Bodhinatha’s India trip continued…

On the 17th morning we went to Sri Kaligambal Temple in the northern part of Chennai. The heriditary priest for this temple is the family of late Sivasri Sambamurthy Sivachariyar. Now the pujas are done by his sons. We were hosted by his youngest son Sivasri Shanmuga Sivachariyar. Many of us may remember Sambamurthy Sivachariyar did a very powerful puja for Iraivan temple’s first stone laying ceremony.

Here Bodhinatha was greeted and welcomed traditionally with Purna Kumba accompanied with chanting and Nadaswara and Tavil at the entrance of the temple.

Prior to our arrival a homa was conducted in the temple and they timed it in a such way that Siva homa at its high point during our arrival at 6.20 am. Then we were taken to all the shrines of the temple. Then to the Siva Linga where abhishekam was performed with the kumbha water that was blessed during the homa.

Here Sivasri Shanmuga Sivachariyar (right) giving the blessed prasada try to Bodhinatha after the completion of the puja.

The day before at the Saiva Agama conference the elders of the Adi Saiva Sivachariyar community conferred Bodhinatha the honorific title of Agamoddharaka Acharya Ratna title. Today a properly framed version of title was ceremoniously presented to Bodhinatha.

A picture of the of the certificate. It is signed by two prominent and senior Sivachariya priest and two prominent and senior Sivachariya scholars.