Thirupullani Sethu shetram & Annadhanam
"Gayayam Ekalakshanthu Varanasyam Thivilaksham Parayake Saptha Lakshanthu Sri Sethou Krasa Mathratha"
On the occasion of Rama and Seetha returning to Ayodhya, Thirupullani Adhi Jegannatha Perumal with his
divine grace had blessed Vijaya Ramar and Sri Seetha on their victory over Ravana. From the thiruvakku of Sri Adhi Jegannatha
Perumal to Seetha, the above sloka explains that Annadhanam offered in Gaya equals to serving one lakh persons,
Varanasi equals three lakh persons, Prayagai equals seven lakh persons and Annadhanam done in Thirupullani-Sethou shetram can give enormous anugrahams and inquantifiable benefits..
Thirupullani Sri KS Rajagopalachariyar Kainkarya Seva Trust
Thirupullani Sri KS Rajagopalachariyar was born on Avani, Hastham.
A staunch disciple of Srimath Azhagiya Singar and with his Acharyan's blessings, had been performing Nithya Annadhana kainkaryam to Sri Aadhi Jegannadhar and Sri Padmasani Thayar Sevarthee's for more than 20 years. During his period he also enabled the Sevarthee's to perform Thilahomam, Padhathilahomam, Sarpha santhi and provisioned all the activities to full fill their homam's. He was also the in charge of administration in Thirupullani Divya Desam.
Thadhiaradhana kainkaryam was done by him on Chitirai and Panguni Utsavam for Sri Vaishnava Parayana goshti and to Sevarthee's and he is till now known for the Thadhiaradhana kainkaryam.
Swamy was blessed with several opportunities to serve his Acharyan in his Kudisai and have his Acharyan grace the thadhiaradhanakainkaryam. He also had anughraham of Srimad Andavan and other Achrayans.
He enjoyed a great rapport with prominent figures such as TT Krishnamachari (Then Finance minister), Mysore Maharaja, Charpra Samasthanam, TVS family, The Hindu family who had visited him during their visit to Thirupullani.
Swamy had been instrumental in inculcating the cult of performing Thadhiaradhana Kainkaryam to his upcoming generations and demonstrated its importance and practised it through out his life.
Thirupullani Sri R Desihan Iyengar & Sri R Santhanam Iyengar:
After the demise of their father Thiru KS Rajagopalachariyar, Thirupullani Sri T Desihan iyengar and Sri TR Santhanam Iyengar continued to perform Thadhiaradhana kainkaryam to their capacity on Amavasyai and other auspicious dates.
Thirupullani Sri S Rajagopalan:
On the foot steps of his grand father and with the values of perseverance demonstrated by his father towards the kainkaryam, swamy Thiru S Rajagoplan had established a Kainkarya Seva Trust in the remembrance of his grand father and continued the Nobel Thadhiaradhana Kainkaryam(Annadhanam) in Madurai and Thiruvallikeni.
It is with this Swamy's great persistence and Himalayan efforts to retain the 100 year old house amidst various challenges and threats, we are able to continue the Thadhiaradhana kainkaryam and continue this kaikanryam along our lineage.
His great respect towards his grand father and father is immeasurable that he has taken all means and measures to fortify valuables handed over by Thiru KS Rajagopalachariyar(fondly referred as Anna) for the purpose of Thadhiaradhana Kainkaryam. One of the important treasures are the "Sri- Salagrama moorthi's" handed over by Anna to this swamy. The Sri Salagramamoothis's were given by "The Hindu" family on their visit to TKSR house.
With his never tiring efforts and great compassion for serving sevarthee's and to offer annadhanam to Adiyavargal he had established this Kainkarya Seva Trust to there benefit and thus serve the lotus feet of Sriya pathi Sriman Narayanan.
Swamy's kalyangunangal has always been a eternal thing to chew for the upcoming generations. His values of Truth, Compassion towards fellow human beings irrespective of their caste, creed has earned him a lot of followers.
He successfully ran a automobile business with Madras Auto Service, TVS & Sons and enjoyed a good rapport with MAS and TVS& Sons.
Swamy had envisioned and clearly laid out Kainkarya Seva Trust's daily Karya krama's and Nithya Thadhiaradhana Kainkaryam procedures and they are as follows.
1. Thiruvaradhanam to Sri Salagrama Murthi's
2. Komsamrakshanai and Palamudhu kainkaryam to Sri Malolan, Sri Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar and other deities in the divya desam.
3. Nithya Annadhana Kainakaryam to Sri Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar Sevarthee's.
4. Support Sethu Snanam and homam's performed by Sevarthee's in Sethukarai.
5. Establish a small Vedha Patashalai with a Guru and few students and perform Vacha kainkaryam to Sri Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar.
6. Vishnu Sahasranamam parayanam in TKSRKST
Vilambi varsham, Sukla Paksha Karthigai, Swamy attained the lotus feet of his Acharyan to perform his eternal Kainkaryam. At his Andhima kalam, Swamy had insisted the importance of performing the Thadhiaradhana kainkaryam to Sevarthee's and insisted that it should be done religiously and with only motive to serve the feet of Sevarthee's and thus gain Acharyan and Perumal anugrahams.
With his anugraham's & Acharyan anughraham, TSKSRKST will continue to serve the Sri Aadhi Jegannathan and Sri Padmasani Thayar Sevarthee's.
Thirupullani Sri KS Rajagopalachaiyar with his Dharma Pathni Sri Rukmini.
Thirupullani Shetram Sthala Varalaru
Thiruppullani is situated approximately 5 miles south-east of Ramanathapuram and 2 miles north of the southern ocean (Indian Ocean). Thiruppullani kshetram is also called as Pullaranyam, Thiruppullanai, Darpa Sayanam, Aadhisethu, Nalasethu, Rathnakara kshetram, Thiruvanai, Saranagati kshetram and Pullangadu.
Puranas state that this sthalam has been in existence since 72 chatur-yugams before the present times.
Sri Adhi Jegannatha perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar:
This kshetram got the name "Pullaranyam" because of the tapas (penance) performed here by Maharishi Pullar. Here Sriman Narayanan gave darsanam to the three great sages - Pullar, Kanvar and Kalavar"- under the Aswatta Tree as the Golden hued "Aswatta Narayanan. Due to the sages' request Bhagavan continues to shower his blessings on all devotees to this day as Aadhi Jagannadhar the presiding deity of this kshetram along with Sri Padmasani Thayar his divine consort.
Given below is the dhyana slokam on the Perumal and Thayar of this divya kshetram:
"pullAraNyamupedya pushpitamitampullaRRishi maanandayansallApena Siram nivAsam akarot yo nassapaayAt Hari:"
"pullAraNya nivAsinIm natanrNAm kalyANa sampatkarImsvarlokAdipa vAritI ca vindAm kalyANadAyIm
sadApullendIvara locanIm bhagavatIm pullaRRishimoda pradAmkalyANAkara divya cApa mahishIm SriyASrayAmovayam||"
The Perumal here is called "Aadhi Jagannathan" to signify the ancient historic glory of this Temple.
Perumal as a "svarUpiS (divineform) here, is also called as "Dakshina Jagannathan" to contrast with "Thearupi" (formless) presence of "Uttara Jagannathan" of Puri (Orissa).
The utsava perumal is seen here with Bhumi Devi and Neela Devi in Kalyana kolam and hence is called as "Kalyana Jagannnthan".
The Moolava Perumal giving darshanam in veetrrirunda thirukolam facing East, is also called as "Divyachapar"
This dhivya desam is a Parihara/Prarthana sthalam. It has been recommended as a must Kshethram for travellers from overseas to visit and have a dip in the Raama Sethu.
It is an ancient tradition for people longing for Puthra prapthi and for those who wish to have vivaha prapthi to visit the sannidhis of Aadhi Jaganatha Perumal, Sri Padmasani Thayar, Darbha SayanaRaamar and Santhana Gopalan at Thirupullani temple.
For those who are required to perform "Sarpa Santhi" can do it here and should place the naagar selai under the Arasa maram(Sthala Vruksham) in the premises of the temple.
For those who are wishing for child, should consume the palpayasa prasadham reciting the below slokam and should meditate on Shri Aadhi Jegannadhar, Shri Padmasani thayar & "Thotil Kannan".
"DevaDeva Jegannatha Gothravirudhi karaprabhu DehimeyDhanyam Sikram Ayurvrudhi Yasasvinim".
There are lot of bhaktha's who had been blessed with Santhana Prapthi after worshipping Aadhi Jegannadhar, Shri Padmasani thayar and "Thotil Kannan" and they fulfil their wish by hanging a "Thotil" in Sri Padmasani thayar sanadhi.
Santhana Krishnar Sanadhi
King Dasarathar in order to get relief of Pithru sabam and to gain Santhana Prapthi had installed Santhana krishnar in Thirupullani and gained Sathputhrans.
Sri Ramar and Aadhi Jagannadhar
With plenty of proud and ancient historic heritage Thirupullani has the distinction of having several links to Ramayana and is blessed with the parama pavitra pada sparsha sambhandam(association with the sacred feet) of the Raghu Kula Simham- Sri Ramar (the Lion of Raghuvamsam) and his parama bhakthan Sri Hanuman.
Pleased with King Dasarathar's Puthrakamesti yagam, Sarpasanthi homam and naga prethistai, done in Thriupullani, Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar had blessed King Dasaratha with SathPuthrans.
The Palpayasa Prasadam in Thirupullani is known for reliving a lot of sevarthees's longing for Santhana Prapthi.
Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal blessed Sri Rama with his divine bow("Divyachapar") when Sri Ramar was set out to rescue Sri Sita and hence AadhiJegannadha Perumal is also called as ""Divyachapar".
This shetram is also known as "Saranagadhi Shetram" and it is in this place Sri Ramar had consoled all Sarangathars by providing Sarangathy to Vibeshnazhwan (Ravana's brother) from enemy's camp.
The below words (Sri Rama Charana slokam) of Sri Ramar is a huge relief to all sarangathars which translates to whoever utters "Oh Sri Rama I surrender to your lotus feet even once I will protect them and it is my Vritham to honour and protect them". Also this is the Shetram where Samudhirarajan & his Dharama Pathni, Sukha Saranar perfromed Saranaghathi to Sri Ramar.
"Sakru Devaprapanya Thavasmethi Chayachathey Abayam Sarva Buthepyothadami Ethathvridam mmahh"
Sri Ramar with the help of Nalan (Viswakarma's Son) and 5 lakh Vanara shainyas had built the "Sethu bandhanam (Rama Sethu bridge- connecting Sethukarai to Elanka)" on Sethukarai( Adhi Sethu/ Rathanakara Samudhiram).
Theertham: This kshetram has the "Munneer theertham" consisting of Aadhi Sethu (sea water), Chakratheertham (Tank water- Pushkarini) and Hiranya nadhi (river water) and hence is famously called as "Munneer Thalam". The power of these sacred waters to heal and bless all is a proven fact from time
immemorial.
Chakra Theertham: This is the holy tank (Thirukkulam) in front of the Thirupullani temple.
Long ago, there lived two evil raakshasaas by the names of Maali and Sumaali in the island of Lanka. Sriman Narayanan decided to end their atrocities and arrived on GarudAzhwan to destroy them.
Bhagavn directed his Divya Ayudam- "Sri Sudarsanam" to destroy the asuraas. On the death of the asuras, Sri Sudarsanar wanted to cleanse the impurity that had tainted his divine body due to the contact with the evil asura blood.
To do that he sought the theertham in front of the Thirupullani Temple to bathe and as a result got rid of all the impurities; since then this theertham has been called "Chakra Theertham".
Sriman Narayanan appeared on Garudan before Chakrath Azhwan while he was taking the holy bath in the pushkarini and blessed Sri Sudarshanar and told him that, he will come to this kshetram during his Rama avatharam along with Lakshmana and take bath in the same theertham and be blessed with the Divine Bow from Sri Adahi Jagannatha Perumal at that time.
Further more Bhagavan extolled the glory of the Chakratheertham by saying that who ever takes the prescribed bath in this theertham and worships Perumal, Garudazhwan and Chakrathazhwan will surely attain Moksham without fail.
Just like the Pushkar Theertham found in North India, this Chakratheertham is also famous for the removal of terrible sins like Adhipaathakam and Mahaa paathakam. For this reason this theertham is also called as "anantha krcra phala prada theertham".
Aadhi Sethu : " Setu dharsanam idam punyam seshenapi na ganyate" which means that even Aadhi Seshan with his thousand tongues cannot describe the punyams that accrue from just seeing the AadhiSethu.
Hiranya nadhi : The river to the West of Chakra Theertham is called as Hiranya nadhi. In the present day it appears as an uppankazhi (salt water reservoir). But in ancient times, it was on the banks of this river that Hiranyan did his penance and got the boons and hence the name "Hiranya nadhi" or "ponnam kazhi".
Sthala Vrksham: The Aswattha tree (Arasa maram /Banyan tree) is the sthala vrksham of this kshetram.
Geethaachryan- Sri Krishna Bhagawan elevates the status of this tree by saying that of all the trees, he is Aswatta - "aswattha: sarva vrkshANaam". Also in "Padma Puranam (Kriya Yoga Saaram section),
Bhagavan says to Sri Lakshmi:"aswatthavrkshamAsAdya sadA lakshmI sthirA bhava"meaning, "Oh Lakshmi! May you be present forever in the Aswatta tree".
Since the Aswatta tree(Banyan tree) has the presence of Sri Devi in it, the darsanam and worship of Aswatta tree(Banyan tree) confers longevity and all auspiciousness on the devotee - "Aayur vrddi: bhavettasya varttante sarva sampada:"
It was under this Aswattha tree that the sages Pullar, Kanvar and Kalavar did their penance (tapas) towards Sriman Narayanan and had the dharshana bhagyam of him as the golden hued "Aswatta Narayanan". This glorious tree can be seen even today, to the North of Thayar sannidhi and to the West of Perumal sannidhi.
It stands as a testimony of time to the ancient heritage of this temple. Pullai Andadi calls this Tree as"Valararasu"and gives a long list of diseases that are cured by the mere dharsanam of this Holy Tree.
A famous work called as "Thiruppullani Vannam" praises the Aswatta Tree thus: "Vaazhi ThiruppullANi vaazhi thiruvarasuvaazhi ilangai vazhi kandaar - vaazhimuraivaazhi poomelinrundhamaadhu sekannthar vaazhi dhaivacchilai mamaram."
VaLararasu - Sthala vrksham of Thirupullani. What is so unique about this Tree that it gets mentioned twice in the Paasuram whereas even Bhagavan gets mentioned only once? There is another interesting legend (sthala puranam) surrounding this most Holy Tree!
In ancient times, there arose a dispute about the recitation of Veda, between Saraswathan, son of Saraswathy and a brahmin from the South who had moved to the Northern regions of India during a period of severe famine. So both of them approached Brahma! He counselled them to seek the help of Sriman Narayana to solve their problem.
When they approached Bhagavan, he told them to travel to the sacred kshetram of Thiruppullani and recite the Vedas in their individual styles under the eaves of the Aswatta Tree there. Whichever recitation caused the leaves of the Tree to stand motionless and still, that recitation was to be adopted as the correct one. So the brahmin and Saraswathan proceeded to Thiruppullani and recited their version of the Veda under the famous Tree. The leaves listened without stirring only for the recitation of Saraswathan, hence from then on, the Saraswatha version was considered to be the proper one and has been followed.
Since the Tree acted as an honest and impartial judge, it is glorified more than even the Perumal of the kshetram and hence gets mentioned twice in the paasuram quoted previously.
Many visitors to this temple, even seasoned ones, forget to pay obeisance to this ancient and sacred Tree. It is imperative to remember that prayers and circumambulation to this Tree is as important as prayers to Sri AdahiJagannAtha Perumal!
To the North of this tree one can see the sannidhis of darbha-Sayana raman,and Pattabhi Raman in the inner precinct (ulprakaram) of the Temple. In between these two sannidhis at the center one can see the Santhana gopalansannidhi.
Thiruppullani is that divya kshetram which has:
1. The Chakratheertham sanctified by Chakrathazhwan himself
2. The Pushkarini which brings prominence to Garudazhwan (Garutman)
3. The sacred Aadhi Sethu
4. The auspicious Aswattha tree
5. Sri Darbha-Sayana Raman who has his sannidhi under that tree
6. Sri Aadhi Jagannatha Perumal, who gave his own divine bow to Darbhasayana Raman and
7. Sri Padmasani Thayar, who is seated on a golden lotus flower.
Rathana kara Kshetram: The Sethukkarai that is 3 miles away from Thiruppullani is also called as "Rathnakara Kshetram". This place has also been sanctified by the pada sparsam (touch of feet) of Sri Raman.
Another name for this place is Saranagathisthalam. This is where Sri Raman granted refuge (Saranagati) to the pentad of Vibhishazhvan, Varunan, Varuni devi, and Sukha-Charanar. Hence the name"Saranagati Sthalam".
Nala Sethu: Near Sethukkarai, a little further to the East, the remnants of the stone bridge built by Sri Rama can still be seen. This Holy Bridge was constructed by Nalan,the son of Viswakarma. Hence it is also called as Nala Sethu. It is generally believed that Sri Raman had himself dismantled the bridge post the Lanka war, on the request of Vibhishanazhwan who prayed that the bridge that had carried the soft and beautiful lotus Feet of the Chakravarti Thirumakan, should not be tainted by the association with any ordinary mortal feet. Still some of the remnants of the bridge are visible even today as groups of bedrock above the water surface.
Sri Nigamantha Maha Desikan said: "sakruteva kshaNAt, tatkshaNAt,prakrshTa bahU pAdaka prasama hetunA setunA" meaning that the mere sight of this most Holy Bridge will remove terrible sins.
Sri Jaya Veera Hanuman Koil : On the Sethukkarai beach, in a small Temple, we can pray to Si Rama duthan Sri Jaya Veera Hanuman seen facing South. He is renowned for his wish-granting powers (varaprasadhi).
Aadhi Sedhu Snanam Mantras:
"RAmeNa yAtrtA rekhA dhanushAkshAra sAgare |mukti: tat darSanAdeva na jAne snAnam phalam ||"
Meaning: The slokam says that when just seeing the theertham alone grants Mukthi, the benefits of taking bath in it is beyond expression.
"Raghuveera padanyAsa pavitrIkrta pAmsavedaSakaNTha SiraSceda hetave setave nama: |setave raghu nAthasya moksha mArgaika hetavesItAyA: mAnasAmbhoja bhAnave setave nama: ||"
Those who wish to perform samudra snanam, chant the following slokams, prior to the snanam, whereby they hail the glories of the great ocean that helped in the annihilation of the evil Ravana. Then after seeking the permission from Bhagavan perform the snanam (holy dip.)
"seto! seto! Saila pAshANa vrshai:seto! seto! tvAshTrabaddhAbdhi madye|seto! seto! rAvaNAntaika hetoseto! seto! rAma seto namaste||"
"samasta jagadAdhAra! Sankha cakra gadAdhara |deva dehi mamAnuj~nAm yushmat tIrtha nishevaNe ||"
"pippalAda samutpanne! krtye loka bhayankarI |saikadam te mayA dattam AahAraarttam prakalpitam ||"
Join Thirupullani Sri KSR Kainkarya Seva Trust to perform Kainkaryam in Thirupullani and in other Diya desam's.
Our kainkaryam's include.
1. Komsamrakshanai and Palamudhu kainkaryam to Sri Malolan, Sri Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar and other deities in the divya desam.
2. Nithya Annadhana Kainakaryam to Sri Aadhi Jegannadha Perumal and Sri Padmasani Thayar Sevarthee's.
3. Vishnu Sahasranamam parayanam in TKSRKST
4. Uzhavara pani: To develop and maintain Nandhavanam at Divya Desams and perfrom Pushpa Kainkaryam using Kainkarya Seva Trust volunteers to Divya Desa empruman's.
Thirupullani Sri KS Rajagopalachariyar Kainkarya Seva Trust aim to serve Sri Aadhi Jegannadha & Sri Padmasani Thayar sevarthee's and requires support from all the Santhana dharmam supporters to perform Kainkarya Seva Trust's daily activities as follows.