The teerthavari utsavam, as part of the Maasi Magam festival, at Sri Govindaraja Perumal divyadesam, Chidambaram, was celebrated recently. Thousands of devotees thronged the place to witness the procession of the deity, which was a part of teerthavari. The owner of a cycle workshop, in the outskirts, kept the shutters open till 10 p.m. to fill air in the tyres of the vehicle, which was carrying Chitrakoodathullan, utsava deity of the Chidambaram Divya Desam. It was a 15-km journey to Killai. This gesture reminded one of Thiru Mangai Azhwar’s praise of the greatness of Thillai Thiru Chitrakoodam and what the Lord expects from his devotees.
In his first verse praising the Lord of Chidambaram, he says that severe penance is not necessary to get His blessings. A visit to Thillai Nagar Thiru Chitrakoodam is sufficient. After a grand alankaram by the priests, Chitrakoodathullan left his abode at Chidambaram along with Sridevi and Bhoo Devi.
The first halt
As the Lord entered Nakkara Vanthan Kudi, a remote village East of Chidambaram late in the night, one was even more humbled with the unflinching devotion of the villagers who gathered in front of the Draupadi Amman Temple with flowers, garlands and variety rice to be presented to the Lord. And when Chitrakoodathullan reached their Village well past 10 p.m., they sang verses extolling Him. In line with Kulasekara Azhwar’s praise, devotees thronged to worship the Lord of Chitrakoodam.
The story goes that in centuries gone by, the villagers pleaded the Lord to make his way through the green fields during this annual journey as they believed that it would prove to be a great blessing for the harvest season.
At 11 p.m. the Lord bid farewell to the devotees and continued his march to the next destination through the dark streets lit up only by the moon light.
Silk shawls as offering
It was an important day for the devotees at Pinnathur, a small village five km off Killai. The entire village came together to receive the Lord from Chidambaram, at the wee hours. For half an hour, the villagers mainly farmers and their families, showered the Lord with various colourful silk shawls. In decades gone by, the Lord used to return the next day to the Rama Temple in Pinnathur for a Theppotsavam here (See Box).
The procession moved on from Pinnathur, the streets wearing a deserted look. It was midnight and the silence was broken by the words Sripadam Thangis exchanged among themselves. The route to Killai, the final destination was the Chidambaram-Pichavaram Highway. It was almost 1.30 a.m. when they arrived there and the group rested for the night at the Anjaneya Temple.
Once upon a time, this used to be a week-long utsavam with Veda Narayana Perumal of Valaimadevi (near Neyveli) and Varaha Perumal of Perumathur joining the Lord of Chidambaram Divya Desam in this annual Maasi celebrations.
Early the next morning, Lord Chitrakoodathullan made his way to the Eastern Sea Shore for the annual teerthavari utsavam on Maasi Magam day, which was followed by a thirumanjanam at Killai.
Later in the day, the procession wound its way to Bhuvanagiri, towards the west side. According to Chitrakoodam Puranam, the Lord of this Divyadesam enjoyed Thiru Kalyana Vaibhavam at Vellaanthankarai (Bhuvanagiri) in Maasi month. In keeping with tradition, the wedding was performed at the Saurashtra Mandapam on the banks of the Vellaaru.
After three days and several stops at villages, where devotees had darshan, the deity returned to Chidambaram on March 3, 9.30 p.m. And much to the delight of the devotees, who were awaiting his return, both Chitrakoodathullan and Bhoo Varaha Perumal of Sri Mushnam (who arrived there after the theerthavari at Killai) were presented together thus bringing to an end the Maasi utsavam.
At His service for seven decades
85-year-old A.V. Rangachari, former Economic Professor of Annamalai University, was at the Chidambaram divyadesam two hours ahead of Lord Chitrakoodathullan’s trip to Killai last week and ensured that the Sevakalam took place on time facilitating the timely departure of the Utsava deity for the long procession.
He has spent most of his life in and around the huge ‘Twin Temple’ complex at Chidambaram. Unsurprisingly, Saivites and Vaishnavites, alike, have great regard for the contribution he has made. He was just 15 years old when he took up the responsibilities of the Theerthakar at the Govindaraja Perumal Divya Desam way back in 1948. Rangachari has been an integral part of the Seva Kalam at this Divya Desam ever since. By the time he turned 18, he was inducted into the Board of Trustees, one of the youngest to take up such a responsibility in a Divya Desam. By this time, he had also taken up the responsibilities for the conduct of utsavams.
Rangachari was initiated into Divya Prabhandham and Vedic recital very early in his life and became immersed in the Vaishnava Sampradaya and learnt the Agamas. He also learnt the Rahasya Granthas and did Kalakshepams at a very young age. While at the primary education at Navalar School, it was the practice to recite the Thevaram Verses of the every morning and that made him well versed in Thevaram as well.
His father wanted him to perform lifelong service to the Lord of Thillai Thiru Chitrakoodam and believed that a job at the nearby Annamalai University would enable this and got him a teaching job there. In the decades that followed the entire student community of the University became his disciples and assisted him in his Kainkaryam.
The greatest initiation to him as a young boy was to maintain a cordial relationship with the Saivites. And that has earned him reverence from the devotees who come to the temple. His philosophy has always been quite simple ‘If you are straight forward and offer your service to the Lord with Devotion, people will trust you.’
For his lifetime contribution to Divya Desam Kainkaryam, Rangachari received LIFCO’s ‘Ramanuja’ Selfless Service Award last year.
Revival of Theppotsavam Next Year
It was at the ancient Ramar temple in Punnathur Village that historically the utsava deity of Thillai Chitrakoodam Divyadesam took part in a Theppotsavam on his return trip from Killai. With the temple in a dilapidated condition, the Theppam had to be stopped a few decades ago. However, with the renovation under way to get the temple back in shape, the authorities are hoping to revive the theppotsavam next year. at the temple.
