Oppaliappan Koil-News item from The Hindu

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Dear Prapatti Group Members:

 

Here is an article on Oppaliappan Koil that appeared in The Hindu newspaper

that may be of interest to you.

 

Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan

 

 

Mahasamprokshanam of Oppiliappan Koil

 

Hindu 02-02-1996

 

The Mahasamprokshanam of the Oppiliappan Koil, popularly known as

``Thentirupati'' and ``Boologa Vaikuntam'', will be held on February.

Renovation work on the Rajagopuram, small gopuram called ``Katta

Gopuram'' and Moolavar Vimanam (both Perumal and Thayar are in one

sannidhi and hence there is no Thayar vimanam in the temple) and vimanas

of Maniappar and Ennappar Perumal on the sides of the temple are nearing

completion.

 

According to Mr. Thirunavukarasu, industrialist, Kumbakonam who has

taken up the renovation of the Moolavar vimanam, final touches were

being given to the gopuram and Vimanas and the work would be

completed by February 1. Mahasamprokshanam would be held between 9

to 9-30 a.m. on February 9 and Yagasala pujas would start from

February 5. Mahasamprokshanam to the temple was held last time on July

13, 1986.

 

An important place of worship for Vaishanavites, the Oppiliappan Koil

is located at Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. Legend

has it that Lord Mahavishnu took the avatar of Venkatachalapathi and

came here to marry Boodevi (Mahalakshmi has three avatars Boodevi,

Sri Devi and Neela Devi). At Oppiliappan Koil, Mahalakshmi took the

avataram of Boodevi and was brought up by Markanteya. Lord Mahavishnu came

to Markanteya in the form of an old man and asked him to give Boodevi

in marriage to him. Markanteya said that his daughter was too young and did

not know how to use salt properly in the food she cooked. The Lord said

that He would forego salt in his food and insisted on marrying Boodevi.

 

Markanteya realising that it was Mahavishnu who came in the form of an old

man agreed to give his daughter in marriage to Him but laid a condition

that like in the Ramavathar, the lord should remain Ekapathinivirathan in

this avathar also with only Boodevi as His wife. The Lord agreed. As He

had sacrificed salt for Boodevi He was called Oppiliappan. Even now no salt

is added in the prasadam offered during pujas to the Lord.

 

In this temple there is no separate shrine for Boodevi. She is seated

before the Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum. The diety here is

considered as the elder brother of Venkatachalapathi at Tirupati and hence

there is a belief that offerings vowed to Lord Venkatachalapathi could

be offered at Oppiliappan Koil. Four Alwars have sung in praise of

Oppiliappan. Nammalvar in his song says ``Than oppillathavan Oppiliappan''

(He who has no comparison). Other Alwars who sang in praise of the Lord

were Periyalvar, Poigaiyalwar and Thirumangaialwar. The temple attracts

pilgrims throughout the year and Ramanavami festival is celebrated

every year in a grand manner in the months of April-May. Thirukalyanam

and Kanakabishekam are the two important events in the Ramanavami festival.

 

One unique feature in the Mahasamprokshanam is that the entire renovation

work was done by contribution from donors though it comes under the HR

and CE department's control. Mr. K. Venkatraman, Chairman of the Board

of Trustees and General Manager of City Union Bank, Kumbakonam said that

the renovation was done at a cost of Rs. 12 lakhs. It had also been

decided to make a golden car for the temple at a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs

by collecting contributions from donors.

 

Other projects are building a Rs. 18 lakh guest house, and marriage hall

at a cost of Rs. 30 lakhs. The marriage hall is nearing completion.

Yagasala Pujas would start at 6 p.m. on February 5. The pujas would

continue and six phases of Yagasala pujas would be completed till February

9 when Mahasamprokshanam is to take place. Singing of Surprapatham would

continue every morning and devotees can also have viswarupa darisanam.

Saxophone by Kadri Gopalnath and religious discourses have been arranged in

connection with Mahasamprokshanam. At 7 p.m. on February 9, procession

of Sri Perumal in Garudavahana and Thayar in Hamsa vahana will take place.

 

G. SRINIVASAN