Tiruchendur: May 21-22, 2017

Special Worship at the Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

ARRIVAL

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam arrived at the holy sea-shore temple town of Tiruchendur in the evening of May 21, 2017. A rapturous reception was accorded to the Jagadgurus by devotees led by authorities of the famous temple of Lord Subrahmanya at Tiruchendur. A public function was organised at the Dharma Paripalana Shaktidhara Bhajanai Sabha. Dhuli Pada Puja was performed by Sri Pasu Shankar. The Sabha then began with Veda Ghosha and Prarthana Geetam. Dhuli Pada Puja was performed to the Jagadguru followed by the reading of a formal welcome (Swagata Patrika) in Sanskrit and Tamil.

ANCIENT BOND BETWEEN SUBRAHMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE & SRINGERI MATH

The Patrikas mentioned the strong relationship between the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri and the Tiruchendur Subrahmanya Swamy temple, ever since the time of Sri Adi Shankaracharya who composed the Subrahmanya Bhujangam at Tiruchendur. The Jagadguru of Sringeri alone has the special privilege of entering the Garbha Griha and offering special Puja to Lord Subrahmanya.

ANUGRAHA BHASHANAM

Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam stated that Lord Subrahmanya is — आर्तत्राणपरायण — the One who is ever intent on removing the afflictions of devotees. Hence we must pray to the Lord to help remove our inner foes of Kama (desire) and Krodha (anger). Sri Mahasannidhanam also blessed the residents of Tiruchendur deeming it a fortune to be living in such a Kshetram. He also mentioned that as per tradition, the Sringeri Jagadgurus during the Vijaya Yatra in the region, offer worship to Lord Subrahmanya at Tiruchendur praying for the welfare of one and all.

Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam quoted the following verse of Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s Subrahmanya Bhujangam composed at Tiruchendur explaining that the Lord who resides by the ocean, confers the Supreme good of taking us across the ocean of Samsara when approached by people with devotion –

यदा संनिधानं गता मानवा मे भवाम्भोधिपारं गतास्ते तदैव ।
इति व्यञ्जयन्सिन्धुतीरे य आस्ते तमीडे पवित्रं पराशक्तिपुत्रम् ॥४॥

Sri Sannidhanam also mentioned that when the Lord is worshipped, immense joy ensues. This can only be directly experienced.

After the function, the Jagadgurus arrived at the Sringeri Shankara Math in Tiruchendur. Sri Sannidhanam was then led in a grand procession from the Sringeri Shankara Math. The procession ended at the Krishna Mahal, Dwadashi Math. Sri Sannidhanam then performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja.

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PUJA AT THE SRI SUBRAHMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE

At around 4:30 am on the morning of May 22, the Jagadgurus arrived at the Shanmukha Vilas Mandapam of the Subrahmanya Swamy temple. Temple officials led by Joint Commissioner, Sri Varadarajan and members of the Thiru-svatantrar community offered golden Poornakumbha Swagata. At about 5:15 am, the Jagadgurus entered the Garbha Griha of Sri Subrahmanya Swamy and began the special elaborate Pooja to Lord Subrahmanya. Sri Mahasannidhanam first performed the Udaya Marthanda Abhisheka with thailam, oil, coconut water, Panchamritam, honey, milk, curd, panneer (rose water), sandalwood paste and Vibhuti. The Jagadguru performed Deeparadhana after the Abhishekas of milk, sandalwood paste and Vibhuti. This was followed by a beautiful Alankara to the Lord even as the Jagadgurus came out to bless the devotees. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed Ashtottara Shatanama Archana to Lord Subrahmanya, and then performed the Udaya Marthanda Deeparadhana. This was followed by Pushpa Archana.

The Jagadgurus then had Darshan of the Panchalingas in the cave behind the sanctum sanctorum. Golden Kavachas to the Panchalingas were adorned as an offering on the occasion and a statue of Sri Adi Shankaracharya was consecrated and placed in the cave. The Jagadgurus then had Darshan of the Utsava Moorti, Shanmukha Swami. The Jagadgurus then inaugurated the Ananda Vilas granite Mandapam an an offering from the Sringeri Math. The Tiruchendur temple authorities led by Sri V T Kottai Manikanta Deekshitar, Thakkaar of the temple and the Joint Commissioner, Sri Varadarajan were present on the occcasion. It is this Ananda Vilas Mandapam that Sri Shanmukha Swami (the Utsava Moorti) will adorn during the festivals during the Tamil months of Maasi and Avani.

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OTHER VISITS

Later in the morning, Sri Sannidhanam graced the Thiruppugazh Mani Mandiram and had Darshan. Sri Sannidhanam also had Darshan of Sri Kalyana Vinayakar of the Dwadashi Math. Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam then gave Darshan to the devotees at the Krishna Mahal, Dwadashi Matham and blessed them with Mantrakshata.