Introduction from S. Srinivasan

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavathaas :

 

SRimathE raamanujaaya namaha

 

I thank Shri Mani for admitting me to the mailing list. I take this

opportunity to introduce myself .

 

My name is S.Srinivasan. I am a native of Serangulam village, which is

located amidst sylvan surroundings on the banks of river Pamani. It is

located at a distance of 4 km from Mannargudi town, on the Mannargudi-

Muthupet road. As some of you may be aware, Mannargudi, located in the

erstwhile composite Thanjavur district (currently in Thiruvarur district),

is popular for the beautiful temple of Lord Rajagopalaswami. Legend has it

that Lord Krishna gave darshan to Gopralaya Rishi at Mannargudi (known as

Jambakaranya Kshetram) at the end of Dwapara Yuga, when the rishi did

penence seeking His darshan, pleading his inability to visit Dwaraka owing

to his old age. The Lord also accepted the Rishi's plea to bless all

devotees in this place by assuming archavatara.

 

The 18 day annual bramhotsavam of Lord Rajagopalaswami is celebrated in a

grand manner during the tamil month of Panguni (March- April). The Lord is

mounted on different Vahanas everyday, dressed up in different alankaraas.

There are a group of priests serving the Lord. It's a viewer's delight to

worship the Lord in different alankaras. Ramanuja dikshitar 's (one of the

priests) archanai of the Lord in a raga and the way he explains the sthala

purana evokes all round admiration from every one.

 

Even today, festivals are held on almost all the tamil months.

 

As some of you may be aware, Serangulam is one of the Panchagramams, with a

rich Srivaishnava tradition. The Lord Srinivasa temple in Serangulam was

renovated recently and the Samprokshanam was celebrated in a grand manner on

May 27th, 1998, in the benign presence of H.H. Sri Vanamamalai Kaliyan

Ramanuja Jeeyar. Serangulam is one of the few villages still having a

sizeable Srivaishnava population.

 

I was born and brought up in Serangulam and had my school education (upto

12th standard) at National Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi, which is

celebrating centenary in 1999. Thereafter, I did my B.Tech at IITM and MBA

at IIMC. I am working as Vice-President in ICICI Ltd, a leading financial

institution in India. I was in Chennai for the last seven years and moved to

Bangalore in August 1998.

 

I am also the founder trustee of a trust called "SERANGULAM CHARITABLE

TRUST". One of our main activities is sponsoring Dhadhiyaraadhanam and

Divyaprabhandam/Vedam recital during the annual Bramhotsavam/ Pavitrotsavam

of Serangulam Srinivasar temple held during the tamil months of Purattasi

and Aippasi respectively.

 

I feel I am extremely fortunate to become a part of this group, which will

enlighten me on the Srivaishnava philosophy and literature.

 

Regards.

 

Azhvaar Emperumaanaar Jeeyar thiruvadigale saranam

 

Dhasan

 

Srinivasan.

 

PS : Some of you may be knowing me already - Shri Vijay Triplicane, Shri

Venkatesh Elayavalli - both of whom have some Serangulam connection.