Gopurapatti Adhi Nayaka Perumal temple HRCE takeover

The temple where Namperumal had resided during the Muslim Invasion has now been taken over by the HRCE after the Chief Priest of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple restores and performs two consecrations

Murali Bhattar, the Chief Priest of the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam was saddened by the plight of Adhi Nayaka Perumal when he visited Gopurapatti just under a couple of decades ago. The temple was in ruins with the moolavar deity in a damaged condition. There were heavy bushes and snake pits inside the temple complex. The significance of Gopurapatti dates back to the Muslim Invasion of the 14th century when Namperumal stayed here before returning to Srirangam. 

He organised the restoration of the temple at a cost of around Rs. 1crore though the original plan was to organise repair works for around Rs. 20000. Just over a dozen years ago, the temple had been completely turned around with a restoration exercise anchored by Murali Bhattar. The temple complex wore a new look and this writer had featured a story in The Hindu Friday Review on the facelift the temple had received. 

He organised a priest for the initial phase as well as secured the services of a devotee donor for the maintenance of the temple. Vahanas too were built for processions to be revived.

In 2018, he roped in KS Abiraman of Manachanallur as the priest and he has been performing daily Thiru Aradhanam over the last 7 years and has been instrumental in the devotees coming back to the temple in good numbers especially during Puratasi and Margazhi. 

And recently, Murali Bhattar also organised a 2nd consecration and expressed happiness at not only having restored the temple from a dilapidated state but also at being able to perform consecration twice in the space of 12 years. 

The Villagers have been managing the temple activities and the utsavams collecting funds from donors since the restoration of the temple.

HRCE takeover

And now, the HR & CE has taken over the administration of the temple. They have placed a banner inside the temple to inform the devotees as to who will be administering the temple from now on. Murali Bhattar feels blessed that he has been able to play a role in the restoration of a historic temple where devotees continue to perform tharpanam on Aadi Amavasai for the forefathers who passed away in the Muslim Invasion.  But he says that he will be taking a back seat for now with the taking over of the temple by the HR & CE. Murali Bhattar had been paying the salary of the priest since the restoration and also been doing his bit for the maintenance of the temple and has been responsible for the complete makeover of the temple but with this takeover, one will have to wait and watch as to how things pan out at the  Adhi Nayaka Perumal temple in Gopurapatti.