Mannargudi RajaGopalaswamy Temple

Mannargudi Rajagopalaswamy- Dakshina(South) Dwaraka
Unparalleled beauty and most alluring Lord RajaGopalaswamy
One wonders why such a beautiful temple did not find itself in the ‘good books’ of the Azhvaars

Housed on a huge 33acre area, the RajaGopalan temple at Mannargudi (till a few centuries ago, this was called MannarKoil), is all what a Vaishnavite temple should be. Except that the Azhvaars did not perform Mangalasaasanam here, something that one finds difficult to come to terms with. Hence this is not a Divya Desam and remains only an ‘Abhimaana’ Sthalam.

Its quite a mystery actually that the Azhvaars who visited and sang praise of the Lord(and performed Mangalasaasanam) at ThiruKannapuram (50kms North East), ThiruKannangudi(50kms East), Thirucherrai, Nachiyar Koil, Thiruvinnagar-Oppiliappan, Kumbakonam Sarangapani(around 35kms North) and Thanjai Maa Mani (35kms West) missed the towering presence of RajaGopalan.

Temple Tower – 154 ft high

The huge temple tower, at a height of 154 ft. is fourth tallest among vishnu temples and can be seen from 5-10 kms away as one drives into Mannargudi. This place is also called Dakshina Dwaraka (South Dwaraka).

As one enters the temple, a vast open garden in the outer most prakaram with greenery all around serves as a warm welcome for the devotees. With nice benches, this makes it a nice evening sit out for one to admire this remarkable temple.

And then one walks through a long path alongside huge pillars and mandapams to reach the RajaGopalan Sannidhi.

Temple History

The temple is believed to have been built by the Chola rulers, Kulathunga Chola I and II, during the period 1072 - 1150AD. And later developed and improved by the Nayak kings in the 16th and 17th century AD. This place is also known as Champakaaranya Kshetram.

It is said that the Lord here gave darshan to Brahmma in Kritha Yugam, to Brugu Rishi and Goddess Mahalakshmi in Tretha Yugam, to Agni, Gopila and Gopralaya Rishi(children of Rishi Vahnimugar) in Dwaapara Yugam and to King Rajasekhar in Kali Yugam.

Remarkable Temple

7 prakarams, 16 temple towers, 18 Vimaanams, 24 Sannidhis, temple housed in 33 acre area with an equal area(33 acres) for the temple tank, festivals throughout the year just like Srirangam, a most handsome and majestic looking Vasudevan and a beautiful and alluring RajaGopalaswamy, with dangling Kundalam in one ear and an earring(Gopiyar’s) in the other ear- a sight to behold make it a terrific Vaishnavite temple. With such a towering presence, one has to wonder as to how the Azhvaars did not fall in love with this Lord. What is it that they saw (or did not see) that made the Azhvaars stay away from this temple.

It is said that ThiruMangai Azhvaar did visit this place. He came up to the entrance of the temple, lifted the DwajasThambam(Flag Post) at the entrance of the temple that was lying on the floor and went away.

All poojas in traditional Vaishnavite way

The daily temple poojas are performed in a very systematic and traditional manner right from Vishroopam at 5am, with the temple elephant and the cow showing their devotion to the Lord. One is a witness to the temple elephant going down on its knees to pray before Lord RajaGopalan and then lifting its trunk to shower water on the Lord- a beautiful sight to watch so early in the morning. And this is possibly the only Vaishnavite temple in Tamil Nadu that opens at 5am and has the Vishroopa Darshan in a formal way like it once used to be in all the temples.

Significance of the place- Staying here for a Night

In the Mahabharata, Pulastya tells Bheeshma that anyone staying for a night at MannarKoil earns the merit of having gifted a 1000 cows, such is the significance of this place.

South Dwaraka

Gopila and Gopralaya Rishi (children of Rishi Vahnimugar) wanted Moksham and prayed to Lord Narayana, who asked them to go to Dwaraka to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna(Kannan). By the time they reached Dwaraka, Krishna Avataaram had ended. Narada asked these two rishis to go to ‘South Dwaraka’ and they came here to Mannarkoil.

Here they asked Lord Narayana to give them darshan as Krishna and to show them all the playful things that Krishna had done at Dwaraka. Answering their prayers, Lord Narayana appeared before them as Krishna and enacted, on the banks of Harithra river, all that Kannan had played on the banks of Yamuna river in Dwaraka.

The Lord and his beautiful posture

The Lord here is seen in a single vastram(garment) just like a cowboy, with his right hand yielding a golden rod with a whip that has 3 dents and his left hand slightly leaning on the cow just behind him. One can also see 2 beautiful calves (in silver) in front of him on either side. The Lord is also called RajaMannar and Gopalan.

The moolavar Para Vasudevan can be seen with a conch, maze and discus in a majestic standing posture facing the East with a complete set of silver ornaments all over his body.

The story of two different ear rings 

Once, Krishna and Gopiyars had an argument/bet as to who would bathe the quickest. In his eagerness to win, Krishna ran back and in a hurry, wore his kundalam in one ear and Gopiyar’s ear ring in the other.

To this day, we can see this rather unusual display of RajaGopalan at this temple- that of two different ear rings- one ear with his Kundalam and the other where he adorns Gopiyar’s ear ring.

32 Photographs around the Main Sannidhi

It is believed that the Lord gave darshan in 32 different forms to the 2 Rishis here. The first of that was ParaVasudevan(Moolavar here) and the last was RajaGopalan(Utsavar). These 32 forms are displayed in a colourful form around the main Sannidhi at this temple.

Temple Elephant and the 10km walk every morning

The temple elephant Shengamalam takes a 10km walk every day to keep herself fit. With 32 villages around this temple, the elephant walks to one village every day. Interestingly, Shenbagammal does not eat plantains like other temple elephants. She has a special liking for biscuits.

SanthaanaGopalan
Near the Utsava Moorthy, one also finds SanthaanaGopalan. It is believed that those who pray to the SanthaanaGopalan will be blessed with a child, a case in point is a SriLankan couple who prayed to the Lord here and were blessed with a child immediately.

Deaf and Dumb Priests
There are a couple of deaf and dumb men(from birth) at this temple. Thanks to the initiative of the temple authorities, these men have been given rights to perform pooja at a couple of sannidhis, thus boosting their confidence. These priests are enthusiastic, perform their duty with sincerity and take extra efforts in serving the devotees- quite a moving experience. Pooja Details Vishwaroopam 6am, Thiruvananthal 7am, Kaalai Santhi Poojai-9am, Uchi Kalam-12noon Thirumalai Purapadu- 6pm, SayaRakshai-7pm, Irandam Kalam Poojai-8pm, Artha Jamam-830pm Thaligai details Milk/Fruits/Pongal for Vishwaroopam Dudhyonam(Curd Rice)- 7am pooja Tamarind rice - 9am pooja Thenkuzhal - 11am pooja Curd Rice- 7pm Samba Rice-8pm pooja Chakkarai Pongal, Mothagam- 9pm pooja Archanai on Special occasions Poosam -Thirumanjanam for Shengamala Thaayar Sravanam- Thirumanjanam for Perumal Utsavar Every Friday-Thirumanjanam for Utsavar Thaayar Every month- Pancha Parvatham- Perumal Utsavar and Shengamala Thaayar Purapadu Thiruvadi Thirumanjanam for Perumal Utsavar is done on special request. For bookings, call : 94423 99820 or 04367 225738

Quick Facts:
Deity : ParaVasudevan (Moolavar)– East Facing, Standing Posture
Utsavar : Rajagopalan
Goddess : Shengamala Thaayar

Temple timing : 5am –12.30pm and 430pm-9pm
Priest : Prasanna Dikshithar @ 94433 43363 / Jagan Dikshithar @ 88700 24437 

Mahalingam, Manager on 94423 99820 /04367 222276

Festivals-Right through the year

18 day Panguni Brahmmotsavam - 10 day Float Festival in Aani - 20 day Adyaana Festival in Margazhi- The Garuda Seva at Mannargudi is specially famous

Location : 27Kms South West of Thiruvarur, 30kms SouthEast of Thanjavur and about 30kms South of Kumbakonam

Bus : Well connected from Thiruvarur, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Pattukottai

Place to Stay : Poorna Lodge (1/2 km from the temple)- Rs. 300 for Non AC double room and Rs. 600 for an AC room -Tel No. 04367 251695

Thiru Koodalur Jagathrakshagan

Aaduturai Perumal Koil
JagathRakshagan- One who protects the World

Located 15kms East of Thiruvayaru on the Kumbakonam Highway and 5kms West of Kapisthalam Divya Desam is the Jagathrakshagan Perumal Divya Desam in Aadturai, where the Lord Vaiyam (Ulagam)Kaatha Perumal is seen in an East facing standing posture.


The Story

The Devas came together at this place invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu requesting him to kill Asura Hiranyaksha. Legend has it that Vishnu cut open the earth, killed the Asura and reappeared, with Goddess Lakshmi, as Varaaha Moorthy (one of the 10 Avathaarams of Maha Vishnu) at Srimushnam.

As all of them came together at this place and prayed to the Lord requesting for protection, this place has come to be called Koodalur (where people come together). The Lord who protected the village from the Asura has come to called Jagath Rakshagan - One who protects the World

Another story goes that Raja Ambarishi was so pious  that he even let go his kingdom to continue his penance.

Sage Durvasa, renowned for anger, once visited Ambarishi. With the king in deep penance, Durvasa, in his typical style, lost patience and cursed Ambarishi to lose the power of his penance.

The staunch devotee that Ambarishi was, he continued to be lost in thoughts of the Lord. Coming to the aid of his devotee, Vishnu threw his Chakra at Sage Durvasa, who immediately begged the Lord for forgiveness. Hence, one can find the Utsavar at this temple-JagathRakshagan- with the Chakra in his hand.

Pleased with Ambarishi’s penance, it is here that Vishnu gave him Darshan in his full Divine form. Delighted at  having seen the Lord in his divine form, Ambarishi built this temple. It is believed that this temple was washed away later with floods in the Cauvery. The temple that exists now in its current form was built later by Rani Mangammal of Madurai.

A third story has it that River Cauvery displayed her grief to the Lord that all the impurity/sins was being washed at the river and that she was feeling that the river here was becoming impure and unclean. Answering her prayers, it is believed that Cauvery regained all her glory at this place.

Thirumangai Azhvaar starts his 10 verses of the Koodalur Lord thus:

“தாம்  தன் பெருமை அறியார், தூது
வேந்தற்கு ஆய வந்தார்  ஊர்போல்
காந்தள் விரல் மென் கலை நல மடவார்
கூந்தல் கமழும் - கூடலூரே.”

Quick Facts

Moolavar    : Vaiyam (Ulagam)Kaatha Perumal
Goddess     : Padmaasini(Pushpavalli)
Utsavar      : Jagathrakshagan

Time          : 730am-1230pm and 430pm-830pm
Priest         : Kasturi Rangan Bhattachar @ 96598 80628

Address     : Aduthurai Perumal Koil
                   Ullikadai Post, Papanasam Taluk Thanjavur Dist 614 202

How to reach
Buses ply every 10 minutes from Kumbakonam to Thiruvayaru (narrow road along the banks of Cauvery)

Kapisthalam Gajendra Varadar

Pancha Krishna Kshetram
Only Divya Desam that provides Moksham to two animals

Located about 15 kms from Kumbakonam on the Thiruvayaru road (about 5 kms East of Koodalur Divya Desam) is the Gajendra Varadhan temple at Kapisthalam where the Lord is seen in a reclining posture facing the East.

The temple is currently in a terrible condition- Quite a bad sight for devotees. At a time when several Divya Desams are being renovated in Tamil Nadu,( For eg. TVS Group has transformed the Nava Tirupathi temples near Tirunelveli) why this temple cannot be renovated is a question every devotee visiting this divya desam is asking today.

The priest gets a Salary of Rs. 16 per month!!!!

The Legend

Raja Indirajimnan, a staunch devotee of Vishnu was so immersed in his prayers that he would forget the world around him. Once he incurred the wrath of Sage Durvasa known for his instant anger by continuing to be in his prayers and making the Sage wait outside. He was cursed thus- “The fact that you are a great devotee has made you arrogant and you have disrespected a Sage, who has come to meet you. May you turn into a mad elephant.”

Realising his folly, Indrajimnan begged for forgiveness. The Sage who is also know for showing sympathy agreed to reduce the impact of the curse stating that he would continue to be devoted to the Lord as ‘Elephant Gajendra’ and that he would one day be relieved of his curse by Vishnu himself.

Another story goes that Asura Guhu once playfully pulled the legs of Sage Agastyar while he was having bath. Angered at this act, the Sage cursed him instantly turning the Asura into a Crocodile.

Vishnu, on his Garuda Vahana rescued Elephant (King) Gajendra from the clutches of the Crocodile (the Asura) on the banks of the river by hurling his Chakra at the crocodile and killing it. Thus the king was rid of his curse and attained Moksham. This Gajendra Moksham episode is enacted here every year in Panguni (March-April). This is the only Divya Desam where the Lord provides Darshan to two animals.

It is a Praarthana Sthalam for Rahu.

Thiru Mazhisai Azhvaar’s only Paasuram:

கூற்றமும் சாரா கொடுவினையும் சாரா 
தீ மாற்றமும் சாரா 

வகை அறிந்தேன் 

ஆற்றங்கரை கிடக்கும் கண்ணன்

கடல் கிடக்கும் மாயன் 

உரை கிடக்கும் உள்ளது எனக்கு 

This is one of the ‘Pancha Krishna Kshetrams’.

(the other four are – Thiru Kannapuram, Thiru Kannamangai, Thiruvazhandur and ThiruKannangudi)

The temple is open between 630am - 12noon and 5pm - 730pm.
Contact: O.S. Seshadri Bhattar- 04374 225434/95850 85619/81487 76727

Buses every 15 minutes between Kumbakonam and Thiruvayaru. Papanasam Railway Station is 2 kms South of Kapisthalam

For auto: call Ganesh @ 9488892226/8220522342

Thiru Pullani Darbha Sayana Rama

A Sacred Place for absolute Surrender to the Lord
Lord Raama prayed to the Sea Lord to seek solution for his cross over to Lanka

10kms South East of Ramanathapuram on the Keelakarai Road is Thirupullani located on the banks of river Sethu (Sethu Karai). This temple dates back to a time before Rama Avatar. Rama came here in his search for Sita. Rama is believed to have invoked the blessings of Adhi Jagannathan at this temple before he departed for Lanka.

Sacred Place for Surrender to the Lord

It was here that Vibheeshana, the brother of Ravana, came for refuge and surrendered to Lord Rama asking him for help. While the entire Vaanara army looked at Vibheeshana with suspicion- one who has come with a plot to attack the Lord, it was Hanuman, who with folded hands, expressed his opinion that the Lord should accept Vibheeshana. Hanuman can be seen here, at this temple, in a posture indicating Vibheeshana’s surrender to Raama and to protect him from his brother(Raavana).

It was also here that Rama preached the doctrine of ‘Surrender’ that is applicable even today.

In Valmeeki’s account of this ‘Surrender to Lord episode’, Raama says, ‘I cannot reject anyone who comes to me for protection. This is my dharma. If Raavana himself came to me I would not reject him. How then can I reject his brother who has done me no wrong.’

In the Vaishnava Sampradaya, this episode of ‘Surrender to the Lord’ is held just as important as the Bhagavad Gita (Mahabharata). It is a doctrine that Lord accepts all who, in absolute surrender, seek shelter at his feet. Their sins are burnt out by the mere act of surrender.

This is a message of hope to erring humanity. There is hope for the worst of us if only we surrender ourselves to the Lord. This divine assurance is the life and light that a world filled with sin and darkness, needs.

Out of all the Divya Desams, this is said to be the most sacred for those devotees who are seeking ‘absolute surrender to Lord’.

Darbha Sayana Raamar

Having accepted Vibheeshana, it was here that Lord Raama along with the Vaanara (monkey ) army deliberated ways to cross the sea and orchestrated the way forward plan to Lanka to defeat Ravana.

Spreading Darbha grass (sacred grass used for religious rites) on the banks of River Sethu, Raama undertook a fast addressing Varuna(Sea Lord) and looked to him for a solution to cross the sea. Varuna asked him to build a bridge across the sea with boulders and trees and also promised him to show the best route to build the bridge.

Being the one who undertook a fast, lying on the Darbha grass, Raama here is called Darbha Sayana Raama.

Thondaradipodi Azhwar in his Thiru Maalai verse makes a reference to the role of the Squirrel in the construction of the bridge across the Sethu “குரங்குகள் மலையை தூக்கக்  குளித்துத் தாம் புரண்டிட்டு ஓடித்……”. He says that the squirrels which on seeing the monkeys helping Lord Rama, too wanted to help out the Lord. Being small in nature, they could not carry the trees and boulders. Hence, they did something innovative. The squirrels rolled on the sand and then ran back to the Sethu Bridge and dropped off the sand that had stuck to their body.

So impressed was Lord Rama that he rubbed the squirrels with warmth, a mark that remains to this day on the body of every squirrel. Squirrels have 3(vertical) lines on their body believed to be Rama’s own finger prints.

PattabhiRaamar

Having defeated the Lankan king, Lord Raama is said to have come back here and performed Pattabhishekham (crowning ceremony). Hence, he is here called ‘PattabhiRaamar’.

Childless Couple

Raama’s father King Dasharatha is believed to have performed a Yagna here and is believed to have had his four children after this yagna. Hence it is the belief that childless couple who bathe at the Sethu river and pray to the Lord here will be blessed with a child.

Sethu Bridge

The Sethu bridge has submerged under the sea but if you do request the fisherman on the banks of the Sethu sea shore, they may take you across the sea to show you the place that once was the Sethu Bridge.

Quick Facts
Moolavar  : Adhi Jagannathan – East Facing, Sitting Posture
Thaayar    : Kalyanavalli, Padmasini
Time         : 8am –12.30pm and 3.30pm-8pm
Priest        :  Jayaraman Bhattar @ 94439 20136
                    Seshadri Peshkar @ 98429 48390/ 99428 89763/ 04567 254 527                                                   
How to reach:

Thiru Pullani is around 10Kms South East of Ramanathapuram, Muffosil buses every 15minutes from Ramanathapuram Bus Stand. Town Bus  1A,1B, 5,5A,5B, 10 and 17 from Ramnad

Auto : Auto will charge Rs. 150-200 for a one way drop from Ramanathapuram to Thirupullani

Places to visit nearby : Dhanushkodi, Pamban Bridge, Rameswaram

Thiru Meiyam

Sathiya Moorthy Kshetram

Located on the Pudukottai-Karaikudi/Tirupattur highway, 7th Century AD Divya Desam Thiru Meiyam, referred to as Sathiya Giri and Sathiya Kshetram, is surrounded by a huge fort like structure. The Lord here is bigger than Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. On the wall just above the deity one finds images of Brahmma and several Devas.

Adiseshan is believed to be protecting this place. The story goes that when the Asuras tried to kidnap the Lord, Adiseshan let open poisonous air to kill the asuras. As a reference to this incident, one can see Adiseshan being depicted in the same form here at this temple- letting out poisonous air- a unique feature at this Divya Desam.

Lord Vishnu’s guard (at this fort) incurred the wrath of Sage Durvasa, who cursed him to turn into a snake and was finally relieved of his curse here at ThiruMeiyam.

On the Chitra Pournami day, Sathiya Moorthy Perumal is taken out on a 40 mile procession to Kadaya Kudi.

Pallava rulers contributed to improvements at the temple.

Quick Facts

Moolavar       : Meiyappan Standing Posture, East Facing

Thaayar         : Ujjevana Thaayaar

Temple time   : 8am –12noon and 330pm-8pm

Contact         : Krishnamurthy Bhattar @ 89034 94019 / 04333 274043

Location : 18kms South of Pudukottai, 25 kms North of Karaikudi

Bus : One can take the Pudukottai-Karikudi or Pudukottai-Tirupattur bus to reach here

Place to Stay : Best to stay in Pudukottai or Karaikudi

Daily Trains from Madras to Pudukottai.

Thiruvellarai Pundarikakshan Divya Desam

One of the three Divya Desams with first rights to Thaayar
Visit Thiruvellarai for Moksham
Birth Place of Uyyakondan and Engal Azhvaan

On first looks, one could easily mistake this Divya Desam for an old fort. The front gopuram (temple tower) reflects a Hoysala style architecture that is so untypical of a Vaishnavite temple. The structure looks half finished and this is attributed to a war which is believed to have stopped half way during the construction.This temple dates back to a time much before Srirangam (temple) as the legend relates to Sibhi, the forefather of Rama.

Located about 20 kms North of Trichy, on the way to Thuraiyur, Thiruvellari temple is housed on a 14 acre property. Inscriptions and the architecture at this temple point to the fact that Pallava, Hoysala and Vijayanagara kings have contributed significantly to this temple.

The story

Scene 1: Markandeya was destined to die at 16. When Yama came to take him, he clutched on to the Shiva Lingam at ThiruKadaiyur. Pleased with this, Lord Shiva blessed him that he will remain there forever as 16. After enjoying life to the full, Markandeya once again prayed to Lord Shiva asking for Moksham. He is guided by Shiva to go to ThiruVellarai to invoke the blessing of Vishnu.

Scene 2: King Sibhi (Rama’s forefather) came here with a big army with the intention of killing the Lankan King Ravana. While here, he encountered a white pig which gave the army a fight. Angered at this, Sibhi chased the white pig. After stopping at 5 places, the pig disappeared into a pit. Markandeya Rishi who was performing penance here asked Sibhi to pray to Lord Vishnu.

Scene 3: It was Goddess Lakshmi’s wish that she be granted the leading rights at some temple, as she felt that the Lord gets priority over her in all the temples.

Answering Sibhi’s prayers was an invisible voice (Lord Vishnu) which asked him not to pursue his quest to defeat Ravana and that he go back to his kingdom as time had not come for Ravana to be defeated yet and that he himself will be born later to defeat Ravana. A disappointed King Sibhi pleads with the Lord that he could not possibly go back empty handed, without fulfilling the purpose for which he had come.The Lord asks Sibhi to fulfill the wishes of Goddess Lakshmi by building a temple here that would give her the first rights at all festivities. It is also here that Lord Vishnu gives Darshan (and Moksham) to Markandeya.

First rights to Thaayar
Only in three Divya Desams does the Goddess get the first rights over the Lord - Nachiyar temple in Thiru Naraiyur, Andal in Srivilliputhur and here at Thiruvellarai.

The belief is that Sibhi brought 3700 Vaishnavites to this temple. Later, about 50 of them left from here for Melkote (Karnataka), several went to Kongu Nadu and many others went to other temples to perform daily poojas there. Legend has it that all the Vaishnavas who perform daily poojas in temples were originally from Thiruvellarai.

Belief is that Buddhists were in equal strength here at Thiruvellarai along with Vaishnavites. Another belief is that no Vaishnavite can get Moksham without visiting Thiruvellarai. Hence, there is this tradition at the temple to call ‘Thiruvellarai Kandeero- Thiruvellarai Kanden Aiyya’ (the devotees informing the Lord that they have seen Thiruvellarai and that they are now ready/eligible for Moksham), a voice that is said to echo to the Lord up there.

Festivals

The big festival takes place on the third day of Panguni (March-April) every year when the Lord and Goddess are taken on a procession to the Coloroon river.

Azhvaar Praise

Periyaazhvaar and Thirumangai Azhvaar have each composed 10 paasurams in praise of the Lord here.

 இந்திரனோடு பிரமன் ஈசன் இமையவர் எல்லாம்
மந்திர மா மலர் கொண்டு
மறைந்து உவராய் வந்து நின்றார்

சந்திரன் மாளிகை சேரும் சதுரர்கள் வெள்ளரை நின்றாய்
அந்தியம் போது இது ஆகும்
அழகனே காபிட வாராய் - Periyaazhvaar's Kaapidal

One can see the Srirangam temple from here, though it is 15 kms away.

This is the birth place of Uyyakondan and Engal Azhvaan

Quick Facts
Moolavar     : Pundarikaashan East Facing standing posture
Goddess       : Shenbagavalli Thaayar ( Separate Sannidhi)
Temple Time : 8am-1pm and 3.45pm- 745pm
Contact        : Achuthan Bhattar @ 95978 57231 /Vinodh Bhattar @ 98941 42111

How to reach Thiruvellari:
A number of moffusil buses ply between Trichy and Thuraiyur. This place can also be reached from Samayapuram. Auto from Srirangam and back will cost Rs. 400. Contact: 97917 56869/ 92624 05704.

Uraiyur Kamalavalli Nachiyar

Nanda Chozha built the temple to celebrate the home coming of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam
Thirupaan Azhvaar's birth place 
Only Divya Desam where Thaayar is seen facing North

Located 6kms South of Srirangam Ranganthaswamy Divya Desam is the Kamalavalli Nachiyar temple in Uraiyur, a divya desam whose legend relates to the love story of Kamalavalli Nachiyar and her wedlock with the handsome young lad Ranganatha of Srirangam. Uraiyur was the first capital of the Chozhas.

The story

The Chozha king Nanda Chozhan had been childless. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Ranganatha asked Goddess Lakshmi to be born as the King’s daughter at Uraiyur. Being born out of the Lotus, the Goddess here is called Kamalavalli Nachiyar [Kamala means Lotus]. As years went by, Kamalavalli grew into a beautiful young girl. One day while she was out with her friends, her eyes fell on a handsome young man and instantly she fell in love with him. The man was none other than Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam.

King Nanda Chozhan was in a fix as his daughter had fallen in love with the man, who had blessed the king with the child. Once again, the Lord accepted the king’s prayers and accepted her as his bride. Delighted at this, Nanda Chozhan built a temple at Uraiyur to celebrate the (home) coming of Lord Ranganatha to Uraiyur to take the hand of his daughter.

Panguni visit of Lord Ranganatha

Every year in the month of Panguni, a significant event takes place at the Uraiyur temple. Lord Ranganatha, in all his splendour, leaves the Srirangam temple at 4am to take the 6 km journey across the Cauvery in a golden palanquin to meet his beloved Kamalavalli Naachiyar for the ‘Kalyana Utsavam’(marriage festivities). On this auspicious day in the month of Panguni, the entire marriage formalities between Lord Ranganatha and Kamalavalli Nachiyar is enacted at the Uraiyur Temple. Lord Ranganatha takes the trip back to Srirangam across the Cauvery that same night.

At the Uraiyur temple, Kamalavalli Nachiyar is seen in a grand sitting posture, all set to get married. Being the handsome man in wedding attire, Lord Ranganatha here is called ‘Azhagiya Mana Vaalan’.

North Facing Thaayar

A speciality of this temple is that this is the only Divya Desam (out of the 108) where the Goddess is facing the Northern direction, in this case in the direction of the Srirangam Ranganatha temple.

Birth Place of Thirupaan Azhvaar

Uraiyur is also the birth place of Thiruppaan Azhvaar ( http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/03/thirupaanazhvaar.html). There is a separate sannadhi for Tiruppaan Azhvaar at the Uraiyur temple. The Tiruppanaazhvaar festival is celebrated in a grand way at this temple in Karthigai (Nov-Dec).

Thirumangai Azhvaar's reference to Kozhiyur

There’s a belief that an Elephant of a Chozha king, which entered this place, was beaten back by a valiant Hen and had to retreat. Hence, this place is also called Kozhiyoor (Kozhi means Hen in Tamil).

In his praise of Uraiyur Lord, Thirumangai Azhvaar refers to this place as Kozhiyur and the Lord as being truly handsome.

கோழியும் கடலும் கோயில் கொண்ட கோவலரே யொப்பர் குன்றமன்ன 

பாழியும் டோழுமொரே நான் குடையார் 

பண்டிவர் தம்மயாம் கண்டறி யோம் 

வாழிய ரோ விவர் வண்ண மென்னில் 

மாகடல் போன்றுளர் கையில் வெய்ய 

அழியோன் றேந்தியோர் சங்கு பற்றி 

அச்சோ ஒருவர் அழகிய வா 

In centuries gone by, devotees used to first visit the Uraiyur Divya Desam, walk across the Cauvery to the Srirangam Ranganatha temple and then across the Coloroon to Uthmar Koil and finally to Thiru Vellarai, thus covering four divya desams in one go.

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Azhagiya Manavalan North facing standing posture

Thaayar  : Kamalavalli Nachiyar

Time       : 630am -12noon & 430pm - 8pm

Contact  : Harish Bhattar @96776 69932

SK Rangaraja Bhattar @ 94433 07605 / 0431 2437605

How to reach the temple

A number of town buses ply between Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) Junction/ Srirangam and Uraiyur. The temple is about 4 kms from Trichy Junction.

Thiru Karambanur Uthamar Koil

Only Divya Desam dedicated to Tri- Murthies
Brahmma provides darshan facing South
One of the two Divya Desams where Azhvaars praise the Lord as Uthamar

Located just under 10kms North West of Trichy on the banks of Coloroon off the Trichy-Salem highway, Uthamar Koil is the only Divya Desam with ‘Tri Murthies’ - Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva providing darshan.

The Story
Once upon a time, both Shiva and Brahmma had 5 heads. One day Parvati (Shiva’s wife) coming out of her pooja mistook Brahmma (because of his 5 heads) for her husband and began serving him by washing his legs. Shiva was furious when he saw this.

He thought that all this confusion arose because Brahmma too had 5 heads and that Brahmma had become arrogant. In a fit of anger, Shiva took off the middle head of Brahmma with his hand. Unfortunately for Shiva, the 5th head of Brahmma stuck to his hand.

To find salvation from the curse, Shiva went around the world on a pilgrimage begging for food, with Brahmma’s skull as the begging vessel. Every time someone filled the vessel with food, it vanished immediately, to Shiva’s horror. At Uthamar Koil, Goddess Lakshmi filled the vessel with food, thus ending Shiva’s hunger. However, to Shiva’s dismay, Brahmma’s skull still lay fixed on his hand.

Shiva invoked the blessings of Purushottam asking for liberation from Brahmma's curse. He was directed to Kandiyur where he finally got salvation from Lord Kamalanathan.

As Shiva came to Uthamar Koil with a begging bowl searching for liberation from Brahmma's curse, this place is called Pichandar (Bikshandar) Koil. Shiva can be seen here as ’ Bikshandar Murthy’. 

Brahmma is seen facing South, a unique feature at any divya desam.

Blend of Vaishnavism and Saivism

While as per Vaishnavism legend, Shiva came as a beggar to get liberated from his curse, as per the Saivaite belief , Shiva was born here as a beggar to get rid of the arrogance of the rishis(Shiva has 63 avataars).

Azhvaar refers to this Divya Desam Lord as 'Uthaman'

பேரானை குருங்குடி எம் பெருமானை,

திருத்தங்கள் ஊரானை 

கரம்பனூர் உத்தமனை 

முத்திலங்கு தின் கடல் ஏழும் மலை ஏழ் 

இவ் உலகு ஏழ் உண்டு 

ஆறாது என்று இருந்தாளைக் கண்டது 

தென் அரங்கதே

Thirumangai Azhvaar refers to the Lord of this Divya Desam as ‘Uthamar’ and hence the name ‘Uthamar Koil’. Among the Azhvaars, only Tirumangai Azhvaar and Andal have referred to the Lord as ‘Uthamar’. (Andal in Tiruppavai says ஓங்கி உலகளந்த உத்தமன் பேர் பாடி).

Thirumangai Azhvaar stayed at this place and renovated the Srirangam temple. Thirumangai Azhvaar in his verse says that he could see the Uthamar from Srirangam.

Festivals

During the month of Karthigai, Lord Vishnu and Shiva are taken on a street procession together.

Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam comes here once a year and that’s a special event at this temple.

Chithirai- Perumal Chariot Festival

Vaikasi- Shiva Chariot Festival

Childless couple who pray here will be blessed with children. Dasharatha himself performed a yagna here before Rama was born. Legend has it that Vishnu ordered Brahmma not to refuse anything to devotees who come here and offer their sincere prayers.

4 Divya Desams in one go
In centuries gone by, Uthamar Koil formed part of ‘Foursome Divya Desam’ wherein devotees used to first visit the Uraiyur (in Trichy), walk across the Cauvery to the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam and then cross the Coloroon to Uthamar Koil and then to Thiruvellarai, thus covering four divya desams in one go.

Quick Facts
Moolavar : Purushottamar in an East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Poornavalli Thaayar
Paasuram : Thirumangai Azhvaar – 1 (Periya Thirumozhi)
Time        : 6am – 12.30pm and 4pm – 830pm

Contact: S. Varadharaja Bhattar 0431 2591 351, 99424 62145 / 94891 66288
Address : Uthamar Koil, Manachanallur Taluk, Pichandar Koil, Trichy 621 216

How to reach Uthamar Koil:
Number of buses from Chathiram Bus stand in Trichy
One can also come by bus to Toll Gate (Just after the old Coloroon road bridge) and walk about 5-10 minutes West to reach the temple

The temple is just adjacent to the Uthamar Koil railway station.

One can combine a visit to this Divya Desam with Thiruvellarai, another Divya Desam, which is about 10 kms North of here on route to Thuraiyur.

Memorable Cricket Matches of the 1980s

Continuing the series of old cricket matches, this week's series takes a look at 3 matches of the 1980s and a tied one dayer involving West Indies and India

1. Jan 1983 World Series Cup - England v New Zealand

It was still early days of flood light cricket and coloured clothing. The 1982-83 WSC –Aus, Eng and NZ- featured some big names and big matches. This one features the best match of the 1983 WSC at the Adelaide Oval.

It was David Gower’s best one day tournament and he seemed to be in magical touch through the tournament. England had other big names as well - Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Derek Randall (batting beautifully) and a young Allan Lamb.

NZ had biggies in Hadlee, big hitting Cairns, Coney, economical Chatfield and solid openers in Wright and Edgar. Aus had Chappell, Hughes, Border and Hookes in batting and Rodney Hogg and Lawson leading the attack joined by Lillee in the later half of the series.

While the WSC of 1983 had several highlights, it had its low moments too…Dennis Lillee’s open on field rift with Kim Hughes (who had displaced Greg Chappell as captain) on a field placing issue. Lillee was booed by the Aussie crowd as he came into bowl…quite a sight in Australian cricket.

David Gower once again scored a century to take England close to 300 after Ian Botham, opening the innings, had made a better than run a ball half century. While these days chasing 300+ is a normal happening, this chase at the Adelaide Oval was one of the best big chases of that time and still remains one of my favourite one day matches.

The short square boundaries suited Richard Hadlee as he took NZ to victory(297/6) with a sparkling 79 (one of Hadlee’s best one day innings), after Lance Cairns (known for his big hitting) had taken apart the English attack with a rapid 49 off 20 odd balls.

Later that series, in fact in the 2nd final, Lance Cairns once again displayed his big hitting with a half century that included six sixers.

2. 1983-84 Port of Spain, Trinidad - Border’s brilliant double – 98 NO and 100NO

It was Australia’s first overseas trip after the retirement of GS, DK Lillee and Rodney Marsh ( all at one time). And what a difficult one at that. After drawing the first test, the Aussies went to POS with some hope and confidence. Deano (Dean Jones) in his debut innings made 48 but it was AB’s(Allan Border) unbeaten 98 that took Australia past the 250 mark, after being 5 down for less than 100 at one stage.

Windies took a 200 run lead with Jeffery Dujon once again dazzling against Australia with an elegant century (Remember Dujon had struck successive 40s in his debut series 3 years ago in Australia, playing as a batsman (not keeper))

Behind by over 200 runs, Aussie top order failed once again and it looked, on day 5, like WI would take 1-0 lead in the series . Australia had collapsed to 160/7 in the afternoon session. And when Terry Alderman( a close contender for permanent No. 11 with Walsh) joined AB at 9/240, it seemed like it would be a matter of time. Just 15months ago, AB had been in some sort of a similar situation and lost.

Border, in the company of Jeff Thomson, had battled against the English attack for over 2 hours, on 4th evening and 5th day morning, in a 10th wicket stand that almost won the Boxing Day Ashes Test Match of 1982 (till Miller via Tavera pulled off a spectacular catch at 2nd slip to secure England the win that day). But this time Border pulled off a draw….an unbeaten 100 with the last pair fighting it out for 2 hours on the last evening.

It was a memorable test match for Border and one that I particularly enjoyed. It was possibly Allan Border’s two best test innings. While Australia went on to lose that series, the gutsy and ‘fight to death’ approach of Border was already visible and later that decade, it was this fighting approach of Border led Australia that brought them on top of the world stage.

3. 1980 Aus v Pak Lahore Test on Radio Pak- Two Unbeaten 150s in one test

Exactly 4 years before the above match, in March of 1980, Allan Border had played another brilliant double to save the 1980 Lahore test for Australia. In an Australian team that had more prominent names, Chappell, Hughes, Marsh, Lillee and against a Pakistan attack that had Imran and Sarfraz at their best, it was Allan Border, just in his 2nd year of International cricket, who helped save face from another loss to Pakistan.

Border helped Australia recover in each innings after Australia had collapsed to 150/4 in both. This was particularly significant for Border as only a year back, at the MCG in 1979, Sarfraz Nawaz triggered the most bizarre collapse in Test history by bowling Border just after he had reached his century (with Australia requiring just 75 runs for victory). And within the next half hour, Sarfraz had orchestrated a collapse that saw Australia lose 7 wkts for 5 runs.

This time around, Border made sure that he would not lose his wicket and took Australia to safety. It was also Lillee’s only series in the Sub-Continent. Border’s 150NO in each innings of the Lahore Test of 1979 was the first ever two innings unbeaten 150 in the same test by a batsman in Test History.

4. WSC 1991- Ind v WI WACA, Perth- A low scoring tie

On the bouncy WACA pitch, India was bowled out by Ambrose and co for 126. That afternoon, few gave India a chance. With the match turning interesting, evening India time, I was up there in my class at Vivekananda College listening to Radio Australia.
I must have been one of the few who had the guts to get a transistor into a ‘class room’ at Viveka.

Indians had WI on the ropes at 75/8 but Ambrose and Cummins brought WI back into the match with a good 9th wicket stand. In a clever use of bowlers, Indians had bowled out the four main bowlers ( 10 overs each) in the first 40 overs.

With 10 overs to go, Sachin was brought on as the 5th bowler and in his first over, he had Anderson Cummins edging low to Azhar at 2nd slip. And the match was tied. A tremendous comeback by India, taking one’s memories back 5-6 years to the match in Sharjah when India came back strong after being bowled out for 125 by Imran led Pakistan.

By the time this match ended, I even had my Income Tax lecturer interested in the match and listening to the broadcast.

Kandiyur Hara Sabha Vimosana Perumal

Divya Desam where Shiva got rid of ‘Brahmma’s Curse’
Pancha Kamala Kshetram 
Visit this Divya Desam for salvation from all curses

Located 11kms from Thanjavur on the road to Thiruvayaru, this place is called Kandiyur in memory of Lord Shiva, also known as Kandeeswarar, who was liberated from Brahmma’s curse.

The story 

Once upon a time, both Shiva and Brahmma had 5 heads. One day Parvati (Shiva’s wife) coming out of her pooja mistook Brahmma (because of his 5 heads) for her husband and began serving him by washing his legs. A furious Shiva opined that Brahmma and his 5 heads was the reason for this confusion and that Brahmma had become arrogant because he too had 5 heads.

In a fit of anger, Shiva took the middle head of Brahmma with his hand. Unfortunately though, the 5th head of Brahmma stuck to his (Shiva’s) hand. Shiva went around on a pilgrimage to find salvation from the curse by begging for food, with Brahmma’s skull as the begging vessel. Every time someone filled the vessel with food, it vanished immediately, to Shiva’s horror.

Finally on reaching Uthamar Koil (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/05/108-divya-desam-uthamar-koil.html), Goddess Lakshmi filled the vessel with food ending Shiva’s hunger. However, to Shiva’s dismay, Brahmma’s skull still lay fixed on his hand. Purushottamar answered Shiva’s prayer for salvation and asked him to bathe at Kandiyur and seek the blessings of Goddess Kamalavalli and Lord Kamalanathan at Kandiyur.

As Lord Shiva was liberated from his curse here at Kandiyur, the moolavar here is called ‘Hara Sabha Vimosana Perumal’(Hara is another name of Shiva).

Thirumangai Azhvaar’s reference to Shiva's curse

பிண்டி ஆர் மண்டை ஏந்தி  பிறர் மனை 

திரிதந்து உண்ணும் 

முன்டியான் சாபா தீர்த்த ஒருவன் ஊர் 

உலகம் ஏத்தும் 

கண்டியூர் அரங்கம் மெய்யம் கச்சி 

பேர் மல்லை என்று 

மண்டினார் உய்யல் அல்லால்  மற்றையார்க்கு

உய்யல்  ஆமே - Thiru Kurunthaandagam

Pancha Kamala Kshetram

Being the place where Shiva himself got salvation from his curse, it is believed that all our curses will go away if one visits this temple and offers sincere prayers here.

This is also known as the Pancha Kamala Kshetram (Lord Kamalanathan, Goddess Kamalavalli, Kamala Pushkarani, Kamala Vimanam and Kamala Kshetram)

Quick Facts:

Moolavar : Hara Sabha Vimosana Perumal East Facing Standing Posture
Thaayar    :  Kamalavalli Naachiyar
Utsavar     :  Kamalanathan
Time         : 8am-12noon and 430pm-8pm
Contact    : Kannan Bhattar @ 94872 52321 / 99439 44415

How to reach

Buses ply every 5-10 minutes between Thanjavur and Thiruvayaru

Place to stay

A number of economical hotels at Thanjavur

Retiring room at Thanjavur railway station

When here, also visit Srinivasa Perumal temple at Kalyanapuram, 2kms North East of here, ( http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/11/kalyanapuram-srinivasa-perumal.html)

and Thanjai Maa Mani Divya Desam on the banks of Vannar ( http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/01/thanjai-maa-mani-koil-divya-desam.html).

Memorable cricket matches on the Radio- 1985 and after

Cricket Tales- Part 3

1.India v England – WCC 1985- cut school to listen to LS bowling

I remember this day as I came in early from school ( half a day cut, one may call it) in Bangalore to listen to LS’ bowling on Radio Australia.(The Aussie commentators had a high opinion of LS- remember he had bowled well in India’s first match in the WCC against Pak. When I reached home, England were rather doing well in their reply with Gower in form. LS caused a collapse removing 3 top batsmen one after another. A match that afternoon which looked like going the full distance was suddenly cut short by LS who got David Gower and Lamb. In the earlier match he had got Zaheer Abbas. India won the match comfortably. The spin duo of Shastri and LS made it a potent attack for India that season.

However the MOM was the other star of that tournament- Krishnamachari Srikkanth who that morning had scored a run a ball half century in his typical style.

2. Hadlee’s 15 wkts at the Gabba to help NZ to an innings win against Aus- 1985-86
21 years ago this month, I woke up early morning to listen to Richard Hadlee ripping through the Australian batting line- a very inexperienced one at that…. Hilditch ( Indian fans will remember him well- he had come here in 1978-79 with a 2nd rung Australian team under the captaincy of Kim Hughes) was making a comeback. AB and Wessels were the only 2 experienced players and this Aussie team was trying to recover from the retirement of the 3 greats a couple of seasons ago (Lillee, Marsh and Chappell) and the rebels (Hughes and co).

I was always an Aussie supporter, right from my childhood but had a soft corner for NZ. While for several years, we questioned the NZ umpiring, I always believed that NZ played the game fair. And Hadlee was ‘fairness personified’. He would quietly turn back and walk briskly to the bowling mark if a batsman hit him for four. And so was his famous bowling partner of the 1980s- Ewen Chatfield. I had listened to the entire series 5 years ago in 1980 when New Zealand lost to Australia under Geoff Howarth, a team that had two stars fielders in John Parker and Mark Burgess.

And was hoping NZ would turn the fortunes this time around , especially against a weakened Aussie team. Hadlee was at his peak in 1985 and NZ that season boasted of some experienced blokes – strong opening pair of Edgar and Wright and with Jeremy Coney( all three had been part of the losing team in 1980) in the middle order.Martin Crowe was establishing himself then.

Hadlee took 9 for 50, he scored a quick fire half century when NZ batted and then came back to take 6 wickets in the second innings to set up an innings win for NZ. They did manage to win the series with Hadlee taking 11 wkts in the third test after Australia had come back well in the 2nd test at Sydney. It was Hadlee’s best series against Australia.

3. Last ball six on Radio Pakistan-1986

Unusually heavy rains in Bangalore that April evening in 1986 resulted in a power cut in our Syndicate Bank colony in Magadi Road. Here was I with my little National Panasonic transistor and all of the colony friends eagerly awaiting the result of the match (though for most it was a foregone conclusion that India would win and comfortably at that). I listened to the last 10 overs of that match on Radio Pakistan including the dramatic last over and the last ball six by Javed Miandad, described by Chisti Mujahid, that most excitable of Radio Pak commentators. For several years, after that, Radio Pakistan played that over during lunch and tea breaks.

4. England’s triple crown in 1986-87- Lamb strikes 18 in the last over to beat Aus

This was quite a surprise series for England as they peaked under Mike Gatting. Phil Defrietes and Jack Richards emerged as young stars. It is another matter that both of them did not quite fulfil their potential. They won all the three trophies that season- The 4 team Perth Challenge, the WSC involving Aus, WI and Eng and the Ashes.

Allan Lamb, who had had a poor series and was struggling, turned his fortunes with a brilliant last over finish at the SCG in January 1987, when he struck Bruce Reid for 18 runs to win the WSC match from no where, this after Dirk Wellham had earlier that day struck 97 to help Aus post a fighting total. This match has remained etched in my memory ever since.

4.Through the night on Radio Pakistan- 1988 in the Windies

This was a series I enjoyed a lot. Three terrific test matches- Imran, Javed and Abdul (Qadir) at their best vs Richards, Marshall and co…And a couple of really interesting test matches.

At Port of Spain and the 2nd test, Jeffery Dujon once again helped a late order recovery with an unbeaten century in the 2nd innings after Pak and WI were both bowled out for low scores in the first innings (Imran and Qadir bundling out the WI and Marshall running through the Pak 1st innings). Incidentally Vivian Richards had WI’s early recovery after a Imran Khan blast had seen a top order collapse.

Set over 370 to win, Pak collapsed against Marshall and Benjamin before Javed Miandad played yet another gutsy match saving innings. I stayed awake through the night listening to Miandad’s innings, well into early morning 3amish.

His dismissal with about another 80 required revived West Indian hopes. Saleem Yousuf
( Indian cricket followers will remember him well, though he only played a few matches for Pak) played out the last hour and a half before falling in the last over of the match.

West Indies still had hope – 5 balls left and Qadir coming in. The Radio Pak commentators were tense. Earlier that night, they were in high voice when Miandad was batting. Qadir was not known for his defence but he managed to see out the over (Pak were 30 runs short of a win) and Pak narrowly avoided defeat. Thus Pak still led 1-0 going into the 3rd and final test.

The third test was another thriller. After an even 1st innings, Imran Khan and Saleem Yousuf helped Pak recover on the 4th morning, setting WI at 250+ target to square the series.

Day 5 turned out to be a thriller. WI went into it with over a 100 required and 5 wkts in hand with Richards still there. But he went early on day 5 to a Wasim Akram spell in which he took two other wickets.

With over 50 required and only Dujon left of the recognized batsmen, it looked like Akram and Qadir will Pak through to fulfil Imran’s wish of beating WI in WI (i.e winning a series in WI). But it was not to be. In a brilliant counterattacking knock, Winston Benjamin blasted a quick unbeaten 40 while Dujon played an uncharacteristic second fiddle as the two took WI to a series equaling 2 wicket victory.

5. Steve Waugh’s two centuries in two tests-The English Summer of 1989

From the time I heard Steve in the 1985-86 series in India and later in the WSC vs England and WI (1986-87), I had backed him. But it was not until this series that Steve really managed to capture the attention on the Test Arena. I listened ball by ball to both his unbeaten knocks in the first two tests of the 1989 Ashes- this time bunking my evening college- 177 N O and 152 N O , quite a bit of it made in the company of Merwyn Hughes and Geoffery Lawson - and enjoyed every moment of that one. It was the comeback series for Australia on the Ashes front and Steve was instrumental in the wins.

6. Kapil Dev’s four sixers in four balls- English Summer of 1990

India were fighting to save the follow on. Kapil was at the crease and he had Hirwani at the other end…He decided to go after Eddie Hemmings. It was Chris Martin Jenkins who was on air at that time. The English commentators were well used to Kapil’s exploits in the UK- his 175 in the 1983 world cup, his catch of Viv Richards in the final that turned the finals in India’s favour, him captaining India to its first series win in England in 1986.England had been a favourite hunting ground for Kapil. But this one surprised even the BBC TMS commentators. Martin Jenkins kept saying ‘ here’s another one, another one….’. And he couldn’t quite believe that Kapil had hit 4 of 4( four sixers of four balls).

Indian supporters possibly remember this 1990 series for Gooch’s 333 but this splendid Kapil Gem was a personal favourite of mine.

Domestic Cricket Matches 1979 -83

1. TN vs Karnataka in Bangalore-1979 November

It was a match I distinctly remember to this day for 2 reasons.

a.It was the first commentary match I heard in Kannada and that famous Kannada commentary term “ Solpa mattige thirugichendunna…”

I guess it was quite an opt repeated word then with so many class spinners…Venkat and Vasu Vs Chandra, Vijayakrishna and Raghuram Bhat.

b. On the 3rd day which was a Sunday, TN, which had given a 100 run lead to Karnataka on the first innings, had to fight out to save the match after a top/middle order collapse against Chandra and Vijayakrishna. I had a tense afternoon sitting thru the 2nd session in the garden of my Coimbatore house, listening to the frustrated Kannada commentators as Venkat and Vasu battled it out against these two classy Karnataka spinners. It was the first of several interesting encounters I was to listen to over the next decade between these two competitive teams.

Just for interest, Karnataka middle order comprised of Brijesh Patel (the most prolific batsmen then in Ranji cricket), GR Vishwanath, AV Jayaprakash(now Umpire) and Sudhakar Rao.

2. Tamil Nadu v Hyderabad in Coimbatore- 1982 January

It was at the forest college ground in Coimbatore. I ran to the ground from school  Hyderabad was all out on day one. I remember watching V. Shiv and TE batting out the last few overs that day. I also remember a very very boring 3rd day, when Hyderabad batted through the day…There were boos from the huge Sunday crowd….Time and again, our famous commentator Ramamoorthy would say ‘lunges forward in defence’. I was to watch Azhar too that day, who later shot into prominence with centuries in his first 3 tests as well as Arshad Ayub. Tamil Nadu won the match on first innings lead but my looking forward to good cricket from MV Narasimha Rao, Khalid Abdul Qayyum and Vijay Mohan Raj came a cropper…

This match was so dull, that I left the ground after tea in frustration.

3. Feb 1982 Pre Quarter final match- NP Madhavan’s century for TN against UP
It was just about the time NP Madhavan quit his IOB job and joined SVPB, Udumalpet. I had watched him play his first match for SVPB at the Forest College ground( I still remember me asking him, as a 10 year old boy, why he quit a Chennai based bank job to join an Udumalpet paper company).

NP Madhavan was my favourite cricketer for a long long time and was a role model for me –a very quiet cricketer, superbly behaved and a sporting cricketer.

He had got a chance to play for TN in the Knock out matches after having missed out on the South Zone league that season.

I was wary of UP as they had that prolific run getter in Sashikant Khandkar who it seemed would score runs every time he went out to bat, in those days. And true to form, he got a big hundred(actually close to a double hundred) but none else scored.

I was looking forward to Madhavan and he did not disappoint me that day. Along with S. Srinivasan (another player who would later turn out for SVPB in Coimbatore), he helped TN get out of trouble to give them the crucial first innings lead. Madhavan scored 125. Seena(as he was called by his team mates) also scored a century as the two put on a double century stand.
(TN lost the QF match against Delhi and this to this day has remained a question within me as to why TN could win over Delhi or Bombay in crucial knock out matches)

4. Karnataka Vs Bombay in Bangalore- Ranji Semi Finals – March 1982 - Gavaskar batting left handed- once again leaves a poor taste
It was a very strong Bombay team vs an equally strong Karnataka outfit. I went in for Karnataka. Yes I had that natural dislike for Bombay cricketers.

Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Patil and Ashok Mankad against Binny, GRV, Brijesh Patel and Sudhakar Rao.

And yes, it was once again ‘Solpa Mattige Thirugichendunna’ - Raghuram Bhat and Vijayakrishna vs Shastri and Thakkar. Kannada commentators had a field day with their favourite term every time one of these spinners bowled.

Karnataka took the first innings lead easily thanks to superb knocks by Patel and Sudhakar Rao, but the interesting highlight of this match came on the last day, when Gavaskar batting in the middle order on that Sunday afternoon and fighting to save an outright defeat wanted to bat left handed….much to the shock of every one including the umpires…And as I can recall Sunny was booed off. As on several other occasions, Gavaskar left a very poor taste and despite all his runs, I never quite liked him.

5.Karnataka V Delhi 1982 Ranji finals –What a chase
This, to me, still is one of the most unforgettable chases in Ranji finals. I supported Karnataka and was happy after they had posted over 700 in their first innings. While Delhi had the best batting in Indian domestic cricket in those days(CPS, the two Amarnaths, the prolific Gurcharan Singh, Kirti Azad and the dashing Khanna), I was confident Karnataka would win especially with the presence of its double spin attack- Raghuram Bhat and Vijayakrishna. Delhi came back sensationally after having lost 8 wickets with still over 100 runs required.

Delhi showed why they were the best batting side of that time with Rakesh Shukla and Rajesh Peter putting on an unbroken century stand for the ninth wicket as they took the first innings lead. I listened through the final day and this partnership but it ended in disappointment as Karnataka lost. However, it was an inspirational partnership that I remembered for many years.

6.My famous cricket derby – SVPB v LMW
In the early 1980s, the LMW v SVPB match up was something I relished at the forest college ground in Coimbatore, the 1 ½ days super league matches. Ramakrishna Steel stood third those days.

SVPB had Peter Fernandez, NP Madhavan, M. Subramaniam ( he is still playing in the Chennai league- 25 years after I first saw him there) and Nallaswamy in its ranks. In the mid 80s, SVPB emerged a much stronger team with players like Brijesh Patel, Sainath, and Robin Singh playing for them.

LMW had Kalyanasundaram-Kalli to his team mates- ( who is the only TN bowler to take a hat rick), KS Vaidyanathan, Colaco, NS Ramesh and Natarajan.

Ramakrishna Steel had Rajendran as their best player- he was one of the most prolific batsmen in the league there.

I remember watching Kalli, lean and skinny, steam in on one Saturday afternoon on a wet pitch. He was a lovely bowler to watch and played in a very competitive spirit and yes he was quite quick. He was so aggressive that, on that afternoon, he pushed the umpires to start play while the two in the white coat and Peter Fernandez(SVPB captain) were not convinced that the pitch was fit to play.

While Kalli vs SVPB was one battle on the ground, there was another off the ground. Myself (a fiery SVPB supporter) vs Kalyanasundaram’s son(who also happened to be my classmate at school) and Vaidhyanathan’s son. They, for obvious reasons, were LMW faithfuls

Nirupama, Vaidhyanathan’s daughter (who later became quite a successful tennis player) used to come too with her brother and we used to play tennis ball cricket during the breaks.

Cricket Tales- 12 memorable cricket matches/moments on the Radio

My Early years of Cricket on the Radio 

I have been listening to cricket commentaries on the radio since the mid 1970s. I was such a crazy radio listener that even after the advent of live cricket on the TV, I continue to listen to commentaries on the radio. These include Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Pakistan, Radio Australia, BBC and of course our own All India Radio(AIR) . Here’s a recollection of some of my favourite moments on the radio :

1.Tamil Commentary on Alvin Kallicharan’s 98 in 1979 Pongal test One of the earliest recollections of listening to cricket on the radio date back to 1978-79 and to a weakened West Indies’ (WI’s main players were playing the Packer series in Australia) visit for a 6 test series in India. The traditional Pongal test in Madras had a unique offering for players- The TNCA had decided to reward players - those who scored a century or took 5 wkts. I remember listening to the dismissal of Alvin Kallicharan the visiting captain just 2 runs short of a century off Venkat’s bowling. The sporting(and knowledgeable) crowd, that Chepauk was known for, felt sad for Kalli, as described by our Tamil commentators, among whom Ramamoorthy and ‘Expert’ Rangachari were my favourites. Kallicharan had had played a brilliant knock under pressure. My other favourite WI cricketer Hilary Anglo Gomes fought it out in the 2nd innings with 92. India won that test on a nerve wrecking day 4 to take the lead in that series. Despite playing a 2nd string X1, the WI had fought tooth and nail in that series. A few new players were discovered in that series (Larry Gomes, Sylvestor Clarke, Vanburn Holder, Faoud Bacchus). Kallicharan had fought gallantly against a strong Indian team and led his rather raw team well, but with the return of the first team players, he lost his captaincy and shortly Kalli and Clarke went to South Africa on the rebel tour and never played for the Windies again. 

2. David Gower’s double hundred -The English Summer of 1979 under Venkat 

 Later that same year, I listened to my first overseas cricket commentary -this time again on AIR. Indians were visiting England in the 2nd half of the English Summer (after the World Cup disaster- India had even lost to Sri Lanka in WC 1979) under Venkataraghavan and we had our AIR team taking us through ball by ball (I think it was Suresh Saraiya and Ravi Chaturvedi) the entire series. The moments I remember distinctly on that tour was the emergence of a young David Gower with a double hundred in the first test of the series. (Despite the advent of Harsha Bhogle in the 1990s as a radio commentator, my AIR favourites remain Suresh Saraiya and Ravi Chaturvedi for the excitement they brought me, at a time when I didn’t have TV at my home)

3. Karsan Ghavri’s 2 in 2 balls - Alan McGilvary and Radio Australia-1980-81-India in Australia My earliest memories of Radio Australia date back to this series. I was greatly excited to wake up at 530am on Friday morning of the 1981 New Year Sydney test match-the first in the series… to listen to Alan McGilvary, Jim Maxwell and Dennis Compty along with experts from Norman O’Neil. I remember listening to every single ball of the Greg Chappell double hundred, to the Dennis Lillee vs Gavaskar fight, to Sandeep Patil’s brilliant knock and felling by Len Pascoe and to every ball on that final morning of the 3rd test when Kapil Dev bundled out a strong Aussie batting line up. I particularly remember running home(10minutes at a stretch) at the ring of the lunch bell on the penultimate day of the Melbourne test to listen to the last few overs of day 4 when Karsan Ghavri removed John Dyson and Greg Chappell in successive balls. I also remember a class mate of mine-Subash(Chandra Bose)- who was also a big radio fan and we both discussed, that afternoon, the possibility of an India win the next day, especially with Greg Chappell gone. From that year for the next 15 years or so, the mornings of November to February were spent with the little 1955 National Panasonic transistor. I listened to every single test played in Australia till Radio Australia finally stopped broadcasting to India in the mid/late 1990s… (almost 20 years later, I had the opportunity to meet Jim Maxwell, Tim Lain and Mike Coward in Bombay on the eve of the India-Aus 2001 test) 

4. Waking up at 4am to listen to the Wellington test in 1981 I was studying in Coimbatore then. It was my cousin’s wedding (She is currently in Dubai-interviewing - leading personalities - and writing for leading publications around the world) in Madras. There were about 10 of us(relatives) who took the night train to Madras. While all were asleep the next morning, I (9 year boy) was up by 4am to listen, on the Blue Mountain Express, to India’s tense run chase (Kapil had brought India back with a terrific 2nd innings bowling performance to bundle out NZ for 100 the previous day). Sandeep Patil seemed to keep India in the hunt for a while that morning but consistent Kiwi bowling helped them win by 50 odd runs. The test series was also of special interest to me as it was the series where Tirumalai Echambadi Srinivasan made his one and only test appearance. It was said that he had a great technique but hearsay has it that he didn’t get along well with Sunny Sir and that was the end of it for this TN lad. 

5. Botham’s Ashes on TMS 

My earliest memories of cricket on the BBC World Service goes back to this series - the famous Botham’s Ashes of 1981 and Henry Blofeld describing that famous victory with Willis bowling Ray Bright. Beginning that year, I listened year on year to the TMS (Test Match Special) team including Peter Baxter’s ‘Old Test’ highlights during Lunch break (in which I had listened to some memorable test matches of 1960s and 1970s). I distinctly remember Dirk Wellham (one of my favourite Aussie players) on debut in the final test of the series struggle on 99, including being dropped , before finally reaching a debut hundred. He couldn’t keep up his debut performance and soon lost his test place. 

6. Jeff Dujon’s debut as a batsman for the WI 

I remember, vividly, listening to Radio Australia - the 1981-82 Australian Summer The first test of the summer saw Pakistan, a team that included Javed, Majid, Wasim Raja and Imran in the middle order, being bundled out on a Saturday afternoon for 62 at Perth. 2nd half of that summer, I listened with great interest the emergence of Jeff Dujon(one who later was to become an all time great wicket keeper)- He started off his career as a batsman (Deryck Murray was the keeper in his debut test) with four successive knocks of 40 plus and a fifty in his fifth innings and I remember listening to each of these knocks. An elegant and stylish batsman and a gentleman cricketer, Jeffery Dujon was to become one of my favourite WI cricketer of the 1980s and 90s. It was a well fought series and I enjoyed for the first time on the radio the battle between Lillee/Thommo - Richards/Lloyd and Roberts/Holding - Hughes/Greg Chappell- a series that ended 1-1. 

7. Commentary in 3 languages- September 1982 

My first memories of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation was an unofficial series that a 2nd string Australia played there- John Dyson, Yallop etc. Though played in Madras, I listened on SL BC Sri Lanka’s first ever test against India, the test where Roy Dias scored two splendid gems and Mendis hit a six to reach his hundred. The commentary was in English and Sinhala with Tamil commentator mentioning the score in Tamil at the end of every over-possibly the only country where commentary for a cricket match took place in 3 languages. Those days SL BC used to broadcast a sports round every day between 345pm and 4pm called ‘Vilaayatu Arangam’. For many years, I used to listen to commentary on SL BC including domestic matches played in Sri Lanka. 

8. A Great catch to end the Melbourne Test Match-December 1982 

Botham’s heroics had helped England retain the Ashes a year and half ago. Now Aussies were at it in their home territory seeking revenge. England had a new captain in Bob Willis. Australia had taken a 2-0 lead after 3 tests and the two teams arrived in Melbourne for the boxing day test match. The test began on a Sunday. After a very even first innings, Australia had taken a slender 3 run lead. England got off to a shaky start in the 2nd innings but crucial knocks late by Pringle and Taylor( he was 41 years when he played this knock) took England past 280 which seemed unlikely at one point, when Botham was out. Set 292 to win, Australia looked well on its way with a 4th wicket century partnership between inform Hughes and David Hookes. But Australia suffered a sensational mid afternoon collapse on Day 4 with newcomer Norman Cowans ripping the middle order. With 70 odd left to get, Australia just had the gritty AB, who I admired right from his debut series against England in 1979-80 and Thommo(he was rarely fiery with the bat). 

It was an afternoon/evening of exciting cricket commentary on Radio Australia with the Aussies fighting back. Bob Willis, as the Radio Australia experts explained during that last session on day 4, adopted a very negative tactic giving away easy singles to Border, who had till that day struggled in the series with an highest score of 30 odd in the four tests. Thommo somehow survived the day with Australia requiring about 30 to win on the final day but with just the last pair at the crease and with Allan Border still fighting to regain his form in the series. The final morning was a tense affair. I was with the transistor sitting on the steps to the first floor at my house in Coimbatore. It looked like Aussies would do it that 5th morning with Border battling it out and managing his first half century of the series. With 3 runs to win, Botham found Thomson’s edge and to his dismay found Tavare grasping the opportunity only to find Geoff Miller running behind to take the rebound behind Tavare. It left AB heartbroken. It was a classic catch to end the test match- a win that gave England some hope(of retaining the Ashes) going into the Sydney test. It had been my best test match commentary at that time. I missed many a heart beat that 4th afternoon and the 5th morning(early morning in India). 

9. TA Shekhar’s debut - on Radio Pakistan-January 1983

I was in Udumalpet – a small town about 70kms from Coimbatore – for the pongal vacation at my grand mother’s place when I first listened to Chisti Mujahid(with his cheeky voice) on Radio Pakistan, describing each ball of that record equaling 451 run partnership between Javed Miandad and Mudassar Nazar in the 4th test of that series including the moment when Imran most(in)famously declared on that 3rd morning. Later that series, in fact the next test match, I remember listening to Tirumalai Ananthapillai Shekhar’s (he had actually been called in half way into the series- after I think Madan Lal was injured) misery in his debut test when the Indian slip cordon let him down. And he never quite recovered from that. 

10. AIR in the West Indies-1982-83 –Through the night on the radio 

It was a comeback series for Venkat. Two teenage Indian spinners went there too- LS and Maninder. AIR covered that series in two parts every day. Part 1 was live ball by ball till tea and then a full ball by ball recording of the last session from 530am the next morning. We were in Sabina Park for the first Test-those days Sabina Park was a very quick wicket( and remember was home to ‘Whispering Death’. The first time I was listening to a series in the West Indies. All excited I would do all my home work and studies by 8pm to switch on the radio around 8pm. On all the days I would listen till tea and then wake up the next morning at 530am for the post tea session. On day five of that test,(after assistance from rain the previous day) it looked like India were easily going to save the test match. But a fiery Andy Roberts spell, immediately after tea,- he took the last 5 Indian wickets- broke the middle and later half of the Indian batting. So here I was waking up at 530am to listen to the post tea session. A WI victory- Impossible I thought but with every description of Suresh Saraiya and Ravi Chaturvedi, I was losing hope… Richards smashed the Indian attack- a half century in 30 balls and despite a late Kapil burst, the West Indians had won scoring 170 plus in just 25 overs. The 2nd test too was a heart break. After Sandhu ripped the heart of the WI batting, (3 wkts down for 1 run), Lloyd and Gomes struck centuries to master mind the Windies recovery.

11. World Cup 1983

I was in Hyderabad at the time of the World Cup- had just moved in from Coimbatore. In fact , I was on the train to Hyderabad the day Trevor Chappell slammed a century as Australia comfortably beat India. BBC did not broadcast all matches live- We could get only a few matches on the special frequency on the world service. Listened to that famous World Cup win on BBC World Service with Farookh Engineer, one of the expert commentators, voting Cheeka as his MOM but as it turned out Jimmy got the away for his all round performance. That night on the BBC still stands etched in my memory. 

12.Another fantastic WI run chase- 1984 Lords 

One and half years after a slam bang final day to beat India at Sabina Park, the West Indians repeated the feat against England. The home team had had the better of the first four days at Lords and declared on the final morning on reaching 300. That afternoon saw exhilarating batting performance from Gordon Greenidge who raced to an unbeaten double hundred as WI chase 340 plus on the final day in just over 60 overs. That afternoon, I could visualize every shot of Greenidge with Henry Blofeld’s racy description of Greenidge’s cuts and pulls.