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TIRU ANBIL DWAJASTHAMBAM KAINKARYAM
TRIP TO INDIA FROM 05/192006 to 08/27/2006 ? PART 6

3rd, 4th and 5th August 2006: Sri Aandaal Utsavam Yaanai and Kudirai 
Vaahanams and Pushpa Pallakku:

The 10 days' Annual Utsavam for Sri Aandaal of Desikan Sannidi (belonging to 
Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam) was in progress. Due to the preoccupation 
with Dwaja sthambam kainkaryam (as already detailed), I could participate in 
the ?Purappadu? of Sri Aandaal only on 8th, 9th and 10th days (i.e) on 3rd, 
4th and 5th August 2006. After Purappadu, there were Pravachanams by great 
Scholars on the glory of Aandaal  on all the days. Sri A.N.C Swami asked me 
to talk on the last day and I agreed.

5th August 2006: Visit to Ulundurpet Asramam
This is another memorable day. Sri G.K. Ramakrishnan of Kuwait had earlier 
spoken about me and my books to the Trustees of one ?Sarada Asram? of 
Ulundurpet. The Asram authorities felt that I should visit them and 
requested me to indicate my convenience. Due to my preoccupations, I could 
not provide them a date for long though they were reminding me now and then.

As the Dwaja sthambam matters had been more or less sorted out, I told them 
that I would be free on the 5th August 2006. They sent their van to 
Srirangam to pick me up. I indicated to them that I would have to return in 
time for participating in the Pushpa Pallakku that night. One Sri Ravi of 
Andal Printers, Royapettah, related to Sri A.N.C. Swamigal was planning to 
return to Chennai. He wanted to accompany me up to Ulundurpet and then to 
proceed to Chennai. I took him along in the van.

After a sumptuous lunch at noon, they had arranged for my talk at 5.00 p.m. 
in the Auditorium.  The talk was almost as the same that I gave in MaNI 
MaNTapam at Villivakkam earlier. It was well attended and well appreciated 
by the large audience and they honored me suitably.

Earlier, during the stay, they took me around the Asram campus. At first, I 
was wondering how anyone can do anything in such a remote and little known 
locality except for its name! Indeed, one has to see to believe the 
wonderful work that is going on there. I was amazed to see the variety of 
social service activities they were doing.

A brief account of the activities undertaken by them will be posted 
separately.

I am sure you will be enchanted as much as I am at the breathtaking panorama 
of their activities and the incredible silent revolution taking place there 
in the lives of the village folk and the inmates.

As promised, they brought me back to Srirangam by the van right on time at 
8.00 p.m. However, the ?Pushpa Pallakku? after circumambulating the streets, 
arrived at Desikar Sannidi only by 9.30 p.m. The usual PaaraayaNam and 
Saatrumurai took another hour or so. By the time these were over, it was 
around 11.00 p.m. As there was not much time and we did not wish to detain 
the devotees till midnight, I excused myself from giving the proposed talk 
and perhaps spared them the agony of listening to me!

6th August 2006: ?Baalaalayam? function:

Sri Nandu BhaTTar Swami who was in overall charge of all the arrangements 
gathered a number of Vedic Vidwans including Adhyaapakas and PaaraaYana 
Swamis. A van carrying all these as well as  friends and well wishers left 
Srirangam around 7.00 am to Tiru Anbil. The moment we got there, around 8.00 
am, the Swamis went into business straightaway making all preparations for 
PuNYaahavachana, Homam etc.

Sri Nandu BhaTTar?s planning did not leave anything to chance, whether it 
was for mango leaves or banana leaves or betel leaves, Sandal paste, 
Turmeric powder, Utensils or even gas cylinders and cooking vessels! His 
meticulous planning in taking personal care of even the minutest 
requirements was such that at no point of time there was any cause for 
fumbling or searching for anything. The array of cotton dhoties, 
Angavastrams and silk vastrams for various occasions and for PoorNa Aaahuti 
were readily there. The whole place wore a festive look having been totally 
spruced up neat and clean with huge ?kOlams? everywhere. The local 
Nadaswaram group entertained the guests to enchanting music.

I presented two silk saris for Thaayaar which the local Archakar, Sri 
Varadaraja BhaTTar draped the moolavar, Sundaravalli Thaayaar and the 
Utsavar, Azhagiyavalli Naachiyaar with utmost respect and dedication.

The function took nearly 2 hours at the end of which the guests were 
entertained to a sumptuous lunch. The function over, the van returned to 
Srirangam with the same gOshTi that came to Tiru Anbil.

Photos taken on the occasion will be uploaded in the ?Photos? Section of 
?Sri Ranga Sri?

7th August 2006: PPA Tirunakshatram- Left for Chennai

The next day was an important occasion in Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam. It 
was actually the Tirunakshatram day of His Holiness Srinivaasa DEsika Mahaa 
DEsikan, the Swami who established the Poundarikapuram Asramam in its 
present location. We participated in the function and enjoyed the 
Saatrumurai and the Tadheeya Aaraadanai that followed.

I had to leave by the afternoon train to Chennai for my treatments for cysts 
and also dental treatment at the expert hands of Dr. Madhavan who was 
earlier Senior dental Surgeon at the prestigious Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital 
at Delhi. The entire treatment was totally free as I am a beneficiary of the 
Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) though I retired 23 years ago!

9th and 10th August 2006: Yajur Upaakarma and Gaayatri Japam:

As already mentioned, the Upaakarma and Gaayatri Japam were performed on 9th 
and 10th August 2006 respectively at Chennai ("Bhaarata VarshE, Bharatah 
KhaNDE?)

17th August 2006: Visit to Trichy via Dindigul. - Heavy rains at Trichy

When I planned to return to Srirangam for the other functionsslated for 19th 
and 20th August 2006, I found to my dismay that for some reason, there was 
no accommodation in any train till the 17th August 2006. Even then, the 
booking official suggested me that I take 2 tier AC ticket in the ?Dindigul 
quota? saying that I could detrain at Trichy Junction. Though this cost a 
little more, I had no alternative but to accept the proposal lest I should 
lose even this!

As I got down at Trichy Junction, there was an unexpected heavy downpour. 
Within minutes, the roads got flooded and the Cab to Srirangam had to wade 
through knee deep waters in some places. At long last, I arrived at Sri 
Lakshminarayanan Swami?s home in East Chitra Street, Srirangam.

Sri Lakshminarayanan Swami is the father of Smt Janaki Sampathkumar and 
father-in-law of our Atlanta member Sri Sampathkumar Padmanabhan Swami, who 
organized my Tiruppaavai series of lectures last year. Sri Lakshmi Narayanan 
Swami and his wife used to attend the Kaalakshepams of H.H. Srimad Andavan, 
Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam almost daily.

The hospitality shown by him and his family was incomparable. They made my 
stay with them absolutely comfortable. I am deeply indebted to them for all 
this.
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To Continue
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