Apeal: Perumal Temple Renocation at Kattu Mannar Kocil

[Guest guest]

Sri:

SrimathE Ramanujaya Nama:

AzhwAr emperumAnAr Jeeyar thiruvadikalE Saranam

 

Dear Group,

 

This apeal may not be appropriate for this list. However, since the

shrines of our beloved acharyas Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar

are in dire need for funds at their avathara sthalam, I am violating

one of the primary rules of this list. Please provide any support that

you can to help out the renovation effort. Please do post this on

other related sites.

 

adiyEn

Venkatesh Elayavilli

http://www.srivaishnava.org

 

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The Renovation of the Shrines ofAcharya SrimanNathamunigal and Sri

Alavandar AvadharasthalamSri Veeranarayana Perumal Temple at

Kattumannarkoil. (Cuddalore Dist., Tamil Nadu, India.)

AN APPEAL

 

Of all the religions of the world, Vaishnavism is unique in that it

has set forth the ideal of

monotheism, stressing the observance of self-surrender to the

Omniscient, Omnipresent and

Omnipotent God-head, Sriman Narayana. Sriman Narayana in His unbounded

mercy to save the people from the cycle of births and deaths, took

several 'Avatars' but only very few seized that opportunity. He then

manifested Himself as Vyasa, Parasara, Valmiki and other Seers,

upholding Vaishnavism and preaching the philosophy of dedicated life

and right conduct for the benefit of the world. This too, touched only

a fringe of the masses. The supreme Purushothama condescendingly

descended to the form of mortals-viz., Alwars - to propound and

re-establish His immortal 'Dharma'. The Alwars were men of vast vision

and great imagination and propaged the tenets of Vaishnavism through

their devotional songs. But the inexorable hand of time wiped out

these hymns and very few could retain their lustre. His mission, thus,

remaining unfulfilled, the Lord ordained the Acharyas to inspire the

people through their teachings. Such a hierarchy of Acharyas starts

from Sriman Nathamunigal and Alavandar, descending to Vara Vara Muni,

Ramanuja adorning the centre.

 

Nathamunigal and Alavandar were the pioneering and foremost Acharyas

of SriVaishnavism. They were the worthy predecessors of Sri Ramanuja.

It was given to Nathamunigal to restore, through his Yogic vision, all

the 4,000 divine musings of the Alwars. It was he who set these hymns

to Vedic metre, rythm and music and introduced their recital in

temples and homes. He also estabilised the authority of the

Pancharathra mode of worship.

 

Then came the renowned Yamunacharya, popularly known as ' Alavandar'

the grandson of Nathamunigal, who won wide recognition as a powerful

champion of Vasishtadvaidic philosophy and religion through his

immortal words and works. He it was who recognised the spirtual genius

of Sri Ramanuja and inspired him to compose his magnum Opus Sri

Bashyam, the great commentary on the Brahma Sutras.

 

No exaggeration is it to over, that, but for these Acharyas,

Vaishnavism would have been stifled, the divine Prabandams of the

Alwars scotched, the 108 sacred Vishnu temples unrecognised, the great

Vasishtadvaidic philosophy decadent, and the precious commentaries and

works on Vaishnavite religion unborn. And it is no mean claim to say

that the whole world of Vaishnava elite owes its existence to these

Mahacharyas.

 

Kattumannarkoil, (situated on the banks of the vast Veeranam Lake)

hallowed by the birth of these Acharyas is the only place with

magnificent temples dedicated to Nathamunigal and Alavandar. These

Chola-period temples are in a dilapidated condition. The Vimanans of

Perumal, Thayar, Andal, Nathamunigal, Sri Alavandhar, the Rajagopuram,

rampart wall, the Asthana Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Madaipalli, Ramar

Temple, Hanumar temple, the prakaram and the Vahanams need urgent

repairs, They have to be renovated beautifully and the Maha

Samprokshnam to be performed in a fitting manner on an appropriate

scale. This sacred task has been entrusted to I, therefore, appeal to

your good-self to contribute liberally which will enable the Committee

to perform this rare, unique and sacred work on a grand scale

befitting the fame and eminence of the Acharyas and receive the

blessings of the mahacharyas for your generous and magnanimous donation.

 

Invoking the blessings of Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar.

 

 

S.Muralidharan

3/406, III Street, Kamaraj Nagar,

Kumbakonam - 612 002. Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu, India.

Phone : (0435) 2443664. Cell : 98430 - 09664