TIRUANBIL DWAJASTHAMBAM KAINKARYAM -Part 6

[Guest guest]

TIRU ANBIL DWAJASTHAMBAM KAINKARYAM

TRIP TO INDIA FROM 05/192006 to 08/27/2006 – PART 6

 

3rd, 4th and 5th August 2006: Sri Aandaal Utsavam Yaanai and Kudirai

Vaahanams and Pushpa Pallakku:

 

The 10 days' Annual Utsavam for Sri Aandaal of Desikan Sannidi (belonging to

Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam) was in progress. Due to the preoccupation

with Dwaja sthambam kainkaryam (as already detailed), I could participate in

the “Purappadu” of Sri Aandaal only on 8th, 9th and 10th days (i.e) on 3rd,

4th and 5th August 2006. After Purappadu, there were Pravachanams by great

Scholars on the glory of Aandaal on all the days. Sri A.N.C Swami asked me

to talk on the last day and I agreed.

 

5th August 2006: Visit to Ulundurpet Asramam

This is another memorable day. Sri G.K. Ramakrishnan of Kuwait had earlier

spoken about me and my books to the Trustees of one “Sarada Asram” of

Ulundurpet. The Asram authorities felt that I should visit them and

requested me to indicate my convenience. Due to my preoccupations, I could

not provide them a date for long though they were reminding me now and then.

 

As the Dwaja sthambam matters had been more or less sorted out, I told them

that I would be free on the 5th August 2006. They sent their van to

Srirangam to pick me up. I indicated to them that I would have to return in

time for participating in the Pushpa Pallakku that night. One Sri Ravi of

Andal Printers, Royapettah, related to Sri A.N.C. Swamigal was planning to

return to Chennai. He wanted to accompany me up to Ulundurpet and then to

proceed to Chennai. I took him along in the van.

 

After a sumptuous lunch at noon, they had arranged for my talk at 5.00 p.m.

in the Auditorium. The talk was almost as the same that I gave in MaNI

MaNTapam at Villivakkam earlier. It was well attended and well appreciated

by the large audience and they honored me suitably.

 

Earlier, during the stay, they took me around the Asram campus. At first, I

was wondering how anyone can do anything in such a remote and little known

locality except for its name! Indeed, one has to see to believe the

wonderful work that is going on there. I was amazed to see the variety of

social service activities they were doing.

 

A brief account of the activities undertaken by them will be posted

separately.

 

I am sure you will be enchanted as much as I am at the breathtaking panorama

of their activities and the incredible silent revolution taking place there

in the lives of the village folk and the inmates.

 

As promised, they brought me back to Srirangam by the van right on time at

8.00 p.m. However, the “Pushpa Pallakku” after circumambulating the streets,

arrived at Desikar Sannidi only by 9.30 p.m. The usual PaaraayaNam and

Saatrumurai took another hour or so. By the time these were over, it was

around 11.00 p.m. As there was not much time and we did not wish to detain

the devotees till midnight, I excused myself from giving the proposed talk

and perhaps spared them the agony of listening to me!

 

6th August 2006: “Baalaalayam” function:

 

Sri Nandu BhaTTar Swami who was in overall charge of all the arrangements

gathered a number of Vedic Vidwans including Adhyaapakas and PaaraaYana

Swamis. A van carrying all these as well as friends and well wishers left

Srirangam around 7.00 am to Tiru Anbil. The moment we got there, around 8.00

am, the Swamis went into business straightaway making all preparations for

PuNYaahavachana, Homam etc.

 

Sri Nandu BhaTTar’s planning did not leave anything to chance, whether it

was for mango leaves or banana leaves or betel leaves, Sandal paste,

Turmeric powder, Utensils or even gas cylinders and cooking vessels! His

meticulous planning in taking personal care of even the minutest

requirements was such that at no point of time there was any cause for

fumbling or searching for anything. The array of cotton dhoties,

Angavastrams and silk vastrams for various occasions and for PoorNa Aaahuti

were readily there. The whole place wore a festive look having been totally

spruced up neat and clean with huge “kOlams” everywhere. The local

Nadaswaram group entertained the guests to enchanting music.

 

I presented two silk saris for Thaayaar which the local Archakar, Sri

Varadaraja BhaTTar draped the moolavar, Sundaravalli Thaayaar and the

Utsavar, Azhagiyavalli Naachiyaar with utmost respect and dedication.

 

The function took nearly 2 hours at the end of which the guests were

entertained to a sumptuous lunch. The function over, the van returned to

Srirangam with the same gOshTi that came to Tiru Anbil.

 

Photos taken on the occasion will be uploaded in the “Photos” Section of

“Sri Ranga Sri”

 

7th August 2006: PPA Tirunakshatram- Left for Chennai

 

The next day was an important occasion in Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam. It

was actually the Tirunakshatram day of His Holiness Srinivaasa DEsika Mahaa

DEsikan, the Swami who established the Poundarikapuram Asramam in its

present location. We participated in the function and enjoyed the

Saatrumurai and the Tadheeya Aaraadanai that followed.

 

I had to leave by the afternoon train to Chennai for my treatments for cysts

and also dental treatment at the expert hands of Dr. Madhavan who was

earlier Senior dental Surgeon at the prestigious Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

at Delhi. The entire treatment was totally free as I am a beneficiary of the

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) though I retired 23 years ago!

 

9th and 10th August 2006: Yajur Upaakarma and Gaayatri Japam:

 

As already mentioned, the Upaakarma and Gaayatri Japam were performed on 9th

and 10th August 2006 respectively at Chennai ("Bhaarata VarshE, Bharatah

KhaNDE”)

 

17th August 2006: Visit to Trichy via Dindigul. - Heavy rains at Trichy

 

When I planned to return to Srirangam for the other functionsslated for 19th

and 20th August 2006, I found to my dismay that for some reason, there was

no accommodation in any train till the 17th August 2006. Even then, the

booking official suggested me that I take 2 tier AC ticket in the “Dindigul

quota” saying that I could detrain at Trichy Junction. Though this cost a

little more, I had no alternative but to accept the proposal lest I should

lose even this!

 

As I got down at Trichy Junction, there was an unexpected heavy downpour.

Within minutes, the roads got flooded and the Cab to Srirangam had to wade

through knee deep waters in some places. At long last, I arrived at Sri

Lakshminarayanan Swami’s home in East Chitra Street, Srirangam.

 

Sri Lakshminarayanan Swami is the father of Smt Janaki Sampathkumar and

father-in-law of our Atlanta member Sri Sampathkumar Padmanabhan Swami, who

organized my Tiruppaavai series of lectures last year. Sri Lakshmi Narayanan

Swami and his wife used to attend the Kaalakshepams of H.H. Srimad Andavan,

Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam almost daily.

 

The hospitality shown by him and his family was incomparable. They made my

stay with them absolutely comfortable. I am deeply indebted to them for all

this.

=============================================================

To Continue

=============================================================