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Friday, May 17, 2013

Thiruvallikkeni Vasantha Uthsavam for Sri Parthasarathi 2013


Thiruvallikkeni is replete with Festivities.  After the Theppothsavam, came the Thavana Uthsavam; Pallava Uthsavam,  Sri Rama Navami Uthsavam,  then came the Brahmothsavam.  Close on its heels started Emperumanar Uthsavam and on the last day ~ the Sarrumurai day, started Vasantha Uthsavam.   It would amaze one to understand the significance of each Uthsavam and the care with which our elders have designed them.  There are palaces [bungalows] specially built for providing rest to Perumal on different occasions ~ at Thiruvallikkeni, there is Thavana Uthsava Bungalow situated in Thulasinga Perumal Koil Street, Komutti Bungalow in Peyalwar Koil Street and Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in Venkatrangam Street ~ sad that the big spacious sprawling premises of Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow is no longer there……..

Now is the time for the 7 day Vasanthothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam and today 17th May 2013 is day 4.  ‘Vasantham ‘ is a season – a pleasant one at that.  Vasantham corresponds to Spring season.  While they have only 4 seasons in the West, we have six seasons.  Here it is Vasantha Ruthu also known as ‘Ilavenil’  ~ வசந்தம் என்பது பருவம். வசந்த ருது எனவும் இளவேனில் எனவும் பெயர் பெற்றது இது. சித்திரை. வைகாசி இரண்டையும் இளவேனில் என்பார்கள். வசந்தகாலம் எல்லோரும் ஆவலுடன் எதிர்பார்க்கும் பருவம். தளிர்க்கும், பூக்கும் தாவரங்கள்,பாடித் திரியும் பறவைகள் என கூர்ந்து நோக்கினால் மகிழ்ச்சியாகவும், வியப்பாகவும் இருக்கும் காலம் இது.

Spring is a season. We have seasons because the earth takes a year to move round the sun, which gives us light and warmth, and because the earth tilts at an angle of 23.5 degrees.  Spring is the season when one can see lots of flowers blossoming.  There existed a bungalow known as Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow  in Venkatrangam Street abound with many trees, fragrant flowers, ponds and a big well [nadai bavi kinaru] which had steps for getting inside.  All that is gone.  Till a few years back, Sri Parthasarathi Perumal used to visit this Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in the morning and ‘thirumanjanam’ would be performed there.  In the evening, He would return. 

In the year 2004, after Samprokshanam,  when Perumal was to visit here on the 4th day, it was found that the promenade deck had been razed to the ground and a pandal erected.  On the 7th day of the Uthsavam ~ kuthirai vahana purappadu, Sri Parthasarathi did not go inside the bungalow and sadly never after that.  Now it is only ‘periya mada veedhi’ purappadu. 

The property owners were keen on promoting the property for apartments leaving some portion for the Perumal; years later, they constructed one mantap with entrance in TP Koil 2nd lane. Meantime, there was litigation on the property between those claiming to be owners and Temple authorities.

Without going into the merits of the case, it is sad for all Bakthas that the beautiful sprawling premises where Sri Parthasarathi and Sri Azhagiya Singar visited is no longer there and the grand Vasantha uthsavam got stopped permanently.  Perhaps with the property owned by the Temple, Authorities can easily construct another mantap – may be at the erstwhile premises where Post office functioned at Big Street, have a beautiful mantap, surrounded by fragrant trees aka Nandavanam and conduct Vasantha Uthsavam and many others there…………  

Here are some photos taken during Vasantha Uthsava purappadu today….

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
17th May 2013.





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