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 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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