இணையில்லா இலையாதங்குடி பெரியவா
Sri Sudarsana Mahadevendra Saraswati (Purvashrama name: Mahalingam) is the 65th Sankaracharya (1851-1890) of Kanchi Kamakoti Sankaracharya Matam Moolamnaya Sarvajna Peetam.
Experience with Sri MahaPeriyava By Sri Kalyana Sundara Gurukkal
Sri Kalyana Sundara Gurukkal is 98 years young and thatha and his family are the Gurukkal for Sri Kalasanathar Kovil in Ilayathangudi for FIVE generations now.
Thatha is reliving his moments with Sri MahaPeriyava doing three Chaturmasyam in Ilayathangudi. And he also recollects how Ilayathangudi Periyava Aradhanai celebrated in a grandeur manner by Sri Sambamoorthy Sastrigal (Purvaashrama Brother of Sri MahaPeriyava), as ordained by Sri MahaPeriyava.
Though I’m a Sivachaaryaar , I always do Namaskaram to Sri MahaPeriyava says Sri Kalyana Sundara Gurukkal Thatha. The glow in his eyes when he says “Namma MahaPeriyava Erukaale….” is quite a sight to watch!
Adistana Sthala Puranam of Ilayathangudi Adistanam & many intriquing details of Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava
Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava Purvaasharamam
Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava and Sri MahaPeriyava : Ilayathangudi Periyava’s Purvashrama father is Sri Seshadri Sastrigal and is younger brother is Sri Ganapathi Sastrigal who served Sri Matam for 50 years as SriKaryam during the regime of 64th and 65th Sankaracharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Sri Ganapathi Sastrigal is Purvashrama Thatha of Sri MahaPeriyava thereby Ilayathangudi Periyava in Purvashama is (Onnu Vitta) Periappa to Sri MahaPeriyava.
Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava Medha Vilaasam
- Ilayathangudi Periyava an avid Horse rider
- Ilayathangudi Periyava doing Poojai with Vilvam
- Ilayathangudi Periyava and HIS Annadhanam
Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava Anugraham
Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava arranged for Upanayanam of Sri Visveswara Iyer and immensely blessed him. Later, Sri Visveswara became a famous Engineer who built Krishna Raja Sagara, also popularly known as KRS – the name of both a lake and the dam that creates it. It is located close to the settlement of Krishnarajasagara in the Indian State of Karnataka.
Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava Songs in Carnatic Music
- Subbarama Dikshithar (1839-1906) who was the grand son of Sri Baluswamy Dikshithar , the younger brother of Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar composed “Sri Sankaracharyam” in raagam Shankarabharanam on Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava.
- Mysore Sadaashiva Rao – Pra-Shisyar of Sri Thiaga Brahmam composed “shrI SaNmukha janaka candramaulIshvarArdha” in raagam Shankarabharanam on Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava.
History reveals that all Sankaracharya krithis composed during the reign of Sri Ilayathangudi Periyava is on HIM.
Classical Pictures of Sri MahaPeriyava in Ilayathangudi
Periyava sitting in Pralayam Oorani (Kulam) in Ilayathangudi
Periyava standing near vilvam tree Ilayathangudi
Thank you very much for excellent narration of the history of Illayathangudi 65th Maha Periyava Adhistanam near Sri Kailasanathar Temple. It is located near Pudukkottai so that I can visit this amazingly blessed place where both 65 th and 68th Mahaperiyava blessed and still live as divine Aathma. . Since I can not visit Orrikai or Kanchi matam , but I can easily visit this Adhistanam often to get their blessings because I live close to Pudukkottai.
ரொம்ப சாமானியர்கள் ஆன எங்களை கை பிடித்து பெரியவாளிடம் அழைத்து செல்கிறீர்கள். மிக்க பாக்கியம் செய்தோம். ஸ்ரீ குருப்யோ நம:,
ஜய ஜய சங்கர ஹர ஹர சங்கர
Dear sarma ji,
A photograph of Sri Mahadevendra Sarswathi swamigal was there
sitting , backside mutt employees standing, puja mandapam was
there. But Swamigal was without Dandam, Kamandalam, mundanam,
etc. Only one Thundu was on his shoulder. Can you explain .
Dear All,
I would like to share a few points about Brahmasri Sambamoorthy Sasthrigal mentioned in this post. He is one of the purvashrama brother of our Maha Periyava. You can say he was a look-alike of Sri Periyava. We used to say that he is the “white” periyava because thatha wore normal dhothis whereas perivaya wore the kaashyam. His smile, his turns, his voice everything resembled Maha Periyava. Indeed, we believed that we were living with periyava himself. However, I am no blood relation to Sri Sambamoorthy thatha; my maternal uncle lived next to his house in Kadiyapatti. Every time I went there for holidays, I had the greatest fortune of listening to Sri Sambamorthy thatha narrate Periyava’s greatness. Actually tears are rolling down my eyes as I write this post. Not many know that Sambamoorthy thatha himself was a great genius (he has written Ramayana, many volumes and pages and other literary works). Sri thatha’s entire pooja room would have many photos of Sri Periyava, sitting periyava, standing periyava, with vilva malai, walking on the river steps, the immaculate japam pose and so on – words will never be able to describe HIM. Thatha’s whole house had that vibration. I used to admire those photos and ask Sri thatha the background behind each photo. I would fan him (using a visiri) as he narrated those stories. It could be hours and hours. Sometimes he would be sitting on the cot (kayitru kattil) and I would be sitting on the floor sometimes and listen. He was humble, down to earth and was always in periyava’s smranai. Sri Sambamoorthy thatha conducted the aradhanai at Ilayanthangudi with great devotion, following periyava’s words. After him, Sri Mouli Mama, a relative of Sri thatha carried on. After that Dr. M.K. Venkatraman, a genius Professor in mathematics (from Karaikudi) and a huge devotee of Sri Periyava carried on the Aradhanai. Dr. MKV and his team celebrated Sri Sankara Jayanthi in Karaikudi. Even today Sankara Jayanthi celebrations are going on. If you ever thought that you needed 100% of Sri Periyava’s blessings, please participate in the Ilyanthangudi Aradhanai and Karaikudi Sankara Jayanthi. Due to work reasons, I am away overseas and I miss all of these. I would never miss the Aradhanai or Sankara Jayanthi when I am in India. Those of you who are truly blessed, should never miss.
There is a photo of my dear thatha in the Ilayanthangudi Adhistanam in one of those walls. To me there is no wonder that he was a great person. After all, an apple doesn’t fall far away from the tree, does it? It is our job to recognise great people and mahans of our times and stand up for this immensely great culture and religion.
** PLEASE USE THIS POST FOR PUBLICATION **
Namaskarams to all,
Srikanth
Namskaram,
I am wondering the sathsangh you have at your age(I guess you are young compared to me at 70) .Pl let me know the dates of the 2 GREAT events you mentioned (Ilayathangudi Aradhanai and Karaikudi Jayanthi) this year to plan my participation,Dr MKV was our Professor when I studied Engg in Karaikudi during 1966-70 and his classes were class of its own. His brother son Sri Sethuraman my classmate and a hostler used to perform Nithyakarma anushtanam in hostel unmindful of other students ‘mock’ at him.I am ashamed I was not enjoying sathsangh to visit Ilayathangudi nearby when I was in college eventhough we are from a traditional simple family.
Your blog is very enlightening and do share such experiences
Regards
Gopalan KS
Selaiyur Chennai 73
9840941499
ksgopalan@hotmail.com
Dear Gopalanji,
My namaskarams to you. I turned 50 recently. You are right that the sathsangh started early in my life too. During Maha Periyava’s visit to Ilayathangudi in the early 70’s, I was at primary school studying at Kilasevalpatti, a village 6 km from Ilayathangudi. We used to walk to Ilayathangudi most days. This janma has watched Maha Periyava’s Chandramouliswarar Pooja from the first row. I did not know then that the GOD himself was doing Pooja to himself. In my view Periyava is everything including the Brahman. Nobody can alter my view. Perhaps Sri thatha imbibed it in me. Since you know Dr. MKV, I should say something about his bhakti to Periyava. My family lived in Karaikudi during the 1980’s and I was a volunteer in Sankara Jayanthi celebrations like many boys of my age and then moved to engineering college. There I saw the reference books were written by Dr. MKV. I said to him, Mama, I did not know that you were such a great Professor. He looked up on the wall with his hands on the chair. There was Periyava photo. He said ” Namma kitta ennada irukku, Ellam Periyava Anugraham”. These words are from a Professor who has received an award from the President of India. This Teaches humility to anyone.
Ilayathangudi aradhana is in the month of Panguni, Aamavasai, think it is around Poorattathy star. Sankara Jayanthi in Karaikudi is during Maha Periyava’s Vaikasi Anusham. The paampu panchangam usually has the details.
Thanks for asking. What is painful to see is that we have seen great people in our life time. Our religion and culture should get it’s due respect. Am not happy with the current state.
I missed one information in my original post. Sri Sunderesa Mama from Pudukkottai has done great service to Ilayathangudi.
Regards
Srikanth
Peiryava Sharanam
Srikanth Ji do you live in melbourne?? We are in Melbourne as well.
Please email me at aparna.slt@gmail.com
Srikantji , You are blessed to hv lstened to Sri thatha, as you call hm. Most of us long for a connect with Maya Periyava . This is divine.
Many thanks, yes unforgettable days. I named my son after him. I was very young at the time to grasp everything but I knew he was a great man. Some of his stories are now coming in the experiences with mahaperiyava. I can see the connections. All Periyava’s Anugraham. This Periyava puranam initiative and the YouTube videos are great.
Sath kainkaryam.
Thanks again,
Srikanth
Srikant Anna,i am krishnamurthy;living in Mumbai;periyava bhaktan nu sollikara arugadai enakku illa Anna;however ilayathangudi-how to reach say from chennai by train as well as by bus;how to reach karaikudi and attend jayanti;contact names and numbers of people-almost anybody associated,however remotely with periyava will be kind hearted;kindly inform me Anna;i am grateful.dasanudasan p s krishnamurthy
Dear Krishnamurthy Sir,
My apologies for not replying earlier due to work commitments. For Karaikudi Sankara Jayanthi details, please check with G.Subramaniyan, number +91 944 338 2450 or 9080 163 907. Ilayanthangudi details are in the post by M.Narayanan, down below.
Thanks,
Srikanth
dear sir,
many thanks for your support;however i could not find any trailing information on ilayathangudi;kindly guide.
grateful,
p s krishnamurthy
i could find it anna;thank you;however how to reach ilayathangudi from chennai by train and bus anna.pl guide.saubhagyam
Maha Bhagyam! Even I had the Anugraham to visit ILayathangudi on a May Day in a hot sun! I was the only devotee to pray at the Adhishtanam on that day! There is an Adi Sankara Vigraha in front of the Adhishtaanam and to the left. The elderly Poojakar and his wife were the only people who were doing Kainkaryam . The Poojakar said that he was living in Pudukkottai and was asked by Maha Periyava to go to Ilayathangudi and do Pooja at the Adhishtanam. His wife prepares Naivedhya every day and they offered the same to Acharya. When I asked whether any Ashtothram specific to Ilayathangudi Periyava is available, he said that Maha Periyava told him to do daily Pooja chanting Sivaashtothram. Any more proof needed to say that ILayathangudi Periyava is Lord Siva incarnate? He showed me the place in the Praharam around the shrine where Maha Periyava used to sit and give Dharshan in the 1960s. Apart from the great Agama Shilpa Sadas conducted grandly, the Ashta Graha Seerkkai evoked great fear among people at the time Maha Periyava stayed there. He gave a ready remedy to people to chant Thirugnanasambhandhar’s KOLaRu Thiruppathigam, “VEyuRu ThoLi PanGan” All magazines carried that. People in lakhs chanted every day. Needless to say that nothing untoward happened. Maha Periyava had assured that even if 8000 Grahaas congregate, nothin untoward will happen and Lord Siva will Protect us. That Maami looked at a book Brihath Sthothra Maala by Giri Trading Agency from which I was chanting at the Adhishtaanam and asked whether she could read that for a while. I told her to keep the copy and I will buy one for myself at Madras later. The happiness in the simple couple’s faces makes tears come to my eyes even today. They were living for each other and had no issues it seems.My Namaskaarams to those great and simple couple.Was there for a full two hours in that Holy Place which I have never done in any other place. Visited and prayed at Sri Kailasanathar Temple which seems to be Nagaraththaars’ first Temple. Visited the Veda Paatashaala and listened to the children chanting Veda sweetly and correctly. Saw the KuLam and Vilva Maram also. It is almost 15 years since that visit.
Very great experience to see Sri Kalyana Sundara GurukkaL and his devotional experiences with Maha Periyava and Ilayaathangudi. Much indebted to Brahmasri Ganesa Sarma Maama and Sri Sivaramanji to give so much history in such devotional tone. Finally I must tell about the great services being done by Sri. Sundaresan of Pudukkottai in conducting Ilayathangudi Periyava Aradhana every Panguni Amaavasya with great sincerity. I think that there will be Kumbhabishegam to the shrine shortly after Acharyal Anugraham. For people who want mental peace, Maha Periyava and later Sri Jayendra Periyava and Sri Bala Periyava have always directed them to visit Ilayathangudi and have Dharshan.Contributions to Aradhana, Kumbhabishegam and Veda Paata shala can be sent to:
Sri. N.Sundaresan, Managing Trustee, Elayathakkudi Sri Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamigal Trust, 920/2, North Second Street, Pudukkottai 622001 Phone: 04322-225636 Mobile: 94434 30378
For online bank transfer: Ilayathakudi Sri Maha Devendra Saraswathi SwamigaL Trust, Central Bank of India, Pudukkottai SB AC .1821007541 IFSC Code CBI No 282105 MICR code 622016002
ISM Saraswathi Swamigal Trust, ICICI Bank Ltd, Pudukkottai IFSC Code ICIC0006114 SB AC No. 611401132763
Sri. Sundaresan requests people sending donation through online NEFT to kindly write a letter, SMS or phone giving details of name, address, telephone number, bank details, amount and transaction number so that he can send Prasadam and receipt. Kindly oblige.
Hara Hara Shankara, Jaya Jaya Shankara! Ilayathangudi Periyava ThiruvadigaLe CharaNam! Maha Periyava ThiruvadigaLe CharaNam!
IFSC Code: CBIN0282105 for Central Bank of India, Pudukkottai is the correct one. I copied the one in the Aradhana invitation. Thanks.
I would like to visit Elauathankudi to see temples and Sri Kanchi mutt from chennai. Pl.let me know lodging etc to reach.
E.Srinivasan
srinivasaniyeres@gmail.com
na bhooto na bhavishyati
History which should be publicised. Even previous generation may not know this. and how can we expect the present and future generations will know ?
Jaya Jaya Sankara
Hara Hara Sankara
Maha Periyava Charanam .
Dear Srikanthji
I am V Visweswaran grand son of Sri Natesa Sastrigal
from Karaikudi . He was a great vedhic scholar and served as Vedhic pandit in Karaikudi .He and his forefathers , my great grandfathers are from Adanakkottai near Pudukkottai .My father Sri Ramanatha Iyer worked in Karaikudi in SMS high school and later moved to BHEl Kailasapuram Trichy .
Had an oppotunity today to go through your post and like to share additional information.
I was told my father that Sri Maha Periyava visited Karaikudi in 1923 and blessed our Grand father Sri Natesa Sastrigal to start performing Sri Sankara Jayanthi Uthsavam and gave Adhi Sankarai Prathimai with an advice to perform a Janaothsavam for 5 days starting from Sukla paksha Panchami .
My Grandfather started the uthsavam in different places like Ekadasi matam , Muthurani Pillayar kovil etc and finally moved to Krishnan Kovil in Kallukatti area .
He performed for 37 years and afyer attaining Sivaloka prapthi our father continued the Uthsavam in Karaikudi and moved to Kailasapuram Township in Bhel Trichy from 48th year Uthsavam .
When we moved out of Karaikudi Sri MK Venkatraman took the responsibility to continue performing at Karaikudi .My father had good association with Sri M K venkatraman at Karaikudi .
After our Fathers demise in 2011 our family continue to perform Sri Sankara Jayanthi uthsavam at BHEL town ship trichy and 99th year uthsavam performed in May 2021 .We plan to perform 100th year in 2022.
Feeling very happy to see the Karaikudi and Sri M K Venkatraman connection in your post and want to share the above information .
Visiting Illayathangudi next week ..
Regards
V Visweswaran
9894690074
My Grand father started