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Ancient temple gets a face-lift
The Mahasamprokshanam... when Akkur drew people from far and near.
AKKUR VILLAGE, 20 km. from Kanchipuram, on the Vandavasi Road, in Tiruvannamalai district, wore a festive look on Monday (January 27). A large number of devotees from nearby villages, and also from Kanchipuram, thronged Akkur to witness the Mahasamprokshanam of the seven-century old Sri Ambujavalli Nayika Sametha Sri Lakshminarayana Perumal temple performed in a grand manner.
Kadukkalur Manivannan Bhattachariar in the presence of Srirangam Andavan Swamigal Sri Rangaramanuja Mahadesikan performed the mahasamprokshanam. Religious fervour coupled with chanting of Vedas marked the samprokshanam.
The utsavar panchaloha idols of the Lord and His Consort were taken round the temple with the holy waters carried by the Vedic scholars and Bhattacharyars from the yagasala premises. Besides the utsavar idols of Ambujavalli samedha Srinivasa Perumal, pujas are held for other deities including Andal, Chakkarathazhwar, Rukmani and Sathyabama samedha Kalinga Nardhana Krishnan, every day.
The three-day yagasala and other pujas began on January 25, and concluded with the samprokshanam on Monday morning. In the evening a large number of devotees witnessed the colourful Garuda Seva procession. According to the residents of the village, Mr. A. V. Srinivasan of Akkur took special efforts to organise the renovation of the ancient temple through the Sri Lakshminarayana Perumal Aradhana Committee.
The temple was renovated at a cost of about Rs. 7 lakhs that was collected through public contribution.
The temple got a facelift as the front portion of the temple that looked like a mandapam has been adorned with images of various gods and goddesses. A special portico has been built at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.
Mr. D. Rajagopalan, trustee of the temple, says that the place is now clean and tidy. All the bushes in the prakaram were removed at the time of renovation, which was taken up just six months ago. He said electric lights have been provided inside and outside the temple.
Lord Lakshminarayana... Moolavar with his Consort. Pics. by A. Muralitharan.
Several functions and special pujas are being organised every year for Sri Jayanthi, Hanumath Jayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi Garuda Seva, Purattasi third Saturday, Panguni Uthiram and Tamil New Year's day.
The beautiful presiding deity of Lakshminarayana Perumal in a sitting posture, holding His consort, is an awesome sight. It is believed that whoever worships the Lord here, is bestowed with prosperity.
Tracing the history of the temple, it is said that about seven centuries ago, the Lord appeared and revealed His existence near Tumburu Theertham at Thirumala Hills, to a great scion called Doddacharyar.
Doddacharyar fetched the idols of Lord Lakshminarayana, Goddess Ambujavalli, Goda and Viswaksenar which were found hidden in the earth, installed it at Akkur village and built the temple. Later, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Nigamantha Mahadesikan and Saint Srimad Akkur Andavan were also installed. Several ancient inscriptions are also found in the temple. According to archaeologists, Akkur village originally comprised six hamlets — Samburanatham, Singili Pattarai, Thatha Pattarai, Dhaneswaran Modu, Purangavasam and Srinivasapuram. Later it was named Akkur.
Donations for the temple may be sent by money order, demand draft or by cheque in the name of Sri Lakshminarayana Perumal Aradhana Committee, 26, Madhava Perumal Koil Street, Mylapore, Chennai-600004.
K. SUBRAMANIAN
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