Om Namo Narayanaya
Thondai Nadu, the northern part of ancient Thamizhagam with northern boundary at Thirupati is a treasure trove of divine temples. It is also the birth & tapo sthal of great saints including Shri Ramanujacharya, Sundarar and Thiruvalluvar. One such ancient temple was brought to light by Annamalaiyar Arappani Kuzhu recently.
Blessed with green carpet of beautiful paddy fields around, the quaint hamlet Pagasalai is located at around 45 kms from Poonamalee, Chennai and close to Thiruvalangadu punya kshetra. This hamlet may be small but is a historic place dotted by many ancient temples. On the banks of Kusasthalai river, the Bala Subramanya swamy temple here was extolled by none other than Saint Arunagirinadhar. One can see an ancient Shiva temple as well here.
In this punya bhoomi, there lied an ancient temple possibly of nearly 800 years old obfuscated in thick vegetation. Sreedevi Bhoodevi samedha Shri Aadi Kesava Perumal temple was brought to light by Annamalaiyar Arappani Kuzhu on 9th Feb 2020. A group of 120 volunteers led by Shri V.Ramachandran performed Uzhavarapani with active participation by around 60 students from Rajalakshmi College of Engineering, Chennai.
Probably there was no Pooja done for last 200 years in this temple and it is understood that Villagers themselves avoided this place as it was home to many poisonous snakes. The temple structure was completely hidden in dense vegetation. Two overgrown trees of around 100 feet high grown on walls of this temple. It was learnt that the idols were kept safely in Bala Subramanya Swamy temple nearby.
Once the bushes were removed in the front entrance, the Bali peetam and a Mahamandapam with 16 sculptured pillars became visible. Artha Mandayam and Garba Griha were too dark and it was risky to venture in due to unstable walls. Plants and overgrown branches were removed from top of the temple and cleaned. With JCB, bushes were cleared from temple’s surroundings. The transformation was visible. As the Uzhavarapani culminated, elaborate pooja was offered to the deities with a prayer that this ancient temple should see its glorious old days.
It was so satisfying to see this abode of divinity rise again.
Om Namo Narayanaya
very patheitic condition centre and state should do bring to mid's notice He will do it