Packed with information
"SOLAI SOOZH Than Thirukurungudi Nambi," is an excellent book written by Peria Nambi K. Srinivasan on the beautiful Vishnu temple of Thirukurungudi. The slim volume is packed with information on the temple that satisfies the needs of not just devotees but those interested in the history of the temple. The print is legible and the reader is aided by appropriate sub-titles.
The first few pages explain the speciality of the temple, the Lord's vision to Nammazhwar's parents, to Ramanuja and other acharyas. The innate qualities and attributes of the deity's different forms are listed. Of special interest are the lucid explanations of poems written on the temple by Ottakoothar, court poet for King Kulotunga Chola.
The temple is administered by the Jeeyar of the monastery based in the temple. Considerable space is devoted to the service of the different pontiffs to the temple. Also worthy of attention is a list of important inscriptions and identification of the different Nayak/Vijayanagar sculptures that are in profusion throughout the temple.
The sthalapurana is delightfully retold. Also narrated is the story of Nampaduvan. The book concludes with an interesting account of the temple finance right form the British period and the full text of the songs written on the temple. Patient research and a genuine love for the temple, one of the less commercially exploited shine through in every page. One hopes that an English version will be out soon preferably illustrated. Given the modest budget, photographs are few in reasonably good quality.
Copies can be had from 39, North Mada St, Thirukurungudi - 627 115, Thirunelveli Dist OR "Sri Perarurala Kripa" SLC 244, LIG Colony, K.K. Nagar, Madurai - 625 020. — P.C.
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