Sri Nathamunigal Thiruvarasu and Sridevi Bhoodevi Sameta Sri Varadaraja
Swamy Devalaya Samprokshanam
Sri Nathamunigal (823-917 AD and traditionally lived for 330
years) is the first preceptor of Sri Vaishnava lineage, following the unique
Nammalwar (Satakopa), who was initiated by Sri Vishwaksena, commander-in chief
of eternals and disciple of ‘Sri’ (Periya Pirattiyar) herself. Sriman Narayana
(Periya Perumal) is the originator of this tradition and Acharya for Periya
Pirattiyar. All great and unique Acharyas, excelling each other in compassion,
wisdom and dedication sprung only from the gracious feet of Sri Nathamunigal.
He was responsible for the regenesis of Tamil scriptures,
designated as ‘Divya Prabandham’, which were obsolete after the Alwars’ era. Heavily
moved and inspired by the rendering of few verses (Aravamude….), he was fervent
of recovering the entire hymns and as per the direction of Sri Parankusa dasa,
he chanted Kanninun Siruthaambu-the hymn dedicated by Sri Madhurakavi Alwar to
his glorious Acharya Sri Nammalwar, twelve thousand times. Sri Nammalwar
appeared before him and bestowed the complete version and vision of Divya
Prabandham.
Nathamunigal is also a great Bhakti Yogi, the author of the
lost treatise “Yoga Rahasya” and an exponent of divine music. He initiated his
nephews Keezhaiahathazhwan and Melaiahathazhwan to take ahead the divine
musical lineage of Prabandham literature and also systematized prabandham
recitations in temple tradition. He is the grandfather of Sri Alavandar-Yamunacharya.
The seed for illustrious Sri Vaishnava lore and system was sown by Sri
Nathamuni, which germinated in Sri Yamunacharya and culminated in Sri Ramanuja
and flourished through his successors.
He appeared in Anusha nakshatra of ‘Ani’ month at Sri Veeranarayanapuram,
near Kattumannar Kovil, about 250 kms from Chennai. His Thiruvarasu, from where
he left for eternal abode on Magha sukla paksha Ekadasi, is located at
Chokkappallam, about 10 kms from Kattumannar kovil. Even though his avatara
kshetra is somehow maintained with proper celebrations, his thiruvarasu
remained unidentified and neglected.
Based on Guru Parampara and other references, the place was
identified by very few Sri Vaishnavas who paid visit to the abode on concerned
auspicious occasions. It was Sri Thirukkovilur Jeeyar ‘Sri Thiruvenkata
Ramanujachariar Swamy’ who initiated popularization of the site claiming that
the place was identified and worshipped by his ancestors and various Sri
Vaishnava luminaries, and thus the site was brought to public and pilgrim
attention in the year 1993. But it was barren land without any structures. The
holy site of 1.1 acres was purchased by Sri Pulavar R. Haridas, a Tamil Pandit
from Jayamkondam, in the year 2001 for one lakh, who had fervent desire of constructing
a temple and thiruvarasu. He also formed ‘Sri Nathamunigal Trust’ for
preservation and promotion of Sri Nathamunigal thiruvarasu, with philanthropic
and pious personalities like Engineer Koman, Sri. U.Ve. A.V.Rangachariar and
Kavignar Aravamudan of Kallakkuruchi.
This site was found
to be ruins of an 8th century AD temple that flourished during the
reign of Sri Raja Raja Chola. Even now we can rejoice the beauty, splendor and
majesty of Sridevi Bhoodevi sameta Sri Varadaraja swamy deities (5-1/4 and 7-1/4 feet respectively) sheltered in the
site, while noticing ruin marks of an elegant temple complex. Tradition says
that Sri Easwara Bhattar, son of Sri Nathamunigal and father of Sri Alavandar,
was the one who installed the deities and performed ‘brahma medham’, the final
rites to Sri Nathamunigal. Nearby, there are temples of Sri Veeranarayana
Perumal at Kattumannarkovil and the great Varaha Murthy-Gnanappiran at Sri
Mushnam. We can see even now the lake in Jayamkondam, named after the Acharya
Uyyakkondar and there is a Sannidhi for Thirukkurukai kavalappan just 1 km near
Chokkappallam. Both are disciples of Sri Nathamunigal. Thus, the ambience of
the whole area is enriched by the radiance of great Acharyas and temples.
Sri Nathamunigal trust was in relentless pursuit of
commencing the construction works with all of its efforts and mite and finally
approached Sri Bhashyakara Charitable Trust.
Considering the significance and urgency of the venture, Sri
Bhashyakara Charitable Trust took over the construction process in the year
2009. With the inspirational support of Sri Nathamunigal Trust members and
other devotees, and unconditional grace of Sri Nathamunigal, construction was
commenced, gradually proceeded and now nearing completion.
The premises constitute a sanctum sanctorum for perumal (9x9)
and sanctum sanctorum for Nathamunigal (9x9) with a hall(60x26), kitchen-(11x22)
well and bore-pump facility. Initial construction work was done by Sri
Sundarrajan of Sri Constructions (+91 93810 85905) and completed by Sri
Thangaraja Sthapathy (+91 98654 98679), at a total cost of 18 lakhs.
Construction work is supervised by Sri, Meghanathan, Prop. Chidambaram fancy
jewels, of Sri Mushnam.
The consecration ceremony-Samprokshanam for the temple is
celebrated for three days, July 6-8th of 2012 with special rituals
and Vedic and prabandham recitations. Jeeyar swamis, Acharyas and Vaishnava
scholars adorn the event and will address in the Sri Vaishnava Sammelan,
organized as a part of the event. This is hall marked as a curtain raiser event
for Sri Ramanujacharya’s millennium celebrations, planned in 2017. The event is organized by Sri. U.Ve. A.V.Rangachariar
swamy of Chitrakutam-Chidambaram, with the special guidance of Sri U.Ve. Parasara
Lakshmi Narasimha Bhattar swamy of Srirangam.
In our tradition, we staunchly believe that our Acharyas are
more merciful, responsible, reliable and powerful than Almighty himself,
regarding our upliftment. More than temples and avatara centres of acharyas, ‘Thiruvarasu’
is more potent and influential. The viewers, patrons and oragnizers will get
the benefit of thousands of rituals and temple constructions, in this holiest
venture.
The Thiruvarasu is
brought into life and light after thousand years and certainly we are fortunate
enough to witness and involve. Let us hope that this revival is an auspicious
indicator of prospective revival of our Sri Vaishnava culture, values and
procession.
Detailed invitation with programs will be forwarded soon. We
earnestly appeal to all devotees to kindly participate in the auspicious event
and get blessed by the choicest grace of Sri Nathamunigal.
G. Ananthakumar
H.Srinivasan
Sri Bhashyakara Charitable Trust Sri
Nathamunigal Trust
Chennai-17
11, West Street
09940688798- bhashyakarasri@gmail.com Ariyalur-621 802
09677690111
04331-250626
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