An Offering to Evoor Sri Krishnaswamy

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna ! Dandavat Pranams to Bhagavan Sri Krishna and all Vaishnavas , Evoor Sri Krishnaswamy , is a living reality . I used to struggle a lot in deciding what to offer Him in return for His supreme compassion . When I consulted various Jyothishis (Vedic astrologers) , the same answer came from all : “ Evoor Bhagavan is pleased with what has been offered to Him so far . Any further offering is your choice “ . Finally a Sattvic Brahmana Jyothishi advised “ You just ask the Melshanthi (Head Pujari) what he needs for the temple ” .

Accordingly, when I asked the Melsanthi , he suggested for a “ Sankha tied with silver threads , for performing pooja ” . I offered this “Sankha” soon ; and it was very useful . Thereafter , I started asking the Melsanthi to decide the offering . A Surprise Coincidence Two years back , I and wife were praying inside Evoor temple . I noticed the painted stone frame of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) , which didn’t match with the bronze door . When the Melshanthi was giving me Prasadam , I asked “ Thirumeni , do you need anything for the temple ? “ I will think about it and tell you later “ saying so , he returned to the Sreekovil for

pooja . After the pooja , he came back to me and said “ If you can cover this ‘Sopanam’ ( steps to Sreekovil and it’s entry framework ) with brass , it will be good . Most of the nearby temples have it . Recently, a Contractor has prepared an estimate , but I don’t know what happened after that . If you are

interested , you can contact the Devaswom Officer ” . “ Let me look in to it ” I replied . Later, I spoke to the Devaswom Oficer and the Assistant Commissioner (my cousin) . After that , the proposed Contractor met me and submitted his Quotation . However, I was struggling to take a final decision . Being unsure, whether such a modification is acceptable to Bhagavan or not . Finally, I consulted the Brahmana Jyothishi . As advised , I was praying continuously to Evoor Bhagavan to reveal His opinion , while the “prasnam ” ( astrological verification) was in progress . The finding ( Bhagavan’s opinion) was : “ It ( the proposed work) is

expensive ; and I don’t compel it . Anyway, if you want to execute it , I don’t have any objection since the brass covering could give me coolness reducing the heat of lamps around . However, be careful to avoid likely theft in the works ”. I was happy to hear this . But, the clear warning led me to further enquiries which revealed that, the proposed Contractor is a cheat ! . Then we contacted a young Hindu leader in charge of the renovation works of a temple . He advised us “ Most such Contractors are Muslims whose firms disguise as “ Krishna metal works” , etc . After taking the Contract , they pass it to petty firms to make a big profit . Quality of such works is very poor . So , I gave the contract direct to an expert Artisan , a faithful devotee . He has done a superb job at a nominal price ” . We saw that Contractor’s works and were impressed . Immediately, I took him to Evoor temple . After

praying and making some offerings , he prepared the estimate based on my specification to have only carvings such as Sankha, Chakra, gada and Padma ( and not the common flowers and plants) . As an additional option, he suggested to have “Dasavatharam” ( 10 incarnations of Maha-Vishnu) to be carved on the frame of Sreekovil . Even after this, the price was 25 % less than the previous Contractor ! . So, the Contract agreement was signed immediately . Devaswom board’s approval came quickly . Next was the permission of Tantri ( Brahmasree Tharananelloor Parameswaran Namboodiri) . The Board arranged for His visit ,soon. “Anujna” ( Consent) On the scheduled day , we ( I , wife and sons) went to Evoor temple without knowing the formalities involved . We had paid in advance for the pooja expenses . The Devaswom officer advised me to tell Tantri that the works would be completed in a year . The Tantri first performed the “Kalasa-pooja” , followed by “Abhishekas” by moola-mantra to invoke Bhagavan . After that, he came near me and asked when the works could be completed . I informed that it would be completed within a year . Then he gave a few flowers and said “ Although , this work is for Bhagavan Himself, “Daivanugraham” ( Bhagavan’s blessings ) is necessary to complete it satisfactorily . In fact , nothing can

succeed without “Daivanugraham” . So, you do a ‘pradakshinam’ around the Sreekovil , praying for Bhagavan’s blessings to you to perform the works . After that , give back to me those flowers ” . I completed the Pradakshinam and prayed in front of Sreekovil . Then I returned the flowers to Tantri .

“ Let me ask ” ( Saying so , he went inside the Sreekovil ) . After sometime , Tantri came back and said “ Yes . Bhagavan has given you permission to proceed with the works “ . I bowed down to Him and gave “Dakshina” . We returned home in a happy mood . The Works The works started . I realized then how difficult it is to carry out works inside a live temple . We can work only when the temple is not active . The valuables in the temple as well as the sanity to be protected . Another problem was food and water for the workers . Thanks to Bhagavan’s grace, everything progressed smoothly . ‘Prasadam’ like payasam , milk, fruits, etc were provided lavishly to the work men . And homely food was arranged from a nearby house . I stayed at the work site through out day and night . There were occasional difficulties , but thanks to Bhagavan they all got resolved soon . My day and night stay at the Evoor temple was most memorable . I saw many chronic patients , offering daily worship and surviving on the mercy of Bhagavan . A particular old lady used to dip a water in the tank and walk away wet . I asked her about it and her reply was “

I am a cancer patient . All treatments are over . When my pain appears , I take a dip in this tank of Bhagavan and then I get immediate relief ”. During the night , especially at “Rakshasa-yamam” , the sounds and movement around were frightening . The pre-dawn (Brahma-muhurtham) is notable for pleasant environment . Once, before the “Nirmalya rituals” , the temple reverberated with the flying and landing of a huge bird . I am sure that, it was Bhagavan’s arrival atop Garuda . The majority works were completed in two weeks . What remained was , the re-fixing of Sreekovil accessories and final

finishing . Then the news came that , the Tantri is scheduled to leave for the month long annual festival at Sree Padmaswamy temple . In view of this and my imminent departure , an immediate date for the “samparpanam” ( hand over) was fixed. We were hoping that the remaining activities could be completed within next couple of days . We worked on a war-time basis during the day and night before “Samarpananam” . Several obstacles such as frequent power-failures, breakdown of machines, etc came in the way . In the late evening, even the usually calm Melshanti raised concern about the “total mess” on and around the Sreekovil and the fact that nothing can be touched after “Samarpanam” . I left everything to Bhagavan and kept on tearfully chanting His names with all my strength . Miraculously , every time the power came back quickly , the faulty machines were repaired soon and the delays mitigated by swiftly attending available work fronts . Everything including the final polishing and washing of Sreekovil was completed by

4.30 AM . The Melshanti couldn’t hide his joy when arrived at 5 AM for “Nirmalya” (pre-dawn) Pooja ”. “ Samarpanam ” ( Dedicating to Bhagavan) . Befor this ceremony , many people had advised for fancy advertisements in the media and to install a sign board “Donated by Mr…….” . But I politely refused stating “ It is entirely Bhagavan’s money and skill . I

am a mere tool in His hand . ” Early morning , the Ganapathy Homam was performed by Melsanthi . The “Samparpanam” rituals started at 10 AM . It involved the following : · Meditation and Japa by Tantri . · Kalasa-Pooja

.. · Purification rituals. · Abhishekams with chanting of “Moola-mantra” to invoke Bhagavan. · Samarpanam to Bhagavan. Afterwards, the Thantri came out to give me prasadam . He said “ The works have been executed very well to Bhagavan’s full satisfaction ” . “ All my money is Bhagavan’s mercy . I just spent a part of it here “ I replied with folded hands. Tantri and Melsanti said together “ ‘Daivanugraham’ ( Bhagavan’s blessings) will continue “ After giving the traditional “dakshina” to the Tantri, Melshanthi, Poojaris , Contractor and workers , we all

partook the “ palpayasm-prasadam ” in place for the participants . Among my near ones, only those ardent devotees were invited . Couple of elderly women -devotees said to us “ This was the best pooja we have seen ever . While the Tantri was performing “Samarpanam” , a light appeared in the Sreekovil . No doubt, Bhagavan was there ” . Later Events When I met the Melshanti after a few days , he said with a smile “ A few people have complained to me that , each had wanted to do this work, but wasn’t given an opportunity . I just asked why they didn’t speak up before . Any way, there are more items to be done . After that , offers are arriving to do the brass covering of remaining items . Yours is an auspicious beginning ”. A chain of works followed . Initially , devotees sponsored and then Devaswom Board took up extensive renovation at a cost of Rs.25 lakhs . This include, replacing of entire steel lamps around the temple with bronze , brass covering of all doors , laying new stones on the “pradakshina-route” , installation of new compound wall and brass lamps all around for the Upa-Deva,

renovation of Sreekovil and Prakara around it , Dining complex, Devaswam office , etc and above all “Gold covering” of the “Vimanas above Sreekovil” . (See attached cutting of Mathrubhumi news paper ) . Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya !!! Krishnadaya.

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