Petition to Save Srirangam Periya Perumaal

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhaktas,

 

By now you have all read about the alarming news

from Srirangam, where the sacred form of our holiest of

holies, Lord Ranganatha Himself, is being fundamentally

changed because of the whims of a few ignorant officials.

You have read the impassioned pleas of several of our

members for us to do something about this.

 

Readers may recall that countless acharyas have dedicated

their lives in the service of Lord Ranganatha. Sri Pillai

Lokacharya gave his life in protection of Namperumaal,

the utsava vigraha of Lord Ranganatha, and Sri Vedanta

Desika narrowly escaped death while hastily safeguarding

the treasures of our tradition.

 

We have heard about how much these great saints our given.

Now it is our turn.

 

If there is anything I ask of you as members of

the bhakti-list members, it is this:

 

PLEASE write, send a telegram, or call (all three

if possible) so we can restore Lord Ranganatha to His

true glory. (Please prefix all numbers with 011-91-44

if calling from the U.S.)

 

Contact:

 

Dr. M. Karunanidhi

Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu

Phone: 5362345 (business), 8115225 (residence)

 

Thiru S. Savarkar

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034

 

Phone: 8257183 (business), 4355597 (residence)

FAX: 8273562

 

Suggested letter to be sent:

 

Dear Respected <title>:

 

The Great Temple of Sri Ranganathaswami in SRIRANGAM (Tamil Nadu) is

among the most ancient and largest edifices of cherished religious

worship in the country. The Temple is presently and rather rapidly

receiving massive 'restoration' and is to be made ready for the

consecration ('samprokshanam') scheduled for March 15.

 

Quite a few well-meaning officials of the Hindu Religious department of

the government, besides temple functionaries, and philanthropists have

been involved in this high-speed effort being carried out after 30

years.

 

However, we have received some alarming reports of wholesale changes

being made to the hallowed image of the Great Lord Ranganatha who resides

within. This image is considered to be of utmost sanctity and has been

described in detail by various poets and saints over the years. It is

quite distressing that modifications that violate the spirit of the

religious tradition are being made without involving the native cognoscenti

and traditional guardians of the Temple. By this we mean the 'sthala-Acharyas'

who have maintained and guarded and otherwise protected this jewel of our

religious history and cultural evolution against various invaders and

marauders over the years. Unfortunately, from what we understand, they have

been sidelined in the ongoing renovation project, and some officials have

decided to make changes based on their meagre knowledge of some Agamas,

rather than consult the senior people who have been involved in previous

such renovations and who have dedicated their life to the service of

the Great Lord.

 

It need not be repeated that the Great Temple of Srirangam is unique in

many respects and, with its seven in-set enclosures, is the only one of

the 'uttamottama' kind. This calls for the utmost care and sensitivity

in renovation. The very idea that any modifications are to be made to

the moola vigraha without consulting the traditional religious guardians

certainly demonstrates disrespect not only to tradition, but to history

and archaeology.

 

Specifically, we have learned that the Sthapati in charge has

reportedly denied the existence of the mini-image of Sri-Lakshmi

inalienably and traditionally marking the chest of the huge image of the

reclining Lord Sriranga. It is shocking that such an obvious and

undeniable feature has been changed because of the whims of a modern

sculptor. Aside from the memories of aged servitors of the Great Lord,

we have the testimony of saints such as Sri Vedanta Desika of the 14th

century, who has very clearly described the mark of Sri-Lakshmi adorning

the sacred chest of the Lord. When such undeniable textual and testimonial

evidence exists, how can we allow such a sacrilege to continue?

 

The last repair-dressing of the image was carried out in 1959, and the

Sthapati then commissioned had committed grave mistakes. The government

has no doubt issued formal orders not to make any alterations during the

current repair-dressing, but what guarantee attaches to such orders at

all? The Sriranga Narayana Jeeyar, the Pontiff of the Temple, has the

responsibility of keeping the vigil during the repairs, but how does a

single individual keep up the watch over the work of eight hours a day?

 

The Great Temple of Srirangam is the holiest-of-holies of the Sri

Vaishnava religion. The worshipping public is highly distracted at the

manner the restoration of the Lord's sacred image in the sanctum has

been commissioned ON UNDISCLOSED AGENDA without executable safeguards

and supervision. This amounts to trifling with the most sacred and

beloved image of the Lord and trampling over the precious sensibilities

evolved in the Sri Vaishnava religion over several, several centuries.

 

As lovers of Tamil Nadu and of her great culture, which includes as

a primary facet the Great Temple of Lord Ranganatha, we are anguished

by this turn of events and respectfully demand that the image of the Lord

be returned to its original form, as per the advice of the local guardians

and historians of the temple. We ask that the Sthapati only proceed

as guided by these devout and learned elders.

 

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

Mani wrote:

"If there is anything I ask of you as members of

the bhakti-list members, it is this:

 

PLEASE write, send a telegram, or call (all three

if possible) so we can restore Lord Ranganatha to His

true glory. (Please prefix all numbers with 011-91-44

if calling from the U.S.)"

------------------------------

Completely agree with what you say. I have found out some email

addresses of TN govt. officials in the site http://www.tn.gov.in/

You may send email to the following:

 

Thiru A P Muthuswami, IAS

Chief Secretary

chiefsec

 

Thiru T R Ramasamy,IAS

Secretary to CM

cmspsec1

 

Dr. N Sundaradevan, IAS

Special Secretary to CM

cmsec

 

Thiru S Ramakrishnan, IAS

Tamil Development and Culture & Religious Endowment

tamilsec

 

Thiru V Murthy IAS

District Collector,

Trichirappalli

collrtry

 

adiyEn

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Many indian non-srivaishnavaite friends are just as ready to take action. I have

forwarded the email addresses to some indian groups I'm part of, requested

action and got a good response. Numbers will make the difference at this time.

Please forward Sri Sadagopan's message as you see fit to all who can help.

Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Dear Srimans Diwakar Kannan , Mani Vararadrajan and Fellow BhakthAs:

 

I welcome the initiatives sugggested by Both Srimans Kannan & Mani .

The report from our Sriman Thirumanjanam Sundararajan from

the "battle front " indicates the need for quick action by us to

make known our views at this critical juncture.

 

LET US MOVE FAST AND SEND OUTR PROTESTS

IN BIG NUMBERS . THE LARGER NUMBER OF E-MAILS ,

THE LOBBYING WOULD HAVE TEETH.

 

IT IS TOO LATE FOR TELEPHONE CALLS.

 

I can not imagine Srirangam as being devoid of Sri and Just being

a Rangam . Same goes for Sri RanganAthan , the Lord of Srirangam .

Our AzhwArs and AchAryALs have made it abundantly clear.

Our sampradhAyam is SRI SAMPRADHAAYAM .

 

It is my assessment that the Government officials and politicians need

crisp& Loud messages . Volume of consistent messages from here to selected

individuals in the chain of Tamil Nadu Government ( the Chief Secretary/

A.P. Mutthuswamy and and the HRE Commisssioner/S.Ramakrishnan)

would be essential given the shortness of time ( D-Day being tomorrow ).

 

It is my further assessment that e-mail to the above two officials

would get the message to the Chief Minister to put a hold on

developments and buy the time to reverse the course before March 15.

 

PLEASE SEND YOUR E-MAILS TODAY TO BOTH THESE

ADDRESSES. I HAVE THE E-MAIL FOR THE CHIEF MINISTER AT HOME AND

WILL SEND THAT TO YOU AS WELL FOR INCLUSION , IF YOU WISH.

 

I am attaching a sample letter , which can be customized :

 

Thiru A.P.Mutthuswamy IAS

Chief Secretary

Tamil Nadu Governement

 

Thiru S.Ramakrishnan IAS

Tamil Development & Culture and Religious Endowment

Tamil Nadu Government

 

Dear Thiru Mutthuswamy and Thiru Ramakrishnan :

 

As a native of Tamil Nadu ( Karnataka/Andhra Pradesh)residing in USA ,

I am distressed to learn about the removal of MahA Lakshmi and Sri Vatsam

from the chest of Lord RanganAthA and replacement of them with

a Tantric symbol . Traditional and scriptural authority for the residence

of MahA Lakshmi on the chest of Lord RanganAthA is overwhelming.

 

I understand that a decison will be made on this issue of serious interest

on March 9 . I appeal to you to restore Mahaa Lakshmi and Sri Vatsam

to their rightful and traditional place on the chest of Lord RanganAtha

and stick to the timeless traditions of worship at this ancient temple.

 

Thank you in advance for the requested restoration ,

 

Dr.V.Sadagopan

President , Networked Multimedia Services

Scarborough , NY

 

> Mani wrote:

> "If there is anything I ask of you as members of

> the bhakti-list members, it is this:

>

> PLEASE write, send a telegram, or call (all three

> if possible) so we can restore Lord Ranganatha to His

> true glory. (Please prefix all numbers with 011-91-44

> if calling from the U.S.)"

> ------------------------------

> Completely agree with what you say. I have found out some email

> addresses of TN govt. officials in the site http://www.tn.gov.in/

> You may send email to the following:

>

> Thiru A P Muthuswami, IAS

> Chief Secretary

> chiefsec

>

> Thiru T R Ramasamy,IAS

> Secretary to CM

> cmspsec1

>

> Dr. N Sundaradevan, IAS

> Special Secretary to CM

> cmsec

>

> Thiru S Ramakrishnan, IAS

> Tamil Development and Culture & Religious Endowment

> tamilsec

>

> Thiru V Murthy IAS

> District Collector,

> Trichirappalli

> collrtry

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Ramanujaya namah:

SrI RanganAyikA samEtha Sri RanganAtha parabrahmaNE Namah:

 

Dearest all,

 

I have just sent the email to the CM (email id: cmcell ) and have

also spoken to someone who said he is CM's PA. The PA asssured that that the CM

will resolve.

 

Contact: (from Sri Mani's email)

 

Dr. M. Karunanidhi

Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu

Phone: 5362345 (business), 8115225 (residence)

 

Thiru S. Savarkar

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034

 

Phone: 8257183 (business), 4355597 (residence)

FAX: 8273562

 

email ids (from Sri Diwakar Kannan's email):

 

officials in the site http://www.tn.gov.in/

You may send email to the following:

 

Thiru A P Muthuswami, IAS

Chief Secretary

chiefsec

 

Thiru T R Ramasamy,IAS

Secretary to CM

cmspsec1

 

Dr. N Sundaradevan, IAS

Special Secretary to CM

cmsec

 

Thiru S Ramakrishnan, IAS

Tamil Development and Culture & Religious Endowment

tamilsec

 

Thiru V Murthy IAS

District Collector,

Trichirappalli

collrtry

 

adiyEn also requests Bhagawathas to write immediately to CM (by email and call

over phone as well).

 

SrImanna SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya/

SrImanna SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya//

KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/

SrI RanganAthO jayathu SrI Ranga SrIs cha VardhathAm//

 

Regards

Narayana Narayana

adiyEn

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhaktas,

 

I just spoke to the PA of Mr.Tamil Kudimagan, the Minister for HR & CE,

Tamil Nadu (044-4936566 ® -44-5389136 (0)). He told me that he is

receiving a lot of calls on this matter and assured me that nothing of that

sort is being done. He assured me that the Government is commiitted to

preserving status quo in the matter.

 

It was very heartening to hear from him these words and I thought I can

share this with you all.

 

Sincerely

 

K.S.Badri Narayanan

Mumbai

 

 

..

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

I sent emails to a number of people today, and I also

called the CM's office a few minutes ago. I was asked

to send a fax to 5361441, and the person assured that

he will show it to the CM. Whoever can, please send

your fax to this number.

 

adiyEn madhurakavi dAsan

TCA Venkatesan

 

--- madhav.vasudevan wrote:

>

>

> SrI:

> SrImathE Ramanujaya namah:

> SrI RanganAyikA samEtha Sri RanganAtha parabrahmaNE

> Namah:

>

> Dearest all,

>

> I have just sent the email to the CM (email id:

> cmcell ) and have

> also spoken to someone who said he is CM's PA. The

> PA asssured that that the CM

> will resolve.

>

> Contact: (from Sri Mani's email)

>

> Dr. M. Karunanidhi

> Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu

> Phone: 5362345 (business), 8115225 (residence)

>

> Thiru S. Savarkar

> Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

> 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034

>

> Phone: 8257183 (business), 4355597 (residence)

> FAX: 8273562

>

> email ids (from Sri Diwakar Kannan's email):

>

> officials in the site http://www.tn.gov.in/

> You may send email to the following:

>

> Thiru A P Muthuswami, IAS

> Chief Secretary

> chiefsec

>

> Thiru T R Ramasamy,IAS

> Secretary to CM

> cmspsec1

>

> Dr. N Sundaradevan, IAS

> Special Secretary to CM

> cmsec

>

> Thiru S Ramakrishnan, IAS

> Tamil Development and Culture & Religious Endowment

> tamilsec

>

> Thiru V Murthy IAS

> District Collector,

> Trichirappalli

> collrtry

>

> adiyEn also requests Bhagawathas to write

> immediately to CM (by email and call

> over phone as well).

>

> SrImanna SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam

> samvardhaya/

> SrImanna SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam

> samvardhaya//

> KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/

> SrI RanganAthO jayathu SrI Ranga SrIs cha

> VardhathAm//

>

> Regards

> Narayana Narayana

> adiyEn

>

>

>

>

-----------------------------

> - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH -

> To Post a message, send it to:

> bhakti-list

> Archives: http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/

>

>

> Your use of is subject to

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

srimatE rAmAnujAya nama:

 

Dear Athmabhandus,

 

Let us take the suggestions of Sriman Sadagopan and Sriman Mani on

what we can do about this unfortunate thing going on at TiruvArangam.

I have a very very humble request of a slightly different nature in

addition......

 

Let all of us Shrivaishnavas of this great Bhakthi group unite

together and set up a time and together sing in unison, wherever we

are , Tiruppalandu (atleast the first pashuram) where Perialwar

specifically says "pallandu" to Her in His Tirumarbu. Please

please...please...let each one of take this seriously. Let us for

once ask HIM to take care of Himself...!

 

Please suggest a time and lets make it a voice in unison and He will

surely hear it!

 

vadivAy ninvalamArbinil vazhginna mangeyum pallandu...

 

PeriyAlwar tiruvadigalE saranam.

 

rAmAnuja dAsi

 

sriranganayaki sheela

 

 

 

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