Favourite place of the venerable sage of Kanchi
Where Paramacharya learnt the Vedas : Mahendramangalam, Tiruchi district, is a 1500 year old temple for Lord Siva. This is one of the favourite places of the venerable sage of Kanchi, Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Swamigal, “Maha Periyava” to million of His devotees. Mahendramangalam, a village on the Tiruchi-Thottiyam road, set in lush green surroundings with the Cauvery flowing, the village, near the famous Musiri town, is really enchanting.
Favourite place of Maha Periyava: Mahendra Mangalam gets its eminence from the fact that Paramacharya, in his early days of sanyasa (1911-1914), stayed here to learn the Vedas. But why was Mahendramangalam chosen for the Seer’s study? Ra. Ganapathy, in his book ‘Nadamaadum Kadavul’ writes that when Mahaswami was appointed head of the Mutt at a very young age, he had a lot of visitors in Kumbakonam and that forced the Mutt authorities to find a place where he would not be disturbed. The author further states “When all the students would bow before the teachers, it was the guru who had to bow before this unique sishya, as the Peetathipathi”, and later to be realized out as the
Incarnation of Sri Adi Shankara Himself.
In this charming village, through which Akanda Cauvery flows, Sri Mahaperiyava observed Chatur Maasya vrata for three years (the present Acharyas wish to revive the practice when the temple is restored). And this is, where Mahaperiyava started his holy padhayatra. (Digvijaya) too. The Veda Patasala where the Kanchi Seer had studied is well maintained in this Village.
Presiding Deities: The presiding deities of this 1500 year old Mahendramangalam temple remains - Sri Tripurasundari samedha Sri Chandramouliswarar. The Athma Lingam given by Sri Adisankarar & Ambal with similar names are being worshipped by The Sankaracharyas of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam for the sake of the welfare of the Universe, at the mutt, daily with thrikala pooja.
Sri Adisankarar Prathishta:.Mahaperiyava during his stay installed (prathishta) Adisankarar idol and performed pooja daily. Now, Mahaperiyava’s idol has been
Consecrated by the Samithi at the behest of the present Acharyas of Kanchimutt.
Construction of temple: The Sivalingam retrieved from the remains buried under the soil in this village, is at last going to get its own sanctum sanctorum. Now it has been placed under a thatched roof for worship.
Mahendramangalam has its sacred soil, touched by the feet of Mahasswami in his early years during his Vedhabhyaasa and later too. Under the benign blessings of Their Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, a trust has been formed to take care of the construction of this temple.
This entire temple complex (1st phase) will be 100 feet by 45 feet housing Sri Tripurasundari and Sri Chandramouliswarar apart from other deities.
The estimated cost of the construction of the temple is around Rs.50 Lakhs. We appeal to you to spread the word about this project and those interested in donating funds/materials to the project can do so to the below mentioned address. |
