Tirukalayanallur (Sakkottai)

General Manager (Planning & Development), City Union Bank, Krishnan (Will soon become!) and I started at Tippirajapuram to visit Sakkottai, on 25 October 2008.

Now a days, Sakkottai is famous for Anbu.

Some fifty years, back Sakkottai was known for Rangu Iyengar, a mathematical wizard in Mridangam. He could play fourier series and mock theta functions in Mridangam. Apparently, he was related to Srinivasa Ramanujan. As soon Ramanujan discovered an equation, he would discuss with Rangu Iyengar who would play the equation in Mridangam. If that is done satisfactorily, QED!

1500 years back, Sakkottai was known for this which happened to be our destination. Amirthavalli Sameda Amirtha Kalasanathar reside here. I must have done the Tippi - Kumbakonam road about a thousand times. But this just the second time I am visiting the temple. The first visit must have been about 25 years back with Appa, Auditor and Sri Satyamurthi.

The temple is connected with Sthalapuranam of Kumbakonam and Adi Kumbeswarar and is one of the Sapta Sthanams of Kumbeswarar. The Saptastanams of Kumbeswarar are Kalayanallur, Valanjuzhi, Darasuram, Swamimalai, Kottiayur, Melaikkaveri and Kumbhakonam.

Sundarar (7-8th century CE) has sung a padigam here. There are 25 temples sung by Sundarar alone and this is one of them. He visited this temple after Thirunageswaram and Sivapuram. It is surprising Sambandar did not visit as he has visited Sivapuram and Marudanallur. Sundarar says if you sing the padigam with bhakti, your sins and worries will be washed away.

Temple is small, neatly maintained by Anand Sivacharyar. ( Mobile no: 97882 02923). It is in a much better shape that what I remember from my earlier visit. The temple is open from 1030 - 1130. Anand Sivacharyar is a busy man, bathing and feeding Gods in a number of temples. Pl call him to ensure Amirthakalasanathar can keep his appointment with you.