It is a welcome trend now! Young priests, who were employed in the IT sector, are turning back to traditional temple service despite the poor remuneration. This story takes a look at those who have decided to dedicate their lives to divine service. This supplement published a similar article in November last. Link (https://www.thehindu.com /society/history-and-culture /in-search-of-future/article 25565340.ece).
In the 1980s, even one measure ( padi ) of rice was not available for naivedyam for the Lord at the Amaruviappan Divya Desam in Therazhundur.
Vasan Bhattar, used to collect rice from each house and prepare the thaligai and offer it to the Lord on a daily basis. On many occasions, especially special days, he used to feel sad that there were no new clothes to decorate the deity.
Things became worse when the power supply to the temple was stopped due to non-payment of bills, when plans to conduct Brahmotsavam was under way, just over a decade ago. Vasan Bhattar found it difficult to run the daily activities, leave alone festivals. He was a helpless spectator.
The background, however, did not deter 26-year old Hari Sundar, son of Vasan Bhattar and grandson of Kannan Bhattar, from carrying on the mantle. Having witnessed the agony of his father and grandfather, who had served for over eight decades, in managing the temple, child Hari was keen on taking up a bank job.
However, when he turned 15, Hari Sundar decided to continue the hereditary service and perform aradhana to the Lord at this Divya Desam. So he left for Srirangam to get enrolled in the patasala run by Velukudi Krishnan. For a decade, he learnt Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, Pancharatra Agama and also acquired a degree in Sanskrit. Much against the ‘advice’ of his friends, who thought he was taking a huge risk, he quit a lucrative career and moved to Therazhundur to join his father in temple service. There was no salary for it was the view of the HR & CE that without sufficient income from the temple, it would be difficult for them to pay the Bhattars.
It has now been three years since he started performing full-fledged service at the temple as a Bhattar depending on ‘Thattu’ Kaasu. And he has also found a bride, who despite living in Mumbai for 20 years, happily agreed to relocate to the remote temple town of Therazhundur. When Vasan Bhattar entered temple service as a full-fledged priest, the then chief priest told him: “Every time you enter the Sanctum , remember that you have been chosen among crores of people in India to perform puja and feed the Lord at this Divya Desam.” He repeated this to Hari Sundar, who draws inspiration from these words.
In Mangai Matam
Balaji Bhattar was just 20 when he returned to Mangai Madam to take up service at the Veera Narasimha temple, one of the Pancha Narasimha temples around Thiru Nangur.
The temple, where Thirumangai Azhwar performed Thadhiyaradhanai for 1,008 Vaishnavites to please Kumudavalli Nachyar, was lying in a state of disrepair.
When Balaji Bhattar came back after completing his Vedic and Agama training, he began the process of restoring the temple, which meant work from the scratch.
After his initial schooling in Nangur, Balaji Bhattar came to Mylapore, Chennai, to learn the Vedas. He was initiated into the agamas by Lakshmana Dikshitar of Parthan Palli Divya Desam. Balaji Bhattar then took charge of the temple and has also revived many Utsavams including the Brahmotsavam. He succeeded in getting the devotees involved in the temple’s activities. A step in this direction was making the temple a part of the Nangur Divya Desam trip.
In a decade, Balaji Bhattar has proved that with hard work, devotion and dedication life is not so gloomy for a priest.
At Tyagarajar temple
G. Somaskandar Sivacharyar (33) belongs to the family that has been performing pujas at the legendary Tyagaraja temple in Tiruvarur. His grandfather was associated with the temple for over four decades, while his father for over 50 years. To repeat a story, situation changed over the decades and income for the priests dwindled, even the measure of paddy, which was give to them for service withdrawn. But Somaskandar’s father insisted that his son continue the hereditary vocation, even as most of his peers at other Thevaram Sthalams were already heading towards bigger cities.
After learning Siva Agama, Somaskamdar spent five years at a patasala in Mayiladuthurai, learning the Vedas. Right from his school days, he has been supporting his father at the shrine and hence was well-versed in the rituals. A decade ago, he took up the hereditary service at the temple full time. He did get invitations from overseas temples to serve there but he was not tempted. “Not once have I contemplated moving away from Tyagesa,” he says.
R. Kamala Malar Kannan Bhattar of Thiruvellarai Divya Desam is an engineering graduate from Sastra University. Having seen the financial challenges that his ancestors experienced, he planned to move away. But as he was completing his degree, he decided to dedicate himself to the service of Lord Pundareekakshan. Rejecting a bank job, ten years ago, he took up the hereditary temple service without a salary. Life is not easy and meeting expenses, especially regarding the education of his children, is daunting but the Bhattar is clear that he will spend the rest of his life at the Thiruvellarai temple serving the Lord.
At Thenthiruperai
The youngest in this category is 20-year-old Venkata Srinivasan, hailing from Thenthiruperai Divya Desam, who is just out of Patshala education at Madurantakam.
As a school boy, he would support Ananthu Bhattar, the chief priest at the Makara Nedungkuzhaikathan temple, by carrying the torch during street processions at major utsavams. Pleased with his dedication, Ananthu Bhattar encouraged him to enter temple service. At the age of 10, he moved to Madurantakam to learn Yajur Veda, Pancharatra Agama, Sri Bashyam and Sanskrit. During a period of 10 years, he also performed kainkaryam at the madapalli in the Patasala.
The message from his Guru Annadhur Rajagopalachariar through this phase was clear “The learning should translate into developing our Sampradayam, spreading Sanskrit and most importantly taking care of your parents at their old age. Do not succumb to financial temptations and the lures of a city life.” He credits Ananthu Bhattar for constantly motivating him to return to Thenthiruperai.
Venkata Srinivasan joined Thenthiruperai in June last as an Archaka (priest) and Paricharaka (cook) for a salary of Rs. 500 a month. He is keen to spread Sanskrit among the villagers over the next decade by educating them . His parents have been a great source of strength in supporting his decision to remain in temple service as against a life in the city.
He does face financial challenge and his traditional attire and tuft may come in the way of his finding a life partner but Venkata Srinivasan considers the fulfilment he gets as the best reward.
