Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 4

Palai Baskara Iyer 

Palai Baskara Iyer was a true guide and helper to all the devotees. He had a lovely physique, fair complexion, graceful look and the Bramma Thejas which will attract even the person who is against him 

After Harihara Iyer, many tried for the Sabarimala Velichappad position and no one knew the Lord's will that who will be the next Velichappad. For this reason many consider Harihara Iyer as the Last Official Velichappad of Sabarimala. But Palai Baskara Iyer who occupied the post is not a person to be ignored.

As mentioned above, after several confusions, during one Makara Sankramana a certain group at Sabarimala decided to "choose" the next Velichappad. The person they had chosen was stading right in front of the Srikovil. After the evening deeparadhana a person posed as if getting into trance and took the haram from the Lord's neck the and came running. But who can play with Sathya swaroopi Bhagawan? He slipped near the srikovil entrance and his head got hit at the upper portion of the Srikovil door and he fainted immediately. Now a shanthikaran who was inside the Srikovil got the supreme power within him and instantly took the haram and came out running and he threw the garland and it went to Palai Shri Baskara Iyer who was at that time doing his Gayatri Japam. Thus Palai Baskara Iyer was opted to be the next Velichappad of Sabarimala Temple. 

Baskara Iyer had yet another speciality - the Mudra Vadi he had was the Lord's. During the disastrous fire accident in 1952 at Sabarimalai, everything was burnt to ashes including the Srikovil. The Moola Vigraham of Ayyappan ( made of Krishna Shila)  was broken into pieces. The Only thing remained was the Mudra Vadi which was kept along with the Lord's Vigraham. When Baskara Iyer went to Sabarimalai temple for seeing the temple, the melshanthi who was there took the Mudravadi and gave it to him.

People still recollect the glorious scene of Palai Baskara Iyer getting into trance at Sabari Peetam while receiving the Tiruvabaranam. He use to run along with the Trivabaranam entirely in Trance Mood right from Sabari Peetam to Sannidhanam rotating his mudravadi and looking upward towards the sky... When he enters the Padinettampadi, accompanied by the Thiruvabharanam and he will be given a karpura  Harathi and received to the Sannidhanam.

It was an experience to watch Baskara Iyer in Trance.. And all what he says is total SATYAM and defying his instructions can only result in a problem.

There are numerous examples that can be quoted explaining the marvels of Palai Shri Baskara Iyer. And still we have thousands of people who were lucky enough who had the opportunity of meeting and getting the blessings of this great soul. 

Palai Baskara Iyer and Shri CV Srinivasa Iyer (Chaami Anna)
at Sabarimala Sannidhanam - a photograph from yester years
if Iam right its Pankuni Uthram (March) 1973

He was a very good friend of My Grandfather( Shri Chami Anna) and was a frequent visitor to our house at Kalpathy. Baskara Iyer used to accompany Chaami Anna during his Pankuni Uthra Poojas at Sannidhanam.

After serving the Lord and the devotees for many years Palai Baskara Iyer reached his divine abode during the late 80s. When his mortal remains were cremated, the next day there was a very big flood at Palai. His relatives worried about the sanchayanam (which needed the remains of the cremated body) because the crematorium was surrounded by water upto the hip. As soon as they reached the spot where he was cremated, instanteously a portion of it sprang out along with some fire and started floating on the water. The Lord proved his greatness even after his demise.

After Palai Baskara Iyer, there was (or rather there is) actually a fight for the status of Velichappad in Sabarimalai amongst the Tamil Brahmins. People considered that this status was reserved solely for the Tamil Brahmins only. Many tried in many ways, but could not succeed.  There are persons who claim to be the disciple of Palai Baskara Iyer and having his mudra vadi and Tamil Brahmin origin etc (But the reality is, the person who is claiming it today he has not even seen Baskara Iyer and definitely not a Tamil Brahmin). 

After Palai Baskara Iyer there is no Velichappad in Sabarimalai except that some pose themselves as Velichappads and act in such manner.

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 3

Pulikkal Matam Kottarakara Bramma Sree Harihara Iyer 

After Anantakrishna Iyer came the illustrious Kottarakara Harihara Iyer. Kottarakara Harihara Iyer was a pioneer in Sabarimala Yatra and was a true friend to all sincere devotees.

He had a thorough knowledge of the Puja Kalpam and was a master in doing the systematic puja and worship to Lord Hariharaputra. He never bothred about the Guru Dakshina given by the disciples. He used the entire sum for doing annadhanam during the sabari yatra.

He was a strict disciplinarian and followed it with utmost sincerity and also made sure that all his sishyas follow it with same discipline.

Once a disciple wanted to treck sabarimala with Harihara Iyer. Iyer asked the disciple to get the permission from his parents. The parents were quite hestitant in sending their only son to the difficult yatra. The son kept on persisting for 4-5 days and finally convinced his parents and got their permission. Immediately he rushed to Harihara Iyer for wearing the Mudra mala.. But because of the 4-5 days delay he had in his native place, he had only 46 days left for the Sabarimala Yatra.

Harihara Iyer politely refused saying,
"Dear Child! you dont have enough number of days for observing the vrutham for a complete Mandala Kaalam(48 Days). Dont worry...  Let us see next year"

Those days sabari yatra was entirely through the thick forest. Wild animals, rain, flood etc could easily attack and trouble the devotees. Because of his upasana, Harihara Iyer could easily predict the hazards that are going to happen during the yatra and warned the devotees and saved them from the hardships.

Similar to Kalarkadu Appu Iyer, few group of devotees doubted the Trance mood of Harihara Iyer. They decided to test Harihara Iyer by putting an iron chain (Changili) inside the fire (Aazhi) at Pampa and place the red hot iron chain in a place where Harihara iyer would walk.

At Pampa the regular pujas were going on and Harihara Iyer got into trance. As the aazhi blazed and tongues of flames went  higher, he casually went to the Fire Aazhi and sat inside the fire. He took the red hot iron chain and wore it as if its a Garland. He started giving prasadam sitting on the Aazhi fire.

Everyone who witnessed the incident stood spellbound and cursed themselves for doubting this great soul and begged his pardon.

The disciples of Kottarakara Harihara Iyer later became very great Guruswamys and were the beckon light to the clan of devotees. Among the Trinities of Sabarimala ie Punalur Shri Subramanya Iyer, Trivandrum Shri Neelakanda Iyer and Kambankudi Shri Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer, the latter two were the disciples of Harihara Iyer.

Pulikkal Matam Kottarakara Bramma Sree Harihara Iyer occupied the post of Veliya Velichappad for a very long span and merged in Him in 1944.

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 2

Ambalapuzha AnanthaKrishna Iyer :

After Appu Ayyar, many tried for the respectable position of Sabarimala Velichappad, but the position was not that easy to acquire. 

The process was On an auspicious day (like Makara Sankarma) after the evening deeparadhana the then melsanthi gets the supereme power invoked within him for a moment and comes out of the Srikovil with a haram on his hand which was originally placed on the diety's neck.  Instanteously he puts it on a person who is Lord's choice without his self-knowledge.  Then the person who was selected was taken by the Melshanthi and the tantri to Basmakulam. After a holy dip he is brough back to the sannidhanam. The newly opted Valia Velichappadu is made to sit in the southeastern corner of this Mandapam )which was present at that time in front of the srikovil) 

Valiavilichapadu is offered a Palagai made of Jack wood framed with Silver and made of Jack wood. The melsanthi then brings in a full banana leaf, the prasadams which is then handed over to the Velicjappad. The Melsanthi and the Tantri offers Sastanga Namaskaram to the Vailavelichapaddu and gets this prasadam fro him as blessings. Valliavilichapadu is always seated  on the vellipalagai in is Mandapam during season. He was considered as the "visual representatie of the Lord"

It is said that Velichapadus were there for almost all dieties of Sabarimala like Vavar,Kaduthai,Karuppasawamy etc who all assemble at Erumeli during Makaravilakku season. Everyone take thr Valliavilichapadu's blessing and basmam before terking in periapadai for makaravilakku dharshan.

Thus after Kalarkad Appu Iyer, the new Velichappad post was given to a retired school teacher, a Tamil Brahmin Ambalapuzha Ananthakrishna Iyer.

Ananthakrishna Iyer was a pleasing personality and was very sincere and highly devoted to the Lord. He served the devotees and the Lord to the maximum extend possible and had a very cordial relationship will all the devotees without even a pinch of Ego. Inspite of his position as Velia Velichapad, like an ordinary priest he will readily agree to perform Poojas in any devotee’s house, whenever requested.

The velichappads of those days never misused their respectable position of Sabarimala Velichappad. Though the Velichappad had many unwritten powers and influence over the devotees. AnanthaKrishna Iyer was a humble person and it is said he lived a very very simple life and suffered a lot to carry out his day to day activities.

People still remember the marvels of Ananthakrishna Iyer and his powers. He used to get into trance at Erumeli and give prasadams to the devotees assembled there.. He would easily judge the sincerity of the Vrutham undertaken by the person. Based on the caliber of the Vrutham he would allow or stop the person from proceeding the yatra. Even the devotees had sincere belief and would proceed to sabarimala only after the permission(Utharavu) of the Velichapad. There are many incidents where the devotees ignored the Velichappad's words and underwent a lot of sufferings.

He served the Lord for about thirteen years as Velichappad, severed his worldly connections in 1920.

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TO BE CONTINUED

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 1

Velichappad is a term used in kerala - especially with Bhagawati temples. This actually denotes the traditional upasakas of the respective deities who are inspired and get the supereme power invoked within them.

During religious ceremonies and poojas these Velichappad(or Sthanika - as they are called in Brahmana Samoohams) gets himself into a trance and these Sthanikas are offered respect by the devotees and upacharas are done to them. They bless the devotees with prasadam and convey the deity's satisfaction and certain prophecies.

These words which come from their mouth are the words of the deity itself. The person who is seated as the Velichapad is considered as the God himself (during that time) and he can tell the past, present and future.

Even today many people - comment on this “Swami Thullal” and have a hesitation to believe this. This is beacuse most of us fail to undertand the real trance and the emotional outburst. I have seen 90% of the pujas people mistake an emotional person to be in trance and offer him respects and all other things -which is totally wrong. When really the Lord's arrival happens-the man gets himself immersed in trance, and the very sight is divine - he issues orders, gives blessings and prasadam to the devotees present. The total atmosphere is filled with divinity.

The Velichappad is a common phenominea in most of the Devi temples, but in case of Sastha- it was a very very rare incident - except only for the Kambankudi family who had the previlege of getting the trance of Dharma Sastha. Later on when the concept of Sastha Preethi started spreading to all Brahmana Samoohams, Swami chose few upasakas to be his representatives.

Paravoor Shankaralinga Iyer, Kambankudi Veeramani Iyer, Tharakad Rama Iyer, Kalpathy (Chaami Anna) CV Srinivasa Iyer(my grandfather), Sucheendram Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer, Trivandrum Anantharama Iyer, Parvathipuram Venkateeswra Iyer, were few stalwars and Veteren Stanikas of yester years.

Our records show the Dharma Sastha temple at Sabarimalai - had Velichappads or Sthanikas since 1874. Let me try to present the details or atleat a brief outline about the Velichappad of Sabarimala.

Kalarkad Appu Iyer:

"Even a Nasthika will become an Asthika after seeing Appu Iyer in trance" - was a famous quote during the years 1905/06. Even now, people at Kalarkode believe that Appu Iyer was the incarnation of the Lord Sastha Himself and even today, there are many stories told about his achievements. He is perhaps (recordically) the first and famous Velichappad of Sabarimalai. (This offical post on Sabarimala was usually termed as the “Valia Velichappad”.)

Appu Iyer was a dynamic and pleasing personality, backed with strict upasana and Bhakthi towards Lord Dharma Saastha. It is said that people from far off places come to see the Sastha Preethi at Kalarkode(near Alleppy) Brhamana Samooham to get the blessings of the Lord through Appu Iyer.

Appu Iyer's thejas and upasana earned him respect from all corners. Even the Maharaja of Travancore had a great regard for Appu Iyer and specially felicitated him. He tracked to Sabarimalai every year, and During the Sabarimalai season at Erumeli temple and at Sabarimalai Sannidhanam, Appu Iyer used to get into trance and would answer the queries of the devotees.

This was not taken in the right sense by few devotees there. A very sincere Nair devotee from Alangad had his own reservation in accepting Appu Iyer. He felt this scenario is disturbing the sacredness of the pilgrimage itself. He came to a conclusion and decided to test Appu Iyer's trance by an unique method. H used to receive Dakshina and donations from devotees - which he very secretly and saved the amount; this he did for three years. Then he very secretly employed a goldsmith and made a gold chain with bells for seven sovereigns. Nobody knew about it and the purpose for which it is made.

The next year's mandala kaalam started and he carried the chain in a velvet bag and went to sabarimala. His idea was - If Appu Iyer really had the powers, during his trance, should ask him about the chain. Since it so secretly made, if Appu Iyer could know this he will garland Appu Iyer or else throw him out of Sabarimalai immediately.

As usual everyone was at Sabarimalai and during the Deeparadhana, Appu Iyer, who was sitting on the Mandapam at Sannidhanam, got into a trance. He called for the Alangad devotee and casually explained all the details about the chain, including the amount the collected, thes ource of the money, the gold smith who made it, actual cost of the chain, number of bells it had and the exact weight of the chain and theplace where the devotee had safely kept the chain. The Nair was spellbound.

Appu Iyer also asked the devotee to come and garland him - since he had decided in his mind to garland him if his doubts are cleared. Alangad Nair stood speechless and astonished; he respectfully came forward abd prostrated before Appu Iyer. He was totally impressed with Appu Iyer that instead of presenting a floral Garland he garlanded Appu Iyer with the very same neck chain and seeked his blessings and felt sorrt for doubting him. All the devotees who stood there were were really amused and astonished to see this and jointly called aloud “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa”.

There are many such anecdotes told even today about the powers and achievements of Appu Iyer the great. Similar incidents made Appu Iyer’s fame rise to the top, and he became very famous as the “Valia Velichappad of Sabarimalai”. Appu Iyer weared the chain gifted by the Alangad devotee till his end.

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TO BE CONTINUED.................

Mudra Vadi and Mudra Sanji

One query. Can you explanin the sancity of saccred Muthra Vaddi.  reg.specification and the qualification of having muthra vaddi and some additional information how to preserve the same with regular pooja etc

One more question, what is the meaning of Viboothi Bag and sasthra of keeping the same. One of my friend told me that along with Mudra vaddi, we should keep Veboothi bag also. Is it true???

- from a devotee

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Mudra Vadi is Lord Sastha Himself. And it should not be bought from a shop or a store for price.. If you are ready for it, it will reach you automatically.

 Iam not telling this explanation of my own.. what i've learnt from many senior Guru Swamis, like my grandfather Kalpathy Chami Anna, My Guru and stalwarts like Kambankudi Mama and many others, Iam giving these statements.

My Grandfather (Kalpathy Chaami Anna) was the one who started the Pankuni Uthram festival at Sabarimala(which was closed till then). He made the temple open on Pankuni uthram day and on his own accord continued the puja for decades together -which went upto Athirudram - until his demise. His Mudravadi is still preseved and we are worshiping it.

The Mudra Vadi is not a mere Perambu- Stick - but a manifestation of Lord Sastha. 

There are certain rules and specification for the size of the Mudravadi and few treatments before getting it ready. 

The specifications for mudravadi (iam not commenting or refusing the system followed by various Guruswamis in their group. Each may have their own system) but this is the one- as taught to me by my Gurus:

The Vadi should have an odd number of kanus and at the same time be of the height equating to the size of 48 times of his fingers of the person who is going to do puja to it. (ie leaving the thumb, 12 times the size of remaining 4 fingers) then the vadi should be applied regularly with Nallennai and turmeric and should be placed above the homa kundam in such a way that the smoke of the homam reaches the Vadi. This is continued for a mandalam. and Now the vadi is packed with the silver and now the avahanam of the Lord is done and prana pratishta has to be done to the vadi installing the pancha prana in the vadi and make the Atma Pratishta and the Lord in installed on the Vadi.

After tagging/packing the mudravadi with silver - one has to do the Avahanam of Lord Sastha in it and install the divine force in the vadi. And the Vadi is adored to the Lord and pujas are done at Sanctum Sanctorum. After this once its brought back - daily puja has to be done for the Vadi - because its Sastha himself.

After this, pujas has to be done for it considering it as the Lord Himself. Now this may be taken to sannidhanam for a special puja and then brought back to home. Utmost Acharam has to be followed as and Now its equal to the Lord himself.

This is the reason many dont prefer having the Vadi at their home. I now recollect an incident shared by one illustrious Guruswamy: A renowned Sastha upasaka of yester years appeared in his dream to reveal the fact that his Mudra Vadi is not properly worshipped by the family which is having it now. And he requested him to make necessary arrangements to ensure proper puja is done 

For this purpose Moola Mantra Archana is prescribed - so upadesham of Sastha moola Mantram becomes mandatory. If not atleast the Ashtothra Archanas of Sastha Can be used to do puja. Abhishekam to the Mudra Vadi occassionaly whould also be done

(it is a practice not to keep the mudra vadi directly on the ground  - instead on a platform or in a plate filled with rice or Bhasma)

Qualification of the Mudra Vadi is decided by one's Guru and no one else... There is no second thought here... 

The puja methods for the Mudravadi is same as that of Lord Sastha including abhishekam and other rituals. Nitya Puja is a must once you have it and the minimum eligibility to worship Sastha in a Vigraha or Mudra Vadi would be initiation into Sasthru moola mantra.

For Nitya Pooja:

1. One may use each mantra of Pushusa sukta or Shri Rudram for Shodasha Upacharas.

2. During Abhisheka, one may recite Srisukta, Durga sukta, Sasthru Sooktam and Rudram if time permits.

3. It is necessary to do archana with the moola mantra preferably with bhasma

3. One may then do archana with Sahasranama, Trishati or Ashtottara and conclude with Dhupa, Deepa and Naivedya

 The Velichappadu or Sthanikaas have this Mudra Vadi in the hand once they get into trance and seated as the physical representative of the Lord, they had all the power and were able to predict things crystal clear. During Traditional Sasthe Preethi pujas, the Mudra Vadi is haded over to Chellapillai - who is the son of Lord Sastha.

And Mudra Sanji 

Similar to Mudra Vadi the Mudra Sanji gets equal importance is Sasthru Upasana. And this Mudra Sanji is given to a person - this is further more confined and decided by Guru only by the merit and caliber of the Sishya. It is not a must that Mudravadi must accompany mudra sanji - again I come back to the Golden Rule - GURU VAKYAM PRAMANAM... Its the Guru who will decide it..

Only when the Guru feels satisfied that the sishya is a Sat-pathram and has raised to a level of Guru, he may give this Mudra Sanji or Vibooti Bag to him. This Bhasma Sanji - is pratyaksha Sastha. All the rules that are followed for Mudravadi also holds good for Mudra Sanji.

This Mudra Sanji is generally not a new one but the one - which is being used by the Guru. This is passed on to the Sishya - generation after generation. In short - a person who has the capacity to solve the problem of others, who come to him is given this rare oppurtunity. Regular vibooti bag is totally different from Mudra Sanji (today one may get a beautiful Vibhuti bag from Giri Trading Co and keep it, and you can very well know what worth it has.)

Even today I handle my Mudra Sanji with utmost care and Iam nervous whenever I touch my Mudra Sanji. There are also many practical methods as to how to give the prasadam and whom to give the prasdam from the Mudra sanji... Iam afraid that I cannot disclose more facts on this.

There are still many who claim to have the Mudra Vadi and Mudra Sanji of Kottarakara Harihara Iyer, Palai Baskara Iyer and other such Veterans. This itself shows the importance of Mudra Vadi and Mudra sanji

Having a Mudra Vadi (or Mudra Sanji) and maintaining it with proper worship - is a difficult process. When Shri Harihara Iyer offered to give the Mudaraivadi to Neelaknada Sir, he refused to accept it as he felt he does not desere to have it.

Unfortunately, we find today - the so called Gurusawmys walking with Mutharivadi like walkingstick..!!!!