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Apeal: Perumal Temple Renocation at Kattu Mannar Kocil

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elayavalli • January 21, 2003 


Sri:
SrimathE Ramanujaya Nama:
AzhwAr emperumAnAr Jeeyar thiruvadikalE Saranam

Dear Group,

This apeal may not be appropriate for this list. However, since the
shrines of our beloved acharyas Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar
are in dire need for funds at their avathara sthalam, I am violating
one of the primary rules of this list. Please provide any support that
you can to help out the renovation effort. Please do post this on
other related sites.

adiyEn 
Venkatesh Elayavilli
http://www.srivaishnava.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Renovation of the Shrines ofAcharya SrimanNathamunigal and Sri
Alavandar AvadharasthalamSri Veeranarayana Perumal Temple at
Kattumannarkoil. (Cuddalore Dist., Tamil Nadu, India.)
AN APPEAL

Of all the religions of the world, Vaishnavism is unique in that it
has set forth the ideal of 
monotheism, stressing the observance of self-surrender to the
Omniscient, Omnipresent and 
Omnipotent God-head, Sriman Narayana. Sriman Narayana in His unbounded
mercy to save the people from the cycle of births and deaths, took
several 'Avatars' but only very few seized that opportunity. He then
manifested Himself as Vyasa, Parasara, Valmiki and other Seers,
upholding Vaishnavism and preaching the philosophy of dedicated life
and right conduct for the benefit of the world. This too, touched only
a fringe of the masses. The supreme Purushothama condescendingly
descended to the form of mortals-viz., Alwars - to propound and
re-establish His immortal 'Dharma'. The Alwars were men of vast vision
and great imagination and propaged the tenets of Vaishnavism through
their devotional songs. But the inexorable hand of time wiped out
these hymns and very few could retain their lustre. His mission, thus,
remaining unfulfilled, the Lord ordained the Acharyas to inspire the
people through their teachings. Such a hierarchy of Acharyas starts
from Sriman Nathamunigal and Alavandar, descending to Vara Vara Muni,
Ramanuja adorning the centre. 

Nathamunigal and Alavandar were the pioneering and foremost Acharyas
of SriVaishnavism. They were the worthy predecessors of Sri Ramanuja.
It was given to Nathamunigal to restore, through his Yogic vision, all
the 4,000 divine musings of the Alwars. It was he who set these hymns
to Vedic metre, rythm and music and introduced their recital in
temples and homes. He also estabilised the authority of the
Pancharathra mode of worship. 

Then came  the renowned Yamunacharya, popularly known as ' Alavandar'
the grandson of Nathamunigal, who won wide recognition as a powerful
champion of Vasishtadvaidic philosophy and religion through his
immortal words and works. He it was who recognised the spirtual genius
of Sri Ramanuja and inspired him to compose his magnum Opus Sri
Bashyam, the great commentary on the Brahma Sutras. 

No exaggeration is it to over, that, but for these Acharyas,
Vaishnavism would have been stifled, the divine Prabandams of the
Alwars scotched, the 108 sacred Vishnu temples unrecognised, the great
Vasishtadvaidic philosophy decadent, and the precious commentaries and
works on Vaishnavite religion unborn. And it is no mean claim to say
that the whole world of Vaishnava elite owes its existence to these
Mahacharyas.

Kattumannarkoil, (situated on the banks of the vast Veeranam Lake)
hallowed by the birth of these Acharyas is the only place with
magnificent temples dedicated to Nathamunigal and Alavandar. These
Chola-period temples are in a dilapidated condition. The Vimanans of
Perumal, Thayar, Andal, Nathamunigal, Sri Alavandhar, the Rajagopuram,
rampart wall, the Asthana Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Madaipalli, Ramar
Temple, Hanumar temple, the prakaram and the Vahanams need urgent
repairs, They have to be renovated beautifully and the Maha
Samprokshnam to be performed in a fitting manner on an appropriate
scale. This sacred task has been entrusted to I, therefore, appeal to
your good-self to contribute liberally which will enable the Committee
to perform this rare, unique and sacred work on a grand scale
befitting the fame and eminence of the Acharyas and receive the
blessings of the mahacharyas for your generous and magnanimous donation. 

Invoking the blessings of Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar.


S.Muralidharan
3/406, III Street, Kamaraj Nagar,
Kumbakonam - 612 002. Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu, India.
Phone : (0435) 2443664.  Cell : 98430 - 09664




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