Mahaperiyavar with devotees at IIT Madras, 1965

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Visiting VIPs

Mahaperiyavar or ‘The Great Elder’ was the 68th head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, a Hindu institution located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. His name was Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipathi Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji. He visited the Jalakanteshwara Temple at IIT Madras in 1966, around one year after the first kumbhabhishekam was done.

During his visit, Mahaperiyavar reportedly conducted pujas to Sri Varasidhdhi Vinayaka and Sri Adipureeshwara at the Varasidhdhi Vinayaka Temple which is located behind the current Taramani Guest House.

Seen in the image is Mr. Y. S. Ramaswamy (Superintending Engineer, tallest in photograph).

Collection:

Gourishankar Collection

Album Name:

Jalakanteshwara Temple Kumbhabhishekam, 1965 and Visit of Mahaperiyavar, 1966

Photograph ID:

001/0290/IMG_0073

Album ID:

0290

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1936-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.

Event:

Visit of Mahaperiyavar

Date:

20 February 1966