HINDUISM

Siththi Vinayagar Kovil - Maligawatte

Siththi Vinayagar Kovil is situated at the Maligawatte Road, Colombo 10 in the close proximity of the famous Maligawatte Housing Scheme. In March 1982 a group of Hindu devotees known as Hindu Paripalana Sabai headed by its President late Mr. Sundaralingam invited the late Swami Kirupanantha Waariyar (who was in this island at that time) late Mr. V.T.V. Deivanayagam Pillai, an ardent devotee of Lord Murugan, Mr. K. K. Subramaniam, a retired Director of Sri Lanka Customs, to name a few, and in presence of a large gathering of devotees from the Housing Scheme and the surrounding area for the foundation laying ceremony for a Hindu Temple known as Karumariamman Kovil and the construction work got under way immediately.

In July 1983, during the “Black July” communal riots, the sixteen month old structure of the proposed temple was completely destroyed by the hooligans to the ground level and thereafter the land was just abandoned and the Paripalana Sabai was defunct and took no further activities in reconstructing same.

In 1986/87 late Mr. Ranasinghe Premadasa, the then Minister of Housing & Construction, under his rehabilitation scheme used the original plot of land and the foundation and reconstructed this Siththi Vinayagar Kovil and the Maha Kumbhabisegam was held in June 1987 and the Temple had been handed over to the Board of Trustees and Administrators who have been residing close to the Temple to carry out the day-to-day activities.

According to Hindu ‘Aagama Sastra’ the Maha Kumbhabisegam should have been done once in twelve years.

The Board of Trustees could not follow this ‘Aagama Sastra’ due to an adjoining land dispute with the Electricity Board and the Court Case ended in September, 2004 of course the judgment was in favour of the Temple.

On November 1 in the same year, we performed the ‘Paalasthapanam’ according to the Hindu rites and thereafter started a few expanding projects, reconstruction, repairs and renovation with the available Temple funds and also cash/material donations received from devotees and well-wishers but in a snail’s pace.

The Temple authorities have still faced the financial crisis to go ahead.

Before we go further and for the benefit of the Hindu devotees and well – wishers who have never been to this Temple and not visited earlier, we like to elaborate the layout and formation of the Kovil as follows:

Siththi Vinayagar is in the Moolasthapanam with Sivalingam and Gowri Ammbal on either side facing the east.

Behind the main altar Vishnu with Poomadevi and Sridevi in the left side while Murugam with Thaivaanai and Valliamman in the right. Either side of the Moolasthapanam walls are Thachchanamoorthy and Dhurkkai Amman facing south and north direction respectively. Apart from the above, we have Nadesar Sabai, Navakkregam, Vasantha Mandapam, Anjaneyar and Vairavar together with four Samaya Kuravargal statues made out of Panchalokha. In the Vasantha Mandapam we have all deities also made out of Panchalokha. The Temple is housed in the Crown land covering an area of approx. 4,200 sq. ft.

Six poojas

We perform daily six poojas. Monthly on Thithi wise we have Sathurthi (twice) Ekathasi (twice) Full Moon, offering Anna Dhanam, and New Moon (reciting Abhirami Andhadhi). Karthigai – Star is also on monthly basis.

Apart from this we do special poojas on 1st of January, Thai Pongal, Maha Sivarathiri, Hindu New Year, Chithrai Poya (reciting Chithra Kuptha Naayanar kathai), annual 10 days thiruvilza, Aawani Vinayagar Sathurthi, Puraththi Saturdays, Navarathiri, Gowri Noombu, Dhiwali festival, Thrikarthigai, reciting Pillaiyar Perum Kathai for 21 days.

Throughout the month of Markali Sivapuranam is recited daily after the morning poojas, Thiruvasagam will be sung on special poojas instead of Panchapuranam.

Thiruvempavai Poojas for 10 days, Vaikunda Ekadasi and finally Thiruvasagam Muttrothal is also recited on a Sunday in the Tamil month of Markali.

The Religious Sunday School is also functioning for the past twenty years and we have about 225 Hindu students attending this school.

We are proud to mention here that twelve teachers are performing their best services for the uplift of the Hindu community of course without any remuneration.

Some of the present teachers are past students of this school.

The Students took part in various competitions such as oral, cultural dance and stage plays, handicraft work, do you know contest and similar events in various period and have won prizes and awards for the School.

The credit goes to Head Teacher and his talented team. The Colombo Municipal Council is considering a nominal amount for each student as refreshment.

On the 25th day of October, 2009 all devotees and well-wishers gathered at the Temple, of course with the permission of the authorities for a meeting and the House unanimously appointed a Thiruppani Sabai (committee) to continue with the incomplete projects and renovation/repairs in order to have a Maha Kumbhabisegam in May/June this year.

This committee met on numerous occasions and discussed on important matters of fund-raising and the subsequent expenses.

The newly elected committee decided to print Donation Tickets in the denomination of Rs. 1000, 500, 250, 100, and 50, to be sold among well-wishers and devotees.

An ardent Committee member, of his own initiated with a wealthy businessman who helped us by donating 300 Tamil Calendars for 2010 which we disposed of to well- wishers and made a reasonable collections which helped us in the fund-raising programme.

Separate Bank Accounts were opened in favour of Siththi Vinayagar Kovil – Thiruppani Sabai at The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc., Panchikawatte Branch – bearing Current A/c No. 1380015301 and Savings A/c. No. 8380015302.

A 60 foot Rajakoppuram (structure only) was erected with the donation received from devotees and well-wishers. Individual donors have taken keen interest in erecting a two room of which one room is for the Sunday school library cum a change room for brides when weddings take place in the temple. The front entrance parapet wall was done by another devotee of this own.

Another donor undertook to do the re-wiring of entire temple which was not done for the past two decades, supplying all necessary materials and also engaged his own construction staff for about a month to complete the assignment.

Last but not least a ceramic businessman also donated necessary floor tiles worth nearly Rs. 150,000. The Sabai also received cash donations from numerous well-wishers and businessmen which helped us to tide over the financial crisis.

At the moment we still need sufficient funds for paintings of inner Temples and the Rajakoppuram to complete our goals.

We take this opportunity to thank everyone who assisted us in so many ways to make our mission success.

Thiruppani Sabai

Veneration and Maha Kumba Abishekam

Chelvatambi Maniccavasagar

The worship of Maari Amman and Muththu Maari Amman is prevalent in most parts of the island. Almost every village in the North and East and in the outskirts Maari Maan temples are found.

It is believed that reverence to Muththu Maari Amman thwarts occurrence of pestilence, infectious diseases and smallpox in particular.

Mythology portrays has been a creation of the Holy Trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Lord Siva for exterminating a demon Asura who was persecuting the Devas.

The Maari Amman takes many names like Muththu Maari, Maha Maari and the like to whom the people turned for succour when stricken with infectious diseases.

In fact, the Arullmigu Sri Maha Maari Amman Devasthanam (Sri Pandari Amman Temple) which is situated at Thambasiddy Puloly West, Point Pedro is an ancient temple and is patronised by great Tamil and Religious Scholars, professional personalities, scientists, educationists and men of art and culture.

Further, the great Tamil and Religious Saint Sri La Sri Ashta Avathani Kathiravetpillai who was born at Thambasiddy, Puloly, was a devout devotee of this temple.

The poojas at this temple are performed according to Agama rules by the Chief priest of this temple.

The Maha Kumbabeshkam of this temple was held on April 11, 2010 and “Pandit”, Dr. Sivasri T. K. Jegatheeswara Kurukal (JP) (Nallai Atheena Sivachariyar), Punnalai Kadduvan and “Muththamil Kurumani” Siva Sri N. Sarvesvara Kurukal (Kathiramalai Sivan Temple), Chunnakam officiated the Kumbabeshkam and thousands or devotees participated at this ceremony to receive the Divine Blessings of Sri Maha Muthumari Amman.

Sri La Sri Somasundara Paramachariya Swamigal of Nallai Atheenam delivered a religious speech blessing the ceremonies which was performed with meticulous care and according to Agama tradition.

Indeed, Poojas and Yagams are expression of the human soul’s ageless desire to be one with God. There are four stages in one’s spiritual paths. They are Chariyai, Kiriyai, Yoga and Gnaana.

For the inner development of the soul these four paths are very essential. The Saints and sages realized Moksha through these paths.

Furthermore, poojas are classified into three. They are Daily pooja and Kaamiya Pooja done for a specific reason (yaagam) which is performed for peace and prosperity of a nation.

The Naimiththiya Pooja is done on special occasions.

Undoubtedly, the temple is indeed an Altar raised to the Eternal soul and through worship and prayer, the intuitive light in the soul will naturally look for the Eternal soul in the sacred edifice.

Sundharar Thevaram

The seventh Thirumurai is given by Sundhara Moorthy Adigalar. This is also called Thiruppattu.

* Piththa

* Thammaanai

* Thillaivaazh

* Neela

* Vadivudai

* Mudhuvaai

* Paaduvaar

* Meelaaadimai

* Vuraippaar

* Thaan

* Matru

* Thammayee

* Yimayoor

* Thiruvum

Sundharar was getting married. At that time the Lord came as an old man and told the people that Sundharar is the slave of Him. Sundharar said he had never seen that person before that.

But that old man proved that Sundharar is the His slave and took him. Sundharar was calling Him “Piththaa” (mad) and following Him. That old man disappeared in the temple of Thiru vennai nalloor. Sundharar realised that it is the God who came to give Sundharar His grace. He cried to the Lord that I called you “Piththaa” by mistake. But the Lord said “Using that word as the first word recite a hymn”. Then Sundhara sang this. Sundharar is called “Van thondar” because he praises the Lord as if he is cursing.

* Place: Thiru vennai nalloor

*Pan: Indhalam

Piththaa pirai soodee perumaanee arulaalaa

Eththal maravaadhee ninaikkindreen manathunnai Vaiththaai pennai thenpaal vennai nalloor aruththurayul Aththa vunakku aalaai inee alleen enal aamee

Translation:

Oh mad! Oh Peruman with a crescent, Oh Graceful one, I am thinking about you without forgetting. Oh God of Thiru vennai nalloor in the southern bank of the river Pennai, how can I say I am not your slave?

Sundharar did not want to put his leg in the holy town of thiruvadhikai where Thirunaavukkarasar was born. So he stayed in the outskirts - sidhdhavada madam. In the night when he was sleeping, the God appeared as an old man and put His legs many times on Sundharar ‘s head.

Sundharar shouted at Him. He disappeared from there. Realizing that the old man was God Himself, Sundharar sang this song.

* Place:

Thiruvadhikai (Near Kadaloor)

* Pan:

Kollikkouvaanam

Thammaanai ariyaadha saadhiyaar ularee thalaimeyrkkol piraiyaanai vidaimeyrkkol vigirdhan Kaimmavin uri poorthu kari kaattil aadal vudaiyaanai vidaiyaanai karai konda kandaththu Ammanran adikkonden thalaimeyl vaiththidumen aasaiyaal vazhginra arivilaa naayeen Emmaanai yerikedila vada veerattanathth uraivaanai iraippodhum igazhvan kol yaanee

Sundharar once when in Thiruvaaroor was praying to God to bless him to sing the glory of his devotees. God asked him start with His statement as “Thillai vaazh andhanar tham adiyarkkum adiyeen”.

In this hymn Sundharar sang about 63 devotees of the Lord.

This particular song is called “Thiruth thondaththogai”.

* Place: Thiruvaaroor

* Pan: Kollikkouvaanam

Thillaivaazh andhanar tham adiyaarkkum adiyeen Thiruneela kantaththu kuyavanaarkku adiyeen Illaiyee ennaadha iyarpagaikkum adiyeen

illayaandran kudimaaran adiyaarkkum adiyeen Vellumaa miga valla meypporulukku adiyeen Viripozhin sool konraiyaar virnmindarkku adiyeen

Allimen mullaianthaar amarneethikku adiyeen Aarooran aarooril ammaanukku aalee.

Kundaiyuur kizaar used to give rice to Sundharar ‘s house. At one point there was a famine. Kizaar prayed to Lord.

Lord made a rice rain to fall and a big heap of rice was formed. People were astonished how that can be mobilised to Sundharar ‘s house in Thiruvaaruur. Sundharar sang this song and short buudhaas came and took it to Sundharar ‘s house in Thiruvaaruur. Paravaiyaar (Sundharar ‘s wife) distributed them to all.

* Place: Thirukkoolili

* Pan: Nattau raagam

Neela ninaindhadiyeen umai niththalum kai thozhuveyn Vaalana kan madavaal aval vaadi varundhaamey Koolili emperuman kundayoor chila nellup petreeyn Aalilai emm perumaan avayattiththarap paniyee Sundharar was on his way to Thirumudhukunram (Virudhdhaachalam). Then the God appeared in the form a old man. Sundharar asked Him what is the way to go to Thirumudhukunram. God told that this is the path to kuudalaiyaatroor and disappeared. With this pleasent shock Sundharar sang this song.

To be continued next week

Source: www.Shivam.org