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Showing posts from December, 2009

Kanchi Mahaperiyava's exposition of "Sri Subrahmanyaya Namaste"

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In June 1961, Paramacharya was camping at Devakottai (in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu). He was in deep penance for several weeks, not talking or even communicating by gesture. One could not know if he even heard the devotees' words. One morning, some people from nearby Ariyakkudi (‘Nagarathar’) had their darshan of Him, and in the course of their talks, it came out that Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, the famous carnatic musician, and known simply as ‘Ariyakkudi’, was currently in Karaikkudi. To the surprise of every one, Paramacharya signaled to them, asking if they can bring Ariyakkudi over to meet Him. They agreed and left. That afternoon by three o'clock, Ariyakkudi was at the camp. He was so excited and tense, as Paramacharya had asked to meet him in the midst of his 'kashta mounam' (vow of rigorous silence). Is not Paramacharya known for His simplicity? So His accommodation at the camp was very simple. His room was on the garden side of a small house

Temple Visit – Kundrathur

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I recently visited two temples at Kundrathur which is about 28 kms from Chennai located in the middle of Pallavaram, Poonamalee and Porur. The Nageswarar temple is the one dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other one is the famous temple for Lord Subramanya or Muruga. The Murugan temple is on the hillock with all serenity and you will get fresh Oxygen here without the city pollutions and can recharge your soul. You will be surprised to know that this town is also the birth place of Saint Poet Sekkizhar who is the author of the famous “Periya Puranam” which is considered as an important epic in Tamil literature. The poem narrates the life of the 63 Nayanmars or Saivite devotees of Lord Shiva. If there has to be a temple shot in films, filmmakers head to Kundrathur for its multi step entrance and its mountainous view. Films like Vijay’s 'Nenjinilae', Simbu’s 'Kadhal Azhivathilai', the latest 'Azhagar Malai' and TV serial 'Kolangal' and 'Velan' have be

108 Divine Names of Hanuman

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Yesterday was “Hanumath Jayanthi” i.e. In Tamilnadu Maruti is believed to have born on Margazhi, Amavaysa in the “Moola” star. Brahmasri Sengalipuram Anantharama Deekshitar in his book “Jaya Mangala Stotram" has given a guideline as to how to perform the Pooja. The pooja period is for 45 days. If a person carries out this Hanumat Pooja with sincerity all his wishes will be fulfilled. This declaration is given by Sri Deekshitar. The famous artist “Vinu” had portrayed “Jaya Hanuman” (See picture below) and the same got the blessings of Kanchi Mahaperiyava Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswathi. So many people have benefitted after doing this pooja. I have also referred to many earlier who have given their sincere feedback that they have attained immense benefit by doing this pooja. I have heard Sri Deekshitar and other stalwarts telling that simply by reading the “Sundara Kandam” of Ramayana any hindrances in their mission/objective will be removed and will attain their wish. Also

The Magic of Dabbawala

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I recently attended a programme titled “The magic of the dabbawala” (thanks to my friend Deepak Menon) organized by National HRD Network (Chennai Chapter) at Hotel Savera, on 27th November 2009. The lecture was given by Mr. Manish Tripathi who is the Chairman of the Dabbawala Foundation. When he entered the meeting hall with his ‘dabba’ and said “Good Evening Chennai” he sets the tone for the programme which was full of wits and humour. Though the English came with chaste Marathi dialect we can enjoy the programme as he kept on pulling the legs of the MBA graduates when he compared the dabawala with that of an ordinary organization. The BBC has produced a documentary on dabbawalas, and Prince Charles , during his visit to India, visited them and even invited them for his marriage. Owing to the tremendous publicity, some of the dabbawalas were invited to give guest lectures in top business schools of India, which is very unusual. Most remarkably in the eyes of many Westerners, the s