His Holiness visits Vallur - 21 July 2010

His Holiness Pujyasri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Sankaracharaya Swamiji visited Vallur village near Arani, on 21 July 2010. Arriving at around 5.45 pm at the village, His Holiness spent about 3 hours, visiting the local temples, interacting with the villagers and giving anugraha Bhashanam.

Welcome at the Perumal Temple

Pujyasri Acharya Swamiji arrived at Mandavali (near Draupathi Amman Temple). He alighted from the Car and came by walk throughout the trip. Traditional Poorna Kumbam welcome was offered on behalf of the Village near Perumal Temple. After Dharshan, His Holiness visited the Nandavanam which was specifically developed on His advice and gave darshan, sitting on a slab under the mango tree. From there, His Holienss started walking along the Agraharam Street, then on to road leading to river / Ponni Amman Kovil.

After Dharshan at Ponni Amman Kovil and two other nearby temples, He stepped into the Holy River Kamandala Nadhi by walking down the newly built Padithurai named after him. He spent sometime visiting the very old Arasa Maram and old bush of Cane. He enquired about the development in the village, school, varieties of grains sown etc. etc. Finally, He arrived at the Sri Yagneshwarar Temple aroung 7 pm. Whole village turned about and followed His Holiness right through. In Sri Yagneshwarar Temple, His Holiness was accorded a welcome with Poorna Kumbham. Pujyasri Swamiji first visited Vinayakar, followed by Sri Subramanyar sannidhis, then in the shrine of Sri Tripurasundari Amman, then on to Durgai and Bairavar Shrines. His Holiness offered worship at the shrine of Sri Yagneshwarar.

His Holiness gave anugraha Bhashanam about the compassion of the Almighty, starting from importance of Annam with Nelli Kani of Kanakadhara Sthothram of Adi Sankara, dwelt on importance of Sthothrams, Namaskarams etc., elaborated about Krishna-Kuchelar relationship and consuming of Aval given by Kuchelar and then on to Ganga (Dhara) ending with the need for annam for life, Annam which cannot be grown without the rain, varsha (dhara) and how the rain can be had in plenty by performing Yagnas. His Holiness concluded the Arulurai linking the Yagnas performed in the Temple, main deity being Sri Yagneshwarar. He praised the Villagers for participation in all the religious activities and for upholding our tradition.

His Holiness released "Durga Pancha Sthothra Mala", a compilation of Stothras from Devi Mahatmyam by Sri Gopalakrishna Rao. Temple prasadams from all the temples in the village (13 in all) and also from nearby temples of Renukadevi Amman, Padaiveedu, Sri Gnanambika Sametha Sri Nilakanteswara Swamy from Adayapalam, Sri Yanthra Saneeswarar from Erikuppam, Sri YogaNarasimhaswamy from Padaiveedu were offered to His Holiness.

The temple committee honoured 15 guests from the Mutt and scholars, 15 local leaders and people connected with the Temple including Sivachariars who are responsible for running the Temple satisfactorily. The function came to an end with thanksgiving speech from local Panchayat President Sri Krishnamurthy. The entourage left at 8.45 pm.

- As reported by Sri. Gopalakrishna Rao, who hails from the village and is instrumental in the renovation and upkeep of the temples and other dharmic activities in the village.