Secular approach
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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This Chennai temple combines social and spiritual activities.
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A remarkable aspect of Thirumaadakoil in Nanganallur, Chennai, is that the temple preaches and practises secularism. People of any faith, caste or creed can enter the premises for prayer. "God is formless and He is one. The names of all the Hindu Gods are not proper nouns but adjectives," smiles Lakshminarasimhan, who raised the temple on directions from the Paramacharya. Those who wish to pray for fulfilment can write the name of the Lord he believes in, be it Jesus, Allah or Rama four times every morning on a post card, for 27 days and on the 28th day post it to the temple address.
The letters are included in the Nama Japa Yagna performed at the temple. "We receive letters even from places such as California ... it is all a matter of faith," says Vishnupriya, a devotee who spends her spare time in the service of the temple.
Thirumaadakoil Varasakthi Vinayakar Temple is one place where you will not find a hundi seeking monetary assistance from those who come to pray. "As per Paramacharya's words we don't wish to commercialise the religious endeavour of ours. We don't want any money." says Lakshminarasimhan. The Kanchi sage had asked him not to take donations and instead raise the temple as and when he got the money, even if it meant brick by brick. "A temple that is situated at a height equal to that of two elephants is referred to as Maadakoil, Malaikoil or Maamanikoil. And because this temple conforms to that pattern it is a maadakoil," Lakshminarasimhan explains. The temple has been built after a lot of research at the Sarasvati Mahal Library, in Thanjavur, and in keeping with the Agama Sastras.
Unique aspects
The sthalavriksham here is the coconut tree. " It is easy to maintain and occupies little space," smiles Lakshminarasimhan. Energy in space that enters the Earth at a particular time during the day is gathered here at the kalasam above the temple. In turn it passes through the sthalavriksham. So if you are at the spot when the energy is passing through your wishes are fulfilled, is the explanation given.
The approach here seems both rational and spiritual. The two chakrams placed on either side of the coconut tree in the outer prakaram is said to retain the energy that passes through.
There is a meditation hall right above the Ganapathi shrine, which provides space for one person at a time. Each entrant is allowed five minutes to meditate in absolute solitude. The temple conducts free medical and eye camps and Veda classes.
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