Sembanar Koil Muthu Gurukal

Solo Archaka Kainkaryam in a remote Paadal Petra Sthalam for 25years

It is now just over 25 years since Muthu Gurukal began performing archaka service at the Thiru Gnana Sambandar praised Swarnapureeswarar temple in Sembanar Koil. Once upon a time in the not too distant past, the temple had boasted of an archaka each for Alankaram, Abhisekam, Aradhanam and Archanai. There was also an Adyayana Bhattar and an Othuvar at this temple. Historically, the temple was renowned for its punctuality with a Maniyakaarar directing events as per schedule including the Pancha Moorthy procession. Vishroopam too used to take place early in the morning till 50 years ago. But things had taken a turn for the worse in the second half of the previous century. 

Solo Gurukal for 25years

When Muthu Gurukal was approached by his in- laws, the temple had been in a poor state for a while both in terms of infrastructure and the finances. Walls had broken, bushes had grown thick on the Vimana and at the entrance. There were no devotees, only minimal thattu kaasu was on offer, utsavams had come to a halt with the utsavar idol having been shipped to the security box in Kumbakonam and almost all of the original inhabitants had left this historic temple town. Given this scenario, archakas were not forthcoming to take charge of the Kainkaryam.

Muthu Gurukal’s forefathers hailed from Mathiravelur in Sirkazhi Taluk. His appa had performed archaka service at the Maathaaleeswarar temple there. 

Following the grand celebration of Maha Sivarathri by the villagers on Sunday night, Muthu Gurukal’s non stop work continued with the Amavasai. On Tuesday night, after finishing the cleaning work, so tired was he that he slept inside the temple. He quit academics early to learn the Saiva Agama at the Dharmapuram Patshala and secured a certificate after a stern set of interviews by the agama experts of the time. 

Over the next two decades, opportunities came his way from within and outside the state. He performed archaka service at the Dhandeeswarar temple in Velachery, at the now famous Murugan temple in Skandagiri, Secundarabad, at a temple in Renigunta and  at the Karumariamman temple in Thiruverkadu.

Archaka Service at Rs. 300 per month!!!

His father in law had been performing archaka service at the Swarnapureeswarar temple in Sembanar Koil. But he was ageing and not too of the relatives on that side were willing to continue this kainkaryam as a full time service. When his father in law asked him to come to Sembanar Koil, Muthu Gurukal considered it a blessing to get an opportunity to perform Kainkaryam at a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Though he was to receive only Rs. 300 per  month alongside a few kalam paddy, he nodded to his father in law's offer and moved permanently to Sembanar Koil.

மருவார் குழலி மாதோர் பாகமாய்த்

திருவார் செம்பொன் பள்ளி மேவிய

கருவார் கண்டத் தீசன் கழல்களை

மருவா தவர்மேல் மன்னும் பாவமே- Thiru Gnana Sambandar

Revival of Utsavams

In the time he has been here, Muthu Gurukal has revived a lot of the utsavams. Once he entered the temple, he first revived the Pradosham in a bid to bring devotees into the temple. Over a period of time, he also revived the Aani Thirumanjanam, Navarathri and Anna Abhisekam in Aippasi. On Sunday night, the villagers organised a grand celebration of Maha Sivarathri with devotees thronging the temple.

Restoration of the temple

Leading to the Kumbabhisekam in 2024, the outer walls were rebuilt, the temple tank at the Eastern entrance has been refurbished and is brimming with water. The flooring inside the sannidhi and around the prakara has been remodelled with new stones. A flag post has been installed and vahanas refurbished.

But the financial scenario of Muthu Gurukal has not changed dramatically.  After 25 years of archaka kainkaryam, he now receives a monthly salary of Rs. 3000!!! He remained in financial debt for a long time having had to spend money to educate his children, run the family and conduct his daughters' wedding. Past 60, he remains unchanged. 'I did not take up this kainkaryam for financial returns. It is a great and historic paadal petra sthalam praised by Thiru Gnana Sambandar vibrant with grand celebration of utsavams. I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to serve Swarnapureeswarar for 25 years. This temple has given me an identity that led to temples across the region to invite me to perform their consecrations" Muthu Gurukal told this writer as he moves on to start his Arathanam Kramam for the day.  

Muthu Gurukal is among a few remaining priests who past 60 continue to serve at a remote Paadal Petra Sthalam unmindful of the abysmal salary. He remains as devotionally committed now as he was at the turn of the century, 25 years ago.