis around including Malai Mel Nambi, Ramanuja and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, each of which had remained bereft of devotees.”“

“The Sambhavanai provided by the Venu Srinivasan is serving as a real motivation to the Kainkaryapas. From a hand to mouth existence in the century gone by, almost all the Kainkaryaparas here at Thiru Kurungudi are now leading a highly fulfilling life with the financial security that has come their way”, a delighted Maniam told this writer on the way back from the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi. 

Maniam Ramanuajam at Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi

There was a time when we all struggled here at Thiru Kurungudi and we wondered if there would be a turnaround in our lives. There indeed has been a big turnaround and all these sannidhis are now vibrant with devotees visiting in good numbers."

தூங்கார் அரவத் திரைவந்து உலவத், தொடுகடலுள் 

தொங்கார் அரவில் துயிலும் புனிதரூர் போலும் 

செங்கால் அன்னம் திகழ்தன் பனையின் பெடையோடும் 

கொங்கார் கமலத்து அலரில் சேரும் குறுங்குடியே 

Devotees also visit Ramanuja Sannidhi

After Thiru Kurungudi (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/thiru-kurungudi-divya-desam.html), Ramanuja visited other Divya Desams such as Thiruvattaru, Thiruvan Parisaram and the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple. At Thiru Ananathapuram, the Lord asked Garuda to carry him fast that same night back to Thiru Kurungkudi. And to Ramanuja’s surprise, he was on top of the Thiru Kurungudi rock at the blink of an eye.

கண்டவர் சிந்தை கவரும் கடிபொழில் தென்னரங்கன் 

தொண்டர் குலாவும் ராமானுஜனை 

தொகை இறந்த பண்தரு வேதங்கள் பார்மேல் 

நிலவிடப் பார்த்தருளும் கொண்டலை மேவி தொழும் 

குடியாம் எங்கள் கோக்குலமே 

Maniam Ramanujam is also happy that devotees after having visited Azhagiya Nambi and Malai Mel Nambi are now keen to have darshan of Ramanuja, a Sannidhi that is a few kms away. In the past, the few that visited the temple town would visit Azhagiya Nambi Sannidhi and return but the restoration is driving them to other sannidhis as well in this Divya Desam.

In addition to donning the role of Maniam at the temple, he also takes these devotees to the Ramanuja and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sannidhis so the devotees get to know the historical significance of this place.

The annual avathara utsavam of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on the Karthigai day in the month of Karthigai is celebrated at Thiru Kurungudi.

To visit Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Ramanuja Sannidhis in Thiru Kurungudi, contact Maniam Ramanujam @ 9360548252

Srirangam New Bus Stand on Temple land

Finally a bus stand in Srirangam, but lo its on a temple property

 The huge temple wall in the background of the new bus stand

It has remained a long felt need in Srirangam. Despite the manifold increased in devotee crowd at the Ranganathaswamy temple and several lakhs of people thronging the Divya Desam every year, there has not been a proper and official bus stand in this historic temple town with buses parking on the road, picking up passengers and moving along. 

Finally, when the authorities decided to cater to the ever growing number of passengers and the increasing  bus services, they found only a property belonging to the Ranganathaswamy temple. As seen in the photograph above, the huge wall built by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar is in the background of where this bus stand is now being built!!! And what more, they did not find it relevant and appropriate to get the approval of the temple authorities for this construction. 

As per the process, the HR & CE has sent a notice to the Transport authorities about the illegal construction on temple land without its approval.

The construction is nearing completion and the launch is likely before the end of the year. This new facility will be a mega addition to Srirangam  and is a boon to the bus passengers but the issue is it is on temple property. And thus far there has been no rent paid to the temple for this land on which the bus stand is being built.

It will be interesting to see as to what the response will be to the notice from the temple!!!

Koodal Azhagar Rama Rayar Mandapam Dasavathara Thiru Kolam

Devotees missing at Dasavathara Display

Koodal Azhagar provides Dasavathara darshan at Rama Rayar Mandapam to a handful of devotees on Thursday night

                  Koodal Azhagar Krishna Avatharam - 1am

It is exactly a month since Kallazhagar of Thiru Maliruncholai Divya Desam arrived at  the Rama Rayar Mandapam when the entire area was packed with a sea of devotees 

On this Thursday (June 12) evening, it was a stark contrast and proved anti climatic. Koodal Azhagar had made his way earlier on a horse vahana procession from the temple to the Rama Rayar Mandapam crossing the Vaigai as part of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, on the day following the Pournami.

Legendary Divya Desam

There  is no indication of a Perumal from a legendary Divya Desam was at Mathichiyam on the Northern Banks of Vaigai in Madurai. 

Centuries ago, after his Victory in the debate, Periyazhvaar went atop the Royal Elephant of Vallabha Deva Pandya around the streets of Madurai in a Grand Celebratory Event. Lord Koodal Azhagar, appeared on his Garuda Vahana from above the Ashtanga Vimana along with Goddess Lakshmi against the back drop of the clear blue sky providing darshan to scores of devotees that had thronged the streets of Madurai. Worried that evil eyes should not fall on this beautiful Lord, seen in this immaculate posture with his beloved Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu Chittar falling into a trance, showered Pallaandu verses of praise expressing concern for the Lord’s safety using the bell tied to the elephant as his Thaalam. 

பேர் அணிந்த வில்லிபுத்தூர் ஆணி தன்னில்

 பெருந் ஜோதி தனில் தோன்றும் பெருமானே

முன் சீர் அணிந்த பாண்டியன் தன் நெஞ்சு தன்னில்

துயக்கற மால் பருத்து வத்தை திருமாசெப்பி

வானர மேல் மதுரை வளம் வரவே

வானில் கருட வாகனமாய்த் தோன்ற

வாழ்த்தும் ஈரணி  பல்லாண்டு முதல் பாட்டு

நானூற்று எழுவத்து ஒன்று இரண்டும் எனக்கு உதவு நீயே – Vedanta Desikar's praise of Periyazhvaar's Royal Procession

Jewels arrive in a MNC car!!!

There are only a handful of devotees witnessing the Thirumanjanam at this historic mandapam in Mathichiyam. Even as the Bhattar of the evening leaves the mandapam, a couple of young priests arrive. It is a sign of changing times and the trend among the new gen bhattars that the abaranams for the Dasavatharam thiru kolam was brought in a MNC car with the priest of Koodal Azhagar and a young engineering student and nephew of  Azhagar Koil Ambhi Bhattar landing up at the venue after 8.30pm. It is these the two young bhattars who took over the alankaram aspects in the coming hours. 

Till the end of the last decade, Naidu Venkatesan, who passed away during the Pandemic carried the huge white canopy from the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam to Veereswaram, 3 kms away bare foot ahead of the Garuda Vahana procession during the Thai Procession (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/05/srirangam-temple-naidu-venkatesan.html).  Such was the traditional ways followed during utsavams. But in this historic Divya Desam responsible for the Pallandu Verses of Periyazhvaar, jewels for the night were brought in a car!!!

It is 9.30pm when the first avatharam is unveiled. There are about 50 people who enjoy this first alankaram. Over the next four hours, Koorma, Vamana, Rama and Krishna Avatharam alankarams are showcased inter-wined with Swara alankaram and Muthangi Sevai.

The Rama Avatharam alankaram past midnight draws the biggest cheer on the night as the devotees look at the minute aspects of the alankaram. It is 1.30am when the screen closes for the final time on the night after devotees have had darshan of the Krishna Avatharam alankaram.

Dwindling devotee crowd

Later in the night, a security at the shop at the end of the street told this writer that the previous month there was not an inch of space to move as devotees came in thousands and stayed through the night to have darshan of Azhagar Koil Perumal’s Dasavathara Kaatchi. But on this night, it did not even look like a festival with very few devotees and the loudspeaker music being the only thing signifying an event on the night.  Nearer the Perumal, in between the different alankarams, these devotees presented devotional songs enjoying themselves in the peace of the late night even the moon played hide and seek in the sky. 

A Police on night duty wondered as to why were there so many small houses on all sides of the mandapam and asked as to why the mandapam had come up in the middle of the slum like dwelling only to be told that this is a historic mandapam and that the dwellings have come of late. 

 

Ubayadarar's devotional commitment

The Ubayadarar of the night has come with his family and is the most active devotee on the night. He calls out for the Parivattam, shouts out for the Thaligai at the end of each alankaram and distributes a wide-ranging Prasadam through the night including Puliyodarai as the final one, but for all his devotional commitment and the huge amount of money spent on the utsavam, the vibrancy is missing. 

பருபதுக்கு கயல் பொறித்த பாண்ட்யர் குலபதிபோல்

திரு பொழிந்த சேவடி

என் சென்னியின் மேல் பொறித்தாய் மறு போசிதாய்

என்றென்றும் வாசகமே

உரு பொழிந்த நாவிநேனை உணகுரிதாகினையே

 

There are just a few devotees who have stayed back past 1am to have darshan of the Dasavatharam display of Koodal Azhagar and they sleep on the floor for the next few hours even as the two young bhattars get on to the Mohini Alankaram before they too catch up on some sleep after 3am.

There are fewer devotees early on Friday morning ahead of the Mohini Alankaram Paththi Ulathal in front of the Rama Rayar mandapam but those present sweep the area of the Paththi Ulathal and draw beautiful white pulli kolams shortly 5am.

It is twice in two weeks that this writer has experienced dwindling crowds at Brahmotsavams in Divya Desams in Madurai in late night events. Both here and at the Kaalamegha Perumal temple in Thiru Mogur, there were minimal number of Vaishnavite devotees for a Divya Desam Brahmotsavam and that is a trend that is likely to continue in remote temples in TN (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/06/thiru-mogur-vaikasi-brahmotsavam-garuda.html).  Except for select marketed events like that of Azhgar’s Chitrai Utsavam, one is unlikely to see big crowds in remote temples in the future. But one also has to ask the question as to why amidst such small set of devotees, the alankaram runs so late into the night. When the likelihood of devotees is minimal given that the schools have just reopened and there is an office to attend the next morning, the temple authorities should plan to organise the Dasavatharam darshan in the evening and close by 10pm/11pm to throw open the possibility of a larger number of devotees having darshan.

For auto around Madurai temples, call:99652 44904

Bharath Reddy @ 70 Jolly Rovers Success

Best track record in TN Club cricket in the last 50 years

Bharath Reddy's Hunger for more titles remains after clinching a 3rd Palayampatti Shield in a row under Vijay Sankar's leadership

Will the TNCA President Ashok Sigamani consider this 70 year old veteran for a role in the state's hunt for the Ranji Trophy

It is 30 years since India Keeper from the 1979 World Cup Bharath Reddy took to managing the cricket clubs run by Chemplast (Sanmar Group). At 70, he is once again basking in glory this summer after clinching yet another Palayampatti Shield, the third in succession after the passing away of his mentor N Sankar. Before his death, Sankar had told this writer that he had taken a promise from Bharath that he would continue to engage with the club as long as his son Vijay wants him to.  Sticking to his word, he is continuing to show the same passion that has driven Jolly Rovers to innumerable titles over the last two decades and more.

Bharath Reddy sat down on Tuesday morning with this writer to look back at his long and illustrious three decades career  managing the cricket teams at Chemplast and the hunger to continue to win trophies at 70!!!

Summer of 79- 'I will get you one day!!!'

He has a hearty laugh recalling what N Sankar told him soon after he returned from the (disastrous) World Cup and the test series in England in mid 1979 (Bharath Reddy had a great opportunity to become a national hero with India chasing a world record target in the fourth innings of the final test but his captain downed the shutters on him and he had to play out for a draw!!!). “I had three offers that summer. While Sankar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/11/jolly-rovers-n-sankar-75.html) could not match my financial expectations of the time, he told me (and those words still ring a bell in my ears) ‘I will get you one day’. He was confident even back then that I would be able to make a positive cricketing contribution in his life and that gave me a lot of confidence.”

Sankar did get him in 1982 and Bharath went on to play for Jolly Rovers for the next decade.  By this time, Sankar and Bharath had forged a great cricketing relationship. Soon after hanging his keeping gloves, Bharath was asked to take over the management of the club.

Sankar needed Bharath in the 1990s

Former India Cricketer TA Sekar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/08/ta-sekar-architect-behind-worlds-best.html) played alongside Bharath Reddy for TN for many years and later the two contested the TNCA elections together and were very close for a few years in the 1990s. Sekar told this writer that having engaged with him as a player for a decade, Sankar knew inside out the great strengths of Bharath.  He was a great organiser, could get around all kinds of people, was well networked with the powers that be in Indian cricket and was an ultimate PR man. Sankar identified Bharath's potential early and capitalised on his wide ranging cricketing skills. And Bharath did wonders for him. 

                                              

The Early Phase - Hunger to Win 

While Bharath contributed well as a cricketer in the 1980s for Jolly Rovers, full time round the year team management was a different kettle of fish and he took time to understand that role. He recalls that early phase in the 1990s “I was new to that role and took about 2-3 years to understand what it entailed and how to go about it. But by the end of the 1990s, I had caught on to it and the hunger to win was firmly entrenched in me. The biggest differentiator in that phase was that Sankar gave me all the freedom and rarely said No to me. The amount of trust he placed in me was just unbelievable and gives me goose bumps even today."

Jabbar - A personal favourite

He counts Abdul Jabbar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/02/abdul-jabbar-tn-middle-order-batsman.html) as one of his best early picks as a captain. The two had played together for SBI in addition to being teammates for the state “Jabbar was a personal favourite of mine. Unfortunately, I thought he played in the wrong era!!!  How else would you describe the lack of chances at the highest level. He was everything a teammate could have asked for and would do anything for the captain. His contribution to Jolly Rovers was enormous.”

Spotting outstation talent

Bharath Reddy has been a master at picking outstation talent. Sujith Somasundar (whose wicket this writer once picked in Bangalore!!) was among his first picks from outside the state, one that Bharath cherishes to this day. There were some interesting rules in local club cricket in Bangalore but Bharath used his networking skills to secure the services of Sujith for Chemplast  “I spoke to Brijesh Patel and got his nod for Sujith to play club cricket in Chennai. Soon after, he was picked to play for the country. It is those picks and moments that you relish in your ‘old age’ – those that you spotted and picked early who went on to play for the country.”

Bharath counts Jalaj Saxena (who incidentally has moved on this year) and Piyush Chawla as two other 'great' outstation players who performed outstandingly for Jolly Rovers for many years and played a pivotal role in securing many  titles for the club. 

First win is great but need consistent titles - Sankar tells Bharath

End of the 1990s, Bharath Reddy won the first Palayampatti Shield since taking over the full time cricket management. He recalls the early message from Sankar that drove the winning habit in him. “Sankar repeatedly told me that while it is difficult to win the first championship and appreciated that effort, it was a lot more challenging to keep winning consistently. And for that to happen, retaining cricketers was an important aspect to focus on.”

Finding their cricketing foundation at Jolly Rovers

As he looks back his post playing decades, he is pleased that many cricketers in India have had their cricketing foundation at Jolly Rovers “We gave many a talented cricketer their big early break in first division cricket and got them to experience top class practice facilities for the first time in their life. Round the year practice facilities, new balls at every session and a couple of throwers were big differentiators and we were way ahead of others on these aspects.” 

Bharath rolls out many names - S Badrinath, R Ashwin, L Balaji....for whom this was the real building block in their cricketing lives. It was after the exposure at Jolly Rovers that they scaled the next level in cricket. 

He points to Sai Sudarshan being a most recent testimony to that laying of the early foundation. "From challenging times, he has grown rapidly under the Jolly Rovers' umbrella and has become yet another India cricket that this club has produced. Despite offers from multiple clubs, Sai continues at Jolly Rovers, a team that gave him an early exposure."

Bharath Reddy sees Sai as one of a kind personality “Soon after the IPL, he came back to Chennai to see me and take my blessings ahead of the England tour. How many TN cricketers of this stature would do this.”

The next crop of Roversians

He points out that he has currently laid the foundation for the next crop of players. ‘I pick players based on what I see in them, motivate them and give them all the exposure that they require at an early age. I operate with the highest transparency and tell the players what I think of them on their face. Every single player knows the likely exposure he would get at JR on all fronts - from practice to matches and hence gives his life for the club. The average age in the team is now around 23 and that augurs well for the future.' 

TN Coach/ Mentor - A missing weapon in his armoury

When this writer posed the sensitive question on whether he ever cherished a dream to coach TN / mentor Ranji cricketers into winning ways after all his success at Jolly Rovers, Bharath turns sober and wonders as to what might have been “There is no anger for I have greatly enjoyed my role at Jolly Rovers and the decades long cricketing relationship with Mr. Sankar. But yes, it has been frustrating not to have had the opportunity to be involved with the TN team.”

Bharath Reddy is no more the angry young man that one saw in the decades gone by but when Kerala reached the final this year, a team that TN would beat hands down during his playing days in the 70s and 80s, a sadness of immeasurable depth impacted his mind. Could he have played a role in turning the Ranji fortunes of the TN team. But over the years and more so now than ever before with him turning 70, he has come to accept the fact that despite all the players he has built and created for the state and the country and the innumerable number of trophies in his cabinet and consoles himself that it is unlikely merit will find its way in the state cricket.

But it is clear that deep inside there is sadness within him that merit has not been recognised in the state. 

Wanted to emulate Brijesh but didnt get the administrative opps in TNCA

In the 1990s, Sekar had a couple of years of very close engagement with Bharath and the two discussed many different developmental aspects of TN cricket as part of their role at the TNCA. He says that Bharath has always been a controversial character and a rebellion but to be with one club for over four decades from the early 1980s and to create the kind of legacy he has at Jolly Rovers is a monumental achievement, especially when he has been at a 'disadvantage' for much of his team management years. He has created a cricketing culture at Chemplast and has been a great mentor for many upcoming players in the state.  

He also dreamed big for TN cricket but that has remained unfulfilled. “It was Bharath’s idea to build the AC box at Chepauk and he was also keen on relaying the pitch and the ground in that phase in the 1990s but it did not take off as he did not get the necessary approval at that time. With his all round skills, he would have made for a great administrator better than any other but it was not to be. He wanted to emulate Brijesh (his contribution at the KSCA) and do great work at the TNCA but things did not work out for him in the way he wished.”

Playful and Impish but an observant student of the game

The Hindu's K Balaji (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-blossoming-cricket-career-was-cut.html) has known Bharath Reddy from his schooling days in the late 1960s when his Don Bosco team took on MCC School in local matches. The two went on to play together for city schools, state schools and the University before also being team mates at Ranji. While he himself was an introvert and a reserved boy in his youth, he says that Bharath was an extrovert and would often play prank on fellow cricketers.  "As a teenage boy, Bharath very playful, prankish and impish. That endeared him to many friends even at an early stage. But behind that exterior, there obviously was a sharp cricketing brain, an observant student of the game with a natural ability to absorb small and minute details that others didn’t notice. He had an eye for spotting talent and the ability to develop and convert that raw talent into a strong finished product" Balaji told this writer.

Great Conviction and Belief in himself

"He always went by his conviction irrespective of what others thought of him.  He is very loyal and a true friend though he has own strong likes and dislikes. But he is absolutely frank and you get what you see. There is no talking behind the back with Bharath" says Balaji on how you could trust Bharath on his words. 

Pity TNCA has not utilised this exceptional talent

Balaji has watched a lot of cricket over the last several decades including the World Cup final in 1979 and 83 at Lords (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/10/world-cup-1979-reliving-final-k-balaji.html). "I would say in the decades that I have watched cricket in the country, there is no equivalent to Bharath in 'player and team management' abilities, definitely in TN and only a very few across the country. It is a pity that the state has not utilised his services especially when the stated aim has been to win the Ranji Trophy and Bharath has an unmatched track record in TN club cricket."

Making his Mentor Happy

The trophy cabinet began to fill up from the late 1990s and has continued to this year. On his success mantra, he laughs as to how his outlook to cricket changed after he joined Jolly Rovers “During my playing days, I did not take life seriously and the fighting qualities did not come to the forefront. That’s the reason I did not succeed at the top level. But once I took on the team management role at Jolly Rovers, I realised that I had to be accountable at every step and be outstanding every year. Mr. Sankar trusted me a lot on my decisions and the only way to repay that trust was by gifting him the Palayampatti shield as often as possible.”

"From the day, Mr. Sankar assigned me this task, I wanted to be accountable till my last cricketing day. Choosing the right players, giving them the exposure both at the practice space as well as at the match level and giving them a solid foundation for them to build their cricket career has worked well for me and helped achieved the results that pleased Mr. Sankar right till his end. He always cherished the Palayampatti wins and you could see the delight on his face each time we triumphed.”

Winning Hunger @ 70

So, what keeps him going after 70 for he has won everything on board at the club including two VAP One day trophies after Vijay Sankar took over from his appa. “For one, sticking to my promise and commitment to Mr. N Sankar  to continue the winning legacy for as long as possible and then the unmatched happiness in continuously toppling the decades long rival (India Cements)."

He says that Vijay is even more passionate than his appa Sankar. "He is delighted with us winning three championships in a row in addition to the two VAP trophies. Even in the moments when we are down, he is very encouraging and motivating and has confidence that we will come up trumps. That passion that I have seen in Vijay has helped me come through the low phase after the passing away of Mr. Sankar." 

It's that time of the year when Bharath has tension filled moments picking the best squad that would pitch for the next title. As it happens once in a while, there are those who served him well for many years that would leave and he has to replan, but it is now a phase when Bharath is looking to build a base for the future that would hold the club in good stead in the coming years.

There is a twinkle in his eyes when he talks about young guns such as Vimal Khumar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/01/vimal-khumar-tn-cricketer.html), Andrei Siddharth, Ambarish Deepesh, Sachin and the like. He is hoping that these youngsters would take Jolly Rovers into its next phase of success.

In a long conversation with this writer three years ago soon after taking over as the President of the TNCA, Ashok Sigamani (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/11/ashok-sigamani-tnca-president.html) had said that he would fearlessly do all that is required for the good of TN cricket. In this period, he has seen a hat trick of wins for Bharath Reddy. It is hoped that he would look at utilising the services of Bharath now that he has personally  experienced Bharath's  success and how he has orchestrated trophies consistently in the first division fighting as always with his back to the wall.