Madurai, 16 May 2012: Today H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda and his predecessor Srila Sri Arunagirinatha Jnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya Swamigal paid a visit to Kanjanur Agnishwarar temple in Thanjavur Dt. of Tamil Nadu. They were accompanied by around 100 devotees and volunteers of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam.
Madurai Aadheenam is the hereditary trustee of Kanjanur temple and Nithyananda was making his first visit there after his coronation as the 293d pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam on 27 April this year.
Kanjanur is one of the four temples in Tanjavur which are being maintained by Madurai Aadheenam, the other three being the Saachinatheswarar Temple in Thiruppurambiyam, Pannagaparameswara Swami Temple and Kachaneswara Swami Temple in Kachanam.
Paramahamsa Nithyananda and the group were warmly welcomed at the temple by devotees and local people. Both the pontiffs participated in the worship and arati performed in the sanctum sanctorum (garba griha) of the temple. Later Paramahamsa Nithyananda addressed the media persons who thronged the venue. Responding to a question related to the illegal occupation of Madurai Aadheenam’s vast properties in Kanjanur and elsewhere, Nithyananda said that all such illegally occupied land would be retrieved though proper legal means.
Nithyananda outlined his plans for developing the temple and the village, including the construction of private toilets in homes, providing clean drinking water and starting schools in the area. A 100-school initiative has already been launched to provide better education facilities for children in rural and urban areas of Tamil Nadu. These schools, which will be 90% subsidized, will provide modern education as well as gurukul education based on the traditional Vedic learning system. A free100-bed hospital has also been envisioned to provide standard medical care in Kanjanur and surrounding areas.
Nithyananda made a commitment to the people of Kanjanur that no negative elements would be allowed to destroy the development efforts in Kanjanur. In a heartening move, he also declared that all revenues from the temple would directly go towards these efforts, and Madurai Aadheenam would not touch any part of this money for other purposes. Nithyananda has already deputed four of his trained Sannyasis at Kanjanur temple to oversee the cleaning and restoration of the temple. He also intends to spend time personally at Kanjanur to facilitate the development efforts.
Sri Agnishwara, Presiding Deity worshiped by H.H Srila Sri Paramahamsa Nithyananda, 293rd pontiff
About Kanjanur Temple: Kanjanur is located about 18 km away from the temple town of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Shukra (Venus), but the deities are Agnishwarar (Shiva) and Karpagambal (Devi). Shukra is considered to a art of Shiva’s own body, located in his stomach region. Agni (the god of Fire) is believed to have worshipped Shiva in this temple. Kanjannur is one of the nine navagraha sthalas (temples linked to the nine planets) of Tanjavur Dt. The poet-saint Appar, one of the four visionary saints of Shaiva Siddanta tradition, is said to have sung many hymns in praise of Lord Shiva at this temple, and hence it is known as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Watch the Full Press Meet held at Kanjanur on 16th May 2012
https://youtu.be/x6AJMA4Elb4