Commitment, and Resilience
Today is 125th centenary celebrations of His Holiness 44th Azhagiyasingar according to the Tamil month calendar. Sri Ahobila Mutt, is one amongst the prominent Mutt’s of India, has a vintage of 650 years, by HH Sri Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar, followers of Srivaishnava Sampradaya. It has strongly aided to the protection, propagating of the principles of Santana Dharma, preserving the Guru-Shishya Parampara. The Acharya/Head heading the Mutt is known as Azhagiyasingar, the presiding deity is Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. They have millions of followers across the globe.
His Holiness Srivan Satakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yathindra Mahadesikan
Today youngsters are heartbroken and discouraged by small incidents in their life. Some of them are misled and some even choose the wrong path.
At the age of 84, he was commanded by Lord Ranganatha to build the temple tower at Srirangam. He followed Ranganatha’s divine order and achieved the impossible, which various kings were not able to do.
His strong commitment can be ascertained by observing the completion of the holy task, building the Srirangam Rajagopuram (Principle Temple Tower), which is the tallest temple tower in Asia. There were several challenges like financial constraints, the opposition of various religious groups, parties. But, it never stopped him.
There were sleepless nights which he had spent before achieving the extraordinary task, the way he mobilized resources, all speak volumes of his resilience. He took support from Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashram, Kanchi Mutt, Govt. of AP, Karnataka, and various devotees. Renowned music director Ilayaraja was one of the key contributors. Unmindful of his age, he supervised the construction at every stage, he would climb winding steep steps and the lift carrying brick and cement to the top daily.
More than 200 workers hustled every day in the construction process, and he ensured everyone involved in getting adequate food every meal. He used to encourage the engineers, masons, workers personally, and disburse their wages.
The exterior 236 feet Rajagopuram with 13 tiers and vimanam was completed in October 1984. On the 11th of March 1985, Kalasams had arrived from Kumbakonam, then the interior plasterwork commenced. A rumor was spread that completion of this temple tower shall bring bad omen and kill several citizens. Coincidently a railway mishap took place in Ariyular and hence Tamil Nadu Government decided to postpone the event. But HH was committed to complete the pooja with grand celebrations.
On 25th October 1987, the Mahasamprokshnam took place in a very grand manner. He won the hearts of million people involved it.
Another example of the great saint’s commitment & resilience is the construction of a large temple tank at Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu and it is acting as a water reservoir in the city. Several people had disowned this initiative and branded this place was a drought-prone area.
About Author
Name : Venkatesh Suriyaprakash
Tinku Venkatesh is a management professional who has a good track record of implementing organizational change and development interventions. He holds a PDGM and Engineering Degree with specialisation in Biotechnology. He is deeply spiritual and he is in the course of learning as well as propagate the Santana dharma
Twitter id- @tweets_tinku
Image courtesies
Srirangam Rajagopuram by Vinod Ranganathan
Tiruvallur temple tank by Rithesh
Archives of Sri Ahobila Mutt
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