Periyazhvaar Utsavam Srivilliputhur

Evoking Memories of Vishnu Chittar's Victory in Madurai

Vishnu Chittar (later Periyazhvaar) had dedicated his entire life to selfless service at the feet of the Lord in his home town of Srivilliputhur. Once when Pandya King Vallabha Deva ruling from Madurai came across a unique query that he heard while on his (incognito) night rounds - ‘what you want after death should be accumulated in this life itself’, he summoned his head priest Selva Nambi to find him the answer.

Selva Nambi invited Vishnu Chittar to the debate in which there was a huge prize on offer to the one who provided real insights. Many scholars came forward but the bag with the gold coins hung in the balance. When it was time for Vishnu Chittar to come up with his presentation, he stunned the Pandya King with his description of the greatness of Lord Narayana citing various references from Vedic Scriptures.

Even as he was finishing his speech, the gold coins were showered on him, for Vallabha Deva was truly impressed and had got the solution to his query. It was then that he was conferred the title of ‘Bhattar Piran’ and led on a royal procession around the streets of Madurai in a grand event witnessed by a huge crowd. The melodies of musical instruments resonated everywhere and Bhattar Piran was surrounded by a royal retinue with the Pandya king requesting him with open arms to ascend and mount on to the majestic elephant. As he moved along in the procession, he suddenly had darshan of the Lord along with Goddess Lakshmi on Garuda mount against the back drop of the clear blue sky. Immediately he fell into a trance and watching the Lord in the high sky sung verses in praise of him at the same time expressing concern of his safety. Verses poured out instantly as he sung for the Lord’s long life.

Evoking memories of the elephant ride

As Periyazhvaar mounted the white elephant on the sixth day of avathara utsavam in Srivilliputhur earlier this month, tears of joy rolled down the eyes of several devotees for whom the procession evoked memories of the legendary event in Madurai.

Decked with jewels that glittered on his chest, the shining crown on his head that seemed as an indication of his victory in the debate and the huge colourful garland decorating his body befitting a winner and amidst the recital of Divya Prabhandham, Periyazhvaar rode out majestically on the elephant top around the big streets of his home town much to the delight of the devotees who gathered in the porticos of their homes to greet him on the occasion.

Father listens to daughter’s verses

Co- incidentally, that day also happened to be Aani Pooram, the monthly birth star of his daughter Andal. Just a few hours prior to the elephant ride, Periyazhvaar celebrated the evening with his daughter at the avathara mandapa of Andal in the sacred garden of the temple that he had specially created to present different varieties of flowers to the Lord every day.

Seated alongside his daughter in that mandapa for the only time in the year, and in the presence of a large devotee crowd that had gathered to watch this special occurrence, Periyazhvaar was treated, for over an hour, to the beautiful songs of Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi rendered by the prabhandham experts of Srivilliputhur.

Insightful lessons to the devotees

Periyazhvaar in his Thirumozhi says that his real hunger is not when he is starved of food but of the days when he has not worshipped the Lord with fresh flowers, singing praise of him and reciting vedic scriptures. He appeals to devotees to name their children after the Lord for at least then one will get an opportunity to utter the Lord’s name whenever the child’s name is called out. This even if it’s not in the true spirit of meditation will earn one the merit of calling his names every day. The devotees who were blessed to experience the utsavam of such a devoted saint poet went back with many useful lessons that could be implemented in the everyday lives.

Narrating the ‘Periyazhvaar Vaibhavam’

At 27, he is a graduate in Computer Applications and also holds a MBA degree. But he has let go of the temptations of a lucrative corporate career and stayed back in Srivilliputhur to perform Kainkaryam at the Andal and Vadabadra Sayee temple, similar to the selfless service performed by Periyazhwar.            

As part of the concluding event of the avathara utsavam, Veda Piran Bhattar Sudharsanan, the 225^th descendant of Periyazhwar, narrated with utmost devotion in the presence of Lord Vadabadra Sayee and Periyazhvaar the ‘Periyazhvaar Vaibhavam’ for almost two hours at the Doddacharya Mandapa taking the devotees back in time to the legendary tale of Periyazhvaar. From an exclusive historical document, he told the story of the birth of Periyazhvaar, the creation of the nandavanam, the now famous trip to Madurai and his anointment as ‘Bhattar Piran’ after his great victory in the debate.

Of particular interest was the way he retold with great insights the story of the ‘Pallandu’ verses where Periyazhvaar sings praise for the security of Lord Vishnu. Sudharsanan remarked that when the Lord asked Periyazhvaar as to why security for the Lord himself, he says that he saw himself as the father and the Lord as his child and hence he cared for the security of his child.

Sudharsanan narrated as to how Periyazhvaar brought the victorious gold coins from Madurai and spent the entire money for his beloved Lord by building the then biggest Raja Gopuram at 196 feet, 11 gateways, 11 Kalasams, the big walls and the prakaras.

‘When the great Tamil poet Kamban came to Srivilliputhur, he was so stunned by the gigantic temple tower of Srivilliputhur that he compared it to the greatness of the Meru Hills and presented an exclusive verse, in praise of the tower, at the feet of Kesava Kavi Raja, a descendant of Periyazhvaar. Also, Kamban, who belonged to the Chozha kingdom, was so thrilled on hearing the Prabhandham verses of Andal presented to her the ‘Kamban Kunjam’, an ornament that he had won after winning over the Pandya poets in a big debate. In memory of this event, Andal adorns this special ornament to this day every year in the month of Thai.’  

Sudharsanan resides in the over 1000 years old Thirumaligai opposite the Andal Sannidhi.

(a different version of this featured in The Hindu Friday Review dated July 29)

Vithuvakodu Pasuram Kulasekara Azhvaar

When one melts down before the Lord and surrenders, even the pains seem to become softer

In his verses of praise on Thiru Vithuvakodu (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/11/thiru-vithuvakkodu-divya-desam.html), Kulasekara Azhvaar describes the town and the scenario that existed there during his time. Vithuvakodu was well guarded by huge walls that were so high that it seemed to touch the sky. The fields were long and were always brimming with water, where fishes mingled in large numbers for that seemed to be the only habitat for them. Similar to the fish, he says that he has no place to go other than the feet of the Lord, despite the fact that the Lord does not even seem to glance at him.

Kulasekara Azhvaar compares the surrender sought by him with the Lord of Vithuvakodu  to a child who despite being kept away by an angry mother as punishment for some wrong doing comes back to the mother for solace. Despite all the troubles inflicted upon him by the Lord, he says he has nowhere else to go but to surrender to him and to seek his blessings.

தறுதுயரம் தடாயேல் உன் சரணல்லால் சரணில்லை

விரை குழுவும் மலர்பொழில் சூழ் வித்துவக்கோட்டம்மானே

அரிசினத்தால் ஈன்றதாய் அகற்றிடினும் மற்றவள் தன்

அருள் நினைந்தேயழும் குழவி யதுவே போன்றிருந்தேனே

  

Like a Virtuous Woman

Kulasekara Azhvaar compares the purity of his surrender to the Lord to a virtuous woman who never thinks of anyone other than her husband.

கண்டாரிகழ்வனவே  காதலன்தான் செய்திடுனும்

கொண்டானை யல்லால் அறியாக்குலமகள் போல்

He cites the example of the subjects who live under a King’s rule even though the king has taken over by power, has ignored them and subjected them to tyranny.

Faith in a Doctor

Despite the fact that the Lord presents numerous difficulties to the devotees, there is no one else to seek other than the Lord himself. Kulasekara Azhvaar compares this to the state of a patient and his utmost faith in the doctor who even cuts open the body for surgery.

வாளால் அறுத்துச் சுடினும் மருத்துவன் பால்

மாளாத காதல் நோயாளன் போல் மாயத்தால்

Kulasekara Azhvaar compares his current state to the birds that while in the middle of an ocean are running on all sides only to finally return back to the ship unable to locate the shore. Similar is the state of the human mind - finally the refuge lies in the Lord.

எங்கும்போய்க் கரைகாணாது எறிகடல்வாய் மீண்டேயும்

வங்கத்தின் கூம்பேறும் மாப்பறவை போன்றேனே

Even when the flame nears the lotus, it does not blossom. Only when the sun shines does the lotus blossom even though the sun is far away in the sky. Kulasekara Azhvaar agrees that one has to go through the pains of one’s Karma. But when he melts down before the Lord and surrenders thus, even the pains seem to become softer.

For many years there may not be rains. But do the crops not look up expectantly at the clouds in the sky. Similarly while there is a clear understanding that one has to undergo pains because of past karmas, as a true devotee, one’s heart has to be in the Lord alone seeking redemption from our ill deeds.

இத்தனையும் வான் மறந்த காலத்தும் பைங்கூழ்கள்

மைத்தெழுந்த மாமுகிலே பார்த்திருக்கும் மற்றவை போல்

மேய்த்துயர் வீட்டாவிடினும் வித்துவக்கோட்டம்மா

என் சித்தம் மிக உன்பாலே வைப்பன் அடியேனே

The rivers that spread in different directions finally join the sea. Similarly devotees wander in different directions but finally land up at his feet for surrender. Through the Lord’s blessings, huge wealth may be placed on one who may not even wish for it. But even in such devotees, the mind should only desire to attain the Lord’s feet.

Even though the Lord may seem to be not considering the devotee’s prayers, one has nothing else to do except surrender to the Lord.

Temple Darshan Photo Video Menace

The issue of Photo and Video Menace flares up again for the third year in a row during the Voiyali at the Narasimha Brahmotsavam at Parthasarathy Temple 

Saint Poets Azhvaars in several Pasurams in the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham refer to festivals and Vedic recitals taking place in (Divya Desam) temples and devotees gaining positive energy from these festivals.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi refers to rows of houses, lining up the streets of Therezhandur, in whose porticos beautiful traditional ladies queued up to watch the glittering procession of the Lord with devotion. Many verses in the Divya Prabhandham talk about the vibrancy around the temples during festivals and how people came out of their homes to have a glimpse of the Lord in different vahanas. And the Azhvaars describe the happy state of the people in such times.

One thought, likewise devotees would come out to the temples to capture a glimpse of the Lord and to seek his blessings. Alas, it does not seem so any more.

Crowds are thronging temples in big numbers these days. And it seems there is a ‘devotional’ wave sweeping across Tamil Nadu. But unfortunately the reality on the ground at the temples is very different. With phones becoming ‘smarter’,holding a phone high over the head and clicking photo and video shots of the Lord has become a new fad. The first activity of an utsavam as the screen opens during procession is not to worship the Lord with folded hands but to get the camera ready for the first click, mostly at the cost of darshan for many of the devotees at the back row. Narashimha Brahmotsavam 

For the third year in a row, this was a sour point at the Narasimha Brahmotsavam that concluded last night at the Parthasarathy temple in Thiruvallikeni. For a minority of devotees, it has become difficult to have a clear darshan of the Lord during the Oyyali, a special walk of the Lord leading to the NamAzhvaar Sannidhi, that has in recent times created much excitement among the devotees. Better access now to sleeker phones with good cameras has led to intense competition among the devotees who are now vying with each other to showcase their photography and videography skills than enjoying the Lord's beautiful evening presentation of the Oyyali, all this completely unmindful of the devotees behind them. This photo and video mania is turning out to be a serious distraction for some of the true devotees. 

And what is even more worrying is that it is the traditional people with Panchakajam and sporting broad Thiruman who are clicking such shots repeatedly of the Lord despite pleas from more sincere devotees. In fact, the pleas are silenced with a response that this is a public place and that the devotees have the right to click their shots in whatever way they want.

Frustrated at the group of residents not acceding to his repeated requests, Shri. K Parthasarathy, a long time resident of Thiruvallikani, last Sunday lodged an official complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of the temple on the use of Camera Phones during Oyyali.

Shri. Parthasarathy has been watching the Oyyali at the Parthasarathy temple from the time he was a young school boy in the mid 1960s. He says that he has not seen such unruly behaviour among residents in the last 50 years. ‘In the decades gone by, devotees including a number of children used to come from across the city to specially watch the Oyyali.’

‘No one has a right to obstruct the darshan of a devotee. For the last three years, I have placed continuous request to keep down the mobile phones during Oyyali but the scenario has only deteriorated. Clearly, the use of mobile phones has had a negative impact on the traditions of the temple. The latest fad is of devotees taking ‘selfies’ with the God and that surely is not in good taste.’ 

Shri Parthasarathy also wonders at the decision to allow the Ghosti to have mobile phones in their possession during the Prabhandham recital when they are not allowed to wear a wrist watch.

In the letter to the Dy. Commissioner, Shri Parthasarathy says ‘Some of the devotees raise their mobile phones and large iPADS above their shoulder greatly hampering the darshan for old and short devotees (especially ladies) standing in the back during the Oyyali. When requested, the devotees gang up together and fight back. This is a very unfortunate situation and many devotees have to suffer silently through the Brahmotsavam.’

He has requested the temple officials to take corrective action so as to facilitate peaceful darshan for all. In his letter, he has also requested them to update him on the action taken by them in this regard. Almost a week later, he is still awaiting their response.

The scene is not very different in the ancient Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram or the Ranganatha Perumal temple in Srirangam.

 Shri. Malai Mel Krishna, who has been in Kanchipuram for the last ten years performing kainkaryam, says that things have definitely changed for the worse in the last few years at the Varadaraja Perumal temple. ‘We try our best to educate the devotees on the need for self discipline but with the sleek phones, they manage to take continuous shots disturbing the darshan of many of the sincere devotees. The first thing a lady asked recently on entering was if she could take a photo. It has almost become an exhibition kind of event and it is no more devotional.’

At the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, Saathatha Vaishnavas have the responsibility to make the announcement relating to maintaining silence and disallowing photo and video shots of some of the sacred events.  Vaishnava Sridharan, whose family has been performing this sacred service for a 100 years at the temple, was shocked, recently, when he received a video recording on whatsapp of a sacred traditional event that he had strictly shouted out as a ‘No Photos No Videos’ prior to the event.

For the first time, these sacred and events exclusive to the Srirangam temple that had been protected for centuries together as an event to be only experienced at the venue and not meant for public distribution are being posted out in public forums now. And that is a very disturbing feature.

Where is temple worship going?

It just seems that temple worship is going the wrong way – Photo posts on social media and photo exchanges on Whatsapp seem to be the order of the day. In decades gone by, the typical comment from a mother was to get the child to pray with folded hands in front of the Lord. But now, even young children are being encouraged to take video shots. And at the end of one such event earlier this week, a kid was appreciated and given a pat on the back by the adoring mother for a great video shot of the Lord. The mothers even teach the young children with the best angles and positioning for the photo and video shots. 

The instant drive to showcasing their presence at the festival is taking people away from the essence of  devotion. There is a new found eagerness to show that they belong to this new modern world of hi-tech phones. As they head back home every evening, the question asked is 'if you took a good photo of the Lord' and not 'did you have a good peaceful darshan'. If the hands are always in possession of a camera phone, where is the possibility of the folded hands before the Lord? The non-stop chat on the phone even while performing a pradakshanam, typing of messages, taking photo shots at all times at all places leaves one wondering as to where we are headed with devotion.

Temples and the streets surrounding it are not mere public places. There is certain sanctity to it especially during procession. There is an unwritten devotional code of conduct that one needs to adhere to when one is near the Lord.

It is hoped that the official complaint lodged by the devotee at the Parthasarathy temple this week will trigger the HR & CE to seriously look into this issue and find a long term solution to this menace that will allow peaceful darshan of the Lord. 

A top corporate chief Shri. R Shiv Kumar has been a regular at the Kapaleeswarar temple for the last many decades and recites the sacred verses there all alone in a peaceful state every morning at 5am for an hour or so. He is completely frustrated at the changing scenario and probably sums best the feelings of the few remaining devotees. 

'Honestly, I feel like running away, ignoring the world and being one with HIM. We are nor reformers. At best we express frustration and take half-hearted moves that won't solve the problem and will only add to our frustration. This is the age of Kali and it is at its worst in Tamil Nadu.'

(a different version of this story featured yesterday in The Hindu Friday Review)

Thiru Koshtiyur Renovation Issues

Periyazhvaar's Praise of Thiru Koshtiyur and what it is today

Not Just Cricket, Even Temple is a business now

Velukkudi Krishnan markets for the Renovation with an Upanyasam in Coimbatore - Road Shows no more the exclusive domain of corporates

Periyazhvaar reserves the highest form of praise for the people of Thiru Koshtiyur. In the Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi, he brings out the greatness of their generosity with a beautiful example. ‘During famine, grains sell at such a premium that even a handful of grains cost a gold coin. But even during these most testing of times, the people of Thiru Koshtiyur feed the guests with honour as if everything was normal. They do not use such tough times to hide their stocks and claim shortfall to their guests. Would you not sell yourselves as bonded slaves to such high quality people’ asks Periyazhvaar.

He praises them as those who always spoke the truth and who were blemish-less with almost no faults and without enemies. You could find no one with malice. From a young age, they cultivated good habits. He goes to the extent of saying that when their feet touched the ground, the earth got sanctified and became purer. Just seeing them seemed to fill one’s hearts with good thoughts. He says that such is the purity of the place that even the asuras aren’t likely to steal grains at Thiru Koshtiyur

That was over a 1000 years ago. The picture today bears no resemblance to the praise extolled by Periyazhvaar on the people of Thiru Koshtiyur. One wonders how he would have sung today if he visited the temple and met the residents of the town.

So what is the scenario now at Thiru Koshtiyur?

Temple Road Shows following the Corporate Model

It is that time of the season to make money at the cost of others. It is Renovation time. The previous renovation had taken place 17 years ago. There are road shows being organised for collection of money to fund the renovation ( yes road shows are no more the exclusive domain of companies looking to go in for IPOs or to raise funds through other routes). 

A recent one was anchored by the celebrated Velukkudi Krishnan in Coimbatore addressing a set of leading industrialists there - a beautiful model of an Upanyasam that was combined / followed with a funding pitch by the renovation team. This one though was particularly surprising, given the background of team, as Shri. Krishnan is careful with his brand promise but this may have been one occasion where he may have failed to keep up to that. 

(The renovation team shared this with me (when I was in Thiru Koshtiyur last week) with a lot of pride - the fact that they had roped in Velukkudi Krishnan for that road show)

Unauthorised collection of cash

As one is about to step foot into the temple, one is welcomed by a voice that seeks any money for the renovation - Rs. 10 to Rs. 10000!!!! No such collection of cash is allowed as per HR & CE rules (this is a Sivagangai Samasthanam temple but the audited accounts are to be presented to HR & CE). And the devotees with good intent keep feeding into the unsolicited pitching for money.

And as one stays on there at the entrance to the Raja Gopuram, one finds even more disturbing issues. Rs. 35 is being collected for car parking and Rs. 100 for mini bus parking but the receipt books don't indicate that amount (it is much lower). 

The car parking rights had in the past been tendered for a few lakhs annually but in the recent past that too has been withheld. Thus the entire collection is completely unaccounted for. And it is a financial loss to the temple with the parking fees going to a set of individuals.

Anna Dhanam

There is also collection of money for the Anna Dhanam scheme but it looks like this amount is not being deposited into the official account to which it is supposed to be. The donar gets prasadam on time just as a convincing methodology (and an acknowledgement to him of his donation) but the money may not be going to the Anna Dhanam, the purpose of the donation. A peep into the record books will tell the real story behind this. At a conservative estimate of about 100 donars every month, there is around Rs. 20000 going almost unaccounted.

That's the story outside the temple.

Pillayar Sannidhi brought down

Now to the inside. On the ground floor of the temple is the Shrine for Shiva that finds a mention in Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's Periya Thirumozhi verse on Thiru Koshtiyur. He praises the Lord of Thiru Koshtiyur as one who has accepted Goddess Lakshmi as well as Lord Shiva as being part of him ( his own self). In this case, it is meant as being 'part of the temple'.

Structural changes are being planned at the Shiva Sannidhi that includes the replacement of stones and a possible replacement of the Lingam ( though this may be said to be currently on hold).

It is the Pillayar Sannidhi that is first built on the South West corner of a Shiva Sannidhi. The Pillayar Sannidhi that possibly dates back to the time of the Shiva Sannidhi has been demolished and is being reconstructed.

As per the renovation rules of HR & CE, no ancient structure can be brought down without the express orders of HR & CE.

More demolition on the anvil

Also, on the plans are restructuring of Ramanuja and Thiru Koshtiyur Nambi Sannidhi, Narasimha Idol/Peedam and a replacement of the iconic Nambi idol on the third tier of the temple (just next to the stone sculpture of Ramanuja).

All of a sudden, yesterday, the Ashtanga Vimana work (that includes a Gold Rack installation) has been put on hold by the EO (who is an appointee of the Sivagangai Samasthanam). 

A Coat Hanger inside the Moolavar Sannidhi

As I entered the Moolavar Sannidhi on Tier 1, I found a coat hanger inside. And it was meant to be for the EO to place his Shirt while he was at the Sannidhi. Shirts are not allowed inside the Moolavar Sannidhi at this temple. But to have a coat hanger installed for a private individual  seems quite disrespectful to the Lord.

HR & CE has taken some initial steps towards an enquiry but it will have to probe deep and get to the base of the facts. 

I have also spoken to the ASI chief for an exploration to ensure that this ancient structure does not get diluted with structural changes to centuries old Sannidhis and idols.

The Moral: Temple has become a business (not just Cricket - the other topic that I write on)

A different version of this story featured in The Hindu Friday Review on June 17

VB Chandrasekar TNPL

 VBC becomes owner of TNPL team

2010- 'Do you call that cricket' (on IPL)

2016- 'It is a breeding ground for spotting and grooming talent' (on TNPL)

Many years ago, in the aftermath of quitting CSK, VB Chandrasekar ( what ever he does he will remain one of my favourite cricketers from the 80s) had remarked to me ‘Do you call that (IPL) cricket’? Yes, if it was not cricket ( that we had all come to live with), it was fine not to be part of it. 'It is not real cricket'.

How things and perspectives change in life. And how we, as human beings, grab luring opportunities letting go of our past comments and our philosophies on even things that are so close to our heart ( and real cricket is for VBC).

Over the last couple of months, VBC grabbed a high profile Tamizh commentary opportunity to take IPL  to the Tamizh households. He was away from his VBCA flood lit summer camp most of this summer instead engaging in an IPL commentary stint from the studios in Bombay.

And yesterday he has become a proud owner of a TN PL (PL) team.  Do you call this cricket in 2010 has now in 2016 become ‘this is a great talent spotting arena’. 

'TNPL is where you can spot talent and groom them for the future'!!!!

Michael Holding remains one of the very few prominent past cricketers to publicly make his displeasure known (about T20) and to stick to that and stay away from the financial lure.

The lure of Name and Fame and the possibility of huge bucks in the long term (and may be a return to IPL once CSK is back) has got VBC back into the Premier League much against his stated views on PL and this shorter form of cricket.

One hopes he will have a longer stint  in this shorter form than he has had with the Indian team (as a player), the IPL (as a mentor) and the TN team (as coach) now that he is the owner and has the ultimate decision making power.

Ariyakudi Thiru Venkatamudayan Temple Renovation

Renovation will begin next month at the 17^th Century AD Thiru Venkatamudayan temple in Ariyakudi after a gap of 17 years at an estimate cost of around Rs. 3crores. This will be just the 2nd renovation in over 100 years at the temple that has connection with three Divya Desams.  The 7 Tier 120 feet high Rajagopuram is the tallest for a Vishnu Temple in the Chettinad Region.

With severe monkey menace, a number of beautifully crafted and sculpted idols atop the Rishi Gopuram, the 2^nd Gopuram just behind the Raja Gopuram, have come off. In some, the heads are missing, while in Brahmma’s idol, his hand has been knocked off.  The palm of the hand of the 10 headed Ravana too is missing. In most, the paintings have peeled off and are wearing a faded look.  Each of these will be restored to its original colour and beauty with Pancha Varna painting.

There are also leakages in both the Gopurams and the plan is to have complete civil works undertaken to fix the leakages with long term solutions.

Mooligai Paintings

On the side and upper walls of the huge Ekadasi Mandapa are exquisite and rare four centuries old mooligai paintings showcasing Lord Vishnu in his different incarnations as well as the different postures (standing, sitting and sleeping). This is a special feature and one of the big highlights at this temple. This mandapa is opened only once a year on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi and thus the devotees have an opportunity to explore these paintings only on that day. The colour has come off a few of these paintings and the plan is to bring these back to its natural features.

Another challenge is the rain water flowing through the gaps into the Ekadasi Mandapa flooding the place putting the paintings at risk. The plan is to construct a shed at the entrance to prevent water entering the mandapa.

Multiple Stapathis will be used during the year long renovation activity with each being assigned a specific set of tasks. Chemical wash will be performed on the walls and pillars at the temple to restore it to its original form.

Vahanas – Repair work

Repair work will be carried out to the Golden Garuda Vahana on which the Lord goes out on a Procession on the opening day of Chitrai every year. The popular Chariot Festival and Theppotsavam take place in Vaikasi as part of the grand 15 day Brahmotsavam.

While 1000s of devotees visit the temple during the annual Vaikasi festival, as well as on each of the Saturdays in Puratasi, the temple complex lacks basic amenities such as bathroom and toilet facilities. It is hoped that HR & CE will immediately look into this and make available some of the basic facilities for the devotees including rooms to stay.

All the shops opposite the temple are being brought down and re-built. The staff quarters are being refurbished.

Connection with three Divya Desams

The story goes that Sevukan Chettiyar used to walk to Tirupathi with a group of devotees to have darshan of Srinivasa Perumal on the Thiruvonam day in Puratasi. On one such trip, when ill health disrupted his trip, he heard an invisible voice state that He, the Lord  himself would provide darshan at the devotee’s place rather than the devotee coming all the way here.

He was directed to Srirangam to collect the idol, one which was the Abhisheka Murthy of Ramanuja. He came back here to this dense forest area of Ariyakudi and installed the utsava idol of Srinivasa Perumal and built the first prakara. In memory of the construction by Sevukan Chettiyar, his idol is seen on one of the pillars in front of the sanctum.

Subsequently, the 7tiered Raja Gopuram was built along with a separate Sannidhi for Alarmel Mangai Thayar.

The speciality at this temple is that the utsava idol is from Srirangam, the Shatari from Tirupathi and Agni (the sacred fire) from Thiru Maiyam. In centuries gone by, during the Thiruvonam festival in Puratasi, devotees had the honour of being blessed by the Lords from three Divya Desams (the Abhisheka idol, the Shatari and the sacred fire that would be brought from Thirumayam – about 20 kms away - for the Karpoora Aradhana) at the Dasavathara mandapa.

Every month on the Swathi star day, a special Thirumanjana, with 108 sacred Kudams, is performed for Garuda. The belief is that this helps liberate one from doshams.

Ramanuja Iyengar and Ariyakudi Temple

The 20^th century Carnatic Music Legend Ramanuja Iyengar lived here for many years in the Sannidhi Street, 100 yards away from the temple. An archival record dating back to 1937 features a kutcheri presentation by him here at Ariyakudi. Well over 70 years ago, Varadaraja Bhattar would seek Ramanuja Iyengar’s endorsement of the special alankarams each day during the 15 day Vaikasi Brahmotsavam. So devoted was Ramanuja Iyengar towards Lord Srinivasa that he would identify and point out even minor errors in the alankaram that would then be corrected by the Bhattar before the screen was opened for the devotees’ darshan.

On the 4^th day of the Brahmotsavam, when the Lord came out on the Golden Garuda Vahana, led by an elephant (with a photo of Thyagaraja placed on its top), Ramanuja Iyengar used to present Pancha Ratna Keerthanais.

The temple is open between 730am-1230pm and 430pm-8pm. Those interested in supporting the renovation efforts may contact: 89397 91779 / 94866 34228

How to reach

Ariyakudi is 4kms from Karaikudi.  Daily express trains ply from Chennai to Karaikudi. Auto from Karaikudi Station will cost Rs. 75.

NP Madhavan

The TN Ranji cricketer of the 1980s who did the unthinkable reverse – moved from City to a Village - at the prime of his cricketing career 

'Madhavan was a terrific team man and I enjoyed having him in the team'- Venkataraghavan

'Madhavan was a thorough Gentleman and Supremely Talented Cricketer’ - Brijesh Patel 

It was just over 6 months after he had got his maiden Ranji Trophy Century. He was making his debut for his new employer, SVPB (Sri Venkateswara Paper Boards, Udumalpet), at the Forest College ground in Coimbatore and he was out there in what was to become his trademark Red Cap in the years to come. Gathering courage, I(as a young school boy) walked up to him during the drinks break to ask him a bold question.

He had at the peak of his prowess quit a secure job at IOB (he was to be made an officer shortly for he had played an entire year of Ranji Trophy the previous season that included a century as well) in Madras and moved (full time) to the then under developed village of Udumalpet (about 70 kms from Coimbatore) to take up an accounts (sports quota) job at SVPB. It had seemed a very odd decision to me and I asked him as to why he quit IOB to come to a place like Udumalpet. He just smiled it away, in his typical style.

During the first two years of his move to SVPB, I was blessed to be his pre ‘start of innings’ bowler (like a ball boy/ marker in tennis) bowling 10-15 balls to him before he went out to bat every single time.

Here’s the story of Nadathur Padmanabhan Madhavan (NP Madhavan), who hailed from Sankarampadi village in Kanchipuram District, the only Ranji cricketer in TN who went away from Madras to settle down in a village at the peak of his cricketing career, never to return, this after having been grown up in the heart of Madras, in T. Nagar.

Schooling days at Somasundaram Ground

With his parents away from Tamil Nadu, Madhavan spent his entire schooling days in Kodambakkam/T Nagar (RKM North) with his grandparents. That was the time his long and engaging association with Coach Adi Chetty began, one that extended to SVPB, Globe Trotters and Kunal Engineering in the coming decades. It was during his T Nagar days that he came into contact with two other promising cricketers, S Madhavan (later RBI Leg spinner) and TA Sekar. They used to practice regularly at the Somasundaram Ground.

His Mentor and Best Friend

It was also the time that he forged a strong bonding with Kumar ( P Ramaswamy – who recently retired as VP Personnel from Sundaram Clayton) who was to become his mentor and best friend in life. Kumar was not a cricketer of great repute but would nevertheless bowl to Madhavan for hours at the Somasundaram ground.

In those early days, it was Kumar who pooled money together to even get a proper cricket bat for Madhavan (it had been a bit of a financial struggle for Madhavan in those early days). When Madhavan went to play a University match, his thin pad was in such poor shape that it was Kumar who went to an auto parts shop on General Patters Road to get a cushion that was then fixed into the inside of the left pad to give that extra protection. Kumar then ran all the way to Central Station to give it just in time before the train departed for Hyderabad.

Talking over the phone from Rishikesh, Kumar says that he was happy to do these because Madhavan was one of a kind of a guy in cricket. ‘He would be ready to wake up at 5am for a cricket session. He would bat passionately for hours until the bowlers had no more energy left From a very young age, he was so straightforward as a human being that he believed that it was the runs that counted. Hence he never went behind the powers that be. And that continued right till the end of his career. He solely focused on being committed to the game and doing the role assigned to him by his team. He is a standing example of one who came up in life from a financial struggle to the Ranji level through sheer hard work and performance.'

From MCC to Guru Nanak – His First Big Honour - 1975

Madhavan was one of the very few students to get a first class in PU at Guru Nanak College. By then, he had already started playing and performing for the college but was surprisingly refused a B.Com seat, despite achieving good grades as well as performing creditably in cricket. It was one of the very few occasions in his life that Madhavan showed signs of anger and disappointment. He went and joined MCC (Madras Christian College) and paid the joining fee. He was to submit his certificate on Monday. But as luck would have it, he played a match that Sunday at Guru Nanak College ground, one that was watched by Professor Ramana, the great cricket supporter of the 70s and 80s.

Stunned by Madhavan’s thrilling exhibition of stroke play, Prof Ramana came up to Madhavan and enquired about him only to be told that his college had rejected him and that he was joining MCC the next day. Immediately Prof Ramana offered a three year scholarship to him for his B.Com, waiving off his entire fee- a rare privilege in those days. It was the first big honour for Madhavan in cricket, something that he cherishes to this day.

Best Moment in Cricket – Winning Vizzy Trophy

During his period at College, Madhavan played for Jolly Rovers as a professional alongside some star players of that era. Such was his performance that he was a paid a princely fee for a ‘professional’ player of a couple of hundred rupees (per month/match).

In the Universities match against Bangalore, Madhavan scored a brilliant century in the very first match of the tournament and was chosen for the South Zone Universities where he came up against Kapil Dev and North Zone in the final. Madhavan considers securing victory for SZ in a low run chase in that Vizzy Trophy final in 1977-78 with a personal contribution of 31 on a damp rain affected pitch against a rampant Kapil (he got 8 wickets) as his best moment in cricket.

He was also a capable leader for he understood the game well and was always a team man. Madhavan went on to lead the State and South Zone U22 and State U25 teams in the late 1970s and early 80s. During this period, he scored an unforgettable 170 for the districts against City. His consistent performances earned him the Districts Cricket of the Year (R Madhavan followed him with the award in the succeeding years). 

He amassed runs with such consistency that he had job offers from multiple banks (including SBI) and institutions even before he had finished his graduation. He was keen to do CA, but his passion for cricket took him to a clerical job at IOB where V Krishnaswamy and H Sundaram were inspirational in those early days with the bank in the late 1970s.

Going into bat with 'ROCKO' M Sundar  for IOB

Beating Jolly Rovers in a big run chase

Playing for IOB against a strong Jolly Rovers attack led by K Bharat Kumar and co, Madhavan helped chase down a big target of 320+ in the final innings with an unbeaten 120, a match that he considers one of his best.

A Young Madhavan in a strong IOB team that won the Hindu Trophy 

I have not seen anyone like NP Madhavan – PK Dharmalingam

His coach from his college days PK Dharmalingam had coached many players (a list that included Srikkanth, Venkatramana and LS) to greatness in the 1970s. Out of all of those starts, Dharmalingam says that Madhavan stood out like a shining star, especially as a human being. PKD took a special liking for Madhavan both for his stylish batting and his conduct on and off the field. 

'Madhavan’s on-drive was the best I had seen of anyone in the 1970s and 80s. Playing an on-drive on the ground is one of the most difficult strokes in cricket and Madhavan played it with great elegance and ease, time and again. Despite his early success, he was humble, simple, God fearing and soft spoken. He worked very hard on his game to make the best use of his talent. He was disciplined and always well behaved. He was simply a lovable character. When he played, it always seemed that he was playing purely for the love of the game and I enjoyed coaching him. There is no doubt that he should have played many more matches for TN. He was an outstanding human being. In the decades since, I have not seen a humble cricketer and a human being like him.’

NS Ramesh, who played for LMW in the late 1970s before joining RBI in Madras also remembers the softer side of Madhavan ‘He was non controversial and simply focused on his game. He was always calm and a fine gentleman. I used to particularly like his aggressive style of batting.’

Becomes a back foot Player

Till 1980, Madhavan had been an excellent player through the covers and pre-dominantly played off the front foot. That season, he went to Bombay for a camp under Col. Hemu Adhikari, who changed Madhavan’s game to a strong back foot player. Shastri, Pandit and Rajput were also part of that camp.

Hits out at Asantha De Mel

At his peak, Madhavan faced the fastest of bowlers without a helmet. Ranji Trophy winning captain S Vasudevan remembers the way Madhavan took on Asantha De Mel, the fastest bowler from Sri Lanka, and repeatedly hooked and pulled him out of the ground in a fearless batting display in Colombo. Vasudevan also remembers the way Madhavan jumped out to quality spinners and consistently hit them over the top.

An upset De Mel abused Madhavan in typical fast bowler’s language. And as was his style, Madhavan answered with the bat and hit him out of the ground once again soon after the abuse. That’s how he played his cricket. Very rarely did he speak. Most of the times he allowed his bat to do the talking and kept any emotional feelings to his own self.

NP Madhu was a MISFIT for TN Cricket 

After years of consistent performances in all forms of cricket – age group tournaments, league, inter districts and University, Madhavan finally broke through into the playing XI for Tamil Nadu in November 1980. His former teammate from Chengalpet Districts and Friends XI Tambaram V Ramesh (now Vice President with the TNCA) looks back with sympathy for Madhavan.

‘NP Madhu was such a nice fellow. Everyone loved him. And he scored so many runs for the districts and in the league that he should have walked into the Ranji team much earlier. But the seniors in those days would just not retire and Madhu was caught in an era of some very big names in the top order for Tamil Nadu. Hence despite being in prolific form, his entry into Ranji was delayed. He was probably a misfit in the cricketing circles as he did not talk much and would not go behind anyone. He would not question any unfairness to him and just focused on scoring runs. Hence he may have easily been taken for a ride.’

(Ramesh adds that the other Madhavan (R Madhavan) also from Chengalpet District was aided with a little more luck. A few years junior, R Madhavan entered the scene when some of the stars of the 70s had retired and thus enjoyed lot more opportunities than NP Madhavan)

In December 1980, a month after his debut, Madhavan scored the first of his three Ranji centuries, against Andhra at Chepauk.

1981 – Kalli’s rejection and a Life Changing Decision

Later that season, in the summer of 1981, Madhavan (along with a few other cricketers) took a train to Coimbatore to meet with former TN fast bowling great and the then captain of LMW B Kalyanasundaram (Kalli) following a recruitment ad in the newspaper that called for state cricketers.  Kalli thought highly of Madhavan and regarded him as a brilliant opening bat with a wide array of strokes. His excellent fielding especially in the Gully region would have been a big plus for LMW. While Kalli (and LMW) was keen to have his services, the financial part of the deal did not work out for Madhavan and he returned to Madras to continue at IOB. 

If Kalli had worked on a better deal, Madhavan’s life may have taken a different turn and he may have returned in a few years back to Madras. In a way it was Kalli’s rejection of a fair increase from what he was already getting at IOB and a bigger financial package that paved the way for Madhavan’s settling down in Udumalpet.

May be Madhavan had a tinge of disappointment that LMW did not give him a better deal for in the years that followed, after he joined SVPB, Madhavan was specially aggressive against LMW and many of his top knocks came against them in the Coimbatore Premier league that led Kalli to declare ‘he never spared me in Coimbatore!!’

Much to his surprise and in a life changing event, soon after the LMW deal failed to go through, Soundararajan, the MD of GVG group called on for Madhavan who went to Udumalpet along with his father for a discussion.

Soundararajan had great regard for Madhavan from what he had heard of him both as a player and as a personality and offered him an irresistible deal, much more than what Kalli and LMW had offered and well over double of what his current employers were paying him.  But he had one request of Madhavan – to not leave the company for the next three years (for he was keen to build a strong team that decade). In a gesture of loyalty, Madhavan never looked away from the group and resisted all the luring offers that came his way from Madras, especially following his centuries in Ranji Trophy in 1983 and 85. 

Exemplary Conduct

His conduct both on and off the field that first year at SVPB was a huge influence on me and my life. Three events stand out etched in my memory. At the matting wicket at GCT ground in a crucial match against LMW, on a day when he was once again batting beautifully, he was given out caught behind when the ball had missed by a long mile. Without the slightest hint of disapproval, he walked back to the pavilion and asked the next set of batsmen to make up. He always played the game that way. Never did he dispute an umpire’s decision. 

In another match, once again against arch rivals LMW, he showcased the ‘soft spoken’ side to his character. It was a rainy day in Coimbatore and there were shades of wetness in the pitch (turf wicket). The aggressive Kalyanasundaram was itching to have a go at the SVPB batsmen and was keen that the umpires resume play. Madhavan did not even enter the field of play and had no words to say that evening. He simply hung back and waited for the umpires’ decision almost following the philosophy ‘Silence is always better unless additional words can add value to the scenario.’ Also throughout his career, he never stayed back for gossip at the end of the match, irrespective of the result. He would change into ‘colours’ and leave to the Gandhipuram bus stand to catch the bus back to Udumalpet.

With Sukumar his opener for many years at SVPB 

The next year, when he returned to the Forest College ground for another match against LMW soon after a match winning century in Ranji following a recall to the state team for the knock out match against UP, Kalli, who had played for a decade under Venkat, asked him if there were any particular message that his captain gave him. Madhavan’s reply was remarkably simple “He asked me where I wanted to bat and I said ‘Captain’s orders’”. 

Though an opener all his life, he batted at No. 5 (his first innings for TN that season) and scored 125 after having coming  when the team was struggling at 115/3 to help chase down 350+. He rates helping TN win that knock out as one of his best innings in cricket.

Father Figure in the team

Former TN Ranji player AP Suresh Kumar who joined SVPB in the 1980s played a lot of cricket with Madhavan both in the Coimbatore and Madras leagues. He refers to Madhavan as the ‘Steve Waugh of SVPB’. When he went in, there was certain composure in the team. Everyone knew that he would give his life for the team under the most difficult of situations. He was a brilliant batsman with classical stroke play. His hooking and cover driving was a treat to watch. He showed a lot of grit when he batted. In the 80s, he played so many brilliant innings and the entire team used to just sit and enjoy him bat for hours together. He faced the fastest of bowlers without a helmet and sometimes reminded us of the way Viv Richards played with just a cap on and taking on the fast bowlers with unflinching aggression.

‘It is still a mystery to most of the players of that era as to why he did not play much more for the state.’ ‘He spoke very little but when he did, he made a lot of sense. He was a father figure and made me understand my responsibilities in cricket.’

Months after scoring his 2^nd century in Ranji, he was operated upon below the eye after a severe blow while batting in the nets against Prakash (Bangalore) at Udumalpet. The injury put him out of action for a while in 1983.

First SVPB, then Life Mate at Udumalpet

It was also around this time that another significant event happened in his life. All the players from SVPB would stay at a lodge in Udumalpet. Out of the huge squad of two teams (Venkateswara Paper Boards and Venkatesa Paper Mills) Madhavan was an odd man out – a teetotaler who would most of the times be sitting in a corner away from the rest who were indulging themselves in fun. He was also handsome!!! The owner of the lodge took to a special liking for Madhavan and he and his family pursued him relentlessly to fix an alliance for his sister in law. Not only did he take the unlikely call of moving away from the city to work in a village environment, he had also now got knotted on to a young lady from Udumalpet (in Feb 1984) when he had not yet turned 26.

Unbeaten Century against Bombay

 Madhavan gained his third recall to the Ranji team in the 1984-85 Season. And he scored another century in a knock out game, this time against Bombay at the Wankhade in the last week of March 1985 (unfortunately this century turned out to be his last for TN). A fortnight earlier, at the same ground and against the same opposition, Madhavan had starred in his only one day match in the Wills Trophy tournament both as a batsman and a bowler (he bowled deceptive off spin).

In the mid 1980s, SVPB took over the sponsorship of Globe Trotters in Madras in addition to having two teams in Coimbatore (Venkateswara Paper Boards and Venkatesa Paper Mills) and roped in stars from Karnataka including the well respected Brijesh Patel. 

His Best Knock in League Cricket

In 1987, in an early season clash on a matting wicket at the Union ground, playing for Globe Trotters under Brijesh Patel, he took on Venkat and co (India Pistons) and slammed 185 in thunderous style with the ball lodging repeatedly in the Basketball court.

It is one of the best innings I have watched in league cricket as he hooked and drove the fast bowlers with ease and played Venkataraghavan as well as anyone would have in local cricket when every one else was struggling. Venkat tried everything that day (including his typical abusive approach at the opposition batsman) but just could not dislodge Madhavan. Frustrated and unable to even irritate Madhavan, let alone his wicket, Venkat quietly walked away with his curd rice box to the Northern corner of the ground for his lunch that day, far away from Madhavan!!!

In the first 4 matches of that season, Madhavan had two fifties (including an unbeaten 55 when his team had been bowled out for 120) in addition to this knock of 185. And he had had one of the best starts to a league season. He had also bagged the best batman award at the annual YSCA Trophy with rousing display at the RKM ground in every single match.

And yet, the selectors left him out of the Buchi Babu squad citing ‘old age’. At 29, this decision of the selectors literally ended Madhavan’s hopes of extending his Ranji career. But typical of Madhavan, he took it in his stride and continued on with life leaving no signs of any bitterness.

Venkataraghavan says that Madhavan was a highly talented cricketer with wonderful stroke making ability. He was also a big asset to the team as a fielder. He was an attractive batsman to watch and should have definitely played many more matches for Tamil Nadu, given his talent and the potential that he held. In the limited opportunities he got, he did score a couple of quality centuries under my captaincy. In cricket, the number of matches one plays really depends on circumstances, team composition and such factors and those may have come into in Madahvan's case. But he was a terrific team man and I enjoyed having him in my team in the 1980s, even though he may have played only a few matches, much below what his talent warranted.'

Impeccable Conduct

Brijesh Patel, who captained SVPB and also had a special liking for Madhavan feels that it was very unfortunate that he did not play many more matches for Tamil Nadu at a time when he was plundering runs. ‘How could you not even consider someone who had scored 185 in that aggressive and confident style on that matting wicket against Venkat’. 

In a telephonic conversation from Bangalore, Brijesh Patel said that Madhavan was a supremely talented batsman and an excellent fielder. He was strong both against fast and spin bowling and played many brilliant match winning knocks for SVPB and Globe Trotters. He seemed always composed and gave the team a sense of confidence when he went into bat. Something even more special about him was that he was a thorough gentleman. His conduct was impeccable both on and off the field. The only thing I would hold against him was that he did not display a killer instinct.’ 

Madhavan got a raw deal- VB

VB Chandrasekar, himself an upcoming opener at that time, had moved to Coimbatore for his Engineering and played cricket there in the mid 80s. In a rare moment of praise, VB reserves his best ever compliment in my decade of interaction with him for Madhavan. ‘He was a talented and skillful opener. Scoring a century against Bombay was rated ultimate in those days but he got a raw deal from the State. He never looked back bitterly at his career which clearly should have been handled better. He was a gentleman and many youngsters benefitted from his mentorship.’

Excellent Human Being -Sekar

TA Sekar knew NP Madhavan from the RKM school days as the two played lots of cricket together at Somasundaram ground in T Nagar in the 1970s and a few Ranji matches later in the 80s. Sekar too echoes VB’s sentiment and says that despite scoring tons of runs in the first division for Globe Trotters (a team that Sekar too played for many years in the 80s and 90s), it was unfortunate that for no fault of his he was dropped from the Ranji team. Yet, he remained an excellent human being, always soft spoken and ever a good student (of the game).

Ranji record

He finished his Ranji career with a special record. His last Ranji innings was an unbeaten century against Bombay. His first and last one day innings for TN was a 49 against Bombay at the Wankhade Stadium in a match where he also bowled his full quota of overs and took a wicket with his deceptive off spin. He scored 3 centuries in 9 matches, thus averaging 1 one century every 3 matches. Two of his three centuries came in knock out matches.

Ranji cricketer from the 1980s PC Prakash who also runs and manages Mambalam Mosquitos ( I umpired one of Madhavan's last matches in league cricket here) for whom Madhavan played in the 90s credits Madhavan with a quality that is so essential for cricketers and human being 'He was so straight forward and honest about himself.'

Almost 30 years later, the wound remains of not being given a fair treatment but nothing has changed in him. He continues to be soft spoken, gentle to the core, displaying no signs of emotions and absolutely no gossip.  And the big red Kumkum that was a striking feature of him every morning when he entered the ground remains to this day. He can also take satisfaction of mentoring two players from Udumalpet - UR Radhakrishnan and M Senthilnathan - who went on to play higher levels of the game.

It reveals his passion and love for the game that for over 15 years, between 1981 and the mid – late 90s, Madhavan took the strenuous option of travelling multiple weekends in a month to Madras to play for first division teams, a number of times in unreserved compartment (even as a Ranji cricketer) in the Blue Mountain Express. He would return on Monday morning to Udumalpet and head straight to work. This continued even long after his Ranji career had ended and after he had settled down in Udumalpet on a corporate role.

Madhavan who counts S Balaji, Jillu Ramesh and R Madhavan among his best friends and K Bharat Kumar and S Vasudevan among the most difficult bowlers faced, has turned even more philosophical now and is a staunch Baba devotee. He allocates an hour every evening for devotional chanting and has recently started singing devotional songs and even become a lead singer in the Bhajans in Udumalpet. 

His loyalty remains one of his strongest qualities in life and he sacrificed the possibility of a more lucrative career in the city to settle down with the GVG Group. 

Last week, his firm presented him with the ultimate birthday gift endorsing his enormous contribution both as a cricketer and as an executive over the last 35 years. In a personal letter to him, the JMD wrote asking him to accept an extension of his service by another 5 years as a reward for his three decades long contribution. And that Madhavan sees as the ultimate recognition in life.

(NP Madhavan is currently a Vice President at the Rs. 400+ crore GVG group)