HH Pujyashri Shankara #Vijayendra Saraswati #Shankaracharya Swamigal visited #Mahendramangalam village on Monday evening. The village is about 55 to 60 kms from Tiruvanaikaval on the Trichy - Namakkal road. The village is deeply connected with Kanchi Math as the 68th Acharya Pujya Sri #Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swami spent eventful years there undergoing study of the entire Hindu scriptures and also in deep mediation and contemplation. Little was known at that time the Acharya would guide the humanity for a century. The Acharya in the three plus years spent there, had consecrated a temple for Adi Shankara on the banks of river Cauvery. #Shrimatam camp which consisted of a big retinue was thinned down to facilitate the undisturbed academic and spiritual pursuit of the young Acharya. The Singam Iyengar Trust house situated in the #Agraharam was the place of Sri #Chandramouleeshwara Swamy puja. Today the room used by His Holiness on the first floor is a place of worship decked with his photos.
HH Pujya Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal had earlier visited the village during 1996/97 and since then initiated renovation of the Adi Shankara temple, Sri Chandramouleeshwara Shiva #Temple, overall development of the Agraharam village and starting of #Veda #Patashala. Currently the Adi Shankara Temple is housed in a spacious Mandapam and the renovation of Shiva temple is in final stage. The house in which #Kanchi #Paramacharya stayed has been renovated and currently a Krishna #Yajur Veda Pathashala has been commenced. Six students are undergoing Veda Adhyayanam under Sri Lakshminarasimha Ghanapatigal. Another house in the Agraharam has been acquired. A team of devotees who accompanied the entourage briefed His Holiness about the various works done so far and those to be completed in the village.
His Holiness in his interaction stressed about the significance of Kanchi Paramacharya's stay in the village. An interesting anecdote revealing the brilliance of Kanchi Paramacharya which was experienced by his teachers was shared. The word Mangalam denoted Chaturvedi Mangalam and that scholars proficient in all the Vedas would reside in such Mangalams. His Holiness also said that families can conduct #Aksharabhyasam of their children in Mahendramangalam especially in the place where Kanchi Paramacharya studied. Information to be provided to families desiring to stay in the village and participate in the activities. Holiness also said that information boards need to be erected on the main road (Trichy- Namakkal- Bangalore) indicating the significance of the place and enabling devotees to visit the village.
During the visit, His Holiness was received in front of Sri Shivan Temple, then visits were held to the Adi Shankara temple near the #Cauvery Canal, then to Sri Siva & Sri Perumal temple, then to Singam Iyengar Trust (Pannai) house, then to Veda Pathashala (run by Kanchi Math), then to Sri Krishnamurthy Iyer's Gruham, then to Bhajanai Matham, then to the house recently bought with blessings of His Holiness and finally to Sri #Venugopalaswamy temple concluding a significant visit to the village. The local people gathered in large numbers to have a glimpse of His Holiness and several children were blessed with notebooks and writing pens.
On the return, His Holiness visited Sri Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy temple in Gunaseelam and returned back to Tiruvanaikaval at 9.30 pm.
Those wishing to involve in Mahendramangalam village by participating in Veda Pathashala Kainkaryam, temple renovation, buying of Agraharam houses, supporting Grama #Archakas, performing Aksharabhyasam, Veda Parayanams and general development of the village may write to kanchimutt@gmail.com .

The Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust is functioning since 1958. It has been rendering yeoman service in the field of Vedic Education under the guidance of the Acharyas of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Kanchipuram.It encourages Veda Adhyayana and it runs its own Gurukula Patasalas throughout the country. An annual examination is conducted twice a year during Sankara Jayanthi in April/ May and once during Navaratri in September/ October each year. The Vidyarthi, on his successful completion of the exam is given a certificate of proficiency coupled with cash award.

Some Photographs

Some memorable moments from this event

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