Shri Raghottama Swami’s Brindavan, Tirukoilur, Tamil Nadu
A stalwart of Madhwacharya’s Uttaradi Matha, Shri Raghottama Teertha Swami’s Brindavan is at Tirukoilur. Tirukoilur is about a 2 hour drive from Chennai. For those visiting from Bengaluru, it is closer to the temple town of Tiruvannamalai and about a 6 hour drive.
A Guru revered for his austerity and healing powers, Raghottama Guru chose this place at the banks of the river Pinakini for his Brindavana. He entered his Brindavana on Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Thousands throng to his Brindavana during the Aradhana celebrations held around Vaikuntha Ekadashi every year.
We had visited Tirokoilur twice in the past, only for ‘Darshana’. However, this was the first time; we went there to perform a three day Seva to the great Guru. What is noteworthy about Shri Gurugalu’s Brindavana, is that -it is open to sky. There is very little pomp and the mood resounds with simplicity and austerity. Even the ‘vastra’ – cloth draped on the Brindavana every day is made out of cotton and not silk.
Story of Raghottama Swami-
Shri Raghuvarya Teertha had blessed a couple Subba Bhatta and Ganga Bai in the village of Swaarnavata for a child and requested them as per divine orders, to hand over the baby to the Matha. Accordingly, Raghuvarya Teertha sent a large golden plate to receive the child to ensure that he doesn’t touch the ground. The charming baby was named Ramachandra and raised in the Matha. Ramachandra was fed only with the Abhishekha milk of the Vyasa Kurma Saligram of the Matha.
At 7, his Upanayanam was performed and the very next year, he was ordained as a Sanyasi and named Raghottama Teertha. He was under the tutelage of of Adya Varadacharya as per the direction of his Guru, Shri Raghuvarya Teertha.
Once, the village head invited both Shri Raghottama Teertha and Adya Varadacharya for partaking food on Dwadashi day. By the time he finished his Pooja and arrived, he saw that Varadacharya, and others had already commenced eating without waiting for the Swamiji. Though young, Raghottama Teertha was still the head of the Matha and it was a norm to wait for him to first partake of the food. Saddened by their actions, Swamiji returned to the Matha.
Early next morning, he got a dream in which his Guru, Shri Raghuvarya Teertha inscribed letters in his tongue and blessed him with philosophical mastery. He also ordered him to start teaching disciples straight away. The next day onwards, Shri Raghottama Teertha himself started to deliver lectures on Nyaya Sudha.
Once Raghottama Swamiji was expounding on a difficult portion of Nyaya Sudha- Bahulantani. Varadacharya, who also had many doubts, hid behind a wall to listen to Swamiji’s explanations. Swamiji’s clarity of thought and explanation dispelled all of Varadacharya’s doubts. He prostrated before Shri Raghottama Guru and admitted his superiority in knowledge. The noble Swamiji comforted the pandit and decreed that he should have first teertham in Uttaradi Matha which is being followed even now by blessing the Adya family members with teertham first.
The great religious leader enjoyed the honors befitting a prominent Math such as the throne, crown, palanquin white umbrella, chamara, makarataorana, fan, daylight torch, flags and musical instruments. However, his austerity is known widely.
He is believed to have cured countless people of their illnesses and granted them with good health.
Brindavana Pravesha-
Shri Raghottama Teertha desired to enter the Brindavana at Manampundi, Tirukoilur on the banks of river Pinikani. This is said to be the holy place where Shri Galava Rishi once resided. This place is also known as “Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetra”.
The Guru ordered a Zamindar of Tiruvanamalai in a dream to construct his Brindavana at a specified place. Shri Raghuttama Teertharu entered Brindavana in 1595 AD on the day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi.
Directions:
We boarded a KPN sleeper bus from Bengaluru at Hosur Road to Villipuram at 11 p.m. and then took another bus from there to Tirukoilur, reached by 7a.m. However, we were told later, by the friendly ‘Matha staff’ that the shorter route is via Tiruvannamalai. Manampoondi is 2 k.m. from Tirukovilur, about 36 kms away from Tiruvannamalai, and 237 k.m. from Bangalore.
Address and Contact-
Shri Raghottama Swamy Moola Brindavana, Manmpoondi (Tirukoilur) – 605759, Distroct: Villupuram, Tamilnadu.
Phone : 04153 – 224690/9442865395
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