This 25 year old New Gen priest fulfils his Thatha’s wishes by committing to a lifetime archaka service at this Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Divya Desam despite joining at a salary of just Rs. 3000
For several decades, PK Ramaswamy Bhattar was the most recognisable face at the Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple in Thiru Kannamangai. The dark phase for temples in TN in the 1960s and 70s meant that his sons went away from temple service. He was keen for one of his grandsons to be back at the Divya Desam where he had performed archaka service for over 60 years.
Srivathsan, son of Raju (Pakshirajan Bhattar), the elder son of Ramaswamy Bhattar had made up his to fulfil his Thatha’s wishes and quit academics early on to undergo agamic initiation at the Patshala in Kudaivasal. It was a big day in the life of Octogenarian Ramaswamy Bhattar when Srivathsan took over as the archaka at the Bhakthavasala Perumal temple in March 2023 committing himself to full time service at this remote Divya Desam.
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Kannamangai is located 7kms North West of Thiruvarur on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur Highway between two rivers – Odam Pokki in the South and Virutha Cauvery in the North where Lord Perum Pura Kadal is seen in a gigantic standing posture along with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar. This is the birth place of Thiru Kannamangai Andan.
When Thiru Mangai Azhvaar came to the Chozha region moving from one temple to another seeking darshan of the Lord in a full standing form, he was directed to Thiru Kannamangai. He came here and on seeing his gigantic posture, he praised him as ‘Perum Pura Kadal’ and one who was the soul of devotees.
Ramaswamy Bhattar had performed four consecrations at this Divya Desam during his life time all through his solo efforts and was also the one who revived the Chitrai Brahmotsavam that had come to a halt in the 1950s and 60s.
“பெரும் புறக் கடலை அடல் ஏற்றினை
பெண்ணை ஆணை எண் இல்
முனிவர்க்கு அருள் தரும் தவத்தை
முத்தின் திரள் கோவையை
பத்தர் ஆவியை நித்திலத் தொத்தினை
ஆசையை அமுதம் பொதி இன் சுவையை
கரும்பினை கனியை சென்று நாடி
கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேனே” - Periya Thirumozhi 7-10-1
Srivathsan had told this writer in January 2022 that his Thatha was the real inspiration behind his decision to join the temple even though there was going to be not much money on offer as salary from the HRCE “Even when I was in class III, I was present for the entire Brahmotsavam along with my Thatha. He had created such an interest in me in Divya Desam Kainkaryam that my interest was to be at the temple all the time. I would get away from the class and support my Thatha on the Brahmotsavam days.”
Ramaswamy Bhattachar who passed a few months ago had expressed delight to this writer a few years ago on the decision of Srivathsan to follow in his footsteps "In a world where the next gen has been moving into cities to work in the corporate space, he has taken a great devotional interest in Divya Desam Kainkaryam. Given the scenario that existed then, my two sons were not able to get into Patshala education and hence I was keen on the new gen to continue this Divya Desam service.”
Joins at just Rs. 3000
Given that the temple does not generate big income, the HRCE, as per its current policy is not able to pay salary commensurate with the service of the archaka. Srivathsan has joined the Bhakthavatsala Perumal Divya Desam at a salary of just Rs. 3000 per month. When this writer had asked PK Sekar Babu, the HRCE Minister about the possibility of paying a fair salary to full time priests in ancient temples, his reply was on expected lines “The salaries of service personnel are fixed based on the income of the respective temples. We will not be in a position to take income from other temples and pay salary to an archaka in a low income temple”, he said!!!
The low salary does not worry the 25 year old Srivathsan Bhattar. He told this writer earlier this week that he did not join this temple for financial returns. “My Thatha was always saddened that he could not send his two sons to the Patshala. During his lifetime, I wanted to give him the happiness that his grandson would take forward the archaka service that he had so selflessly performed all through his life, unmindful of the low salary.”
Srivathsan Bhattar participates in 1-2 consecration events every month and that secures him a bit of an additional income. Following the consecration of the Bhakthavatsala Perumal Divya Desam a couple of years ago, the crowd has increased a bit with devotees from Tiruvarur and other locations in TN and outside making it to the temple over the weekends.
எங்களுக்கு அருள் செய்கின்ற ஈசனை
வாச வார் குழலாள் மலை மங்கை தன் பங்கனைப்
பங்கில் வைத்து உகந்தான் தன்னை
பான்மையை, பனி மா மதியம் தவழ் மன்குலை
கடரை வட மா மலை உச்சியை
நச்சி நாம் வணங்கப்படும் கங்குலை
பகவைச் சென்று நாடி
கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேனே – Periya Thirumozhi 7-10-3
The Legend
Goddess Lakshmi performed penance here to attain the Lord. It is believed that Thirupaarkadal Lord called in his security Vishwakshena and asked him to suggest a good day for their wedding. Legend has it that all the Devas congregated here to witness the wedding. They were so overwhelmed on seeing the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi together that they took the form of bees and decided to stay here ever after. To this day, one can find the bees in the Thaayar Sannidhi - a unique feature of this Divya Desam.
As Lakshmi’s wedding took place here at Thiru Kannamangai, this place is called Krishna Mangala Kshetram.
There are utsavams almost every month to keep him active and engaged at the temple. The Brahmotsavam in Chitrai is the biggest utsavam in the year with Pavitrotsavam in Aippasi, Jeshtabhisekam in Aadi, Garuda Sevai on Maasi Magam, Kalyana Utsavam in Panguni, Thirukannamangai Andaan annual birthday, Garuda Panchami in Aadi and Vedu Pari enactment on Mattu Pongal day being celebrated in a grand way.
Lakshaarchanai on Aani Rohini
Following his appointment, Srivathsan Bhattar has introduced a one day Lakshaarchanai on the Rohini day in Aani. He is looking to revive the procession every Amavasya day.
Revival of Azhvaar Celebrations
Srivathsan is also keen to revive the annual star days of Azhvaars. ‘While procession on these days is still a bit way off given the challenges at this Divya Desam, we would at least like to start off with Thirumanjanam and Thaligai to celebrate the Azhvaars’ says Srivathsan even as he heads back to the Sannidhi to serve the devotees trickling to the temple on this Thursday morning.
The temple is open from 8am- 12.30pm and 5pm-830pm. Srivathsan Bhattar can be reached on 9786902989
A story on PK Ramaswamy Bhattar:
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