The Role of Doddacharyas Post 1500 A.D.

Swami Doddacharya (a term implying Senior-most Priest) is the main architect responsible for the development of Sholingur. Doddacharya was born as the son of Periyappan, a descendant of Mudaliandan. He was born on the 10th of February, 1543 and departed from this world on the 3rd of October, 1607.
For several years the Utsavar icon (the metallic icon of Lord Narasimhar that can be taken out of the temple premises on processions) was missing. The Doddacharya Swamy did penance for 12 years and Lord Sudarsana appeared before him and showed him the cave in the hill, where the icons of Sri Narasimhar and His consort were lying buried. The Doddacharya retrieved the icons and had them reconsecrated in the Town temple. The Utsavar idol was consecrated on Sarvadhari varsham, Panguni masam, Valarpirai panchami. From records, it is known that the Temple was renovated in 1588 at the behest of Swami Doddacharya
As the festivals and other rituals for the icons had not been performed for a long time, Doddacharya sought the help of Achyutha Deva, a relative of Sri Krishnadevaraya, one of the more powerful kings in the region. The ruler, impressed by the Acharya's mystic powers, granted a large chunk of area near Chozhasimhapuram (Sholingur) and with the help of his disciples Doddacharya established what is now known as Kondampalayam and also expanded the beautiful temple, that included the shrine of Adikesava. The Utsava idols ( the icons taken out for processions) of Sri Thakkan and His consort were enshrined, in the 16th century, according to inscriptions found there. The ruler also granted 64 villages to the Doddacharya.
Even today one can find in the second, four-pillared mantap on the hill, the images of Doddacharya and Sri Sudarsana on two pillars. Till date the male heirs of the Doddacharya family are vested with the privilege to lead all rituals to the Lord in the Kshetram.

The Doddacharya had two of his ardent devotees Thakkan Reddy and Siddhi Reddy, implement the renovations to the temples. As a gesture of goodwill the Dhoddacharya bestowed the descendants of Thakkan and Siddhi Reddy, the privilege to carry the Lord's idol around the temple town during Brahmotsavam festival.
The Doddacharyas have the initials KKC short form of , "Kovil Kandadai Chandamaruthan ".

Kovil
stand for the Sririangam temple, since they are related to Saint Ramanuja.

Kandadai
relates to the traditional services the family does for the Srirangam temple of managing the maintenance of ornaments, clothes, to the deities.

The title of Chandamaruthan has an interesting anecdote. The Doddacharya was engaged in a debate with Appaya Dikshitar in the court of the ruler of Chidambaram. He won the contest with his expose of SadhuDeshini, a part of Desika Prabhandam. The Chidambaram court were traditional followers of Lord Nataraja (Lord Siva). Upon the Doddacharya reciting his verses, the people in the auditorium saw Govindaraja perumal (Lord Vishnu) manifesting in the court. Upon this miracle sevai (miraculous Darshan) the king bestowed the title of Chandamaruthan to the Doddacharya. Even today, the 23rd Doddacharya carries the initials KKC Rajaswamy.

 

 

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