The 108th Thirunakshathra Mahotsavam of Srirangam Srimath Andavan Sri Vedanta Ramanuja Mahadesikan (Thirukkundanthai Andavan) was celebrated in a grand manner on April 9, 2014; Vijaya Varusha Panguni Pushyam at Srirangam Srimath Andavan Ashramam, Mylapore and other branches. HH Srimath Srimushnam Andavan Sri Rangaramanuja Maha Desikan, currently at Mylapore Ashramam, received mariyadais from various Divya Desams and Abhimana Sthalams on the occasion. Several sishyas and abhimanis participated in the utsavam and received the blessings of the Acharyan.
Panguni Pushyam–Srimath Thirukkudanthai Andavan Thirunakshatram (1963 -1989 AD)
Named as Srinivasaraghavan by his parents he earned a popular name “Kannan Swami”. By his discourses in a mellifluous voice he was very well known throughout the country. It is no wonder that on his entering the fourth Ashrmam, the institution Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam got expanded beyond recognition. His Holiness travelled on foot the length and breadth of the country and attracted thousands of disciples.
Being a scholar in Nyaya and Vyakarana, He specialised in Alwars’ songs compendiously known as Nalayira Divya Prabandham. The mastery which he had over the subjects on which he rendered discourses namely, Srimad Ramayanam, Srimad Bhagavatham, Mahabharatham etc., was simply amazing. The way in which He used to quote from Divyaprabhandhams used to remind the listener the grandeur of the flow of a perennial holy river. Whether it was a Kalashepam or upanyasam, he used to intersperse them with witticism and simple similies which made even an uneducated listener understand easily the mose abstract philosophical tenets. He carried out repairs and renovations in several temples and donated several articles and jewellery to various temples.
He established an Ashramam Branch at Keezhnattham Village in Tirunelveli District and also Sri Vedanta Desikan Sannathi at Thirukkurungudi village
He had constructed two temples in Bangalore,at Jayanagar &Sripuram and one in Delhi. He established branches of the Ashramam in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh States besides several important towns in Tamil Nadu including the city of Madras (Chennai). He performed 26 Chathurmasyams.
He rejuvenated the monthly journal “Sri Ranganatha Paduka”. He created several charitable and educational trusts such as Sri Paduka Charities in Madras and Sri Ranganatha Paduka Vidyalaya Trust in Srirangam. The latter trust established an educational institution and started courses in Vedas, Divya Prabandanis, Sastras, Kavyas etc.,
When he realised that the Lord wanted him back in His abode, he gave sanyasam to Mysore Gopalachariar Swami who was a Srikaryam in the Ashramam and a year later left this mortal world.
The following are some of the photographs taken at Mylapore Srimath Andavan Ashramam yesterday…
Photography and Videos by Sri Ramesh Ramanujam
