PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT
Chronology of events

Project Updates as of 1st September 2020

Goshala: The Ghosala is being extended to cater to the increase in the number of cows and calves. A shed is also being constructed to house the fodder/Vaikkol for the cows at a cost of 12 Lakhs.

VEDA PARAYANAM: Rig, Yajur and SamaVedaparayanam are recited daily. The sambhavana is Rs.4500/- per month/Rithwik (8 x 4500/- = Rs.36,000/- per Month). Yajurvedapatasalas is running with 9 Vidyarthees. The Teacher is being paid a sambhavana of Rs.23,000/- per month as of now.

Kulam : An Octagonal shape Tank has been constructed at the North east corner of the Manimantapam at a cost of about Rs. 1.50 crores.

A concrete road leading from the Northern entrance to the Rajagopuram has been laid.

A Public Dining hall and kitchen have been constructed at a cost of about Rs. 1.0 crore (Ground floor area 4500 sq.ft, First floor 4500 sq.ft.)

Project Updates as of 23rd June 2018

Maha Khumbhabhishekam of the Rajagopuram and Nandi Mantapam were conducted on 22nd June 2018 in the august presence of HH Pujyashri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal.

Project Update as of 5th June 2018

Kalasa Sthapanam for Rajagopuram

Rajagopuram: The laying of stones for Rajagopuram upto the full height of 48 feet is completed upto the bottom of stone Kalasam and Kumbhabhishekam to be performed on 22-6-2018.

There are 9 Kalasas each weighing about 450 Kgs. These have been positioned by using cranes on Wednesday 13-12-2017.

Deepa Stambam: Deepa Stambam has been completed and the date for inauguration will be along with the Rajagopuram Kumbhabhishekam.
Nandhi Mantapam: The Nandhi Mantapam has been completed and the Samprokshanam will be along with the Rajagopuram Kumbhabhishekam on 22-6-2018.

Granite Compound wall: A granite compound wall of 13 feet height and 1648 feet in length has been completed.

Other Initiatives

Veda PataSala:  A Yajur Veda Patasala has been started with 9 students and the teacher is paid Rs.20,000/- per month.

Go sala: There are 27 cows and equal or more number of calves at the Go-Sala. About 30 litres of milk are given to two Patasalas located nearby. Balance milk is used for making curd rice, abhishekams and distribution to Staffs/workers for making Tea. NO MILK IS SOLD. The monthly expenses are Rs 162,000.

Staff Quarters: The construction of Staff Quarters has been completed. There are about 6 staff quarters each measuring around 750 Sft.

Kumbhabishekam - 28 Jan 2011

With the blessings of His Holiness, Sri Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswati Sankaracharya Swamigal and His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya Swamigal, the most eagerly awaited Kumbhabishekam of the Kanchi Mahaswami Satabdhi Manimantapam at Orirukkai was celebrated on 28th January 2011. The consecration of the Paduka Mantapam was performed on Krishna Paksha Dasami, in the Tamil month Thai in the Tamil year Vikruti, Siddha Yoga, Meena Lagna between 9.45 and 10.25am by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

July 3, 2009 - Brahmarandram function in Orirukkai

Brahmarandram, an Agama ceremony to close the threadlike hole running from the ceiling of the Mulastanam of the 100 feet tall Vimanam to its summit, was celebrated in a grand manner with PujyaSri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal gracing the occasion. Many Adhyapakas and Vidhyarthis from VedaPataSalas around Tamilnadu were present on the premises. Lunch was served to al present. Live webcast was also arranged for people to view it over the internet. Click here to view the video highlights.

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

SSSMM Trustee Sri K.R. Atmanathan, long-time Secretary of late (BharatRatna) M.S.Subbulakshmi and T.Sadasivam of "Kalki" released an Audio CD of songs on Paramacharya by the Sathur Sisters Smt. Lalitha Santhanam and Smt. Bhuvana Rajagopalan. The CD consists of 14 songs and the last song is on the Manimantapam coming up in Orirukkai. The CD was released in a function at Narada Gana Sabha nd the first CD was presented to Neyveli Sri. R. Santhanagoplalan and Dr. R.Ganesh, Maharajapuram Santhanam's disciple received the second. Sri.K.S.Raghunathan (HMV Raghu) who recorded the songs was the special speaker on the occassion. The function was well attended and the new CD was also well received by the gathered crowd. The Sathur sisters are daughters of the famous Sangeetha Vidwan Sathur A.G.Subramania Iyer. Smt. Visalakshi Natarajan who has composed all the songs in this CD and has also composed over 100 songs soaked in Bhakti on MahaPeriyava has come to Chennai from Malaysia to be present at the Release function. The Sathur sisters have decided to donate the proceeds of the CD to the SSSMM Trust for the Manimantapam project. The 13 songs are in Ragas Nattai, Kuntalavarali, Kedaram, Hindolam, Simhendra Madhyamam, Mohanam, Sarumathi, Vasantha, Abheri, Charukesi, Kaapi, Bhagesri, and Sindhu Bhairavi .The 14th song on the Mani Mandapam as conceived by the composer is in RagaMalika. For details on purchasing the CDs, please click here

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 YAGNA !

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.
Now donations to the project will be accepted at the Mutt also and receipts issued immediately.
On Sri Jayendra Saraswathi's directions, the Srikaryam (Agent) of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt Brahmasri P. Neelakanta Iyer, and Sri R.Sankar and Sri.B. Sankaran of the Guruvara Sadas have been made members of the SSSMM Trust.
HH Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal visited the project site in Orirukkai on May 15 2004 to see for Himself the progress made so far and discussed details with Padmashri SM Ganapathy Stapatiyar.

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 Saraswathi 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).
Dr. L. Subramaniam has graciously consented to give benefit concerts in the USA in aid of the Kanchi Mahaswami Manimantapam project. On October 5, 2003 he will be performing at the University of Maryland - Performing Arts Centre. Click here for further details of the concert. To read more on Dr. L. Subramaniam, please visit www.indianviolin.com

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

His Holiness Pujya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam blessed the Sankara Nethralaya in Nungambakkam, Chennai with a visit on June 28, 2003 to preside over their celebrations of the 110th Jayanthi of Pujya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal.
His Holiness released the VCD of Smt Revathy Sankaran's MUSICAL DISCOURSE (Harikatha) on the life and teachings of our MahaPeriyava . After blessing Sri Saravanan of AVM Studios with the first CD, His Holiness said in the course of His Anugraha Bhashanam that, Orirukkai, on the northern bank of Palar river, is a sacred spot, sanctified by frequent spells of MahaSwami's stay there. He recalled that when He was installed as the 69th Acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in March 1954, Mahaperiyava was camping in Orirukkai and He was with His Guru there for quite a long time, a pleasant memory of happy times then.
Devotees are now engaged in raising a beautiful Satabdhi ManiMantapam on the same sacred spot under the auspices of the SSSMM Trust, Sri Athmanathan leading them valiantly to see to the fruition of the mammoth project soon. Those who buy this cassette will earn the Punyam of not only listening to the Charitram of MahaPeriyava but of contributing to the noble cause of the Orirukkai ManiMantapam also, because the sale proceeds of this cassette go to the corpus fund of the SSSMM Trust. Therefore, said His Holiness, He is commending it wholeheartedly to the devotees of MahaPeriyava. Earlier, His Holiness blessed Sri Athmanathan of the SSSMM Trust with a Ponnadai and also with the first copy of JayendraVani{Volume Two} which was also released by His Holiness on the happy occasion.
Dr. S.S. Badrinath, Director, Sankara Nethralaya, visited the Manimantapam construction site in April 2003, and was inspired to write in the Visitor Book - " Immense peace and happiness prevailing here due to absolute dedication of the Artisans indicates just one thing - The Guiding Spirit of the Maha Swami is the one which is providing the utmost dedication and devotion prevailing among those involved in the Project. We are fortunate to have seen the beginning of ' a thing of beauty and eternal grace of the future' "

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

His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi 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.

3rd September 2002

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 Sri Sadasivam and recall his kindness, benevolence and affection. On this occasion, friends and admirers of Sri T. Sadasivam, collected an amount of Rs 23 Lakhs and presented it to the SSSMM trust for the Manimantapam project. During his last years, Sri T. Sadasivam was deeply involved in this project to build a Satabdhi Manimantapam in honour of Maha Periyava.

12th August 2002

The Bhoomi Pooja for installing the Padhuka Mandapam, which will contain the Sacred Sandals of Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava was completed. The various pillars and sculptures which will decorate the Padhuka Mandapam have already been constructed and will be installed at the designated site soon.

9 June 1997

Work at the site in Orirukkai commenced in the presence of Smt.M.S.Subbulakshmi and Sri.T.Sadasivam of "Kalki", with the Auspicious Ceremony "Sankusthapanam ", performed according to the agama Sastras.

1989

Sri Sri Sri Mahalakshmi Mathrubutheswarar Trust (SSSMM Trust) is formed with seven Trustees who will be responsible for the construction of the Manimantapam to commemorate Kanchi Mahaswami's Hundred Years of Spiritual Guidance.