June 13, 2008 - Audio CD on Paramacharya to be released in Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai

May 2006 - All India Radio to broadcast serial on Paramacharya

The All India Radio, Chennai, has produced a "13 episode serial" in Tamil titled 'ORIRUKKAIYIL OLIR MANTAPAM' - The Mantapam aglow in Orirukkai, just 4 km on the Uttiramerur Road from Kancheepuram bus stand on the northern Bank of the River Paalaar in Orirukkai village.

The Programmes are scheduled to be broadcast every Saturday for a duration of 30 minutes each on Chennai 'A' (416.7 M) from May 13, 2006, a day before the Vaisaka Anusham which is Kanchi Maha Periyaval Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal's 113th Jayanthi Day upto and inclusive of Saturday August 5, 2006.

This programme is an attempt to highlight the wonderful facets of the Sage of Kanchi in relation to Indian Philosophy and the Sage's genuine and sincere concerns about humanity as a whole. This prestigious programme is purposefully broadcast to project the Satabdhi Mani Mantapam that is coming up in Orirukkai village in the Divine Honour of the great Sage. It comprises of subject matter pertaining to that specific episode, scripts penned by scholars and writers like Prof. L. Janakiraman, T.K.Aswin Kumar, Kilambur Sankara Subramanian of Kalaimagal, Sriram of Manjari, Tiruppur Krishnan of Amudasurabhi and skits scripted by actor-dramatist Srihari have been performed by some of our leading drama artistes. Songs and hymns from scriptures in Tamil and Sanskrit for this programme have been rendered by following eminent Carnatic musicians:- Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Sudha Raghunathan, Sowmya, Gayathri Girish, P. Unnikrishnan, Sriram Parthasarathy, Vijayalakshmi Venugopal as also M.S. Subbulakshmi.

The wonderful aspect of this programme is that it carries the voice cut of the great Sage Himself. Sanatana Dharma, Bhakti, Karma, Temple Worship, Vigraha Aradana,Temple Architecture, Currency of Dharma, Advaita, Guru-Acharya concepts, Vedas, Puranas, "The Sage of Kanchi and other faiths" and "the service of His Holiness to Humanity" are the subjects covered in these 13 episodes. Music for these episodes has been composed by T.K. Jayaraman, son of the illustrious Mridanga Vidwan Sangeetha Kalanidhi T.K. Murthy. The producer of this programme is Ramaswamy Sudarsan, Programme Executive of AIR.

The aim of this programme is two fold: projecting the noble ideals, yeoman service and everything sacred that the Sage stood for by His Precept and Practice and incidentally highlighting the architectural marvel in Orirukkai, silently springing up in Honour the Centenarian Sage. Please stay tuned to any of the following stations of all India Radio, every Saturday (8.30 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.) from May 13 to August 5, 2006. Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Pondicherry Tuticorin, Karaikal, Ooty and Nagercoil.

December 2005 - A RARE YEGNA !

Sangamam of Chisel - Hammer rhythm and melody of Veda chanting for the welfare of entire humanity

Sri Kanchi Maha Periyaval Mani Mantapam Project in Orirukkai Village near Kanchipuram is nearing the final stages of its first phase and with the Divine Grace of Sri Kanchi Maha Periyaval the Kumbhabhishekam of the Garbhagraham is planned towards the early part of the year 2007; centenary year of the Peetarohanam of our Sri Maha Periyaval.

At the request of Sri S.M. Ganapathy Sthapathi, Sri Kanchi Maha Periyaval had blessed the continuous chanting of Vedas when Sri Sthapathi was entrusted with the sculpting of Sahasra Lingam for the Allahabad Triveni temple in 1970s. That humble devotee Sri Pradosham Mama, whose dream project is this Mani Mantapam for Sri Maha Periyaval genuinely yearned to have continuous chanting of Vedas during sculpting of Sri Maha Periyaval Mani Mantapam. With the Divine Grace of Sri Maha Periyaval we are planning for the unbroken chanting of Vedas commencing from 28th December 2005 till the auspicious day of Kumbhabhishekam (approximately 350 - 400 days) - Incidentally 28.12.2005 is a rare triple combination of HIS Aradhana, Anusham Nakshatram & the Holy Pradosham.

The details are as under:

• Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana Vedas - Samhitha Parayanams


• Rig and Yajur Vedas - Jata, Gana Parayanams


• Sama Veda - Brahmanam Parayanams


• Shadanga Parayanams


• Purana, Itihasa Parayanams


• Tamil hymns such as Thevaram, Thiruvachakam, Thiruppavai, Thiruvembavai and Thiruvaimozhi Pasuras


• The daily Parayanams will be conducted with six Vedic scholars


• Daily expenditure is likely to be around Rs.5000/-


• Interested Vedic scholars can get themselves enrolled with the Trust office


• Interested donors can contribute to SSSMM Trust - (Specifying "for Veda Parayanam")


• For further details contact Sri. V. Ramarathnam, Trustee, SSSMM Trust.
  Phone : 044-24721645 # Mobile : 094444 - 01546; e-mail : vrrathnam2000@yahoo.com

June 13 2004 - Pezha Sthapanam and Vachakkal Muhurtham at Manimantapam site

"Pezhastapanam" (pezha is petti-box) was performed in Orirukkai on June 13, strictly in accordance with the rules detailed in Agama Sastras, for the Paduka Mantapam. Even though given a very short notice, Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal made it to the spot an hour ahead of schedule from Madras and guided in the ceremonies to be performed. A fine silver box with 25 inner rectangular silver 'dubbas', with Navaratnams, Dhanyams, Pratimas in gold of elephant, rishbha, soolam etc,etc was 'downed' in the Easaanya dik of the Paduka Mantapam by His Holiness to the accompaniment of Nadaswaram, Vedic chants and Thevaram by an Oduvar at the appointed Muhurtam and then the established ceremonies in respect of the four Pillars constituting the Vachakkal of the Mantapam were also performed by His Holiness with cheerful enthusiasm. The Stapatiyar was duly honoured on the occasion by His Holiness. The Stapatiyar says this ceremony ensures the Sannidhyam of the deity of the Moolastanam - i.e. our Mahaswami.

June 2 2004 - Kanchi Mahaswami's 111th Jayanthi

The 111th Jayanthi of MahaPeriyava-Vaikasi Anusham-falling on June2,2004 will be celebrated in Orirukkai in the site of the Satabdhi Mani Mantapam with Ganapati Homam,Ayushya Homam,Avahanti Homam and Sri Sooktha Homam by Vedic Pandits under the direct,personal guidance of Brahmasri T.S.Krishnamurthy Sastrigal(of Thethiyur).Sri Krishna Yajur Veda Jata Parayanam by six Vedic Pandits will be held on this sacred site from June2,'04 for over 15days to mark the 111th Jayanthi celebrations of Maha Periyava.All are welcome.

May 2004 - His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swami's Initiative

To speed up the progress of the project and to ensure that the Kumbhabhishekam of the Paduka Mantapam is performed by 2007, the centenary year of MahaPeriyava ascending the Peetam, Their Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswati and Sri Vijayendra Saraswai Swamigal have decided to involve the Mutt actively in the SSSMM Trust.

October 5 2003 - Benefit Recitals in the USA

By the infinite Grace of the Centenarian Sage of Kanchi and with the spontaneous and cheerful cooperation of the volunteers of the Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Foundation and the Sankara Academy of Music and Arts (SAMA), Maryland, USA, the benefit recital by Violin Chakravarti, PadmaBhushan Dr L. Subramaniam in aid of the Manimantapam project, went as scheduled in the University of Maryland Auditorium at College Park on the evening of Vijaya Dasami day. Supported by Mahesh Krishnamoorthy on Mridangam, and S. Ganesh Kumar on Kanjira, with a brief but lively spell of Konnakkol thrown in between by Sri T.H. Subash Chandran (Ghatam), the Violin Maestro held the entire discerning audience spellbound for nearly three hours. His deep devotion to the Sage of Kanchi and his unqualified dedication to the sacred cause of Mahaswami's Satabdhi Manimantapam in Orirukkai were evident throughout his star performance.

Sri. Venkat Gopalan, Treasurer, KKSF, Maryland Chapter, welcomed the gathering and Prof. D. Sundararaman introduced the artistes. Dr. R.Chandramouli, Dr.Prasad Sarma and Prof.D.Sundararaman rendered the prayer. Sri K. Vedamurthy, Trustee, SSSMM Trust, talked about the Manimantapam project and said that even a single dollar contribution from every devotee was invaluable, stressing that sincere prayers for the completion of the project was more important. Sri S.K.Singh, Sri Chandramouli, Sri Prasad Sarma, Sri R.S.Venkatachalam and Sri Rama Rau honoured the artistes and Sri Vedamurthy on the occasion.

On the same day, a benefit recital 'Samarpanam' in aid of the Manimantapam project, by light music group Surabhee was organised by devotees led by Sri. Ashok Subramaniam in San Jose, California.

September 12 2003 - Kumbabishekham of Orirukkai Pillayar temple

Lord Vigneshwara, Pillayar in Tamil, for children and adults alike, is the first of the Hindu Pantheon of Gods about whom Kanchi Mahaswami has discoursed most interestingly, running to several pages in Vol 1 of Deivathin Kural.

Orirukkai Pillayar, is a deity for whom Kanchi Mahaswami never missed to break coconuts whenever He went by that small temple. Residents of the village, Stapatis working for the Manimantapam, and the SSSMM Trust jointly built a bigger and beautiful temple just a few yards behind the original place - Padmashri S. M. Ganapathy Stapati did it - you will have darshan of the famous Shodasha Ganapathy - His 16 images when you go around this new temple situated at the entry of the Satabdhi Manimantapam on its North. The auspicious Kumbabishekam of this temple was performed in a fitting manner on the early morning of Friday the 12th of Sept, 2003 in the august presence of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal before a large gathering of devotees.

His Holiness chose on this occasion to bless Sri K. R. Athmanathan, SSSMM Trust, with a garland. Then the revered Swamigal went around the Manimantapam site in the company of Sri S.M. Ganapathy Stapati and spent quite some time near the mammoth foundation work that has been completed for the Paduka Mantapam and blessed the Stapatis and the devotees gathered there. The Trustees pray, Sankara Vinayaka - that is the new name given to this old Orirukkai Pillayar - bless with requisite funds to consecrate the Paduka Mantapam.

August 16 2003 - Violin Maestro Dr L.Subramaniam's benefit concert

Dr. L. Subramaniam, India's violinist, "The Paganini of Indian Classical music", "The God of Indian Violin" is the serenity of an Indian musician combined with the magnetism of a western "star". Constantly propelled from Singapore to Paris, from Delhi to Los Angeles, he has conquered every audience with the elegance and virtuosity of his style. His career as a childhood prodigy brought him into contact with the greatest musicians and he soon imposed himself as a master of the violin. At a very young age, he was honoured with the title "Violin Chakravarthy" (emperor of the violin).

June 28 2003 - Madhuram Madhuram - His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal's appeal

Jan 15 2003 - Surprise Visit of His Holiness Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal

His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal made a surprise visit early in the morning on Makara Sankaranti to the Manimantapam Construction site in Orirukkai accompanied by only a devotee from Orirukkai. Since it was Pongal day, the Stapathis were away and none of the Trustees were available, but His Holiness went around the entire site on His own and was happy with the progress of the project since His last visit.

30 Dec 2002 - Ninth Aaradhanai of Kanchi Mahaswami

For the trustees, the year 2002 had a happy ending in Orirukkai village. On the 30th Dec Aradhana for Maha Periyava was performed with four Agnihotris taking part in it. Early in the morning the Trustees prayed at the Brindavan for the success of the event and the pooja bell from the Chandramouleeswara pooja was heard which was a good omen. On 31st Dec (which happened to be Anusham - the birth star of the Mahaswami), Ganapathy Homam, Rudra Trisathi Homam, Sri Suktha Homam, Sudarsana Homam, Navagraha Homam etc. were performed and the whole atmosphere was quite serene and charged with divinity. The next day morning the Trust received a cheque for Rs.50000/- from a lady devotee of our Maha Periyava from Chennai and so there was a welcome beginning to the year 2003 too.

Former President R. Venkataraman presided over the public meeting on the occasion of T. Sadasivam's 101st birthday at the Venkata Auditorium, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mylapore, Chennai, to pay homage to Sadasivam and recall his kindness, benevolence and affection. On this occasion, friends and admirers of T. Sadasivam, collected an amount of Rs 23 Lakhs and presented it to the SSSMM trust for the Manimantapam project. During his last years, T. Sadasivam was deeply involved in this project to build a Satabdhi Manimantapam in honour of Maha Periyava.