A.V. Devan Times

Hello readers, As part of the “Entaro Mahanubavulu” series I am glad to present the Fourth article. Whenever I hear the devotional song “Abhirami Andhadhi” sung by Dr. Seerkazhi Govindarajan am moved by the lyrics and the diction of Seerkazhi. The peom is fraught with devotion and bhakthi towards universal mother [Jaganmatha] Goddess Abhirami. “Andham” meaning end and “Adhi” means beginning. “Abhirami Andhadhi” is in a format wherein the last word of the first verse become the starting verse for the second verse. Abhirami Andhadhi is composed by Abhirami Bhattar who lived some 300 years before in a place known as “Thirukkadavur” near Mayavaram. Thirukkadavur or Thirukkadaiyur is now famous for conducting “Sashtiabdhapoorthi” [60 years completion] or “Sadhabishekam” [completion of 80 years]. It is the belief that by performing the above functions in Thirukkadiyur once life expectancy will increase because here the Lord Amirta Ghateswarar took the Avatar of “Kala-Samhara-Moorthy” and ki

“Kovil Illatha Ooril Kudi Irukathe” – Please don’t reside in a place where there is no temple. The Statement of our forefathers is sacro sanct because the temple indicates that the community is graced by the presence of God and that its Citizens form a moral community. A Community identifies and is identified by others with its temples. There are lots of temples in and around the Metropolis of Chennai. Chennai has vaishnavite divya desams, thevara shivite temples and even Navagraha temples in and around the city. I recently happened to visit Kanda Kottam a shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga located on the heartthrob of Chennai. The temple is situated amidst the narrow lane of “Rasappa Chetty Street” in the Park Town which is located near the Ratan or Evening Bazaar between Chennai Central and Parry’s Corner. The temple has the legend dating back to 15th Century and is managed by Ayira Vysya Beri Chettiyar Community. This temple was frequented by the Saint Poet “Vallalar” Ramalinga Adigal