{"id":2524,"date":"2023-12-30T05:07:05","date_gmt":"2023-12-30T05:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/?p=2524"},"modified":"2026-06-30T01:36:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:36:21","slug":"dharmamigu-chennai-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/?p=2524","title":{"rendered":"Dharmamigu Chennai"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Buzzing streets, beaches, shopping arcades, monuments, moving vehicles, Metros and the skyscrapers do not sum up Chennai.\u00a0 Chennai has a different face, quite different from all these diversities.\u00a0 It has another face and that is its real face; the face that reflects its adherence to Dharma.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u201cDharmammigu Chennai<\/em>\u201d said Vallalar.\u00a0 \u00a0Nine is the age when any kid would be playing with his mates, but this kid found pleasure sitting in the precincts of Kanda Kottam Murugan temple.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Looking at the shrine of Muthukumara Swami at Kanda Kottam, he felt intensely emotional, and his devotions came out in the form of \u2018Deiva Mani Malai\u2019. <\/em>\u201cOh Muruga! You are the embodiment of love, who has no equal, who is Yoga Guru and who gives happiness to all.\u00a0\u00a0 Oh Lord, who has his abode at Chennai, the city where Dharma flourishes, would you come mounted on your beautiful transport of peacock and give me the treasure of your grace?\u00a0 When would the rose petals of thy Lotus Feet extend their gentle grace to me?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So went the lines of \u2018Deiva Mani Malai\u2019<\/em> rendered by the young Ramalingam, who came to be known as Arut Prakasa Vallalar.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Chennai is famous \u00a0\u00a0for its adherence to the principles of Dharma, for the spiritual values it upholds, for the traditions it maintains and for the rich culture it has inherited from the ancient past.\u00a0 Great saints came before and after Sri Ramalinga Adigal and hailed the glory of Chennai and foremost among them was Sri Thiru Jnana Sambhandar.\u00a0 Another great saint who visited Chennai and the surrounding temples, was Sri Arunagirinathar, the author of Thiruppugazh.\u00a0 Apart from Thiru Mayilai, he visited Thiruvottiyur, Thirupporur, Kancheepuram and many other temples in the region.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Another supreme saint who conquered Chennai\u00a0 (known as Madras then) was Swamy Vivekananda.\u00a0 After his four years trip abroad and after his historical speech at the Parliament of Religion in 1893, Swamy Vivekananda returned to India.\u00a0 After landing at Rameswaram, he came to Madras by rail.\u00a0 He was brought in a procession from Egmore Railway Station to Castle Kernan, the earlier name of Vivekananda House.\u00a0 He addressed the audience at Victoria Public Hall and later a variety of groups like Triplicane Literary society\u00a0 and Social Reform Association of Black Town (now George Town).\u00a0 After nine days\u2019 stay when he was leaving on February 15, 1897, Sri V. Krishnaswamy requested Swamiji to send his representative to Madras to carry on his mission.\u00a0 Accordingly, Swamiji deputed Swami Ramakrishnananda who established the branch of the Ramakrishna Math in Chennai.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati Swamigal, 68th<\/sup> Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, known as the saint among saints and moving God (Natamaatum Deivam), \u00a0has chosen Kanchi as his abode.\u00a0 He found Chennai congenial to pursue his spiritual mission and held this city very close to his heart.\u00a0 \u00a0Some of the places he frequented are Madras Sanskrit College, Asthika Samajam, Alwarpet, Sri Sankara Gurukulam at Abhiramapuram. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal (69th<\/sup> Peetam) and \u00a0\u00a0Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal (70th<\/sup> Peetam) have also found Chennai an ideal center for highlighting the principles of Sanatana dharma.\u00a0 The revered Acharyas of Sringeri Sarada Peetam have visited Chennai many times. The Sringeri Mutt and Sringeri Sarada temple at Chennai continue to be a great spiritual center.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Chennai is also famous for some of the magnificent temples.\u00a0 Kapaleeswar temple, where Lord Siva resides, surrounded by Karpagambal,\u00a0 Vigneswara, Muruga and Navagrahas, is unique for many reasons. Built by Pallavas in the 7th<\/sup> century it is marvelous for its architecture, stone carvings, decorated pillars and Gopuram at the doorway.\u00a0 Sri Thirujnana Sambhandar came here and rendered Thevaram.\u00a0 The \u2018Arupathimoover\u2019 festival that celebrates the extraordinary devotion of 63 saints is an important event.\u00a0 When the month of Margazhi dawns, we find devotees walking through the streets singing Bhajan. \u00a0Aged people remember the days when Papanasam Sivan used to lead the bhajan through the Madaveethis.\u00a0 \u00a0At Triplicane we find Parthasarathi temple, the only temple where different Avatars of Lord Vishnu like Krishna, Varaha, Rama and Narasimha are worshiped.\u00a0\u00a0 We find Muthukumara Swamy at Kandha Kottam, the ancient temple for Lord Muruga, the temple where Vallalar used to spend most of his time during his younger days.\u00a0 Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan has written a beautiful article on Muthukumara Swami having his abode at Kandha Kottam, under the title \u201cChennai Nagar Mevum Shanmugha Deivamani\u201d.<\/em>\u00a0 Another great temple at Chennai for Lord Muruga is at Vadapalani.\u00a0 Built by Annaswami Nayakar, a devotee of Murugan in 1890, this temple was renovated in 1920 by building a huge Rajagopuram at the entrance way. Sri Vadapalani Andavar temple is considered as a sacred platform for marriages and other religious ceremonies, and it is believed that the presiding deity (Moolavar) in standing posture blesses the newly married couple with health and prosperity.\u00a0 There are many other temples of great sanctity in Chennai like Siva Vishnu temple at Mambalam, Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam temple, Ashtalakshmi temple, Mahalingapuram Sri Ayyappan temple, to mention a few.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Great saints and singers have also chosen Chennai as their home.\u00a0 Thiruppugazh songs, originally made in palm leaves were lying scattered at different places, unsung and unheard.\u00a0 \u00a0It was Sri Chengalvara Pillai who realized the sacred value of Thiruppugazh, collected them from different sources and brought them in printed book form.\u00a0 The credit for bringing Thiruppugazh to limelight goes to Sri Chengalvarayar.\u00a0 It is from 292, Lingi Chetti Street, Madras, his residence, that Sri Chengalvarayar pursued his Thiruppugazh mission.\u00a0 Sri Vallimalai Sachidananda Swamigal who dedicated his life to highlight the importance of Thiruppugazh, used to visit this residence of Chengalvarayar quite often.\u00a0 \u00a0It is Chennai, Sri Sachidananda Swamigal used as a platform to initiate many programs like Thiruppugazh Recital, Tiruthani Padi Vizha etc.\u00a0 Since this residence became the venue for many devotees to inter-act and render Thiruppugazh, it came to be known as \u201cThiruppugazh Thai Veedu\u201d, \u2018The motherly home of Thiruppugazh\u2019\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Another notable personality who has chosen Chennai as his home was Sri T.M. Krishnaswamy Iyer, the erstwhile Judge at Madras.\u00a0\u00a0 Though he was a legal luminary and held high positions in judiciary, his basic identity was that of a Thiruppugazh devotee.\u00a0 He closely associated himself with Sri Sachidananda Swamigal.\u00a0 He went to see Maha Swamigal who was camping at Palakkad and got an opportunity to render a Thiruppugazh in his presence.\u00a0 \u00a0In appreciation of his intense devotion, Maha Swamigal honored him with the title \u201cThiruppugazh Mani\u201d coinciding with his initials, T.M.\u00a0 Sri T.M. Krishnaswamy Iyer, also one of the founders of P.S. Higher Secondary School, used to lead \u2018Thiruppugazh, Isai Vazhipadu\u2019, the Satsang which used to be a major event during the 50s.\u00a0 He used to lead the Thiruppugazh Satsang, known as \u2018Adiyar Thirukoottam\u2019\u00a0 at Kandhakottam Murugan temple every Sunday,\u00a0 which turned out to be a major event of those days.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Inspired by the glory of Thiruppugazh, it was Sri Muthuswamy Iyer who established Adiyar Thirukoota Iraippani Manram at Chennai around 1950.\u00a0 This establishment conducted Thiruppugazh Bhajan regularly at Anubhuti Mandapam at Chennamalleeswarar temple in Chennai. Sri Muthuswamy Iyer established \u2018the United Concern\u2019 which produced and marketed quality\u00a0 \u2018Nanjagudu’ tooth powder.\u00a0\u00a0 But that was his secondary concern, and his main concern or profession was singing Thiruppugazh \u00a0(Padum paniye paniyai arulvai<\/em>).\u00a0 The \u2018United Concern\u2019 provided platform for Satsang for all Thiruppugazh Anbargal.\u00a0 With a view to highlight Thiruppugazh, Sri Muthuswamy Iyer brought out \u201cThiruppugazh Malai<\/em>\u201d containing 400 songs, including Anubhuti, Alamgaram, Virutham and Vakuppu.\u00a0 It was the first time Thiruppugazh songs were brought out in an easily accessible book form.\"\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He also brought out a monthly magazine in the name of \u2018Amrita Vasani\u2019 in which many unique articles on Thiruppugazh and explanation of songs appeared.\u00a0 The magazine became a household name in those days.\u00a0 \u00a0Devotees of Thiruppugazh carried forward his work and continued to bring out new editions and the 10th<\/sup> edition of \u2018Thiruppugazh Malai\u2019 came in 1990.\u00a0 This small handy book which came in a yellow wrapper became the most sought-after book of that period (see the picture above). Though many books on Thiruppugazh songs came, like \u2018Thiruppugazh Madani\u2019 and \u2018Thiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu\u2019 by Thiruppugazh Anbargal, the small \u2018Thiruppugazh Malai\u2019 continues to retain its charm for its color, for its contents, for its size and for its age.\u00a0 It is learnt that Giri Trading has taken its copy right and continues to publish it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Pamban Swamigal, born at Pamban near Rameswaram was deeply influenced by Thiruppugazh. \u00a0He said though the God resides at temples and hills, His favorite abode is the heart of devotees.\u00a0 That is why Muruga is called Guhan who resides in the cave of heart.\u00a0 Once, he saw a dream where Muruga came and asked him to go to Chennai.\u00a0 On getting up, he wondered where he would go in Chennai and where he would reside.\u00a0 But Muruga\u2019s command has to be obeyed and saying \u201ccome what may\u201d he boarded the train.\u00a0 On arriving at Egmore Railway station next morning, he came out wondering what would he do next.\u00a0 Surprisingly then, a cartman came near him and said, \u201ctake your seat\u201d.\u00a0 Carrying Swamigal, the cart went ahead and stopped just in front of 41, Vaidyanath Mudali Street, in George Town.\u00a0 As Swamigal got down, he was warmly received by a lady and conducted him to her house.\u00a0 Smt Bangaru Ammal, the housewife told him later that Lord Muruga appeared in her dream the day before and commanded her to receive a saint arriving in Egmore station the next day and ensure his transportation and accommodation needs.\u00a0 Swamigal composed many works like \u2018Sadhananda Sagaram\u2019, Karunakara Velan\u2019, Thagaralaya Rahasyam etc.\u00a0 While at Madras, he met with an accident at Thambu Chetty Street and his left ankle was broken.\u00a0 Doctors who examined advised amputation.\u00a0 However, Pamban Swamigal remained calm and composed.\u00a0 He started rendering Shanmuga Kavajam and surprisingly he showed signs of recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thiru Muruga Krupananda Variyar who took the glory of Thiruppugazh to Himalayan height by way of his discourses and books used Chennai as the base for his Thiruppugazh mission.\u00a0 It became a proud moment when Guruji Sri Raghavan also made Chennai his home.\u00a0 With Chennai as the base, Guruji carried out his\u00a0 mission to reach Thiruppugazh to all corners of the world.\u00a0 Another resident of Chennai, at Venkatachala Mudhali Street at Royapettai, to be precise, was Sri Murugadas, who owned a golden voice, a heart full of devotion and a mind that always thought of Muruga.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Devotees find spiritual fulfilment at Chennai because the city happened to be the venue of many Satsangs. The saints who highlighted the principles of Sanatana Dharma continued coming to Chennai. Nochur Sri Venkataraman used to conduct his discourse at Narada Gana Sabha regularly.\u00a0 \u00a0Discourses on subjects like Upanishad, Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, Kandhapuranam and Ramayanam etc. would be going on at some place like Venus Colony, West Mambalam and Kapalesswr temple, substantiating what Vallalar said as \u201cDharma Mihu Chennai\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Having passed through many glorious eras and having witnessed the rise of many saints, the \u2018Thai Veedu of Thiruppugazh\u2019, Chennai, became the venue for another grand event.\u00a0\u00a0 When the sun dawned on 22nd<\/sup> April 2017, Muruga devotees forgot all about the material world and assembled at SVR Mandap at Royapettai to witness the grand spectacle of Guru Samarpana Thiruppugazh Isai Vizha.\u00a0 Perhaps, never before, so many Thiruppugazh Anbargal, drawn from all parts of the world, congregated at one place to immerse themselves in the shower of Thiruppugazh Amrutam (the nectar of Thiruppugazh); the shower which continued for the next day.\u00a0\u00a0 The visit made by 70th<\/sup> Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal and the blessing he accorded turned out to be the crowning glory for the event.\u00a0 The huge audience, devotion and dedication writ large all over their face could be compared only with a similar grand event, Mahamaham that is held at the sacred abode of Lord Siva, Kumbakonam.\u00a0 For a moment, the devotees kept wondering what a powerful movement a single individual, Guruji Sri Raghavan had created.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The sweet language of Tamil consists of three elements, Iyal (the texts or poetry) Isai (music) and Natakam (drama).\u00a0 Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu has proved to be an ideal ground where the tradition of art, music and culture flourishes. Some of the cultural institutions of Chennai are Madras Music Academy, Kalakshetra and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, to mention a few.\u00a0 \u00a0Come to Chennai and experience the taste of music and culture preferably now in the month of Margazhi, when Chennai looks very marvelous.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buzzing streets, beaches, shopping arcades, monuments, moving vehicles, Metros and the skyscrapers do not sum up Chennai.\u00a0 Chennai has a different face, quite different from all these diversities.\u00a0 It has another face and that is its real face; the face… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-categorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2524"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2938,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524\/revisions\/2938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}