Doddacharya
was a descendant of Sri Mudaliandan, also known as Dasarathi,
who was a nephew of Saint Ramanuja (1200 AD). Dasarathi
used to accompany his uncle Saint Ramanuja to the bathing
ghat on the Cauvery river, at Sreerangam. He learnt
several of the preachings of Saint Ramanuja during these
morning walks.
Like Ramanuja, Doddacharya took all steps to propagate
Visishtadwaitha and maintain the temples, sanctified
by the Alwars' hymns. His descendants are even now looking
after the temples on the hills at Sholingur and also
Bhaktochita Swami temple at the foot of the hills where
the Utsava idols of the hill temple are enshrined.
Sri Mudaliandan and his successor, who was the first
Doddacharya, performed several miracles as recorded
in holy paces like Kancheepuram, Azhagarkoil near Madurai,
Thiruchithrakoodam (Chidambaram), Tirumala and at Sholingur
itself. One of the miracles is commemorated even today
during the third day of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam at
Kancheepuram when Lord Varadaraja is taken out of the
temple, mounted on Garuda. As soon as the Lord approaches
the main entrance of the tower, the Lord's image is
hidden from public view with two massive umbrellas and
"Harathi'' is performed. This is known as "Doddacharyar
Swami Sevai''.
Reportedly the Doddacharya who was residing at Sholingur
could not make it to the Kancheepuram festival on one
occasion. He expressed his inability to the Lord, while
standing on the banks of the Brahma Theertham (holy
water sources also known as Thakkan Kulam). The Lord,
in all His enchanting beauty, sitting on Garuda
( the mystical broad winged bird who flies the Lord)
appeared before the Doddacharya, and blessed him. To
commemorate this great event, a temple was built on
the banks of Thakkan Kulam where the stone idol of Lord
Varadaraja mounted on Garuda, is enshrined. Another
place where a similar Moolavar idol is found is at the
Parthasarathi Temple at Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane).
The Lord here has been hailed by Thirumangai Alwar as
the one who rushed to rescue the elephant king, Gajendra.
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