MAHAKAVI NEELAKANTA DEEKSHITHAR FOUNDATION
Mahakavi Neelakanta Deekshithar Foundation has been established with a view to perpetuating the memory of the great Saint-Poet-Statesman of the Seventeenth Century who was a Minister to the Great Tirumalai Naicken of Madurai.
Sri Nilakanta Deekshithar is believed to have experienced the Sakshathkara of Goddess Meenakshi. He needs no introduction to Sanskrit Scholars, students and lovers of Sanskrit. He was undoubtedly one of the notable figures in the field of Sanskrit Literature of the Seventeenth Century.
Every year at Palamadi, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu State, India, in the Tamil Month of Vaikasi, on the day of Anusha Nakshatram, Mahakavi's Jayanthi is celebrated with the performance of Rudra Yekadhasini with Vasoordhara Homam. Annadanam is provided for all the devotees who participate in the celebration.
On the day of his Kaivalyam (the day he left his mortal body) in the month of Margazhi Sukla Ashtami, his Aradhana is celebrated. Three Veda Parayanams, viz., Rig, Yajur and Samaveda are performed for three days preceding the day of Aradhana and in the evenings following the veda parayana Indrakshi, Shivakavacham and Vishu Sahasranamam are also chanted by Vedic Scholars. Further on the 3rd day nowadays Rudra Yekadhasini with Vasoordhara Homam is performed. On the fourth days the final day Aradhana is performed with Rithviks Bhojana and Annadhanam follows. All the four days the Devotees receive Annadhana.
The Key objectives of Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Deekshithar Foundation is to publish and propogate his literary works in Sanskrit and maintain his Adhishtanam at Palamadai and conduct Aradhana and Jayanthi Functions.
People who are desirous of contributing to this noble task may send their cheques/drafts in the name of "Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation". Contributions can also be sent by electronic fund transfer usine the National Electronic Fund Transfer(NEFT) and other modes available to the foundation account maintained with the State Bank of India, quoting:
Account Name : Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation
Savings Account No.: 10013241620
IFS Code: SBIN0005797
State Bank of India, Santhome Branch, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Further to reach more readers we publish his works along with transliteration and commentary in Tamil and also in English. The books that are readily available are as follows:
1. Sivaleelarnavam Rs.300/-2. Kalividambanam Rs. 45/-
3. Chandee Rahasyam Rs. 20/-
4. Vairagya Sadakam Rs. 90/-
5. Saba Ranjana Sadakam Rs. 90/-
6. Sivothkarsha Manjari (very few books available)
7. Neelakanta Deekshitharu Avaradhu Kavyangalum (under Print)
8. Sri Ramayana Sara Sankraham - Raghuveerasthvam published shortly
