welcoming new Adhyapaks at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam 2026

Welcoming  new Adhyapaks at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam 2023

 

Today is a significant day – Panguni Punarvasu – Sree Rama Navami.  In the evening there was periya mada veethi purappadu of Sri Ramachandra Murthi on Hanumantha vahanam – and the subject matter of this post is arulicheyal goshti of Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam.

In every walk of life – how would anyone ensure continuance, which is the mother of all challenges :  – propagate the ideals, infuse youth .. .. !  In any group, when youth are inducted, the average age gets reduced, there is progress towards future permanency. 

Life in a divyadesam is always exhilarating – you get to mingle with so many persons who are well educated, well mannered, whose life is entwined in service to Emperuman Sriman Narayana.  There would be purappadu on Uthsava kalams and on pancha parvams too.  There are Battacharyars whose exceptional dedication ensures that Emperuman comes out adorning the choicest of flowers, ornaments, dress and more.  There is the  Veda adhyapaka goshti – hundreds of them chant Nalayira divyaprabandham in front of Emperuman on the streets and  chanting Vedam  after the Perumal.   Of the many kainkaryams, Sripadham thangis are  physically associated too and can be very demanding.   Brahmothsavams are extremely engaging for purappadus take long hours – night purappadu could extend to midnight and next day morning starts too early – well, those in service do not think of sleep but think only of kainkaryam (service). 

Arulicheyal   kainkaryam (chanting of Sri Naalayira divyaprabandham in Temples) flows from Azhwargal, Acaryas, Swami Ramanujar, our Acaryar Manavala Mamunigal .. .. .. and continues to eternity.  Of those rendering ‘arulicheyal kainkaryam’ - Thiruvallikkeni Veda Adhyapaka goshti is extremely organized ~ doing kainkaryam in exceptionally meritorious manner.  In the present goshti, there are at least 2 Swamis (Sri U Ve Kavanur Srinivasaraghavan Swami, Sri Kooram Bashyam Swami)  are more than 90+ and still very regular too; Sri Deivanayagam swami continues to be there everyday braving his ill-health.  Then there Octogenarians, Septugenarians  & Sexagenarians who are adhyapaks.    In Triplicane, the Adhyapaka sabhai has legal sanctity too dating back to century old landmark Madras High Court Judgment of 1923 which categorically spelt out the rights of the Prabhandham Ghosti of Thennacharya Srivaishnavaites. 

My initiation to participating in Nalayira divyaprabandha goshti started in mid 1970s, when  bunch of school going students (close to 100+) were taught Peyalwar’s Moonram thiruvanthathi by MA Venkatakrishnan swami, who himself was a college student those days.  To me personally, it flowed through my maternal grandfather Sri Athichozhamangalam Ramanujachariyar  Swami, a tall personality, who was extremely regular in attending to purappadu and was a muraikarar (who had the privilege of starting goshti on the given day of the week).  When I was young – my grandfather and my mother inculcated the habit of going to sandhai, learning divyaprabandham from MAV and attending thiruveethi purappadu without fail. 

The Arulicheyal Veda Adhyapaka goshti has passed through challenging times a few decades earlier.  When I started going to goshti, it was the imposing presence of U.Ve. Kavalkazhani Ananthacharyar swami, whose voice would resonate be it in purappadu or during thirumanjana kattiyams.  Then there was Ashtagothram Nallan Chakravarthi Parthasarathi Iyengar swami – whose family is in good numbers present in the goshti, especially vedha goshti.   In the early  part  of the 20th century, there were Trustees and some friction led to a case before   the Madras High Court.  In a landmark judgment, an order was passed in 1923 placing the right of appointment of Ghosti members  and for centuries it has been Thennacharya sampradhayam only.      

Those days (in 1970s), chinna mada veethi purappadu would take around 20 minutes and periya mada veethi purappadu approx 45 mins.  As I could remember, the first line was garnished by Sri U.Ve  :  Kavalkazhani Ananthachar swami, Desur Srinivasa iyengar swami, Anantheri Vathiyar, Kanthur vathiyar (fondly kittachi), Kuvalai Ramanujachar, Ashtagothram Parthasarathi Swami,  Athichozhamangalam Ramanujachar (my grand father),Vinjamoor Narasimhachar,  Thirucherai Ramanujachar, Vanamamalai Sampath swami ~  Sri Varadhanarayana iyengar, Vanamamalai Deivanayagam swami, Kooram Bashyam swami .. and more .. .. then there were: Dr VV Ramanujam, Sthalasayanathu Uraiyavar,  Sri NC  Rangarajan,  MA Venkatakrishnan, Vinjamoor Raghavan, Sathish, Rajappa, TA Raghavan,  MS Srinivasan (MS Seenu)  .. .. ..  and more . .. (and all of them encouraged  the children who enthusiastically came for the purappadu) [obviously there are so many swamins who did great kainkaryam  over the period of time – if I had left out some names, please forgive me or put on the comments, so that I can correct and mention appropriately.] 

The average  age of the goshti (more specifically of the Adhyapakas) naturally was getting higher.  Today there has been  initiation of 2 more youngsters – Sri Kuram Ramu & KV Venkat -  inducted as ‘adhyapakas’ at Thiruvallikkeni. [the new 2 are on the extremes L & R]   

The present day list is Sri :  Dr MA Venkatakrishnan Swami, Kavanur Srinivasa Raghavan Swami, Kooram Bashyam Swami, Vanamamalai Deivanayagam swami, NC Rangarajan swami, Ms Sreenivasan Swami, TA Raghavan swami, Venkatachari Swami, Damodharan Swami, Vasu mama,  Thirucherai Ramanujam swami, Kavalkazhani Rajappa swami,  S Krishnan Swami, TA Bakthisaran swami, Vadhyar Narayanan swami  and present addition of Ramu & Venkat today.  

Sri Kuram Ramu is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is 59 now. He has worked in big Corporates.   His father Sri U.Ve. Kuram Bashyam swami is an adhyapakar but at 90+ age is having some difficulties.  Their family (him, brother, two sons – Ramu, Ranga and other relatives) are doing great kainkaryam at the avatharasthalam of Kuresar.

Sri Kavalkazhani Vinjimoor Venkatakrishnan, is younger @ 51.  He is B.Com + MBA and has been regular in kainkaryam at the temple.  Sure, you would have read mention of late Kavalkazhani Ananthachariyar (his father); his elder brother KV Rajagopalan (Rajappa) is an Adhyapak.  Sad to mention that his other brother KV Srinivasan (Hindu photographer Cheena) who did many a kainkaryam passed away in 2023.

Feeling happy that Ramu & Venkat have been inducted as New Adhyapakars.  Good to say that they have initiated their next generation also into kainkaryam. 

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
27.3.2026

  

Celebrating the birth of Sri Rama ~ Sree Rama Navami 2026

 

Celebrating the birth of Sri Rama ~ Sree Rama Navami 2026

*  அங்கணெடு மதிள்புடைசூழ் அயோத்தியென்னும்  அணிநகரத்து  

        உலகு அனைத்தும் விளக்கும் சோதி* 

 

Today is Sree Rama Navami, the birth day of Bhagwan Sree Ramachandra Murthi.  Rāmāyaṇa is the first poem (Ādi Kāvya) in the world,  composed eons ago, adapted by people speaking multiple languages. It is handed down from generation to generation orally and through written versions on palm leaves. Bhagawān, Ṛishi and self-realized Vālmeeki,  gave us  the entire life-story of Rāma, in  enchanting narrative.

The Ghaghara River, also known as the Karnali River in Nepal, Mapcha Tsangpo in Tibet, and as the _________  River in the lower Ghaghara of India's Awadh, is a perennial trans-boundary river that originates in the northern slopes of the Himalayas in the Tibetan Plateau, cuts through the Himalayas in Nepal and joins the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India. Together they form the Ghaghara River, a major left-bank tributary of the Ganges. With a length of 507 km (315 mi), it is the longest river in Nepal. The total length of the Ghaghara up to its confluence with the Ganges at Revelganj in Bihar is 1,080 km (670 mi).  It is the largest tributary of the Ganges by volume and the second largest by length after Yamuna.  Do you know this river ? 

This earth, in all its entirety and fullness has been under the care of many successful kings starting from Prajāpati. This glorious ithihasa purana  known as Rāmāyaṇa emerged from the descendants of the dynasty of great king Ikshwāku.  The mighty King Dasaratha conducted yagna for begetting progeny.  Six seasons after completion of the Yajña, on the  twelfth month after completion, on the ninth day of the Caitra month, when the five planets were in high position, as the Moon and Bṛihaspati were rising along with the star (Punarvasu) that was presided over by Aditi in the Karkātaka Lagna, Kousalyā gave birth to a son by name Rāma, who would enhance the stature and reputation of the Ikshwāku dynasty, with auspicious features, boding splendid fortunes, endowed with half as many aspects, qualities and powers of  Emperuman Sriman Narayana.

Shree Ram Navami, the auspicious appearance day of Sri Ram, is not only a celebration of a divine birth but also a reminder of a way of living rooted in dharm, courage, and surrender.  In this earthly World,  everything belongs to the Supreme, Sri Ram. Whatever strength we have, whatever abilities we possess, everything is HIS;  we, too, belong to him. Therefore, the purpose of body, mind, and senses is not for our enjoyment, but for his service.  To think that ‘the senses are mine for my pleasure’ is ignorance. To understand that everything belongs to the Lord, that is true knowledge.  When we live in service, we live in surrender. And in that surrender, we find our ultimate refuge. Ram Navami, therefore, is more than a festival. It is a reminder to look beyond temporary identities and rediscover a deeper connection with purpose and responsibility.

பண்ணையும் ஆயமும், திரளும் பாங்கரும்,

கண் அகன் திருநகர் களிப்புக் கைம்மிகுந்து,

எண்ணெயும், களபமும், இழுதும், நானமும்,

சுண்ணமும், தூவினார் - வீதிதோறுமே. 

நற்பண்புகள் அனைத்துக்கும் சிகரம் ஸ்ரீராமபிரான்.  அற்புதமான நகரம் திரு அயோத்தி.  தசரத சக்ரவர்த்திக்கு இக்ஷ்வாகு குலத்தனமாம் இராமனும் இலக்குவண பரத சத்ருக்கணனும் பிறந்த  செய்தியை அரசவை காவலர்கள்  யானைமீதேறி முரசறைந்து அறிவித்தனர்.  மக்கள் அளக்கமுடியாத இன்பம் கொண்டனர். 

जगुः कलं च गन्धर्वा  ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः ।

देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता ।

उत्सवश्च महानासीत् अयोध्यायां जनाकुलः ।

रथ्याश्च जनसम्बाधा नटनर्तकसङ्कुलाः ।

गायनैश्च विराविण्यो वादनैश्च तथाऽपरैः ॥

Sage Valmiki in his Ramakavya describes the moment of birth as :  at that  moment, Gandharvas sang melodiously, Apsaras danced with joy, celestial drums were sounded, flowers showered from the sky. Ayōdhyā became festive with people moving all around. Major pathways were clogged with boisterous crowds entertained by singers, musicians, dancers, actors and the like.  After eleven days passed, Vasishṭha performed the naming ceremony for the new borns with delight.

He named the great eldest son as Rāma, the son of Kaikēyee as Bharata and the sons of Sumitrā as Lakshmaṇa and Ṡatrughna.  All of them learned the Vēdas and became knowledgeable in all subjects. They were endowed with all the desirable qualities. They learned to share with everyone and care about everybody.  Those tigers among men were earnestly and equally interested in the study of Vēdas and in learning the skill of archery and in seeking and following the guidance of their parents.

பெண்கள் கூட்டத்திலும்,  ஆண்கள்  கூட்டத்திலும்    இடமகன்ற அந்த அழகிய அயோத்தி மாநகரத்திலே, களிப்பு உவகை உற்று,  மகிழ்ச்சி மேலிட்டு - ; எண்ணெயும் கலவைச்  சாந்து, வெண்ணெய்  புனுகு   வகைகளையும்;  பரிமளப் பொடி வகைகளையும்;  மக்கள் ஆனந்தத்தில் ஒவ்வொரு வீதியிலும் தூவினார்கள்.  இராஜ்யத்துக்கு அழகு வாரிசுகள்   பிறந்த   மகிழ்ச்சியால்   வீதிதோறும் மக்கள் மகிழ்ச்சியைக் கொண்டாடினர்.  ‘’எண்ணெய்  சுண்ணம் எதிரெதிர்  தூவிட’’  என பெரியாழ்வார் இதனை விவரிக்கிறார்.  . 

Today (27^th Mar 2026)  is the holy day of Sree Rama Navami – the day on which Lord Sri Ramachandramurthy,  the supreme avatar of Maryada Purush  was born in the blessed land of Ayodhya.  Lord Rama descended on earth for the purpose of upholding righteousness and rewarding virtue. 

Mentioned in the 2^nd para – the  Ghaghara River, also known as the Karnali River  is River Sarayu !!    largest tributary of the Ganges by volume and the second largest by length after Yamuna.   Lower Ghaghara is popularly known as Sarayu in India, especially while it flows through the city of Ayodhya.  Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is situated on the banks of the river Sarayu.  The Sarayu river   symbolizes spiritual merit, purification, and liberation.  

Awadh,  known in British historical texts as Avadh or Oudh, is a historical region in northern India, now constituting the northeastern portion of Uttar Pradesh. It is roughly synonymous with the ancient Kosala region of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures. Sadly over the centuries, Islamic dynastics pillaged and ransacked this holy place and ruled in these places with Faizabad serving as capital for some time.    Later, the capital was relocated to Lucknow, which is now the capital of Uttar Pradesh. The British conquered Awadh in 1856, infuriated Indians and was recognised as a factor causing the Indian Rebellion (1857-58), the biggest Indian uprising against British rule.  The word Awadh is inherited from the Sanskrit word Ayodhya meaning "not to be warred against, irresistible” 

After centuries of dispute and court cases – now stands a very majestic temple at the very place where Sree Ramapiran was born – the Rama Janmabhoomi.  There is only one by name Sri Rama, born in the lineage of Ikshwaku.  He is totally balanced, one in complete control of His words, thoughts and deeds; a man of great valour ~ a person of steadfast character and radiant countenance – Lord Sree Rama

The Greatest of Ithihasa purana ‘Sri Ramayanam’  is the undiluted history of the Greatest Person who descended on this Universe, on the banks of river Sarayu, in a prosperous country called ‘Koshala’.  In the immortal Ramayana, there are learning of life ….. For the Universe, Sri Rama and Sita are the Ideal persons.  Sri Rama is all pervading principle of Truth, character, steadfastness, sincerity, valour, skill, correctness, just, compassionate, righteous and more.    

On the day of Sri Rama Navami, there will the purappadu of Sri Rama in Hanumantha vahanam later in the evening.  Mere chanting of His name [Sri Rama Namam] will bring us all good things and prosperity.  

श्री राम राम  रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।

सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥ 

                                   Meditate again and again the divine name of Rama  - mind gets absorbed in the divine consciousness of Rama, it is transcendental and is capable of relieving all evils, giving us all prosperity. 

Sree Ram Navami   holds special meaning for millions of devotees across the globe. This year, the festival not only marks the birth of Lord Rama, but it also comes at a time when the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a reality, —an event long awaited and deeply symbolic for many. With the temple’s stunning architecture almost ready, the celebrations are   more heartfelt, grand, and spiritually enriching than ever before.   Devotees celebrate Ram Navami through fasting, prayers, and devotional singing.  

Today at Ayodhya, there is Surya Tilak ceremony held at the new Mandir at 12.00 noon, utilizing a sophisticated mirror and lens system to illuminate the Ram Lalla idol's forehead with sunlight. The moment lasts only a few minutes, but it is carefully timed and planned. It is not accidental sunlight. It is guided, aligned, and made to happen with precision.  At its core, the Surya Tilak is about directing sunlight in a very controlled way. A narrow beam of light, roughly 5.8 centimetres wide, is guided to fall exactly on the idol’s forehead. This is done using a specially designed mechanism made up of mirrors and lenses. The system uses four mirrors and four lenses placed in a way that sunlight travels from the top of the temple down into the Garbha Griha. The timing is precise. Around midday, the light aligns correctly and stays focused on the idol’s forehead for roughly 3 to 3.5 minutes. It works through an opto-mechanical system built with multiple precision components. There is also a tilt mechanism, which helps adjust the angle of the first mirror. That first alignment plays a key role in how the light moves through the rest of the system.

Uthsavam for the Maryada Purush ~ Emperor of Kosala Kingdom is now on  at Thiruvallikkeni and other divyadesams.  Today evening there would be grand Hanumantha vahana purappadu. 

 

~adiyen Srinivasadhasan.
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
27.3.2026

PS :  the first 4 photos are of Thiruvallikkeni Sri Ramapiran; rest are of Ayodhya Sree Ram Janma Mandir temple.

the young drummer !!

 

Engagement   - kainkaryam starts early in Divyadesams esp Thiruvalliukkeni  - this kid was unmindful of surroundings – did not even look at this cameraman !! [pic taken a few years ago !]

 

Sree Ramar kulakkarai purappadu ~ Oadanu Jaripe keerthana !!!

Pre-script :  (away from the subject matter ! video)  :  An aging couple, Ethel and Norman Thayer, continue a tradition of spending each summer at their cottage on a lake called Golden Pond, in the far reaches of northern New England. When they first arrive, Ethel notices the loons calling on the lake "welcoming them home"; Norman, however, claims he does not hear anything. 

As they resettle into their summer home, Norman, who is about to turn 80, shows signs of dementia when he is unable to recognize several family photographs. He copes with his memory problems by frequently talking about death and growing old. Ethel does her best to liven up the atmosphere – they play Parcheesi, admire the natural scenery, and talk to the mailman, Charlie, who visits via boat. They are visited by their only child, daughter Chelsea, who is somewhat estranged from her father. She introduces her parents to her fiancé Bill and his 13-year-old son, Billy. Norman tries to play mind games with Bill, an apparent pastime of his. Bill tells him he knows what Norman is doing and he does not really mind, but that he will take only so much of it. 

Today 26.3.2026 is day 8 of ongoing Sree Rama Navami Uthsavam – at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam – it was siriya thiruther for Sree Rama.  As Lord has kulakkarai purappadu, this particular song played by Nadaswaram Nagaraj and party attracted me – as it sounded a very familiar Telugu movie song .. ..  

The keerthana as identified by me  is "Odanu Jaripe

 

ఓడను జరిపే ముచ్చట

కనరే వనితలార నేడు

Odanu jaripe muchada ganare,

Vanithalaaraa nedu.

[Oh ladies look at the scene of  moving of boats this day] .

Anupallavi

AAdavaru Yamunakada krushnuni koodi ,

Yadusu padusu nandaru joodaga

 

This is keerthana -  Odanu Jaripe (Odanu JaripE MuccaTa)  composed in the Ragam Saaranga. This kRti is part of the Nauka Charitam (boat story) composed by Saint Tyagaraja and is set to Adi TaaLam. It describes the gOpis rowing a boat with Lord KrshNa, set in Raga Saaranga.   

What I could relate was the hit song sung by SP Balasubramaniam & Chitra, to the music of MM Keeravani, in the movie Rajeswari Kalyanam directed by Kranthikumar.  

The film begins on an ideal couple Master (Akkineni Nageswara Rao) & Seeta (Vanisri) living  alone on an island in river Godavari. They foster a kid and decide to adopt him legally. .. but they face lot of hurdles and emotional issues.   Finally, the movie ends the elderly couple continuing their life journey.  .. .. the song was a musical hit too !!    

The beautiful composition of Saint Thiyagayya   from his musical opera Nauka Charitram (The Story of the Boat) was classically  adapted by music director M.M. Keeravani in the movie.  The song has  bright, celebratory, and rhythmic quality perfectly suited for the swaying motion of a boat (or a deity's palanquin). The film version stays very true to the original classical structure, which is why it sounds so familiar when played on the Nadaswaram in a traditional setting. 

Since it’s currently the festival of Ram Navami, hearing a Tyagaraja masterpiece like this during a procession is quite special.: https://youtu.be/n4L3TkdwZNI

Rajeswari Kalyanam  starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Meena, Vanisri, Suresh – and the tragic ending  core plot line was taken from Hollywood movie, On Golden Pond.  On Golden Pond is a 1981 drama film directed by Mark Rydell from a screenplay written by Ernest Thompson, adapted from his 1979 play. It starred Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman and William Lanteau. In his final film role, Henry Fonda portrays Norman, a crusty, retired professor grappling with many effects of aging.  

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
26.3.2026