Sri Sri Swamiji thus talked about his visit to Periyakulam and Tutucorin-

" I was very tired with the continuous Pravachans, Nãma Prachãr and travel since the last three months. In this stage, after attending Yogiramsuratkumãr Mandir's annual celebrations organized by Sri Swarnanãthan at Hosur, I paid a visit to Sri S.P. Janãrdanan's Shobana Printers in Bangalore and gave a brief discourse at Bangalore Satsang in the evening. From there, I left for Madurai. There, I stayed at the residence of our Satsang member, Sri Thyagarajan. It was about 2:30 pm when I reached there. Sri. M.K. Rãmãnujam was already waiting there. I was completely tired when we headed for Periyakulam along with them. I was even planning to cancel all the programs in view of my weariness.

On the way, Gopikrishna and Vinod were waiting in their car. These children are very much involved. Their car being the pilot, I first reached Krishnakumãr's residence.

Every week, Nãma Sankirtan is performed at their residence as well as in the Perumãl temple nearby. Their parents are very devoted and kind. His mother handed me the 'Rama Nãma' notebooks written by her. Many of them mentioned that they were participating in the Nãma Kirtan from far away places. I was in tears hearing about their involvement. We also visited the Perumãl temple there.

The temple priests have been very participative in the Nãma Kirtan. The temple deity is a very ancient one. A woman named M. Kãsiammãl participates in the Nãma Kirtan along with small shool children. She was present in the temple along with the children. My joy knew no bounds when I heard the children perform Nãma Kirtan there.

After having darshan of Perumãl and Thãyar, we reached Sringeri Kalyãna Mantapam, the venue of the Upanyãs, dancing and singing all our way. The crowd was un-controllable. Thousands of people had gathered, starting from autorickshaw drivers. People had come from other cities like Kambam. Many devotees had stood by Krishnakumãr to organize this event. Everyone now calls Krishnakumãr by the name 'Rãdhe Krishna' !

From there, along with Gopikrishna and Vinod, after having coconut water at their coconut farm, I reached Konguvãrpatti. Initially, I was planning to visit only their residence. Thousands were waiting in that small village at 9 pm. The arrangements were grand. There is a beautiful Rama Temple in that village. The Utsava Murthi is made of 'Athi' wood and was alighted on Garuda Vãhana. Every Saturday, Vinod's mother performs Nãma Kirtan there. After visiting Vinod's residence, I went to Gopikrishna's residence. His parents, brothers, uncle -- all of them are very affectionate to me. The whole village sported a festive look and I discoursed there. I also paid visit to an Amman temple that was under construction.

It was about 2:00 am when I returned to Madurai. However all my weariness had vanished after having heard so many people chanting the 'Nãma'! Where ever I went in that city, I was always accompanied by muscular bare-chested men. I imagined that Pillai Urangã Villidãsa would have followed Sri Rãmanuja just the same way!

Next morning, I left for Tutucorin. Sri Kadiresan, Sri Nehru, Auditor Sri Ravi and Sri Soundarapandiyan were waiting at the outskirts to receive me. Firstly, I participated in the 'Ati Rudram' that was performed there.
There, I visited many houses and temples from 8:00 am to noon everyday.

I visited Sri Kadiresan's factory. I was moved by his arrangements for Nãma Prachãr. Many of the employees who are into stone-breaking, happily join for 'Maha Mantra Kirtan'. Agsar Krupãmurthy came to Tutucorin and was along with me all the four days. Vasuki Jayaraj from Sivakãsi, Thilakavati, Uma Surendran, Rajkumãri and many other Satsang members continuously performed Nãma Sankirtan as they accompanied me to all the places.

It is more than two years since I visited Tutucorin. More than five thousand people had come for the evening discourse. 'Nãma' was chanted where ever we went, thanks to Sri Kadiresan's relentless effort. Satsangs are established everywhere and weekly prayers and Nãma Sankirtan Satsangs are being conducted. A woman, Meenakshi arranges the Satsang at the Ganesha temple and Ms. Janaki Periyasami, at her residence. Messers Murugan, Shanmugasundaram, Gopal and others stayed along all the five days helping in the success of the event.

They have established a Sabha called "Sachidãnanda Sabha" and attend Vedãnta classes. One person teaches them 'Thevãram' and 'Tiruvãsagam' at a Ganesha temple there. I visited Subbaiah Vidyalaya Girls Higher Secondary School. I was amazed by the school and by the fact that all the four thousand students perform Maha Mantra Kirtan. I also visited the Mãriamman school, run entirely by donations from the villagers. Students there too, chant 'Nãma'.

In this context I will have to mention about the school called 'Imayam'. Two women have forsaken all pleasures in their life to realize Swami Vivekãnanda's dreams. The students are taught spirituality along with their regular curriculum. The headmistress who has retired from that school now takes up and runs another school which was closed down earlier. All these children chant 'Nãma'. A temple is being planned for Tiruvannãmalai Bhagavãn Yogiramsuratkumãr in Tutucorin. I visited that spot too. Every one, starting from chilren to the elderly, chant Nãma here, and its indeed a 'Nãma Muthu Nagar' !

From Tutucorin, I reached Tirunelveli and visited Murugesan's place there. Then I headed for Cheranmãdevi, where a few had gathered, even in those wee morning hours. After telling them about Thyãgaraja's life, I went to Amba Samudram. A child by name Ramanan, has been performing Nãma Kirtan at a Krishna Temple continuously for the past two years! I participated in their annual celebrations and performed upanyãs on 'Krishna Jananam'. The temple priest mentioned that the crowds have increased after Nãma Sankirtan had commenced. Everyone praised Ramanan's efforts, and I felt it akin to praising me! After paying visit to Ramanan's house, I reached Chennai in view of Ekãdasi the next day. "

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna