2nd July evening

It was around 4 PM we have reached Vennar bank, where the three temples of Thanjai Mamanikkoil are situated. Sri Thirumangai azhvar is doing mangalasasanam to this divya desam in the first decad itself of Peria thirumozhi. First little bit background information about this divya desam and adiyongal's association with this divya desam.

Four years back one of our goshti member from Bahrain had been to this divya desam on a sravanam day and he was shocked to see the condition of the temple. Swami desikan's purappadu was supposed to commence, when he and his wife had visited but the condition of the temple was pathetic and there was no garlands to Perumal or acharya on Sravanam day itself. When he came to Bahrain, he narrated this to us and he had been trying to do something for this temple.

Three years back our goshti members have joined hands and undertook the nitya aradana kaimkaryam of this temple and we are glad to state that this humble kaimkaryam is still continuing to this date. We were just sending money to one bhagavatha in chennai and he was orgainising the required things and that's all. Two years back, when adiyen went to India we have planned a trip to Thanjai mamanikkoil but unfortunately the bus broke down enroute Thanjavour from Pattukkottai and by the time we have landed Thanjavour we just had time to rush to Junction to catch the train. We could not postpone
our Madras return with my young daughter. Somehow adiyen couldn't make another trip last time.

Some time back, adiyen has received feedback stating that the kaimkaryams are NOT going on as per our original intention and the local bhagavathas were not even aware of the kaimkaryam, our Bahrain satsangh have been doing at this diyva desam. This was a surprise but please don't mistake adiyen for writing this. Adiyen is not blaming anyone or finding fault with the bhagavatha who was doing this kaimkaryam on our behalf. It is Perumal's leela to make us involved
more.

Adiyen has asked my retired father whether he can undertake this kaimkaryam co ordinating with some one locally. He made few trips to Thanjai and finally located his distant related cousin who was working as Sanskrit Teacher. His name is Sri Gopalan. His house was in Karunthattankudi and his school was in Thanjavour town. He used to visit the temples in Vennar bank once in a week. As adiyen's father was discussing this with him, his proposal to purchase a house adjacent to Manikundra perumal temple has materialised. It seems that the owner of that house was demanding huge sum till that time and the
house was vacent for many years. The owner who is living in Chennai finally reduced his quote and Sri Gopalan could afford to purchase the house. He is Siromani in sanskrit from Madhurantakam school run by Sri ahobila mutt and his father in law is one of senior aradhakar at Sri Ahobila mutt who is with Srimad Azhagiya singar for more than 20 years. He is called as Vaduvur aradhakar. Sri Gopalan and his wife Smt Vaidhehi are strict followers of our sampradayam and their achara
anushtanams are very strict. Being born and brought up at Vennar bank Sri Gopalan has immediately accepted our request to co ordinate the kaimkaryam. Their devotion to Sri Nelamega perumal is unbelievable. Finally Perumal has made arrangements for HIS own kaimkaryam listening to our prayers. Now Sri Gopalan is co ordinating the nitya aradana kaimkaryam at Thanjai. If you are visiting this temple you can talk to him and understand the current developments.

Adiyen is extremely sorry for giving such long history. Adiyen wants to put every one of you in the picture.

We have landed at Sri Gopalan's house. Smt Vaidehi was extremely glad to receive us and she was wondering the timing of their house purchase, when we were asking them to undertake this kaimkaryam. Also she was so happy with their new house as Srimad Azhagiya singar had been to their new home en route his sancharam and we were the first guests visiting them after Srimad Azhagiya singar.

Now it has started raining heavily and it was a great relief to feel the cool breeze after tiring journey in the hot sun. Due to this we have to drop our plan to visit Thirukkandiyur divya desam and only after 2 hours we could even go to the temples nearby.

Their house was adjacent to Manikkundra perumal temple. Few yards on the left was Nelamega perumal and few more yards on the right was Thanjai Yali ie Nrusimha perumal temples. Nelamega perumal is considered to be the senior of the three and we went there first.

This temple is in such a bad condition. The main gopuram is looking pathetic and there are cracks where ever you look above our head. Bats are freely flying above your head and terrifying. Just opposite to the sannidhi is looking like a go shala ie Cow shed. The whole place is messy and the perumal is in very old clothes without any ornaments and any devotee seeing the perumal will cry for sure.

As we were waiting for the bhattar to come, we took a tour of the temple although it was still drizzling. The cows there are basically donated to the nearby Mariamman temple and since both the temples are under the same trust the cows are brought over to perumal temple. Adieyn read that only a milking cow should be donated but here the cows donated for not so. They are all old and one of them was born blind. We heard that one cow has died due to snake poisoning and
another due to bite of a stray dog.

Thankfully now there is an Ex service man, who is taking care of the cows. His name is Sri Rajagopalan and he is native of Vennar bank. After his retirement he is doing this social service. Since there was no proper security for the temple it was a place for local rowdi's to assemble and play cards and drink etc it seems. Now after his involvement such anti social elements have been eliminated. He has requested us help to feed the cows. Adiyen has promised to help and feeding the cows there would cost Rs 300/ per week. We are looking for volunteers for this kaimkaryam. One bhagavatha from Doha has
given money ( Rs 5000) to make a proper shed for the cows. Now a nice shed has been made adjacent to Desikan sannidhi. After many years perumal can see the Garudazhvar instead of the cows.

We had good darshan and the needs of temple are plenty. There is no screen in front of the sannidhi for closing during Bhojyasanam. There no clothes for the deities and not to speak about the ornaments. The Thayar is without tilakam or Thirumangalyam also. Adiyen is feeling embrassed to even write this. With heavy heart we have moved to manikundra perumal temple.

Thankfully the condition of Manikundra perumal is slightly better. Adiyen was told that one bhagavatha has undertaken the renovation kaimkaryam and he has done a good job. Although there is no facility for nitya aradanam, this temple looks far better than Neelamega perumal temple.

Then we have moved to Narasimhar temple. This temple is being looked after very well. You may wonder how this could be possible. Among the three temples one is depilated condition and another is looking new. Although the temples are under the same trust, the narasimhar temple is being looked after by a wealthy, famous personality who is close to a popular politician. Someone has told them that they have to serve a narasimhar temple it appears. The peruaml here is with good vastram and ornaments. The gopuram and prakaram etc are sparkling and adiyen is just dreaming that Neelamega perumal also should find such a sponsor to take care of HIMSELF. We are atleast taking care of nitya aradanam in Neelmega perumal and Manikundra perumal temples besides sambhavana to bhattar.

It was around 9 PM we came home and retired for that day. Our plan was to start next day early morning and our plan was to cover Thillaivilakam ramar temple (our Kula deivam), Mannargudi, Vaduvur before reaching Oppiliappan koil for Kalyana utsavam.

Adiyen will take u thru the 3rd July experiences in next posting.