Blackstone to be relaid at Thingalur; will that happen in Thiruvallikkeni too....

Happy news ~ something good happening in a Temple…. Read this news item in Dinamalar of date ~ Friday 28^th Dec 2012.

The report states that subsequent to the news item published in Dinamalar dated 21^st Dec 2012 – the HR&CE has decided to remove the modern cudappah slabs and replace them with the traditional ‘black stones’  in the outer precincts of Thingalur Kailasanathar Temple near Thiruvaiyaru, famously known as ‘Chandra sthalam’.

This report mentions that it is against ‘Agama’ to lay modern tiles inside the temple.  A HRCE Official is quoted as stating that the work of removing the cuddapah stones would start within two months and upon removal, black stones will be laid in their place.

Stones are stones ~ and their characteristic traits would never change.

Devotees of Thiruvallikeni Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple pray that the same occurs at Thiruvallikkeni too…………… Praying to Lord Parthasarathi Himself that this happens sooner…………. the granite stones are removed; traditional blackstones laid and ….. the ugly semi-permanent shed is also removed.

Allikkeni Mainthan….

Trouble for devotees at Thingalur Chandran temple

Now, devotees at Thingalur are suffering because of a wrong action by the HR & CE.

Sri Kailasanathar at Thingalur is one of the Navagraha temples and known as ‘Chandra sthalam’ ~ situated near Thiruvaiyaru, in Thanjavur district.  Lakhs of devotees converge here on Pournami days and other important days.

Recently the authorities, apathetic to agama and time-honoured rituals have placed cuddapah slabs on the circumambulatory path. These become extremely hot and devotees are suffering not able to walk on them.

As people who regularly visit temples recall, the temples were constructed with utmost care and concern during the days of Kings and maintained thereafter by many ~ none dared to changed time-honoured traditions.  The old blackstones found in all the temples were observed to become neither hot nor cold and by nature would allow water to percolate – hence water never stagnated, except when the temple was ill-maintained.

The changes such as placing cuddapah, granite stones only bring hardship to the devotees; in no way help the maintenance of the temple too.

Devotees pray to God Himself for protection.  !!

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple ~ Court case update

From ‘The Hindu’ dt 20.12.12:

HC refuses to interfere in work on Triplicane temple

The Madras High Court on Wednesday declined to grant an interim injunction restraining the authorities from proceeding with the covering of the ‘prakara’ and ‘pradakshina’ course of the Parthasarathy temple at Triplicane here in full or part with any permanent or semi-permanent structure, pending disposal of a writ petition.

Justice D. Hariparanthaman also dismissed another plea for an interim direction to the authorities to restore the coarse stone flooring in the ‘prakara’ and the ‘pradakshina’ course in the temple which had been replaced with polished granite.

V.S. Rajkumar had filed a writ petition seeking to declare the temple as an ancient monument under Section 2 (a) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. The petitioner had also sought a consequent direction to preserve the ancient monument and antiquity of the temple. The writ petition is pending before the court. Meanwhile, the petitions seeking interim orders were sought.

Mr. Justice Hariparanthaman said the covering work had already been completed. Some facilities were done for devotees, that too outside the temple. The petitioner could not object to the same.

One had to take judicial notice of the fact that similar facilities were being provided in temples when there were a large number of devotees. The counter affidavit made it clear that the tin tower was being provided for the devotees’ benefit.

As regards the other petition that the polished granite stones should be removed, Mr. Justice Hariparanthaman said granite stones were laid in many temples where devotees gathered in large numbers for their convenience. The granite stones had been laid outside the temple at the ‘prakara.’ The Judge said he did not find any illegality in the same. Admittedly, the flooring work had already been over. Hence, no direction could be granted as an interim measure to remove the granite stones.

A petition seeking the declaration of the structure as an ancient monument is already pending

Same news as reported in The Times of India, Chennai Edition 201212

Court refuses to interfere in temple renovation:Dec 20, 2012,

CHENNAI: The Madras high court has refused to interfere with the laying polished granite flooring and building of a semi-permanent roof at the 8th century Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane.

Justice D Hariparanthaman, dismissing a petition filed by a group of devotees on Monday, said: "Granite stones are put up in many temples to facilitate devotees. The stones are put up outside the temple at the prakara (corridor), that too near the madapalli (kitchen). Hence, I do not find any illegality in the same. Be that as it may, admittedly, the flooring work is already over. Hence, no direction can be granted as an interim measure to remove the granite stones put up near the madapalli."

The petitioners were opposed to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department's move to lay polished granite flooring and build a semi-permanent tin roofing, saying the attempt to cover the prakara and pradakshina (circumambulation) course would hurt religious sentiments of worshippers. Darshan of the gopuram (tower) and vimanam is a prescribed worship practice followed by devotees, they said.

Rejecting the submissions, Justice Hariparanthaman said that as seen from the counter-affidavit, the covering work of the prakara and pradakshina course of the temple has been completed. Also, it is not the case of the petitioners that the temple tower had been demolished or altered. It is also not their allegation that alterations were made in the sanctum sanctorum. Some facilities were made for the benefit of the devotees, he said, adding that the petitioners ought not to object it.

Ruling out the question of granting interim injunction, the judge dismissed another petition from the petitioners seeking to restrain the temple's executive officer from proceeding with the covering of the prakara and pradakshina course of Sri Parthasarathy temple.

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi Kovil Arap Porattam

Lot of things that provoke and anguish devotees, have been happening at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam – at Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple.

The residents of Thiruvallikkeni ~ the devotees of Lord Venkda Krishnar - Sri Parthasarathi, assembled on a Sunday and vent out their anguish.  Little could they do fighting the monstrous Temple management.

Here is something on the meeting as reported in The Hindu Downtown dated 26.08.12

Thiruvallikkeniyil Araporattam

Lot of things that provoke and anguish devotees, have been happening at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam – at Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple.

On 19th Aug 2012, the local residents under the banner of local Organisations assembled to discuss the troubles and of the possible actions that could be taken

Here is a report in Dinakaran dt 20.8.2012 on this......

Thirukovilgal Theatergal alla - Temples are not Theatres

Lot of things that provoke and anguish devotees, have been happening at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam – at Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple.

Sure you have read  Sept.21 2012 issue of popular ‘Astrological weekly’ – Kumudam Jothidam. Its Editor – Sri AM Rajagopal renowned for his ‘Astrological predictions’ and literary writing disposition, would need no introduction among the religious minded people.

Here is the same reprinted, which was distributed to general public at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam

Let us all pray to Lord VenkadaKrishnar Himself to protect against evils.....

The roof and floor of Temple ~ before the High Court

There prevails great sense of anguish amongst devotees who daily go to Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple.  They have been protesting and voicing their grievances on the shoddy make up of the ground and clumsy upper cover ~ the Lord deserves the Best of Things…….

Here is something that appeared in ‘Times of India’ Chennai edition of date; reproduced as it is. 

Devotees not floored by govt’s temple roofing idea

A Subramani TNN

Chennai: The eighth-century Sri Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane is in the middle of a bitter legal battle over the government’s plan to remove its coarse-stone flooring and erect a semi-permanent roof.

    A group of devotees has filed a petition in the Madras high court, saying that besides permanently damaging the antiquity of the temple, the move to cover the ‘prakara’ and ‘pradakshina’ course would hurt religious sentiments of worshippers.  Dharshan of the ‘gopuram’ and ‘vimanam’ of the temple is a prescribed ritual that devotees follow, they said, adding that officials of the Hindu religious & charitable endowments (HR&CE) department are removing the coarse stoneflooring and installing polished granite flooring along the passageway around the shrine.

    “This will result in the devotees’ bare feet getting scorched in the summer,” they said, adding that coarse granite flooring naturally absorbs rainwater and provides acupressure relief to devotees doing ‘pradakshina’.

    The HR&CE commissioner, P Dhanapal, however, alleged that the petitioners filed the plea with ulterior motives and informed the court that the granite flooring had been made rough now and that it was being done for the convenience of the public.      Another donor-sponsored project, the construction of a ‘semi-permanent’ roof, is being carried out to protect devotees from sun and rain, he said in a counter-affidavit in the court.   Work is being done on the request of devotees, Dhanapal said, adding that the ‘sthapathi’ (the temple architect) and ‘bhattachariars’ (priests) too had been consulted.  “It will not hamper the customary viewing of the gopuram by devotees or impair the architectural character or rainwater harvesting in the temple,” he said.

    The petitioners, however, are not convinced.   “If the roof is a temporary structure, the temple authorities have not said how long it  will be in pace or  whether it has been mentioned as ‘semi-permanent’ in the approval order,” they said in their reply.

    Noting that the chaitanyam (divine powers) of a temple is channelled according to its design and construction, they said, “Where the temple has to be covered and where it should be left open is determined at the time the temple is constructed.”  

    After it was built by the Pallava king Danthivarman, the temple authorities modified and expanded the structure. But, unlike the HR&CE authorities, no king ever thought it fit to alter the original temple architecture, the reply said.

    The matter is expected to generate heated debate when it is taken up for further hearing by Justice D Hariparanthaman on Monday.

Thirukovilgal Theatregal alla - AMR in Kumudam Jothidam

திருக்கோவில்கள்  தீயேட்டர்கள்  அல்ல !!!

Lot of things that provoke and anguish devotees, have been happening at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam – at Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple.

Have you read the Sept.21 2012 issue of popular ‘Astrological weekly’ – Kumudam Jothidam. Its Editor – Sri AM Rajagopal renowned for his ‘Astrological predictions’ and literary writing disposition, would need no introduction among the religious minded people,

Sri Parthasarathi Swami Thirukovil is one of the vey ancient temples and one among the 108 Divyadesams sung by Azhwars. The antiquity of the temple is understood by the style of architecture as also the culverts dating back to Pallava kingdom. The temple is under the control of HR&CE Department and in the recent past there have been protests / agitations over the construction of sheds in the prakaram inside the Temple before Sri Varadharajar sannadhi. The vast prakara which provides good quality air and light is what appeals most in Temples and presently this is what has become the ‘contentious issue’.

The authorities have placed black granite in the inner prakaram over the black stone, which has become to be more of a hindrance with devotees finding it too hot to step on and too slippery when it rains. Not caring for the aesthetic design nor for the time-old traditions, the authorities have erected structure covering the place fully, which prevents the devotees from having darshan of the Sacred Vimana.

There have been protests and signature campaign. A group of devotees have obtained signatures from more than 5000 individuals and have presented them to the Authorities, which has not provided any reaction. A writ petition stands filed before

the High Court of Madras seeking to declare the Sri Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane, an ancient monument and to preserve its antiquity as per the Ancient Monuments and

Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,1958.

On Saturday 25th Aug 2012 – close to a thousand of devotees converged in front of the Temple under the banner ‘Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple Protection Group’ and went on procession around the Mada Streets chanting ‘Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam’ seeking His intervention in restoration of old order. The voices of concern and anguish have so far have not evoked any response from the Temple administration. Representations have been sent to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Minister for HR&CE and to the authorities in HR&CE.

The primary concern of the bakthas of the temple are :

v      The age old customs, rituals and traditional practices must be respected and preserved by the Temple authorities

v      Any work in tune with the tradition and absolutely requirement can be sponsored by individuals – but no work should be undertaken simply because some individuals donate or sponsor. A Sponsor is for repair / renovation – but no new work shall be done, simply because a donor wants it to be so.

v      The traditional black stone treaded by Azhwargal, Acharyas, Ascetics and many renowned people and those having medicinal properties should not have been removed – that too without consulting or explaining to the common public

v      At no point of time there was stagnation of water in the existing flooring pattern, which is now threatened by the new granite stones placed

v     The granite tends to become too hot, making it hard for the devotees to circumambulate and do pradakshinas

v     The new stones with their deceptive colour would conceal spilled water and could harm devotees. With the slippery new floor, devotees especially, old, differently abled, pregnant women and others are afraid of tripping and falling.

v     The only open place in front of Lord Gajendra Varadarajar sannathi has been closed – thus preventing the flow of air, making it quite suffocating.

v     The roofing literally prevents devotees from having darshan of the Vimanam over the Sanctum Sanctorum.

v     Reverred Scholars connected with the temple state that according to Agama Sastras, there must be opening at certain places, which has been closed now arbitrarily.

The devotees who feel extremely hurt over the happenings have started an ‘online signature petition campaign’ also. Those having similar views are requested to join the

campaign by clicking this link petition for restoration at Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple:   or  pasting the following on your browser: 

http://www.change.org/petitions/hindu-religious-and-charitableendowments-tamil-nadu-stop-changing-the-floor-in-sri-parthasarathy-swamy-templetiruvallikkeni?utm_campaign=friend_inviter_modal&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=22163856

The inner cover and first page of Kumudam Jothidam is pasted below. In the article titled ‘Thirukovilgal Theatergal alla – Temples are not theatres’ – Sri AM Rajagopal in his inimitable style has expressed his anguish and voiced concern clearly condemning the violations and seeking the Hindu Religious Department to correct the mistake immediately

With regards –   Allikkeni Mainthan..

Sept. 2012.

Thiruvallikkeni Porattam and Dr Subrahmanya Swamy

Sri Parthasarathi Swami Thirukovil is one of the vey ancient temples and one among the 108 Divyadesams sung by Azhwars.  The antiquity of the temple is understood by the style of architecture as also the culverts dating back to Pallava kingdom.   A few months ago, much to the chagrin and anguish of devotees,  the Temple Administration has placed black granite in the inner prakaram over the black stone, which has become  more of a hindrance with devotees finding it too hot to step on and too slippery when it rains.  Not caring for the aesthetic design nor the time-old traditions, the authorities have erected structure covering the place fully, which prevents the devotees from having darshan of the Sacred Vimana.  

There have been protests and signature campaign. A group of devotees have obtained signatures from more than 5000 individuals and have presented them to the Authorities, which has not provided any reaction.  A writ petition has been  filed before the High Court of Madras seeking to declare the Sri Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane an ancient monument and to preserve its antiquity as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,1958.

Local residents protesting against these have formed a Fourm – ‘Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple Protection Force’ and  under the aegis of the Fourm,   more than 1000 devotees participated in a peaceful protest on 25^th Aug 2012, starting the procession  before the Temple, chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam and did pradakshinam around the Temple appealing to Lord Parthasarathi Himself for the right solution. 

These events have been well-reported in all the newspaper and we are so thankful to you for covering them in a detailed manner in the  right perspective. 

The pleas of devotees and the Fourm have so far  failed to evoke action from the HR&CE authorities.  The structures are so clumsily constructed binding and damaging  the beautiful statues of Azhwars at places, the granite stones generate so much of heat and are extremely slippery making it dangerous for the bakthas to walk and do pradakshinam.  The roofing has prevented circulation of air and proves to be a hindrance for having darshan of Vimanam – over the Sanctum Sanctorum.

The Forum is making an  earnest plea to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the authorities of HR&CE and to the Temple Authorities to restore the pristine glory of the temple and remove the recently constructed clumsy structures.

On Sunday, 9^th Dec 2012,  Dr Subramaniya Swamy of the Janata Party visited Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple, had darshan of Lord Parthasarathi,  inspected the structures made and spoke to the Press ~ which included large no. of camera persons representing various news channels.

Dr Subrahmanya Swamy needs no introduction.  This suave person has been in the forefront fighting corruption and other evils of the society.  He has been actively fighting for the rights of Hindus.  By his concerted action and legal efforts, he has in right earnest fought for the “Rama Sethu” – the most sacred bridge constructed by the army commandeered by Sugreeva, King of Kishkinda in order to help Rama find his consort Sita.  The epic ‘Sri Ramayana’,  as written by Valmiki depicts all the events including the construction of the bridge for which Dr Swamy has fought valiantly and has stopped destruction of this sacred symbol of Hindu Unity. 

After inspecting the construction of shelter and the stones laid, Dr Swamy thundered them to be illegal and that the authorities have done things in haste.  He has assured fighting this legally and would guide those fighting for the cause appropriately. 

Here are some photos taken by the media  during his visit  to Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple

-         Allikkeni Mainthan.

-         9^th Dec 2012.