Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan
With the divine grace of Sri Haridhos Giri Swamigal (Sri Guruji) and Paranur Mahathma Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal (Sri Sri Anna), Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan was established in the year 1998 by Brahmashri Vittaldas Jayakrishna Deekshithar. The main objective is to spread the Bhakthi cult through Namasankeerthanam, the easiest way to attain liberation in the age of Kali and to build a unique Maharashtrian Hemandapanthi style temple for Sri Pandurangan and Rukmini Devi. To achieve this feat, Sri Vittaldas Maharaj has established Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan in a holy place called Govindapuram on the Kumbakonam Auduthurai Highways, 6 km from Kumbakonam, 2 km from Thiruvidaimarudur and approximately a kilometer from Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal's (Sri Bodhendral) Adhishtaanam. Bhoomi pooja (ground breaking ceremony) was performed in April 1997. Paranur Mahathma Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal (Sri Sri Anna) and Sri Vittaldas Maharaj consecrated the deities on 6 September 1998. Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal (Sri Sri Anna) bestowed the title Dakshina Pandaripuram (Phandarpur of South India) to Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan.
Significance of Govindapuram
Govindapuram is a holy land where the Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 59th Peetadhipathi of Kanchi Mutt is present. Even today, one can feel the spiritual presence of Sri Bodhendral in His Adhistaanam at Govindapuram. Ardent devotees can feel in the calm silence of the night a melodious voice uttering Rama Nama rising from subdued tones to a crescendo, and then fading into silence again. Govindapuram is also the place where Sri Bodhendral and His contemporaries Sri Sadasiva Bramhendra, Sri Sreedhara Iyavaal used to often meet and discuss.
Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal
Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal alias Sri Bodhendral was born in Maṇḍana Miśra Agraharam at Kanchi as the son of Kesava Panduranga. Sri Bodhendral's former name was Purushothama. It was Sri Bodhendral who stressed the efficacy of devotion as a means to liberation in this Kali Yugam. Sri Bodhendral therefore undertook the Nama Siddhantha, or establishing the supreme efficacy of reciting the names of Bhagavan in many of His writings, chiefly in Namamritha Rasayana and Namamritha Rasodhaya. Sri Bodhendral's mission of Nama Siddhantha was pursued with equal vigor by Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval of Tiruvisainallur and by Sathguru Swamigal of Marudanallur. It was the Nama Siddhanta of Sri Bodhendral that was ultimately responsible for the evolution of Bhajana Sampradhaya as an institution in the religious life of the Hindu community in South India. Sri Bodhendral performed Tatanka Pratishtha at Jambukeswaram and while returning to Kanchi He attained Videha Mukthi at Govindapuram on Full Moon day in the month of Proshtapada of the cyclic year Prajotpatti (1692 AD).