Some temples are noted for their architecture, some because saints and poets have sung in praise of them. Some temples acquire an aura and power of their own which is not easily explained. Some temples may not have any of these outstanding features, but attract devotees by the grace and simplicity of the temple as well as the presiding deities. One such is the Srinivasa temple near "Chitra Kulam" in Mylapore, which is administered by the Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam. It is located just beside the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, which has an imposing gopuram that can be seen from quite a distance.

The Srinivasa temple has a history of over 350 years. A vigraha of Sri Vedanta Desika was brought from the adjacent Kesavaperumal temple and installed here. Since elders felt that the Acharya should not preside alone, a vigraha of Lakshmi Hayagriva modelled on the idol of the Mysore Parakala mutt was brought and installed. The shrine of the great teacher Vedanta Desika is the one that faces north and it is the first shrine one sees in the temple. Sri Vedanta Desika lived over 730 years ago in South India .He wrote erudite commentaries on Ramanuja's Sribhashyam, Gita Bhashyam and was a great exponent of Visishtadvaita. Hayagriva was the "upasana deivam" of Vedanta Desika and therefore worshipping him here is considered doubly beneficial.

He is said to have performed penance in Sivanasamudram on the banks of the Cauvery river for 10 years. He lived on this earth for 120 years, which is the prescribed lifespan of a human being according to ancient texts. He left behind five noted disciples (Jeers). Apart from the sanctums sanctorum of Lord Srinivasa and Alamelumanga Thayar, there are shrines to Lord Rama, Lord Narasimha and the Azhwars. Sri Rama Navami is a celebrated festival in the temple. In fact, most of the residents in the area call the temple "Ramar Kovil."

It was in 1924 that Kasturiranga Iyengar of "The Hindu" built a shrine for Lord Srinivasa in the temple. My grandfather V.D.Ramaswamy constructed the Rama shrine. In this shrine one can see the vigrahas of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and Anjaneya worshipped at home by his grandfather, Sir.V.Bhashyam Iyengar, who was the first Indian Advocate General. The Andal shrine was constructed by S Varadachariar, while the sannidhi of Peyazhwar, who incarnated at a nearby spot, was built by Gaddam Swamy. The Thayar here is Alamelumangai, who is "very powerful," says Devanathachariar, the senior priest at the temple. He relates the story of how the jewels of the goddess were stolen in 1997. They were recovered in a week's time, though in melted form. "God will forgive offences against him (Bhagavath Abacharam) but not against his bhaktas (Bhaagavatha Abhacharam). As this was the temple of the bhaagavatha, Vedanta Desika, the thief was apprehended, says Devanathachariar.

The temple has had two mahakumbabhishekams - in 1975 and in 1996. The annual Brahmotsavam for Lord Srinivasa commences on June 3, Saturday. The "dwajaarohanam" or flag hoisting will take place at 6 a.m. that day. The auspicious "Garudaseva" is scheduled for June 5th morning, while the Car festival will take place on June 9th morning. The evenings will see various vahanams like "Simha vahanam", "Surya Prabhai" and "Hanumantha vahanam". The festival will come to a close on June 15 with the beautiful "pushpa pallaku" or chariot of flowers. Various trusts, endowments and individuals have come forward to contribute to making the festival a success. During the fortnight, the streets of Mylapore near the temple will come alive with sound and light and the chanting of hymns.

Ambujam Anantharaman

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