Thiru Kurungudi Nambi temple Consecration March 2026

Perarulalar Ramanuja Jeer and Venu Srinivasan come together for the largest restoration exercise in over a 100 years

This historic Divya Desam where Thiru Mangai Azhvaar attained Moksham is all set for the first full fledged consecration since 1912

            Perarulalar Ramanuja Jeer with a sample memento for the Consecration Day

It is just past 6am on Thursday (March 12) morning and there is already a buzz around the historic Nambi temple in Thiru Kurungudi, one praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Namazhvaar. A lady is drawing a beautiful kolam in front of the temple, while the priests and the small set of Kainkaryaparas are preparing themselves for the 7am Vishroopam. The personnel involved in the Thiruppani works are deeply engrossed in their activity in different zones inside the temple. Nambi Bhattar from Nanguneri has arrived early and is seen engaging in a conversation with the Vaikanasa Agama experts strategizing the plans for the mega consecration event that is set to take place on March 25.

எங்கனேயோ அன்னைமீர்காள் என்னை முனிவது நீர் 

நங்கள் கோலத் திருக்குறுங்குடி நம்பியை நான் கண்ட பின் 

சங்கினோடும் நேமியோடும் தாமரைக் கண்களோடும் 

செங்கனிவாய் ஒன்றினோடும் செல்கின்றது என் நெஞ்சமே - Namazhvaar

Known as the ‘Dakshina Badri’, the Azhagiya Nambi temple at Thirukurungudi is located about 40kms from Tirunelveli (and about 15kms from Nanguneri) off the Nagercoil highway at the foot of the Mahendra hill on the Western Ghat. The Lord here is seen 5 different Kolams- Ninra Kolam, Iruntha Kolam, Sayana(Sleeping) Kolam, Thirupaarkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi (on top of the Mahendra hill). It was here that Perumal took the role of a disciple and obtained Vaishnava Initiation from Ramanuja. Hence he is referred to as Vaishnava Nambi.

Jeer exudes confidence

Way back in May last year, when this writer met Perarulalar Ramanuja Jeer, the head of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt that administers this temple, he had said that the date of the consecration had already been fixed (March 25, 2026) a week ahead of the start of the Panguni Brahmotsavam (starts on April 1 this year with the Pancha Garuda Sevai on April 5 evening) and that he was confident that the restoration activities would go as per plan and be completed on time. There is an aura about this Jeer and the confidence he extols in carrying out his plans for the temple leaves no one in doubt as to how he wants the activities to be undertaken. He monitors the temple activities very closely each day of the year and is keen to ensure that devotees get the best experience.

Later in the morning, soon after finalising the Prabhandham schedule for the Consecration event with the Adyapaka leader, the Jeer sits with this writer to share his thoughts on how he has gone about the consecration. A Kainkaryapara shows him a sample of a clock memento with photos of each of the Azhvaars on it and he is happy with the way it has come out. This is yet another instance of how he is thinking out of the box and coming up with interesting ideas keeping the promotion of tradition in mind (photo above at the top of the story).

No Achievement this...Its divine opportunity

When this writer asks if it is a big achievement under his leadership to perform the biggest and the first full-fledged consecration at this temple  since 1912, he downplays coinage such as ‘achievement’ and says that he genuinely considers it as a ‘Nambi’ directed opportunity “I do not call this an achievement. It is a divine opportunity presented to me by Lord Nambi designating me as the one to oversee the restoration activities and to perform this first full-fledged consecration in almost 115years. I have to consider that a big blessing in my life and not an achievement.”

                 Nambi Bhattar (R) with Agama experts on Thursday

Fruitful Partnership with Venu Srinivasan

He is quick to point out the strong partnership he has forged with Industrialist and TVS’ Chairman Venu Srinivasan and how that has been one of the prime reasons and the driving factor for this transformation at Thiru Kurungudi. “There have been fingers pointed at Venu Srinivasan in the past by disgruntled persons but I told them all that in this now 15 years association with him, there has not been a single occasion when he has undertaken activities inside the temple on his own. He has great regard for the Mutt and each of the restoration initiatives he has undertaken over the last decade or so has been pre-approved by me as the Mutt Head. And in this current exercise, every activity is being undertaken with the sole objective of restoring this Divya Desam to its old grandeur. Both of us were very clear right from the beginning that getting the traditional aspects back inside the temple complex has to be at the forefront of all that with we do ahead of the long pending consecration.”

Hurdles along the way

Soon after the Jeer took charge 15 plus years ago, he was keen for the restoration to take place in a traditional way and the consecration to be performed thereafter but he has had to face a number of roadblocks and hurdles along the way, each of which delayed the consecration. During the middle of the previous decade, a high court order restricted renovation works across all temples in Tamil Nadu for a period. And then there was an ongoing court case around the restoration of the Shiva Sannidhi that had been demolished 20 years ago.

The Jeer was not keen to perform consecration of the Perumal temple when the issue relating to the Shiva Sannidhi was pending in the court. In the previous full fledged consecration in early 20th century, the Shiva Sannidhi consecration preceded the one of Perumal. After the closure of the court case, the consecration of the restored Shiva Sannidhi took place in 2023 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/07/thiru-kurungudi-pakkam-ninnaar-shiva.html)

அக்கும் புலியின் அதளும்  உடையார்

அவர் ஒருவர் பக்கம் நிற்க  நின்ற 

பண்பர் ஊர்போலும்

தக்க மரத்தின் தாழ்சினையேறி 

தாய் ;வாயில் கொக்கின் பிள்ளை 

வெள்ளிர உண்ணும் குறுங்குடியே  -Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Venu's Kula Deivam and a Temple 'close to his heart'

This temple is the Kula Deivam for Venu Srinivasan and one that he holds close to his heart. While he had begun his temple restoration exercise in South TN with the Nava Tirupathi temples in the mid1990s, he was always waiting for the appropriate moment to start the large scale restoration of his Kula Deivam temple here at Thiru Kurungudi.  As with many remote temples in Tamil Nadu, the Nambi temple in Kurungudi too had been in a state of disrepair at the turn of the century.  The Jeer points out that even the 1981 consecration did not see any major restoration and had been done on a small scale.

Early on Thursday morning, Venu Srinivasan takes time out to share his memories with this writer of how he saw the temple when he took up the restoration after having gained experience from the Nava Tirupathi work in the last decade of the previous century. “The walls in the outer prakara were in a dilapidated state and with further delay would have fallen off. Thiru Mangai Azhvaar describes this temple as one with big trees but the coconut trees had almost become a thing of the past with most lying in damaged condition. It was sad to see the nandavanam resembling anything but that.”

If Srirangam is known for Vaikunta Ekadesi, Thiru Kurungkudi is said to be the home to the Vaishnava tradition of ‘Kaisika Ekadesi’ and Kaisika Natakam (drama)- worship of the Lord through dance, music and drama is a special event at the Thiru Kurungudi Nambi temple on the Kaisika Ekadesi day. Kaisika Puranam, which is a part of Varaaha Puraanam and comprises several hundred songs- all in small stanzas- shows Lord Narayana as the ultimate supreme force and is a case study in this modern money making world of keeping up one’s word at the cost of anything, even life.

Venu Srinivasan recalls walking around the temple complex and finding thick bushes. “The outer prakara was an ‘unpaved one’ in the past and sharp thorns would pierce your feet. The Kaisika Ekadasi mandapam too was in bad shape and one couldn’t even visit the Ramanuja Sannidhi. Not many in the new generation knew that there was a Moksha Sthalam (Thiruvarasu) of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar for that too was in a dilapidated state. The Bats that inhabited the temple in large numbers left a bad odour. Overall, it had been in a terrible state with most things unattended to.”

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar who built the huge walls of Srirangam and contributed in no small measure to the temple asked for Moksham from Srirangam Ranganatha and was directed to visit his ‘Southern house’. He is believed to have attained moksham from here (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/06/thiru-kurungudi-thiru-mangai-azhvaar.html)

Above is a photograph taken by this writer just under 15 years ago of the state of the outer prakara and the Chitrai Gopuram in the background that wore a old worn out look- a story on this had featured in The Hindu friday review back then.

Over the last decade or so, there has been a transformational change in the Nandavanam and the Vasantha Utsavam when Nambi makes his way there has become an annual event that attracts big crowd from across the state. The bats have disappeared into history.

The utsavams had become restricted to within the temple. Venu credits the Jeer’s personal initiative of reviving ‘Veethi Purappadu’. “The Jeer wanted all the utsavams to be restored to its old grandeur and all street processions to take place as it had been in the centuries gone by.”

                               
            Outer Prakara now as contrasted with over a decade ago

While he has anchored restorations in over 225 temples across South India, Venu Srinivasan feels particularly blessed about having been able to undertake large sized restoration works in the Nava Tirupathi temples as well as Nanguneri and now this consecration, in addition to the 'out of the blue' surprise opportunity at Srirangam.

Hanuman’s Leap to Lanka

About 8 kms from here on the Western Ghats is the Thirumalai Nambi temple from where Lord Hanuman is said to have taken the leap to Lanka.

Ramanuja’s early trip back to Thirukurungudi

Ramanuja made trips to other Divya Desams such as Thiruvattaru and Thiruvan Parisaram. At Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, when Ramanuja wanted to return back to Thiru Kurungudi, the Lord directed Garuda to carry him fast that same night and to Ramanuja’s surprise, he was on top of the Thirukurungudi rock at the blink of an eye. As a result of this event, it is believed that one does not find Garuda in the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple.

Varna Kalaa Painting of Moolavar

One of the biggest efforts of the last 12 months has been to restore the moolavar idols in the three perumal sannidhis. When the Jeer wanted the best paintings of the Varna Kaala Moolavar idols and asked Venu Srinivasan on this, the action was immediate. Venu roped in ‘Varna Kalaa’ experts from Kerala. This writer got a sneak preview of the work going on on this front and devotees when they get to have darshan of the Moolavar in just over ten days are sure to be astonished with the quality of the painting that is sure to last a generation. An IT professional too has played a big role in this exercise and this section will feature a separate story on that.

                                     

Recognising the role and importance of the musicians and the nadaswaram artistes in temples, the authorities have presented a showcase to safeguard and keep the music instruments.

Perarulalar Ramanuja Jeer continues to bless devotees on this morning with a couple of them presenting a good sized Sambhavanai towards the consecration event. There was a time till about a decade ago when the temple was short on funds that resulted in challenges even in the daily running of activities and taking care of the service personnel. The Jeer tells this writer that things have been turning around quite dramatically both in terms of devotee contribution as well as recovery of dues from the temple lands. “The entire restoration expense has been taken care of (by a single devotee), but when you are presenting this Sambhavanai with such devotion, I will accept it with both hands", the Jeer tells the two devotees.

When one of them says that this is not such a big amount, the Jeer points to her that even a Rupees Five contribution by the devotee of Nambi will be valued and he asks her to collect the receipt from the temple office. 

Perumal Abaranam- Gold Rake

There is a delight in his eyes when the Jeer talks about the gold rake abaranam for the three Perumals. 24 Carat Gold Rake has been completed for Veetriruntha Perumal and the work will start for Ninra Nambi in a day or two, he says. There is also to be a gold door at the entrance of the Moolavar Sannidhi. The Paramapada Vaasal door too is being refurbished and will sport a traditional look by the 25th of this month.

Grand Yaaga Salai

In line with the traditions laid down in the Vaikanasa Agama, there will be 24 Kundams for 24 Vishnu Naamas, one Panchagni each for the three Perumals (5 Kundams each). Archakas are being roped in from Chennai for the Yaaga Salai.

                              

            Grand Yaaga Salai @ a cost of over Rs. 30L with around 40 Kundams

Jeer says that Venu Srinivasan had wanted this to be the best consecration and agreed to take care of the entire expenses, both of the restoration exercise as well as the consecration event with the overall amount going well above Rs. 10 crores.

Thirumanjanam Koradu

Another interesting feature of the restoration exercise has been the making of the Thirumanjanam Koradu with exquisite sculptures and art work. Perumal will be seen inside the Thirumanjanam Koradu at the Yaaga Salai during the Consecration event.

Restoring damaged sculptures

At the Utsavam Alankara mandapam in front of the Eastern entrance, some of the historical centuries old sculptures had been in a broken state. These have been restored to its original shape using the latest technology. Such has been the quality of the restoration that the devotees would not be able to identify the ones that had been in a broken state previously, says the Jeer.

He is also happy that some of the historical wrongs have been corrected. Walls had been constructed around the Kaisika Ekadasi mandapam  during the 1981 consecration. It is a mandapam where Perumal also comes for ten days during the Pagal Pathu utsavam. These have been removed and grill windows installed so there is a free air circulation as well as natural light entering the mandapam. There is now a traditional elegance to this place.

A look at the sketches dating back to 1912 and 1930 shows that the Era Pathu mandapam had moved from one place to another!!!

When the Atheenam came forward to take care of the Shiva Sannidhi consecration, the Jeer told them that there had been wrongs at this temple in the past and that he would manage the consecration of the restored Shiva Sannidhi, himself.

 

The roof of the main temple complex has also been beautifully done to prevent rain drops from pouring down. Nambi Bhattar who will anchor the consecration event arrives and presents a set of new Paligai Kinnam much to the delight of the Jeer.

Origination of Araiyar Sevai

The famed Araiyar Sevai, depiction of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham in song and dance form, originated at Thiru Kurungkudi with Nambi watching Araiyar’s Abhinayam hiding behind a wall in Bashyam Street (South Mada Street). 

Focus on Recoveries

The Jeer in the recent past has appointed a separate team for revenue administration and he believes that this will reap rich dividends into the future. Following the consecration, I have a message from Ninra Nambi that the recoveries will touch 100%.  Venu has also been supporting us in the recovery exercise where ever possible.  The salaries to Kainkaryaparas is now at a healthy level but there continues to be a shortage of service personnel to carry out the daily activities. The Jeer says that Venu has come forward to support any number of additions to the Kainkaryaparas to strengthen the team at the temple. He is hopeful that there will be more original inhabitants who will come back to this temple town to perform Kainkaryam like they had in the centuries gone by.

Lord's Southern House

As per the Vaishnavite Sampradayam, Thirukurungudi 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 Thirukurungudi (Thiru Narayana Puram is said to be the ‘Mela Veedu’, Kanchipuram the ‘Keezha Veedu’ and Srirangam ‘Veedu’).

Leading to the consecration, there will Upanyasams by Kidambi Narayanan and Satajit, among others (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/09/kidambi-narayanan-upanyasakar.html).

Big Moment for the Jeer

In the decades gone by, the temple looked deserted with the priests sitting endlessly at the entrance waiting for the next devotee but that wait almost always proved elusive and they would head back home with very minimal thattu kaasu. The Physical infrastructure within the temple complex had remained in a dilapidated state for a long time with no proper restoration initiatives for over a century. The utsavams had lost its grandeur. Overall, the second half of the previous century saw a major downturn in the fortunes of this historic Divya Desam. 

The entry of Perarulalar Ramanuja Jeer in 2010 and his subsequent strong devotional partnership with Venu Srinivasan has resulted in a remarkable transformation on all fronts. From waiting for the next devotee not so long ago, the temple will have to now equip themselves to handle around 50000 devotees on the consecration day. Utsavams have been revived with Perumal's presence during the Vasantha Utsavam at the new look Nandavanam and the Pancha Garuda Sevai in Panguni attracting a large number of devotees. Jeer's strong focus on recoveries is strengthening the financial position of the Mutt and if the 100% recovery that he is targeting in the near future materialises, it is likely that the Mutt will become one of the strongest, also given the fact the original inhabitants are now contributing back to the temple town that they had left decades ago. He is looking forward to March 25 for it is one of the biggest days in his life leading a mega consecration event taking place at this historic Divya Desam after over a 100 years.

The consecration will take place between 9.20am and 10.30am on March 25 and Garuda Sevai street procession after 6pm that evening.

Panguni Garuda Sevai: https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/03/thiru-kurungudi-nambi-panguni-garuda.html

Venu Srinivasan 25 years temple restoration: https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/07/venu-srinivasan-historical-temples.html

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

Thiru Pullani Next Gen Balaji Bhattar

Devotionally inclined, keen on archaka kainkaryam

28 year old Balaji Bhattar has taken over as an archaka at Thiru Pullani succeeding his appa but his future remains uncertain

Jayaraman Bhattar is now past 60 and has just handed over the reigns to his son Balaji Bhattar. He served at the Aathi Jagannathan Perumal temple in Thiru Pullani Divya Desam, praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar as an archaka for four decades. His appa Padmanabhan Bhattar served for over half a century. There were no devotees at the temple when Jayaraman Bhattar entered his teenage phase in the early 70s. It was financially a big struggle for the entire family. . They lived in a hut house on the South Street and it was in a bad shape. There was also severe water shortage in the region and that compounded the archaka family's troubles.  There was no electricity in Thiru Pullani till the mid 1970s and he studied under the Chimney light through his schooling years. 

In 1979, he joined the temple at a monthly salary of Rs. 50 that went up to Rs. 2500 almost 45years later at the time of his retirement. He and his appa had 7 ½ days service each every month at the temple. Soon after he topk over, the scenario deteriorated further and things did not seem to look up with most of the original inhabitants leaving this Divya Desam towards larger cities. There was shortage of service personnel too. 

Against this backdrop, he received an offer from Srinivasa Perumal temple in Singapore in 1987 and took that up while Padmanabhan Bhattar continued to serve Darbha Sayana Ramar. 

For five years, Jayaraman Bhattar served as an archaka in Singapore and returned to Thiru Pullani in 1992. He renovated the hut house after his return and has been living there ever since. 

The Samprokshanam in 2003 and the return of the devotees in large numbers over the last 15 years has turned around the fortunes of the temple and the archakas. 

Temple Legend

The Aathi Jagannatha Perumal temple in Thiru Pullani is one whose legend dates back to the Ramayana. It is believed that Raama invoked the blessings of Adhi Jagannathan before he departed for Lankan battle. It was here that Vibheeshana, the brother of Ravana, came for refuge and surrendered to Lord Raama asking him for help and hence this is a temple said to be the most sacred for those devotees seeking ‘Absolute Surrender to Lord’. 

It was also here on the banks of River Sethu that Raama spread the Darbha grass and undertook a fast addressing Varuna (Sea Lord) looking to him for a solution to cross the sea.  There is a separate sannidhi for Darbha Sayana Raama at this temple.

  

Raama’s marks on Squirrel

The Squirrel, which on seeing the monkeys helping Lord Raama, too wanted to help out the Lord. Being small in nature, they could not carry the trees and boulders. Hence, they did something innovative. The squirrels rolled on the sand and then ran back to the Sethu Bridge and dropped off the sand that had stuck to their body. So impressed was Lord Raama that he rubbed the squirrels with warmth, a mark that remains to this day on the body of every squirrel.

Next Gen- Choices to make? 

Both his sons have chosen the traditional path for their future though there is one big challenge ahead of them. His elder son Balaji Bhattar is 28 and has taken over charge as an archaka at this Divya Desam. They have been looking for a girl for him for a few years but brides are not forthcoming to reside in Thiru Pullani. His amma is keen for him to switch over to the Corporate World while his appa wants him to continue the Divya Desam Kainkaryam. Currently, they are in a dilemma caught between temple service as a way of life and working in a company in a city to get brides interested. 

தன்னை விக்கிலேன் வல்வினையேன் தொழுதும் எழு

பொன்னை விக்கும் அப் பூஞ் செருந்தி மண நீழல்வாய்

என்னை நைவித்து எழில் கொண்ட அகன்ற பெருமான் இடம்

புன்னை முத்தம் பொழில் சூழ்ந்து அழகாய புல்லாணியே

Referring to the Lord as one residing by the sea shore, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar says in the Priya Thirumozhi that the waves hit the shores with such thundering velocity that it looks like a galloping horse running at full speed. 

Devotionally Inclined

Balaji Bhattar has been devotionally attached to the temple right from his childhood. He told this writer that even as a school boy, he spent a lot of time at the temple. He preferred the Veshti as an attire even before he touched the teens and performed Thiru Aradhanam for Perumal at home. In 2008, after his thread ceremony, he began to perform kainkaryam at the temple. He says that he wants archaka service as his way of life but not getting a bride is a worry for the family. He does not have an answer to his amma’s query as to how he will be able to pass on this kainkaryam to the next gen if he does not get to find a bride. 

His younger brother is learning the agamas at Shengalipuram (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/08/senkalipuram-perumal-temple.html) and he too is interested in a traditional way of life. 

An uncertain future

Four decades ago, there were no devotees, low salary, minimal thattu kaasu but Jayaraman Bhattar chose to continue in his appa's footsteps. Today, devotees are thronging this temple and it's financially fulfilling but a new trend of girls' non acceptance to marry archakas in remote temples has put the next gen priests in a spot. 

Balaji Bhattar is high on devotion and is keen to live a life at the feet of Jagannathan Perumal and Darbha Sayana Ramar. But at the moment, it looks like service as an archaka with a tuft especially in a remote town will not get him a girl. Time will tell if he chooses to let go his go away his traditional attire and move away from archaka service into the cities and the corporate world as per his amma's wishes or if he will continue this kainkaryam that he has just taken up from the long serving Jayaraman Bhattar. 

Thiru Kurungudi Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi

Into his 40s, Ananthan (Mani) Bhattar is back at the Thirumalai Nambi Sannnidhi where his forefathers had performed archaka service and is now committed to spending the rest of his life here

Garuda Sevai every Saturday; New pathway built by Venu Srinivasan has made it easier for the jeeps to traverse this previously treacherous path

Belonging to the Periya Nambi clan, Ananthan Bhattar is delighted to be back at the Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi in Mahendra Giri Parvatham 9kms West of Thiru Kurungudi Divya Desam, whose legend relates to the great devotion of Nambaduvan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/kaisika-puranam-in-thirukurungudi.html). This is also the location where Hanuman is believed to have invoked the blessings of Nambi before his trip to Lanka. Ananthan Bhattar's forefathers had performed service for well over a century at this temple where once wild animals inhabited. As with many priests in remote temples, his appa too found it extremely challenging and moved into the corporate space. Ananthan Bhattar too focused on academics completing his Masters in Maths and later M. Phil as well.

Quits lecturer post to take up Sannidhi Kainkaryam

While he was earning well as a lecturer, his mind was constantly on continuing the Kainkaryam of his Thatha at the Thirumalai Sannidhi. His appa’s ill health led him to return to Thiru Kurungudi in the middle of the previous decade and at the same time a shortage of service personnel at the temple presented him with an opportunity to perform archaka Kainkaryam at this Divya Desam. While he had found satisfaction in teaching Maths to students at the Sattur College, he saw this new found opportunity as a gift from Nambi, quit the job as a lecturer and returned to Thiru Kurungudi to take up the Sannidhi Kainikaryam that his grandfather had performed here for many decades.

He has ten days of Kainkaryam every month at Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi and leaves early morning from his house on West Mada Street in Thiru Kurungudi on the long 9kms trip to the top of the temple. The path to the Sannidhi from the check post continues to be rugged and he walks all the way up the stony route. He also doubles up as the cook at the madapalli.

Good Times after Covid

While it was a lonely period during Covid when he made his way to the Sannidhi all alone, he says that the crowd is back in good numbers now “While there was a certain amount of satisfaction in teaching next gen students, the happiness in performing Kainkaryam at the feet of Thirumalai Nambi is special and unmatched. I consider it as a divine blessing to be able to touch the Lord and perform Thirumanjanam. The Lord has taken good care of me and I feel really good performing Kainkaryam at this Divya Desam.”

Garuda Sevai takes place every Saturday at the Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi and attracts a sizeable crowd.

For about ten days in the month when he is off service the Malai temple, he also performs madapalli kainkaryam at the Azhagiya Nambi Sannidhi back in Thiru Kurungudi.

New found peace and happiness

Ananthan Bhattar (more popularly known as Mani in the temple circles) is now 46. While he missed a couple of decades of service at the temple when he was in teaching profession, he is delighted to be back performing the Kainkaryam that his forefathers had carried out at this Divya Desam. It is a new found peace and happiness performing this service that is simply unmatched and he is committed to carrying forward the service as an archaka, madapalli cook and a prabhandham ghosti member (even as a school boy, he had been initiated into the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham by his Thatha) for the rest of his life.

Like the young devotee, Sindhu, who has made a move to Thiru Kurungudi in an early phase in her life, the return of Ananthan Bhattar, previous decade, is good news for the historical Divya Desam as it adds to the strength of the service personnel in this remote temple. 

How to reach Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi

Private vehicles are allowed only till the check post and from there only jeeps are allowed to the topof the hill. Till about a decade ago, there were just around five jeeps to take devotees from Azhagiya Nambi Sannidhi to the Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi. In the century gone by the archakas, service personnel and devotees walked all the way up the treacherous path in the midst of wild animals. With the devotional wave striking the Divya Desams, crowd has shot up quite a bit. On the Saturdays in Puratasi, devotees throng the Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi in thousands. In recent years, in line with this devotional wave, the jeeps too have shot up in number and gone up to 30. 

For a long time this had been a very challenging journey from the check post to the Sannidhi but recently industrialist Venu Srinivasan led a renovation of this rugged path and has built a smoother pathway for these jeep rides that the drivers are now grateful for. 

Like in historical times, many devotees continue to walk up the hill carrying a stick along to protect them from the hundreds of monkeys that line up through the entire route. And they have a sacred bath at the falls that is said to have medicinal value before they have darshan at the Sannidhi. 

The jeeps are available till 2pm in front of the Azhagiya Nambi Sannidhi. Charges - Rs. 1500 per trip with six devotees allowed in a jeep. 

Thirumalai Nambi Sannidhi is open from 9.30am to 3pm.

Thiru Kurungudi Pakkam Ninnaar Shiva Sannidhi Restored

After almost 20 years, the idol of Shiva has been brought back to 'Pakkam Ninnaar' 

Shiva Sannidhi had been demolished on a single night in May 2004. Following a court order, the Sannidhi has been rebuilt at the same original location with traditional stones and consecration performed in June 2023

After almost two decades, the idol of Shiva that had been shifted out from its historical sannidhi to a new location within the Nambi Temple at Thiru Kurungudi, has been moved back to its original location. A new sannidhi has been built at the original 'Pakkam Ninnaar' location with traditional Karungal. Following the consecration,  the Consecration event took place last month in the presence of the Pontiff of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt Sri Perarula Ramanuja Jeer.

Vishnu and Shiva praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Thiru Kurungudi is one of the very few Divya Desams that houses both Perumal and Shiva within the same complex.  Rare is a praise by an Azhvaar of both the deities in a single verse. In the opening verse of the 6th Decad of the 9th Canto, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar refers to the Lord of Thiru Kurungudi as one in a standing Posture with the skull and tiger skin bearing Shiva by his side. Perumal and Shiva cannot be separated at this temple as is seen from the sacred verse. Abhiseka Theertham, Thaligai and Aradhanam are all the same for both of them.

அக்கும் புலியின் அதளும்  உடையார்

அவர் ஒருவர் பக்கம் நிற்க  நின்ற 

பண்பர் ஊர்போலும்

A One Night Demolition Act

In May 2004, almost out of the blue following a series of Prakshnam by the Namboodaries of Malai Naadu, the Shiva Sannidhi, referred to as Pakkam Ninraar by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse, was brought down within a single night at the Nambi Temple in Thirukurungudi. A separate sannidhi was built for Shiva in the Eastern side and the idol was moved into this newly constructed sannidhi.

Mannar Koil’s Periya Nambi Narasimha Gopalan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/03/periya-nambi-narasimha-gopalan-acharya.html) is all smiles at the consecration of the Shiva Sannidhi at the Pakkam Ninnaar location. He recalls the phone call from his uncle in Thiru Kurungudi that morning end of May 2004 “My appa's brother called and he asked me to give the phone to my appa (he passed away a year later). After the call, my appa was aghast – he told me that the Pakkam Ninnar Sannidhi had been demolished in one night. The Sannidhi was intact at the time of Artha Jaama Pooja the previous night but the next morning when my brother went to the temple, the Shiva Sannidhi was missing. My appa asked me to call Krishnamachari of Srirangam to inform him of this and it was then that the current Jeer who was then working in Cuddalore filed the case against the demolition.”

This move faced stiff opposition from the public. Soon after, a petition was filed in the court. Initially the Nanguneri court directed the idol to be taken back to its original location. Later on appeal, the case was heard at the Madurai HC where too the judge upheld the Nanguneri court's verdict. But the temple authorities went on appeal and this issue had dragged on for almost two decades.

In 2017, this section featured a story on how the residents of Thiru Kurungudi had been unhappy with the demolition and that they had wanted the Shiva Idol to be reinstalled at its original location. Six years ago, Sri Perarula Ramanuja Jeer had told this writer that they would ‘soon’ relocate the Shiva idol at its historical location but it’s taken another six years for the temple authorities to initiate action on this front though a lot of the other renovation work had been completed during this peri od.The Mutt that had gone on appeal at the Supreme Court seeking solo and exclusive rights over the temple has secured an order to that effect.

A Special Divya Desam

When Thirumangai Azhvaar sought Moksham, Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam directed him to visit his ‘Southern Home’ at Thiru Kurungudi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/06/thirukurungkudi-divya-desam.html). Accordingly, Thirumangai Azhvaar came to this Vamana Kshetram and performed service invoking the blessings of Lord Azhagiya Nambi and attained moksham here. Hence, it is believed that ‘Vaikuntam’ (the ultimate destination for Vaishnavites) is in ‘calling distance’ from the Lord’s Southern Home at Thiru Kurungudi.

Thiru Kurungkudi is also the home to the Vaishnava tradition of ‘Kaisika Ekadesi’, one of the big festive occasions here. Kaisika Natakma, the story of Kaisika Puranam, is a form of worship of the Lord through dance, music and drama and is presented on the night of Kaisika Ekadesi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/12/kaisika-puranam-in-thirukurungudi.html). The over 1000 years old art of Araiyar Sevai originated at Thiru Kurungkudi and was first introduced by Natha Muni. Legend has it that Lord Nambi, hiding behind a wall in Bashyam Street (now South Mada Street), used to watch the young Araiyars practice for hours this difficult art form. Hence, the Lord here is also referred to as ‘Gaana Priyan’ (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/12/araiyar-sevai-saving-rare-art.html).

Periya Thirumozhi Praise of Thiru Kurungudi

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verses refers to Peacocks dancing in the groves and Parrots speaking like the beautiful girls of Thiru Kurungudi, streams in full flow washing aside precious gems, Mullai Flowers seen in the groves with dripping nectar, swans playing in groups in the cool lakes that are abound with lotuses. He finds Kuravu trees all around Thiru Kurungudi. There were mansions so tall that they seemed to touch the moon.

  

Former Maniam opposed the demolition 

In 2017, 86 year old Periya Nambi K Srinivasachariar (PKS), the son of the 47th Jeer of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt at Thiru Kurungudi who had served at the temple as a Maniam, told this writer that the demolition of the Shiva Sannidhi was one of the saddest moments in his life. Ever since its demolition, he was keen for it to be brought back to its original location and he pressed many times for it. Unfortunately he did not live long enough to see the consecration for he passed away a couple of years ago. He would have been delighted to have seen the Shiva Sannidhi restored to its ancient glory.

Narasimha Gopalan’s uncle PKS is no more. His appa, who actively opposed the demolition on the morning after the demolition, too has passed away. Almost 20 years after the demolition, Periya Nambi Narasimha Gopalan, who has been fighting for the Vaishnavite cause and also for the archakas and service personnel at TN temples, told this writer on Sunday that he is very happy about the restoration of the Shiva Sannidhi and feels that this will do the temple a lot of good in terms of bringing back positive vibration into the Sannidhis.

In April this year, Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan, who too vehemently opposed the demolition and insisted the construction of 'Pakkam Ninnaar' Sannidhi with the same traditional stones told this writer during the Brahmotsavam procession at the Parthasarathy temple in Thiruvallikeni that a long battle had finally been won and that he was happy that the traditional architecture remained intact in terms of  the revival of the Pakkam Ninnaar Sannidhi.

Thiru Kurungudi Shiva Sannidhi Restoration Update

16 years after the demolition, 'Pakkam Ninraar' remains in ‘Balalayam’

After the High Court order directing the restoration of the Shiva Sannidhi, an appeal  has been pending in the Supreme Court for many years

Out of Court reconciliation efforts in recent times have failed and it looks like the devotees will have to wait it out for the next Court verdict 

It has been a rather saddening story at Thiru Kurungkudi Divya Desam, the home to the Vaishnava tradition of ‘Kaisika Ekadesi’ and Araiyar Sevai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/kaisika-puranam-in-thirukurungudi.html) with a prolonged court battle over the Shiva Sannidhi that does not seem to have its end near.

The over 1000years old art of Araiyar Sevai originated at Thiru Kurungkudi and was first introduced by Natha Muni. Legend has it that Lord Nambi, hiding behind a wall in Bashyam Street (now South Mada Street), used to watch the young Araiyars practice for hours this difficult art form. Hence, the Lord here is also referred to as ‘Gaana Priyan’ (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/08/araiyar-srinivasachariyar-srivilliputhur.html). There are several exquisite sculptures and beautiful images inside the temple that date back to the Nayak period. 

Demolition in May 2004

It has been 16 long years since the demolition of the Shiva Sannidhi in Thiru Kurungudi Azhagiya Nambi Divya Desam(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/thiru-kurungudi-divya-desam.html) on that Vaikasi day (May 31) in 2004. Since then several court battles, interestingly initiated first by the now Pontiff of the Mutt (Sundararajan became Perarulala Ramanuja Jeer in 2009), have been fought but the end is not in sight, though the residents continue to feel that it is just around the corner!!! In more recent years, the Shiva Sannidhi in Thiru Koshtiyur too had been dug up as part of the renovation exercise at that Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/06/thiru-koshtiyur-renovation-issues.html).

From the local court in Valliyur and Tirunelveli to the Madurai and Madras High Courts and then to the Supreme Court, the battle has been long drawn. Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan who has opposed, vehemently, the demolition of the Sannidhi right from the beginning has persistently been calling for the Sannidhi to be restored at its original location citing both Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Pakkam Ninraar reference in his verse in Periya Thirumozhi as well as the Dyana Slokam of the temple that refers to the Shiva Sannidhi being within the temple complex.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's praise of Lord Shiva

When Thirumangai Azhvaar sought Moksham, Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam directed him to visit his ‘Southern Home’ at Thiru Kurungudi. Accordingly, Thirumangai Azhvaar came to this Vamana Kshetram and performed service invoking the blessings of Lord Azhagiya Nambi and attained moksham here. Hence, it is believed that ‘Vaikuntam’ (the ultimate destination for Vaishnavites) is in ‘calling distance’ from the Lord’s Southern Home at Thiru Kurungudi. 

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verses refers to Peacocks dancing in the groves and Parrots speaking like the beautiful girls of Thiru Kurungudi, streams in full flow washing aside precious gems, Mullai Flowers seen in the groves with dripping nectar, swans playing in groups in the cool lakes that are abound with lotuses. He finds Kuravu trees all around Thiru Kurungudi. There were mansions so tall that they seemed to touch the moon. He makes a specific mention of ripe paddy fields where water birds play.

However, it is the opening verse of the sixth Decad of the ninth Canto of Periya Thirumozhi that has been the center of controversy at this ancient Divya Desam. In this verse, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar refers to the Lord (Nambi) of Thiru Kurungudi as one in a standing Posture with the skull and tiger skin bearing Shiva by his side.

அக்கும் புலியின் அதளும் உடையார் 

அவர் ஒருவர் பக்கம் நிற்க நின்ற பண்பர் ஊர்போலும் 

Seeking Lord Shiva's nod

Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan says that historically the tradition has been for the Sri Karyam of the Mutt to stand in front of the Shiva Sannidhi and enquire if there have been any shortcomings on the day. It is only after confirming that there has been none that the Artha Jaama Pooja is performed and completed at the Azhagiya Nambi Sannidhi. Also, when Nambi goes on a procession, there is a Deepaam Aaradhanai for Shiva. Such is the Unity of Vaishnavites and Saivites in this Divya Desam. The demolition takes away the historical significance of the temple.

Venu Srinivasan as a donor!!!

For Venu Srinivasan, who has been involved in the restoration of historical and dilapidated temples for 25 years (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/07/venu-srinivasan-historical-temples.html) and prided on exercises of bringing down new and additional constructions within temple complexes, this one in 2004 was an exercise that was characterized by the demolition of a historical sannidhi and the construction of a new Sannidhi for Shiva in the outer prakara, one that he has often referred to as having been done as a Kainkaryapaka under the directions and orders of the Mutt.

Flawed Balalayam

Thiru Koshiyur Madhavan, who has been a witness in the case and has photos of the demolition work undertaken in the Shiva Sannidhi in 2004, points out that the Balalayam itself was flawed "One does not perform a Balalayam for a Swayambu Idol. Hence it is flawed as per the agama. In addition, to demolish the Bimbam was an inappropriate act.”

How much longer?

89 year old Periya Nambi K Srinivasachariyar, the son of the 47th Jeer of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt performed Kainkaryam at Thiru Kurungudi Divya Desam for almost 8 decades including initiating some of the ‘bats removal’ exercises in the early 1990s moves around now with a help of a walker at his home in Thiru Kurungudi. Typically, the tradition in many temples has been for Samprokshanam/ Kumbabhisekam to be performed every 12 years. In this case, the Lord has been in Balalayam for 16 years. He says that the positivity of a Balalayam will be lost with Lord Shiva having been ‘away’ for such a long time “16 years is really a long time for an idol to be in Balalayam and it (the Balalayam) would lose its sanctity if the Lord was away for almost close to two decades. For years, it has been the story of the case being in the court and most are clueless on when the restoration will happen. I do not know how much longer it will take before the Sannidhi is restored.”

The Mutt's view in 2017

In an interaction with this writer in 2017, Perarulala Ramanuja Jeer the 50th Pontiff of the Thiru Kurungudi Mutt (who incidentally was the one who initiated the demolition case against the Mutt in 2004!!!) said that he had no 2nd thoughts on placing the Shiva idol back at a ‘suitable location’ in the inner prakara and that the Sannidhi would ‘soon’ be restored to its original location but status quo has remained in the three years that has passed since.

Conciliatory talks fail

Madhavan says that a conciliatory meeting was held earlier with Tridandi Jeer who recommended for the restoration of the Sannidhi to its original location but there are still no signs of the restoration even though a long time has elapsed since that meeting. Madhavan has also been vocal for long that the restoration of the idol has to be at the same location and the same historical stones that were removed have to be used to rebuild the Sannidhi.

Pulling back the appeal and acting as per 2012 HC order?

If the Mutt pulls back the appeal in the Supreme Court, it is possible to restore the Sannidhi sooner than later as per the earlier High Court order that directed the Sannidhi to be restored to its original location. Temple activist TR Ramesh (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/02/tr-ramesh-temple-activist.html) who has fought many a temple battle in the court on his own had told this writer earlier that it is possible for the Mutt to pull back the appeal in the Supreme Court ‘They can tell the court that they are willing to implement the restoration order as per the previous direction and request for pulling back the appeal. The court can then decide based on the facts of the case and it is possible that the court would accept this pulling back of the appeal. That way the restoration of the Sannidhi can be done as per the previous court order without going through the process of a battle in the Supreme Court.” 

Maniyakarar Ramanujam, who also serves delicious homemade food for the visiting devotees says that he is hopeful of a final closure by January.

Perarulala Ramanuja Jeer had told this writer earlier that the temple as well as the Shiva Sannidhi is integral to the Village and that he is ready to execute as per the court orders. He had said that all the three Lords have the same Vishwaksenar. It is just that the ‘Prakshanam’ had pointed out that the Veetriruntha Perumal was being blocked by Shiva and there was the suggestion that it should not be blocked.

                       

The Mutt's stated position has been that they would like to restore but they have gone on an appeal, Thiru Koshtiyur Madhavan is insistent that the restoration takes place at the same location and with the same historical stones and Venu Srinivasan calls himself just a donor in this exercise and that it is the Mutt's call (is/was he not just a donor everywhere else too - Nava Tirupathi/ Nanguneri/ Srirangam/ Ahobilam?). Even as a donor, it is incumbent on him to proactively push for restoring the Sannidhi back to its historical location and to ensure that Lord Shiva is brought out of Balalayam. While the two sides are not seeing eye to eye, it would not be difficult for the Mutt to pull back the appeal and restore the sannidhi in the larger interest of the devotees and the historical significance of Lord Shiva at this temple.  

How one wished that this battle was as simple as that. 

This could have seen a smooth closure after the High Court verdict in 2012 that directed the restoration of the Sannidhi at its same location. But the Mutt sought an appeal and this has prolonged another 8 years. 

For the moment it continues to remain an endless ‘wait and watch’ exercise for the devotee. One hopes that Maniyakarar Ramanuja’s words will come true and that the Sannidhi restored by January. Surely, the devotees do not want this to be fought further in the court and would like to have darshan of Lord Shiva next to Nambi's Sannidhi. But it has not been in their hands!!!