Azhagar Koil Ambi Bhattar

An Engineering Dream shattered but a devotional transformation beckoned

This 58 year old Alankara Bhattar has gone on to become the Most Popular priest of Madurai

This section has featured many stories on how the scenario in TN temples had turned for the worse in the 1970s. It was no different at the Sundararaja Perumal Kallazhagar temple in Thiru Maliruncholai, one praised by multiple Azhvaars. While this family of priests had been carrying on the hereditary service for generations, this young boy just into his teens in the early 1980s was completely dejected with the way things had deteriorated in the temple space and how the devotees saw the priests of Azhagar Koil. This led him to focus on academics and he was keen to become an Engineer but his appa’s advise in the summer of 1985 transformed his outlook to life and he has for the last 35 years been performing the role of ‘Alankara Bhattar’ at this Divya Desam praised in exaggeration by Periyazhvaar as everything in 1000s - 1000s of lakes, streams and flower groves, Lord with a 1000 arms, 1000 shining crowns and One residing on a snake with 1000s of hoods. Here’s the story of Ambi Bhattar.

 

ஆயிரம் தோல் பரப்பி முடி ஆயிரம் மின்னிலக

ஆயிரம் பைந்தலைய அனந்தசயனன் ஆளும் மலை

 ஆயிர  மாருகளும் கணைகள் பல வாயிரமும்

ஆயிரம் பூம் பொழிலுமுடை மாலிருஞ் சோலையதே

Early Sporting interest

Sundara Narayana Bhattar popularly known as ‘Ambi’ Bhattar in temple circles in Madurai had his schooling at American College HSS. He was proficient in his academics and was also the leader of the Scouts. In those early years, he was also interested in football. His appa Paramaswami Bhattar was into the 26th generation of the hereditary archaka service at the Sundararaja Perumal Kallazhagar temple in Thiru Maliruncholai, on the Northern outskirts of Madurai.

His forefathers also performed archaka service at Adhi Jagannathan Perumal temple in Thiru Pullani, the Veera Azhagar Perumal temple in Manamadurai, the Sundararaja Perumal temple in Sivaganga and the Thallakulam temple in Madurai. The bleak scenario at TN temples led him to let go off the archaka service at Thiru Pullani, Manamadurai and Sivaganga. In the centuries gone by, his forefathers had been bestowed with huge tracts of land towards performing this Kainkaryam and thus they led a financially stable life. Paramaswamy Bhattar too was academically inclined and when his appa tried to keep him away from academics trying to lead him into temple service, he went to far away Gwalior for his graduation. Later he had a double MA and LLB degrees. 

Paramaswamy Bhattar was a renowned priest of the time and so graciously would he give away sambhavanai to those around him that he came to be called ‘Minor’ Bhattar. 

Challenging Phase growing up in the 1970s

Ambi grew up in challenging times for the temples in TN. As he moved into his teens and began absorbing more closely the happenings at Azhagar Koil, he was devastated by what he saw. 

On a Tuesday (June 9) morning when he handed over the Moolavar Sannidhi service to the other priest of the temple after having served over the previous 10 days, he recounted to this writer on what happened during his teenage years that put him away from temples for a brief period of time “My appa would bring back the Thaligai from the temple in the afternoon after his Kainkaryam. Much to my shock, I saw devotees passing sarcastic remarks about his tummy and how he was taking back the sacred food. The devotees would come to the temple to invoke the blessings of the Lord and my appa would perform archanai praying for their wellbeing. And yet, he would have to hear such remarks from passers-by. It was a phase when archakas in TN temples were disrespected on the back of the anti bhakthi movement.”

Comments such as these left strong early scars in the mind of the the teenaged Ambi. And that led him even more into the academic path.

The Transformational year - Summer of 1985

The year was 1985. Ambi had taken to the first group and completed his Class XII Boards that summer. The scars of people’s remarks about the Kainkaryam lay strongly entrenched in his mind and he was keen on becoming an Engineer and expressed this wish to his appa. An engineering seat was assured but before he took a final call, his appa made an appeal to him.

Expressing his grievances to his appa

His appa, Paramaswamy 'Minor' Bhattar was known to be vocal and strict but he also asked for the views of others including his children and would listen with intent. Frustrated at the way the life of this archaka’s son had gone in the schooling years, Ambi expressed himself vehemently on one such occasion. 

A most popular priest now, Ambi Bhattar recalls that conversation with his appa well over four decades ago even as scores of devotees wish him on this Tuesday morning on their way to the temple for darshan, an indication of the huge network he has built during his service at this temple. 

“In those decades, new dresses were bought only on select occasions and only one dress at that. On Deepavali day and on my birthday, my appa never saw me wear the new dress for he went away to the temple before I could wear and by the time he came home tired after half a day of temple service, I was back into my old dress”, says Ambi Bhattar with a tinge of sadness on how he missed his appa during the big moments in his life.

The Chitrai Utsavam has grown into such popularity now that several lakhs visit Madurai during this festival. It was one of the biggest fests even at that time when he was a school boy and his family had three mandagapadis. “While the entire city was enjoying the utsavam, I was not a witness to all the different days of the fest including the Horse Vahana entry into the Vaigai, the Vandiyur trip following that and the Dasavatharam darshan, for my appa was on duty on those days and as a young boy, I could not be taken care of during those high profile days", I told my appa as a teenager, says Ambi Bhattar on the grievances he raised.

There was minimal thattu kaasu, embarrassing abuses from devotees about priests, no home functions with appa’s presence for he was always at temple kainkaryam. All these left him aggrieved and was vocal about becoming an Engineer and not wanting to take to ‘alankara’ Bhattar kainkaryam that his forefathers had performed for so many centuries.

Multiple Azhvaars praised Temple

Azhagar Koil is a Divya Desam praised by several Azhvaars in all its glory 1000s of years ago. In a much earlier praise in the Paripatal belonging to the Sangam period, Thiru Malirun Kunram finds a detailed praise (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2015/11/paripatal-maliruncholai-balarama.html). The most fascinating description of Thiru Maliruncholai in the Paripatal is of Balarama and the extent of worship dedicated to him in this region, the reference to his chest ornaments and the beautiful single ear pendent. The devotees who throng the roads to the hill are advised to worship the hill itself as it is seen as the seat of the God who removes all worries and destroys the sins of devotees.

Koodal Iyizhaittal – A historical game at Thiru Maliruncholai

Andal, in the Nachiyar Thirumozhi, provides insights into the astrological predictions referred to as Koodal Iyizhaithal. She presents to us a historical system that was in vogue during her time. In  Koodal Iyizhaithal, one looks at the set of lines to decide the fate of the lovers. She addresses the angel and asks if the omens are good for her to unite with her beloved.

அழகனார் அணியாச்சியர் சிந்தையுள் 

குழகனார் வரில்

கூடிட கூடலே

Historically shells were used in a game through one of the two processes – either by putting them together in small groups or by drawing a number of concentric circles and seeing them in twos. If the final result ended in even number, it was seen as a Good Omen and the wishes of the lover was said to be fulfilled. Koodal Iyizhaittal was a historical game played by young girls who were looking to be united with their beloved. By the end of the game based on the result, they get an indication on whether they would unite with their lover. This is a game of dots and lines drawn to see if the final formation ends in a good omen.

Andal invokes the blessings of the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai to ensure that the lines drawn will form the right concentric circles so it ends up in a good omen.

Answering the son's grievances

After having listened to all of his teenaged son’s grievances, appa Paramaswamy Bhattar patiently answered him one by one.

"There are crores of people in the state. Only a few are born as Vaishnavites. Among them, even fewer are Vaikanasa agama archakas. Unfortunately, the two born before you (sisters) cannot crossed the Kulasekara Padi. So, you are bestowed with the unique opportunity to be the one carrying our hereditary service into the future. I give you one day’s time for you to think through this. If you decide on becoming an Engineer and taking to that as your way of life, I would accept that but touching Sundararaja Perumal through your lifetime is a blessing that very few have", Paramaswamy Bhattar told his 17 year old son Ambi Sundara Narayanan in very polite and kind words.

Sundara Narayanan becomes 'Ambi' Bhattar

Within 24 hours, Ambi, the young teenager was transformed. From his much cherished dream of becoming an engineer, he had decided to turn into ‘Ambi Bhattar’. When he came back to his appa the next day to convey his decision on giving up the engineering seat that had come his way and to take to Bhattar Kainkaryam, little did he realise that decades later, he would become one of the most popular bhattars of this historic city and one who is identified as the Golden Horse Chitrai Utsavam Bhattar of Madurai.

He joined BA and began learning the Vaikanasa Agama from his Amma’s appa Ramaswamy Bhattar who performed Kainkaryam at Thuraiyur. Ambi Bhattar joined his appa in temple kainkaryam in 1991 after he married the daughter of the Dikshithar of Tirupathi.

1995 at Tirupathi - Vajra Kreedam

Exactly a decade after the decision to skip Engineering, he went to Tirupathi and anointed the Lord with Vajra Kreedam along with his Father in Law, who was the Chief Priest of the temple. He says that it was on that day that he realised the value of his appa’s advise in 1985 “The then President of the country Sankar Dayal Sharma visited the temple for Garuda Sevai and there I was placing the Kreedam on the Lord’s head before providing darshan to the President. Even the PM and the Prez of the country can only stand a few yards away whereas the archakas are blessed with the rights to touch and decorate the Divya Desam Lord.”

Golden Words - The Bhattar with the Golden Horse Vahana at the Chitrai Utsavam

And then back at Azhagar Koil, over the last couple of decades he has been the priest seen with Kallazhagar during the now globally renowned Chitrai Utsavam. Every time Ambi Bhattar is atop the Lord during the entry of the Golden Horse into the Vaigai, he remembers those Golden Words of his appa from 1985 “I had gone and complained to my appa as a school boy that I had not been able to have darshan even of our own Mandagapadis. Having taken to ‘alankara bhattar’ kainkaryam following his advise, I am now carried by 20 Sripatham Thangis and hold Sundararaja Perumal tightly every time they present a fast run. From the grievance of not having had darshan to being the one to touch and hold on to the Lord through the most popular festival of the year, it has been a blessed feeling and I have realised the value of those golden words of my appa only after experiencing the utsavam as the Bhattar of the Golden Horse Vahana procession.”

A Life Lesson - Handling devotees at crowded events

His appa’s public pulling him up three decades ago has remained entrenched in his memory every time he handles devotees. “During Kallazhagar’s trip to Vandiyur decades ago when I was still very young, I asked sambhavanai from a devotee who asked for flowers. My appa was a disciplinarian and was not lost on words when he saw his son go down the wrong path. He almost kicked me in front of everyone and gave me a stern warning on my conduct. He asked me if I paid and bought the flowers and that I should not transact with the flowers that were actually presented by the devotees themselves. That day, I promised to myself that it is my Bhattar duty to offer flowers to devotees irrespective of the sambhavanai they present. It was yet another great life lesson passed on by my appa to me and it has stood with me ever since over the last three decades.”

 

Ambi Bhattar's fav Utsavam - Noopura Gangai Thailakkappu

While the Chitrai Utsavam and Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai is seen as the most popular utsavam of Azhagar Koil, Ambi Bhattar’s favourite is the Thailakkappu utsavam in Aippasi when the Lord makes his way atop Thiru Maliruncholai to Noopura Gangai where the Bhattar anoints him with a sacred oil bath (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/11/azhagar-koil-noopura-ganga-aippasi.html). “It is a great feeling to be providing Perumal with this oil bath from the sacred waters flowing down at Noopura Gangai.”

Artha Jaama Pooja provides peace

He also finds great peace in performing the Kainkaryam during the Artha Jaama Poooja “It is the time of the day late in the evening when I invoke the blessing of the Lord asking for forgiveness for any wrongs done by him during the day. It is a quiet time and the Ekantham with Sundarara Raja Perumal provides me with great happiness and leads me to a peaceful sleep in the night.”

Ambi Bhattar has for long been the face of Azhagar Koil having built a great network with the devotees of Madurai. It is no wonder then that every devotee walking in to the temple wishes him and enquires about his wellbeing. Once again, he recalls the words of his appa from that early phase in his kainkaryam. “The devotees come for a one minute darshan carrying all their sadness with them. We will know their difficulty only if we stand in hours in the queue and then have a few seconds darshan in front of the moolavar Lord. Hence, always be kind and polite with them and help them have a good darshan” Ambi Bhattar told this writer on how he tries to conduct himself as an archaka.

Interestingly, and coincidentally at the time of writing of this story, Ambi Bhattar’s son, who has a MBA degree, has taken a big call to quit the corporate world where he was working in the IT sector. At 29, he too has decided to join his appa in Kainkaryam at Azhagar Koil much to Ambi Bhattar’s delight.

The Victory Hill - Kallazhagar answers devotee's prayers

Ambi Sundara Narayana Bhattar could have easily lost his Kainkaryam to the Engineering World had his appa not reasoned out to him the greatness of this Divya Desam service. From the time he was 17, he has not looked back once on the decision to skip his dream of becoming an Engineer for he has now realised all these years later as to how the feeling of being the ‘Alankara Bhattar’ at this Divya Desam praised by Periyazhvaar as the ‘Victory Hill’ is unmatched. Tears roll down Ambi Bhattar’s cheeks when he recounts yet again the blessed feeling of being the one holding on to Kallazhagar every time he enters the Vaigai with lakhs of devotees shouting out the name of the Lord and creating a great positive vibration. 

அலை வலைமை தவிர்த்த

அழகன் அலங்காரன் மலை

குல மலை கோல மலை

குளிர் மா மலை கொற்ற மலை

நில மலை நீண்ட மலை

திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலை யதே

At 58, after having performed the Kainkaryam at Azhagar Koil for three and a half decades, Ambi Bhattar has quite a physical issues born out of standing long including during the street processions but he continues to remain devotionally passionate about his favourite Sundararaja Perumal and says that just standing in front of the Lord takes one to a different world, one of unending bliss where he loses himself completely to the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai. Till the final moments of his life, he hopes to continue this hereditary Kainkaryam that his forefathers had been performing for over 25 generations. His son joining him in Kainkaryam is a big boost to Ambi Bhattar and he believes he will be able to continue to perform this Kainkaryam with renewed vigour.

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.

Azhagar Koil Noopura Ganga Aippasi Thailakkaappu Neerattam Utsavam

Sundararaja Perumal went up the steep ‘Victory Hill’ this Wednesday for the Thailakappu Neeraattam Utsavam on the occasion of Sukla Paksha Dwadasi in Aippasi

In the fourth canto of his Thirumozhi, Periyazhvar provides great insights into Thiru Maliruncholai and makes repeated references to Noopura Gangai and its greatness. He says that celestial maidens came all the way to bathe in the sacred falls that flowed down from the Thiru Malirun Cholai hills. He praises Noopura Gangai as producing sacred water. The Kalpataru flowers in heaven are filled with nectar like fragrance and he compares that to Noopura Gangai which he praises as having a similar fragrance

ஈட்டிய பல் பொருள்கள் எம்பிரானுக்கு அடியுறை என்று 

ஒட்டரும் தண் சிலம்பாறு உடை மாலிருஞ் சோலையதே

Legend has it that during his Trivikrama Avatara, Lord Narayana’s feet stretched to Brahmma Logam where a delighted Brahmma poured the sacred water on the Silambu / Noopuram worn by the Lord on his feet. This sacred water poured from the Lord’s feet to this place in Thiru Maliruncholai on Sukla Paksha Dwadasi in Aipasi. In celebration of this legendary episode, Lord Kallazhagar, the Utsava deity of Azhagar Koil, makes an annual trip up the hilly terrain to Noopura Gangai on this day every year for the Thailakappu and Neerattam Utsavam.

வானாட்டில் நின்று மாமலர்க் கற்பகத் தொத்த இழி

தேனாறு பாயும் தென் திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலையே

This event was enacted this Wednesday (Nov 13) at Thiru Maliruncholai Malai, a hill that Periyazhvaar refers to as one with thousands of lakes and flower groves and where the Lord is reclining with a thousand arms and a thousand crowns on the serpent with a thousand hoods. There is a rock carving atop the Nupura Ganga of the Lord in a Sayana Kolam on a huge Serpant.

ஆயிரம் தோல் பரப்பி முடி ஆயிரம் மின்னிலக

ஆயிரம் பைந்தலைய அனந்தசயனன் ஆளும் மலை

 ஆயிர  மாருகளும் கணைகள் பலவாயிரமும்

Kallazhagar (Sundararaja Perumal), the Utsava deity at the Azhagar Koil Divya Desam began a two hour procession from his abode at Azhagar Koil to the sacred Noopura Gangai Theertham atop Maliruncholai hills. Not so long ago, this trip used to take longer and Kallazhagar would reach the mandapam atop the hill only after 11.30am but with infra development has led to a great improvement facilitating a comparitively easier trip for the Sripatham.

Newly laid road up the Maliruncholai Hill

Till half a century ago, the procession took place through the hilly terrain, bereft of a proper road and the Sripatham Thangis along with Kainkaryapakas had to wade their way through bushes, tall trees and a rocky path uphill to reach Noopoura Gangai. Old timers recounted as to how they took to this arduous procession with great devotion keeping a close watch on wild animals along with the way. It was quite a strenuous trip up the hill with most of the Kainkaryapakas ending up with bleeding feet but in the decades gone by they did it all with devotion to the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai. With the gaining popularity of Pazhamuthir Cholai, one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, the tar road was relaid ahead of the utsavam paving way for a less strenuous procession. 

Periyazhvaar describes Thiru Maliruncholai as home to huge elephants that make their way into the forest in large numbers as a herd. The Wild elephants are seen chasing helpless cows into the forest of Thiru Maliruncholai. Even as late as the 1970s and 80s, the priests had such ‘wild’ experiences during this annual trip of the Lord in Aippasi.

Hundreds of devotees gathered at the temple early morning on Wednesday and led by the temple elephant and the white horse and to the tunes of the Nadaswaram, Kallazhagar began his procession going around the inner prakara before taking leave from the Lord protecting the temple at  Padhinettaam Padi.

Historical Inscription

An Inscription on the wall between the Perumal and Thayar Sannidhi of the Thiru Maliruncholai Divya Desam in the outskirts of Madurai refers to an undertaking during the coronation ceremony of Sundara Pandyan that he would continue the ‘Thalai Aruvi’ Utsavam and that if he did not it would amount to killing a 1000 sacred cows, testifying that the one of its kind festival at Nupura Ganga (Silambaru) is a historical one.

Periyazhvaar says that Pandya King Nedumaran of Koodal came to Thiru Maliruncholai in a thanking gesture to the Lord and to celebrate his victory. Those who visited the Lord at Thiru Maliruncholai and invoked his blessings before an event always returned with victory and came back to thank the Lord. And hence he describes it as a VICTORY HILL.

கொல் நவில் கூறவேற் கோன்

நெடுமாறன் தென் கூடற் கோன்

தென்னன் கொண்டாடும்

தென் திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலையே

Despite being a weekday, buses carried devotees in good numbers to Pazhamuthir Cholai making it a challenging procession for the Sripatham thangis as they had to make way for the vehicles plying up as well as coming down. 

Aru Padai Veedu Murugar Prasadam

Led by the Chief Priest Muthu Kumar Gurukal, the representatives of Murugan temple presented Mariyathai to Sundararaja Perumal while he crossed Pazhamuthir Cholai on this once a year Aippasi trip to Noopura Gangai for the Thailakkaappu utsavam.

Beautifully Decorated Noopura Gangai Mandapam

Hundreds of devotees had already stationed themselves in front of the mandapam at Noopura Gangai that was decorated with hundreds of apples and oranges to welcome Sundararaja Perumal. For over an hour, they were treated to a delightful Thailakkappu presentation by the popular and well known chief priest Ambi Narayana Bhattar. An ‘alankaram specialist’ he is continuing in the footsteps of his forefathers who presented this alankaram over the last century. After applying the sacred oil multiple times, he devotionally combed the Lord’s long hair sending the devotees into a trance. Following the Deepaarathanai, as expected there was a big rush to receive the sacred Thailam from the Bhattar. After a 90 minute presentation, it was commendable of him to patiently to reach out to every single devotee to present this oil to them.

The Eternal Spring

In line with Periyazhvaar’s praise of Silambaru as an ‘eternal water spring’, water gushes down the slope to Azhagar Koil from Nupura Ganga all through the year without a break, quite a unique feature of this location. It was 1pm when Sundararaja Perumal made his down the steps to Noopura Gangai after Mariyathai in front of Raakaayi Amman Sannidhi for a two hour bath after the Thailakkappu. This sacred moment of the Utsavam when Kallazhagar makes his way to Silambaru, where he has a ‘direct’ bath from the spring is the only one of its kind in a Divya Desam. 

Periyazhvaar says that devotees came from towns and villages to take a holy dip in Noopura Gangai in an effort to rid themselves of the sins. And when Ambi Narayanan Bhattar splashed this holy water on the devotees they were reminded of Periyazhvaar’s verse and their face brightened up and they seemed to be gripped with an elated feeling of devotion. For a couple of hours, devotees thronged the Noopura Gangai Theertham for a darshan of the Lord having bath, as well as to receive the blessings through the sacred water splashed on them by the Bhattar. There was great devotional fervour among the devotees as they lined up down the steps to have that once in a year darshan of the Divya Desam Perumal.

The Victory Hill -Thiru Maliruncholai

அலை வலைமை தவிர்த்த

அழகன் அலங்காரன் மலை

குல மலை கோல மலை

குளிர் மா மலை கொற்ற மலை

நில மலை நீண்ட மலை

திரு மாலிருஞ் சோலை யதே

Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan who has had a close devotional attachment with Azhagar Koil for many decades led Thirupathi Jeer to Noopura Gangai to receive a splash of the Noopura Gangai Theertham from the Bhattar. 

After a day long stay at Noopura Gangai, Kallazhagar made his way back to Azhagar Koil in the evening bringing to end the  Aippasi Thailakkappu- Neeraattam Utsavam.

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Thiru Meiyam Divya Desam Hereditary Priests

37 year old Narasimha Bhattar has roped in two of his cousins to take forward the Kainkaryam into the next phase at the Sathya Murthy Perumal temple

By the 1980s most of the original inhabitants of Thiru Meiyam had gone away in search of greener pastures. The number of service personnel dwindled from close to a hundred to single digit by the turn of the century. As seen in the story on Krishnamurthy Bhattar, he too left the Divya Desam service to join the corporate world and returned to archaka service only after his retirement. His son too has joined the IT sector and moved to Chennai for a career in the Corporate space.

While Octogenarian Krishnamurthy Bhattar continues his archaka service during the 15 days of his rights every month, the other Bhattar clan who hold the service rights for the balance 15days every month have continued their service with the next gen taking over this century.

Narasimha Bhattar is now 37years old and has been at the temple since the time he was in his mid teens having quit school early. He is now bringing his cousins to join him in the service as there is shortage of personnel at the temple at a time when the devotee crowd has been increasing. While the scenario was challenging in the 1990s, even as he was growing up as a school boy, he received a clear message from his Thatha, Santhanam “He had performed Kainkaryam for several decades and wanted me to continue the service without exploring opportunities outside” Narasimha Bhattar told this writer this week on how the message from his Thatha has remained with him ever since.

“God created us for this kainkaryam. Accept this as his blessing. Do not desire for things and go searching in the outside world.Simply perform Kainkaryam with the fullest devotion” Santhanam Bhattar told his grandson Narasimha Bhattar just before his passing away.

His Thatha passed away in 2003 and he took over the Kainkaryam and has been at the temple over the last two decades. While he has had no formal training in the agamas, Narasimha Bhattar has learned to perform Thirumanjanam, present Thaligai and decorate the Lord from his appa. 

The 1970s Famine leaves a lasting impact

The famine in the 1970s sounded death knell for most of the service personnel at the temple but his appa continued the kainkaryam “On most days, we did not have money to cook our own food and the Koil Thaligai was the one that served as our daily lunch. Despite the challenges, my appa and thatha did not give away the Kainkaryam and served the Lord with devotion.”

Kainkaryam for over four decades

During that phase, the cook at the madapalli too left the temple and that service too fell on this family. Even into this century, his appa was paid a salary of just Rs. 400. His Chithappa Kalyana Raman is 62 years old and has been performing service at this Divya Desam for over four decades. “After the famine when most of the personnel left the temple, the then Maniyakaarar Soundararajan asked me to perform Paricharaka service and that’s how I joined the temple when I was just 18 years old”, Kalyana Raman told this writer.

He joined at a salary of Rs. 30 and this has gone up to Rs. 1800 after 45 years!!! He continues to serve both at the Madapalli and the Sannidhi.

Kannan returns from Singapore, joins Kainkaryam

36 year old Karthik Kannan is Narasimha Bhattar’s cousin. He worked for a decade in Singapore before the early lockdown because of the Pandemic led him to return to Oonaiyur, his native village about 5 kms from Thiru Meiyam. He recounts as to how the Lockdown in 2020 served as a great blessing and kindled his devotional interest “I spent a lot of time inside the temple in that phase. Only a select few service personnel were allowed to be present and I sat here contemplating my future. Performing service in a peaceful and quiet environment inspired me to continue this Kainkaryam after the Lockdown.”

“I have continued to receive calls from my former employer and friends in Singapore to get back to corporate work but I have made up my mind to continue the service here.”

He has spent four years at the temple and while the income at the end of the month is not even one tenth of what he received in Singapore, he says the satisfaction he gets from Perumal Kainkaryam is unmatched “When I was at school, an Iyengar devotee bought me a cycle. A Chettiar pitched with the School HM to give me free note books. Uniforms and bags too were given free to me”, says Karthik Kannan recalling the support from the devotees and how his decision to stay back at the temple has provided him with an opportunity to serve the devotees. 

His appa Seshadri (Ranganathan to those in the temple circles) is now 72 years old. He had come from Peralam after his marriage and joined temple service almost 50 years ago. He too continues to perform service at the temple support Narasimha Bhattar.

New Gen Kainkaryapaka- Parthasarathy joins in his teens

R Parthasarathy is the youngest of the lot at 26. Given the financial challenges, he quit school after Class IV and joined a Patshala in Srirangam, where he learned the Agamas.  He joined the temple just under a decade ago and was part of the procession on that fateful night in 2015 when a lorry knocked down the service personnel during the return trip from the Chitra Pournami event. Like his uncle Kalyana Raman, he too survived and has continued the Kainkaryam over the last decade.  “Right from my childhood, my mind was on temple service and have not had any thoughts on working outside. Serving the Lord along with my cousins and uncles has been a great experience sharing the load between the Sannidhi, Madapalli and processional work. We perform this kainkaryam together as a close knit family and help each other in every way possible to give the best experience of Perumal and Ujjevani Thayar to the devotees.”

He says that he is in this for the long haul and while the salary is not big, he has no plans to go outside this Divya Desam and sees Kainkaryam at this Divya Desam as his future and his way of life.

Bhagavatha takes care of the Nandavanam

An interesting addition to Thiru Meiyam Divya Desam in recent years has been Narayana Raman Dasan, a Bhagavatha hailing from Devakottai and who was assigned by Dhanusa Dasa Ramanuja Jeer to take care of the Nandavanam. His daughter is doing her MBA in Coimbatore while he is here full time at this Divya Desam “When I first came here, the Nandavanam was in a dilapidated state. Ever since I have taken care of the daily maintenance. Since I learned knotting flower garlands at a young age, I knot different varieties of flowers and present it to the Lord every day” he told this writer at the joy this kainkaryam has provided to him in the last few years. He has been provided accommodation and  Rs. 7000 for his service( initially he denied any monthly payment being made to him and had indicated that he was doing this free) . Unfortunately, there are also complaints about him presenting just one garland a day and him collecting money from devotees. 

Revival of Festivals

Referred to as Sathiya Giri and Sathiya Kshetram, Thiru Meiyam Divya Desam is surrounded by a huge fort. The rock cut cave temple temple dates back to the 7th Century AD. On the wall just above the deity, one finds images of Brahmma and several Devas. The story goes that when the Asuras tried to kidnap the Lord, Adiseshan let open poisonous air to kill the asuras. As a reference to this incident, one can see Adiseshan being depicted in the same form here - letting out poisonous air- a unique feature at this Divya Desam.

In the last couple of years, the Brahmotsavam, starting from the Pushyam day, has been revived in its full form with Vahana processions after new Vahanas were built recently. Previously, the annual utsavam had been conducted only with palanquin processions.

Chitra Pournami is the biggest festival of the year with Perumal making his way on a 30 km procession to Kadai Kudi where Rama provides Ethir Sevai. Following this, the Gajendra Moksham episode is enacted on the evening of Pournami.

Navarathi Utsavam too has been revived over the last decade. Oonjal for Perumal on Thai 1 and for Thaayar on Thai 2 are other celebratory occasions at the temple.

New Flag Post, Consecration in Aippasi

This week, on Monday, the foundation was laid for the new flag post at this Divya Desam. The renovation and repair works will take place in the coming months with the consecration being planned for Aippasi. Narasimha Bhattar is hoping for a revival of the street procession on the Pushyam day every month as was the historical practice.  Perumal also went on a Garuda Vahana procession on Thai and Aadi Amavasya and he is looking to revive these processions as well after the consecration.

Improved Scenario but Salary still inadequate

The salary to these archakas and paricharakas has not topped 3000 and with the thattu kaasu and with the 2-3 marriages they conduct inside the temple, each of them is able to make about Rs. 15000. While they have to manage their families and the monthly expenses within this income, the greatest satisfaction for each of these kainkaryapakas is the delightful feeling of serving at the feet of Perumal. To narrate the Sthala Puranam to the devotees gives them great peace of mind and they are able to sleep well every night.

Krishnamurthy Bhattar has been the senior Bhattar at this temple and had been carrying out his service almost all alone during his 15 days Kainkaryam every month but he is now well into his 80s and with his son firmly entrenched in the IT sectory, it is left to the young and energetic Narasimha Bhattar to carry forward the Kainkaryam at this Thiru Mangai Azhvaar praised Divya Desam. 

On his part, Narasimha Bhattar, with the help of his two cousins, is committed to and confident of continuing and carrying on this Kainkaryam into the foreseeable future. And that is good news for the Sathya Murthy Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Meiyam.

How to reach

Thiru Meiyam is located just under 20kms from Pudukottai off the Karaikudi highway.  Train from Trichy starts at 7am and reaches Thiru Meiyam at 8.20am. A train at 10.05am from Thiru Meiyam takes one back to Trichy at 11.25am.

Madurai/Tirupattur bound buses ply every 10-15mins from Pudukottai

The temple is open from 8am –12noon and 330pm-8pm. Contact Narasimha Bhattar @ 7639431930

Srivilliputhur Andal Divya Desam

The Temple reverberated in Devotion with 300 Adhyapakas presenting Divya Prabhandham in the Adhyayana Utsavam Ghosti

In the not so distant past, 60 kgs Sacred Food was presented to Andal each day and was distributed among the Kainkaryapakas. Today, the daily presentation is in grams!!!

Selling the 'Sacred' Kilis, Stocking provisions in sacred mandapams, Squeezing the Devotee Donor to the maximum, Monetising even the 'Sacred Well' and Offering Varieties of Food as 'Prasadam' is the new way of life at the Avathara Sthalam of two Azhvaars

Vedavalli Nachiyar is one of the very few Vaishnavites to have spent her entire over 7 decades life near the Andal Temple at the historical Divya Desam at Srivilliputhur. 'Nachiyar Maami' as she is fondly called in the temple circles in Srivilliputhur began experiencing the grand Utsavams in Aadi and Margazhi as a young school girl way back in the 1950s and has been part of almost every single Brahmotsavam since then. Her children, now settled in cities, have for many years been persisting with her to move with them to a more ‘comfortable’ life but Nachiyar’s mind stay firmly rooted to Andal at Srivilliputhur.

Her father, Thiruvaazhi Ramanuja Iyengar was a renowned Ramayana Upanyasakar at Srivilliputhur. In the middle of the previous century, his devotional style of presenting Periyazhvaar’s Pillai Tamil verses (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/08/periyazhvar-thirumozhi.html) attracted a big audience that listened to his narration of the nuances with great interest.With the devotional connect that she had with Andal, Nachiyar Maami was clear on two things. One she would not move out of this Divya Desam and two, she would not dispose the historical properties at Srivilliputhur. And she has managed to stick on to both despite the temptations to both move out to a city and to sell away the century old house.

300 member Prabhandham Ghosti - Adhyayana Utsavam

There were 14 traditional agraharams in Srivilliputhur with Archakas, Sthalathars, Thathachars, Saathu Jeers, Thengalayars, Vadakalayars and Poorva Shika Brahmins. Srivilliputhur is one of the only three Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu, where Araiyar Sevai, the art of presenting Nalayira Divya Prabhandham through a song, music and vyakyanam sequence, is continuing to be performed. Rama Sarma Araiyar in Melkote, Karnataka too continues to perform the Araiyar Sevai as does his son Parthasarathy Araiyar (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/09/melkote-araiyar-sri-rama-sharma.html). Srivilliputhur  is also home to two Azhvaars, the only such among Divya Desams.

In the decades gone by, the entire temple town of Srivilliputhur reverberated to the Prabhandham recital of 300 members. During the Adyayana Utsavam in Margazhi, the ghosti was so packed that Annankaracharya, who had visited Srivilliputhur at that time, remarked that he could not even enter the hall and had to stand outside through the entire presentation of the sacred verses. Despite the lack of big income for the priests and the adyapakars, there was devotional vibrancy in those decades. Focus was on God and not on money. Devotees experienced Bhakti through the committed devotional service of the priests and adyapakars. Katti Saatham in large quantities was presented to the Lord and Goddess each day of the year. Once upon a time in the not so distant past, 60 kgs of Sacred Food was presented daily over the 6 Kaalam Pooja and was distributed among the Kainkaryapakas.

Araiyars' presentation during the 21 days of the Adyayana Utsavam was very popular. Nachiyar Maami would go to the Araiyar's house every morning during the Utsvam to enquire about the day’s Vyakyanam and would read through the pasurams in advance before she made her way into the temple for the Araiyar Sevai so she could experience, better, the  Araiyar Sevai.

Nachiyar Maami remembers the state of the priests in the 1950s “They lived in hut like houses in the agraharam in the Sannidhi Street. They were not salaried personnel of the temple. In those days, there was no concept of Thattu Kaasu. The only focus of the Bhattars was on rendering service to God each day of the year with the greatest of devotion. Performing Thiru Aradhanam as per the traditional practice was their way of life. Rarely would any of them talk about financial returns. Almost everyone seemed contented and happy.”

Months long Chariot Procession

Her husband MSK Thirumalai Iyengar, now 80, too has lived almost his entire life in Srivilliputhur. Life in the city did not interest him much and he served as a school teacher at the century old school in this Divya Desam for over three decades.  Chariot procession took months to complete as it would be stuck on the muddy streets. He remembers a year, decades ago, when the Chariot that started in Aadi reached their home on North Car Street on Avani Avittam day. Devotees would have Vishroopam Sevai of Andal in the Chariot.The family has for the last three decades been taking care of the night Thaligai for Goddess Andal at this temple. 

Protecting and Promoting the Sampradayam - Veda Piran Bhattar

Veda Piran clan belonged to the Poorva Shika Brahmins. Sudarshan ‘Veda Piran Bhattar’, a descendant of Periyazhvaar, is one of the few exceptions to have stayed back in Srivilliputhur to continue to offer service at this Divya Desam. He completed the MBA earlier this decade but working in the corporate world was not something that interested him. 

His grandfather V Govindaraja Iyengar was one of the revered Divya Prabhandham Scholars and Yajur Vedam Experts in the Pandya region in the 20^th Century. The TVS family was so moved by his devotional commitment and his presentations that they invited him for Thiruppavai Kalakshepam at their home in Madurai. For 30 years, he presented this at the TVS home (Ambujam) and at the Thallakulam temple in Madurai. 

When the TVS family offered to rebuild their once historical home on the Sannidhi Street opposite the Andal Sannidhi Street in Srivilliputhur, Govindarajan Iyengar refused as he saw the presentation of Andal’s verses and describing the inner meanings to a top corporate family as a gift by itself. He was Kainkaryam personified and financial benefits did not interest him. He saw it as his duty to spread the greatness of this sampradayam and everything he did was on these lines.

Being a representative of Periyazhvaar, Sudarshan Veda Piran Bhattar sees it as his duty to continue to perform all the services that Periyazhvaar had historically done at this Divya Desam. Outside of Archakas and Sthalathars, Veda Piran Bhattar is the only one to have the right to enter the Kulasekara Padi at this temple.

Araiyar Sevai - A Fading Art

Earlier this year during the Brahmotsavam at the Nambi Temple in Thiru Kurungudi, 67 year old Bala Mukundan Araiyar swooned and fell down unconscious soon after presentation of Araiyar Sevai (it was again the TVS family - Venu Srinivasan - that offered immediate on the ground support). He has been performing Araiyar Sevai for over 50 years without a salary and from a dilapidated traditional home near the Andal Sannidhi. His father Srinivasa Rangachariar (who passed away a few years ago) had performed the service at the temple for over 70 years including presenting Araiyar Sevai once in the Himalayas in shivering cold (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/08/araiyar-srinivasachariyar-srivilliputhur.html). Despite challenging health conditions, Bala Mukundan Araiyar continues to perform at the Andal Rangamannar Divya Desam.

The Downturn

HR & CE’s gaining power coincided with the new political regime in the state and the combination sounded death knell for the traditional practices at this Divya Desam. Srivilliputhur was one of the earliest temples in Tamil Nadu taken over by the HR & CE. The traditionalists in Srivilliputhur found it difficult to find jobs even in the local schools and the Taluk Office, where their previous generation had served. Income from the lands that they held began to dwindle. Suddenly, financial situation worsened.

Come the 1970s, the original inhabitants of this ancient Divya Desam had to prepare themselves for a new life. With no income from lands, no salary from the temple, reducing ‘Katti Saatham’ that was once an integral part of their daily life, the ever increasing cost of living and a new generation that was coming up that found it difficult to put up , life turned upside down for the original inhabitants of Srivilliputhur. By the 1980s, one saw a big exodus of these traditionalists into cities. From almost the entire Sannidhi Street, the four Mada Streets and the four Chariot Streets being inhabited by traditional residents, very few remain now. Over 200 families from Srivilliputhur are current residing in Madras, having moved to the State Capital since the 1970s. There are many who have gone overseas into something completely unconnected with what their forefathers had done.

Monetising the Andal Kinaru
Even the historical and sacred ‘Andal Kinaru’ just outside the sanctum has not been spared and too  has been monetized by the HR & CE.  Legend has it that Andal developed the habit of wearing the garland that her father Periyazhvaar knotted for Lord Vadapatrasayee. With garland around her neck, she would admire her own beauty in the ‘mirror’ well visualizing the Lord as her husband. To this day, the unique tradition is followed at the Srivilliputhur Divya Desam with Lord Vadapatrasayee adorning every morning the garland worn the previous evening by Andal.

While this ancient tradition is followed, it is shocking to find that the HR & CE has converted the sacred mirror well just outside the sanctum of the Andal Sannidhi into a donation hundial. The well is one of the ‘sacred’ Theerthams at the temple. However, atop the well, the glass enclosure has been used as a ‘revenue’ generating opportunity by the HR &CE luring the devotees with this ancient garland story to get them to deposit money into this.

Long time residents and devotees of Srivilliputhur who have always connected this mirror well with the legendary episode are aghast that the authorities haven’t let go off even the sacred well and have converted this into another money making opportunity to bolster their coffer. It is hoped that the authorities would stop this practice and restore the sanctity of the place by removing the ‘artificial hundial’ and allowing the ‘Kannadi Kinaru’ (Mirror Well) to be the sacred zone that it once was.

The New Devotional Wave and its negative impact

As devotees pour in money into this Divya Desam, no stone has remained untouched. 50 years ago, as one entered the Andal Sannidhi from the North, one found beautiful devotional sculptures on the pillars that created a feeling of devotion even before one entered the Sannidhi. The scenario that exists today is that of a mega exhibition. There are big sized banners that call out for funds. Shops have sprung up everywhere around the temple complex. The HR & CE executives shout out for archanai tickets, special entrance tickets and other donations even as a devotee steps into the temple. 

Shenbagam Garden - Cut Short
The Shenbagam Thoppu was a historical nandavanam and Andal adorned beautiful garlands from the flowers brought from this thoppu. Periyazhvaar in his verses refers to Shenbagam as a favourite of the Lord.
ஆனிரை மேய்க்க நீ போதி அரு மருந்து ஆவதறியாய்…………………
பானையில் பாலைப் பருகி பற்றாதார் எல்லாம் சிரிப்ப
செண்பக பூச்சூட்ட வாராய் 

Even as one passed by near this zone, one could feel the sacred fragrance. In the decades that followed that taking over by HR & CE, this too has been cut out. And now it’s a tale of devotee donors supplying garlands at Divya Desams.

Selling the sacred 'Parrot'

Money is overflowing into the temple but devotion is not the same as before. The famous Kizhi of Andal that Saathaatha Vaishnavas (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/saathaatha-vaishnavas-saathaanis.html) make each day and present to the Goddess was traditionally handed to a descendant of an Acharya or Azhvaar, such was the sacredness of the Parrot that was placed on her in the morning. Today, Kilis are made in big quantities and ‘sold’ as ‘Andal Kili’ to devotees who visit the Divya Desam. For the Thirumanjanam, historically one Kudam milk was all that was used. Today, the HR & CE collects money in large quantities that far exceeds the historical practice.

Financially Lucrative for the Priests
The Bhattars, one of the historical service personnel who went through a financially challenging phase for many decades, are having a field day cashing in on the devotional wave that has struck this Divya Desam. While the bhattars in the 1950s and 60s did not have a single outstation visitor on a non utsavam day, it is now a big challenge for them to manage the crowd. The  Thattu Kaasu pours in even on a normal weekday. The Bhattars and the HR & CE are fully cashing in on the frenetic wave of the devotees who are looking for Parikarams to fulfil their wishes.

Renovation becomes big business
There has been a big financial boost in the name of renovation. Such exercises in recent decades have also caused damaged to historical structures. All open spaces from the past have now been filled with new structures. The historical Ekadasi Mandapam is now almost a store house stocking the newly anna dhanam provisions. While the sacred presentation to the Lord has drastically reduced to less than 1 kg a day (from the close to 100 kgs), food in different varieties are now prepared and sold as ‘Prasadam’.

The next gen of Araiyar lost to the the Corporate World
When they came to Srivilliputhur from Thiru Kurungudi, the Araiyars were given huge tracts of land  by the Dharma Karthas of the temple so they could focus on performing the Araiyar Sevai without worrying about their financial sustenance. While they performed service with little financial returns in the decades gone by, the external environment changed drastically. With things turning for the worse, they had to sell off these lands at a very low price to meet the family expenses. With the ever increasing cost of living, the next gen has moved into the corporate world. While he learnt the art of Araiyar Sevai from his father and grandfather, the young Natha Muni Araiyar, an Engineer, has been in the corporate world now for almost a decade, much like the Araiyar in Srirangam who is keen to pursue a career in the Aviation industry(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/02/bharathwajan-araiyar-srirangam.html). With a full fledged corporate job, that has its own every day pressure, the mind of the next gen is slowly moving away from full time Kainkaryam to part time service during big utsavams.

Today, it is more businesslike at the temple. Everything is about glamorous decorations through donor funding. Even during the big utsavams including during the 5 Garuda Sevai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2012/07/srivilliputhur-five-garuda-seva-utsavam.html), the procession ended by 9 pm till a few decades ago. But with HR & CE’s increasing focus on financial returns, the procession these days do not even commence till 9 pm. And on many days (nights), the Lord is back only after midnight making it a vicious cycle.

While the Bhattars are seeing a financial upsurge and have built modern houses bring the biggest beneficiaries among the traditional service personnel, the devotional way of life that one experienced in the previous century in this legendary Divya Desam is now gone.  Unfortunately, financial focus has come to be at the core of every activity at the temple, now. The Adyapakas have reduced to a single digit from the 100s that existed not so long ago. Even during the the biggest of the Utsavams, Lord Vadabadrasayee, Goddess Andal and Periyazhvaar go around on street processions on wheeled tyres. Many of the Kainkaryapakas of the Srivilliputhur Divya Desam like Natha Muni Araiyar have moved away from temple service in the last few decades. Losing such Kainkaryapakas to the Corporate World could be the  biggest fall out caused by the entry of the HR & CE, in the long term.