On the northern banks of the Palar river, five kilometres from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, a magnificent structure is taking shape. Suffused with the spirit of devotion, the project is a dedication by thousands who revere the saint Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi.
The Satabdhi Mani Mantapam is being raised by the Mahalakshmi Mathrubhutheswarar Trust, as homage to the acharya who, for 87 years, headed the Kanchi Math. The Swami who became the head in 1907 at the age of 13, attained Siddhi on January 8, 1994. He enriched our lives immeasurably, walking the length and breadth of the country to dispel ignorance and alleviate suffering.
His devotees are legion. The learned, the not so well read, the rich and the poor, all flocked to the Math to have darshan of the Maha Periyaval as he was called. From all corners of the country they came and from other countries too, to gain His blessing. No one was too humble, no problem too trivial to engage his attention. And they returned with a sense of fulfillment, their doubts stilled and their spirits restored. Barriers of caste and creed melted away as persons from other faiths also drew strength from the Sage of Kanchi. The Jagadguru was that unique spiritual leader who contributed to religious harmony, advising each to follow his own faith as every religion advocates moral values.
The embodiment of wisdom and “all that is sacred in our scriptures”, the Acharya provided the end of the quest for all seekers of Knowledge and Truth. He communicated the tenets of Hinduism in an easily comprehensible form and many owe their understanding of it to His eloquent discourses which were simple yet sublime.
The beautifully designed memorial at Orirukkai village promises to be a towering tribute to the great sage. Work is going on at a brisk pace at the 7.5 acre site. The magnitude of the project and the artistic splendour of the work take one back to the time of the imperial Pallavas and Cholas when wonderful places of worship arose all over the region.
Kancheepuram, one of the oldest pilgrim centres in the country, is adorned with grand temples built by successive rulers. Considered one of the seven mokshapuris (cities of liberation), it is sacred for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. The temple to Goddess Kamakshi, the nucleus of Sakthi, is very ancient and a revered Sakthi Peetha. Among the various maths established by Sri Adi Sankara, who adored Goddess Kamakshi, the one at Kancheepuram occupies a special place, as he graced it as the first Peetadhipathi.
An unbroken tradition of acharyas followed. In the last 2,000 years, 70 illustrious peetadhipathis have adorned the seat.
“The Mani Mantapam will provide a visual running commentary on the times and achievements of our revered Maha Periyaval,” says Sri K.R.Athmanathan, one of the trustees of the project.
“The Satabdhi Mani Mantapam is a very humble offering for the magnificent service of the great guru. It will be an abode, a retreat and a refuge for all seekers,” says Sri K.Vedamurthy, another trustee. “Many important events in the life of the Sage of Kanchi will be depicted in the Mani Mantapam.”
The images of all the Acharyas of the Kanchi Math are to be installed here with their names and period when they headed the peetam. The Mani Mantapam will therefore convey a rich segment of our spiritual and cultural history. When completed, it will provide a centre for researchers and scholars on Vedantic culture to hold discussions.
The Trust, named after the Swami’s mother, Mahalakshmi, was formed in 1989 and aims at promoting the ideals of the sage—the conducting of Vedic studies in Patasalas, the protection of cows in Goshalas and the propagation of Tamil hymns such as the Thevaram, Thiruvachagam, Thirumarai, Thiruvoymozhi and bhajans in other Indian languages. Daily poojas are to be held at the shrines in the Mani Mantapam. As we drive into the vast plot, thatched sheds materialise into view. Boulders are stacked behind the sheds where sculptors and workmen are busy.
A life size portrait of a benevolent smiling Periyaval, at the small shrine at the entrance to the workshop, envelops the entire site, with an aura of sanctity. The key word here is devotion, for it is faith that guides all those associated with the project.
The ground plan of the structure is displayed in one of the long sheds. It consists of four mantapams—the Paduka Mantapam, the Prakara Mantapam, the Praja Mantapam and the Maha Mantapam.
The Maha Mantapam will have 151 granite pillars depicting the life of the Kanchi Swami. In the sanctum sanctorum, the lotus shaped Paduka Mantapam, will be placed a pair of padukas (sacred sandals) of the Swami. Periyaval offering worship at various temples is to be depicted at the Mani Mantapam through sculptures. The outer walls of the inner prakara as also the inner walls of the outer prakara will carry sculptural panels portraying episodes from Periyaval’s life. The foundation for the project was laid on June 9,1997 and renowned sculptor Sri S.M.Ganapathi Sthapathi is in charge of the construction. When stone had to be obtained for the all-granite memorial, the Ramakrishna Math, which had collected granite for a monument, decided instead on quick completion of work by resorting to brick and mortar. And the Trust was able to obtain lorry loads of excellent granite. One hundred and ten persons are engaged in the work, of which 65 are shilpis from Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli and Kancheepuram and other districts.
The sculpted pieces executed so far impress by their classic proportions and polished perfection. The base of the Paduka Mantapam is being engraved with floral designs. The four pillars of the mantapam will hold the vimanam(dome) which is to be embedded with real Rudrakshas in rows.
“Periyaval adored elephants and would feed them coconuts,” says Sri Ganapathi Sthapathi who has designed Gaja Sthambams (pillars crowned with elephants) for the mantapam. “The Acharya would also talk often about the contribution of the Pallavas, Cholas and Nayaks and so I have incorporated all three architectural styles here. A special feature is the Saptha Swara Sthambam which when tapped will produce the seven notes of our musical scale. This is something Periyaval admired greatly in ancient temples such as the temple at Hampi.”
A moment of great joy for the Sthapathi was when he had reverentially extended the plan of the monument to the Paramacharya and the sage had scrutinised it and returned the document. The kumkum from His forehead had auspiciously spilt on to the paper—a sign of consent the trustees were looking for.
Though the sage’s devotees are responsible for raising the project, it was Sri V.Venkatarama Iyer who first thought of it in 1989.
The vision slowly began to fructify. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, 69th Peetadhipathi, and the present head of the Math, proposed that the padukas of the saint be placed in the mantapam. The sandalwood padukas, which had been sanctified by being worn by the Paramacharya, have been plated with gold. The first contribution of eight sovereigns came from Sri T.A.R.Bhatt, Secretary of the Archakas Trust.
The Satabdhi Mani Mantapam will cost Rs.10 crores. A beginning was made in September 1997, with Rs.60 lakhs gathered from contributions. The living legend of carnatic music, Smt.M.S.Subbulakshmi and her husband, the late Sri Sadasivam, ardent devotees of Periyaval, contributed Rs.30lakhs from concerts and royalties from cassettes. An NRI doctor from the United States gave Rs.17 lakhs. “But all amounts, big or small, will help in pushing the project forward; no sum is negligible. It will help in early completion,” say the trustees.
“As of now the project will take five years to complete, for it is labour/intensive,” Devotees are requested to send in photographs taken with the Jagadguru to the Trust. And also their experiences to be recorded, if found suitable, on sculpture or preserved for posterity.
The trustees and the sthapathi explain about the project as we see the completed work and we return to the shrine. Suddenly, there is excitement all round and hushed whispers of “Periyaval”. As we surge out of the shrine, we are just in time to see Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal alight.
Everyone hastens forward to seek his blessings. He examines the work with great interest and listens intently to the Sthapathi’s explanation. After the half-hour visit, the Swami blesses the project and leaves. In the words of one of the trustees, “The Mani Mantapam will be the meeting place for like minded devotees. Years later, people should know that such a man walked the earth like God and we have to learn from him.”
Kausalya Santhanam in “The Hindu”dated………….