V. R. Gopala Menon

VR Gopala Menon was an ardent devotee of Lord Ayyappan and involved with the tradition in the singing of Harivarasanam at Sabarimala

Sabarimala was located in the deep jungle area, and in the past a few prayful devotees managed the difficult pilgrimage. The temple opened during the Sabarimala season (November to January) but otherwise was only open on the first day of every Malayalam month. VR Gopala Menon, from Alapuzha used to accompany Thirumeni Eashwaran Nampoothiri, the Melshanthi (head priest), to Sannidhanam every time, and would stay there by himself even when the temple was closed, remaining undisturbed by the wild animals. Later, when Devaswom Board was formed, it is believed that he was asked to move out. He eventually passed away at a tea estate at Vandiperiyar..

Gopala Menon used to recite "Harivarasanam" with devotion during his time at Sannidhanam, and when Thirumeni Eashwaran Nampoothiri heard about the passing away of the Revered Menon, he was deeply saddened. At the end of the day's rituals, the Nampoothiri was about to close the doors of the Sannidhanam when he remembered the dedication and sacrifice of the Revered Gopala Menon and he then began to recite "Harivarasana"' starting a nostalgic tradition that remains unbroken to this day.

Today, as the final verses are being sung, all the assistant Santhis (priests) leave the Sreekovil one by one. As the song ends, only the Melsanthi is inside. He extinguishes the lamps one at a time and closes the doors for the night.

	1. 28-11-2010 03:52
	I can't believe it. Eventhough this is a true story, the actual singing of Harivarasanam began since the day of the re-installation of the new idol on 11th June 1951. V.R. Gopala Menon and Easwaran Namboothiri both were good freinds. They helped others and formed Travancore Devaswom Board in 1950. Menon and Namboothiri used to sing this song at 10:50 PM. The song Harivarasanam is an ashtakam (meaning - comprising of 8 parts). It was written by Kambakkudi Kulathur Srinivasa Iyer, a Guruswami in Sanskrit during the World War II in 1941. These are the words of this song: Harivarasanam Viswamohanam Haridadheeswaram Aaradhyapadukam Arivimardanam Nithyanarthanam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye Saranam Ayyappa Swami Saranam Ayyappa (2) Saranakeerthanam Sakthamanasam Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Pranayasathyakam Prananayakam Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanchitham Pranavamandiram Keerthanapriyam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Thuragavaharanam Sundarananam Varagadayudham Vedavarnitham Gurukripakaram Keerthanapriyam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Thribhuvanarchitham Devathathmakam Thrinayanam Prabhum Divyadesikam Thridasapoojitham Chinthithathpradam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam Hariharathamjam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Kalamridusmitham Sundarananam Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam Kalabhakesari Vajivahanam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Srithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam Sruthivibhooshanam Sadhujeevanam Sruthimanoharam Geethalalasam Hariharathmajam Devamasraye (Saranam Ayyappa) Gopala Menon was the president of Travancore Devaswom Board from 1950 to 1970. He died on 4th December 1978 and Namboothiri was shocked by his death. He sang the song at 10:50 PM and it was the only time in which Harivarasanam became a sad song. In 1985, famous singer K.J. Yesudas's music company Tharangini released an album named 'Hariharasutha Ashtothara Sathanamavali'. The album has Shiva Ashtothara Sathanamavali, Vishnu Ashtothara Sathanamavali, Sastha Ashtothara Sathanamavali and Harivarasanam at the time of closing. Since 1985, the recorded version of this song is continued and 2010 is the silver jubilee year. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa! Guest