Ninety-two-year old Govindaraja Azhwar lives in a hut inside the Amaruviappan temple premises, and for the past 60 years, he has been the temple guard and has also maintained the temple garden. He eats only what has been offered to the deity, and is fondly referred to as Amaruviappan's foster son.
Eighty-eight-year old Thirukkudandhai Ganapadi Sadagopachariar Swami acts as Lord Sarangapani's representative, when he performs the annual death anniversary rituals for Lakshmi Narayana Swami, a devotee of the Lord. He also officiates at marriages and other auspicious occasions. “I insist that the families meet me at least a month before the wedding, so that I can explain to them the meaning and significance of the mantras. One should not go through the rituals in a frivolous manner,” he says.
Cholasimhapuram Koil Kandadai Chandamarutham Vedantachariar Swami is a descendant of Doddayachariar who wrote a commentary titled ‘Chandamarutham' for Vedanta Desika's Sata Dooshani. Anyone who has climbed the Sholingur hill to worship at the Nrisimha shrine, will be aware of the physical strain the climb imposes. Imagine doing this everyday. That is precisely what Cholasimhapuram Vedantachariar has been doing for the past 70 years. Incidentally, he is Velukkudi Krishnan's Acharya. His grandson is a software engineer, who serves at the temple during the weekend. What if his company wants him to go abroad? “I made it clear to them that I will not go abroad, because I have to serve at the temple,” answers the young man.
Mallikidambi Bhashyam Iyengar Swami has been a part of the Divya Prabandha goshti at the Srirangam temple since 1956, and has led the team since 1995. Four of his sons have been trained by him in the Divya Prabandhas.
Kannan Dikshitar walked a distance of 12 miles everyday for 30 years to serve at the Vaduvur Rama temple. Even when his salary was only five rupees a month, he spent half of it making and distributing curd rice to the visiting devotees.
Thiruparthanpalli Lakshmana Dikshitar 's archanas, rendered in classical ragas, are a treat to listen to.
Srinivasa Bhattar of Sriperumbudur belongs to the seventh generation of a family that has served at the Sriperumbudur temple, and he continues the family tradition.
Rajagopala Bhattachariar of Periakulam has been conferred an honorary doctorate in recognition to his knowledge of Vaikanasa Agama.
Azhisur Mudumbai Parthasarathi Iyengar has performed more than 320 samprokshanams in accordance with Pancharatra Agama.
Melavidaiyal Narasimhachariar has participated in Pancharatra vidwat sadas discussions, and has performed more than 400 samprokshanams.
Varadakutti Bhattacharia r has had the great boon of serving as an archaka for the past 50 years at the temple in Thooppul, the birth place of Vedanta Desika. Dharmar , who is the guard of the Thiruppulingudi temple, also blows the conch, sweeps the temple and strings garlands for the deity.
Each of the twelve aged men, whose profiles have been briefly sketched here, was honoured with the title ‘Kainkarya Sriman' by Velukkudi Krishnan's Kinchitkaram Trust, Chennai. Their spiritual service for over 60 years has been rendered without any fanfare or publicity. In fact they didn't even know how to pose for the Press photographers.
Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikan, the 45th Pontiff of Ahobila Mutt, who presented the awards, said that contemplating the selfless service of the awardees made one emotional. Sri Ranganatha Yatindra Mahadesikan, the 46th Pontiff, observed that paying one's respects to such servitors of the Lord was akin to worshipping the Lord Himself.
