Pancharathna

Time: January 2007
Place: Thiruvarur (aka Thiruvayyaru), Thanjavur
Company: Parents
Highlights:

Had planned the trip so as to be at Thiruvayyaru on Saint Thyagaraja's Memorial Day (which usually comes in January). On this day, his popular Pancharathna Kritis will be mass-sung by renowned Carnatic professionals. Wanted to be here since a very long time and at last, dream was fulfilled!

Came from Bangalore in the overnight train to Thanjavur. Refreshed at a hotel, and took a bus to Thiruvarur. Thence, had to walk quite some distance to arrive at the place where the actual singing happens. It was jam-packed by 9 am, and considering that there is no accomodation at Thiruvarur, almost everyone had come from Thanjavur.

Once the Pancharathna Kritis were sung, there was a sudden rush towards the Thyagaraja Temple. Visited the temple and the house in which the great musician had stayed.

Returned back to Thanjavur and visited the massive Brihadeeshwara temple. It is a superb temple with beautiful carvings and huge structures all around. Recently saw a documentary on Nat Geo which informed how Rajaraja constructed this beautiful temple without any modern technology. It was mind blowing.

Then went to a small hamlet where Saint Sri Raghavendra Swamy of Manthralayam had gained the Sainthood by his Guru. It is a beautiful Mutt in the middle of lush greenery, and a very sacred place.

I returned back to Bangalore whereas parents continued on to Kumbakonam.