Srirangam Koil Mahajanam Sudarshan

The 'Pineapple' choice - Temple over corporate

This once IAS Aspirant commits himself to a lifetime service at Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam

As a school boy in Tiruppur, he aspired to become an IAS officer. Not too far away from there – in Salem- was a school boy in the 1970s who aspired and went on to become one and is now an inspiration to the current generation (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/irai-anbu-ias_19.html). Into his mid and late teens, his focus shifted to become an auditor like his appa. But Ranganathaswamy of Srirangam had different plans for him and this 23 year old Madhwa has now committed himself to a lifetime of service at this Divya Desam. Here’s the story.

Academically Brilliant

VJ Sudarshan had a happy early childhood and was extremely proficient in academics. He would travel almost 15 kms every day from his village in Perumanallur to the world renowned garment town in Tiruppur for his schooling. Throughout that early phase, he aspired to become an IAS officer and believed that he had it in him to achieve that. 

He was a rank holder in Class X but the sudden loss of his appa (to a heart attack) when he was just 15 put paid to the IAS aspiration.  It looked like the world had come down on him for his appa taught him everything in life and he was to be no more there to support him. With no other source of income and also to overcome this tragedy, he wanted to move to Srirangam where his uncle resided but with his extraordinary academic performance, he had become a favourite of his teachers and the school authorities provided him with a meritorious scholarship and asked him to continue there. 

School topper in Class XII

Sitting at the Thayar Sannidhi on the auspicious Aadi Pooram day, he recounts that phase to this writer “I had finalised the plans to move to Srirangam but my school in Tiruppur would not let me go. They had high expectations of me in class XII and I did not let them down and topped the school in the Boards in arts.”

As a school topper, he received admission in prestigious colleges across the country but after having previously pulled back his decision to move to Srirangam, this time he was firm and joined B. Com at the Andavan College. “Amma was alone and I thought it was my duty to be with her and hence let go of the opportunity to join any of India’s top commerce colleges including one in Delhi”, he says on how he took a big call to let go off opportunities to graduate from the best of colleges in the country.

By this time, his ambition turned from an IAS aspirant to a professional auditor like his appa, two years after he lost him,

                         Chitrai Garuda Sevai

While he was a high scoring student throughout his school life, he had also developed devotional interest thanks to the inspiration from his uncle. "I would spend every summer in Srirangam at my uncle’s house and had experienced the famous Chitrai and Poochatru Utsavam right from my childhood."

It was on the back of that experience as a devotee in Srirangam that he joined the Vethal Group and performed the Sripatham service during his college years. He also performed Sripatham service during this phase at the Pundarikakshan temple in Thiru Vellarai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/03/thiru-vellarai-pundarikaksha-perumal.html) and the Kamalavalli Nachiyar temple in Uraiyur.  With each passing year, his devotional attachment to the Divine Couple of Srirangam was growing and he had begun to develop an extremely close bond with them.

Temple Kainkaryam Opportunity 

Having lost his appa early, the need for basic financial security led him to join an investment firm in Srirangam soon after his graduation. And then as he recounts, he secured a ten day kainkaryam at the Ranganathaswamy temple out of the blue that transformed his life from a IAS/CA aspirant to a temple Kainkaryapara “I cannot forget that morning. It was 1st January 2023. Namperumal was to provide darshan in Mohin Alankaram when I received a surprise call from the temple. The Koil Mahajanam, who was to be on duty, had to be away from the temple for the rest of the utsavam and I was asked if I could don the role of a substitute for the 2nd half of the Adyayana Utsavam.”

Maniyam Sridharan has played a role in the lives of many of the young Kainkaryaparas. “It was Maniyam Sridharan who took me first to the Kambathadi Anjaneya to invoke his blessings and then to the Moolavar Sannidhi before introducing me to JC Marimuthu. That was how I got the opportunity to perform the role of a Mahajanam” Sudharsan told this writer on how he got a divine kainkaryam opportunity out of nowhere, when he least expected it (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html).

“Those ten days gave me a great deal of satisfaction and I was delighted when the temple authorities asked me if I would be interested to continue the service as a Kainkaryapara. For six months, I performed the role without an appointment just as a Kainkaryam, alongside the official Mahajanam of the temple. It was a very enjoyable experience.”

                             Panguni Uthiram Serthi Sevai

In those six months, he also performed the role of ‘Perumal Sannidhi Vaasal’, involved in the management of the devotee crowd at the Moolavar Sannidhi.

While this was a Kainkaryam role, it demanded his presence at the temple during all the utsavams including the four Brahmotsavams starting Thai!!!!  This necessitated him to quit the well paying corporate job and in a matter of a few days he had turned himself into a full time Kainkaryapara. 

Having lost his appa early, responsibility had fallen on him to run the family and take care of his amma. By the end of those six months, he was beginning to get restless and jittery. He recalls that period as to how Ranganatha blessed him a second time answering his prayers immediately “I had performed service for almost six months without a salary. One day, I stood in front of Ranganatha and invoked his blessings. I was enjoying the Kainkaryam and it had been a great experience but without a regular fixed monthly income, I told the Lord (almost threatened him!!!) that I would have to consider a corporate job."

"Reconfirming His real presence, the Lord bound me to his service with the authorities  appointing me as a Koil Mahajanam within one week of my prayer. I was in tears realising how Perumal responds to a real prayer of a devotee.”

At the end of six months, the temple authorities called on him and informed him on his appointment as a Koil Mahajanam on a daily wage (temporary staffer as per HRCE rules) of Rs. 300!!!

In these two years, he has also been given the additional responsibility of ‘Sannidhi Vaasal’ at the Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi, one who is responsible for the management of the devotee crowd and their darshan.

Madhwas as the Koil Mahajanam 

This section had featured a story last decade on how Vaishnavite Saint Ramanuja assigned roles and responsibilities to people from different communities and got those from all walks of life to be engaged in Kainkaryam at this temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/01/srirangam-saathatha-raghuram.html). 

The Madhwas were assigned the role of Mahajanam Kainkaryam. It is they who inform the Sthalathars ahead of every procession of Namperumal and Ranganayaki Thayar and invite them by striking the ‘Saattai’ on the floor leading them to the Moolavar Sannidhi for purappadu Thodakkam. They also perform a similar role during Padi Erakkam and ahead of every Thirumanjanam. “We are the information giver to the Sthalathars of this temple on the timing update of procession and Thirumanjan” says Koil Mahajanam Sudharsan.

The Madhwas have also been involved in carrying the sacred Kudam from the Cauvery during the Jeshtabhisekam utsavam.

As a Mahajanam, he also performs the role at the Brahmotsavam and Jeshtabhisekam at Thiru Vellarai and during the processions at Uraiyur Divya Desam.

He is proud at the traditional way the Madhwas have lived “Madhwas have been known for sticking to tradition. Even when I was schooling in Tiruppur, I performed service at the Raghavendra Mutt and the Anjaneya Sannidhi and hence I got involved in temple related Kainkaryam early on in life.”

Koil Mahajanam Sudharsan did not visualise a life at Srirangam when he was a school boy. Even after the untimely death of his appa, he foresaw himself as an auditor carrying on in his appa’s footsteps. But him rejecting the seats in the most prestigious of colleges in the country and moving to Srirangam when he was just 17 transformed his life and led him into a path of temple kainkaryam. Having experienced this for a couple of years in his full time role as a Koil Mahajanam and Thayar ‘Sannidhi Vaasal’, Sudharsan has put behind his thoughts of a life in the corporate world even though he is just six months away from securing a professional MBA degree.

நம்பி பிம்பி என்று நாட்டு மானிடப் பேரிட்டால்

நம்பும் பிம்பம் எல்லாம் நாலு நாளில் அழுங்கிப் போம்- Periyazhvaar's naming a child

At a time, more and more Vaishnavites from the next gen are letting go of temple service to explore a career in the corporate world, Sudharsan, referred to in Srirangam temple circles as 'Pineapple' (in violation of Periyazhvaar's verses!!!), has taken a bold call to enter the temple kainkaryam space despite performing well in his academics and with him not getting a permanent posting yet (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/periyazhvar-naming-child.html)

At 23, he acts and speaks with clarity “As I look back, I feel greatly blessed at having taken the decision to move to Srirangam instead of joining a top college in the country. My MBA degree will always serve as a reminder to me that I consciously chose full time Kainkaryam as a way of life letting go of my early ambitions of reaching the top of the corporate ladder. And how only the chosen few are likely to perform service at the feet of this Divine Couple of Srirangam. ”

In this phase, Sudharsan has found and experienced a never before happiness in his life and sees this as his only way of life. He is devotionally committed to a lifetime of service at the Ranganathaswamy temple irrespective of the financial returns. With two and a half years of Koil Mahajanam service under his belt, it is hoped that the HR & CE would consider providing him with a permanent posting that would help him with long term financial security that a daily wage earner would not necessarily get.

This section will track the developments on this front.

Srirangam Veda Vyasa Aani Pournami Utsavam

Aani Pournami - A day to remember and celebrate the legendary Saint who gave the world the Vedas, Bhagavatham and the great epic Mahabaratha

It is just past 9am on this Thursday (July 10) morning. Sripatham Chief Chakrapani is busy at the Bhagawan Vyasa Sannidhi. When he is not discharging the duties at the procession of Namperumal, Chakrapani is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Kothandarama Sannidhi. Also, it is his responsibility to take care of the Veda Vyasa Sannidhi that lay hidden behind the Chandra Pushkarani.

Aani Pournami is the one big day in the year when this Sannidhi comes to life for its time to celebrated the legendary Veda Vyasa and his monumental contribution to this world.

Veda Vyasa, son of Sage Parasara, not only compiled the Vedas and authored the Bhagavatha Purana but also gave this world the great epic Mahabaratha. Invoking the blessings of Brahmma, he sought the services of Ganesha as directed by Brahmma to take down notes of the compilation of the epic that he had registered in his mind. 

He later shared the story of this epic with his son suka who in turn shared it with the Gandharvas and Rakshashas.

It was Vaisampayana, the chief disciple of Vyasa, who shared the story of the Mahabaratha with the world at large narrating this legend at the sacrificial event organised by Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit. Suta who heard this story then shared it with a set of rishis that was then passed on to posterity (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/04/mahabaratha-origin-of-rofl.html). 

Grand Celebration at Vyasar Sannidhi

By 10am, a few vedic members had arrived at the Vyasar Sannidhi to recite the Vedas during the Thirumanjanam. Unfortunately not too many even in Srirangam were aware of this once in a year event  and hence there were just a handful of devotees that had turned up for the celebration of this great sage. For these few, it was a morning to savour for it was time for them to recall the monumental contribution of Bhagawan Vyasa teaching us the dharmic way of life through the epic Mahabaratha.

Referring to a sanskrit verse of Veda Vyasa, Murari Bhattar, a priest at the Ranganathaswamy temple told this writer that it was Vyasar who foresaw the emergence of vaishnavite saint poets on the banks of Tamaraibarani, Cauvery and Palar (.https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/05/srirangam-murari-bhattar.html).

Devotees who visited the South facing Kothandarama Sannidhi came to the Veda Vyasa unaware of what was happening here but they said that they felt blessed to witness the Thirumanjanam of Vyasa Bhagawan. Those visiting for the first time also went behind the Vyasar Sannidhi to have darshan of Radhey Krishna and Venugopalan at the Sannidhi behind the Chandra Pushkarani. 

Puliyotharai, Sundal and Dhadhyonam in celebration of Veda Vyasa

Chakrapani told this writer that he had organised for a large quantity of Thaligai including Puliyodharai and Dhadhyonam ahead of this event (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/11/srirangam-sripatham-chakrapani.html). 

He said he wanted to celebrate this event in as grand a way as possible and organised for the full range of Thirumanjanam ingredients including a number of coconuts, honey, curd, milk and sandal. For well over half hour, devotees witnessed the Thirumanjanam with Bhagawan Vyasa being annointed with the sacred bath. 

Maniam of the Srirangam temple R Sridharan made a flying visit to the Sannidhi, passed on instructions to the service personnel and moved on for his other kainkaryam at the temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html). 

Following the Thirumanjanam, the priest of the day decorated Vyasar with a grand vastram and draped him in colourful flower garland.

It was almost 11am when the small set of devotees had a first glimpse of the beautifully decorated Vyasar. A Kainkaryapara, who has been performing service here for many decades from the time he was in his teens, was delighted with the alankaram and said that he felt Vyasa Bhagawan provided darshan like Yoga Narasimhar, such was the grandness of the alankaram. 

After the recital of the Vedic Verses and the Thiruppavai Satrumurai, Theertham and Shatari was presented to the devotees following which Puliyotharai and Sundal was distributed. The devotee donor of the day for whom an archana was performed felt happy at the Thirumanjanam and one could see delight in her eyes watching the beautiful decoration of Vyasar.  

Chakrapani sported a big smile at the end of the event and told this writer that he felt blessed with the opportunity to be the one organising the annual event to celebrate the great Vyasa Bhagawan. When he was working in a manufacturing firm just over a decade ago, he could not have visualised being an organiser one day of the Veda Vyasa Aani Pournami utsavam. It is a reward he has been bestowed with by Namperumal for his extraordinary commitment to Sripatham service. 

Usually there is a mad rush of devotees at the round the year utsavams at the Srirangam temple. This was one morning when a select set of devotees could enjoy the celebration of Veda Vyasa in quietness behind the Chandra Pushkaranai. The few devotees that stayed back till the end felt blessed that they were part of this exclusive once in a year event to remember and celebrate the legend of Veda Vyasa.

In the evening, devotees presented sahasranama parayanam in front of the Vyasar sannidhi.

Srirangam Murari Bhattar

The Krishnapremi Anna Impact

Quitting a corporate job in Chennai a few years ago, he returned to this Divya Desam to perform archaka kainkaryam

These are interesting times at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. As seen earlier in many stories in this section, given the then scenario at TN temples, the next gen priests in many temples focused on academics and left their hereditary locations to work in corporates. The Srirangam temple was no different with many in the next gen taking to the corporate world. The uncertainty over the archaka kainkaryam was gaining momentum and the hereditary priests at Srirangam gave up their days of archaka service to the HR & CE as they looked for a career outside of the temple space. The outcome of this is that the HR & CE now has close to 500 days of archaka service in their fold relating to multiple sannidhis at the Ranganathaswamy temple, the Narasimha temple at Singar Koil and the Kamalavalli Nachiyar temple in Uraiyur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/11/bhattars-gurukals-move-away-from-temples.html).

He took to academics and a corporate job

Given the challenges that archakas have been facing in TN temples and the uncertain future, many of in the next gen at the Srirangam temple took to academics and saw the corporate world as their future after their graduation. Harish Bhattar joined a Bank after his Masters, Aravinda Bhattar, now into his 40s, is still in the IT sector in Chennai and there are others who continue to work in the corporate sector (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/03/srirangam-aravinda-bhattar-it-director.html).

Murari Bhattar, grandson of the revered SKR Bhattar, too was one such. After doing Civil Engineering, he worked on the high profile Metro Rail project.

Devotional Wave and opportunities back for the priests

But as things began to turn around financially following the devotional wave that is currently striking the TN temples, the next gen priests who had made their way to the Corporate sector have been returning back to the temple with Harish Bhattar being the first to quit a Bank job, a decade ago (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/08/srirangam-harish-bhattar.html). A few others have followed suit in the last few years. Murari Bhattar is one such.

ஏனாகி உலகிடந்து அன்று இருநிலனும் பெரு விசும்பும் 

தானாய பெருமானை தன்னடியார் மனத்தென்றும் 

தேனாகி அமுதாகித் திகழ்ந்தானை 

மகிழ்ந்தொருகால் 

ஆனாயன் ஆனானை கண்டது தென் அரங்கத்தே- Periya Thirumozhi- 5.6.3

During the work phase in Chennai, he began listening to the lectures of Krishnapremi Anna, among others. So moved was he by Anna's celebration of the greatness of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam that he took a sudden call to quit this job six years ago and returned to this Divya Desam when he was not yet 30, leaving his relatives shocked. 

As with Harish Bhattar who quit and returned to temple service a decade ago, the decision of Murari Bhattar too did not find acceptance among his well wishers. Sitting in front of the Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi, he told this writer that all of them thought that ‘I was making a stupid decision’ but he was clear in his mind after the wholesome influence of Krishnapremi Anna that his future lay in archaka Kainkaryam and completely trusted Perumal to take care of him.

Soon after his return, he learned the agamas and the pooja krama and the learning has been an ongoing process ever since.

                                               

A new traditional look 

He was not married then and his sudden decision left his parents stunned.  His new looks sporting a tuft and turning himself full time into a traditional attire made them anxious and apprehensive if they would be able to find a girl for him. But Krishnapremi Anna’s influence was complete and he was truly transformed. He had decided that he would spend the rest of his life serving the Lord at Srirangam irrespective of the financial outcome.

ஆறாத அருள் அமுதம் பொதிந்த கோயில் 

அம்புயத்தோன் அயோத்தி மன்னற்கு அளித்த கோயில் 

தொலாத தனிவீரன் தொழுத கோயில் துணையான வீடணற்கு துணையாம்  கோயில் 

சேராத பயன் எல்லாம் சேர்க்கும் கோயில் 

செழுமறையின் முதல் எழுத்து  சேர்ந்த கோயில் 

தீராத வினை அனைத்தும்  தீர்க்கும் கோயில் 

திருவரங்கம் எனும் கோயில் தானே - Athikaara Sangraham

As has been the trend over the last decade or so, it has been difficult for traditional men sporting a traditional attire to find a bride and this had left his parents worried at that time. But his unflinching faith in the Divine Couple paid dividend and a Srirangam bred girl agreed to be his life partner understanding fully well the traditional way of life he was getting into, away from the corporate work place.

It is the Poochatru utsavam for Ranganayaki Thayar this week and the 34 year old Murari Bhattar is at the procession supporting the main archaka of the evening. It has been six years since he returned to Srirangam after quitting his job but he still does not have a full time archaka service engagement at the temple.  There is a family from Hyderabad that seeks his blessings as an archaka of this Divya Desam. It is a transformed devotional feeling that did not exist previously when he was working in the corporate set up. The respect for him as an archaka performing kainkaryam at this legendary temple is unmatched but there are currently challenges relating to the number of days of service every month. 

SKR Bhattar, who performed service for several decades at the temple, had around 100 days of archaka service and that was split among his three sons a few years ago just prior to his death with Murari Bhattar’s appa Balaji Bhattar getting about 30 days of service as his share. Touching 70, Balaji Bhattar continues to perform service at the temple while Murari Bhattar is dependent on the archaka service assigned every month by the HR & CE. 

HR & CE assigns archaka service every month

Every month, it is the HR & CE that assigns these close to 500 combined days of service in the multiple sannidhis (including Singar Koil and Uraiyur) to different hereditary archakas who have expressed interest to perform (additional) Kainkaryam. With no Kainkaryam of his own as his appa is still performing service, Murari Bhattar has to look up to the HR & CE to see the number of days assigned by them to him every month. But currently there are easily over a dozen priests vying for this HR & CE assigned service engagement.

Also, with the advent of the social media and the instant uploading of photos and videos, the responsibility on the bhattars has increased manifold and the pressure is intense in large temples as was evident during the poochatru utsavam for Namperumal. A devotee raised an issue at the HRCE headquarters on the alankaram and flower garlands on perumal on the first day of the utsavam and this put pressure on them for the rest of the utsavam. Decades ago, priests waited for the next devotee to arrive but for the most part it proved elusive. Today, devotees are thronging temples in large numbers and the scrutiny on the priests following of the agama and traditions is ever increasing. 

It was a bold decision at a young age to let go of a financially lucrative corporate job. Murari Bhattar is happy that he took that early call and is ever grateful to Krishnapremi Anna for enlightening him (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/09/periya-vachan-pillai-senganoor.html). 

In the six years since his return, his average income has been a miniscule part of what he was earning in the corporate sector but he says he was prepared for this way of life including the challenges relating to meeting the devotees' expectations when he made the decision to quit the corporate life for ever. 

He has been living a contended life with his thoughts centered around Kainkaryam at the Ranganatha temple. Having decided to dedicate the rest of his life to Kainkaryam at this temple, he is hoping that sometime into the future, he will be provided with a lot more days of service every month through the HR & CE assignment but for the moment, he is left with just a couple of days of service every month and spends the rest of the time supporting the other archakas as and when needed including during the utsavam days as he has been this week at the Thayar Poochatru Utsavam.

Having taken the call to return to Srirangam, Murari bhattar is confident that the divine couple will shower their blessings on him and that he will be well taken care of by them, though there currently is an uncertainty on the service days.

Srirangam Thai Bhoopathi Thirunaal 2025

Namperumal enjoyed Prabhandham Ghoshti's Ramanuja Nootranthathi presentation sans musical instruments around Srirangam's Uthira Streets 

On Tuesday evening, he made a rare entry via Periya Vachan Pillai Sannidhi and strode alongside the 1000 pillared mandapam to reach the Ramanuja Sannidhi

Its Thai Poosam, a day when Samayapuram Mariamman (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/12/samayapuram-mariamman-temple.html) made her way to the banks of Kollidam and received gifts from her brother Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Its also the final day of the Thai Bhoopathi Thirunaal utsavam at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. It’s a day marked by a street procession sans the nadaswaram and all other musical instruments with Namperumal listening to the presentation of Ramanuja Nootranthathi by Prabhandham Ghoshti members led by Kapisthalam Sampath Ramanujam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/03/srirangam-prabhandham-adyapaka-leader.html) around the four Uthira streets.

Four trips to Thayar Sannidhi

Its an utsavam when Namperumal had already made it to the Thayar Sannidhi on three days staying through the day at Navarathri Mandapam on day 2, the Karuthurai Mandapam directly opposite Ranganayaki Thayar on day 3 and almost through the night at the Panguni Uthiram Mandapam on the 7th day of the utsavam after he confirmed the measurement of Paddy earlier in the evening.

On this 10th and final day of the utsavam, shortly after 6pm, the Prabhandham Ghoshti members began presentation of the Ramanuja Nootranthathi verses in front of the Ranga Ranga Gopuram. Unlike the previous days of the street processions, there were no elephants or horses in this evening's procession. Neither were there the Nadaswaram artistes. It was an exclusive evening for the Prabhandham members rendering the sacred verses of Thiruvarangath Amudanar much to the delight of Namperumal. 

பூ மன்னு  மாது பொருந்திய மார்பன் 

புகழ் மமலிந்த பாமன்னு  மாறன் அடிபணிந்து உய்ந்தவன்

பல்கலையோர் தாம்மன்ன வந்த ராமானுஜன் 

சரணாரவிந்தம் நாம்மன்னி  வாழ 

நெஞ்சே சொல்லுவோம் அவன் நாமங்களே 

Maniam Sridhar loses his voice

The chilly early morning weather over the last ten days (on most days the procession from Kannadi Arai to Vahana Mandapam was at around 4am) combined with non stop shouting during the utsavam procession, both morning and evening meant that Maniam Sridhar had lost his voice by the start of this procession on the tenth day. And he used his hand to direct the Sripatham to stop and restart the procession at various stop overs on this Tuesday evening.

Ramanuja welcomes Namperumal

Following the procession around the Uthira streets, Namperumal, for the fourth time during the utsavam made his way to the Thayar Sannidhi, this time to the Kambar Mandapam, where he was presented with a Thiruvanthikaappu. 

For a few decades, like that Azhvaan Thiruchutru, the pathway from the Thayar Sannnidhi to the 1000 pillared mandapam had lay defunct, until the restoration exercise last decade by Venu Srinivasan revived this historical route (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/venu-srinivasan-srirangam-temple.html). The beautification of this path led to a lot of greenery but since the restoration this has remained locked most of the time.  On this Tuesday evening, following the Thiruvanthikaappu, the gates in front of Periya Vachan Pillai Sannidhi opened as Namperumal made a majestic walk alongside the 1000 pillared mandapam to be welcomed by Ramanuja in front of his sannidhi just after 7.30pm.

With hundreds of devotees witnessing this grand spectacle, Namperumal was presented with coconut water, to quench his thirst after having provided darshan over the previous ten days around the streets of Srirangam. Soon after, Ramanuja waited back to see Namperumal off till he reached the Karthigai Gopuram Vaasal.

Prabhandham Members' devotional presentation 

It was there that the prabhandham ghoshti presented the final verses of Ramanuja Nootranthi bringing to end the sacred recital at the Thai Brahmotsavam. It had been a commendable effort over the ten days of the utsavam by the Prabhandham Ghoshti with the members reciting the Iyarpa verses even while Namperumal was behind the screen at the Vahana Mandapam after the evening street procession. And they presented the sacred verses of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar through the Chariot procession on Monday morning. 

Padippu - A Thanking Gesture to Namperumal

The Padippu, a thanking gesture for the smooth conduct of the utsavam, too was revived after decades as part of Venu Srinvasan’s restoration and revival exercise. A HR & CE staffer was identified and assigned the task of presenting the Padippu on the final day of the Brahmotsavams. Sridhar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/02/srirangam-brahmotsavam-padippu-sridhar.html) has now become synonymous with Padippu and he began reading out the greatness of Lord Ranganatha and this historical temple and the utsavams with Namperumal enjoying his praise standing in front of the Dwajasthambam.

After 9 days at the Kannadi Arai, Namperumal finally made his way back to his abode just before 9pm on Tuesday bringing to end the Thai Bhoopathi Thirunaal utsavam.

Srirangam Sripatham Kannan

Transformation Change from Software Engineer to Sripatham Thangi

The devotional Sripatham experience through the Vethal service in his teenage years led this Software Engineer to quit an IT job and move full time as a Sripatham Thangi in 2022

The Pandemic came as a blessing in disguise for SA Kannan as it paved the way for his transformational change from a Software Engineer in a Multinational firm to a Sripatham Thangi at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. After six years in the IT firm in Chennai, the national lockdown in March 2020 got him to head back to Srirangam for a Work from Home model and that phase deepened his involvement with the temple service. A year after the lockdown, when the temple was looking for a Sripatham Thangi, Kannan grabbed it with both hands and became a full time Kainkaryapaka at this Divya Desam. It has since been a devotionally fulfilling 2 ½ years for him and he now spends his entire time in temple Kainkaryam in Srirangam.

Early Vethal Service drives his devotional interest

His appa, SNR Arangarajan, was into civil construction in Chennai but when an opportunity came up in Srirangam during one of his visits to Dasavatharam Sannidhi (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/dasavatharam-temple-in-srirangam.html) he took to it and later settled down here. While there was no family background in temple service, Kannan had a devotional attachment to carrying the Lord on his shoulders right from his early teens. 

Sitting in front of the Ranganayaki Thaayar Sannidhi on the fourth day of the Pagal Pathu utsavam for Thaayar, Kannan told this writer on the man who was a major influence on him taking to Sripatham “N. Vainadeyan taught me the finer aspects of Sripatham service during my initial days as a Vethal Kainkaryapaka. It was during that phase that I promised to myself that I would dedicate my entire life to Sripatham Kainkaryam. I was also influenced by the way Pichu Kutti performed his role as a Sripatham.”

Moves to Chennai and the Corporate world

But as has been the trend over the last few decades, he too graduated as a software engineer and moved to Chennai after a campus placement in 2014. He rejected many of the overseas onsite opportunities that came his way for his mind was fixed on temple service as a way of life. Namperumal's blessings seemed to have been with him even in that phase. He is grateful to his boss for being flexible with him all through his work life in Chennai “I had a Christian boss but he was very understanding of my devotional interest in temple service and always allowed me to go to Srirangam to carry Namperumal on my shoulder especially during the four big Brahmotsavams. That brought me even closer to the divine couple and my interest in Sripatham service increased manifold during the years I was in the corporate world though I continue to don the role of a full time software engineer in Chennai.”

This section has featured many stories over the last decade on how traditional service personnel in temples are finding it challenging to lead a family life and how that is leading them into the corporate world away from temple service (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/11/bhattars-gurukals-move-away-from-temples.html). In line with that trend, most of his friends including those within the temple warned him against quitting a high paying corporate job and moving into an uncertain temple environment but Kannan found an unlikely support in his wife and he counts that as his greatest blessing “My wife had spent her first two decades in Chennai and was used to the fast-paced city life. But she has been fully supportive of my interest in temple service and it was her backing that led me to take the big call to quit the IT job and move into Sripatham service.”

In September 2022, Kannan received the official appointment order as a Sripatham Thangi and quit the IT job for good.  He says that  it has been his most enjoyable phase in his life “Since my entire thoughts lay centered around carrying Namperumal and Thayar, the financial aspect has never been an impediment to my service. I was also clear in my mind that if your entire mind is focused on and dedicated to the Lord, then he would take care of you. My Sripatham team members have been fully supportive and taught me the finer and technical aspects.”

A surprise additional Kainkaryam

15months ago, he was blessed with another great Kainkaryam opportunity that he had not foreseen. He was given the additional responsibility of taking care of the Azhvaar Sannidhi and this has provided a new and unforgettable opportunity "I was initially apprehensive and shy of some of the Kainkaryam involved in managing the Azhvaar Sannidhi but over these last 15 months I have gained a lot of confidence. I now decorate Nam Azhvaar during the annual ten day utsavam in Vaikasi as well as during every Visakam and these have given me a great deal of satisfaction.”

But what has given him the biggest happiness in this Sannidhi Kainkaryam has been the fact that it is he who has been donning the role of Madapalli cook at the Nam Azhvaar Sannidhi and preparing the sacred food each day of the year, one that includes Chakkarai Pongal, Ven Pongal and Puliyotharai.“It has been a great learning experience to start from scratch and now be blessed as the one who presents the sacred food every day to Azhvaar. There is a divine and unmatched feeling in preparing this and presenting to the Azhvaar every morning” says Kannan, even as the Sun gets hotter on this mid afternoon in January.

Family delighted at his Sripatham Service

His young school going daughter is delighted watching her appa carrying the Lord on his shoulder. His amma proudly tells everyone that his son is a Sripatham Thangi. Kannan is particularly happy that his in-laws too have been supporting “I did consult my in laws before taking the call to quit the corporate job and they felt really happy that their son in law would be a Sripatham Thangi at the Ranganathaswamy temple. The family support has been a big boost to me in performing this Kainkaryam."

He and his wife are particularly happy that their daughter is growing up in a traditional temple town environment and imbibing all the positive aspects relating to a traditional way of life, something that would have been unlikely in a larger city.

To further his devotional interest, he is also now learning the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham.

Kannan is hoping that more corporate staffers would consider temple kainkaryam as a way of life and make their way back to their hereditary location. But for the moment, Kannan is preparing himself for the procession during the five day Era Pathu utsavam for Ranganayaki Thayar that starts this Sunday evening and for the upcoming Thai Brahmotsavam next week.

Srirangam Temple JC Mariappan

A HR & CE JC for whom there is no sleep!!!

It is 9pm on Thursday (Dec 19) evening. Most of the devotees have left the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam after darshan but for the Joint Commissioner J Mariappan work has just started. He is on rounds checking the infrastructure at the temple. Within months of removal of shops at the Ranga Vilas Mandapam and in front of Natha Muni and Chakrathazhvaar Sannidhi, development works have begun and are running at a fast pace (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/08/srirangam-temple-popular-shops-shut-down.html). The place where shops had been selling pooja items for decades has now been converted to a mother’s feeding room, legal dept and a library. The place around the Natha Muni Sannidhi will soon be home to Tulabaram.

Relocation of Tulabaram to Therku Vaasal

"Devotees wanting to present rice and jaggery found it challenging to carry the things all the way past Garuda Sannidhi to the Tulabaram room. Hence to make it easier for them, the Tulabaram center is being shifted to Therku Vaasal near the Natha Muni Sannidhi", the JC told this writer near the Garuda Sannidhi.

The first aid center that has been located at the north end of manal veli is being relocated to Therku Vaasal near the erstwhile Ranga Vilas shops.

A bold step on Panguni Uthiram night

In March this year, for the first time in several decades he closed the ticket counter at 7.30pm on Panguni Uthiram day letting go of revenue with his sole focus being on getting the Chariot to start on time the next morning. For years, the Serthi Sevai continued late into the night delaying the Chariot procession. JC Mariappan took a strong call of foregoing ticket collection and getting the Thirumanjanam to start on time on the Panguni Uthiram night. 

Clarity on his role at the Srirangam temple

He speaks with a lot of clarity on what he sees as his role as the EO of this large temple “I am not here to fight and solve internal politics. I have been paid a salary for this role and I want to work as hard and as sincerely as possible to justify the salary. I want to look at key issues that devotees face at this temple and try to make it easy for them and a happy experience”, he told this writer.

This writer had met the JC for the first time on the Krishna Jayanthi and it was well past 9pm that evening as well when he was still deep into his work. With the additional responsibility now bestowed on him of managing the Thanjavur and Pudukottai temples, JC Mariappan’s days have been long and hard in the recent past but he sees it as his daily role to discharge his duty to the best of his ability. 

East Gopuram restoration progressing well

He is also keeping a close watch on the Eastern Gopuram on East Adayavalanjan street that had been severely damaged last year. He told this writer that the same devotee from Coimbatore building the Raja Gopuram at Thiru Vellarai Divya Desam is taking care of the restoration of this Gopuram as well. The road from the Srirangam railway station towards Vellai gopuram has been cut off at East adayavalanjan following the orders from the collector "It will take at least another year for the Gopuram to be restored given the extent of the damage to its structure.”

Tier 3 Raja Gopuram completed at Thiru Vellarai

JC Mariappan is happy that the Raja Gopuram work at Thiru Vellarai is moving a good pace (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/11/thiru-vellarai-new-raja-gopuram-by-end.html). “The third tier of the seven tier Tower has been completed and construction is progressing as per plan. The Raja Gopuram had seen a lot of hurdles and now that we have got all the approvals and the basic structure has been strengthened, we want to ensure that the entire construction is strong. It will take at least another year for it to be completed”, he said.

Anbil Consecration soon

The restoration of the Vadivazhagiya Nambi Divya Desam in Anbil undertaken by Venu Srinivasan has been completed (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/04/venu-srinivasan-anbil-nambi-temple.html). He is pleased with the way the temple has been restored to its historical best. "We have to finalise the date of the consecration and expect this to take place in February", JC Mariappan told this writer even as his staff are waiting near the Garuda Sannidhi for his next order late into this Thursday evening.

He tells them that he will be back at the temple the next morning at 8am for the Vaikunta Ekadasi related meeting with the Collector and asks the team to be on time. 

There are a number of internal challenges within the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam but JC Mariappan is unflustered about these. He focuses on developmental activities that will benefit the devotees at large. He has remained non-controversial over the last 15 months and says that he is not here to fight with activists or with the kainkaryaparas of the temple. 

"Till the time I am at this huge temple, I want to remain focussed on developmental activities and not on controversies" says the JC.

Will Venu Srinivasan be back as CBT

This writer had earlier this week written a story on the non appointment of trustees in TN temples including in Srirangam and asks the JC on the status “That’s for the Government to decide but we will welcome back Venu Srinivasan with both hands and this temple will benefit a lot if the TVS Chief agrees to the role again for he had played a remarkable part in the restoration earlier”, the JC tells this writer even as he rushes back to attend to his next work late on  Thursday night.

Will Venu Srinivasan, who had transformed the temple infrastructure with his restoration exercise a decade ago, don the role of CBT again(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/11/venu-srinivasan-srirangam-temple.html). 

This section will track the developments.

Srirangam Vasantha Utsavam 2024

The final day of the 9day Vasantha Utsavam was meant to be a grand finale to the year’s events at the Ranganathaswamy temple but the evening turned out to be a damp squib

No Chitrai Veethi procession, No Theerthavari in the Chandira Pushkarani and yet the Utsavam ended at 2.15am well over 9 hours after Namperumal left his abode at 5pm on Thursday evening

Celebrated in Vaikasi, the 9day Vasanthotsavam festival in Srirangam sees Namperumal, the Utsavar deity of Lord Ranganatha temple, enjoying the evenings at the Vasantha Mandapam in the middle of the water pool in the beautiful Nandavanam created by Thondaradi Podi Azhvaar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/01/thiru-mandangudi-thondaradipodi-azhvaar.html). The Nandavanam was so beautiful that when Thirumangai Azhvaar was in the process of building the now famous ‘Mathil’ of Srirangam, he slightly changed the direction of his construction on the Western side so as to not destroy any part of the Nandavanam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/dasavatharam-temple-in-srirangam.html).

Speciality of Vasantha Kaalam

Vasantha Kaalam is a period that brings in a nice breeze in the evenings, flowers including the colourful Vritchi blossom and a time that is neither too hot nor too wet with rains. It is believed that Namperumal's stay amidst the breezy trees and in the middle of the tank in the Nandavanam gave Lord him a lot of happiness. The belief is that one will be liberated from his curse if he drinks the sacred water of the Lord during the Vasantha Utsavam. For this reason, it is said that those who visit and offer their prayers to Lord Namperumal during this festival will find a new sense of happiness.

enroute to the Vasantha Mandapam - A forlorn look on Thursday night

Daasi Community- Dance Performance

In centuries gone by, people belonging to the Daasi Community were honoured during the Vasanthotsavam with a garland of the Lord. They were believed to have lit the lamp and performed a special dance in front of the Lord at the Vasantha Mandapam. They resided on the VOC Road in Srirangam, but do not anymore and hence this special performance during the Vasanthotsavam does not take place these days.

Vasantha Utsavam - The Final Day events 

The original programme on the last evening of the Vasantha Utsavam was for Namperumal to go on a procession on the golden horse vahana around the Chitrai Streets, experience the Thiruvanthikaapu at the Thayar Sannidhi before continuing on the Chitrai street procession. Coming back to the temple via the Therku Vasal, Theerthavari was to be performed at the Chandira Pushkarani before he makes his way to the Vasantha Utsavam Mandapam for Thirumanjanam.

Rain dampens spirit

A light drizzle in the evening led to the cancellation of the Chitrai Streets procession much to the disappointment of the devotees who gathered in good numbers. Namperumal, atop the Golden Horse Vahana, left his abode at 5pm with the Prabhandham Thodakkam taking place by the side of the Ranga Vilas mandapam and he made his way alongside the Nandavanam on the Western side to the Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi for Thiruvanthikaappu.

Shatari protected by two canopies

A short burst of rain while he was in front of the Thayar Sannidhi meant that the Theerthavari could not be performed at the Chandira Pushkarani and Namperumal made his way alongside the 1000 pillared mandapam and the Ramanuja Sannidhi to the Garuda Sannidhi. Harish Bhattar, the hereditary archaka of the day who carried the Sacred Shatari, was escorted with a twin canopy so as to protect the Shatari from the drizzle.

Temple Maniyakarar R Sridharan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/03/srirangam-temple-time-keeper.html) told this writer late on Thursday night that since the seventh prakara procession  could not take place because of the rain, Namperumal made his way a full circle around the fifth prakara.

Theerthavari in front of Garuda Mandapam

Theerthavari was performed in front of the Garuda Sannidhi even as the Prabhandham Ghosti members continued their presentation of the Ramanuja Nootranthi Verses. It was past 8pm when after the satru murai of these sacred verses Namperumal made his way to the entrance of the Garuda Sannidhi.

It was 9pm when the Rakshana Bandana Bhattar Sridhar began a highly devotional two hour Thirumanjanam for Namperumal in front of the Garuda Sannidhi watched by about 50 devotees. It was to be a glorious night of Thirumanjanam at the Vasantha Mandapam amidst the tall trees on this Pournami Night. The full moon gave a glimpse of herself once in a while before going into hiding behind the clouds.

Veda Vyasa Bhattar's elaborate Kattiyam

With the Thirumanjan performed and completed just after 11pm, Veda Vyasa Bhattar, in his loud and strikingly clear voice, began an elaborate 45minute Kattiyam presentation that included several verses from Azhvaar’s paasurams. And then he was back again for a detailed Veda Vinnappam that sent the clock ticking well past 1am.

It was 1.30am when Namperumal began his return trip to his abode  led by the tunes of Pilot Araiyar Baradwaj Krishnan with his cymbals (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/01/barathwajan-araiyar-srirangam-goair.html) but it was not over yet. As seen in a story a few months in this section, Padippu Sridhar began a 25minute presentation highlighting the greatness of the Ranganatha temple and the utsavam in his Padippu in front of the Dwajasthambam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/02/srirangam-brahmotsavam-padippu-sridhar.html).

After over 9 hours, Namperumal made his way through the Naazhi Kettan Vaasal reaching his abode at 2.15am bringing to end the nine-day Vasantha Utsavam and also an end to the year’s utsavams at Srirangam.

The sign board detailing the schedule of the evening at the entrance of the Ariya Bhattal Vaasal indicated that Namperumal would be back at the Moolasthanam at midnight but even without the 4 streets procession and the Theerthavari at Chandira Pushkarani, the final evening’s events at the Vasantha Utsavam took over 9 hours and a return back past 2am!!! The temple authorities should look into the reasons for such a late return to the Gayathri mandapam.

The next big street procession will be to mark Aadi 18 when Namperumal makes his way to Amma Mandapam.

Srirangam Rama Navami Poochatru Utsavam 2024

On the fifth and final day of the Veli Kodai Utsavam, Namperumal provides darshan with Senkazhuneer flower garland at the Poochatru Mandapam in the Manal Veli

Earlier in the day, on the occasion of Rama Navami, he provide Serthi Sevai with Chera Kula Valli Nachiyar at the Arjuna Mandapam

It is the one day in the year when Namperumal, the utsava deity at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, provides serthi sevai with Chera Kula Valli Nachiyar. Just under a month ago, he provided Serthi Sevai with Ranganayaki Thayyar at the Panguni Uthiram mandapam. On Wednesday, on the occasion of the Rama Navami utsavam, hundreds of devotees lined up in a long queue at the Arjuna Mandapam to have darshan of this once in a year presentation with the daughter of Kulasekara Azhvaar.

Unlike many other Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu, the Rama Navami utsavam is celebrated on the Navami (9th day after the No Moon Day) day in Chitrai at the Ranganathaswamy temple. It is the day of the coming together of Chera Kula Valli Nachiyar and Namperumal and the one day in the year when the otherwise secluded and almost unnoticed sannidhi North West of Arjuna Mandapam comes to light. 

Kulasekara Azhvaar's devotion towards Lord Ranganatha

King turned Saint Poet Kulasekara Azhvaar, of Thiru Vanjikalam, was a great devotee of Lord Rama and he had a special liking for Lord Ranganatha. He himself was born on Punarvasu. Relinquishing his kingdom, he came and settled down in Srirangam and was taken over by the idol presented by Lord Rama to the residents of Srirangam.He was so moved by the Lord of Srirangam and the devotion of the residents that he dedicated the first three decads of his Perumal Thirumozhi to the Lord and his devotees at Srirangam. With each passing decad, Kulasekara Azhvaar, from being a new entrant to this temple town showcases how well entrenched he had become at this sacred town and how he now knew the Lord very well.

தேட்டருந்திறல் தேனினைத் தென்னரங்கனை

திருமாதுவாழ் வாட்டமில் வனமாலை மார்வனை

வாழ்த்தி மால்கொள் சிந்தையராய்

ஆட்ட மேவியலந்தழைத்து 

அயர் வெய்தும் மெய்யடியார்கள் தம் 

ஈட்டம் கண்டிடக் கூடுமேல்

அது காணும் பயனாவதே

After thus beginning with three decads to the Lord of Srirangam, Kulasekara Azhvaar ends Perumal Thirumozhi with three decads dedicated to Lord Rama including narrating the entire Ramayana in the final decad of ten verses. So heartwarming was his experience here in Srirangam that he wanted to give the hand of his daughter to the Lord of Srirangam. This episode of Kulasekara Azhvaar’s daughter being seated alongside Namperumal is played out every year on the occasion of Rama Navami utsavam.

Serthi Sevai at Arjuna Mandapam

On Wednesday (April 17) morning, Namperumal,  shining bright with the Rs. 60 Lakhs Kili Maalai that had been presented on the Panguni Uthiram day, made his way from his abode at 7am to the Arjuna Mandapam. Shortly after 3pm, devotees lined up both sides of the mandapam for this once in a year sevai. Chera Kula Valli Thaayar was dressed in a beautiful white silk saree and seated alongside Namperumal. The entire talk on this afternoon was around the daughter of Kulasekara Azhvaar. As the devotees stood in front of the two, one was reminded of the elevation of spirit referred to by Kulasekara Azhvaar in his Perumal Thirumozhi and there seemed to be a mood of true devotion reverberating around the Arjuna Mandapam.

மெய்யில் வாழ்க்கையை 

மெய்யெனக்கொல்லும்

இவ்வையந் தன்னொடும் 

கூடு வதில்லையான்

ஐய்யனே அரங்கா என்று அழைக்கின்றேன்

மையல் கொண்டொழிந்தேன் 

Adorning the new kili necklace

Kulasekara Azhvaar describes the prayers offered by the people of Srirangam. The residents are seen clapping their hands and singing the Lord’s praise as a group. He finds the loud beating of the drum, a scene probably during a festival. Describing a methodology to invoke the Lord’s blessings, he wants to roll on the ground and dance around in joy praising the Lord.

தூராத மனக் காதல் தொண்டர் தங்கள்

குழாம் குழுமித் திருப்புகழ்கள் பலவும் பாடி

ஆராத மனக் களிப்போடு அழுது கண்ணீர்

மழை சோர நினைந்துருகியேத்தி

எந்தன் மாலுக்கே

After a day long stay at the Arjuna Mandapam, Namperumal began his procession at 6pm to the Manal Veli for the fifth and final day celebrations of the Veli Kodai Utsavam. Being the Rama Navami day, Namperumal is welcomed at the three Rama Sannidhis on his way to the Manal Veli- Mela Pattabhiramar on the Western side, Kulasekara Azhvaar- South facing Kothandaramar Sannidhi and the Keezha Pattabhiramar Sannidhi.

Huge crowds thronged the Ramar Sannidhis on this evening to have darshan of the special alankarams at these sannidhis.

Around 7pm, devotees congregated at the Poochatru mandapam at the Manal Veli for the big event of the evening. Before settling down for over an hour at the Poochatru Mandapam, Namperumal provided darshan to devotees along the manal veli with Sripatham carrying him in a majestic walk to the South end of the Manal Veli and back. 

Saathatha Vaishnava clan's Pushpa Duppatti

Sathatha Vaishanavas (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/12/saathaatha-vaishnavas-saathaanis.html), the clan assigned by Saint Ramanuja to perform various services at the temple have also been assigned the task of making the exclusive summer garland for Namperumal on each of the days of the Poochatru Utsavam. Referred to as Pushpa Duppati, the special garland on the occasion of Poochatru Utsavam, involving a special skill and an artistic touch, takes at least three hours to design and create. 

Vaishnavite Saint Poet Periyazhvaar dedicated an entire decad of verses praising the favourite flowers of the Lords in different Divya Desams. In one of the verses, Periyazhvaar lures the Lord of Srirangam, whom he describes as one seen in a Sleeping Posture referring to Iruvatchi flowers.

ஆமாறு அறியும் பிரானே

அணி அரங்கத்தே கிடந்தாய்

ஏமாற்றம் என்னைத் தவிர்ந்தாய்

இருவாட்சிப் பூச்சூட்ட வாராய்

Senkazhuneer Flower Garland

Devotees were curious as to what the flower garland would look like on this 5th evening and the entire manal veli was abuzz with high expectations. And they were not let down with the Saathatha Vaishnavas making it an evening of Senkazhaneer flower garland. The priests draped Namperumal with the heavily weighing Duppati and sprayed the fragrant rose water on the Lord much to the delight of the devotees. Soon after, the Sripatham lifted Namperumal to display the special Pushpa Duppatti of the day to all the devotees gathered at the Manal Veli.

புள்ளினை வாய் பிளந்திட்டாய் 

பொருகரியின் கொம்பு ஒசித்தாய் 

கள்ள அரக்கியை மூகோடு 

காவலனை தலை கொண்டாய்

அள்ளி நீ வெண்ணெய் விழங்க அஞ்சாது அடியேன் அடித்தேன்

தெள்ளிய நீரில் எழுந்த செங்கழுநீர் சூட்டவாறாய்

Historical Poochatru utsavam at 1000 Pillar Mandapam

The Araiyar of the evening, Baradwajan Araiyar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/01/barathwajan-araiyar-srirangam-goair.html), who is also a Pilot, has an interesting view on the Sripatham lifting high the Lord to display the fragrant flower garland. Shortly after this episode, he told this writer at the Manal Veli that historically Namperumal made his way to the Poochatru Mandapam on the East side inside the 1000 Pillared Mandapam 

“At the far east in a now secluded and unvisited corner of the 1000 pillar mandapam was where the Poochatru Utsavam was celebrated historically. The entire East Uthira street comprised of Araiyars and they would present each of the verses of Periyazhvaar’s Poochoodal verses. Delighted at the devotional presentation of the Araiyars, the Sripatham lifted Namperumal high and tall above the huge Eastern wall built by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar so he was visible to the Araiyars through the entire stretch of the Keezha Uthira Veethi. It was also an expression from Namperumal to showcase his special flower garland to the Araiyars and ask them if they liked the ‘Garland of the evening’ as praised by Periyazhvaar."

Araiyar Barathwajan and his appa Krishnan Araiyar presented Periyazhvaar Poochudal verses on the evening at the manal veli.

A heavily weighing ‘Dhindu Thaavadam, Pushpa Duppatti’ and a fragrant Panneer on Lord Namperumal on the occasion of the annual ‘Festival of Flowers’ made it a colourful and devotional evening for the devotees. Sripatham carrying Namperumal with the heavy flower garland for well over an over at the Poochatru Mandapam was a remarkable effort and a display of their unflinching devotion. 

It was almost 8.30pm when the Sripatham presented another special walk from North to South end of Manal Veli providing another darshan to devotees of the Pushpa Duppati before he made his way back to the Santanu mandapam through the Nazhi Keettan Gopura Vaasal bringing to end the Veli Kodai Utsavam.

Well past 9pm and at the end of the day's events, scores of devotees head back to the Chera Kula Valli Nachiyar Sannidhi for one last glimpse of Kulasekara Azhvaar's daughter on this celebratory evening.