Manavala Mamuni temple Kothankulam

Manavala Mamuni spent his early days in Sikkil Kadaram

The house of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai is in a dilapidated condition, while the Thiruvarasu of Koora Kulothuma Dasa is being reconstructed North of the temple

Sikkil Kadaram (now Kothan Kulam) is a small and quiet village located 39kms from Ramanathapuram on the Tuticorin highway. The legend relating to Kotravan Kulam ( Pandya Kings were referred to as Kotravan) dates back to the 13th and 14th Century AD. Tiruvoimozhi Pillai ruled this region for a short period before being initiated into Vaishnavism by Koora Kulothuma Dasa.

It was that Koora Kulothuma Dasa, who on instructions from Pillai Lokacharya, brought Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to Sikkil Kadaram for initiating the latter into Vaishnavism. 

It is also the place where renowned Vaishnavite Saint Manavala Mamuni spent his early childhood days before moving to Azhvaar Tirunagari. Kothan Kulam is the home town of Manavala Mamuni’s mother, who hailed from here. 

The house of  the great Vaishnavite acharya Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, who learnt the 4000sacred verses here at Sikkil Kadaram, still exists here but is now in a dilapidated state and requires immediate attention.

At Sikkil Kadaram, just off the state highway is the over 700years old Sundararaja Perumal temple where Manavala Mamuni is seen in a South facing Sannidhi.

Legend

During the Muslim Invasion of Srirangam, Pillai Lokacharya, Koora Kulothuma Dasa and Thiru Kannamangai Aandan are believed to have saved the processional utsava idol of Lord Ranganathaswamy temple from the 8^th day Horse Vahana Utsavam near the Panri Azhvaan Varaha Perumal Temple on the banks of Coloroon. They took the idol to several places including Thiru Koshtiyur, Azhagar Koil and Yaanaimalai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/12/veda-narayana-perumal-kodikulam-madurai.html).

Deciding to relinquish his kingdom, the then Pandya King in Madurai handed over the rule to Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, a Brahmin. He also requested him to take care of his wife and son.

Pillai Lokacharya knew the greatness that Tiruvoimozhi Pillai was destined for and directed Koora Kulothuma Dasa to initiate him into Vaishnavism.

However, those were early days yet for Tiruvoimozhi Pillai who was lost in the charms of the kingdom. One day, while he was on a procession on the elephant going around the streets of Madurai, Koora Kulothuma Dasa chanted loudly the Thiruvirutham verses of Nam Azhvaar.

Turning Point in Tiruvoimozhi Pillai's life

Stunned by these beautiful Thiruvirutham verses, he got down from the elephant, called on Koora Kulothuma Dasa and asked him to provide more insights into these songs. It was then that Koora Kulothuma Dasa tried to initiate him with the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham verses.

Though he showed interest initially, Tiruvoimozhi Pillai’s mind was distracted as it went back and forth to the thoughts of his kingdom for he had just then begun to enjoy the power of ruling Madurai. This angered Koora Kulothuma Dasa and he threatened to walk out on the initiation of these sacred verses.

This happened to be the turning point in the life of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai as he decided to hand back the reigns to the son of the original king and surrendered to Koora Kulothuma Dasa requesting him to continue with the initiation of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham.

As per the direction of Pillai Lokacharya, Koora Kulothuma Dasa brought Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to Sikkil Kadaram (now Kothan Kulam) to initiate him into Vaishnavism and spread the messages of Vaishnavism.

It was also Tiruvoimozhi Pillai who went to Azhvaar Tirunagari and renovated the place from the forest that it was at that time. The descendents of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai continue to live in Azhvaar Tirunagari. Sridhar Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, one such descendent, recently presented the Gajendra Moksham puranam at Thiru Mogur Divya Desam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/03/thiru-mogur-gajendra-moksham-utsavam_23.html).

The Samadhi of Koora Kulothama Dasa who was responsible for bringing Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to Kotravan Kulam (the place of the Pandya King) is here just next to the Sundararaja Perumal Temple.

Manavala Mamuni, who spent his early days here at Sikkil Kadaram later went back to Azhvaar Tirunagari and then to Srirangam, where for a year Lord Ranganatha listened to his Bhagavad Vishaya Kalakshepa explaining the meaning of and providing insights into the Tiruvoimozhi verses.

As Guru Dakshina to Manavala Mamuni, the lord presented the Dhaniyan ‘Srisailesa Dayapatram…’ which to this day is recited at prominent Divya Desams such as Tirumala, Srirangam and Thiruvallikeni.

The Thiruvarasu of Koora Kulothuma Dasa, the house of Manavala Mamuni’s Acharya Tiruvoimozhi Pillai and the house where Manavala Mamuni lived his early years are all in dilapidated condition at Sikkil Kadaram.

Kuro Kulothuma Dasa's Thiruvarasu at Sikkil Kadaram

Given their great contribution to Vaishnavite tradition, initiatives should be taken to make these as historical monuments and should be safeguarded for posterity. Also, the Thiruvarasu of Manavala Mamuni at Srirangam is now in a state of dispute.With the current CM belonging to that constituency, it is hoped that she will immediately direct the authorities to hand over the ancient land/property for the sacred Thiruvarasu to become a guarded monument.

Festivals

Currently, only the 3day Pavitrotsavam in Aipasi is celebrated.

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Sundararaja Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Separate Sannidhi: Manavala Mamuni South Facing Standing Posture

Time                : 7am-12noon and 5pm-7pm

Contact            : 94433 41163

 

How to reach

From Ramnad, take Tuticorin bound express bus to get down in front of the temple at Kothankulam.

Buses ply every 15minutes on this route. It will take about 45minutes to reach the temple from Ramnad.

Car from Ramnad and back will cost Rs.750.

Rama Navami Eri Katha Rama Madurantakam

Rama provides darshan in four different attires on Rama Navami

Presentation of Desigar's Raghuveera Gadyam praising Rama's Qualities

Rama Navami was celebrated in a grand manner at the Chozha Period Eri Kaatha Rama temple in Madurantakam ( http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/11/madurantakam-eri-kaatha-raamar.html) on Wednesday (9 April). On the occasion, Lord Rama, one of the two Utsava deities at the temple, provided darshan in four different attires.

Sankshepa Ramayana Parayanam

The day long celebrations began with Lord Rama providing Vishwaroopa Darshan at 730am in a special Thiru Kolam - ‘Lord with a Plait’. For the next couple of hours, Lord Rama listened to the sweet rendition of 218 verses of Sankshepa Ramayana and Paduka Pattabhishekam led by TE Madhavan, the hereditary Theerthakar at the temple (Interestingly, Madhavan is currently working on his P. HD in Metallurgy at IIT Madras but does not miss the Rama Navami, Brahmotsavam and Adhyayana Utsavam Celebrations).

Following the Ekantha Sevai at 11am, the team of priests led by Seshadri Bhattar performed a special Thirumanjana for over 2hours in front of several hundred devotees who had gathered at the temple on this festive occasion. Lord Rama was smeared with sandalwood paste, honey, and special turmeric powder, among other things. One could see the pleased Lord smiling at his devotees at the end of the holy bath.

Madhavan was back at the end of the Thirumanjana to present Vedantha Desigar’s Gadyam that provide insights into description of the handsome features of the Lord from ‘Head to Toe’. 

Vaira Mudi Sevai

After a couple of hours of rest on the hot Panguni day, Lord Rama was back at 4pm displaying his third attire of the day – Thiru Aabharana Alankara combined with the Vaira Mudi Sevai as part of the Avathara Aradhana. This time, for an hour Lord Rama enjoyed the beautiful Perumal Thirumozhi Divya Prabhandham verses of Kulasekara Azhwar. Following this, Madhavan along with Dharanidharan Bhattar presented in a rapid fast paced style ‘Raghuveera Gadyam’, where Vedanta Desigar praises the ‘Veera’ qualities of Lord Rama.(http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/04/raghuveera-gadyam-vedanta-desigar.html)

The celebrations culminated with the much awaited ‘Muthu Kondai’ display. Seated on the Pushpaka Vimana, just after 8pm, Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, provided darshan in this fourth and most handsome looking attire during his 3hour procession around the Mada streets and it was 230am when the Lord was finally put to sleep - Sayanam. This is one of the only two occasions in the year that Lord Rama comes out on Street Procession (the other being on the 7^th day of Brahmotsavam). It is the other Utsava deity Karunakara Perumal who is the processional idol on all other festive occasions.

Legend has it that Rama landed here with Sita on the Pushpaka Vimana after killing Ravana to fulfil the promise that he had earlier made to Vibandaka Rishi.

The story goes that Vibandaka Rishi’s son Rishya Singar helped King Dasharatha conduct the Putra Kameshti Yaagam which resulted in the birth of Rama. In his search for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reached Vibandaka Rishi’s ashram here in Madurantakam. The Rishi gave Rama the confidence that he would be able to locate Sita and wanted him to visit this place on his return trip and provide Darshan along with Sita. Hence Rama is seen in a Kalyana Kolam at this temple with him holding the hand of Sita.

On the 3^rd day of Thai, Karunakara Perumal goes on a procession to Nyana Giri Parvatham, the hill where Rama is believed to have descended on his Pushpaka Vimana.

No Hanuman inside the temple

A unique feature at this temple is the absence of Hanuman inside the temple. As Rama had sent Hanuman as a messenger to inform Bharata that he was on his way and did not come along with Rama in the Pushpaka Vimana, Hanuman is not seen inside the temple.

Having presented the idol of Lord Ranganatha to the new Lankan king Vibheeshana, Lord Rama is said to have invoked the blessings of Karunakara Perumal who was his aradhana idol.

The meeting of Ramanuja with Periya Nambi 

It was here that Ramanuja met with his Acharya Periya Nambi and was initiated with the Pancha Samskaram. In memory of this special event, one finds a separate Sannidhi for Ramanuja and Periya Nambi. 

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Kothanda Rama in a Kalyana Kolam

Goddess           : Janaka Valli Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi)

Utsavar           : 1. Karunakara Perumal

                          2. Rama

Temple Time    : 730am-12noon and 430pm-830pm

Contact            :  Seshadri Bhattar @97868 66800

Raghuveera Gadyam Vedanta Desigar

Recital of Mahaveera Vaibhavam is a perfect medicine for relief from life's fears

Desigar's Gadyam showcases Rama's Valour and fearlessness

In 94Gadyams of delightful prose that is to be rendered in a fast paced style, Vedanta Desigar captures the essence of entire Ramayana specifically describing Lord Rama’s valour at different points of his life.  It is believed that reciting this Gadyam is equivalent to an entire Ramayana Parayanam.

Starting with the ease with which Rama broke the bow, as directed by Sage Vishwamitra, to bag Sita’s hand, Desigar takes one through the different phases  of Rama’s life where he, to uphold Dharma, displays his valour to protect people from evil forces.

பரத்வாஜ சாசன பரிக்ருஹீத விசித்ர

 சித்ரகூட கிரி கடக தடா ரம்யா வசத

He describes the way Rama killed Asuras - Karan and Dooshana. Highlighting Rama’s ‘Veera’ Qualities, Desigar describes killing of asuras in the Dhandaka Forest creating for the rishis a path that seemed so full of Parijatha flowers. Having killed 14000asuras, there was nothing Rama could not achieve, praises Desigar. He says that one could almost see on his shoulders the arrow marks of the strikes made by the asuras.

In one Gadyam, Desigar refers to Rama as being a witness to Sabari Moksham.

அவந்த்ய  மஹிம முநிஜந  பஜன முஷித ஹ்ருதய கலுஷ 

சபரி மோக்ஷ  ஸாக்ஷி பூத

Towards the end, Desigar praises Rama saying that even a slight tweaking of the string of his bow sent shock waves across Lanka. He describes the effortless ease with which he defeated the almost invincible Lankan King Ravana.

த்ரேதா யுக ப்ரவர்த்தித கார்த்தயுக வ்ருத்தாந்த ... 

Desigar says that even in the Tretha Yuga, when dharma had slightly weakened, Raghava Simha ruled Ayodhya with the same high Dharmic Principles that was so symbolic of the previous period - the Kretha Yuga.

Desigar ends ‘Mahaveera Vaibhavam’ (another name for Raghuveera Gadyam) directing everyone to recite this as a perfect medicine for relief from any fears of Samsaric life. 

Thiru Mogur Gajendra Moksham Utsavam

Thiru Mogur Lord displays three special Thiru Kolams on Maasi Magam

Gajendra Moksham Episode enacted

Mogur Aapthan, the Utsava processional deity of Thiru Mogur Divya Desam displayed three special Thiru Kolams on this festive full moon day in Maasi. 

During the 4km 10hour day long procession from Thiru Mogur to Yaanaimalai, he was seen in a Kallazhagar Thirukolam, stopping over at Kothandarama Temple at Othaikadai on the way.

As per the legend of Thiru Mogur, Lord Vishnu took the form of a ‘Mohini’ and used the lady charm to mesmerize the Asuras who lured by the beautiful maiden forgot their objective of securing the nectar, a sip of which would have given them immortality. 

Signifying this event, this place came to be referred to as Mohana Kshetram and this temple as Thiru ‘Mohur’. Taking the devotees back in time to the legend of this divya desam, the Lord of Thiru Mogur displayed his Mohini avataram at Yaanaimalai. Clad in a shining bright white vastram, the Lord went on a procession at 10pm to the four pillared Mandapa at the Northern Entrance where he was anointed with Thailakappu.

For the next three hours, the Bhattars of Thiru Mogur – Govindan Bhattar and Sridhar Tiruvoimozhi Pillai Bhattar – were bestowed with the honour of getting Mogur Aapthan ready for the third and the much awaited Thiru Kolam of the day. 

Gajendra Moksham Puranam

Just after 2am, the screens opened again and one could immediately recognize the effort of these two Bhattars. Lord Mogur Aapthan in a beautiful Green and Violet Vastram with a set of shining jewels across his chest and a glittering majestic crown on top made his way out carried by Garuda who himself was clad in a pure white dhoti with big sized colourful pathakams on his chest.

It was well past 230am and time for the enactment of the Gajendra Moksham episode, the big event of the day. The scene was well set - a 3feet tall wooden elephant and a 4feet long wooden crocodile had been placed on the temple tank with the crocodile clutching on to the right leg of the elephant. 

One could almost visualize Gajendra’s loud shout for help as tears rolled down the eyes of the devotees. Seated at the four pillar mandapa alongside the Lotus tank, Mogur Aapthan listened to the sweet 30minute recital of the Gajendra Moksham Puranam by Sridhar Bhattar, a descendent of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai. 

Following the recital of each verse, he explained the significance of this event and how Lord Narayana relieved Gajendra, who pleaded for the Lord’s support, and saved him from the clutches of the crocodile. Similarly, all those who offer their prayers sincerely to the Lord will also be protected by him and relieved of their troubles in life. 

Sridhar Bhattar has been reciting the Puranam for the last 28years at this temple on the full moon night in Maasi and his devotion to the Lord has not waned one bit in all these years as was seen here. 

 As he recited the stanza relating to Lord Narayana hurling his discus to kill the crocodile, a cracker bullet was shot at from near Mogur Aapthan that sped and struck the crocodile at a lightening pace, thus relieving the elephant from its clutches. Hundreds of devotees had happy tears in their eyes as they relived this historical episiode.

As the delighted devotees made their way back just after 3am, Mogur Aapthan too left Y. Narasingam on the Garuda Vahana and reached his abode at Thiru Mogur the next morning brining to end this annual Gajendra Moksham Utsavam.

For auto around Madurai temples, call:99652 44904

Ramji Srinivasan Badri Narayanan

Indian Sportsmen now have access to a world class High Performance Training Facility 
Former Mumbai Indians / Indian Cricket Team Fitness Trainer and US Mental Conditioning Coach join hands to set up 'Quantum Leap Performance' in Chennai

Mental Conditioning is about developing muscles in the brains!! - Badri 

In the summer of 2006, two well established Sports Training Professionals sat in a corner of a coffee shop in Madras to discuss their future. Both had already created a niche for themselves in their respective fields- one in the physical fitness space ( in cricket and racing) and the other as a mental conditioning coach in the US.

After 1000s of hours of telephonic and face to face conversations and deliberations over the last 8years, Ramji Srinivasan, former fitness trainer of the World Cup winning Indian Cricket team (and Mumbai Indians in the IPL) and Badri Narayanan, a Mental Conditioning Coach/Sports Psychologist (of several leading Tennis and sports professionals in the US) have finally taken the entrepreneurial plunge joining hands to found India’s first ‘Peak Physical and Mental Conditioning Training’ offering tailor made solutions for sportspeople under one roof.

Creating Legends in sports

In a country that has for long depended on prodigies for sporting success, Quantum Leap Performance (QLP) Pvt Ltd., has just launched its Sports Science and High Performance Training Centre in Abhirampuram, Chennai and Utah, US with the aim of ‘creating legends’ by developing and harnessing potential in individuals at the grass roots level and helping execute the plan with a process driven physical training and mental coaching methodology.

QLP will specialize in Peak Performance Training for Physical and Mental Conditioning for optimal performance and mental toughness for athletes of all ages and levels.

Ramji, who was the first Indian trainer to capture the imagination of cricketers, is of the view that Physical and Mental Conditioning Training is a misunderstood concept in India. ‘Physical Training has for long been looked at as ‘Gym workouts’ by most sportsmen in India.

Badri endorses this thought process ‘There were a lot of loose ends earlier. However, there is a paradigm shift now in the Indian sportsperson's attitude towards fitness- both physical and mental. The younger generation of athletes/players are now looking for training methods to attain peak fitness. And that’s the reason why we felt it is the right time to start.’

Mental Conditioning is a relatively new concept in India says Badri, who has been a Sports Psychologist in the US for the last 15years. People think it is psychiatry and shy away, avers Badri. It is actually about developing muscles in the brain!!!

 

Badri, who has trained and helped a number of budding sports professionals in the US clear mental obstacles in achieving peak performance, opines that while talent is aplenty in India, there is a need to eradicate a lot of ‘old belief systems’. There are countries without any infrastructural facilities and yet you find them winning medals in Olympics (Surinam in the 1988 Seoul Olympics was a prime case in point). Our aim is to make the teenagers mentally ‘sporting’ mature by the time they are in the late teens and then to make them peak by the time they are 23-24.

The QLP Process

As part of their offerings, Quantum Leap Performance has developed a system and process that is focused on understanding the current mindset of players, their body structure, their expectations and goals and the current challenges. QLP will then work with the individuals in goal setting and seek to enhance the true conviction inside them that will enable them in their quest towards achieving big results.

Mental Conditioning is an integral part of their offering as the two believe that, at any sporting event, it is as much mental as the physical ability that matters. It is important not to get bogged down mentally says Badri.

Ramji, who has been credited for the rehab of Sachin Tendulkar’s shoulder injury in 2006 says, ‘We are like Thumb Impressions. Every person who trains with us will have an individual coding. We will be adopting a problem solving approach harness the full potential of the sportsperson. Players need to be patient to achieve the best results. It is a process driven approach to success.’

Ramji was the fitness trainer when India won the World Cup and the Champions Trophy and jumped into No. 1 in Test and ODI rankings. He has also been personal trainer for Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Shikar Dhawan, in Cricket, Narain Karthikeyan, Arman Ibrahim, Aditya Patel and Karun Chandok in racing and Subramanian Raman in TT. 

It was Ramji's Rehab and fitness training for Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel and Sreesanth just before World T20 championship that proved to be a important turning point for India.

Few know that it was Ramji Srinivasan who first brought the Swiss Ball concept to India in the mid 90s. 

Interestingly and quite unlike most sporting launches, the two have chosen to launch without much of fanfare!! Reasons Ramji, ‘A lot of the time you find things being launched with lot of hype, only for the offering to be diluted over a period of time. We want to make the players understand the entire process and that this is a long term route to success.’

‘We believe with this approach, we will be able to help the player visualise success and take the right steps in that direction to prime physical and mental fitness’ says Badri echoing the sentiments of Ramji.

Service Offerings

QLP will offer physical training, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programmes) and Bio-Feedback Intervention.  After identifying and analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the players, the QLP team will come up an overall assessment of  the player’s potential based on which, they will formulate customised techniques with a defined and quantifiable outcome. As part of the engagement, the players will also have overseas exposure.

QLP's Services include Base Individual Training, Nutrition Programme, Physiological Assessment, Musculoskeletal Screening, Fitness testing, Pre-habilitation and Rehabilitation, Movement Analysis and Data Collection, Sports Conditioning Special, Recreational Sports Training and of course Mental Conditioning.

Included in the fitness regime will be Swiss Ball, Pilates, Thera Band, Speed, Power, Strength, Agility, Body Balance, Neuro-Muscular Coordination drills, Cardio vascular, local muscle endurance, circuits, threshold training, alactic training, aqua work, recovery and planning.

First of its kind equipment

Most of the equipments at the Chennai center of QLP are essential equipments used by world class achievers in sports but seen for the first time in the Indian sports scene.  These include Hand-Eye Co-ordination equipments, Cardio Equipments, Power Training Equipments, Speed Agility and Quickness (SAQ) Equipments, Strength Equipments, Balance and Co-ordination Equipments and Specialised Accessories.

QLP has tied up with Chennai headquartered The Pasta Bar Veneto, a chain of restaurants promoted by brothers Pramodh Sharma and Vinodh Sharma, to provide customised diet food to the trainees.

Number of Trainees

In the initial phase, QLP is targeting to restrict its trainees to 50-60.  Within 10days of the soft launch, QLP has already had an interesting mix of trainees. A 7year old Golfer who is seen to have big potential, has already signed up a long term engagement with QLP as have 9 and 13year old tennis players and a Chess star.  A 16year old Squash player is also looking to harness her talent at the QLP.

As many of these players are expected to travel extensively, QLP has, as part of its offering, an online LIVE session over the video with its trainees. The company will also launch soon an interactive ‘app’. The training programmes are designed for travelling athletes.

QLP has on board a leading nutrition, a physio, ‘strength and conditioning’ sports doctor, subject matter expert in bio mechanics, among other consultants.

37year old Badri, an alumni of REC Trichy and a certified mental conditioning coach in the US, who has been involved in training a number of highly successful players in Tennis, TT, Chess, Squash and cricket counts training sports personalities for certain specific qualities like becoming persistent, being courageous and ‘Going for it when fearful’, achieving discipline in practice and that translating in competition as his big moments in his sporting career.

 

Badri believes that the problem solving approach to training is a big differentiator with QLP. There will be a specific personalised solution for each individual based on our assessment and the player will be able to feel with the difference as part of our training process. ‘We think it is possible to provide quantifiable results. We will strive to constantly create the 'A ha' moment for players’.

QLP is targeting to organise four relevant problem solving workshops a year that provides solutions to the existing problems of players. The workshops will also include specific training for upcoming events and training for injury/re-hab and training in simulated real time scenarios.

Exchange Programme for Trainees

Chennai based Quantum Leap Performance is currently in talks with leading academies in the US to bring their players in Tennis, Racing and TT among other sports to train here for Chennai is considered one of the hardest places to train given its humidity levels and the dust. QLP is also working on exchange programmes for its trainees here at the Chennai Center to go abroad and train in the US as well.  

Financial Support to deserving players

For those with a weak financial background but with potential to make a name for themselves in sports, QLP will be open to funding and supporting them in their quest for excellence, especially those with the aim to achieve Olympic glory. 

As a parting remark, a visibly excited Ramji and Badri echo the same sentiment that it is a matter of trust that they will take care of their wards and deliver excellent results that will bring them players at various stages in their careers- those that have tasted success but are currently going through a rough phase and those that are seeking to achieve success for the first time. They believe that the onus is on the two of them to fulfil the expectations of the players and their parents, who these days are investing heavily on the sporting activities of their kids.

Mind and Body have to be synch to achieve the best results in sports. And it is apt that India’s renowned Physical Trainer in Cricket and the  US based multi-sport Mental Conditioner have come together in this venture to provide a first of its kind offering for Indian sportspersons.

TNCA and the cricketers?

Having seen their passion at work, it is clear that they have a vision to create the next generation of sporting stars from India and are in it for the long haul. Ramji's regime with the TN Ranji cricket team in 2007-08 saw the players going through two years of injury free engagement. He has also been the fitness trainer at the MRF. Ramji was also the trainer for Formula A1 Racing Indian Team for a period of five years from 2005. 

Individual players like Abhinav Mukund (who has seen success but is currently going through a lean patch) and the Aparjiths (who are in their early growth phase) of TN cricket will definitely find this relevant for their progress, especially the mental conditioning.

It will be useful for TNCA to explore the possibility of a long term engagement with QLP for the state players beginning at the U16 level given that mental conditioning has often been seen as one of the weak areas for TN cricketers.  

Shenbagaramanallur Jagannathan Perumal Temple

An ancient 14th Century AD temple similar in size to Mannar Koil 

Exquisite Sculptures similar to Krishnapuram Temple

 

Located 10kms east of Nanguneri Thothadri Nathan Divya Desam in a remote village is the 14^th Century AD Jagannathan Perumal Temple in Shenbaga Rama Nallur, a temple almost similar in size to the Mannar Koil near Ambasamudram and the Nambi Divya Desam in Thiru Kurungudi with huge outer walls, built during the Chera period.

The Story

The story goes that Udaya Marthanda Varma’s descendent (Shenbaga) Rama Varma built this temple. Having visited Lord Jagannathan at Puri, he was on his way back. With flash floods striking this region, he halted here for the night at this village.

It is believed that Puri Lord Jagannathan appeared in his dreams and directed him to build a similar temple here at this place. An invisible voice the next morning showed him the exact spot for building the Garuda Sannidhi and installed the East Facing idol of Jagannathan with Sri and Bhoo Devi with Dwarapalakas at the entrance.

A separate sannidhi for Shenbagavalli Nachiyar was also built South of Jagannatha Perumal Sannidhi.

In recognition of his contribution to the temple, one finds an idol of Shenbaga Rama Varma at the entrance.

Inscriptions

There are several inscriptions inside the temple that date back to the 14^th   century

Exquisite Sculpture

At the main Eastern entrance are artistic sculptures of Rathi and Manmatha, similar to the ones found at Krishnapuram temple, 13kms east of Tirunelveli (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/07/non-divya-desam-temple-tale.html)

 

It is believed that lot of grants were given to the temple in centuries gone by with over 130acres of land still in its possession.

Prarthana Sthalam

In the inner prakara is a Lakshmi Narayana Sannidhi. Belief is that lighting a ghee lamp on a lemon on Tuesday/Friday will fulfil one’s wishes. Thirumanjanam and Kalyana Utsavam is performed on special days at the special Mandapam erected on the Eastern side.

In the last 40years, Gopala Bhattar has been taking care of the temple all by himself without much of a salary. He has installed a bore well to improve the water facility at the temple. He has also installed new vahanas that carry the lord out on the grand processions in Thai.

Currently, two time pooja takes place at the temple every day.

The gopuram at the Eastern Entrance remains a Mottai Gopuram with the Chera King not being able to complete the Raja Gopuram.

Festivals

10day Brahmotsavam Utsavam in Thai

Chitrai Thiruvonam Utsavam

Chitrai Pournami Utsavam

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Jagannathan East Facing Standing Posture

Thayar             : Shenbagavalli Thayar

Time                : 630am-10am and 430pm-8pm

Contact                        : Gopalan Bhattar /Srinivasan Bhattar @ 94861 34755/87543 58489/Trustee Vijay Kumar @ 9444433321/9940698487

How to reach

Ananthapuri Express stops at Nanguneri. From Nanguneri, an auto to the temple will cost Rs. 150-200. Also, share auto/share van run every hour. Bus ply every hour from Nanguneri towards Moolaikaripetti. One can get down at the Shenbagaramanallur junction – 2kms away- and take a local auto to the temple (Rs.50).

League cricket in Madras

Controversial End to Division Two matches

Two second division matches played last weekend have raised eyebrows here in the cricketing circles in Madras.

With MCC and Aruna CC on the same points going into the last round of league matches, both teams were eyeing for the 2^nd promotion spot from 2^nd to 1^st division in the TNCA league. If both teams won their respective matches, the promotion was to be decided by NRR (Net Run Rate).

For the record, MCC crushed ICF by 12noon on Sunday. After bowling out ICF for 90 on a pitch that kept low, MCC scored the runs in 15overs. In the other match, batting first, Aruna scored 280 and then bowled out Parrys in the 2^nd session for 170 (they had to restrict Parrys to around 200 to gain promotion into the 1^st division).

Sources close to the match have raised doubts about ICF being bowled out so cheaply and so early on Sunday morning. It was argued that the ICF-MCC match ending early gave Aruna clarity on the run rate they had to maintain in beating Parrys. The Aruna-Parrys match went well into the 2^nd session on Sunday evening. Sources have highlighted the fact that B Ramprakash, who has played cricket alongside PC Prakash years ago, and who has been a strong contributor for his team, did not bowl in the match. Sources also raised the issue of Parrys closing their innings before the fall of the 10th wicket. Sources even went to the extent of saying that it  was a 'well scripted Sunday Story'!!!

However, those who have played for many years (and for shorter duration) with PC clearly ruled out such a possibility saying that their personal experience of having played and interacted with him has been one of him playing cricket ‘straight’.

(The writer watched a match a week earlier when Mambalam Mosquitos, a team managed by PC beat India Cements run Egmore Club by under 20runs in a very close match with PC carrying drinks throughout the match during the hourly break and at the fall of a wicket. Such was his involvement in the match. He was in whites throughout the match as well a feature you don't see often these days among the young cricketers not playing in the XI).

A source who played for several years in the past for ICF ruled out any possibility of ICF giving away the match easily. He went to the extent of promising on his over 2decades of cricket (that has given him livelihood) that ICF would never do such a thing and that it was a natural course of play that ICF lost that match before lunch on Sunday.

MCC has filed a complaint with the TNCA the exact contents of which is not known. When contacted, Mr. Ajit, Secretary said that they have filed the complaint officially with the TNCA and that it would not be appropriate for him to make that public.

When contacted, PC Prakash said that he has been playing cricket for 40years and that cricket was a religion for him. He said that he had always played cricket ‘straight’ and that he never in his life resorted to or even intended to resort to such tactics. And that he would never do such a thing in his life in the future as well for he says he breathes cricket all the time. In fact, he said that his message to all the cricketers has been to 'give their best at all times and to fight it out in every game.'

One of the four umpires involved in the two games, who has seen ICF play over the last two decades said that there was no chance that they would have agreed to anything other than a normal game. The umpire, who has known PC Prakash for several years, also vouched that PC would never resort to such a thing and that it was a disgrace to even suggest this of a cricketer of his stature.

Interestingly, just over two decades ago, MCC went out of 1^st division in controversial circumstances. Playing against Globe Trotters, MCC was bowled out for 50 on the first morning. By the end of the day, Globe Trotters led by a century from M Senthilnathan had built a lead of over 200.

When they arrived on the 2^nd morning, Globe Trotters found that the pitch at Chepauk had been damaged. Sources say that it was clear to everyone there based on the shoe marks as to who had damaged the pitch. While Globe Trotters agreed to play on an alternate pitch, MCC initially refused. The story goes that a top official of the TNCA spoke with MCC officials about getting in sniffer dogs to investigate the cause and the rest is history!!! ( this was independently verified with multiple people who were present that day)

Globe Trottters declared the innings with the resumption of play on the alternate pitch and bowled out MCC a 2^nd time around on day 2, a season that saw MCC relegated to division 2.

It is important for the TNCA to ensure the credibility of the league here in Madras. It is also important for this issue that has been circulating in the cricketing circles this week to be laid to rest with TNCA making the necessary enquiries about the two matches. 

Just two weeks ago, the writer heard a shocking story of a 15year old strike bowler being asked not to bowl because his team had to lose that match. It is shocking because 15year old players, still not out of school, now know first-hand and are discussing publicly about lower division matches being ‘set-up’.   

This is a big dampener on the credibility of the league and TNCA has to initiate action to restore that the matches are played fair and in line with the spirit of the game. 

PS: It was refreshing last year to see Dr. Natarajan calling the team that I captained for an enquiry because we went into a match at the end of the season with less than 10players. It is another story that we played with fewer players and won that match (with subsequent macro developments, that enquiry did not materialise).