(16.08.

2016)

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Wonder what the description is all about ~ it is the immortal writing of Kalki
Ponniyin Selvan novel. The lake spoken about is 235 km away from Chennai,
yet becoming its lifeline, supplying roughly 50 to 180 million litres of water to the
city every day. The lake owes its existence to Chozha prince Rajaditya who in
the 10th century assigned his men the task of excavating this tank, to collect the
surplus waters of the Kollidam River. In the 1830s, Arthur Cotton, the engineer
who later harnessed the waters of the Krishna and Godavari, studied the tank in
detail. He noted that there was no serious defect in the tank (this, 900 years after
it was constructed) .. in recent decades much water has flown in concrete pipes
becoming hotly debated corruption topic.
Every summer gives Chennai residents - trouble not only of sweltering heat
but of the water shortage to the residents of Chennai. Though there are four
reservoirs of Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills and Chembarakkam as lifelines for
drinking water needs of Chennaites, Veernaam lake supplements daily water
supply to the city. The Veeranam lake derived its name from the nearby
place Veera Narayana puram which is of great significance to
Srivaishnavaites.

Sri Vaishnavaites have more to know about this lake. The Veeranam lake derived
its name from the nearby place Veera Narayana puram which is of great
significance to Srivaishnavaites. It is here that our Acharyars Nathamunigal and
later Sri Alavanthar were born. Yamunaaryar [Alavandar] born in Aadi Uthirada
nakshathiram, was a genius a child prodigy known for his prowess of ekasanthagraha (remembering forever by learning only once). He was known for
his sparkling intelligence, didactic logic and exceptional devotion to Sriman
Narayanan. His defeating a much learned Akkiyalvan is very famous. After the
debate, the Queen hailed Yamunar as 'Alavandar'-' one who came to rule / save
me'.
It was due to the ceaseless efforts of Sri Rama Mishra (Acharyar Manakkal
nambi), the desciple of Uyyakkondar that Yamunacharyar was initiated back to
the spiritual life. Sri Rama Misrar initiated Yamuna into the ultimate truths and
passed to him the spiritual treasures bequeathed to him by Sri Nathamuni. After
the initiation, Yamuna became the leader of Visistadvaita Vedantins and settled
at the holy place of Thiruvarangam. He gave our Sampradhayam, priceless
treasure-trove of 8 works of which most important are the : Chatusloki on
Pirattiyar; Sthothra Rathinam extolling Emperuman; Sri Geethartha Sangraham,
which formed the basis for Udayavars Gita Bashyam. He identified and gave us
the Greatest of Acharyas Sri Ramanujar as he spontaneously called Udayavar
He is the First of all - '

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Here are some photos taken during todays purappadu of Alavandar with Sri
Parthasarathi Perumal at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam.
Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

16th Aug 2016.