On December 2nd 2013; Vijaya Varusha Karthigai Anusham, Thirunakshatra Mahothsavam of ‘Koti Kannikadhaana’ Sri Lakshmi Kumara ThathaDesikan was celebrated grandly at Kanchipuram. Special (visesha) thirumanjanam took place for Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan vigraham at Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple. There was purappadu for Sri Devaperumal and Ubhaya Nachiyars as well as Sri Perundevi Thayar. Significantly, Sri Devaperumal gave Vajrangi Sevai while Sri Perundevi Thayar adorned a new kireetam.
Sri Thatha Desika was not only a scholar and an Acharya but also a great administrator and a very brave Leader of His times. He served as a Raja Guru of Vijayanagar Empire. He is the main person who is responsible for driving away the forces of Foreign Invaders and Delhi Sultanate and safeguarded many Divya Desams. He was a great Ubhaya Vedantha Scholar and He was a master in performing ‘sacrificial fire rituals’ (Yagna Karyams). His foster father Sri Pancha Madha Banjana Thathachar had the title of ‘Satha-kruthu’ and both the father and son have performed more than 1000 yagnas.
Sri Thatha Desika has authored several granthas (books) in supplementing Sri Ramanujacharya’s Vishishtadvaita and he was the first person to write a treatise to the Tamil works of Swamy Sri Vedantha Desikan as ‘Sri Desika Prabandha Eedu’! He gold plated the temples of Sri Rangam, Kanchipuram, Thirumala-Thirupati and made innumerable Vahanas, Patashalas, Yathri-Chathrams and he was the person to vitalise the ‘Desanthri’ Kattalai in Temples. Hence he was praised as ‘Sri Karya Thurantharar’. Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple’s 100 pillared mandapam was constructed with his orders; He repaired Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple’s Alwar Pradhakshanam, Alavandhar Thirumuttram, Vahana Mandapam, Punya Koti Vimanam, Sri Anantha Saras and Sri Perundevi Thayar’s Shrine. There are many inscription in and around Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple praising the contributions of this Aacharya.
Some of the photographs taken during Thirunakshatram Celebrations At Kanchipuram yesterday evening can be viewed below…
Evening Alankaram
Photo Courtesy: Sri Vijayaraghavan and Sri Aravindan
