Srimathey Sri Lakshiminrusimha Para Brahmane Namaha.
Divya desa Yatra experiences of Smt
Shakuntala Ragunathan of Chennai
(Thirunangur based temples)
Day one: January, 7, 2008: we, (10 ladies, 6 of us are
senior
citizens) went to Thirunangur Divya Desam. I looked into
Srivaishnavam.com and read various people's summaries of their trips to
various Divya Desams. Since we were planning a trip to
Thirunangur, I tried to find some information about that place.
I personally know one Sri V.Seshadri Battachar who is Heriditary
Sthanigam Trustee of Parthanpalli. Since he was busy in the
festival of Sri Sarangapani Temple of Kumbakonam, he provided me a
phone number of Sri Madhava Battar of Annan Koil. When I talked
to him over the phone, he assured us of accommodation and
food.
On the 7th Jan. 2008, we travelled to Thirunangur by a Tempo
Traveller. Sri Madhava Battar advised me that we should
have darshan of Lord Vikrama Narayanan of Seerkhazhi on our way to
Annan Koil. Here Lord Vikrama gives darshan to everyone
with his left foot in the air. In Thirukkoviloor, the Lord
has his right foot in the air. Sri Badri Narayana
Battachar explained the situation to us. We arrived at Annan Koil
(from Seerkazhi, one has to take the road to Karaikal and turn in at
the Annan Koil arch which comes after 7 km.)
and Sri Madhava Battar was waiting for us. We went to Annan koil
first and then with a guide went to Thiru Mani Mada Koil and darshan of
Lord
Narayanan. It was Satthumurai time and we were given Prasadam,
Puliodharai and Thayir sadam. Then went to Thiruvan
Purudothamam Koil, there was a
death and the temple was closed. It was late by the time we went
to Ariyameya Vinnagaram and Thirutheriyambhalam and both the temples
were closed and
so returned to Annan Koil and Sri Madhava Battar showed us our
accommodation,There are 4 rooms with a double steel cot sans bed.
One common
bath and toilet. The rooms have fan and two
lights. We have taken some bedding like pillow and
bedsheets. Then he provided us Thayir sadam
prepared in the temple. Then he said the Sakkara Pongal of this
temple is very famous and unique. So we ordered Sakkara
Pongal Thaligai for the next morning. We were quite
comfortable and went to bed.
The next morning, we were ready by 6.00 am. (Battar asked us not to
make it too early) and went to Annan Temple. While walking down the
street, we have to go round the Pushkarani and the morning was quite
pleasantly cool and birds chirping, it was so peaceful. And
to see the lotus in full bloom in the Pushkarani, we felt like pucking
them an offer to Lord Narayanan. It is Ponn Vilainda
Bhoomi and we had no words To praise the Bhooma Devi.
As we entered the temple, the Deeparadhanai was on and We were
thrilled to have been lucky to be there at that time. Sri
Madhava Battar was doing Chodasa Upasaram to Lord Narayanan and with
Allavattam and Thattoli. My Aunty told us that it is surpring to
see all this happening in a temple in far off village less visited by
people. She said we should really appreciate Battar for his
Bakthi and honestness. We felt elated to have had
Viswaroopa Darshan and Satthu murai and we also recided Thiruppaavai
and had Pongal Prasadam. There was quite a crowd, all the school
children attired in their uniforms. When enquired, they
told that they will have Prasadam and then go to school.
Suddenly Battar walked with his Jalra in his hand singing
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishana, Krishna Krishana Hare, Hare
and the children followed him singing along With them and came one
round of the temple. They were also given Pongal Prasadam
along with us in Badam Tree Leaves. Prasadam was given out
in sufficient quantity . My sister-in-law who had retired as a teacher
admired all the happenings and talked to Battar appreciating his
work and he said the children would not go to school without
saying the bhajans with him. By the time the guide
came, it was almost 9.00 and he took us to all the temples one by one
(The guide has cell numbers of the Archagars and call them about our
arrival at the temple. Sri Madhava Battar does not have a cell phone)
Parthanpalli was our last temple and Lakshmana Battachar said there are
only two temples for Lord Parthasarathy, one at Triplicane and other is
here. Parthanpalli Lakshmana Battachar said all the temples except
Annan Koil need funds for daily pooja. He humbly asked us for
donation for Kaikaryams and also for a Kutthuvillakku at the
sannadhi. By the time we returned to Annan Koil, it was
almost 2.30 and we were served lunch and also Sakkara
Pongal. It was really very nice and Battar told us
that it is one part rice and 3 parts Kalkandu (crystalised
sugar). We decided we would try this receipe when we were back at
home. By the time , we left the place it was 4.00 pm
. Thirunangur is not in easy reach and we were happy we
made it satisfactorily. Annan Koil is supposed to have enough funds and
the rest of the temples are in need of Funds and
Kutthuvillakku. The temples are not kept clean.
Sirkali temple is in good shape.
I wish to furnish a few details which may be useful to others.
The guide name is Mr.Kannan and he has the cell numbers of few archagas.
The address of Sri. S.R.Madhava Battar is Annan Perumal Koil, Sirkali
Taluk, Pin. 609 109, Nagai Dist. Tamil Nadu, India.
Ph. No. 04364 -
266534, This is landline and not cell number.
The address of Sirkali Temple Battachar is Sri. S. Badrinarayana
Battachar, 6, South Madavilagam, Thadhalan Sannadhi, Sirkali - 609 110.
Ph. No. 04364 -
270207 , He has a mobile phone and the number is
9442419989. He can arrange accommodation in Sirkali, if
contacted
early. Sri Madhava Battar says it would take 4 hours to go to all
temples (about 14) in and around Thirunangur.