New Kurukkal Appointed

Devotees may please take note that Sri Kalyanasundram has been appointed as the new kurukkal of Mahasastha temple effective 1st October 2015.  He is about 65 years of age.  He and his wife are accommodated in the residence within the compound.

The contact number of Sri Kalyanasundaram is given alongside.

The earlier kurukkal, Sri Shanmugasundram, was relieved on 25th September 2015.  For a short intervening period, before takeover by the new kurukkal, a temporary substitute was performing the daily rituals.

7th Annual Maha Abhishekam of Maha Sastha

The 7th Annual Maha Abhishekam was performed in a grand manner at the Mahasastha Ayyanar Temple with the usual religious fervour.  The proceedings started with sankalpam, followed by homam.  The abhishekam that followed was conducted elaborately.  The alankaram of the deities was also very beautiful, as you will see in the pictures.

Tasty and sumptuous prasadam consisting of hot sakkarai pongal, kondai kadalai sundal, panchamritham, hot sambar rice and curd rice were distributed to all devotees.  There was enough and more for second helpings.

The function saw participants from our community of devotees and the village residents.  It was wonderful to see so many of us congregate for this annual event organised so well by a few active committee members.

This year saw the Vettar river flowing swiftly, making the fertile delta region lush green and so soothing to the eyes, sights so rare for most of us in cities.

Given above are the pictures taken on the occasion.  The slide show can be clicked to see the photos in the Picasa Web Album.

Change of Temple Priest

Shri Shanmugha Sundram, the present priest at the Mahasastha Ayyanar temple, has tendered his resignation from the services of the temple.  He is taking up a new assignment in a temple in Malaysia.  He is likely to be relieved soon.  In the meanwhile, efforts are on to find a suitable replacement.

Devotees may take note of the impending change of the temple priest for appropriate consideration.

7th Annual Maha Abishekam on 4th Sept 2015

The 7th Annual Maha Abishekam of Mahasastha Ayyanar will be performed on Friday, 4th September 2015, from 9 am onwards.  Devotees are requested to participate in large numbers with their family members and receive prasadam and blessing of our Kuladeivam.

Financial contributions are welcome and may be made to the usual bank account at State Bank of India, Kilpauk Branch, details of which are given below:

Account Name : Suraikayur Sri Maha Sastha Kumbhabhishekam Committee
Bank                 : State Bank of India
Account No.     : 30331030537
IFS Code          : SBIN0001853
Branch            : Kilpauk

Proposed New Temple Guest House

Ayyanar Temple Guest House as seen in Sept 2009

In early 2008, when renovations were being carried out to the Mahasastha temple before the Kumbhabhishekam, it was felt that there should be a small guest house which could serve the needs of devotees during their visit to the temple as also store temple essentials in a safe way.  Constructed with sloping country tiled roof and wooden pillars for the façade, the cottage reminded a typical village house.  It consisted of a large hall and two sets of toilets and bathrooms.  Over the last 6 years the facility has served its purpose.

Devotees are aware that in the past there have been several changes to the temple priest.  One of the factors for the frequent change was the absence of a suitable accommodation within the village for their stay.  Therefore, they were visiting the temple once a day from wherever they resided.  This sometimes led to disappointments for devotees who arrived from long distance, unannounced, for they would find the sannidhi gates closed and no priest to even perform arathi.

It was therefore decided to find a priest who was willing to stay at the temple so that it could be kept open twice a day.  Accordingly the present priest was identified.  He has been staying in the cottage.  However, since it does not have a kitchen and bedroom, it is not suitable for the family of the priest to stay.  But once it is converted to a family accommodation for his use, with suitable modifications, the devotees may not find adequate privacy to enter the accommodation of the priest when they need to use the bathroom / toilet, etc.

Plan - Existing & Proposed

Taking into consideration feedback received from devotees as also administrative needs, it has been decided to build adjacent to the existing cottage, to its left side, a small extension which will contain a hall, an attached bathroom cum toilet and a utility room for storage of temple requirements.  The existing cottage will be modified to add a kitchen and a bedroom to become a self-contained residence for the priest.  While one set of bathroom and toilet in the existing cottage will have access from inside the priest's residence, the other will be separated and have access from outside for casual visitors who wish to use.  The extension (new Guest House) will be available for the use of devotees should they desire to stay.

Construction in progress of new Guest House

As part of the reconstruction, repairs to the cottage is also being undertaken as some settlement has taken place over time, leading to some minor cracks.  The repairs to the existing cottage and construction of the extension will cost about Rs 8 lacs.  Devotees are welcome to contribute their might which can be deposited into temple's bank account.