13/12/2016
!!! SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA !!!
Sannidhanam, in early 1940s, 50s and 60s , was just wild jungle which few pilgrims visited. It is
understood that a VR Gopala Menon of Alapuzha used to stay on
at Sannidhanam even when the temple was closed. He built a shack
and stayed there even when no human being was anywhere nearwhere nearby during those
days when the temple was closed.
It was said that the wild animals never troubled him and that he used to feed the wildest of animals.
Some years later, when Devaswom Board was formed, it seems ,he
was asked to move out. He died as an orphan of the world at a tea
estate at Vandiperiyar. He was the only companion to Thirumeni
Eashwaran Nampoothiri (an old Mel
Santhi of Sannidhanam) in those wild old days of solitude and dedication.
Revered Menon used to recite`Harivarasanam' with all devotion.
It was with immense grief that Thirumeni Eashwaran Nampoothiri
heard about the demise of Revered Menon. At that end of the pooja
that day, when he was about to close the doors of the Sanctum
Sanctorum, he remembered
Revered Menon and recited
'Harivarasanam' starting a nostalgic
tradition that remains unbroken to
this day.
Harivarasanam is recited just prior
to closing of the temple doors at night.
“'Harivarasanam' was written by
Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer. In 1955,
Swami Vimochananad recited this
Ashtakam for the first time at Sabarimala.
Swamy Saranam
Ayyappan - Real Thathvamasi
