This lineage of Guru Maha Sannidhanams (Pontiffs) were entrusted with the responsibility of training and grooming the Kings in administration, constitution and governance acting as regents. They also performed the spiritual initiations on the Kings and the citizens of the Kingdom, imparting the enlightenment science to them.
“Rao Bahadur” Title for Madurai Aadheenam Pontiff
The Guru Maha Sannidhanam (Pontiff) of the Madurai Aadheenam was conferred upon with the title of ‘Rao Bahadur’, a title conferred upon Kings by the British.
Pages from book “Madurai Aadheenam Varalaaru” showing the conferring of the title “Rao Bahadur” on the Pontiff of Madurai, usually conferred on Kings (Pg 28).
1827 – the respect accorded to Madurai Pontiff from the Madurai Magistrate
On 12 July 1827, when the Madurai Pontiff was going to travel with his devotees to visit the temples of Salem and Coimbatore districts of South India, the Madurai District Magistrate issued the following notice to all the Police officers and other authorities in the circuit of The Pontiff ordering the ultimate respect, care, comfort and safety to be accorded to him and the group of devotees. To the left is the issued order (Ref,: Book titled “Madurai Aadheenam Varalaaru” meaning “History of Madurai Aadheenam” published by the Aadheenam, Pg 42).
Order issued on 12 July 1827 by the Madurai District Magistrate to Police and other authorities to accord utmost respect, care and safety to the Madurai Pontiff during his visit to the Salem and Coimbatore district temples
4 Sep 1880 – Governor in Council passes order exempting the Madurai Pontiff from appearance in the Courts of Presidency
On 4 Sep 1880, the Governor in Council G. Stokes, passed an order exempting the Pontiff of Madurai from personal judicial court appearances, as a mark of respect to him as the direct representative of the Cosmic Principle Paramasiva. Following is the issued order essence extracted from the book “Madurai Aadheenam Varalaaru” meaning “History of Madurai Aadheenam: Pg 44.
Madurai Meenakshi amman temple governance under the 270th Pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam
When Srilasri Ponnambala Sri Jnanasambandha Desika Paramaacharya Swamigal was the 270th Pontiff of the Madurai Aadheenam, the King Vishwanatha Nayakkar was ruling Madurai. The King and his minister Ariya Nayaka Mudali, as was the tradition, both received Shiva dheeksha (formal initiation into Shaivism) from the Pontiff and became his disciples.
During this period, the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple flourished under the supervision and direct administration and mandate of the Madurai Aadheenam Pontiff. Vehicles and ornaments for the temple were created with overflowing bliss and joy and the Pontiff managed the entire administration.
Daily poojas (ritualistic worship) and the yearly festivals were all conducted under his guidance. The daily temple pooja routines and temple administration was under the supervision of the adheenam until the 285th pontiff Sri La Sri Subramanya Sri Jnanasambandha Desika Paramacharya Swamigal’s time.