The lesser known Brindavan where Sri Ragavendra took Sanyasam

Generally, there is Koorma peeta for Ragavendra Brindavanams everywhere. But there is an exception which we can see only in Thanjavur Brindavanam. There is a “Sarpa-Peeta Brindavana” of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, situated on the banks of Vadavaru (ancillary of River Cauveri) 5kms away from Thanjavur in a place called Kalimedu. This Brindavana was consecrated during the rule of last Nayaka Dynasty King of Thanjavur, Vijayaraghava Nayaka (son of Raghunatha Nayaka), just before the start of Maratha rule. This is the place where Sri Ragavendra performed 12 years of deep penance after sanyasa sweekara.

Sri Ragavendra Swamigal born as “Sri Venkatanatha” nearly 400 years ago, at Bhuvanagiri near Chidambaram and become a scholar of music and Vedas at Kumbakonam. His sanyasa ordination took place at Vadavaru River bank of Thanjavur in 1621 AD, in the presence of King Raghunatha Nayaka and from then on, he is known as “Shri Raghavendra Theertha”. He did Thapas for 12 years, where this Brindavana is located. To spread the benefit of his Thapas, his divine grace and blessings, he travelled around the Country.

Soon after he left Thanjavur, the king faced hard times. On hearing his request, Shri Raghavendra blessed him by guiding him to construct a Brindavanam at the place where he did Thapas. Sri Ragavendra Swamigal told that, he will live there with “SUKSHMA SHAREERA” (astral form) and bless all. Shri Raghavendra himself appeared in the form of a Five Headed Serpent and helped to identify the place to build the Brindavana. As directed by Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the construction had been done. Since Shri Raghavendra Swamy said that he resides in this Brindavana, Mruthika Prathishta (the holy sand consecration) is not done here. The Serpent which helped in identifying the place had become a stone sculpture and it’s still in the bottom of this Brindavana. It was the place where the title of “Sri Ragavendra Theertha” was given to him by his Guru Sri Sudheendhra Theertha and handed over the responsibilities of the Vidya Math.

It is considered that he is still doing his thapas here and hence Sanyasa pooja Kramas are only followed. So, the Brindavana is never touched after the pooja timings. The roof top of Brindavana is kept open and Raghavendra Swamy is experiencing all the natural phenomenons such as scorching Sun, rain, storm and dew as he faced them during his Thapas.

This Brindavana is not crowded as it is very lesser known among the devotees. The beauty of nature, sound of the river water adds to the divine feeling. Devotees who meditate at this holy place can feel the divine blessings of Guru Ragavendra.