Kumbakonam Trip: Stop 4: Rajaveda Patashala: A school for Vedic studies, Sanskrit, and other allied subjects, which was started by Govinda Deekshitar in the late1500's.
Miinister under the Nayaks of Thanjavur, a split off kingdom from the Vijaynagar empire, Deekshitar's origins are unknown, except for the fact that he was born in Karnataka.
He made his way to Thanjavur, some say as a beggar, whereas other tales don't have this fact, but arrive he did, and when the king saw him and heard him, was very impressed with him, and made him a minister.
Deekshitar is responsible for renovating various Chola temples in the Kumbakonam region including the Sarangapani temple, and constructing the Ramaswamy temple, at Kumabkonam. While doing so, he also performed 16 Daanams, or charities, to the poor, including Tulabaram, where he was weighed against gold and precious metals.
This patashala was currently on holiday,and doesn't allow photos, so that cut down on the documentation right away. We had a quick look around, and saw their temple, which has an idol of Govinda Deekshitar, and his wife, along with all the other Gods and Goddesses. One of Deekshitar's descendants is supposed to be the Kanchi madam's Periyava whose portrait is also garlanded here.
The whole structure has been renovated in the 1930's with a plaque proudly saying so, and more apparent by the madras terrace roofing.
Then we went for lunch, and what a lunch that was!
Miinister under the Nayaks of Thanjavur, a split off kingdom from the Vijaynagar empire, Deekshitar's origins are unknown, except for the fact that he was born in Karnataka.
He made his way to Thanjavur, some say as a beggar, whereas other tales don't have this fact, but arrive he did, and when the king saw him and heard him, was very impressed with him, and made him a minister.
Deekshitar is responsible for renovating various Chola temples in the Kumbakonam region including the Sarangapani temple, and constructing the Ramaswamy temple, at Kumabkonam. While doing so, he also performed 16 Daanams, or charities, to the poor, including Tulabaram, where he was weighed against gold and precious metals.
This patashala was currently on holiday,and doesn't allow photos, so that cut down on the documentation right away. We had a quick look around, and saw their temple, which has an idol of Govinda Deekshitar, and his wife, along with all the other Gods and Goddesses. One of Deekshitar's descendants is supposed to be the Kanchi madam's Periyava whose portrait is also garlanded here.
The whole structure has been renovated in the 1930's with a plaque proudly saying so, and more apparent by the madras terrace roofing.
Then we went for lunch, and what a lunch that was!
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